Story Reader / Main Story / 28 Polaris Bond / Story
It's been over ten minutes since the Hetero-Creatures began to retreat.
As the Hetero-Creatures retreated from Kowloong, they left the many preserved brick buildings from the Chamber of Commerce era and ancient Kowloong almost untouched, as if they had been deliberately spared.
After the surface of the Tabula Akasha collapsed, the Babylonian support forces, initially stationed on the outskirts, quickly shifted to rescue operations. Transport planes flew over the thousand-meter dome of the Tabula Akasha, bringing Kowloong residents safely back to the ground.
The Kowloong Crew tirelessly searched through the ruins of Kowloong and Hexabridge Port for any survivors. Holding on to even the faintest glimmer of hope, they were determined not to give up as long as there was a single breath left to save.
And the white light that pierced through Kowloong's dark clouds now lies quietly among the ruins.
Hah...
Please, take a seat.
Qu gestures weakly to a vitrum tile beside her.
Or is this spot beneath you, Chief?
Stepping carefully over the rubble, maintaining a cautious distance, you sit on the other side of Qu.
Hmm?
But there should be no Punishing Virus left in my body.
So come, sit closer.
Despite the aftermath of a fierce battle, Qu's voice retains its sharpness, the underlying force of her words undiminished.
Reluctantly shifting the tiles beneath you, you move closer to Qu.
The spot we're sitting on is part of an old city wall from Kowloong, six hundred years ago. It's a perfect spot to watch the sunrise.
According to Huaxu's original simulations, Kowloong and the Tabula Akasha would have been overwhelmed by the Punishing Virus before dawn.
Yes. In that scenario, the Chamber of Commerce, Kowloong Corp, and the Tabula Akasha Plan would all have ended at 4:52 this morning.
It would have been the last page of Kowloong's history.
Yes... What time is it now?
What's wrong?
You're wrong. In Kowloong, there are no refugees or survivors.
Everyone here, alive or dead, they're all Kowloong people. They'll be alright.
With dedicated and selfless leaders like Chaofeng and Pulao working tirelessly, they'll rebuild a civilization from these ruins that shines worldwide.
Kowloong has never truly been broken by war or adversity. That's the course of history.
Me? I never expected to receive concern from you one day.
Right now, I'm not even sure if I'm dead or alive.
Perhaps... I really can't cheat death after all.
But you, Chief.
I don't know how much you've gleaned from the scattered data shards of the Tabula Akasha, but I bet you have many questions.
Ask away.
Whatever the question, I'll give you a full answer. You have that right.
Go ahead. We have all the time in the world.
If we go back to the beginning—
It's been three years since then, hasn't it?
To protect the people of Kowloong aboard the Nighter, I had no choice but to refuse their return. They shouldn't have been involved in that battle. It was the only way to minimize casualties.
At that time, I attracted the Ascendants with Huaxu and manipulated events to ensure Huaxu could access the Tabula Akasha.
Only in this way could Huaxu play her vital role in attacking Gestalt, given their shared origins.
But... Lucia, and you, you both went beyond what I had anticipated.
Our ideologies and principles are fundamentally at odds.
You're fortunate to have someone so dedicated by your side.
When mentioning Lucia, Qu's usually stern expression softens, and a hint of bitterness creeps into the corner of her mouth.
My best move then was to adapt on the fly. After I lost to you, I allowed Gabriel to take Huaxu.
That way, I could better hide in the shadows...
How Luna uses Huaxu is entirely up to her.
But in any case, Luna must use Huaxu to attack Gestalt.
Qu lets out a long sigh.
I can't see what the future holds. Even I can't see that far ahead.
In Huaxu's simulation, we had to either eliminate Luna or ensure she faced Gestalt in this way.
This is the only way for Kowloong and the Tabula Akasha to survive.
It's also the only way this world can survive, even though hope is slim and I have no expectations myself.
Moreover, Babylonia isn't just a haven of peace. To rouse those indulging in unchanging security and prosperity, violence is the only solution.
Furthermore, if Luna uses Huaxu to bring down all of Babylonia, it will prove that humanity can go no further, and the Tabula Akasha is the ultimate end.
Some of it, yes. Some of it, no.
Huaxu is just a tool, and so is Gestalt.
The final decision can only be made by humans. But when necessary, both the tools and the decision-makers can become tools themselves.
You can't put all your eggs in one basket.
In any case, Kowloong would have remained unscathed at that time.
Whether it was Luna or you, all I needed to do was sit back and reap the benefits.
She continues to gaze quietly eastward, as if nothing has happened, and time before her eyes turns into a uniform white.
Being able to see the future can often be a cruel burden.
It's both a responsibility and a weight to carry.
