“But information stored mechanically must be reliable.”
Chapter 131 The Price of Truth -in-
Looking at Xia Yibing's surprised expression, Russell could of course understand, because this kind of thing was a bit too sudden no matter how you look at it.
But it wasn't sudden for him.
There were signs of everything from the beginning.
At this moment, standing here, Russell could feel the Apis Rubik's Cube buzzing in his head.
With the help of this "magic weapon", he regained his true self and completed a missing memory in his heart.
On a midsummer night, his perspective came to the palace, and before that he didn't even know which prince wanted to meet him.
So you can imagine how excited he was when he saw Queen Elwing, the face of his dreams, the one whose allegiance he had reinforced in oaths so many times.
"Ah, Mr. Igor..."
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but even you have to correct me - just call me Russell."
"But..." Alvin hesitated, "You know what? I can actually call you 'brother'."
Russell stood there without answering.
"You know everything?" Alvin suddenly understood the reason for his silence. "It seems that you are more sensible than I thought... Can I know why? Is it because of justice?"
"I may not have such great ideals." Russell whispered, "But I do feel that...what he did to me was extremely excessive."
“So you deserve more compensation.”
"Then I would be part of a chain of evil - if I accept it, it would mean that I agree with everything, and I might do the same to my children many years later... I can't stand this."
"So you don't agree with Charuni's philosophy."
“I just don’t identify with him as my father.”
"Okay... I kind of understand where your conflict lies." Alvin grinned.
"You know, Russell, a lot of people have suggested that I kill you."
Russell didn't say anything, but his eyebrows twitched noticeably.
"Because you are too special compared to other 'brothers'... This not only refers to the sins on your hands in the eyes of outsiders, but also your mother's origin... The Thorn Birds."
When she said this, she revealed a hint of nostalgia.
"It's an ancient name, isn't it? I didn't expect them to survive until now... They really are betting on both sides. I guess they had their people in Seran at that time..."
Russell still didn't say anything, he didn't move.
"I came here today just to kill you." Alvin was very direct. "I personally don't like it, but I understand that some things must be done."
"But Russell, you gave me a surprise... Did you know that the real Holy Oak can detect the pollution level of its people to a certain extent?"
"I have never heard of ..."
"That's right!" Erwin interrupted him, "I think you definitely don't want to die, and I can see your persistence and your ideals... Then I have another task for you."
After clapping his hands, a man in black came up to him, holding a large tray with a metal cube on it.
"This is……"
"Apis Cube, we call it the Apis Cube." Alvin nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes, "Don't be fooled by its small size, it is actually the core of the floating city, with the dual functions of storing data and energy."
Russell frowned, not sure if Her Majesty was making fun of him.
Floating city?
Even with Sarah's current technology, it is impossible to lift a city into the sky.
The Apis Cube…sounds like something out of a dream.
"Regarding the treasure you mentioned, the Dragon God's Tomb, some news has been reported recently."
Alvin said.
"Sarah also has informants there. According to her information, the situation had already deteriorated drastically three months ago. In the worst case scenario, we will lose this Western ally and go to war with him."
"I need someone who can be fully trusted to go there... He must have great perseverance, great wisdom, and at the very least, he must be proficient in deception."
"Then, Your Majesty, I think..."
"Of course, you're not good at lying." Alvin nodded.
"But you may not realize that it's people like you...you are the best liars."
"I have already outlined a plan regarding the Apis Cube and the other artifact. This plan is only known to you and me."
Having said this, the Queen paused.
"This is too important. I want to confirm it carefully."
Russell narrowed his eyes.
“You can ask any questions you want…”
"You already know who you are, right?" Alvin asked casually as he picked up the metal cube.
"I mean... not just your first identity."
"My mother told me," Russell said, "She hopes that I can return to Dragon Country if I have the chance... and dig out the treasure buried there by my ancestors - the Dragon God's Tomb."
"So do you want to go?"
"think."
"Because of dissatisfaction?"
"Because there are a lot of people in Sara who need that money, if I can get it, I will have more leverage to implement my ideas better."
