Yoshio continued trying to persuade Shogo Makishima.
She continued.
"Your intellect and profound insight are exactly what we need to further evolve the Sibyl System. We could force you into the system through medication and brainwashing surgery... but only actions based on one's own will have value. Isn't that what you said? We judged that you would understand my explanation and agree. We want to turn you into one of our own without damaging any of your intellectual or mental activity."
Yoshio mentioned the Sibyl System's further evolution. In other words, the Sibyl System had been evolving all along. She had not called it an upgrade, but evolution, which meant that the Sibyl System was an intelligent life-form, not merely a machine.
"I'm not particularly fond of becoming a mechanical part."
Shogo Makishima did not seem especially moved by this.
He did not even take it seriously.
Perhaps he understood deep down that, after being captured by an organization like the Ministry of Welfare, his only chance was to become one of them.
There was no better option.
Puppet
"Hehe..."
Shogo Makishima shrugged.
Yoshio was not surprised by Shogo Makishima's refusal. She merely smiled and continued.
"Of course, this is not a demand that you surrender your independence. Even now, I still retain myself as Kouzaburou Fujima. Regularly implanting myself into prosthetic bodies and acting independently like this is care intended to prevent the loss of self. In addition, elsewhere, some of us are using the bodies of senior bureaucrats from various ministries and agencies.
"Honestly... it's no longer just the Ministry of Welfare. Even the administration has become puppets of the Sibyl System?"
"All you need to do is say yes and nod. With the equipment here, the surgical procedure can be completed on the way to the Ministry