Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1544: Chapter 1542: Divergent Paths, Irreconcilable Goals

While Ryougi Shiki and others were battling hard in the icy wilderness against the child of Fuhai Forest, Fang Zheng was curled up comfortably in a warm and cozy carriage, chatting with Fiore while humming a tune.

”What? Not enough funds? Add more, add more. We have plenty of money. That’s the good thing about capitalism; as long as you have money, there are people willing to do anything, even murder and arson, not to mention that what we’re doing is legal...”

What Fang Zheng is discussing with Fiore now is none other than part of Fang Zheng’s ”Game Changing the World” plan.

After obtaining the information provided by Aika, Fang Zheng already planned how to use it, splitting it into three parts.

First, to create a novel and animation centered around this information, then launch a card game based on that, and finally, port it to consoles.

Fang Zheng has already designed the general content of this animation. Most of the content is borrowed from Harry Potter, except the protagonist is changed to a half-Japanese, half-English character. Otherwise, the storyline is similar to the original. The protagonist is an orphan living with distant relatives, and then receives an admission invitation from London. The protagonist overcomes difficulties to travel to London and arrives at a magic school he has never heard of — the Clock Tower.

After that, the storyline is similar to that of Harry Potter. The protagonist has an unforgettable experience at the school, discovers the secret of his origins, and also fights against the threat of Voldemort.

The overall plot is like this, though Fang Zheng has made changes in other aspects.

For instance, he changed the original four houses into twelve disciplines of the Clock Tower, and the mage battles have been changed to a duel card format similar to Game King. Every discipline’s students have cards with different attribute levels, and they can use their own power to create new cards, which they use to battle students from other disciplines.

As for why using cards for battles... What’s that to you?

Why can’t you save the world with a game of Gwent?

And the problem lies with the cards from these twelve disciplines.

That’s right, Fang Zheng has completely exposed the most secretive magecraft of the twelve Lord’s Lineage of the Clock Tower to the public in the form of cards.

After all, magecraft itself is a very niche subject; except for fanatical readers and players, ordinary people actually aren’t interested in deep theoretical or knowledge-related content.

However, if made into cards, it’s different.

For example, a card labeled ”XX Technique,” with effects described as ”XXOO,” naturally makes it easy for players to remember. One reason the mystery of magecraft disappears is because, as is widely known, once this game spreads worldwide and becomes known to everyone, then the magecraft system of the twelve families would basically collapse.

As for whether it can be done, Fang Zheng isn’t worried at all. In a capitalist society, you can achieve anything if you have money. It’s just like Naobaijin—you might not like Naobaijin, but you definitely know of it. If Naobaijin were a form of magecraft, its grave would have grown grass three stories high by now.

Moreover, money makes the world go round.

Fang Zheng spent money to hire this world’s famous light novel author to write the novel, and then promoted it extensively. Facts have proven everything is going well; under Fang Zheng’s costly promotions, the novel is now popular throughout Asia. At this point, Fang Zheng plans to launch the manga and anime versions as well. After the anime airs, the audience base should expand globally, and by then, he can host international tournaments to attract players from various countries, sell the card game massively, and maybe even produce some movies or TV shows—provided the quality is high enough and the visuals stunning, the rest shouldn’t be an issue.

As for money... the CIA has plenty.

If all else fails, there’s always the FBI.

Fang Zheng is exploiting a loophole in this mission—even though the mission states that using technology beyond this world to create a game is prohibited, using it to make money is not restricted, right?

And once you have money, are the remaining problems really problems?

So you see, the system is still too young.

Let me show you what it means to respect your elders.

”Knock, knock.”

At this moment, the sound of knocking came again. Upon hearing it, Fang Zheng closed his personal terminal and transformed back into Miss Red Ponytail.

”Come in.”

With Fang Zheng’s words, the guest room door opened, and a surprising individual walked in.

It was a young man with glasses who looked scholarly—Coles Forveig Yggdmirel.

”Miss Red Ponytail.”

”Hmm? What are you here for?”

Fang Zheng raised his head, looking at the young man before him.

”I have something I’d like to discuss with you privately; it’s about the modern magecraft department...”

”Modern magecraft department?”

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng squinted his eyes.

”If it’s something about the modern magecraft department, wouldn’t I ask Weber? Why ask an impostor like you?”

”......”

For a moment, the entire room was enveloped in a silence as still as death. After a few minutes, Coles—or rather the person impersonating him—straightened his body with a wry smile.

”I didn’t expect to be seen through by you.”

