episode_0185

The broadcast station staff looked pale. Anyone would feel sick to their stomach after seeing such a terrible experiment.

As the heat gradually receded, I looked at the person next to me.

The news anchor seemed to have a lot he wanted to say from earlier. When I turned my head, the anchor, perhaps seeing an opportunity, opened his mouth.

“…It’s a terrible sight. Viewers… We apologize for the shocking scenes. What you have witnessed can only be described as a torture facility… So, you mentioned the Ariel Group. May I ask a question? How did this happen? Is it true?”

I faced the anchor, who was sweating coldly as he asked. He seemed unable to form a proper question due to tension.

“…Of course, it’s true! Go right now with your station’s cameras and check it out. I’ve already given you the address!”

As I answered, the broadcast station staff in the control room looked at the other Violets.

When I nodded instead of answering, the PD immediately picked up the phone and began making calls.

“Understood… Then for the next question. You said that all the places you showed us just now were facilities of the Magnabyss Clan. Specifically, who planned and directed these experiments? Was it Chairman Almas Paxton? Or one of the other board members?”

“No, they’re just collaborators, nothing more. It’s just the tip of the iceberg!”

The Violet in the studio jumped to her feet.

“Scientists? The board of directors? High-ranking executives? No. No! According to my investigation, they were just some of the people who helped. The one who installed a huge experimental device in the basement of Polaris Academy and tore open people’s heads for brain research is someone else entirely.”

“Who is that?”

I knew the anchor was genuinely curious, but I felt frustrated and shouted.

“Who else could it be? The former chairman of Magnabyss, Noctis Caldwell Valefor! The current head of the Polaris Academy’s board of directors.”

-Thud!

Perhaps because the image of the suffering girl from earlier lingered in my eyes, I unconsciously slammed my fist on the table. Part of the table shattered from the impact. Undeterred by the shock, the anchor whispered.

“…That war hero Valefor? The Grand Archmage of the Extremes? Is that true? Why…”

“Well, I guess the old geezer lived over a hundred years and finally went senile. The evidence is continuously being released online. So, the Ariel Group’s interview ends here.”

Saying that, I threw a smoke bomb on the floor. Just then, the door burst open, and police and Inspection Bureau agents stormed in.

“Hands up!”

It was time to withdraw. I pointed a finger at the camera lens and left one last message before vanishing.

“Don’t forget what I said earlier! Remember Polaris’s mushroom cloud! If I catch you, I’ll do the same to you!…”

**

As the interview ended, my heated head gradually cooled.

Looking at the research director, who lay riddled with holes, the words I had poured out like a storm earlier resurfaced in my brain.

“Uh… Did we make a mistake?”

“Should we have stuck to the script…”

The Violets worried if they had done anything wrong. They had been so excited that they had just blurted out anything.

“Is this going to hurt our image?”

As the Violets worried, someone patted me on the back.

I turned to see who it was, and it was Instructor Frederick. For some reason, the instructor looked at me with pity.

“…Are you bothered by what you said earlier? Don’t worry about it. You said what you wanted to say. That’s enough. There’s still a lot to do. Don’t dwell on it.”

“…Yes.”

The Violets, briefly comforted by the instructor’s words, returned to their duties.

“Hey! If you don’t do it right, next time you’ll be lying there! If those kids die, you die too!”

“Ah! Understood! Please! Don’t shoot!”

According to reports from the Violet Network, rescue teams, presumed to be from the Academy City Autonomous District, were heading to various research labs.

Until the rescue teams arrived, we cared for the test subjects suffering from the experiments and threatened the doctors and researchers into providing emergency treatment.

“Ow!”

“Hey, you bastards. Aren’t you going to move faster? Do you want to join your boss?”

The instructor yelling at the hesitant researcher and kicking him in the shin was a bonus.

Accelerated by the power of gun barrels and shouts, the lab prisoners dismantled the wires attached to the heads of the people strapped to the experimental tables. Meanwhile, I tightly held the hand of a blonde girl.

“Poor thing…”

“Those villains!”

