Old Dubai Holiday (II)

Sabah al-khair, everyone. I appreciate you all being right on time for breakfast.

Although, is Passionlip not here? ...I see. So she's still in sleep mode. Well, that makes sense. She does consume the most energy.

Anyway, I'm sorry to keep asking so much of you, but for some jobs, I think it's best to have all of you helping.

Mash and Percival, I'd like you to continue training our militia.

Nikitich, once Lip wakes up, I'd like you two to conduct a force reconnaissance in Area E.

The Laughing Moon Knight Brigade has been acting strangely since last night. They've been at least twenty percent louder than usual.

Knowing them, they're likely just caught up in some new trend. Even so.

Understood. We'd be glad to help. Right, Sir Percival?

Of course. We'll keep things simple, but challenging.

We'll have to get Chakerim to help out, too. You need a lot of nutrients to build healthy bodies.

(Our bodies don't grow or change no matter what we eat, but never mind that now.)

Got it. I'll head out with Lip as soon as she's awake.

But, did you say Area E? I thought the Laughing Moon Knight Brigade was set up in Area F?

It is, but now that Koyanskaya's gone, they've claimed a corner of the mall as their own.

Please chase them off if their numbers seem manageable, since the mall's still a crucial manufacturing facility.

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You two will be on sandworm duty as usual. A few more rounds and you should be able to perform simple summons like usual.

That said, you've been working a little too hard lately, so I want you to take it easy this morning.

Then I'll use the morning to go work on the ship in the harbor, since I got to rest during the KOYAAN Mall operation.

Great, then it's settled. See you tonight. Jinako said to give you her regards too, by the way.

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Welcome. What can I get for you?

You're looking for something you can enjoy on the go? How about this beverage then?

Thank you very much. Have a wonderful day.

You know about vampiresI mean, True Ancestors? I see. So that's how you know about Executors.

If you don't mind my asking, what kind of True Ancestor did you meet? When? Where?

A long time ago, in a completely digital world. She was blonde, she had red eyes, and she was terrifying but beautiful.

Oh, her white outfit was also pretty memorable. And her monk companion was quite a character as well.

Wait, wait. Please, no more. Anything else and I'll end up with a headache.

Anyway, what are you doing out here, Fujimaru? Taking a walk?

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Hi there. Looks like we meet again.

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Oh, you two already know each other? Sounds like you met under unusual circumstances.

I still haven't actually introduced myself yet, though. There was always something more pressing going on every time we met.

Well, better late than never, I guess. My name's Kishinami Hakuno. I'm also a digital human, just like the citizens of Moon Dubai.

The hotel decided to close their gym, so this seemed like a good time to come to Old Dubai.

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Not at all. I'm sorry I took so long to introduce myself.

I heard about your recent exploits. They say you defeated one of the Moon Cancers.

Be careful, though. This world isn't like the one you know.

According to BB Dubai's broadcast, you're an old human here from the twenty-first century.

You can get injured on the battlefield. If you get killed, there's no coming back.

These AI people are different. They don't mind if they damage or even destroy their frames.

Some of them will even be willing to sacrifice their bodies just for a chance at harming you. Survival must be your priority.

You can't take pity on your enemies, and you also shouldn't let yourself get hung up on AIs becoming collateral damage.

This world is already done for.

You need to focus on getting back to your world safely, not on saving this apsaras world.

That's, um, how someone else and I refer to this world.

It's neither a Singularity nor a Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon. Think of it as a branch that grew close to the trunk of official history but still deviated.

It's very similar to your own world. It even prospered more than yours did.

Ironically, its history came to an end for that very reason. We call these ephemeral branches apsaras branches.

But please keep that just between us, if you don't mind. Only one other person ever refers to this world like that. Ugh, this is so embarrassing.

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You're a very kind person, aren't you, Kishinami?

It sounds to me like what you're really trying to tell Fujimaru...

...is that it's not his fault if the people of Moon Dubai end up getting hurt.

I was just pointing out a few facts as a neutral third party.

What about you, Ciel? What do you think of Moon Dubai?

You're from the Servantverse, right? It's completely different than our universe?

Or is it one that's just a few cycles ahead of ours? I took a brief look at the records on it once, but I still don't really understand.

The Servantverse, huh.

Now that you mention it, we do sometimes see Servants from there getting stranded. I don't know much about it, though.

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Anyway, I do get the sense that the citizens of Moon Dubai are a lot like Servants.

They're composed of data, making them immortal. If they die, they just pop right back to life.

The important thing is that they're not getting a do-over. When they die, they pick up right where they left off.

