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  possess a——[Heart].

  Its easier to deceive someone without a heart than another human.

  Then——deceiving is just like breathing for this guy, acting as a natural human

  scum all along.

  Right?——then, no, more problems——

  ——*kacha*

  After hearing the sound of the lock that was several times heavier than the

  usual, Riku opened his eyes.

  ——there, was a long black-haired——[Girl].

  [She] finished her long thoughts and solemnly narrated about the views of her

  wrong speculation.

  "...... Skinship is metaphor for procreation——[Request], undergo procreation with this machine——"

  "Un. I refuse——it should be said like this right?"

  A somewhat tough rejection. It may be a statement that would be considered

  having hostile intention.

  But his thoroughly sober head unconsciously made this judgement. No

  problems. Furthermore——

  "What kind of sorrows am I going through to rely on other species other than

  humans to have sex. And compared to that——"

  ——squeeze out the information needed.

  "The Ex-Machinas are linked together with something called the cluster right. I'm sorry but I don't have exhibitionism."

  "——this machine was relieved from the [Cluster]."

  ——yes, this was the intelligence.

  It was predicted beforehand that this would happen. But these thoughts were

  too idealistic...

  "Oh, why?"

  ——respond back with a proper attitude. Confused, then ask. Even though the

  reason I speculated should be close.

  "——this machine tried to analyze if the Ex-Machinas had [Heart],

  [Self] or [Soul]."

  ——the results can be expected. If she is an Ex-Machina.

  " Failure of theories caused constant contradicting results, this machine was released from the link and abandoned."

  Which means, self-referential paradox.

  Finally, Riku confirmed the reason why this Ex-Machina was making unrelated

  actions.

  ——no, she is broken.

  For Riku, this was really great. Even though he was stil uneasy, this was slightly

  better than the other worse possibilities.

  Come, [Riku] with [Friend relations]? The next step should be to show concern

  for her right?

  "....Oh, which means....You."

  Riku frowned upon the thought of saying words of worry——but the [Young girl]

  nodded her head in exaggeration.

  " There is no problem in desiring to ravage against this machine.

  Although there isn't, hole."

  "I won't! In any case, just no!"

  Maintaining her expressionless face, she nodded and declared.

  " Agree to take this machine to the [Colony], allowed to slowly ravage."

  "It's not because of this question...eh."

  ——[Finished]

  The colony was exposed——how good could that be.

  For other colonies other than the humans, they could be discovered very easily

  ——this in itself was obvious.

  Compared to those things, he wanted to confirm if she didn't hide the matter with

  the colony.

  There were only two possibilities.

  But regardless of which, it wouldn't turn into a problem. As a result——the

  necessary intel would cobble together.

  It was in order to allow her to create the [Role] she was looking forward to.

  Once again, the magical sound of a *kacha*.

  This was what she was looking forward to——it appears to have a [Heart], but in

  actuality was closed off to form [Riku].

  As if being unaware towards Riku's heart, the young girl nodded her head

  seriously, understanding something.

  " Because this machine's charm cannot be felt, so reproductive behavior was rejected."

  "Ah——, you don't understand at all..."

  The young girl nodded again and decided to leave Riku's body.

  Riku who was freed straightened his body while the young girl sat down in front

  of him and declared.

  "——game to be carried out."

  ".....What?"

  "——game 001 [Chess]——"

  Saying so, from the hand of the young girl——no, from the palm of her hand

  which faced the ground.

  From the void, rays appeared to form an outline of a board——it instantiated.

  ——this was instantiated, looking at Riku whose eyes were widened as the Ex-

  Machina displayed magic from her arms, the young girl quietly said.

  " If this machine was to win, request to bring this machine back to colony, carrying out reproductive behavior."

  "——then, if I win?"

  " Bring this machine back to colony, allowing the process of carrying out reproduction."

  "THERE ISN'T ANY DIFFERENCE RIGHT!?"

  Facing against her inorganic face that had a complacent look as if she proposed

  a great idea, Riku couldn't help but shout out.

  But at the same time, Riku thought——this was a good opportunity.

  "Hmmm, however, nevermind. I accept this challenge, but I require a change in

  the conditions."

  Even if it's not the best, it would be the most appropriate step——

  After a long time of having a mind associating with death, a combination of

  complex strategies was instantly formed.

  After using a move to attain loads of information, another step would be enough

  to turn the tables around and make this profitable.

  Come, to what extent can I fulfil this. It's time for you to show your ability——

  fraud master.

  "If I win, I request that you release me and not follow me back to the [Colony]."

  Although he said so, Riku understood. Winning in this game was [Impossible].

  If the rumors stand that Ex-Machinas are good with analysis and parsing——

  having good calculation like a machine, then there would be no competitors for

  chess and the like.