I rubbed my eyes and looked at the girl again. My feeling that she resembled me was a misconception.

The only way this child resembled me was in her hair and eye color. However, seeing her cry for her mother brought back bad memories of the research lab that I thought I had forgotten.

Perhaps her appearance reminded me of my own experiences.

A moment later, with the sound of sirens wailing, emergency rescue teams and Awakened healers appeared.

“…The broadcast was true! My goodness…”

As the rescue workers eyed us warily, the Violets lowered their guns and pointed at the victims.

“The patients are over there. Please take care of them.”

“…Understood.”

The Violets quickly headed for the escape route, taking the instructor and the researcher prisoners with them. Similar events were unfolding simultaneously in various locations.

“Withdraw! Withdraw!”

“Gather the equipment and people, and everyone get out!”

At 8:30 AM, after the broadcast ended, the Violet regiments scattered across various locations began to withdraw one by one.

All Violets, except for a few stragglers pursuing fleeing enemies and those raiding data centers, underwent reverse-genesis or retreated.

Operation Witch’s Hammer seemed to be concluding in most areas.

Except for a few regions, that is.

“No matter how I think about it, I can’t stand it! Regimental Command, let us land a blow!”

The rage within the Violet Network had not yet cooled.

All Violets wanted to deliver a major blow to the instigator of this entire situation.

“That trashy old man! We can’t kill him, but we’ll at least leave a scratch!”

“Agreed!”

Unit 1, who had been standing with her arms crossed, gave a command.

“This is a message from Regimental Command to all remaining companies! Destroy the project facilities as much as you can! And attack Valefor!”

The Violets, who had been suppressing their emotions due to the operation, changed their attitude by 180 degrees once the order was given.

The Violet companies, who had been delaying and engaging in destructive activities, now actively went on the offensive.

The goal was one: to land a direct blow on that archmage as much as possible.

We had already won, but we still wanted to punch him once.

The entire project facility was soon engulfed in thunderous explosions.

“Waaah! Long live the Ariel Group!”

-Boom!

**

At 8:35 AM, the Violet companies, who had been scattered across various parts of the project facility fighting delaying actions, simultaneously switched to an offensive and waged a desperate struggle.

The designation ‘Project Facility’ was woefully inadequate to describe this multi-story structure.

The reason was that the facility’s purpose had not yet been clearly defined.

Constructed with the clan’s enormous budget, this facility was designed not only for research, development, and manufacturing but also to accommodate a large number of personnel if necessary.

In addition, a massive arched ceiling was installed at the very top of the facility.

This served as a shield against attacks from magical beasts and hostile forces in emergencies, as well as a concealment screen to block aerial surveillance systems.

Due to its sheer size, the facility itself was complete, but the roof was still under installation, and most of the equipment, excluding the security system, had not yet been fully set up.

This environment presented both advantages and disadvantages for the Violet companies.

The advantage was that the facility was too vast and complex for the enemies to completely annihilate the companies, while the disadvantage was that the opponent could easily track the companies’ movements.

Most importantly, the interior was empty, so there was little to destroy, and the enemy forces were larger than expected.

“Valefor’s location?”

“Basement 1! He’s on Basement 1! Kyaaah!”

Right after Unit 789 transmitted the information, she was struck by a lightning whip and incinerated.

They had attempted to approach dozens of times already, but were blocked before they could even get close.

“Ugh! It must be because of the CCTV. Look at the ceiling! Is it because it’s their base?”

As the Violets suspected, Magnabyss’s security forces stationed at the project facility were thoroughly monitoring the Violets’ movements through their surveillance system.

“B2-A1 sector, squad forces are moving. They are heading towards elevator 3!”

“In B3-C, D, and E sectors, two platoon-sized enemy forces are moving. Operation Team 3, the enemy is equipped with heavy weapons. Wait and then bypass as instructed.”

The security team leader issued commands while checking the red dots on his portable holographic facility map.

“Attention B1 sector personnel. The enemy is equipped with suicide vests. Prohibit approach!”

