Enju Aihara: "Right? Worrying about doomsday already, Mio, you fret too much."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Ever thought Rei Ao just finds her cute?"
Misaka Mikoto: "Hhuh? She's a robot! You can't, you know, do that with"
Fubuki: "A 'doable' robot? Isn't that basically a glorified electric cup?"
Sakurajima Mai: ""
Yukinoshita Yukino: ""
Mabel: "Electric cup? But cups are for drinking. Why would a cup need electricity? Some people are even lazier than me."
Rei Ao: ""
Electric cup? Rei Ao couldn't help the twitch at the corner of his mouth when he read Fubuki's comment.
~~~
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Chapter 763: The Origin of Ex-Machina, Shuvi wants to know "Heart?"
Sui: "What exactly is a robot? I've never heard of one."
ShizueIzawa: "I'm not sure either. It sounds like something made of machinerybut what does it actually look like?"
AyameYomogawa: "Aren't robots supposed to operate strictly by programming? Why would one have emotions or want to understand the human heart?"
MikoYotsuya: "This is totally beyond me. A robot that can think like a personunbelievable."
YukinoshitaYukino: "Put simply, a robot is a device built from mechanical parts and electronics, controlled by software or special systems. Some are humanoid, some not. Shuvi should count as a humanoid robot."
Rei Ao: "The race system in that world is a little special.
Although the ExMachina are 'robots,' they possess consciousness.
They're a fusion of magic and technologymechanical lifeforms with a unique intellect, practically a soul.
Shuvi wants to understand the heart and emotions purely from curiosity; she means no harm."
BibiDong: "That sounds amazing. At bottom, how are such robots different from us?"
Marcille: "I wish I could see one with my own eyesit sounds fun!"
Frieren: "Same here. Are they very different from the magical creatures I know?"
KasugaHijiri: "So what happens after an ExMachina learns about the human heart?"
Rei Ao: "Most simply, they become more humanlike."
MiyukiShiba: "Which might give them an edge in dealingor fightingwith other races. Understand emotions and you predict actions better."
AyameYomogawa: "But if they get smarter than humans once they learn our hearts, won't that endanger us?"
Rei Ao: "Humans are already at the very bottom in that world."
Yui: "Shuvi must have her reasons; maybe it's vital to her."
Frieren: "Whatever the case, she's a fascinating subject. I'd love to talk with her."
Fubuki: "Still, if a robot goes out of control the consequences are ugly. Better stay cautious."
EnjuAihara: "I think Sis Shuvi is cool! I want to be friends!"
TohkaYatogami: "Human hearts are so complicated. I can't understand them myselfcan Shuvi really manage?"
AiHayasaka: "No matter the outcome, the process will be worth watching."
Erica: "What I want to know is: how were ExMachina born? Do they arise naturally or are they manufactured?"
Marcille: "Yeahif we knew their origin we might better grasp why she wants to study the heart."
Rei Ao thinks aloud
"The birth of the ExMachina, huh?"
He strokes his chin, recalling that they were created by an Old Deus, the Goddess of Doubt, Holou.
Formed in the dawn of the world, the lonely deity could not understand what a god was or why she herself existed, so she forged five little machinesfour to observe, analyse, reason, and respond, and one to command the other four.
Because machines have no heart, they could not answer her questions.
So Holou pierced her own divine body and fell into pseudohibernation.
Left without their maker, the machines kept upgrading themselves and, in time, spread into a fullfledged racethe ExMachina.
In the present era they still operate only in "retaliate when attacked" mode and lack a true will of their own.
Back in the chat
MioAkiyama: "But what if they use their knowledge of hearts to hurt people? I still can't relax."
Julis: "That worry is excessive. Every world has its laws; her existence there is legitimate."
YukinoshitaYukino: "Mio's concern isn't baseless, but without evidence let's not rush to conclusions."
MioAkiyama: "Okay, I understand."
Rei Ao watches the lively debate and smiles faintly.
In the ruins
Shuvi has no idea she's become the focus of so many girls from other worlds.
She continues to ponder the mystery of the heart, waiting for Rei Ao to speak.
Rei Ao says quietly, "Shuvi, if you truly want to understand people, you can't stay in these ruins. Come with me to a human villagethere you'll find real feelings and everyday life."
