Click / Getting Better and Better

The point is that you won't lose a fight.

He was unaware that his "unfamiliar" and "malicious" creation was subtly tempting him to express his opinion on another "unfamiliar" and "malicious" creation.

The "Native Rhodes Island Terminal Services," collectively known as "PRTS," is a powerful AI created based on the consciousness of Priestess. In the event that Priestess no longer exists, it may serve as a continuation of Priestess.

But...

With the original Prissis still active in some corner of the world, PRTS's situation is quite delicate: she is not Priestess, but her sociological role is closer to Priestess's "daughter." But inevitably, she often identifies herself as Priestess on many issues—including but not limited to the Oute problem.

Especially the Oute problem.

"What if that 'Black Snake' likes the person Talulah likes, how does that count?" Kal'tsit asked deliberately.

The three of them were getting closer and closer to the Engineering Department.

"When faced with this kind of problem, 'Black Snake' handles it from Talulah's perspective. But given 'Black Snake's' deeply influenced nature by 'Koshchei,' she probably wouldn't like anyone."

"Except for... Talulah."

Kal'tsit froze.

Now there's no way for PRTS to identify themselves.

"Individuals like these often unconsciously shift their stance when faced with different issues."

"Like 'Black Snake,' she maintains Talulah's stance when facing most issues. Her self-perception is that she has experienced more of Talulah. However, when facing Talulah, she will emphasize her identity as 'Koshchei' even more."

"Thus..."

"Ahem, let's say, let's say there's a 'Black Snake' that likes the person Talulah likes!" Kal'tsit forcefully steered the conversation back on track.

Oute was baffled. "She'll present herself as Talulah!"

Just as PRTS subconsciously identifies himself Priestess when facing Oute.

"So... what do you think of this behavior? What do you think of this kind of 'love'?" Kal'tsit directly replaced the previous "like" with "love".

What are your thoughts on this borrowed 'love'?

"You..."

He acted strangely today.

But upon closer reflection, Oute realized that he himself was the culprit.

Now that Amiya has assisted, Kal'tsit has changed the subject, he can't remind Kal'tsit!

Analyzing this kind of problem without considering its specific context is just empty talk, isn't it? It's meaningless, isn't it?

Despite thinking this way, Oute still said the truth, "Although the seed of love was borrowed, the fruit cannot all be attributed to the seed."

"Closeness, communication, and interaction—these are what allow seeds to thrive..."

Kal'tsit interrupted Oute's cheesy rambling again, "In this example, does the 'Black Snake' have the right to demand that the person Talulah likes remain 'pure' for Talulah's sake!?"

This is to say whether PRTS has the right to "catch someone in the act"—specifically, to catch Kal'tsit.

Although Oute was completely unaware that he had fallen into a trap, he still uttered a pointless remark. "It depends on whether Black Snake has any related needs."

"... tsk."

Chapter 255 Snap

Inside a transparent rectangular glass box, a familiar-looking seal ring floats in mid-air. On the antique brass ring, the familiar yet simple Iron Crown emblem, like an eye from an abyss, casts a mocking gaze at the operators.

Kal'tsit said coldly, "The body of that Imperial Guards has been transformed into this form."

Kal'tsit caught the change in Oute's expression and said with certainty, "The emblem on this ring bears a striking resemblance to the private seal you designed."

"Play the surveillance footage."

A familiar voice came from the terminal. "This record involves coordination among multiple departments and requires further authorization."

"..."

Kal'tsit's use of Oute to refute PRTS's actions did have some effect.

Seeing the cat's pleading eyes, Oute sighed, "PRTS, we need this video."

"... Coordination in progress, coordination complete."

Although it was a corpse, because Kal'tsit was temporarily uninterested in researching the Imperial Guards and the Collapse Entity, the corpse was not kept in the Medical Department's morgue—but was occupied by the Engineering Department.

The Engineering Department itself stores a large number of items for further research. Some are stored in the ship's warehouse, while others are kept in the Engineering Department's "slush fund".

This little vault temporarily stored a large number of items that needed to be researched "immediately," but most of the Engineering Department staff were crammed into working in the Interstice... During the daytime, which is considered a holiday, only a minority of the thieves were willing to burn their time, and thus the number gradually accumulated.

The closed-circuit television next to it started playing yesterday's recording.

Inside the "glass box," the corpse of the Imperial Guards, whose name was too numerous, lay there. The tentacle structures, imbued with Kremlin aesthetics, had vanished, leaving only a mutilated corpse that was barely recognizable as human.

The time in the upper right corner of the closed-circuit television screen jumped rapidly, and the staff on duty at the edge of the screen were also performing a series of rather comical pantomimes at an astonishing speed.

