5 5 301 DialogEnable Regaining consciousness from deep within your mind, you find yourself lying on a white sand beach.
6 6 201 1 500347
7 7 301 1 Lucia ...Commandant! 1
8 8 202 1 1
9 9 301 You gently lift your head to see Lucia looking at you nervously.
10 10 301 Based on the soreness of your chest, you infer that you were just given first aid.
11 11 301 Liv is always in charge of medical work. Lucia rarely has to handle treatment.
12 12 301 But as a Construct, first aid is obviously included in her intensive training.
13 13 302 Lucia... 14 (Sit up) 16
14 14 201 1 500347
15 15 17 301 1 Lucia I'm here. 1
16 16 201 1 500347
17 17 301 1 Lucia Commandant, how are you feeling? 1
18 18 302 I'm fine. 19 Cough... 19
19 19 301 Lucia You almost drowned. Now you run the risk of a chest infection, but I can't examine you in a place like this. If only Liv were here... 1
20 20 302 Where are we? 21
21 21 301 Looking around, you see the ruins of recreational facilities scattered on the beach.
22 22 301 Lucia It resembles Venus Splash Park, but that's over 180 kilometers away... 1
23 23 301 Lucia I suspect that it once belonged to Venus Splash Park. Looks like it served the same function as an island resort. 1
24 24 302 Looks like we're on an uninhabited island. 25
25 25 301 Lucia Perhaps it's not really "uninhabited." Judging from the current Punishing Virus concentration, it's highly possible that there are still mechanoids and supplies on the island. Maybe Scavengers live here? 1
26 26 302 Let's contact the others first. 27
27 27 301 Lucia I already tried contacting Liv and Lee, but there was no reply. 1
28 28 301 Lucia The signal's too weak here. And our terminals were damaged in the riptide... 1
29 29 301 Lucia We need to find a ride out of here and rendezvous with the others ASAP. 1
30 30 302 Alright. Let's split up. 31
31 31 301 Lucia No. Leave it to me. 1
32 32 301 Lucia The Punishing Virus concentration of the area up ahead is well within safety range. You can wait for me there. 1
33 33 302 I want to help, too. 34 I'll leave it to you then. 36
34 34 301 Lucia You just recovered. You should rest up. 1
35 35 37 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Lucia You can count on me. 1
36 36 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Lucia Okay. See you in a bit. 1
39 39 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Leaving the soft sandy beach, you walk to the center of the island by yourself amid the crashing sound of the waves.
40 40 301 The first thing you see is a spacious, abandoned plaza, followed by amusement park facilities long out of service, awaiting visitors in the mist. Both sides of the road are lined with machinery and collapsed buildings.
41 41 301 You have not been inspecting the deserted plaza for long before Lucia returns with a large bag of collected parts.
42 42 301 ...And two live fish in hand.
43 43 201 1 500347
44 44 301 1 Lucia Sorry, Commandant. I didn't find a boat for us to use or repair. 1
45 45 301 Lucia But we should be able to build a boat out of the surrounding materials. I also brought back some parts that can be used to build an engine. 1
46 46 301 Lucia ignores the two flopping fish. She just looks out in the direction of the surf.
47 47 301 Lucia I'm no mechanic, but I should be able to build a boat given enough time. 1
48 48 302 You want to... build a boat? 49
49 49 301 You hesitate then nod to Lucia, trustingly. At the same time, you ponder another issue.
53 53 301 Lucia Even though there aren't any blueprints or proper tools here, I'm confident we can build a boat to cross the sea. But we'll have no way of defending their attack. 1
54 54 302 Let's keep looking. 55
55 55 301 Lucia Okay. 1
56 56 301 Lucia The Punishing Virus concentration is lower nearby. I saw some mechanoids that still haven't been corrupted maintaining the buildings here. 1
57 57 301 Lucia But that doesn't mean there aren't hidden pockets with high Punishing Virus concentration. 1
58 58 301 As soon as Lucia says that, a small group of robots with cleaning tools walk down the corridor. 1
59 59 302 Um... 60
60 60 301 Lucia What's wrong? 1
61 61 302 What's with the fish...? 62
62 62 301 Lucia I couldn't find that many supplies around here, but the life support systems seem to be well-maintained. 1
63 63 301 Lucia It's getting late, Commandant. You need to rest up and regain your strength. 1
64 64 301 Lucia That's why I caught you some fish. I'll get them ready for you to eat. 1
65 65 302 You're planning on cooking all by yourself? 66 Need help? I know a thing or two about cooking. 67
66 66 69 301 Lucia Yes. 1
67 67 301 Lucia You need to rest, Commandant. We've got a tough road ahead of us. 1
68 68 202 1 1
69 69 301 Lucia looks around the plaza, holding the fish that have gradually lost their strength, and points down a brick path nearby.
