"These are the latest results from the Intelligence Analysis Department." Yeda gestured for everyone to look at the screens. "The 280 screens on the left show the facial recognition results of all visitors to the park that day. The 20 on the right are the final recognition results from the 'Noah' computer."
"Noah is activated?" a member of the Legion asked. "Isn't it forbidden to use?"
"It shouldn't be used unless it's a critical moment," Yeda said calmly. "I think there's an exception when it threatens national security."
"But we previously suspected that there were at least several highly capable hackers among the hostile forces..."
"Noah is special," Yeda interrupted his subordinate's questioning. "And I promise it won't be used again—is that enough?"
Once bitten by a snake.
She looked at the frightened faces of her team members, and a hint of gloom emerged in her heart.
Many millennia of history have been forgotten, either actively or passively. Only that war, a shameful and bloody one, remains in every textbook as a warning to the world. Even today, while humanity relies on technology to navigate this universe, fear has hindered its development.
This is also the reason why the power of the Holy See remains strong and thriving - supernatural powers and divine arts still exist, no matter how weak and insignificant they are. As the only force that can compete with technology, no one will be willing to let go completely.
The topic of "Noah" was gently brought to a halt. On the screen behind Yeda, a person's name appeared, along with their appearance, behavior, time, and location in the video.
"First, we all know Arthur, the ruler of the Zerg." A shy young man, dressed in plumber's clothes and a red hat, walked through the transparent passage. "His identity and face are fake. He entered through the main gate at 10:00 AM, went to the underwater sightseeing tunnel with a clear purpose, released the eggs that were about to hatch, attacked an outsider, and then quickly fled."
"Then there's the staff member he attacked, Ulysses Valen." A middle-aged werewolf with brown hair, brown eyes, and a large beard, looking ordinary, bent down to remove the manhole cover. "He's been employed by the Capital Zoo many times, and there's never been an incident before. But we can't rule out the possibility that he's a Zerg accomplice."
Yuri later admitted that he was seriously injured and frankly explained his regenerative ability. The traces of battle around him were consistent with his testimony.
But it is also possible that Arthur knew that he had such ability, so he deliberately used it in this way to gain people's trust?
"Third, there's Langman Griffin, the head of the Griffin family, and Bishop Gilbert." A blond man in a white suit stood in front of a rhino, looking at them with disgust. Bishop Gilbert stood behind him, looking helpless. "They say they're going to discuss business."
"Talking business at the zoo?"
"...This is Bishop Gilbert's little hobby," Yeda said. "He told me that being in a natural environment helps him improve his healing abilities."
"But he's already gotten rid of the dagger, hasn't he? Antonio hasn't said how he's going to compensate him yet."
"We've already reached an agreement on this matter. Don't mention it again," Yeda said sternly. "The Federation and the Holy See are allies. At least in official settings, watch your words."
Someone below curled their lips.
"Bishop Gilbert is absolutely trustworthy," Yeda continued, "but Longman Griffin is a shameless liar. This isn't the first time he's used both sides to gain personal advantage. To ensure the Bishop isn't deceived by this villain, I want you to keep a close eye on him."
"The next one is Marshal Gongger."
An old man with gray hair and beard, but a strong body, walking with a cane and wearing a traditional cloak, appeared on the screen, looking directly at the camera with calm eyes.
"Marshal Gonger has returned to the capital!" Gresham, who had been playing with his zipper with his head down, suddenly looked up and asked in shock, "When did this happen?"
"It was after the celebration day," Yeda said. "He hasn't left the capital since then, but this is a secret known only to the top brass of the Federation and us."
"...Why would he come back? Don't we have him in the capital?"
"'I came back to see an old friend,'" Yeda said slowly, word by word. "That's what he said. After returning to the capital, he met with the Chief Archon, but I don't think their relationship can be considered 'friends.' Apart from that, he stayed at home the entire time, and apart from visiting the zoo, he didn't move once."
"That's illogical," Bertie, who was sitting next to Gresham, couldn't help but say. "If he wanted to protect someone, he shouldn't have revealed his whereabouts so obviously. But if he didn't mean to keep it secret, couldn't he just tell everyone his purpose directly?"
"Who knows? The Marshal must have his own ideas, but there must have been something special in the zoo that day that we didn't notice."
"The next one is someone we all know. Wendy Sullivan. She was inside the park that day, likely in disguise. Noah didn't provide direct results, but only sent us the probabilities and analysis after comparison."
