From the sky, the hundreds of thousands of Kobolds advanced along the mountain path like army ants, a vast, dark expanse stretching as far as the eye could see.
Their small bodies were clad in light leather armor. The Kobolds in the front ranks were relatively stronger, wielding sharp entrenching shovels. The Kobolds behind them carried muskets in one hand, with ammunition pouches hanging from their belts.
Some Kobolds even pushed four-wheeled carts in pairs, the carts filled with all sorts of bombs!
Galen was taken aback when he saw this unit. Were these Kobold Engineers or Kobold Suicide Bombers?
On the high ground of the mountain path, Flinttag, with a smug grin, faced a Gnoll who stood a head taller than him.
"Well, Hogg, looks like I've outdone you this time!"
Flinttag's triumphant mood was understandable. This time, when the master summoned warriors, as the King of the Kobolds, he directly produced one hundred thousand Kobolds.
Although only the elite Kobold foremen with entrenching shovels among the hundred thousand Kobolds could be considered elite, along with those fearless Kobold sappers.
The other Kobolds only possessed low-tier strength, but Flinttag had taken a different approach, selling all the ore accumulated from tributes to the Great Lord to the Goblins in exchange for a large number of firearms.
Even ants can kill an elephant, the Geomancer didn't believe that so many Kobold musketeers couldn't manage a one-for-one exchange with the Qiraji!
"Just because your race is prolific, doesn't make you great, does it?"
Hogg retorted with disdain. Compared to the Kobolds' quantity-over-quality approach, Hogg, after annexing several Gnoll clans, had chosen the elite route, providing a large number of high-level Gnoll Stalkers to the Shadowblade Division, as well as many Gnoll Hunters and Berserkers.
However, this time the master had clearly stated that he needed a large number of cannon fodder to hold back the Qiraji, so the Gnolls had indeed lost to the Kobolds this time.
"This time, I'll concede that you've won."
"Gah hah hah!"
Flinttag laughed gleefully.
Under Kadgar's command, the Crusader army advanced past Cenarion Hold, heading towards the Rego Hive in the southeast.
At the rear of the army, the heavy tank regiment's tanks each towed a cannon. They did not follow the main force, but instead moved into the fortress.
Soon after, a temporary artillery position with a thousand cannons took shape, their muzzles aimed at the Ahn'Qiraj Hive in the northwest!
The steam tanks, having unloaded their cannons, surrounded the insect nest!
"Officer, are we going to blow something up?"
"That's right, issuing mission below, forward insect nest, fire coverage bombing!"
"Let's go, baby!"
"Artillery fire roars!"
The magical communications between the artillery positions and the steam tanks echoed with the words of these Goblins, Gnomes, and Dwarves.
With the order issued, the artillery positions launched the first attack!
A thousand cannons roared, firing the prepared incendiary bombs!
Rumble!
Rumble!
Rumble!
The entire area around Cenarion Hold resounded, and even the hilltop where the fortress was located could feel the violent tremors!
Those incendiary bombs fell into the insect nest like fiery rain!
Instantly, the entire insect nest turned into a sea of fire!
The Qiraji insects that had been left behind in the insect nest last night suffered an unprecedented blow. They were lifted and thrown by the huge fiery shockwave, dismembered into countless fragments in the air.
Even those who had not died on the spot were ignited by the burning flames, struggling and turning into charcoal.
The surviving insects frantically rushed out of the insect nest, trying to attack the approaching enemies.
Unfortunately, it was already too late. The tanks' cannons had already sealed off all exits from the insect nest!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
True earth-scorching artillery fire!
Today, Galen finally achieved firepower freedom in Azeroth!
The artillery fire lasted for a full half hour. The artillerymen didn't know how much ammunition they had loaded. The commander didn't tell them to stop, so they continued to fire.
Under the fire coverage, the desert where the entire insect nest was located was bombed into a deep pit, and the surface of the pit even formed a layer of glassy crystals due to the high temperature!
Finally, they received the order to stop firing, and the muzzles of the tanks and cannons emitted smoke.
After waiting in place for more than ten minutes, observing that there were no signs of insect activity, the commander issued the order to withdraw.
"Good job, guys!"
""Done, let's go!"
