Chương 154: Chapter A-8:”Dark Clouds over Eln Continent 2″

Witnessing the death of Tranity, Lilna was about to storm into the Hundred Machine Council alone. The roughness of her gait clearly showed her regret and anger. Not everything has been revealed yet, but the Hundred Machine Council plays a part in the mastermind manipulating Natura. There was no doubt about that anymore.

"Unforgivable. Hundred Machine Council. I'll give you the coup de grace directly with these hands!" Passing through layers of security, she rushed into the Assembly Hall. Immediately transforming her right hand into a gun barrel, aiming at the main computer.

"Target Lock-on. Energy filling start. 10————" The muzzle fills with brilliant light blue.

"30————50%." There, No. 1 —the head model of a young woman appeared unsteadily yura-yura. She asks Lilna in a cold tone with no vitality as usual. As if not caring at all about being attacked. 『What is the matter, Lilna. Pointing such a dangerous thing. 』"I ask you. Depending on your attitude, I'll shoot right now." 『Haven't you disposed of the Humite King yet? What happened to the Irregular Factor. Go immediately. 』 Feeling irritated that the conversation didn't mesh, Lilna questions with a resolute attitude.

"Using Natura, what are you trying to do? Answer!" No. 2 —a young man's voice resounded. 『This won't do. You seem quite confused. Need repair at the Central Factory. 』 『Abnormality is observed. 』 『Go fix it right now. Lilna. 』 『That's right. 』 To the blaming voices flying from here and there, Lilna strengthened her indignation even more.

"I know. You'll reattach the CPD, right? Manipulate us like that and make us kill each other with Humites! Enough with the farce. Say it! What is the purpose!" 『... You seem to have learned what you shouldn't have known. 』 No. 1's disappointed voice echoed and wrapped the Assembly Hall. 『You knew too much. 』 『Knew too much. 』 『Knew too much. 』 Endlessly eerie voices repeat. Lilna felt a slight indescribable fear, but strengthened vigilance with the muzzle firmly pointed. Eventually, No. 1 answered quietly.

『Everything is for Natura. 』"For Natura!? Where is it!" 『We are responsible for the prosperity of Natura... Management... Pii, gaga... Foolish and ignorant Lunatura... Execute management and test, Natura no Natura no...... 』 Pigaa... gagga... Suddenly, a strange noise occurred. One hundred image models collapse one after another.

"What!?" Instead, a single, inorganic mechanical voice resounded." Determine this person as an Error Factor. Order all Natura, Eliminate Eliminate Eliminate Eli—""Yo, u... Don't underestimate me! The one to be eliminated is you!" Putting maximum anger, she finally released it." 《Selphanon》—Fire!" Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Heat waves and light fill the room. The ray magnificently pierced the ruler wrapped in a thick metal box.

Opening a large hole in the wall of the building as it is, flying to the other side of the sky. And, at that moment—. Two streaks of blue rays pierced Lilna's body. She shifted the hit point on the spur of the moment. But because her consciousness was directed to the attack, she couldn't dodge completely. The rays penetrated accurately right next to the Power Reactor and around the left hip. Without knowing what happened, she falls on her knees on the spot. That was a considerably important part for her.

Only while shooting 《Selphanon》, 《Deatress》 becomes invalid. Striking that gap, and how she would try to avoid it. It was an attack calculating up to that point. A feat that can only be done by someone who knows her structure and movement inside out. No way. When she looked back, she was stunned. There was the man she least wanted to believe was there." Plato... Why..."

"If we fight properly, I can't match you at all but... Only one point, in taking by surprise, I am superior to you."

"Why...!? You, why..." Lilna's eyes sway with intense confusion. Still, she stood up and drew 《Inclear》. Plato continues ignoring her question. Keeping the muzzle of the beam rifle straight at her Power Reactor.

"Seems you dodged the vital point but... I destroyed the 《Deatress》 Generator and 《Thrupter》. In that state where defense and mobility are reduced, even you have no chance of winning against me. Even this me is a special make like you."

