Chapter 679: The Signal Reappears

A clandestine cult hideout, operational for many years and unknown to the civilized world, was exposed following Duncan's announcement. This hidden nest, eluding the vigilant surveillance of the Four Divine Churches, came as a shocking revelation. Here, the group known as the Annihilators had established what they termed a "Veil Colony," a place built to sustain life within the mysterious "Eternal Veil." The exposure of this colony sent shockwaves through all present.

Banster, an elder with a raspy voice from age and authority, concealed beneath a somber black robe, spoke gravely, "For years, we have dedicated ourselves to uncovering the lairs of these heretical factions..." He paused, reflecting on the three infamous heretic groups. "The Enders, with their temporal anomalies; the Suntists, secluded in a realm ruled by the Black Sun, and the Annihilators... They should have had at least one base in our tangible world. Yet, our searches always came up empty..."

Helena, nodding in agreement, added her thoughts. "Discovering their hideout in such an unexpected place is surprising, yet it explains how they've consistently evaded the Church's pursuit over the years. If they've truly found a way to exist indefinitely within the Eternal Veil, then they have indeed outsmarted us."

Turning to Lune, she asked for his thoughts. "What do you think about how these cultists have managed to survive in such a marginal area?"

Lune, deep in thought, replied, "Their so-called Holy Land might not entirely be their own creation." Dismissing the notion of a sudden technological advance, he continued, "Even with their access to forbidden knowledge, the Annihilators couldn't have created such an supernatural sanctuary from scratch. We know their capabilities from past encounters. I suspect they found an ancient, natural vision hidden within the fog. After all, the border is a place where the unexpected is almost routine."

Banster raised another point. "Based on what you said earlier, we haven't actually located this nest yet, right? How can we be so sure of its existence?"

Duncan clarified, "I've taken control of one of their ships, which is currently en route back to their Holy Land. It will take a few days to get there." He elaborated on his findings, "The ship's current course suggests a hidden location on the southeast border, not far from here. The Vanished will soon embark on a mission to intercept it before it reaches the Veil. Would you like to join us?"

The bishops exchanged knowing looks, a silent understanding passing between them.

Seizing the moment, Frem interjected, "The Death Church has its fleet positioned near the southeast border, and the battleship Tide is also nearby, right? They should be able to reach the target location promptly."

Helena, representing the Storm Church, confirmed firmly, "Yes, we can dispatch our nearest fleet immediately. It's our sacred duty to destroy this cultist stronghold, and we are more than prepared to handle any contamination they might have caused."

All eyes then turned to Banster, the steadfast elder. He nodded decisively, "I'll deploy Rest and Resolved, our latest and most powerful battleships."

Intrigued, Duncan commented on the Death Church's interesting vessel naming convention. "Those sound like sister ships? Quite the unique names..."

Banster, with a serious tone, shared their naming philosophy. "Many of our formidable battleships are paired in sister formations. It symbolizes our belief in the inherent duality of all things, such as life and death," he explained earnestly.

"Then it's settled," Duncan concluded eagerly, "I'll guide your fleets to the rendezvous point. But be warned, the cultists in their Holy Land might already be on high alert and prepared. They might have evacuated or are possibly bracing for a counterattack. Moreover, the Holy Land itself could have formidable defenses. You must brace yourselves for these risks and complexities."

Banster replied confidently, "Risk and uncertainty are constants in our fight against evil. Our warriors are prepared for such challenges."

"Alright, let's proceed to the latest intelligence we've gathered about the Annihilators..."

...

Sunlight gently filtered through the window, mingling with the sharp scent of medicinal plaster and the rejuvenating aroma of incense.

Ted Lir stood near the window, lost in thought, his gaze wandering over the vast structure of the Academy Ark anchored off the coast of the city-state. He observed the rugged coastline near the transmitter spire and the lively streets below, where people moved towards the docks, captivated by the imposing presence of the church ships. Festive banners fluttered in the wind, and colorful confetti spiraled into the clear sky.

The general populace remained oblivious to the profound significance of this supernatural assembly, the momentous implications of the arrival of the fifth Ark, or the fact that the bishops had embarked on a journey toward the century-feared ghost ship. For most, these events were too remote from their daily lives to fully grasp.

"...Sometimes, ignorance truly is bliss," Ted Lir mused aloud, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet room.

From his bed, the bedridden scholar, Taran El, replied with a hint of sarcasm, "That's hardly a blessing for a teacher when his student is drowning in it."

Ted Lir, with a wry smile, turned to face Taran El. "Seems like a herniated disc hasn't affected your sharp wit, has it?"

"Hey, it's my spine that's out of alignment, not my capacity for sharp retorts..."

"...Next time, may you suffer from hemorrhoids, and I'll be sure to enjoy three spicy bay wraps right before your eyes!"

"As a respected Truth Keeper, shouldn't you exhibit a bit more refinement?" Taran El tried to shift his position but winced in pain. "I'm already suffering enough..."

Ignoring his colleague's half-joking, half-serious complaints from the confines of his bed, Ted Lir fell into a brief silence. He then turned back toward the window, his thoughts drifting. "I wonder what the topic of discussion is today at the council."

Taran El looked up, a spark of curiosity in his voice. "Aren't you a Truth Keeper? Shouldn't you have some inside information?"

Ted Lir continued to gaze out the window, lost in contemplation, his reply hanging in the air.

"The Arks operate on a plane separate from our city-state system, a fact you're well aware of," Ted Lir finally answered, shaking his head. "Certain pieces of information, once they leave the confines of the Arks, can become a contaminant for the world. A Truth Keeper who gets too involved with the populace often finds themselves cut off from the deepest secrets."

"That makes sense," Taran El admitted, exhaling a resigned sigh. "So, as a high-ranking official, you're stuck keeping company with a bedridden man like me, while the higher-ups engage in crucial discussions..."

Ted Lir's response was a noncommittal silence, which seemed to further bore the scholar. Taran El was quiet only for a short span, then suddenly asked, "But honestly, do you think there might be a confrontation between the popes and the captain of that ghost ship?"

"Would you like me to relay your questions to Professor Lune when he returns for a more straightforward answer?" Ted offered, half in jest.

Taran El merely shrugged, lapsing back into his earlier silence.

At that moment, the sound of brisk footsteps in the corridor interrupted the "friendly" banter between the scholar and the Truth Keeper.

A sharp knock on the door was swiftly followed by the anxious voice of a young man, "Teacher, there's an urgent matter..."

The door opened quickly, revealing a young, flustered apprentice who was struggling under the weight of an armful of documents.

He started to speak but stopped abruptly, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of the Truth Keeper. He stood frozen, momentarily at a loss for words.

Ted Lir, sensing the tension, broke the awkward silence. "Your teacher is currently dealing with his herniated disc, so if it's an academic issue, I'm here to assist."

Taran El, despite his discomfort, made an effort to sit up a bit. With a gesture of reassurance, he addressed the visibly tense apprentice, "Joshua, relax, tell us what's happening."

The apprentice, Joshua, quickly composed himself, offering a hurried bow to the Truth Keeper before approaching his teacher's bedside. "Teacher, there's a significant development at the maritime research station. They've captured a signal coming from the core of that radiant object..."

While he spoke, Joshua extended the stack of papers, laden with intricate waveform diagrams, towards Taran El.

"This signal... it's eerily similar to the one we observed from the glowing object during the event when the sun was obscured..."