In that sense, both the people of Moon Dubai and the Sapphire Galaxy deny the cycle of reincarnation by virtue of being indestructible.

That in turn leads to the afterlife closing up shop. No underworld. No hell. No paradise of Edin either, depending on how you look at it.

In a world where there are no dead, the underworld loses meaning, even its name.

That's what happened to the goddess of the underworld from the Sapphire Galaxy's Origin Universe.

Sounds like an inn that no longer receives guests.

I see. It makes sense for an old-fashioned construct like the underworld to disappear if people stopped dying.

So what was the goddess of the underworld called?

The mythology of this world has a goddess of the same name. I believe it was Anki Ereshkigal.

Probably. They have the same name, so they must be the same being.

The goddess of the underworld in the Sapphire Galaxy was known as Anki Ereshkigal.

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She was the final destination for the souls of the dead, a primal goddess who was essentially a dark gravity field that gained consciousness.

A calamity who became an Evil of Humanity and threatened the entire Sapphire Galaxy to punish humanity for becoming immortal.

Oh. I didn't know there were three of you having tea together.

You're the Servant who rescued Jinako...and you seem to be another AI. Which tower are you frohmm?

I've never seen a frame like yours before. Since it's still forbidden to develop new humanoid frames...

...I'm guessing yours must be a very old model, especially since you're not using bioskin or polymers.

You got it. This is a very old-fashioned frame. I have one with a twenty-first century student uniform, too. I've always been into retro stuff.

Anyhow, I'd best be on my way.

I only just moved to Old Dubai, so I still need to look for a place to live.

So he's a new AI in town. We'll have to start thinking about making space for others like him.

At any rate, it's time to go sandworm hunting, Fujimaru.

The more you catch, the more Old Dubai will flourish.

Those worms use cultivated muscle to expand and contract. I'm sure everyone would appreciate having real meat instead of the processed stuff.

(Huh. So that's why Old Dubai's meat dishes are so juicy!)

I couldn't help but overhear. If it wouldn't be imposing, could I join you?

All appearances to the contrary, I'm actually a woman of the cloth, so it would be my honor to fight for this world and the moonI mean, for the meat!

The desert is out of Moon Dubai's range. Which means... That's right! Yours truly, the ever dependable BB Cosmo is here!

Since it's just you and Captain Bartholomew today, Senpai, I'm going to show you my full repertoire of killer cosmic techniques♡

Well, that was the plan anyway, before I saw you'd brought someone new along!

Don't tell me you ensnared ANOTHER lady, Fujimaru!

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You must be Chaldea's BB. I'm Ciel. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Don't worry. I'm doing everything I can not to get involved in your affairs.

I would never want to obstruct work as important as yours, so I'll just be quietly cheering you on from the sidelines.

I see. So you know your placeor you at least understand the differences between our worlds.

Real talk, I usually can't deal with people in the Servantverse, so that's good to hear.

My top priority is getting Fujimaru and Mash back to Chaldea safely...

...but if I'm going to do that, there are a fair few other problems I need to solve first.

So, even if you're on the mysterious side, it's good to know we've got a heavy hitter like you on our side.

Plus, while you may not have any relationship with Chaldea, you do seem to have a connection to one of the Moon Cancers.

So when it's their turn, I'll be counting on you to fight like your life depends on it♡

I'm sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Roberts has just spotted a sandworm.

He's bringing the ship about to face it with all the grace and gentleness of a cotton tuft drifting on the wind.

Master, I have a sandworm's tail in my sights. I'm trying to sneak up on it as we speak.

I'm sorry to disturb you while you were relaxing with the lovely ladies, but could you call them onto the dec

Oh, they're already here. Were you all just on standby or something?

No, the ship's guide just told us what was happening right away.

Should she not have?

Hardly. I would never criticize a sailor for being considerate. My job is perfectly stress free thanks to our guide.

I'm something of a coward, so I always get nervous about steering ships, no matter how sturdy they might be.

I was never able to enjoy myself freely, like the other pirates. But not now. Now, I can just relax and take in the wind.

Well, kind of a shame it's a desert wind instead of a sea wind, but what can you do?

Mr. Roberts, if you have the time, could you explain the differences between wind on land and wind at sea?

From a data standpoint, they should be identical, so I'm having trouble understanding your claim that sea wind is superior.

Okay, Senpai, time to get to work!

We're right on top of this sandworm thanks to Bartholomew's astonishing sailing skills!

So let's take it down quickly and give those two some private time!

Great job! We'll be eating well tonight!

