4 4 301 The lights in Babylonia are already dimmed and replaced with a brilliant starry sky on the virtual ceiling.
5 5 301 Unlike the ground surface, there are never dark clouds to block the starry sky up here.
6 6 301 Every resplendent star in the virtual night sky is twinkling like gems embedded on a canvas. If one walks a little further forward, one can see real planets floating in the vast, deep space behind the windows.
7 7 301 They look incredibly close, like a hope within reach that shines on people late at night.
8 8 301 It has been many days since Noan became a temporary staff of the library. He has been gazing at the night sky.
9 9 301 When he has no training or does not need to attend check-ups and research, he would come here to help the very few visitors look for their books.
10 10 301 Occasionally, a few people who knew his situation would turn away, but most visitors don't know the secret behind this "temporary staff" yet.
11 11 301 Like Simon said, there aren't many customers in the cafe either.
12 12 301 When he is free, he would learn how to make drinks from the service robots, or take a book with the cover he likes to read in order to spend the abundant time he has.
13 13 201 1 500506
14 14 301 1 Noan ... 1
15 15 301 Before he realizes it, the time has already passed midnight.
16 16 204 1 10
17 17 301 Noan puts down the book and rubs his shoulder that was damaged in an experiment during the day.
18 18 204 1
19 19 301 He is supposed to complete his schedule as the training room is free, but the familiar night sky above has caught his attention.
20 20 301 Back when he was a human on Earth, night always meant danger. But in Babylonia, night has become a symbol of peace.
21 21 301 In the daytime, Noan must work with the Science Council to perform check-ups and experiments.
22 22 301 ...Which is never a relaxing experience.
23 23 301 When there is a need for a simulated environment or stress test, he may even suffer damage from a large number of battles.
24 24 301 Noan ...Better call it a day. 1
25 25 301 He puts away the book he just finished and takes out a few pieces of paper collected over the past few days, moves his fingers, and tries to sketch the night sky.
26 26 301 The last time he drew something, he was still near the Forsaken base. As a night watch, he must stay awake throughout the night.
27 27 301 Back then, there was no pen or paper. He could only scribble with a burnt branch.
28 28 301 Noan All right then... 1
29 29 401 2 1513
30 30 301 The lines on the paper form the rough outline of buildings and stars. When he is about to add more details, he suddenly hears some rushed steps.
31 31 204 1 7
32 32 301 Out of instinct, he quickly crushes the sketch into a ball and gets up.
33 33 204 1 1
34 34 301 Noan What can I do for you? 1
35 35 301 The person just walks past with a head lowered and goes all the way to the furthest corner behind the bookshelves, completely not realizing there is still a staff in the late-night library.
48 48 301 1 Noan (Coming to the library at midnight...) 1
49 49 301 Gazing at the human in the corner, he realizes Simon was not "thinking too much."
50 50 301 Noan (Definitely in need of more rest... Better leave that commandant alone.) 1
51 51 301 Just before he sits down, another new visitor enters the library.
52 52 204 1 1
53 53 301 Noan What can I do for you? 1
54 54 301 The new visitor also ignores Noan. She just keeps looking around as if she is trying to find something.
55 55 201 1 500466
56 56 301 1 Guest Excuse me, have you seen the Gray Raven Commandant? 1
57 57 301 Guest I thought I saw a familiar figure walking this way... I have always wanted to meet that senior. 1
58 58 301 When she mentions "senior", Noan has finally noticed her uniform. She seems to be a student of F.O.S. College.
59 59 201 1 500506
60 60 301 1 Noan The Gray Raven Commandant...? 1
61 61 301 He looks from the corner of his eye. That commandant is sitting in a corner at the very far end, buried inside books and terminal with a tired face.
62 62 301 Noan ... 1
63 63 301 Noan Sorry, I didn't see that person. 1
64 64 201 1 500466
65 65 301 Guest Okay... 1
66 66 301 She shakes her head in disappointment.
67 67 301 Guest I thought I could meet the legendary Chief Graduate. 1
68 68 201 1 500506 1
69 69 301 1 Noan See you next time. 1
70 70 204 1
71 71 301 Noan watches her leave. He sits down once again and takes out the paper he just hid.
72 72 204 1 16
73 73 301 Then he realizes he has crumpled the sketch again.
74 74 301 He seems to have that habit ever since he developed the hobby of drawing.
75 75 301 Is it because he always got scolded when others found out about this "unproductive" hobby?
76 76 301 Noan ... 1
77 77 301 Deep in his mind, he still subconsciously feels that he "should not draw" even when there is no customer.
78 78 204 1 10
79 79 301 Noan sighs, then spreads out the crumpled paper with his hand.
80 80 204 1
81 81 301 AniZhuanchangBegin He ignores the commandant in the corner and continues to sketch the night sky on the wrinkled paper, cherishing the undisturbed tranquility.
82 82 202 1 1
83 83 301 AniZhuanchangEnd More than four hours have passed when he finally finishes this casual sketch of the starry sky.
84 84 301 Noan folds up the paper and places it on the desk. He looks at that corner once again, only to see the human commandant still gazing at the desk, looking more exhausted than before.
85 85 201 1 500506
86 86 301 1 Noan ... 1
87 87 301 He stands up and begins to make a drink that he recently learned from the recipe. Too focused on what he is doing, he has no idea when the Gray Raven Commandant has walked behind him.
88 88 302 Are you drawing the starry night here? 89
89 89 204 1 9
90 90 301 Still holding a glass, Noan's hand visibly shakes when he hears the question.
