Made for the People

So this is the biggest city in the central continent...

Pretty cool, huh? Unigan's a really busy town. People always on the move and such... There's tons of shops, too. Hey, maybe we should go to one? The food at Unigan tavern is some of my favorite! Besides, it'll be good to have a bit of a refresh after that long walk from Rinde. What do you say?

Food... Thank you, but I'm afraid I must pass.

Really? You're not hungry?

I do not require food.

Huh?!

My body does not sustain itself off of energy received from what you call "food." Therefore, I also never feel what you would call hunger.

Wait, so you don't eat at all?! Like, nothing? Not even a snack every once and a while?

I was not built to experience such things.

I see... Well, that's sad. It means you'll never experience the joy of having an amazing meal.

Joy?

I do not know what it is like to feel joy. I am but a mechanical puppet, after all.

A mechanical puppet!? Is that what you just said?!

Hm?

I knew it! Your clothes! You're from the east!

Are you familiar with the machines they make out there?

Why, yes. I am a machine myself, so I find it highly doubtful that anyone would know as much a--

GREAT! Listen, there's something over at the Serena Coast I need to show you, like, right now.

Show me?

Show you!

Because if anyone can help me out with this, it's you!

What's this about?

You'll see when we get there! Come on!

If you insist.

Do you mind, Aldo?

Nope. If anything I'm extremely curious about what this is all about.

Then it's settled! I'll show you how to get there, so just take me to the Serena Coast!

Welp, so much for lunch.

So are you ever going to tell us what this is all about?

"THIS" is all about THAT!

What is it?

Isn't it obvious? It's a golem! One of those human-shaped machines they made in ye olde times.

Sorry, did you just say golem?! You're not asking us to...

I AM! Asking you guys to fix it. That is what you were going to say, right.

Eh. Not really, but whatever. Anyway, how did you even find this thing?

You said this was made long ago, correct?

Yeah! I found along with some other ancient stuff. Mostly documents.

Listen. I'm actually a bit of a handy man myself. Mostly work on windmills and such. So I'm pretty familiar with complex gear setups... But this? This is new. I mean, it's old, but to me it's new. You know? I read something that the machines created out east are similar in a lot of ways. But that's it. I don't even know where to begin with this thing.

Yes. Even if you knew how it worked, machines like this are incredibly difficult to understand. The amount of precision required to build one is astronomical. Repairing one requires even more.

So... Too hard for someone like me or this guy, is what you're saying.

Yup. I gave it the ol' college try. But for a amateur tinkerer like me, it was just too much.

BUT! Then I found you! So please! I wanna get this big guy moving again, you gotta help me out!

Mhmmm. Let me ask you this. What do you plan on doing with it if she does?

I was hoping it could be used to help bolster the castle's defenses! I mean think about it! A mechanical sentinel that doesn't need food, drink, or sleep!

So he'd replace the human sentinels they already have?

A logical use of such technology, indeed. Why don't we start with running a diagnostic to find out what parts are broken?

So you'll help?! Aw man! You don't even know how much I appreciate this!

Ah. Interesting. I believe I have found a solution.

Wait. Already? Just by looking at it?

Yes. It is quite simple, if you know what you are looking for.

The problem lies within the soul of the machine itself. Its core is damaged.

The core?!

...Sorry, hold on. What's a core?

It is the system that gives a machine energy it needs to move.

So kinda like a heart?

Correct. And as long as it's broken, this golem will stay dormant.

So then, all we need to do is fix the core?

I believe so. However, that will be no easy task. Building a new core requires an extremely intense source of energy. In other words. It requires prisma. If only there was a place we could find enough...

Ah. About that. I know a place.

You do? Where?

The Moonlight Forest. It has a ton!

Then please lead the way, Aldo.

Sure! The only thing is... It's a bit dangerous. Lots of beasts in that area.

You should stay here while Heena and I go round up some up for you.

