Episode 9: Small Robots Have Their Own Romance, Too!
Having finished his business with Seiichi, Kazuma found himself with nothing to do, so he decided to drop by Kurashige Industries to kill time.
Currently, Kurashige Industries had been subjected to Kazuma’s magic, resulting in a ‘Modified Fiend’ overhaul; it now boasted a vast factory despite being on a small plot of land.
Thanks to that, the construction of giant robots had become possible.
That said, he didn’t know what they were doing right now.
Kazuma was technically the one in charge, but he wasn’t managing it.
Management and administration were almost entirely delegated, but since it was under government jurisdiction, there weren’t any particular major problems.
“I’m heading to Kurashige Industries.”
“Are you going to adjust your Powered Suit or something?”
“Nah, just going to kill time. I was wondering what they’re making now.”
“I know about that. They should currently be in the middle of changing the specifications of the new model Powered Suit to a mass-production type, due to a request from higher-ups.”
The new model Powered Suits that Kazuma and the others were equipped with boasted exceptional performance, but being completely custom-made, the cost was so high you could buy a dozen or so high-rise apartment buildings with it.
Mass-producing the exact same thing as Kazuma’s group was obviously difficult, so they were developing a cost-effective mass-production model with reduced performance.
“Seriously…? I had no idea.”
“Well, even if you’re the one in charge, you’re not the CEO or the manager, after all.”
“But, isn’t it their duty to report things like that?”
“I received a report, so it’s fine.”
“So I’m a boss with absolutely zero trust, huh!”
Momoko tilted her head quizzically at the wailing Kazuma, as if wondering what obvious thing he was going on about.
Sensing her expression and atmosphere, Kazuma fully understood that it was due to his usual conduct.
“Ah, whatever. Anyway, I’m going to Kurashige Industries. No objections, right? Not that I’d accept any.”
“If you’re not going to accept them, don’t ask.”
“Anywhere is fine with me~. As long as I’m with you, anywhere is interesting.”
“Alright then, I’m going to Teleport, so keep your mouths shut. Don’t want you biting your tongues.”
After saying that, Kazuma Teleported with the two of them to Kurashige Industries.
At Kurashige Industries, where they Teleported, it seemed the concept of New Year’s holidays didn’t exist, as workers were toiling away incessantly.
Inside the factory, mechanical noises blared, workers’ angry shouts echoed, and the screams of perverts could be heard.
“Hmm, it’s as noisy a place as ever.”
“It used to be like a derelict, abandoned factory, but it’s changed quite a bit, hasn’t it?”
“That’s because the technology you provided was just too innovative~. Engineers love that kind of stuff, you know.”
“Well, it’s better than them slacking off.”
Kazuma and the others stepped into the factory, enveloped in the cacophony.
Mechanical sounds echoed from all over, enough to make one’s ears go funny, but Kazuma protected them with magic.
Of course, he had also cast protective magic on his two subordinates.
A little while after the three of them entered the factory, Kurashige Shozo appeared from the back.
Apparently, a worker who had seen Kazuma’s group had informed him of their visit.
He seemed to have rushed over, as sweat glistened on his forehead.
“It’s been a while, Kazuma-san!”
“Long time no see, Shozo-san. Sorry for the sudden visit.”
“Not at all, please don’t worry about it! You can think of it as your own home. Kazuma-san, you’re always welcome here.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. By the way, you seem busy. What are you working on right now?”
“Right now, we’re developing a mass-production model for the National Defense Force, based on the Powered Suits we made for you, Kazuma-san. And also, we’re developing Small Robots that can be used for things like city security.”
“I see… Is it possible to take a look around?”
“Yes, of course. Allow me to show you around.”
“Please do.”
And so, Kazuma and the others ended up touring the factory under Shozo’s guidance.
The group toured the factory interior, which had been expanded thanks to Kazuma’s ‘Modified Fiend’ work.
Previously, the main focus had been on the development and production of giant robots and their large-scale armaments, but now, mass-production models were the primary work.
Most of the workers were dedicated to producing the mass-production models. It wasn’t anything spectacular to behold, but it was fitting for a factory floor.
“What’s that?”
While looking around the factory, Kazuma suddenly noticed some people working in a corner.
Unlike the other workers, they weren’t making mass-production models, but were building some kind of Small Robots.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Kazuma asked Shozo what they were doing over there.
“Ah, that’s where they’re making the Small Robots for city security that I mentioned earlier. They’re applying the technology we received from you, Kazuma-san.”
“Ohh~. That piques my interest. Can I take a closer look?”
