Along with the deployment of Zhao Guang’s army, Zhao Guang didn’t expect that the other lords would react so swiftly either.
"What, the other lords have also dispatched reinforcements, and the Queen has agreed to all of it?" Zhao Guang looked at the report in his hand, a puzzled look in his eyes. What on earth is Balola up to?
Xi Fei nodded: "Yes, initially everyone was just watching our troops. But later, the lords along the way actually dispatched troops to help and joined this war."
Zhao Guang nodded lightly in understanding: "It’s very normal. They are quite close to us. After knowing that I was attacked, they also want to express their stance."
This is very beneficial for them. If I were in their position, I would make the same choice.
However, what Zhao Guang didn’t expect was why lords from other places also sent people there.
Under such circumstances, lords from all over the country supported the front line, making it seem like a large-scale war was about to unfold. I fear this time, even the Klein Empire did not anticipate it would turn out .
Though the Klein Empire is a Martial Empire and has constantly harassed the Chirali Empire, the scale of the wars has been limited.
This time, the total military assembly of the Chirali Empire far exceeds any attack by the Klein Empire.
Although they didn’t have an elite army or many strong warriors, just the sheer number was enough to give the Klein Empire a headache. They certainly didn’t see this coming.
"Master, I feel that you are underestimating your own influence."
Zhao Guang was taken aback, then realized he was no longer who he used to be.
Besides strength, he had also established trade networks with many territories, with many unique special products of his own.
Even if not for these, he now showed a tendency to assist other territories in training their armies. And those trained troops were all top-notch elites, the kind anyone would want.
Even if they can’t obtain them, they wouldn’t want to leave a bad impression on him for future troubles.
"Alright, I understand. So what about the Queen? Why did she agree?"
Xi Fei had some guesses: "Perhaps it’s due to the heavy material pressure. This time, all major territories are voluntarily sending help, bringing their own supplies, and won’t require the Empire to provide this support."
"That’s possible. The Empire is indeed under significant material pressure now."
Zhao Guang thought to himself, of course, it might also be because Balola has just ascended to power. She needs to use a war to boost her reputation. What’s better than having the lords spontaneously help, just like right now?
Moreover, the scale is the largest in history, and it’s a proactive attack on the south from their side.
Historically, they were always attacked by the Chirali Empire, but this time, they finally took the initiative.
No matter the outcome, such a war is enough to boost their morale.
"Forget it, let’s not bother with this issue, just collect all sorts of data on our own troops."
Xi Fei nodded, as such matters were not within their concrete considerations. "But there’s another thing; recently, there’s significant movement on the Temple’s side."
"What kind of movement?" Zhao Guang was not surprised, or rather, it would be strange if there were no movements from the Temple.
"Recently, the Temple has also been conducting various theater performances, and they are actively promoting them, reportedly receiving excellent feedback."
"Actively promoting? Seems like they also noticed the issues with theater arts. But are their plays very good?" Zhao Guang was a bit incredulous; the adaptations by his subordinates had been time-tested on Earth.
"We have seen them. In fact, the stories are not that great, very stereotypical, and heavily characterized."
Before Zhao Guang could continue asking, Xi Fei proactively explained: "But the influence of the Temple is extensive, much larger than ours. They have sent people for performances in places we haven’t reached yet."
Indeed, there are branch temples of the Temple everywhere, not just within one Empire.
It can be said that wherever there are humans, there is a presence of the Temple, and even in areas inhabited by other races, some temples exist, although they might not communicate with the human-side temples.
"True, it is after all a new form of art expression, and regardless of anything, it is new."
Zhao Guang thought of many new forms that, when they first appeared, often caused a huge sensation. Even when a new type of show appeared, it was the same, but looking back, you find that the works at the time weren’t great.
It was only because of the imbalance in supply and demand that such a situation occurred.
Now the Temple is too, as the form of theater performance is a new thing. No matter what kind it is, it will attract a lot of attention. Even if it’s performed like a pile of crap, most people would enjoy it.
However, once they spread out, others will naturally come over to learn these scripts.
But with the Temple stirring things up, it will no longer be possible for other places to thoroughly suppress the Temple’s arrogance through this method. Zhao Guang had long anticipated this situation, just not that it would happen so soon.
"Forget it, after all, I expected them to do this long ago, just a bit quicker."
"Indeed, very quick. They probably had been preparing long ago. Our investigation found that when the Master was attacked, Temple performance teams simultaneously appeared in multiple locations."
Zhao Guang was taken aback, simultaneous appearances when he was attacked.
If he had been directly done for at the time, they might have used this chance to suppress the original public opinion. With the development of the new form, at least for a period, it would become a tool for them to harvest faith.
The Temple’s actions are really fast, and they probably started preparing long ago.
No, they might have even started preparing when this side’s theater first appeared.
The Temple is indeed the Temple, such a huge organization really can’t be underestimated, and there are just too many talented individuals inside.
"It seems we need to develop even faster. Let He Yun come see me; I want to ask about his next plan." The biggest conflict between them and the Temple next would essentially be in these arts.
There’s no way around it; they can’t openly fight now, and there’s nothing that can be done about them directly.
This time, although tricked by the Temple, he had no evidence. After all, whether it was those who set the trap or those who acted, they were not people from the Temple. Knowing they did it yet what can be done?