Chapter 686: Chapter 324: The Paradox of Conquest
She pointed to various areas on the map:
"In this situation, they simply have no ti to pay attention to our expansion actions.
And by the ti they realize the threat, we will have already gained enough strength through conquest to face any challenge."
This detailed intelligence analysis shocked many Wizards.
Clearly, Cassandra’s conquest plan was far more thoughtful than it appeared on the surface.
But Ron noticed that the sources and reliability of this "intelligence" had not been verified.
As a cautious researcher, he remained skeptical of any information that could not be confird.
"Moreover."
Cassandra continued to add:
"Our conquest strategy also includes an important component—divide and conquer."
"For those civilizations of equal strength, we can choose cooperation over conquest.
By exchanging technology, sharing resources, and even jointly conquering weaker targets, we can establish alliances of interest."
A cunning glint flashed in her eyes:
"When enough civilizations join our system, voices of opposition will naturally diminish.
After all, no one wants to beco the enemy of everyone."
The complexity of this geopolitical strategy revealed another layer of the conquest plan to the Wizards present.
This is not simple military expansion, but a comprehensive strategy involving diplomacy, intelligence, economics, and more.
But Ron keenly sensed the potential dangers within.
This "divide and conquer" tactic is essentially dragging the entire Multiverse into an unprecedented scale of conflict.
Once this process starts, it could very likely turn into an uncontrollable chain reaction.
At this mont, an unexpected voice erged from the audience.
An elder sitting in the front row slowly stood up, his movents slow yet full of authority.
Ron recognized him—it was Associate Professor William, one of the most senior theoretical researchers at the Crystal Tower.
"Great Wizard Cassandra."
William’s voice, though aged, was unusually clear:
"Your argunts are indeed persuasive, and the strategic planning showcases an admirable depth.
But I have a more fundantal question to ask."
He paused, looking directly at Cassandra:
"In all the conquest targets you’ve presented, I haven’t seen any civilization stronger than ours.
So may I ask, when we beco strong enough through conquest to be seen as a threat by other civilizations, how can we ensure we will not beco the next target to be conquered?"
This question struck the core flaw in the conquest theory like a hamr.
The audience fell into a deathly silence, all waiting for Cassandra’s answer.
Faced with this challenge, Cassandra’s expression turned unusually serious.
She remained silent for a full minute, seemingly organizing her response carefully.
"Professor William, your question touches upon the ultimate paradox of the philosophy of conquest."
Her voice beca deep and philosophical:
"Indeed, in a universe of survival of the fittest, today’s conqueror may beco tomorrow’s conquered.
This is an eternal cycle; no civilization can guarantee to always stand at the top of the food chain."
She paused, then suddenly spoke with determination:
"But Professor William, this paradox equally applies to our current conservative strategy.
If we remain stagnant, becoming the conquered is not a ’possibility’ but a ’certainty.’"
She once again demonstrated a comparison chart of civilization growth speeds:
"When the growth rates of other civilizations’ powers are ten or a hundred tis ours, the longer we wait, the more dangerous our relative position becos.
At least through conquest, we have the opportunity to quickly close this gap, and possibly surpass it."
Professor William nodded but imdiately asked again:
"Then, Great Wizard, where do you believe the end of this conquest race lies?
When all civilizations adopt a strategy of conquest, what will this universe beco?"
The depth of this question shocked everyone present.
It questioned not only the sustainability of the conquest strategy but also its impact on the entire universe’s order.
Faced with this philosophical challenge, a hint of admiration appeared in Cassandra’s eyes:
"Professor William, your question demonstrates the broad perspective a true scholar should have.
The answer to this question might take us thousands of years to find."
Her voice grew even more philosophical:
"But I believe that when the conquest race reaches a certain point, new balance points will inevitably appear.
Perhaps through higher-level civilization agreents, perhaps through technological breakthroughs leading to new developnt models, or perhaps through ans we cannot yet imagine."
She paused for a mont, then honestly said:
"I cannot guarantee what the end of the path of conquest will be, but I can guarantee this—if we do not take this path, we will never know the answer.
And more importantly, we might never have the opportunity to find out the answer."
This honest uncertainty, rather than any grand promise, was more convincing.
It acknowledged the risks of the conquest strategy but also emphasized the greater dangers of the status quo.
The hall resounded with prolonged applause, but Ron noticed the complexity within this applause.
So clapped fervently and sincerely, so clapped reluctantly and hesitantly, and so only chanically followed the crowd.
This division was exactly what Cassandra wanted to see.
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