Chapter 602: Zombie Catastrophe
Liana turned her head to look toward the center, where a towering wall blocked most of the sight.
Numerous magical supplies and materials were continuously being delivered inside.
Most of the gnoll and kobold construction workers who had studied in the Catachan demi-plane for over half a year and then returned were busy working inside.
Liana, who understood the progress of the project, naturally knew that the main structure of her teacher's large mage tower was actually buried deep underground.
The buildings on the surface were more like "decoys" meant to attract attention.
If someone expended great effort and cost to destroy and sabotage the mage tower,
then the true mage tower hidden below would launch a fierce and deadly counterattack!
Even the Grand Arcanist Cronorman, who oversaw the design and construction of the mage tower, was unaware of this. Only a few individuals within the territory knew of its existence and access rights.
Of course, the mage tower was also an invisible gold-devouring beast.
Besides the resources and funds needed for people's livelihoods, progress, and territorial development, almost all other resources obtained through trade, production, and mining were invested into it.
In the past, Liana would have thought that such huge consumption and expenditure would bring a heavy burden and pressure on the territory's people.
In her previous understanding, when a lord and territory lacked money, they would resort to various means to plunder from the people.
Increasing taxes and conscription were often the most effective and practical methods.
But for Bay Territory, the consumption of these materials actually brought real benefits and profits to other producers within the territory, making everyone wealthier.
Liana, who had always been immersed in arcane research and mechanical engineering, also began to study some knowledge about territorial development.
Liana understood clearly that strength was indeed important, but ideas and awareness were even more crucial.
Otherwise, one would merely be a weapon.
Inside the wall.
Matthew observed the establishment of a giant mobile production line, carefully inspecting each component to ensure stable and continuous operation.
Knowledge and technology obtained from captured Cole elves.
Silverleaf Family's top-secret technology.
Combined with Matthew's personal participation and research breakthroughs.
Only then was this strategic production equipment completed.
A fully automated high-level magical weapon and equipment production line!
With it, Bay Territory could mass-produce high-quality magical weapons and equipment with over a 70% success rate.
It would help supply the rapidly expanding Bay Territory army with top-grade magical weapons and equipment, enhancing their advantage in armament.
Matthew was never content with the status quo.
As time passed, the enemies Bay Territory faced would only become stronger.
All Bay Territory soldiers must strive to learn and grow.
They must reach the limits of their efforts.
If they could break through their original aptitudes, they would ascend to a whole new level.
Under the abundant material supplies of Bay Territory, this phenomenon became increasingly common.
If warriors were truly limited by their aptitudes, but had sufficient merits and proved their loyalty, they could actively undergo further combat strength enhancement.
Matthew, accompanied by Annie, slowly walked underground, the spacious and bright environment reflecting his attitude toward the working environment.
A brand-new life material circulation system made Annie's eyes sparkle involuntarily.
It consisted of a pure water summoning device and a water purification device, capable of supplying both domestic and industrial water needs.
A recycling and fertilizer production device for daily materials was also an excellent equipment combination.
They not only solved the issue of living and production waste but also allowed for maximum self-sufficiency through recycling.
Automated agricultural planting areas, automated breeding and selection devices, were prepared for food production.
They could use spells to accelerate crop growth, ensuring short-term, high-yield basic food supply.
Through regular selection and stable spell effects, they maintained excellent seed quality.
The production of water and food confirmed the practicality and purpose of these devices.
"As long as we regularly input a portion of mana, or use elemental crystals, or energy from magic channels, they can operate for a long time."
"Moreover, there are automatic maintenance golems around these devices to ensure their long-term stable operation."
"The storage spaces of the devices themselves have already stored many different kinds of food, medicinal herbs, and magical plant seeds. They can be upgraded and replaced in the future."
"The entire device setup is stable in operation, simple in operation, sturdy and durable, serving as the final guarantee of self-sufficiency for strongholds, camps, and fortresses."
Hearing Matthew's introduction, Annie eagerly rubbed her hands and asked:
"When will this thing be sent to the fortress? It can't be cheap, right?"
The Silverleaf Family, which had recently received a large influx of resources and funds, was troubled by having nowhere to spend the money and wanted to quickly convert it into combat power.
Facing the terrifying strength of the Cole Elven Kingdom, no matter how well-prepared, unease remained.
The device in front of her was practically a divine artifact for defending cities and fortresses.
Abundant living supplies would greatly boost every defender's determination and morale.
With it, Annie believed the defenders' chances of victory would increase by at least 30%.
Matthew was very happy with the Silverleaf Family's transformation.
The reason was simple: as for the other Ail Elven families and forces, it was hard to tell how many had already secretly defected to the Cole Elven Kingdom.
Relying on them for coordinated battle could easily result in another situation where the Rocky Mountains were divided and conquered.
Before the Cole Elven Kingdom launched its attack, the total Ail Elven forces in the Rocky Mountains numbered 450,000.
Although not much fewer than the enemy, they still suffered a crushing defeat.
Matthew had investigated and found that apart from a few families and forces, most only cared about their own survival, with some even actively retreating.
On the surface, it was 550,000 vs 450,000!
In reality, it was 550,000 vs forty-five groups of 10,000 each!
It was no wonder the Elves lost so badly!
After Bay Territory and the Silverleaf Family "contracted" the Rocky Mountains,
they not only fully controlled the defense line but also enjoyed the treatment of certain historical dynasties' "Liao tribute."
Early on, the enemy would obediently pay up, as shown by recent reactions.
Later, as the new defense lines were constructed and the Silverleaf Family's control of the Rocky Mountains stabilized,
they would likely want the Silverleaf Family and Bay Territory to fight the Cole Elven Kingdom to the death.
