Otherworld Bone Dragon Operation Guide

Chapter 195 Anti-armor munitions

Two days later, the Youth Civilization Team arrived at Hongguopo as planned.

Su Ming released small drones to patrol the area, while Fu Yin and Yuniel led the zombies to prepare the train.

While the little one slept, Catherine also took the time to help Hanster load the gunpowder. Su Ming and Zi Jin then began debugging the projectile device.

The system configuration this time is relatively simple, using air as propulsion to launch 70mm diameter fire extinguishing bombs. After successively debugging the subsystems such as air inflation, loading, and rotating elevation launcher, Su Ming set up several targets 300 meters away and began test firing.

The test round was loaded, and Su Ming manually operated the projectile to aim at the target, which unsurprisingly missed.

"The bullet velocity is not bad," said Violet, watching the trajectory of the test bullet. "Ordinary soldiers can't dodge it."

Su Ming glanced at the laser velocity measuring device, which showed that the exit velocity of the test projectile reached 90 meters per second.

According to the operating manual, these data could be improved. Su Ming adjusted the system parameters, and after several rounds, increased the initial velocity to 120 meters per second. The two then conducted continuous firing, achieving a rate of fire of three rounds per second.

"Is this really a civilian product?" Violet asked, puzzled. "Its performance far surpasses that of most of our artillery!"

“Of course,” Su Ming said.

The product he ordered was indeed a genuine civilian product, designed with a launch pressure of 1 MPa and an initial velocity of 15 m/s. The workshop manufactured the equipment as promised, completing the required loading, homing aiming, and other systems.

As originally designed, it would automatically track the fire point and launch fire extinguishing bombs to put out the fire after the fire alarm is triggered—a genuine fire extinguishing device.

In terms of chamber pressure, gas storage pressure, and many other aspects, the manufacturer provided excessive redundancy according to Su Ming's requirements. Therefore, after Su Ming replaced it with a high-pressure gas supply system of 80 MPa, the equipment immediately changed!

Sometimes there isn't that much difference between civilian machinery and lethal weapons.

****
A figure suddenly rushed into the firing range, swooped down from the air to catch a test missile, and landed steadily in his arms.

"Hehe!" Qi Luo tossed the test round in her hand; it was a round shape, pointed at both ends and bulging in the middle, with four stabilizing fins at the tail. "This is the new ammunition you ordered from my sister, Bei Anqi?"

"No wonder he's so good at catching horseflies," Su Ming thought to himself. Horseflies are blood-sucking insects that can penetrate thick skin, and their short-duration flight speed is among the highest in the insect world.

He explained to the unicorn, "This is a test missile; live missiles are filled with explosives."

Qiluo weighed it in her hand. "It's so light—most of it is hollow. How much explosives are you planning to fill it with?"

"150 grams."

"150 grams?" Qi Luo looked at Su Ming as if he were an idiot. "Your power is no match for the protective armor! Quickly fill the inside with explosives, then it might even have some effect!"

“No way,” Su Ming refused. “If the overall weight is filled, the projection frequency and initial velocity will drop significantly.”

"What's the point if it can't hurt anyone?" The unicorn was completely baffled. "Soldiers have armor, and the armor has protective runes. This little bit of explosive is like a tickle!"

“It can be injured,” Su Ming replied. “This is a special design.”

Qi Luo clearly didn't believe her. "Then I'll deploy my shield and stand still while you hit me! If you can penetrate it in less than 100 shots, I'll admit defeat!"

Against projectiles, the specialized magical shield was more effective than armor. Combined with its own magic and the Moon Prayer spell, the unicorn was brimming with confidence.

Then she noticed that Su Ming was looking at her with the kind of eyes that showed concern for people with intellectual disabilities.

A chill ran down Qi Luo's spine, and goosebumps rose on her skin. She instantly abandoned her stance, "Um, I just remembered I have something to do, you guys carry on!"

"No—" Su Ming had just opened his mouth to stop her when he realized that the little girl had already run away like the wind.

