In the shadows, the silhouettes of the Three High Prophets were reflected. The grand hall was dim, while the ceiling above was formed from transparent crystal, through which faint specks of light could be vaguely discerned.
"Tsk tsk..."
Don't be fooled by the Prophet of Truth's words sounding righteous and devoted, as though he were thinking only of the species—every sentence invoking the Covenant and the San'Shyuum. Anyone who believed that would be a fool.
In politics, no matter how filthy the dealings behind the scenes, even if everyone knows about them, so long as the surface has not been openly torn apart and no one has truly gone for the throat, room must be left to maneuver.
And what the Prophet of Truth was doing now was clearly gilding his own face, draping his actions in a cloak of nobility.
Though I assassinate political enemies, maliciously suppress allies, and discard loyal contributors once they have served their purpose—though I am a tyrant within the Covenant High Council—I do it all for the Covenant, for the San'Shyuum. Therefore, I am a good man.
Thus he seized the moral high ground and pointed fingers at others.
You have no right to prattle on. Any objection means you harbor prejudice against the Covenant, that you bear ill will toward all San'Shyuum. That is heresy. You would be unworthy of walking the Path of Pilgrimage.
"Well then, Mercy—do you have any further insights?"
Although the advantage was no longer his and he had been dragged back to the same starting line as the other two High Prophets—perhaps even left in a weaker position—the arrogance forged by years of holding absolute power still made the Prophet of Truth subtly place himself at the head of the Three High Prophets.
"No, no. How would I dare add anything? What noble spirit indeed... Truth."
In response, the Prophet of Mercy idly moved his fingers, a faint smile on his aged face. We are both thousand-year-old foxes—what ghost stories are you trying to spin with me?
But it was only a light jab, not an open rupture. Seeing the Prophet of Truth's expression grow increasingly unpleasant, the Prophet of Mercy promptly stopped and stiffly changed the subject. "There are no outsiders here. Take your time. Tell us all your thoughts."
"Hmph."
After a brief pause to choose his words, the Prophet of Truth continued in his sharp, grating voice, like that of a hoarse crow:
"Although humanity has likely made a great leap in military technology through deciphering and analyzing relic technology—catching our forces off guard and causing heavy casualties—for a long time to come, in overall strength, we still hold the absolute upper hand."
"The advantage is ours."
"Therefore, we must seize this window of time and, united in purpose, eliminate humanity once and for all. The previous war deployment against the human fortress world Reach can be canceled."
"Reach is the core bastion of humanity's military power. Now that we have obtained its coordinates, attacking it directly would not be cost-effective. My decision regarding Reach is to postpone the campaign and bypass it."
"We will implement leap-style operations. Securing control of the 'coordinates' takes priority. We must not give humanity more opportunities or time to open and study relics."
"Deciphering relics and converting them into our own technological and military strength—all of that requires time to materialize."
In truth, from the very beginning of their encounter with humanity, they had known that humans possessed the authority to open Forerunner relics. Though they were loath to admit it, the fact remained—humanity were the chosen inheritors of the Forerunners.
Originally, the Prophet of Truth had intended to let the Prophet of Regret test the waters first, while he himself gathered the Jiralhanae legions and followed behind to reap the rewards.
Unfortunately, plans could not keep pace with change. The Jiralhanae fleets he had been assembling were struck by unprecedentedly fierce human assaults while still at their respective mustering points, suffering losses of more than half.
The plan had to change. For now, the Prophet of Truth needed to rely on some of the Prophet of Regret's forces, buying time for his own faction to recover.
"And we absolutely cannot give humanity time. The relics belong to us. Only we can activate them..."
As he spoke, the Prophet of Truth clenched his fist and looked toward the silent Prophet of Regret, his voice low. "You understand what this means."
Humanity's direct connection to the Forerunner civilization worshiped by the Covenant presented an irreconcilable and sharp contradiction with the religious system upon which the San'Shyuum relied to maintain their rule.
To preserve the stability of their political dominion and the integrity of religious order, the San'Shyuum Prophets concealed the inheritance relationship between humanity and the Forerunners. They instead declared that human civilization had desecrated sacred relics of the 'gods' and launched a genocidal holy war against them.
"You needn't say it. I will mobilize the Sangheili legions and fleets under my command and settle it in a single decisive battle—securing control of the 'coordinates.'"
Having said that, the Prophet of Regret suddenly turned his head and looked calmly at the Prophet of Truth. "I require command authority over all participating legions—including the Jiralhanae legions."
