Chapter 1420 "Heart"

Those delicate machines began to make a slight clicking sound, and two shimmering diamond-shaped crystals floated out of a storage tank next to them, hovering in front of Diana, and the light curtain projected by the crystals intersected like a net Sweeping across her body, for a brief moment, Diana's memories flashed back many years ago, to her days as a guard at Viplandon Observatory.

At that time, life was far simpler than it is now, and a machine did not need to think about so many problems.

A mechanical handle with a sharp tip came over the repair tank and precisely pried open the inspection cover of Diana's abdomen. The old brass core was ticking in the mechanical cabin, the magic center and the mind wrapped in a protective layer The core glowed slightly blue in the gel-like buffer substance. Under the personal control of Ophelia Norton, the tools configured in the repair tank began to carefully handle this body that was already very different from the original factory settings. Diana The voice of the regiment leader was heard from above again.

"This may take a while, there are a large number of components in your body that have been seriously exceeded the limit of use, and there are many ... not-so-standard modifications and repairs. These things, although barely allowing you to move normally, have done a lot of damage to many of your cores. The device is causing a lot of stress - now, relax, I'm going to divert your energy flow externally and remove your mana center."

"These substandard alterations and repairs have kept me alive today—without them, I would have died a century ago," Diana said softly.

The momentary dizziness hit the moment the magic power center was removed, and quickly dissipated due to the connection of the external energy source. She blinked and heard Ophelia Norton's voice in her ears: "...' Live', and 'dead', ordinary Iron Man soldiers rarely use these words on themselves, even if it is a model like yours that is specially designed for the civilian market. You are very human now, Diana."

"...This is probably a side effect of breaking away from the Iron Man network," Diana said slowly, she could feel that the tools were dismantling her body into parts bit by bit, but this did not bring pain—her perception The system has automatically switched to maintenance mode, and the "perception" produced when the bionic tissue is cut is turning into pure data and flowing into the core of the mind, "I don't know whether this change is good or bad."

"It's up to you," Ophelia chuckled, "I'm curious, how does it feel to be disconnected from the Iron Man network? Since Iron Man was born, there are almost no precedents like yours—even if there are occasional disconnected individuals, I Never had the opportunity to ask them about it."

"...In the early stage, it was confusion and confusion, lacking direct and clear instructions, which led to the lowest operating efficiency of the body. In most cases, only the instinct to maintain its own survival remained, and the only thing I could do in this instinct and 'escape from disaster' Driven by a command of the human race for hundreds of years," Diana frankly told her once nominal "Supreme Commander" about these things that she had never told outsiders, "After contacting humans,

Things are starting to change a little... Those humans are not my superior nodes, but their rescue gave me a reason... to do something for them. At first, I thought this was also some kind of 'order', but I don't know when, I realized that it was my own 'will'..."

"The central connection is about to be released and reset," the system prompt suddenly came from the side of the repair tank, "start cutting."

A strange "numbing sensation" poured into the core of her mind, and the next moment, Diana lost the perception of her entire body, and she seemed to be an unconscious soul, lying on this cold mechanical platform, while maintaining her only She is still thinking clearly, but her visual and auditory modules are still functioning, and she can still see the dark red "eye" directly above, and hear Ophelia Norton's soft voice.

"It seems that those humans have changed you a lot, Diana."

"...You are also different from what I remember... from what I recorded in the initial data," Diana said, and she found that her voice was coming from a synthesis device in the room. I had this feeling when I got to the interactive carrier of 'Veronica', you are not the same as the Ophelia Norton I know, but I don't know how to describe this difference, as an ordinary Iron Man Soldier, I only came into contact with your will in the mind network back then, maybe I am not qualified to make this kind of judgment..."

"Your judgment is correct, Diana," Ophelia's voice seemed to pause for a moment, "We have all experienced something. After seven centuries of change, whether it is a soldier or a general, it is difficult Keep it as it was."

Diana didn't speak for a while, just silently perceiving the data flowing in the only mental core that is still functioning normally. These data constitute her "personality". Just like Her Royal Highness Ophelia said, she is now It was really "very human-like", so that she suddenly became nervous like a human being: "My mental core, and the data stored in it..."

