Chapter 32: Alliance
The largest vein of magic crystal ore in the history of the Yulan continent had actually been discovered by the Baruch Kingdom, which had only been established for ten years.
"The Chaos Territory has been a region of constant warfare for thousands of years, and no force has ever had the opportunity to mine the vein. I never imagined that as soon as this area was unified, such a massive vein would be discovered," Linley mused to himself.
But Linley also felt a hint of doubt in his heart. After all, a magic crystal ore vein was essentially a large accumulation of elemental energy that eventually materialized into crystals. To form such a vast magic crystal ore vein, how much natural elemental energy had to gather? Why had so much natural elemental energy converged here?
Yet when Linley had just used his spiritual energy to search, he hadn't found anything unusual below.
"Not good," Wharton suddenly said, his expression changing.
"What's wrong?" Linley looked at Wharton with confusion, and Bebe also stared at Wharton. "Little Wharton, you've discovered a magic crystal ore vein like this, and you're saying 'not good'?"
Wharton shook his head and said solemnly, "Big brother, this magic crystal ore vein is worth hundreds of billions of gold coins, or even more. Wealth is one thing, but the most important thing about this magic crystal ore vein is... it can be used in warfare. You know that, right?"
Linley nodded.
"You mean magic crystal cannons?" Linley asked.
The birth of the magic crystal cannon was a turning point in alchemy, allowing large-scale magic to be cast without needing top-tier archmages. For example, the former holy capital, Fenlai City, had magic crystal cannons. Unfortunately, during the Day of Destruction back then, even Saint-level magical beasts descended, along with a large number of flying magical beasts... This meant the magic crystal cannons couldn't fire more than a few shots before they were destroyed.
In fact, the magic crystal cannon was an absolutely terrifying offensive force in warfare.
For instance, a top-tier magic crystal cannon, consuming a large amount of magic crystals, could unleash a blast with power equivalent to a level seven or level eight spell. It could kill over a hundred people in an instant. During war, if you set up ten large magic crystal cannons and fired a few rounds in succession...
The enemy could suffer tens of thousands of casualties in the blink of an eye. It would change the course of war too drastically.
But the magic crystal cannon was a "gold-devouring beast," consuming magic crystals at a terrifying rate. Back when the Baruch Kingdom was unifying through war, no magic crystal cannons had ever appeared. Because these impoverished regions simply couldn't afford to use magic crystal cannons.
The magic crystal cannon consumed magic crystals! Magic crystals, which were far more valuable than gold coins!
"A small amount of magic crystals can be purchased with money," Wharton said with a serious expression. "But large quantities of magic crystals are controlled by the empires; they don't allow them to be sold abroad. Although there is smuggling, how much can smuggling really provide?"
Linley nodded. Military supplies—how could an enemy nation allow you to buy them in large quantities?
Wharton said gravely, "Buying magic crystal cannons isn't difficult. In fact, with our national strength, we could spend money to manufacture them ourselves. With this magic crystal ore vein, combined with magic crystal cannons... our army would truly be formidable on the battlefield."
The number of mages was very scarce. Just look at how rare they were when Linley was tested back then.
And among those who became mages, the number who could reach level seven or higher was even smaller. On the continent, only the four great empires, the Holy Alliance, and the Dark Alliance could organize mage corps. Linley's Baruch Kingdom didn't have the ability to organize one either; at most, they could form a low-level mage team.
But with "magic crystal cannons"—several dozen large ones—and a sufficient supply of magic crystals, their power would be no less than that of a mage corps.
"Big brother," Wharton looked at Linley. "You should know that on the continent, the four great empires and other kingdoms are all in conflict. Unless it's a war of annihilation, Saint-level experts won't interfere. If Saint-level experts don't get involved... then magic crystal cannons have the power to change the outcome of a war. If the Radiant Church and the Dark Church find out that we have the largest magic crystal vein in the entire Yulan continent, the consequences..."
Linley's expression also grew serious.
Having trained for so long, Linley had neglected to consider worldly warfare.
"You're right. Once the Radiant Church and the Dark Church find out, they might join forces to attack our kingdom," Linley said, feeling the threat. After all, it had been agreed that Saint-level experts wouldn't participate in normal wars.
