Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 562 - 515

Lyle agreed to SS’s plan.

"My information can only be shared with Lyle alone, because there cannot possibly be four SS’s at the same time, so the only participant in this infiltration operation is Lyle. There’s no need for you to get so excited." SS’s voice was like a basin of cold water extinguishing the excitement of the members of the Necromancer Figure Club. Their waving arms stiffened in the air, frozen like machinery.

Shiny’s eyes widened in disbelief; he had never imagined being excluded from such an interesting operation. His eyes, white and rigid as those of the dead, stared fixedly at SS.

"Then why are we here?"

"I’d really like to know that too." Without any mercy, SS dropped the last remark and turned on the seat to make adjustments at the workbench, "Lyle, let us discuss the details of the operation in more detail."

Silence spread amongst the three superfluous members, the gloomy atmosphere congealed into a kind of malice. They exchanged glances and communicated in whispers.

"Let’s get rid of him."

"I can hear you." The monotone voice made the three, who thought they were speaking softly, shudder as SS continued to manipulate the screen without turning back, "This is my base, my perception system is connected to every sensor here. Although I’m sorry to interrupt your fun, it’s about Lyle and the Mechanical Divine Sect... If you want to participate remotely, you can stay here. I will be in constant contact with Lyle, and the visual imagery will also be transmitted to the big screen."

Lyle assisted from the side, soothing the three of them.

SS took out a silver-white metal sphere, its blue camera lens in the center resembling a lively, large eye. The lens began focusing, and three mechanical little appendages for standing extended from the edges of the sphere. It was a small robot with a smooth exterior; it moved the lens to look at SS, the three short legs whirred for a moment, and it lightly hopped, gently touching tentacles extended by Nia with its shiny metallic head.

The voice of SS came out from the little robot’s microphone, "This is the assistant robot I designed, Snowball. My eyes and ears; it will accompany you during the infiltration, Lyle, but don’t expect it to be combat-capable. Its weapon system only includes a low-power stun gun."

Snowball retracted its three legs, rolling around on the tabletop like a ball, then scurrying up Lyle’s arm to perch on his left shoulder like a spider, fast and light, not even weighing as much as an apple. Snowball’s camera lens transmitted a clear image to SS’s eyes, displaying it on the large screen.

"Good, Snowball is functioning normally, ready to participate in the infiltration work..."

No sooner had SS’s words fallen than the screen turned pitch black as if slapped in the face. SS paused, then started checking whether there was a problem with the adjustment system. After a series of checks, the gaze finally shifted to Lyle’s shoulder. There, where Snowball should have been sitting on Lyle’s shoulder, it was now engulfed in writhing black muck. Nia had swallowed up more than half of its snowy white body, its three short legs flailing like those of a dying grasshopper in the air.

"Nia?"

A soft, mushy voice rang in Lyle’s ear; Nia held the little toy in her hands, her fingernails gently tapping on Snowball’s head.

"That is Nia’s spot, it’s not allowed to take my place."

Nia pressed Snowball back onto the tabletop and earnestly advised Snowball’s large eyes, "You can’t compete with Nia! Nia will get angry!"

An ominous voice echoed in Lyle’s brain like a sinister serpent.

"Look, Nia can threaten now; she’s grown quite a bit. She could have crushed this metal egg easily."

Let’s say you’re right.

SS fine-tuned Snowball to optimum condition and confirmed the plan sequence with Lyle one last time. Shiny and the others sat on the sofa, watching the proceedings on the big screen as if it were entertainment. Lyle finished packing his luggage, and Snowball maintained a certain distance from him but not too far away.

"Alright, all we need to do is wait for the sun to set, then we can start the operation, after all, night is a good time for infiltration."

Night is a good time? Lyle pondered for a moment.

"Is it because the pyramid is solar-powered, so without light at night, it switches to energy-saving mode, making it more convenient for us to infiltrate?"

Lyle’s suggestion was negated by SS.

"That is a superficial prejudice. The use of solar power is for maximizing efficiency. In reality, the Mechanical Divine Sect’s technology can fully achieve multi-channel functionality. Nighttime has no effect on the pyramid’s security system, and we have various energy storage devices besides."

A laugh came from SS, filled with a sense of superiority in knowledge, or perhaps arrogance.

"Night doesn’t affect the Mechanical Divine Sect. The reason I chose this time is considering your Liches’ behavior. You Liches dislike daylight, and your Necromancy is less effective during the day. It’s only in the cold damp of night that you can truly wield your magic, isn’t it?"

Lyle shook his head with a smile.

"That is a superficial prejudice. Liches are not vampires who can’t be in the light, and the higher-order bloodlines can also withstand light. Spirit Summoning Studies are profound and extensive, not something the Lady of the Moon can meddle with. In fact, the effectiveness of spirit summoning rituals depends on the caster’s abilities; death cannot stop us, so how could daylight surpass death. We prefer nocturnal operations simply for our pleasure; most Liches are photophobic, especially Andre Liches, but they detest holy light a lot more than sunlight." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The word "prejudice" left both sides with mixed feelings, and it was then they truly acknowledged each other’s knowledge and the powers behind them. This subtle jostling actually brought Lyle and SS closer together.

SS spread his hands, "So, Lyle, shall we start the infiltration now? If day and night make no difference to either of us?"

"Still, let’s set the time for night. This city isn’t just about mechanics and Liches; night can block the line of sight of most races and reduce the chances of unexpected incidents during our operation. Besides, I still need to do some preparations."

"Then, please rest well, Lyle."

SS pressed a button on the wall, and a door to a separate room appeared out of the wall.

"After dark, I will notify you."