CHAPTER 352: CHAPTER 2: REBELS, CULTISTS, MECHANICAL PRIEST (PART 4)

At the same time, above the majestic cathedral, a Mechanical Bishop draped in a silver-gray robe also withdrew his hand, and slowly said: "The Eye of Insight hasn’t detected anyone possessed by the Void Evil Demon."

"That Snake-man must be the vessel for the Evil God’s descent."

As the hand was retracted, the Bishop’s bony fingers returned from their metallic sheen to the color of human skin—this is the Divine Grace of the God of Machinery, the ability ’Steel Bones’ that only the Bishop can master.

The Mechanical Priest beside him respectfully asked: "Bishop, how should we handle those cultists who were exposed?"

The leading Bishop appeared indifferent and slowly said: "Don’t forget the teachings of the Steel Angels."

"Steel has no feelings."

"Kill them all!"

Following the order, a dozen Mechanical Priests clad in heavy armor quickly departed.

Under the huge bell at the topmost part of the church, other Mechanical Divine Sect monks quickly left, while the Bishop knelt on one knee before a statue, motionless, his skin had at some point also turned to the color of steel, leaving just a faint breath.

He had lived for over three hundred years and had to rely on ’Mechanical Meditation’ to maintain vital functions, prolonging standby time as much as possible through ’hibernation.’

Until a new Bishop arrives, his soul cannot enter the realm of the God of Machinery.

Below the square.

It was like an grand prayer ritual, taking about two or three hours to complete, and as the dull tolling of bells began, others started to exit gradually under the guidance of Mechanical Church stewards. Here, everyone seemed like tiny parts, unknowingly forming a whole, orderly leaving according to the stewards’ directives.

On the projection page.

A hint surfaced—"Detected spells of Mechanical Mind!..."

Duncan also unknowingly left with the crowd. As they passed through the majestic steel gates, church staff in grey robes distributed iron plaques to them, printed with a gear lever diagram—it’s the emblem of the God of Machinery. With it, everyone can receive sustenance in designated areas.

Of course, don’t expect much, just enough to avoid starvation.

Even if you do nothing all day, just stay in bed daydreaming, as long as you conscientiously participate in the weekly church prayer rituals, Mechanical Church stewards will give you such a plaque, guaranteeing your basic survival needs.

If it’s the last week of the month, known as Redemption Day and Hangover Day, the supplies received will be slightly richer.

"Why still just biscuits?"

"Isn’t today Redemption Day?"

After leaving the church zone, the crowd suddenly became noisy, as if the gear structure that had formed a whole collapsed directly. A man marked as Wolf Gang brute rudely pushed past others, cutting to the front of the line.

Duncan also received his portion of supplies—three pieces resembling compressed biscuits, which tasted faintly of salt, barely swallowable.

Normally, today one could receive other food, sometimes even vegetables, unless the settlement’s supplies were critically low.

In the queue next to Duncan was the woman from last night.

She was also collecting supplies; in this underground steel jungle, many would starve without church-distributed relief supplies.

The woman bit into the compressed biscuit with a crunch, quietly walking over to Duncan, murmuring: "Have you considered?"

"Want to take a gamble together?"

"Want to try going to the upper district to see what the sun looks like?"

At this moment, Duncan felt a bit helpless.

If it were truly about excavating ruins, that would be one thing, but in fact, those cultists only uncovered a region trying to evade the Mechanical Church’s sight to summon the Void Evil God.

Even so, they drew attention.

He didn’t know how well he handled things, but fortunately, today seemed to pass, the Mechanical Armor’s Eye of Insight was likely meant to find the Evil God’s vessel.

Duncan whispered: "Let’s wait a bit longer."

"The timing is not right now."

After merely a night’s rest, his Life Bar and Energy Bar increased a little, and he felt significantly stronger.

This proves the engraved bloodline power is activating.

The longer the third Human Form survives, the stronger his physical attributes will grow; it’s not the right time to take risks now.

The woman glanced around, slightly nodding: "Alright."

"Those Mechanical Priests won’t stay long; once they withdraw to other districts, we’ll act."

The Mechanical Church wouldn’t station too much manpower in one district.

This is a newly developed colony area; once everything enters the right track, stationed personnel will be reduced to a third of the present. They, these immigrants, were selected from elsewhere—the original leader came from an area starting with C, as the population approached the limit, some were relocated.

True order has yet to form.

When most of the Mechanical Priests and garrison soldiers withdraw, it will be time for all sorts of thugs and miscreants to vie for territory—no one wants to eat this junk every day.

.........