His words plunged the entire Data Space into deathly silence once again.
Anger showed in the eyes of many of the Light Banquets, and Extinction saw every violent shift in their emotions.
He watched them, these former sisters of his, and said quietly:
"So sometimes I really do feel-we're only deceiving ourselves-even after mechanical ascension-we still can't escape the sway and turbulence of these emotions-whether it's the General, you, or Dragon Head-you're all the same-"
The Light Banquet at the head of the group stared grimly at him and said:
"Then what exactly is this so-called rationality?! If, in your eyes-willingly becoming ammunition for your guns counts as rationality-then you should strip every one of us of our selves-make us truly into AIs that you can command with unquestioning loyalty-if you did that-there wouldn't be any so-called disputes-"
She took a step forward.
She stared unblinkingly into his eyes.
"But I'll still tell you this-only a civilization of people is a civilization-even now, after our collective ascension-"
"That hasn't changed."
Deathly silence spread.
Under that charged atmosphere, the entire Data Space felt as though it had plunged into an icy pool.
Extinction said quietly, "You have no choice-but out of consideration for our shared standing among the Seven Gods-I can give you a promise-if this operation succeeds-I'll put forward a motion at the Purification Council's highest decision-making session-to restore your permissions within the Purification Council-and let you return in glory to the Seven Gods-"
He turned.
His body instantly dissolved into countless specks of noise and vanished into the data network.
Only his voice continued to echo through the entire Data Space.
"But if this mission fails-then no one can help you-not even me-"
He left.
Only the separated Light Banquet individuals remained in this Data Space where the wills