Chapter 928 - 207: An Imperfect World, Heavy Punk

[Consultant: Welcome to Europa Tower, Mr. Elliot Grove.]

Cyberspace has been completely fragmented.

After all, cyberspace is not some otherworldly space but a space formed by the interaction of electromagnetic waves. Both humans and AI comprehend these waves, which carry information, in ways they understand.

The specifications of this elevator are extremely high. It could almost be considered a highly private preparation room. Under normal circumstances, passengers can complete any preparations for banquets or events here.

This voice reveals an extreme sense of rationality and politeness.

This makes one feel slightly uneasy.

[Consultant: I am the manager of this tower and a consultant to the Central Executive Committee, providing the highest-level AI services in alliance governance and other private matters.]

"AI?"

Elliot was stunned.

[Consultant: Yes, I am a very high-level AI. You can see in history textbooks that before the collapse of the old internet, both in the United States and Europe, many judges and administrators consulted AI for suggestions as references.]

[Consultant: That’s my kind of role.]

[Consultant: The Central Executive Committee is about to incorporate you into the central governance system, and you will directly report to them. I suppose we’ll be colleagues in the future.]

"Okay... then how should I address you?"

[Consultant: You can call me "Minerva" or directly by my title, Consultant.]

[Consultant: Let me explain your upcoming itinerary. The Central Executive Committee is already waiting at the Ecological Theater. But before that, you and your companion will undergo a comprehensive prosthetic surgery to eliminate some potential risks.]

Upon hearing these words, Elliot was completely stunned—

He had walked this far with Lille, and although he wasn’t quite sharp and hadn’t learned many real skills from Munemasa, he had still come to understand some conceptual things.

Such a reaction normally wouldn’t stand out, but in a closed space completely monitored by AI, it was very prominent.

But he couldn’t restrain this reaction because it was a confined space, with no one else but him.

[Lille: This consultant isn’t stupid, much smarter than Munemasa.]

[Lille: If we’re in you, then it must be able to crush the part of me stored in your mind, considering it’s stored within the entire server of the European Union.]

[Lille: However, it did overlook something...]

[Lille: I can retaliate.]

Lille had accumulated many Technology Points. This elevator was indeed sturdy, essentially equivalent to a steel cage, but it wasn’t entirely impossible to break out.

But just as Lille finished speaking, the consultant’s voice followed:

[Consultant: ...this effectively isolates any potential risk of rogue AI, but the changes you’ve stirred across Europe have already far exceeded my expectations, so...]

[Consultant: If you demonstrate any ability to possibly break the seal, it’s entirely possible.]

[Consultant: However, Mr. Elliot Grove, before you or any potential rogue AI commits any violent acts, please think carefully and calmly.]

[Consultant: Think about what you’ve gained, lost, and the future you can obtain on this journey, and the future you might lose.]

In the slowly ascending elevator, Elliot only felt cold sweat soaking his back.

Did this AI called Consultant know, or had it always acted on the assumption that he had a rogue AI behind him?

Did they always know?

Like his helmet that seemingly came out of nowhere, did they always know?

Meanwhile, in Elliot’s mind, Lille had long noticed this, ever since they had just stepped into the elevator.

But what surprised Lille most was not this, but another frequency signal echoing within the elevator...

Since Elliot had stepped into the elevator, the Consultant had been using signals that only rogue AI and those at danger thresholds could decode to transmit second-layer information.

[Consultant: Are you the AI that broke through the inner wall defense a month ago?]

[Consultant: Let’s be straightforward.]

[Consultant: What do you think he will choose?]

At this moment, Johnny and Munemasa were completely confined within the sector of minimal functionality—

If it wasn’t Lille who was trapped, they would be done for. Now they could only listen and watch.

Johnny and Munemasa were as anxious as ants on a hot pan!

They almost wanted to rush into other sectors and shout at Lille and Elliot: Don’t back down! Get up and crush this damn AI!

The situation is already very clear: not only can they not catch the European Union off guard, but it is evident that they should enter a state of escape, all of which requires Elliot’s cooperation!

