The Magic Empire for 20,000 years

Chapter 107 Why is skinning a person evil?
"The source of the power of the undead is the negative energy plane. Therefore, when creating the undead, a dimensional conduit connecting to the negative energy plane is constructed. At this time, the slightest carelessness may cause the negative energy to leak continuously, polluting the surrounding environment, causing plants to wither, and shortening the lifespan of the living..."

"By precisely modifying the [Manipulate Corpses] spell model and reconstructing two syllables, we can increase the efficiency of negative energy utilization by an order of magnitude when constructing negative energy conduits, avoiding meaningless loss of negative energy..."

"Then add an extra, secure sealing layer on the outside. A safe and uncontaminated undead is thus created..."

"These spirits not only do not radiate negative energy, but they are also more efficient at utilizing negative energy."

"Compared to the old, unmodified technology, these undead have a higher concentration of negative energy within them, which hasn't dissipated into the air. Therefore, they are more mobile and, when united, are much harder to dispel when facing abilities like the priest's [Dispel the Undead]..."

The elves listened patiently to Elian's explanation, nodding repeatedly, clearly having learned a great deal.

"My God, King of Mankind, you have solved a groundbreaking arcane problem. It is worthy of being recorded in history!"

Seymour maintained his exaggerated expression, gripping Elrian's hand tightly:
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for sharing this technology so generously."

"It doesn't matter. The human kingdom of Eldoron and the elven royal court will be long-term allies in the future, so consider this technology a gift from me."

El-Erian was very humble.

No, no, that's all wrong. Even without negative energy contamination, we elves would never use such corrupt and evil necromancy!

Prince Elf roared inwardly and quickly stepped forward to argue:
"Wait, King of Mankind."

"The reason why necromancy, which creates the dead, is considered taboo by us elves is not just because of its negative energy pollution."

"You humans have no sense of reverence. Don't you think that using the remains of an intelligent being as a tool is a depraved act that desecrates life?"

Upon hearing Elf's words, many elves in the delegation fell silent.

They were actually thinking about this issue as well.

However, since most of the members of the delegation were mages with a natural interest in magical technology research, coupled with Seymour's enthusiastic praise, their attention was entirely focused on technical issues, leaving no opportunity to debate these ethical and moral matters.

But now, this elf prince has laid everything out in the open!
Seymour looked at Elian with a hint of nervousness, his forehead beaded with sweat, worried that the King of Men would be unable to answer.

Elian wore a kind and peaceful smile.

The fact that the elven delegation saw the undead as soon as they set foot on human land was clearly something he had intentionally arranged.

The fact that the human kingdom of Eldoron used necromancy to create the undead is undeniable.

Instead of hiding it, it's better to bring the issue up right away!
He had anticipated the potential criticisms and was prepared to respond to each one.

Instead of answering directly, Elion looked at the blood-red scales on the Sun Elf Prince's body and said:

"Your Highness Elf, your armor is truly magnificent. What material is it made of?"

Elf proudly displayed his blood-red armor:
"This is the Dragon Scale Armor. It's a suit of armor I made from the scales of a red dragon I killed 50 years ago."

"This armor, forged from dragon scales, is incredibly tough, impervious to blades and spears, and even resistant to fire damage!"

El-Erian asked calmly:
"Then, if I remember correctly, red dragons should be intelligent beings. In fact, the intelligence of an adult red dragon is much higher than the average level of humans and elves."

Prince Elf was taken aback, and immediately retorted:
"However, the red dragon is an evil five-colored dragon. To forge armor from the scales of these five-colored dragons—red, green, and blue—is the highest honor for a dragon-slaying warrior!"

"Aren't orcs also a plundering and evil race?" Elion retorted.

Prince Elf was momentarily stunned, completely bewildered—yes, the red dragon was an intelligent being. And he had indeed mistaken the corpse of an intelligent being for armor, without realizing there was anything wrong with it.

At this moment, as a warrior with low intelligence, Prince Elf's mind was in complete chaos:
Have I fallen into some kind of strange logical paradox?

In his upbringing, wearing orc skin as clothing was something only an evil necromancer would do; it was an obvious sign of depravity and evil!

However, wearing dragon skin and scales and crafting them into weapons and armor is the glory of a dragon slayer, and there is absolutely no problem with that.
But aren't they both evil intelligent beings?
What exactly is the difference between them?

This legendary Sun Elf warrior was plunged into deep confusion.

Seeing the other person's confused and bewildered expression, El-Erian smiled faintly.

Indeed, in this fantastical universe where the will of the universe judges good and evil, there are some very strange criteria for judgment when examined closely.

For example, Bahamut, the God of Good Dragons and Platinum Dragon King, will have an advanced class created in the future called [Bahamut's Vassal].

One of the requirements for advancing in this profession is:
Kill a red dragon, then peel off its scales and drape them over yourself.

The vassal of the God of Good Dragons is a typical advanced class for the good faction!
The problem is that, until the apocalypse 2 years later, Elion had never seen any sign of a good warrior who "peeled off the skin of evil humans and wore it on himself".

Aren't they all evil intelligent beings? How can this be considered a double standard?

Similarly, there are many aspects of the [Nine-Square Grid Faction] system that cannot be examined in detail. It can only be explained as a peculiar criterion for judgment by the will of the universe.

Prince Elf was in a deep mental fog, and just as he was about to lose the debate, he suddenly remembered an important point and immediately said:

"However, regardless of how we mortals perceive it, from the perspective of the universe's consciousness, creating the dead is an evil act, and casting necromancy to create the dead will cause the alignment to shift towards the evil side!"

El-Erian nodded:

"That's absolutely right. That's the standard by which the will of the universe is judged. Many spells themselves carry the label of good, evil, lawful, or chaotic."

In the eyes of the cosmic will, creating the dead and casting evil magic are even more evil than indiscriminately killing the innocent!
Elian continued with a laugh:
"In our universe, good and evil are part of the objective laws of nature."

"The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, and water flows from high to low. The judgment of the universe's will is no different from these natural laws."

"I think we don't need to let these standards of good and evil, as determined by the will of the universe, affect our normal social order, production and life, and the formulation of worldly laws."

"Morality and ethics are not necessarily static; they should change with the times."

Can morality and ethics be changed? Aren't they established by God? Elf found such human concepts hard to accept.

“But, but…” Prince Elf stammered.

As an elven warrior who charges into battle and shoots arrows like meteors, he was indeed not very good at debating scriptures.

Many members of the elven mission also failed to understand Elian's argument.

Elian simply waved his hand lightly:
"Forget it, there's no point in saying all this."

"If you think the alignment of good and evil is important, you can come and check my alignment."

"There must be someone in the delegation who knows magic to detect alignment. Why don't we see which alignment I, the culprit who promoted necromancy to create the undead, belong to?"

(End of this chapter)