A Violet, who had been ambushing with a bomb, charged forward. Immediately, a beam of light shot out, blowing off the Violet’s head.

Upon receiving the report that the enemy had been neutralized, the security team leader smiled contentedly and explained to the man standing behind him.

“Archmage-nim, what do you think? This is a complex motion detection system. It’s installed everywhere in this facility. They’ll never be able to hide. You don’t need to get involved yourself.”

At the security team leader’s explanation, Valefor uttered, “Hmm, is that so.” While he observed the situation expressionlessly, those around him grew uneasy.

“It was a mistake to have him stay here… Contact with headquarters and the command center has been lost…”

“But what can we do? This is standard escort procedure. He also said he would stay here…”

Although it might not be much comfort, the attacks from these insignificant terrorists caused no significant damage, unlike elsewhere. The damage to the facility would probably be relatively minor.

“Dieee!”

As the Archmage and the security detail moved, another Violet appeared from behind a wall and rushed at the mage. Before she could take three steps, the Violet’s body turned to ash.

“Ugh! This doesn’t work either!”

“Prepare the autocannon!”

After repeated surprise attacks failed, the Violets moved to Basement 2 and set up an autocannon.

Then they fired it towards the ceiling where the Archmage was likely to be. A moment later, tracking javelins flew in, skewering the Violets to the floor.

“Girls! Open the data center. Get out the Vision Memory Chips!”

The infiltrated Violets shattered the Vision Memory Chips. Melting beams of light flew in, dissolving the walls. Just as they were beaming, a rain of light bullets poured down on the Violets.

“Aargh!”

Suicide attacks, ambushes, heavy weapons, close-quarters melees. The Violet company tried every strategy for ten minutes.

“It’s a forced breakthrough! We’re going to lose anyway, so let’s at least leave a scratch before we die!”

“Right! Exactly!”

As repeated breakthrough attempts all failed, the Violets, who had been fighting guerrilla warfare, changed their strategy.

Two minutes later, the security team leader noticed red dots consolidating and moving upwards on the holographic map.

“They’re coming up! It seems they’re targeting the Archmage-nim!”

As he manipulated the hologram, a new image appeared. The clones had punched holes in the ceiling and were climbing up, using each other’s bodies as stairs.

“Their clone manipulation ability is quite remarkable. I don’t know the location of the main body, but it’s certainly a skilled individual. Now, deal with them.”

The last words were a directive to the Vanguard Agents waiting behind him. After a brief assessment of the unknown enemy, the Archmage pointed at the map, gave a few instructions, and headed towards the enemy’s position.

The Violets who reached Basement 1 encountered a barrage of fire beyond imagination.

“Ugh, aaargh!”

“Get down!”

As the magical catastrophe experienced at Vittorio Arcade recurred, the Violets vanished in an instant.

With every breath, Violets in squad-sized units disappeared without a trace, and soon even entire platoons were gone.

The enemies were holding back their firepower so as not to destroy their own facility, and this was the result.

“Ugh, did we overdo it? Should we just withdraw?”

“Can’t be helped…! He’s strong. But I’m angry!”

“Children’s enemy! The one who ruined the academy!”

While skepticism drifted through the network, the Violet Regimental Command formulated a plan in a short amount of time.

Explosives had been used to blow up Polaris Academy. There were almost none left now.

Heavy weapons were unsuitable for use in such confined spaces, and several sniper attempts had all failed. He was undoubtedly protected by a shield and artifact equipment.

Mortars and field artillery that could physically smash it were sealed inside the building.

Even if fired from outside, they would be blocked by the ceiling.

“All that’s left is magic and artifacts!”

Unit 1 pulled out her trump card.

“Message from Regimental Command! Get out all remaining Melting Ray Memory Chips! And…”

“Permission to use the Hand of Destiny granted!”

The Violets laid down their remaining smoke bombs on the floor and attempted another breakthrough.

On Basement 2, girls charged from all 360 degrees, surrounding the director.

“Long live the Ariel Group!”

“Die! Polaris’s butcher!”

