?

This was Gawain's first time entering the Central Temple within Dream City.

The temple stood at the center of Dream City, and in terms of the Mind Network's structure, the data composing it also lay at the very deepest level of the entire network—it was directly monitored by the Supreme Bishop Council and remained at all times beneath Pope Megall III's "gaze." All mental activity within the Temple District operated under the highest security protocols, with data flow subject to extremely strict controls.

Thus, for a long time, Gawain had never set his sights on this area. To keep himself, a "stowaway," from being discovered by the temple's monitors, he had even avoided moving about near the Temple District.

Not until today, when Daniel became the Temple District's monitor and restructured the data flow throughout the entire area.

Gawain calmly teleported into an inner corridor of the Central Temple, then leisurely made his way into the resplendent circular hall.

Within the magnificent hall illuminated by sourceless radiance, the figures of the archbishops emerged one after another. Mysterious runes covered the surface of the golden round table at the center of the hall, each one shimmering with rippling light as attendees arrived. Gawain slowly approached the table, his calm gaze sweeping across the magical and holy marks floating along its edge, and could not help sighing inwardly—

People who worked on networks really did love RGB. As if that stuff could actually improve the Mind Network's performance...

As his thoughts drifted, the figures swiftly solidified. The archbishops of The Sleeper Cult had arrived at the venue and come before Gawain.

Gawain glanced over the seats and saw that twenty-three places had been arranged around the ornate round table—corresponding to the twenty-three archbishops, including Daniel.

Yet one chair was empty.

Gawain recalled