Chapter 147: An Instance Not Meant for You
After successfully trapping The Mechanical Duke, Jeremy immediately chose to demolish the central tower of the mechanical town.
As the tower collapsed, the illusory Portal at the top vanished. This meant that even if The Mechanical Duke could break free from Jeremy's seal, he would be unable to return to his master's divine realm.
"The Portal has been closed. You have no way to leave The Iron Lair instance anymore. So, I suggest you cooperate with me from now on."
At this moment, the dynamic between Jeremy and The Mechanical Duke had completely reversed.
When The Mechanical Duke held the upper hand, he could naturally exert pressure on Jeremy and coerce him into swearing allegiance to his master.
Now that Jeremy had the upper hand, he could do the same.
However, Jeremy had no intention of making The Mechanical Duke his subordinate. He simply wanted to extract as much information as possible from him.
Faced with Jeremy's words, the blue shadow that The Mechanical Duke had become offered no response and made no movement.
"I understand you're trying to resist me through silence. But do you truly believe this tactic stands any chance of success? I have ways to make you divulge every piece of information you possess."
As he said this, Jeremy once again employed the [The Mechanical Puppet Technique].
Jeremy manipulated the High-Dimensional Data to extract a portion of The Mechanical Duke's High-Dimensional Data from within the seal.
As a segment of the High-Dimensional Data was drawn out, the blue shadow that The Mechanical Duke had transformed into seemed to become fainter than before. The Mechanical Duke let out a wail of agony.
"It appears that extracting High-Dimensional Data from your body causes you pain. If you refuse to answer my questions, I will continue to pull out the High-Dimensional Data from your form."
Jeremy issued a direct threat.
Confronted with Jeremy's menace, The Mechanical Duke had no choice but to comply.
"What is it you wish to ask? If I know the answer, I will tell you. However, I must receive a promise from you first."
The Mechanical Duke was not about to trust Jeremy easily.
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The Mechanical Duke was willing to answer Jeremy's questions, but only on the condition that Jeremy would release him afterward.
Hearing these words, Jeremy's face twisted into a mocking smile.
"Do you really think you're in any position to negotiate with me? I'm holding all the cards right now! If you refuse to answer my questions, I can just keep extracting High-Dimensional Data from you as I did before."
With that statement, Jeremy proceeded to extract another portion of High-Dimensional Data from The Mechanical Duke's body.
The Mechanical Duke let out another wail of agony.
This time, The Mechanical Duke finally understood Jeremy's resolve. Hastily, he said to Jeremy, "Just ask your questions directly."
Only after receiving this satisfactory response did Jeremy finally stop.
"My first question is: What is your master's true name? I don't believe that 'God of Science' is your master's real name."
Previously, Jeremy had obtained some information about the deities of the apocalypse game from the [World].
According to the information provided by the [World], the deities in the apocalypse game all had corresponding abstract designations. 'God of Science' didn't seem like an abstract designation; it pointed to something far too specific.
Faced with Jeremy's question, The Mechanical Duke hesitated slightly.
After a silent pause that lasted several seconds, The Mechanical Duke slowly responded, "I refer to my master as the God of Science. However, among other races that have received my master's favor, some call the great master 'the White Tower.'"
The moment the term "the White Tower" escaped The Mechanical Duke's mouth, the expressions on Jeremy and Bonnie's faces grew exceedingly complex.
Jeremy could now be certain that The Mechanical Duke's master was indeed one of the many deities of the apocalypse game. Moreover, this deity known as "the White Tower" clearly held a status comparable to that of "the Sun."
The complicated expression on Jeremy's face didn't last long; he quickly regained his composure.
"You previously told me that you came here solely to spread science. Are you truly claiming that your master hasn't tasked you with setting a trap for me here?"
Jeremy was not inclined to believe that The Mechanical Duke's presence here was merely coincidental.
Jeremy was convinced that The Mechanical Duke's appearance was a deliberate arrangement by "the White Tower."
Moreover, from the abstract meaning implied by "the White Tower" and the fact that The Mechanical Duke refers to it as the God of Science, it is evident that "the White Tower" must represent data and computation on some level.
