Fury

"I have heard that at the beginning of World War I, neither side realized the changes and impacts that decades of technological advancements and military innovations had brought to the battlefield. As a result, at the outset of the war, they stubbornly and proudly used tactics from the old era... courage, charging, marching in formation, and fighting relentlessly."

"And so, tens of thousands of people were gone in a single day."

"Even after a horrific battle of annihilation, some soldiers—the victors—can go mad. The poor soldier thought he only needed to calmly operate the machine gun and fire at the sound of whistles and orders, achieving victory amidst the smoke and fire, but who knew he would become a terrifying butcher."

"--He might even have broken the world record, becoming the soldier who killed the most people in human history up to that point. Watching himself mash hundreds or thousands of his own kind into peanut butter, one after another, it wouldn't be surprising if he went insane."

Smoke billowed across the battlefield, dust billowed and swirled, and a storm of firepower converged into a continuous roar, then dissipated into bursts of explosions. Intense flames and magical brilliance mingled, as Earth's heavy firepower clashed with the otherworldly Magic Legion. Against this backdrop, infantrymen fought desperately, their feeble roars and howls echoing across the black earth.

Kang De had gazed at the battlefield many times, and once again he sighed.

"Therefore, it is essential to closely monitor the soldiers' mental state and develop plans to alleviate and reassure them."

He said, "I not only hope they can return home alive and well, but also that they can return home mentally intact, and live happily and dignifiedly in the future."

Dong Tianming followed behind him and wrote down what he said.

After the outbreak of war, the Imperial Tutor stayed by Kang De's side to prevent the enemy from launching a decapitation strike. After all, eliminating Kang De directly had always been the most profitable option, enough to make the enemy disregard any cost and risk... In addition to being a bodyguard, he also wanted to go to the battlefield in person to see and experience it.

Because this war was extremely different from all the wars he had experienced before.

That was the first time the army created by Kang De had directly participated in large-scale ground combat... a new origin. An unprecedented new army, equipped with new weapons, with new ideas, and supported by a new system, fought. This mode of warfare would become the benchmark for the future.

Although Dong Tianming was old, he was unwilling to become dust of the old era.

And the result was as he had hoped.

The curtain of a new era slowly rose before him. The crimson curtain, stained with blood, shook off the embers of iron and fire. From this long river of Flame, he glimpsed the tip of the iceberg of another Civilization and smelled the cruel bloodlust of a heavy page of history from another world.

Just as he saw speeding cars, smooth roads, huge cargo ships, dazzling goods, and uniform standards in the Distant Harbor, he guessed that this Civilization must be skilled in metallurgy and craftsmanship. Abundant resources do not arise out of thin air; raw materials need to be collected, and the tools for collecting them can be manufactured... Thus, he could see a terrifying beast, driven by the pursuit of profit, opening its gluttonous maw to devour and plunder.

Therefore, one thing is beyond doubt.

Just as finely refined steel is not used to forge kitchen knives for ordinary people, and a thoroughbred steed is not used as a pack animal for farmers, the craftsmanship, technology, knowledge, and strength used to manufacture many civilian goods found in Distant Harbor will inevitably be first applied to the military, and sophisticated and powerful weapons...

--This often means even more brutal warfare.

Throughout history, those who wield weapons have often been the most cruel and ruthless tyrants.

As soon as Dong Tianming thought of this, he looked at the boundless black earth before him, where people were like ants, losing their lives unconsciously. He couldn't help but look at Kang De, having heard his lord's words earlier.

World War I.

"Decades of technological progress."

"Tactics of the old era".

And that's what he cares about most.

He became the soldier who personally killed the most people in human history up to that point.

--Up to that point.

He witnessed Distant Harbor war system that was in no way inferior to the Council the council. From individual soldiers to legions, all kinds of weapons formed an invincible whole, capable of both long-range attacks and close defense. Every link was a testament to the wisdom of the designers and must have also been imbued with the wronged souls of the dead...

