Silence filled the ship's cabin.
Suddenly, an icy mechanical voice rang out. "All Believers of the Reforging Flame shall carry out the Duke's orders. Anyone who defies his orders is our enemy!"
Everyone turned toward the voice. A slightly stooped Machine Priest stood there, sweeping his cold gaze over them.
Behind him, the Machine Priests stood quietly, utterly motionless.
None of them took up weapons. They themselves were cold steel and the most powerful weapons.
Everyone stiffened, and the atmosphere in the cabin turned cold.
After speaking, the lead Machine Priest turned to Sidney and bowed slightly. "Your Highness, the Duke has entrusted command to you. We are all yours to command."
Sidney nodded slowly, a trace of gratitude flashing through his eyes.
He looked around, his voice softening a little. "Everyone, I know why you are anxious. This is a place no human has ever set foot in. We have entered the Abyssal Sea, and our only hope of returning is a miracle."
"Yet miracles are not beyond our reach. In the past, I would never have pinned my hopes on something so unlikely, but today, we have witnessed too many miracles."
"All we need is a little patience."
He glanced at Holly. "Holly, go check on Duke Sterling. Keep me informed of his condition!"
With the Machine Priests' help, the people had been calmed for the moment, but Sidney knew this was no lasting solution.
For a long time now, the Expedition Army had equated diving with death. This order was sending everyone to their deaths.
Some would inevitably waver, and some would inevitably hesitate. Once someone broke down under the crushing pressure of the Deep Sea, it would trigger a chain reaction.
They had only managed to dive this far thanks to the lingering momentum of Elliot's