Chapter 542: Cracking Open the Skull
Chapter 542: Cracking Open the Skull
What?!
Upon hearing Lyon's words, the three cleaners were all taken aback.
Why should they prepare for Edward's control? Could it be...
"You think Edward has been controlled?!"
Mona, the female cleaner, spoke up first, her face filled with shock.
"Why would you think that? Did that person give you any hints just now?"
"It didn't give me any hints, but this possibility is very high."
Lyon frowned and said, "Edward has crossed the boundary between man and deity. Even if his physical body is destroyed, he won't die immediately. When I went to the Dead Realm to save you, I didn't see his soul either, so he should have been captured like Nicole.
Without his direct legion and the cleaners from the Gemini Bureau, that 0th Artifex still determined that Prince Andre had a higher chance of winning. On top of that, from start to finish, it didn't mention Edward's situation at all, as if it was deliberately avoiding something.
So I can only suspect that the controlled Edward is the reason for Prince Andre's seven-fold advantage."
"..."
Indeed... if that's the case, it makes sense.
After glancing at each other for a while, the three cleaners from the Scorpio Bureau couldn't help but feel a sense of despair.
No one knew Edward's true strength better than them.
After absorbing most of the soul power from the three of them, Lyon's performance was indeed astonishing, but compared to Edward, it was still unknown how far he fell short.
Not to mention the existence of the 'Boundary between Man and Deity', which was an insurmountable chasm.
Although there was only a small difference between 59 and 60 Lyon values, it was like the difference between water at 1 degree Celsius and water at 0 degrees Celsius, where it starts to freeze. This one point difference in Imbue Value marked the beginning of a qualitative change.
Once a cleaner's power reached the standard and successfully crossed the boundary, their 'density' or 'presence' would undergo a dramatic transformation, becoming increasingly difficult to 'shake'.
Just as a gentle breeze could ripple the surface of a lake, but even a level 10 wind could only shatter the ice, and not cause ripples on the frozen surface. Similarly, after a cleaner 'freezes', it becomes difficult for an aberration with insufficient position to 'stir' them.
Although Lyon's strength was impressive, when faced with the already 'frozen' Edward, even if his powerful aberrations still worked, their effectiveness would undoubtedly be greatly reduced.
If Prince Andre could truly control Edward and utilize his full strength, there wouldn't be a three-fold advantage; there might not even be a 0.001% chance of winning!
"Seniors, don't lose heart. We might not lose."
Lyon, who had personally experienced the boundary between man and deity, was well aware of the gap behind that one point difference in Imbue Value. However, after sensing the despair in the three cleaners' souls, he still offered words of encouragement.
"If they can truly control Edward and unleash his full strength, then that 0th Artifex wouldn't have come to find us. So, this control method must be imperfect.
If I had to guess, they either can't perfectly replicate Edward's strength, or Edward might break free from their control when he exerts his full power. There's a 'output' that isn't too high, and they might not be much stronger than us."
Imperfect control? After hearing Lyon's analysis, the three cleaners felt slightly relieved. The female cleaner with the best mental fortitude pondered for a moment, then clenched her fist and spoke up, "Yes! When we were attacked earlier, Edward's body was also half-destroyed. For someone at his level, repairing his body won't be easy. Edward's strength will definitely be diminished!"
"And there should be an issue with his soul as well.
Recalling the cleaners who had been chopped to pieces by Leon, Frankie stroked his beard thoughtfully and said, "When Leon was fighting the cleaners from the Gemini Bureau, I took the opportunity to observe their souls. They seemed a bit stiff, and every time they reacted, there was a slight delay."
"If the method they used to control Director Edward is the same as the one used on the cleaners from the Gemini Bureau, then that situation might occur."
"Now that you mention it, I feel something is off too."
Upon hearing Frankie's words, Ruben also leaned forward and began his analysis, "Aside from their souls, their fighting style is also a bit awkward. The cleaners from the Gemini Bureau seem to be very 'by the book' in their actions, and their development of aberrations is quite strange."
"For example, if I were to use those aberrations to attack Leon, after discovering they had no effect the first time, I wouldn't use my full strength again. Instead, I'd conserve my energy and try to attack the ground beneath his feet, forcing him to change positions."
"But the cleaners from the Gemini Bureau seem to completely disregard their own consumption and don't consider alternatives. They always attack with full force, without any sense of rhythm. This might be a weakness we can exploit."
Physical damage, soul stagnation, and rigid fighting style?
As the three of them analyzed and noted the possible weaknesses of the controlled Scorpio Director, Leon couldn't help but smirk slightly as he proceeded deeper into the Corlock Palace.
Although the three veterans were shaken upon learning the dire situation and the possibility of having to fight the controlled Scorpio Director, they immediately calmed down when they heard there was still a chance. They began to rack their brains, analyzing the situation and desperately searching for a potential turning point.
It can only be said that as elite members of the Scorpio Bureau, the three veterans had exceptional psychological qualities and professional skills.
Considering their deep understanding of the Scorpio Director, as long as they could maintain their composure and provide as much intelligence about him as possible, Leon believed he could stand a chance against Director Edward!
With the determination to fight, Leon strode through the transparent glass walkway of the Corlock Palace, amidst the chatter of the three cleaners. He quickly passed by the clock-like roundabout corridor and arrived at the rear of the main hall, outside the main hall known as the "Preservation Hall" by Princess Felicia.
Just as Leon was about to push open the door, a stiff voice suddenly echoed from within.
"Everyone, I've gathered you here today to discuss a matter of great importance for the kingdom's future."
Curious, Leon pushed open the door and stepped inside. His pupils constricted upon seeing the source of the voice.
In the throne within the Preservation Hall, a middle-aged man with a horizontal cut across his forehead and the upper half of his skull flipped backward, revealing an empty space where his brain should have been.
The man's features bore a resemblance to Prince Andrew, but he seemed completely unaware of his exposed brain, continuing to speak expressionlessly.
"After Artifex's examination, it was found that my daughter Felicia's brain possesses ten times the talent of hers. Therefore, I suggest removing her brain and making it into a new core... What do you think?"
(End of Chapter)
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