Wizard: I Can Refine Everything

The hidden confrontation behind the scenes was unknown to Richard.

At this moment, he was contemplating his next move with a map and data in hand.

From the current data he had, the forces on both sides in this world were roughly equal. Although the number of wizards was somewhat lacking on the lower battlefields, the wizards held a certain advantage in mid-level combat strength.

Thanks to the support from the Magic Beasts of the Beast Origin World and the great victory in World 2456, the wizards had surpassed the Galaxy Mayfly in mid-level combat power.

Although decades have passed, this advantage still exists.

"The situation is pretty good."

Richard looked at the map, calculating the overall data of the wizard's side in his mind.

In his calculations, although the overall forces were balanced, the wizards actually had a certain initiative due to their mid-level combat triumph.

"In the current situation, there's no need for comprehensive defense anymore."

Passive defense was a helpless move, though relying on fortifications and magic arrays to confront the Galaxy Mayfly seemed enjoyable.

But such confrontation was actually a slow suicide.

The offensive of the Galaxy Mayfly was continuous, but wizard fortifications would be damaged.

Once the fortifications were destroyed, the unorganized wizards would have no resistance against the Insect Tide.

Moreover, for the Galaxy Mayfly, conventional terrain and natural barriers were meaningless.

Passive defense meant having to deploy significant troops in every direction, which also meant dispersing the forces.

But the Galaxy Mayfly, due to the initiative of war, could arbitrarily maneuver its combat group and launch a major offensive at any point on the battlefield.

Richard's eyes glinted cold as he looked at the map.

"The era of sitting quietly in battle should be over."

Ten minutes later, in the headquarters conference room, all the staff officers had assembled.

These were the most experienced veteran wizards, summoned from various battlefields. Each of them had experienced several world civilization wars and hundreds of plane wars.

If not for their flawed souls, each of these individuals could have become a Great Wizard.

However, at this moment, these veteran wizards did not exhibit the maturity befitting their status.

Their eyes continually scanned the main seat beside the Absolute Zero Great Wizard, looking as restless as students called to the teacher's office.

But usually, these people dared to be quite informal even with a Great Wizard.

Suddenly, a figure appeared at the main seat.

"Take your seats, everyone," Richard greeted.

"Yes, Crown Throne."

Richard glanced over these veteran wizards, who were older than himself, feeling a strange sensation in his heart.

"Now I am also a big figure."

With everyone seated, Richard wasted no time and got straight to the point.

"Everyone, I plan to launch a localized offensive against the Galaxy Mayfly, what are your thoughts?"

Offensive?

Hearing this term, the veteran wizards were momentarily stupefied. Even with the modifier 'localized,' the term was unfamiliar to wizards.

For nearly a millennium, in most of the world's wars, wizards always played defense.

Direct attacks on the frontlines were very few.

The Absolute Zero Great Wizard spoke, "Crown Throne, given our current forces, an offensive might be a bit too forceful."

As the former General Commander of the Ashen Day World, he was very familiar with its troop situation.

Although there currently seemed to be a certain advantage in mid-level combat strength for wizards, he saw this as only effective at the mid-level.

Beneath that, troop numbers remain a significant issue for wizards.

"Forceful?"

Richard raised an eyebrow, looking around the conference room at other staff officers.

"What do you think?"

The wizards exchanged glances, eventually muttering somewhat disorganizedly, "Crown Throne, it indeed seems a bit forceful."

"And the reasons?"

Richard took out the data given to him by the Absolute Zero Great Wizard from his pocket.

"This data indicates that there's not a significant gap between our lower-level troops and those of the Galaxy Mayfly. Meanwhile, our mid-level combat capability holds a degree of advantage.

Is there an issue with this data?"

"No, Crown Throne," a veteran wizard cautiously replied, "but our issue with troop shortages is quite severe. If we launch a reckless attack and it fails, our troop reinforcements might not keep up.

Even if they do, other world's defense lines may suffer issues."

"When you say attack failure, do you mean being completely annihilated?" Richard asked the speaking wizard.

"Yes, Crown Throne."

Richard slightly frowned, "Although I understand your caution, this assumption seems too extreme.

All of you here are among the most elite veteran wizards of the Wizard Civilization, with knowledge and experience even surpassing mine in many ways.

If under your plans, our army still faces large-scale annihilation, what attacks can we carry out in the future?"

"Sir, our troop problem is quite severe, especially as we are currently in the End of Magic Era.

"I believe that all our actions should prioritize caution."

The old Wizard chose his words carefully, as arguing against a proposal from a Crown Throne was not a wise move.

"Troops are not a problem," Richard said calmly.

