"Student of history" is an easier pill to swallow than "master of time", and presents Shang as less of a raving megalomaniac to new faces who would be less inclined to take him seriously. Should not the conductor of time's flow, at least in his own small corner of the multiverse, not be a student of history? To know all the ways in which a timeline may be improved upon?
And besides, Shang Tsung may be many things, but he is not "raving".
"Silco, then." He agrees easily. "I would be most appreciative of that. It seems our interests in this Realm coincide in some respects. A pity more of us do not appear to be putting in the same amount of effort into their studies of this place." Pity for the others, but good for the two of them.
"Though I must ask." He nods down to the book tuckef against him. "Did you find the information within credible? Or did it read as propaganda to your eyes?" Information is useful; comforting lies meant to assuage worry in a populace and instill a deep and unthinking patriotism far less so. Useful in some ways, naturally. But not to Shang Tsung in his present conditions.
no subject
And besides, Shang Tsung may be many things, but he is not "raving".
"Silco, then." He agrees easily. "I would be most appreciative of that. It seems our interests in this Realm coincide in some respects. A pity more of us do not appear to be putting in the same amount of effort into their studies of this place." Pity for the others, but good for the two of them.
"Though I must ask." He nods down to the book tuckef against him. "Did you find the information within credible? Or did it read as propaganda to your eyes?" Information is useful; comforting lies meant to assuage worry in a populace and instill a deep and unthinking patriotism far less so. Useful in some ways, naturally. But not to Shang Tsung in his present conditions.