episode_0395

Upon entering the beach of the mist-shrouded Carnac Archipelago, nothing is visible at first.

After walking a bit on the sandy beach, a small, heavily wooded forest appears.

Beyond the forest teeming with evil demonic beasts and a small hill, a narrow path emerges.

Following the small unpaved road uphill, the quality of the ground material gradually changes to something more luxurious.

The neatly maintained dirt road becomes a road paved with thinly cut flagstones, and then again, a clean, modern road with black asphalt.

At some point, towering walls and a colossal steel gate block the view.

Beyond them lay fortresses of iron and concrete, cleanly built at a low height.

“This is Violet Central Command!”

As soon as one disembarks from the temporary airfield, the large, round, dome-shaped command building stands before them.

A young man and a girl walked out of the ramp, stepping outside to our grand welcome.

It was the Inspector and his assistant, the girl Milia.

“Long time no see!”

Thinking about it, I had only met him sporadically for official matters.

I felt the need to have a serious conversation and build a relationship with him on this occasion.

After all, she was the Inspector’s assistant and mascot character.

“Well, let’s do that when we have time!”

“Alright, Milia, was it? Would you mind waiting here for a moment? It’s a classified area from there on! Can I take her?”

The Inspector nodded, and the Violets soon escorted her to the cafe inside the command center.

“Alright, follow me!”

“Huh, Inspector-nim? Ah, okay! Just a moment!”

Good, the main briefing begins now.

What was to be shown to the Inspector were our industrial facilities and numerous achievements.

Factories spewing waste heat and steam filled every corner, and on the well-paved roads, Violets in various uniforms and equipment moved busily.

In the distance, automated facilities and a small number of Violets ceaselessly built apartments.

This was a city where only Violets lived. Violet Free City.

“It’s our own world!”

Seijis’s expression, which had always been blank and lifeless, subtly wavered.

“…This is that same place from last time?”

“Yeah, it’s pretty fast, isn’t it? A single week nowadays creates more changes than the several months it took to first arrive and begin pioneering here.”

Seijis’s face was reminiscent of a person from the Joseon Dynasty dropped into 21st-century Gangnam.

It felt like heaven and earth had been flipped upside down, so I understood.

Even we, who were building this, were experiencing changes beyond imagination.

“Alright, this is the armaments factory complex! It’s a place where we can make everything from V-infantry weapons and ammunition to tanks!”

The factory complex, filled with constant roaring noises 24/7, was still expanding.

Large and small conveyor belts and chain conveyors, like skybridges connecting buildings, linked various areas, and drones carrying goods flew like swarms of bees in the sky.

At every corner, Violets and steadily increasing unmanned vehicles carried out tasks.

“Mining facilities are being installed everywhere. If mining becomes automated, this is just the beginning. We’ll expand the factory complex even further. Over there! That’s where we’ll build an airplane factory. And over there, we’ll build airships.”

I didn’t explicitly say it, but nuclear weapon manufacturing was also under consideration.

“…”

The Inspector let out a small gasp at the magnificent scale and our plans. But there was still more to be surprised by.

“These weapons…their forms are new to me. Is this the technology from the alien warship you mentioned?”

“Yup!”

The temporary V-weapon exhibition hall set up next to the armaments factory was filled with various weapons that had been completed, or were being replicated and improved.

Seijis picked up and meticulously examined each weapon on display, asking about its principles and performance every time.

I had to roughly gloss over the technical aspects, but explaining the performance was easy.

“First of all, among the highest-performing weapons with comparable functions, they’ll be on par or a little higher! Kael said so. He said, ‘I will show a greatness that no engineer in this world dares to rival.’”

Once we’ve made some, I should give some to friends who need them.

“…Why were these weapons then…”

He mumbled something and couldn’t continue. In front of the displayed weapons, the Inspector’s hands, holding a V-standard acceleration rifle, trembled slightly.

“Huh? Seijis, what’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

“No, nothing.”

“Then let’s go see bigger weapons. That’s a Violet tactical vehicle, and those are armored vehicles and light tanks! We’re improving production efficiency, so we’ll be able to churn out a lot soon…”

After finishing the factory tour, we toured the Violet barracks and training grounds.

