Chapter 54: The Reconvergence of Two Seats of Power
『 "What, what's going on?!!!! WHY DID THESE MACHINES SUDDENLY EXPLODE—HELP ME!!!" Heric screamed, staring at the mechanical constructs detonating all around him.
"Just as I thought… It's exactly like the rumors I heard in the past. This is your true nature, isn't it?" Veronica said, gazing at the rampaging Seed.
"A monster that destroys everything it touches. You've finally unleashed that devilish, special ability of yours! If you intend to kill me along with them, then hurry up and do it. I have nothing left to lose!"
"Seed, what's gotten into you! Calm down, make all of this stop!" Belle yelled at Seed, cupping her hands around her mouth like a megaphone.
"..."
Seed offered no reply, though the sound of her pained, choked sobs drifted through the air.
"Have you forgotten what we said? You told me that we just need to move faster. As long as their speeds are different, two dots on a circle will eventually meet!"
Upon hearing this, the frequency of Seed's gasping and sobbing intensified.
"Look at the cockpit you're in. Think about the flowers you both planted—those are all memories of you and Seed Sr.! In some form, he has always been by your side… don't look away!"
"...I..."
The colossal, oppressive machine roared as it charged toward Veronica. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the finale.
…A warm, damp sensation landed on her arm. Was it blood?
"Seed Sr., am I dying by your hand… Compared to being caught in the blast, I suppose this is a decent enough end…"
...
[Why… am I not dead yet?]
As this question surfaced in her mind, Veronica opened her eyes.
The Seed Sr., piloted by Seed, was clutching an Ethereal, its back turned toward Veronica.
Seed spoke up: "When you're in the Hollow, never close your eyes."
"You must watch out for Ethereals that appear at any moment."
In this instant, in Veronica's eyes, Seed completely merged with Seed Sr., even their familiar yet strange voices overlapping into one.
"Seed? Is… is that you, Seed? Have you returned?"
"I am Seed. Is something the matter?"
"No, I'm not talking about you…" Veronica shook her head, then looked at the Seed before her.
"…I see. The one who saved me wasn't him… it was you… the you who was just rampaging moments ago…"
"If you're referring to the phenomenon that caused those machines to explode, it has already ceased. The Proxy reminded me of some ways to alleviate fear… so, I'm afraid I've disappointed you, Doctor."
"...Why didn't you kill me?" Veronica asked, weeping.
"I am a soldier. A soldier's weapon is only ever pointed at the enemy," Seed replied softly. 』
『 ....』
〘Hanabi〙: Ethereal: You're so noble! You're so magnificent! Can't you just give me a quick end?
〘Stelle〙: Pfft, it was such a touching scene, and you had to go and make it 'Elation.'
〘Sampo〙: That is what a Fool does, isn't it?
....
『 Upon hearing this, Veronica drew a long, ragged breath and said nothing more.
After disposing of the Ethereal in her grip, Seed emerged from within Seed Sr.
Veronica struggled to her feet and murmured, "Is it… over?"
"Everything I planned, everything I possessed… it has all vanished into smoke…"
Seed did not reply.
"Seed, are you okay? Have you come back to your senses?" Belle stepped forward, concerned.
Seed still did not reply.
"I will report everything that happened today to my superiors. My conspiracy, the machines spiraling out of control, the loss of property… everything except for Seed's rampage," Veronica stated.
"I, I will too! I won't go spouting nonsense! I'll go turn myself in to the Public Security Bureau obediently!" Heric immediately chimed in from the side.
"Perhaps, from the very beginning, this entire affair was a mistake through and through," Veronica sighed.
"I'm sorry, Seed… Regarding the secret of Seed Sr., I will provide you with an explanation. But please forgive me… I just want to be alone for a while."
Veronica limped away, and Heric followed sheepishly behind her.
Turning back to look at Seed, her lips still held a smile, yet it seemed to hide an imperceptible tremor.
The moment the two of them vanished from view, that smile finally dissolved into endless unease.
"Proxy, please tell me…" Seed looked at Belle and pleaded in a low voice.
"The doctor said…"
"Seed Sr. will never come back… is that true?"
A trace of a sob laced Seed's voice.
