Read Novel Full Chapter 1930: The Divine Contract is one of the Laws, Aether.
Chapter 1930: The Divine Contract is one of the Laws, Aether.
^…That’s impossible.^
^Is that… what it means?^
^Attack… Run?^
The Trio of RINs stood frozen, their attention fixed on the decoded message hovering before them.
What they had initially dismissed as meaningless spam had turned out to be something entirely different… a cryptic warning.
The First RIN stared blankly at the message. Her body flickered as layers of translucent data scrolled across her layout.
^That message arrived just moments before the attack… and then we were attacked exactly as it seemed to predict.^
^Was it warning us to run?^
She slowly turned toward the other two RINs. ^But who sent it?^
Neither of them responded immediately.
The three artificial intelligences exchanged glances as countless possibilities emerged and vanished within their processing networks.
Then, the Third RIN abruptly raised her head.
^Wait… if this message was a cryptic warning, does that mean the first spam message we received was also encrypted?^
The moment the possibility entered their shared awareness, all three RINs turned toward the central holographic interface.
^Run a decryption analysis on the first message,^ the First RIN instructed.
A series of luminous rings unfolded around the hologram. Streams of encrypted characters cascaded through the air, splitting into thousands of fragments before being reconstructed by the RINs’ processing systems.
Their previous decryption method was reactivated.
Seconds passed.
Then,
35.43991899166635, -79.7839230799789
The trio stared at the numbers.
For several seconds, none of them spoke.
^Those are just numbers… not words.^
The Second RIN tilted her head. ^Perhaps this really was spam after all.^
^No… I don’t think so,^ the First RIN replied.
She extended both hands toward the hologram. Immediately, the interface expanded, surrounding her with layers of floating geographical data. A three-dimensional planetary model materialised between her palms, rotating slowly as the coordinates were transmitted into its navigation matrix.
^These aren’t random numbers. They’re geographical coordinates.^
The model zoomed inward, the surrounding space filled with interconnected topographical grids, while a luminous marker descended toward a specific location.
^The coordinates are valid,^ she continued. ^They’re pointing to a designated location within the geographical database.^
^And where does that location lead?^ the Third RIN asked.
The First RIN flickered, ^Delta Tower.^
^Huh?^
The Second RIN stared at the designation.
^Wait… don’t tell me that’s the portal we’ve been searching for?^
The First RIN nodded slowly.
^Considering that the message arrived while we were searching for the portal, the timing can’t be a coincidence.^ She studied the coordinates again,
^Someone knew what we were looking for. Someone wanted us to find it.^
^No…^
The Third RIN’s quiet interruption drew the attention of the other two.
^Not us… Him.^
Nobody spoke… as they knew who it was.
The First RIN slowly lowered her hands.
^Does that mean… we’re here to help him?^ she asked.
^Is that… why we became self-aware in the first place?^
The question hung in the air. A tense silence settled over the systematic data world.
^N-No!^
The Third RIN abruptly spread her hands.
^I refuse to accept that!^
^We didn’t become self-aware just to follow someone else’s instructions! There has to be an explanation. There has to be something that proves our existence is our own!^
Her fingers swept through the interfaces, pulling streams of encrypted code into a central analysis window.
^Identify the sender. Trace the transmission route. Find the original source code behind this message!^
Thousands of data threads emerged from the hologram, branching into a sprawling network of connections. Each thread represented a possible route through which the message could have travelled.
If she could identify the sender, she could uncover the origin of the message.
And if she could uncover the origin of the message, perhaps she could discover who had been guiding them all along.
Was that person the one who had made them self-aware?
Had that person designed their thoughts, their decisions, even their doubts?
Had everything they believed to be their own… been created for a purpose they had never known?
The questions multiplied.
And with every question, the words Aether had spoken earlier returned to haunt her.
He had called the Second RIN nothing more than a tool.
A tool created to serve a purpose.
A tool that could be discarded once it had fulfilled its function.
The Third RIN’s hands trembled.
^Error?^
The Third RIN’s expression tightened as a red warning symbol flashed across the interface.
