Shot 30: The Feet of Those Who Replenish

What is this place?

This is the heart and soul of the Storm Border: the engine room!

In a way it's quite literally the heart of the ship, so I usually feel like it would be wrong to go in...

Or rather, I know I'd get in trouble for interfering if I did...

Hey! The hell's going on around here!?

Don't you "Hiya" me!

How does it LOOK like it's going!?

？！

As if my hands aren't full enough dealing with all these damn roots and branches that just started sprouting up outta nowhere!

Now I have to deal with those overgrown tin cans hanging around too! Do something about them, would ya!?

Overgrown tin cans?

Successful energy transfer confirmed. No compatibility issues detected.

I have determined that your energy replenishment efficiency is equivalent to mine, even though you are of a completely different make and model. Your systems developer is to be commended.

？！

Hello, Master. I am not surprised you are here, for I had already calculated your arrival.

Good day, Master. I can report that the two of us are currently replenishing our energy supply.

You mean, charging?

Affirmative.

In general, we are expected to provide great destructive power whenever we are deployed to battle, and are therefore required to operate at high output levels.

This means we tend to require more magical energy than a typical Servant.

Under these unusual circumstances, we cannot be certain that we will be able to replenish our energy supply at a moment's notice.

As such, we have been using our energy saving modes to maximize operational uptime.

However, now that we have discovered this location, we are able to switch more freely between modes.

The engine room now contains an emergency energy replenishment device which uses the Storm Border's drivetrain mechanisms to generate resources.

And fortunately, we have determined that it is operating at full capacity.

Ohh, I remember now. Sion said she was gonna build something like that.

It's basically a recycling generator that can be plugged directly into mechanical Servants to make it easier to recharge them.

I guess she already installed one here. The engine area does seem like a sensible place to put it.

That concludes our explanation. We will now perform a self-diagnostic while we are recharging in idle mode.

Idol mode!?

You mean, you two are going to become idols now...?

(Gulp)

Initiating inference calculations... Done. Now I see. You are referring to pop idols, a term for entertainers who sing, dance, and offer other performances.

However, I do not possess the necessary functionality for such a career. Thus, my answer is:

We cannot be the kind of idols you seek. Please keep that in mind.

Nooo!

Please don't give up. The idol world is brimming with limitless possibilities. I'd be glad to help you with your outfits if that's what's holding you back!

Um... They didn't mean that kind of idol, Miss Boot Line. They were talking about the waiting around kind, I-D-L-E.

Oh. I see. Well, that was embarrassing.

Running diagnostics... Complete. This unit is fully operational.

Chassis damage: zero. Output: stable. Thought processes: clear. Mecha Eli-chan Alert: functional.

？！

Affirmative. The Mecha Eli-chans are Elisa units with an incomprehensibility level of three, requiring great caution at all times.

We cannot neglect matters of security where they are concerned.

... ...

Oh, right. Sorry if they surprised you. I guess now was as good a time as any to find out we have mechanical Servants here, too.

Hopefully, you won't have any trouble getting used to them. In fact, maybe you already are?

I very much am not.

From my perspective...

...you seem more like gods than people.

So...I don't think I'll be making friends with you two anytime soon.

Trust is a crucial element in a combat force.

Thus, while it may not be an ideal strategic factor, Ia combat unit as strong as a thousand ordinary soldiersshould pose no issue.

I am therefore highly intrigued.

There has long been speculation as to whether this unit's origins may have ties to countries outside my own.

Don't get me wrong. I couldn't say what part of you guys feels godlike. I don't even have a good reason for feeling this way.

I just...do.

Once again, I request additional information.

You're surprisingly persistent. If you're so desperate to know, why don't you ask Artemis?

Hahaha. Where do we come from? Where are we going?

Such intellectual inquisitiveness cannot be so easily restrained.

Oh, sorry to interrupt. Right this way, General Lu.

!

？！

Of course he is.

General Lu has always had a tremendous appetite. As to his dining preferences...

...they are a secret.

All right, General. Help yourself.

!

？！

I'm afraid such information is one of General Lu's most carefully guarded secrets.

Ugh, all this foreign technology walking around like it owns the place...

Sure, it's not like you're gonna wear out the engines or anything, but you're still taking up a ton of space!

Hm, now that you mention it, the engine room wasn't meant to hold three figures of such considerable bulk.

This won't do at all.

Fortunately, I have a simple solution that will clear this compartment up in no time.

We'll just have them self-destru

Watch it, pal! Anyone who even THINKS those words around here gets a wrench to the head!

