A large strategic war map was erected in the center of the meeting room with the trajectory of a pin labeled "Floating Island" mapped out. Everyday, members from the General Staff and the Intelligence Agency would report with new findings, and this was the information the First Army's upper echelons paid most attention to.

The thick red path on the map indicated the path, yet it did not travel along the ridge of the continent southwards straight into Everwinter, but corrected its path midway into the Fertile Plains. The Deity of G.o.ds was also constantly descending and was now less than a kilometer above ground.

According to the trajectory, the floating island would cross over the Impa.s.sable Mountain Range in four days and enter the Kingdom of Wolfheart.

Due to its immense size, one would see the hazy outline of the floating island just by using a telescope while standing on a mountaintop. It resembled a thick dark cloud, adding a sinister haze to the continent that had just survived the Months of Demons.

The pre-war meeting against the demon's Deity of G.o.ds was convened.

Although the higher ups had reached a consensus, the First Army was incapable of stopping the floating island. But to flee at the mere sight of the behemoth was not the style of the army either. No matter what, they needed to probe the strength of the floating island and attempt an a.s.sault. Faced against an enemy that they lacked sufficient information on, the most effective way to understand the enemy was to fight head on.

Before receiving the Majesty's final decision, all they could do was make thorough preparations, which became the army's top priority.

As it turned out, the enemy was also giving them the opportunity to do so.

"According to our latest observations and indication from the data, the demon stronghold's alt.i.tude has already dropped by over two thousand meters, which is about half the height of the ridge of the continent." Edith slapped the report in her hands. "Compared to their previous alt.i.tude, the mentioned drop is somewhat abnormal. The General Staff has concluded that the floating island requires a consumption of magic power to maintain its hovering alt.i.tude, and it is directly proportional to the alt.i.tude. And the height they are currently at hinges upon a relative position with the ground surface; therefore, resulting in the phenomenon we observe."

Although the information provided by His Majesty named the demon's floating island as the Deity of G.o.ds, Edith preferred to call it a stronghold, or a mobile fortress. At the very least, it did not cause the subordinates to have the misconception that they were going against a G.o.d when missions were a.s.signed.

A majority of the First Army's upper echelons had completed their middle-level cla.s.ses, but even so, this required them to spend time to comprehend the conclusion provided by the General Staff.

"In other words, once they pa.s.s through the Impa.s.sable Mountain Range, this thing will rise up again?" Brian asked.

"If our speculation is right." Edith shrugged her shoulders.

"The reason isn't important." Iron Axe spoke up. "What is important is the fact that it is floating just a few hundred meters above the Impa.s.sable Mountain Range now. Van'er, what's the situation on your side?"

"The measurements team have confirmed the numbers." Van'er walked to the map. "There are two flat and suitable platforms for the cannons between Metalstone Ridge and Cage Mountains. As long as that thing doesn't change its course midway, we will be able to bombard them. Equipped with the new Longsong Cannons, we might even be able to hit the Demon City."

In the rapid upgrading and replacement of weapons, improvements were naturally ushered into the 152mm Longsong Cannon; for example, the convenient ma.s.s production of the barrels, as well as suitable carriages to tow the various components. Out of all the improvements, the core alteration happened in the chamber, as well as the arrival of brand new ammunition.

After Anna's role on the final precision processing for the new cannons switched to ma.s.s production, there was a resulting drop in the overall quality manufactured, and these manifested in the precision and durability of the cannons. But the new cannons relied on larger charges and more advanced gunpowder formulations, allowing the firing range to reach the eighteen-kilometer mark, almost achieving a severalfold increment. And the Witches involved in the production line also improved, the current loss of two to three cannons was no longer a matter worth getting angry over.

"I reckon that the demons are heading for the Kingdom of Wolfheart. Although the floating island is capable of producing Red Mist, the Red Mist will dissipate the moment they move; therefore, if the enemy truly plans on occupying a piece of land, they have to build up a large number of Red Mist storage towers," Iron Axe added. "With the help of the mobile Obelisks, their construction will no longer be hindered. Since Everwinter and Kingdom of Wolfheart will soon be connected as one, I believe that the success rate of our a.s.sault on the predicted route will be high, and the only thing worth considering is the effect."

Evidently, this plan was completely different from the previous idea of bombarding the Fortress-like Monstrous Beasts. The initial target was clear, which was to destroy the Monstrous Beast before the enemies were aware of it. So long as they were able to hit the targets with the cannons multiple times, they would immediately reap huge benefits. But they could already predict the results from bombarding the floating island. Even if they were able to touch the Demon City, the damage dealt would be limited. Against a stronghold that had Devilbeasts all around, eighteen kilometers was definitely not a safe benchmark. Considering the additional distance between the edge of the island to the center, it was necessary for the cannon team to be even closer to the floating island.

"I think it is worth a shot, Commander-in-chief." Van'er thought for a moment before replying, "Once the floating island enters the Kingdom of Wolfheart, only the Aerial Knights will be able engage the enemy head on, while the First Army can only provide support. So this is the only opportunity that the cannons can play an important role. Even if we are unable to cause substantial damage, we can, at least, make our stand clear—we humans will not submit to them!"

Iron Axe turned and looked at the Pearl of the Northern Region. "What are your thoughts?"

Edith remained silent for a long time and only nodded her head after a few long minutes. "I have no objections."

"In that case," Iron Axe took a deep breathe, then turned and ordered the partic.i.p.ants of the meeting, "proceed according to the a.s.sault plan we discussed. Time is of the essence, I want to see an immediate result."

"Yes!" they chorused.

The outcome of the discussion was quickly summarized. The two suitable spots for the cannons were designated with one being the true location and the other being a fake. The latter position was closer to the mobile stronghold, and meant to mislead the enemy. Hummingbird was responsible for the true location, where the cannons would be moved to the mountains at Hermes and they were ordered to have the cannons destroyed before retreating to prevent the enemies from having the opportunity of capturing the weapons.

Aside from the First Army, the Aerial Knight Unit and the G.o.d's Punishment Witch Army were tasked to protect and provide support.

With a goal, what followed was going into detail the process and the actual implementation. The Army was already familiar with the entire process. Even without the excessive urging, the various departments got busy.

Back in the General Staff office, Ferlin could not help but question the minister, "My lord, was there anything… inadequate during the meeting?"

Eidth stopped in her tracks. "Why do you say that?"

"Because you spoke lesser than usual…"

"I see." She raised an eyebrow. "I was merely pondering over a question, the demons call the floating island as the Deity of G.o.ds, so obviously they hold great expectations for it. But from the looks of it, it is just a platform used to supply Red Mist and we haven't seen or noticed anything out of the ordinary. That is why… I believe that the floating island might be hiding something we have no knowledge of, and perhaps, it is not as simple as we think."

"Then why didn't you raise that up?" Ferlin said, perplexed.

"Because it will only increase unease and will not help much. Since we know nothing about it, we will not be able to issue an appropriate response or plan as well. It is not right for me to propose something based on mere speculation, and the a.s.sault team will provide us with the answer… regardless of what it is."

Upon hearing these words, Ferlin felt gooseb.u.mps run down his back.

Without any fluctuation in her tone of speech while her face remained as calm as ice, Edith continued, "The Army's current priority is to ensure thorough preparations for the future, and trial and error is part of the preparations."