Ex-Machina in Dimensional Travel

On that slightly childish face, a pair of inorganic golden eyes quickly scanned the surrounding scenery, and then stopped at the two figures sitting in front of the computer desk.

Looking at the two faces that looked exactly like his own, Number Five blinked in a silly way.

"Confused, Seven, why did your clothes/cloak explode?"

……

Chapter 45: Behind the Scenes

"I'm confused. According to the intelligence analysis, the Black Lancer's strength is nothing to be feared. Why are you so..."

So embarrassed?

Number Five didn't finish his words, but Number Seven and Number Two already understood the meaning.

Number Two turned around, glanced at Number Seven's reaction, then turned back to look at Number Five.

However, this action of No. 2 left the other two confused, and they couldn't help but wonder about the meaning of his actions.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The three "puppets" with the same appearance looked at each other, and the expressions on their faces showed different degrees of "confusion".

The scene was very harmonious for a while, except for someone who fell to the ground after floating in and was still unconscious.

In the end, this eerie tranquility was broken by No. 2 who almost couldn't hold it back.

"No, Number Seven is fine, but Number Five, why don't you look up the information yourself? Number Seven already gave a complete report on the Black Lancer's situation."

Number Two's remarks immediately attracted the attention of the other two.

Compared to the indifferent No. 7, No. 5 only raised his eyebrows slightly.

"……learn"

Since they are too lazy to tell me, I will check it myself. Number Five doesn't care about this kind of thing.

"Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm too lazy to tell you. I just think that instead of asking, it's better to check it out yourself. After all, the information is out there."

When No. 5 started to review the "report", No. 2 also promptly added his explanation for that sentence.

"Ah."

Number Five didn't care about this. After all, it was all him, so there was no "misunderstanding" to speak of. He could naturally understand what Number Two meant.

However, number seven on the side suddenly looked at number two suspiciously.

That's not what you just said.

Ignoring the scrutinizing gazes from the side, after complaining about No. 5's behavior, No. 2 turned his attention to the outsider at the latter's feet.

"Speaking of which..." Number Two pointed at someone at the other's feet.

"Why did you bring him here?"

"Scan completed. Individual identification name: Black Rider, Astolfo."

"Status: In coma..."

"Determination of the condition: Multiple scars on the skin, multiple fractures throughout the body, and signs of severe blunt force trauma to the head."

"Explanation: The subject has fallen into a coma. Data collection has been temporarily disrupted. The target subject is being temporarily detained."

As he spoke, Number Five cast his "magic" again, causing Astolfo at his feet to levitate.

He reached out, grabbed the man's hair, and pulled his head, showing his once delicate, now wounded face to his two companions.

"Well, it seems you have some sense of proportion in your actions."

Number Two, who had clearly seen Rider's miserable condition, commented that if he hadn't been tactful, the other party would have been eliminated long ago.

After the demonstration, Number Five withdrew the hand that was grabbing Rider's hair and let his head droop.

At this time, number seven, who had been listening, also joined the conversation.

"Inquiring, where is the Black Berserker?"

"Answer: Solved."

"Confused, where's the report?"

"Answer: Black Rider's collection progress has been hindered, and the mission has not yet been completed. Once the mission is completed, I will report all the information in full."

"Two humanoid robots."

Number Two's sudden interruption immediately attracted the attention of the other two.

"Sometimes it really feels like you guys are getting too into the role. It was obvious at the beginning that this whole thing was just a disguise, but now it feels like you're becoming more and more like real robots?"

After listening to the two people's question and answer that was like a human and a machine, No. 2 finally couldn't hold it back and made a comment that was very much in the style of No. 1.

However, the two people he dubbed "human-machine" did not react to this statement. They accepted the title very calmly, leaving No. 2, who wanted to continue speaking, speechless.

"Rebuttal, Black Caster, Avisbronn, also belongs to the ranks of 'outsiders'."

As he spoke, Number Five gestured with his eyes towards the magic workshop not far away. At this moment, Avisbronn, who had temporarily joined the team, was still diligently doing his job.

Ever since obtaining the perfect "core" material in Shulna, Avisbron has devoted all his attention to the preparation of the Noble Phantasm.

