novelraw Chapter 214: A Frontal Breakthrough, Advancing into Fertile Lands
Chapter 214: A Frontal Breakthrough, Advancing into Fertile Lands
Today's sunlight was exceptionally brilliant, and the temperature in the convergence lands at noon was not icy cold, offering a rare comfort.
But before the red iron dragon that had torn through the earth and stood among the ruins, almost all goblins felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, their hands and feet freezing cold, sensing no warmth whatsoever.
However, no race lacks courageous warriors.
A golem more advanced than the Flesh Ripper suddenly erupted, launching a sneak attack from behind.
The red iron dragon didn't even bother to look directly, just casually swung its tail. Dragon scales aligned along the tail like a giant blade, instantly sweeping past the mecha golem.
"Pathetic toys."
The red iron dragon's voice was unhurried yet clearly echoed through the ruins.
The afterimage of the dragon tail swing still hung frozen in the air as the ambushing golem had already transformed into scattered steel components, clattering and rolling across the scorched earth.
Simultaneously, more shadows converged.
One mecha golem after another activated overload engine modes, core engines roaring like war drums, emitting massive amounts of high-temperature steam, energy channels glowing red.Goblins are inherently cowardly, unwilling to face combat directly.
But perhaps separated by a layer of steel mecha, goblins piloting golems often harbored the illusion of becoming taller and stronger, more brave and fearless than usual, even daring to battle dragons.
A burly, heavily-armored golem approached from the right, heavy hammer smashing down.
Garoth slightly turned his body.
Boom! The ground cracked open with spiderweb-like fissures under the heavy impact.
Flying debris landed on dragon scales, shattering further into pieces.
The red iron dragon's counterattack was swift as lightning.
He raised his claw, pressing toward the heavily-armored golem.
His claw strike trajectory seemed ordinary, straightforward, yet carried a sense of pure skill, seemingly-masterful proficiency.
Seemingly casual, it sealed off all possible evasion spaces for the golem.
Combat level-brought Claw Mastery made Garoth's claw techniques appear like those of a thousand-times-refined master rather than beast-like swipes.
The several-thousand-ton golem had just begun to react when its chest cockpit was already pierced.
Shattered gears and pipelines gushed out from its back, drawing shiny arcs in sunlight, splattering black oil like the golem's blood.
Front, rear, flank.
Three Steel Rippers simultaneously closed in, advanced models of the Flesh Ripper with thicker mechanical arms and chainswords capable of cutting through refined steel.
Flame Curse!
Garoth used the quasi-spell skill awakened during his hibernation, flames seeming to ignite in his eyes.
Without any warning, three Steel Rippers were simultaneously enveloped in crimson red light, but beyond this, no other obvious changes occurred.
Scorching Metal!
Garoth raised his claw, gripping empty air.
Crack crack crack... Three Steel Rippers simultaneously convulsed, their metal bodies turning scorching hot and red like heated iron.
Mecha golem construction materials contained magic-resistant metals and anti-magic runes.
Low-level magic was basically ineffective against Steel Rippers.
But it wasn't enough to completely nullify two quasi-spells Garoth used simultaneously.
Goblins inside cockpits screamed in agony, as if becoming roasted meat on an iron plate, areas contacting metal developing blisters from burns. However, magic-resistant metals served their purpose - while burns caused pain, they weren't fatal.
After brief convulsions, Steel Rippers continued raising chainswords, slashing toward Garoth.
Yet, a moment's hesitation proved fatal.
Boom! Dragon wings erupted with fiery aura, instantly accelerating.
The red iron dragon fully extended its pair of wings, suddenly spinning around itself as the center, wing blades slicing through air with dangerous, lethal sharpness, sweeping past three Steel Rippers, cleaving them including their goblin pilots completely in two.
Simultaneously.
Golems positioned in the rear completed targeting.
Their builds were heavily-armored and squat, not tall and imposing like Steel Rippers, but carried exceptionally many ranged weapons - shoulder-mounted six-barrel magic cannons, hand and chest-mounted alchemical weapons.
They simultaneously opened fire on the red iron dragon.
Acid projectiles, arcane missiles, and scorching solid metal shells attacked from different angles, submerging the red iron dragon as he shredded the Steel Rippers.
Boom boom boom!
