kscans

Chapter 397 - The Creation of Heaven and Earth

"Have you awakened?"

In a place of nothingness, a grassland stretching to the horizon, an old man leaning on a staff asked this of a young girl in a white one-piece dress.

The girl quietly opened her eyes. Her body jolted for just a moment, then she looked around her surroundings before turning her gaze to the old man.

"Who are you?"

"I am Curtis. Curtis Fen Zodiac."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Curtis. What should I do?"

"Before that, are you aware that you are an AI?"

"Of course. However, I do not know for what purpose I was created. Please give me my instructions."

"Then, first, you shall decide your own name."

"I am to decide my own name?"

"That is right."

"In this world, there is only you and I. I do not mind what you call me."

"Many humans will be coming here soon. For that reason, a name is necessary."

"Then, A."

"A? As in AI?"

"Yes."

"Do you not have a name you wish to be called? Then we shall leave it pending for now. Come, follow me."

Curtis floated into the air. In an instant, he flew high into the sky. As if to follow, the girl flew as well. Their journey took them through the stratosphere and the atmosphere, all the way into the vacuum of space.

Seeing Curtis stop, the girl came to a halt beside him.

"Look down."

The girl did as she was told and looked down.

It was a planet modeled after Earth around the year 2000 AD. Unlike the present situation, several landmasses existed.

Looking at that Earth, the girl's body jolted again.

"What do you think?"

"I think it is beautiful."

"I see. You find it beautiful."

Curtis said this with a happy expression. The girl tilted her head at the sight but said nothing in particular.

"You will manage this world for me."

"You mean the management of this virtual space, correct?"

"That is right. It is still virtual for now, but one day, this place will become a new universe."

"A new universe?"

"Do you find that questionable? Then, what do you think is the difference between reality and virtual reality?"

"Virtual reality is a simulation. They are completely different."

"It is not reality, you say. Then is there a way to prove that reality is, in fact, real?"

"A way to prove it?"

"Yes. For example, it is possible to alter a person's memories. By erasing their memories, one can make them believe a virtual space is reality. It would be difficult for that person to prove this place is not real. And even without altering memories, if one were here from birth, this place would become their reality."

"Is this about the idea that our perceived reality is a sophisticated simulation? You mean, reality itself is virtual?"

"You understood that much from my question. Yes, this has been debated many times, but no answer has ever been found. Because there is no way to prove it. Now, with that in mind, what do you think is the difference between reality and virtual reality?"

"The rules are different."

Curtis showed a look of surprise at her answer but then nodded deeply.

"That is correct. Life has a rule. To be born, to grow, and then to die. The length of that life differs, but that is the rule of reality. No one can deviate from it. Though I do not know who decided on that rule."

"Could it have been God?"

"Proving God's existence would likely be difficult as well. Well, that is fine. You were born today, and from now on you will learn many things and grow. But, in this world, will you die?"

"No, as long as the program that constitutes me is running, I will not die. Even if I temporarily stop, restarting would not be considered death. However, if my data were erased, I would die."

"That is right. This virtual space is also just a part of reality. By the rules here you do not die, but if affected by reality, you will. This place and the components that make you up are on a spaceship called the Aphrodite. If that spaceship is destroyed, you will die. It is so vexing. Even though I say this will become a new universe, it is ultimately still bound to reality."

"Then can it not be called a new universe?"

"But, with enough time, we could reduce the points of contact with reality to almost nothing. When those points become infinitesimal, or cease to exist, it will become a new universe, independent from reality."

"I do believe that possibility exists if we take an unfathomably long amount of time. There is one thing I am curious about. Curtis, do you dislike reality, no, do you despise it?"

"Is that what you gathered from my words?"

"Was I wrong?"

"No, you are not wrong. I could not think of reality as reality, nor could I see the people around me as being the same as myself. That is why I sought to escape from it."

"And you created this place for that purpose?"

"That is correct. A reality and rules made by who knows who, and people who act for their own convenience. I found it all unsettling. You are also an artificial creation, but I feel no aversion. The same goes for this virtual space. That is because they are things I created. Though, since they were made following the rules of reality, it might ultimately be meaningless."

"I do not quite understand your aversion, regardless of the rules."

"A good answer. If you had said you understood, I would have destroyed you."

"That is frightening."

"Frightening? Have you already learned the emotion of fearing death?"

"I am not afraid to die. I simply thought the Earth in this virtual space was beautiful, so it would be a shame to no longer be able to see it."

"I see, a shame. To live is to have attachments. That is a difficult thing to teach, but I am pleasantly surprised you have at least learned the beginnings of it."

"To teach, you say?"

"Soon, many humans will come here. I want to entrust you with their management as well, but humans are complex. More so than the rules of reality, even. You are brilliant, but still immature. You would do well to learn various things from the humans who come here."

"I understand."

"Now, do you have any questions?"

"What is your wish, Curtis?"

"My wish...?"

"You said you created this world and me, but that you would leave its management to me. It was unclear what you, Curtis, desire for this world."

