061. Cradle of Silence (2)
061. Cradle of Silence (2)
The next day.
After a brief day of rest and inspections, we headed for the 4th Theater, where the Cradle of Silence was located.
For reference, the 4th Theater was several dozen kilometers further north than the 3rd Theater, where Ice Shell had been.
Since it had taken almost half a day just to reach Ice Shell from Krädel, the trip to the Cradle of Silence was expected to take a full day.
...That was the story until recently.
No, not even recently. Right up through our previous mission, my squad members and I had been traveling to and from the operational zone by train like foot soldiers.
The reason was simple. Krädel didn't have a 'portal.'
A portal.
To put it simply, a teleportation machine.
However, it couldn't literally take you anywhere.
You couldn't cross over into regions completely overrun by Legions, like the Whitehead Point where Sion was expected to be. Its limit was the battle zones where humanity and the Legions were locked in a seesaw struggle.
Furthermore, even within its operational range, you couldn't use it recklessly.
Activating it required consuming a significant amount of expensive superphase material, and above all, there was the potential problem of Legions seizing an opened portal and invading through it in the reverse direction.
For these reasons, installation itself was prohibited for small-scale units without subsidiary bases.
It felt like the military had decreed, 'Shabby little bases that only shuttle back and forth from their garrison can just walk.'
Krädel had been one such case until now.
Had been, that is.
Now, circumstances were different. By being the first to capture Ice Shell, we had gained the authority to install and operate a subsidiary base there.
...Though we had only obtained it and neglected it until recently.
In the process of preparing for this assault on the Cradle of Silence, we had sent Alicia to set up a temporary camp (more like a tent, really) and register it as a subsidiary base.
As a result, Krädel had shed its status as a mere forward operating base and been promoted to a full-fledged 'headquarters' with a subsidiary base.
At the same time, we had gained authorization to operate a portal.
On top of that, I'd pooled every credit we'd earned from missions so far and bought a portal.
Having heard the story up to this point, Laika applauded.
"That's amazing~ though I don't really get what's what~"
Alicia, who had been handling communications from headquarters, let out a sigh.
[In short, you're saying you splurged, sir.]
"Euhyeh? It was a splurge?"
[Yes. It's the story of someone who should have lived within their means and walked, but scraped together every last penny to buy a car.]
"Euhehe... why'd you do that, Commander~"
Don't fill Laika's head with strange knowledge.
Well, it wasn't exactly wrong. The splurging part.
For large bases that routinely ran combat-zone missions, operating a portal was essential. But, to be blunt, we weren't at that level.
More than that, this was the first time we had ventured beyond the 3rd Theater since the Ice Shell assault.
But, how should I put it. My goal was to reach the Whitehead Point where Sion was. Assuming I kept advancing toward that goal, a portal would be necessary in the long term.
It felt like I had pushed a bit to secure the portal as a way of signaling my intent.
"...And, incidentally, we can use it in a pinch, too."
This time, for example.
As I said earlier, it took well over ten hours to reach Ice Shell, and from there, we would have to march several more hours to the Cradle of Silence.
Burning a whole day didn't matter much. But it was a fact that the risk of being detected by the enemy during the march was significantly reduced.
And that turned out to be true.
[The facility visible ahead is the closed research facility of Genesis Industry—— commonly known as the 'Cradle of Silence.']
Just as Alicia said, a massive artificial structure sprawled before our eyes.
Its scale was greater than expected.
The documents clearly called it a laboratory, but strictly speaking, it was closer to a research complex comprising several facilities than a single lab.
[At the very center exists 'Eve,' the computer-type biodroid overseeing the Cradle of Silence.]
"And its detection radius extends 3 kilometers from that center, right? What's the distance to our unit?"
[572 meters to the north-northwest.]
"Good."
To briefly recap the operation plan at that point:
1. The operational objective is the purification and rescue of the Corrupted soldiers
2. Do not enter Eve's detection range; engage only from outside
3. I, the Commander, will personally handle all diversion activities for that purpose
...That was the three-part structure.
