With the royal reserves returned to the mortal soil, only one supreme stone-built decision remained to be made.
Who would govern the Root Console?
Across the three hundred floating light-projected panes, the system security settings hovered in an expectant state. The ancient Precursor kernel stonework operated on a rigid hierarchical premise. Either an authenticated administrator held ring-zero power, or the running system entered defensive hibernation.
A single blinking green cursor awaited input at the center of the main display:
Old Man Geng and the quarry masters looked toward Lin Tao with deep respect.
To these men, who had lived their entire lives under the iron boots of sect elders, royal judges, and arrogant flying fighters, the answer seemed self-evident. Lin Tao had slain the Kernel Sovereign, shattered the tribute drain tubes, disarmed the heavenly thunder, and restored life to the very thirsty earth. By every law of heaven, earth, and mortal custom, he was the new Celestial Emperor.
“Master Lin,” Old Man Geng said, his voice trembling with deep humility. “Take the throne. Sit upon the jade dais of heaven. Rule over us with wisdom and justice. We’ll follow you to the ends of the world.”
The twelve quarry masters nodded solemnly, ready to bend their knees before the savior of the Sovereign Basin.
