Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 771 Underwater Detonation
Da da da--

The rapid bursts of rifle fire echoed through the streets and alleys, startling two winged creatures perched atop the ruins of a building. They flapped their wings and took to the air, flying at an incredible speed toward the inner moat.

Their actions quickly attracted the attention of their kin on the ground. Under the connection of the hive consciousness, the ordinary black lizard warriors followed closely behind, moving nimbly through the city ruins, gradually gathering together and surging towards their target.

Newman watched as the enemy figures appearing at the street corner grew denser and denser, and his originally relaxed brows began to furrow slowly.

"Battalion Commander? They've all gathered around!"

"Wait a little longer, and lure as many of the surrounding enemies as possible so that the demolition team can have enough time to go into the water!"

In the small town square, soldiers steadily set up several magic-powered machine guns on a makeshift defensive line made of sand and broken bricks, their cold muzzles aimed at the enemies attacking from both ends of Blacksmith Street.

On the rooftops of the slightly higher buildings nearby, a team of snipers was also scattered and lying in ambush. Their task was not to take care of the enemies on the ground, but to guard against the winged creatures coming from the sky.

Without the fire support of airships and beam weapons, the only way to deal with those swift and elusive "giant bats" is through the precise targeting of these ace shooters.

Three hundred meters...

Two hundred meters...

One hundred meters!

Newman swung his raised hand down sharply and shouted, "Fire!"

The dark muzzle of the magic machine gun immediately spewed out scorching red flames, and a dense barrage of bullets swept over the enemy, quickly clearing a blood-soaked vacuum in the narrow alley.

Under intense and continuous fire, the machine gun could only barely last until it emptied an entire ammunition belt. The red-hot barrel needed to be replaced with a brand new spare part immediately. While the machine gunner was quickly reloading, the other soldiers raised their heads from behind the erected protective steel shields and fired a burst of fire at the approaching enemy. The winged beings that were diving down from the sky were also targeted by snipers on both flanks.

These scattered enemies, hiding in the city streets and alleys, were initially defeated and scattered by long-range artillery and airship units. Even if they regrouped, they would not pose much of a threat. If it weren't for the need to continuously draw their attention, Newman's battalion could have wiped them out completely with just a few volleys of fire.

"Have the mobile squad create more noise in the vicinity to lure out any roaming enemies from further away... that way we'll be absolutely sure of success."

The magic-powered vehicle, with its exceptional agility and obstacle-crossing capabilities, is the Northern Army's greatest advantage in maneuverability within Rhinoceros Horn City.

……

Beside an arched stone bridge on the inner moat, a small squad of soldiers dispersed, each seeking suitable cover, gripping their weapons tightly and closely monitoring their surroundings.

At the archway beneath the stone bridge, two bloodline warriors were carrying a long roll of rope, whispering something to the two local resistance members who had guided them there.

“What I mean is, this kid shouldn’t go into the water. Just you leading the way is enough… We can easily follow you to find the location of the underground water source, since we’ve already determined the general location.”

The rebel leader, his face bearing gruesome scars, hesitated for a moment, seemingly swayed by the persuasion. The boy, called Little John, however, stubbornly shook his head and explained in a low voice, "Sir, the situation in the moat is complicated… Over the years, too much garbage has accumulated that can't be retrieved. A few years ago, an entire carriage even fell into the river. With the water so murky, it's very difficult for you to pinpoint the exact location by just feeling your way." Only the dredging workers who are active on the moat year-round are truly skilled at holding their breath and diving in murky water.

After saying that, he pointed to the roll of thick rope, a smile playing on his lips, "You just need to tie it tight for me with the rope, Uncle Meyer will follow behind me, and once we find the water eye, I can immediately help him place the alchemical bomb and explosive device!"

This was a plan determined after repeated discussions with Battalion Commander Newman. Rather than risking going underwater to confirm the location first, and then returning to shore to carry explosives and dive again, it would be better to directly find the underground water outlet and immediately drop a bomb to blow it up and seal it.

This is why two bloodline warriors were arranged to assist the leader Meyer and the young John. Although Newman and his soldiers made a big enough commotion in Blacksmith Street, no one could guarantee that all the enemies in the water had been attracted ashore. If they encountered them after entering the water, Meyer might be able to escape by chance... but little John would definitely die.

Time was of the essence, and further arguments were pointless; ultimately, everything was geared towards accomplishing the mission… Meyer and John Jr. went into the water to plant the alchemical bomb, while the two bloodline warriors on the shore were responsible for controlling the miniature alchemical beast that would carry out the explosion, and keeping an eye on the ropes to rescue the two who had gone into the water in a critical moment.

After a slight ripple, the two people, with ropes tied around their waists, silently slid into the water.

The rope loops piled up on the shore gradually extended into the water, but suddenly a winged creature appeared overhead, flapping its wings and flying by. A soldier on guard instinctively raised his gun to fire, but was stopped by the bloodline warrior who raised his hand sharply... This guy was obviously attracted by the battle that broke out in the blacksmith street, and it was wise not to alert the enemy.

Half a minute later, two bubbles suddenly rose up from the murky river surface, and then the rope stopped sliding down.

"They found it so quickly?" a bloodline warrior whispered in surprise.

"I thought they would at least come up for air a few times... These guys are such good swimmers." Bloodline warriors rely on their strong physique and their ability to hold their breath is not to be underestimated, but when it comes to underwater swimming, they are much worse.

Another series of fine bubbles rose to the surface, and the previously still rope suddenly trembled twice before flying into the water as if something was pulling it with great force.

"Oh no! Could they have encountered the Lizardmen?" The Bloodline Warrior reacted quickly, stepping forward and firmly stomping on the rope. Without further ado, he began to rapidly retract it. The sensation in his palm indicated that the other end of the rope was still tied to the diver, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, the alchemical beast control device held by the other person began to flash rapidly, which undoubtedly indicated that the controlled miniature alchemical beast had arrived near the alchemical explosives and was ready to detonate them at any time!

"Wait a minute! Give me twenty seconds!"

The warrior with the bloodline pulling the rope flexed his muscles and used almost all his strength to quickly pull the rope back. Just when he was about to reach the end, his hands suddenly felt light, and his body staggered half a step backward due to the inertia.

With a splash, a section of the severed rope surfaced, the cut clean and smooth, as if it had been severed by some sharp instrument.

The samurai holding the rope winked at his companion and plunged into the river without hesitation.

They had only dived less than half a meter when they reached out and touched Little John, who was struggling to rise to the surface. The two immediately turned around and swam back to shore.

"What about Meyer? The underground water well and the alchemical bomb..."

Before he could finish speaking, Little John spat out the water that had gotten into his throat and said urgently, "Sir, detonate it quickly! There are many alien monsters in the water hole!"

(End of this chapter)