Another Frontier Online

Maris Sora was in the lab watching the emails she received.

It was selected as a test player for the “Announcer Frontier Plan.” It is also written that you can experience virtual reality that is no different from reality.

Normally, you don't have to worry about it. It's not a case of playing with virtual reality.

However, by participating in this, you will get a lot of money - money to protect the animals from extinction. And some animals could be stored by cold sleep, which was written in the email.

It costs money to do anything. Humans take precedence over animals, so Maris has less money to turn to. If you participate in this project, you will be able to obtain funds for nearly 20 years at once. You can also earn regular money as a test play reward while you participate.

There are other conditions for obtaining money. That means we have to provide what Maris was researching.

It was only theory, and it was not looked at when the paper was published, but someone probably expected it to be future-proof.

That makes me happy, but there are two sets of things that make me a virtual reality test player and that provide research content. It is normal to think that something is wrong.

This could be an email from another organization than the one to which Maris belongs.

The opposite was true, but they also announced something similar. I sent you this email to steal our research. Such suspicion cannot be eliminated.

(I wish we could do it together because we are acting to protect each other's animals. I thought we could do it together then... but I don't think so. I'm not convinced by the other side's policy.)

Maris' organization was founded to protect all animals. As a child, Maris fell in love with animals by watching a video of a kitten jerking off. He has taken on a rare job as a veterinarian, and is also active in many research activities for animals.

The other group has the same message about protecting animals from extinction, but it's unacceptable to Maris.

That's why we sort out the animals to protect.

Whether it is a useful animal for humans. After judging it, we divide between animals that protect from extinction and those that don't.

It's not just about abandoning them, it's about training them to survive in the wild, but abandoning them remains the same.

It's an unforgivable course of action for Maris, but I also think it's realistic. Ideally, we should protect all animals, but for financial reasons, we can't.

(I think it was a bitter decision over there. What we're doing is ideal, but there's a good chance that we'll end up with a future where we couldn't protect any of the kids if we tried to protect all the animals. Thinking about it, choosing an animal to protect, and ensuring that only some animals are protected, is not a mistake.

I'm not convinced even if I know by my head. If there are animals in front of us who need help, I want to help them without thinking about whether they will be useful or useless to humans. Besides, if I helped you once, I'd take care of you until the end.

It has sometimes been said that it is hypocritical. You can't save her, you can't save everything. Every time she said that, Maris replied, "I'm not smart enough to act with good and evil in mind."

Marius only wants to help the animal in front of him. I never thought I'd be able to help everything from the beginning. It's just arrogance. I know that, so I just want to help the animal in front of me.

After a lot of thinking, Marius' mind was decided.

(Even if you can't save everything, if you have the funds, you can do it for a while. My role is to leave a little hope for the future. No matter what, we won't be able to do any more research, and we won't have any problem providing it, so let's sell it out.)

Maris replied to the email she had been sent.

After several exchanges, it turns out that it was really chosen as a virtual reality test player, not a scam. And Maris was able to fulfill almost all his requests.

I was able to put a group of protected animal ties on the Aphrodite, a spaceship that could be cold-sleeped. The other side is paying for everything.

It is generous to wonder how rich people made this plan. I also made a commitment to donate all the money Maris receives to the organization.

When I told my fellow members about it, I was worried that it was too good. Since it is a promise that cannot be explained in detail, I asked the organization to keep the animals while avoiding pursuing it.

You can only be bound as a test player for a few years. Maris hasn't been able to do her animal welfare work for a while.

No problem. I can't do my job, but I'll get the money. Rather, I would appreciate it. While playing test games, Maris receives money as a payment, which is also donated to the organization.

Maris got on board the spaceship because she'd be less likely to come into contact with animals, but if that leaves hope for the future, she'll be fine.

After various contract formalities, Maris enters the spaceship's pod.

The virtual reality I logged in for the first time was beyond Maris' imagination.

It's a place that doesn't feel uncomfortable when it's said to be real. I suspected that he had been taken to another place after falling asleep in his pod.

An old man approached Maris looking around.

A man wearing a black coat and a hat with black folds. Although it is a virtual reality, it appears to be in the eighties from the condition of the wrinkles on the face. Her hair, which was slightly visible from the hat, was pure white and she wore black glasses.

