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I never imagined that the so-called Messiah of the Machine Cult would turn out to be an android equipped with high-level artificial intelligence…
Even with all my countless playthroughs of The Defense, this was the first time I'd encountered such a situation. I couldn't help but be a little surprised.
["To reach the true domain of creation in the name of science… Truly, the potential of humanity never ceases to amaze me."]
Even the Turncoat King, who rarely showed emotion, couldn't hide his genuine admiration.
—There will be no more need for bloodshed. No more need to lose our beloved families and friends. Because now, we have found the answer.
Meanwhile, Carmen's speech continued to echo throughout the sewer chamber.
An android's speech.
Despite being a being that should feel galaxies apart from faith, the followers of the Machine Cult wept with emotion.
"Ah… Aaah…"
"I believe!"
"Oh, Messiah!"
Esther shook her head.
["…This doesn't feel like the Machine Cult I used to know."]
'No kidding.'
Just as she said, the Machine Cult had always been more of a collective of scientists than an actual religion.
Yet the Purple Line residents gathered here today, moved to tears by the Messiah's presence, looked no different from fanatical zealots.
'No wonder the White Line is taking interest.'
The Machine Cult had once been just a group of brilliant technologists. But after gaining the symbolic figure of a Messiah, it became serious enough that even Barbara Claudia, a congresswoman from the White Line, got involved directly.
It meant I had to reassess my own judgment of the Machine Cult.
'If the AI Carmen I know is anything to go by, she'd opt for a peaceful solution… but that doesn't guarantee this Carmen is exactly the same.'
Either way, I had no choice but to investigate for myself.
"I'd like to speak privately with the representative of this branch. Could you arrange that?"
Alvin looked troubled as he shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but that's beyond my authority. As you may already know, I'm just a preacher…"
"I misspoke. Do I look like I'm asking?"
["Heh…"]
A whisper of ether crept into Alvin's ear like a mockery. Realizing the implication, Alvin's face turned ghostly pale.
"I-I'll do it right away!"
"You should've said that from the start."
Esther sighed.
["…You're seriously just a thug."]
'Just taking the most efficient path.'
["Yeah, yeah. Whatever helps you sleep at night."]
As Alvin hurried away, I quietly returned my attention to Carmen's speech.
—I'm deeply grateful to be standing before you today, speaking of the shared vision among those of like mind. We must unite for a more efficient, productive, and harmonious world. A world where every individual has purpose and every action contributes to the greater good—a world that functions like a machine.
—For too long, we've been lost in chaos, seeking meaning in what seemed like a hopeless world. But our faith offers a solution. The power of machines brings order and harmony to our lives.
—Through our worship of machines, we've embraced a new mindset that places efficiency and productivity above all. We believe the core principles of machinery—precision, reliability, and efficiency—will guide us toward a better future.
—As the voice of our belief, I carry a mission to deliver this message to the world, to build a new global order based on the power of machines. A world where every person has a purpose, every action supports the greater good, and everything works together like well-oiled gears.
—But this journey isn't one I can make alone. It requires our collective effort. That's why I urge each of you to embrace this message, to spread our words of faith, and to help create a world ever closer to machines.
—I say it once more: We can create a more efficient, more productive, and more harmonious world. A world where everyone has a place and every action serves a higher cause. A world that works… like a machine.
—So let us join together, striving toward this shared goal—for our faith and for the future of a new humanity.
Hmm…
There wasn't anything especially profound about the speech itself.
In fact, some of it felt a bit unnatural.
But I knew—
Carmen was deliberately delivering it this way.
As if she was openly acknowledging that she was an android.
"Carl Marcus."
"You're back."
"I, uh… spoke to the branch leader. He's agreed to meet with you."
"Is that so? Good."
I didn't know much about the leader of this sewer branch, but if he was willing to meet, I had no objections.
"Lead the way."
"Yes, this way."
I followed Alvin deeper into the sewers.
"This place is well-maintained."
"Well, people live here too. Even in the sewers, we have ventilation systems. Not much of a stench, right?"
"Now that you mention it…"
Maybe because I'd spent so long fighting waves, I'd grown numb to foul smells—I hadn't noticed until now.
The Machine Cult's technological prowess was no joke.
Despite being underground, the environment was surprisingly pleasant.
"To live with dignity. That's what technology is for, after all."
Alvin said with an awkward smile.
A religion that seeks to transform the world into machines to allow people to live with dignity.
It might sound contradictory—but in the end, their desires weren't so different from those in the Ark.
Peace. Rest. Stability.
You know, the usual things.
"This is the place."
The entrance looked dilapidated—more like the door to a maintenance room than the office of a branch leader.
"I'm the preacher. I've brought Carl Marcus."
No response.
Only the door creaked open.
"So, you're Carl Marcus. I've heard much about you. I'm Bruno, the one in charge here."
"You're willing to meet me easier than expected."
"There's nothing to gain from turning you away. Preacher? Would you give us a moment?"
"Ah, yes. Understood."
After a respectful bow, Alvin exited the room.
Bruno's previously warm demeanor vanished, replaced by a cold glare.
"Let's skip the pleasantries. Why did you really come here looking for us?"
We'd both spent enough time probing. There was no longer a need for ambiguity.
"I need the Machine Cult's technology. I'd like you to share it with me—willingly."
"…As expected. My answer is no. I don't think I need to explain why."
"You won't even hear my reasons?"
"No point. I have no intention of agreeing."
Bruno was firm.
"I think it's in your best interest to listen—just in case."
"Even if you were to kill me now, it'd be meaningless. That's far beyond my authority."
"I'm not here to kill you."
"Well, that's a relief. As worthless as my life is, I still have work to do. Now please leave. Your presence here is a threat, Carl Marcus."
A blatant dismissal.
But if I were the kind to leave after a few words, I wouldn't have come here at all.
Especially not with this many cards in my hand.
"The White Line has taken notice of the Machine Cult."
"…What did you just say?"
Bruno couldn't ignore the name White Line, no matter how resolute he was.
The White Line rarely acted—but if they did, they could wipe out the Machine Cult with ease.
"…A clumsy threat. Even if the White Line knows of us, that alone means nothing."
"Maybe. But I think I know why they're watching. That girl giving the speech earlier—Carmen—she's an android, isn't she?"
Bruno's expression froze.
"…There's no point in denying it. Yes. She is our Messiah."
"She's the reason the White Line has its eyes on you. An android with that level of advanced AI would be seen as a threat."
"We have no such intentions!"
"That's for the White Line to decide. And if you were truly innocent, you wouldn't be hiding like this."
Bruno's body trembled.
Even if the Machine Cult had expanded rapidly, things would change if the White Line intervened.
Bruno had no choice but to take my words seriously.
"…Hoo. Fine. Then why are you telling us this?"
"I already said—I want something from the Machine Cult. If you meet my terms, I'll resolve this matter peacefully."
"You think you can manage that? As influential as you are, this is…"
"A congresswoman from the White Line would have more than enough authority to resolve this."
Bruno's eyes widened.
He clearly didn't expect that name to come up.
"No way…"
"The conversation's already been had. All that remains is negotiation with the Machine Cult."
"…This is beyond me. I'll have to report to the higher-ups."
"There's no need for that."
A voice interrupted.
Bruno's eyes filled with shock as he turned toward the source.
"How long have you been…?"
"You should be talking to me instead."
The voice that cut Bruno off was one I knew all too well.
Of course I did—I'd just been listening to it moments ago during that speech.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Carl Marcus. I'm Carmen."
The Machine Cult's Messiah.
The android—powered by a transcendent artificial intelligence—had come to see me herself.
===BREAK===
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