Story Reader / Main Story / 27 Aeon Reforged / Story
Standby, standby! Just how much longer are we gonna keep on standing by?
In the spacious lounge, Noctis is throwing punches with all his strength toward the air.
**** the standby!
Noctis... you're so annoying...
No. 21 lies on the recliner, lazily wagging her tail.
Can't you just settle for a second? You want to cause more trouble for me and No. 21?
Huh? Didn't I already take the fall for you guys? We're square now!
Besides, I did all the cleaning for an extra month!
Noctis raises an eyebrow.
My partner is still missing! Shouldn't everyone be out looking?
What's the deal with locking us up? This gotta be Kurono's doing, I swear!
Noctis throws a perfect uppercut.
That's the only conclusion you could conjure up with that thing above your neck?
What else could it possibly be? Most messed-up things are usually connected to those guys.
If you beat up nine, you might miss one; but if it's ten, you're definitely hitting the mark.
...
Don't let Noctis go to the surface these days, and don't let him notice anything unusual.
Someone wants to stir things up by exploiting his past. Don't give them the chance.
Seeing Vera's expression, Noctis instinctively sniffs the air like a hunting dog.
Vera, why do I feel you look weird?
Are you hiding something from us?
No. 21 on the recliner turns her head too.
Captain, you're anxious?
More anxious... than when you heard the Gray Raven Commandant went missing?
Finally, for once you agree with me, 21!
I've noticed it long ago. Noctis is just careless.
Seriously? I was the one who brought it up first, okay?
Noctis is like a child, arguing about that.
Say that again?
Noctis is like a child, arguing about that.
The two square off, prepared for yet another day's bickering.
Vera, having grown accustomed to the scene before her, shakes her head in resignation.
Clean up after yourselves later.
If you're gonna put the guy in a cage, you better have a good reason for it.
Sigh... knowing this won't do you any good.
That's for me to decide.
Fine... We've identified the current acting leader of the Forsaken.
It's Ballard. You shouldn't find the name strange, considering you've seen Noctis' profile.
...So, he's behind all the weird stuff the Forsaken have been up to lately?
Shh... I don't know much more. Anyway, just keep a close eye on Noctis.
Cough, cough...
The old man's violent coughing reverberates throughout the entire command room. Reacting swiftly, the lieutenant standing beside him steps forward to offer help.
I'm okay...
Hans waves his hand, taking several deep breaths to regain composure.
How's the third transport operation of the Great Evacuation?
The transport fleet has safely arrived at Babylonia. The stationed staff have already begun unloading the basic agricultural and industrial equipment.
I see...
Hans nods, his eyes clouded with pain, slowly surveying the entire command room.
Commander, the medical consortium hopes to schedule your next cardio-pulmonary enhancement surgery soon. They say you've delayed it for too long.
Ha, I've had almost twenty of those enhancement surgeries... A little delay won't hurt. Forget about it for now.
...Are there more new faces in the command room?
...Yes, they've all been recently assigned here.
Why haven't I seen their personnel files?
They were appointed while you were in the hospital last time... You had just undergone surgery and were still in the recovery phase... Then the third transport operation kept you occupied...
There are barely any familiar faces in the command room now. Each time he returns from the hospital, he finds a few of the old faces replaced.
Three this time, two last time, and four the time before...
Despite being aware of the ongoing changes, the frequent hospitalizations make it hard for Hans to stop these things from happening.
So he can only expedite the Great Evacuation even harder, disregarding the toll it takes on his already frail health.
Nonsense! Cough, cough...
Commander, please calm down!
A mere flicker of temper causes Hans to keenly feel his entire body protesting, compelling him to suppress his anger.
Didn't I say last time that personnel changes here must go through me?
...
Alas, don't make things difficult for the young one.
The command room door swings open abruptly, and a middle-aged man with blond hair and a roguish countenance barges in.
What's here to stare at? You guys wanna throw a welcome party for me?
All eyes avert from him, except for the unwavering gaze of one person who continues to stare.
Who are you?
Ah, my bad. I forgot to ask them to send a notification.
He runs his fingers through his hair and scratches his head, looking somewhat comical.
Just call me Chief Commander Collins, Former Chief Commander Hans.
I haven't heard anything about the Parliament wanting to retire these old bones of mine.
That's why I'm about to deliver my apology.
Collins pulls up a document on the terminal, clearing his throat pretentiously.
Ahem... Given that the former Military and Punishing Defense Chief Commander Hans' health is no longer suitable for high-intensity work...
You—!
Collins glances up at the young lieutenant, whom Hans has prevented from rushing over, and resumes his reading.
Collins, former Senior Advisor of the General Staff, is now appointed to ensure the smooth progress of the Great Evacuation. Meanwhile, Hans has been reassigned to the General Staff, tasked with the development of Construct tactics. Please complete the handover within 15 days.
Well, Former Commander, you see, I didn't ask for this position.