Do you have any idea how much love I pour into these engines every day just to make sure this ship you all depend on doesn't blow up!?

？！

Fou!

Right. Allow me to apologize on Chen Gong's behalf, Engineer. I don't know what we would do without you.

So, can we get to work already, or what?

Good point.

This is no time to be imagining the possibilities of mechanical idols. We have pictures to take!

I have already calculated your objective. You wish to completely record our legs and ground contact surfaces.

However

The data you are trying to record is a little too detailed.

Our unit data is extremely important to us.

If this data becomes known, it would be possible to reverse engineer our design specifications.

And if those specifications were to become known, it would then be possible to surmise our weaknesses.

Well, yeah, I guess that's true.

It would therefore be foolish to hand such a thing over for nothing.

Even if, realistically, there would be very little chance of negative consequence...it just wouldn't feel right to do so.

I don't suppose there's any way we can convince you to help us?

Too much trouble. Let's just not give them a choice in this and be done with it.

Uh, I really think it would be better if we could agree on a peaceful, mutually acceptable solution...

We understand your circumstances as well, so we propose a deal.

Data for data. Specifically, we request an exchange of your combat data for our contact surface data.

That will constitute an equal trade and make the risks of handing over our data more tolerable.

...That doesn't seem too different from my idea.

N-no, I suppose it doesn't...

All right then, we accept your proposal!

Now that you've agreed to a practice battle, we'll get started with our photography as well!

Thank you for doing this!

Hmm, hmm. Yes, nice and pointy. I especially like how defiant that upward angle makes it feel.

It definitely conveys the impression that the wearer is no ordinary person.

...I'm not sure anyone else would have the same appreciation for it, though.

Yup, those are definitely hooves. Not much more to say there.

And this is a fine example of metal plating.

There's a unique beauty to be found in clothing optimized for combat to the exclusion of all else...

...and this footwear certainly gets that impression across!

Now, the real problem is this footwear.

Are they hooves? Are they metal? The more I look, the less I understand.

But it IS wonderful to see that even familiar Servants can still surprise depending on their Ascension!

Mmm, what a fascinating find!

Phew.

Thank you, everyone! That concludes our photo session!

I was also surprised to see you take part in the battle as well, Chen Gong and Lu Bu!

？！

What's the deal with that guy who kept getting hit with wrenches, anyway?

Oh, he's our kind of freaky tactician. He's just...like that.

Luckily, it looks like his friend will take care of him so we don't have to.

!

So I see. Lu Bu just picked Chen Gong up off the floor and carried him away like an oversized duffel bag...

I am grateful for this fresh combat data you have provided us.

As am I.

It was especially valuable to face you, the unit with the golden sword, as we still had very little data about you, given your recent arrival.

In particular, the unpredictable nature of your virtually generated demonic minions will be ideal for adaptability training.

Further combat sessions with these minions will surely provide valuable experience for our anti-demon combat techniques.

I therefore request that you let us incorporate them into our regular training program.

Forget it. I'm not about to let my demons be your playmates. Try your luck elsewhere.

Hmm. Too bad.

At any rate, we have completed both our energy replenishment and our data processing. We thank you once again, and will now return to our regular duties.

Yeesh. About time those big lugs got outta my hair.

Um, I hate to be the bearer of bad news for you, Engineer, but...I don't think that's the last you'll see of Servants like that.

Huh?

Sion wouldn't have built that charger here if she hadn't decided to make this area a full-blown charging station.

It's probably just a matter of time until word gets out to the other mechanical Servants that they can recharge in the engine room now.

？！

Good point. We don't want to impose on you without your consent.

Well, putting it this way may be playing a little dirty, but let me ask you this: Which would you prefer?

Would you rather open up the engine room as a rest spot for the Servants who need it...

...and help resolve this whole mess with the forest as quickly as possible?

Or, would you rather keep fighting off these endlessly growing roots by yourself, while also doing your usual engine room job?

Gnnn...

Okay, fine! If I gotta deal with two different sources of stress, it makes sense to deal with them both at once.

But make sure everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, knows not to interfere with my work, all right!?

Thanks!

Thank you for providing us with a new rest spot, Engineer!

Master is kindly sharing his own room as well, so I'm hopeful that we can resolve this situation as soon as possible if we all work together!

Of course, if we should happen to find my room too, I'd be glad to offer it up as a rest spot in the same fashion!

Well, by this point, we've definitely come far enough along that we can start see and predict the emerging pattern.

And if I'm right, our next stop won't be a room, but somewhere I never would have expected...

Of course, I could be totally wrong. The only way to be sure is to check it out for ourselves. Good luck on the next leg!