Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 271 Is this a rational decision?
Many inexplicable mysteries in the history of human civilization are clear at a glance if we look for answers from the perspective of mysticism. This may indicate that the inner and outer truths of the world are like the inner and outer appearances of a mirror, and that the seemingly true or false nature can be accurately summarized by using the same or opposite.

How did the Second Kingdom of Brittany rise up in despair, reverse the powerful enemy, and win the Hundred Years' War? How did the great wizard Merlin make his magic system widely known and gradually replace the position of the potion system? Why did the Great Kingdom of Brittany send troops to the two major powers for no reason and launch the War of Rectification in the name of "suppressing rebellion"?
These questions were unknown mysteries in the past, but when they were shrouded in a veil of mystery, they became clear and logical. As a university student majoring in history, Ling felt for the first time that his understanding of the world was so shallow, and this feeling was even stronger than when he saw the magician and the vampire appear in front of him.

"You know the result of the Battle of Rectification without me telling you. What's worth mentioning is the combat effectiveness displayed by the magic army in this battle." Rochelle said, "The actual application of magic weapons in large-scale wars has exceeded everyone's imagination. General Bockne, who was supported by the magic community of the Republic, was defeated in less than a month in the face of the fierce offensive of the magic army. The Republic government had to urgently send troops to support in the name of 'mediation'. The two sides exchanged fire for another month. During the process, General Bockne was beheaded by the secret mobile force of the Dragoon Regiment under the strict protection of several great magicians. This battle was enough to shock the world."

"Grand Duke Mainz of the Mindlias Empire has a chance of winning, because Solomon has pointed out the fatal flaw of the magic army: the supply problem. The use of magic weapons relies on the core metal that stores magic power inside, also known as magic crystal. The production of magic crystal requires a large amount of Orichalcum and Mithril metal. Limited by the productivity at the time, the excavation of these two magic metals within the kingdom progressed very slowly, and the production capacity was limited. Once there was a problem with the transportation route, it would lead to a complete collapse of the war situation. However, the stubborn Grand Duke Mainz flatly rejected Solomon's suggestion and tried to break through the enemy on the front battlefield. In the end, the entire army was wiped out, and even several great magicians who followed the army were captured. Only Solomon escaped by chance."

These were the details of the Battle of Rectification, and Lingge listened attentively.

"How could the Republic and the Empire, who had suffered such a huge loss, swallow their anger? They were ready to mobilize their armies. Originally, according to this trend, this conflict would have evolved into a world-class war involving the three major powers, three systems, and the entire Western Continent. But at this moment, something unexpected happened."

Lingge thought of the history of the surface world and immediately understood: "The Kingdom of Britta took the initiative to ask for negotiations?"

"Yes."

Rochelle slowly lowered her gaze to the marble floor where her feet were standing. Her eyes were actually deeper, and she saw the vast land beneath the floor. "As you know, the Eversummer Palace Conference was held in the city of Dolucien at that time, and now the city of Nimsher. The three parties signed the Eversummer Palace Treaty, formally reconciling. In the treaty, the Kingdom of Great Brittany proposed that it was willing to share some magic technology with the two countries, on the condition that they must terminate their cooperation with magicians."

"I have said before that what the authorities need is not a double-edged sword that hurts others and themselves, but a weapon that is easier to control. The magic army controlled by the state is not an equal choice compared to the free and unstable magicians, so they accepted the treaty without hesitation. This move completely let down the magicians who died in the War of Rectification and was considered to be 'betraying the interests of magicians', which became notorious in the history of mystery in later generations."

"So, in 1205 AD, a steam development conference was also held in Nimsher. On the surface, it was to discuss the innovation and sharing of steam technology, but in reality, it tied steam technology and magic technology together and stipulated that countries, nobles, churches, business associations, and even individuals that had cooperative relations with magicians were not allowed to use these two technologies for any research or production operations. Violators would be arrested by governments and steam cults."

"In 1456 AD, in Nimsher, the Truth and Civilization Initiative Convention was signed. On the surface, it was an initiative treaty against superstition and advocating science. In fact, it was a large-scale academic purge jointly led by the church and actively participated by governments of various countries. Under the banner of 'anti-superstition', all books related to the occult were confiscated, and the public was prohibited from discussing information related to extraordinary people, magicians, and even magic devices. Once they came into contact with similar suspicious people, they would be immediately arrested and detained. Civilian scholars were prohibited from studying 'absurd' magic technology. At the same time, textbooks were revised on a large scale to erase all traces of the occult in history."

