Episode 299: The Start of the Froz Battle
Land Battleship ＜Jötunn＞.
Though heavily damaged during the capture of the Holy Capital of Prawa, mass production had been established, so it was quickly replaced.
It is 176m in length, 62m in width, and 69m in height (the upper part of the main body is 32m above ground).
Equipped with three Fusion Reactors, it has the output to independently supply microwave power to surrounding units.
Its armaments primarily consist of six Multi-Stage Electromagnetic Cannons (Coil Cannons), sixteen Railguns, forty other small turrets, twenty Vertical Launching Systems, and two catapults.
Its carrying capacity is also enormous, befitting its gigantic size.
It is capable of continuous full-power bombardment for over an hour.
Of course, this is partly because it uses electromagnetic cannons that do not require propellant.
This time, four Jötunn and a large number of Quadruped Tanks and Multi-legged Tanks were deployed for the Walking the Dog operation.
Far behind, a Gigantia Squad was circling, and launch platforms for anti-Magic Barrier missiles were also deployed on the ground.
There is no doubt that they have assembled the highest-ranking forces that can currently be prepared around the Prawa Theocracy.
However, considering the possibility of these forces being annihilated, the latest equipment is currently being transported.
“Begin moving the units.”
“Groups A through D, commencing movement.”
“5km to effective range~”
“Estimated time of arrival: 8 minutes~”
“…Each Jötunn, switching the power reactor mode to combat status. Internal temperature and pressure rising…”
Akane, Ichigo, Utsugi, Erika, and Olive are once again serving as operators for situation reports.
Eve favors these kinds of situations, so they are deliberately providing verbal reports.
Of course, this also serves as training for the Brain Units.
In the video, the Jötunn and the surrounding Multi-legged Tank groups began to move. Each Jötunn was assigned 300 Quadruped Tanks and 100 Multi-legged Tanks. In total, 1,600 Multi-legged Machines were on the move.
The Jötunn can scatter minor obstacles with their momentum. The shrubbery spreading across the Grassland was crushed, and the Multi-legged Machines passed through the resulting path.
“That’s amazing.”
Gentle hills and forests were tossed up and crushed by the enormous mass, creating a path while stirring up a grand cloud of dust.
In fact, Jötunn had been deployed for land development in some areas.
However, there are not enough people to actively expand farmland at this time, so it is not used very much.
“The leading Jötunn B has acquired target ＜Froz＞ within effective range.”
“We will begin a simultaneous bombardment once all Jötunn are within effective range.”
The four Jötunn slightly altered their course to bring Froz, the target, into the firing range of all main Cannons installed on the centerline of the Battleship.
“Acquired effective firing range~”
“All Jötunn have shifted to bombardment posture~”
“…All Turret stability confirmed. Linking reconnaissance aircraft information. Trajectory calculation complete… All units, fire…”
The formation of the four Battleships was a single file. The area set as the battlefield had few forests or mountains, and was mostly Grassland and shrubs. Multi-legged Machines swarmed around the Jötunn like a colony of creatures.
“3, 2, 1 until impact, now.”
Froz of ＜Fenrir＞, who had been leisurely patrolling his Territory, was attacked by metal Cannon Shells fired from 24 Multi-Stage Electromagnetic Cannons (Coil Cannons).
The initial velocity was 8,000 m/s. It would take approximately 5 seconds for the shells to reach the target.
“Impact confirmed.”
Although it was a telescopic image, the moment was captured in ultra-high resolution and high speed.
Trailing smoke from the protective coating that rapidly sublimated due to aerodynamic heating, 24 Cannon Shells rushed towards Froz with a slight time difference.
The moment the Cannon Shells impacted, a film of light covered Froz’s body surface. It was a Magic Barrier.
The first few shells failed to penetrate the Magic Barrier and shattered into pieces.
The impact of those shells caused Froz to lose his balance, and the subsequent shells did not hit directly, but rather slid off or missed the body surface, so no effective impacts were observed.
“Oh dear… Perhaps his body is a little too small. This can happen when there are too many Cannons, can’t it?”
