Ethan's Side
After neutralizing the Tyrant Model Rapture Blacksmith and offering Marian my sincere condolences, we headed toward the elevator that would take us back to The Ark.
The atmosphere was quiet, perhaps because of what had happened to Marian.
We kept silence as we arrived at a spot where no sign of life stirred.
"Commander. We've arrived."
"This is—"
This was the access point for the elevator up to the surface. At last, I had the chance to see The Ark, where the remnants of humanity in this world took shelter.
What must The Ark look like? I’d heard it was a colossal subterranean facility.
I couldn’t pin down its exact size, but housing ten million citizens meant it probably had everything imaginable.
Lost in thought, Rapi rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a mechanical device.
Beep!
A mechanical chirp rang out, and after a moment of buzzing, the elevator rumbled up.
"This elevator links directly to The Ark. Let’s go."
I nodded and stepped forward as the elevator doors slid open. I boarded first, followed by Rapi and Anis, then the doors closed behind us.
Whirrrr~!
With another roar, the elevator slowly began its descent.
This feels oddly new. I never imagined I'd experience something like this in a world outside the Great Federation.
I couldn’t help but admire how the outside scenery shifted at a steady pace.
"Uh, Shifty. What happened to Marian?"
At that moment, as Marian popped into her mind, Anis asked Shifty over the comm.
[Uh, well...]
"Just tell me. I’m curious too."
For some reason, Shifty hesitated. Seeing her falter at Marian’s name, I guessed she was worried about my presence.
Still, I wanted to know why Marian had ended up like that. Hearing the story might help me piece things together.
[Understood. The Corruption Code implanted in Marian probably acted as a navigation beacon. It directed the Nikkes straight to Blacksmith—to offer them up as prey.]
"But she seemed fine right up until the end."
[That was likely because of the Commander. A Nikke’s top priority is to protect the Commander and obey orders. I think from the moment she met you, her mind spun—her priorities got jumbled.]
"…So the Corruption intensified when she encountered Blacksmith?"
[Yes. That seems probable.]
Shifty’s words hit me deeply. Thinking of how much Marian must have suffered sent a chill through me.
"…When did it begin, though?"
Rapi suddenly broke her silence.
[It started during the mission… oh.]
"So she must have been already corrupted when she boarded the transport that got shot down. And that transport came from The Ark."
[Could it be… The Ark’s barrier was breached?]
"No. The Ark’s barrier is solid. It would filter out Corruption easily."
Based on our conversation, Marian’s Corruption originated within The Ark. The chance of it coming from outside was negligible.
If so, what if it started from the inside rather than the outside? What if someone deliberately implanted Corruption in Marian?
"Rapi, what are you implying?"
Thud! Ding~!
At that exact moment, just as Anis asked and Rapi was about to answer, the elevator came to a halt.
"…I’m not sure."
With that brief answer, Rapi calmly stepped out of the elevator.
"Anis, let’s move out."
"What on earth was that…"
As Anis grumbled and followed after Rapi’s inscrutable mood,
…Better get out first.
Putting aside my swirling theories about the Corruption, I also stepped out of the elevator.
Author's Side
[That concludes the report.]
"You say you took down Blacksmith? With just three Nikkes under a green Commander barely removed from the academy, in a single day?"
His voice was thick with doubt.
Even an experienced Commander rarely achieves such a victory against a Tyrant Model.
Yet here was a newly graduated Commander claiming to have defeated the Tyrant Model Rapture Blacksmith. It was hard to believe.
[Yes. That’s correct. Although one unit was destroyed during the engagement.]
"You’ve taken to joking, haven’t you, Shifty?"
She replied as usual, and the man smiled faintly, though skepticism still lingered.
[Shall I transmit the combat data?]
"Ah, no, that’s unnecessary. Instead, I’d like to meet the Commander in person. He’s available after 1500 hours—send him to me."
After a moment’s consideration, the man decided to meet Ethan face-to-face. Though his tone was composed, an unspoken curiosity gleamed in his voice.
He planned to call him in during the afternoon, taking advantage of some free time. A mere report wouldn’t satisfy him.
[Understood. I’ll pass it on.]
"I appreciate it."
He concluded with a casual wave, but his eyes were keen with curiosity.
He wasn’t merely curious about the Commander’s abilities; he wanted to delve into the strategy behind this audacious victory.
[Is there anything else you require?]
"…Ah. One more thing. When he comes, have him bring the Nikkes who took part in the operation—fully armed."
His final instruction bore no trace of levity.
Ethan's Side
"…Headquarters summoned us?"
"Yes. They said you two should come along as well."
Just as we were about to begin exploring The Ark in earnest, Shifty relayed a summons from the Deputy Commander. Rapi looked puzzled at the sudden order from above.
"Hmm… I think I know what this is about."
"What’s that?"
Anis flashed a meaningful look at Rapi, who raised an eyebrow in response. Before Rapi could ask further, Anis continued,
"Like, ‘Impressive work taking down Blacksmith with less than a full squad. Keep serving as loyal dogs of the Central Government.’ Something like that?"
"…Hey."
"I was just kidding. Don’t stare at me like that."
I shot Anis a warning glance—she started strong, then said things she shouldn’t.
I nearly felt like smacking her head.
