"Lin, why are you dressed like this?"
Prometheus asked Lin, who was lying paralyzed in bed.
"Dressed like what?" Lin asked back with an expressionless face.
"Like you just woke up after collapsing from cerebellar atrophy after drinking too much after a hula dance in South Africa."
Lin's appearance on the hospital bed could only be described as "flower-clustered and embroidered." He wore multi-colored flower wreaths on his neck and head, and even had a bright red flower tucked behind his ear. The vibrant colors, combined with his mummy-like appearance, made him look like he was prepared for a funeral.
"...Who taught you that metaphor?"
"Vil-V," Prometheus replied in her emotionless mechanical voice. "Who dressed you up?"
"Elysia."
"..."
"..."
Lin twisted his neck, and then... looked at Prometheus.
Yes, he saw Prometheus, literally.
"Why are you dressed like this?"
A small girl, enough to be called a "loli" in stature, stood by his bedside. Her short gray hair was tied into a side ponytail on the right. Her overly crimson eyes, a more ice-cold expression than Lin's, and the spherical joints on her hands and feet all indicated her non-human nature.
Judging by the style of her earrings and hair accessories, they had Vil-V's design flair.
In her hands, she held Lin's helmet.
Lin remembered that he had informed Vil-V to return Prometheus because he had some matters to attend to.
Now she was back...
"Hey, hey, who's that little girl?"
"Shhh, quiet. That person is not to be messed with. Don't mind his business."
The subtle gossip at the door made Lin's eyes, which were staring fiercely at the embodied Prometheus, look particularly sharp.
"What's wrong?" She tilted her head, clearly knowing the answer.
"Change back," Lin said coldly.
"Lin's language module is detected to be damaged. Cannot confirm if the command can be executed."
"..."
Perhaps it was Lin's misconception, but during her time with him, Prometheus's personality seemed to be getting more and more... cunning?
Looking at that little face that revealed nothing, Lin guessed that if he continued to say things she didn't like, it would probably not just be a matter of the adaptive language module.
Lin had guessed that Vil-V might build a body for Prometheus, but he didn't expect it to happen so suddenly, and precisely when he was immobile.
Prometheus pulled a chair over, sat down, and asked with a neutral expression: "Is Lin interested in my body?"
"Not interested..."
"This body is synthesized from 35% alloy and 65% simulation muscles. The brain area is a miniaturized information processing computer, capable of transferring my data and system. The joints use spherical joints for maximum mobility, allowing for 360-degree rotation without blind spots. The eyes utilize the latest optical visual imaging..."
"Why did you change to a physical form?" Lin noticed the AI was increasingly unwilling to listen to his commands.
Prometheus stopped her incessant, flat-toned monologue. Her clear, crimson eyes blinked before responding: "Because Lin needs care during this period."
"I don't need another nurse in the room. I need an artificial intelligence that can help me process information."
"I am an artificial intelligence."
"No, I mean..."
"I am an artificial intelligence."
Fine. Lin should congratulate the AI created by Mei for successfully taking a solid step toward anthropomorphism. She had even learned to argue now.
"Are you thinking that Prototype's anthropomorphic degree is too high?" Speaking of the devil, Mei and Kevin appeared at the door together. The long-haired girl, wearing a white lab coat that looked somewhat familiar to Lin, walked behind Prometheus.
"Your attire... is very primitive." Mei smiled when she saw him surrounded by the flowers.
Kevin's demeanor was more refined. He nodded to the quiet Lin: "Lin, are you feeling better?"
"Mhm."
He couldn't say good or bad. After all, with paralysis, he couldn't exactly climb out of bed immediately.
"Lin, currently the discussions about me in the upper ranks are split into two factions, and these two factions are further divided into two factions because of you. There are a total of four groups with differing opinions arguing at the table." Mei got straight to the point. "And your current situation is also very special. Your growing reputation and influence from ending the Third and Fourth Eruptions could disrupt some decisions. Therefore, the suggestion from some people and myself is that... you temporarily leave Headquarters. The official statement will be that you are on a special mission."
"And while you're outside, you'll need someone to look after you."
"..."
Mei was used to Lin asking questions with his eyes. She gestured toward Prometheus: "So, Prototype's body has Vil-V's interest and my approval. Of course, Prototype's own will was also a factor."
Was this a decision made to prevent the increasingly influential Lin from interfering with decision-making...?
Even if Lin himself didn't participate in power struggles, his very existence would become a factor in judgment.
Lin could guess that this "leaving Headquarters" meant being monitored in one location and waiting for the arguments to conclude, much like the princes and princesses of ancient times who lacked a voice but held symbolic significance.
After all, he was now a paralyzed invalid. His symbolic meaning was indeed far greater than his practical one.
"Besides, having such a cute and obedient artificial intelligence by your side, I doubt you'll be bored," Mei said. Prometheus nodded in strong agreement.
"When do we leave?" Since the decision was made, saying more was useless. The only thing Lin could do was accept it calmly.
Mei said: "Tomorrow."
Only a few days after the Fourth Eruption ended, Lin was being forced to move to a place outside of Headquarters. The speed was so fast that he hadn't even gotten used to the hospital bed yet.
"What's with your clothes?" Lin asked another question that concerned him.
If Lin wasn't mistaken, the style of the white lab coat Mei was wearing belonged to the R&D department.
And pinned to Mei's chest was a name tag that read "Chief of R&D."
Mei spread her hands: "It's exactly as you think."
"So their meaning is to have you temporarily take over weapon development?"
"Rather, they want the R&D department to continue with weapon development first. Whether to expand the R&D department to include human modification projects is still an ongoing discussion."
The R&D department certainly needed someone to lead after Delta's departure, and Mei was the best candidate. However, the issues involved in the transfer of this position would likely take a long time to resolve.
"Someone will come to pick you up tomorrow. Before that, arrange any necessary matters with your squad and others."
Mei had other things to do and left in a hurry. Her appearance now had a trace of Delta's busy demeanor.
"Lin... are you really okay with this?" Kevin remained where he was, asking hesitantly.
"...Kevin." Lin looked up at the ceiling. The pale panel seemed ready to fall at any moment. "Take care of Mei, and yourself."
"Will you come back?"
"Yes."
"Alright, I'll wait for you."
Nothing more needed to be said.