In the underground secret chamber of Research Area 1, Atifei-00 sitting on the sofa took a sip of cold coffee and then said with a smile:
"You have a good eye for people, but it seems they are also quite capable of seeing through you.
Judging by the aftermath, he most likely guessed your plan, so he didn’t report the real address at all, instead he stayed on a rooftop several kilometers away and watched a joke unfold from afar; your plan was completely seen through, oh~"
Ignoring Atifei-00’s ridicule, Prince Andre remained silent for a moment and then said expressionlessly:
"How is the investigation I asked you to do?"
"Are you talking about the records of food and water distribution and unusual travel records, among other things? Those have been seen through, oh~"
Atifei-00 replied with a smile:
"They seem to have guessed that you would use such a method to locate their general area of activity, so they stole many identity cards, checking several different blocks each time to avoid their whereabouts being investigated.
As for essential items like food and water, there are no records of purchases or distributions either. From what I speculate, they are probably stealing food, and only taking small amounts each time, making it impossible to trace.
In addition, in all the places where anyone living in this city would inevitably leave traces, almost all of them have been covered by the other party. Where it can’t be covered, they will find ways to confuse the trails. I’ve found quite a lot of information, but most of it can’t be verified, and naturally can’t be used for tracking."
They have even paid attention to those things?
Hearing Atifei-00’s response, Prince Andre couldn’t help but rub his temples, feeling a slight headache.
That’s strange. Leon clearly comes from a very backward Kingdom, a country without even identity cards, so someone from there shouldn’t have such a sense of secrecy. The Scorpio Branch people were exposed precisely because of their travel records.
But this Leon is different, he seems very familiar with these matters, knowing that seemingly inconspicuous information can expose whereabouts once consolidated, so he hides exceptionally well, making it very difficult to deal with.
The Crolock Kingdom may not be large, but it’s a country after all. If they keep hiding, wanting to get them out might really require drastic measures...
"So, are you willing to hand the whole Kingdom over to me this time?"
Seeing Andre’s expression, Atifei-00 took a sip of coffee and then said with a bright smile:
"As long as you temporarily lift the restrictions and allow me to not just mobilize computation but give me the highest authority to control the entire Kingdom, in just fifteen hours at most, I can help you dig out those two little mice and deliver them to you, skin and bone."
Prince Andre glanced at her upon hearing this, saying nothing, but the corner of his thin lips slightly twitched into a mocking expression, clearly expressing his intentions.
"Don’t worry, even though you’re not kind to Aunt, Aunt still acknowledges you as nephew."
Atifei-00 wasn’t angry and said leisurely while sipping cold coffee:
"According to the agreement between you and the Slaughter King Association, as long as they help you, you won’t have any children in this lifetime, and the royal line of Crolock ends with you. But this doesn’t mean there isn’t a loophole.
With the Human Transmutation Technology developed by you and Atifei-01, we can completely mass-produce ’Empty Shell’ Persons without souls, and then extract the brains of the most qualified group as the main core, with slightly lesser ones made into sub-bodies.
With my computational power and the national strength of the Crolock Kingdom, within thirty years we could produce twenty thousand Atifei sub-bodies, and by that time, you can completely..."
After glaring coldly at Atifei-00, Prince Andre said with a venomous expression:
"Do you think I’m stupid? If I really gave you the highest authority, among those twenty thousand Atifie sub-bodies, one of them would definitely use my brain!"
"Rest assured, you’re not worthy."
Atifei-00 replied with a smile:
"I checked your brain when you were very young, your brain is also highly developed, even no less than Feiliya’s, but the developed areas are not what I need.
Judging from the active sectors, you might have a good talent in art, but as for making you into a smart brain core... Aunt can only very regretfully tell you, the gap between me and Feiliya is estimated to be seven hundred of you, using you to make an Atifie sub-body would be a pure waste of materials."
"Haha, then I really have to thank you. If you hadn’t disdained my brain, perhaps back then..."
Just as Prince Andre squinted his eyes and began to retort with sarcasm, a spirited instrumental sound quietly started playing, followed by a familiar broadcast voice through the speakers in Research Area 1.
"Citizens of the Crolock Kingdom, it’s now time for the morning news broadcast."
The broadcaster’s sweet voice briefly overshadowed Prince Andre’s words.
"First, yesterday’s news, the scholar Bell Graham who improved the wireless remote exchange phone was attacked by a fugitive criminal... Ah? Who are you? You can’t come in here! You all! Get out!"
Upon hearing the commotion in the speaker, the two in the secret chamber were momentarily startled, while Prince Andre seemed to realize something, and abruptly stood up, a look of disbelief appearing on his face.
"Sorry, we really have no choice but to take this opportunity to speak to everyone... Broadcaster Miss, please go over here and rest for a while."
A voice quite familiar to Prince Andre came through the speaker, and the original broadcaster made a muffled noise before being led away from the microphone.
"Citizens of the Crolock Kingdom, I regret to inform you that the entire Kingdom is now at a critical moment of life and death."
Amid the bewildered expressions of the aunt and nephew in the chamber, the voice from the speaker said solemnly:
"The third Prince Andre, not only conspired to harm King Fein, but has also slain all the royal family members. He is now preparing to use newly developed technology in Research Area 1 to forcibly control the minds of all citizens, and then..."
"Deploy troops quickly!"
Upon hearing this, having guessed what Leon wanted to do, Prince Andre’s veins on his forehead popped out, and he turned back yelling:
"Immediately seal off... No! Bomb Residential Area 19! Cut off all sound transmission signals! Make him shut up quickly!"
"I’ve been doing that!"
Atifei-00 said angrily, biting her lip:
"But right when the broadcast began, apart from the underground sound transmission tubes, all fifty-two external signal stations in Area 1 were cut off at the exact same second, so my command can’t go out."
Upon hearing this, Prince Andre’s face darkened, and he said incredulously:
"All fifty-two were cut off? Not a single one left? Didn’t you leave a hidden signal station?"
Atifei-00, with the signal station destroyed, seemed like her mind suddenly lost control over her body, angrily retorting:
"The blocks in the Kingdom are semi-closed! Plus, the core of Area 1 is underground, surrounded by high-rise buildings, if the signal station isn’t placed high enough, it’d be blocked, and couldn’t even transmit as far as someone shouting! Tell me how to hide it?"
"Citizens of the Crolock Kingdom, I am the sixth Princess Feiliya, also... also the only survivor of the royal bloodshed."
While the two in the chamber were arguing, a voice very familiar to them both sobbed uncontrollably, accusing:
"Andre has gone insane, to satisfy his ambition, he murdered father, murdered mother, murdered everyone, now he plans to use brain infopieces and identity cards to gradually control everyone.
I... I now have no family left, and I plead with everyone, for the Kingdom, also for ourselves, to stand up together and resist his brutal rule!"