บท 483: Plot
"Hahaha, you finally noticed?" said James with an eerie smile as he rushed toward Edward with unparalleled speed. He concentrated his [Aura] on his fist, preparing a punch capable of doing devastating destruction to a star.
However, Edward instantly cast a Gravity Spell that increased the surrounding gravity by a hundred thousand times that of Earth, crushing James on the floor.
"Hokuto," yelled Edward, and his Dragon Spirit manifested in this place, with all its glory. "Deal with him."
The dragon nodded before using its claws to create layers of barriers upon James, sealing him and all his powers. In the meantime, Edward had already left.
He activated his Cosmic Awareness and sensed danger originating from one of the other Demi-planes. Without wasting time, he used his Space-Time Rules to force his way inside.
As soon as he arrived at his destination, he knew he was at the correct place. Someone was floating in the air with countless enchantments on the ground and in the air.
"Wentworth," said Edward with gritted teeth. He knew this arcanist; his name was Edward Wentworth III, He was not a Tower Master despite reaching Tier 7. However, Edward remembered his theory on the relationship between Memories, the Spirit, the Mind, and the Soul.
He talked to the latter and chose to call him Wentworth since they had the same first name.
"You're too late," said Wentworth before a terrifying energy wave emanated from his body.
'Such a spell will not only affect Earth but destroy the Solar System and the surrounding dozens of Star Systems,' thought Edward, not hiding his anger.
"I guess I should admire you; you can be calm even in such a situation," said Wentworth with a sneer. Then, a smile appeared on his face as he watched his masterpiece complete.
Edward raised his hand, and Wentworth shook his head in pity. A green magic circle appeared before Edward. Then, everything stopped.
The green flames that Wentwork would ravage the center of the Empire, killing billions of people, Wentwork himself, the magic circles in the ground and sky–everything stopped moving.
Well, except for two people.
"Ti…Time Magic? On this scale?" muttered Wentworth, ignoring the fact only his mouth could move. It was not surprising the Emperor could use Time Magic since it is one of the most powerful and fascinating magic in the cosmos.
There is a list in the Empire of Arcanists with the talent and capabilities of using Time Magic. And Wentwork knew that amongst these people, even the Empire only had a rudimentary control over Time Magic.
The latter might be able to affect objects the size of an apple, but nothing bigger. Furthermore, it could not yet affect living things.
"Hahaha, everyone underestimates how many secrets you have; they don't know how truly scary you are," said Wentworth with a deep sigh.
"Regretting now?" asked Edward as he flew over to him.
"There is no point in regret–losing is losing."
"Is this what this is about? You want to win over me," said Edward, controlling his anger.
"Maybe, maybe not."
"So, what did Guzznad offer you for such a betrayal?"
Wentworth did not answer him, but Edward did not mind.
"You should understand you cannot hide the truth from me," persuaded Edward. "You're arrogant, so I doubt you would allow anyone to place any seals in your soul. So, there should be a contract. However, there are hundreds, if not thousands, ways to annul or bypass a contract.
"So, I will spare your last dignity if you tell the truth."
Wentworth was silent for a moment, " He offered me control over a plane."
Edward squinted his eyes.
"So, the rumors are true–you do already know about other planes."
After Havika created his mathematical model and became a Tower Master, the existence of other planes was almost confirmed among high-level Arcanists.
There were even rumors the royal family had already discovered planes and were using their resources for their own. A few people even guessed that the Emperor suddenly disappeared and returned with a bunch of new knowledge because of conquering other planes.
"So, you thought your life would be more successful after conquering one plane?"
"I have seen with my own eyes. Most magical civilizations cannot reach beyond Tier 4 because of the lack of knowledge," said Wentworth. "Mages simply do not have enough knowledge to increase their Soul Strength and reach higher Tiers.
So, they have to resort to drinking potions, weird ceremonies, and slow and inefficient meditation methods to increase their soul. And while they also have to worry about the increase of mana, most human mages cannot reach Tier 4, where they can increase their lifespan and die a mediocre life.
"Why are you so powerful?" asked Wentworth with red eyes.
"It's because you have an entire Empire researching and creating knowledge for you. Since you can do it, why can't I?"
Edward shook his head, "Many of you believe it is easy to do what I did. However, you're the first one to hide your research like your life depends on it.
"With such a mindset, how could any of you create something like the Arcane Empire?"
He did not hide his sneer.
