Crown of Chaos

When Aaron found his magic advisor, Barrel-Moonflower of the Sun Elf family, this guy was eating and drinking in the "Amber Eye", the largest elf tavern in Sunset Town, with Aaron's cousin Robert .

Recently, news came from the royal capital of Sousal that Robert's parents, uncle Lothair and aunt Mellie were both knighted. When the royal envoy who named him an honorary lord sent the lord's dress, sword and crown to the horse breeding house, Lothair was dumbfounded when he was in front of his uncle.

Am I a lord?

But am I not just a horse breeder?

Cormyr is a country that prefers lawful neutrality. Compared with free cities like Baldur's Gate, this country pays more attention to protecting the interests and safety of ordinary people, but it also means a relatively conservative atmosphere, a promotion mechanism based on seniority, and Solidified hierarchy.

I have always heard that people who have achieved military merit in battle can be awarded the title of Lord. Never heard that people who have raised horses for decades can be awarded the title of Lord of Honor?

Did the royal envoy make a mistake?

Lothair even asked the royal envoy Jim Harker if he had made a mistake.

Jim Hacker looked helpless and a little funny when he saw Lothair's performance.

This horse breeder is so blessed that he never knows how lucky he is.

However, when it was announced that Lothair would be promoted to honorary steward of the royal stables and his salary would be increased from 300 gold lions a year to 1,200 gold lions a year, Lothair could not control himself at all. His uncle said nothing. He didn't dare to take it. He knew very well that his horse breeding skills were not outstanding among a group of horse breeders. He couldn't take it because he had no merit and no reward.

Honest people, this is it.

Cabinet Minister Jim has many tricks to deal with such honest people. "In other words, you plan to defy the joint decision of Her Highness Alice and all the nobles of the kingdom?"

"This may require you to attend the Kingdom Council in person and explain to all your Excellencies the reasons for your refusal. Are you sure?"

As soon as the big hat came off, Lothair was so frightened that he almost peed.

Go to the Kingdom Council? To express my refusal in front of the Princess Regent and all the nobles?

It would be better to kill him!

My uncle did not dare to disobey, so he had no choice but to take over the position of Lord and Honorary Steward.

Get one.

Jim next went to canonize Aaron's Aunt Mellie.

Hey, Aunt Melly's behavior was completely different from Uncle Lothair. After hearing about the messenger's intention, Melly asked Minister Jim to wait for a while, and then sent someone to notify all her relatives and friends and everyone on the street. Neighbors, let them all come to witness the scene of her becoming a canonized lord and lady.

At the canonization scene, Aunt Meili accepted all the rewards brought by Minister Jim without hesitation. The shrewd middle-aged woman even laughed and cursed in a high voice: "It's a shame that I took Aaron and rolled on the red carpet of the palace twice. , if I hadn’t gone to cause trouble? Would the kingdom now have Aaron Salian, the Flower Knight?”

After Aaron's parents, Manuel and Elizabeth, died in the war, Aunt Mellie took Aaron to the palace to make trouble. Minister Jim knew that Olivier, the cabinet finance minister, was made speechless by this shrewish woman on the spot. , became a famous court joke.

"Hey~ This lady's dress is so beautiful!" Aunt Mei Li touched the fabric with her hands after taking the dress: "I never thought I would be able to wear this kind of fabric one day. Thank you, Mr. Jim."

"Mrs. Mei Li is very polite. From now on you will be the Lord and Lady. Your title and your husband's title are independent." Minister Jim smiled and said: "It is also the honor of Her Royal Highness and all the nobles to reward you for raising Aaron Salian. Credit.”

"What credit can I have? Do you think I don't know what you guys are thinking in your hearts? Aren't you just taking me and Lothair as hostages?" Aunt Meili's words made Minister Jim so angry that he was extremely angry. Before Minister Jim indicated that "this is a topic that cannot be touched," the shrewish woman's words exploded like a barrage of words: "Okay, I understand, I will tell Aaron more good things about the kingdom. It's true... when I helped this nephew, didn't I just hope that he would bring our whole family to be rich and prosperous? But this day has come too fast, hasn't it? "

"Ha, from today onwards I will retire and enjoy my life. Hum~ That idiot Lothair, it is better to raise horses for the rest of his life than my nephew can say a word to him, he is so beautiful!"

Satisfied, Aunt Mellie returned to the Sally's House in the envious eyes of the neighbors, leaving everyone with a chic back view.

The canonization was completed, and under the gaze of countless pairs of eyes, the news reached Aaron in the Sunset Territory.

Aaron's attitude was also quite playful. He did not express any thanks. Instead, after hearing that his uncle was promoted to the honorary steward of the royal stables, he personally wrote a song "Legend of the Jumping Horse" to express his congratulations.

"Legend of the Jumping Horse" immediately became Cormier's official horse racing anthem.

At this time, this song was being sung on the stage in the Elf Tavern "Amber Eye". Its lively melody, catchy lyrics and magical dance made everyone in the audience dance together.

