In the Forsaken Land of the Gods, on the streets of the "Nightmare" Afternoon Town.

Ebner looked up at the "floating city" suspended beside the staircase leading to the upper level. He didn’t enter immediately. Instead, he first restrained the power of the black gemstone bestowed by the Goddess, allowing himself to appear in the real Afternoon Town.

—If he wanted to transport "Morning Star City" into the normal world, there was no way to avoid the "True Creator," so he had to go greet Him first.

The best candidate to pass along a message was naturally Elder Lovia of Silver City.

And according to the intelligence Ebner had gathered, this "Shepherd" elder was currently stationed at the camp in Afternoon Town.

Thus, Ebner quietly followed behind a hunting squad that had just completed a monster-clearing mission, tailing them into the camp square illuminated by bonfires.

Around the square were more than a dozen simply built stone houses. One of them, set apart from the others, was where Lovia resided.

Since he didn’t want to alert the other residents of Silver City and avoid unnecessary trouble, Ebner didn’t knock. He directly used his "Door Opening" ability to enter.

Inside the room, Lovia, dressed in a black robe embroidered with many mysterious purple patterns, was drawing a map of the surrounding area of Afternoon Town based on recent explorations.

However, the moment Ebner entered, she suddenly raised her head. Even though she couldn’t see anything, she still said in a low voice, "’Tower,’ since you’re here, don’t hide any longer."

Hearing this, Ebner revealed himself and carefully observed her. He found that this elder had smooth, fair skin, striking and elegant features, appearing to be just over thirty years old. Her pale gray eyes seemed capable of piercing through the soul.

"Your connection with the ’True Creator’ is closer than I imagined," Ebner said after withdrawing his gaze.

If not for that, how could a mere Sequence 5 possibly see through a Miracle Invoker’s invisibility, even if Ebner hadn’t been particularly serious?

Lovia made no comment on Ebner’s words and simply said calmly, "You need not worry about the Lord’s promise... what the Lord says will certainly be done.

"Rather, it is you—remember to fulfill what you promised the Lord."

What I promised the ’True Creator’... that would be to help Him obtain the ’Blasphemy Slate,’ right? He really trusts me... without ’Morning Star City’ as a ’hostage,’ how can He ensure I’ll actually follow through? My credibility?

I don’t believe the ’True Creator’ would be so ’foolish.’ He must have other means of controlling me...

Could it be Silver City? But how would He know how much I value it?

As his thoughts turned, Ebner nodded and said, "Alright, please convey to your Lord that I will not forget that promise."

After saying that, he turned to leave, but at that moment, Lovia called out to him again.

This "Shepherd" elder hesitated for a moment before saying, "I would like to ask you a question."

"What is it?" Ebner looked at her in surprise.

"Do you know who Vaulite is?" Lovia narrowed her pale gray eyes slightly as she asked.

Vaulite? Isn’t that the name the ’Mechanical Emperor’ Ivans copied for his ’artificial life’? And that ’artificial life’ was actually created from the soul of a fallen ’Shepherd’...

Why is Lovia asking this? Is she interested in ’Vaulite’s Perfect Restoration Technique’ and wants to understand his background?

After thinking for a moment, Ebner answered simply, "Vaulite was once a companion and assistant to an existence known as the ’Mechanical Emperor.’"

At this point, he paused and then asked, "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing... thank you for your answer." Lovia, draped in her purple robe, showed no change in expression. After giving a slight bow, she said nothing more.

Seeing this, although Ebner had some doubts, he had more important matters to attend to, so he didn’t press further. He removed his hat and returned the bow before leaving her house.

Only after returning to the "Nightmare" Afternoon Town did Ebner realize that the etiquette Lovia used seemed to be in the Loen style, although not very standard...

Could it be that she learned it herself after watching those films Little ’Sun’ brought back?

Muttering a few words inwardly, Ebner temporarily set the matter aside. Then, with a single step, he entered the range of "Morning Star City."

At the same time, inside the stone house in the camp, Lovia held a feather pen and muttered to herself, "Is it confirmed this time, Vaulite?"

"Confirmed. Only he treats me as a partner, not a tool..." a mechanical voice sounded beside her. "Thank you."

"No need to be polite. Without you receiving the Lord’s ravings on my behalf, I wouldn’t be in such a good state now."

...

Morning Star City, inside an office on the seventh floor of the central tower.

"Alchemist" Annik Sprint was tasting newly made pastries together with a small girl-like avatar of Ms. Eleanor, occasionally writing down evaluations, preparing to submit them to the city’s magazine so that those who had undergone complete modifications could also experience the charm of food through these descriptions.

—Ever since the last visit of the divine envoy restored the function of the "Solar Furnace," Morning Star City was no longer short on energy. The botanical garden had expanded several times over, and thus the variety of food "luxury goods" had also increased significantly.

However, their food critiques had been harshly criticized in an article by another High Council member of Morning Star City, Ormos, who believed such behavior to be unethical.

Although many people agreed with him, even more people enjoyed reading those "food reviews," as evidenced by the consistently high sales of that gourmet magazine.

The little girl Eleanor, with bee-like wings, licked her fingers and said with a smile, "Describing things with words alone really isn’t ideal... it would be great if we could develop a system to share ’taste.’"

"I’ve had that idea for a long time, but there are quite a few difficulties to overcome, and it could easily lead to damage of the ’implants’..." Annik sighed after putting down his pen.

"It’s still a shortage of raw materials... if we had enough minerals, upgrading the ’parts’ on the residents to grant them the corresponding functions wouldn’t be too much of a problem..." Eleanor flew in front of Annik and said.

"But the reality is that people in the lower levels can’t even find replacements when vital organs are damaged; they can only make simple repairs..."

Just as Annik said this, the red light in his slit-like eyes began to rapidly sway left and right. Beside him, Eleanor also turned her head and looked toward the edge of the city through the glass window of the tower.

There, the figure who had once descended upon Morning Star City several months ago appeared once again within their sight.

And in the next moment, the lights of "Morning Star City" all lit up uncontrollably once more, illuminating the surrounding darkness as if it were daytime.

"The Great ’Omniscient Eye, Lord of Fate, Emperor of Knowledge and Machinery’ is about to return,

"When He returns, the believers of Morning Star City shall chant His name..."

"The Great ’Omniscient Eye, Lord of Fate, Emperor of Knowledge and Machinery’ is about to return,

"When He returns, He will lead Morning Star City out of darkness and into a world of light..."

Recalling the oracle left behind by that divine envoy before his last departure, Eleanor and Annik exchanged a glance, then left the central tower at the fastest speed to welcome the envoy’s arrival.

(End of Chapter)