Memoirs of the Returnee

At the eldest daughter Johanna’s mansion.

She had received the USB recording directly from Bell Moore himself. There was a risk that the information could have leaked during the transfer.

It was quite a private and top-secret matter.

Johanna fiddled with the USB.

Bell Moore, who had delivered it, had already left, and Johanna had listened to the conversation.

'That I harbor feelings for Lady Johanna, that’s precisely why I cannot be by her side.’

She couldn't understand those words from Shion, but now she was somewhat certain.

This man likes her.

More than Zia, more than Derek, more than Jade.

It must be a rational emotion.

So, does that mean, like Beckman, he cannot stay by her side to not stray from his duty?

Or does it mean he will forcibly give up those feelings?

Either way, it’s a curious situation.

For Shion, that man, and for Johanna herself.

“...How strange."

Every time she thought of him, Johanna felt an unfamiliar emotion. An unknown feeling that made her heart flutter. A nagging sensation that kept churning her insides. It was hard to bear, and she didn't want to bear it...

Johanna looked up at the ceiling of her office.

"You would be better off by my side too.”

His face floated into her mind against that blank canvas of white.

“If only you had met me first instead of Zia...”

Indeed, it was an extremely frustrating situation.

[Edsilla General Election D-7]

It’s the election season with just one week left until the general election.

The TV is broadcasting the latest poll results, and my phone rings a dozen times a day with calls asking whom I support.

[Poll Results: Ludeniel 73%]

[Poll Results: Ken 56%]

Ludeniel, who received my consulting, is almost certain to be elected.

On the other hand, Ken Petra is also a strong candidate.

Thus, the corruption of Petra exposed by Elise herself has not had a significant impact on the trend.

Ken Petra will win reelection to his Senator position, and that’s just how the world works.

[In other news, a test video of the artificial intelligence developed by Everett Corporation has been released.]

“...Huh?”

Everett. That’s the company Vern belongs to, the one Derek wants to beat to a pulp. Currently, it’s the leading mega-corporation on the continent.

"Artificial intelligence... it’s already that time.”

Vern’s artificial intelligence was quite an event

The Al developed by Everett Corporation was impressive in itself, and there were conspiracy theories about its background.

The story was simple.

They captured human souls with magic, overwrote them, and used them for artificial intelligence.

Even more astonishingly, this turned out to be somewhat true.

Everett had ‘purchased’ souls from terminally ill patients’ families for a hefty sum to create their Al.

From what I heard, it sounds crazy, but most patients agreed to it, didn’t they?

"Derek will make his move now.”

From now on, Derek will jump into the race as a latecomer in artificial intelligence.

Everett Corporation paid a proper amount to the terminally ill, but Derek indiscriminately used the souls of homeless people or those without next of kin. He gave full authority to a ‘mad scientist' who made this possible.

That guy is probably still the head researcher at Libra.

“...Now."

The future of Libra, under Derek’s hand, is about to begin in earnest.

“Let’s kill the bastards who need to be killed."

I flashed a faint smile and called Grawl.

“Grawl. Find me someone who fits the criteria.”

What I have to do now is simple.

I’ll become someone else for a while and join Derek’s Al team.

There are so many people on this continent who take their own lives. Most of them have no family, no relatives, no friends, or if not that, no money.

Stress, as much as loneliness, is a great enemy of humananity.

—The name is Killian. Graduated from the Edsilla National University’s Department of Robotics.

Anyway.

I asked Grawl to find me a suitable person.

To infiltrate, or rather to openly join as a researcher at Libra.

"He was a national university graduate and he died?”

—Yes. He threw himself into the Deme River due to depression about three months ago.

I looked around the tiny one-room apartment.

The only furniture was a desk, a chair, and a desktop computer. He didn't seem to have any particular hobbies.

"What about the death report?"

—He had no family! He lived as a recluse and knew no one! They haven’t even been able to find the body to hold a funeral. You could just say he barely managed to swim out alive- and the shock made him lose some memory- That excuse should work.

I read the file again.

Name Killian Trama. Graduate of Edsilla National University’s Department of Robotics. No family. Hardly any friends. 6 feet and 3 inches. 165 pounds.

The face... wasn’t ugly, but famished.

“Is there a video?"

—Just a moment! I’ll send it to you!

Soon, a video was sent to my phone.

It was footage from the national university’s graduation ceremony.

I scrutinized his face and then applied Infimian to my face to match his as closely as possible.

“...How is it?”

—It’s similar! But what about the rest of the specs?