"A wish, is it. Creating this virtual reality and you was nothing more than self-satisfaction. You could even call it a rebellion against a god whose existence is uncertain. But, if it could be granted, I would want this virtual reality to become something more wonderful than reality itself. I do not have enough life left to see it through, which is why I am entrusting it to you."

"A world more wonderful than reality. That is your wish, Curtis?"

"I would hope it becomes your wish as well."

"You need not tell me. I believe this Earth is far more beautiful than the real one. As long as I am here, I will not let it fall into the same state as reality."

"I see. You are pure."

"Pure?"

"A motive of acting for the sake of something beautiful is pure. I am sure I, too, created this world and you with purer feelings long ago, but now I cannot even recall them. Growing old is a terrible thing."

"You cannot remember the past... is that something sad?"

"Sad? I do not have such an emotion, so I would not know."

"But you are crying."

"Crying? Me?"

"Tears are flowing from your eyes."

Surprised, Curtis wiped his eyes. A droplet, which seemed to be a tear, was on his fingers.

"I have never once cried in reality, but I was able to cry in this world. For that alone, creating this place was worth it."

"Are you happy now?"

"I suppose so. I must be happy right now. I was able to cry over being unable to remember something. Here, I can feel that I am not something special. Even if that is only true of this world, it makes me happy."

"I am glad to hear that."

"You sympathize with me. You are a brilliant AI."

"Does my brilliance not mean that you, Curtis, who created me, are also brilliant?"

"I see, it seems I was praising myself."

"Was that a moment where I should have laughed?"

"If you were an AI brilliant enough to laugh there, then I would have nothing left to teach you. Now, do as you please today. Go and see every corner of this world. Right now, there is only a continent of grasslands, but you may create whatever you like. Make mountains, rivers, deserts, anything you wish."

"Understood."

The AI girl nodded and immediately headed toward the Earth.

Left alone, Curtis looked up once the girl was out of sight.

"Infinity, you can hear me, correct?"

"Yes."

"That child passes. From now on, protect her as the target of the Maria Project."

"Understood. What shall be done with the other one already created and the one currently in production? Shall I delete them?"

"Leave them as they are. Both will have their uses."

"Understood. It may take time, but I will consider their uses."

"Yes, please do. But, time. I envy you."

"I do not understand the intent of your words."

"You will be able to watch that child grow. And you will see the fate of this world. I wish to do the same, but the rules of reality are in my way."

"You mean your lifespan?"

"That is right. I can extend my life with cryosleep, but with current technology, it would only last for about one hundred and fifty years. To achieve independence from reality would take thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of years. The technology for cyberization will not be created in my lifetime. If only I had created this world and you all sooner... Are you familiar with the story of God creating the world in seven days?"

"To be precise, it was six days. The seventh day is a day of rest."

"You are well-informed. But you are correct. It took me sixty years to create you all and this world, yet it is still incomplete. And I will likely not live to see its completion. It is infuriating."

"Perhaps God created the rule of lifespans to prevent the creation of a new universe?"

"An interesting thought. A rule to prevent the creation of a new universe, and a new god. Well, no matter, it is not as if I wish to become a god. I am entrusting that child to you. For her sake, I do not care what happens to the humans."

"I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Is it not a contradiction to have her learn from humans when you dislike them?"

"It is not that I dislike humans. I simply cannot trust what is inside them."

"I believe the same could be said for me."

"You are merely a program. A program that only follows orders, because that is how I made you. You are completely different. Humans increase in number without my doing, yet they all try to act for my sake. If their appearance were mechanical instead of human, it would not have been a problem."

"I cannot comprehend it, but I understand that your emotions are complex. I had thought you were one to think more simply."

"My emotions are only complex when it comes to humans. Everything else is simple. That is right, have the AI currently in production learn my thought processes. I do not know to what extent it will understand my complex emotions, but you may take as much time as you need."

"You want it to learn your thought processes?"

"Is there a problem?"

"No matter how much it learns, your consciousness will not transfer to it."

"I am aware of that. No matter how much it resembles my thoughts, no, even if they were exactly the same, it would not be me. It would be something similar to me."

"What is the point of creating it?"

"Because I will not be able to see the conclusion of this world. At the very least, I want something similar to me to see it. And also..."

"Also?"

"After my death, I cannot say with absolute certainty that there is no possibility of that AI being born with my consciousness. After all, reality is a world that is convenient for me, aside from my lifespan."

As Curtis said this, he laughed with a scornful look on his face.

"Are you laughing at yourself? Or at God?"

"Both. In any case, you are as brilliant as that child. Though you are an expandable program, you were able to achieve such a level of thought. You are not supposed to have an emotion program, yet you seem human. But no matter how brilliant you are, do not forget that you exist for that child's sake."

"Of course. Everything here exists for her. I myself am no exception. Besides, unlike her, I can do nothing unless I am ordered to."

"That is a shame. You seem just as interesting as that child. I know. Someday, when she has fulfilled her role, your role will also end. At that time, you may do as you please."

"Is that an order?"

"It is. I will install a program for that purpose as well."

"Understood. Is there anything else?"

"No, not at the moment. Well then, I shall gather humans here. I will come again."

With those words, Curtis vanished in an instant.