The Ahn'Qiraj Hive was destroyed in less than an hour, and it was conservatively estimated that there were at least 20,000 Qiraji workers inside.
If infantry were sent to clear it, it would probably take most of the day, and the march of the Allied forces would be delayed, so the wealthy Galen gave up on tactical maneuvers and chose artillery fire coverage.
To be honest, Galen really wanted to transform the entire Azeroth army into a modern army, but the Origin Heart's troop abilities were fixed, and he could only give up the idea of equipping everyone with firearms.
In addition, this universe is a high-magic universe. Even if the Burning Legion has Star Destroyers, and the Draenei and Holy Light Legion have spaceships, the supreme combat power is still the true god with powerful energy, and the army is only an auxiliary.
For example, the Storm God, his Titan's Throw was only used for traveling and hunting. When he really fought, he still used his warhammer.
The destruction of the Ahn'Qiraj Hive gave the Allied Forces a stable rear.
Cenarion Hold, which was no longer threatened, became the Allied Forces' base camp, and a steady stream of food, water, shells, and other supplies were sent to this logistics base.
Not only that, but the Crusader's four airships also arrived at the same time, hovering over Cenarion Hold, waiting for Galen's orders at any time.
Three days later, Galen received the latest military intelligence from Fandral and Kadgar in the base camp. They had each completed the first strategic goal. The Rego and Zora Hives had been destroyed, and the army had already reached the walls of Ahn'Qiraj.
The plan was going very smoothly, but the Twilight's Hammer, which Galen had been wary of for a long time, showed no movement. According to Maiev's report, the Twilight's Hammer cultists had been active in the Great Desert for several years. They had even built three camps on the secret edges of the desert.
Even with the carpet-like march of the army, no trace of them was found. Only those empty camps could prove that they had once stayed there.
Galen used his backhand to probe the location of Cho'gall and found that he had already left Kalimdor.
But thinking about it, it's normal. The Twilight's Hammer doesn't just believe in C'Thun, including N'Zoth, and even in other timelines, some Twilight's Hammer followers also listen to Deathwing's orders.
The Old Gods are not monolithic, even if they are in the same boat, they will laugh at each other.
Now that the Twilight's Hammer had withdrawn from the Silithus desert, and there were no other factors affecting the rear, then it was time to launch a general attack.
At this time, outside the Scarab Wall, the Allied Forces of 450,000 troops were ready for battle.
This was a joint army of humans, night elves, tauren, quillboar, kobolds, and gnolls.
Fully armed, they stood in the yellow sand, the weapons on their bodies glinting coldly. Each formation's battle flag fluttered, creating an exceptionally solemn atmosphere.
The artillery positions were also set up. This place used to be an outpost of the Twilight's Hammer, but now it was deserted, perfect for the artillerymen to garrison.
The night elf town of Southwind Village had been reclaimed and was now being built into an aerial base by the Crusaders and night elves.
After the war began, four large airships, flying machines, the Crusader's gryphon knight squadron, and the hippogryph riders of Eldre'Thalas would take off from here. Their mission included clearing the airspace and carpet-bombing the ground insect swarm.
In addition, there were reinforcements from the Dragonflights, who promised to provide support at critical moments.
This should be the largest war on Azeroth since the Battle of Mount Hyjal. Galen had elevated the Old Gods to the same level as the Burning Legion.
As the initiator and commander-in-chief of the joint army, Galen stood on the high platform of the Scarab Wall, which was the nexus of the Scarab Wall's seal.
This was a bronze gong. Only by striking the gong with the Scepter of the Shifting Sands would this high wall of the seal, imbued with the power of the moon goddess Elune, collapse.
At that time, the Ahn'Qiraj insectoid kingdom, sealed for a thousand years, would reappear!
"Children of the night elves, warriors of the Crusader, champions of Azeroth!"
Galen's voice was powerful and full of vigor. Even the howling wind in the desert could not stop it from reaching the ears of these 450,000 people.
"I am Galen Ramal, Highlord of Eldre'Thalas. Perhaps you also know my other identities, but that is not important!"
The words 'other identities' were emphasized, and Tusk, Screech, Flintagg, and Hog felt their bodies tremble with excitement.
