Chapter 19: Centralization
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Chapter 19: Centralization
As the sun grew fiercer, Dandell departed with an expression of both bewilderment and exhilaration.
He headed straight for the imperial palace, where he met with the two Gods of Magic, Qimoer and Beixi, at the palace gates. Together, they sought an audience with Kexian, the eleventh monarch of the Keville Empire, to report the results of the negotiations and symbolically complete the mandated procedures.
At this point, it’s worth mentioning the political structure of the Keville Empire.
In this nation where order is defined by violence, imperial authority and resources are almost entirely held in the hands of magicians!
The royal family and nobility are to magicians what professional managers are to shareholders.
Of course, in reality, the line between the two is somewhat blurred.
Magicians can emerge from the nobility;
powerful magicians are also entitled to noble titles and territories.
Now that the royal family has declined, though still nominally one of the Four Pillars of the Empire, their reliance on special magic artifacts and accumulated heritage means that the empire’s voice naturally falls to the three Gods of Magic.
This is also the fundamental reason why Dandell could represent the Keville Empire in negotiations with Yu Sheng'an.
Returning to the main topic.
After obtaining nominal authorization, the Magic Towers in Willis City lit up once more.
Commands were transmitted through the Magic Towers to major cities.
As magical fluctuations rippled outward, the long-anticipated social upheaval finally began!
……
……
In Tuwa City, a frontier town of the Keville Empire, within the seven-story Magic Tower towering at the city’s center, Grand Magus Xiodo read the joint-signed decree from the Empire’s Four Pillars, his heart shaken to the core.
As a magician governing a remote region, though far from the center of power, he was well aware of the major events unfolding in Willis City.
Especially the sudden emergence and popularity of the Internet Divine Technique in the capital, which he had been closely monitoring.
Setting aside his personal thoughts, he had assumed there were only two possible outcomes to this matter:
Either the empire would forcefully suppress it;
or it would allow it to spread unchecked.
But he never expected the empire to choose cooperation with the Internet God!
No—this wasn’t cooperation at all. This was outright submission to the Internet God!
Though the empire had signed a stringent contract with the Internet God—prohibiting the construction of churches, forbidding the use of Divine Techniques to spy on magicians, and so on—contracts could always be renegotiated.
With the Internet’s propaganda capabilities, once the Internet God had won the hearts of the people, it was entirely possible for Him to leverage that influence to force the Keville Empire into signing a new contract.
The thought sent a chill down Xiodo’s spine.
He couldn’t understand why the three Gods of Magic would agree to such a partnership.
But it was too late for regrets now.
He knew the times had changed.
The Internet God would very likely become an entity towering above the empire in the years to come.
He was merely a Grand Magus—neither at the top nor the bottom of the hierarchy.
He had no say in the empire’s fate, but he could choose his own path in this tidal wave of change. If he picked the right direction, he might achieve twice the result with half the effort.
With these complex thoughts swirling in his mind, he activated the Internet Divine Technique.
Instantly, the familiar Virtual Scroll unfurled before him.
Only this time, the main page featured a new module—emblazoned with the emblem of the Keville Empire: the Ringed Magic Tower.
When he clicked on it, the parchment-like pop-up window that appeared left him utterly stunned!
Unlike other functional modules, the Empire's official website was divided into countless squares of varying sizes.
The top row of squares displayed the Empire's administrative institutions, both major and minor, in sequence.
The squares below publicized the Empire's latest decrees, news, announcements, and more. Among them, the "Latest Decrees" column prominently featured the two new policies he had just received:
1. Spread the Internet Divine Technique.
2. All administrative units must immediately establish literacy schools.
Xiodo's scalp tingled as he scrolled through the details of the Empire's official website, his thoughts racing as he browsed.
It was clear that the newly launched website had only a basic framework, with many modules appearing almost blank when clicked. Yet, even so, this skeletal structure left him deeply shaken.
For example, the Judicial Department section meticulously published the Empire's legal code. It was foreseeable that once the Internet Divine Technique spread and everyone could access the Internet, it would severely limit the administrators' interpretive authority over the law. In other words, it would also restrain and oversee their power.
Moreover, the administrative complaints section sent a chill down his spine.
In Willis City's complaint section, he saw a flood of anonymous reports. Some were trivial—like too few wells in the slums or someone bullying others—while others seemed minor but were actually serious.
For instance, one complaint accused the private steward of the Lang noble family of oppressing men and women, exploiting commoners.
Xiodo knew that while the Lang family appeared formidable, it had been in decline ever since Archmage Langfeiluo passed away. In the first few years, they had relied on the connections left behind by Archmage Langfeiluo to stay afloat. But as Langerman, Langfeiluo's son, failed to reach the Archmage realm, the resources monopolized by the family had begun to attract envy.