The old man smiled at Maris and took off his hat with his right hand before opening his mouth.

"You're Marius, aren't you?"

"Ah, yes. Are you...?"

"Do you know who you're calling here?"

"Oh, oh! Thank you so much for this time!"

Marys bowed her head as she thanked herself.

He thanked me for providing the funds, not for calling me to virtual reality.

“You're thanking me for the money, aren't you? Raise your head for me. I just want to thank you."

"Um...?"

Marys raised her head slowly.

I don't remember doing anything when I was asked to thank you. Strangely, the old man turned a gentle smile to Maris.

"It's your research." It was an interesting approach. Of course, it has been studied many times before, but you must be the first to be able to shape it there. With research funding and specialist researchers, I'm sure it would have worked. "

"Hah, hah, thank you...?"

Probably praised. I thanked her, but she seemed a little confused too suddenly.

The old man who was smiling at Maris took the pendant out of the empty space.

“I'm giving special items to people who come to this virtual reality, but I also want to thank you and give them directly to Maris.”

Maris receives it, although she doesn't quite understand it.

A closer look at the pendant revealed a picture of a deformed snake.

"The name of this pendant is Merampus."

"Huh? That's..."

"Yes, the name of a prophet who understands the words of animals that appear in myths." And it's also the name of what you've been working on. "

Maris was studying conversation with animals.

Even if we say we will have a conversation, it is one-way. It's a study to understand what animals think. Rather than judging from the sound, it was to be able to read the electrical signal from the animal's brainwave and translate it against the actual behavior.

Naturally, even if I could do it because I don't have complex thoughts like humans, it would be a word, but if I could still understand it, it would be helpful as a veterinarian, so I was studying it.

But we've already stopped doing that research. I can't do any more research because I don't have the money. Besides, we needed more specialized researchers for the study of the animal brain. Besides, if you want to spend money, you might want to help animals more directly.

I was hoping that one day I would be able to research again on a planet where resources have been restored. Some research results have not yet been produced, but they have been sold off on the condition that they receive funding.

“I was inspired to create this virtual reality. I wanted to thank you for that."

"Is that so?" I'm glad I helped. And I would be glad if I could make a small contribution to this wonderful virtual reality. ”

"If you can say that, I'd be glad to hear it." I want you to enjoy this virtual reality. "

"Yes... but I don't know what to do because I don't play games."

Why don't you try Tamer?

Tamer?

"I mean someone who uses animals to fight monsters." There is a training skill, and if you use it on animals and monsters, you will become an ally. There are many animals and monsters in this virtual reality, so I think it's perfect for you, Maris. ”

That sounds interesting!

If you say you can play with animals even in virtual reality, you will have no choice but to do so. In reality, I was protecting myself, but I hardly ever played with it. Even if it was, it was a walk that combined exercise.

"By the way, the melampus I just gave you has a special effect, and I can understand the words of the animals that I've petted." That said, most of the animals here are AI. "

"It doesn't matter!" That's why I studied it with such longing! "

"I see. Then try petting a variety of animals. It's impossible to pet a monster like a dragon from the beginning, so if you improve your training skills with cats, you can one day pet a big one.”

"You're a cat? I've always wanted to keep one." Besides, I wanted to run around with you. "

"It's a virtual reality, but that dream can be fulfilled here. Please do it."

"That's right. I'll do what I wanted to do because it's a big deal." Thank you so much for this pendant. ”

"Don't worry about it." Well then, I'll see you when I have a chance. "

The old man bowed his head to Maris a little before putting on his right-hand hat. And smiling, the old man vanished into particles of light.

As the old man told her, Maris looked around as soon as he tried to tame the cat.

A year has passed.

Maris is also used to this virtual reality and now enjoys this world with many pets.

There is no problem in the real world. I was unable to get out of the spaceship, but I was able to contact them, so I interacted with their group several times, but Maris gave them more animals to protect.

As usual, while the Earth's resources diminish, there is no hope there, but even so, it was Maris' creed to scratch to the end, and it was also the idea of the organization to which he belonged.

I was wondering what I was going to do today, when the triple-haired cat at my feet slapped Maris's leg with its tail.

"Rice"

Ah, it's already such a time.

