Story Reader / Interlude / In the Name of a Hero / Story
Hey, your M.I.N.D. is stable. Time to wake up.
The moment Lloyd regains consciousness, he hears a voice. But before he can tell who is speaking, a sharp pain swarms all over his M.I.N.D., forcing him to open his eyes.
Gargh... Argh...
Lloyd gasps and struggles. He finally finds out the source of his agony—there is a large wound on his arm, seemingly caused by something sharp.
Shut up... If you can feel the pain, that means you are not dead.
Lloyd finds Vera standing next to the hospital bed, adjusting the machine with an annoyed look.
Miss Vera... Why are you here?
I only came here because Nikola wanted me to check whether you were alive or dead. Well, it looks like you get to live a little longer.
But your followers weren't so lucky.
Lloyd remembers that he was on a mission with a few other Constructs who took direct orders from Nikola. They encountered an exceptionally powerful Corrupted with wings. The other soldiers chose to stay back so Lloyd could retreat...
What... happened to them?!
Vera looks away impatiently without a word, but he already knows the answer.
Why... why would they do it for someone like me...
Someone like you...? Hah...
Vera gives a sarcastic laugh, grabbing Lloyd's collar to pick him up so he can look directly into her eyes.
I don't care if you like playing the hero game. I've no right to criticize you. But...
Lloyd notices an extremely fierce look in Vera's eyes. He has never seen her so furious.
They gave their lives to protect you. In other words, they placed your life above theirs. Are you going to insult their dedication?
Get yourself together and remember your duty. "The Undying Loy" and that so-called recall should become the soldiers' final hope.
Vera keeps her voice low, but it still weighs heavily on Lloyd's mind.
But... do you really want to be a hero?
Vera thinks Lloyd neither has the capabilities to be a hero nor is he prepared to become one. He is nothing but a good kid who has gotten carried away with his sense of duty. Once he truly understands the brutality of the battlefield, his naivety will be lost.
I...
Lloyd takes out a notebook, which Vera has seen before during their mission. It records everything that the "Lloyd" in the past has been through.
I have never thought about it... but perhaps you're right. I lack the strength to be a hero, and I'm not prepared to become one either... I am only playing "Lloyd" according to the stories in this notebook.
Miss Vera... I once thought that if I could act well enough, maybe I could become a real hero in the end.
Lloyd shakes his head and gives a wry smile.
But just like you said, I am not a hero. And I probably will never be one... The lies pile on every day, and they've brought me nothing but pain. What should I do...?
This pain will stay forever if you don't have the strength to be a real hero or tell the truth. But if you can't even stand the pain...
Vera stands up and unsheathes her blade, pointing it at Lloyd.
Then you should just die. Die like a coward, and leave all your responsibilities to the next "Lloyd".
The blade is sharp, but Lloyd does not seem to cower at all.
Miss Vera... Will the next "Lloyd" be a better hero than me?
Maybe, but you won't need to know, because you will be dead by then. The future has nothing to do with you.
The only thing you can hold on to... is this moment, and who you are right now.
Lloyd clenches Vera's blade. Vital fluid immediately runs out of his palm, dripping onto his notebook and dyeing the empty spots blood red.
It hurts... but...
The excruciating pain is more vivid than the wound on his arm left by the Corrupted. The tighter he grips the blade, the more intense the pain gets.
Right now, I still want to become "Lloyd"—a true hero.
Maybe my story began with a lie, and it will end in one. Still, I want to try again... to fight as "Lloyd".
Lloyd lets go of Vera's blade and clenches his fist again, feeling the sting.
Miss Vera... I hope you can give me extra combat training after the next mission. I want to have the confidence and strength to face danger like you.
Vera puts her katana back to the sheath with a teasing grin.
What if I say no...?
In that case... I'll try to ask Commander Nikola.
Seeing Lloyd's serious face, Vera's smile softens.
Not bad. You aren't as stupid as I thought... Do as you like, but...
I bet you are going to regret it. Do you really want to be like me? I am the direct opposite of a "hero."
Vera looks at Lloyd before walking away with a chuckle.
Lloyd shakes his head as he watches Vera leave. He runs his fingers past the cover of the notebook.
That's not true... Maybe you are the real...
