Industrial Cthulhu, starting from the island lord

Chapter 770 War begins!
Groups of priests emerged, their white robes gleaming with dazzling gold patterns.

These are robes worn only by high-ranking priests, who, apart from the extraordinary, are the mainstay of the church.

There were also many extraordinary individuals operating a large machine on the side. It was a long and narrow machine that resembled a lamprey. At first glance, it looked somewhat like a tunnel boring machine, but it was much longer and narrower. The excavation structure at the front was still covered with fresh soil.

It was clearly dug down from above.

The priests of the Candlelight Vigil quickly formed ranks, clearly having come prepared, while several Investigators subtly blocked the retreat routes of the Untouchables.

"Looks like things aren't looking good. Will Candlelight accept the surrender?" Nini looked around and shrugged.

“They never accept surrender, especially from outsiders,” Frey murmured.

"Then what are you waiting for? Pick up your weapons!" Nini shouted, casually taking a Gatling gun and a dragon breath cannon from the buckle on her armor.

Beside her, Una also came out fully armed.

The battle breaks out instantly!

Nini and Una together have firepower comparable to three combat squads of the Empire's Truth, and their combat skills are also extremely proficient—Nini can even wield three Gatling guns at the same time and forcefully suppress the recoil.

Una was not to be outdone. This usually taciturn banshee brought six dragon breath cannons and, relying on her heavy banshee armor, forcefully broke into the battle line, followed by a fierce burst of fire.

The Untouchables reacted a beat too late; they ran around and boarded the surrounding machines.

The collapse had damaged most of the machines, but it didn't matter; these battered machines showed amazing resilience in the face of battle.

Although many parts were indeed damaged, perhaps because they were pieced together from various scraps, the remaining intact parts continued to function in a surprising way.

Those with broken legs use their heads and hats to support themselves and move; those with damaged engines connect pipes to nearby machinery for external transmission; and those without weapon modules—ha, when your weapons break down, all your parts become weapons.

One by one, machines rose from the ground and joined the battle.

The battle almost immediately escalated to a fever pitch.

The Candlelight Vigil clearly came prepared; they had been driven to Upper Rhine by the Untouchables and were here for revenge!
These subterranean people, having already been demystified by the Rhine Papacy, quickly joined the war under Frey's command and assistance.

Neither side had much interest in negotiations; steel and gunpowder were the best words they could use!

Nini felt immense pressure as soon as the fight started.

"Damn it, this is the Holy See!?" Nini heard the clanging of her armor and looked at the densely packed enemies firing on the front line. After hesitating for a moment, she hid to the side.

Una was so suppressed that she couldn't even lift her head.

The Candlelight Society was different from what they had imagined; everyone was equipped with firearms, and they recognized them—steam rifles.

In the early stages of Castel's development, this heavy gun was used as a cannon. Its power far exceeded that of firearms of the time, even surpassing the Gatling gun in Nini's hands. The only saving grace was that it could not fire in rapid succession.

Nini was only a little too late in dodging when she felt a pain in her waist. When she reached down to touch it, she found that it was bleeding.

Upon examining the armor, she discovered several holes; the bullets had penetrated them but had lost much of their momentum, indicating that her injuries were not serious.

Nini took a deep breath, her eyes widening.

The Banshee A couldn't withstand it?

The Banshee Armor designed by Hughes has armor thickness comparable to that of a main battle tank. In previous exercises, it could withstand heavy machine gun fire from the Guardians of the Cleric without any problems!

It was now easily penetrated.

Nini was having a bit of a headache. She didn't find the steam rifle particularly powerful, and she couldn't use the assault mode at all.

But it was difficult for the other side to handle it. Nini tried to fire to suppress the other side, but the other side's bullets were accurate and powerful, clearly indicating that they were also used by superhumans.

Banshees usually dominate on the battlefield, but this is the first time they've been suppressed by enemy firepower to the point of being unable to raise their heads.

Nini opened a spiritual connection.

"Una, how's it going on your end? Can you disrupt their suppressive fire?"

"No, I rushed too far forward. Too many people are watching me now. If I pop my head out, a volley of bullets will come flying at me!"

Una is also in a bit of trouble. With the Dragon Breath Cannon, she can only fight in close combat. It's easy for her to charge into the enemy lines, but difficult for her to get out.

Fortunately, the priests of the Vatican fell along with the collapsing dome. There were many rubble and cover here. Although the steam rifle could blast them apart, it would require multiple shots. Una could move to another cover nearby for further shelter.

Their situation improved somewhat after the Untouchables' machines came into play.

As soon as these machines started moving, bullets flew in.

Most of those attacking the two banshees were investigators, while the mortal auxiliary forces of the Holy See held fast to the large machines.

They were not using steam rifles, but another type of standard firearm.

Its power was average, but it could withstand a large number of enemies, and its rate of fire was much higher than that of a steam rifle.

"Lady Nini, we're here to help you!"

Several machines rushed through the Vatican's fire line and arrived at Nini's side.

Nini turned her head and saw that their machinery was in considerable wear and tear.

These machines withstood the barrage of gunfire, but it wasn't without its cost.

They were not designed for combat use from the beginning, and they have very little protective armor, relying solely on their structural integrity to withstand attacks.

This would quickly render them inoperable and paralyzed. In fact, the few units around Nini could only serve as cover; their other functions were basically rendered useless.

But Nini's eyes lit up.

What she lacks most is cover!

Directing the machinery to approach, Nini suddenly raised her head and rushed to the back of a large machine.

The machine also raised its arm in response, trying its best to block the bullets from Nini.

"Una!"

Upon hearing this, Una looked up, and at that moment, an underground machine crashed down in front of her with a loud bang, providing Una with a moment of cover.

Without hesitation, Una seized the moment and raised the Dragon Breath Cannon!

Boom boom boom! ! ! ! !
With a deafening roar, a crimson fire dragon, supported by Nini's Gatling gun, charged directly towards the Vatican's lines!
"It's done!"

Is this okay?

"Yes, the Papacy's forces may have heavy firepower, but they're still flesh and blood. Without our heavy armor, they simply can't withstand it. If we just tear a gap in their line, their casualties will disrupt their rhythm!"

As Nini spoke, she looked up at the Vatican's lines, but then her words trailed off.

A gigantic shield appeared out of thin air, precisely blocking all the attacks!

(End of this chapter)