Ch. 265 - Power of Thunder
Mage AdamThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
Notes
I love the setting of the Metal Eater society. The author should really have written more about it.
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
I love the setting of the Metal Eater society. The author should really have written more about it.
The two Titans had never seen magic like this before and couldn't figure out what it was for. They watched as Adam wrapped a bright blue herb around his wrist and sent Lina back to where she came from.
Puzzled, they asked, "What did you just do? Can you control those Metal Eaters now?"
Adam explained, "Each Metal Eater that flies off helps me see from afar. Whatever they see, I see. Think of them as a living radar, like the ones used in metal factories."
"Just those simple Metal Eaters? Are they any good?"
"They just need to stay hidden. If they're exposed, it could cause us big problems."
This strategy was typical in mage battles, not really a surprise. But the development of the Titans was a bit unusual. Every Titan was a fighter and they didn't have roles for specific jobs. These clever moves were new to them.
"Your way of developing is too straightforward. Just trying to be bigger and stronger isn't the best approach. Like in your fight with the Metal Eaters---when direct fighting fails, you should look for other ways to make up for your weaknesses."
The two exchanged looks, "What do you mean our way of developing is too simple?"
"I mean, your size stops you from sneaking into Metal Eater lands. But what if there was a type of Titan who didn't get bigger but smaller? Then, you wouldn't be stuck in this situation."
Iron 27 thought this over, but Qi 31 wasn't convinced. He argued, "But then, how would we stay safe?"
Adam sharply replied, "Safe? You're on the edge of being wiped out; what safety can you guarantee for everyone? Sometimes, sacrifices are needed. Isn't that obvious?"
After a quiet moment, Iron 27 whispered, "Like Lithium 15?"
Adam, reminded of the selfless Lithium 15, sighed, "Lithium 15 was different. He wasn't meant for what I'm talking about."
Not ready to let go, Qi 31 asked, "Then what should we do?"
"It's too late for anything now. The Metal Eaters won't give you a chance."
"Just wait to die?" Qi 31 laughed sadly. He thought it wasn't all that bad, as the Titans had gotten much stronger---especially over the last year, their power had nearly doubled.
Adam didn't say more. If their god hadn't died and had come back to Titania to defeat the Devourer, everything would be okay. But without their god, their race was headed for disaster.
Unless, this deep move into enemy land got the result Adam hoped for.
Adam was busy putting together the visual information coming to him. From it, he worked out where the nearby Metal Eaters were moving and found the quickest and safest way to the place Garfield had talked about.
Iron 27 and Qi 31 were still thinking about what Adam had said. They were likely not going to come up with any real solution.
"Alright, we're setting off," Adam announced, getting back on Sophia's back. "The road ahead won't be easy. I need you to let me have emergency control of your bodies. If needed, I have to be able to put us all in a spatial fold right away. Any issues with that?"
...
It seemed they had crossed some line, as the number of Metal Eaters suddenly went up. While it wasn't like there were broods everywhere, patrols were clearly seen all around.
Adam asked Garfield in his mind, "Was it like this when you were here before?"
Garfield shook his head, "No, there were barely any Metal Eaters when I was here. The really heavily guarded areas are about five thousand kilometers further in. Master, I think something's off."
"Did you leave the magic record runes I told you to?" Adam had earlier asked Garfield to leave magic records in hidden spots to track the movements of the Metal Eaters.
"In a pit seven hundred and sixty kilometers to the southwest. But the land here has changed, I'm not sure if they're still there."
Iron 27 said, "There are three groups of Metal Eaters heading this way, we can't dodge them. I'll lead them away."
Adam stopped him. He pointed ahead where faint rune glows were visible in an invisible field. Electrical elements quickly gathered under a magnetic field, forming a thunder Titan fifteen meters tall. Then he used electric fire to mimic Flame vibrations. Next, he took common metals, Nickel and Cadmium, melted them, and covered the Titan.
A powerful new Nickel-Cadmium Titan was created.
Qi 31 stepped up and poked it, asking, "Is this thing going to work?"
"This is a one-time deal. It's basically an electrical magic Titan. I don't think it'll destroy a patrol team, but it should easily draw them away."
The thunder Titan used third-level magic. If it self-destructed, it might just reach fourth-level power. However, the nickel-chromium alloy coating on its body would hold back some of its strength, but it was still enough.
Adam opened a teleportation portal and sent the thunder Titan through it. The next moment, it appeared a hundred kilometers ahead, charging straight towards the patrol team.
The Metal Eaters were clearly shocked to see a Titan so near their main area. They froze for a second.
But Adam didn't hesitate. He controlled the Titan to point one hand up; instantly, a thunder spear shot down from a newly formed dark cloud into its hand. The Titan made a dramatic gesture, throwing the thunder spear with great force.
There is a common misunderstanding about electric magic. In theory, the speed of an electric field is the speed of light, but the speed of electric current is much slower, making it seem unlikely for electric magic to hit immediately after being launched. However, magical power can merge the electric field and current, boosting the speed of electric magic by thousands, even tens of thousands, of times.
The thunder spear left a bright trail in Iron 27 and Qi 31's eyes. Before the afterimage faded, a loud explosion reached Adam's ears.
The thunder spear struck a patrol team head-on. Its built-in spiral force broke through the defense field and hit the center of the group, exploding on contact with a fourth-level Metal Eater.
The explosive release of electricity caused an incredible instant temperature. Nearby third-level Metal Eaters were instantly turned to ash, not even leaving bodies behind.
Qi 31, watching in shock, couldn't believe that such a fearsome weapon was just conjured by Adam on a whim. Looking first at the scene before them and then back at Adam, he murmured, "Is this the magic you were talking about?!"