The common folk only knew that the Old Zeus worshipped by the Ex-Machina roaming the continent went by this name. Legend suggested there had been other names before it, but such knowledge was beyond the reach of other races—and perhaps even other Old Zeuss.
However, as it happened, both Tet and Jibril knew the truth. For certain reasons, they were both quite well-acquainted with the Ex-Machina. While they didn't monitor them constantly, they would spare a moment of attention whenever something significant arose.
From what Jibril knew, that God of the Ex-Machina had actually learned the advanced skill of "joking" in recent years. The trouble was, His jokes were usually more likely to make one want to cry than laugh. If Jibril recalled correctly, she had heard a general term for such humor from that man: Dark Jokes.
Mhm... there was a theory that the increasing number of Ex-Machina appearing in Disboard lately was partly because more of them had attained what they called a "Heart," and partly because—well—even they apparently couldn't stomach their God's sense of humor anymore.
Another Kainas?
No, it hadn't reached that level of absurdity yet. At the very least, the love and obedience every Ex-Machina felt for "Heart" was genuine. If Heart were in danger, they would fight to the death... though such possibilities for combat no longer existed in this era.
Relying on their unique calculating power and near-zero margin for error, this race held a top-tier position within the framework of the Pledges, where everything was decided by games.
It was just that this advantage became somewhat insufficient when facing the One True God. The black-haired Ex-Machina, who had just competed against Tet on behalf of the human children, had been soundly defeated by a Tet who knew nothing of the concept of "holding back."
"How fascinating," Tet said, his eyes narrowing as if he'd found a new toy. He smiled warmly. "For the Ex-Machina—who formulate strategies based on data and intelligence, and who dictate every move in a game through data—to say such a thing is truly interesting. Did Heart teach you this as well?"
"Deliberation protocol: Negative response initiated—Error." The black-haired Ex-Machina had clearly only recently begun to travel the continent; at the very least, she hadn't yet shed her standard machine-speak. "Thinking paths are limited to logic. Plan success rates are limited to data and information. That is to say: a plan with a 99% success rate can be reduced to 1% by a single unknown piece of adverse information."
"Therefore, conclusion: The One True God Tet is not invincible. Unit ID #Adho4521574531#kjDKU481 requires more intelligence. Over."
The mechanical halo on the side of her head beeped a few times before dimming. The black-haired Ex-Machina girl's calculations and explanation seemed to have concluded.
"Is that so?" Tet, as the One True God, possessed an unexpectedly good temper. He merely smiled, twirling a chess piece in his hand. "Then I shall bless you to find that decisive piece of information to defeat me as soon as possible~."
Beep beep beep.
"Gratitude response protocol initiated: Your support is greatly appreciated. Wishing you a bright future and smooth sailing."
The previously expressionless and mechanical black-haired Ex-Machina girl suddenly changed like melting ice. A soft, kind smile appeared on her face as if by magic, and her tone was filled with utter sincerity—though it was doubtful whether any observer who had witnessed the entire process would believe that sincerity was real.
Regardless, this sudden change of face even startled Tet. He immediately burst into laughter, delighted by the Ex-Machina girl's "cuteness."
"Hahahahahahaha! Alright, alright, I accept your thanks." Wiping away a tear of laughter, Tet rested his chin on his hand and looked at the girl across the chessboard. "But before you find that 'favorable information,' you might want to consider giving yourself a name~."
"Calling yourself by a serial number is far too troublesome, isn't it? It makes it difficult for others to address you," Tet said with a smile. "And according to a certain irresponsible and untrustworthy fellow, referring to oneself in the third person is a manifestation of a 'deficiency in personality' [lack of personhood]."
The One True God looked remarkably gentle at this moment... save for his voice, which was slightly distorted from chewing the candies he had just won from the children.
"Thinking protocol initiated: Personality... deficiency... one's own name. Error. Unable to comprehend," the black-haired girl replied, tilting her head. She looked as if steam might start coming out of her head, yet Tet showed no intention of elaborating.
"That's something you have to figure out for yourself~," the youth of ambiguous gender shrugged easily. "If I remember correctly, didn't all newly born Ex-Machina copy her thinking logic at birth? Why not try that?"
"Negation protocol initiated: Refusal. That code is chaotic and disordered. Unit ID #Adho4521574531#kjDKU481 seeks its own logic." The black-haired Ex-Machina spoke calmly. "Application: May Tet name this unit... meow?"
She had apparently learned this trick from somewhere; the girl ended her sentence by tilting her head and letting out a completely emotionless, strange onomatopoeia.
"Hahahahahahahahaha!" Driven to a fit of maniacal laughter by the Ex-Machina in front of him, Tet clutched his stomach, nearly falling off his chair. "So cute! Also, that is truly an incredible ambition... but I can't name you. You have to find your own name; only then does it have meaning~."
"..."
There was no reply; the girl seemed to be deep in thought. Tet, however, was starting to feel the pressure—the children nearby had stopped crying and were now clamoring for another round.
"No, no, you don't have any stakes left... Ah, not that either! If you bet the things your parents gave you, people will chase me away with brooms~." Tet rubbed his temples, his gaze sweeping over Jibril, who had been standing nearby for some time. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "How about I tell you a story instead? A story your parents definitely don't know!"
The children continued their ruckus.
"Hey, hey~ settle down now~," Tet tried to soothe the mischievous bunch. "Mhm... this story might be a bit long, and maybe a little boring... Come to think of it, I haven't told it to anyone in quite a few years."
"Well~ it'll probably just disappear eventually anyway... do you really want to hear it?" Tet sighed, and was met with a chorus of eager shouts.
"Good children. Then the story begins... starting from three thousand years ago, before even your grandfathers were born..."