Story Reader / Floating Record / ER10 Deceivers' Rapture / Story
They've been holding out for more than three hours since entering that high-pollution zone?
Yes, so far it's the top performer of this entire batch.
Monzano reviews the combat logs recovered from the fallen Constructs' data chips and lets out a satisfied murmur.
At the current pace, the next wave of frames will soon be ready to operate across an even larger combat zone.
Data gathered in battle can further refine our built-in shielding system...
They speak of the previous mission as if it's no big deal, as though the loss in combat strength barely matters.
Don't be fooled by a fleeting victory...
Madam Monzano raises her head from the terminal and, in her usual manner, delivers a cautionary reminder.
...Because Recall is the most vital step on the path to success.
She understands exactly where her aunt is headed and cuts her off with a succinct reply.
You have no right to be impatient, Eleanor. Don't forget, this is all for your benefit.
...
Everything evolves—and the Punishing Virus is no exception.
Even if we manage to create frames that can withstand those intense conditions for a while, a single, more potent outbreak could still wipe out all our progress.
Even... our very Memory itself.
How could I ever stand by and let my beloved niece—my prized Test Subject One—throw her life away for nothing?
She takes pride in the aura of authority she commands.
If humanity truly has a shot at immortality, then you're our Prometheus, Aunt. As for me, I'll settle for being your stepping stone on the path to godhood.
Speak your mind. Hiding your thoughts from me is your greatest offense.
Lilith keeps her head bowed, trying to appease that towering pride—yet her disguise is swiftly stripped away.
This latest mission... shows me that the Recall technology is truly within reach.
She lifts the third chip in her hand and reveals it to Monzano, her movements unhurried and deliberate.
By establishing a direct hardware link, Mako-3 manages to implant a fragment of Memory into another Construct's wreckage, rousing it—if only for a moment.
A direct hardware link? We can replicate that approach in our lab without much trouble.
Madam Monzano shoots Lilith a disapproving glare.
So the real issue lies in the medium of transmission. With our current wireless methods, we simply can't transfer all the data from the M.I.N.D. back to the central hub intact.
I keep thinking... why not use a different medium for the transfer?
Her words carry little certainty. Lilith simply frames her remarks as suggestions, subtly steering the conversation at precisely the right moments.
What medium?
Punishing Virus. Aunt's Construct can handle the viral breach, though how long it holds out depends on the quality of its internal shielding.
The Punishing Virus carries information—and in highly contaminated areas, it's absolutely pervasive...
Lilith drops a subtle hint. She knows all too well that as long as there are enough backup test subjects, her aunt will accept any risk.
Monzano must prove herself right this time—she refuses to be outdone by Kurono.
So, you're suggesting we run a short-range Memory transfer test between a Construct and its backup frame in a high-density environment?
Precisely.
Exposing additional samples to high concentrations of the Punishing Virus is the ideal way to lure the Ascension-Network into play. Lilith doesn't mind orchestrating a few so-called "successful accidents" for her aunt.
Do you remember how you once ruled the card table...?
With an almost imperceptible smile, Monzano smoothly steers the conversation in a new direction.
Those days are long gone.
Even if the world has turned upside down... standing by your side is what gives me purpose now, Aunt.
Following the chips' logic—that's how she secures her wins.
What I'm trying to say is... that bold imagination of yours—the one that shatters every convention—is exactly why you can read every card player's mind.
I'm glad to see that you haven't let your skills go to waste.
Your life's work is guiding humanity's evolution, Aunt... it's a true privilege to lend you any insight I can.
Lilith remains lost in memories of the City of Entertainment, flashing an almost childlike smile in gratitude for the praise.
She gently presents the chip with both hands, excitement dancing in her eyes.
Let's file away this leftover combat data from Mako-3 for the time being.
Madam Monzano takes the chip from Lilith, then slots it into the central hub with a resolute click.
It holds the shattered memories and combat records of more than a thousand fallen "volunteers".
The longing for Babylonia, the dream of reclaiming Earth, and even the smallest flickers of emotion... they're all stored in these tiny chips.
Yet that newly added fragment holds a foreboding secret—a piece of Lilith's own backup hidden deep within her deep M.I.N.D.
If I recall correctly, you're about to unveil the official findings of the Construct experiment, right Aunt?
Sensing that brief lull in the tension, she dares to say something that would usually be deemed an overstep.
We're nowhere near where we need to be.
The veteran operator swiftly regains their composure, offering a response guided by sharp, unerring judgment.
But today truly is a day to celebrate...
You know, I've never bothered with Babylonia's entertainment district. In fact... that sort of pandering makes my stomach turn.
Madam's demeanor softens a bit, but Lilith understands exactly what she's hinting at.
San Lorenzo, tucked beneath the Dominik Memorial Plaza's main deck, is an upscale entertainment hub established by the elite socialites who once graced Las Prados.
They claim it's a grand tribute to Madam Monzano for her role in the Great Evacuation, but in truth, it's merely an excuse to indulge their own whims.
Well, since the mission is a success, why not indulge me with a drink tonight?
After all, I'm curious to see if my niece's mixology skills have dulled.
She teases with a casual air, allowing a sliver of her usual hauteur to slip away.
Lilith moves forward, slipping her arm through her aunt's like an excited child.
Don't worry—I've got every single one of those classic recipes down pat!
They make their way toward the exit, savoring a hard-earned respite after intense battles and experiments.
Lilith thinks back to the day she first saw Babylonia in all its glory.
This massive shell endures the fiercest cosmic radiation and tumbling debris, granting its inhabitants an unyielding sanctuary.
But strength brings isolation—and for anything that craves unbridled growth, a sealed space is the perfect breeding ground.
Petri dishes, test samples, microbial cultures—each one is absolutely vital.
Monzano and Lilith enter the elevator bound for the entertainment wing.
No one seems to notice that the data central hub—tied into the shipwide network—is pulsing with a faint, unsettling crimson glow.
