I had them show me several more combat bot models to choose from, but in the end, I went with the first model they showed me, which was the military version of the Alkeny type combat bot. The clinchers were its high versatility and the fact that it could fold itself to a fraction of its fully deployed size when not in use. When it comes to pure combat performance, there were several models better than it, but since it was highly versatile, we could put it to good use even outside of combat scenarios.
Due to Lt. Col. Serena’s introduction letter and us purchasing a set of ten units, the price for each unit + OS dropped to 60,000 Enels, and the maintenance and equipment swapping system plus optional parts amounted to 600,000 Enels. All in all, we had to fork out about 1.2 million Enels.
“……They were surprisingly cheap, weren’t they?”
“This is bad, Whee. Even Mimi has fallen to the dark side.”
“Um, Mimi-san, 1.2 million Enels is an astronomical sum for most people you know. The average monthly wage for normal citizens is about 1,500 Enels, okay? They’ll need to save up every Enel for 66 years in order to earn that kind of amount.”
“Y-You’re right! What was I thinking?”
Mimi got taken aback when Tina and Whisker admonished her. Muahaha. That’s good, Mimi. Come. Come to the dark side…… It’s fun over here y’know?
“Um, it feels a bit late to be saying something like this now, but isn’t Mei-san far more capable than any combat bot?”
“Of course, she is.”
“Uhuh.”
“Thank you for your praise.”
I and Elma agreed to Chris’s words, and Mei bowed her head in gratitude for our acknowledgment.
“Um, so, wouldn’t it have been better to purchase more maidroids similar to Mei-san instead of combat bots?”
“Well, it’s not like we couldn’t have done that, but…… Mei.”
“Yes. Just as Chris-sama says, we could have procured high-performance custom maidroids just like me, but you have to take into account the fact that my unit cost was 480,000 Enels. If we include the optional parts and maintenance equipment, the price will easily exceed 550,000 Enels. In other words, two maidroids similar to me in performance and abilities will already cost about 1.1 million Enels. In that case, it is more cost-effective to purchase ten military combat bots complete with the maintenance equipment for 1.2 million Enels.”
Mei began a comparative explanation of the cost-performance and cost-effectiveness of custom maidroids and combat bots.
“There’s also the issue of total uptime. Maidroids like me are required to undergo maintenance for two hours every 48 hours. This is essential in order to maintain our external appearance and ensure optimum performance. Furthermore, if we ever receive critical damage, we will have to be shipped back to the manufacturer for repairs. In contrast, military combat bots can continue operating with no noticeable drop in performance for up to two weeks without maintenance. And if they get critically damaged, you can easily repair them as long as you purchase the requisite maintenance and equipment swapping system. Due to their long operation time and ease of maintenance, military combat bots are still objectively better than custom maidroids like me in terms of pure combat performance.”
“I see. Mei-san’s overall performance is far superior, but military combat bots are tougher, cost-effective, and easy to operate and maintain.”
“As a bodyguard and escort for Chris, Mimi, Tina, and Whisker, Mei is certainly far more suitable. After all, you can’t walk around places like the imperial capital with combat bots constantly following after you, right?”
“That’s true. That scene would be too intimidating.”
“So, what about me?”
“I and you don’t really need any escorts, Elma.”
Elma asked me with a straight face, so I answered her with a straight face as well. The situations where Elma and I would need a bodyguard wouldn’t exactly be your usual fare after all. For example, battlefields where lasers and bullets are flying around. Judging from her expression, it looks like Elma wasn’t that convinced, but let’s just ignore that anyway.
“Well, I just bought them as a form of insurance anyway. I don’t think we’ll have many chances to use those bots.”
“Right. We don’t really get subjected to boarding actions from pirates anyway.”
“That’s right. I will never allow such an atrocity to happen within the halls of Master’s Black Lotus.”
Chris had a confused expression. She was probably asking something along the lines of ‘So what was the point of buying combat robots then?’ inwardly. That’s just how it is, girl. For us people blessed by misfortune, making preparations like this would allow us to feel safer.
“Well, since we already bought what we came for, let’s just return to the villa. It’s getting late anyway.”
“Right. It’s about time my grandfather returns to the mansion as well.”
“I have a request for you all.”
“Grandfather!”
Chris got angry and raised her voice toward Earl Dareinwald who got down to business without so much as a greeting.
We returned to the Dareinwald family villa, and the moment we arrived, we met with Earl Dareinwald, who asked us to work for him straight away. I’m not sure about what he wants, but I really don’t get this guy. He’s past the point of simply being blunt and straightforward.
“Uh, we’re not really upset, sir…… It was just a bit abrupt.”
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