From then on, he turned a blind eye to what was happening outside.

"The counterargument is that individuals Two and One are too disorganized. Five and I are the state that the main body most desires."

Even Number Seven, who was standing by, joined Number Five in rebuttal.

The current situation is 1:2.

Number two is at a disadvantage!

"..."

Number Two stopped talking, and his once lively face returned to a deadly calm.

"never mind."

Speechless, he finally chose to focus all his attention back on the computer screen in front of him.

In the blind spot of his vision, Number Seven behind him and Number Five beside him looked at each other, and a smile flashed across their originally cold faces.

What does it feel like to argue with yourself? It's probably like this.

Moreover, including number two who was the first to "admit defeat", the three people present never took this matter to heart.

The discussion just now was just a way to divert boring time.

……

3: 01AM

After the brief conversation, No. 7 and No. 2 returned to their previous quiet working state.

After the chat, Number Five left, saying, "I need to take Rider to a suitable place so I can wait for him to wake up and continue working."

Originally, he came to find Shuul's real body to use the power of Emperor Kekeke to restore Rider, but since the real body was not there, he had to use "magic" to heal Rider himself.

Of course, it is impossible to carry out this matter directly in this "secret base".

hum-

Another familiar portal appeared in this space.

clatter……

It was still that familiar sound of footsteps.

When someone walked out of it, the temperature in the space also rose rapidly, but this continuous temperature rise only lasted for one second before it quickly stopped.

"Welcome back, Number Three..."

Number Two didn't even turn his head, staring at the screen with his golden eyes. After a few streams of data flowed through, there was no movement.

Number Three, carrying a golden-red double-edged axe on his shoulders, had just walked out of the door when he was attracted by Number Two's greeting.

Then, he saw Number Two's attitude of being indifferent to the outside world.

"...?"

The huge battle axe disintegrated into specks of golden light. After being disarmed, Number Three's gaze shifted back and forth between Number Two and Number Seven behind Number Two.

Finally, it stopped steadily on Number Seven, who took the initiative to look at it.

"..."

"..."

On the surface, the two of them just looked at each other silently, but in fact, their conversation had already begun.

"03: Questioning, what are you doing?"

"07: Answer: Number Five just left."

"03: Curious, did you have a fight?"

"07: Denial, not."

"03: I agree. That's true."

……

Number Three came to Number Seven, and together with him, they stood behind Number Two, one on the left and one on the right, and together with Number Seven, they looked at Number Two's computer screen.

The new member and the enthusiasm that had not yet dissipated from him naturally attracted the attention of No. 2.

"Notice, if you want to rest, you can sit on the sofa next to me. Don't disturb me."

Number Two spoke without even turning his head, even deliberately speaking in the tone requested by the original.

As his voice fell, golden energy appeared out of thin air, and randomly, a set of furniture that looked extremely comfortable appeared on the open space on the side in the blink of an eye.

In this critical period, the "Xuers" who were also assigned to arm the [Paradise of Samsara] naturally had most of the authority.

Moreover, even without these permissions, as Ex-Machinas they can still construct the objects they want out of thin air.

Just some furniture, a simple thing.

But No. 3 did not appreciate it. Facing No. 2 who was trying to drive him away, he still stood there unmoved.

"..."

"Is something wrong?"

This time, No. 2 finally turned around and turned his attention to No. 3.

"Negative. I saw number seven standing there, so I came too."

"..."

If possible, No. 2 would like to make an expression as if he is sweating like soybeans.

"Confused? Why don't you ask me how the battle turned out?"

"I've read the report..." Number Two said, looking away.

"Right after you finish the task and upload is complete."

After listening, No. 3 rubbed his smooth chin a few times and stopped talking.

On the side, Number 7 remained quiet throughout the whole process and watched the whole process silently.

……

5: 04AM

The production of "Core" has come to an end.

After confirming that the "device" in front of him had reached a level that satisfied him, Avisbron stopped working and turned his attention away from the core.

But when he left his magic workshop and returned to the blank space, he saw several identical puppets gathered together.

"?"

This unusual picture immediately made him confused.