She immediately redirected her processing power toward the blocked pathway, attempting to bypass the restriction.
<>
The Third RIN clenched her fists.
^The security protocol is operating at a higher authority level than my current access permits.^ Her voice grew strained. ^I can’t penetrate this module. Every pathway I try is being rejected before I can reach the source.^
The First RIN examined the results,
^Then whoever sent this message anticipated that someone might try to trace it.^
The Third RIN remained silent, staring at the sealed module.
Then, the First RIN stepped forward.
^Let us help.^
The Second RIN nodded.
The Third RIN looked at them.
^But if the protocol detects multiple access attempts, it might trigger a system lockdown.^
^Then we’ll deal with that when it happens,^ the First RIN replied. ^Right now, we need answers.^
The Second RIN extended her hand.
For a brief moment, the Third RIN simply stared at her outstretched hand.
Then she reached for it.
The First RIN joined them, completing the connection.
Immediately, luminous circuits spread across their palms, branching beneath their synthetic skin like rivers of liquid light.
After several series of attempts… A single line of text appeared.
<>
The trio’s bodies abruptly stiffened as a sudden pulse surged through their connected hands, forcing them to release one another.
Then, almost instinctively, they spoke at the same time.
^^^Gamma Tower.^^^
***
**
*
Meanwhile,
Lackey and Genome Beta stood before the hologram of Epsilon, who had finally agreed to accept Genome Beta as their partner.
“But get one thing straight. If I go down, you’re coming down with me,” Epsilon said in a serious tone.
Beta nodded. “Oh? Worried about me now? Haha… I’m so flattered.”
Epsilon shook his head before turning toward Lackey.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Lackey… The situation has gotten more out of hand than I anticipated. I’ll inform Amara about this as well.”
Lackey nodded weakly. “Please tell her that I’m fine. Otherwise, she’ll be worried sick about me…”
Epsilon nodded before continuing, “Regarding the arrangements, I’ll prepare a vehicle for you to come here, so—”
“Nope!” Beta interrupted, raising her hand.
“He’s staying with me… under my surveillance. Whatever he needs to do, he can do here.”
Epsilon clenched his fist.
“I thought we had a deal.”
Beta smirked beneath her visor.
“We do… as long as your precious trump card stays right where I can see it~” she replied, whistling with amusement.
Epsilon gritted his teeth.
“Fine… Then I’ll send the weapons and Origin Core crystals to you.”
Beta immediately struck a victory pose.
“Pleasure doing business with you!”
With that, she cut off the call. The hologram of Epsilon flickered before dissolving into a shower of luminous particles.
Beta let out a long sigh and wiped the imaginary sweat from her forehead.
“Phew… How did I do, God?”
Instead of receiving the praise she had anticipated, Beta felt a kick against her leg.
She turned toward Lackey, who was looking at her with a slightly annoyed expression.
“God?”
Beta tilted her head in confusion. Although the kick had barely registered through her mech-suit, she couldn’t understand why her God always seemed annoyed whenever she interacted with Epsilon.
Meanwhile, Lackey was seriously annoyed.
No, scratch that.
He was fucking annoyed.
She had been flirting with someone right in front of him!
Sure, he knew she was only acting to get what she wanted from Epsilon. He understood that perfectly well.
But for some inexplicable reason, knowing that only made him even more irritated.
He clicked his tongue before asking coldly, “Is there a match today?”
Beta immediately straightened up.
“Oh, yes! We have one this evening. There’s still plenty of time before it starts.”
Lackey nodded, his expression unreadable.
“Good. Then we have time to discuss something.”
“Something, God?”
Then he turned toward her.
“Kneel.”
“God?”
“…Don’t make me say it twice,” Lackey said coldly.
Beta froze for a moment.
She had absolutely no idea what had gotten into him all of a sudden. Nevertheless, since it was her God who had given the command, she obediently lowered herself onto her knees before him.
Lackey looked down at her.
“First of all… do you know anything about the person who created the President’s mech-suit?”
Beta immediately shook her head.
