Story Reader / Affection / Watanabe: Epitaph / Story
Early the next morning, the wake-up whistle echoes through the camp as the first light appears on the horizon.
Get up, get up! The Cargo Crew doesn't give us any breaks. If you want to eat, follow me to take down the supply trucks!
Count me in!
I want to go, too. I'm strong. I promise I'll be helpful!
Hearing that new supplies have arrived, the drowsy civilians instantly perk up, eagerly raising their hands to join the raid.
Raiding a supply truck? That sounds dangerous. Are you sure we can do that when we've never received any military training?
You're new, aren't you? Listen, we pick the trucks we raid.
There are two main types of supply trucks from the conservation area. One is the armed crew from Babylonia, guarded mostly by professional soldiers armed to the teeth. Taking them on is very dangerous.
The other is the Akdilek Cargo Crew hired by the conservation areas. They are mostly civilians like us, which makes them an easy target. As long as you're willing to risk your life, you'll get your reward.
We generally raid the latter. That's why Boss makes sure that only those who contribute to the camp can participate in the raids.
Also, for example, that guy over there is our doctor. We go to him whenever we're sick or injured. He never has to join the raids because we always save a portion for him.
That's how it is. Don't worry about us. Just focus on your guard duty.
This batch is a big one. If we pull it off, everyone in the camp will have extra rations tonight.
A big one? Is the cargo from conservation area 148 next over?
Haha, you sure know your people like the back of your hand, huh?
But don't go around blabbing about it. Boss hates it when someone figures out his plans. How does he put it again? Unfor...
Unforeseen complications.
Right, that's how he puts it. Boy, aren't you sharp? They sure educate you guys well at 148, huh?
Alright, I'm outta here. This place is all up to you now.
The soldier is about to turn to leave when he suddenly comes back, pulling out a bag of tattered cactus-flavored cookies from his pocket.
By the way, don't take what I said yesterday to heart. Take the cookies as an apology.
The flavor might be a bit strange, but they're edible and can give you some extra starch.
Thanks...
Don't worry about it. You are one of us now. Only makes sense that we look out for one another.
The soldier waves and leaves the tent without looking back again.
All you can see from the low watchtower is the endless yellow sand. If you stand here long enough, you'll start to doubt if there are any plants left on this planet.
Watanabe has been silently sitting on the rooftop after receiving the cookies, deep in thought.
Yes... I think he's probably attacking the supply truck now if he hasn't already.
Yes... the supply truck heading to the conservation area is probably under attack by now.
We have to stop Schneider once and for all so no one gets hurt again.
Watanabe murmurs to himself as if making a promise to someone.
No comfort or encouragement would help in this situation, so you choose to remain silent, gazing into the distance.
The scorching sun overhead shows no signs of retreating. A hazy heat shimmer is floating between the desert and the sky like an intangible barrier.
You can barely make out the few twisted red rocks, withered trees, and spiky cacti inside the barrier.
A few sand foxes quickly run across the yellow sand, leaving a trail of tiny footprints before disappearing into the bushes.
...
...
What?
Watanabe quickly stands up, looking at where you're pointing.
It is no illusion. The calm, mirror-like lake, lush green shrubs, and sand foxes playing by the water—an oasis appears in the middle of the desert.
The only thing odd about it is that it is floating high up in the sky, like an island drifting above the horizon.
A circle of faint white mist surrounds the edge of the green island, like a veil floating underneath the island and above the yellow sand.
The white mist looks like a boundary between dream and reality. Stepping into the mist would mean entering a dream.
This is a mirage. Don't worry, your eyes are fine.
It's pretty hot today, and being right here in the center of the desert means it's easy to see perfect mirages.
Be careful. We've had some new recruits thinking these mirage oases were real. They ran for them like crazy, only to find out by the evening that they were fake. They nearly froze to death trying to get back.
If we're lucky, the real oasis should be within a few dozen kilometers of the mirage.
Watanabe breaks into a smile, apparently remembering something amusing.
If you're interested, we can go look for it together next time.
I haven't chased after mirages, but... I've had some decent trips into the desert.
When I was younger, a few of us recruits from the mercenary camp would drive out into the desert on our days off to look for fossils.
Many deserts were ancient sea beds hundreds of millions of years ago. We found ancient sea shells, and once, a massive sea anemone fossil after we dug down.
Thinking about how this barren desert was once a deep sea makes the history of humanity seem incredibly short.
That doesn't make sense, but I like how that sounds.
If people thousands of years from now could see what we're thinking and worrying about today, I wonder what they'd think.
Guess that's something we'll never find out.
Anyhow, we need to solve our current problems before passing this world to the next generation.
Watanabe leans against the low wall of the watchtower and gazes at the distant mirage, letting the desert monsoon ruffle his hair.
The hot wind seems to carry echoes of the past, lingering in Watanabe's hair before dissipating.
For some reason, seeing Watanabe leaning against the wall and gazing into the distance makes him look a bit melancholic.
[player name], I've always admired you.
After a long silence, he speaks again, as if giving words to thoughts long buried in his heart.
No matter how difficult things get, you always shoulder the burden without hesitation and lead everyone forward.
I understand that as long as the Punishing Virus exists, these conflicts won't truly end. We have no way to prevent people like Schneider from reappearing.
Maybe human history is destined to be a history of struggle. No matter how hard we try, history repeats itself, but even so...
Watanabe clutches the cookies he got from the soldier, causing the thin foil wrapper to rustle in the wind.
But even so, I still want to try to guide them down the right path of survival.
Because I believe the will to survive shouldn't be used as a tool for someone's ambition.
I knew you'd say that.
Watanabe sighs and turns to meet your gaze.
And this is precisely why I never want you to have to deal with everything alone.
Because if I do that, you'd think it's all your responsibility and that you can take everything upon yourself.
...Got it, you always have a way with words.
There's regret in Watanabe's voice, but he looks somewhat relieved.
Let's face this problem together. You can always choose to be my "partner" anytime.
But you must follow my orders. No more reckless actions.
I don't want to see you in danger again.
No, you must keep it.
The towering Construct firmly emphasizes his point.
You stop arguing and sit atop the watchtower, savoring the rare moment of tranquility.
You understand each other's thoughts and the depth of your mutual trust without exchanging any words.
Such honesty, transcending identities and positions, is a rare treasure in these chaotic times.
When the distant mirage quietly fades away, the dreamlike oasis vanishes back into the vast sea of sand, leaving no trace of its existence.
You then shake off your brief respite and return to the watchtower to discuss the night's plans.
If the hijack goes well, Schneider will show up at the celebration tonight. We need to avoid him so he doesn't see us.
If things go south, just say I forced you. Don't worry about me. I'll find a way out.
We don't know if Schneider will be willing to negotiate. If they surrender, the conservation area might—
Watanabe stops in his tracks.
The wind picks up, turning from a gentle breeze into a howling gale.
Fine sand and small pebbles whip against your faces. You wipe your face and see bloodstains on your palm.
Watanabe's face darkens drastically. He quickly pulls you out of the watchtower after realizing what is happening.
In the distant sky, a massive brown cloud looms like a giant, slowly pressing down on the small camp.
As the brown cloud sweeps over the ground, it stirs up countless yellow sands, forming an even larger canopy that completely blocks the remaining sunlight.
Looking at this scene, anyone with common sense would immediately know that humans stand no chance against such a powerful force of nature. Being caught in this vortex means certain destruction.
Watanabe grips your arm firmly. You are standing before the massive storm like two mantises holding the weight of an entire planet.
He tries to speak, but the wind quickly tears his words into fragmented sounds.
...The desert storm is coming.
