Control Center
Huh...? [player name], look at this! It seems to be a journal belonging to the former mistress.
Chronologically speaking, this appears to be the earliest entry, considering that it was created in the Golden Age before the Punishing Virus outbreak.
My colleagues thought I was crazy, asking why I gave up my lab job to settle in the middle of nowhere with him. We simply had enough of that mechanical and cold life in the city—like cogs in a machine, going through the same routine day after day.
We began building a sanctuary that belonged to us here—our secret retreat, away from the noise and pressure of the world. But most of all, it is the home we had always dreamed of having...
As the dates progress, the contents of the journal entries begin to change.
Before we knew it, our little homestead had grown into a small village. First came a lost mother and daughter, then old John and his family...
He was a good man, always soft-hearted, so more and more people came to stay... He used to say there's nothing like having more family around at home—the more the merrier.
So that's how this eco garden came to be...
[player name], there's a lot more entries remaining still... Should we...?
Together, we expanded the research facility into this eco garden. With help from our new family, we built outer walls and repaired the air circulation system...
He had it hard as well. The very same man who came here with me to escape from working overtime ended up staying up several nights in a row, designing a power supply system for the entire garden...
Everyone would gather to share meals and stories, feeling that long-forgotten warmth and intimacy—the kind of genuine human connection that's so rare in the city...
We succeeded. This eco garden transformed from our little private nest into a sanctuary where everyone could live together...
Sounds like they had a great life here. Then... how did it end up like this?
It doesn't take long before you reach the second half of the journal, bringing you back to a time both Kamui and you are all too familiar with—the Punishing Virus Outbreak.
The alarms have been going off for some time now... The situation was by far the worst last night—they blared all night long. A tide of Corrupted came out of nowhere, and I see no end to them. Our defenses won't hold much longer...
He went with a few family members to lure away the Corrupted, to protect our sanctuary... He said they'd be back before we know it... and told me to wait for him at home.
The alarms stopped. The eco garden was saved. I prepared his favorite meal to celebrate... but he never came back.
Not again...
You and Kamui glance at each other. That relaxed expression Kamui had moments ago vanishes as he clenches his fist.
The story always goes the same way—someone steps forward to ensure the survival of everyone else, and ends up sacrificing themselves.
Looks like that wasn't the last entry.
Today, Joel's family decided to leave too. Before they departed, they helped me bury old John, who passed away from illness a few days ago. I hope they find a safer shelter...
Fewer and fewer people remain in our home. The eco garden feels so empty now...
In the end, I am the only one left in this vast eco garden.
You've almost reached the end of the journal.
So... if it weren't for her maintaining everything even when she's all alone, none of the equipment would be working right now.
Maintaining such a large eco garden is... too arduous a task for me alone, it seems... Every design here bears his touch. I miss him so much...
I don't want to waste away here anymore... I've decided to go find him. I must find him, no matter how slim the chances might be... such a lonely place cannot be called "home."
Deep down, I know... The chances of me finding him out there are virtually nonexistent. I've left the butlers with a special protocol before leaving.
I've made a list of things I want to do with him when we return—clean and maintain the living quarters, recultivate the plantation and plant seeds of hope, cook a meal for each other...
This is a wish list. A list for us if I'm fortunate enough to return here with him one of these days.
...It appears that this is what all those tasks we've been doing were about, [player name]...
But... even if we don't make it back, that's okay. The butler robots will faithfully execute the programs I've set for them.
Perhaps someday, another group of people will arrive here and complete these tasks. A group of people who would cherish and protect each other.
So please, think of these as our gifts to you. Each task you complete here is not only a testament to the bond you share. It is also evidence that our home and our love once existed.
May love and unity persevere on this land.
So that's what happened... I suppose this means they never made it back.
The journal ends, leaving the control room in prolonged silence. On the screen, the rebooting system continues to pulse with an unsteady blue light.
But now, that blue light no longer feels cold.
