Story Reader / Main Story / 34 Dream till the Timeless End / Story
Babylonia Logistics Warehouse
Conservation Area
15:30
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An EMP-like attack momentarily paralyzes Ayla, while a thick fog obscures your vision.
The signal is weakening—it's trying to escape!
You pull out tracking and mechanical interference devices from your bag, dashing through the fog toward the enemy's last known location.
Commandant, watch out!
Ayla's warning cuts off. Her voice suddenly vanishes, leaving only silence.
Your defensive countermoves fail to reach the enemy and your punches land on nothing but air.
You jump back, repositioning the tracking device and raising your gun.
Yet your movements achieve nothing. Besides the slowly drifting thick fog, there's nothing in the environment.
You pause for several seconds and move forward again. In that instant, the fog and air seem to freeze.
Babylonia Logistics Warehouse
Conservation Area
15:30
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?
?
?
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You call out with caution, but receive no reply.
Bzzzz—
Suburban Villa
Fast City
15:30
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Fast City Suburban Villa 15:30 Line Spacing: 2
A thunderous roar erupts, a giant collapses, and trees fall.
Enora Lueya's vanguard, a walker that perfectly copies her armor, has fallen—yet there's not a trace of joy on Iris's face.
How do you like my gift? You didn't actually think your plans were flawless and I didn't notice, did you?
When... did you figure it out?
Which one are you referring to?
How you tried to stop me from correcting your history by copying segments of time into slices, trapping both yourself and me inside?
Quite impressive that you came up with this ingenious plan, but it's terribly complicated, isn't it? To maintain these time slices, you'd need to ensure all events within this period remain in stable loops.
Once a loop is broken, the slice extends into additional futures, which then reconnects with the normal time trunk. Am I right?
Iris is relieved at the words coming from the device. She must have only just discovered the issue and caused trouble. This is why Iris received another warning letter.
<size=35><color=#0066CC>—The Multilateral Trade Agreement happening at Mirror Sea Twin Towers has been postponed due to an </color><color=#ff4e4eff>unknown attack</color><color=#0066CC>. </color><color=#ff4e4eff>Witnesses reported a metal giant, which some experts claim to be a secret military weapon.</color></size>
<size=35><color=#0066CC>—The Mantaine coastline peace operation of the Tuka Independent Guard has encountered significant resistance.</color> <color=#ff4e4eff>Unknown attackers are throwing the situation into chaos.</color></size>
<size=35><color=#0066CC>—The 709th Mechanized Brigade of the United Government has entered the Roro Rainforest in accordance with the joint security regulations in the "The New Earth Codex" - Roro and United Government Section.</color></size>
<size=35><color=#ff4e4eff>During the deployment, they were attacked by an unidentified armed organization and suffered heavy casualties. No one has claimed responsibility for the incident.</color></size>
At least the real plan hasn't...
Iris thinks to herself, but the sarcastic words she hears next freeze her blood.
I've known from the very beginning, since you dragged me into this prison at Abess, but I still don't know where you got your time-slicing technology.
All our fights within these time slices are no different from those in the normal timeline, so my conclusion stands.
Give up. I don't want to hurt you. This tug-of-war is pointless except a waste of our time.
The play that's meant to be performed will eventually be staged. The past cannot be changed.
I can make countless tries, but you only need to fail once for everything to end up like this research institute.
The Hetero Tower will still descend upon this world.
...I don't know what this Hetero Tower is, but I won't allow you to act like this.
There'll be a day when you won't be able to stop me. Sooner or later, I will break free from this cage.
Enora Lueya's tone changes again.
I respect you, Iris, not just because of how similar we are, but because of your resolution.
Detaching yourself from the normal timeline is the same as being forgotten by the world... Are you doing this just to keep me trapped in this loop for a while?
...I appreciate your consideration, but I don't think so far into the future. I just want to stop you from destroying our last hope.
Hahaha, I don't believe it, Iris... No, Selena—that's what the person you were always with called you, wasn't it?
It's a pity. A name is a blessing from the past to the future, yet the person you cherish has forgotten it. But don't worry, I'll find them and tell them everything about you.
I don't know what you're talking about...
Iris responds in a confused tone, yet her hands instinctively tighten around her weapon.
I never thought you'd resort to self-deception. Let me lay it out.
You're pushing this time slice away from the normal timeline. You plan to sink this ship with us on it and leave it eternally at the bottom of the sea.
But I've already found the exit, Iris. You've carefully covered your tracks, but, luckily, you have a shadow that's been submerged in countless timelines for too long—and I've caught it.
In the next moment, all emotion fades from Enora Lueya's voice, as if her soul has been extracted.
Reestablishing connection with Frame No. 017, locating coordinates.
Location: Conservation Area—Babylonia Logistics Warehouse.
Piercing white noise erupts as thick fog begins to surge, gradually blinding Iris.
She recognizes this fog—Enora Lueya always uses this trick whenever she does something related to time.
She must stop her. She cannot... She absolutely cannot let that world, cannot let the conductor...
Iris raises her weapon again, ready to lunge forward, when a sound from inside the fog makes her freeze.
Establishing... Bzz... Bzz...
The smooth broadcast suddenly cuts off as static disrupts the orderly performance. When her voice returns, it's filled with emotion—anxiety, confusion, but above all, shock.
How... is... this... possible...? Who's... there...?
SHING—
Enora Lueya's voice vanishes in an instant, the white noise falls silent, and the swirling mist freezes in place.
Time begins to flow once more as the mist rolls, gradually forming the outline of a human figure.
Iris freezes. She can only make out a blurry silhouette, yet it stirs up powerful emotions within her.
An absurd thought flashes through her mind as an indescribable feeling surges up from her chest.
Hotter than friction, more powerful than lonely, sleepless yearning—her emotions overwhelm reason the instant she realizes who this visitor is.
Her body moves before her mind can catch up. The name she's longed for day and night is about to bloom on her lips.
Conduc—
She is met with a cold, indifferent command.
The thick mist dissipates, revealing a figure before her as Iris's alertness spikes.
The figure comes into focus. It's an unfamiliar woman whose physical appearance reveals that she is no doubt a Construct.
Her brows furrow. The weapon in her hand clearly won't pose any threat. What should she do...?
Before Iris can collect her thoughts, she watches as the figure bites her lower lip, releases her trembling hands, and allows her weapon to vanish.
Her hopeful gaze meets icy eyes, and her heart shatters. The fragments cut deep into her. The pain has no shape, but is so real it takes away Iris's breath.
She nearly loses her voice.
Seeing this, she lowers her gun slightly but keeps it in her hand.
Conductor... has forgotten who she is.
Jumbled sensations crash through her mind and body. The conductor stands right before her, yet feels as distant as the horizon.
She digs her nails deep into her palm. Pain travels into her M.I.N.D. as old wounds throb in unison. With great effort, Iris forces herself to remain calm.
You...
Hello.
Nice to... nice to meet you.
She tries her best to force a rather ugly smile. There are undercurrents hidden in her soft tone.
My name is Iris.
Iris finally figures out everything happening before her.
Enora Lueya has once again extended her reach into the normal timeline, trying to leave coordinates to escape this prison.
But the conductor accidentally interrupted this process and got dragged into it.
Fortunately, the conductor's reaction is expected. She can still salvage the situation.
