Chapter 606: Chapter 596: Fungus Castle Conference
The upside-down growing illuminating mushroom on the ceiling radiated a warm orange-yellow glow, lighting up every member’s face at the council’s long table.
This was the first meeting of the Fungus Castle’s cabinet, attended by the core members active within the Northern Territory.
From the information extracted from spies who ventured into the Northern Territory, some lords in the northern part of the Empire have begun to make moves, requiring preparation from the Fungus Castle.
Louisa scanned the faces around, her sharp fangs subtly visible behind her lips:
"We have now consolidated almost the entire Northern Territory’s power, backed by the sturdy city defenses of Fungus Castle, coupled with old Puki’s reinforcement, we are not inferior to any Empire Duke, perhaps even stronger!
The Empire’s vastterritories are riddled with internal discord, they can’t possibly mobilize fully for the sake of a newly emerged border power.
Strike decisively while they’re slow to react and mistakenly judge the situation.
Let them know through a swift and clean victory that here lies a tough bone that breaks their teeth upon biting.
Only then can we seize the initiative!"
Opposite her, Hunting raised his eyes:
"Louisa, I understand your thought.
But this is the Empire!
The strongest power on the continent, its depth unfathomable.
A momentary victory might be possible, but what then?
Luring harsher retaliation, dragging Fungus Castle into a full-scale war we’re unprepared for?
If the Empire were still embroiled in the war with Humans and Dwarfs, I would support you, but the Empire now has its hands free."
Then, Hunting began to articulate his thoughts: "I think we should avoid direct conflict as much as possible, perhaps even... suitably appear weak, posing as submissive externally to buy time, while secretly gathering strength, waiting for the next instability in the Empire to act."
Louisa sneered dismissively, as if she heard the most ridiculous thing:
"Appear weak?
Only a small Tribal Chief, like you, who has spent time in the wilderness, would have such a naive idea, exposing your soft throat to a vicious pack of wolves?
Hunting, that would only make every wolf believe you’re the easiest piece of meat to tear apart!
They would swarm in, devour you thoroughly, without even giving you the chance to pretend to submit!"
Xing Huo interjected at this moment: "Perhaps, we don’t need direct confrontation, nor need to appear weak.
Can we find ways to create some trouble within the Empire itself?
Stir up friction between them and the Dwarfs or Humans, tinker internally within the Empire?
Most of Fungus Castle consists of the Demon Race, sending spies into the Empire’s territory to create chaos is not impossible.
Divert the Empire’s focus elsewhere, buying us more time."
Louisa immediately countered, but this time her tone eased:
"Xing Huo, your idea isn’t impossible; indeed, there are many opportunities given the deep-rooted conflicts within the Empire.
But time! What we need is time!
Placing spies, nurturing forces, causing chaos—all these require calculations in years.
And with the Empire’s scouts and border lords, the time left for us might be only a few months, or even weeks.
Your suggestion can be carried out, but it’s for the future, not offering substantial help for the immediate difficulties."
The debate continued, with each proposal accompanied by an intense clash of pros and cons.
In the corner of the long table, Norris sat quietly, almost shrinking into the shadows.
His hands lay flat on his knees, his eyes fixed on the patterns on the table, as if they held the truth of the world.
Two years ago, he was still mining Demon Crystals in the cave, what did he know about military and national affairs?
He even wondered whether this was some way his boss was messing with him?
Norris quietly glanced at Marshal Puki sitting at the deliberately elevated seat.
The boss had been just listening, without expressing any views, silently contemplating—was he daydreaming too?
...
Lin Jun wasn’t daydreaming, of course.
He was merely gathering wisdom.
Once he spoke, setting the tone, it would be difficult to hear more opinions later. Therefore, he chose to remain silent for now, letting Little Pig, Hunting, and Xing Huo argue.
As it appears, Little Pig, who had struggled in the Empire before, provided suggestions that, despite being aggressive, were much more reliable.
Xing Huo and Hunting, although having matured significantly during their management of Fungus Castle and responsible for diplomacy, still lacked in insights and experience.
That’s normal; Little Pig was fifty-two, distinctly an elder in the Mushroom Garden’s vibrant core, sitting at the same table as the retired Old Dylan; it is not surprising she is more seasoned.
Based on Lin Jun’s observations of the Empire’s ecology from Fat Xi, appearing weak does indeed invite scrutiny. Even when weak, posing fiercely is the survival method for many in the Empire.
However, Fungus Castle has its unique circumstances.
Fungus Castle doesn’t fear an army’s overwhelming assault.
After all, the Frost Elemental Lord still rests in Inanna’s hands; if the battle turns disadvantageous, it’s a matter of sending it back to the ruins.
While the temperature wouldn’t drop immediately, within a month at most, it would leave those Empire armies lacking [Cold Resistance] in a state where even a burning fire cannot warm them.
What Lin Jun particularly worries about is, if the Empire finds that their army cannot deal with Fungus Castle, they may let a Duke, Prince, or even the Emperor himself come and cause trouble for him.
Not to mention, if they find the Frost Elemental Lord and manage to eliminate it, then this tactical Magic Card would be broken.
Although the Emperor himself has been focused on the issues with Slimes and several Underground Cities within the Empire, not likely to personally come to the Northern Territory, unpredictability bothers, who knows what might happen?
If they do come, can they even fight?
Lin Jun considers the newly acquired [Soul Touch], thinks about his Ji Divine Soldier, and those delicious mushrooms he regularly offers as tribute to the Emperor each month...
If this were a normal world, Lin Jun would contemplate poisoning the Emperor; alas.
In summary, even facing a sneak attack from top experts, Lin Jun believes he’s not utterly powerless, although the odds aren’t favorable.
Therefore, the strategy of delaying time and gathering strength, as Hunting proposed, is also necessary.
First, Lin Jun needs time to train his newly acquired skills.
Second, with [Life Source]’s unique advantage, the growth rate of Lin Jun’s forces far exceeds normal forces; time is on the side of Fungus Castle.
Of course, prolonging indefinitely isn’t viable, this world still awaits the Hero’s salvation!
Finally, Marshal Puki on the primary seat slowly lifted an appendage.
This simple gesture brought the nearly table-slapping argument to an abrupt halt, all eyes focused on him.
"If truly the Empire sends forces to invade, the enemy naturally should be fought, but not completely defeated! We should engage them in a manner that appears evenly matched, or even slightly disadvantaged."
Hunting and Xing Huo were first confused for a moment, then their eyes flashed with comprehension and admiration: "Wise as always, Boss!"
Little Pig understood too, but this indeed meant holding back during combat, which, in a way, was even more frustrating than avoiding conflict.
But since the boss had decided, she dared not oppose any further.
At the council’s conclusion, Lin Jun was somewhat surprised that Yellow-covered Book even suggested:
[Boss, regarding creating chaos within the Empire, and planting spies... perhaps, I could take on the responsibility of organizing this.]
It paused for a moment, seemingly watching for Lin Jun’s reaction, then cautiously added:
[Don’t you still wish to conduct a certain Magic Ceremony within the Empire?]
[Perhaps, I could merge both tasks... organizing them accordingly.]
Looking at the volunteering Yellow-covered Book, Lin Jun found himself hesitating rare.