70 70 201 1 500347
71 71 301 1 Lucia There's an abandoned park over there. It has the lowest Punishing Virus concentration I could find. 1
72 72 301 Lucia Let's go to the empty library right behind it. 1
73 73 301 Lucia There's an abandoned cafe in it, which should have some appliances for cooking food. 1
77 77 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Reaching the library entrance, you look around to see that the place is surprisingly well-kept except for a few remnants of destruction. What happened to this island?
78 78 302 What's with these ruins? 79
79 79 201 1 500347
80 80 301 1 Lucia This area must have had frequent fighting before it was abandoned altogether. 1
81 81 301 Lucia I saw a bunch of similar ruins while looking for parts. 1
82 82 301 Lucia Also... there were signs of humans, such as graffiti and messages carved into the ruins. 1
83 83 302 Looks like they didn't evacuate in a hurry. 84
84 84 301 Lucia You mean people stayed here for a while before leaving these markings? 1
85 85 302 Who knows? Maybe there are still survivors here. 86
86 86 301 Lucia But I didn't see any signs of life. 1
87 87 302 Maybe they're hiding. 88
88 88 301 Lucia It's possible. I'll investigate more of the island later. If I can find someone to speak to, maybe we can get some intel that'll help us get off this island ASAP. 1
89 89 301 Lucia But right now, our main priority is to get your strength up, Commandant. 1
90 90 301 Lucia walks straight into the kitchen at the back of the abandoned coffee shop. She quickly cleans the counter and places the two dying fish on it.
91 1190 204 1 1
92 91 301 Lucia The appliances are still operational, and there are also some condiments left over. Looks like this was the work of those robots... 1
93 92 302 Maintaining this deserted island...? 1193
94 1193 204 1
95 93 301 Lucia Yes. 1
96 94 301 Lucia They'll continue to do their scheduled work until they receive orders otherwise. 1
97 95 202 1 1
98 96 301 Lucia looks down and searches through the equipment and utensils stored within the kitchen.
99 97 301 You have known about Lucia's cooking "skills" for quite some time, but you have never witnessed her in action.
100 98 301 You are overcome with curiosity given such a rare opportunity while your survival instinct kicks in at the same time.
101 99 201 1 500347
102 100 301 1 Lucia Alright, it's showtime. 1
103 101 302 Showtime? 102 ... 103
104 102 301 Lucia Time for me and the fish to do battle. 1
105 103 301 Lucia Take a step back, Commandant. Keep a safe distance. 1
106 104 302 A safe distance? 105
107 105 301 Right as you ask, Lucia unsheathes her blade.
108 106 302 ...W-wait! 107
109 107 301 Lucia Is there something you wish to say? 1
110 108 302 You're going to use your katana to cut the fish? 109
111 109 301 Lucia Of course. It's the weapon I'm most familiar with. 1
112 110 301 Even though this goes against everything you know about cooking, you are also curious to see how she plans on going about it.
113 111 302 (Don't stop her) 112 You should use a proper kitchen knife... 143
114 112 202 1 1
115 113 301 Seeing the look of approval in your eyes, she steps back and prepares to swing.
124 122 301 RImgBg1Shake The next moment, she throws one of the fish into the air and swings her knife as fast as lightning. Fish scales go flying and splatter everywhere.
129 127 301 RImgBg1Shake The fish appears to float in the air. Each time it is about to fall, Lucia slices it back into the air with her katana. It remains in the air for what appears to be several dozens swings, each slice scaling the fish.