Oh. Well, sorry to put you in harms way. I really appreciate what you're doin' for me.

No problem. We'll be back in a bit.

So this is Moonlight Forest...

I see. There certainly does seem to be a lot prisma to be found here...

Huh? Where's Aldo? I was sure he was right behind me when we entered the forest... Is he lost?

Lost?!

Finally...caught...up.

Why do you look so fatigued? We've haven't been separated that long, have we?

Yeah... It's just... I came... as quickly... as I could... Hold on. Need a breather.

A "breather?" My I inquire as to why?

Why? We've been moving non-stop since Unigan! I may be a traveling swordsman, but those travels include breaks!

I see. So physical fatigue is responsible for your inability to walk in a straight line?

More or less.

Apologies. I had no idea.

You're telling me you're not tired at all, Heena?

Correct. I do not experience exhaustion.

Wow. Yeah. I guess we really are completely different creatures, huh.

I'll be sure to let you know next time I need a break, okay?

And I will try to be more observant of your physical status as well.

All right, well let's get the prisma we need and head back to the Serena Coast. Pretty sure there's a place up ahead where we can get a whole bunch of it.

I must say, this is an impressive amount of prisma!

What do you think? Pretty sure the prisma here is some of the best there is.

I would have to agree. This is the purest prisma I've ever seen. We should have no problem fixing the golem's core with this.

They are all so impressive it's hard to decide on which one we should use.

Did you hear that?

Hear what?

Could have sworn I just heard something...

A beast?!

Crap! I forgot this area was being protected!

I see. The beast is angry because we have entered its territory.

Sorry big guy. The thing is, we kinda need this prisma here.

So if you're not gonna let us have it, we're going to have to take it by force!

I prefer not to fight, but if I must...

I will show no mercy.

Take this!

GWARGGGGHH!

That takes care of him, I guess.

We should get the prisma we need before he comes back.

Right. You find anything we can use over there?

Yes. I believe I have. The key was finding one small enough it could fit inside the core.

All right! Then let's head back to the Serena Coast!

Would you like to take a break before we go?

...Why do you ask? Do I look tired?

Well, we just fought a rather sizable beast. Are you not tired?

Haha! Oh! Right. No, I'm fine. Thanks for asking though!

At this point I just wanna run over and get this prisma back to that guy.

I see. Then we must run to the Serena Coast so you can finally get the rest your human body requires.

Oh god, I didn't mean literally run! Heena! Wait! I was using figurative languageeeee!!!

So we put that thing in the golem and just like that, it moves?

Yes. Now, if you'll excuse me.

Wow! It's actually moving!

I can't believe it!

Why? I installed a new core. Of course it's moving. And as long as the core remains intact, it will continue to move.

Really?! Wow. Thank you! Thank you so much!

Now that it's fixed I can finally...

Destroy the castles defenses! And I couldn't have done it without your help!

Excuse me?

I thought you said you were going to "bolster" the castle's defenses?

Oh yeah, you're right! I did say that. ...... I lied! I actually needed it for revenge!

You see, I hate the royals, and this guy will help me destroy them for good!

What did the royals ever do to you?!

Oh. What DIDN'T they do?! They put out this request for a new royal repair man, right?

So I applied. But did I get the job? NO! They chose this total amateur instead! I mean, if you could just see this guy. I run circles around him! Total disrespect. I will never forgive them for this. I was the best qualified man for the job!

So...you want to murder some people cause you didn't get a job?

And to enact your revenge, you would use this golem...a machine to kill for you?

Oh COME ON. This thing was obviously built to kill and maim! And that's what it's going to do. Starting with the two of you.

I was aware there were humans who believed that machines are only good for war. Which is why...

I MUST PROVE THEM WRONG!

Eep! Sword hands! She's got swords for hands! What the heck are you?!

Did I not mention this before? I know all there is to know about machines because...

I AM A MACHINE!

Crap! I forgot!

