Story Reader / Main Story / 22 Renaissance du Fantastique / Story
That mechanoid called Cervantes actually visited Kowloong and met the real Qu.
Considering there are two exhibition halls dedicated to Kowloong, it is likely that he also visited the Nighter after the outbreak of the Punishing Virus.
Now that I think about the Arctic hall and the unexplored ones awaiting us ahead, he may even have traversed around the entire world.
He seems to have a strong obsession with a particular thing.
Indeed, his actions such as returning to Constellia, building these exhibitions, and all the other endeavors he has undertaken toward us... they are likely driven by a specific intention.
While there is currently no direct evidence... it is plausible that his motivation is related to the person he served—Michele Vasari, the designer of Constellia.
Michele... He was from the WGAA, right? Shouldn't you guys have more knowledge about him than anyone else?
Um... I suppose you could say that, but there are widely known rumors of Michele not seeing eye to eye with the former WGAA leader. Although he didn't formally resign from the association, he chose not to actively participate in most of its affairs, resulting in limited records about him.
Furthermore, the Constellia project was always shrouded in utmost secrecy, so Michele's whereabouts during his later years remained a mystery to most WGAA members.
Following the outbreak of the Punishing Virus, our association experienced a devastating loss of documents related to the Golden Age. Meanwhile, numerous members were unable to board Babylonia, leaving us even fewer clues.
Chairman Allen may know some inside information. Unfortunately, our current circumstances prevent us from contacting him now.
We intended to delve deeper into the matter, but at that time, my attention was diverted to another pressing concern...
With such limited information available, anyone would overlooked it.
Three days ago, I could never have imagined that I would find myself on a mission within an art museum.
That's true. I had imagined that we might come across a horde of malevolent robots who had seized control of the city, operating towering machines larger than themselves and engaging in daily turf wars...
Or this city would unfold as a colossal mechanical citadel, concealing a subterranean zero-point anti-gravity engine capable of transforming it into a fully armed floating fortress upon activation...
...Were you going to alter the entire world's settings?
If anomalies like the Hetero Tower can occur in this world, why should giant robots and floating cities be considered implausible?
...Even if they were to exist, you think we would be able to handle the situation by ourselves?
Well, at least we could cheer for the heroes who step forward, right? I would work on a big set of paintings and name it something like "Epic Encounter: Gray Raven versus The Great Airborne Fortress" or "New Strike Hawk Saga: Operation Meteorite".
...So the idea of handling it by yourself is not even in your consideration?
I'm a painter. What else do you expect from a painter other than creating artwork?
I don't even know where to start my criticism...
Traversing through the hall where they had just completed the challenge, Ayla and Trojan proceed toward the corridor leading to another Kowloong hall.
Upon entering, they are greeted by the sight of two exhausted figures leaning against the wall side by side, as motionless as two dolls running out of power.
You are already here.
Great work, guys.
...
...
Sica and Lena remain silent, or to be precise, their exhaustion has rendered them unable to provide any response.
Lena... They are here. Time to move...
Shut your mouth and let me rest a bit longer...
Even their argument lacks its usual vigor. After about fifteen minutes, Sica and Lena finally struggle up from the ground.
You both don't appear injured. What drained so much of you?
She's the one who's physically drained, and as for me... think of it as mental damage.
Lena covers her forehead, displaying evident reluctance to recall her fighting experience with Sica.
She ran outside the safe range I marked for her every single time we engaged with enemies, even rushing recklessly ahead of me a few times, and the strategies she proposed all could potentially cost her own life...
With our battle power split into halves, if we didn't employ bolder approaches, our combat would become a drag and impede their progress.
Why can't you trust me more? Regardless of the circumstances, I'm still a F.O.S. graduate with actual field experience!
Trust...? You expect me to blindly trust you after just meeting you? Are you that naive to believe that you can entrust your life to a Construct whose name you just learned? How the heck do they depict the relationship between Constructs and commandants in F.O.S.? Like a big happy family or what?
A commandant's role is to dish out orders, not to cozy up for a buddy-buddy relationship. Relying on the assumption of blind trust for your strategies is a major screw-up right from the start.
Don't you know about all the messed up situations that happened because people put too much trust in combat strategies? Ignoring the possible risks just because you got lucky a couple of times is a surefire way to end up in a total mess.
Lena's rapid-fire interrogations leave Sica dumbfounded, causing her to struggle to respond. The girl attempts to argue back almost instinctively, but with a noticeably weaker demeanor.
But it shouldn't be like that...
There are squads like Gray Raven... the one led by [player name]...