139 137 301 RImgBg1Shake Seeing that there are no scales left, Lucia slices open the fish's belly and removes the viscera in one swift flick of her wrist.
140 138 401 2 744
141 139 301 Right as the fish finally lands on the cutting board, Lucia sends its head flying toward the ceiling in a perfect arc—nearly landing right on your head.
142 140 301 ...Is that why you wanted me to stand a safe distance away?
143 141 301 Returning to your senses, you notice that the surrounding counter has been completely destroyed in the flurry of swings from her katana. Only the small area where the fish is placed remains intact.
144 142 193 301 You finally understand why you received such a large bill for kitchen repairs...
145 143 301 Lucia A kitchen knife? I'm more used to a longer blade like my katana, but I guess I could use the practice. 1
146 144 202 1 1
147 145 301 Lucia nods, grabs a knife in the shape of a dagger, then steps back in preparation to attack.
160 158 301 The next moment, she throws one of the fish into the air and swings her knife as fast as lightning. Fish scales go flying and splatter everywhere.
169 167 301 The fish appears to float in the air. Each time it is about to fall, Lucia slices it back into the air with the kitchen knife. It remains in the air for what appears to be several dozen swings, each slice scaling the fish.
187 185 301 Seeing that there are no scales left, Lucia slices open the fish's belly and removes the viscera in one swift flick of her wrist.
188 186 401 2 744
189 187 301 Right as the fish finally lands on the cutting board, Lucia had already sent its head flying into a corner, leaving a vibrant blood splatter on the wall.
190 188 301 ...Is that why you wanted me to stand a safe distance away?
191 189 301 Returning to your senses, you notice that the surrounding counter had been covered in scratches from the flurry of swings of the kitchen knife. Fortunately, the knife was not long enough to cause severe damage.
192 190 301 You finally understand why you received such a large bill for kitchen repairs... Or perhaps, you should be thankful that you stopped her from using her katana.
199 197 301 Lucia notices a bead of sweat form on your forehead and gives you a look of concern.
200 198 201 301 Lucia Are you sick, Commandant? There aren't any medic supplies here, so I'll try to finish up the soup as fast as I can. You'll feel better in no time! 1
201 199 301 You calmly watch Lucia cook as if those rumors and memories had never happened.
202 200 301 Lucia I'll finish up the soup as fast as I can. Just wait a moment, Commandant. 1
203 201 202 1 1
204 202 301 Lucia turns on the faucet, fills a bucket with water, and runs it through a purifier.
205 203 301 While she waits for the water to filter, she grabs dozens of different containers, the content of which are unrecognizable.
206 204 301 After placing a pot of water on the self-heating stove, Lucia begins to slice and prepare the fish.
207 207 301 Once the water reaches a boil, she checks the sliced fish once more and places the pieces into the pot.
208 208 301 She opens the countless containers of mystery seasonings and condiments...
210 210 301 You don't make any effort to stop Lucia. You just stand by and watch her emptying all of the strange-smelling content... directly into the pot.
211 211 301 Even at a safe distance, you can tell from the smell that at least red wine, vinegar and coffee are included in the mystery broth.
212 212 301 Wait... Why is there coffee, too?!
213 213 401 1 102
214 214 301 You try to stop her, but it is too late. After a brief shock, Lucia places a bowl of dark brown soup in front of you.
215 215 201 1 500347
216 216 301 1 Lucia I wouldn't exactly say it's delicious, but it's the best I could do given the circumstance. Give it a try, Commandant! 1
217 217 301 ...You want to refuse, but you have no other choice.
218 218 202 1 1
219 219 301 Right as you pick up the spoon, your nose is assaulted by a barrage of vinegar, wine, and fish. You quietly gulp, and bring the spoonful of brown liquid to your mouth with your trembling fingers.
220 220 301 ...The taste can only be described as pickled death.
221 221 301 The salty brine paralyzes your tongue and the fishy odor infiltrates your nasal cavity. The bitter coffee, sour wine, and pungent vinegar play a requiem for your taste buds like a beautiful rose wilting to the coming winter.
