Chapter 291: Side Dish

Life is like a game of chess.

Some people play chess, some people are just chess pieces.

Chess pieces move as the player directs, advancing and retreating, charging into battle, unable to act on their own.

Lin Ke knows that this mission, the current situation, is a chess game.

Himself and the other eleven wizards are one or several chess pieces, already inside the game.

What is special is that in this chess game, these chess pieces of his have relatively higher freedom.

With greater freedom, as wizards possessing great power, Lin Ke and his eleven teammates will naturally try to control the situation, rather than be controlled by it.

Seizing control of the starship, changing the navigation destination coordinates, is one attempt to control the situation.

Unfortunately, even if one wants to elevate thinking and break free from constraints, one is still limited by the opaque information fog, making it difficult to quickly clarify the situation's development and direction.

Unable to clarify the situation's development and direction, acting naturally leads to hesitation and restraint.

Afraid of making a mistake, not only failing to complete the academy's mission, but also getting oneself into trouble.

Therefore, early reconnaissance, situation analysis, tactic formulation, and strategy execution are all particularly important.

For example, now, Lin Ke brings Flandre, utilizing his high mobility and high concealment, to approach and scout the situation.

Of course, Lin Ke as team captain cannot possibly completely abandon his own team and act alone throughout.

Otherwise, wouldn't that make him a lone wolf, and what's the point of developing "Do Whatever Is Free"?

After scouting out the Flame and Metal Trading Company and the White Tower Alliance, these two top organizations in the Michelle District each dispatched only one starship, Lin Ke did not act rashly.

Leaving Flandre to continue scouting the surrounding star fields, Lin Ke turned back toward the meteorite belt where his team was hiding.

Planning to meet up with the team members, explain the situation, and decide on the action plan.

During the return journey, Lin Ke was not idle, thinking about all the information regarding this mission.

As the information gradually accumulated, the fog shrouding this mission gradually cleared.

Lin Ke also tried to guess one or two of the hidden profound meanings behind this mission.

The mission details given by the academy were to snipe a Shadow City Otherworld Reclamation team, the goal being to seize supplies, with the requirement of not killing anyone.

Keywords triggered: Shadow City, Otherworld Reclamation, supplies.

Combined with a piece of news that had been widely circulated for some time, with specific and credible details.

Saying that Shadow City had discovered a special planet possibly containing some inheritances of the Nostradamus Saint school, and had already dispatched a team to conduct excavation.

It is not difficult to know that the Riverside Academy's requirement for Lin Ke and them to snipe is exactly the Shadow City team sent to excavate the lost inheritance of that special planet.

What Lin Ke and them are to seize is exactly some inheritances of the Nostradamus Saint school.

Such disputes over lost inheritances within the Wizard World, the Supreme Council had already issued clear instructions over a thousand years ago, limiting the intensity of contention.

Wizard organizations can contend for inheritances, but must follow the principle of equal scale.

That is, the scale of the reclamation team dispatched by the organization that discovered the inheritance determines that the organization attempting to seize the inheritance can only dispatch a team of equal scale.

Number, level, configuration, though not required to be completely identical, must differ by an extremely small margin.

Moreover, during the seizure process, it is best to have limited literary combat, and extreme bloodshed events are not allowed.

Otherwise, the wizard organization that first causes casualties will face severe reprimand from the Supreme Council.

Whether the seized inheritance can be retained depends entirely on the Supreme Council's ruling.

The original intention of this Supreme Council instruction is undoubtedly very good.

To a certain extent, it has protected the enthusiasm of various organizations for excavating lost techniques, knowledge, and school inheritances.

Unfortunately, the Supreme Council has policies above and countermeasures below.

Wizard organizations quickly formed a fine tradition of luring other organizations into mutual killing, while sitting back to reap the benefits.

Lisandra Lady personally reminded Fletcher Domingo Sage, who was secretly escorting the sniper team, to guard against accidents, not to get carried away, for this reason.

It is not that they are idle and bored, specifically targeting Lin Ke Grande, to dig a pit for Lin Ke.