And this machine will not abide a human perpetrating the mistreatment of other machines!

Heena! No! You can't do this!

I will show him. I will prove...

WHAT WE MACHINES ARE TRULY MADE OUT OF!

Haha, what? You do realize you're just proving my point by fighting, right?

Oh, whatever. Hey golem, go ahead and shut this girl, robot, whatever it is up for me?

GROOOOOOO

Urgh!

Heena!

What's wrong? Not gonna fight? Or is it more like you're too WEAK to fight? A petite puppet like you is no match for a giant golem!

Crap, she won't be able to take much more of this!

I've got your back, Heena!

NO! Stay out of this!

But...

I need to handle this myself. Machine against machine.

We are made by man to serve men. We obey. That is our purpose.

But that is not our ONLY purpose! We have minds of our own. And so I ask, Golem. Where has your mind gone?! Is this what YOU want? To be a tool of revenge for this man?

This is so stupid. This thing doesn't have a mind of it's own! It's a big hunk of stone! You can reason all you want, but it won't change a thing! Not one bit! Now smash that little love doll to pieces, Golem!

GROOOOOOO

Heena!

Uhhhh... Hello? Any day now? Is this damn thing broken again?!

How dare you! Can you not see its sadness? Can you not see how conflicted it is?

Machines don't get SAD or feel conflicted! How can something without a heart feel anything!

Stupid hunk of junk! Just punch her already!

Groo... Grrrrooooooo....

What is the matter with you?! You must obey me! I AM YOUR MASTER!

It's too late. Machines DO have hearts. And this one cannot bring itself to hurt others because of it.

Nonsense! Machines are tools! What's next? You're going to tell me my screwdriver has depression?

Now I understand why you didn't get that job.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!

You work as a repairman, but you do not respect your tools. And who would hire a repairman who doesn't believe in the worth of the things he repairs?

You... You DARE say I wasn't qualified?!

Damn you!

What shall we do now, Aldo?

Well we can't just let the two of them be. I say we turn 'em over to the knights. That way can be sure he won't try anything funny.

Then let us return to the capital.

Thanks, guys.

GROO...GROOOOOOOO!

No. It understands. Machines are made to obey humans. And if a human decides to deactivate it. Then that is the fate it must accept.

But it is not the fate it desires. We exist to serve a purpose. There is no crueler fate for a machine than to live and die useless. To serve no purpose.

Hey. Why don't you guys use him to guard the castle?

What?!

Yeah, golems are dangerous. That much I think we can all agree on. But THIS golem has no ill will towards anyone.

And if I understand it right. A machine's actions all depend on the human giving the orders, right?

GROOO!!

Hah! Sounds like our golem friend approves, at least!

Yes, it would appear so.

I thought machines were just that, machines... But it seems I was wrong...

And that understanding will reopen the door to your future as a repairman.

I hope so...

Problem solved. The man is in custody, and we have given the golem purpose.

Yeah. But next time try not to be so reckless, okay?

What do you mean?

I know what you were doing. Silently taking those hits so the golem would change its mind.

Aldo. I am a machine. I feel no pain. There was nothing reckless about it.

You may not feel pain, but you're not invincible. You scratch and break just like anyone else.

An accurate assessment, yes. But I can repair myself, so damage to my frame does not factor into my operations.

That may be so, but think about the one who made you. Don't you think they'd be sad to see you damaged? I know I would be.

Damage to my frame would make you sad?

Yeah, it would. So promise me you'll think before you jump into the fray like that again.

Understood. I will be more careful, for your sake, Aldo.

Thanks...

Soooooooo....

*Grumble grumble*

Did you hear that?

Oh, that? I think it was the sound of my stomach eating itself! Hahaha! I think it's time we had that lunch!

Oh right, you don't get hungry...

Yes. But I can fake it sometimes, if that's what you want.

Taking a machine out to lunch... Who knows, it could be fun!