episode_0115

After the successful test of the Violet guided bombs, we gained confidence. The Violets endlessly debated how to improve the weapons next, brainstorming ideas.

“We could also put incendiary bombs in bomb vests.”

“How should we operate them inside a dungeon?”

The discussions continued without pause. Deadly ideas for destruction and war gushed forth. Most of them were useless concepts or full of reckless gambits, however.

“Let’s build a catapult! We can throw ourselves far with it! For wingsuit deployment!”

“That’s too much. Catapults have their limits.”

“Then what about cannons?”

Unit 67, who had been quietly listening to the discussions of the temporarily formed Violet Weapon Development Department, chided them.

“Stop talking nonsense. If you have cannons, you should fire cannonballs with them. Why would you throw us?”

“Ugh! I have nothing to say.”

No sooner had Unit 67 finished speaking than Unit 3 and Unit 46 also voiced their opposition.

“I believe that operating guided bomb soldiers should only be done when necessary. We shouldn’t overuse them.”

“Suicide tactics are powerful, but we need to focus on the basics. V-1 rockets will be completed soon. Mortars will also be secured.”

The opinions of the two Violets were valid. Violet guided bombs are not a panacea. They can only be used with limited means like airplanes or hot air balloons. An artillery unit is also scheduled to be formed soon.

“Hmm, hearing that, it makes sense. We shouldn’t blindly trust wingsuit self-detonation too much.”

Thus, the Violets who believed in bombing as a panacea were quickly subdued.

Of course, even among countless discarded ideas, some rather good ones emerged.

“How about trying to build a tank? Not now, but later!”

“What? What nonsense is that?”

Everyone was dumbfounded by the fantasy of Unit 112, who was wandering the Violet Network.

“No, listen to me. Kalia’s Brotherhood has a lot of welders and vehicle experts working in the field, right? We can ask them later to modify vehicles. Or we can learn the skills ourselves and do it.”

“That was already decided a long time ago. We agreed to build armored trucks.”

Unit 112’s head shaking was conveyed to us. Unit 112 didn’t give up on her idea and put forward her opinion more actively.

“Just a truck? That won’t do. Let’s modify bulldozers or excavators. They have continuous tracks and are powerful, right? We can cover them with armor plating and attach weapons. How’s that?”

“Bulldozers? Now that I hear it, it sounds plausible.”

“Just armor plating won’t be enough, will it? Let’s engrave defensive spell formulas. We can ask Lucian to do it. He’s smart, so he’ll be helpful.”

“If we get cannons, missiles, or large magic artifact weapons, we could attach them and use them. Good!”

New weapon plans were conceived and recorded one by one, then filed away. They couldn’t be used immediately, but they would surely see the light of day again later.

“Lastly, I also have something to say. What do you think about moving the workshop?”

The Violets responsible for explosives manufacturing in the workshop brought up their opinion.

“While making bombs, I’ve felt that it’s about time we moved. Watching the shooting practice on the uninhabited island recently, I realized it would be good to work outside the island.”

“Electricity?”

“We’ll just use a generator.”

“Then, let’s pick a day and scout out an island. There are plenty of uninhabited islands anyway. We were looking for a place to bury drums already.”

Everyone quickly agreed on moving the workshop. Now, they had a place where they could test weapons without worrying about prying eyes. They could also conduct shooting drills outside.

***

Let’s briefly shift our perspective and look at the situation inside the Academy City again. While the Violets outside the Lustrum Archipelago were diligently active, the Violets within the Academy City were also engrossed in their own work.

“Delivery starting!”

“Is this the right way? The direction feels vague.”

“You’re going the right way.”

Unit 56 and Unit 128 headed to their destination on a motorcycle. It was delivery work.

The parcel and food delivery work, which we started when we first utilized our clone ability, grew larger than expected. Of course, it was essential to move around completely covered to avoid being detected, and recently, they even started using perception-hindering devices.

“This smells good. Can’t I just sneak a little?”

Unit 128, who was driving the motorcycle, grumbled.

“No! Then we won’t get paid.”

When Unit 486 pointed this out, Unit 128 replied.

“I was just kidding. And are you in a position to tell me what to do? You’re just idling around. Work!”

“But I’m still on standby. Everyone else is active.”

Hearing that, Unit 128 seemed embarrassed and shut her mouth. Unit 486 was on standby.

Currently, the number of generated Violets exceeds 500.