"According to the Regulations of Article 26 of the Treaty of Eternal Summer Palace, all wild magicians who are unwilling to obey control will be eliminated, and only magicians who accept control can coexist. The former include cult organizations such as the Blood Red Banquet that are fundamentally mutually exclusive with the surface world, and the vast majority of secret societies that do not want to lose their freedom. The latter include magicians of royal and noble origins, as well as... us."

"In 1412 AD, at the International Law Conference in Nimsher, the Convention on Criminal Law and International Extradition was signed. On the surface, it was to investigate the crimes of international criminals, but in fact it limited the scope of magicians' activities. Magicians who appeared in non-travel areas without legal proof would be regarded as wild magicians. No matter which country they were in or what their identities were, they would be extradited to the two major violent agencies of the Order: the Night Watch or the Scales of Order for judgment. After the convention came into effect, magicians of the royal family and the nobility could no longer use their identities to escape the charges."

"This era is considered the fourth dark age of the mysterious world. It lasted until around 1750 AD. For three hundred years, almost all traces of the existence of the mysterious were wiped out, isolating it from ordinary people. From then on, magic and the supernatural were regarded as legends or stories. Ordinary people lived in the real world constructed by the Night Watch and the Scales of Order, and could not easily access knowledge that went against common sense. The soil for the birth of supernatural beings and magicians was completely wiped out."

Rochelle stretched out her rough palm and gently pressed it against her heart, as if she was pressing on a hard, cold rock. "From that time on, all religious organizations had to register with the national religious belief management department and accept control, and believers of animism were no exception. But everyone knew that this was just a stopgap measure, a compromise they made because they couldn't completely eliminate all magicians in a short period of time. But it didn't mean they gave up. Their pace was always pressing and coercing."

……

No wonder the boundary between the outer world and the inner world is so clear, it turns out that it has been secretly manipulated and modified. Are the cruel and brutal cleansing operations of the Night Watch and the Balance of Order also intended to cut off the possibility of ordinary people coming into contact with occult knowledge?

Linger was thoughtful. "Because it borders three major powers, many international conferences are held in this city. Nimsher's glorious history as an 'international city' hides the tragedy and suffering of countless magicians."

Rochelle said, slowly looking up, looking outside the museum gate. The city's skyscrapers stretched endlessly, and tourists from all over the world gathered here to enjoy the rare things at the World Expo. Only his eyes were so deep and obscure: "The most recent conference was the Religious Development Conference held here in 1775. At that conference, the countries reached an agreement. I think you should know it very well, Mr. Ling."

The young man nodded heavily and whispered its name: "The Convention on the Promotion of Restrictions on False Religions, Cults and Other Illegal Religious Organizations." It was precisely because of the provisions of this convention that governments began to cooperate with religious groups and issued... the "Religious Decree."

"That's right." Rochelle's tone did not waver much, only his usual steadiness and determination: "At first, they only targeted believers of animism, and then expanded to all religions except the United Church. Their purpose is obvious. If we don't resist, we will only end up being destroyed."

"But how can we resist?" Ling Ge couldn't help but ask: "I think that when the enemy is too powerful, giving up is the rational choice."

Not to mention the treaty signed by all the countries in the Western Continent, the union of religious orders alone is powerful enough to make people tremble with fear.

Rochelle turned around and glanced at Lingge: "Yes, giving up is naturally a rational and correct choice, but it is not the most appropriate choice. For believers, being pious and devoted to God is the true meaning of our walking on earth and seeing spirituality."

Linger opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out. Should he continue to persuade, or express his agreement? Either attitude seemed to be against the young man's original intention.

But what exactly was his intention?
"I'm sorry for making you come all the way to Nimsher to listen to my long speech." Rochelle had already turned around, with his back to Lingge, as if he was about to leave. Only the rock-like voice continued to come: "Mr. Lingge, I always thought you were a true believer, and I still think so until now. Maybe you are just confused, or maybe you are just hesitant... I can't give you any help, because every believer has his own god to serve and his own path to walk. The only advice I can give you is that if there is nothing important, leave this city early."

"A whirlpool is brewing, and a landslide is about to collapse. Since you know nothing, you are not the one who must be involved in it. It may be better to walk your own way. Just don't forget--"

He took one last look at Lingge, his brown eyes flashing with meaning: “When everyone is united, then we can achieve our goals.”

"If one day you figure it out and want to stand up and fight against an extremely powerful enemy for your beliefs or something else, then I'm afraid you will need these words."

"Good luck and goodbye."

After saying this, he left without looking back and soon disappeared in the crowded crowd without leaving any trace.

The young man was the only one left there, staring blankly in the direction he left.

A thought suddenly popped up in my mind: That doesn’t seem to be the direction to leave the museum.

　Give me some meow
　　
　
(End of this chapter)