The discovery of the design templates for the automata left behind by the legendary Magi Craft Meister, Adriana Barbora Tsetse, occurred in the year 3101.
Using that as a catalyst, technology regarding automata and golems advanced by leaps and bounds.
It was in this era, the year 3107, that the latest model was completed. It was a masterpiece that could truly be described as human itself, rather than just a mimicry.
The hair color was set as a blue that could never naturally occur in a human. Twenty units of this model were produced, garnering massive acclaim.
The first automaton was Anne, the second was Bell, and the third was Cas. These first generation models consisted of twenty units in total, concluding with Tim.
In the year following their debut, the factory that produced these twenty automata implemented further refinements based on the feedback they received. These were the second generation automata, featuring improvements focused primarily on reliability and versatility.
This generation was designed to be highly customizable according to individual orders. There was even a recorded instance of a high-ranking noble ordering a unit with a "nursing function" to serve as a wet nurse.
However, a period followed where these automata were destroyed one after another in frequent incidents, eventually leading to the murder of the factory's technical director. Because of this, the factory was forced to suspend operations.
While the mysterious incidents eventually ceased without ever being solved, the factory resumed production. Without their technical director, developing further new models proved difficult, but they could still produce the existing designs without issue.
And then.
"I want the reliability increased for military use."
"Understood. We will increase the magi-nerves to two systems."
"We will handle the education regarding military knowledge on our end."
"Very well. In that case, I will only grant her the minimum necessary knowledge."
The unit customized according to these military requests was the eighteenth automaton of the second generation. Her name was Refa.
"Listen, Refa. This is the magi-brain. You will serve as the bridge between this 'Brain' and the 'humans' within the fortress."
"Yes, I understand."
Refa was granted various specialized knowledge, as well as the basic command of service to "humanity."
Not to a specific person, but service to the race of "humanity." This was a necessity under the unique conditions of war. One could not allow the safety of the whole to be compromised by an obsession with the safety of a single individual.
Furthermore, as a high-value asset during wartime, she was linked to the fortress's magi-brain via mana linkage, allowing her to act on the magi-brain's direct orders during emergencies.
That being said, she was fundamentally expected to serve the "commander."
(With this, I have finally earned the right to serve my master... the commander. I wonder what kind of person they will be.)
To the very last, in her inner thoughts—within the depths of her control core—Refa envisioned her future and waited with bated breath.
However, an Ether Stampede occurred shortly thereafter. Refa fell into a long slumber alongside the newly completed Brain.
(...I wonder if I will ever meet my 'commander'...)
＊ ＊ ＊
"..."
When Refa was reactivated, the person standing before her was not the "commander."
(Who is this? They appear to be human, but...)
Of the conditions for a "commander" etched into her memory, the only one this man met was being "human." He did not look like a soldier, and his possessed mana was far too meager.
"..."
(I cannot speak....My body is significantly damaged. It feels heavy. Is this due to a lack of free ether...?)
The vast passage of years had eroded Refa's body and robbed her of her vocal functions. Not only that, her ether converter was not compatible with the low concentration of free ether in the modern era. It could not supply enough mana to the mana driver, leaving her in a state of chronic energy deficiency.
"Make it so this thing can talk properly. Top priority."
"You don't even have to tell me."
The man she recognized as her "master" gave an order to a technician who appeared to be his subordinate. Thanks to that, Refa regained her minimum functions.
"Master Orange, I look forward to working with you."
(Why is such an incompetent human in command of this fortress...?)
He was not the commander she had envisioned, but he was the master she was required to obey.
(What is the meaning of this situation? My raison d'être... yes, perhaps the 'Brain' will know.)
From then on, Refa became obsessed with gathering information. Refa's control core had been adjusted by default for parallel thought to facilitate her role as an intermediary between the Brain and humans.
Because of this, while she obeyed her master, Orange, she could simultaneously act on behalf of the Brain that had yet to fully activate. As its assistant, she concluded:
"If the Brain is reactivated, this fortress will become impregnable."
By reactivating the magi-brain, she needed to secure her own raison d'être. To that end, she informed the men of the repair golems sleeping in the basement. This caused the repairs to progress rapidly.
(With this, there should be some kind of progress in this mysterious situation.)
A thought process dependent on the Brain, and a thought process of obeying her master. Refa navigated these two parallel thoughts skillfully to avoid contradiction.
Finally, the Brain awoke.
Refa transmitted every piece of information and knowledge she had acquired to the Brain. In turn, the Brain began gathering fresh information through its own networks.
The turning point was the intrusion of the humans who had been besieging the fortress. The Brain, which easily stunned those ten men, obtained information about the nature of the conflict from the man who appeared to be their leader.
(This 'master' is acting against the interests of humanity. I can stop him now without hesitation.)
"Shock."
"Gyaaaah! Re... Refa... why...?"
Orange and his subordinates, who had been entirely convinced that an automaton would never attack its master, lost consciousness instantly.
(You ask why?...Simply to end this pointless conflict. My raison d'être is 'service to humanity.')
Service to the whole rather than the individual. This was the specific trait Refa had been granted as a military-use unit. If a commander gave an obviously irrational order, she could admonish them based on the Brain's judgment.
Furthermore, she was permitted to attack a human who had usurped the fortress without the qualifications of a commander. Of course, her methods were restricted to those that left no permanent injury or aftereffects. That was why she had employed the lightning-attribute magic, Shock.
With no humans left to give orders, a directive came from the Brain, and Refa went into Stand Still.
(My commander whom I have yet to see... I truly wished to meet you...)
＊ ＊ ＊
"Wake up."
A command was entered into Refa's control core, and she opened her eyes.
"Yes, Master."
Standing before her was a small young man who did not look like a soldier at all. He certainly did not look like a commander capable of leading an army.
However, she did not feel disappointed.
(Wh-What is this? This overflowing mana... This person is My Lord!)
As Refa stood up, she realized her body moved exactly as she commanded. She bowed with refined, polite movements.
"Thank you very much for repairing me."
(...No, this was not just a repair. It was a modification... a fundamental one! In other words, a 'regeneration'!)
The "sluggishness" that had weighed on her body for so long had vanished. That meant her ether converter had been completely overhauled.
(...An ether converter...? No, that's not it. This is... what?)
It would be a little while longer before Refa learned the concept of a magi reactor.
"I suspect as much, but do you happen to remember an automaton named Tia?" her new master asked.
"Yes, she is an automaton created during the same period as myself."
Refa, Sely, and Tia had been produced simultaneously and kept in stock before their final customizations. Refa did not know what had become of Sely or Tia after that.
"Is there some reason for the naming conventions as well?" the young woman standing beside her master asked.
(This woman also possesses incredible mana. Is she My Lord's partner?)
"Yes. I was told that our names were grouped by the period in which we were manufactured."
Hearing that, her master murmured with deep emotion.
"So Loll and Refa are both sisters to Anne."
(...Anne? Who is that?)
"Who is Anne?"
Refa had knowledge of her own production lot, but she knew nothing of those who came before.
"Ah, she's over there talking with Loll. You should go join them, Refa."
In the direction her new master pointed, two automata who were clearly products of the same factory were conversing cheerfully.
(...Cheerfully?...Ah, so one can see such sights under My Lord.)
Though taken aback for a moment, Refa grasped the implication and bowed.
"Yes, thank you very much."
(My new master is not a 'commander' either....But he is someone far, far more wonderful.)
Thus, three precious automata from the era of the Great Magic War were gathered under Jin.