Although the other side had most likely become an enemy, Iluna still had to admit, as she looked at that giant metal machine, that the golem's appearance was indeed quite impressive.
"Construct Master, are you preparing to betray the Creation Church?"
Standing beside Iluna, Mr. Gareth Sander, "Thunder's Wrath," called out loudly through the rain. He did not attack immediately, for a battle erupting between Thirteenth Ring Warlocks of the Orthodox Churches was an extremely serious matter:
"Or is this an operation you are carrying out on behalf of certain people within the Creation Church?"
That was a rather severe accusation. The Ring Arcanists of the Creation Church on the ground changed expression amid the rain and hot steam, while the outsiders who had come to investigate became slightly more wary.
This Thirteenth Ring Warlock, the "Construct Master," who had once fought alongside Shade across different battlefields and, having appeared as early as Coldwater Port, had met Shade before most Witches, stood on the golem's shoulder and gave a remarkably calm reply:
"This is not betrayal. I have merely chosen another path. I still follow the path of the Lady of Creation, but I no longer obey the Church's orders.
"I know that the 'Twisted Life Fire Seed' is no good thing. That is why I secretly supported the Fire Seed Source research. This Fire Seed Source is extremely stable, and we have already found a way to use it safely. If not for the investigation by you heretics, this incident would never have happened."
By then, the people chasing up from beneath the golem's feet had also emerged from the opening onto the surface. A small number stood beneath the golem, while more joined those already on the ground. The Construct Master was clearly not alone; some members of