Chapter 204: Chapter 198: PX-2, the Flame Demon

In his workshop, Allen observed the scene ahead through the eyes of the Freedom Gundam.

The lava lake was vast, with a visually estimated diameter of over ten kilometers.

Red magma churned on the lake’s surface, bubbling and emitting a terrifying heat.

On the shores, over a dozen massive Molten Core Lizards rested on the black rocks. In the center of the lake, several clusters of fire floated above the magma—they were Fire Elemental Creatures.

’First, let’s see the level of the Magical Beasts here.’

"Demon Eye, pull up the detailed surveillance data for this area."

[Molten Core Lizard: Average body length of three meters. Average Magic Power fluctuation level: 1400.]

[Fire Elemental Creatures: Quantity unknown. Average Magic Power fluctuation level: 1100.]

[Warning: Two intense Magic Power sources detected.]

[Target One: Identified as Molten Core Lizard Lord. Magic Power fluctuation level: 2800. Location: Cave on the western shore of the lake.]

[Target Two: Fire Element Lord. Magic Power fluctuation level: 3500. Location: Deep in the center of the lake.]

Allen stared at the data, his brow slightly furrowed.

Two Second-levels.

This lineup was even trickier than he had anticipated.

"Jarvis, run a simulation. What would be the effect if I used an inferno volley?"

[Simulation Result: The Molten Core Lizards will dive into the magma after the first strike. The Fire Elemental Creatures already live in the magma. Ranged attacks are ineffective.]

"What about a direct assault with the Freedom Gundam?"

[Win Rate: 10%. The Freedom Gundam cannot defeat Lord-level Magical Beasts in the lava lake terrain.]

Allen fell silent for a few seconds.

Jarvis pulled up a data report. [Based on analysis of previously returned data, both the Molten Core Lizards and the Fire Elemental lifeforms can lurk in the area fifty meters below the lava lake’s surface. The temperature and pressure increase sharply there, and our units cannot reach it.]

[According to projections, the PX-1 ’Pacifist’ can operate in magma for no more than fifteen minutes, while the Freedom Gundam can for two hours. However, neither can dive to the target depth, and the recovery and repair costs are extremely high.]

"In other words, my missiles can’t hit them, and my Golems can’t reach them."

To build the volcano furnace, he had to occupy the lakeshore; to occupy the lakeshore, he had to clear out the Magical Beasts in the lava lake.

"That’s the heart of the problem," he murmured to himself.

His Golem Legion specialized in medium-to-long-range fire suppression and coordinated ground advances. But here, the enemy could dive into the lava lake at any moment, rendering all ranged attacks meaningless.

His Steel Legion was like a group of landlubbers standing on the shore, helpless against crocodiles in the water.

Only the "Pacifist" and the "Freedom Gundam," with their powerful energy shields and Titan Magic Steel Armor, could operate in the magma for a short time.

But this was just a drop in the ocean, completely insufficient to pose a threat to the vast population of Fire Elemental Creatures and the Molten Core Lizard colony in the lake.

Meanwhile, the core of the "Volcano Magic Power Furnace" he was so set on, the "Fire Element Conversion Matrix," had to be deep within the magma layer to work at maximum efficiency.

Allen returned to the workbench and pulled up the blueprints for the "Volcano Magic Power Furnace." Progress was stalled on the most critical component, the Fire Element Conversion Matrix, which required on-site testing for heat resistance and conversion efficiency.

’Conventional tactics are useless now.’

Allen made a calm assessment. ’To take this volcanic cluster, I have to pull these two thorns. A frontal assault is the worst option. I need a new approach.’

He turned and began to pace back and forth in his workshop.

’Is there a way to lure them out?’

[Option One: Use high-purity Magic Stones as bait. Failure rate: 92%. The targets possess the energy of the entire volcanic cluster and will not be interested in small-scale bait.]

"Then what about changing the lake’s environment? Like... cooling it down?"

[Option Two: A large-scale ice-based Witchcraft. It is estimated that at least three Second-level Wizards specializing in the ice element would be required to cast it in coordination. Furthermore, it would clash violently with the plane’s environment, causing unpredictable disasters.]

’Neither of those is feasible.’

