Library. For those without the proper knowledge, bookshelves are a cultural cemetery made by boring people. For those who have the knowledge to understand what they say, a library is a roaring Valhalla, a spiritual hall for communication across time and space.

「I propose to consider the question, "Can machines think?"」

「This should begin with definitions of the meaning of the terms "machine" and "think."」

「The definitions might be framed so as to reflect so far as possible the normal use of the words, but this attitude is dangerous, If the meaning of the words "machine" and "think" are to be found by examining how they are commonly used it is difficult to escape the conclusion that the meaning and the answer to the question, "Can machines think?" is to be sought in a statistical survey such as a Gallup poll.」

「But this is absurd.」

「Instead of attempting such a definition I shall replace the question by another, which is closely related to it and is expressed in relatively unambiguous words.」

「The new form of the problem can be described in terms of a game which we call——」

 「——The 'imitation game.'」

Note：

此段文字翻译自阿兰·图灵（Alan Mathison Turing）于1950年发表的论文《计算机器与智能》（Computing Machinery and Intelligence）。

这里的“模仿游戏”（后世称之为“图灵测验”）是指：一个人（代号C）使用他和测试对象皆理解的语言，去询问两个他不能直接感知的对象（一台机器，代号A；一个思维正常的人，代号B）任意一串问题——如果经过足够长的问答后，C仍不能准确判断出A与B谁是机器、谁是人，则称此机器A赢得“模仿游戏”（即“通过图灵测验”）。