224 225 301 In this moment, your consciousness sinks into the ocean's cold depths. Opening your eyes, you only see endless darkness and loneliness. You feel as if you are suffocating. You hear the faint tolling of a bell near your ears...
256 256 302 Bring us closer together as team members? 257
257 257 301 DialogEnable Lucia pauses a moment and nods.
258 258 301 Lucia Well, if you say so... 1
259 259 302 Leave the seasoning to me. 260
260 260 301 Lucia Alright. 1
261 261 202 1 1
262 262 301 You walk up next to Lucia and carefully examine the dozens of bottles, cans and bags she just opened.
263 263 301 The content include salt, oyster sauce, red wine, coffee, saccharin, white vinegar, bean flour, ungrounded black pepper... Among the many other ingredients, there is even a bag of yeast.
264 264 301 Even though the Golden Age had revolutionized food storage, which greatly extended the shelf life of products, you smell a subtle but concerning odor coming from the containers.
265 265 301 After repeated inspection, a select few ingredients were added to the fish soup.
266 266 302 That should do it. 267
267 267 201 1 500347
268 268 301 1 Lucia Is that really all we need? 1
269 269 302 Adding more won't necessarily make it better. 270
270 270 301 She becomes lost in thought as if unable to comprehend what you had just said.
271 271 301 After waiting for some time, she finally brings you a clear bowl of fish soup.
272 272 301 Lucia Give it a try, Commandant. 1
273 273 302 Sure.
274 274 301 You calmly pick up your spoon and taste the fish soup...
275 275 301 Given the circumstances, it's not delicious by any means. However, it's a warm and hearty soup for someone half-starved and stuck on a deserted island.
276 276 302 Want to try it for yourself, Lucia? 277
277 277 301 Lucia Constructs don't need sustenance. 1
278 278 302 What about as a memento of us cooking together? 279
279 279 301 Lucia ...If you insist... 1
280 280 301 After hesitating a few moments, she picks up the spoon and takes a sip.
281 997 204 1 1
282 281 301 Lucia ...Not bad. 1
283 282 301 Lucia breathes a sigh of relief, then hands the spoon back. She watches quietly as you finish the bowl of soup.
284 283 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Lucia You should get some rest now. 1
288 286 301 AniZhuanchangEnd You follow Lucia up to the library on the upper floor and find a corner to rest.
289 287 301 Before getting comfortable, a question suddenly crosses your mind about what Lucia had thought about condiments just now.
290 288 302 There's something I want to ask you, Lucia.
291 289 201 1 500347
292 290 301 1 Lucia What's wrong? 1
293 291 302 Did you want to put in all of those ingredients? 292
294 292 301 Lucia Yes. 1
295 293 302 Why? 294
296 294 301 Lucia Because they make food taste better. 1
297 295 302 That's right. 296
298 296 301 Lucia So I thought adding more would make it taste even better. 1
299 297 302 Hahahahaha! 298 What makes you think that? 299
300 298 300 301 Lucia Sorry... Is something the matter, Commandant? 1
301 299 301 Instead of laughing, perhaps it would have been better to ask her why she thought that way.
302 300 301 Lucia ...Most of what I remember about cooking is from my childhood. 1
303 301 301 Lucia If you want to keep living, you can't be a picky eater. 1
304 302 301 Lucia Especially when I was by myself for the first time with nowhere to go. I was too young to distinguish between condiments. 1
305 303 301 Lucia Before I could use a dagger, I could barely find canned food or hardtack. Most of the food I got was expired or dirty. Sometimes it was just plants. Other times, it was just dirt. 1
306 304 301 Lucia For people at that time, condiments were hard to come by. Even a pinch of salt could make something like leaves easier to swallow. 1
307 305 301 Lucia Looking back... When I was wandering with nowhere to go, I never had enough supplies to experiment with. I never had enough condiments to make food taste bad. Now I'm afraid to put in too little. 1
308 306 301 Lucia After becoming a Construct and seeing the fully stocked kitchen in Babylonia, I guess I accidentally... went a bit overboard with the condiments and ingredients. 1
309 307 301 Lucia After that, no one even wants me going into the kitchen. So I haven't had much of an opportunity to improve. 1
310 999 204 1 2
311 308 301 Lucia I know I'm not good at cooking, but if I can practice more, I can at least... 1
312 309 301 Lucia lowers her head. The library, which was already quiet, is now completely silent.