Allen waved his hand, dismissing the impractical plans. ’When it comes right down to it, the problem is that we don’t have any units that can move freely in magma.’

You can’t let a problem stop you dead in your tracks. If one doesn’t exist, he’d just have to build one!

Developing a "Volcanic Engine" for it would be the perfect way to test the Fire Elemental Magic Power Conversion Matrix, as the principles are shared with the Volcano Magic Power Furnace.

And if he was going to build one, it couldn’t just be a simple heat-resistant modification.

Allen pulled up the design for the PX-0.

This four-meter-tall Golem was a mainstay of Allen’s early works—tough, durable, and a tireless workhorse—but its power was admittedly a bit low by current standards.

Looking at it, a thought suddenly flashed through Allen’s mind.

’The Freedom Gundam enjoyed the best resources; it was born to be a king of aerial combat.’

’And the Pacifist, as a veteran unit, can’t always be doing the dirty work, treated like an unloved stepchild.’

Now that he had mastered Singularity Engine technology and gained experience designing and building the Freedom Gundam, he could give it a direct version upgrade.

"Jarvis, create a new project: PX-2."

Allen spoke as he thought. "Fifteen meters tall, equipped with a low-power Anti-Gravity Rune Array to reduce its weight for operation in the lava lake. Considering the need for engineering work, it’ll still have a humanoid design. And equip it with an AT Field."

[Three major technical challenges need to be addressed: One, withstanding the high pressure and temperature of the deep magma environment. Two, designing a compatible Volcanic Engine. Three, target acquisition and attack methods while submerged in magma.]

"None of that is a problem!" All of Allen’s mental threads went to work, his thought processes accelerating to their absolute limit.

"First, pressure and temperature. We’ll directly adapt the shell design from the Volcano Magic Power Furnace. Use ’Molten Titanium Crystal Alloy’ as the main material and inscribe multiple layers of ’Thermal Conduction Runes’ inside to convert external heat into supplementary energy. The longer it stays in the magma, the more power it will have!"

"Second, shrink the untested Volcano Magic Power Furnace, convert it into a Volcanic Engine, and cram it into the PX-2’s chest. It won’t achieve ’infinite energy,’ but it will at least give it long-term endurance in the magma."

"Third, target acquisition and attack. Since conventional detection methods are useless, we’ll use ’Magic Echo Positioning’—actively releasing a Magic Pulse and using the echoes to lock onto targets. As for weapons..."

A cold glint flashed in Allen’s eyes.

"In magma, the effectiveness of beam weapons is greatly reduced. So, we’ll abandon ranged attack capabilities and equip it with a ’High-Frequency Vibrating Piercing Spear.’ Using the technology from the warship blades, it’ll drill through any shell, no matter how hard!"

"To deal with the non-corporeal Fire Element Lord, I remember my mentor’s list of products had a Rune technology specifically for disrupting the structure of pure energy lifeforms. We’ll apply that to the High-Frequency Vibrating Piercing Spear as well!"

"Also, equip it with a pair of ’Fists of Titan’ power bracers. The output should be strong enough to smash a Molten Core Lizard’s head in with one punch."

[Design draft generated. Running feasibility simulation...]

Jarvis performed high-speed calculations, and a Golem model that was about eighty percent similar to the PX-0 slowly took shape before Allen.

It was taller than the "Pacifist." With a dark red paint job, it looked like a demon emerging from the depths of Hell. Its massive piercing spear and power bracers were especially intimidating.

[Simulation complete. Unit parameter evaluation: Maximum tolerable environmental temperature: 2200 degrees. Maximum submersion depth: 100 meters below the lava lake surface.]

[Estimated manufacturing cost: 420,000 Low-Level Magic Stones.]

Although this Golem was a special design for combat in extreme environments, in close-quarters combat on conventional terrain, it was not at all inferior to the Freedom Gundam—it might even have the upper hand. Its only drawback was a complete lack of ranged attack capabilities.

"One of these is worth more than half a Freedom." Allen’s eyebrow twitched as he looked at the budget, but he quickly calmed down. "It’s worth it. As long as we can secure a foothold on the shore of the lava lake, we can draw upon all the Magic Power within. We’ll build a prototype first."

"Place an order with the fortress immediately. Have them deliver the materials as soon as possible!"