"your thoughts?"
"...I think there are hidden dangers in Sarah's contemporary laws."
Russell plucked up his courage and said directly what was on his mind.
"Everyone knows that Sara is an ancient country and the successor of an ancient dynasty... We have inherited the culture and system left to us by our ancestors, but some of them seem to have remained unchanged today."
"Can I understand that what you said is already very tactful..."
"I...I want to change all this, Your Majesty." Russell gritted his teeth.
"People are not machines - they are flesh and blood, they have feelings. As much as I hate everything my father did to me, I can understand his thoughts, but it doesn't change the fact that he 'did do evil to a child.'"
"And how many people like me are there?" He raised his head and took a step forward.
"Great justice... justice... this is too heavy for mortals."
"I am able to survive because I am valuable. His blood runs in my body. I know that he wants to treat me as a gift, a legacy, so that you can deal with me personally and establish your authority..."
"But many people don't even have the chance to live longer like me. It's hard for us to ensure that the Eclipse Church doesn't use this to expand its own audience - I think this is why they can always find helpers."
"Do you know what you are talking about?" Alvin frowned.
The man standing in front of her was going to be the enemy of the traditions that had sustained this country for thousands of years.
The Law...
There are so many people involved and the interests are so deep that even if she is the king, it is not easy for her to intervene directly.
What is his identity?
How dare you have such a beautiful dream?
But Russell just looked up at her, not taking a step back, and his whole body seemed to be wrapped in moonlight.
"You must be very proud..."
Alvin said faintly.
"What a noble goal and self... can you guarantee that you have never said that about yourself?"
"I...but that's-"
"Okay, I know everything." Alvin raised his hand to signal him that he didn't need to explain. When he opened his eyes again, his emerald eyes were already shining green.
“It’s not a disadvantage,” she said.
"Humans are animals obsessed with self-satisfaction... If we are deprived of even this little comfort, then the meaning of our sacrifice will be lost... So there is no need for you to feel guilty, Mr. Russell."
"And you remind me of a detective."
"She is similar to you in this respect. She always thinks she is a saint... She is the one who has to solve all the problems, as if we are just decorations and the world will be destroyed without her..."
Russell looked a little confused.
Then, as if he understood something, he suddenly stared at the queen, with surprise and ecstasy on his face.
"Yes..." Alvin smiled at him encouragingly.
"At least you're not alone on this road."
"So can we start discussing the mission, Mr. Russell?"
"anytime!"
"I...I'm willing to give everything for this!"
……
Looking back, it was a long summer night, but to Russell now, it was just a moment and the thoughts that emanated from this moment.
Shifting his gaze to the gray-haired girl, Russell saw her face clearly.
Still so pretty and beautiful...
She was not as shocked as Sheriff Imaar. It seemed that she had predicted this?
"I... I've thought about it a lot, and I still feel that all this... I mean it's just you, it's such a coincidence." Hitzfeld explained while panting.
Russell's identity is very suspicious.
He did give ample reasons—reasons he used to deceive Bokan.
For revenge.
For a lofty ideal.
Just like when you are facing a madman, you have to make yourself look abnormal in order to gain his complete trust, which is undoubtedly what Russell did here.
But she knew some inside information.
She knew that Alwyn was not the "Poplar" as the outside world knew him to be.
She is the "Holly Oak" -
For the children of Poplar, the transfer of kingship can be rough and hasty.
But in reality, this is impossible. No one knows better than her how cautious the old man is.
Alvin must know Russell's secret.
she knows.
How dare she send him then?
In addition, Russell did remind them to avoid the transfer order. All these things combined made her unsure of Russell's position.
And he didn’t…
Although he always hinted that he had betrayed, he never actually admitted that he was a traitor!
And his head...
The Apis Cube can store energy.
What if... She meant what if...
Information is also a kind of energy...
"Spirit"... even memory... is also a kind of energy!
Of course, it is impossible to transform the human brain into steel.
This is not... not a technology that can be explained by this era... or the previous dynasty that possessed "battery technology"...
