Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 747 - 115: [Angel] 2

After a long silence, an elderly man dressed similarly to several other committee members, equally aged, began to speak. Among the seven, his appearance was not particularly notable, "Observer 003, known to you as the God of Truth, detected the signs of civilization on a primitive planet long ago. Yet, the humans there were still in a stage of ignorance, existing as mere playthings for the gods."

"To free them from the fate of puppets, Observer 003 brought them enlightenment, teaching them to think, and thus to understand their own condition, making them aware that essentially their situation was no different from the livestock they kept."

"After that, a war initiated by humans broke out."

This occurred before the First Epoch; it was not unfamiliar to Merlin and others.

"Sowing, irrigating, harvesting—this is the mission every Observer bears."

As he spoke, the old man stared intently at Merlin, "You were not originally meant to know this, but they believe that Observer 009 exists within your soul in some form, thus this concerns your truth as well."

"Are you referring to finding the marker of the plane and handing it over to you, so you can send a starship to descend upon their world?"

Merlin exposed the embellished narrative, revealing the essence of the entire matter.

The Sixth Epoch was undoubtedly the most perfect time node.

In prophecy, humanity faces destruction in the Seventh Epoch, while the True Gods and Middle-Level Gods had already fallen due to the loss of energy supply from the Old Gods. Aboard that starship was Observer 009, possessing the same energy level as a True God. Had the ship not accidentally encountered a black hole on its travel path, it would have arrived above the Imperial Capital nearly in a divine descent.

This, perhaps, was what the old man meant by "harvest," absorbing the entire empire and all connected planes into their own domain.

"They are not the first, nor will they be the last."

The old man said coldly, "One day you will recall your mission, and today is just the first step... haven't you noticed? You've rewritten the guards' cognition to allow you all to enter here smoothly; this is the best proof that the energy of Observer 009 flows within you."

"Don't try to confuse me with the tales we already know."

Merlin remained unmoved, "These Observers, whom do they work for?"

He struggled to conceal his unease; they were discussing something far beyond their imagination. Seen as divine by the locals, the Observers descended upon that world like probes. From the numbering, there were potentially many similar "probes," perhaps even mass-produced.

This was a civilization capable of mass-producing True Gods.

"Work? This is not work but expanding territory for our shared empire. Humanity's understanding and research in the mystical arts will greatly drive the empire's development, and they are in the place closest to the darkness."

The old man said, "And you, 3791, what happened to you holds research value. After the conclusion of Experiment 53, you'll have the chance to be summoned by the Holy City." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Merlin noticed that Chen Qi's head drooped the moment the old man spoke, like a tool that'd been powered off, as did the guards brought by the old man.

"So I'm supposed to accept your invitation."

Merlin sneered, "If so, why not reveal its name?"

"You still refuse to submit."

The old man saw through Merlin's thoughts, deeply disappointed.

He regarded it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; everyone, himself included, saw it as the ultimate pursuit, while for Merlin, it was within easy reach. He just needed to finish the tail end of Simulation 53, perhaps to take on the role of Observer 009 and gain acknowledgment from the Holy City.

"Is it because of the soul?"

Only "soul" remains an unknown realm; despite all clues pointing to 3791 perfectly merging with the energy of Observer 009, he became something entirely opposite, always treading a path contrary to the Holy City.

This raised doubts, even if Merlin's thoughts and memories were overwritten again, his bodily structure reorganized in cycles, perhaps still not achieving the desired result. With Experiment 53 nearing completion, the refuge would be wiped out afterward, lacking time for further study on this unique individual.

"It seems you're not planning to tell me the complete truth."

Merlin shrugged, "Then I might not be able to finish the final step of the summoning ritual for you."

Summoning Ethan required a soul capable of piquing his interest.

And they were the only three in the refuge who met the conditions.

The three exchanged glances, confirming their thoughts.

Such a heavy truth, born in the flesh workshop, manipulated by invisible threads from birth; all time wasted on the committee's lie.

All occurring in the City of Truth and the refuge perhaps meant nothing more than a simple experiment to those in the Holy City, lab mice of no value, while the committee disclosed the fate of the refuge—their initial intent was never to save any resident.

After Simulation 53 ends, all remnants surviving from Simulation 52 would be destroyed.

Even as puppets, they would hold no grievance.

Continuing was unnecessary.

But at the final moment, they broke free of the strings, making decisions with unyielding will.

"Simulation 53 has ended."

Song Xian was the first to act, aiming the gun brought by Chen Qi at the committee member; he felt it was something he should have done long ago.

Unlike Merlin, he didn't seek many truths and only boarded Merlin's "pirate ship" not to die in humiliation as he once did in the "other world."

Song Xian felt this might be the gap between mediocre individuals and perfect beings.

He pulled the trigger, the gunshot breaking the lab's silence.

"If we're talking questions, I do have one."

Song Xian asked loudly, "I want to know if the blood of special citizens is the same as ours!"

"Yes."

The bullet that should have pierced the old man's skull was absorbed by a white ripple, "The raw materials for producing us are no different from you, but you are destined never to verify it."

A white crack shielded the committee members behind them, two hands embedded in unknown white metal opened the crack.

Faced with the creation about to break through, the committee members' faces finally showed change. They bathed in white radiance as if they were devout believers.

The light poured down like a white river, illuminating the creation's cold yet sacred outline.

It was an expressionless face, mercilessly scrutinizing everything in this world, reminding Merlin of angels. Contrary to the Church Court scriptures, it wore no white gown, only mechanized armor, with tubes forming a bizarre wing on its back.

That creation extended only half its body through the crack.

This inexplicable scene made Song Xian break out in a cold sweat.

"Beware, Mer—"

This became his last warning to Merlin.

As the creation opened its eyes, the white radiance enveloped Song Xian.

Shifting reality, erasing his presence in this world.

Zhuang Xiao's pupils contracted.

She witnessed the "reversal" process—within the interwoven white light, Song Xian's dissection unfolded, each tissue of his body returned to its primordial state, disassembled to forms before the "armory" pieced them together, vessels gently drifted to the ground under the light's contrast.

Behind that sanctity lay eyeballs, brains, organs, and other human tissues.

"3791, you've missed your last chance."

The old man's voice echoed from behind the creation, the white light had already spread to Zhuang Xiao.

"Now, welcome your second failure."