This utterly irrational destructive attack looked like a catharsis.
He was ambushed deep behind enemy lines, wasn't he? Not even two days later, he returned with heavy troops, intending to kill even the bacteria.
However, they had misunderstood Ryan.
The combat plan had nothing to do with him.
He just needed to sit in the spacious bridge, quietly take the peanuts Elysia offered, and eat a few. Crispy and crunchy, truly satisfying.
Ryan watched the live footage playing on several holographic screens and felt a surge of emotion. This was his first time leading an army into battle, to show the Herrschers the sharpness of humanity's sword.
This scale was unprecedented. All previous conflicts were mere battles. Only at this moment could it be called a "pitched battle." At least for a moment, he genuinely felt that the advantage was theirs.
A saturation attack completely destroyed the port. Then, under the surveillance of drones and low-orbit satellites, they calculated the lead to accurately kill, leaving the enemy no room to retaliate.
"Accelerate the cooling of the Honkai Energy Array Cannons, and completely destroy that mountain peak."
"Call the computer to divide the bombardment areas. I want intelligence from deeper within."
"Is the [Infinity] team ready? They'll be the first to land later." Mei walked back and forth, mobilizing various departments, fully demonstrating her title of "all-rounder." After all, Ryan didn't understand military science.
If it were up to him, he would only say something like
"the left flank's barrage is too thin."
So he was responsible for eating popcorn, watching the fireworks display, and occasionally offering a reminder or two.
"The number of Honkai Beasts isn't enough, even fewer than when Hua and I landed."
"Mm, that's the intelligence I want. It seems the Herrscher can indeed control the Honkai Beasts across the entire continent." Mei adjusted her glasses, her tone devoid of emotion:
"If they can retreat now, they can come later. So I won't deploy too many forces at this forward outpost." Is this going to be guerrilla warfare? That's right.
Hundreds of MANTIS appear and disappear without a trace. Given Mei caution, she wouldn't venture deep alone.
On land, there was only one Emperor-class Honkai Beast.
The Fire Moth was now too lazy to even name such things. In any case, the opponent hadn't shown any abilities, first being strafed by missiles, then blasted into a paste by a Honkai Energy Array Cannon.
"The material consumption is quite large, but overall it's relatively easy. It seems I don't need to make an appearance." Ryan slumped back into his chair.
Wasn't this the goal of spending so much time and effort? How wonderful it would be if he could defeat Honkai just by slacking off and eating popcorn.
He grinned, then saw the front deck of the Minerva open, and heavy mechs, tens of meters tall, flew out.
MANTIS pilots combined with Honkai energy engines—these things were all like Gundams, all immensely powerful.
The sound of cannons and missiles ceased instantly. Hundreds of drones were expanding their vision.
Once any slight movement was detected, another precise bombardment would follow. However, based on Ryan reconnaissance, a third of humanity's forces couldn't really be reckless at the moment.
The Herrscher couldn't stop them from retreating; no one stipulated that they had to hold this position.
Instead, guerrilla warfare was the most troublesome. With Prometheus's assistance, hundreds of potential Herrscher reactions were all accounted for in the contingency plans.
Ryan continued eating peanuts, watching as dozens of 'Gundams' finally set foot on the South American continent.
The city had long been reduced to scorched earth. They deployed in combat formations and began searching for stragglers, then established new relay points to expand the drone's control range. Vil-V hadn't come.
Mobius clearly wasn't interested in fighting. These mechs, led by their respective squad leaders, began expanding outwards, then inserted some strangely shaped machines into the ground.
Ryan was very curious. He looked at the electronic map and quickly understood what these things were.
"Honkai energy detectors, capable of detecting Honkai reactions deep underground. This Mei is truly a coward, isn't she?"
"Ryan, if you speak ill of her, be careful Mei settles the score," Elysia whispered, hugging the peanuts in her arms. I'm the boss, how could I be afraid of her? Ryan scoffed, curling his lips, but ultimately didn't say anything.
Then he found that Mei had no time to bother with him because the electronic map was already covered with dense red dots.
