“So, a high-output combat machine the size of a Communicator Doll is completely useless against them?”
“…If it’s a combat-specialized type, it might be able to resist. With the current energy balance, it’s possible to reproduce superior-class molecular structures. Ignoring mass production, we can manufacture special units using ultra-high-performance materials as raw ingredients.”
Ringo explained that there are limits to the strength and energy output of elements that can be collected on the ground and molecular structures that can undergo chemical reactions. By pouring in ultra-energy, it’s possible to forcibly manufacture higher-order materials and break through those limits.
Of course, mass production is virtually impossible. It would be more efficient in the long run to use the enormous energy used for manufacturing to collect resources.
Being able to prepare high-performance units is attractive, but…
“Well, I wouldn’t make them, though. It’s hard to imagine a situation where individual combat power is needed.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
For now, we’ve learned something about the combat capabilities of the enemy Warrior Monks. Next is the reaction to long-range attacks.
Strategic AI ＜Iris＞ has already sent the command.
Land Battleship ＜Jötunn＞ 4, having received the command, began to move.
The main cannon equipped on Jötunn slowly rotates. If anyone with good eyesight was on the Holy Capital’s city walls, they would be able to see it.
Firing.
The metal Cannon Shell, fired at a speed far exceeding the speed of sound, impacts the city walls in the blink of an eye.
If this could penetrate the city walls, we wouldn’t have to struggle with the siege.
“Defense Membrane confirmed.”
But it wasn’t that easy. The Cannon Shell, which seemed like it would easily penetrate the stone city walls, is shattered. A pattern of light ran along the city walls.
It’s a light Defense Membrane, which some Threat Creatures are thought to deploy constantly.
“Oh… Akane, any similarities?”
“Pattern similarities confirmed. It closely resembles the Defense Membrane deployed by Threat Creatures.”
The Armor-Piercing Shell that pierced the Defense Membrane was smashed to pieces by its own kinetic energy, scattering around as smoke.
“…So, at the very least, they have the technology to create that Barrier on a city-wide scale.”
“We want to secure it.”
“Should I tell ＜Iris＞ to consider acquiring the technology?”
Akane reacted to ＜Ringo＞’s murmur. ＜Ringo＞ paused for a few moments, probably simulating the situation if she left it to ＜Iris＞, then nodded.
“Basically, let’s leave it to ＜Iris＞. However, it’s true that the load will increase. As a backup, we’ll send Airborne Carrier (Gigantia) 3, ＜Eurytus＞.”
“Understood.”
While Akane was issuing instructions to ＜Iris＞, Eve was slowly reviewing the previous impact footage.
The Cannon Shell, which collided at a hypersonic speed of approximately 8,000 m/s, spread out like a liquid before shattering into pieces. It’s a valuable academic video showing that when a rigid body collides with a solid object at ultra-high speed, even metal behaves like a liquid.
“Perfectly rigid body, huh? I see.”
“It’s a theoretical substance, but it seems to be reproduced by magic.”
A perfectly rigid body is an ideal substance that never deforms. At least, as far as ＜Ringo＞’s analysis of the video could tell, no deformation was observed on the Barrier side.
“If it’s the same as the Barrier used by Threat Creatures, it can be neutralized with a Saturation Bombardment, though.”
“For example, could we neutralize it by ramming Jötunn into it?”
It’s a Barrier that behaves like such a rigid body, but a strategy has been established through battles with numerous Threat Creatures. If we continue the continuous Cannon fire, it will be possible to break through. Or, we could even throw a large mass like Jötunn at it.
However, if Jötunn were to ram it, it would cause extraordinary damage.
“If we use multiple units with rams to continuously inflict damage, it would be possible.”
“Ram… it certainly has a mechanism that looks like that…”
An external ram is attached to Jötunn. A shock dispersion mechanism that runs through the center of the hull from the front to the tail was prepared from the beginning. It also serves to prevent fatal damage in the event of a collision with some kind of obstacle, but it seems that they had planned for operations with a ram from the beginning.