However, this number counts the ‘consciousnesses of generated Violets.’ The actual number of Violets moving around with physical bodies is about half of that. Violets without bodies roam and wait within the Violet Network.

The reason for the discrepancy between the number of Violet consciousnesses and active bodies was simple: bodies were being produced wildly every day, put into hibernation while leaving some mana spare.

Bodies in hibernation don’t need to consume food, so they can be left unattended. Due to the advantage of saving food costs and securing ample space, most bodies are currently in hibernation.

Hundreds of these generated hibernating Violet bodies are packaged in plastic and neatly stacked on shelves in the Violet’s residential building and the warehouse basement. These bodies are ready to awaken all at once for major operations later.

Meanwhile, newly generated consciousnesses head straight to the Violet Network as soon as their bodies enter hibernation.

While one might imagine a mental world as an empty void or a boring waiting room, the Violet Network was different. To compare it to reality, this place was closer to a department store where one could freely enjoy whatever was offered for free.

Inside the network was a ladder of emotions, a road where sensations and pleasures flowed in real-time, and a conveyor belt. Violets on standby could observe the network and pick what they wanted as if choosing sushi from a conveyor belt.

For example, Unit 89, currently on standby in the network, could experience the taste and temperature of the ramen Unit 12 was eating, the feel of the broth on their tongue, and the texture of the noodles as their teeth chewed. Unit 511 and Unit 280 savored the sweetness of the ice cream Unit 1 was enjoying. Unit 320 watched Unit 120’s gameplay before swapping places and taking control of the body.

If all this felt boring or there was nothing to do, they could simply wait inside the Violet Network. Since this was a mental space, they could manipulate the internal environment like in a lucid dream.

Currently, the interior of the Violet Network resembled a modern international airport.

“Let’s change the design a bit. This time, we’re going for a medieval concept!”

Led by Violet 195, a series of Violets began redecorating the interior of the network. Even I thought this setting had been used for too long.

The sophisticated appearance of the international airport gradually distorted and twisted. The surrounding colors changed, and floors and structures repeatedly vanished and reappeared.

“Pirate Fortress complete!”

Before long, the Violet consciousnesses changed into pirate attire and sat in a tavern at a harbor bustling with sailboats. Pirate ships adorned with flags bearing Violet faces sailed in and out of the harbor. Just like RPG game users spending time in a town square, the Violets observed the actions of others while on standby.

“Ugh, so tiring.”

One Violet mumbled, pointing to a corner of the tavern. A wall-mounted TV, unsuited for a medieval-themed tavern, hung there.

On the TV screen was Violet Unit 5, learning magic from Professor Albert.

-Oh, you fool. Try to calculate faster. Don’t focus on increasing the power of the magic bullet; you need to get used to the operating method.

-It’s difficult…!

-That’s strange. You find such simple calculations difficult, yet you succeed without issue when you actually use it. You’re a peculiar one.

Professor Albert mumbled, observing me with an odd expression. When the channel was changed, the screen switched to Unit 230 fiercely exchanging sword strikes with Instructor Frederick.

-Yes, that was good. But how many times have you fallen for a trick already? How many times have I told you not to just follow the weapon’s movement path? You brat.

-Ack!

-Alright. Let’s start again.

“Instructor-nim is really amazing. How does he know so many weapon techniques?”

“Well, it’s because he’s a 1st generation. He’s a veteran, you know.”

That’s how we passed the time, waiting until we could swap bodies with another Violet.

“This is the security team. Your friend has arrived. Go out.”

“Ah, it’s my turn now. I’ll go out!”

Unit 215, who had been idling in a chair, vanished beyond the network into a body in reality. When consciousness was swapped with Unit 347, a familiar-looking girl was ringing the doorbell in front of our house in the central district.

Golden eyes looked at the camera by the door. The purple-haired girl seemed quite exhausted.

“She came to our house after all.”

Irene stood before me, holding a bag.

“You’re here! I’m Unit 215.”

“I see. Unit 215. Thank you so much for offering to help. So, if you don’t mind…”

“I told you. What’s there to be embarrassed about? They’re the bad ones! I’m fine. We have plenty of places to sleep at our house. Come on!”

I picked up my friend’s bag and headed towards the dormitory building.

Today, while the Violets were testing guided bombs, a new tenant appeared. The tenant’s identity was Irene.

Irene, having lost her home and become penniless, finally moved into our house.