Story Reader / Floating Record / ER04 The Floating Reverie / Story
Leave this one here, and take this box here with you.
Is this... a spare part?
Right, and this set of outfits that Hanying usually keeps handy...
...Just so we're clear—you're not one of us.
You're a Construct—and Hanying and the rest of us are mechanoids.
She kept on saying your name in her dream, though.
Do mechanoids dream?
Well, I wouldn't call it that. It's just our neural circuit running on minimum power.
Living human beings are the only things that dream, though.
She is no human. She's one of us.
By the way, the thing that you asked the shop owner to give me the other day...
The what?
That piece of paper with all sorts of weird symbols.
That's the language we mechanoids use. That mechanoid right there beside you will translate it for you.
But Uno doesn't talk...
Should I do the honor, then?
Sorry... Yoyo.
...
Yup, that's it. This is what she kept on saying in her dream.
What's the matter with this, though?
Well, nothing really...
Anyhow, are you and Sage really going to be able to fix Hanying?
Hanying's dream is very complicated. Sage might be the only one who knows how to wake her up, but even then, it's probably going to take a very long time.
She either has to leave her dream—or wanders on infinitely until her soul vanishes in there.
No, I'm sure she's going to make it out just fine.
What's going on?
Is that... my voice?
Am I afloat in the air?
And that's me by the port, right? And why do I feel like I've seen that weird mechanoid over there?
And that glass pod over there...
No, I'm sure she's going to make it out just fine.
Who's that?
Yoyo...
Hanying... Hanying.
Hey, here I am.
That dream I was in... seemed ridiculously long.
Same.
Am I still dreaming?
No, Yoyo. You're awake now.
It's all over, Yoyo.
That's good to know.
In Hanying's arms, Pulao once again closes her eyes and falls into a dreamless sleep.
With Mi Ku's last wish carried out, the mountain has never seen a single controlled mechanoid, nor heard the tolls of the bell.
Waking up in no time in Hanying's arms, Pulao holds Hanying tight like she did on that night many years ago.
Between them, however, there are no tears shed—but only joy that needs not be uttered.
As the members of Pulao Crew wake up one after another, Pulao directs them to capture the remnants of "The Cradle", during which they stumble across some Pulao Crew members who have lost their lives.
Spooner lends Pulao Crew a helping hand, something he rarely ever does.
O-ouch! Easy! Easy there!
Throughout the entire process, Spooner remains quiet.
He only shakes his head when Hanying asks him whether they should take Fu Shen back to the Church.
I'll respect its wish.
Says Spooner.
Mt. Huaiwu is the same old when they're back at its foot, except there isn't a trace of a machine or human.
This is such a beautiful mountain.
It is, and you probably don't get to see mountains so beautiful outside of Kowloong.
Extending her hand, Hanying is about to pat Yoyo on the head like she would many years ago...
When she realizes that patting Yoyo in front of her subordinates probably isn't exactly sightly.
Let's go home.
Without any hesitation, Pulao takes Hanying's hand.
Amidst the clumps of mugwort, barnyard grass, and white grass, the green bricks and gray tiles of Kowloong were nothing more than paintings found in painting scrolls that impartially document the moss on the crumbling stone walls and the rust on the steel wreckage.
Most of the square tiles on the floor are no better than pulverized dust now, having been worn down by the fires of war. Some, however, remain where they have always been, albeit crushed and splintered.
Stretching into the distance, they seem to have a story to tell every passerby of their collective past.
My Lady, we just threw the guys we'd captured from up the mountain into the pantry on East Mall.
A member of Pulao Crew, the girl passes Pulao a key and awaits her command.
The pantry? Why, though?
Lord Chaofeng rented the old pantry to keep the guys because we're out of space onboard to keep them.
Tsk, what a guy... Guess I'm going to have to thank Sir Xu personally, then.
Anything else I can do for you, My Lady?
Beneath her tone and veil is a soul no older than late teens—this much one can tell.
Let's call it a day. And thank you for coming all the way here.
The pleasure is all mine.
Surprised by Pulao's friendly gesture, the girl takes a hop and disappears amidst the yellow-gray bricks and tiles.
