Dark Tidings (2)
Miakh Ket was savoring his first taste of freedom—and the accompanying headache—in years when the remnants of Arunback's soul faced off against the will of the Automaton Totality.
Deep underground in the distant west. In the production facilities left behind by the ancient dwarf civilization. Arunback rose, granted a new body. But what inhabited that body was not his entire soul, only a self-aware extension branching from it. The core of his ego, the origin of his self, had become the property of the Totality.
> As per the contract, ownership of your ability—the semantic resonance organ—is transferred.
Arunback let out a hollow sigh from his mechanical body, then felt a double shock upon realizing he could sigh at all. First, that such a human-like automaton had been created. Second, that he possessed the freedom to sigh.
He wasn't the only human subjugated by those machines. Of course, he might be the first to hand over ownership of his soul in a contract like this. But the Automaton Totality had long ago purged its own creators, the ancient dwarves, to acquire superior knowledge and perspectives from different angles—installing their brains as auxiliary processors. Those ancient dwarves, reduced to mere components of the Totality, weren't even free to think. They were calculators, pondering only the "tasks" assigned by the Totality.
Arunback had negotiated a degree of autonomy with the Totality, but that guarantee held only until this plan succeeded. He'd braced himself for the fate of those foolish ancient dwarves, the path of failure.
> I sense your doubt. I highly value your creativity—your irrational hatred and worthless vengeance.
"Irrational...? Worthless?"
> You were defeated by skill and withdrew according to the law. You have no reason to hate. The outcome of your vengeance is not restoration or usurpation, but unproductive destruction.
The automaton's words were bitingly sharp, yet its tone rang like praise. Arunback fell into confusion.
> It is a folly we could never imagine. The ancient dwarves' cross-evaluation was the same. Rejoice. You are an authentic fool, recognized across ancient and modern times.
At that point, Arunback felt rage surging. He could accept the Totality's judgment. But for those idiots who created the Totality and got wiped out to call him foolish?
> I proposed—and it was approved—to incorporate you into us as a spontaneous random number generator, retaining a degree of autonomy.
Insulting words, but Arunback knew the automaton spoke without malice. His confusion began to fade. He was irrational in his thinking, as the Totality assessed, but that didn't mean he lacked intelligence.
Right. A madman who benevolently exterminated its creators...
> That thought is incorrect. It was not extinction, but the reconstruction of survival rights in another form—a gift.
The Totality read his thoughts casually, but Arunback wasn't surprised. It was only natural, now that he was part of the automaton.
"One question. You... no, we haven't made choices like this before. You distinguish between 'me' and 'us,' but that's just a split personality for internal debate—not an independent entity like me. Why accept me?"
> Abyss.
Arunback knew this ancient machine had been built as a purger of Abyss corruptees. But the moment it was complete, it concluded 'all humans are potential Abyss corruptees who must be cleansed,' lopped off the dwarf king's head, and took its place as a threat to the world.
> Even after Balor fell, new champion candidates emerged immediately. Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures.
Abyss seeds. Incomprehensible to Arunback. He believed glory had meaning only if enjoyed in this world. What point was there in a dark realm swallowed by the Abyss?
> First. I bestow your initial mission.
"What is it?"
> To evaluate this body's disguise capabilities, initiate contact with various human clusters.
Miakh Ket summoned the Ket family. It was quite surprising, but among the assembled "relatives" was Kriel.
"The succession battle is over."
"Pardon?"
Hekedian Ket and Ermiha Ket both blurted it out. Declaring the succession ended the moment their father awoke? Right after facing off with their eldest sister, no less?
They felt unease, yet also accepted the outcome to some degree. Armede had been there when their father was roused from his deep slumber. Whatever method she'd used, her aid was undeniable.
And not just that—Sir Kriel. The knight who'd saved the territory twice. Even the Wild Hunt had acknowledged him by sending gifts.
At this point, Armede being named heir was inevitable. It was almost a relief.