313 310 301 You knew she was not a good cook, but you have not expected this to be the reason why.
326 323 301 Lucia looks up at you. A smile returns to her lips.
327 324 301 DialogDisable Lucia It's getting late. Why don't you get some sleep? 1
328 325 302 With all these books here, how can I? I don't want this opportunity to go to waste! 326
329 326 302 I haven't been to a library in ages. 327
330 327 302 I wanna go have a look around. 328
331 328 301 DialogEnable Lucia Alright. 1
332 329 301 Lucia Then I'll keep looking for supplies. It's going to take a while to finish building the raft. 1
333 330 302 Stay here. 331
334 331 204 1
335 332 301 DialogDisable Lucia Is there something you need me to do? 1
336 333 302 I need you to rest. 334
337 334 302 We can look for supplies tomorrow. 1334
338 1334 204 1 1
339 335 301 DialogEnable Lucia ...Commandant. 1
340 336 302 DialogDisable It's better to be on the safe side. 337
341 337 302 Stay here. 338
342 338 301 DialogEnable Lucia contemplates for a moment.
343 339 301 Lucia Very well. Someone needs to be on guard anyway. 1
344 340 302 How about you read a book? 341
345 341 301 Lucia ...A book? 1
346 342 301 She looks around at the sea of books, puzzled.
347 343 302 You don't like to read? 344
348 344 301 Lucia It's not that. I just rarely have the chance. I don't know where to start. 1
349 345 302 Well, then... Find a cover you think looks interesting. 346
350 346 301 Lucia Alright. 1
351 347 202 1 1
352 348 301 Lucia walks up to a bookshelf. After looking through a row, she takes out a book. Some of the pages are missing, but she reads through it quickly.
353 349 301 Seeing Lucia absorbed in the book, you skim the titles of the books on the bookshelf to search for the ones you have not read.
354 350 301 However, you quickly realize that most of the books are incomplete.
355 351 301 Some books were burned, soiled, vandalized or repurposed as journals.
356 353 301 Others have been soaked, leaving traces of plants or food. You suspect that these books were taken out of the library and later returned by the Mini Bots.
357 354 301 Looking through the journals, you notice that even though the old handwriting seems to come from different authors, the content are more or less the same.
358 355 301 The journals describe a group of people gathering on this island after having nowhere else to go. They were surprised to discover such a low concentration of the Punishing Virus, but after living there a short period of time, the infection began to spread. The journals all cut off here.
359 356 301 Guess this explains all the ruins.
360 357 301 After you continue searching through all the books on the bookshelf, you discover an untitled book with an exquisite cover left in the corner.
361 358 301 Opening it, you discover that it's not actually a book. Instead, it's a foldable terminal.
362 359 302 ...Select Stage? 360
363 360 301 You tap the screen, causing various fairytale stages to project above the screen.
364 361 201 1 500347
365 362 301 1 Lucia Commandant? 1
366 363 301 Noticing the projections, Lucia sets down the book in her hands and walks over.
367 364 302 It's a book terminal. 365
368 365 202 1 1
369 366 301 She grabs the book terminal and scrolls through the catalog and its content.
370 367 201 1 500347
371 368 301 1 Lucia Looks like it's a terminal for playing staged fairy tales. 1
372 369 302 That's right. 370
373 370 301 Lucia Also, it looks like the stage is this island. 1
374 371 302 Is it video memoire? 372
375 372 301 Lucia What's that? 1
376 373 302 It's like a photo, but played on the terminal. 374
377 374 301 Lucia I see. 1
378 375 301 She nods firmly.
379 376 301 Lucia Look, Commandant. 1
380 377 301 DialogDisable Lucia Is this the same "Legend of the Mermaid"? 1
381 378 302 You're right. 379
382 379 302 Want to read it together? 380
383 380 204 1 1
384 381 301 DialogEnable Lucia Alright. 1
385 382 301 Lucia's eyes sparkle. Seems like she's interested in reading the story behind her coating.
