Dreaming Back to World War II

"It's the earth!"

Griffin Williams emphasized to his officers, "The best armor is the ground!"

Inside the tent sat his generals and military observers from various countries.

The defector Grand Speaker shared his insights and conclusions from the past few days without reservation.

For months, Griffin, who had long regarded Distant Harbor as a potential enemy, had been planning a war against Kang De. In addition to Kant's Forbidden Spell, his unparalleled alchemical weapons were also extremely troublesome, and the powerful Elf Expeditionary Force had suffered heavy losses as a result. Griffin would naturally not underestimate him.

While ordering the Council's top Alchemical Ordnance Center to replicate and manufacture Kang De's weapons, he also sought and searched for effective ways to defend against them.

After all, they were the great powers that guided the path of Mortal World arcane magic, and they did indeed find quite a few solutions.

"Kang De's alchemical weapons, to put it simply, are divided into explosive and non-explosive types. Using Mortal World armies as an analogy, non-explosive weapons, such as swords, spears, and halberds, are conventional weapons that can be used by a single soldier. Explosive weapons, like catapults and ballistae, are heavy weapons..."

"The principles behind these two are actually quite similar, much like those of bows and crossbows. Both involve 'delivering a lethal attack to the enemy or their vicinity.' The difference lies in the method of delivery. However, Kang De's delivery method is far superior to the energy storage of a bow's recurve, resulting in his firearms having an extremely long range and being capable of piercing armor and tearing flesh. His cannons are even more formidable, surpassing the power of enchanted crossbows and special arrowheads..."

Griffin softened his tone at this point.

"To defend against and counter this new type of alchemical weapon, the first thing is..." He spread his hands outwards, "Spread out, don't clump together, disperse as much as possible."

"Faced with this new weapon, traditional military formations are no longer effective. In the past, our soldiers would form ranks to protect themselves through coordination and numbers. But against this weapon, the denser the soldiers are, the faster and more numerous they will die. Our mages and magical artifacts can withstand crossbow attacks and neutralize enemy spells, but against an offensive that is terrifyingly fast and overwhelming in number, these are no longer sufficient."

"Therefore, we need to separate them to reduce the lethality of this weapon."

The military experts listening attentively all wore complex expressions.

People must disperse to reduce casualties.

This means that the military formation combat system, which has been used for thousands of years, is showing signs of dying out.

They seemed to hear the death knell of the old era... but where is the new era?

An Imperial soldier couldn't help but ask, "Your Excellency, Grand Speaker... Our army fights in formation, using dense arrays and mutual protection to safeguard ourselves and fight the enemy. If we disperse, unable to protect each other, without comrades by our side, the collective strength will be torn apart, and individual courage will quickly perish. In that case, how will we fight in the future?"

The Grand Speaker smiled and said gently, "In order to face the weapons of that new era, it is only right for soldiers to disperse. In addition, weapons and protection must also be improved accordingly, as well as the quality and courage of individual soldiers... Everything must be developed; this is an unstoppable trend."

"Like a massive cavalry charge onto the battlefield, like a spellcasting swarm that for the first time determined the course of a battle."

"History tells us that when the time comes, we must open our arms and strive to embrace it, or we will inevitably be eliminated by time... As for how to embrace it and how to adapt, our army will prove and demonstrate this to you in the upcoming war, as a reward for the support you have given to the nation."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers stood up and saluted the Speaker.

They could all be considered the pride of heaven, with their own insights and opinions. Some scoffed at the Grand Speaker's statement—battle formations are the key to victory, how can the soldiers be scattered? Most soldiers are just freeloaders in the army, let them scatter, they'll disappear in no time.

Therefore, the military formation must be preserved.

As for methods to defend against alchemical weapons... stronger shields should be forged.

But despite their thoughts, they would still send their insights and the Grand Speaker's remarks back home in their entirety for the monarch and marshals to judge, without daring to alter a single word.

Because the one who said this was the monarch and ruler of the Arcane Council, the king who stood at the top of the continent, and his words were the ultimate authority, not something that these lowly officers could question.

If his ideas and tactics prove effective in the following battles, then his new war concepts developed specifically to target Kang De will inevitably be firmly promoted...

This is the power of authority; it requires no repeated debate or discussion, because the one who put forward this idea was a saint with immense power and influence, who ruled over all the great powers.

He was not a fragile being of flesh and blood, but a powerful being whose wisdom, strength, vision, and experience far surpassed those of ordinary people. To ordinary people, he was a god among men.

Griffin's gaze swept over the crowd as he continued, "The soldiers are dispersed only to reduce the enemy's killing efficiency. To give them courage and strength, we must start with their equipment. That is, equip them with weapons that can rival the enemy, and also provide them with armor that can withstand enemy attacks."

