63 63 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Roland Hasta luego. 1
64 64 401 2 1506
65 65 301 Finally, Roland can no longer sense Alpha's footsteps. He leans on the wall behind as the broken spine could no longer support his upper body.
66 66 301 The visual signals sent back to his M.I.N.D. only contain image noise. His eyes only see darkness. The visual module must be completely broken.
67 67 301 The left arm has no response as expected, because it is long gone.
68 68 301 Roland lost too much strength escaping the cavern after the Red Tide devoured it, not to mention that he searched the entire underground waterway system when he realized Luna was lost.
69 69 301 But his search wasn't completely fruitless. At least...
70 70 301 Roland checks his frame again, only to find that most functions are either destroyed or forced to shut down, and those still running are not far from being completely broken.
71 71 301 How terribly clumsy of me. I'm afraid this body won't be suitable for children to watch.
72 72 301 All the random memories and thoughts make Roland's mind wander even further. Roland shakes his head, forcing himself to stay awake.
73 73 301 Roland I need to do something... At least fix this frame before I see Luna again. 1
74 74 202 1 1
75 75 401 1500 2 1506
76 76 401 1500 2 1506
77 77 401 2 1506
78 78 301 Roland stumbles forward as he leans on the wall of the waterway, trying to drag his broken body along.
79 79 201 1 500008 9
80 80 301 1 Roland Good, at least I still can walk. 1
81 81 301 Roland Right, Roland. This isn't the place for your final scene. 1
82 82 301 Every step takes ten times the effort to recover, but he continues to march out of the ruins.
83 83 301 Step after step, he enters the endless darkness.
93 93 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Roland? ...Do you ever regret the choice you made? 1
94 94 201 1 500008
95 95 301 1 Roland? ...Or feel bitter about this miserable ending? 1
96 96 202 1 1
97 97 301 Roland ...There's nothing to regret or feel bitter about. I look like a mess, but things were going according to the plan. At least until just now.
98 98 201 1 500252
99 99 301 1 Roland? Right. At least you had a real moment in your fake life. 1
100 100 201 1 500008
101 101 301 1 Roland? Do you have the strength to execute your next plan? Do you still believe that your actions will matter? 1
102 102 301 Roland? Look, you can't even stand. 1
103 103 301 Roland? Why not call for help? 1
104 104 202 1 1
105 105 504 0
106 106 301 Roland You don't know when to shut up, do you...
107 107 301 Roland knows what he said was true. He cannot even move a finger, but at least he feels wind once again.
108 108 301 Roland's senses are shut down one by one as he loses more vital fluid. He weakly rebuts the shadows as they mock him.
109 109 301 ...Will Constructs go to a cyber heaven after they die?
110 110 301 I probably should go to hell though.
111 111 301 It's no longer a place he doesn't mind going anytime, though.
132 132 301 AniZhuanchangEnd —Roland hears many sounds. Whooshing wind, rolling gravels, firewood crackling in flames, all of which finally enter his ears like dusty gears that start to turn.
133 133 301 Roland ...?
134 134 301 AniZhuanchangBegin He opens his eyes again.
139 139 301 Roland sees a piece of shabby canvas on a few wooden sticks. It can hardly be called a "tent."
140 140 301 The canvas is pretty worn out, but doesn't have any big holes, only some small openings that let wind come in, making a whoosh sound.
141 141 301 Roland is lying right underneath it.
142 142 301 Roland ...What?
143 143 301 Roland can finally hear his own voice, a sign that he seems to be regaining control of his body.
144 144 301 —He tries to lift his right hand again. This time he succeeds.
145 145 301 Roland What... is this?
146 146 301 The structure looks nothing like his old hand. It still does what he wants it to do, but with a different look.
147 147 301 Roland doubtfully tries to touch his right hand with his left hand.
148 148 301 Only to find his left hand also somewhat different.
149 149 301 Roland What happened to me...?
150 150 301 More confusion builds inside Roland as he sits up.
151 151 301 He sees his chain blade and gun, and he picks them up without hesitation.
152 152 301 The familiar weapons feel just the same, calming him down slightly.
153 153 201 1 500334
154 154 301 1 Roland Whoever it is... They don't seem to be hostile so far. 1
155 155 301 Roland At least I can talk to them. 1
156 156 202 1 1
157 157 301 He reaches out to lift the canvas—
158 158 201 1 500333
159 159 301 1 ??? Hmm? You're awake? 1
160 160 202 1 1
161 161 301 Roland sees a female sitting next to the campfire.
162 162 301 Realizing Roland is awake, she slightly tilts her head toward his direction.
163 163 301 A hood covers most of her face. He can only see a mysterious smile.
