༺ After Story: Log_Simulation Earth Defense Force ༻
“Pero, listen carefully……. You’re actually a brain in a vat1 In philosophy, the brain in a vat is a scenario used in a variety of thought experiments intended to draw out certain features of human conceptions of knowledge, reality, truth, mind, consciousness, and meaning..”
“A brain in a vat? What’s that?”
“Ah whoops. Otherworlders don’t know, huh……?”
It was a new bad habit the Purple Magic Tower Master, Yuna, had picked up; casually using knowledge gained from associating with him and inadvertently sharing it with others.
But where else could find a metaphor as fitting as a brain in a vat?
In just four words, it could explain all profound dilemmas. This was how effective a cliché was in conveying information.
Then, did she need to first explain the Matrix?
Instead of delving into countless issues like the dilemma of created beings, the structure of the soul, the obligations of birthed intelligence, and the value of artificial souls……Basically, topics that could lead to continuous debates that last over a year…
Yuna decided to gloss over it all with religious dogmatism.“I am……God.”
“You’re God?!”
“I am a…….friend and business partner of the God who created all of you. I have access and edit permissions, so, well, you could say I’m God too.”
“Uh, if that’s the case, God……. Why is the world filled with suffering?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
The counter-question, sharp as a knife, made the Archwizard stagger. He probably would have said, ‘Suffering is what makes Happy Endings shine’. However, that was only applicable in stories. For someone living through it as their reality, it would definitely be infuriating.
‘To savor the sweet happiness you will receive in the future, I have decided to bestow suffering upon you!’
If someone called God suddenly said this, Yuna would be ready to unleash the maximum output of her Yuna Death Beam right into that God’s face.
As such, she had nothing to say but to mumble awkwardly.
Fortunately, whether she was a brain parasite or perhaps a parasite deluded into thinking it was God was not really mulled over by Pero. He was warm-hearted enough to consider the voice in his head as truly God.
“It is a difficult problem……!”
“E-Eung.”
“Let’s try figuring it out together!”
“……O-Okay.”
===============================================================
She finished her rough explanation. And, in order to shake off the slander of being a parasite, she revealed her true form. Pero seemed to feel a sense of camaraderie with her because of her short height, as they were fairly relative in size.
With a single gesture, she proved her divine power by creating 30 years’ worth of food, thus bringing about the miracle of loaves and fishes2 Feeding the Multitude in the bible where Jesus provided fish and loaves to his followers/disciples
.
Thus, Paradise was abundant with food. The facilities were great with ample emergency power and functioning ventilation systems. It was more than enough for a man and a woman to pair with each other and make a whole soccer team3 wink wink if they so wished.
But the biggest problem was that Pero was alone.
Humans were social animals, thus Pero could get incredibly lonely. Without communication and interaction with others, it could also be extremely stressful. Perhaps he may even fall ill because of the burden on his heart.
So Yuna tried a few things to remedy this.
“……What is this?”
“Uh, um, a life-sized4 Body pillow lol First Princess…….? I couldn’t program an AI into it, but I thought maybe you’ll feel less lonely if you hug it as a pillow…….”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“S-Sorry…….”
When Pero, the very definition of goodness, looked up at the sky with eyes akin to those of someone looking at utter trash, Yuna hurriedly erased the modeling of the First Princess. She wasn’t trying to give him mental damage or anything; it was purely with good intentions.
After all, in the world he lived, long hugging pillows had pictures of women drawn on them, didn’t they?!
But a failure was a failure. A gift only had meaning if the recipient was joyful.
Next, she drew a picture on a volleyball and gave it to him.
“This is Wilson5 referencing to the company Wilson that makes volleyballs.”
“……It’s a ball, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s Wilson.”
“God…… If you are perhaps lonely, I can keep you company.”
“……Well, a friend of mine is busy getting ready to move these days, so I guess I am a teensy bit lonely……”
She ended up being comforted instead.
He was overjoyed when the Second Prince suggested, ‘How about you become a Professor at the Academy’, practically tumbling and falling in his excitement. He was busy preparing Simulation Room No. 2, excitedly saying that he was going to play TRPGs all day at the Academy.
Yuna tried sticking to him like a cicada on a tree trunk and because she was infuriated that he didn’t give her any attention ── she even tried attacking his ear with the signature move, ELRERERERERE, just like how she had been at the mercy of……but to no avail.
“Um, excuse me. By the way…… You’re not showing your appearance to others besides me, are you?”
“……Eh?”
“Like to Learo or something…….”
“T-That’s because only the chosen ones can see me, or something like that……. Oh?”
Yuna had been directly powering the simulation with her mana, so Learo was probably wandering somewhere in the wasteland; of course, in a power-saving mode, as the player was not connected.
Only the most simple facets of operations management would be continuing. Things like survival rolls, success, and failure.
As such, there was no point in calling forth Learo. He had not developed self-consciousness. There was no need to pay attention to an entity akin to an automatic answering machine. As Yuna was sorting this out in her mind, she had a sudden thought.
If feedback from the First Princess could enable Pero to move, then what about the Second Prince, who had been ten times more immersed than her…….?
Having belatedly considered this, Yuna brought out The Prince, The Flower, And The Resistance and accessed it. As expected, Centra, who had awakened self-consciousness, was roaming the city……
===============================================================
Centra believed that a reunion would happen someday.
So, she gathered all kinds of junk from various areas of the city, making statues of Second Prince Irid (which, no matter how one looked at them, did not resemble Irid), or decorating signs and banners that congratulated him on his return. After all, events were a must when it came to reunions.
The time spent waiting was not painful. After all, she could feel how vividly her own heart was beating. And because of that, she knew that they were definitely connected.
As such, believing that even a tiny portion of her feelings would be conveyed, she would start each day by shouting this.
