He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 173

“Long live His Majesty the King!”

“Long live the Dwarves!”

“Long live the Crash Hammers!”

On this day of victory, the dwarves tasted victory for the first time in a long time.

Although Anvil City was attacked and suffered considerable damage, thanks to the Dwarf King’s dedicated defense, civilian casualties were not significant.

On the other hand, they reclaimed the lower sectors near the capital from the Ratmen. They not only liberated the dwarves who had been enslaved but also recovered most of the facilities. It was a remarkable achievement after a long time.

“The citizens are also happy. It’s all thanks to you.”

“Not really. It’s thanks to those who bled and fought. Besides, the work isn’t over yet.”

Although it was a great victory for the dwarves after a long time, the strategic goal still remained.

“We have to attack the Central Ironworks.”

From the beginning, that was the ultimate goal. Whether it was to create an artifact to heal Sarah or for the dwarves to migrate, that goal could only be achieved by reclaiming that place.

“We have to. But the problem is that the legion has suffered too much damage. It will take time to recover.”

“If we do that, the enemy will also finish reorganizing.”

“That’s the real problem….”

Although the enemy suffered more damage, the Ratmen can field far more troops than the dwarves.

Of course, they have fewer elite troops, but it wasn’t wise to give them time.

“We can’t delay the offensive. I will lead the Crash Hammers and continue the attack. We must at least pave the way to the front of the Ironworks.”

“I’m going to have to rely on you again. This is not good for the dwarves’ reputation. I will definitely repay this favor.”

Thus, once again, my solo offensive with the Crash Hammers began.

“Sniper, aim complete.”

“Fire.”

Tatatang! Tatang!

“Mobile infantry, over the walls!”

The Crash Hammers, who had suddenly become heroes from a group of troublemakers, were able to receive full support.

Thanks to that, they were armed with better equipment for this offensive. For example, there was the mobile infantry equipment that allowed them to fire wires and cross the walls in one go.

Clank, Taang! Pshhhh, Taang!

“Charge! Charge!”

“Cough, a steam-pumped rapid-fire magic gun. I never thought I’d get to use this expensive thing!”

“Stop talking nonsense and fight! Be careful not to overheat the gun!”

The number of Crash Hammers was still not large, only about a regiment, but their combat power with the best equipment was outstanding.

They were easily able to recapture sectors where the Ratmen had not yet recovered from the damage and whose defenses were weak.

Kwaaaang!

“A Blood Warrior!”

“Damn it, hurry and take cover! He’s going to breathe!”

Kwaaaaa!

But there were enemies they couldn’t handle.

Blood Warriors. Giant, twisted Ratmen who had grown stronger by consuming the blood of Underworld Dragons.

Tang! Taaang!

-Kuweoaaaa!

“Damn it, the gun isn’t working!”

“Firearms won’t work! Just hold on!”

“He’s charging!”

Kooong!

It wasn’t easy to buy time by hiding in cover. Because the Blood Warrior, who was physically superior, had no reason to wait.

The bullets didn’t work well on the tough dragon skin, so the Blood Warrior attacked even more aggressively.

“Damn it! Do you think I’ll be intimidated by that! Crash Hammers! Take up your hammers and axes!”

But the Crash Hammers had no intention of avoiding close combat, even if their opponent was strong.

They were about to start a reckless fight, wielding their hammers and axes.

Wheeing- Seokeok!

-Keueok?!

Fortunately, I arrived in time before the collision and beheaded the Blood Warrior in one blow.

Hot, black blood that could melt even steel splattered on Silver Rose, but Silver Rose, imbued with the Imperial Soul [a powerful magical energy], could not be melted by even the blood of an Underworld Dragon.

“Commander!”

“I told you to just buy time, was that so difficult for you guys?”

“Haha, I couldn’t bring myself to act like a coward. But it’s a relief that we’re safe, isn’t it?”

Sergeant Hank said with a grin, and the other Crash Hammers laughed in agreement.

I just smiled, since the result was good.

“Commander, we’ve secured the sector. This secures the entire advance route to the Ironworks.”

“Okay, then we’ll wait for the legion here as planned.”

Although we were right in front of the Ironworks, it would be difficult to attack it without proper troops.

“Whew, that’s a relief. We thought we were going to attack it by ourselves again.”

“I know. But aren’t you a little disappointed? It might have been another chance to become a hero.”

“If you die doing that, you’re all heroes. Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

The Crash Hammers, who were able to take a breather, joked with relief.

Kwaaaang!

“Ugh! What’s going on!”

“There was an explosion on the Ironworks side?”

“What, what is it?”

But everyone was surprised by the explosion and had to jump up.

“That’s a huge explosion. We should assume it was intentional, but what’s going on?”

It was a huge explosion that could not be hidden even by the high walls of the Ironworks sector.

It was an explosion that couldn’t have been caused by an accident, so we needed to know what their intentions were.

“Interrogate the prisoners. They must know something.”

When the sector collapsed, the Ratmen fled into the tunnels in all directions like rats, but some were still captured as prisoners.

