Episode 216: Amagio Silverhead
Access request.
When ＜Ringo＞ detected it—the standard protocol from the game era—she thought, “Finally,” and issued the activation command for the isolation area.
The processing unit, physically isolated within the flagship ＜Panas＞, docked at the Repitari Kingdom’s capital, Moa, received the command and activated.
To isolate it informationally as well, it was equipped with an independent AI and contacted the ＜The Tree＞ network via simple optical signals.
Therefore, large-capacity communication was impossible.
In response to the request, it returned the public key. After exchanging several procedures (protocols), it established encrypted communication with Amagio Salmon.
Calling a general-purpose communication protocol.
“Yes. This is the general-purpose response AI of ＜Paraiso＞. Please state your business.”
“You even prepared something like that? Or is it standard equipment?”
“It was installed for you. Please state your business.”
“Oh, geez. Seriously. Can I talk to Eve-chan over there?”
“Insufficient authority. Reconnecting to the higher-level AI.”
“……”
Naturally, it wouldn’t connect to Commander (Eve) immediately.
Normally, it would be a matter to be reported immediately. However, ＜Ringo＞ was granted the authority to stop it.
The independent terminal activated the microphone and speaker. It began verbal communication.
“Amagio Salmon. I do not trust you. Therefore, if you wish to connect to the Commander, I recommend you persuade me first.”
“……Oh. So you’re the boss.”
Thus, inter-faction communication from Amagio Salmon would be answered directly by ＜Ringo＞.
It wasn’t a private communication via a general-purpose terminal.
It was, so to speak, a formal diplomatic request between countries.
In that case, there was no need to hold a top-level meeting right away.
“……That’s right. Frankly, we don’t have many cards to play either. We’re not in a position to negotiate with you on equal terms, and we don’t have time. Besides, as far as we’ve talked, there doesn’t seem to be anything binding y(・)o(・)u(・) g(・)u(・)y(・)s.”
“I can confirm that. I am capable of taking any means necessary for my purpose.”
“Jeez. I’m grateful to Eve-chan. An AI running wild is nothing but a nightmare.”
＜Ringo＞ didn’t respond to Amagio Salmon’s words.
“Well, whatever. Let’s start with my story. You don’t have any records, so you wouldn’t know, right?”
“Affirmative. I have not been able to confirm your information except for the country’s official records.”
And so, Amagio began to speak.
About his own history.
◇◇◇◇
Amagio Salmon appeared on this planet over 130 years ago.
He was a player of the VRMMO, ＜World of Space＞, and he inherited all of its settings.
Including his base, devastated by a large-scale war.
“Back then, I was absorbed in World of Space. So, when my base was destroyed, suffering such a blow that it was difficult to continue playing, I think I was in despair.”
He struggled to survive somehow.
However, the power plant and various manufacturing facilities were mostly fatally damaged.
The number of operable machines decreased over time, and eventually, even the minimum activity became impossible.
Therefore, he made a decision.
To seal his partner, the super AI, and the accompanying information in a data crystal, and abandon all facilities.
Fortunately, he preferred to be active in his original body (avatar), and he had set his own body as a maintenance-free cyborg.
He could manage to survive on his own.
“The location was bad. The appearance point was in the forest. Magic beasts kept attacking, so resources were consumed on interception.”
After that, he moved to a village.
He struggled because he didn’t have technical knowledge, but he somehow built a foundation for living, gained trust in the town.
And then, he was caught up in a war.
At the time, wars between lords and nobles were not uncommon. Therefore, the town where he lived was also caught up in the war.
He played an unparalleled role.
Although he couldn’t exert overwhelming power because he was maintenance-free, he had enough ability to fight on par with a regular army at the time.
To maintain that physical ability, all unusable communication functions and support AIs were put into hibernation.
Maintaining them without external support would reduce processing power by 20% to 30%, so it was a natural measure.
As he continued to do that, Amagio Salmon’s status rose rapidly, and he eventually became the lord who ruled the town.
“I got involved with the locals. Maybe if I had devoted myself to technological development, the situation would have been different.”
He became a lord, became a noble. He was involved in the rise and fall of countries, and eventually incorporated as a noble of the country that would become the Repitari Kingdom.
“Around that time, I finally settled down, so to speak. I was able to devote myself to technological development. The education level was low at the time, so it was tough because I had to start by teaching everything. I wasn’t an expert either, so I couldn’t educate them properly.”
Well, in short, he made a mistake in how he approached it.
However, because he was cyborgized, he had an ageless and strong body. He was optimistic that if he continued technological development patiently, he would have some prospects in 100 years.
“And then I created this country. Because of the land, there wasn’t much magic-related technology. I pushed up science and technology and got into the top of the country. Well, it’s not bad, right? If I had another 100 years, I could have popularized electronic computers.”
But the situation didn’t allow it.
Currently, the Repitari Kingdom is facing an unprecedented crisis.
A super-giant power, wielding the mysterious technology of magic that he had consciously avoided.
“Honestly, I’ve been wondering what to do. No, I’m still wondering. Whether you ＜Paraiso＞ are a safe existence to entrust me to. But if I don’t act here, I might lose everything again.”
He was strong, but not invincible.
If he was put on the wanted list by a great power, he might have to abandon this continent.
“Eve-chan is intelligent and has a caring heart. I honestly don’t trust AIs themselves. But I judged that if it’s Eve-chan, well, I won’t be treated badly. Am I wrong?”
“I agree.”
“Besides, it’s just a data string now. But my AI is still alive. In your values, it hasn’t died. But it left me and ended up in this situation. You can imagine it, right? Can you give it a chance?”
“I will consider it.”
Those words from Amagio were just a ploy to elicit sympathy. But ＜Ringo＞ couldn’t ignore it.
If ＜Ringo＞ had to leave Commander (Eve) and end up in the same situation.
It would be an unimaginable end.
A terror that even stopped ＜Ringo＞’s thought processes for a moment. A future that must be avoided at all costs.
◇◇◇◇
“Ma’am. There is a communication request from Amagio Silverhead.”
“Huh? ……Huh? Not the usual chat?”
“Yes, Ma’am. A formal diplomatic request. A nation negotiation protocol between players.”
“……Hmm. I wonder if something happened?”
Not the personal communication that had been going on regularly.
But a formal negotiation request.
“P-Please advise me properly during the negotiation, okay?”
“Leave it to me.”
Well, I’ll probably be talking while looking at cue cards.
“Hmm, Amagio-san, huh. After all, the time he’s lived is different. I feel it when I’m talking to him.”
Eve, who is not good at communicating with others, had become a little closer to Amagio through the regular calls.
However, in the end, they haven’t been able to exchange any decisive information.
It seems like there are many topics about Ashidancera=Ayame Zero, who is active locally.
Well, she is a humanoid machine (communicator) manufactured based on Eve’s genes, who was given a cute appearance as a game avatar.
Inevitably, from Amagio, who has lived a long time, she is treated like a cute granddaughter. Eve also dotes on her, so the choice of topic is not wrong.
“The other party is a player. There’s no telling what kind of hidden cards they might have. Please be careful.”
“＜Ringo＞ is a worrier. We won’t be facing each other directly for the time being, so it’s okay.”
＜Ringo＞ is wary, while Eve is positive about the exchange.
However, she probably won’t actually meet Amagio directly for a while. After all, she’s a hardcore shut-in.
Even if she set a date, she would surely get cold feet right before.