Chapter 271: Artificial Intelligence Operations (1)

Chapter 271: Artificial Intelligence Operations (1)

At the eldest daughter Johannas mansion.

She had received the USB recording directly from Bell Moore himself. There was a risk that the information could have leaked during the transfer.

It was quite a private and top-secret matter.

Johanna fiddled with the USB.

Bell Moore, who had delivered it, had already left, and Johanna had listened to the conversation.

'That I harbor feelings for Lady Johanna, thats precisely why I cannot be by her side.

She couldn't understand those words from Shion, but now she was somewhat certain.

This man likes her.

More than Zia, more than Derek, more than Jade.

It must be a rational emotion.

So, does that mean, like Beckman, he cannot stay by her side to not stray from his duty?

Or does it mean he will forcibly give up those feelings?

Either way, its a curious situation.

For Shion, that man, and for Johanna herself.

...How strange."

Every time she thought of him, Johanna felt an unfamiliar emotion. An unknown feeling that made her heart flutter. A nagging sensation that kept churning her insides. It was hard to bear, and she didn't want to bear it...

Johanna looked up at the ceiling of her office.

"You would be better off by my side too.

His face floated into her mind against that blank canvas of white.

If only you had met me first instead of Zia...

Indeed, it was an extremely frustrating situation.

[Edsilla General Election D-7]

Its the election season with just one week left until the general election.

The TV is broadcasting the latest poll results, and my phone rings a dozen times a day with calls asking whom I support.

[Poll Results: Ludeniel 73%]

[Poll Results: Ken 56%]

Ludeniel, who received my consulting, is almost certain to be elected.

On the other hand, Ken Petra is also a strong candidate.

Thus, the corruption of Petra exposed by Elise herself has not had a significant impact on the trend.

Ken Petra will win reelection to his Senator position, and thats just how the world works.

[In other news, a test video of the artificial intelligence developed by Everett Corporation has been released.]

...Huh?

Everett. Thats the company Vern belongs to, the one Derek wants to beat to a pulp. Currently, its the leading mega-corporation on the continent.

"Artificial intelligence... its already that time.

Verns artificial intelligence was quite an event

The Al developed by Everett Corporation was impressive in itself, and there were conspiracy theories about its background.

The story was simple.

They captured human souls with magic, overwrote them, and used them for artificial intelligence.

Even more astonishingly, this turned out to be somewhat true.

Everett had purchased souls from terminally ill patients families for a hefty sum to create their Al.

From what I heard, it sounds crazy, but most patients agreed to it, didnt they?

"Derek will make his move now.

From now on, Derek will jump into the race as a latecomer in artificial intelligence.

Everett Corporation paid a proper amount to the terminally ill, but Derek indiscriminately used the souls of homeless people or those without next of kin. He gave full authority to a mad scientist' who made this possible.

That guy is probably still the head researcher at Libra.

...Now."

The future of Libra, under Dereks hand, is about to begin in earnest.

Lets kill the bastards who need to be killed."

I flashed a faint smile and called Grawl.

Grawl. Find me someone who fits the criteria.

What I have to do now is simple.

Ill become someone else for a while and join Dereks Al team.

There are so many people on this continent who take their own lives. Most of them have no family, no relatives, no friends, or if not that, no money.

Stress, as much as loneliness, is a great enemy of humananity.

The name is Killian. Graduated from the Edsilla National Universitys Department of Robotics.

Anyway.

I asked Grawl to find me a suitable person.

To infiltrate, or rather to openly join as a researcher at Libra.

"He was a national university graduate and he died?

Yes. He threw himself into the Deme River due to depression about three months ago.

I looked around the tiny one-room apartment.

The only furniture was a desk, a chair, and a desktop computer. He didn't seem to have any particular hobbies.

"What about the death report?"

He had no family! He lived as a recluse and knew no one! They havent even been able to find the body to hold a funeral. You could just say he barely managed to swim out alive- and the shock made him lose some memory- That excuse should work.

I read the file again.

Name Killian Trama. Graduate of Edsilla National Universitys Department of Robotics. No family. Hardly any friends. 6 feet and 3 inches. 165 pounds.

The face... wasnt ugly, but famished.

Is there a video?"

Just a moment! Ill send it to you!

Soon, a video was sent to my phone.

It was footage from the national universitys graduation ceremony.

I scrutinized his face and then applied Infimian to my face to match his as closely as possible.

...How is it?

Its similar! But what about the rest of the specs?

