Story Reader / Collab / Blazing Simulacrum / Story
The Dream
Nighttime, in the Craftsman's workshop.
A shadowy figure appears behind the Craftsman.
What are you doing?
Hmm... I'm watching the stars.
This isn't a metaphor or anything; I'm literally just watching the stars.
The Craftsman is adjusting an old optical telescope, seemingly cobbled together from whatever materials she could find.
With such a... primitive tool?
In the history of many civilizations, these were the first eyes gazing into the cosmos.
It's simple, crude... but fascinating.
You can only see a silhouette of the universe.
Just a silhouette, but it's enough to mark a "beginning."
Don't you think we've reached the "end" long ago?
"End" and "beginning" are just two knots on the same string for us.
From here to there, from there to here, it's all the same.
So, how do we define which is the "beginning" and which is the "end"?
In a way, "starry sky" is such a narrow yet expansive concept.
Stars are like mirrors, reflecting the eyes that gaze upon them.
This one, that one... and that one over there, what are they called in your world?
Ursa Major alpha, beta, and gamma.
Ursa Major... So it's named after the shape it forms?
Exactly.
Pfft, haha... really? That's quite amusing.
Here, they remain unnamed, but I suppose it's only a matter of time.
Even with different "beginnings," the "end" we reach will not change.
If we follow your analogy, that would be a dead end.
Perhaps.
You seem quite fond of this "planet."
I suppose? The patterns of its basic particles are fascinating, and they easily entangle.
It's like a gacha machine; even if you know what's inside, you still look forward to what the next shake will bring.
Sometimes it does bring a bit of "trouble" though...
Her "drifting" this far is somewhat of a "miracle."
Yeah, and it has added to my workload.
For "us," it is but a moment.
But now I'm just speaking for "me."
Would you like me to help?
Are you always this eager to help?
Like you said, just fixing some minor "errors."
No need, I've solved most of the issues. The rest... I think it's okay to leave them as they are.
Do you think doing so will give birth to "unknowns"?
That's what we crave the most, isn't it?
The blue-haired Construct removes her connector and sits up from the experience pod.
How does it feel, Lesti?
I think it's fine.
The external readings show no anomalies, and based on the materials you submitted earlier, I believe the risk of safety hazards is negligible.
With this, the Control Court's work is essentially done. Given the precedent set by "Hamlet", the document approval should be quick.
What do you think, Miss Leonie?
Ishmael offers a polite smile, inquiring of the technician from the World Government Association of Art beside her.
The girl known as "Leonie", who had been idly observing the bustling researchers in the lab, snaps back to reality at the sound of her name.
Ah... um, sorry, I was a bit lost in thought.
So, the machine is fine? Phew... that's a relief. I thought we were going to encounter another bizarre issue.
Miss Leonie, let's set this aside for the moment. We've clearly marked the issues with your previously rejected technical applications.
For instance, your last proposal for a "Giant Space Combat Humanoid Mecha with a Single-Pilot Cockpit"... How could we possibly approve your request to use the Engineering Force's resources for something like that?!
And your applications manage to overflow the Science Council and Engineering Force's mailboxes every month; the Control Court has received complaints from them more than once.
Though unrelated to this review, I suggest you consider the feasibility of your projects more carefully next time you write an application!
The typically jovial Lesti takes on a rare serious tone, highlighting just how much of a nuisance Leonie can be for the Control Court, which is responsible for reviewing all matters.
Sigh... your words sound exactly like those old fogeys from the Council, always saying no to this and that, like they're allergic to anything interesting.
Old, old fogeys...?! I'm merely—
Hehe, I've heard our Chief Technician mention that Miss Leonie was quite the maverick even during her time in Science Council Section 2.
What are you doing here?
A young man in a sleek lab coat steps through the door, only to find that his path to his own laboratory is blocked by three people who don't belong there.
Quack... It's Asimov.
Seeing Asimov's face, Leonie's expression shifts dramatically as if she swallowed a duck.
Why are people from the Control Court here?
Hmm? Strange, didn't you get notified?
Just some minor work, it's already wrapped up.
Miss Leonie submitted an inspection request for the subsequent models of the "Hamlet" theater play machine. We're just here to check for any potential technical and safety hazards.
"Hamlet"... I remember someone telling me that the World Government Association of Art wanted to take back its maintenance work. So, that was for this.
The original technology of "Hamlet" is a relic from the Golden Age. Although the Science Council was in charge of maintenance, they didn't have the spare capacity to restore the technology. It's essentially a "black box."
