172 Ch.172
A single identification card dances in the air.
Skillfully grasping it is a mechanical, emotionless hand.
"─Shaw Moore. ... A Major at 22 years old?"
"Do not doubt my age. Despite the noticeable premature graying, I am unfortunately 22 years old."
The overcast sky began to weep. Raindrops poured down to the earth.
Multiple figures took shelter from the rain on the eaves of the research facility's building.
Dividing into their respective faction units, their gazes, braving the intensifying rainfall, were directed toward the commanders of both sides.
One commander leaned against a wall, readjusting the helmet on his increasingly graying head, exhaling purple smoke from the cigarette clenched between his teeth.
The other commander, with pale silver hair, used the fingertips of her prosthetic limb to hold a recognition ticket, glancing sideways to observe the commander of the Ark, who smoked purple smoke at a distance of a few meters.
"─Recognition number."
"─O1258031."
"─Confirmed."
In a seamless response, Johan acknowledged that the face in the officially issued identification matched the Ark's commander.
As in the previous encounter, he flicked the identification card with his fingertips and tossed it back.
Catching it with a casual glance, Moore stowed the identification card into the pouch of her body armor.
"...Is the interrogation over with this?"
"...This is considered an interrogation?"
The restraints on them, as well as the gun barrels pointed at them, were removed. In a normal interrogation, resistance would be impossible.
Johan had set up what he considered an unusually gentlemanly place for discussion, but unfortunately, he seemed to perceive it as an interrogation.
"...In terms of firepower, you have the advantage."
"...Well, I won't deny that."
"I suppose. Well, I have no intention of losing, though."
"...Hooh?"
---What a cheeky brat. Coming from someone so young, Johann couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement that he hadn't felt in a long time. Even if he did realize it, it was the kind of excitement that wouldn't put him in a bad mood.
The sidelong glances they exchanged were icy and exuded a mutual sense of intimidation.
The unit led by Johan - among the members of Inhert, the petite Pilgrim seemed to feel a faint sense of bloodlust towards the commander's imposing aura. She chose to hide in the shadow of a witch with rich, undulating dark purple hair.
The witch, seemingly encountering her own commander's behavior for the first time as far as she could remember, observed him curiously with a sidelong glance in amusement.
After all, he seemed to be having so much fun.
Continuing, the sidelong glance from her directed past her own commander and captured the Ark's commander, who was exhaling purple smoke from a cigarette.
Ark - the mere mention of it stirred up anger, but for now, she set that aside.
Contrary to his appearance, the straightforward impression was that he was young.
However, she was familiar with the existence of discrepancies between physical appearance and actual age, so it didn't surprise her.
"─... Let's get back to the topic. So?"
"─Coincidentally, it seems we were looking for the same thing. Is this what you're looking for?"
Johan reached into the inside of his coat, eventually pulling out a flask. At the bottom of it accumulated a liquid that seemed to be human blood.
"...It seems we were a little late."
"That seems to be the case. After discovering and recovering this, we tracked movements within the research facility. Curious, we returned and..."
"...It was us. Attacking without warning doesn't justify it, but... well, let's accept it."
In terms of military strength alone, Johan's unit undoubtedly controlled the situation here. However, despite Moore being aware of it, there was no sign of her usual sarcasm.
Anis was also on edge, tightly gripping the grenade launcher that had been returned to her not long ago.
"...This is a weapon for killing heretics. The Ark's commander like you, who could simply avoid battles and hide underground, would be---"
"There are exceptions, though."
"...Let me correct my statement partially. What would be the reason for a supposed-to-be normal Ark commander to want this?"
"Do I need to answer that?"
"Yeah. It will affect how you all are treated."
"Even if we answer, I doubt it would change our current situation for better or worse... and being understood is also unlikely."
"Hmm... I see..."
Observing Moore, who was exhaling the purple smoke of his cigarette into the overcast sky, Johan put the flask back into his coat and distanced himself from the wall he had leaned on.
"─Then, let me make you say it by force."
"─Ah, that's simpler and more to my liking. Just to be sure, is it okay if your pretty face ends up needing plastic surgery?"
"Hah, don't talk big for someone so young. As long as your fists match up, it's fine though."
"Wai--!? Commander!? Master!? No matter how much you're a master of firepower, that's...!!"
