Story Reader / Interlude / The Chess Player / Story
The White King has not been able to move all this time, while the Black Bishop on E7 will get checkmate in two moves.
The two players can both see where the game is going.
We both know how this ends, don't we?
I've lost.
If you had sacrificed your pawns, this would have ended even quicker.
You're a Construct. I think you could have calculated how best to make your moves.
But that wouldn't be my judgment.
To machines, this is simply deduction and calculation based on objective facts, with no emotions and moral considerations involved.
But I am no machine.
I make my own assessment of the situation, and I make my own choices based on my judgment.
Do you think I'll agree with you just because you've won a game of chess?
I believe... there is no meaningless victory.
His father has never told him what happens after becoming a Smith.
Or, perhaps, his father has told him about the end of a Smith's journey from the very beginning.
Become a Smith, then find the next Smith to inherit everything. An endless cycle.
But I'm not trying to become a Smith.
I'm going to surpass it.
I'll use "Smith" to become "Chrome".
Not abandoning his past. Not denying it, either.
Langston Smith, Chief of class, Construct, Strike Hawk Captain—
They are all necessary for him to become "Chrome".
The war will be over one day.
When that happens, Constructs and humans will share the world we reclaim together.
I asked you what a "perfect being" was when you first told me a Smith's duty.
I still can't give you a concrete answer right now, but I will build the bridge that leads us there.
Therefore... this is what I choose in the end.
I've never considered undoing my identity as a Construct. Not now, not ever.
You will face unimaginable difficulties and hurdles.
The path you are taking will take you to an endless pit. It will devour you until there is nothing left.
Your fight will not stop even when you leave the battlefield. Do you understand what it means?
You taught me that a Smith does not fear hardship. We excel in them.
And Chrome from Strike Hawk does not enter a fight without proper preparations.
I'm your son, Dad.
...
The specialized frame Asimov is working on has only worked on a Construct on Gray Raven so far.
To adapt to that frame, that Construct paid a hefty price.
If you can adapt to this specialized frame with no complications, I'll approve of your choice. I'll stop interfering with your decisions after that as well.
But if you can't even take on a new frame, then every word you just said is hollow.
I understand. I do not plan to fail.
I will use this frame to demonstrate my determination and what I can achieve.
...
After a while, John moves his eyes from Chrome's resolute expression back to the paused game on the chessboard.
Like how Chrome picked up the projection of a piece before, John picks up the Queen on A8 and moves it to H8.
Completely out of the way of the Black Bishop.
With no more threats, the Black side will easily take the game.
There is an extra hint of surprise in the way Chrome looks at John. He shifts his eyes back to the board, concealing his feelings.
He lifts his hand and moves the chess piece. Black Bishop moves to H8.
Checkmate.
Chrome stands up from his chair and bows to the man sitting opposite him.
Thank you for your lesson, Dad.
John stares at the ended game for a long time, lost in thought.
For a second there, his tensed shoulders seem to have slightly relaxed.
