Chapter 803 — The Old Friend Is Gone

Until now, the matter of the "Outland Wanderer" appearing on the mental network was known only to the Yiyao cult and Pope Megor III; not a whisper had leaked. This had effectively spared the Changming order further panic. But when the time truly came to act against Sandbox One, many people would be involved—many bishop-level administrators, or high-ranking techno-priests, would take direct part in the more sensitive affairs. At that point the order's cooperation with the Outland Wanderer could not remain watertight; it would at least spread among the core personnel.

And as Gao Yang carried out his "incorporation" and "remolding" of the entire Changming order, soon even the lowest-ranking members would learn of it.

Given the Sleepers' long-standing, effective self-invention and internal propaganda regarding the "Outland Wanderer," Gao Yang was confident that once the news broke it would set off a splendid chaos within the order—a pity his leisure was so limited lately; otherwise he would certainly have steeped himself in the mental network and savored it for two days.

Selina could see only the composure on Gao Yang's face, never guessing the mischief within. She answered very seriously: "In two days we will convene the Xuanji cult council once more, and I hope you will attend. At the same time, according to plan, we will release the news in an orderly fashion beforehand, keeping the chaos to the smallest possible scope.

"As for the formal operation against Sandbox One, we hope it comes as soon as possible—we have finished moving and preparing our people, and it can begin any time after the council. I only do not know whether you still need to prepare anything, or need us to cooperate, to bring you up to speed..."

"There is nothing for me to prepare; what needed doing is done," Gao Yang said. "If you can act as soon as the council ends, I will simply take part directly. As for being brought up to speed... you need not trouble yourselves there either. I have always understood your situation quite well."

At Gao Yang's last offhand remark, Selina's expression stiffened for an instant, but she quickly recovered her composure.

Gao Yang paid no mind to that detail and simply went on: "Beyond that, you ought to start thinking about your exit strategy. Once the crisis in Sandbox One is resolved, certain troubles will only just be beginning."

"What do you mean..."

"The identity of the Outsider Wanderer in the real world is 'Gao Yang Cecil,' and Gao Yang Cecil is the ruler of the Cecil Empire. The headquarters of the Long Twilight Order is in Typhon, and among the mid-ranking priests, some are converted war priests—even Typhon nobles," Gao Dai said. "I believe those members are loyal to the Eternal Sleeper, but do they still retain a properly measured... sense of patriotism and loyalty to the crown?"

Seeing that Selina did not answer at once, Gao Yang continued:

"I believe that the Order's original members—yourself and Megor III included—and a good many of the senior priests hold to this path for the sake of an ideal. But you know as well as I do that as an ancient dark cult, you are hardly made up of idealists alone...

"Word of the cooperation with the Outsider Wanderer will reach the lower and middle ranks sooner or later. Many of those converts joined the Eternal Sleepers for money, for power—perhaps for a scrap of knowledge. People like that, never mind that they've joined a cult: if a real 'evil god' were to rear its head inside it, they'd run faster than anyone.

"And when that day comes, do you suppose they'll go running to Luo Yan Augustus to report that the cult they joined really does have an 'evil god' in it?"

Selina was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"We have considered this as well," she said. "The Order has grown to this point, and its members are no longer as pure as they once were. The partnership between the Outsider Wanderer and the Order will inevitably stir unrest among the vast numbers of lower and middle-ranking believers and priests, and we cannot rule out that members of weak will or excessive panic might defect to Typhon's official authorities.

"We are already prepared for such risks. We do not rule out abandoning certain strongholds, relocating the Order's headquarters, and carrying out internal..."

"No need to tell me the specifics," Gao Yang raised a hand and cut her off. "Handle it yourselves. I only want results."

Selina nodded. "...I will relay your words to His Holiness the Pope."

Then she bowed slightly and took half a step back. "If there is nothing else..."

Before she could finish, Gao Yang suddenly called her back: "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. There's something I'd like to ask you while we're here."

Selina looked at him, puzzled, and blinked. "Please, go ahead."

In the mingled glow of starlight and lamplight, Gao Yang gazed into Selina Gelfern's eyes, calm as still water—and slowly, those eyes overlapped in his mind with another pair of large eyes.

"What exactly is the relationship between you and Patty?"

(Happy New Year, everyone~~)