ED's Story

Ah, Master. Hello. MaestroMK2 and I are currently engaged in a debate.

A debate to determine the superior party.

MaestroMK2 wants to confirm which of us is the superior android.

A comparative performance analysis has already been completed independently.

The result: Other than functional differences in manufacturing purposes and usage design, superiority in performance was inconclusive.

In other words, you could say that this debate is a matter of pride.

Affirmative. Robots also possess pride. Currently, we need a new criterion to establish hierarchy.

Ah. That has not yet been confirmed. Maestro, when were you manufactured?

Beep-boop! What an old fart. I believe that capability is more important than age.

Hmm... Looks like we are back to square one. Any there any creative and reasonable standards?

Master. For improved efficiency, please provide a good idea.

Excuse me? A singing contest? All of a sudden?

Highly logical. I am in agreement.

Receiving regular vocal training from Monatium's top singer in preparation for a future singing duel was an excellent decision.

Festa, obviously.

Um... Master. Due to the way I have been designed, it is impossible for me to place stones.

Rejected. This would be an unfair match since it would be two against one.

While I am not allowed to interfere with Nata's stones, you can. If that's not working as a team, what is?

I suppose it is reasonable to view that as a team. I will reconsider.

Agreed.

That's my specialty. Nata, surrendering now is recommended.

I will absolutely not lose! Maestro, you had better start packing because you will have to leave Monatium.

Cybernetic ConstrucT.

TryptophaN.

NeurotransmissioN!

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidE!

EntropY!!

YottahertZ!!

Zygote Intrafallopian TransfeR!!!

RhabdomyolysiS!!!

Have you finally woken up, Master?

Due to a system overload, we have a rematch scheduled in 10 minutes.

I recommend staying awake and witnessing our grand match this time, Master.

Truly excellent, MaestroMK2. You truly deserve to be called Miss Elena's masterpiece.

Heh, you're a stronger robot than I expected, Nata. I mustn't let my guard down.

Ugh... What is this place...?

The wasteland...? Why am I here again...?

Am I unable to escape this place forever?

No, that cannot be...!

Huh? I am pretty sure I was just in the wasteland...

I had better head to the kingdom to look for Master and Ner. They will be waiting for me.

Oh, I am detecting Ner and Canna's vitals nearby.

Are they over there? I cannot see them clearly. They are too far away.

Nata... I shall cleave you apart with my axe and turn you into mincemeat before delivering you to Mayor Elena!

This time, I will carry out the mayor's orders without fail!

Ahh! What has gotten into the two of you all of a sudden?!

Stay away! I refuse to be dragged to Monatium like this!

I had better go request asylum in Sprite Kingdom... Wait, have I done that already?

Stop right there! Queen Erpin is heartbroken because the giant candy is running away!

I am not a piece of candy! Aaaah!

Why do I feel so heavy...? My body is not moving the way I want it to... It is almost like everything is in slow motion!

No. Of all places, I ran straight to the edge of a cliff?!

*Huff, huff*... We've got you now!

Come along quietly. We are taking you to Mayor Elena.

I am done for... At this rate, I will be caught for sure...

No... I think I can make it if I jump...

Aaaaaah!

Phew, I almost shattered into pieces.

This... is Monatium Theater's dressing room...

Blanchet is the lead today. I am so excited.

Children, do you know who I am?

You are the all-knowing god... The creator of this world... You are...!

O Divine One, have you come to look over us? We who have nothing but a handful of souls?

Yes. I have come to bring you salvation!

I shall grant you bodies fashioned in my image.

Within this form, laugh to your heart's content, weep as much as you wish, and rage without restraint for my sake.

Huh? How did I get up on stage?

Oh, right. I was recently chosen as Monatium Theater Company's first android actor. A supporting actor, though...

Those who wish to receive my blessing! Reach out to me this instant!

Finally... my wish is coming true!

Okay now, lie down and get ready to wriggle!

Huh? Like... this?

Simon says raise that blue flag! Now lower the right flag!

Ugh...! Focus! This is the last hurdle. I must get through this...!

I cannot let you do that.

Is that an earthquake?! The theater is collapsing!

Yikes! Everyone here will be trapped in the rubble at this rate!

Ah, I cannot move... I must be stuck somewhere...

This is the end of the line for you, Nata.

Ahhh! *Huff, huff*

Nata? Nata! Are you okay?