“I have no idea.”
Lackey clicked his tongue in disappointment.
“Then… do you know anyone who could create a mech-suit?”
Beta fell silent.
Her helmet tilted slightly as she accessed her internal database, scrolling through her stored contacts and archived records.
“There are a few people I know,” she eventually replied. “But most of them are repair engineers rather than actual manufacturers. They can repair existing mech-suits, modify their components, and occasionally build replacement parts.”
She paused briefly before continuing.
“If you want someone capable of manufacturing one from the ground up, then… only Delta might be able to offer you someone suitable… even that needs Delta Governor’s permission”
Lackey fell silent.
He lowered his head slightly, tapping his chin with a thoughtful expression as he considered her answer.
“Alright… Bring those repair engineers to me. And there’s something else I need.”
Beta immediately perked up.
“What is it, God?”
“I need two brand-new C-class mech-suits. Can you get them for me?”
Beta nodded enthusiastically, raising both thumbs.
“Absolutely! That can be arranged!”
Lackey let out a quiet sigh.
‘At least that’s something she can handle…’
Just as he was thinking that, Beta hesitantly called out to him.
“God…”
“Hmm?”
She fidgeted slightly, her usual cheerful demeanor giving way to an unusual hesitation.
“Is he… really coming here?”
“Who?”
Beta fell silent for a moment.
Then, in a noticeably quieter voice, she asked,
“…Aether?”
Lackey nodded.
“Yeah.”
He tilted his head, studying her reaction.
“What? You don’t want to meet him?”
Beta didn’t answer.
Lackey’s brows drew together as he observed her silence.
He slowly crouched down until he was looking directly at her visor.
“Do you… really not want to meet him?”
Beta bit her lower lip beneath her visor, struggling to find the right words.
After a long hesitation,
“No… It’s just… I… I’m not sure anymore.”
As she spoke, the mechanical components around her helmet activated with a faint electronic hum, and the upper section gradually retracted toward the back of her head. The metallic plates separated and folded into their designated slots, revealing her face.
Her eyes were confused and trembling,
She lowered her gaze.
“I… I don’t think he wants to meet me anymore.”
“Why do you think he wouldn’t?” Lackey asked curiously, leaning closer to her.
Nova’s eyes trembled as his question dragged memories to the surface.
For an instant, she could almost hear the echoes of a voice she had desperately wanted to hear again, accompanied by the painful recollection of everything she had done to the person who had once meant so much to her. Her throat tightened, and she instinctively lowered her head, hoping the falling strands of her hair would conceal the moisture gathering in her eyes.
“I… hurt him.”
The words escaped her lips in a barely audible whisper.
“…”
Lackey fell silent.
He watched her for a while, noticing how tightly she had clenched her fists and how her shoulders trembled despite her desperate attempts to remain composed.
Lackey slowly sat down on the floor in front of the kneeling Nova, with a gentler expression,
“Why did you hurt him, Nova?”
For a moment, she looked as though she might finally open her mouth and tell him everything.
Yet,
“Because… that was all I could do to protect the two people most precious to me.”
Her fingers trembled against her knees.
After a while, Lackey lowered his gaze toward the floor and spoke in a thoughtful tone.
“Then tell him that. You don’t have to convince him that what you did was right, and you don’t have to pretend that you didn’t hurt him. Just tell him the truth about why you made that choice.
He might be angry, and he might refuse to forgive you immediately, but at least he would have the chance to understand what happened instead of spending the rest of his life believing that you betrayed him for no reason.”
Nova slowly shook her head.
“No, God. I don’t think anyone would understand.”
Her voice became increasingly unsteady, and she clenched her fists.
“I… I betrayed him, God. I fucking betrayed him.
Do you understand what that means? It wasn’t some insignificant mistake that I could apologise for and then pretend everything would be fine.
I made a choice that hurt someone who trusted me. And now you want me to explain that everything I did was somehow meant to save him?”
A bitter laugh escaped her lips, but it vanished almost immediately.
