After a brief computational pause.
No. 055's metallic body performed an action that made the brains of every flesh-and-blood being in the command center crash.
It turned sharply to face Lin Qingyue, snapping its legs together.
Its right arm suddenly bent, and its cold alloy fist struck its own chestplate with a heavy "clang."
The metallic ring reverberated through the cavern.
A perfectly executed military salute.
"Military Type-4 No. 055, salutes you, Your Excellency, the God-Blessed!"
The cold, emotionless electronic voice now carried an indescribable solemnity, booming throughout the entire command center.
Hao Chi's mouth hung open in an exaggerated "O," his jaw nearly dislocating.
Two days.
A full two days!
He had been groveling like a grandson before this tin can for two days, filling out six applications, four of which were rejected, just to barely obtain authorization to maintain a ballista.
And yet this woman walked in, and in less than three minutes, pulled out a worn-out medal...
Supreme Authority!
Hao Chi suddenly felt his eyes sting, overcome with the urge to cry.
He wasn't the only one.
Every Allied Forces officer present was completely stunned.
A charcoal pencil slipped from the hand of a Simian Race staff officer, clattering to the ground and rolling far away, yet he remained utterly oblivious.
That cold hunk of iron, which had just been keeping everyone at arm's length and treating lives as mere data calculations, was now standing straighter than a ceremonial guard, saluting a seemingly fragile and harmless pink-haired priest?
Was something wrong with this world?
Lin Xiyue and her two companions were much steadier.
After all, when they were with Lin Qingyue, "absurdity" was the norm, and "reason" was the exception.
Even so, Lin Xiyue couldn't help but whisper a complaint only her teammates could hear:
"This medal has that kind of effect?"
Su Wan and Xia Lian also exchanged a glance, seeing the astonishment in each other's eyes.
Lin Qingyue herself was actually surprised for a moment.
She had thought the medal's effect would, at most, raise the other party's favorability to "Friendly" to facilitate communication.
Judging by its performance now, it was at least "Respect."
But who was she?
Her mind raced, yet her face remained calm.
Lin Qingyue quickly put away the medal and nodded slightly as if everything were normal. That posture, combined with her straight figure and composed demeanor, actually bore a slight resemblance to a high-ranking official on an incognito visit.
"No. 055, at ease."
"Yes!"
The robot dropped its salute crisply, its posture still absolutely respectful.
The two blue optical lenses gazed at Lin Qingyue, their light steady. It was no longer the coldness of scanning a "low-threat target," but instead carried a layer of "attentive listening" program weight.
"Report the overall situation of the current war zone."
"Yes, sir!"
No. 055's attitude had performed a complete 180-degree turn.
Its optical lens shot out a beam of light, projecting a three-dimensional holographic map that covered the entire space above the central sand table.
An incredibly detailed 3D model of the canyon emerged. The positions of friendly and enemy forces were marked in red and blue, and the dense swarm of red dots brought a suffocating sense of pressure.
"Current battle status: Our forces control the area from the canyon entrance to the Second Defensive Line, with a depth of 800 meters."
"The enemy Swarm occupies all remaining areas of the canyon, with a depth exceeding three kilometers. The total number is estimated at 260,000 to 320,000."
"Among them, there are approximately 4,000 High-tier Elite units and about 80,000 aerial units."
"The Swarm Core, consisting of three Broodmothers, is located in the upper midsection, held in check by the White Tiger Celestial God."
"Our total forces number over 12,000, with 7 heavy crossbow cannons available for use. The cumulative casualty rate is 34%, and supply reserves are estimated to last for 36 hours."
The cold numbers were like heavy hammers striking the hearts of all the officers present.
"Conclusion: Without external reinforcements, our defensive line will collapse within 36 to 48 hours."
Lin Qingyue ignored this conclusion, her gaze sweeping rapidly across the holographic map.
"Where is the narrowest point of the canyon?"
On the holographic map, a specific location was instantly highlighted.
It was about one kilometer ahead of the Second Defensive Line, where the rock walls on both sides, carved as if by knives and axes, abruptly constricted the passage to a width of less than two hundred meters.
"The Bottleneck. The location of the Original Defensive Line."
No. 055 explained, its electronic voice now carrying a low-frequency ripple reminiscent of "regret."
"Two days ago, during the Swarm's general assault, the Original Defensive Line was breached, forcing our army to retreat."
"What if we retake it?"
No. 055's processing core ran at high speed, reaching a conclusion in less than half a second.
"The defensive pressure will drop to 17% of its current level! A one hundred and seventy-meter front is sufficient to construct a three-layered defensive line in depth. Combined with the crossfire of the crossbow cannons, a long-term defense can be achieved."
"However, the area ahead of the Bottleneck has been filled by the Swarm. In a direct frontal assault, our army's casualty rate will exceed 90%. I have already marked this plan as 'non-executable'."
The corners of Lin Qingyue's lips curled.
"What if, before you charge, the insects within that one kilometer ahead of the Bottleneck no longer exist?"
No. 055's lens focused on her, the blue data stream visibly accelerating its scroll.
"Please define 'no longer exist'."
"Literally."
Lin Qingyue's voice was very clear.
"I will launch an attack that will cover the entire area from the current defensive line to the Bottleneck. One kilometer in depth, the full width of the canyon, cleared out in a single sweep."
"After the attack is complete, no living Mantisfolk will remain."
She swept her gaze around, her eyes finally landing on No. 055.
"Your Allied Forces just need to rush through this one kilometer at full speed within sixty seconds after I open the way, and seize the Bottleneck."
"Can you do it?"
The entire Command was so quiet that one could hear the sound of coolant flowing through the alloy pipes.
Hao Chi's palms were covered in cold sweat, his heart pounding wildly.
This plan was too insane! To bet the lives of the entire army on a single person!
What if... what if there was any error?
That would mean the total annihilation of the army!
He was just about to open his mouth when No. 055 already provided its answer.
"Assuming Your Excellency's attack can 100% clear all enemy units within the target area."
"With the mobility of our elite troops, advancing one kilometer and establishing an initial defense within 60 seconds has a feasibility assessment of 87.4%."
It paused for a second, seemingly performing a final risk assessment.
"The risk is controllable."
"Military Type-4 No. 055 recommends adopting this plan. Code name"
Another half-second of computation.
"Project Scorched Earth."
"Wait, wait, wait!"
Hao Chi almost crushed his own goggles, finally unable to hold back his scream.
"87.4% is based on the premise of a 'perfect clear'! What if it's not completely cleared?!"
"Hao Chi. Technical Support Personnel. Number T-07."
No. 055's blue lens turned toward him, its electronic voice returning to that mechanical, condescending coldness.
"Your military strategic assessment authorization level is 3."
"The current discussion priority is 'Highest'."
"Your speaking authorization is insufficient."
"Please return to your maintenance post."
Hao Chi: "..."
This damn tin can!
It flips its attitude faster than flipping a page!
No. 055 ignored the petrified Hao Chi and faced Lin Qingyue again, its blue light band steady and bright.
"Project Scorched Earth has been entered into the combat sequence. Priority: Highest."
"I will immediately issue preparatory orders to all Allied Forces units."
"The entire army will enter First-Level Alert, elite assault troops will stand by at the front line, and heavy crossbows will adjust their firing angles to prepare for cover fire."
"All preparations will be completed within fifty minutes."
"Your Excellency, the God-Blessed, please confirm the attack initiation time."