Planet Master

216- Conservatives and Progressives

Seeing Ame finish off the giant, the spectators finally cheered, and their sound reverberated throughout the entire arena.This caused the others who watched the other match to be slightly affected.

After all, what made them cheer so enthusiastically at that?

Then the giant was enveloped by brilliant light and he was revived. Then the giant solemnly put his hand on his chest, and he stood up, bowing to Ame.

“Good match.” Ame said to the giant.

“You are no ordinary warrior. I just want to respect you for being stronger.” The giant spoke which was being translated into the language and locution that the participant understood.

But it served as fuel to make the match more exciting rather than making them unable to do the match. Only after the match was over could the two speak properly anyway and everyone participating knew this.

Then the two were ejected from the arena space.

“That’s dangerous, you know.” Tatsumi sighed with exasperation as he saw Ame appear on their side.

He had watched the match and knew that Ame was slightly gambling on her situation. That was what he was concerned about.

“Hmm. Sorry if that worries you.” Ame’s jaw tightened as she knew what she had done was borderline reckless, but she felt the need to grasp any opportunity to strengthen herself so as not to be left behind.

Tatsumi’s eyes scanned her from top to bottom and found that the remnant of her intent was intense yet firm.

He then brought her into his arms, hugging her tightly.

“I am worried but at the same time, I should have expected it since my latest show-off.” Tatsumi murmured, which made Ame flush.

It was because Tatsumi did it in front of so many seniors and others, publicly displaying their affection.

Chi You whistled teasingly, but the others just smirked. Of course, most of them had someone like that back in the Library of Consciousness and let the two enjoy their time.

“Just don’t do things with that mindset often. It will lead you to ruin.” Tatsumi advised Ame.

Ame just nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. Tatsumi placed his hands around Ame’s waist as he enjoyed the sensation he felt.

Dian was a bit far behind the crowd but he could still see the two Star Children affectionately in each other’s embrace.

“Congratulations on your promotion to Bronze Tier 6.” Dian said loudly.

Everyone then stood on attention. Even Tatsumi and Ame separated because Dian was now speaking.

“Well, you told us that it is time to advance a bit so we did.” Tatsumi opened his mouth and glanced at Dian.

“That’s right. We just need your permission to do it and we need you to bring us here.” Chi You added.

“This will make things easier for all of us.” Dian had to announce some things to them so that they knew how the resources gained from this would be allocated.

“With these, I can not only expand the Afterlife but also make the inside more prosperous. Do you understand what I mean?”

Tatsumi blinked a few times. Making the Afterlife more prosperous meant that he could gain many advantages from it. But at the same time, he needed to maintain the physical reality to be able to take advantage of both and raise himself to the suitable position he desired.

“Yes. I think I can picture it.” Tatsumi replied with a nod.

“It is time for us to return triumphant to our familiar place.” Dian said.

Everyone then gathered around Him as Dian led the way back to the Library of Consciousness.

-

With the Second Life as the place where people could gather from various cities on the same planet or even in cities on different planets, they all could gather there and meet with each other.

Furthermore, with the Light Transfer Device developed from the Memory Implant technology as well as the concept of light as the information carrier, the education of the people took on a different approach. The most important thing was the knowledge transferred as well as applying said knowledge.

Tetsuya was already using it for a lot of things. He wanted to understand his father more so he used it and the knowledge set he wanted to know was about the way Tatsumi fought.

Therefore, Tetsuya used the Light Transfer Device to download Tatsumi’s entire experience so far in combat.

From a simple blade swing to the most elusive things like blade intent, Tetsuya felt like a lot more understanding of his father. Fortunately, the knowledge of Tatsumi’s combat style was strictly circulated only among his family members and not to be used outside of that.

It was not because Tatsumi was selfish. The reason was that his fighting style was spontaneous, which was not suitable for everyone and could only be used as a reference.

“So my father himself is amazing.” Tetsuya murmured as he put the headset of the Light Transfer Device on top of the desk beside his comfort chair.

“Oh, are you done with that device?” Rihana also tried on the Light Transfer Device to try to translate it into the transcendent method she could use to reach the same effect.

“Yes. No wonder it is the changer of education.” Tetsuya nodded.

He saw the change throughout the entire population. Starting from Giol, to Bren as well as the other planets, the extent of the change became exponentially bigger and bigger. But even so, what the scholars worried about was the truthfulness of the knowledge as well as the way it was applied.

“I am learning the Jade Immortal Circulation Technique that Father-in-law has developed some more. It is interesting to see it through his perspective.” Rihana smiled sweetly.

To her, any improvement for the Elf race was a big undertaking that needed to be seriously considered.

Tetsuya patted Rihana on the head.

