Vol 1 Chapter 1.07 (1/2)

One Day Before

In the afternoon, a guest arrived.

An unfamiliar man in a gray uniform appeared in front of the door with three large, rough robots. They declared that they are from Robots Management Oval Branch, saying that they’re here to reclaim me. Seeing that I stink of machine oil, the man frowns.

I am Professor's property, but Professor doesn’t have any relatives, so n.o.body can inherit me. Thus, I have become a ‘res nullius’ in law, and am categorized as national property. They are claiming me as representatives of the nation— that was how he explained it.

I was clamped between two robots and dragged to the st.u.r.dy rack of the escort car. I cannot resist, because there isn’t an ounce of energy in me.

After reaching the office of the Robot Management Department, the man hands a stack of thick folders to me, ordering me to go to a specific destination. With the guidance of the steel robots, I am brought to a place.

It is the maintenance factory for robots.

Before robots can be released to the market as products, they must satisfy the safety standards required by law, so they're inspected here. The robots that pa.s.s inspection will be bought at auction by private parties.

After my initial construction, it was Professor who did the maintenance and inspection for me, so this is the first time I've ever seen the maintenance factory.

“Take off your clothes.”

Were his first words to me. No introductions.

I hesitantly start to take them off with trembling hands. After my socks and my ap.r.o.n, it’s my dress—

“Stop dilly-dallying!”

The inspector orders me, with only my lingerie on, and glares at me fiercely.

“Hurry up and take them off!”

Quite a few male inspectors have their eyes glued on me. “We’re all grown men, what are you embarra.s.sed for!” Hearing someone’s taunt, the men laugh.