What should I do?
In the fleeting moment of rapidly spinning thoughts, an unexpected answer flows from the mouth of the automaton.
“Edu-nim?”
“Uh, do you know me?”
“I apologize.”
Saying this, she fumbles in the front pocket of her maid’s uniform and then shows a nameplate pulled out from it.
It has her product name and serial code, WM1-OU/458024, inscribed. However, that… I’ve seen it somewhere before…
“AH!”
Only now does a forgotten memory resurface.
When Mili, Sita, and I first visited the Explorer’s Guild, the same nameplate was affixed on the chest of the automaton that greeted us.
“Is it the automaton from the Explorer’s Guild?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Since today is a holiday, I’m taking turns cleaning the Guild Master’s house.”
“Are you working on a day off?”
“Yes, we’re robots.”
What exploitation of robots. I give Bungbungi rest time, yet again I’m appalled by the malevolent conduct of the person responsible.
“By the way, Edu-nim, why have you come here? If you’re looking for the Guild Master, he is currently out on business.”
“Ah, no. I’m not here to see him.”
“Is that so?”
After saying that, she falls silent. Her eyes seem to be waiting for my words.
“Uh, um…”
“Yes.”
What should I say? Hmm, let’s start a conversation first…
“Hey, name. How should I address you?”
“…You’re asking about a name?”
“Yes.”
It was awkward to keep addressing her vaguely, so I unintentionally blurted out the question. But she instead gazes at me as if my words are something peculiar.
“I’ve never been asked this before, so I don’t know how to answer.”
“Er, really?”
“Yes, we’re objects, so this is the first time anyone has asked about me.”
“Ah…”
Now that I think about it, wasn’t there a setting like that?
A phrase from the setting collection comes to mind: robots used throughout society are generally perceived negatively because of their shared mechanical traits with the Invaders.
But it’s hard to call her using her cumbersome product name or serial code… she’s so pretty and polite after all…
“Uh…”
I think for a moment. WM1-OU/458024…
WMOU…WOU…WU… Hmm? This word…
“Miu.”
“Miu, did you say?”
“Yes, Miu. I took one character from the front and one from the end of WM1-OU. Is it alright?”
“…”
She doesn’t respond at all. Uh, does she not like it? Now that I think about it, perhaps she disliked me dictating terms without being her owner…
“Um, if you don’t like it-”
“No, I was just a little surprised.”
Saying this, she places her hand on her chest and closes her eyes.
“When you did this before, you treated us with interest and as individuals.”
“Huh? Isn’t that natural?”
Robots are awesome, aren’t they?
“…That’s uncommon.”
Saying this, she smiles gently—it looked incredibly beautiful.
“Then from now on, call me Miu.”
“Does it suit you?”
“Yes.”
I exhale in relief at Miu’s answer. But it’s only temporary.
“By the way, Edu-nim, why have you come here? Although it’s inappropriate for me to say, you and the Guild Master don’t have a bad relationship, do you?”
Her continued words leave me startled and wondering how to respond. But as if understanding my predicament, Miu speaks first.
“If it’s something hard to talk about, I will pretend I saw nothing.”
“Uh…?”
I lift my head and look at Miu.
“Why are you helping me like this? Isn’t Miu employed by the Guild Master?”
“That’s correct. But all he asked of me was to clean the garage as a tool. There’s been no directive about what to do in other situations.”
“Aha.”
In short, it’s a matter of interpretation.
Since he only asked her to clean the garage, she will do so, but there’s no reason to particularly side with him in other situations. Still, why is she helping me…?
“Uh, Miu.”
“Yes, Edu-nim.”
“Why are you trying to help me?”
“Because I want to.”
Again, Miu flashes a beautiful smile.
“Do I really need a reason to help someone who’s kindly treating me?”
“…Thank you.”
“Oh, don’t mention it.”
Saying this, Miu crouches down and turns her back toward me.
“If walking is difficult, please ride on my back. I’ll carry you.”
“Uh…”
It’s also strange to roll around alone when someone’s around, so I quietly accept Miu’s kindness.
