A Serious Error in Chihaya-chan’s Reputation – Volume 2 – Chapter 6

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔: 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐈𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬

Follow the instructions of the app, take pictures, and convert them into survey data, then send them to the server of the client 『Amagi Agricultural Development General Group』.

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“Easy, easy. . . . . .”

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The work was going very smoothly.

It was a peaceful place where squirrels could leisurely nibble on food. There were few ferocious carnivores, and no fights occurred.

The carnivores that were occasionally seen were small things, like snakes with external gills. They might be a threat to squirrels, but if they saw Actanoid, they would run away.

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Chihaya stops her work and takes slow sips of orange juice.

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“Sipping juice, munching on chocolate snacks. What a graceful job. . . . . .”

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It was fulfilling. Chihaya was even moved by how comfortable a request without the worry of damaging Actanoid could be.

Since she only had to operate Actanoid, there was no need to leave the air-conditioned room, so she didn’t have to worry about the temperature or the strong sunlight that often accompanies surveying.

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Even in Japan, some field workers have been replaced by Actanoids, but there are still many undeveloped areas. Regulations are strict due to frequency band issues, and usage seems to be limited.

The client, 『Amagi Agricultural Development General Group』, is a joint group of private companies and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. It’s difficult to bring New World’s flora and fauna to Japan due to regulations, but they smoothly obtain permission in cooperation with the ministry.

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As it’s a government-related group, the large-scale survey this time was rumored to have experimental significance for Actanoid utilization in Japan. In fact, Chihaya has been informed in advance that there might be cases where she needs to take photos to be posted on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s website.

While humming and progressing with the work, Chihaya was startled by the red letters that suddenly appeared on the system screen.

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“What?!”

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Reading the text, fearing that a battle might begin again, she found that a nearby Actanoid had sent a distress signal.

She wanted to pretend she hadn’t seen it. But even though she tried to avert her eyes discreetly, Okuma Kenichi from 『New World Tree Housing』, who was supervising the site, contacted her via voice chat.

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“Please retrieve the Actanoid that is sending the distress signal.”

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Guessing she had to go after all, Chihaya has the All-Rounder release the safety on the assault gun 『Breakthrough』.

However, according to Okuma’s subsequent words, combat doesn’t seem necessary.

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“The Actanoid stepped on millet grass and is damaged; it can no longer move on its own. Considering the possibility of other millet grass in the vicinity, please be careful when retrieving it.”

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Hearing about millet grass, Chihaya looks fearfully at the bushes.

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A unique plant of the New World, millet grass is one of the plants that Actors dislikes.

It’s a salt-sensitive plant and won’t germinate without a certain level of salinity. Therefore, this plant seeks salinity from animals for germination.

What it developed is a special fruit called root fruit. This root fruit grows underground with a sharp tip and a vicious pinecone-like barb, about ten centimeters long.

When an animal steps on the leaves above ground, the root fruit springs up like a pile driver and pierces the animal from below. If a large animal, it becomes a serious injury, and because of the barb, it cannot be removed.

The animal impaled by the root fruit flees to a safe place to hide and then dies. The plant germinates and spreads by obtaining nutrients, especially salt, from the carcass of the animal.

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It often grows in the shade and bushes where animals hide, which is also nasty.

Millet grass works even if Actanoid steps on it, damaging its legs. In most cases, the damage prevents independent walking, so it is loathed by Actors as a natural trap.

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Listening to Okuma’s voice, who is alerting everyone about Makibishi grass via voice chat, Chihaya has the All-Rounder walk towards the distress signal.

By nature, Makibishi grass is likely to be scattered in close proximity. A seriously injured large animal would not move over a wide area.

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Around the distress signal, there were caltrop plants. Even the legs of an All-Rounder mech might be penetrated, so caution was needed when moving.

As she proceeded, taking care not to enter the bush, she found an All-Rounder with its right leg pierced.

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“It’s entering from the heel. . . . . .This is tough.”

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Because the ankle couldn’t move, the toe would catch the ground and likely cause a fall.

It wasn’t severely damaged, but an All-Rounder with low processing ability would not have good posture control. The weight was an issue too, so even if it tried to use an assault rifle as a cane to walk, the barrel would bend under the weight.

The quickest solution was to amputate the right leg. Since the toe was getting in the way, it would be easier to walk if removed. It was a solution unique to a mech.

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Chihaya must have realized she was considering how to amputate. The rescue target’s All-Rounder turned on its speaker and spoke.

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“――Excuse me. Please don’t amputate. I’m in a pinch this month, and repairing it like this costs less than amputating.”

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Apologizing and looking sorry, Chihaya reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Tomorrow it could be her turn.

Chihaya used her mech’s wire to carry the Actor’s All-Rounder on her back. She used the wire’s winding function to tighten and secure it properly.

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Even an All-Rounder couldn’t move very fast with a damaged mech on its back. It slowly made its way back to the camp in Red Bell Forest at about 20 kilometers per hour.

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“Sorry. I’ll treat you to something next time. Ah, if you don’t want to meet in real life, just call me when you need an extra hand. I’ll participate. ――Hello? Can you hear me?”

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The Actor spoke through the speaker, but Chihaya maintained her silence, showing off her lack of communication skills.

Misunderstanding the silence for anger, the Actor’s voice gradually faded until it finally became quiet.

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