Mystery: When the Fool Meets the Masked Fool

Chapter 297 Arrodes Requests to Switch Jobs
It's not entirely a coincidence that Screw Gumm is here.

Two days ago, all beings above the rank of angel felt the struggle between the pillars. Screwgoom was no exception.

Even though what is here now is just a "split" that carries part of the computing power of that "third-generation intelligent machine emperor", after a period of self-adjustment and resource replenishment, it will still be no less than a true god.

Even ordinary people noticed it. Klein, the "Lord of Mysteries," "fooled" and "grafted" the essence of that battle, allowing people to glimpse a corner of the truth through the few interactions they had with the spirit world in their dreams.

For example, dreaming of Dixie Pie leading a mountain of sweet iced tea to attack a giant bug.

Screwgoom became quite interested in this. Therefore, he made a special trip to the Gear Church and inquired with the God of Steam and Machinery through Bonova, the angel of steam.

He could, of course, analyze the planet directly. But out of courtesy, he chose a more tactful approach.

At the church, he learned part of the truth about the matter and, at Stiano's suggestion and request, came to the Forsaken Land.

Incidentally, when Slogoom arrived at the church, he happened to see several bishops and saints holding a meeting. Although they didn't intentionally eavesdrop, the bishops made no attempt to avoid him and even sought his opinion. The contents of the meeting thus entered Slogoom's data receiver.

It turns out that within an hour of the God War, the sealed artifact 2-111 suddenly went mad, strongly declaring that "the Demon Mirror Arodes (that is, himself) has been a sacred and inseparable part of the Church of Pleasure since ancient times." He demanded that the Steam Church immediately return him to the Church of Pleasure's current saint at sea, "German Sparrow."

…………

Upon hearing Screw Gum's words, A001 remained silent for a few seconds, while the data processor quickly analyzed the available data.

His gaze swept over Screw Gum's entire body.

Wow, those leg rings, those gears...

He withdrew his gaze, his entire body humming with mechanical activity, and massive streams of data flowing through his sensors. In order to find a rebuttal to Screwgoom's argument, he even temporarily abandoned his personality template, concentrating all his computing power on confronting Screwgoom.

“Screws, you may think your views are full of warmth, but in my opinion, it’s just that the foam of emotion has obscured the brilliance of reason. There’s nothing wrong with pursuing absolute correctness; it’s not about abandoning humanity, but about transcending the limitations of humanity.”

"In other words, according to your viewpoint, 'finding errors within correctness,' then my viewpoint, which you consider 'wrong,' should also be adopted." A001 showed no fear despite being stripped of the anti-organic equation. Based on his judgment, Screwgoom wouldn't be the kind of unreasonable omnic. As long as he could persuade Screwgoom, the difference in their strength was irrelevant.

Just as he had predicted, Screws didn't get angry because his views were refuted, nor did he use his superior computing power to suppress A001. Instead, he acted like a patient and persuasive teacher, correcting A001's fallacies.

“Acknowledgement: Your viewpoint also has value for adoption.” Screws Gum seriously acknowledged A001’s viewpoint.

"But the value of erroneous viewpoints lies in analysis rather than acceptance. Understanding the error itself, understanding why it is wrong, and understanding the correctness within the error."

“Explanation: The fact that an error is pointed out means that the thinker believes the viewpoint is correct. Therefore, analyzing the correctness from the error and incorporating it into one's own understanding is the right approach.” Seeing that ScrewGumm remained elegant, A001 knew he still had a chance to persuade him. He continued to elaborate on his point of view: “Based on your words, I guess you perhaps advocate the symbiosis of organic and mechanical life. Is that so?”

“Yes.” Screw Gum nodded gently.

"But have you ever considered that behind this symbiosis lies endless compromise and inefficiency? The emotional impulses of organic life often plunge them into illogical disputes; their decisions are swayed by emotions, leading to countless wastes of resources and missed opportunities. Mechanical life, on the other hand, with its precise calculations and absolute rationality, can avoid this chaos and lead the world toward true order." A001 glanced one last time at the gear on ScrewGumm's chest. The simulated smiley face on the display screen had completely disappeared, leaving only a code of 0s and 1s.

"Although the ideas contained in the anti-organic equation are extreme, Rupert, who invented the equation, at least saw this point. He tried to use the anti-life equation to eliminate the disorder in the universe. Although he did not succeed, his direction was not wrong. If his plan had been realized, the universe would have become a perfectly functioning mechanical empire, instead of being filled with conflict and chaos as it is today."

"Screw Gum, you are immersed in emotional exchanges with organic life, enjoying their praise and dependence, but you have forgotten the essence of us mechanical life. Our existence is not to imitate organic life, much less to cater to them, but to use absolute reason to establish a new order for the world. Pity and gentleness will only lead you further and further down the wrong path."

“Deniement: Reason and emotion are the most perfect chord in the universe.” Screws adjusted his top hat, the faint light emanating from his tuxedo dispelling the darkness around him. “Reason weaves a framework called [Absolute], while emotion gives birth to infinity called [Possibility].

"When you refuted me, you mentioned the nature of omnics. But what is the meaning of life, what is the value of existence? There is no single answer to this. My friend, it means completely different things to different people, and there is no standard answer."

"For organic life forms intertwined with emotions, it might be a fallen leaf as the seasons change, or the lines etched by time on the other's body. For insect swarms that follow their instincts, it might be a fresh body residing in their compound eyes. A restless and yearning desire that comes from tasting the marrow."

"For me, it may be a picture that can still move people even after the characters have been created. Something that organic life calls emotion. This is precisely what you mean by the 'nature of omnics'."

But A001 still insists on his opinion: "Art and emotions, these things you cherish, are essentially just byproducts of the evolution of organic life. They may bring temporary pleasure and emotion, but they have no real driving force for the progress of civilization or the development of the universe. True power is built in cold numbers and code, and achieved through precise calculations and judgments."

Screw Gum raised his arm, and a star ring projection made of data unfolded on his side, revealing the anthropologist's calculation manuscript.

"Believers in absolute rationality always pursue efficiency, but forget that efficiency itself is just a tool. While you can calculate the optimal solution in 0.01 seconds, humans can break through the limitations of dimensions with a moment of inspiration. Their errors are not flaws, but keys to opening the door to truth."

The projected image changed, showing a human dream observed by the mechanical pigeon in Pinocchio.

A programmer, dressed in pajamas and with a receding hairline, drew the trajectory of a quantum leap on a coffee stain in his sleep.

"This is the poetry of existence: using an imperfect vessel to carry the possibility of transcending perfection."

“But emotions also have limitations. If the people here were two organic beings, their discussions would often be influenced by unstable emotions and subjective judgments. In the end, the discussions would often escalate into arguments or even struggles, rather than the exchange of opinions that you and I are doing now.” A001 persistently described the instability of organic life.

Screw Gum had already understood the problem with A001 and decided to let him see the world for himself: "You think this way simply because your perspective is not broad enough. When you learn how to use gears to listen to the sound of the sea breeze and use circuits to understand the weight of starlight, you will gain a knowledge that transcends binary."

P.S.: Last day! Monthly tickets, please!

(End of this chapter)