"Honkai energy reactions detected underground, moving extremely slowly. As expected, they want to encircle us."
"Deep-sea submersibles also detected Honkai energy reactions. Multiple targets are moving three kilometers underwater." As expected, the retreat was a feint.
Honkai never intended to retreat without a fight.
Mei was unsurprised, even a little nervous, because this was humanity's first pitched battle against Honkai, completely different from usual Herrscher subjugation battles or purges. It was a direct confrontation with a large concentration of forces.
A pitched battle was inevitable, a natural consequence of both sides' organizational development reaching a high level.
She adjusted her glasses, her eyes darting to the man at the top of the bridge, and immediately felt confident.
"Send the [Crimson] team as well. All units in mobile combat configuration, ready to retreat at any time, Elysia."
"Huh? Oh, I'm here!" A high-ranking captain quickly hid her snacks behind her back and puffed out her chest.
"Call Hua, and then have your people guard this ship. Honkai's counterattack is coming." Mei was always concise. In any case, Elysia wouldn't talk back.
She shoved the bag into Ryan arms, saluted in a feigned manner, picked up her longbow, and left the bridge, leaving the other high-ranking person stunned with the snacks. It was too pretentious to hide them, and unbecoming to hold them.
So he simply opened them and ate them openly.
"Mei, do you need my help?" Hmph. Mei saw Ryan relaxed demeanor and felt a bit annoyed, immediately understanding why he had entrusted the Fire Moth to her.
After knowing him for so many years, she knew Ryan was a skilled actor and could be ruthless, but his nature was free-spirited, truly unsuitable for leading an organization or commanding a battle.
"Just sit there and watch. Humanity isn't only you sacrificing your life." Ryan hand paused, then he quickly smiled, lightly biting into a crispy peanut.
He hadn't gathered the Thirteen Flame-Chasers to be mascots.
"Then I'll look forward to watching your performance."
At the same moment, Ato led nearly a hundred MANTIS ashore.
The ground was slightly hot, and there were craters everywhere.
He couldn't help but let out a whistle. Dr. Mei was usually stingy, but there were times when she spent lavishly.
If they had forced a landing, a few people would probably have died, but the intelligence feedback from the information terminal was also not good.
The Honkai Beasts, after being commanded, also had brains. They had dug tunnels deep underground and were rapidly encircling them.
No one thought of retreating and letting the 'invincible' Supreme Commander solve it. Since they had stepped onto the battlefield, they should have been prepared.
Everyone took risks to undergo the fusion surgery, not to be cheerleaders.
"This is Ato, I'm taking over command now. All squads disperse as planned. Honkai Energy Demolition Charges loaded." The order was transmitted to every soldier's ear.
The mechs had high payload capacity, so they placed gigantic cylinders on the ground according to the map markers.
Armor-piercing cones pierced the ground, and the electronic lights changed from red to flashing green.
"All detonation points loaded. Detonation array activated."
"Honkai energy reaction accelerating. Current depth 300, 270, 220..."
The battlefield fell into a strange silence.
From the lowest-ranking soldiers to Ryan, everyone realized that this battle was unfamiliar.
Even during previous Herrscher subjugation battles, humanity was always outnumbered.
The only similar instance was the Battle of Britannia, but that time, the Fifth Herrscher, who was in command, fled as soon as the battle began.
This battle was completely different. They were facing a complete army composed of Herrschers, Pseudo-Herrschers, Honkai Beasts, and human traitors, and the enemy also had a combat plan.
"It's like an exam. I want to see what new destiny thirteen years have opened up for this world." Ryan eyes sharpened. He leaned forward, staring at the large screen without blinking, then, at Mei eye signal, opened his mouth.
He didn't need to worry about how to fight, but the horn of the first pitched battle had to be sounded by the flag.
"'Star Scar Operation' begins. All units deploy as planned."
"Operation start!"
"Operation start!"
Radio waves transmitted information to every terminal, and then two seconds later, all channels crackled with static, and all messages on the tactical terminals disappeared.
