Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 210 Demonic Crossbow (Tier 4)
After Su Mu assigned the gold-mining task, the number of gold-loving beasts in the plains decreased rapidly, and they were almost wiped out within a week.

Liliana created the Silent Altar and fully converted 75 vampire counts. In the past, this would have been a considerable expense, but during the Gold Rush Month, it was considered a small expenditure.

Liliana has not yet obtained any treasures. The vampire counts she previously commanded were all recruited through bewitching, which is why she was able to convert the largest number of vampire counts.

It was clear that she was aware that she had not yet gained the trust of the heroes, including Kuraki, so she kept a low profile.

She wasn't thinking of inciting more troops to build her own army. Could anyone be stronger than a level 6 Dread Knight? Didn't they see Uller's army wiped out at Bearhold? Liliana had that much experience.

She steadily completed the tasks assigned by Maggie and gradually improved herself.

[After numerous battles, Liliana gains +1 attack and learns Intermediate Bloodborne Soul.]

[Intermediate Bloodborne Enchantress: For every 4 points of Cursed Power a hero possesses, casting Deadly Bewitchment (a skill naturally acquired by heroes, usable on non-living units) grants a 20% effect boost and the special magical Bloodborne Blessing.]

【Bloodline Blessing (Flesh Magic, Intermediate Bloodline Bonus): Grants the selected unit Bloodline Blessing, granting them 40% lifesteal. Attacks restore health, which can be added to the Blood Shield. Cannot revive teammates.】

The large number of gold-devouring beasts became the materials for her to practice her necromancy. Liliana also patiently continued to use Deadly Bewitchment, and finally reaped the rewards.

Just as she was using her charm to study the love story between the gold-loving beast and the vampire, one of her vampire counts came to report: "Your Majesty, orders have come from Longlet Castle, ordering you to assemble in the North!"

Liliana took the magical letter and examined it carefully.

The female vampires under her command kept their heads down, not daring to even look at the Queen of the Night. This vampire named Akasha was quite talented and was about to be promoted to marquis, but she couldn't resist the queen's charm. She was afraid of embarrassing herself in front of Liliana and lowering the queen's opinion of her.

Because of her high-level bloodline, Liliana's allure is irresistible to both men and women, and Akasha is willing to give everything for the Queen to protect her from any harm.

"The North is currently engulfed in war, and summoning you here at this time is likely because we need to carry out some clandestine operations."

Akasha sometimes couldn't understand why Liliana, as the Night Queen, was the most sought-after hero in any cemetery city. Yet she was confined to a human castle, summoned and ordered around, treated with utter disrespect. Why did she willingly remain there?

Even if the human female mage possessed profound magical power, the cemetery was the least afraid of curses and there must be a way to break it. It was just that Liliana was unwilling to leave.

"I replied that I had received the letter and would immediately proceed to the northern border to await orders!"

Liliana handed the letter to Akasha and was about to turn and leave when she saw that the vampire countess did not move. She instantly understood what her subordinate was thinking.

"Snapped!"

A sharp slap sent Akasha crashing to her knees. Sharp nails left several bloody scratches on Akasha's fair face, but the vampire countess didn't dare utter a sound. She didn't even try to heal herself, letting the blood flow freely.

"Just do what I'm told to do, and don't have any unrealistic expectations."

Overthinking will only lead to your demise!

Akasha apologized repeatedly and hurriedly went to deliver the message, never daring to disobey the Night Queen again.

Liliana gazed at the snowy northern landscape, her blood-red eyes both eerie and alluring. As undead soldiers, they were inherently at odds with humans. Although they were unaffected by morale, they were still bound by blood ties and the power of their souls. To command this force, one had to possess considerable skill.

She knew perfectly well that she wasn't popular with Maggie; no woman would like her. But she wasn't submitting to the Marquis, but to Lord Kuraki. As long as she obeyed his orders, he couldn't do anything to her.

If one passes the test and gains a boost in governance skills, then one's future is truly limitless, and what does this current grievance matter?

Besides, men are creatures who often have a desire to collect rare and precious items, so Liliana didn't think it would be difficult for her to catch up.

Su Mu arrived at Bear Keep with the magic scroll of the Mirror Image Technique, along with 200 Earthbow troops and 50 Arcane Prayer troops.

Furthermore, six giant crystal crossbows were built for Orling and transported from Kuraki.

Each Crystal Ballista costs 2000 gold coins, which is quite expensive, but well worth it. After Ouling comprehends the Advanced Spirit Spell Cannon Technique, he can control as many ballistas as his available spell power. If he controls all the advanced ballistas, he will be able to maximize his strength.

When Orling saw the ballistae and magic scrolls, he was so excited he could hardly contain himself; he was practically ready to kowtow to the lord.

He had initially thought that the Earth Bow wouldn't be replenished for the time being, and he would have to remain dormant for a while. Now, with the Crystal Ballista, he fears no one at all.

"I knew it! The lord wouldn't forget my contributions!"

"Look how happy you are. What if you see this person again?"

Su Mu waved his hand gently, and a huge wooden cart was disassembled, revealing a supernatural crossbow cart inside. It was entirely black, and the crossbow bolts shimmered with an ethereal light. If Su Mu hadn't pointed it out, no one would have noticed that the cart contained crossbow bolts.

Unless the hero's spell power is high enough, the crossbow bolts cannot be detected.

Imagine Ouling hiding deep in the mountains, launching the first wave of attacks, catching the opponent off guard and suffering an unexpected blow – that scene would be incredibly satisfying.

【Hidden Ballista (Tier 4): The ballista can attack enemy troops from a distance in battle, increasing the attack range by 1.5 times. If the enemy hero's spell power is lower than that of the artillery hero, the Hidden Ballista bolts have the function of hiding the trajectory.

800 resistance value, attack 25, defense 25, damage is (hero attack +3) × (6~7) +40, base ammo 24, transport speed 5.

The amount of ammunition for spell crossbows is affected by Hero Knowledge, while the attack power of ballistae is affected by Artillery Skill.

Isn't this just a magical version of a stealth missile? Using the Orling Phantom Bow in conjunction with the Magic Concealment Ballista, they blasted the enemy to smithereens, and the enemy didn't even realize who the attacker was.

Advanced artillery is a targeting system that can fire at any enemy. Once locked on by magical energy, it is virtually impossible to break free unless the enemy possesses special magic.

If there's a downside, it's that the Tier 4 sports cars are much slower, which slows down the entire army.

"Wow!"

Ouling touched the magic-hidden crossbow, so fond of it that he even wanted to move back and sleep with it.

"This ballista was ordered from a wandering merchant. It's not something that ordinary cities can produce. It cost a full 15000 gold coins and 5 crystals, and that's all we got in exchange for one."

But don't feel pressured. Even if it's damaged, you can just replace it. Give Isildur a good beating!

Although the ballista was only upgraded by 1 tier, the price skyrocketed more than 10 times. The higher the grade, the more materials are needed for forging, and it also requires a high-level blacksmith to make it, which is very troublesome.

Su Mu wanted to buy more, but the merchant was unwilling to sell any more. So he decided to buy one to test the waters first. If it was a good fit, he would equip it with more, no matter the cost.

Currently, the Kuraki Blacksmith Shop can only build Tier 3 ballistae. If the Congress is upgraded later, we can try to improve the building's capabilities. However, blacksmiths are not easy to find, so we may have to inquire in the Trade City.

The construction of Kuraki still has a long way to go.

(End of this chapter)