──Does firepower have a relation to any of this?
Anis and Neon rushed to stop him as he tried to take off his helmet and headset again.
Why is he so belligerent today? Well, there have been moments when he became aggressive before, but starting a brawl and killing each other with someone he just met is quite something.
"...It's a joke. Did you really think a grown adult would start brawling on the surface where Rapture is rampant?"
"...Isabel, he's right. Stay out of this."
"...I apologize."
Isabel doesn't think he'll lose. However, she also can't see him winning. That's the sentiment of the Pilgrim who hangs her eyebrows with a melancholic expression, serving as the strategist in the unit.
She, Isabel, who judged that she should intervene to some extent, released the sleeve of her coat that she was holding. Johan lightly tapped a slightly wrinkled area with one hand, smoothing out the wrinkles.
"...Do you have any intention of talking?"
"Not now."
"...Not now, huh..."
"I'm a bit shy."
Interpreting his subtle words roundaboutly, Johan, after having deepened their friendship, snorted in agreement.
"How about taking me to a drink and playing chess together? Then I think about it."
"Hmm..."
Quite an unreserved attitude and statement considering the circumstances. However, it's interesting.
"Johan."
Her lips slightly loosened, and suddenly the enchanting witch addressed Johann.
When he turned his gaze, she had a bewitching smile on her well-shaped lips.
"That commander, wouldn't you like to entrust him to me? I want to give him a trial."
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"─Your commander is quite belligerent."
"─It's an interesting joke coming from you. I apologize for the late introduction. I'm Haran."
"─Nice to meet you."
A witch with a mechanical crow on her slender shoulders, Haran, advances carrying a large scythe. The tall figure following behind her is Moore.
─I want to give him a trial.
After hearing those words, Johan, her commander, pondered for a few moments. Eventually, with a simple "do as you please," he gave indirect permission.
It sounded like a test for them to step into his domain. Moreover, everyone had to undergo it equally, without exception.
Certainly, her subordinates, along with Papillon, expressed dissatisfaction with being separated. However, in this situation, it seemed safer to follow the actions suggested by that unit Inhert and their commander Johan.
"...So, what's the content of the trial? You went through the trouble of separating us from our subordinates. It must be something significant, I assume?"
"You're an impatient man. I don't like that kind of thing much."
"My apologies. I didn't have a proper upbringing."
"Heh, Indeed."
After that, silence ensued.
Perhaps an hour, or maybe two, had passed.
After leaving the research facility and entering the desolate urban area, there was a small-scale skirmish with encountered Rapture.
Her scythe, transforming into a sniper rifle faster than he could shoot, easily shot down the enemy aircraft, so Moore had no chance to shine.
"...Impressive skills."
"─Of course."
The sniper rifle transformed back into a scythe. The enchanting witch, carrying it on her shoulder, turned to face Moore.
"Originally, only the strong hold the power of life and death. If you're this strong, you should be able to stand above in this dog-eat-dog world of Rapture, right?"
"...Well, I guess so. ─Even if I smoke?"
"Feel free."
Her alluring deep purple hair seemed well-maintained. Moore had refrained from smoking too close to avoid the smell transferring to her hair and earning disapproval, but it seemed she had reached her limit.
However, the request was easily granted, which was unexpectedly anticlimactic.
The wind was ─ directly against them.
He took a soft pack from the pouch, lit the cigarette with an oil lighter clenched between his teeth, and, exhaling purple smoke, resumed walking behind Haran.
"That commander... is his whole body prosthetic? I shot two handgun rounds into his abdomen, but they were repelled."
"...Two rounds?"
"...Yeah. What about it?"
With a single statement he uttered, she stopped in her tracks.
Turning her entire body on the spot, she observed Moore intently. Her gaze seemed very intrigued to him.
"...It seems you're not carrying firearms just for show or amusement."
"If you want to kill Rapture, it's the quickest way."
The witch agreed with that sentiment as well.
It seemed he wasn't just an ordinary survivor. Although he was the commander of Ark, it appeared unusual to her.
"...I'll answer your question. It's mostly correct. He was initially a weak human, but he replaced broken bones and flesh with machinery. Yet, even after that, he used clever tricks to fill the gap that couldn't be filled."
