Story Reader / Main Story / 10 Eternal Engine / Story
I...!
Have we reached our destination...?
Huh?
The opening sound of the door closed firmly by the people before interrupts Sophia mid-sentence, drawing the attention of everyone.
In the center of attention are the two ladies who just ended a battle, with the Corrupted corpses under their feet.
Lucia! And Miss Bianca... Your frame...
I only changed into a frame that's more suitable for this situation, do not be alarmed.
Your commands, please, Commandant of Gray Raven.
Sorry, we were deployed in different directions and didn't have time to meet up, but I was able to sense Lee's signal all this time, so he should be fine.
...So you're the one Babylonia sent to make the deal?
I'd like to welcome you if I could, but as you can see, you came at a rather inconvenient timing.
I noticed, looks like I've entered at the wrong time... You were saying? Don't mind me, please continue.
Before that... Can I ask a question?
Did Babylonia accept our deal?
That's...
Bianca pauses and glances at the crowd, and nods her head.
Babylonia has agreed to Akdilek's terms.
...But I do not think moving to Babylonia is such a joyous thing.
You.
Bianca meets Sophia's shimmering gaze, as if she had read the girl's mind.
You should be able to suggest something better.
Suggest something better... Me?
Then...
No, I will not back down no matter what. I am a part of Akdilek, so I can be a good merchant too!
Sophia makes up her mind and pulls out her gun—
Before anyone can react, she places the gun on the floor where anyone can reach.
...This is?
I'm not familiar with negotiations, so if anyone disagrees with me, they are welcome to execute me with this gun afterward and continue your quarreling.
With that said... Leader, Lord Ashlar, and everyone here, no matter aristocrats or commoners, I want to propose a trade to you all!
And what kind of trade would that be?
I may not know how to achieve it right now, but I'll create a world that doesn't need this train or Babylonia.
You must be joking... Without the train and without Babylonia, everyone would be infected by the Punishing...
They won't.
Enough with your rubbish!
I don't know how to make it a reality yet, but I will succeed. I don't want to hide in that lonely space nor do I want to become an Ascendant.
I only wish to be able to protect the things I want to protect, to protect all of Akdilek. So let's make a deal!
I will create a real final destination for everyone, not a fake one where you just accept what comes.
But one where we walk this Earth again with our own strength!
What nonsense...!
No... I find it quite interesting, don't you?
I only fainted earlier due to exhaustion, no need for you to worry.
That's the Sophia I know...
Leader, since Babylonia has already gone through with our deal, we should stick to our original plan...
We should continue on with our original deal here, what the brat's saying here is just...
She proposed this trade to all of Akdilek, not just a specific person, so this decision is in the hands of everyone. Everyone has a right to choose. So what do you think, people of Akdilek? Who do you want to support?
O-of course Sophia!! She's one of us so she understands our situation!
We should just settle for going to Babylonia, and not make some gibberish deal... Who gave Constructs the right to speak up anyway...
If we commoners get to choose too, then I choose Sophia! She's saved me before too...
Now that I think about it, the Ascendants never guaranteed to make us Ascendants... And they look like they're up to no good...
Walking on Earth again with our own power... If only it was that easy...
We can't run forever! I'd rather fight for my future with my own two hands than rely on some unknown source.
They have a point... She's a Construct, maybe she really is that strong...
Preposterous, both the aristocrats and commoners...
Sophia, do you still remember our conversation from before? What should you do to ensure a larger profit when making a deal?
...Choose the option with a higher risk.
And that, is the final answer from me and my fellow merchants.
...Okay!
Looks like a decision has been made. The trade between Babylonia and Akdilek ends here then... Now it's time for Constructs to get to work.
On the roof of the carriage is a figure in blue struggling to keep the Corrupted at bay. He quickens his pace as he hears sounds from the stairs.
Urgh!
And kicked the enemy off the train with one powerful movement.
I don't want to sound like I'm parroting someone, but what took you so long?
Because you guys seemed to be discussing something important down there and that's not really my scene.
I had time so I changed frames.
—!
I didn't have any weapons, so I could only stall for time... Can you lend me your guns, Sophia?
But I proposed this deal myself...
If I remember correctly, a Support Construct isn't built for continuous highspeed battles. Even though it's a request from my side, consider it me aiding you for "free" if you must think of it this way.
There's nothing scarier than "free." But thank you.
With our full squad here and Bianca's support, we will eliminate the enemy this time, Commandant.
Roger!
