บท 498: The Goddess of Magic
"It's about the Intelligens," said Olivier. "The recent report states they have created a Tier 9 Dark Matter Weapon."
"So fast? Well, based on the situation, it's expected." It's often difficult for any civilization to go from one Tier 1 to another. Frequently, they might spend millions of years without any success.
A perfect example of this was the Elves and Starskin Race, who once ruled over the Milky Way. They have been stuck as Tier 7- 8 Civilization for many years without any improvement.
And it was the same for the Intelligens. At their prime, they only had a Tier 8 Anti-Matter Weapon. However, in just a few months, after their civilization was destroyed, they reached Tier 9.
All this improvement was because a higher being or civilization guided them in the dark.
"What do you want to do?" asked Olivier. "Do you want to continue waiting?"
"There is no point. The Gods will never allow them to develop Tier 10 Weapons. Furthermore, they are only pawns to muddy the current situation of the war. So, the best option is to control them now and get our hands on their technology before the gods use them as a chess piece."
"That's fine. Do you want to also intervene in the Cosmic Energy Experiment?"
"No, leave them to develop on their own. We only need to intervene after someone reaches Tier 6 and can leave the planet."
Edward paused as he thought of something. "If they develop a perfect system that can reach Tier 6 with Cosmic Energy, invite them into the Empire."
With the Empire's knowledge and resources, it's possible for someone from that planet to develop the Cosmic Energy System all the way to Tier 10, thus expanding the Empire's Arcane Magic System.
"Alright. Anything else?"
"I should be the one asking that," muttered Edward. "How is Tsuna? Has she been integrating well?"
Olivier did not respond but stared at him fiercely.
"Don't tell me you don't know."
His wives do not care much for political power in the Empire–except for Olivier. So, she's probably the most powerful one, holding most of the Empire's military power and a great deal of political power.
As such, she knows everything that's going on, including the movements of the others. So, if Edward wanted to know about something like that, she's one of the few people he could ask.
"She's fine. She has enlisted as a medic at the frontline."
"What Tier is she now?"
"Tier 6?"
"Mana or Chakra Path?"
"Chakra Path," said Olivier with a frown. "Edward Bones, since when was I in charge of keeping check of your harem and ensuring harmony?"
"Don't be like this. If I don't ask you, who would I ask?"
"Your Shadow Guards."
"They don't dare monitor members of the royal family."
Olivier snorted coldly before hanging up the phone.
"Why are you antagonizing her?" asked Morgana, who appeared out of nowhere.
"I don't have to worry about the others. However, she's different."
"She doesn't seem like the kind to cause trouble."
"She's not, or she was not."
"What does that mean?"
"I noticed a slight shift from her after I brought back Wiz and Tsuna. I worry she might do something stupid after letting all the power and success of the war get to her head. So, I'm warning her."
Morgana looked at him with disdain, "None of this would happen if you could keep it in your pants."
Edward waved her away, "What is the protection detail for Tsuna?" He was worried an accident might happen while she was working on the frontline.
"A Tier 8 Member from the Ghost Squad is always protecting her. She is also deployed near Dumbledore's Floating City so that he can save her in case of an emergency."
"This might not be enough," muttered Edward.
"We have stored a piece of her Soul Flame. So, in case of an emergency, you don't have to worry."
"That's fine,' nodded Edward before returning to his work. He wanted to find the problem with his enchantment as soon as possible. So, he dealt deeply with studying the Mana Grid.
After two months of nonstop research, he finally discovered the source of his trouble.
"I was right. Someone branded the Mana Grid to prevent others from taking mana from it."
Edward checked the brand, trying to decipher its owner. He prayed it was not the Magus Race, which would indicate they still had some strong connection in the Cosmic Faith Plane.
Luckily for him, the situation was not as he anticipated. From the brand, he discovered a unique aura that was familiar to him.
"The Divine Aura from the soul of a God," muttered Edward, remembering the data he has after dissecting Herpo.
"This is interesting," he commented, wondering about his next course of action. His first instinct is to remove the brand. However, he had another idea–communicate with the owner.
"Since the Gods will be my enemy, it won't be bad to know a thing or two about them."
