A pale golden interface and a trembling ring representing Omega's artificial mind appeared before Barrogel. Along with them came Omega's emotionless synthesized voice: "Good morning, Barrogel. I'm pleased to see that you remain in good health."
Barrogel ignored Omega's routine greeting and merely asked in an even tone, "Is the line secure?"
"The line is secure."
"Inform Elder Duke Mor and Speaker Andal that the Holy Dragon Duchy's delegation has departed—to make contact with the Cecilians in the south."
"Understood." The ring representing Omega trembled as its voice replied coldly and calmly. "The message has been transmitted to the recipients."
Barrogel let out a soft breath. After two seconds of silence, he suddenly asked in a low voice, "Has anything happened in Tarlonnd?"
The Omega ring gave a mechanical reply: "Nothing has happened in Tarlonnd. Dragonkind remains loyal."
After more than ten seconds of silence, Omega's voice echoed through the hall again. "For security reasons, this line will be closed unless there is further information."
Barrogel said nothing. He merely waved his right hand, and the pale golden communication interface dissolved in midair, leaving only faint golden particles slowly fading into the air.
The vast throne hall fell into utter silence. The Dragonblood Grand Duke sat quietly upon his hard, cold stone throne, sinking into stillness along with the entire hall, as though time itself had come to a halt.
Within a magnificent hall whose dome was supported by pale golden alloy pillars, with countless intricate and exquisite reliefs covering the dome and walls, a low hum echoed from ancient equipment. Indicator lights embedded among the carvings pulsed slowly like breathing. Countless cables and pipes extended down from the dome and pillars, intertwining into ring-like structures before hanging in great drooping bundles of plugs and connection terminals, all linked