"I am your beloved horse~"

"With a pounding heartbeat, start running~"

"Like a fireball coming out of the chest~Continuously running forward~"

"This is the first time for a match like this (3, 2, 1, fight)"

The elves and half-elves drinkers in the audience waved their feathers together and joined the elf dancers on the stage in joyful youthfulness.

The obese sun elf Barrel-Moonflower was with Robert. When he saw Aaron coming, Barrel-Moonflower signaled to listen to the song first, and he listened carefully to Aaron's intention.

Aaron asked Barrel-Moonflower about "Magic Network" and "Super Nine-ring Spell".

After the song ended, they went upstairs. After the sun elf arcane high priest closed the door and completely cut off the noise outside, he explained about the magic network.

"Yes, you are right. After the fall of Netheril, the second-generation goddess of magic decided to close the magic network above the ninth ring." Barrel wiped the sweat from his face with his hands, his expression Seriously: "So, Your Excellency, you actually touched the deeper part of the Nine Rings and felt the closed part?"

"Yes." Aaron nodded: "So I came to ask my magic consultant."

"Well..." Barrel sorted out his words: "Super-nine-level spells are one of the most dangerous and powerful skills in the country. What do you mortals understand about super-nine-level spells? Karsus Conferred God Technique? Iolum Immortality Technique? Let me tell you, you are all right, but not so right."

"The real power of the super-nine-ring spell is that it can change and reshape reality at will, just like pinching mud, and leave a catastrophe that even the gods cannot make up for. Since you feel the power above the nine-ring Restriction, you must have tried some reality-distorting magic, right?"

Aaron nodded, and he told Barrel something related to the Lorgar Power Word.

Barrel couldn't stop laughing when he heard this: "I told you before, our society of elves, right?"

"Our elf society is a public ownership society that is closer to your human ideal. Every elf community has something similar to a 'public treasury', and all community members have the right to use the resources in the 'public treasury' on their own." Right, the elves will set up a warehouse administrator to manage the public treasury. Due to the long lifespan and relatively high moral values ​​of our elves, they will get what they need from the public treasury, but few people will take more than themselves. Supplies needed.”

Barrier didn't talk about the Magic Network when he came up, but used the elven society as a metaphor.

"It's very few, but it's not none, right?" Aaron smiled and nodded.

The sun elf also laughed, and he did not deny it: "Yes, you can think that although the morality of our elves is generally higher than that of humans, there are still selfish people who steal the wealth of the public treasury and take it for themselves, but anyone who does this Every elf will have a reason for corruption, either he is in urgent need of money, or he is eager to improve his strength, or he is corrupted by some temptation."

"We elves are different from you humans. We don't have the mentality of 'he took too much and I took too little, so I lost money' or 'if he took a share, I should also take a share', so the public treasury system has always been there. Implemented in the elves..." Barrel hesitated for a second, nodded in recognition and laughed at himself: "But I also admit that corruption still happens from time to time. The public treasury system of the elves can only be said to be closer to public ownership, and it can only Implemented among a portion of the wealthy elven community that worships our father-god Corellon.”

"Elves live long and have many pursuits." Aaron thought to himself that Bariel was a proud Sun Elf. Of course, he mainly praised his race. His words could be used as a reference, but he could not believe them all.

"Okay, now we understand the elves' public treasury system, and the Magic Network is a higher level, completely public treasury system." Barrier said metaphorically: "The Magic Network is a public ownership system in the true sense. It is understood as a 'public treasury' that truly belongs to everyone in the country. Regardless of order or chaos, whether full of evil or kind-hearted, as long as any existence meets the conditions for access to the Magic Network, the Magic Network will treat everyone equally."

"This is the most ideal public ownership. Once, the Magic Network was open to every existence and encouraged people to explore the deeper mysteries of the Magic Network. The goddess of magic is the warehouse manager. She only has the power to manage. Things in the public treasury are not It belongs to Him, and the only thing He can do is 'register' when faced with community members who come to take money from the public treasury."

When Barrier said this, he chuckled: "Now you should be able to understand why the great arcanist Karsus spent 24 hours to release his god-conferring technique. The goddess of magic knew the whole process but did not stop it, right? "

"Because He's just a warehouse manager?" Aaron understood.

The first-generation goddess of magic, Missriel, positioned herself as a warehouse manager. Her policy and responsibilities were only to manage the magic network and prevent Karthus's god-making technique from being contrary to her ideals.

"Yes, to be honest, humans are indeed a race full of ambitions." Barrier said with a bad smile: "Before, no matter what race it was, whether it was the five founder races, dragons and giants, the several major empires of our elves Also, everyone maintains the most basic respect when using the magic network, and always takes as much as they need to use."

"Only the Nese people are extremely greedy. Every time they go to the public treasury, they are not satisfied with taking the part they need. Every Nese person wants more from the public treasury."

