Chapter 983: The Battle for High Tower (Seventeen) (Patreon)

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Learning from history enables an understanding of rise and fall; many of the societal challenges and their solutions that humanity faces now can be found within the annals of history.

Humanity is adept at repetition yet often fails to learn from its lessons. However, this isn't entirely negative. When a problem has been repeatedly addressed countless times, future generations can always find the most suitable solution among them.

Throughout the long river of human history, there have been numerous wars where the weak triumphed over the strong, turning the tide against adversity. When considering the greatest disparities, scales, durations, and miracles, Batman can only think of one particular war.

Batman is particularly adept at small-scale tactics. While his personal preferences may not lean towards large-scale warfare, it doesn't mean he hasn't studied it.

For someone with paranoid tendencies, he is always prepared for the possibility of an alien invasion of Earth, which he would have to lead humanity in resisting.

Under such hypothetical conditions, Batman envisions extreme scenarios. For example, aliens possessing far superior physical abilities compared to humans, more advanced science and technology, greater organization and discipline, surpassing humanity in all aspects.

To contemplate how such a war could be won without firsthand experience, Batman has to delve into human history.

However, after thorough research, he discovers that the larger the scale of the war, the less significant external factors become. Ultimately, success boils down to three classic factors: timing, location, and manpower.

The reason Batman believes he can win this particular battle is because his current circumstances happen to align with certain conditions of the war he studied, where timing and manpower are not significant factors, making location the key to success.

The timing, or the moment the war breaks out, is not favorable for Central Mine. General Putrescent's elite forces are stationed on the outskirts of Seven Hills Mine, with him in good condition and no vacancies among senior management.

Acting too hastily without proper preparation, the opponent's response is swift, with minimal decision-making errors.

As for manpower, it's even less of a consideration. This army is composed of miner slaves; they're not terrifying, just fragile, struggling even to construct defensive fortifications.

In terms of education, most of the demon majority can't effectively relay commands; a command passed through three demons will be unrecognizable.

Batman attempts to utilize materials in the mine to craft large traps and machines. However, these require manual operation, and hardly any demon can accurately execute Batman's instructions.

With timing and manpower both inadequate, the only breakthrough lies in location, much like the war he referenced, where location was paramount.

Considering the numbers on both sides, Central Mine itself serves as a significant strategic space. Strategic maneuvers exchanging space for time can be implemented.

Moreover, Batman believes he has even more strategic space than the war he referenced, as demons don't require as many supplies, and logistics are less of a concern during relocation.

Being located within the mine, there aren't many strategically valuable positions, minimizing considerations for tactical arrangements.

If a large-scale war involving nations is akin to advanced calculus, then a war centered around a mine is more like simple arithmetic; the principles are similar, but the difficulty level is vastly different, with both being incredibly challenging and catering to novices and veterans alike.

Simultaneously, all the miner slaves still within the mine understand every speck of dust from their daily work.

After a day of tallying, there are over 60 large mines, 30 abandoned ones, and numerous medium-sized cave cavities formed by natural causes, totaling over a hundred. Most of these caves are connected by narrow staircases or passages, making the terrain highly complex.

The mine has been in operation for over a millennium, with General Putrescent taking over just over 300 years ago. According to the native species in the mine, General Putrescent's elite forces never enter here; they despise these stinking slaves and have never bothered to inspect them.

The intricate tunnels sometimes confuse even experienced miners; they might get lost despite riding minecarts, unsure of which direction to turn. This aligns with one of Batman's most important strategic conditions: "the enemy knows not our intentions."

Of course, the internal structure of the mine is a secondary concern. Their primary task is to defend against the initial attacking forces outside the mine.

Central Mine has an overall spindle shape, with the north higher than the south. The highest point lies at the peak of the northern mountain, with two large peaks each having two doors and two small doors, all sealed shut.

Between the northern and southern peaks lies a ravine, through which minecarts pass, and the tunnel remains unblocked.

Batman's main tactic is to take advantage of the high ground for defense. New caves have been excavated above the doors and small doors to attack the forces attempting to breach them. The minecart tunnel in the ravine remains open deliberately; if the main entrance attack fails, they will undoubtedly target the tunnel.

Situated between the two peaks, with slopes on both sides, anyone daring to traverse the tunnel will find themselves at the lowest point of the peaks. At this moment, anyone standing on the slopes will have a significant height advantage.