"You're quick to seize the opportunity," the unscrupulous mechanic said regretfully. "I really wanted to test its effectiveness."

"Shaped charge, Monroe effect, supersonic metal jet." Zi Jin was still engrossed in her reference book. "Why would you on Earth develop such incomprehensible weapons!"

“We have a type of weapon of war called a tank, which can advance on the battlefield like a fortress,” Su Ming described to the scholar. “At its thickest point, its effective armor can reach more than 800 millimeters.”

"800 millimeters?" The scholar gestured with his hand, imagining the size. "That's really... insane."

"So we developed this hollow-charge warhead." Su Ming picked up the test warhead that the unicorn had thrown on the ground. "Through the directional energy formation of the cone-shaped charge, a metal jet with a speed of up to 25 times the speed of sound can be generated at the point of contact with the explosion, thereby countering armor."

The scholar shuddered, her gaze towards Su Ming now completely transforming into one of utter disbelief. "You're using something like this to hit people—aren't you worried about getting burned?"

This is a crucial issue. Overpenetrating metal jets will only leave a tiny hole in the human body, significantly reducing their stopping effect on living organisms.

"That's why I reduced the caliber of the ammunition, and even replaced the explosive liner with tin," Su Ming said, tossing the spindle-shaped bomb in his hand. "The current version's jet only travels at a few times the speed of sound, and its armor-piercing capability is only 50mm of homogeneous steel plate."

“50mm…” The scholar was speechless. The thickest armor was no more than a few millimeters thick. Even if alchemical materials were added to increase its hardness, runes were engraved, and magic was added, it still couldn’t compare to a steel plate as thick as a dictionary.

Zijin recalled something, "Didn't you ask Bei Anqi to make grape bullets back then?"

At that time at sea, the MK71 shone brightly in naval battles, and Su Ming planned to stockpile weapons that could kill personnel. His initial idea was indeed shrapnel shells.

“Beanie reminded me that cluster munitions could kill unarmored civilian targets, but they couldn’t penetrate protected targets on the battlefield,” Su Ming replied. “So the plan was modified.”

The battlefield situations in the two worlds are different, so naturally not all weapons are applicable. Fortunately, in the area of ​​armored warfare, Earth's technology is not lacking; if shrapnel shells don't work, there are other options.

As long as one knows how to choose and utilize it, the civilization of his hometown will always be Su Ming's reliance.

"Then our enemies are in for a rough time," the scholar remarked.

****
It took another hour for the remaining two fire extinguishing bomb launchers to start operating smoothly.

The accuracy of manual shooting was appalling, but Su Ming hadn't intended to do it himself anyway. He activated the automatic aiming system, initialized the relevant parameters, and then let the intelligent system practice target shooting and self-correct.

The operating system originally used for fire suppression on the equipment was also replaced and modified by Su Ming's studio.

Violet went to the warehouse and found a set of magical ornaments, which she gave to Catherine.

During the sea monster mission, she had planned to use this set of accessories as collateral for supplies, but unfortunately the representative of the Star Empire was too sensible and paid the cost in advance.

"The Mirage Set!" Catherine exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the box. "You actually went and returned it to its rightful owner."

"It's just a temporary loan," Violet replied. "What I got by my own merit is mine."

“…Alright, 10,000 gold coins to redeem it.” Catherine stated directly, “I quite like this set.”

She had also lost her previous jewelry during the escape, so this time, with the addition of weapons and jewelry, she had finally replenished her most important combat equipment.

"Are you confident this time?" Zijin asked. "You two real foxes are fighting against a scumbag fox. Don't mess it up."

“You’re overthinking it.” Catherine put on her jewelry, stretched, and said, “What’s really giving me a headache is how to repay your debts—Su Ming’s demands are too difficult.”

"It's just asking you to find a little bit of information." Su Ming happened to be nearby and said upon hearing this, "I think the price you asked for is too low, since you took such a big blunder for me!"

“Yes, all you’re asking for is the production record and technical data of the gospel. You’re really getting off easy,” Zi Jin agreed, feeling that Su Ming had fallen for his soft-heartedness again.