"Seed…" Belle looked at the sorrowful Seed before her, her heart aching.
"I understand… Proxy, let's go back."
Seed feigned her usual demeanor as she spoke to Belle.
Belle nodded in silence. Seed returned to the Safehouse, and Belle returned to Random Play. She wanted to give Seed a night to calm down before seeking her out the next day. 』
『 ....』
〘Dan Heng〙: Since Seed Sr. is indeed dead, then who sent the previous Knock-Knock message?
〘Trigger〙: We have investigated this matter… well, we haven't found the answer yet.
〘Kiana Kaslana〙: Don't leave people hanging like that.
....
『 Early the next morning, Belle arrived at Seed's Safehouse.
Seed shook her phone excitedly and asked Belle, "Proxy, this wasn't arranged by you, was it?"
Belle looked at the phone screen, and the Knock-Knock interface appeared before her eyes. It was—a message from Seed Sr.!
"To write such a long paragraph… it really isn't his style," Seed said, putting her phone away.
"Wait… how can this be! Is this really Seed Sr.'s account?" Belle asked, disbelieving.
(But Magus and Trigger said that outsiders couldn't access Seed Sr.'s account. Could he really…)
"Authentic, I assure you. Come to think of it, Proxy, you look quite flustered. Is something wrong?" Seed asked.
"Surely no hacker would dare breach a military officer's Knock-Knock account… could it have been you, Proxy?"
"No… not at all!" Belle denied it decisively.
"In that case, we can prepare the next cup of plant juice… Proxy, you are one of the ingredients as well."
"If I'm one of them, there must be others, right?" Belle asked.
"Correct. Calculating the time, she should be arriving about now~" Seed nodded.
No sooner had she spoken than a familiar figure appeared at the door.
"Doctor, you look in good spirits," Seed greeted Veronica.
"Veronica… I didn't expect to see you again…"
"One must take responsibility for one's own mistakes. After the last incident, I turned myself in to the military… before leaving, I was granted a chance for an outside visitation," Veronica explained.
"I am not happy to see you, Seed."
"The feeling is mutual, Doctor."
"Hmph, still as insufferable as ever… but I think it's time to return to you what Seed Sr. entrusted to my care."
Veronica handed a data card into Seed's hand.
"This records a coordinate from the Hollow Zero eleven years ago. Seed Sr. told me that it was there he saved you. If he hid any other secrets, I believe they must be there," Veronica explained.
"At the time, I couldn't understand it. The Obol Squad had so many people better suited to keep it, so why did he entrust this secret to me in the end…"
"Now, I think I understand. He knew I wouldn't be able to resist observing you, testing you… Only I would be the one unwilling to let you live such an ignorant and carefree life."
"This coordinate is the thing I needed to hand over to you after I thoroughly shattered your beautiful life. He predicted it… that my actions would also become a part of your growth."
"Thank you, Doctor."
"But I do not thank you, Seed. I once hated you. You destroyed those intelligent constructs, stealing their last shred of hope… You completely ruined my unrealistic fantasies."
"You tore away my facade, forcing me to realize that what I cherished was merely a false life. I longed for them to come back to life, yet I couldn't accept the reality that they had long since died."
Having said this, Veronica offered a self-deprecating smile. "But more pathetically, when my friends vanished from my sight for good, I realized I could no longer maintain my hatred for you… What I felt was, in fact, a relief that terrified me to my core."
"You are the brave soul embarking on a journey… I am the coward fleeing from the truth. I truly hate to admit it… But when you saved me, I did indeed see the shadow of Seed Sr. in you."
"Doctor, I promise you, when I see Seed Sr., I will tell him every word you've said, exactly as you've said it," Seed said to Veronica, solemnly.
"So many people were missing him after all…"
"Don't do anything superfluous… Regardless, I wish you the courage to face the truth. Goodbye, Seed."
With that, Veronica left without looking back. 』
『 ....』
〘Seed〙: The truth… is drawing near…
〘Belle〙: Yes. Let's keep watching, Seed. Once we're done, we'll set off for those coordinates too.
〘Magus〙: What do you mean by 'you'? It's all of us! Don't you dare leave the Captain behind!
....