Story Reader / Adaptation Fitting / Frost Oath / Story
Numerous mechanical devices have surrounded the airdrop cabin since Rosetta was away.
Drones hover around the equipment. Several mechanical arms are sticking out from the sides.
Next up, I'll modify the CUB. I've already prepared the replacement components.
In order to reduce the burden on your M.I.N.D., I can only approximate its performance according to your previous frame after the calibration. I can't match it perfectly.
After all, I can't agree with that way of harming yourself.
If you're clear on what to do, bring it here.
Come on.
Rosetta leads the CUB toward the mechanical equipment in front of her.
A mechanical arm extends toward the CUB, waiting to connect.
The CUB comes to a stop right as it touches the mechanical arm.
Is this one of the deviations you mentioned?
I don't know. I didn't run into anything like this on the way back.
Seems like...
Rosetta strokes the CUB's crest. The CUB, having shown no willingness to move, suddenly rears up on its hind legs.
It's resisting.
The CUB raises one of its front hooves and kicks the mechanical arm away. It turns its head away, its hooves landing on the ground with a heavy thud.
Seeing this, Rosetta immediately runs toward the CUB to stop it, but it dodges her with ease and then disappears into the snowy forest.
...It still turns out like this in the end.
Good thing I came prepared. Wouldn't want a repeat of what happened to Toniris.
There might be some side effects, but they will be within our margin of error.
And with that, Asimov begins typing away on his terminal.
Rosetta interrupts Asimov as she watches the CUB disappear into the snowy forest.
I took the job. It stands to reason that I should finish it.
After all, no one is better at searching the snowy forest than the Forest Guard.
If you insist, Leader of the Forest Guard. The additional data could provide us with more ways to optimize the frame.
(Nods) Leave it to me.
These tracks in the snow are fresh... Given their depth... And the current snowfall...
It was here roughly five minutes ago.
I need to hurry up... It's getting farther ahead.
Rosetta follows the CUB's tracks through the snowy forest. As she makes her way into the forest toward the mountains, the snowstorm becomes more intense, and visibility begins to drop.
Rosetta, who usually maintains her composure, begins to show signs of distress.
—Why did she not let Asimov help her?
—Why does she want to do this all by herself?
—With Asimov's help, maybe...
No. This is my failure as a guardian. I have to deal with this myself.
Shaking off the snow on her head, Rosetta continues to chase the CUB deep into the snow forest.
All of the tracks lead to an expansive gorge.
The next series of tracks... are on the other side of the gorge...
If that's the case...
Rosetta faces the cliff, then takes a few steps backward.
She slowly extends her light wings, then charges forward at full speed.
As she springs and leaps, she unleashes the energy compressed in her wings. The force from the burst sends her flying across the gorge even farther.
After momentarily hovering in the air, the luminescent beams from her light wings gradually fade. The scenery in Rosetta's field of vision begins to move up rapidly.
...!
She pulls out a spear from behind and thrusts. The tip of the spear barely manages to make contact with the cliff face, let alone pierce it.
So... close...
Realizing that the distance is not enough, Rosetta aims the spear behind her and unleashes a condensed blast of energy. The force of the blast launches her closer to the opposing cliff face.
—As a leader, as a knight that guards my comrades, I can't let something this small stand in my way!
I'll show you what I can do!
Using the propulsion from the blast, Rosetta lunges once more at the cliff face.
The spear nails firmly into it as she presses her limbs against it. The spear slices across it, leaving a deep gash as sparks ignite violently from the friction between Rosetta's frame and the cliff face.
Finally coming to a stop, Rosetta looks down at the white abyss below her and slowly breathes a sigh of relief.
The snowstorm is getting harsher. A spear suddenly appears from beneath the cliff's edge, firmly nailing onto its surface.
Clinging to the spear is an exhausted Rosetta.
If I were using my old frame, a cliff like this wouldn't have...
Sacrificing mobility for firepower...
I knew this was going to happen. Why did I still do it?
—But she knows exactly why.
—She is acting like this with a sense of resentment.
Rosetta shakes her head. She grips her spear and continues toward the snowy mountain.
No.
I can't stop here. I'm a knight of the Forest Guard!
—A guardian for those who are lost.
Knights blaze trails and forge paths to guide their comrades to warmth and safety.
A knight... A knight must...
—Whether it is the fact that she let her comrades get hurt earlier...
—Or the fact that she cannot steer the centaur module that was once hers...
It's me failing my duty as a knight.
Having made her way to the top of the cliff finally, Rosetta parts the wind and snow, only to find the tracks left by the CUB long gone.
Perhaps, I'm no longer worthy of leading the way for everyone... to shoulder the responsibilities of a knight... to guard them...
—That is the source of her resentment.
Alone in the raging blizzard, Rosetta finally admits what has been festering in her heart.
