Chương 181: Chapter 61: “A Battle That Remains in History, and a Battle That Never Will”

After calming down a while later, Plato explained things to me while we were moving. He said the system was created mainly by the pro-war faction of that time. Therefore, they probably came up with the mechanism of a grand war simulation research using Natura and Humites, utilizing the vast amount of time until the planet recovered. A mechanism that makes one nauseous. To ensure the system functions soundly, an Administrator, an Observer, an Executor, and a Guardian were set up.

Plato was a special Natura created at that time as the Observer. He was given the role of discovering error factors that stopped obeying the system's commands and irregular factors like me, and reporting them to the system. However, although he was an existence merely faithful to his role at first, ironically, he himself eventually possessed a will of his own and became an error factor that transcended the compelling force to obey commands. The one created as the Executor is the Prelion.

As slaughter machines with no will of their own, they were entrusted with various dirty jobs. And they have a major role to activate all at once at the stage where one cycle of two hundred years in the war simulation ends, and finish the game. The current situation was exactly that. And Orted was the one responsible for the maintenance and management of the system core. He said the one we confronted earlier was a timed body "for outings," and the core has always remained in Estcage.

His original duty was to sit in Estcage where the system core exists and continue watching over it until the day the old humans returned. But in the end, the old humans perished on their own. Without a master to return, the system simply continued to exist for two thousand years. Baragion was the absolute and strongest Guardian. As long as that existed, it was impossible to stop the system.

Because when the system judged that a grave danger existed, it would activate it and execute an All Clear to annihilate the factor with overwhelming military force. Baragion is said to be the one machine left unrecovered by the Dyler Star System, used by modifying only its command system. Having fought it, I understand well now. Such a monster was helpless unless it was a guy with power like a FabL. There is a Natura stop command in the system for emergencies.

He says Natura that have stopped moving will never move again unless a restart command is issued. It wasn't enough just to destroy the system. Before that, we have to make it issue a restart command. But the system won't issue that command voluntarily. For that purpose, it is necessary to take Lilna to the system core. In short, that was the story. Of course, Orted will be standing in the way before that.

"It's a system that has been spreading malice for two thousand years. What dangers lie in connecting to it..."

"To think we have to rely on Lilna for the crucial part. It pains me." I couldn't help but wish I could take her place. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. The fate of this planet weighs heavily on her alone. Even so, she will go resolutely. She is that kind of person. So at least. I want to manage the path to get there.

"How do we get to Estcage?"

"If I recall correctly, there should be a spaceship... One just about the size for two people."

"I guess we can't go in a large group, huh." We can't rely on everyone's strength like we did with Baragion. No— As we walked, everyone's figures finally began to appear over there. When I saw that scene, I changed my mind. Everyone was convinced of victory. Some were hugging each other in joy, some were shouting and screaming. Some were sobbing with emotion, and some were weeping quietly. There is no longer despair there. No sense of crisis either. There was only joy and a sense of liberation.

Believing that "soon" all the Natura would start moving too, and everything would be resolved. They believe so. —That's right. In that case. Let them think so. Until the end. Baragion, the symbol of despair, has fallen. Prelions have also stopped moving. For everyone, the battle is over. No more sacrifices are needed. No one needs to get hurt anymore. Something that would cause those smiles to be lost must never happen again. This day will surely be a historic day for them.

A memorable day when this world finally became independent from the curse of the old era. —It should be so. It must be so. So. I will settle the rest with my own hands. No one needs to know about the battle from here on. Besides, the opponent is just one person too. No matter how strong, he is just a human, not a FabL. It is also a job left undone by Mom. I should finish it myself. Then. Perhaps having caught my life response. Lilna flew towards us first with fierce momentum.

"Plato! You...!" Recognizing his miserable state on my back, she opened her eyes wide in shock. Plato is turning his face away awkwardly. I pulled him down in front of her without question. To Plato who still couldn't look at her, Lilna hugged him tightly.

"You fool! To do something so reckless until you become like that...!" She must have guessed immediately from his personality. She puts strength into her arms with a face about to cry. Plato, after being surprised for a moment, let her do as she pleased with a solemn face.

"... Sorry. I'm sorry." When he said so in a clumsy tone as if finally squeezing it out. Lilna strengthened her arms even more, as if she would never let go.

"It's fine. You did well to come back alive..." Seeing the two hugging and rejoicing in their reunion, my chest became hot too. A while later, when Lilna finally let him go. The other members of Dielevats, who had stayed away reading the atmosphere, also came in droves. The first to jump in was Steargol. Suddenly, he punched Plato's head once with a Thwack. At the impact unleashed from the thick arm, Plato distorted his face without a voice. Since he didn't have an arm to hold it, he took it directly.

It looks very painful.

"I'll forgive you with this. Don't make the captain cry too much!" Gon, another heavy fist knuckle resounds further. This time it was Zeed.

"Me too while I'm at it. You big idiot." To finish it off, a harsh slap was also presented by Brinda.

"I'll forgive you with this." Receiving three hot scoldings suddenly, Plato had frozen completely looking foolish. Belatedly, he asked in a fearful voice.

"... You guys. Don't you... hate me...?"

"Fufu. He is saying similar things to me." Unable to bear it, Lilna laughs.

"Because. Back then, you didn't come to kill us no matter how much time passed." Right? Brinda tilted her head slightly to prompt agreement, and Zeed and Steargol nodded too.

"With that, even we guessed a little. Right?"

"We've known each other for quite a while, you know! You can't fool us! When you seriously try to kill, it's standard practice to snipe mercilessly!" Gahaha, Steargol laughs pleasantly. That brightened the atmosphere considerably. Haha. That's true too. The fact that they themselves are alive—once understood, it's obvious, isn't it. Plato looked down alone. He is enduring starting to "cry" miserably in front of everyone. It seems he was completely moved.

"Oh my. The Vice-Captain of Ice, what a state."

"This is something to see!"

"Yes. Through my eyes, I have saved it perfectly as a video!" To Brinda who said it sharply and quickly, Lilna smirked as if finding it amusing.

"Well done, Brinda. Let's tease him thoroughly with everyone next time."

"Hey... stop it...!" Everyone laughs loudly at Plato who retorts with a half-smile while crying.

'Good for him.'

'Yeah.' I'm really glad. That he has a place to return to properly. Although he can't fight anymore. No, he doesn't need to fight anymore. With this, his battle is finally over.

"Can we go over there for a bit? I have an important talk about what's next." I take Lilna to a place where there are no people. I told her almost everything I learned without hiding anything. For his honor, I kept it a secret only that Plato asked me "while crying." I know well that she has the strength to accept the truth. In fact, compared to when she thought she lost her comrades, she listened to the story quite calmly.

"To think I had such a significant role..."

"So, it seems you are the keystone."

"... Good grief. He's so reserved. That guy too." Lilna shrugged her shoulders slightly, saying "good grief."

"I'm sure I'll make you go through hard times."

"It's too late for that. If it can save Natura, I'll do it."

"I'll accompany you to the end too. Let's fight together." Then, Lilna sighed as if somewhat exasperated.

"Haa. You are, really..."

"What?"

"No—it was my creator's place, right?"

"Yeah. Let's go. To finish the work left undone."