Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 657 - 656: God Hunter

The surging energy was infused into the system, and the technological constructs from the ancient home planet hummed amidst the energy flow. The energy pipelines buzzed, and the mechanical structures cheered as the massive Elemental Warp Tower emitted layer upon layer of brilliant light. In the powerful mana pulse, the barrier between the elements and the real world was broken, and a special space rift slowly opened, as if a dark, deep eye appeared at the center of the vortex, its pupil shimmering with waves—

"Evaporate!" "Evaporate!" "Evaporate!"

The sea demons cheered as large patches of blue radiance suddenly fluctuated within the warp field. The bodies of the sea demons became illusory, flowing, and rose into an endless mist. In almost the blink of an eye, eleven thousand Deep Sea Warriors, Wave Vanguards, and Tide Masters completely lost their forms, evaporating into surging steam that surged toward the elemental rift high above.

Thunderous howling sounded in the warp field, and the figures of the sea demons rapidly became sparse on the vast plaza. Accompanied by the giant gas ball formed by the "expeditionary army" entering the rift, the energy pipelines extending along the terrain toward the distant mothership dimmed one by one, and numerous auxiliary equipment opened their respective heat dissipation grills, beginning to release accumulated heat energy.

Petia gently sighed, her silver-white hair fluttering lightly in the sea breeze. This deep-sea ruler raised her head, gazing at the distant sea, as if her vision pierced through space to see the sisters already far on another continent.

She softly lamented, "I really didn’t expect... that we would restart these ancient devices... This season of land civilization is indeed interesting."

"Interesting, and somewhat dangerous," said the deep-sea handmaiden Rosalia, gently swaying her tail beside Petia. "Using human power to manufacture ’gods,’ and then attempting to hunt ’gods’ with human power... Regardless of what their gods are, this season of human conduct can be regarded as astonishing."

"...Perhaps the sea demons should also learn about this ’astonishing’ from these short-lived species. After all, they can create such wondrous technology as the Rainbow Light Device," Petia softly said, then looked up at the Elemental Rift Tower where the elemental rift in the sky remained open, and instructed, "Keep the passage open until the sisters return."

"Yes."

Petia glanced again at the surroundings of the plaza, where warriors maintained vigilance on nearby high platforms. Dozens of weapon devices with elegant curves and shell-like armor pointed remotely toward the sky rift. Between the armor gaps, water-colored glow surged continuously.

The sea demons lost much technology in this world, and numerous ancient devices could no longer operate. But after years of difficult adaptation, they still possessed some good things.

"Keep the Particle Pulse Battery in a half-active state. If anything unfamiliar returns from the rift... shoot it down directly."

"Yes, King."

...

The Magic Crystal Railgun boomed as the obelisk-shaped projectile whistled sharply through the air. After a brief delay, the projectile hit the target, exploding into a hazy flame and scattering flesh on the sanctified and bizarre creature.

The hunters shot accurately, and now the prey was successfully enraged.

The terrifying flesh construct let out a roar that could only be described as a frenzied noise. Amidst the roaring, the sky and earth changed color, the land instantly covered in scorching marks and countless bizarre floral vines. It staggered from several consecutive explosions, then charged out of the smoke, with powerful energy brewing between its antlers as if molded from light.

As the vehicle engines roared, the Braves’ assault squad charged out before the monster could escape the smoke. Before firing, all engines were already warming up. After firing, all vehicles wasted not a second, directly entering the next phase of this "hunt" as planned.

Seven vehicles began sprinting across the scorched plains, while the enraged Artificial God roared and frantically pursued, recklessly releasing its uncontrollable power and the divine power implanted in it by the Oblivion Association believers. In this chaotic chase, a road mixed with scorching marks, floral blooms, death, and vitality unfolded on the earth. From high above, this chaotic, frenzied path seemed like the mortal world Serpent crawling through scorched earth, its forefront pointing toward the Cecil Legion defenses at Sorinburg.

After fully awakening, the Artificial God’s power further enhanced and mutated. Now, even without life around, the monster could make rocks and steel bloom with flowers.

The wild wind rose, carrying dry sand and stone, battering the tank’s armor. The heavy vehicles sprinted across the rugged battlefield, treads crushing the scorched, cracked soil, crushing land once belonging to the King, the leader, and the Knight, crushing the earth where generations of serfs and commoners shed blood and sweat. The furious "god" roared, with scorching plasma streams whipping like lashes behind the Braves squad, creating crisscrossed scorch marks in this pathway.

The wandering Crystal Cluster Giants on the plains were also enraged. They "heard" the noise-like roar, heard the call from the highest node, and responded by roaring with chaotic, unfathomable cries, charging toward the path mixed with death and vitality, scorch marks and floral blooms. Bright arcane arcs illuminated the distant horizon, countless swaying giant shadows appearing at the edge of the view.

A monster army was forming. Hunter can feel the dense malice and hostility in the air, even with the protection of the Mind Protection System, he feels his heart pounding as if about to explode. Through the observation window, he looks at the plains outside, watching electric serpents dance, angry giants surge from all directions, the sky turning exceptionally grim with each passing minute. This scene is like armageddon described in the bards’ verses.

Now, hunter Hunter’s experiences truly warrant a place in stories.