Shuvi's eyes blink; data streams race inside.
"A human village Will it yield more information on the 'heart'?"
"Of course."
He pats her shoulderthe surface feels like skin, not metal. "Shall we take a look?"
After a second's whir of servos she nods.
"Probability of obtaining valid data rises by 73%. Proposal accepted."
The two set off toward the village.
Along the way Rei Ao surveys the wartorn land and describes what Shuvi will see; she logs every detail, now and then posing questions that even he finds novel.
At the village gate
Riku arrives, weapon in hand, and blocks their path. The instant he spots Shuvi his pupils contract.
"An ExMachina?!"
Rei Ao steps forward and gestures for calm.
"She's with me."
Riku's brows knit; his gaze darts between the two.
"ExMachina are weapons of war. I can't let her inside."
Rei Ao folds his arms. "She's my guest. You may distrust her, but you trust medon't you?"
Silence.
Riku finally lowers the weapon, though his eyes stay wary.
"For your sake I'll allow it. But if she so much as twitches"
Rei Ao claps him on the shoulder. "Relax. She's only here to look."
"Understood. Beginning data capture."
Shuvi's head turns mechanically as she watches the villagers at work, noting every gesture and expression.
Riku gives the pair one last long look.
"Rei Ao-samaCouronne is waiting for you at her house."
With that he moves off to calm the stillshaken villagers.
~~~
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(Bonus Chapter) Chapter 764: Primal Form of Communication...
Rei Ao led Shuvi toward Couronne's dwelling.
Shuvi's quick, dainty steps contrasted sharply with Rei Ao's steady stride.
A dim blue light flickered in Shuvi's eyes as she swept her gaze across the surroundings, converting every detail into stored data.
She was an ExMachina, created for the single purpose of learning, analyzing, and understanding all things.
Yet when her gaze settled on the hand Rei Ao was holding, her calculations produced a question.
"What is the significance of holding hands?"
The door swung open.
A faint herbal fragranceleft over from a recent bathdrifted out to greet them.
Freshly bathed, Couronne sat demurely on the edge of the bed, dressed in plain but spotless clothes.
Her long hair fell loosely over her shoulders; a few strands framed her cheeks, adding a gentle softness to her features.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her nervous fingers twisted the hem of her clothes.
The pressure had turned her fingertips slightly white, betraying her tension and unease.
When she saw Rei Ao enter with Shuvi, Couronne froze for an instant, surprise flashing in her eyes.
She had not expected him to bring such an unusual "guest," and a ripple of doubt and anxiety welled up inside her.
She already knew from the chat group that the figure before her was an ExMachina.
"Ah."
The corner of Rei Ao's mouth lifted in a warm smile, his eyes appreciating Couronne's current state.
It seemed she was ready to pay the price they had agreed onoffering herself to save the human village.
This village was her home.
When crisis struck, she had not hesitated to sacrifice herself for its peace.
She had confessed some of this to her younger brother Rick not long before.
Rick had not tried to stop her; nothing could be changed now.
"Um Shuvi shouldn't be here, right?" Couronne asked shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her eyes flitted away from Rei Ao's gaze, full of embarrassment and selfconsciousness.
Rei Ao sat down by the bed and gently shook his head.
His movements were tender, and his eyes held reassurance.
"Don't worry, Couronne. Shuvi is an ExMachina. She's here to learn everything about humans, emotions and communication included. Just think of her as a rather special 'student.'"
Shuvi stepped in front of them, her scanning device flashing more rapidly.
Her voice was mechanical and emotionless.
"Analyzing human emotional expression: 'shyness.' Data insufficientadditional samples required."
Couronne blushed even deeper at Shuvi's bluntness.
She hurriedly lowered her head, mortified.
"Ddoes she always talk like this?" she asked softly, a hint of helplessness in her tone.
Rei Ao nodded with a smile. "Don't mind her; she's only following her programming and curiosity.
"In fact, I brought Shuvi so she could observe the most primitive form of emotional exchangeit's the most straightforward expression of human feeling."
"Eh?" Couronne's thoughts stumbled.
In a little while she would be offering the use of her body; did that mean Rei Ao's "primitive exchange" would take place with Shuvi watching from the side?
At the thought, her heart sped up and her cheeks flushed again, red as a ripe apple.