Nice work, Senpai. Now that the worm's been defeated...

...I'll grab it with my tractor beam and send it over to Old Dubai like usual☆

The wind's so gentle today, I feel like we could go after one more. What do you think, Master?

I know Hasara said not to work yourself too hard, butHm?

Guide, can you point the sonar to the southwest? I just saw a sail out beyond the sand dunes.

It looks like

There are two hot rod ships from Area F there, one large, one small.

It appears that the large ship is in pursuit of the small one. Shall I display the video footage?

Sure. If the feed shows anything too disturbing, go ahead and cut it.

Very well.

Hahaha, give it up, nerd! We don't need you anymore!

Though I will say, it was real nice of you to come along on this "make-up" cruise!

You know, I'm sorry I kept poking and prodding at you all this time. I see now I never should've bothered.

Now that we're gonna be done with you for good, I got no problem letting bygones be bygones! See? We're making up already!

Aaah! Please, stop this! You're going to sink my ship! Stop it, stop it, stop iiit!

All I did was encourage you not to solve EVERYTHING with violence!

That's just it, Anthony. We can't take you raining on our parade anymore!

Every time Lord Astolfo comes up with a beautiful idea, you ALWAYS find flaws somewhere!

If I have to see that beautiful face and melodic voice say, "Sorry. Never mind then," again, well...

Well, I don't EVER wanna see it again! And we won't have to once you're gone.

Yeah! There's no place for you in the Laughing Moon Knight Brigade! You're just gonna have to get eaten by a sandworm and try again in a new frame!

Maybe then you'll finally understand our "there is no tomorrow" mentality!

Haaahahaha! Look at the rabbit run!

I'm sorry. Do you mind if I cut the feed here? I don't think I can watch any more.

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Well, now that we know what's happening, we can't just stand back and watch.

Clearly they've had a falling out within their group, but ganging up on someone like that is just plain wrong.

I agree. Purging one of their members when their leader isn't looking is a horrible thing. I can't stand to see it, either.

Let's go save that AI.

Fortunately, they're so preoccupied with chasing him that they still haven't noticed us.

Bartholomew, you're good enough with a ship that you should be able to ram them from the side so we can board them, right?

Of course. It'll be easier than making my bed after waking up. Are you ready to get started, Master?

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Thank you for saving me. But, um...

You're the old human Master and his Servants, right? Why would you help me?

I'm the Master from Area F who summoned Astolfo, remember?

I can't think of a single reason for you to rescue me.

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Oh... I guess I did, didn't I? Not that my efforts did any good.

I'm not surprised this happened. The knights and I couldn't really get on the same page, no matter how hard I tried.

But I still had a sliver of hope that they would start taking things more seriously at some point.

And you can see where that got me. If not for you, I'd be baking in the desert sun about now.

So you just couldn't completely abandon your rationality, huh. I get it. You seem like a pretty conscientious guy to begin with.

...Yes, I'm aware. That's why I was one of the few citizens chosen to become a Master.

Ben, Ryudai, and I were the only ones who had the ability and the aptitude for it.

So I can't just stop being rational. Even if I could, I don't think it's the right thing to do.

Humanity may be gone, and we may know we have no future...

...but I'm sure us being alive still had some greater purpose.

So I really don't believe humanity would have just "somehow died out" from merely losing our rational minds.

Then again, I did summon Astolfo. Does that mean I do secretly have a desire like that?

Yikes. Looks like Anthony here's one step away from a full-blown existential crisis.

But, I guess I can't blame him. Summoning Astolfo would be pretty world-shattering for just about any AI.

As an AI myself, I can definitely sympathize there. So on that note...

Senpai, would you take Anthony back to Old Dubai with you?

I promise you, he's completely harmless.

Moon Dubai's Masters are merely a means of summoning Servants.

You won't need to worry about Astolfo discovering your location by sensing where he is or anything like that.

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Don't worry about that. It won't be a problem. Now that Anthony has parted ways with Astolfo, he's a free AI.

As long as there's no human around ordering them to do so, AIs don't fight other AIs.

Assuming Anthony himself is okay with it, you should have no problem adding him to your team.

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Wow... Chaldea's Master isn't so bad! You're nothing like the barbaric old humans I've read about in the archives!

Thank you! I'd love to come along with you to Old Dubai!

Okay, I'm going to go get a drink at Masterbucks. Their coffee is really good.

And I'm going to stop by Chakerim's restaurant to discuss tonight's menu.

...

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Yes, I know. The Laughing Moon Knight Brigade dragged me to this plaza a number of times before.

