Keaton

“Huuuuh!?
Who is there!? Where am I!?”

It seems like I was sleeping face down on the desk…
With a jerk, I sat up and shouted that.

“I think that the question is in reverse.
This is ‘Mamiya’s’ dining hall, and you are my Master… Asuru-sama.

Eve, who was standing nearby, then explained it to me.
Seeing no dirty dishes, it seemed like she cleaned up while I was sleeping.

“I see… Did I… fall asleep…
…Why?”

“It’s likely that your body was shocked by the sudden intake of nutrients.
As evidence, the scan results show that the Master is currently in perfect condition.
All of that is thanks to the drink I concocted, you know.”

“Oh, I see!
Come to think of it, my body feels light…
It’s all thanks to Eve!
Hahahaha!”

“Hahahahaha.”

Eve echoed my laughter with a hesitant laugh, like that of a novice actor.
Mysteriously, energy is bubbling up from my body, my mouth feels really clear, and that drink is genuinely fantastic.
However, strangely, I never want to drink it again!

“I have confirmed that the Master’s hygiene and nutritional status have improved.
Please give me further instructions from now on.”

After a moment of laughter together…
Eve, with her hair colors constantly changing and swaying, asked with a neutral expression.

“Instructions…
Instructions, hmm…”

It must have been due to something called ‘nutrients’ circulating throughout my body…
I can now think intensely, utilizing my sharp mind.

“If there is nothing in particular, you can also rest in the room that has been prepared. Is that okay?”

“No, my fatigue and drowsiness have mysteriously vanished thanks to you.
I’d like to learn about this ship, the ‘Mamiya.’”

“Learn about?”

As if being manipulated by a string…
With a peculiar movement, Eve tilts her head.

“And what kind of learning would that be?
Do you want to know the specifications of the ship, or do you want to know about the history of its construction?
On the other hand, if you are curious about a different topic, the information offered will be different.”

“Regarding those, will you teach me yourself, Eve?”

“Yes. I will provide you with flawless data.”

Still lacking in expression, or rather, utterly void of any…
Her quick and confident response left no doubt about her absolute confidence.

“I see… How was this ship constructed…
And why did my ancestors choose to let it sleep…
I am indeed curious, but…”

Talking to myself, I contemplated.
This was a sad habit I acquired during my long wanderings in the Land of Death.

“…Right now, I want to focus on the future rather than the past.
Eve, I’ll ask you again.
Above this vast cavern lies the desolate wasteland we call the Land of Death...
I was told it’s possible to transform it into a land overflowing with greenery. Still, please explain in detail how to accomplish that?”

“Understood.
In that case, looking at the module in person would be the quickest way.

“Module?”

“It’s one of the three main modules installed on this ship.
You will be right if you consider it an extremely useful tool.”

“A useful tool, huh…”

Perhaps… it’s something like a magical tool…
A tool that can reshape even the Land of Death created by an ancient civilization…
I suddenly became extremely interested in this!

“Alright, let’s take a look.
Guide me to this module or whatever it is.”

“Understood.
I’ll guide you to Keaton’s storage unit.”

Just like when I was guided to the shower room and this cafeteria….
I was led by Eve and walked through the ship.

Utilizing a peculiar mode of transportation that moved the room itself up and down called an elevator, I somehow reached a location that appeared to be within the belly of ‘Mamiya.’

“This is… a vast space, isn’t it?
It’s hard to believe that the narrow corridor led us here.”

While overlooking the enormous space that serves as a storage unit, I mutter to myself.
I quickly estimated the ceiling must be over 20 meters high…
Speaking of the total volume, I wonder just how much this is?
Undoubtedly, it is wider than the auditorium boasted by the royal capital’s grand temple.

“The storage unit utilizes space compression technology, so the actual size is not as large as it appears.
Remember this for future reference.”

I’m not sure, but does it mean the actual size is different from its appearance?
…Truly, a ship created with a mysterious technology from top to bottom.

In the storage unit of such a ship…
There were indeed three mysterious objects there.

“A steel… giants…”

That is exactly what they are.
Yes…
They were giants formed of a gleaming metal that I had never seen covering their entire bodies.
Each of them had a distinctive appearance…
All three figures are motionless, each kneeling on one knee.

“These are the three major humanoid modules that our ship boasts, each serving a purpose to aid the Master.”

With hair reaching to her waist sparkling in seven hues, Eve informed me.

“And the one possessing the most suitable abilities for executing your order is here.
Autonomous humanoid ground development module.
The identification name is ‘Keaton.’”

Among the three giants, Eve points with a hand at the giant kneeling in the middle.

“Keaton…”

I murmur the giant’s name as if contemplating it.

It’s like a squid with human limbs attached…
At first glance, its design gives off such an impression.
While the giant has elements resembling a nose and eyes, similar to a human face, it notably lacks any mouth.
The top of his head, which resembled the front of a squid, took on a unique shape like a cap, evoking the image of a priest or chef from a certain perspective.

And as I observed it intently…
Keaton’s eyes were suddenly illuminated in that instant by a mysterious glow.
His neck, which clearly has fewer movable parts than a human’s, turned around and gazed in my direction.

“I am Keaton.
I’ll be counting on you, Master.”

“Um, sure… Nice to meet you.
So, you can talk as well?”

As I, who was gradually getting used to ancient technology, somewhat hesitantly replied, Keaton’s eyes blinked rapidly as if it were an expression of laughter.

“Our artificial intellects are exceptional, you know?
There’s no reason why I can’t talk. If I feel like it, I can crack a joke too.
Master, make a good use of it!”

“Oh… I will surely show you how to fully utilize it!”

Keaton and the other three major modules are each around 9 meters in length…
Since shaking hands was out of the question, I raised a clenched fist to convey my intention.

It was my first encounter with Keaton, the loyal servant who would be tasked with working the most among the three major modules.