Exploring Technology in a Wizard World-Chapter 1288 - 1286: Spy

Richard controlled the consciousness to stop instantly and looked to the left and right, seeing that this was a several-meter-wide underground passage. Judging from the many traces in the passage, it seemed to have been used recently.

Without a doubt, this was the tunnel used by the Sika Kingdom army to infiltrate the Soma Alliance!

What followed was much simpler.

Without hesitation, Richard determined the direction and moved toward the exit along the tunnel.

In a short while, he reached the end, penetrated through the disguise at the exit, and appeared on the surface. He looked around and couldn’t help but feel suspicious in his heart.

The reason was none other than the location of the exit, unexpectedly over ten miles north of Blue Water Mountain, six or seven miles beyond his expanded range.

Heading north from here, there’s farmland not far away, and a little further north is a small village with a scale of over a hundred people.

This was too unreasonable and completely illogical.

If the Sika Kingdom’s army really emerged from this tunnel, it was impossible for the villagers to not notice.

But the fact proved that the Sika Kingdom’s army did indeed emerge from here.

Then this village...

Richard looked suspiciously at the village under the night sky and saw someone sneaking a few glances in his direction at the village entrance, then quickly withdrew their head and ran into the village.

What’s going on?

Richard’s suspicion deepened. If it weren’t for multiple out-of-body experiences proving otherwise, he would really suspect that the other party had seen the presence of his consciousness.

Things were getting stranger and stranger.

If there’s something unusual, it must be strange.

With a thought, Richard quickly moved his consciousness toward the village, catching up with the person who had just shown their face.

It could be seen that it was a short, fat man about 1.5 meters tall but weighing nearly 200 pounds. His bloated body did not affect his agility; he ran nimbly and soon gathered in front of a hut in the village center.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

The man knocked lightly on the door, making a sound. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

With a creak, the door opened, and a hand dry as an eagle’s claw reached out, grabbed the man, and pulled him inside without even looking.

"Bang!"

The door closed again.

"Click!"

The wooden latch was secured.

"Click, poof!"

Fumbling, a flint struck, and an oil lamp was lit.

With the weak light from the oil lamp, it could be seen that this was a very shabby room, with nothing but a wooden bed, a three-legged table, two benches, a wooden box, a wooden rack, a stove, and a set of broken kitchenware.

And this was the situation for the vast majority of villagers in this era.

The person lighting the oil lamp was an old man with a face full of wrinkles, who had just pulled the short, fat man in.

He handed the man a chipped bowl containing some murky water, indicating for him to drink to calm his nerves.

Then he asked, "What’s the situation, Winter?"

"Chief, it seems no one has come looking." The short, fat man finished drinking the water, put down the broken bowl, wiped his mouth, and said.

After saying that, he glanced at the door, confirmed that no one was eavesdropping, and continued, "I really didn’t see a single person, whether passersby or soldiers. It seems the Alliance really hasn’t discovered anything."

"That’s good." The old man sighed in relief, his age-spotted face slightly relaxing, "This means the tunnel is well protected, and the disguise marks are well done. The kingdom’s soldiers are very determined; no captives have been forced to reveal the exit. After all, they don’t want their families to suffer. In that case, the tunnel has a good chance of continuing to be used..."

At this, the old man sighed lightly, a bit worried, "It’s just a pity that the kingdom’s army is still too few, and attacking the Bloodstone Mountain’s defense line also cost them. Now, after being cut off by the Alliance, they’ve been forced east.

At this rate, even if the kingdom’s army can cause chaos and disrupt the Alliance’s rear, I’m afraid they won’t survive the operation. Unless... they can break through and come back, restart the tunnel here, and return to the kingdom through the defense line."

"Chief, does that mean the kingdom’s people are going to die?" The short, fat man was a bit shocked.

"More or less." The old man nodded, "Sacrificing for the kingdom is considered their mission. However, speaking of it, they’re all fine lads. If possible, I still hope they can escape back through the tunnel outside the village."

"But..." The short, fat man hesitated and said, "But really, if the army breaks through and returns, chased through the tunnel back to the kingdom, the tunnel will definitely be exposed, right? Once exposed, the tunnel will be worthless and unusable in future operations, causing greater loss, right?"

The old man gave the short, fat man a deep look and said, "Winter, you’re not wrong. Using a confidential tunnel to save the remaining kingdom soldiers’ lives is indeed a bit unworthy. But, that’s under the premise of only one tunnel. What if there’s more than one tunnel?"

This!

Hearing the old man’s words, the short, fat man nearly jumped up, exclaiming, "Chief... Chief, there’s a second tunnel?!"

"Shh!" The old man made a silencing gesture, glaring sharply at the short, fat man, scolding unceremoniously, "Calm down! You know this yourself, don’t ask about the location, and above all, don’t casually tell the villagers.

Even though this village is made up of the kingdom’s people, infiltrated and gathered here, theoretically loyal to the kingdom. But after so many years, some things are not so straightforward; human nature is the hardest to test.

In this village, the one I am most optimistic about is you. As long as you maintain your prior performance, eventually, I will hand over the kingdom’s tunnel secret to you. By then, you’ll be the new chief and the hidden baron of Sika Kingdom. Didn’t you fancy that girl Sally? By then, she’ll be yours."

The short, fat man, hearing this, blushed with excitement, and tremblingly said, "Chief, if you really pass the secret to me and let me take over your title, I wouldn’t even care about Sally. She’s just a silly girl, a bit pretty, but nothing else. If I can become a baron and make great achievements for the kingdom to be knighted, what kind of woman would I not find?!"

"Good lad, you have ambition and brains; I appreciate that!" The chief praised, "But now the storm hasn’t passed, it’s wise to be cautious. Henceforth, rest by day, and at night, keep an eye outside the village. Report to me immediately if anything unusual arises, understood?"

"Yes, Chief." The short, fat man nodded vigorously.

"Good, off you go." The old man waved his hand.

The short, fat man quickly left the room.

Standing in the corner of the room, Richard watched the short, fat man leave, glanced at the old man, and finally understood why the tunnel entrance near this village hadn’t been discovered. Turns out... this was a spy village all along.

Not to mention... the opposition proactively reported it, they probably even helped the Sika Kingdom’s army cover their tracks back then.

Impressive!