Chapter 45 Morin’s Battlefield Modification

Hearing the question, Ludwig was startled at first, then his eyes grew complicated. He scrutinized Morin, as if trying to read his face.

“So, you figured this problem out too.” Ludwig sighed, then continued: “I just got back from Brigade Headquarters a few minutes ago. Brigadier General Paul called another urgent meeting. The urban warfare tactics you proposed—General Paul has already instructed all battalion commanders to transcribe and disseminate them! Honestly, that entire system was truly eye-opening.”

“No, they’re working that efficiently?”

“When the fire is at your doorstep, efficiency naturally increases.” Ludwig nodded, then changed the subject: “But, just as you realized, the biggest flaw in that system is its inability to deal with Armored Knights.”

“It’s basically impossible to penetrate the frontal armor with our field artillery. The Order of Garter’s ‘Saint George Mark 3’ main armor is protected by high-level enchantments, giving it extremely high kinetic resistance.”

“And our shells are all high explosive and shrapnel shells, completely incapable of causing structural damage.”

“Furthermore, a skilled Armored Knight pilot’s reaction time is far beyond that of an average person. At a distance of several hundred meters, they can initiate an evasion maneuver the instant they see the cannon’s muzzle flash. By the time the shell reaches them, they’ve already moved.”

“The only weakness is the rear armor, which is relatively thinner. But maneuvering behind them in a narrow street… is virtually impossible.”

Oh no. This meant their artillery was practically useless against the enemy Armored Knights. And based on Ludwig’s description, things like armor-piercing rounds hadn’t been developed in this world, or at least no one had thought to use artillery against Armored Knights. It made sense: if Armored Knights were so skilled at evading shells, artillery was indeed pointless. Of course, the current low muzzle velocity of the cannons was also a factor; the situation might change once the shells’ velocity increased in the future.

Morin refused to give up, pressing further: “Why are the Teutonic Knights’ weapons, like the Spiked Mace, able to damage them?”

Ludwig: “Because our melee weapons are also enchanted. They are specifically designed for armor-piercing—it’s magic versus magic.”

Magic versus magic… Morin chewed on the words, his eyes darkening. Without magic or enchanted weapons, are ordinary infantry simply destined to be cannon fodder?

Suddenly, a thought flashed into Morin’s mind as he frantically searched his memory.

“I have an idea. What if there was a weapon that could continuously burn on the armor plate and potentially melt its way into the inner mechanisms through gaps and joints?”

Ludwig: “Are you talking about a Molotov cocktail?”

“Wait, has that already been used?”

“Yes.” Morin was surprised. It seemed the presence of Armored Knights had accelerated the development of offensive and defensive countermeasures in this world. “The International Brigades should be familiar with it. Our infantry has also used it briefly, and even the Britannians developed ‘Scrolls of Flame’ to counter our Armored Knights.”

Ludwig paused, then continued: “But all new-generation Armored Knights have specialized countermeasures. While active, the cockpit and crucial Magic Power Furnace systems can be completely isolated from the outside world. They also have forced fire suppression and cooling Magitek units that can quickly extinguish flames. Now, Molotov cocktails can only seriously threaten the older generation of Armored Knights.”

“However, the Molotov cocktail is still quite effective against infantry, especially in confined spaces like cities. I bet the International Brigades are already collecting materials to make them now, aren’t they?” Ludwig rattled on, leaving Morin stunned. If even the Molotov cocktail wasn’t effective, infantry truly had few options against Armored Knights.

Just as he felt lost, a scene suddenly entered his line of sight. Not far away, a technician was using a large metal funnel to replenish the coolant in an Armored Knight.

Wait, a funnel?!

That conical, hollow metal object stunned Morin. A phrase that changed the history of armored warfare in his past world flashed into his mind like a thunderbolt.

“Lieutenant Colonel!” Morin fiercely grabbed Ludwig’s arm, his eyes gleaming with a terrifying intensity that startled Ludwig. “Tell me, if we convert the Order of Garter’s main armor into ordinary steel plate, how thick would it be?!”

