Beneath the surging black mist, high in the sky above Curse City.
Two enormous phantoms towering into the clouds faced each other from afar. Every mechanical unit in the city raised its head to gaze at the terrifying, oppressive sight.
The flesh-and-blood creatures that had barely struggled awake from the mental suppression were likewise shaken by the sight, trembling.
They were only phantoms.
Yet the overwhelming aura radiating from them sent shudders through every creature.
And not just those within the city.
Even far outside Curse City, the confrontation between those two cloud-piercing giants was clearly visible.
"Machine Intelligence and... the Colossus?"
At a newly established outpost outside Curse City, Sir Awen raised his head and gazed gravely at the two enormous phantoms.
His body floated in the air, radiating a pale green glow. He wore what looked like the attire of a young nobleman from the Middle Ages and leaned on an equally ethereal cane.
Beside him stood dozens of fully armed anti-machine Night Doctors.
And they were not the only ones.
Inside the outpost.
Hundreds of Night Doctors also stared at the two giants in shock, feeling shudder after shudder run through them.
After the Plague Doctors scattered them, they had dispersed across the area. Only a short while ago had Sir Awen, a Nine-Character Meritorious Figure, gathered them again. Yet before they could even finish establishing their outpost, such a terrifying sight had appeared in Curse City.
Clutching his grievous wound, White Night walked to Sir Awen's side, panting. He gazed at the two enormous phantoms and said in a trembling voice:
"Sir, what exactly are those...?"
He recognized one of them.
It had to be the ruler of the Mechanical Church.
But what about the other?
Was that the Colossus?
But hadn't the Colossus split into