"Unknown." Suri stood up. "But it's safer for you to stay up there."
His storage ring flashed, and he took out some basic supplies to distribute to the children: "Eat first."
While the children were busy distributing food, Suri found the entrance to the basement—a trapdoor hidden beneath the altar, covered in dust and debris.
"Locked." Remian's aura illuminated the rusted keyhole. "Need tools?"
Su Rui's fingertips lightly touched the keyhole, and silver dust quietly flowed: [Molecular-level unlocking.] The lock cylinder emitted a slight clicking sound.
The door opened, and a stale, musty air rushed out. A bottomless staircase stretched downwards, and something seemed to echo softly in the darkness.
"It's singing..." the mixed-race boy suddenly said, trembling, "The same singing as before the bishop disappeared!"
Suri's silver hair moved without wind, and silver dust formed an illuminating sphere: [A faint sound wave vibration has been detected, with an abnormal frequency.] He turned to Remian and said, "Wait for me."
Then, he walked alone into the darkness.
Remienne waited anxiously at the top of the stairs. Children surrounded her, their halos shimmering faintly in the darkness.
"Will he be alright?" the mixed-race boy asked anxiously.
Remian's aura shone with unwavering determination: "He is powerful." But her palms were slightly sweaty.
Time ticked by, with occasional metallic scraping sounds and energy fluctuations emanating from underground. Finally, Su Rui reappeared, her silver hair dusty, but her expression remained calm.
"How is it?" Remien asked eagerly.
Suri's silver dust formed a three-dimensional projection: [Ancient ruins discovered, not Sakota or Sarkaz craftsmanship.] The projection revealed a peculiar metallic hall, "The bishop's figure...not recorded."
The mixed-race boy suddenly pointed to a corner of the projection: "That symbol! It appeared in the bishop's research notes!"
Su Rui's silver eyelashes trembled slightly: [Beginning to analyze the meaning of the symbols.] Yin Chen quickly scanned the entire underground space.
Remian's aura flickered slightly: "So the bishop might..."
"It may have entered some...teleportation device." Suri pulled up the last scan results. "The device has malfunctioned and its energy is depleted."
The children's radiance dimmed. Remian gently took Suri's hand: "Can it be fixed?"
"It will take time," Su Rui's Silver Dust continued its analysis, "but first we need to solve the immediate problem."
His storage ring flashed, retrieving enough food and medicine: "Now, take care of the living first."
As night fell, a warm light finally shone into the church. Suri had restored the power supply, and the children were able to eat a hot meal.
The mixed-race boy sat down next to Remien: "Will you...stay?"
Remian's aura shimmered softly: "A solution will be found."
Su Rui stood by the window, his silver hair shimmering in the moonlight. His silver duster was still deciphering the mysteries of the underground ruins, but at this moment, he was more concerned about the lives in need before him.
"We'll begin repairing the church tomorrow," he said softly, "and then...we'll look for clues about the bishop."
Remian's aura shone with a warm light: "Together."
On the edge of Lateran, in this mobile church, a new story is just beginning.
The morning sunlight streamed through the restored stained glass windows, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow inside the church. Suri's silver hair was almost transparent in the beams of light as he inspected the reinforced wall structure.
"Stability increased to 91%," Yin Chen displayed the data. "Support in the northwest corner needs to be replenished."
The mixed-race boy led several children in helping to pass tools. Although they didn't understand these technical tasks, the children were very enthusiastic. Remian distributed breakfast nearby, her aura radiating a warm glow.
"Should the entrance to the basement be sealed off?" a child asked timidly.
Suri's silver dust shimmered slightly: [Temporarily sealed off, awaiting specialized equipment.] He looked at Remian, "We need to contact the Lateran rescue team."
Remian's aura rippled slightly: "But the mixed-race children here..."
"I'll handle it." Suri's storage ring flashed, [The necessary documents and data have been forged.] "They will be accepted."
At lunchtime, the church was filled with the aroma of food. Suri had repaired the kitchen equipment and could now make steaming stews. The children sat around the benches, enjoying their first full meal in months.
"The bishop used to make stews often," the mixed-race boy whispered, "but never this good."
Remian's aura shimmered softly: "What kind of person is the bishop?"
"He's strict, but kind." The boy looked down, fiddling with his spoon. "He said God loves everyone, regardless of blood type."
