Chapter 310 - 121: Dominator of Death! Arrival

Catherine hadn't been idle, either.

The Lakefront Town militia and engineering corps had trickled in over the past two days, following the cleared path into the Angelo Mountains. Catherine had fully mobilized them, putting them to work alongside the surviving Giants of the Stone Hammer Tribe to rapidly construct a series of defensive structures.

After two days of work, makeshift barricades of sharpened logs had been set up around the camp's perimeter. Low walls of mud and stone were being steadily raised, and a watchtower was already beginning to take shape.

The Giant Warriors felled trees while the human engineers dug trenches and set traps. Though a language barrier still existed, the shared pressure of survival and Catherine's effective coordination fostered a surprisingly smooth collaboration.

Amidst the bustle of activity, another day passed in the blink of an eye.

Night had fallen.

A series of bonfires were lit in the center of the camp.

Large cauldrons were set over the flames, stewing with hunted game and dug-up tubers.

As the meat and tubers cooked, a savory aroma began to drift through the night air, lending a touch of warmth to the tense construction efforts.

Chieftain Rock Breaker walked past, shouldering a massive log. Looking at the camp taking shape, a hint of gratification showed on his face.

'With the help of their human allies, perhaps the Stone Hammer Tribe could truly establish a foothold in the perilous lands of Angelo and provide a sanctuary for all their fellow Giants.'

At that moment, Catherine was standing on a small rise, looking down over the entire camp. Her deep-blue battle robe fluttered gently in the breeze.

Her brow was slightly furrowed. The unease in her heart had not dissipated despite the camp's rapid construction.

She had already received Lynch's reply and knew the main force from Lakefront Town was mustering to join them, but...

'Will the enemy give us enough time?'

The scouting parties she had dispatched reported that goblin activity in the surrounding area had become noticeably more frequent over the past two days. It seemed they were massing for a large-scale assembly.

There had also been occasional sightings of the Blue Scarves and their goblins, but the enemy was highly vigilant. Her Scouts found it difficult to get close, so the intelligence they gathered was extremely limited.

"Pick up the pace! Prioritize the eastern and southern walls! Dig the trenches another three feet deeper!" Catherine's clear, cool voice rang out across the camp as she gave the order.

She had to race against the clock.

However, the enemy's attack came even faster and more fiercely than she had anticipated.

It was early on the third morning, and a thin mist had yet to fully dissipate.

"WHIIIIIIIR... VROOOOOM!"

A low droning sound suddenly emanated from the eastern sky, rapidly drawing closer and growing in volume.

In an instant.

Every living soul in the camp was startled.

The humans and Giants, already up and working, all instinctively tilted their heads back and looked toward the horizon.

A behemoth was slowly rising from behind the mountain ridge, swiftly breaking into view.

The object resembled a spindle-shaped ship. Its main body was constructed from light wood and a taut skin-like covering. Multiple propeller blades extended from its sides, spinning wildly and emitting a piercing drone.

This was clearly the source of the noise they'd heard.

In a conspicuous spot on the vessel's hull, a grinning goblin skeleton had been crudely painted in white. Below it was a line of flamboyant script, though it was too far away to make out clearly.

A Goblin Airship.

Catherine's pupils contracted. "Enemy attack!" she shrieked. "Take cover! Everyone, find the nearest cover! Archers, prepare for anti-air!"

But her warning came a moment too late.

After ascending to a sufficient altitude, the Goblin Airship adjusted its course slightly, turning its broadside toward the Giant Camp below.

The next moment.

Several panels of the skin on its hull flew open, revealing the dark, gaping maws of cannon muzzles!

A stout goblin main cannon, surrounded by more than a dozen smaller-caliber barrels, glinted with a cold, metallic sheen in the morning light—a truly menacing sight.

"Fire! For the profits of the Venture Company! Gahahahaha~!!"

A crazed voice boomed from the Goblin Airship, so loud that it momentarily drowned out the drone of the engines.

The next instant.

"BOOM!!!"

"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!..."

Dazzling flashes of light erupted in succession from the airship's broadside. A torrent of cannonballs rained down below.

The deafening roar of the cannons and the whistle of falling shells instantly shattered the morning tranquility.

A massive black cannonball was the first to strike, smashing into a newly-erected section of the earthen and stone wall on the camp's eastern side.

"BOOOOM—!!"

Earth and stone flew, and dust and smoke billowed into the air.

The wall, which had taken dozens of men half a day to build, trembled violently before a huge gap several meters wide was blasted open in an instant.

A terrifying shockwave swept outward, sending several nearby Giants and human engineers flying with bloodcurdling screams.

Immediately after, a hailstorm of smaller cannonballs rained down.

"BOOM!"

"BOOM! BOOM!"

Explosions erupted one after another, as fire and thick smoke blossomed across the camp.

The newly built shelters were blasted to smithereens. Piles of lumber caught fire, quickly turning into raging infernos. The half-dug trenches were filled back in by the displaced earth.

A cacophony of screams, cries of alarm, and the furious roars of the Giants filled the air.

The goblin cannonballs seemed to be packed with some special alchemical explosive. Their destructive power far exceeded that of ordinary cannons, and their accuracy was surprisingly good.

With just a single volley, the camp that had only just begun to take shape was reduced to a chaotic wreck, with significant casualties.

"Damn you, green-skinned vermin!"

Chieftain Rock Breaker roared in fury, swinging his stone axe to bat away a piece of flying debris, his eyes bloodshot with rage.