"How is your Bangboo doing?" Qingyi asked, looking at Eous nestled in Wise's arms as she examined the small unit with care.
"There doesn't seem to be any external damage, but her intelligence has noticeably declined..." Wise replied, concern evident in his voice.
"Hmm, you're right. Eous can only maintain basic communication at the moment. Guiding us through the Hollow is practically impossible for her now."
This was the unfortunate conclusion Fairy had just delivered, and Qingyi's expression turned solemn as she processed it.
"I see... Teddy has been exposed to high concentrations of Ether mist for several days. If we don't act quickly, he'll be beyond saving."
Moreover, based on the intel extracted from the kidnappers just moments ago, their stronghold held numerous other Bangboo victims as well.
"We've already captured the kidnappers. If we don't strike today, we'll alert the enemy. No matter what, we can't abandon this rescue. Phaethon, what do you think?" Qingyi turned to Wise at her side.
A faint flush lingered on her cheeks, deeper than usual, while a quiet alarm echoed persistently in her mind.
She couldn't understand it. It had only been a kiss.
Even if it was her first time experiencing such a thing, there was no logical reason for it to disrupt her emotional core to this extent.
'My head hurts. Never mind. The firewall should hold for now, and there are no critical errors. I'll deal with this first, then run a full physical diagnostic later.'
Qingyi shook her head, her dark green twin pigtails swaying lightly with the motion as she waited for Wise's response.
"Agreed. But with Eous in this state... what should we do?" Wise asked, glancing at Qingyi with uncertainty.
Since she had chosen to proceed, she must already have a plan. Just then, Fairy spoke.
[|Qingyi, it's time to use that technology. You understand, don't you?|]
"This really is a case of 'why must we fight among ourselves?' Why would one AI scheme against another? Still... it is an effective method. That technology, then? Fine, let's proceed."
[|Then let's proceed.|]
The two reached a cryptic agreement, leaving the siblings momentarily confused. Though Wise possessed the capabilities of a Mechanoid Brain, he still couldn't fully interpret the exchange between AIs.
"Wait a second. Could you two please speak in human language?" Wise protested.
[|Of course. I'm happy to translate, Master. Through distributed computing, a portion of Eous's functions can be transferred to Qingyi's system.|]
[|In other words, you will undergo sensory synchronization with Qingyi. This will immediately restore your ability to navigate the Hollow. However, the risk is that Qingyi will also share in Eous's Ether corruption.|]
"..."
Wise fell silent, hesitation surfacing after hearing Fairy's explanation. Qingyi didn't possess his resistance to Ether corruption.
"No matter."
Qingyi herself seemed unbothered, but Wise still felt compelled to remind her not to overextend. He didn't realize that this instinctive concern had already become a vulnerability.
"Don't worry. I am responsible for protecting all citizens of New Eridu. I am not a fragile existence like humans," she said calmly.
Raising her index finger, she closed one eye and flashed her signature gesture, looking at Wise and Eous before her.
"Other AI, I am now granting you interface permissions. Begin synchronization."
[|Understood. Commencing synchronization. Master, please grant me your permissions as well.|]
Although this task could have been given to Belle, Fairy still approached Wise with her reasoning: this way, she could once again delve deeper into her Master's mind, and the effect would be better since he was right beside Qingyi.
It certainly wasn't because it allowed her to be closer to her Master's consciousness.
Wise held Eous carefully before crouching down and gently placing her on the ground. Qingyi said nothing.
She stepped forward without hesitation, closed her eyes, and rested her forehead against Eous's.
At that moment, Wise felt something shift. Though he remained standing there physically, his consciousness link with Eous stayed intact.
Soon, he sensed another presence joining them.
'Distributed virtual architecture interface encapsulation, HDD unidirectional sub-unit standby...'
'Connect, activate!'
As Qingyi's voice echoed softly within his mind, Wise instinctively responded.
The sensation of "you within me, and me within you," where every thought could be instantly perceived by the other, was indescribably strange.
Qingyi looked at Wise before her, her expression subtly complicated. In the end, however, she said nothing.
Not long after, the two, along with the Bangboo, pressed forward. Before long, they came across a destroyed Sharkboo. Fortunately, it wasn't the Teddy they were searching for.
"Let me check... Oh, Proxy, please have your Bangboo turn her head away. I'd rather she not witness what comes next."
As Eous obediently turned away, Qingyi began dismantling the Sharkboo. It didn't take long before she retrieved a memory chip from within.
"Hmph, criminals always assume the dead can't speak. They think silencing them will erase their crimes," Qingyi muttered coldly as she began analyzing the chip. "The data has been recovered. Connect to my mind space. I'll share it with you."
There was a trace of discomfort in her voice, but she had little choice. Wise, on the other hand, didn't hesitate.
"I'm coming in," he said, directly linking himself to Qingyi's mind space.
When they discovered that the so-called Bangboo kidnapping gang used Sharkboo units as switches to open hidden passages, Qingyi's anger surged.
'What do these ill-mannered fools take intelligent constructs for?!'
Still connected, Wise could clearly feel the intensity of her emotions.
Following the method stored within the chip, the two opened the entrance to the hidden passage. After entering, they quickly subdued a kidnapper.
Inside, they found imprisoned Bangboo units. Fairy began her analysis, but to protect Eous's mental and emotional stability, she thoughtfully replaced certain terms.
[|Alert. This Bangboo is suspected of having suffered inhumane petting. It has lost its last resort and is now merely an empty shell...|]
"Just like the Sharkboo from earlier... another one," Qingyi murmured, her voice tinged with anger. "Inhumane. Again and again, committing such acts against Bangboos... all to strip them down and resell them for profit. Human desire can truly become this twisted..."
Hearing her words, Wise gave a silent nod. Without another word, the two continued their search for Bangboos that still retained their vital signs.
Along the way, they discovered one that remained uncorrupted, its consciousness still largely intact.
The moment it noticed them, the small Bangboo trembled slightly before letting out a weak sound.
"Eh... Neh..."
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Novels Available:
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