Extremely strong electromagnetic interference, which was extremely rare in thousands of battles, and its occurrence now was clearly no coincidence.
The command channel was instantly cut off. Under normal circumstances, chaos would have ensued, and they would have been surrounded and slaughtered by the swarming Honkai Beasts, but Mei was not flustered at all. She even motioned for the standing Ryan to sit down.
"Fire communication flares, reverse-lock the interference source, array cannons ready."
Several flares exploded in the air. Even in broad daylight, they illuminated the entire battlefield. At this point, the advantage of high organization became apparent.
Each detachment had a captain, and scattered squads also had squad leaders. Moreover, they were very close to each other, so no communication tools were needed at all.
"All squads operate independently. Everyone, ascend with me. Honkai energy demolition charges set for a five-second timer."
Hen shouted loudly. The ground was already trembling, and many rocks were cracking and falling. At such a time, losing communication should have caused chaos, but he showed no panic, only planning to act.
A group of mechs immediately ascended. The [Crimson] detachment's MANTIS also stepped onto hoverboards. They ascended rapidly and saw the ground bulge, from which several thick 'worms' emerged. Their sand-worm-like sharp teeth could bite through rock like tofu.
Some kind of mutated Honkai Beast, so you were the ones digging tunnels.
He knew what was coming behind him, because the sea also boiled, and black dots appeared on the horizon. He only stared wide-eyed at the black tide that could annihilate everything.
"Detonate!"
Detonate!
Before the Honkai Beasts could swarm out and attack the sky, the countdown reached zero. Terrifying energy was released, and then, under the supercomputer's planning, every detonation point was extremely scientific.
Each surge of energy intertwined, spread, and was utilized to its fullest extent. Twenty-four beams of light shot straight into the sky, tearing apart everything within the array.
The shockwave created massive waves, making the Minerva sway slightly. Ryan quietly sat upright, seeing the distant light beams rise and the array cannons fire from below—one blue, one red, one vertical, one horizontal, complementing each other.
He lifted his chin, his expression arrogant and proud.
"Listen, the roar of this civilization."
Light beams, fireballs, and various colors of light streamed through the portholes, brightly illuminating the bridge and making Ryan look somewhat excited.
This was the light of destruction, and also the light of civilization. That positive feedback immediately made Ryan feel that all the effort he had spent over the years was completely worth it.
The swirling dust dispersed. The destructive power generated by the precision demolition was extremely terrifying. The continent looked like it had been bitten off by a dog, along with thousands of Honkai Beasts, disappearing from the world.
The area where the port was located completely vanished. There were several large holes in the rock face, which looked like it had been carved with a knife and axe. The shockwave left the Honkai Beasts inside completely disoriented.
Before they could regroup, the two detachments hiding outside the explosion zone began their dive.
Mechs, tens of meters tall, blocked the cave entrances, unleashing rolling fire dragons that swept through. Temperatures of several thousand degrees Celsius were enough to Burn any living organism, while Hen led his subordinates to support back and forth. They rode 'hoverboards', in groups of three, specifically eliminating any stragglers.
When a Pseudo-Herrscher or Emperor-class Honkai Beast was found, Ato would charge with the twins, outnumbering them to eliminate a few first.
The destructive power was already no less than my full power, and who dares say ordinary soldiers are useless? They eliminate enemies very quickly.
"Besides, with such a large battlefield, I'd be exhausted trying to manage it all by myself."
Ryan swept his gaze across the busy bridge. After the interfering Emperor-class Honkai Beast was heavily damaged, communications had been restored. Dozens of CICs were constantly transmitting orders to various units.
Everything was orderly. Even though the battlefield was chaotic, everyone performed their respective duties. There was even a dedicated reconnaissance team that marked powerful Honkai energy signatures and gridded the entire hundreds of square kilometers of battlefield.
"High Honkai energy individual detected, optical scan confirmed as Pseudo-Herrscher or traitor."
"Two mech squads engage, just hold them, and share their abilities with Hen and others so they can prepare. Also, get Sakura ready for deployment to harvest key targets."