164 164 201 1 500333 -450
165 165 201 2 500334 450
166 166 301 1 ??? Are you awake? 1
167 167 301 Roland ...Are you the Merciful One? 2
168 168 301 The Merciful One ...I've been making a lot of self-introductions recently. 1
169 169 301 With most of her face concealed, the female seems slightly annoyed and chuckles. She thinks for a while.
170 170 301 The Merciful One Right, that's how they call me. 1
171 171 301 The Merciful One gives a straight forward answer, still looking as calm as always.
172 172 301 Roland I know you. 2
173 173 301 Roland I have heard of this agent who... "gives one extra chance to whoever she deems suitable, regardless of whether they are good or evil, friend or foe." 2
174 174 301 As far as Roland knows, only one agent does this.
175 175 301 Although the "repairs" she made were more like "restructuring."
176 176 301 He slowly turns his wrists, checking every part of the body until he can confirm they are intact.
177 177 301 Roland Why did you save me? 2
178 178 301 The Merciful One Regardless of whether they are good or bad, people always remember their "unfinished businesses" when they are about to die. 1
179 179 301 The Merciful One Some had things they wanted to do but couldn't, some had incomplete research that was supposed to uncover the truth, some wanted to make temporary peace eternal... 1
180 180 301 The Merciful One As for me... Sometimes I thought, "What a beautiful day." "These randomly picked herbs actually made good, sweet tea." "That rat must have smelled the tea. It was a cute one." 1
181 181 301 The Merciful One ...So why not give them another chance? 1
182 182 301 The Merciful One Would you like some herbal tea? This is surprisingly sweet. 1
183 183 301 The Merciful One poured a cup of tea from the container and passed it to Roland.
184 184 301 It's not an order or invitation, but somehow she can get others to do what she says.
185 185 301 Roland takes the cup and frowns at its strange scent.
186 186 301 The Merciful One But... of all the kids I saved, you have the most special reaction. 1
187 187 204 2 2
188 188 301 Roland Because I know you are around. 2
189 189 301 Roland "The Merciful One." 2
190 190 301 The Merciful One ...Hmm? 1
191 191 204 2
192 192 301 Roland "Giving a chance to whoever she deems suitable, regardless of whether they are good or evil, friend or foe." 2
193 193 301 That search wasn't fruitless after all, for Roland saw that figure who walked through the darkness with ease. He heard the self-introduction she made to Alpha.
194 194 301 Normal procedures couldn't heal his wounds. Even if he asked Alpha to stay, he wouldn't be saved.
195 195 301 Roland I "asked" for help, but I wasn't sure if you really would respond. 2
196 196 301 Roland Guess I won the bet. 2
197 197 301 Her eyes slightly widen with surprise, but she soon puts the gentle smile back on her face.
198 198 301 The Merciful One You're a smart kid. 1
199 199 301 The Merciful One Telling a lie without blinking takes some serious effort. 1
200 200 204 2 2
201 201 301 Roland I was the most famous actor during the late Golden Age after all. 2
202 202 301 Roland smiles and takes an exaggerated bow, as if he is trying to prove his words.
203 203 301 Roland Don't get me wrong. I'm very grateful that you saved me. 2
204 204 301 Roland If my life ends here, the world would be a lot less interesting. 2
205 205 301 Roland And that really concerns me... Especially for what I'm about to do. 2
206 206 301 The Merciful One Is it for that white kid? 1
207 207 301 The Merciful One I remember her. "Luna" is her name. 1
208 208 204 2
209 209 301 The Merciful One She's lost, but the power she gave you is still around. 1
210 210 301 She says it very casually, as if it doesn't matter at all.
211 211 301 But Roland tenses up immediately after hearing Luna's name. He even feels his chain blade and gun heavier than usual.
212 212 301 Roland Have you peeked into my life, "agent"? 2
213 213 301 Alerted by Merciful One's words, Roland quietly clenches the trigger, but lets it go after thinking again.
214 214 301 She saw it, didn't she? But what can I do? She and Luna are both agents, and both possess this power.
215 215 301 And even after seeing everything, she is still not showing any hostility.
216 216 301 That's not necessarily bad for Roland.
217 217 301 The Merciful One Yeah, I did. 1
218 218 301 The Merciful One Looks like... You are still lost, just like those kids. 1
219 219 301 Roland So? 2
220 220 301 The Merciful One That's not a question to ask me. You should ask yourself. 1
221 221 301 Roland ? 2
222 222 301 The Merciful One So, what are you going to do? 1
223 223 301 Roland The question is mine. 2
224 224 301 The Merciful One I do not matter here. 1
225 225 301 The Merciful One If you think I'm an interference, or obstacle, feel free to leave. Or, you can wait until the sun rises, then I will leave myself. 1
226 226 301 Roland ...I don't know if I can trust you. 2
227 227 301 The Merciful One ...Pff. 1
228 228 301 The Merciful One chuckles, as if she has heard something funny—
229 229 301 The Merciful One So what? 1
230 230 301 Roland realizes why she was chuckling.
