Story Reader / Main Story / 22 Renaissance du Fantastique / Story
As if standing in front of infinite back-lit mirrors.
Each mirror reflects a helpless and confused self.
One knows that nothing can be grasped but one still tries in vain.
...
Like a moth chasing after a flame, never reaching the destination it intends to.
The World Government United Army, the third artillery regiment, the Construct company, including Captain LeBron—A total of 127 fearless warriors.
Your sacrifice will be remembered and we will carry on the road you paved for us—until the day we claim back our homeland.
May you rest in peace, humanity's children.
Deafening salutes and gunshots fill the air.
A string in her chest tightens with each gunshot.
She got first again... Is she someone like Langston and [player name]?
Tsk, those two are both geniuses, heroes who command elite squads in battle! How can a nerd who only knows about exams be compared to them?
...Do you know why she's the Chief? Because she's from the LeBron family, that famous military family from the Golden Age... The higher-ups want her in the HQ, that's why...
Really? And the F.O.S. allows this?
But I heard she's not going to work in the HQ, but as a commandant...
That's what my friend said. Her dad works in Intelligence, so I bet it's true! But even as a commandant, do you seriously think she's going to go fight on the frontline?
The string tightens—
With your results, the academy thinks working in the General Staff directly under HQ is your best choice. Also, even though it's unconventional, the Control Court and the higher-ups of Judicial Court have expressed an interest in you.
...But you seem determined to go through with your decision.
If you insist, then the academy will respect your decision.
Tightens—
Lastly, the F.O.S. Military College grants Sica LeBron the title of "Chief."
Young people, we hope that you will carry on the will of our heroes and become the cornerstones of our future!
Tightens—
The frontline has collapsed! Abandon the scouts and vanguard, tighten the battle line! We can only prevail if we strengthen our defenses against this wave of attack!
Those people are as good as dead! Are you telling more people to go die?!
What's the point in remembering all those battle tactics? You really think the battlefield is just like your textbooks say?!
Tightens—
So you're the new "Chief"? Tsk, I'll just call you "Ms. Top Student" to not confuse you with others.
Objectively speaking, it is not entirely your fault that the casualty numbers were higher than expected. Our first priority is to protect this land, and since there were more Corrupted than expected, it makes sense to send out some unlucky souls to fill the gaps.
But what was it with that pathetic attitude of yours?
Was it necessary to look that miserable just because a few more Constructs died? You can't even get your priorities straight, I don't understand how the HQ thinks you're fit to be a commandant in the first place.
I don't need someone who can't command their subordinates properly on the frontlines. Summarize today's battle report and then take your pathetic little squad to the benches! Go be friends with the medics or something, I don't care!
Always tightening—
And then—
I thought all F.O.S. "Chiefs" were outstanding but it looks like they were exceptions.
The General Staff is disbanding this squad, it's the end of the line.
The tightened string snaps.
Only wandering on this endless path.
Only revolving around an unknown light.
Since when?
Mechanically and numbly marching forward, considering it as her responsibility.
When she finally comes to her senses, she can hardly even remember the reason that led to her confusion in the first place.
I think having a "dream" is a wonderful thing.
No matter how hard to achieve or how childish the dream is—
No matter the inevitable failures one will face on this path and the non-existent results that await one—
Even then, I think these "idiots" who work hard toward these unrealistic goals—
Shine the brightest of all.
Sica... Sica.
...Still half-asleep, are you?
To think someone can sleep through all this noise when we're entering the atmosphere...
Fragments of conversation enter the ears of the slumbering soul, stimulating her consciousness.
Right after, the ship shakes roughly together with a huge centrifugal force, waking her up immediately.
Wha—!
Oh, you're awake, Sica.
...Huh? What...
Wait?! I fell asleep?! When?! Have we already reached our destination?!
Embarrassed by her little slip-up so early in the mission, Sica frantically looks around. If it weren't for the seatbelt restraining her to her seat, she would have fallen right off.
Relax, there's still one hour till landing. We just encountered some cumulus clouds so we had to climb up a bit. We still haven't gotten to the troposphere yet.
Did you pull an all-nighter last night? You could take this chance to catch up on some sleep.
No... I did it to organize the mission information, if I rest now then it would be pointless.
And... I know it's a bit late but let's go over the mission details.
Sica shakes her head to keep herself awake. She unbuckles her seatbelt and makes her way toward the tactical terminal, pulling up all sorts of information she has gathered in the past few days.
Unknown City 001—It was named "Constellia" in the Golden Age, based on the word "constellation." The chief designer was Michele Vasari, he was an important member of the WGAA back in the Golden Age and also a renowned architect.
Constellia's construction was ceased due to the outbreak of the Punishing Virus, and Michele himself had passed away due to illness a year before the outbreak.
Constellia has now been rediscovered by Babylonia and it is estimated that 20% of the original design had been constructed—even then it's quite a sight.
If our speculation is correct and that this city is being maintained by an abnormal mechanoid, then we'll have to be prepared for a fight.
Although it's not the Corrupted, we cannot underestimate the threat level of this mission.
...Ah, then I can put this to good use!
Ayla nods with some thought and then proceeds to pull out a storage box from a hidden space under the tactical terminal.
After entering the password, the box opens with a "click" as sublimated dry ice dissipates.
