Published: July 3, 2025
"Captain, there's been movement from the enemy."
After the flash of greenstorm, Deputy Captain Meredith ran to Nigel, the defense captain, with a report about the reason the castle gate's magical defense mechanisms were not functioning.
The two quickly climbed up onto the nearby castle wall.
What they saw from there was,
"What is that...?"
A murmur escaped from Deputy Captain Meredith's lips.
However, Captain Nigel already knew what it was.
No, to be precise, he suspected it was probably 'that.'
"That must be the newly developed Artificial Golem."
As the public capital defense captain, Nigel received quite a bit of high-level confidential information.
Among that, the most critical piece of information regarding the defense of the public capital had been communicated by Salieri, the head of the intelligence department: the Artificial Golem.
It was likely that the golem approaching slowly was the one in question.
"We need to hurry back to the central command."
With that, Captain Nigel said as he led Meredith down the castle wall in a hurry.
There was no way to stop it other than with greenstorm.
And the earlier dispersal type wouldn't work.
However, one thing was nagging at Nigel's mind.
The approaching Artificial Golem was only one unit.
"Just observing for now?"
Even if that was the case, if they could destroy it completely, the enemy would be at a deadlock.
Nigel decided to compartmentalize his thoughts.
"Focus and take aim."
The shooter nodded at Captain Nigel's instructions.
From the central command post set up in a high place, they could directly see beyond the castle wall.
On the other side of the northern wall, a single Artificial Golem was slowly walking towards the public capital.
(Considering the reflection of that light, its exterior must be metal... probably steel. Generally, the greenstorm dispersal type is not effective against it. However, if focused, it can easily pierce through steel. Just an Artificial Golem, what is it?)
Nigel thought this inside his mind to reassure himself.
Even if he was told "It's fine" or "You can do it," he knew he wouldn't truly understand unless he tried it out... especially when it came to the latest technology.
"The enemy golem will be in range in ten seconds."
The report from the observer snapped his consciousness back to the scene.
And then,
"In range in three, two, one."
"Shoot!"
With that command, once again, a green light was emitted from the spire.
However, this time, rather than sweeping across the area, a single beam of green light, about the thickness of a human arm, shot straight into the chest of the Artificial Golem... and pierced it.
The penetrating light eventually dispersed and vanished.
The remaining Artificial Golem slowly fell backward.
"Enemy destroyed."
"Woo-hoo!"
Cheers echoed within the command post, even louder than when the first shot was successful.
It had been effective against the enemy's secret weapon.
Moreover, it had been a perfect shot.
Maybe they could win after all...
Given the disparity in forces, the victory seemed hopeless even to the lowest ranks, so this achievement sparked a sense of hope.
However, this cheer did not last long.
"Enemy reinforcements of Artificial Golems incoming."
The observer's voice extinguished the cheers within the command post.
"How many?"
Captain Nigel was the first to regain his composure and ask.
"Approximately twenty."
"That's nearly all the ones reported."
According to the information Salieri, the head of the intelligence department, had conveyed, the presence of about twenty Artificial Golems had been confirmed.
And now they were coming out.
However, a natural question arose.
(Why are they coming out now when we just perfectly shot one? Isn't it supposed to be a valuable secret weapon? Did they think they could overrun us with numbers since it was just one focused shot? The enemy is General Aubrey, I can't imagine they'd think so simplistically... but who knows.)
Nonetheless, there was no option but to shoot greenstorm again.
"Prepare to intercept with the focus type. Shooters, fire as soon as you're in range. After that, permit continuous firing as soon as you're ready."