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Could he know something about this?

Hm?

I might know who to look for.

Contact the Ægir soldiers outside. They'll help you exit this place.

Are you going to stay here? Alone?

You still have doubts about me, young one. Good.

But someone needs to stay in this control center.

Once the tower completes its conversion, Milliarium will be unable to eject it, even if we manage to repair the linkage.

A seabeast cannot spit out its heart, when the heart is no longer its own.

I must remain to confirm that the framework has resumed operation, then eject the tower myself.

But if you do that, you'll sink along with it... into the hordes of Seaborn...

You needn't worry about that. Or do you mean to say you'd be more suited for that duty?

You don't have much time, young one.

Y-You have already—

Isn't this the frequency of the beacon tower?

Secunda, Sea Patrol. Who's inside the tower?

Then what about Blandus?

He's dead.

The two of us were in contact, but I never noticed anything unusual. I should submit myself to the consul for discipline once this is settled.

Milliarium must abandon the tower. I must see it sink into the abyss with my own eyes.

And after that?

Will you return to Ægir? <i>Can</i> you return to Ægir?

I told you not to ask pointless questions, Secunda.

You should not allow the past to render you indecisive.

...You're overthinking things.

Blandus told me what happened back then.

As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter which of you rejected my application.

Though I'm willing to admit that... I regret not becoming a Hunter and fighting alongside you all. Deeply.

I'll admit that I felt anger and resentment for a long time. I even envied Skadi.

But eventually, I became accustomed to patrol work. For your sake. For the sake of the project keeping our home, our civilization, safe.

Staying outside of a specific project will allow you to see more sacrifices, more betrayals, more untrustworthy people, more things deviating from their paths.

Like you, right now?

Have you thought through what you should bear?

If you truly did betray Ægir, if you really are associated with that scum, then you're in that tower now to plan your escape. I'd bear the guilt of allowing a fallen Ægir to flee.

If you're still a Hunter, then you'll be fighting alone. However, it's already impossible to wipe your slate clean after infiltrating the city, breaking into the tower... not to mention the outcome of the tribunal.

Ægir may not remember your sacrifice... Just like how Tullia will inevitably be forgotten.

But I agree. Ejecting the tower is the most effective way to help Milliarium respond to this disaster.

I approve of your choice. I'll afford you some limited amount of trust.

Hmph. Very well.

You have five minutes. After that, I'll come rescue that land dweller in the tower.

The entire city is following the emergency transportation coordination plan. We'll enter the axial channel via the Sophontheatrum and leave for the port.

I will remain there to direct operations, while the Sea Patrol takes command of this ship and sees you to dry land.

The drone matrix will also head to the lighthouse and assist Iberia in mounting a defense.

Should the city not organize an evacuation of its citizens as well?

Milliarium is a military fortress. It is able to accommodate its citizens during battle. All civilians have already been escorted to shelter by the Sea Patrol.

Those neural cables by your hand...

Should they be... twitching like that?

No. With communications down, my connection to the ship's operating system has also been cut off... I'm losing control.

Little Handy, run diagnostics on the entire ship.

The systems breach is more serious than I expected.

We might not have enough time to land. I'm sorry.

At least the city's artificial gravity is still functional. The devices you have will help you move freely through the air.

Now follow me. No need to be scared; all you have to do is walk out the door.

Comms are still down. Looks like someone managed to cut off the entire Sophontheatrum from the outside.

—Mon3tr!

(Vigilant screech)

Mon3tr spreads its ebon talons as a wave of heat washes over you. At nearly the same time, the consul draws her ceremonial sword and steps to the side to cover you and Kal'tsit.

You take a good look at the 'enemy' before you.

An unusually-shaped Seaborn bars your way.

It seems to lack hostility. Before Mon3tr's roar startled it, it simply stood there quietly, its featureless face illuminated by the coral-shaped terminal in the middle of the Sophontheatrum.

The granular organelles surrounding its body spread out like arms, 'stroking' the branches of the terminal, and fusing with the flowing characters and symbols on it.

Was it observing? Sensing? Can it even comprehend human perception and reasoning?

It turns towards you.

A... Seaborn. Is it the one that breached the terminal? This is unprecedented. And not a good sign.

(Garbled Ægirian) There is no justice here. Only the path ahead.

A Seaborn trespassing in an Ægirian city, reciting an ancient proverb in a sanctum designed by sages past.

This might be the most ironic scene I've witnessed since I joined this war. Uncouth, even for a provocation.

Its use of language and its manner of speaking... are all unlike the usual outcome of the Seaborn's forced 'learning.'

I fear this Seaborn was once human, Madame Consul.

Language. Never have I forgotten it. Never has it abandoned me.

What about your thoughts? Do you actually comprehend yourself when you clumsily mimick the sayings of the wise?

Comprehend? No. I did not understand their true meaning, even as I left them for posterity.

Now, I have a new understanding.

Left for posterity... Mártus?

You're Mártus?!

The key member of the fourth observation team of the mantle ruins, the scholar of anthropology and prehistoric civilization who went missing more than two centuries ago? <i>That</i> Mártus?

...In my most distant memories, I was once, known by that name.

But now, you need only be cognizant of my appearance. You see before you a Seaborn. Call me as such.

'Seaborn.'

The Seaborn floats towards you.

Through its transparent skull, you see strangely colored orbs gather and disperse, steadily changing their formation.

Ægir. Allow me to converse with the one behind you.

(Angry howl)

Glub—Tell your little friend to stow its fangs. Its flames cannot burn my blood.

AMa-10—

Who are you? Why did you call Kal'tsit that?;You know who Kal'tsit is?

Stay vigilant, Dr. {@nickname}. I'll speak with it.

Kal-tsit... Kal'tsit. I see now. If you are accustomed to that name, I can call you by that.

I have waited for you, Kal'tsit, for the two of you, for a very long time.