Siegfried, the triple-haired cat Maris first met in this world, uttered his words. I could only hear "Nya" around me, but Maris could hear it in words.

Siegfried is named after Maris. I thought about giving you a nice name for about three days. When she applied it, she said, "I don't have any taste," but she seems to like it now.

Maris can't break up with her pet, though she doesn't have to keep a cat in her possession forever. I know this is virtual reality and there's a limit to how many pets I can have, but I don't want to leave.

Besides, from Maris's point of view, Siegfried seemed unusual.

Even in reality, Maris knows better than anyone who has come into contact with animals. I don't think my usual workmanship and behavior is AI. It is the movement of a cat that sets it apart from other animals. Besides, it's really cat-like where it's whimsical.

Who programmed it? I don't think it's possible without someone who knows the animals well....?)

Fantasy animals from the fantasy world can be made by imagination because no one knows them. However, dogs and cats are in reality. Few people have seen it directly, but it has been featured in many videos in the past.

Thinking about it doesn't mean you can't make it, but the video is just a video. It was Maris' idea that if he hadn't actually touched it, he wouldn't be able to create an AI that acted like a real person.

(Maybe someone from the other organization is lending a hand... the other side is willing to lend an animal if it pays.)

Organizations that don't agree sort animals according to their usefulness to humans. Animals that are useless to humans are returned to the wild. I use limited funds to do so.

And they lend out animals and earn money so that people can think that it's useful.

I don't know what's right, but at least I don't think Maris will answer while he's alive. Rather than ten or twenty years, there is a possibility that no answer will be given after a hundred years. If you are bad, there is a possibility that human beings will perish before you do so.

(It cannot be said that it is correct, but it cannot be said that it is wrong. Perhaps the idea that we humans protect animals is wrong in the first place, and animals can live more quickly if humans perish. I wonder if the biggest threat to animals is humans.)

When such a dark thought crossed her mind, Marius' legs stopped naturally.

It always comes to my mind and I can't think of an answer. Marie repeated it over and over again. Since entering this virtual reality, it has become more frequent.

Since entering this virtual reality, we've never been to a dangerous place on Earth to search for animals. I'm here most of the time to check on the health of the animals that are occasionally logged out and cold-sleeping on the spaceship.

For Maris, virtual reality leaves no time. Marius is not the type to play games, but the more he thinks every day about what to do. Basically, it doesn't have any purpose to go out and play with tamed animals in a safe place.

However, if you can get real money by playing a lot of test plays here, you can't complain. The monthly income is also three times as much as before, and all of it is donated to the organization. If you complain about this, you'll get hit by a bee.

That said, if you have more time than before, questions will come to your mind more often. And when I start thinking about it, I can't move for a while.

Siegfried, who was walking a little while ago, came back and attacked Maris with his tail as he turned around.

"Rice, hurry."

"Ah, I'm sorry... hey, Zeke. Do you like humans?"

I know it's an AI, but Maris asked Siegfried.

Zeke leaned his head and slapped Maris' leg with his tail again.

I like it

"Really? I'd be glad if you thought so."

"Give me some rice."

"Ah, that's the level...?" Well, I guess that's okay. "

"But humans, weird. Maris, weird."

"Huh? The melampus is broken? Zeke didn't say anything strange about me, did he?"

Maris shakes and slaps the melampus from her neck.

Sieg saw it and attacked with his tail again.

"Wow, I said that."

"Ah, yes. But yes, from the cat's point of view, it might be strange."

"That's why I'm teaching you."

"Are you telling me what?"

"Fun, fun. Rice. Play. Sun hits. Sleeps. Occasionally, dogs tease. It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay. I can be happy."

Marie laughed at Siegfried, who had said so in good faith.

I see, what does Zeke usually do that teaches you how to be happy?

"Yeah. Humans, cats, apprenticeship."

I wish I could, but there are so many things in humans.

"I don't know. Later, humans have a lot of thoughts." Rice, what, eat, just think, enough. Today, fish, please. "

Maris sprays out at the words.

Siegfried says that humans think too much and only think about what to eat. It was impossible to think only about rice, but it seemed right not to think too much.

If you don't think about it and you don't get an answer, you can't help it. Then do what you think is in your heart. We have no choice but to believe that it is correct.

