"Khors..."
Big Ben suddenly froze. His mind flashed with the image of a figure—a shadow who had abandoned both children and industry, an utterly irresponsible man.
"No, no... that can't be... Or maybe... maybe it could. Perhaps he had some kind of hardship back then..."
Under the gaze of Phaga and the others, the simple-minded Bear-Thiren who had just been clumsily imitating chuunibyou speech suddenly started babbling incoherently, spouting contradictions.
Eous looked at him with concern, slowly stepping to his side and whispering, "Big Ben?"
"No, that's not right either. The Mentor's seal... what seal? Could it be... Hm? Miss Proxy, did you just call me?"
Big Ben continued muttering to himself, his thoughts drifting further and further away. It took Eous several calls to finally pull him back. He lowered his head and looked at her blankly, dazed.
Eous sighed, lowering her head too. Only after Big Ben finally responded did she lift it again and murmur softly, "I've been calling you for a while..."
"Heh, sorry about that."
Big Ben scratched his head, his mood seemingly restored. He flashed an embarrassed smile and said apologetically, "I spaced out a bit."
That was way more than just spacing out!
Belle, watching from the video store miles away, propped her chin on her hand and sighed helplessly.
As a legendary Proxy, she'd seen far too much. It didn't take much to guess that something the pile driver had said had struck deep inside Big Ben, shaking him.
"Fairy, look up the name Khors."
The legendary Proxy Phaethon lifted her beloved glass of plain water, took a small sip, and gave the command to Fairy.
If there was any word from the pile driver that could truly stir Big Ben's heart, it had to be this name.
[Fairy: Searching for matching names...]
[Fairy: Search complete. Khors Belobog, former president of Belobog Heavy Industries, and father of the current president, Koleda Belobog. On the eve of the Old Capital's fall, vast amounts of cash vanished from Belobog Heavy Industries' accounts. That same day, Khors disappeared without a trace. People widely believe he embezzled the funds, directly causing Belobog Heavy Industries' downfall.]
[Fairy: Master, this story teaches us: live it up while you can, for riches are fleeting. Instead of saving miserably, enjoy life now! The strongest AI will always serve you with greater processing power.]
"Shut up! How many times today have I almost turned you off?!"
Belle ruffled her hair in frustration, then ignored Fairy's rambling. She linked her consciousness to Eous, flicked the soft ears on her head, and soothed Big Ben:
"Big Ben, whatever's on your mind, we'll deal with it back home. Right now, we need to focus on persuading the pile driver!"
Big Ben nodded earnestly. "You're right."
He turned toward the pile driver again, puffed himself up, and did his best to imitate a chuunibyou tone:
"Friday, I... I've come to take you home. Don't resist any longer. Come with me... come back with me!"
"Ben! Acting like a chuunibyou isn't just about changing how you talk!"
Eous couldn't stand it anymore and quickly cut in.
But it was already too late. Their brainwaves weren't aligned, and Friday sneered in contempt:
"Hmph! You, accomplice of evil spirits, degrading yourself—I despise you! A man may die but never be disgraced. I will never stoop to your level! The stars' destiny remains unshaken. No matter your atrocities, the Mentor's seal will forever draw righteous warriors to fight on!"
"You? You are beasts and predators—I am ashamed to stand among you!"
"Friday, you—!"
All he had done was try to persuade him kindly, but Big Ben was met with a storm of insults, his eyes bulging with rage.
He'd been an accountant for years and worked countless construction sites, but this was the first time he'd ever been cursed out like this—by an intelligent machine, no less!
"But Friday, we're not enemies."
Big Ben, ever too kind, still tried to reason with him. "Don't you remember? I even refueled your Ether tank before! We worked on the same site. Running away is pointless—come back with me!"
"Shut your mouth, you sycophantic fool!"
Even with one leg severed and most of its circuits burned out by Phaga, Friday still lashed out with venom:
"You were blessed by the devil's gift, yet kept it from us! A silver tongue, a heart of ice, and a soul without gratitude!"
Big Ben was stunned, completely unable to process the meaning. Their brainwaves weren't syncing at all.