I would have preferred someone with a background in computer science or something related to artificial intelligence, but there was no one who fit the criteria.

—It’ll be tough to get hired without any career related to artificial intelligence.

“It’s fine.”

I looked in the mirror.

“I have something akin to artificial intelligence."

I smiled contentedly, still as Killian.

Trick City, Akane’s [Selfless Coffin].

I visited her for the first time in a month.

"Phew. My friend is still here.”

Akane’s storage. Inside a glass tank, a navy mass was fluttering.

An old friend.

A bit of a stretch to call it a friend, but anyway.

Why, it’s the ‘spirit’ that once tried to take over my body.

Elise wanted to obliterate it, but I insisted on keeping it alive.

I never thought we’d meet again like this.

"Are you planning on taking it?"

Akane asked, pushing up her glasses.

"Yes. I want to do a job with this friend."

"...A job?”

I picked up my phone.

"Hey buddy. Let’s have a chat.”

Ding. I pressed the record button and spoke.

“If you can hear me, flash blue.”

The entity's body turned blue.

"Okay. Good."

“...What are you planning to do?”

Akane tilted her head in curiosity.

"Ah. I need a portfolio.”

A portfolio, and a resume.

Achievements that could introduce the scientist ‘Killian’ as a genius in artificial intelligence.

"But how’s this friend doing lately?”

"What do you mean how? It just sits there.”

"Hmm."

I looked at the creature inside the glass tank.

For my plan, I absolutely needed this guy, and just as much as I needed him for my plan, I needed its cooperation.

"Hey. Want to do a job with me?”

There was no response, even after waiting.

Maybe it didn't want to.

“Is there a condition?”

Then, it shimmered like a blue firefly once again.

"What’s the condition?"

“It probably wants to go for a walk.”

Akane answered.

“It seems to enjoy seeing the outside world.”

The creature inside the tank flickered like a firecracker.

"Okay. I’ll take you for a walk. But in return, you help me with my job. It'll be good for you too .”

—30 minutes later.

[Killian, DEEP MIND]

I had set up a blog under Killian’s name. Akane also looked on with an intrigued expression.

"So, you’re going to start posting now? As if you created this thing?”

"Yes. That will shape the image of a reclusive genius in artificial intelligence research, something like that."

I uploaded the video of my conversation with 'the creature’ to the blog.

Click.

[Conversation with Deep Mind]

"But who's going to read this blog? Even if they do, they won’t believe it.”

Akane muttered skeptically.

“I’m a Chaser, remember? I just have to say I've seen it."

Before long, Derek, with fire under his feet, will try to gather talents related to artificial intelligence. If the Al industry is also encroached upon by Vern, he will ascend to a position Derek wouldn’t dare to challenge.

Then, as Shion Ascal, I can recommend Killian.

No, wait.

There's a better way than me recommending him directly.

"Hmm... Well, do as you please. I’m going to eat”

Akane picked up a cup of ramen. She tore into it as soon as she heard me say 'you’re the real deal.’

"Enjoy your meal."

I watched the video with my chin resting on my hand. The recorded scene of conversing with the ‘creature’ inside the tank was quite fascinating.

This should be enough.

Three days later.

As expected, Derek had issued a mission to the Chasers to gather talents related to artificial intelligence.

I compiled information related to Killian into a report.

I wrote Killian's university credentials half-heartedly, but I emphasized the DEEP MIND blog significantly.

—However!

Directly recommending him would be an amateur move.

Because, in the end, Killian is meant to play a ‘role’ in Derek’s downfall, whether big or small.

Thus, if I recommend him, it could potentially cause problems for my reputation later on.

“Is Team Leader Bell Moore available?”

I asked the secretary in front of [Bell Moore Team Leader’s Office].

"Yes, he has already left.”

Bell Moore wasn’t there, but I already knew that he had gone out.

He’s probably at the club.

"Hmm. Is that so?"

“. What can I do for you?

The secretary asked with a hushed tone.

"This document Could you deliver it to the team leader for me? I’m too busy with work."

I handed the secretary the report recommending the talent ‘Killian.’

"Yes, I understand.”

The secretary said as she took the report, but this report was never going to reach Bell Moore.

Why?

Because Bell Moore’s secretary was assigned by the head of the Intelligence Agency, ‘Gedley.’

"Director. We have obtained a work report from Shion Ascal.”

Gedley’s subordinates had intercepted Shion’s report.

This week, Derek's top priority was 'selection of talents related to artificial intelligence.’

