You're back. Why? Weren't you meant to eliminate those Arctic dwellers and their "Second Empire" plot?
Dust motes drift through the faint light between broken, weathered pillars. Suddenly, a voice slices through the ruins' deathly silence—powerful, caustic.
It is both a mockery and a command.
...
Zack offers no reply. With his eyes fixed downward, he walks slowly, deliberately, toward the rubble pile where the royal throne once stood. His silence only fuels the woman's fury, and her voice grows even sharper.
I stayed because I believed your little "Amalgamation" project might achieve something—a "Sefirah" she needs, an achievement worth claiming.
So tell me, what have you been doing?
Waging war.
The problem is exactly that war. Why not simply use that Amalgamation power of yours to dominate them all? Isn't that how you seized the Corrupted from me?
They have always been my subjects.
Hearing the word "seized," Zack visibly bristles. His eyes lock onto the woman before him.
What is that look? Do you wish to fight me?
I would appreciate it if you showed respect for the Union. And it is not for lack of trying; it seems they have developed countermeasures against Amalgamation.
...So. This Amalgamation is just another power that can be countered. Is that what you're saying?
The air between them turns to ice. The woman's killing intent thickens, a palpable force that seems ready to crystallize into spikes from the surrounding shadows.
Amalgamation, if incomplete, has limitations. That is why I went to Babylonia.
You brought back some "black box" data from there, didn't you?
Yes. That woman called Rosetta... her frame contains data that will complete me. Or rather, her frame and I share the same origin.
Sounds like trouble. Then why not eliminate her once you had what you needed? Are you not concerned she shares your power?
She possesses malleable potential. She will be an asset in the future war of Amalgamation. And... she cannot unlock that frame's true capability. Not as I can.
If you are so certain. What now?
The Warlords will oversee the war. I will use the black box data to perfect my frame.
Once the data processing is complete, I will become the "Ultimate Amalgamator". At that point... it won't matter who stands against me.
Hmph. See that you remember our agreement when that day comes.
Though I don't believe Amalgamation technology represents that "Phylotree Sefirah"...
Once the Arctic people are united and Sophiasburgh is restored to glory, the Amalgamation technology will be yours.
Satisfied by his assurance, the woman says nothing more and withdraws her murderous intent. Zack closes his eyes, letting himself sink into the liminal space between consciousness and data.
There, in a snowfield shattered by eternal blizzards, frigid winds howl and whirl with ice shards. Nothing exists but a vast, desolate white between heaven and earth.
In the distance, Zack spots several scholars, their bodies stained with dark crimson. They huddle together in the knee-deep snow, their tattered research uniforms long saturated with ice and frost.
Lead-gray clouds hang oppressively low as the scholars mumble phrases like "conscience... condemned... can't go on..." Their words, at last, are torn to shreds by the howling gale, leaving them as silent tombstones in the wasteland.
This is exactly what left Zack's frame without its final calibration, locking away the power known as the Ultimate Amalgamation.
Soon.
Zack murmurs to himself.
Now! Kill the power to this whole section!
On it!
We've got the extinguishers!
Aim at the base of the flames and spray it down!
Phew... crisis averted.
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief at the Ursa's words. However, while the Babylonia crew is simply glad to be out of danger, the ARU members—Rosetta included—just look on with the weary, silent expression of those who've seen it all before.
That was just a minor slip-up. Dr. Bear, let's restart the experiment!
Dr. Mina, can we please take a break?!
She's the actual Dr. Mina.
What do you mean, "actual"? There's only one brilliant Dr. Mina in the world! Unbelievable, how could Babylonia not spot an imposter? Is my face that forgettable?!
Probably because nobody's ever actually seen you before...
Ahem. This is the developer of my Malkuth frame.
Not the developer, the builder! Your grandfather was the actual developer. How many times do I have to say it?
I'm sorry...
During Rosetta's introductions, Mina cuts in abruptly. Her tone is prickly, sparking what seems like instant verbal sparring with Rosetta. Everything from her expression to her clipped words radiates displeasure.
What are you all staring at? I'm annoyed enough as it is... Hm? That insignia. You're the Gray Raven Commandant, aren't you? Let's shake. I'm Mina. Thank you for saving Rosetta, and for saving Malkuth.
Despite her prickly demeanor, she seems to be a candid woman.
So... what exactly happened here just now? Were you running some kind of experiment?
A simulation startup test for Malkuth... Tch, I don't want to talk about it. Dr. Bear, you explain.
Alright... Simply put, Dr. Mina feels responsible for Rosetta's coma, so she's been searching for the cause of the startup failure ever since.
This isn't your fault, Doctor... It was an incomplete frame, after all.
Babylonia uses incomplete frames all the time, but I've never heard of a failure this catastrophic! It still makes my blood boil just thinking about it.
Come on, let's continue! We have to complete the Ultimate Amalgamator before the war ends!
Did you say... Ultimate Amalgamator? Rosetta's frame is an Amalgamator model?
What, does Babylonia have a problem with the word "Amalgamator" too? Well, I didn't name it. If you want answers, ask Rosetta's grandfather. That's what's written in his manuscript.
Technology itself isn't evil; only those who misuse it are. Besides, it's precisely because Dr. Puff documented all the Amalgamation tech that we could develop a counter-Amalgamation module.
Hmm, it's likely because of this module that my kin and I weren't controlled by the enemy.
I see... Earlier, when we were discussing Amalgamators, I wondered why the Arctic machines hadn't been subverted.
Hmph, all the more reason to accelerate Malkuth's completion, then.
Fight fire with fire.
You catch on quick. This current frame is basically running on a workaround. The Amalgamation capabilities, the power described in the manuscript—none of it's being fully utilized. With the front lines tightening, if we can activate Malkuth, your jobs will get much easier.
You bet! Leave it to me!
Dr. Mina is the most knowledgeable scholar among us... I trust her, just as I trust you, Commandant.
R-report! The Frostheart Emperor's forces have deployed ice generators. They're sealing the fissure in the ice! The gaps are almost closed!
Figures. Couldn't keep them pinned forever.
I never intended to. But we bought enough time for everyone to get acquainted. Tell the others at the base: mobilize all reserves to the frontline immediately.
On it!
Fair. I wouldn't want strangers at my back, either... So what's the play? What's the plan?
...
I intend to take the fight to them.
