Chapter 206: Chapter 206

Chapter 206: Mobile City Edition “Gulf War”

“So, do you understand now?” Viktor casually lit a cigarette. “Whether it’s us humans or the monstrous world-class organizations, everyone agrees the time hasn’t come yet. From now on, the maintenance of the suppression devices will be our responsibility.”

Heath's heart suddenly grew heavy.

This Wasteland Zone was practically a ticking time bomb.

As if realizing something, his eyes lit up, and he spoke with hope.

“Then how long can we maintain the suppression device?”

Viktor exhaled a puff of smoke and tilted his head, pondering for a moment.

“Even with the power of world-class organizations, at most, it can only be maintained for about 50 years.”

“Only 50 years?” Heath murmured.

To this, Viktor simply smiled faintly.

“Heath, a human life only lasts about a century.”

If Li Ye had been present and aware, he would have been deeply moved.

The doomsday crisis of the Wasteland Zone he once tried so hard to escape was now brushed aside so lightly.

Not only did Viktor cover the continent-level construction in the southern part of the Western Wasteland Continent, he also relayed another important piece of news.

The human side had completely abandoned the northern region of the Western Wasteland Continent, and even the once-safe sea routes to the north had been scrapped.

Coupled with the island chain formed by more than a dozen monstrous civilizations in the Taranis Ocean—

In a sense, the Western Wasteland Continent was completely blockaded by monsters.

Naturally, the three major human organizations could not sit idly by.

Although the majority of Level 1 and Level 2 human Mobile Cities in the southern part of the Western Wasteland Continent had chosen to lie flat, it was still necessary to open a sea route for the ecological development of human Mobile Cities.

“So, we're going to attack the Taranis Ocean next, and destroy the monster island chain there?” Heath suddenly understood.

“Yes.” Viktor nodded. “But the one responsible for the offensive is a Level 3 Mobile City Alliance.”

“Who?” Heath asked instinctively.

Viktor smiled slightly.

“It’s the Tomorrow Alliance, which you’re familiar with.”

“Tomorrow Alliance? Isn’t that the alliance where the Tomorrow is?” Heath realized and then sighed a little. “I know them. That young lord of theirs is quite the go-getter. I hope the Steel Refinery Blueprint I applied for can help their development.”

His expression became somewhat hesitant.

A Level 3 Mobile City Alliance going up against a Level 3 Monstrous Civilization—still a bit of a struggle.

“Honestly, it would be better if the three major organizations launched a full-scale Ocean War.” He said sincerely.

Viktor shook his head repeatedly.

The human world-class organizations wouldn’t start a war on the ocean so hastily.

After all, the war in the Western Wasteland Continent had just ended. The continent-level construction had only just begun, and the Southern Continent was still in a territorial struggle.

Suddenly launching an Ocean War again would be too much to handle.

The high-level considerations were indeed reasonable.

“Then, all we can do is wish the Tomorrow Alliance smooth progress.” He said softly.

Southern Continent, Old Civilization Zone, Tourism State.

Li Ye and his companions had confirmed their attack target.

A large island controlled by the Merfolk Civilization.

The island had been discovered by a Swordfish Mini Submarine sent by Li Ye, located 53 nautical miles off the coast of the Tourism State.

Li Ye had been shocked at the time—53 nautical miles wasn’t far, only two to three hours of sailing.

“Let’s take it out. And test the power of our land, sea, and air forces while we’re at it.” He thought. “Plus, there will be a ton of loot.”

According to observations, the Merfolk Civilization had deployed four Level 2 Fortresses, six Level 2 Mobile Cities, and fourteen Level 1 Mobile Cities on the island.

Some Mobile Cities were operating on the island, while others cruised in the nearby waters in waterborne mode.

The number of Merfolk soldiers was approximately 30,000.

Countless Level 2 flying and land vehicles were stationed, along with a multitude of trenches and fortresses.

Several patrol fleets were active on the sea.

Li Ye gathered the group and announced his battle plan.

Everyone looked forward to this island landing operation, eager to participate.

According to Li Ye’s plan, the operation was scheduled to take place two days later.

At that time, the forces deployed by the Tomorrow Alliance would include:

In the air: Shadow Falcon Fighter Jets, Gunships, Black Rain Bombers, Reconnaissance Aircraft, Black Hawk Helicopters.

On land: Leopard 2A7V Main Battle Tanks, Convoy One and Two, Level 3 Leapfrog Mechs, Level 3 Rapid-fire Mortar Bikes, and the Prometheus.

At sea: a fleet consisting of Destroyers, Submarines, Mechanical Squids, and Swordfish Mini Submarines.

Except for the Engineer, all four Mobile Cities would participate in battle.

