Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Lost in Whitebloom / Story
...You are hurt...
...I'm fine. Don't move... Get on the transport vehicle. The transport craft back to Babylonia is still on the way. You need treatment.
Bianca extends her hand to help Renee up, and together, they slowly board the transporter, supporting one another along the way.
Captain Bianca... I can't believe that you are still doing okay after the sneak attack of so many people.
I was prepared for it.
You knew they were defectors?
No... All I knew was there could be some hiding here, but I didn't expect them to be the defectors.
Is this one of the secret members' findings?
Plus the deduction made based on other clues.
—Just as Vesalius speculated, Bianca did make a backup and conducted a simulation with the assistance of Asimov, which resulted in some data being preserved.
She didn't have high expectations regarding the accuracy of the simulation, but upon receiving information gathered by certain "secret members," she began noticing striking similarities between the simulation and reality.
If she chooses to leave it as it is, the entire situation will only deteriorate, eventually transforming into a grave she unwittingly digs for herself.
That is precisely why she volunteered for this seemingly insignificant investigation mission—to validate her conjecture.
What should we do next...?
You go back. And I'll continue with the investigation. This place was damaged not long ago, there should still be some traces... Their bodies also need to be recycled.
Recycle the bodies? Right... The memory data in there can be... need to be investigated.
...Your injury is worse than mine... And you're doing this on your own?
It's okay. You take care of yourself first.
You're so kind, Captain... Always looking out for us. I was surprised about what happened today. I thought you would spare them.
They had their chance.
They did... I also had mine. You and Chiko gave me a chance, but I did something stupid...
This is not your fault. You didn't lead us to Vonnegut either.
...But Ryan wouldn't have... if it were not for me...
...
Ryan—a familiar name to her, as he was once a member of the Purifying Force.
As far as Bianca can recollect, this reserved man had only approached her once for a conversation.
Captain, could you transfer me to Vice-Captain Chiko's team?
Can you give me a reason?
While she braced herself to hear the familiar phrase of "I admire the Vice-Captain more," he unexpectedly shared something very personal.
...My childhood friend is on that team. Or could you transfer her... Could you transfer Renee to our team? I really... miss her.
After Bianca shared the information with Chiko, the latter said nothing in response but instead reaffirmed the oath they had both taken when they first joined the Purifying Force.
Deep bonds have a tendency to weaken individuals when faced with separation; personal emotions can often cloud one's judgment. Such circumstances are strictly forbidden within the Purifying Force.
The request was left unresolved, hanging in the air, as the situation on the surface continued to deteriorate. The members of the force were scattered and sent to various locations. Bianca noticed that their chances of meeting each other had dwindled almost to zero.
Prior to the incident at Copperfield Aquarium, Bianca and Chiko had made a mission switch in response to the updated danger ratings.
A few of Chiko's subordinates remained with Bianca, offering temporary reinforcements, and Renee was one of them.
We are finally on the same mission, Renee. "We'll meet again someday." We met, like you said.
And when did I say that?
One year, seven months, eleven days, and 17 hours ago...
You... remembered it too well.
We missed out so much. Renee, I always wanted to meet you, to fulfill my last wish.
Why did you make it sound like as if you're gonna die? To be specific, we are not in the same group. Chiko said...
It's fine... We can catch up later on the way back.
Upon hearing his words, Renee fell silent, opting instead to embrace Ryan with a smile before bidding him farewell with a wave.
Sorry... for making you hurt so badly.
Following the intense encounter between the Purifying Force and the agent known as Vonnegut, Bianca had to return to Babylonia due to her severe injuries. In the meantime, Chiko remained on the surface, steadfastly carrying on with the mission, and only providing a report on the incident.
Captain Bianca, Vice-Captain went to the Copperfield Aquarium. She asked me to give you a copy of this report.
Thanks.
The report sent by Chiko revealed that Renee had encountered an immense horde of Corrupted during their mission. The relentless onslaught inflicted severe injuries upon her, and her corruption rate was on the verge of surpassing the critical threshold.
