136: Heresy Running Rampant

"This has gotten out of hand."

"Yes, it has indeed gotten out of hand."

"Starting an incident just to shake off pursuit—those people must be crazy."

"The training ground had records, the assigned mechanical intelligence, Satā-sama's defense, and the humans caught in the situation were all somewhat resilient, so no one died. But it didn't go that smoothly elsewhere, it seems."

After exiting the fifth zone of the Free-Form Comprehensive Training Facility and retreating to a safe area, what reached our ears were reports of large-scale incidents... no, numerous events occurring across various parts of the base colony.

The mass murder attempt caused by the malfunction of the training facility's terrain modification system, which we had encountered and managed to contain.

Three accidents caused by the runaway operation of individual delivery trucks controlled by machines.

A runaway incident caused by temporary loss of tram control.

Dozens of signal malfunctions.

One minor explosion resulting from a hack into the gas control system.

Five incidents where machines controlled by rudimentary AI went out of control, knocking people nearby off their feet.

These incidents occurred simultaneously across various locations within the space colony.

The entire colony was thrown into chaos, with everyone scrambling to respond and manage the emergencies.

"Satā. What about the country villa of Viscount Niriyanitek? How is it?"

"It's in a state of chaos. The viscount himself... just arrived back a moment ago, I think. Wait!? What?"

"Satā?"

And the incident was still unfolding.

"Viscount Niriyanitek and his attendant have been murdered..."

"Wha—!?"

Viscount Niriyanitek and his attendant had been killed inside a vehicle.

They had been pierced through the chest by a mechanical figure believed to be controlled by an heretical machine intelligence.

Upon closer inspection, the androids driving the vehicle had also been killed.

Most likely, they were killed while driving, and the heretical machine intelligence presumably took control of the car until it reached the viscount's mansion.

"Is that machine intelligence still present?"

"The body remains, but it's completely motionless. Perhaps its core is already gone."

"I see."

The mechanical figure has stopped, impaling Viscount Nerialnitek in the chest.

And then, a noble from the viscount's family arrives... ah, well, of course, this is going to cause a commotion...

Still, given that the mechanical figure isn't moving, it really does seem like there's nothing inside.

"But what's going on? Judging from everything that's happened so far, Viscount Nerialnitek seemed like the mastermind behind the attack on the Nerialpotts system, right? Then why is it that the very same Viscount Nerialnitek is being killed?"

I can make a rough guess, but I can't say for certain. What about the notes?

The notes don't help either. The ideology of the heretical machine intelligence seems far removed from that of ordinary machine intelligences. Mistress Vee, what should we do now?

There's no doubt that pursuing the heretical machine intelligence must be our top priority. And given how clear the situation is here, anyone can see that neither the intelligence unit nor any other law enforcement organization can afford to be obstructing each other. As for the course of action... let's wait until we've gathered sufficient evidence before deciding. Rushing ahead might only hinder our investigation.

Well, logically speaking, it's likely that there was some conflict between the heretical mechanical intelligence and Lord Nillianiteck, resulting in the heretical mechanical intelligence killing Lord Nillianiteck.

Given that the incident at the training ground already clearly shows they have no hesitation in taking lives.

The question is whether the heretical mechanical intelligence orchestrated multiple incidents—including the one at the training ground—specifically to avoid being pursued, or if there's another reason behind them.

"Note: What about ordinary mechanical intelligences?"

"They're already on high alert. However, no anomalies have been detected. Most likely, the opponent is located somewhere not connected to the network. Therefore, we're proceeding with that assumption in mind."

If it's the former, the heretical machine intelligence will continue its rampage until it escapes into safety.

If it's the latter... we might end up with Viscount Nerialnitek reduced to nothing more than a lizard's tail, the heretical machine intelligence erased entirely, and the true mastermind vanishing into thin air.

Could something like that actually happen here?

Hmm, the entity attacking the Nelianipotts system seems deeply rooted and intricately tangled—hard to tell where it all began...

"Oh?...I see."

"Vee, what happened?"

The man who was speaking with Lord Nelianipotts has come seeking protection from the Intelligence Division and the mechanical intelligences. He claims to be a member of the 'Black Root,' and says he's only a minor player involved in illegal gambling and debt collection.

So, he noticed the incident caused by the heretical mechanical intelligences and fled, huh?

That's a fair interpretation. Formal interrogation will begin shortly.

It seems information has reached Vilegianila.

But I'm truly starting to lose track of what's going on...

One thing's for certain—first and foremost, we must seize the heretical mechanical intelligences and render them inactive—but beyond that, everything's become unclear.

"Satya. Could you go to the main residence of the Narianitech Viscount on Planet Narianipotts?"

"Understood. I'll dispatch the main body."

"Thank you. Also, if anything unusual occurs at the main residence, please don't hesitate to use my protection—instead, transfer the mannequin to gather accurate information about the situation."

"……If Vee and the others are aboard the 'Sexy Miuzuma' vessel, I'll accept it."

"Understood. Then let's do that."

I direct the main body toward what is supposedly the Narianitech Viscount's main residence.

Meanwhile, the Viridianiara began moving to what was likely the safest place available under current circumstances—the interior of the 'Sexy Miuzuma' vessel.

Well, I sure hope nothing's happened at the main residence... Then again, if the Viridianiara specifically directed us here, there's probably something going on.