Missile-shaped new weapon.
The reason I ordered its development was straightforward.
'We have more magic cores than we can use in equipment manufacturing!'
As the war entered its final stages, we began to receive an excessive supply of magic cores. In the last battle alone, we collected a massive amount of magic cores from named monsters.
Meanwhile, the smithy's production slots were already full.
With the existing workforce at Crossroad's smithy, dwarves, and personnel gathered from all over the world, the smithy operated non-stop, day and night.
The smithy was responsible for making and repairing equipment, creating and repairing artifacts, producing and maintaining defense facilities, and even crafting and repairing gear for regular soldiers.
Even though we had quality materials, turning them into equipment immediately was becoming increasingly difficult.
'Of course, I could prioritize their creation, but at this rate, most items would be completed after the war is over.'
What use are new items if they come out after the final stage?
I pondered. How could we efficiently consume these abundant magic cores within the remaining time?
After much thought, the solution I came up with was this.
"Introducing!"
I shouted, pointing to the cannon Damien had finished preparing.
"The new weapon of the monster front! 'Nuclear Bomb'!"
...No, it's definitely not like Earth's nuclear bombs.
It's named with a bit of trolling because it's a 'bomb' made with pure magic 'cores'.
'The official name is Magic Core Missile.'
Most equipment is designed with the premise of 'lasting as long as possible'. The magic core is the cornerstone of this premise.
This stable, long-term power source is the core and flower of magical civilization. With proper maintenance, magic cores can work perfectly for centuries.
'But! We don't need something that lasts for centuries right now!'
If we can just get through the next few battles ahead, that's enough!
Thus, the 'Magic Core Missile' was designed with no regard for conserving this precious resource. Once the launch sequence begins, the magic core instantly goes into overdrive, converting all its potential and future possibilities into a single explosion.
'The essence of a monster commander's lifetime is in its magic core.'
An ultimate luxury to use all that essence in one go! The height of extravagance!
Most importantly, it's relatively simple to produce! It doesn't take up much space in the already packed smithy's production slots!
Kelibey explained that the missile's safety mechanism and propellant were the result of accumulated research, and he gave a lecture on how magically engineered this missile is.
Moreover, the sequential reaction for the explosion requires N-grade, R-grade, and SR-grade magic cores as the trigger, a weapon that burns through one of each type of magic core—N, R, SR, SSR—in one go.
'But the crucial point is that it has a short production time.'
Don't save the resources! Don't hoard research results! Burn everything for the remaining battles!
Anyway, that was a long explanation!
"Let's start the new weapon test!"
Everyone deployed in the area had put on their sunglasses.
Damien also donned large goggles and nodded. I gave a thumbs-up.
"Fire away, Damien!"
"Launching 'Flame Giant Bomb'! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...!"
At the signal, Damien pulled the large trigger backward,
Thoom-!
The missile shot up into the sky, propelled by the launcher.
It looked more like a mortar than a missile in terms of size and launch method, but who cares! As long as it hits the enemy effectively!
Fweee...
The magic core missile soared to its peak in the sky and began descending.
It fell directly above the Samdoksim Affliction Legion.
"Om(ॐ)-!"
As the Affliction statues chanted in unison, a dazzling golden aura formed around them. It was their 'nullify damage below a certain threshold' barrier.
"Then we'll just hit them with an attack that exceeds that barrier's defense!"
I waved my hand.
Simultaneously, the missile, tracing a clean trajectory, touched the golden barrier.
Whoosh...
A sensation as if the surrounding air was compressed,
BOOM-!
An enormous noise, light, and intense heat exploded forth.
Despite the considerable distance, the shockwave reached us. I quickly deployed a magic wall to block the flying debris.
"Wow."
I clicked my tongue, watching the massive light sphere ripple from the impact point.
"Impressive."
Of course, it's not exactly like a nuclear bomb. It's more akin to a high-powered missile in terms of strength.
The magic core used in the initial missile was from the Flame Giant King.
Whether it followed the properties of its source, the impact point was engulfed in fierce flames once the light dissipated.
And from within those flames at the impact point...
"Om, Om, Om, Om, Om..."
"Overcome, overcome, overcome, overcome, overcome the afflictions."
"Life is suffering. Suffering is life. Do not be deluded by pain. Transcend the flesh."
The Samdoksim, Tamn, Jin, and Chi, remained intact.
The golden barrier still held firm.
However, more than half of the 108 Affliction statues were shattered and destroyed. They had taken the damage the barrier couldn't absorb.
"Hmm."
I observed the barrier, now flickering and discolored, and turned to Damien.
"Fire another one. This time with 'Whirlwind'."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The next missile was loaded into the launcher,
"Launching 'Whirlwind Bomb'! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...!"
Damien pulled the trigger, and the missile shot into the sky.
Thoom-!
It soared up and then fell once more over the reassembling Samdoksim Affliction Legion.
"Om(ॐ)-!"
The Samdoksim raised their weapons skyward, emitting golden streams.
