Chapter 522

After having listened to Prince Andre’s request to recreate another Apheta 01, Apheta 00 said with a smile in her voice:

“You know, our ancestor was an incredibly powerful Cleaner, the kind who bridged the gap between humans and gods. Her descendants naturally have brains more special than ordinary people’s; their hippocampus and temporal lobes are exceptionally excellent, and the connection between the frontal and parietal lobes is astonishingly developed.

And Phelia’s brain, even among the Crocodile Royal Family’s 900-year history and 37 generations, is indisputably at the top by a wide margin, possessing unparalleled potential.

That’s why I persuaded your father to use Phelia’s brain as the core when she was just twelve, when her brain activity and plasticity had begun to balance out. It replaced me, this immature prototype, becoming the heart of the entire Crocodile Kingdom to lead it to unprecedented heights.”

“…”

“Sorry, I forgot you don’t like hearing that.”

After apologizing without sincerity, during Prince Andre’s long silence, Apheta 00 said with no small amount of pleasure:

“Or you could think I did it on purpose. After all, you deprived me of everything, locking me up in this boring place. Back then, because the technology wasn’t advanced enough to completely strip away human emotions, it’s only natural that I’d hold a slight grudge.”

“It doesn’t matter; your emotions mean nothing to me.”

After replying expressionlessly, Prince Andre coldly stated:

“Also, according to what you’ve said, the truly irreplaceable thing is Phelia’s brain. Her original brain is still stored in Apheta 01’s core, which was taken away. It was just a core program.

And since it’s a program, it should be able to be copied, so there’s no way it can’t be replaced. If Phelia’s brain hasn’t been destroyed, there should be as many Apheta 01s as needed.”

“Not quite~”

It seemed Apheta 00 had been waiting for Prince Andre to ask this question. Upon hearing it, she smiled and explained: “Things that run on machines are called programs, but Apheta 01’s true core isn’t those ultra-miniature differential engines; it’s Phelia’s one-of-a-kind brain.

Even with a special gel that can transmit electrical signals, connecting her brain to the machine for perfect data exchange with zero loss, those things that can be casually copied still cannot truly dominate a human brain.”

“What exactly is the core program?”

“What else could it be besides the soul that runs perfectly within the body?”

Apheta 00 laughed and said: “The kingdom’s research on souls may not be deep, but judging basic properties and applying them at the most rudimentary level is barely possible.

And the body and soul are both indispensable, one of the most fundamental rules of this world. Since Phelia’s brain has always maintained its activity, the soul carrying her personality and self-awareness obviously cannot leave entirely.

Even though her emotions and human thoughts were cleared due to excessive stimulation of the amygdala, hippocampus, and cerebellar basal ganglia during the production process, resulting in large gaps in her soul, her soul indeed hasn’t left.

What we call the core program is actually Phelia’s preserved soul, which can travel freely between machinery and flesh in the form of electrical signals.”

“？！！！”

“I’ve said it many times, that child is unique, but this statement refers not only to her brain but also her special soul.”

Apheta 00 sighed wistfully:

“When creating Apheta 01, we had to use a special technology called ‘Soul Encoding’ that I developed before my death. To withstand such technological modifications while maintaining mental stability, up until now, only Phelia and I have managed to do so.

The other Apheta sub-bodies you created merely replicated some data from No. 1, indirectly accepting part of the initial encoding, making them defective products that still can’t fully replace humans. Their computational power is nowhere near ours.

And considering this technology was developed based on the special brains of the Crocodile Royal Family, and the Crocodile Royal Family has been reduced to its current state, it seems even these defective products won’t be producible anymore. Every time one is used, it’s one less. Sigh…”

“Whatever, something like you is best gone.”

“Speed up, how much longer will it take for you to disconnect and hand over your core to me?”

“Don’t rush, don’t rush, it’ll be fine soon.”

After responding somewhat irritably, the dim room echoed with footsteps. Then, a pale female hand emerged from the darkness, holding a brain encased in transparent gel, handing it to Prince Andre.

“Hold it well. Remember to preserve it below 12 degrees Celsius before installation, avoid bumps and intense light exposure, change the nutrient solution every six hours, and supplement with 24 corresponding… ah, don’t be so rough! I’m at least your aunt’s brain; don’t damage me!”

“Shut up!”

After responding impatiently, Prince Andre took the insulated box handed over by the female hand, threw the brain wrapped in gel inside, and then said unhappily:

“You could have directly prepared yourself and handed it over to me. Why let me see your brain?”

“Because it’s interesting~”

From the copper pipe on one side of the custom-insulated box, Apheta 00’s teasing tone came through.

“Maybe you’re reminded of the young Phelia back then, so when you see exposed human brains, your expressions are always intriguing. I’m very interested in your reactions.

No mistakes, first content, inside 69 book bar!

By the way, since I can only control one-twelfth of Apheta 01’s computing power, I’ll need help from some sub-bodies to fully control the entire kingdom.

There are a few spare insulated boxes in my room. When you pass by the preservation hall on the first floor later, remember to grab a few more brains. Your father’s and your older brother’s brains would be ideal.”

“Understood.”

After responding impatiently, Andre began walking towards the metal spiral staircase while complaining: “Can’t you just shut down that boring ‘mini-theater’ on the first floor? Do they really have to keep performing endlessly?”

“Let them continue.”

Upon hearing Prince Andre’s complaint, Apheta 00 in the insulated box laughed:

“Although there are other ways to preserve Apheta sub-bodies, whether by direct low-temperature freezing or sterilization using amber liquid, when they need to be reactivated, they require a considerable recovery period.

But placing them in the main hall on the first floor, engaging in the lowest frequency activities based on their shared experiences before death, is akin to just dreaming. Not only does it maintain the neurons’ activity for a long time, but they can be used immediately upon awakening. There’s no better way to preserve them… oh, right.”

At this point, Apheta 00 curiously asked:

“Since you took away Sub-body 128 and haven’t returned it yet, has it been lost for some reason?”

“Sort of.”

Prince Andre nodded after hearing this.

“I placed it in an airship, but the airship was burned abroad, and Arthif 128 went missing. The prince sent to explain this incident is the one who kidnapped Phelia.

So although there’s no evidence, I suspect Arthif 128 is also in his hands. Your first task upon retaking control of the entire kingdom is to help me find that person. File code 240612 contains his information.”

“Alright~ My dear nephew~”

(End of Chapter)