“In terms of value, it certainly doesn’t compare.” Catherine didn’t argue about that. “But the Gospel Father was made a long time ago. Thoroughly investigating the details of the craftsmanship back then would be a very troublesome matter. If you are interested in the spirit of the artifact, I can help you find related recent finished products, which would be much easier.”

"I only want the gospel, so I'll do as you ask," Su Ming said. "The craftsmen who participated back then are dead, so I'll look for the records they left behind. If their descendants are extinct, I'd rather dig up their graves to find clues!"

Upon hearing this, Zijin glanced sideways and said, "You're acting a bit like a necromancer today!"

Su Ming didn't offer much explanation. The value and importance of the new superconducting material were beyond the comprehension of these otherworldly beings. Su Ming knew some things were unethical, but when it came to the development of civilization, everything else had to give way.

Whether these actions are right or wrong, he doesn't know. But not doing them is definitely wrong!

****
The following day, the morning of the 22nd, Hongguopo.

A biting wind swept across the area, carrying scattered snowflakes.

The reconnaissance squad of the pursuers finally appeared. They cautiously followed the tracks and soon discovered that the tracks abruptly ended not far away—the massive, silvery-white train of vehicles sat silently atop the hill ahead, reflecting a cold gleam in the sunlight.

Several large-scale magic arrays have been deployed around the hillside, providing tight protection in all directions.

Just as the scouts were about to take a closer look, a strange magical fluctuation suddenly appeared on the snow beneath their feet. Their expressions changed drastically, and they turned to retreat, but it was too late.

Catherine appeared like a snow phantom. These soldiers, though skilled, were utterly no match for her. Especially with the right equipment, it was even easier for her. She swiftly dispatched them all, leaving one alive as usual.

She knocked the prisoner unconscious, tied him up, and carried him back. Just as she entered the protective range of the magic array, she found the prisoner spitting blood; he was already dead. "Alas!" Qi Luo appeared, "Your enemies have become cunning."

Catherine examined the bodies and determined the cause of death to be poisoning; clearly, these scouts had been implanted with a potent toxin. The exact triggering mechanism was unclear, but the purpose was obvious—the enemy commander would rather kill his own men than allow her to obtain further intelligence.

This insidious tactic was in line with Dimitri's usual style, and Catherine was unfazed by it.

"Keep watching, and call me if anyone gets close," Catherine instructed.

It must be said that the unicorn's perception is remarkably sharp. Even when the opponent was an elite scout, she still gave an early warning.

"Don't worry, no one will be missed!" Qi Luo replied.

The unicorn kept her word, and soon she told Catherine that another guest had arrived.

Catherine searched with her binoculars, repeatedly looking in the direction indicated by the unicorn before finally locating their target. This time it was a three-person team: a mage and two ordinary soldiers. They approached via a highly concealed path, making them extremely difficult to spot.

"Excellent!" Catherine praised.

Qi Luo sat in the white train carriage, swinging her legs and yawning listlessly. "Their main force is so slow, all they send are small fry!"

"What we need to take advantage of is this time difference."

Catherine rushed over and easily identified two ordinary soldiers. This time, she didn't bother taking any prisoners and killed them on the spot.

After searching the area and confirming that nothing had been "missed," Catherine returned to the Bone Train. There, the surviving mage trembled as he crawled out of his hiding place and fled.

An hour later, the heroic scout finally escaped back to his unit and immediately reported the news: The Bone Train is stationed at Hongguopo!

****
At the same time, the noble army of Gui Niao Bay was assembled.

Dimitri had just arrived. He pushed open the carriage door and stepped down, his military boots crunching in the snow as he stood atop a small hill.

The vast expanse is empty; the migratory birds have all flown south in autumn, leaving behind an excellent battlefield for them to fight back.

On the slightly higher ground on both sides, a combat force of four thousand men has arrived from Blackhold and is searching for a place to encamp. Another six thousand men will arrive later today and tomorrow.

