Chapter 98: Dolo's New Army
Chapter 98: Dolo's New Army
"The 'secret weapon' you're talking about is these broken iron sticks?"
The over two-meter-tall dragonborn hobgoblin, Dolo, the military commander of the Ember Nest, looked down at the human before him, his small golden eyes full of doubt.
The player with the ID "Chiechebev" quickly stepped forward to explain: "This is the latest model firearm developed by our Storm Armory—the 'Enemy Breaker Fire.' Although it's still a smoothbore gun, we've modified the barrel. While the power has decreased, its accuracy and range have been greatly improved."
Dolo casually picked up a rifle, weighed it, and said disdainfully, "With this little short stick, how are you supposed to attack the enemy? In the face of war, the most effective weapons are our spears, bows, and warhammers!"
He tossed the so-called "rifle" aside.
Seeing the gun about to hit the ground, Chiechebev quickly stepped forward to catch it, afraid it might get damaged.
Although he disdained the hobgoblin's ignorance, Chiechebev still proactively said, "Lord Dolo, this thing isn't used like that. Let me demonstrate it for you."
Coincidentally, a hobgoblin herder was leading an aurochs nearby.
Though Dolo looked down on this little gadget, he was curious to see what it could do, so he nodded slightly in consent.
"Please step aside."
Chiechebev skillfully loaded the ammunition, held his breath, raised the gun, and aimed.
"Bang!"
A thunderous sound rang out, with wisps of blue smoke rising from the muzzle.
The massive body of the aurochs collapsed with a crash. Its side was riddled with dense holes; steel pellets deeply embedded in its flesh and even internal organs. Its body was almost turned into a sieve by this shot.
Dolo gasped sharply.
Seeing this weapon take down an aurochs with one shot, he quickly realized its significance in warfare.
Moreover, its power wasn't even its most terrifying aspect. If one insisted, a bow and arrow could achieve a one-shot kill too, but that would require an excellent archer.
The terrifying thing about this so-called "rifle" is that it's almost effortless to use. Even the most inferior, weakest goblin can pick up a gun and pull the trigger.
Just like that, they can hold their own in a shootout against a skilled archer.
You must know that archers are absolute elites in the army, costly to train, while goblins are the most abundant expendables; a single birth yields a litter.
He was somewhat excited, grabbing the human's shoulders, his hot breath almost hitting Chiechebev's face: "How many of these iron sticks can you make?"
Chiechebev quietly corrected, "It's the 'Enemy Breaker Fire' rifle."
Dolo said, "I don't care what it's called; I'm asking how many you can make."
Chiechebev pondered for a moment before saying, "After all, our Storm Armory was established not long ago, and manpower isn't sufficient. If we work overtime, we should be able to produce 300 rifles before the war starts. As for bullets, we can supply them freely; after all, the Ember Nest's materials are quite abundant."
"Very good."
Hearing this number, Dolo had already anticipated it.
After all, expecting such battlefield weapons to be produced as casually as ordinary swords and knives is unrealistic. But even with just 300 rifles, if used well, they could influence the outcome of a war. Dolo deeply understood this.
Chiechebev returned to the armory to report the situation.
Soon, Battlefield Wheelchair Man brought 100 guns and a cart of bullets to the military camp in Dragon Valley.
He said to Dolo, "This is all our current stock."
Dolo nodded and called over several strong bugbears to transport them back to the camp.
However, Battlefield Wheelchair Man stepped forward and said, "Lord Dolo, our Storm Armory has also developed corresponding tactics for this weapon. You can try them out."
"Oh? What tactics?"
Dolo became interested; hobgoblins always enjoy topics related to warfare.
Battlefield Wheelchair Man took out a crooked piece of parchment with simple stick figures drawn on it.
"An ancient, simple, and effective tactic. We generally call it—"
He lowered his voice mysteriously:
"Line Formation Shooting."
Three days later, Dragon Valley.
It was another routine military drill.
Every time, the red dragon would appear at the entrance of the Giant's Maw Cavern, overlooking the army, boosting morale, and preparing for the upcoming war.
But this time, there was a special hobgoblin unit equipped with new weapons among the ranks.
"Master, today's drill will definitely satisfy you."
Dolo waited respectfully beside him, his tone somewhat excited.
"Oh?"
Cassius was quite interested.
He could roughly guess that those players from the [Cult of the Machine God] had played a role.
The military drill began, and all the minions wanted to show off in front of the red dragon, so they were especially diligent.
"For the Ember Nest!"
"WHAAAAH!"
It was still the familiar charge drill. The strong bugbears raised their giant hammers, charging like beasts into the field, smashing the straw targets in front of them.
"Heave ho!"
The short goblins followed closely, throwing javelins that pierced the targets.
"For Lord Cassius!"
Then came the well-equipped hobgoblin unit, holding shields in their left hands and swords or spears in their right, advancing in tight formations.
"Not bad; I'm quite pleased."
Cassius casually commented.
He didn't care much about these armies; these monsters were not the foundation of his power. Even if they were all expended, he wouldn't feel any distress.
Dolo said excitedly, "Master, it's not over yet."
The sound of war drums echoed in the valley.
"Boom, boom, boom!"
At the end of the ranks, an elite hobgoblin unit dressed in plate armor appeared. They marched in unison, following the rhythm of the drums, each holding the latest rifles from the Storm Armory—the 'Enemy Breaker Fire.'
Moreover, they had loaded their ammunition before entering the field.
"Oh?"
Cassius's interest was piqued, his golden pupils shining slightly.
The hobgoblins formed ranks, advancing to about fifty meters from the straw targets before stopping, adjusting their formation into a semi-circular arc.
The drumbeats ceased, and the training ground fell silent.
Dolo stepped forward proudly and shouted the command to the troops below:
"Ready!"
The hobgoblins, following their usual training, raised their rifles, causing a series of clattering sounds.
"Fire!"
They pulled the triggers.
"Bang!"
A thunderous sound echoed through the valley.
A row of blue smoke slowly rose from the muzzles; the scent of gunpowder filled the air. Sweat dripped from the hobgoblins' foreheads, but they were also extremely excited by the sight.
The straw targets were instantly riddled with dense bullets, collapsing in rows. The power of this display made even the red dragon sigh in admiration.
"Line Formation Shooting?"
Cassius recognized this familiar tactic and couldn't help but feel amused. These guys had brought this set of tactics to Erezaghe.
Nevertheless, the red dragon spread his wings, overlooking his minions from the mountaintop, and said:
"Very good! I hope you can crush the enemy like this on the battlefield in the future, proving your loyalty to me with their blood."
Dolo raised the gun in his hand and shouted spiritedly, "For the Master, the Ember Nest!"
"For the Ember Nest!"
"For the great will of the red dragon!"
"Conquer all!"
The troops below erupted in excitement, and cheers surged like waves, echoing endlessly.