"I have to go."

Ethan no longer shared his thoughts with the old butler, because it felt like talking to a mirror—it held no meaning whatsoever.

The old butler merely nodded slightly.

In fact, Ethan had always been deeply intrigued by Holy City, the hub of human civilization, not only because it was Lindong's homeland, but also due to its unique social state. He was curious about what a society where everyone could be happy actually looked like.

He slowly raised his right hand, swiped his fingertips through the air in front of him, and instantly a crack transformed into an oval, reflecting a shadow of a city and pointing him in the right direction. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Just as Ethan stepped into the void of the crack, familiar voices of a conversation emerged from the other end.

"Navigation coordinate research project..."

In the sprawling laboratory, a male figure was facing a console displaying a holographic image, murmuring to himself.

Evidently, an intrusion had just ended here.

Several researchers wearing lab coats were unconscious. Their name tags were being used by the intruders to access confidential information on the console. When Ethan looked towards the sound, he discovered that the figure in front of the console wasn't human but a white robot—not even the humanoid kind, but the oldest model of robots in Holy City.

These types of robots were usually used as servants or guards, obeying scholars' commands in laboratories to handle chores or engage in dangerous projects. The robots themselves held no intrinsic value, so even if they were scrapped during experiments, no one would care.

The scholars attacked and passed out had no awareness that these mechanical servants obeying orders would suddenly strike them.

Yet Ethan, as an ordinary bystander, could not help but point out the greatest flaw in these intruders' plans.

They thought they had fooled the guards, but every corner of Holy City was under Messiah's surveillance. From the moment they lashed out, they were already in the sight of the Lord of the Holy City, who for reasons unknown to Ethan, hadn't directly caused their mechanical units to short circuit.

"The research of the First Seat..."

The self-talk of the mechanical servant made Ethan stop in his tracks, as he heard a familiar designation.

Despite the featureless metal head showing no expression, Ethan still discerned disbelief in the robot's tone.

"This... is not science at all!"

The mechanical servant drew a stunning conclusion from the confidential data: "She made a deal with something in there!"

"What kind of deal?"

Another mechanical servant approached. Ethan, standing above, roughly counted that there were four "faulty" mechanical servants. Besides the two near the console, two more were standing guard at the laboratory's only exit.

"A pass, one that allows the spacecraft to temporarily use the 'node'!" The mechanical servant by the console trembled in voice, evidently not recovered from extreme shock, "That woman deceived everyone! The navigation coordinates were just a guise to fool the council because she knew her family; as long as the result of interdimensional travel is achieved, those people don't care about the process!"

Packaging mysticism as science, yet covertly disregarding Holy City's laws!

"...Huh?"

The mechanical servant at the console suddenly noticed something, puzzled, looking at its hands resting on the console, "Why... do I feel angry?"

They invaded here just to seek answers, with absolutely no reason for anger.

Moreover, his understanding was rather rapid.

In reality, he did not comprehend those scientific theories but jumped the process, obtaining answers out of thin air.

From their perspective, the council and the Lord of the Holy City were their true allies, and the First Seat might even become their steadfast allies.

"Because she, as the emblem of the Origin Society, flagrantly tramples Holy City's laws, and uses such dubious doctrines to ascend to the position of the First Seat; this matter should be condemned by all!"

A shrill voice intervened in the conversation.

This was when Ethan also noticed the fifth intruder; the fifth mechanical servant stood opposite him on the second floor. The final mechanical servant clearly noticed Ethan's presence but did not alert its companions; it seemed there was a more important speech to deliver.

But before that, a female mechanical servant's voice interrupted him, "Song Xian, what's got into you suddenly?"

Song Xian?

Ethan heard a familiar name, thus identifying the identities of the two mechanical servants by the console.

He encountered Merlin and Zhuang Xiao again, and the other voices possessed in the mechanical servants were likely the missing leaders of the guild, who had smuggled into Holy City after the underground laboratory turmoil ended.

The female's question stopped the excited "Song Xian," who seemed disturbed, neurotically saying, "No, your answers are wrong, let's start over!"

He cleared his throat, and the mechanical servant spread its arms again following his speech, "She, as the emblem of the Origin Society, flagrantly tramples Holy City's laws, and uses such dubious doctrines to ascend to the position of the First Seat; this matter should be condemned by all!"

The same words, yet this time, the other mechanical servants responded entirely differently.