The Accidental Archmage - Book Five Edmund Batara (classic children's novels .TXT) 📖

and unwelcome one. I struggled through so much, and now, when the knowledge I need is within my grasp, you tell me I would be committing genocide if I reach out and obtain such power. This world is unbelievably hard on me,” Tyler mentioned coldly.

“I am truly sorry, Elder. I had expected The People to move on and find more desirable lands for themselves, but the race was more focused on growth through peaceful technology. Warlike preparations were never in their minds. As you can see, expansion is far in the future. What they wanted was some way to remove or drive back the corruption in the Barrens so it could support human life again.”

“Could they do that?” asked the incredulous Tyler.

“The People are on the right track. I am forbidden to assist them in that endeavor, but my estimate is that within 100 years, the power to substantially reduce the corrupting energies in a determinate area would be in their hands. I estimate two to three cubic miles at a time as the effort would require tremendous amounts of power.”

The Elder sanctuary contains the knowledge to reduce or remove the corruption? How else could it give such an estimate, much less gauge the technological development of the people here about the subject? The implication boggled his mind. If, and that’s a very big IF, he became an Elder Mage Prime, cleansing the Barrens would be possible. Perhaps, even the Void Lands as well.

“What if I gain the ability to remove the corruption in the Barrens? Wouldn’t that give The People the room they need?” asked Tyler.

“I know where you’re headed with that argument, Elder. Indeed, the information is within the tablets. But the skill to access such a level is another question, much less the acquisition of the ability to use such knowledge. You do know that obtaining the information does not immediately result in the ability, maturity, or understanding to manifest—much less, manage—it? The Barrens is a vast territory. Even at the Adept level, a rank far along your learning path, you would be here for 100 years, your task still unfinished and contending with the mutations of the land,” explained the entity.

That argument of mine just got shot to pieces, thought the mage.

“But a new complication would arise once one is past the edges of the wasteland. Here, the corruption is weak and is but a legacy of the dark realm that once ruled this land. The deeper you get into the Barren Lands, strange energies would be encountered – vestiges from the Void Lands. I doubt if Elder knowledge is encompassing enough to cover all possible dimensions of this universe,” the boy continued with his explanation.

Damn. Forgot about the Void Lands.

“Wait, even if they finally learn how to remove the corruption, it would just flow back.” It was a statement from the mage, not a question.

“Knowledge to reduce the corruption also necessarily includes the skill to prevent it from spreading,” replied the boy. “Nor do they intend to cleanse the entire Barrens. They know their limits.”

“And they’re the only people on Adar engaged in such a worthwhile endeavor. You’re not making this easier on me,” said Tyler heavily.

The boy didn’t answer. The seconds became long minutes. Tyler had returned his gaze upon the simulacrum outside the house. He didn’t disturb his guides. The mage knew the burden of choice had to be borne by him alone. Options tried to rise in the tumultuous sea of thoughts buffeting him, only to be dashed to pieces by winds of practical considerations. In the end, the mage accepted that what was laid down before him were the only choices available – black or white? Yes or no? Damnation or salvation? Knowledge or genocide?

For Tyler, it was mass murder, no matter what mitigating considerations or excuses could be dredged from the rational pits of his mind. Not only of an entire people, but of a civilization. No matter how he viewed the dilemma facing him, one thing was clear – he would not commit nor be a party to a genocidal act. He glanced at the boy who was looking at him, now waiting for his decision. With a start, the mage realized he had been staring outside for a long time.

He smiled wearily at the youngster.

“I guess you knew what my decision would be?” the mage asked.

The boy smiled back. “From what I have heard of you, there was a very high probability of such a choice.”

“You know, I believe I should name you G. The first letter of the name of a fictional mage in a First World story. Like him, you appear to function as a guardian of an entire people. And I know about those very long alphanumeric designations your creators gave you. For such an intelligent lot, they appear to be myopic at times.”

“I would like that, Elder. And thank you. But my programming requires you to tell me exactly what you wish. Your arrival had already activated a number of protocols, and it would be best for everybody if they were reset,” said G.

“What would happen if they were not reset?”

“Twenty-four hours counted from the time you passed through the cave shield, an autonomous program would activate and assume you have difficulty in accessing the site. It would then proceed to treat everything within a twenty-mile radius as threats and eliminate them. We are about a mile from the actual temple,” stated the boy.

“Shit. Hal! X! You never told me about that contingency in your protocols!” exclaimed Tyler. It did appear as if he was talking to himself.

“The issue never arose, sire. Nor did you ask about it,” answered X.

“How could I ask about it if I didn’t know it existed!” continued Tyler.

G laughed, stopping Tyler’s tirade.

“Don’t be too hard on my brethren, Elder. I would have done the same if I were in their position. We are highly advanced, or rather, evolved, technology, but we are still limited by the protocols our creators set in