Story Reader / Main Story / 34 Dream till the Timeless End / Story
Fast City
Suburban Villa
16:00
Line Spacing: 2
As the mist dissipates, you crouch beside the scattered metal fragments, checking them each several times before finally putting away your gun.
It's alright. Anyone thrown into this kind of situation would instinctively be on guard.
Lueya... Enora Lueya... That "armor" we just saw was her duplicate.
This device... is its core.
Iris explains gently, sifting through the scattered debris to pick up a prism-shaped device.
You take it and notice the device's surface has lost its luster. You can't tell its function from its appearance.
You take out your terminal while surveying the surroundings. Everything's functioning, except there's no signal.
It's already dead. Or rather, this device alone is not enough.
...
Because you're no longer in your original location. I mean, what you've crossed isn't just spatial distance.
As her words trail off, an aircraft flies overhead with a roaring sound, confirming her statement.
The core device is key to powering the duplicates, and it is also the key to traveling through time.
By pairing two devices together and anchoring the coordinates, it's possible to open a temporal passage.
Iris pauses briefly, giving you a moment to digest this information.
Yes, the duplicates use this to travel to different points in time, to assassinate key figures or destroy important objects, changing history.
In your time period... there must be something she's targeted as well.
Your fingers trace over the strange device as what happened with Ayla and the Science Council flashes through your mind. Everything fits what she just said.
Time travel... It's an incredibly far-fetched concept. The truth would require verifying more details, but the info gathered so far is logically consistent.
This unidentified Construct is clearly a powerful fighter, yet is showing goodwill, so you decide to cooperate with her for now.
You remove your gloves and extend your right hand, rapidly piecing together information in your mind to make up a new identity.
...
For some reason, a faint smile forms on Iris's lips.
She noticeably hesitates before making contact, but ultimately shakes your hand.
...Hello, F.O.S..
As you speak, you keep gathering info about the Construct, building a profile.
Just as you're about to release her hand, an intricate pattern on her shoulder catches your eye. The design is strangely familiar.
You're lost in thought for a moment until you see Iris's gentle smile again. You realize you've been holding her hand for too long and quickly let go.
...Relax. This war is almost over. I'm executing the final... and most critical mission—escorting the target to the designated location.
If all goes according to plan, Enora Lueya will be waiting for me there. Once I defeat her, everything will be fine.
As for returning... you don't need to worry about that...
Iris hesitates, then quickly begins to explain, as if she's just made up her mind about something.
Once I complete the final mission, I'll destroy her main body, and get the new device.
By then, I'll be able to send you back to where you came from by using duplicates to traverse through time.
You quickly compile all the info and realize you don't even know the real identity of this "Iris" standing before you.
Someone who knows so much about Lueya probably isn't an ordinary soldier...
...
Iris falls silent for a moment, her gaze complicated.
No... it's, I'm just... thinking about how to explain it.
I belong to... to the Union Government of another time, Unit... Number 654, Operation Codename... Iris.
She stumbles through the first part, but goes back to normal at the end, perhaps having weighed her options and decided it's worth revealing some information.
We were the first to discover Enora Lueya's existence, and we've been fighting for a long time to stop her from disrupting history.
...To be frank, if we had been a bit faster, this would likely have been resolved already, and you wouldn't have been dragged into it.
A hint of apology is mixed in Iris's words.
Iris shakes her head and changes the topic.
...If you'd prefer, you can stay in Fast City and do whatever you want. I'll come back for you after I complete my mission.
Iris visibly relaxes when you tentatively accept this proposal.
Without pausing to analyze why, you change your answer.
...
You meet Iris's slightly puzzled gaze and see her nod gently.
Alright, so from now on we're... partners, F.O.S. I look forward to working with you.
Fast City
Suburban Villa
18:00
Line Spacing: 2
Fast City Suburban Villa 18:00 Line Spacing: 2
You sit in the living room of the damaged villa with Dandelion and Jonathan, introducing yourselves.
Iris emerges from the kitchen, carrying a saucer and a teapot.
We don't have much here, but here's something to drink.
Dandelion accepts it with surprise.
I had no idea you had these here...
...I was too busy looking for Lueya, so I didn't have time to...
Her gaze drifts casually toward the sofa, where you are quietly talking with Jonathan.
I suppose so. Longer than they've known me, at least. I just met them today.
I suppose so, longer than they've known me, at least. I just met them today.
Your quiet conversation is interrupted as Iris turns toward you, offering a cup of tea.
Careful, it's hot. What are you two talking about?
We're discussing what we should do next.
Should I consider myself lucky? You were telling me there wouldn't be reinforcements right before the attack.
...Because I didn't expect F.O.S. to show up.
Jonathan turns to look at you and asks with confusion.
Iris said you volunteered to help. May I ask why? It wouldn't have affected you.
He furrows his brow, genuinely confused.
The situation... you probably already know, So why take the risk?
You have already figured out who Jonathan is through the simple chat just now. He's a lawyer who's about to participate in the signing of New Earth Calendar...
Perhaps because he tried to avoid getting involved, he cannot see why someone would volunteer to join in.
Lueya is changing history, and no one knows if we can survive once that happens.
...
Jonathan stays silent for a moment, then slowly raises his glass and downs it in one gulp.
After getting acquainted with each other, given the intense situation, there's no time for idle chat.
Iris nods and takes a letter from her pocket, putting it on the table.
According to our original trajectory, Jonathan will fly to the capital of Bane in a week. Our main concern is his safety once he lands.