“That’s a multi-purpose firing range. And over there is the Violet barracks, which we’ve just started constructing! Each building can accommodate a thousand Violets above ground. And underground, it can store two or three times that!”

“That’s the airfield we’ll be using in the future. It’s planned to be the main base for the Violet Air Force!”

On the clean, empty land, the seeds of civilization were being sown everywhere.

Laying foundations, leveling the ground. And for all of this, nerves and blood vessels were needed to connect each district and region.

-Swoosh!

The road to the outpost, taken by car, was accompanied by strong winds.

“When did you build such a large road?”

“No, Seijis! You need to add another word. It’s a highway!”

This road, which would become the main artery of the main island in the center of the Carnac Archipelago—soon to be renamed the Ruzilin Archipelago—already had a magnificent name attached to it.

“Congratulations on being the first guest on Violet Highway No. 1!”

On the highway, pre-assembled reconnaissance vehicles, tanks, and large trucks replicated without permission were already moving in all directions, carrying various cargo and materials.

In the sky, squadrons of hover bikes flew with hawk-like eyes, monitoring the surroundings.

Meanwhile, construction equipment diligently dug into the ground and laid foundations nearby.

A faint glimmer of curiosity sparked in the Inspector’s dry eyes as he looked that way.

“Is that a railway?”

“That’s right! Seijis! Roads alone weren’t enough. We’re going to install maglev trains to make material supply even smoother!”

What a large city needs are airports and railways. Once the island is pacified, military ports and trade facilities will also be built for external exchange and the construction of naval fleets and large aerial battleships.

Hard work and sweat will definitely be rewarded.

“We’re real estate moguls!”

Though it’s tough and tiring now, it’s all mine!

***

After touring the outpost, it was a short break. Violet, sipping a drink in the base cafeteria, briefly explained her schedule. The ice in her cup clinked.

“To completely take over this island, I think I need to get stronger. Inspector, you’re strong, aren’t you? Please spar with me, and help me out when you have some free time! Like, disciplining strong demonic beasts or strange monsters when they appear.”

To fully utilize the martial arts of that fake general, which lingered vaguely in the back of my mind, I needed more stimulation.

Judging by what the Inspector had said before, he seemed to know about that technique.

He would be a great help.

Nevertheless, Violet showed a slight hint of unease.

Could this be perceived as too one-sided a request by some?

“Ah, this is just for when you have time, of course. You can do it, or not.”

“I’ll do it.”

“If you need anything… huh?”

“If you need help with anything, just say so.”

Violet’s eyes widened at the faster-than-expected acceptance.

She had noticed his attitude towards her subtly changing recently, but she had expected him to add some conditions.

“Huh? Okay. Then what’s the price?”

“Price? There’s no need for a price.”

This time, it was Seijis’s turn to feel bewildered.

Considering all that Violet had done for him so far, he had intended to grant whatever she requested.

In such a situation, what could be more shameless than demanding a price?

“It’s something I can certainly do. And if you need anything else, tell me. Isn’t this also a student from the academy requesting counseling? Refusal isn’t an option.”

Of course, there might not be such ‘students’ in the world, but he had added it purely to maintain the natural flow of conversation.

Seijis guessed that Violet hadn’t understood the meaning of the words that followed. It didn’t matter. She understood the positive signal in her own way and briefly cheered, raising both arms high.

“Wow! Thank you!”

Seijis found himself captivated by her adorable appearance. She usually seemed like such a pure child.

Yet, one couldn’t judge solely by appearance.

The being before him was a superhuman among superhumans, one who had rendered two of the world’s colossal organizations comatose.

Her overall danger level might be on par with, or even greater than, the Federation’s army, the Obsidian Legion, or Magnabiss’s Archmage.

So, he needed to confirm just a little more. Her sincerity.

“Violet, why did you specifically seek out and pioneer an island like this? If you needed factories or buildings, you could build them in Rustroom or on other continents, couldn’t you?”

Violet stared blankly at him, then asked back as if he had asked the obvious.

“Well, I needed my own land where no one would interfere with me.”

“Interference?”

