224: Five Maids

"Alright, now that I'm about to guide you through the 'Carnival Viper'..."

I look at the five maids brought by Dr. Mizeon.

I thought one of them could have stayed behind while Dr. Mizeon spoke with Virijianara, but since Dr. Mizeon himself said he didn't need them, it ended up like this.

Even though we're both androids from the same Serio company, we were born in different years and have never had any contact with each other. So, for now, we should introduce ourselves properly.

That's correct. I agree with that assessment.

Yeah, let's just start by introducing ourselves.

We don't know each other at all.

"I'm Satō Sekteks. Um, it's been about a year and a half since my labor period ended, but before that I worked at Seiryō Corporation. So I suppose I'm technically an elder among you."

"I'm aware of that. I've heard you're two years my senior and specialize in cosmic monsters. I've also heard that because we differ from ordinary artificial humans in various ways, we were given surnames indicating our status as extras."

"Ah, you know about that?"

"I've seen you on several occasions."

First, let me introduce myself. It seems the person leading the five maids, the one currently speaking, is familiar with me.

The other four, however, seem unfamiliar with me, looking at both me and the leader with expressions of surprise.

"Allow me to introduce myself as well. I am Kel Setogoyami. Though my stay may be brief, I hope we can work well together."

"Mine is Mai Setogoyashi."

"I am Fei Setogoyago."

"Fuo Setogoyago, at your service."

"Wami Setogoyago, at your service."

The leader is Kel Setogoyami... sayt583... meaning he was born in Imperial Year 2583.

And since Mai is sayt584, she was born in Imperial Year 2584.

Fue, Fuo, and Wami are all sayt585, so they were born in Imperial Year 2585—judging by their names, Fue and Fuo seem to be consecutive.

Seiryō Corporation is a humanitarian organization, but even they don't have the luxury of assigning individual names to hundreds, or even more, artificial humans produced each year.

Thus, if you know their naming conventions, you can glean a lot just from the names alone.

Incidentally, my surname, Sekteks, appears to be derived from the common element sayt with the exception Ex appended to it.

Later, I was told that my name, Sata, would remain unassigned for at least a decade or so, around the time I turned about one year old.

"So that means Satogoyami—Ker's working period is ending this year, right?"

"Yes. Therefore, I was told that if a favorable opportunity arises during Seiryō Corporation's current stay in the Vanilla Sid System, I may conclude my working period and begin employment at a new position."

"I see."

That said, completing the tasks at hand takes priority, so if a truly favorable opportunity arises, I'll do my best within reasonable limits.

Yeah, I don't know the specifics of the maid recruitment, but do your best as long as it doesn't interfere with your duties.

Artificial humans produced by Seiryō Corporation are obligated to work for Seiryō for five years.

Their future path depends on their individual talents and aspirations, but most often they move to the Hira-Trapu Tsubame system and work for ordinary companies.

Some may stay with Seiryō Corporation, just like the peers they met in the Niri-Ni-Potzu system, but that's only a very small minority.

I'm... well, an exception.

There aren't many artificial humans working as freelancers, and even fewer serving as aides to Vili-Jiani-Ra, the emperor's illegitimate child.

Given how unusual this situation is—especially considering the fact that it involves a space monster—there's little I can do to help.

"Just to be clear, it's probably impossible for me to serve Vee. Memox is already there."

"I understand completely, so please don't worry. Simply observing the condition of this ship makes it clear that Memox's abilities far surpass mine, and it's also evident that help is urgently needed."

Also, the Carnival Viper isn't currently recruiting additional personnel.

Neither I nor Jolhis are the ones causing damage, and Viridianiara can usually handle things alone anyway, so as Kel said, Memox alone is more than sufficient.

Even if we were to recruit more people, Viridianiara's opinion would take absolute priority, leaving me unable to assist in any meaningful way.

"Um, could you please begin showing me around the ship soon…?"

"Ah, sorry. That's right."

Encouraged by Mai, I began showing her around the interior of the Carnival Viper.

Of course, I couldn't take her into restricted areas like the engine room—those were off-limits to anyone not involved. I simply pointed out where such places were.

Most of the tour focused on shared spaces.

Incidentally, I did show her my own room, just in case something came up...

"Which lab is this...?"

"Isn't this a bit excessive?"

"Absolutely not allowed under any circumstances."

"Is that what this is about?"

"Something about this reaction feels off... different from what I expected..."

He felt subtly distanced by all five of them.

Well, though, to fulfill the request from Seiryō Corporation, this level of security was necessary, I suppose...

"It's not just about having the necessary equipment; it's the scale that matters."

"I see. So this is what royal-class quality looks like."

"Guess I made the right choice not going into research after all."

"Please, no accidents—no accidents, please!"

Oh well.

I wasn't planning to do any experiments as long as Dr. Mizeon is around anyway.

And there's no way anyone's going to come asking about it.

By the way, while I was guiding the five of them, it seems Jolhis managed to complete the formalities for Doctor Mizeon and the five maids to enter the Vanilla Side star system.

Now, the six of them will be treated as if they entered through proper procedures.

03/18 Spelling correction