Exploring Technology in a Wizard World-Chapter 651 - 649: Buy Them All

Richard spoke up, looking at Bata, "Wizard Bata, here’s the situation. It’s not that I intentionally didn’t give you and the others a chance to take action; I just felt it wasn’t necessary—I alone, along with Commander Wu Long’s soldiers, was enough to conquer the city. I’m not trying to hog all the glory; if you wish, after this battle, I could give all the credit and rewards to you."

"If you really wish to take action and do something, I won’t stop you; on the contrary, I’d be glad. In fact, I now have some tasks for which I could use your help."

"See those soldiers over there? I’ve had them help me dig up some things, but with their abilities, progress is slow. They’re struggling with rocks and hard ground and such. If, Wizard Bata, you are willing to lend a hand to those soldiers, I’d offer this ring I’m holding as a reward, hoping you won’t disdain it."

Bata frowned deeply at Richard’s words, looking slightly displeased, and by the end, his expression turned somewhat annoyed as he glared at Richard, "Wizard Richard, I feel like you’re insulting me. I am a wizard, and it’s bad enough not participating in conquering the city, but now you want to tempt me with a magic tool to work for you? To do some obscure digging work like those soldiers?"

"While at the assembly, Master Ewa instructed me to cooperate with you. But this, hmph, crosses the line. I’m not someone who can be bought with just a magic tool; you underestimate me, Wizard Richard!"

Richard raised his eyebrows at Bata’s response but wasn’t angered.

He knew Bata had a fiery temper, and this reaction was completely reasonable.

With a slight smile, Richard said, "Wizard Bata, there might be something I failed to explain clearly. This ring I’m holding is not just any magic tool. I’ve seen you in action during the previous battles, and you specialize in Shaping Earth Magic, correct?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"This ring is specifically designed to enhance Earth Magic. It was carefully selected for you. If I am not mistaken, it can expand your casting range when releasing First Circle Earth Magic, improve casting precision, reduce casting time, and, overall, it might boost your combat power by at least thirty percent."

"Hmm?" Just as Bata was about to turn around and leave, his body suddenly halted and he turned his head to ask Richard, "How much? How much does it enhance combat power?"

"Thirty percent," Richard said with a serious face, not seeming to joke.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive it’s thirty percent," Richard replied.

"No." Bata shook his head, "What I’m asking is, are you sure if I help those soldiers, you’ll give me this ring? Give it, not lend?"

"Just as sure." frёeweɓηovel_coɱ

"Alright then." Bata nodded, gave Richard a slight smile, then quite naturally took the ring from Richard’s hand and slipped it onto his finger. He glanced at Noel and the two others from a distance, said nothing, and walked towards the faraway soldiers.

Several soldiers were holding shovels, diligently poking the ground, trying to soften the hard surface for digging.

Bata walked up to these soldiers, waved them away, and muttered, "Why go through so much trouble," as he bent down and placed his hand on the ground.

With the Earth Magic invoked and amplified by the new ring, the effect was astounding. In the blink of an eye, a large area of the ground softened rapidly, as if soaked by rainwater. A few soldiers, too close and slow to react, sank into the loose soil with a "plop," startling them into a loud "ah" of shock.

Bata glared at the overly surprised soldiers, said nothing further, and stepped towards an even farther area to start moving stones and leveling the ground, continuously using spells to aid the soldiers in their digging. The progress of the earthwork increased notably.

Noel and the others watched in stunned silence, utterly bewildered.

The ring was small, and they were too far to see it clearly. Thus, in their eyes, it seemed like Bata, discontented, approached Richard, exchanged a few words, became even more displeased, and then... turned around to obediently dig the soil, appearing even more diligent than the soldiers.

What on earth was going on?

This world was a bit crazy.

The three conversed and, after a moment, Noel took a deep breath and approached Richard.

Standing in front of Richard, he spoke gravely, "Wizard Richard, I don’t know what you and Wizard Bata discussed, and I don’t want to know. Right now, I just want to make it clear to you that Bata only speaks for himself, not for all of us.

So even if you’ve convinced Bata, you can’t change our minds. I must tell you that your decision to take Auburn City on your own today was a bit excessive. We wanted to demonstrate and hone our abilities in this war, and by doing this..."

Richard listened to Noel for a while, then interrupted him, asking, "Wizard Noel, you are quite skilled in Shaping Wood Magic, aren’t you?"

"Hmm?" Noel, puzzled, then saw Richard flip his hand, revealing a green pendant in his palm and paused, "What is this..."

"Wizard Noel, here’s the thing, I didn’t intend to exclude you from taking action, it’s just..." Richard said calmly, repeating what he had previously told Wizard Bata.

After a long explanation, he added, "Oh, and this Magic Pendant in my hand amplifies the effects of Wood Magic... Overall, it can enhance your strength by twenty to forty percent, depending on how you perform..."

Listening to Richard, Noel gazed at the pendant in Richard’s hand, his eyes slightly glazing over. After a moment, his reaction was just like Bata’s: he gave Richard a slight smile, took the pendant naturally, and walked towards the soldiers who were working.

The progress of the earth-moving operation increased once more.

Wizard Jenny’s lips tightened, as she hadn’t seen either the ring or the pendant, leaving her quite baffled by Bata’s and Noel’s behaviors. Eventually, she couldn’t help but step forward and approached Richard.

"Wizard Richard, you..."

This time, Richard didn’t wait for her to finish her sentence; he interrupted, asking, "Wizard Jenny, you’re proficient in Shaping Water Magic, aren’t you?"

"Ah, yes, is there a problem?"

"There’s no problem," Richard shook his head, then began the same explanation for the third time, "But... Wizard Jenny, here’s the thing..."

While talking, he took out a string of deep blue bracelets.

Seconds later, Jenny took the bracelet from Richard’s hands, smiled slightly, and walked towards Bata and Noel.

The progress of the earth-moving operation significantly increased.

"Tap tap tap..."

Footsteps sounded, and the last person, Wizard Teddy, approached.

Teddy had already guessed what was going on and said to Richard, "You bribed them to help you dig, just like what I did for you back at Deep Blue Castle, right? Hey, speaking of which, we aren’t that far from Deep Blue Castle now, are we?"

Richard glanced at Teddy and, seeing someone who knew him so well, didn’t feel like repeating the same words for the fourth time. He tossed a bracelet to him, saying straightforwardly, "Take these and get to work."

"So, the deal you offered was one piece of Magic Tools per person, huh? That’s quite generous," Teddy caught the bracelet but didn’t move just yet, trying to bargain, "But honestly, given our friendship, shouldn’t it be two Magic Tools apiece?"

"Hmm?" Richard looked at Teddy seriously, "Are you serious?"

"Er, never mind! I’m off to work!" Teddy instantly backed down and lowered his head as he walked away.

With that, the progress of the earth-moving work reached its peak.

This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