Who Are You? (5) Conclusion
That day, when Karina collapsed from exhaustion.
Maria gave Laura a detailed briefing on everything that had happened up to that point. Erica, Chloe, and Cecile were present in the conference room along with her.
“...This is the word ‘Elia’.”
The footage of Elia's rampage recorded through the F.A.C.T shared vision system. If they hadn't witnessed it directly, even if someone told them it happened, they wouldn't have believed it.
“Currently, we are tracking down clues related to the past that are directly causing the Captain's PTSD. However, the information recorded in the Aegis Integrated System has its limitations.”
“Of course. The classified information from Sector 09 uploaded to the Aegis Integrated System is all information I have collected. But as you all know, they are all lacking in substance.”
Anything beyond that meant that the Londinium Elders' Council had hidden or erased it.
“And most importantly... you must be curious about the relationship between the Edelvine family and Elia.”
Maria continued.
“Simply put, as long as the Londinium Elders' Council is alive, Elia must be safe under the Edelvine name. And to be honest, I don't know much about Elia's past before she became my little sister. Even my father is reluctant to talk about it.”
Luden Edelvine was extremely reluctant to bring up anything about Elia. No matter how much Maria questioned, the answers were vague like 'Elia is the hero who saved Londinium from destruction' or 'The Edelvine family will affirm everything about her as a military asset.' Frustrated, she used her extensive intelligence network across the galaxy to conduct a lightning-fast investigation, but the harvest was meager.
“Brigadier General Maria. Do you happen to know any information about soldiers who served in Londinium's Sector 09 in the past?”
“...Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
“While the Captain was showing symptoms of PTSD, you called out a few names.”
“Names?”
“Please look here.”
The hologram plays.
“You bastards from Londinium, I'm going to kill all of you!”
“I killed them all with my own hands! But what more do you want from me!”
“Karen, Luna, Irien, Lael, Leman, Tess, Treval, Yann, Violet, Erkel...! And Eve too! I killed them all with my own hands!”
“...This is.”
Did she mistake Karina for someone from the Elders' Council?
And moreover, the names listed.
“Alright. I'll investigate this from my end.”
“Thank you.”
The scenes she had seen so far pierced through Maria's mind. Elia desperately fleeing in confusion. Elia being ruthlessly subdued by an unknown officer. Elia clinging to Laura showing severe PTSD symptoms. Elia holding Karina's hand, sobbing in panic. Her precious little sister, Elia. Everything broken, shattered, as if her heart was being scratched by... the pitch-black secret spewed by Elia.
“By the way, you've learned a lot about Elia, haven't you?”
A chillingly cold tone. With just one sentence, everyone in the room felt as if they had been slapped in the face.
“And since you showed this to me, it means you're prepared.”
No one in the room asked what kind of resolve that was. Maria slowly approached Laura and asked.
“The vice-captain of the Obelisk, are you her?”
“...Yes. I am the vice-captain of the Obelisk-”
As if showing a slow-motion, Maria's palm raised high slapped Laura's cheek. Everyone in the conference room was startled and held their breath, but no one dared to intervene.
“...I'm sorry, ha-”
“This is Elia's share,”
Maria raised her hand again and slapped the other cheek. The white cheek turned bright red from the force.
“This is my share.”
“...Thank you for ending it like this.”
Laura said while holding her cheek stained with tears.
“Hah? Who gave you permission to end it. It's not over yet.”
Maria glared at Laura, then turned her gaze to everyone in the conference room and continued.
“You all listen carefully. To be honest, even if I were to chew you all up, it wouldn't be satisfying. But my long-time friend Karina also risked her life to track this down, and she has been slapped twice by this woman's cheek, so until I find the cause of my little sister becoming like this, I'll endure it.”
“...With my life on the line, Captain-”
“And you, listen well.”
In an instant, Maria reached out and grabbed Laura's collar, preventing her from finishing.
“Don't pity my little sister.”
Maria looked straight into Laura's eyes and spat out in a sharp tone.
“Elia has lived more sublimely than anyone here. You can't be compensated with your tears.”
A calm dignity in the voice.
“Did you understand?”
“...Yes.”
Laura wiped the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes with her sleeve. Maria released the hand holding her collar and took a step back.
“Alright. Then take me to Elia.”
---
As You Wish.
I opened my eyes with Elia's last words.
This place was not the winter courtyard where I had met Elia. It was someone's room. But whose room? It wasn't Elia's room. It was unfamiliar, but at the same time, it was a space that made my heart feel at ease. Had the nightmare finally ended? The only sounds were the faint ticking of the lines attached to my body clashing with each other, and the intermittent beeping from the medical devices.
