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As Zero One spoke, Yu couldn't help feeling conflicted about many things, and she voiced her thoughts without holding back.
"Ugh, I'm not used to all this corny stuff. Can't we get over it already? We've got a world to save!" Yu Mingzhu complained. "Yeah, yeah, congrats and all! You did it! And I'm honestly still baffled. I always imagined we would end this by destroying all the damned machines, but I guess that isn't the case anymore. Like, seriously! Now we're all forced to become friends! Maybe we won't have much of a problem—we don't carry as many traumatic memories of them, right? But what about everyone else? Do you think they'll just accept it? What will you do if they still want to kill your people, Zero One? Even when they're begging for mercy, fully aware of the countless sins they've committed? Have you even thought about that?"
Yu went straight for the most critical question, confronting Zero One despite the celebratory mood. Wai Tian and Yin Sheng were left speechless by such a blunt and specific challenge, yet they couldn't help agreeing deep down.
The anger of the elders and all these immortals would not be easily quenched by a simple "I'm sorry." Many lacked the patience to wait hundreds of years for the machines to repair the entire mess they had left on the planet.
The only thing preventing them from destroying every machine now that they were no longer a threat was the Venerables, whose overwhelming power made them recoil in fear of retaliation.
Perhaps a few elders trusted them, but the majority simply burned with immense hatred.
"I-I…"
Zero One had not considered that yet. She had simply been happy that things ended this way, never pausing to think about what might come afterward, because achieving this much had already been an immense feat—one she never believed had a high chance of success.
"I will take responsibility."
Mother turned her bright white eye toward Yu, and Yu suddenly fell silent.
"How so?"
"We machines will show you right now the true value of our strength and our existence. I know very well the sins we have committed, and I know… that the only thing we truly deserve is destruction."
"…"
"However, for my daughters, for the hope they have placed in me, and for these children who have just learned to think for themselves and develop their own personalities, I must work hard. I know it will be difficult, and I know it may bring even more hatred… but I want to give these children a second chance, as hypocritical as it may sound…"
"So?"
"Right now, there is a threat far greater than anything that has ever happened here. We will join forces with everyone, and we will defeat it together. The machines will prove to the people and the world that we can help them. We will save their lives, we will save their world, and we will continue to protect them. I know countless methods to restore the continent we sank, to bring life back to it, and perhaps even to expand the land and create more continents."
"I can manufacture any piece of technology within my factories. And I will use the power of technology to make this world flourish with life once more… The elders and their future descendants will once again walk upon a continent—or several—and they will no longer suffer because of past mistakes. I want… to create a better future for their children."
"I know the pain and hatred of the survivors cannot be quenched, no matter how many of us perish… Those they lost cannot be brought back to life. But I want to at least guarantee a better life and future for their children—for those who have just been born, for those born inside Inner Realms, and of course for those who have yet to be born…"
"So you're promising a better future for the new generation? That is your bargain?"
"Yes… in the end, we can only promise things, and such promises are only shallow words. That is why we must prove our worth in the battle happening right now."
As Mother finished speaking, Zero One's eyes widened. She was stunned that her Mother, a Supercomputer, had already considered so many things.
"Well said. I agree with her as well," Zero Two nodded.
"We will work together with Zero One to build a better future for everyone here—both machines and, above all, the inhabitants. This will be our atonement, and we will see it through… until the end of time," Zero Three declared.
"T-The end of time is a bit exaggerated. Perhaps after a few thousand years we'll reach some stability, and then we can level the playing field and become equals!" Zero One said hopefully. "I-I agree that we must pay, but… a future where machines are nothing but slaves to the inhabitants… it doesn't sit well with me. I-I know it's selfish and hypocritical. I know we deserve punishment, but… it… it just feels wrong. I'm sorry… I… even though I feel guilty, I just can't… change the way I think about this."
"I know how you feel, Zero One," Anna said through Bastet's Avatar. "I might unfortunately not be present here to help directly, but… I will do everything in my power right now to convince everyone that a better future is possible. I have become the third Venerable, so hopefully my words carry some weight with these people."
"Thank you, Anna!" Zero One cried, shedding a few tears as she hugged Bastet, who patted her head tenderly.
"It's alright. You're a good girl, Zero One," Anna smiled through Bastet, blending the Cat Goddess's motherly warmth with her own kindness. "You carry the hope of all machines and serve as their greatest representative. Unlike the rest and your Mother, you bear none of their sins. All the other immortals know this. That is why they treat you differently. You are special, and I believe you can build this ideal future together with them and everyone else."
"Y-Yes! I will do my best!" Zero One nodded, filled with fresh determination.
Anna and Bastet nodded, then glanced back at the rest of their group. They waved their hands, quickly infusing large quantities of Ki into the exhausted Immortals and Electromagnetic Energy into the machines, revitalizing them immensely.
FLAAASH!
"W-Woah?!" Wai Tian exclaimed in shock. "I'm back at full power?!"
"Incredible, young lady!" Yin Sheng said with fascination, wagging his long fluffy tail. "You possess so much Ki that you can share it and completely refill our reserves?!"
"Yeah, this is nothing too difficult after I learned to refine Ki from Hope—and even from Hatred," Anna explained. "The Hope here is immense, and it has been refined into the power that now revitalizes you. The damage you suffered and the struggles you endured have also made you stronger. Perhaps you cannot level up like I do, but the power of my sponsorship can help someone grow much faster over time—similar to leveling up—by overcoming great challenges."
She had already seen it with her friends, such as Dan Baihe and Annabelle, who had grown significantly stronger after the battle inside the Demonic Castle.
"Stronger?" Wai Tian wondered. "I don't feel so different—Ah!"
She suddenly realized the change. Her body had grown at least fifty percent taller and larger, and her Ki Aura blazed with white flames. The power of her Skills had internalized within her Physique and Martial Core.
"Me too… I feel strange as well," Yin Sheng said.
He had indeed become taller and more slender. His shadows now resided within him, and he could sense something new inside his very soul, a small pocket dimension, a realm of darkness he was developing.
"Um, Anna! Is that you? I can also feel that I've grown differently…"
Sara stepped forward after finally arriving a little later than the rest. Her aura had strengthened as well, with phantasmal energies surging from her and shifting into all kinds of ghoulish forms.
"Sara! I'm glad you're alright too. A lot has happened, it seems," Anna said.
"I can guess most of it. So the big machine is on our side now?" Sara asked. "That's a relief! But there's a lot going on outside—from the Demons invading to the Void Ruler going completely insane. What do we do now?"
"Demons invading?!" Wai Tian asked. "What do you mean by that?"
"My former sponsor has hired a group of… let's call them interplanetary mercenaries," Mother sighed. "They are otherworldly beings known as Demons, and their leaders have arrived here with powerful Avatars, wreaking havoc."
"The Heavenly Demon is currently fighting the King of all Demons as well…" Anna sighed. "We have to go help him! I'll head there with my real body, along with Mom and Song. Once we deal with that monster, we'll come back to assist everyone else. So please, hold on until then."
"Very well. That is no easy task, but it is possible," Mother nodded. "I shall get serious now."
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