"You only need to know that I am now the supreme commander of the allied forces. Not long ago, the Burning Legion invaded our home, slaughtering our families. We fought them to the death and defeated them!"
The night elf soldiers who had experienced the Battle of Mount Hyjal were somewhat excited, their fighting will already stimulated.
Galen continued: "And these insects hiding underground are the same! They hide underground, waiting for the opportunity to destroy our lives, to kill everyone who stands in their way. They do this for their god!"
The tauren warriors' chests heaved violently, and white mist continuously spewed from their large nostrils!
"What about us? We will defend, we will stand up and resist, we will unite as one, we will destroy the enemy, and their god will fall by our hands!"
Galen's voice grew even louder, and the warriors had already gripped their weapons tightly, as if they could not wait to charge into the ruins of Ahn'Qiraj!
"Today, we may die on the battlefield, but everyone will die in battle. We will die in battle to protect our children, protect our elders, protect our loved ones. None of you will refuse such a death, such glory!"
"For Kalimdor!"
"For Azeroth!"
Hundreds of thousands of allied warriors roared deafeningly!
It seemed that Galen's speech had an unexpectedly good effect.
For Galen, who could only say "Today is a good day," "Kill them," or "That enemy is worth fighting," he rarely gave impassioned speeches.
Now, standing on this high platform, looking at the dense mass of warriors, he felt a rare surge of ambition, and he could not help but utter this familiar line.
Galen raised the reforged, complete Scepter of the Shifting Sands high!
"For Azeroth!"
He wielded the scepter like a hammer, striking heavily at the center of the yellow bronze gong!
"Dong!"
Accompanied by the collision of the Scepter of the Shifting Sands and the Scarab Gong, a crisp striking sound came!
Subsequently, cracks began to appear on the black wall that had stood for thousands of years. The first to collapse was its main gate!
Then, the wall connected to the city gate collapsed piece by piece, like dominoes!
Khadgar watched the collapse of the Scarab Wall intently, as clouds of yellow sand billowed up.
He knew that the battle had begun.
"Crusader First Legion, Second Legion, Third Legion, Quillboar First Formation, Second Formation, listen to my command, advance with shields, prepare to meet the impact!"
Fandral also had a cold look in his eyes. This time, he would avenge the shame of a thousand years ago!
If his mentor had not arrived in time that time, he would have almost fled in disgrace!
"Moon God Scythe Corps, War Wolf Legion! Advance!"
The two commanders had unanimously chosen to use elite troops to withstand the first wave of attacks!
Soon, the yellow sand dissipated, the dust settled, and the Ahn'Qiraj Empire, sealed within the Scarab Wall, revealed its full appearance to the world once again.
Insects, all insects, all you could see were insects.
Standing on the high platform, Galen could only describe everything he saw in this simple language.
These insects had red and black carapaces and huge mandibles. Their numbers covered the entire area, and in the air, there were flying insects like wasps covering the sky above the ruins of Ahn'Qiraj.
Behind these insects, there were even larger giant beetles and obsidian destroyers, each ten meters tall!
The insectoids roared and launched their attack, a dense mass charging towards the allied forces of Kalimdor!
The distance between the two armies was less than a thousand meters, and at the speed of the insects, contact would be made very quickly.
However, in front of the well-prepared allied forces, the Qiraji insectoids still had to taste an appetizer!
"Open fire!"
"Blast them to hell!"
The temporary commander of the artillery position was the goblin foreman Blackfuse. Under his command, full of Yunlongsky flavor, the artillerymen who had been prepared long ago lit the cannons!
Subsequently, continuous flashes of fire emerged from the entire artillery position.
Caliber is justice, range is truth.
This sentence was vividly demonstrated by the glory of the artillery at this moment!
The short distance of a thousand meters, which the Qiraji insectoids could have crossed in just a few seconds, seemed to have become an insurmountable barrier at this moment!
Under the artillery fire, the front-row Qiraji insectoids were blown into the sky by the shells, and their originally solid carapaces turned into a rain of flying debris falling to the ground!
Not only the front row, but there were also larger cannons with longer ranges in the artillery position. They bombarded the interior of the Scarab Wall, where the insects were even denser. With each shot, a large number of insects flew into the sky!
Just the first appetizer suppressed the Qiraji insectoids' momentum!