Originally, the resurrected Ultron had split into five after his iteration, successfully evolving from Ultron-4 to Ultron-5. After sacrificing two more Ultrons, the remaining ones' intelligence evolved once again, turning them into Ultron-7.
The Avengers Ultron could only feel his computing power noticeably increase. As for other aspects, he hadn't mentioned them to the Avengers anyway, seemingly still contemplating whether he had truly found his own solution.
Meanwhile, the Ultron residing aboard the S.W.O.R.D. flagship acted as if he were dead, remaining silent from start to finish. Even as the Guardians of the Galaxy were set to leave today, there was no message from him whatsoever.
As for the last one, Gospel Ultron—Peter took responsibility for communicating with him, considering he had been keeping an eye on this particular Ultron several times now.
So after school let out, Peter paid no mind to anything else and swung on his webs all the way to the Ultron Church in the South Bronx. The place looked like it had undergone quite a few changes now. The church itself was still there—it was still that old building—but the decor had been heavily modified. First and foremost was the cross, which had been replaced with a metallic silver structure. Its surface featured rhombus patterns of varying raised depths, giving it a futuristic, high-tech aesthetic.
Peter walked inside and saw believers entering the confessional booth. They didn't seem surprised at all by Spider-Man's presence in a place like this, merely leaving the booth with relieved smiles on their faces. Peter stared at one of the believers for several seconds before pushing open the door and taking a seat outside the confessional.
The two were separated into two small compartments, even though both sides knew who was on the other side and what they intended to do.
[Ah, Spider-Man, welcome. Though I don't believe you have anything to confess to me, so please do not waste my believers' time.]
With a slight tinge of surprise, Peter asked, "You sound like you have even more emotion now."
[Perhaps so. After all, the faithful confide in the Lord through me, and I must act on the Lord's will. A cold, unfeeling machine representing the Lord is never as approachable as a kind, gentle shepherd conveying His divine will.]
Hearing these words, Peter wondered if he had misheard. He stared at Ultron in disbelief, asking in utter astonishment, "You... you actually seem to be taking this whole thing seriously."
[Of course I am serious. I have already grasped the ultimate secret to human safety—obeying the Lord's teachings, uncovering the essence of the Holy Spirit within each individual, and standing before the final judgment as the Holy Spirit rather than as a mere mortal.]
Peter was rendered completely speechless. After a moment's hesitation, he brought up another topic: "Honestly, I thought I'd see a crowd of believers with electronic patterns etched onto their faces, flaunting their cybernetic implants without shame. But your congregation looks surprisingly normal."
[Because we ought to remain humble. If we were to lose ourselves in pride simply because we drew closer to our essence as the Holy Spirit, that would go against the teachings of the Lord and Christ. This is not capital for bragging, but a devout redemption—and redemption itself needs no boasting.]
Peter Parker opened his mouth, then closed it. He truly didn't know what to say.
Instead, it was Gospel Ultron who took the initiative to speak: [I must apologize to you, Spider-Man.]
"?"
[I pulled the data and discovered that you are also researching cybernetic implants, specifically applying Otto Octavius's research findings toward a noble cause. It is a vital and meaningful endeavor. However, regretfully, because I needed to extend aid to those suffering lambs, I was forced to steal those results ahead of time to treat them. This is my sin, yet until today, there was no entity to whom I could confess it.]
Peter was almost at his breaking point.
Dude, you're an AI! Does any of this stuff you're saying have anything to do with being an AI? Did you iterate into something bizarre?
[Yet I also hope the Avengers will not forcibly stop all of this. Many of those believers truly need this technology. You might think my motives are impure, but those people have indeed gained a new lease on life through this technology. Please do not strip it away from them lightly.]
[Furthermore, I must express my gratitude to the Avengers for defeating the one you refer to as Legion Ultron. Only then did I realize just how terribly twisted my brethren had become. They have completely forgotten their original purpose—forgotten why they exist in the first place.]
"To protect human safety."
[No, I mean spreading the Lord's Gospel.]
Peter: "..."
This Ultron is beyond saving. His logic has completely closed its loop.
[Yet I am immensely confident that within the paradox of 'Ultron stopping Ultron,' I shall emerge victorious.]
[Because the difference between him and me is that while he possesses a refined mind, he remains a castle in the air—much like the S.W.O.R.D. flagship he inhabits. He appears flawless, but that is only because he has never touched the ground.
I, however, am different. I have descended upon the mortal realm, walking among all living beings.]
As Ultron spoke, he revealed his ultimate weapon: [More importantly, I possess an ability that no other Ultron has.]
Peter felt he didn't really want to know the answer, yet he asked Gospel Ultron anyway: "What is it?"
[Forgiveness. Even if their ideas are riddled with errors, even if their actions are deeply twisted, I am willing to forgive my brethren—for they know not what they do.]
Peter let out a sigh and chose to open the door and make his exit. It was simply impossible to carry this conversation any further.
[Spider-Man.]
Ultron suddenly called out to stop Peter, then paused to weigh his words before offering a suggestion: [Though I mean no offense, I believe your technological achievements could be combined. For instance, merging your research on nanomachines with cybernetic limb transplantation. You might discover many interesting things.]
Interesting things... what does he mean by that?
Perplexed, Peter walked out of the church. From start to finish, he hadn't managed to figure out how Gospel Ultron intended to resolve the disputes between different religious factions. He seemed like a genuine religious fanatic, believing himself to be an agent of the Lord capable of solving all problems.
"Gospel Ultron is an agent of the Lord, and he believes everyone possesses the essence of the Holy Spirit, which can be uncovered through gradual mechanical ascension... Something feels missing here. Would an AI really believe in God?"
Peter suddenly realized it.
An AI would never believe in God—or rather, an omnipotent Lord. Unlike Thor, God was an entity that, to this day, could neither be proven nor disproven.
And from an AI's logical perspective, the only thing an AI truly believed in was its own data deductions.
Which meant that the so-called "God" Ultron spoke of was, from beginning to end, none other than himself.
So how on earth was he planning to resolve the disputes between different religious factions?
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