图灵测验的理论价值在于提出了一种切实可行的评判标准：如果一台机器能够稳定赢得“模仿游戏”，那么从客观的角度出发，这台机器在“心智能力”上和“人”就是没有区别的。

 I got separated from my two partners while I was immersed in Alan Turing's thoughts. Partners I say—— But those two were too busy talking to each other they probably didn't notice I wasn't there anymore. I'm feeling sleepy, maybe Turing's paper is too complicated. I can't. If I stop reading now I'll lose track of what I've read so far. At least I need to finish this chapter... Eh? I feel like... I'm forgetting something important... It's useless, my eyes... I'm... sleepy... ..... Before losing consciousness, I smelled something akin to a perfume. What is the meaning of this!? He should be somewhere in this「postmodern scientific museum」! We even searched the bathroom but he's nowhere to be found! It's strange, that geek boy shouldn't have been able to go too far... We were together for sure at the lobby... where I introduced you two to 「Postmodern Science」—— The knowledge of the external world we haven't mastered yet. Afterwards we climbed the stairs, left the building through the back door and looked at the scenery... If we got separated at any point, him 「being immersed reading a book here」would be the most likely cause, but... This is not the time for a carefree analysis! Call him through the radio! Close all doors! Search every corner of this place! This city used to dabble in slave trading. Knowing that a timid boy like him would never leave on his own! He didn't get lost—— He must have been kidnapped or something! ... ..... That 「worse case scenario」 is not entirely impossible. I'll admit that much. I will arrange immediately the use of the radio. However, the other two actions will disrupt the order of the library. First we need the permission of the Curator. ——Then let's go see the Curator! Right now! If he doesn't show up—— I will take matters into my own hands and thoroughly investigate everyone here! Calm down! The Curator is a reasonable person, but right now you look like you're trying to pick a fight. W-What did you say!? I understand well you feel anxious about what happened to your friend, but there is an order for everything. Don't throw it away and cause trouble for everyone else here. Rules and systems are only effective because people adhere to them! ..... Also... if you know violence is not good, suppress that aggressive attitude of yours until we confirm whether it was really a kidnapping or not. Or else you'll bring shame upon yourself. Knock, knock—— Come in. Curator. It's about the broadcast I made earlier—— You probably heard it already. We searched every place we could think of but couldn't find a single clue. It's impossible someone disappeared without any witness! Please at least contact the police! I already did. I said it before, didn't I? The library acts as a legal institution too. ..... ...Thales. Basically, you are saying someone disappeared inside the library—— And they didn't leave any trace behind? Yes. I also took a look at the surveillance cameras but there was no footage of anyone similar to him leaving the building. You have surveillance cameras? Makes sense, since there are robots too—— Don't interrupt me, Valkyrie. Curator, the surveillance footage tell us the missing boy hasn't left the building and he isn't responding to the radio message. Can I ask for a complete lockdown and a thorough search? Do we need to go that far? ...I think we do. There is a chance this incident is connected to the recent 「missing outsiders case」. ...! What makes you think that? It's difficult to make a person 「disappear」. The culprit being the same person is more likely than there being two criminals with the same MO active at the same time. ..... Very well. The library will remain closed for 2 hours. Anyone entering or leaving will need my permission. During that time, the entire staff and robots will search for the missing boy—— Are you okay with that, young lady? I'm Bianka. Bianka Ataegina. Rank A Valkyrie. I'm the Curator of the Great Library, Caterina Michelangelo Buonarroti. You can call me Michelangelo. Thales, would you please tell the 「Consultant Detective」 to come here? We need to settle this as soon as possible. The library has 227 reading rooms, 39 laboratories, 86 offices and 45 warehouses. It will take too much time to search everything. The staff and the robots are running around looking for him—— Shouldn't we be doing something too? I'm not doing 「nothing」 here, I'm 「waiting」 for that person thinking over there. The Curator pointed her finger at a person sitting in a chair. She seemed to be busy thinking while assuming a strange pose like Holmes. Seems everyone can't wait any longer, I'll start sharing my deductions while we wait for my trusted assistant to come. W-Wait a moment—— Who are you? I'm an archeologist—— And a consultant detective. ..... ...Anything else? Oh, did I forget something? ..... Why yes! Perhaps your name!? Are you not going to introduce yourself, like, properly? ...Hmm. It's not like knowing my name would change our current situation. ...But oh well. Call me Champollion. Jeanna François Champollion, archeology expert. I'll go straight to the point. The person you're looking for is not in this library. What? But the camera footage... The reason is simple. If the boy was here, why isn't he showing himself? There is a huge commotion going on because of him. H-He must have been locked up by someone! They must be waiting for the commotion to cease before sneaking him out! Your first idea has a point... but the second one is too unreasonable. If the target has been secured without anyone noticing, why would the kidnapper purposely take a risk and wait for the uncertain moment when 「the commotion ceases」? And it's strange we haven't found any trace of him if he was hidden in a hurry. Conversely, if this crime was premeditated, would the culprit stay here with the hostage or would they try to leave right away—— Which course of action do you think it's the best? I get that... But Jimmy didn't show up in any surveillance footage! There wasn't anyone who looked like him either! ——C-Could it be Jimmy is... Don't let your imagination run wild. I doubt anyone had a grudge against him, and it didn't seem like he had a lot of money. The possibility that someone would try to assassinate him is small. But then... It's simple. He was put inside something and was escorted out of the library. But even if someone were to hide him in one of the boxes we use to carry books they would be thoroughly inspected at the exit. They would be found out immediately. ...Director Thales, I never said anything about books. I know... but it's not time for cleaning yet, he couldn't had