Chapter 239: The Essence of Gods

Inside the room, Hoffman stopped his pen because a rhythmic knocking sounded from outside the door.

Hoffman stood up and slowly opened the door.

Standing outside was a middle-aged man dressed in a voluminous toga secured at the waist with a gold buckle; he possessed an air of elegance and was followed by two unarmed guards.

Upon seeing Hoffman, a familiar smile appeared on the visitor's face.

"Still wrestling with your magic runes? You'd better pack up quickly; it wouldn't be good to be late for the Senate's emergency council."

"I'm not researching magic," Hoffman replied with a smile, shaking his head. "I was rushing to finish a speech."

Ansu and Celia listened patiently; the two men were clearly friends, and from their series of dialogues, they could determine that Hoffman, as the Chief Royal Mage, was to attend an important meeting today.

"The war is about to begin..." Hoffman stopped the pleasantries and walked to the window, gazing at the sky swallowed by dark red clouds, his expression deepening.

His friend's expression also became more serious. "Your speech has been overturned and rewritten by you over and over again... It seems you still intend to propose to them that the God-Making Project be canceled?"

"Of course," Hoffman said decisively.

The God-Making Project? Ansu instinctively wanted to check Celia's expression.

Although the young witch was also just a ghostly entity at the moment, Ansu could still feel her shared sense of shock.

Hoffman and his friend walked out of the room and through the long corridor. Along the way, the exquisite magic crystal lamps and the automatically operating cleaning runes all showcased the peak achievements of the magical civilization of this era.

Ansu and Celia quickly floated along to follow, continuing to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Magic nations are numerous across the continent, and magical power has been utilized almost to its limit; we aren't the only ones conducting such projects," his friend analyzed the situation in a low voice. "Our mortal enemy to the west, the Kingdom of Soran, has long begun utilizing this theory to attempt the creation of god-level weapons for war."

"Furthermore, looking further afield—the Three Dwarf Kingdoms, the Elven Court, and even the demon empire... they all have their own gods for protection. Their gods and demigods can even take the field themselves. Only we humans are inherently deficient in this regard, but fortunately, we are not without the opportunity to create a new god of our own."

His friend's tone became mysterious and low: "The military revealed that the 'existence' they are secretly planning is said to be responsive to every plea, its power growing rapidly, and its upper limit far exceeds the 'god-level weapons' of our opponents. Many of our people... have already begun privately calling it the 'God of Magic.'"

Ansu and Celia's consciousnesses touched, both transmitting emotions of astonishment to each other.

This information was one shock after another...

In this era, "making gods" was actually popular, and gods were viewed as controllable, ultimate weapons in wars between nations?

"The God of Magic? It's not worthy of that name!" Hoffman's voice carried suppressed fury and deep sorrow. "There is nothing more absurd in this era than this... I will never acknowledge that thing as any God of Magic. Magic has never needed, nor should it ever have, any god!"

Exiting the residence, Hoffman stopped and looked at his old friend.

"Julius, do you know the essence of gods?"

"I do..." Julius was taken aback, then said, "Aren't these the cutting-edge theories derived from your lifelong research and exchanges with various magic masters across the continent?"

Hoffman acted as if he hadn't heard this, emphasizing it again as if repeating it to himself:

"Gods are essentially part of the world's fundamental laws; they are a natural phenomenon."

"But because of the worship, reverence, and even fear of mortals... these massive collective subconsciouses cause them to be anchored and endowed with personalities, thus being born into the world."

"But now, they want to use this theory to forcibly manufacture that thing!" Hoffman said coldly. "It is nothing more than a false god fed with countless desires for war, greed, and thoughts of destruction! I call it—the God of Clamor and Filth!"

Julius furrowed his brows and shook his head. "Hoffman, I understand your idealism, but to win the war, every nation is frantically pushing forward similar projects. If they use them and we don't, wouldn't we just be waiting for death?"

"And... at least from the current reports, isn't everything still controllable?"

"Controllable?" Hoffman's voice rose sharply as he looked toward the sky swallowed by dark red clouds. "You don't understand, Julius! You haven't been to the front lines, you haven't stood on the scorched earth that has been repeatedly plowed by 'strategic-scale grand magic' until even the mana veins were drained dry!"

