String and Goodwill/Raniment

Oh good, you are awake. That is a relief.

I swear, how many times are you going to do this? You really are a sleepyhead, aren't you?

...Hmph. Don't scare me like that...

？！

You're in the partition reserved for Repair AIs, often referred to simply as "Repair" itself.

And this building is Repair's headquarters.

Thank you so much for saving everyone earlier.

Um, this is probably the moment when I should introduce myself, right?

I'm the prime AI for the Type Rs and head of Repair.

Though right now, I'm also serving as the Master of Berserker...

...so maybe it would be easier for visitors like yourselves to address me like that.

And this is

(Hey, come on. I thought I explained this on the way here. They're not really our allies.)

(I just lied about that to get through that battle. If anything, this is a perfect chance to ambush them...)

(Don't be ridiculous! They were a tremendous help! Of course we're going to return the favor!)

(I certainly don't have any routines that would let me do something so underhanded!)

...Um, sorry about that. Here, let me introduce you to Berserker.

Hmph. Fine, I guess.

As you can see, I'm both the strongest and handsomest Servant you could ever hope to meet.

I'm still not sure why I wasn't summoned as a Saber...

...but it's probably because my extraordinary strength led me to be mistaken for a Berserker instead. Hehehe.

Yikes.

Sorry about him. He's just...like that.

Did I mention what a genius I am too!? Talk about perfect!

Ahh, I love being stronger, handsomer, and nobler than anyone else in the world!

Since I'm known for being fantastically easygoing, I don't mind talking with all of you.

Just make sure you treat me with all the respect I'm due.

Now then, for starters...

Is there a reason you're leering at us?

Be aware that, should you come too close, I am prepared to mount a defense best described as devastating.

Hmm. Just making sure of something. Small as you two are, you're both still women.

Anyway, don't worry about it. Neither of you are at all what I'm looking for.

Huh?

Now, what's your story? You people are Master and Servant too, right?

Don't bother trying to bullshit me. I already know about your Command Spells. Go on, where'd you come from?

？！

Hm?

You there. Based on the way you fight and act, I'm guessing you're an Archer or an Assassin.

Uh, yeah, Assassin. What about it?

So there's no class overlap. Then of course we're going to want to know where you've been assigned.

Hm? Hold on. These numbers aren't adding up.

I think we may be talking around each other.

Are you guys not taking part in the System Grail War after al

Wait. We can compare notes later.

Whatever is wrong with Fujimaru has still not been treated...

...so that should be our top priority.

Oh, right! I'm sorry.

Of course I'll help however I can. It's my duty as both a Repair AI, and as one who owes you a debt!

Besides, the whole reason we Repair AIs exist is to treat those who need it.

Having said that, my earlier scan didn't reveal anything unusual.

Of course, our scanner is tuned for AIs, so I wouldn't be surprised if it missed something.

Oh, don't worry. We already know you're not AIs yourselves.

...I also ran as many scans as I could on him while he was asleep.

I believe the problem is a discrepancy in the Spiritron conversion of his magical circuits and nervous system.

You can tell!?

Theoretically. There is no way for me to know how much magecraft-related knowledge...

...the version of me in this world may have lost.

So what I am saying here is similarly based only on what I am currently able to perceive of the version of Fujimaru that exists in this world.

Put differently, this is how this world's structure has interpreted that discrepancy.

Regardless, the discrepancy itself is not going to go away.

The problem is that his magical circuits and nervous system connection are not optimized, which is resulting in constant garbage generation.

Since this problem is tied to his body's composition, it will not get better on its own.

In fact, if we do not do something, it will likely get worse.

Then what're you waiting for!? Do something already!

I plan to, naturally. However, we have few options at our disposal.

In the interest of being direct, there is but one possible treatment. It will be neither easy nor painless. Are you certain you want to go through with it?

？！

Oh, are you going to operate? If you need an assistant, the R series would be happy to help, myself included. We'd love to learn anything you can teach us!

An operation will not be necessary. I doubt there is anything you could learn from this, anyway. This is something only I can do.

See this micron-thick filament?

It is a Spiritron thread that has been passed down through the Eltnam family for generations. It is called Etherlite.

It was originally developed for medical purposes to be a kind of artificial nerve, so it should work for this treatment as well.

？！

Yes, it is.

In battle, I was only able to use it to distract those tentacle creatures. Here, I can do much more.

Okay, Fujimaru, lie down here again and close your eyes.

