Ming Dynasty and New Rome and Infinite Magic Machine

Chapter 1717 Scepter
Therefore, she is going to hand over the dragon-head cane to you.

"Is your 'dragon-headed staff' a metaphor or something else?"

[It's a metaphor; that's actually a bird-headed staff, with wings standing on top—that's what I've heard. Of course, you could replace it with a dragon-headed staff if you wanted, since that staff doesn't exist yet.]

"Wait a minute. Are you describing a scepter that doesn't exist? Even if a scepter is a magic wand, as a symbol of power, shouldn't everyone at least know about it first?"

Just like the imperial seal itself is a piece of stone, it became famous precisely because it was used by the First Emperor as the imperial seal of the state. Otherwise, it would just be a piece of jade.

Furthermore, judging from the use of jade seals during the pre-Qin period, a jade seal could not possibly be about the size of a birthday cake; it would probably only be about the size of a box of rouge, with a missing corner. Obviously, someone who doesn't understand jade wouldn't think a jade seal is very valuable.

However, once cultural and historical value is added to them, the value of these things changes dramatically.

Conversely, if no one knows, it would be somewhat inappropriate to call the scepter a scepter—but then again, considering that Amun-Zeus is a god of secrecy, his power might also be manifested in a state of secrecy, even if there is a logical contradiction between the two.

[Actually, there's no contradiction, and the answer is quite simple: what Victoria wants to give you is a genuine Roman imperial scepter assembled from existing scepters.]

"After all that, I still have to assemble it myself."

However, this does make sense. According to the Law of Contamination in the Three Laws of Magic, magic can spread through contact—logically speaking, if the three scepters each possess their own authority, then when they are combined, the stories within them will naturally merge. Just as if someone could forge nine cauldrons into a single colossal cauldron, or forge all the swords in the world into an Iron Throne, history would naturally record this story and imbue it into the newly forged artifact.

Because stories are inherently continuous.

"So it's those three scepters?"

[The scepters of the Senate, the Oracle, and the Muses.]

"Good heavens!" Shang Luo covered his forehead. "I can't possibly get my hands on this thing?"

At least the scepter representing the Senate that Victoria holds can be given to you. And then, the scepter of the Oracle here can be given to you—but do oracles own scepters? I've never seen one before.

“Yes, there are.” Victoria nodded. “It’s natural that you haven’t seen it. You’ve never actually controlled the Oracle, have you?”

That's true. So, the remaining scepter of the Muses is with Helios.

“No, it’s with you,” Victoria replied. “If I’m not mistaken, the scepter belonging to the Muse Palace is the Spear of Apollo, and you’ve already got your hands on it.”

"Good heavens!" Shang Luo's shock reached a new level. "It's a three-in-one?! What kind of thing will it be after it's combined?"

Victoria shook her head: "I don't know either. I only know that there is such a thing—now that we have chosen the final plan, each family should hand over the scepter."

Previously, Victoria hadn't intended to hand over real power to Shangluo because she was still dependent on her father at that time. Now, however, Victoria was moving out of the home where she was born and into her own new home, and the person she had chosen was Shangluo. Naturally, she would also bring the power she had chosen with her.

"Let me ask first," Shangluo thought for a moment, "Once I collect all three scepters, can I merge them by putting them together?"

“That’s not how it works,” Victoria shook her head. “A specific ceremony must be held on a specific day—specifically, on the winter solstice, the three scepters must be brought to the altar on the island of Thera and merged. The merged scepter is called the ‘Three Golden Scepters’.”

At least that's what the book says. As for the specifics, neither Victoria nor Agassiz saw it firsthand, so they didn't know the combined effect. However...
"However, I seem to remember that the scepter had a powerful function—the person who held it seemed to be able to live forever."

"Immortality?"

“Hmm.” Victoria nodded. “It is said that in a distant era, that scepter belonged to a powerful sage. And in a great war long ago, the sage recognized the glory of Rome, so he divided his three scepters into three and gave them to the Roman Empire, thus dividing the Roman Empire into three.”

"Such a wonderful treasure exists!" Shang Luo stroked his chin. "Then why didn't you combine it before?"

“After combining them, there’s only one left,” Victoria said helplessly. “So, who will use the one that’s been combined? Who will be granted immortality? You know, in the Roman Empire, half the population will oppose whatever you do. Not to mention concentrating all the power in the world in one person and granting them immortality. In Rome, calling someone Rex is illegal. Just like if the Golden Bough King were to obtain the Golden Bough, he would gain immense power but also become a target for assassination.”

"Wait a minute, Victoria, I've noticed something. It's true I haven't seen the Oracle's scepter—but have you seen the Senate's scepter?"

"Huh?" Victoria suddenly paused, "That's right, now that you ask, I don't seem to know where my scepter is either! What should I do! How do I give my scepter to Shangluo?"

Didn't you give it to him from the beginning?

“?” Victoria suddenly realized, “That’s right, I was the one who sent you to obtain the Golden Branch in the first place. The Golden Branch is the Roman monarchy! That monarchy is already in your hands.”

Shangluo covered his forehead: "I'm starting to wonder when this golden branch split off from the three scepters, and when it was placed in Lake Nemi—but never mind that for now, I need to collect the last one, right?"

He already held two-thirds of the power, so all he needed to do was collect one-third:

They initially followed Shangluo, but never fully followed the divine oracle of Shangluo.

His relationship with the Oracle was quite complicated—Apollonia had long chosen him as her future, but the Oracle did not seem to regard Apollonia as its future, so it had been slow to hand over its staff.

So, they still need to make a trip to the oracle.

"Tsk tsk tsk tsk." Phaethon shook his head.

(End of this chapter)