Episode 294: Eastern Front
“A proposal from the Chimyera Clan?”
“Yes, Ma’am. The Chimyera Clan has made a proposal regarding future governance.”
“So that’s why I was called. I thought it was unusual since it’s about internal affairs.”
Inside the Command Room of Fortress ＜The Tree＞.
Eve sat in the Commander’s seat, with ＜Ringo＞ standing behind her.
Amadio Silverhead was displayed on the screen in front of them.
The usual Five Sisters were also present in the Command Room.
Since the Prawa Theocracy was the subject of discussion, ＜Iris＞, who was in charge, and ＜Ayame Zero＞, who was with Amadio, also participated via audio.
“Quite the lineup.”
“Everyone except those in charge of the Afrasia United Kingdom.”
Of course, the other AIs weren’t excluded from participating. They simply didn’t have permanent icons, but they were free to watch and speak.
“Alright. Since I haven’t heard anything yet, could you explain it to me?”
“Yes, Ma’am. When we shared information with the Chimyera Clan, they made a proposal. It involves incorporating the Warrior Monks of the Eastern Front under the Chimyera Clan’s command.”
Eve tilted her head at ＜Ringo＞’s report. How did such a topic come up?
“…Maintaining a front line without a superior commander, huh?”
“The Chimyera Clan seems to be concerned about the collapse of the front line.”
＜Paraiso＞ had been providing the Chimyera Clan with information generously (only the information that could be disclosed, though).
This included the governance issues of the Prawa Theocracy and the general situation of the neglected Eastern Front.
“So, the Chimyera Clan is concerned about that?”
“Yes, Ma’am. While it’s undoubtedly motivated by a desire to secure vested interests, it’s a proposal that doesn’t aim to harm us, at least.”
The Eastern Front was in a complete stalemate because orders from higher-ups had stopped being transmitted. The Theocracy’s Warrior Monks were faithfully maintaining the status quo as per their initial orders, but the validity of those orders was expected to diminish over time.
The possibility of the Warrior Monks acting independently was increasing day by day.
“Does the Chimyera Clan have the authority to issue commands?”
“Yes, that has been confirmed. The Chimyera Clan members hold at least the rank of Bishop. Since there are only superiors up to the High Priest in the current Eastern Front, it was their opinion that if the Chimyera Clan were dispatched, they could be incorporated into the chain of command.”
Priests and High Priests were regional supervisors, while Bishops were central officials. Basically, it was interpreted that Bishops oversaw the High Priests.
“I still don’t quite understand, but what kind of command structure do the Warrior Monks of the Prawa Theocracy have? It doesn’t seem like they simply follow their positions…”
“I’m curious about that too. As far as I skimmed through the report, it mentioned something about a magical connection.”
The two humans said that, but Amadio probably understood it almost completely. He was requesting an explanation for Eve’s sake, who had various limitations due to being a living being. He was a man who could read the atmosphere.
“Then, let me explain it simply.”
＜Ringo＞ answered and deployed a display for explanation.
“This is based solely on what we heard from the Chimyera Clan themselves. It’s subjective, so it may differ from the truth, but we assume the concept is correct.”
What was displayed was a so-called star-shaped network diagram.
However, only the overall picture was star-shaped, and the ends were all marked as mesh-shaped. It was a form in which mesh networks were connected at key points to form a star shape.
“Warrior Monks and the Chimyera Clan usually gather in groups of a certain number of people with similar abilities and form a mesh network.”
“…Network?”
“Yes, Ma’am. A network.”
The Warrior Monks form groups of a certain size and create networks within them. Once a network is formed, the entire group shares a single standard of behavior.
“In other words, everyone in this group connects their minds, suppresses individual intentions, and acts with priority given to the overall benefit?”
“Yes. That’s how it can be interpreted. However, they said that if the number of people forming the mesh network is too large, the movement becomes sluggish, so there seems to be a limit to the processing capacity. Therefore, they don’t connect more than a certain number of people in a mesh network, but connect them through a hub. This hub seems to be the position of a higher-ranking official.”
And what makes this network formation possible is the irrationality (fantasy) of magic.
“The Prawa Theocracy seems to have conscripted people who could use magic early on and trained them as Warrior Monks. We are currently investigating how they selected people who could and could not use magic, but the Chimyera Clan seems to have some know-how, so we may be able to obtain information for some kind of compensation in the future.”
“Seriously…? Are they really human? Based on that explanation alone, they look like machines…”
Eve said that, but that was actually the case. The Warrior Monks of the Prawa Theocracy didn’t feel human.
“I admit that they have an ecology closer to us AI Kind. Prioritizing the interests of the whole over the individual is similar to social insects. That’s the conclusion we came to after summarizing the information from the Chimyera Clan.”
“Network formation, huh…? I think there was a story that our AI was involved in the founding of the Prawa Theocracy…”
“It’s highly likely that it had a significant impact. It wouldn’t be surprising if they focused on magical communication and promoted network formation.”
It had been determined from various relics that a reconnaissance aircraft that Amadio had failed to recover was involved in the founding of the Prawa Theocracy.
In fact, various data that the aircraft was thought to have left behind had been recovered, and there were also remains enshrined in the Cathedral. Although heavily corroded, some kind of automated machine, clearly manufactured with advanced science and technology, was found.
Of course, Amadio’s confirmation determined that it was a reconnaissance aircraft launched from Amadio’s base, ＜Trout Nursery＞.
The AI that was loaded was said to be a biological-based computer designed for long-term solo operations, but it didn’t have advanced functions enough to have free will.
However, because it was capable of long-term solo operations, it seemed to have been able to control the locals for decades and make them perform some kind of work.
“The details are unknown. However, the Chimyera Clan’s view is that it is possible to incorporate the Eastern Front’s forces under their command based on this network formation.”
“Is there a possibility that the purpose changes when they are incorporated under the Chimyera Clan’s command? I think their top priority is developing the Demon Forest. It would be meaningless if they abandoned the front line because of that.”
The Chimyera Clan members dislike leaving the Demon Forest. They allow temporary dispatch to other areas for reinforcements and communication, but they refuse to be stationed in other places for long periods.
This is a drawback of the Chimyera Clan’s fervent desire to develop the Demon Forest. They seem to show a negative reaction to performing miscellaneous tasks other than developing the Demon Forest.
However, there was no problem until then because the home country had been undertaking those miscellaneous tasks.
“If it’s just transmitting orders regularly, there won’t be a problem in the short term. In the long term, it’s unknown because there’s no precedent. However, it doesn’t seem like it will collapse in a year or two, so it’s considered the best measure.”
“Hmm… the Eastern Front was the biggest concern, so if possible, that would be fine. If we can manage something within a year, we can buy time, right?”
“That’s right. At worst, I was thinking of disguising it as a Stampede to gloss over it, so this is more moderate.”
And so, the (provisional) disposition of the Prawa Theocracy’s Eastern Front was decided.
A fusion of science and magic… or rather, is it a knowledge cheat?
Let’s just say it’s a knowledge cheat.