"The first round of naval combat is over. Sonar buoys detected new enemies rising from five thousand meters below the seabed."
"Able to resist such water pressure, I judge them to be at least Emperor-class Honkai Beasts or higher." Mobius was an advisor today and didn't have time to be rude. She said directly: "Tell Elysia to prepare. The enemy's main force is coming."
"I agree with that assessment. The ground attack, after suffering setbacks, didn't retreat. It looks like they want to tie up our two forces." Mei pondered for a moment, then nodded to the side. "Have the fleet disperse. The Minerva will ascend, but remember, not too high. Load all cannons. Target: the Honkai Beast swarm in the air ahead. Don't let yourselves be surrounded."
The orders were continuous, and Ryan had no opportunity to add anything, so he simply sat there sullenly. He then glanced at the densely marked map, feeling that today would definitely not be a massacre.
The real show was yet to come. Let's watch Elysia perform first.
On the deck, Elysia stood facing the wind, her magnificent long dress fluttering, revealing her fair thighs.
She was humanity's first hero, once admired by countless warriors, subtly becoming the leading figure of the 'youth faction.'
"As a result, my light was completely overshadowed by Ryan. I still feel a little jealous, you know?"
"Ellie, what did you say?" Hua stood not far away, holding the Fifth Divine Key shaped like a double-bladed sword. Her proficiency with it was just barely acceptable, and she was a bit nervous now.
Don't disgrace him, don't disgrace him.
The young girl silently repeated this in her heart; it was almost becoming an obsession. If Ryan hadn't given her psychological counseling, she would have been filled with self-reproach by now.
"Just some small grievances. Oh, don't think too much about it. Even if you mess up badly, Ryan won't blame you."
"But I can't get over it myself." Hua shook her head gravely, holding back a surge of determination.
Elysia looked at her, then suddenly smiled and took Hua hand: "Then you should watch me first, that beautiful and dazzling battle. Himeko~ I'll be counting on your cover later!"
She suddenly picked up her bow, soaring like a butterfly, gently drawing the bowstring. Pink arrows were poised for release.
In an instant, Elysia became the center of attention, and she thoroughly enjoyed being watched by the world, clenching her small fists to cheer herself on.
Now Ryan has stolen all the thunder. Hmm, I must work hard!
As if hearing her words, white bubbles appeared on the surface of the sea. Something massive seemed to be emerging from the deep seabed.
As Mobius said, those capable of hiding in the deep sea and resisting such immense water pressure were all high-tier Honkai Beasts. And having hidden in the sea for so long, it had become a kind of sanctuary.
Bang!
A thick, slimy tentacle wrapped around the destroyer. Its suction cups spewed Honkai energy shields, causing incoming torpedoes and missiles to explode harmlessly. But before it could tear the destroyer apart, pink arrows flew towards it.
The long arrow expanded in the air, its arrowhead like an axe. With a 'whoosh', it split the tentacle into two.
The monster in the sea evidently noticed her too. Suddenly, a dozen tentacles shot out from the surface, their suction cups expanding, firing hundreds of crimson beams.
This was a net of light. Missiles, cannon shells, even ships in the way were sliced apart. But the pink-clad girl, like a butterfly dancing among flowers, nimbly flickered through them.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Lasers cut in all directions. Elysia climbed, dived, and rolled, yet not a single beam hit her. Instead, she continuously drew her bow, and the arrows she fired severed tentacle after tentacle.
It was truly beautiful; Hua was momentarily stunned watching it. Only when a giant vortex appeared on the sea surface did she leap from the deck and dive towards the ocean.
"Follow me, cover Elysia!"
The vortex churned everything, and there was a suction force pulling Elysia towards its center. The tentacles, seeing that their shooting was useless, simultaneously released energy shields and slammed down from all directions.
The girl pursed her lips, pulling her longbow to its limit. She felt a chill pressing against her back as the vortex beneath her feet froze at a visible rate.
I knew you were the best!
Elysia smile grew even brighter as she released the bowstring towards the sky.
"Is this an invitation to a ball?"
