8 8 301 Mandhasti Yes, why indeed? I said that I trust you. Why else would I escape and come looking for you? 2
9 9 204 2
10 10 301 Mandhasti ...Roland, I have to apologize to you. I told you that everything I did earlier was because I said I saw Kay. But... there's more to it than just that. 2
11 11 204 2 4
12 12 301 Mandhasti I was patrolling Fifth Avenue the other day. As always, it was overcrowded. But, I suddenly had a strong impulse, a feeling that I had to do it. 2
13 13 301 Mandhasti ...I followed the patrol route and went to the outdoor cafe on the roof of Building 7. I found a corner out of view and jumped down, then double back on the route I just patrolled. 2
14 14 301 Mandhasti Obviously, jumping from the third floor hurt like hell, considering I hadn't been trained to jump from such a height. But I didn't care about the pain. I was more focused on what I had seen. 2
15 15 301 Mandhasti Fifth Avenue, which was crowded with people just a few minutes ago—was empty. 2
16 16 301 Roland (Looks like a scene from eight acts ago... Dang it. The camera crew was filming a commercial with me at that time. There weren't enough extras in the group. No one reported this oversight to me.) 1
17 17 301 Mandhasti When I saw that, some random person appeared out of nowhere, got right in my face and started rambling incoherently about thanking me for maintaining the peace. 2
18 18 301 Mandhasti When he left, Fifth Avenue was back to being overcrowded again. It was almost like the naked emperor scrambling for clothes after finally being caught. 2
19 19 301 Mandhasti I don't know how long it's been. But after that, every time I'm out on patrol or keeping the peace, something feels... off. After that, patrolling, enforcing the law, something was bothering me... I've got this nagging feeling that there's something wrong with this world. 2
20 20 301 Roland M-Mandy... What're you talking about? 1
21 21 301 Mandhasti ...Like just now, when I was locked up in the detention center. After you left, Omi came to try and talk me out of it. It's just... all too coincidental. Like it's staged. Like something keeps trying to push me in some direction. 2
22 22 301 Mandhasti So, I broke out. I broke out to find you. Some of the medical spray from the can I broke earlier got on your shoes. It was just a little, but even then, and despite all the footprints in the police station, how could I mistake my knight's footprints...? So, I followed the trail here. 2
23 23 301 Mandhasti A lot of people tried to stop me along the way. But I pushed through them. I broke through barrier after barrier. I even knocked over that old man standing in front of the door outside. And, as expected, they made no attempt to hurt me. Just like that gangster this morning... 2
24 24 301 Mandhasti The more I see, the more I feel that something is trying to stop me. That's why I'm telling you all of this. Roland... Everything about this world keeps getting stranger, except for you. You're the only one I can trust. 2
25 25 301 Mandhasti But... But I can't imagine... 2
26 26 301 Mandhasti Roland... Are you one of them? 2
27 27 301 Roland Um, uh... 1
28 28 202 1 2 1
29 29 301 Roland's mind races to come up with an explanation. How to weave this into the narrative? Tell him that he's being stalked? Would adding such an extreme shift in the story affect the ratings?
30 30 301 Before Roland has time to fabricate an excuse, Mandhasti takes a few steps forward, grabs his shoulders, and gives him a look of sincerity.
31 31 201 1 500376 -400
32 32 201 2 500369 4 400
33 33 301 1 Mandhasti —No. No. I know you, Roland. I know you'd never stab me in the back. You're... You're my knight. 2
34 34 301 Mandhasti You're... You're being threatened, aren't you? Forced to participate in this false world... 2
35 35 301 Mandhasti Whatever it is... You can tell me. I need to know. I'll believe whatever you say. 2
36 36 301 Roland ... 1
37 37 301 Mandhasti Just tell me, and we can escape... We can leave this false world! 2
40 40 301 Roland Cameras KE4, OC1, power off. Begin playback: "Memories". 1
41 41 301 Roland (Ugh... More work to do...) 1
42 42 301 Mandhasti What was that? 2
43 43 301 Roland places his hand on the baton at his waist that he always carried as a deputy.
44 44 203 1 0.1
45 45 301 Gently pressing a button on the baton and taking a deep breath, he bends down, twists his waist and gives Mandhasti a sharp jab to the stomach—
54 54 301 1 Roland Heh... Can't go anywhere without my trusty EMP. 1
55 55 202 1 1
56 56 301 Breathing heavily, he squats down and lifts Mandhasti's motionless head. Having bashed his head from the fall, the wound reveals an intricate mechanoid component.