Whatever you do, do not move.

I will be using Etherlite as a substitute for your standard nervous system and will then connect it to your magical circuits.

To do so... Yes, as I thought, this is the only way. All right, then. Here goes...

Okay, you can open your eyes now.

How are you feeling?

？！

I see. I am glad to hear that. It looks like it worked.

Ooh! I have no idea what you just did, but I always love seeing someone get better!

Hmm. Hang on.

It feels like something's...off in Master's and my magical energy connection now.

...I anticipated this. It is an unavoidable side effect.

Etherlite is capable of piercing the brain directly...

...but in this situation involving magical circuit Spiritron conversion, I needed one more special path.

So I used the Command Spell system, which is directly connected to a mage's magical circuits, to force a new route for the Etherlite.

Basically, this means that my Etherlite...

...is now taking the place of part of Fujimaru's Command Spells and magical circuits.

And of course, since I am still the one controlling the Etherlite...

...you could say that I myself am now part of his Command Spells and magical circuits.

Say WHAT!?

Fujimaru, are you seriously going to let someone besides me take something important of yours!?

Do you realize you're basically putting your life in her hands!?

？！

Yes, morally speaking, this was arguably not the best course of action. It was, however, the only one available. This is just the inevitable trade-off.

Incidentally, from now on, any magecraft you use through Mystic Codes or the like will go through me as well.

You could argue that we are two people forming a single Master now.

I've never heard of anything like that before. Is that a thing you can actually do?

If you are referring to the technical complexity of what I have done, I will simply say that many new possibilities are available here because this is not reality.

I am uncertain whether such a thing is possible in the outside world. Honestly, I do not care.

Ugh. I can't believe I let this untrustworthy brat take control of something that important...

I never would've let her do this if I'd known what it meant. Dammit.

I don't entirely understand what you're talking about, but he's basically healed now, right?

Correct. So long as I am around to support him, he can move and fight without impairment.

D-do not worry about it. There is no need for excessive apologies.

D-do not worry about it. There is no need for excessive gratitude.

？！

Besides, now that I am here this time, of course I am going to do what I can to help.

This is great. When you have your health, you really do have everything.

Oh, that reminds me. I got an individual name of my own when I became a Master.

Berserker came up with it.

It's Āyus. He says it means "life." Anyway, you can call me that too, if you like.

？！

Got it.

Honestly, this may be strange coming from an AI, but I actually really like it.

Hmph. I was fine just calling her "Master," but it's pretty inconvenient not having a name.

And since she's always going on about health and treatment, "Āyus" seemed like a good fit.

Besides, being of noble birth, it was often my job to name people anyway.

All part of my noblesse oblige.

Ah, right. You've obviously figured out that I'm an important prince. I couldn't hide my royal aura if I wanted to.

Still, don't expect me to just up and tell you my True Name. Especially not during a Grail War.

？！

And "Āyus" is a Sanskrit word.

If anything, I'd say you smell more like the demon Kali to me.

You are connected to Karna, so you are from the "Mahabharata," and you are also a prince who smells like Kali the demon...

？！

？！

Wha

How did you figure it out so quickly!?

Guess I'm even more famous than I thought.

Yes...this must be the price of fame. That's how I'm going to think about it.

(Blank stare)

Duryodhana, eldest of the Kauravas, the hundred princes born to the Kuru clan.

And also a child of ill omen said to be an avatar of the demon Kali, if I am not mistaken.

Hey, you've got that last part all wrong! That was just a nasty rumor the enemy spread to ruin my reputation. At least, I'm pretty sure it was.

Trust me, no other prince has ever been as universally adored as I was.

But never mind that now. You know Karna?

？！

I see, I see. Sounds like you and he have fought together then. He's a lackeyI mean, flunkyI mean, dear friend of mine.

You probably already know this, but I was the one who discovered him. He wouldn't be who he is if not for me.

So whatever respect or admiration you have for him, you oughta have even more for me. Got it?

？！

Stop! Don't bring up the five princes now. My heart can't take it... That is, it makes me sick.

Listen. It's not that I'm scared of themit's DEFINITELY not thatbut at least wait until I'm more in the mood.

Right now, I'm still reeling from my True Name coming out so...casually. I really am.

I still don't get what you're talking about, but it sounds like your name is better known than you thought?

True, I can see how that would be a disadvantage in battle, but what can you do?

I mean, it's not like you were going to be able to keep it hidden forever.

