Strongest Among the Heavens-Chapter 421: North of Lake Shinji

"The key is the north."

North of Lake Shinji at an area with a river connected to the lake.

"We have metals get thrown into the waters. We start here, from the north, thousands of them. Then we have someone get chased by the Bake-kujira all the way to north with the weapons acting as a sort-of trail..." Kazi pointed to the middle of Lake Shinji where the Bake-kujira was and slowly went northmost of Lake Shinji. "Until it arrives close to land and waters that we have already controlled."

"Are you certain your woman friend Jules will be able to do this?" Kurōtarō questioned.

"Positive. Jules has the aerial maneuvering while Matty can provide exceptional defensive protection. They’re a match made in heaven."

"May I ask the point of tossing so many of our weapons into the sea?" Lord Mikinosuke asked.

"To confuse it," Booker replied in Kazi’s stead. "The Bake-kujira relies heavily on its magnetic sensing to navigate and detect human threats. If a bunch of metal shit is drifting about, we can disrupt its senses, confuse it, and limit not only its magnetism but its ability to effectively use echolocation. Too many objects, too much information. It will panic. It will make mistakes. It’s two birds with one stone."

"The timing will have to be perfect though," Kazi said. "Too early and the metal weapons will sink to the floor pointlessly. I know an archer, his name is Remmy. He has phenomenal eyes and the best snap reaction I know. If he’s leading the fishermen and archers on boats, it will be a cinch, trust me. He can even help Jules with retreating and guiding the Bake-kujira to us."

"So we confuse the Bake-kujira and attack. Do some damage perhaps," said Mikonosuke. "What then? That will only buy us five or ten minutes. After that, it will counter with its fire breath or strike us with sickness."

Given the closeness to land too, they would certainly die.

"Consider what has happened. Consider logical behaviours. It won’t use fire breath, it will summon more monsters. Through its magnetic senses, the big whale feels hundreds of small enemies. Its senses are confused and its instincts are warning it of magic. The Bake-kujira will panic, stop, and summon its monsters. Hundreds, thousands, maybe more. We’ll need to be ready for this. Samamtha," Kazi cast her a look, "you and your twenty guild people are responsible for this. Focus on long-range spells. I’m sure you can ask a professor to point you to some."

Samantha accepted the task with a happy nod and smile. "We might know a defensive cooperative spell but we do an offensive. If you need us to wipe all the monsters at once, then count on us."

"You truly are capable, Lady Samantha." Lord Mosuke beamed at her. "I appreciate your strength and your wisdom in this matter."

"Thank you, My Lord~"

"Great then. At this point—"

"If all goes well," Booker called out.

"Yes, when all goes well," Kazi emphasized on the ’when’, "the Bake-kujira will weaken us with the plague and summon a swarm of monsters for a second time. Here, I expect Jules and Matty’s second key moment: I’ll have them drop bombs."

"Bombs? We’re bombing this thing?" Booker didn’t know whether to scoff or be impressed.

"As much as we can. The ability to constantly summon monster birds and fish is annoying. Booker, you use guns. You have connections to the Wild Wild West. You know where to find bombs of that kind."

"I do. Buying bombs in of themselves. shouldn’t be an issue. The issue is the type. Class Four bombs are expensive and manufactured by only a couple gangs."

The Wild Wild West guild was identical to the Sapphire Order in that it was an alliance rather than a formal guild. A rough, rug and tug set of gang alliances that regularly fought one another. In the history books, they were always doing their own thing and playing both sides in conflicts. Their usage of guns were not well-liked as warriors deemed to be a coward’s weapon. Their bombs, on the other hand, were very appreciated.

"We will need four Class Five bombs. More, if possible," Kazi said.

"Well, shit. That’s going to be hard—"

"I’ll go with you," Kazi said with a smile. "I’m a smooth talker."

Booker shrugged with his shoulders. "As long as I’m not the point getting a gun pointed at me."

"Four or five explosions will not kill the Bake-kujira. Whatever it can dish out, it can also handle," Samantha said, picking up the plan. "But it will stun and damage it, right? Lord Mosuke and the other samurai mentioned that one of its fins is gone. We might be able to get another with the bombs and my guild will go in to attack it from that side."

"And if it launches it fire?" Lord Mosuke questioned. "We will need your team for long-range defence and offence. We have many shrines and people in the north. We cannot let the Bake-kujira unleash its wrath."

Samantha wore a most reassuring smile and the Daimyo visibly relaxed. "Do not worry, my Lord. We will most certainly kill it before that happens. We have the numbers. We have the strength. We have the samurai. We will win."

With the smiles of charming strangers, the plan was set. Operation Cinder was a go.

***

Operation Cinder was not simple.

Step one: lead the Bake-kujira to the north with the help of Jules and Matty.

Step two: throw metallic objects to throw off its sensors. Matty will act as support to Jules and Matty.

Step three: attack and do major damage. All at once, all together. Samantha and her guild will act as long-range support. Booker Davis Jr will get rid of its echolocation organ with a sniper anti-magic bullet.

Step four: kill any and all summoned monsters via a cooperative spell from Samantha’s guild, the Children of Athena.

Step five: drink potions to resist the effects of the plague and bomb ensuing monsters.

Step six: kill it before it uses its "Fire Annihilation Breath".

Victory.

"You sure are confident," Booker remarked while they walked out of the castle. "Supplying weapons to players and buying the bombs. Either you’re severely in debt or you’re overconfident."

"Yep, I’m in debt."

Booker side-eyed Kazi. "...seriously?"

"I will be by the start of this. Buying the materials to make personal weapons for players is going to cost a pretty penny. I plan to take out a loan for that."

Booker judged him hard. "Do you and Samantha know something I don’t? You’re putting a lot of stock into this gate."

"It’ll be a surprise."

"Hm." Booker stopped to check a food stall selling rice. "In my old life, I used to shoot first and ask questions later. But now, there’s no one here to tell me what to shoot."

"It would be an issue if you didn’t join us, Booker."

"I know." A deep breath. Booker decided to buy a bag of rice and returned with the bag to his side. "If that whale doesn’t die soon, everyone here will die—and I won’t be able to eat the good ass rice."

"A beautiful reason to fight."

"I know." Booker looked Kazi up and down. "Your name is Kazi, right? Where are you from again?"

"Bangladesh."

"Ah, okay, okay."

"You and I have met," Kazi said, reading his mind with a jolly smile. "Although I doubt you remember. I had a beard back then."

Booker squinted. "A beard, huh?" He almost didn’t believe him. "Can’t imagine it."

"It was a dark, dark time."