"By the way..."
Before reactivating Akitsu, Jin posed a question to Laojun.
"How was the knowledge and information Akitsu possessed?"
『Yes, My Lord. I have somewhat unfortunate news, however...』
"Hm?"
『Akitsu's knowledge was extremely limited.』
"In what way?"
At Jin's inquiry, Laojun began to explain in an apologetic tone.
"I see. Akitsu's knowledge was primarily regarding national governance—and specifically democracy, at that."
『Yes. Beyond that, there was a small amount regarding culture. Most of it consists of information that you, My Lord, are already familiar with.』
Jin fell into thought. If the knowledge had been granted through Trans Info, it was hard to imagine it being so restricted. As if reading Jin's mind, Laojun continued.
『It is highly probable that Akitsu did not receive her knowledge through Trans Info.』
"What!?"
『Like a standard automata, she was likely educated from the ground up... much as one would provide knowledge to a human infant.』
A standard automata is provided with basic operational data—the equivalent of an operating system in a computer. However, that only allows for the most fundamental movements. Without providing knowledge through education, they are not only useless but cannot even speak properly.
"But Trans Info is a technology that's been around for a long time, hasn't it? Right, Reiko?"
Reiko gave a firm nod.
"Yes, Father. That is what I heard from Mother..."
If that was the case, it meant the magic known as Trans Info was developed after Akitsu's time, but before Reiko's. Which meant...
"Did the Predecessor refine the Trans Info process, then?"
『The possibility is quite high.』
There was a reason why Laojun, who had theoretically analyzed Akitsu's knowledge, did not know exactly how she had acquired it. The "format" of her control core was slightly different from modern standards.
While information categorized as "knowledge" was easy enough to parse, her "memories"—the record of everything Akitsu had experienced since her creation—were a disorganized jumble of disjointed data, much like a private diary. It appeared it would take considerable time to sift through it and extract only the useful information. Consequently, even for Laojun, a complete analysis had been impossible in such a short window of time.
Well, they couldn't stand around forever. Jin was about to reactivate the lying Akitsu when a thought occurred to him.
"Let's do Akitsu's reactivation back at the dome."
"That sounds like a good idea," Elsa agreed.
And so, Jin moved inside the dome via the transporter, followed by Reiko, who carried Akitsu. Since they planned to return immediately, Elsa stayed behind.
"Welcome back."
John, who had been watching over the site, greeted them. Since Laojun was ultimately the one operating John, Jin felt a slight sense of incongruity at being told "welcome back" by his own creation’s avatar.
Before returning Akitsu to her place, Jin checked the easy chair she had been sitting in. Its frame was made of bronze and had developed a layer of verdigris, so he took a moment to clean it.
"Alright, Reiko, please seat Akitsu."
"Yes."
"Did you notice anything of interest while investigating the dome, John?" Jin asked.
John had been in the dome while Jin was repairing Akitsu at the laboratory. He must have investigated the surroundings.
"No, I found nothing particularly noteworthy."
"I see."
Beyond this, they would have to wait until Akitsu was reactivated. Jin spoke the password and the keyword.
"Kougaichou 64. Wake up."
"...Yes."
Akitsu opened her eyes.
"Jin-sama, thank you for repairing my malfunctions. With this, I can continue to watch over the people of this land."
It seemed she properly recognized who had repaired her. Laojun's judgment that she would not be hostile had been correct.
"Akitsu, please keep the fact that I repaired you a secret. Tell them that John repaired you instead."
"Yes, I understand."
Akitsu would likely continue to grant knowledge and provide consultations to those who visited here—those permitted by the Chief—until the day she was no longer needed. Jin thought that he might visit her every once in a while.
Perhaps she was curious, as Reiko glanced back at Akitsu once before they left.
Jin and Reiko stepped outside, boarded the waiting Pegasus 1, and returned to Hourai Island through Condor 3's Warp Gate. Condor 3 would return by flying back on its own power.
"Welcome back, Jin-nii."
Elsa greeted them in front of the laboratory. And then, Laojun spoke.
『My Lord, regarding the information related to Akitsu's memories.』
"Yeah, what about it?"
『I managed to complete the analysis, but unfortunately, a portion of the data was corrupted.』
It was very rare for Laojun to fail an analysis. It meant the task was truly that difficult. Since it was a copy from a degraded and cracked original core, it was possible the information had been unclear to begin with.
The original core was now spent and no longer functional. Jin felt somewhat hesitant to go back and copy Akitsu's control core a second time just to fill in the gaps.
"Well, it can't be helped. Just explain what you've learned."
『Understood.』
Laojun reported the information in a concise summary.
- Like the Fuhrer Jin created, Akitsu is an automata specialized for education and consultation.
- Akitsu was created approximately 1,100 years ago by a disciple of the magus and was educated by the magus himself.
- The magus's name was Shuuki Tsetse. He had black eyes and black hair. He could not use magic.
- Akitsu's knowledge is limited to democracy and several matters regarding culture.
- Comparing Akitsu's knowledge with Jin's, there is nothing particularly new.
- Following the Ether Stampede 300 years ago, Akitsu became unable to move.
- Because of this, the Mitsuho tribe attempted to expand toward the Shouro Empire in search of a magi craftman (magi smith), but Akitsu herself did not order the invasion.
- Even now, the Mitsuho tribe requires a magi smith to repair their ancient tools and magic tools.
- Akitsu's appearance consists of black eyes, black hair, soft features, and a skin tone similar to Jin's. If this was based on Shuuki Tsetse's instructions, there is a high possibility he originated from the same world as Jin, or one very close to it.
These were the facts they had confirmed. From here, the points were supplemented by interpolating the corrupted data.
- There are other consultant automata similar to Akitsu.
- It is possible those other automata possess knowledge that Akitsu does not.
- There is some kind of connection between the magus Shuuki Tsetse and the previous Magi Craft Meister, Adriana Barbora Tsetse.
That was the extent of it.
In addition to this, they could infer the role of a magi craftman in Mitsuho, Akitsu's duty, and the relationship between the Chief and Akitsu. However, the true identity of Shuuki Tsetse remained a mystery.
Laojun discussed the findings with Jin.
『The residents of Mitsuho are likely of the same ethnicity as the servant race that accompanied the demon race. That is why they cannot use magic.』
"That's likely it. And the magus and his disciple probably taught and guided them in various aspects of culture and civilization."
Elsa was, of course, participating in the discussion as well.
"...I think they probably created various tools and magic tools as part of that guidance. When those broke down, the people needed maintenance personnel, which is why they seek a magi engineer."
"Mother never spoke of such things, however..." Reiko added, recalling the past.
"Yeah, I haven't inherited any such information from the Predecessor either. I wonder if there's a reason for that..."
『Let us have John Dini continue to gather information. I believe more will come to light in time. It is dangerous to reach a conclusion based on such limited data.』
Jin agreed with Laojun's assessment.
"That's best. I'd like to get information from the other consultant automata as well."
Jin was personally interested in any information regarding the Predecessor, as well as anyone who might have come from his original world.
『Regarding that, My Lord, I have a request.』
"Hm? What is it?"
『Yes. I would like to request an upgrade to my processing capacity... specifically regarding my ability to manage multiple terminal avatars like John and Laozi simultaneously.』
"I see."
Jin was well aware that he tended to dump most of the more tedious tasks onto Laojun.
"Understood. I'll get to work on it right away."
『Thank you very much.』
Thus, the project for Laojun's further enhancement began.