Ground shattered, flames, acid, arcane energy mixed together... air instantly turned extremely murky, seeming to become a death domain.
The strength of alchemy lies in:
Given suitable materials and resources, plus a solid industrial system, crafted alchemical equipment can execute almost all path skills.
With sufficient resources, under unlimited supply conditions.
Alchemists instead become the strongest profession in early-mid stages, bar none.
If an ordinary young adult dragon were hit by this wave of saturation bombardment, it would at least lose a layer of skin.
However, before goblins could rejoice over results.
Whoosh!
The red iron dragon spread wings high, suddenly bursting out from the artillery-covered area. Scales showed more cracks, pits, and corrosion marks, but that was all.
Frostburst Scales possessed exceptional resistance to both high and low temperatures.
Physical damage resistance was even more unparalleled.
Simultaneously, with damage received, thermal energy accumulated within Garoth's body.
Destruction Breath was one of Garoth's major trump cards. Uncertain whether battles here would be reported to goblin headquarters, he needed some reservation, but could appropriately display it as misdirection.
Therefore.
Garoth didn't wait for thermal energy to accumulate further, choosing to release before reaching peak.
Suddenly, a metal projectile landed on Garoth's shoulder, detonating Frostburst Scales and some spikes there.
Simultaneously, the red iron dragon deeply inhaled, chest swelling high, rolling heat radiating from every scale gap, entire black scales beginning to glow red.
Boom!
He flew low, lowering his head spitting thermal energy-enhanced dragon breath toward alchemical golems.
Thermal energy poured by Garoth hadn't reached peak, not even half, so fiery breath enhancement couldn't be called destruction, but remained formidable.
Torrential flame flow poured from his mouth.
The red iron dragon soared at low altitude, scouring ground with dragon breath. Mecha golems melted under his terrifying breath, flesh-and-blood pilots dying instantly.
After one dragon breath exhausted.
Steelspike Outpost's golems were almost entirely destroyed.
Somewhat regrettable, since golems held significant value. If intact, after some modifications, they could become Molten Iron Tribe weapons, but now wasn't the time for mercy.
Black oil fields were most important.
Once black oil fields secured, with sufficient energy supply, obtaining alchemical golem blueprints through Gem Merchant Consortium, some core components, building assembly lines for ordinary components, they could manufacture themselves.
Then, Molten Iron Tribe could possess its own alchemical golems, wealth resources more easily converted into power.
Now, with golems destroyed one after another, other defensive weapons couldn't stop the red iron dragon either.
Steelspike Outpost goblins' morale completely collapsed.
Inherent cowardice facing death fully awakened, they fled in panicked disarray toward various directions.
Regarding this, Garoth didn't bother obstructing.
He killed goblin warriors with alchemical equipment, captured remaining goblin alchemists, while ordinary goblins were simply left alone.
Gold Fang Tribe's strength lay in accumulated golems and war machines, not goblins themselves.
Alchemists with golems and equipment were strong, but correspondingly, alchemists without golems were pathetic weaklings. Destroying those golems and machines already counted as capturing Steelspike Outpost, objective achieved.
Moreover.
Garoth kept goblins for future use.
For Gold Fang Tribe, Garoth's primary goal was subjugation, not complete destruction. Molten Iron Tribe's alchemical industry development could benefit from experienced goblins adding bricks and tiles.
Several minutes later, the red iron dragon soared skyward, departing Steelspike Outpost.
This important Gold Fang Tribe military defense stronghold had almost become ruins, crushed by single-dragon power.
Garoth returned to Dragon Valley.
As time passed, successive victory reports arrived from various locations.
Thanks to first-strike advantage, Molten Iron Tribe's surprise first assault achieved remarkable results. Strongholds targeted by Molten Iron soldiers were almost all captured, Gold Fang Tribe suffering heavy losses.
When Gold Fang Tribe reinforcements arrived.
Molten Iron warriors had already withdrawn.
After capturing Gold Fang Tribe strongholds, they didn't occupy them, taking everything portable, destroying what couldn't be taken, then decisively choosing retreat.
Ignited warfare didn't extinguish with Molten Iron Tribe's withdrawal.
Moreover, Molten Iron Tribe only retreated strategically, for better attacks.
