Chapter 172: Magic Cannon Turret
The distance was too far, and the dice couldn’t detect the cannon mechanist’s information, but based on the previous information and feeling, Anse had a speculation in his mind.
Mechanist’s magic cannon turret!
Mechanists have several main branches: alchemist, cannon master, field artificer, armorer.
The core ability of cannon masters is to create magic cannon turrets, also known as arcane cannon turrets. Generally, there is only one, which can move freely. After unlocking the fortress position trait at level 15, two can be owned.
Magic cannon turrets come in all shapes and sizes, completely depending on the mechanist’s mood, and their functions vary. The most common ones are flamethrowers, defenders, and force cannons.
From the current situation, that four-legged magic cannon turret might be a force cannon, capable of launching distant spell attacks, dealing 2d8（2-16） force damage.
This is the basic information of the magic cannon turret. Cannon masters will continuously upgrade their magic cannon turrets, making them increasingly powerful. High-explosive turrets can even self-destruct.
‘They won’t use me to test the mechanist’s combat power, will they?’ Anse frowned slightly.
According to his knowledge, the Kingdom of Amn does cooperate with the Mechanist Organization, but no mechanist has ever appeared in the army.
But he wasn’t too worried. A magic cannon turret capable of force attacks could indeed blast the city gate, but that would take time.
If there hadn’t been today’s battle, the opponent might have tried it, but now they must be wary of his high altitude stone throws and tar flowing fire, not daring to sortie easily.
However, he couldn’t let his guard down either. Who knows how many magic cannon turrets Amn has and their strength.
After observing once more, Anse flew from the high altitude toward Dulag, keeping detect evil and good active throughout, mentally tense.
He landed directly at the Federation headquarters, and the anticipated attack didn’t occur.
Seeing Quentin and the others coming to greet him, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief: ‘Was I too nervous? Maybe the Amn people didn’t think that much.’
Graham and the others relaxed upon seeing him; they hadn’t participated in the battle but were equally tense.
Anse and Illyas are the absolute core of Dulag; their safety directly determines Dulag’s survival.
“President, don’t travel frequently between the two places. Let Mr. Finn’s Greyhawk deliver messages.” Quentin looked worried.
“Alright, you too. Rest when you should and maintain the guard.” Anse glanced at the brightly lit meeting room, feeling there was no need to worry prematurely.
“We’re waiting for your victory report, haha…” Quentin laughed heartily.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone smiled.
The middle to high management had all seen that battle. The specific results were unclear, but just looking at the sky full of fireworks showed that the Amn people suffered heavy losses.
The news had already spread throughout the Federation and half the city, greatly boosting morale.
“Over two hundred dead, even more injured…” Anse said with a smile, “How’s the tar acquisition going?”
“We got over a hundred more barrels. Those merchants, upon hearing it was to burn the Amn people, brought out all their stock. But this stuff is rarely hoarded, so it might take time to buy more.” Graham replied.
“Acquire it long-term from now on.” Anse thought tar was a strategic weapon; stockpiling more was always good. “Have the post-war pensions and compensations been handled?”
“Mostly done, but some guards’ families aren’t here, so we can only send people to notify them first…” Quentin explained.
“Mm, what about the werewolf corpses?” Anse needed this money to salvage the fiscal situation.
Quentin and Graham exchanged a glance, their faces full of smiles.
Graham spoke: “All the werewolf corpses were sold, but not to the Hunter’s Guild or Adventurer’s Guild, to a bald wizard named Soske. He said he’s your friend and offered the highest price.
The one hundred twelve werewolf corpses were priced individually, totaling nineteen thousand two hundred gold coins, with an average price over one hundred seventy gold coins.”
“That high?” Anse was a bit surprised, but on second thought, it made sense.
Werewolves are monstrosities with challenge rating 3. After death, they turn into werewolves and giant wolves. Their fur, claws, teeth, and corpses are good magic materials, so alchemists paying high prices is normal.
This way, Verdant Courtyard and Filu Mercenary Group not mentioning the werewolf corpses could be seen as doing him a favor.
At this moment, Tax Official Little Harold stepped forward a few steps and handed a leather box to Anse: “President, this is the money, all here.”
“Good.” Anse decisively took it and stored it in the dragonhide pouch.
To be honest, this was a bit irregular, mixing public and private funds, but no one in the Federation cared.
The former president did nothing and still took every coin.
Anse glanced at Little Harold; his appearance did resemble the old butler somewhat. Though not very familiar with him, their relationship was closer than that of other councillors with Anse.
“Everyone, go rest. Strengthen the guard.” Anse waved his hand.
“Yes…”
Anse stored the over one hundred thirty barrels of tar from the Federation warehouse into the Black Tower storage room, then instructed Quentin to take charge and flew back alone to Jacqueline Castle.
For now, communication between the two places would temporarily go through Greyhawk to avoid accidents.
At Jacqueline Castle, Illyas seemed to know Anse wouldn’t use the main gate and was already waiting for him in the bedroom.
“Air raid tonight?” Seeing the smile on Anse’s face, she knew he must have gained something.
“No, we’ll decide tomorrow based on their movements.” Anse reached out, wrapped his arm around Illyas’s waist, took a deep breath, and said, “I discovered something suspected to be a magic cannon turret. The Amn people might have more tricks up their sleeve, so we’ll hold onto the tar for now.”
“What’s a magic cannon turret? Arcane cannon?” Illyas asked.
“Have you heard of mechanists?”
“I’ve heard of them, but I don’t know much.”
“Magic cannon turret is the signature ability of cannon masters…” Anse explained in detail.
Mechanist is a new type of professional, and few people have seen them, so knowledge about them is limited.
After hearing this, Illyas’s expression changed slightly: “If there hadn’t been the air raid just now, could the Amn people have night-attacked us?”
“Possibly. Mechanists excel at crafting various items and tools, especially gunpowder and such. Sneakily blasting the city gate isn’t impossible.” Anse speculated.
“Don’t worry, the detection array is fully active. No one can approach within a hundred meters of the castle without being detected.” Illyas looked calm, her eyes full of confidence.
“Mm.” Anse nodded, picked her up, and placed her by the bedhead. “Come, I’ll show you a treasure.”
“No, not now.” Illyas pushed him and got up to leave.
Anse hugged her, took out a maple leaf-shaped badge and held it before her eyes, teasing: “What are you thinking? I meant this, the Traveler’s Badge. Heard of it?”
“Oh.” Illyas’s neck flushed slightly, but she pretended to be calm as she sat back beside him, saying flatly, “No.”
“No experience, huh? This thing can teleport to a legendary inn floating in the Astral Sea…” Anse stopped teasing and explained the legendary Traveler’s Respite.
This legendary inn has a very long history, but those who have been there might not spread the word, and with few badges, its existence may not be widely known.
He told Illyas mainly because he needed the Jacqueline family’s wealth for a plane transaction together—the higher the capital, the greater the benefit.
Secondly, for insurance. If he got lost in the Astral Sea and couldn’t return, at least someone would know his whereabouts and could try to rescue him, rather than disappearing silently.
The probability was minuscule, but it had to be guarded against.
If he could gain something at Traveler’s Respite, the current crisis might be easily resolved.