As the physical constitution of the demon miner slaves generally lags behind the enemy soldiers, and their numbers are fewer, unable to withstand prolonged engagements, Batman opts to entirely avoid direct confrontation. The mine is abundant with heavy rocks and sharp ores, so they will hurl as many as possible in the first wave of attack.

While the vanguard demon forces are robust, not all of them are armored with protective magic. Their heavy armor can withstand spear thrusts or sword swings, but it's defenseless against giant rocks rolling down from several hundred meters high.

Indeed, gravity serves as a universal tactic wherever it's present. As long as the starting point is high enough, hurling stones guarantees a frontal assault. Under gravity's influence, all things are equal.

Standing atop the peak of the northern mountain, Batman directs demons to hurl one massive boulder after another from the summit. Central Mine earns its name because of its vast terrain and high peaks, allowing ample time for rocks to gather momentum.

Countless boulders roll down from the peaks, while rows of robust demon knights wielding weapons charge toward the door. By the time they notice the falling rocks, it's too late.

Their size and heavy equipment prevent them from swiftly dispersing or turning back like light-armored troops. Most demons are struck by the rocks, though not fatally, rendering the charge a failure.

During the second wave, they attempt a flanking maneuver, dividing into several squads to ascend the slopes from the sides. However, as long as there are enough stones, unlucky demons will always be struck down. Even if they manage to reach the door, they'll still face impacts from the falling rocks.

The opposing commander isn't without strategy. After two failed charges, they quickly adapt. Many flying insects take off from their base camp, their hooks laden with bomb-like objects. Batman squints, observing; these are the enemy's bombers.

Indeed, during bombings, the miner slaves wouldn't risk exposing themselves to push rocks, and Batman lacks any flying cards to play. But that doesn't mean he can't employ disruptive tactics.

Apart from rocks, the mine also stores plenty of wood for support structures. Batman had the demon miners cut and pile them in designated spots.

As the bombers approach the mountain, they suddenly see thick smoke rising from the opposite peak. Soon, the entire mountain seems ablaze, enveloped in smoke, resembling an otherworldly scene.

Batman inadvertently hits the mark; these insect bombers' weakness is smoke. This explains why the flying thorn demons, like Astero's flying spear army, boast superiority, being the only ones among hell's flying troops immune to smoke.

However, even if the bombers aren't afraid of smoke, it's futile. Due to the long-standing stability, large-scale wars in hell aren't intensive. Apart from magic assistance, most wars remain at medieval levels of melee combat.

Additionally, demon bodies being robust and needing less assistance mean they don't excessively rely on weapons and vehicles like humans do due to their frailty.

The positioning of the insect bombers primarily relies on eyesight. With no thermal imaging, infrared sensing, radar scanning, or command post positioning, when smoke rises, visibility diminishes, leaving them blind, merely relying on luck.

Many bombers attempt to fly at lower altitudes to maintain visibility, but this leaves them vulnerable. As long as they're close enough to the ground, the demon miners' weapons can reach them.

Trolls, with developed upper body strength, are excellent spear throwers. Unable to penetrate heavy armor, a slight graze can cause a bomber to crash. Their already poor visibility prevents them from anticipating movements in advance. Within a mere ten to fifteen minutes of aerial assault, two-thirds of the bombers lose their tactical effectiveness.

Subsequently, it's akin to turn-based combat; the opposing commander tries every method to breach the door, while Batman utilizes his tactical acumen, devising various methods to counter attacks and maximizes the use of resources within the mine.

Finding the main entrance difficult to breach, they shift focus to the side doors. But even as they're fortified, attention is drawn to the minecart tunnel between the ravine.

As Batman anticipated, the advantage of terrain is maximized here. Not only does it provide high ground advantages, but it also allows for flanking attacks on both ends. With ample crossfire capability in both the front and back sections, they finally inflict actual casualties on the opposing side.

The more ancient the war, the more challenging it is to siege a city or mountain. Firstly, without air force support, it's very difficult to attack from below. Casualties on the attacking side are often much higher than those defending.

Furthermore, with no shortage of resources within the city, ancient sieges lasting one or two years were commonplace. The defenders weren't in a rush, holding onto the city provided them the advantage, while the attackers were in a hurry, fearing a prolonged siege might disrupt their overall war strategy.

Next, they enter the endurance phase. General Putrescent's elite forces charge up, then retreat wave after wave, while the miner slaves emerge and retreat in waves as well. It's a test of endurance, to see whose stamina will drain first.

And from Batman's perspective, the real battle has only just begun.

[Read at www.patreon.com/shanefreak, and thanks for the invaluable support!]

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