Chapter 997: The Battle for the High Tower (Thirty-One) (Patreon)

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When Batman regained consciousness once more, he found himself in an unfamiliar cavern. This cavern was situated high up, with a platform before its entrance, surrounded by natural stone pillars. Batman was currently bound to one of these pillars.

Schiller stood at the edge of the platform, peering down. Due to the platform's height, the busy Demons below were oblivious to the presence above. Batman tested his restraints, finding them loosely bound by iron chains. However, with Schiller nearby, he refrained from making any sudden movements.

"You must be wondering, Batman," Schiller interjected, hands tucked into the pockets of his suit trousers, observing the scene in the cavern. "Why we never discuss matters related to communism with you."

"In the minds of most Americans," he continued, "we are seen as fervent believers, attributing loyalty and sacrifice to ideologies beyond your comprehension, dismissing them as inhumane brainwashing."

"I've never thought of it that way," Batman replied calmly. "Even before I knew Alfred was once a KGB agent, I understood that such infiltration couldn't be achieved through innocent brainwashing alone."

"The fear of death is inherent in humans. To overcome it, one must believe in something greater than death itself, something that renders death inconsequential," Batman addressed the laboring miner slaves in the cavern. "Mere obedience to commands falls short."

"Of course, you're astute enough to deduce this logically. Yet, doubts persist. Whether it's your fault or ours, you've remained unaware of our true teachings amidst the presence of communism," Schiller remarked.

"Why, then?" Batman inquired, pausing momentarily before adding, "Alfred mentioned he withheld such discussions from me because of my excessive trust in him. He feared it might cloud my judgment."

"But..." Batman turned to Schiller, his implication clear. In theory, the student-mentor relationship was susceptible to influence, with teachers subtly shaping their students' thoughts over time.

Although Batman had been exposed to such interactions, if Schiller had intended to influence him, he would have done so already. Yet, after exploring all external conditions, Batman remained perplexed.

Schiller remained silent, offering no response. At that moment, commotion erupted from below in the cavern. Batman shifted his attention, observing a scar-faced crimson demon addressing a group:

"You all heard it earlier. Lord Merkel has divided us into different workgroups. Due to my enthusiasm and performance, I've been appointed leader of the third group!"

"I'm the smartest and most capable among us, so I'll lead our work efforts. You all must obey me!"

"Now, let's assign tasks. Everyone must work diligently! The third group must excel in the upcoming productivity competition to prove I'm the best leader!"

"Come on, gather around. I'll explain the assignments... You! And you! Why aren't you listening to me? Turn your heads, or I'll use the whip like a foreman!"

Bound to the pillar, Batman furrowed his brow. Though he heard the crimson demon's verbose instructions, he understood none of it. The division of labor seemed rudimentary, akin to traditional mining methods.

After the meeting, the crimson demon walked alongside a smaller companion, boasting, "See? I told you, if we show more initiative, we'll surely become new foremen."

"I'm tired of those arrogant foremen. But if I become one, I'll wield the whip and make those fools work for me!"

"These ignorant fools can never match our intelligence. Crimson demons are the smartest in the mine. Only we, adept at reading situations, can thrive here. Regardless of who the master is, crimson demons will always be the best advisors!"

His companion expressed concern, "Honestly, I'm a bit worried. Our new master, Batman, seems different from the other generals. Their talk of unity and cooperation, of self-interest—I've never heard such things before..."
The scar-faced crimson demon snorted disdainfully. "Different? How so? They've merely changed their rhetoric. Can't you see through it?"

"They speak of fighting for oneself, to avoid being bullied in Hell. But in reality, the weak are always bullied, and our fighting doesn't guarantee protection," he scoffed.

"In any battle, there are always cannon fodders in the front lines and commanders safe behind. No matter how they phrase it, the cannon fodder is always at greater risk than the commander. Their victories are built on the backs of the cannon fodder."

"It's the same in the mine. Some work while others supervise. Supervisors have it easier. If they want fairness, either everyone works or everyone supervises. But if that were the case, the mine wouldn't function. Where would the ores and equipment come from?"

"They don't realize this. They heed not Merkel's words. But I do. I remember every word," he emphasized.

"He said those who perform well can become group leaders. So I've been performing well. Even if I don't understand his nonsense theories, as long as I follow and feign admiration, I'll be appointed as a foreman."

