Will the kemonomimi encounter Alien Ranch Story?

However, the truth is that both sides think this way. Therefore, many times, you can only win by using unconventional methods.

The appearance of the armored ship indicated that the operation was starting to go wrong. However, the situation was not yet so dire that the operation had to be abandoned.

Since Crescent Peak has already been captured by Mudrock and the others, it means that even with armored ships, the enemy can only block one path, and the port platform will also have to face the firepower of their own fortresses.

The cliff-like terrain undoubtedly provides strong resistance against frontal attacks. Even if the enemy occupies the port area, they will be exposed to fire from both sides, resulting in heavy casualties.

However, if the enemy manages to bypass these two high ground fortresses and launch a surprise attack, then the defending troops will be in serious trouble.

"They destroyed most of the fixed equipment; at least three electromagnetic piercers were completely unusable, as were these divine fire cannons."

"Are Theresis's men really that determined?"

“It’s the Red Fang Mercenary Group…that’s always been their style.” Mudrock inspected the command post. This was a Sarkaz mercenary group, known for their fierce and resolute fighting and their never surrendering or deserting.

Most of their members came from the mining areas of the central mountains. In other words, if they didn't get paid, their whole family would starve to death, and if they deserted on the battlefield, their entire family would be executed by their comrades.

Because if they didn't do this, they wouldn't get new jobs, and in the end, their whole family would starve to death.

"Number of people?" Niyan tilted his head and asked in a muffled voice.

"The entire mercenary group has only about 300 people. After deducting the necessary logistics, cooks, and command personnel, the actual combat personnel are less than 200. Therefore, Theresis put them together with his new recruits." As for those new recruits... emmm, they did far more harm than good.

After the first round of incendiary bombs, they collapsed. If they weren't on the summit where they couldn't even run, the mercenaries alone wouldn't have been able to hold out for more than an hour.

It was clearly Red Fang's men who destroyed the weapons and equipment. Hopefully, Therese will keep his promise and settle the remaining payment.

Otherwise, there isn't just one mercenary group serving Theresis in the central mountains. If they refuse to pay... then things will get really messy.

Mountain mercenaries are renowned for their exceptional combat skills, unwavering will, and unwavering loyalty; they are even more adept at fighting tough battles than most regular soldiers. However, all of this hinges on one crucial condition: that the employer keeps their promise and pays the hefty contract fee.

What if the employer delays or refuses to pay?

Not good means that if the employer breaks the agreement, they will immediately terminate the service and may serve the enemy at any time, or simply form an alliance and rob the employer—a bandit gang with the fighting power and organization of a regular army is probably every regime's nightmare.

This was also the only unit under Theresis's command that even with money, the doctor couldn't recruit, because their reputation was their lifeblood. Their entire families and even their entire clans were waiting for this money to make a living, just like the city-state of Sparta, where boys were selected and trained from birth, and their only task was to fight.

After all, that land, which had been plundered by foreigners and left with only tons of infected people and barren land where nothing could grow, had only life itself that was worth something, allowing them to survive.

"Turn the guns around and suppress the port's firepower. The main regiment is already on the offensive!"

What about that ship?

"Never mind it!" Since there's nothing we can do about it anyway, let's just go our separate ways. The attacking force of over a thousand people is scattered and disorganized. Even if you try to kill them with your warships, it will take you a while. Besides, it also has to deal with the fortress on the summit right now.

"Cover with artillery fire, everyone get into the tunnels!" Compared to the Theresis guys who were unfamiliar with modern warfare, Mudrock's side retreated incredibly fast.

Upon discovering that the warship was targeting them, they quickly rushed into the tunnel, not forgetting to close the blast doors and tow away any easily movable fixed weapons.

"Boom!" The naval guns plowed through the ground. Even through the tens of meters thick granite rock layer and the metal composite lining, it felt as if the whole person was trapped in some kind of vibrator, with a buzzing in their ears and fine dust constantly sliding down from the top of their head.

The warship captain has clearly found his place, rather than getting lost in a bunch of light units.

Moreover, they were trying to circle around when their main guns didn't have enough gun depression angle. It would have been better to destroy the two fortresses on the summit that posed a significant threat to their side first.

After all, it wouldn't be easy for these people to take over the elevator platform. Everyone knows that all it takes is to drag a few cannons from the dock and aim them at the stairwell, and no one can rush up there. Not to mention, if the elevator is blown up, it will make things even more impossible for these people.

If the fortress on the summit is not destroyed, all friendly forces on the dock will be subjected to heavy fire from behind, making it very easy for ground troops to break through the port area.

"Bombardment over, return to your positions!"

"Suppress deck fire!"

"Bang!" The last steel bullet fired by the electromagnetic piercer bounced off the turret armor, sending sparks flying. "Ineffective!"