"..."
"Seconded." Before the Prophet of Truth could respond, the Prophet of Mercy spoke up in agreement.
Two bastards kicking a man while he's down.
That was what he thought. His head lowered, his expression shifting repeatedly. But when he raised it again, the Prophet of Truth had already regained a breezy composure. He looked at the Prophet of Mercy, who was watching the drama with lively, innocent interest, then at the impassive Prophet of Regret, and revealed a cold smile.
"Very well."
Before his words had fully fallen, the Prophet of Truth abruptly changed tone. "However, Regret—the matter of the Sangheili should also be addressed. How long do you intend to keep shielding them?"
Though he appeared to be questioning the Prophet of Regret, his gaze was clearly fixed on the Prophet of Mercy. It was obvious he was seizing the opportunity to stir trouble, signaling to this neutral colleague who enjoyed spectating that it was time to purge the 'disobedient' Sangheili.
"Their foolish sense of honor and pride will sooner or later uncover the truth about humanity. You cannot conceal it for much longer."
After more than twenty years of war with humanity, as soldiers who fought on the front lines, certain elite Sangheili warriors within the Covenant had begun to question why the San'Shyuum Prophets refused to grant humanity the same opportunity offered to other defeated species—to join the Covenant.
Despite humanity's heavy losses, in the eyes of the honor-bound Sangheili, they had proven themselves to be steadfast and courageous enemies.
Especially the human soldiers known as Spartans. In battle they were nearly unmatched, unstoppable, having slain thousands upon thousands of Covenant troops. The Sangheili derogatorily called them 'Demons,' yet the term carried not a trace of unwilling respect.
Thus, within the Sangheili councilor ranks, proposals to invite humanity into the Covenant—even to allow them to atone for damaging sacred relics by joining in penitence—had never truly ceased.
Would the San'Shyuum Prophets ever state the real reason?
To do so would be to dig their own graves. Once they lost their legal and religious authority to interpret doctrine, whether the Covenant would collapse was another matter—but the San'Shyuum would certainly lose their current ruling status.
And as the San'Shyuum Prophets hemmed and hawed, concealing the truth and offering explanations far too flimsy, the Sangheili councilors found it increasingly difficult to understand.
Humanity's combat strength was clearly capable of becoming a powerful aid on the Path of Pilgrimage. The Covenant was not a 'pure-blooded,' single-species empire. Why, then, were the San'Shyuum Prophets so adamantly opposed to humanity joining the Covenant?
This was mutual respect between warriors—but could the San'Shyuum, who had toyed with political machinations for years and whose bodies had long since degenerated beyond suitability for battle, possibly understand such a mindset?
Obviously not. They could not comprehend the Sangheili mentality. In their eyes, it was instability.
Although the Sangheili ultimately refrained from pressing further, the rift between the two sides was never repaired.
The seeds of the Sangheili uprising and the Covenant's eventual schism were sown the moment the San'Shyuum Prophets began to distrust and fear the Sangheili warriors.
"Of course I know that. That is precisely why I demanded command authority over your Jiralhanae legions."
"The Sangheili are still useful for now. If properly exploited, their excessive sense of honor can unleash power far greater than that of your pack of brutes."
As a member of the San'Shyuum, the Prophet of Regret naturally harbored deep misgivings toward the Sangheili, a species possessed of fierce warrior pride. Yet after the Jiralhanae were discovered and incorporated into the Covenant's armed forces, it was the Prophet of Truth—who commanded the greater power—who became his primary rival.
The Prophet of Truth had consistently and openly supported elevating the Jiralhanae, showing clear intent to replace the Sangheili. Such behavior undoubtedly enraged the Sangheili. Seizing the opportunity for his own benefit, the Prophet of Regret expressed support for the Sangheili and, in doing so, naturally secured their loyalty.
It was merely a temporary expedient. One knew one's own affairs best—the Prophet of Regret had never truly trusted the Sangheili.
They would be dealt with eventually. Just not now.
To be honest, once one had grown accustomed to commanding these Sangheili legions, it became difficult to lower one's standards. Compared to them, those brainless, savage, violence-prone ape brutes were simply beneath notice in his eyes.
It could only be said that the Jiralhanae were easier to control, requiring him to expend less effort fabricating justifications. Though unfit to serve as competent military commanders, they were sufficient as tools.