Then...
Could the Baruch Kingdom, with a population of only about a hundred million, withstand the combined forces of the Radiant Church and the Dark Church, both of which had populations far exceeding theirs?
Both sides originally controlled territories larger than Linley's, and those regions were more prosperous with higher population densities. The populations under the Radiant Church and the Dark Church combined definitely numbered four to five hundred million.
"Big brother, what do we do now?" Wharton looked at Linley.
A cold glint flashed in Linley's eyes. "Don't worry too much. For now, we'll do everything we can to buy magic crystal cannons, and we'll also ask the Dawson Chamber of Commerce for help. Then, we'll secretly and strictly mine the magic crystals... If the Radiant Church and the Dark Church really come, then we'll rely on the magic crystal cannons to make up for our shortage of troops."
"Yes, big brother." Wharton's eyes also lit up.
Linley made up his mind: no matter what, he would not back down.
******
Soon, a large number of people were dispatched to the area around the magic crystal ore vein to begin mining, while a large army was stationed nearby to guard it. During the mining period, these workers were not allowed any contact with the outside world, though their wages were extremely high.
To the outside, it was only announced that a certain valuable ore vein had been discovered.
The Baruch Kingdom's secrecy measures were extremely tight. For an entire month, no information leaked out. However, the Radiant Church and the Dark Church had planted many spies in the Baruch Kingdom, and despite all precautions, a single oversight allowed the Radiant Church's intelligence agents to obtain the information through the family members of geological survey personnel.
...
Inside an elegant noble's mansion.
"The largest magic crystal ore vein in the Yulan continent? At least ten miles in extent?" A silver-haired young man looked at the secret letter in his hand, his expression immediately changing. He carefully read the analysis in the letter, his expression growing more and more serious.
This silver-haired young man didn't look old, but in fact, he was older than Heiting or Usono.
Because... he was a Saint-level angel of the Church. He had descended to the Yulan continent over three thousand years ago. Although angels couldn't improve their strength and their potential couldn't match that of humans, their long years of existence meant their wisdom was no less than that of humans.
Alfonso. A four-winged angel, currently the leader of the Radiant Church in the Chaos Territory.
"What good fortune," Alfonso said with a faint smile. Then he instructed the subordinate who had delivered the secret letter, "Leak this news to the Dark Church. Let's see how they react."
"Yes, my lord," the middle-aged man said respectfully.
Alfonso nodded slightly.
If the Dark Church was tempted and attacked the Baruch Kingdom, that would be excellent. Even if they didn't attack, it wouldn't be a loss for the Radiant Church.
"Send this news to the Holy Island immediately and await their orders on our next move," Alfonso commanded. He knew that for matters concerning the Radiant Church's foundation in the Chaos Territory, he had to follow the Holy Island's orders.
Soon—
The Radiant Church's orders arrived.
Alfonso wasn't surprised when he saw them.
"Join forces with the Dark Church to attack the Baruch Kingdom. Secure at least one-third of the magic crystal ore vein—that's the bottom line." The order was simple, as many details didn't need to be spelled out. Since Alfonso had been sent to manage this vast region, he was no fool. For example, he would try to make the Dark Church expend as much strength as possible.
Alfonso smiled faintly and thought to himself, "It seems it's time to reply to the Dark Church."
Some time ago, he had ordered the news to be leaked to the Dark Church. The Dark Church had reacted quickly, immediately inviting him, Alfonso, to discuss the matter. At the time, Alfonso hadn't replied immediately, only asking them to wait. Now, with the Holy Island's orders in hand...
Everything was ready to begin.
******
In an ordinary, unremarkable small city, in a very ordinary courtyard, the Saint-level four-winged angel "Alfonso" and the Dark Church's Chief Arbiter "O'Casey" sat facing each other, drinking together.
"Not bad. The color and flavor are top-notch. It must be from the Liulan Winery in the Yulan Empire," O'Casey said with a smile.
"Mr. O'Casey seems quite knowledgeable about wine," Alfonso said with a faint smile. "Let's not beat around the bush. Today, you invited me here about the magic crystal ore vein in the Baruch Kingdom. What do you want to say, Mr. O'Casey?"
