Fifty kilometers away from the Fire Lizard ambush site.
"Alright, try starting it up."
Richard closed the Magic Equipment deck of the Magic Support Vehicle and shouted at Iyad.
Practical testing is crucial for any weapon. Although Richard's Magic Support Vehicle was designed with various issues in mind, it still encountered malfunctions when faced with the extreme conditions of the Crimson Sun World.
In the red earth plains of the Crimson Sun World, daytime temperatures can easily reach sixty degrees, and at noon, they can soar to eighty degrees. As the sun sets, the temperature on the red earth plains can plummet below zero.
Such extreme weather means that during the day, the engine's cooling system of the Magic Support Vehicle must operate at its limits, while at night, the sudden drop in temperature can cause some small parts of the vehicle to deform.
However, with Richard as the technical advisor for the White Wizard team, all the issues with the Magic Support Vehicle were resolved under his guidance.
Once this mission is over, Richard plans to upgrade all the Magic Support Vehicles to better cope with the harsh environment of the Crimson Sun World.
"Okay. I'll give it a try."
As the hybrid engine was infused with magic power, a wild roar erupted from beneath the vehicle.
"Everything's normal! Ready to depart."
Hearing Iyad's voice, Richard felt a sigh of relief in his heart.
As long as the problem was solved, that was what mattered.
This was the first time Richard was providing after-sales support, and he felt immense pressure. If he mishandled the issues with the Magic Support Vehicle, it would undoubtedly affect future sales.
Fortunately, he had some skills, and there hadn't been any insurmountable problems along the way.
He opened the door and took the passenger seat, and the team continued toward the location where the signal was transmitted. However, out of caution, Richard released Ulysses to scout the situation.
After all, they were on the front lines, and if the Fire Lizard had discovered the Black Wizard, it would be disastrous for them.
Seeing Richard release Ulysses, Iyad quickly intervened, "Master Richard, don't let your magical pet out. Those Fire Lizards have specialized beasts that target our magical pets. Your pet hasn't been specially modified, and if it encounters one of those beasts, you could lose a soul seed."
But Richard just smiled and shook his head, "Don't worry, my magical pet is quite capable."
Before long, Ulysses returned, clutching a small dragon-like beast with dragon scales, resembling a pterosaur.
"Caw, these little lizards raised by the Fire Lizard are quite impressive, good combat power, and they taste pretty good; the bones are crunchy."
Iyad was taken aback by Ulysses' bravery.
These hunting beasts usually travel in packs, and even a second-level magical pet would be torn to shreds upon encountering them.
Yet this crow managed to catch a hunting beast and returned intact.
This strength was comparable to some wizards.
Iyad glanced at Richard, feeling that this master was becoming increasingly formidable.
With his prowess in Alchemy and such a powerful magical pet, it was clear that Richard himself was not weak. Moreover, he looked so young…
Thinking of this, Iyad couldn't help but sigh.
The gap between wizards can sometimes be greater than that between wizards and natives.
"Get to the point, is there an ambush of Fire Lizards ahead?" Richard took the hunting beast from Ulysses' claws, sealed it casually, and tossed it into the Magic Pocket.
"Caw, there is indeed an ambush, but not many. However, with your strength, it might be a bit precarious to go in head-on."
Ulysses paused, "But I didn't factor in your vehicle; I didn't get involved back then, so I don't know how powerful it really is."
Richard frowned slightly, "Tell me about the location and strength of the Fire Lizard ambush."
"Caw, from what I saw, there are dozens of first-level ones and three second-level ones, but these guys all have mental camouflage; they're clearly the elites of the Fire Lizard."
"What's the location?"
Richard took Iyad's map crystal ball, and as he infused it with magic, a light curtain map appeared before him.
Ulysses estimated the location and then pecked at the map.
After seeing the location, Richard fell silent for a moment.
"…Right at the signal transmission point. Iyad, our mission has already failed."
"Hmm!?"
Iyad slammed on the brakes, bringing the entire convoy to a halt.
"Master, what did your magical pet tell you? Did it see that Fire Lizard kill that wizard?"
Richard then relayed Ulysses' findings to Iyad. After listening, Iyad fell silent for a moment before speaking to Richard:
"Master, we need to see the living and the dead. Without physical evidence, it will be hard to explain to the command center."
The tasks assigned by the command center are not all achievable. For those that are not completed, if the executing wizard is still alive, they need to submit a written report to the command center, detailing the situation at the time.
This written report does not require evidence to exist, but it is for those lucky enough to survive.
These individuals often lose their companions and suffer serious injuries, so lacking evidence is quite normal.
However, for Team 13, which had no injuries and hadn't even activated the Magic Support Vehicle, it was clear that they needed to submit evidence to prove that the wizard was indeed dead or that the Fire Lizard had set an ambush.
