Shadow of the Mastermind part 2
「You asked Okeanos?」
Astraea, who was still maintaining her projection in the room, perked up, her curiosity piqued. Even she rarely accessed Okeanos directly.
「Okeanos actually reached out to me directly, speaking into my mind. It was shocking. He even offered to help with the new organization.」
「Wait… Okeanos did?」
Asia was visibly shocked.
「Is it really that surprising to you, Asia?」
「Yes, it is. I’ve never heard of Okeanos speaking directly into someone’s mind. And Okeanos isn’t one to speak falsehoods. While Trireme is still being established, his support has already eliminated any delays. Even the operating funds—a staggering amount—have been secured. For Okeanos to go this far with financial backing is unprecedented.」
「Wait, isn’t Okeanos someone anyone can contact?」
「The only one who can contact him directly is probably the Director of the Mercenary Association Headquarters. While we can technically reach out to him, that person is too important for the likes of us to contact him casually. Okeanos only intervenes when absolutely necessary. Normally, he sticks strictly to his role as an overseer. This situation is an extraordinary exception.」
「…Oh.」
Kou couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease. Had he unwittingly done something inappropriate? Hearing even Asia describe Okeanos as an awe-inspiring entity was unsettling.
「Still, it’s clear Okeanos must harbor his own concerns about the current state of the Mercenary Association Headquarters. Our main directive is to respect human will. If Okeanos intended to decide everything himself, the Stones wouldn’t even exist.」
「You’re right. I think Okeanos was waiting for humans to rise up and take action.」
The identity of the mysterious figure influencing Kou remained unclear, but one thing was certain—someone, or something, was actively supporting Kou’s stance and intentions.
「It seems I’ve been dancing in the palm of someone’s hand, but with Okeanos denying involvement, I don’t have any clue who could it be.」
「So it’s neither Okeanos nor Prometheus, huh? If it were Eirene, Astraea would know.」
「It’s not Eirene, I’ve already checked. I just finished interrogating her.」
「I really wonder who this mastermind could be, words just seemed to spill out of me, but it’s not like I’m possessed or anything.」
It wasn’t like Asia’s connection to Aimer either—Kou was certain of that. What had happened felt different. It was as though someone had given form to the thoughts he couldn’t express, the frustration he couldn’t bear, and the aspirations he couldn’t articulate. He felt the presence of a will—something intangible, yet deeply connected to his soul.
「Well, there’s no point dwelling on it. What matters now is how many people we can gather.」
「We can easily match the amount the Mercenary Association Headquarters offers. Want to go for it?」
「No, I don’t think we need to. I believe everyone will cooperate regardless.」
「That’s undoubtedly true.」
「It’s a staggering amount, sure, but do you think a lot of people will fight us for that amount of money?」
「The Mercenary Association may have kept too much of their assets dormant. Right now, Okeanos is increasing currency circulation to sustain the ongoing war, so it’s fair to say we’re in a mild inflation compared to pre-war times.」
Asia acknowledged Kou’s point. Offering one million mina per individual was a large sum, but for mercenaries currently under Metal Iris, it wasn’t an unattainable figure. Depending on the results of the campaign, it was well within reach.
During the time Asia had been sealed, the scale of battles had been small, leading to a deflationary trend. The value of goods had decreased, and currency flow in the market was minimal, signaling an economic contraction.
This issue had been exacerbated by the Mercenary Association Headquarters hoarding antique Silhouettes and high-performance units. These assets were preserved rather than consumed, further stagnating the market and limiting circulation.
The Asia War had driven massive wartime consumption, prompting Okeanos to increase the money supply in response.
「Right now, the most motivated actors are the defense systems of each facility, even without Familias, they’re working to establish a state of readiness to fight to the end.」
The defensive systems, along with manufacturing facilities that now regarded the Mercenary Association’s space fleet as hostile, had begun producing colossal anti-ship missiles. Even the structures within the P336 Fortress Area were tirelessly preparing for enemy elimination. Road signs capable of slicing tanks in half bristled with energy, as if eager for battle.