As You Wish?
What does this mean?
It was definitely an important phrase, but right now-
It would be better to forget it.
Outside the window, darkness had descended, making it pitch black.
How long had I been unconscious this time?
There is a serious gap in my memory.
“Elia?”
Who... who are you?
I've never met you before, have I?
Wait, hold on. This is real eyes.
If I touch it wrong, it's X.
F.A.C.T Teacher?
I'll use the teacher's chance.
> [ ??? / ??? / ??? ]
...?
> [ ??? / ??? / ??? ]
...Teacher?
“...Elia?”
Don't panic.
Let's organize the situation.
1. I returned to the captain's room.
2. I tried to do some work but failed.
3. I have to hand over the me as is.
4. Suddenly accelerated towards the same side.
5. And something... something happened.
“Elia, how is your body? Is there any pain?”
“... .”
The voice that was tormenting me no longer speaks.
By the way, do I have to answer or not.
A vague formula appears in my head.
Knowing my name = knowing each other.
The other party is real eyes = quite dangerous.
I have to answer properly = pretending to know.
No, just looking at it is suspicious.
The F.A.C.T Teacher doesn't know me.
White uniform + real eyes = huge black villain.
Isn't this a cliché from a novel?
First, I should answer properly.
“I am fine.”
The moment I opened my first sentence, she might have noticed my true identity instead of 'Elia'. I am not the 'Elia' she knows. I am an unwelcome guest who entered her body at will. Even imagining saying that made the approaching horrific future seem visible.
By the way, why is the black villain here...?
Perhaps because she was slapped by the same side?
If I think about it, it's a white flag.
Or did she take some medicine like abutilon or something?
It's not mine. It's more than a few pricks.
“Why did you come here?”
“Is there a reason...?”
Ah, no. No, it's not necessary.
You can come anytime.
I overstepped my bounds.
“Elia, please tell me too.”
“What do you mean?”
“The past of Elia that Father didn't tell you.”
Father? Father?
Am I an orphan?
Father? Now it's a 'dull' drip....
Wait, hold on.
Is this not it?
I saw it in the novel.
1. Taking advantage of the gap in memory to pretend to be family.
2. Induce a disadvantageous statement in court.
3. After failing honorable discharge, a miserable life.
“......”
Caught, you bastard.
“I know, about the promise. But, but!”
Promise? What promise?
Is this an inducement interrogation now?
No way! I knew I'd be caught?
“Go back now.”
Call my lawyer.
This sister is a scary elf.
From now on, I won't say a single word.
“Is it that I, as family, shouldn't know?”
“Family? Did you say family?”
Interesting.
Stop the inducement interrogation!
“Don't misunderstand.”
“Elia-”
“-I'll say it one more time. Go back now.”
I already know everything.
I investigated it with my interest, right?
I've seen this cliché a couple of times?
“Don't come any closer to me anymore.”
“I can't. You know? Elia's heart has melted more than 30% or something. The mana circulation is broken once and can't be recovered. If I help you from now on, I need to help Elia with-”
The sound of shattering glass rings out.
Eh? Why did I throw the cup?
I'm angry. Why this and that.
30% was given by me?
Everything is necessary for you.
Everything you wanted.
I have to give it anyway.
I pulled it in advance.
“-It was going to happen anyway.”
This is not important right now.
Unusual white uniform = prison guard uniform.
Real eyes in prison guard uniform = military inspector.
Your identity has been exposed!
“What, what should I do-”
“Don't cross the line.”
Don't cross the line.
No matter how, it's not like that....
Pretending to be family is out of the question?
“Our relationship, you know better.”
With this much, you'll understand, right?
You are the inspector, I am the suspect(?).
“We can't understand each other.”
“...Y, yes. Sorry.”
The woman in white uniform gently placed her hand on my both cheeks, lowered her head, and brought her forehead to mine. A warm feeling flashed and swept through my whole body. That feeling I had longed for and missed. My heart in my chest thudded and sank.
“But this much, will you allow it?”
“......”
I froze blankly. A voice full of love and regret. For a moment, I thought she might be my real family. A faint phantom of Eve standing behind the white woman appeared. But it's too late, so forget it! The woman took a shaky breath and continued.
“...I was happy to meet you.”
With these words, she left the room. It seemed like a tear was falling from the corner of her eye as she hurriedly turned around. Or perhaps it was just my imagination.
My hands are trembling even though it's not cold.
The room was filled with a cold silence.
What kind of thing did I do?
If it was a real family...
There's no way.
When did the family all die.
Heh*crk*he, pull yourself together.