Suri's silver dust quietly recorded this information: [Beginning to construct the bishop's personality model.] Perhaps clues to the disappearance can be found within it.
Volume 17, page 965: Study Hard!
In the afternoon, Suri began repairing the church's Originium power supply system. Silver dust flowed through the circuits, quickly getting the old equipment running again. When the lights came on, the children let out a small cheer.
"We need an education system." Su Rui pulled up school materials. "The children's basic knowledge is far behind."
Remien smiled. "You even prepared this?"
[Standard education package, covering courses for all grades.] Silver Dust displayed the list, "Also includes vocational skills training."
The mixed-race boy looked at the screen curiously: "Can I learn repair skills?"
Suri nodded: "Classes begin tomorrow."
As evening fell, Suri entered the basement alone. The silver dust formed a more powerful lighting system, carefully scanning every corner. On the walls of the metal hall, he discovered some engravings.
[Ancient script, it doesn't match any existing language family.] Yin Chen attempted to analyze it, "But some symbols... are similar to the bishop's notes."
He took out a worn notebook—the one he'd found in the bishop's room. Silver Dust quickly scanned each page, cross-referencing them.
[Match accuracy 73%.] Analysis of the light spot composition indicates, "The bishop is studying this script."
Suddenly, Silver Dust detected a faint residual energy: [From the same source as the teleportation device.] pointing to an almost invisible engraving on the wall.
Su Rui's fingertips lightly touched the engraving, and Yin Chen vibrated slightly: [Higher access required.]
As night fell, warm lights illuminated the church. For the first time, the children slept peacefully, knowing that food and hope would return tomorrow.
Remi and Suri stood at the church entrance, gazing at the wasteland under the starry sky.
"Can we find him?" Remy asked softly.
"The probability is low." Suri's silver hair fluttered in the night breeze. "But we'll do our best."
His silver dust display showed the latest analysis results: [The teleportation destination is likely within 300 kilometers, but the coordinates are unclear.]
Remian's aura softened: "At least the children are safe."
"Not only that." Suri pulled up the plan, "We need to establish a permanent base here, as a perimeter outpost for Laterano."
He looked up at the church steeple: "Mixed-race children also need a home."
Late at night, Su Rui was still working. Yin Chen was constructing a detailed 3D model in the church's basement, attempting to recreate the scene of the day the bishop disappeared.
The mixed-race boy approached quietly: "I...I just remembered something."
Suri's silver eyelashes trembled slightly: "Speak."
"The night before the bishop disappeared," the boy wrung his hands nervously, "he said... 'It's time to go back.'"
[Keyword: Go back.] Yin Chen quickly searched all the data, "Go back to where?"
The boy shook his head: "He didn't say. But he was especially happy that day, like he was expecting something."
Suri's silver dust suddenly froze on a blurry surveillance video: [The bishop's last figure, with a smile, walked towards the basement.]
Perhaps this is not an accident, but a... journey home.
A thin morning mist shrouded the moving site, and Suri's silver hair gleamed with a cool sheen in the damp air. He stood atop the church steeple, where silver dust formed a complex three-dimensional star map, marking the bishop's last possible location.
"The range has narrowed to within 50 kilometers," he said calmly, "but the energy signature has completely disappeared."
Remian's halo flickered faintly below: "Like... she never existed?"
Suri's silver eyelashes trembled slightly: [Spatial folding marks, not naturally formed.] Silver Dust displayed a distorted spacetime map, "Someone... or something erased the traces."
The mixed-race children gathered at the church entrance, anxiously gazing at the sky. They had grown accustomed to the sense of security the silver-haired boy provided, and this sudden change filled them with fear.
At noon, a strange figure appeared on the wasteland. A Sarkaz girl with long blue hair walked across the scorched earth, her halo displaying a peculiar geometric shape, unlike any known Sarkaz variant.
"Mr. Suri?" Her voice was as clear as a wind chime. "I am Kong Gou."
Su Rui's silver dust immediately formed a defensive array: [Identity unknown, abnormal energy signature.] His fingertips slightly lifted, "Purpose?"
The girl's aura swirled gently: "Regarding the bishop...perhaps I can offer some clues."
Remian's aura flashed with wariness: "You're from the church?"
"You could say I'm... an unofficial member." Empty's smile held a hint of mystery. "The bishop left me a letter before he disappeared."
