Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 225: Gun of Annihilation
To the north of the Xieyue Mountains, there is a hilly area with jagged terrain.

Damo Franky and his followers patrolled the makeshift camp, constantly chatting and greeting the low-level combat mages stationed there along the way.

About a week had passed since we suddenly received the combat mission issued by the Federation and arrived here to set up camp and hide.

This hilly highland is located less than a day's journey from the supply center of the demon invasion on the western front.

As long as you climb over the low mountain not far away, you can clearly see the vast wasteland below. The dense primeval forest is like a dark green ocean, winding to the end of the invisible plain.

A magnificent black fortress, like a huge abscess parasitic on the earth, lies ugly and abruptly in the middle of the vast plain - that is the front-line supply center of the demon clan.

Dozens of long supply lines extended behind it, and from the air it was obvious that the surrounding area was full of the remains of cut down and burned vegetation.

"Master Frankie! The scout wizard we sent out last night has returned and is waiting to report back to you at the main camp!"

After receiving the notification from his personal guards, Damo Franky nodded and immediately rushed towards the main camp.

Two reconnaissance mages wearing the Federation's standard robes were sitting in the conference tent, talking in low voices. When they saw the chief officer open the tent and walk in, they immediately stood up and saluted.

"Sir, the demonic supply lines have indeed shown signs of regrouping. This time, they've sent even more hybrid monsters. We've seen more than... more than ten demonic warbands along the way."

Franky frowned and asked, "Ten? How did you get such accurate information? Can you get close to the supply line? Where are the demon cavalry scouts?"

The older scout mage grinned, unhooked the long backpack he'd been carrying, and caressed it lovingly. "This newly issued anti-magic device is the perfect weapon to counter those demon cavalry! Using the Reconnaissance Eye, we can spot them from hundreds of meters away. We just need to use concealment magic from a long distance in the dark, unleashing the magic arrows in this weapon to instantly kill them, leaving them no chance to even raise a warning signal..."

Another younger scout mage couldn't wait to chime in, "True, it's a pity we were only issued ten magic bows and arrows. Otherwise, we'd probably have wiped out all the demon scout teams along Supply Route 3... Hehe, those scouts usually return to camp on a three-day rotation. Their main camp probably hasn't noticed the large number of scout cavalry missing yet."

Damo Franky froze, clenching his fists as he scolded with a pained look on his face, "How reckless! How could you use such a precious item against those lowly demon scouts? Do you know how rare this thing is? The masters of the high-level mage regiment only get 20 to 30 magic bows and arrows per person. If it weren't for Sir Gallagher's insistence, you mage scouts wouldn't even be qualified to touch them!"

A high-level magic weapon that can instantly kill the berserk demon soldiers from a long distance without consuming any magic power of the caster is extremely important to them.

The emergence of this powerful magical weapon that transcends its time is like having an additional most important life-saving trump card for most low-level combat mages in the Federation. They themselves are the group with the largest casualties on the battlefield between the two races, and their casualty rate is second only to the ordinary escort soldiers who are used as cannon fodder.

The 100-man mage reconnaissance team led by Franky received some preferential treatment because of their outstanding past achievements and they always rushed to the front line of the battlefield. More than half of the reconnaissance mages were fortunate enough to obtain the right to use this weapon, and each of them was issued ten magic bows and arrows to activate the weapon.

"Do you know that in order to get more magic bows and arrows from the commander-in-chief, I almost knelt down and grabbed his robe and begged..."

The old scout mage shuddered and explained repeatedly, "Sir, we are not acting recklessly! At least we have advanced to the vicinity of supply line number three and obtained accurate information about the enemy's reinforcements!"

Franky rolled his eyes and was about to continue scolding his men for their wasteful behavior when another personal guard came in from outside the tent and whispered in his ear, "Sir, the commander-in-chief has arrived at the front and is currently stationed with Lord Raphael's regiment. Do you want to go and see him now?"

"The Commander-in-Chief is here? Doesn't that mean the high-level mage regiment has also arrived at the front line?" Franky stood up suddenly, and an idea flashed through his mind.

The Federation is probably going to make a big move against the Demon Race’s western supply center!
The guard added quietly, "I heard that the commander-in-chief brought a lot of magic bows and arrows that had just been delivered to Blackrock City from the rear. The mage leaders of other warbands have received the news and are rushing to meet him..."

Franky was shocked and shouted angrily, "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Quick! Quick! Quick! Let's set off immediately to meet the commander! If we're a step late, those precious magic bows and arrows will be snatched away by the guys from other regiments!"

……

As the only high-level spellcaster in the scout regiment, Franky couldn't wait for his personal guards to gather and follow him. He raised a gust of ice and snow wind and rushed straight into the sky, heading towards the camp of another mage regiment not far behind here.

Behind the hilly highlands is a stretch of dark green mountains. This is also a canyon gap in the Evil Moon Mountains. It is not only one of the important marching routes for the demon army to move south, but also an important stronghold for resisting the invasion of the demons.

