Chapter 19 — Maginot Line

The command room was silent as they watched the battle end through the big screen.

Konrad had used the ships to force out the cards of Daiki. The ships would ambush the Imperial Army and then quickly retreat. Angered by this, Daiki would then reveal his power by attacking the fleet. The real reason was that Konrad was unsure if his nuclear weapons would work against Daiki. If his power was higher than estimated and he somehow survived the explosion, it would be almost impossible to catch him off guard again. After all, he could just run to the other side of the continent and use guerrilla attacks against him.

[So, does anyone know why he is shouting out the names of his spells?]

A magic expert in the corner of the room stepped forward.

[Actually, research shows that saying the spell names out loud does not provide any tangible benefit]

In order to find out about Daiki's power, Konrad did not hesitate to sacrifice an entire fleet of frigates. To minimize losses, he replaced most of the crew and soldiers on board with natives.

The video slowed down and zoomed into Daiki's magic shield. An officer pointed to the video and explained.

[As you can see, when this chunk of shrapnel flew into the shield, it dimmed ever so slightly. Using our supercomputers with the data input of the fortress magic shield, we estimate that Daiki's magic shield can only resist 20 head-on battleship shells at once before breaking]

[The only problem is getting them to hit them. With his speed, while he can't dodge a shell travelling straight at him, he can predict the direction based on where our cannons are pointing. Since his reaction time is much faster than ours, we can't correct our cannons in time to exactly where he is standing. The only way to break his magic shield is either with an overwhelming barrage that he can't stop or a sneak attack that he can't react to]

[A strategy we can implement is to hide a nuclear bomb in a shell and disguise it in a barrage]

Konrad nodded and spoke.

[While Daiki is very powerful, he is not enough to turn the battle around. We will keep the nuclear option available, but try to kill him using conventional weapons to not arouse the vigilance of other empires and otherworlders]

[This battle has also highlighted the weakness of the battleship. While it has a high offence, its armour is not strong enough to defend itself against powerful attacks. The main weakness is that the crew is still ultimately mortal. The trajectory of the cannons is also too easy to predict. We could solve this by controlling them with a computer, but this technology cannot be used in the native army]

[That is an improvement for the future. Report our defences]

[The Maginot Line has been built in front of their line of advance. They are expected to enter range in 12 hours. The Maginot Line is a kilometre-long defence line, outfitted with hundreds of bunkers and fixed cannon emplacements. There are four lines of trenches and a 20,000-strong reserve force equipped with tanks and heavy weaponry kept in the rear. The remaining 80,000 troops are on the front line. A dense mine and razor wire field has been arranged, and all the artillery has been pre-sighted. The native army is the only army fighting, the source army has been hidden on the island, but they are ready to join if needed]

Just like the fleet, most of the resources and weapons were made using the source points earned from the previous battle. It would be impossible to rely on the native industrial system.

[New orders; the dreadnoughts shall be hidden under the ground. We will lure Daiki into the middle, then kill him with an inescapable barrage. If it fails and he tries to escape, then we will fire a nuclear bomb. And in the event of that failing, the intercontinental ballistic missiles will be ready to remove that part of the continent]

[Yes sir!]

Konrad didn't want a loose powerhouse wandering around with a grudge against him, let alone with such terrifying talent! If Daiki really managed to escape, Konrad would probably have to always live with an entire army around him at all times.

Meanwhile, Daiki was bragging to his harem on his massive bed.

[I waved my hand and cast a spell that instantly crushed those steel ships! Even if there were a thousand more ships, I could still destroy them easily!]

[Master, you're so great!]

[Master, those ships could hit us from so far…]

At that statement, Daiki waved his hand.

[That range? The battleships of my world could shoot ten times that distance! In fact, I can make our ships also shoot that far, but I can't be bothered!]

[You know, I would say that this opponent's technology is about the level of WW1 in my world. I saw the soldiers holding bolt-action rifles. No wonder they could defeat my previous army. After this battle, I'll need to update the technology of my army. But at that time, I'll use modern guns!]

[Master you're so awesome!]

[Master, you're so smart!]

On the Maginot Line, last-minute defences were being built. Sandbags were set up and trenches were dug. Piles of ammunition were stacked underneath soldiers. A commander was looking at the approaching Imperial Fleet through a rangefinder.

[Enemy fleet 10.1 kilometres out! Get ready to fire!]

A row of 200 battleships was stretched out over the length of the Maginot Line. It was truly a sight to behold.

Giant cannons on the battleships and on the ground angled upwards.

[Fire!]

The ground trembled and shook like there was an earthquake as the thousands of cannons opened fire at once. A volley of unprecedented power was flung towards the approaching Imperial Army. A commander of the Imperial Army looked at the incoming shells in shock.

[Shit, how can they shoot so far? Quick unload the ground troops. Brace for impact!]

Daiki cast powerful magic, countless magic missiles shooting at the barrage. However, he only managed to intercept a few hundred shells.