Episode 216: Amadio Silverhead
Access request.
When ＜Ringo＞ detected it—a standard protocol from the game era—she thought, “It’s finally here,” and issued the activation command for the isolation area.
The computing device, physically isolated within the flagship ＜Panas＞, which was docked in Moor, the capital of the Repuytari Kingdom, 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, high-capacity communication was impossible.
In response to the request, it returned a public key. After exchanging several procedures (protocols), it established encrypted communication with Amadio Salmon.
Calling a general-purpose communication protocol.
“Yes. This is the general-purpose response AI of ＜Paraiso＞. What is your business?”
“You even prepared something like that? Or is it standard equipment?”
“It was installed for you. What is your business?”
“Oh, geez. Seriously. Can I talk to your 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 that should be reported immediately. However, ＜Ringo＞ was granted the authority to stop it.
The independent terminal activated the microphone and speaker, and voice communication began.
“Amadio 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 Amadio Salmon would be answered directly by ＜Ringo＞.
This was not a private communication via a general-purpose terminal.
It was, so to speak, a formal diplomatic request between countries.
If so, 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 so far, there doesn’t seem to be anything binding y’all.”
“I affirm that. I am capable of taking any means necessary for my purpose.”
“Good grief. I’m grateful to Eve-chan. An AI running wild is nothing but a nightmare.”
＜Ringo＞ did not respond to Amadio Salmon’s words.
“Well, whatever. Let’s start with my story. You don’t have any records of it, do you?”
“Affirmative. I have not been able to confirm your information other than the country’s official records.”
And so, Amadio began to speak.
About his own history.
◇◇◇◇
Amadio Salmon appeared on this planet more than 130 years ago.
He was a player of the VRMMO, ＜World of Space＞, and he inherited all of its settings.
Including his headquarters, which had been devastated by a large-scale war.
“Back then, I was obsessed with World of Space. So, when my headquarters was destroyed and I suffered such a huge blow that it was difficult to continue playing the game, I think I was in despair.”
He struggled to survive somehow.
However, most of the power plant and various manufacturing facilities were fatally damaged.
The number of operable machines decreased over time, and eventually, even the minimum level of activity became impossible.
Therefore, he made a decision.
To seal his partner, the super AI, and its associated information into a Data Crystal, and abandon all facilities.
Fortunately, he preferred to operate in his real body (avatar) and had set his own body as a maintenance-free type of 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 any technical knowledge, but he somehow established a livelihood, 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 he lived in was also caught up in the conflict.
He played an unparalleled role.
Although he could not 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.
It was a natural measure, as maintaining them without external support would reduce processing power by 20 to 30 percent.
As he continued to do so, Amadio 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 Repuytari 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 a specialist either, so I couldn’t provide proper education.”
Well, in short, he made a mistake in how he approached it.
However, being cyborgized gave him an ageless and robust body. He was optimistic that if he continued technological development patiently, he would be able to see some progress 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? In another 100 years, I could have spread electronic computers.”
But the situation did not allow it.
Currently, the Repuytari 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 worried about what to do. No, I’m still worried. I’m wondering if it’s okay to entrust myself to you ＜Paraiso＞. But if I don’t act here, I might lose everything again.”
He is strong, but by no means invincible.
If he were to be wanted by a major power, he might have to abandon this continent.
“Eve-chan is intellectual and has a caring heart. I honestly don’t trust AIs, but I’ve judged that Eve-chan wouldn’t treat me badly. Am I wrong?”
“I agree.”
“Besides, it’s just a data string now. But my AI is still alive. In your values, it’s not dead. But it left me behind and is in this situation. You can imagine it, can’t you? Can you give it a chance?”
“I will consider it.”
Amadio’s words were merely a ploy to elicit sympathy. But ＜Ringo＞ could not ignore it.
If ＜Ringo＞ had to leave Commander (Eve) behind and be in the same situation.
It would be an unimaginable end.
A terror that even caused ＜Ringo＞’s thought processes to stop for a moment. A future that must be avoided at all costs.
◇◇◇◇
“Ma’am. There is a communication request from Amadio Silverhead.”
“Huh? …Huh? Not the usual chat?”
“Yes, Ma’am. A formal diplomatic request. A national negotiation protocol between players.”
“…. Hmmm. I wonder if something happened?”
Not the personal communication that had been going on regularly.
But a formal negotiation request.
“B-Be sure to give me advice during the negotiations, okay?”
“Leave it to me.”
Well, it looks like I’ll be talking while looking at cue cards.
“Hmm, Amadio-san. After all, he’s lived for a different amount of time. I can tell when I’m talking to him.”
Although Eve is not good at communicating with others, she has become a little closer to Amadio through regular calls.
However, in the end, they have not been able to exchange any decisive information.
It seems like there are many topics about Asidanthera-Ayame Zero, who is active locally.
Well, she is a Doll Machine (Communicator) manufactured based on Eve’s genes, given a cute appearance as a game avatar.
Naturally, from Amadio’s point of view, who has lived for 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. Anything could be up their sleeve. Please be careful.”
“＜Ringo＞ is such a worrier. We won’t be facing each other directly for the time being, so it’s okay.”
Eve is forward-looking about the exchange, while ＜Ringo＞ is wary.
However, she probably won’t actually meet Amadio 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.