Exploring Technology in a Wizard World-Chapter 1304 - 1302: Leaked Secrets

"It’s indeed risky now, but the rewards are also significant." Soron glanced at the staff and said, "After all, the Sika Kingdom has deep roots. Right now, the entire country has not fully reacted, so there are only about 150,000 troops near Kasha City. If we can really capture it, we will gain a huge strategic advantage.

"If we delay and wait for the second Alliance Army to be deployed, it will be stable, but the entire Sika Kingdom will be fully mobilized, and we will face more enemies. By that time, it will not be an attack but rather a war of attrition.

"Trust me, Mr. Kun, attrition warfare is what the Alliance least desires. After all, we are fighting at a long distance and have substantial logistical pressures. If we can’t swiftly open up a front, even before we experience a military defeat, we’ll collapse from logistics failing.

"By then, all advantages will disappear, and it will be questionable how many of our people can retreat to the Alliance. Offensive actions will turn into passive defense. Let’s hope that Reef Rock Castle remains as sturdy then."

The White Robed Staff opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say. He actually understood Soron’s reasoning, but ultimately felt a bit resistant to such high-risk actions.

After some thought, the staff said, "If you really insist on this plan, I can only support it. But I suggest, you must ensure confidentiality; the fewer who know about the battle plan before the mission’s official issuance, the better.

"After all, the enemy’s infiltration is relentless, and if the battle plan leaks, and they understand our Central Army’s vulnerabilities, a victory will be a Pyrrhic one. If possible, it’s best to review everyone in the command room’s staff department and all civil servants, to prevent enemies from lurking right under our noses undetected."

Soron listened, pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, I’ll consider it."

...

Saying and doing.

When Soron said he would consider, he indeed took the White Robed Staff’s suggestion under consideration, and afterward, the decision was carried out.

The entire command room staff department and civil servants underwent strict scrutiny. However, no major treason was found, only a few individuals guilty of embezzlement, dereliction of duty, chaotic private lives, and inappropriate relationships with colleagues, which were straightforwardly dealt with.

This made everyone anxious, and everyone was careful with their actions, afraid of being the next unlucky one.

In this somewhat oppressive atmosphere, the command room began its relocation.

...

Nighttime.

A heavily guarded convoy, escorted by numerous soldiers, left Grey Stone City, heading towards Kasha City.

The convoy was vast in size, stretching several hundred meters, and the escorting soldiers spread several miles outward on both sides to prevent enemy infiltration and attacks.

But there were still some daring individuals willing to take risks.

A Black Shadow approached the convoy silently under the cover of darkness. He stopped only when he reached the outermost perimeter of the soldiers’ vigilant defense, crouching behind a rock and squinting at the convoy, plotting something unknown.

"Rustle..."

An unusual sound came from behind. The Black Shadow was slightly startled and turned around abruptly, seeing a man hidden in a grey robe swiftly reaching for him.

The Black Shadow dodged the attack quickly, knowing he was exposed, and dared not linger to avoid encirclement from the main force, escaping swiftly.

However, he hadn’t taken more than a few steps before encountering a hidden trap—a sudden invisible force tripped him heavily to the ground, and simultaneously a mysterious numbness swept up from his feet, spreading rapidly to his legs, torso, and eventually paralyzing his entire body.

The Black Shadow felt a sense of despair, ready to die in the next moment. After a few seconds, he was surprised to find that the man in the grey robe had not made a move.

Hmm?

"Alright, stop playing dead on the ground, get up." A voice sounded, and the Black Shadow felt a sudden lightness in his body, the numbness instantly dissipating, restoring his freedom. He quickly got up and saw the man beneath the grey robe remove his hood, revealing a familiar face.

"It’s you!" The Black Shadow was initially startled, then delighted, letting out a sigh of relief.

Realizing what happened, the Black Shadow grew a bit angry and questioned, "What are you playing at, attacking one of your own and risking detection from the sounds of battle?"

The man under the grey robe gave him a sidelong glance, curling his lips, "Huh, I wouldn’t consider you one of our own; at most, a collaborator. The command room is currently reviewing all personnel, I have to be careful to avoid traps. I need to subdue you to make sure you have no ulterior motives before handing over any information."

"Alright, fine." The Black Shadow conceded, unwilling to argue further since he couldn’t afford a fight, and said straightforwardly, "Now that you’ve confirmed I don’t have any ulterior motives, can you pass me the information?"

"Sure." The grey-robed man was succinct, handing over a piece of paper without further ado.

The Black Shadow quickly accepted it, and a faint orange-yellow light flickered in his eyes as he glanced at the paper. There were just a few simple words: Attack the Central Army.

"’Attack the Central Army,’ what does that mean?" The Black Robe frowned at the Black Shadow and asked aloud.

"What, don’t you get it?" The Grey Robe replied, "Isn’t it simple? In the battle a few days later, all you have to do is attack the Central Army. It’s their weak point and requires just one all-out charge to break it.

"But remember two things: first, the attack must start twenty minutes after the battle begins. Starting earlier just gives their flanks a chance to reinforce. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Second, there’s a relatively powerful wizard stationed with the Central Army, so the attack force needs to be dispersed to avoid heavy casualties from spell attacks."

"This is too vague, isn’t it?" The Black Shadow was somewhat dissatisfied, wanting more details, "What’s the specific troop deployment on the other side? How weak is the Central Army? Who is the wizard in charge, and how strong are they? Isn’t waiting twenty minutes to start the attack a bit late? And what if it’s an all-out attack, and they are prepared?"

"You’re asking too many questions." The Grey Robe’s voice turned cold, "Do you think the entire command here is yours? You should be glad to have received this information, do you expect every detail? Want me to take you to Alliance Commander Soron and ask how he’s planning it?"

"I..."

"Enough, shut up! As I said, the command room is reviewing all personnel, be grateful for receiving this intelligence. Need-to-know principles apply; don’t ask what you don’t need to know. Do you think intelligence gathering is easy? It carries risks.

"I’m not your subordinate, just a collaborator. I’ve done my part; there’s no need for you to question it. Now get lost; disappear from my sight in three seconds, and relay my words verbatim back to your master, or else don’t blame me for turning hostile."

The Black Shadow cast a frightened and confused glance at the Grey Robe, bit his lip, and quickly sped off in the direction he came from, vanishing without a trace shortly after.

The Grey Robe gave a dismissive snort, glanced at the departing direction of the Black Shadow, and turned to leave as well.

...