"Attack the superstructure and deck!" Due to the prevalence of direct-fire weapons, the Terran landship's horizontal armor belt is generally weak, or rather, almost non-existent. The armor belt is mainly concentrated on the sides where it is vulnerable to fire from the ground and other warships.

"Bang!" The second piercing shot successfully penetrated the deck, the steel plate twisted and warped, and the wooden decking exploded and flew everywhere. The destructive effect of this kinetic energy attack was extremely bad.

"They're here again! Take cover!"

"Boom!" A bunker was blown into the air, and the beam of the spell amplification cannon reduced it to a pile of scorching garbage.

Normally, warships are at a significant disadvantage when engaging in a direct confrontation with fixed fortifications. However, if most of the fixed equipment in the latter has been destroyed by the defending forces, then the situation is quite different.

Fortunately, the fortress at Crescent Peak was severely damaged, and the troops of Theresis guarding the other fortress were not as skilled as the mountain mercenaries.

"The steam cannon is ready!" Although the steam cannon produced by Victoria has the word "steam" in its name, it is not a weapon that uses steam to launch projectiles. Instead, it mixes Originium particles with a certain high-energy solution to turn high-energy, high-temperature Originium steam into ammunition.

After the warlock activates it, the Originium vapor, due to its smaller particle size, releases energy more quickly, producing a phenomenon similar to "explosive combustion." To put it simply, when fired, it becomes a green, burning fireball that triggers a massive explosion upon impact.

"It's veering off course!" The land-based ship made an emergency maneuver, causing its stern to take the brunt of the blow. Half of the stern flew into the air, and the ship billowed thick smoke.

Although it evaded a fatal attack, the problem arose from the fact that it had been forced into battle without completing repairs. With a piercing shriek, the warship gradually fell silent.

"The engine exploded?" The attackers looked at each other in disbelief. Who did it? Why did the enemy's engine suddenly explode, losing most of its power? That meant its spell cannons were completely silenced—could someone really be planning to burn sorcerers as cannonballs?

"No matter who did it, prepare to attack!" Once the warship stops, it's the ground forces' specialty, especially since its main guns are out of commission.

"Prepare the steam cannon for the second shot!"

"Not enough pressure!" The captured gunner was covered in sweat; Victoria's steam cannons were old machines from many years ago.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have sold it to Theresis. This thing requires a long pressurization time, while steam bombs are prepared only when needed.

Otherwise, such a highly explosive gaseous substance that ignites at the slightest disturbance could easily blow up an entire fortress and base under normal circumstances.

"Bang!" An electromagnetic piercing weapon struck the side of the ship, sending sparks flying. The flying steel debris caused the crew members who were holding weapons and waiting by the window to scream and cover their eyes as they fell to the ground. "Someone's down, medic!"

"How long will it take to repair the engine!" The captain was also on edge. Emergency maneuvers on land are different from those at sea. The pressure on the movement and power system is enormous, not to mention that the stern power area had just been hit by a cannonball, causing the direct transmission to jam. Under the violent grinding, the flying parts punctured the power pipes.

High-energy fossil steam leaked on the spot, even though the warship officers were all retired Victorian fleet officers hired by the fleet.

But the crew didn't react that way. Upon seeing the Originium vapors indicating infection and poisoning spreading, the crew decisively ran away and locked the airtight doors—which meant that no one in the engine room was managing the damage.

With the Originium-powered steam ignited, an engine explosion was inevitable. Fortunately, the backup unit was undamaged.

However, it can only maintain the warship's basic maneuverability and ensure that some equipment functions properly.

"It's beyond repair. Both extraction boilers were completely blown up, and the pipelines are gone too. It will need to be sent back to the factory for major repairs!"

"Boom!" The ship shook violently, tilting to one side by about 2 degrees before bouncing back. Everyone was rolling around on the deck and in the cabins.

"Report compromised!"

"Shot in the side, armor severely damaged, we cannot afford another hit!"

There is no more terrifying story than losing mobility and power when exchanging fire with a fixed fortress, whose accuracy and range are far greater than those of naval guns.

"Can't you even aim a little more accurately?"

"I...I did my best, sir," the gunner stammered nervously. He had been recruited by Therese and had no intention of dying for the Regent. But when these Yankees put a gun to his head, he quickly defected.

Otherwise, it would take these people quite some time to learn how to use such a complex steam cannon.

Moreover, accidents can easily happen if one is not careful. If this person had even a shred of loyalty to the emperor, he could blow up all these invaders inside the fortress—but loyalty to the emperor? What's it worth anyway!?

Although the Regent paid them enough as technical troops, it wasn't worth risking their lives to die alongside the Yankees.

Every battle, every time a strong defense of Theresis is destroyed, is like taking out his few well-organized elite troops and grinding them down, just like the battles the Doctor had fought before. Grinding down this core force, the remaining cannon fodder has a much greater negative impact than their own.

