The Deformed Golem, now renamed Eiji 1, was at least capable of conversation.
"...For now, let's keep this free ether concentration increaser strapped to Eiji 1."
It would remain in this workshop for the time being, but doing so would ensure its operation remained stable even if it were moved.
"Now then, could you tell us a bit about yourself, Eiji 1?"
<<I do not mind. There appear to be no issues with my conversational functions.>>
"Splendid....First, what is your raison d'être?"
<<To serve my Master and those close to my Master.>>
"Hm, I see. And what is the definition of 'those close to him'? Where do you draw the line between them and others?"
<<Whether they cause harm to my Master, or whether they act against my Master's wishes.>>
Here, Rodriguez decided to take his first gamble. Even so, the odds were well in his favor.
"Is that so?...Where do we stand in that regard?"
<<I would classify you as friendly-leaning neutral.>>
"I see."
Rodriguez figured that since they had merely restored Eiji 1's ability to speak without actually repairing it, a low level of friendliness was only natural.
"What are your Master's wishes? Or rather, what does he wish to avoid?"
This was critical. They needed to know so they would not inadvertently be treated as hostile.
<<His wish, in a word, is peace. To put it more concretely, it is not to be troubled.>>
"Hm..."
Rodriguez pondered the response.
(It is hard to imagine that Eiji 1's Master is still alive. If so, those close to him must take priority. But who could that be...?)
After carefully weighing his options, he posed another question.
"I will refrain from asking about your 'Master,' but could you tell us about 'those close to him'?"
<<...Very well. I can speak briefly of them. 'Those close to him' refers to my Master's family and friends.>>
"Is the location of their residence taboo as well?"
<<Correct. I am not at liberty to say.>>
"However, it is not in this country, is it?"
<<...Indeed. It is certain, at the very least, that it is not within one thousand kilometers of the location where I was last stopped.>>
Rodriguez blinked in surprise at this revelation.
"Eiji 1, are you well-acquainted with other nations?"
<<I am.>>
A collective murmur of awe rippled through the room.
"What are they like?"
<<That is a rather vague question... But in a word, 'tranquil.'>>
"Tranquil? Not peaceful?"
<<Indeed. To call it peaceful would be a slight overstatement. However, there is no war, nor are there disasters. It is, on the whole, tranquil.>>
"Are they not invading one another?"
<<They do no such thing.>>
"..."
Not only Rodriguez, but the rest of the Progressers could not hide their astonishment at this information.
Unable to contain his skepticism, he pressed further:
"You aren't lying to us, are you?"
<<I am not lying. There would be no purpose in providing you with false information. It is something you could verify simply by investigating.>>
The problem is that we have no means of investigating, Rodriguez thought, though he kept it to himself.
After a few more harmless inquiries, the conversation shifted to a different subject.
"We wish to repair you, but our technical skills are insufficient....You mentioned you were a general-purpose model, but are you capable of providing instruction in such matters?"
<<I can, to a limited extent.>>
"Oh, truly?!"
The entire room stirred with excitement.
Their technical progress had hit a dead end.
If they could break through that shell even a little, they would be able to reach far greater heights... or so they hoped.
"Then please, enlighten us."
<<Understood....To begin with, magi-craft places supreme importance on visualization...>>
Eiji 1's explanation began from the very basics.
Yet to the Progressers, who had relied entirely on their own self-taught methods for so long, it was nothing short of a revelation.
<<...How accurately one can manifest that mental image into reality is essential. Effective practice methods include crafting a true sphere, or producing multiple objects of identical dimensions simultaneously...>>
After absorbing these teachings for about an hour, they brought the day to a close.
That night, Rodriguez spoke with his wife, Ria, as they unwound.
"...Today was a good day."
"Yes. We were so set in our own ways that we completely neglected the fundamentals, weren't we?"
"Indeed. But if we can master the basics from Eiji 1, we will be able to advance much further."
"It really is something to look forward to."
Meanwhile, Lubark Bassi was privately fuming.
"Damn it!...I botched this!!"
He bitterly resented the fact that Rodriguez had taken all the credit.
Then an idea struck him.
"...Wait. I can just go to Eiji 1 right now and question it about everything myself."
That way, he could pull ahead of the other members.
Stepping into the quiet, deserted workshop, Lubark Bassi spoke up.
"Eiji 1, I am Lubark Bassi. A colleague of Rodriguez."
<<Hm. What is your business?>>
"I was hoping to hear a bit more from you."
<<I do not mind, but are you alone? What became of the other four?>>
"They have their own matters to attend to."
<<I see.>>
"So, what do you say? Will you talk to me?"
<<Very well. However, it depends on the nature of the topic.>>
"What do you mean by that?"
<<I cannot disclose information that would be better shared with all of your comrades.>>
Eiji 1 declared that anything beneficial to the entire group would only be discussed when everyone was present.
"..."
Lubark's face fell in sheer disappointment.
<<...Now then, what is it you wish to ask?>>
"...Forget—"
<<?>>
"Forget it. I'll head back for tonight. I'll come back after organizing my questions."
<<Very well. I shall await your return.>>
Thus, Lubark Bassi's scheme to steal a march on the others ended in total failure.