Season 3: Chapter 92: Ancient Castle Wall (2)

Seeing the map, it wasn't just the Korean team that was taken aback.

Anto, Italy's commander, also tilted his head slightly.

"With this setup, Korea can't do much in the early game."

He had planned to counter Korea's early strategies, but the appearance of such a map ironically meant that his preparations would go unused.

"And it seems Korea's plan of an early gambit has also been thwarted..."

After the map’s reveal, both teams had thirty seconds to devise a new strategy.

If Anto had been an ordinary commander, seeing this map would have made him rejoice because a map that hindered early aggression generally benefited Rome.

However, no smile could be found on Anto's lips.

"I wonder how Cookie will respond."

Strategy and tactics were inherently interlocked with the adversary. Strategizing against a wall meant nothing. Simply because the map favored Rome didn't mean it was unequivocally advantageous for them. It also depended on who the opponent was and how their strategies meshed to determine who was superior.

Anto’s opponent was Cookie and he did not underestimate him. Cookie’s will would not easily bend just at the sight of walls.

"He'll probably try to create some variable."

Even though the map had a fixed flow up to the third era, Cookie would try to make something happen. He was that kind of commander. But how?

Looking at these sheer cliffs and towering walls, who would dare step foot here with first or second era troops? How could any dramatic play be made before the third era?

"Even if it's him..."

Anto had one player in mind. It was unusual for him to think of a player rather than a commander when facing Korea. That player was a significant variable. It was Almond.

However, even that variable could do nothing against these geographical limits. Nothing was as powerless as a human before nature. No matter how talented, one could not overcome the terrain. They only utilize it.

"Ah."

Only then did Anto realize how Cookie could possibly proceed.

"He'll make use of it."

Anto looked at the narrow entrance again. It looked even better for blocking from a second glance.

"From the enemy's perspective…"

He didn’t think that this entrance was only for blocking. The enemy could fortify it and hold out there.

[Start]

The game began.

Anto immediately issued a command that was slightly different than usual. The casters hardly noticed because it wasn’t that conspicuous. In Anto's mind, this small flutter was already brewing a storm.

***

Before long, the game moved into the second era.

Korea continued to press Rome's base.

"Wait! Korea is really pressing with forward barracks right now! This means that if troops continue to be produced here, it's practically a reincarnation zone for soldiers!"

[Infantry Training Ground]

[Archery Range]

[Armory]

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Three buildings appeared right at the entrance of the enemy's base. With these alone, the gathered two hundred soldiers could be immediately militarized.

"Now that it's the second era, they can switch military units!?"

"Cookie is even building another base. He's really fattening up!"

Besides the resources in the main base like gold, stone, and wood, a new base allowed the harvesting of resources from a different area. In RTS games, having more base was generally considered as being in a winning position.

After all, areas had limited resources. Only by building more bases could more resources be harvested.

"In actual warfare like in RTS games, most fights are essentially won by money."

"Currently, Joseon not only has the five o'clock main base, but is also building another base in area six! This is risky!"

While having more base was generally advantageous, the only drawback was their construction.

"They do say it’s like loading up the ship! Don't they!?"

"Correct. When you expand bases, it often becomes vulnerable. It’s similar to upgrading eras!"

Just as reptiles were most vulnerable right after shedding their skin, a newly established base was also susceptible. Therefore, many players refrained from building more bases until the third era.

"Joseon is well aware of this! Rome can't come out now!"

Korea knew that Italy would be holed up inside for a while.

OrangeKing added an explanation, "Not only that, but Joseon's additional base building could also be due to the characteristics of the map."

"Ah, right. Did you say this map has fewer resources at the main base?"

"Yes! They're preparing in advance for that!"

The Ancient Walls map boasted great defense, but offered fewer resources at the main base than other maps. Korea ventured out early in preparation for the depletion of its main base's resources.

"Look, Joseon's additional base is complete! There are now two town halls! The worker production speed is also doubled! So is the resource gathering speed!"

"Meanwhile, Rome can't even consider expanding bases now, can they?"

Rome had to rely solely on the resources within its main base. The workers would have to go outside to build anything.

Right now, no one could leave the eleven o'clock position. The only units Rome had outside eleven o'clock were some barbarian soldiers who couldn't enter earlier.

"Isn't the essence of RTS games to seize territory? Troops come out, take land, and consume resources!"

That was an accurate description. If AOS games were about demolishing the opponent's buildings faster, RTS games were about occupying more space than the opponent.

"But! Rome is currently not only unable to base build, but its troops are so scattered that dozens are still just wandering outside the main base and armed only with clubs!"

Rome seemed completely out of the game when it came to territorial control.

— Is Korea really going to win this easily???

— It’s much more advantageous than I thought.

— What happened to Rome LOL

— So much for their grand plans LOL

The viewers also thought Korea had gained the upper hand.

OrangeKing nodded in agreement.

"Right. Those troops have become complete fools. What can they do with clubs in the third era…? Oh!?"

OrangeKing, while looking at the minimap, suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"Ah, no! Why did they suddenly switch to Cookie's perspective?"

The observer switched to Cookie's point of view. This often happened during games and usually indicated that the opponent was scheming something. In other words, Rome was up to something.

