Alice in the Land of Steam

Everything in the world is the master of magic, except humans, who are not favored. Therefore, they decided to transform the world with their own hands. The Eden Project of the Witch Society was born with this concept. In their conception, only by completely eliminating magic and all the problems caused by the inherent imbalance in the distribution of magic can the strong and the weak return to the same starting line and create a world where all beings are equal and there is no essential difference. Humans, a race not favored by magic, have been chosen to become the creators and pioneers of the new world. They will rely on their agile minds and strong bodies to lead civilization to another bright future.

From potions to magic, from magic to wizardry, the human race's dependence on magic power has gradually weakened, but civilization has not declined, but has become stronger. This is enough to prove that the concept of the Witch Association is extremely correct - but the high-rise built on this foundation will eventually collapse. If the iron rule that "humans are born without magic power" is broken, then will the Eden Project still be the only path that is beneficial to mankind as all members of the association believe?

Even if we put aside the concept, in terms of actual action, if we still insist on the Eden Plan and want to create an environment on the Mirror Star where there is no magic, then the enemies that the association wants to eliminate will no longer only include the alien demon, the pagan false god, the extraordinary or the magician, but even include humans themselves - because every human, whether they are royal nobles of noble birth or homeless orphans begging on the street, undoubtedly have the potential for magic, their souls are the same, there is no difference. Humans will always be a part of magic activities and cannot be isolated from this environment.

But exterminating humanity? Is that possible?

Bai Long found it ridiculous just to imagine it, and at the same time somewhat pathetic. He laughed at himself for the misguided efforts made by countless members of the society, including himself, on this path. His colleagues, who had devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the magic research project with great enthusiasm since the establishment of the Eden Project: Copernicus, Bruno, Charney, Martha, Messiah, Tacitus, Lenoir... their efforts seemed destined to be in vain.

"Stop?" Tiantis tilted his head slightly, with a bit of caution and doubt in his tone: "Do you think we can stop now, Bailong? The Eden Project has invested not only the hard work of scientific researchers like you, but also countless money and manpower. Do you think that I can make the Western Continent countries recall their troops in the Eastern Continent with just the two words 'stop'?"

"That's not the point, Tiantis. The point is that no one can destroy himself."

Bai Long emphasized, "Money and manpower are not important, and the colonial war in the East Continent is even less important. What is important is how we should re-evaluate the value of the Eden Project and seek a new way out for it. If there is a way out, I think most people don't mind temporarily sacrificing their interests in exchange for longer-term development. Fortunately, we do have a good way out."

"Escape? What do you mean?"

"Magic." Bai Long uttered two words gently. "Associations simplify the magic structure, transfer the extraordinary power from individuals to tools, deprive magic of its extraordinary attributes, and use it as a pure energy source to promote the development of social science and technology. This idea has been proven to be feasible. We can still continue along this path. Its only shortcoming is that even if the threshold of magic devices is lower, they still need to be used by magicians who inspire spirituality. But now we have proved that every human has magic in the soul. In other words, every human has the qualifications to inspire spirituality, so the threshold of the magic road no longer exists. Next, we should not cut off magic, but promote it. Externally, we still promote colonial wars and establish associations. We can also relax the standards and accept some individuals who are willing to abandon traditional magic and embrace magic. This is also to maintain the overall balance of the magic environment. If we can't completely destroy it, we should at least maintain its minimum standards, so that some harmless aliens and demons can be preserved. Internally, we should shift the focus of research to the development of magic technology, and focus more on the development of civilian fields. Some projects that effectively improve people's lives can help them better accept this new social trend. What I can think of is to replace the originally planned electrical age with magic devices, and promote cheap lighting systems, transportation systems and public utility systems..."

"The Age of Magic?" Tiantis interrupted his story.

Bai Long was stunned for a moment, then nodded firmly: "The Age of Magic - the magic power belonging to mankind will eventually shine."

"Did you come up with this on your own?"

"After the research results came out, I discussed it with Fei and some colleagues who participated in the project."

“As expected.” Tiantis couldn’t help but laugh, but there was no smile in his eyes: “You all really possess the greatest qualities of a scientific researcher.”

"Seeking truth? Being pragmatic? Being rigorous?" Bai Long guessed one by one. People have many stereotypes about scientific research, but few of them seem to fit the current situation. "Or do you want to say, imagination beyond logic?"

"It's naive."

Tiantis pressed the knight chess piece in her hand onto the chessboard, making a crisp sound. Then she looked up at the stunned Bai Long and shook her head in disappointment. "You said so much, but you never seemed to consider that the extraordinary properties of magic power cannot be completely taken away. As long as it is still a symbol of the law, can be directly absorbed by the soul, can transform their body and mind, and can give them great power and extraordinary lifespan... then life will pursue it desperately, because they are selfish in their hearts. The magic age that everyone can enjoy seems beautiful, but how can it compare to the temptation of dominating everything and being immortal?"

Bai Long was speechless. He had never thought of this loophole, or rather, he didn't want to think about it. He opened his mouth and quickly came up with a solution that was not a solution: "How about using noble morality and absolute laws to constrain? A supreme will can guide the souls of all people, just like the philosopher king mentioned in the alien culture..."

"Who will constrain them?" Tiandis narrowed his eyes and said aggressively: "Who has the qualifications to constrain them?"

"We may be able to form an association. We have absolute power and idealism..."

"Idealism?" Tiantis sneered: "Idealism cannot withstand internal corrosion, and absolute power may not be able to resist the pervasiveness of desire. Don't forget--"

Don't forget how Eden was destroyed. This sentence could not be said.

