Story Reader / Main Story / 27 Aeon Reforged / Story
Even so... I still can't secure victory for him?
Under continuous assault from both his foe and himself, his frame has reached its utmost limit.
A faint cracking sound resonates from within as the artificial skeleton, designed to facilitate movement, succumbs to the overwhelming strain.
He falls down, no longer able to climb up.
Huff... Puff...
Watanabe, similarly wounded, plants his trailblade into the ground to support himself as he recovers his stamina on the other side.
The heat emanating from him is distorting the surrounding air, the green flame leaving scorch marks on the ground.
What does Ballard really want?!
You've spent more time with him than I have. Can't you tell?
He sneers, the remaining synthetic skin twitching on his face.
Do you harbor unresolved hatred for Babylonia as well?
Hatred... I don't feel anything like that...
I was born with congenital blindness, a genetic disease that even Golden Age technology couldn't cure.
That was why I only realized the people caring for me were not my parents when I finally understood others' conversations.
I was abandoned... or sold, to be exact, for the price of an old terminal.
Having been abandoned once, why would I care about being discarded again?
He shows no hatred or desire in his lifeless gaze.
Why would you risk your life to fight, then?
Watanabe pulls him up from the ground, angrily questioning him.
Why fight me with a broken body using methods you're not skilled in?
What kind of future do you and Ballard want?
Future?
I've never dreamed of such a thing.
You are either born in the glorious Golden Age or born in Eden.
You know what a happy future looks like, and you have felt its shape...
But not me... I was born in the greatest era, but I've always lived in the darkest corners.
When Ballard took me out of that secret laboratory, the Post-Pandemic world outside looked no different than the one inside.
He points to his eyes with his still-intact left hand.
I've never seen the light, so how could I dream of it?
So Ballard gave me something everyone is born with—something that will stay with me for the rest of my life...
Power. The power to fight.
Fighting is the only redemption I can find.
It's my only purpose, the one thing that no one can take away.
He grabs Watanabe's hand, trying to hold on to it tightly.
You fight for survival, salvation, the dream of a future...
I fight for the fight itself.
So, no matter the mission, I will do it... No matter the enemy, I will eliminate them.
Leave it to me, Generalissimo.
...Your treatment isn't over yet.
Ballard does not dissuade his stubborn subordinate directly. He knows that depriving him of battle is worse than taking his life.
Just a minor injury from my last mistake. I won't fail this time.
This is no minor injury, especially to the magnetic device on your right arm. Can you still control it properly?
...
I'll handle it myself if the situation is as reported.
Watanabe... was one of my best students. You can't defeat him in your current state.
Nigel has always been a quiet person, and he has been even quieter since his last failure.
But this time, he uncharacteristically opposes Ballard's suggestion.
You can't go, Generalissimo.
The Forsaken only has the confidence to challenge Babylonia with you leading them.
You've been preparing for this one opportunity for decades.
The time has come, and the fuse is lit—you either pull the trigger now or give up.
Neither Babylonia nor Forsaken will give us time to hesitate.
You always tell me that power must be used wisely.
I don't think there's a more fitting moment to use my power than now.
Ballard looks at Nigel, his tone solemn.
You will die.
This is not about how deadly Watanabe is. Ballard understands that the man before him will do whatever it takes to complete this mission after his previous failure.
And the moment has come as Nigel said.
I'm not one to actively seek death, but...
Giving my life in this battle will be my greatest redemption.
...
Time seems to stretch infinitely in silence.
I'll wait for your good news...
Yes, Sir!
Ballard stares in the direction Nigel left for a long time after he vanished into the shadow.
Finally, he picks up an old terminal and dials the only contact on it.
The ringing echoes in the empty office.
Hello?
He's still waiting for my good news...
The magnetic ring on Nigel's right arm begins to glow red.
Zong!
Got it!
Zong immediately rushes toward the stunned Jada, while Watanabe, having tossed Nigel away, quickly moves to your side.
You will not stop Generalissimo's plan, no matter what!
Smoke and flame from the explosion obscures your vision in an instant.
The smell of burning gunpowder brings Nigel back to the day he first met Ballard.
The sound of explosions, shattering cages, heavy footsteps... and an invitation he had never heard before.
Another victim... Would you like to join us and burn those insects to ash?
