Story Reader / Main Story / 18 Her Last Bow / Story
The group finally arrives at the spacious hall. Located at the end of the "core," the terminal blinks in blue; a flashing cord showing that the terminal is in operation stretches up to the ceiling. Nanami seems to have seen this scene before, except it's nothing like what she saw.
Standing before them is an entire army's worth of "Gear" machines—against the three of them.
The red mechanoid girl is standing at the very front of "Gear", staring at Nanami as she walks toward her.
Her eyes are still filled with zealous love and confusion. Like a child holding a balloon left in the center of the road, she is still holding the diamond that Nanami did not take.
Nanami, however, casts not even a glance at the diamond. Taking it that Sage doesn't like the diamond, Zero throws it down the stairs unceremoniously. The diamond rolls down the stairs, eventually landing in a dusty wreckage of mechanoid debris.
The diamond clinks against the stairs as it rolls down, pounding on Nanami's heart.
...
Sage... Sage...
The girl desperately runs toward Nanami and holds her hands.
Why are you showing such an expression? Did we do anything that upset you? Is our tribute of "love" not precious enough to suit your revelation?
Is that... why you are leaving us? Is that so? Is that right?
If... we did anything wrong, please, just tell us. We will change it. We will prepare it all over again. Look, we have great efficiency. We can get anything done! The entire earth now belongs to us!
Nothing will stand in your way. Please guide us... Only you... can enlighten us...
The girl begs Nanami repeatedly, holding her hands tight. Nanami is not pulling it back; she simply speaks with a calm but sorrowful tone.
My friends... are no longer how they are supposed to be.
Stopping in her tracks and raising her head, Zero turns around to look over the army of "Gears" behind her.
But... What am I supposed to be?
You said I was your "friend"!
I cannot simulate a world without you. If you are not around... I will... feel...
Her lips are open, eyes trembling. She cannot find any words to describe the boiling emotion in her chest. Is it a program error, or the real love instead?
Her grip tightens. The sound of breaking metal comes from her hand.
I need to go, Zero.
Nanami remains untouched. Haicma takes a step forward and points her scythe at the maniacal mechanoid girl.
Please let her go.
Zero twists her head to a strange angle. Her eyes wander a little, then lock onto Haicma. She giggles.
I see how it is now... It's you unruly bunch that's been manipulating Sage.
What are you trying to do? Keeping Sage's glory all to yourself? Or taking Sage down a path of destruction?
Only I can understand...
I need to slash the two of you down... to really win Sage back.
With a single command from Zero, her "Gear" readies itself for a fight—summoning the Wheel of Fortune behind them.
Uuuurgh—cut the traitor up—!
Power!
The air trembles to Nanami's rage as Power descends through the air and lands right before "Gear". Sparks rain down the robot's chainsaw as it begins grinding.
Her eyes glowing with rage, Nanami hops into Power and charges up to the Wheel of Fortune.
I might not be able to change this future...
But I'll never allow anyone to hurt my friends!
