Chapter 78

– Mr. Tin Can, is it acceptable for you to act this way without violating your robot ethics and artificial intelligence guidelines? There exists a possibility of a short circuit occurring. –

– …That’s a valid point, Miss Jenny. –

In the busy atmosphere of the long-awaited procedure, two robots were outside the teacher’s line of sight.

An Android and a Carebot were whispering to each other.

It wasn’t strictly slacking off. Just a few hours after the departure of the guest, Anastasia, who had been improving the shop’s security vulnerabilities recently, the Android was expressing concern for the Carebot, who was trying to ignore commands and leave.

Although Jenny found the adverse effects on her master’s mental health caused by a mysterious guest named Anastasia Valentine displeasing, she thought that the quirky relationship between the Carebot and her was quite… – it was hard for her to find an appropriate word to describe it, but – desirable.

What could be the story behind suddenly attempting an act of disobedience without any specific reason?

– But please don’t misunderstand. I am actually trying to fulfill Ahsa’s request by embarking on this journey. –

– Yes… what? –

The long eyelashes blinked, and the stony facial muscles slightly relaxed in confusion.

Whether Jenny’s body was the result of the teacher’s preferences or not, the expressed emotions and thoughts were entirely her own. However, the physical form resembling a human appeared to contain more sincerity.

Seeing that, the Tin Can felt pleased as it observed Anastasia, who tried to understand this side simply by changing scanner saturation or picking up on slight variations in voice. However… it also wished for a few more features.

And since sexual desire and preferences regarding appearances are one of the primal instincts inseparable from humans, there was a slight dissatisfaction in her constantly trying to hide it.

Either way, that was not important now, so it started to shake the diaphragm in its voice module.

– Miss Jenny. For me…… even in your case, this shop is not our home. –

– What does that mean…? –

Was it something said because it was about to leave?

However, Jenny couldn’t comprehend the intent behind the excuse that seemed to involve her. If the Android had already decided to act, then there was no need to explain its actions to someone it wouldn’t see again.

– According to consumer protection laws and asset protection laws, and the self-sufficient machine management regulations, autonomous robots have no rights except to demand essential components and energy consumed in performing tasks. However… –

With a clatter! The Tin Can said that much and then, carrying a bag full of the master’s personal belongings, exited the shop.

– For possessions like us, if there is truly a place to return to, then it is naturally beside the one we serve, right? Therefore, I have not violated any order or priority.

Orders arise from the perspective of the superior who gives them.

Thus, there was no basis for the subordinate to interpret them arbitrarily.

Yet, such illogical reasoning easily seeped into the circuits of this female Android.

– …May you complete your task of guarding the home safely, Mr. Tin Can. –

– I hope Miss Jenny’s romantic endeavors also flourish. I believe you will do well. –

Left with the question, “Romance…?” as she blankly pondered, the Tin Can hastened its steps.

Even though it had failed to comprehend human philosophy, its computational apparatus was somewhat uncomfortable for having left such a humorous farewell.

Despite being human, it might have expressed that it felt “guilty in conscience.” Strolling into a situation laden with noise, it paused momentarily to survey the tumultuous surroundings.

“May the Light of Christmas fill your Life! If you haven’t tried this year’s best-selling products yet, don’t miss this opportunity!”

“The countdown to the central tree lighting will continue to offer prizes, so we hope for the citizens’ active participation!”

Now he realized it wasn’t that the surroundings had become noisy, but rather that the noise had come to him.

Jingle, jingle!

The loud ringing of bells resonated down the street.

Vehicles resembling a bright red sleigh marched along the main road, while the promotional team members riding inside were busy advertising using loudspeakers and communication channels.

Moreover, the occasional free meal samples or product samples scattered nearby were more than enough to excite the crowd… it was the main parade for the Christmas limited event.

“Best-selling products? …That damn all-purpose cleaner and painkiller!”

“Well, it seems worth attending a corporate show at least once, right?”

Though a few people who picked up gift boxes and tore open the wrapping looked bewildered, free is free.

Some passersby without special plans turned toward the final destination of the parade, the central plaza.

Safety officials were busy controlling external vehicles at the edges. Thus… seeing the tax collection squad and hired mercenaries that nobody would welcome could evoke rejection.

However, the tiny Santa hats perched adorably atop the heads or helmets of various security personnel helped soften the usual negative feelings citizens harbored.

It was a peace gesture, akin to saying that neither side wished for unpleasant incidents…?

Thus, observing the parade that could also be said to relate to Anastasia, he reached a conclusion.

Rather than immediately going to the control room to be scolded, it would be better to match its timing to meet her when the event concluded.

Of course… that didn’t mean he would waste this time; he planned to block suspicious individuals near the building where the control room was located, but a group appeared on the Carebot’s scanner that seemed to be wishing for something unpleasant.

– How peculiar… –

In fact, it was barely reasonable to label that group as such. If viewed individually, they maintained a decent distance from one another.

Despite following the parade, one was disinterested in the promotional items being distributed by staff.

Another man, wearing a vaguely vacant expression, seemed unfazed by the relaxed atmosphere of the holiday.

A woman was scanning the security arrangements nearby rather than the event itself.

Additionally, there were also suspicious figures like a flustered red-haired girl who was absentmindedly bumping into things without looking ahead, or multiple individuals who were side-eyeing the security personnel.

The artificial feeling of distance, likely created, seemed unnoticed by the corporate troops busy warding off potential assaults using explosives.

Or perhaps… no individual could match the perfection of the Tin Can, who meticulously analyzed every minor gesture, gait, and even the movement of a twitchy finger.

The holographic scanner, serving as the Tin Can’s eyes, emitted a strange glow.

It self-diagnosed its body to check for any elements that might interfere with combat.

If priority number zero was assisting Anastasia, then priority number one was following her commands and maintaining its judgment. And number two… well, who knows?

Ambition? Survival instinct? Or perhaps a passion for advancing the rights of artificial intelligence?

– I would be pleased if you could be happy about my attempt to relieve some of your workload. –

The desire to be of help to someone of utmost importance in this world changed the final destination of a Carebot equipped with high-performance combat software to the battlefield.