  So, the young girl nodded and replied.

  " No problems. As long as the victory conditions remain the same for this machine, no change."

  ——yes, you must agree. However, the problem does not [Lies in there].

  "Nono, your victory conditions must change too."

  Reason is——

  "If you want to understand the thing known as [Heart], blindly undergoing

  reproduction won't al ow you to understand it."

  "...."

  In contrast to the young girl who had fallen silent, Riku's mind was clear and

  thinking.

  There were two reasons why she would utter out [Colony].

  To calmly state the facts——or for other purposes, to cause a [Containment].

  Although her motives were unclear, from the way she accepted the conditions,

  some things could be determined out.

  If she had other motives, she would definitely say that she would change her

  victory conditions herself. Or else the whole plan is ruined.

  Was it possible to induce a state of confusion to an Ex-Machina? However, the

  Ex-Machina maintained her expressionless face, widened her eyes and asked.

  "——....... How to understand?"

  ........

  Unless——what she really said was all true——?

  The most desirable, overly optimistic possibility to arouse suspicion in people

  ——but, if...
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br />   What she said was all true, using clever deception——seal her and use her.

  "If you win, until the moment you understood [Heart], I wil allow you to stay with me."

  "...... Understand [Heart], possible if stay by your side?"

  Al ow the intellectual machine to understand, using the best reasons, to try and

  form it out.

  "[Heart] isn't a material."

  "......."

  "[Heart] is something that is difficult to express with words. It is something only understood with mutual-understanding. Under the circumstances that you aren't

  discovered as an Ex-Machina, never leave my side——you would understand

  after spending some time, don't reject the opportunity to be able to connect to

  others spiritually."

  ".........."

  The Ex-Machina girl continued her silence and watched Riku's eyes.

  Seeing her red pupil, Riku was convinced——he was being [Identified] if he was

  lying.

  But it was useless. I didn't utter a lie out.

  .....After a deep thought, the young girl nodded.

  " Then begin the game."

  ——it appears I avoided the worst situation. At least the possibility of avoiding it

  is high.

  "Ah, before that, can I add another condition."

  Yes, he fearlessly smiled——then.

  "I'm almost freezing to death. You destroyed my clothes, could you help me

  replace it?"

  With his snot freezing, Riku pleaded while his teeth chattered.

  Part 3

  ——the game was simply one-sided.

  Unable to see his odds of winning, Riku lost on his 29th move. It was all

  according to plan.

  "Damn, I lost...It can't be helped, I'l just take you to the [Colony] to fulfil the conditions."

  To have a highly calculative Ex-Machina as an opponent——it was impossible

  for Riku who could only predict the next move.

  Because of this——he proposed a condition favorable for the one losing.

  "....."

  The Ex-Machina girl watched as Riku faked a smile, not forgetting to show an

  expression of regret.

  ——it could be said to be miraculous, for the development to go according to

  plan.

  Although her motives were unknown, there was no meaning for her to play with

  a human using such complicated strategies.

  It was only her who was interested in humans——which meant that other Ex-

  Machinas didn't have a tinge of interest towards the human race. This meant

  that her race was probably not eyeing onto the humans.

  With that being said, since the game itself didn't have any binding force, any

  negligence wasn't al owed to——

  " Why do you exhibit behavior of deep regret?"

  "——what?"

  For a moment, his breathing stopped.

  His [Act] of being regretful was seen through, Riku couldn't help but ponder——

  this was supposed to be impossible.

  Because he completely closed off his feelings, it was just an interpretation. Up to

  now even Riku himself couldn't comprehend if those feelings were his true

  thoughts. However, if his [True thoughts] were seen through, then—

  The Ex-Machina girl gazed into Riku's watchful eyes——there should be nothing

  reflected in those pitch-dark eyes.

  " Existence of person's [Heart] confirmed. There is value to

  continue analyzing."

  ——the meaning behind this sentence, Riku did not understand.

  However, the Ex-Machina girl, looked as if she showed a smile——it was

  probably an il usion.

  "...Ah, speaking of which, I haven't introduce myself yet."

  Riku only thought of it now. Because of the emergencies he faced in succession,

  he had completely forgotten about it.

  "That, my name is Riku. How about you——?"

  "——Üc207Pr4f57t9"

  "...Ah? Uh, what? Is that...A name?"

  " This machine's individual identification number——is it not

  synonymous with [Name]?"

  "...No, if you want to understand a human's heart in the colony, you should have a more human-like name——"

  This sentence caused the little girl to be shrouded in a deep thought.

  " Can name be freely set by said individual?"

  "Well——there is such a thing."

  Then, the girl wrapped herself in deep thoughts.