“You're literally obsessed with that circulation technique. Is it because my father gifted it to you?” Tetsuya smirked as he saw Rihana’s long ear reddened.

The two were in their own home inside Elven territory. Different from Tatsumi who had a home in the cities of the Steel Jungle, Tetsuya and Rihana had a home in her race’s place since she was the priestess of the Royal Sacred Tree and needed to be present to her race.

The Ether in the surroundings was abundant and even Tetsuya felt that it had been liquefied, becoming mist-like.

Then Rihana pouted and hugged Tetsuya while whimpering something.

Tetsuya could only make out some of the noise she made.

“Due to the influence of the human race, the Elf race has acclimated to seeing electronics since the human race is their immediate superior. They wanted to at least imitate the way of life the human race has done. But some still want to be in their natural state, the best. You know what I mean, right?” Rihana said slowly but her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Tetsuya knew about many problems the Elves had. They were the ones who revered nature but a long debate had been ongoing.

It was whether the technological devices were a part of natural development or something artificially developed.

But to Tetsuya, everything that they had done so far was the result of their own hands and the presence of humans was natural; therefore, everything built by humans was naturally a natural outcome. Of course, one may refute and present their opinions, but at least Tetsuya thought like this.

Rihana also shared his thoughts and that was what caused the division among the Elves.

“Don’t worry. Differences in opinion are as normal as the violet sun in the sky.” Tetsuya murmured softly to her.

“But they need to accept a truth. That is, civilization development is as natural as that of any other living beings. Although I have to admit that the destruction potential increases the more advanced a civilization is, I still believe that with the right guidance, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.” Tetsuya said as he held Rihana’s hand.

Rihana felt touched at the words that Tetsuya uttered. She knew that he preferred silence over speaking but if he said this much, it meant that he knew and cared about the situation of the Elves.

“So about the guidance you mentioned, how to do it?” Rihana asked in a whisper.

“For example, you can give a decree that the tools for civilization are a natural outcome from our sentience itself. But my personal opinion is that you must give them a room to showcase the thoughts of both sides.” Tetsuya said.

“I see. Thanks.” Rihana then pecked Tetsuya on the lips before leaving and tried to connect with the other priests of the Sacred Tree.

She went to the Royal Sacred Tree and connected with it in the spiritual sense.

Tetsuya followed suit since he had become her knight; protecting her was his main job after all.

At the center of the Royal Sacred Tree, there was the Origin Chamber. That place was where the Elves were born most of the time.

There, Rihana could feel the connection she had with the other Sacred Trees in the entire Cerulean Planet. She closed her eyes to focus on the connection.

Meanwhile, Tetsuya was waiting right in front of the entrance of the Origin Chamber. He had to make sure that everything was secure while Rihana did her job.

Soon, the connection between the Sacred Trees responded. Various priests of the Sacred Trees felt the summoning and went to the Sacred Trees to learn that the princess was calling them all for a discussion.

“What’s going on? We are being summoned here suddenly.”

“I am in the middle of writing my book. Fortunately, it is done on time.”

“Priestess, what is it that you want to say?”

There were various responses. The other eleven priests of the Sacred Trees were responding one by one as they came to the center of the Sacred Trees.

“As of now, I want to discuss the feasibility of using advanced tools for our race.” Rihana spoke with a majesty befitting her position.

Hearing that, the priests realized that now the formal declaration would be made regarding the ongoing dispute between the conservatives and the progressive ideology.

“Priestess…this should not be discussed lightly. Those conservatives are stubborn.”

Rihana heard this so she replied, “But we need to advance as a race and as a civilization. Stagnation meant rot and death. But at the same time, it does not mean we abandoned our shared values; that is why I need your help to realize the best way to convey our decision regarding the advanced thinking of some of our race.”

“I see. So our Priestess here needs to balance between advancement and conservation.” One older priest quickly realizes Rihana's intention.

“Yes, that’s right!” Rihana said excitedly through the connection of the Sacred Trees that the priests could hear her perfectly.

The main problem of the Elves was that their sense of time was a bit different than that of humans. Furthermore, they were hard to change in a short span, needing more than years to develop.

Rihana knew this trait of the Elves and wanted to take advantage of it to preserve their history and some way of life. But at the same time, she realized that development was necessary to avoid being left behind by the other races.

“Therefore, I propose that we make something to remember our legacy and past while at the same time creating progress and development in other areas. How about that?” Rihana said while feeling the connection with the priest of the Sacred Trees.

She was a bit nervous but maintained her majestic demeanor. After all, she was also the executor of the policy being made and regulated.

“Make something like that? Is that possible?”

At that question, Rihana replied.

“For example, humans created museums to store the artifacts and remnants of their past that are discovered. They created institutions of learning as well as venues to showcase the academic results of their research for the advancement of civilization as a whole. We need to at least make something similar.”

