Elegy from Another World

More than a week later, late at night, the peace was suddenly shattered when the "Selebreit" subsystem responsible for perimeter security issued an urgent alarm.

[Large-scale life signal detected approaching! Northeast direction, 5 kilometers away, approximately 300 individuals, moderate speed, dispersed formation but with a clear target – our area!]

Utopia instantly went on high alert. I immediately contacted Yisen, who was stationed in the outer workshop area, via the communication tentacles: "Yisen, are those hundreds of people outside your men? Or have you received some information?"

Yi Sen's reply was swift and grave: "They're definitely not one of ours! I have no transfer records. Judging by their demeanor, they're up to no good."

"Try to communicate," I ordered.

Sylbrecht piloted a small reconnaissance vehicle equipped with a megaphone spell, issuing a pre-recorded warning in Common: "This is private territory. Identify yourself and state your purpose immediately, or it will be considered hostile!"

However, it was met with a lightning-fast enchanted arrow! "Whoosh—thud!" The reconnaissance vehicle was hit precisely in a critical spot, instantly paralyzed, and the warning sound came to an abrupt halt.

"Looks like there's no room for negotiation." My eyes turned cold. "Attention all personnel! Proceed according to plan! All caravan members and technical personnel on the perimeter, immediately take vital supplies and evacuate into Utopia via security passages three and five! Combat units, take your positions and prepare to engage the enemy!"

The order was issued swiftly. The rehearsed evacuation procedures operated efficiently, and non-combatants retreated underground in an orderly manner. At the same time, the outer defense system of Utopia was fully activated.

"Operation begins!" My voice echoed across the defensive positions via the symbiotic network and amplification system.

The first wave of contact occurred at the edge of the dense forest on the outskirts of Utopia.

"Acid spray tentacles, cover the field! Suppress the vanguard!"

The modified tentacles hidden behind the trees and rocks opened fire simultaneously, and corrosive acid rained down on the intruders, immediately eliciting screams and the sizzling sound of armor being corroded.

"Magic attack weapon, target enemy spellcasting unit! Disrupt their formation!"

Several blazing fireballs and icy rays shot from different angles toward the location behind the enemy lines where magical light was faintly illuminating, successfully interrupting several powerful spells that were being prepared.

The invaders were clearly no rabble; they were well-equipped, coordinated perfectly, and quickly dispersed under heavy fire to find cover, then began to retaliate with bows and magic. Arrows and magical missiles clattered against the reinforced fortifications and tentacle armor.

"Ground units, take evasive action! 'Dragon Roar' ready!" I ordered.

This is one of our trump cards—a "heavy magical attack platform" with armor reinforced by white dragon scales, powered by dragon blood, and with a rugged appearance like a steel behemoth. We privately call it the "Dragon Roar Tank." Directly controlled by Seylbreit, it can maximize its precision and efficiency.

"Dragon Roar Tank, target enemy concentration area, launch shockwave!"

*Whoosh!* A powerful shockwave, visible to the naked eye and infused with the magic of the dragon's might, blasted out from the tank's cannon, slamming into the densely packed area of ​​intruders like an invisible hammer. Instantly, more than a dozen enemies were thrown back like leaves caught in a whirlwind, landing convulsing and incapacitated.

This battle became a practical testing ground for Utopia's new weapons. A variety of tentacle-like ranged weapons, deployed magical firearms, and the powerful strikes of the "Dragon Roar Tanks" formed a three-dimensional and highly efficient firepower network. Although the invaders were fierce, they were forced into retreat by overwhelming firepower and the advantage of home-field defense.

The battle lasted less than twenty minutes before the invaders' offensive was completely thwarted, leaving the ground littered with the wounded and the dead.

"Cease fire! Attempt to capture prisoners!" I ordered. We need intelligence.

However, just as our combat units cautiously approached, preparing to subdue the wounded or incapacitated enemies, an unexpected incident occurred!

The bodies of the fallen invaders suddenly swelled violently, and an ominous red light emanated from beneath their skin!

"Oh no! Retreat now!" I warned sharply.

But it was too late.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A series of violent explosions rang out! These intruders had activated their self-destruct devices when they were dying or on the verge of death! The explosions were powerful, sending blood and flesh flying everywhere, and even engulfing the nearest small reconnaissance vehicle, which was instantly destroyed.

"Damn it!" I cursed under my breath. I hadn't expected them to be so ruthless, leaving no survivors and even turning the corpses into bombs. Now, the hope of getting any information was slim.

After the battle, the mages examined the explosion debris and reported gravely, "Lady Liscia, we detected strong traces of necromancy in the wreckage... The life force and souls of these people were forcibly drained at the moment of their death by some kind of contract or curse to amplify the power of their self-destruction."

Such ruthless methods are beyond the capabilities of ordinary bandits. I asked Yisen again, "With your intelligence network, can you find out where these people came from?"

Yi Sen frowned as he looked at the mess on the ground: "This style... is very similar to the assassins or secret forces trained by some noble families. But I need time to investigate, and I have no clue at the moment."

Just then, I noticed that Tia was acting strangely. She wasn't helping with cleaning up the battlefield; instead, she was staring intently at a piece of tattered cloth on the ground that hadn't been completely blown up, on which a faint emblem could be seen. Her face was pale, and her body was trembling slightly.

"Tia, what's wrong?" I walked over to her.

Tia looked up, her eyes filled with shock, anger, and a hint of fear. She pointed at the tattered cloth, her voice hoarse, "That crest... Lady Liscia, I recognize it... That's... my family crest!"

My heart skipped a beat. I immediately told Yisen about Tia's background and her feud with her family, and then solemnly said, "Yisen, investigate this family thoroughly, especially the movements of Tia's uncle."

Yi Sen's eyes flashed as he realized the seriousness of the matter: "I understand. I will use my channels to investigate."

For the next ten days, the defense level around Utopia was raised to the highest level, with patrols day and night, and the number of newly deployed detectors and traps doubled. The atmosphere was tense, and everyone was waiting for news from Yisen.

Ten days later, Yisen hurriedly came to me and Tia with the information he had found, his face very solemn.

"Found it. The attackers' equipment and some remaining magical markings...are indeed closely related to Miss Tia's family, especially the current head of the family—Count Aslo, who is also Tia's uncle."