Chapter Sixty-Eight: Cole's Return

October 24, 2237, Royal Academy of Sciences, London

The most severe gas leak crisis in the history of the Royal Academy claimed the lives of more than a dozen firefighters still within the Academy. Strangely, not a single scientist was among the dead. If this had been a targeted gas attack, then its intended victims were the firefighters.

After the cyanide gas had fully dissipated, the scientists were finally able to enter the Royal Academy. Cole’s laboratory was opened—something widely known by now. Newspapers had been abuzz for days, reporting on this gas incident. No one understood why it had happened. Some claimed it was the act of someone coveting Cole’s experimental creations, deliberately releasing the poison gas. Others suspected the gas was meant to silence witnesses, to prevent anyone who saw the inside of Cole’s lab from revealing its secrets. Yet, no one realized that the gas had been released by Cole himself…

Upon entering Cole’s lab, they found remnants he had left behind. As always, the cabinets remained impenetrable. But this time, something was different: a partially burnt blueprint lay on the floor. Cole had once hinted that he had destroyed all plans for the “Angel” mecha, yet in an inconspicuous corner, the letters “Ang” were still visible—clearly meant to be “Angel.”

Suddenly, a cabinet creaked open, drawing everyone’s attention. The cabinet opened? Impossible, they all thought, for Cole had always ensured his experimental products would remain hidden from others. Unexpectedly, not only had the fire “accidentally” breached the lab, but now the cabinet had inexplicably unlocked itself, leaving everyone hesitant to open it further. At last, one bold individual kicked open the half-ajar door—nothing happened. Could it be that Cole’s cabinet truly posed no danger? They could hardly believe it; after all, when the lab had first been forcibly entered, not only had it resisted, but it had triggered defensive mechanisms.

Inside was a USB drive. A USB drive? Who still used such things in this day and age? But if Cole had made it, there had to be a reason. Fortunately, the Royal Academy possessed a computer capable of accommodating such an antiquated device—the central computer, reputedly the most powerful in the Academy aside from Cole’s own. To their astonishment, as soon as the USB was inserted, the Academy’s mightiest firewall—the Welsh Dragon—was instantly breached. The USB locked itself in place, impossible to remove, though it no longer mattered: the computer was now entirely under the USB’s control.

“Hello everybody! This is Cole, your long-lost colleague. What you see here is an artificial intelligence I left behind two years ago. I am merely a consciousness, so my life or death is of no consequence; what matters is what I have to say.

“Thank you for not forgetting me! I know you’ve searched for me these past two years, but in vain. I have changed my name and become someone else entirely. I also know that today—give or take some margin—marks the arrival of the human crisis I once foresaw. Undoubtedly, you have produced a multitude of mechas because of me. But I can tell you now: none of these mechas can be relied upon. This human crisis cannot be resolved by your mechas, nor by my ‘Angel.’ Thus, I will no longer divulge instructions for building ‘Angel.’ However, I can reveal to you, step by step, the results of my experiments. I trust that, upon entering today, you have already survived the inferno, correct? That was my experiment—Prometheus’s Fire. This fire is timed; after burning for an entire day, it reverts to a dormant state. But you will have tried to extinguish it—dry ice, water! I foresaw the gas incident. Though Prometheus itself does not release poison, the ‘LAILING’ in the cabinet does. It is my creation, a catalyst that can transform carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen into toxic substances. This is one of my secret weapons for resolving the human crisis. The formula is in the cabinet; Prometheus’s fire will not destroy it. Manufacture it—it’s not particularly difficult—let my assistants perfect it!”

With that, the computer reverted to a screen displaying the names, quantities, and activation times of Cole’s experimental products. Only LAILING was illuminated; the rest remained shrouded in darkness.

Is the era of Cole… about to return?

———Author’s Note———
I am especially fond of this work, mainly because of the protagonist’s multiple identities and his invincible design—Royal Chief Scientist, the kingdom’s strongest special agent, the Crown Prince, mastermind behind the Welsh Party. He can practically toy with the entire kingdom at will (in fact, he already has!). Truly, I look forward to the grand royal showdown in Season 2!