1 [1] Prologue: A Mechanical Doll's Determination

"I dig chicks who don't smile."

He was a fast-talking guy who always said the silliest things.

"It's just when I see a girl, I want to make her laugh by any means necessary."

I believe he was one of the highest- ranking Hunter Unit pilots in the Principality of Wiltia.

Nevertheless, most of the things that came out of his mouth, perhaps because he never shut up, were this kind of nonsense.

There are times when it seems ridiculous to store them all in memory.

"So if you were a woman, I'd have my sights on you."

Can you believe this guy?

What's the point of saying such a thing to a weapon like me?

"I am a weapon. Gender categories like male and female do not apply."

That's right. I'm not human.

The principality of Wiltia developed me to be a humanoid weapon of war called a Hunter Unit, model number LS-6R2.

I'm a steel humanoid weapon, over eight meters tall and once feared as "Cyclops", but he said, "If you were a woman, I'd smooth-talk you."

It was that kind of statement that made me question his morals.

And that's why he chose Sharlahart as my personal code.

Apparently, that was the name of his dearest beloved.

What a nincompoop...

The principality of Wiltia allowed its outstanding pilots to use personal colors to improve the morale of other soldiers.

And of all colors, this guy chose red.

As an intense disturbances raced through my thought programming at his color choice, which was so contrary to its purpose of camouflage, I asked why he would choose a color that would make me stand out so conspiciousy on the battlefield.

The answer I got was, "Aw, don't sweat it. It looks cool!"

Really, he's moronic.

A few more of us were granted personal colors.

Sophia von Rundstadt was dyed black and christened the Devil's Black Spear. Leia Toolman was painted pale blue and called the Azure Shudder. And Lud Langart, who chose an almost silvery white, was called the Silver Wolf. Together, we were a symbol of Wiltia's strength.

And we were known as the Crimson Hawk.

I'll admit to liking that a bit.

"If I were human, would you really make a pass at me?"

That was my reply to his usual inane comments. But I played along with his banter more than usual.

"Hey, you're getting into this today!"

I could tell he was grinning and showing his teeth.

"You're expressionless and rigid. It'd be awesome if you went red in the face from laughing."

I wondered how dumb this guy was.

"We'll, it's time for work. Shall we head out?"

He said this casually, before setting out for the battlefield.

He acted the same during the invasion of Amritard, which was later said to be the fiercest battle in the late days of the Great Euporean War.

Due to that victory, the August Federation greatly withdrew its defensive line, and Wiltia advanced its forces to within a step of winning the war.

But after that battle, he suddenly disappeared.

According to rumors, he died in battle, or fled before the enemy, or so the stories go.

But that can't be.

Because Crimson Hawks never run or die!

Knowing him, he was probably chasing tail and just forgot to come back.

That's probably it.

It must be.

So I will keep waiting.

Someday, he will return.

And until then, I refuse to laugh.

Because he's so foolish.

No matter how may I change in appearance, as long as I am me, and as long as I don't smile, I'm certain he will reappear and try to make me smile with some stupid joke.

So I will not laugh.