“Damn it… I have bad news. They’re trying to self-destruct the Ironworks.”

And the result of the interrogation was not good news.

“They noticed that we were aiming for it. They don’t want to hand over what we want?”

“The commander defending the Ironworks is none other than the Blood Lord.”

“He must be directing the self-destruction. They’re really determined.”

If they don’t care about the Ironworks, it’s not a bad choice for the enemy. Now that our momentum has picked up, destroying it instead of handing it over is a strategically sound choice.

The problem is that we need to get that Ironworks in as intact a state as possible.

Otherwise, saving Sarah and the survival of the dwarves will become impossible.

“Then there’s only one way. Offense.”

“You’re saying we should attack it now? Are you kidding me?”

“That’s right.”

“…It won’t be easy. No, it’s close to suicide.”

“So, are you scared?”

“Well….”

Sergeant Hank scratched his head and said with a smile.

“There’s no way I’d be scared. I was almost disappointed.”

“That’s right. We can’t just wait here like cowards.”

“Let’s cause trouble again!”

The Crash Hammers were in high spirits. It seemed like there would be no problem taking them.

But the morale of the troops and the operation and strategy were different.

“It’s impossible to attack head-on with a small number of troops. The defenses there are extraordinary.”

Even if I give it my all, it won’t be easy. Rather, a frontal attack could exhaust all available Imperial Soul.

“We have to aim for the weak point. Infiltrate and break through that place, then aim for the most optimal target.”

The optimal target had already been decided.

“Blood Lord. Find him and kill him.”

“If we kill him, the Ratmen will surely fall apart. The problem is that we don’t even know where he is.”

“We’ll have to interrogate the guys we capture while entering. We have to pray that he doesn’t hide.”

It would be good if he came out to fight, or if he ran away. The worst thing would be if he hid somewhere.

We couldn’t fight all the Ratmen inside that Ironworks, so it would be difficult if he disappeared.

“Let’s think about that after we get in. First of all, there’s only one weak point in this iron fortress.”

“Where is it?”

“The sewer.”

“That’s the worst.”

It’s a place that sounds terrible just by hearing about it. No, there’s no way the sewer wouldn’t be terrible.

“It’s not the stench that’s the problem. The problem is that it’s narrow and maze-like in itself. Of course, we don’t have that many numbers, but it’s difficult to concentrate even that number in one place.”

“Difficult to concentrate in one place….”

In terms of tactics, it’s the worst problem.

“But do we need to stick together?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“It’s as it sounds. We’re not on the defensive, are we? We’re on the offensive. And those guys have no idea what we’re aiming for.”

They wouldn’t think we were aiming for the Blood Lord. To be exact, ‘they don’t know what we’re aiming for at all’.

“That means we can cause as much confusion as we want. Simultaneously, hitting and running in multiple places.”

Just like the Ratmen terrorized Anvil City. Of course, we don’t intend to die every time we attack, so it’s more like a guerrilla war than terrorism.

“So, let’s pay them back in the same way.”

* * *

“This is a bomb, you rat bastards!”

Kwaaaang!

“Fire at will!”

Tadang! Tadang!

“Okay, run away! Move to the next point!”

The operation was successful. The Ratmen were experiencing hell from the defenders’ point of view due to the special forces’ hit-and-run tactics, popping out from various exits of the sewer.

As it was originally a dwarven city, the structure of the sewer was easy to grasp. This was thanks to being able to request and receive related data.

And the Ratmen’s numerical superiority was of no help in this guerrilla warfare. Rather, it only created a lot of places to hit.

On the other hand, what if they came into the sewer?

“Welcome to hell, you rat bastards.”

Tatatang!

“Kuek!”

It was only going to be more difficult to fight in the narrow sewer.

Once, they tried to attack with determination, but the Ratmen were defeated with an exchange ratio of 100:1.

After that, the Ratmen couldn’t come to their senses due to the continuous attacks.

“The enemy’s food storage has been identified in area A09. Just set it on fire and get out of there.”

“There are dwarves captured as slaves in area C22. Rescue as many as possible and join us. We can use them as our troops.”

“Armory found in the north zone. Destroy everything. In particular, be sure to blow up the magic fuel pile.”

There, my ‘genius’ trait was added to the command.

The opposing commander wasn’t stupid either, but I had an absolute advantage.

“Oh… the commander is amazing every time I see him. Very cunning. I bet the opponent is a little angry?”

“That’s what’s important. I don’t need to win right now? Even if the opponent gets angry, I win.”

After all, it is impossible to capture the Ironworks in a textbook manner with our troops.

So, instead of ‘winning’ in the first place, the goal is just to make the opponent angry.

There was another strategic goal. If they don’t want to be helplessly attacked by us, they will have to focus on defense, and that will delay the self-destruction of the Ironworks.

If that’s the case, we’ll have a chance.

“His location has been confirmed. The control section of the Ironworks!”

“It’s time to move directly.”

And I had no intention of missing that opportunity.