A Poor State of Mind

After disconnecting from the Mind Network, Gawain felt rather regretful.

Although he had secretly remained in the conference hall, hoping to eavesdrop on what The Sleeper would discuss next, things had not gone as he wished—

Those Sleepers had actually declared the meeting adjourned, then logged off one by one.

But upon further thought, he could only say he understood. Such a major matter required everyone to calm down and think carefully before making a decision. Besides, this "Outworld Wanderer" had just given everyone in the conference venue quite a fright. Even if The Sleeper's archbishops possessed formidable mental fortitude, continuing their discussion in the same venue would inevitably leave them with some psychological trauma. Temporarily adjourning to settle their emotions, adjust their state, and inspect the venue's security—though that last measure might not accomplish much—was perfectly normal.

Moreover, Gawain suspected that the Mind Storm Magnan had unleashed at full strength had caused considerable harm as well. At least a third of the archbishops who had returned after the meeting were probably going to tend to their injuries. Archbishop Yuri, at the very least, definitely needed some recovery time. He had not seemed to be in a very good mental state throughout the latter half of the meeting...

The brief dizziness quickly faded. Gawain exhaled a breath of stale air, and the familiar ceiling and furnishings of the room gradually came into sharp focus.

It was already late at night.

A tranquil night shrouded the room, while faint starlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The brass ornamental lampstand, desk, and wooden wall panels in the distance bathed in that starlight, appearing hazy in the darkness. Everything was quiet and peaceful.

Only faint, fragmented breathing came from a corner of the room.

Shadow Power gathered in that corner, condensing into