Story Reader / Extra Story / EX00 Frozen Darkness / Story
By the time you arrive at the camp, the sky has long turned to night.
Our base is deeper south of the forest.
But since you said you are going to New Murmansk up north, I've brought you here to our temporary camp.
Let's spend the night here. I hope you won't mind the simple accommodations.
Speaking of which, please give me a few minutes...
With that, Diana goes into the tent and begins preparing something.
Honestly, everything still feels surreal to me.
Me too...
Really? I think it's been an interesting experience...
It's just that I've only heard stories about Constructs like them...
Stories...?
Well, if I'm not mistaken, they're outfitted with a rare offshoot of Construct tech—they're humanoid hybrid Constructs.
Humanoid hybrids... Constructs are created with human consciousness. If the bodies are not entirely human, then their consciousness would be...
Correct. In other words, they sacrifice stability with their M.I.N.D. for enhanced combat performance.
Babylonia outlawed such practices because there's no guarantee that the personality of the subject will remain intact.
Gray Ravens, the bonfire is lit.
What's this?
This is pine needle tea, unique to this area, and those are...
Berry cakes made by us, the Forest Guard.
Thanks! Wow... they look delicious...
(Good thing we had the commandant take the medicine first.)
Speaking of, where's your leader?
Rosetta went out on patrol. Corrupted have been growing in numbers throughout the forest lately.
That's quite out of the ordinary for this area.
After all, this is a high latitude area, which normally means lower Punishing Virus concentration and, therefore, fewer Corrupted.
Is this the only place you're responsible for guarding?
You mentioned earlier that you were forbidden to enter the port... Why's that?
It's nothing. It's just... tradition...
Tradition?
...
Whoa! Look!
Liv's excitement interrupted the awkward silence.
It's gorgeous...
It's waving like a ribbon...
You all look up at the sky, soaking in the rare and magnificent view.
Even Lee, who normally would throw in a comment at times like this, is just quietly sipping his tea.
No matter how cruel the battles are on Earth...
The mountains, the rivers, and the sky above us... They never seem to be affected...
Earth... is so beautiful...
And that's precisely why we are fighting to save it.
That's right…
Diana quietly watches the Gray Ravens from the other side of the fire.
She seems to see some things in them that she has never seen before.
But peace is a luxury they can no longer afford...
Ah!
What was that?
You all immediately put down your teacups. Diana grips her lance vigilantly.
I've picked up a human signal... coming from the north...
And... Corrupted following in close pursuit!
H-help me!
That voice is...
Evan?
Diana raises her front hooves, then immediately charges into the forest.
Commandant...
Roger!
The sky starts to lighten.
Deep into the forest, Rosetta stands alone on a clearing near the cliff, staring intently at the slate-blue sea.
Is that so, Derek...
...
But... I've already made up my mind...
New Murmansk is destined to go through this catastrophe...
I hope you can understand my decision...
...
Why... Derek...? Haven't you always understood?
Why... would you go this far...
Rosetta grudgingly bites her lip.
Chief!
...
Hearing the voice behind her, Rosetta collects herself and returns to her usual stoic look.
M-Miss Rosetta!
Evan?
A little boy named Evan stumbles through the snow toward Rosetta.
Last night... he came through the forest all by himself looking for us again...
Had we not picked up his signal, and if the Gray Ravens didn't help, he'd have been eaten alive by the Corrupted!
Evan said he has something he needs to tell you in person...
Looks like he just misses you, Chief.
I-it's not like that!
Miss Rosetta, I...
What is it?
It's about Derek... He's returning to the port...
If that's the only reason you're here, you shouldn't have risked your life to tell me in person...
I already knew.
But... I think it's different this time. Everyone in the port has been gathering weapons...
...
There has been a lot more Corrupted lately. The grown-ups are getting nervous...
The navigator at the port found Derek yesterday. People got angry when they heard it was coming back...
I'm afraid that...
I see...
Rosetta turns to face you all.
Then we've got no time to waste. Hop on.
Umm…
Evan looks a little hesitant, but then bashfully climbs on Rosetta's back with some effort.
I'll lead the way to New Murmansk. Gray Raven...
Just follow my tracks and go at your own pace. Don't overexert yourselves.
All Forest Guards, stay garrisoned here. Don't go anywhere near the port.
