The Mech Touch novel Chapter 1238

Hours after Ves arrived at his secluded villa, a heavily-guarded shuttle passed through the strict security perimeter.

An important guest had arrived.

Moments later, Calabast entered his room and activated four different signal jamming and shielding devices! The amount of precautions she took this time was double than before!

"Aren’t you getting a little overboard?" Ves raised his eyebrow.

"I see you don’t fully understand your new situation, kid. If you think that I’m being excessive, then you’re severely underestimating how many people are interested in you right now! This entire villa is stuffed with sensors and recording devices! I’ll leave you with some of my jammers, because you’ll need it if you want to enjoy any measure of privacy."

Ves frowned when he heard that. "Is it that bad?"

"You’re the most scrutinized person in the Protectorate right now. There is an army of thousands digging up your record and your history. As the ’Bright Martyr’ who emerged in a spectacular fashion today, the amount of influence and soft power you possess is extremely huge!"

"You don’t sound happy with that. Aren’t you the person who came up with this stupid monikor in the first place?"

Calabast smiled deprecatingly at him. "Ah, at least you understand the efforts I’ve made on your behalf. While it’s true that I prepared a number of plans depending on how the tribunal plays out, I didn’t expect you to be so charismatic and so compelling to the Ylvainans! Your impact on the locals exceeded my expectations! Do you think that’s good? It’s not! The emergence of the Bright Martyr has disrupted the existing power balance that has long held sway in the Protectorate!"

The severity of her words finally hit home to Ves. "Are the leaders of the Protectorate afraid that I’ll take over or something?"

"You should know how significant the Martyred Followers used to be. They served as the standard bearers and figureheads of the Ylvainan Faith during their lifetimes! They enjoyed Prophet Ylvaine’s trust, giving each of them a very wide latitude on how to lead the faithful!"

Ves understood the severity of her words. "That time is over. The great prophet and his dynasty are gone while the Martyred Followers only exist in the history books and scriptures now. The Ylvainan people only look up to the Curins, the Kronons and the Poxcos for leadership these days."

"And they aren’t very keen on giving up the power they’ve gained over the years. Even if half of the common folk believe that you’re the Bright Martyr, that doesn’t mean a consensus has emerged. The elders of the leading dynasties are only a couple of decisions away from ordering you killed in order to prevent a foreigner from taking over the Protectorate!"

"How absurd! What do they think I am? They’re basically treating me like the living prophet, but with a lot more open support!"

"That’s a good comparison to make. You already know how the leading dynasties abhor the living prophet. Now that a more credible figure has emerged who has taken advantage of the beliefs of the common folk, your threat surpasses that of the living prophet!"

"I think it’s best for all of us if I leave the Protectorate, then." Ves concluded. "My job is already done here anyway. There’s no reason for me to stick around."

"Agreed. The Ylvainan Inquisition has already released the set of six mechs into my care, but..."

"But what?"

"Their ownership is a matter of contention."

"What do you mean, Calabast?"

"The impact your prototype has made on the public has surpassed everyone’s expectations, my own included! Now that many Ylvainans have learned that there are six other mechs that are almost exactly like it, all of the factions in the Protectorate want to own a Transcendent Messenger!"

"I didn’t make my mechs for those bastards!" Ves said with indignation.

"I don’t have any other choice." Calabast said helplessly. "The six mechs you’ve named after virtues are so special that it’s impossible for me to retain possession of them. Offering them up to the leading dynasties will at least allow us temper their greed and ease some of their fears towards you. Right now, the plan is to donate two of your mechs to each of the three dynasties as a peace offering."

This didn’t sound very fair to him. Ves had done nothing wrong. Why should he be forced to bribe the leading dynasties to ensure his safety? Shouldn’t his status as a Bright Martyr afford him more respect?

Sadly, no matter how much he objected to this concession, Ves had no choice. He attracted too much heat!

"How are the mechs going to be allocated?"

"The three dynasties already hashed the allocation themselves. The Poxco Dynasty demands both Justice and Zeal."

That caused Ves to frown. "I understand why they want to obtain Zeal. It’s the most zealous of the six mechs. But Justice? Really? After the travesty of their tribunal?"

"It’s exactly because the Ylvainan Inquisition has tarnished their reputation that the Poxcos prioritize Justice. They want to repair and redeem the reputation of the inquisition, and what better way than to adopt Justice as their totem?"

"This is absurd!" Ves exclaimed. "The inquisition wanted to kill me! Now they suddenly want to take advantage of one of my prized mechs, something which they accused of being blasphemous! Have they no shame?"

"They don’t. The inquisition is in such a bad state that they have set aside their shame in order to regain public trust. Before you object any further, you should look on the bright side. If the inquisition plans to make use of your mechs to repair their reputation, they are indirectly reinforcing your legitimacy as the Bright Martyr. This means that they’ll be very reluctant to touch you again!"

"...Ah. You’re right."

The Ylvainan Inquisition couldn’t denounce Ves if they proudly paraded two of his custom mechs. While Ves detested the inquisition, he really didn’t want to tangle with them again!

"It’s the truth." _{ƒгeewebnovёl.com}