I Don't Agree to the Terms-Chapter 1076 - 565: Powerful, at the Cost of Intelligence

Faced with the Wizard Power that could easily annihilate the entire Expeditionary Army, all the nobles were tempted.

If they could obtain this power, wouldn't it mean they could gain more rights and benefits? 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"So what should we do next?" Philas did not question Ruben's words, because what he said was true—the Church's Pope and the two Archbishops of Judgment and Discipline were all already dead, and in addition, most of the bishops at the center of power were also killed or injured.

"We will directly annex other lords' territories to quickly expand the Blood Orchid Flying Snake Territory." Ruben's words shocked Philas; she didn't expect Ruben to say such a thing.

"But if the Church recovers, wouldn't what we're doing violate the Code of Nobility?" Philas hesitated.

The Code of Nobility clearly stipulates that nobles may not declare war on other nobles using inelegant, unofficial, or unjust means.

"The Church is already crushed, the Code of Nobility is nonsense; what noble has the leisure to think about these things? They should first worry about how to protect themselves."

"What the Jade Tree in the Thorny Lion Territory can accomplish, I can now do as well."

Ruben revealed a bright, gleaming smile, which to Philas felt like he was opening a bloodthirsty maw ready to feast.

Except this time, what he intended to consume were the other nobles.

"Annexing other nobles is still somewhat difficult; our territory lacks enough Knights, and due to the suppression by other nobles recently, we likely can't sustain a war." For Philas, war wasn't just about gathering people to fight; moreover, they had to take over everything of the enemy.

"It's not a big problem; just kill the people." Ruben said calmly.

He naturally knew how difficult and costly it was to train Knights; even though his Blood Orchid Flying Snake Territory was an Earl's territory, he only had two hundred Knights under his command.

This wasn't their problem; it was due to the Wizard World being too small with too few resources; otherwise, how could a normal Earl's territory only afford two hundred Knights?

Of course, they also contributed to the issue, as most nobles only knew how to exploit without understanding how to operate, naturally leading to the emergence of various livelihood issues.

They never realized that livelihood issues would affect their interests, even Ruben had never regarded ordinary people as human.

"Do you intend to take action yourself?" Philas instantly understood Ruben's meaning.

"Yes, mother, inform them that I will personally go to these surrounding nobles' territories tomorrow and take action to ensure none of them survive; you just need to arrange to receive them." Ruben said confidently.

Philas initially wanted to persuade him; however, seeing the pressure emanating from Ruben, she ultimately decided not to urge him to refrain from going, but instead said, "Then take all two hundred Knights from the territory with you to avoid danger."

With two hundred Knights plus Ruben, it shouldn't be too problematic to conquer the neighboring Viscount Territory.

"No need, the Knights will stay in the territory as a safeguard, in case someone decides to raid the home while I'm out." Due to his reduced intelligence, Ruben did not realize Philas's true intention.

"I am concerned about your safety, Ruben." Philas said sarcastically.

It was only then that Ruben sluggishly realized what his stepmother meant, but he shook his head: "Not necessary, those two hundred Knights together can't withstand a punch from me; following me would just be a waste."

"Can't they withstand a punch from you?!" Philas wanted to believe it, but she really couldn't accept this challenge to her worldview.

"Of course, if you don't believe it, I can prove it to you." Ruben knew a simple truth—that no matter how much he said, showing his power as evidence would be more practical.

Philas nodded, not refusing.

"How do you plan to show it?"

If Ruben really possessed great power, letting him go alone might actually be the most suitable option.

In this regard, Philas was very rational; however, she also noticed Ruben's flaw: after completing rigorous training, compared to before, his wisdom seemed to have declined, but she did not delve into it, as it wasn't a good thing.

"Let me think, let me think." At this moment, Ruben was also racking his brains on how he should prove it; previously, he would have thought of it immediately, but now it was a bit difficult.

After three minutes, he slowly said: "Got it, I can..."

...

"The actual data matches the paper data, not bad." Gu Shanhai was very pleased as he looked at Ruben's data in his hand.

The modification process lasted a month, targeting not just Ruben's physical transformation but also aspects such as thinking and subconsciousness.

Otherwise, under normal circumstances, Ruben wouldn't be thinking about expansion; even if his intelligence was lowered, he would mostly focus on development.

The previous Earl had left him nothing good—just a complete mess.

Otherwise, why would the surrounding nobles be like mad dogs, rushing forward for a bite? That's because the previous Earl had performed quite a few erratic operations, causing the strength of their power to decline significantly.

Otherwise, how could it be an Earl's territory? Even during a new-old transition, other nobles would mostly covet but not dare to directly take action.

It's because they saw the weakness that they dared to come and take a share of the pie.

"Analyzing from the data in hand, once the Jade Tree successfully transforms, Ruben should be fully matured too."

"Given that neither party is benevolent, they will definitely notice each other; when that happens, they will clash fiercely."

Gu Shanhai, through deductions and data, further modified and refined his plan.

As for peacefully coexisting? That's impossible. Why did Gu Shanhai lower Ruben's intelligence? It was to prevent him from having sufficient intelligence to judge the situation, and just by slightly guiding him, even if the Jade Tree didn't want to fight, it would have no choice—Ruben would attack, and if the Jade Tree didn't fight back, it would just be beaten.

"But based on the current trajectory, Ruben will inevitably be defeated."

How could a villain ever defeat the protagonist? The protagonist is a Child of Destiny, protected by the world; you, a villain, think you can defeat them?

Gu Shanhai naturally never thought he could win; the main goal was always a chaotic mess.

"Speaking of which, it's bizarre that the Jade Tree still exists, without being deemed a virus and cleaned out; it just shows how weak the Wizard World is." Gu Shanhai joked.

If it weren't for his instance difficulty being measured by the entire Celestial Body World group and not just the current Wizard World stage, he would've thought he entered the wrong instance.

"It's truly unbelievable how vast the gap from beginning to end is."

"The magic tide brought by the intersecting celestial bodies is indeed a creator's masterpiece."

In Gu Shanhai's eyes, the rise of the Wizard World to become the Wizard World wasn't simply because of its inherent advantages, but it needed the stage brought by the magic tide; the native residents of the Wizard World seized this opportunity to successfully step onto the stage; chances and abilities were both essential—without one, the future Wizard World could not be created.

"It's unlikely that the Wizard World will appear; the greater possibility is the emergence of a sort of colonial and radiation-based type."

Gu Shanhai reviewed the script, as his changes muddled the future.

There might be a resurgence of the Wizard World style, or it could evolve into a bloodline world growing through other means, or it might never succeed in developing at all.

The future isn't fixed; it changes with each alteration, and even if Gu Shanhai glimpsed the future, he would see many varieties; there isn't just one, and his interference can cause even more changes.