Now, this complaint might very well become the spark that ignited the Lang family's downfall.
Xiodo took a deep breath. He had long recognized the Internet's ability to manipulate public opinion, but he had to admit he had severely underestimated it.
After all, all crows under heaven are black.
Who could guarantee their hands were completely clean?
No one.
Of course, a magician's power came from strength. If one was strong enough, no amount of public opinion could topple them. But public opinion could serve as the excuse to wield the knife.
Xiodo finally understood why the three Gods of Magic had chosen to collaborate with the Internet God.
Under the weight of public scrutiny, everyone would have to pick a side. Otherwise, with just a little guidance from the masses, those in power would have the justification to act.
In other words, the Empire's authority would become unprecedentedly centralized!
At this thought, Xiodo stared at the complaint function on the website interface and suddenly felt a creeping dread.
He realized that manipulating public opinion wasn't the most terrifying aspect—what was truly horrifying was the direct reach of power to the grassroots. That was cutting the problem at its root.
Before this, while people revered the Gods of Magic, they weren't overly afraid. Even if public outrage boiled over, if the accused was a Grand Archmage ruling over a region, the authorities might turn a blind eye for the sake of stability.
After all, the Empire needed people to govern, and to secure governance, compromises had to be made in certain areas.
But now, things were different.
Through the Internet Divine Technique, the grassroots can directly reach the highest authorities, and with a single command from the God of Magic, grassroots forces can be mobilized just as easily. In other words, the intermediate management layers become irrelevant.
When the fundamental dynamics of supply and demand shift, who would dare remain complacent?
What?
The number of magicians is limited? The God of Magic can’t arbitrarily punish or eliminate them?
Heh, haven’t you seen the basic magical knowledge published on the Internet?
It’s foreseeable that once the Internet Divine Technique spreads, the number of magicians will explode in the coming years.
With more wolves than meat, who would still dare act recklessly?
No one!
What a terrifying scheme!
Who could have devised this?
A shivering Xiodo instinctively recalled a revered title in his mind—the Internet God!
No wonder he could persuade the three Great Gods of Magic!
Xiodo stared at the Internet page, falling into silence.
As he pondered his future path, his eyes suddenly lit up after a long while.
For he realized that the emergence of the Empire's official website would herald the worst era for traditional nobles.
But for talented commoners, it would also be the best of times!
With information made public, how far off could the day be when the capable rise to prominence?
"Praise You, great Internet God!"
Xiodo couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration!
As the sun grew fiercer, Dandell departed with an expression of both bewilderment and exhilaration.
He headed straight for the imperial palace, where he met with the two Gods of Magic, Qimoer and Beixi, at the palace gates. Together, they sought an audience with Kexian, the eleventh monarch of the Keville Empire, to report the results of the negotiations and symbolically complete the mandated procedures.
At this point, it’s worth mentioning the political structure of the Keville Empire.
In this nation where order is defined by violence, imperial authority and resources are almost entirely held in the hands of magicians!
The royal family and nobility are to magicians what professional managers are to shareholders.
Of course, in reality, the line between the two is somewhat blurred.
Magicians can emerge from the nobility;
powerful magicians are also entitled to noble titles and territories.
Now that the royal family has declined, though still nominally one of the Four Pillars of the Empire, their reliance on special magic artifacts and accumulated heritage means that the empire’s voice naturally falls to the three Gods of Magic.
This is also the fundamental reason why Dandell could represent the Keville Empire in negotiations with Yu Sheng'an.
Returning to the main topic.
After obtaining nominal authorization, the Magic Towers in Willis City lit up once more.
Commands were transmitted through the Magic Towers to major cities.
As magical fluctuations rippled outward, the long-anticipated social upheaval finally began!
……
……
In Tuwa City, a frontier town of the Keville Empire, within the seven-story Magic Tower towering at the city’s center, Grand Magus Xiodo read the joint-signed decree from the Empire’s Four Pillars, his heart shaken to the core.
As a magician governing a remote region, though far from the center of power, he was well aware of the major events unfolding in Willis City.
Especially the sudden emergence and popularity of the Internet Divine Technique in the capital, which he had been closely monitoring.
Setting aside his personal thoughts, he had assumed there were only two possible outcomes to this matter:
Either the empire would forcefully suppress it;
or it would allow it to spread unchecked.
But he never expected the empire to choose cooperation with the Internet God!
No—this wasn’t cooperation at all. This was outright submission to the Internet God!
Though the empire had signed a stringent contract with the Internet God—prohibiting the construction of churches, forbidding the use of Divine Techniques to spy on magicians, and so on—contracts could always be renegotiated.
With the Internet’s propaganda capabilities, once the Internet God had won the hearts of the people, it was entirely possible for Him to leverage that influence to force the Keville Empire into signing a new contract.
