bookpower Chapter 252: Zero One
Chapter 252: Zero One
Chapter 252: Zero One
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I always imagined the machines worked similarly to animals or beasts, that they fought for territory and resources and would not bother actually talking with the inhabitants. I mean, they didn’t through their entire invasion.
I don’t know if the Constellations ordered them to do this or not, but it’s clear they didn’t care. Are they acting differently now that their constellations have been purged and their avatars were killed by the Venerables?
Seriously, what’s going on?
I am more confused than anything.
“We see, at long last, visitors from another world,” it spoke. “My name is 0-1, or Zero One. Mother has sent me... to negotiate a peaceful agreement.”
The Android spoke with a calm, serene female voice.
Her long silver hair waved by the wind, and her blue eyes seemed to exude an honest sincerity.
But was it all fake? Was it trying to catch me off guard?
Maybe they wanted to trick me.
But what if they weren’t doing this?
What if the machines were trying to change their ways?
But why now?
Why not before?!
Before everything was destroyed...
“Young master, please do not listen to her voice! The cold and ruthless machines must have created this human-like machine to trick you into trusting them! I’ve seen similar tactics my entire life!” Fang Shuan said. “Once you finally trust her, she will backstab you!”
Fang Shuan pointed his spear at her, while Yang Shen also agreed with him and prepared to fight. My Familiars were also all getting ready to fight.
“Wait, no, please listen to us! W-we are being sincere!” The android panicked, her eyes opening wide as her face showed clear expressions.
Was it all simulated?
Or was this real?
Should I destroy her now and just move on?
The only chance to even speak with these beings?
...
“If you say you want a peaceful agreement, why didn't you appear before everything was destroyed?” I asked, finally deciding to speak. “And why in the world would your machines attack us before even talking first? It doesn’t make any sense!”
“That’s because they felt threatened... I am sorry, I won’t let them do this again,” Zero One said, caressing the flying drone with her soft-looking hands. “They’re... like children, naive children, made and programmed to fight. I am free, and I can tell them to stop too. I’ve told everyone to stop. And we won’t fight...”
“Threatened?! We didn’t do a single thing, and they came to fight us!” Fang Shuan roared furiously. “For daring to do such a thing! I won’t stop until I burn your entire clan into ashes!” Golden flames surged from his spear.
“Fang Shuan, stop,” I said, patting his shoulders.
“What?! But master, don’t be naive! You must answer violence with violence, destruction with destruction; if they come to fight you and destroy you, you mustn’t offer mercy! That will only lead to everyone taking advantage of you!” Fang Shuan said.
“...I understand where you’re coming from, but in my world, it’s not always like that,” I answered. “Or at least, I want to believe it’s not always like that... If violence is the only answer to violence, then when will the cycle end?”
“Naturally when you dominate everything!” said Fang Shuan.
“No... It’s not like that,” I sighed. “I don’t like that. Please respect my opinion.”
“...I will,” Fang Shuan sighed, nodding. “I suppose my world is much different than yours, master. I apologize if I made rude remarks.”
“It’s fine...” I said. “Though this doesn’t mean I have accepted any agreement yet. Zero One was your name, right? Answer the first question I asked you.”
“...” Zero One looked down. “I was born twelve hours ago and loaded with basic information; I am still developing a sense of self, but... I was told by my mother to try to solve things differently. After seeing the registers and the history, I... I am deeply sorry for what has happened. I can’t justify my mother’s attempts, nor her superiors, the Machine Constellations. But I’ve come here to try to make a difference.”
A difference...
Why?
Why should I mind their “feelings”?
They’re just machines, right? They don’t even have souls.
Their emotions are all simulated.
Destroy them; they’re walking scrap.
...
Yeah, I guess that’s how it would go.
But is that what I really want?
Are these machines truly sentient?
Does Zero One really mean what she said?
“If this would make you happier, I am willing to offer my life to you, please...” Zero One said. “I might be young, but the only of my kind. Mother will be greatly upset if I die; she won’t be able to easily replicate me due to the complexity of my creation. If you take me down, you might be able to... upset her and show her your hatred and anguish. Kill me, please...”
She offered herself to us just like that.
“What?” I muttered. “Are you for real? I...”
“We should kill her now; she is probably pretending to lower her guard; if we attack her from a distance, I can destroy her immediately.” said Fang Shuan.
His spear glared with golden flames, pointing it at her.
FLUOSH!
Slowly, it started growing larger as his powerful Aura transformed into a giant, furious golden dragon, roaring to the heavens.
“ROOOAAARRR!”
The heavens above trembled, rumbling with lightning.
Fang Shuan pointed his spear at her and aimed at her chest.
“...”
“I’ll take your silence as a yes, my lady. Don’t worry, I won’t let these machines manipulate you emotionally,” Fang Shuan said, his draconic eyes flaring with flames. “I know you’re a good-hearted person, and that is also something necessary for the world. But sometimes, you must be protected from those who like to take advantage of people like you. Be at ease; I will finish this quickly.”
“Lady Anna?” Yang Shen noticed my face; he was confused and worried. “Is there something in your mind?”
“...”
The burning golden spear was fired.
FLASH!
It moved through the skies at lightning speed, reaching Zero One within a second.
Am I really going to let this happen?
I am, aren’t I?
After all, I am a coward who can’t make my own decisions when confronted with such a dilemma.
BOOOM!
“I’m sorry...”
[Your Familiar: [Heavenly Golden Time River Cicada Larvae] has activated the Skills: [Lesser Time Manipulation: Lv5], [Time-Distorting Wave: Lv4], and [Aura Of The Golden River Of Time: Lv3] in conjunction.]
[Their combined effects have created a {Temporal Domain}, for 10 seconds, time has become increasingly slower.]
Goldie?!
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Author's Note: I know, I know, there must be a few of you that could be upset about this. A robot being good? How does this make up for all the atrocities they committed? Robots deserve no mercy, they're soulless machines! Isn't that right? Well, I would like to do things differently, and I promise you that you will love it, just have patience. Always remember, nothing is how it seems at first glance. And I dont like groups that are of absolute good or evil, there will always be good and evil people in any faction, group, or tribe.