"It was certainly a remarkable feat."
"Let’s head over now. We’ll wrap this up fast."
As they moved to depart, I murmured loud enough for them to hear,
"They said to come fully armed."
"……"
"Wow. That’s a bit chilling…"
I sighed. With orders from a superior as high-ranking as the Deputy Commander, there was no choice.
A soldier must obey a superior’s command, no matter what.
Once Rapi and Anis were fully armed, we quickly made our way to the Deputy Commander’s office.
On the way there, I wondered again why we were told to bring weapons. I hoped nothing went wrong.
We reached the door to the Deputy Commander’s office. Meeting such an important figure in this world made me a bit nervous, but I shook it off and knocked.
"Enter."
A firm knock echoed, and shortly after, a deep male voice called.
Clack!
"Excuse the intrusion."
A mechanical tone sounded as the door slid open automatically. Stepping inside, I saw a middle-aged man—presumably the Deputy Commander—looking our way.
"Ah, it’s you. Pleasure to meet you. I’m Andersen, serving as Deputy Commander at Central Government Headquarters. Feel free to call me whatever you like."
"Understood, Deputy Commander."
Just like back in the Great Federation, I entered and clasped my hands behind my back as I faced him.
"…You’re standing too rigidly. Don’t worry about me—relax."
"I’m fine. This is comfortable for me."
Being in a room with a stranger felt uncomfortable. I wanted to avoid idle chatter. All that mattered was why I’d been summoned.
"Very well. To get straight to the point: I summoned you here because I want to conduct a test. Nothing difficult, so just approach it casually."
"A test?"
I blinked in surprise. I hadn’t expected to be asked to take a test out of the blue.
The moment I heard “test,” countless possibilities raced through my mind. Whether it was a simple assessment or something more, I held my composure.
"Report to the simulation room in your current condition. You’ll receive detailed instructions there. That is all."
"Um… that’s what you called us in for?"
"Anis."
"Why? You have to ask if you’re curious."
Despite Rapi’s attempt to stop her, Anis pressed on stubbornly.
"I just wanted to see you in person. No other motive."
The Deputy Commander’s gaze locked onto me. I was puzzled as to why he’d said that.
Strange.
His voice bore no particular emotion. Maybe it really was that simple.
"Well then, until next time."
"I have a question."
"Ah. Wait a moment."
He glanced at his wristwatch as he spoke.
"Hmm… I think I can answer one question. Ask away."
"…In my view, Marian’s Corruption originated in The Ark. Do you know anything about that, Deputy Commander?"
"!!"
"No, Commander. Why bring that up here…!"
Rapi and Anis looked flustered. They probably didn’t expect me to mention Marian in front of him.
But I needed to know. Unfazed by them, I held his gaze.
"Marian? Who is Marian?"
"She was a fellow Nikke who died during the recent operation."
"…Ah. A Nikke who went out on the operation and was destroyed. I’m afraid I can’t answer that. We’re still investigating the aftermath."
As I’d expected, he wasn’t willing to disclose anything. Even if he knew, he had no reason to reveal it.
"One thing I can tell you for certain: The Ark’s barrier is top-notch. It cannot be breached. Now, I have another meeting, so if you’ll excuse me…"
"…Yes, understood."
Disappointed, I left his office without any real gain, hiding a deep sigh as I walked toward the door.
"Ah, you."
Just as I was about to reach the door, his voice from behind stopped me in my tracks.
"If someone intentionally implanted Corruption in a Nikke for some purpose, and that person was beyond your ability to handle, what would you do?"
"What answer are you looking for?"
"Just curiosity. Don’t overthink it."
I had no idea why he asked. If it was mere curiosity, fine; if not, it changed everything.
"…I don’t know either. I’d like to know the reason, I suppose."
"Right. There’s always a reason for everything. That implies that if I hear a convincing reason, I’ll let it go."
Snap!
A surge of fury boiled up inside me. I wanted to tear the place apart. If his goal was to provoke me, he’d succeeded.
I wanted to lash out, but I had to stay calm. I’m just a Commander; he’s the Deputy Commander of The Ark.
With no power of my own to oppose him, hostility would be suicide.
"…On what basis do you make such claims?"
"Ah, I’m not scolding you. I was just curious what you’d say. Now, I’ll be off."
"…Yes, understood."
Suppressing the rage and frustration stoked by his provocative words, I hurried out of his office.
Author's Side
Meanwhile, right after Ethan and his team left the Deputy Commander’s office, Andersen stood still, gazing at the spot they’d occupied.
"…That sensation just now."
Moments earlier, Andersen had felt as if his entire body was on edge, as though a sharp blade traced along his skin.
Strangely, he felt it most when their eyes met just before Ethan departed.
It was like…
…open hostility.
In the military, threatening a superior far above you in rank is absolutely forbidden.
Such acts undermine order and are considered severe violations of discipline—punishable by harsh penalties.
"It’s been a while since we’ve seen a true newcomer like him."
Despite clearly sensing Ethan’s lethal intent, Andersen remained calm throughout.
He couldn’t know why an untested Commander experiencing the surface for the first time would carry such deadly intent… but time would tell.
Though his expression was impassive, a spark of curiosity toward him couldn’t be erased.
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