The two-and-a-half-day forced march caused the soldiers to complain, but since it was not a long time, their morale and fighting spirit remained relatively high.

The temporary command post was still being set up. Dimitri organized his officers to spread out a topographical map in the open air and arrange various defense details.

In addition to the usual road-blocking trenches and traps, magic arrays should be set up in key areas. Artillery positions should be prepared in advance so that they can be deployed immediately when the artillery units arrive the next day, saving a lot of time.

Although calculations indicated the Bone Train wouldn't arrive until the 24th, two days later, Dimitri believed that early preparation reduced the chances of unforeseen events.

The messenger ran swiftly to deliver the report on the Phantom Troupe that the communications tower had just received to him.

When Dimit saw the contents, he was stunned. The Bone Train had actually stopped at Red Fruit Slope?
He looked at the map. Based on the White Bone Train's speed of 15 kilometers per hour, the other party should have arrived at Hongguopo in the early hours of this morning, and has been staying there for more than three hours.

Logically, they should have been racing against time, since the shorter the time left for the enemy to intercept them, the greater their chances of breaking through.

Has something gone wrong with the Bone Train? Dimitri wondered.

He carefully read the report. The Chestnut Owl team had set up defensive arrays and traps around the parking area, and also possessed powerful detection capabilities. Nearby scouts were heavily attacked by Catherine and the unicorns, suffering heavy losses.

According to reports from the surviving survivors, the other side is still reinforcing the magic array. There are large numbers of zombies on the hillside, building snow walls and constructing defensive fortifications.

The act of stationing troops is beyond doubt!
"Are they planning to engage the pursuing Phantom Corps head-on?" an officer whispered, speculating. "To wait for them to tire themselves out?"

This doesn't make sense. From the enemy's perspective, the "White Scatterback Cavalry" are an elite force, far superior in strength to the noble army.

A flock of sheep is much easier to deal with than a pack of wolves; any commander knows this. This is why Dimitri painstakingly compensated for the inferior quality of the noble army's soldiers by deploying defenses in advance and coordinating multiple troop types.

"Could it be... that they saw through the Imposters' disguise?" the adjutant asked, his voice tense.

This is a big problem.

Throughout the entire operation, it was the northern nobles who carried out the actions. After the kidnapping failed, Catherine fled. Dimit immediately ordered the Black Sweep Imposters to impersonate the White Sweep Cavalry and go to the "rescue."

This was not difficult. The Black Shot Shadows were a shadow force they had secretly formed, modeled after the White Shot Cavalry, and all their equipment was a high-quality replica. All they needed to do was quickly change the insignia, and their deception would be flawless.

The plan was to lure Catherine out. The Black Shot Imposters spread out to search, and sure enough, Catherine walked right into the trap, even unexpectedly encountering a unicorn. But who could have imagined that while the fish had taken the bait, a great white shark was following closely behind? It not only tore the bait to shreds but also snapped the fishing rod in two!
“No.” Dimitri shook his head, denying the staff officer’s guess.

The Black Shot Imposter's disguise was flawless; he even arranged for people to impersonate General Price and Commander Emilio to give orders. The two expendable mages who were deliberately sent there truly didn't know that they were collaborating with fake White Shot Cavalry.

No matter what methods Catherine used to interrogate him, she couldn't find any flaws. In this way, their side not only successfully obtained real-time data on the Bone Train, but also misled Catherine, pinning the blame on the Cold Mountain royal family.

Having commanded the noble army for many years, Dimitri was accustomed to using various underhanded tactics before engaging in direct confrontation. He possessed absolute confidence in the realm of intrigue and deception!
Even if this plan were to be exposed, Catherine would know that the Cold Mountain royal family was not involved. At that point, she should be heading straight for Bubing City without stopping!

“The strategy is sound!” Dimit re-examined the situation and concluded, “Perhaps the Bone Train has malfunctioned and needs maintenance. Or, the enemy possesses a trump card capable of overwhelming their elite warriors and intends to turn their attention back to the White Scatter Riders!”

This must be guarded against.