Kowloong, Pulia Forest Park, the Hetero Tower... they've set so many examples—
...
Your father was one of the first soldiers who chose to become a Construct during the Post-Pandemic Age, hard-earning the title of a "hero" in Babylonia. However, no one expected that his daughter would desire to follow in his footsteps.
Unfortunately, it appears that your Tantalum-193 affinity does not reach the required level. We are unable to transform you into a Construct as you hoped.
Perhaps you can consider aiming to become a commandant instead? This way, you can still contribute significantly to humanity.
The assault warfare against City 74 concluded as a resounding success, with the Gray Raven squad once again playing a crucial role...
Gray Raven...?
How to earn Constructs' trust? Why would you want to do that?
Constructs are items, tools, or measures employed to achieve victories. You are not supposed to play the friendship game with them.
Are you seriously gonna feel sorry for broken tools? Having too much empathy never makes a good commandant. Just look at the Suzaku squad, exhibit A. We all know what happened to that commandant and his teammates.
By the way, don't even utter a single word about Gray Raven in front of me. You see this scar? This is the proof of what they did to me.
If you dare say you want to become a commandant like that, get out of my sight immediately.
Trust you? I have neither the interest nor the time to invest in building a relationship with someone who's still wearing a diaper.
I was wondering about the deal with a F.O.S. Chief... Hmph, turned out we are here to babysit, of all things.
Sigh... Just stay behind us in every battle. It'll save us a lot of trouble and give you "more experience." At least your profile can look prettier.
Let me be straight here. You will not become the second Chrome, or the second [player name].
From what I see in your talent, potential, and performance, it seems highly unlikely for that to happen.
I just want to become someone like them... like the person I look up to.
I just think their approach is the correct one—
...
Lena had a good point there. We've only known each other for a few days, and I've also been taught not to leave my back exposed to others unless there's absolutely no other option.
Not to mention, being a human made of flesh... you should definitely be more mindful of these things on the surface.
...Ayla, do you agree with them too?
Hmm... I indeed sort of sensed a tsundere side of Lena. She does have a certain independent nature, like a cat accustomed to living alone. She'll not easily show you her belly and ask for pats just because you gave her a few treats.
...Don't compare me to a cat like that! I'm just teaching her the most basic knowledge that every Task Force member should have.
Look, you're the captain, and you've been to the surface countless times. You should know whether what I'm saying is true or not.
I don't think Sica's opinion is entirely off base. I've been staying tuned in to the Gray Raven Commandant's actions myself, and there are some valid points to consider.
However, we are not "Gray Raven", are we?
...
We're a squad that's in a league of our own, you know? How should I put this... It's like our members have these complicated backgrounds, and the path we're about to venture on is no walk in the park.
The future of this squad is still uncertain, no doubt about it. But amidst all the uncertainty, it's crucial for you to have a clear understanding of what needs to be done to guide Iris Warbler toward its destined path.
After all, you are the commandant of Iris Warbler.
...
Trojan leans against a street lamp, quietly adjusting the personal terminal on her arm.
Bathed in the colorless light, her cyan hair exudes a chilly luminescence. Her gaze remains fixated on the screen of her terminal, her thoughts seemingly immersed in profound contemplation.
After a flurry of encounters, Sica is too exhausted to continue. Trojan and Ayla's weapons also need maintenance, damaged during the battle against "Qu". The squad settles on a suspension of exploration and retreats to the street outside, following Lena's suggestion to camp there for the night.
Despite having already checked the surroundings, the squad decides to maintain a watchful stance and take turns keeping guard, and Trojan volunteers for the first shift.
The night in the city proves to be livelier than anticipated. The lights emanating from the towering buildings flicker irregularly, weaving a three-dimensional matrix of codes, through which mechanoids exchange information or delve into the realm of the "art" they seek to explore.
The colossal windmill standing in the center emits a captivating blue glow, leaving Trojan to ponder how the city's nocturnal vista would unfold if she were to witness it from that vantage point.
Perhaps, atop the windmill's pinnacle, stands the mechanoid named Cervantes, gazing intently back in Trojan's direction.
Cervantes...
Her gaze lingers only for a moment before shifting away. Trojan then turns around after closing the virtual screen of her terminal.
There's still some time left until the next shift. Having trouble falling asleep?
A little bit. I'm thinking about the mechanoids in this city. The dynamic between Cervantes and Michele also seems very captivating.
And...
And?
Don't worry about it. It's something unrelated to our mission and unnecessary to bring up now.
I thought you agreed with Sica on the importance of absolute honesty among comrades. Are you keeping a secret from your own teammate right now?
