At that time, Kerkland was just an ordinary sage.
Even though his status was predetermined by his genes, he was still an inconspicuous figure among the myriad factions of Mars.
He needed resources and authority.
Some higher-ranking sages approached him. They were either skeptics of the deception or vested interests disgruntled by the division of power.
He was initially deemed useless, but the knowledge he possessed gave him purpose.
He was dedicated to knowledge and truth.
He calculated, explored, and climbed. Kerkland was determined to expose lies with the truth.
He had ventured to planets teeming with alien technology and encountered technologies that could disable most of his components.
Eventually, in a lost relic, he found a document about the "Cursed Ones."
They were above the untouchables, entities that could suppress psychic powers even more.
Their existence was rare, and most met their fate at the hands of psychics during their youth.
On the relic's altar, the scene of the Cursed Ones being sacrificed by psychic shamans seemed to still be playing out.
Minute scars on the river of time declared the psychic void that had once occurred here.
An existence that could devour all psychic energy.
He needed a sample.
He couldn't pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Thank you for the warning, but for personal reasons, I'm not willing to collaborate with Terra's direct departments. It's not conducive to my research."
"So, you'll just capture directly?"
Kerkland paused, then his voice modulator crackled.
"I apologize, sir, but your constitution is a very rare sample. To merely become a space warrior would be a waste."
"I really didn't want to see that happen, so I acted a bit hastily."
"If you're willing to abandon the identity of a space warrior and join me in researching anti-psychic abilities, you can achieve even greater accomplishments."
"I, as a sage, can assure you that I won't harm your body."
"I advise you to stop trying to deceive with the guise of collaboration. If you really want research data, I suggest you propose from my perspective."
Hades impatiently thrust his scythe into the ground.
"We're running out of time."
If the sage before him was truly willing to cooperate, Hades would be more than happy.
But it seemed this sage still wanted to knock him out and take him away.
Hades pondered for a moment. Right now, in the sage's eyes, he was just a space warrior with a unique constitution, showing no other value.
He decided to throw out some bait.
"Let's put it this way: I'm interested in your anti-psychic research because my original body hopes to establish an anti-psychic force in the legion and research anti-psychic weapons."
"Collaborate with a legion, provide the relevant technology, and not interfere with your research. What do you think?"
Let's see if the fish bites.
The mechanical sage wavered, the two stones on his robe swaying.
What's the difference between collaborating with a legion and collaborating with the empire?
"Thank you for your kindness, but I, as a sage, don't wish to collaborate with a legion."
"This conversation can't continue like this."
The sage's idea of collaboration meant Hades leaving his original organization and participating as an individual, but Hades didn't see it that way.
"We provide the funds, and you provide the technology. You can even just provide anti-psychic equipment. You're not willing to do even that?"
"And I can also participate in your experiments."
Sage Kerkland fell silent again.
It seemed Hades wasn't moved by his proposal but was very persistent about his research results.
And he couldn't possibly agree to research for the empire.
So, he pretended to agree to Hades' proposal, simply asked for some data, and planned to delete the information flow and leave Mars once Hades returned.
After a long while, he finally spoke slowly,
"Your terms are indeed tempting,"
"So, my answer is, yes,"
"But discussing collaboration now seems too hasty, especially since I can't determine how much of your legion you truly represent."
"Why not choose another time to discuss in detail? I, as a sage, will also go back and make more detailed preparations."
He's trying to escape.
You think you can run after exposing your lair?
If Hades safely returns and this sage doesn't contact him afterward, he'll immediately contact Makado (he doesn't have the female sage's contact) and send the sage's address directly.
If the sage contacts him later for a detailed discussion, then he can wait and see.
Time was running out, and Hades didn't want the distress message he had pre-edited to be sent directly to Sage Jordan.
"I hope you make the right choice, Sage Lanze."
Hades looked at the sage, but Kerkland remained in his initial state, his mechanical face revealing nothing.
The unpleasant conversation ended with neither party achieving their goals.
Hades sighed internally, signaling the sage to leave.
However, a glint flashed in Sage Kerkland's eyes.
"Lord Hades, as an apology, I'll give you the control rights and code for Jin-306."
"And to express my regret, I also have a stasis grenade I'd like to offer you."
"So, could you..."
Could you what?
"Could you envelop me in your anti-psychic field?"
Hades was silent.
Then, he raised his scythe, placing it directly on the sage's shoulder.
Realizing what Hades was doing, the sage didn't resist.
Dark realm transmission began, and flashes appeared on the sage—some electronic devices malfunctioned.
When Hades reluctantly removed his scythe, a long electronic groan came from the other side,
"That's it!"
Dust filled the air, and Hades stood still, watching the massive garbage truck slowly move away.
Both had ulterior motives.
Having obtained superficial data, the sage reluctantly let Hades go, otherwise, the distress message Hades pre-edited would be sent.
Even so, after falsely agreeing, the sage planned to leave Mars for a while.
Having obtained the sage's address in advance, Hades chose to report it immediately upon his return.
The only thing they might agree on was probably the stasis grenade in Hades' hand.
A loud roar echoed, and a wild wolf charged forward.
Manning whistled,
"I've been watching you chat with that mechanical lump from afar. Finally, you're done!"
"You didn't end up fighting after all!"
Hades chuckled and got into the vehicle.
"Let's go!"
The female sage from last time slowly emerged from the darkness, looking at Hades who had just returned to his personal resting room.
"You really lured him out."
Then, a mechanical arm slowly extended from behind the female sage, displaying Makado's sigil.
Hades wordlessly removed his helmet. The moment he saw the sigil, he sent the sage's address to her.
The woman raised an eyebrow. She had always failed to intercept these.
"You cracked his encryption?"
Hades nodded,
"He wanted to capture me."
"You should've collaborated with him as an individual."
Sage Koli Erze Xi spoke,
Hades hesitated,
"I didn't really want to be taken away as a test subject."
"Right, that guy is stubborn and despises the Emperor of Terra. His motives stem from this."
"How would I know? I thought he'd have a flexible bottom line when it came to interests."
Hearing this, Koli Erze Xi was amused and smiled,
"That's very true."
But her expression quickly faded,
"Collaborating with a legion, in his eyes, is no different from collaborating with the emperor."
"Lord Makado has always admired that sage's achievements, but it's a pity he's been reluctant to show himself."
"We initially wanted you to try, but it seems he really despises the emperor."
"So, what's the plan now?"
"Arrest."
"After this failure, no one will back him. We'll follow the usual procedure."
"His research results will also be shared with you depending on the situation, but usually, after an arrest, there's not much left."
Sages would destroy their crystallizations on the spot, delete information, and cancel encryptions.
"By the way, Lord Makado and Lord Mortarion might arrive on Mars soon."
Having conveyed the information, Koli Erze Xi prepared to leave but was suddenly stopped by Hades,
The recent conversation with Sage "Lanze" made Hades realize that this sage's anti-psychic research capabilities were extremely strong. Abandoning him would be a waste.
Was it just an emotional issue, a deep hatred for the Emperor, and not due to political or interest factors?
"Can he have another talk with the Death Guard Legion? I think there's still hope."
Koli Erze Xi looked at Hades curiously, then nodded and left.