Story Reader / Main Story / 22 Renaissance du Fantastique / Story
General Staff Conference Room, Babylonia.
Sorry, I'm late.
Nikola bursts into the room with a messy stack of documents in his hand, his appearance bearing the marks of a relentless onslaught of battle deployments.
Wells, what's the status of Iris Warbler's mission?
As scheduled, they reached Constellia two days ago and currently should be conducting investigations in the central area of the city.
Have we received any progress reports or visual data from them?
Unfortunately, the signal interference within the city remains significant, making it difficult for them to establish stable remote communication with us at the moment.
However, the commandant's Mind Beacon is within range of our near-Earth radar, and its signal remains strong and stable. Based on that, we can assume that they are following the plan and making steady progress for now.
Okay... We've just received reports from Gray Raven and Egret, and both squads have finished their recon missions earlier than expected. It's estimated that they'll be ready for new battle deployments in three days.
We can send them there as reinforcements if necessary.
Commander Nikola, you seem particularly invested in this mission.
Despite being a recently formed squad, Iris Warbler includes a member whom you are familiar with. If this is simply an investigation mission, I fail to see why it would be necessary to deploy two additional elite squads there.
Heh, I think I can empathize with Commander Nikola's concern, as we both have some special personal memories related to "Constellia".
Chairman Allen, what makes you say that?
Allen... Well, I guess there's nothing to hide about the old days anymore. Looks like you know a lot about it. Why don't you spill the beans and explain it to them?
I wouldn't say I'm an expert or anything. I just happened to cross paths with Michele a few times when I was younger.
Michele Vasari, the designer of Constellia, also a former WGAA member during the Golden Age.
That's why you're adamant about assigning Ayla's squad to investigate Constellia, right?
Indeed. While Iris Warbler might not be the best choice if our sole focus is on efficiency, I still want to have someone from the WGAA lead this mission.
Please see it as my way of showing respect for Michele's legacy.
...Let's cut to the chase, Allen. I assume both you and Nikola have more insights to share about Constellia than the rest of us.
Ahem, alright, I'll try to make it short.
That era may seem like a distant memory now, but several decades ago, human civilization was undeniably basking in the glory of its most extraordinary days.
Energy production was optimized, AI and machines liberated humanity from labor, and the World Government replaced nations... Our civilization achieved unprecedented progress, surpassing the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution. We were even ready to turn our gaze to the stars.
Just as the pyramids of ancient Egypt, the Parthenon in Athens, and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore stand as enduring monuments, it was only natural for the people of the Golden Age to desire a symbol of their own, a testament to the magnificence of their era.
Regarding the form... numerous theories emerged, yet all converging toward a single answer:
Constellia—a megalopolis jointly invested in by the four largest economic entities worldwide: Kowloong, Akdilek, Arctic Route Union, and Transatlantic Economic Community.
However, it wasn't long before the outbreak of the Punishing Virus. The construction of Constellia was still in its early confidential stage, leaving everyone unaware of its eventual location or how it would unfold.
Many secrets and memories have been buried along with that era, and the WGAA is acutely aware of this more than anyone else.
For most, Constellia is shrouded in ambiguity, evoking a sense of skepticism akin to the doubt cast upon the existence of the fabled lost island of Atlantis, as recounted in Plato's dialogues.
This encompasses nearly all the information obtainable through conventional means.
Indeed... Even Babylonia's database holds only scarce records about it. If we hadn't uncovered the city, there would have been no way to confirm the accuracy of that data.
Hmph, that was just the result of deliberate manipulation.
While it appeared that the four major economic entities were co-investors in the city, there was in fact a mastermind orchestrating it all.
At this point, I think the answer should be abundantly clear to everyone.
Kurono. They are the mastermind behind the construction of Constellia.
Talking about the monument and the glory... those are just a bunch of nonsense meant to play with people's heads.
...
The true intent behind Constellia was to serve as an expansive "barn" for Kurono, facilitating the transfer and absorption of underground capital.
It was presented as a cutting-edge technological metropolis to lure substantial investments and financial activities—
Their objective was to identify additional plutocrats and organizations for collaboration and lay the foundation for a base at the negotiation table to fuel their ambitious "Project Winter".
...I see, so the city itself was meant to serve as a smokescreen for Project Winter.
With the onset of the Punishing Virus, this scheme should have been thwarted long ago.
Exactly, they wiped out most of the data as if it had never happened.
