Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 485 - 484: Taking Root

The energy of the Magic Web fluctuated, like a wave arriving in an instant, sending information to distant places. Centered around the Cecil Main City and relayed by numerous Magic Obelisks set up in the wilderness, cities, villages, and garrisons, Giply’s voice was transmitted through the Magic Web to every inch of land covered by the broadcast system today—in Kant, in Gran, in Tanzan, in Hosman, as well as in various satellite towns among these four cities, hundreds of large Magic Web Terminals for public service were simultaneously lit up.

Even before this broadcast began, notices were already posted in Administrative Offices everywhere, telling citizens there would be a "program" broadcasted at a specific time, and interested people could watch it by heading to the nearest Magic Web Terminal. This peculiar announcement undoubtedly piqued the curiosity and attention of countless people. As the main coverage of the Magic Web was incomplete during the first broadcast test, not many people had actually seen what "Magic Web Broadcast" was. Most people had no concept of this new thing mentioned by the Administrative Office, but they knew one thing: whatever the Administrative Office announced, it was certainly useful.

Thus, many curious citizens gathered early in the squares around the newly established Magic Web Terminals, pointing and discussing. These terminals were open to the public, and although the cost was slightly high, it was still affordable for ordinary families. However, since their installation, only a few people had actually applied to use these machines. The population of this era was essentially stagnant, most spent their lives in one place, and their social circles were limited. Those needing to contact distant relatives were mostly aristocrats or wealthy merchants.

Most of the people affected by relocation orders who moved here came with their families and had no need to apply for Magic Web Communication.

Yet even so, most of the people gathered in the squares had some understanding of the concept. They knew these seemingly bizarre large magical devices could connect to faraway places in unimaginable ways, transmitting distant sounds and images.

Then, these machines lit up, and the images and sounds from afar truly appeared before everyone.

A very beautiful woman appeared on the holographic projection, casually greeting the people in the squares as if she were sitting comfortably in her living room at home: "Hello, everyone. I am Giply, you can call me Miss Witch..."

The gathered crowds everywhere instantly became restless. Some were startled by the huge holographic projection, letting out exclamations of surprise. Some were amazed, staring in awe, while others immediately grabbed the people beside them, asking what this was. There were even some who dumbly stared at the beautiful girl on the holographic projection, raising their hands to greet Giply when she smiled and introduced herself: "Ah...hello..." "Hello, Miss Witch." "Miss Witch, my name is Sam..."

More than a month ago, the "Victory Broadcast" conducted by Duke Gawain Cecil in a small scope was of a test nature, and the duke’s majesty intimidated everyone. The crowds gathered near the test site hardly dared to make too much commotion, but this time, it was the first real live reaction of humanity after the formal broadcast of a Magic Web program in history.

In the square of the main area of the Cecil City, Godwin Orlando immediately directed his apprentices to use magic-conducting machinery specially designed to capture images of this historic moment.

Of course, Giply on the holographic projection was unaware of the situation at the squares everywhere; she just continued her work: "Welcome to the first episode of ’Witching Hour’. Today, we will talk about what happened in Lu An City...

"First, let’s welcome a friend’s visit—we are honored to have Mr. Rhett from the Cecil Holy Light Church, the first White Knight in human history. Welcome, Mr. Rhett."

As Giply’s words fell, the holographic projection’s perspective expanded a bit, and people saw that opposite Giply sat another person—a man of very tall stature, wearing a Cleric’s Robe, surrounded by a faint Holy Light.

People were puzzled by the new term they heard—White Knight. This term was very unfamiliar and didn’t seem to belong to any existing Holy Light profession. Some people recalled the recent issues of newspapers and had a pondering look on their faces.

And Rhett in the holographic projection greeted the audience: "Hello, everyone. I am Rhett. Miss Giply, there’s no need to address me as ’your excellency’; we can have a relaxed conversation."

"Alright, Mr. Rhett. I would like you to first answer my questions, and I believe the audience is also curious about these questions—what does your profession ’White Knight’ mean?"

"Firstly, I am very honored that our leader, the great Duke Gawain Cecil, named this new profession—The term White Knight was proposed by the duke first. And about the birth of White Knights... Please allow me to start from the war we just ended this year..."

More and more people gathered at the broadcast sites everywhere, and a large number of citizens who were initially at home heard the news of the Magic Web broadcast and were dragged by relatives and friends to places where they could watch the broadcast image. They were astounded by this incredible magic, curious about who the two talking in the projection were, and curious about the use and concept of such a projection, but soon, they were captivated by the content of the program itself.

