Chapter 346: Chapter 307: Retreat Order_1
The alchemy contained within a small watch led Mage Miler to view Thunderous Swamp as a threat to Cloud Tower’s authority.
However, a mere secular minor power was not enough to warrant Cloud Tower’s personal involvement. Doing so would only elevate Thunderous Swamp’s status, which would be quite embarrassing for Cloud Tower.
Since the group of alchemists hidden within Thunderous Swamp had chosen Eternal Domain as their representative, Miler chose Marquis Anderson as his enforcer.
As long as Marquis Anderson conquered Thunderous Swamp, it would prove Cloud Tower’s alchemy was superior to that of Thunderous Swamp without Cloud Tower having to intervene personally, thus securing both reputation and substantial benefits.
Therefore, Miler agreed to lease Marquis Anderson a batch of high-grade alchemical weapons that only Cloud Tower possessed: Floating Airships, War Machines, Alchemical Puppets, Magic Amplification Devices, mobile Magic Power Shields, Magical Ray Staves, and Magic Projection Cannon Carts.
This batch of weapons would be delivered to Storm City over the next few months. Personnel from Cloud Tower would also teach the Wildwind Highlands Legion how to use these alchemical weapons. As payment, Marquis Anderson agreed not only to pay an extremely high fee for using these weapons but also to hand over everything related to alchemy in Thunderous Swamp to Cloud Tower after conquering it.
Of course, Miler also promised that if Cloud Tower was satisfied with the spoils from the battle against Thunderous Swamp, he could sell a portion of these weapons to him. Marquis Anderson was very pleased with this deal and quickly signed the military-trade agreement with Mage Miler.
After obtaining this batch of alchemical weapons, his Wildwind Highlands Legion would become an alchemically armed force, possessing an overwhelming alchemical advantage over Eternal Domain. Marquis Anderson had no doubt he would inevitably win the battle against Eternal Domain. He was even more eager to see the political implications this military support from Cloud Tower would bring him.
Cloud Tower is a power transcending the secular world. Their mastery and possession of Alchemy Technology could easily defeat any nation. However, the Mages of Cloud Tower are engrossed in higher-level alchemy research, and their immense power has consequently lessened their desire for worldly power.
They regard secular beings as inferior creatures and view the conflicts of the secular world as meaningless. This time, Cloud Tower decided to provide military support to Anderson to obtain the alchemy from Thunderous Swamp. Cloud Tower would not care about the impact this move would have on the secular world.
But how would the Silvermane Principality view Anderson? How would the human lords and princes view Anderson? How would the Barbaric Orcs and Snow Elves view Anderson?
Ignoring long-term effects, the Silver Mane Duke would surely grant him the Wildwind Highlands. And with Cloud Tower’s alchemical weapons, Anderson could easily defeat the Orcs and Elves after annihilating Thunderous Swamp.
At that point, Marquis Anderson could firmly hold the Wildwind Highlands, ready to advance or retreat, and watch the world’s fortunes change. Marquis Anderson had initially invited Mage Miler to Storm City, intending only to have Cloud Tower withdraw the Goblins working for Yan Xing. But happiness had come a bit too quickly! Storm City began preparing for the next war.
When Yan Xing returned to Eternal Domain from Frostleaf City, satisfied, the Goblins of Eternal Domain received orders from Cloud Tower: all Goblins and equipment were to be evacuated from Eternal Domain.
The Goblin Alchemy Factory would no longer supply any alchemical items to Eternal Domain.
Such blatant hostility signaled that an unexpected war was now on a countdown for Yan Xing. In Eternal Domain’s new truck research institute, Yan Xing met with Gaga, the Goblin.
Here, Goblin alchemists and engineers were urgently packing, ready to leave. They were affiliated with Cloud Tower and therefore had to comply with the withdrawal order. Driving an alchemical chair, Goblin Gaga moved through the workshop, sighing as he navigated between large wooden crates. The machines inside hadn’t yet been unpacked, obscuring their true form, but one could imagine they were all wondrous items.
Upon seeing Yan Xing, Goblin Gaga said sadly, "I’m sorry, I didn’t expect things to turn out this way. The alchemy you wield has made Cloud Tower feel disrespected. No, more precisely, they feel threatened and covetous of the alchemy they haven’t encountered before.
"My companions and I have received orders from Cloud Tower to evacuate from Eternal Domain as soon as possible. This signals impending war."
Yan Xing showed little emotion but asked with confusion, "I’m curious why Cloud Tower hasn’t tried to contact me. Wouldn’t cooperation be better than war?"
"Cooperate?" Gaga gave a bitter smile. "Just discussing alchemical academics with you would likely make Cloud Tower’s Alchemists feel insulted.
"They’re so high and mighty, they’ve forgotten how to speak to ordinary people as equals. Do you remember our first meeting and my attitude toward you?"
Yan Xing certainly remembered his first visit to the Goblin Alchemy Shop and Gaga’s infuriatingly arrogant demeanor. If a Goblin merchant working for Cloud Tower had such an attitude, could he really expect a Mage from Cloud Tower to speak to him respectfully?
Why should I bow my head and seek cooperation when I can get what I want through simple force? Yan Xing replied with a carefree smile, "If Cloud Tower wants a fight, then I’ll give them one. Once they fail to get what they want on the battlefield, they will naturally look for other means."
The confidence Yan Xing exuded puzzled Goblin Gaga. "I know your Eternal Domain has many amazing alchemical weapons, but those alone aren’t enough for your forces to withstand Cloud Tower’s assault on the battlefield.
"Cloud Tower’s arrogance stems from power that justifies it. The gap between your domain and Cloud Tower is simply too vast."
Yan Xing replied, "Master Gaga, since you know Cloud Tower’s Mages so well, do you think a group of Mages who would feel insulted just by talking with me would personally lead an attack on Eternal Domain?
"What reason would they have for starting this war? To publicly declare it’s because Thunderous Swamp possesses alchemy they all covet? Cloud Tower doesn’t understand us. If they can’t eradicate us completely, then Thunderous Swamp’s alchemy will achieve a status in this world rivaling Cloud Tower’s.
"That is something Cloud Tower cannot accept. If I were a Mage of Cloud Tower, I wouldn’t take that risk. I’d find a proxy to conduct military reconnaissance against Eternal Domain.
"Whether that proxy wins or loses, the outcome would provide a valuable reference for Cloud Tower’s next decision."
Goblin Gaga pondered for a moment, finding Yan Xing’s analysis quite convincing. If Cloud Tower personally attacked Eternal Domain and Thunderous Swamp, their lofty reputation would plummet. "Who do you think will become Cloud Tower’s proxy?" he asked.
"Is there any doubt?" Yan Xing said. "After winter, the only force in the Wildwind Highlands capable of launching an offensive is Marquis Anderson’s Wildwind Highlands Legion."