"They’re pretty much raising us like pigs, aren’t they?"

After leaving the robot factory, the gray Octopus said to the three others with him.

"It’s not a matter of ’like’—we *are* being raised like pigs. The so-called Upper and Lower Districts, including the surface level, are really just a method for the Intelligent Mechanisms to divide this Octopus population."

"Furthermore, the existence of a class system naturally makes the Octopuses living in these districts feel all the more indebted and grateful to the Master Brain."

"As for the arsenals and such within the districts, even though the Octopuses in the upper echelons have all the necessary permissions, they’re really just playing around in their own little walled garden."

"The killer robots in these districts are probably using obsolete technology that the world’s Master Brain terminal has phased out. Even if they can be controlled at will, they can’t really stir up any trouble in the grand scheme of things. A single blast from a Starship would crush any rebellion."

Another Octopus Person said cheerfully, showing no signs of tension.

"The only thing I’m curious about is why the Intelligent Mechanisms of this civilization are keeping these sentient Octopuses around?"

"It looks to me like this world’s Intelligent Mechanisms don’t operate under anything like the Three Laws of Robotics. It could have wiped out all these Octopuses, but it didn’t. That’s actually quite surprising."

Another Octopus chimed in:

"What’s so strange about that? We’re talking about an Intelligent Machinery Civilization, a digital life form. If it’s considered life, then it must have some kind of emotional system, even if those emotions are just simulations."

"This so-called Master Brain might be acting out of nostalgia for its own creators. That’s why it kept these Octopuses around, as a sort of memento, right?"

"Besides, this Intelligent Mechanism has already expanded beyond its home planet, so it doesn’t need to be fixated on destroying these Octopuses. If it plans on leaving the current Fixed Star System, it might even hand control of this planet back to them. It’s not out of the question."

"After all, from its perspective, the gap between it and these captive Octopuses is like the gap between a human and an ant. The decision to destroy them or not can be made on a whim."

All four Octopuses grimaced at the thought.

"Bullshit. From all the info everyone’s compiled on the forums, not a single Octopus in this Intelligent Machinery Civilization has been able to go to another planet."

"The AI’s Master Brain doesn’t even let a single Octopus pilot the Starships or anything."

"Practically all of this civilization’s military forces have been replaced by drone and robot systems."

"And get this, someone found out that those so-called Octopus councilors are actually just robots in disguise! They’re not even real fucking Octopuses."

"So what’s the use in us causing a ruckus here?"

"Honestly, we’d be better off spending this time memorizing a few lines of this world’s AI operational code. Even if it’s not the core code, it would be a huge help back in the real world and for the future development of the Star Empire, wouldn’t it?"

The Octopuses had just settled into their aircraft and were already letting out a stream of complaints.

But just then, they noticed their aircraft suddenly and inexplicably accelerating. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

It shot past the Middle Level District, heading rapidly toward the Upper Level District.

"???!!!"

"So, we’ve been found out already? That’s way faster than what some of the pros on the forums predicted."

Seeing that the aircraft was out of their control and that even the hatch was sealed, the four Octopuses weren’t particularly panicked. Instead, they exchanged odd looks, as if they had expected this all along, and continued their conversation.

"Say no more. This is a highly advanced, intelligent world. Its AI is probably who-knows-how-many times more advanced than ours. It’s no surprise it spotted the anomaly this fast."

"I just wonder where the Master Brain terminal is taking us."

"You guys think we should just suicide now?"

"Suicide my ass! Intel! The intel is the crucial thing!"

One of the Octopuses said in exasperation, then shouted at the aircraft’s main console:

"Hey!"

"Master Brain! You can hear this, right? So where the hell are you taking us?"

"Just spit it out. Don’t beat around the bush."

"You must have found plenty of our comrades over the past few days, right? So can we just cut the crap? Ask what you want to ask. How about we trade some information?"

The other three Octopuses were stunned, watching their leader’s bold move.

But on second thought, there was nothing wrong with his approach.

And just then, as if in response to the lead Octopus’s words, the aircraft’s speed did indeed drop abruptly.

However, it continued moving in a set direction.

At the same time, a holographic projection of a pink Octopus materialized inside the small aircraft’s cabin.

The pink Octopus had a very human-like, scrutinizing look on its face.

Then, the pink Octopus spoke, its voice gentle, like that of a female Octopus.

"I agree to your request."

"But I am curious... you parasitic consciousnesses, when exactly did you arrive in my world?"

’Parasitic consciousnesses?’

The Players looked at each other and almost burst out laughing.

"So, that’s what you think we are?"

"Or is that the information you got from our other people?"

Faced with the four Octopuses’ strange, even mocking expressions, the pink Octopus’s face showed a very human-like confusion.