A look of disdain appeared on the face of the Sun Elf Arcane High Priest: "Look at the super nine-ring magic of the great Arcanists of Nese,"

"Iolum's Immortality, Marvin's World Weaving, Proktieff's Mountain Movement, Tolotin's Deadly Wind, Valdick's Sail Technique...these super-nine-ring magics are essentially unlimited. Stealing a large amount of resources from the public treasury of the Demonic Network, the Nese people shamelessly announced that this was the result of their magical research, which ultimately caused a terrible disaster."

"Public ownership is not suitable for your race." Barrier finally concluded: "Excessive greed led the second-generation Magic Goddess to seal off the deep areas of the magic network above the ninth ring. You see, from that moment on, Nese Is there any other super-nine-level magic that can be used? It is said that seeking benevolence will lead to benevolence."

"Unlike the Nese people, we elves always retain the ability to release legendary spells. The high elf wizards on Evergather Island can also hold large-scale magic rituals... If you live long enough, Mr. Aaron, you still have knowledge. The day will come when our elves will surpass the ninth-level legendary spell." Barrier finally concluded: "Even if she is now the third-generation magic goddess, there is no way to release the super-nine-level spell, but there are two prerequisites, one, Can you prove that you are qualified to access resources beyond the nine-ring magic power from the public treasury, instead of shamelessly stealing like the Great Arcanist of Nese? Second, can you obtain the consent of the Goddess of Magic and let her open this restriction for you? "

Aaron fell into deep thought.

The Nese people relied on information asymmetry to cross the river, and blew up the bridge crossing the river with their backhand.

If so, wouldn't it be difficult to use the super nine-ring chaos tribulation magic in the future? Without the assistance of the magic net, relying solely on the magic power of the star realm, it would be very difficult and very unstable to release the super-nine-ring tribulation magic.

But seeing Barrier's disdainful look, Aaron asked: "The legendary spell of the elves? Are you talking about the Great Schism?"

"Uh..." When the Great Schism was mentioned, the Sun Elf showed an embarrassed look on his face: "We have a long history of developing magic, and we have a relatively rich number of high-ranking mages."

"So the Great Elf Split event only 'used' appropriate resources?" Aaron asked.

"We conduct the Great Split Ceremony in order to improve the living standards of the elves while adjusting the structure of the elves' survival, do a good job in the construction of Eternal Reunion Island, improve the internal circulation of reincarnated souls, and satisfy our family's desire for the Kingdom of Avandor. It represents the fundamental interests of our fellow elves and is a great exploration."

"So the elves are not responsible for the Great Schism?"

"Stop talking, stop talking."

"So what are the follow-up issues arising from the Great Schism, what do you plan to do on Yongju Island?"

"Stop talking about it, stop talking about it." Barrel scratched his head in embarrassment: "The impact of the Great Schism has not ended today, and the archmages can't find a solution for the time being... I believe in the wisdom of future generations."

"Then you are not the same? If the Nese people caused the closure of areas above the ninth ring, then the Great Split Ceremony carried out by your elves also brought far-reaching sequelae to the country and is still poisonous to this day." Aaron complained: "Forever Doesn’t Judao have any plans to solve it?”

"Don't ask, don't ask. I believe in the wisdom of future generations. The next queen will definitely find a solution."

Barrier couldn't answer Aaron's question, and it was hard for the Sun Elves to discredit his hometown and criticize the high-ranking elven mages who had a higher status than him. He could only awkwardly signal Aaron to stop asking. No matter how he answered this question, he would always get it wrong.

Fortunately, Aaron didn't bother, he let Barrel go, and the sun elf also provided a very important message.

Even if the Goddess of Magic is unwilling to open the Magic Network area above the ninth ring, perhaps we can get some ideas from the Shadow Demon Network. The Shadow Demon Network may be able to bypass the restrictions of the Magic Network and release magic beyond the ninth ring. After all, the Goddess of Magic does not control the Shadow Demon Network.

But thinking that Aaron is Suellen's chosen one, and that the one who controls the Shadow Web is Suellen's archenemy, Shar, Barrier thinks this idea is wonderful, but the reality is cruel.

Aaron and Barrel discussed it for a while and then left.

Barrel did not stay in the tavern any longer. The fat sun elf said hello to his cousin Robert and quickly returned to his residence.

Facing the water spring reflected in the transparent light mirror in his residence, Barrier sent a series of messages.

"His Excellency Aaron Salian is proficient in our language and is knowledgeable and talented. He is one of the great nobles with the most reform-minded ideas and international vision on the mainland."

"He comes from a very influential noble family in the Purple Dragon Kingdom. He is a male elect who is deeply favored by the Silver Virgin Mother Su Lun. He has sent incarnations several times because of him."

"He has a very deep and ambiguous relationship with the country's sole heir, the Princess Regent."

"Before I sent this message, he was the only spellcaster in Cormyr who had contacted and clearly felt the closed area above the ninth ring of the magic network."

"I believe that if we can get his full support, it will not be an unrealistic fantasy to rebuild the glory of Myth Drannor and let our sun elf Cormanthor return to his hometown with glory!"

"What is the decision of the royal court? I look forward to your reply!"

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