Story Reader / Main Story / 25 Everglowing Justice / Story
Hff...
Echo breaths heavily beside you, struggling. Even with your help, the effects of the interferences on her M.I.N.D. are still going to take some time before they wear off.
Why... would that thing show up here...
I... can still fight.
With the ambush here, we now know that the destruction of Conservation Area 112 must be related to Utopia.
Stick to our route, and we should arrive in Conservation Area 112 tomorrow morning.
There's an abandoned outpost ahead of us. Let's rest there tonight...
As Echo explains her arrangements, your terminal suddenly rings.
You open the terminal to find new announcements from Babylonia, the first of which is...
Under the announcement is a blurry photo in which a figure stands next to the armor holding Echo...
Lena didn't defect or collude with any defector!
Echo frowns and interrupts you angrily.
That Construct... was indeed the one who took Cecily and me away from Constellia. He saved me because he believed I had the potential to become a Transcendant, but we parted way after I regained consciousness.
If Echo wanted to take revenge on Kurono while being hunted by both Babylonia and Utopia's Aurora Squadron, she could have easily chosen the defector's assistance.
...No particular reason. We just hold different principles toward things.
...Tsk. Righteousness and justice?
...Do you think they exist in this world?
Were the things you experienced... not enough to open your eyes?
Only power is eternal. You can only achieve the things you said if you have power.
Ha... What a naive child. Go if you want. I won't stop you.
You'll die in the righteousness and justice you so insist one day.
He and I are seeking different things.
...
Echo never fails to look melancholic when she mentions Lena.
I met Lena back in Utopia... but she didn't defect, and I never used her identity to collaborate with any defectors, either.
She helped me tremendously and taught me a lot when I was in Utopia.
All I want to do is destroy Utopia and... find Lena.
We got separated when we escaped, but I'm sure she didn't die. She told me she would escape...
Lena was a member of Caribou, which was a squad directly under Nikola's command. You have only heard that each member had different identities, but no one has ever known the truth.
Is Nikola aware of Lena's disappearance?
How did Echo replace Lena and enter Constellia? Why is she so desperate to find Lena now?
...I didn't clarify it in the beginning because I would sound guilty no matter how I described it.
But everything will be clear once we find Utopia.
...I'm sorry I can't offer you more right now.
But I know that Babylonia probably wants to take advantage of my identity as a test subject.
Justice is bound to echo through the land. When Utopia is destroyed and the Aurora Squadron receives their deserving demise, I will go to Babylonia with you.
That is... if we uphold our current alliance.
I know Utopia has been researching the M.I.N.D., but I didn't know that he was capable of this already.
Recalling the weapon you encountered during the previous fight... you have indeed never heard of something that can directly interfere with a Construct's M.I.N.D.
I need you to connect to me to stabilize my M.I.N.D. so we can enter Utopia.
As for the questions you have on Lena, me, and Aurora Squadron... I'll slowly tell you everything, just like I promised.
Your terminal buzzes again—it's Lee's message. He has checked the surroundings and confirmed that Echo is not intentionally leading you to Kurono's trap.
I don't need you to trust me. We're just using each other to get what we need.
The purple-haired girl's eyes glisten with resolve.
You'll get the intel on Utopia and the Kurono test subject, and I... will find Lena and destroy Utopia.
That's fine by me.
You interrupt Echo seemingly just before she is about to make a speech.
From the information you have gathered so far, there is an unquestionable connection between Echo, Aurora Squadron, and the flying fortress named Utopia.
Any new information you can get from her will certainly help Asimov's and your plan.
And how... will Project Winter and Aurora Squadron be linked?
...That's... going to be a long one.
