Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 306 The Moon of Madness
"Hey, aren't you just a soy sauce too?" Zhang Da Guanren blurted out without thinking for a moment.

Although she didn't know the meaning of the idiom, Lily could guess it pretty accurately based on the current context. She said irritably, "Do you think people just gossip all day long? You're a mage too. Without daily accumulation and study, how can you control this power? You can't just rely on your talent to live off your past achievements, can you?"

"Then what do you mean by 'prisoner'?"

Having come full circle back to the original question, Lily's expression changed several times before she finally spoke softly:

"The magic of Kaguya's world is fundamentally different from other power systems in this world. Our origins and roots all come from that moon."

"The Mad Moon?"

Lily didn't reply, as if sighing, or perhaps chanting: "He sows, and He reaps; He is the origin and the end."

Zhang Yuan, who had some knowledge of Dota's backstory, lowered his eyelids and pondered for a moment, then a guess formed in his mind: "The Mad Moon has reunited?"

"You're quite quick-witted; people thought they'd have to use a lot of words to persuade you."

Lily glanced at her boss with some surprise, then began to explain the background:
“Long ago, in the beginning of time, our world was not yet called the Kaguya World, and the bright moon hanging high in the night sky was not yet known as madness.”

"Originally known as the Mystic Moon, it was the source of all magic and supernatural power in our world. Its radiant light ignited the flames in the hearts of those who were unwilling to be ordinary, and the ebb and flow of magical tides influenced the change of worldly power."

"Such a literary style, did you read it in a book?"

"Cough," the Ice Maiden choked, and said somewhat awkwardly, "I'm not some ancient monster born in the distant past, so of course I can only read books."

"What then?"

"Two consciousnesses were born within the celestial body, two irreconcilable and diametrically opposed beings. Since they awoke from chaos, almost endless strife and conflict have erupted between them, continuing and spreading outward."

"The magical tide began to surge. At first, people thought it was an auspicious sign, foreshadowing the arrival of a great era. The warnings issued by the ancient God Eater were not heeded."

"But things gradually deviated from expectations. The original order of the mortal world fell apart. Under the radiation of the celestial body, whose form had begun to become unstable, some strange, distorted, and even crazy things began to happen frequently."

"Finally, one day, the Outworld Devourer returned to the surface, taking Zet with him, along with the news that the Mad Moon was about to separate."

"They've come?"

"Yes, the intense conflict between the two wills born from the Mad Moon tore apart the essence of the celestial body. They came to the world through the shattered crystals, and transformed into so-called miracles that were worshipped and protected, which also evolved into the ancient ruins that followed."

"Are you just going to let these ruins exist?"

Zhang Yuan was a little curious, but Lily shook her head upon hearing this: "At the time, everyone thought it was a miracle from heaven. After all, what fell was not an ordinary meteorite, but the source of magic, the original essence of power. The residual effects they radiated were a great blessing to mortals. Who would believe those vague warnings?"

"History changed from there. The once colorful world gradually became only two colors, and the remaining order began to fall under the command of the two huge factions, namely the Radiant and the Dire."

"You are probably aware of the disputes and entanglements that followed."

Lily was implying something.

"It's a long story, so what's the situation now?"

"The war between the two sides has lasted for far too long. Almost every Radiant or Dire ruin has been destroyed, converted, and occupied by the other side. The once clear-cut boundaries have begun to blur, and the once opposing ideologies and factions have also begun to confuse."

"All heroes selected?" Zhang Yuan blurted out. "Is that how it's called in your previous world?" Lily tilted her head and asked back, not waiting for Zhang Yuan's reply, and continued:

"Whether it is Radiant or Nightshade, they both originate from the Mad Moon. In the long process of conflict and collision, they have begun to intertwine and merge again. The people who guard the ruins have discovered that the power projected by the Miracle Crystal behind them is no longer absolutely pure, but is stronger and more complex."

"People began to question their own stance and allegiances, and switching sides became commonplace. However, this wavering of stance did not bring about tolerance and peace; instead, the struggle between the two behemoths intensified until that day arrived..."

"That day? What happened?"

"I don't know." Lily frowned.

"You don't know?" The monk was somewhat surprised.

"That was the day the Mad Moon reunited as one, and the day of His rebirth. No one knows exactly what happened. We may have witnessed it, but the relevant memories seem to have been erased, and we can't recall them no matter what."

"The memories that follow begin with us becoming prisoners of the Mad Moon."

"You've all been imprisoned? Inside the Mad Moon?"

"Most of the relic crystals that fell back then were under His control. He used His former body or placenta to create the prison of Mad Moon once again."

"Even if some of you have fabricated backstories, there must be some truly capable individuals out there. Isn't there any other way?"

“Easier said than done.” The Ice Maiden shook her head. “His existence is the source of mystery, the essence of power, and the foundation of our power system.”

"Moreover, during the years when the Mad Moon disintegrated and fell into relic crystals, people had already become accustomed to the convenient and pleasant way of obtaining power from them."

"This powerful primordial force has permeated our blood and is entwined in the very essence of each of us."

"Then we'll have to pay the price." Zhang Yuan had already guessed what was going to happen next.

"That's right, it's about paying the bill, paying for all of our possessions and freedom."

The Ice Maiden's pretty face was full of bitter smiles.

"Are there no exceptions, no beings that can break free from these constraints?"

"Not entirely. There are a few who, while not a match for Mad Moon, still have some ability to put up a fight."

"who is it?"

Zhang Yuan's curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't wait to see the true reputation of the Son of the Version.

"Aghalim and Zet are two examples."

"Oh?" The mage wasn't too surprised, after all, these two were quite famous.

"Aghanim, as the oldest and most powerful spellcaster, had studied the nature of miracle crystals in the distant past and had profound insights. Aghanim's Crystal is his improved product."

(End of this chapter)