[X] You're not going to discuss any potential intervention or nonintervention. Foreign policy should be given directly.
"Look, I'm not going to be discussing any potential intervention or lack thereof. My foreign polices should be told to those it's relevant to, not a random mage I met on the street."
Terry glances at the path beneath his feet and smiles sheepishly. He does another short bow before reestablishing eye contact.
"I apologize, Princess. Still, thank you for the information on your nature. It has been
most illuminating."
[X] But it's not like personal intervention will, for example, end slavery on this world. Elsewhere, when faced with problems of a similar scale, you began a decades-long program of peaceful societal reform by pressuring governments with a solution to some of their problems. He discounted diplomacy, but the right kind of pressures are what will motivate the most change.
-[X] To give an example, it's possible to mass-produce mechanical constructs that do not eat, think, tire, or suffer, which can replace all agricultural labor in an entire state.
[X] Forceful methods are an expedient way to assert temporary control over a situation, but they don't tend towards long-term stability. It's true that you would refuse to ignore suffering in front of you. You also have to temper that by considering what helps the most in the long term.
-[X] Likewise, if others are genuinely trying to make positive changes, you'd probably do more long-term good by helping them than by acting separately.
"I wasn't actually finished," you cheerfully speak-sing.
"See, even if I did go and start intervening everywhere slavery existed, it wouldn't actually end it on this world. You rejected the idea of diplomacy being viable, but I've done this sort of thing before with problems on a similar scale. If you give someone a palatable alternative to continuing something amoral, such as slavery, odds are they're going to take it. I could go liberate the world by force, or I could simply give them mass-produced mechanical 'golems' capable of replacing said slaves. The golems don't eat, think, tire, suffer, or even really die, making them an excellent alternative. If I started giving them out in order of which — ah,
never mind, I almost went into foreign policy there."
You're not even sure your off-hand idea of giving them to the slave-free nations first would
work. Civilization is seldom quick to change.
"Anyway, forceful methods might grant temporary control over a situation, but they're not really great for letting you keep control. If other people are trying to make genuinely positive changes? Helping them is often quicker than doing so separately. Yes, I refuse to ignore suffering in front of me, but it's important to temper short-term interventions with long-term benefits. Destroying is always going to be easier than rebuilding, but that doesn't mean I should go and do that to everything irritating me. I'm trying to not be the thunderbolts-and-smiting kind of goddess."
Terry waits patiently for you to finish, his expression surprisingly static for a Red mage. This time, he waits for a solid five or ten seconds to respond, apparently afraid of 'interrupting' you again.
Oops.
"I understand, Princess Jade. Is prayer a viable method of contacting you even if it is unaccompanied by worship?"
You blink, not having expected this question. Your mouth replies before your brain has time to weigh in.
"Not really. Prayers are good for general trends, not so great for the little things. You should talk to my mother about such matters."
Suppressing a frown, you check your mind for Blue and find none. Seeing Terry's own unchanging expression reminds you that you should probably avoid establishing the habit of hiding your emotions. Mom keeps saying an Agni shouldn't do that, but honestly, you think it might be more important to not be a seemingly-emotionless Red mage.
...And where
are you getting the impressions of what a mage
should be like, anyway?
After a slight pause, Terry allows himself a slightly wry smile.
"Are we referring to the Magebane Golem speaking with the Board of Advisors or the individual standing behind you? Incidentally, if you want to share whatever magic you're using to partition your mind like that, I'm pretty sure our scribes would love you forever."
"I am not using any colored spells to improve my mind," Mom replies placidly.
"I am not Jade's archangel for no reason. Incidentally, either one of my... extensions would be acceptable."
Terry exhales through his teeth and grimaces.
"Right, I'll just go talk with the terrifying hulk of metal and claws, shall I? It'd be the best way to feed info to the others."
You blink. You'd suspected him of being a representative of one of Magnostadt's factions, not a full-fledged councilor or advisor or whatever they're called.
"You're allowed into council meetings?" you ask curiously. Getting the questioning tone across while singing is tricky; you'll have to practice more later.
Terry shrugs, glances around, and lowers his voice to just above a whisper.
"I'm one of the top students. They assume I'll be an advisor one day, so I get to sit in and learn how to govern the city. If I'm going to be brutally honest, I'm mostly learning what
not to do; the underground goi were supposed to be a
temporary source of power initially and an
emergency source later. Instead, it feels like the forestation efforts and other mana-generating projects are getting less and less support with every passing year."
Terry bows and takes several steps back.
"Either way, thank you for humoring me, Princess. I wish you a good day and the best of luck dealing with the more conservative King Candidates."
Terry spins on one heel and dashes further into the academy, the regular
thud-thump-thud of his footsteps vanishing into the distance. You blink after him, decide shouting a goodbye would be undignified, and turn to Mom. You're still not sure what you want to do next, but finding out what you're up against is nice, concrete, and a bit overdue.
"So what are 'King Candidates' anyway? I mean, I know they're the people the djinn choose and empower or whatever, but why do we care? I kinda feel like we should just be able to walk over this entire plane."
Agneyastra Mom places one hand in the small of your back and helps steer you inside, flicking the doors shut behind you with a weakened Celestial Shooter bolt.
