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And then what? What happened next?
And then? Some fool lay on the Star of Life for too long before finally getting up.
Still dreaming of becoming a Construct... Hmph, only to realize your brain can't even fill the smallest M.I.N.D.?
Come on, don't be so cold to your brother, little Christina.
Call! Me! Teddy!
Besides, what's wrong with me becoming a Construct? If I do really well and take your spot as vice-captain of the Engineering Force, don't come crying to me!
That's not happening.
Why?
You don't know? There's a sign on the Engineering Force's gate saying "No Leonardo or dogs allowed."
Hey, hey, don't be so harsh!
The simulated sunlight filled the dim hall, and it felt like ages since the three of them had sat together to enjoy afternoon tea.
Speaking of which... how is Grandfather doing?
Grandfather...
He fell ill a few days ago. After being checked at the Star of Life, the doctors found a blood clot in his cerebral artery, causing focal acute cerebral ischemia.
Although he's being kept alive by the Star of Life, I'm afraid that...
She elegantly dabs the corner of her mouth with a napkin.
...
Did he say anything?
After seeing the notes Liv brings back, presumably left by the one they call "Father", she can't help but wonder if that powerful figure ever had any regrets.
...He said he hoped I could continue Project Herald and find Dominik.
...
No matter what, I won't restart Project Herald. I've already handed over all the information on Project Herald to the military at Babylonia.
Norman doesn't need glory that comes at the expense of human lives.
That's my sister! Speaking of which...
When will my projects get approved? Please, I really need them to bring in some funds...
I still owe Trojan three times her salary, and she doesn't come cheap.
Then I'd better take a good look at your projects, Leonardo. If there's a problem, I won't go easy on you...
At the Science Council.
Buried under a pile of documents, Asimov could only poke his head out. Teddy sits nearby, a cup of pink electrolyte beside her.
Ha... uh.
...You're here? Take a seat.
You find a seat while Asimov stays focused on the work in the terminal's database.
I thought they'd locked you in the break room by now.
You did? Maybe I should tell Lucia right away...
Teddy takes out the terminal, pretending to make a call, but quickly changes the topic.
Not bad.
Mika's teacher has finally been able to leave Star of Life, thanks to Teddy validating the correct threshold limit. She is now working with Mika on the disassembly research of the Inver-Device.
With the data and this experimental model, they might be able to develop a new type of Inver-Device.
It would be more stable, with better compatibility, capable of "neutralizing" higher concentrations of the Punishing Virus.
But that's just a possibility.
Thanks to your and Teddy's recklessness, the expansion of the Hetero Zone has stopped, and there are even signs that it's starting to shrink.
The Science Council, Engineering Force, and Cosmos Technicians Union can finally take a breather.
That's what I call a wise decision.
No need to explain. Three members of your team are out there looking for you... And Karenina has been searching for you for a while now, didn't you know?
He rarely smiles, but now there is a hint of one.
I heard you all hid away after returning to Babylonia?
Looking back now, chasing after Cradle was indeed a risky move.
But if I had to do it again...
I'd probably make the same choice.
We can't turn a blind eye to innocent lives. No matter what, Teddy and I won't just sit back and let Cradle consume the refugees and wounded Constructs.
Anyway...
No, I wouldn't do something that stupid.
I called you here to let you know that there's been a breakthrough regarding the "invitation."
Are you doubting me?
He turns on the terminal, and a long stream of complex code flashes across the screen.
Teddy and I have disassembled the source code of the Gestalt Simulation Device, and reverse-engineered the content of the "invitation".
Want to check its authenticity yourself?
Huh? You don't even take a look? I spent half a day figuring this out...
Lines of code rapidly flash across the terminal, barely discernible.
This is just part of the reverse-engineered content. If we fully reconstruct it...
It's probably a set of encryption keys.
These are linked to the Gestalt Simulation Device keys. According to her setup, each set corresponds to different scenarios...
Think of it like the World Government Association of Art's holographic movies or something similar.
I'm not entirely sure, but during our reverse-engineering, we decoded some truly astonishing information...
Are you sure you want to keep listening?
...It's about Dominik.
You mentioned this is an "invitation".
It's never about a single name, but a spirit worth remembering.
That's probably why "he" wanted me to give this to you.
But perhaps because Huaxu isn't directly connected to Dominik, they had to take the form of that girl to convey this message to me.
Waiting at the end of that universe... the girl named Nanami.
It's an "invitation".
Whether it's about Nanami or Dominik, we need to take this invitation seriously.
Now that's some courage! Definitely worthy of the title Gray Raven Commandant.
And about Gestalt...
Just then, a soft knock on the office door interrupts Asimov.
Asimov... have you seen our commandant?
Professor Hippocrates said the commandant seemed to be heading this way...
Looks like someone's about to get caught.
Teddy! I know you're in there! Show yourself!
...Lucia? Why are you here too?
I'm here looking for our commandant...
...You two! Don't think I won't tear down Asimov's door!
It feels like everything that happened before is just a blur.
The Norman Mining Corp went through a power shift, and after Victoria handed over all the relevant info, they officially declared Project Herald a lie at Babylonia.
People should not pin their hope on "legends". Even if Gestalt is sealed and Dominik is long gone, humanity is still trudging across the river of time, clutching one slippery rock at a time.
The new Inver-Device, developed by the Science Council, Engineering Force, and Cosmos Technicians Union, seems to be showing some early results, and research on the Ω Effect is gradually improving...
In the Surface Conservation Area.
...Lucia! Liv!
And... the Gray Raven Commandant!
We received a mission to escort a group of refugees into the Clean Zone, but I didn't expect to run into them again.
I never thought I'd see you all again, it's wonderful!
And I can't believe we're really going to enter the Clean Zone. Thank you all!
We should really thank Lucille and the others...
Oh, you're right. Sorry, I...
...
It's okay.
The old leader once lured away the Corrupted, saving Lucille and Mika when they were surrounded.
Lucille and Gemira paved that road for us with their lives.
If needed... I'd do the same in the future. After all, I'm a member of "For a Better Tomorrow - Sunlight Shines on All - Battlefield Trauma Emergency Rescue Team"!
Her eyes are sparkling like stars, bright and radiant.
We held a funeral for Lucille because we were already near the Clean Zone, and I found her favorite flowers.
Those little wildflowers, bright orange, covering the hills and fields...
She would definitely be so happy!
Yes, she would definitely be very happy...
Moore rejoined the team; he will temporarily guard the conservation area where we live, and everyone has been well settled...
Oh, I almost forgot to share the best news!
Elean pulls out a refugee with chestnut hair from the back of the group.
Let me introduce you to Tony! He's also a member of our team!
He got lost on the outskirts of that strange place, but luckily, he survived by chasing the supplies we tied to the trees.
He reunited with us at the last intersection! Once we reach the Clean Zone, we have to celebrate!
The refugee named Tony shyly scratches his head.
Luckily, there were two vials of serum left in Uncle Gemira's pack; otherwise, I wouldn't have made it here...
...That's great!
Liv! Look!
I, I brought the little seedlings down!
In the little hands, two small sprouts planted in discarded serum tubes stand shakily in the cool breeze.
The weather is warming up.
