Story Reader / Main Story / 22 Renaissance du Fantastique / Story
Ayla battles her way through the obstacles, determined to reach the epicenter of the explosion. She finally arrives, only to find the scene not as tumultuous as she had imagined.
Contrary to her expectations, the air around hangs heavy with an eerie silence, as though she has stumbled upon a desolate graveyard.
What on earth is... going on?
Hel...
From the furthest hall, a Construct shuffles forward, his battered and broken body dragging slowly, displaying visible signs of wear and damage.
Clutching a fragmented anti-tank launcher in his grasp, the Construct's waist and abdomen bear a deep, gurgling wound, oozing dark vital fluid. As he moves, a trail is left behind, resembling the slow crawl of a slug.
Before Ayla can take a step, the Construct's legs give way, unable to bear his weight any longer. They shatter beneath him, causing his body to crumple and fall to the ground.
Is he from Kurono...?
She wants to check on the Construct, only to find out he has already become a lifeless corpse.
...
After pushing the half-closed door open, Ayla finally sees the whole picture.
Once clean and tidy, the interior has become a hell stained with splashing vital fluid. Over a dozen unknown Constructs lie on the floor, all lifeless. The hall is covered in shattered armors and dismembered limbs.
Ayla...?
Sica is kneeling next to Trojan, who is severely wounded. She turns back and sees Ayla.
You arrived just on time... Ayla, take this commandant away—
No, Trojan! You are injured—
You never heard what Lena used to say, did you...? Listen, Gray Raven will be here any minute. You must merge with them first, then discuss the next step...
...
But Ayla could not hear Trojan. She seems to be taken away by that faint light and just stares blankly at the culprits behind this atrocity—the two figures standing in the center of the room.
The Construct named Lena has a black mask engraved on her face. The knight statue hovers behind her like a wraith haunting its host.
Le... na...?
...
With her face hidden behind the mask, the purple-haired Construct slightly lowers her head. The light on the knight statue begins to flicker.
I see... Babylonia surely came prepared.
What are you... talking about?
The Purifying Force has already set up a blockade on the main roads of the city. If they can't make use of something, they just destroy it... As always.
Purifying Force...?
Completely overwhelmed, Ayla is still trying to process the new information.
The Kurono Constructs that were completely wiped out. Trojan's wounds. The knight statue that suddenly showed up, and Lena suddenly becoming someone else.
She has a vague feeling that there is a vast, looming shadow behind this mission that she cannot comprehend.
But right now, there is only one thing that she is certain of.
The "Lena" she used to know is turning into a complete stranger.
Why did you become like this...? Who's that behind you? Is it that "subject"?
Subject...? No. I (we) have our own names.
I (we) are dead souls buried in the past, "echoes" reforged from lust and sin.
This is a final warning.
The mechanisms around the hall are turned once again. Robot statues move between Ayla and Lena like puppets on strings.
In their eyes is the same purple light that glows in the knight statue's, indicating that they are under its control.
Leave me (us) alone, Babylonia.
The Construct who claims to be "Echo" turns her back on Ayla as she walks toward the deeper section of the Art Museum.
You've got to be joking...!
The moment Ayla tries to follow, the statues begin to attack her together.
Ugh...
After Haicma and Spooner left half-way, Ayla's stamina was already significantly drained during the battle in the Moon Hall. The mechanoids alone are tough to deal with, not to mention that she must also take care of Trojan and Sica.
Echo and the knight statue have completely disappeared from her vision. Ayla gnashes her teeth and stands in front of Trojan and Sica, holding her gunlance up.
There's no other way... Sica, Trojan, I want you to fall back to a safe place first.
I'll try to catch up with Lena—
No, Ayla! I won't let you do that!
Trojan's injuries are too serious. We must send her back to get treated first!
As the commandant of Iris Warbler, I hereby terminate this mission! You will evacuate this city together with us!
...
Sica's eyes, now red from the dried blood, are glowing with an unwavering determination. Her clenched fists and slightly trembling body show that she is trying extremely hard to control herself to not agree to Ayla's demand.
Perhaps she wants to go after Lena more than Ayla does, but she has finally come to realize that some things simply could not be done no matter how much she wants to.
As a commandant, when needed, she must set aside all impulsive emotions to make the decision that is most rational and beneficial to her squad.
She cannot always live in her dream. Before that, she must learn the "reality."
Watch out...! More mechanoids coming from behind!
What are these statues, some sort of NPCs that automatically spawn? Just how many more do we have to fight?!
More purple-eyed statues swarmed into the room from the entrance, blocking their way out. Sica tries to hold Trojan up and shoot, but her efforts are futile. Without Trojan as the vanguard, it is increasingly difficult to break through the encirclement.
Great... Dear teammates, do you still have any fancy moves up your sleeves?
I was going to ask you!
Ayla knocks two statues away with her energy blast, but the gap is soon filled by new statues. The squad just cannot move fast enough with an injured member.
Guess you'll have to leave me behind. Ayla, your weapon has a short-distance thruster. As long as you open a breach, you can take Sica with you.
No! Commandant said we would bring you back to treat you. Did you not hear that?
Didn't you talk about how we should respond to this potential situation in the shuttle?!
I should have touched wood, but whatever! Our story can't end this way!
Nothing is certain before the ending comes!
I may not be able to change it, but it wouldn't be me if I give up fighting!
Like a flash that cuts through endless darkness, the Construct with twin tails dashes across the gloomy hall with her crimson, frosty katana.
Her thruster sends the hem of her coat flying. Her katana blinks across the statues, slicing her way through with the dark red blade.