"Thank you, Zeke. Maybe I think too much." I feel like I've blown a lot. "

"Thank you, then, over there, go. Sanma, I like it."

"Ah, the cafeteria where the couple runs." It's amazing to meet and marry in virtual reality. Besides, they build houses, they do business, they do real-life stuff. I think I'll do something commercial, too. How about cooking or something? Zeke and everyone's rice can be cooked for you, too. "

"Maris, I'm not good at cooking."

"Ugh. Well, that's because the skill level is low." If you do your best, I will too! "

"Look forward to it. But today, Sanma, I'm in a hurry."

Siegfried said so, leaving Maris to walk.

"Yes, yes, let's go." I don't know which one is the master.

Sieg turned to look toward Maris.

"Master, I've been teaching you a lot."

"Ah, is that so...?" Well, let's do it. All right, let's put a cat on Sanma today! "

"I'll follow you for the rest of my life."

It's cash, isn't it?

Maris laughs.

Zeke's idea of happiness is not about cats, but about AI. Maybe it was the idea of the person who developed it in the first place, but it seemed to Maris that it was somehow a good idea.

More time has passed and the clan war event has begun.

Maris won't join us. Ten-to-ten team battles in the first place. Maris' pets are useless as a force to fight against, even though they fill the frames with pets.

And we don't know each other. There was not a single person who was deeply involved, even if they interacted with people who were doing business because of their production skills.

When I thought about collecting ingredients to practice cooking today, there was a sudden strong wind. Even though it was a meadow with nothing around it, the sun was blocked.

I looked at the sky wondering what was going on, and the dragon was flying.

"Why are you here!?"

The range of action of monsters is determined to a certain extent, and they will not come out of their habitat if they are not pursued for the reason of earning hate value.

There should be only weak monsters in the meadow where Maris is, but there's a dragon in front of us. Don't be surprised.

"Zeke! Let's get out of here!"

There was no problem when he was defeated, but he tried to escape without a reason to be defeated.

However, Siegfried did not panic and slapped Maris' legs with his tail.

"Watch carefully. That's a pet."

Huh?

Maris looked closely at the dragon and saw a man on his back. A woman dressed like a clown in a clown mask, wearing only the right half. Is it an appeal that I don't intend to fight? I raise my hands.

When the dragon landed on the ground, the woman on board descended to the ground in a light maneuver. I could only see half of her face, but she smiled and approached Maris. I kept my hands up all the time.

You surprised me, didn't you?

"I'm a little surprised, but I'm fine." Um, what can I do for you? "

The woman glances at Siegfried and smiles.

Are you Tamer talking to cats around here?

Marie nodded as if she was a bit of a shame to hear that, but she wasn't mistaken about herself.

"I'm actually looking for members to fight in the Clan War." Animal lover - I'm thinking of forming a clan with Tamer, but how about joining me? ”

"Um, uh, uh..."

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's too sudden." My name is Surya White, and I say hi.

“My name is Maris Sola. Nice to meet you...... Surya White...?"

"Maris Sora...?"

The names sounded familiar to each other.

Some people are famous for this virtual reality.

World champion of the Virtual Gladiator, Ivan Falcaro. Actor Vel Brandl, world-class athlete Cecil Arven. Rosalier Quentiz, digital designer of world-class clothing. Zenobia Baylotto became the best in the world for fighting games.

There are people in this virtual reality that Maris, who is not very interested in anything other than animals, has never heard of. So I thought the name Surya White was the same, but I can't remember.

Surya twisted her neck in the same way, but Maris remembered when she saw it.

There are only a few people who know their names in the first place. In other words, the same company.

Maybe Surya White of Artemis?

Artemis is the name of an organization that protects animals from extinction, and is separate from the group that Maris belongs to, Noah.

Surya was surprised and noticed the same thing as Maris.

"Yes, that's right, that's Noah's Marius Sora. It was bypassed, and I was thinking about the possibility of your organization joining it....."

The two of them are silent.

There was a sudden encounter, so they didn't know what to say. They are incompatible with each other in terms of their treatment of animals. However, some people admit that they love the same animal.

In an awkward atmosphere, Siegfried patted Maris on the tail.

"Too much thought."

Marys was so happy with the words that she opened her mouth.

