Ushering In The Internet Era In The Magical World

Chapter 13: Bluffing His Way Out

Dandell's words reminded Yu Sheng'an of the stories that happened at the beginning of the Blue Star's Industrial Revolution, in which the workers were destroying the factories' machineries.

Although Dandell was talking about resources, chaos and war, it wasn't much different from the workers hating the machines at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

Of course, he was standing at a higher ground as he wished for the Empire's stability.

"Are you worried that nobody would be farming and hunting once everyone begins to cultivate magic? And the Empire would be plunged into an internal strife if everyone tried to pursue magical cultivation?"

"Isn't that so?" Dandell asked instead

Yu Sheng'an chuckled. That matter would be much easier to resolve since he had found the main source of concern.

"You have guessed correctly. When the Internet is spread throughout the whole country, nine out of ten farmers in the empire would choose to leave their lands, especially the young ones! They would try every means to earn points so they could exchange for the more advanced magical knowledge and mage courses. They would also try to earn money to purchase the resources needed for magical cultivation.

"During this process, they would become mercenaries, nobles' lackeys, mages' proteges or even form violent organizations. They would have no qualms to cheat, lie and steal.

"There would also be a group of people who would join the Empire's army, attracted by the Empire's generous benefits! By then, the Queville Empire would be a state that worships power! The existence that holds the absolute raw power would become the king."

Yu Sheng'an's casual prediction of the Queville Empire's developments made the veins on Dandell's forehead throb.

Zimmer the Magical Deity and Betty the Magical Deity who were concealing themselves, looked at each other. They mirrored fury in each other's eyes!

"However, the Queville Empire at that point of time would also be an existence that even the Five Main Righteous Deities would be wary of!

"The Empire could rely on the farmers, who would only make up 10% of the population, to feed the whole country because all of their farmers cultivate magic and combat skills. Although they would not be very powerful, they would be healthy and strong.

"Farmers would be able to summon rain during times of drought to water their lands; they could divert the course of the rivers and build dams during floods; they could release dark magic to chase away the bugs; they could use 'Inch of Light' in the dark night to patrol their fields and kill the nasty field mice. They could even control the dead spirits to help them dig their lands and open up virgin soil.

"The wild beasts and magic beasts that come out from the forest would become their snacks. They would never have to queue up to fetch water anymore because the water-based magic would allow them to fill their vats easily. They also wouldn't need to chop and store firewood for winter anymore because they would know fire-based magic.

"They would be able to finish a 10-person workload alone. The nobles wouldn't dare to bully them anymore because they would not know if those farmers know any magic or combat skills that could seriously wound or kill them!

"Oh yes. Their sons who ventured out would be able to contact them daily on the Internet and mail them plenty of good stuff; their Friends List would be full of the city's vegetable acquirers. They would be able to sell their produce to whoever offered them the highest price.

"The Queville Empire could also set up an official website on the Internet. What's an official website? It is an information portal that would belong exclusively to the Queville Empire and certified by the Internet Deity! Whenever some big shot in the Empire died, or whoever is promoted to grand mage, or a law is amended, or some nobles oppressed peasants somewhere again, the people could find out about their information online at any time.

"The officials who were abusing the system would no longer dare to interpret the laws however they like again. They would also no longer dare to oppress the civilians again because even the lowliest peasants could address their grievances to the ruler and the magical deities directly on the official website. And nobody would be able to stop them from doing so! Many heads would roll and many officials would be terrified whenever the noble ruler decided to check out the official website.

"The Queville Empire would suddenly discover that the empire is easier to run now. They would instantly be informed of problems that popped up anywhere in the empire and decrees could be issued at any time. The magical deities would be like the Sword of Damocles that hung over the heads of the countless officials!

"The Queville Empire would also suddenly discover that they could begin to incorporate large areas of the dangerous forest that were inaccessible to humans before into the empire's territory! Those areas have abundant resources. The high-and-mighty mage instructors would only need to post a mission and hundreds of thousands of mercenaries would immediately dash in to search for them.

"That group of poor mercenaries has no idea that the minerals and gemstones that they had retrieved painstakingly would later be sold back to them at 10 or 100 times the price that they were paid after the mage instructors turn them into magical tools.

"The Queville Empire's reputation would become so good that refugees around it would try their best to come to this empire for a better life!

"Many years later, a grand mage instructor may actually emerge from among the peasants! This incident will shock countless citizens of the Empire and many of them would look up to him as a shining example! But the Empire would be distressed by this. Why? Because all the domains are assigned and this grand mage instructor doesn't belong to any faction so nobody is willing to share their domains with him.

"This is fine because the Empire would suddenly realize that, since the neighbouring country is so weak that they could simply a draw a circle on the map, include the neighbouring territory 'accidentally' and then tell that peasant grand mage instructor, 'That territory has always belonged the Queville Empire and now it is yours.'"

"The peasant grand mage instructor would be furious as he has the belief that the Empire has cheated him. But he has no other choices as he needs the Empire's support in resources and might to shock and awe the rival country's magical deities! Hence, he proceeds as instructed. For resources and his family's glory for generations, he sinks his roots into his domain and begins to open up the lands. And the Empire's territory will get bigger and bigger."

Dandell's hands began to tremble with Yu Sheng'an's description.

He looked at Yu Sheng'an with a terrified expression. And the expressions began to become more complex as they changed from greed, fear, expectations, dilemma

"Oh, yes. As the online courses continue on, the Felix School of Magic will start to realize that many mage instructors who are giving lessons online are actually not very qualified and they are misleading the students. Hence, they decide to open their own online courses too and teach the basic magic courses for free.

"The Felix School of Magic is indeed the holy land of magic that has a 1000 years of culture and history. Their mage instructors' magical attainments are so profound and pure! They deeply impress many citizens and these people deem getting into the Felix School of Magic as a reason of pride and achievement!

"Even magical geniuses from faraway lands would be attracted and come all the way to seek enlightenment in the school. These foreigners would always follow the lead of the Felix School of Magic after they graduate and return to their countries. The invisible influence of the Queville Empire would become bigger and bigger

"That's enough!" Dandell lost his cool and shouted, interrupting Yu Sheng'an's description. He stared at Yu Sheng'an with dilated pupils and said with a quivering voice, "You are in fact the Deity of Delusion!"

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

"If everything is going to be the way you described it, the Queville Empire would become your mission district, the source of Elementium!"

"Dear Lord Dandell, everything comes with a price. If you want to gain benefits without having to pay the price, I suggest you go to bed. You can have everything in your dreams."

"You"

"Accept reality actively and I will give you a hand. Otherwise, the Queville Empire would only become a country of chaos. I will give you three days to consider. Being late is not acceptable."

Yu Sheng'an got up and turned to leave.

Only then did he discover that the tavern was exactly as it was before. Nobody had left, including Delois and Dorothy.

When he walked past them, Dorothy clenched her teeth with determination as she stopped him to say, "I'm sorry. I was reckless and offended you. Please forgive me!"

Yu Sheng'an halted his steps. He looked at Dorothy's delicate behaviour and asked gravely, "You did have the intention to kill me earlier, didn't you?"