In a small room in the library, I watched Clara work as we talked.
When I said I wanted to ask her various things, she told me she was busy and turned me down. Very much like Clara, who loves books, today she was handling a commission from the library.
Since I offered to help, I got permission from the library staff and took on the commission myself to assist Clara.
Clara was waiting in the small room, and then a librarian came in carrying several books.
"Clara, could you handle this for me? One book each. About a week."
"Okay."
The plump, middle-aged woman handed three books to Clara, who immediately returned to her seat and used her Skills on all three.
"...What are you doing?"
Clara, who had a Skill called [Reading], had once said it wasn't that rare.
It was an excellent Skill that let you understand a book's contents just by holding your hand over it...
However, she also said she sometimes forgot the contents and preferred reading books normally.
"I'm reading and understanding them. Like this—"
Using her right hand to read the book, she simultaneously activated her Skill with her left.
"—[Copy]"
An identical book appeared.
As I watched in surprise, Clara copied all three books the same way. Then she marked the copied versions.
"...Isn't that amazing?"
When I praised her Skill, an excited voice came from the Jewel held by the Third Generation.
'This kid is amazing! She says it's not amazing, but it really is!'
...That's true. She does give better advice than the ancestors. I'll admit that much.
Clara left the small room carrying all six books and came back almost immediately.
She sat down and started reading.
"This is the content of the commission I received. I don't lend them out, but I sell replicated books that disappear after a certain amount of time. Oh, copies are limited to a set period. Plus, it's a Skill limited to books. I think I can maintain this state for about a week."
Even if it was limited, it was still an impressive Skill.
(So she doesn't lend them out, but she can take books out like this for a limited time... I should have asked for more details.)
I regretted not asking more about the library's system, but taking books out probably cost money too.
Since I was coming to the library anyway, I decided not to worry about it.
But the fact remained that I thought Clara's Skill was incredible.
"I think it's plenty amazing though... Is that an application of the Skill?"
When I asked, Clara nodded.
"This Skill is related to books. That's the common thread. There are probably some kind of restrictions on it, but Skills haven't been fully deciphered yet."
While explaining with her eyes on the book, I cleaned the small room and asked a question.
"There's something I've been wondering about. Is it okay to ask?"
Without looking away from her book, Clara said:
"I can roughly guess what it is. You're wondering whether Aria and the others can master specialized techniques. To put it bluntly, acquiring skills at a professional level would require years of time."
Then wouldn't that take a considerable amount of time? What was I supposed to do in the meantime?
I had a mountain of things I wanted to ask.
But Clara said:
"However, when it comes to Aramsass specifically, even non-specialists can achieve a certain level of results."
"Even if I'm not a specialist?"
When I asked, Clara explained in a way that was easy to understand.
"Because most of the information about the Dungeon and the surrounding areas that adventurers use as their hunting grounds is already publicly available. Besides, the Monsters that appear in the Dungeon are mostly fixed. Even if there are some variations, I don't think it would be anything you can't handle."
Hearing that, a voice came from the Jewel.
It was the Second Generation.
"Aww, you went and told him... Isn't this girl great? She's nothing like what you'd expect from her looks and personality."
The Fourth Generation agreed, then spoke.
"Communication is essential for surviving out there. Besides, even being a solo, she's a support specialist. There's no doubt she's the type who gets deeply absorbed in what she loves, though."
Had they known about this the whole time and just stayed silent?
I asked Clara.
"So in other words, if we're talking specifically about Aramsass..."
"You could get into shape in about two to three months. When adventurers set up a base and start earning, it's often because they've built up a pattern for making money. They specialize in that particular region. You might not reach the level of a true professional, but you can still achieve a decent level of results."
However, Clara gave me a word of caution.
That all this would do is get me into shape—it wouldn't make me an actual specialist.
If I kept accumulating experience, Aria and the others would improve too. But compared to true specialists, both the efficiency and the effectiveness would differ.
(So for the sake of a swift conquest, I should specialize exclusively in the Aramsass Dungeon for now. Given the way my ancestors acted, did they already know about this from the start?)
When I thought about why they had stayed silent, I understood right away.
In other words, my current approach was nothing to be praised for.
(I thought I could just ask and it would be fine, but I see... they wanted me to think about it myself.)
Ashamed of how much I had been relying on Clara, I thanked her.
"I see. Thank you, Clara. Thanks to you, I've settled on a course of action."
Seeing Clara finish her book, I...
(That was fast...)
