The moment Anonymous Star1 accepted the call, Star Lord's static voice with a hint of heaviness rang, "How's the mission going?"
Jacob's eyes narrowed instantly because, according to Dewey's memories, there shouldn't be any mission for the Anonymous Stars at this moment, and they waited for them to continue.
Autarch had already ordered Anonymous Star1 to act normal, and as a magic puppet, he couldn't disobey his master, so he replied in his usual static tone, "Everything is going according to plan, my lord. The Siren Hymn Temple is in complete chaos!"
"Did the others suspect anything yet?" Star-Lord asked again without commenting on Anonymous Star1's report.
Anonymous Star1 replied after thinking for a moment, "As far as I could tell, only Anonymous Star2 and Anonymous Star7 seemed to have suspected something unusual while the others were only somewhat surprised, but just as my lord predicted, they gave in to their inner rang and go along with some 'fun' before leaving."
'So, this was also Star Lord's plan to cause chaos by using the Anonymous Stars' pent-up frustration. Now I understand why I found their actions so strange. After all, how could a secret organization allow its members to run wantonly like idiots since the chances of them exposing themselves increased tremendously?
'However, the real question is why the hell would he need to use deception to trick them into taking these actions? They would've done exactly this if he had just ordered it, so then why all the trouble and manipulation, though? It seemed Anonymous Star1 knew something, and Star-Lord also trusted him over the other…' Jacob mused while he sharply looked at Anonymous Star1's wrist from where the Star Lord's voice was sounding.
Although he now had core information about the Star Hackers, he still didn't know who the Star Lord was. He was simply too secretive and a very dangerous individual. He didn't leave any clues about his identity or any kind of opening to exploit.
That's how he controlled those Anonymous Stars without getting bested up by them, and Anonymous Star1 seemed to be completely loyal to him.
Now, Jacob was thinking of changing his plans slightly, at least no longer going after the Anonymous Stars for the time being. This Star Lord plan seemed harmful to the Siren Hymn Temple, and he even assumed that their end goal was still the Ocean Oracle.
He didn't mind letting them do all the work if their goal was still the Ocean Oracle. Then, when everything was over, he would swoop in and get rid of the Ocean Oracle and, most likely, her legendary quality blood!
"You did a great job this time. But for some strange reason, your involvement in these attacks was leaked, and now the Ocean Oracle knows about it! Who do you think is responsible for it?" Star Lord suddenly said something unexpected, darkening Jacob's expression.
'How did he know about the secret message I sent to the main temple to sow discord between them and scatter the temple's main forces? Could he have someone at the top of the temple's hierarchy who could get this message? Don't tell me that message didn't even reach where I wanted it to be?' Jacob was again slightly baffled by this Star Lord's resourcefulness, and despite having a clear advantage over him, he still seemed to be at a?disadvantage.
Jacob then thought of something and ordered Autarch to interfere with Anonymous Star1's reply, this time slightly.
Anonymous Star1 said, "How can you be so sure? You don't think we have a traitor among us, right?"
"What a foolish question! You know better than to ask me this. After all our dealings, I thought you should've known by now that my words are not to be taken lightly!" Star Lord coldly uttered. He seemed somewhat discontent because Anonymous Star1 was doubting him.
'Is he just angry or pretending to be so he could avoid answering that?' Jacob coldly thought before giving Autarch new instructions.
"I'm sorry, my lord. I was out of my depths just now!" Anonymous Star1 quickly apologized, as he would if he were in control.
"Hmph, don't let it happen again." Star Lord harrumphed coldly, "As for the matter of having traitors among the Nine Anonymous Stars, even I found it highly unlikely.
"However, except for you nine, no one else is present, and according to the security protocols, you can't tell anyone about our organization or use its name in any way.
"That's why I'm also somewhat incredulous about this information, but it's 100% accurate, so this could only mean that one of the Nine Anonymous Stars has either found a loophole in the oath contract or been captured by someone who could infiltrate their mind without them knowing it!" Star Lord stated coldly.
Jacob cocked an eyebrow in surprised, 'He almost guessed the truth, what a terrifying fellow, he deserves to die even more than the Ocean Oracle. However, he's too cunning and careful. Furthermore, I'm truly curious about how it is informative that he trusted even more than the oath and Anonymous Stars.
'Moreover, if he's telling all this to Anonymous Star1, then this means he absolutely sure Anonymous Star1 couldn't turn against him. I need information from Anonymous Star1, after all. Nonetheless, things are becoming more complicated…'
"If that's the case, what do you need me to do, my lord? If there's a traitor, it would be extremely hard to find them." Anonymous Star1 inquired, and Jacob also wanted to know Star Lord's answer to this question.
"It's impossible to find a traitor among them since they are the most excellent Star Hackers of the Unique Plains. I was only able to manipulate them after affecting their minds for two decades, and even that was for just this one task.
"Although it would be a real pity, the presence of a traitor among ourselves is too dangerous to ignore. It could be the end of us all, so I want you to kill the other Eight Anonymous Stars and then deliver their heads to the main temple of the Siren Hymn Temple and …!"
Jacob was shocked when he heard this completely unexpected response and the rest of Star Lord's plot, which sent a shiver down his spine!