Of course, such an act was a double-edged sword since he might also reveal information about him. However, the risks were worth it, according to his calculations.
"Before then, let's take some precautions."
Edward headed to Netheril and connected to the city. After his clone updated the Energy Core, this machine was numerous times more powerful than before.
So, with it under his control, Edward was more confident in meeting the owner of the brand.
"The safest way would be to use Cronai to communicate with the brand. However, it's best not to reveal the Empire's connection or even understanding of Cronai."
He shook his head before casting the spell that would allow him to communicate with the owner of the brand.
Soon, he found himself in a large empty room. Not far from him was a beautiful woman with long black hair and golden eyes. She wore a blue robe with runes engraved on them.
"Who are you?" asked Edward.
"I should be the one asking you that question."
Edward paused for a moment, "I am Edward Bones, the Emperor of the Arcane Empire."
The woman squinted her eyes, "I am Delilah Magister, the Goddess of Magic, Knowledge, and Communication."
"Delilah–what a lovely name," said Edward, his blue eyes more charming than ever. "Would you like some tea? I don't know what God drinks, but I think good tea is a universal beverage."
"Tea? It's been a couple of thousand years since I drank tea and even longer since I tasted a decent one. You better not disappoint me."
"I believe I won't,' replied Edward, waving his hand to change the surrounding picture. They were now in a large plain with only green glass for miles long.
A table was in the middle of the field with tea sets.
"Please," he motioned, his every gesture as gentleman-like as possible.
Delilah responded with a gentle smile. However, as soon as she smiled, the entire space became livelier. The sun shone brighter, the grass became greener, and the air was purified.
'Worthy of a goddess,' thought Edward. 'Her natural charm is something even Fleur cannot compare to.'
Fleur studies Charm Magic, yet, her ability could not compare to Delilah's natural charm or disposition.
'I have to admit, in some ways, these Gods are the perfect life form,' analyzed Edward as he took his seat after the Goddess.
บท 499: Magic Authority
"I've been meeting to meet you," said Delilah, sipping on her tea.
"Oh, why? I don't think I have anything worthy of being noticed by the Gods."
"You know, sometimes, modesty appears as hypocrisy."
Edward paused briefly, "True. But, I'm genuinely surprised you know of me."
In less than a hundred years, you develop the Arcane Empire from a technological Tier 5 world to a Tier 9 Magical Civilization," calmly said Delilah. "Such an act can be said to be the story of myths and legends."
"Hahaha, you have no idea how much your words have boosted my ego," replied Edward with a brilliant smile. However, Delilah did not take his words seriously.
"At first, I thought such a thing was impossible, that there might be some error in the information.' She was in charge of the Universe Web, so she scoffed at the news for many years after reading it, believing there must be an explanation for such a grand scale of development.
"And now?"
"Now, I believe it."
"Oh, why?"
"Because I can tell you're older than a hundred years," said Delilah, her eyes deeper than the abyss, containing the most profound truth in the universe. For a moment, Edward was fascinated as he felt she could answer all the answers he wished to know about the universe.
Luckily, his Willpower is unmatched, and he knew a mere Tier 10 Gods could never give him all the answers and truths he pursued.
"I guess you acquired one of the Magus Race's inheritance, including a Time Magical Artifact. After studying it, you also absorbed their spirit of pursuing magic and the truth, thus creating the Arcane Empire.
"And with the technology civilization already on Earth, you decided to fuse magic and technology, thus bringing the Empire to an incredible height in a very short period.
"Am I right?"
Delilah gazed at him as if trying to pierce through the secrets of his soul. However, all she saw was calmness and a hint of flirtation.
'He's not just some wizard enthralled with magic and research; he's a true Emperor with political skills.'
The Arcane Emperor rarely showed up during the war, mostly hiding behind the scenes. As such, the Gods analyzed the information and believed he was primarily a political figure–albeit one with a lot of power.
As such, their profile of him was a man addicted to magic and the pursuit of knowledge. Hence, he left his Empire to be run by others, only keeping military power.
However, Delilah discovered today they might have been wrong about the Emperor.
"You can think so," replied Edward calmly.