"The springtail lizard is an experimental product. Because it is easy to lose focus halfway through, it was taken back to the research institute for re-invention, so now we have returned to the original method." Yeda waved his hand, and the images on the screen changed one after another, finally stopping at a short shot.
He was a handsome and tall young man in formal attire, with his head tilted to the side, gazing calmly at the sea, his eyes tranquil and distant.
"Noah said that this person wasn't in the federal database a week ago." Yeda pushed up his glasses calmly, "But now he is."
"Williams, no last name, no age, no background, no one who knew him - except Bertie and the people he met that day."
Goose bumps suddenly appeared on Bertie's arms.
"He called a little boy named 'Hugo' 'Master,'" he whispered. "I overheard their conversation. He didn't try to avoid me."
"What a coincidence." Yeda looked at him and said, "Theoretically, there shouldn't be a little boy named Hugo."
"...Is it a fake identity?"
"It's 'none'. Arthur had at least made some preliminary preparations to infiltrate the human population. While the channels through which he obtained his false identity are difficult to trace, there are traces. You can look up the crude historical records of that identity in the system, which is why he was able to move freely through the various reviewer cards."
"But these people are different. They have no 'past.' Weaving one lie requires countless other lies to cover it up, so some arrogant people choose another way. They are clearly alive in this world, but you can't see any documents or records related to them. No identity, no bank accounts, no spending records, no traffic fines... In the age of big data, you know nothing about their actions until you see them with your own eyes."
"But, but, what if we really saw it with our own eyes?" Bertie asked blankly. "And Erica is with them. Even if every trace of their previous trips has been wiped out, wouldn't we just go find Erica and ask her?"
Yeda asked him, "Erica is an Omega under ten. Setting aside whether she knows the inside story or whether we can question her about this hypothesis, she's also little Annie's friend. Annie has assured me she hasn't noticed anything wrong. What are you going to do?"
"...Annie is barely 15 years old."
"She is a descendant of Saint Anne," Yeda said coldly. "This is her eternal umbrella of protection. Unless one day we deny her identity, no one can easily go against her ideas."
Bertie was speechless.
"But you can still ask Erica." Yeda softened her tone, "Try to use the least offensive method possible. If we don't find any concrete evidence, there's no need for us to confront her."
She glanced back at the screen again.
Williams was the focal point of the camera, with the vast ocean and endless blue sky in the background. A dozen meters to his left, a young man in a dark blue coat and a round-brimmed hat smiled at his companions. He had slightly curly, semi-long gray hair that fell to his neck, and a pair of clear, deep blue eyes.
His companion, who was about the same height as him, was wearing a cloak that was blown high by the sea breeze. A corner of his black hair was exposed at the edge of the hood, making him look like a tall and thin silhouette.
The hems of their clothes tangled in the wind, a kind of lingering intimacy.
Yeda actually had a hunch.
She felt that Marshal Gongger had indeed met an old friend when he went to the zoo that day.
A person who has 'disappeared' in the Federation for almost half a year.
And Wendy... Wendy Sullivan, might have already gone home.
**
"You want to learn some self-defense techniques?" Williams turned and looked at Yuri. "Why did you come to me?"
"Yes...it was God's suggestion," Yuri said with a hint of embarrassment. "He told me that Marshal Sullivan is very busy lately and I should go find Hugo, but I should also tell you about this. I, I don't really understand what He meant..."
"I see." Williams smiled. "Mr. Azathoth didn't want you to go directly to Master Hugo. He probably thought I would be easier to convince."
"..." Yuri's eyes widened as it directly mentioned Azathoth's name. "Will you help me put in a good word to Lord Hugo?"
"Actually, we are one person." Williams bent down to adjust the vase on the table. "So my promise to you is equivalent to Master Hugo's promise to you."
“……?”
The android was amused by the human's expression. "However, there is a slight difference in our core program. It has increased the favorability towards humans in my emotional module a bit. Therefore, if the main body does not prohibit it, I am happy to help you."
"What?" Yuri asked confusedly, "Will it be angry if you help me?"
“Maybe a little unhappy.”
It's very unhappy, Williams thought. But Hugo wouldn't refuse.
It certainly hates people.
But it doesn't dislike humans at all.
Although thinking this would surely make Hugo even angrier...but does it really hate humans as much as it appears?
Yuri was a little nervous: "So we need to hide it?"
"What are you talking about? I told you we're the same 'person.' Of course, Master Hugo already knew about this after your conversation with me." Williams easily pushed the chair next to him back under the table. "Don't worry, even if it gets angry, Azathoth will help you stop it."
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