Chapter 31 – Political Struggle and the Third Party
In a soundproof room, heavy with silence—so dense that even the buzz of a mosquito could not penetrate—it contained two leaders of the State of the Wise seated around a dark stone table. The air was suffocating, saturated with the aged scent of books and hastily extinguished cigarettes.
Diako, the short elderly man with a thick beard, leaned on his chair as if each breath stoked his anger. His deep-set eyes sparkled with sparks of fury, waiting for the moment to erupt.
In a hoarse, fragmented voice he said:
"I heard that the East has developed a new model of automated weapons…"
Asia interlaced her fingers on the table, her voice cold yet tinged with scorn:
"Yes. I was impressed by Rim's speech… she presented the model as if it were humanity's savior, carefully crafting her words so the public applauded, oblivious to the danger behind it."
Rashad, seated beside her, nodded while tapping the wood:
"The specifications of this robot are no joke… especially for external raids. Outside our nation's walls, life is far more dangerous than the Tower's tests. The Tower at least gives a clear mission… out there, you walk into the unknown without warning."
Lila, ever calm, tilted her head in agreement:
"True… the Tower does not intervene beyond its limits, nor punish those who defy its commands. But it also does not protect you if you exceed those limits."
Asia interrupted with a more solemn tone:
"Our ancestors were smarter than we think. They knew from the start that any great danger would not surpass the Tower's bounds. So they built this state around it, naming it the State of the Wise."
Yet Diako remained silent, staring at them with eyes bleeding with anger, like a bull forcibly restrained.
Rashad tried to break the tension:
"And do not forget, when our ancestors arrived on this planet, fierce conflicts raged between different races over the Tower…"
He did not finish. Diako's voice suddenly thundered:
"Troublemakers! Trivial! Why do you always stray from the main topic?! Do you want me to personally go and ally with the Night Wolves Valley?!"
The three faces paled, sweat dripping from their foreheads. They lowered their heads like children scolded by an angry father.
Diako exhaled forcefully through his nose, like a bull stamping its hooves, then shouted:
"So! What is the name of this new weapon?!"
Lila raised her hand nervously, trembling as if a student awaiting permission to speak.
Diako gestured sharply at her:
"Speak quickly, girl! And watch… do not change the subject again!"
She took a deep breath and spoke in a shaky voice, gradually regaining composure:
"Let me show you practically…"
She extended her hand, forming a holographic 3D image in the air, meticulously detailed. Before them appeared a massive, black robot, exuding both grandeur and danger.
"It is named RMJ1. Short for: Robot – من – Generation – 1. The First Generation Robot."
Diako's eyes widened, and his voice carried a hint of surprise:
"A grand name… for a meticulous creation."
Lila continued:
"The robot can change its shape and color to mimic anyone its user desires."
Rashad raised an eyebrow in astonishment:
"Meaning it has camouflage power…"
But a sharp red gaze from Diako immediately silenced him.
Lila smiled coldly:
"Yes… but the camouflage can be detected quickly if observed closely. The real danger lies elsewhere…"
A charged silence fell. The three leaned toward her with attention. Lila emphasized:
"The danger lies in two things. First: the robot acts as a spy. It records everything it sees and hears for its user… even after being powered off. According to lab reports, it never stops collecting data."
Asia slammed her hand on the table:
"Then how do we stop it?!"
"There are only two ways: either drain the crystal that powers it… or destroy the crystal directly."
"And the most dangerous…" Lila continued, "is that the robot does not fully obey its user. It operates on the AI3000 system… an extremely advanced system our scientists could not even analyze. It is capable of thinking… forming its own convictions."
A muffled gasp escaped Rashad and Asia. Diako's hand trembled on the table, his voice cracking:
"This… is impossible… this lost technology is the very one that destroyed ancient civilizations!"
Rashad whispered, pale-faced:
"Something capable of thinking like us… there's no difference between it and any other race…"
Lila broke the shock with a phrase that shook the room:
"Worse… the energy crystals that power it are saturated with a cursed energy. I have never felt anything like it… there is a mysterious, dark part…"
The three froze, their breaths heavy, sweat streaming down their faces like cold drops.
Asia then burst out with her question:
"Then… why has the king remained silent until now?!"
Silence fell over them, heavier than iron. They exchanged cautious glances; the air became unbearable.
---
The Warehouse – Eastern State
In another corner of the planet, behind steel walls, a massive warehouse door creaked open. Shahou entered first, his steps striking the floor like a war drum, followed by Rim.
Upon opening the door, an astonishing sight exploded before them: endless rows of black robots standing in deadly silence, like soulless soldiers. Their extinguished eyes reflected the light, giving the impression that a hall of the dead had risen.
Shahou smiled greedily:
"Rim… how many have we produced?"
Rim glanced at one of the scientists beside her, who wiped his sweat nervously:
"Sir… so far we have manufactured 1,423 robots. Production will stop at 2,000 to maintain their high value… we will gain a fortune selling them."
Rim shouted with excitement:
"Ha ha ha! Wonderful!"
Shahou gripped an iron rod nearby, his voice trembling with excitement:
"And what about my special request?"
Rim bowed:
"It's not completed yet, Commander…"
"Finish it quickly… I want my own masterpiece."
The scientist nodded fearfully:
"Yes, sir!"
Shahou turned, his voice dripping with anger:
"I heard some scum are trying to spread terror in the name of the Night Wolves Valley…"
Rim, opening a transparent screen before him, said:
"Correct. Just a chaotic sect. But strangely… they did not act in the East, focusing their activities in the West. And our spy Isaac was killed by Diako and his allies before revealing their leader."
Shahou narrowed his eyes, his voice low but venomous:
"I smell a conspiracy…"
He turned to leave the warehouse, saying to Rim while waving his hand:
"Expose them… and eliminate them. I do not want my plans hindered by some scum."
Before closing the door behind him, Rim turned, his twisted smile reflecting in the shadows of the robots, whispering maniacally:
"As you command… Commander."
The door closed, and darkness swallowed everything.
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End of Chapter 31