After accepting a new quest, I received permission from Cain-san and came to Einstein-san's laboratory in Elixir Lapis.

''Wow~''

Einstein's laboratory is like a university laboratory seen in a TV drama. There are unintelligible formulas on the blackboard, a globe on the desk, and some weird equipment I've never seen before.

And there is a strangely realistic mannequin doll on the desk. Then my eyes moved. Scary!

Welcome home. Master.

He spoke! f*ckin' horror.

"Woo hoo. Oh, I love your reactions. Lady Milva, we have a guest. Tea.

Very well. Master.

The mannequin called Mileva walks away. What was it? What's that? Then he explains.

It's an automaton, an automaton. It is one of the powers of the elixir lapis.

Power?

Hmm. Elixir Lapis is a land of research. Many of them do not have the power to fight. So, it's a matter of creating a replacement for them.

Well, I've heard on the news that letting machines fight is a trend that is becoming more and more common in real life. I can't blame them, since I've let Ix fight them too.

So, can you summon an Ex Machina right away?

Yes. Come on!　Ix!

You wanted to see me?　Master.

Mr. Einstein's eyes widen as he summons Ix, and he stands up.

'Great!　What a beauty of a sculpture!　What an unknown crystal!　I'm more excited than ever!

Ahhhh, I knew he was dangerous. Then Mileva witnesses it.

'...Adultery?　Master.

When Mileva removes her arm, a gun appears. Wait!

Wait, wait!　You're wrong!　This girl is a guest automaton.

It's an ex machina, not an automaton.

That must be a non-negotiable point for Ix.

'Oh. You can talk that much!　Excellent!

I'll shoot.

How can that be?　Wait, wait.

Then the door opens and someone walks in.

'Doctor!　It's true that Ex Machina is here.

Mileva looks at the person who comes in and shoots.

'Welcome. Edison.

'...Am I the only one who thinks that words and actions don't match up?　Dr.

So do I. Mr. Edison.

That's a terrible mistake. I mean, I'm famous again. Edison is famous for being known as the King of Inventions. Although some of his inventions are suspected of being plagiarized, he was a technological innovator, no doubt.

And then, one by one, people come to him.

"'Doctor!　Is it true that Ex Machina is here!

Here come two young men...the Wright brothers, apparently. They're famous for inventing powered airplanes.

Let me take care of the Ex Machina research.

This man with the beard is a Nobel. The inventor of dynamite, famous for his Nobel Prize.

I wouldn't want you to have a monopoly on the Ex Machina.

The man who seems like a gentleman is Newton. He's a great physicist and mathematician, along with Einstein, who led the scientific revolution of the 17th century, and I'm sure there were stories about him learning alchemy. I wouldn't be surprised if he's in Elixir Lapis.

As it turns out, Elixir Lapis is a country full of great scholars and inventors. Isn't this strange? With all these people here, you never know what they'll make of it.

But it's not going to be easy, apparently.

'You guys!　Get out of my way!　I brought you here!　I'll study it on my own!

What?

It's a big brawl. Maybe this is what happens when great men of inventors and scholars get together.

Then Mileva shoots everyone at their feet.

'Who do you think is going to clean this room?　Ladies and gentlemen,

"I'm sorry.

I think this millevah is mostly the same.

At any rate, I'll calm down and talk about it. First of all, Mr. Newton was Gilmouth of the Alchemy Guild. And Edison was the king of the land.

It's a mess. Elixir Lapis. And although they had the same interest in Ex Machina, they had different goals.

The Wright brothers are naturally wing units. Edison and Nobel are weapons. Newton seems to be interested in the same Ex Machina as Mr. Einstein.

So they showed their weapons and the four of them made a mad dash back.

'They're inventors, you know. They are inventors. It's inevitable that we're in a hurry.

You're not coming back?

''Just in case the Beast Demon Guild asked for you,''

Cain-boy.

They don't seem to be on the same page. These two.

Well. I'm not going to bother you. Let it go.

Hmm... first of all, is it true that the Ex Machina came from outer space?

'Yes. We, Ex Machina, are from a different planet than this one.

They nodded at each other. I guess they're not so bad together after all. Then they look at me... why me?

Listen to me straight. This is Takht. You are aware of the Ex Machina ship, are you not?

Geez...I think they know what's going on.

''...Yes, sir. I'm the master of the Ex Machina ship.

