Chapter 410

Chapter 410: The Trap Card Activates

In front, "Infinite Scroll" still had not finished her self-introduction. After reporting a long list of anti-counterfeiting codes, she continued:

"Due to the complete loss of the Spaceship Debris and damage to the main body, along with all remaining artificial intelligences being damaged and missing, [Protocol 9] has been triggered. Currently, [Taraxacum-03-07] has gained new permissions, apart from [Data Management], which are:

"[Legal Judgment], [Core Maintenance], and [Data Collection].

"Considering that Mr. Wencheng’s report involves council members, do you require [Taraxacum-03-07] to assist you in opening a Temporary Court?"

The council members of the longevity faction were stunned by the significant oversight in the cleanup that had taken place at that time, while the council members of the inheritance faction were completely baffled, absorbing everything with blank expressions.

The former holders of this title, including the ones before them, had already passed away, and a few who chose to retire were nowhere to be found.

Regarding the events that took place decades ago, those predecessors had kept it all very secretive, which made them, despite appearing to be participants, among the least involved in Wencheng’s accusations.

As they listened to Wencheng’s heartfelt report, the members of the inheritance faction glanced at one another, realizing that the little things they did daily hardly mattered —

In comparison to "Infinite Scroll," their own contributions seemed absolutely minimal.

Moreover, "Infinite Scroll’s" unexpected betrayal left them speechless; this mature and steady member of the first team wasn’t even human?!

None of them realized that there was an artificial intelligence using a physical vessel, lurking among humans for decades…

As their minds raced to digest all the current information, another thought suddenly struck them:

Wencheng and "Infinite Scroll" publicly reported to the council members in front of millions in the city, and Speaker Arthur could not possibly suppress this matter.

He was now in a predicament; if he chose to ignore the issue, the tremendous authority he had built would vanish completely. But if he followed "Infinite Scroll’s" suggestion to open a Temporary Court, then…

Would the inheritance faction obtain a victory in this secret battle without any bloodshed?

Could it be that the Speaker was actually on their side?

As everyone’s thoughts spun around, they closely watched Arthur’s every move. After all, the current situation was not much different from a palace coup. Now that a scandal had erupted at the assembly that the Speaker himself had suggested, Arthur’s mood must feel as if he were being roasted over a fire, right?

It had to be like that, right?

Thus, under the expectant and resentful gazes of the crowd, a nearly imperceptible smile appeared on Arthur’s calm face as he turned to "Infinite Scroll" below:

"Alright, let’s do as you say."

—

Temporary Court.

Once this concept was introduced, the outcome for the council members no longer mattered.

Because that artificial intelligence was still alive; she was still alive!

In the framework of the Dandelion Spaceship, checks and balances were quite crucial.

Just as artificial intelligences could not repair or iterate one another, humans also had their own weakness, which was the law.

As a symbol of creativity, humans clearly held all power related to specific actions.

As a symbol of rigidity, artificial intelligences possessed a power that humans feared: judicial authority.

The laws of the human alliance had become very detailed with societal development. Although they had loosened somewhat after venturing into space, they still fundamentally avoided most loopholes.

After the deaths of the captain, co-captain, and many high-ranking officials, the few remaining artificial intelligences still held enforcement power; the council members at that time were not completely free.

In the time that followed, they collectively designed to shut down all remaining artificial intelligences that could be located, while at that time, "Infinite Scroll," or [Taraxacum-03-07], had already shown as permanently offline…

But now it has returned, bringing judicial authority back before them.

The council members were no longer above everyone else; they could also face lawsuits and trials. They were no longer apart from ordinary people.

Merely realizing this fact was enough to drive one to despair. After all, who would want to give up such privileges after being up in the clouds for so long?

When Arthur agreed to "Infinite Scroll’s" request, the council members sank deeper into hopelessness.

They understood who was truly plotting against them.

Whether it was a move made in response to circumstances or one planned in advance, from their actions, this guy with thick brows and big eyes had already betrayed their pact!

“Arthur! Have you forgotten your promise?”

Council member Yang Suyan could no longer bear it. To hell with the live broadcast, to hell with a political life, to hell with the people! What was more important than living? What was more important than living with dignity as a council member?

With Device "01" in existence, even erasing everyone’s memories of today was not too great a price to pay. After all, it wasn’t the first time. Look at all of Hope City — who still remembered Vladimir?

As soon as he said this, the other council members turned their gaze to Arthur, their eyes burning with unquenchable anger.

The blonde man calmly removed the ring terminal from his hand, placed it on the device in front of him, and began to read the data.

Soon, a familiar recording played, and it was the Speaker’s steady and firm voice:

“…Therefore, I, Speaker Arthur of the Hope Council, guarantee that I will no longer pursue any crimes committed by Matthew and the other ten from November 13 of year 52 of the New Era back to January 1 of year 1 of the New Era. I hope everyone will work together wholeheartedly and cooperate sincerely to ensure the continuation of humanity.”

Arthur slipped the ring terminal back onto his hand:

“Did you hear that clearly? If not, I will play it again. Pay attention to the disclaimer period in my promise to you all.”

He looked at several old council members who were starting to tremble with anger:

“The crimes reported by Wencheng seem to have occurred before the end of the Old Era, right?”

A trap! That promise had always been a trap from start to finish!

At this moment, every council member who replayed the recording realized this fact.

Was there really a palace coup? Was there really a stalemate? This Speaker probably had evidence all along; they just didn’t know why he waited until now to reveal it. Wencheng was merely a façade; behind him was this very blonde man!

Looking at that righteous face, the only descriptor that came to the council members’ minds was "human face with a beast’s heart."

But that didn’t mean they had lost!

There was still a chance; they could still make a final stand!

Council member Vaughn raised his right hand high, the ring terminal shining with a soft warm light:

“Proposal: Remove Arthur from the position of ‘Speaker’ of the Hope Council, revoke all powers, and restore the normal identity of the residents of Hope City.”