Episode 91 — He Who Controls the Algorithm Controls Diplomacy

An ebony chessboard sat in the living room. Argo’s final move had perfectly cornered Gustav’s King. As I watched the scene and uttered the words "final piece," Gustav looked at me with a bewildered expression.

"Mr. Zect... I understand your intention to introduce this game at the upcoming banquet and make it a trend. But why is Argo the 'final piece'? With all due respect, isn't presenting him—a member of the Magic Races—to the nobility of other territories a massive risk for Felsen right now?"

"Risk? Oh, you mean the prejudice. Gustav, let me ask you something. What do you think is the most important objective of this diplomatic phase?"

I leaned my recliner back and stared at the ceiling. Gustav thought for a moment, his face growing serious.

"Establishing economic dependency with neighboring territories... and securing Felsen’s safety, perhaps?"

"That’s correct in a sense. But unless we resolve the core issue, the system will eventually suffer a massive inconsistency. The answer is to force the neighboring territories to acknowledge Felsen’s 'Equal Residency Act.'"

I heard Gustav catch his breath.

"You mean... making them accept coexistence with Magic Races and Elves? To them, that is a radical demand that could shake the very foundation of their nations. If we propose it head-on, they’ll simply dismiss it."

"That’s why I won't do anything as inefficient as 'head-on.' First, we keep Argo hidden. At the first party, we’ll only broadcast the culture of 'Chess' and burn their brains with it."

While the two had been playing, I handed Gustav a chess manual I’d made using my translation printer.

"Gustav, study that manual thoroughly later. You need to act as the 'Founder of Chess' and make sure you never lose during the banquet."

"Me? It’s true that showing overwhelming intellect would raise Felsen’s reputation, but..."

"It’s more than that. On the day of the banquet, we’ll give everyone a high-end Felsen-made chess set as a parting gift. At the same time, we’ll grant them the distribution rights, telling them they can manufacture and sell them in their own territories for profit."

Gustav’s eyes widened in shock.

"We’re giving away the distribution rights!? You’re not going to keep this wonderful craft and game as a monopoly?"

"It’s just a board and some pieces. Anyone can copy the basic structure eventually, regardless of quality. Let them have the small change. Think about it—how will those nobles react once they have those rights?"

"They’ll likely try to make it a trend in their own lands to secure a monopoly on the profits. And..."

"Exactly. And to soothe their wounded pride from losing to you, they’ll practice like mad to win the next match. That’s the opening I’m looking for."

I turned my gaze to Argo, who was standing by with an expressionless face.

"Once they’re hooked on chess and it’s culturally recognized as a 'hobby for the intellectual elite'... that’s when Argo makes his debut at the next banquet. A member of the Magic Races will reign as the absolute champion of a culturally sanctioned sport, crushing famous nobles as if they were absolute novices. That is when we’ll install the intellectual brilliance of the Magic Races directly into their brains."

Gustav looked back and forth between Argo and the board, looking almost terrified.

"But Mr. Zect, not all Magic Races are as brilliant as Argo. He is an exception among exceptions... a unique individual. Presenting him as the representative of his entire race is..."

"That doesn't matter. People who know nothing about the Magic Races will see the absolute powerhouse in front of them and make their own assumptions. They’ll think, 'Are the Magic Races really a people with such high intelligence?' Once that's imprinted, their view will update from 'monsters to be excluded' to 'intellectual beings to be respected.'"

"Meow. (...You really do sound like a con artist.)"

"Argo. As the pinnacle of intellect in this world, I need you to shatter their pride into pieces. Listen, this isn't just a game. This is a battle to win 'access rights' for your people."

Argo pushed up his glasses and nodded with quiet, firm resolve.

"Understood, Mr. Zect. Please use my existence as a 'constant' to rewrite the world. I will thoroughly sink their pride into a sea of logic, leaving absolutely nothing left."

Gustav gripped the manual in his hand and smiled, looking as though he had made up his mind.

"I see. First, I shall play the role of the 'invincible host' and lure them into the trap. Mr. Zect, this diplomacy is starting to look more like an invasion disguised as a banquet."

"How rude. It’s just a peaceful update to ensure the diversity of the system."

I leaned my recliner back even further and watched the lights of Felsen twinkling outside the window.

How would the seeds of "Chess" planted at the banquet hack the neighboring territories? I was actually starting to look forward to watching the logs of the outcome.

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