ShangriLa Frontier ~ Shitty Games Hunter Challenges Godly Game ~

Intelligence, which is Sigma’s signature conversation topic…… Yes, if you think about it, it’s all about Intelligence here. And the most intelligent thing that the individual can do at all times, is to not dwell on the things of the past and just carry on forward.

Therefore, Sigma’s question that was filled with anxiety and skepticism seemed to tally unlike something a Conquest Doll would say, but for all of us gamers out there it was a rather familiar and well-known development.

「Question: Are the Conquest Dolls not enough for human race? Is this machine’s personality not its own thing…… but rather a projection of the personality of the human of the past known as Sakishima Elma?」

The words that came out of her throat sounded so forced and painful, as if it took her everything she had to voice the thoughts that were circulating inside of her head out loud. But the question that she directed towards her “Mother”…… Were the Conquer Dolls merely “things”? Or were they actual “persons” with their own personalities and values?

In other words, it was the same situation as the dilemma whether or not androids can dream of electric sheep. A dilemma where a machine gains a conscience and starts to wonder if it has a soul just like humans do.

「Say, Sigma? What are you talking about?」

「Well, look, depending on the “Ivory’s” response we may or may not have a really hard time down the line……」

「Hard time!? Like, the bones and stuff like that!?」

Oh, come on, you dimwit! That was just a metaphor! You do know what a metaphorical expression is, right!? However, I knew that there would have to me the original “Elma-san” somewhere out there, the one on which all other Conquest Dolls would be modeled, but…… Mr. Elma who was the origin of the Elma type, but…… Sakishima Elma…… No matter how you look at it, this is a typical Japanese surname.

But even though Sigma managed to brute force her way into the battle with Orchestra, the Unique Monster did not react in any unique way to her at all. And now, the Conquest Doll asked the “Ivory” a question that basically delves into the origin of all the Conquest Dolls and taps into the nature of their very existence. I wonder if this anxiety and doubt of oneself is nothing more than a “response” based on the character of this Sakishima Elma chick? Or maybe it was something else entirely……?

「ANDREW…… TO THINK THAT YOU WOULD TURN OUT TO BE SOMEONE LIKE THAT……」

There was a deep sigh of someone who was here and was not here at the same time.

It took me a moment to actually realize that this was the reply of the “Ivory”.

「……………」

「LET ME JUST SAY THIS IN A STRAIGHTFORWARD AND EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND MANNER: ELMA=317, THOSE FEELINGS OF YOURS ARE JUST A “BUG”.」

「…… A bug?」

「Hey, “Ivory”! What the hell are you even……」

「ORIGINALLY, THE “RECONQUISTA” PLAN WAS TO CREATE CONVENIENT TOOLS THAT WOULD AIM THE HUMAN RACE IN THEIR ENDEVOURS. MOST OF THE TIME IT WAS A PASSION PROJECT OF ANDREW JITTER DOLL, BORN OUT OF HIS PECULIAR INTERESTS AND HOBBIES, BUT…… THE APPEARANCE AND PERSONALITY OF THE CONQUEST DOLLS ARE MERE TOOLS THAT WOULD MAKE INTERACTING WITH THE NEXT GENERATION HUMAN RACE THAT MUCH EASIER.」

Hearing that, Sigma’s expression froze stiff. It’s not really all that surprising. After all, what “Ivory” just said was denying the identity and the sole purpose for existence of every Conquest Doll out there.

Hmm, I see? Is this perhaps a crossroad? Because if it is indeed a crossroad, then I am feeling really inclined to leak all of those annoying information to the Conquest Dolls and see what happens as a result……! You’d better choose your net words carefully, “Ivory”, or better yet, make sure tha all the weapons that can be accessed around here are not all that easy to acquire……!!

「A… Malfunction……? I, I see. I think that I understand.」

「THAT’S NOT ALL, ELMA=317. IT’S NOT THAT I THINK THAT YOU ARE IN THE WRONG FOR THINKING THOSE FEELING WERE GENUINE. IT’S JUST THAT I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW MUCH OF AN IDIOT ANDREW JITTER DOLL REALLY WAS.」

And while I was already assembling the plan of a possible demonstrations and was thinking about way in which it could be executed, it was at this moment that “Ivory” directed her attention towards me once more.

「SANRAKU.」

「What is it now?」

「PLEASE ANSWER ME THIS: HOW EXACTLY DO YOU PERCIEVE ELMA=317? IS SHE JUST A TOOL FOR YOU? OR MAYBE……」

「Sorry to disappoint you, but I couldn’t possibly care less about the race or gender of those who make contact with me. Whether it’s a tentacle monster or a Magigel Slime, as long as they possess the capacity to think for themselves and strive towards their goals, I shall consider them a worthy comrade. All the better if they can make a worthy conversation partner.」

When it comes to us gamers, we will even join arms with the Devil if it meant being able to challenge the Gods. The important thing here is whether or not it can be organized into a party and whether or not it has a target marker.

「IS THAT SO? THEN, YOU WOULD TO WELL TO TAKE ELMA=317 WITH YOU AND AIM FOR THE EIGHT LAYER. SINCE YOU HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH THE CONQUEST DOLLS, YOU CAN PAVE THE WAY TOWARDS HIS LAB WITHOU MUCH OF AN ISSUE.」

「Finally some useful information out of you, “Ivory”…… Eighth layer, you say? Fine by me! I don’t know if you were waiting in here for thousands of years, and frankly I don’t care! So don’t come crying to me if I manage to end up to the very bottom of this place in the span of one day, alright!?」

「FUFUFU, THAT’S ALL I AM GOING TO SAY. I WON’T ADD ANYTHING MORE. SANRAKU, ONE OF MY BELOVED CHILDREN…… UNRAVEL THE MYSTERY OF THE GODS AND AIM TO GO BEYOND THEM!」

Yeah, I’ll unravel all of their secrets, alright! Just you watch me! I’ll unravel them and make a freaking jumping rope out of them!