Magic Industrial Age.

Chapter 497-495: Frontal Battle (Please Subscribe)
If we were to characterize the legions dispatched by the three major powers of the coalition, the Slavs would be typically arrogant, conceited, and disdainful of others.

After testing the waters of Frostmoon Canyon, they no longer took the Flower Territory's Imperial Guard seriously, focusing solely on surprise attacks, advances, and breakthroughs, at an ever-increasing pace.

The Sardinian army, on the other hand, exhibited typical pirate habits: greed for glory, recklessness, and rampant plunder.

As the commander of the western front, Alfonso Zeke had a clear understanding of their weaknesses, which is why he set a trap in Grand Bassard.

It was a very simple trap, but it directly targeted the greed in people's hearts. After luring this army of tens of thousands into the complex terrain, it carried out a comprehensive annihilation.

It can be said that Lloyd's strategy of "feigning weakness" had a remarkable effect on these two legions.

The only exception was Bonaparte's army on the southern front, which performed quite differently. General Falkwood's strategy can be described as both bold and cautious.

What's audacious is that their advance was not slow, at least not much slower than the other two legions.
They marched north, breaking through multiple lines of defense within the territory of the Flower Territory, and advancing directly towards Brussels.

This was General Falkwood's explanation to the nation, proving that Marshal Joffre's ability to judge character was indeed well-deserved.

The deeper they went, the more vigilant General Fakwood became.

As the army passed, giant eagle riders first scouted the skies to ensure there were no signs of their activity on the ground.
Then the wanderer explored ten miles ahead, sifting through all the areas he was to pass through.

Thus, the main army marched on, with the Great Horned Deer Knights patrolling the perimeter, and the soldiers of the 13th Division marching in small groups in several columns.

If a surprise attack occurs, they can be divided into numerous small teams at any time to find cover and take refuge.

Frankly, this is what a military march should look like.

What is most commendable is that Falk Wood, as the son of a merchant, was able to achieve absolute control over the legion.

The soldiers of the newly formed 13th Division aside, the fact that even the proud knights of the Imperial Eagle Knights could obey his commands as if they were his own limbs speaks volumes about their abilities.

The Flower Clan had actually prepared a trap for them; in a small town they passed through, glittering gold and silver were scattered on the ground, easily within reach.

But when General Fak Wood found out, he actually led his army to change their original marching route and directly avoided the town.

Seeing that they were about to miss each other, the temporary commander of the southern front, the female tyrant Tanya Anderson, decisively ordered the entire army to attack.

Luo Yi was a person who liked to plan ahead, so during the establishment, expansion and training of the Imperial Guard, he also paid attention to the cultivation of generals.

For example, Alfonso Zeke, despite being a Grand Knight Commander, has an extremely thorough understanding of magical warfare.

The Imperial Guard's use of magical weapons, the training of special forces, and tactics for urban warfare were all guided and oriented by Luo Yi; he planned them all himself.

It can be said that he was the number one military officer besides Luo Yi.

But he alone is clearly not enough, and among the other extraordinary beings, two others have also stood out.

Vincent Ackerman, one of the three former knight commanders, was once a potential rebel, but is now absolutely loyal.

Despite his less-than-outstanding abilities, he loved fighting bravely and often led from the front, maximizing the courage of his soldiers.

Even in dire straits, he could organize his army and resist step by step, preventing a catastrophic defeat.

This is clearly evident from the Eastern Front battlefield under his command.

Although Roy didn't let him use his full strength, and no magic tanks were deployed, the fact that he could lose battle after battle and still organize a defensive line the next day was no ordinary feat.

And the other one is Tanya Anderson, the female tyrant.

This only female extraordinary knight in Flower Territory is known for her fierce personality and formidable strength.

Vincent Ackerman lost to him in the competition for the custom-made Awakening Potion; in a head-on fight, he simply couldn't win.

However, this commander's style on the battlefield was both steady and aggressive.

She excels at assessing her own strengths and weaknesses, calculating the advantages and disadvantages of both sides, seizing fleeting opportunities, and delivering a ruthless and fatal blow.

Even she felt somewhat helpless in the face of General Fak Wood's caution.
However, if you can't gain an advantage, then don't. Defeating your opponent fair and square isn't that difficult.

Therefore, her orders were swift and decisive.

This battle began with aerial combat.

Silas, the hidden king of fury, whistled, his clear and melodious voice carrying far and wide, and was met with roars of lions and cries of eagles.

On the horizon, hundreds of griffins charged in menacingly, launching a surprise attack on the giant eagle knight under the leadership of the griffin king.

In terms of combat strength and teamwork, griffins are inferior to giant eagles, not to mention that they have knights on their backs, who, although not all of them are extraordinary, can still assist in the battle.

However, when it comes to agility and speed, griffins are superior, and their orders are not to fight, but to engage in close combat.

They came in with great force, first breaking up the formation of the giant eagles, then fighting each other in pairs, and then trying to lure the giant eagles away.

