Chapter 280 The Ambition of the Dwarves
Aiwass and the dwarf Magnethammer got along very well and soon became brothers.
Both Haina's father and Aiwass were at the third level, though one was a blacksmith and the other a priest. They shared the same path of devotion and similar personalities, so they had something in common.
Aiwass didn't know much about dwarves. It was only through Magnet Hammer's conversations that he gradually understood why the conflict between dwarves and elves was so intense.
Both elves and dwarves are races that focus on the path of devotion and believe in multiple gods. It is precisely because of this that there are such intense and irreconcilable racial conflicts - just like the Avalonians and giants, the Moon Children and werewolves.
However, Sizhu is the oldest pillar god in the Path of Devotion, unlike the Path of Authority and the Path of Love, which have changed their bosses.
But even so, following the same path but following different gods at the end of that path... heretics are more hateful than pagans.
Blacksmiths of the Path of Devotion belong to the Flame Celestials, just as the Fallen Celestials control Demonologists. Demonologists, whose power comes from the Fallen Celestials, are naturally hostile to Curse Mages, whose power comes from the Serpent Father.
The second most powerful deity of the Path of Devotion, Yan Tiansi rules over the realms of fire, steel, and forging. His power is like fire, and he continues to grow stronger.
Because with the development of the times and the progress of the industrial revolution, she has been actively devouring - or assimilating - other celestial officials and apostles of the path of dedication. The scale of her domain is still expanding.
Aiwass remembered that she would soon gain the power of "steam," and in about four or five years she would continue to move towards "guns" and "machines." By version 6.0—the version when his adoptive father became boss—the dwarves, who had been dormant for many years, would enter the world on a large scale.
Flames will spread and rise, and Yan Tiansi also has the power to transcend the Tao.
It was because Crown Tiansi, who once possessed transcendent power, defeated the Supreme Heaven and became the Silver Crown Dragon... Even though Sizhu and the elves were involved in this process, Flame Tiansi was also feared by the elves.
After all, this has happened before, and it's a proven path. Nothing is impossible.
From the perspective of the older generation of elves, those celestial beings who possess transcendental powers are extremely dangerous.
Because ever since the Beast Master "resigned" and Supreme Heaven "left", the world has become much more peaceful.
There are no more dangerous monsters everywhere in the wilderness that attack everyone and even directly attack towns. There are no more maniacs in the world who ignore laws and morals and kill, eat, and injure people at will just to show off their strength.
Although there are still wars, the world is generally a better place.
The elves now simply wished to maintain the status quo—unlike the Beastmaster and the Supreme Heaven, the nine existing Pillar Gods were relatively friendly. Therefore, in a stable environment, any change would be detrimental.
——This is where the elves’ strong hostility towards the dwarves comes from.
Because the dwarves didn't just believe in Flame Celestial Being. They believed in a total of six gods, including Shadow Celestial Being of the Path of Love, Rock Celestial Being of the Path of Dusk, and Ring Celestial Being of the Path of Transcendence... all of them Celestial Beings, not a single Pillar God.
Judging from what Brother Magnethammer said, Aiwass noticed that the dwarves were very keen on strengthening their gods and were proud of it.
It's quite weird and very curly.
Because in this world, faith does not bring power. Whether it is an apostle, a celestial official, or a pillar god... these high-level phantom demons do not need believers.
If they respond to rituals or grant power, it is because they themselves are interested in it and are willing to help mortals. Because of this, belief is essentially a personal freedom... That is why the elves worship the nine pillars at the same time.
Because everyone naturally has their own tendencies, preferences and needs, and the Ennead Gods are equal.
There is no path that is more powerful or more sacred - if this concept is promoted, it will only cause meaningless wars among believers, and they will act completely on their own initiative without any recognition or help from the bosses above.
It's like a fan out of control.
If the Supreme Being still existed, the situation would be different. He himself embodies the concepts of "rule by force" and "doing what one pleases because one is the strongest," which is why the giants eat all other races, including the elves.
—But dwarves are different from all other races.
“The purpose of our faith is to be rewarded.”
Magnet Hammer said without shame, even proudly: "Because what we give to the gods is not just respect and glory, but real power! This is much more real than those long-eared ones!"
Dwarves have a strong sense of race.
They will consciously believe in those celestial officials or apostles who do not belong to the Nine Pillar Gods, especially those with fewer followers or weaker strength, and then use the strength of the entire tribe to help them ascend higher over thousands of years or even longer.
