[Repeat! We are breaking through downward immediately, breaking through downward!]
The previously intermittent text instantly began flowing smoothly, and the transmitter that had been suffering interference suddenly worked normally again.
Sidney and Michel watched, dumbfounded. All around them, Machine Priests dropped to their knees with a clatter, chanting prayers to the Furnace as they prostrated themselves in worship.
A trace of confusion crossed Holly's eyes. Somehow, she kept feeling a faint sense of familiarity.
"Wh-what's going on? Did you sacrifice the whole dock and advance straight to High Rank?" Sidney stammered in shock.
"Even High Rank doesn't grant these abilities. This is a blessing from the Furnace."
Without hesitation, Elliot attributed everything directly to the Furnace.
After all, He really had bestowed a blessing before, so it was perfectly reasonable for all of this to be His blessing too.
There was no telling what enemies they would have to face next. Continuing to hide his abilities could lead to serious trouble, so he might as well say it was the Furnace's help.
Sidney glanced back at the Machine Priests behind him, then looked at Elliot again. His face twitched, and he hooked an arm around Elliot's neck, lowering his voice.
"Can you really receive blessings, or are you putting on an act? I'm not questioning you, it's just... I need to know exactly what power you have right now!"
"Of course the Furnace really is blessing me." Elliot pushed him away and leisurely straightened his sleeves. "Not long ago, He even directly bestowed a Divine Revelation... In short, He often gives me guidance."
Although Sidney was still surprised, a trace of excitement appeared in his expression. "Wonderful, wonderful. No wonder things have been going so smoothly on your end... Now our chances of victory are a little higher."