“By the way, aren’t the Special Forces joining this time?” Zhou Xing asked curiously.

Li Ye shook his head.

Special Forces were ultimately suited for small-scale battles. For this type of large-scale, all-out land-sea-air operation, they were too limited.

“Speaking of which, we don’t have any organized ground troops, do we?” Yang Zheng reminded.

Li Ye could only shrug helplessly.

The Tomorrow Alliance had just over ten thousand people at most, and the vast majority were on the Tomorrow. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

Given the current situation, it was already impressive that the Tomorrow could staff the required land, sea, and air combat vehicles—there was no energy left to build a proper army.

However, whether it was Mobile City warfare or modern warfare back on Blue Star, ground troops still held critical strategic significance.

Air superiority was key in war, and while airstrikes and missiles could destroy targets, ground troops were still needed to occupy and consolidate territory.

Positions like trench lines, cities, and transport hubs required ground troops to hold and control.

“Well… let’s consider it once our alliance grows in numbers.” Li Ye replied.

Once the combat personnel were confirmed, he had Lin Wu design a simulation of the island scenario in the City Simulation Training Pod and had the participants begin training.

Under the cover of City Camouflage, the Tomorrow Alliance gradually arrived at the island guarded by the Merfolk Civilization.

Excluding the non-combat Engineer, the four Mobile Cities took position at their designated spots.

“Are you ready, Yang Zheng?” Li Ye asked.

“Ready, Alliance Leader.” Yang Zheng replied.

At Yang Zheng’s command, the Peacemaker lifted its City Camouflage and opened fire on the island with a full barrage.

In an instant, the entire island was engulfed in explosions.

During this, the Electromagnetic Railgun mounted on the Peacemaker’s deck locked on and fired, followed by a missile volley that instantly destroyed three enemy Level 2 Mobile Cities on the island.

Caught off guard by the sudden and violent assault, the Merfolk troops were stunned. Once they managed to react, they quickly launched a counterattack.

One waterborne Merfolk Level 2 Mobile City didn’t even have time to respond before completely losing power.

Not far away, the Iron Whale, which had also lifted its camouflage, suddenly accelerated and charged toward it!

Meanwhile, its deck-mounted Titan’s Grip Magnetic Device steadily increased in power, directly pulling away the cannons, heavy machine guns, and even the firearms from the hands of the enemy combatants on the Merfolk city’s deck.

Next, the Iron Whale activated its Giant Jaw Crushing Cutter and began tearing the monstrous city apart.

The other enemy Level 2 Mobile Cities were no exception.

The Deep-sea Hunter Submarine and the Flight III-class Destroyer simultaneously locked on and unleashed a torrent of firepower.

The Level 2 Mobile Cities were soon reduced to rubble and sank beneath the sea.

In just a few short minutes, the Merfolk's Level 2 Mobile Cities were completely annihilated.

The Mechanical Squid and the Stellar were specifically tasked with targeting the roaming enemy fleets and Level 1 Mobile Cities on the sea.

This Level 1 City with Level 3 configurations moved through as if unchallenged—enemy cities, boats, and speedboats it encountered were crushed like paper.

The Mechanical Squid likewise displayed its might, dragging one enemy vessel after another beneath the waves.

In the skies above, fighter jets, bombers, gunships, Shadow Falcon Fighter Jets, and Black Hawk Helicopters flew past at high speed, while the reconnaissance aircraft monitored the battle in real-time.

As they opened fire, the Merfolk’s flying vehicles fell from the sky in droves, exploding on the ground into balls of flame.

The Tomorrow Alliance effortlessly seized air superiority over the battlefield.

And so, the Merfolk’s nightmare truly began.

Bombers and gunships dived in, unleashing fire upon the Level 2 Fortresses without restraint, instantly engulfing them in explosions.

Black Hawk Helicopters fired down from above, strafing the trenches filled with Merfolk soldiers.

Shadow Falcon Fighter Jets locked onto the fortifications within the positions and destroyed them one by one.

The Merfolk had no power to resist.

As the enemy forces on the ocean were wiped out, the Peacemaker, Flight III-class Destroyer, and Zhenlang Destroyer began shelling the island.

Shells rained down like a storm onto the enemy positions, pinning down the Merfolk forces so thoroughly they couldn’t lift their heads.

After several rounds of saturation bombing, Li Ye ordered the ground forces to land.

The Tomorrow docked at the shore, its lift platforms descending as the ground forces—already prepared—joined the battle.

At the forefront were the Prometheus and the Leopard 2A7V Main Battle Tanks. These Level 3 vehicles advanced under the fire of the Merfolk soldiers, charging thunderously into the defensive lines.

