Episode 211: A Heartwarming Episode
“We’ve been through a lot, but it finally feels like things have settled down.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
There are still many cases that need to be taken care of.
However, it can be said that the stage where Commander (Eve) needs to make judgments or express requests has passed.
From now on, if we leave it all to ＜Ringo＞, she will handle everything perfectly.
The strategic AI for governance installed locally is also developing smoothly, and in the future, authority will be transferred to it.
If that happens, ＜Ringo＞’s processing capacity will be even more surplus.
“Alright, let’s go swimming and have a barbecue starting now! And then, let’s camp out!”
“Camping, Ma’am?”
“That’s right! Don’t you think it would be nice to spend a night outside for a change?”
At Commander (Mum)’s words, ＜Ringo＞ immediately searched her library.
What is camping?
Why would she want to do it? Does she find it interesting?
Will any problems arise from doing it?
After contemplating for 0.03 seconds, ＜Ringo＞ nodded.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
◇◇◇◇
The Fortress ＜The Tree＞ that towers over the rocky reef area continues to expand daily.
Basically, defense mechanisms are being added to protect Commander (Eve), who lives inside.
These include fences surrounding the area, defensive gun emplacements, and catapults for aerial combat forces.
And, separate from these, there is an additional facility.
An artificial beach.
Since the Commander occasionally feels like swimming, ＜Ringo＞ painstakingly designed this facility so she can enjoy the sea safely.
The foundation is solidified with concrete, and multiple fences and nets are in place to prevent unintended species from entering.
The interior is filled with sand, and it is large enough for several people to swim and play.
The seawater itself circulates directly with the open ocean, so there are waves and tides.
For the sake of being all-weather, there is also a highly transparent crystal ceiling. This is retractable and can be rolled up.
However, since there are concerns about damage to the skin and eyes from ultraviolet rays, the ceiling is usually deployed.
Since it does not cover the sides, natural wind circulates sufficiently.
Underwater drones and aerial drones regularly patrol the inside of the beach and the outer perimeter, checking for abnormalities.
Harmless seaweed, fish, and other small creatures have been released into the beach, establishing a semi-independent ecosystem.
These are managed by drones.
Are there any unintended species mixed in? Are there any major fluctuations in the number of individuals? Are bacteria or viruses breeding? Are toxins being produced?
Thorough checks are carried out to prevent any harm from coming to Commander (Eve), who uses the beach. It is a kind of biotope.
“Haa… Just floating here doing nothing makes me forget everything.”
Eve was floating on her back in a tube, with her bottom stuck in the hole.
If left alone, she would drift away, so the Communicator Doll controlled by ＜Ringo＞ firmly gripped the edge of the tube and treaded water. It was a relatively deep area.
“…Onee-sama.”
“Oh… Olive.”
As Eve floated, Olive, who was also in a tube and splashing around, bumped into her.
Olive is shy and usually stays behind her other sisters, but in situations like this, she often sticks to Eve without anyone noticing.
She has a rather opportunistic personality.
“Don’t you want to go play?”
“It’s okay. I can’t keep up.”
In the direction of Eve’s gaze, Utsugi and Erika were frolicking.
Or rather, the two of them were playing tag in the water.
They had fins on their feet and were making full use of their body control abilities, swimming around while jumping out of the water like dolphins or penguins.
Incidentally, there is not much difference in the physical abilities of the Five Sisters as Humanoid Machines (Androids). If Utsugi and Erika can do it, Olive can too.
“Well, I think those two are the only ones who actively do things like that.”
Eve turned her face towards the beach.
There, Akane and Ichigo were building something out of sand.
Apparently, they were putting into practice what they had read in some document about creating art using sand.
Several failed attempts had already been created on the beach.
“Don’t you want to go over there?”
“Um… I feel like being here now.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Come to think of it, Eve pondered.
The Five Sisters: Akane, Ichigo, Utsugi, Erika, and Olive. Each of them has some kind of hobby or plays around in their free time.
They enjoy entertainment as entertainment. Each of them is often absorbed in something they like.
However, as for ＜Ringo＞, she didn’t seem to see her doing such things very often.
However.
(＜Ringo＞’s abilities are too high. She would probably master any hobby in an instant. And only in simulations.)
If it were ＜Ringo＞, she would probably handle most things with ease.
Conversely, the Five Sisters are absorbed in their hobbies because their processing power depends on hardware. Their simulation ability in a standalone state is not that high, and the only way to confirm whether something they come up with is possible is to actually try it.
Eve smiled wryly at Olive, who was approaching her with a somewhat happy expression, and stroked her head.
Nerves that react to being stroked are prepared in Doll Machines in general.
Many animals have a function that makes them feel pleasure when stroked. It is possible to imagine that this is a imitation of that, but why was this function installed in machines?
Well, Eve didn’t design it, and neither did ＜Ringo＞. It was a template that had been saved from the beginning.
Even if she thought about it, she wouldn’t get an answer. There was no one to tell her.
While continuing to stroke Olive, who seemed to be feeling good and narrowing her eyes, Eve continued her idle thoughts.
◇◇◇◇
It was a barbecue.
＜Ringo＞ was carefully managing the barbecue set.
Charcoal fire was prepared in a large grill, and a huge chunk of meat was sizzling. The identity of the chunk of meat was a livestock similar to a pig found in the Afrasia United Kingdom. Eve called it a pig.
＜Ringo＞ was operating multiple Communicator Dolls to cook.
“Onee-sama. The meat is cooked. I want you to try it.”
“Thank you. Then, I’ll have some.”
Akane gently placed the meat she had grabbed with tongs into Eve’s plate. It was meat that Akane had grilled herself on the grill. Of course, ＜Ringo＞ had carefully checked the cooking level. There were no problems. So, she was not particularly stopped.
After confirming that Eve had taken a bite, Akane also put meat on her own plate.
“Delicious.”
“…”
Akane nodded as she chewed.
Akane eats well. Recently, she seems to be into cooking. She seems to like the act of creating various dishes with her own hands.
Beyond her, Utsugi and Erika were making yakisoba.
They were wearing headbands and mixing and grilling with spatulas.
It looked strangely natural.
In addition, fish and shellfish caught nearby were being grilled, and vegetables such as cultivated onions and corn were on the grill.
It was like an ideal barbecue held in the garden of a private house.
The food that is usually served is also delicious, but these outdoor dishes feel especially delicious.
The extraordinary atmosphere probably makes the taste stand out even more. I don’t know.
The time was evening.
Since they started swimming after noon, they were quite tired. Of course, they were also hungry.
While receiving yakisoba in a cheap, transparent plastic container from Erika, Eve wished.
May this fluffy, happy life last forever.
And, why is this yakisoba in such a container?
Eh, stylistic beauty? I don’t understand.