Part of it.
Once those Hetero-Creatures exist, they will seek human knowledge to evolve.
It's only a matter of time before they set their sights on the Tabula Akasha.
The Tabula Akasha is indeed my top priority, but I am not a butcher.
Qu's expression turns serious.
If they didn't hold a grudge against me, they wouldn't trust Chaofeng and Pulao.
Even if they had accessed the Tabula Akasha, they still wouldn't have trusted me. Back then, the people needed only one leader.
If I were still around... it would only cause chaos. I am the ideal scapegoat when one is needed.
Sometimes, to unite the people, what's needed is a common enemy.
...You've become quite the strategist, Chief.
Qu smiles.
Of course, she is a pawn I placed in Babylonia, only to make a move at the right time.
She has to be the one to act. She has plenty of reasons to kill me, and she know it is something she has to do.
Only by killing me can she give the people a common enemy—the Babylonia behind her.
The people of Kowloong might not be aware of the full truth, but they can tell who are the good ones and who are the bad.
They follow Chaofeng and Pulao because they provide protection and a chance to survive.
Just as they will surely follow you, because you will keep fighting, no matter what.
Yes.
Simple question. Because it's you.
Perhaps in this world, apart from yourself, I am the one who knows you best.
In the Tabula Akasha, I can see your consciousness.
And time within the Tabula Akasha... is almost infinite.
No.
Over the past few hours, as hundreds of thousands of people and Constructs entered the Tabula Akasha, Huaxu has been precisely scanning and replicating everyone's consciousness data at minimal power.
Only your consciousness data cannot be replicated or transcribed by Huaxu. I think even Gestalt can't do that.
You are, in any case, an irreplaceable existence... unique in every way.
But I can remember on my own, so... whenever I need you, you'll appear in my mind.
Everything about the Tabula Akasha, Kowloong, and you, is right here.
Qu gently points to her forehead.
Every one is a pawn.
For my goal, I am willing to pay any price, even if it means sacrificing myself.
This time, she doesn't respond, just silently gazing into the distance.
I will remember the names and stories of everyone.
It is a responsibility I must bear, and so must Kowloong.
No matter life or death, reality or illusion... no matter the cost.
There are always things that can't be written into history, Chief.
It's an era where peace must be maintained through war, and truth defended by lies.
Qu clasps her left hand, and when she releases her slightly cold grip, a small memory card lies quietly in her palm.
Something "he" wanted me to give you.
Someone I met in the computational world of Tabula Akasha.
"He" shouldn't have appeared in Huaxu's simulations. Perhaps because of the intricate connections between Huaxu and Gestalt, "he" appeared as that girl.
Dominik.
This name was once a golden symbol.
If we say that countless people once forged the backbone of that era with their duty and ideals...
Then it was Dominik and the Science Council who refined its soul with their intellects, steering humanity toward distant stars.
You could say that.
They always seemed a bit mysterious.
Did you really think one Dominik could achieve all that on their own?
Well, in that era, they were more of a symbol, an icon.
It's never about a single name, but a spirit worth remembering.
That's probably why "he" wanted me to give this to you.
Yes.
But perhaps because Huaxu isn't directly connected to Dominik, they had to take the form of that girl to convey this message to me.
Waiting at the end of that universe... the girl named Nanami.
They entrusted this to you because only you are meant to have it.
It's an "invitation."
Yes.
Indeed.
I don't know the details. The specifics of this "invitation" are for you to uncover.
After all, I'm not "Dominik".
Qu's words carry a hint of self-mockery.
By now, the dawn has covered the sky, and the sun is about to rise.
That was unexpected.
Originally, I planned to fake my death to prevent the destruction of Kowloong.
But some unforeseen events occurred, like that thing calling itself the "Emperor".
Qu struggles to hold back her impending anger.
If not for his influence, Huaxu, Tabula Akasha, and the people of Kowloong wouldn't have suffered so much.
Yes.
In the simulated world of Tabula Akasha, I've fought with him for years.
But he seemed to have anticipated everything... as if simulations and predictions were second nature to him.
Yes, probably.
That's why I said...
Whether it's reality or virtual, life or death, no matter the cost.
Enough.
She clasps her hands together and stops speaking abruptly.
The slight chill at her fingertips, once emanating from those in Tabula Akasha hovering between life and death, now seems to transform into a warm flow made up of myriad wishes coursing through her.
Let's leave the remaining issues to time.
The sun is about to rise, [player name].
Our civilization was once as brilliant as the sunrise.
No hesitation, no doubt...
Hmph, that's you.
The first ray of dawn lighting up Kowloong touches her face.
For the first time, a smile of happiness appears on her face.
Yes, it will rise again.