"Your mental core is not in good condition, but it can be said to be slightly damaged compared to other places. I will adjust it, but don't worry, I won't move anything inside," Ophelia said softly He said softly, with a gentleness in his voice that I don't know if it is an illusion, "Diana—those data are your memory and life, and I may understand the meaning of these data better than you."

Ophelia's words seem to have other meanings, especially when she talks about "memory and life", this feeling is particularly obvious, but Diana can't figure out what kind of feelings are buried in it, She just felt a little drowsy suddenly—it was a countdown to dormancy that she couldn't control. She knew that the adjustment to the core of her mind had already begun.

"From now on, you will go into hibernation until your body is fully recovered and restarted," Ophelia's voice sounded a little far away from above, "Are there any special requirements before going into hibernation?"

"...please keep the steel plate on my left torso protective compartment," Diana said softly, "that's what they left when they first tried to restore my torso, I want to keep it as a souvenir .”

"Okay, I'll keep it—go to sleep now, soldier, have a good dream, and wake up with a new life waiting for you."

...

In the deep control hall, Ophelia Norton, who was sitting on the golden throne, cast her gaze on Gawain: "Diana's condition is worse than I expected. I'm surprised that a regular iron soldier like her It has been able to operate until today with so many malfunctions in the body - and it is also surprising that the Typhons have come up with all kinds of 'wonderful solutions' to maintain such a body."

"You seem to attach great importance to her," Gawain said with some surprise, "I don't think every damaged iron soldier will be repaired by you, right?"

"Diana's situation is very complicated. Her body has undergone a lot of non-standard modifications and repairs. It is difficult for the conventional automatic repair process to repair her without causing secondary damage... No, it is indeed as you said, I Take her very seriously."

"Why?"

"...a person has become a machine, and a former machine is gradually becoming a person. I don't know how to describe this, but Diana's existence reminds me of myself, although our situation is completely different. It's different, but I think...we're all proving the blurred line between 'man' and 'machine'," Ophelia's voice sounded quite emotional, "Can you understand my awkward thinking? "

"I understand better than you can imagine." Gawain laughed. As a satellite spirit, no one is more aware of this sense of ambiguity and dislocation in self-cognition than him. A few years ago, it would have killed him, but he would never have imagined that he would discuss this kind of cyber issue with an ancient artificial intelligence in this place... What about the sword and magic that was agreed?

"What are you thinking?" Ophelia noticed the subtle changes in Gawain's expression, and couldn't help being curious.

"It's nothing." Gao Wen waved his hand, and then his expression became serious, "I came here to find you this time because I have a very special matter."

"It's a very special thing? And you need to come to this deep place in person..." Ophelia on the throne moved her body slightly, with a curious look on her face--obviously, her body is no longer It's the "rush product" used on the first day of the meeting, and the head is no longer solid (sadly lost the qualification to compete with Rebecca for Loren's first iron head), "then it seems that this matter is significant , and it concerns you personally—go ahead, I am glad I have your confidence."

Gao Wen nodded: "First of all, I have to confirm one thing - the iron soldiers under your command should not be affected by the gods, and should not be part of the 'trend of thought', right?"

"Of course," Ophelia immediately gave an affirmative answer, "Iron soldiers are not human beings, even Diana, who already has a 'heart' like a human, cannot become part of the 'trend of thought'. It has been verified repeatedly."

"Then that is to say, the entry of iron soldiers into space will not stimulate the mortal gods," Gao Wen said in a deep voice, "and it will not cause the final disobedience to happen in advance."

"...What do you want to do?" Ophelia's tone became extraordinarily serious. She seemed to have vaguely guessed what Gao Wen wanted to do, but she couldn't confirm it for a while.

"You should know that there is a legacy of the voyagers in space." Gawain exhaled softly.

"Yes, and this news is no longer a secret among the high-level alliance. The ancient dragons in Tallond have witnessed with their own eyes the space facilities that the Voyager left behind on our planet when he left. One scene—although due to some unknown technology, we mortals living on the surface seem to have no way to see those large-scale structures. I also know that the Sentinels were destroyed by your own hands—the exact Weapons left behind by the sailors."

"That's right, I'm the one who released the news, and it's all true," Gawain nodded lightly, "Then have you ever thought about... being able to get close to those 'legacy' in space?"

