"Looks like I don't have a choice, Mr. Cotthorn. Faust spread his hands and smiled helplessly, "It's me who is too stupid." ”

Yes, it was all due to Faust's stupidity, and Ktorn's half-truths and madness made him unprepared to read Ktorn's deliberately displayed memories, and then, too, became equally tainted, bound to the cursed land of the magic city.

From this day forward, never to think anyone is stupid in the first place, Faust swears to himself - after all, it is better to fight the air than to be on his heels.

"So, I think we should rethink the rights and obligations of both sides. Faust regained his composure, that the matter had come to this, that there was no need to blame himself excessively, and that what he had to do now was to "throze to the death".

"My dear citizens, you can speak your mind here. "Ktorn is still playing his ridiculous role-play. He was not to blame, Faust thought to himself, if the host and guest were out of place now, I could laugh at him for the rest of my life.

"You see, my personal safety and liberty are now entirely up to you, and I must be at your disposal in order that I may finally return safely to where I belong. Faust gives a brief and concise description of the current situation.

Ktorn agreed, "Mr. Citizen, you are absolutely right. ”

"How can I be sure, then, that you will keep your promise?" Faust forced a glance at Ktorn, who by this time had swam above the earth, only the end of his tail remained in the burrow.

"You want to be sure?" said Ktorn's bug head suddenly pierced out of the rock wall closer to Faust and poked out in front of Faust, but it didn't make any noise, like an ugly apparition played by a street mage to scare people.

"I can't promise you. Kertohn seemed to be in no mood to joke, and said dryly, "Why do I need you to serve me if I can be safe?"

"As for freedom......," he suddenly sneered, "how can I set you free when I'm trapped here?"

Faust had foreseen this outcome, so he did not show a disappointed expression, "In that case, why should I help you?

"Of course, it's more than that. Before Faust could speak, Kerton raised his voice and raised his bag-like head, "No one can guarantee safety, but freedom is up to you." ”

"Could you please elaborate on that?" said Faust grinning, wanting to laugh, but unable to laugh. It seemed that the situation was even more difficult than he had thought - it was not a long-planned operation, but on the contrary, it was part of Ktorn's numerous temptations to the Demon City, and perhaps even one of the first ones.

"It seems that you don't know anything about the construction of smart cities. Instead of responding positively to Faust's request, Kerton solemnly and arrogantly rebuked him for his ignorance, as if a primitive man had broken into a dinner party of civilized society, and the host of the dinner party had shown due disgust and maximum tolerance.

"A city like this should have its character, something that stands out from the rest of its core. Kerthon manipulated the dirt to reveal several intricate structures, engraved with dense runes, and although they were only simulated, the magnificent mana of these things was still sent into Faust's mind through a psionic energy.

The secret and precious knowledge of the mages of the Old World was squandered by Cuthorn, and it was a psionic version more suitable for Faust. Although he has only gained a little basic knowledge - limited to general design ideas and how to disassemble and install this intelligent center, it is already invaluable.

"It's ......," Faust was slightly dumbfounded.

"It's part of your reward, Mr. Faustus. Kertohn slowed his tone. He knew how distorted the oppression of a person could be, and years of staff life had taught him how to serve willingly – he was not smart enough or sharp enough to accurately grasp people's limits and needs, and could only drive others with better conditions.

"Let's get back to the topic," Kertorn said, waving his tail and stepping back a bit, "the core personality is entirely preconceived and will not change unless it is directly intervened on a physical level. ”

That is to say, this so-called artificial "soul" does not actually have a soul at all - it is self-aware and can think, but the dogma of innate existence binds it forever. Ktorn added, "Therefore, when it comes to trading with the Outer Realm, this artificial soul is valued as a magical item, not a powerful primordial soul. ”

"And Mobertan is different. ”

"I fell into evil, wisdom favored me, and the genius flashed...... Whatever that construct came about, it was different, but it didn't surpass its peers. Kertohn seemed to be stuck in memory again.

But he soon came back to his senses, and there was no expression on the face of the worm, but Faust always felt that Ktorn's tentacles had a kind of awakening like a dream.

"In short, its character, although problematic, does not exceed expectations. "I'll give you all his information after that, and your chances of success will be greatly increased." ”

"What about the monsters in the city?" Faust asked, even with a slightly aggressive attitude, "I have low abilities and can't show advanced psionic abilities at all, can you guarantee that there are no monsters in the city that are the same as outside, or even at the level of Ketonia?"

"Monsters weren't a problem at all, a few decades ago, a group of civilians could break into a city. Kerthon comforted Faust, "besides, your companions are far stronger than a few of them. ”

"That's not enough. Faust pondered for a moment, "You only told me how to accomplish the task—I thought I had planned the operation for me—but did not tell me how I was going to fight for my own freedom." ”

"Well......" Kertorn muttered for a moment, "it doesn't hurt to tell you this. ”

"The curse of the city...... It's not so much a curse as it is its desire for people. "As a city, he longs for its inhabitants." ”

If not, he creates his own inhabitants. ”

"As you said before, it learns, and in order to get the inhabitants, it will do anything — and do anything. ”

"This includes, but is not limited to, restrictions on the personal liberty of residents. "That's where the curse comes from. ”

"So, you'll be set free to accomplish my goal - to get the heart of the city, which means you'll have to destroy the city and dig out its brains. Ktorn said categorically.