I Pioneered Scientific Magic

Chapter 256: Only Tangible Benefits Can Counter Firm Faith!

"Nice performance!" In the President's office at Iyeta Harbor, Lynn used the Ring of Arcana to peer at Raydell's every move from thousands of kilometers away.

He had pondered assisting him a bit, but Raydell turned out to be more formidable than expected. Leveraging the mine collapse, he incited the anger of the miners, overthrew the guards, and echoed the resolute cry for miners never to be enslaved.

"Let's grant him sorcery after a while," Lynn decided. "It's better if he seeks me out when in trouble rather than me approaching him. It might be misconstrued otherwise."

Simultaneously, he tucked away a list on his desk...

Those were profiles collected by Laude and others from major mines, potential leaders. Since Raydell performed better than anticipated, there was no immediate need to seek others.

Passing on the Ring of Arcana carried risks; encountering someone resolute, deeming it demonic influence, and reporting could draw the Church's attention, undesirable.

For Lynn, aside from confronting the so-called "Descent of Gods," a significant hurdle for wizards to establish themselves in this continent was resolving the issue of faith!

Throughout the Seccas Empire, the Church's influence pervaded every town, even a small barony hosting one or two stationed priests.

Though limited in power, these priests barely surpassed wizard apprentices through prayers, yet they formed the Church's foundation, propagating the "Ella" faith to every corner of the Empire.

Even the Hadrata, an affiliated kingdom, was no exception!

Without resolving this, even if they gained control of the kingdom, the populace would resist, becoming the Church's informants.

This was why Lynn carefully manipulated Raydell to incite rebellion: only tangible benefits could counter firm faith!

The miners and commoners either believed in "Ella," toiling in mines, enduring exploitation by nobles and the Church, or worked in workshops for a slightly harder but rewarding life.

Apart from a few fanatics, most knew which side they stood on!

Knock, knock, knock...

As Lynn pondered, a knocking interrupted. Soon, Phillip entered, holding an orange envelope. "President Lynn, it's an invitation from the Council!"

Taking it, Lynn discovered it was for a grand evening meeting about the future of the wizard's domain.

He immediately sensed a shift in events.

Whether it was good or bad remained uncertain...

Regardless, such a crucial meeting had to be attended. With internal combustion airships' technology now advanced, the journey from Iyeta to Grenerel City took less than three hours, quite convenient.

...

At dusk, a colossal airship descended outside the Sun Crown Tower. The stationed attendants were accustomed, but not neglectful, of Lynn, the new Magic Star. Chief Magus Sanchez personally welcomed Lynn and expressed gratitude for his past help against Ougust.

"Don't say that, Master Sanchez. Ougust wasn't an opponent one or two could conquer. Without your bravery, drawing his attention, the outcome might've been different," Lynn humbly responded.

As they conversed, they soon ascended to the Sky Realm.

The vast hall was already crowded, several legendary councilors present. Lynn was the last arrival and hastened to take his seat.

"Kashimo is dead!"

As the meeting commenced, Harof cut straight to the chase.

Kashimo—who was he?

Initially puzzled, Lynn soon realized Kashimo was the person who brought the idol of the Dark God into the wizard's domain, likely a saint or at least an archbishop.

However, Lynn had assumed Harof and the others had disposed of him long ago, not expecting this delayed demise.

Only after Harof's explanation did Lynn understand: high-ranking Church members' souls were deeply bound to the Divine Realm. Upon death, their souls were drawn into it.

Thus, the Council detained Kashimo and attempted to probe his memories magically to discern the Church's plans. However, Kashimo's will was resolute. They gleaned little useful information and couldn't prevent his voluntary death.

Evidently, Kashimo had prepared for capture even before reaching the wizard's domain, setting corresponding spells.

"So Kashimo's soul returned to the realm of 'Ella'?" Lynn frowned.

"No, we destroyed his soul along with his body!" Harof shook his head. "But I believe she should sense it."

Lynn pondered. Like a mental link to an AI, he could instantly grasp these individuals' mental states. The goddess might not notice ordinary believers' life or death, but strong souls like Kashimo were uncertain.

Many senators wore troubled expressions. Though the Mist Sea spell was disrupted earlier, they clung to faint hope. If the Church hadn't discovered the secret during this time, they could continue practicing magic undisturbed.

Now, it seemed their hopes were dashed.

However, militant figures like Sanchez rejoiced. Despite the Church's vast influence, the wizard's domain wasn't as feeble as before. They were tired of being confined to this tiny island.

"In any case, it seems an inevitable war. And Iyeta Harbor might be the battleground," Harof reminded Lynn, given its strategic position facing the Seccas Empire.

"I have a proposal!" Lynn, who had been silent, spoke up to the assembly. "Why don't we divert the battlefield elsewhere? Fighting within the wizard's domain isn't an optimal choice..."

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