"Order the Imitation Troupe to halt their advance immediately, construct a defensive line on the spot, and deploy for defense!" he commanded. "Make sure to block the White Bone Train's retreat!"

The Black Sweep Imposters are still a day's journey from Red Fruit Slope. Although not as formidable as the true White Sweep Cavalry, they represent the most elite fighting force of the noble army. While lacking in offensive capabilities, they are quite confident in their defensive prowess.

Most ingeniously, this unit was also equipped with large-caliber field artillery, something the regular White Owls lacked. By choosing to hold their ground, the supply corps, carrying heavy firepower, could join the battle. If the Chestnut Owl squad were to launch a counterattack, it would be a huge surprise to the enemy!
"Chairman, should we also set off as soon as possible to complete the encirclement?" the adjutant asked urgently.

Timit nodded in agreement. He quickly issued orders to organize his most elite troops into a vanguard regiment and set off first, lightly equipped and swiftly. The remainder would form the second echelon, carrying supplies and departing later. A small contingent would join the remaining supply and artillery units the following day and advance as the third echelon.

Considering the possibility that the Bone Train might continue its journey this way, Dimitri ordered his communications officer to relay the message to the Imitation Corps, instructing them to closely monitor the Bone Train's movements and to arrange for sorcerers to conduct aerial patrols covering the area around Red Fruit Slope, reporting any developments immediately.

The Black Haze Imitation's command center quickly replied: Received and executed!

“We are also preparing to depart, following behind the second echelon,” Dimitri told the officers.

On the hillside, the noble army troops that were originally to be stationed set off again. The soldiers grumbled and complained as they marched toward their new destination under the reprimands of their officers.

The assembled army broke down into smaller groups, which then formed marching lines scattered across the vast snowfield.

****
The next day at noon, Dimitri studied the tracks of the train of bones and analyzed its driving habits. The train of bones would avoid the rugged sections of the track, constantly swerving by making small turns.

The Shadow Squad's report came again. The scouts who had been lying in wait were attacked by Catherine and the Unicorn, resulting in five deaths. The Bone Train remained stationary, with no further movement visible except for the zombies constructing fortifications.

Dimitri felt something was off. Even if there was a problem, he didn't think the Bone Train needed to stop for so long, especially with a powerful mechanic like Ainz Ooal Gown. If they were to turn around and counterattack, the "White Shotgunners" breaking through, Owl and Ainz Ooal Gown's movements were clearly too slow.

This doesn't fit their style of doing things.

Inside the swaying carriage, the chairman pondered whether to arrange a probing attack.

A sudden commotion broke out outside, and a communications officer rushed over in a panic.

"Urgent message from the vanguard: We've encountered the Bone King and the Chestnut Owl!"

"Eh!?"

Dimitri looked at the still-warm report from the Imitation Group in his hand. It clearly stated that the Bone Train was still at Red Fruit Slope, and that Catherine and the Unicorn had just killed their men—

But he quickly realized, "Only Catherine and the unicorn have been around, so it must have been the Owl and Ainz Ooal Gown who crossed the mountain!"

"They've separated?" The adjutant was taken aback, then his face lit up with joy. "The vanguard regiment has three thousand men; we'll wear them down!"

The Chestnut Owl is exceptionally powerful, but her magic is finite. Our side also has a considerable number of mages; by offering generous rewards to maintain morale, we can wear down these two with minimal losses!
Dimitri slammed his fist against the wall of the carriage, the force of which made the carriage shake.

“The Bone Train!” he gritted his teeth.

These two couldn't possibly be separated from the Bone Train, so the answer is—

"Red Fruit Slope was a decoy; they've already slipped away!" The chairman's face was extremely grim. The vanguard regiment had already engaged the enemy, and it was too late, but he still quickly issued an order, "Urgent message! Order the vanguard regiment to disperse and retreat!"

The communications officer accepted the order and left.

The adjutant was skeptical. "With so many people watching, how could the Bone Train possibly cross the Zhongling Mountains?"

(End of this chapter)