I Pioneered Scientific Magic - Chapter 355 (Patreon)

Chapter 355: Inner and Outer Crises, the Peril in the Capital!

The echoing cannon fire throughout the capital startled its inhabitants from their slumber. Five days had passed, yet the fear of war once again pervaded everyone's thoughts.

Inside the city walls, the populace found themselves in two distinct states of mind.

The devout believers prayed earnestly, hoping the great messengers of the divine could expel the evil forces, returning the Kingdom of Hadralata to the embrace of the divine. Others fell into panic and confusion.

Simultaneously, within a courtyard of the palace, Lynn and their companions were discussing strategies for a counterattack when their attendants urgently notified them. The besieging forces from outside the city had launched a sudden massive assault. Elite troops were amassed, even the clerics were deployed. Sanchez, stationed there, urgently requested more reinforcements; otherwise, the city gates might fall.

"They've arrived this quickly. It seems they're anxious even before we've made a move!" Raphael scoffed.

"But it's only been five days. If Edweil dared to strike, there must be something they're counting on!" Adela frowned, expressing her worried speculation.

Having witnessed the disastrous retreat of the forces before, leaving over twenty thousand bodies behind, Lynn had assumed the enemy would need at least ten days or half a month to regroup for a second assault. They hadn't anticipated the swift return.

"I received word earlier that a support legion of around forty thousand troops has reached the city, joining forces with the besiegers. I suspect they plan to launch a full-scale attack under cover of night," Lynn pondered.

Realization dawned on those present; their advantage with the newly acquired weaponry would diminish. The rifles and cannons had provided them an edge in inflicting substantial casualties from a distance. Now, with restricted visibility, their marksmen and artillerymen couldn't effectively strike the enemy from afar.

Moreover, in a melee battle, these newly trained riflemen stood no chance against the elite forces of the clergy, possibly facing direct defeat.

Realizing this, Raphael urgently spoke up. "So, there might be over a hundred thousand enemies outside the city. We must immediately send reinforcements to Sanchez!"

Sanchez's desperate plea for reinforcements signified an acute crisis. Their existing plans were insufficient to counter the formidable assault of the clerical forces.

Lynn nodded, scanning the assembly hall before instructing Anthony, Adela, and five other grand wizards to lead two hundred formal wizards to reinforce the city gates.

Additionally, they dispatched five thousand riflemen and ten thousand royal guards...

"Isn't this a bit too few? I recall there being at least seven thousand riflemen within the city," Adela inquired, puzzled.

Among the trained riflemen, roughly thirty thousand were available. Eighteen thousand guarded the city, rotating thrice a day to maintain readiness for full deployment in times of need.

Another five thousand served as reserves, ready for immediate support—these were the reinforcements Lynn was sending. Additionally, seven thousand were spread throughout the city: four thousand guarded granaries, armories, and crucial points, while three thousand remained available for deployment. In dire situations, they could even call upon the defenders to join the battle.

Given the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, every force was vital. These personnel could be fully utilized.

"No, we cannot relocate the city's guard forces. They are crucial for maintaining internal stability," Lynn decisively stated. "Furthermore, notify Yalos and have the airships ascend. Deal with the fire-breathing gryphon knights and then proceed to support the front lines; that should suffice!"

Facing this grave crisis, Lynn remained remarkably composed compared to Raphael and the others, experiencing such a large-scale war for the first time.

While the clerical forces were launching a fierce assault, Lynn understood that capturing the royal capital wouldn't be easy! The city walls stood at a towering eighteen meters, reinforced by magic, and defended by hundreds of wizards. Even with Edweil's considerable force, they'd face severe resistance.

Conversely, within the city, a portion of fresh troops needed to be reserved. Otherwise, internal chaos could trigger a chain reaction leading to total defeat!

"Alright, if that's your decision." Adela shook her head and, with Anthony and others, promptly rallied the wizards to rush for support, not daring to waste a moment.

Left behind, Raphael felt somewhat anxious. Would conducting aerial warfare at night affect the airships' performance? Though each airship was equipped with laser emitters, targeting remained a challenge.

"No worries, for them, day or night makes little difference!" Lynn assured, choosing not to delve deeper. Then, turning to Elok, Lynn instructed him to activate the power devices located within the Alchemy Association.

The possibility of nocturnal warfare had been considered. During their two-month occupation of the royal capital, they hadn't remained idle. They had established a city-wide power grid, installing crude electric lights across the streets.

However, due to limited power reserves, prioritizing resources for devices like electromagnetic cannons, they hadn't activated these lights. With Edweil gearing up for a decisive battle, conserving power was no longer necessary!

Considering if there were any oversights, Lynn suddenly remembered something. "By the way, where are the council elders? It's been quite a few days, and they haven't arrived yet?"

Before departing the wizard lands, Harof had assured Lynn they would arrive in Hadralata once they finished their council matters.

Given the possibility of the clergy's knowledge about the wizard lands' fall being related to Hadralata, it was highly probable they might dispatch legendary-level forces. Unless the grand wizards united against them, it would be challenging to resist.

"I heard two council elders have left the wizard lands, but I'm unsure why they haven't arrived yet!" Raphael hesitated in his response.

Delayed? Or perhaps some unforeseen circumstance held them back?

Lynn pondered quietly. Surely, the clergy wouldn't dispatch another large force to attack the wizard lands simultaneously, right?

Even so, they should have received some message...

However, with Harof and the others yet to arrive, tonight they could only rely on themselves!

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