However, Matthew didn't care. At their current construction speed, it would take at least two more years to complete, and even longer before turning hostile.
This development period was enough for Bay Territory and the Silverleaf Family to grow strong.
They were continuously absorbing population from other Ail Elven areas.
Along with these circulation devices, some unfinished equipment was also under construction.
Annie didn't pry further. She was always "tactful" like this.
However, she vaguely guessed that while the front was about living and production equipment, the back must be related to development and combat...
In the still unfinished lower levels of the mage tower.
A brand-new underground laboratory was under construction.
Rooms with internal solidified spaces were being set up.
Storage warehouses to accommodate more experimental subjects and materials.
Eight fully equipped, clean, and magic-glow-filled operating rooms.
And hundreds of Dragon Rider No.1 golems, standing silently but ready for activation.
Besides the future permanent laboratory,
what shocked Annie more was the overall material modification of the underground structure.
Monitoring spells covering the inner and outer walls.
Anti-magic arrays and permanent solidification devices against spell influences.
Adamantine, magic iron, and other metal layers resisting corrosion and excavation.
Spatial solidification modifications resisting teleportation spells.
Psychic protection arrays countering mental and mind influences.
Annie even saw many holy light spells like "Purification Array," "Detect Evil," "Banish Demon," "Positive Energy Barrier" shining with dazzling golden light.
Every imaginable attack method had corresponding countermeasures built into the structure.
Because of this, enormous amounts of materials and supplies were consumed.
A strange sense of security made Annie's heart flutter.
Bay Territory military camp.
Resting soldiers often couldn't help but glance toward the busy neighboring camps.
There, several massive towns were under construction.
Some soldiers gathered together, curiously discussing the towns being built.
"What are they for? Training rooms?"
"Could be. With so many people coming for training, they need to divide areas."
"I heard from a few leaders that they might build more realistic training camps to improve training effectiveness."
"More realistic? Does that mean real enemies?"
"Probably not real enemies, but their strength and tactics should be similar..."
"Training is getting harder. Are we finally getting a chance for real combat?"
"Don't overthink. Train hard, improve your strength, and learn more battle techniques and experience."
"I also heard that one of the towns will be built as a 'Coliseum'!"
"Not a Coliseum, but a simulated real-combat single-soldier confrontation base."
"But we shouldn't think about it. Entry requires at least high-level strength."
"I'll just focus on completing my soldier training tasks and strive to get on the battlefield early to earn more merits."
"After gaining merits, we can buy more magical equipment and items."
"Come on, isn't the camp's preparation enough? You want to bring even more gear?"
"Hehe, better to be over-prepared than under-prepared..."
Just as the soldiers said.
Bay Territory already provided soldiers with outstanding weapons and equipment.
Even potions and magic scrolls, extremely rare in other armies, were allocated in certain amounts to basic combat squads at the squad and platoon level.
Even the Cole Elven Kingdom, which had just clashed with Bay Territory, wasn't this "wealthy."
Of course, this was directly related to the opponent's traditional reliance on elite units.
Every soldier in the camp longed to gain greater strength and learn more combat experience and techniques.
This way, they could receive better equipment, earn higher salaries and rewards, and survive better in battle.
Besides routine education and guidance, the camp would occasionally release some rumors.
For example, recently, the news that Bay Territory was preparing to provide high-level magical weapons and equipment had spread to every soldier.
Moreover, the reward and incentive conditions for high-tier Professionals were already publicly announced.
"High-grade enchanted weapons and equipment."
"One customized magical item."
"One bottle of Lesser Life Potion."
"Monthly subsidy of 200 gold coins."
"Two Group Healing and Group Protection scrolls."
"Access to purchasing high-grade magical items."
In addition to these tangible rewards, there were many additional development arrangements.
Moreover, after the last war's award ceremony,
the camp specifically arranged a proclamation ceremony to announce the promotion of soldiers to high-tier Professionals.
This served to inspire all soldiers within the army.
Striving to become a high-tier Professional now carried even more meaning.
Of course, Matthew's focus on the army wasn't just about improving individual combat ability.
Bay Territory soldiers' progress was divided into two types.
The first type was personal strength improvement.
This was the promotion path for Professionals within the army.
They usually had outstanding personal combat abilities or exceptional enhancement and support capabilities.
Increased strength allowed them to qualify for using corresponding weapons and equipment.
Combat posts and combat missions would be further divided and assigned.
Generally speaking, the stronger the strength and equipment, the more important the tasks.
Thus, they would earn more rewards and merits, boosting personal merit ranks and income.
Currently, Bay Territory already had 1,746 high-tier Professionals.
Matthew hoped to double that number by the end of the year.
The second type was military rank improvement.
Simply put, this was the promotion path for commanders.
Based on meeting personal capability standards, they also had corresponding levels of combat experience and skills.
Through tactical and technical learning at the target level, and by undergoing demanding theoretical and practical training assessments,
they gained the foundation and qualifications to be promoted to a higher-level commander.
They were often referred to as reserves, serving as assistants and core battle commanders for formal commanders.
After about six months of internship assessments or participating in two command battles, they could be promoted from reserve to official commanders.
Matching the increase in the number of commanders,
naturally came the increase in Bay Territory's army size.
Once reserves were officially promoted, they would lead newly trained rookie units.
They would extract 1/4 of veterans from their original units.
This way, rookie units could quickly build combat power.
Meanwhile, the old units, which lost some members, wouldn't suffer losses.
The best-performing rookies from training would replenish their ranks, bringing in potential and capable fresh blood.