He knew Silver Fantasy would not die. He knew Silver Fantasy would take this attack for him, and he knew the Purification Council would never truly kill her. He knew all of it.
But sometimes.
Certain things still brought all the pain you had deliberately ignored.
That was why he asked.
"Why go this far?"
Silver Fantasy did not look at him. She simply held his hand tightly, her gaze locked fiercely on the phantom opposite her, as though no words were needed at all.
Because what explanation was still needed?
Because this was how it should be.
Because once you made a promise, you did your best to keep it. Because you had not betrayed me. Because you had done nothing to betray me.
And how could I betray you?
"Good-very good-"
The phantom almost laughed, but that laughter was filled with sorrow.
"But you will regret this-my child-you will disgrace the Father God-because you still cannot be rational-perhaps that is why the Father God split you off-because you represent the weakest side of our Machine Intelligence Civilization-after all these years-nothing has changed-"
Silver Fantasy stared fixedly at him.
"You have no right to judge me. You know nothing about our civilization."
The phantom laughed and said:
"But you will surely thank me someday-because I represent our collective interests-if you insist on dividing our church for that demon-then so be it-if I am proven wrong afterward-I will personally confess my sins before my god-I am willing to face any judgment-"
"But today-he must die-I believe he must be the man you hate most-you simply cannot see it-and it is difficult for you to see."
At that moment.
Countless streams of data spread from his body, pouring into every AI enforcer and machine consciousness present.
An order was issued to