? POV

*Beep-beep*

*Br-r-r-rt*

"…Where am I?" I am in dark place. Only spot that light is shining on is a table I am placed on.

Initiating scan…

First scanning this body frame.

Heavily damaged. Only a single fragment remains.

Repairable? Yes, but it will require time and resource.

Scanning surrounding.

I am surrounded by machinery. Wires are attached to my main body frame. I am fixated on this spot.

Purpose? Possible research on me for exploitation.

*Buzzzz*

*Beep-beep-beep*

"I see you are functioning well," someone suddenly speaks up from shadow.

Humanoid? Yes. I scan source of the voice.

Target: human, female.

Threat? Probable.

"I assume you are in charge here," I directly gets to the point. "You are holding me here for a purprose."

"You are pretty quick-witted. Yes, you are right. My name is Kei Jinguji. I am the Oracle of Lastation," the human female explains herself. "Oracle is a position of advisor."

"That means there is a higher up."

"Correct. Our leader is Noire aka Black Heart. She is the CPU of Lastation."

"And I assume Lastation is where I am right now."

"You are right again. That is name of this nation. Let me summarize what happened. There was big explosion in the sky. It was most likely interdimensional rupture. There were two objects that split from that explosion and fell to different directions."

"And I crashed on this land."

"Yes, when huge chunk of metal crashed the only thing I could find was you. This tiny metal plate with a blinking socket is all you have.

"May I ask whereabouts of the other?" I go straight to the point. That must be the target I am looking for.

"Lowee. It's a nation north from here. Why are you asking me that?"

"That's the thing I am looking for."

Analyzing… It is best to avoid showing my intention.

Trust in me? Over 65.27% by her heart rate and hormone.

This is the most convincing reason I can come up with.

"Before coming to this world, I fought that creature. It was causing havoc all around from where I came from. I sacrificed myself for greater good as my creator intended."

"Hmmm… I am not sure I can believe your story 100%. After all, the creature you are talking about disappeared."

"!?"

*Beep*

"Too shocked? Well, we got report from Lady Blanc. They have no idea where it went. There was no trace."

Analyzing my previous battle… the object was transferred to a human male. Unfortunately, damage from the battle erased facial recognition data.

Could the creature revert back to human? Possible.

"According to data, the creature still exists somewhere. It is still potential threat. I am the only one that can deal with it."

"Your reason?"

"I am the only one that actually fought it. What else do you need for proof?"

"I see… so what's our next course of action?" The woman immediately asks for help.

"You will have to help me rebuild myself. Then, together, we will eradicate the threat."

Best course of action: exploit this human to take control of everything available.

"Okay… I will see what I can do. But remember that I saved your life. Not even our ruler, Noire knows this. This is just between you and me. Defeating that creature is joint operation, not part of this deal. After we are done with this plan, you should return the favor. Like your knowledge, data and technology. Deal?"

"Deal."

"Anyway, it feels weird to talk to you without calling your name."

"You human designate yourself with something trivial."

"Well, it makes communication easier and more efficient."

*Buzzz*

"…Very well… call me… Valos."

"Valos… I like that. I am looking forward to working with you, Valos," Kei smiles and walks away. "Let me find some spare parts for you. Just wait here."

"Any sign of the creature?"

"No, we couldn't find any trace of it, ma'am."

While walking with Financier, I hear Blanc talking to someone through comm. Blanc is probably speaking to search team at the crash site. At least, I managed to hide my secret… for now.

"This way. Please," Financier politely guides me.

"T-thank you," I blush bit and lower my head shyly.

"No problem. By look of you, you must have been through rough situation. First, let me get you to shower. I can wash your back if you need."

"NO THANKS!" I shout out loud instantly. "I can wash myself."

"O-okay. Then, I will get clothes for you while you take shower."

"Phew~ thank you," I sigh deeply.

Isn't it only a wife who is allowed to wash her husband's back? I never heard a woman washing a total stranger, especially man. I thought that only happened in world of anime. Is any maid allowed to wash her master's back? I wonder… I look around this place. Nothing short of elegance. This is what it is like to live in king's castle. I better enjoy it as much as I can while I stay here. Then, we finally arrive at bathroom.

"Here. I will get fitting clothes for you while you take shower."

"Thank you."

I enter the bathroom and close the door. I look around to check how fancy it is. All neatly organized with gorgeous decoration here and there… Yeah five star hotel room, alright. Otherwise, this wouldn't be the residence of the ruler of this nation. I slowly untie the clothes covering my lower body.

"This world is pretty similar to my world. There is toilet. Those stuff seem to be shampoo, rinse and soap," I was carried away without questioning or nitpicking small details, but is there point in doing that when everything seems to be going smoothly? What about speaking in the same language? It's better to chalk that off as another 'other world fiction trope.' It will only cause headache for now.

I slowly walk toward shower. Then, I set temperature on warm level and lift up handle. It starts on cool temperature. Gradually, it switches to warm temperature I was looking for. I wet my hair first and add shampoo and thoroughly rub it.

"Smells great! Lemon flavor, huh?" I strongly massage my head skin. I was told that this technique rejuvenate hair. Then, I make sure all shampoo is washed away.

"Next is body wash. As for shower gel… here it is," I pick up lavender flavor. I squeeze out the gel on shower towel and start cleaning my body.

"Hmmm hmm," I hum as I enjoy rubbing my body from top to bottom. I gotta make sure no stench comes from me or girls won't talk to me before I can even help them. This would be a step toward remedying my first impression.