Before these terrifying weapons of death were acquired and used by a wise, brave, and compassionate ruler like our lord, how many emperors and generals had slaughtered countless people and caused bloodshed?

However, God protected them.

At this moment, Dong Tianming truly thanked Heaven from the bottom of his heart.

Such powerful and invincible weapons, capable of conquering cities and splitting the earth, have descended upon the Mortal World from a distance that is both vast and unknowable, and yet they are now in the hands of our lord—truly a blessing for all living beings.

Being compassionate while commanding troops is a major taboo in military strategy. However, upon hearing the lord's instruction to "pay attention to the mental health issues caused by soldiers killing too many people," the Imperial Tutor, though astonished, could only smile knowingly.

He bet that throughout history, whether in Cathay or foreign lands, no monarch or general would ever care about such a thing, or even notice it—what the hell is this problem?

But it was so appropriate and fitting that the lord raised and considered this issue.

The Imperial Tutor showed no disdain or contempt, only respect and reverence.

Because he had already seen it with his own eyes.

Famous generals throughout history have said that they treat their soldiers like their own children, but this is merely a method to win people's hearts. In essence, it is to seek soldiers to fight for them. How could Dong Tianming, a famous minister of his time, not know the tricks and tricks involved? But only Kang De could convince him that even a reincarnated military sage could not surpass him.

Because he had already seen it with his own eyes.

From trauma emergency evacuation systems to battlefield medical systems, from equipment design to logistics construction, the Dragon of Cathay military was considering "ensuring that all soldiers return home alive" from the very beginning.

He never lied to his soldiers or his people, nor did he ever utter a single boast.

They even considered the soldiers' mental well-being.

Only...

Dong Tianming suddenly thought of the Battle to Relieve Danfeng Lucerne made his lord famous and shook the world. In one day, they broke through seven lines of defense and caused bloodshed. The brutality of that battlefield was no less than the Shura battlefield before him. His lord had personally achieved such results and created such a situation, and he must have faced a brutal and bloody battle. Was this the reason why he said he needed to pay attention to the soldiers' psychological problems?

Then he himself...

"Oh... I'm fine with that."

Kang De shrugged. "He went mad long ago, after all."

Dong Tianming was momentarily stunned, unsure whether this was a joke.

"In any case..." The Imperial Tutor pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty is benevolent, and this old minister is in awe."

"I only have the remaining strength of benevolence... Griffin didn't, so he could only pay with human lives." Kang De's tone turned cold, then somewhat desolate.

"I just feel that every life is too heavy, too heavy for me to bear. It doesn't matter if I kill people myself, but if someone dies because of me, whether it's protecting me, following my orders to fight, or dying because of my negligence or incompetence... I can't accept that."

His slightly wistful gaze pierced through the gloomy clouds of the battlefield, transcending time, recalling old friends and the great battles he would inevitably face in the future.

"I've been working to reduce the chances of this happening. Everyone says war inevitably results in death, and that a merciful general can't command an army. I understand those principles, but I still don't want to see such separation and death. I know this will happen sooner or later, and I even know that when facing an even more terrifying enemy in the future, all my efforts now might be in vain... But it's better than doing nothing."

Dong Tianming sighed silently.

He thought he was already heartless, but he never expected that following his lord would make him so sentimental.

He also knew what a terrible enemy Kang De was about to face. It seemed that only a cruel and ruthless tyrant who exploited all the people's and the nation's resources had the right and the power to fight against such an enemy. There were indeed monarchs in history who were too kind and benevolent, like Kang De, but none of them had a good end, and their achievements were ruined as a result. As a subject, he should advise the monarch to harden his heart and prioritize the greater good.

But at this very moment, the minister who was supposed to offer honest advice suddenly discovered...

He was ashamed to say those words in front of Kang De.

"Regardless of the outcome..."

Dong Tianming solemnly cupped his hands and said, "This old minister will never regret following my lord."

At this point, he even displayed a touch of the youthful, heroic spirit he once possessed. "Even if we ultimately perish at the hands of the Star Palace, we will still let those high and mighty gods know the pride of mortals!"

