Chapter 142: Great Horse Town
Contrary to its name, Great Horse Town is a tranquil rural area.
Utilizing its vast lands, the town sustains itself through horse breeding. Nestled beside a lake, it maintains its pastures using the abundant water resources available. Fishing and livestock farming are also practiced here, making it a rare self-sufficient enclave within the Afrasia United Kingdom, effectively an independent territory.
In lieu of taxes, the town had been sending a certain number of horses to the royal capital, but for the past few years, even that has ceased. In fact, there had been no requests from the capital, leaving the town to be forgotten by the kingdom. Well, the capital itself has a massive grassland to the north, so it is not in dire need of horses.
However, the population is not large enough to sustain itself as a city-state, so it continues to exist under the jurisdiction of the nearby West Gate City.
Moreover, horses are highly valued as trade commodities.
West Gate City recognizes Great Horse Town as a relatively important settlement.
On that day, amidst the chaos of the Afrasia United Kingdom, the remarkable horse town found itself occupied by an unidentified force.
◇◇◇◇
“Confirming air superiority secured by the escort fighter squadron.”
“At an altitude of 2,000 meters, we will deploy the airborne troops from the transport aircraft.”
“Transport aircraft group A has entered the operational area.”
The rear hatch of the transport aircraft opens upon reaching the designated point. From the installed electromagnetic rail, multi-legged tanks equipped for airborne operations are released one after another.
“Transport aircraft group A has begun the release of multi-legged tanks. No delays in operational actions.”
“Successfully released 48 units. Multi-legged tank group A has ignited their descent boosters and is accelerating towards the designated drop zone.”
The multi-legged tanks, equipped with rocket boosters on four of their eight legs, begin their flight towards the target location. Measuring 10 meters in length and 9 meters in width, they resemble monstrous spiders spewing fire from their legs.
“Next, transport aircraft group B will enter the operational area.”
“Beginning the release of multi-legged ground mother units. Successfully released 12 multi-legged ground mother units. Deploying attitude control fins.”
“The multi-legged ground mother units have commenced gliding. All units are stabilizing their posture and are descending normally towards the drop point.”
Due to their massive size of 25 meters in length, the multi-legged ground mother units cannot perform accelerated flight. If they were to accelerate, the standard boosters would lack sufficient thrust to decelerate adequately. Thus, they glide while deploying fins, igniting their boosters just before landing to achieve rapid deceleration. While they lack the immediate impact of the multi-legged tanks, their near free-fall descent poses a significant threat.
“Multi-legged tank group A has landed at the designated point. Booster disposal completed successfully.”
“Transport aircraft group C is about to enter the operational area.”
“Multi-legged tank group A has completed reconnaissance. No hostile forces detected in the vicinity.”
“Multi-legged tank group A has commenced their advance towards the target.”
With the first drop, 48 multi-legged tanks completely encircle Great Horse Town. It has been confirmed that there are no groups to restrain in the surrounding area. If no one escapes from the town, half of the operational objective will be achieved.
“Transport aircraft group C has entered the operational area. Beginning the release of multi-legged tank group B.”
“Multi-legged ground mother unit group has confirmed booster ignition. Landing at the target point.”
The multi-legged ground mother units, serving as the mother units for aerial support drones, land sequentially at the designated locations.
“Multi-legged ground mother unit group has completed deployment successfully. Commencing drone launch.”
The multi-legged ground mother units continue to move while deploying electromagnetic catapults, launching anti-personnel drones one after another. The anti-personnel drones fly at approximately 100 km/h, dispersing towards their designated points.
As the anti-personnel drones arrive, multi-legged tank group B descends directly into the heart of Great Horse Town.
“Multi-legged tank group B has initiated reverse thrust.”
Startled by the deafening roar, the townsfolk begin to gather in the main street. Overhead, the multi-legged tanks, having completed their booster thrust, pass by.
