Chapter 444 - 337: Magic Satellite_2
But after decades of continuous expansion and reinforcement.
It became the hardest nail of Raymond Duchy in this Barbaric Land.
The walls built around the garrison towered at thirty meters, its surface covered with sharp metal spikes and energy conduction patterns.
Every hundred meters, a bastion protrudes out, mounted with Magic Crystal Cannons of staggering caliber, its deep blue Energy Core slowly spinning deep in the barrel, like the heart of a sleeping Giant Beast.
On the walls are soldiers clad in standard Alchemy Armor.
Their armor joints embedded with mini weight reduction Arrays, but their steps are as heavy as iron, stamping out clanging sounds on the ground as they patrol, beneath their heavy helmets only expose cold, vigilant eyes that sweep over the wilderness outside the Highlands from above.
On the highest lookout tower of the central main fortress, a particularly tall and burly human figure stands like a sculpture beside the railing.
His face sharp and angular as if carved by knife and axe, the beard under his chin meticulously trimmed, his armor covered in battle scars of various depths, marking his accomplishments.
What is particularly striking is:
On the back of the hand pressed against the sword hilt, there is a crown pattern formed by countless small intertwining vows.
Hamilton — the Iron Wall General, the highest commander of the Quenching Highlands stronghold.
This stronghold is the largest and most heavily defended core base of Raymond Duchy currently in Sel Wilderness, as a powerful Paladin who has sworn a Crown’s Oath, pledging to guard the monarchy and land with his life, loyal to the monarch and law, this Iron Wall General is also the strongest among Raymond Duchy’s forces stationed in the wilderness, bar none.
He held one hand on the cold steel railing, the other steadily pressed against the sword hilt at his waist.
As always, and like countless nights before, he personally stands on the highest point of the wall vigilantly, his gaze sharp as the keenest hawk, casting into the distant horizon of darkness that seems to swallow all light, searching for any sign of danger.
"Report, General!"
An adjutant runs up quickly but not flustered.
With a solemn demeanor, his voice tight and slightly low, "The sixth and seventh outposts have failed to report within the scheduled time, and it’s now confirmed that contact is lost."
The adjutant took a deep breath, his speech quickening.
"The Communication Crystal faced extremely strong unknown interference just before losing contact. The reluctantly returned fragmentary images are distorted and blurry, the audio is sharp, piercing noise... but comprehensive analysis confirms that a large-scale enemy is rapidly approaching!"
Upon hearing the adjutant’s report, Hamilton’s eyelids almost imperceptibly twitched slightly, yet his knife-and-axe-carved face revealed no excess expression, only rock-like hardness.
The adjutant lowered his voice, cautiously speculating "Based on past experiences, it could be a large beast tide outbreak, or some mindless, frenzied Monster Race tribes crashing into us during their migration."
The Iron Wall General continues to gaze deeply into the distant darkness, shaking his head slightly.
"Beast tides and crazed Monster Race tribes do not possess means to interfere with our Communication Crystals."
His voice steady, yet with a hint of gravity "This attack is from a more dangerous, organized enemy."
The wilderness never lacks danger, powerful beasts and monsters emerge continuously, and the Quenching Highlands base is no stranger to attacks.
However.
Such effective and widespread interference with the Communication Crystal is unprecedented.
This implies one thing: the attackers are not instinct-driven wild beasts, but opponents with intelligence and thorough preparation.
This attack is likely to be a premeditated operation.
Hamilton’s thoughts swiftly lightning fast.
Three seconds later, he gazes into the deep dark night that seems fraught with endless dangers, orders firmly, his voice not loud yet clearly reaching the adjutant’s ears "Issue the order, activate level-1 battle readiness alert! Immediately!"
The adjutant felt a slight start, a trace of obvious surprise flashing across his face.
He hadn’t expected the General’s reaction to be so intense.
Level-1 battle readiness alert? This is the highest level of mobilization, meaning the stronghold will enter a state of total war, all resources, all personnel must be prioritized for defensive operations.
Despite the inner questions, the long-standing absolute compliance and trust allows the adjutant no hesitation, he immediately steps forward in salute "Yes! General!"
He then turns and quickly rushes toward the command room.
Soon after, orders representing the highest alert levels are quickly disseminated from the apex of the Highlands downward.
All soldiers on rotational rest are urgently gathered, re-equipped with heavy armor, grabbing weapons and rushing to their posts, the sound of metal clashing, rapid footfalls, and officers’ short shouts resonating together.
All standby Alchemy Golems are activated, engines emitting a deep roar, moving towards preset defense nodes, their heavy footsteps causing the ground to slightly tremble.
All Magic Crystal Cannon Platforms on the bastions begin charging, dark blue energy light condensing at the muzzle, emitting a menacing wave, like the opened eyes of a Giant Beast, fixated on the unknown darkness afar.
The count of guards on the walls visibly doubles.
The soldiers clutch enchanted crossbows or various weapons, bodies tensed, breaths heavy, the eyes under their helmets filled with tension and determination.