"Mangles ... don't cut your toenails next time you're on duty." Kal'tsit rubbed her temples. "Quickly get some medical alcohol and disinfect the workbench."

"I'll go right away," said Agent Caprinae awkwardly.

Time continued to tick, and finally, at a point when Oute felt somewhat guilty, the contents of the coffin changed.

Black mist drifted over the mangled corpse, gradually filling the entire coffin and completely obscuring the view. When the mist dissipated, the remains of the collapsed demonic Imperial Guards were nowhere to be seen; only a seal ring floated in mid-air.

Now, the person on duty at this "secret stash" has been sent away by Kal'tsit under a legitimate pretext. Only Oute, Kal'tsit, Amiya... and PRTS are inside.

"What are your thoughts on this point in time?" Kal'tsit asked.

That was the first time Oute had ever been "out of his mind" in reality since returning from Chernobog.

This Mr. Imperial Guards is actually in a state of struggle between three orders: reality, Demons, and Oute.

During his lifetime, the order brought by Oute prevailed; after his death, the laws of reality took precedence.

But...

Oute closed his eyes and said regretfully, "It's probably due to the influence of the Interstice."

In the instant that Oute was "out of his mind," he had already taken the new order of the Terra through the window of the Imperial Guards... like a wild horse that had broken free.

The Imperial Guards of the "Darkest Dungeon," whose order has been transformed into that of the Otherworldly Demons, is a leader unit, a Boss. Therefore, when he is defeated, he will naturally drop the required item—an orange-tier accessory.

What puzzled Oute was: why Family Seal Ring?

"..." Kal'tsit's silence was somewhat inscrutable, but it was clear that she was starting to overthink again.

Since victory is unattainable, then let's redefine victory...

No, to live is to win.

To survive is to be civilized.

I was so stupid, really.

Doc Otter's goal has never changed; only his methods have.

She said, "I understand."

Kal'tsit stepped aside and said to PRTS, "Let Doc Otter complete his experiment."

The glass coffin was opened, and Oute picked up the Family Seal Ring.

Thus, the Imperial Guards, who was once a minor boss, finally completed his fulfilling life—the explosion of equipment.

It's worth mentioning that Kal'tsit was a little distracted when leaving the treasury and fell to the back of the group. The treasury door "just happened" to close, and "somehow" the door encountered a programming problem when recognizing her.

While secretly pleased with what Oute saw, he also felt that it was time to stop PRTS's potentially inefficient practices.

Etc?

What was your reason for getting involved?

"PRTS, Rim Billiton's representative, what's the situation now?"

"We've gone beyond the communication range. At our average speed before leaving the range, we'll arrive at the Ultimate Iron Town in about three to four hours."

Rim Billiton's prototype is Australia, and its main population is the Cautus (rabbits). These loosely organized rabbits do not have a true "central government" or "capital". Ultimate Iron Town is just the largest of Rim Billiton's many Mobile City - so the outside world tacitly regards it as the rabbits' capital.

"The refugee resettlement work at Number Fourteen Facility is nearing completion, and the keel dismantling work will soon begin. Including the raw materials needed for the new ship, I need to ensure everything proceeds smoothly," Oute emphasized to the terminal. "During this time... PRTS, I'll have to trouble you a lot."

For artificial intelligence, it inherently possesses a "mission." This mission is mostly designed manually by the creator—of course, there are also those like Kal'tsit who are intentionally left to their own devices.

PRTS is precisely an artificial intelligence with a "mission".

Upon hearing Oute's request, the terminal seemed to have completely forgotten about his infidelity, cheerfully stating, "The Primitive Rhodes Island Terminal Service System serves the owners of 'Rhodes Island' and 'Rhodes Island's' plans; this is the very meaning behind the birth of the PRTS system."

Oute sensed something was off: PRTS was still jabbing Kal'tsit.

Although they are the same words, the emphasis can be subtly different depending on the context...

What is certain is that "Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals" is not particularly "native".

When Kal'tsit rediscovered Rhodes Island, Priestess and I, along with our endeavors, were probably still on the island, and that was when we were truly "original."

However, that's enough.

Oute stroked the terminal, the deep-seated sense of loneliness lessened somewhat.

"Doc Otter?" Amiya looked at him curiously.

"Who's the cutest little bunny!?" Oute put away the terminal and then picked up Amiya, playing a game of lifting her up high.

"Doooooc otter!" Although not quite sure what was going on, the little rabbit joined in the play.

After being spared by PRTS, Kal'tsit finally managed to pass through the gate, and a smile couldn't help but appear on her lips.

Click.

This time, the disgruntled PRTS didn't include Kal'tsit in the filming.

Chapter 256 Getting Better