Yura’s efforts steadily reinforced the fort’s interior.
While the changes weren't immediately apparent at a glance, their effectiveness became clear as time passed. The movements of the Demon King’s Army's soldiers grew markedly more fluid, and the precision of their Defense Magic sharpened. Consequently, the fortress became an even more impenetrable bastion.
Vines now reinforced the outer walls, making them nearly impossible to breach with mediocre magic. Faced with these odds, the local forces attempting to reclaim the fort were struggling. The rear units had already begun a maneuver that looked suspiciously like a retreat, falling back even as they were forced to strike down comrades who had risen as the Undead.
This left the frontline soldiers who had been left behind in a wretched position. With the Undead pressing in from behind and more of the creatures swarming the base of the outer walls ahead, they were perfectly sandwiched.
Driven by a state of semi-frenzy, they pushed forward. Despite their dwindling numbers, they hacked through the ghouls in their path, incinerating them with magical flames to carve a way forward.
Then, the crack of gunfire echoed.
A frontline soldier collapsed in a spray of blood. Looking up, they saw the Demon King’s Army perched atop the outer wall. Most of the subordinates were leveling guns. In their center stood Henry, drawing his bow.
"Glad you could make it! Allow me to give you a proper welcome!"
Henry loosed an arrow with glee. It pierced a staff-wielding mage through the neck, killing him instantly. On that signal, the Demon King’s Army began a simultaneous firing.
A rhythmic succession of shots rang out, and with each one, a soldier was shot dead. Red blooms began to dot the pure white snowfield.
The weapons the subordinates wielded were new model guns developed over the last year, manufactured using John Doe’s memories as a blueprint. In his homeland, they were apparently known as assault rifles or automatic rifles. Firing projectiles at speeds the eye couldn't track, they possessed an annihilative power that rendered existing guns obsolete.
Once the logistical issue of supplying vast amounts of ammunition was resolved, they would be an unrivaled force. This was the new weapon Luciana had spoken of.
Dwight was already familiar with their specifications, having overseen testing at the Research Institute. However, seeing them deployed in actual combat left a far deeper impression.
The enemy’s desperate counter-spells were easily parried by the Demon King’s mages. Beside him, Yura manipulated the magic power concentration outside the fort, plunging the enemy into a state where manifesting magic was nearly impossible. It was a form of sabotage designed to ensure her allies could fight without hindrance. Yura seemed to have a particular talent for operations requiring such delicate, high-precision control.
The Demon King’s Army unleashed sporadic volleys of simultaneous firing. The isolated force was annihilated in the blink of an eye, and those who survived the bullets were soon claimed by the Undead.
(The very nature of war is going to change...)
For now, the Demon King’s Domain held a monopoly on this technology, so there was no immediate cause for concern. Eventually, however, other nations would attempt to replicate it. Over the years, some factions would undoubtedly develop similar armaments on their own.
Unchecked technological advancement could easily become a blight on the world—a lesson he had learned from his battle with John Doe. He would have to be selective about which weapons were officially adopted by the Demon King’s Army. He would need to ensure that these overwhelmingly powerful tools did not fall into the hands of common soldiers. By keeping them confined to the Research Institute and deploying them only in the most dire of circumstances, their impact could be strictly controlled.
While his thoughts had wandered, the isolated frontline had been wiped out. The remaining forces in the rear had begun a full-scale retreat, firing off diversionary spells toward the fort as they fled.
The Demon King’s Army did not give chase, simply watching as the enemy figures shrank into the distance. Extermination was not the goal. It was enough to inflict significant casualties and ensure their hatred was focused squarely on the Demon King’s Army.
This battle had also served to showcase their incomparable new weaponry. The survivors had experienced its terror firsthand, and they would no doubt spread word of it quickly.
A cheer went up from the Demon King’s ranks. It had been an ideal victory.
Operations were proceeding just as smoothly on the other continents. As they solidified their foundations for invasion, they would continue to expand their influence while gauging the reactions of the world’s nations.
He would never allow the world to be destroyed, but neither would he allow its people to feel at ease. The war would continue as planned.
He would spread his brand of distorted peace across the globe.