The kid... How old is she?
Seventeen. Joined us just last month.
She's got all sorts of interesting ideas upstairs, though! And she really enjoys carrying herself beyond her age.
Uhm... that sounds like something you did all the time, Yoyo.
No! Way!
Dumbounded for a second, Yoyo quickly breaks into a happy smile.
With the bricks creaking subtly under their feet, Yoyo and Hanying fade away in the green-gray scroll.
In the craters through which river water flows, amidst the fractured high-rises, down to the last of corners, there are traces of unfiltered Punishing.
Beyond the bridge, the water makes its way down a still deeper riverway. By the bridge stands a metallic road sign that bears the name of this street—No. 20, East Silo Street.
Hanying, why do they call this street Silo Street? I don't see any big, tall silos here.
That's because people from the ship used to store grains in warehouses here, but not anymore.
I see so many restaurants and food stalls... and sugar figurines!
Do you want one? I've got a few more Grubs...
Hanying! Look, over there! Someone is doing martial arts on the stage. Is there a performance?
No, they are... more like bodyguards. Rich people hire bodyguards to protect themselves and their goods.
Oh? You can make money as a bodyguard just by doing that? I can do it, too, then!
Not quite, but you've got the right spirit there.
Huh?!
It might be late by the time the performance ends. If the market is still open, we'll come back through this street and get some snacks.
Yup!
Without making so much as a noise, the river water courses on, outspreads, and dries up—before it outspreads again.
And as though nothing had changed, the two of them, hand in hand, walk quietly down the street of Kowloong.
Hanying...
Yes.
Well... I just wanted to say your name.
Because it's been a while since we last enjoyed a walk together, no?
It's been twenty-odd years—and I still catch myself thinking about what would have become of you if they never turned you into a Construct, Yoyo.
Uh? Chaofeng is super naggy, and I'd never want to become someone like that.
But haven't you ever regretted it? I mean, you did it because of me...
And because of you, I survived living on the ship...
C'mon, Hanying. You really need to stop bringing that up, and I'm going to keep my mouth shut about it, too.
Pulao holds her hand out and, with a smile on her face, covers Hanying's mouth.
When she sees Hanying's neck, however, she appears distracted.
Time has brought them more memories than they could have ever recounted, yet everything about them and this city has transcended time itself.
Hey, watch out there, will ya?
Out of nowhere, a man carrying two hulking stacks of goods passes them by.
Almost making the faux pas of dropping his goods, the man manages to save himself the embarrassment with some adroit maneuvers.
Apologies... Uhm?
Sir, what are you...?
Never seen a luggage carrier, huh?
Life would have been so much easier if those Blubbers didn't just show up and take my job.
No, sir, that's not what I mean.
Anyhow, I gotta go now.
With a gentle smile, the man picks up the luggage and walks away.
Did you see all the things the guy is carrying?
Fresh tanghulu here!
Fresh flowers here!
Alight in gold and neon lights, the street bustles with sale calls here and there, the cornices and red lanterns over the decorated archway seemingly having come to life over the crowd making their way through the street.
What... is all this?
This is what Kowloong should be like.
Out of the hustle and bustle of the street emerges a middle-aged couple, hand in hand and dressed in traditional outfits. Gentle-looking, the man looks this way with a smile.
Hey, it's you!
Shh—
Standing by the man, the woman, carrying the distinct vibes of a researcher, puts her index finger over her mouth.
Huh?
The two of you... aren't locals, are you?
I was born here and raised a proud Kowloong kid!
Seemingly bothered that her authenticity is being called into question, Pulao now carries herself tall.
I'd have bet that you two weren't from around here, though, judging from how clueless you look.
Are you... sisters?
Of course!
Must be quite a handful having to take care of a younger sister acting beyond her age, no?
...No, not at all.
I wouldn't trade my days on the Nighter with her for anything else.
The Nighter?
So you really are clueless. I still remember that gigantic ship that Bixi built.
Have you been on the Nighter?
Well... not really.
Well, that's a shame... but it's docked right by the port now, so feel free to pay it a visit whenever you want to.