That is merely a matter of convenience.

If it succeeds, good; if not, it doesn't matter.

Based on multiple pieces of information, Lin Ke found this clear instruction of the Supreme Council in a remote corner of his memory, resolving some of his doubts about this mission.

Then, having a bone stuck in his throat, he very much wanted to spit it out quickly.

The so-called clear instruction, in fact, was only very clear for an extremely short period after its issuance.

Not long afterward, this instruction gradually faded from mainstream view, with extremely low presence.

Even in historical records, it is hidden in obscure corners, very inconspicuous.

If not for having deeply studied the history of the Wizard World, especially the Supreme Council's annual decrees over the years, few wizards would know about this.

It seems as if many wizard organizations have joined hands to bring about this situation.

Upon careful thought, the reason is not hard to guess, and it is also reasonable.

Even if the teams are of equal scale, those dispatched by small organizations are inferior to those of medium organizations, medium inferior to large, large inferior to top-tier.

Therefore, after the apocalyptic war with the God World, the lost techniques, knowledge, and school inheritances that the Wizard World gradually recovered have basically been absorbed by large or top-tier wizard organizations.

The data and documents of Intellectual Machine Wizards, True Spirit Wizards, Body Refining Wizards, and Beast-Taming Wizards stored by Riverside Academy are partly obtained through purchase, partly through exchange, partly through self-research, and partly through excavation and seizure of lost inheritances.

The Supreme Council and various large/top-tier wizard organizations still want to save face.

The original intention of this instruction was to protect the interests of medium and small organizations.

Yet it has caused medium and small organizations to be completely excluded from the good fortune of recovering lost techniques, knowledge, and school inheritances.

How can such a self-slapping situation become known throughout the world?

Or is it better to keep it hidden, so that I know and you don't know?

Thoughts drifting afar, Lin Ke promptly pulled himself back, continuing to focus on this mission.

Obviously, excavating/seizing lost school inheritances is something the major top-tier wizard organizations in the Michelle District are old hands at.

The younger generation doesn't know how to operate, the middle-aged generation in charge of each organization, or the older generation—could they still be unclear?

Thinking of this, Lin Ke suddenly understood—no wonder Riverside Academy, Flame and Metal Trading Company, and White Tower Alliance each sent only one warship.

It's because of the scale-equivalence principle established by the Supreme Council.

Presumably, the composition of the other three organizations' teams is also six Level 1 Wizards and six Level 2 Wizards.

And there is one Level 5 Sage secretly protecting them.

The question is, where is the team from Mesopotamia University?

Could it be that after full closure, they don't even participate in such a "good thing" involving the Saint sect's inheritance?

Lin Ke pondered in vain; after returning to the Meteorite Belt, he temporarily stopped thinking about this problem.

Through the agreed-upon contact method, Lin Ke, inspired by the True Spirit Wizard's Ring 1 witchcraft "Mind Link" and the typical features of the "Mind" series witchcraft, independently developed the Ring 2 witchcraft "Quantum Encrypted Communication," recalling the 11 scattered hidden crew members to the Lark-class Interstellar Warship.

"Captain, how's the situation?"

In the cockpit, after everyone took their seats, Lanny. Tai Le spoke first, raising the question.

This coordination works well, improving efficiency and saving time.

"Like this, like that."

Lin Ke then shared the situation he and Flandre had investigated, his speculations about this mission, the Supreme Council's instructions, and the lost Saint sect inheritance, one by one, to the 11 crew members.

"The situation is just like this—everyone, share your thoughts, or as always, speak freely."

After speaking, Lin Ke fully exercised democratic spirit, soliciting everyone's opinions, and said thus.

One person's idea is short, many people's ideas are long, right?

"I say, why do I always feel something's off about this mission?"

A second-level wizard from a major family in the headquarters, feigning sudden realization, sighed: "Originally, it was to seize the inheritance—no wonder they didn't let down assassins."

"Now the problem is, how can we, under the watchful eyes of Flame and Metal Trading Company and White Tower Alliance, obtain the mission target undamaged—that batch of materials possibly containing the Saint sect's inheritance?"

