Story Reader / Main Story / 21 Spiral of Chronos / Story
Lee is not surprised at all to find that Watanabe also lied about "their stronghold being not far from here."
The real base of the Forsaken is located somewhere far from the scene. Night has already fallen when they finally get to their destination.
Watanabe is true to his word and even provides Gray Raven with the best treatment the Forsaken can, allowing them to replenish their supplies and perform maintenance with no more cover-ups or restrictions.
As for Watanabe, he disappeared to be busy somewhere else after brewing a pot of mint tea for Gray Raven.
While Liv insists on inspecting the M.I.N.D. of all the rescued Forsaken soldiers. She convinces soldiers twice her size to quietly undergo inspection with her gentle yet pertinacious voice, saying how they must prevent the effects of M.I.N.D. deterioration from developing.
The soldiers all look guilty and apologetic at her words.
Commandant, on the other hand, borrows Watanabe to do a mission report while sipping on mint tea. No one would want to disturb a commandant focusing on their duties.
(I thought Commandant was just being polite, didn't think the tea would actually be drunk...)
(...)
Lee had already finished maintaining all their weapons earlier, so now he has some time for himself.
The lights in the residential area flicker off according to schedule. The moon hangs high in the night sky, shining gently down on the darkened base.
It reminds Lee of what Commandant once told him, that during the Golden Age, some places considered a full moon to represent a reunion of family.
Hey there, kiddo. Mind moving your leg a bit?
An old man gestures toward Lee's side and Lee complies. The old man bends down and takes two heavy-looking boxes off the shelf behind him.
Let me help you with that. Where are you moving these?
Over to the storage... Thanks, kiddo.
Lee takes the boxes and makes his way toward the storage. He slows down his pace when he notices the old man following behind him.
This is... gunpowder?
Yep. Didn't know you Constructs had such good noses. Wait, no, what do you young people call them nowadays? Smell "scenters"?
Smell sensors.
Ahem... I didn't know the Forsaken still used such ancient weapons.
Hahaha... This isn't a weapon, it's fireworks.
Fireworks?
That's right. That kid Watanabe found these while out hunting for supplies, saying that the children could have some fun with them.
He has also brought back lots of other interesting trinkets, like a talking robot... The kids love it.
We had planned to set off these fireworks tonight so that everyone could have some fun, but they said something happened while on the road and just came back now. Most kids are already in dreamland now.
And it looks like it's going to rain tonight. I don't want it getting moist, so I was going to put them back for now.
Rain...? But the sky is clear right now, it doesn't look like it's going to rain at all.
And I thought Watanabe said you guys don't have a weather forecast system.
Oho, you think he's lying?
Kid, don't underestimate us campers who've experienced all nature has to offer.
If I say it's going to rain, then it's going to rain. I guess you can say that I am this base's weather forecast system.
Oh, just put those there. Thanks, kiddo.
No problem.
Lee gently sets the boxes of fireworks down on the ground. With the help of the dim lights in the storage, he could see the pictures on the boxes. Although the colors were already faded, he could still see the spectacular fireworks dancing in the night sky.
...
Lee is no stranger to fireworks, but there is one memory of it that will forever be tainted with hints of regret.
You... Urghhh!
A gunshot sounds from Lee's hand. The next second, the man standing in front of him howls in pain as he falls to the ground, two patches of blood spread quickly from his thighs.
In this split second, Lee has already kicked his weapon away and picked up the gun on the ground. He calmly looks down at his struggling "teammate" with the alarm blaring in the background.
I counted... You should've used up all your bullets by now...
I think you need to update your intel—I never let myself fall into a disadvantage in battle due to weapon shortage.
Dammit...
It's probably a waste of my breath but I still want to ask... Why did you try to kill me?
Isn't it obvious that someone wants you dead? You've been doing this long enough, you're not that naive to think you haven't made some enemies, are you?
And... if you die in action, then I can take all the pay, two birds with one stone.
...So it's about money.
That's right, money! No one in their right mind would be in this business if not for the money! Unless they're insane. Tell me, which are you?
You're right, I do it for the money.
Lee calmly agrees before turning to leave.
Our pursuers are here quicker than I expected, looks like they're not just for show. Well, I guess "I'll leave the rest to you then."
You...! Wait... I still have the goods... Don't you need that?!
Lee lifts a finger and points to his head without even turning around.
It's just some secret weapon blueprints... I have it all memorized up here.
Then you gave me...
Just a small bomb.
Lee leaves the scene, ignoring the pleas of the man behind him.
Ha... ha... Ugh!
Lee does not know how long he has been running but he finally loses his pursuers and hides in a dark alley.
His vision starts to darken from the excessive blood loss and physically demanding escape. He slides down onto the ground in one of the corners, lifts the wet bandages, and changes the hemostatic cotton to his last piece.
...Good thing it's not bleeding that much anymore.
He is wearing dark colors as usual. At least the blood stains would not be obvious at night, Lee thinks to himself as he looks up at the gloomy skies.
Schween—Bang!
Colors suddenly explode in his gray vision. Fireworks bloom in the sky, painting over the darkness with their brilliance, like a midsummer night's dream of the Golden Age.
Right, today is the festival Murray had been looking forward to.
I'm sorry... Murray...
Sorry that he could not go even though he had promised.
When he finally gets back home, Lee is relieved to see that Murray is already asleep.
Murray is lying on his side by the edge of the bed, indicating that he was watching the fireworks from the window up until the second before he fell asleep.
...
Lee wants to touch his little brother's forehead, but his hand stops midair as he is reminded that his hands are covered in dried blood and gunpowder. Murray's pale face is soft and clean, however, his brows are furrowed and he does not seem to be sleeping peacefully.
Murray will definitely be disappointed when he wakes up, but he will, no doubt, put on an understanding face and pretend not to care. What he does not know is that his eyes always betray him.
Although it may not help much, I should make him an apology gift after I treat my wounds.
Lee quietly exits Murray's room and slips into his workshop before gently closing his door.
Fireworks still decorate the night sky outside the window.
Lee snaps out of his recollections as the storage doors slam close with a bang.
...
Why am I suddenly recalling things from so long ago...
Even though he is not reliving his memories anymore, his heart still feels heavy, as if there is something on his chest.
...The night is still young, I could go for a walk.
