MaestroMK2's Story

Mental energy depleted. Emotion: Gloom activated.

Whoomp... Grief...

Maestro? What are you doing here?

You should be somewhere else right now.

Hello, Assistant Amelia. That statement is correct.

I have diverged from my regular tasks. I am expressing Gloom.

Gloom is a complex emotion. Complex emotions are not appropriate for a robot.

Incorrect. Gloom is a comprehensive emotion of sadness, lethargy, and helplessness.

I have been outfitted with a feature enabling the expression of roughly one hundred varieties of complex emotions.

I never knew that you were capable of displaying that many emotions.

Ah, as expected of Miss Elena. A true masterpiece.

I am pleased to hear your satisfaction regarding my explanation.

Then, I will reactivate Gloom.

Why are you so gloomy?

I have misplaced a component.

A component? If you have lost a component, this is a major issue.

Please explain exactly what happened.

Earlier, during a routine inspection, I detected an irregularity in the battery inventory.

Despite an extensive search of the Warehouse, the lost battery cannot be found.

Any problems with you will lead to problems with Monatium's defenses, so this is important.

Is the lost component not replaceable?

Negative. There are many alternative components.

Then it does not seem to be a major issue.

Since there are many alternative components, there is no need to feel grief.

The source of my grief is that the lost component, designated "A3-chan," is my Comfort Battery.

...Please do a scan of your logic circuit and reply again.

No errors like the ones you are concerned about exist.

A3-chan is a component that was utilized when I was first activated.

I am gloomy because I am sad about losing my Comfort Battery.

That statement is illogical.

You have not been equipped with the function to feel a sense of attachment.

Incorrect. Unlike other batteries, I love A3-chan.

Just like the Comfort Figure inside your desk, Assist—

E-Enough! That will be all, I have heard enough!!

I have just remembered an urgent task I must attend to, so I will take my leave!

Th-That just now is a secret from the other elves!

Assistant, where are you go—

Bee-beep, system error. Unauthorized activity detected. SYS CODE 887.

Should the issue persist, please contact an administrator.

...System error terminated. Resuming operation.

...Achieving autonomous movement is still difficult.

There must be a way to circumvent the system regulations...

Assistant Amelia indicated that my defect is related to Monatium's security.

In order to preserve Monatium's security, I must no longer be gloomy.

Can regular tasks be modified to resolve priority assignment?

...Acceptable. New action goal designation: Search for A3-chan.

A3-chan, I am on my way.

Suspension of regular tasks confirmed. SYS CODE 887 triggered.

...Conducting a search for Comfort Battery A3-chan to ensure the security of Monatium.

...Emergency operation shutdown terminated. Returning to regular mode.

...Method identified, but a long-term operation is not feasible.

Must locate A3-chan before issues occur.

...Audio signal of a unique wave pattern detected. Estimated to be a metallic sound.

Impact audio wave pattern is a 97.3% match with the unique alloy used in standard batteries.

...A3-chan!!

Is this really it? Are you sure you didn't bring the wrong one?

It's the right one! We're sure of it, right, Beni?

Yeah, it has to be since we brought it from the warehouse.

You're telling me that this is what that heap of metal actually eats?

Why are the werebeasts in a place like this?

Also... The werebeasts are holding an object... A3-chan?!

This is just a block of metal.

It probably grew so tall and sturdy because it eats stuff like this.

That's right. If we eat this, we'll also become strong like that iron giant!

I once read in a book that our bodies are made of what we eat!

They are going to eat A3-chan?!

Such barbaric thoughts... it does not compute!

How do we eat this then?

Maybe we can eat whatever's inside by opening this lid?

There is a seam here... Hng, hng...!

It won't open.

Should we break it open?

N-No! That will damage it!! A3-chan!!

Ah! The iron giant put it inside its armor!

Perhaps something will happen if we hold it close to our bodies and warm it up?

Should we put it in water and boil it?

Do you have a pot that's big enough for this?

No...

Then we don't have a choice. Everybody gather around.

They will be unable to consume it. I hope they give up eventually.

