Ch. 461The Sage's Counsel
The Sage’s Counsel — Chapter Summary
Key Plot Points and Events
- Isaac formally signs a contract with the God of Gourmet, becoming his sage through the Truth Association’s witnessing.
- The God of Gourmet immediately issues his first decree: he asks Isaac to provide him with a Holy Communion.
- Isaac gives him one of the Holy Communions made by the God of Gourmet’s Priests. Completing the task activates the contract and grants Isaac a payment of pure divine power.
- Isaac realizes that the divine power is exceptionally valuable and can be used for several purposes, including creating a Virtual Divine Spark, developing the Myriad Gods Codex, or strengthening Little Mouse.
- He then understands the limitation of this reward: the divine power is refined from the God of Gourmet himself through the [Sage of the Gods] ability. Excessive use would damage the god’s foundation, so tasks have cooldown periods.
- Isaac begins testing the “counsel” aspect of his new role. Rather than exploiting the God of Gourmet, he requests a Holy Communion capable of purifying Witch Bloodline.
- The God of Gourmet is relieved that Isaac honors their agreement and does not attempt to manipulate or betray him.
Character Developments
- Isaac demonstrates practicality, restraint, and a strong sense of honor. Although he recognizes how profitable the contract can be, he also carefully analyzes its limitations and avoids overexploiting the God of Gourmet.
- He begins shifting from merely completing tasks to actively using his position as a sage to pursue his own goals, particularly the purification of Witch Bloodline.
- The God of Gourmet is portrayed as ambitious but constrained. His authority offers few avenues for growth, making Holy Communion the central means by which he hopes to develop.
- He remains nervous about Isaac’s intentions, suggesting that he fears being deceived or exploited despite the contract.
Significant Themes
- Power and cost: Supernatural rewards are never truly free; the divine power Isaac receives comes from the God of Gourmet’s own essence and must be used carefully.
- Faith versus authority: The chapter explains the tension between gods and powerful church members, especially when knights or Demigods follow doctrine rather than the personified god behind it.
- Innovation and stagnation: Holy Communion began as a major magical breakthrough but stopped evolving because gods feared that stronger churches could threaten their authority.
- Contracts and mutual benefit: Isaac’s agreement with the God of Gourmet is based on exchange rather than domination, though both sides remain aware of the potential for exploitation.
- Food as supernatural power: The history of Holy Communion establishes magical food as a field born from religious concepts and later developed by wizards and gods alike.
Character Interactions
- The God of Gourmet gives Isaac his first official order, while Isaac responds calmly and fulfills it immediately.
- The contract automatically transfers divine power to Isaac as payment, emphasizing that their relationship is governed by magical rules rather than simple trust.
- Isaac studies the God of Gourmet’s circumstances and recognizes his ambition to improve Holy Communion as his primary route to greater strength.
- When Isaac requests a bloodline-purifying Communion, the God of Gourmet visibly relaxes, realizing Isaac is acting within the spirit of their agreement rather than using the situation against him.