"Someone standing over here?"

Leoz silently approached Severston.

"We are truly alike, Leoz."

Severston smiled knowingly, then said:

"These kids have played themselves into stupidity with games, completely unaware of the threats posed by [Society], nor do they understand what kind of entity the Speaker is. To regard the words of the Speaker residing in the ring as gospel is absolutely absurd."

Leoz's expression remained unchanged as he slowly pulled out the ring sealed with the Speaker of the [Mechanical World Society], Meganiros:

"Are you referring to this ring?"

"—huh?"

Severston leaned forward in bewilderment:

"So, you also..."

"Being sensitive is a good thing, Severston. But being overtly stressed about these defeated dogs will only make you seem neurotic."

Leoz said blandly:

"Are you prepared for the descent into the Boundary Abyss next?"

"...Since you, the societal assassin, say there's no problem, I have nothing else to add. I'll just stay vigilant."

Severston sighed, rubbed his hair, his bright yellow eyes flickering:

"Everything is ready—Fog Lamp to resist the Ether Blood, Storm Garment to fend off the winds of the Outer Realm. Just to be safe, I've packed an antimeme device against the Parasitic Society—although neither of us have been inside the Starry Abyss, and in the Underwater Abyss, we're helplessly alone. Not to mention those 220,000 players, already punished by Lai Anding."

"What exactly went wrong?" Leoz asked: "Waking up one morning just to find this bunch disappeared."

"It's a big deal, Leoz."

Severston glanced around, pulling Leoz into a private chat channel:

"This affair involves some high-level issues, the kids bumped into the families of important figures, angering those above."

"What do you mean by that?" Leoz asked confusedly: "We are the high-level of the Starry Abyss."

"No, it's not like that."

Severston kicked a stone, speaking calmly:

"From the perspective of the Starry Abyss, I am, but you aren't—a Cannon Fodder Deity is one aspect, it's your actions of usurpation that caused the emergence of separatism in the Starry Abyss, which is the root of the issue. More importantly, after your usurpation, you didn't safeguard Morphederia."

He looked at Leoz and suddenly asked:

"Leoz, although it's silly to say, who do you think is the true enemy of the Will of the Starry Abyss?"

"Earthlings." Leoz promptly said: "Earthlings are evil and brutal beasts, always instigating wars and genocides. Only by completely eradicating Earthlings, the remaining [Society] would be negligible, kill all Earthlings, destroy humanity, only then can the Starry Abyss have its own space for survival."

"When you say that, you've become no different from Earthlings yourself—why have you become so bloodthirsty lately?"

Severston shrugged helplessly, saying,

"Not Earthlings, try guessing again?"

"Then it's the Destroyer."

Leoz said:

"Aside from the three known Destroyers, Starry Abyss and Earth, countless more Destroyers are yet to arrive."

"Destroyers have been defeated by us multiple times. Although Leviathandal is strong, it can still be defeated under your policy. Gelbroth has a short-sighted view, unable to plan far. As for the Eye of Discernment, once you and I return to the divine throne, and beat it together, it will naturally submit."

Severston straightforwardly said:

"The Will of the Starry Abyss fears that apart from the Primordial Abyss, the five layers of the Starry Abyss could break away from its control, hence calling the final pathway 'Sovereign'. Your act of usurpation was not only a slap to the face of the Starry Abyss but also a violation of the Path of Sovereign."

Upon the mention of Morphederia, Leoz's gaze turned cold, and he spoke icily:

"Haines' former leader, Morphederia, was obtuse and incompetent, sitting in high position without proper duties, devoid of wisdom and leadership! Cowardly in external battles, lazy internally, deceiving the Starry Abyss dignitaries, shaming the cultivation of resource allocation, hiding military truths from the frontline soldiers, disgracing the sacrifice of martyr's blood. Supreme God? Pah, just a rat in the herd."

"Such a leader, akin to the brutality of Jie and Zhou, resembling the incapability of Jingkang, unfit for a major task."

"As Leoz, though called a usurper, in truth, I correct the monarch and assist the nation. Since ancient times, fame is but void, while competency is reality. I, relentless in six trillion day and night efforts, rallied troops, gathered human rights, employed talents regardless of background, thus achieving smooth governance, prosperous nation, mighty army, subsequently launching troops to conquer, contending Beyond the Abyss."

"Defeated the Dragon King, vanquished Titans, captured the Magic Eye in the starry sea; Dragon Race extinguished, Giants perished, Evil-eyed Favored Clan ascended to paradise."

"I do not understand, how even a mere Cannon Fodder Deity like myself, relying on ignoble skills, could achieve such illustrious victory. If Morphederia had even three parts of a resistant heart, could Gaia be taught to enter the pass? Today's situation in the Starry Abyss is all caused by Morphederia's incompetence."

Severston listened in confusion, finally grasping the meaning towards the end, then rubbed his forehead, complaining:

"What cultural references have you just quoted? Knowing too much Earth culture isn't a good thing, you know..."

"No need to worry about that, I have my own measure."

Leoz showed no concern, his connection with the Secret being more akin to a private server. The other side couldn't see his local situation, on the contrary, he could monitor the exchanges between nearby Secret Citizens at any time.

"I understand your point, Leoz, you're very dissatisfied with the Starry Abyss, but at least you acknowledge it's our homeland. So no matter what, I will always see you as a friend, a comrade, a compatriot."

Severston crouched down and spoke calmly,

"But you are mistaken, Morphederia is not just a decisive battle weapon. The separatist sentiment in the Starry Abyss was sown back then. As for the reason, you should know it too."

"Pathway."

Leoz said:

"The emergence of the Pathway has allowed ordinary mortals the chance to ascend to godhood, at least become God Embracers. Even without the war beyond the abyss, Acquired God Spirits would sooner or later step onto the Starry Abyss stage, as Divine Clan of this layer of the Starry Abyss, participating in the gods' conference—it's quite normal, just as it is within mortal dynasties."

"However, some don't want new Divine Clan to come in."

Severston looked at Leoz, revealing a mysterious smile:

"Leoz, do you think you merely took control from Morphederia?"

"...Hope."

"Indeed, Leoz, your name has already become a legend akin to a 'Hero' in the Starry Abyss. The name Leoz has even become as common as 'Arthur', 'John', 'Jack', 'Zhang Wei'."

Severston gently touched the snow on the ground, spoke calmly,

"Enemy, whether Earthlings, Destroyers, or [Society], our Starry Abyss is vast enough, with abundant resources, we will always have the opportunity to defeat them. However, for the Will of the Starry Abyss, its creations are greedily seizing its Strength, eager to split His body, each becoming new Dominators."

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