I, holding a long sword in my hand, only know one move

The girl nodded vigorously: "[Conclusion] You can obey your desires and ravage this machine without any problem, even though there is no hole."

"I wouldn't do that! It turns out you didn't!"

Then, still expressionless, she tilted her head and said, "[Proposal] You can take this machine back to the 'settlement' and ravage it slowly."

"It's not that kind of problem..."

The settlement was discovered—that kind of thing didn't matter at all.

If it were other races, they could find human settlements at any time. This was a very clear fact.

More than that, what Rick wanted to confirm more was that she would not hide the fact that she had discovered the settlement.

This filters out two possibilities.

But no matter which one it is, it’s okay. This way, the necessary information will be gathered.

That's the information to create [the character this guy wants].

Perhaps it was because the Ex-Machina in front of her had no way of knowing Rick's heart, so she nodded as if she understood the situation.

"[Understanding] Because you don't feel attracted to this machine, you refuse to reproduce."

"Ah~! You have no grasp of the situation at all..."

"So what's wrong with you having sex with her?" Cheng Rang had already sat cross-legged and watched the confrontation between the two.

"Didn't she say there were no holes?"

"Is this a problem?"

"Isn't this a problem?"

"Then you still want to do it?"

"What an idiot! Who would be excited about a machine that has no holes and can kill itself at any time?"

Cheng Rang then shrugged nonchalantly and motioned for you to continue, I won't interrupt.

It’s completely different. Rick’s reaction, words and deeds now are completely different from before he came here.

It was as if he had changed into a different person, as if he had rich emotions and could respond to stimuli and problems completely like a normal person, but all Cheng Rang could see were his eyes that were as dim as death.

This contrast made Cheng Rang feel very inconsistent, so he couldn't help but interrupt just now.

Rick, who is indulging in or forcing himself to close his heart, is showing his completely hypocritical side to this machine.

The girl sat on the ground and informed Rick: "[Proposal] - Requesting a game."

".....What?"

"[Open Code] - Game 001: Chess."

The girl's outstretched palm... no, it was the ground in front of her palm.

The silhouette of the chess piece appeared in the void, as if it were an outline drawn by light—and then materialized.

This is the weapon deployment method of the Ex-Machina. Rick has just seen it, but he is still shocked by it.

"[Winning or losing] If I win, I am required to take this machine back to the settlement and practice reproductive behavior."

"What if I win?"

"[Answer] Permission is given to bring this machine back to the settlement to practice reproductive behavior."

"It doesn't matter whether you win or lose!?" Seeing the girl's inorganic expression, which contained a hint of boasting about having a good idea, Rick couldn't help but yell loudly.

"Forget it, I agree to play the game with you, but I want to change the conditions."

"If I win, I ask to be let go and not to come to my 'settlement'."

Cheng Rang was still sitting cross-legged aside, watching the two of them with interest - he knew that Rick could not defeat the Ex-Machina, and he also knew that

Doric knew this better than he did.

["Witness" mission progress: 2%]

As for the reason why he chose not to interfere in any way, it was because when the girl mentioned the chess game, the progress of the task seemed to advance by leaps and bounds.

A mind that walks side by side with death, planning multiple strategies in an instant.

Use the minimum means to extract the maximum information, and make full use of this situation in just one move.

If the Ex-Machina is a machine that is good at analysis, analysis, and calculations as rumored, then chess is her forte.

therefore--

"[Promise] No problem, the conditions for this unit's victory remain unchanged."

"No, your conditions will also change."

"Because the 'heart' you want to analyze cannot be analyzed through reproductive behavior."

The girl was silent, and Rick thought with an extremely calm mind.

She might have mentioned the word 'settlement' for two reasons.

It is simply a statement of facts, or a diversionary measure for other purposes.

Although her purpose is unclear, one thing can be determined from whether she accepts the changed conditions.

If she had other intentions, she would change the conditions on her own, because if she didn't change, the plan would fail.

There was no need to provide false information. Rick would not listen to someone who said he would not lie.

Can I shake my head and figure out the intention of this machine-type machine?

However, the mechanical girl opened her eyes emotionlessly and asked in surprise: "[Surprise]...[Question] How can we analyze it?"

Cheng Rang lifted his chin, raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and looked at Rick who was also slightly surprised.

She was really just stating the facts - and if Rick understood that....

You can seal her or even use her.

Rick spoke.

"If you succeed, I will allow you to stay with me..."

The girl blinked.

"——Until you understand the 'heart'."

Chapter 16 Your name is...Hubby (3500)

"....[Question] Can you analyze the 'heart' by being around you?"

"The heart is not matter."

