Editing Amaryllis in the Ice Country:Chapter 7 (section)

===Part 9===

<strong>“First, may we have Chief Chamomile begin with the topic at hand.” </strong>

Cattleya’s voice rings, and the place turns silent. Then, Chief’s voice follows.

<strong>“Please allow me to express my utmost thanks to all of you, for making this long journey here.” </strong>

The raspy voice enters my wireless. At this point, surely the Chief’s head is looking down at the villagers who have completely filled the seats.

<strong>“I shall again state the reasons why I support the preposition to wipe out humanity. Basically, this meeting—”</strong>

With a heavy tone, Chief starts rattling off the reasons for organizing this meeting. However, the Senate has already informed all villagers, and this is just an affirmation.

The Meeting will be held three phases, ‘state the topic’, ‘floor discussion’, and ‘voting’. During the second phase, each person has about three minutes to speak, but as it’s just a rough estimate, anyone can continue to talk even if they do exceed the time; also, there are opportunities to add on or correct their words. There’s no special rule to the end of the meeting, and the discussion will continue until everyone is convinced. Only when no one else wants to speak will the voting phase begin. Of course, all the villagers, from the children to the adults have the right to speak up, and the right to vote. At this point, there are three hundred and seven villagers, so more than half of that number is a hundred and fifty forth. Also, besides the preposition to wipe out humanity or to let them live, the villagers can add new prepositions for voting as they please.

<strong>“—These are the reasons why we have the preposition to wipe out humanity. I hope everyone will actively participate in the discussions.” </strong>

Chief, who could normally rattle on for at least an hour if left unchecked, only spoke for three minutes today. The serious tone and business-like mannerism seemed to have conveyed the tension in the arena. The ‘switch’ that can stop the Snow White from running is placed on the stage, and Chief’s explanation ended.

Following this, it’s the time for floor discussion.

<strong>“Now, we shall begin the time for discussion. The first speaker is—”</strong>

Cattleya’s voice echoes, and states the name of the first speaker,

<strong>“I am speaking with the hope to support that humans will continue to live. As we all know, our mission is to protect our masters. It is true that I was really shocked when I saw that footage at the Council Hall. However, to everyone who is seated, please calm and think, over the past hundred years, we’ve—”</strong>

(Hydra Gien/ Homemaker Robot/ Operation time, a hundred and fifty three years/ ‘Body’ B block)



The first speaker supports the preposition to have humans survive. The reason is simple; the reason for our existence as robots is to protect our masters, and this too shall never change. That footage was an exceptional situation, something that had to be done.

<strong>“—This shall be all I have to say.” </strong>

This speech lasts for exactly three minutes. There’s neither applause nor boos as the audience quietly listen.

—That’s right, that’s right.

I remain lying on the ground, my body unable to move as I empathize with what was said.

—Protecting our masters is our mission.

<strong>“Next, number two, please.” </strong>

And as Cattleya instructs, the second speaker steps onto the stage.

<strong>“Over the past week, I have been thinking about this over and over again. Unfortunately, till this point, I still have yet to have an answer, so I shall hold back on what I have to say…I too have seen that footage, and I too was shocked, for I always believed in our masters. Even till now, I still have doubts on the validity of the visual. The masters who have given me much care are all very kind. But if that footage was real, and everything was as Chief said—”</strong>

(Robbie Dantrum/Heavy Construction Robot/ Operation time, a hundred and twenty-six years/ ‘Right Foot’ D block)

The second speaker honestly admits his ‘doubts’. After brooding and being frustrated over this, he’s still unable to make up his mind, so he chooses to ‘forfeit’

<strong>“Now then, Speaker number three—”</strong>

The discussion continues. There’s a lot of different content, but everyone admits to the pain in their heart. It seems most have talked about seeking help, and most of the opinions are ‘to keep the vote’. Even amongst those who supported ‘to let humans continue to live’, most were pessimistic, saying ‘it’s better to maintain the status quo’ instead of enthusiastically declaring that humans should live.

Thirty minutes pass.

My body is still unable to move, but I continue to listen in on the Meeting. At this moment, ten villagers have finished what they have to say, and seven chose to ‘keep their vote’, three chose to ‘have humans continue to live’. Nobody has yet to vote for ‘wiping out humans’.

Ahh, at the very least, the preposition to wipe our humans probably won’t be picked up—so I heave a sigh of relief.

But,

<strong>“Number Eleven, please.” </strong>

The next one stepping onto the stage radically changes the direction of the Meeting.





<strong>“Viscaria Acanthus. —I am in support of <i>wiping out humanity”</i></strong>