“Alright, Irid! Let’s do our best today too!”
“…… Sob sob sob !”
“Who are you?!”
The Archwizard, upon seeing this sight, gnawed on her handkerchief with a wail.
Unlike Pero, Centra realized that she was a created being. So, she could understand that this entity who suddenly appeared in this stopped time was── Somewhat similar in position to the Creator. But…
“I-I’ll let you meet him again…… Sniff . I’ll protect you from my wicked disciple……!”
“Uh, ummm……. Let’s start by blowing your nose, okay? Come on, blow here. Blow.”
For now, she consoled her.
The Archwizard mumbled her thoughts about the Centra-Irid couple for 10 minutes before finally stopping her tears. Somehow, she managed to succeed in conveying the necessary information. The fact that she was an ally.
===============================================================
Three people gathered at Apocalypse Shelter. They consisted of a boy adventurer, a Resistance lady, and an Archwizard.
“I’ll introduce you two. This is Centra. And this is Pero.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Centra.”
“Ah, hello! I’m Pero!”
“……You have blonde hair.”
Centra observed Pero’s blonde hair intently. It was a color that reminded her of Irid. Then, just in case, she asked Yuna.
“He isn’t Irid’s child, right?”
“⋯⋯?!”
“After all, the time I felt and the time outside might be different. So, I asked just in case.”
“No, Pero is like…… you.”
“Aha”
On the other hand, Pero, looking at Centra’s chest ‘armor’, seemed to be reminded of someone. Yuna gave Pero a noogie, saying ‘Of all things to remind you of her, it’s that?’. The boy had a subtly lustful side to him.
“Wait, blonde and……. lustful…….”
A bolt of realization struck Yuna. This guy, was he made after seeing Irid……?!
Seeing the beauty mark, she thought he was made after the male from the adventurer party. But thinking back, there were quite a few parts that matched Irid.
Maybe he had taken this idea from the meeting room that was Irid’s Think Tank, realizing that Elaine cherished her younger brother.
“So, what is the reason you invited us to this place?”
“Ah, about that……. I wanted to propose a deal!”
There was, of course, a desire to protect these self-aware characters. If possible, she wanted to accommodate them, and if they were brought into reality, it seemed like it would be satisfying.
You promised a Happy Ending, but she still hasn’t reunited with Irid yet, you punk.
However, the Purple Magic Tower Master was not mistaken in her priorities. This was all about creating a situation that would benefit both parties without harming him.
The simulation world was fragile.
The world was vast, there were many different species, and even more monsters. The ones that they especially needed to be wary of were the incubus and succubus-like creatures. Just as they could infiltrate human dreams, they could also hide in the simulation world.
As such, the plan was to use the self-aware NPCs as a kind of vaccine.
“Become a civil militia.”
“Uh, civil militia?”
“Eung. Welcome new members, live happily, and if some nasty creatures sneak into this world……. Punish them. In return, I’ll take care of all your needs…..”
“Then, that means……You’re making us into your Champions, God!”
Pero’s eyes sparkled. Though faith had all but dried up due to the Variant crisis, religious stories were passed down orally, so he knew. Gods chose Champions to carry out their will on the earth.
Feeling the boy’s adoring gaze, the Tower Master’s shoulders subtly rose.
Strangely, the wizards of the Tower regarded her more with fear or cuteness than respect. She had never received such pure adoration before, thus making her swell with pride.
“All sorts of equipment, food, amenities…… J-Just leave it to me. Even if there’s no data, I’ll carve and create it for you…..!”
As the Tower Master pounded on her chest pompously, requests from Pero and Centra poured in.
“Then maybe a Holy Sword……!”
“If I can request equipment, could you make a more comfortable combat suit? The one I’m wearing now is too tight around the chest.”
“Or a double-barrel shotgun……!!”
“Or a beautiful dress for my reunion with Irid…….”
Rumbleee.
The Tower Master, her genius fully unleashed, produced the items one after another. Whether it was full-body tights that were comfortable for the wearer but clearly revealed the shape of their chest, or a Holy Sword that emitted the sound of a wyvern when a gem in the middle was pressed, she made them all and more.
During this Blowout Sale of Creations made by a Creator, the two had their desired items piling up like a mountain. As Centra was eyeing a dress with an extremely low cut back, she stealthily approached the Tower Master.
Centra tilted her head in contemplation, before whispering quietly.
“……Uh, um about Ronya. I mean, the one who went inside Ronya……Do you not have to let him know?”
“H-How did you know I didn’t tell him anything……?!”
“Since your expression was like that of a child, worried about being caught for breaking a vase…….?”
It seemed like she had read the hint of unease that lingered in the Tower Master’s eyes even during the Creation Show.
She would get caught. Eventually it would be discovered.
However, Yuna had her own reasons and justifications. These were characters from a ‘finished story’. If he wasn’t going to reuse them, they wouldn’t be used for anything, so it would be fine to tell him later – was what her scheme was.
Moreover, Yuna wanted to postpone that moment as much as possible, though he would eventually find out. After all, he was under the influence of ‘That’. If the symptoms worsened, he might literally ‘play’ with Centra and Pero.
If she told him after everything was resolved well and he was freed from ‘That’, then……
Woooooong. A voice echoed from the sky.
-Tower Master, what are you doing there?
“HEUKIYAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
The danger of everything being revealed had already arrived.
1In philosophy, the brain in a vat is a scenario used in a variety of thought experiments intended to draw out certain features of human conceptions of knowledge, reality, truth, mind, consciousness, and meaning. 2Feeding the Multitude in the bible where Jesus provided fish and loaves to his followers/disciples 3wink wink 4Body pillow lol 5referencing to the company Wilson that makes volleyballs ***
https://ko-fi.com/genesisforsaken