Exploring Technology in a Wizard World-Chapter 1317 - 1315: The Real Purpose?

As the White Robed Staff stood puzzled on the city wall, Richard sat in his mansion’s parlor, looking at Soron, who had come for yet another visit, with a rather complicated expression.

Why say again?

Because since the battle of Kasha City ended, it’s been ten days, and this was Soron’s fourth visit.

The first visit was barely about discussing matters, which was understandable.

The second visit was a bit odd, claiming to check on his illness.

Check on his illness? As if!

Richard was sure Soron wasn’t foolish and knew his claiming to feel unwell was just an excuse. Since the other party accepted it, they should have a tacit understanding not to expose it.

However, Soron truly came to check on his illness.

Having no choice, Richard had to cooperate, feigning weakness, conversing briefly, and seeing Soron off.

A few days after seeing him off, Soron visited for the third time.

During the visit, Richard was conducting a new spell test with Bi Bi and was quite displeased at being interrupted but still hosted Soron, eager to see what he was truly after.

Yet Soron didn’t reveal a thing, contrary to his coldness before the Kasha City battle, chatted amiably like a friend about trivial matters, avoiding military topics.

After the conversation, he left with a smile.

Just when Richard thought the rule of three visits was complete, Soron initiated the fourth visit.

A fourth visit!

Richard looked at Soron seriously tasting tea in the parlor and really wanted to ask him: General, why are you so free? Does the Alliance Emperor know how idle you are, aren’t you afraid of angering the Emperor? If I’m idle, it’s because the agreement allows it. But if you’re this free, you ought to be disciplined for it.

General, your current laziness makes me suspect a possible collusion with the enemy, are you a Sika Spy? You fought so valiantly before, was it just a façade? Now seeing how wretched Sika has become, are you willing to expose yourself just to slack off?

After looking at Soron with a complex expression for a long time, Richard finally asked, "General, this visit, what is it for this time?"

"Nothing much, just came to see if Lord Richard’s illness has improved." Soron said lightly.

Richard, with a rosy complexion and unchanged expression, replied, "I’m afraid not, due to earlier life force depletion, I haven’t recovered yet."

"I see... You do look quite pale indeed." Soron nodded in agreement, "Then Lord Richard should go rest, or attend to other matters, no need to keep me company here, I’ll just sit for a while and leave."

"Wouldn’t that be somewhat impolite?"

"If that’s impolite, then my frequent disturbances must be even more impolite?" Soron retorted with a smile.

"Alright then, I’ll take my leave." Richard didn’t stand on ceremony, glanced at the servant beside him, and instructed, "Take good care of General Soron."

"Yes."

Nodding towards Soron as a farewell, Richard walked out without much ado.

Walking outside, heading towards the garden, he couldn’t hide the perplexed expression on his face.

He was very puzzled at this moment, puzzled about what Soron was truly aiming to do.

Judging by Soron’s demeanor and conversation, he didn’t seem there for him, not like he was coaxing him back into military service, more like he was just putting on a front.

In other words, "coming here" wasn’t the purpose, "acting like being here" was the purpose.

But beneath this hidden purpose, what was the real reason? What exactly was Soron plotting?

Hmm...

Richard furrowed his brows deeply.

As time passed, with Soron’s repeated visits, Richard did manage to catch wind of some external chatter — although he always focused on his research, it didn’t mean he was completely isolated from information. As a second-in-command in the army, by paying slight attention, he gathered numerous pieces of information.

First was that after the Battle of Kasha City, Soron ordered the army to completely halt its advance, assume a defensive posture along the line, constantly repositioning, and training, but not attacking. The reason Soron issued this command, it was said, was due to discussions with him, blaming him for half the responsibility.

This brought him, who had faded from public view, back into the spotlight, making others believe he genuinely wielded influence rivaling that of Soron, capable of dictating military and war directions. This led quite a few people to attempt visiting him, but unwilling to be troubled, everyone except the "tough nut" Soron was denied at his door.

Additionally, he learned that under Soron’s command to assume full defense, the war didn’t entirely pause, yet the army had quite a few unexpected victories: mostly against Sika’s army, unable to bear it, attempting counterattacks, resulting in them being soundly defeated by the Alliance Army poised to strike.

He subsequently heard that the Alliance’s sudden policy shift made Sika’s side somewhat delicate. Originally, had the Alliance pressed step by step, it would have forced Sika to exhaust their last ounce of national power against the Alliance, fighting to the death. However, with the Alliance’s pause, as the war tensions eased, several Sika forces began making minor maneuvers.

Initially, it was the Sika Royal Family that started exhibiting a divide between warmongers and peace advocates. Warmongers naturally insisted on not surrendering, not compromising, and fighting with all they had to push the Alliance troops back home. On the other hand, the peace advocates believed they had to face reality — Sika’s army was no match for the Alliance Army, rather than continuing struggling until annihilation, it would be better to leverage their limited strength to seize the opportunity to negotiate peace with the Alliance. Although this would lose a substantial amount of interest, it ensured survival. Quiet development afterward might not be devoid of any chance for revival.

Aside from these official forces of the Sika Royal Family, some suppressed forces began stirring, such as merchant guilds formed by affluent yet disenfranchised individuals, and the lower-ranking nobles, they believed the continuous defeats were largely due to the current Sika Kingdom officials’ corruption and incompetence. If this situation didn’t change, defeat would ensue continuously. They earnestly argued for reform, to purge a bunch of parasitic Sika officials and have them, representing new forces, take the stage, claiming it would surely reverse the kingdom’s fortune.

And some rebellious forces, even more radical, declared that the reason for the defeats lay in the entire Sika Royal Family’s mediocrity, requiring a complete purge of the royal family, bringing truly capable individuals to the throne to ensure Sika’s victory in the turnaround. Among those shouting the loudest slogans was Moli—the Blood Princess Moli, who had previously ventured alongside Richard and brought back immense wealth to the Sika Kingdom.

In summary, Soron had ordered the Alliance Army to halt, stabilize the line, resulting in even more chaos on Sika’s side. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Could this actually be Soron’s real goal, to make Sika collapse without fighting?

Richard couldn’t refrain from guessing, but soon dismissed this thought.