”Obviously, I knew you were an imposter at first glance.”

Fang Zheng raised his brow. Seriously, using an Illusion Technique in front of a Prophet Mage? Are you tired of living? This trick might fool others, but trying to fool Fang Zheng is wishful thinking.

”I’m apologetic.”

The impostor bowed his head.

”Although I wanted to use my true face to talk to you, it requires some time, so it’s impossible now.”

”Doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in why you’re impersonating Coles, but if you think you can trick us from the World Tree of a Thousand Realms with your amateurish tricks, that’s a dead end.”

”I had no intention of playing with the World Tree of a Thousand Realms. In fact, even if you hadn’t pointed it out, I would have revealed my identity.”

”Oh?”

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng changed his posture, leaning back against the sofa.

”So what’s your deal? Do you even have an identity, guy who doesn’t dare show his face?”

”Of course.”

The impostor smiled slightly.

”You can call me DR. Hartress.”

”The yacht salesman?”

”It’s just the same name.”

”Forget it, whatever, what do you want to do? Just so you know, if it’s a charity donation, we won’t give a penny.”

”Actually, I want to collaborate with the World Tree of a Thousand Realms.”

”Collaborate?”

”That’s right.”

Hartress stared at Miss Red Ponytail in front of him and continued.

”I’ve heard a bit about the actions of the World Tree of a Thousand Realms. In fact, I share the same view. For the past two thousand years, magicians have been targeting the Origin, but doesn’t that seem too foolish? Magicians bound by the Origin have no freedom of choice, merely remnants of history and puppets.”

At this point, Hartress raised both his hands.

”Therefore, I want to completely transform the existence of modern magicians.”

”Hmm.”

Fang Zheng merely nodded in response to Hartress’ words.

”So, what do you plan to do?”

”I’m sorry, I can’t tell you that now.”

Hartress shook his head slightly.

”We need to establish more trust first. Until then, I can’t divulge my specific plans to you.”

”I understand.”

Fang Zheng nodded, but his next words exceeded Hartress’ expectations.

”However, I refuse.”

Upon hearing this answer, Hartress’ expression froze instantly.

”Why?”

”We at the World Tree of a Thousand Realms have our own ways. Indeed, we wish to change all this, but our goal is for the world, for the survival of humanity. We have formulated a strict plan with clear objectives and directions.”

At this point, Fang Zheng spread his hands.

”And you? So far, you’ve been hiding in the shadows, even afraid to show yourself. Not only that, but you kill without remorse...”

”For a great cause, small measures are necessary.”

”Of course, I agree with that, but unfortunately, our paths diverge.”

Fang Zheng snorted lightly.

”I’m sorry, I believe that even if our purposes are the same, our ideas and methods are entirely different... However, you’re welcome to try your ideas. I won’t support or oppose them, and neither will the World Tree of a Thousand Realms.”

However, Hartress’ expression didn’t change at all in response to Fang Zheng’s reply.

”You don’t need to answer so quickly, Miss Red Ponytail.”

He smiled and said.

”Perhaps, after a while, you’ll change your mind.”

The blizzard continued to howl.

The girls gasped as they sprinted through the withered forest, forging ahead.

”How much longer until we reach the main root system?”

”How would I know? It’s difficult to judge the magic power flow in this place!”

Olga Marie gasped for breath as she ran, still complaining. Suddenly, Gray halted.

”Hmm? What’s wrong, Gray?”

”Everyone...”

Looking at the girls turning to face her, Gray bit her lip.

”You all should go on without me, I...”

”No, no one is leaving here.”

However, before Gray finished speaking, she was interrupted by a voice that appeared out of nowhere.

Then, a woman in a red battle robe, with pitch black hair and holding a dagger, emerged and blocked their path.

”Sorry, little girls.”

The black-haired woman raised the dagger in her hand.

”This is my master’s command.”

”What is that?”

Looking at the black-haired woman in front of her, Olga Marie trembled. She could feel the strong pressure and power emanating from the woman, while Gray beside her tightened her grip on the sickle in her hand.

”It’s a Servant.”

”Huh?”

”The one who attacked me and my mentor before was her...”

”Oh?”

Upon hearing this, Olga Marie’s face changed dramatically, but Ryougi Shiki’s eyes lit up as she gripped her knife and stepped forward, staring at the woman opposite.

”I heard Little Hong tell the story of the Holy Grail War before. I never thought I’d encounter a Servant here...”

While saying that, Ryougi Shiki raised the knife in her hand.

”Well then, let me see how formidable the heroes from human legends truly are!”