Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam

But at that time, she wasn't looking up history; rather, she wanted to learn those forbidden spells mentioned in the books that could easily destroy a city. However, all those spells were lost with the end of the First Epoch.

Ethan asked, "And then?"

After all, this was related to the history of Elemental Shapers, something Lindong had never mentioned to him before.

"Later on, it was nothing more than eliminating those Transcendents who were addicted to 'magic addictions,' which took about several decades. Afterwards, Elemental Shapers and magicians became akin to those shunned, and during the arrival of the Second Epoch, all research related to Magic was banned for quite a long time, leading the academy into decline."

Lindong shrugged; this was something from a thousand years ago.

The Elemental Shapers that followed then secluded themselves in the academy, rarely communicating with the outside world, which she felt wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"370 to 420 years, that's the duration of every civilizational cycle."

Palansi said, "At the end stages of every civilization, unforeseeable disasters occur, and the Empire has already entered the countdown."

This was also why the Divine Attendants tacitly approved of Turzan's actions. To many, this seemed to accelerate the Empire's descent into a period of degeneration.

No epoch has ever escaped this cycle. Even if they appear to be flourishing at the end, there will be disasters descending from the sky to hasten their demise.

However, if following the predetermined trajectory, they could gain more initiative during the period of decline and more quickly help humans transition to the birth of the next civilization.

Palansi looked directly at Ethan and said, "Forgive me, but your actions might not be a good thing."

With Turzan's death, the future of the Empire is developing in an unpredictable direction, "This means, we can no longer foresee the impending disaster."

If the Empire doesn't perish due to the Evil God's Followers and wars, other, more destructive disasters will accelerate its downfall.

In Palansi's view, the current Empire is like a runaway carriage, with no one able to predict where it will go, or in what way it will ultimately shatter.

"But there is still a chance for recovery now, provided it returns to its rightful place. I can only share this with you; if you wish to learn more about the other epochs, you must become one of the Divine Attendants."

The name Divine Attendant originates from this.

They abandoned their past honors, identities, and names solely to fulfill the will of the Rank God.

Humanity is progressing according to the trajectory outlined by the Rank God, with destruction and rebirth being part of it.

"I roughly understand."

Ethan carefully considered the information Palansi brought. "We can hypothesize that there is some will existing within this world, allowing a civilization to exist for only about 400 years."

"Although it sounds harsh, it has always been a double-edged sword."

Palansi said, "Before the decline period of civilization arrives, if a civilization is close to destruction, then miracles will also descend to help it through the crisis."

He was surprised by Ethan's keen thinking; the Divine Attendants had spent a long time probing this will's existence, and even now, there's disagreement regarding its interpretation.

Some believe it stems from the world itself, while others think it's the trajectory set by the Rank God and Middle-Level God before their demise.

Miracles and disasters are a part of it.

Palansi increasingly hoped Ethan would become one of the Divine Attendants; he was earnestly persuading him with a gentle attitude.

Of course, another reason was those winds of uncertain origin were too fierce, and from the moment he got blasted away with dignity, it meant they no longer had the option to use coercive measures.

"You don't have to rush to respond to me; we may not necessarily become enemies."

Having been a highly accomplished Round Table Knight, when had Palansi ever been so humble?

His most adept communication strategy was if negotiations failed, to go out and speak with swords and fists, even when facing Henry I and the Empire's first Archbishop, Hillman.

But now he seemed like an old man, old enough to possibly not withstand a punch from Ethan.

As is widely known, the wind element isn't Ethan's forte.

The people of the Empire sing the praises of that radiant fire elemental magic akin to the sun. Palansi finds it hard to imagine what would happen if he got hit by the fire element in such a manner.

Thinking of this, he silently took a sip of nearly cooled bone soup in front of everyone, silently emphasizing his identity to Ethan.

He is an old man.

It's unethical to strike an old man.

And now, he hopes Ethan is a wise and empathetic person.

"Mr. Palansi, the information you brought is valuable; I do not deny your perspectives on the civilization's decline period."

Ethan began to speak.

He has never been the type to readily refute and maintains a cautious attitude toward things he does not understand. He has become increasingly aware this is a world where Magic and the Evil God coexist, and many of his modern knowledge and common sense might be invalidated.

If the first five epochs all followed the pattern of the decline period, then why was the Empire so fortunate to escape this cycle?

As he spoke, he was also pondering this question.

Hearing this, Palansi was delighted, and he blurted out, "So, are you willing to accept my invitation?"

Ethan seemed to be a gentle person, and inwardly, Palansi couldn't praise Ethan enough—at Ethan's age, he had been a brute who only knew how to fight, devoid of any ability to think flexibly.