I Pioneered Scientific Magic

Ulysses naturally understood that the title of a king was merely a poisoned bait. However, this bait was too enticing. More importantly, the current situation was unclear. If he were to choose the wrong side, he might lose his life and wealth.

Seltoden, known as the City of Steel, owed its name to the abundant iron ore resources surrounding it. Moreover, Lord Ulysses was always cautious. The castle walls were towering, reinforced with pure steel layers on the gates. It took several strong men using pulleys to open or close the gates.

There were about seven thousand guards in the city, and additional refugees could be enlisted to assist in defense at any moment. Perhaps they only needed to hold out for a day or two...

Just one or two days would be enough! For now, Lord Ulysses was stable. However, the Archbishop knew that if he didn't reveal his hand, both the nobles and soldiers within the city would easily collapse under magical assaults. So, along with several dozen priests, he stood on the walls of Seltoden.

The key difference between the Archbishop and ordinary bishops lay in their status as elite among the Third Ring clerics, candidates for the position of Cardinal. They could communicate with the divine to a certain extent and receive aid. Usually stationed in critical areas, in cooperation with several bishops and dozens of priests, they could temporarily resist even a Grand Wizard.

"Great Lord of the Stars, Goddess of the Moon, Creator of Earth and Life, your humble servant prays here, seeking your blessing upon this land of faith..."

The fervent prayers echoed atop the city walls, and a strong divine light soon enveloped the Archbishop.

As the soldiers and nobles touched by the light felt the presence of the divine, Ulysses felt a surge of determination. Suddenly, the vast army below seemed as feeble as chickens and dogs made of clay. He believed that with unity, they could undoubtedly achieve the ultimate victory.

"May the gods be with us!" the Archbishop shouted loudly, his Bible suspended in mid-air above his head.

A stronger light immediately occupied everyone's sight, but Ulysses realized it didn't emanate from the Bible but surged from within the enemy's ranks.

A crimson streak of light sped so swiftly that before anyone could react, it pierced through the Archbishop's body. His magically reinforced body crumbled like paper, leaving behind a rain of flesh and blood...

The fervent prayers abruptly ceased, and the hot blood Ulysses felt inside him turned icy. Some nearby young nobles were so terrified that they screamed for surrender, pants wet with fear.

However, it was evidently too late. Several beams of light flashed, and the supposedly impregnable steel gates were blasted open by electromagnetic cannons!

"Excellent, these artillerymen are getting more accurate!" Lynn observed the chaos atop the walls from a distance of 1.5 kilometers, quite satisfied.

To precisely hit someone from such a distance was commendable.

"The landing accuracy of these electromagnetic cannons surpasses that of the conventional artillery," Raphael remarked with a smile.

Moreover, that Bishop dared to stand foolishly on the city walls chanting prayers. They weren't blind; such a good target shouldn't go unshot!

Lynn chuckled as well. In the midst of their conversation, the sturdy steel gates were blasted open by the thunderous artillery.

With absolute technological superiority, even the most challenging siege became effortlessly easy. They didn't need to consider tactical maneuvers; this overwhelming feeling was precisely what Lynn had anticipated!

The armored vehicles charged at the forefront, their booming gunfire swiftly dismantling the guards attempting resistance. Following them, a squad of musketeers only needed to handle capturing prisoners.

In reality, very few had the courage to resist. Upon seeing the steel gates directly torn apart, most guards immediately dropped their weapons.

The battle started and ended too quickly. Many citizens within the City of Steel hadn't grasped the situation before armored vehicles armed with machine guns stormed in.

The streets were barricaded, and panicked civilians scattered in terror. Soon, a stampede occurred, and those who couldn't flee knelt down, faces full of panic and fear.

Watching this scene, Lynn remembered the journey of reclaiming lost territories, where civilians were exceedingly panicked, even spontaneously resisting. It made him sigh repeatedly.

One could only say the centuries-old propaganda and indoctrination by the Church had deeply ingrained effects. Within the empire's borders, wizards had almost been equated with evil!

"Send some people to assist the wounded!" Lynn suggested to Raydell, who stood beside him. "But be cautious of fanatics hiding among the crowd, ready for suicidal attacks."

Raydell nodded and immediately led a team of riflemen and a few wizards skilled in herbalism to aid the injured.

Not long after the convoy entered the city, their path was blocked.

Thousands of city guards all kneeled in unison on the open ground not far from the gates—a spectacular scene!

At the forefront, Ulysses and his nobles were covered in blood, holding heavy human heads in their hands.

These were the heads of Church priests!

Exploiting the moment when the Archbishop was killed, and the guiding priests were suffering backlash from their spells, Ulysses decisively switched sides, leading his guards in a massacre... This was their declaration of allegiance!

As a noble, observing and interpreting cues was fundamental. At a glance, Ulysses identified who held power. He rushed toward Lynn as if meeting a long-lost father, disregarding the riflemen's obstruction, and tearfully pleaded that he was being coerced by the Church's bishop, which led to his noncompliance with the New Kingdom's call!

In fact, he had been secretly accumulating strength these days, waiting day and night for the moment when the royal army returned!

"Is that so, Sir Hansen?" Lynn called out behind him with great interest.

Several border lords, 'protected' by the guards, approached, looking humble, and hurriedly spoke. "My Lord Wizard, Ulysses is attempting to deceive you. He is a lackey of the Church, a follower of the false gods. Initially, he was the first to suggest sending back intelligence from the royal capital to the empire; we have letters as evidence!"

At this point, Count Hansen glanced at Ulysses.

Never expected that, did you? We've already reported on you ahead of time!

Ulysses was furious. He finally understood why a legion of over ten thousand troops had arrived right under his nose.

So, these border lords hadn't resisted at all; they surrendered directly!

Clearly, he was the one who had made a declaration of allegiance!

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