cast3

I shall become an immortal wildfire.

Castle-3, imitating others again?;......;Castle-3, you learned how to sing.

I can feel my wheels trampling upon the barrens, the winds beating against my outer shell...

And electric currents running through my core.

Doctor, I can feel rhythm now, thanks to you!

I can use my electric currents to accompany you as you sing—

Keep running, Castle-3.

'♪ I shall become an immortal wildfire.'

'♪ I shall become an immortal gale.'

'♪ From my ribs dash forth a herd of burdenbeasts,'

'♪ making their way across the barrenlands with pride.'

Castle-3... Huh? Doctor?

Master Closure, I'm not late, am I?

Of course not, Castle-3. You're always on time!

Very well, Master. From the beginning until the very end, Castle-3 has never disappointed you.

Before I head into the workshop with you, I would like to say a few words to the Doctor.

Sure thing. I'm in no rush.

—Doctor.

Thank you for choosing Castle-3.

It has been my pleasure to fight the battles I fought alongside you.

Castle-3, entering sleep mode.

Castle-3...?

He shut himself off... Doctor, what did you guys do today?

We finished a mission together.;We went on an adventure together.;We sang a song together.

I can't really pinpoint what feels off about this...

Castle-3's still Castle-3. He's not like Lancet-2, who says some pretty sentimental things every now and then. Definitely not like THRM-EX, who gives me a scare every time I turn around.

If I gotta say... it feels like he's a little cooler?

Perhaps he learned the concept of 'death.';Perhaps he learned the immortality of 'life.';Perhaps he's satisfied with his existence as a robot.

Ehhh?!

Doctor, I'm shocked, but I'm not sure it's because you saw all that in Castle-3 or because Castle-3 showed you all that!

What's the difference?

I sometimes get this feeling...

When the smart robots use our language and try to understand our thoughts and actions, are we also looking at ourselves through them?

Whoa, look at me talking about something this deep. That's really not like me. Dr. {@nickname}, you sure you don't wanna study A.I. with me?

Not one bit.;......;Let's sleep on the idea.

Hm... Talking to you about this gave me a new idea... Doctor, I'm taking Castle-3 with me. Work's gonna be such a pain today!

Hey, Doctor!

Look who's here—

Castle-3, awaiting your command.

Castle-3, you're okay?;Your memory bank's fine?

I've already completed three self inspections. No file loss detected.

That's great.;......;I knew Closure wasn't going to write you off that easily.

Guess running all the way back here really paid off, huh...? That was exhausting.

I was just hoping to keep Castle-3 around for a little longer, but he'd already been torn apart by the time I made it back, and so I...

You got a little too anxious?;......;You started crying?

...I almost yelled at Closure.

Chiave, according to the accounts of the Engineering operators, your actions cannot simply be described as 'almost.' Not even the profanity collection in my memory bank can make sense of the language you used...

Enough. Stop it there. I was worried about you!

That whack on the head Closure gave me still hurts like hell... but I don't regret it one bit.

The few of you are my dearest lackeys on this island, just a step below Aosta and Broca. I won't let any of you disappear on my watch!

Thank you, Chiave. You are my dearest lackey too.

Now that's more like it.

Wait, hold up. Who's your lackey? Where'd you learn that?!

I don't remember Closure or me changing your personality up...

Chiave, I don't have the ability to 'learn.'

Okay, okay, whatever. Anyway, Doctor, this guy had to go straight to you the moment he woke up. He just had to tell you he's okay.

So I guess we were mistaken. Closure had a whole upgrade system prepared for him, and it's enough to keep Castle-3's core running for—

I have no idea how long, but I'm sure he's got more time left than I do.

Chiave, I trust that you will still be able to run freely for a long time.

After all, we will be here with the Doctor, and the Doctor will always be there for us—

Right.;We'll always be together.;I won't ever let go.

Right, Doctor, Master Closure added a jukebox function to my capabilities, and Chiave updated my repertoire. I can sing many more songs now.

—Would you like to listen to 'The Magnificent Sight After the Volcano Erupts,' or 'You Taste So Good?'