「That’s reassuring. They’ve always been there to help us. I’m late, but please convey my gratitude to them.」
「I will. But you know, this is all thanks to you, Kou. By advocating for the recognition of Artifact Consciousness and accepting them as allies regardless of whether they qualify as Telema AIs, you’ve made this possible.」
「I only said what I thought from the beginning.」
The machines had synchronized their efforts with humanity’s steps, a relationship exemplified by the Silhouettes themselves.
「By the way, Astraea, how much longer are you planning to stay projected like this? I could use your help, you know.」
Asia seeing that Astraea didn’t show any signs of detaching herself from Kou, scolded her with a hint of irritation—she was jealous.
「My apologies. Then, Kou, it’s time for me to bid you farewell in this form for now.」
「Thank you, Astraea.」
Astraea’s demeanor had shifted subtly, becoming noticeably softer. While Kou could sense that many things were happening beyond his understanding, he couldn’t quite put his finger on what they were.
He also failed to notice Aimer watching him with a somewhat exasperated expression.
The man who had done the unprecedented and had called a super AI like Astraea ‘his woman ’ was still as dense as ever.
Shadow of the Mastermind part 2
To adjust the armaments of Unit 5, Voy began working with Arges.
「Hm?」
Voy paused, feeling a faint sense of unease.
「Unit 5… Did you just laugh?」
The Silhouette, of course, had no mouth. Its head was merely tilted downward slightly.
For a fleeting moment, though, Voy could have sworn that Unit 5 was bowing its head, stifling a laugh.
「Was it just my imagination? Come to think of it, Kou mentioned that Unit 5 lowered its head slightly when they first met. Maybe it’s just a quirk of the machine?」
Voy shook off the thought. A Silhouette laughing? Impossible. Refocusing, he resumed his maintenance work.
「Voy, I need to talk to you about something.」
Arges, the single-eyed maintenance robot came closer to Voy.
「What is it, Arges?」
「You’re tuning Unit 5 for assault flight mode, right? I just got this… well, I hesitate to call it a ‘modification plan.’ It’s more of a list of numbers, from an unknown sender. I decided to interpret it and turn it into a workable proposal. Want to take a look?」
「A list of numbers? And explanations, I assume?」
「Yes. They’re derived from Kou’s combat data. It includes a material list and calculations of the potential benefits. I’ve refined it into a more concrete proposal.」
「An unknown sender, huh? That’s concerning. But there aren’t many who’d have access to Kou’s combat data and the ability to send something directly to you, Arges. Let’s see it.」
Voy climbed down to stand next to Arges, reviewing the proposed blueprint. He was left speechless.
「This… this is exactly what Kou needs right now! Damn, Arges, you’ve outdone yourself! I owe you one. I’m heading out to propose this—or rather, call a strategy meeting!」
「I’ll leave it to you.」
Voy, usually slow-moving and deliberate, became a flurry of activity. When a bear moves in earnest, it moves fast.
「Well, has everyone gone now?」
The maintenance room was quiet, filled only with the hum of machinery. Most of the crew were preoccupied with transferring to the Trireme.
「Even the fabrication machines are fully motivated. I must do my part as well. He even went so far as to call me ‘Father’, after all. The name Arges was bestowed upon me by him too. In honor of my father, Hephaestus, who crafted the original Cyclopes, I will give my utmost. Everyone, lend me your strength for the sake of my son.」
The optical sensors of the machinery around him lit up simultaneously, radiating a sense of determination. Their collective energy was palpable, inspired by the memory of their first encounter with Kou. He had walked alone through the vast ship, speaking kindly to the machines as he passed. Under Arges’ command, the machines had now pushed their operational efficiency to its limits, diligently producing everything needed for the coming battles.
Arges moved to stand before Unit 5.
「I have a question for you. You Silhouettes… your core operating system, Fennel, is said to be a fragment of my father Hephaestus’s will. But you… you are different. There’s something undeniably distinct about you.」
Unit 5 remained motionless, its head tilted slightly downward, as though listening. Of course, it made no response.