“Then I’ll take my leave…”
“Yes.”
Once on Miu’s back, I feel a faint warmth along with a comfortable sensation. It wasn’t like the embrace of Ryuje, but her back wasn’t lacking in any way.
“Then, Edu-nim, where should we go?”
“Uh, I want to place something large, so is there a suitable spot?”
“Would a place that’s not immediately visible do?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll take you to the back of the garage.”
Saying this, Miu moves gracefully. Looking around while riding on her back, I spot expensive-looking cars, just as Banetta had described.
From sleek sports cars to bulky muscle cars to old-fashioned cars with many curves, there were all kinds.
“There are a lot of cars here.”
“That’s the Guild Master’s hobby, but he rarely drives them though he buys them.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Hmm, if he’s not going to drive them, why buy so many? Is this a perception gap between the rich and the common folk?
“Edu-nim, how about here?”
Stopping at the indicated spot, Miu’s front reveals enough space for about three or four vehicles.
“Oh, it seems fine.”
“Shall I let you down then?”
“No, here’s fine.”
“Yes.”
At my words, Miu waits quietly. Following my plan, I use the Collection function.
“Release Collection.”
– The Collection function will be released. There are 8 collected items. Select the items you wish to release.
“Please take out one each of the repaired Clarient and Gandiva.”
– Instruction confirmed. One ST-05 Clarient tank and one ASC-03 Gandiva APC will be released from the Collection. Select the location for placement.
A green square box appears in my vision, which I align with the empty space Miu guided me to, positioning them one by one.
– Placement confirmed. One ST-05 Clarient tank and one ASC-03 Gandiva APC will be released from the Collection and set in the chosen location.
With a flash of white light, a black tank and a rugged-looking 6-wheel APC appear.
Even though they were hastily repaired from being heavily damaged, they still retain the ominous feel characteristic of Invader equipment.
“Is this…?”
“It’s Invader equipment, my small present to the Guild Master.”
“I see…”
“…Why aren’t you asking why I’ve placed these here?”
“Yes, I believe there must be a reason for Edu-nim’s actions.”
That Miu trusts me even though I haven’t done anything grand… or is it because robot discrimination is severe in this area?
“Uh, Miu.”
“Yes, Edu-nim.”
“The truth is…”
Since she’s trusting me with both robots—automatons—and offering help, it feels wrong not to share anything and pull her into my affairs. So I briefly explain the situation to her.
She listens to my story with a calm expression, nodding occasionally.
“…That’s how it happened.”
“Hmm… Though I have no right to comment on human relationships…”
Miu’s right hand lands lightly on my head.
“You’ve really worked hard.”
“Pat, pat.”
A faint warmth travels through her hands.
“Thank you.”
Saying this, we exchange words, then a crackling sound reaches my ear, followed by Banetta’s voice.
[ Edu, can you hear me? How’s it going? ]
“Ah, Banetta-san. I’ve completed the installation, so I’ll be heading back soon. What about Edward?”
[ That idiot is enjoying tea time with that woman at a nearby café. Should I send him, or should I go? ]
“Uh, then would Banetta-san have the time to come?”
Considering all, Edward approached the middle-aged woman first. Sudden withdrawal might raise unnecessary suspicion, so it seems more reasonable for Banetta to pick me up rather than Edward.
[ Got it, I’ll tell that idiot to wrap things up appropriately. So, should I leave the garage door open? ]
“No, there’s no need for that. I’ll open it for you.”
After hearing our conversation, Miu quietly suggests this to me, and I nod in agreement.
“Come as you are.”
[ Hmm? Did you find a way? Alright, I’ll come right over. ]
“Yes.”
Banetta’s transmission cuts off with a click.
Looking around, I notice I’m already in front of the garage door, thanks to Miu’s quick perception of our conversation.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Saying this, Miu taps the terminal mounted on one side of the garage wall. The large hologram displays an empty view outside the garage.
“You can go out now. I’ll open the door.”
“Yes.”
With a thud, the garage door opens.
Miu carries me out of the garage and crouches down by the door, allowing me to get off her back.