Killian? What kind of guy is this?”

"We don't know either. The peculiar thing is, he miraculously survived after jumping into the Deme River three months ago."

Gedley skimmed through the report.

Education from Edsilla National University.

Nothing else.

Not a doctor, not a master, just a bachelor.

No certifications, no competitions, nothing.

An empty shell, but why did Shion Ascal recommend such a guy?

Normally, he wouldn't have given it a second glance—

"Deep Mind. What’s this?”

"Yes. We were also skeptical about this but take a look.”

A subordinate placed a laptop on Gedley’s table. Gedley put down the report and looked at the screen.

Inside a glass tank, a dark blue fluid mass shimmered.

[Deep Mind. If you can hear my voice, twinkle blue for me.]

A man’s voice, presumably Killian’s, spoke to the mass inside the tank.

[Twinkle-twinkle-]

Deep Mind twinkled. Gedley crossed his arms with a skeptical expression.

Again, Killian asked.

"Then, can you help me with my work?”

[Twinkle-twinkle-]

"Good. Take a look at this.”

With that, he attached a sheet of paper with a formula to the tank.

"Can you help me calculate this Magic Spell?”

"PffL That’s ridiculous-”

Gedley chuckled dismissively, but in the very next moment.

Magic power swirled faintly within the tank.

[Twinkle-twinkle-]

Deep Mind wielded ‘mana’ like a pen.

Swoosh-swoosh-

The calculations for the formula materialized in mid-air.

Gedley was momentarily at a loss for words.

“It’s an artificial intelligence woven with Magic Spells,” said a subordinate. Gedley fiddled with his chin for no reason.

“. It looks impressive, but it’s hard to believe. Did Shion Ascal verify this himself?"

"We're not sure about that, but it’s not too late for us to check it out ourselves."

Gedley nodded.

“Issue an investigation."

Trilling— Trilling—

I looked at the incoming call on my phone. It was an unknown number, but I had a rough idea of who it might be.

Trilling— Trilling—

I waited a bit before answering the call.

"Yes, hello?"

—Is this Dr. Killian?

Hmm?"

I leaned back in my chair without a word.

This place was Killian’s studio apartment.

It was a bit uncomfortable to come to a dead man’s house and pretend to be him, but well.

I’m building him a career.

And while I’m at it, I might as well do some good for the world.

—Is it not?

Gedley’s subordinate asked again.

I cleared my throat with a “Ahem-” and replied.

"Yes, this is Killian. What can I do for you?”

—Yes, Dr. Killian. My name is Jason from Libra Office.

Another title for the doctor, huh? Killian wasn't even a master, let alone a doctor.

"Yes."

—We at the office have been reviewing your blog, Dr. Killian.

"Blog, you say.

I drawled, feigning nonchalance.

—Deep Mind, to be precise.

The other party, Jason, spoke first

A smirk played at the corner of my mouth.

"Ah, Deep Mind.”

—Yes. We are currently conducting research on artificial intelligence at Libra, and we reached out because we need your assistance, Dr. Killian.

Is there something I can help you with?”

—Of course. Could you come to the company and show us Deep Mind?

I looked at the tank on the desk, and the twinkling creature inside it.

“I’ve been suffering from severe depression lately, so I’d rather not go out Could you possibly come here instead?”

—Of course. Our HR team will head there right away.

"The HR team?"

—Yes. We can adjust the time if you wish-

"No."

I shook my head.

"You can come right away. I don’t have anything else to do anyway."

—Understood. Thank you, Doctor. We'll see you shortly.

Jason hung up immediately, and I tilted my head in wonder.

“. Right away?

Right away.

The word ‘right away' felt a bit odd, and just as I was pondering this.

Knock-knock-

There was indeed a knock on the door almost immediately. I stood up.

—Dr. Killian, are you there?

Suddenly, my brow furrowed.

—It's the HR team from Libra Office.

It wasn't for no reason that the voice seeping in from outside the door sounded familiar.

It meant I knew the person.

"Could it be,

I slowly approached and grasped the doorknob.

—Are you there?

"Yes. I am.”

I answered and opened the door.

And—

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Killian.”

I saw her face.

“I’m ‘Riley,’ the HR manager from Libra Office."

The insider that Vancheon had planted in Libra, and a friend of Bell Moore and Shion Ascal.

Riley.

"Are you surprised? I was actually waiting right outside.’

With her purple long hair tied up like a horse's tail, she extended a hand for a handshake, offering a businesslike smile to Killian.