Chapter 4405: Highway
Chapter 4405: Highway
Nomo’s eyes scanned the two Law Gods. Once Rean finished the introductions, the little winged spider immediately took over the conversation.
"This AI entity has been in operation for longer than the logs currently available are capable of indicating. Its primary directive is to preserve its territory and defend against the ancients."
Without pausing, Nomo continued, "Due to the unfortunate long-term lack of contact with this AI’s masters, this AI has been unable to preserve all the facilities within its protected area. At present, with the exception of the most critical installations, nearly every other facility and building has fallen into disrepair."
Its mechanical eyes turned toward Harksha for a brief moment.
"That was when this Elite Exploration Group, led by the entity called Harksha, appeared. This AI attempted to eliminate Harksha’s Elite Exploration Group, but underestimated this group’s capabilities despite the clearly primitive technology employed by said entities."
Arcis and Tobao exchanged glances.
Primitive...?
Neither of them voiced that thought aloud.
"After evaluating the events, which can later be confirmed through this group’s mission reports, this AI has concluded that primitive beings such as yourselves may still possess sufficient capabilities to assist in restoring its territory, especially regarding material gathering and specialized maintenance work. Thus, this AI entity requested an audience with the highest authorities of the region called Besgol."
"This AI now requires confirmation that the two of you possess the authority to negotiate on behalf of the Besgol Region. Otherwise, negotiations can not proceed."
The two Law Gods immediately felt headaches coming on.
How had matters escalated to this point?
Yet, neither could deny what was happening before them. Just like every other major event the twins had somehow stumbled into, this meeting also had the potential to completely change the future of the Besgol Region.
Arcis quietly glanced at Tobao.
Polite and nice talk had never been his specialty. Tobao, on the other hand, was much better suited for diplomacy.
Understanding the silent request, Tobao composed himself before giving Nomo a respectful bow.
"It is an honor to meet an AI such as yourself, friend Nomo. I am Tobao, one of the two Law Gods of the Besgol Region. Beside me is Arcis, the second Law God. As far as authority is concerned, both of us represent the highest governing power within the Besgol Region and are fully capable of negotiating on its behalf."
Arcis simply nodded his agreement without adding anything.
The lights on the winged spider blinked several times.
It jumped off Rean’s shoulder and hovered in the center of the room. One by one, all eight of its metallic legs pointed upward before a holographic projection appeared above its body.
The image that emerged was none other than the true Nexus Core itself, still located south of the Konvey Ruins.
-This AI’s avatar has confirmed that it has met the appropriate authorities. A secure connection has now been established.-
"Wow..." Rean couldn’t help but stare at the projection. "Your avatar can communicate with you all the way from the Konvey Ruins? And it’s such a tiny device. How are you able to maintain communication across such an enormous distance?"
-For the time being, this AI will not disclose information regarding its communication methods. This AI wishes to prioritize the negotiations.-
Tobao nodded in understanding, though Rean’s surprise immediately reminded him just how incredible this feat truly was.
He knew exactly where the Konvey Ruins were located. For such a tiny construct to maintain uninterrupted communication across such a vast distance was almost unbelievable.
The Besgol Region had nothing remotely comparable.
Whenever the various regions wished to communicate, they had to rely on gigantic long-range communication arrays. Even then, those arrays could only be activated once each week, and only for fifteen minutes due to the astronomical energy cost involved. That was practically the only reliable means of maintaining contact with the other regions.
Compared to that, Nomo’s technology was simply on an entirely different level.
Taking a slow breath, Tobao returned to the main topic.
"Friend Nomo, what exactly is it that you require from the Besgol Region?"
-As previously stated, this AI requires materials to repair the remaining facilities under its protection, including both military and residential installations.-
-Due to this AI’s operational restrictions, nothing under this AI’s direct control may travel farther than five thousand kilometers beyond its designated territory. Over such an extended period of time, every usable resource within that operational radius has already been exhausted.-
-The only exception is this AI’s avatar. However, its intended purpose is long-range scouting, infiltration, and, if necessary, battle. It is not designed for transportation or large-scale gathering tasks.-
-This AI also requires Arrays Masters capable of performing repairs that exceed the operational parameters of its worker cores. Should they possess abilities and experience comparable to the entity called Rean, this AI estimates that all required restoration work may be completed within approximately 12,441 years.-
Tobao’s mouth twitched slightly.
Nomo spoke of over twelve thousand years as casually as if it were discussing tomorrow’s weather.
Still, negotiations always involved both sides benefiting.
If Besgol was expected to contribute that much, then it would naturally expect something in return.
"Our Besgol Region is willing to cooperate," Tobao replied calmly. "However, negotiations require mutual benefit. What is friend Nomo prepared to offer us in exchange for such assistance?"
-In exchange, this AI shall refrain from eliminating the region known as Besgol, despite such action falling within this AI’s authority after detecting the illegal utilization of one of this AI’s masters’ Nexus Cores.-
Silence filled the room.
Everyone stared at Nomo.
That wasn’t a negotiation.
That was a direct threat.
Arcis’ expression immediately darkened. "And what makes you think you could wipe out the Besgol Region by yourself?"
Before the atmosphere could become even more hostile, Tobao raised one hand to stop him. "Let’s remain calm, Arcis."
Turning back toward the projection, Tobao maintained his polite tone. "Friend Nomo’s request is... rather excessive. Before we continue, could this friend explain what is meant by the illegal utilization of one of your masters’ Nexus Cores?"
-The residents of the Besgol Region refer to it as the Sacred Relic. This AI can not detect the presence of any individual possessing the proper authority to operate that Nexus Core. Therefore, according to this AI’s primary directives, the Nexus Core must be recovered.-
"Hmph!" Arcis snorted. "And do you honestly believe we’d simply stand aside and allow you to take it? I recognize you are likely capable of killing us, but we won’t simply stay still while you do that!"
The instant those words left his mouth, the entire room changed.
Godly Pressure erupted!
It wasn’t confined to the meeting room.
Instead, it spread throughout the entire Besgol Region!
Almost simultaneously, Tobao and Arcis received emergency messages directly from the Sacred Relic.
Every report contained the exact same conclusion.
The Sacred Relic had stopped functioning.
Its core had completely ceased emitting the repelling energy protecting the region, while every rune throughout the Sacred Relic had become completely unresponsive. The Array Masters were even afraid that the floating island-like relic would fall at any moment.
The two Law Gods slowly raised their heads toward the winged spider and the holographic Nexus Core floating above it.
"...Did you..."
-This AI possesses the necessary authority to operate the Nexus Core in whatever manner is required. While this AI’s avatar alone is capable of eliminating most resistance encountered within this region, analysis of the Besgol Network has determined that the region contains an excessive number of living beings. Therefore, the most efficient method of removing all potential threats is simply to deactivate the Sacred Relic and allow the Godly Creatures to complete the task in this AI’s place.-
The lights on the spider shifted once more.
Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the Godly Pressure vanished. At the same time, new reports arrived from the Sacred Relic. Its core had resumed operation; none of the array masters knew why.
The repelling energy surged back to life, and every rune throughout the Sacred Relic reactivated as though nothing had happened.
That brief demonstration was more than enough. Tobao and Arcis no longer had any doubts. The one holding every card in this negotiation wasn’t the Besgol Region.
It was Nomo.
And unless they could somehow change that reality, the negotiations would proceed entirely on the Nexus Core AI’s terms. It was Nomo’s way, or the highway.