Hearing this, even those Soul Returner had seen countless similar works of art in another world couldn't help but be moved.
Or perhaps it's because they've seen so many works that everyone has already guessed what will happen next, and some have even developed a desire not to listen anymore.
The [ Vanilla Ice Cream Scoop ] has even become a sad emoji, with its hands covering its mouth so that it can't make a sound, staring in the direction of the Grand Foundry Master.
Balund's tone remained calm:
"I know what Aiboke wants to do, I know that only he can do it, and I know that I am the only one who can help him."
"The result was that I killed my brother, my only blood relative."
Gray looked at the old man with a complex expression, asking in a way that was half questioning and half guessing:
"What is the answer to that question—how can a machine simulate the thoughts and soul of a human being?"
Balund looked into Gray's eyes and answered seriously:
"It's very simple, the answer is the word 'question' itself."
Different people face different problems and make different choices. Each choice is like a fork in the road, creating new possibilities for the future.
If the answers to all questions are limited to "yes" or "no," then each question will create two different possibilities.
" Aiboke and I designed a machine that combines Psionic Energy and mechanics. This machine has three thousand questions built in and can record the user's answers to all the preset questions."
Users answer these questions based on their inner thoughts, and their answers will be recorded one by one.
"All the answers will collectively depict and construct his personality, methods, and abilities, thereby completing the simulation of his personality."
"After all the problems have been recorded, the user will be locked inside the machine, and through modifications, the user will be integrated with the machine itself and completely isolated from the outside world."
"At this point, the external problems are broken down into the simplest and most basic information, which is then input into the machine, and the user makes their own judgment based on this information."
"The machine itself will also record these judgments and compare them with the conclusions drawn from the previous three thousand questions in order to improve the personality that has been simulated in its rudimentary form."
Ultimately, the machine will output an answer to the question, but outsiders will not know whether the answer came from the user or the machine itself.
"The user locked inside the machine will never have the chance to leave again. No one knows if he is still alive, but even if he is dead, the machine can continue to work based on the experience he has accumulated."
"And the machine that possesses 'personality' and 'soul' naturally completes the final 'replacement' of the human brain, rightfully becoming a true High Tier, taking over the responsibility of guarding the Graycast Corridor from that dying warrior."
"From then on, the Grand Foundry Master became the supreme rulers of the Graycast Corridor."
Balund's words completely shocked Gray, who had now forgotten his status as a candidate for the Grand Foundry Master.
His heart was pounding, whether from fear, excitement, or curiosity, he couldn't tell.
His gaze swept once more over the metal coffin known as the " Grand Foundry Master," and he asked Balund:
"Your brother Aiboke is in 'that' place, isn't he?"
"Yes."
Is he still alive?
"I have no idea."
Balund said:
"But as far as I know, Middle Tier fighters can't survive that long."
Balund was expressionless when he said those words, but Gray could feel the sadness that transcended time.
What exactly does this machine mean to this old man?
Is it the body, or the coffin?
Is it the murderer, or his own blood relative?
Balund fell silent, while Gray continued to ask:
"Machinery should have a long lifespan, and as High Tier Psionic Energy, your lifespan shouldn't be short either. Why are you in such a hurry to select the Grand Foundry Master?"
Meeting the probing gaze of his successor, Balund sighed and said:
The world is undergoing dramatic changes.
"Those citizens living normal lives don't realize that this kind of life won't last much longer."
" The Wilderness of Chaos is changing, the Demon Realm is changing, the Theocracy, the Empire, and the Skeleton Alliance are all changing... Most importantly, the Eternal Domain is changing."
"As fellow High Tier, I can sense the subtle changes occurring in the Twin Kings. They are recovering, growing stronger day by day, becoming more powerful than before each day."
"Once their resurgence exceeds a certain threshold, the Undead Legion will immediately head south."
"No matter how long the Graycast Corridor develops, it will never be able to contend with hundreds of thousands or even millions of enemies that can be resurrected."
"A similar situation occurred once before, sixty years ago when Aiboke became the true Grand Foundry Master. Without him, this place would have long since become part of the Eternal Domain."
"I started too late and took many detours, so I am destined to never reach the Transcendent Tier in this life."
"And Aiboke, or rather this machine... is still too weak compared to the world it is about to face."
"Whether it's the ability to judge things or the speed of information processing, it has already declined and become outdated."
"There will be more uncertainties in the future, and relying solely on regurgitation tape won't handle everything."
As Gray listened to Balund's account, he looked at the even more magnificent and enormous machine and asked:
"You foresaw this day?"
"Yes."
Balund made no attempt to hide his opinion:
"I'm not very bright, but I learned a valuable lesson from my time as a miner: 'Be prepared for danger even in times of peace.'"
"The Merchant Guild brings the vast majority of news from this world back to the Great Labyrinth City, allowing us to stay informed about the changing situation in this world."
"Ever since I first discovered that Aiboke's abilities were deteriorating, I have been preparing for the handover of the Grand Foundry Master."
"Of course, Aiboke himself knew about this, and he even strongly agreed with it, personally assembling the entire new machine."
"You guys..."
Gray thought for a moment about how to evaluate what he had heard, and finally said seriously:
"You have truly shown great foresight."
" Gray."
Balund was unfazed by the compliments from his successor, and he said earnestly:
"We can sacrifice everything for the Graycast Corridor, but I have absolutely no talent for mechanics. Replacing two fingers with a machine is already a huge stretch; otherwise, I would be the first to lie down inside that machine."
"And Aiboke, he can't take it again."
When Balund said this, his tone carried a hint of sadness, making him truly seem like an older brother.