Until SOMEONE secretly took control of Constellia's construction and intentionally unveiled its existence to us.
You think Kurono has a chance to get involved in this situation?
I can't say for sure, but honestly, I don't think Kurono has the muscle right now to deal with the Golden Age's aftermath.
But knowing Kurono, I can't quite imagine them sitting this one out.
Chairman Allen, were you aware of all this information when you insisted on assigning the mission to Iris Warbler?
General Wells, I have faith in Ayla and her squad.
For Kurono, Constellia might be nothing more than a means to fulfill their ambition, but from my point of view, it also embodies the will of the WGAA.
Even though I'm not a believer in spiritualism, I still hold the belief that every lock can only be opened with a unique key.
And Iris Warbler is the key this time.
Wells, don't you think this could also be an opportunity for us?
You mean...
I proposed the establishment of Iris Warbler because I've held the belief that it could present us with a new "opening."
The Golden Age is a colossal sunken wreck, and the WGAA has been committed to salvaging it. However, our intent isn't just to place its remains in a museum for mere admiration.
We aim to restore it. We want it to transform into an ark that guides humanity toward the future.
Allen is undoubtedly the least experienced and the youngest among the four present, not even involved with the military field. However, his voice exudes unwavering composure and faith.
Since things aren't clear yet, whether we should send additional elite squads to Constellia or not is still up for debate.
At the very least, we should wait to see the surface report from the Iris Warbler Commandant first—
Before Hassen can finish his sentence, a crisp notification sound chimes in the conference room.
Hassen and Nikola both turn their gaze on the source of the sound—Wells.
It's nothing, just a notification from my private terminal... but I thought I had already set it to silent mode.
Sorry, let me quickly take a look.
Who would send a private email to him at this hour? After a few seconds of hesitation, Wells activates the virtual screen of his terminal.
Unknown sender and address—evidently, someone sent this email by hacking into his private channel.
As the head of the General Staff, Wells holds the same security clearance as Hassen and Nikola. His devices should have the highest level of protection.
The sender must be a skilled hacker capable of breaching the highest-level military security protocol, and it's highly likely to be someone from Babylonia.
After a brief perusal of the email, a stern expression crosses Wells' face.
What's wrong, Wells?
...
Wells doesn't provide an immediate response. Instead, he closes his eyes and, with his left hand, touches something inside his chest pocket, attempting to regain his composure.
He then casts a glance at Allen, pondering the need to request him to leave.
However, he ultimately returns his attention to Hassen and Nikola, seemingly having concluded that it's important for the chairman of the WGAA to be informed about the situation.
President Hassen, Commander Nikola, allow me to forward the email I've just received to both of you. While I can't vouch for the information's authenticity, I believe it's imperative for you to review it as well.
Also, regarding Iris Warbler's mission... we should have one more discussion.
Not long ago.
In a corridor near the Engineering Force's base, a disheveled man in a flamboyant Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops saunters carelessly.
Unfazed by the curious glances from the Engineering Force crew, he occasionally peers into the plant as though searching for someone.
That is, until a Construct walking in his direction comes to a halt upon recognizing him.
Aloha, Karenina. How have you been?
He greets the Engineering Force captain with an eccentric grin, as if they were close acquaintances.
You're... Norman? I remember you're Teddy's...
Oh, you remember me? Fantastic! Did my dear sister mention her big brother to the Engineering Force?
Err... If you mean "that good-for-nothing, sloppy, annoying idiot with horrific fashion taste" she mentioned, then yeah, she did.
Haha, Christina's still the same with her sharp tongue. Seems like she's been in a good mood lately, which saves me some time to worry about her.
So, what's the young master of the Norman Mining Corp doing in these parts?
Well, there's some collaboration between the corp and the Engineering Force, so the old geezers sent their errand boy to check things out.
I see. Thought you came for Teddy.
Alright, feel free to have a look around. We've been busy fixing up stuff in Babylonia, and it's all pretty much shipshape now.
But I can't say for sure what's next. I heard something big's popped up on the surface, so we might have to send some folks over there.
You mean that place called Constellia? Rumors are surely flyin' around.
A city from the Golden Age... With a bit of reconstruction, It could make for a decent base, I reckon.
Is that good news for you Engineering Force folks?
Hmph... It's still up in the air. Some colossal monster might just drop in unannounced. At this point, it's almost routine.
Hehe, guess only the man upstairs knows what's coming next.
