In less than a minute, Ermi returned.
After a cloud of dust rose, the unconscious X0 was tossed before Angel. Ermi looked at Angel, silently asking how X0 should be handled.
Angel did not answer at once. Instead, he studied X0 with great interest.
After a cursory examination, Angel found that this fellow's insides were indeed as abnormal as he had guessed—he had already been partially mechanized. Moreover, this mechanization differed somewhat from the mechanical implants of the Southern Region. It carried an even more frenzied air of alteration, because scattered mechanical signals even existed within X0's brain.
After thinking for a moment, Angel said to Ermi, "Take him with us for now. But if he makes any suspicious moves, dispose of him."
He was somewhat interested in both the mechanization within X0's body and the Soul Armament. If he had the chance, he could study them. But the prerequisite for all that was being able to control X0. If X0 could not be controlled, there was no harm in getting rid of him.
Ermi nodded in understanding, turning into a shadowy wraith that wrapped around X0.
Bearing X0 with him, Ermi slowly melted into Angel's shadow.
With Ermi watching X0, Angel naturally set aside his concerns and resumed studying the magic energy array at the main control node.
He was very curious about the underground magic patterns X0 had wanted to activate earlier. He desperately wanted to know what trump card X0 had intended to use, since it concerned his own safety as well. However, before studying those magic patterns, he needed to suppress the information-transmission section first.
Several minutes later, as a flash of Gloomlight passed by, the Mind Tether, which had been silent until then, became lively once more—
"It seems much quieter around us than before.