Inside the church, Kong Gou retrieved a yellowed envelope. The paper was unusual, faintly glowing with Originium energy.
"He had a premonition that he would leave," Kong Gou said softly. "He told me to find you at a specific time."
Su Rui's Silver Dust Scanned Letter: [The ink has a special composition, containing spacetime marker particles.] "Why are you only arriving now?"
"Because now is the 'right time.'" The empty halo shimmered subtly. "The bishop's research... delves into some forbidden territory."
She pointed to the ground: "That ruin wasn't created by the Sarkaz, it wasn't even a product of this era."
Suri led the empty structure into the basement. Silver dust illuminated the ancient metal walls, and the strange engravings glowed faintly under the blue-haired girl's aura.
"Ah... the 'door' is closed." Empty fingertips lightly touched the engraved mark, "but I can still feel the lingering warmth."
Remian's aura flickered slightly: "Do you know what this is?"
"A... rendezvous location." The empty smile deepened. "The bishop is going to a long-awaited appointment."
Su Rui's Silver Dust suddenly detected an abnormal fluctuation: [An energy signature with the same frequency as your aura has been detected.] "Who are you?"
The empty halo rotated gently: "Just like you... someone who shouldn't exist here and now."
As night fell, Kong Gou suggested spending the night in the basement. "Some information...can only be accessed at specific times," she explained. "When the moon reaches a certain angle, more details will appear on the walls."
Suri's Silver Dust remained vigilant but acquiesced to her request. Remian's aura was filled with worry: "Is it safe?"
"Safer than staying in Laterano," Empty said meaningfully. "After all... some people there don't like 'anomalies.'"
Late at night, Su Rui's Silver Dust detected strange energy fluctuations coming from the basement. He silently approached the entrance and saw the halo of the empty structure resonating with the engravings on the wall.
"You've come." Without turning around, Kong Gou said, "Perfect...to witness this moment."
The engravings on the wall began to flow, forming strange patterns. The hollow halo projected a complex spectrum that perfectly matched the patterns.
"The bishop isn't missing," she whispered. "He just...went home."
The next morning, Kong Gou prepared to leave. "My mission is complete," her aura returned to calm. "The rest... is up to you."
Volume 17, page 966 disappeared.
Suri's Silver Dust Analysis Results: [The spacetime fluctuations on her body match the characteristics of the bishop when he disappeared.] "You're from the same place?"
The empty smile blurred: "We're all searching for our way home. It's just... our paths are different."
She handed Suri a peculiar crystal: "The bishop left this for you. He said it was... a 'key'."
As the blue-haired girl's figure disappeared into the edge of the wasteland, the crystal in Su Rui's hand began to glow. Yin Chen detected that it contained the exact same energy characteristics as the ruins in the basement.
"So..." Remian's aura flickered slightly, "this was all planned?"
Suri's silver eyelashes drooped: [Probability 87.3%.] His fingertips lightly touched the crystal, "But we still have a choice."
The church bells suddenly rang automatically, and the mixed-race children looked up in surprise. As the bells echoed, Suri's silver dust detected subtle changes in the spacetime structure.
Perhaps the bishop's "disappearance" is just the prologue to a larger story.
In the three days following Kong Gou's departure, the church underwent a miraculous transformation. The mixed-race children's auras shone exceptionally brightly, and their health noticeably improved. Remian even noticed that her own leg injury had lessened considerably.
"It's the effect of that crystal," Su Rui analyzed the energy flow with his silver dust. "It's altering the surrounding spacetime structure."
The basement door opened automatically, revealing an even deeper passageway. Suri led Remien back in and discovered new engravings appearing on the walls of the metal hall.
"These are... star charts?" Remian's halo illuminated the wall. "Constellations I've never seen before."
Suri's silver dust quickly compared the results: [Matches the prophetic section in the Bishop's Notes.] "He is pointing the way."
The mixed-race boy suddenly ran down: "The church...the church is moving! Faster than before!"
Suri landed on the ground, and Silver Dust detected that the speed of the entire moving mass was indeed increasing. [Speed 4.7 km/h, direction stable.] The trajectory showed a clear route—heading towards the location where the bishop had last appeared.
"It's the crystal that's guiding us," Suri concluded. "It's taking us somewhere."
Remian's aura softened with worry: "What about the children?"
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