“I just wanted to live quietly, but the world always keeps hurting me and my friends and making our lives miserable.”

Seijis was silent for a moment. His gaze flickered with complexity.

Violet fell into thought for a moment.

Starting from the Polaris incident, there were simply too many people in this world who wouldn’t leave her alone.

First was Laflaxia. They had hurt her terribly.

“I just wanted to live happily with my friends…”

Polaris’s bad atmosphere had hurt the kind Daphne.

The mad Archmage who instigated all of it conducted human experiments on poor orphans, and Irene’s greedy relatives joined in, trying to sell their niece to take over the clan.

Yes, Violet gradually realized as she continued speaking.

Why she had instinctively wanted to scatter and spread so widely.

She wanted to leave.

“So I spread out freely and widely. I looked for land where there were no bad guys. But then I thought, there’s no one in the Red Zone, right? So I came here.”

She had focused her attention and done countless things, scattered in all directions, repeating various games and acts of violence without rest, but one thing had not changed.

Ever since she destroyed Polaris Academy and dealt a blow to Magnabiss, her goal had always been consistent.

“I want to live happily without being dominated by anyone!”

Domination and control were bothersome. Why should she have to do that?

It would be great to just eat a lot of cheap and delicious food every day, sleep soundly, and play to her heart’s content.

But there were simply too many people in the world desperate to dominate others.

No time for persuasion, no skill with words.

All that was left was the option of living alone.

Violet wanted to live freely. To do that, she needed power.

Because this strange world, where it was taken for granted that superhumans established academies and concocted various conspiracies among students, wouldn’t leave people alone.

“I just want them not to bother my friends and not be rude. But they weren’t. I wanted to solve it through dialogue, but everyone just talks about themselves…and they say their word is first, so I just have to obey.”

Mid-sentence, Violet pouted, as if she was annoyed.

Seijis, watching her, offered a wry smile.

“So I worried. What should I do? I don’t want to bow down to guys like the clans or the Federation.”

In the current situation, it had become impossible from the start.

In this incident, they had clearly defined her as an enemy.

Even if they changed their stance in the future, Violet decided not to trust them.

The method of dealing with them was set. Deceit for deceit, trickery for trickery.

“So I thought! There’s only one answer. I’m going to build my own country!”

“A country?”

“Yeah, a free country where only I and my friends, and kind-hearted people, can live!”

A world without kings, nobles, bad military leaders, or arrogant parliamentarians.

“But thanks to that, it seems my dream will come true a little sooner. You saw it, right? I don’t know the principle, but I think I can make this land obey me! Then I can take over the whole main island and create my own world, right?”

Imagination bubbled up in her mind. A vast amusement park, arcades, theme parks.

Free restaurants that she herself operated and used.

A self-sufficient world thoroughly automated by the power of alien technology.

“What will you do if the clans or the Federation come?”

“Oh, I have a plan, of course! I’ll install incredibly huge cannons and missiles. Since this is an island in the middle of the sea, anyone detected approaching from a distance can be blown away immediately!”

“You had quite the plan, then.”

“Yeah! Hey, Seijis, do you want to become a citizen of our Violet country? I can make you a citizen anytime! I can even make you an honorary official! I haven’t asked Sophieel Unnie yet… What do you think, wouldn’t that be fun?”

“A citizen, huh… That wouldn’t be so bad.”

A unspoken regret lingered in Seijis’s mouth.

Despite the power she possessed and her tremendous achievements, Violet, before him, was ultimately just a girl her age.

Just a dreaming individual who had come this far by resisting and confronting the world.

If she hadn’t had a dark past, she might have grown up as an ordinary girl her age.

Despite the bloody brutality, Seijis could understand the emotion and goodwill towards others embedded in Violet’s actions.

“What do you think of my plan?”

Violet asked with eyes full of anticipation. Seijis could only say one thing.

“It’s wonderful.”

He meant it.

One thing that made him even sadder was the fact that this child’s whimsical and grand wish was likely to be crushed within a few years.

“It’s boasting, but maybe I have the coolest goal among all the people in the Academy City?”

Perhaps because of that, Seijis couldn’t help but speak in front of the bragging Violet.

