Chapter 173

One injured person occurred, but the first outdoor shooting was successful.

Gaining confidence, the Violets proceeded to take out other heavy weapons on the deserted island for test firing.

“There’s plenty of ammunition! Let’s see if they work properly!”

On the clifftop field of the deserted island, large and small heavy weapons were arranged as if a weapon exhibition was unfolding.

The sight resembled a war museum. Once all preparations were complete, the muzzles of the weapons aimed toward the sea beyond the cliff.

“Aim, fire!”

-Tatatat!

The barrel of the machine gun placed on the foremost tripod rotated. When the deafening roar, akin to industrial machinery, rang out, brilliant beams of light stretched down below the cliff.

As the bullets hit the surface of the sea, splashes of varying sizes erupted, coloring the blue water with white foam.

“Wow…! It’s raining bullets!”

“Awesome!”

The Violets gasped in admiration watching the machine gun fire.

At maximum firing speed, it took less than two seconds to deplete one 200-round magazine.

If caught in that hail, even a considerable Awakened One’s Ether Protection would likely be shredded in an instant.

As the machine gun fell silent, the nearby autocannon and automatic grenade launcher opened fire.

Their firing speed was slower than before, but the heavy bullets struck the surface, creating a far larger splash.

“It’s working great! Let’s shoot at the target this time.”

The Violets, observing the firepower demonstration from the Command Center, issued new orders.

A while later, a fishing boat appeared below the cliff. It was an old fishing boat purchased for target practice.

The moment the silhouette of the fishing boat overlapped with the scope of my machine gun, I pulled the trigger.

“Attack! Attack!”

A torrent of metal rained down on the fishing boat. In an instant, holes riddled the vessel, turning it into a grotesque sight.

A few bullets grazed the engine, and soon smoke began to rise from the back of the boat.

-Tututung!

A heavier shell struck the wobbling boat. Soon, a small explosion erupted as the vessel was engulfed in flames. Water rushed in through the holes in the bow.

However, it was not the autocannon that took its breath away.

“I’m going to shoot!”

A new sight caught the eyes of the Violet looking at the fishing boat.

An aircraft blazed through the sky over the sea.

Focusing my magical power, I could see a tiny line connecting the rocket launcher to the flames and white smoke that erupted from both sides of the body.

-Kwahng! Bang!

A tank missile struck next to the bow of the boat, resulting in a much larger explosion than before.

Following that, black shells flew in one after another. This time, they were recoilless rifles.

The fishing boat, hit repeatedly by the anti-tank weapon, split in half in an instant. The boat vanished quickly beneath the waves.

“Wahaha! This is the best!”

The Violets pictured the silhouette of the sinking fishing boat overlapping with that of an enemy car or helicopter.

With this level of destructive power, even if they used an armored chassis or shields, it could instantly turn into a burning coffin.

“Excellent!”

Afterward, the Violets took out various direct-fire weapons and practiced shooting into the sea.

Other Violets, riding rubber boats, tirelessly towed buoys and took shots.

While the sea became a mess from our unauthorized dumping, other Violets manipulated objects shaped like hollow black metal cylinders.

In front of them, another Violet planted a stick painted with white and red stripes in the ground.

“All set. Distance and spacing have been confirmed.”

Once the installation was complete, the Violets each loaded shells into the muzzles of the mortars before them in order.

“One, two, three!”

With a playful explosion sound behind us, mortar shells soared into the sky.

A moment later, a plume of water shot up in the far sea. Seeing that, we gasped again in awe.

“It automatically fires as soon as you put the shell in. The aiming method is a bit tricky though…”

“It definitely seems to have a shorter range than the howitzer.”

“But the altitude of the shells is higher, right? It should be great for use in urban areas or dungeons! The structure is simple enough for us to fully replicate.”

“There are many kinds too. Three different types! The resupply has become a bit complicated, but we can choose appropriately depending on the situation.”

We nodded as we gazed at the mortars in front of us.

The three types of mortars I had purchased were all different.

The smallest one was slightly smaller than a tennis ball. So, it could be handled just fine by one Violet wielding it like a grenade launcher.