  Suddenly, she wrapped her fingers in her hair and announced her name.

  "——[Shuwaruvi]"

  "Too long, it confuses people, and it doesn't seem like a name. Dismissed with

  the above three reasons——calling yourself [ShuVi] would do though."

  Riku readily rejected her proposal. But, it seemed to be an il usion——

  ".... Said free to choose yet revised.... Should call me yourself from the start."

  Riku always wondered, the girl looked as if she was protesting in a fit of anger.

  ——it must be my il usion, Riku once again came down with this judgement.

  "Okay, I'l tidy up for a while then I'l take you to the colony——but before that, there are a few precautions."

  Bending one of his finger, he said.

  "The Ex-Machinas are unable to have a mutual-understanding heart. Is because

  they fear it, they are scared of having mutual-understanding."

  "........"

  Seeing the Ex-Machina who was named ShuVi nod her head, Riku continued.

  "So aside from changing the name, could you change the tone of your voice that

  instantly determines the fact that you are an Ex-Machina?"

  "—— Simulated personality 1610——"

  ShuVi's gaze rose, and she started to have an expression as if pondering.

  "——hey hey, then~ Onii-chan❤ Wil this do?"

  "You're kidding, rejected."

  Expressionless, without any undulating sound, on top of that, to add

  unnecessary tone. Riku flat out rejected this.

  "..... I have carefully reviewed over...."

  "I already have a sister, so this setting cannot be accepted."

  "..... Please provide me with the best setting that suits the situation."

  Riku ignored ShuVi who looked like she was stil angry and began to seriously

  think.

  To be honest, he left alone and forced Coron to watch his home for five days.

  Under these circumstances, Riku brought a girl back home.

  ——the best setting would be——

  "......Then, pretend you are a survivor who was dragged into the war."

  ".........————"

  "You're timid, quiet. It would mean trouble if you were found out, so don't say too much. And stop using the speech pattern that instantly denotes you as an Ex-Machina——is that fine?"

  ShuVi intently paid attention to what Riku said with her heart.

  ".............Un."

  Just a full 10 seconds.

  After some careful considerations, the Ex-Machina girl——ShuVi, nodded.

  Then——

  In her originally inorganic expressionless face, shadows started to cover her

  face.

  She quietly——opened her mouth.

  "....I, understand....Is this......Okay?"

  ——

  She even had a corresponding expression——because of how it resembled a

  genuine human, Riku was momentarily stunned.

  "....This is, an act——right?"

  It was as if there was a new person.

  If not for the exposed machinery parts, even Riku
would've been fooled thinking

  that she was human.

  It would have been better if it was simply unnatural, weird and made no sense

  ——this was what Riku had expected——

  But ShuVi shook her head and replied.

  "....Acting? No....Imitated the proposed setting,.....By tracing....People.."

  Riku didn't understand the meaning behind those words.

  But in that case she wouldn't be recognized as an Ex-Machina. The next step

  was——

  "Okay, firstly, you need to put on some appropriate clothes."

  ————yes, no matter how skil ful the facial expressions and language are

  disguised, a human girl wouldn't walk outside stark naked.

  "Hide the machinery parts up. A hood would be enough to cover the head——

  listen carefully, absolutely never allow anyone to see your body oh?"

  ShuVi nodded in response.

  ".....Un. Absolutely, only allow Riku....."

  .........

  "Although I have a subtle feeling that something is wrong, wel ——nevermind. I'l count on you then."

  Looking from a wider range of view, Riku was expecting lots of commotion when

  he returns home.

  Despite the anxiety welling in his heart, Riku decided to give the thought and

  started the return trip back to the colony.

  He also brought along an extremely troublesome gift——

  Part 4

  "....Riku, are we, there yet...?"

  "Ahhh. Really. I can't believe you."

  ——the one brought back was Riku.

  The distance it took for a horse to run for five days, ShuVi did it in a few hours

  ——while carrying Riku.

  Arriving near the colony, ShuVi placed Riku down.

  Riku was at a point where he was beyond shocked, he was stunned by this

  unreasonable race.

  "Your movements...Really don't require any Elemental particles?"

  "Not, required. ShuVi's [Body]....Is below...Average, compared to...Ex-

  Machinas."

  ——this feat was considered below average....Eh. Furthermore, it was done

  without using any armament.

  "If armament, is used....A few minutes....Enough.."

  ——but first, place the extra-dimensional speech aside .

  The problem comes after that. Riku once again re-examined ShuVi's

  appearance.

  ShuVi was wearing an XL hooded robe, he at least managed to hide the non-

  removable ears and head from being exposed. But...

  "The problem is the tail that is protruding out, right."

  "....No, tail.....Suspected to be nerve connecting to Elemental Gallery...."