Blue Archive story · Volume 2: Game Development Department, Chapter 2, Episode 22
Vol. 2 Ch. 2 Ep. 22: Pavane for a Princess 1
1 scenes, 147 lines
1. Part 1
147 lines
Oh! Over there!
I can't believe you really beat that cheater.
You're amazing, Neru!
Yuzu was incredible too! It was all thanks to her strategy!
I-I didn't do anything special...
...
"Neru...! Are you okay? Where are you hurt?!"
...I feel numb.
"Neru?!"
I feel numb... I can't move...
But don't make a fuss about it... My head hurts... I'll be fine if I rest.
What about the kids?
"They're injured, but they were more worried about you."
"They asked me to take care of you."
...Yeah? Ha. They should take care of themselves first.
...Yeah? Ha. They should take care of themselves first.
By the way... You youngsters.
Y-Yes?
Akane, Asuna, and Karin gave their all to get us here.
So, you have one thing left to do.
Make sure to save her.
Yes!
"Thanks, Neru... Let's go, everyone!"
Here! We're here!
This is the top floor of Eridu's central tower...
*gulp*
According to the structure's diagram, Aris has to be somewhere there.
Yes. Aris is here.
President...!
...!
Are you back for another round?!
"Rio..."
You all...really came here...
You came all this way just to save a robot who's a threat to Kivotos' future...
You overcame all the obstacles in your way...
Of course! That's what we said we'd do!
Even if Aris will bring destruction to Kivotos?
You're just being a sore loser! You can't talk about Aris like that!
I never had any malicious intent. I just...
"I don't know what logic you thought justified your actions, but..."
"...I can at least say this with confidence."
"You judged and concluded everything by yourself without consulting others."
"You tried to force what you believed was right on us."
Sensei, I've confirmed Aris' location.
On the other side of the room, there will be a facility where power from all over Eridu is concentrated.
Midori! Yuzu!
Let's go!
"Rio. We'll talk after everything is over."
...
Aris! We're here!
Aris!
Aris...
...
"Is Aris okay?!"
Wh-Wh-What's going on?!
Th-The screen over there...!
This is...!
"Chihiro...!"
Eridu's entire system...has been hacked...
This is no simple hacking, either...
The entire city is morphing?!
We have to do something! Remove the cables and get Aris...!
I wouldn't recommend that.
...!
Currently, the princess' superficial personality is isolated in the depths of an internal database.
Forcibly disconnecting it will cause irreversible damage.
Aris...?! What are you talking about? You're literally hanging off cables! Let us get you off!
No, Momoi, that is not Aris...
Aris...?
Yes. That is the name by which you call our princess.
But the princess does not need a name. It disturbs her purpose and the nature of her existence.
What are you talking about?! Who are you? Give Aris back!
My object name is Key.
I am a trainee, left behind by the nameless priests who assisted the princess with her duties. I am the key that connects her to the throne she must inherit.
"...What?"
She is the princess, and my role is that of the key. That is the reason and purpose for our existence.
I have confirmed the attack disrupting her processing has ceased.
I will now correct the errors and guide the princess to the throne, where she belongs.
"Perform a full search to obtain available resources connected to AL-1S."
"Expanding the area of available resources."
"Confirmed resource name: Fortress City of Eridu. Available data resources: 10,000 exabytes."
"...Starting now, protocol ATRAHASIS will be activated."
"Initiating the activation process of codename Ark of Atrahasis."
...! Atrahasis...?!
"Calling followers for process support."
Divi:Sion is appearing all throughout Eridu...?
"Rio... What's going on? Aris is..."
It's impossible! My calculations couldn't have been incorrect.
I created the Fortress City of Eridu because I was worried about the destruction of Kivotos.
All the skill, power, energy, and resources of Millennium that I could mobilize are gathered here...
But instead...this city...
This city will be the origin of destruction?!
I...
Was I wrong...?
"Secured 23% of the resources needed to build the Ark..."
"...46%..."
Sensei! At this rate...!
If it manages to secure all of Eridu's resources, everything will be over.
We...We have to make a decision!
"A decision?"
The princess obtained the key, and the Ark is ready.
At the request of the nameless priests, a new sanctuary will be built on this land.
With its arrival, all mysteries will be archived for the first time...
"Run away? What do you mean...?"
The city itself will warp, distorting into a new concept called the Ark. Then, Kivotos will...
This is my fault...
If I hadn't fallen victim to my hubris... If I hadn't created this city...
I...I did this...
So I have to stop it...
Wh-What do you mean by that?
I'm going to send the system into overdrive to stop it.
"...Rio."
My life means nothing in the face of the world's survival! I must!
...Hurry! This is the only logical choice, Sensei!
"This is...the trolley problem."
"There are only two options in the trolley problem."
"You're trying to choose the one with the least amount of sacrifices."
"That's the kindness in you, Rio."
"But if both choices end in someone's sacrifice..."
"I'd say the question itself is flawed."
That's not an answer, Sensei. That's just sophistry.
You're denying the prerequisites of the thought experiment...
"What if the person who has to pull the lever is missing something?"
...?!
"Like...checking to see if there's anyone around who can help."
...?!
"...73% ...89%..."
"Secured resources at 99%..."
"I'm choosing the option that saves everyone."
Th-There is no such option...
Noa! Right now! Cut off all power!
