Chapter 306 ·Giant Beast and Technology

Giant ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Beast and Technology

After being taken in by Serea, the guards set up camp outside the city. They were also given some food, but this could only temporarily solve their problems. What would they do tomorrow?

The harshness of the western jungle would crush their will, while at the same time, it would make them develop a sense of "belonging" toward those willing to lend a helping hand. Time would prove everything...

As Serea mulled this over, Vina entered the treehouse. After bowing formally, she reported,

"Report to Queen Serea, elder Ganf of the Crimson Moon fox tribe requests an audience."

"Heh, a bit faster than expected. Let him in."

After Vina withdrew, ganf soon entered the wooden house. After paying his respects, he stated his purpose.

"Dragon Holy Maiden, concerning the cooperation between us, I and our tribe's envoys have already reached a conclusion."

"So fast? It's fine to take some more time to consider."

"There's no need to waste any more time, respected Dragon Holy Maiden. Please accept our tribe's sincerity and allegiance. We gladly accept the terms you proposed."

As he spoke, ganf presented a contract, which already bore his handprint and signature. He represented the Crimson Moon fox tribe in accepting Serea's trade alliance.

Taking the contract...

"Very well, I accept your sincerity and allegiance."

"Then, dragon Holy Maiden, when do you require our tribe to set out and migrate?"

"You decide the timing. When the time comes, I'll send my guards to receive you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Thus, the cooperation with the Crimson Moon fox tribe was finalized, and tomorrow the Crimson Moon fox tribe would carry out a large-scale migration into Serea's territory. As for why they were in such a hurry...

Five minutes later, ganf returned to the temporary residence, where several elderly fox tribespeople waited.

"Elder Ganf, has the cooperation been finalized?"

"It's done. The grace shown by the Dragon Holy Maiden is an opportunity for our tribe, one we must grasp firmly."

Ganf said this. The reason for his swift action was only one—the sudden appearance of Naoli and others.

The arrival of those elves and non-natives made Ganf recognize the situation. Now, the Darkmoon clan, having just gained a foothold in the western jungle, desperately needed development. For this, they needed to unite and absorb other tribes.

But if he hesitated further, other tribes like Naoli's would keep appearing. Even though Queen Serea hadn't formally extended an olive branch to those people yet, the appearance of those newcomers would make Ganf's position increasingly awkward.

Because they were no longer the only potential partners the Darkmoon clan could turn to.

So, he had to be decisive—a chance must be seized!

"Spread the word: Queen Serea's guards will arrive tomorrow. The entire tribe should prepare for migration."

"Yes, elder."

In this way, Serea hadn't expected that the arrival of Naoli would inadvertently facilitate her alliance with the Crimson Moon fox tribe—an unexpected gain.

......

Meanwhile, the idle Serea was strolling through the core of the camp, namely the inner city where all key facilities were built. She needed to review the current state of development.

First off—

Building: Mortuary (Purple)

Level: 25

Sturdiness: C

Durability: B

Magic: B

Description: Level 2 building of the Death Altar, can revive undead giant beast units, undead control limit (0/10). Can be upgraded to Level 3 building "Undead King's Remains."

"Why is it that we can now construct undead giant beast units, but I just can't seem to get excited about it?"

With that thought, Serea focused on the units the Mortuary could create.

Abomination (Blue): Consume 40 Death Crystals to resurrect a corpse or bones as an Abomination. Requires 8 Death Crystals daily for upkeep.

Abomination (Purple): Consume 50 Death Crystals to resurrect a corpse as an Abomination. Requires 10 Death Crystals daily for upkeep.

Are Abominations powerful?

Yes, absolutely deadly to infantry. With just one plague spray, no matter the enemy's formation, it would collapse instantly. However...

When it comes to inflicting casualties among infantry, are they better than Skeleton Warriors or Dread Warriors?

Not at all!

In a giant beast battle, do these giant beasts fare better than others?

Still a no!

Don't even mention bone dragons—even Gargoyles could probably beat these two giant beasts, especially since Gargoyles can fly. Whether for special operations or support, gargoyles are always top-tier giant beasts.

It all boils down to one thing: you cannot fly, you're not fast, and you can't beat other giant beasts! Even among infantry, there are better choices than you!

