The Head was the one who announced this in a jubilant tone, with his arms stretched wide open even as he knelt on the floor. His eyes were s.h.i.+ning with unbridled joy, and his face was filled with the pride of one who had seen greatness in someone before they had come into it fully.
With a nod, Daneel looked around the room, daring someone, anyone to speak.
The Head had been smart enough to begin transmitting everything happening in the cabin from a few seconds ago, so from before that moment when Daneel had knocked out the Heroes who had continued to resist, the rest of the Order had been able to see just what was going on in this place where all the greatest of its members had gathered.
All over the headquarters, and in fact, even all over the continent, many individuals dropped everything they were doing and stared with shock at the grand scene where it looked like the King"s second coronation would soon take place.
The head"s words echoed all over the Headquarters, once, then twice, but there was still only silence. It was as if the G.o.dking"s presence could be felt everywhere, pressing down on the shoulders of those who even thought about speaking out, thus effectively killing that thought and making them feel fearful while hoping that their intention had not become known to the one prominently being displayed on trinkets all over the place.
All of his well-wishers and those whose lives he had touched on this long journey were the ones smiling the widest as they saw this happen, and even though there were many who couldn"t believe it, the sight of so many Heroes being forced to faint was still fresh in their minds, along with that image of him defeating all those Heroes in the Church before, which made it abundantly clear that whatever power he had now…was all too real.
10 seconds pa.s.sed after the Head spoke, and as there was still no one who spoke out, he declared, "It is final. I shall go activate the ancient obelisk so that we can begin transferring the role. All those who are watching, I bid you to kneel to our new Overseer, and leader. Long live Angaria!"
Knees met the floor all over the continent, as thousands of individuals felt the sudden urge to show respect. Some of the smartest among them began to see that something external was exerting influence over them, but no matter how much they tried, they could not understand what it was, let alone even try to oppose it. One thought was clearest in their minds, almost as if it had come from somewhere else, and had been forcefully pushed to the forefront of their consciousness: this man was now the strongest in the entire continent, and it was only right for them, the most talented in Angaria, to kneel and wholeheartedly swear to follow his command.
Of course, it was also obvious that with the activation of the wartime clause in the ancient obelisk, they would be forced to do so in case it was necessary, and with dread, many began to remember just what had happened during the last time that the same steps had been taken.
Then, they had agreed to let the clause be used of need, and the worst had happened.
Now, they were being forced to do so even though it was not supposed to be this way, so many began to hope that just like last time, the opposite would happen, and it would all turn out for the best.
After letting the entire Order stay on the ground for a few seconds, Daneel relaxed the pressure that he had been exerting on them using the G.o.dnet.
Again, this had been necessary, as he really had no time for discussions.
With another nod, he spoke, and his every word seemed to resonate in the minds of all those listening.
"I accept responsibility not with happiness, but with an overwhelming sense of desperation. Let me announce the news again: the Church attacks in exactly one month. That is all the time we have to put up a defense that should stand against the force that has had many more thousands of years to mature and reach where they are now. It will be tight… But if you all help me, I"m confident that Angaria will weather this storm. Today will be the last day of rest you will have for a long time, so I propose that you use it well. I shall speak to you all again tomorrow. Farewell."
Hearing this, many of the members of the Order could not help but almost fall to the ground, as this was just too many shocks coming one after the other.
A month? Just a d.a.m.n month? That was all the time they had to face this ultimate enemy?
Fear threatened to own the minds of many, but for all those that this happened, that same touch which had made them kneel came back, but this time, it was rea.s.suring, and helped them to recover from almost collapsing into an insensible state.
[Steps are being taken using the G.o.dnet to stop the spread of panic. Situation will be constantly monitored, and host will be apprised of all steps being taken. This is being facilitated by Cognition Module, which can be turned off at any moment by host, if it is required.
Moment in time has been judged to be appropriate to transmit received message.
Message received from the Basilisk of the TriCobra Sect.
Message contents: "Congratulations on the victory! The transmission device I gave you worked flawlessly! There was no doubt about it, of course, but you seemed like you were doubtful… I hope you now understand that I"m serious about this collaboration. A Basilisk always keeps its word, even if the world comes to an end. On that note, we need to talk. Come over to our regular haunch."]