Chapter 79: Chapter 68: [God-Stealer] Isaac Solomon

"What do you mean, plunder? What do you mean, ’every little bit adds up’? If the ritual fails, the deal fails. What are you even talking about?"

"???" Isaac stared at Philo, dumbfounded. He asked in disbelief, "Don’t tell me you have something as amazing as an Emperor’s Decree and you’re *only* using it to make deals with Outer Gods? You’re not pulling a few strings on the side?"

"???" Philo looked back at Isaac, just as dumbfounded. "Wait," she said, "you can’t possibly mean... you do more than just make deals with Outer Gods?"

"What else would I be doing?" Isaac said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "If I’m going to take a shortcut, I’m going to take the fastest one. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a shortcut, would it?"

At that, Isaac suddenly paused. He blinked, a dazed look on his face. "Wait, you guys don’t do it this way?"

Philo was stunned. "...As far as I know, the Official Wizards in the Mad Witch Association only make deals with the Outer Gods... We’re not *that* insane..."

Isaac: "..."

’Are Mad Witches these days this pathetic?’

Isaac was dumbfounded. He’d always assumed the other Mad Witches were just like him—playing a game of wits against the Outer Gods, using the deal-making rituals as a cover to steal Their power. But it turned out they were *only* making deals? That’s it?

But after hearing what Philo said, Isaac found it even harder to comprehend.

"Aren’t you... losing out that way?"

Making deals with Outer Gods was inherently dangerous and could cost you your life. Using those deals as a cover to steal Their power would *also* cost you your life if you failed. Since death was on the table either way, why not go all in?

This was, after all, the correct method for using Outer God transaction rituals as recorded in the *Path of the Wizard*.

Philo shot Isaac a complicated look, then glanced at the equally stunned Angel. They both retracted their earlier assessment of him.

’Who said Isaac was a coward? The man is completely reckless!’

But beyond her shock, a strange light began to gleam in Philo’s eyes. ’Isaac is right!’

’It’s all a gamble anyway, so why not bet bigger?’

’Besides, I have the advantage of the Emperor’s Decree!’

’Even if I lose the game, it doesn’t matter. The worst that could happen is that my primary objective for the deal fails. But I could steal some things during the process! That way, the Emperor’s Decree would never go to waste. I’d gain something from every single ritual!’

’This is brilliant!’

The more Philo considered it, the more excited she grew. The glint in her eyes sent a shiver of fear through the others...

’It’s over. The most terrifying thing imaginable has happened: two lunatics have had a meeting of the minds and become even crazier!’

Remington and the other two could almost see the Empire teetering on the brink of collapse...

Fortunately, Philo was only thinking about it and didn’t act immediately. For one, she had already used her Emperor’s Decree and would need to accumulate more merits to redeem another. For another, this was different from a simple deal; it would enrage the Outer Gods to the fullest. She had to ask for her father the Emperor’s opinion first. Otherwise, if she failed, it would be a real mess if her old man decided to sell her out.

And that was a distinct possibility. After all, there was only one Terra Empire, but the Emperor had many daughters.

After one shock too many, the trio had no desire to continue the conversation. They agreed to gather at Solomon Mansion in three days and went their separate ways.

The Divine Lamp Grand Trial was still a month away, but the slots had to be secured two weeks in advance. This meant they didn’t have much time to prepare. By their next meeting, they would need to have a basic plan of cooperation finalized.

As for why they didn’t finalize things right then and there...

It was, of course, because neither Isaac nor Philo was in the mood to discuss it. Isaac had just joined the Flesh Sect and redeemed a new Witchcraft. Furthermore, news of his actions at Solomon Fortress had spread far and wide, allowing his third Legend to fully materialize.

With so much happening all at once, how could he possibly be in the mood to talk about a partnership?

As for Philo, she was in an even greater hurry than Isaac. She was eager to go ask her old man about the feasibility of Isaac’s suggestion!

’If they really could pull it off...’

’...then the Outer Gods were in for a world of hurt!’

In front of the Mage Tower, Angel watched Isaac and Philo go their separate ways, a slight smile playing on her lips. After bidding farewell to Remington and Prince Norns’ daughter, an invisible force propelled her wheelchair in another direction.

Remington and Prince Norns’ daughter exchanged a look and came to a silent, mutual decision: they would leave the Imperial Capital as soon as possible and head for the Pioneer Territory.

’We can’t stay here for one more second!’

’It’s too dangerous to be around these lunatics and psychopaths!’

...

「Meanwhile」

Isaac took the pumpkin carriage and sped back to his mansion. As he stepped into the study, Harmon eagerly emerged. Harmon held his palm out flat in front of Isaac, and three Magic Books materialized above it.

One was wreathed in a sinister, blood-red glow. Another pulsed with a starlit Power of Faith. The third was wrapped in swirling black energy, like a black hole, completely containing the energies overflowing from the other two Magic Books.

For a Legendary Mage’s three Magic Books, the option to inscribe a Self-Legend was a popular one. Even in ancient times, which were full of prodigies, many Wizards chose to fill all three of their Magic Books with Self-Legends.

The reason was simple: while a Self-Legend provided less Magic Power, it was far more refined, which greatly enhanced a Wizard’s control over their power.

Even inscribing just one was enough to suppress the volatile nature of the Magic Power provided by the other two Magic Books.

So, even though Isaac’s period of Mana instability had already passed, he could still feel a distinct increase in his control over his Magic Power the moment this new Magic Book finished materializing.

The benefits didn’t stop there. With the materialization of this Magic Book, once Isaac performed his promotion ritual, his next period of Mana instability would be even shorter.

In other words, he was one step closer to his promotion to Grand Wizard!

This was why many Wizards chose to fill all three books with Self-Legends—the promotion speed was ridiculously fast.

Of course, to Isaac, these were just minor benefits. As a cultured adult, he wasn’t one to be ruled by his "little head," so to speak. The most important aspect of a Legendary Mage’s three Magic Books was the Legend each one came with.

With a light wave of his hand, Isaac beckoned. The Magic Book wreathed in black cyclones flew out on its own. Inscribed on the cover in two large, pitch-black words was its title—God Stealer!

"’God Stealer’?" A flicker of curiosity crossed Isaac’s eyes. His older brother had commissioned people to collect, compile, and publish this story for him, so Isaac wasn’t entirely clear on the specific details himself.

He gave the Magic Book a light flip, and its pages began to turn rapidly on their own. Lines of text flew directly into his mind. In an instant, he understood the meaning of *God Stealer* and, at the same time, learned what its Legend entailed.

The Legend was identical to the book’s title. It, too, was called—[God-Stealer]!

When activated, it could steal the power of a Deity and use it to create one of his own Followers. At present, he could only create a single Follower!