Chapter 686 (1/2)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“The Goddess of Wealth actually managed to think of a viable solution…”
In the misty darkness, the God of Aristocracy opened his eyes. His eyes had changed over the years. At the start, they were sharp and piercing like the dark and mysterious sea, and they alarmed anyone who saw them. Now, his eyes were more violent, like a dangerous sea in a storm. While there was less depth to them, they remained creepy and scary.
The God of Aristocracy’s body had also become big and strong as if he was trying to suppress something but was unable to. He sat on a golden stage surrounded by black water of a seemingly bottomless depth. Black mist rose from the water. If one were to closely inspect the setting, the evaporation was due to the golden stage absorbing the god’s strength while the water expelled it out.
Outside the pool of water, the God of Diplomacy stood in a silver pavilion that was shrouded by white curtains that could not be penetrated by the mist. Nevertheless, he was careful to use his magic to layer himself with protection. If anyone were to come in contact with even just a drop of the black water, it would greatly affect their magical powers. Unlike the Goddess of Wealth, he did not possess the greatest extent of power and had to take care to defend himself against losing what precious little things he had.
Upon hearing the God of Aristocracy, he nodded and said, “After the plan was proposed, the originally exaggerated tension has now died down. The aristocrats and merchants are now finding allies and are bringing many benefits to the common folk to convince them, which isn’t a bad thing.”
“While the idea is decent, I am sure that it is not the Goddess of Wealth who thought it up.” The God of Diplomacy thought for a while, then said slowly, “The only one who could have thought of this is the Void Mask! That jellyfish never follows common sense; his brain is full of strange thoughts. A large conference combining the upper and lower echelons of society, who else could have thought of it!”
The God of Diplomacy nodded and said, “The lord said that as well! He even told me that if you were unable to think of such an idea, you may have to give up your latest advancement.”
The God of Aristocracy smiled bitterly, acknowledging his situation. “Well, if I couldn’t even handle such a small matter, how can I fight for a more powerful position?”
“That’s true. So what do you plan to do?” the God of Diplomacy asked.
“Create some trouble, of course. If I let them get away with such a solution, I’d look like a fool,” the God of Aristocracy replied coldly. “Help me liaise with the God of Conspiracy, and tell him that I want to spread a rumor. You can claim that the Goddess of Wealth is organizing this conference under the pretense of settling the conflict between the merchants and the aristocrats but actually plans to secretly help the merchants rise up in society and accord them equal status with the aristocrats. That way, the aristocrats will no longer be the elite societal group, and we can exaggerate the situation to include the future, where if an aristocratic family is replaced or displaced, the merchants will then be able to use the conference to weaken them further and reduce their power greatly. In this way, the aristocrats’ power will be lowered, and they may not even be able to compete with the merchants in the future. That’s the rough idea, I think you understand?”
The God of Diplomacy hesitated for a while, then nodded. “I understand. I will tell the God of Conspiracy.” Upon saying that, he thought further and clarified, “Actually, we could settle this situation ourselves. It is not really necessary to involve a third party as if the news spreads in the future, it could ruin your reputation.”
The God of Aristocracy laughed coldly, shut his eyes and said, “My reputation? This is the exact sort of reputation that I want!”
He did not explain further, but the God of Diplomacy understood enough. As a usual messenger among the gods, he did not hesitate further nor try to persuade the God of Aristocracy to change his mind. He just sighed and walked away.
The God of Aristocracy waited until his counterpart had left before reopening his eyes. He gazed into the distance in the direction where the God of Diplomacy had left in silence.