Chapter 272: Decapitation (Road Roller)
It seems that the defense system of the Prava Divine Nation has been fully established. The monk soldiers, drawn from various regions as much as possible, are diligently constructing the defensive measures.
Materials and supplies for the defense are being transported to the Holy Capital in rapid succession. A large quantity of logs has been roughly processed and is being set up as horse barricades throughout the outskirts. The monk soldiers are utilizing their physical abilities to create defensive structures one after another. Even the lowest-ranking among them can exhibit the physical strength of several men, making the efficiency of wood processing unparalleled. Moreover, their prowess in fortification is astonishing. They dig into the ground, lay foundations, and assemble building materials. Each monk soldier works as if they were five or even ten men. A simple observation tower can be erected in just a day.
Thus, the field defense facilities are being deployed over a wide area. Horse barricades and arrow-deflecting trenches are being established. The concept of trenches exists because their thrown spears can easily penetrate poorly made shields. A close-range hit can deliver a force comparable to an armor-piercing shell.
The monk soldiers are exceptional combat units on their own. For instance, they utilize the technique known as magic, allowing them to exhibit physical strength superior to that of ordinary humans. Based on observations, depending on individual aptitude, they possess strength ranging from three to ten times that of an average man.
In addition to their strength, they also possess remarkable durability and endurance.
Their capabilities are aptly described as that of human machinery or even human tanks. With thousands of them gathered, their overall power is nothing short of formidable.
Furthermore, their abilities extend beyond mere physical prowess.
They manipulate various phenomena that can only be described as magic.
For example, Wind Magic. They do not simply send forth wind; when shooting arrows or throwing spears, or even when leaping, they skillfully utilize headwinds or tailwinds to achieve incredible distances and accuracy.
Then there’s Fire Magic. They can boil water through heat generation, create embers to ignite flames, and even set fire to objects in their line of sight or incinerate targets with fire breath, using it as a direct means of attack. Moreover, when combined with Wind Magic, the fire breath can cover a wider area, reach longer distances, and burn at higher temperatures. When multiple individuals collaborate, they can unleash area attacks akin to a fire tornado.
Even more unreasonable is their Faith Magic. They can heal minor wounds in a short time and even recover from severe injuries within a day. Additionally, it seems they can manage their need for sleep, allowing them to operate continuously for several days.
The excessively harsh working conditions have left even the reincarnator, Amagio, taken aback.
That aside, this superhuman army consists of thousands of monk soldiers, with several hundred priests to lead them, and dozens of High Priests overseeing the operation. Iris, the Strategic AI based in the Prava Divine Nation, has already numbered all these units. Although the number of troops fluctuates, the approximate strength is said to be around thirty High Priests, four hundred and fifty priests, and six thousand monk soldiers.
The Prava Divine Nation is a religious state with the Law God, Prava Bok, at its pinnacle. Its sole objective is to reach the Holy Land. While the scriptures mention various aspects, the goal remains singular. The entire populace strives for this aim, but it is also characterized by extreme exclusivity. Without exception, all non-citizens are deemed enemies, obstacles to be eliminated in their pursuit of the Holy Land. Thus, they have amassed power and decided to embark on a campaign of conquest to seize everything and provide sustenance for the Law God.
Their religious views are exclusionary, with a strong sense of chosen-ness. It is a powerful class society where everything is determined by the strength of magic. Unless one possesses exceptionally outstanding abilities, social status is assigned based on the strength of their magical capabilities.
At the bottom of this hierarchy are the farmers. Unable to use magic, they are positioned outside the hierarchical structure as the oppressed. They are taught to believe they are in a position of being unchosen. The priests, known as the Children (Dzeichi), directly govern the farmers. They are the most numerous among the monk soldiers. Despite being at the lowest tier, they possess about three times the physical strength of an average adult male and can wield magic. Generally, they are earnest due to their low status and do not resort to unreasonable violence. While some may be mischievous, most are educated by the higher-ranking priests, leading to relatively effective governance within the Divine Nation.
Farmers primarily engage in food production, but they also work in mines, craft tools, and participate in iron production. The monk soldiers are mainly responsible for maintaining public order and resolving disputes, but more than half are dispatched for monster extermination to pursue the Holy Land. In fact, they seem to be focusing more on this aspect.
The elite unit known as the Family (Chimiya) holds the reins in the conquest of the Demon Forest. They act solely to clear the Demon Forest and reach the Holy Land, making them the elite of the elite. They are fanatical in their devotion. Numerous monk soldiers are incorporated under the Family, tasked with performing menial duties. They transport supplies, construct forward bases, and clear the forest, ensuring that the Family can concentrate on defeating the enemies within the Demon Forest.
Recently, some members of the Family and monk soldiers have been reassigned to defend the Holy Capital. Rumor has it that there was considerable resistance to this request. However, they reluctantly complied, persuaded by the argument that if the central city of their production base fell, maintaining the front lines in the Demon Forest would become difficult.
The Strategic AI, Iris, seems to have found an opportunity to exploit this situation. For the Family, the most important goal is the development of the Demon Forest and, ultimately, reaching the Holy Land. Defending the Holy Capital is merely a means to that end. Of course, most of the monk soldiers gathering in the Holy Capital aim to defend the Prava Divine Nation itself. However, the Family and its associates have a different objective.
Generally, the monk soldiers and priests of the Prava Divine Nation do not respond to persuasion. They are calling for surrender in various villages and towns, but their words fall on deaf ears. Their exclusionary mindset is so strong that even Ringo has given up on this from the start. Consequently, the priests have adopted a fundamental policy of annihilating everything.
However, there is a possibility of communication with the Family on one specific point: the Holy Land.
Iris believes that it may be possible to establish an agreement to fully support the endeavor of opening the path to the Holy Land. Ringo agrees with this assessment, and even Eve, though skeptical, acknowledges it.
Thus, a plan is being formulated to demonstrate a certain level of strength before negotiating with the Family. Of course, since only the Family is likely to engage in dialogue, the ultimate necessity will be to annihilate the other priests.
In such a situation, once Iris determined that all preparations were complete, she instructed her subordinate strategic AI to commence the operation.
The initiation of the Decapitation (Road Roller) operation.
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“Isn’t ‘Decapitation’ a bit harsh?”
“I believe it succinctly captures the situation and is a very clear operation name,” Eve replied, furrowing her brow as she pressed the final judgment’s GO!! button.
Well, it’s not wrong to say that the direction of advance will be flattened. But I can already imagine Amagio Silverhead making some comment if he finds out about this operation name, she thought.