Theresis appears to have great depth. In reality, he only has one defensive line, this first one, deployed entirely with his elite troops and highly paid mountain mercenaries. These guys are indeed difficult to deal with, extremely difficult. However, once this elite force is destroyed, the rest…

The difference between issuing a proclamation and pacifying the region is that the doctor needs to divide his troops to catch any stragglers, and the local garrisons need a group of excellent grassroots officers and combat forces.

"The third round of artillery fire is coming!" This time, it hit the tracks directly, the road wheels flew out, and it ran over the middle of the main armored regiment, instantly smashing a light assault vehicle into a pancake.

"Sir, sir, I didn't mean to!" The gunner screamed and crouched down, clutching his head. This shot had indeed brought the land-based ship to a complete stop, but it had also caused devastating casualties among his own men.

Those rolling road wheels and flying track plates splattered all over the New 2nd Regiment. Hundreds of tons of stuff rolled over, literally crushing everything on the road.

"Continue!" Although the muscles on his face were twitching, he maintained a basic level of calm and ordered the gunner to continue firing.

Perhaps driven by the fear of being killed at any moment, the fourth round of shelling accurately hit the upper command platform, lifting the ship's command group along with the communications mast.

"Well played..."

"Thank you, sir..."

"continue!"

"No, we can't continue, the cannon, the barrel is overheating..."

"Tsk!"

When the warship was hit by artillery fire, the garrison on the platform retreated at an astonishing speed, running into the mountain base and lowering the gates, thus completely betraying the mercenaries still guarding the lower platform and cargo platform.

"Tsk, I knew those bigwigs couldn't be trusted." This kind of thing wasn't unexpected for the mercenaries; it wasn't the first time they'd been tricked on the battlefield.

But as long as the gentlemen remember to pay the full amount, they will fight to the very end.

The mercenaries' will to resist was extremely strong. Grenades, spells, and crossbow bolts overwhelmed the attackers, making it almost impossible for them to raise their heads. Meanwhile, the latter's assault rifles, armored vehicles, and light volcano cannons also inflicted huge casualties on the mercenaries.

"Huh? This is..." Ivan, who was in charge of commanding the main force, and Mudrock inside the fortress both received an urgent message from the rear, at the cost of two relay Hummingbirds being shot down while advancing to transmit the information.

"Get the megaphones ready!" The message was simple: the central mountain region, the abandoned mining area, had been taken over by the newly formed mountain division. In other words, the entire families of these mercenaries were now under the Doctor's control.

Their will to fight stemmed from sending money back to save their families. Their organization, loyalty, and determination to fight to the last man were all based on this foundation. The reason why the Doctor slowed down on the main battlefield was to wait for this news—to win hearts and minds is the best strategy, not to conquer cities!

"My dear mountain tribesmen, it is with great regret that the Regent has abandoned your families. Now your families and homeland are part of New Kazdel. Do you still want to fight to the end for that hypocrite?"

The attackers immediately slowed their pace, but the mercenaries who heard the news remained unmoved. This wasn't the first time they'd encountered similar schemes and deceptions, and without direct evidence, they wouldn't believe it.

"I know you won't believe us. So, we've brought you some evidence..."

For example, there were letters of surrender from the elders of the mountain tribes, recordings of the wives and children of some of the mercenary group's high-ranking members, and even holographic projections of Xia Lin showing the corresponding scenes.

Terra clearly didn't have Photoshop skills, at least not the Sarkaz, and this evidence caused a stir among the mercenaries. They quickly selected a representative to negotiate, and their demands were simple:

First, they paid Therese's wages. They didn't trust any government because in the past, no Sarkaz government had changed life in the abandoned mines; they only trusted money.

Second, their families should not be held responsible for war crimes. As for whether they themselves should be arrested and convicted, that is fine, but their families should not be implicated.

Third, young people and children who have just joined the mercenary group must be spared and not executed.

If they agree to the above three points, they will surrender and may even switch sides to serve the PhD.

“We don’t need mercenaries. If you still want to go to the battlefield, you have to accept reorganization…” Ivan thought for a moment and said, “As for other conditions, they are not unreasonable. We will not judge your past crimes, because that is your duty, provided that you have not committed the atrocities of massacring civilians and looting…”

"As for the newcomers and children who haven't yet participated in combat or actual operations, we're not executioners, and we won't do anything to them."

"Finally, the money issue... well, it's not really an issue."

After agreeing to the terms, the mercenaries laid down their weapons and surrendered one after another, or more accurately, they turned against the group on the spot. However, the group did not trust them and did not include them in the assault team.

"Honestly, if those ragtag troops of Theresis were half as good and resilient as these men who are paid to fight, we would lose at least twice as many men," Ivan complained. Originally, with casualties and a force several times larger than the attackers, using various firepower and artillery emplacements on the platform to hold off the attackers, Ivan's men would soon suffer such heavy losses that they would be unable to organize a new round of attacks and would eventually have to abandon the entire military operation.

However, they chose to abandon tons of equipment and hide directly inside the mountain.