386 383 302 Let's sit down and read it. 384
387 384 301 Lucia (Nods) 1
388 385 202 1 1
389 386 301 Lucia hands the book terminal to you and turns to grab a blanket.
390 387 201 1 500347
391 388 301 AniZhuanchangBegin 1 Lucia It's a bit chilly at night even though it's still summer. You should bundle up. 1
394 391 301 AniZhuanchangEnd —Long, long ago there was a kingdom at the bottom of the sea, far, far away from humanity. It was a place where only mystical sea creatures lived and flourished.
395 392 301 Lucia's gaze is fully absorbed in the projection of the underwater palace coming from the terminal in your hands.
396 393 301 —Here lived the children of the sea. Their lower bodies were like the tail of a fish, and their upper bodies were like that of a human. Each child had the most immaculate beauty.
397 394 301 Of all the children, the youngest princess was the fairest of them all. Her skin was like rose petals, and her eyes were like deep lakes. Whenever she sang, all the fish would slow down to indulge in her beautiful song.
398 395 301 A melodious song plays from the terminal.
399 396 301 Lucia The song's so pretty.
400 397 301 —On the year of the mermaid princess's fifteenth birthday, she received her grandmother's blessing to float up to the surface and witness the beauty of the imperfect land.
401 398 301 Just as she looks around excitedly, a magnificent ship approaches her. Aboard the ship, many people in the finest clothing are celebrating the prince's birthday.
402 399 301 At that moment, the mermaid princess falls in love with both the prince and everything around him. She swears in her heart that she will join this gorgeous but fragile kingdom no matter what.
403 400 301 In order to set foot on land, she seeks a witch who resides in an underwater cave. In exchange for her voice, she receives a potion that will split her tail into two legs.
404 401 302 Wait, this story... 402 ... 407
405 402 302 It's different from what I remember. 403
406 403 301 Lucia What's the original like?
407 404 302 In the original, she did that so she could meet the prince. 405
408 405 301 Lucia So her reason is different in this version?
409 406 301 The two of you think for a moment.
410 407 301 But there was another price for using this potion. With each step, the princess will feel like she's stepping on the blade of a knife.
411 408 301 And also—if the prince banishes her, the morning before she must return home... she will be turned to seafoam.
412 409 301 But the cost does little to dissuade her. And with that, she says goodbye to her family, drinks the potion, and ventures to the prince's palace in great pain.
413 410 301 Although she had lost her voice, she wins over the hearts of others with the most beautiful dance the world had ever seen. Thus, she is allowed to stay in the palace.
414 411 301 As time goes on, she finds herself hopelessly in love with the prince.
415 412 301 The mermaid princess wants to tell her feelings to the prince, but she cannot. Not only because she has lost her voice, but also due to her status.
416 413 301 Because, even if people around her are overwhelmed by her beauty and elegance, the prince only regards her as a dancer.
417 414 301 One day, the prince travels out to sea in his magnificent ship. Without warning, a torrential storm forms overhead. On the way back, the prince comes across a ship that had struck a reef in the storm.
418 415 301 He takes ten of his guards and rescues the stranded crew from being swallowed by the sea.
419 416 301 Among the people who survived the shipwreck, there is a beautiful girl...
420 417 301 The prince is surprised to find that she was the princess of a neighboring kingdom. The two are in love at first sight and become engaged immediately thereafter.
421 424 301 In order to express his one-of-a-kind love, the prince orders the resignation of all the dancers in the palace.
422 425 301 The mermaid princess wants to confess her love for the prince, but all she can do is endure the pain in her feet and offer him one last dance.
423 426 301 When night falls, the little princess returns to the seaside and awaits the rising sun to turn her into seafoam.
424 427 301 Lucia This is almost like a story about abandoning one's humanity to become a Construct.
425 428 301 Lucia If you're abandoned by the military and unable to return to Babylonia, you'll end up with the same fate.
426 429 302 But a lot of people become Constructs because they have no choice. 430 I won't let that happen. 433
427 430 301 Lucia You're right... Sorry for the tangent.
428 431 302 It's okay. Fairytales aren't as harsh as reality. 432
429 432 434 301 Lucia But I believe that as long as you're on Gray Raven, Commandant, the three of us won't be met with the same fate.
