Are we... actually losing...?
Hold your ground! If we retreat now, it's over!
The unceasing waves of Hetero-Creatures and the bombardments from the frozen sea offered no respite. Under the glow of the bloody aurora, desperation carved itself deeper into each weary face.
Understood! Everyone, fall back to Commandant's position!
...Not really. Everyone's completely drained.
BOOM—!
Ah!
Another missile plummets toward your position, striking Hetero-Creatures and damaging the alliance's defenses. Though identical to those fired by Derek, its targeted trajectory suggests—
Tch. More of the Frostheart Emperor's whale pods have surfaced. And not just one.
After the Hetero-Creatures showed up, Simon told me to focus on you first. Figured you'd be their main target—being the linchpin and all.
Wait, you said there are other whale pods?
Yeah. Bet the enemy's been hiding their cards, just like that first whale at the start of the battle.
...
Huh... What's that noise?
The air trembles with another deep whale call. Following the sound, you see one of the great creatures surface. From its direction, this must be one of the hidden "cards" Palma mentioned.
Can't believe that bastard's still alive...
Fyodor, one of the Frostheart Warlords. He's standing right on top of that whale!
Through your tactical goggles, you quickly locate the figure Palma mentioned. It's one of the Warlords you've encountered before.
You don't know what history Palma has with this man on other battlefields, but he notices your group and flashes a sinister grin.
A hole through the body's no big deal for a Construct, right?
Then I'll make sure to put plenty of holes in you!
Hey, can anyone hear me?! Rosetta? Gray Raven Commandant?
I'm not entirely sure either... Asimov, didn't you say we could use Derek to build that special M.I.N.D.?!
That is the theory. By following swarm-network principles with a "leader" node, we can construct a large-scale virtual M.I.N.D. array. With enough participants connected, we should exceed the activation threshold for the frame.
Found the problem! Derek's processing unit's been destroyed!
Destroyed... Could it be...?!
Your mind, like Rosetta's, goes to Alpha, the one who once fought on Derek. You can't confirm if that's what happened, but based on Asimov's explanation, you have a strong guess about the current problem.
Not exactly. The processing unit may be compromised, but the bionic whale itself remains a massive data-processing center.
It can still function as a server, but the core data processing can't be handled by anyone else... Only Derek, the lead whale, has the dedicated computation module. The others are just terminals.
I will handle the computation. We have a server here capable of supporting a virtual city. But to ensure stable remote processing...
Dr. Mina, guide Derek to crash into this location on the map.
As he speaks, Asimov unfolds a satellite map and marks an X on it.
Wait, isn't that right in the middle of the enemy swarm?
Palma's voice cuts in, sharp with undisguised skepticism.
Setting aside the wall of intercept fire on land, we've also got enemy-controlled bionic whales patrolling the sea! In our current state, you really think we can break through?!
To achieve victory now, our only option is to activate Malkuth, construct an interference-proof M.I.N.D. array, and then—
In this war, both Asimov and Mina have acknowledged the immense power of Rosetta's new frame.
Just then, another bombardment hits. The shockwaves overturn fractured sheets of ice. Spark-laden debris rains down like hail as Hetero-Creatures press their attack through the swirling dust.
But even more suffocating is the red aurora. It swathes the sky and earth, growing thicker—clinging to each soldier like a mist of congealed blood. Even the Arctic machines, equipped with anti-Amalgamation modules, can now do no more than resist being controlled.
Cough...
Amid the fierce battle, a nearby Construct staggers against a broken wall. Muffled groans escape from beneath his mask as his body shakes uncontrollably. Tiny ice crystals begin to form at his fingertips. It's an abnormal crystallization of vital fluid, triggered by the deadly combination of sub-zero cold and aurora interference.
Are you alright?!
Feels like... something's being torn out of my M.I.N.D... Vision's blurring too... I'm sorry... I...
[player name], what's the call?!
The crimson aurora tears across the sky, spreading devastation in its wake. Mechanical units grind with piercing friction; Constructs collapse to their knees, their metal frames trembling uncontrollably. Several have already lost the ability to fight.
Common sense screams for a retreat. But you have only one chance left: Asimov's Derek plan, a desperate gamble that is now your sole viable option.
This is our only option! I'm charging in with my team right now!
They said there's still a way, right? I'll fight the Punishing Virus to the end!
I'll fight too... if there's still a chance to win.
Commandant, I too... As a commander, I want us to win this battle!
In that case, all that's left to do now is—
Roger!