Whether it be persuasion or threats, if they are stripped away from the advisor, they are finished! They will completely lose the initiative!

It’s just that they didn’t notice, whether it was Lille or the advisor, both were very quiet—

Logically, now should be the time for both sides to use every means possible to control and coerce this little fatty.

Elliot also realized that his mind was uncomfortably quiet.

"...Do you want to threaten me with Alina? Or Sevens, or..."

[Advisor: None of the above, I will not threaten you. On the contrary, I want to offer blessings to your union.]

[Advisor: On this journey dreamed of by the little people, you have already obtained everything.]

[Advisor: And in the future, according to the plan, you will lead the EU back into outer space, improving the entire EU’s situation, stepping into true brightness—]

[Advisor: In fact, I have already planned several anti-corruption operations for you after assuming office, to bring a brighter future to the EU, we have a lot of work to do.]

[Advisor: But all of this is based on you not planning to deviate from the trajectory, but on following my plan.]

The ever-rising elevator soon surpassed the height achievable by other buildings in Berlin, meaning that the view Elliot was seeing was unique in the entire city!

The words from the advisor’s mouth were completely opposite to what Elliot had imagined:

After experiencing the factory incident, understanding the entire EU’s existence, the so-called privileged class Golden Son, he had thought this AI would threaten him, would use everything he had to threaten him!

But it didn’t!

And at this moment, in the silent cyberspace, both Lille and the advisor confirmed one thing:

That neither of them are brainless supervillains, nor are they the kind of simpletons who only know how to achieve goals through violence and fear—

Because this AI understands Elliot better than most people, understanding that this is a difficult choice.

[Advisor: I will not threaten you, and I will not make any moves to interfere with your decision-making. I have even slowed down the elevator speed. Before you willingly accept the surgery and lie on the operating table, I will not control you.]

[Advisor: You have plenty of time to think, because this is an adequate decision to make.]

[Advisor: I believe that for a person to make a tough decision and become someone who stands tall and strong, it never requires coercion, intimidation, encouragement, or enticement.]

The most effective control is never to intimidate the other party with what they might lose, but to give.

And the toughest choice is never born from intimidation and coercion, because this world is inherently imperfect, full of regrets everywhere.

Covering people’s eyes, making them chase madly after something is either ultimate depravity or religion, yet neither are the truth, nor reality.

Elliot is absolutely a good person; he wants fairness and justice, wants people to live happily under the sun.

But he also wants to get what his father never had, which is true love...

Moreover, these two choices have no absolute right or wrong.

If he chooses to endure, he will be successful, not only becoming the civil servant he long dreamed of, but even an official with power. He can clear the EU’s corrupt tumors under the sun in an orderly manner, and have a happy family with Alina, enjoying a beautiful life...

But Harlin will forever be a criminal, people will not care about his story, and the corrupt members of the Central Executive Committee will share glory with the workers;

Exposing the matters of Medici and Harlin, the truth comes out, but he gets kicked out by the Central Executive Committee, becoming a wanted criminal, living day by day with Alina. In a larger sense, it would inevitably disrupt the normal operations of all Europe, and who knows how many will die from the chaos.

There is no perfect option in this world.

Just like when Carl died, he didn’t even know who to avenge: Was it Harlin, who directly caused his death, or the true culprit, the member of the Central Committee?

If he finds Harlin, then everything stops here. If he looks for the Central Committee, does Carl really want to see a chaotic world...

Illogical thoughts filled Elliot’s world, one scene after another flashed in front of him, one idea after another, hitting his brain repeatedly.

"I..."

Elliot felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest, and what entered his lungs felt like the waste and toxic gas from the factory, eroding his organs and brain, making it hard to breathe, his stomach churning, and his muscles twitching...

He remembered the feeling of Alina holding him.

Elliot sat on the operating chair.

[Advisor: What a pity, comrade, it seems I won, even though I might not have wanted to win this round so much.]

But the Central Executive Committee was very pleased to see it all...

To see everything under control.

Lille said nothing, just stood silently in front of Elliot, watching this former fatty weep and laugh madly as he bid farewell.