That means I can stay on the ship, right?

Yes, sir.

"How I envy you!

Huh? Something's off...

Well, can you move the ship?

'No, no. I'm not at the right level yet.

Yeah, well...

I guess I was hoping to get into space, but I guess not.

Ah! Okay. So the fact that the Ex Machina ship came to this planet from space means it can do the opposite!

If you tell us your secret, we'll tell you ours. In fact, the Alchemy Guild has one Ex Machina ship hidden away.

Seriously!

As you may have guessed by now, I have a number of Ex Machina's as well. The automaton was made by us after we copied the Ex Machina.

Yeah. I kind of knew that. But a surprising statement comes.

'It's said that golems and colossus were also created by old alchemists and researchers to imitate the Ex Machina, right?

What... that. No, I wouldn't be surprised if you could make it, but for some reason...

Why are you becoming a monster?

There are a lot of theories... that it went wild because its master was dead, or it forgot to turn on the controls.

I've heard of people being too smart for their own good.

You can't! At first it's no use, but afterwards it's no use!

Well, it's none of our business.

It must be.

I have! Let's clean up the mess! I think these two have that much power! Then Einstein takes out something.

Amor Core: an item exclusive to Ex Machina
Amor Ex Machina's evolutionary material.

What? Oh, this is what you mean by thinking it will be a meaningful time for me.

Isn't this what you want?

...What are your terms?

We just want you to cooperate with us. Specifically, we want you to come aboard our ship when it's ready to operate. If you can't get your ship running, we need you to help us get the ship under our control.

That's... fine, but there's a problem.

How big is the ship?

It's a small island.

Battleship.

Right? Then it's no problem. Because if it's the Mothership, I can't say, "Go ahead.

I'll help you. I'll work with you.

...hmm. You still have some secrets.

'Yes. If you're keeping the Ex Machina ship under wraps, I'm sure you can understand why.

These two should be able to figure it out.

'...yes. We're aware of the danger of that thing.

But we're not interested in using them. We're not interested in using them. We just want to get into space.

You two have a real commitment to the universe. I've decided to have a working relationship with Einstein and Newton.

Let's keep it a secret. You and I would be too stimulating to the rest of the world to have a working relationship.

I understand.

Before I give you what you promised, I need to hear your resolve. You will use this to evolve your Ex Machina which will give you even more power. What are you going to do with this power?

My answer is already in place.

"I don't... we don't stand still. If you need power to explore the world, I'm going to ask for it. And I'm not going to abuse it. But if you stand in our way, I will not relent.

'Woo hoo!　Quick answer!　Does that world have space in it?

'Of course. If there's a planet on Ix, I'd like to go there.

Hearing this, Mr. Einstein and Mr. Newton laugh.

'All right. I'll give it to you. All right?　Newton.

I can't argue with that.

I got the Amor Core from Einstein. Now we can evolve Ix! When I'm ready to do it, Einstein takes out a slave collar.

'And Newton... look at this.

Hmm?　What is it?　This inefficient collar.

If it's efficient for what it's used for, it's not an inefficient collar.

What?　...this!　A slave collar?

Mr. Newton is surprised. Then Einstein tells him the truth.

As it turns out, the collar was made by an alchemist and a researcher. Of course it's no ordinary fellow.

''The creation of items that can only lead to this kind of misfortune is strictly enforced by the Beast Demon Guild, Alchemy Guild, and Production Guild as a prohibition.

Do you have the weapons ready?

'We should be limiting the weapons as well, but we can't limit them because they're a force against monsters.

That makes sense. Well, I suppose it's only natural.

"I suppose Cain-boy asked me to unlock the door because he was thinking of the Alchemy Guild and Elixir Lapis.

''Indeed... if the Alchemy Guild and Elixir Lapis are involved in this matter, then we'll be at war with Freetia... we'll have to take action on this in a hurry.

I'm sure that's what the guy who made this is looking for. Fortunately, Takuto is in charge of this case. I'm sure you'll be able to find out who did this. He's got a lot of ideas.

What's the basis for finding it right away?

I certainly have an idea. That's because I think the people in the caravan are going to know something about this quest, and if they're doing a lot of bad things, it's easy to gather information.

The problem is that we have to find their hideout. I don't know if it's possible to clear it on its own based on the content of the quest. Well, I'll have to find the hideout first.