Chapter 221: Old Man’s Wisdom
In The Lost World, the system called prophecy was a quest given to the player themself. They set a goal, and if the player's civilization achieved that goal, the player would receive additional rewards based on how challenging the prophecy was to fulfill.
For example, if a player wanted to explore a new region A, they would make a prophecy to their priest individual B, saying 'B will go to A'. During this process, the player could guide B to A, but there was no guarantee that it would happen.
If the prophecy failed, the player wouldn't receive any rewards, and the fact that the words of the god were wrong would spread, making it more difficult to collect Faith resources. On the other hand, if the prophecy was successful, they would prove the words of the god were true and receive additional rewards for fulfilling their prophecy.
Making prophecies and earning rewards like this was one of the primary ways to gain Faith points in The Lost World.
However, this alone might not suffice, especially when two players needed to resolve a conflict due to conflicting interests. Thus, the system allowed for Contradicting Prophecy.
For example, if players A and B both wanted to possess a specific entity C, they could place contradictory prophecies against each other with the intention of definitively overcoming the opponent during their dispute over the ownership of C. If two contradictory prophecies such as 'Player A will own C' and 'Player B will own C' were made, only one prophecy could be fulfilled. Therefore, the other player would not only fail to possess C, but also receive a penalty for the failed prophecy.
These Contradicting Prophecies were frequently used by players. Players usually had to engage in individual battles, so they couldn't drag out a single battle for too long, nor could they let the opponent easily take some benefit. So if they needed more definite results, Contradicting Prophecies would be applied.
'I have no reason to refuse.'
At the moment, Hegemonia was at a disadvantage, but if they could somehow steal electricity, Hegemonia could regain their status.
'But when looking beyond that...'
There were no guarantees. After the modern era, many people would become secular and skeptical about the religious wars of the past. No matter how confident one was in war, it would be meaningless if they didn't even get the opportunity to wage it.
'Given the suggestion, Nebula must be feeling impatient too.'
More precisely, Hegemonia thought that Nebula's other subordinates would be dissatisfied even if Nebula wasn’t.
For about 80 years, there hadn't been significant changes to the borders, but now they were starting to gain a chance to win. Because of this, it would be painful for them if Hegemonia took the upper hand back.
Hegemonia said, "...Let's discuss it first. If we were to make a Contradicting Prophecy, what would it be about?"
Sung-Woon seemed to think about it for a moment and then said, "How about the patent rights?"
"Don't you already have it?"
"So, how about in three months, we see who owns it then?"
Hegemonia felt relieved on the inside.
'Does he want to avoid battle?'
Battle was Hegemonia's specialty and main strategy, so it would only be natural to assume Nebula wanted to avoid one.
'But just because there isn’t a battle doesn't mean I'm at a disadvantage. He hasn't fully grasped my strength.'
Hegemonia thought it was okay to fight over the patent rights. In fact, that could even be the better option.
'If a combat situation arises, I'll have to bring out my apostles. If a conflict of that magnitude happens...'
Despite their continuous victories in battles, Hegemonia, like Nebula, had to avoid major fights. Hegemonia didn't think Nebula had simply given up on all battles, but nevertheless, Nebula wasn't overly concerned with each individual loss.
The Nebula Hegemonia knew was capable of matching Hegemonia in battle command when being focused enough.
'More than anything, I'm outnumbered in terms of apostles.'
Hegemonia had seven apostles, whereas the number of apostles Sung-Woon had, as far as Hegemonia could tell, was nine.
Hegemonia could use Divine Control, or in urgent situations, Hierophany, but considering the rate of Faith consumption, it wasn't the best strategy.
'In the end, it's all about the apostles.'
Therefore, Hegemonia wanted to maintain their number of apostles until the final battle.
'But I can't reveal too much to Nebula.'
Hegemonia said to Nebula, "I prefer something simpler. How about who takes over Pollivia?"
"Wouldn't that be too disadvantageous for us? It's quite far from us, and we have to get through the Alliance’s fleets."
"Hmm."
"How about you just give us that?"
"Well, the current holder of the patent rights is also part of the Empire."
"But you’re much closer when you consider the distance, aren’t you?"
Hegemonia responded with slight reluctance, "Alright, I accept. Patent rights, in three months."
"Then I'll open the prophecy window. Verify and agree."
"Will do."
Hegemonia smiled on the inside.
'This… I would win.'
***
In Pollivia was the mansion of the Pallet family.
In Pollivia, there existed a prejudice that Orcs were savage and simply foolish, but if their family name was Pallet, people discarded that bias and respected the Orcs. Even among Orcs, those who descended from the Pallet bloodline were no less clever and wise than any other species. In moments of decision, they were well-known for demonstrating an Orc-like intuition in choosing what would benefit their family.
Publically, the Pallet family was known to not support any specific religion. However, that wasn't true. Dealing with various merchants in a neutral country, it was a mere precaution to avoid antagonizing other traders, but within their mansion, they had a private shrine.
