Chapter 644: She Asks, She Questions, He Unravels

『Splendid, you pass the first test, Sunraku. You managed to break through that gimmick head-on. That serves as nothing less than proof that you, the bearers of the next generation, already possess the power to fight and survive.』

"I'm pretty much a regular at bloodbaths and eleventh-hour gambles. If they gave out point cards for them, mine would be full by now."

『I shall praise you once more... Splendid. In the past, humanity sought to produce the "individual" from the "collective," but when the strongest of humanity vanished, it all faded away like foam on the water.』

...I have a feeling that the "strongest of humanity" Ivory is talking about and the person I just pictured in my head are one and the same.

『But you who live in the present are striving to become a "collective" of "individuals"... Splendid. It seems the three thousand years since the Divine Age are beginning to yield fine results.』

"Is that so?"

I can think of a few people with incredibly vicious personalities, and besides, doesn't it mean nothing if I'm the only one producing fine results? That's what I thought, but as long as she's satisfied, I guess it's fine.

"So? What are the clear conditions for this layer?"

『A written test.』

"a wrtiten tset."

Suddenly this cyber-apron-wearing AI starts talking like we're in school. A written test? Forcing me to study for a test inside a game, what kind of new torture is this?

『The passing condition is a score of 80 or above. This layer serves as a sort of reference room, so you may freely browse the materials until you "submit" your answers.』

"So basically, it's an open-book test where we can look at the textbook while solving it."

『Correct. Furthermore, clearing this layer... will also allow you to take certain materials out with you.』

Taking materials out, huh.

As I casually operated the installed console, I spotted a wonderful phrase among the available reading materials: "Draft Design for Improved Alloy Aptitude Screening Device." The moment I saw that, I became acutely aware of a sudden surge in motivation to clear this written test.

"Alright, time to increase our manpower."

Come forth, Saina! It's time to show off your intelligence!!

"........."

"What's wrong?"

Normally, she'd hit me with a smug look and say something like, "Relying on this unit's intelligence... an optimal judgment," but... right now, Saina is unusually quiet. And somehow, she looks almost bewildered... no, the emotion seems a bit different.

"Confirmation: We are currently inside the Bahamut 3rd Ship Behemoth, correct?"

『What a nostalgic face. Elma Model... Unit 317, is it?』

"Tch!"

"What, you two know each other?"

『Naturally. The Conquering DollsConquista Dolls are a technology born right here in Behemoth. And... the one who developed them alongside Andrew Jitterdoll was none other than this "Ivory."』

Oh man, Big Mother didn't just dabble in the human species, but even had a hand in making dolls?

However, despite this sudden parental appearance, Saina's reaction was less than stellar. She didn't look happy, nor did she look confused... she simply fell silent with a pained expression. Which is a rather bizarre reaction.

『Progress updates on the Reconquista Project are relayed through Leviathan and delivered here to Behemoth. The recovery of Divine Age civilization items to ensure the progression of the next-generation civilization is not distorted... and cooperation with the Second Humanity species... Yes, yes. The fact that you exist in that form was Andrew's greatest, most earnest wish. Even though you were among the lowest of the low as bearers of humanity... Andrew is surely rejoicing in the shadows of the grave.』

"...Query: This unitI requests a Q&A session with the Behemoth AI 'Ivory'."

『Permission granted.』

Come to think of it, perhaps this was meant to be a major event scene for the character known as Conquista DollSaina.

During the battle against Orchestra, she experienced a mysterious malfunction. Orchestra created a copy of me, but completely ignored Saina. What criteria was Orchestra using to make its copies? Was it first-come, first-served? Or... was it based on whether the entity was biological or not?

Saina's favorite catchphrase... yes, Intelligence. Not intellect, but intelligence. Objects do not harbor intelligence.

Because of that, the question Saina asked—with anxiety and skepticism painted across her face in a most un-doll-like manner—was a development that, to mea gamer, felt incredibly familiar.

"Question: Are Conquista Dolls incapable of being considered a human species? Is the personality of this unitme... nothing more than a parameter confined within the limits of a person from the pastElma Sakishima?"

The words she squeezed out to ask her mother... were asking whether Conquista Dolls were objectsThings, or peopleThings.

In other words, it was the heavily worn-out, trope-filled dream of an electric sheep from countless stories questioning whether a robot could possess a soul.

"What is Saina-san talking about, desu wa?"

"Just watch. Depending on what 'Ivory' says in response, I might have to break some bones."

"Bones!?"

It's a metaphor, idiot. Still, considering she's called the Elma Model, I knew there had to be an original person named Elma... but I never expected to find out like this. Elma Sakishima... what an obviously Japanese-sounding surname.

But Saina's condition is deadly serious. Regarding her identity, Orchestra maintained absolute silenceNo Comment. And now, the doll was questioning "Ivory," the one who claimed to have had a hand in the birth of the Conquista Dolls. She was asking if these very anxieties and doubts she felt were nothing more than a programmed "response" based on the personality of Elma Sakishima...!!

『Andrew... what a man you were.』

A sigh directed at a person who was no longer here.

That was Ivory's response.

"........."

『I shall be blunt. Elma=317, that emotion you are feeling is a "bug."』

"...A bug."

"Hey, 'Ivory'..."

『The Reconquista Project is, at its core, a project to create tools designed to closely assist the human species. While a large portion of it incorporates Andrew Jitterdoll's personal hobbies... your appearance, your personality, all of it is nothing more than a function designed to secure an advantageous direction in your interactions with the next generation of primitive humanity.』

Saina's expression froze. After all, what Ivory had just said was an absolute denial of the Conquista Dolls' identity.

I see? So that's the route we're taking? Well, if that's how it is, I have an idea. I'll leak this information to the hardcore Conquista Doll fanboys and organize a protest—a ridiculously annoying leak...! And I wouldn't mind smuggling out some weapons to arm them for it, either. Ivory tusks sell for quite a high price on the market...!!

"A function... I, see. This unit underst—"

『I am not finished speaking, Elma=317. I am not exasperated by your words. This is exasperation directed entirely at that unparalleled, colossal idiot known as Andrew Jitterdoll.』

Sunraku, Ivory called out to me right as I was about to execute the final stages of my protest plan.

"What is it?"

『How do you view Elma=317? As a tool? Or as...』

"Sorry, but I don't give a damn about the species of the person I'm talking to. Whether it's a tentacle monster or a gelatinous lifeform, if they can think for themselves, I'll team up with anybody. If we can exchange a little banterConversation Event, even better."

A gamer will team up with the devil and pick a fight with God. The only thing that matters is whether you can put them in your party, and whether a target marker appears over their head.

『Then take Elma=317 and aim for the Eighth Layer. You, who have formed a contract with a Conquista Doll, should be able to open the path to his laboratory.』

"So you finally spilled the beans, 'Ivory'... The Eighth Layer? Perfect. I don't know how many thousands of years you've been waiting, but don't go complaining when we clear it in a single day, got it?"

『Fufufu, I won't go easy on you, Sunraku... One of my beloved children. Unravel the Divine Age, and surpass it.』

What do you mean "unravel"? I'll untie the whole damn thing and use it as a jump rope.

Author's Afterword

Andrew Jitterdoll, he holds all the answers.