Chapter 629: Pulling the "Enemy" Into Familiar Territory
In Matthew's hands were many arcane technologies and special spells, but unlike agricultural golems, he had not produced or deployed them on a large scale.
That was because these things did not involve the upper echelons.
For other factions and kingdoms, they were more beneficial for enhancing the interests of their upper classes.
The reason was simple: unlike Bay Territory, they would never distribute the fruits of development to the common people, only think of how to extract more from them.
If other countries and organizations adopted agricultural golems on a large scale, the nobility's power and profit would increase significantly.
This would make it easier for them to exploit the ordinary populace, while also providing Bay Territory with more opportunities to absorb new population under good and subtle conditions.
The intention behind revealing the Dragon Warriors was exactly the same!
The transformation process to become a Dragon Warrior was lengthy. If others lacked enough technical accumulation,
Undertaking such transformation would certainly burn through vast resources and huge quantities of magical materials.
Most importantly, Matthew would quietly sow special "contradictions" in other territories and factions.
As everyone knows, spellcasters have an extraordinary status.
In the Cole Elven Kingdom and the Netheril Empire, spellcasters sit at the very top, firmly in control of the ruling class.
Even in other kingdoms and powers, spellcasters are a class above others, possessing considerable independence.
And the ruling class has no choice but to accommodate them, since they rely on their power.
The Dragon Warrior transformation has a very bright and promising future.
Professionals who complete the Dragon Warrior transformation will possess strength to rival spellcasters.
But the transformation itself is inseparable from the help of spellcasters.
This creates a very obvious contradiction.
Will spellcasters be willing to pour massive resources and effort into researching a technique like Dragon Warriors, which threatens their own status and interests, but offers little in return for them?
Each faction and kingdom will have a very interesting answer to that!
If the spellcasters of each kingdom and faction are unwilling to invest in Dragon Warrior research,
The ruling class will naturally become dissatisfied with them, and the conflict between both sides will grow.
With their spellcasters weakened, these kingdoms and factions will trade even more with Bay Territory.
By suppressing their spellcasters and gaining more profit, it's a win-win for Bay Territory.
But if the spellcasters are willing to devote vast energy and resources to Dragon Warrior research,
Bay Territory would be all too happy to see it!
Their energy and resources are limited.
The more they invest in transformations,
The less they can devote to arcane exploration and other experiments.
Invisibly, this also slows down their own advancement and drags out their march toward madness.
It will also make many non-immortal spellcasters less fanatical.
Most spellcasters look down on flesh-based enhancements like Dragon Warriors.
The fact that fleshcraft never became mainstream among spellcasters shows how they feel about physical transformation.
However, Dragon Warrior transformations that greatly extend lifespan will definitely attract more spellcasters' attention in the future.
Don't you want "immortality"?
No need to dabble in obscure or sinister knowledge!
No need to seek out dangerous abominations or evil gods!
Use your intelligence and creativity to contribute to the advancement of the Dragon Warrior transformation!
Rather than letting them race headlong toward destruction,
It's better to channel their excessive curiosity and ability into the broad road of the Dragon Warrior transformation.
Matthew absolutely does not want, in the future battles against natural disasters and ancient evils, to also have to clean up the messes made by rogue spellcasters.
And as a bonus, he can absorb some of the spellcasters' "creative ideas."
By studying Dragon Warriors transformed by other factions, he can collect more feats and unique skills.
This will provide Matthew with new ideas and resources to improve his own surgical procedures.
Perhaps future procedures will also benefit from this.
From the perspective of dividing his enemies, Matthew's public unveiling of Dragon Warriors should achieve his goal.
And on a national scale, it also concealed his plans for the Cole Elven Kingdom and the Netheril Empire.
Why not promote Dragon Warrior transformations on a large scale?
Because they're expensive!
Because the success rate is low!
Because they're hard to promote!
And most of all, because they consume too many resources!
Bay Territory's land and strength already surpassed most marquisates.
Their economic capability could match some of the wealthiest duchies.
Bay Territory also had Matthew and Yaya—two "cheat codes" to guarantee that transformation procedures could be "reset" until they finally succeeded.
Not only could they minimize wasted resources, but also avoid the disasters and troubles caused by failed transformations.
Yet even with so many advantages, Bay Territory currently only had 3,000 Dragon Warriors.
In the short term, Matthew had no plans to increase their number.
Not being able to support more was one factor, but further improvement and refinement was another.
In Bay Territory, Matthew could set the policy.
But Cole Elven Kingdom was different.
Even if it was just to deal with Bay Territory and reclaim their lost face, the Cole Elven Kingdom would surely strive to uncover the secret of the Dragon Warriors.
Once they realized the power of the Dragon Warriors, they might pour massive resources into creating their own.
They would seek the limits of Dragon Warriors, thus discovering Bay Territory's true strength.
If the Cole Elven Kingdom did this, it would be stepping right into Matthew's carefully prepared trap.
"I have a massive accumulation of data, technical support from data display, forward-thinking direction, and integration of elite multi-race technologies."
"For the Cole Elven Kingdom to research Dragon Warriors from scratch on their own is exceedingly difficult."
"Even if they pay a huge price to develop a few qualified Dragon Warriors, they still won't be able to mass-produce them."