Sitting in that shrine right now was the second child of the house, Bianto Pallet.
Historically, the eldest child of the Pallet family would inherit the position of the minor lord, while the second would manage the shrine as a secret priest. This secret had been passed down for nearly two centuries, and no one had discovered it.
While praying in the shrine, Bianto lifted their head and opened their eyes.
The family head, Bulko Pallet asked after the wait, "...What happened?"
"Lord, this might be the most important moment in our family's history."
Bianto turned to look at Bulko. "The Angry One spoke to me directly.”.
The religion that the Pallet bloodline secretly followed was the Order of the Angry One.
***
"A naval blockade?" asked Simo.
Philina Itimo, the head of the Itimo family, not only assured Simo of various support but also made a new proposition. She suggested continuing the research in the Empire.
Pollivia was a hub for traders worldwide with its gathering of the century's best technologists, so it was a prime location for inventions. However, considering the Wizard Tower, which was known as the pinnacle of the arcane, Vaseniol, the sanctuary of intellectuals, and Orazen, the city known as the fruit of ancient civilization, Simo was always ready to leave Pollivia at any moment.
Above all, Simo had received assistance from the eighth apostle Toolbo. Despite Simo’s initial doubt about how a religion could help with invention, they ended up becoming an avid fan of Toolbo and forgetting their initial reluctance.
Philina also mentioned arranging transportation, but there was an issue.
"The intensifying war between the Ronante-Oroban Alliance and the Black Scale Empire makes sea travel difficult. Even if it's not a military ship, the Alliance's navy would likely detain and inspect it.”
"What about air travel?"
"It's a bit better, but all of the Empire's airships have joined the war. There won't be any regular continental flights for a while, and our family's airships are on the opposite side of the continent…so it would take some time."
Since it was an unavoidable situation, Simo accepted it.
Owen, who was with Simo under disguise as their assistant, said, "This isn't good."
"Indeed... It would have been good if we could immediately go to the Empire. But we should be able to go later, right?"
"That's not the case."
"Pardon? What do you mean, Teacher?"
When Simo called Owen ‘teacher’, Philina looked puzzled.
Owen then said, "There are several bad signs. You got help from an apostle, the long-feuding Union Kingdom and the two allied countries are gearing up to fight the Empire, and the path to the Empire was cut off, as if the world revolves around us."
"...Uh, they all seem like possible coincidences."
"It'd be nice if true, but being cautious won't hurt. If I'm right, call it an old man's wisdom."
Owen thumbed his chin for a moment and then said to Philina, "Philina, was it?"
"Yes?"
Philina, considering Owen as Simo’s assistant, thought about how to treat him and then decided to treat him appropriately by his age.
"Do you have something to say, sir?"
"There's one thing I'd like to ask..."
"Yes."
"I'm quite ignorant about such matters, but hypothetically, if your family is attacked in Pollivia, what kind of form do you think it would take?"
Philina thought it was a strange question, but responded as best she could.
"...Well, depending on the enemy, they might try to steal our long-standing clients first. If that doesn't work, they might try to bankrupt us."
"And then?"
"They might bribe the city officials? They might try to levy unfair taxes on our traded goods or even confiscate them."
"Go on."
"Well, there are criminal organizations in Pollivia. If they resort to such wicked means, they might even hire such organizations. That's all that comes to mind for now."
Owen let out a sigh of relief.
Philina was bewildered, unable to follow Owen's thoughts.
Owen then said, "Thankfully, it seems this old man might have a role to play in helping."
"A role in helping?"
"Though it might not seem like it, I'm confident with physical tasks."
Simo looked unbothered, as if it were obvious, and Philina shook her head.
"Um, but the things I mentioned have a slim chance of happening."
"Why do you think that?"
Philina replied to Owen’s question. The middle-aged Elf trusted her experience in leading her family.
"This isn't a battlefield between the Empire and the Union kingdom. Pollivia is a peaceful place, and such fights end up causing harm to oneself. While there are other trading companies that are hostile to us and those we don't look favorably upon, they typically avoid doing harm for their own sake."
Owen nodded slowly as if he understood.
"But it seems you've lived only in peaceful times on a peaceful land."
"Pardon?"
Owen said, "Some people willingly shed their own blood just to see the blood of others."
"...?"
"They believe it's a path in service of their god."
Suddenly, the door burst open.
The running secretary then said to Philina, "Ma'am, there's a problem! Our business partner, Sahil Industries, has..."
As Philina's face turned pale, Owen stood up.
"It seems that things are getting busy here, so we should get going."
"I'm sorry. I'll call someone to escort you out."
"I know the way out. Let's go, Simo."
As they walked out of the reception room, Simo asked, "Uh, is something...going wrong?"
"Do you think that would be the case, little inventor?" Owen said laughing, "Do you think this old man would stand by and watch if that was the case?"
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