Chapter 922 — The Escaped God
Blade of Dawn · Page 4 of 4
The students were bewildered and taken aback, but the teacher's last sentence was something every one of them could understand. Those two points swiftly dispelled all their confusion, and the students in the lounge, as if fearing Magnum might go back on his word, burst into a chorus of thanks and then, without a moment's hesitation, hastily took their leave.
Eleven rose as well, preparing to depart with the others, and mentally planning to seize the first chance to confirm how things stood with his father. But just as he was about to head for the door, he heard that notoriously strict mentor call out behind him in a voice full of vigor:
"Eleven, Storm—you two stay a moment."
Eleven and Storm remained behind, puzzled and rather nervous.
Magnum drifted before them like a ghost, and after sizing the two students up and down, he waved a hand and said in a somewhat impatient tone: "Your families are fine—hurry on home."
……
On the great holographic projection at the front of the hall, the map of the Empire's full territory shimmered faintly across its surface. White points of light representing active nodes and the lines connecting them crisscrossed and interwove, forming a network that was not yet dense but already covered, in broad outline, the whole of the Empire.
Sorinborg, Shilin City, Winterhold… one major hub after another emerged upon the map as miniature projections, running quietly.
All communications had been restored; every network was connected.
"The hubs at every level have come online smoothly and joined the network… it succeeded?"
Rebecca stood at her own command dais, reporting the current situation to Gao Yang, but toward the end of her report she could not help scratching the back of her head, drawing out the last syllable in puzzlement.
Gao Yang, however, remained grave. He stared at the holographic map before him and said nothing for a long while.
The network merger had indeed succeeded—at least, all the data and evidence so far met the expected results. And yet… this inexplicable success gave him no peace of mind.
He was waiting for further word from the neural network.
This time he did not have long to wait—mere moments after Rebecca finished her report, the small arcane-net terminal mounted on the command dais suddenly lit up, and Duvalt's figure appeared above it.
This "Divine Humanity" bowed slightly to him. "Your Majesty."
"What's the situation on Naretir's side?" Gao Shao stepped forward at once and asked. "Have they caught the intruder?"
"The intruder was badly wounded, but still got away," a trace of regret and dejection showed on Duvalt's face. "Naretir only brought back some 'embers' that are difficult to analyze…"
"Got away?" Gao Shao's brow furrowed, and even as his heart sank he asked instinctively, "Then what exactly is this intruder? Can you tell its true form and origin?"
"It's—" Duvalt had barely gotten out a single syllable when his figure suddenly flickered as though struck by interference. Then he was shoved aside, and Naretir squeezed into view from beside him.
"It's a woman with no legs," Naretir gestured with signs no one could understand, speaking words that those present understood even less. "Runs faster than anyone…"
Gao Yang: "???"