"Don't be a hypocrite. You also hide many things."
"Yes, I do. But what I do hide is minuscule compared to what I share."
Wentworth did not know what to answer. Most Arcanists agreed much knowledge in the Empire should not be available to the public or anyone for that matter—for example, time magic.
However, with an affordable price and the signing of the appropriate contract, any Tier 4 Arcanists can buy such research. He knew all of this was in the name of further developing magic and pushing its boundary.
"This does not change anything," argued Wentwork; however, his voice lacked certain convictions.
"Let me ask you: did it ever occur to you that Guzznad was tricking you?"
"I'm not stupid. So, I made sure there was nothing wrong with the contract."
"Did he offer you a Tier 7 Plane?"
"What do you mean?"
"You do know planes have levels, don't you?"
"I…I wasn't aware."
"So, he only offered you a plane?"
"What are you getting at?" Wentworth snapped.
"Guzznad could have just given you a Tier 9 Plane. With your current strength, you would only be discovered by the Plane Will and instantly annihilated."
Wentworth's face was ugly to look at.
"From your reaction, I'm guessing you don't even know what a Plane Will is."
Edward shook his head. He could tell what kind of person Wentworth was: full of ambitions, arrogant, and yet, extremely ignorant while thinking he was smart.
"There is a reason higher beings do not know how to deal with lower ones besides strength; their vision, experience, and knowledge are on a completely different level."
Wentworth's face underwent numerous changes, "Are you going to kill me?"
"Yes," replied Edward.
"I–"
"You don't have to say anything more. You've touched my bottom line, so you have to die," continued Edward. "However, you can be reassured that your death will not be in vain since I will make an example of you."
"Wh…what do you mean?"
"Your story will be used in classes throughout the Empire to teach young citizens of the consequences of trying to deal with devils, Gods, or creatures of higher powers than themselves."
"You're going to use me as propaganda and brain-washing?" yelled Wentworth.
"Well, I guess you could see it that way."
"Damn you. I…"
Wentworth's mouth became frozen in time, and Edward waved his hand to burn his body before sealing his soul in a diamond. Then, he dealt with the green flame spell.
Finally, he resumed the time that was stopped.
บท 484: Royal Response
Edward teleported to James' Demi-plane. And as he expected, Hokuto had already dealt with the threat by sealing the corrupted Arcanist. The Dragon Spirit handed him a small cube before disappearing.
Edward could hear a sound coming from the cube in his palm.
"Any last word?"
"What did you do? What are you alright?" asked James.
"I guess these are your last words," sneered Edward.
"You don't need to threaten me. I know how you operate. You will try every means to get more information from me. But I guarantee you won't succeed."
James knew this man very well; this a person whose core values involved the word "value." He loves geniuses because of their values; he embraces all races, ethnicities, and species because of their value as a collective.
So, since he was more valuable alive, James believed he would be fine. And as long as he can withstand the torture, it's only a matter of time before the Empire falls under the might of the Abyss Plane.
"Oh, silly James, you haven't realized your true value yet," said Edward with a smirk.
"Wait, you want to use me as an experimental material?"
"Otherwise? You are the first corrupted Arcanist capable of using Dark Mana. Your existence is way more valuable than any information I could extract from you.
"Furthermore, I'm sure your soul already has the mark of the Abyss Will. And with my current strength and knowledge, it would be futile to try to deal with it. However, it is worth studying."
"No, you can't do this. The Empire's law forbade using other Arcanists as experimental materials. If you do this, the royal family cannot survive the backlash. Your iron-clad rule or control of the Empire will be shaken."
"You underestimate my control over my country," rebutted Edward. "Plus, this law has a loophole–such a protection is not afforded to heinous criminals or traitors such as yourself."
Edward loved and cherished his Empire. After all, it is his baby that he spent years building from the ground up. However, he did not need the Empire as much as it needed him.
If people revolted against his reign, he could just begin a new and better Empire on another galaxy, plane, or Universe. The Arcane Library, which contains 90% of the entire Empire's knowledge and technology, will make the process a hundred times easier.
So, if he needs to abandon everything from Earth and start from scratch, he is more than capable of doing so.
Edward placed James away before teleporting back to his palace. And as soon as he arrived, he accepted all the calls waiting for him.
More than a dozen screens appeared before him as the royal family and the members of the Illuminati called him simultaneously.
"What happened?" asked Amelia. "Why was time stopped?"