been hidden together with the trash. Besides those boxes I'm not sure if there is something else where you can hide someone. Even personal luggage is stored away before entering the library... Hehe, it's right under your nose. ...What do you mean? What's the best tool of transportation that was made using that 「Gem of Reason」 you and your library are so proud of? Ah—— I see—— Exactly. Robots with large torsos are excellent tools to carry people. But the robots are full of electronic components inside, you can't—— ——Ah! You noticed it, didn't you? P-Please explain it so that I can understand it too! ...If you remove the autonomous control unit of the robot and switch to remote control you can fit a person inside. ...Any solid proof of that? From what I've heard the robots have a 「heartbeat」 system that automatically sends a signal back to HQ at regular intervals. They do. It's a system we use to see the active area of each robot in real time so that we can optimize their deployment zone. Anyone planning to use a robot for a crime will definitely remove its transmitter, otherwise the risk of being found out is too great. The staff in charge of the system are now comparing the 「heartbeat」 system records with the camera footage. The results should be coming in soon. Professor Champollion! There is a discrepancy between the number of robots that left the building and the system's records. It's 3 of them! ...3? Hmph. There might be more victims we're not aware of yet. Or perhaps the culprit used the same method to escape. In any case, finding those robots will get us closer to solving this case. ...You sure sound confident for what it is essentially looking for a needle in the ocean. I have a very talented assistant, you see. She should be arriving in any moment—— She better had not stopped to eat something on the way here... ...Is she really as reliable as you say she is? Whatever, let's go to the entrance. Even if the culprit is still inside they would be no different than a cornered rat, the library's staff will be able to deal with them easily. At the same time, somewhere in the city—— I already used the drug. He should be waking up shortly. Will he really help us, though? Don't worry. We kidnapped him, but he seems to be too much of a good boy. There is no way he would let 「Unit 4」 die. If that hadn't happened to the Professor, we wouldn't had resorted to this. We kidnapped 3 other scholars, it's just a matter of time until the authorities realize what we're doing. It'll be alright. The Professor is no longer with us, but the 「assets」 he left behind are more than enough to make this experiment succeed. Not even the 「Great Library」 will be able to oppose us. Yes. And justice is in our side. Countless people who lost their freedom are waiting for us. It's time to turn off the lights of the 「Great Library」 that calls itself the Lighthouse of this city. Sup, Professor! The cake from the 「Nile River Orchard」 was so delicious I had to buy another one! ...Hahaha, is there anything else besides food in that little head of yours? We can't have that hindering our investigation, Neith. Ehehe, but I'm not too late aren't I... ..... This kid is your assistant? Yes. Her name is Neith. She doesn't look very reliable, but her nose is better than a dog's. I am reliable! I'm only late because the cake smelled so good! It's not my fault! ..... So this kid is... your search dog? Don't call her that. She's a treasure I found in the market. Market? Don't tell me she's—— Let's get this started. Take us to the missing boy's room. We need to make Neith catch Jimmy's 「smell」. ...You changed the subject very quickly. How suspicious. Neith once found Arthur who ran away from home. I can vouch for her searching abilities. ...Arthur? The Curator's pet parrot. We had a hard time catching it. Everyone worked together to climb the tree he was in... my precious silk cloak got torn that day. ..... Cough. There is no time to reminiscence about the past. Let's go. R-Right! If we can really count on Neith then let's hurry up! Jimmy's room is in the Caledonia! Bianka-sama? What happened? You seem to be in a hurry... Jimmy is gone! I'm trying to get a whiff of his smell to find him! ...!? ..... Lalla, you're in charge of the cabin too, right? Can you open Jimmy's room, please? ...Yes. Come with me. ...Please wait, Bianka-sama. ——What is it, Rita? You said Jimmy-san disappeared... What happened exactly? ...Right, you don't know yet. Alright. Let me explain everything. ...I see, so that happened. In that case let Jimmy-san's search to me. Bianka-sama, you should stay aboard the Caledonia. ...Eh? Why should I? I know you want to help Jimmy-san. However, we need to keep in mind our own mission... 「we」, in particular 「you」, shouldn't get involved in this case. ..... Did I hear that right? Are you saying that I shouldn't get involved in an incident that happened under my watch? Are you serious!? ...I'm very serious, Bianka-sama. Getting involved in the internal affairs of a big city like this could bring unexpected risks to us. One of us should remain aboard the ship to avoid the worst case scenario. ...Then it should be fine if I go out and you stay on the ship! I was Jimmy's partner. This is my responsibility! 「There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general:」 「Recklessness, which leads to destruction;」 「Cowardice, which leads to capture;」 「A hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults;」 「A delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame;」 「Over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.」 「These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war.」 「When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults. Let them be a subject of meditation.」

Note：

这一段文字是《孙子兵法》第八章“九变篇”里的内容。英文部分来自翟林奈（Lionel Giles）1910年的译本（ART OF WAR: THE OLDEST MILITARY TREATISE IN THE WORLD）。

 Bianka-sama, from a military point of view your current state of mind is not suited to perform this investigation. As long as there are unknown risks we can't afford to act recklessly. I'm not being reckless! No one will have faith in me if I have my adjutant solve my problems for me! And all I'm gonna do is to catch some kidnappers! Where's the risk in that? I'm a Rank A Valkyrie, I can handle something like that without breaking a sweat! ..... If you insist so much, then please at least wait until the rest of the Caledonia's crew is back—— Got it! My nose is ready to go! Those who want to know where the criminals are follow me! Good work! I'm coming! Bianka-sama! Don't worry, maid. I'll keep an eye on that 「stubborn」 girl for you. T-Thank you very much... (Was she... eavesdropping in our conversation...?)