Yeah, let's just leave it at that! Turns out I'm so famous it even scares me! End of story!

Youand more importantly Idon't need to think about anything else.

To be frank, knowing your True Name does not change things for us one way or the other.

Now, if you have both calmed down, would you tell us more about what is going on around here?

Let's see... Where to begin...?

Well, the system currently running is called an AI Holy Grail War, or just a Grail War...

That's where you're starting? Come on, these two are a Master and Servant. I'm sure they already know that much.

But, they're not AIs like we are. And there are two of them.

So I think it's possible that they might be here because of an anomaly of some kind, even if they have nothing to do with the system itself.

Hahaha, do you really? That's ridiculous.

It feels like you're mocking us. I don't like it.

But anyway, it sounds like we'll never get anywhere unless we hear what this Grail War is about.

In the Holy Grail Wars we are familiar with, seven Masters and seven Servants fight one another in a deadly battle royale.

The survivor gets a Holy Grail, which they can then use to grant any wish they want.

Does that match your understanding?

Hmm? Hmm... Well, I don't think ours isn't exactly about granting wishes.

For one thing, the whole point of this system is to perform maintenance on this world.

Completing these Grail Wars is what keeps the Paper Moon operating properly.

So that's the main reason we hold them.

？！

If that doesn't make sense to you, then you must really be anomalies.

That means you should go see someone who can tell you more than I can.

Like the central governing AI who serves as the overseer of the Grail Wars.

Central governing AI? What're you talking about? I thought you led the AIs.

No, I'm basically just the representative of the Repair AIs.

The AI I'm talking about is much more advanced than we are. She oversees all of the Paper Moon's different types of AI.

We can take you to see her right now if you like.

Huh? Are you serious? Why should we go to all that trouble?

Oh don't be so petulant! We still owe them a debt for saving us, don't we!?

？！

Well, we should be okay if we go straight there.

I don't think Caster will come after us again so soon, not after retreating like that...

...and we should be safe where the central governing AI is, since it's a neutral location. Fighting is prohibited there.

If possible, I would also like to know more about this world's geography.

I see. So you don't even know that much, hm?

Then I'll tell you about the different zones, the partitions on the way.

Hehe, you know, this is kind of fun!

I've never walked and talked with people before. Everywhere I go has always just been for work.

Ooh, is this one of those picnic things I've heard about? This is amazing!

No, I'm pretty sure this isn't a picnic.

Oh shush.

Okay, I'm going to go get ready. I'll be right back, okay?

Fine, then I will tell Fujimaru more about this while we wait.

Fujimaru, would you mind closing your eyes for a bit?

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？！

Since we are already connected via Etherlite, I threw in an information processing program as a bonus.

It will automatically organize the information we acquire. I will set it up so you can easily access it with just a thought.

Of course, I do not want to waste its capacity, so I will not send you any especially bulky data...

...but I think it should still help you make sense of the current situation, so please make use of it.

？！

No problem. Anyway, we should probably get ready to head out, too.

All right, let's get going!

See you later, Master. We'll look after things here while you're gone.

？！

Yes. I'm the first AI you rescued. Thank you again for saving me!

Result: I've been treating myself since your rescue effort and am currently at zero percent damage. I'm in perfect working order.

The other damaged Repair AIs have entered standby mode...

...and we're treating each of them in turn as soon as we're able.

Apart from the ones who were completely destroyed, every unit should eventually be able to return to their standard routine.

？！

While this does stray outside our regular operating parameters, all the AIs who were there talked it over...

...and we all agreed that seeing you off as an expression of our gratitude was our top priority.

I'm here on their behalf, so I hope you don't mind that I'm recording your reaction for our logs.

Part of me would like to keep this recording all to myself, but it's only right that I upload it to our shared storage.

Hmph. There you go casually raising your affinity with nonhumans. Again.

Do you just not need my arrows anymore? Is that it?

I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm happy about whatever gets me less work to do!

Oh, I almost forgot.

I also wanted to give you this Raniment as a token of my thanks. Please accept it.

Uh...you want to give us what?

What did you do? Did you just...give me some magical energy?

Oh, I see. So you're still not aware of it.

Raniment is the formless but potent energy that serves as the most fundamental common resource for this world's AIs.

You've been consuming it yourself whenever you've done anything in this world, even if you weren't aware of it.

It doesn't really matter what it's called, but since we had to call it something, the central governing AI came up with a name for us.

