Chapter 303: Muscular Pup
“We will halt the enemy’s advance with automated machines at the front line and execute a saturation attack with hypersonic missiles. Based on the previous response speed and durability of Froze, the calculations suggest that this should be sufficient to take it down, but…”
“Froze looks visibly stronger now, doesn’t it, Ma’am!”
“Can it really bulk up like that in just a few days…?”
Eve was taken aback by the footage showing Froze, whose neck and hind legs had clearly grown thicker. However, considering the advancements in bio-related technology leading to the creation of artificial life, such physical modifications in just a few days were merely the beginning. The real issue was that it had been accomplished without any technical backing or facilities.
“Given the possibility that magic is shaping the consciousness and desires of living beings, anything is possible!”
“Well… that’s still just one hypothesis, isn’t it…?”
Asahi confidently asserted this, but Eve remained skeptical, which was only natural. After all, Asahi often made offhand remarks that could be disregarded.
“But Ma’am, it’s happening right before our eyes! We have no choice but to accept it as it is! We need to consider that Froze’s mobility performance has improved in line with its bulging muscles!”
“That may be true, but… sigh, I thought we were pretty extreme ourselves, but they’re on another level. Well… we’ve taken enough safety margins, so in that sense, it’s within expectations, I suppose?”
“Yes, Commander. Iris has determined that it is within acceptable limits. We anticipated the appearance of the juvenile specimen, Hati, so in that regard, we still have some leeway.”
The worst-case scenario would be if three Fenrir coordinated their attack. Although Hati was small, it was agile and a formidable threat creature. The thought of a creature smaller yet more powerful than a Multi-legged Tank wreaking havoc was indeed a nightmare.
“Looks like the juvenile hasn’t shown up after all. Well, I figured it would be fine since they haven’t encroached on the forest territory.”
Hati was a being that Froze and Yalun were meant to protect. If all three were to attack, it would likely be when their territory was violated.
“Iris has declared the start of combat.”
“The output of the aerial power supply drones has increased to combat levels.”
“Jotun M has requested full combat output.”
“Rear Jotun is also transitioning to combat output.”
A massive surge of energy began to gather on the battlefield. The enormous energy produced by the nuclear fusion reactor was being channeled, causing the microwave output to skyrocket.
It seemed that Froze and Yalun had also recognized the situation. With a shockwave, the two massive creatures leaped forward. Though they had been several kilometers apart, the distance between them closed in an instant.
“Froze, followed by Yalun, within effective range.”
“Ballistic calculations… complete. Commencing fire…”
The railgun, coil cannon, and laser-mezer cannon all activated simultaneously, unleashed to restrict the movement of the two targets.
“Multiple hits confirmed, no damage.”
“Magical barrier confirmed, unable to nullify.”
“Froze is fast!”
“Top speed exceeds 600 m/s!”
Froze moved at speeds nearing Mach 2, with Yalun keeping pace. The two plunged into the swarm of multi-legged machines within seconds. Each step generated shockwaves, and merely moving caused numerous machines to be obliterated. Metal debris that came into contact with the supersonic rigid body crumbled like sand.
“Significant damage to the Quadrupedal Tanks!”
“Concentrate fire on the hind legs!”
The local Tactical AI initiated a delayed tactic, targeting the hind legs that were crucial for movement. Since they needed to kick off from something to move, no matter how fast they were, that one point was relatively predictable. Unfortunately, the multi-legged machines that became stepping stones were destroyed as valuable sacrifices to the shells.
Sensors buried in the ground fell silent one after another, but even so, the data collected from multiple sources allowed Iris and the local Strategic AI to continue calculating the predicted movements of Froze and Yalun.
Despite the unexpected factor of Froze’s hypertrophy, that information had already been inputted, and the prediction accuracy was improving exponentially.
“Yalun has breathed fire. Direct hit. Jotun M-3 is heavily damaged.”
“Jotun M-2 has moved in to cover. It seems to stall when breathing fire. We can aim next.”
Froze and Yalun continued to destroy the local forces despite taking hits. At this rate, the frontline troops would soon be decimated.
However, this situation had been anticipated.
“Ma’am, the missiles are about to arrive!”
Asahi announced with an excited voice.
“I hope this does the trick…”
At the onset of battle, anti-magic barrier missiles were launched from the rear. These were large missiles equipped with hypersonic mass warheads.
There were a total of 16 of them. It was truly a saturation attack relying on sheer numbers.
Previously, Froze had been launching fireballs that could potentially target aerial threats. Therefore, the missiles spread out, positioning themselves to avoid being caught in the crossfire even if targeted.
The warheads, traveling at six times the speed of sound, over 2,000 m/s, weighed 4 tons. When adding the weight of the missile itself, even after fuel consumption, it would approach a total weight of 8 tons. The kinetic energy it possessed, calculated simply, was approximately 16 GJ.
Considering that a conventional armor-piercing shell weighs 20 kg and has an initial energy of about 3.6 MJ, this missile carried an energy amount 4,400 times greater.
Moreover, unlike shells, the acceleration continued until the moment of impact. The speed did not diminish, allowing the shock to penetrate the target without reservation.
“Missile group, 5 seconds to impact.”
“Froze has reacted, followed by Yalun.”
“Oh! They moved!”
The missile group was still flying nearly 10 km away. However, the two Fenrir clearly showed signs of noticing them.
Yet, the encirclement established by The Tree was not so easily breached.
No matter how high their mobility performance, targeting the legs or ground they needed to push off from with artillery fire could sap their momentum.
That said, it seemed they were gradually adapting to this method.
The timing of their steps began to change, and behaviors indicating they were stepping on seemingly empty spaces were starting to be observed.
“But… it’s already too late!”
With Asahi’s excited shout, streaks of light pierced the battlefield. Unfortunately, Eve’s dynamic vision could only perceive the Mach 6 missiles as lines of light.
Surely, several must have struck directly. The missiles were descending from above at a shallow angle.
The missiles that missed their targets crashed into the ground, causing massive explosions. Although the warheads were merely metal shells, the impact speed was extraordinary.
The ground erupted, sending vast amounts of earth flying into the air. Breaking through the wall of debris, the two threat creatures tumbled out.
“Monitoring. Damage confirmed, deemed effective.”
The footage captured Froze and Yalun, both clearly showing signs of damage. Froze’s left foreleg hung limply, likely struck at the joint, while Yalun bore torn injuries on its head and back.
However, it seemed that their ability to act remained largely unaffected. The two creatures sprang up, growling as they glared at Jotun M.