Kang De asked in surprise, "Why have you suddenly become so pessimistic?"

The Imperial Tutor looked surprised. "Huh?"

"Pah, pah, pah! Who wants to die at the hands of the Star Palace? If we really can't beat them, of course we'll just flood them with Paradox Crystal and then everyone's packing up and running away, leaving the Star Palace to destroy a lonely world."

"Ah?"

"Of course, it would be best to defeat the Star Palace. After all, this planet is so big; it would be a waste to abandon it."

"Ah?"

"What? What? You've already run away with the buckets, and you still expect to take back Aiur one day? Of course, you'll smash the Mortal World while you're away, blow up the whole planet, and make the Star Palace eat shit."

"Ah?"

"No, please. To be honest, I have come up with a really good idea."

Even though the Imperial Tutor was a wise man of unparalleled intelligence, he still couldn't quite keep up with Kang De's train of thought. He finally calmed himself down and bowed, saying, "This old minister is all ears."

Kang De gave a thumbs-up, revealing his gleaming teeth. "If we really can't defeat the Star Palace, then we'll launch a planetary-scale escape plan. Once we've successfully escaped, as long as I destroy the world first, the Star Palace's attempt to destroy the world will fail, and in the end, we'll still win. I even suspect that the Star Palace's headquarters are in near-Earth orbit; if I make a big enough scene, I might even be able to wipe them all out..."

Do you know what you're saying?

The Imperial Tutor wore a puzzling expression.

Instead, Kang De himself, after finishing his sentence, suddenly showed a look of surprise. "Huh?"

He seemed to have thought of something, and his brows furrowed.

Dong Tianming asked in surprise, "My lord?"

"... Old Dong," Kang De snapped out of his reverie, "Have you ever heard of the Curtain Closer?"

"No." The learned imperial tutor pondered seriously for a moment, "This old minister is ignorant... Then what is it?"

"... Never mind, it's nothing, I was just imagining things." Kang De waved his hand. "I didn't care."

"Father."

Horus interrupted their conversation, bringing the latest news on the battle.

"Griffin seems to have adopted new tactics... Our casualties are increasing."

Kang De's expression immediately turned cold. "What happened? Was it because Griffin used a poison spell? I remember that the armor and equipment were designed with this problem in mind, and the battlefield was also urgently replenished with corresponding healing potions, purification scrolls, and protective ornaments."

Now, the two armies are facing each other, digging trenches and building defensive positions. After the artillery bombards them, the infantry charges. It's just like World War I. Kang De has a whole history book on this subject that you can consult.

For him, when it comes to World War I, it's all about cheat codes flying everywhere... oh wait, no, that's not right.

It's machine gun roll call, tank initial engagement, meat grinder, poison gas, and heavy artillery bombardment.

Especially poison gas.

Judging by his integrity and morality, Griffin Williams was probably on par with the monarchs of Europe at the time, so it's not surprising that he used poison; naturally, we had to be careful. As expected, this guy really did play dirty tricks, sending out a bunch of targets as cannon fodder before poisoning them.

"The main issue isn't the highly poisonous spells... but the threat of poison is significant." Horus relayed the conclusions of the mage contingent and the archmage support team. "The Council's highly poisonous spells incorporated a wind element core, causing them to spread extremely quickly in trenches and other terrain. Our mage units must withstand the combined magical attacks from the enemy while simultaneously intercepting the poison offensive; some oversights are inevitable."

"Spells like Cloudkill, once they land and erupt, spread extremely quickly and over a large area. Purification takes time and is quite difficult... sometimes it's too late."

Kang De's voice turned colder. "And then?"

"Then the Council seized the opportunity to launch an attack." A screen rose in front of Kang De, displaying photographs one after another. Unlike the infantry cannon fodder sent earlier, these were new enemies.

Wearing a black cloak and robe, a skull mask, and carrying numerous alchemical bombs, he wielded musket-like weapons, a tactical staff, and individual magical artifacts, and used attack scrolls in an extremely extravagant manner.

