Chapter 46 : Negotiation
Hello everyone ! I hope you're having a good day !
I want to talk about the Téméraire novels by Naomi Novik, today. It's a historical fantasy story set during the Napoleon Bonaparte conquest of Europe during the early 1800s. Modern History isn't something I studied much but I feel the events are pretty close to reality… except for the dragons. Yeah, they have dragons ! The story revolves around a British finding a dragon egg on a ship they sunk. I won't say more : go read it !
Now, as always, please leave a review, comment or send a few stones. Also, please point out any mistake I make since English isn't my first language. I've read quite a few stories on Webnovel that are either badly translated or plain awful to read… I don't want to do that to you guys !
Finally, you can visit my Patréon page by searching for Cathbel on the website. There, you'll find advanced chapters and other stories you might like.
See you all and enjoy the read !
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As the Ancient One asks her question, I tense up, realizing that now was when the true negotiations start. She is like the commissioner of the mystic arts, defending the world from its threats but also policing it so it doesn't get out in the light of day. My guess is, when people don't know they can learn and practice magic, it's easier to control… They'll be less fanatic nut-bags trying to summon a demon to worship, people cursing their enemies with blights and who knows what else !
What I'm planning is… essentially ending the Statute of Secrecy, even though it's not really a thing here. But, perhaps not…
« What I'd like from you… is your blessing. Maybe some help in making this place better ? I was thinking of lending you a few prototypes so that you and whoever you chose can make avatars and visit… As Beta or Alpha testers, so to speak. »
She shakes her head once and says :
« I already know that. You know what I'm afraid of… Convince me that it's a baseless fear. Then, I'll consider it… »
« Hm… » I pause to consider my next words. As things are, I'm afraid she'll refuse to support this project. « I was thinking of revealing I am a… not a mutant ! An Alter-Human. There are so many crazy super-powers that people might believe that what I do is simply an extension of that. It's also somewhat true, even though I've learned a great deal of magic as well… In any case, people will believe what they want to believe. And most of them don't believe that magic exist. If I offer them such an explanation, they'll be content with it. »
At this, the Ancient One has an almost imperceptible smile and says :
« This seems out of character for you… Don't you prefer staying in the shadows as an unknown ? Stepping into the light will make you enemies. Those who are interested in your power, those who fear it and those who simply don't want the competition. Are you ready for this ? »
I am not. Not sure I'll ever be. But I can't say this to her, not at this time. So, instead I tell her :
« It's also why I'm doing this. While power for power's sake isn't what I'm after, I still need it. To protect myself. To protect mom and dad. To protect my friends. This barren place as you called it, in time, will become a great source of power and confidence. At least, I hope so… No ! I know so ! It's how my power works after all. I give words meaning and power, I shape reality ! »
« So, you'll create world, draw power from it and use it to make money… » The woman summarizes. « Who will manage it ? Who will make sure that none of your creation threatens our reality ? »
I shrug and admits :
« As you can see at the moment, there's simply nothing to protect against. Of course, it won't stay that way… I'm working on a… artificial administrator of sorts. But since it'll need a great deal of intellect and initiative, as well as certain safeguards to make sure it doesn't turn evil, it's slow going. I'm actually hoping that the visitors coming here will help in shaping it. Passively, since I don't want nefarious individuals to sway it to their goals. »
« You want to create… a god ? » She asks, half-disbelievingly.
Another shrug.
« I don't know if I'd call it that. I mean, I might have a bit of a god complex because of my power, but I'm not sure even I can accomplish such a thing… »
She looks at me for a while, silently. It's a little unnerving to be honest. She's a woman who's protected the Earth from mystical threats of all kind. At some point during her long career, she must have done things some would consider… morally questionable. Like pretty much anyone in a position of power. Is she considering me trouble ? And if she is, is she pondering whether or not to do something… permanent, in order to end the trouble ?
Come on, Nate ! I think to myself. Stop daydreaming and focus !
In the end, she waves her hand.
« Never mind. You've mentioned something earlier… I think it was beta testers ? What did you mean ? »
« Oh ! Hm… » I pause and consider my answer. « Do you know video games ? » Her only answer is a raised eyebrow and a look that says : « Are you serious, right now ? »
Okay, she does. Another question, then :
« Do you play ? »
She tilts her head and says :
« Very rarely. Why ? »
« Well… There's this thing video game studios do when they develop a game. They hire testers in order to find out the glitches, experience the storyline, gameplay etc… And then, the testers give reports about it. Basically, that's what I want your help with. You can also think of it as a way for you and the Order to keep an eye on the dimension ! »
We continue to negotiate like this for a while before she says :
« Let me think about it… » She turns around and waves her hand in a circle before she realizes… « How do I get out of here ? »
« Right ! That's where the safe word you've written at the end of your character sheets comes in handy. Just say it out loud and then add End dream. »
She does as I told her. I believe her safe word is a phrase in an extinct language. One I do not recognize. After she says the disconnection code, her avatar starts to fade away…
Soon, I'm alone in my dimension. I look around at the empty plains and can't help but picture its future. Animals roaming the lands, hunting, foraging, copulating or simply being. Tribes of people traveling and exchanging, fighting sometimes. Civilization rising and falling. Beliefs being born and forgotten. Humanoid species coexisting in symbiosis, living apart or warring each other.
A smile stretches my lips :
« I can't wait ! Anyways, let's wake up for now… Creative mode, End Dream ! »