O'Casey glanced at Alfonso but took a very enjoyable sip of his wine. "Mr. Alfonso, would you mind if I took some of this wine with me when I leave? I think I've taken a liking to it."
Alfonso frowned, feeling a hint of irritation.
But since this was a negotiation, he had to hold back.
"Mr. O'Casey, do you intend to talk about wine with me until nightfall?" Alfonso said sternly.
O'Casey looked at Alfonso and burst into laughter. "Mr. Alfonso, I was just joking with you. Yes, regarding the magic crystal ore vein in the Baruch Kingdom, our Dark Church would very much like to obtain it. However... we're not too keen on going to war with the Baruch Kingdom."
"Not keen?" Alfonso studied O'Casey carefully.
What was O'Casey up to? If he didn't want to fight the Baruch Kingdom, why had he come to meet him?
"Mr. O'Casey, what do you mean?" Alfonso's expression darkened.
O'Casey smiled and said, "Actually, Alfonso, you should understand. I could simply send someone to tell the Baruch Kingdom: 'The Radiant Church is planning to attack your kingdom and has invited our Dark Church to join them. If you're willing to make some concessions, the Dark Church will stay neutral. If you offer more, we might even help you fight the Radiant Church.'"
O'Casey looked at Alfonso, whose face had turned ugly. "Alfonso, what do you think Linley and Wharton would choose?"
Alfonso remained silent.
"The grudge between Linley and your Radiant Church is no small matter," O'Casey said lightly.
Indeed, if O'Casey did that, Linley's side might very well be willing to gift some magic crystals to the Dark Church, or even spend a large number of magic crystals to get the Dark Church to help them fight the Radiant Church.
The Dark Church and the Radiant Church were, after all, opposed to each other.
Alfonso knew the situation was unfavorable for them now.
"Mr. O'Casey," Alfonso said seriously, looking at O'Casey, "do you know the actual reserves of that magic crystal ore vein?"
"No, but I estimate it's several times the reserves of the previous largest magic crystal ore vein," O'Casey said. Very few people knew the actual reserves, as the vein hadn't been fully excavated yet. Only someone like Linley, who could search with spiritual energy, could accurately assess it.
And how could the Radiant Church or the Dark Church dare to send Saint-level experts to provoke Linley?
Perhaps Linley would directly kill their Saint-level experts.
After all, the agreement only stated that Saint-level experts couldn't participate in war, but Linley could still kill their Saint-level experts.
Alfonso nodded and said, "Since you don't know the reserves of that magic crystal ore vein, even if Linley gives your Dark Church a large amount of magic crystals, in your eyes, it might seem like a lot. But how much of the actual reserves it represents is still uncertain."
"Yes," O'Casey admitted.
If Linley claimed to give them half the reserves, worth hundreds of billions in magic crystals, it might actually be only a tenth of the real reserves. Since they didn't know the actual reserves, Linley could easily deceive them.
"If we join forces to attack the Baruch Kingdom, then no matter how much magic crystal ore is in that vein, we'll split it fifty-fifty," Alfonso said.
"Fifty-fifty?" O'Casey shook his head. "Seventy-thirty. We get seventy, you get thirty."
Alfonso said coldly, "O'Casey, don't go too far. Fifty-fifty, and we can still talk in the future." O'Casey glanced at him and laughed, "In that case... I'll just go and help Linley's side. Then I'll easily obtain a large amount of magic crystals."
Alfonso frowned.
"Sixty-forty. You get sixty, we get forty. One word: yes or no?" Alfonso's expression was stern.
O'Casey looked at Alfonso, raised his wine glass, and smiled, "Mr. Alfonso, come, let's toast to our cooperation!"
Only then did Alfonso smile.
"Cheers." He also raised his glass.
The Radiant Church and the Dark Church, because of the immense wealth of the magic crystal ore vein, thus formed an alliance. This proved that there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. But sometimes, those interests are money, sometimes power, and sometimes emotions.
Sorry, I just got back not long ago.
Today's update will be a bit late, but it will definitely be updated!
Today, my cousin got married... The wedding night festivities kept me out too late, Tomato.
Hmm...
Tomato will definitely update today. At least two chapters! But the update will be later. The first chapter should arrive before ten o'clock.