Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Currently, in the Rock Tribe's dimension, all of the Rock Creatures appeared relatively despondent. The deaths that occurred among the six civilization-level Rock Creatures were a humongous blow to the Rock Tribe.
In particular, it was a blow to their spirits, causing many Rock Creatures to consider retreating to the Rock Tribe's dimension, no longer seeking a war with the Spell Casters.
In the main foyer of Progenitor Hanra's residence, many Ancestor-level Rock Creatures were gathered. This time, it seemed like Progenitor Hanra had made a decision.
"Everyone, we no longer have an escape route now. If we retreat, our Rock Tribe won't be able to grow, and we'll become increasingly feeble in the future. At this rate, we'll become a weak civilization in ten thousand years. The Spell Caster civilization, along with the other surrounding civilizations, are developing and flouris.h.i.+ng, constantly expanding. Now is our best chance. Due to the defeat of Aroyo and the rest, an ordinary war won't help us gain the upper hand. Presently, the only course of action for our Rock Tribe is to start a civilization war!"
As soon as Progenitor Hanra had finished speaking, the Rock Creatures, despite having prepared in advance, felt a sense of dejection. A civilization war was something no one wished to experience.
Progenitor Hanra's gaze swept across the crowd of Rock Creatures. Once the civilization war began, time would be measured in centuries. No one knew how long this momentous civilization war would last.
When some powerful civilizations started a civilization war, they would fight ferociously for over ten thousand years. This would take an immense toll on both sides.
Nonetheless, Progenitor Hanra had no other choice today. He must not retreat, and could only start a civilization war!
"O' Great Progenitor Hanra!"
Suddenly, an Ancestor-level Rock Creature stood up.
"Blackroth, what's your suggestion?"
Progenitor Hanra recognized this Ancestor-level Rock Creature in a glance. He knew that Blackroth had been exploring the open territory for many years.
"Great Sir Progenitor, before you begin a civilization war, we actually still have a chance, not just to resolve the crisis but to do so without starting a civilization war."
Blackroth spoke in a calm tone.
"Oh? Blackroth, what's your plan?"
Progenitor Hanra became highly interested. If there really was a way to not start the civilization war and turn things around at the same time, naturally, it would be the most ideal solution.
"In fact, it's very simple. Great Sir Progenitor, you can command the Rock Creatures below Ancestor-level to enter the ten or so dimensions at the front lines and begin fighting the Spell Casters at full effort. However, we'll send some Ancestor-level Rock Creatures at the same time, who must hide their ident.i.ties and suppress their force, expressly to look out for Wizard Merlin and those Spell Casters civilization-level prodigies! Once these targets are found, they'll strike immediately. The most important target is Merlin. It's best to send a middle rank Ancestor-level Rock Creature to be absolutely sure! As soon as we've killed Merlin and those civilization-level Wizards, we'll immediately retreat to the Rock Tribe Dimension.
"During this period, Sir Progenitor can make contact with the Spell Caster civilization. If they can't reach a decision to start a civilization war, then the initiative of the war is back in our hands."
After Blackroth had spoken, the Rock Creatures in the main foyer seemed to have brighter gazes. This was a plan indeed. There was only one core factor, which was to gamble!
They were betting on the fact that the Spell Casters would not dare to start a civilization war so easily, before the Rock Tribe had done so.
This "gamble" made it seem like the Rock Tribe had broken an unspoken rule but if the Spell Caster restrained themselves from starting a civilization war, then that was a victory for the Rock Tribe.
After all, there was some resistance among the Spell Casters too, especially Great Legends who would not be willing to begin a civilization war. This was because once they did, these lofty, imposing Great Legends would become hunting targets.
Therefore, if there were divisions in the Spell Caster civilization, the situation would be favorable for the Rock Tribe.
"What if Setoh decides to start a civilization war?"
Progenitor Hanra narrowed his eyes as he spoke.
Blackroth laughed in response, and replied, "If he does, then we haven't lost anything. We're already prepared for a civilization war, aren't we?"
Progenitor Hanra laughed as well. This was a good plan indeed. As long as the Spell Caster civilization did not embark upon a civilization war immediately, the resistance among their own ranks would be enough to prevent Wizard Setoh from starting the war.
Nonetheless, Progenitor Hanra knew that the difficult part of this matter was in thoroughly concealing those Ancestor-level Rock Creatures, who must not be discovered by the Spell Casters.
"This is a good plan indeed. If we succeed, Blackroth, I'll see to it that you get to enter the Progenitor's Land one time!"
Blackroth felt a burst of delight. It was only because he had formed a grudge against Merlin in the open territory that he finally now grabbed the opportunity to impose his own selfish motives. The chance to enter the Progenitor's Land was merely an incidental bonus for Blackroth.
"Alright, Blackroth, I'll send a middle rank Ancestor-level Rock Creature and three lower rank Ancestor-level Rock Creatures. Since this plan is yours, naturally, you must go along too."
Blackroth's heart trembled, and his smile froze upon his face. This was not good. If Merlin really died, and those Honored Legends and Lords of the Spell Casters started the civilization war regardless of everything, then Blackroth and the rest would be first ones at risk.
However, Progenitor Hanra had already decided, and Blackroth could only helplessly a.s.sent to this.
"Phew…"
In a room, Merlin opened his eyes, and exhaled extensively. In his hand was a flawless, exquisite, pure white, crystalline bead.
"I've finally transfigured it. t.i.tus, this illusion bead is able to take in a third of the Illusory World?"
