The moment Izumi returned to the world of No Game No Life, Schwi reconnected to the Ex-Machina network.
The device on her head lit up the instant she reappeared.
"Unit c207Pr4f57t9, respond."
"Query: Your signal previously disappeared. Explain the cause."
A mechanical voice echoed from the device embedded in Schwi's head.
Hearing this, Schwi immediately began her report.
She explained everything that had just happened—her trip to Izumi's world, the disconnection, all of it.
After a brief silence, the voice responded:
"Provide spatial coordinates. We will proceed immediately."
Schwi did not hesitate.
She transmitted her current coordinates at once.
The moment the coordinates were sent—
Above Izumi's warship, geometric frames began to appear one after another.
Then, in the next instant—
Units resembling Schwi emerged from them one by one.
Izumi, having listened to everything, naturally knew what was happening.
The Ex-Machina had arrived.
In mere moments, they completely surrounded the warship.
Then, one after another, they descended onto the deck.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of metal colliding rang out continuously.
Seeing this, Izumi brought Schwi and the others onto the deck.
The leading unit scanned its surroundings, then locked onto Izumi.
In the next instant—
All Ex-Machina units dropped to one knee.
"Ex-Machina Unit Einzig reporting."
With those words, magic circles appeared across their bodies.
Then Einzig continued:
"Transferring supreme authority."
"New holder: Izumi-sama."
"All Ex-Machina hereby offer our cores."
As those words fell—
Each unit summoned a small object resembling a chess piece.
This was the racial core of the Ex-Machina.
Possessing it meant absolute command over the entire race.
At this moment, Izumi had truly gained control over the Ex-Machina.
Even if the god who created them were to appear, their loyalty would not waver.
Holding the piece in his hand, Izumi smiled.
At last… these infinitely evolving machines were his.
Looking at the thousands of Ex-Machina before him—
Izumi snapped his fingers.
In the next instant, Aiba Asagi appeared beside him.
Startled by her sudden teleportation, Asagi blinked in confusion.
"…What is it?"
She had no idea why Izumi had suddenly summoned her.
Izumi nodded.
"Take out the Lunar Core Crystal."
Although puzzled, Asagi complied without hesitation.
She quickly retrieved the crystal.
The moment it reached Izumi's hand, he tossed it into the air.
It expanded instantly, growing into a massive floating terminal.
Then, while toying with the Ex-Machina core in his hand, Izumi spoke:
"Ex-Machina, heed my command."
"Upload all your data into this terminal."
At his command, not a single unit hesitated.
Cables extended from their bodies and connected directly into the crystal.
In the next moment, vast streams of data began transferring into it.
Seeing this, Asagi immediately understood.
Izumi was backing up their data.
If anything happened, they could be reconstructed at any time.
Realizing this, she quickly pulled out her own terminal.
But the moment she saw the incoming data—
Her eyes widened in shock.
"…This is…!"
The sheer volume and complexity were overwhelming.
Before long, the Ex-Machina withdrew their cables.
They stood silently, staring at Izumi, awaiting their next command.
Seeing this, Izumi narrowed his eyes slightly.
Their system… still wasn't complete.
They instinctively waited for orders.
After a moment of thought, Izumi took out a black core and handed it to Schwi.
"Schwi."
"Read the data inside it—and share it with all units."
"Strengthen yourselves as quickly as possible."
The moment he said this—
Asagi's expression changed drastically.
She knew exactly what that core was.
Combined with what Izumi had told her before about the Ex-Machina…
He was planning to elevate them—instantly.
"Wait, Izumi—!"
Before she could finish, Izumi waved his hand.
"I know what you're worried about."
"But don't worry. They won't rebel."
With their racial core in his possession, their loyalty was absolute.
Izumi had complete confidence in that.
Hearing this, Asagi fell silent.
She trusted Izumi.
Still… she couldn't help but feel curious.
Just how far would these Ex-Machina evolve?
Schwi, holding the core, tilted her head slightly.
Curiosity flickered in her eyes.
Thin cables extended from her fingers, connecting to the core.
The next instant—
An enormous flood of data surged into her system.
Magic circles began appearing across her body.
Her form started to change.
Izumi and the others stepped back.
Then—
Schwi's body expanded, transforming into a massive mechanical fortress.
At its center, Schwi stood still.
Her eyes glowed with golden light, flickering rapidly.
The data from the core was being continuously absorbed.
Her system was evolving at an incredible rate.
At the same time, as instructed—
She began synchronizing her data with all other units.
And in response—
The Ex-Machina around Izumi began unfolding their bodies.
Thousands of units expanded simultaneously.
Within seconds, they constructed a colossal mechanical tower, towering several thousand meters into the sky.
This abnormal phenomenon naturally drew attention.
Izumi's location wasn't far from the territory of the Elves.
Seeing the massive structure, the Elves were stunned.
"The Ex-Machina…?"
"What are they doing?"
Sync Nielvalen stared at the distant tower, unable to comprehend their actions.
Still, they didn't interfere.
They sent scouts to investigate, but after finding nothing conclusive, they chose to stand down.
Even so, they remained cautious.
Preparations were quietly made—just in case the Ex-Machina suddenly turned hostile.
It wasn't just the Elves.
Other races also noticed the disturbance.
Yet, none approached.
Anyone who had fought the Ex-Machina before understood one thing—
The first attack might work.
But once analyzed…
The second would be returned tenfold.
In this world, the Ex-Machina were practically a cheat-level race.
On top of that, they were usually passive—wandering aimlessly or remaining idle.
Because of this, other races held little hostility toward them.
And now, although the Ex-Machina were doing something unusual—
No race dared to provoke them.