Weekly Progress Update [21/APR]
Added 2025-04-22 00:02:25 +0000 UTCHello, hello!! Hope your April has been going well so far 💖
I'm still chugging along on this chapter, but I'm at that unenviable point in the writing process where the same scene has multiple variations so it feels like I'm stuck in the same spot for weeks even though I am actually making progress 🥲
In case you didn't know, CH12's very lengthy process aside, for all the previous chapters I've generally given myself 3-4 months per update, and it seems like CH13 will take closer to 5-6 months, but I'm honestly just relieved I've got a routine going on lol. So yeah, I'm hoping the rough draft will be done late May/early June and the release date will be maybe 1-2 weeks after that for proofreading!
I don't have much else to report on that hasn't already been stated in previous progress reports re: the content of this chapter, so have another little preview instead for one of the public petitions the Crown will have to decide on ✨
“If they are willing to help,” the commander argues, “then why should we not allow them to?”
You shift your gaze to the priest, giving them permission to respond.
“The spirits are malleable creatures.” The priest addresses you rather than the commander, although they cast an irritated glance in the commander’s direction. “There is a reason we do not use them for battle: history has proven they tend to become unstable and aggressive as a consequence. I understand Arsur’s armies are in a difficult position, but the short term gains are not worth the long term consequences.”
“The history that the priest refers to was many centuries ago,” the commander replies. “Not to mention, it was the result of experiments gone wrong: magi who abused the spirits in order to test their limits. We would not exploit them in such a way. In fact, we would accept whatever restrictions you deem necessary—”
“So you say,” the priest interrupts. “But how are you to oversee such an undertaking?”
The commander exhales a short breath, seeming to be losing their patience, though they respond in a measured tone: “That would be part of the agreement we would discuss. Even if it is in a limited capacity, it would be of great aid.”
“It cannot be in any capacity, commander.” The priest scowls. “Setting spirits upon other people—”
“On our enemies—”
“Even if they are enemies, they are people all the same. Whatever spirit you use to harm others will have its nature changed forever, into one that is capable of inflicting violence on a whim.”
The commander smiles sardonically. “No different than people, then?”
Which side would your Crown lean towards? Let me know in the comments 👀
Comments
however well the aid may be in the present, i agree very much with the priest in that the spirits shouldn’t be used in such a way, just seems like a can of worms of chaos to me😭 too risky!
jade
2025-04-25 04:24:54 +0000 UTCLoved reading your thoughts on this, you definitely bring up some very valid points 👀 Also tysm for supporting!! 💖
cherry
2025-04-23 17:41:35 +0000 UTCSo sorry all, wall of text incoming: From what I have seen of spirits so far is that they can already potentially on a whim latch on to someone even of the highest position and the most protection (The MC) which means they can get to those less equipped to handle it like one of your innocent people who do not have the same protections as well and cause chaos should they feel even agitated. However as of the moment they are pure and inclined to reason. You can scold them and they will listen. (Which certainly proves their potential for assassination I suppose) Now if we were to imagine a world in which they were crafted to kill and you are relying on people who are inherently corrupt to contain them (which you have already seen the consequences of in your brief rule btw), exactly how long before they cause harm to more than just your enemies? Is it worth the cost to corrupt an innocent being and harm your people, even one? Do you believe your enemies won't in turn try to build a defense, worse harness this power for themselves? Does their corruption to kill also include the ability to control them completely to your will? Will you be the tyrant who takes their free will? Would that even morally be within your right? As a person whose job it is to commune with these spirits on your entry and maintain the balance of a kingdom and relationship between said spirits would it truly be *you* as the fool who would take something so pure and make it kill be the one who is to make the choice? Would you do the same to a human being, say twist an innocent child to kill knowing it will forever turn them into a monster? **What horror must such an act even entail to force something so pure into violence?** If you take the will of these entities, who is to say we don't take the will of anyone else that would be deemed useful. Is it because the commander could never see themself and their own men in the very same position to be enslaved? If one is willing to violate one otherwise friendly being in such a way why would their group be safe from such treatment? Would they offer their crew up to face the same fate they suggest of these spirits? One could people the world with such slaves to our will on such a whim if we wanted, wouldn't that be grand? There are a lot of things we can do but all actions have consequences, and all things have a cost especially something so potentially dark a path as this. A ruler most of all has to be the one to remember that, you are meant to be an example that others live by, one then must ask if this is the example they wish to set. Is this how you wish the world to see your empire? Moral implications aside do you think the spirits that walked with you on your coronation will take this as a boon and sit idle? Are you the ruler that uses others as fodder? While our friend is technically correct you can of course do the thing and perhaps for a time it would be useful. But, are you willing to risk upsetting the balance of the world to pay that cost? I normally cycle through my patreon memberships to keep within a budget and I had to sign back up early to be able to reply to this cause wow it is killer, good question.
Aetheries
2025-04-22 03:56:54 +0000 UTC
