Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Became the Greatest Genius in History
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The entire army advanced.
Until now, the humans had been solely focused on holding the line, so when their offensive finally began, the demons were visibly thrown into disarray.
The demons, who had been at a standstill, finally started to fight back.
"Charge!"
The commanders, receiving Porto's orders, bellowed at the top of their lungs.
The regular soldiers raised their shields and weapons, tying down the demons' feet.
While the demons struggled against the thick shield wall, the mages began their assault.
Spells from the flame school hammered the demons. The siege weapons they controlled unleashed a barrage.
It was just like autumn leaves being swept away.
The knights wove through the shield wall, aiding the soldiers or taking down mid-sized demons with lethal strikes.
Overall, Tristy's forces held the advantage.
There were casualties, of course, but they were putting up an impressive fight against the overwhelming numbers of demons.
The reason this was possible was thanks to the Hell Tank and Ester Tristy.
Beyond the impressive kill count from the Hellfire main cannon and coaxial machine gun, Ester was demonstrating movements that pierced through the battlefield itself.
"The demons on the left flank are pressing hard. We need to send reinforcements before the shield wall collapses...!?"
BOOM-!
He provided support fire for the entire army at just the right timing with just the right shots.
It wasn't merely about mowing down demons with the Hell Tank—he was striving for maximum efficiency in victory across the whole battle.
And with elite combatants like Dalpi and Ian, plus Haniell who could wield high-level magic, aboard the Hell Tank, they could respond to situations with greater flexibility.
"Master Ester's insight is nothing short of miraculous the more I see it. Just one shot saves how many soldiers...!"
The commanders and soldiers were in awe, and even Supreme Commander Porto could hardly tear his eyes away from Ester.
He was a battlefield magician.
"How the hell is he controlling all this at once?"
"It's not even built for simultaneous driving and firing. Is he using some kind of magic...?"
Dalpi and Haniell could scarcely believe their eyes.
Reading and judging the flow of battle was secondary; what amazed them was Ester's skill in operating the Hell Tank solo, when it normally required at least four crew members.
And Ester hadn't made a single mistake.
It was academic consensus that knowledge as a designer didn't equate to skill as a pilot, but Ester was the exception.
"...This defies reason."
Haniell marveled at Ester's versatility.
There were many talented people in this world.
That's why the word "genius" was coined for them.
But even geniuses typically excelled only in their own fields.
They were often weak or average in others—that was the natural order.
But that didn't apply to Ester, who was performing right before their eyes.
He wasn't limited to one field.
Ester, armed with vast knowledge and skills, combined his abilities to produce the best possible results.
He felt like he was on a whole different level from other geniuses.
"Keep advancing!!"
At first, the soldiers' morale had been crushed by Dargishkal's egg and the demons swarming the plains.
But as the situation turned favorable thanks to Ester's exploits, their fear vanished in an instant.
"Fight to protect your homeland! Tristy's fate rests in our hands right now!"
"Fight!! Advance!!"
"Victory is within reach!!"
The entire army pressed forward without hesitation.
To them at peak fervor, there were no obstacles.
***
The destination came into view.
All demons in the pass had been eliminated, and even those at a considerable distance in the rear had been sniped to prevent any surprise attacks.
"So that's Dargishkal's egg."
"I saw it back then too, but it's truly terrifying."
The spawn point still swirled with Dargishkal's egg.
Its appearance exuded an intimidating presence that instilled fear in all who beheld it.
"Eliminate the remnants."
Porto ordered the soldiers to clear out the demons still lingering at the spawn point.
Since it was the polar point, more would spawn endlessly anyway, but this was to eliminate any variables.
The soldiers began forming a defensive line in preparation for threats, while I positioned the Hell Tank on the hilltop to destroy Dargishkal's egg.
The key to this operation was the Hellfire main cannon.
『Dargishkal's egg has regenerative properties. The more external stimulation it receives, the exponentially faster its revival time becomes. Once you start attacking, you must end it quickly. Otherwise, Tristy territory will face a colossal dragon.』
Nob AI quietly warned me.
Alright.
"We'll commence bombardment in one hour."
I performed a final check on the Hell Tank.
Since we'd be pouring continuous max firepower, fuel was the top priority.
Haniell had produced a massive amount from the demons' corpses.
This should be enough not just for destruction, but through the end of this polar point.
"Here?"
"Yes."
Zephyr safely hauled the fuel-laden cart up the hill.
Good.
The main cannon was in perfect condition, no damage.
The mithril alloy Hell Tank was sturdy.
Its sluggishness and slowness were drawbacks, but since most attacks couldn't even scratch it, it excelled in prolonged combat.
"Sis, keep replenishing fuel with Ian and Dalpi."
"Got it."
With all checks complete, ten minutes remained.
I took a quiet deep breath.
Destroy the egg, and we'd safely weather this polar point.
According to Erphs's letter, Hell Tanks were active in other territories too, allowing the Red Tower to aid many domains.
"Dalpi."
"Yes, young master."
"I feel like steak."
"If we get through this polar point safely, I'll make enough to make you burst."
Five minutes to go.
I boarded the Hell Tank.
Haniell connected the fuel tanks to the Hell Tank with hoses.
Three minutes to go.
Dalpi handed me water.
I sipped it slowly, alternating glances at the dashboard and periscope.
One minute to go.
『No issues.』
Final confirmation from Nob AI.
"Hoo...."
Let's do this.
"Commencing."
I notified Porto of the bombardment start via the communicator.
The battlefield fell silent.
As all eyes turned to the Hell Tank, the Hellfire main cannon began charging.
Mana stored in the alloy transferred to the main cannon, and the runes stored there converted it to hellfire.
『Target: Dargishkal. Type: Dragon. Classification: Colossal demon.』
『Fuel is fully prepared. All forthcoming shots will be at maximum power.』
『Hellfire stage 3 generation complete.』
『Initiative process complete.』
The black flames gathered at the muzzle pulsed with ferocious killing intent.
『Proceeding with main action.』
"Everyone, avert your eyes from the firing point."
All turned away.
The maximum-power hellfire shot forth.
BOOM-!
A blast of tremendous heat swept in with the explosion.
Everything around the egg melted, and the hellfire blazed endlessly.
The battlefield heated up in an instant from the hellfire.
『Current mana reserves: 70%.』
『Repeating initiative process.』
"......."
Dalpi stared straight ahead in a daze.
I was just as stunned.
The sheer destructive power reshaped the terrain in seconds.
And it was firing every minute, leaving no choice but awe.
Compared to its firepower, the reload time was absurdly short.
‘So this is the Hell Tank's true power....’
It was overwhelming.
Cracks began forming on the egg's surface.
An ominous vibration echoed, but the swirling dark thorns were shrinking.
『Egg destruction: 15%. Hatching progress: 30%.』
One shot.
『Egg destruction: 35%. Hatching progress: 35%.』
One shot.
『Egg destruction: 45%. Hatching progress: 40%.』
Another shot.
With each hit, the egg visibly crumbled.
I thought the plan was proceeding smoothly.
"...?"
It was after the eighth shot.
The egg was nearly destroyed, and as it reloaded hellfire for the final blow.
A commotion arose nearby.
"Ester!"
As I tried to secure a view through the periscope, Haniell urgently opened the hatch.
"Sis?"
The moment I climbed up to the hatch, I couldn't help but furrow my brow.
Kennes was running.
Like a mental patient who'd escaped the asylum, about to cause some disaster.
He plunged into the superheated inferno that no one should even approach.
Unfazed even as black flames engulfed his body, he halted right before the egg.