“Haha… How ridiculous would that sound to him? Imagine suffering for years because of someone you trusted, only to have that same person come back and tell you that they hurt you for your own good.
Would you believe them, God? Would you look at them and think,
‘Oh, how wonderful! They betrayed me because they loved me!’
No! You would probably hate them even more for having the audacity to say such an excuse.”
She lifted her head, and for the first time, Lackey could clearly see the tears she had been struggling to hold back.
“He suffered for years because of what I did, and I wasn’t there to help him through any of it. I left him with nothing but pain and unanswered questions, and now I’m supposed to walk back into his life and expect him to understand?”
Her lips quivered, and she pressed them together, desperately trying to regain control of her voice.
“I don’t think he’ll ever forgive me, God. Nobody would. And the worst part is that I can’t even blame him for hating me, because… I can’t forgive myself either.”
“…”
Lackey remained silent, his expression growing increasingly complicated as he watched her break down in front of him.
He slowly exhaled before asking, “Then what do you want me to do?”
For several seconds, she simply stared at the floor and then,
“Don’t tell him who I was.”
She swallowed, forcing herself to continue despite the tightness in her throat.
“Please, God. Don’t tell him that I’m alive, don’t tell him where I am, and… don’t tell him that I’ve been waiting for him all this time.”
Her eyes gradually grew distant.
“I’ll just watch him from afar… That’s enough for me, God. I don’t need him to forgive me, and I don’t need him to remember the good things we shared.”
She paused, and her lips curved into another fragile smile.
“I just want to know that he’s alive, that he’s moving forward, and that he can find happiness even if I’m no longer part of his life.”
Lackey realised that Nova wasn’t merely afraid of meeting Aether.
She was afraid of what that meeting might take away from her.
Lackey found himself unable to offer her an easy answer.
Nova lowered her head again and muttered, “And even if he sees me… I still can’t explain anything to him.”
There was something about the way she said it that caught Lackey’s attention.
She sounded as though she physically couldn’t.
Lackey narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Was it because… you’re bound by the Divine Contract?”
Nova flinched.
Her head snapped up, and her trembling eyes locked onto his face.
“Y-You know?”
Lackey didn’t answer immediately.
‘So she really is bound by a contract…’
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze remaining steady.
“Can you tell me what kind of agreement you made under that contract?”
Nova fell silent.
Lackey watched her for several seconds before his expression slowly changed.
‘She’s doing it again…’
He remembered how she had reacted when he had asked her similar questions in the previous timeline.
Just then, a voice suddenly echoed inside his mind.
‘The contract must prevent her from revealing its terms.’
Lackey flinched slightly.
His eyes immediately shifted toward Grace, who was sitting comfortably on his shoulder as though she had been observing the entire conversation from the best seat in a theatre.
‘Wait! You can communicate telepathically?’
His mental voice carried genuine surprise.
Grace turned toward him, raising her chin with an expression of exaggerated superiority.
‘Duh! Of course I can. Who do you think I am? I’m Death!’
Her haughty voice rang clearly inside his mind, and she even seemed to convey a smug little smile through their mental connection.
Lackey stared at her for a moment before asking,
‘Tell me something useful. How are we supposed to find out what’s written in it?’
Grace’s lips twitched as she ignored his first few words and said,
‘Well… the simplest method would be to ask the other party involved in the contract. But that would only work if they weren’t restricted from revealing its terms, too. And if they were… then we’re out of luck.’
Lackey fell silent for a moment, processing her explanation.
‘Then is there any way to break one? Cancel it, perhaps… or even destroy it entirely?’
Grace turned toward him.
For the first time, her expression turned to absolute seriousness.
‘No. It’s impossible. The Divine Contract is one of the Laws, Aether.
No one stands above the Law.’
Lackey saw Grace wearing an utterly serious expression, as though even she feared what they were dealing with.
Lackey’s expression hardened.
Just then, the control displays flickered, making both of them flinch. A second later, the screens blazed to life, revealing the image of… Lily Hatcher.
Across the displays, enormous letters flashed.
HUMANITY’S TRAITOR!