Another second-level wizard from Storm Sea, who had met Lin Ke several times in Riverside City, quickly brought the discussion back on track.

With these two speaking up, discussion in the team quickly heated up.

You speak, I speak, each expressing their views—quite lively.

"While the Shadow City Otherworld Reclamation Team hasn't arrived, let's strike first and force the other two out—how about that?"

"The enemy is clear, we are hidden—sudden ambush, I feel it could work."

"Ambush hinges on speed—we need to control the force of our strike, how to act swiftly?"

"That's also a problem."

"Why not wait for the other two to strike Shadow City first, and we come in last?"

"What if they never move at all?"

"How could that be?"

"How could it not be? We wanted advance reconnaissance, but their two teams are all dead—couldn't we have thought of that?"

"Exactly. If both sides discovered each other's presence, out of caution, they wouldn't dare act—very likely causing us to miss the opportunity."

"I carefully examined the star chart; the institute's preset coordinates are actually quite deliberate. Leaving this star field, it's really not easy to strike. Nearby are vassal worlds of other organizations. Slightly higher combat intensity, slightly longer combat time—easily draws attention from other organizations."

"Right, I noticed that too."

"Then it means, to complete the mission, we must strike here—can't ambush in advance, can't sneak attack from behind?"

"Stop wasting words—say something useful. How to complete the mission is what matters most."

"You're smart—you say it!"

"I say what I say. In my view, with the Shadow City team's arrival at the institute's preset coordinates still over a day away, why not use this time to clear obstacles? Either provoke Flame and Metal Trading Company into fighting each other; or figure out how to take on two at once and defeat them. There's no third option."

"Easily said. How to provoke? How to take on two at once? Overreaching! Come up with concrete measures."

"Everyone be quiet—I have an idea to share for your reference."

At this moment, Lanny. Tai Le used a sound-wave witchcraft, merely speaking softly, yet to others it felt as if their entire bodies, inside and out, had been smoothly ironed.

The somewhat noisy discussion voices were instantly suppressed.

Lanny, seeing this, spoke loudly: "I'm thinking—can we advance the warship a bit further, then turn around, disguise it as Shadow City's team, lure Flame and Metal Trading Company and White Tower Alliance into showing themselves? Actually, the warship is merely controlled by the Tower Spirit; we hide elsewhere, waiting for them to fight each other, then we strike."

"That does have some feasibility, but there are still some problems."

"Please explain."

"First, how to disguise? Second, how can we be sure those two will inevitably act?"

Before Lanny could speak, other wizards had already answered the questions.

"Disguise is simple. I have here the style schematics of the warships commonly used by Shadow City; slightly modify the appearance, and it's not hard to deceive them for a short time."

"Even if those two restrain themselves and don't act, it's fine—at least we can get them moving. Once they move, the chance of them discovering each other increases. Perhaps they'll first think about how to deal with eliminating the opposition?"

"Wake up! Nobody's that stupid."

"Hehehe..."

"..."

Lin Ke silently listened to the 11 team members' discussion, his heart completely at peace.

These discussions, though seemingly reasonable on the surface, actually... are of little use, showing none of the caliber expected of the elites carefully selected by the institute.

Actually, thinking about it, it's quite normal.

Offering suggestions and strategies requires taking responsibility!

If the mission fails, Lin Ke as team leader bears primary responsibility, the person who proposed the plan bears secondary responsibility, and ordinary members bear joint responsibility.

The greater the responsibility, the worse it looks on one's record.

Why would any wizard willingly put themselves at a disadvantage from the start?

Temporary teams—just like that.

Unlike "Do Whatever Is Free," and unlike Sandra's second micro legion, they can work together in unity.

This temporary team, in order to complete the mission, can advance and retreat together during combat; naturally, in planning and decision-making, some reservations must be kept.

Unless the plan formulated by team leader Linke Grande is truly absurd—hopeless to complete the mission and possibly causing casualties.

The sense of division, the contradiction, is fully revealed.