That's...
High-frequency electric knives against the Corrupted, wide-area electromagnetic stun grenade, tactical pistol for commandants, multi-purpose grenade launcher with special ammo, and all kinds of tactical equipment...
...How did you get your hands on these?
A-aren't these the latest trial weapons from the Science Council? I didn't think our squad's weapon quota could get us these...
Hehe, let's just say I know someone in the WGAA who has links to the weapon development department.
The people at the Science Council said that as long as we're willing to pay a "slight" trial fee, then they'll lend us these. After all, they do want data on these weapons in actual combat.
The power of money...
But, why go through all the trouble?
Well, this is our first mission as a team, so of course we should be more prepared.
And I know you care about this mission very much, Sica. How can I not do my part as captain when our commandant is working so hard?
There are a lot of weapons for commandants here. Take your pick, Sica!
Ayla gestures toward the weapons, just like the witch who led Hansel and Gretel into the candy house, telling them the candy was all theirs to eat.
No... Um, having lots of weapons doesn't mean it's better, we also have to consider the portability...
Sica quickly shakes her hands, but her gaze is captured by something else in the box.
Oh...
I can here you gulping from here...
The new CI charge pistol... The seventh generation as well! We were still using the sixth generation back at the F.O.S... Oho, there are more add-ons to choose from now? Ah, and the safety's been moved here?
Trojan helplessly glanced at Sica, who's attention is completely occupied by the new weapons in front of her. Trojan then shoots a suspicious gaze over at Ayla, who had just casually pulled out all of these weapons.
I thought the WGAA consisted of peace-loving, harmless artists... and from how your frame is constructed, it seems that someone there is very familiar with Construct technology.
Hehe... People join the WGAA because they like art, but apart from that... everyone has their own story.
The WGAA would also welcome you two if you ever discover your passion for art!
Trojan chuckles at Ayla's invitation and starts to pick out a suitable weapon from the "present box."
This frame's exclusive weapon should be made by Vesalius. I can't imagine her just sharing her designs... Looks like even Kurono's R&D chief succumbed to our captain's charming personality.
And this... this is a specialized arrowhead for compound mechanical bows. Is this prepared for our "fourth member" whom we have yet to meet?
Oh, you mean Lena?
Squads in the Task Force usually consist of four members, and Iris Warbler is no exception. Other than Ayla and Trojan, "Lena" is the last temporary member of the team.
I remember Chairman Allen mentioning that she used to be in Caribou.
Yes, that was about a year ago. Due to Caribou's unique status, their member details are highly confidential, so this is all we know.
After withdrawing from Caribou, she has been carrying out missions alone on the surface, rarely returning to Babylonia. And because HQ never updated her personal profile, even I don't know what she looks like...
As she is already on the surface due to other reasons, she has requested to meet us at the destination of this mission, Constellia, instead.
A former Caribou member... HQ really wasn't kidding around when forming this squad.
Don't think I don't know you're credentials don't pale in comparison to theirs, Trojan. You've been serving Babylonia since the Acadia Evacuation if I recall correctly.
If we're only talking about service time, then it's similar to the current captain of the Purifying Force, but she was still fighting on the frontlines not too long ago, she's way stronger than me.
Due to the sequela of M.I.N.D. damage from previous missions, I am no longer suitable to fight on the frontlines.
What kind of mission can lead to such serious injuries? Your resume also didn't state which squad you served...
I don't know, I can't even remember that. As for squads... Just as Caribou, if you can't find anything, then it's best you don't know.
Hm... Just like how there's always one or two members with a mysterious past on teams, who save everyone at crucial moments with mysterious powers no one knows about?
Where'd you learn that weird knowledge... If a time like that ever comes, run, don't count on me to be able to save us all.
Are you not one of those hotheaded characters who would lunge at the final boss when it appears too early in the prologue while yelling "looks like I have to do everything here" at the aspiring heroes and helping them get away?
...No.
Or are you one of those who look like experienced seniors on the side of justice but are actually a double agent who works for the final boss and has planned to fake their death in an important battle, where they would later assume a false identity and go against the protagonist?
I have to say, you're quite imaginative... And neither of those scenarios sounds like a good ending for me.
This sounds more dramatic if our story is a novel or movie. Dramatic plot and complex character relationships have always been what captivates readers and the audience.
If you say so... Anyway, we should focus on the mission first.
Not being able to follow Ayla's train of thought, Trojan decides to direct the conversation back to the mission.
We're almost above our destination.
At Trojan's reminder, the three of them walk over to the window and look out.
Bursting out of the clouds, the transport craft steadily descends into the troposphere.
The three start to catch glimpses of "Constellia" through the window.
The last man-made city of the Golden Age...
Hints of nervousness can be heard from Sica's voice. This is her first mission after her original squad was disbanded. She does not want this mission to be a "failure" either.
Don't worry.
Captivated by the soft whisper by her ear, she turns to look at Ayla, who is quietly staring out the window.
Those words of comfort were so soft as if they were never spoken at all.
Placing her hand on the window, Ayla stares at the mirage of a city, like a seasoned adventurer who finally found the New World.
A question pops up in Sica's mind—what is the cause of this expression on her face? But this is swept away by the engine's roaring as they land.
All right, I wonder what awaits us.