After brief rest, Molten Iron soldiers continued assaulting various Gold Fang Tribe strongholds. Under iron dragon's command and coordination, they strictly followed tactical core, maintaining guerrilla style, multi-front warfare, avoiding direct confrontation with Gold Fang Tribe, maximizing their advantages.
Using their strengths to attack enemy weaknesses.
With unstoppable red iron dragon presence, escaped lucky-to-survive goblins spread tales of his terror and horror.
—When mysterious red light appeared in sky, it meant he came, meant death approached.
Surviving goblins described thus.
Rumors spread, red iron dragon casting heavy shadow over Gold Fang Tribe.
Combat rhythm was also controlled by Molten Iron Tribe, Gold Fang Tribe retreated in continuous defeat, suffering heavy losses.
Several days later.
Black Iron Plains, goblin headquarters, Artificer Palace conference hall.
Atmosphere in chamber felt heavy, silent as a crow, only some alchemical prosthetic gear operating sounds clicking.
"Elders, report current situation."
Grand Artificer spoke first, his expression as ever, green face showing no emotion, voice carrying goblin-specific sharpness.
"Our military stronghold, Steelspike Outpost, has become ruins."
"Quartz mine, refined iron mine, spikebeast ranch.... defense lines all breached."
"Our golems massively destroyed, carefully-trained operators heavily casualties, many alchemists dead or missing."
"......"
Item after item making atmosphere heavier reports came from goblin elders' mouths.
"Back when Molten Iron Tribe first discovered, we should have launched full assault, nip them in bud!"
Three-Hand Goblin Elder said with piercing voice.
Easy to say, but unless future-seeing, no matter how many times, Gold Fang Tribe would make same choice.
Initially Garoth hibernated, Molten Iron Tribe laid low turtled up, completely not threatening, plus goblins focused mainly on other tribes, paying no attention to Molten Iron Tribe.
"Matters having reached this point, discussing past meaningless."
"What we need now is eliminating Molten Iron Tribe."
Grand Artificer scanned circle, said: "Elders have any thoughts?"
Mechanical Arm Goblin Elder took out a memory stone.
"First discuss Molten Iron Tribe's king, this evil dragon that scared courage out of many clansmen."
Speaking, activating it, memory stone projected light shadows, outlining red iron dragon's scene at Steelspike Outpost.
Red iron dragon ravaging outpost, easily shredding numerous golems scene, seen by goblin elders.
"Its final used breath not normal."
Eye-Modified Goblin Elder keenly said: "Black scales turning crimson, heat visibly radiating...." Goblin Elder paused and enlarged Garoth using dragon breath scene, carefully observing, thoughtfully said: "Its dragon breath unusual, seemingly enhanced somehow."
Another goblin elder said:
"Attack signs very obvious, plus power formidable, but still insufficient to make us fear."
Iron-Face Goblin Elder nodded, agreeing said: "Molten Iron Tribe's king, this red iron hybrid dragon strong, this point undeniable, but if only currently displayed level, then not worth too much attention."
Mechanical Arm Goblin Elder slightly shook head, said:
"Its destruction of Steelspike Outpost performance effortless, absolutely has hidden power, cannot let guard down."
Nearby goblin elder said: "Correct, but given dragon race arrogant conceited nature, it didn't directly assault Black Iron Plains, indicating it fears us somewhat."
"Its hidden power limited, we cannot underestimate it, but also no need to overestimate."
After analyzing Redwing Lord for some time.
Goblin elders shifted topic, began discussing how to counterattack Molten Iron Tribe.
"We cannot let Molten Iron Tribe lead us by nose."
"They attempt multi-front warfare, repeatedly assault to exhaust us."
"Direct decisive battle, Molten Iron Tribe absolutely not our match."
"Gather strength attack head-on, transfer battlefield to southwest, reclaim combat rhythm."
Goblin elders and Grand Artificer after discussion, quickly reached consensus.
—Gather strength, breakthrough head-on.
This completely opposite Molten Iron Tribe's tactical strategy, but also most able to utilize Gold Fang Tribe alchemical machine advantage combat strategy.
Immediately following.
Goblins under elders and Grand Artificer's call gathered legions, began marching toward southwest, primary target Molten Iron Tribe's vital heartland—Fertile Plains.