The next one’s muzzle diameter was similar to that of a mug.

The largest mortar’s barrel diameter was as big as a roll of toilet paper. According to the weapons merchant, its firepower was even more potent than that of a howitzer.

Unit 1 exclaimed with admiration.

“Incredible! Our Violet artillery has been upgraded. With such powerful firepower, we could blow away enemies hiding in buildings. Let’s start training! It’ll be fun!”

After hearing Unit 1, Unit 2 contributed additional thoughts.

“First, we need to master the operation methods. Remember, shells are precious. Though we brought back a lot, we can’t waste them carelessly if considering the amount we can use in real battle. For the rest of the training outside of live firing, let’s use practice shells. This one!”

As the Violets operating the howitzer and mortars held the replicated shells,

The power of the replicated shells varied greatly, but they were suitable for loading practice or operation training.

There might be issues with the barrel replicating or breaking, but that could be resolved with a replicated barrel.

Moreover, a group of Violets sat down and began reciting the copied manual.

They planned to utilize the collective intelligence they had used during the last exam preparations.

“Artillerymen are the gods of the battlefield!”

“And Violets are gods too!”

While the Violet artillery unit began training, Ennis appeared holding a short black stick after working in the workshop.

The result of the magical weapon we ordered finally appeared.

“Is this it?”

“…Yes. As you can see, attaching it under the gun allows instant use. Here, you just grip this part and inject magical power…”

The Violets examined the black object, once a magic staff. There was a rail on one side for attaching to the gun, and complex magical circles and magical circuit designs were embedded.

“Let’s try it out.”

The staff that had left the hand of the Violet at home was heading back to the deserted island.

I pulled out my rifle and attached this ‘staff’ beneath the main body. As I injected magical power, I consumed one Vision Memory Chip.

Starting with a single shot of Fireball.

-Peerrng!

A magic circle unfolded from the tip of the staff, and without warning, a fireball was shot out.

“I did it.”

I felt elated. While it wasn’t a heavy weapon, a minor advancement achieved in the development of Violet’s infantry weapon excited me.

Now, Violet’s enemies would witness the rare sight of bolts and superheated beams shooting from the ends of rifles.

“Let’s call it the Magic Projector!”

“What a cool name!”

As a reward for developing the Magic Projector, I decided to give this slave a prize.

“Hey! You did well. Here’s a reward. Is there anything you want or want to do?”

Ennis hesitated briefly before speaking.

“Um… It’s not anything else, but could you check in on how my parents are doing? I know you gave me a chance to call last time, but I’m still worried…”

“Oh, those people? I went to see them a while ago. They seemed to be doing well. Nothing particularly strange around them. See this.”

I shrugged and handed my phone over.

“…Yes? Alr, already…”

Surprise, relief, and a hint of sadness appeared in the eyes of the one who saw their parents in the screen.

“Thank you…”

“Isn’t that enough? If you want something else, I’ll just give you something delicious!”

Upon hearing my reply, Ennis repeatedly thanked me as she turned around but suddenly stopped.

“What’s up? Did you get a wish?”

When I asked, she shuffled her feet and opened her mouth.

“…Could you please call me something other than ‘aunt’? Maybe ‘big sister’ or something…”

“No way! I refuse.”

“Ah, ahh…”

I chuckled as I looked at Ennis’s sulky face.

If rounded up to thirty, that’s an aunt. She has to face the reality of not being able to be a beautiful girl. Calling me ‘big sister’? That’s just weird.

After that, I teased her a bit more before returning to the Command Center. It was time for a meeting.

“Alright, everyone’s here? Let’s stop talking about aunties. It looked a bit sad.”

“Then let’s discuss the plan!”

The Violets connected through the Violet Network checked the progress of the plans while chatting.

“Alright, we’ve secured weapons and ammunition. Vehicle acquisition and modification work will start soon.”

“Now all that’s left is information, right?”

The progress of the plan appeared within the Violet Network.

The status of weapons, equipment, and training was going according to schedule.

“We finished organizing the existing Death List. A few people were removed because they were irrelevant or had low influence and status. The key targets remain unchanged, but still.”

