Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Lost in Whitebloom / Story
Winter Wanderer
>I had a lucid "dream," where I observed my life as a spectator.
At the beginning, I was left by lonely human beings on the snowfield and became a sister in the church.
In the end, I came back here again as a witch who disobeyed my belief and a lost Corrupted.
A "witch"... That's right. I was called a witch even when I was still a sister.
They said wherever I went, people died or went missing. Some even claimed to have seen me murdering someone they respected.
None of this is true, but I didn't explain myself at the time.
There has to be a "witch," no matter if it is Bianca or not.
It is the "witch" who stopped the god's protection from coming down. The "witch" is an excuse for people to not hate themselves.
They needed a person to blame and exile to rid themselves of the dread and fear of an unrealized miracle and the approaching doomsday.
It doesn't matter whether "witch" is a title of sin or not for me now, because I've already made up my mind.
I'll never forgive the enemy even if that means I need to go against my belief or the forever silent god would ask his believers to forgive.
But my child, everyone is a sinner, just like you or me.
Even though that's the case, I hold onto the hope of having someone by my side, steadfastly unwilling to forgive me if I ever bring pain to others.
...If so, why do you pray?
Frame changed. Get up.
Emerging from a deep, unsettling dream, Bianca awakens to find herself lying in Vesalius' lab.
I detected instability in your M.I.N.D. during the frame change. Did you dream about the snowfield again?
Bianca responds in a hushed tone as she sits up from the maintenance table.
There are still some data left... Right, the coating you requested is done. I put it on for you during the frame change.
Quietly, she bows her head, directing her gaze toward the fresh coating, which gleams as white as the snow in her dream.
A lot of data recorded by the Stigmata frame are similar to those of Empyrea, but not as clear and complete.
I already removed those data. You shouldn't have had that dream again. Did you back up the data and ask Asimov to help you "read" them?
I have no reason to do so.
No? That's the future predicted by the Ascension-Network. Even though the information you got is random, there could be some useful fragments in it.
Adjusting herself into a more comfortable position, she fixes a meaningful gaze upon Bianca.
The Purifying Force is working on the defector case, right?
Vesalius introduces a deliberate topic, seemingly with the intention of delving into something.
I saw you died multiple ways in the restored fragments. Most of them were caused by the betrayal of your comrades. Don't you want to have a look into this?
No evidence proves what the data show is the future.
Then what caused the instability of your M.I.N.D. if you don't believe the result of the simulation?
...
In the "dream," I saw myself hurting the last person I wanted to hurt.
What? Even the captain of the Purifying Force has someone she cares about?
Of course, that is the exact reason that made me the captain of the Purifying Force.
Whatever. If you're working on anything behind my back, remember to tell the person who helps you to clean up the traces.
The next morning.
As per the mission plan, you make your way to the rendezvous point, where you spot Bianca quietly exchanging words with a member of the Purifying Force.
As soon as she catches sight of you approaching, Bianca swiftly halts her conversation and signals the other person to depart.
Good morning, Commandant.
Vesalius applied for an additional coating. Stigmata was prepared in a hurry, and the original coating was only added to stabilize the M.I.N.D.
She said it was a little favor from her.
No. She just made the application. I picked the design.
...What do you think?
Thanks. I like the theme chosen by the coating designer too.
You don't like it...? The WGAA folks warned me that the final outcome might lack impact because of its pure white hue, but I insisted on using it anyway.
When we decided on it, the WGAA folks even joked about it looking like a wedding dress.
Why would a coating themed "snowfield" have flowers?
Yeah, also because I've been having a dream about snow recently.
That's a secret.
As she talks, she casually runs her hand through the hair hanging by her ear, subtly shifting her gaze toward the area behind her, as if she's keeping a watchful eye out for something.
Yes. The defector case is not closed yet.
This mission is full of unknown risks. I don't want to get you involved before I find out where the defectors are.
Yeah, but the Punishing Virus concentration at the mission location is not high, plus the Phantom Tracer was optimized, so a remote connection would be enough.
Bianca raises her hand, revealing the M.I.N.D. connection band already equipped on her wrist.
Don't worry, Commandant. The connection bands on our hands will keep us connected. Knowing you're in a safe place also makes me better focus on the battle.
Her smile carries a hint of bitterness, behind which many unspoken words seem to be concealed.
You lower your voice as much as you can and take a step closer to her.
...Recently?
Bianca raises her chin, her eyes composed and unwavering, as if any hint of unease in her demeanor is merely a result of overthinking on the part of the observer.
You know what? There's even one defector from the Purifying Force. And their captain had to take care of this herself.
They always refuse to solve the real issue. Someone would destroy the Parliament if not for the restrictions. Even the Purifying Force can do nothing about it.