As the residents scream and scatter like frightened insects, the multi-legged tanks land without impacting anyone, just as simulated.
With ample land available, the multi-legged tanks descend one after another into the spacious town.
“Multi-legged tank group B has completed descent at the designated point. Assessment in progress. No damage to residents confirmed.”
“The movement paths of the residents are within expected ranges. Anti-personnel drones have completed deployment; commencing forced guidance.”
The multi-legged tanks and anti-personnel drones drive the fleeing townsfolk towards designated squares, and amidst this chaos, the priority targets begin to move.
“Confirming the deployment of the guard squad. Commencing operational actions.”
Unaware of the situation, the guards stationed in the town rush from their posts. Pushing through the fleeing residents, they finally arrive at their destination.
Before them stands a colossal multi-legged tank (Golem) blocking their path.
“Executing neutralization attack.”
The multi-legged tank swings its heavy stick down towards the ground beside the guards.
As the soldiers scream and flee, the flying dirt and small stones strike them. Most of the guards tumble to the ground in disarray.
“Reassessing enemy forces. Within pre-established parameters. Authorization granted for the deployment of Communicator Androids.”
“Authorization confirmed. Transport aircraft group D has begun the release of Assault Drop Pods.”
The multi-legged tank’s intimidation tactics continue, neutralizing the stationed forces in Great Horse Town. All stationed soldiers had been pre-marked, and their locations identified by the sensors of the anti-personnel drones and multi-legged tanks. Now, it was merely a matter of eliminating them systematically.
“Assault Drop Pods initiating reverse thrust. All units have reached their target locations. Landing successfully.”
“All Communicator Androids report normal vitals. Exiting the pods.”
Emerging from the ground-embedded Assault Drop Pods are Communicator Androids clad in enhanced exoskeletons. The Communicator Androids shake off the shock-absorption fluid clinging to them and retrieve assault rifles, magazines, electromagnetic batons, and combat knives from the pod’s storage.
“Communicator Androids have transferred control authority to the local Tactical AI. Success. Commencing suppression actions.”
The Tactical AI, housed within the rear ground mother unit, begins to direct the Communicator Androids to neutralize the stationed soldiers.
A total of 72 Communicator Androids were deployed throughout Great Horse Town. All of them work in unison with the surrounding weaponry, including the multi-legged tanks, systematically taking down soldiers and restraining them.
“I see, they’re binding them from behind.”
“Yes, Ma’am. We’re using aramid fiber bands, so there’s no risk of them being cut. We can neutralize them without causing unnecessary harm.”
Of course, some individuals attempt to fight back against the Communicator Androids. However, there is no way for a mere human to contend with the strength of a Communicator Android, which exerts over ten times the force of an adult male due to its exoskeleton. Attacks with swords are dodged, or slashed away with combat knives, and those who attempt to retaliate are knocked unconscious by strikes from electromagnetic batons.
“Enemy forces neutralized: 30%.”
“Confirming regular troops, group W.”
“Tactical AI, commence firing.”
By the time the majority of the guards stationed in the town had been restrained, the emergency-deployed standing army began to move. Though few in number, these soldiers and knights were dispatched from West Gate City, having undergone continuous training.
For the past year, they had remained quiet, but they were true warriors stationed in anticipation of attacks from marauders.
Nevertheless.
“Response speed is within expected parameters. No magical phenomena detected.”
They were still merely human. The Communicator Androids unleashed a barrage of rubber bullets, and the group was swiftly neutralized.
“Surrounding the lord’s mansion complete. Confirming presence of the target. Commencing entry of Communicator Androids.”
“The Tactical AI reports threat level: E. No impact on operations. Suppression completed as planned.”
Thus, Great Horse Town was completely subdued in just one hour, followed by several hours spent disarming the residents. Groups and individuals who had been outside the town were meticulously tracked down, and without a single casualty, the invasion operation by The Tree was successfully concluded.