The Raphael Regiment, a scout mage regiment like Franky, was stationed at the foot of the mountain. This scout camp wasn't a temporary structure, but a permanent fortification in the form of a battle fortress, primarily designed to provide long-term surveillance of the demonic frontline. Once the magical beacon of war was ignited, even Blackrock City would receive an instant warning. Despite Franky's full-throttle spell, he rushed into the battle fortress's meeting hall to find several of his colleagues already seated, arguing furiously.

"Franky? You're here so soon? The magic messenger I sent to notify you of your coming just flew out of the battle castle not long ago." Old comrade Raphael stood up and greeted him with a smile.

Franky rolled his eyes and ignored him. He walked straight to the scout regiment commander, the high-level spellcaster Andre Weiss, and saluted with his hand on his chest. "Your Excellency, I just received a report from the scouts. The demons have sent at least ten regiments of hybrid monsters from the rear supply line..."

"They haven't launched a large-scale invasion in recent months, but they've been sending reinforcements to the front lines. I suspect there will be a major move..."

The scout commander, Andre Weiss, who was sitting at the head of the group, narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Your scout team actually advanced to the vicinity of their supply line and even obtained information about their troop strength?"

Another gray-haired Centurial Mage officer sneered, "Frankie's scout regiment has always had the highest casualty rate among ours. Without high-level spellcasters to suppress them from the air, the scout mages who can only advance on the ground... can only rely on the loss of lives to obtain frontline battle reports..."

Franky glared at him, then bowed and replied, "I dispatched two teams of scout mages. Utilizing their newly issued anti-magic weapons, they cleared out most of the demon scouts entrenched along Supply Line 3. Taking advantage of the time difference between the enemy cavalry rotations, they were able to reach the supply line and gather information."

"You...you've used up all the magic bow and arrows? The secret is above, and Jane...it's simply a waste! Such a powerful magic weapon should be used in frontal combat to deal with those difficult berserker soldiers and demon priests, not ordinary demon scouts!"

Everyone looked at Franky as if he were a fool, and they were in disbelief, just like hearing someone use high-level magic to hit a mosquito.

Commander Andre Weiss chuckled and said, "The other chapters assigned new magical weapons and magic bows strictly control their battle mages' free use. But you, on the other hand, during a sudden reconnaissance of the supply line, threw away most of them like water."

He waved his hand, then suddenly changed the subject: "But you're right! No matter how valuable the weapon is, it's nothing compared to crucial enemy intelligence and the life of a battle mage."

"Also... this time I came here to tell everyone that there's no need to be reluctant to use the magic bows and arrows you were issued. The combat department has dispatched even more supplies to the front lines, a full 30,000 magic bows and arrows. Not only will they be fully equipped for the high-level mage regiments, but your scout and defense regiments will also receive a significant amount..."

The wizard's attendant came forward and handed him an anti-magic energy weapon.

Andre Weiss held up an alchemical weapon in his hand, forged from metal and mithril and engraved with numerous energy inscriptions. He announced loudly to the crowd, "The Federation has unanimously decided to name this weapon the Lance of Annihilation, and the magical bows and arrows that activate and release energy attacks will be collectively referred to as Annihilation Bullets. More Lance of Annihilation and ammunition will be delivered to Blackrock City in a week... We want to put these anti-magic weapons in the hands of all the Federation's battle mages!"

Everyone in the conference hall was silent for a few breaths, and then immediately broke out into more heated discussions.

"Issued to the entire army? Everyone has one? Even low-level spellcasters who serve as support are eligible to use it?"

"You don't even need to channel your magic power. You can just pull the trigger and kill the demon soldiers. Let alone low-level spellcasters, even those academic idiots can use it at will."

"How many magic bows...and annihilation bullets will that require? Will the Alchemy Quest be able to supply them for the war? Wouldn't this drain the Federation's coffers?"

"Hmph, I don't care about that. As long as my regiment is fully equipped and has a sufficient supply of annihilation bombs, I can also take on the mission of reconnaissance!"

Damo Franky ignored the discussions of the other chapter leaders. Instead, he pondered for a moment and asked the commander, Andre Weiss, "Sir, are we... going to launch a large-scale counterattack against the demon front center in the near future? Are we... going to storm their central fortress?"

The surrounding discussions stopped immediately, and everyone held their breath waiting for the response from the scout regiment commander.

"Haha, this isn't exactly top secret news. You should have all heard about it... We will no longer be conducting joint defense or combat operations with the Church and the Wizard Kingdom coalition."

"From now on, the Federation will solely shoulder the battle missions on the western front of the Evil Moon Mountains, whether it's resisting the demon army's resurgence or counterattacking north of the Evil Moon Mountains..." He stood up and raised the Spear of Annihilation high in his hand. "This is our greatest asset in breaking free from the constraints of the Church and the Seven Wizarding Nations. Let everyone in the southern border see for themselves who truly stands on the front lines of humanity, the backbone of the resistance against alien invasion!"

"Next, our first large-scale counterattack mission... will involve using the high-level mage regiment as the main force, with the scout regiment as support, to target the demon race's supply lines three to eight... and cut off the surprise attack plan!"

(End of this chapter)