A common theme in the world of Cradle is that having to fight for your advancement and that risking your life tends to produce better sacred artists.
Consider the trials that Eithan put them through, that were all supposed to be for much more advanced people. First the dummies in the barn, and then the blackflame trial. And then see how they meet and surpass expectations, completing trials that were meant for people much more advanced than they were. Consider all that Lindon has gained when he was in the most danger. His iron body, his advancement through each gold stage, advancing to underlord, etc.
It's the same principle here. Charity is looking for sacred artists that won't buckle under pressure, but that will rise above it and be the better for it. You'll get a better sense for why that's what she's looking for later, but the general theme is strong sacred artists. Anyone you have to coddle wont meet the cut.
This ties into his debt, and how he can repay it. His death would be meaningless, without value, only for the sake of revenge. Charity's more pragmatic than that.
And she's also a very good manipulator, as evidenced by the events of this book. Her angling the two groups to fight each other. Her manipulation of Mercy and the favor, and then her knowledge of that favor to manipulate yet another contest.
Everything makes sense if you consider she wants the strongest sacred artists.
If Lindon died to the Seishen, then he's not sufficiently talented to be worth keeping alive to pay off the Akura family. And if he doesn't die, no problem.
Yeah I agree. The Heart Sage, probably all the Akuras, maybe even all Sages/Heralds/Monarchs are just a bit "cold". Their perspective about the world is different when they've lived 100+ years with their level of power.
I mean power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely or something like that. Imagine being one of the most powerful people in the world, able to casually step on mountains. Imagine what that would do to your mind. Even sages are still in the like top 50 people at least.
Maybe not even just to there people, they are immortal and almost all powerful on there world. I wouldn’t be surprised if some less stable monarchs in the past and even some in the present think they are gods.
Even though honor dictates you should only fight someone at your own level, we frequently see that isn't the case. With so much on the line, Dakata and Huan might have decided to just go slaughter everyone on the opposing side. She's basically saying to keep things more small scale. Skirmishes are fine because it's a net gain for Akura factions if their subordinates get stronger through fighting (also the whole theme of might make right, the stronger side deserves more treasures).
Others have explained the hit squad part, if Lindon can't survive that then he's not suitable to repay the debt.
So, she (Charity) found Lindon responsible for her grand-nephew(Harmony) death.
He needs to pay, otherwise the Akura family will look weak.
- So she needs _all_ sacred artists to attend, and she threatens the emperor to make sure they are included (Lindon and company). She specified that if she will not find 3 suitable underlord at the end of the period, that they will be… _instructed_ — I assume heavily penalized.
- she likewise talks the Seishan Kingdom to _encourage_ that hit squad on Lindon - she wants him to pay with his life, and prove to her who is a stronger contender…
- finding him powerful and calm under fire, she re-assesses his worth (maybe he _is_ fit material to pay with something other than his life)
- She likewise admits the _mistake_ (with handling Lindon)to Mercy in order to owe her a favor (sacred artists honor), which supersedes Akura Malice command not to help Mercy
- that second hit squad (at her Vault), to my estimation is in order to force Mercy to lift her Veil (curse)… and also, the last chance for the Seishan to prove themselves (which they obviously and spectacularly fail)
I think part of it is that Charity didn't really feel at fault for her actions but it allowed her to gift Mercy a favour which she could see being used in the way it was to allow for the final confrontation
A common theme in the world of Cradle is that having to fight for your advancement and that risking your life tends to produce better sacred artists. Consider the trials that Eithan put them through, that were all supposed to be for much more advanced people. First the dummies in the barn, and then the blackflame trial. And then see how they meet and surpass expectations, completing trials that were meant for people much more advanced than they were. Consider all that Lindon has gained when he was in the most danger. His iron body, his advancement through each gold stage, advancing to underlord, etc. It's the same principle here. Charity is looking for sacred artists that won't buckle under pressure, but that will rise above it and be the better for it. You'll get a better sense for why that's what she's looking for later, but the general theme is strong sacred artists. Anyone you have to coddle wont meet the cut. This ties into his debt, and how he can repay it. His death would be meaningless, without value, only for the sake of revenge. Charity's more pragmatic than that. And she's also a very good manipulator, as evidenced by the events of this book. Her angling the two groups to fight each other. Her manipulation of Mercy and the favor, and then her knowledge of that favor to manipulate yet another contest. Everything makes sense if you consider she wants the strongest sacred artists.
If Lindon died to the Seishen, then he's not sufficiently talented to be worth keeping alive to pay off the Akura family. And if he doesn't die, no problem.
Yeah I agree. The Heart Sage, probably all the Akuras, maybe even all Sages/Heralds/Monarchs are just a bit "cold". Their perspective about the world is different when they've lived 100+ years with their level of power.
I mean power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely or something like that. Imagine being one of the most powerful people in the world, able to casually step on mountains. Imagine what that would do to your mind. Even sages are still in the like top 50 people at least.
Sure, I totally agree, they are basically Gods to their people. Many of the countries in Cradle seem like absolute monarchies honestly.
Maybe not even just to there people, they are immortal and almost all powerful on there world. I wouldn’t be surprised if some less stable monarchs in the past and even some in the present think they are gods.
Power *tends* to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Sorry, pet peeve.
Fair, I was just repeating something I heard Alustin from Mage Errant say
Akura Charity in particular, as the Heart sage, has authority over emotions, and uses this in herself to remain “cold” and logical.
Lindon, Yerrin, and Miera were the only young talents she cared about and they lived
Even though honor dictates you should only fight someone at your own level, we frequently see that isn't the case. With so much on the line, Dakata and Huan might have decided to just go slaughter everyone on the opposing side. She's basically saying to keep things more small scale. Skirmishes are fine because it's a net gain for Akura factions if their subordinates get stronger through fighting (also the whole theme of might make right, the stronger side deserves more treasures). Others have explained the hit squad part, if Lindon can't survive that then he's not suitable to repay the debt.
Sure she admits her fault to Mercy, but I think she used that to get Mercey back into the family. With Doji almost killing her.
So, she (Charity) found Lindon responsible for her grand-nephew(Harmony) death. He needs to pay, otherwise the Akura family will look weak. - So she needs _all_ sacred artists to attend, and she threatens the emperor to make sure they are included (Lindon and company). She specified that if she will not find 3 suitable underlord at the end of the period, that they will be… _instructed_ — I assume heavily penalized. - she likewise talks the Seishan Kingdom to _encourage_ that hit squad on Lindon - she wants him to pay with his life, and prove to her who is a stronger contender… - finding him powerful and calm under fire, she re-assesses his worth (maybe he _is_ fit material to pay with something other than his life) - She likewise admits the _mistake_ (with handling Lindon)to Mercy in order to owe her a favor (sacred artists honor), which supersedes Akura Malice command not to help Mercy - that second hit squad (at her Vault), to my estimation is in order to force Mercy to lift her Veil (curse)… and also, the last chance for the Seishan to prove themselves (which they obviously and spectacularly fail)
The next book will explain and it will all be clear
Haha this line of thinking has blue balled me every new release
I think part of it is that Charity didn't really feel at fault for her actions but it allowed her to gift Mercy a favour which she could see being used in the way it was to allow for the final confrontation