They were immersed in Rhett’s storytelling, in the story that seemed very distant from their everyday lives but was truly unfolding.

Rhett indeed was an excellent preacher.

Although his style of preaching was unique, and his terms during sermons were often criticized by traditional priests, he was really good at capturing the hearts of ordinary people and was adept at telling his stories to more people in a way that resonated with listeners.

Before anyone realized it, the crowd in the squares gradually quieted down, regardless of gender, age, or occupation, everyone listened quietly—many of them had never left the place where they were born and raised, had never heard of things from afar, had never heard of other lives.

The emergence of newspapers had given some of them a channel to understand the outside world, but those who were illiterate remained isolated from information. Yet Magic Web Broadcast—offered everyone an opportunity.

Even those who were illiterate could stand in front of the holographic projection created by the Magic Crystal and listen to a distant story.

As they listened, they found that their long-held understanding began to waver, inundated with a flood of information they’d never considered or experienced before—

The aristocratic knights also become utterly inhuman in the face of hunger and fear; elegance is merely their embellishment in times of satiation.

Transcendents attack unarmed refugees out on the wild, just to snatch the last bit of life-saving food from their hands.

The Cecil Combat Corps soldiers battle the attackers in the dark night; the scene Wright described is more thrilling and captivating than any old-fashioned, fabricated poem by bards.

And at the very end, the Church Knights made their entrance—

Initially, people thought the Church Knights would, just like in the religious stories of yore, stand firm amid distress and rise up to uphold justice. However, the truth was—they were equally starving and more thoroughly abandoned the baseline of humanity in the face of hunger than anyone else.

When Emily fell, people mourned deeply; when the White Knight emerged, people gasped in wonder and were inspired.

In this era void of entertainment, with scarce information, and monotonous and miserable civilian life, it’s much easier to stir people’s emotions than for those on planet Earth who have experienced information overload. Their emotional shifts are also more intense and vivid. Against this unique historical backdrop, the new "Magic Web Broadcast" created an impact far exceeding expectations from the moment it was born, just like newspapers before.

The principle is simple—the more arid the land, the more rapidly it absorbs moisture.

"... On that day, I became the White Knight. I believe I’ve embraced the essence of Holy Light, and that essence is: Holy Light should not be bound by anyone’s social status, it belongs to every righteous person..."

Wright concluded the story, while Miss Giply, sitting across from him, reacted a half-beat late—the Miss Witch seemed accidentally moved by Wright’s narrations, momentarily forgetting the topic she should have transitioned to next.

But fortunately, she received timely reminders from the technicians across the room and quickly regained her composure: "It’s truly an inspiring story, Mr. Rhett... So about that little girl, Emily... I think you ought to talk about her situation, right?"

The crowd gathered at the square became curious—could there really be some miraculous events occurring with that already deceased little girl?

Indeed, a miracle happened.

Facing the "camera," Wright smiled, then slightly raised his hand, allowing a blurry Holy Light to emerge behind him.

When the semi-transparent spiritual body of the little girl appeared on screen, the citizens in front of the Magic Web Terminal exclaimed endlessly.

Under usual circumstances, such a ghost-like emergence of a little girl would undoubtedly startle people. However, with Wright’s previous story paving the way, when Emily appeared, people were hardly frightened and instead many exclaimed in delight:

"She’s still alive!" "Did that little girl resurrect?!" "Holy Light bless us!" "No, she looks like a ghost..." "What ignorance! Didn’t you see all that Holy Light!"

Wright was unaware of the situation outside, yet he could imagine it. He casually summoned a small sphere of Holy Light, offering it to the little girl floating behind him, as he smiled and said: "I shall forever praise Holy Light, for it brought Emily back to this world. As you can see, Emily is a spiritual body wholly condensed by Holy Light—her appearance precisely proves that my understanding of Holy Light is nearing the truth, she is the miracle of Holy Light."

Emily quickly gnawed at the small glowing sphere, then she suddenly flashed a wide smile at the "camera," and waved as if greeting the viewers. A few seconds later, her figure gradually disappeared into the swathes of light beside Wright.

The miracle of Holy Light...

Thousands of crowds gathered in town squares across various places, simultaneously marveling at this miracle of Holy Light.

The fact that Church Knights harmed the innocent, the fact that the White Knight "personally demonstrated the path of Holy Light," the fact that the church was not sacred, and the fact that Emily was the miracle of Holy Light...

One fact after another effortlessly seeped into the hearts of thousands of civilians, where they took root.

(Oh right, almost forgot—everyone, pay attention to the fanfic activity in the book review section! Check the pinned post in the book review area for details.)