Story Reader / Main Story / 11 Nona Ouroboros / Story
What is this? Who are you people?
Gray Raven. And... Lucia.
...
They came to help, Lady Qu. Tonight is the night we get you off this ship and free you from Huaxu.
Free me... Is this what you've been up to lately, Pulao?
Yes, I've been preparing for this moment for a long time. And we only have one shot at this.
Everything that accursed AI has stolen from us, we're going to take them back!
You must have worked very hard to get this far, Pulao.
Do you want to go back too, Pulao? To that Kowloong...
This is the closest we've ever been to making that happen. Lady Qu, do you still have access to the main control room?
Then follow me, Gray Ravens...
...Are you okay?
It's nothing... I'm fine...
I'll take you to the main control room.
...I've been waiting for this moment for so long.
What's wrong, Liv?
The status monitoring shows that Qu...
Liv pauses for a moment, then continues.
She's in terrible condition.
Her M.I.N.D. is a mess, and all her indicators are off the scale.
She needs immediate...
...
On the observation deck of the Nighter.
This is the place.
Huaxu is here. This place IS Huaxu.
After saying that, Qu lets go of Pulao's hand, then holds Lucia's and walks on.
...?
Pulao, did you say earlier that I, I mean we, have all been controlled by Huaxu?
Lady Qu?
You were wrong. The master of this ship has always been me. I have the highest authority here.
Wait, that means... Lucia!
Too late.
When you realize what is going on and are about to draw your gun, a few mechanical puppets that have been hanging upside down the ceiling descend to the ground.
I was the one who wanted a vessel. I founded the night market and trade fair. I schemed. I put collars on you.
Are you still being controlled by Huaxu? Lady Qu would never…
Lady Qu would never do such things, huh? Or do you mean no human would do such things?
And how can you be so sure? Machines are merely lifeless creations of mankind, devoid of emotions and thoughts.
You must have forgotten that you yourself are a human-machine hybrid, Pulao. What a fool.
Huaxu, she... well, she's a bleeding heart.
She took in refugees and erected a protective barrier against the virus... But what did humans do in return?
But none of that matters now. Anyway, thank you for this surprise gift.
No, I won't let go of such a precious specimen.
Pulao, I'm afraid you need a change of plans.
Why... Why is this happening? Lady Qu...
Ngh...
Through different transfer experiments... I've already found the most efficient way to transfer minds.
Huaxu, I've found the perfect vessel for you.
...This will be the last time.
As if being grasped by an invisible hand, Lucia floats soundlessly in the air.
Sand painting. Rivulets.
Qu looks at the sand painting in silence.
Then lifts a hand, touching the painting.
What's happening... Gray Raven?!
Your mind suddenly goes blank.
