Chapter 846: God of Magic's Silver Fire

Having received Lei En's guarantee, the God of Magic nodded in satisfaction.

Lei En was also excited.

In fact, the moment the saintly avatar of the God of Magic descended, he knew the other side had consented.

All that was displayed today—the statue of the God of Magic, the Temple of Wisdom, and the Academy of Magic—were not the decisive bargaining chips; what truly secured the God of Magic's agreement was the Five-Year Plan!

Two months ago, the first Five-Year Plan of the Augustus Principality was completed.

The results were remarkable, far exceeding the target!

The principality made a great leap into the steam age, undergoing an industrial revolution, with productivity exploding. Under a planned economy, the people's living standards rose dramatically, and the state poured countless funds, ushering the populace toward modest prosperity. By solidifying a popular base, an education system organized around schools spread the God of Magic's teachings, established Wizard academies, and guided people to revere the goddess.

In just five short years, half of the Augustus Principality's population became believers of the God of Magic.

Although the total population was modest—only about three million—the faith power it supplied could match that of a kingdom with tens of millions of people.

And it will only increase from here.

The Zhuogeng Fortress Principality north of Augustus, also subtly influenced, saw Queen Emilis covertly cooperate; a portion of its people have abandoned the Dragon God and turned to the God of Magic.

Zhuogeng Fortress Principality quietly built schools.

In fact, they were temples of the God of Magic.

At the same time, Lei En dumped industrial goods into other principalities, seizing their economic lifelines, gradually eroding hearts. The more than thirty million people of Kangjiatuo's seven great kingdoms will, within fifty years, inevitably become believers of the God of Magic.

The God of Magic was very pleased with this.

Lei En used the occasion of submitting the second Five-Year Plan to hint that he could achieve even more, better. The Augustus Principality was merely a testing ground; if the plan were expanded to the Empire, it could cultivate far more believers for the goddess and supply massive faith power.

But the prerequisite for executing the plan is that he must seize supreme authority over the Empire.

Having only the Supreme Council's support is far insufficient; the Council could become a hindrance. He needs an unequivocal, absolute ruling authority.

The God of Magic understood immediately, but did not reply at once, saying she needed to consider it.

Until today.

Lei En kept adding layers of incentive, and finally she nodded.

The God of Magic floated over, a sphere of Silver Fire coalescing in her hand. Her eyes shone with divine light as they illuminated Lei En's head. After a glance, her brows knit in displeasure as she asked, "Why are you still a shallow believer?"

"This…"

Lei En felt awkward inside, not knowing how to answer.

He had read *The Road to Apotheosis*; the book recorded that mortal believers in the Ai Lun E Si world were divided into categories according to their degree of faith in the deities.

The lowest tier is the non‑believer, who has no faith at all, followed by heterodox believers who worship other deities; neither provides any faith power and has no effect on the deities.

In the eyes of the deities, non‑believers are the most shameless, worth nothing, and must be spurned.

After death, a non‑believer's soul lacks divine protection; the vast majority fall into the Abyss, becoming minions of evil gods, or simply dissipate. However, Ai Lun E Si has very few non‑believers; those who exist are either stubborn, fearless ordinary folk or exceptionally powerful transcendents.

Slightly better than non‑believers are heterodox believers.

They are potential believers who may develop into new adherents, possessing some value, but can be abandoned at will when needed.

Meanwhile, pan‑believers who worship multiple deities hold genuine value for the deities, because they provide faith power.

Though few, they are better than none.

Regardless of which deity's divine power, it is accumulated bit by bit from faith power and never considered insufficient.

Shallow believers are similar to pan‑believers, offering little faith power; the difference lies in the number of deities they worship—one worships many, the other only a single deity.

Deities naturally prefer shallow believers who worship only them, as a believer's faith power is limited and they do not wish to share it with other gods.

Most people in the world are shallow believers.

When their own interests are at stake, shallow believers commonly sever ties or switch faiths; they pray infrequently, perhaps once every few days, often perfunctorily.

Above shallow believers are loyal believers.

They are extremely loyal to the deities, praying punctually each day and acting according to the divine teachings. Loyal believers generally never switch faiths unless forced by a life‑threatening situation. They form the backbone of the church, supplying more than half of the deities' faith power.

Only fanatical believers can provide more faith power.