"According to the records and reports I've read, King Candidates are irritating individuals wielding powers they do not truly understand, Jade. The djinn they are bonded with provide flight, durability, shielding, offense, and additional senses in a manner remarkably similar to those who use Linker Core magics. They are often provided with some manner of elemental control and can fuel themselves by using the same. Their 'Extreme Magics' have the advantage of being able to hit an area rivaling your own Wrath of God, but come with the disadvantage of a long casting time, immobility during preparation, and a gigantic golden circle forming in the sky during casting."
"...Still not seeing why they'd be a problem? Celestial Lance says 'hi, can we be friends?'"
"They are also granted several abilities, ones possibly imitating the more annoying spells of colored mages. Mass healing, weather control, 'ghost armies' that were likely Constructs, chain lightning, medium-ranged rapid teleportation, mass illusions, reflective shielding, selective intangibility, animated plant life, and space-shearing blades are the reliable examples I have been able to compile thus far. Given the variety available, I find it likely they will be theoretically capable of anything colored mana could accomplish. As such, one Candidate would not be a problem for us. Several working together may begin to complicate matters, if not beyond the point of our own victory—they are infamously durable, but without Extreme Magic, such foes would likely lack a way to do notable damage before a broken Barrier Jacket is replaced. The larger concern is if they choose to go after easier targets, such as Sidhe or your subjects. This world seldom respects the concept of 'noncombatants' and often treats human subjects as something capable of forcing an annoying ruler to surrender.
"Of genuine concern are the so-called 'Magi' of this plane. As far as Magnostadt is aware, the Magi are magicians who can draw upon an infinite wellspring of mana associated with a given color. Presumably, it is merely a massive quantity instead of being truly limitless."
"Carried by the Rukh," you remember. From where, you're not sure.
"So they'll only get so much every minute, but it just doesn't stop. And they're usually provided with some of the other colors by overenthusiastic spirits."
"Noted. The whereabouts and identities of the Blue, Black, and Red Magi are unknown. The Magi of White, High Priestess Scheherazade, is known to lead polytheistic worship in the Reim Empire, the oldest known polity. Reim has at least five King Candidates and may elevate another prince shortly. The Magi of Green, Yunan, is believed to loathe his job and is believed to have begun extensive study of the other colors. Scheherazade is perceived as seldom involving herself in politics, but appears to have a surprisingly large track record of recommending mercy or leniency for enemies of the state and generosity for those struggling through life. While this has been dismissed as something expected of her role, it has nonetheless done a remarkably good job of ensuring the empire remains relatively merciful toward defeated enemies, allowing said individuals to influence the politics of the empire later."
"...So, still not really people we need to worry about?"
"Unfortunately, the Reim Empire, like nearly every other political entity on this plane, has an active slave trade, primarily from conquered states and those defaulting on debts. Unlike most other nations, a significant minority of these individuals are forced to fight in gladiatorial blood matches for the entertainment of Reim citizens. Successful gladiators usually gain their freedom, but those individuals are a mere fraction of those sent in. The severe lack of further financial assistance usually forces even freed individuals back as paid fighters."
"They're basically on our hit list, then? Assuming we can't, li—assuming we can't just give them some exotic toys and make everything OK?"
"Eventually. I would prefer to convert Scheherazade to your own worship before we attempt any sort of proper assault."
"...That sounds like it'd be weird. She's more powerful than I am in some ways."
"As high priestess, her role is more one who leads the worship of all divine beings acknowledged by the Reim Empire. Even having you added to the list would be a significant improvement, especially as your competition appears to be fictional."
"We don't really have a guarantee of that," you feel obliged to point out.
"Absence of evidence is not itself evidence of absence. Provided, I think not having them show up after I'm this loud would be evidence in of itself, but... um, I don't know. Anyway, what's there to do around here?"
"There are ongoing lessons on colored mana among Magnostadt's newest students. More experienced mages are learning about proper safety measures for mana-based experimentation, a history lesson on the various divine beings in mythology—the lecturer appears to believe you're the Magi of Red despite significant evidence to the contrary—"
"I could actually usurp his position if I was OK with the consequences," you interrupt.
"He's not... really..."
You frown and try to review your memories of the last several seconds. You're not sure
what you were thinking. Only that the consequences are something you probably
wouldn't be alright with?
"Sidhe is attending a lecture on illusions that she will likely find more interesting than you do," Mom continues.
"I am currently dealing with Magnostadt's Board of Advisors, but do not require an intervention at this time. I can also almost certainly arrange for tutoring in any subject interesting to you, if at an acceptable cost to your image."
[] Crash the history lesson.
-[] Basically repeat what you told Terry. It worked before, so why not reuse it?
[] Attend the primer on colored mana.
[] Go attend the lecture on illusions with Sidhe.
[] Ask for a tutor on a specific subject.
-[] The traits of colored mana. Being able to speak with someone will be quicker than waiting for a slow class to catch up.
-[] Write-in
[] Write-in
Voting will be locked for 45 minutes after this first goes up.
...And seriously, sleep if it starts getting late where you are. This isn't going anywhere.