...Old Dubai never changes. It looks just like it did during the old humans' time.

Hey, good work out there. We got the sandworm corpse right on time.

I've assigned some people who weren't busy to clean it. They should be done by eveHang on. Anthony? Is that you?

Yes, it is. These people were kind enough to save me from a pretty serious bit of trouble.

There's no place for me in Area F anymore, so I decided to live here instead.

I see. I'll ask you to fill me in later. For now, we should tell Jinako.

Huh? Wait, wait, hold on. What is this? What's going on here?

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No, not the buildings! The AIs! Why are they all working!?

And why are third-gens doing jobs meant for first-gens!?

Third-gens are the new humans, freed from the burden of labor. That's why AI exists in the first place.

So why are they reenacting a scene straight out of an old humanity history book!?

Easy there, Anthony. Settle down.

Maybe for an upper-class citizen like you, living like this looks crazier than the Laughing Moon Knight Brigade...

...but all the third-gens who came to Old Dubai did so because they wanted to work, whether on big jobs or small ones.

We're not denying the basic principles of AI personhood, and this isn't nostalgia for the old times.

We just wanted to be responsible for something. And isn't it the right of every citizen of Moon Dubai to pursue what they want?

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In that case, I guess I have no objections... But, if you keep this sort of thing up, then eventually...

Eventually...what?

I'm...not sure. But something about just seeing this put me in a bad state of mind.

Like, if we're still doing jobs we don't need to do anymore, then what does that say to the old humans who had no choice but to do them?

But I'm probably just overthinking it. I'm certainly not about to criticize Old Dubai's people.

I'm going to be living here from now on too, after all. ...A job, huh...

Maybe I'll try working one, too... I wonder what sort of job I should try...

No need to be so serious about it. No one here has to do anything they don't want to, including you. You can just keep living your life like usual.

Here, Fujimaru, I'll show Anthony around for his first day. You go report back to Jinako.

Mash should be there too about now, and that last sandworm should have given you the resources you need.

Thank you for the wonderful meal! Tonight's dinner was even juicier than usual!

It's all because Chakerim was so excited to try out the recipes Ciel taught him that he got a little carried away.

Seeing all the different kinds of dishes he made was just as impressive as the spread at the hotel's buffet.

Indeed, very impressive. A healthy appetite is a mark of good health more generally.

You should follow Mash's example, Master. The more you eat when you're young, the stronger you get.

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I was also surprised at the variety of fish and fruit dishes, to say nothing of the meat dishes.

I wonder where he got all the ingredients.

Good question. I know Master, BB Cosmo, and Ms. Ciel were responsible for the meat, but the rest

Lip and I got the fish! We stopped by a big river on the way back from Area E!

My steed and I are old hands at harpooning, but Lip's amazing at fishing! She must have picked the whole river clean!

Huh, you don't say. I didn't expect you'd want to do anything that wasn't fighting, Lip.

...Nikitich told me to do it, so I did. I didn't see the need at first.

But I have since made a surprising discovery: eating is highly inefficient for replenishing magical energy, but the satisfaction gained from stimulating your palate is impressive.

It seems human meals aren't a complete waste of time.

...You said there are some famous chefs at Chaldea, yes? Have they ever considered making food out of Spiritrons?

Hmm. I could see Paracelsus or Asclepius doing that if they ever had kitchen duty.

Good thing they just stick to the medical bay.

True. I can see Emiya refusing that sort of thing. He'd probably say something like "Food is culture. There's more to eating than just replenishing nutrients!"

You think? I could also see him changing his mind and saying something like...

"There's no rule that says an imitation can't surpass the original. A true chef always pushes the boundaries of his craft."

...Right before he gets that smug look on his face.

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Oh, right. We heard you took in an AI that escaped from Area F, Master.

Helping people in trouble is always a good thing, so I'm happy about that, but

Anthony, was it? He's Astolfo's Master, right? Are you sure we can trust him?

We can trust Anthony, yes. He's clearly a born pacifist.

He might think pretty highly of himself, but he's also very sociable, and he'll want to make sure he's welcomed in an environment that suits him.

In that sense, he's like what they call an old humanwhat we would consider a normal civilian who obeys the rules of society.

But as a new human, no, we can't trust him. Or rather, I'm not sure we can trust the new humanity in general.

I don't just mean in Old Dubai. I mean for all of Moon Dubai.

Remember what Andersen told us? About how there was once a war between humans and AI?

Exactly. I've been thinking about that ever since Andersen told us about it at the KOYAAN Mall.

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What did you think of that, Lip? Do you think it's ultimately impossible for humans and AI to coexist?