57 57 201 1 500365 4
58 58 301 1 Roland Where are you, memory chip... Bingo. 1
59 59 301 Roland reaches into the mechanoid and pulls out the chip. With the chip in hand, he suddenly collapses onto the ground.
60 60 202 1
61 61 301 Roland Rrgh... Argh!
62 62 301 His breathing gradually stabilizes, but his body is still shaking, as if the baton in his hand had shocked him, causing his entire arm to tremble.
63 63 301 With just a slight touch, the mechanoid has crumbled to the ground just now and lost all functionality. It lays there motionless like a corpse.
64 64 301 It almost feels like stabbing a real person with a knife.
65 65 301 He moves his fingers. Sweat from his palms drips down along his arm. For a moment, he thought it was fluid from the mechanoid.
66 66 301 Looking at the palm of his hand for a long time, Roland finally confirms that it wasn't a person he knocked unconscious, but a mechanoid named Mandhasti. A mechanoid arranged by the show to deceive the audience into making them think they were watching a live broadcast.
67 67 201 1 500382
68 68 301 1 Neferti Roland! Roland! Are you okay? 1
69 69 301 He wasn't sure how long he had been sitting on the ground. A crew member breaks down the door with a maintenance box.
70 70 203 1 0.25 400
71 71 201 2 500365 4 -400
72 72 301 1 Roland Neferti, you finally made it... I pulled out the memory chip. The team should still be awake by now. Have them wipe the mechanoid's memory... 2
73 73 301 Roland ...The props team did a lousy job, so you'll have to take care of that. Oh, and the security guard at the door... the protocol for not injuring the lead is set too high. I never expected him to resort to violence. That didn't stop him this time. It was an oversight on my part. 2
74 74 301 Roland I think the director should take it from here. I... I need to go back to the lounge. I think the crew might need to change their performance policy and make preparations in advance... 2
75 75 202 1 2 1
76 76 301 Roland hands the memory chip to Neferti, stands up, and staggers to leave.
77 77 301 But before he can leave, the broad palm of a hand grabs his shoulder, stopping him in place and causing him to lose his balance. He falls to his knees with a loud thud.
78 78 201 1 500382 300
79 79 201 2 500381 -300
80 80 301 1 Neferti Roland, you look like death warmed over. 1
81 81 301 Neferti's voice is heavy. Roland can hear that he's trying to keep his voice as soft as possible.
82 82 301 Neferti It's okay, I get it. I really do. You're exhausted, and you're not feeling well. 1
83 83 301 Neferti The first time you did something like that, you puked your guts out on set like you actually killed someone. 1
84 84 301 Neferti But after that, you regained your composure, smiled and said to me, "all cameras on me." You held your own for ten minutes as we cleaned everything up offscreen. 1
85 85 301 Roland Back then, I... 2
86 86 301 Neferti Your smile really encouraged us. After that, we knew we'd survive no matter what the accident may be. You don't puke anymore, and we're getting better at dealing with these kinds of situations. 1
87 87 301 Neferti You see? Even now. Even if it is being replayed outside, the audience still feels that our show is real. 1
88 88 301 Neferti And for the sake of maintaining this reality, we need to keep it together until "The End". 1
89 89 301 Neferti We have overcome so many crises. We'll overcome this one, too. Because you're a professional, and so are we. 1
90 90 202 1
91 91 401 2 1515
92 92 301 Neferti's hand on Roland's shoulder lets go. Roland hears several clicks from the operation terminal.
93 93 301 Neferti The nearest underground lounge is next door. I've already adjusted it to make you feel right at home. I'll deal with the higher-ups.
94 94 301 Neferti I know you can't share your pain with your family. But at least... I hope you can get some proper shuteye.
95 95 201 2 500365 -300
96 96 301 1 Roland Thanks, Neferti. But I'm okay. I'm... a professional. 2
97 97 202 2 1
98 98 301 Roland grins, gets up and looks back. Neferti kneels over Mandhasti and begins to repair him.
99 99 201 1 500378
100 100 301 1 Mandhasti's robotic glass eyes are wide open. Neferti says it's a characteristic of the model.
101 101 301 AniZhuanchangBegin But somehow, Roland feels that, even though he had lost power, he is still looking at him.