430 433 301 Lucia I believe that as long as you're on Gray Raven, Commandant, the three of us won't be met with the same fate.
431 434 301 Lucia smiles, then looks back at the terminal.
432 435 301 —But right as daybreak is upon her, she hears a familiar singing.
433 436 301 It's the sound of her sisters singing.
434 437 301 They had given their long luscious locks to the witch in exchange for a dagger.
435 438 301 So long as she is able to kill the prince with this dagger, her legs will return to their original form and she will be able to return to the sea.
436 439 301 Lucia ...
437 440 301 The princess grabs the dagger and returns to the prince's bedchamber. She ponders and ponders. But in the end, she is unable to strike down the prince.
438 441 301 The princess suddenly hears a noise outside the bedchamber, and quickly hides behind the curtains.
439 442 301 Between the gap in the curtains, she looks in horror as the attendants throw two familiar figures in front of the window.
440 443 301 ??? Our sincerest apologies for disturbing you so late into the night, Your Highness.
441 444 301 Prince No matter. I had yet to retire to bed anyway.
442 445 301 ??? We captured these two mermaids just offshore. We overheard them plotting your assassination!
443 446 301 Prince ...Is that so?
444 447 301 ??? Awaiting orders to execute them, Your Highness!
445 448 301 The prince remains quiet for a moment, then pulls out a sword hanging on the wall next to the window...
446 449 301 Seeing this, the princess can no longer bear the grief and anger. She jumps out from behind the curtain and stabs the prince in the chest with the dagger.
447 450 301 As the mermaid princess's legs are stained with his blood, the palace is engulfed by a tidal wave. Her legs return to their original fish-like tail, and she swims back to the underwater kingdom with her sisters to live happily ever after.
448 451 301 Lucia I'm guessing the ending is completely different, too. Isn't it, Commandant?
449 452 302 That's right. 453
450 453 301 Lucia But something seems a little strange.
451 454 301 Lucia If the prince really hadn't fallen asleep like he said, wouldn't he have realized the princess was in the room?
452 455 302 You're right. Maybe there's more to the story. 456
453 456 301 Lucia Was the author just being careless? Or are they trying to tell us something?
454 457 301 Lucia Speaking of which... How did the original story end?
455 458 301 Right as you are about to tell Lucia, you see a hidden icon below with the text "Classic Mode" in dark gray letters.
456 459 301 After pressing it, the book terminal begins to play the audio once more. However, it is the original version.
457 460 301 —The beginning of the story is consistent with the revised version. When the little mermaid princess is 15 years old, she floats to the surface and becomes enamored with the prince and everything around him.
458 461 301 On the way to the prince's banquet, a surprise storm capsizes the prince's ship, and everyone falls into the water. Seeing that the prince is about to die, she swims over recklessly to save him and pulls him ashore.
459 462 301 But humans and mermaids are different creatures after all. In order to hide her secret, she hurries back to sea after confirming that the prince is safe.
460 463 301 Not long after, a young girl finds the prince. She alerts others to come help him, waking him up in the process. As a result, he mistakes her for the girl who saved him—not knowing anything about the little mermaid.
461 464 301 To set foot on land and meet with the prince again, she seeks a witch who resides in an underwater cave. In exchange for her voice, she receives a potion that will split her tail into two legs. But there is another price for using this potion. Each step the princess takes will feel like stepping on the blade of a knife.
462 465 301 And—if the prince proposes to another princess and does not accept her, then on the morning before the wedding day... she will turn to seafoam.
463 466 301 But the little princess has lost her voice and cannot speak to the prince. Even though those around him are overwhelmed by her dancing and beauty, the prince is still in love with the girl who rescued him on the beach.
464 467 301 Not long after, the king and the queen had chosen a bride for the prince—a princess from a neighboring kingdom. When the prince goes to pick her up by boat, he discovers that the princess was the same girl he thought saved him.
465 468 301 The two become engaged right there on the spot...
466 469 301 When night falls, the little princess returns to the seaside and awaits the rising sun to turn her into seafoam.