Rei Ao took her hand; his was warm and strong, and the heat made her tremble slightly.
The warmth surged through her like an electric current.
"Couronne, are you ready?" Rei Ao's voice was low and gentle, with a hint of seductive charm.
!!!
Couronne's heartbeat quickened.
She drew a deep breath, determination flickering in her eyes.
"I I'm ready, Rei Ao-sama. If it protects the village, I am willing"
Her soft voice carried steady resolve.
Shuvi's eyes lit up. Tilting her head in a slightly stiff but oddly cute motion, she announced:
"Detected intense fluctuations in female human emotion. Indices of 'nervousness,' 'anticipation,' and 'determination' spiking. Requesting analysis of behavioral motives."
Rei Ao smiled helplessly.
"Shuvi, there are things you can't understand yetbut that's what makes human emotions so complex and wonderful."
He met Couronne's eyes, and she lowered hers shyly.
When Rei Ao's large hand circled her waist, her body went rigid.
The sudden contact left her momentarily at a loss
but under his gentle reassurance she slowly leaned back, her tension and unease gradually melting away.
Night had fully settled over the village.
Moonlight slipped through cracks in the window, giving the room a hazy beauty.
The hearth fire in the inner room flickered, and dusky light cast wavering shadows on the walls.
Soothed by Rei Ao, Couronne gradually shed her shyness and tension.
Her body relaxed into his embrace, soaking in warmth and security.
Shuvi, like a faithful observer, stood quietly in the corner, converting everything before her into data.
Rei Ao softly drew Couronne closer. "Couronne, how are you adapting?" he asked with gentle concern.
Couronne raised her head, eyes filled with fatigue, shyness, and a hint of dependence.
"Rei Ao-sama, II'm fine"
She shyly lowered her head again and whispered, "Thank you for saving the village"
Sincere gratitude resonated in her words.
"You should look up when you give thanks," Rei Ao said, lifting her smooth chinfirm yet gentle.
Their eyes met.
The distance between them shrank; just as they were about to touch, Shuvi spoke up.
"Detected human intimate behavior. Data analysis shows high correlation with EmotionExpression2.0. Requesting further observation and recording."
Rei Ao and Couronne were interrupted midmoment.
Couronne's face turned crimson, as if ignited. She buried her head in Rei Ao's chest, both mortified and annoyed.
"Shuvi, cccould you please not" her muffled voice emerged, tinged with grievance.
Shuvi shook her head in that adorably stiff way.
"Rei Ao said observing is permitted."
Her voice remained flat; she did not understand human embarrassment.
"Haha, she really is something," Rei Ao chuckled, unbothered. Amusement danced in his eyes as he lowered his head to kiss Couronne.
What Shuvi was about to record next would be the most primal form of communication.
~~~
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Chapter 765: Jibril
Dusk, thick as viscous amber, dyed the shattered clouds in shifting shades of gold and crimson.
High above, a woman spread silverwhite wings that seemed almost angelican archangel descending from myth.
Every feather shimmered with stardust specks, their tips fading into a nearly translucent iceblue.
With each subtle beat of her wings, she traced delicate trails of light across the sky.
Waterfalllong pink hair cascaded behind her. Chains forged from meteoric iron wove through the strands, swaying on the air currents and chiming with a windbell's cold, crystalline ring.
Her scarlet eyestwo flames that would never dienarrowed, releasing a dangerous gleam.
A corseted battle cuirass hugged her graceful figure; the magic stone set at her breast glowed with a faint violet light that mingled with the afterglow on the horizon, lending her an aura that was at once mysterious and commanding.
She was a Flugel, and her name was Jibril.
Jibril tapped a finger.
A halftransparent screen of mana unfolded before her, dense with dozens of crimson dotsthe last recorded coordinates of nineteen missing demons.
Those red points hung on the display like congealed beads of blood, silently recounting the tale of their eerie disappearances.
"Vanishing without a trace? Interesting."
Her vermilion lips parted lightly.
As one of the most distinguished of the Flugel, she was long accustomed to hunting anomalies in this world where only the strong survived.
Yet the demons, normally brazen and violent, now seemed to have been swallowed by an invisible black hole, leaving not the tiniest whiff of their presence.
The aberration scratched at her curiosity like claws, and excitement began to boil in her veins.
