episode_0389

Somewhere on the continent of Rumeria, the Foundation’s continental branch bunker. In an empty conference room, the Foundation’s monthly meeting began.

In truth, it was too pathetic a sight to call a meeting. This was because the ruthless Ariel Group had forcibly retired the entire board of directors and key executives beyond the netherworld.

Now, the Foundation’s practical operations were reduced to mere shadows. It was living proof of the fatal impact excessive restructuring had on an organization’s very existence.

“…What happened to the archives?”

“Completely destroyed.”

At the brief report of the few remaining senior researchers, only heavy sighs from Director Pagan and the other directors filled the room. The Foundation had truly become a blank slate.

“All those countless data and projects we accumulated…”

Someone let out a bitter sigh. While the personnel, technology, and backup data evacuated to continental branches and other clans still remained, the problem was that the Central Archives contained the Foundation’s core essence.

“What about the restoration of the control algorithm? How long do you think it will take?”

“At least several years will be needed…”

The Foundation’s control algorithm, which relied on the Central Archives’ data, was completely paralyzed.

This meant that Luminex’s precise operational capabilities had plummeted to the Stone Age.

The remaining Foundation staff felt a profound sense of loss, as if they had instantly returned to using quill pens and parchment after working with computers.

There was an even more serious problem.

“Are we all that’s left?”

“Yes, we are all that’s left.”

At the Director-General’s impassive declaration, another director despairingly clutched his head.

It was a clear mistake that shouldn’t have been made in front of subordinates, but no one was in a position to criticize it.

There were only three members of the board inside the conference room.

It was just the Director-General and a director who had barely escaped from the XB-29 offshore base, and a director from Rustroom who had barely evaded the clutches of the Ariel Group.

The fate of the others was clear. Director 02, who oversaw military affairs, had died on the field, and in the worst-case scenario, the other directors would have been eroded to a state worse than death.

A grim situation beyond compare.

In the suffocating silence, Director-General Pagan forced himself to muster his will.

Yes, it wasn’t over yet.

“Helman was recovered, right?”

“Yes, Director-General. Any parts we couldn’t recover have been completely scrapped. No one will be able to fully understand the Laplaxia project itself anymore. But Luminex still has the Cascadian Archers and unopened Helman units.”

The Foundation’s directors and the executives in the conference room barely managed to compose themselves. Their main elite forces had crumbled for nothing, and Hekatonkheir had been seized, but as long as they still had a trump card, they could preserve the Foundation’s reputation.

Perhaps they could faintly maintain the Foundation’s lineage and influence in Rustroom and across the continent.

“Time is the only cure. Time alone… everything will be forgotten.”

Director-General Pagan’s weary gaze turned to the real-time news screen in a corner of the conference room.

[Patent Decapitation Squad? Patent Plunder Squad! The atrocities of the Containment Enforcement Unit revealed through leaked confidential documents-]

[“Our Ariel Group will expose all the atrocities and operational activities of those Foundation bastards! Believe it or not, it’s your choice!”]

“…We will try our best to respond. Through the public relations department, intelligence department, and our allies, we will counter that black propaganda-”

“All personnel in the public relations department have already gone missing or fled.”

The air in the conference room grew heavier. Now, they didn’t even know what expression to make.

As soon as Luminex lost its voice, the Ariel Group, resurrected from hell, unleashed its characteristic provocative propaganda and indiscriminate information leaks.

And that wasn’t all. In a society of awakened superhumans and hyena-like clans, weakness meant death.

Before the Foundation could even mend its wounds and regain its senses, corporations and factions, smelling blood, began to tear away at Luminex’s flesh using every means possible.

A surge born from old grudges.

[-Recently, several medium and large clans have begun enforcing the forced confiscation of Luminex Foundation assets at the request of victims. In particular, the participation of Helios Frontier Service, led by the renowned hunter Orion, known as the ‘Spear Fighter,’ has garnered public attention-]

They were utterly powerless.

To think that all the investments over decades for the future development of human society and academy cities would be betrayed like this.

“Was this how old Valefor felt?”

A bitter murmur escaped Director-General Pagan’s lips. The board of directors fell into heavy silence once more.

It remained so for a while, until a lighthearted, clear voice resounded.

“But, there is a way to revive the Foundation, Director-General!”

Turning their heads, they saw a handsome man with green hair, resembling the Director-General.

The director next to him furiously sprang to his feet.

“That damn shapeshifter! Is this the time for games, you mimicking puppet!”

Another director murmured.

“…We surely dealt with all of them, didn’t we?”

The shapeshifter, perfectly replicating Chairman Raihan, stuck out its tongue with an innocent expression.

“Haha, Director 05! We reside in every core facility of the Foundation. Though we are clowns, we are the Foundation’s clowns and loyal servants awaiting Laplaxia’s savior! It is our mission to be exactly where we are supposed to be.”

“Guards! Deal with it.”

“Oh, my! To think the Chairman’s noble wish would be severed like this!”

The shapeshifter theatrically spread its arms before the pointed muzzles and blades. It was at that very moment that the Director-General rose from his seat.

“Shapeshifter, so what is the method?”

“Director-General! There’s no need to listen to that biological puppet-”

“Raihan was arrogant, but at least he wasn’t someone who acted without purpose. Yes, what is the way to overcome this situation? It might even be my brother’s last will, left for times like this, so let’s hear it.”

The shapeshifter continued as if it had been waiting. It spread its arms like a flamboyant dancer and bowed deeply.

“The Chairman said this: ‘If Hekatonkheir’s awakening fails, resume the suspended Evolution Devil Project.’ He said that electrical and mechanical engineering were the wrong paths, and biological evolution was the only answer!”