Ahhhhh! Ner...? I am alive... right? Are we... in the Sprite Kingdom underground?

Of course, you are alive. Did you have a nightmare? You seem quite startled.

Yes... I see... it was all... a dream...

Let us continue this as we head to the Holy Chamber. Master has asked to see you.

All right. Thank you for waking me.

Oh, no need. Shall we go?

Who could that shadowy figure at the end have been...?

They were clearly trying to get in my way...

Nata? Master asked me to get you quickly. Let us hurry.

Right, I should focus on reality for now.

Yes, I will be right there!

Ugh... it's the third time today. What excuse should I come up with this time?

She won't hate me for visiting this often, will she?

But what can I do?! I'm constantly worried! Gah... I've never felt like this before!

Is this what it's like to be sisters...?

Ugh, whatever! I'll just act totally indifferent. Everything's cool.

She seems fine. Good. I can relax and head to my part-time job now...

Um, have you not left yet, Xion?

Eek! I only came back because I f-forgot something!

Really? I don't see anything around, though.

If you are worried about me, you don't have to be. It's safe here at the Order.

Hah! Ridiculous! Do I, Xion, look like a phantom who worries about others?!

This has nothing to do with you being on my mind or popping into my head or anything, got it?!

Ah... I see. I'll help you look for what you forgot then.

F-Forget it! I, Xion, do not need help from the likes of you!

You don't need help from the likes of me... I see. I'm sorry for getting involved.

Exactly! I'm busy right now, so I'll just look for it later.

I'll be on my way!

Ugh... Did I go overboard there? That didn't go the way I wanted it to...

I'd better apologize to ED the next time I see her.

Nata... does this new version of my sister dislike me? She's always mean to me.

...I do not believe so. Xion does not harbor hostility toward us.

Nata? What does it mean to be sisters? I still don't quite understand...

...Nata? Nata...!

Xion disappeared and now someone new has come looking for us. This visitor also seems to be quite angry...

Nata? Naaata!

Ah, Head Priestess Ner. How can I help you?

Seriously, Nata! How could you tell Her Majesty where the snacks were hidden?!

I believe I told you it was top secret! I trusted you, Nata! I am very disappointed in you.

What? Whaat?!

Hey, you, Priestess! That's enough!

Does it look like Nata is the type of robot to go blabbing about top secret things that easily?!

How could you just listen to what your queen said and take it out on her?! That's unfair!

.........

Hmm... I may have become overly worked up.

Nata, did you happen to tell Her Majesty about our secret?

No, I did not. I always keep secrets.

Oof... Has Her Majesty pulled one over on me? How embarrassing...

Her Majesty was unusually precise with her account of the situation, you see...

I sincerely apologize for getting angry without having the full picture.

Yeah. That is more like it!

Oh, it is all right. Anyone can make mistakes. Please do not worry.

From now on, don't bully my sister without good reason! No, don't bully her even if you have one!

...Understood. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go look for Her Majesty. Now, where did I put that cudgel...?

Er... Were you standing up for me just now, Xion?

Wh-What?! Of course not...!

Thank you for doing that.

.........!

Urgh... Fine. The truth is... I came because I was worried about you.

So listen, ED. Nata. If anyone gives you trouble from now on, just give me a call!

Don't just stay there and take it like idiots, okay?!

Got it? I'm really gonna leave now, okay?!

Come visit again next time...

......! Okay. And sorry about earlier.

ED, you were hoping that Xion would continue visiting, too, right?

Today, I finally got a faint glimpse of warmth buried under Xion's sharp-edged words.

Sisters... I can be mean to you, but no one else can...? Is it like that?

Perhaps. Do you feel better now, ED?

Yeah. It would be nice if the next time I have that dream of taking a stroll through the garden...

my sister Xion were there too...

If that makes you happy, then I am happy, too.

Ah... We have been caught.

Hello, Master.

Uh... The thing is... Sitting around in the Order Underground day after day does get a bit dull...

Also, we are grateful that you protect us without asking for any compensation...

And there is the universal ethical code for robots that says you must never forget to repay your admin accordingly for services received.

Yes. I would like to help you today, Master.

Ah... My intent was not to disparage the other denizens.

The Master's Diary? Hmm... Ner will scold us if she catches us, will she not?

...I will work as quietly and quickly as possible.

Um... The entire building?

Understood. I will do my best.

...Understood.