As the lights overhead flicker back to life, they seem to flow outward from here, gradually illuminating the entire eco garden.
The protective dome reactivates and, with adequate power this time, shields them not only from the downpour, but also from the terrifying thunder outside.
The butler robot's monocular blue eye
shines once more.
The reboot progress on the large screen reaches 100%, and a notification pops up on the control interface.
[player name]... There's an error warning here.
It's... the butler robot's optical sensor?
According to the error logs, this sensor has been broken for a long time. It shouldn't have been able to tell the original owners from newcomers.
Kamui's expression finally changes, and a look of sudden realization appears on his face—something that hasn't happened in a long time.
It called us "core members" from the start. That's not because it mistook us for the original owners, but because what we did—the choices we made during the crisis were exactly like theirs!
If I'm not mistaken, in the robot's mind, we're exactly who it's been waiting for all this time—someone who is willing to step up for others and work hard to protect everyone.
Kamui takes a deep breath and turns to you. A clear, gentle light is in his eyes, just like the simulated sunlight streaming into the control center in this moment.
[player name], we should head back now, since we've solved all the problems here and got the permissions we needed.
Though they got what they came for, neither of them was able to decide on what to name the special room. They're completely exhausted after the whole repairing ordeal, and are resting in the room.
[player name], you should rest first. Even though we have full control over the eco garden now, we can't let our guard down until support arrives from Babylonia. I'll take the first half of the night watch.
Kamui looks exhausted but forces himself to stay alert as he prepares to leave. Just then, there's a gentle knock at the door. He exchanges a puzzled glance with you before cautiously moving to open it.
Jerome stands at the door with "adults are so unreliable" written all over his face. The moment the door opens, he takes a peek inside out of curiosity.
I hope I'm not... interrupting anything?
Is something up?
Ahem...
The child at the door clears his throat, trying to act serious.
I'm here to inform you that you won't be taking the night watch today.
Tch... Me, duh!
Jerome, who's not even half as tall as Kamui, proudly lifts his chin and points at himself with his thumb.
Huh? You? Stop messing around. It's bedtime for you, young man. I'm the one on watch duty.
Huh?
What now? [player name], you should get some proper rest. I'll let you know if anything comes up.
Hey, Kamui, you seem... different?
Following the child's words, you look toward Kamui at the doorway, his broad silhouette concealing his expression.
Stop changing the subject! I need to get on with my duties.
Kamui dismisses the child's words as a joke and tries to leave after saying goodbye to you, but Jerome firmly plants himself in the doorway, not letting him do so.
I'm not jokin' around. This is our home. A home for all of us.
Jerome blocks Kamui at his legs, looking up at the construct with a stubborn yet serious gaze.
Gramps said you guys have done more than enough today, since you went to restart the power and got those permissions for us despite the rain.
Like I said, this is OUR home. I gotta do my part too. Doesn't it make perfect sense for me to watch over my own home?
But...
No buts! Gramps agreed that we can't just rely on you guys. Starting today, we're helping with night watch. It's gonna be me and Bernie tonight!
He's down there doing his job already. I just came up to let you know, that's all.
After saying this, Jerome pushes Kamui into the room before he can say another word. Kamui is dumbfounded, unsure of what to make of the situation, and turns to you for direction.
[player name]...
I knew you'd understand!
Jerome makes a face at Kamui before closing the door. His light, carefree footsteps can be heard gradually fading away down the hall.
Kamui scratches his head, staring at the closed door with a puzzled expression.
You look out the window to where you and Kamui kept watch before. The children have set up their own campfire, mimicking what they've seen, and are keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
Fatigue has eaten away at Kamui more than he expected, seeping from the corners of his eyes.
You've really been through a lot today, [player name]. Get some rest.
You turn off the lights, surrendering yourself to the tranquil night and peaceful dreams.
Good night, [player name].
His fingertips leave a warm trace across your closed eyelids.