I still got stuff on my plate. Gotta run first.
Having had her fill of chit-chat with Norman, Karenina quickly ends the conversation and prepares to walk past him.
Oh, by the way, Teddy should be in the production workshop of the Third Development Department right about now.
Just giving you a heads-up in case you want to pay her a visit.
Having said that, Karenina rushes back to the plant.
...But I doubt she's thrilled to see me though.
With a bitter smile, Norman heads in the opposite direction.
He arrives at a conference room near the Engineering Force, greeted by the "In Use" sign on the door.
Whistling, he pushes the door open and flashes a bright smile at the man and woman inside.
Norman?
Well, well, look who's here! Mr. Norman, the last time we bumped into each other was at the lunar base, huh?
Oops, my bad. I didn't realize someone was in here. Just needed a spot for a quick breather.
Heh, the military's got a few things in the works with the Engineering Force, so Rebecca and I dropped by to see how it's going. Man, what a bunch of trivial errands, and the boredom is killing me.
Hey, Mr. Norman, how about we grab a cup of tea and catch up a bit?
I don't see any reason to turn down your friendly offer, Mr. Collins.
...
Rebecca sighs, at a loss for words, as she listens to the two men's pretentious conversation.
Collins, cut the act. Is Norman the "guest" you mentioned earlier?
Hey, why the long face, Rebecca? Every visitor is a guest here. It's fate that brought Mr. Norman to us.
...Let me remind you upfront: the bogus CCTV footage and meeting record will only buy you roughly half an hour. So, better not squander all that precious time on pointless chit-chat.
—Well, if the lovely lady says so, Mr. Norman, it seems our little get-together won't be a lengthy one this time around.
Sure, I was planning to pay my sister a visit before the Engineering Force wraps up for the day anyway.
Oh, are you talking about Ms. Christina Norman? She's truly lucky to have a caring brother like you.
It's a shame she doesn't see all the effort and sacrifices you've made to give her some freedom from the family's control...
Collins, I don't want to hear anything about Christina here.
Upon Collins delving into his personal life, Norman's expression quickly shifts, his feigned smile vanishing.
I've brought what you want.
Norman retrieves a small electronic terminal from his pocket and slides it across the table toward Collins with a deft motion.
What is this?
Even though it's not my usual business, this thing has piqued my interest since a while ago.
If you're really keen on knowing, consider it one of the perks of Project Winter's fruit basket.
Project Winter? Isn't that just experiments about Ascendants?
That's just what outsiders think. Project Winter is the core of Kurono. Even I can't get a full view of it.
"M.I.N.D. Fusion and Detachable Modular Technology", Experiment ID: W-014. I can't say exactly how long it's been going on, but five years at the least.
M.I.N.D... Fusion...?
Sounds like something cooked up by mad scientists, right? I don't have all the details, but the word is they're aiming to create a "biological weapon" that can form a unique connection with Constructs.
So, this biological weapon is meant to beef up a Construct's defense against the Punishing Virus... But, you know, the Science Council's already churned out those new frames that are totally immune to the virus. Must've been a real struggle for the folks working on that project, I imagine.
This tech might not be a little outdated in terms of functionality, but it's a treasure trove of knowledge because it's all about M.I.N.D. research.
Humanity's way behind when it comes to understanding the M.I.N.D. compared to the Inver-Device. Figuring out the M.I.N.D.'s secrets has been a tough nut for Babylonia to crack.
Inver-Device, M.I.N.D... just how obsessed Kurono is with all these.
You know, Kurono's made up of a bunch of crazy folks—no, I mean, they're idealists aiming to push the limits of human knowledge. They're always brimming with ideas and ready to make them happen. Heck, even Liszt's absurd project managed to attract funding, and that says a lot about the organization.
So, does that mean... the Norman Mining Corp has ties to Kurono in other ways beyond just the lunar base?
Haha, just a few here and there. You can never guess who these wealthy, bored folks get in bed with, you know.
The corp sponsored a surface laboratory base of Kurono. I don't have access to much data, but as a "token of goodwill," I think it should suffice.
Norman, so your partnership with Liszt went sour?
How should I put this... He basically crossed lines he shouldn't have. Plus, that lunar base situation turned into a real mess. So, Liszt's pretty much useless to me now.
That's why I'm here, bringing my "bargaining chip" to scout for a new partner. Mr. Collins strikes me as a reliable, sophisticated gentleman.
