“Is everyone doing okay?”
“I’ve set up an auto-send function.
Once my vitals flatline, this video will be automatically sent to you.”
“Hmm—though I don’t want to say this—”
“But you might as well take this as my final words.”
—Anyway, we met when we knew nothing about each other, or the world.
“We’ve argued, laughed, cried, shared many wonderful times, and endured quite a few difficult moments.”
“We fought for humanity and became hope in the hearts of many.
We’ve also sent off many comrades and family members, and experienced the collapse of the world.”
“Many times, everyone probably wanted to give up.
Me too.”
“But please, don’t forget.
You overcame so many difficulties and protected humanity.”
“And you will save this world.”
“No matter when or where you are, this fact will never change.”
“Be proud of yourselves.
Because you are worth it.”
“I am truly happy to have met you all.
Even now.”
“I don’t want to be apart from you.
Hehe, I hope you never see this video.”
“—But if, and I mean if, one day you see this video, then promise me one last request.”
“I leave this world to you.
Also, survive.
My dear sisters.”
After receiving news of the death of Goddess Squad leader Liliweiss, Dorothy became the acting leader of the Goddess Squad.
Dorothy led the remaining members, Snow White, Scarlet, Rapunzel, and the remaining hundred-plus mass-produced Nikkes, to defend the Surface entrance area of the Ark.
Under the relentless, ever-evolving invasion of the Raptures, humanity lost almost all areas of the Surface.
With no other choice, humanity decided to establish the underground—the Ark.
Only those humans lucky enough to obtain a “ticket” could enter.
This was the Ark Guardian Plan.
Now, the Goddess Squad had been fighting at the Outpost Base near the Ark entrance for quite some time, buying time for humanity to transfer its population and resources.
Bang—a gunshot rang out.
“…”
Amidst the silence, Snow White silently holstered her gun and walked toward the group.
“…”
There was still silence.
This wasn’t the first mass-produced Nikke they had sent off.
The Goddess Squad, idols to all mass-produced Nikkes, had to personally execute those suffering from corruption.
Finally, acting leader Dorothy broke the silence.
“—Did you send her off?
Do you know her name?”
Snow White replied expressionlessly, “Yes…
I didn’t ask.
The situation at the time didn’t allow it.”
“Her ID tag said ‘Kate.’ I don’t know if that was her actual name.”
Ever since receiving the final message from her sister Liliweiss, the little Snow White had broken down.
After undergoing a cognitive shift, she grew into the reliable figure she was today.
She had also volunteered for the task of executing corrupted Nikkes.
“corruption…
it’s truly terrifying,” Dorothy said in a low voice.
“—Yeah.
It’s a terrifying virus that strips a Nikke of her self.”
“After all, even that person couldn’t overcome it.”
Rapunzel and Scarlet said one after another, thinking of the departed.
“…” Another silence.
“I’ll go pray for her,” Rapunzel, who used to be a nun, couldn’t bear it in the end.
Scarlet sighed, “Let it go.
How many have we sent off by now?
I understand how you feel, but you’ve already faced too much death.”
“We can’t just leave her there,” Rapunzel said, walking toward the direction Snow White had come from.
“The silence born of death is contagious.
If you dwell on the dead too much instead of the living, you’ll eventually meet the same end.” Scarlet lamented Rapunzel’s persistence, and seemed to see her own end as well.
Perhaps when this final battle ended, she would be able to reunite with her sister too.
Scarlet gently caressed her sword—Fleetly Fading.
Watching Rapunzel’s back, Scarlet also felt a sense of unfamiliarity with the current Snow White.
That cute little sister seemed to have disappeared along with her sister.
“—How stubborn.”
“Snow White, since that’s the case, why not build a grave?”
Snow White’s voice was calm, “That’s Rapunzel’s business.”
“Oh?
You only take responsibility for putting holes in heads, and nothing else?” Scarlet could not hide her anger.
What had the Goddess Squad become…
Dorothy quickly intervened.
Now that she had become the acting leader, she knew how immense the pressure was.
“Stop it.
That’s not what Snow White meant.”
“Is that so?
In the current situation, do we really need such a detailed division of labor?”
“—Praying for the departed, building graves.
For Rapunzel, these things are a form of comfort.
After all, this is all we can do now.”
Scarlet was speechless.
“Also, personally sending off corrupted Nikkes, day after day…
How do you think the person silently doing this feels?
Please consider that a little.”
Scarlet: “—Sorry, it seems I’m a bit tired too.”
Snow White expressionlessly: “It’s fine.
I have the most bullets.
That’s all.”
A moment of silence.
Scarlet: “Let me do the send-offs from now on.