Hehe, just like you, I have my own little secret. If you're eager to uncover it, give it your all to win my affection.
But considering the complexity of our mission this time, we'd better concentrate our efforts on the exploration of the art museum for now.
I can't help but feel a tad uneasy about Cervantes' memory data and what Bazille mentioned regarding "people from Babylonia"...
You're always so upbeat, and I thought these things wouldn't bother you at all.
And what about you? You always seem lost in thought with a solemn expression while gazing into the distance. Are you going to let worries and troubles consume your mind?
Well, it's not like I'm never bothered, but I just find that things feel better when approached with a positive mindset.
Is this how you view our squad?
Absolutely. This is my first time being part of the Task Force for a surface mission. I'm not over with the excitement yet.
Moreover, don't you think everyone in our squad has so much untapped potential? Sure, those battles before were tough, but we all pulled through in the end.
The same goes for you, Trojan. Oh, we haven't properly celebrated our flawless teamwork back in the Kowloong hall. Now, give me a high five!
Having said that, Ayla extends her hand with a beaming smile, waiting for Trojan to reciprocate.
...Do I really have to?
Trojan lets out a sigh, but then raises her arm to give Ayla's palm a gentle tap.
Just to give you a heads-up, I'm pretty much on the same page as Lena. The last time I heard the word "comrade" was way back in my teenage days, flipping through a picture book during the Golden Age.
Hmm... It's true that we may not become comrades, or rather, it's just not possible for most people in the world to become comrades.
It's already a miracle of miracles to encounter a close friend whom you can trust with your life. And even if you do find such a person, there's no guarantee they'll stick around forever.
However, even if we can't become comrades, we're still teammates, aren't we?
We may have completely different motives and intentions, but at least we are working toward the same goal. That's good enough.
I don't know if I should call you carefree or persistent...
Persistent, without a doubt! I'm still incredibly intrigued by your past and Lena's too!
I don't know why, but something tells me that I'll find wonderful story inspiration from that!
Generally speaking, aren't you supposed to say some cheesy lines to help me work through my emotional baggage and leave my past shadows behind?
I can certainly give it a shot if that's what you're looking for, but I must admit that my expertise doesn't lie in that particular area.
The Gray Raven Commandant is likely an expert in that regard. You might have a better chance with that person.
The Gray Raven Commandant... a truly unique presence even in the Task Force.
Stopped the invasions of the Punishing Virus and thwarted the Ascendants' plans more times than I can count...
Retrieved crucial data for researching Omega Weapons, played a pivotal role in the lunar base incident...
Gambled erverything they had to save a teammate—"Empyrea", who was destined to be sacrificed... I wouldn't be surprised if anyone deems that person the savior of Babylonia.
It's too unrealistic to stop someone from admiring such a remarkable individual, isn't it?
Trojan's face breaks into a faint smile, yet her words are not intended for Ayla's ears.
On the second floor of the building where the squad stations, a lithe figure opens the window and gracefully leaps inside, moving with the nimbleness of a cat and making nary a sound.
...
There's no denying that Gray Raven has brought a sense of hope, but it's impossible to replicate that hope.
Hope that cannot be replicated will eventually turn into a toxic influence, leading people to lose their grip on reality.
Just as that commandant reached Empyrea's side, the Constructs stationed on the surface initiated a mass defection, all at once.
Do you have any idea that during the defection, how many commandants were betrayed by Constructs, and how many Constructs were unjustly disposed of due to the baseless allegations made by their commandants?
The higher-ups made the choice to sweep the whole thing under the rug by singing praises of the "Empyrea miracle." But how can you expect someone who personally witnessed the mass defection to buy into such nonsense?
So that's why you said those things to Sica?
It would only be better for her commandant career if she corrects her foolish misconception while she still can.
Rather than going through it firsthand and later regretting it... Actually, if it truly occurred, she might not even have the chance to feel regret.
It seems like you're hinting at something else... You have been watching me since nightfall, haven't you?
To be more precise, since the very beginning.
This is a squad established by the WGAA. Having a Construct with a Kurono background on board says a lot, don't you agree?
Look, there's no need to dwell on something that happened ages ago. I've been faithfully serving the Task Force all these years, and just so you know, my inclusion in this squad has the stamp of approval from General Wells himself.
Lee in Gray Raven, Vera in Cerberus, and even Commander Nikola, they all have a Kurono background. Are you planning to scrutinize each of their positions?
Then what's the deal with your service records being totally blank? What went down with your previous squad that made them wipe out all the related data?
That's not something you need to worry about. How about you spill the beans on your experience quitting Caribou first?
