After the eting ended, the six people dispersed, but in another secret network space, "Silver Green Creation" sought out "Old Skeleton."
"You ca looking for now, surely you want to ask sothing, right?" The Old Skeleton imdiately guessed Silver Green Creation's intentions.
"Yes, senior." Inside the silver chanical puppet, gears rotated as it slowly stepped forward before him.
"Ask away."
"That 'Blue Masked Sparrow'—" She hadn't finished speaking before the other interrupted.
"Don't ask who she is. I can only say that she certainly holds a degree of power in the Central Council. She enables the Federal Official to utilize our technology in constructing the basic channels of the Ai Jieka Network, accepting our suggestions. It's a mutually beneficial relationship of trust. The official side improves the network's efficiency, resolving many minor issues, while we, by mastering these core foundational codes, make it easier to conceal our presence online."
"Do you know why 'Puppet Bear' always follows her and echoes her? It's because of the subtly revealed invisible identity and strength she holds."
"As for 'Red Scimitar,' he barely understands technology, but he has the backing of multiple gray-area organizational alliances. They use concealed network platforms to complete nurous bounty missions and seek profit. As long as you provide him protection, he will support you."
"Just like his nickna suggests, he's a dangerous blade. But as long as you're strong enough, you can wield him for your own purpose."
"Now, it's clear that that cat-ear songstress aims to accomplish the sa as 'Blue Masked Sparrow,' replacing her ecological niche within the organization. This competition has nothing to do with us; we only need to worry whether their conflict could ripple toward us, bringing trouble."
"I previously opposed contacting that cat-ear songstress because I foresaw how certain topics, once initiated, would beco impossible to sever."
"They simply don't get it." Having said this, Old Skeleton leaned back into his skeletal throne, appearing lost in thought.
"Previously, we were apprehensive about many things because maintaining control over the 'Connector' required avoiding the Court of Judgnt's attention. Otherwise, we'd leave traces that could be traced back."
"But now, since control over the 'Connector' has failed anyway, we should act decisively, abandon previous exterior puppets, erase traces, sever possibly pursued leads, and minimize losses."
"Yet so within the organization still believe the situation can be controlled. Not only did they fail to act decisively, but they also tried contacting that cat-ear songstress. This wholly invites chaos." He sighed in frustration.
"Didn't 'Blue Masked Sparrow' claim she had a ans to stop that cat-ear songstress?" Silver Green Creation finally spoke.
"She says she has a thod, and you just believe her completely?" Old Skeleton dismissed it.
"'Puppet Bear,' that fool, is completely bewitched by her official identity, following her unconditionally like a dog." Rarely did Old Skeleton curse so bluntly.
"The founding purpose of the 'Council of Seven Sages' is to remain concealed in the shadows, avoiding any overt conflicts with forces, never revealing threats, and maintaining a stable survival space. Only then would official power overlook us."
"A series of actions by 'Blue Masked Sparrow' will make outsiders perceive us as too strong. Such power existing outside official spheres will only irritate and unsettle the upper echelon."
"They're playing with fire, all while thinking their tricks are clever." Having said this, he sank into silence.
As Silver Green Creation delved into the complex relationships and beca embroiled in confusion, Old Skeleton suddenly stood.
"No, sothing's not right." He began pacing.
"'Blue Masked Sparrow' wouldn't act so recklessly." He started to reflect.
"She's been in the organization for nearly seventy years, and I've never seen her indulge in conflict or succumb to petty emotions. Besides, she's a ticulous individual."
"She couldn't fail to notice that entangling with that cat-ear songstress yields nothing but harm. Even if we ultimately win, what's the gain? Recklessly offending a songstress would attract more attention, offering no benefit."
"Why, when Hexia Tilan approached the 'Connector' organization, didn't she simply abandon control to swiftly escape the Court of Judgnt's scrutiny? Instead, she repeatedly involved us with Alanna, claiming she had ways to deal with the songstress."
"Indeed, she might have a thod to stall that songstress, but then what? If you think deeply, you'll realize she can't perpetually stall the young songstress. Should Alanna die or et with an accident, the young songstress would surely investigate, drawing official attention."
"From the very start, it was all wrong. When Hexia returned with Suoga to the garage base that day, all actions should've ceased. Because if we can't kill a songstress and sever the Court of Judgnt's surveillance, eventual exposure is inevitable."
"Why did she repeatedly guide the organization to interfere further? Such actions blatantly contradict the organization's founding principles, unless—" Old Skeleton's steps suddenly halted.
"Unless she's long intended to use this as a ans to observe and test the young songstress, unconcerned about the organization's safety."
"Do you recall when we hadn't yet discovered the 'Connector' organization, she instructed us to monitor and gather growth experiences and records of the younger generation of songstresses? Back then, I told you to carefully avoid the Court of Judgnt's oversight."
"I rember, senior." Silver Green Creation nodded.
"After that, she never ntioned it again, and our focus shifted to the 'Connector,' leaving that matter suspended."
"Why is she always so knowledgeable about songstress-related matters!?"
"Why doesn't she, like us, harbor fear and dread toward songstress identities!?"
"Why, as an official representative, does she make unilateral decisions without consulting anyone backing her!?"
"Why is she so confident in asserting she can manage the young songstress!?"
"There's only one answer."
"'Blue Masked Sparrow'—she herself is a highly experienced songstress!!"
When Old Skeleton uttered this conclusion, both fell into prolonged shock and silence.
After a long while, Old Skeleton regained his composure, tapping his bone staff as he turned toward Silver Green Creation.
"Regarding what I've just said, don't tell anyone. Continue acting as usual in the organization, revealing nothing abnormal."
"Henceforth, in matters related to songstresses, remain silent within the organization, expressing no opinions."
"Understood, senior." The chanical puppet's joints turned, allowing it to bow in respect.
Old Skeleton's hollow eye sockets gazed into the distance, seemingly lost in ancient mories.
"As the organization's founder, old friend, you likely knew 'Blue Masked Sparrow's true identity from the start."
"No wonder, upon leaving, you handed her the leadership position. Surely no one else could have kept it steady."
"Soone with no network technical skills sits at the core of the 'Council of Seven Sages,' a network-oriented organization. No wonder the organization has operated for so many years without severe suppression from the Court of Judgnt. Perhaps you had long registered it with them voluntarily."
"The mbers 'Blue Masked Sparrow' placed within the organization might well include Judgnt agents. If so, the concerns we've harbored from the start never existed, rely an invisible frawork for self-restraint, deterring reckless actions, perfectly aligning with their intentions."
The long-held beliefs and principles of the organization collapsed in a mont. Years of caution, ticulous planning, and arrangents felt like dancing in soone else's palm, unaware of being the mice under control.
As one of the longest-standing core mbers apart from 'Hui Fangyan,' Old Skeleton had never felt so defeated. He had once placed faith in technology, believing he and the other mbers had carved out their world outside the Federation's official governance through technical prowess and strategy. But now, it beca clear they never escaped the frawork.
Everything was nothing but futility.
Indeed, with such elite minds gathered from a population of billions, forming the Federation's upper echelon, how could they have allowed the Ai Jieka Network to have such vast unknown territories?
Information dissemination is crucial; songstresses precisely utilize networks to extend their influence across various groups. How could they permit such domains to exist beyond official control?
The more deeply he thought, the more disoriented Old Skeleton felt, as though he had spent years trapped in a dream.
And now, the dream had ended.
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