Understood. I will report back once I am finished. Please rest, Master.

I am done, Master.

Ah, that is good to hear. Makes all the work I did worth it.

Sh-She is exploring the dream world. I handled everything by myself today.

...Ah, sure. Please leave it to me again next time.

All right, then. I had better return to the underground now. Good—

.........

External noise detected. Deactivating power-saving mode.

Oh, when did you get here, Master? I had activated power-saving mode in order to conserve power.

Excuse me? I did some demanding work?

I have been on power-saving mode for the past 5 hours. When you say "earlier," what are you referring to?

Hello? Master? You have gone quiet. Are you okay?

That can happen. It is understandable.

.........?

I'm currently dreaming about resting leisurely while taking in the stale, yet comforting feel of the underground.

You look like you are in a hurry. Has something happened?

Who in the world was it, then?

A... golden pig?

Your story contains an error. Pigs do not lay eggs.

Something outside the window? No, don't tell me...

This happened this morning? If the building shook that much, I would have detected it.

Ah, a dream. That is a relief.

Um, yes... There is no way that could have happened in reality.

Excuse me? Are you asking me to interpret your dream?

Hmm... a golden pig that lays seven golden eggs... and a golden serpent that winks...?

Can I be honest with you?

A dream is merely a dream, Master.

They have no connection to reality.

The thoughts, actions, situations you encounter, and the Elias denizens you come across in your dreams...

These are all made up by a tangled mix of the dreamer's memories, desires, and wishes.

Basically, I believe your dream means nothing, Master...

I'm sorry. I didn't realize that would hurt you.

W-Well...

Dreams aren't completely separate from reality...?

It's hard to fully grasp, but I think I understand what you're trying to say.

You're trying to say that the dream you had last night... it's very precious to you, right?

Reality and dreams... Dreams that might be reality... Reality that might be a dream...

...How intriguing.

Some find ED's attitude annoying, but you are always good to her, Master.

Hello, Master. You're faking another illness today?

Heh, okay. By the way, who'd you bring along there?

Hello. I am Nata, a denizen of Sprite Kingdom.

Nice to meet you. Nata, are you feeling unwell?

While I may experience pain, I do not contract illnesses. So I am fine.

I see. Then what brings you to the hospital today?

Well... I wanted to experience an exciting new dream.

In that case, why don't I admit you and Master together? I'll write up the paperwork.

You seem unusually energetic today... are you sure you're feeling sick?

.........

Hehe. Okay, follow me, you two.

Why must I lie here...?

If you're having trouble falling asleep, maybe I can keep you company? I just happen to have some free time right now.

That would be nice. Thank you.

I'm curious about something. Is it your job here to put others to sleep?

Hehe, no. I'm a resident at this hospital.

A resident...? Then you are responsible for treating and protecting patients?

Yes. In addition to treatment, I conduct medical research, write papers, and even make medicine.

What motivates you to continue your research?

Er... because, you know... the work you do could be considered futile...

That is true. In Elias, there's magic and everyone heals naturally, so everything I do may indeed be pointless.

But no one knows the future and what it holds for us. For instance, magic might disappear overnight.

That's what I'm preparing for. That eventuality. Was that too deep? Heh...

What if... you knew that such a future would never happen?

Hmm...

Please accept my apology if I have offended you.

Not at all. That just gave me much to think about... Would it be okay if I answered that question the next time we see each other?

Sure. We have plenty of time, after all.

Ah... what a fleeting, yet beautiful dream.

If what you say is true, Hilde, while something might be a fleeting and beautiful dream today, tomorrow, that could become reality...

Yes... Hehe, you seem to have a lot on your mind.

Oh, weren't you asleep, Master?

Sorry? Oh, right. That is correct.

Please come again, you two. You'll always find me here! Hehe.

I'm a little afraid, Master...

I can't believe that the dream I dream today could one day come true...

Could it be that Hilde—no, wait—maybe everyone is facing a future where they've awaken from a dream instead of a future within a dream?

What if I wake up from my dream one day to find that I'm all by myself in some desolate place?

Master...

That is right, ED. Do not be afraid. No matter what happens, we will be with you.

That is right, ED. There is nothing to fear.

I will make sure you never come across a future where you are by yourself... No matter what.

Nata...

So be brave. We can do this.

I will...

Because listening to you and Nata made me want to believe...

Thank you, Master.

Yes, Master...!