Глава 15

Kal'tsit points to a region in the center of the blueprints.

...Abyss...

Abyss.

On the blueprint, a new area has been added to what was once a blank space in the central section of the mid-deck—

Abyss.

Kal'tsit has never told you what this Abyss really means.

But you still have a vague feeling that this area marked on the blueprint, this area that has never been recorded by PRTS—

—Is inextricably linked to you.

A long time has passed since it was last opened.

Even back then, when I had to get close to that place to bring back someone important, I didn't dare go near the deeper part, the one that's been sealed away all this time.

However, now I'm not even sure what kind of changes have happened in there.

As I just said, if the PRTS abnormalities have a specific cause, then the Abyss must be involved somehow.

How do you think we should deal with this section, Dr. {@nickname}?

......;I haven't the slightest idea.

I need to go there and investigate.

Dr. Kal'tsit, I can go with—

I'll bring the Doctor there myself. Amiya, Closure, I need you two to make sure the surrounding areas are completely cleared out.

Set up the first isolation zone around the Abyss itself, and a second within one kilometer of the ship.

Ascalon and the elite operators will stay aboard on standby. I need all other personnel on board to temporarily leave the ship and prepare for countermeasures.

Amiya, you and Closure must leave temporarily as well. Be prepared to activate our contingency plans at any time to deal with unexpected situations.

How long do we have? A mass migration like this will be hard to get done in a short period of time.

Fifteen days.

During this period, you need to complete a full body data scan and comparative analysis, Dr. {@nickname}.

......;I'll get it done.

Dr. Kal'tsit, what is actually in the Abyss, anyway?

The beginning of everything, and the end of everything.

Kal'tsit, I want to go to the Abyss and see for myself.

Kal'tsit seems to know why you want to do this, and gives a slight nod.

Alright.

But please keep in mind: until we are fully prepared, we can conduct preliminary explorations on the periphery.

I'll be careful.

We can't go any deeper. I can't tell if getting closer to the core area of the Abyss will cause some unexpected changes.

We are still some distance from the actual Abyss. I also don't have permission to open the way to the Abyss.

I'm still trying, but to this point, I've made very little progress.

So you're saying this is where I first woke up on Terra?

Physically...? Yes, but your situation is a bit more... complicated than that.

Does coming here bring back any specific memories?

Is this some sort of test?;Is this some sort of joke?

Kal'tsit shakes her head.

I just want to confirm that you are in good health.

After withdrawing from Londinium, our operations in Trimounts and Milliarium inevitably forced us to confront the history of this land… and your history.

In the Originium Assimilated Universe, I caught a glimpse of my mission.

—The savior of this land.

—The destroyer of this land.

Kal'tsit, I cannot avoid it, nor do I have any reason to.

Doctor, I stopped questioning your resolve long ago—which is the only reason we're here now.

Kal'tsit, I have a theory about the true nature of the Abyss.

She is here.;Is Priestess here?

This is why you chose to leave Amiya and Closure out of this conversation.

I still haven't figured out how to tell them.;After all, I don't fully understand it yet, either.

Yes, but we would have had to prepare for it anyway, sooner or later.

Amiya is still young, but every new trial we face helps her mature a little bit as a leader.

You can always rely on Closure's knowledge and skill, and she's taking more responsibility over Rhodes Island as well.

They are all worthy of your trust and reliance. They will stand by your side for a long time to come.

Of course.;And so will you.

But right now, we need to figure out—

—What exactly is happening to PRTS.

Our experience in the Assimilated Universe left us with a many unanswered questions—and ever since Theresa and Theresis joined forces to seize the first Originium…

I've felt uneasy about what's to come.

Perhaps she had already awakened when Amnannam arrived.

But that was three years ago.

I cannot be completely certain.

It is very likely that Theresis used some method I cannot trace to cut off the controller from the Originium.

They delayed her arrival?

I'm afraid 'delayed' is not the most apt description for it.

Nonetheless, I must admit that they did something I never imagined they'd do, and, objectively speaking, they bought us more time.

However, we will eventually awaken from our beautiful dream.

It sounds like we have to open the Abyss.

Indeed. After all, PRTS is still operational to this day. Its core server and power sources are buried within the depths of the Abyss. We can't touch them or analyze them.

We can never be too cautious when dealing with such an unknown space.

I'll share everything I currently know about it with everyone involved in the operation.

Can I help you with anything?

No… For the version of you that exists now, even approaching these hazy fragments of the past takes a heavy toll, and right now, I have no way to help you shoulder that burden.

Go help Amiya and the others—leave the Abyss to me.

If you choose to trust me, that is.

Of course.

I just want you to know...

You're not alone here, Kal'tsit.

Thank you for your concern, {@nickname}.

...I understand.

Visitor: Kal'tsit

Hello, Kal'tsit, we meet again.

You look like you need my help.

I do.

Please search for a technical document, keyword 'Slumber Bridge'.

Are you still there?

I'm here.

Sorry, Kal'tsit, I still can't output the answer you're looking for.

You have crossed the line.

I know.

But we need it, 'Theresa'...

The evolution rate of Oripathy is accelerating, and the threat from Originium is increasing. Rhodes Island must find a more effective method to respond to it.

I get what you're saying, but I cannot provide what you're asking for, as your request violates the underlying logic of DWDB-221E.

But I do have a way to circumvent its limits, Kal'tsit.

'Deep Dive'.

'Universe'? 'Deep Dive'?

What you're saying and what I've seen.... it's all beyond my imagination.

I have just far too many questions and opinions about this Kingdom, but...

Language. Yours. Cannot describe. Mine. Cannot explain.

Commonality. Thought. Existence.