From the witch's response, Moore confirmed that her assumptions were generally correct. Well, even though he survived taking two .45 caliber bullets at point-blank range, it would be troublesome if there were still functioning, flesh-and-blood humans capable of acting after having bullets pumped into their abdomen – even if those bullets avoided vital zones.
(Tl notes: ...Is he really dense or oblivious to his ridiculous spec?)
"Until I saw him, I thought humans were just prey, but thanks to that, my perspective has changed, if only a little."
"I see. However... regardless of the percentage of his entire body, what's the reason for fighting to the point of turning almost his entire body into prosthetics?"
People of that kind dislike meaningless actions. Not to say they are pathological, but they wouldn't undergo such extensive modifications without a purpose or belief that they cling to obsessively.
While exhaling purple smoke, Moore asked. Haran then slightly parted her well-shaped lips.
"─Reclaiming the surface. I've never seen a human who desires reclamation so strongly."
"...Reclaiming the surface, huh?"
"...I understand what you're saying. However, the surface reclamation he dreams of here is not just some theoretical plan like what's discussed in Ark."
─The sunlight pouring down from above.
─The fragrance of blooming flowers as far as the eye can see.
─The clear river flowing endlessly.
─The wind gently caresses the cheeks.
"─It's a strong will to want to regain all the scenery of the surface. If that can be achieved, it should be pursued, even if everything else needs to be sacrificed... yes, if you put it that way."
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─The reason for being born.
Why does everyone say that we're all insane?
We're just saying that even if everyone else gives up, we will fight to the end.
That is the reason for being born─no, that's wrong.
It's the reason we were created.
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That's why we fight. To the end, even if we're alone, we'll never give up.
Victory in our hands. Victory, or else death is the only option.
"─Rick. If that's the case, you'll really become a monster."
That's none of your business. This is the only thing I can do. This is the only thing I know. I'm fine being a monster or a creature in human skin.
"─No, you're wrong. You're human. Not a monster or a creature."
What's different? You wouldn't know anything. The reason for the life given to me, to us─
"─I'm not trying to convince you. However, please don't forget this one thing. You were born to be loved."
I don't have parents, not for me, not for us. There might be biological parents, but─
"─No, Rick. You were born to be loved by me and to love me. Doesn't that become a reason for being born?"
....Those eyes are unfair, Lilith.
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"─Hey. What are you spacing out for?"
"─Hah!?"
He was tapped on the shoulder.
Before he knew it, a witch with rich, undulating, lustrous deep purple hair was standing right in front of him.
─My head hurts.
"...Sorry. I spaced out for a moment. So, what were we talking about?"
"Johan strongly desires the reclamation of the surface─"
"Oh, I remembered. It was about the reason for being born."
He mentioned that he spaced out for a moment, and Moore verbalized it, but Haran had noticed his abnormality about 20 seconds ago.
Without any reaction, even when spoken to while holding the cigarette in his mouth, she had no choice but to approach and tap his shoulder. Only then did his consciousness return to normal.
It seemed like a machine that experienced a system error for a moment, but well, when she touched his shoulder, there was a human body sensation, so it didn't seem like his whole body was a machine.
If there were no particular problems, Haran turned on her heel and started walking towards their destination. However, she remembered she forgot to ask something.
"─Since I've told you this much, let me hear it too."
"...Hear what?"
If it's a question that can be answered, he's willing to accept it. Moore, exuding an attitude that conveys that atmosphere, pinched the cigarette with his fingers and threw it into the portable ashtray he took out.
"You're also a commander dispatched from Ark for the sake of surface reclamation, right?"
"Well, yeah. More precisely, I'm taking independent strategic actions..."
"Oh, really? Independently?"
─Damn.
"─So, you mean you weren't given orders from the higher-ups at Ark, and you were searching for the Unchained? What's your objective then?"
"...Is that a question related to the 'trial' or something?"
"Just pure curiosity."
"I see. In that case... no comment. If you and I become a bit closer, I wouldn't mind telling you."
"...Tch."
An obvious click of the tongue resonated.
Not realizing that he had made a rude remark, Moore turned on his heel, and the mood of Haran, who had resumed walking, plummeted steeply. Without understanding the reason for her sudden displeasure, Moore had no choice but to follow her afterward.