I would have preferred someone with a background in computer science or something related to artificial intelligence, but there was no one who fit the criteria.

Itll be tough to get hired without any career related to artificial intelligence.

Its fine.

I looked in the mirror. Thi/s chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.co/m

I have something akin to artificial intelligence."

I smiled contentedly, still as Killian.

Trick City, Akanes [Selfless Coffin].

I visited her for the first time in a month.

"Phew. My friend is still here.

Akanes storage. Inside a glass tank, a navy mass was fluttering.

An old friend.

A bit of a stretch to call it a friend, but anyway.

Why, its the spirit that once tried to take over my body.

"Yes. We were also skeptical about this but take a look.

A subordinate placed a laptop on Gedleys table. Gedley put down the report and looked at the screen.

Inside a glass tank, a dark blue fluid mass shimmered.

[Deep Mind. If you can hear my voice, twinkle blue for me.]

A mans voice, presumably Killians, spoke to the mass inside the tank.

[Twinkle-twinkle-]

Deep Mind twinkled. Gedley crossed his arms with a skeptical expression.

Again, Killian asked.

"Then, can you help me with my work?

[Twinkle-twinkle-]

"Good. Take a look at this.

With that, he attached a sheet of paper with a formula to the tank.

"Can you help me calculate this Magic Spell?

"PffL Thats ridiculous-

Gedley chuckled dismissively, but in the very next moment.

Magic power swirled faintly within the tank.

[Twinkle-twinkle-]

Deep Mind wielded mana like a pen.

Swoosh-swoosh-

The calculations for the formula materialized in mid-air.

Gedley was momentarily at a loss for words.

Its an artificial intelligence woven with Magic Spells, said a subordinate. Gedley fiddled with his chin for no reason.

. It looks impressive, but its hard to believe. Did Shion Ascal verify this himself?"

"We're not sure about that, but its not too late for us to check it out ourselves."

Gedley nodded.

Issue an investigation."

Trilling Trilling

I looked at the incoming call on my phone. It was an unknown number, but I had a rough idea of who it might be.

Trilling Trilling

I waited a bit before answering the call.

"Yes, hello?"

Is this Dr. Killian?

Hmm?"

I leaned back in my chair without a word.

This place was Killians studio apartment.

It was a bit uncomfortable to come to a dead mans house and pretend to be him, but well.

Im building him a career.

And while Im at it, I might as well do some good for the world.

Is it not?

Gedleys subordinate asked again.

I cleared my throat with a Ahem- and replied.

"Yes, this is Killian. What can I do for you?

Yes, Dr. Killian. My name is Jason from Libra Office.

Another title for the doctor, huh? Killian wasn't even a master, let alone a doctor.

"Yes."

We at the office have been reviewing your blog, Dr. Killian.

"Blog, you say.

I drawled, feigning nonchalance.

Deep Mind, to be precise.

The other party, Jason, spoke first

A smirk played at the corner of my mouth.

"Ah, Deep Mind.

Yes. We are currently conducting research on artificial intelligence at Libra, and we reached out because we need your assistance, Dr. Killian.

Is there something I can help you with?

Of course. Could you come to the company and show us Deep Mind?

I looked at the tank on the desk, and the twinkling creature inside it.

Ive been suffering from severe depression lately, so Id rather not go out Could you possibly come here instead?

Of course. Our HR team will head there right away.

"The HR team?"

Yes. We can adjust the time if you wish-

"No."

I shook my head.

"You can come right away. I dont have anything else to do anyway."

Understood. Thank you, Doctor. We'll see you shortly.

Jason hung up immediately, and I tilted my head in wonder.

. Right away?

Right away.

The word right away' felt a bit odd, and just as I was pondering this.

Knock-knock-

There was indeed a knock on the door almost immediately. I stood up.

Dr. Killian, are you there?

Suddenly, my brow furrowed.

It's the HR team from Libra Office.

It wasn't for no reason that the voice seeping in from outside the door sounded familiar.

It meant I knew the person.

"Could it be,

I slowly approached and grasped the doorknob.

Are you there?

"Yes. I am.

I answered and opened the door.

And

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Killian.

I saw her face.

Im Riley, the HR manager from Libra Office."

The insider that Vancheon had planted in Libra, and a friend of Bell Moore and Shion Ascal.

Riley.

"Are you surprised? I was actually waiting right outside.

With her purple long hair tied up like a horse's tail, she extended a hand for a handshake, offering a businesslike smile to Killian.