107 107 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Mandhasti Your name's Roland? Thanks for saving me! 1
108 108 301 Roland I'm a deputy, after all. My duty is to protect my superiors. 2
109 109 301 Mandhasti Don't say that. I need to give you a reward. 1
110 110 301 Mandhasti But recently, the station's budget is a bit strapped for cash... Um... 1
111 111 301 Mandhasti It's decided then. From now on, I'll make you my knight! 1
112 112 301 Roland Knight? 2
113 113 301 Mandhasti Yeah, that'll do! Legend has it, gallant knights were willing to sacrifice their lives for what they believed in! I've seen that book you carry with legends about knights. I know you're a huge fan! 1
114 114 301 Roland Oh, that? Uh, well... Someone gave it to me... 2
115 115 301 Mandhasti That's not important. What's important is that, from what you did just now to save me, I can see that you have glory and strong ideals in your heart that you're willing to sacrifice yourself for. 1
116 116 301 Mandhasti You act and think like a knight. That police uniform of yours isn't exactly what they used to wear, but that doesn't mean you can't be a knight! So... You're a knight! 1
117 117 301 Roland A.. knight...? Yeah, maybe you're right. I have the spirit, don't I? 2
118 118 301 Roland Well, my liege, I shall be your knight. Let us work together for the sake of our shared ideals. 2
162 162 301 As the best lounge for actors in the park, the underground lounge is completely insulated. Not even an air raid could be heard here.
163 163 301 So, obviously, no one outside will hear the sound of vomiting and crying.
164 164 201 1 500365 7
165 165 301 1 Roland Ack... Ngh...!! (Vomits) 1
166 166 204 1 1
167 167 301 Roland Cough, dammit... How many times has it been, heh? 1
168 168 202 1 1
169 169 301 Building such a large studio with the intent of keeping a human caged in it for decades without them realizing it is obviously impossible.
170 170 301 But if they were a mechanoid that you could reprogram their memory and repair, well, then it's easy.
171 171 301 "The most genuine reaction without the facade of acting, making it the art of our times." All of this was just a lie made up as a commercial selling point.
172 172 301 In the end, all the controversies and praises about this program were directed at a non-existent goal.
173 173 301 Meaningless. Like the lies he said on the comms.
174 174 301 "Any slip-up will cause the whole thing to come crashing down, then I'll get sent home." It was all just an act. A spur of the moment joke.
175 175 301 No matter how many times it comes crashing down, the crew will just rewrite the lead's memory and do whatever it takes to appease the audience as they push Roland and other actors to continue the show.
176 176 301 And every time they rewrite it, he ends up throwing up in the dark lounge away from anyone else to see.
177 177 201 1 500365 4
178 178 301 1 Roland Huff... Puff... 1
179 179 202 1 1
180 180 301 Cold and trembling, Roland feels too weak to stand. But he just wipes the corners of his mouth, forces himself up and cleans up the mess. After that, he crashes onto the bed.
181 181 301 The bed feels soft. A faint fragrance can be smelled. According to Neferti, none of the actors can stay awake for more than a minute on it.
182 182 301 Yet, Roland has never slept well on it.
183 183 301 Only after "restarting" Mandhasti has he ever been allowed to use this lounge. And every time he comes here, as soon as he closes the door, acid reflux rushes up from his stomach. After throwing up his guts, he doesn't even have the strength to sleep.
184 184 201 1 500365 1
185 185 301 1 Roland Heh... A knight, eh? If you really wish to knight me, I guess you could call me "Sir Pukes-a-lot" or something... 1
186 186 202 1 1
187 187 301 All thanks to a slip-up from the props team and that scene he caused, that's the identity he got stuck with. But then again, this identity has showed its justification time and time again because of that mechanoid.
188 188 301 But with a simple reboot of the mechanoid, any memory of this disappears.
189 189 301 Every time Mandhasti finds himself betrayed, the trust and despair in the mechanoid's eyes disappear completely under the impact of the EMP.
190 190 201 1 500365 1
191 191 301 1 Roland I really envy that about mechanoids. It's so easy to forget... 1
192 192 202 1 1
193 193 301 Roland rolls up his sleeves, revealing numerous scars under the night light. Some were his. Some were makeup. But far more were self-inflicted.
194 194 301 In the scene just now, he had grabbed the mechanoid's arm and told him that he was a real human. His feelings were genuine. He wasn't acting.
195 195 301 Hilarious. Just a few hours ago, he said that the show was entirely scripted.
196 196 301 But in that moment, Mandhasti seemed to be a real human worried for himself and his companions while Roland was just a robot following a script and the lies in his earpiece.
197 197 301 Despicable. He wants to puke his brains out.
