Upon hearing this, Alvis's expression turned extrely grim as he imdiately realized the imnse threat posed by this thing called a train.
It ant that the wizards would possess a terrifying war potential, able to continuously deploy soldiers and resources from across the entire kingdom whenever they needed reinforcent.
Just as Alvis was furrowing his brows, deep in thought about a strategy, Monroe suddenly spoke up.
"However, in my view, it won't be long before the whole kingdom collapses on its own!"
"Oh?" Alvis looked at Monroe with surprise, puzzled by his sudden remark.
Monroe confidently explained, "Those wizards have been slaughtering the local nobility but are not adept at managent, squandering the looted wealth indiscriminately, allowing everyone in Fire Oil City to feast on at and white bread, and distributing extrely high rewards…"
"However, they do not care about farming and production, only about greedily amassing more coins. Now, vast tracts of land in Fire Oil City have already been abandoned, and I believe the other cities in the eastern part of the kingdom under wizard rule are no exceptions!"
The more Monroe talked, the more excited he beca, and Pope Alvis gradually understood the aning behind his words.
The wizards, in their quest for wealth, had pulled the poor farrs from the fields to the workshops, producing weapons and more valuable alchemical creations, undoubtedly choosing a short-sighted path to their own destruction!
"The kingdom is still able to maintain a semblance of dignity now because they have lured traitorous businessn with money, enabling them to buy sufficient food from the empire. Just cutting off this trade line, I dare say, within a maximum of three months, the wizards will collapse without a fight!" Monroe sumd up with pride.
"This is the best news I've heard!" Alvis's previously furrowed brows imdiately relaxed as he looked at Monroe with approval.
Worthy of being highly recomnded by Gustav of the Divine Punishnt Army!
Such astute insight and analytical skills are naturally suited for intelligence work; previously serving rely as a deputy in the Divine Punishnt Army was indeed a waste of talent!
Although he highly trusted Monroe's judgnt, Alvis still shook his head, pointing out one flaw in the plan.
"Three months is too long! I suspect that once the wizards notice sothing amiss, they might make a desperate move and watch the kingdom rot, then aggressively attack the empire!"
He dared not imagine what scale of armant the wizards would reach after three months…
The kingdom had a population of over three million. Even if only one in fifteen were drafted, they could still muster an army of hundreds of thousands. Each individual could be trained to proficiently handle a firearm within a week, turning into a qualified soldier capable of threatening fully ard Divine Punishnt Cavalry on the battlefield.
Not to ntion the wizards' new flying machines, airships, Alchemy Cars, and Thunder Cannons (Electromagnetic Cannons), among many other powerful alchemical apparatus. Even the entire empire's force might not be sufficient to win this fierce battle.
"Your Highness, what do you suggest then?" Monroe asked hesitantly.
"We might as well hasten this process!" Alvis said with a cunning gleam in his eyes and a stern voice, "I think you've already noticed that the wizards' actions within the kingdom have aroused so dissatisfaction."
Monroe's thoughts quickly turned, and he imdiately thought of the kingdom's nobility, as Pope Alvis had implied.
"Although they betrayed the empire and the church, I believe there are still so who were coerced by the wizards into choosing the wrong path. We might as well give them another chance to prove themselves…" There was a hint of cold sharpness in Alvis's eyes as he continued to speak.
"I will have soone else handle this matter. You just need to continue gathering intelligence in Fire Oil City and, while ensuring your own safety, cooperate when necessary!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" Monroe responded with a nod.
He was well aware that the church would never send only him and Ivina to infiltrate the kingdom. In fact, of those he knew, more than three hundred spies had been caught by the wizards. Those still hiding were truly the cream of the crop.
"If we can successfully incite chaos in the kingdom, then you will be the chief hero. After defeating these blasphers, I will personally administer your baptism!" Alvis said approvingly.
Monroe was so moved he could hardly speak. Until now, only the high-ranking mbers of the church had been eligible for a personal baptism from Pope Alvis, which was tantamount to a guarantee of reaching the pinnacle of power!
Ard with a plan to weaken the Wizard Kingdom, Alvis's months of anxiousness were considerably alleviated, and he continued, "Do you have any other matters to report?"
Monroe hesitated for a mont, then recounted the various strange theories he had heard in the classes over the past few days.
From geotry, celestial chanics to planetary theories...
Alvis had listened halfway through when he raised his hand to signal Monroe that he need not continue, then began to explain.
"Clearly, they are attempting to distort the Bible. I believe Gustav must have warned you, all books of witchcraft carry the power of evil spirits, extrely alluring. The best way to resist corrosion is not to listen, not to hear, and not to ask!"
"I understand, thank you for your warning, Your Holiness!" Monroe agreed wholeheartedly, finding the wizard's rhetoric indeed very provocative.
For instance, the theory of planets, an idea so contrary to common sense, could concoct many seemingly plausible theories as evidence, beguiling tens of thousands. Even he himself couldn't help feeling it made a bit of sense after hearing it.
It was only now that Monroe realized he had been contaminated by the knowledge of evil spirits, and his soul was no longer pure!
Perhaps this was why Pope Alvis wanted to administer the baptism to him personally.
Realizing this, Monroe was imnsely moved, but quickly thought of his companion Ivina!
The contamination she suffered might be more severe than his, as over the past two days, Monroe noticed that the girl had even started taking notes during lessons!
This was an extrely dangerous tendency, which filled him with deep unease!
However, just as Monroe was about to speak and seek guidance, the image of His Holiness in front of him suddenly blurred. The red light emitted by the Crystal Ball flickered erratically and then went out completely.
Monroe was startled, swiftly turning his head to look around, fearing they had been discovered by the wizards who interrupted the magic.
Fortunately, Monroe promptly rembered what the prominent cardinal, who oversaw dangerous witchcraft artifacts, had warned him: the 'signal' of this thing is poor, and the duration of communication should not be too long; otherwise, it might experience signal disruptions...
"Damn witchcraft creation!" Monroe cursed, yet there was nothing he could do.
He was not a wizard, nor did he understand alchemy, and could only wait for it to recharge before attempting another connection.
The only saving grace was that all the crucial matters had already been discussed!
Monroe quickly collected his emotions, secured the Crystal Ball, and stepped out of the room.
Ivina was leaning against the living room wall, her right hand never leaving the hilt of her sword to prevent anyone from bursting in and disturbing the conversation. Seeing Monroe erge, she curiously asked.
"Is everything still going smoothly, Monroe?"
"Very well, His Holiness has recognized my abilities and strategies!" Monroe said proudly, his gaze sweeping over Ivina and quickly focusing on the thick notebook hanging at her waist.
This place was originally ant for hanging the Bible, but now it was used for placing notes filled with wizard knowledge.
Monroe spoke with dissatisfaction, "You seem very interested in wizard knowledge these days, aren't you, Ivina?"
"It's because you make it too obvious, Monroe!" Ivina's expression didn't change, but she pointed out, "Wizards have a strong desire for knowledge. People like you who never record anything during classes are definitely in the minority and can easily attract their attention!"
"This is indeed my oversight," said Monroe, his tone softening a bit. "You also need to be very careful; the knowledge of demons has the power to bewitch hearts, delving too deeply into it could distort our perceptions... "
Ivina hesitated, then nodded slightly.
"One month, we just need to hold on for one more month!" Monroe declared confidently. "With my strategy and the help of those people, the vast Magic Kingdom will collapse without a fight in no more than a month!"
One month?
Ivina thought about all she had seen and heard these days, sighing to herself.
The kingdom's poor are likely to suffer again.
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