Ludwig was taken aback by Morin’s sudden, manic action, and instinctively answered: “Their main armor plate contains Magic Crystal Powder added during the smelting process and is reinforced with enchantments. While it doesn’t look thick, its actual effective defensive thickness is about 60 to 70 millimeters of steel armor.”

Hearing this number, Morin didn’t tense up; instead, he let out a long sigh of relief. A grin, which Ludwig found completely incomprehensible and even somewhat sinister, spread across his face.

“That’s enough… 60 to 70 millimeters is enough!”

“Enough for what?” Ludwig was utterly confused. “Morin, what in the world are you talking about?”

Morin looked up at the baffled noble Lieutenant Colonel, and said word for word: “Lieutenant Colonel, I think I may have found a way to deal with them.”

“If you are willing to help me, I can show you the results in less than two hours.”

“What did you say?” Ludwig frowned, doubting his own ears. “You have a way? To deal with the Order of Garter’s Armored Knights?” He looked at Morin with suspicion—had this boy gone crazy from fighting? A mere infantry Second Lieutenant, already shocking them with an urban warfare theory, now claiming to have a solution against the world’s most elite Armored Knights?

“Morin, I admit you are talented, but this is no time for jokes.” Ludwig’s tone became serious, his expression rigid. “Do you know what you are saying? That’s the Order of Garter Knights! The pride of the Britannians! War machines created with the painstaking effort of countless Magitek technicians and Mages!”

“I know.” Morin’s expression was exceptionally calm, and his confidence was genuine. “Lieutenant Colonel, I am not joking. But I need your help. I need materials, and I need some professional manpower.”

Ludwig fell silent. He stared into Morin’s eyes, trying to find any hint of madness or exaggeration. But all he saw was calmness and resolve. This young man had commanded troops to push back a High Mentor on the battlefield; in the command post, he had conceived an urban warfare theory capable of changing the pattern of war. He had challenged Ludwig’s understanding again and again. What other secrets was he hiding?

Ludwig’s internal struggle was fierce. Rationally, Morin’s words sounded like fantasy. But emotionally, everything that had happened made him want to believe. The situation was dire; the enemy’s counter-attack was imminent, and they were defenseless against the enemy’s ace units. Perhaps it was worth trying his solution—a desperate attempt to salvage the situation? Even if the gamble failed, the situation wouldn’t be worse than it already was.

“Fine!” Ludwig gritted his teeth, making his decision. “I’m betting on this! Tell me, what do you need? I will get you anything I can!”

“Excellent!” Morin brightened. “First, I need artillery shells… at least ten 105mm high explosive shells, they must be intact! Additionally, I need a large quantity of copper, the more the better. Spent shell casings are the best source!”

“No problem.” Ludwig immediately agreed. “The artillery has moved into the city south. I will personally take some men, and it shouldn’t be hard to ‘borrow’ some items in the name of the Teutonic Knights.”

“I also need a few experienced artillerymen, preferably veterans who understand shell construction.”

“That’s also feasible. I’ll ‘borrow’ them from the artillery battalion, too.” Ludwig was direct and efficient.

“Finally, and most crucially… I need specialized technicians.”

“Technicians?”

“I need a chemist and several skilled craftsmen, ideally someone experienced in casting.”

“That…” Ludwig frowned. “Our Knights Order only has Magitek technicians, Knight Attendants, and pilots. We don’t have those kinds of technical personnel.”

Morin smiled: “Leave that to me.”

In less than ten minutes, Ludwig demonstrated the influence of a Saxon nobleman and Teutonic Knight. He personally drove a Knights Order military truck with a few attendants straight into the artillery camp. When confronted by the artillery officer’s questioning, he simply flashed his Teutonic Knights credentials. He then announced in an unchallengeable tone that this was for a “top-secret weapon test concerning the outcome of the war,” carried out under the explicit orders of Brigadier General Paul. The artillery officers were completely intimidated. Though full of doubt, no one dared to truly obstruct a Teutonic Knights Lieutenant Colonel.

In the end, Ludwig returned fully loaded. The truck was not only carrying over ten brand-new 105mm high explosive shells and two large crates of shiny brass shell casings but also three bewildered veteran artillerymen he had conveniently ‘borrowed.’

(End of Chapter 45)