Hahaha, Mr. Norman, it looks like you are quite terrible at reading the situation.
Honestly, I don't have many cards left to play after losing Luna. Otherwise, I would never have let the Science Council snatch that Inver-Device project from me.
You've chosen quite a lousy partner at a really lousy time.
That's exactly why I picked you, Collins.
Oh?
Only a mad dog with nothing to lose bites without restraint. Only someone who's been through hell will stop at nothing to reclaim what's theirs.
We're both reckless gamblers. Wouldn't you like to spice things up and go all in before losing everything?
Hahaha, I have to admit, you've got quite a sense for this. I had a hunch about you, and it seems my instincts are right on the money.
Leonardo Norman, we're cut from the same cloth, you and I.
Since the gas has been poured, and you've brought me the torch, only a fool wouldn't know what to do next.
So, what's your plan?
I've actually got some insider info on that experiment sponsored by the Norman Mining Corp.
During the Hetero Tower incident, one of those Ascendants slipped in when everything went haywire at the lab. Well, as you can guess, everyone inside got wiped out, researchers and all.
All killed by an Ascendant... So the experiment failed?
On the contrary, it was a real winner! But here's the kicker: the test subject managed to bust out of the place during the Ascendant's attack. So now, Kurono's got to round up a crew to track down this runaway subject.
Thanks to that, I managed to scoop up some juicy info.
And, you won't believe how small this world is! That test subject turned out to be an old acquaintance of mine from way back. Never thought he'd become like this, though...
An old acquaintance of yours...?
Let's not dive into the nitty-gritty of those heart-wrenching old days right now. What matters is that Kurono is on the hunt for that runaway test subject, and I just so happen to know where he is.
Are you thinking of nabbing that test subject before Kurono does?
Hmph, I doubt a refined gentleman like Mr. Collins would willingly become their cat's paw.
My dear Mr. Norman, even though we haven't known each other for long, it feels like we've already become kindred spirits.
That test subject is like a firework, ready to explode at any moment, and we're going to make it shine as brightly and spectacularly as possible.
We can't keep all that dazzling view to ourselves, can we?
At least everyone in Babylonia should get a piece of it.
If the military catches wind of the test subject, the Parliament will be all over Kurono, and even the Norman Mining Corp won't be able to dodge the bullet.
That's right. Only those crazy Kurono folks are ruthless enough to run such a twisted experiment on a living being. Once their dirty secret's out, you can bet the Parliament will serve them up a dose of justice!
And that's... exactly what we want to see.
Gardening is all about trimming the excess branches to help the plant thrive.
After all these years of working with my Nicky boy and Hassen, I know better than anyone how sharp these two scissors can get.
How do you plan on spreading this information?
Don't worry. There are plenty of gossip-mongers out there, and I happen to know a reliable one.
Once everything's set, let's see how our "friendly" rivals react while waiting for the fireworks to bloom.
Purifying Force Training Room, Babylonia.
After the daily routine, there's only one Construct left in the empty training room, tirelessly practicing his sword swings.
Issarius, you're still here?
Bianca enters and spots Issarius, who hasn't returned to his dormitory yet. She sighs, clearly familiar with this sight.
Because I must get stronger.
You've become more and more obsessed with this since the Red Tide incident.
...Forget about what I said. I think I can understand why you're feeling this way.
Is there something you need from me, Captain?
There's a mission for you, Issarius.
The command center has assigned a top-classified mission to the Purifying Force, specifically naming you as the executor.
What's it about?
...I'm in the dark about that as well. My role is simply to follow the procedure and relay the information to you. The specifics are above my clearance level.
I see. That type of mission, huh?
A last-minute mission assigned to a specific member of the Purifying Force, and even the Purifying Force captain has no access to the details. This is typically a measure taken when certain military higher-ups need to accomplish something unconventional outside the bounds of formal procedures.
Bianca has always wanted to eliminate these off-the-books orders, which could be seen as breaches of protocol. However, this "tradition" persists due to the complexities within military ranks.
You know you have every right to turn it down, Issarius.
...
That's fine. I'll take it.
After a moment of silence, the young Construct rejects Bianca's advice.
A mission is a mission, regardless of who it comes from and what it's for.
Since they assigned me the mission, the target must be pretty tough to deal with.
With a composed demeanor, he finishes cleaning the weapon in his hand and then carefully sheathes it.
It leaves me no reason to run away.