And I take it that you'd take us there as a local guide?
Never had to do that, but you can always count on the almighty Pulao...
Wait, you can't be part of Pulao Crew, can you?!
Uhm? Well... I am.
Oh my, so you're one of Child of Kowloong. I can't even tell you're a kid.
Life is comfortable if you're part of Kowloong Crew, right? What's your salary like?
I wouldn't really describe my life as being comfortable... I mean, I didn't join it for the Grubs.
Well, of course...
As Yoyo and the man chat away about Kowloong Crew, the woman quietly lets go of her husband's hand and walks up to Hanying.
Knowing full well where they are, the woman gently grabs Hanying by the arm all the same.
She's the same great fun she used to be.
When she was a kid, she'd keep saying how she wanted to become one of the heroes from those action movies.
And I guess she's made it.
She's always wanted to come back to Kowloong, but...
Shaking her head, the woman cuts Hanying short.
Time had long forgotten us, but a fresh start awaits you, as well as Kowloong.
I... don't think Yoyo knows who you are.
That's fine, and let's just keep it that way.
But I promised to come back here with her to visit the two of you.
And you've kept your promise.
The woman says with a gentle smile, the same way she did so many times back when she was living in Kowloong.
...Boy, that's super far up north!
I know, right? That's the only ice-free port the Arctic Route Union was able to do their business with us at.
That place is sooo cold. I mean, you can literally sneeze there and see ice blasting out of your nose.
Man, that sounds really bad.
Which is why antifreeze comes in handy for Constructs there.
But the weather there is really just a cakewalk compared to all the Corrupted and all sorts of things we need to deal with there.
Seems like you're a true globetrotter, then!
What's that one line they always say? Love and hope...
Conquer it all!
Right. Totally had that at the tip of my tongue!
And you've heard of "Kowloong's Magical Girl", huh?!
I have, and I still remember it. There is this panda in it that can fly and speak.
Oh my, and I kept thinking that people wouldn't know an anime this old!
It sure is, isn't it? Haha...
Lying at the depths of the scroll are memories that transcend time itself.
Hey, let's get going.
Pretty chatty today, aren't you? We should let them go now. They've got a whole list of things to do here.
Oops, apologies.
Are you... leaving already?
Yup, haha! We did enjoy a great chat with the two of you, though.
And it's time for us to part our ways and carry our with our lives.
Are you really from around here yourselves?
Well, I'd say we've always been living here, and this is where we'll always be living.
But a globetrotter like yourself probably isn't going to stick around for too long, no?
We'll see about that.
Will I see both of you around in town?
You bet. This kind gentleman here promised to do a "Kowloong's Magical Girl" CD exchange with you, no?
Yup. No way I'll ever let that slip.
Alright. I'll see both of you around, then!
Yup, take good care now!
Do take good care of her, Hanying.
I will.
Walking hand in hand down a back alley and taking a turn, the couple disappears amidst the green bricks and gray tiles.
A long chirp later, Kowloong finds itself the way it's always been...
The same way they find themselves now.
Do you know them?
Well, we go way back... kind of.
Uhmm. Have I seen them before?
I felt safe and happy talking to the man just now, and that's how I feel when I talk to you, too.
That's because you're used to talking to strangers now.
And I guess that means I grew up a little?
Yup. You heard what they said, right? You're old enough now to be out there to keep people safe.
And I'm sure no kids can survive days on the Nighter like you did.
But I had this funny feeling just now when they left. It's kind of like... a part of me went missing.
With it, Hanying can feel Yoyo's grip tighten around her own hand.
...Why is that, though?
Time had long forgotten us, but a fresh start awaits you, as well as Kowloong.
That is a trip they must take before the fresh start.
Without saying a word, Hanying tightens her hand around Yoyo's.
It's fine, Yoyo.
Remember how you promised me that you'd never cry again?
I'm not crying. I'm just... sad, and I don't know why.
It's fine. I'm here.
So, do you know your way around here?
...Not really. I can't walk in Kowloong on my own to save my life.
But let's do this together, Hanying.