Naming essential things is the first step in creating a beautiful management system, after all.

That sounds like it serves the same function as magical energy in the outside world.

Now that I think of it, it does make sense that a conceptual world with its own unique scale...

...would have its own kind of magical energy circulating throughout it to match.

Oh. I guess that explains why my magical energy felt weird right from the beginning.

So it's been replaced with something else this whole time.

？！

I doubt it is significantly different with regards to the interaction between Master and Servant.

We don't know anything about the outside world's magical energy, but for AIs, Raniment is our life force.

It's the only resource in this world that is universally recognized as something valuable and tradable.

In that sense, I suppose it's kind of like our currency.

That's why I thought giving you some would be a good way to express my appreciation.

Yeah? Hmm... Well, I guess I do feel a little fuller now. So, thanks.

(An energy resource that is used as a form of currency, huh?)

(Then it stands to reason there would be people like that Caster who are willing to take it by force...)

What about me? Where's MY Raniment?

I already gave you your regularly scheduled amount.

But I'm a growing Servant AND as royal as they come. Don't I deserve a little something extra?

Still no. Okay, everyone, let's get going!

See you later, everyone. And please be careful.

Okay, so, the central governing AI is located, well, right in the center of this world.

She almost never moves from there, because she doesn't have to.

You mentioned she is in a neutral location earlier. What did you mean by that?

Hmm. Well...before I get into that, I have to tell you about how this world is shaped.

Maybe a diagram would make it easier to understand?

So, this is our world. As you can see, it's basically a big circle. There's another, smaller circle in the center.

The outer area is divided into five partitions. If you count the center circle, there're six in total.

Each of these partitions is a home base for one of the six types of AI that run the Paper Moon.

Of course, the AIs all go to other areas as well when they have a job to do...

...but having a default location for them to gather at makes it easier to keep things running smoothly.

Six types of AI... I take it you Repair types are one of those six then?

Yup! The Repair area, where we are now, is right here.

And these are Transfer, Keep, Grow, Build, and Defend.

Each area is designed to support its partition's function. They are also where the AIs that carry out that function gather.

The central area, Defend, is probably the most immediately relevant for us now.

You see, it's the closest thing we have to neutral ground during this Holy Grail War.

No Servant or Master is using Defend as a base.

The very center, where the central governing AI resides, is the most neutral area. Fighting is completely prohibited there.

So that's why I figured it wouldn't be too dangerous to go there now.

？！

So I'm guessing, say, Transfer is where we'd find AIs that carry stuff around then.

But you know, if what Āyus just said is true...

...then the only reason the Paper Moon works is because of all these AI doing their jobs.

What's more, it sounds like the supposed caretaker of the Paper Moon isn't even aware of these AIs.

I ask you: Does that seem likely?

So you are still suspicious of me?

I told you, this is a virtual, conceptual world.

Even if we were able to observe the inside of the Paper Moon from the outside somehow...

...I still do not think we would be able to see how this world works.

Let me see... Here is an example:

When you explain how the body's circulatory system works to a child...

...you talk about the functions red and white blood cells perform as though they were people, right?

Think of this in much the same way. This world we see now is just a way for our minds to make sense of what we see now that we are inside it.

Every job these AIs perform can be equated to a separate magecraft or chemical reaction from the real world.

Electrons flowing between electrodes... Workers transporting electrons as cargo...

We may be operating from different perceptual paradigms but there is no functional difference as far as this world is concerned.

We are only able to understand events in terms native to the world from which we originate.

I think that is why things here appear the way they do to us.

？！

So you're saying this world just formed on its own? How convenient.

Well...maybe it is, but it is still the truth. Kindly get over it.

I'm not sure what you guys are talking about, but be nice to each other, okay? Healthy minds make healthy bodies!

And look. We're almost to Defend.

So we're really going in there...

Is something wrong, Berserker?

While I am, of course, a super strong, ultra powerful warrior, I'm also an incredibly savvy general.

I once surveyed a hundred people (read: princes) to see if they thought my intellect and overwhelming virtue were leagues better than those of that spoiled brat Yudhiṣṭhira...

...and every single one of them said yes. That is an incontrovertible fact.

And that same incredible intellect has led me to realize what I need to do now.

This.

Hraaaaaah!

Hey! What the hell!?

Aargh!

Are you stupid or something?

Oh, right. You're a Berserker. Never mind!

Anyway, now that we know for sure you're an enemy, it's time for you to die.