Girls vanished one by one amidst the smoke bombs. Swords pierced, bullets penetrated hearts. Unit 721 ran through the flames of destruction.

“Run fast! When you see him, that’s when you shoot!”

“Aargh! Burning! Go quickly!”

Using her comrades as shields and another self as cover, Unit 721 sprinted at full speed. A large golden gauntlet was on her hand.

“Good, now reverse-genesis! We need more Aether for bullets!”

Violets from outside underwent reverse-genesis one by one.

The Violets at command headquarters drank mana supplements.

Simultaneously, hundreds of bodies converted into mana and converged on a single Violet.

“Wow! Aether is overflowing in my body!”

A familiar figure appeared before Unit 721, who was running frantically. Amidst the smoke and flames, among the Vanguard Agents, a middle-aged man with ash-gray hair and a monocle, glaring at them, was visible.

“Now I see! You have a ponytail too!”

The Violet raised her gauntlet, thinking. It would be good if he died from this, but it didn’t matter if he didn’t. She just wanted to land a hit on him.

The girl shouted with all her might in her mind.

“Beware of us…!”

“Violet Beam-”

The moment she shouted that and injected mana into the tip of the gauntlet, Valefor waved his right hand as if swatting away a fly.

“Huh?”

Unit 721’s body floated into the air. With the sudden telekinetic force, the Violets were violently swept across the floor.

There was a massive chasm leading to the basement. As her concentration broke, the Hand of Destiny stopped functioning.

“Ah! No! This is cheating!”

“Falling! Aaarrgh!”

As the Archmage gestured, the Violets plummeted to the floor like dust falling into a trash can. The surviving Violets fell into the basement.

“The artifact! I mustn’t lose it!”

Unit 721 hurriedly put the Hand of Destiny into her inventory. The moment a brief sense of relief brought a smile to her face, a powerful impact struck the girl’s body.

“Kugh!”

The Violets lost their lives one by one. Unit 721 hit her head and lost consciousness.

“Annihilated. No survivors.”

The security team leader said, looking at the holographic map. The red dots located on the very bottom floor of the facility, Basement 5, disappeared one by one.

“Ugh… No… We failed!”

“That guy! He’s too strong!”

The Violets of the Regimental Command sighed. Unit 721 and the other Violets returned to the network, disheartened.

As the Violets became dejected over their minor failure, Valefor gazed down into the underground chasm with a mix of faint regret and contempt.

“To think I was tied down here because of such insignificant things… It was my mistake. I should have trusted you all and left it to you.”

He had missed the opportunity to save other places because of enemies that could be dealt with so easily.

“…What should we do now?”

“Search the basement, then quickly move to a safe zone and regroup. Unfortunately, it seems we won’t have a chance to use this facility-”

Just as the personnel were preparing to withdraw, a guard operating a tablet noticed something unusual.

“Team leader-nim, I think you need to check this out. From Basement 5… a survival response is being detected. It’s not certain since there’s no CCTV, but…”

“What…?”

The security team leader looked at the screen his subordinate was pointing to. His eyes widened slightly.

“It’s real?”

The red signal that had disappeared just moments ago reappeared.

**

After the gauntlet stopped, the immense, directionless mana would normally have been recovered.

However, Unit 721 did not die immediately, and the Aether lingered in her body for a moment.

Unlike usual, the Violet Network’s environment, consumed by rage, became extremely unstable. It was like cracks forming in a building’s outer walls and pillars due to shoddy construction. The Violet Network repaired the cracks.

During that process, something that should have been impossible happened.

A young girl, an unregistered resident hiding in a secret corner of the network’s crevices, was inexplicably ejected out of the crack.

Just then, Unit 721’s empty body ceased to breathe.

Like water being sucked down a drain, the girl plummeted into the physical body.

At that moment, the Aether, freed from its owner’s control, felt a will to live just before being recalled. It was a murky, dark sensation.

The Aether enveloped the girl’s body with strange manipulations.

Unit 721’s young body slowly began to grow.

A moment later, a mature woman with a decadent aura rose to her feet.

“…Where is this…?”

Violet opened her eyes.