Chapter 314: Justice, A Concern

They never left Machine Loop!

A chill ran down Joseph’s spine.

A huge, complex operation had been ongoing in the core of the Truth Union for years, decades, or maybe even centuries, yet the latter showed no signs of being aware of it.

Funnily enough, the Truth Union had expended heavy manpower for operating their ‘Clay Idol’ Project, yet their most successful products were stolen from under their noses, exploited and replicated in mass.

This was an organization that supposedly held unrivaled status in Norzin and were so powerful they were known to bend the forces of nature. Yet, the Truth Union had been played like a fiddle and would be the greatest laughingstock if this information got out!

That would mean that the moles within the Truth Union were affiliated with the ‘Path of the Flaming Sword.’ This gigantic parasitic nest within Machine Loop was probably the base of operations for the moles planted within the Truth Union.

The enemy they were always looking for had been underneath them the whole time.

Perhaps the enemy had even been laughing as they watched from the shadows over the past few busy months.

As a knight of Secret Rite Tower, Joseph was technically an outsider to the Truth Union, yet he couldn’t help but be thoroughly shaken by it.

One could hardly imagine what was going through the minds of Andrew and Hood—both were scholars of the Truth Union—right now.

More so now that the aether surveillance network always utilized by the Truth Union had been completely reduced to a mere decoration.

The scholars who bragged about being able to control the whole of Norzin had just been given a rude wake-up call. Smacked hard with a dose of reality and swollen with shame, who could blame them if they exploded with rage?

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Yet when Joseph’s eyes darted to gauge Andrew’s expressions, he realized the Vice-Chairman seemed much mellower than what he had expected.

Andrew did narrow his eyes, revealing his conflicted feelings on the situation. Amongst a plethora of emotions, he mainly felt surprised, defeated, contemplative, and amazed.

However, besides all that, he surprisingly followed up with an expression that screamed ‘Indeed, it’s like this.’

He wasn’t actually aware of it long beforehand but rather was informed in advance via certain channels. And now that he personally bore witness, he could finally verify the credibility of it.

It wasn’t just Andrew; even Hood was privy to the information.

Their eyes didn’t reveal any signs of disbelief. Instead, they sparkled with hints of rapt fanaticism.

It was as if another entity had replaced the Truth Union. In fact, it seemed to have become their new knowledge and information, becoming a symbol of their belief. This unwavering and deep-rooted belief even desensitized the unprecedented sight before them.

Certain thoughts started to race through Joseph’s mind.

Unless… This is another one of Boss Lin’s doings?

Was it Boss Lin who told them that moles from the Path of the Flaming Sword were actually hiding within Machine Loop?

Wilde regarded Boss Lin as ‘Lord’ and created the ‘Corpse Devouring Sect’ in his stead; what about Andrew and the others, then?

After interacting with Boss Lin and witnessing his almighty omniscience, did they also end up like Wilde? Original scholars, yet their belief and faith in knowledge has now been shifted onto Boss Lin instead?

This concept got clearer the more Joseph thought about it, and at the same time, he finally deduced the reasoning behind the strange feeling he previously had.

Hood was originally an extreme ‘Truth-Seeker,’ and there’s no way he’s started following a new belief. And those scholars that passed by were full of awe for Andrew, but their gazes didn’t seem like mere respect but more like fanatics chasing after their leader!

The Truth Union isn’t what it used to be. And, it may already have become the source of a new religion that believes in a specific entity. This must all be because of their contact with Boss Lin and his bookstore!

“So that’s what it is,” the enlightened Joseph murmured softly.

Andrew whipped his head toward the old knight. “What’s wrong? Did you come to realize something?”

“I understand now. I’ve realized why you said I was different and impure,” muttered Joseph.

“Oh?” Andrew implored.

He scanned Joseph’s expression and gave a slight nod. “Looks like you’ve indeed understood why,” he affirmed in an undertone.

“Since that’s the case, allow me to be frank with you. Your heart is still occupied with other things, other concerns… But for us, in a way, we’ve already dedicated everything to the only being in our hearts, just that our methods might differ.

“Because of this, it’s only a matter of time before you become our enemy,” Andrew announced with certainty.

“Our?” Joseph gave an indignant sigh and murmured, “Which means I’ve already become your foe.”

Andrew flashed a grin. “You really did get it.”

“However,” he announced sharply, “at least for now, we still have to rely on one another to battle. Else, I’m afraid none of us can leave the premises.”

Joseph was about to nod, but a rumble and crash of a closing mechanism resounded from behind him.

Everyone was alarmed; they turned to look and discovered that the door they had entered from had been shut!

“Fitting words indeed. None of you will be leaving.”

A faint voice could be heard coming from above, resounding through every nook and cranny of this metal hive before congregating once more.

By the time the members of the party had collected themselves and turned back to look, they realized that all the homunculi that had been minding their own business previously were now collectively staring back at them!

This unsettling atmosphere prompted all of the Secret Rite Tower knights to draw their swords.

However, the enemy was nowhere to be found because none of the homunculi showed any signs of hostility or bloodlust. It was just countless dull and lifeless eyes simply gazing at them.

The source of that voice also couldn’t be located, but following it was an immense yet intangible pressure.

With gritted teeth, the knights gripped their swords tightly till the knuckles turned white as abject terror filled their eyes.

Of course, it was a Supreme-rank…

Joseph’s heart sank as his body abruptly burst into white flames, releasing an aetheric force to prepare himself for combat. It was only then did the knights behind him sigh in slight relief.

Joseph, however, didn’t dare relax. Not even for a tiny bit.Dammit, the enemy is obviously going easy on us. It’s no pseudo-god we are facing this time but an actual Supreme-rank!

We definitely will not be stepping out of this place if we are careless.

He drew his focus, attempting to determine where the aetheric energies were congregating in order to pinpoint the location of this Supreme-rank.

But the truth was, his efforts were all in vain. Who would’ve expected the enemy’s hideout was contained within the Truth Union’s own territory? Everyone in the group had been caught off guard.

At this moment, a scholarly figure with gold-rimmed glasses and hands in the pockets of his white coat appeared on a raised platform in front of them.

The most eye-catching feature about him was the bloody black cavity at the side of his cranium, where the flesh inside could practically be seen squirming about.

As he appeared, the overwhelming pressure that blanketed the area also dissipated. Looking down condescendingly at all of them, he waved a hand and smirked. “I’m just kidding, there’s no need to be so nervous.”

However, both Andrew and Hood lost their previous cool, crying out in unison as they saw the scholar’s frame.

“Ymir!”

Hood’s eyes were wide as saucers. It didn’t matter how attuned the young scholar’s mind was, for seeing a legendary figure from the textbooks appear in person was an extremely shocking occurrence. “‘Ethereal Wisdom’ Grantham Ymir?”

“That’s right, guilty as charged.”

It was Raziel who showed up. With a wide smile, he announced, “Congratulations, all of you. You have found the true Truth Union.”