“Then, thank you very much for your help, Miu.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Take care, Edu-nim.”
Saying this and bowing her head, Miu heads back into the garage.
Just then, as if remembering something, she quickly turns around and faces me.
“Miu?”
“…”
“Edu-nim, please take this.”
Miu hands me something resembling a computer CPU—small and flat, rectangular in shape.
“Uh, what is this?”
“It’s a data chip.”
“A data chip?”
“Yes.”
Data chip.
In the AOE world, it’s a widely-used micro-recording medium for recording and storing information. That much was definitely part of the setting.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“Please check it later for the details.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
Since it’s a data chip thoughtfully handed over by Miu, it must contain important information.
“Then, farewell, Edu-nim.”
“Yes, see you again at the guild, Miu.”
With that, Miu’s upper body bows 90 degrees as she retreats into the garage, and the garage door closes, hiding her away.
Thud.
A weighty sound, and then Banetta’s footsteps approach from the distance.
“Edu! Did everything go well?”
“Yes, let’s head back.”
…
Thud.
As the garage door closed, the automaton’s expression—briefly named Miu—returns to its original state.
She has no name.
Robots are merely tools designed to be used.
Even her product name and serial code, WM1-OU/458024, exist for classification and management, not for her own use.
But precisely because of this, a simple question asked by a little girl must have stirred something deep in her heart.
“Hey, name. How should I address you?”
“Yes, WM1-OU, taking one character from the front and the end. Is that okay?”
“Thank you very much, Miu.”
These moments with the little girl flash through her mind.
Certainly, there are people at the Explorer’s Guild who respect her and her companions.
But that little girl went beyond mere respect, treating her as a living being. Miu herself understands that better than anyone.
“Such an interesting person…”
A murmured thought escapes her lips unconsciously.
Startled by her own reaction, Miu quickly regains her composure and hides the warm memories of her time with the little girl deep within herself.
No one but Miu can discover these memories, and even if she forgets, she hopes to recall them someday.
– Would you like to proceed with the memory reset from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today?
She is a robot.
A being created to serve humans.
A pitiable puppet that cannot even claim rights over her own memories.
– Initializing memory…
Her eyes slowly close as the warm moments shared with the little girl slowly fade away.
– Initializing memory…
Still, Miu faintly smiles.
This way, even if others were to remove and inspect her memory chip, they wouldn’t uncover the time she spent with that small girl.
– Memory initialization complete.
…
“Master, I’ve gathered the exploration guild members’ suggestions-”
“Leave it there.”
“Understood, Master.”
The automaton places a small memory chip on the desk at Fangju’s words. The problem is that similar memory chips are stacked high on the desk.
“…”
Some might tut in disapproval.
“Damn…”
Fangju’s irritated muttering as some thought crosses his mind.
Ever since he lost face at court that previous day, he’s been ignoring his own work, obsessing over something.
“Damn brat…!”
One thought occupies his mind.
Nothing but his desire for revenge on Edu Number Birthday.
Even though his own mistakes played a part in his humiliation and disregard by Grojeina and Bevert, none of that is noticeable to Fangju, who’s clouded by anger and hatred.
“Master.”
“Not again!”
“It’s time to go home.”
“…harrumph.”
Frowning, Fangju stands up from his chair. The automaton bows her head as she stands by the door.
Silently passing by her side, Fangju flings his arm, striking the automaton.
“…”
Thud.
Letting out a brief grunt, the automaton crashes against the door, but bows her head to Fangju once more.
“Tch, you puppet.”
“…”
Fangju then heads out towards the parking lot. Among the functional vehicles, his sports car proudly projects its presence.
Made with elegant curves and a stylish design, Fangju feels a slight improvement in his mood as he drives roughly home after boarding the car.
‘I should have a drink or two. There’s no way this frustration will settle otherwise-‘
Fangju arrives near his house with such thoughts.
“Uh…?”
But what awaited him there was a situation entirely different from what he expected.
Wearing all-white, full-sealed reinforced exoskeletons with blue seals, they brandished military rifles. However, the golden eagle insignias on their shoulders unmistakably symbolized the police.
