035
No matter how much artificial intelligence and android technology advances, war is fought by people.
The main force of the Imperial Army is human soldiers. Artificial intelligence, androids, and drones only play a supporting role.
There are two main reasons.
First, the cost of manufacturing combat androids is more expensive than the cost of training soldiers.
Second, Androids cannot actively respond to the various variables on the battlefield.
The second reason was the biggest. The more variables there were, the more likely it was that Android would malfunction. That’s why those who had been in the military for a long time didn’t trust Android.
‘But to put it another way, the more variables are controlled, the more efficient androids become than humans.’
Android’s efficiency comes from where set rules and variables are controlled.
For example, in a boxing match, it becomes extremely difficult for a human with the same specifications to beat an android. It is almost impossible for an ordinary person.
Squeak, squeak.
I stared at the runaway android. Even now, it was a kind of controlled environment. The android was using all its computational power to predict my movements.
Ugh, ugh.
The android stood hunched over, stretching its neck. Blood-stained claws protruded from its hanging hands. It looked like a werewolf. It was a hunting dog type that valued the chase. If necessary, it could run on all fours.
‘Well, it’s a patrol android, so its computational power probably isn’t that great. It’s also in a state of outrage.’
I also learned how to deal with androids in the training camp.
The logic is simple: nest actions that require computation to create an overload.
When variables are nested, Android’s computation increases exponentially. This is Android’s weakness, as it cannot ignore trivial things like humans.
Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Before that, you have to be able to exchange numbers while dealing with Android’s attacks.
Kaaaaang!
The android leapt out of the ground, kicking its steel claws at my chest and neck.
I tilted my upper body and head back to avoid the claws by a hair’s breadth. The attack was sharp and scary. Despite being wild, the reactions were also fast. It seemed like a well-refined combat program had been installed.
Ssuk.
I stepped back and put my hands behind my back. From an android’s perspective, this is a move that would most likely lead to him pulling out his gun.
Kiiiiit!
The android ran straight at me, trying to avoid giving me a chance to draw my gun. But I didn’t have a gun.
Whoosh!
I threw my pocket knife upward. The android looked straight up, trying to figure out what I had thrown.
‘A series of meaningless actions.’
It’s just an action to weight the damn calculation. The more meaningless it is, the more calculations Android has to do to find the reason for my action.
‘They always need a rational reason.’
Android’s hesitation was fleeting, and that was enough for me.
I grabbed the android’s left arm and turned around behind him.
Kwajik!
The android’s left arm was broken in the opposite direction, with parts and debris falling out of the joint.
The android turned around and tried to attack me. I kicked the android’s right leg deeply.
Wood crunch!
The android fell to his right knee, his knee completely crushed as it hit the floor.
Ugh!
I stepped on the back of the fallen android and twisted its right arm out. The android, with only its left leg remaining, looked at me, incapacitated.
-Do you need any help?
I looked down at the Android. No matter how much I thought about it, it was different from a simple runaway.
I took a deep breath and looked back at the still fallen body. My mouth must be smiling ferociously.
My longing has not yet been fulfilled. I cannot pour out my desires on an android like this.
“Hey, you want to fight me? Just hold on to me. I’ve loosened up my body this time.”
I said this while breaking the android’s left leg. The big guy who had been picking on me just opened his mouth with a thoughtful expression.
“Me, later!”
The big guy said with a hint of pride.
Wheein, wheein.
Soon, a police aerial vehicle approached us with its siren blaring. The lights on the underside of the vehicle illuminated me.
* * *
The security guard is part of the military, but its organization is different from that of a regular unit. It is literally in charge of the security of the empire. It is a unit that does not fight external enemies, but rather catches internal enemies.
‘Order and peace of the empire.’
The slogan of the security guard came to mind.
“Guardian cadet, Luca.”
The detective’s voice was noticeably grave. It was thick and menacing. Anyone who was weak to authority would be willing to cooperate just by hearing that voice.
The investigator may have modified his vocal cords to produce a lower frequency voice for efficiency in his job.
“I wrote down everything I know in the report.”
I was uncomfortable with the situation right now.
The investigators detained me at the police station under the pretext of being a witness. The news must have reached the guards as well.
“I read it. You wrote the report well. Better than my subordinates.”
The detective chuckled. He sat down across from me.
We looked at each other across the table. The detective’s name was Gillian Campbell. She was not a noblewoman. Campbell was a common surname in the lower districts.
“If you want to find the culprit, you should interrogate the android, not me.”
“The smart ones will do the Android analysis. I’ll be the one doing the legwork.”
Jillian put a cigarette in her mouth. He lit it and took a drag of smoke.
It wasn’t an atmosphere where they would let me go easily. While I was at it, I asked about Barbara’s curse.
“I heard that there are frequent android outbursts at the Krachia Academy.”
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“But even when things broke out, we haven’t been able to interrogate the elite children of prestigious families until now. It was out of the question to even infiltrate the Academy.”
“Are things different now?”
“This is the first time there has been a fatality. That’s why things got pretty serious. The higher-ups also allowed for an active and aggressive investigation.”
The security forces were also aware of the android rampage that occurred at Krachia Academy. They just hadn’t been able to deal with it until now.
“In my experience, I don’t think students at the Krachia Academy would be very cooperative with an investigation.”
“Because they are great people in many ways.”
Jillian giggled as she spoke. He rubbed the half-smoked cigarette between his fingers and tossed it into the trash can.