“Well, it looks like we can manage with Cannon fire, so there’s no need to do anything dangerous like ramming it.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Jötunn is equipped with six main Cannons. All of them are Multi-Stage Electromagnetic Cannons (Coil Cannons), and although the initial velocity is about 6,000 m/s, which is inferior to a Railgun, the diameter of the Cannon Shells fired is orders of magnitude larger. Naturally, the kinetic energy projected is also considerable.
There are four Jötunns equipped with such main Cannons. A total of 24 Coil Cannons are aimed at the Holy Capital.
“Salvo.”
With Akane’s murmur, the screen lit up. The Cannon Shells, fired with a slight time difference, pierced the walls of the Holy Capital. The Defense Membrane was deployed, and all the Cannon Shells were blocked.
“Analyzing… Compared to ＜Rain Croin＞ and ＜Wyvern＞, the duration is judged to be longer.”
“There seems to be movement among the Warrior Monks.”
Continuous pressure is applied by Cannon fire with a slight time difference, but it seems that they can withstand at least 24 Coil Cannon shots. But, whether there is some kind of problem, Warrior Monks were seen hurriedly climbing onto the city walls.
The Warrior Monks began to line up on the city walls at intervals.
“…. I wonder what they’re planning to do.”
“Communication from Asahi. She says it’s Ritual Magic.”
Asahi seems to have thrown in her opinion via the network. She’s busy analyzing Threat Creatures, but she seems to be monitoring this over the net as well.
“Ritual Magic… I guess that means they’re using some kind of big magic with multiple people. Is it attack or defense…?”
“Let’s find out. Akane.”
“Understood. I’ll propose it to ＜Iris＞.”
Akane sent a proposal to ＜Iris＞ to continue the Cannon fire. ＜Iris＞ incorporated the possibility of Ritual Magic into the predictive calculations and approved the proposal.
The 24 Cannons fired hypersonic Cannon Shells again.
“Impact. No change to the Barrier.”
“Continuous Cannon fire, or outer perimeter attack. ＜Iris＞ is asking for opinions. If there are no particular proposals, she will begin the outer perimeter attack as initially planned.”
“Hmm. I’m concerned about those Warrior Monks… Let’s prioritize the outer perimeter attack, and make adjustments as needed if there’s any movement. It doesn’t seem like they’re going to attack immediately, so maybe it’s defense-oriented.”
Eve’s opinion was immediately transmitted to ＜Iris＞, and ＜Iris＞ began to act.
The Quadruped Tank group that had been carrying out the encirclement began to move all at once.
The frontal attack unit, and the rear Cannon fire unit.
While Jötunn’s main Cannons remained aimed at the city walls, the secondary Cannons and small Turrets targeted the field fortifications.
“Attack, start.”
Akane murmured.
And hundreds of Turrets fired Cannon Shells.
The plasma light emitted by the Railgun illuminated the battlefield.
The raining Cannon Shells blew away the horse barricades and moats. The precisely controlled lines of fire avoided all the charging Quadruped Tanks, destroying only the enemy’s defenses.
The raining Cannon Shells tilled the ground. The horse barricades were shattered, and earth and sand flowed into the moats. If a hypersonic Armor-Piercing Shell hit directly, even a Warrior Monk wouldn’t be able to withstand it. The war potential assessment was decreasing at an incredible rate.
“Quadruped Tanks in contact.”
Having destroyed most of the defensive facilities, the Quadruped Tanks rushed in.
The Warrior Monks who had been hiding in the moats noticed this and jumped out. High Priests were added to the battle lines other than the south side, where the initial Reconnaissance in Force had taken place.
Immediately, the front line fell into a melee.
“Eek…”
The war potential assessment values of the Prawa Theocracy side and the invasion force side were decreasing rapidly. The rate of decrease was more favorable to the invasion force side. However, no additional forces were planned for the invasion force for the time being.
Frankly, the number of units destroyed was higher than expected.
“＜Iris＞ is considering changing the strategic plan.”
Because of this situation, Strategic AI ＜Iris＞ was trying to update the battlefield parameters.
I thought while writing this. I want to let them play a more active role.
But, Ringo-chan called Gigantia, so the difference in war potential is even greater…