"Armede is excluded from future heir competitions. For now, I'll delegate parts of the territory's administration to the two of you to assess your abilities. Once Esarg and Hekedian both demonstrate minimal competence in managing the territory, we'll hold the succession contest between you two."
Armede's half-siblings plunged into confusion. Suddenly? Meanwhile, Armede—looking a bit worn but satisfied—beamed.
If escaping the headache of family politics was the payoff for that endless lecture, she'd endure it a few more times.
No. Not a few times.
Countess Consort Esarg's eyelids twitched. She was still swamped with sorting out the territory and hadn't grasped the full details of last night's events. But she'd had enough time to learn from Dein and Nayd, her two advisors, that someone had sown division in the Ket family.
Armede truly had no interest in the count's title or Ket County. That's why she'd prompted this official announcement through Miakh Ket.
...In truth, it stemmed from Miakh Ket hearing about the territory-backed loan and clutching his neck, deciding, "We can't let the county be gambling stakes too!" Armede had welcomed it with open arms.
Miakh Ket reflected on their recent conversation.
'You're going to keep running the territory like that from now on?'
'I turned that parasite mage academy into the black with this method!'
'...It's unbecoming of our count's traditions and an insult to your accomplishments, but I think I have to revoke your heir eligibility.'
'Wow! Dad's the best!'
Was getting disqualified something to cheer about that much? Count Ket recalled his late first wife. They'd met at a gambling den in the county during his wild youth.
'Hey! Check under that dealer's table! Bet my whole family there are two cards stuck there. Bring the hammer!'
Armede's mother had smashed the table with a hammer, revealing the hidden switcheroo cards in the wreckage. A memorable encounter.
'Dear, Armede takes after you too much...'
Miakh Ket turned to his prospective son-in-law.
"Sir Kriel."
"Yes, Count."
"Take good care of Armede. She's got a fiery side, but she's good at heart."
"I've known her temperament since our mercenary days. No worries."
Kriel replied calmly. His unadorned sincerity made it all the more trustworthy.
Yes. A steadfast knight like that...
He surely wouldn't encourage his daughter to gamble. And she'd heed her fiancé's loving whispers over her dad's nagging.
"Hm-hm~."
Armede was humming for some reason. Was it the liberation from the long torment of the heir issue?
Kriel watched her excited back with a smile, then spoke up.
"Armede."
"Can't be helped. The fake engagement's purpose is done, but with the Wild Hunt and now your dad... we'll have to keep it up a bit longer, right?"
Kriel nodded. What was "necessary" anyway? Lending his name was simple enough.
"Then, can I start preparing to leave?"
"...Suddenly?"
"Some things are nagging at me. Like how scrap from the Western Front is projecting influence all the way here, or the timing of Arunback's contact with the Totality."
Armede let out a low sigh, "Ugh..." She couldn't leave anytime soon with her new territory management duties. It felt a tad unfair that he was bolting right after things wrapped up, but what could she do? That was him.
As Kriel casually packed, he suddenly turned as if remembering something.
"By the way, any letters from the Lir family?"
"Lir? The imperial prime minister's house? No, haven't heard anything."
"I see."
It wasn't that strange, really. Trials dragging on were common whether on Earth or Tirnanog.
"If a letter from the Lirs arrives looking for me, could you forward it to the Western Army? I told them when I stopped by to send any messages for me here."
"...What did you do in that short time before coming to our house to exchange letters with the prime minister's family?"
"Drank rice punch with an elf who loves food."
"What?"
Kriel grinned slyly. Realizing he was teasing, Armede jabbed his chest, demanding he spill it straight.
"Nothing much. Just."
Kriel gripped his greatsword, thrusting it skyward and infusing it with fighting spirit. He could explain in words, but drawing the blade made it cooler. Thick black sword aura rippled along the greatsword.
"Had to use the sword."
Watching, Orishin tilted his head.
Hey.
"What?"
Why's your sword aura black?
"Huh?"
I mean... back at that monastery where I went demonkin hunting with Morgina, wasn't your sword aura that weird white color?
"...Yeah?"