บท 785: -774- That, is the true redemption
When these words escaped Io's lips, silence fell upon the entire scene.
Even Rozen turned his head to look at Io, his eyes faintly shimmering.
"Have you decided?"
Rozen asked calmly, neither opposing nor supporting the decision.
This made Io's pale face reveal a trace of sorrow.
"This is originally my fault," Io said slowly, seemingly unaware of her tears flowing again.
"I really like automata, very, very much."
This point didn't need specific clarification from Io; Rozen could see it. Because if Io didn't like automata, she wouldn't pursue the Setsugetsuka series with such dedication.
Perhaps part of it was due to Setsugetsuka being crafted by Karyusai Shouko, who was Io's idol. However, just by observing Io's eyes sparkling with passion when she talked about automata, it was evident that this girl truly loved automata.
Especially the automata she crafted with her own hands. Io enjoyed it immensely; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so happy and excited when she saw Eva on the plaza, nor would she have been so shocked and uneasy upon discovering issues with Eva.
"You must be laughing at me, right?" Io self-mockingly said, "Clearly, I love automata, but I handed over the automaton I personally created as a daughter. Even if I didn't know it was a scheme by His Highness, for my own goals, I treated Eva as a tool, a weapon for His Highness. Because of this, I am now facing retribution."
Perhaps this matter had been weighing on Io's heart long before this moment.
After all, Io had handed over Eva before Edmund revealed his ambitions, and she must have been daily consumed by self-blame and sorrow.
But...
"I really want to prevent the outbreak of war," Io finally confessed her heartfelt desires. "Because I don't want to see the automatons I've created on the battlefield, and I especially don't want to see my children killing people."
At these words, everyone present fell silent. Truly silent.
It was an inevitable situation. Automatons existed in the world because they served as a medium for using magic. They were weapons. They were tools. Since they were weapons and tools, they were inevitably used for fighting and killing on the battlefield.
Every automaton with combat capabilities had hands stained with blood. Even the kind-hearted puppeteers, if they didn't make their automatons kill, still sent other automatons to their deaths.
Unfortunately, in this era, one of the purposes of puppeteers was to go to the battlefield and serve the country.
Automatons had become indispensable weapons on the battlefield.
Which country didn't have a corps of machinists?
Which war didn't involve automatons?
As a puppet craftsman, Io genuinely loved the children she created. How could she bear to let them become weapons, to kill on the battlefield?
"I want to create a world where those children don't have to kill anymore," Io's tears continued to flow.
"So, even if it's really heartbreaking, I still hope Eva can replace me, prevent the occurrence of war, and let the people stop shedding blood and tears."
If the 'Multi-Controller' with the 'Infinite Chain Reaction' were equipped, achieving this wouldn't be an impossible task.
As long as Eva stood on the battlefield singing, all automatons would obey its commands and cease killing. As long as Eva's abilities could shake the world, no one could engage in combat using machinist magic.
Making Eva a restraint against war is not just an unfounded daydream. However, Io clearly didn't anticipate that this so-called power is a double-edged sword. Used well, it can deter; used poorly, it harms both others and oneself.
Such a century-spanning ability is impossible not to attract attention. Edmund was merely the first to discover and exploit it.
"Now, Eva's emotions have been disrupted. She no longer recognizes me, becoming a deadly weapon that not only threatens the academy but also the nation. It even turns those innocent automatons into tools for the black prince," Io said, biting her lip. "All of this is my fault, entirely my fault."
Therefore, Io chose redemption. "Arrest me. It's the only thought I have now. Otherwise, I won't be able to face everyone."
Io could only do this. Listening to Io's words, all the professors, students, guards, and various other individuals present were speechless.
"Thank you very much for your understanding, Professor Iliad," the headmaster nodded. Sighing, he prepared to instruct the guards to apprehend Io once again.
But before that...
"I need to make something clear to you first," Rozen suddenly said to Io.
"If you really think being arrested is enough for redemption, I won't be the first to forgive you."
This unexpected statement left everyone present in astonishment, and Io was completely stunned. In this situation, Rozen spoke unabashedly.
"Because of your 'Multi-Controller',' my automatons almost had their hearts tampered with. They've been living in fear for a long time. If you don't compensate me, fine, but planning to hide in prison, do you really think that's enough for forgiveness?"
These words left Io speechless. On the contrary, Yaya, Irori, and Komurasaki exchanged glances and all smiled.
Rozen continued, "The same goes for those who lost their automatons. They haven't received any compensation, they lost something important, and don't know when these automatons might attack them. You not helping them resolve this and planning to escape—do you really think getting arrested is redemption?"
It was a more cruel reality than betrayal.
"Even a murderer faces justice, the lives they took will never return. Even when a robber is made to face it's consequences, one may find the stolen money long spent. You think you've redeemed yourselves but for the victims, this holds no practical meaning. Usually, all they can do is accept their loss, persecution, and suffering, watching you go to jail, would only provide temporary satisfaction. So, don't think forgiveness comes easy," Rozen stared directly at Io, delivering these words.
"If you truly want redemption, go retrieve Eva, repair her emotions, apologize to her. Then, return all those out-of-control automatons to their rightful owners, compensating for all the losses suffered by the victims. That, is the true redemption."
Rozen's words pierced Io's heart.
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