Great! Soon they'll realize that we're in the same boat. No one can escape from it.
The majority of Task Force members hold a stereotypical impression of the Purifying Force—seeing them as cold-blooded, ruthless, brutal, and inhumane, with occasional instances of power abuse.
A lingering grudge persists against the Purifying Force, as people struggle to comprehend their actions...
Look what is happening down there! And they're still killing their own people?
The Purifying Force often undertakes highly secretive missions, where they must operate covertly, concealing both their identities and the nature of their assignments. They have no choice but to gather information and eliminate their targets discreetly.
This enforced secrecy only exacerbates the public's misunderstanding. Even if people yearn to comprehend, the answers remain elusive and out of reach.
Let me know if you have any concerns.
Oh, about that...
She abruptly comes to a halt mid-sentence.
Renee.
Bianca turns toward a seemingly empty corner, calling out a name.
Captain! Sorry, I'm late... I saw you talking to the Commandant. I didn't want to interrupt.
Am I interrupting something?
Filled with worry, she gazes at you and Bianca, concerned that she may have interrupted a conversation of a more personal nature than just a regular office discussion.
It's alright.
Renee. A member of the Purifying Force.
Feeling no reproach from Bianca, the woman visibly relaxes, her relief evident as she offers you a crisp military salute accompanied by a genuine smile.
Hello, Commandant.
Yes. Chiko was her direct supervisor. Squadron captain. Good at fighting. But she will soon be with the elite squad.
Yes. Shorthalt, captain of Scarab Squad, is dead. They need a substitute.
Bianca affirms with a nod.
Huh? You didn't tell me it was Scarab when I registered. I'm not up to Commandant Valeria's standards.
Your frame is too old. I'm applying for a new one for you. With the new frame, you can absolutely pass her test.
Really?!
Bianca nods at her excited force member.
You still have something to say to each other, right? Just forget about me. Or I can leave if you need me to.
No need to do that. Commandant, I understand your concerns. From the Task Force's point of view, the Purifying Force has a high turnover of personnel.
Opting not to delve further into what she was about to say, Bianca instead offers a more "ambiguous" and official response.
In addition to the betrayer and Corrupted elimination missions, we have many secret investigation missions.
Even though we are Constructs now, our hearts are still not strong enough to resist all temptations.
If anyone makes any mistake, I'll be responsible for correcting them.
Yes. The situation on the battlefield looks bad. The President wants to borrow some guys to share the Task Force's workload.
It goes simultaneously. We only participate in the rescue of victims related to the defection. As you know, some defectors are helping the Ascendants to lead the believers to the Red Tide.
More and more work, right? Commandant?
Our participation in the rescue missions is to find out the causes of their defection.
So we just need to catch them and our "secret members" will carry out the subsequent investigation, right?
I have my own plan.
Since the investigation of the defector case still remains unresolved, it becomes more crucial for us to investigate those overlooked.
Fine. All of this should be kept as a secret.
Yes. We need to meet with the others, and continue to look into the subsequent events of Scarlet Revelation.
That's right. The Forsaken and refugees in the area have taken in many of Grace's believers, but quite a few crazy ones still refuse to cooperate.
They have lost their mind. They know nothing except the deities they believe.
...They're hopeless. Chiko would leave them to die if she were here.
The Purifying Force never stops monitoring the Forsaken. It's President Hassen's order.
Yes. It's already hard on the surface. As long as they don't cross the line, the Parliament is not going to attack a human base that was established through so much hardship.
It's just some desperate defectors could turn to the Forsaken, and for that possibility alone, we have to do something about it.
By the way, Commandant... The intel sent by my people shows that you're still in secret contact with the Forsaken.
They kidnapped one of your members before, yet you still visited them on holidays?
You're not stopped by the higher-ups or the Purifying Force, because the Forsaken has shown no intention of betrayal, and there is something more important on their plate.
If they join hands with the defectors to the point that the Purifying Force has to do its job... I wish I won't see you on the target list.
Alright, alright. I got it. Gray Raven Commandant, you and Captain Bianca must get along quite well, right?
Um, you know... Having a warm heart for the world, haha.
...
We are running out of time. Establish remote connection with me, Commandant.
Softly urging you, she gives no indication of saying more. It leaves you wondering if she's concerned about her colleague who remains unaware of the situation.
You use the question as another opportunity to gauge if she needs more help, yet she still opts to conceal the truth with a subtle smile.
Yes. The mission is safe. Stay here, Commandant. We'll be back soon.
Noticing the concern in your expression, she offers reassurance in a soothing tone.
No worries. The Phantom Tracer is not that dangerous anymore.
