CHAPTER 479: CHAPTER 254: SUBSEQUENT IMPACT

However, as a contrast, because the Councilman took control of the Mechanical Network at the last moment, the fate changes caused by Ma’elim’s descent at the last moment did not taint the Grey Mist.

Listening silently to the words of the Grey Mist, Star gazed into the distant horizon, her thoughts suddenly returning to the time before the ritual began.

Back then, the Councilman had met with her alone and bid her farewell in advance.

Perhaps, at that time, he had already sensed his own impending failure.

She had tried to persuade him then, to temporarily abandon the plan and wait for a better opportunity that might arise in the future.

However, being accustomed to solving problems with strength rather than words, she was not good at persuasion, and this time was no different.

In response to her persuasion, the Councilman simply smiled, shook his head, and declined. She was certain that it was indeed the Councilman himself refusing her, not the will of Soh Chaz.

"It’s too late, Star, too late.

If I had not ventured into the Life Forbidden Zone and encountered it there, perhaps I would have waited patiently until the end of my days."

"But these are all just hypotheticals. Once I encountered it and shared its memories, when I looked at the world again, I realized intolerable deficiencies in its rules.

It’s like someone who lived in a well suddenly comes to the surface one day and sees the vast world, finding it impossible to tolerate life in the well again... Some things, once experienced, can never be reversed."

With that, the Councilman waved his hand towards the sky, stained golden-red by the sunset, and spoke with a smile.

"Look at this false sky, how narrow, how confining, like a cage that imprisons and binds us.

So, I wanted to step out, to go beyond this sky, enter the real world, and see what truly lies there!

Even if I ultimately can’t overcome the barrier of the dome, at least, I have stood among the stars—"

In that moment, under the sunset, the Councilman’s black eyes gazing up at the heavens were also touched by a layer of golden-red radiance, as if ignited by a flame called hope.

Reflecting on that scene, Star fell silent for a moment, then opened her mouth, but in the end, she only uttered a soft sigh.

Once a choice is made, one must bear the consequences of that choice.

"What are you planning to do next?"

Staring at the Anomaly Zone shrinking in the distant sky, Star whispered softly, as if asking Grey Mist, and as if asking herself.

She had witnessed the entire plan of the Councilman, and she was well aware of the role the Councilman played in the whole ritual.

The disappearance of the anomaly only signifies one outcome—the Councilman himself was most likely doomed.

The public figure of the Federation Chairman and the Leader of ’The Portal in the Pupil,’ Soh Chaz, are actually one and the same, just with differing wills.

Moreover, among the Ninth Rank Professionals performing the ritual with the Councilman, several were Ninth Rankers holding dual roles as both Federal Councillors and members of The Portal in the Pupil.

Therefore, after tonight, The Portal in the Pupil could almost be considered as having ceased to exist in all but name.

"Before he left, the Leader had made arrangements; if something unexpected happened to him this time, the leadership of The Portal in the Pupil would be temporarily assumed by me."

Hearing Star’s question, Grey Mist glanced at her before producing the Emblem Ring and mask that represented the identity of the Leader.

"He knew you were reluctant to take this position, so he left it to me. Although I was unsuccessful in breaking through to become a Ninth Rank Prophet this time, my self-preservation capability is already sufficient.

However, those members who the Leader sacrificed as pawns, after this event, will probably find it very difficult to trust us again.

So, I plan to temporarily disband The Portal in the Pupil and wait for an opportunity in the future to reassemble."

"I understand,"

Listening to Grey Mist’s words, Star nodded slightly without much surprise.

At this moment, the Net of Destiny suddenly experienced a new fluctuation, drawing the attention of both of them.

"Eh, it seems that another Prophet has broken through to the Eighth Rank?"

Feeling the information represented by the ripples, Grey Mist was somewhat surprised.

Due to the suppression by the Stargazers, eighth rank Prophets have actually already reached the ceiling of the Continent. Each additional one would have a direct impact on the major forces.

"Seems like it’s ’Mirror,’ that guy has also broken through to the Eighth Rank?"

Soon, Grey Mist came to a conclusion based on their own senses.

....

As time went by, the Sleeping Snow above the battlefield finally dissipated completely.

After confirming safety, many subordinates of the Ninth Rank immediately ventured into the battlefield to probe the results of the combat.

Therefore, when the first team that delved into the core of the battlefield saw the still-slumbering Ninth Rank - and the Constant Gold ’business cards’ stamped with the emblem of the Truth Circle on their bodies - the situation exploded.

At the same time, with the disappearance of the Sleeping Snow, the will of the numerous Ninth Rank was no longer suppressed. The rule power that was involuntarily circulating within the strongest few were already beginning to awaken slowly.

"Ugh..."

Instinctively sensing the approaching team of Professionals, [Thorn Crown] Mark slowly opened his eyes.

Previously, after exhausting all his holy power, he was invaded by the strength of Ma’elim and fell into an endless nightmare.

Glancing at the approaching people, Mark suddenly felt something extra on his body.

He reached out and touched it, and a piece of metal thin as paper made of Constant Gold appeared in his hand.

"Truth Circle? So it was them."

Recalling the aura of that mysterious person from before, Mark had a sudden realization, with a flash of shock in his eyes.

"They are that strong?!"

Even after having estimated the threat of the Truth Circle as high as possible, following this incidence, with the display of their strength through such means, he suddenly realized that he might have still underestimated this legendary Resistance Organization.

Being able to withstand the Sleeping Snow, forcibly disrupt the Chairman’s ritual, prevent the descent of Ma’elim, and even effortlessly leave behind a business card - this was simply not something an ordinary Ninth Rank could accomplish.

Glancing at the business cards of the same Constant Gold ’Truth Circle’ on many other Ninth Rank around him, Mark’s figure flashed and he disappeared, quickly returning to the Royal Capital of the Saint Messia Empire, ready to report the situation to the Pope and urgently discuss how to respond to the threat of the Truth Circle.

Mark’s awakening acted like a signal, and in a very short time, other Ninth Rank Professionals also woke up one after another.

When they discovered the ’Truth Circle’ Constant Gold business cards on their bodies, they couldn’t help feeling another round of shock.

No need for much explanation, having personally experienced everything that had transpired, all the Ninth Rank were very clear about what this meant.

Meanwhile, many Ninth Ranks from the Chairman’s side woke up and exchanged glances with the other Ninth Ranks, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Although they had initially been enemies, the Chairman had tricked them as well. Besides, there was now no reason to continue the conflict.