Chapter 508: Urban Warfare
(Juxta Military Base, Forward Simulation Deck)
After exiting the Destroyer Craft, Charles led Leo towards the forward simulation deck, which was a holographic training ground where soldiers learnt the basics of urban warfare.
The floor of the forward simulation deck was made purely of glass, and once they took the designated starting spot, a massive holographic city soon rose in layers before them.
Towering structures, cracked streets, half-demolished infrastructure, and flickering mana barricades flickered into place one district at a time, until the entire projected metropolis stood fully formed.
"Alright boy," Charles began, his voice steady and stripped of any theatrics. "Now that you understand how air superiority is established and maintained, it’s time to learn about the most bloody part of any war, where the most lives are lost."
He pointed toward the central district of the hologram where red markers indicated enemy strongholds.
"The air force does one thing and does it well. It levels enemy infrastructure. Destroys radar stations. Dismantles forward command posts. It pushes the opposition army into the cities where they’re harder to root out... but easier to trap."
Charles circled a finger above the projection.
"As per universal treaty on war, we cannot bomb, nor can we indiscriminately neutralize cities in war through aerial assault. Which is one of the reasons behind why, this step must be done on foot and why the aircrafts can’t help us–"
He explained, as Leo nodded in understanding.
In theory it would be far easier to neutralize a whole city via bombing it to ash, but that could lead to extreme loss of civilian life and Leo could see why such a practice had to be outlawed.
"Never break the rules of war boy.... Because remember, although you may break it once and save a few hundred thousand lives on your side, somewhere down the line that decision will come back and bite you, costing you hundreds of millions more lives than it would have otherwise." Charles warned, as Leo replied by nodding solemnly.