Story Reader / Main Story / 13 Fake Ascension / Story
The four of you follow the planned route out of the ruins and into an area interspersed with abandoned factories.
I already know the general situation. I'll contact you again if there are any new developments.
There's no need to worry.
I have some acquaintances nearby. They know my brother. If anything happens, they can lend a hand at a moment's notice.
As for you, Commandant, you'll have no problem as long as you follow my brother.
Acquaintances? You know people that can enter a Dead Zone?
A lot of people went in with the main force this time. What's weird about knowing a few of them?
...
Exploring the ruins takes a lot of stamina with all the heavy protective equipment and safety terminals. That's why commandants can't operate around Dead Zones for too long.
Lee, make sure the commandant gets some rest. There's bound to be trouble. The commandant needs to be at peak performance to make sure nothing bad happens.
Murray smiles and says goodbye to the four of you, then terminates the call.
We've been fighting for quite some time now. You should rest up, Commandant.
Commandant...
Liv looks sad, but she does not say anything. So, you continue onward.
With the warm afternoon sun at your backs, the remains left behind by the Red Tide emit the same peculiar gazes, surrounding you on all sides.
The crumbling buildings nearby form a concrete forest reaching into the low clouds, limiting their visibility.
In the shadow of the abandoned factories, there is a pile of crates of varying sizes, most of which show signs of being rummaged through.
I wonder if those crates contain any clues.
As she keeps moving, Liv examines the crates stacked on the side of the road.
This area has already been picked clean by scavengers. I doubt there's anything of value here.
Scavengers rummage for supplies, but clues will be left in their tracks.
Hey, what's this?
Liv runs up to the crates beside her and returns with a book.
The book appears to have been hidden in the crates and its pages were specially preserved.
Even then, the book has deteriorated over time. It seems like the pages will rip out with little effort.
It's a book—the predecessor to e-books. I've heard that people in the Golden Age would restore e-books into physical copies that were sold for nostalgia or collection. Looks like it's one of those physical books.
The four of you continue onward, book in hand.
While Lucia continues to look around, she glances at the book in Liv's hand, seemingly interested.
What's in the book? Is it a clue?
Carefully, Liv opens the faded cover, and a white petal falls out onto her hand.
It's a... pear blossom? It's been flattened. I don't know if it's real or not.
She carefully puts the petal back and reads the title of the book.
"Cardman Rider Genesis"...?
Liv quickly skims through it and conveys the story to the rest of you.
Based on her description, the story is about the fate of a young man who uses the power of cards to shapeshift and save the Earth from aliens with the help of his companions.
By the look of the content, there's nothing that can be used as a clue.
At least it was an interesting read.
I feel that it's great to be able to trust and fight side-by-side with your companions. Not just in the story, but in real life as well...
Same here. I'm really glad to have met you all.
Liv nods and carefully turns the book to the last page.
On the inside of the back cover, she sees a beautifully written note...
Earth has been stricken with innumerable disasters, and time has washed every one of them away. Live for tomorrow, because all will pass.—To Shrek
Any disaster will eventually subside, so we must keep fighting. We maintain hope as we wait for a better tomorrow...
Liv silently recites the note as she rubs the white lining of the page with her fingertips.
Suddenly, as if she notices something, she holds the book in front of her and carefully confirms her suspicions.
Hey... Looks like something's been covered up with repair glue...
She puts the book up to the sunlight, trying to see what is under the glue.
Anything?
Lucia leans over to Liv and sees a line written in messy handwriting under the patch.
Don't scribble those lies on a book for me! Who the heck still believes in hope on this forsaken planet?!
...
Sorry, it doesn't look like a clue.
Liv makes an apologetic face, then places the petal back into the book.
It's okay. We just came across it anyway.
It might not be a clue, but seems like it was cherished by its owner. Mind if I put it back?
Liv nods, then quickly runs back to where she found it...
I'm back.
Alright, let's go. Hopefully, we can find some leads along the way.
After all, we're likely to encounter Ascendants up ahead. It'd be nice to have some more intel.
You're right. Commandant, when you were up against the Ascendants...
The other three look over anxiously, as if not wanting to recall their so-called "vacation"...
Save that sort of talk for when we return safely to Babylonia.
The four of you fall into an awkward silence.
Um... I'm not sure if this counts as a clue. But...
Liv looks around at the surrounding area, lost in contemplation.
I've been here before...
Really? You've been here before, too?
You too, Lee?
I recall passing through here on a survey mission, but that was when I was still with Kurono.
Oh... It's been a while for me too...
(Nods) It was before I was a Construct. Back when I was a medic, I was ordered to come rescue people here.
Liv points to the southeast.
Over there. But I'm sure it's already completely destroyed.
At the time, our retaliation forces were overwhelmed by Corrupted. Most of the soldiers were ordered to evacuate.
But that would've led to even more casualties... I stayed behind to heal the wounded until the Constructs arrived...
But I...
Has it?
It really has... It was because of that incident that I became a Construct. That has allowed me to help more people, like what I'm doing now.
And because I helped everyone, I was able to join the Gray Ravens and be with you all.
But I'm surprised Lee came here on a mission as well... What about you, Lucia? Have you been here before?
If that's the case, then I think fate has brought us together.
When asked this question, Lucia lets out an awkward expression.
This place seems familiar, but I can't recall why...
Maybe you lost some of your memories when you changed frames?
Back then...?
No, I already checked. Lucia's M.I.N.D. didn't suffer any memory loss, and her memory data was stable.
Lucia didn't lose any of her memories when she was transferred into the Plume frame.
Maybe it's just deja vu?
Deja Vu?
You probably have been somewhere similar. That's why you think it looks familiar.
But I don't have any memories from a place like this.
Maybe you lost some memories before you transferred into the Plume frame?
Thinking over this issue, Lucia opens her mouth hesitantly.
Well... Now that I think about it, some of my memory is a bit hazy and abnormal.
That was with the former Gray Ravens before I met you all...
She sighs softly, unsure of how to continue.
...You tell Lucia about what Hassen and Asimov said before you all left.
You mean... they have hidden a memory from me?
Lucia lowers her head in contemplation for a moment.
I trust your decision, Commandant, but we should prioritize the mission. Time is of the essence.
Also... I still have some things I need to confirm.
It's fine, Lucia. Don't worry about whether or not you've been here with others before knowing the commandant.
From now on, the four of us will be on missions together.
Alright, thanks. I'm not worried about this... But you're right.
No matter what happens in the future, the Gray Ravens will always be together.
