An Zhu was in utter chaos at this moment.
Not only had Cassius used rather violent methods to forcibly take Herbert away, but the safety issues exposed by the Caged Girl were also more concerning.
A noble angrily slapped the conference table with both hands and stood up to speak: “Lord Cassius completely concealed the facts. The Caged Girl can not only be located by the enemy’s bard, but Lord Cassius was also unilaterally influenced by the enemy, making it impossible to locate the Caged Girl. Moreover, at that time, the use of other Caged Girls in the city was also affected!”
“If the Caged Girl can be influenced, doesn’t that mean our warriors who underwent the basic surgery could also be affected?”
Meanwhile, Cassius looked quite helpless and sighed, saying: “I do not deny that I completely lost to Lucanus in the confrontation of souls, but the warriors who underwent basic surgery are not the same as the Caged Girls. To prevent betrayal, I cleared the consciousness of the Caged Girls, so they are merely shells without consciousness, and can only connect with one another through me. With no consciousness left, they have no means to resist the kind of attack that Lucanus launched from the spiritual network.”
“However, the basic warriors possess their own consciousness, and I have already built a new spiritual network for them, which cannot be easily influenced by the enemy’s bards, and there won’t be a situation where one person is affected and others become incapacitated.”
“Furthermore, we actually gained something from this. The enemy’s armored vehicles are overly aggressive and have already been destroyed in numbers by our modified basic warriors. The advantages of the basic warriors, who can communicate with one another in the Sea of Consciousness, have already been highlighted. Isn’t that enough?”
Cassius was being very tactful, trying to avoid exposing the fact that the Caged Girls could be monitored by him.
At this point, those high-level professionals also stood up, saying: “However, there is some merit to what you said, Cassius. Shouldn’t you upgrade the defense measures of your so-called spiritual network?”
Cassius painfully rubbed his forehead, saying: “Indeed, we still cannot determine how Lucanus penetrated my spiritual network. The former Lucanus would never have managed this. It feels as if… he has gained a new understanding of souls and the offense and defense in consciousness warfare.”
It wasn’t just a new understanding; Cassius even felt that Lucanus already had a complete system regarding consciousness offense and defense. During the previous confrontation, even though they were on the same consciousness frequency, Cassius felt as if his brain had more holes than a sieve.
Meanwhile, the War God Church urgently jumped in, angrily saying: “Is what you’re discussing even the main point? Isn’t the main point the letter sent by that heretical governor?”
“He claims that the War God has been corrupted and is requesting that we cease all prayers and offerings to the War God? What a joke! This is simply an affront to the War God!”
On the platform, Alberto rubbed his nose; did no one care about him? Clearly, the beginning of that letter had lambasted him as an incompetent king, but it seemed no one was paying attention, as if everyone had gotten used to it.
“It is obvious that the Northern Border Governor fears that our War God’s followers are becoming increasingly powerful basic warriors, so we must create more basic warriors! And we should make the War God Church the true state religion!”
But those high-level professionals disdainfully replied: “You actually seem like the one whose War God has been corrupted.”
“What did you say?!”
Just as the various parties at the meeting were about to come to blows, Alberto finally intervened, demanding silence.
Under Alberto’s guidance, the various parties at the meeting calmed down and sat together to discuss the next moves.
Is Cape going to fight? Of course, it was going to fight; this was no longer a question of when to shoot, but a situation where both sides were already pointing guns at each other’s heads.
However, the meeting ultimately passed a resolution to keep a close eye on the War God’s condition and prevent any loss of control. Alberto used this excuse to once again consolidate internal forces and fought for more time to improve Cassius’ spiritual network.
After the meeting concluded, Alberto dug out that letter sent by the opposing governor, tossing aside the earlier paragraphs that insulted his incompetence, and quickly flipped through the remaining useful information.
Whether the War God had really been corrupted was indeed the topic that should have been discussed in this meeting, because Alberto believed this could not be false.
The elves had already ceased their faith in their god; although it was only temporary, if they cooperated to deceive An Zhu, it would be too reckless.
Moreover, Alberto had previously sensed that the probability of War God’s followers going mad after undergoing modification surgery was higher.
There was also an attachment sent by the Northern Border Governor, which contained a peace proposal: both parties should first resolve the incident regarding the alleged corruption of the deity before determining their standings.
Alberto sighed while looking at this attachment; although the governor seemed quite sincere in this attachment, promising not to pressure An Zhu once the treaty took effect, even offering to help An Zhu through domestic difficulties and share technology, all An Zhu needed to do was cooperate with Cape to investigate the War God’s condition, confirm the corruption, and then cooperate on a solution.
To be honest, Alberto was somewhat tempted, but that governor was vastly overestimating humanity. If this attachment were released, those folks in An Zhu would only see it as a trap or further chaotic situations within the country.
The influence of the War God Church was indeed too great; many believers of the War God existed in the military, and Alberto couldn’t afford to implement a one-size-fits-all approach.
Even the quite united elves voiced significant opposition when they heard about the cessation of faith; much less the current An Zhu.
Now, Alberto could only strive to win first; after winning, he would obtain Cape’s technology to conduct a thorough check on the War God. Otherwise, all of this would be empty talk; An Zhu needed a victory, extremely needed one.
Alberto now clearly felt what it meant to be pushed forward by history; even if he wanted to stop, An Zhu could not afford to stop.
“Cassius.”
Alberto murmured softly.
“Your servant is here.”
“Are those folks still obedient?”
“The noble classes are generally obedient, but those high-level professionals seem to be engaging with the Avars using research materials.”
Alberto was not surprised by this response; he was very confident in his control over An Zhu, but those high-level professionals who had joined later were not as obedient.
“Is what that governor said in the letter true? Has the War God really been replaced by an evil god?”
“Your Majesty, humans cannot fathom the radiance of the gods. At least during the era of the Old Empire, no one could discern where the boundaries of the Goddess’ radiance lay.”
Alberto did not respond, and after a long silence, Cassius added: “But based on the elves’ reactions, this possibility cannot be ruled out. Elves do not like to engage in schemes; their reactions are basically the most genuine responses.”
Alberto actually already knew the answer, but hearing Cassius say the same, he couldn’t help but feel a bit sighing inside.
To be honest, there were moments when Alberto wanted to clear out those ambitious individuals within the country and delimit borders with his neighbors. However, the current situation within the country simply did not allow Alberto to do so; expansion was necessary—only continued expansion could meet the domestic production and consumption needs. The surrounding small kingdoms can no longer satisfy the appetite of the giant beast that is An Zhu.
“Is Supremacy Magic prepared?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, but according to your meaning, Supremacy Magic cannot solely be in the hands of the Avars. We already have a secret-type unit capable of casting Supremacy Magic; although the costs are quite high, it is theoretically feasible.”
“What about the Avars and the dragons?”
“They are still as usual, just waiting for us to start the war. However, the Avars seem more sincere; they promised to launch an attack themselves when the time comes.”
“As for the dragons, they appear to be busy with escorting.”
Hearing about the escorting, Alberto couldn’t help but smile. By now, he understood that the Avars were likely nothing more than a slightly larger puppet that he could move around a bit; the true force controlling the situation behind the scenes was probably still those hidden dragons.
“Cassius, aren’t you still supposed to improve the spiritual network? I have a hunch that this is a very crucial technology. Can you refine it in a short period?”
“It won’t take long, Your Majesty.”
“I understand; then let’s wait for a while. Once you perfect this technology, I will continue to observe the War God Church during this time and shall also deploy the military at the border.”
“Cassius, we cannot afford to take a wrong step now.”