"Well-trained elite enemies, uniformly dressed, mostly magic swordsmen with some spellcasting ability, a small number of elite battle mages, rich in combat experience, with a tenacious fighting spirit, and most importantly, equipped with powerful firepower and excellent equipment..."

Under the cover of the poisonous cloud of the Cloudkill, black shadows did indeed cross the battlefield and rush into the trenches. Gunshots, explosions, and screams could be heard from all directions, and purple streaks of light flashed and disappeared continuously.

"They have sophisticated tactics for dealing with firearms... They use magic to create an incompressible fluid at least fifty centimeters thick, usually a wall of water, which can completely defend against the kinetic energy projectiles of heavy firearms, after all, this is a double weakening effect combined with Deceleration Field. Then they will use replicas of magical firearms and staves to launch attacks, or directly throw alchemical explosives, or use attack scrolls..."

"Deceleration Field envelops them, Cloudkill suppress them, elite assault troops tear open a breach and charge in, while enemy infantry battalions advance cautiously. Griffin has launched a fierce attack; it's a very effective tactic."

Horus coldly replied, "But Father, your soldiers are ready to repel the enemy. They are engaged in fierce close combat, fighting for trenches and defending strongpoints section by section. Every single one of them is extremely brave, whether they are veterans or new recruits."

Kang De listened to the intense explosions, and he could also sense more and more soldiers triggering their trauma mechanisms and jumping back into the White Mist World. He suddenly sighed.

Upon seeing this, Dong Tianming immediately said, "My lord, it is a good thing that the soldiers are fighting bravely and willing to die for you. Victory and defeat are common in war, and casualties are inevitable. Please do not take it too seriously."

"... You've misunderstood."

Kang De's eyes gleamed with a cold light. "I'm not sighing over this matter... I'm just lamenting that the Arcane Council, as one of the world's great powers, has so many loyal and brave men who have served it. They are seasoned veterans, unafraid of sacrifice, and undeterred by the previous brutal battlefields. They charged into our trenches with the determination to die. What courage they displayed! They were no less than our soldiers. Even if they were enemies, I would still admire them."

"But the more I admire them, the angrier I become."

"They shouldn't be here, they shouldn't be in this war, they shouldn't die here," Kang De said slowly. "These brave soldiers, if they must die, should die in a heroic battle against the Star Palace, protecting the Mortal World, not be shot to death like dogs."

"Griffin betrayed them... Only now do I realize the extent of his sins."

He even laughed as he said this.

"What a pity—this outrageous war... what a pity."

Dong Tianming said in a low voice, "My lord, there's nothing we can do about it."

"Ah, yes, there's nothing we can do about it."

Kang De chuckled coldly a few times, then turned to look at the Imperial Tutor.

"Old Dong, have you heard of this?" His tone was icy. "When foreign enemies invaded and the country was on the verge of extinction, in order to save the nation, a righteous official conscripted brave men from all over the country to join the army and fight against the enemy. A total of 14 million brave men were conscripted, but millions died of disease, starvation, and exhaustion on the way—have you heard of this?"

The Imperial Tutor stared in disbelief. "This..."

"That's fucking bullshit. You see it all, but there's absolutely nothing you can do about it."

Kang De spat on the ground. "I'm determined to find a way... Even if there's no way, I'll still seek justice for those who have no other recourse, so they know what they've done before they die!"

He shouted, "Horus!"

Iron Son replied, "Yes!"

"Relay my orders!"

Kang De shouted, "First, search for and collect the enemy's new weapons! Second, order the soldiers not to linger in prolonged battles, but to rely on the terrain, be cautious, and inflict maximum damage on the enemy while preserving themselves. When isolated and without support, they should decisively withdraw and regroup..."

His expression turned fierce. "The third point... let's give Griffin a big surprise!"

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PS1: Update... Recovering from typing is a bit harder than I imagined. I've also had a slight fever these past two days. I'll try to get back to normal as soon as possible.