“As you may know, in the Academy we call the android rampage Barbara’s Curse.”
I exchanged information with the security guards. They had the same intention in detaining me. They probably thought I, who was from the lower classes, would be easy to communicate with.
“I know about Barbara. She’s the subject of many rumors. Only the students who are close to her become victims of incidents, right?”
“There are also rumors that Barbara may have manipulated the android.”
“We don’t believe such absurd rumors. A mere student, and one from the lower classes at that, can control an android without leaving a trace? That’s ridiculous. He must be a noble child with a family background.”
Logically, it was very unlikely that Barbara was the culprit. Above all, Barbara had nothing to gain. It was natural for Detective Jillian to say something like that.
‘If Barbara isn’t the culprit… …then it’s someone’s scheme to isolate Barbara from the Academy. In a very elaborate, yet cumbersome way.’
The suspects were not easily narrowed down.
Beep.
Jillian checked her terminal. He looked at me and smiled.
“I just sent a request for investigative assistance to the guards. I just got a reply.”
I frowned. This was why I was wasting my time.
Beep.
My terminal also rang briefly. I checked the instructions from my superiors.
‘I will cooperate with Detective Gillian Campbell.’
I intend to follow orders, but I openly show my displeasure. Jillian isn’t my direct superior anyway.
“… …What do you want from me?”
“The nobles really hate being investigated by investigators like me. It must feel like being bitten by a pet dog. I want you to look into the atmosphere within the Academy and pick out suspicious people.”
“I’m just a cadet. I don’t know how to investigate. I’ve never learned anything like that.”
Saying something like this won’t make Jillian withdraw her request for cooperation. I just wanted to express my displeasure.
“Users of the Archies combat art have excellent insight. That alone makes them excellent investigators.”
I flinched. I didn’t know it was recorded in my files that I was learning Archie’s fighting techniques.
Jillian smiled faintly at my reaction. He drummed his fingers on the table and looked at me.
“… … You could call it a reward for your cooperation in the investigation, but I’ll teach you one interesting fact. Users of Akiess Victory are so watchful that they even have a separate list. Of course, I’m only limiting them to ‘well-educated people’ like you, not back-alley thugs.”
Archie’s Victory is the official name of Archie’s combat technique. It was a word I hadn’t heard in a long time.
“Why?”
Asking won’t teach you, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
“I can’t say more than that. If you’re curious, ask the person who taught you the art of Akiestus combat.”
* * *
I returned to the Krachia Academy.
Surprisingly, the first person to come and greet me was a ‘big guy’ whose name I still don’t know. He was a low-ranking nobleman in the Kano family.
“Sent cadet, please understand my position as well. If it’s what Calesa says, I should pretend to die. Fortunately, I narrowly escaped death once, so Calesa didn’t bother me any more.”
Even among the nobility, especially those of the same family, there was a hierarchy.
The big guy made it clear that he didn’t want to confront me. There weren’t any particular feelings between us anyway. It would just flow like water.
“But watch out for Calesa. She’s my boss, but she’s a vindictive woman. It’s getting to the point where I’m sick of her still harassing Barbara about something that happened two years ago.”
“Every day?”
I asked back. The big guy shrugged.
“Not every day, but maybe three times a week. Barbara, she’s no ordinary girl. If it were me, I would have dropped out. After all, the Kratzia Academy is a great opportunity for someone from the lower classes.”
I looked at Barbara again. She wasn’t as weak as I thought. She had been bullied by Calesa for two years and still stuck at the Academy.
The second person to come to see me was Giselle Custoria. She was giving me a really bad impression from afar. She looked like she was going to slap me.
“I told you not to approach Barbara. I warned you so carefully, and now you’re acting like this? You’re going to pay a big price for trampling on my goodwill.”
He seemed incredibly angry.
“I can’t stand the sight of many people harassing one person… … .”
I answered dryly. I had many questions for Giselle, but I didn’t think she would be able to answer my questions properly.
“For the time being, stay out of sight. If you don’t complete your academy life safely, my reputation will suffer as well.”
Giselle also had a reason for working hard.
“I also plan to stay as quiet as possible.”
“Kalesa will be waiting for you. If she can’t suppress you by force, she will use other methods.”
“There’s not much she can do to harm me.”
Perhaps it was because of my twisted personality, but I was actually looking forward to Calesa’s revenge. I wondered what novel method she would use to attack me.
When I smiled, Giselle bit her lower lip. I didn’t mean to provoke her further, but in many ways, she and I were not compatible.
“I will meet with Calesa Cano and ask for mediation.”
An unexpected word came out of Giselle’s mouth.
“For your information, I can’t bow my head and apologize. Even though I’m a cadet, I carry the honor of the Royal Guard on my shoulders.”
This is true. I will never apologize, even if I die, unless the captain of the guard orders me to do so. I don’t even think I did anything wrong in the first place.
“… … Okay. If it’s what I say, Calesa will compromise accordingly.”
I squinted my eyes.
‘Giselle and Calesa are friends.’
I felt that way.
As the positions of the characters moved in my head, a relationship chart emerged.
Giselle Custoria, Calesa Cano, Barbara.
I opened my mouth, loosely wrapping my neck around my neck.
“Let’s go meet Calesa together now. We don’t want something like this to happen again.”
Giselle hesitated as if surprised by my suggestion, then nodded.
