Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 329: The Web of Powers

CH329 The Web of Powers

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”These resources also include secret research conducted by the Association’s multinational committees and research groups,” Zora explained. ”Since these groups aren’t bound by national politics, they can draw expertise from all over the continent. As a result, their findings are often far more valuable, sought after, or all-round more effective than those produced within any single empire, nation, or organisation.”

”These are likely the Machholts’ target,” she continued. ”By helping the Lichters improve their standing, the Machholts would, through the alliance, gain access to resources they otherwise wouldn’t — due to the Association’s strict restrictions preventing misuse by any single power.”

”Not that the top of the Association is clean itself,” Eleanor commented dryly.

Zora nodded in agreement. ”It’s widely believed within our Empire and other major continental superpowers that Elarion’s continued dominance in magical applications is largely due to the Elven Empire’s stranglehold on the Association’s leadership.

”History has shown that it’s difficult — if not impossible — to completely shed the weight of one’s nationality, no matter how pan-nationalist one claims to be. The upper echelons of the Mage Association are no different.

”Having grown up within Elarion, many of its members genuinely believe that the Empire is best suited to handle certain dangerous forms of magical knowledge, while other nations are simply unequipped — or too ’savage’ — to bear such responsibility. This bias — arguably unconscious — has created a situation where the Association grants access to specific research and artefacts to members of the Elven Empire but denies that same access to equally qualified parties from elsewhere.”

”They believe the Elves and their vassal races are more mature in handling such technologies,” Alex added, his tone flat. ”While Dwarves are too magically inept, and Humans are too bloodthirsty or reckless — likely to use that knowledge to start a war.”

”Essentially,” Zora affirmed with a small nod.

”I see... so that’s what you meant earlier,” Alex said thoughtfully. ”The Emperor is using the Lichters and the Machholts to obtain what he wants from the Association — whether for himself or the Empire as a whole. Meanwhile, the two Grand Duchies are using the Emperor’s silence as tacit approval, allowing them to gather support from the Empire’s other powerhouse factions and organisations.”

He leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing. ”A mutually parasitic relationship.”

The two women exchanged glances but chose not to comment.

The struggle for control over the Mage Association wasn’t limited to the Virellian Empire. Across the continent, every major empire had its own invisible hand reaching into the same pot — each trying to shape the future of magic to its own advantage.

The Mage Association was the successor of the ancient organisation founded by humanity’s cultivation ancestors — in cooperation with the other major races of Pangea — to establish the cultivation system that governed the world today.

As flawless as that system now appeared — having granted the Pangeans a clear advantage over the denizens of other planes they’d conquered — many scholars still believed it was not the pinnacle of what the cultivation ancestors had envisioned.

For reasons long lost to history, the ancestors had sealed away certain methods. Perhaps they deemed them too dangerous... or too corruptive to one’s path of power. Yet, despite those warnings, the great empires of today sought them out — believing that, with the modern level of power and knowledge, they might finally be able to control what their forebears could not.

Even if they could not wield those methods safely now, they reasoned, they might be able to in the future. And since one empire’s restraint would not prevent another from attempting to seize that power, none were willing to remain idle.

In the end, every empire was racing toward the same forbidden prize.

’It’s just like the nuclear arms race,’ Alex mused, his gaze turning distant. ’Even when most nations had no intention of using them, they still stockpiled nuclear weapons as deterrents.’

He exhaled softly. As they say, ”It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”

Another thought surfaced. ’And the global race didn’t stop at nuclear armaments either...’

”I’m guessing it’s not just the Mage Association caught in this competition, right?” Alex asked.

”Hmm.” Eleanor nodded. ”The craftsmanship associations are also facing similar struggles.

”A faction from the IronHammer Empire leads the Forgesmith Association. Our Empire dominates the Runic Association. And a faction from EVE leads the Alchemy Association—”

”Wait, what? EVE? Not Elarion?” Alex blinked, surprised.

Eleanor simply nodded.

Zora smiled faintly. ”Interesting, isn’t it? People — including you — often forget that the Amazons aren’t the only major power within the Eternal Valkyrie Empire. With the Dryads and the Dark Elves also present, it’s not strange that EVE holds such influence in the field of Alchemy.”

Alex’s lips twitched in reluctant agreement.

When put that way, it made perfect sense. With the Dryads overseeing herbal production and the Dark Elves managing refinement and synthesis, it was inevitable that EVE would rise to dominance in Alchemy.

”The Craftsman Association is led by the Nearmarch Confederacy,” Eleanor continued. ”I don’t know what started it, but lately the empires have begun encroaching on each other’s traditional power bases. It’s as if someone—or something—is deliberately pushing them into confrontation.”

”You’re saying someone wants to spark a war between the empires?” Alex frowned.

”No, not quite.” Eleanor shook her head. ”It’s more like someone wants to sow chaos—to shake up the established order across the continent. It might result in skirmishes between factions trying to seize the newly opened power gaps, but the true powers behind the thrones will certainly avoid an all-out war.”

”I see...” Alex rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

”There are also lesser intrigues to note,” Zora added, gesturing toward the far end of the hall. ”Look there—that’s the Ice Mount Palace. And opposite it, the Fire Plains City. Those two have been fierce rivals since their ancestors’ time. Currently, they’re...”

Zora and Eleanor seized the opportunity to introduce Alex to the major powers present, weaving through the layers of hidden rivalries and backroom competitions—many of which were completely unknown to the public.

By the time they were done, Alex felt his eyes had been pried open to a far wider world than before.

Until now, he had thought the aristocracy’s territorial squabbles were the biggest threats he’d need to worry about once he began participating in interplanar conquests. But now... it seemed the true dangers extended beyond borders—spanning entire regions and international power blocs.

’Fortunately, Alex mused,’ his gaze flicking between Zora and Eleanor, ’I’m not relying on my wits alone to navigate these murky waters.’

The introductions continued for a while, until at last, all the invited guests had taken their seats.

Then, without warning, the hall’s lights dimmed. A soft hum rippled through the crowd as a single spotlight descended onto the auction floor.

At its centre stood a lithe, voluptuous figure—poised and radiant under the golden light.

An elven auctioneer? Alex blinked, mildly surprised.

But the realisation came swiftly.

While he’d long since grown desensitised to beauty—given how many world-class beauties he’d met since arriving in this world, present company included—the same couldn’t be said for most of the men in attendance.

And considering that the majority of those with control over the purses were men, it was a clever psychological choice. The sight of such a breathtaking auctioneer would ensure few wished to appear stingy—or inadequate—in her presence.

Alex’s musings were cut short by a light tap from Zora. He turned his focus back to the stage just as the auctioneer began to speak.

”Ladies and Gentlemen...”

The elven woman’s lips curved into a teasing smile as she let anticipation hang in the air.

”Welcome, to the Inaugural Gold Festival Grand Auction!”

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