Dawn, L笼山 Command Post.
A huge strategic map stood in the center of the meeting room, marking the current movement trajectory of the "Floating Land." Staff and intelligence personnel updated the data daily, making it the most closely watched information by the First Army's high command.
The thick, bright red path on the map indicated that the land hadn't followed the Spine Mountains all the way south, plunging straight into the Everwinter Kingdom. Instead, it had adjusted its course midway, entering the Fertile Plains. Its altitude was also constantly decreasing, now less than a thousand meters above the ground.
Following this trajectory, it would cross the End of the World Mountains in four days, intruding into the territory of Wolfheart.
Because the target was so massive, anyone on a mountaintop with a telescope could see the hazy gray shadow—it resembled a thick cloud, adding a touch of gloom to the continent that had just emerged from the Evil Moon.
The pre-war meeting targeting the demons' "God-Made God" was subsequently convened.
Although the high command had reached a consensus that the First Army's current strength was almost incapable of stopping the Floating Land's movement, fleeing at the first sign of trouble was not the army's style. In any case, probing its strength and attempting to intercept it were necessary—when facing an enemy with insufficient intelligence, engagement was the most effective way to learn about them.
Before His Majesty's final solution arrived, doing everything possible to prepare for it was the army's current top priority.
Besides, the enemy had conveniently offered them this opportunity.
"According to the latest surveillance data, the altitude of the demon fortress has dropped by more than two thousand meters, which is about half the height of the Continental Spine," Edith said, tapping the report in her hand. "Compared to its previous flying altitude, this drop is quite unusual. The staff's conclusion is that maintaining the fortress's levitation likely consumes magic power, and it is directly proportional to the altitude. This altitude, in turn, depends on the relative position of the ground, which is why this phenomenon occurs."
Although the demons referred to their floating continent as the God-Made God in the information provided by His Majesty, the Pearl of the North preferred to call it a fortress and mobile castle—at least when assigning tasks, it wouldn't give subordinates the illusion that they were fighting against a god.
Most of the First Army's high command had completed intermediate education courses, and even so, it took them some time to understand the staff's reasoning.
"In other words, this thing will rise again when it crosses the End of the World Mountains?" Brian asked.
"If we're not mistaken," Edith shrugged.
"The reason doesn't matter," Iron Axe said. "What matters is the fact that it's now only a hundred meters above the End of the World Mountains. Vanna, what's the situation on your side?"
"The surveying team has confirmed it," Vanna got up and walked to the map. "In this section from Goldstone Ridge to L笼山, there are two platforms suitable for artillery fire. As long as this thing doesn't change direction midway, we can fire shells at it. Combined with the latest fortress guns, we might be able to reach the demon city."
During this period of rapid weapon replacement in the war, the 152mm fortress gun naturally underwent some improvements, such as a barrel that was easier to mass-produce and a trailer hitch more suitable for vehicle mounting. The most significant change was the increased powder chamber and the arrival of new separate-loading ammunition.
Since Anna was no longer responsible for the final precision machining of the new gun barrels, which were now entirely produced by factories, the overall quality had declined to some extent, specifically in terms of firing accuracy and durability. However, the new gun, with its larger charge and more advanced powder formula, had taken a step into the 18-kilometer range, almost doubling its previous reach. Moreover, the witch-free production had also increased, and the loss of two or three guns was no longer something to be despaired over.
"I think the demons are most likely heading for Wolfheart. Although the Floating Land can produce red mist, once it moves away, the red mist will dissipate. Therefore, if the enemy wants to truly occupy a piece of land, establishing a large number of Mist Storage Towers is essential," Iron Axe pondered. "With the support of the Mobile Obelisk this time, their tower construction plan will not be hindered in any way. Everwinter and Wolfheart will be connected as a whole. Therefore, the success rate of intercepting the enemy on their planned route is not low, the only question is the effectiveness."
Obviously, this was completely different from the previous shelling of the Fortress-Type Twisted Beasts. The former had a clear target, which was to destroy the Twisted Beast before the enemy noticed. As long as a few shells hit, it could bring extremely high returns. But the result of shelling the Floating Land could already be predicted. Even if they could touch the demon city, the damage caused would be very limited. And facing a fortress surrounded by Terror Beasts, eighteen kilometers was by no means a safe distance. Considering that there was still a distance from the edge of the target's outline to the center, it meant that the interception team had to get closer.
"I think it's worth a try, Commander," Vanna replied after a moment of thought. "After the Floating Land enters Wolfheart, only the Sky Knights will be able to engage the enemy head-on in the main battlefield, and the First Army will become a supporting force. So this is basically the only chance for the artillery division to make a move. Even if we can't cause much damage, we can at least show our attitude—humanity will never succumb to miracles!"
Iron Axe turned to look at the Pearl of the North, "What do you think?"
Edith was silent for a slightly longer time, nodding after several minutes. "I have no objections."
"In that case," Iron Axe took a deep breath and ordered the high command present, "Discuss the interception plan according to this proposal. Time is short, and I need to see the conclusions immediately."
"Yes!" everyone said in unison.
The discussion results were quickly compiled—both suitable high points for firing would be set up as artillery positions, but one was real and one was fake. The latter was closer to the Mobile Fortress's advance route to mislead the enemy's judgment. The Hummingbird was responsible for transporting the artillery into the Hermes Mountains to the real position, and it would be destroyed on the spot before evacuating to prevent the enemy from capturing the weapons.
In addition to the First Army, the Sky Knight Corps and the God's Punishment Witches would also undertake some cover and support tasks.
With the plan's objectives in place, the next step was to refine the process and implement it specifically—the army was already quite familiar with such a procedure. Without the need for much instruction, each department was already busy.
Back in the staff office, Filin couldn't help but ask the minister, "Sir, was there anything inappropriate in the meeting just now...?"
Edith stopped. "Why do you ask?"
"Because you spoke much less than usual..."
"I see," she raised an eyebrow nonchalantly. "I was just thinking about a question. The demons call the Floating Land the God-Made God, which obviously shows they have extremely high expectations for it. But as of now, it's just a platform that provides red mist and hasn't demonstrated any other extraordinary aspects. So...this thing might be hiding some means we don't know about, and it might not be as simple as it seems."
"Then why didn't you bring it up in the meeting?" Filin asked, puzzled.
"Because it wouldn't have done much except increase anxiety. Since we don't know anything, we can't effectively formulate countermeasures. I can't base a plan solely on speculation, but the interception force can tell us the answer—no matter what that answer is."
Hearing this, Filin felt goosebumps rise on the back of his neck.
Edith's tone didn't change at all, remaining as calm as ice, "The army's current top priority is to do everything possible to prepare for the subsequent strategies, and trial and error is one of those preparations."