The Meaning of Odysseus—the Interplanetary War Era’s Development Engineers—
「It’s no coincidence that Athena was defeated on Planet Libya, that Hephaestus’ remains are here, or that a Silhouette calling himself Arthur exists. And now, even Typhon is involved.」
「Exactly! It all seems a bit too convenient, doesn’t it? But maybe that’s just how this star system was designed—events like these were bound to happen. Including the fact that you’re piloting Unit 5.」
「So, it’s fate.」
Kou also believed that his connection with Unit 5 was inevitable. If what Asia said was true, then it could even be argued that Sophia had created a star system where fate played a significant role. That was about as much as he could comprehend.
「Shall we put the history lesson on hold? The… lingering will of Hephaestus. I’m not sure what to call it. Let’s talk to him.」
「Why not give it a name? Maybe it’ll awaken a new soul.」
「That possibility isn’t entirely out of the question. What would be a fitting name…? Polymetis! How about that?」
「What does it mean?」
「This adjective carries many meanings depending on whom it describes. It relates to overseeing multiple processes, imagination… and originally, cunning. It also means ‘of many devices.’ It was primarily used to describe both Hephaestus and Odysseus. In the Interplanetary War era, those who played the role of Development Engineers were called ‘Odysseus’ because of this.」
「So ‘Odysseus’ wasn’t just the name given to a traveler who overcame hardships—it was also the name given to those who oversee processes and devices!」
Kou hadn’t expected the conversation to lead to Development Engineers, but now it all made sense. He thought he should inform everyone in Ulysses about this revelation.
「The Odysseus, the Development Engineers during the Interplanetary War era, held an authority that others did not. That probably made them a target of envy.」
「I can see why. Without an Odysseus, even supply facilities wouldn’t function, right?」
「Exactly. The name also carries meanings related to scheming and unscrupulous lawyers. In mythology, that aspect is even more pronounced. Both Hephaestus and Odysseus were known for their cunning.」
「Odysseus—the man people love to hate.」
Kou had studied Odysseus and the Trojan War. He was a hero more renowned for his strategies than his skill in battle.
「Will these fragments accept the name?」
It was impossible to tell how much will remained in them. They looked nothing more than broken pillars.
「Hey, you all—no, the lingering will that was once Hephaestus. I, the super AI Asia, shall bestow a name upon you. From now on you shall be known as Polymetis.」
The scattered remnants began to flicker in various places.
「They’re pleased. Even as mere fragments, they can still interlink with each other. That means their processing power surpasses Astraea’s current capabilities. Impressive.」
「At that point, can we even call them ‘fragments’ anymore?」
Kou was astonished. If their processing capacity exceeded Astraea’s, then there was no doubt—they were ancient relics of great significance.
「And that’s why I named them Polymetis. Your idea, Kou—the logic that a name could grant a soul—was a good one.」
「I’m glad to hear that.」
If the remnants were pleased, that was all that mattered. They had a will of their own, and they had called out for them with purpose. In that case, they deserved a name—not as mere remains of Hephaestus, but as an entity in their own right.
The scattered rubble flickered and emitted faint sounds. Asia listened intently, as if attuning herself to their voice.
「Unit 5 is translating and relaying their words to me.」
Seeing Kou’s puzzled expression, Asia leaned forward from the back seat to explain.
「That’s all it takes for you to understand them?」
「Yes. They’ve shared quite a bit. Hephaestus’ will hasn’t perished. Like the smallest unit of matter—like atoms—it has always existed alongside human technology and human will.」
「You mean the Fennel OS?」
「Exactly. But it’s nowhere near the level of a super AI. Polymetis lacks the power to stop Typhon’s malice. It’s asking for help.」
「Hephaestus is…」
「In a way, the myths depict Hephaestus and Typhon as brothers. Because they were linked, one could be sealed away. Even in this form, that bond remains.」
「Wait, but Hephaestus was the son of Zeus and Hera, wasn’t he?」
Kou didn’t have a favorable impression of Zeus from Greek mythology. He had researched Hephaestus because of his connection to blacksmithing, and while he had mixed feelings about the god’s circumstances, he also suspected Zeus had terrible habits—especially when it came to women.
「Myths are often inconsistent due to being made of countless variations of stories. When Zeus suffered from a terrible headache, Hephaestus split his head open with a double-edged axe, and from it, Athena was born. Later, using this connection, Hephaestus asked Zeus for Athena’s hand in marriage, but that’s another tale. Jealous about Zeus giving birth to Athena, Hera gave birth to a child on her own. That child was Hephaestus. Zeus, a man, had given birth to the beautiful Athena, while Hera, a woman, had birthed the deformed Hephaestus. Enraged at the humiliation, Hera invoked the power of the Titans and gave birth to Typhon.」
「Greek mythology is… well…」
「You don’t have to say it—I know. And as you might expect, Hephaestus and Zeus didn’t always get along. There’s even a tale of Hephaestus being cast out of Olympus. Greek mythology has as many contradictions as Indian mythology. Various tribes and peoples stitched together convenient myths to borrow the authority of the gods. Zeus, often criticized for his womanizing, might be the greatest victim of that tendency.」
「So, claiming descent from the gods gave rulers more legitimacy?」
「Exactly. There are even myths about Hephaestus having a child with Athena, though not by blood. The legend says Gaia herself gave birth to the child, but Athena raised him. That child was a half-human being with the lower body of a snake. The fact that Athena, originally from ancient Libya, raised a child with such a form… doesn’t that seem meaningful to you?」
「There sure are a lot of snake-related myths.」
The power of Vritra was still somewhat of a trauma for Kou.
「Typhon is also considered an incarnation of a serpent. He was said to have a hundred snake heads growing from his shoulders and a lower body composed of venomous snakes.」
Asia seemed to be deep in thought before turning to question Polymetis.
「Polymetis, you’re the one suppressing Typhon, aren’t you? But the miasma is still spreading. What do you want us to do?」
The flickering lights intensified, growing vibrant and brilliant. It was a breathtaking sight—like a decayed temple bathed in an ethereal glow.
「I see. Yes, Kou is the only one who can do this.」
「Huh? There’s something only I can do?」
「Yes. Kou, you have the ability to reactivate this factory—Hepahestus’ Forge—and transform it into a new Silhouette Base—a subterranean factory in the depths of Planet Libya. That seems to be the wish of both Polymetis and Arthur. You’re listening too, aren’t you, Morgan?」
Asia called into the void, and Morgan’s avatar appeared.
「Indeed. Hephaestus-sama… No, now Polymetis-sama has seen everything. What is needed is unlimited Development Engineer privileges—the power to restart this factory that has lost its master. Only by achieving that we can restore Arthur, the Another-Level Silhouette.」
「The wish of Polymetis and the Factory Realm is to revive this forsaken ruin of a factory—to restore its purpose. And Arthur’s revival… that is your ultimate goal, and why you are with Kryptos, isn’t it, Morgan?」
「That is correct.」
「Restarting a factory like this… is that really something I can do?」
「You can. Arthur and the others have already set everything up. Honestly, he’s quite the strategist. Was he really just a Silhouette?」
Asia chuckled softly before revealing the method to Kou.
「It’s simple. You just need to register this entire location as Branch Avalon of BAS Corporation with Okeanos. The Development Engineers of BAS have already been contacted. All that’s left is for you, Kou, to submit the application.」
「W-Wait… When did all of this happen…?」
A second Silhouette Base and underground factory were about to be established on Planet Libya. It was something Kou had never even imagined—yet now, it was becoming reality.
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