Amatherak's massive head slightly raised in a tiny arc, a simple movement that caused the energy flow of the entire holy land to change, as if the Lord of the Mountains had subtly adjusted his posture and thus influenced the feng shui of the entire land.
His gaze swept past Lind and over the dragons, including Kael'thas, who stood respectfully bowing behind him. It was as if, in an instant, he could read all the important events that had occurred since he fell into slumber from the fragments of memory and life marks flowing through them.
The elders felt a gentle yet irresistible force sweep over their souls, like a spring breeze brushing across the pages of a book, instantly allowing them to read all the contents.
They held their breath, like students awaiting trial.
“…Tiolantis…that restless 'child' created by the Zerdus…”
Amaserak's voice carried a hint of distant recollection and a clear solemnity. His tone was not as if he were talking about a terrifying god who destroyed a civilization, but rather as if he were mentioning a talented but misguided successor, with regret and a subtle sense of responsibility.
"...He ultimately...has come to this...attempting to weave the entire world...into His 'net'..."
He was not surprised at all by the origin of Tiolantis.
“I can sense… the restlessness of the magic network… and the ‘Threads of Fate’ that are trying to cover everything…”
Amaserac's dragon eyes refocused on Lind, his gaze sharpening slightly, as if it could penetrate layers of space and directly "see" the web of laws that was spreading deep within the source of the magic network, radiating an ominous light.
"...You awakened me...hoping to use my 'anchor of existence'...to preserve a pure land in this impending storm of rules?"
"It's not just about preserving the Pure Land, Your Majesty Amaserak."
Lind corrected him, his voice carrying a cold sharpness, like the unsheathed [End of Annihilation], cutting through the slightly heavy atmosphere.
“Passive defense will eventually be exhausted. What we need is a counterattack, to break His absolute control over the magic network, and to find a path for this world that is not bound by the will of a single god.”
His words not only startled the dragon elders, but even in Amarserak's usually calm and collected dragon eyes, a faint ripple seemed to appear.
Amazelak remained silent for a moment, his ancient dragon eyes seemingly filled with the birth and death of countless nebulae, conducting deductions far beyond the comprehension of mortals.
The light within the sacred space seemed to shift and change with his thoughts, and the flow of energy alternated between rapid and gentle, making the entire space feel like an extension of his mind.
Linden felt an unimaginably vast computing power analyzing him, the situation, and countless possibilities, the complexity of which caused his [Deconstruction Aura] to feel a stinging overload.
"...Your ambition...is very great."
After a long silence, He spoke slowly, His voice devoid of praise or criticism, only calm as if stating a fact, “...To defy the Lord of Rules... is tantamount to an ant trying to shake a tree…”
"But if ants learn how to bore into tree roots, they are no longer ants."
Linde did not back down. He raised his hand, and the light and dark energy at his fingertips flowed like miniature star vortices, demonstrating a power that defied common sense yet was undeniably real.
“I do not intend to destroy Him outright, that would be unwise. But I have found proof of His being a ‘creation,’ and I have found the ‘key’ that could interfere with or even partially override His authority.”
He was referring to Triss and the "source code." He deliberately didn't reveal too many details; it was a test, and also a way of holding back his own leverage.
“…Zedo’s legacy…a dangerous dagger…capable of harming the enemy, but also of harming oneself…”
Amarselak was clearly aware of the risks involved; a hint of warning flickered in his ancient gaze, as if to say: Child, you are playing with fire.
"Therefore, we need your wisdom and strength."
Linde spoke up, softening his tone and adding a necessary respect for his elders (though his heart remained as cold as iron).
"The dragons, with their long lives, have witnessed the rise and fall of countless civilizations, and their understanding of the underlying rules of the world is far beyond our reach. We need to know where the key node of the 'Weave of Fallen Gods' lies.' Where is the weakest link in the magic network that Tiolantis has bound herself to? And... how can we truly shake its foundation?"
He raised the most crucial question.
This is a dialogue that transcends the levels of life and the dimensions of time.
On one side are ancient guardians who have witnessed the changes in the world and have become part of history themselves; on the other side are new forces that have mastered forbidden knowledge, intend to challenge divine authority, and are themselves non-human beings.
Amarselak fell silent again, but this time, Lind could sense that the ancient will was no longer merely examining and recalling, but had begun a truly profound process of thinking and weighing the options.
In the sacred land, the slumbering breaths of countless dragons, which were like background noise, seemed to have become much quieter at this moment, as if the entire dragon race was holding their breath and waiting for the decision of their oldest guardian.
A sense of anticipation, almost frozen in the air, filled the air.
The elders, including Kel'Thuzad, were filled with tension and anticipation.
They awakened His Majesty to deal with the crisis, but what will His Majesty choose? Will he approve of this human lord's radical plan? They both yearn for His Majesty to lead the dragons out of their predicament and worry that this will drag the dragons into an even more dangerous and unpredictable war.
Finally, Amazelak's aged yet majestic voice rang out once more, carrying a heavy weight of resolute determination, as if he had made a decision that would shape the future of all time:
“…What you say…is not without merit. The web of rules…is not without flaws…and Theolantis…is not omniscient or omnipotent…”
In His dragon eyes, the light of wisdom accumulated over countless ages began to gather, like the first ray of light illuminating the darkness at the beginning of chaos.
"...I have been asleep for too long...the world has changed...but some fundamental things...have not changed..."
"...The magic network...is the foundation of this world...Tiolandis is bound to it...it is the source of His power...and also His greatest...'coordinate' and 'burden'..."
"...To shake Him...we must start with the magic network itself...not destruction...but...'guidance' and...'diversion'..."
Ancient wisdom is beginning to offer its insights for the challenges of the new era.
An alliance and strategy concerning the fate of the world officially unfolds at the heart of this sacred land of dragons, between an awakened ancient dragon and a lord of light and darkness.
The light of the holy site seemed to become even more resolute and bright, as if responding to this dialogue that would determine the future.
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