Chapter 130 - The old arena (4)
"Do you think that was a good idea, Aurea?"
"Did you see the look in their eyes? They were already believers in the tales of ’saint’ Lillian. I simply gave those beliefs form and a goal. And now, they are fanatics who will follow us anywhere."
"Are you playing the Atreides game, by any chance?"
"Huh?"
Lovelace and I are sitting in a corner of the arena, talking together as the knights and the residents work things out.
And I didn’t expect her to bring this up.
From time to time, when I’m feeding her mana, I allow her to visit parts of my memory. Namely, the ones where I’m consuming media from Earth.
And the one that caught her eye is also the one who I loved so much and that was my bedside book for years. The Dune book series.
It probably earned her attention because it’s about a mortal who exploited the beliefs of the people to make himself adored as a god and led his people in a genocidal war.
It’s basically a cautionary tale against charismatic leaders. ’Playing the Atreides game’ would mean, then, to make use of people’s fanaticism for political advantage.
"I don’t plan to become a goddess, Lovelace. And even less to become a queen. So, the short answer is ’no.’ But I won’t put myself beyond seizing an advantage when I see one."
At this moment, we are interrupted by the knight’s leader. What was his name again...? Ah, right. Seufroy.