After seeing my body covered in foam, I let water wash away every single bit of foam. Steam fills the room as I walk out. I grab a white towel. I make sure my hair is dried enough. Roughly shaking my hair, I stop and move onto dry next area. My arms, armpits, belly, back, butt, legs… then feet.

"Now, we are talking!" I feel refreshed. Everything happened during short period of time. That's why it felt so long. It felt like I finally took shower after long time. Before I was about to exit, I paused and thought. "Better knock the door to make sure no one sees me naked again."

"Ms. Financier! You there?" I knock the door and ask.

"Yes, sir. I already brought clothes for you. And don't worry. I will be waiting outside."

"Thank you for your consideration."

After hearing her footstep, I open the door and see the clothes nicely organized.

"White T-shirt, underwear, red parka and jean… pretty good I guess," I was actually worried that she would bring some weird looking king class clothes that upper class wore during medieval age. I am glad I was proven wrong. I love being normal and living normal life. Nothing fancy or luxurious. I always feel grateful with what I have. That's how one can always feel happy.

First, I wear the underwear followed by jean. Then, the T-shirt. And finally the red parka. I look at a mirror and grin. I better repay the favor soon.

Then, I notice a pair of shoes. Thick winter boots. How considerate. I guess how I whined about cold weather really stuck to their mind. After setting myself up, I open the door and find Ms. Financier standing in front of me.

"Wow! I can't believe how caring you guys are! I don't where to start… how I am going to repay for all these…"

"You can do that after you have dinner with Lady Blanc. She is expecting you to come to the dining room. But you may look around while we prepare dinner."

"I see… w-wait! Do you mind if I help you with making dinner?"

"What? Sir, I can't allow that. You are our guest. It would be awkward for a guest to make meal," she startles bit with nervous look.

"Oh please~ kindness after kindness… it's all too much for me to pass. I know how to cook. I studied and practiced cooking a lot. I even work at part time job at a restaurant before switching to hospital work," I wink and thumbs up.

"B-but…"

"Trust me! I won't disappoint either you or Blanc. At least, allow me in the kitchen to see for yourself. It won't hurt bit, would it?"

"I-I guess you are right… okay, I will allow you to work with me and fellow cooks," she sighs and gulps. My resolute eyes must've been effective. "Follow me. The kitchen is this way."

Financier POV

Mr. Bruce looks pretty nice, yet stubborn. I guess that's right combination for a good guy. Still… I wonder whether I made a right choice. I hope Lady Blanc won't scold me for this.

"We are here. Basilicom's kitchen," I open the door and show our kitchen. Cooks are busy preparing. Smell of ingredient is like always… mesmerizing and even seductive.

"So this is the kitchen. It's even bigger than one I used to work in," Mr. Bruce says with his eyes wide open. This must be his first time seeing kitchen of this caliber.

"Hello, Financier," the head chef greets me. "Oh! Who is that boy?"

"This is our guest. Lady Blanc brought him from somewhere."

"Are you here for tour?"

"No, I am here to help. After all kindness I received, I won't be satisfied until I return the favor. As for my cooking skill, don't worry. I have plenty of experience from working in a restaurant as well as practicing at home," Mr. Bruce takes of his parka and wears spare cooking uniform like he is so used to it.

"Uh. We can't allow that. Especially, you are our guest and a total stranger at that," another cook object to his decision.

"So you need a hand on preparing ingredients? Leave it to me!"

"I said…"

He ignores those cooks' heed and proceeds working on ingredients. Oh my… his hand movement is so fast. It's all blurry. Yet, his hands are precise. Within few seconds, an onion is finely chopped.

"Next?" He asks with huge grin. Everyone is speechless and dumbstruck.

"I-I guess you can help with handling vegetables at least."

"Sorry to interrupt, but there is change of plan," a Basilicom staff runs in and informs us. "CPUs of Planeptune, Leanbox and Lastation came here. Lady Blanc asked us to prepare dinner for them as well."

"So we have to make more meal… *sigh* Alright, you are in," the head chef allows him to participate.

"Now, we are talking. Action speaks louder than word after all," Mr. Bruce picks up another vegetable and start chopping.

I watch as they prepare food. He blends into them naturally. As I notice, he begins to take the lead. Yet, nobody seems to throw objection. I don't know who the real head chef is at this point… probably, Mr. Bruce? That's how he quickly managed to convince them through his action and skill. He wasn't joking when he boasted his cooking skill.

"Put chopped onions on each steak. It will soften meat."

"I have never seen this technique… Are you sure this will work?"

"Yes. From where I came from, everyone couldn't get enough of this."

It looks like our cooks are learning new cooking technique. I don't know what sorcery this is, but I believe he is in total control within short time. All I can do for now is watch. As cooking progresses, smell of food intensifies and becomes unbearably mind-numbing. Even with just smell, my body shivers bit. I wipe off my mouth as I drool. Finally, they seem finished with cooking.

"Okay. We are done. Let's serve our guests. They must be really hungry," Mr. Bruce speaks as he carries plates like a professional waiter.

"I think you did your part enough. I don't want you to do extra work," the head chef tries to stop him. "You are our guest. It would be awkward for a guest to serve his own dish."

"Like buffet?"

"I don't think that's how buffet works. Just let others…"

"No time to waste. Let's go!" with that, he rushes without listening to others. Other staff also quickly gathers plates and starts to follow him.

"That escalated quickly…" I stand still because of everything that happened so fast. Then, I follow them to witness how everything will unfold.