467 470 301 Hearing this news, her sisters had given their long luscious locks to the witch in exchange for a dagger. So long as she is able to kill the prince with this dagger, her legs will return to their original form and she will be able to return to the sea.
468 471 301 But that is not what the princess does. She cannot kill the prince in his sleep. Instead, she tosses the dagger into the sea.
469 472 301 When the sun rises... The most beautiful mermaid princess in the world returns to the sea as seafoam.
470 473 301 Lucia Looks like the biggest difference is how the story ends.
471 474 302 You're right. 475
472 475 301 Lucia In one ending, she kills the prince to protect her sisters. In the other ending, she sacrifices herself and allows the prince to continue living without knowing what she has done for him.
473 476 301 Lucia It's still a sad story regardless of which ending it is... but I still prefer the original.
474 477 301 Lucia Someone brave enough to die for what they love... That's true bravery.
475 478 302 Because that's what she chose? 479
476 479 301 Lucia Yes. Even though it didn't end the way she wanted, she has no regrets.
477 480 302 Is that the kind of ending you would choose if you were her? 481
478 481 301 Lucia ...That kind of ending?
479 482 301 Lucia Would you be upset if I sacrificed myself, Commandant?
480 483 302 Yes. 484 No. 489
481 484 301 Lucia Then I wouldn't sacrifice myself. I wouldn't want to hurt you.
483 485 301 Lucia I'd never do anything to hurt you.
484 486 494 301 Lucia If I'm forced to choose between the two, I'll find a third option.
485 487 301 Lucia But that wasn't my ending. It was just a part of my life and a small part of my time in Gray Raven.
486 488 494 301 Lucia And I didn't sacrifice myself because of that, Commandant. I may have taken a detour, but I'm back now.
487 489 301 Hearing this response, her expression barely changes.
488 490 301 Lucia Good. If that day comes, I wouldn't want to hurt you.
489 491 301 Lucia Saving Earth is a long and daunting mission. Sacrifices must be made along the way.
490 492 301 Lucia If you're so caught up on sadness, you'll be stuck in the past and unable to move toward the future.
491 494 302 Sacrificing oneself should never be the premise for fighting. 495
492 495 301 Lucia You're right. As long as you're here, I'll cherish my life.
493 496 301 Lucia I'll protect myself—whether that's to save Earth more quickly or to stay with you even longer.
494 497 302 ...And if I'm not here? 498 ...And if I'm assigned to another team? 506
495 498 301 Lucia ...Then we'll see each other again once we rescue Earth.
496 499 302 I wasn't talking about being assigned to another team... 500
497 500 301 Lucia I know. Just like the original version of the story...
498 501 301 Lucia's smile seems to hint at a frown.
499 502 301 Lucia If you become seafoam, then I'll be the sea.
500 503 301 Lucia If that day comes, I want to be wherever is closest to you... That way I can tell you about our victory again and again.
501 504 301 Lucia But for me, the best future can only be achieved if you are beside me and the others. That's why I'll do everything in my power to protect you.
502 505 302 (Nods) 510 We'll do this together. 510
503 506 301 Lucia As long as I know you're safe somewhere, I won't lose my way.
504 507 301 Lucia When we save Earth, I'll find you.
505 508 301 Lucia We'll be able to go wherever we want then. Can't we?
506 509 302 Of course. 510
507 510 301 Lucia smiles and nods, then looks back at the terminal.
508 511 301 Lucia But... Why'd they want to change the original story to this?
509 512 302 Maybe to make it more novel? 513 Maybe they were writing what happened to them? 514
510 513 515 301 【kuroname】 In the records of the Golden Age, some authors would deliberately adapt familiar stories to entice readers.
511 514 301 【kuroname】 ...This island has been deserted for too long. Maybe someone who once lived here wrote down their own experience through stories.
512 515 301 Lucia I see. Perhaps, you're right.
513 516 301 Lucia Hmm...
514 517 301 Lucia I'd like to continue this discussion, but you need to get some rest, Commandant.
515 518 302 Okay, good night. 524 You should get some rest too, Lucia. 520
516 520 301 Lucia Me?
517 522 301 Lucia Constructs don't need to sleep, but I'll stay by your side until it's light out.
