The Obsidian Heart Fortress had fully transformed. The rhythmic, silent hum of the Aether Drill, Model I, now working twenty-four hours a day, provided a constant stream of high-purity iron ore and obsidian. The power of the Aether Furnace was now flowing into the Deepstone Halls, the capital of the newly appointed Gimlak, the Dwarf Artisan King.
Gimlak's efficiency was staggering. He had mobilized his entire clan, and within days, the Dwarven halls had been converted into the Core's first true Aether Forge.
"Gimlak, my resources are limitless. My enemy relies on mass-produced, expendable technology. You will counter their quantity with absolute quality," I commanded, projecting the necessary blueprints. "Your first priority is not defense, but the creation of two prototype weapons: The Aether Rifle and the Obsidian Sentinel Armor."
The Aether Rifle Prototype
Gimlak, consumed by his work, channeled his immense 2,500 AP directly into the metal. The [Runic Blueprint Imprinting] skill allowed him to skip weeks of hand-etching, fusing complex Aether conduit patterns onto the metal while it was still molten.
The result was the Aether Rifle, Model I. It was a sleek, perfectly balanced weapon forged from black, highly durable iron and inset with glowing obsidian crystals. It required no powder or bullets; it simply drew ambient Aether, condensing it into a projectile.
— WEAPON ANALYSIS: AETHER RIFLE, MODEL I —
DESIGNER: Gimlak, the Artisan King
POWER SOURCE: Ambient Aether (Tier 3)
DAMAGE: High. Capable of piercing Human Tier 2 light armor.
USER REQUIREMENT: None (Even a Goblin Legionary can use it effectively.)
INHERENT SKILL: [Aether Shot] (Non-magical, high-velocity projectile.)
"It is a masterpiece, My Lord," Gimlak exclaimed, holding the rifle with reverence. "It will never jam. It will never run out of ammunition. It is the end of gunpowder."
Next, Gimlak focused on the armor, using the same Aether-infused iron and Ranga's own obsidian hide data as the template. The Obsidian Sentinel Armor was built for Ranga, turning him into a terrifying, armored vanguard.
Target: Fortress Ironhold
With the first weapons forged, it was time to strike. The Ironwall Empire's largest local base, Fortress Ironhold, was the nexus of their supply lines and their technological base in the region. Destroying it would shatter their forward momentum.
I assembled the commanders: Grave (Ground Assault), Naiad (Elemental Support), Shade (Recon/Infiltration), Ranga (Core Guard/Vanguard), and Gimlak (Logistics/Rifle deployment).
"Fortress Ironhold is not merely a fort; it is a power hub. We will not attack the walls. We will attack their infrastructure," I projected. "Naiad, the fortress is built on a natural spring. Can you access the subterranean water flow?"
Naiad, the Admiral, felt the earth's hidden pathways. "Yes, My Lord. I can command the aquifer beneath the foundations. My [Tidal Command] can turn the supporting rock into mud."
"Perfect. Shade, you will infiltrate the fortress now. Mark their central command center and their main fuel depot. Grave, you and Ranga will lead twenty Legionaries, armed with the first Aether Rifles. Naiad will provide the element of surprise."
The Deployment of the Tidal Assault
The mission began under the cover of the [Static Concealment Barrier], which now masked the entire Obsidian Heart Nation's activity. The ground troops—the Goblin Legionaries—were visibly brimming with confidence, carrying the light, powerful Aether Rifles instead of rusty daggers.
The Core observed the deployment through Shade's mental link, watching the Shadow Sentry phase effortlessly through the perimeter defenses of Fortress Ironhold.
Target acquired: Central Tower and Fuel Depot.
"Naiad. Attack the foundations, now. Grave, prepare to breach the perimeter at the collapse point. Ranga, protect the Core and the Legionaries."
Naiad, using his [Hydrolic Overload] (the amplified Tidal Command), began the terrifying, silent work of demolition. Far below the fortress, he channeled massive, pressurized volumes of water into the geological fault lines of the foundation.
The Collapse
The Human fortress had no warning. There was no siege, no battle cry. There was only a low, grinding shudder as the foundation of the central tower dissolved into thick, watery mud.
The main Command Tower of Fortress Ironhold snapped, tilting violently before crashing down onto the adjacent Fuel Depot. The resultant explosion, fueled by the highly volatile Human synthesized fuel, turned the center of the fortress into a raging inferno.
The garrison erupted into chaos. Sentries stumbled out of the barracks, panicking at the sight of the explosion and the collapsing walls.
"Grave, unleash the Legionaries! No prisoners. Secure the area."
Grave roared, charging the newly formed breach. The Goblin Legionaries followed, but they didn't charge with rusty spears. They raised their Aether Rifles, Model I.
The first Human sentries to approach the breach were met not by brute force, but by a volley of silent, violet Aether bolts. The bolts effortlessly pierced their light armor, neutralizing the Human threat instantly and without a drop of monster blood spilled.
The Aether Core smiled, mentally. Brute force is inefficient. Superior technology and strategic infrastructure destruction are the true paths to victory.
The battle for Fortress Ironhold had just begun, but the Empire was already burning.
The Core has successfully launched its first devastating attack! The Aether Rifles and strategic elemental control have proven superior to Human brute force.