They are zealots, praying multiple times a day, with every word and deed strictly guided by doctrine; their purpose is to give everything to the deity, even their own lives.

One fanatical believer can supply faith power equivalent to ten loyal believers or hundreds of shallow believers.

However, fanatical believers are too few; their faith power accounts for less than half of the total.

Deities usually grant fanatics power, appointing them to high church offices or even the papacy, selecting the most favored as their mortal emissary.

That is the Divine Chosen!

Throughout the Empire, everyone assumes Lei En is the God of Magic's Divine Chosen, even the Seven Sisters, Dukes of Silver Star, think so; in reality, he is not.

He is merely a shallow believer.

He can deceive others, but not the God of Magic; she sees through him at a glance.

"Lei En, what's wrong with you?"

The God of Magic clearly was displeased, asking coldly, "You pray to me every day, and I respond each time; is that still not enough for you to accept my teachings?"

Cold sweat broke out on Lei En instantly.

The pressure was enormous!

In plain terms, the piety of faith is simply acceptance of a deity's teachings and willingness to give more; shallow believers rank very low in this regard and may switch faith at any moment.

Lei En also wishes to be more devout, praying earnestly each day.

But as an heir raised under the red flag, he cannot convince himself to devote his whole being to a "god." Even though the gods of this world wield supreme power, they possess varied personalities—joy, anger, sorrow, and so on—and are essentially "people," merely wielding great strength.

Since we are both human, on what grounds do you consider yourself superior?

When I also master great power, perhaps even surpassing you, will you then have to revere me as a god?

All along, Lei En has treated the God of Magic as his employer, even a client; their dealings are fair, at most showing extra courtesy, and occasional "flattery" is simply to gain more benefits from the goddess.

But you're not my wife; why resort to boundless kowtowing?

Faith is something that comes from the heart; if one's heart does not agree, no amount of pretense can mask it.

This still matches the God of Magic's temperament and teachings with Lei En's worldview, so he is relatively agreeable; with any other deity he wouldn't even qualify as a shallow believer.

Lady.

Lei En couldn't explain, so he gritted his teeth and replied, "I will pray more in the future, increasing to three times a day."

The God of Magic gave him an expressionless glance and said, "No need."

"I originally intended to grant you Silver Fire and formally announce your elevation to Divine Chosen, but since you are only a shallow believer, you have no right to become my Chosen One." The Silver Fire in its hand dissipated, and it said lightly, "That is your loss."

Lei En's face showed deep regret as he lowered his head, "I humbly beg the Lady's forgiveness."

In truth, he breathed a sigh of relief inside.

Most Divine Chosen are fanatics, such as the Silver Star Duke and her sisters. To a deity, fanatics are the true insiders, fully trustworthy.

Only a very few Divine Chosen are loyal believers; that is the minimum standard.

No deity will allow a shallow believer to become its Chosen One; elevating to Divine Chosen consumes massive divine power, requires constant communication with the deity, and grants possession of part of the deity's secrets.

If a Divine Chosen is turned and changes allegiance, not only does it lose those divine powers, but it may also have its weaknesses seized by an opposing deity, who can use the traitorous Divine Chosen against itself.

Even though Lei En made such a great contribution, the God of Magic is unwilling to make an exception for him.

"Hm."

The God of Magic let out a cold hum, almost as if the words "angry" were written on its face.

It stared coldly at Lei En, making the area behind him damp.

The mysterious Silver Fire, Lei En had heard of.

He saw the Silver Star Duke and Storm Queen use it, and also learned some of Silver Fire's powers from his lover Kuilu.

Its true name is "Magic Secret Fire", derived from the God of Magic's divine power. It can grant universal super affinity, amplify spell damage, dispel magic, disperse barriers, pierce defenses, absorb enemies' magical energy and convert it into healing, among other effects, and many further applications can be developed. Only the God of Magic's Chosen Ones are qualified to be granted Silver Fire.

A caster who obtains Silver Fire at least doubles in strength, able to match two or three legendary Elements!

But Lei En is not interested.

Silver Fire wouldn't cause a qualitative leap in his own strength; it's just a legendary Element, and he already has over a dozen legendary Elements, so he lacks nothing.

He fears the God of Magic might change its words and retract the just‑discussed terms, which would be a huge loss.

His own ascension plan would also have to be postponed and drastically altered.