If the World Government Association of Art is willing to take over, it would be a good thing.
Perhaps it could even contribute to the technology of remote connection for Constructs. Once the Association has finished analyzing it, remember to submit a technical report to Section 1.
Wait! Why should I work for you for free?!
Sharing results is a fundamental rule that all departments with the capability for technological research in Babylonia must follow.
But I've never seen the Science Council share anything!
Well, the principle of sharing results applies to all departments with the capability for technological research in Babylonia, except for the Science Council.
...
If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving. Members of the Control Court should also be mindful not to disturb the work of other researchers.
Ignoring the reactions of the three, Asimov leaves directly.
...That's why I hate coming back here.
Let's get back to the main topic.
Is the World Government Association of Art looking to commercialize "Hamlet" this time?
Yes, the prototype has been used by Ayla. I've scaled down the technical specifications slightly to make it more suitable for mass production.
Oh, right, I haven't asked about the specific user experience yet. Ayla also told me to pay close attention to user feedback.
Overall, it's pretty good. Even though I haven't tried the original, the level of immersion is far superior to other machines with virtual reality features.
The peculiar thing is, when I was inside, I didn't feel at all like I was in a "machine." It felt as if, as if...
As if you were dreaming?
Exactly, when people dream, they often don't realize they're in a dream, right?
How did you achieve this? Did you block some kind of sensory signal?
Well... I'm not quite sure myself, maybe a bunch of codes just happened to simulate a similar effect?
Is that something a scientist should say?!
However, at least this won't cause any adverse side effects for the user. The specific method of technological implementation is not within the Control Court's jurisdiction.
By the way, the original "Hamlet" had some magical features, didn't it?
Whatever. My only requirement is that it doesn't trigger anything similar to photosensitive epilepsy.
Also, I'm not sure if it's just my imagination, but I think I saw a figure inside...?
A figure? Can you describe its features?
I only remember it was a girl with black twin tails... and there seemed to be a blue flame?
It only flashed by for an instant, so my memory is a bit fuzzy. I might have even mistaken something else for it.
Black twin tails, a girl with a blue flame...
I don't know what exactly you're talking about, but it sounds pretty cool...!
Was it a virtual image created by somebody?
No, this is a test machine. I only preloaded a few scenes from the material library, and I haven't had time to design any characters yet.
Could it be a bug caused by shader buffering... We might need to get more people to test it.
Right, how about inviting [player name]... the Gray Raven Commandant to try it out?
I have a feeling that person would have quite a bit of experience with this kind of thing.
Lesti smiles, mentioning a name that everyone present is familiar with.
The status of this area has been fully confirmed, Commandant.
We should meet up with Liv and Lee in about ten minutes.
Lucia, leading the way, turns to report the mission's progress.
Is something wrong, Commandant? Are you okay?
It was just a routine patrol mission, checking for any unusual Punishing Virus concentration at the edge of the Clean Zone.
You've walked this patrol route so many times that you could do it blindfolded.
Though it might sound odd to say, today was indeed an "ordinary" day.
The only extraordinary moment might have been when you pass by a ruined building. You glance up and are momentarily blinded by the sunlight.
The light, refracted through the glass, is so intense that you have to squint, and for a moment, you think you see a flash of dark blue flame.
That strange feeling lasted but a moment, and then everything returned to as normal as it could be.
Ah... Commandant, do you feel that way too?
We didn't take any breaks, and it's only been a few minutes since we split from Liv and the others...
But it felt like there was a moment that seemed to stretch on forever...
Looking up again, all that meets your gaze are the remains of walls and the cloudless blue sky.
After so many bizarre incidents, you've developed a habit of constantly checking for anything unusual with your health.
Ah... Now that you mention it, it's been a while since I last checked on the condition of my frame.
But, Commandant, haven't you already used up your free health check quota for this year?
Eh? When did you get that?
...Still, things have been peaceful for a while.
Well, as Liv always says, we shouldn't dwell on the negative.
The Clean Zone has been stable lately. It'd be nice if it stays this way.
Let's go, Liv and Lee might be waiting for us.
...
Atop the ruins.
A girl with black hair and blue eyes stands at the edge of a steel frame, backlit by the sun.
In the distance, two figures gradually recede from view.
No matter where it is, no matter who the adversary is, the "conflict" persists...
Her voice echoes in the wind as if awaiting a response.
And...
The battle we had...
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The girl leaps, her clothes billowing in the gusting wind.
Like a bird flapping its wings—
She disappears from sight.
