Chapter 168: There Will Be Automaton Girls, and There Will Be Well-Endowed, Black-Haired, Straight-Haired Big Sisters
Kobayashi's return did not cause much of a reaction. After all, it was now winter and there weren't many quests. Most of the adventurers were still in a state of lazy rest, and they naturally thought he was the same as everyone else.
He greeted a few friends, had a sumptuous dinner with the few problem children in his party, and it was only late at night that he returned to the mansion with the drunken group.
Then, he, Kazuma, and Aqua quietly gathered together, because he had to tell them about his experiences this time.
Although it was a bit much to avoid Megumin and Darkness, now was not the best time to tell them, so he could only apologize.
"Kazuma-kun, during dinner, I gestured with my eyes for everyone to gather in my room tonight, correct?"
"Correct."
"No matter how you think about it, such an obvious gesture must mean I have something important to tell you, correct?"
"Correct."
"Then why is she completely drunk?"
"You said it."
He and Kazuma looked helplessly at Aqua, who was lying on the bed. The goddess, scratching her belly and flailing her limbs, was like a drunken old man.
"This idiot goddess!"
Kazuma clenched his fists but was helpless. Because they already knew what kind of temper she had, it wasn't surprising at all that this would happen.
"What do we do now, Kobayashi-senpai?"
"...Forget it. Let her sleep. We'll talk about things after she wakes up. For now, I'll tell you about my experiences in that other world."
"Ooooh!"
Kazuma's eyes were shining with excitement.
He could understand this feeling, the enthusiasm for the rich and colorful stories and experiences of other worlds. Of course, the most important thing was that he would bring back souvenirs, and that was the part he was looking forward to the most.
He also didn't deliberately keep him in suspense and immediately told him about the events of that world. And the more he listened, the more excited he became. When he heard about the appearance of automaton girls, he couldn't sit still.
Because this kind of DIY doll, which could be freely customized to one's own liking, was completely different from the experience at the succubus shop. At the very least... an automaton girl was a physical entity! He had had enough of the torment of the idiots in his party. He wanted to create his own beautiful automaton girl!
"Unfortunately, with my current skills, an automaton girl would be more of a 'doll'," he said.
"Eh?"
Hearing this, Kazuma was dumbfounded.
He shrugged. "The automaton technology of that world is completely different from RyuZU's existing technology. And girl-type humanoid automatons are even more difficult to make. As far as I know, there's only one person who can create an automaton on the same level as her. So..."
"D-damn it! How could this be! I want one! I really want a well-endowed, black-haired, straight-haired big-sister-type automaton that I can spoil as I please! I really, really want one!" Kazuma bit his lip, unwilling to give up.
This strong resentment was a little scary.
But he had always liked that type, and coupled with the disappointing attributes of the women in his party, it made him lean even more towards normal people's preferences. He could slightly appreciate his pain.
He patted his shoulder and comforted him, "Don't be so disappointed. There will be automaton girls, and there will be well-endowed, black-haired, straight-haired big sisters. If you want one, I'll do my best to help you create one that you'll be satisfied with. I promise you that."
"R-really?!"
"Ah. After all, we both like well-endowed big sisters!"
"Thank you, Kobayashi-senpai!"
Kazuma was incredibly moved.
To comfort him when he was down, to satisfy his selfish requests, and even to give him an allowance.
Honestly! He really didn't want to bend over for a man!
He didn't notice the strange look in his eyes and was thinking about the matter of the automaton girl.
Among the transmigrators that Aqua had sent before, there was a guy who could use the ability of 'Fantasy Creation'.
That's right, the idiot who had created the Mobile Fortress Destroyer.
And that idiot had started making maids as soon as he came to this other world. It was just that in the end, he had found it more convenient and faster to just find existing ones, so he had given up midway.
If he could take over his laboratory, he would surely get a lot of inspiration in making automaton girls. This was the source of his confidence in making his boast to Kazuma.
"Kobayashi-senpai."
At this moment, Kazuma interrupted his thoughts and asked, puzzled, "So in other words, you didn't get anything substantial this time?"
"Th-that is... knowledge! I obtained the knowledge to create automatons! You see, they say that knowledge is a priceless treasure... or something." He looked around guiltily, trying to hold his ground.
"No, I'm not blaming you. And I don't have the right to. I'm sorry if I made you misunderstand, senpai."
For once, Kazuma did not show his scumbag attributes, but instead apologized considerately.
"Ahem."
He also knew he had been a little disgraceful just now. To save his senior's dignity, he took out a small, triangular stone badge with intricate patterns on it.
"Actually, I did get one thing."
"What's this?"
"—An Eve's Heart."
"Oh, so this is the Magic Circuit that gives an automaton self-recovery, self-awareness, intelligence, and a sense of biological reality? It's really small and exquisite. The patterns carved on it are also very interesting."
"Right? After all, it's from the hands of a master. This level... huh? Aqua?!"
Before he could boast and show off, he belatedly noticed Aqua, who was lying on his back.
"When did you wake up?"
"When you were talking about saving the derailed train."
"Isn't that from the very beginning? By the way, you sobered up pretty quickly."
"Of course! I am the Goddess of Water! A little alcohol like this... isn't it easy for me to purify it?"
What is this idiot talking about? If you're the Goddess of Water, then don't get drunk in the first place! Aren't liquids ineffective on you? Why do you still get drunk!
He couldn't help but complain.
And why wasn't he on alert at all? Was it because he trusted her too much? Or was it...
Taking advantage of his carelessness, Aqua snatched the Magic Circuit and began to examine it closely.
Kazuma scolded her excitedly, "Hey! You idiot Aqua! This is something Kobayashi-senpai worked so hard to get back! Be careful not to lose it!"
"Huh?! Who's like that idiot Kazuma!"
"Think about yourself before you say that!"
Because the other party had a prior record, that was why he was so nervous. But in his eyes, Kazuma was just mocking him for bringing back something so small.
He was a little hurt.
He also asked, "How about it, Aqua? Is there any room for improvement?"
"...I don't know, but I can study it."
"Then I'll leave it to you to study."
She seemed to be very interested in it too.
When it came to tinkering with strange gadgets, you could always trust Aqua, except when she was doing her actual job as a goddess.
He hoped she could make something that would make one's eyes light up.
...Hopefully in a good way.
After listening to the story, getting a promise, and getting a new toy, Kazuma and Aqua left, satisfied.
He also comfortably fell onto his bed.
Although he didn't have the symptom of not being able to sleep in another bed, his own bed was indeed more comfortable and easier to fall asleep in.
After completely relaxing, the fatigue from this period immediately surged up, and he fell into a deep sleep.
Late at night.
A familiar aura of the water element and a suffocating feeling enveloped him. No matter how he struggled, he could not escape her embrace.
Ah, I forgot. There was still this standard part.
With the thought, "Should I be strengthening myself?", his thoughts gradually drifted into the distance, and his body also gradually went limp.
(End of Chapter)