Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Eldar's Revelation on Mages
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Eldar's tale about the mages went like this.
The alchemists weren't unbelievers from the start.
They were simply despised as cursed due to their appearance, cast out from their communities, and in pursuit of knowledge to overcome that peril.
But strict Wisdom—that is, the Sokseon—persecuted the alchemists and mages, deeming them a threat regardless of these facts.
Yet if those who believe in gods can understand the mages, the mages too will not oppress people with their power.
However, unlike the previous stories, the priests didn't immediately accept this one.
Some nodded along like Shunen when Eldar spoke, but the Sokseon priests hesitated, unwilling to believe their god had erred, unsure if they could even question before the divine.
Eldar pointed at one such priest and said,
"Speak your mind as you wish."
The troll priest replied.
"Great Dancing Shadow... But even if they harbor goodness within, their knowledge stems from ancient evils. Dare we mortals bear such a burden?"
A short while ago, in the All-Gods Temple conference room.
On the topic of magic's future, Wisdom said,
"You're just going to leave the mages be?"
Choi Seong-un nodded.
"Yeah. Weren't you planning to use mages yourselves? Any issue with that?"
Kramphus interjected.
"The situation's different now than back then."
"Elaborate."
"We were on the brink of war. We needed powerful weapons."
"And after the war ended, what was your plan?"
"Keeping something uncontrollable forever would be greed."
Choi Seong-un looked at Wisdom.
"You think the same?"
Wisdom replied,
"Not just me—Ael probably thought similarly."
"Hm, I never used mages as weapons, strictly speaking."
"...True enough. But you don't think it's fine just because you didn't weaponize them?"
Wisdom added,
"I'm not blaming you for using mages up to now. Deploying them in player-inaccessible regions was a brilliant idea, and executing it successfully was impressive too. But once you've used a card enough, you need to know when to discard it."
Choi Seong-un said,
"No other motives?"
"What other motives?"
Choi Seong-un expanded the map on a large screen for everyone to see.
Shindanyeom had already collapsed, and Danyeom was now under mage Yan's control.
Geuman was likewise influenced by mage Talley.
"Kramphus needs to reclaim his nation, Wisdom eyes Geuman from Ael's dominion. So you're saying we must deal with the mages?"
Wisdom remained silent, but Kramphus's expression soured.
Jangwan cut in.
"No. I think we should handle the mages too. And I'm not interested in Geuman under Ael. At this stage, expanding further on the Third Continent isn't that crucial, right?"
Kramphus interjected.
"Hold on, it's not irrelevant. You can say that with your solid forces, but I can't."
Even allies differed in influence based on their power.
It was true even in the mere game of Lost World—now, it was even more so.
Jangwan fell silent, convinced by Kramphus.
Choi Seong-un nodded as if understanding.
"But in my view, we'll be at a disadvantage without magic going forward."
"Why?"
To Jangwan's question, Choi Seong-un answered,
"Because we're starting on the Third Continent."
In Lost World, locations of races atop continents or ancient ruins shifted constantly.
But terrain itself barely changed, meaning resource deposits beneath each continent were roughly equal.
"The Third Continent has the least resources among the three, and critically, scant petroleum. Natural gas development requires even higher tech levels than oil."
Wisdom said,
"But we're not at that civilization stage yet. Though I think it's not far off."
"I'm not saying worry—I'm saying we need to gain an edge over others."
"Going for a magic civilization?"
Such a build existed, indeed.
Allowing unlimited magic while minimizing player interference.
Mages gained king-like power in nations, wielding immense influence.
Class divides deepened as mages nobilized, but they dominated wars and diplomacy with magic beyond other civs' tech reach.
Players merely supported these mages.
But this build rampaged early-game before player-led builds like Wisdom's overtook it.
Once mages deemed gods unnecessary, they burned temples and priests. Gods with low divinity couldn't resist, or even if victorious, fell to rival players.
Choi Seong-un paused thoughtfully before speaking.
"It might be similar."
"Similar? Then I'm against."
"But it might be entirely different too."
Jangwan snarked,
"Which is it?"
Choi Seong-un said,
"Hear me out first. I think this'll work well— we've used a similar method before, and it succeeded."
The players exchanged glances.
This All-Gods Temple's chief god was Choi Seong-un; bending his will required dialogue.
As allies, reflecting discussions was his role, though system-wise he could decide unilaterally.
Seeking opinions felt like familiar democratic procedure.
Wisdom said,
"Then, Nebula, care to elaborate?"
Eldar recalled Choi Seong-un's explanation, which ultimately won everyone's agreement.
"Don't be shocked, priests of Sokseon and all others. This is a secret even among the gods."
Eldar took a light breath.
"Yacheon was originally a god long present on this land. Before we new gods arrived, before you pitiful ones lost civilization and wandered, when ancient ruins—now faded scars deep underground—shone, in that brilliant era of intellect you'll one day reclaim, Yacheon was by your side."
The priests, Sokseon's included, inwardly recoiled in shock.
"Yes. Yacheon left you, then returned."
The priests gazed at Eldar, brimming with questions.
But Eldar waved them down.
"I shan't reveal here why Yacheon left or returned. You've heard one great secret among gods; you cannot bear more divine mysteries."
As disappointment flickered, Eldar smirked faintly.
"Yet something more vital remains. Now you know Yacheon as an Arrivant. Does that mean Yacheon was among the ancient evils?"
Eldar caught a question forming in a priest's mind.
"Indeed, one might see it so. But not all ancient evils match your imaginings. Your mortal lives brim with misconceptions; you'll need to chew over knowledge of the unseen and unheard. Not blindly following others, but judging by what you've personally witnessed."
Eldar echoed some doctrinal phrase he'd seen, but voicing it as divine lent even him reflection.
To shake sentimental mood, he jabbed a finger at the priests with a light bark.
"You priests—especially Yacheon's—know Yacheon is no evil god. Among so-called ancient evils, some fought that evil like Yacheon, and not a few mage spells were Yacheon's designs. This means magic is mere knowledge..."
Eldar gestured right.
He needed an actor for his performance now.
A "crackle!" sparked midair; a gale swirled in the light orb.
It was Pajijik, the demonic spirit.
As priests gasped, Eldar said,
"Here stands a demonic spirit who served ancient evils, witness to my words. Answer by divine will: is all I say true?"
Pajijik squinted at Rakrak.
Rakrak nodded urgently.
Lying was easy for this spirit.
Eldar nodded; Pajijik somersaulted midair in bow and vanished.
Slightly chiding, Eldar addressed the Sokseon priest.
"Now do you see? Yacheon withheld this secret lest priests grow confused, but now declares he can no longer tolerate the suffering of those pursuing knowledge and fighting with it. Thus, scorn not mages due to ancient evils."
The priests bowed again, agreeing with Eldar.
This was Choi Seong-un's idea.
He'd once used a similar ploy after Rakrak swayed Pajijik, successfully gaining priestly and Yacheon followers' understanding of electric demonic essence.
This was essentially the same.
If mage magic repelled due to evil gods' origins, simply deny it.
With fitting narrative and evidence—thankfully prepared successfully.
No one would claim otherwise now.
"If continents weren't unified, someone might call it lies, but not anymore."
Choi Seong-un thought.
"Then, beyond just sharing demonic essence with priests—things impossible in the game till now—might become possible..."
'Huh?'
In the conference room, Choi Seong-un checked the window before his eyes.