Then, accompanied by the roar of engines, one after another magic tanks emerged from underground bunkers, from street corners, and even crashed through walls.

Dozens of steel monsters roared forward, crushing everything in their path; some even opened fire while still accelerating.

Boom boom boom!

The dark cannon barrel glowed with magical light, and in the blink of an eye, the massive steel machinery trembled. Amidst the rising smoke, the cannonball was launched.

Unlike field guns, tank guns have a near-straight trajectory and extremely terrifying direct-fire firepower.

Dozens of cannonballs whistled through the air, even as the Great Horned Deer Knights unleashed their battle auras and unleashed countless battle aura slashes to block them.

Even with its mid-air detonation, the flying shrapnel still causes immense damage, often leaving behind a bloody mist and scattered limbs wherever it lands. And this terrifying weapon continues to advance at an alarming rate.

Two heavy machine guns were activated, ready to spit fire at any moment. Behind them, the Imperial Guard soldiers followed with fanatical expressions, weapons in hand, ready to reap the enemy.

They charged forward with overwhelming force, ready to crush the enemy completely.

Yes, they did set a trap, but that was just to make winning easier.

The title of "King of Land Warfare" doesn't need to be boasted about; it's simply a matter of being able to crush enemies many times their size once they're on the battlefield.

Especially now, with tanks just being invented and not yet studied, and no countermeasures yet discovered, they are even more fearless.

Behind him, General Fak Wood witnessed this scene and his breath caught in his throat; the fear in his eyes was so intense.

Yet, his expression also held a hint of relief.

So this is the hidden trick of the Flower Collar!
All displays of weakness, defeats, and retreats are ultimately aimed at creating the best opportunity.

Until, at the most opportune moment, this magically powered steel monster is delivered to them!

Fak Wood was almost certain that the other two armies were going to suffer heavy losses, possibly even total annihilation.

But the thought was fleeting and he quickly dismissed it, because he now needed to save himself.

Once he calmed down, he issued various orders and took numerous countermeasures almost at lightning speed.

The Great Antlered Deer Knights gathered together and charged in small groups, attempting to slow down the steel monsters.

The soldiers in the rear used various horse-drawn carriages and supply wagons as cover to build as many defensive lines as possible.

The Great Antlers Riders charge in small squads, possessing both speed and agility, but they lack the means to destroy tanks.

Aura slashes and attacks with melee weapons are like eggs hitting a rock—completely ineffective.

Instead, two heavy machine guns opened fire, killing many knights' squires and apprentices.

The Imperial Eagle Knights focus on air-ground coordination, and their official Great Horned Deer Knights are all of extraordinary strength. However, there is also a group of knight squires and knight apprentices who are only at the second tier.

They were too vulnerable to heavy machine gun fire and were killed like wheat being harvested.

However, they did buy some time for the 13th Division; their makeshift defensive line stood in front of them.

Behind them, machine gun positions were set up, and several field guns were also placed, assembled, and ready to fire back.

Their speed was undeniably fast, and they pushed themselves to the limit.

But that's not enough, far from enough!

The rudimentary defensive line was no match for the tanks' shelling and ramming, and was torn to pieces in an instant.

The machine gun positions were even more of a joke; the valiant Bonaparte soldiers pulled the triggers, but the bullets only left sparks flying as they hit the tank armor.

As for the artillery, they were lucky enough to hit a tank in the distance, causing it to break down and shudder.

But there was nothing that could be done about those who rushed close; the field guns were either destroyed or overturned.

However, once they broke through the defensive line, the tank crews discovered that there weren't many soldiers behind them.

Apart from those blocking the enemy, the other soldiers had already begun a rapid retreat.

No one knows where they found so many horses. Two or even three people rode on one horse, trying to escape and retreat as much as possible.

Their formation looked scattered, but they still moved in small groups, keeping as much distance as possible between them.

This can reduce losses under artillery fire.

Of course, tanks are much faster than warhorses, and even a distance-based artillery barrage can kill many people.

General Falk Wood was not unprepared!

He dispatched a team of mages who formed a magic circle and unfurled a magic scroll made of dragon skin.

As the scroll unfurled, the intense elemental power caused the surrounding space to tremble violently, cracking sounds rang out, and cracks appeared one after another.

From the cracks, a rich power of earth element flowed out, causing the earth to tremble.

Legendary spell: Mass earthquake wave!

Of course, the tank crews weren't just standing by during such a long casting time; at the same time, five magic tanks fired shells.

If that hits hard, these magicians will be dead on the spot.

They'll either be blown up or suffer a magical backlash.

But at that very moment, a figure descended from the sky and crashed onto the ground. Azure water-based battle aura spread outwards, forming ripples that weakened the impact of the cannonball.

The fourth-tier natural disaster of the Bonaparte Empire could no longer hold back and made its move.

At the same time, the legendary magic was completed, as if a giant had grabbed a corner of the earth and shaken it violently.

(End of this chapter)