"What, are you saying... Plato. You're joking, right? Tell me it's a lie..." However, the word joke did not come out of his mouth. Looking at the metal scrap that was the Hundred Machine Council, which was destroyed messily and is just raising smoke now. He muttered coldly.

"You did it flashily. But... even doing this, it just changes the schedule a little. It's too late. Lilna."

"Too late, you say. Don't bluff. The source is in this state." Plato shook his head quietly.

"You misunderstand. Lilna. The Hundred Machine Council is just a decoration... Such a thing is merely a management report machine for Natura."

"What?"

"Something like a Mother Computer is, after all, a far outdated concept... Leaving all management collectively to a single system that is just huge is too vulnerable as a system. Ridiculous..." Certainly so. Lilna herself also had doubts about the outdated system. Again, confronted with a surprising truth.

"Naturally, there are multiple backups in the system. Mutually coordinating, and what is lacking is immediately supplemented by others. Lilna. You merely destroyed only one of them."

"... What is the system? How much do you know?" Plato didn't answer. Sighing deeply, changing the topic abruptly.

"Do you remember, Lilna. Twenty years ago, when I 『Found』 you who were sleeping." Lilna trembled her shoulders in indignation. Why say that now, at this timing!

"Yeah. I remember. I remember well! I knew nothing but the mission to protect Natura, and it was you who taught me everything hand and foot!"

"And I placed you, who are superior in performance to anyone else, as the Captain of the newly established Dielevats. I myself supported you from behind as Vice-Captain. Right?"

"From that time... from the beginning, all along... Did you deceive me all along! Plato!"" Yeah... I was deceiving you." To the clear words of affirmation, Lilna felt dizzy. What she has believed all along until today collapses making a sound gara-gara. She almost loses composure due to various emotions welling up, but still, she was suppressing agitation desperately. The corner of her mouth is tightened kyu-tto.

"Originally, you, a heritage of the old civilization, were subject to disposal as soon as discovered. It is this me who found a glorious path for such you. I'm troubled if you forget... that favor."

"I see... Under the guise of inspection, at that time... You installed the CPD. Even fake memories..." She grinds her teeth. Frustration and anger burn.

"You utilized the mission imposed on me well. Calling that a favor... Don't mess with me!"

"But, it was fun, right? The days of illusion." Lilna couldn't deny it. Concluding Humites as enemies, to protect Natura. The days fought through with comrades. Certainly fulfilling. It was fun. Until knowing that the premise is all fake! Humiliation, anger, and regret rushed all at once. To her looking down dropping her helplessly clenched fist, Plato. Gently extends the hand that is not the gun—the left hand.

"It's not too late even now. Take this hand. Forget everything unnecessary."

"You..." Lilna raised her face and stared at Plato's face. For some reason only at this time. His eyes seemed to contain mercy without lies.

"Leave everything after to me. You can still... start over." But Lilna never nodded. Instead, replies by glaring at him. In her eyes, the will of denial was clearly hidden.

"There was a trace shot through the head with a gun. Was it you who killed Tranity?"

"... She knew too much. Even though she was a good guy."

"Enough. Enough already..." She hung her head powerlessly and shook her head two or three times. And when she looked at him again, there was no hesitation in her eyes anymore.

"I am the one who protects and leads Natura. Those who trampled on our free will and used us. I will never forgive."

"I see... Too bad." Plato's beam rifle breathed fire. Instantly, Lilna uses 《Passtrive》 and overtakes him at once. Tried to escape by jumping down from the large hole opened by 《Selphanon》. In a state where defense system and mobility system are damaged, and further violently agitated.... As he says. She judged that there is no chance of winning against him in perfect condition as expected. Frustrating, but ignoring him in this place, focus only on escape.

That she, who can make calm situational judgments, would do so first. Plato, who understood it through long association, muttered without any agitation.

"Do you intend to struggle endlessly? Everyone. Even though I say it's useless..." He saw off her fleeing back figure with a helpless feeling. And immediately issued a notice to capture her as a Traitor.