91 91 204 1
92 92 301 Noan No, it was just a piece of scrap paper. Sorry I forgot to clean up. 1
93 93 301 He quickly walks over and crushes the drawing into a paper ball, throwing it into the bin.
94 94 301 Noan Are you going back? 1
95 95 302 Not yet. 96 Still have something to do. 96
96 96 301 DialogDisable Noan I see. This one's on me. 1
97 97 302 ... 98
98 98 302 Why did you lie? 99
99 99 302 It's easier to earn trust if you are honest. 100
100 100 301 DialogEnable Noan You look like you want to spend some time alone. It's not like she is having anything important. 1
101 101 301 He puts a full cup in front of the human.
102 102 302 Thanks. 103
103 103 301 Noan What about you? Why did you come to the library at midnight? 1
104 104 302 There's still work to do. 105
105 105 301 Noan I assume Gray Raven's preparation room is more comfortable than here. 1
106 106 302 I don't want to make them worry. 107 ... 108
107 107 109 301 Noan Them... You mean the other three members of Gray Raven? 1
108 108 301 Noan Did you just run out because you didn't want other Gray Raven members to worry? 1
109 109 204 1 10
110 110 301 He lets out a sigh.
111 111 204 1
112 112 301 Noan There is no work that must be completed at the cost of your life. If you know they are worried about you, why don't you rely on them a bit more? 1
113 113 302 I am already relying on them a lot. 114 I can do this by myself. 114
114 114 301 Noan Is that so? 1
115 115 301 Noan Do you think... you look healthy right now? 1
116 116 301 The human just holds the cup up and sips at the drink without answering.
117 117 301 AniZhuanchangBegin 2000 Noan stops asking. He just opens the book again and starts to read.
118 118 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Both remain silent until Babylonia's virtual sky begins to light up.
119 119 301 Noan If you are willing to tell me... If there is anything I can help... 1
120 120 301 Noan As someone who once received your help and has nothing to do right now, I'd like to do my part. 1
121 121 302 Thanks in advance then. 122 I don't need your help. 123
122 122 124 301 Noan I should thank you instead. After all, I really have nothing to do right now. 1
123 123 301 Noan I need. I want to help you. After all, I really have nothing to do right now. 1
124 124 301 Noan But it's already past five o'clock in the morning. Gray Raven is going to worry more if you keep staying here. We can talk about this after you have a good rest. You should go. 1
125 125 302 ...Okay. 126 Alright. 126
126 126 301 DialogDisable The human walks over with half a cup of drink.
127 127 302 Thanks for your drink. 128
128 128 302 Take this as a token of appreciation. 129
129 129 301 DialogEnable Commandant hands over a notebook with Gray Raven's symbol on it, and a nicely wrapped cookie.
146 146 301 1 Noan Commandant Simon told us about it. He seemed to really like the cookies there. 1
147 147 302 He still remembers... 148
148 148 301 The human smiles and takes out another cookie, handing it to Noan.
149 149 302 Help me pass this to Simon then. 150
150 150 204 1 1
151 151 301 Noan Okay, thanks. 1
152 152 301 Noan Aren't you supposed to go rest now? 1
153 153 302 Yeah. Good-bye. 154 Yeah. Good night. 155
154 154 156 301 Noan Goodbye. 1
155 155 301 Noan Good night. Have a good sleep. 1
156 156 202 1 1
157 157 301 But the commandant's body is suddenly caught up by dizziness and falls to the bar counter even before turning around.
158 158 401 2 3077
159 159 301 RImgBg1Shake With the unfinished cup of drink, the human collapses to the ground.
160 160 201 1 500506 9
161 161 301 1 Noan ...Commandant?! 1
162 162 301 Noan immediately jumps over the bar counter and holds the commandant up, away from the shattered glass.
163 163 204 1 16
164 164 301 Noan Hypoglycemia...? 1
165 165 301 Fortunately, before he takes further action, the human commandant has regained consciousness.
166 166 302 ...Cough... 167
167 167 204 1
168 168 301 Noan Are you alright? 1
169 169 302 ... 170
170 170 301 Hearing his question, the human stares at the shattered glass for seconds and finally realizes what happened.
171 171 302 I... 172
172 172 301 Noan You were probably suffering from fatigue or low blood sugar. 1
173 173 301 Noan Let's get up first. Be careful, there is glass next to your hand. 1
174 174 302 (Clean up the shattered glass) 175
175 175 204 1 4
176 176 301 Noan Wait! 1
177 177 301 He quickly grabs the human's wrist.
178 178 302 ...It hurts! 179
179 179 204 1 16
180 180 301 Noan Sorry. 1
181 181 301 Realizing his mistake, he immediately lets go, bows and apologizes.
182 182 204 1
183 183 301 Noan You don't have to do this. Just get on your feet. There are sugar cubes behind the counter, you should take some. Go back and take some rest. 1
184 184 302 But... 185
185 185 301 Noan I'll take care of the cleaning. The longer you stay, the more worried Gray Raven will be. 1
186 186 301 Noan You don't want them to worry, do you? 1
187 187 302 ...Thank you. 188
188 188 301 Noan No problem. Are you okay on your own? Should I walk you back? 1
189 189 302 It's okay. I can go back by myself. 190
190 190 301 Noan Alright. 1
191 191 204 1 16
192 192 301 He helps the human up and turns back to clean up the glass shards.
193 193 401 2 1516
194 194 204 1
195 195 301 When he no longer hears any footsteps, he finally looks up at the top-left corner of the library.
196 196 301 Noan ... 1
197 197 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin —At the corner of a bookshelf, the cold, red light on a surveillance camera is blinking.