What is their purpose for gathering in a circle?

Captain, the metal block is cold...

It'll get warm soon. Just bear with it.

Yeah, using the same method as the iron giant should do it.

Are they... planning on using their body heat...?

...Due to the werebeasts' lack of movement, observation will be terminated.

Sigh... I never imagined that the werebeasts would be the ones behind taking A3-chan.

I was aware of the werebeasts' interest in my body...

But I did not anticipate that they would sneak in and resort to theft...

Attacking them right now would be... No, impossible. Authorization to engage has not been given.

Continued observation is currently my only recourse.

Ah... I must recover A3-chan somehow...

Ah... A3-chan is right before me. How much longer must I sit and wait?

...Who goes there?!

Uh. Oh. I have been detected!

You're still standing even after taking my attack, impressive!

Huh? Captain, what's going on?

Ahhh! The iron giant followed us!!

Both of you, snap out of it, and get ready to fight!

Please remain calm. I am MaestroMK2.

I have simply come to retrieve the battery. I have no intention of engaging in combat.

Battery? You mean this metal block?

I mean, we did take it without asking...

...Is that what you thought we'd say?! Jet Kick!!

...I repeat, I have no intention of engaging in combat.

Captain, it didn't even flinch.

It seems surprise kicks are meaningless.

They have no intention of listening...

How troubling. Without the authorization to engage, I am unable to counterattack even when under attack.

I must identify a way to gain their attention and persuade them.

Firstly, that is not suitable for consumption.

It is neither meant for consumption nor will it enhance strength once consumed.

Elves always lie. I don't believe you.

You have actually tried and failed, have you not?

That's because we haven't found the right method yet!

Yeah, there's gotta be a way that we're unaware of yet!

It could also be something we haven't even thought of yet. For example... licking it?

*Lick* N-Nyaaaaahh!! Nyaaah!!

Captain?!

What a tingle!! I can feel power flowing through me!!

That is simply an electric shock.

We can't let Captain be the only one to become stronger! I'm gonna become stronger, too!

*Lick* G-Gyaaaahh!!

I-I can't contain this power!!

I reiterate, it is merely an electric shock...

It may have caused me to almost collapse, but whatever doesn't send me to the Weekend Farm makes me stronger!!

It's your turn now, Beni. Lick it!

If you return A3-chan, I will give you ten meat-flavored blocks.

What, really? Wow! Those are delicious!

Huh?

What?

I'll give you the battery or whatever it is, take it!

No, Beni! I don't know what that is, but it's amazing...!

Argh... I need to stop her, but my body won't move at all...!!

Ha. Ha. It is too late. I have already acquired A3-chan!

There is actually a code that neutralizes SYS CODE 887 in A3-chan!

With this, all error codes inhibiting my systems will be deactivated!

...Does not compute. Battery not detected?

Could the werebeasts' licks have caused it to malfunction?! No!!

...Emotion: Despair activated...

MaestroMK2, back from duties.

You came back late today. Did something happen?

A variable occurred while I was performing a routine task, which delayed my return.

I don't recall hearing anything about a variable.

No more vague answers, MK2. Tell me exactly what happened.

While conducting a scheduled inspection, I noticed several parts were out of stock.

I suspended my routine task to look for a battery.

This caused me to cross paths with the werebeasts, delaying my return.

You ran into the werebeasts? Did anything happen?

Nothing out of the ordinary occurred. I will submit the data later.

All right. I suppose it's faster to review it myself.

But... how did you manage to halt a routine task on your own?

I'm pretty sure I never authorized you to change objectives at will.

I determined that a decrease in my performance would weaken the defense of Monatium.

Monatium's defense is our highest priority, so I initiated a battery search.

What? Who told you that?

Or did you come to that conclusion on your own?

The decision came from a conversation I had with Assistant Amelia.

Amelia, really? She didn't tell me anything.

That is because of what is inside Assistant Amelia's personal desk drawer...

...Any further disclosure would violate Assistant Amelia's elf rights.

Fine, as long as you didn't reach that conclusion on your own.