"Once I'm a foreman, I'll have power. I'll decide who works and who doesn't. Those who don't want to work hard will have to flatter me. Isn't that how it was with the previous foremen?"

Gloating, the crimson demon swayed his head, earning praise from his companion. "Morren, you're indeed the cleverest among us. If you become a foreman, we'll have to work less!"

Morren, addressed by his companion, snorted. "I'm just a group leader for now. So you still have to work. But when I become the chief, I'll make all crimson demons group leaders. Then you won't have to work at all."

However, his companion scratched his head, questioning, "What do they mean by democracy? Lord Merkel always emphasizes the need for a democratic spirit. You've repeated it in class. What does it mean?"

Morren waved his hand impatiently. "It's just another way to motivate the slaves to work harder. Democracy, democracy—they say it's about letting demons govern themselves. But how could these mine slaves govern themselves? The mine belongs to the owners. What relationship do they have?"

"The work done by the slaves, the ores they mine, all belong to the owners. And what tasks they perform, what ores they mine, it's all decided by the owners."

"They'll say things like General Putrescent did to his demon soldiers, 'fight well and you'll be rewarded'. It's just different phrasing. Can't you see?"

His companion nodded. "Indeed, the mine isn't ours. At most, the slaves work harder, and they get some rewards."

"If there are rewards, they should go to us," Morren remarked, rolling his eyes. "The rewards won't be distributed individually to the slaves. It'll come to us. If we lead well, we deserve the rewards. Those filthy slaves should just stay aside!"

Morren's expression turned cold. "Moreover, our current master is just a weak human. Though he's a general now with soldiers under him, it doesn't change his inherent weakness."

"I'm tired of sitting through those classes, chanting with Merkel... But for the sake of becoming a foreman, I can endure. When I become the chief, I'll place you all in suitable positions. With crimson demons spread throughout the mine, we can learn all the humans' habits. And then..." Morren smirked wickedly.

His companion squinted, looking at him. "Are you thinking... but it's true, the humans leading us now have weak Soul power. If we get the chance..."

His tone grew excited, his demeanor exhilarated, as if envisioning the day crimson demons ruled the entire mine. He exclaimed, "When that time comes, you'll truly be the Demon Lord. Your kin will bask in the glory of Infinity..."

Both crimson demons chuckled evilly. But at that moment, Morren paused, furrowing his brow, and turned his head to shout into the air, "Who's there?! Show yourself! Get out here!"

The two crimson demons immediately adopted defensive stances. His companion held a spear, while Morren drew a dagger from his waist. In the shadow behind a nearby pile of dirt, a tentacle flashed by. Morren caught the detail and charged forward.

As if realizing it had been discovered, the figure behind the dirt mound panicked, attempting to move to another hiding spot. In its movement, bound to the stone pillar, Batman saw it: Hexagon.

"Damn shadow monster! Come out!" Morren yelled, chasing after it. Turning to his companion, he ordered, "He must have heard our plan! Kill him!"

The two crimson demons pursued, but Hexagon dashed towards the center of the mine, where not only crimson demons resided but also many laboring slaves dumping debris.

Morren scanned the area, then pointed at Hexagon, shouting, "I'm the leader of the third group! That shadow monster intends to disrupt production! Catch it! Capture it!"

The working slaves hesitated but instinctively followed Morren's direction upon hearing of his recent promotion. Hexagon was too focused on fleeing, not paying attention to concealing its form, and was soon spotted.

Morren continued to shout, "Capture that shadow monster!" The slaves instinctively chased after Hexagon.

Shadow monsters were inherently fragile, lacking physical strength and speed. Hexagon ran slower than even the crimson demons, not to mention the speedy Tritons. Soon, two nearby Tritons closed in, almost catching its tentacles.

Bound to the stone pillar, Batman frowned as he watched the scene unfold, worried for Hexagon. But then, in its desperate flight, Hexagon instinctively ran towards the edge of the mine where the Shadow Ore was located.

As a member of the shadow vine, as long as it returned to the Shadow Ore, no one could harm it. However, just before it reached the Shadow Ore, Morren's companion hurled a spear, impaling one of Hexagon's tentacles.

Hexagon shrieked in pain, the sound waves stimulating the shadow vine around the Shadow Ore. In an instant, the shadow vine surged forth, knocking all the surrounding slave laborers away.

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 998 Battle for the High Tower (Thirty-Two)