64 The New Plan

The performance of the Aerial Knights on the previous day had been highly successful and the demons had lost most of their usable air forces. The sudden introduction of fighters planes had dealt great damage to the unprepared demon forces who had no idea how to deal with the new human invention.

With air superiority achieved, it was time to capitalize on their advantage. The next operation would deal a crippling blow to the demons.

The largest concern for the human forces was how to actually approach Taquila and get close enough to start bombarding it. Although there was only a little bit left to go, that short distance was filled with danger. So close to their base, the demons would be able to greatly threaten any human forces that got close.

Furthermore, the demons seemed to be making defensive preparations. Sylvie had spotted the demons digging a network of trenches. It seemed that the demons were quite intelligent and quick to adapt. Seeing the humans make use of trenches, they were inspired to utilize similar tactics.

The human advance on Taquila had been anything but subtle. The slow creeping of outposts had essentially announced their intention from the very beginning. The demons were becoming familiar with the human's method of operation and they had a pretty good idea of humanity's capabilities. In such a case, it was impossible for the demons not to know what the humans were doing.

The demons had already expected that the humans would try to advance deeper into their territory to finally assault Taquila. If the humans were to go through with their original plan, it would be doing exactly what the demons were expecting. In warfare, it is never good if the enemy knows exactly what you are doing and they are waiting for you rather than retreating.

It was obvious that the demons had some sort of scheme. On the surface, it looked like the human army was guaranteed a victory in a direct assault. There was simply too large of a technological difference. However, the demons definitely had trump cards available that might turn the tide.

Clearly, it was best to think of a new plan. There were two factors allowing for the alternative method. Firstly, was the development of airplanes. Secondly was the discovery of explosive jelly and oil. The plan was simple. The air force would be sent to bomb Taquila.

The extracts from the rubber worms had many interesting properties. Upon mixing it with blood, it formed a substance which could ignite fiercely and explosively. After adding in some petroleum to help, a new type of bomb was created. This would be an incendiary bomb, capable of taking out large groups of infantry. More importantly, the Red Mist of the demons was flammable. If the towers could be breached by explosives, the Red Mist would ignite and further explosions would occur, blowing open more Red Mist towers and eventually leading to a massive firestorm that would wipe out the city.

Such a weapon would be useless without a method to deliver it. This is where the aircraft is needed. Each of the planes would be loaded with bombs. The planes could indeed hold a great deal of weight and their bomb carrying capacity was not insignificant. In addition, Hummingbird was able to temporarily reduce the weight of the bombs. This meant that the planes could now carry a considerable payload. The five of them would be enough to level the demon base at Taquila.

The greatest benefit of an air force was the greatly enhanced operational range. A single airfield could potentially be a threat to everything hundreds of kilometers around it. Air power was essential for force projection. In this case, the human armies now had a better option for a long range strike than using cannons. On Earth, it was the advent of aircraft that finally ended the constant building of larger and larger cannons that had obscene range.

With this new tool, they could now attack the demons without entering the danger zone.

The new plan was set and all conditions for victory have been cleared. They had the means to destroy Taquila, they had the ability to deliver it, and they had the determination to use it. The aerial combat that had previously occurred served the purpose of depriving the demons of air cover. Now, there would be nothing stopping the bombers from flying in and blowing up the entire place.

Taking back the ruins of Taquila would be momentous occasion. For hundreds of years humanity had been constantly pushed back by the demons. Though the humans in the past had fought valiantly, their victories only delayed the advance of the demons. The demons were an unstoppable force, driving humanity to the corner of the continent. Now, the situation would finally reverse. The humans would take back land from the demons. It would begin here.

The witches of Taquila had toiled and suffered for hundreds of years, working toward the goal of saving humanity. Their entire life had been completely focused on this goal and they gave up so much in this pursuit. Now, they were merely passengers living in borrowed bodies, unable to feel the world around them or enjoy the pleasures of the flesh. Some of them no longer even have human bodies. For so long they have endured.

Each and every one of them had been waiting for this point. They gazed upon the city in the distance. Taquila had once been their home, the last stronghold of humanity on the Fertile Plains. Now, they had finally returned. Taquila had fallen, and now it was a stronghold for the demons. The city must be destroyed.

These warriors who have endured for so long had only one request. That they be the ones to strike the first blows to destroy the city. With their own hands, they would see the city they once lived in, now occupied by demons, reduced to rubble. With their own hands they would retake the land from the demons.