CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 26 THE SOURCE OF CHAOS

Technology is devoid of consciousness; it inherently contains no good or evil.

The key lies in what the person who masters the technology is prepared to do with it.

Take, for example, the two miniature cameras in Li Yu’s hands; such small devices were originally invented for use in espionage, becoming a powerful weapon in intelligence games between nations, and constantly updated and upgraded with advancements in counter-surveillance measures.

In those years, the two most powerful superpowers in human history faced off against each other, viewing each other with hostility, each vying for the position of world hegemon, yet both exercising restraint to avoid the outbreak of large-scale war.

As a result, their confrontations were more manifest in diplomacy, news media, technology, arms races, and even sports, inadvertently promoting the rapid development of technology.

The scenes of both sides climbing the technology tree were unprecedented and, it is estimated, unlikely to be seen again.

With the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact in 1991 and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the United States, having lost its competitor, has not returned to the moon since.

However, the precious technological treasures left behind from the Cold War still have a far-reaching impact to this day, and many have been introduced into the civilian sector, profoundly changing our lives.

There are both good and bad aspects.

These miniature cameras are so small that they can be easily hidden in places you couldn’t imagine, such as sockets, mirrors, smoke detectors, and even inside chewing gum boxes.

Modern people staying in hotels must risk being secretly filmed, and young women living alone should be extra cautious when renting a place.

However, these tiny cameras, which are hard to detect without special equipment, were now used by Li Yu to help Miss Rabbit find the mole hidden within the castle.

Li Yu installed one of the surveillance devices in the room where the girl processed government affairs, using an antique suit of armor in the corner for concealment; the tiny camera was hidden behind the helmet’s visor.

This type of helmet, which looks like a big tin can, only has a thin slit at the eye area for observation and several small holes beneath the nose for breathing, with the rest of it completely covered by metal plates.

Hidden within, the camera would almost be impossible to find unless someone went up close to the armor and took a careful look.

Moreover, the monitor was placed in such a position that it could capture most of the room, including the doors and windows.

The other monitor was placed by Li Yu in Ireya’s bedroom.

Fixed behind the wardrobe, considering Miss Rabbit’s privacy, the camera only faced the room door and did not capture other areas of the room. If someone really managed to climb in through the window, this monitor wouldn’t catch them.

But Li Yu thought this possibility was quite remote; the outer walls of the castle were usually designed to be very difficult to climb, and there were guards in the nearby tower.

The idea of someone entering Ireya’s room from the outside unnoticed was not absolutely impossible, but it was almost akin to special effects.

Not to mention that the person’s first action coincided exactly with the interval when the girl took Trinidad to the storeroom to pick out equipment. This person obviously had an intimate knowledge of Ireya’s whereabouts, and Li Yu was more inclined to believe that he took the door rather than the window.

But at this point, another question arose, if he took the main door, why didn’t anyone see him?

Could it be that all the maids and servants in the castle simultaneously and inexplicably became blind at that moment, or did they all lie?

Li Yu agreed to help Ireya catch the mole partly because Miss Rabbit had taken a small step back in her bottom line, agreeing to give him her uncle’s land and also allowing him to secretly spread the faith of Saturday on that little piece of land.

On the other hand, this mysterious mole who appeared and vanished into thin air indeed piqued Li Yu’s interest.

He felt as though he might have missed something important.

After leaving Ireya’s room, Li Yu walked downstairs, deep in thought, and on the staircase, he encountered another figure.

Li Yu was descending the stairs when the other person was ascending, and they met in the narrow corridor.

After clearly seeing the newcomer’s face, Li Yu moved to the side to let them pass. However, the person did not lift their leg to continue walking upwards; instead, they just stood there, staring at Li Yu with a scrutinizing look that conveyed a sense of superiority.

After a moment, the person spoke, "What will it take for you to leave that child alone?"

"Hmm?"

"I’ve seen many like you," said the person, "Most come from humble beginnings, yet conceal it well. They infiltrate high society with their elegant behavior and impeccable manners, or with a Foreigner identity as yours, helping them blend in and seek out their targets.

"They charm young nobles, who are naive to the ways of the world, with their eloquent tongues, then cling to them to gain wealth and power. Of course, I must admit, you do have some skills, having helped that child take over the position of Family Head of the Arias clan.

"And the cleverest thing about you is that you don’t, unlike your ilk, become haughty with success. On the contrary, you avoid making enemies easily. I don’t know how you manage it—after all that has happened, you still convinced that child to withdraw the guards from outside Alisa’s room.

"Your oratory skills are indeed remarkable, but if you think that’s enough to earn the friendship of the Arias family, then you are being quite naive."

The person paused, their tone becoming more authoritative, "I’ve seen through you, through all your trickery and manipulation. As Ireya’s elder, I won’t stand by and watch my great-granddaughter be led astray by you, nor will I allow an outsider to run amok in this land.

"Even without your help, that child will one day come to her senses and return to her family, for we share the same blood. It’s a connection that not even the sharpest blade in the world can sever!" The elder’s voice was decisive and brooked no argument.

Li Yu nodded, not arguing with the other party.

Yet the elder showed no sign of leaving or giving way, and demanded, "You haven’t answered my question yet. What will it take for you to let that child go?"

Li Yu felt the immense hostility coming from across the way; it seemed he wouldn’t be able to leave here today without giving an answer.

Considering the person’s identity, using force was also not an option.

Even if Ireya’s relationship with her relatives wasn’t good at the moment, the person before him was her great-grandmother, and the girl would have to treat her courteously upon meeting her, just as the elder said—it’s a blood connection that couldn’t be severed.

It wasn’t just Ireya—if Li Yu were to come into conflict with this elderly woman, everyone in the castle, and indeed on this land, would unhesitatingly stand behind her.

As long as Li Yu remained in Green Field for another day, being targeted by her would mean difficult times ahead.

Ona was well aware of this, which is why she dared to threaten the Foreigner so directly.

However, contrary to her expectation, Li Yu did not show any fear or concern on his face upon hearing her words; his gaze remained calm, and not a ripple stirred in his dark pupils.

It was like looking into an unfathomable deep well.

The first time Ona saw the Foreigner, an inexplicable feeling of disgust arose in her heart.

She loathed the Foreigner’s composure—no matter the situation, he always seemed unruffled, as if nothing in the world could stump him. This was something the control-accustomed Ona couldn’t tolerate.

Not to mention the various extraordinary abilities he possessed, which the elder saw as a source of chaos—practically written on his face as uncontrollable.

Li Yu waited a while longer and, seeing Ona had nothing more to say, finally spoke up, "Actually, I’ve been trying to figure out something, too."

"What is it?" asked Ona, frowning.

"You keep saying everything you do is for Ireya’s sake. But why did you secretly write a letter to Torres in the Royal Capital, forcing him to change his vote to Blanco?"