...
With a chilling gaze locked between them, Trojan extends her arm toward the tonfas lying nearby, while Lena clenches the bow tightly in her hand.
Hmm...
Caught in the midst of their intense confrontation, Ayla stealthily takes out her notebook and pencil. Her gaze becomes unwavering, as if she's poised to jot down every detail, fully engrossed in observing Lena and Trojan.
What are you doing?
No, no, please, don't mind me at all and carry on—I just don't want to miss any juicy bits.
Are you two gonna keep on exposing each other's deepest, darkest secrets from the past, or are you gonna grab your weapons and face off? Am I getting in your way here? Should I take a step back to give you more space? Or maybe you want me to play judge? Honestly, I'm cool with whatever!
Rather than diffusing the tension, Ayla appears to be stoking the flames, her excitement reminiscent of a reporter on the verge of witnessing a sensational event.
...As our captain, shouldn't you step in and prevent this impending clash? You know, say something heartfelt, ease the tension, and act like nothing ever went down?
I know, but to let things unfold in a more captivating way, I'll do my best to resist the urge and see where it leads you!
...
You're not going to let up until you get an answer out of me, huh? We've got bigger fish to fry, don't we?
Realizing that Ayla has no intention of making peace, Trojan resigns herself to the situation, mustering a smile and making a gesture of temporary reconciliation toward Lena.
...Alright, but just remember, this is a warning.
When our mission ends—
Lena shifts her gaze away from Trojan, focusing it instead on the windmill in the distance.
...
...
Tsk... I'm going back to check on the commandant. Let me know when your shift is over.
With a wave directed at Ayla, Lena retreats into the building.
Ha... That almost had me breaking a real sweat.
So, what's the verdict? Is the relationship between your teammates even worse than you thought? But you seem pretty chill about it all. Already braced yourself for the worst, huh?
Before our squad was put together, I got a heads-up from Chairman Allen that things could get a bit messy.
But like I said, no matter where we come from, nothing can alter the fact that we're a team.
Trojan, you're here because Iris Warbler can help you achieve something, right?
Causes and convictions don't just magically come to life on their own. It's through actions that they leave their mark on reality.
In whatever shape or form it assumes, I hope Iris Warbler can become something that holds profound meaning and value.
Even if it veers off from the path everyone expects. Even if it's branded as a failure down the road.
I won't look back with any regrets for the efforts I've poured into it.
The moon softly illuminates the dim room through the window, casting a soft glow that accentuates a small badge.
...
In a secluded corner of the building, Sica sits with her head bowed, her gaze fixed upon the tough and cold "proof" cradled in her palm.
Etched with a silver F.O.S. symbol, the bottom of the badge bears the "S.L."—the initials of her name.
To this day, the memory still vaguely lingers of the audience's glances when she received this badge, symbolizing the prestigious title of "Chief", during her graduation ceremony.
Those glances were filled with envy, jealousy, despise, disbelief... and even shades of sarcasm and contempt.
Deep down inside, she is acutely aware of her own unworthiness for that honor, a truth that resonates within her more profoundly than anyone else could comprehend.
Even so, she still wants to...
You're requesting a transfer out of this squad?
Yes, sir. The three of us all agree that Apodidae doesn't hold much promise for the future, even if we choose to stay.
Applications have already been submitted by commandants seeking personnel reinforcements for their squads. Considering the circumstances, I believe the General Staff has no grounds to reject our transfer this time.
Our cooperation with the commandant didn't go that well, as she struggled to adapt to our combat style.
...
If I remember correctly, she sent you to escort the Engineering Force to Conservation Area 27 during the Hetero Tower mission. However, instead of promptly contacting her after completing the task, you opted to proceed independently.
Can you give me an explanation?
During that period, the surface communications were severed, and it wasn't just our squad that experienced the loss of contact with teammates.
As per military protocol, Constructs are granted the authority to make certain decisions in situations where they lose contact with their commandants.
However, the investigation conducted by the communication center reveals that your transponders were operational, and the commandant had been making efforts to request your coordinates.
Hmph... I trust the General Staff is well aware of the intense electromagnetic interference that occurred during that period. General, are you insinuating that we intentionally disregarded the communication requests from the commandant?
...That's not what I said.
I just want to make it clear that your commandant's utmost concern had always been your safety until the very end, and nothing else.
Your transfer applications have been approved. It was... the initial intention of the General Staff.
...
...
I've always been...
What I should do now, and what I want to become...
Sica firmly clutches the badge, resolute in her quest to bury the past, and then tucks it away into her waist pack.