But things have changed because now I know that Enora Lueya has discovered our plans. That's why she launched the attack earlier.
...I thought that was just daily life for someone who's become her target.
That's an exaggeration. According to our initial assessment, you should have been safe until you reached the capital of Bane.
So now we need to figure out how to stay alive until next week...
Jonathan exchanges a glance with Iris to make sure they're on the same page. Iris takes out a map and marks the airports and flight paths between the capital of Bane and Fast.
Flying is no longer viable. This is the first change in our plan. Planes are sitting ducks. Enora Lueya can easily take down the entire aircraft with a suicide attack.
But wouldn't changing his itinerary seem suspicious to the United Government...? Wouldn't they think that Jonathan is trying to escape?
Of course. My name was probably already on the watchlist when I finished that call with the professor.
But we can't use other transportation either... I can't just wait around for her to blow up this plane... So what's next?
First, contact the United Government to request personal protection in light of the recent attacks.
But could regular bodyguards save me from attacks like that? We might end up sacrificing more lives...
Iris traces Bane's border on the map with her pen, thinks for a moment, then looks at Jonathan.
That's right, but...
As a negotiator, you should know which companies will benefit from the dividend period after the treaty signing, and what kind of assets will go up in value.
...Bind my assets to Ban's?
That's... definitely not what I expected...
With profit as motivation, they'll believe that Jonathan has placed his bets on Bane signing the "The New Earth Codex".
What about the personal protection you mentioned earlier...
That part remains the same.
Iris gives a firm answer. Jonathan meets her gaze and sees that she's following his line of thought.
If the airport is also attacked, the United Government will believe these are planned assaults, considering what happened at the Dionysus Theater and the villa today.
The airport will also be attacked... Are you two planning to lure Enora Lueya to the airport?
Dandelion interrupts Iris, her expression somewhat worried.
That would involve innocent civilians. Don't worry, we won't do that.
We can just use the simplest and most controllable method...
Like what Jonathan thought earlier, the United Government won't suspect us.
For instance, the truth could be that I work for the United Government, helping revise the articles of "The New Earth Codex".
A group of dissatisfied civilians has targeted me, most of them victims of the Peace Operation.
They oppose the United Government and don't want to see "The New Earth Codex" implemented, so they planned the attack.
After that, you can question the United Government's abilities. With your financial investments, they'll only see it as an overly anxious civilian looking for peace of mind.
W-wait a second, I don't quite get it.
Dandelion wears a confused expression, clearly struggling with some details she can't figure out.
If our goal is to escort Jonathan, th-then why ask for bodyguards in the first place?
...The United Government will definitely send troops to "escort" Jonathan.
You say in perfect unison with Iris again. Iris turns her around and gives you a gentle smile.
...Oh... Ohh, I-I see now... That sounds doable...
...You two are so in sync that I'm starting to wonder if you've met each other before.
You pull out a disc-shaped listening device from your waist pouch as you stand up.
You pat Jonathan's shoulder playfully and slip the device into the collar behind his neck.
After discussing the operation, you split into pairs. Jonathan and Dandelion handle the finance, while Iris and you prepare the tools and scout the location.
You sit next to Iris on the train heading downtown from the suburbs. Iris closes her eyes as soon as she sits down. Looks like she's not in the mood to chat.
Taking the hint, you reach for a Golden Age newspaper on the train. Just as you pull it out, you hear Iris's voice.
F.O.S... what's your take on this operation?
You turn your head to see Iris's eyes still closed, her lips curved into a faint smile. She must be in a good mood.
Anything is fine. I just want to chat.
Like you said, if we get familiar with each other quickly, the operation will go a lot smoother.
You mean choosing the airport as our target? That's the easiest and most effective approach.
Why?
Iris opens her eyes, amused. She doesn't seem offended by your comment, so you start speaking your mind.
So you were surprised because I was very direct.
Thank you for the compliment. I do enjoy writing scripts in my spare time.
If my past self were writing this, I probably would have made the resolution process more complex, like you said.
Until someone taught me a valuable lesson through their actions.
Something enigmatic flashes in her eyes. Whoever Iris is referring to is clearly important to her.
Before immersing in imagination and beauty, one should focus more on reality.
Yes, the reality is rarely as complex as we imagine. While art requires refinement, it's often too extreme.
I've learned... so much from these missions. The world I once knew only on paper has revealed its true face to me.
I never realized how many details need to be considered, how many unexpected events occur, or that goals can be reached through complex or simple means—as long as you're willing to put enough chips on the table...
When I understood all of this, I realized the flaws in my past creative work and came to truly appreciate... Conductor's struggles.
Iris averts her gaze, lowering her eyelids.
It's strange how candid Iris is being. She's sharing such personal thoughts with basically a stranger who happened to meet on a battlefield.
Yes... someone... very important to me.
Yes... someone... very important to me.
Her gaze lingers on you briefly before darting away.
Ding—
The train arrival announcement interrupts your conversation. Iris stands up first.
Come to think of it, you've never been to Fast City before, have you?
Then why not take this opportunity to properly enjoy the scenery here?
As we step off the train, Iris stands in the middle of the path and looks back.
The slim figure blends into the light and shadow of the bustling city in the noises of peace that roar past the ears.
It finally hits you just what kind of place you've arrived in.
Time, place... This entirely new environment brings freshness you can't put into words.
This is the past, a peaceful era, and...
This is it—the stage where you and I will write our story.
I hope you'll enjoy working with me as much as I do, F.O.S.
Welcome to Fast City.