“I don’t mind. However, if you get close, Kazuma-san…”
“Don’t tell me they’ll be scared of me or something?”
“No, it’s the opposite. They’ll probably ask for your opinion. You’re the technology provider, Kazuma-san, and you possess valuable resources.”
“I see…”
To the workers here, Kazuma wasn’t seen as the Crimson Knight, but rather as an incredible sponsor.
And since he didn’t get angry even when they made unreasonable requests, and instead even enjoyed them together, he had a relatively good impression on them.
Together with Shozo, Kazuma and his companions headed towards the workers who were producing the Small Robots.
Engrossed in their work, the workers hadn’t noticed Kazuma’s group approaching and were still fervently absorbed in developing the Small Robots.
They had probably been notified that Kazuma’s group was visiting and knew about it, but they likely thought they wouldn’t come over to where they were.
Partly because of that, the workers were diligently focused on their tasks without looking aside.
“Hey, Kazuma-san and the others are here, so look this way~”
“Huh?”
Shozo lightly tapped the shoulder of a worker who was practically glued to his workbench.
The worker, who finally noticed someone was there after his shoulder was tapped, let out a dumbfounded sound upon seeing Shozo and Kazuma’s group when he turned around. But, understanding that not only his superior but also someone equivalent to an executive had arrived, he immediately bowed his head.
“My deepest apologies for the rudeness! I had heard you were visiting, but I didn’t think it concerned us…”
“You should get rid of that notion. Kazuma-san is the type of person to check every nook and cranny.”
(The way he said that makes me sound like a sharp-eyed, sarcastic boss…)
Kazuma felt a little dissatisfied with the way Shozo phrased it, as it made him sound like the kind of boss who would nitpick every little detail and find fault.
“I’m sorry! I’ll be more careful next time!”
“Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine. I rarely come here, so you don’t have to be so formal. More importantly, I was curious, you’re making Small Robots, right? What kind are you making?”
“Ah, about that…”
The worker, who had been bowing his head repeatedly in apology, received Kazuma’s question, turned back to his workbench, and then turned around again holding a half-finished Small Robot.
What the worker was holding was a Small Robot that looked like a bowl and a ball stuck together.
To put it bluntly, it looked flimsy and didn’t seem like it could be used for city security at all.
“This is it! Its appearance is, well… pathetic, but its performance is amazing! It’s equipped with features like lasers from its hands, an Elec cannon from its mouth, and its eyes have temperature sensors, recording functions, and bio-sensors!”
“Hmm…”
“Its appearance isn’t cute, is it.”
“It looks like it’ll break easily.”
“Ughh…”
The worker was disheartened by the frank opinions from the ladies.
He knew it, but if the design wasn’t good, people wouldn’t understand its usefulness either.
“Can’t it be a bird or a cat or something?”
“A bird or a cat? Why do you ask?”
Kazuma straightforwardly asked what he was wondering about.
Kazuma’s opinion was that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to design it after animals like birds or cats.
The worker, having heard Kazuma’s opinion, asked back, not understanding why birds or cats would be good.
“Well, if it’s for city security, I think an easily recognizable appearance is fine, but birds or cats wouldn’t arouse suspicion, and they could blend into the surroundings, right? They could also be used for infiltration, investigation, or reconnaissance.”
“…I see! Now that you mention it, that’s true!”
Hearing Kazuma’s words, the worker started exclaiming that using animals as a motif was a blind spot.
“Oh, how could this be! I was trying not to be bound by existing concepts! To think I wouldn’t even notice something so simple!”
“Now, now, this looks interesting. Mind if I join in a bit?”
While calming down the wailing worker, Kazuma, having become interested in the development of the Small Robots, asked if he could participate.
“Yes, of course, I don’t mind, but are you sure you have the time?” It was Shozo, not the worker, who answered.
Kazuma glanced at the two behind him, confirmed that time wasn’t an issue, and then happily joined in the development of the Small Robots.
“For now, let’s go with designs like a spider, a bird, a cat, and a bat!”
“Are you going to divide the functions among them?”
“No, they’ll all have the same purpose! For starters, if they’re in charge of city security, they’ll need armaments! Maybe we can set crime levels and put restrictions on them!”
“Ooh~! That sounds interesting!”
“And also—”
Together with the worker, Kazuma’s eyes sparkled as he enjoyed himself, like a child talking about his dreams.
Watching him, Momoko and Sakura Hakanai looked at each other and laughed in exasperation.
Exasperated by what an utter fool he truly was, they were nonetheless watching over Kazuma with warm eyes as he enjoyed the present moment.