By that point, the combat strength and numbers of Bay Territory's Dragon Warriors will far surpass what we have now!"
Matthew's goal was clear: by playing the Dragon Warrior card, he was luring the Cole Elven Kingdom into his trap.
When other countries and factions found themselves unable to catch up with Cole Elven Kingdom in spellcaster strength, they would suddenly discover the "shortcut" of Dragon Warriors.
Would Cole Elven Kingdom follow?
Most likely, they would!
But if they did, then some of their resources and forces would be dragged into Bay Territory's area of expertise.
Bay Territory's soldiers and armies could use their familiar combat experience to defeat them again!
This was an overt plot, plain as day.
Bay Territory was already prepared and ready to mass-produce the various materials and supplies needed for Dragon Warrior transformations.
But before that, Matthew would let other territories and factions understand—
"If you want good things, you must pay a steep price."
While sorting documents, Ralph Carlisle glanced at the many message notes on his communicator, then turned to Matthew excitedly and said:
"Most factions have already submitted requests to 'take a look.'"
As footage of soldiers in various battles appeared on the magic television, Matthew didn't rush to respond. Instead, he smiled and said:
"No need to hurry. We're all off work for a few days anyway."
Hearing this, Ralph Carlisle couldn't help but smile faintly.
He had personally set many traps—just waiting for those short-sighted fools to walk right in.
"Wow, is that the Catachan demi-plane? It looks way too dangerous!"
"Of course! There's almost nowhere safe there; even the grass and trees want to eat you!"
"Even drinking water can infect you with deadly disease or parasites. It's like the whole world is out to get you."
"Is it really that dangerous? People can survive there?"
"Yeah, those soldiers fighting alongside the Dragon Warriors—they're the Catachans, living just outside Catachan all their lives."
"Their lives are incredibly tough. There used to be so few supplies that only 1 in 10 children survived to adulthood."
"Almost every Catachan warrior is a top jungle survival expert and battle specialist."
"Those are minotaurs from the New World; they farm and fish just like us…"
"Quick, look at the Underdark! Those are the six-legged lizards we just learned about a few days ago."
"They're not as strong in combat as shadow lizards, but they're bigger and better for riding."
"Whoa, look at that adamantine ore—it's all scattered in tiny bits!"
"Yeah, adamantine is rare and precious…"
"..."
The children chattered away, causing their parents and relatives—who usually hadn't studied well—to unconsciously avoid joining in the conversation.
They couldn't help but sigh in their hearts: "Sure enough, leaving education to the territory is the wisest choice."
Of course, if parents wanted to teach their own children, that wasn't forbidden.
But they had to pass the territory's minimum teacher qualification exam.
Hmm, the difficulty was about on par with the Professional elite certification!
Councilor Arad recalled the images of the Dragon Warriors in battle.
He especially noticed their exceptional resistance and stamina when fighting Cole Elven warriors—far beyond ordinary soldiers.
Just these two traits alone made Arad realize how valuable Dragon Warriors were.
Even though there were plenty of Cole Elven "lapdogs" in the Sevinton Council,
No matter what their motives, getting Dragon Warrior transformation info would bring huge benefits.
As he wondered how to get hold of information on Dragon Warriors, the golem television camera suddenly shifted to the skies over Bay City.
In the crimson night, Bay City—normally pitch black—was aglow from countless lights.
Yaya and Matthew appeared on screen again, smiling and offering blessings to everyone:
"All the channels on magic television will be airing a variety of exciting programs for everyone to enjoy during the New Year holiday."
"May your work go smoothly, may everything go well, and may you grow together with the territory in the new year!"
With a distant, melodious roar, Yaya's figure soared over the brilliantly lit Bay City.
The little ones, realizing something, quickly ran to the window.
And immediately, they erupted in excited cheers:
"It really is Lady Yaya!"
"Wow, so cool!"
"Hehehe, I want to fly someday too!"
"Lady Yaya's off to eat something yummy…"
"..."
Watching Yaya disappear, everyone across Bay Territory felt a deep sense of happiness and fulfillment.
Even though they weren't together in person, being able to watch magic television programs and enjoy food distributed by the territory felt like a dream come true.
Especially for those refugees not yet official members of Bay Territory.
These images had a huge impact on them.
Only now did they realize life could be so wonderful—there's another way to live for everyone!
With this celebration, Bay Territory once again achieved ideological unity and greatly boosted cohesion across the land.
Yaya cheerfully landed in the floating little house, heading straight for the roast lamb.
Smiling, Quan Quan watched as Matthew strode over, then blinked and asked softly:
"Can I join in plant cultivation too? Will I get the same bonus?"
Bonus?
Hearing this, Matthew instinctively glanced at Yaya.
She pretended to focus on gnawing a lamb leg, then grinned as she shared some with Oriana.
With a slight smile, Matthew nodded matter-of-factly and replied without hesitation:
"Of course. Not only do you get a creative bonus from the territory, you'll receive some seed funding for experiments too."
"If your modifications succeed and pass evaluation, you'll receive 10% of the improvement profits, as well as some emergency task rewards."
Delighted, Quan Quan nodded, noticing Yaya sneak a glance and giving her a reassuring gesture.
"I'll treat you to the next meal!"
Time passed by in this joyful atmosphere.