The group responsible for maintaining order in Fangju, the Fangju Guard.
Upon noticing Fangju, the guards exchanged a few words, after which one of them approached him.
The star-shaped badge on his helmet indicated he was the field commander, most likely.
“Hail, guild master.”
“Oh, my greetings. What is the matter?”
No matter how irritated Fangju was, the opposing party was the group responsible for maintaining order in Fangju. Thus, Fangju inquired very politely.
“Well, we’ve received a strange report.”
“Report? About my home?”
The appearance of the guards surrounding his home prompted him to ask this, causing the Fangju Guard’s commander to nod.
“Yes, your household is reported to be harboring invaders.”
“In my home? Invaders?!”
“Yes.”
“Ho ho.”
An involuntary laugh.
Invaders in my home? There’s no such absurd joke.
“That’s laughable.”
“Yes, I think so too. However, since the report has been made, we must check, isn’t it?”
“…”
“Is that so?”
Fie, isn’t it obvious nonsense from kids?
Such things should be let go with some discretion, but these rigid ones lack any flexibility.
“Yes, by any chance, could we inspect your garage?”
“My garage?”
His eyebrows twitch at the request. Sensing this, the commander deftly adds words.
“Yes. Given the nature of the report…”
Leaving the sentence hanging.
Only then does Fangju realize the surroundings are filled with the Guard’s two-legged walkers, quadruped tanks, and even armored vehicles, as if preparing for battle.
“What kind of report warranted this commotion?”
“For one, a report was received stating that the guild master’s household harbors Invader armored equipment—tanks and APCs.”
“Hahaha…”
Laughter bursts out.
“You’re saying there are Invader armored vehicles in my garage right now?”
Utter nonsense.
Fangju knows best that there are none of those in his garage; he drove this car out of the garage himself this very morning.
“The report claims so.”
The commander adds.
“Fine. In fact, I’d be interested to see them if they exist. What do you say, let’s inspect the garage together?”
“…”
“It might be dangerous.”
A theoretical warning, but judged by his casual tone, it seems the commander also expects there to be nothing real in the garage.
Hence, this remark is merely a formality, and Fangju understands the implication well.
“That’s fine. There’s no way anything like that would be in my garage. Come along!”
He answers with confidence, getting out of the car and striding toward his garage.
As the commander slightly inclines his head, a few waiting soldiers follow.
“This way.”
Blocked by the vehicles and tanks of the Guard, Fangju walks to the garage from the car he arrived in.
Walking past a concrete structure jutting out and reaching the sturdy iron gate, Fangju flicks his holographic wrist interface a few times, and the gate opens.
“Cu…ng…”
“Come along!”
Fangju strides confidently in front.
The commander and soldiers follow carefully, maintaining vigilance behind him.
“Wow.”
“Grand.”
Looking around the garage, the soldiers quickly relax their guard, their expressions revealing no tension as they exclaim in admiration. Only the commander remains slightly rigid as he cautiously scans the area.
Of course, he also thought the report was nonsensical, but stepping into the vast garage still stirs a “what if?” thought process in his heart.
But the specifics of the report—an Invader armored vehicle, even down to the exact type—only fuelled the commander’s unease.
Unaware of such concerns, Fangju remains completely at ease.
‘That’s how it is.’
There’s nothing here but his collection. There’s not a trace of any Invader presence anywhere.
“So, how about it? There’s nothing here, right?”
“…It is fine for the entrance.”
“Haha, shall we inspect the rear as well? I have nothing to hide. This way!”
Bypassing the cautious commander, Fangju enthusiastically gestures forward and takes the lead.
The moment they cross the slightly inclined passageway and turn the corner.
“Here’s where…such a thing wouldn’t possibly—Huh?”
Fangju’s laughter abruptly vanishes, and he freezes solid.
“That…Why is it…”
His voice reveals confusion, his eyes widen, cold sweat drenches his body, and his legs begin to wobble listlessly.
He had dismissed the report as nonsense and mocked it.
Yet there inside his garage, there was undoubtedly a blackened tank and APC, which had not been there earlier this morning.
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