This is the most ideal and reasonable theory that Rick can concoct and can be recognized by the intelligent machine.

"..."

Seeing the girl's silence, Rick continued: "The implication is that we must understand each other to feel it. If you can prevent people from finding out that you are an Ex-Machina and not leave my side - that is, continue to be friendly and friendly without being rejected. I communicate, although it takes time, but I should be able to analyze it."

The machine girl then turned her eyes to Cheng Rang who was standing aside.

Rick understood what she meant and added, "Count him in too."

The girl seemed to have thought deeply and finally seemed to accept his statement and nodded in agreement.

"[Promise] Then the game——"

The chessboard formed by light on the ground exudes a bright blue light, and Rick holds the chess piece floating in front of him.

So why, exactly, chess?

"The game can continue, so let's begin."

The sound of falling pieces replaced by mechanical sound effects filled the chessboard. The initialization of the chess game was completed, and Rick moved the chess piece representing the "pawn" first.

Cheng Rang on the side seemed to be hesitant to speak, his eyes narrowed when looking at Rick's expression, but in the end he did not choose to speak.

...

The game is one-sided.

Rick couldn't find any chance of winning, and was defeated in just twenty-nine moves, just as he expected.

The opponent is a highly calculative machine - determining the best move to win is an impossible task.

Because of this, Rick proposed conditions that were beneficial to the loser.

"Damn it, I lost. There is nothing I can do. According to the agreement, I will take you to the settlement."

"..."

The Ex-Machina girl looked at Rick, who had a smile on his face but still showed that he was unwilling to perform.

"[Question] Why do you pretend to be unwilling?"

The corners of Cheng Rang's mouth rose at the words of the Ex-Machina girl, but Rick took a breath instantly.

The "acting skills" were seen through.

But that shouldn't be possible because he completely shuts down his emotions and plays the role. Even Rick himself didn't know if it was sincere. But if his true intentions are seen through, then...

The mechanical girl peered into Rick's eyes, which should be black eyes that did not reflect any emotion, and said: "[Conclusion] Confirm again that the subject has a 'heart', and judge that it is worth continuing to analyze."

Rick didn't understand what that sentence meant, but the Ex-Machina girl seemed to be smiling a little. Was that an illusion?

After being slapped hard on the shoulder, Rick looked up and looked at Cheng Rang walking to the side.

"Interesting, then I also have a request."

In terms of fun, Rick didn't know exactly what Cheng was describing.

"I also want to play a game with you." Such a request, no, a demand, came from Cheng Rang's mouth.

"with who?"

When Rick asked, the Ex-Machina girl was already standing aside, and Cheng Rang took over her previous position.

"I say, it depends on the situation when playing games, Cheng."

He didn't seem to answer Rick, just asked

Legs sat in front of the chess piece, staring at Rick's face.

"Do you think it's a waste of time? It's okay to have some fun. I've been bored these days. How about adding a bet?"

Knowing that Cheng Rang wanted to play another round with him no matter what, Rick sighed helplessly knowing that he could not change this guy's wishes.

"No need, let's make a quick decision."

"Let me tell you in advance, I'm a very good chess player!" The black-haired guy in front of him smiled frivolously, as if he was looking down on his own chess skills for not being able to survive thirty moves under that Ex-Machina.

"Really? Then why don't you go and have sex with her and come to me instead."

Cheng Rang pretended to think for a while and said: "Because I can easily win against her. After all, even machines have their limits - in terms of games alone, she can't understand people's hearts."

Rick's hand holding the chess piece tightened for a moment, and then he took the first step in silence.

The chess game progressed quickly, but Rick still did not escape the fate of defeat, but his loss was not as miserable as the previous game.

——Forty-seven steps.

"CheckMate" Cheng Rang gently pushed Rick's chess piece representing the "king" and said with a smile: "I was shocked. It turns out you can still make progress."

"The game is over, can we go back?" Rick stood up from the ground on his knees, with no expression on his face and no intention of echoing Cheng Rang's words.

"Of course." Cheng Rang stretched out his hand to indicate, then turned to look at the Ex-Machina girl standing aside.

She has been observing Rick's expression very carefully, from the first game to the end of the second game.

Rick had already taken the lead and walked a certain distance, but found that the two behind him did not follow, so he turned back to urge them.

After a perfunctory response, Cheng Rang whispered to the mecha girl beside him: "Was he just pretending?"

Golden eyes swept across the information flow, and the girl slowly raised her head: "[Negative]...[Question] What does that mean?"

"That's part of the heart, too."

"... [Inclusion] Information correction completed, entered, [Request] to answer the required classification."