"Um, it's Surya-san, isn't it? Did you tame that kid?"

That's what Surya said when she saw the dumb dragon beside her.

"Yeah, yeah, I got Tam to help me out with my acquaintances." I'm still working out, but I'm still strong. "

"A dragon is strong from the beginning...?" What's your name? "

"... it's Garland. Yes, I wanted to thank you once and for all."

Thank you?

Surya removes the clown's mask. There were scratches like being scratched by nails.

Looking at it, Maris understands what it means to be thankful.

There was a tiger attack in Artemis. Maris doesn't know the details, but I hear she was working on something. Himself attacked - Surya said absolutely no good, but the tiger was removed from protection.

Artemis' policy is not to protect animals that cause harm to people. Noah was the one who took the tiger.

At that time, Maris heard that Surya had come to the headquarters of the group and had bowed her head many times.

Maris was in the danger zone, so I never saw her, but I heard about it later.

Noah has less money than Artemis. Moreover, it was difficult to pick up animals from groups whose ideas were incompatible. However, Maris, returning from the danger zone, decided he couldn't abandon an animal with no place to go.

I didn't think Artemis would take it back, but then the story changed. There was a history of handing over the tiger to Noah with enough money to be able to look after him for the time being.

Maris saw Surya's dragon.

His name is Garland.

It was the same name as the tiger I took it from.

"That girl... Garland is fine." I had a baby with the kid I was with. "

"Really!? I'm glad..."

It seemed to Maris that Surya was truly pleased.

The thoughts are incompatible. We do not know which is right. However, there is no doubt that I like animals. That alone was enough to lift the guard.

“You really like Garland, don't you?”

"Huh? Yeah, well, yeah. I raised her when she was a baby."

"It's amazing, I think it was quite a scare if the tiger attacked me and left a scar on my face." Still, I don't think it's normal to hate animals for garlands. "

"Well, thank you, but I think you do too." You're looking for wild animals in a dangerous area, aren't you? Normally, I leave it to experts, but I don't think I have enough lives to follow. ”

"There are many children who feel that they are wild." In that case, I'm more of a professional. "

Sure is.

After that, they talk about animals for a long time.

Ordinary people rarely come into contact with animals in reality. Until we were satisfied with each other's stories of real animals, which virtual reality could hardly do.

They were excited about the animals they'd been talking about for a long time, but in the end Maris never belonged to Surya's clan.

There were no pets that Maris could fight in the first place. Marius himself was able to fight to a certain extent, but not strong enough to beat the opponents.

The clans never got together, but Maris started talking to Surya a lot.

Although I was reluctant at first, if you get used to it, the truth will gradually come out. Because of this, there were many collisions.

Oh dear, we have limited funds, so we'll have to restrict the animals we're protecting!

"Well, that's true... but if I said that, Garland wouldn't have been saved!"

"Ugh. Well, I'm really grateful for that... but that's my mistake, and she's not a bad girl!" She's such a good girl! "

"I know. He's a good boy, isn't he?" It's nice to be so quiet that I can't believe you attacked Surya. Besides, if you can understand the words, this is how you do it. "

"Right!? The animals say they don't understand human language, but they do!"

"They say you're just aware of the strengths and weaknesses of your voice and you don't understand it as a word, but you know it!"

Unlike the quarrelsome, the two of them clashed every time they met, and they repeatedly ended up talking about animals.

Claims against animals do not change each other. From a third party's point of view, we're good friends, and even though we think we're friends, we don't think they like us.

Such a mysterious relationship lasted forever.

One day, some time after the Clan War event, a sudden announcement was made in Maris's ear, who was playing with Siegfried in the meadow.

Simply put, it was decided that this virtual reality would be destroyed, and the disgruntled AI would take over the spaceship and flee.

I am asking everyone here to decide whether to follow suit.

Things are easy. Due to the discovery of a resource object on a non-Earth planet.

The “Another Frontier Plan” using this virtual reality is meant to keep human activity as low as possible and is an emergency plan behind the plan to move to another planet called the “Frontier Plan”. Although it is different from the original plan, the emergency plan is no longer necessary.

This virtual reality is wonderful, but I don't know if the plan will be accepted. Beyond the fact that everyone can't get into virtual reality, one is a dead end and the other is a salvation. Such a plan would in itself be likely to divide the world.

