Synthetic Wizard - Chapter 77: Betrayal
Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Betrayal
After over a year of construction and improvement, the base is now basically on track.
Most of the miscellaneous tasks don’t require Sunan’s attention, as they’re managed by the Clay Golem and three apprentices.
Aside from occasionally checking on the situation in the Magic Plant Garden, he devotes more of his energy to Meditation, creating Demonized Weapons, and making potions.
His Spiritual Power and skill proficiency are both steadily increasing.
He initially thought this situation would last until he was promoted to Level 3 Wizard Apprentice, but what happened afterward disrupted Sunan’s peaceful life.
Starlight Calendar 1251, Month of Flowing Fire.
The duchy’s reinforcements stationed in Ranshuang Province were ambushed from multiple directions by infected individuals during the campaign against Silver Ridge City, suffering heavy losses with less than one in ten survivors.
Ranshuang Province’s disaster has become utterly chaotic, with the army of infected rapidly spreading to neighboring provinces.
The borders of Red Leaf Province, White Tower Province, and Hulan Province have been successively hit by the army of infected, and are in imminent danger.
The three Marquises quickly mobilized heavy troops to station at the borders to resist the invasion of the infected.
For a moment, the entire southwestern direction of the duchy was engulfed in the smoke of war.
…
Meeting Hall.
Sunan finished browsing the war report in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed.
“The disaster is spreading too quickly, and the several military suppressions all failed in very unusual ways.”
“So you think so too,” Kei handed over a letter, “this is a letter sent by President Mu Zhuo, take a look.”
Sunan took the envelope, opened it, and his eyes slightly narrowed.
The content of the letter was very brief, generally stating that Mu Zhuo had sent his guard, that Beastman Ota, to investigate the outbreak of Beastification Syndrome in Ranshuang Province.
When he arrived there, Ota found that the place where his tribe lived was already deserted, and all the tribesmen had disappeared.
He followed the traces to investigate further and accidentally discovered a group of mysterious people manipulating the infected with Beastification Syndrome behind the scenes.
Just as he was about to continue approaching the investigation, he was discovered by the other party, and after an intense battle, he escaped successfully at the cost of severe injuries.
After that, Ota did not dare to stay in Ranshuang Province and fled back to Thorn Flower Duchy overnight.
After learning about the incident from Ota, Mu Zhuo immediately realized how deep the water was behind this matter and decisively terminated the investigation.
As a goodwill gesture towards Flashing Territory, he then wrote this letter to inform Kei and Sunan of the intelligence.
“So, the outbreak of Beastification Syndrome this time, indeed someone is driving it from behind.”
Sunan put down the envelope, revealing a thoughtful look.
“But what is the purpose of the mastermind behind this?”
“Could it be the handiwork of other countries?” Kei suggested.
The Starlight Continent is not peaceful, with wars erupting every year between countries over territorial resources.
For example, the Cangjin Empire, bordering the Starry Duchy, has always been eyeing the Starry Duchy.
If it weren’t for the Cangjin Empire having just ended a war recently and needing to recuperate, they might have already launched an invasion on the Starry Duchy.
Sunan thought for a moment and shook his head: “Unlikely.”
“To guide a disaster affecting several provinces, the mastermind’s influence within the duchy must be deeply rooted, other countries don’t have that capability.”
Kei thought the same.
If other countries had this strength, they would’ve had better ways to conquer the Starry Duchy, without having to resort to such approaches with significant repercussions.
Even if they succeeded in capturing the Starry Duchy, they would end up with a mess.
“But if it’s not them, who is causing trouble behind the scenes?” Kei wondered aloud.
Sunan’s face was calm as he said, “Regardless of who it is, the mastermind’s motives must be significant, and the stir won’t be small. With the disaster spreading this far, they’re likely to emerge soon.”
As if to confirm Sunan’s words, Kei’s secretary suddenly walked briskly into the meeting hall.
“Lord, new intelligence from Golden Rock City.”
Upon hearing it’s about Golden Rock City, Kei’s expression became slightly more serious, hastily taking the parchment from the secretary and reading it carefully.
After reading the content, Kei’s face had turned extremely grave.
He looked up at Sunan and said solemnly, “Marquis Golden Rock has rebelled!”
Sunan was slightly startled.
“This morning, Marquis Golden Rock declared the independence of Golden Rock Province from the Starry Duchy!”
“Count Storm, Count Frost, Viscount Heize, and Viscount Feather Snake have all responded. They have already raised the banner of rebellion and formed an alliance army!”
Sunan’s expression changed slightly, understanding fully, “So that’s it, it seems the mastermind behind this Beastification Syndrome incident is likely Marquis Golden Rock.”
Kei also had already figured it out by now.
Marquis Golden Rock instigated a rebellion, facing off against the other six provinces of the duchy with the power of one province, seemingly very unwise.
However, the timing he chose was just right.
Currently, Ranshuang Province is nearly ruined, and the military has already been crippled and is not a concern.
The provinces of Red Leaf, White Tower, and Hulan are facing the invasion of the army of infected, overwhelmed and helpless, unable to spare any effort to deal with Marquis Golden Rock.
The remaining Soman Province and Zizhu Province are temporarily safe.
But these two provinces rank at the bottom in overall strength within the duchy; combined, they still do not match a single Golden Rock Province.
Even if they do not deal with Marquis Golden Rock, it’s likely that Marquis Golden Rock will attack them.
Or rather, his initial target is highly likely to be these two provinces.
Taking advantage of the spreading disaster to swallow up Soman Province and Zizhu Province to grow stronger and then plotting against other provinces.
Of course, Marquis Golden Rock may have coincidentally acted during the disaster and is not the mastermind.
But considering that Marquis Golden Rock had begun plotting years ago to control the power of the entire Golden Rock Province, the possibility that he had no foresight of this situation is indeed small.
“We need to prepare early,” Kei said in a deep voice.
Sunan also nodded solemnly.
Before launching an external war, Marquis Golden Rock’s first task will surely be to clear out the rebellious forces within the province.
And after years of secret development, there are few noble lords within Golden Rock Province who do not submit to Marquis Golden Rock.
Coincidentally, Flashing Territory is one of them, and the one most active.
It is predictable that Marquis Golden Rock will undoubtedly first send troops to attack Flashing Territory.
Considering the worst-case scenario, Flashing Territory might be facing a joint army of over half of Golden Rock Province’s nobility next.
The situation cannot be described as anything other than dire!
Yet neither Kei nor Sunan showed any panic or distress.
Both had known for a long time that Flashing Territory would eventually confront Marquis Golden Rock.
The reason they had been desperately accumulating strength was to prepare for this moment.
Therefore, when the situation really unfolded, they felt a strange sense of relief that it had finally come.
“There are over three months until winter, Marquis Golden Rock will surely want to end the war before snow blocks the roads. I estimate he will soon dispatch the army to attack us.”
“We must immediately prepare for the impending war.”