Of course, in terms of cost performance, these two giant beasts are absolutely useful. But there's no pain like the pain of comparison.

That said, these restrictions only limit these two small giant beasts. There's one scenario where they truly shine:

Blitz army warfare!

That is, you set up a Mortuary right up in the enemy's face and mindlessly pump out giant beasts—they'll be unstoppable thanks to their low cost and simple production requirements.

So, the role of these two giant beasts is...

Extremely powerful, even invincible, in blitz wars, but not suited for standing armies. Build them only when needed—the process is simple, after all.

With that, Serea decided to overlook the Mortuary for now.

Next, she turned her eyes to another technological building under construction...

Standing on the inner wall, she looked down at an open lot outside. Enclosed with walls and foundation laid, a three-story building was already halfway up.

The Vampire Magitech Academy!

As the name implied, it was the cradle of vampire technology. The building would restore the glorious past of vampire magitech.

Checking progress...

System: Building compatibility at 20%. Unlock now?

"Only 20%, I guess I have to wait... What! It can be unlocked?"

System: Yes.

"Didn't you say buildings need at least 50% compatibility to unlock?"

System: Most buildings require 50% compatibility for unlocking—not all buildings.

"You—!"

Serea found herself speechless.

"Well, my adorable system, can you at least remind me in the future when buildings become unlockable?"

With a forced gentle smile, Serea made her request.

System: Certainly.

"Heh, good."

Serea hurried to the half-built Vampire Magitech Academy and, gazing at the research wing just rising, she made her decision.

"Unlock building: Vampire Magitech Academy!"

System: Consuming 1,000 Blood Crystals, unlocking in progress...

In an instant, Serea's Blood Crystal balance plummeted to 110. Out of sheer curiosity for the new building's features, she didn't hesitate.

A thousand Blood Crystals flew out, and the wonderful melody from the summoning of the Blood Well once again filled the air. Camp residents looked up in surprise as a huge blood-red magic circle appeared above, empowering the structure with legendary magic. But, perhaps because of the low compatibility, the special effects only lasted a moment.

System: Unlock complete...

Building: Vampire Magitech Academy (Gold)

Level: 35

Sturdiness: B

Durability: A

Magic: A+

Description: Level 3 building of the Blood Altar. Unlocks core vampire technologies. Once the Vampire Mage Tower is unlocked, can further advance to Level 4 building. Comes with Skills: Tech Enhancement.

Vampire Tech Enhancement (Tier 5): Boosts vampire tech production efficiency by 10%, and quality of all vampire tech products by 10%.

After unlocking both the "Vampire Magitech Academy" and "Vampire Mage Tower,"

Level 4 buildings will become available. At present, however, she still lacked the Level 3 Unlock Voucher. Forget worrying about that for now.

Still, this "Vampire Tech Enhancement" was honestly overpowered. She currently relied entirely on vampire tech for her camp's development, so one skill alone granted her immense help.

"Open the construction management panel!"

Blood Crystal Cannon (Purple): A large-scale weapon powered by blood power. Requires 30 Blood Crystals to produce.

Blood Crystal Shell (Purple): Ammunition containing massive magical energy. Requires 2 Blood Crystals to produce.

???: (???) : ???

???: (???) : ???

"!!!"

Serea could already sense that she might soon be playing a different game from anyone else. But...

System: Level 3 Tech Unlock Voucher has been added to the lottery, along with additional new technologies.

"So you mean, for those '???,' I also have to draw for an unlock voucher just like unlocking Level 3 buildings?"

System: Compared to building unlock vouchers, the chance of drawing a tech unlock voucher is higher—1%.

"Are you freaking kidding me!"

Bone Dragon Catacomb is also a Level 3 building, but not nearly as unfair as this.

Though, bone Dragon Catacomb is a hidden building outside of the tech line...

System: First-time unlocking a Level 3 building within the technology line grants a free Level 3 Tech Unlock Voucher.

"When did you get so generous?"

System: Everything is for the host's best interests. Would you like to use it to unlock a technology in the Vampire Magitech Academy?

"Yes. Let's see what good stuff it has."