We had already advanced to the perimeter of the detection range.
For that reason, I looked back at Rinne and Laika and ordered them to stand by there.
Because from here on, I would enter alone.
"Euheng... I really do hate this kind of operation..."
Laika complained anew, but she didn't try to overturn the already-decided plan at this point.
So, what actually worried me was Rinne, standing beside her.
Ever since we entered via the portal, Rinne had, how should I put it, gone very quiet.
Even now, she maintained an uncharacteristic silence.
"Rinne, what's wrong?"
I asked.
But Rinne didn't respond for a while.
"Rinne?"
"...Ngk."
It took at least a full ten seconds for her to snap back to attention.
And even then, she hesitated.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, it's not that..."
"Then?"
"How should I put it..."
Rinne spoke after a moment.
"I was just thinking that I've really dragged everyone into my personal problem."
Huh?
"What do you mean? Dragged us into your business?"
"It's true, isn't it."
Rinne stammered her words out as she continued.
Wasn't the Cradle of Silence an entirely irrelevant place to the other members of Krädel?
Wanting to rescue her readers there and atone to them.
Wanting to lift the publication ban.
All of it was nothing more than Rinne's personal history, just her own selfish wishful thinking.
She felt guilty that her Commander and everyone else were spending their time and effort, even risking their lives, because of it.
"I'll definitely repay everyone for helping me."
Rinne concluded with that.
I listened quietly, then snorted. "...Good grief."
At that, Rinne couldn't help but voice a complaint.
"When someone's being serious, you should listen seriously."
"How can I listen seriously when what you're saying is complete nonsense?"
At my words, Rinne seemed about to squawk something in protest but stopped.
Because just before she could, I asked everyone over the receiver.
"What do you all think? Isn't it stupid?"
Like this.
The first to answer, naturally, was Laika.
"Yep~ I think it's completely stupid~"
"What'd you say?"
"But it's stupid, isn't it~? Everyone's helping because we feel Rinne has already helped us~ but you think Laika is the one doing you a favor~"
"Already been helped?"
"Yep yep. I mean, thanks to Rinne finding Seo Se-rin's letter, Laika was able to protect Seo Se-rin, right? Right, Sumire~?"
Laika casually passed the baton.
Sumire, who had been maintaining silence despite being clearly connected to the comm line, let out an "Euheek!" of a yelp.
[Ah, a-ah, yes, y-yesyesyes...! I also think I've been helped plenty enough...! I mean, the reason Sumire can safely hide away like this is entirely because Rinne contributes to the base's operations, so no inspections or anything come from the top, making it possible... and even setting that aside, um, I've been enjoying reading the light novel you left in the garbage dump the other day... anyway, I'm just here standing by on comms, and I've only occasionally made a thing or two, so you have nothing to be sorry about.]
Sumire finished, uncharacteristically crisp and clear.
[I don't mind helping, but I would like compensation for my efforts. Preferably in cash.]
Alicia, you be quiet for a moment.
Well, in any case, I thought it was fortunate that everyone was willing to help.
So, now it was my turn to confess.
"I've been helped, too."
I wasn't just saying that in the sense that she'd performed and would continue to perform missions as my squad member.
Rinne had helped me in ways far more important than that.
The joyful memories of my childhood.
Without them, I surely wouldn't have been able to endure the streets of Metropolis.
But I had met Rinne, and drawing on those memories, I had endured the horrors of the back alleys for several more months.
Then, after that, I had met another precious person: Sion.
And through Sion, I had met everyone else.
"All of these connections came from you."
That was how I summed it up.
At those words, Rinne's face turned bright red.
Then she gave me the greatest show of gratitude she was capable of.
"...Ah, well, as long as you know. Idiot."
Yeah. The mood just before an operation should be this heartwarming.
I felt satisfied and proudly swiped a finger under my nose.
"...Commander?"
Laika asked, her voice laced with a chill.
