Chapter 1050: Chapter 249: Civil War (Part 2)

Rowena’s face was pale; this was precisely the response that unsettled her the most.

In the past, Lindong wouldn’t care whether her inner self felt good or not. Even those familiar with the First Chief would gossip behind her back, calling her an unfeeling mad scientist. It was a pity that she once thought the same, but for Rowena, this was both Lindong’s strength and her greatest charm.

The First Chief was the only one who completely abandoned sentiment.

"So, we’re allies, grasshoppers tied to the same rope."

Rowena did not follow Lindong’s words; she chose the third path, hoping for a rational explanation that made sense. "For your plan, you need more helpers, so you can leverage the friendship between us... Go ahead, how do you want me to help you?"

"I want you to stay away from the First Special District before everything ends."

"Why? Have you taken a fancy to my lab?"

"The biotechnological research you are conducting is crucial to my plan. Go back and finish it as soon as possible; you have less than a month."

Lindong said in a cold tone.

"I see."

Rowena suddenly realized, finding another possibility from the crack. This also explained why the Lord of the Holy City would allow Lindong’s wanton acts. "You want Origin Society and the High-tier Council to reshuffle. From a long-term perspective, their corruption has severely hindered the advancement of civilization!"

This revived her spirits.

The First Chief was still the First Chief she knew. Upon returning to the Holy City from the "Otherworld" journey, she immediately began cleansing the family. Only that arrogant and unfeeling madman dared to confront these issues.

"I’ll go back now, wait for my good news."

Rowena didn’t bother to continue enjoying her breakfast, holding a tray with a spicy chicken burger and fries as she walked out of the house.

With Rowena’s loud presence gone, the room suddenly became much quieter, and only after the footsteps outside faded did Lindong exhale deeply. Ending the conversation with Rowena there was the best result; with the departure of this clever troublemaker, she could devote herself to the next plan without distractions.

"What experimental project is Rowena working on?"

Ethan suddenly asked.

"Biological science, her most proficient field."

"I’m asking about the specific project, name, impact, and outcome."

This time, Ethan’s question was met with a long silence; Ethan hadn’t intervened in their conversation but had made his own judgment. Lindong’s silence precisely confirmed his judgment. "Interesting, a project whose name and outcome are unknown, yet becomes a crucial part of your plan."

He continued, "The only explanation is that it has nothing to do with the project she is working on; you just want her away from the First Special District. This way, regardless of what happens in this city next, Rowena won’t be forced to make a choice."

Rowena was right; friendship indeed influenced Lindong’s judgment, also proving her change.

And the subsequent series of discussions were just another way Lindong, who knew her friend too well, chose to reassure herself.

"Acting on emotions can result in unpredictable outcomes... So? Are you about to lose faith in me?"

Lindong asked with a visible tension, albeit smiling.

"Quite the opposite." Ethan shook his head. "I’ve suddenly found you more charming."

"There are consequences to nonsense. If it were a few days ago, I would take this as a signal of you flirting with me... You should remember the ’Cat Endurance Plan’ you concocted to deal with me?"

Lindong raised an eyebrow, her gaze softened. "It’s not just because of friendship; the more rational the judgment, the closer it resembles His thinking pattern."

She turned towards the room’s window, gazing at the gloomy sky. "That’s precisely the outcome He hopes to achieve, meaning everything I do next will fall within His calculations. And such variables will provide Him with millions of possibilities. When ’change’ occurs, He will spare no effort to discern its essence."

"And now you’re trying to persuade me again."

To him, the simpler explanation was that Lindong was actually a tough-mouthed tsundere; she absolutely wouldn’t admit to any caring behavior—even if she was indeed doing so. Ethan attributed it to the arrogance of a genius.

Considering Lindong’s background, such a personality was understandable.

"Alright, choose an answer that puts you at ease."

Lindong shrugged. "Before they fight fiercely over the Second Seat, I still have time to show you around the First Special District." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"It doesn’t look like there are any tourist attractions here."

To Ethan, this city seemed like a forest of steel, with high-rise buildings almost occupying every corner of the city. The gaps between each skyscraper were suffocatingly narrow, and for most people working in the First Special District, they didn’t need to leave their offices; all their activities could be satisfied within those skyscrapers.

"I plan to take you to a place I’ve never been before."

Since it’s about change, naturally it should start from a place she loathed the most deep down— "Sanctuary of Logic, you can think of it as the national religion of this world. Their belief in the Lord of the Holy City is no less than that of the believers of Life Divine Teachings."

In the past, Lindong could only see blind foolishness in these people.

They were the most hopeless individuals; even the Lord of the Holy City’s beacon couldn’t penetrate their brain like black holes. However, the existence of the Sanctuary of Logic was precisely what made human belief in the Lord of the Holy City rooted in every Edge World, even those residents from Edge Worlds several galaxies away sincerely believed in the Lord of the Holy City’s radiance.

And for the High-tier Council, the Sanctuary of Logic was the most useful tool; everything they did was in maintaining the current rule.

"Previously, I would feel physically uncomfortable whenever I approached there; that place seemed like the source of spreading stupidity. The believers of the Sanctuary boiled cauldrons of plagues that made people dumb every day."

Lindong made no secret of her disdain for the Sanctuary of Logic, and the greatest change brought by the "Otherworld" journey was the complete eradication of her religious phobia. Figures like Julius and Pope Carlo appeared in her memory, and compared to these truly extreme religious fanatics, the Sanctuary of Logic at least retained a trace of rationality.

She immediately stated the reason for the trip, "This time, it’s our turn to use them."

The creatures emerging from the Node Space and the inexplicable attack events—this was precisely the most suitable stage for the clergy.

In fact, the preachers of the Sanctuary of Logic had already started their work.

In the First Special District, as people felt uneasy about the series of recent events, and as they wavered due to the "inaction" of the Lord of the Holy City, the preachers found a reasonable explanation.

"Do not lose faith; everything we are experiencing now is a test bestowed by the Lord of the Holy City!"

When the two strolled to the square in front of the Sanctuary of Logic, a small airship hovered above the square, presenting the newly organized sermon from the Sanctuary to the people of the First Special District. They closely followed current events, linking this disaster and the impending expedition with the Great Expedition.

"The great Lord of the Holy City is selecting His most loyal and steadfast warriors! Only these fearless pioneers can cross that lightless land and spread My Lord’s gospel to those still uncharted barbaric worlds!"

The sonorous and powerful tone was repeated continually, even inspiring Ethan, making him feel invigorated.

And those who halted in their tracks—the Holy City Navy patrol squad looked towards the airship in mid-air with a pilgrim-like gaze, seemingly ready to lay down their lives for the Lord of the Holy City at any moment.

"The speakers were equipped with devices stimulating the brain’s nerves, achieving a brainwashing effect."

Lindong mocked, "At least they understand using science in this regard."

Ethan, however, looked towards the top of the stairs leading to the Sanctuary, where a familiar figure moved through the crowd, entering the grand Holy Sanctuary.

He saw Zhuang Xiao—not in the form of a mechanical servant; she had summoned back her own body at some point, walking with a bewildered yet fervent step, responding to the preachers’ call.