All the people present have three magical items they must carry with them at all times: A Anti Time Stopping Item, Anti Instant Death Item, and a Void Teleportation Spell Item that stores a small portion of Void Energy that can break through any Space Blockade Spells, allowing them to run away in a dangerous situation.
As such, they were the few people capable of moving during Edward's Time Stop. Of course, the main reason is that they were not the main target.
Edward explained the entire situation to everyone.
"How did they bypass our defense system?" asked Dumbledore.
"Has the Intelligence and Divination Department become so incapable?" asked Grindelwald.
"Don't blame the Divination Department; we're already overworked," chimed Luna. Recently, their department received two new Seers–Miko Satorou and Yami's sister, the Divine Maiden.
With these two, things have eased a lot in their department. However, Luna has been easing them into their station so as not to place them under too much pressure.
"I'm sure Your Highness is doing her best. However, you can also see the consequences of failures," replied Grindelwald, and Luna had to agree. In some ways, their Department is the first line of defense of the Empire.
And their failure almost caused the destruction of the Central Area of the Empire. Such a blow would not destroy the Empire but would cripple it for the next few hundred years.
And as long as Guzznad took this opportunity, it could truly be the end.
"We need to indeed expand the amount of Diviners."
"But you know very well such talent is rare."
"Expend the pools we have to choose from."
"Do you mean the Multiverse?" asked Luna. "But, we are currently banished from accessing it."
"You can also go to other planes," explained Edward. "Plus, I was referring to the Dark Multiverse?"
"Dark Multiverse? What's that?"
"I already updated the information in the library. You can check it."
"Forget that for now. We have not discovered how Guzznad bypassed our defenses. If that problem is not solved, we cannot solve the issue from the core," commented Olivier.
"If I guess correctly, it should be through Dream," said Edward.
"Dream Revelation?" Olivier suddenly remembered that Intelligens named Albert. "Indeed, that seems to be the most common way the Gods talk to their followers."
"Now we know the method. What solutions do we have?" asked Amelia.
"We can just create a Dream Dimension as a barrier to the Empire's territory," suggested Rowena. "This should be no problem for Chloe."
"That's a good idea. With this dimension, it's possible to intercept any Dream Revelations from Gods or higher beings in the future," agreed Amelia. Since they were destined to be the enemy of the Gods, they needed to be prepared for all possibilities.
"More than that. We can use dreams to gather information, assassination, and even plant suggestions into people's minds," added Grindelwald.
"Such a method could create major backlash if discovered," swiftly argued Dumbledore, who opposes using the dream for such a method. Although he supported the Empire after seeing the cruelty of the universe, he also did not want things like severe monitoring to become common in the Empire.
And many people like Lily and Flitwick agreed with him.
"Plus, most Arcanists stop sleeping and dreaming after a certain Tier; this method is not effective."
"If they don't dream, we make them dream," added Grindelwald.
"There is no need to go this far on how people," countered Rowena. "But, we don't need such restraint on foreign powers.
"Set up the dimension and relevant department," Edward said, making a decision. "We need Dream Aurors, Intelligence Gatherers, and Assassins. We don't have to use it on the citizens–unless there is reasonable cause."
"Very well," uttered Amelia, since this is her department. "Now, how do we deal with the outside reaction?"
Although only these people were not affected by the spell, the other Arcanists quickly found something was wrong–especially since only the time of planet Earth stopped. With communication with other colonies, their own intuition, and the input of the few known Arcanists capable of using Time Magic, people soon discovered what happened."
"Tell them the truth," said Edward.
"If the news that we can stop time around an entire planet, many people will not easily accept such a thing; this could lead to chaos," said Amelia with a frown.
These powerful Arcanists will not easily accept that someone could so easily control their lives–even though they already know this to be a fact once the floating cities appear.
"We can minimize the impact if we say it was an artifact from the Time Aurors Department," said Edward. These people might more easily accept this fact if they don't know he did it with his own strength.
"Plus, I plan to have a chat with them. Once I'm done, they won't dare openly complain," continued Edward.
"The Time Auror is a semi-open secret. So, it would be easier to accept," agreed Amelia.
"The more important thing is after this incident, many of these people will begin to study Anti Time Magic, leading to many brilliant ideas and developments," said Edward with glowing eyes.
Everyone nodded with him.
"Alright, you can continue with your own thing. Luna, stay; I have something to say to you," said Edward.
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