*Sob*
*Sob*
Watching the minister cry emotional tears, Leo tried to be patient and give him a chance to compose himself.
However, as a few seconds passed and the minister showed no signs of stopping, Leo let out a deep sigh and gestured for Chaosbringer to see him out, for he did not like the meeting to be disrupted this way.
"Please carry on," He said to the next man in line, as the Information and Communication Head stood up next.
"My Lord, to monitor what's happening in the outer universe and to stay in touch with our scattered netizens on neutral planets, we've established a rudimentary communications network. However, because of the difference in the flow of time between this world and the real one, there's a huge delay in receiving messages...."
"To put it simply. Every one minute that passes in the real world equals about one hundred minutes here inside the Time-Stilled World. So, while things outside move slowly, time for us races ahead. We have already tried to pass something like a data cable through the Dimensional Portal, to create real time access to what's going on in the wider universe, however, the gate isn't stable and the wire gets cut off after a few seconds, which means that the only way to get messages in and out is by operating flights non-stop into and outside this world. Unfortunately, it takes time for messages to reach our people even after a craft is outside, and even more time for them to draft a reply if it's a two way communication. So even if they act fast, and reply within half an hour, from our point of view, over 50 hours have already passed, which is why even though our system works as fast as it possibly can, we still experience long communication gaps. The flow of time itself makes instant contact impossible, and all this is only possible if we run flights inside and outside the time-stilled world every 30 minutes to collect messages and rush straight back in. However, if in the future operating such a flight route becomes risky, we might be cut off from what happens in the wider universe completely."
The information head shared, as he pointed out a huge vulnerability to Leo about the Cult's current position.
If the Righteous Faction set up a siege around the portal entrance, then they could choke the Cult's ability to get information from the wider universe, which could prove to be a major strategic blunder.
However, there seemed to be no easy fix to this problem either, as running flights in and out of the world was the only way to communicate with the outside universe.
"Hmmm~"
Leo mused as he tapped his chin and took this problem into consideration before nodding to the information head in acknowledgement.
For now, he had no immediate solution to this problem, however, with time he hoped to find one for sure.
"That's it from my end, My Lord, I guess Jake can take over next."
The information head said, as he sat back down, only for Jake, the Civil Affairs Minister to stand up next.
"My Lord," Jake began, bowing slightly, "while our infrastructure and security continue to improve daily, the morale of our people remains delicate. Many still struggle to accept that they were forced to abandon their home worlds. And though most now admit that this new realm offers them better lives with higher mana density, cleaner air, and longer lifespans.... the shameful wound of exile still festers. There is anger everywhere, quiet but deep. A sense of humiliation that the great Cult of Ascension, once feared across the stars, was driven into hiding. And with that anger has come something else.... vengeance."
He paused, letting the word linger.
"In my lifetime, I have never seen the Cult's people so united in hatred. They no longer simply wish for the defeat of the Righteous Faction, no, that merciful dream is gone. And with it the desire to change the minds of the Righteous Citizens and enlist them into the Cult. For now, the Cult masses crave their total obliteration. Every story, every chant, every bedtime tale told to a child now ends not with the rise of the Cult, but with the burning of the Righteous Faction. Our children no longer dream of rebuilding what we lost, but rather of revenge. As for the first time in history, the people's hatred for the enemy burns stronger than their love for our Cult."
Jake said with passion until he ran out of breath, only to suck in a deep breath before continuing.
"On one hand, I understand that this deep rooted hatred that our people feel is not healthy. However, paradoxically, it has united them in ways we never managed before. Crime is virtually nonexistent within the Time-Stilled World, despite the high population density, for the sense of civic duty that our citizens display is overwhelming. Everyone helps maintain the city, protect the young, and share resources. Even the elderly help build new roads and fix plumbing issues, as they treat this new world as their own responsibility, rather than that of the government..... So, in a way, My Lord, the pain of our downfall has forged us into something stronger, purer. A people without division.
But that doesn't mean we have no ambitions, or issues.... Our people are suffering, My Lord, and they don't need comfort or empty promises of rebuilding..."
He lifted his gaze and met Leo's eyes directly.
"What they need is a promise of revenge. A reason to believe that the pain they are enduring will not be for nothing. For in my opinion, my Lord, I think they are ready to become the heretics that the Righteous Faction already believes them to be."
Jake said, as the room went quiet again, the sound of rustling papers and faint breathing filling the air while everyone silently absorbed the weight of his final words.
(More chapters in Buyers club for TMT)