Rayne keenly detected the abnormal behavior of the Corrupted and, deviating from the mission plan, decided to separate from the team. In doing so, he eventually discovered Renee in the company of a purple-haired Ascendant who seemed to be controlling the Corrupted from behind the scenes.
This Ascendant offered to help Renee control her corruption rate and repair her damaged frame. However, the condition for this aid was that Ryan would divert the main force to a specific location as requested.
...
In Chiko's eyes, that agent tempted Ryan only to ambush Bianca and other Purifying Force members, yet Bianca believed that the agent aimed to sow discord and create division within their ranks.
Irrespective of the agent's true intention, Ryan, the individual responsible for this unfortunate incident, was...
...Executed by Renee.
—That was the price Chiko made Renee pay for her "chance."
Ryan... You stupid bastard...
She murmurs to herself in frustration, continuously rubbing the wound on her leg, as if seeking solace from the physical pain to alleviate the turmoil in her heart.
Prior to Chiko's sudden disappearance, Bianca had a conversation with her over a call, during which she asked Chiko if she was aware of the motive behind Ryan's actions.
And Chiko responded, "I have no interest in his thoughts. My sole focus is ensuring he pays for his sins."
But is violence or a public execution the only means to prevent further transgressions?
If they can uncover the reasons behind it... would they be able to prevent a recurrence of the same events?
"Do what you believe is right."—These were the final words Bianca heard from Chiko.
When he was little, he always said that he would defeat all the bad guys in the future, so everyone could live in a safe environment together.
But... he ended up being the person he hated the most.
...
Captain Bianca, what do you think... made those people back there risk being traitors to be part of the plan?
The situation has been getting worse. They all had their reasons to be ruthless.
But this should not be the reason for them to defect and hurt other people.
...
Yes, they just need to pay the price. Sorry... I shouldn't have asked such a stupid question.
But... Renee, do you know the story of The North Wind and The Sun?
The story where the sun competes with the wind on who will strip the traveler of his cloak first?
Correct.
Why suddenly bring this up?
Punishment and execution are not enough to stop defection.
The strongest restriction is not chains but a home to live in.
There is a quote saying that we shouldn't test the human heart with hardship for it's frail by nature.
Who would endure the cold winter without complaining or a little warmth?
Extermination of the defectors and reconstruction of a "home" are both imperative.
I understand the weakness of the human heart, but that's not the reason to forgive the defectors, for they have already caused damage. I won't despise those who are still struggling, because I understand why they struggle.
...Captain, you're very different from Chiko. If god suddenly jumps out and tells me that you're the Holy Maiden sent by him to save us, I might even believe it.
There is no god. We are the only ones who can save ourselves.
Haha, right... But why do you still pray if there's no god?
It's a habit and a way to gain courage.
To gain courage... Do you pray because "the saint forgives people but can't forgive himself"?
Is that what Chiko told you?
Yes. But our hands are full of blood. Who would forgive or save us even if we pray?
...I know what happened to Ryan has weighed heavily on your mind. Once this is all over, I will arrange for your transfer from the Purifying Force to a more tranquil squad, where you can find some peace.
When this is over...? Well... What's our progress on the defector case?
I can't tell you much, but someone inside Babylonia is working with the Ascendants secretly. They want a complete resumption of human experiments, looking for victims in the chaos caused by the defectors.
I'm impressed by how efficient you are, Captain.
Upon hearing Bianca's response, Renee approaches her with a bitter smile, while her own voice begins to tremble.
What's wrong? Did the wound open up again?
I'm fine... It's just that I realize I should've learned about you more. Because of what happened to Ryan, I hated you. I hated myself. I hated the Purifying Force and Chiko...
...I wish I hadn't thought that way. But just like you said, all defectors have their reasons.
...?
This is not about me anymore.
Renee's body contorts in agony, her face drenched in a sheen of cold sweat.
...Renee? Are you alright?
With her gaze fixed on the frail Construct, Bianca offers gentle solace, yet her hand clasping her weapon tightly in a state of vigilance.
I'm fine... Ha, the important thing is the Purifying Force will soon find those behind the scenes.
So... I have to stop you anyway.
—Just as Bianca has worried about, flames and explosions erupt suddenly as Renee raises her head.
