Izumi's warship was now completely enveloped by the structures deployed by the Ex-Machina.
Layer upon layer, they sealed it tightly, making it impossible for anyone outside to even realize that a massive battleship was hidden within.
Seated in the captain's chair, Izumi stared at the mechanical structures outside, unsure whether to laugh or sigh.
Beside him, Aiba Asagi was rapidly typing away on her terminal.
Then—
She suddenly froze.
"…This is incredible."
Her voice trembled slightly with disbelief.
"The Ex-Machina… after absorbing the data from that core, their overall power is skyrocketing."
"Once they finish processing everything, each individual unit will reach at least S+… possibly even SS+."
"And if they operate collectively…"
She paused, then continued with emphasis:
"Even an SSS-class entity wouldn't be able to do anything against them."
Izumi raised an eyebrow slightly.
Asagi pushed her glasses up and kept going.
"And that's not even the limit."
"If we provide them with better materials—replace their current components—"
"They might even reach the level of **Riku and Shuvi's final evolution-tier entities… or beyond."
"They've already fully absorbed their entire database."
At this point, even Asagi couldn't hide her shock.
This was her first time witnessing just how terrifying the Ex-Machina truly were.
If not for material limitations—
They would essentially be capable of infinite evolution.
Izumi nodded calmly.
"I know."
"But their real strength lies in their computational and analytical capabilities."
He glanced at Asagi.
"In the future, let them assist you."
"You might be able to develop even more advanced magic."
"Besides, the Ex-Machina have recorded an enormous amount of information from this world."
"You could call them a living database."
"Any magic they see once… they can reproduce."
"That's exactly why I gave them that core."
Izumi leaned back slightly.
"Now… I just hope they'll surprise me."
The transformation continued.
For three full days, Izumi and Asagi remained focused on the Ex-Machina.
Every single unit was covered in a metallic shell, concealing whatever changes were happening within.
Even Asagi couldn't scan their internal state anymore.
Then—
At last—
Something changed.
A massive magic circle appeared.
The gigantic mechanical structures surrounding them began to disassemble.
And what emerged next—
Even Izumi was stunned.
The Ex-Machina…
Had all transformed into girls.
Their bodies, their armor—their entire forms—
Every single one of them had become mechanical maidens.
One after another, they descended onto the deck of the warship.
Izumi stood there, completely dumbfounded.
"…Wait."
"Aren't the Ex-Machina supposed to be genderless?"
"What is going on here…?"
Even Asagi was momentarily speechless.
"…Huh?"
Snapping out of it, she hurriedly pulled up the data from the Lunar Core Crystal.
After scanning through it, she quickly arrived at an explanation.
"I see…"
"The Ex-Machina never had genders to begin with."
"Even their previous 'male forms' were just imitations based on other races."
"In reality, they have no gender."
"No reproduction capability either."
She paused, then continued:
"But after obtaining the data from the EXE world…"
"They've fully constructed their emotional systems."
"And based on their own analysis…"
"They all chose to become female."
"…Apparently because this form is more 'popular'."
Silence.
Izumi stared blankly ahead.
He really wanted to complain.
What kind of logic was that?!
After a brief internal struggle—
He gave up.
"…Well."
"…Not bad."
His gaze swept across the deck.
Different styles, different appearances—
A whole army of mechanical girls.
"…There's definitely something for everyone."
And admittedly—
It was quite a sight.
At the same time, Izumi noticed something else.
Their personalities had changed drastically.
They were no longer expressionless, emotionless machines.
Instead, they were actively talking to each other.
"According to data analysis, this form increases favorability."
"Database records indicate that this appearance reduces hostility in male organisms."
"According to the data provided by Izumi-sama, males in that world have no resistance to this form."
"Keyword identified: 'LSP'."
"Conclusion: Correct."
"Affirmative. This form increases combat efficiency."
Hearing this, Izumi's expression darkened.
Slowly, he turned to look at Asagi.
"…You didn't… add anything weird into that core, did you?"
His tone was filled with suspicion.
Asagi immediately froze.
Then her face turned bright red.
"I did not!"
"I didn't touch the data inside at all!"
"It must've already been in there!"
She waved her hands frantically.
"I'm not taking the blame for this!"
"That's from the EXE world itself!"
"They probably stored all sorts of weird data—maybe even stuff from the DxD world's networks!"
"This is NOT on me!"
Izumi stared at her for a moment.
Then sighed.
"…I feel like I've just discovered something deeply troubling."
He shook his head.
"Whatever."
"This is fine."
"At least it's… easy on the eyes."
With that, Izumi stepped forward, appearing in front of the newly evolved Ex-Machina.
No—
Calling them Ex-Machina no longer felt appropriate.
They were now—
Mechanical Maidens.
Their armored designs, their appearances—
They resembled something straight out of a fleet of futuristic warships.
The moment they saw Izumi, they all gathered around him.
From the crowd, Schwi squeezed her way through.
She ran up to him, looking up expectantly.
"Onii-sama… do I look good now?"
"And me!"
"Look at me!"
"How about me? Am I pretty?"
The moment Schwi spoke—
The others followed.
In an instant, the deck became lively and noisy.
Izumi stood there, surrounded by voices.
These were the same Ex-Machina who had once been silent, emotionless weapons.
Now—
They were full of expression.
Full of personality.
"…Seriously?"
Izumi pressed his temple.
After just a few days of evolution—
They had changed this much?
Their emotional development had skyrocketed to an absurd degree.
Looking at the chaotic, lively scene before him—
Izumi felt a headache coming on.
He really—
Really—
Wanted to complain.