Fortunately, the God of Magic did not get angry and renege, saying, "Don't forget your promise." After that, it did not glance at Lei En again, deactivated the surrounding Soundproof Force Field, its body rose gently, and it was about to return to its Divine Realm.

"See off the great mysterious Lady."

In the plaza, Holy Soul Wizards and the guests bowed in succession, seeing off the God of Magic as it rose into the sky.

Hundreds of thousands of believers also prayed loudly in farewell.

Soon, when the God of Magic rose to a height like a statue, a faint voice echoed in everyone's mind: "Bless my followers; may one day you see yourselves ascend into my Divine Realm, follow me, and together explore the future path of magical truth."

"We shall faithfully follow the Lady's divine edict!" Hundreds of thousands responded in unison.

The God of Magic turned into a beam of light that shot into the rainbow corridor in the sky, then the corridor closed and the void vanished.

The clear sky reappeared, the world returned to tranquility, and people gazed at the towering statue of the God of Magic as if in a dream. If it weren't for the lingering wisdom blessing effect on them, they would hardly dare to believe they had witnessed the goddess's descent.

Lei En finally relaxed completely, a smile spreading across his face.

In the end, the God of Magic could not resist its own temptation; the plan that could cause a surge in faith power, no deity could refuse.

Believers are the foundation of a deity, and also its weakness.

The craving for believers, faith power, and divine power suppressed the God of Magic's fury; indeed, it could only sulk on its own, without even a minor punishment being dealt.

Gods aren't that scary!

Lei En muttered under his breath, feeling proud, his gaze sweeping over the guests below the steps; when they sensed his stare, awe and a hint of curiosity appeared in their eyes.

Even the Holy Soul Wizards were the same.

There was only one exception.

That was his own teacher Anxiwodasi; the old wizard's face showed no abnormality, but his Soul Eye sensed that his mood was highly complicated at that moment.

Storm Queen asked directly, "Lei En, what did the Lady tell you?"

"No comment."

Lei En ignored Storm Queen, waved his hand, restored the projection in the sky, and his voice rang across both shores of the bay, proclaiming loudly, "Everyone, the great Lady has returned to the Divine Realm, but our unveiling ceremony is not yet over."

"Now, Consul Gneus, please say a few words for us."

"Consul, please."

Lei En issued the invitation on the steps, and when Gneus naturally stepped forward, gave his place to him, while Lei En moved aside.

Last night, the chief of staff at He Palace informed Gneus that he would attend, so Lei En had Franca Skia reply, saying that the Consul would be invited to speak on stage today, and he also hinted at some ceremony details and procedures to help him prepare.

Sure enough, Gneus ascended the stage calmly and began his speech immediately.

"May the goddess protect, truth endure!"

He first offered a prayer, then said, "Esteemed Holy Souls, gentlemen and ladies, I am honored to have been invited by Chairman Lei En to attend today's ceremony. To be honest, I am as shocked as you are; before arriving, I did not know the Lady would descend…"

Gneus spoke eloquently on the stage, alternating between solemn seriousness and humorous wit, his content never dull, and he even took the chance to praise Lei En a few times.

Hundreds of thousands listened attentively.

Standing a few steps away, Lei En's Soul Eye continuously observed Gneus. He always felt the Consul might have some issue, but after careful observation for a moment, he found nothing.

Gneus's speech was brief, ending after ten minutes.

At the end, he strongly praised Getan, granting legitimacy to the city, and urged more Empire citizens to come to Getan to help the Empire expand the New Continent.

That was Lei En's main purpose in inviting Gneus to speak, and the other party complied tacitly.

"Enough."

"Since the goal is achieved, that's fine."

Lei En no longer doubted, and when Gneus concluded his speech amid enthusiastic applause, he stepped forward, shook hands and exchanged a few words. The two faced the audience together, remained still, smiles on their faces, allowing the reporters to take photos.

Within half a day, their joint photo would appear on the front page of every Empire newspaper alongside the statue of the God of Magic.

The unveiling ceremony ends here.

Hundreds of thousands of people gradually disperse, and the Temple of Wisdom and the Great Library will not officially open until tomorrow.

Lei En then led the Holy Soul Wizard, the Consul, and the guests into the Temple of Wisdom, touring the exhibits and the Great Library. A few hours later, the tour ended, most of the guests immediately left Gotham City, while Ge Nie Wu Si had already returned to the Empire earlier.

(End of Chapter)