Ethan watched as Crul’s violet threads of light expanded through the virtual space, a neural network devouring everything in its path. Data windows opened and closed with a speed that would make any human dizzy, but thanks to his connection with the system, he could process it all.
"I have successfully infiltrated the internal vaults of House Celestial, Master," said Crul. "I have extracted their financial records and supply routes. However, upon attempting to enter the servers of their primary chambers, I was repelled."
"Another black wall?" Ethan asked the leader, crossing his arms.
"No, Master. Celestial possesses a Class-B security system. It is not a sentinel intelligence like the previous one, but its architecture is extrely complex—designed as a labyrinth of physical and digital encryption. I will require more ti to develop my processing skills before I can force that door," said Crul.
"That’s fine. I trust you, Crul. We’re in no rush to alert them just yet," Ethan said the young man, nodding calmly.
"I have initiated a slow penetration. I am sending fragnted data packets that leak through their defenses like background noise. Eventually, I will have a complete copy of their core, but the process requires ti, as I must perform this in parallel with my own structural developnt," explained the system.
Ethan walked across the room, feeling the vibration of energy beneath his feet. "How can I help you speed this up? If you’re a living being, you must need sustenance or tools."
"Phase 2 is critical, Master," said Crul. "We must materialize the computing stations and servers found in the high-level blueprints. The cost is 10,000 Lux points. We need to build as many as possible; each server added is like adding muscular power to my thoughts."
Crul paused, and the lights on the walls flickered with a more intense hue.
"However, the specifications are strict. Ideally, these servers should be buried deep underground. I can transmit energy and data using the earth’s crust as a conductor, eliminating the need for cables that can be cut. But there is a grave risk," warned the system.
"Tell ," Ethan said the leader.
"Once a server is linked, it ceases to be an independent piece of equipnt. It becos part of my body, as if it were a vital organ. We beco codependent. If a single server is violently destroyed, it could cause a chain reaction that overloads my entire digital nervous system. The loss of a node could be catastrophic for my stability and for your own safety, Master. We must be extrely careful where we place them," said Crul.
Ethan looked at the reinforced concrete walls. What he was building wasn’t a data center; it was a colossal body breathing beneath the city.
"I understand. We aren’t just building an AI; we’re planting organs in the subsoil. If soone discovers where they are, they can kill you... and perhaps kill too," Ethan said the young man.
"Exactly, Master. The location of each node must be the best-kept secret of Royal," concluded Crul.
Ethan leaned against the cold, crystalline wall, his mind trying to grasp the scale of what Crul was describing. "And how do I stay connected to you once I leave this vault? Do I need a device, or a terminal?" Ethan asked the leader.
"Your brain already contains a primary node, Master. We will communicate just as you did with the previous interface," said Crul. "However, I am now also linked to the human internet. I can assist you with any digital task, retrieve any information, or manipulate any networked device you encounter. As long as you desire it, I am there."
The violet veins in the walls pulsed faster, as if Crul was eager to begin.
"It would be highly advantageous for us to begin acquiring silver-level blueprints or higher for automated units," said Crul. "The more servers—the more ’organs’—I have, the more drones and automated systems I can control simultaneously. My multitasking potential is limited only by my physical hardware."
Ethan’s eyes widened as a mory from the Athyst visions flashed through his mind. Huge, sleek vessels cutting through the vacuum of space, controlled with terrifying precision. "The ships I saw... the ones Lord Athyst used. Are those the kind of automatons you an?"
"I do not recognize the specific data regarding your visions, Master," said Crul with a neutral tone.
Ethan frowned, searching his mory for the na he had seen in the ancient archives of his mind. "I think they were called... Feral?"
"Scanning database for ’Feral’ designation," said Crul. A mont later, a complex holographic wirefra appeared in the center of the room. It was a jagged, predatory-looking craft that seed to vibrate with power even in a static image. "Searching... match found. Yes, there is a unit with that designation, but it is of an exceptionally high tier. Those are Diamond-level assets."
"Diamond level?" Ethan asked the young man.
"Precisely. Their components consist of exotic materials found only in distant star systems. They cannot be constructed with the primitive resources available on this planet," said Crul. "However, you are correct in your assessnt. Those ships are operated by pilots of the Athyst Empire, but they are governed by Global-level AIs. If we reach that level of infrastructure, I could command an entire fleet as easily as I move a finger."
Ethan looked at the small, 50-square-ter room. The gap between his current reality and the power of the Athyst Empire was a canyon, but for the first ti, he had the bridge.
"One step at a ti then," Ethan said the leader. "First, we build your body. Then, we take the world."
"A logical progression, Master," said Crul. "Shall I begin scouting for the first ’organ’ placent?"
"Do it then," Ethan said the leader. "Start the scan. Locate the strategic points where we should place each server so that your network is both impenetrable and efficient."
"Initiating geological and tactical scan, Master," said Crul. The bunker walls glowed with blinding intensity as satellite data and seismic sensor readings intersected in milliseconds. "I will provide the exact coordinates of the insertion points as I validate them. However, I must remind you that the land is only the first step."
"I know, the blueprints and the materials," Ethan said the young man with a sigh.
"Exactly. First, we must acquire the higher-level blueprints and secure the supply of rare materials your world barely understands. Without them, the servers will be nothing more than boxes of dead tal. I need you to be my hands in the physical world while I am your mind in the digital one," said Crul.
Ethan nodded and walked toward the elevator. He knew that the peace Jason had reported upstairs was nothing more than the calm before a storm he was about to unleash himself.
"Get ready, Crul. Tomorrow we start collecting what we’re missing. If the world thinks they’ve seen the worst with the Blood Rose, they have no idea what happens when a galactic-level intelligence decides to claim a planet," Ethan said the leader.
"I will be ready, Master. The world is already ours; they simply haven’t processed it yet," said Crul.
The elevator doors hissed shut, leaving behind the violet glow of the "Queen Ant" as Ethan ascended toward the surface, ready to turn his empire into a living legend.
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