"Don't be so naive, Bailong. This is not your character." Tiantis said, "Tell me, do you really want to believe in human rationality? Or do you want to believe that one day their desires will break through the threshold and pursue a cruel ambition? As early as the ancient times, the god of disaster Abraham had discovered that he could strengthen himself by devouring the bones of his own kind. He was the student of that man and one of the twelve saints who led civilization. But when he ate people, did he show any empathy and restraint as a human being?"

"If not, what should we do?"

Bai Long closed his eyes and shook his head in frustration: "Should we continue with the Eden Project? But humans cannot destroy themselves. We have always insisted on taking this path, not to lead civilization to the abyss, but to give it a new life."

"Why not?"

Tiantis interrupted Bailong with a rhetorical question, and then said meaningfully under his incredulous gaze: "There are many ways to be reborn. We can choose the most thorough one."

"What are you talking about, Tiantis!?" Bai Long blurted out, not caring how offensive it was to the leader of the association to call him by his name. This was a completely subconscious reaction. He couldn't believe that Tiantis could have such a crazy idea. In fact, he even had the illusion that he was dreaming for a moment, but the twitching of his heart was personal. The sharp and hard pain was passing through his pupils, and his astonished expression seemed to merge with the shrinking irises: "We have no reason to do that - no, there is no need to do that! Your idea is too radical, and it may even push the association to destruction!"

He was stunned when he finished speaking, and then he felt a great emptiness. It was really ironic. He had just vowed that the Witch Society was invincible, but he turned around and began to question the founder and leader of the society, who was also the backbone in fact, and questioned whether she would lead this oldest, most mysterious, and most unrivaled organization in the history of civilization into the abyss of destruction. This drastic contrast was a manifestation of dramatic conflict, but it was also the worry that Bai Long had been buried deep in his heart, because he was not as confident as he seemed, and he had long seen through the fatal weakness hidden under the powerful appearance of the society - secularization and politicization.

In order to smoothly implement the Eden Project and its complementary projects such as the Steam Project, the Magic Project, and the Colonization Project, the Society changed its early style of only extending olive branches to idealists and recruited secular talents to expand its influence. From an arbitrator in the Inquisition to a philosopher in the Witch Council, they all painted a picture of a beautiful new world where only humans exist and are dominated by humans. This certainly inspired their enthusiasm and motivation, but it also gradually distorted this enthusiasm and motivation into fanaticism, like animist religious believers. It's just that religious believers are fanatical about their beliefs, while these people are fanatical about the future of mankind, and regard themselves as the protectors and martyrs of human civilization. Therefore, it is not unreasonable for some people to think that they are extreme human supremacists.

As for politicization, let alone, more than three quarters of the sovereign states in the Western Continent have participated in the colonization plan jointly led by the cult; the emperors, prime ministers and queens of the three major powers in the Western Continent each hold a seat in the Witch Council; all countries are secretly coveting the power and talents of the Witch Society, weak countries plant spies in the name of exchange and learning, and strong countries directly win over apostles and philosopher-level members. If it weren't for the strong suppression of the leader and the seven witches, I'm afraid all kinds of interest groups would have been formed long ago. They all come for profit, and they all want to take their own piece of the pie in the upcoming new world, but you want them to destroy themselves?

They only destroy those who are not good for them, and then take away those who are good for them. In the past, it was the extraordinary people, then the magicians, three centuries ago it was the continent across the sea, and now it is——

The strongest trees are often decayed by termites, and the strongest fortresses are often collapsed in the corners. Bai Long suddenly shuddered, because he realized at this moment that this was what Tiantis said, the only way to destroy the Witch Society.

So simple, so direct, and so unexpected—so unexpected that no one had dared to imagine such a development before, even until now.

The same goes for Bai Long. He never expected the Witch Society to maintain its original idealism and firm belief forever, but sometimes he was deeply worried that it was corrupting so quickly, as if it had exceeded everyone's imagination. But he was just a researcher, and it was not convenient for him to speak out about the line and policy of the society. Moreover, Tiantis and the seven witches who really held the power of the society did not take it to heart, but let it grow freely. Does this mean that they have seen through this phenomenon a long time ago, but they have a plan, so they are not in a hurry?

This young man who is obsessed with research and only occasionally cares about the affairs of the association tries to guess everything in the best direction, but he cannot ignore one truth: it is unrealistic and irresponsible to put the probability of an event entirely on someone. Because it is possible that the person you expect is the one who caused all this.

"You knew that already, didn't you, Tentis?"

With a smart mind and a special ability to think calmly when facing a desperate situation, Bailong successfully sorted out the cause and effect, so the calmness and indifference shown by the black-haired girl sitting opposite him seemed to become natural. But Bailong would rather not sort out the relationship between them, because that would completely negate everything he had insisted on: "You already know that the power of faith is actually a special kind of magic; you also know that the goddess is not partial, and humans have other ways to go; you even know that no matter our research, or the efforts of the Balance of Order and the Night Watch, can't actually change anything... You already know all this, Tiantis. There is no need to hide anything now. I want to hear you admit it yourself, so at least at this moment, please give me a sincere answer, okay?"

He looked at the girl opposite him with a pleading and expectant look, but the words "please lie" were clearly written in his eyes. Tiantis had never seen him so weak, and no one had seen such a humble and sad posture in the 4,315 years since they met. But the witch could not learn to lie, because reality is cruel, and lies are gentle.

"Yes, Bailong."

She nodded gently and said word by word: "I know everything. I have known it for a long time, and... I have always known it." (End of this chapter)