Ophelia's expression changed again: "You mean..."

"You should know that part of the Voyager Legacy is under my control, but the long years have brought these overdue space stations to the verge of shutdown. Recently, I am trying to gradually restart and repair them," Gawain said of his plan, " This restoration work will begin after the Tarash meeting."

"You want my Iron Man Corps to participate?" Ophelia confirmed again seriously.

"Yes," Gawain confirmed Ophelia's guess, "Byron discovered an orbital elevator that can send people from the surface to the orbital space station when he strayed to the southwestern waters of the mainland last time. I have successfully restarted it now. This channel and the corresponding area in the space station, but if I want to 'live' the entire space station, I need more manpower. At present, the Dragon Clan and Siren have accepted my invitation, but I think... this is not enough."

"...If this is the case, the Iron Man Corps is indeed a good choice," Ophelia nodded slightly, and the thinking matrix quickly calmed her a little excited mood, and replaced it with calm thinking, "And considering the space My iron man may even be more suitable for this job than the dragon. But then again, looking at you... it seems that you plan to make this matter more public?"

"...After millions of people witnessed the sight of the Sentinel cruiser appearing on the battlefield, and then they saw the wreckage falling from space scattered on the wastes of Gondor, and after that, the research work on the wreckage of the Sentinel It is bound to unfold on a large scale," Gao Wen exhaled softly, "Some things have reached the point where they have to be made public, and continuing to cover them up is very likely to lead to unstable changes in mortal thoughts. A correct understanding of the concept of 'starter' is established among the crowd.

"Although mortals are still unable to step into the starry sky, at least we have to prevent them from establishing wrong concepts about the things in the starry sky."

Ophelia listened quietly to Gawain's words, and then she spoke softly at this moment: "Fighting against the trend of thought is like a competition. If correct knowledge and rationality cannot occupy people's hearts first, then ignorance and blindness will take root. I I understand what you mean, the Iron Man Corps will answer your call at any time."

"Uh, there's no need for such a reaction," Gawain felt a little awkward when faced with Ophelia's attitude, "Although it is true that the Deep Blue Well is protected by Cecil, here, you are the iron man. Master of the Corps—I think we should deal with each other as equal friends."

"Friends..." The exquisite "doll" on the throne slowly smiled, "Okay, then your loyal friend is always ready to answer your call."

...

In the prayer hall of the Cathedral of Light in Cecil City, Veronica, who was standing in front of the podium with her eyes closed, slowly opened her eyes.

A ray of light flashed across her eyes, and the dense holy light slowly floated around this "princess saint". This sacred light, as always, made her look full of holiness, but it was a bit unearthly. This unworldly feeling didn't last for too long, a smile appeared on her face, and this smile quickly diluted Veronica's unearthly feeling, making her look full of vitality.

Exhaling lightly, and tidying up the robes and skirts of the clergyman, Veronica ended today's prayer. She picked up the platinum scepter beside her, and a cheerful-sounding voice followed. A sound came from the side: "You look very happy today, Mrs. Saintess."

Veronica followed the reputation and saw a trainee nun who was in charge of cleaning the church and greeted herself with a smile. She knew this girl. She just graduated from a missionary school this year. She was a lively and cheerful child. She dreamed of becoming a communicator The Armed Priestess of the Gospel, although she was rejected in the last test due to poor performance in the physical fitness test and the staff technique, she seems to have signed up for the winter nun selection again—in the brand-new Church of the Holy Light, like this Vigorous young people are fairly common.

Veronica laughed: "Is it obvious?"

The petite novice nun replied honestly: "A little bit, I rarely see you smiling like this. Although you always smile, your usual smile is different from just now."

"I'm really happy." Veronica smiled, then reached out and rubbed the hair of the trainee nun in front of her in a mysterious way. While the latter was a little dazed, she was also dazed for a moment—even though she usually kept going in the church. Show people with an approachable, gentle and amiable image, but it seems to be the first time for such a move.

This is not like the usual "Saint Princess" who is always dignified and quiet, with a restrained personality.

But it is very similar to the "Ophelia" who was still alive seven hundred years ago.

Her smile became brighter, and she reached out to rub the trainee nun's hair: "I'm really happy."