Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 56: Chapter 16 The Empire’s Total Assault

Of the two Mechas facing off, one is the classic model [Divine Armor], a highly formidable Private Mecha designed by the Binart Empire’s Royal Mechanic Master Pallas one hundred and twenty years ago. This was the only Private Mecha in his lifelong designs, originally used as a private practice Mecha for the Royal Family. It has been officially disclosed and mass-produced for a hundred years now, which means that after being used by the Binart Empire Royal Family for twenty years, it was still competitive enough to be produced on a large scale, demonstrating its immense power.

The other Mecha, piloted by Margaret, is [Hawke]. Though not as renowned as [Divine Armor], [Hawke] is a product from more than eighty years ago and from every aspect, it is no less formidable than [Divine Armor].

The battle between these two Mechas captured almost everyone’s attention. They fought in a valley map, using the dense forests and complex terrain to their full advantage. Both sides moved rapidly; one attacked while the other defended. [Divine Armor]’s powerful and swift attacks were not as flashy as Tian Xingjian’s fast-paced maneuvers, but just one glance, and Tian Xingjian knew that [Divine Armor] was undoubtedly superior. Each attack targeted [Hawke]’s vital points with surgical precision, like a master surgeon wielding a scalpel.

It may appear slower than Tian Xingjian, but that doesn’t mean it actually is.

The Mecha control system, established over thousands of years, comprised a classic setup of one control stick combined with a command keyboard. Regardless of the Mecha, this system was the standard design. Most trained people could achieve ten movements per second; twenty movements per second were harder to reach. If both hands operated in balance, the left hand would make ten directional changes with the control stick while each finger of the right hand made two movements. Without rigorous training, it was virtually impossible for an average person to accurately control a Mecha at that speed, let alone at a terrifying pace of thirty movements per second.

The current [Divine Armor] could definitely move at thirty movements per second!

With each movement issuing one command, thirty movements included ten directional changes from the control stick, leaving twenty movements for commands. These twenty commands formed combinations, and Mecha control combinations were a core learning module for every Mecha pilot. They had to memorize thousands of combination codes. Specific Mecha maneuvers were executed through these command combinations. For example, to make a Mecha leap in mid-air and kick with the right leg, the required commands were: three movements with the control stick (two direction changes and one lift), maintaining body balance and direction. The command keyboard would include two leg movements (bend and leap), and another two movements for the right leg to kick (recoil and strike) mid-air. This adds up to seven movements. At a hand speed of ten movements per second, this maneuver would take 0.7 seconds; at thirty movements per second, it would take 0.23 seconds.

How significant is this difference? The 0.23 versus 0.7-second gap means that one could issue several more commands per second!

Of course, hand speed alone doesn’t determine the outcome; it also depends on the Mecha’s response, the rationality of combination moves, the accuracy of command execution, and the time required for the Mecha’s physical movements.

If it took a Mecha two seconds to complete a mid-air kick, then no matter how fast the hand speed, it would have to wait. However, modern Mechas have evolved to match the speed of command inputs, such that a mid-air kick, from take-off to strike, takes no more than 0.4 seconds. Even if the Mecha’s actions lag behind the commands, the Mechanical Computer can store commands in preparation for continuous actions or use the extra time for other instructions, like movement, hand defense, linked actions, or energy reserve for explosive maneuvers.

Therefore, a Mecha with thirty movements per second could dominate one with ten movements per second as easily as an adult playing with a child.

Tian Xingjian, training hard using the textbook ”Hand Speed Training” in the gravity room combined with his innate talent, could typically reach a hand speed of twenty-seven movements per second, and up to thirty-two movements per second when pushing himself to the limit.

But the current [Divine Armor] had maintained a thirty movements per second pace for over half an hour.

Similarly, the [Hawke] stunned Fatty with its resilience. Under [Divine Armor]’s fierce onslaught, [Hawke] remained unyielding. Its mechanical arms formed a halo, blocking all attacks, and its footing was erratic and elusive, often evading [Divine Armor]’s killing blows at the last moment. The more Fatty watched its moves, the more familiar they seemed, as if he had seen them before. Often, just as he thought, [Hawke] would counterattack. Hidden behind its swinging arms, its mechanical leg would suddenly eject, targeting [Divine Armor]’s weak spots, almost as if synchronized with Tian Xingjian’s heartbeat.

Opening [Divine Armor]’s profile, it stated: Garratt, Binart Empire Army Major.

Tian Xingjian recognized the name from the thick book ”Mechanical Warrior Ranking” that Carl had. Garratt ranked 182nd for his fierce attacking style. Tian Xingjian remembered him because Carl happened to flip to Garratt’s page, and Garratt’s brutal appearance matched his technical prowess interestingly.

The pilot of [Hawke] had a Han name, Zhang Qing, an instructor at the Ryan Republic Victory Military Academy. Given his skill level, Fatty guessed that Zhang Qing should also be on the ”Mechanical Warrior Ranking.”

The more he watched, the more terrified Tian Xingjian became. Fortunately, this was the network; encountering such an enemy in reality would be fatal or at least leave him badly injured. It seemed that among the rookies of Leray Federation, he had been a big fish in a small pond. Combat with such opponents was true Mecha Fighting.

This battle ultimately ended in a draw by mutual agreement. Tian Xingjian, still unsatisfied, watched a few more matches. He found several opponents not much inferior to himself. In the vast human world with billions of people, how could there not be a handful of experts?

Since the system matched winners only with winners and losers with losers, the number of challengers for Fatty dwindled to tens of thousands. Fatty refrained from battles, instead choosing to observe others’ control techniques, enriching his knowledge and experience.

As he watched with keen interest, his Simulation Cabin was suddenly opened. Fatty turned to see Big Head Karl, drenched in sweat, rushing towards him: ”I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Quickly, check the battle report! The front lines are engaged again.”

Even though Karl’s phrasing was off, Fatty didn’t need to ask to know he was referring to the front lines west of Kato!

A few days earlier, Tian Xingjian and Karl had analyzed the situation and conducted separate simulations. Although their procedures differed, their conclusions were similar. Based on enemy troop movements and deployment intelligence, Karl predicted that the Gazalin Empire would launch a large-scale attack in six days, whereas Fatty estimated four days as the maximum before Gazalin launched a total attack—they wouldn’t exceed that timeframe.

As it turned out, today was the fourth day, and upon reaching the Combat Department and checking the report, Fatty saw that the Gazalin Empire had indeed begun their total attack at dawn!

Everyone in the Combat Department wore grave expressions, bustling back and forth. This Imperial action was not unexpected; their deployment was mostly discernible through intelligence, but the manner of the total attack was peculiar. On the Jialuo Mountain front lines, the Mythical Army’s presence became evident, and the battle was unusually intense. So far, the Federation had reinforced an Armored Division and two fully mechanized infantry divisions.

The flanks, however, remained quiet with minimal attacking forces, hinting at a conspiracy.

Reading the report, Fatty suddenly recalled a photo from the Great Generals collection. An ordinary face, lean body, calm and deep eyes.

The Gazalin Empire Army’s commander, Russell. Last time you left a backdoor open; what are you planning this time?