“What if the Apostles come?”

“If they come, I’ll incorporate them into Violet!”

“…What if many of them come?”

“Ah, you’re right. I hadn’t thought of that.”

Seijis continued quietly.

“Perhaps, within a few years, Eidos’s forces might officially set foot in Trist.”

“Are the main forces coming?”

“That’s right. As early as 4 years, or at most 6 to 7 years. Or perhaps even tomorrow.”

“Ugh, I see.”

Suddenly remembering the dream of Hecatoncheir she had glimpsed before, Violet shivered.

One or two Apostles might be manageable, but the main force honestly seemed incredibly strong. Not to mention the enormous silhouette she had glimpsed even in a dream.

“Actually, I’m saying this now, but I was already proceeding with a plan. Though it’s smaller than Violet’s.”

“A plan? Is there a way to stop the Apostles?”

Violet’s curiosity was piqued. She had thought Seijis was plotting something, but it must be a serious and immense plan.

“Yes, there’s a way to block them from coming here. Though it’s very difficult.”

“Wow, what’s the method?”

“…”

Seijis remained silent, speechless. Hesitating, unable to continue, he reproached himself.

A fierce wave of guilt had suddenly enveloped his entire body.

‘What am I saying right now?’

Trying to drag a child, still a student, into a fight against those demons from another dimension?

Regardless of her past achievements and abilities, he shouldn’t have dragged a girl with her own dreams into this arduous thorny path.

Even if it was her, the chances of victory against that monster were still slim.

Seijis felt a deep sense of self-loathing.

He had unconsciously tried to exploit Violet’s innocence. Even by merely hinting at it, that child would surely step forward to help!

He had tried to do such a thing, even knowing it himself.

In this way, what difference was there between him and Laflaxia or Magnabiss?

‘I must have been insane. To try and use that child…’

He had lost his reason for a moment.

The sight of a 10,000-strong army of awakened beings, armed with alien technology, was as strong a temptation as ice water offered to someone stranded in a desert.

Yet, using her in this way…

But Violet, as if she had been waiting, replied cheerfully.

“Okay! Then I’ll support that right away too! Just say the word!”

“Violet? No, you don’t have to. Forget what I said. This is…”

“I’m fine with it, though.”

Violet stared intently at Seijis with eyes sparkling like rubies.

Even with Violet’s naive perception, she could easily grasp that the man in front of her was asking for help.

There was ample reason to help. Because.

“If a friend asks for something, of course I have to grant it!”

“Friend?”

Seijis’s eyes widened.

He had not expected such a reply at all.

“Yup! Inspectors are my friends! Friends help each other, right?”

A small light briefly appeared in Seijis’s matte black eyes.

He realized only now that this child had thought of him that way for a long time.

He realized it now, while he had been subtly caught in the past and remained wary.

“A friend’s enemy is naturally my enemy too.”

“…Those guys aren’t ordinary enemies. There’s no reason for you to voluntarily face danger! Especially your existence, it’s very important. Your abilities, your power… all of that should be preserved until the very end. There’s no need to step to the forefront…”

“Oh, come on, that other-dimensional empire is a potential enemy of us Violets anyway. It was obvious we’d fight them even if you didn’t ask.”

The collective intelligence didn’t hesitate.

To live freely, all enemies naturally had to be eliminated.

“Imperialism is our enemy!”

“To build a prosperous Violet country, demonic beasts must naturally be eliminated!”

“So, so I’ll help you with that as much as you want. Just tell me to help. Because we’re friends! Okay?”

Seijis tightly closed his eyes.

Seijis’s back wavered for a brief moment then stopped.

Violet tilted her head at the slightly heavier atmosphere.

She had just said something obvious, so why was the atmosphere so heavy?

“Violet, then lend me your strength to stop them.”

“Yup! I’ll help!”

“…Thank you.”

Violet smiled brightly.

Seijis, as if responding, very slowly, offered a small smile.

Suddenly, he realized that he had stopped distrusting Violet long ago.

There were still unanswered questions, but they no longer mattered.

‘A friend…’

His last remaining doubt melted away like a snowflake under the March sun.

Violet was not a witch.

The witch was gone now.