Within a few breaths, the once impenetrable encirclement is torn apart, leaving a massive gap. The girl Construct leaps forward, makes two twirling slashes with her crimson, snow-like blade, then holds it up over her shoulder as she pulls to a stop in front of Sica and others.
She turns her face and flashes a slightly apologetic smile at Ayla.
Sorry, we're late.
Lucia! And [player name]!
The timing couldn't be any better... You planned this, didn't you?
[player name]! And...
The white doll dances gracefully in the hall. Each of her strikes lands precisely on the core of a statue, disabling the remaining mechanoids without any unnecessary action.
All nearby hostile targets have been eliminated, Mistress.
Let that newbie with poor taste hold the outer defense... Stay there as long as she's still alive.
Yes, Mistress. Bambinata will let her know.
The little girl Construct stands behind her commandant obediently, sending out instructions on her terminal. Along with the first girl Construct comes another young commandant.
What's up, Ms. Top Student? Why aren't you thanking me for saving your life?
Th-thank you so much! Gray Raven, Egret, I really appreciate your hel—
Um, forget about it. Your sincerity is making me uncomfortable.
We could have arrived earlier.
But when we passed through a hall, we saw some enemies we used to fight... They turned out to be fake, but those mechanoids still cost us some time.
We would be here an hour earlier if we didn't have to deal with them.
Wait, did you just finish those things off... in just one hour?
After all, we faced them before...
Besides, we have also become much better.
That's the Gray Raven I know.
We should stop wasting time here. Can I get a quick update of the situation here, Ms. Top Student?
Roger! It all started with—
Wait, what? Your member merged with that subject...?
Anyway, we were ordered to recycle that subject. That's something we cannot give up.
The Purifying Force has begun to enter this city. Considering what your member has done, they would not hesitate to destroy her together with that subject.
Kurono's operation was unauthorized, but if we don't take the subject back to the Parliament, they could even pin it on us.
Right. We have come so far, how can we leave without a fabulous comeback?!
I want to bring Lena back too, but I can't just leave Trojan here.
Vanessa, could Egret escort Trojan to somewhere safe?
What? Why don't you take care of your own burden and let Gray Raven Commandant and me go after that subject?
Hmph... Two against one. Too bad I'm not the chief commander. Fine, I'll do it your way.
Vanessa walks to Trojan and gestures Bambinata to give her emergency treatment using her repair module.
You are... Trojan, right? If I remember correctly, there was a Construct who said I was "impertinent" in Babylonia a few days ago.
I have a bad feeling about this...
Since Gray Raven Commandant asked, I will make sure I return this Construct to you "untouched" after this mission, my dear valedictorian.
Thank you, Vanessa. I won't fail you!
Did you just believe what she said already...?
After you confirm the escape route and backup plan with Vanessa, Gray Raven and Iris Warbler continue forward in the direction that Echo left.
I never thought one day I would be on the same mission with Lucia and [player name]. Feels like a dream come true!
Your decision to join the Task Force also surprised me... I admire your determination.
Sica was injured during the confrontation with Kurono as she tried to protect Lena. Still, she insists to operate together with Ayla as Ayla's commandant.
I'm fine. Just a scratch on the forehead, it's not bleeding anymore.
Thanks to Ayla... And everyone in the squad. They have taught me a lot.
So I'm taking my own pace now.
The 1st, 2nd, 4th and 7th blockade lines are completed. The progress of the remaining lines is also over 80%. Interim Captain Issarius, we await your order.
...
The leader Construct remains silent. He just looks into the corridor like a lion patiently waiting for its prey.
Let me do it. Issarius hates this kind of thing.
The veteran standing next to Issarius takes over the terminal as he speaks to the task team of this emergency mission.
I want all teams to speed up the deployment of blockade. The mission time is limited, and the target is extremely dangerous. We can't afford any mistakes.
The preliminary investigation suggests the target may have the ability to control mechanoids. If there is any mechanoid reaction near you, eliminate them with mounted weapons.
Team A will enter the core buildings first to search and eliminate the target. Team B and C are on standby and will wait for Team A's instructions. Over.
Save the hassle... I can handle them myself.
I'm not used to moving with a large team.
I know you are good, but this mission is different. A mate with connections checked it... All I can say is, we will be screwed if we screw up this mission.
I don't care. I just wish my opponents can be strong.
...Fine. You take the charge, you handle the consequences.
Fall back 30 meters right now. Watch my back.
Hmm? Why?
Because... I will take care of the enemies ahead.
Issarius swings his arm and walks forward alone.
Two figures walk out of the corridor. Based on the appearance of one of them, both seem to be mechanoids.
(Babylonia's Purifying Force... Accessing Battle Power—the leader Construct seems like a tough opponent.)
(...I can't believe Cervantes left them to us. I really don't like him now.)
(Once the Purifying Force has completed the blockade lines, the awakened machines in this city will be in danger. Even Cervantes cannot help them transfer safely.)
(Who would have thought we were also part of his backup plan... Did he know the Church would send someone here?)
(I may have not shared this with you, but Cervantes was the chief designer of the large intelligence switch "Gray Tower" inside the Church. He has always had access to it.)
(...Whatever. We just have to stall them, right?)
(There are other active Babylonia Task Forces in this city. Once they find the subject, the Purifying Force has no reason to be here.)
(Are we not taking any precautions against the Task Force?)
(Hmm... Probably not.)
(We can trust their leader.)
(Besides, we can also help Ayla.)
(Hmph... If only she can know what these two "friends" have done for her.)
Haicma ends the internal communication. She takes a step forward and holds up her scythe to stop Issarius.
I can feel it... You are good.
You are not like the other robots here.
...
So... I hope you can last a little longer!
With a taunting smile, Issarius draws the weapon on his waist and charges toward Haicma and Spooner at full speed.
