Chapter 820 — Considering the Future
Blade of Dawn · Page 2 of 4
"True enough," Selina paused for a second, then suddenly shook her head with a smile of relief. "And this was never your field of expertise to begin with."
From Selina's reaction, Sem deduced that this "Saintess" must have gone through something in her confrontation with the Upper Narrator, which would explain this sudden show of melancholy. But now was clearly not the time to press for details. Amid the rousing, celebratory atmosphere filling the hall, he was the first to calm himself and spoke: "Radiant Order Selina, now that the threat of the 'Divine Descent' has subsided, should we not begin considering the church's future?"
"Of course," Selina said with a nod, gathering her emotions as well. "Though the situation is heartening, the time left for celebration is likely short.
"I saw the reports from the surface as well. The Upper Narrator's influence has already reached the real world; there were far too many witnesses to the disturbance at the Throat of Orlandell, and word of it will likely reach Luoyan's ears before long—this headquarters is no longer safe.
"According to the contingency plan drawn up by His Holiness the Pope, we must immediately begin relocating the headquarters. All members leave; we abandon this palace. Take every research document and supply we can carry, destroy on the spot whatever we cannot carry, and demolish the central pillar, the elemental shell, and the upper dome. We cannot leave behind a single clue.
"The various strongholds established within the Empire must also be relocated. Amid the chaos, informers and defectors will appear soon enough; if necessary, we must be prepared to abandon every stronghold.
"All brethren go into hiding, ceasing all church activities, awaiting unified orders, and transferring to Cecil in batches according to the prior plan—this work can be entrusted to Yuri."
Selina laid it out point by point. Sem listened with a grave expression, then gave a slight nod and said in a low voice: "It has come to this after all... A pity that seven hundred years of endeavor should return to the starting point overnight."
"Better than total annihilation," Selina shook her head. "And at least we still have the knowledge accumulated over seven hundred years, and a new power willing to take us in. So it is not an utter return to the starting point."
"What about the mental network?" Sem asked again.
"...Without the facilities here to support it, the operation of the mental network will be greatly affected, but fortunately its foundation rests upon our minds. So long as enough priests survive, it can be kept running at a minimal level," Selina said, evidently having already considered this. She answered at once: "Once the transfer begins, the mental network will maintain only its basic mode, and Illusory Hub City will no longer be opened until we establish a new headquarters in Cecil. His Holiness the Pope has expended much in sustaining the sandbox; he will spend most of his time henceforth resting and recovering. Matters of the network will be overseen by myself and Supreme Order Daniel——mainly myself. Supreme Order Daniel is currently in Aldenan; out of concern for security, he will provide only technical support."
"Mm, I understand," Sem said with a nod. "That way, so long as the mental network endures, coordination will be much easier."
Then Selina looked toward the other side of the hall, toward the computation node hall where the brain slaves were kept, her gaze falling upon those observation windows and the sluice gate that stood open.
Noticing her gaze, Sem spoke before she could, a trace of emotion in his voice: "Mag the Equilibrium Order, he... rest assured, we will bring him with us."
But Selina shook her head and said softly: "No. Bring everyone."
"Every..." Sem was briefly stunned, then frowned. "You mean all the brain slaves? That would... no, it would certainly consume more manpower and resources, and it would affect the transfer schedule to some degree..."