Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 717 - 96: Messiah_2

If his suspicions are once again unfortunately confirmed, it would be the worst-case scenario for the survivors.

The committee—the governing body of the refuge—aren't really trustworthy rulers controlling the territory. From the start, they have concealed many things from the public, including the secret of having survived over a century and witnessing firsthand the destruction of the City of Truth. Perhaps the refuge they are in now was built by the seven members of the Democratic Assembly.

Because they foresaw that the City of Truth would be destroyed, and for certain reasons knew clearly that the presence that destroyed the City of Truth had never truly left.

New problems followed.

This prolonged "frontier development," along with their efforts to implant an idea in Ethan's mind by all means, ultimately stem from the salvation of a world of destruction or to continue completing the unfinished tasks in the Sheepskin Book.

The Democratic Assembly never disclosed to the writer any news that their world might be destroyed at any time; instead, they spared no efforts to create a prosperous image.

Perhaps before the apocalypse arrived, the expedition starships had transmitted some news back.

It was about Ethan, the "otherworld," and the Old Gods.

And Lindong.

What role does she play in all of this?

"The committee didn't intervene in the meeting Chen Qi temporarily organized. I heard something urgent seemed to happen over there that required their handling, which means we're a step ahead of Chen Qi."

Merlin's mind raced, "We've discovered the secret of the 'dream' world before they did. Clearly, Ethan already knows about the City of Truth."

For prudence, they should immediately halt the experiment.

"He's simulating the trajectory of the City of Truth's existence. If this 'dream' continues, perhaps the truth about the city's destruction will be known."

Merlin believes he has seen through Ethan's intentions, that everything Ethan does the following day is to make that city return to its rightful path, to restore the once-prosperous City of Truth.

But this may not be a good thing for the refuge residents, as the truth runs counter to the idea they have strived to implant so far. It will prove the 'otherworld' truly exists, while "games," "project teams," "the boss's daughter" have never appeared.

Ethan has already exhibited new abilities beyond their intelligence.

Lighting up the entire city, causing a skyscraper to rise from the ground, and advancing the city's technological level by ten years with just a thought—these are certainly not the power of an Elemental Shaper.

And this might be the reason why the committee attaches so much importance to Ethan, setting everything up.

Merlin's heartbeat grew more intense.

An idea became imminent.

Unlike those abstract Old Gods existing in legends and stories, they are dealing with a real "god."

With their current technology and theories, it's utterly insufficient to explain the source of Ethan's power, nor can they possibly counter it. If the committee's overt plans have only achieved half, they indeed brought Ethan to this world by some means, but harbored strong malice, then perhaps within a day, the refuge will be reduced to ashes.

The only good news for the refuge residents is that this "god's" mind has been corrupted. At least until now, he still considers himself one of humanity.

"This will overturn everything."

Zhuang Xiao noticed a fleeting madness in Merlin's eyes, reminding him.

They should immediately halt the experiment.

However, this idea didn't linger long in Zhuang Xiao's mind. She quickly realized that in the current predicament, there might no longer be a so-called safe ending.

"Colonel Zhuang Xiao, this is an opportunity. We now possess something that can interest him... or more accurately, we each have pieces of a puzzle that can interest the other."

"Dream" represents the past; the refuge represents the present.

Only by piecing the two puzzle pieces together can the truth of the City of Truth's downfall be revealed.

"Yes, it might indeed overturn everything, but it might also make us true friends."

No longer needing to carefully implant ideas, the false bubble is destined to be punctured one day, especially since they are facing an existence inexplicable by common sense.

"And maybe through Lindong herself, the mysteries concerning her can be answered."

"What if the gamble is lost?"

Zhuang Xiao asked.

She wavered but hoped to hear Merlin's fallback plan, expecting from this conspirator even secondary measures in case of a plan failure.

"Colonel Zhuang Xiao, you're a smart person. Smart people don't need lies to persuade themselves."

"So you're planning to use everyone in the refuge as gambling chips?"

"Don't forget, I wasn't the one who started this game."

Merlin shrugged, "I don't possess such great ability; this is merely my struggle as one of the chips... But you should be optimistic; according to the information I have, he's not one of those emotionally unstable psychopathic killers, is he not?"

After a while, Zhuang Xiao closed her eyes, resignedly, "I'll attempt to liaison with Lindong; the personnel department's registration form can trace their home address."

Then she shifted her tone, "But we must set three rules. If after a certain 'dream' ends, you find I haven't woken up, then immediately halt the experiment, by whatever means, you must prevent him from arriving here."

"I promise you."

Only pity there's no wine here.

Merlin sighed inwardly; otherwise, he and Zhuang Xiao would truly raise a glass of spiced wine, clink glasses in one gulp, and then wish for a "tomorrow" with hopeful chance.

...…

Meanwhile, in Refuge Area A, conference room.

The conference room door remains shut, seven legislators remain inside, all the lights are off, and the white orb above everyone's head is the sole light source, enveloping them, making them forget the passage of time.

Before the white orb, all their secrets lay bare.

This might be the final judgment in their long lives, next to welcome the fate they should have met as failures over a hundred years ago.

"Code 52, simulation failed, destroyed... You should not exist."

The cold mechanical synthetic voice repeats the relentless judgment.

"No, we're not yet failed, we haven't failed yet!"

The elder at the end struggles to regain consciousness, knowing the outcome of silence.

They would be utterly obliterated in a burst of dazzling white light. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

It will spread to every corner of the refuge, eventually leaving no one able to escape its cleansing.

"We've found it, and we're getting closer to it."

The brilliance diminishes a few degrees.

It examines the elder, any falsehood is exposed before it, the elder grits his teeth perseveringly, knowing he has seized the last chance, "It's about to arrive here, go, go tell the omnipotent Messiah we've prepared a grand gift for Him, we'll eventually succeed, and summon Him here."

The elder's plea receives no positive response.

Moments later, their bodies floating in strong light fall back into swivel chairs, when they finally regain control of their bodies, drenched in sweat.

The orb departed.

They no longer fear, nor hesitate. Replaced by post-catastrophic ecstasy.

They see the final opportunity and firmly grasp it.

They know their promise will reach Divine Kingdom, conveyed to the Messiah.

And after that...

Beyond their intervention.

Of course, by then, the almighty Messiah will personally descend upon this place, and then...

grant them rebirth.