Story Reader / Event Story / Lightning and Thunder / Story
The End
In a flash of silver, fists and weapons clash. The "Action Star" and Cerberus fight each other for hundreds of rounds...
But in the end, even the mightiest "Action Star" can't fend off multiple opponents. His movements slow...
I've lost...
Meanwhile, at Craig's hiding spot...
You... How dare you...
You are already pointing your gun at him. The mechanoids on your way have not posed any threat.
Mr. Craig, watch out—
The little assistant moves to stand in front of Craig as fast as possible, but it seems to lose balance at the last minute, gently bumping into Craig and "accidentally" knocking the terminal out of his hand.
It is followed by a gunshot.
Craig and the little assistant both close their eyes.
When Craig realizes he is not hurt after he opens his eyes, he hurriedly checks on the little assistant.
Only then does he notice that the terminal on the ground has been shattered by a bullet.
This is all part of the plan, of course. Next, you point your gun at the little assistant, who gradually moves away from Craig to protect him from getting accidentally shot.
Please spare the mechanoids...
Go, Mr. Craig. I'll cover you.
No, little assistant. I think... cough... the awakened machine they mentioned must be you. You seem very important to them.
We follow your orders because you were the one who came here and awakened us. Otherwise, we would have been left forgotten in this place forever.
So you're all awakened...?
You step forward and handcuff Craig, who does not resist at all.
Can I ask you something?
What year... is it?
At that moment, Craig imagines the hands of the pocket watch on his chest moving slightly.
...
This is the version of the story they're all telling. So, Commandant, how do you like it?
You take the rose tea Vera hands you and have a sip.
A fairytale about mechanoids and humans protecting each other, plus a fight scene in which a Chief of Babylonia confronts dozens of mechanoids. Many people love this kind of story.
Vera leans against the railing on the second floor of the theater with an unusual expression of laziness on her face.
It's just a little boring because no one has suspected anything.
I almost forgot that you're not the same person I knew when we first met.
Never mind... I have no interest in a perfect ending. The fate of these mechanoids does not concern me. As long as you stay silent, people will come up with a truth they prefer.
You say nothing, leaning against the red pillar of the theater like Vera does.
Both Vera and you glance at No. 21 and Noctis.
I saw it first!
Go get food yourself if you want to eat!
That's why some people think I came up with this dreadful "happy ending"—as if it's more convincing to show the "other side of Cerberus."
I'm just too familiar with the way we fool people.
Nonsense. Writing their reports is annoying enough.
Have you ever imagined your own ending?
Are you sure?
Hey, do you actually believe that? I can't tell if you're stupid or adorable...
Vera turns toward the stage.
Her hand casually removes the ribbon tying her hair, letting her red hair fall down like a waterfall that blends the red and yellow lights.
You recall the first time you met each other. Seeing the same hairstyle now, you are amazed by how different things are.
Your gaze moves to the rose tea in your hand, then back to Vera.
Anyway, I asked you to come over because this is the last chapter of the book.
Don't worry, everyone is satisfied with the ending you got. Personally, though...
You also walk over to Vera and lean on the carved railing. The storyteller's words continue in the center of the stage, but your thoughts drift toward the person beside you as curiosity drives you to turn your head.
In reality, you did not appear like a hero at the end of the story, nor did you expect the tale to become more and more bizarre—
Before long, rumors about the incident began to spread, and the only version you know of is the one you have heard just now—full of discrepancies from the truth.
Shh—
Vera points at the stage.
Eventually, the commandant resigned and returned home, peacefully living in seclusion away from worldly matters...
Nations rose and fell, and countless heroes have come and gone.
But the legacy they left behind will be celebrated in songs.
We decided to stay with him for a little longer... After this... I'll bring the complete story to you.
Can we end it with an explosion?
You may want to change the names in the story. I've heard that Kowloong people like puns.
I can only generate some random names.
That's none of my business—Now...
Vera stretches lazily.
I just need to figure out how to get the poor commandant out of here... Why would you force yourself through all that when you have low blood sugar?
I can drive.
The little assistant shakes his head.
Every car you see here has gotten its parts removed to modify other tools.
Carrying the commandant back won't take that long.
Noctis tries to take the dazed human from Vera's side.
Is this enough to take you back?
The "Action Star" walks over, bringing two horses.
Are they...
Noctis cannot hide the excitement in his voice.
Animals. Lovely.
Huh? Where did you find them?
I played the lead in a "Golden Age Western", and I caught them in the wild. Frankly... they fit quite well with our Kowloong sets, don't they?
Vera glances at the person leaning against her.
Fine. Whatever.
She pushes the human onto the horse's back before smoothly mounting it herself, letting the commandant rest in her embrace.
You really are a troublesome commandant... Hold on tight, "my liege."
A signal tower explodes on the mountain behind.
