Story Reader / Main Story / 28 Polaris Bond / Story
On September 26, Zhao Chuan killed Duke Ling at Taoyuan.
Upon hearing the news, Zhao Dun, who had not ventured through the mountains at the kingdom's border, returned.
The Grand Historian documented, "Zhao Dun murdered his king," and this record was presented to the court.
Zhao Dun said, "That is not true."
The historian responded, "As the chief commander, you fled without leaving the kingdom and returned without punishing the traitor. Who else could it be?"
Zhao Dun lamented, "Alas! As the poem goes, 'My sentiment brought this upon me.' This perfectly encapsulates my predicament!"
This excerpt is from an ancient Kowloong book.
With my limited writing skills, I cannot capture the full causes and repercussions of this war, nor can I adequately narrate the events in my own language.
I can only rely on this passage from an ancient Kowloong book to provisionally document what has transpired.
When the truth unravels in the future, it will not be too late for those who come after to rectify my narrative.
There are no living beings in Tabula Akasha.
While such a statement was entirely correct in the past, it may not be entirely accurate now.
Once isolated and desolate, this place has now turned into the last refuge for the people of Kowloong.
Hence, the precise expression of this statement should be—
There are no living beings in the data space of Tabula Akasha.
And Monarch of Kowloong also died here.
After Duheng publicly shot Qu, the central control room descended into a deathly silence, akin to an ice cave.
The turn of events has gone beyond everyone's expectations.
Without the Monarch of Kowloong, what should we do?
Some people think.
That Babylonia's lackey fired out of nowhere!
Some people think.
She deserved it for what she had done...
Some people think.
Without Qu, what will become of Tabula Akasha and Huaxu next?
Others think.
Amidst the prevailing silence, people disperse, leaving two wordless figures gazing at each other.
...
...
You killed her.
I did.
You were supposed to be loyal to Kowloong. Lady Qu trusted you so much.
But you... you betrayed her.
Betrayed... Kowloong.
The girl coldly gazes at her aunt, though she has only met her a few times.
Babylonia... and you killed Lady Qu. Despicable.
You regicide.
...I only did what I must do.
What happened—
By the time Chaofeng and you hear the gunshot and rush there, Qu is already sprawled on the ground, her eyes devoid of life.
Chaofeng also finds himself stunned by the scene before him, rendered speechless.
There's no point.
Duheng trembles as she engages the safety on the gun and then drops it to the ground.
The emblems of Babylonia and the World Government on the gun's grip flicker faintly under the dim light of the control room.
This gun is exclusively used by the Purifying Force and the Parliament for executions.
Once it hits a Construct's mechanical heart, this bullet... will immediately shut down their functions.
Without... causing any pain—
I must do it. I must do so...
Sometimes, convincing oneself demands more courage and exacts a heavier price than convincing others.
In Kowloong... all the deceased end up in the same destination...
Duheng's gaze turns toward a tightly sealed room, a place Qu had never allowed anyone to enter before.
Their mind data must be uploaded.
If opening the gate to Tabula Akasha was part of Qu's plan, then she had to see this game through to the end.
But with the chess player gone, how will the game continue?
Thud!!!!
Dust cascades from the towering concrete walls of the control room. The noise is so deafening that it even shakes this formidable fortress.
Tsk... It's coming from outside.
[player name]! On your guard!
The comms terminal, which you intended to use to contact Liv and Wanshi for help, suddenly lights up.
These Hetero-Creatures have gone crazy all of a sudden, making a beeline for the control room.
We're... stalling them as much as we can.
Stay there and don't move!!
Camu's furious roar reverberates through the terminal, striking at the hearts of all present.
These Hetero-Creatures are either drawn to something specific or someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Something's off, Commandant.
We just barely picked up a communication signal from Cerberus and the Engineering Force in the outer region. They can't break through from the front right now.
Strike Hawk is still in the northwest engineering tunnel. It will take some time to clear the path through.
Leave here to us, Captain.
Alright. Lee and Lucia have already moved toward the control room from the third outer passage. Hold tight! I'll head back to support you shortly.
...They're... coming...
Chrome's call ends.
Correspondingly, the previously quiet control room immediately descends into chaos.
Pulao! Zhishi! Get everyone who can move to help!
Set up the spot immediately! Utilize the terrain and get ready for defensive measures!
Meanwhile, another call comes in.
Commandant! Are you alright?!
Lucia and I are on our way back to the central control room, about three and a half minutes away.
What exactly happened? These Hetero-Creatures suddenly started another wave of attacks...
What?!
...
Lucia's face displays a complex expression, though it is hard to discern as they are moving quickly.
...We're almost there, Commandant.
Please, you must stay safe and wait for us to return.
Wait for us, [player name].
A determined gleam shines in Lucia's eyes, a gaze that you must cling to, no matter what.
Bzzzz... bzzzz...
Due to the constant Punishing signals, even short-range communications have been disrupted.
Which means the onslaught of Hetero-Creatures is imminent.
Qu, who had collapsed to the ground, is also brought to the small room by Duheng.
The panicked crowd gradually gathers in the room deep within the hall. If the control room is breached, and if the breakout teams led by Strike Hawk and Yazi fail to clear out the engineering tunnel in the northwest and meet with Cerberus and the Engineering Force outside—
The consequences would be unimaginable.
You must...
A voice whispers in your ear, akin to drifting duckweed sinking into the sea, directly permeating your consciousness.
However, scanning your surroundings, you find no one nearby who could be speaking to you like this.
As a variable, you must shoulder... the duties of a variable.
This familiar feeling of your Mind Beacon being forcibly intruded...
This sensation of something touching your consciousness...
Employing the Spear of F.O.S. to infiltrate the commandant's link.
Takeover succeeded.
It was back then in City 075.
At the moment when Lucia confronted Alpha—
As if your hands are no longer under your control, they reach for your throat and strangle you. You begin to suffocate as oxygen leaves your brain, dimming your vision.
Chaos takes over your mind. Disorderly orders and illogical logic begin to fill your entire consciousness all at once...
It's the same feeling as when your consciousness was touched back then.
Unlike the chaotic and painful surge of thoughts at that time, however, it feels like drifting in a warm sea.
Do what you must, Chief.
I<//WE> am<//ARE> right here.
Like a mirage, various human-like figures appear before your eyes.
We are nothing but data.
We exist between life and death.
Before the other side, we stand as the final threshold.
I<//WE> will do everything we can to help you.
Qu chose to trust you.
Not sure, but Qu chose to trust you.
And so will I<//WE>.
In Tabula Akasha, death is not the end.
We will not go to the other side, nor will you.
It feels like something departs from your consciousness, and the data images that had appeared before your eyes vanish along with it.
Everyone! Stay on your toes!
Everyone stands prepared for combat at the front door of the control room.
Behind us lies everything left in Kowloong!
This... must not be our end!
Commandant.
—Those clutching guns, knives, hoes, wrenches, and each other's hands.
Summon your courage! Grip your weapons tight!
