CHAPTER 491: CHAPTER 355: HIGHLAND CITY MEETING_2

"Regarding our weapon disadvantage... I’m not questioning the level of alchemy at Cloud Tower, but this defeat has led me to a conclusion that Cloud Tower needs to be wary of."

"What conclusion?" Elwin asked.

Anderson first looked at the Emperor of the Gryphon Heart Empire and the Orc Chieftain before continuing, "The Gryphon Heart Empire is currently at war with the Silvermane Principality, and the old Orc marshal also clashed with the Elves at Frostleaf City. The Elves and the Silvermane Principality are both equipped with a large number of alchemical weapons from Thunderous Swamp. I’m sure both of you feel, as I do, that the weapons manufactured by Thunderous Swamp are more suitable for the current mode of warfare."

The Gryphon Heart Empire and the Barbaric Orcs had suffered setbacks with their weaponry; the Gryphon Heart Empire, in particular, had never gained an advantage in its war with the Kingdom of Silvermane.

Old Isaiah agreed, saying, "Duke Anderson is right. The alchemical weapons provided by Cloud Tower are of high quality, but in the current mode of warfare, they are not as practical as those produced by Thunderous Swamp."

The Emperor of the Gryphon Heart Empire expressed his agreement.

Having gained their support, Anderson immediately said to Elder Elwin, "If you also consider the massive use of new alchemical weapons by the Eternal Domain on the Outpost Fort battlefield, one can conclude that Thunderous Swamp has been preparing for this war for a long time. They have devised entirely new tactics for this new mode of warfare and have developed weapons to implement these tactics. These weapons are not only provided to the Eternal Domain but are also supplied en masse to their allies. This indicates that Thunderous Swamp possesses a weapon stockpile beyond our belief. Cloud Tower should be well aware that manufacturing an alchemical weapon requires a great deal of time and materials. The large weapon stockpile at Thunderous Swamp further proves their early preparations for this war. If I hadn’t caused this war to erupt prematurely, Thunderous Swamp would have had a few more years to prepare. In that case, Cloud Tower would be facing an entirely different enemy now."

Anderson’s words, one might say, parted the mists that had long shrouded Thunderous Swamp, allowing everyone present to glimpse its true nature.

Indeed...

Without prior stockpiling, how could Thunderous Swamp have produced so many alchemical weapons, so well-suited to the current mode of warfare, in such a short time?

It turned out that Thunderous Swamp had been accumulating strength to challenge Cloud Tower long ago. If Anderson hadn’t caused the war to erupt prematurely, Cloud Tower might have faced a sudden attack from a fully prepared Thunderous Swamp. Considering the alchemy mastered by Thunderous Swamp, who knows how many Tower Mages would have died in such an attack.

Elder Elwin’s view of Anderson had changed significantly. The Wildwind Principality was originally slated to be abandoned by Cloud Tower. Now, however, its importance was steadily growing in the minds of the Tower Mages.

"Duke Anderson..." Elder Elwin became much friendlier, "Since Thunderous Swamp intends to attack us at Cloud Tower, we certainly cannot let this pass. Cloud Tower will provide full support to the Wildwind Principality to reclaim the land that was taken. If you have any requests, just let me know."

The leaders present looked on with envy. Old Isaiah’s expression, however, turned very sour.

He had thought that Anderson, having lost his territory and army, would surely be abandoned by Cloud Tower. The Orcs, in possession of Highland City, would then replace him and obtain the Tower’s full support. This was also why the Barbaric Orcs had agreed to hold the meeting in Highland City. But unexpectedly... Anderson had managed to secure Cloud Tower’s continued full support with just a few words.

But even if Isaiah was dissatisfied, he could not express it.

Anderson’s expression became excited, then turned sorrowful as he said to Elder Elwin, "I offer my deepest condolences for the deaths of Archmage Moflin, Mage Miler, and the other four Tower Mages. And... their deaths also reveal a significant problem within Cloud Tower. If this problem is not addressed, it will inevitably lead to more unnecessary losses for the Tower in future wars."

The room suddenly fell silent. Everyone pricked up their ears to listen intently.

Indeed, Tower Mages had died in Storm City—six of them at once! How did they die? Who killed them?

If anyone else had dared to say this, they might have already been reprimanded by Elwin.

My Cloud Tower stands at the pinnacle of the world! How dare you suggest there are problems within!

But since it was Anderson who spoke, Elwin, whose attitude toward him had greatly improved, suppressed his temper and asked, "What problems exist within Cloud Tower?"

Anderson seized the opportunity to recount the entire assassination.

"...I was in the ambushed party, right in front of Archmage Moflin. My strength is certainly not comparable to Archmage Moflin’s, but I was the only survivor in the team. I know my views will undoubtedly upset some Tower Mages, but for the sake of our allies, I must speak out. Tower Mages generally lack real combat experience. Though all of you possess many powerful spells and wear alchemical gear that we wouldn’t even dare to dream of, these assets proved useless when the Tower Mages came under attack. Thunderous Swamp has made all necessary preparations to replace Cloud Tower; they know precisely how to kill a Tower Mage. They have also proven they possess this capability. If the Tower Mages continue in this state, greater losses will occur."

Anderson’s words were harsh, but they nonetheless plunged Elder Elwin deep into thought. Actions speak louder than words. Seven people had been walking together; the six who died were all Tower Mages. Anderson’s survival was certainly not due to luck.

It was because he knew how to react in a sudden battle. The Tower Mages had been too arrogant, too confident in their own power, and had paid the price. Life is precious, and you only get one.

Elder Elwin could not ignore what Anderson had said.

"When Archmage Moflin was heading to Storm City, she told me she could easily kill Yan Xing. Now, with her own death, she has proven that some of our Tower Mages are all talk and don’t understand what war, what combat, truly is. I believe many Tower Mages will learn from this assassination incident and recognize their own shortcomings. But what should we do to address this deficiency?"

Finally, the moment he had been waiting for had arrived.

Anderson said to Elwin, "I have experience fighting the forces of the Eternal Domain, and I know their tactics and strategies. I can train your mages in Cloud Tower, turning them into true warriors."

Training Cloud Tower’s mages—Anderson certainly was audacious to suggest it.

But he had already used his words to create an enemy for Cloud Tower, one they had only imagined. Thunderous Swamp had long harbored the ambition to replace Cloud Tower and had been preparing for countless years. The deaths of the six Tower Mages had shattered their pride, awakening them to their own mortality—and to the fact that they could be killed so easily by Thunderous Swamp.

In fact, the deaths of Moflin and the other five Mages had also shattered Anderson’s perception of Cloud Tower. He no longer held any reverence for the Tower. Consequently, his actions were naturally bold.

If Cloud Tower allowed Anderson to train their mages, his position within the alliance would become irreplaceable. Moreover, he would be able to extend his influence into Cloud Tower itself. Training wasn’t just about learning how to fight; obedience to commands would subtly influence the Tower Mages under his instruction. As the number of trained mages increased, so too would Anderson’s influence within Cloud Tower, gradually and imperceptibly. With astute guidance, he might even be able to forge a contingent of Tower Mages loyal to him.

Anderson waited for Elwin’s response.

After a period of contemplation, Elwin told him, "Tower Mages should confront their inadequacies, but allowing them to accept your training is not a decision I can make alone. This matter will need to be decided by the Elder Council. I can recommend a few mages to undergo your training. Once we see the results, the Elder Council will make the correct decision."