The setting of human targets was done long ago.

Excluding the Chairman, the thoughts were to either kill or abduct all the others.

“I’ve checked the locations of the academy facilities, the organizations and corporate buildings under the Magnavis Clan. I also secured the blueprints on the manager’s side. I’ve moved a few aside. Let’s discuss what to destroy first.”

Setting facility targets was much more difficult.

We had to consider what could weaken them. The collateral damage it might cause around should also be taken into account.

If we recklessly resorted to self-destruction in the middle of downtown, innocent civilians could get swept away.

“Ugh, this is tough.”

Setting targets and enemies was easy.

However, thinking about when and where to fight was tricky.

Moreover, some facilities were right in the city center. We needed to avoid fighting against the police or Inspection Bureau too.

“How about taking over the broadcasting station?”

“That’s impossible; for now, I’ll consider hacking the electronic billboard.”

The conclusion was clear. We needed even more information than now.

We had to gain a more detailed understanding of where the targets on the Death List lived, what they mainly did at what times.

Only a series of simultaneous decapitation attacks from the Violets could create confusion for the Magnavis Headquarters, the Chairman, and that Vanguard guy.

The Violets must strike like lightning.

“Alright, let’s prepare for tailing the targets on the Death List.”

After discussion, we reached several conclusions and wrapped up the meeting.

Early in the evening, a plump, old man stepped out of the Principal’s office at Polaris Comprehensive Academy.

“Chairman… I really don’t know what’s so urgent. Everything seems to be going well down here.”

John Wilbur muttered to himself as he walked down the teacher’s building corridor.

He was fuming at the fact that he was caught by a call from the Board of Directors just before clocking out, making him 30 minutes late.

It was not just that. The board personnel grilled the principal continuously regarding security issues and student control.

“Why are they nagging about the first-year freshmen again? They’re probably dead inside the dungeon anyway. What a hassle…”

He thought that while recalling the recent incident involving the freshman excursion.

Confidential leaks and the sudden collapse of laboratories were masked as unforeseen incidents.

The board nagged incessantly, stating that the academy needed to be prepared for potential attacks.

“After all, there’s not much I can do. Just follow what the Clan members tell me to do. Damn, it’d be nice if that greenhorn just disappeared before my eyes.”

Just then, a young student with silver hair popped up in his mind.

The principal’s eyes twisted subconsciously. The brat who only pretends to be a student.

“Sigh. There’s no other way. The Student Council President is directly in contact with the Chairman. This is just ridiculous. What’s this situation for a principal?”

Wilbur shook his head, trying to shake off his annoying thoughts.

The former head of Magnavis and current Chairman was strict and domineering, as befitting of his reputation, but he never held back on rewards.

That was why he had faithfully acted as a servant for five years.

“Damn it, they say it’ll be ending soon, right? Let’s quickly clean up and leave Rustroom. I’ll take a look at a nice spot on Cascadia Island. How much would a beach villa cost?”

As thoughts of retirement popped into his mind, the principal felt better and hummed happily while heading downstairs.

Suddenly, a command from the board came to mind.

“By the way, that instructor. They said to fire him, right? It sounds like they want to take action. The administration said he’s on vacation now, so that makes sense. I’ll have to tell him to leave right now.”

He secretly sneered at Instructor Frederick. An ignorant human who, in his dedication to protecting the school, was oblivious to what was happening beneath him.

In that instant, John Wilbur felt a strange premonition.

Something nearby was rustling, hovering around him.

“What is it…?”

The principal fiddled with the sword at his waist and looked around.

Just moments ago, he had felt something moving in the air. He focused his magical power on his ears and eyes, scanning the area for some time.

There was nothing around.

Confused by the inexplicable feeling, he stepped outside. Waiting outside was a knight alongside the carriage.

As he climbed into the carriage, the principal thought.

“Was it just an illusion? It’s been so long since I quit being a hunter that maybe my sense has dulled.”

The carriage carrying the principal smoothly exited the academy. Unbeknownst to him, something had climbed onto the trunk.