Director 05 sharply retorted.

“Nonsense. Do you really think that’s possible with the Foundation’s current capabilities? Wasn’t it a plan that was halted precisely because it was an unrealistic pipe dream?”

The shapeshifter smiled subtly, like an insurance agent who had brought a golden offer.

“Everyone will realize it!”

**

Lately, our Violet has been doing something for fun. That is, going around with Little Violet. It’s an experiment to see what happens when a regular Violet and a Little Violet are operated simultaneously for a long time.

「The lab said they’d collect data and analyze the cause, right?」

「Yeah! They said all we have to do is walk around like this!」

It’s an experiment that’s neither difficult nor dangerous.

Because if I help the Violet Research Lab, I might find a shortcut to becoming stronger.

There’s no reason to refuse a navigation system that kindly guides you, is there?

「Alright! Unit 434! From now on, you’re my little sister. That’s the setup! Got it?」

「Got it! Unit 6442! But I was created before you, so I’m your senior, right? Why should the senior act as the junior’s little sister? I don’t like that!」

「Just do it!」

「Ugh…」

After a slight commotion, suspiciously similar beautiful young sisters began to walk around Rustroom.

“Levia! Look at this.”

“Vi-Violet? Uh, who’s that? No way! Violet has a little si-sister!”

“Yep! I’m Little Sister Violet! I’m small!”

“Wai-wait, if you had a little sister, where has she been all this time…?”

First, I introduced Little Violet to Levi. She was so naive, she almost fell for it completely.

After hearing the explanation, she nearly fell over in surprise.

“I became small and cute! Aren’t you jealous!”

“Violet can, can get smaller and bigger…”

This time, I decided to trick other people too. Those who didn’t know my abilities well, or those seeing me for the first time, all easily fell for it.

Suddenly, an amusing thought crossed my mind.

“Ariel will fall for it too, right?”

Of course, Ariel seems to have somewhat caught on that I can control clones, but she wouldn’t know this extent.

There’s no need to tell the other patient kids either, I guess.

“Alright, Ariel! Hello!”

The atmosphere in the hospital room, which I visited after a long time, was strangely subdued. Everyone looked pale.

“…Unnie, have you been okay all this time?”

Ariel immediately spoke in a worried voice upon seeing me.

“Huh? What?”

“Well… outside…”

Ariel looked around, then carefully took out her phone and showed it to me.

On the screen was ‘me’ in a black combat uniform.

「Oh, right. Now that I think about it…」

Considering how my situation would look from the perspective of someone who knows about me, but isn’t a friend, adult, or ally, it must have been quite shocking.

“It’s okay. It’s all over now!”

“…Please be careful, Unnie. Don’t overdo it from now on…”

Ariel’s eyes were still full of concern. Really, who should be worrying about whom?

She had become pale again.

It made me wonder if I should try touching her with my developed abilities.

「It’s an Apostle-related problem, isn’t it? Should I try with my mind manipulation ability? I might even be able to cure her completely.」

「Yeah, I should pick a day and prepare properly.」

Enough of these random thoughts, let’s play a prank for now.

“Anyway, Ariel, let me introduce you to a new friend.”

“Hello!”

Color instantly returned to Ariel’s pale face.

Even for a young girl, a younger, cuter beautiful girl seems to have that much appeal.

“Wow, who is she?”

“I’m the little sister!”

“So pretty…”

While Little Violet and Ariel chatted happily, the hospital room door opened.

My gaze met that of a blue-haired boy carrying a schoolbag.

It was Lucian.

“…Long time no see. I heard you’ve been quite busy outside.”

“Oh, really? Anyway, there’s someone I want to introduce you to!”

Next to me, Ariel excitedly chimed in.

“Lucian Oppa! Look at her! She says she’s Violet Unnie’s little sister!”

Little Violet called out with a bright smile.

“Hello Oppa!”

Lucian replied briefly with an impassive expression.

“Ah, I see. How’s your condition today? Up for studying?”

“I’m fine. I’ve prepared everything!”

“That’s good. We’ll start in 20 minutes.”

As I stared blankly, Lucian suddenly leaned towards me.

“When did you learn to create small clones?”

At the whisper in my ear, my heart instantly sank.

“Gasp! How did you know?”

“…Of course I’d know. You dummy.”

To my bitter disappointment, Lucian wasn’t fooled at all. It was a complete failure.

「That annoying guy! Why is he so quick-witted!」

While I finished a few tasks and left the hospital room, my misfortune continued far away at the Aegis Academy dormitory.

“Alright, isn’t it comfortable lying down like this?”

“Yep! Daphne Unnie!”

Little Violet was monopolizing my roommate’s lap, lying there.

“Hey! Get off!”

“No! Unnie is mine!”

To think I’d be robbed of myself by myself, of all people. If it’s like this, I’ll become small too.

“I want to lie down too!”

“…Vi-Violet? Th-this is a bit awkward…”

The minor battle for dominance between the Little Violets continued for a long time.

「I should go to Adela Unnie…」

It seems there’s only one person who can tolerate a mountain of Little Violets after all.

**

Deep within the Foundation’s hangar. Metal tubes were lined up in the pitch-black darkness.

The figures inside were silent, as if in an eternal slumber.

Only the monitors decorating the tubes’ surfaces and the blinking indicator lights were the sole evidence of their lives.

-Click

A subtle tremor spread from the edge of the darkness.

Beyond the glass window of the mechanical tube, what was revealed was a being closer to an insect pupa than a human form.

A monstrously twisted, colossal mass squirmed within it.

Click, click. A gloomy reverberation cut through the darkness.

Regularly, like the breath of time, leaving an ever-deepening resonance.