198 198 301 But instead, he cuts his arm to check that whatever flows out from underneath his skin is really blood, not mechanical fluid.
199 199 301 He is still young, and the cut is not deep. It should heal quickly, but it is not as fast as the rate with which he keeps needing to confirm his humanity.
200 200 301 The old scars on Roland's arms are replaced with new wounds, just like his memory of Mandhasti each time he calls him a knight.
201 201 201 1 500365 1
202 202 301 1 Roland Heh... Maybe I've got as many battle scars as the knights in those legends. 1
203 203 301 The word "knight" dates back to ancient times as a spiritual symbol and often appears in the show. Of course, Roland is familiar with the term. But to prepare for his role, he had to read numerous books on the matter.
204 204 301 According to legends, a knight is bound by loyalty to someone in exchange for whatever glory they seek. The knight will face adversity, ready to die for their principles. Whether they are forsaken by their friends and family or stranded in the wilderness—everything is for loyalty.
205 205 301 Even if the knight was to die at the hands of his enemy, he would have no regrets. The knight only pursues that which fulfills the ideals of the king.
206 206 301 Roland More like a clown. 1
207 207 301 —Like a clown trying to fool everyone with his red nose and that painted-on smile.
208 208 301 Roland Sigh... 1
209 209 202 1 1
210 210 201 1 500365 7 -400
211 211 201 2 500375 400
212 212 301 1 Roland sits up and turns to look at himself.
213 213 301 That Roland, with his tufts of hair, appears to be in high spirits—not overcome with exhaustion.
214 214 301 He smiles at Roland, playfully shaking the EMP device disguised as a baton.
216 216 301 Roland? You don't seem to get enough sleep. Guess you had to deal with Mandhasti again, huh? Tsk, tsk. How many times have you been here? 2
217 217 301 Roland? It's all due to that guy from the prop team who asked for leave at such an important time. Who knows if the flashback properly connects to the current story? If not, the team is gonna have to rack their brains to figure out how to explain this to the audience. 2
218 218 301 Roland? Excuses, excuses. Last time it was because there were issues with the set. Before that, there was a power failure. Why not tell everyone the truth? The lead is a mechanoid. His tech is malfunctioning. 2
219 219 301 Roland? Lies, deceipt. We deceive the audience. We deceive Mandy. We deceive everyone. 2
220 220 301 Roland? Yes, it's wrong. But it's just a matter of supply and demand. As long as it makes people happy and entertained, who cares? 2
221 221 301 Roland? If enough people yearn for this so-called "genuine reaction," we shall provide them with what they want. Even if it's just a charade, as long as the audience thinks it's true, then everything is. Isn't it? 2
222 222 301 Roland? Whether or not he's real, our lies are clever enough to come true. If this facade is realistic enough, he may even be more real than if he was truly human. 2
223 223 301 Roland? So, don't worry about anything. Just go along for the ride, Roland. 2
224 224 301 Roland? Don't you have dreams you hope to pursue? Don't you expect to spend time with your family? You've been here all this time because of those dreams, haven't you? 2
225 225 301 Roland? The men and women on this stage are just a group of actors. All actors inevitably leave the stage. 2
226 226 301 Roland? Don't worry, as long as you earn enough money, endure enough experience, and live the life you want, Mandy, knight, and so on... All will become the past. 2
227 227 301 Roland? Hang in there, Roland. 2
228 228 204 1 1
229 229 301 Roland Pff... Hang in there. 1
230 230 202 1 2 1
231 231 301 Roland steps back from the mirror and falls on the bed. The EMP baton in his hand falls to the ground.
232 232 201 1 500365 1
233 233 301 1 Roland Article 80 of the employee handbook says that when you have doubts, you should give yourself psychological counseling... How considerate. 1
234 234 301 Roland Lying to the audience by saying it's a live broadcast... Lying to Mandhasti by saying all his adventures are true... Lying to Neferti about being professionals... Even lying to Rolmo... 1
235 235 301 Roland ...How much longer can I live like this? 1
236 236 301 Roland Mom... Dad... Rolmo... I... I miss you all... 1
237 237 301 Roland I'd love to see what you tell people about me... How you give out that hideous merchandise... How happy Rolmo is with some extra spending money... 1
238 238 301 Roland I really want to get out of this falsehood... I want to... escape... 1
239 239 301 Roland ... 1
240 240 202 1 1
241 241 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin 1 Roland Hah... Look at me. Who am I putting up the act for... 1