231 231 204 2 2
232 232 301 Roland ...Yeah, so what. 2
233 233 202 1 2 1
234 234 301 No matter what, she has given him a second chance... A third chance, actually.
235 235 301 The Merciful One is the person who is most likely to help him at this moment. Even if he ends up getting nothing done, this is his only chance to ask.
236 236 301 Roland feels like something in his heart has suddenly untangled, so he opens up.
237 237 301 He talks about Luna, Alpha, and how the group of Ascendants ended up falling apart.
238 238 301 AniZhuanchangBegin The Merciful One only listens, taking sips of herbal tea every now and then.
239 239 301 AniZhuanchangEnd ...
240 240 201 1 500333 -450
241 241 201 2 500334 450
242 242 301 1 She finally puts down the container after Roland finishes talking. It was empty long ago.
243 243 301 The Merciful One I couldn't help it when the tea was so nice. 1
244 244 301 Roland ... 2
245 245 204 2 2
246 246 301 Roland ...Of course. 2
247 247 301 Before Roland can realize, he has already unclenched his fists. The fierce, aggressive look disappears from his eyes.
248 248 301 The Merciful One You know very well what you need to do next, don't you? 1
249 249 204 2
250 250 301 Roland ? 2
251 251 301 The Merciful One Maybe you just purposely ignored your own feelings. 1
252 252 301 Roland ...I don't understand. 2
253 253 301 The Merciful One And I can't help you to either. 1
254 254 301 The Merciful One throws a few more wood chips in the fire. She looks around, but cannot find any more.
255 255 301 The Merciful One ...Where did that kid go? I asked her to pick up more firewood. 1
256 256 301 Roland I didn't know you also took in companions. 2
257 257 301 The Merciful One ...I don't, but I just happened to be staying at the same place with her. 1
258 258 301 The Merciful One She seemed to be walking a lot faster, so I asked her for a little favor. 1
259 259 401 2 1516
260 260 401 400 2 1516
261 261 301 The Merciful One Oh, here she is. At least I don't have to start the fire again. 1
262 262 301 After some rustling, Lamia shows up with a bundle of firewood behind her—
263 263 301 The Merciful One Great, you're finally back. 1
264 264 202 1 2 1
265 265 201 1 500165
266 266 301 1 Lamia I can only find so much... Eek?! 1
267 267 201 1 500333 -450
268 268 201 2 500334 450
269 269 301 1 Roland Why are you...? 2
270 270 202 1 2 1
271 271 301 Roland and Lamia look at each other, startled. The next moment, Lamia realizes what's going on and immediately turns back, trying to flee—
272 272 201 1 500333 -450
273 273 201 2 500334 450
274 274 301 1 The Merciful One Sit, Lamia. 1
275 275 301 The Merciful One Running from others is very impolite. 1
276 276 301 The Merciful One's words stun Lamia, who docilely turns around and sits on her legs.
277 277 301 The Merciful One Good girl. 1
278 278 301 She then turns toward Roland—
279 279 301 The Merciful One She was running away the moment she saw you... Do you know each other? 1
280 280 301 Roland ...I think so? 2
281 281 301 The Merciful One Is she your enemy? 1
282 282 301 Roland ...More like a comrade. 2
283 283 301 The Merciful One Very interesting. Since you are comrades, it's better to talk than to fight. 1
284 284 202 1 2 1
285 285 301 The Merciful One picks a firewood from Lamia's bunch, then breaks it up and tosses it into the fire.
286 286 201 1 500333
287 287 201 2 500334 600
288 288 201 3 500165 -600
289 289 301 1 The Merciful One Remember what I said? We were just staying in the same place by coincidence. I'll leave when the sun is up. 1
290 290 301 Lamia ... 3
291 291 301 The Merciful One ...I have said it many times. Are you still thinking about following me in the stealth mode? 1
292 292 301 Lamia ...! 3
293 293 301 The Merciful One Your camouflage can fool Babylonia and other Ascendants, but not me. 1
294 294 301 Lamia ... 3
295 295 301 As Lamia falls silent, the rising sun begins to cast a rosy hue across the line of mountains, making the shadows under the tent slightly darker.
296 296 301 The Merciful One Well, now the sun's up... I've got to go. 1
297 297 301 The Merciful One Since you know each other, I will leave it to you to fix your own problems. 1
298 298 301 Roland ...Can I ask one last question before you leave? 2
299 299 301 The Merciful One ? 1
300 300 301 Roland Why do they call you "The Merciful One"? 2
301 301 301 The Merciful One ... 1
302 302 301 The Merciful One They gave me this name, yet you are asking me for the reason. 1
303 303 301 AniZhuanchangBegin The Merciful One I don't know. Actually, I have never thought about it. 1