My sword can swing infinitely.”
“No, I will.
I only need to pull the trigger.
You, however, would need to swing your blade.” Snow White refused without hesitation.
“—There is indeed a big difference.
Also, I don’t want you to use that sword in such situations.”
“Your sister would surely think so too.” Dorothy also refused to let Scarlet use the sword left by her sister on their own people.
Snow White: “That’s right, let me do it.”
Scarlet felt the intentions of her companions, “—Okay.
Sorry.” Everyone was feeling very distressed now.
“Dorothy, when was the last attack?” Snow White changed the subject as if she didn’t care.
“Two days ago.”
“It’s getting slower and slower.
The days of fighting 3 times a day seem so distant.”
Recalling this, Dorothy breathed a small sigh of relief, “The longer it takes, the lower the frequency of attacks.”
“For the Raptures, the reason to covet us is also disappearing.”
“Next, as long as we hold out for another two months—”
“Humanity will be able to survive.
Though not on the Surface, but in the Ark.”
Hearing this, Scarlet sighed, “Is it finally going to end?”
Dorothy, however, didn’t feel relieved.
“It’s been so long.
There’s still some time until the real end.
Let’s keep going.”
“When everything is over, we can enter the Ark, just enjoy everything in peace, and spend the rest of our lives in the Ark.
Including the shares for Liliweiss and Red Hood.”
“—That’s right.
I’m going back to the outpost to continue the watch.” Upon hearing the names of her departed sister and companion, Snow White turned and left.
Looking at the dazed Dorothy, Scarlet sighed, “Still not used to Snow White’s change?”
Dorothy nodded, “Yeah, a little.”
Scarlet continued, “Me too.
But…
although I haven’t seen many cases of cognitive shifts, this kind of…
how should I put it…
such an efficient cognitive shift is the first time I’ve seen it.”
The atmosphere became even more downcast.
“Fortunately, she still remembers us, and she has become more reliable.” Dorothy recalled, “To be honest, I really didn’t know what to do back then.”
“Ever since Liliweiss…
passed away.”
Recalling that leader who could knock her down with a single punch, Scarlet found it hard to imagine how she had passed away, “—Is she still in that place?”
Dorothy nodded, “Yes.
Every time I go, I’m surprised.
She looks…
so peaceful.
Just like she’s asleep.”
“—Don’t go too often.
You are our leader now,” Scarlet said.
Turning to walk toward the temporary base, Dorothy cheered herself up.
Yes, she was the leader now.
So, she called Scarlet back to eat something simple, and also to send food to the alert Snow White and the mass-produced Nikkes.
That day, at dawn.
After repelling the Rapture attack and comforting the others, Dorothy found an old robot alone.
She wanted to try to contact the Ark.
“Communication function enabled.
Once the voice recording is finished, it will be sent to the Ark and related devices.
If the communication status is poor, the transmission may fail or be delayed,” the robot said.
Dorothy chose to record a voice message.
At this moment, Kai tapped the voice message received by the command system, and the phone began to play the message.
“I am Dorothy, acting leader of the Goddess Squad.”
“Due to the death of former leader Major Liliweiss, I am now acting as leader.
I am reporting the current status of the Goddess Squad to the Ark.”
“The ‘Ark Guardian’ plan, the operation to protect and guide the main personnel on the Surface to transfer to the large underground city, the ‘Ark,’ has concluded with a 72% completion rate.”
“From an official standpoint, there is no one left on the Surface.”
“The Goddess Squad and several mass-produced Nikkes are stationed at the temporary outpost at the entrance of the Ark.”
“Before the Ark is completely sealed, we will continue to guard the entrance and resist Rapture attacks.
For the next two months, we will remain here on guard until the Ark is successfully sealed.”
“—We are facing a crisis.
Supplies and personnel are gradually decreasing, and continuous fighting has left us physically and mentally exhausted.”
“At this very moment, the Ark is in the process of sealing, so we do not expect support from the Ark.”
“We will persist in our mission and will surely complete it successfully.”
“But.
Please promise us.”
“After the Ark is sealed, bring us to the Ark.”
“In the Ark, treat us as Goddesses of Victory, so that we, who fought for humanity, may feel proud.”
“…”
“Report complete.
Awaiting the Ark’s response.”
The playback finished, and Kai fell into silence.
“Doro, can you guide me to their location?”
[Yes, Commander.]
“Then let’s go.” Kai carried a white plastic bag filled with 4 jin of oranges.
Wearing slippers, he set off just like that.
Hope it’s not too far, to find them within the 3-day newbie protection period.
Also, hope not to encounter Lord-class or Tyrant-class Raptures, otherwise, it’s game over.