The purpose is to get better returns and clearer preferences.
A wise king will eventually leave them, and powerful military forces and technology will be surpassed by other countries. Even if they rule many territories, they will eventually be divided; even a glorious history may be gradually forgotten by future generations.
In the vast dimension of time, everything could potentially vanish into nothingness, and all inheritances might not be passed down.
"But only the gods are immortal."
The dwarf raised his fist solemnly and saluted the void.
Although faith will not make gods stronger, there are always ways to help them.
For example, some extremely complex and spectacular ceremonies can be held in the material world, or certain concepts can be allowed to flourish or wither away in order to strengthen or weaken this concept.
This is useless for the Ennead Gods, but it is useful for the Celestial Beings and the Apostles.
The higher-level phantom demons are all intelligent.
Even if the dwarves are a bit of a bootlicker, they will have a reaction if they are licked for thousands of years - at least they will definitely not be able to adapt after being away from them.
Some were grateful for the favor, some were deeply moved, and some were fair trades... but in short, the dwarves really got what they wanted. The gods they now revere all clearly favor the dwarves. And the dwarves waited for one of them to ascend to the rank of Pillar God.
——Dad, I don’t want to work hard to become a first-generation rich man anymore. Otherwise, please work hard to make me a second-generation rich man.
...That's also an idea.
In order to maintain the purity of its own stance, there are not many temples dedicated to the Nine Pillar Gods within the Eternal Frost Empire. Even if there are any, they are all "specialized temples." They are utilitarian temples that worship a single god for a specific purpose.
Because it's so utilitarian, it's more of a job than a belief...and a job based on belief. It's the kind of family-run business that employees are proud of.
Aiwass finally understood why the elves considered the dwarves an "evil race." Because of the transcendental nature of these celestial beings, the stronger they became, the more anxious the elves became; while the dwarves were still steadfast and persistent in helping their leaders grow—their purpose was self-evident.
Other races will also seek the protection of some celestial beings to some extent, but certainly not as ruthlessly and utilitarianly as the dwarves - they are not simply worshipping these celestial beings, but "investing" in them.
They were not to become Avalonians, but to become Griffins.
They are not the people of the Pillar God, but the favorites of the Pillar God.
...and according to Aiwass's glimpse into the future, the dwarves' plan was indeed successful.
In the current version, many elves will even turn around and leave immediately when they see dwarves on the road.
Therefore, if there are many dwarves in a region, there is a high probability that no elves will go there to travel and spend money. Also, because elves are rich, many dwarves are discriminated against by other races.
And when this hatred was chained back, it caused many dwarves to dislike the elves.
Although this state of mutual dislike cannot be called hatred, and no racial war has been initiated, regional discrimination has already reached its peak.
Although there are blacksmiths among the elves, they do not prohibit the use of the power of the Celestial Gods. They only require that the Nine Pillars of God be respected first and foremost.
In the eyes of the dwarves who have not yet made a name for themselves, this is the elves' arrogance and their contempt for their own race's beliefs - but in fact, the dwarves also recognize the elves' strength and nobility from the bottom of their hearts.
Therefore, these elves who follow the same path as the dwarves are regarded by the dwarves as "the rare normal people among the elves," "the good elves who are not arrogant and can communicate with each other." In addition, the human blacksmiths who inherit their skills from the elven blacksmiths will also become "their own people" in the eyes of the dwarves.
"That's why you raised Haena and Jack..."
Aiwass suddenly realized: "Is that why you taught your skills to Jack? And why you didn't want Haina to go to the capital?"
"Not really, brother."
Magnetic Hammer stroked his beard and answered sincerely, "I really don't have a wife or children. She saved my life, so I have an obligation to help her.
"But I really don't want Haina to go to the capital—even if she doesn't inherit her father's adaptability to the Path of Devotion, can't she just be an ordinary person? Or maybe I have professions in the Path of Dusk here... It's rare that the power of the Path of Dusk is so strong here."
The dwarf said angrily.
Aiwass asked casually, "By the way, what's Haena's mother's name?"
The dwarf looked at him in confusion.
"Isn't that Haena's mother?"
……Um?
Aiwass was stunned for a moment.
Then the dwarf reacted and explained, "Many villagers in this village don't have names...except for the children born in recent years."
"No...name?"
This time Aiwass was completely surprised.
(End of this chapter)
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