"Is that so?" muttered Delilah with squinted eyes, making her even more alluring.
"Do you know what fate awaits you?"
"Please, tell."
She did not immediately speak, somewhat baffled by his calm demeanor. She could tell he was genuinely calm and not putting on a facade for their negotiation.
"We will never allow such an Empire with your specific ideals and potential to develop. And once Guzznad cannot protect this galaxy, our first act will be to liquidate the Empire, killing or enslaving everyone.
'This is your unavoidable fate."
"And so?" asked Edward, making Delilah frown with slight displeasure. Regardless, she knew how to control herself and continued:
"Your only hope of saving yourself and your family is if you surrender."
"Let me guess," added Edward. "You want me to become your follower, no, your Divine Mercenary. As long as I give you all the Empire's knowledge and technology–especially the one I used to block the Mana Grid–you can intercept with the others to keep me safe.
'Am I correct?"
Delilah looked at him, his eyes focused intensely.
"Don't worry, I can't read your mind. You're just easy to read–easier than I anticipated."
"Are you calling me a simpleton?"
"I would not dare," replied Edward casually. "Let's not talk about some unknown future. You're the Goddess of Magic, correct?"
"Yes, and what of it?"
"Then, you must be the powerful God in this plane?"
"Although I am powerful, I would not say to this extent," replied Delilah, wondering where this conversation was going."
"One of my philosophers excellently summarized magic. He said: 'Magic is omnipotent, but the user is not.'"
"It's a great quote," nodded Delilah. "Magic can do anything; its only limitation is the mage controlling it."
"I feel the same way. Imagine how powerful a person would be if they controlled the [Magic Authority]. They could topple the God Civilization on their own."
"You're…exaggerating things."
"No, I'm not. The core of the Gods's Civilization is the faith of their followers. So, if someone could develop a spell to block their connection to their followers–even for a moment–such a person could kill any Gods and easily topple their civilization."
Delilah's face changed for the first time since this conversation–albeit the process was very brief. But, it was long enough for someone like Edward. So, with a smile, he continued:
"Creating such a spell is quite arduous, even beyond the limit of what I could do. However, If I had the [Magic Authority] and with enough time, it's not out of the realm of impossibility."
"Such a spell is impossible," said Delilah, with a dangerous light in her eyes. "And your attempt to sow dissonance amongst us is futile."
"Impossible? You're right, but it's not the reason, I think, isn't it?" asked Edward, his eyes as profound as hers, peeping deep into her soul.
"The Gods are not stupid. So, how could they allow such a dangerous bomb among them? How could they allow anyone with the [Magic Authority] to exist and thrive in the universe?"
Small ripples appeared in Delilah's tea; however, her face remained the same.
"I have a theory to explain such an anomaly," said Edward. "My theory is that these Gods banded together to place some restrictions on the [Magic Authority]. They limited or even completely removed your ability to innovate and create new spells.
"I guess that they made it so that if you want to learn new spells, your followers must create it–without your aid–before sacrificing it to you.
"Am I correct?"
Boom!
The tea in Delilah's hand evaporated, and the surrounding space trembled. However, Edward continued to sip his tea.
"I'm guessing that period was the darkest in your life. If things proceeded normally, you would have become one of the weakest Gods in the universe, always suppressed.
"However, you're a wise woman, a woman of action. So, you somehow found a way to control the Mana Grid, thus elevating your strength and status."
Delilah somewhat calmed down since Edward was wrong. To deal with that situation, she acquired the [Knowledge Authority], thus blessing her followers to create better spells and magical knowledge.
Her control of the Mana Grid and Universe Web placed her in the highest league among the Gods, preventing them from putting more limitations on her.
"Arcane Emperor, are you trying to annoy me?"
"Of course, I would never."
"Enough with this charade," said Delilah coldly. "Although you tried to hide, I can sense your contempt for me, for the Gods."
"I apologize for that," he said, sounding very sincere. "I do disdain you lots, thinking you're only parasites that prey on the minds of the weak, less fortunate, or people in misery. However, I do wish to have a sincere conversation with you."
"What do you want?" she continued, not hiding her anger and indifference. "State your purpose."
"Very well."
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