"The Arcane Council already gained insights into the policies and approaches for weapons manufacturing and individual soldier protection. We have replicated Kang De's weapons and developed protective mechanisms against them, which you will all have the opportunity to see in the upcoming battles... We are also happy to share our manufacturing processes with other nations."

The Grand Speaker paused for a moment, then said meaningfully, "The premise is that it only applies to our close friends."

The observers simply nodded slightly; this was not a topic they could commit to or comment on.

"But I can still share my thoughts, tips, and ideas here."

The topic returned to the key point that Griffin emphasized at the beginning.

"The earth, the earth is the best armor."

He posted his sketch on the blackboard. "I believe there is a principle that must be resolutely promoted throughout the army in the new era of warfare—digging tunnels. When soldiers stop, they must dig tunnels on the spot."

He then pasted several blueprints onto the blackboard. "The Mountain Golem, tuned to Excavator mode by alchemists, is very good at this job. Five months ago, I also secretly ordered the Department of Magic Engineering and Alchemical Manufacturing to conduct a technology exchange with the dwarves and purchase the excavation mechanisms they use to open underground tunnels."

"These large, magically powered machines are often purchased by Mortal World nations for digging irrigation canals, but now they have a better use. I believe every legion should be equipped with at least five."

"Golems, large powered machines, and earth mage legions—with their support and coordination, an army can quickly deploy defensive fortifications and construct a shield to protect itself."

The observers took shorthand notes in their notebooks.

"Let's return to the defensive fortifications I named 'Trenches.' They are arguably the most cost-effective armor against Kang De's alchemical weapons; even the strongest armor is no match for a meter-thick layer of earth."

"Over the past few months, we've used massive amounts of exploding magic crystals, blasting spells, and alchemical products to simulate the effects of Kang De's weapons. We even had two-legged dragons carry alchemical bombs to simulate air raids, demonstrating the defensive effectiveness of the trenches and improving their structure. This has led to the complete and mature design we have today."

"During the Battle to Relieve Danfeng Lucerne, Kang De broke through seven lines of defense of the Elf Expeditionary Force in a single day. We learned lessons from the bloodshed of the Elven troops and summarized our tactics."

"Firstly, Kang De's rapid-fire weapons could create a projectile effect, so simple trenches were not effective; their structure had to be improved to provide overhead defense when necessary."

"Secondly, Kang De was accustomed to launching air strikes, and judging from the outcome of the Battle of Danfeng Lucerne, ground troops were almost powerless against this kind of death from the air."

"Thirdly, Kang De liked to use his heavy weapons in clusters, similar to a mage group casting spells together, with extremely terrifying effects. These heavy weapons had approximately three ways of killing: first, direct damage; second, damage from the air elemental bombardment propelled by rapid explosions; and third, damage from the fragments they created..."

Fourthly...

In the past year or two, Kang De has fought many battles on the continent, and his achievements have shocked the world. The monarchs of various countries are secretly wary of him and spare no effort to collect intelligence, including spending a lot of money to purchase battlefield debris and trying to find out information from survivors. Everyone can realize that the Cathayan have an unprecedented new way of fighting.

So, how exactly should we deal with this?

Griffin has already presented his answer to the nations.

"To be fair, Kang De was a remarkable man. I admire his achievements and respect his strength, but we shouldn't be afraid of him because of that. The reason he won so many battles was more about surprise attacks and using tactics we had never seen before, achieving his goals and ending the battle before we could even react. He never fought a protracted war with any enemy."

"And he has one very, very fatal problem."

At this point, the Grand Speaker glanced at Phaethon, who was hidden in the Shadow, and then said calmly, "After months of investigation, reconnaissance, and spying, we can confirm that although the alchemical weapon possessed by Kang De is incredibly powerful, it has almost no arcane lunar attribute... it's all mortal power."

These words caused a stir among the audience, and the observers almost stood up.

--The Dragon of Cathay, renowned for their unparalleled alchemy, possessed incomparable alchemical weapons that lacked any arcane craftsmanship? Were they merely ordinary techniques?

"In other words, its principle is simple and can be imitated. The reason it's ahead is merely a temporary advancement in technology. The lack of Arcane Moon attribute means there's no elemental resistance, making a prolonged war impossible. This means that once the war is prolonged and his weapons and tactics are further analyzed, he will be at a disadvantage."

"For example, while we were using bronze weapons, Kang De studied the craft and forged iron weapons, which were sharp and tough, always catching us off guard. But the principles of iron smelting are there, and we also know how to use the power of magic. After deducing the secrets of iron smelting, we can even use the power of magic to strengthen iron swords, improve the craft, and even create enchanted steel weapons..."

The Speaker glanced at the observers from various countries whose expressions were constantly shifting, and smiled knowingly.

