At the westernmost tip of the Mu Continent, right by the sea, lay the Eye of the Deep.
A complex of silver-white structures stood at the cliff's edge, extending over the water to form a platform. Further out in the ocean, several massive, transparent dome structures were faintly visible beneath the waves—laboratories delving deep into the seabed. Both the underwater facilities and the surface labs had been constructed here by MOTH, a colossal expenditure of resources and manpower.
"Hey, Mobius, wanna come play in the sea with us later?"
Walking along the path to the lab, Elysia cheerfully extended the invitation.
"Childish," was Mobius's curt evaluation.
"Do you think we're here on vacation?"
"We could treat it like one~ And besides, it's good for kids to be a little childish, right~? Don't you think so, Vya~?" Elysia looked at the girl beside her with a smile.
"Mhm! Big sis is right!"
As the trio ventured deeper, they gradually began to spot small, busy figures bustling about.
Naturally, not all Armed Puppets were combat models; many were busy with auxiliary work in the background. A closer look revealed they all shared golden hair and standardized body frames—a design choice for easy part replacement during repairs. Then, one of the puppets set down its work and voluntarily stepped forward to guide them.
"Welcome. I am AT-026."
The ELF's voice was a perfectly standard mechanical mimicry of a child's tone, which was fitting since, technically, it was a child.
"Dr. Einstein is waiting in the undersea laboratory. Please follow me."
"Wow~ So this is an Armed Puppet? I'm seeing one for the first time too, you know♪~" Elysia crouched down, reaching out to pinch AT-026's little cheek, but the puppet deftly dodged.
"Aw, come on now, let me have a little feel~"
"Our database contains a specific note from Dr. Einstein to be cautious of an individual named Elysia..."
"...Physical contact is prohibited. Guard against actions including but not limited to cheek-pinching, hugging, etcetera." Blah blah blah... AT-026 proceeded to detail a whole list of precautions regarding Elysia.
"Ah... She's so mean. We had such a nice time the last few times we met~" Elysia pouted, visibly displeased.
This was Vya's cue to step in.
Facing this little being, Vya—being a little being herself—was thrilled. Aside from Griseo, she rarely got to see anyone smaller than her.
"Hi there~ I'm Vya!"
"Hello, Vya. I am AT-026. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Why are you called that name?"
"It denotes our production batch and serial number."
"Oh, I see! Your hair is so pretty, can I touch it~?"
"Of course. Feel free."
It seemed they were quite friendly towards human children after all.
...
Watching this scene unfold, Elysia's dissatisfaction only grew. "This is blatant favoritism! Elysia is going to get angry now~!"
Mobius watched Elysia's rare display of pettiness, the corner of her mouth curling up slightly. These ELF's were quite interesting, though. She might make a couple herself when she had the chance, if only to alleviate some of the pressure Fuxi and Nuwa brought to the lab.
The puppet turned to lead the way, and Vya naturally reached out to hold its hand.
The elevator descending to the ocean floor was a giant transparent cylinder, its interior spacious enough to hold over a dozen people. Inside, Vya watched the schools of fish swimming below with eyes full of excitement.
As for Mobius, her mind drifted back to the time she had come to the Mu Continental Symposium with Vya...
…
2 Chapters Per Day. For more chapters/fics, goto ErbiumTL on Patreon.