Story Reader / Floating Record / ER01 The Ark Beyond / Story
Walking in a well-lit corridor, Haicma contemplates what "Mother" said.
—These awakened machines have more or less been enlightened by Sage.
As how she was first guided by Nanami, she is now guiding other mechanoids.
Afterward, the awakened machines received a message from an unknown entity, and they proceeded to build this massive starship.
—They must be very certain that the message they heard is true.
Why was that? Was it because of what the message said? Or the identity of the entity who sent it?
But one thing Haicma is sure.
Sagemachina will return to the Church, guiding us away from this broken earth to the end of stars.
...To the end of stars...
How about Nanami calls you "Haicma" from now on?
Because Nanami wants to make lots and lots of friends!
Is that really what Nanami wants? To set out on a lonely journey with the awakened machines?
Silent, she closes her eyes.
Haicma has brushed past Nanami several times on her journey.
But Haicma could never bring herself to greet Nanami when she found Nanami smiling, surrounded by friends.
You're the best! Don't forget about Nanami! Nanami won't forget anyone of you!
As the joyous figure left with her friends, the forgotten shadow in the corner could only watch.
...I'll see you next time.
That was enough. Her job was to observe.
Even with the data anomaly in her mind, hoping that Nanami would remain happy was all she could ask.
But what about now?
What will happen if the Church of Machina finds her?
And if they cannot, what will become of the awakened machines?
...
Haicma, it is time you give us an answer.
No. There is much I still don't understand.
What exactly is the Church of Machina?
"Mother" has answered you already.
She told me how it was formed, but she never explained why it is a "church."
Fool.
Faith begets strength. We formed a church because we wanted to gather the power of faith, obviously.
Machines don't need faith.
What? You are such a basic mechanoid that you do not even comprehend faith!
Please provide more information.
Aren't there already more than enough examples of religious sacrifice and miracles in history?
But those belonged to humans.
We have long surpassed humanity! We can recreate what they achieved!
...
The hunky mechanoid before her does not understand how humankind defined faith, but it is obsessed with the special phenomenon caused by it.
Created from an assembly of calculations and algorithms, are machines doomed by these rudimentary data?
If you continue to question our faith in Sagemachina...
Mimicking "anger," Chariot prepares to fight.
Stop, Chariot.
You will not perform such barbaric acts on our future family.
She has not joined.
Is that so?
Why are you hesitating?
...
...Is it really Sage's choice to abandon Earth and everything she loves here to travel to the end of the stars?
I don't know.
But we can ask her on the day we find her.
If she doesn't agree to this, will you let her go?
If that is the ending she chooses, why will her "disciples" defy her?
This is why the mechanoids formed a "church."
We're doing all of this for the day Sage returns voluntarily.
Haha... Even when some children are impatient, I'm sure we can't make her stay if she doesn't want to, given what Sage is capable of.
So? Can you decide now?
...
Even if Haicma rejected Mother's invitation, she would only continue her wandering journey.
As an observer, she must continue observing this peculiar group. More importantly, Mother has agreed not to harm Nanami.
Because of these two duties that she has yet to forget, Haicma nods at Arcana.
Is that a yes? I'm pleased to see that.
Let's go. Allow me to give you a tour of our starship and introduce our members to you.
Mother.
Yes?
Arcana turns around, her face colliding with Haicma's extended hand.
Your halo is crooked.