The priests of the Sacred Trees listened to what Rihana told them. They realized that this was the result of her visit to the human cities and the Steel Jungle so they listened attentively. They found that Rihana wanted to make similar things on their race’s ground.

“Of course, we need to modify it to suit our race’s needs and worldview.” One priest said, already accepting the idea, since it could resolve the debate between conservatives and progressives.

The others also reconsidered this issue. They were the spiritual leaders for their settlements, so they needed to consider things more thoroughly.

“Well, I don’t hear any disagreement or refutation. Does that mean you all agree?” Rihana asked.

“It is a good idea. But we need to consider the implementation of those ideas. We need some time to inform our people regarding these issues.”

“What the previous priest said is true. We need to consider the time factor in all of this. Should we make this quick or not?”

Rihana sighed.

Then she said, “Of course we need to do it fast. The faster we are implementing those, the faster we as a race can rise alongside the humans. Do you want them to look at us with contempt?”

“No! Of course not. We can only do this as soon as possible.”

“That means we need to discuss the form of the place as well as the legacy that should be stored. As for the academic studies, we need to make it so that every single one of our brethren will understand the content throughout our community.”

Rihana closed her eyes and nodded. The matter of advanced education had to be implemented since the population base of the Elves increased from decade to decade. Different from humans who grew year by year, this was one of the differences between the two races.

“Then you all agree to this reformation. Is that right?” Rihana asked with a more authoritative tone.

“Yes, Priestess.” All of the eleven priests said at the same time.

“Then let’s discuss the matter of the implementation. We…”

While Rihana and the other priests of the Sacred Trees were discussing things through the connection between Sacred Trees, Tetsuya got an incoming call from his parents.

Tetsuya glanced at the wristwatch on his right arm and raised it, reading the name that called his device.

He then clicked accept and the call connected.

“Hello, there. Are you busy protecting someone right now?” the voice of Tatsumi could be heard through the speaker of the wristwatch. His hologram projection could be seen projected above the wristwatch.

Tetsuya sighed and placed his hand on his short brown hair in exasperation.

“Father, are you done with the important matter in the Afterlife?”

“Yes. Just now, I have woken up from my deep meditation and know that you are currently protecting your wife. Is there going to be a large change in the Elf race?” Tatsumi asked to verify his findings.

“Yes, Father. Rihana is discussing things with the other priests of the Sacred Trees. After this, she will probably go to Father-in-law to finalize the matter.” Tetsuya replied with a nod.

“Good. Any progress is good. So please watch over her, make sure that this positive change will be beneficial to the Elven race as well as the civilization as a whole.” Tatsumi smiled slightly when hearing that, as if verifying what he already knew.

Tetsuya knew that his father’s connection to the Afterlife meant that the information Tatsumi possessed would be enormous. But as a person who only had a faint connection to the Afterlife, Tetsuya felt envious of his father, who was said to have a perfect connection from the day he was conscious.

That became more apparent when he realized that his mother could also have a perfect connection too.

As their child, he felt it harder and harder to see the depth of knowledge they had.

“Then I want to ask you one thing. This is important so think it over before answering. Do you want to have a perfect connection to the Afterlife like me and your mother?” Tatsumi asked while his eyes focused on Tetsuya.

“Ah.” Tetsuya was confused by the question. He had assumed that the perfect connection was due to his father’s position as a Star Child and had no relation whatsoever to him as an ordinary person.

“Do you think that only special people can connect perfectly to the Afterlife?” Tatsumi saw the expression on Tetsuya’s face and asked.

“Hmm.” Tetsuya hummed but he did not deny it either.

“Hah, I should’ve expected this.” Tatsumi sighed really hard. He overestimated his own value and underestimated others just because he had a perfect connection.

As Father God had explained, the perfect connection to the Afterlife meant that one became fully conscious even in the Afterlife Realm. It did not mean that only a specific person could do it. It meant that everyone had the potential to achieve it.

Tatsumi explained to Tetsuya what he had heard from Dian with rekindled hope. He had hoped that those close to him were able to at least be communicative with the Nafs of the Afterlife Realm.

After all, it would only be beneficial to them if they got to contact those Nafs who had abandoned their physical bodies and could even learn from each other.

“I see.” Tetsuya became hopeful as he blinked a few times.

“Well, Charlene will likely develop something to address this issue but it is still in the experimental stage so don’t get your hopes up too much.” Tatsumi reminded.

“Oh, so Mother Charlene is still researching into the perfect connection thing. But Father, I really hope that you can guide me if the perfect connection to the Afterlife Realm is achievable during our lifetime.” Tetsuya nodded in understanding.

That was how the father and son duo became more talkative during their communication with each other.