The vehicles continued accelerating, engines roaring under unbearable strain, while repulsion mechanisms seemed about to tear apart the rods and gears, boosting power output. But the speed of these first-generation tanks had surpassed their design speed, approaching structural limits. Each mechanical roar was a countdown to complete disintegration and a lockup, while the enraged "god" drew ever closer.

In fact, Hunter didn’t know what exactly the Giant Stag was. His superior or his superior’s superior might know, but what does that matter?

He’s a Soldier, and also a Hunter. Now he must fulfill both the Soldier and Hunter tasks.

Armored Griffon flew across the sky.

A minute later, a glaring white light suddenly arrived from the east, buzzing deeply, sweeping imposingly across the Braves squad vicinity, causing hundreds of Crystal Cluster Giants to disintegrate into smoke within the light.

They have entered the range of the beam cannons of the Sorinburg defense line.

Inside the Iron Throne, Maryland kept a close watch on the surveillance footage transmitted back from the Braves’ reconnaissance vehicle. Outside the car window beside him, a magnificent energy beam shot out from the distant mountain wall, crossed the defense line buildings, and swept across the southwestern sky.

Almost without delay, in the transmitted surveillance footage, he could also see that beam through the perspective of the "Braves."

A deafening sound of artillery fire rang out. The heavy fortress cannon hidden among the mountains began its bombardment in sequence after adjusting the beam, with countless shells big and small and energy-laden beams crossing the vast distance of space to launch an attack on the enemy still unseen on the horizon. The continuous barrage of artillery fire was even louder and more intense than any day since the establishment of this defensive line. If it hadn’t been for the soundproof barrier that the tactical segment’s compartment had timely activated, Maryland might not have been able to hear even his own voice in this thunderous environment of cannon fire.

The voice of the aide came from the side: "General! All units have started attacking according to the planned orders, and the Braves squad has entered the cover area."

"Continue the attack and distract the target," Maryland ordered loudly. "Hound Squadron, go to support the Braves—then retreat to the Duke of the East as planned.

"Full fire for ten minutes on the defense line, after which all units are to retreat as per the schedule.

"Charge the Iron Throne Power Spine and release the chassis anchor."

One command after another was issued, and from all around came responses from his subordinates and the tense and busy commands from other places. Yet at this moment, Maryland’s heart calmed down instead.

The soldiers here are excellent soldiers, and the commanders are excellent commanders—as Cecil’s most powerful and advanced ground war machine, the Iron Throne is honored. Every crew member is an elite selected from various units, veterans of the defense of Cecil, the unification war of the southern borders, and the battle of rocky ridges Fortress, and these veterans along with a sufficiently powerful war machine is the best hand Maryland can play in this country.

He could not ask for anything more.

On the defense line, each unit began to act according to the orders, those who were to hold firm did so, and those who were to retreat did so. Maryland and his crew members quietly waited in the control center of the Iron Throne for the arrival of the next stage—

"The target is within visual range!" a soldier shouted loudly.

The creature filled with contradiction and eeriness appeared, accompanied by a large plume of smoke rising from the distant plains. That monster made of flesh and blood emerged in the light, charging toward the direction of the defense line.

It was battered and scarred, its flesh crumbling apart. It was unclear how much of it came from its originally deformed body, and how much from the shells and beams fired by the defense line. It seemed to have suffered considerable trauma, but judging by its distance and speed, this defense line would likely have a hard time stopping it.

Maryland couldn’t help but sigh. If there were more rail cannons and beam cannons, they might be able to stop this monster, but he also knew this was unrealistic—the production of those massive weapons isn’t something that could be accomplished overnight, and even if they were produced, there wouldn’t be enough technical soldiers to operate them.

The Artificial God noticed the obstacle in front of it and also realized that the source of the pain it constantly suffered was the "flying insects" launched by that obstacle. It instinctively burned with anger, running in fury, seemingly about to break through the Cecil Clan’s city defenses soon.

But a defense battle doesn’t have to only "hold firm."

The target entered the marked range, and the rail batteries between the mountain walls gradually calmed down. The four beam cannons ceased their attack simultaneously, the magical web arrays of each position were completely shut down, but at the center of the whole defense line, a war machine that had been dormant for a long time started up with a roar.

With several explosions, the arsenal sections at both ends of the "Iron Throne" revealed their fangs. The large rail cannons rumbled deafeningly, and as the sound of the giant cannons rang out, several Magic Crystals installed atop the heavy train were also activated simultaneously. The intense Dark Wave instantly permeated the battlefield.

For a monster in a frenzy, whose target was life force and magic power, the allure of this bait was simply irresistible.

"Arsenal section, open fire, first attack hit!"

"Car-mounted Magic Obelisk activated!"

"Target began moving again!"

Maryland took a deep breath, raised his arm, and swung it down heavily:

"Iron Throne, activate!"

A loud train whistle resonated between the mountains and the plains, the sounds of mechanical operation echoing together. The armored train, covered with black armor and heavy barriers, started. The high-performance repulsion mechanism and low-friction chassis design made this heavy steel monster far more agile and fast than it appeared. As the raging "God" began to turn and give chase, the train was already leaving the platform along the track, breaking through the defense line, and racing towards the direction of White Sand Dunes, accelerating continuously.

And behind the Iron Throne, on the plains to the west of the charging track, was the Artificial God who began to chase in fury.

Behind the "God," the trail mixed with vitality and death, scorch marks and flower vines, took a conspicuous turn in front of the Sorinburg defense line, veering southward, stretching all the way.