Ernesta vaguely understood Roy's perspective.
He didn't discriminate against automatons, nor did he believe they absolutely couldn't attain the same status as humans. However, he also didn't agree that automatons should immediately be granted equal standing with humans.
In his view, for automatons to achieve equal status with humans, they must—
"Fulfill obligations toward humans?"
Ernesta nodded thoughtfully. After clearly organizing Roy's words, she grasped his true stance.
Only automatons that were useful to humans deserved to be granted status.
"That's exactly it."
Roy nodded approvingly. Ernesta's mind worked quickly indeed.
Nowadays, automatons had already entered every household. However, those automatons were essentially just machines—mere furniture or commodities without self-awareness. Humans naturally used them as tools, repairing them when broken and discarding them if unfixable, which posed no issue.
But how should self-aware automatons be handled?
Did such automatons count as possessing life? If this subset of constructs sought equal status with humans, how should humanity decide?
Most humans would likely scoff at the idea, even becoming furious enough to protest—mass demonstrations wouldn't be surprising in the slightest.
But if these automatons voluntarily took on dangerous or undesirable societal roles, becoming part of human service—such as going to war or working as sanitation laborers—human resistance toward them would likely decrease significantly. Current automatons could already perform tasks like fighting in wars, but they were ultimately programmed entities, only fit to serve as cannon fodder. However, if self-aware constructs like Alde were to go to battle, they might be able to obliterate enemy strongholds in one fell swoop—a completely different level of efficiency.
Imagine if humans possessed countless weapons like Alde—without any anti-human intentions, of course—safely staying at home while the Aldes crushed all enemies in their path. In that case, what would it matter to grant them equal status with humans?
At the end of the day, humans were benefit-driven creatures. Expecting equal status without offering any advantages was pure fantasy. But if enough benefits were provided, turning a blind eye wouldn't be out of the question.
That said, even then, the resistance to granting these automatons equal status would only lessen slightly. To truly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with humans, it would take prolonged effort and struggle to make the benefits of automatons known to all.
Occasionally supplementing this with political correctness—such as "automatons' lives matter"—along with propaganda, like glorifying a automatons's sacrifice to save humans, and exporting values through Hollywood films... ahem.
Claudia nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Indeed, even someone as indifferent as her would feel uncomfortable if automatons were suddenly granted equal status with humans, wondering what right they had. But if those constructs became indispensable assets to her, then turning a blind eye would be perfectly acceptable.
After all, there aren't many autonomous puppets with self-awareness.
"I see, that's amazing! This isn't just a perspective, it's a solution!"
Ernesta bounced up like a grasshopper, kneeling on the coffee table and suddenly closing the distance with Roy. She tightly grasped his hands, shaking them up and down as if deeply moved.
Her chest—impossibly prominent—swayed like hot water bags.
Is this woman trying to use seduction?
Though her figure isn't as curvaceous as Claudia's, that bust size surpasses even hers!
Claudia narrowed her eyes like a fox, resting a hand on Pan-Dora at her waist, exuding a faint killing intent.
"Ahem, alright, let's get to the point. What exactly is this important matter you mentioned?"
Roy, fearing Claudia might lose control and cut Ernesta down—knowing full well from personal experience how much of a misandrist she was—hurriedly withdrew his hands, pushed Ernesta back, and asked with a stern face.
"Ah, right! Actually, I have a favor to ask!"
Ernesta giggled sheepishly, flashing a guilty smile in an attempt to charm her way through.
"You just acquired an autonomous county, right? You have jurisdiction over its laws and regulations? I was wondering if you could help draft legislation in Miyagi Prefecture that grants autonomous puppets with self-awareness equal status to humans... Eheh!"
Roy stared at her expressionlessly.
Oh, wonderful!
Not only do you want to pick my brain, but you also expect to get it for free?
"Nothing comes that easy!"
Roy slammed the table with a loud bang.
"Eek! Wait, wait, it's not without compensation!"
Ernesta flinched, covering her head and shrinking back as if pleading not to be hit.
"You can name your terms! Anything within my power, I won't refuse!"
That's more like it.
Roy's expression softened slightly.
"What if I said you'd have to work under me from now on?"
"Uh... does it have to be so extreme? I could develop many incredible puppets for you, you know?"
"Then forget it."
Roy sneered and stood up to leave.
"Let's not be hasty!"
Ernesta quickly grabbed the hem of his coat.
"If you don't forbid me from taking jobs with other companies, I don't mind joining you. But you have to guarantee the law will be enforced!"
That could work.
The most valuable thing about Ernesta is undoubtedly her genius brain.
No puppet, no Philosopher's Stones—nothing compares to the allure of that mind!
But is it worth it?
Roy fell into thought.
If he truly enacted a law in Miyagi Prefecture granting autonomous puppets equal status to humans, it would undoubtedly cause massive upheaval. Even under his plans, it would plunge his forward base in this world into chaos.
Is Ernesta worth that risk?
"I have a question for you."
After a long pause, Roy still didn't give a direct answer. Instead, he looked up at Ernesta, who was waiting eagerly for his response.
"Ask away!"
Ernesta propped her chin on her hands, nodding repeatedly like an obedient puppy trying to look cute.
"Why are you so insistent on granting autonomous puppets equal status to humans?"
"Well, you see..."
Ernesta froze for a moment, not expecting him to ask this question.
The frivolous expression on her face gradually faded, replaced by an increasingly serious demeanor.
"Because I want automatons to become bridges!"
"Bridges?"
"That's right—bridges connecting humans and Genestellars!"
Ernesta sat up straight with perfect posture, her back ramrod stiff. For the first time, an aura of solemnity radiated from her usually flippant self.
Roy's expression shifted subtly.
Claudia also raised her willow-leaf eyebrows in surprise.
Using automatons as bridges between humans and Genestellars?
"You understand the status of Genestellars, don't you?"
Ernesta's expression gradually darkened.
"Bullying, discrimination, trafficking, human experimentation... this is the world Genestellars face. Academic studies have shown that over 50% of Genestellars worldwide experience bullying during elementary school. Countless Genestellars become lab rats in various research institutes under corporate control—some facilities even specialize in training Genestellars as weapons to be sold and forced onto battlefields."
She recounted everything in a subdued tone, without hatred or resentment, stating the facts as if detached from them.