"Evidence? That's simple."
Richard calmly pulled out a recording crystal ball from the Magic Pocket.
"The range of the Magic Support Vehicle isn't short. Later, we'll fire at the ambush location for thirty seconds; this will ensure safety and blow those Fire Lizards to the sky.
Then my magical pet will use the recording crystal ball to capture the scene.
This way, we'll have evidence, and we'll also test the Magic Support Vehicle. Killing two birds with one stone."
Iyad instantly agreed with Richard's plan; it was indeed a win-win situation.
"Let's do as the master says; our team will follow your command."
The drivers of the Magic Support Vehicle were aware of the vehicle's data, but compared to Richard, the technical advisor, their level was still far from sufficient.
Using a weapon on the firing range and on the battlefield are two different matters; sometimes, fine-tuning is essential.
To achieve precise fine-tuning, one either needs enough experience with the weapon, having participated in several battlefields with it, or one must understand it well enough to know how each part operates, including the manufacturing process and materials.
The Magic Support Vehicle was a new weapon, and experienced veterans were clearly lacking, but as the designer, Richard could satisfy the second requirement.
"Alright, wait for my command later."
...
At the ambush site, the silver-horned Fire Lizard was somewhat bored, waiting for the big fish to bite.
In fact, he had done this more than once.
Letting a small shrimp escape in a thrilling manner, then waiting to summon other wizards for support.
This strategy was foolproof.
He had used it four times, and each time he had unexpected gains. The best time, he had wiped out a White Wizard team in one go.
For this, he received a personal commendation from Commander Azuhan and Princess Akala—a golden medal.
For the silver-horned nobility, gold isn't considered precious; even Adamantine isn't regarded as valuable.
But the honor represented by this medal is different.
These silver-horned nobles have never experienced poverty; if we were to apply Maslow's hierarchy of needs to them, they are at the top of the pyramid—self-actualization.
The honor represented by the medal is a form of recognition, a form of self-actualization.
This drives countless silver-horned nobles to willingly sacrifice their lives.
Suddenly, the silver-horned Fire Lizard felt a slight tremor in the ground. He pressed his ear to the ground, and faint rumbling sounds continuously reached his ears.
Something is coming! The silver-horned Fire Lizard tapped the ground with his tail, signaling that enemies were approaching.
The ambushing Fire Lizards worked hard to adjust their breathing, heart rates, and body temperatures, trying to blend in with their surroundings as much as possible.
Their camouflage was impeccable; even if Richard stood beside them, he might not be able to detect them.
However, this time, the Fire Lizard was not facing wizards.
...
"North-east thirty-two degrees, maximum range."
As Richard issued the command, the turrets on the four Magic Support Vehicles began to adjust their positions. With a series of metallic creaks from within the turrets, all were prepared and ready.
"Is everyone ready? Three! Two! One!"
"Fire!"
With Richard's command, the turrets mounted on the four Magic Support Vehicles instantly unleashed a deadly rain of fire.
In thirty seconds, the four Magic Support Vehicles fired a total of one thousand four hundred and forty fireballs, each with a power level of three hundred and fifty. These fireballs streaked across the night sky, resembling a meteor shower from a distance.
Boom! The rain fell.
Although firing fireballs at the extreme range would cause significant scattering, the sheer number of one thousand four hundred and forty was enough to compensate for this flaw.
The ambushing Fire Lizards did not wait for the wizards to bite; their camouflage could not deceive the fireballs.
Thirty seconds later, the rain stopped.
The crimson earth was left in ruins, with the ambushing Fire Lizards nearly wiped out, and the few remaining were barely hanging on.
In the sky, a black crow recorded the scene with a crystal ball.
"Caw, this kid's machine is really impressive."
Ulysses returned to the convoy with the crystal ball, and after Iyad confirmed the recording content, he happily accepted the crystal ball.
This crystal ball would serve not only as evidence but also as proof of their achievements.
"Thank you for your trouble this time, Master."
Richard waved his hand, "It's my duty; it's no trouble at all. I need to take a look at the battlefield and collect some data.
You all head back first; the commotion we've caused isn't small; we don't want to attract the Fire Lizard army."
Just as Richard finished speaking, a faint beam of light appeared where they had bombarded the area.
The beam exploded in the air, transforming into a beautiful firework. Upon seeing the firework, Richard's skin tightened instantly.
It felt as if something had fallen on him.
And Iyad, who had dealt with Fire Lizards many times, turned pale upon seeing the firework.
"Master, we need to escape quickly; that's a distress signal from the Fire Lizard.
There's a silver-horned noble among the Fire Lizards we just blew up."