Story Reader / Extra Hidden / EX05 Inscription of Labyrinth / Story
—I'm not alone either.
Noctis, 21, finish him!
Voodoo is no match for Cerberus. Her defeat is inevitable.
...But life is full of surprises.
Laguz—
Roland quietly mumbles a word. Only Vera realizes what is about to happen, as she has seen Roland do it before—
Turn off your audio modules now!
That's not going to work.
No. 21 and Noctis are suddenly knocked back by an immense force one after another. Everyone loses their balance and drops their weapons, falling to the ground.
Ah—Ouch—
...Ugh!
Even Vera is trapped by the whip.
The crouching man—who has been pretending to be defeated—gives a smile.
Marvelous... How wonderful.
Elegantly Roland steps up and takes off an invisible hat, bowing under the moon like a magician giving his curtain call.
Ta-da! The show is over!
What an opening act! You've saved me a lot of work, let me tell you that. As for the audience who tried to sneak in without a ticket... I think a little punishment is in order, no?
Roland did not try to imprison Voodoo though.
After fighting both Roland and Cerberus, she probably has no strength left.
At the same time, Roland can find more information through her reaction—
—She did not attempt to run, which was a good sign. It means she was prepared to be defeated.
He walks to Voodoo, looking nothing like the frail loser moments ago.
Now, can I have your ticket, please, ma'am?
He then moves closer and whispers in her ears—
—Where's the other one? I don't talk to the henchman.
If you want me, get your boss to talk to me.
...Mr. Vonnegut will be very satisfied with your performance.
Where is he?
...You'll find out soon enough.
I don't like riddles.
Roland points his gun at Voodoo's broken mask.
I have no idea why your designer put the core components of your M.I.N.D. in the head, making you no different from a human.
But that's easier for me. Without the armor on your mask, even a military-grade composite skull won't survive my shotgun.
So bring me the other one if you don't want to die.
...
3.
...
A familiar girl dressed in black appears in the corner of Roland's vision.
Tsk, how boring.
Alright, we don't have much time, do we?
That Mister you keep talking about, take me to him.
I'm afraid I can't do that...
?
Because... I have to leave.
Starting back-up jet engine.
A few thrusters suddenly appear under Voodoo's large black wings.
The flames and air currents push Voodoo into the air at an awkward angle.
Before she leaves Roland's firing range, her last words are—
You'll change your mind once you meet him.
To people like you and me... That is the only place we get to enjoy ourselves...
Interesting... Very interesting...
What a fascinating plot, Roland thinks.
Haha... Hahaha... Hahahaha!
—Roland can't help but burst into laughter. He turns back and looks at No. 21, who is still pinned to the ground.
She seems to have felt Roland's mockery and disdain and makes a threatening growl. But it only makes Roland feel more sorry for her, and the Gray Raven Commandant.
Interesting... Commandant, I wonder what your face will look like when you find out the truth...
(The world is a dark place, as always. To me, and to you.)
(If only I have a chance... I wish I can chain you in front of me, so both of us poor souls can have a good talk.)
—But that's another story. Roland looks back at Voodoo—
She has already escaped into the sky. Roland searches around for the girl he saw earlier on—
—But she has already disappeared without a sign, just like every past appearance of hers.
...Tsk, enough of this pretentious mystery.
Well, I've got to go too.
See you, good puppies.
Roland turns around and leaves the valley.
The helicopter noises are getting close. That's probably Babylonia's reinforcements.
Or maybe not? But Roland no longer cares.
Soon, Cerberus will find out that unlike the encounter at Venus Splash Park, this time they are only trapped by the electromagnetic constraints that he planted earlier on during the battle.
But that's not for Roland to worry about.
Ready for the next step?
I see, you were defeated. Don't worry, that was also part of the plan.
Yeah, just come back after that.
I'll take over from here.
...
Mister wanted it this way.
Okay.
It's not something you should worry about.