Just as I thought that.
"It's no trouble. It seems you've realized it yourself... Also, Lyle-san."
"What is it?"
"You seem to be in a hurry, but preparation is key for anything. As long as you don't forget that, the success rate for anything will be much higher. That is all from me."
With that, Clara picked up a new book.
I brought Poyopoyo to Damian's workshop to consult with him there.
"...A humanoid Golem? To put it simply, yes, it can be moved. I think it might have slightly different characteristics though."
"I see."
In his cleaner-than-before workshop, Damian was pondering something while looking at what appeared to be a blueprint.
Inside the room, Poyopoyo and an Automaton were facing each other, their eyes flashing red at each other repeatedly.
It looked scary just watching them.
"By the way, is that what you came here to ask? Has anything changed with the Automaton, or have you noticed anything new? Since I basically treat both of them as maids, the reports are always similar... Have you tried fighting with them?"
What was this guy talking about?
As I thought that, the Seventh Generation spoke.
'Lyle, now that you mention it, didn't Poyopoyo say something about being useful? Perhaps it might even be capable of combat. After all, it is an ancient Automaton.'
The Seventh Generation's appearance within the Jewel was a mature look, like someone in their thirties.
Imagining that Seventh Generation calling Poyopoyo made me nearly burst out laughing.
Surprisingly, Poyopoyo seems to be settling in.
"So, can they actually do that? I'd think they'd break, though."
"Why are you laughing? No, I actually tried having them carry something heavy, and they're surprisingly strong. So I was wondering how they'd fare, but..."
Damian watched the Automatons glaring at each other. Then, other Automatons noticed what was happening and chimed in.
"Unit Two, the Master is calling you. Cease this pointless squabble."
"Stop paying attention to that pitiful piece of junk and attend to the Master's request."
Watching the Automatons say things like that, I—
"Huh? That was them arguing?"
Damian said.
"Apparently. They apparently exchange information at high speed just by looking at each other... Why did the ancients give Automatons a function like that? It's a mystery."
At that moment, Poyopoyo began trembling, and the Automaton called Unit Two wore a triumphant grin.
These guys are terrifying.
Then, it turned a pleasant smile toward Damian.
"What is it, Master?"
However, that smile seemed to hold no value for Damian. Without so much as a twitch of reaction, he said:
"Can you fight? To what extent are you able to engage in combat?"
Unit Two replied.
"Combat is possible, but since we are not combat models, there are limits. We haven't been outside much, so our Monster data is limited, but we judge that we could fight without weapons in the vicinity of Aramsass."
I couldn't help but blurt out.
"Huh? You fight Monsters bare-handed?"
Then, as if responding to me, Poyopoyo—
"That's why mass-produced models are no good. This Poyopoyo... is an exceptional being who can handle combat as a Special Model! If I put my mind to it, I could turn these mass-produced scrap heaps into—"
"Cut it out. That's just cruel."
When I stopped her, Damian said—
"I'd love to see it, but if they get broken, cleaning up the workshop is a real pain."
For Damian, the Automatons were something like housekeepers. Well, they were Maid Types, so he wasn't wrong.
Despite being told rather harsh things, the three Automatons were grinning.
"We'll make it so you can't live without us, just as you are."
"Right? So you'll feel anxious whenever we're gone."
"The first phase is complete. Moving on to the second phase."
Even hearing that, Damian didn't seem to care.
Poyopoyo, on the other hand, was shaken by my words calling the other Automatons pitiful.
"...Even though I'm dedicated to the Chicken. Even though I can serve the Chicken better than anyone else."
My honest opinion was—
"Automatons are scary."
—That about summed it up.
Damian looked at me and made his request.
"Laiel, could you take this Automaton outside and test it in combat? I'll pay you, and once it's used to it, I'd like you to take it into a Dungeon. If it's too much, we can drop it."
At Damian's request, I looked over at Poyopoyo.
She fixed me with an expectant gaze—she looked nothing like the clumsy clunker she'd been just moments ago.
"She's a pain in the neck."
"Well, as long as it's just for testing."
Since the others were busy, it was decided I'd be operating solo for a while.
I thought about consulting Novem, then maybe taking Poyopoyo outside for a test run.
Hearing that, Poyopoyo said:
"Fufufu, so at last I shall also attend to the Chicken in the field of battle. Leave it to me! Whether inside or out, I shall prepare a full-course meal for your inspection!"
She was awfully eager, so I told her:
"Huh? Easy-to-eat sandwiches are fine."
