Chapter 243: Do we need to kill our god?_2

After Kude’s death, Bai Wei naturally took over as captain.

Though he didn’t want to become captain in such a way, there was no helping it.

Since becoming the squad leader, he had only executed two missions, one was the pursuit of Gerard, and the other was now.

After being injured by Gerard that day, Chamos took a long time to rally and finally resolved to protect the squad no matter what.

But what he didn’t expect was that upon his return after healing, he discovered that the squad was even further diminished, with several more people missing.

“What exactly happened?” Chamos asked.

“It seems they were transferred out by the higher-ups.” His subordinate replied.

“Transferred out? When did this happen?” Chamos’s frown deepened, “How come I didn’t receive any orders?”

“About two days ago, I think. It was a direct order from Bishop Oliver, since those three had the lightest injuries, they were chosen.”

“Transferred out by a direct order from Bishop Oliver?”

For some reason, this answer made Chamos feel vaguely uneasy; he wanted to go and ask Minister Fenli for clarification immediately.

But, the general assembly was about to begin, and the accredited representatives were already starting to arrive, with even more people standing outside waiting for the outcome. Given the shortage of security forces, it was unthinkable for him to leave at such a time, so he had to restrain himself, planning to ask for clarification after it ended.

It was then that a subordinate came to report: “Captain, someone is here to see you.”

“At this time?” Chamos frowned, “Who?”

“Captain Kude’s father.”

Chamos’s body stiffened, then slowly turned his head to look at the man: “Who did you say?”

“Captain Kude’s father, he’s over there.” The subordinate pointed backwards, then hesitated before saying, “He seems to be unaware of Captain Kude’s situation, what do you think…”

Chamos fell silent for a long while, then glanced at the pocket watch in his palm.

There was still half an hour before the start of the general assembly.

“Give me five minutes.”

…

Yuri led a fully-armed Devil’s Army squad, pushed the door to a warehouse located underneath the Sky Tower, and immediately saw several people lying in pools of blood, his pupils slightly constricted.

Because these Skeleton Corps looked exactly like the “monsters” that had been killed last night.

And the only one standing in this warehouse was Gerard.

Behind Gerard was the Purification Source Crystal that had been lost just last night, now emitting a faint glow.

Seeing Gerard, the Devil Knights behind Yuri grew visibly restless. Although Yuri had given them a heads-up, this scene still made them feel uneasy.

Yuri, however, did not mind and swiftly stepped forward to Gerard’s side.

“So it was them who stole it.” Yuri surveyed the surroundings and asked, “But how did you find this place?”

Gerard didn’t elaborate, just shook his head: “I have my ways.”

Yuri studied Gerard’s face and commented, “You look pale.”

Gerard didn’t reply immediately, instead slowly bent down and turned over the closest corpse, revealing the blood-stained armband underneath– “Skeleton Tenth Squad Fred.”

Understanding flashed across Yuri’s face: “All these are Skeleton Knights?”

Gerard hummed in affirmation: “It seems last night’s were as well.”

“Why would this happen?”

“It’s the doing of that new god,” Gerard softly stated, “His method of intervening in reality is becoming increasingly aggressive.”

As Gerard spoke, Yuri’s gaze also caught sight of the shoulder of Gerard’s uniform; he was still wearing the Skeleton Corps uniform, and the armband read– “Skeleton Tenth Squad Gerard.”

Yuri understood everything and patted Gerard’s shoulder, saying, “Everything will end today.”

Gerard didn’t say much, just asked, “Did you bring the item?”

Yuri nodded and gestured to the Devil Knights behind him, who then brought forth a device resembling a giant horn.

“This is the latest model Radiation Device,” Yuri said, “As long as it’s connected to the Purification Source Crystal, it should extend the purification efficiency to cover the whole assembly hall, even the entire Sky Tower. By that time, everything will come to an end.”

“Is that so?” Gerard nodded slightly, “Thank you.”

“It’s not for you, you know that,” Yuri responded coolly.

Then, he paused, looking into Gerard’s bloodshot eyes, knowing the man hadn’t rested for a long time, and said softly,

“How about I go instead, and you wait here for me?”

Gerard shook his head, his tone firm, “No, I must go myself.”

Yuri didn’t refuse, just nodded: “Okay.”

“Time.”

Yuri glanced at his pocket watch and said, “Ten minutes left.”

…

The grand conference hall was filled to the brim.

Although those present were trying their best to keep their voices low while speaking, the sheer number of attendees still made the hall as noisy as a gear train.

Those who had come to participate in the meeting were undoubtedly the cream of the crop from all walks of life within Lyra, or were employees with access rights.

If Lyra were compared to a machine, then they were the important parts at each of its nodes.

And now, their attention was all focused on that one empty seat at the very front of the meeting room.

Although the person had not yet arrived, they all knew to whom that seat belonged.

Of course, there were also some curious as to why the meeting was hosted by only Bishop Oliver. Shouldn’t a full assembly be presided over by five Bishops?

It seemed that was the case a hundred years ago.

Of course, this question didn’t trouble everyone for long because what they were more concerned with was the content of this meeting.

The gear train’s fitting a hundred years ago could be said to have changed the entire ecology of Lyra, expanding the scale of Lyra’s cities several times over.

So what about today?

What exactly was Bishop Oliver’s “brand new future”?

Would it bring new change?

This anticipation filled countless people.

“I have inside information; I heard this meeting will also utilize a new technology.”

“New technology? What kind of technology? Spill the details!”

The discussions continued unabated.

Then, the dull yet loud sound of a bell resonated, instantly quelling the myriad of clamor.

The time was nearly upon them.

That was the only thought left in people’s minds as they all quieted down and simultaneously turned their gaze in the same direction.

Oliver made his entrance.

Dressed in his most sumptuous robes, he strode across the red carpet like a Pope and, to the solemn and reverent tolling of the bell, made his way to that one seat. He then surveyed the hundreds of people in the conference hall.

The moment the bell ceased, the entire conference hall fell silent.

Oliver smiled at the audience and slowly raised a finger, his lips slightly parted.

“This full assembly,” he began slowly, “will make use of a new technology. That is…”

The next second, his voice echoed in every corner of Lyra.

“Allowing everyone to hear my voice.”

Inside the conference hall, outside the Sky Tower, in all the major districts, and aboard the compartments of the gear train–everyone heard Oliver’s solemn voice.

After a brief silence, the entirety of Lyra burst into intense cheers as if to ignite the city.

As citizens of Lyra, constantly at the forefront of technological innovation, people were acutely aware of what this meant.

Was this the future that Bishop Oliver had promised?!

The excited people had already begun to ponder how this technology was achieved and where else it could be applied.

But soon, Oliver’s voice rose again: “I know everyone is happy and the brand new future is almost upon us… but it has not completely arrived. We still face a slight obstacle, and that is the purpose of convening this meeting.”

Everyone quieted down.

Ju, who had just gotten off the train, looked towards the Sky Tower.

Ina roused her fellow Devil Knights, who were also stunned, preparing them for action.

Chamos, having just seen off Kude’s father, wore a grave expression as he eyed several figures rushing toward the meeting room and immediately bellowed, “Who goes there?!”

Yuri was the first to light the Blazing Fire Sword and said to Gerard as he moved forward, “I’ll cover you; you go straight in.”

Gerard quickened his pace.

Bai Wei looked on indifferently, his eyes passing over the Devil Knights, through the Skeleton Corps, piercing the door, and resting on Oliver’s gradually opening mouth.

“We shall hold a referendum,”

Oliver declared.

“The subject of the referendum will be whether or not to execute the one who has been an obstacle to our development… the Lyra God.”