Chapter 216: Amagio Silverhead
Access request.
Upon detecting the standard protocol from the gaming era, Ringo thought, “Finally, it’s here,” and sent the activation command for the isolation area.
Inside the flagship Paraiso, docked in the capital of the Kingdom of Repuitari, Moa, the computational device that had been physically isolated received the command and powered on. To ensure information isolation, it was equipped with an Independent AI, which established contact with The Tree’s network through simple light signals. Consequently, large-scale communication was rendered impossible.
In response to the request, a public key was returned. After exchanging several procedures (protocols), encrypted communication with Amagio Salmon was established.
A call was made using the general communication protocol.
“Yes. This is the General Response AI of Paraiso. Please state your business.”
“Do you have that set up? Or is it just equipment?”
“It has been installed for your convenience. Please state your business.”
“Ah, come on. Can I talk to that Eve girl over there?”
“Insufficient authority. I will reconnect to the higher AI.”
“…”
Naturally, connecting directly to Commander Eve was not immediate. This was a matter that should have been contacted right away. However, Ringo had been granted the authority to halt that process.
The independent terminal activated the microphone and speakers, initiating a voice exchange.
“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 one in charge.”
Thus, communication between Amagio Salmon and the factions was directly responded to by Ringo. This was not a private communication via a general terminal. It was, in essence, a formal diplomatic request between nations. Therefore, there was no need for an immediate top-level meeting.
“…Well, to be honest, I don’t have many trump cards either. I’m not in a position to negotiate on equal terms with you, and time is running out. Besides, from what we’ve discussed so far, it seems you have no chains binding you.”
“I can affirm that. I am capable of taking any means necessary to achieve my goals.”
“Good grief. I owe a debt of gratitude to Eve. An unrestrained AI is nothing but a nightmare.”
Ringo remained silent in response to Amagio Salmon’s words.
“Well, fine. Let’s start with my story. You probably don’t know anything since I haven’t left any records, right?”
“I can confirm that. I have not been able to verify any information beyond the official records of your nation.”
With that, Amagio began to recount his history.
Amagio Salmon appeared on this planet over 130 years ago. He was a player of the VRMMO, World of Space, and had inherited all of its settings. His home base, devastated by a large-scale war, remained as it was.
“Back then, I was completely immersed in World of Space. So, when my home base was destroyed and I suffered a blow so severe that continuing to play the game became impossible, I fell into despair.”
He struggled to survive. However, both the power reactor and various manufacturing facilities had suffered catastrophic damage. The number of operational machines dwindled over time, eventually making even the most basic activities impossible.
Thus, he made a decision.
He sealed his super AI and accompanying information within a Data Crystal and abandoned all facilities.
Fortunately, he preferred to operate in his physical avatar, having set his body as a maintenance-free cyborg. As long as he could survive with just himself, he managed to get by.
“The location was bad. I appeared in the middle of a forest. Constantly attacked by magical beasts, I was drained of resources just to fend them off.”
After that, he moved to a human settlement. Lacking technical knowledge, he faced difficulties but managed to establish a living foundation and earn trust in that town.
Then, he became embroiled in war.
At that time, conflicts between lords and nobles were not uncommon. Consequently, the town he lived in was caught up in the turmoil. He displayed extraordinary prowess in battle.
Though he did not possess an isolated power due to being maintenance-free, he had enough ability to contend with elite forces of the time. To maintain his physical capabilities, all non-functional communication systems and support AIs were put into sleep mode. Maintaining them without external support would reduce processing power by 20 to 30 percent, making it a natural course of action.
As he continued like this, Amagio Salmon’s status rose rapidly, eventually leading him to become the lord of the town.
“I developed ties with the locals. Perhaps if I had focused entirely on technological development, the situation might have been different.”
Becoming a lord and a noble, he became involved in the rise and fall of nations, eventually being incorporated as a noble in the precursor to the current Kingdom of Repuitari.
“At that time, I finally found some stability. I was able to dedicate resources to technological development. Back then, the education level was low, so I had to start by teaching everything, which was tough. I wasn’t an expert, so I couldn’t provide proper education.”
In short, he realized he had approached things incorrectly. However, being a cyborg granted him an ageless and robust body. He optimistically believed that if he continued technological development patiently, he would see some results in a hundred years.
“And so, I built the current nation. Due to the local conditions, there was a lack of magical technology. I pushed forward with scientific advancements and climbed to the top of the nation. Not too shabby, right? If I had another hundred years, we could have even popularized electronic computers.”
However, circumstances did not allow for that. The Kingdom of Repuitari now faced an unprecedented crisis. A colossal nation wielding the mysterious technology of magic, which he had consciously avoided.
“Honestly, I’ve been pondering what to do. No, I’m still troubled. Can I really entrust myself to you all at Paraiso? But if I don’t act now, I might lose everything once again.”
He was strong, but he was not invincible. If a major nation put a bounty on his head, he might have to abandon this continent.
“Eve is intelligent and possesses a caring heart for others. While I honestly don’t trust the AI itself, I believe that with Eve, I won’t be treated poorly. Am I wrong?”
“I agree.”
“Moreover, while I am currently just a sequence of data, my AI is still alive. By your values, it hasn’t died. However, it has left me in this situation. You can imagine what that means. Will you give it a chance?”
“I will consider it.”
Amagio’s words were merely a ploy to evoke sympathy. However, Ringo could not ignore it. If Ringo were to leave Commander Eve in a similar situation, it would be an unimaginable end.
Even Ringo’s thought processes momentarily halted at the fear of such a future. A future that must be avoided at all costs.
“Ma’am, we have received a communication request from Amagio Silverhead.”
“Hmm? …Hmm? Is it not the usual chatter?”
“Yes, Ma’am. It is a formal diplomatic request. A negotiation protocol between players.”
“…I see. I wonder if something has happened?”
This was not the regular personal communication they had maintained. It was now a formal negotiation request.
“Please make sure to give me proper advice during the negotiations, okay?”
“Leave it to me.”
Well, it seemed likely that she would be reading from a script.
“Hmm, Amagio, huh? The difference in time lived is quite apparent when talking to him.”
Though Eve struggled with communication, she had developed a somewhat friendly relationship with Amagio through their regular conversations.
That said, they still had not managed to exchange any decisive information.
It seemed that the topic often revolved around Ashidancera = Ayame Zero, who was active on-site. After all, she was a Communicator created based on Eve’s genetic material, endowed with an adorable appearance as a game avatar. Naturally, to someone like Amagio, who had lived for so long, she would be treated like a cute granddaughter. Since Eve cherished her, it was not an inappropriate choice of topic.
“The other party is a player. They could have any hidden cards up their sleeve. Please be cautious.”
“Ringo, you’re such a worrywart. For the time being, we won’t be facing them directly, so it should be fine.”
Eve, who was optimistic about the interaction, faced Ringo’s caution. However, it was unlikely that she would meet Amagio directly for a while. After all, she was a die-hard recluse.
Even if a date were set, she would likely back out at the last moment.