System: You've acquired the tech blueprint "Crimson Eyed Guardian."

Crimson Eyed Guardian (Silver): A powerful turret powered by Blood Crystals, capable of dealing devastating blows to enemies. Can also deploy defensive barriers. Construction requires 80 Blood Crystals.

"Looks pretty good."

Glancing at the blueprint illustration—a defensive tower topped with a giant Blood Stone—Serea sensed that her camp's defenses were about to jump to another level.

For some reason, the Vampire Magitech Academy didn't have magic tome management—perhaps because compatibility wasn't high enough to unlock it, so someone else had to be appointed manager for now.

"Lola, you'll be in charge here for now. Will that be all right?"

"I will not fail Your Majesty's trust."

"Good. Pass the word—start building the defensive structures according to these two blueprints. Also, begin producing ammunition; make two prototypes of each first as trials."

"I understand."

Construction of the magitech cannon tower would require Engineering and Construction departments, while ammo production would need Alchemy and Forging. There was no need for Serea to personally handle these trivialities anymore.

Once done, it was already late, and after tidying up, Serea went to bed.

......

Night fell.

At the border between the eastern jungle and the Ailera Empire, a fierce clash erupted.

"Hold the line! They must not break through here!"

Imperial mage Annika stood atop a high watchtower giving orders. This temporary outpost housed 3,000 imperial soldiers—sent to prevent an undead outbreak. Yet...

Gazing at the dense, endless swarms of zombies in the jungle, annika frowned deeply. He could say with certainty that from the days he was an apprentice mage to now, having climbed to become the Ailera Empire's chief necromancer, he had never seen an undead outbreak on this scale.

But the cause behind it all...

No one knew!

"Report! Large numbers of Zombie Beasts approaching by air! Requesting support from ranged archers!"

A staff sergeant shouted, glancing outside the camp where the sky was blotted out by rolling waves of Zombie Beasts, surging in like the tides.

"Prepare to engage!"

At Annika's command, over a hundred Skeletons in camp had their eyes lit by eerie blue flames. Under Annika's command, they nocked arrows and formed a shooting formation.

"Loose!"

At the command, arrows poured down like rain. Some Zombie Beasts were dropped before they even surged into the camp—but it wasn't nearly enough to halt the attack.

"Aaah!!!"

Amid despairing screams, scores of soldiers were pounced on by the Zombie Beasts, plunging the outpost into utter chaos.

"Hold the line!"

Annika yelled, for he now saw several Abominations and Abominations charging straight for the camp.

Thud thud thud!

The camp's wooden gate and palisade shook under the assault of the giant beasts. Soon enough, breaches would open, and the endless horde of zombies...

After deliberating, annika realized there was only one choice left.

Retreat!

The situation was totally out of control.

......

Another quiet and peaceful night passed.

By noon, after stealing a rare chance to sleep in, Serea was eventually dragged out of bed by Celia. From Lola's report, she learned that a massive undead horde infiltrated from the eastern jungle during the night, but had been wiped out by the cavalry and flying squads.

Another wave of Death Crystals—how delightful...

After washing up and leaving the treehouse, Serea witnessed an interesting sight.

"What are they...?"

Serea pointed at those who had stripped off their battle armor and were working the fields alongside Skeletons—non-natives and humans she had taken in from Tawu Ishihara's tribe the previous day.

"Your Majesty, since yesterday's zombie attack threatened those camped outside, lady Dogsius confirmed their identities and I had them temporarily turn in their weapons and take shelter in the agricultural district."

"That's not my point. I meant: what exactly are they doing?"

"They said they wanted to repay the Queen for her kindness by laboring in the camp."

"Quite self-aware."

Serea smiled. As for whether she worried about these 'outsiders' causing trouble—

The camp had six Gargoyles, all fully fueled (by Blood Spring), as well as dormant bone dragons and undead units. If any signs of trouble arose, Dogsius would notice at once. And, chances were, they'd already seen how the camp repelled the zombies by night.

Therefore, Serea let some of them stay and help in the agricultural and construction districts.

With that sorted, Serea was about to go handle construction matters when, in the distance, a tiny black dot rapidly flew toward them. That was...

(To be continued)

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