Now is the time for the whole world to unite, and I want to prune the disturbing buds. For this reason, it was decided to discard virtual reality and erase the memories of the people involved.

Maris is lost when she finds out what happened.

I saw Siegfried at my feet.

I've been with you all this time. Even if the animals are AI, attachment boils down. Besides, Maris is able to talk with the effects of Merampus. Your pet will be more attached to you than any other tamer.

Even if resources are found outside the Earth, it will take several years before they are in orbit, such as stable securing of the course. And we don't know how much resources we have, so we can't tell right away if it's really okay.

The mere sight of a bud of hope could wither that bud.

Even if they stay on the spaceship, they will erase their real-life memories in order to log in permanently, but even if they do, they will do Tamer again, and Siegfried will only have to find them again.

Stay or get out. It was difficult for Maris to decide.

An old man appeared in front of Maris, who was always worried about what to do.

An old man who gave me Merampus when he entered this virtual reality. He takes on his hat and smiles calmly, just like he did then.

"Grandpa."

"Maris, it's been a long time." Can I have a minute? "

What is it?

“You heard the announcement, but the spaceship you're on is leaving Earth.”

"... yes"

"I'll also take the animals that I put to cold sleep." I don't have time to drop you off. "

"Ah....."

There are many animals on board the spaceship. Surya told me that the group on the other side is carrying animal ties aboard this spaceship in the same way.

We don't have enough time to get all the animals down because we need to get off the planet immediately.

"Would you mind staying for the animals on the spaceship?" Even though you are sleeping in a cold sleep, there may be unforeseen circumstances. In that case, we need a good veterinarian. "

"... I see. I'll stay."

Maris made a choice to stay just for a moment.

The animals of the earth are worried, but there are people on the planet. If Maris gets off the spaceship, none of the animals will remain here. Surya may take care of you, but if you don't know if Surya will stay here, you should stay.

"I see. Thank you. I'll erase my memories, but I'll ask the sleeping animals to recover their memories if anything happens." You can rest assured of your group. [M] Let our foundation take good care of you until the end. ”

"Is the foundation...?"

It's called the Zodiac Foundation, but you don't know it.

"Yes, I've never heard of it."

"For hundreds of years now, I've been manipulating the world behind the scenes... it's a foundation that's been doing things like that."

"Hah..."

“You don't seem to be interested, but what I want to say is that you don't have to worry about the animals that remain on the planet. I want you to rest assured that I will continue to pay the money. Let's give it our full support.”

Maris bows his head to the words.

Thank you very much.

“Hmm. I can't come with you because I have work to do on Earth to get the spaceship out, but you can rest assured that the AI that manages it will protect you.”

"You mean the AI that announces once in a while, right?" I asked you earlier if you wanted to live in this world. "

"Yes, she's as immature as a baby, but she'll be a real person someday. That's why I need you guys, so please take care of me."

"Um...?"

"You don't have to know. This is what she does her best. Well, I guess I'll go. There are a lot of things I have to do. I don't think we'll see each other again, but it's a breathlessness."

With that, the old man disappeared into particles of light without waiting for Maris to reply.

Only Maris and Siegfried remain in the meadow.

I've made life's major choices easier, but there's no regrets. And because I don't know what's right, I followed my desire to protect the animals on the spaceship.

Besides, more money has been paid to the group than ever, and what the old man said is trustworthy.

"I've decided to stay here."

That's what Maris said, smiling at Siegfried at his feet.

Siegfried looks up at Maris like that.

"Rice"

"Yeah..."

"The two of you, the conversation is difficult. That's why, rice."

"I don't know what that is, but it is. It's not the last supper, but let's make dinner luxurious today! I'm going to treat everyone to a five-star cat deluxe!"

"I'll follow you for the rest of my life."

"Yeah, I'd like to ask you to do the same." We'll be together forever... yes, I might forget about Zeke, so come and see me then. "

Zeke tilted his neck and then attacked Maris with his tail.

"I, master, take care of, look after, of course."

"Ahahah, that's right. Well then, let's go."

"Hurry. Jalapeco"

"Hey, don't put it down."

Sieg ran at a considerable speed towards the village. Marius was going to keep up with it.