"I know you are all deeply afraid of Kang De and think I am bluffing, but doesn't the Deceleration Field prove this point? Your proud Forbidden Spell and indestructible alchemical weapons will have their power greatly reduced once their speed is weakened. You all know how fragile mortal things are when facing magic."

"And I will prove it to you all in this battle."

"We countered the enemy's speed, used fortifications to withstand their power, employed arcane arts to counter their weapons, and reverse-engineered and deciphered their principles. We enhanced their power with alchemical weaponry and enchanting techniques, drawing upon our ancient and extensive arcane research system and the wisdom bestowed upon us by the Dragon of Cathay..."

"Aren't you all tempted? Are the nations simply going to stand by and watch? Are you, the rulers, prepared to miss out on the most important military transformation in the Mortal World?"

"The Arcane Council willing to share our findings, results, and progress with all our good friends."

"Hopefully, this upcoming battle will dispel your fear of the Cathayan."

As he said this, he reached out and pulled open the large tent flap.

The trenches ahead stretched out in all directions, extending into the distant plains, shimmering with magical light.

The enormous war beast pulled the long plow, roaring as it rumbled forward. In front of it, several earth mages cast spells to loosen the soil.

On the other side, powered by a magic core, a complex and enormous trenching machine roared as its circular plow blades spun deep into the earth. Numerous golems darted around, wielding tools to dig up the soil. In the magic workstations, alchemists and their apprentices quickly replaced parts and maintained and recharged the golems.

A roar came from the sky as several Wyvern, clinging to a heavy magical artifact, swayed and wobbled as they descended towards their designated position, while druids below waved and gave orders.

More magical artifacts and spell arrays have been set up, establishing a spiritual link. Eagle Eye officers have set up reconnaissance devices to patrol the sky and the ground, and anti-air defense magical artifacts have also been set up to guard the sky. Heavy magical artifacts are being warmed up and are ready to be deployed for long-range strikes at any time.

Meanwhile, the engineers worked in the already dug trenches, with the dwarven craftsmen being the undisputed experts. They directed the soldiers to reinforce the structures with supporting structures, petrified scrolls, and Medusa's Staff, and to excavate and build concealed fortifications such as medical rooms, command posts, air-raid shelters, and supply depots.

This kind of thing is all too familiar to dwarves.

Living in the mountains and underground world, during the bloodiest and darkest time in the history of the dwarves, the long-bearded men, caught in a civil war, were merciless, bloodthirsty, and cruel. Their most cost-effective way of fighting and killing enemies was to collapse the tunnel structure and trap them inside, killing and burying them at the same time.

To counter this tactic, the dwarves' security awareness and related technologies developed rapidly.

After all, due to the unique underground tunnel structure, the dwarves had a much more fun time than Earthlings. When they got into a fight, artificially creating seismic waves to cause trouble was just commonplace for them.

Even though the civil war is long over, the results have been passed down as the dwarves' past wealth and technological achievements, becoming part of their Civilization... along with the wounds of the past.

"As you can see, the ones least afraid of Kang De are probably the dwarfs."

Griffin said calmly, "We weren't even born when these hot-tempered friends were killing each other in narrow underground tunnels with dragon breath jets and alchemical gas."

Several Imperial officers among the observers exchanged meaningful glances.

After all, the dwarves' most traditional and steadfast ally is the Holy Empire.

This is truly an unexpected surprise.

An observer asked, "Your Excellency the Grand Speaker... are you constructing a camp?"

"I prefer the term 'position'."

The Grand Speaker laughed heartily, "This fortification constructed by the advance troops is just the beginning. Subsequent troops will cross this fortification and continue to establish defensive zones ahead. In this way, the long fortification will extend all the way to the walls of Nar. The latest news is that the mayor of Nar has rejected my offer. In that case, let's keep this army pinned down in Goth's territory and, in front of Kang De, slaughter that city!"

The officers exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions strange.

"I know what you're thinking, young lords. I have never denied the threat and power of Kang De. The current situation is that my army cannot operate outside the Deceleration Field. Once they move outside the area, Kang De's storm-like offensive will be unstoppable."

"Therefore, using the Deceleration Field as the core, a large defensive position was constructed. Subsequent troops advanced, also using the Deceleration Field to deploy a defensive line, and in this way, they gradually pushed to the walls of Nar."

He then spoke with a meaningful tone, "Kang De is the greatest challenge in this world. I never intended to march straight in, storm Distant Harbor, or exile Kang De. I simply wanted to shatter his myth of invincibility, to let the nations discover that Kang De is not to be feared, and to re-establish a new order and balance for this continent."

"Now, it remains to be seen whether Kang De dares to accept the challenge."

Meanwhile, twenty miles south of Nar City.