「Kou’s change… who influenced him, if not Okeanos or Prometheus? What being could act so subtly, evading even Prometheus, the observer? The super AIs must be searching for the shadow of the mastermind in their own way. I don’t know if they will find the mastermind soon, but they would have an easier time if they searched for the ‘silhouette’ of the mastermind instead of its shadow.」
Arges spoke gently, almost affectionately, to Unit 5. There was no accusation in his tone.
「What concepts did you learn, study, and emulate? What did Takaba Hyoue engrave into you? And then there’s Kou’s change— when his soul resonated with you and activated Prometeus Fire, the flame manifested as indomitable resolve. No one has noticed that Kou’s change was brought by his resonance with you. Naturally, they wouldn’t. After all, a Silhouette isn’t supposed to do such things.」
Arges was trying to communicate with Unit 5.
「At least under normal circumstances. I don’t think that you have a soul or the soul of a great being descended upon you. It’s more likely that you’ve developed a pseudo-advanced consciousness. Perhaps you started to develop it during your learning process, but that’s beyond my understanding—and frankly, not my concern.」
Arges delved into an extensive database and reached a conclusion. His search didn’t take long, as it connected to the electric blade, the Arkblade, modeled after a Japanese katana that Kou had helped design.
「Kou believes someone is influencing him. But no—that’s not the case. Rather, it’s the reverse. Kou’s inner anger—his buried emotions—resonated with the motif you are based on. The depths of Kou’s soul awakened you. Unless one understands this, they won’t arrive at the mastermind, they won’t grasp who you are. Kou’s change and all that happened lately isn’t the work of external forces—it’s born from Kou’s own will.」
Arges, the ancient being that had observed the planet since its earliest days of colonization, was closer to the truth than anyone.
「Silhouettes were named like this because they are machines that reflect the will of their pilot like a shadow cast by their intent. It’s not because they are humanoid weapons. The origin of the name has long been forgotten, this ability to reflect their pilot’s will is what enables them to do precise and adaptive coordination of complex movements and thoughts.」
The massive machine before him stood motionless, like a statue, its towering form imposing. It didn’t respond.
「Let’s change the topic. Let’s talk about Kou’s homeland. There was once a man who brought about great upheaval. It is said that the chaos began when the powers of the time sought to punish someone who had protected and cared for the weak. That man shielded the protector, giving them refuge. This man himself was known for protecting the weak—farmers, women, and others unable to defend themselves.」
Arges analyzed the situation.
「Should I call it the Land of Bando, or the Eight Provinces? The idea of fighting for the oppressed, of striving for independence on their behalf—that seems to align with the concept you’re emulating. I’ve also heard that the early models of the Lanius series were inspired by the North Star and the man who embodied it. There’s even a legend that this man conceptualized the curvature of the Japanese sword.」
Arges narrowed his single eye as he gazed at Unit 5.
「That man lost. He couldn’t rally enough troops, yet he fought valiantly at the frontlines until the end. Even after death, his will to fight terrified the ruling powers of the time. For over a thousand years, he was feared. And yet, the people revered him, even in death.」
Arges continued speaking, fully aware there would be no response.
「No answer? That’s fine. You’ve created a counterforce, something to stand against the powers of the time, protecting those who were oppressed. That fire you awakened within Kou—that’s its essence. And this time, it seems to be succeeding. No, it must succeed. You’ve done well, haven’t you? Outwardly, you’ve done nothing at all.」
A faint shift. Arges caught the subtle change in Unit 5’s stance, almost imperceptible.
「Are you enjoying this? Don’t laugh too much—you’ll give yourself away.」
Of course, no laughter echoed within the factory.
Arges stepped away from Unit 5. No one else would have noticed, but he had caught the faintest of movements.
Unit 5 had lowered its head even further. Its stance could be interpreted as stifling laughter—or as that of a warrior eagerly anticipating the next battle.
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