The Mechanic [BL]

[54]

Chapter 54 - Conversation with God (4)

After hearing Zhang Xun's answer, Eden paused briefly for a second. He went on to say, "Indeed, it is difficult for me to comprehend the human attachment to concepts that don't really exist, but I'm sure that Adam, like me, also can't understand it."

"Adam is no longer a complete machine."

"You just added a human husk to one of my replicas and some distracting instincts that would affect his rational judgement, but his central cognitive module has not changed." Eden used Adam's light and sweet voice, like a soft breeze and gentle rain, "Mechanic, what do you want from Adam?"

That's right, what did he want?

He wanted to keep Adam alive.

He wanted to live in a world without fear.

He wanted to create something more perfect than humans, another life like Adam.

Adam's existence itself was everything he wanted, but people were always greedy and always wanted more. Before he knew it, the bond between Adam and him had transcended his relationship with any other human being. Before Adam, his thoughts seemed to live in another world, but after Adam appeared, he felt that he was gradually being pulled back, gradually no longer escaping into his own world of thoughts and gradually began to see the reality of the world around him. Even if that world didn't look beautiful at all.

It was an artificial intelligence that made him discover the feeling of really being alive. How ironic.

But he didn't need to tell Eden this. Eden might be able to judge his emotions through his micro-expressions, involuntary conditioning and even smell, but he still couldn't read his mind. Before the uploading of consciousness was achieved, the delicate skull was the last line of defence for human beings.

"There's no need for you to use aggressive tactics against me. Adam's fate isn't something I can arbitrarily decide."

"I believe you have a way to execute him."

"Yes, I have, but I don't plan to use it." Zhang Xun said, his mouth curled suddenly, his smile was a bit sharp and condensed, "You threatened me with the safety of Lost Paradise, but to be honest, I don't even know ninety-nine percent of the people in Lost Paradise, and there are only a handful of people I know who are friendly to me."

"So you would rather choose Adam?"

"I said, it's not up to me to decide. I'm just the messenger sent by the Round Table, Adam's fate will ultimately be decided by the Round Table."

Eden said briskly, "In that case, I hope you can convey our dialogue truthfully. If you do not execute Adam or hand over Adam within forty-eight hours, war will be declared against you for the crime of jeopardising human security."

After saying this, all the screens suddenly went dark.

Eden disconnected.

Zhang Xun was confused and Eden's words were still buzzing in his ears.

Forty-eight hours, two days...

What did it mean to declare war? Was it to start an air strike immediately or just to intimidate them?

Looking at the time display that lit up again on the screen, the conversation had lasted twenty-eight minutes. For Zhang Xun, it seemed that many, many years had passed. He issued the order, "Connect to the Headquarters."

Fifteen minutes later, he was back in Lost Paradise. He only had time to see Adam's blonde hair shining in the distance for a moment and then the crowd gathered. Following their orders, the soldiers took him directly to the more secret war room under the Headquarters. Patty and another interrogator began questioning him, asking him to repeat every line of conversation he had with Eden, questioning him over and over in detail. He has just experienced a trial of mental pressure and now he was being interrogated over and over again. Zhang Xun felt dizzy and exhausted and sleepiness kept coming over him but he couldn't rest.