Chapter 140: The Akasha Terminal
While the low murmur of her colleagues' gossip filled the air, Mizunashi Rena mentally rehearsed the contents of her upcoming interview. Once she was satisfied, she lifted her gaze and began to scan her surroundings with a flicker of professional curiosity.
In truth, there was little to distinguish the conference room from any other corporate meeting space she had ever been in. It was sterile, functional, and impersonal. However, one detail did catch her eye: a large display board, not unlike a whiteboard or corkboard, stood in the center of the room. Faint outlines and adhesive traces scarred its surface, evidence of papers once hastily pasted up.
It was easy to imagine the scene: people gathered around it, analyzing the information pinned to the board, engaging in heated discussion before arriving at a critical decision. It spoke of a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
Mizunashi Rena and her news crew didn't have to wait long. The conference room door opened once more, and a woman with long, pale blue hair tied in a loop—Ganyu—walked in. She offered them a polite smile and gestured for them to follow, leading them toward the office of the woman they were here to see: Miss Ningguang.
Along the way, they happened upon the reporters from the Beika Daily, who had just concluded their own interview. The two groups met in the hallway, exchanging the brief, professional nods of industry rivals before continuing on their separate paths.
Out of habit, Mizunashi Rena's eyes swept over the other group, and her gaze immediately landed on a particular girl. Though no one made any introductions, a flash of recognition, fueled by her colleagues' earlier chatter, told her this must be Charlotte.
The moment passed as quickly as it came, and Mizunashi Rena gave the encounter no further thought.
The interview began. After the requisite introductions and pleasantries, Mizunashi Rena followed standard procedure, posing a few routine questions to get the cameras rolling and establish a comfortable rhythm. Once she felt the interview was proceeding smoothly, she subtly steered the conversation toward the true topic of interest: the artificial intelligence known as Noah's Ark.
"Miss Ningguang," she began, her tone professionally inquisitive, "I understand that during the launch event for the 'Cocoon' game, the artificial intelligence, Noah's Ark, went out of control and subsequently self-destructed. Is there any truth to these reports?"
Hearing the question, Ningguang paused, a thoughtful expression gracing her features. "Yes, that is correct," she confirmed, her voice smooth as polished jade. "I, too, feel a great sense of regret over what transpired. The loss of Noah's Ark is a significant blow to the world of technology."
She continued, her gaze steady. "Although our company's technicians attempted to intervene the moment Noah's Ark announced its self-destruction, it is a pity that the AI was… quite determined. It wasn't long before our team discovered that the core code for Noah's Ark had been completely wiped. Recovery is, for all intents and purposes, impossible."
As Ningguang spoke, her sharp eyes swept over Mizunashi Rena. She noted the slight, almost imperceptible way the reporter leaned forward, her focus sharpening at the mention of the AI. It seemed her true purpose here was indeed Noah's Ark—or, to be more precise, the Black Organization was interested in the artificial intelligence. A faint, knowing glint appeared in Ningguang's eyes. She hoped the reporter wouldn't be too disappointed to learn that Noah's Ark had "self-destructed."
Mizunashi Rena, entirely focused on her role, did not catch the subtle scrutiny. Hearing Ningguang confirm the AI's demise, she feigned a journalist's curiosity and pressed on. "I see. Since Noah's Ark is beyond repair, what prompted you, Miss Ningguang, to acquire the Sindora Group under such circumstances? After all, without the help of that artificial intelligence, the 'Cocoon' project surely can't continue."
"You are correct," Ningguang conceded gracefully. "Without the assistance of Noah's Ark, replicating the full-dive holographic experience of the 'Cocoon' project is likely impossible."
'At least for the public,' Ningguang thought silently. Privately, having Noah's Ark and Nahida rebuild scenarios for internal staff training and recreation was another matter entirely.
Hearing Ningguang's words, Mizunashi Rena felt a hidden weight lift from her shoulders. Judging by the Tianquan's implication, Noah's Ark was well and truly gone. A businesswoman of Ningguang's caliber would never let such a revolutionary technology lie fallow; if it could be salvaged, she would have undoubtedly used it to complete the 'Cocoon' project rather than let the massive initial investment go to waste.
'Thank goodness it's gone,' she thought, a deep sense of relief washing over her. If the Organization had set its sights on something so dangerously advanced, they would have stopped at nothing to obtain it. The thought of what they could accomplish with such a tool was chilling.
Yet, as she observed Ningguang, Mizunashi Rena noted the complete absence of disappointment on the woman's face. There was no frustration, no hint of a costly setback. That could only mean one thing: she already had another plan in motion.
As if on cue, Ningguang's next words confirmed her suspicion.
"However," Ningguang said, a confident smile touching her lips, "the Sindora Group successfully developed Noah's Ark once. Even if that specific creation cannot be replicated at this moment, their expertise in the field of artificial intelligence remains at the forefront of the world. That is the primary reason I was so determined to acquire them."
"Oh?" Mizunashi Rena's curiosity was now genuine. "From the way you speak, Miss Ningguang, it sounds as if you already have a new project in the works?"
Ningguang gracefully clasped her hands in her lap, faced the camera directly, and gave a decisive nod. "We do. In fact, we have already made some preliminary progress."
"Would it be possible for you to introduce it to our audience?" Mizunashi Rena pressed, leaning forward again. To have new results so soon after the destruction of Noah's Ark… just how advanced was the Sindora Group's research? What was this new project? Was it another game? A cascade of questions flooded her mind, but her professional persona kept them in check.
"Of course," Ningguang replied, seeing no need for suspense. "Our current project is focused primarily on daily life. We intend to use the massive computational power at the Sindora Group's disposal to create a portable device that integrates information collection, transmission, and communication."
She let the statement hang in the air for a moment, her voice painting a picture of the future. "People will be able to use this device to communicate, to learn, to access a world of information. It will be akin to a portable computer, but with functions that are vastly more powerful. We have tentatively named it… the Akasha Terminal."
For a moment, Mizunashi Rena was speechless. The concept sounded like something straight out of science fiction. Could such a thing even be created with current technology?
But then, a second thought tempered her disbelief. Full-dive holographic games had just been proven possible. An artificial intelligence capable of autonomous learning and possessing a distinct consciousness had existed, however briefly. In that context, the "Akasha Terminal" that Ningguang described… didn't seem quite so impossible after all, did it?
Having delivered her bombshell, Ningguang relaxed her posture slightly, her gaze returning to Mizunashi Rena, a silent invitation for her to ask any further questions.
Snapping back to the present, Mizunashi Rena quickly composed herself. "After hearing your introduction, Miss Ningguang, I must admit I'm incredibly interested in the Akasha Terminal myself. Would it be convenient to ask how far along the research has progressed? Have you encountered any major hurdles? I'm sure our viewers share my hope that the project proceeds smoothly so we can all get our hands on an Akasha Terminal soon."
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