The notion that such a deity would coincidentally place The Mechanical Duke here is utterly implausible.
This time, The Mechanical Duke's hesitation lasted even longer than before.
Jeremy's patience was rapidly running thin, and he couldn't help but urge, "Why are you not answering my question? You must have come here deliberately to wait for me, didn't you?"
Confronted with Jeremy's pressing inquiry, The Mechanical Duke slowly began to speak.
"I did indeed appear here intentionally. However, the person I was waiting for is not you. I was waiting for another human, similar to you."
The Mechanical Duke's response left Jeremy deeply puzzled.
Could it be that The Mechanical Duke's presence here wasn't meant to target him specifically? Was The Mechanical Duke merely waiting for any powerful awakened individual?
Jeremy found it utterly impossible to believe this explanation.
Without hesitation, Jeremy manipulated the High-Dimensional Data under his control to extract another portion of High-Dimensional Data from The Mechanical Duke's body.
"I have already answered your question, so why are you still doing this?!" The Mechanical Duke roared in anger.
Jeremy responded coldly, "You definitely lied just now. The information in your answer simply doesn't add up."
Although the blue shadow that was The Mechanical Duke lacked facial features, Jeremy could sense that it was glaring at him intensely.
"The Iron Lair instance was not designed for you; it was prepared for the humans favored by my master," The Mechanical Duke eventually argued.
Jeremy's expression grew somewhat hesitant upon hearing these words.
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Compared to the previous response, this answer seemed much more credible. Yet, Jeremy still couldn't fully trust what was being said.
"What evidence do you have to prove that The Iron Lair wasn't intended for me? And if The Iron Lair was prepared for other humans, would these humans really pledge allegiance to your master?"
After posing these questions, Jeremy fixed his eyes tightly on The Mechanical Duke.
The Mechanical Duke answered Jeremy's question without any hesitation.
"If The Iron Lair instance were prepared for you, do you think I would be waiting for you at the very center of the instance? I would have launched an attack on you the moment you entered the instance."
"And if I knew your power was this immense, why wouldn't I set up more traps? Do you think I have placed numerous traps in the mechanical town?"
The Mechanical Duke's explanation was indeed flawless.
However, Jeremy wasn't so easily convinced by what was said. He awaited the Duke's response to the last question he had posed.
Jeremy was deeply concerned that some humans might already be planning to pledge allegiance to the deity of the apocalypse game.
If such a situation were indeed unfolding, Jeremy would need to alert others in advance. The presence of traitors among humanity would cast a dark shadow over the future of all humankind.
"As for the last question you mentioned, I find it utterly meaningless. My master wouldn't prepare such an instance for those who haven't already pledged their allegiance to Him."
"In reality, the individual who was supposed to enter this instance has long since pledged their allegiance to my master. They have already become the agent of my master in your human world."
The Mechanical Duke's response not only made Jeremy's expression extremely grim.
Behind Jeremy stood Bonnie, Emma, and Claire, all with equally grave expressions. After all, they now knew that there were traitors among humanity.
Upon receiving such a response, Jeremy's mood lifted slightly, no longer as oppressed as before.
Even though the answer provided by The Mechanical Duke was not good news for Jeremy, it at least spared him from further wild guesses.
After noting all the information, a faint smile appeared on Jeremy's lips.
"Since The Iron Lair instance was prepared for the humans who have already pledged allegiance to your master, it must contain many valuable skill books and equipment, correct?"
"Where exactly are these skill books and equipment? You must provide me with all the skill books and equipment in the instance. If you can do that, I will let you go."
Jeremy's words left The Mechanical Duke utterly astonished. He hadn't expected that Jeremy might actually consider letting him go.
"Would you really do that? How do I know you're not deceiving me?"
Although overjoyed, The Mechanical Duke suppressed his inner excitement and hastily questioned Jeremy.
Jeremy, unperturbed, responded, "Since you follow the White Tower, you can naturally gain some power from Him. You can use His power to form a contract with me."