"I hear the bedrock deep underground as if it were howling; the sky wails and trembles as if it were on the brink of death. The air is filled with the stench of scorched elements. Every over-scaled magic war is like the end of the world..."

He gazed at the gloomy sky outside. "Magic itself... has already developed a problem."

"Mana is no longer that pure, neutral energy we once knew. It is being endlessly abused by us, tempered repeatedly in the extreme furnace of war... It has absorbed too much of our negative emotions..."

The relaxed expression on Julius's face vanished. "Are you saying..."

Hoffman's gaze remained deep.

"Gods are the natural manifestations of the world's rules, personalized by people's faith."

"However! Once gods are personalized, they have personalities, they have desires, and they make mistakes..."

"We have already endowed it with too many dark and negative things... A chaotic, clamorous, and evil powerful existence is being birthed by our own hands! They actually call it the descent of the 'God of Magic'?"

"No! That is no god..."

"That is a monster we have forged for ourselves, destined to devour everything!"

"It seems... it might already be a bit too late." Julius took a deep breath. "To consolidate power and gain an overwhelming military advantage, they have intentionally religiousized and militarized magical power. Hoffman, if your inference is true, aren't we manufacturing a weapon that will destroy ourselves?"

"Of course," Hoffman said heavily. "So at this meeting, I must convince my noble and mage colleagues, and even more so, let the Consul see clearly that we are heading toward self-destruction!"

The worry in Julius's eyes grew deeper.

He cautiously looked at the crowds of people passing by, lowering his voice even further: "But you... are already a thorn in the side of many. The God-Making Project involves too many interests; it is the manifestation of their power and wealth..."

The two arrived at the central plaza, where many nobles dressed in senatorial robes or fine clothing were exchanging pleasantries.

Julius quickly suppressed the worry from the journey, laughing and talking with other nobles about recent gladiator performances or a certain master's artwork.

During the small talk, a noble senator mentioned, "I heard the preparations for that 'Church of Holy Light' have entered the final stage? Julius, did His Excellency the Consul really appoint you to serve as the... first pope of this emerging little sect?"

Julius shrugged helplessly, his tone carrying a hint of self-deprecation. "Yes, to me, it's no different from being exiled. It's truly a job with no future..."

"A small sect that spread from who knows which mountain valley. Its doctrine is nothing more than advocating for kindness, mutual aid, and that salvation can be found by seeking the light. Surprisingly, it has managed to survive in bits and pieces. There are some believers within the Empire, and according to the rules, they must be brought under management."

He explained with a smile to several noble senators, "Since it still has some healing and soothing effects, they sent me to integrate it and see if it can add a bit of... meager logistical strength to the Empire's war machine!"

"After all, compared to the god-level weapons we are building, the war potential of the Holy Light is almost negligible."

Hoffman, however, chimed in from the side, showing a rare interest. "I, on the other hand, feel that the potential of this emerging Church of Holy Light is being greatly underestimated."

"Oh?" Julius and several other senators looked at him.

Hoffman pondered. "The core of its doctrine—justice, kindness, mutual aid, love for others, and the pursuit of light—reflects people's universal longing for a better society. Such a sect that teaches people to be good is much more beautiful than all the other religions that serve war."

Hearing this, Julius intentionally joked, "Hearing our Chief Royal Mage say that, I almost believe this little Church of Holy Light... might one day grow big and strong! You're not saying the Holy Light might one day trample magic under its feet, are you?"

Hoffman also managed a rare smile and shook his head. "That's unlikely."

"Magic is the study of exploring the truths of the world; its depth and breadth are not something the Holy Light divine arts, which rely on faith and prayer, can compare to."

Julius expressed deep agreement. "I also agree that magic is the truth of the world, hahaha. After all, it's not like I'm some kind of charlatan."

"You are the first pope of the Church of Holy Light; if you aren't one, then who is?" Hoffman glanced at him.

Julius laughed at himself. "But I, the first pope of this Church of Holy Light, don't even believe in the Holy Light myself."

Amidst the joking, the noble senators on the plaza began to walk one after another toward the towering great hall.

Before stepping through the gates, Julius looked around and gave Hoffman one last low-voiced warning:

"Regardless of everything, stay safe, Hoffman."

"Remember my words: you are walking against the current of the entire era."

Hoffman looked back at his old friend and slowly nodded.

"I know," he said softly, as if also speaking to himself. "But I must do it."