Chapter 17 (From a certain perspective, history)

In the Imperial Audience Chamber, Gilbertus Albans performs under Manford Torondo’s scrutiny, aware the Butlerians view him as a tool and that failure would endanger the Mentat School. The chamber is filled with nobles, ambassadors, Reverend Mother Dorotea, Emperor Salvador Corrino, and Roderick Corrino with his family; Empress Tabrina is notably absent.

A legless combat mek faces Gilbertus across an oversized pyramid chess board, its weapons removed to reassure the crowd. Gilbertus formally acknowledges the robot, unsettling onlookers, then cedes the first move to demonstrate fairness. As the game unfolds, the mek presses a sharp strategy that corners Gilbertus, alarming some spectators and darkening Manford’s expression.

Drawing on decades of practice against Erasmus, Gilbertus identifies a narrow escape and lures the mek into a trap. With precise counters, he blocks the Mother, captures key pieces, and overturns the position, culminating in the capture of the Grand Patriarch and an inevitable victory. The crowd erupts while the robot plays on to the formal end.

Manford proclaims the result proof of human superiority and the obsolescence of machines. Anari Idaho steps forward, executes the mek with a pulse-sword, then smashes the disabled chassis with a hammer to cheers. Gilbertus accepts the praise outwardly but privately credits Erasmus for honing his tactics, highlighting his inner conflict and the dangerous secret he continues to protect.