Great! I'm surrounded by villains!
Chapter 332 - 251: Mind Parasitism

Chapter 332: Chapter 251: Mind Parasitism

Eisenberg believed that all the crimes he was accused of were the charges of shortsighted people who couldn’t keep up with the times. His research was never about winning a battle but about a grander vision.

He originally left the Chamber of Commerce to join Universe Company because, at that time, the company had deeper exploration into the entire universe and had access to more information.

Eisenberg never brought up these matters to the company, even when he was sent to the Tribunal. He never defended himself, because he knew all explanations would fall on deaf ears; those in high positions couldn’t see the threats from the future.

But now it was different.

He was willing to talk to Duan Mingyuan about these things because he felt that Duan Mingyuan was the same kind of person as he was.

More importantly, Duan Mingyuan could see the further vision.

"Humanity will inevitably lose this war."

This was the conclusion Eisenberg reached after investigating all the intelligence of the company.

Every year, the company fought on planets undergoing "Cocoon" transformation, sending endless troops to the frontlines and burning unimaginable military expenses; yet they could not stop the spread of the "Cocoon" transformation.

In the last century, the frequency of "Cocoon" transformation had almost doubled, but the Universe Company had stayed in place, unable to do anything more than send rescue boats to save refugees from destroyed planets.

The Long Branch Guard was selected from various civilizations to fight the "Cocoon" transformation, but insiders all knew that in the face of the real "Cocoon," the Long Branch Guard was as powerless as ants.

"Oh? It seems you are still a pessimist."

He Ya remarked.

Pessimists are closer to reality than the top executives of Universe Company and Shanqi Commerce Association who always fantasize that they could find a way to counter the "Cocoon."

It was Eisenberg-Adler who gave them this illusion.

A possibility of controlling the power of the "Cocoon" and using it as a tool of dominion.

"You should know the truth, that humanity has so far been able to maintain a balance with the ’Cocoon’ solely because they have not yet been able to take their power off the planets."

As for the battles on "Cocooned" planets...

The Universe Company often deemed assisting refugees in evacuation as a victory; they had long given up on the idea of stopping the "Cocoon" transformation.

"And your research is to help them break through this last shackle."

Duan Mingyuan pointed out, although his exchange with Eisenberg had brought him substantial benefits in the academic domain, it also confirmed the latter’s character, giving him a deeper understanding of the term "Chosen One."

In this era, this term had long changed its meaning and was no longer considered a compliment.

The previous "Chosen One" of humanity had invented a bomb that could destroy all of humankind, and later the technology needed for the bomb was widely used in interstellar wars, making Universe Company’s Destruction Fleet famous.

Eisenberg’s research was not satisfied with just blowing up a planet; it aimed to plunge the entire universe into desolation.

A 1600-year sentence was definitely not unjust for him.

"I don’t have much time left to remain lucid. Sometimes my thoughts will suddenly interrupt, and when I come to, I find that several hours have passed."

Eisenberg said, "For example, right now, I found myself sitting in this laboratory, then your ’subordinates’ barged in, and the Judge had also malfunctioned."

"What does the doctor say?"

He Ya asked, already knowing the answer.

Eisenberg, seemingly not catching her sarcasm, said, "Universe Company couldn’t diagnose the result; they think it might be due to prolonged stress."

"But in fact, your consciousness is being eroded,"

Listenting to voices from the "black hole" comes at a cost, a cost that made Eisenberg-Adler a father while still single, "You will birth many more entities similar to that incarnation in the future. You will find yourself awake for increasingly shorter periods of time, and your memory will become more and more chaotic. This is to ensure that if you were to suddenly die one day, the knowledge in your mind could be fully preserved. The good news is, you’ll never need to see a doctor again, because this ailment is incurable."

In this instance, Eisenberg’s judgment went unerring.

Even if he had rejected the guidance initially, fate would ultimately lead him to the same place.

"Is it a parasite?"

Duan Mingyuan, the specialist in difficult diseases, asked.

"Mental parasitism—if you must draw a comparison. For the ’Cocoon’, human consciousness is too fragile. In fact, I have to whisper when I speak to them, otherwise they’d be immediately scared witless."

Moreover, to increase her acceptance among humans, she had also crafted an image that conformed to human aesthetics.

She was far ahead of her own kind.

In terms familiar to people, she most commonly used skin suits, becoming a virtual idol within the "Cocoon" to make her business across various Star Zones much easier.

He Ya continued, "These parasites can’t be entirely eradicated. Even if you help him get rid of the parasites now, it won’t be long before new ones infest his consciousness, unless... "

"Unless?"

"Unless you kill him and put an end to his suffering completely."

However, this still wouldn’t stop the "black hole’s" plan, "1721 is a collective. Remember the rebellion initiated by 1721? Perhaps the individuated entities had already escaped at that time."

"How much time do I have left?"

No hint of fear appeared on Eisenberg’s face as he asked.

"Three months. Since your theoretical model is almost complete, even without you, the rest will be easy to finish."

He Ya asked, "How about it? Need me to prepare an all-inclusive funeral service? You have brought me quite a bit of amusement, so I can make an exception and take your body back to Flashing Star, let you dissolve in the reactor for free."

She seldom offered free packages, but Eisenberg was worth it.

"It seems I also need to accelerate my plans, but I won’t need funeral services,"

Eisenberg said, "This universe will inevitably fall into eternal night, and I will find a way for everyone to survive in the everlasting darkness."

As if to confirm his words, the long-absent mechanical synthetic voice came online again.

"The mainframe has been activated, information is being entered. Welcome to the Soul Harbor, this will be your eternal paradise."

Not just Duan Mingyuan, but at this moment, everyone on this planet heard this voice, including Jiuyue and the others outside the prison.

A Soul Harbor?

Duan Mingyuan carefully sensed the changes in the outside world.

When the Judge came online again, he faintly felt that something had changed in the prison, but when he pondered carefully, he couldn’t make out what it was.

"This is the paradise I have prepared for everyone,"

Eisenberg said, "Even if our bodies are destroyed, civilizations fall, human thoughts and souls will continue on forever."