It's all voted on by the Parliament. I'm just their humble errand boy.
Looks like you've put in a lot of effort.
Oh, come on, no one can match your contribution.
You risked your reputation to announce the Great Evacuation plan to the public. I must say, I'm absolutely in awe and admiration for your daring move.
It's such a pity that those ignorant folks just can't seem to grasp your kind intentions. I mean, really, it's been keeping me up at night.
So, let me take the blame from here. You deserve a break.
Oh, and don't you worry about me not getting along with others. I'm on good terms with everyone here.
No one in the command room dares to meet Hans' gaze.
Since the Parliament has made its decision, I have nothing more to say.
He rises to his feet, slowly straightening his back.
But let me warn you, don't even think about profiting from the Great Evacuation. I'll be watching you.
How could I? It's all for the future.
Please.
I'm not so old that I need someone to support me. I can walk on my own.
He walks down the stairs, leaving the command room.
Watanabe can hardly remember the last time he visited the cemetery.
So much has happened recently: the uprising of the rebels, the sudden plague, the once-in-a-century famine, and...
I never thought you'd fall, too.
Watanabe stands before Ballard's grave, paying his respects.
I've come across some rumors about the Purifying Force. So when they told me that you died during a mission, I knew there was something fishy.
After Hans stepped down, anyone could feel the changes in the military and the Parliament.
After they breached the last internal fortress, they started acting recklessly, and even...
Watanabe's expression contorts into a frown as he stops talking.
Life's been tough, but there are still good people around. Hassen, who has been busy working for Humanity's United Front, has risen to the position of President, thanks to his well-earned respect and reputation.
I've had my fair share of dealings with him during missions. He's the kind of person who hides his true intentions, but he doesn't go after his own people.
A single droplet lands on Watanabe's face, catching his attention. Without a chance to glance up, a downpour ensues.
I have to go. I'll come see you again next time.
Also, I'll keep finding the truth. I won't give up, I promise.
Even as he turns to depart, he doesn't notice the presence of two figures observing him from a distant hill.
How does it feel to watch someone mourn before your own grave?
Asks Cyril while securing the top-secret file within his coat, shielding it from the rain.
...
Quite surprising. I didn't expect to see this while meeting up with you.
Your death is probably also surprising for him.
If too many people know, the whole point of faking death would be completely lost.
Being a double spy like you must be quite challenging, I can imagine. Now, both the Parliament and Kurono likely see you as their exclusive pawn.
But if it weren't for this, you wouldn't have been able to get your hands on the top-secret file on the Great Evacuation.
To them, a dead man who can operate in the shadows is sometimes more useful and easier to manipulate than someone who is alive.
I'm curious, why didn't you invite Watanabe to join us right from the beginning?
He may come across as having a mild temper, but deep down, he's actually more stubborn than anyone else.
No matter how much I try to persuade him, as long as he believes that fighting for Babylonia can ensure humanity's future, he will never join us.
Even though he has already realized Babylonia is no longer the World Government he once served, he will still fulfill his duty.
His faith lies not in any individual or organization, but in something far greater.
Those with firm beliefs are rarely swayed by external advice. Watanabe is undoubtedly one of them, for better or worse.
But what if he uncovers the truth about the Great Evacuation on his own and learns that Babylonia has betrayed his beliefs and principles?
Ballard remains silent for a long time before finally speaking with certainty.
If he comes to terms with it on his own, he will become our most reliable comrade.
The blaring alarm resonates throughout the cabin, a familiar situation Cyril has faced numerous times in his flying career.
Cyril! Eject now! Don't—
But neither rebels nor infected drones on the starship would speak so earnestly.
(Heh... So I lose to a youngster in the end?)
His gaze lowers to his chest, where the shrapnel has pierced through, giving rise to a crimson blossom.
(Ballard, you were right. He truly is a stubborn one.)
(Even knowing he's in the dark, even knowing he's been deceived, he still seeks meaning and looks to the future.)
(He places his beliefs above himself...)
(Is this where I fall short compared to him...)
We live in a dark era, but we need someone to look to the future.
We need to leave hope and a future for the next generation, not a bunch of old dudes giving orders.
The future belongs to the young who are still getting stronger. Cyril, you are their protector.
(A protector, huh... Fine, even if it's a dying wish, I'll deliver it for you.)
Not activating the ejection system, he harnesses his final reserves of strength to persist in speaking.
Believe what you want to believe, and never back down on it.
Cyril!!
I still can't forgive... Hmm... Maybe the person I can't forgive is myself...
He expels the blood that has surged to his throat with a forceful cough, refusing to let it hinder his next words.
Go back... kid. Someone needs to remember us...
Never let this land... forget that we once fought for it...
The falcon makes the last long cry and returns to the embrace of the land.
(Bruce, I'm coming to see you all...)
(I can finally hear the words you didn't get to finish before...)