"Our trade channel with the Abyss Civilization is already open, and reinforcements from the Abyss Army will flow continuously.

The Abyss Demon Army's combat power is commendable, making it very suitable as an assault corps."

"But, Lord Crown Throne, isn't there Abyssal pollution with the Abyss Demons?" Absolute Zero Great Wizard asked cautiously.

"The Ashen Day World is a Hub World, connecting to over ten worlds, including two important resource worlds.

If we use the Abyss Army and the Abyssal pollution spreads, it will affect us post-war..."

"This doesn't need consideration for now," Richard interrupted calmly, "We don't need to worry about Abyssal pollution. The abyssal environment enhances my combat power.

The Galaxy Mayfly will handle the pollution issue for us.

Moreover, even if this world transitions into an Abyss World, it will not be a problem."

Richard's expression was composed, as transitioning into an Abyss World was indeed a significant issue for an ordinary Great Wizard, especially since this world is an important Hub World.

But for Richard, this change was not a big issue.

Firstly, as an honorary Crown Throne, he didn't need to share any portion; self-punishment with three cups would resolve it.

Secondly, he is an Abyss Titan, the highest authority within the abyss. Even an Abyss Blessed needs only a word from him to have their Abyssal Authority sealed.

Once Richard becomes the Dominator, the permissions of those two Abyss Dominators will fall under him.

To put it bluntly, Richard is now essentially a leader of a third of the Abyss Civilization.

If this world turns into an Abyss World, it will have no impact on Wizard Civilization.

"Lord Crown Throne, even with the Abyss Civilization's mercenaries, now is not the right time to attack." an old Wizard worriedly stated, "During this war, the Galaxy Mayfly has shown many subspecies we've never seen.

If we launch an attack rashly, there will be too many unstable factors."

"What kind of reason is this?" Richard frowned, asking, "It's normal for the Galaxy Mayfly to show subspecies we haven't seen. Likewise, we will also have new types of strategic magic equipment that the Galaxy Mayfly hasn't seen.

If you need to gather all the intelligence before attacking, then there's no need to attack at all; we might as well just defend every day."

Richard's gaze swept over these old Wizards once more, and in their eyes, he saw no ambition to attack, only a timid cautiousness.

"Alas, after defending for so long, you have somewhat lost your aggressiveness."

Richard sighed slightly; these old Wizards were the most experienced group within Wizard Civilization. But this also meant they were the most conservative group.

In past wars, aggressive Wizards did not last long.

The old Wizards said nothing, unwilling to admit it, but they were indeed somewhat resistant to attacking.

Nearly a thousand years of warfare had ingrained some experiences into the Wizards' inherent beliefs.

"However, the situation in war is changing, and attacking will be indispensable in the future."

Richard's eyes suddenly became sharp, and the Wizards he gazed at were pierced to the point of avoiding eye contact.

"We must adapt."

This statement made the future direction of the world's war clear and apparent.

No Wizard present could constrain a Crown Throne, not even if he was honorary.

"However, your caution is not entirely a bad thing," Richard's tone became gentle.

"At least the attack plans you draft won't be overly aggressive. We haven't fully gained the upper hand yet, so naturally, our attacks must be cautious.

The Abyss Army is currently on the way, and once they arrive, plan a small-scale attack to familiarize the two armies with each other."

Finishing his words, Richard calmly tapped the table with his index finger.

"Does anyone have any more questions?"

The Wizards looked at each other, but in the end, no one spoke.

Richard had already issued the order, and the rest was simply execution. They were all old Wizards, with the plan-making ingrained in their muscle memory.

"If not, let's adjourn the meeting."

Richard stood up and disappeared from the meeting room.

The old Wizards bowed slightly to the now empty seat, then each began to busy themselves with their own tasks.

...

"Asu, have you noticed that something seems to have changed with the fortress recently?"

In the fortress, while repairing parts of the Alchemy Gun Tower, Gao Wen asked his assistant.

"It feels like the fortress's losses have decreased a bit in recent days."

"Lessened? Let me do the math." Asu calculated with his fingers for a moment.

"Hey, boss, your intuition is spot on. The fortress's losses have indeed decreased a bit these days. Our shift rotation frequency is down by a quarter compared to before.

In my impression, the sky support is also arriving more timely than before."

"Looks like the Crown Throne has finished his task then." Gao Wen's voice carried some delight.

Reduced losses mean increased survival rates, and no Wizard dislikes staying alive.

He smiled, with a hint of longing for the future in his voice.

"With the Crown Throne's intervention, our casualties in this war should be much less.

Asu, you might really be able to go back and marry your childhood sweetheart."