"Wow, this idiot also thinks I can understand the language of the future."
After hearing Adam's strange intonation, Xia Yu threw up his hands and complained to the Androids beside him.
He knew who these two were: Adam and Eve, the bosses of nier: automata's first playthrough and fanatical enthusiasts of humanity.
Despite being Machine Lifeforms, they imitated human behavior, even going as far as wearing clothes and adopting human etiquette in every gesture.
However, Adam's character was clearly set to be highly intelligent, so why hadn't he realized he couldn't understand the future language?
"Be careful, Lord. They are Machine Lifeforms that mimic humans. I have fought them twice before; they are very formidable opponents!"
2B drew the weapon floating behind her back and assumed a combat stance. Seeing this, the remaining two YoRHa combat Androids followed suit.
At the same time, 9S warned, "Lord, the words of Machine Lifeforms are not to be trusted. You don't need to worry about what they're saying; just leave the fighting to us!"
On the other side, Adam listened to their conversation, a hint of confusion appearing on his face. He didn't understand what they were saying.
But soon, the highly intelligent Adam realized what was happening.
"Ah... ah... what an oversight. To think humans and Androids have their own unique language. This is going to be troublesome."
"What's wrong, Brother?"
Seeing Adam's worried expression, Eve couldn't help but ask. Adam pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and said in a cold tone.
"It's nothing, Eve. It's just that we have to fight. However, do not harm the human. We must invite him over gently."
"Then we can harm everyone else besides the human as we please?"
"Exactly," Adam said.
"Just what I wanted!"
Eve smashed his fists together. For someone simple-minded and short-tempered like him, fighting was always easier than thinking.
Once in their combat stances, neither side had any intention of further conversation. The Androids didn't want the Machine Lifeforms to bewitch their Human Lord, and Adam's side understood that talking was useless when they couldn't understand each other.
2B and A2 charged forward with their weapons. Both vanished in a flicker and reappeared, slashing toward Adam and Eve respectively.
As Androids of the same model, except for lacking a telepathic connection, their combat stances and movements were like those of twin models.
Although 9S could fight, he was more skilled at hacking. Thus, he and the pods acted as support, interfering with Adam and Eve from the sidelines.
"Ah, this really gets the heart racing."
Adam continued his flamboyant chatter. The moment A2's blade was about to strike him, he suddenly transformed into a golden stream of light and vanished.
In the next instant, the golden light coalesced into a cocoon, and he reappeared after evading the attack.
"This is...?!"
Seeing Adam's technique, A2 was shocked. She had never seen a method that could turn one's body into golden light.
"Be careful. These two are special. They can vanish by turning into these yellow beams of light and can also use those beams to attack."
2B warned seriously. Although she didn't have much experience fighting such enemies, she had at least faced them twice and knew their attack patterns.
"Hmph, I don't need your reminders."
A2 snorted coldly. Her blade suddenly unleashed several waves of sword qi. The tangible energy sliced through the air, tearing toward Adam.
However, a circular shield made of hexagons blocked A2's sword qi. Adam watched the attack calmly from within the shield and then spoke nonchalantly.
"Machine organisms are weapons that constantly evolve to strengthen themselves. The intelligence born within the network didn't take long to surpass the creator..."
"Stop your incessant babbling, it's annoying!"
A2 suddenly slashed at the energy shield, but it showed no signs of cracking.
On the other side, Eve and 2B were locked in combat, a blur of sword flashes and golden light. Meanwhile, Adam blocked A2's attacks while preaching his philosophy to all the Androids present.
"Humans are full of charm... a charm that is completely incomprehensible. According to records, despite being the same race, they slaughtered each other in great numbers or fell in love with one another..."
"I agree with your first sentence—humans are indeed full of charm—but everything after that is absolute bullshit!"
The irritable A2 struck the energy shield twice with a loud clang. Cracks immediately appeared on the once-smooth shield. Noticing this, Adam stopped his rambling at once.
In the next instant, the shield shattered, and the blade came lunging in.
Adam instantly turned into golden light, evading the strike aimed at his vitals.
"The principles behind human actions are incomprehensible to a startling degree. We wish to unveil their mystery. Therefore, we hope that you Androids, created in their image, can assist us in our investigation."
When the golden light coalesced into human form again, Adam's incessant chatter hadn't stopped. Hearing this made A2 even more irritable. After glancing at 2B's fight, A2 felt a surge of regret.
She had chosen the wrong opponent. If she'd known, she would have fought the shirtless, short-haired guy. That back-and-forth, quiet fight over there was what a real battle should be!
Seeing that A2 didn't attack again, Adam smiled slightly. Thinking the irritable Android had understood his philosophy, he immediately struck while the iron was hot.
"How about it? Hand that human over to us. We will dissect him alive, analyze him, and unlock all his secrets! Could anything be more wonderful than that?"
Hearing this, A2 nearly lost control of her emotions. How could she allow anyone to treat the very meaning of her existence so recklessly!
"Die, you bastard!"
In her rage, A2's body suddenly erupted with a blackish-red light. In the next instant, her figure vanished—a manifestation of speed pushed to the limit.
*Slash!*
To Adam's astonishment, a blade pierced his body. Then, with a horizontal pull, it inflicted a heavy wound upon him.
*Pfft...*
Adam coughed up a mouthful of warm blood. They were quite rigorous when it came to simulating humans.
"Brother!!"
On the other side, Eve, who was fighting 2B, saw his brother being severely injured. He hastily disengaged from the battle, not even caring that he was slashed in the process.
"You die too!"
In Berserk Mode, A2's overall stats increased significantly. This was an experimental feature found only in prototype models. As a YoRHa Attacker prototype, A2 was exceptionally proficient with this function.
Facing the aggressive Eve, A2 swung her blade, slashing at him with an attack so fast it was almost invisible.
Eve condensed the golden light onto his arms; he was actually going to tank the attack head-on.
*Clang!*
The two collided, and both figures were instantly sent flying back. Eve was considerably stronger than Adam in terms of combat; perhaps that was the result of trading his brains for brawn.
"Little brother, you wouldn't want your brother to get hurt, would you?"
Xia Yu, who had been watching the show for a long time, finally stepped in. He took Devola's blade, held it to Adam's neck, and spoke to Eve, who was struggling to get up.
However, seeing the hatred in the other's eyes, Xia Yu thought for a moment and said helplessly, "Popola, translate my words."
"...Yes, Lord."
Popola was already well aware of the Human Lord's wicked sense of humor, but for the sake of his reputation, she decided to try and soften it.
"If you don't want your brother to be hurt further, don't do anything rash. Surrender quietly."
"I've really been underestimated." Adam gave a weak smile on his pale face. He was about to turn into golden light and vanish, but he was horrified to find that he couldn't move at all.
"Hehehe, can't move, can you? Just stay there and wait for me to discipline you. Popola, translate that."
"...Yes, Lord."
Popola helplessly complied. Looking at Adam, who still didn't understand the situation, she spoke in a serious and solemn tone.
"Don't bother trying to escape. You have been taken prisoner. Await the Lord's judgment