However, the missile, drawing a peculiar trajectory, twisted and descended, eventually striking the barrier.
"This is our sharp eye!"
With my shout, the explosion ensued.
BOOM-!
The explosion was different this time.
While the previous missile created a pure, fierce blast, this one swirled and churned as it exploded.
Clang...!
Under this churning explosion, the golden barrier finally shattered, breaking apart and collapsing.
As the swirling storm subsided, all 108 Affliction statues lay shattered and dead beneath it.
Thud...! Thud...! Thud...!
Only the three giant statues, Tamn, Jin, and Chi, advanced through the thick smoke towards us.
"While the power is indeed remarkable..."
Lucas slid his sunglasses down his nose and peered at me over the lenses with his blue eyes.
"I'm not sure if it's more efficient than crafting equipment or artifacts. We've permanently used up two commander-level magic cores and only managed to eliminate the enemy's common soldiers."
Lucas had a point.
The power of the Magic Core Missile was certainly outstanding, but ultimately, it was a long-range bombardment. Our elite artillery units could replace this with their crossfire.
It's true that permanently using commander-level magic cores in a single blast felt wasteful. Even now, with two SSR-grade magic cores, all we did was dismantle the enemy's barrier and eliminate their common soldiers.
"But we did break their special barrier and wiped out an elite force with various special abilities."
I smiled broadly at Lucas.
"Without any casualties on our side."
"...!"
"Consider it a good long-range option we've gained."
From a long-term perspective, it might seem wasteful, but solely from the standpoint of ending this war, it wasn't a bad result.
Moreover, we managed to dismantle the dreaded barrier of the Affliction Legion with just two missile shots. If we had faced them head-on, it would have taken three days and nights to break through.
"Damien! We have one more test missile left, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Great. Let's finish this. Fire it!"
Damien loaded the final missile.
"Launching 'Ten Corners Bomb'! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...!"
Thoom-!
The missile shot into the sky, hovered for a moment, and then began its descent.
Tamn, Jin, and Chi roared fiercely and swung their weapons at the missile, unleashing their attacks.
Bang...!
This time, the missile couldn't evade and exploded mid-air.
...And then.
Screeee!
From the exploding missile, ten warheads separated and rained down.
Like a cluster bomb from Earth, this missile, inheriting the properties of the monster commander Decagon, fragmented into ten conical pieces and blanketed the ground.
Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!
Massive explosions and overwhelming shockwaves swept the area. I adjusted my sunglasses.
"It's interesting how the characteristics of each commander manifest."
"...Do you think we've defeated them?"
"No. The Samdoksim Affliction Legion has a final phase."
I explained the enemy legion while glaring at the silhouette of the giants through the lingering smoke.
"Their most terrifying aspect is their mental attack."
Samdoksim. And the 108 Afflictions.
They don't physically attack us; instead, they approach while endlessly reciting mantras.
The problem is that hearing their corrupted mantras contaminates the mind.
Greed, anger, and foolishness endlessly surge, bringing forth all kinds of negative emotions. Eventually, if exposed to their recitations for too long, even heroes and soldiers will go mad and either commit suicide or kill each other.
Before this happens, their barrier must be nullified and they must be taken down, but their barrier is incredibly sturdy... overall, they are a headache-inducing enemy.
In the game, you had to divide your forces, whittling down the barrier with one unit until the mental contamination reached its limit, then swapping to another unit. It required a prolonged battle.
'But we don't have to do that.'
With me possessing [Unyielding Commander], we are safe from mental contamination. The barrier was easily obliterated by the missiles.
The problem is after nullifying the barrier and taking them down.
These bastards have a second phase...
'It was incredibly annoying in the game too...'
Once the barrier is nullified, all 108 Affliction statues are destroyed, and only Tamn, Jin, and Chi remain and take significant damage.
Given they are both giants and monsters, it's pretty obvious what they would do.
The second phase, rich with tradition and history.
"Fusion!"
Whirrrrr...!
As the thick smoke and dust cleared from the epicenter of the explosion.
There stood a truly colossal statue, exuding a terrifying aura.
With the three heads of a rooster, snake, and pig on one body, and six arms rising to the sky in a lotus-like stance.
A monster with three heads and six arms.
"Asura...!"
Flash-!
Its six red eyes gleamed brightly.
Tamn, Jin, and Chi, now in the form of Asura, began to chant.
"我昔所造諸惡業 (I confess the evil deeds committed in my past)."
Their previous sins were committed due to greed, anger, and foolishness.
"皆由無始貪瞋癡 (All were born from beginningless greed, anger, and foolishness)."
Through body, speech, and mind.
"從身口意之所生 (They originated from my body, speech, and mind)."
They now sincerely repent all those sins.
"一切我今皆懺悔 (I now repent for all those sins)." (TL Note: I will be leaving the Chinese Chanting there)
"..."
It's a beautiful confession.
Why are they chanting this while charging at us with weapons raised?!