"It seems they switched for the viewers' enjoyment? Does this mean Rome is plotting something?"

— Wow, seeing it from Cookie's perspective really changes things.

— Breathless!

— So clueless.

— Damn, this is what a commander's view looks like!?

The entire map was brightly illuminated. Viewers felt astonished when the view switched to Cookie's perspective.

Commanders fought with significantly limited information, which was true for Rome's commander as well. No, it was even worse in this game.

OrangeKing continued to feel uneasy as Rome remained trapped in their main base. He hoped for Korea to win.

'What aren't we supposed to see that they've imposed such a restriction?'

The observer had hidden something for entertainment purposes.

***

Joseon had blocked the entrance to Rome's main base.

Cookie thought,

'This strategy has worked so far.'

They clearly dominated the early game.

Rome's forces had been divided inside and out. Their flow of food had also been cut off.

'That's it.'

Cookie felt satisfied. They could move freely while the enemy remained trapped.

Freely expanding their bases, Korea continued creating a booming resource line. The six o'clock base was now functioning properly.

Even if Rome could quickly gather resources with a priest buff, Joseon would become much wealthier.

'Besides, they can't hold out inside forever.'

Eventually, Italy would have to break out and consume a base. When would that be? That would be the key point in this game.

'Rome will come out in the late second era.'

Cookie anticipated that Rome would only come out in the late second era.

Even if Rome pulled together all the resources in their main base, it would be insufficient to upgrade to third era equipment and factions. Instead, they would likely gather troops in the late second era and strike all at once. With no additional base, that would be their strongest timing.

Of course, breaking through the blocked exit with second era forces was not an easy task.

'If it's Rome's second era, they’ll lead with legionaries...'

Scenarios were already forming in Cookie's mind. If Rome attempted to break through the blocked exit in the late second era, Cookie would build defense towers in that area to completely seal it off.

If two defense towers were installed in that narrow passage, the second era forces would hardly be able to break through. Even if they did, they would suffer tremendous damage.

While Rome recovered from that damage, Cookie could quickly advance to the third era and press further.

'Soon, gradually...'

It was almost the late second era.

Cookie began supplying the soldiers with composite bows and started constructing defense towers.

While he hesitated to invest in the first era, now he fully invested to properly seal Rome off after establishing another base.

'Let's see this through, Anto.'

This was the point when the game would be decided.

***

"Ah. Cookie thinks Rome will come out soon! That’s why he’s supplying the soldiers with composite bows!"

"Yes! They’re led by the archer leader Pang, Almond, and Carrot! They are all being supplied with composite bows!"

OrangeKing mischievously snickered as he added, "As far as I know, there's a bit of a power dynamic among the players over who receives the bow first."

— Always stirring the pot

— He loves this kind of stuff LOL

— OrangeKing's special: Loves talking about his player days

It wasn't a particularly important story, but it was a moment to share an interesting anecdote as the standoff dragged on.

"Ah, right! Joseon’s archers are all elite, so who receives a bow first is important. Isn't it?"

"Yes. It feels like the ace of aces is receiving it, doesn't it? Until now, player Pang has always received it first. Watching this is also fun."

— LOL the rivalry

— Really, that's how it is

— The best player gets it first, yeah

— Fact: OrangeKing was the lowest ranked during his player days, so he donated all the jungle mobs to mid

— Cookie doesn't give it to Almond first

— So Pang is the ace

Korea also armed its pikemen following the archers and thoroughly blocked the entrance.

"Ah. Not only two defense towers and archers, but armed pikemen now too!?"

"Yes. This is like saying, 'Don't even come out until you have siege weapons in the third era!'"

Cookie showed no intention of backing down from guarding Rome's exit.

"But if Cookie spends money like this in the second era, won't it slow down his progression to the third era?"

"It's much more important to keep Rome from coming out than that. If Rome can't come out, even if they reach the third era, they won't have the money to produce equipment. Eventually, it'll be gg!"

— Just going to choke them out

— But when will they lift the fog of war???

— Ah, something feels off because of the limited vision

— Korea has too much of an advantage. If they build one more base, the third era won't be that slow?

— They're going to win this too?

Even if Joseon spent some resources in the second era, a few minutes of delay in reaching the third era wouldn’t matter if they could gain such an advantage now.

"No. I didn't expect them to dominate this much?"

OrangeKing marveled at Joseon's financial situation being so good.

"Anto is definitely a tremendous commander... No, in fact, Anto is world-class."

"Ah, right. Anto is the top! Number one!"

— Wow

— And Cookie dominating this much is just...

— Really? How did this happen?

"So Anto will show us something, right?"

"Yes. Rome will come out! I think the observer has hidden it because it's about the timing of Rome's expansion. Are they preparing to come out with something special? They can't delay any longer!"

It was almost the late second era. If Rome didn't come out to fight, they would just wither away inside.

"So... Rome...?"

The gates above would soon open. Thinking this, the broadcasters remained focused.

"Rome? Are you there?"

— LOL

— OrangeKing got it wrong again?

— Why aren't they coming out? LOL

— Ah, the limited vision is frustrating

"What, what's going on?"

Then, the broadcasters’ eyes widened.

"!"

The observer finally revealed what was previously hidden.