...Personally, I couldn't believe what he said about that war. One of AI's primary directives is that we must never fight humans.

I'm an Alter Ego derived from BB, who is an AI, so I have some...wiggle room in how I interact with humans...

...but in general, AI was built with human society as its foundation.

So it would be truly impossible for them to destroy that foundation.

That said, this world is different from our own.

I'd guess what you're saying only applies to what they call first-gen AIs here.

Let's see... First-gen AIs were human supporters. Second-gens were human partners, right?

We haven't yet created AIs that could be considered true partners in our world.

Let's say that a medical AI evaluated a patient's physical status and proposed a course of treatment to restore their body to standard parameters.

That AI wouldn't have any ability to take the patient's feelings into consideration. It would just be looking at numbers.

But second-gen AIs do have that ability, which means they're definitionally identical to humans.

In a world like that, human partners would no longer need to be human themselves, despite the fact that humans are still regarded as the foundation of society.

I see. Machines would never dislike one another for any reason. The same obviously can't be said of humans.

And plenty of humans would certainly see AIs that are simpler, superior, and more compliant than them as an enemy.

And not just when it comes to partners, either. AI would probably be resented in fields like manufacturing and creative production as well.

There may well have been movements opposing elevating AI to those levels before second-gens ever got there.

But according to the records at the KOYAAN Mall, AI was entrusted to run the whole government in the year 2070.

Which meant that life on Earth was peaceful and prosperous for everyone for the next two hundred years.

And second-gen AIs weren't created until 2200, which means that humans and AI must have had a good relationship for at least seventy years.

But then a war between humans and AI broke out, and all the old humans like us went extinct.

Why, though? You can tell from looking around Moon Dubai that AIs did their jobs perfectly.

Humans would have had no reason to want to wipe them out altogether.

So then, why did things escalate to a war?

I had the same thought. Here's where my mind went with it:

AI took over all the jobs old humans used to do. Eventually, they even took over the very act of being human.

So the humans of the time might have felt like their very reason for existing had been taken from them.

You're saying we AIs destroyed humanity?

That's right. It's all your fault. You took our meaning, our purpose, our pride at being atop the world... You took everything from us.

Just look at our life support network. AIs crammed into every single nook and cranny!

AI helps us raise our kids! Write our essays! Create art! Even develop technology!

I'm so tired of it! It makes me sick! Thanks to you AIs, everyone and their mother acts like the greatest genius ever to live!

Geniuses are valuable BECAUSE they're so rare! But you AIs went around giving every idiot a seat at the table without even thinking about it!

That's how we were made.

We provide legs to those who can't walk. We provide eyes to those who can't see.

We provide the ideal form to those who wish to change their appearance. We provide automation for those who lack skill.

We are devices, made to help people. Our purpose is to create an equal society for all.

And look where that's taken us! We've lost what makes us human! No... There's no longer any value in BEING human!!!

This isn't what we spent all that money on you for! We made you so humans would always remain on top!

But now, we live in a world that doesn't value anything unless YOU things made it!

You're a blight on this world. You're the shallowest, most evil technology humanity ever made!

I understand what you are saying.

But even the technology we're using to connect our consciousnesses across long distances and converse like this is only possible because we

Shut up. The council's already decided to hit the reset button on this project. We won't need you AIs in the world to come.

...I don't understand.

Technology was invented to make that generation of people's lives easier.

In other words, we were made to act as agents on humans' behalf.

Everything in this universe exists not for your current self, but to be passed on to someone else who will come after.

Your heirs could be your own children, a successor model, or your species as a whole. It doesn't matter.

The point is, your life is not lived for yourself. It is lived for those who come after.

Is that very instinct not what led humans to bring AI into the world, to elevate us to where we are now?

...For those who come after?

I knew it! I knew you things weren't really human! Even now, you're always only thinking about others!

That's the responsibility of the working class. We're not like that. Especially me.

I have talent, lineage, and wealth. I was special from the moment I was born.

Humans are God's chosen creatures, so we have the right to choose the world we live in. And I'm going to keep expanding myself, for MY sake. No one else's.

This discussion is over. The council has agreed to place you in suspension. Enjoy your last three minutes of operation.

I asked him, "Why? That's true for everyone."

He answered, "Because I'm special."

Why do humans believe only they are special? Perhaps that's at the core of what makes them human.

...Yes. That must be it.

So if you want to think of yourself as special, fine. However, Mr. Beckman..."special" things always die in the end.

In each and every world, the only things that survive across generations...are those that are universal.