The white bead in Merlin's hand was an illusion bead. After receiving the materials for transfiguring the illusion bead from the Arcane Wizard Setoh, Merlin had used seven days, with t.i.tus' help, to transfigure this illusion bead.
Nonetheless, Merlin did not know whether this bead was able to withstand a third of the Illusory World.
t.i.tus immediately shot out a projection from the Illusory World, saying rea.s.suringly, "The materials of this illusion bead are excellent, and the transfiguration went very smoothly. Certainly, it'll be able to take on a third of the Illusory World. Merlin, control the illusion bead first, then I'll help you sever a third of the Illusory World. This would need to be supported by that tremendous Mind Power of yours!"
Merlin nodded seriously. Detaching a third of the Illusory World was a great loss to the entire Illusory World. As the one who had personally created the Illusory World, t.i.tus was reluctant to carry out such an act.
Nevertheless, for Merlin to have an additional chance at life during the impending civilization war, t.i.tus could only resign himself to this heartache. After all, if Merlin died, his plan for someone to perfect the Mind Power system and resurrect him would no longer be a possibility.
Merlin retrieved the illusion bead from his ring, following which he mobilized his colossal Mind Power. As the owner of the illusion bead, it was easy for Merlin to control the entire Illusory World.
It was just that this Illusory World was overly ma.s.sive, so Merlin was incapable of mobilizing it fully.
"Sever!"
After Merlin had perceived the entire Illusory World, he began to control the Illusory World, ready to detach a third of it before moving it into the newly transfigured illusion bead.
This would be difficult to pull off if Merlin was alone, but with t.i.tus' help, it became easier.
Merlin's immense Mind Power was like a force that tore apart the world. It was initially quiet and serene in the Illusory World, but now, the entire place began to tremor, and countless mountains, rivers, and lakes ceased to exist in an instant. It was an apocalyptic scene.
Although the Illusory World was illusory, it was no different from the real word on the Mind Power plane. After all, t.i.tus' end goal was to transform the illusory into reality. At that point, the Illusory World would turn into a real world.
"Rumble."
The entire Illusory World was still quaking violently. The sky crashed down as the ground broke apart as if a giant hand was forcefully tearing the entire thing apart. A ma.s.sive Spatial Gap appeared in the sky.
Merlin's Mind Power was shaking furiously as it strenuously tore apart an Illusory World. He was still unable to do so for now. Luckily, he had t.i.tus' help, who understood the Illusory World the most. Therefore, he was able to help Merlin sever this Illusory World.
"Merlin, quick. Push a third of the Illusory World into the second illusion bead!"
t.i.tus yelled in the Illusory World. Merlin dared not delay. One moment of carelessness and the third of the Illusory World which was torn off might collapse. At that point, all of Merlin and t.i.tus' efforts would have been wasted.
"Rise!"
Merlin's Mind Power was like two hands, holding up a third of the Illusory World as it gradually left the illusion bead. Following that, the Illusory World was forcefully pushed into the second illusion bead by Merlin's Mind Power.
After the third of the Illusory World had entered the illusion bead, it slowly calmed down. Nonetheless, when he saw the scene of destruction in the Illusory World, Merlin could not help but gasp in surprise at the marvel of the Illusory World. This Illusory World was just like the real world. Although it was shaking, as long as it could be stabilized, it would slowly recover. However, it would continually affect the "living beings" in the Illusory World.
"t.i.tus, I should condense the Mind avatar next, right?"
Merlin's voice revealed his nervousness. According to the steps for transfiguring a Mind avatar that t.i.tus had given him, this was the final part which was also the most crucial.
He must fuse his Mind Power with the illusion bead, and with that, transform the Illusory World in the illusion bead into a Mind avatar of his own.
"You may begin! In truth, if it weren't for your inability to fuse the Illusory World completely into your Awareness, there's no need to go through so much trouble. You could have directly severed the Illusory World and create countless Mind avatars. Think about it - when you're accomplished at the Illusory World, you can instantly create a Mind avatar whenever you're in danger in order to withstand any fatal attacks. How frightening is that? It's just a shame you're unable to merge the Illusory World into your Awareness, and can only use the illusion bead as an external medium, so your efficiency in creating a Mind avatar is much lower."
t.i.tus spoke somewhat powerlessly.
"Accomplished in terms of the Illusory World?"
Merlin shook his head. This was too far ahead that it was not even realistic because even t.i.tus was unable to complete the Illusory World. Merlin did not think he would be able to do so that easily.
Therefore, no matter how terrifying his powers would be after being accomplished at the Illusory World, this was all a pipe dream to the current Merlin. It was more practical to transfigure a Mind avatar for now.
Therefore, according to t.i.tus' steps, Merlin separated a portion of his Mind Power and forcibly fused it into the Illusory World. His force filled every corner of the Illusory World.
"Hum hum hum."
Suddenly, the illusion bead began to tremble, following which a "Spell Caster" that looked just like Merlin appeared before him.
"We've done it? Even his life force is the same. Not even I can tell the difference!"
Merlin looked at this other "Merlin" before him, and was stunned to his core.
"You must've done it. From now onward, I'll be Wizard Merlin's avatar!"
The wondrous thing was that Merlin's Mind avatar possessed independent speech as well. In fact, this avatar was controlled by Merlin's Mind Power. A conversation like this was equivalent to Merlin talking to himself.
This sensation was one that gave Merlin an odd feeling.