Having reached his conclusion, the Prophet of Regret immediately addressed the Prophet of Truth in a tone bordering on command. "I have my own arrangements in this matter. There is no need for you to concern yourself. Truth, your task is to keep Reach occupied and provide cover for our fatal strike."
With that, the Prophet of Regret maneuvered his hovering chair and departed toward the end of the hall. Seeing this, the Prophet of Mercy followed shortly after, leaving only the Prophet of Truth standing rigidly in place.
Bang!
After a moment of silence, once the hall doors had fully closed, the Prophet of Truth slammed his feeble fist against the armrest of his hovering throne.
"Bastards! Do those two truly think I would not dare reveal the truth of the matter?"
Well... in truth, he did not dare.
Once the truth regarding the Forerunners and humanity came to light, his authority would no longer be secure. Compared to eliminating two political enemies, he valued the power in his hands far more.
"..."
"Heh heh..." Having calmed himself, the Prophet of Truth suddenly let out a cold laugh. "But there will be others to deal with you. The treasures humanity has obtained from the relics amount to far more than this..."
His fingers slid across the armrest of the hovering throne.
Hum—!
Within the sealed hall, scanning lenses emitted a low buzzing sound, projecting a holographic image in blue and violet light—footage transmitted by one of his Jiralhanae legions before its annihilation.
Boom!
Surround sound roared.
In the holographic projection, the space station of the Jiralhanae legion was obliterated.
Its shattered remains fell like meteors, crashing into the Covenant base on the planet below with an ear-splitting explosion.
Mountains rumbled, the ground convulsed violently.
The Prophet of Truth's eyes widened. The cause of it all was a colossal warship.
Unfortunately, thick smoke from the explosions obscured much of the scene. The battle had been too intense. The war zone seemed to have been subjected to some form of information suppression. The transmitted image was blurred and distorted.
Only a fragment of the behemoth could be seen.
"Like a Keyship... a holy relic of the 'gods'..."
He murmured, the smile on his face growing increasingly twisted.
"Regret. Mercy. We shall see. The path to godhood will be mine alone."
Yes—this was the Prophet of Truth's plan. To kill with a borrowed knife.
Humanity had been strengthened by various sacred creations from Forerunner relics. Naturally, they could no longer be judged by former standards. The Prophet of Truth had concealed the true extent of the losses suffered by his fleets, along with all intelligence that had been transmitted back.
The other two High Prophets only knew that his fleets had suffered heavy losses in a surprise attack by elite human forces armed with Forerunner relic constructs. The exact scale of the damage, however, they could not determine in the short term. In terms of control over his own forces, the Prophet of Truth remained confident.
He had even deliberately shown weakness, giving a push to ensure the Prophet of Regret would act more swiftly.
As for whether he had considered the possibility that, after using humanity to destroy his two colleagues, he might be unable to suppress human civilization himself—perhaps it was simply arrogance and pride. He believed the Covenant could rely on its vast scale to crush humanity outright.
Humanity's greatest asset was merely the holy relics left behind by the 'gods'—the Forerunners.
And the Covenant possessed such relics as well.
Moreover, they had occupied and studied them for far longer. There was no reason they should lose to humanity.
In short—
The advantage is ours!!
This setback was nothing more than a momentary lapse, an underestimation. He had not expected humanity to use the relics of the 'gods' to break through his defenses and inflict such losses.
Once the Prophet of Regret stumbled, the Prophet of Truth would publicly launch an accusation at the High Council, condemning the Sangheili for failing in their protective duties. Exploiting the Sangheili's foolish honor and pride, he would drive their entire military strength into a desperate, grinding war against humanity.
"Humanity... do not disappoint me..."
As for the Prophet of Truth, once he had recovered from the pain of his losses, he would personally lead High Charity and the Covenant's main fleet, crushing the entire human race with overwhelming numerical superiority.
Even if it required piling up lives, he refused to believe humanity's pitiful handful of 'holy relics' could withstand the weight.
The plan appeared meticulous—sufficient to consolidate his power and status, perhaps even to establish a dictatorship over the Covenant and ascend the stairway to godhood alone, following in the footsteps of the 'gods.'
Yet the Prophet of Truth had overlooked the most crucial point.
Humanity would have to be exactly as he imagined—exactly the humanity he knew from the Solar System.
What he did not know was that from the very beginning, he had miscalculated his opponent.
The enemy who had set its sights on him was never the Unified Earth Government.