The thought sent a chill down Xiodo’s spine.
He couldn’t understand why the three Gods of Magic would agree to such a partnership.
But it was too late for regrets now.
He knew the times had changed.
The Internet God would very likely become an entity towering above the empire in the years to come.
He was merely a Grand Magus—neither at the top nor the bottom of the hierarchy.
He had no say in the empire’s fate, but he could choose his own path in this tidal wave of change. If he picked the right direction, he might achieve twice the result with half the effort.
With these complex thoughts swirling in his mind, he activated the Internet Divine Technique.
Instantly, the familiar Virtual Scroll unfurled before him.
Only this time, the main page featured a new module—emblazoned with the emblem of the Keville Empire: the Ringed Magic Tower.
When he clicked on it, the parchment-like pop-up window that appeared left him utterly stunned!
Unlike other functional modules, the Empire's official website was divided into countless squares of varying sizes.
The top row of squares displayed the Empire's administrative institutions, both major and minor, in sequence.
The squares below publicized the Empire's latest decrees, news, announcements, and more. Among them, the "Latest Decrees" column prominently featured the two new policies he had just received:
1. Spread the Internet Divine Technique.
2. All administrative units must immediately establish literacy schools.
Xiodo's scalp tingled as he scrolled through the details of the Empire's official website, his thoughts racing as he browsed.
It was clear that the newly launched website had only a basic framework, with many modules appearing almost blank when clicked. Yet, even so, this skeletal structure left him deeply shaken.
For example, the Judicial Department section meticulously published the Empire's legal code. It was foreseeable that once the Internet Divine Technique spread and everyone could access the Internet, it would severely limit the administrators' interpretive authority over the law. In other words, it would also restrain and oversee their power.
Moreover, the administrative complaints section sent a chill down his spine.
In Willis City's complaint section, he saw a flood of anonymous reports. Some were trivial—like too few wells in the slums or someone bullying others—while others seemed minor but were actually serious.
For instance, one complaint accused the private steward of the Lang noble family of oppressing men and women, exploiting commoners.
Xiodo knew that while the Lang family appeared formidable, it had been in decline ever since Archmage Langfeiluo passed away. In the first few years, they had relied on the connections left behind by Archmage Langfeiluo to stay afloat. But as Langerman, Langfeiluo's son, failed to reach the Archmage realm, the resources monopolized by the family had begun to attract envy.
Now, this complaint might very well become the spark that ignited the Lang family's downfall.
Xiodo took a deep breath. He had long recognized the Internet's ability to manipulate public opinion, but he had to admit he had severely underestimated it.
After all, all crows under heaven are black.
Who could guarantee their hands were completely clean?
No one.
Of course, a magician's power came from strength. If one was strong enough, no amount of public opinion could topple them. But public opinion could serve as the excuse to wield the knife.
Xiodo finally understood why the three Gods of Magic had chosen to collaborate with the Internet God.
Under the weight of public scrutiny, everyone would have to pick a side. Otherwise, with just a little guidance from the masses, those in power would have the justification to act.
In other words, the Empire's authority would become unprecedentedly centralized!
At this thought, Xiodo stared at the complaint function on the website interface and suddenly felt a creeping dread.
He realized that manipulating public opinion wasn't the most terrifying aspect—what was truly horrifying was the direct reach of power to the grassroots. That was cutting the problem at its root.
Before this, while people revered the Gods of Magic, they weren't overly afraid. Even if public outrage boiled over, if the accused was a Grand Archmage ruling over a region, the authorities might turn a blind eye for the sake of stability.
After all, the Empire needed people to govern, and to secure governance, compromises had to be made in certain areas.
But now, things were different.
Through the Internet Divine Technique, the grassroots can directly reach the highest authorities, and with a single command from the God of Magic, grassroots forces can be mobilized just as easily. In other words, the intermediate management layers become irrelevant.
When the fundamental dynamics of supply and demand shift, who would dare remain complacent?
What?
The number of magicians is limited? The God of Magic can’t arbitrarily punish or eliminate them?
Heh, haven’t you seen the basic magical knowledge published on the Internet?
It’s foreseeable that once the Internet Divine Technique spreads, the number of magicians will explode in the coming years.
With more wolves than meat, who would still dare act recklessly?
No one!
What a terrifying scheme!
Who could have devised this?
A shivering Xiodo instinctively recalled a revered title in his mind—the Internet God!
No wonder he could persuade the three Great Gods of Magic!
Xiodo stared at the Internet page, falling into silence.
As he pondered his future path, his eyes suddenly lit up after a long while.
For he realized that the emergence of the Empire's official website would herald the worst era for traditional nobles.
But for talented commoners, it would also be the best of times!
With information made public, how far off could the day be when the capable rise to prominence?
"Praise You, great Internet God!"
Xiodo couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration!
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