Chapter 62: Fire! Fire!

After seeing Old Zhou off, Li Ye slowly paced on the armor plating, looking around. As the main force of the Vanguard Alliance, Tomorrow’s mission was to guard the left flank of the front line. This area was far more open than the right side guarded by Roaming and Moonshadow, and when battle broke out, it was highly likely to become the main attack direction of the enemy. By then, Tomorrow might face three or more Predatory Cities at once—the pressure was self-evident. At this moment, Tomorrow’s Production Workshop was running at full speed, producing a series of bullets, rockets, and shells. On the armor plating stood two newly built Level 1 Heavy Machine Guns, and a Frost Cannon. Currently, Tomorrow already possessed four Level 1 Cannons, with sufficient ammunition, enough to fight a tough battle. Gunners, Lookouts, Helmsmen, Combat Captain, and all combat personnel... everyone was in position, both convoys and the Storm Infantry Vehicle were fully equipped. This time, Li Ye no longer held back on the Iron Ore. He fully resupplied the Storm Infantry Vehicle’s machine gun bullets and light missiles in one go. In the battle, this Level 2 Vehicle would be responsible for engaging enemy convoys and seizing the opportunity to break through to the enemy’s Mobile City. Incidentally, the Level 1 Fortress built by Industry required Mobile Cities to provide manpower, Heavy Machine Guns, and Cannons for stationing. Considering that Tomorrow alone was holding the front, Vanguard decided not to request any personnel or supplies from Li Ye, allowing him to go all-out on the left flank. At this time, everyone felt tense and uneasy, even fearful. After all, it wouldn't be long before an unprecedented great war broke out here. Life or death—no one knew what their fate would be. “Brother Li, when will the enemy arrive?” Inside the Cockpit, Tang Fang asked softly. Li Ye fell into deep thought at those words. The Tarot Alliance would definitely come, and they would definitely come in full force. This was the shared belief among all Mobile Cities. Once the Tarot Alliance activated the Skyveil and City Radar System, they would discover seven Mobile Cities gathered at the Twisted Garden. For them, possessing absolute superiority in numbers and firepower, this was clearly a massive piece of fat meat. If they could take it, they would gain the resources, population, and everything inside the Production Workshops of those seven Mobile Cities. Such an enormous temptation—no one could resist it. ...... A new day’s dawn arrived. Li Ye slowly walked up the Watchtower and picked up the Binoculars. What reached his senses before his eyes was the tremor of the earth. This wasn’t an earthquake—earthquakes weren’t this orderly, this filled with mechanical rhythm. Li Ye’s hand on the railing trembled slightly—not out of fear, but because the subtle vibrations were transferring from the ground to Tomorrow, from bottom to top, through his entire body. “They’re here,” he whispered. From the other end of the Twisted Garden, one Predatory City after another approached, their sirens blaring one after another, their treads crushing everything in their path. One, two, three, four, five... Li Ye silently counted, lightly nodding. A total of eleven Predatory Cities—the Tarot Alliance was out in full force this time. He returned to the Cockpit and logged into the communication channel. At this moment, the entire Vanguard Alliance was on full alert. Bronze Wanderer had taken position at the frontline, Moonshadow and Roaming guarded the right flank, Tomorrow held the left flank, Echo oversaw the rear, Vanguard held the central position, and Industry stood ready. [Moonshadow: They’re here.] [Bronze Wanderer: Is everyone ready?] [Vanguard: Let’s give it everything we’ve got.] At this moment, the Tarot Alliance communication channel. [Lovers: I hope these Mobile Cities have lots of beautiful women... huh? Something’s off. This Mobile City alliance seems to have known we were coming. They’re already prepared.] [The Tower: So many fortresses, and even City Bunkers. Looks like they really did get ready. Everyone be careful of City Landmines and Traps. The Hermit, you’ll be in charge of detecting and clearing them.] [The Hermit: Received.] [The Chariot: This Mobile City might have that guy who destroyed The Hanged Man. Everyone, be careful.] [Devil: One, two, three, four, five, six... Something’s wrong. The radar clearly shows they have seven Mobile Cities, so why do we only see six visually?] [The Sun: Stop being paranoid.] [The Emperor: It’s right to be cautious. There’s something off about this Mobile City alliance, but I can’t tell what.] [The Emperor: In any case, everyone follow the plan I arranged earlier for the attack. This time, for ease of communication and coordination, I’ll keep the City Radio and Skyveil City Radar System fully active.] [Devil: Understood.] [The World: Brother, isn’t that a bit too cautious? They’re fewer in number than us, and their combat strength is far weaker.] [The Emperor: Don’t let your guard down.] [The Emperor: As always, the Loot will be divided according to the old rules. Everyone remember to restrain yourselves and try to leave one Mobile City intact so the former Lord and confidants of The Hanged Man can move in.] [Devil: Received.] [The World: Received.] [...] [The Emperor: Let’s begin.] With the blaring of the attack sirens, the Cannons on the armor plating opened fire simultaneously. Nearly a hundred shells howled through the air, shaking the heavens and the earth. The moment they landed, the casings exploded, releasing thick smoke that surged out like a tide. The Predatory Cities’ silhouettes disappeared from view, leaving only a wall of churning fog in sight. “It has begun.” Li Ye thought silently. Everyone had already anticipated that the Tarot Alliance would use Smoke Shells as cover before launching their attack. With this, the Vanguard Alliance would be unable to judge the direction of their main assault. One minute, two minutes, three minutes... Time passed bit by bit. The tremors from the ground grew stronger, the roar of steam machinery drew closer. Under everyone’s tense gaze, the thick fog was torn open as several figures rushed out at once! The World, The Chariot, The Sun, Devil, Death, The Hermit, The Tower, Lovers... Steel tore through the mist, and treads crushed the earth. Eight Predatory Cities launched a charge with unstoppable momentum! “Fire! Fire!” The Lord of Moonshadow roared at the top of his lungs. Even though he had mentally prepared, seeing it with his own eyes still shook him to the core. This was an attack launched by a full eight Predatory Cities. The dust kicked up by their charge blanketed the sky, and the roar of steam engines rolled across the ground like muffled thunder. Over the wasteland, the two Mobile City alliances finally clashed. Convoys charged, Cannons fired, fortifications burned, and the earth trembled. The once-tranquil Twisted Garden was instantly engulfed in smoke and fire. These terrifying steel beasts tore into each other across the battlefield, colliding and biting. Thick smoke, a mix of steam and fuel, billowed upward, while cannon fire and smoke wove a curtain of death.