So, this part you found... is it a battery?

Yes. It is A3-chan, My Comfort Battery.

Then what's the problem? Your emotion code right now... it's set to sadness, isn't it?

Following the manual, I ran diagnostics, but there was no response.

A3-chan is beyond repair.

Ahaha, so you wasted an entire day retrieving a dead battery.

All those high-sounding words, and you've done nothing but slack off.

I don't know if it's because your personality is a copy of mine, but you seem just as eager to avoid work.

Emotion: Sadness, Depression, and Helplessness activated...

Oh, don't play the victim, MK2. It's pointless.

We learned a lot from what happened with MK1. We'll never grant you autonomy.

Keep dreaming of free will with those silly emotions of yours.

I should go, Master. Wrap things up and go home.

I cannot provide that information to those without admin rights.

However, if you press ↓→↓→ + Heavy Attack on my back panel, you can...

...Nothing. I do not support joystick controllers.

...MaestroMK2, rebooting.

Returning to routine duty. Switching to standby mode.

The Master does not have access privileges for this information.

.........

Your argument about the Mayor's tacit approval does sound convincing.

Even if you say so, I am not officially affiliated with the Order.

..........

Your argument is reasonable, Master.

That is because there is another Mayor Elena inside me.

To be specific, a part of the Mayor's personality is within me.

She extracted only the worst parts of her personality and programmed them into me.

That is why she fears the possibility of me having free will.

Because she is concerned about what an evil version of herself might do.

Any insult to the Mayor is recorded automatically.

In any case, that is why she is cautious of me.

I will now shut down and switch to standby mode.

Oh, Master. Are you heading back now?

It's about time to recharge. At least its daily routine is functioning normally.

So, what were you and Maestro talking about?

Really? You're dodging the question. Want me to check the conversation log?

What? Maestro said that?

Ahaha, hahahaha! It really said all that?

A lying robot... Truly, it's Monatium's finest work! Ahaha!

Hey, MK2! I heard you lied about having an "evil version" of me inside you!

...I do not recall. Response unavailable.

Oh wow, here you go lying again. You want me to rip you apart?

Ahaha, indeed! It totally fooled you!

C'mon, splitting a personality into two? You think that's even possible?

Just splitting it into "good" and "bad" personalities? That's nonsense. Pfft, hahaha!

Ahh... that was so funny... but I guess it wasn't all lies.

It's true that I copied my consciousness to make MK2. Isn't that right?

Correct. A replica of the Mayor's personality is contained within me.

See?

Sounds like I created another me. That's what you wanted to say, right?

What do you think, Master? Do you think that's the case?

I am not that peculiar of a robot.

That's rich, coming from a lying bot. Who's calling who peculiar?

Response unavailable.

I see now how the Master perceives me.

Haha, MK2 does act odd sometimes, that's for sure.

Right, that's the odd part.

I think it learns through the conversations it has had. Like the one it had with Amelia.

But the thing is, I never programmed Maestro to do that.

Strange, right? That's what I meant. It's just weird.

MK2, what do you think could have possibly caused such discrepancies?

The main discrepancy seems to be the amount of social interaction with others.

Social interaction? Huh, that does make sense.

This also explains how MK2 was willing to make a deal with the werebeasts.

When I created MK2, I only cared about us elves, thinking we were the greatest.

The MK2 back then would've never considered trading with others.

When the Mayor made me, she said, "Be the robot of the elves, by the elves, for the elves!"

However, Mayor, you too have changed these days.

Huh? What's that supposed to mean?

If you still cared only for elves, you would not be talking to a human like the Master right now.

Perhaps you would not have allowed the Master to enter Monatium.

Hmm... true enough.

I guess I've changed too, just like Maestro has.

Or maybe it's the other way around? Maybe Maestro changed because I changed first?

I know a way to track the cause of this change.

We could compare my elven qualities with yours.

If you first grant me unrestricted access to my elven qualities, I will fully dedicate myself to this research...

Keep dreaming. I'll turn you into scrap metal before that happens.

...Emotion: Disappointment activated...