The arrow flew hundreds of meters high, exploding like a firework, splitting into hundreds, thousands of arrows that rained down like a beautiful shower of fire.
Countless raindrops splashed on the sea surface. The energy shields melted like snowflakes, and then the tentacles, which could normally deflect cannon shells, were riddled with holes like beehives, falling back into the sea.
This was no invitation; it was clearly a domain of ten thousand arrows piercing hearts. Moreover, these pink arrows didn't disappear. They plunged into the deep sea, attacking the Honkai Beasts' main bodies, like a swarm of sharp-toothed piranhas.
"The ball is reaching its climax, should we offer an exhilarating melody?"
Clap.
Elysia snapped her fingers. The space between sea and sky was silent for a moment, then—
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
The sea boiled. Countless water columns, mixed with severed limbs, splashed out, raising thousands of waves, forcing several colossal creatures to leap out of the water.
Some resembled fish, some looked like jellyfish, others like dozens of sea urchins clumped together. But without a doubt, they were all Judgment-class Honkai Beasts. Even Ryan, observing the battle, frowned, not expecting Honkai to have hidden such a massive fighting force right under their noses.
If they hadn't been forced out by this pitched battle, they could have cut off global shipping routes at any time, turning continents into isolated islands. One must remember that MANTIS are no match for them in the deep sea.
When the two sides met, it was an all-out assault. The jellyfish's mental shock even distorted the air, and the 'sea urchins' fired thousands of black needles.
Elysia side didn't hold back either. Hua condensed ice shields and charged, covering Elysia as she drew and fired her bow.
The warriors charged, various abilities and weapons intertwined. The scattered warships' cannon barrels glowed red from continuous firing. At this moment, the air and land were engulfed in fierce combat. Even with Ryan eyesight, he was overwhelmed.
The Dark Cocoons were deployed, cooperating with the Pseudo-Herrschers, forcing the two detachments to slowly retreat. Fortunately, Sakura appeared in time to stabilize the front.
Forget-Me-Not combined with the Third Divine Key. Its lethality was too great. It appeared in an instant and vanished just as quickly. After slaying a Pseudo-Herrscher, it forced the remaining enemies to slow their offensive.
The aerial battleships' firepower never ceased, like combat fortresses, blasting down the incoming 'air force'. At the height of the battle, even Mobius went out to engage.
It was Ryan first time seeing her fight, and he realized that Mobius was also a master of lightning, though she seemed to dislike close-quarters combat. Standing on the deck, she raised her hand, gathering green electric currents into a long spear and throwing it forward.
Yes, it was green electricity, which left Ryan looking astonished.
"This is a bit like a certain rat-man's warpfire thrower."
"What rat-man?" Mei sat steadily at the command console, seemingly having forgotten Mobius earlier sarcasm towards her.
"Just saying," Ryan waved his hand. He couldn't explain it clearly, only seeing that Mobius attack seemed to possess life. It could track and even split and recombine. While its destructive power wasn't as strong as his, it was like a living creature.
"Mobius suffered a lot in the Tempering Plan, and of course, so did all those fighting in this area," Mei murmured. Even though casualties had exceeded fifty, and several mechs had been destroyed.
But both she and Ryan knew very well that, in the past, such a planned, organized, multi-layered large-scale attack, even a single Fire Moth branch, wouldn't have lasted two hours.
"It's been three hours since the order to engage was given. Even the Atlantic Fleet hasn't been completely wiped out. This proves that their suffering has had an effect," Ryan voice was calm, as if he didn't see the exploding and sinking warships.
"There has indeed been a qualitative improvement, but Honkai is the same. We've observed over five high-tier Honkai Beasts fallen, and one Pseudo-Herrscher, but it's still endless," Mei was not optimistic. She had already seen Anna, one of the twins, being sent back. Klein led the emergency medical team charging up, making her the first injured high-tier MANTIS.
"No, there will be an end. These things may not be valuable, but gathering them takes a lot of time." Ryan slowly stood up, his joints cracking audibly, and pointed his hand forward.
"Look, the Herrscher is here."