Chapter 13: Fooled into Submission

Chapter 13: Fooled into Submission

Dandell's words reminded Yu Sheng'an of the stories from Blue Star during the early Industrial Revolution, where workers smashed and burned factory machinery.

Though Dandell kept emphasizing resources, chaos, and war, at its core, his fear was no different from the workers who once despised and hated machines.

Of course, his perspective was loftier—he desired the empire's stability.

"Are you worried that once everyone practices magic, no one will farm or hunt? That everyone will chase after magical cultivation, plunging the empire into civil strife?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Dandell retorted.

Yu Sheng'an smiled. Now that he had pinpointed the root of the problem, solving it would be much easier.

"You're right. Once the Internet spreads across the nation, nine out of ten farmers in the empire will abandon their land—especially the youth! They'll scramble to earn Points, exchange them for higher-tier magical knowledge and advanced mage courses, and find ways to make money to buy the resources needed for cultivation."

"In the process, they'll become mercenaries, noble lapdogs, mage apprentices, or even form violent organizations, resorting to extortion, fraud, and theft."

"Another portion, lured by the empire's generous welfare, will join the imperial army! By then, the Keville Empire will be a nation where might makes right. Whoever wields absolute violence will reign as king."

Yu Sheng'an casually outlined the Keville Empire's future trajectory, causing Dandell's temples to throb with anger.

Hidden in the shadows, the God of Magic, Qimoer, and the God of Magic, Beixi, exchanged glances, their eyes blazing with fury.

"But by then, the Keville Empire will also become a force even the Five Great Righteous Gods' churches will fear!"

"With farmers making up just a tenth of the population, they'll feed the entire nation—because every one of them will practice magic and Battle Aura. Though not overwhelmingly powerful, they'll be robust and strong."

"Their farmers will summon wind and rain during droughts to irrigate their fields; divert rivers and build walls during floods; cast dark magic to repel insects during plagues; illuminate their melon patches with Inch Light at night to kill pesky field mice. They might even command the undead to till and reclaim land."

"Beasts and magical creatures charging from the forests will become their snacks. They'll no longer queue for water—a simple water spell will fill their jars. They won't laboriously chop firewood for winter, either, because they'll wield fire magic."

"A single farmer will accomplish the work of ten. Nobles won't dare bully them so easily anymore—who knows if these 'lowly' peasants possess the Battle Aura to enact 'a commoner's rage can spill blood within five steps'?"

"Oh, and their sons, out making their way in the world, will contact them daily via the Internet, mailing home treasures. Their friend lists will be filled with city vegetable merchants, selling their produce to the highest bidder."

"The Keville Empire will launch an official website on the Internet—what's that? It's the empire's exclusive, Internet God-certified site! They'll know instantly which bigwig died, who advanced to Grand Magus, which laws were amended, or where nobles oppressed commoners again."

"Those petty officials who bully others by flaunting their authority no longer dare to interpret the legal code arbitrarily or oppress the commoners. Because even the lowliest commoner can now appeal to the monarch or the God of Magic through the Keville Empire's official website—no one can stop them! If the noble monarch occasionally takes an interest and checks, heads will roll, and countless petty officials will tremble in fear."

"The Keville Empire was astonished to find that governing had become far more convenient. Any emerging situation could be known in an instant, decrees could be issued at any time, and the God of Magic would be the Sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of countless officials!"

"The Keville Empire also suddenly discovered that vast forests and perilous lands, previously inaccessible to humans, were now being incorporated into the empire's territory! These lands were rich in resources. All the lofty Archmages had to do was issue a mission, and immediately, hundreds of mercenaries would rush in to search."

"These poor mercenaries had no idea that the minerals and gemstones they toiled to find could be casually refined by the Archmages into magic artifacts and sold back to them at ten or even a hundred times the price."

"The Keville Empire's prestige soared, so much so that even refugees from neighboring regions heard of it and desperately sought to flee into the empire for a better life!"

"Years later, a Grand Archmage actually emerged from among the commoners! This event shocked countless citizens of the empire, who took him as their role model. But the empire was troubled—why? Because all the territories had already been enfeoffed, and this Grand Archmage belonged to no faction. Who would be willing to grant him land?"

"No matter. The empire suddenly realized how weak its neighboring countries were. So, they simply drew a circle on the map, accidentally encompassing a neighboring nation’s territory, and told the commoner-turned-Grand Archmage, 'This land has always belonged to the Keville Empire since ancient times. Now, it’s yours.'"

"The commoner Grand Archmage was furious, feeling deceived by the empire, but he had no choice. He needed the empire’s resources and its ability to deter the enemy’s God of Magic! So, he had no choice but to accept the order. For the sake of resources and his family’s generational glory, he settled in the territory, reclaiming and expanding it—further enlarging the empire’s domain."

As Yu Sheng'an narrated, Dandell's hands trembled.

His expression was one of horror as he stared at Yu Sheng'an, his emotions a tangled mess—greed, fear, longing, and struggle all warring within him...

"Oh, and one more thing. As online classes progressed, the Felix Magic Academy discovered that the magic instructors on these platforms were nothing but half-baked frauds, misleading students. So, they too launched their own online classes, offering free basic magic courses."

"The Felix Magic Academy, true to its reputation as a millennium-old sanctuary of magic, boasted instructors whose mastery was profound and pure! Countless citizens were deeply impressed, and they took pride in aspiring to enter the Felix Magic Academy."

"Even magic prodigies from distant lands were drawn in, traveling thousands of miles to study there. When these foreigners returned home after completing their studies, they would pledge allegiance to the Felix Magic Academy, further expanding the Keville Empire’s invisible influence..."

"Enough!" Dandell shouted, losing his composure and cutting off Yu Sheng'an’s description. His pupils dilated as he stared at Yu Sheng'an, his voice trembling. "You... you are nothing less than the God of Temptation!"

Yu Sheng'an chuckled softly. "Did I say anything wrong?"

"If everything truly goes as you say, the Keville Empire will become your preaching zone and Source Essence spring!"

"Dear Lord Dandell, everything comes at a price. If you want the benefits but refuse to pay the cost, I suggest you wash up and go to sleep—dreams have everything you desire."

"You—"

"Accept reality willingly, and I’ll lend you a hand. Otherwise, the Keville Empire can only become a chaos kingdom. I’ll give you three days to decide. The offer won’t last beyond that."

Yu Sheng'an stood up and walked out.

Only then did he notice that the tavern remained unchanged—no one had left, including Daisova and Dorothea.

As he passed by, Dorothea gritted her teeth and stopped him. "I’m sorry! Earlier, I was reckless and rude. I offended you, and I beg for your magnanimous forgiveness!"

Yu Sheng'an halted and studied her delicate, fragile appearance before asking solemnly, "Earlier… you intended to kill me, didn’t you?"