Every time a tank fired, a fortress or machine gun outpost would be blown apart.

The Prometheus crashed straight into one of the Merfolk Civilization’s Level 2 Fortresses and began wreaking havoc.

Next came the Leapfrog Mechs.

If the Level 3 tanks merely shocked the Merfolk, then the Leapfrog Mechs were a complete nightmare.

Under the operators’ control, the Leapfrog Mechs leapt up and came crashing down heavily onto squads of Merfolk soldiers, launching them flying.

Meanwhile, the heavy machine guns and flamethrowers mounted on the mechs activated, harvesting Merfolk lives without mercy.

The Rapid-fire Mortar Bikes zipped through the battlefield at high speed, targeting the remaining machine gun points and fortresses of the Merfolk.

Their mortars had astonishing power against small structures, often leveling them in a single shot.

Convoy One and Two also moved rapidly across the battlefield, firing wildly.

The Storm Infantry Vehicle was among them.

By now, this Level 2 vehicle was no longer as dominant as before. Especially now that the Tomorrow had acquired a suite of Level 3 land combat vehicles, the Storm Infantry Vehicle felt somewhat outdated and forgotten.

With fire support from the air and sea, the ground forces began a full-on advance through the island's positions.

Everywhere they passed, fortresses, trenches, and machine gun outposts were all destroyed, and Merfolk soldiers were slaughtered in great numbers.

From the start of the battle until now, the Merfolk garrison had been suppressed from beginning to end, without even a chance to retaliate.

Witnessing the entire process, a look of surprise flickered in Li Ye’s eyes.

This battle had gone far more smoothly than he had imagined.

It was like a different kind of Gulf War.

The suppressive power of Level 3 Cities over Level 2 Monstrous Civilizations was truly terrifying.

The morale of the Merfolk troops collapsed. Large numbers of Merfolk soldiers threw down their weapons and fled the battlefield in panic.

One after another, they reached the coastline and dove into the sea.

Glancing at the time, Li Ye couldn't help but be stunned.

It hadn’t even been an hour since the battle began.

The suppressive force of a Level 3 Mobile City against a Level 2 Monstrous Civilization was far greater than he had imagined!

With the war over, Li Ye ordered the cleanup of the battlefield and collection of loot.

The resources dropped by the Merfolk piled up into small mountains.

Looking at the loot, Li Ye couldn’t help but frown.

The Merfolk had dropped iron ore, fabric, coal… These Level 2 resources were still somewhat useful, but Level 2 blueprints were now practically worthless.

The development needs of Mobile Cities advanced progressively with their levels.

Back when the Tomorrow was still a Level 1 City, even acquiring a Level 1 Assault Rifle Blueprint had made Li Ye ecstatic.

Now that it was a Level 3 City, even a blueprint for a Level 3 Autocannon barely excited him.

“The loot from Level 2 monsters is just about that much—not worth paying attention to anymore.” Lin Wu added.

Li Ye frowned slightly.

Having spent so much time with him, he knew exactly what Lin Wu meant.

“To launch a direct war against the Blood Clan Civilization? The loot would be far richer, sure, but the difficulty would be way too high.” He said hesitantly.

Li Ye had a clear idea of the military strength of Monstrous Civilizations.

Take the Level 1 Goblin Civilization as an example—it had a total population of one million, nineteen Level 1 Mobile Cities, and even one Level 2 Mobile City.

By extension, Level 2 and Level 3 Monstrous Civilizations had astronomical populations and much stronger military capabilities.

At that moment, a sudden idea popped into Li Ye’s head.

That was to sell to the Western Wasteland Continent.

That continent's Newbie Villages were filled with Level 1–2 Cities—these Level 2 blueprints would surely sell easily.

The only issue was that the Tomorrow Alliance couldn’t afford to go all the way to the Western Wasteland just to sell some blueprints.

Thinking about trade, Li Ye suddenly had an idea.

Perhaps the Tomorrow could form a trade team, specializing in external sales of low-level items and blueprints.

After all, based on the situation of the Tomorrow Alliance, they would undoubtedly continue collecting piles of low-level loot in the future.

Besides the drops from the Merfolk, the Tomorrow Alliance also began collecting enemy vehicles, aircraft, and Mobile City wreckage from the battlefield, breaking them down into metal and sending them to the Steel Refinery, so they could be reforged into steel in the future.

Inside the Merfolk’s Level 2 Fortresses were large quantities of Level 2 resources, including iron ore, coal, fuel, and saltpeter.

To Li Ye’s delight, there was also a batch of copper ore and silver ore.

Ever since the promotion to Level 3, the Tomorrow’s demand for these types of minerals had steadily increased.