Ellen tilted her head toward Phaga and whispered, "What does it mean?"
"Probably... complaining about not getting paid."
Phaga rubbed his chin, thinking it over. That was the only explanation that made sense.
Ellen lowered her voice, but Phaga didn't. His casual words carried far.
Friday's display suddenly flickered. It turned its screen toward Phaga and, with unexpected emotion, declared:
"Hmph! Though you are an enemy, I acknowledge your wisdom! Why not join us, and aid the Mentor's grand cause?"
Eous smacked his forehead. "So it really was about wages!"
Phaga wore nearly the same expression, sighing helplessly. "Don't lump me in with you... But wait, doesn't Belobog Heavy Industries pay its intelligent machines?"
"Well... Friday couldn't even pass the tests for human rights before his logic core update."
Big Ben spread his hands in exasperation. "Even if we did pay them, what could they buy? We already refuel their Ether for free."
"Stickers! Enormous, glorious stickers, and roaring engines!"
Friday's eyes suddenly lit up at the word "wages."
"I am chosen by the Mentor—how could I be ordinary?!"
"I deserve enormous stickers! Each night, as I chase the wind and freedom, my mighty engine will shake the souls of every household. They'll lean from their windows, showering me with flowers and cheers!"
"Comrades... Yes! I should have comrades! Just like in the old cartoons—the hero must never be without companions!"
"With my comrades, I'll face trial after trial! And when the crisis comes, we'll merge into one, fight as one, and escape death once again!"
"And you—! You vile, shameless traitor!"
Friday's screen suddenly blazed with two furious, bloodshot eyes. "You stole my money! My money!"
"You destroyed my childhood dream!"
BANG!
The deafening crash jolted Phaga, Ellen, and Eous back to reality. They snapped their heads up in shock.
It was Big Ben. His fist, big as a cooking pot, slammed hard into Friday's screen.
Instantly, Friday went silent. Its display went black, a faint buzzing hum the only sound.
Under their stares, Big Ben gently stroked Friday's shell. His rough voice lowered, softened by the long shadow of the setting sun.
"I'm sorry, kid."
Big Ben whispered, "If Grace finds out about this, you're in trouble."
"Well... fine. Nothing more to say now."
Eous hopped forward, her voice soft. "So how do we bring it back?"
Big Ben patted his chest. "Belobog Heavy Industries has a tow truck. We just need you, Miss Proxy, to chart the route."
Eous crossed his arms at once, her display screen eyes crumpling into a knowing glare that said, "I knew it."
...
Three hours later, the group finally hauled Friday back to Belobog Heavy Industries.
Phaga lowered his parasol, glanced at the sunset, and curled his lip with disdain. It was only in this fleeting moment he dared to be so bold.
Ellen nudged him in the back, puffing her cheeks. "Alright, stop glaring at the sun. You're acting like a kid. Where's this courage of yours at noon?"
"Let's go! Our mission's done. We'll check in with Belobog Heavy Industries, return Bangboo to Phaethon, and head home!"
"Ugh... fine. I'll let the sun off this time."
Pressed by Ellen, Phaga reluctantly followed her to the entrance of Belobog Heavy Industries' office.
He shifted Eous, now powerless, in his arms and rapped on the door with his free hand.
Knock knock knock!
...
Knock knock knock!
"Who's coming to the video store this late? Brother, go open the door."
"Why don't you?"
"I'm eating. Brother, hurry~~"
"Fine, fine, fine. Seriously..."
Wise stood from the archive room, walked to the storefront, and opened the door. His eye twitched at the sight of the visitor before stepping aside.
"Here to return Eous? Come on in."
Clang! Clatter!
Phaga had just stepped inside when a loud crash echoed from deeper in the video store. Startled, he turned to Wise.
Wise, however, only narrowed his eyes and smiled dangerously.
"Belle... what's got you so excited?"
"Hehehe..."
Belle came scampering out from behind the counter, nearly tripping over a stack of tapes, smiling sheepishly.
"Well, we've got customers, don't we? I was just trying to boost the store's business!"