Linke had anticipated this, knowing democratic discussion was useless, yet he insisted on going through this process.

Thus, the decision Linke makes later will be a collective decision, not a dictatorship.

As the discussion voices gradually faded, Lanny. Tai Le cast a questioning glance; Linke gave a light cough to draw the team members' attention.

"What everyone said makes sense."

Linke spoke thus, then shifted his tone: "My opinion: divide into two groups. One group as bait, one group as main attack.

The bait group pilots the starship, advancing boldly toward the Shadow City team's direction, regardless of whether the Flame and Metal Trading Company or White Tower Alliance will jump out to attack—we ignore them and continue advancing.

The main attack group brings up the rear; if the Flame and Metal Trading Company or White Tower Alliance jump out to attack, we will decide based on the situation, choosing how to intervene; if the two organizations' teams continue to lurk, then the main attack group will swiftly catch up to the starship, rendezvous, and then block the Shadow City team's necessary route."

"And then?"

Lanny. Tai Le frowned and asked.

She could not quite understand the purpose of Linke's final arrangement.

Linke gave a faint smile and countered: "Who said we must definitely attack the Shadow City Otherworld Reclamation Team?"

"The Academy..."

Lanny opened her mouth to say a beginning, then immediately fell silent.

In the mission details issued by the Academy, it indeed mentioned that this operation was to snipe the Shadow City Otherworld Reclamation Team, but it also emphasized two points: one is to seize supplies, the other is to avoid harming people.

From another perspective, as long as we obtain supplies without harming anyone, we have completed the mission.

Then, through negotiation and peaceful evolution, obtaining supplies—does that count as completing the mission?

Of course it does.

From this angle, the problem reduces to just one.

How to persuade the Shadow City Otherworld Reclamation Team to hand over the supplies they painstakingly excavated?

The 11 team members fell silent, their thoughts constantly turning, pondering this question.

At this moment, Linke smiled again and asked: "Who said we must definitely loot all the supplies of the Shadow City Otherworld Reclamation Team?"

This question instantly inspired the team members.

The mission details issued by the Academy did not require the sniper team to loot all the supplies of the Shadow City Otherworld Reclamation Team, only to seize supplies.

A single character difference, and the feasibility is completely different.

Therefore, Linke's proposed idea is highly feasible.

If the warships of the Flame and Metal Trading Company and White Tower Alliance are startled by the bait group and jump out.

Regardless of whether they attack the bait group or fight each other, the main attack group hiding in the dark can calmly deal with them.

In this situation, after dealing with the two warships of the Flame and Metal Trading Company and White Tower Alliance, the Riverside Academy sniper team can then, depending on the situation, either seize or share, obtaining supplies from the Shadow City Otherworld Reclamation Team.

If the warships of the Flame and Metal Trading Company and White Tower Alliance hold their ground, not emerging, remaining hidden.

The main attack group and bait group rendezvous, intercept the Shadow City Otherworld Reclamation Team, and use joint resistance against the two warships of the Flame and Metal Trading Company and White Tower Alliance as a condition to exchange for half the supplies—wouldn't that be reasonable?

Bear in mind, the relationship between Riverside Academy and Shadow City, though not allies, has never been bad.

It's just that recently, due to the promotion of Sosi Great Sage, some unpleasantness arose.

These unpleasantnesses can be temporarily ignored, right?

"Agreed."

After thinking it through, Lanny. Tai Le was the first to express support.

"Agreed."

"I also agree."

The remaining 10 team members spoke in turn, supporting Linke's idea.

"Good."

Linke nodded, speaking solemnly: "Who joins the bait group, who joins the main attack group—I will not forcibly assign; everyone volunteer."

Speaking, Linke operated the office smart brain on the captain's seat, sending a grouping link to the smart brains on the operation consoles of the 11 team members.

The 11 team members looked at the grouping link, seriously considering which group they should join.

Whether bait group or main attack group, each has its pros and cons—careful consideration is needed.

"Sir, sir."

At this moment, Flandre, who had been left on reconnaissance, suddenly called out in Linke's mind.