"We're almost at the Deceleration Field's range," Horus said. "I flew around it with a drone, and it's similar to the situation in Tula Xiaye. The Deceleration Field's diameter is at least several kilometers, possibly even larger. The key point is that it's hemispherical, meaning that several kilometers of sky are also within its range. It's disgusting."

Kang De, peering through his giant telescope, exclaimed, "This is like a dream come true, like World War I!"

"To be precise, it should already be at the level of World War II."

Horus replied, "The enemy's defensive positions are clearly not the linear defensive arrays of World War I, but a defensive network composed of fortifications, bunkers, and arrays of long- and short-range magical devices on all sides, protecting the centrally protected Deceleration Field mechanism."

"Our army and air force, once they enter the Deceleration Field, will inevitably be subjected to multi-layered long-range magical attacks, and their weapon systems will be interfered with by the Deceleration Field, further reducing their combat effectiveness... I never imagined that the otherworldly beings would have such wisdom; they are truly remarkable."

Kang De observed for a while, then pondered, "I understand the logic, but this place is far from Nar City. What are you trying to do by building fortifications here? Are you sending a challenge to invite me to attack?"

"With your army pinned down in Goth territory, you cannot defeat them immediately. This is already a blow to your prestige and deterrent power. The longer the war drags on, the more unsettled Goth will become, and the more other countries will be eager to make their move."

Horus said calmly, "If you ignore this, the enemy will most likely take advantage of the situation and use the Deceleration Field as cover to gradually push their position to the walls of Nar."

Upon hearing this, Kang De angrily retorted, "Is he building towers all the way to my house?"

Don't you often do this when you play real-time strategy games?

"So he dared to defeat me with my magic, he deserves to die even more!"

Kang De snorted twice, then pondered, "That's not right. This tactic sounds feasible, but the costs would be enormous. Even with the Northern Council as his backing, it's still too..."

"Instead of this, let's think about how to defeat the enemy."

"No rush," Kang De thought for a moment and said, "Let Goth be chaotic, chaos makes it easier to kill; let the nations be restless, victory makes it easier to extort. Griffin seems to want to stall, but he never dreamed that I want to stall too. One day he stalls here, I can stall for a week on Earth."

Looks like America.

Upon hearing this, Kang De laughed, "Actually, it's quite fun."

He took out his phone and said to Horus, "Connect me to Aokexindun."

Communication was quickly established, and the executive officer's respectful voice came from the other end of the phone. "Your Grace, I am trying to persuade the Tower of All-Seeing to wage war against the north, but..."

"Keep up the good work on this. I'll send you some photos in a bit. Griffin has arrived in Goth and is currently working as a gopher. I'm quite interested in some of the digging golems and magical artifacts. If the Tower of All-Seeing doesn't want to go to war and wants Distant Harbor to fight for you, you'll have to bleed a little."

"Understood, I'll arrange it immediately."

"Thank you for your help."

"Of course."

After finishing the call, Kang De said to Iron Son, "You keep an eye on things here, then mobilize the army and prepare for the deployment of Nar. I'm going back to Earth to give instructions."

Horus asked in surprise, "Aren't we going to launch a probing attack?"

"Attack what? Without thorough preparation, a hasty attack followed by failure will only bring shame."

After saying this, Kang De opened the Phase Gate and vanished from the Mortal World without a trace.

Earth.

"Senior Colonel Tian, have you considered the airship you suggested last time?"

"Comrade Kang De, let me see... Hmm, there's a report here saying it's theoretically feasible. With our industrial capabilities, building a temporary one shouldn't be a problem. But the research center is asking whether to proceed. After all, it's just a proposed solution. If we want to test whether this attack method will pose a sufficient threat and cause enough damage to the Titan Giant, we don't need to build a dedicated airship; computer simulations will suffice..."

"Oh, I see. How much would it cost to build one? Was there an assessment?"

"This... is due to a lack of mature technology and quality control, so the expected quote is around 50 million yuan, including the cost of the necessary weapons and ammunition."

"You can get it made just by paying money, right?"

"Um... wait a minute, you're not going to pay for it yourself, are you?"

"No, I'll call you back later."

After Kang De finished speaking, he dialed another number and, speaking in English that he had picked up to be more fluent over the past few months, said, "You American Empire are no good, what happened to your supposedly strong military? How come you can't even handle a Titan? How about considering my plan?"

"What? You can't build airships? Oh, no wonder. I heard you cut off your own manufacturing operations. But that's a small matter. We can China ourselves. How about it? Only fifty million US dollars a unit. What a bargain!"

"It's much cheaper than the F-22 and F-35, and you can quote $80 million. We'll split the extra money 30/70. What do you think? Hello? Hello?"

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PS1: Six thousand words... Damn, I still had an ending to finish what I wrote yesterday, but today I thought, "It's almost done, so there's no rush." Damn it... I'll save some more for tomorrow tonight.