Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 142: Q&A

Translator: Cinder Translations

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Ladia asked, "So, how do you plan to deal with me now?"

Paul, stroking his chin, looked at the female advisor. "Deal with you? Why use such a cold term?"

The female advisor smiled bitterly. "Isn't it the practice advocated by the church to tie up witches and burn them?"

Paul stood up suddenly. "You saved the lives of many of us. I'm not an ungrateful person. I won't burn you, no matter what."

Ladia's suspended heart eased a little, relieved that her initial choice was not wrong.

"Thank you, Earl Grayman."

"It's what I should do. Do you remember our conversation under the moonlight when you first came to Alden Town? What did I say at the time?—An animal, as long as it looks like a donkey, walks like a donkey, and even sounds like a donkey, then it's a donkey—Oh, sorry, I was just making an analogy."

He suddenly realized that the analogy might not be appropriate for the beautiful woman sitting in front of him, who was, in fact, a witch.

The female advisor burst into laughter. "This analogy is really refreshing."

Paul and Austin exchanged a glance, feeling a sense of closeness between them and the female advisor.

"Anyway, I hope we live in an enlightened era. Your identity will be kept confidential for the time being. I also hope you can continue to live and work here as a consultant to the Council, just like before."

"Aren't you afraid of the consequences if the Church finds out?"

"From my investigation, there is no explicit law requiring witches or wizards to be handed over to the Church or burned once discovered. Previous incidents have almost always relied on the 'self-awareness' of the people and those in power, although this 'self-awareness' is born out of their own ignorance and the manipulation and coercion of the Church."

Paul remembered when he first created the rifle, Dean Leonard and Father Anderson came to investigate him for suspicion of witchcraft, and he was frightened by their mention of the religious tribunal.

Ladia was surprised by Earl Grayman's disdain for the Church in his tone.

Paul continued, "However, given what happened this time, I must have a comprehensive understanding of mysterious groups like witches or wizards. I hope you can answer some of my questions truthfully."

"Of course, Lord Grayman, I will tell you everything I know, but I don't want to reveal information about other witches."

"I won't let you betray your comrades. So let's start."

Paul gave her a reassuring look and then began to ask questions.

"Ordinary people call you witches, but you said you prefer to call yourselves wizards. These two terms sound very similar. What's the difference?"

"There's no difference. Both terms refer to the same group of people. It's just that the church likes to use the term 'witch' when demonizing us, and over time, this term has acquired negative connotations. After it became widely circulated among the people, it inevitably affected us as well, especially since most wizards come from the common people. So we prefer to call ourselves 'wizards' to distinguish ourselves from the evil and corrupt image in the minds of the masses."

"How do you obtain or inherit these strange abilities, uh...magic?"

"Once a person becomes a true wizard, they have the qualification to take on apprentices. If they are willing, they will seek out qualified children in the common folk and impart knowledge of magic to them. Those who have just started learning magic are called apprentices. Only after their abilities are recognized by their mentors can they qualify as wizards."