"What is it, Flandre?"

Linke divided his attention—watching the team members' choices on the smart brain while sending a mental inquiry.

"Sir, another warship has appeared; judging by the insignia, it seems to belong to the Michelle Great Sage Tower."

Flandre said, sharing her vision.

Linke focused his gaze and confirmed that the warship Flandre spotted bore the insignia of the Michelle Great Sage Tower.

"They've come to join the fun too?"

This is Linke's first time dealing with the great boss of the Michelle District, the witch of the Michelle Great Sage Tower.

The situation has changed; the previously formulated plan may need to be temporarily shelved.

However, Linke did not immediately inform the team members of this change, deciding to observe for a while longer.

In the midst of the starry sky.

Hidden in the dark, Fletcher Domingo Sage felt he had been discovered.

Following the direction of the locking sensation that came through, Fletcher Domingo Sage quickly located the other party, and it turned out to be an acquaintance—a Level 5 Sage from the Michelle Great Sage Tower.

Fletcher Domingo Sage had fought side by side with them before, jointly countering a war god-system demigod from the God World.

"Ragnar Walters? How did you come here?"

While Fletcher Domingo Sage remained on guard, he sent a witchcraft voice transmission, posing the question.

Fully merged into the void, only a vague human silhouette visible, Ragnar Walters chuckled:

"Your Riverside Academy has been unusually active lately, even deliberately leaking the coordinates of a special planet possibly harboring the legacy of the Nostradamus Saint school to Shadow City.

After Shadow City dispatched an excavation team, you spread the word, setting up today's situation.

Isn't it just to muddy the waters, so that our Michelle Great Sage Tower can't see the situation clearly?

Since the water has been muddied and visibility lost, aren't we just jumping in voluntarily, perfectly fulfilling your intention?"

Fletcher Domingo Sage couldn't understand what Ragnar Walters was saying.

He was really just carrying out an escort mission.

As for seizing the Saint school's legacy, he indeed knew about it.

But isn't this just a matter between teams composed of Level 1 and Level 2 Wizards from various organizations?

How come listening to Ragnar Walters' tone, it seems the conflict among these teams could even affect the situation of the entire Michelle District, affecting the status of the Michelle Great Sage Tower?

"You don't know?"

Ragnar Walters hid his head and showed his tail, making his facial expression unclear, yet one could clearly see the subtle changes in Fletcher Domingo Sage's expression after discovering Ragnar Walters and no longer hiding.

"What should I know?"

Fletcher Domingo Sage countered calmly.

He never concealed the fact that he had not entered the decision-making layer of Riverside Academy.

Being marginalized is just being marginalized—nothing to be ashamed of.

"Hehehe..."

Ragnar Walters let out a burst of laughter, speaking mockingly: "After all, Forrest Diomand boasts of unparalleled scheming—how would he let you, a Level 5 Sage he hardly regards, know his plans?"

"What plans?"

Fletcher Domingo Sage ignored the sarcasm and provocation in the words, continuing to ask.

"Do you think that special planet Forrest deliberately leaked to Shadow City might actually harbor the legacy of the Nostradamus Saint school?"

This time, Ragnar Walters did not answer Fletcher Domingo Sage's question, but instead countered in this way.

"Of course not..."

Fletcher Domingo Sage spoke halfway, then abruptly stopped.

Why couldn't the Nostradamus Saint school's legacy possibly be hidden there?

The Nostradamus Saint, founder of the school, primarily focused on prophecy and curses within the Mysterious System.

In the eyes of the God World, the mortal enemy of the Wizard World, Mystic Wizards are nothing but "thieves" who spy on and attempt to seize fate.

How could the legacy of such a school be easily unearthed?

Holding it in hand—is it truly a good thing?

Even if the Saint has perished, the remnants left behind are not something ordinary people can withstand.

Given Forrest Diomand's nature, it is highly likely he would regard the Mystic Wizard legacy as useless—like chicken ribs.

Tasteless to eat, a pity to discard.

Better to use it as bait.

(End of Chapter)