In the end, the surrounding ground was blown away spectacularly by the Cannon Shells, generating a massive cloud of dust.
The final judgment was no effective attacks. Froz’s figure was completely hidden.
“Searching for the target~”
“Where is he… There!”
Froz burst through the wall of dust. Immediate image analysis revealed that he was not injured. It seemed that hitting him with a few Cannon Shells was not an effective attack.
However, his athletic ability was measured to some extent.
“…Recalculating trajectory… Complete. Re-firing…”
The Multi-Stage Electromagnetic Cannons (Coil Cannons) fired Cannon Shells again.
Using a few seconds, the Cannon Shells pierced towards Froz—
“Target, evasive action confirmed.”
The ground exploded.
The ground surface, unable to withstand Froz’s stomping, was shattered, and the resulting shockwave pulverized it even further.
Froz evaded all the Cannon Shells. Despite being attacked by surprise, he immediately visually confirmed the next attack and moved his massive body at supersonic speed.
The flying speed of the Cannon Shells far exceeds the speed of sound. In other words, the sound cannot be heard, and it is impossible to notice unless it is caught in sight. Froz visually confirmed the Cannon Shells and then side-stepped to avoid them.
At Froz’s eye level, the horizontal distance was about 17km. Since the effective range was set at 20km, he visually recognized the Cannon Shells flying from the horizon, recognized the trajectory, and performed an evasive maneuver.
That is not a reaction speed possible for a normal creature. It is a movement that defies the laws of physics.
“Lost the target again.”
The Cannon Shells that hit the ground generated a large amount of dust again. The earth and sand covered the surroundings like a plume of smoke.
“Huh, he’s dodging Cannon Shells!? That’s impossible!!”
“It seems we need to shoot at close range.”
Froz, or rather, the Threat Creature ＜Fenrir＞. Although its body length is inferior to the Threat Creatures so far, it is judged to be considerably threatening, at least at this point.
Rather, its movements are lighter because its weight is lighter.
If long-range bombardment is ineffective, it is necessary to engage in combat at close range.
Considering that, it can be said to be a considerable threat.
“Jötunn, increased speed. ＜Iris＞ has chosen close-range combat.”
“Looks like they’re going to do a Laser Attack~”
“Quadruped Tanks and Multi-legged Tanks are going with them!”
The Jötunn units maintained a single file formation and took a course that would take them the shortest distance to Froz. This has the advantage of hiding the visibility of the following units by facing them head-on.
However, since only the Turret at the head can be used, rotation is required for attacking.
“Target reacquired. Low-power radar selected. Jötunn A is using fire control radar in a limited manner.”
To perform precise shooting, the Jötunn began using the sealed radar. Since it was a radar wave irradiation from the ground, it would not stimulate the Wyverns far away. As a precaution, measures were taken to suppress the output in the first place.
However, Froz reacted to the radar activation.
As expected, he seems to be able to sense Electromagnetic Waves.
“Froz detected and locked. Froz seems to have visually confirmed the Jötunn. Commencing movement.”
Froz burst through the dust cloud and began running towards the Jötunn.
Fast.
The Doppler radar measurements accurately detected its speed.
“Exceeded 200km/h!”
“Looks like it’s still accelerating!”
Running.
Froz ran, piercing his Legs into the earth and blowing away the surface.
The distance between them was closing in an instant.
“…Jötunn A and C, turning to the right. B and D, turning to the left. Firing range… secured.”
＜Iris＞ immediately controlled the movement of the Jötunn. They turned their sides towards Froz and prepared the Laser Turrets. The Multi-legged Machines running alongside also aimed their Laser Cannons at Froz.
The Jötunn A’s control system took control of and managed the aiming direction.
“Firing line calculation complete. Turret control complete. Commenced irradiation.”
At that moment, Froz was enveloped in a pure white glow in the video.
I didn’t think they would use a single file formation on land….
By the way, considering the formation of the Multi-legged Tanks, it’s like four ring formations lined up vertically.