I must admit that you are not mistaken.

He has been watching us, seeking an opportunity to attack for a while now. I assumed it was only a matter of time.

Just as I calculated.

？！

Khh. I thought I could take you if I ambushed you, but you're surprisingly strong for a little girl.

I must have let my guard down without realizing it or something.

Well, guess there's only one way to get through this now...

G-good job! Looks like you've diligently kept up with your training! Now I know how strong you are!

The hell did you just say?

I wanted to make sure you were prepared for a surprise attack.

A little bit of tough love from me to you.

Drona used to do this kind of thing to me all the time. Seriously. I usually just pawned it off on Karna and made myself scarce, though. Hahaha!

(Hmph. For all their complicated talk, that one's still a Servant, so they must be connected to the System Grail War somehow.)

(It would've been a big advantage if I'd been able to take her down now, while she wasn't on her guard...)

(But, there'll still be plenty of chances, so I'll just try again later. Hehehe, I knew I was a genius of a general!)

Haha, sorry about that.

I couldn't help wanting to know how you all stacked up to a real warrior among warriors like me.

I should've treated you a little more like civilians instead.

Ugh, what were you thinking!? For a moment, I thought you were seriously fighting them.

Apologizing is a start, but can't you at least try to sound like you mean it!?

I'm sorry about that. Are you okay? Are you hurt? Please, let me repair you.

...It's okay. I'm fine.

(If it was just the two of us here, I'd be sending him down to the pits of depravity and loving him to death right about now...)

(...but I can't do that when Master's here acting like it's no big deal.)

(It'd make things so much easier if he would just give the order, but of course he never would. Ugh!)

？！

It's nothing! I swear, one of these days, you're going to find yourself up to your eyeballs in trouble!

Hahaha. Now, now, let's all just get along here.

By the way, it's been bugging me that you know my True Name and I don't know yours, so I've been giving it some thought.

Those Indian flower arrows of course remind me of the deity Kama, so I was wondering...

(Look that says, "What do we do?")

？！

Whoa, whoa, hold on. Did you think I was so dim-witted I wouldn't notice those looks you're giving each other?

Does this mean...you really are Kama?

But, then...why are you a girl?

(Sigh...)

I have my reasons. Besides, gender's no big deal to us.

Well, I guess that makes sense. You are a god and all.

Anyway, arousal-inducing flower arrows, huh?

With those, I could easily woo Draupadī and all those other beautiful women I had my eye on... Gehehe.

Just so you know, I'm boycotting my divine duties right now, so don't expect anything out of me, no matter how much you pray.

For that matter, you've got a lot of nerve bringing that up after you went and sucker punched us.

Try something like that again and I'll kill you right on the spot. Got it!?

Oh yes, I understand.

So as gods, and as Servants, I would like nothing more than to continue this relationship on a foundation of mutual respect.

(Of course, when you get right down to it, Kama here's still one of our gods. If I play my cards right, I think I can use hiher, to our advantage...)

Why are you in such a good mood?

Well, never mind. Come on, we're almost to Defend.

？！

Those are Type D AIs. Even this world sees the occasional bug or two. It's their job to find and eliminate them.

I guess they're kind of like what you call police officers in the outside world?

Anyway, they're very important, so don't do anything to provoke them, or we'll be in big trouble.

So this is where the central governing AI is located, huh? It looks a lot like a church.

I don't know why it's designed like that, but I don't think it has any particular meaning.

It was probably just the most stable design or something.

Anyway, let's go in. First, I'll just send an entry request, and... Okay, we're approved.

I overheard your conversation, and yes, you're right.

There is no particular reason for this building being shaped the way it is. Certainly no religious connotations.

We just measured the average data values and selected what seemed to be the most natural and appropriate form.

I believe the term you have for this is tradition.

？！

Indeed there is.

I am the primary AI that serves as the foundation for all the R.A.N.I. Series AIs that exist in this world.

So of course the other AIs' appearance settings would be based on my own.

I also gave a lot of thought to what to call myself.

We may not have needed individual names before, but I can see there is no need to reject them. If anything, they would appear to be beneficial.

So, you could say that I, and I alone, am Rani...but that wouldn't be quite right.

I'm the only AI who performs the function I do, so I don't have a "Type" prefix.

No, in my case, I think calling me by my current version based on the number of times I have undergone a major updatewould be more appropriate.

As such, please call me...

Rani-XII.

Yes, that will be my name from now on.