Poyopoyo, looking crestfallen, replied—
"Is that so... but I hope you at least understand I have that kind of feeling. Ah, and there's something I'd like to discuss with you, Perverted Professor."
The three Automatons glared at Poyopoyo, their eyes glowing red, at her use of that name for Damian.
Damian, however, seemed entirely unfazed.
"What is it?"
"That metal the Chicken brought back—you still have it in storage, correct?"
"I do. It seems difficult to work with, so I imagine it's still there."
Hearing that, Poyopoyo turned to me.
"Chicken, please let me use that metal! I will put it to more effective use than you ever could."
It was true I was struggling with it, but hearing her say that was still irritating.
Still, complaining to her wouldn't solve anything.
"Whatever you say."
"Suit yourself!"
And so, I learned of Poyopoyo's unexpected use.
When I stepped outside of Aramsass, I was stunned by the sight before me.
Poyopoyo, who had been unarmed, pulled out a massive hammer from beneath her skirt — one taller than she was.
Then, with a force impossible to imagine from those slender arms, she swung the enormous hammer in a horizontal arc aimed at the Monsters.
The Monsters were sent flying in ways I'd rather not describe, but what bothered me more was where she had pulled such a hammer from—
And the real issue was that the material looked familiar.
"Y-you..."
"Well? Surprised by my strength, Chicken? From now on, leave the bodyguard duty to me too. That way, I can attend to you all day long, Chicken — oh, you're drooling."
"You... how did you process that?"
Looking at Poyopoyo's hammer, I realized it was made from the armor we'd taken as spoils from the boss fight on the 40th underground floor.
If I believed what Damian had said about processing being difficult, the fact that she'd managed it in such a short time was astonishing craftsmanship.
"...Huh? That's what surprises you? Don't you have any curiosity about what's inside my skirt? Are you even a boy? You could at least be more amazed by my strength, or compliment me — there are so many other things you could do! I had so many scenarios planned out for being admired and praised, you know?"
I looked at the Monsters in their ruined state, then said with a grin:
"Are Automatons prone to delusions? More importantly, if you don't hold back a little, I won't be able to recover any of the materials. Think before you act. But seriously, that processing technique is incredible. Can you shape anything into any form?"
Poyopoyo nodded expressionlessly.
"Well, for something on the level of that mech weapon's remains... there were quite a few differences from the data, but the materials seem similar enough."
I stroked my chin as I pondered what she'd said.
(If that's the case, this could work... On top of that, I might be able to count on Poyopoyo's strength. I thought I'd need to recruit someone new, but maybe this helps solve part of that problem?)
It reminded me of a plan I'd been working on after Clara brought it up.
To put the plan into action, I would need Poyopoyo's power — or rather, her skills.
I grabbed both shoulders of the expressionless Poyopoyo, who was holding a hammer heavy enough to bury itself in the ground, and said:
"You're amazing, Poyopoyo! You weren't just a disappointing Automaton after all! I've reassessed you!"
Poyopoyo's face gradually turned red as she looked away and murmured in a small voice—
"I-It's not like I worked hard for your sake or anything. ...The time has finally come for me to use the line I've always wanted to say."
The Third Generation spoke up.
"What is this child saying?"
The Sixth Generation said:
"Perhaps it's best not to think too deeply about it? Or rather, it's something incomprehensible."
The Fifth Generation remarked flatly:
"Automatons are no good, are they? Wouldn't we be better off being healed by cute animals instead? Lyle, for the sake of everyone's peace of mind, cute animals are the way to go—"
Ever since the Kirin incident last time, the Fifth Generation had remained broken.
If I left her alone, she'd go back to normal eventually, so I decided not to worry about it.
That said, Poyopoyo showing motivation was a good thing.
I decided to keep praising her and put the plan into motion.
"I don't really understand, but you're amazing."
At that, Poyopoyo turned red all the way to her ears and began trembling.
"What a wonderful day this is... The Chicken finally recognizes my worth. Although, I'm not entirely satisfied that I wasn't praised as a maid."
Pleased but still not entirely convinced, Poyopoyo accompanied me as we headed back to the mansion.
But first—
"Well, I'd like to collect the Magic Stones, but... this is quite gruesome."
The ground was stained red everywhere, spreading out into a truly horrific sight.
(Since you can't use a big hammer or anything like that inside the Dungeon, just being a luggage carrier is fine.)
I steeled myself and set out to collect the Magic Stones and materials.