-767- The mastermind behind all this

"Thud!"

In the heavy impact sound, Io was forcefully slammed onto the ground, emitting a painful cry.

Following that, a voice came from above Io's head.

"You better listen to His Highness well, Io."

Radcliffe smiled, gripping Io's shoulder and holding her down, leaving Io completely astonished.

"Radi... you...!"

Io couldn't believe that her good friend would treat her like this.

However, soon Io discovered something.

She noticed that Radcliffe's eyes not only lacked any emotions but also had a metallic, inorganic feel.

This sensation...

"You... You're an automaton!?"

Io's expression changed completely.

"Yes, that guy is my automaton."

Edmund admitted to this fact.

"No choice. Since that professor rejected my invitation and wanted to tell unnecessary things to Rutherford, I had to make sure he stays silent forever. Don't you agree?"

Edmund's tone remained indifferent, causing tears to finally flow from Io's eyes.

Dreams trampled upon, research results exploited, the daughter she created with her own hands had even lost her emotional program. Even her good friend, who had already been killed, was replaced by an automaton that stayed by her side, monitoring her. It made Io feel as if the entire sky was about to collapse, her heart filled with despair.

Moreover, the present prince gave Io a merciless ultimatum.

"Come now, make a choice. Do you want to join me in reaching the pinnacle of the world, or do you want to disappear from this world in a way unknown to everyone, just like Radcliffe?"

Edmund spoke without a hint of mercy.

"Although I value your talent, no matter how good it is, if I can't use it, it's just a burden. It's easier to discard it altogether."

There was no hesitation in Edmund's tone.

Clearly, he genuinely thought that this was the only way to go.

Because...

"I am always right."

Edmund smiled leisurely, causing Io's inner fear to manifest in continuous tears.

Only now did Io realize how dangerous a character she chose to believe in. The person before her was a snake, a mad dog, an unimaginably deadly lunatic. Entrusting Ivan to such a person would not bring peace; instead, it would plunge the world into misery.

She had truly made a terrifying mistake.

"If Edmund really uses Eva to declare war on nations worldwide, I can't even imagine what this world will become. So..."

"You can't do this, Your Highness!"

Io shouted desperately.

"If you do this... everyone will...!?"

Io's outcry, before fully reaching Edmund's ears, was impatiently interrupted.

"This reaction is just like those who refused to pledge allegiance to me before. Each one shouts about not wanting to bring disaster to civilians, about preventing war as if it's such an unacceptable thing. But from ancient times until now, which country was not built through war? Which victory was not established on sacrifice? There is no absolute peace in this world. If there is, it's only when it belongs to one person."

Edmund looked at Io, his smile turning cold.

"And that person is me. Do you understand?"

Hearing this, Io understood.

She understood that she couldn't stop the madman before her in any way.

"Give Eva back to me! Give Eva back!"

Io struggled violently.

"I absolutely won't let Eva be used by someone like you!"

Io, with tears streaming down her face, shouted loudly.

"Is that so?"

Edmund remained unmoved.

"In that case, I'll just make you disappear. Don't worry, I'll take good care of your daughter."

As if Edmund had completely lost interest in Io, he turned away, continuing to watch Daedalus.

This declaration by Edmund immediately made Geraintan understand.

"Deal with her."

The old general expressed his command without any hint of emotion.

Then, Radcliffe, who was holding Io's shoulder and pressing her to the ground, raised his hand high and clenched it into a fist.

Although Io couldn't see the movements behind her, she knew she would die here.

Looking at Ivan, still expressionless, Io closed her eyes in extreme pain.

(Sorry, Eva, I caused this.)

Then...

(Sorry, everyone, I caused this.)

Shortly after...

(Sorry, Rorelai, I won't be able to continue discussing with you.)

Finally...

(I hope someone can stop His Highness's conspiracy.)

This is Io's only wish now.

Just in this situation, a fist hanging above Io's head came down heavily.

This punch would undoubtedly shatter Io's head, causing her instant death.

If no one intervened...

"Bang!"

Accompanied by an incredibly loud burst, Radcliffe, pressing on Io, shattered like fragile wood carvings, turning into countless mechanical parts and exploding.

A black shadow descended at an astonishing speed, like moonlight shining down, delivering a meteor-like heavy kick that blasted the disguised automaton pretending to be Radcliffe into pieces.

"Huh?"

Io made a dumbfounded sound.

"...!?"

Edmund turned around abruptly.

"What...!?"

Guretan was equally surprised.

Immediately, the surrounding army erupted in chaos.

"Enemy attack!"

"Enemy attack!"

Soldiers shouted in anger, pulling out their guns and injecting magic into the mechanical dogs beside them, making them emit fierce roars.

"Your Highness!"

Guretan immediately jumped in front of Edmund, shielding him.

Surprisingly, Edmund himself soon calmed down, pulling Ivan and quickly retreating.

The entire cold square was immediately shattered by this sudden change, replaced by a tense atmosphere like the smell of gunpowder.

Only Io, looking at the shadow that saved her, was astonished.

"You are... the 'Moon' automaton'!?"

It was none other than Yaya.

No, not just Yaya.

"Are you okay?"

"Professor!"

With a mirage-like flicker, Irori and Komurasaki appeared silently around Io.

And in front of Irori and Komurasaki, there was a young man wearing a gorgeous black coat.

"I see."

The young man lifted his gaze, looked at the protected Edmund behind Geraintan, and suddenly smiled.

"So, you are the mastermind behind all this?"

It was Rozen.