-766- [ Multi-Controller ]
Upon arriving, Io's first gaze wasn't directed at the prince but at the girl standing beside him, an exact replica of herself.
"Eva!"
Io's face lit up with joy as if she had seen her beloved daughter. However, the girl referred to as Eva remained motionless, standing like a statue, turning Io's joy into confusion.
"Your Highness Edmund?" Io inquired with confusion towards the prince. "What's wrong with Eva? Why does she look so strange?"
Io's puzzled expression didn't faze Prince Edmund, who nonchalantly replied, "Nothing to worry about. I just released some restrictions, that's all."
Restrictions? What does that mean? Io hasn't figured it out yet, or perhaps hasn't grasped it, but Edmund cheerfully continued.
"Your 'daughter' is truly outstanding, Io. Honestly, I thought your research was doomed, but unexpectedly, it succeeded. I just came a bit early, tried Ivan's power here, and achieved unimaginable results. I'm absolutely ecstatic. You're truly my goddess of luck, Io."
Edmund, with an infatuated look, gazed at the girl named Eva, even reaching out to touch her face, revealing intense ambition and possessiveness in his eyes.
However, Eva remained unmoving, enduring all of Edmund's actions, like a mechanical entity devoid of emotions.
This turned Io's initial confusion into a foreboding sense of unease.
"Eva? What's wrong with you? Are you... still..."
Unable to contain the ominous premonition in her heart, Io was about to step forward, but General Guretan stopped her.
"Please speak here. Approaching His Highness too closely is a form of disrespect."
The general spoke in a detached tone, leaving Io stunned, while Edmund waved his hand.
"Enough, General. Seeing that she has brought me such amazing things, I'll make a special allowance for her to come closer. Otherwise, as the ruler of the world, my tolerance would be too small."
Edmund's rebellious words only intensified Io's growing sense of unease.
"World ruler? What are you talking about..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Edmund interrupted her again.
"Before that, let me ask you a question, Io."
Edmund stared at Io, his eyes reckless, making Io's heart tremble.
"Do you want to come with me?"
Edmund extended an invitation.
"Come with you? To where?"
Io responded in a dazed manner.
"To the pinnacle of the world, of course."
Edmund said as a matter of fact.
"The pinnacle of the... world?"
Io didn't quite understand.
However, there was one thing Io knew.
"His highness promised me that if the research on 'Multi-Controller' and 'Infinite Chain Reaction' was successful, he would use Eva's power to prevent the imminent world war, sparing people from bloodshed and tears..."
That's the connection why Io is here.
A long time ago, Io had a connection with Edmund.
Because Edmund intended to sponsor Io's research and claimed so.
"I don't want to see senseless conflicts. To achieve my goal, will you help me, Io?"
Edmund extended an hand to Io in this way.
Io, captivated by the dream described by Edmund, provided the successful research to him.
It wasn't just the research on the 'Infinite Chain Reaction,' but also the study of a magical circuit.
This magical circuit was none other than 'Multi-Controller.'
People only knew that Io was researching the 'Infinite Chain Reaction,' but they didn't know that Io was also studying 'Multi-Controller' with Edmund's support.
And the results of these two, in the end, converged in Eva.
It was the cross-century existence, an automaton developed by Io, equipped with 'Multi-Controller' and 'Infinite Chain Reaction.'
Previously, Io had already mentioned that the 'Infinite Chain Reaction' she developed could currently only be applied to one type of magic.
This magic is called "Multi-Controller," utilizing the terrifying power of "Infinite Chain Reaction." It has the capability to realize Io's idea of preventing the outbreak of a world war, saving people from bloodshed and tears.
The one equipped with "Multi-Controller" and "Infinite Chain Reaction" is none other than Eva, full name—Evangeline.
Then, not only does Eva look a bit strange now, even Edmund has a peculiar demeanor.
"What... What are you talking about, Your Highness?"
Io asked anxiously.
Unfortunately...
"Don't disappoint me, Io. I have great expectations for your talent."
Edmund grinned, uttering words that sent shivers down Io's spine.
"You probably don't want to end up like Eva, feeling nothing, a true puppet, right?"
At these words, Io widened her eyes.
"Your Highness...! You...!?"
Io finally realized what was happening.
However, Edmund spoke indifferently.
"It took quite a bit of effort, you know. After all, not every puppet craftsman can decipher Eva casually. If I accidentally damaged her, it would be a considerable loss. So, I only completely deleted the emotional program yesterday, making her a bit more obedient."
Hearing this, Io began to understand what had happened.
"Your Highness..." Io's voice trembled, "Did you deceive me?"
To Io's statement, Edmund just sneered.
"How can you say I deceived you? I am the King of the World, after all!"
Edmund laughed like this.
"People won't shed blood because they can only submit to me."
"World war won't happen because the great powers won't be able to resist me."
"As long as there's Eva, as long as there's the power of 'Multi-Controller' and 'Infinite Chain Reaction,' I can effortlessly turn everyone into my strength."
"You've really brought me something good, Io—able to effortlessly take the position of the King of the World and rule the entire world without a drop of blood."
This is the true meaning of what Edmund calls not wanting to see senseless conflicts.
In this moment, Io felt that Edmund had become extremely terrifying, and her whole body trembled.
No, the real reason Io was trembling was that she realized what she had done.
Io, undoubtedly, had committed a wrong deed.
A deed that pushed everyone into deep and scalding waters.
"Give... Give Eva back to me!"
Io screamed in fear and prepared to rush towards Eva.
However, almost simultaneously, someone grabbed Io's shoulder.