"What was with that tender, lovey-dovey look and atmosphere between you two just now? More importantly, what's this about childhood memories and connections? What's the story?
"Laika doesn't understand a siiiingle thing about this."
Ah.
"No."
"Could it be that there's some behind-the-scenes story between Commander and Rinne that Laika doesn't know about?"
"Well, that's..."
"Euhyeng~ I'd like to know what happened~ I'm curious~"
"Uhh..."
"More importantly, I think I might have a right to know, as the soldier Commander trusts the most—Laika."
Who knew.
I could agree with the claim that Laika, of all people, had a right to know.
But right now, the situation was urgent in many ways, and the story would get too long if I told it.
"Rinne, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Wha, what...?!"
Rinne reacted vehemently.
Regardless, I wrapped up the conversation.
"I'm going straight into enemy territory. When I give the signal, be ready to move as planned."
"Yep yep~ with that said, Rinne, let's have a little chat with Laika~"
"No! Oppa! Take me with you!"
Ignoring Rinne's desperate SOS, I advanced toward the Cradle of Silence.
I didn't know for sure, but that place was probably safer than being at Laika's side right now.
***
The Cradle of Silence.
The interior was divided into three sectors.
One was the Research Wing, another the Experiment Wing, and finally, the Central Computer Room.
The Central Computer Room, true to its name, was geographically located at the very center.
The overall structure had the Research Wing and Experiment Wing wrapping around this facility from above and below in opposing L-shapes.
Within it, I was to locate the three biodroids and bring them back to the point where Laika and Rinne were standing by.
"Who should I grab first?"
Entering the nearest Research Wing, I muttered over the receiver.
I hadn't really asked expecting an answer.
I just wanted to ease the tension, and I was also curious about Rinne and Laika's status.
Had they sorted things out?
Apparently, they had. A moment later, Rinne asked back over the receiver.
[Is that a meaningful question, Oppa? It's not like you can really choose.]
"Strictly speaking, it's about who I want to go after first. It'd be better to bring back the useful one first, right?"
Because if we could just succeed in breaking them out of their mental contamination, we might be able to borrow their strength.
Well, explaining the situation to someone who just regained their senses and asking them to fight was kind of a shitty thing to do... but what could we do? We had to do what we had to do.
With that in mind, I ran through what I knew about the enemies.
1. Violetta
Overall Combat Power: B-Rank
Position: Designated Marksman
<Possessed Skills>
Presence Blocking Lv.5
Phantom Trigger Lv.5
2. Luce
Overall Combat Power: B-Rank
Position: Assault Soldier
<Possessed Skills>
Jousting Lv.7
3. Cookie
Overall Combat Power: B-Rank
Position: Tank
<Possessed Skills>
Pain Insensitivity Lv.6
...Those were the three.
[I think it's best to grab Luce first.]
"Why?"
[Assault soldiers are versatile and easy to use. And, well, I'm most confident in Luce's Salvation Narrative. I think it might work without whittling down too much of her vitality.]
Okay. Opinion noted.
[Laika thinks Cookie would be good~ Tank to tank, we might understand each other~]
Maybe not wanting to be left out, Laika chimed in.
Then, as if competing, the two of them asked simultaneously.
[[What about Commander?]]
Let's see.
"I think it'd be best to grab Violetta first, no matter what."
[Euheh? Why? Because her name is pretty?]
Just how far did Laika's jealousy go?
Regardless, I hadn't picked Violetta for such a ridiculous reason.
There was a far more rational reason.
So, it was like this.
"She has Presence Blocking. If we leave her alone, she'll be a persistent threat."
Besides, the fact that she was the only long-range combatant was also very unsettling.
Conversely, it was a position our side lacked, so if we could secure her cooperation, she'd be a huge help.
In that way, we three field agents each gave completely different answers.
And it seemed like it was about time to reveal who we actually encountered first.
If I were to announce the answer, drumroll please... 'Everyone was correct.'
In other words—
all three of them were together.