Successor's Guiding Light

Hmph! Hiyah!

Hiyaaaah!

Phew...

Is it time for meditation?

Xinlu!

Xinlu was next to me before I even noticed.

You startled me.

Did I interrupt your training?

Xinlu's voice was clear and bright, like a cool breeze. The tension that had built up from the training began to settle.

The trial of the Successor is coming soon...

Yes.

The Successor... the tradition... the clan... It's all too much for me.

It's not like any of us has ever been to the home planet, right?

They say our clan has served the All-Seeing Exorcist, the ancient god, since the days when we were still living on our home planet.

The All-Seeing Exorcist was said to possess the power to drive away evil spirits and ward off calamity, keeping the village in peace for ages.

It is also said that even after the Chaos crisis, their power protected our clan and helped the newly completed Ark, the Empyrean, take flight.

That seems like a rather careless thing to say, Miss Successor Candidate.

Hehe. It's just between you and me.

The Successor.

A leader chosen by the All-Seeing Exorcist, wielding the powerful divine power of Fangxiang.

Even after leaving our homeland to settle in the Ark, the Successor still bears the weight of everything the clan stands for.

We can't leave the Successor's seat vacant any longer.

I believe you will lead the clan brilliantly, just like the previous Successor.

Xinlu!

We were childhood friends, and rivals.

The two of us came from distinguished families that had produced Successors time and again. Even from a young age, we had devoted ourselves to the training to become the Successor.

Without each other, we could never have endured such grueling training.

I want to help you once you become the Successor. The family will have plenty to say about that, of course...

I believe even in this vast universe, you can lead us and uphold the clan's principle without losing your way.

You have the skills.

Not to mention the unwavering Will.

What, are you trying to pass it off on me because you're not confident?

No, I'll give the trial everything I've got.

Even if I don't become the Successor, I want to earn the All-Seeing Exorcist's recognition... so that I can support you.

My most precious friend never clung to the title of the Successor.

But Xinlu is strong. Not just in skill, but as someone of great magnanimity, capable of embracing everyone.

Same for me.

Even if Xinlu gets chosen as the Successor...

No, perhaps someone like her is exactly what our clan needs.

Sometimes, in the middle of training, a sudden wave of anxiety washes over me.

I try not to let it show, but at times I feel as though I'm a twig on the verge of snapping.

Am I really qualified? Can I truly protect our clan and the Ark?

But I must never reveal those feelings.

It's fine. Once I calm my heart, this anxiety will soon fade away.

Fei?

It's nothing.

I brush off her concern with a smile.

Okay, then. Shall we go spar?

What was our score again?

Do you really have to ask that?

It really is nice having a Protos around...

I had heard the stories, but to think we could navigate the Chaos this easily...

Looks like there are still things to learn even at my age!

J-Just how old is she, exactly...?

I bet she's well over 100...

But when we first met her...

100 years old?! No way.

I'm forever 16!

...

Mika, Captain. I'll leave her to you.

I see the "Black Rose" feels a bit uncomfortable around the Elder.

Hmm? Why...?

I mean...

You always call me by name without hesitation. I appreciate that.

What a fine young man.

It always feels good to be seen as young.

Anyway, I'm nothing but grateful to you in many ways.

That whole Trauma Code thing...

Elaine told me the details while I was waiting.

It simulates the trauma from your memories to show you various possibilities, right?

You see...

She often wondered if things would have turned out better had Xinlu become the Successor back then.

It seems she kept dwelling on that thought.

But then she told me that even in the simulation, the only possible outcome was for her to become the Successor.

Life is full of countless choices.

Choose one, and you must let another go.

But when you start to feel like you made the wrong choice...

You can't help but linger on the road not taken.

That's why I'm grateful.

Thanks to you, Fei will make "the right choice."

But what is the right choice to begin with? Does a wrong choice even exist?

Of course, the possibilities left behind can never be reclaimed.

If I'm not mistaken, perhaps I could use "His" power to catch a glimpse of the discarded possibilities.

When that time comes, I'll make sure to have you accompany me...

Ruixiang grins slyly.

Refusal won't be an option, you see!

Who knows...?

You two get along really well...

I've finished the debriefing. That was quite tense, likely because this whole affair turned out to be a far bigger deal than expected.

The bounty on Fei has been formally withdrawn as well...

Thank you for mediating our relationship with Terrascion.

The Captain deserves more credit than I do.

I also learned a lot from watching you stay true to your beliefs until the very end. Thank you, Fei.

I was just doing my job back then!

Haha, you two are really close.

C-Captain!

The sky is so clear today.

With the murky clouds gone, the two proud Successors stand in plain sight.

The skies ahead will be clear and beautiful without a single cloud.

Ah, I see what you mean.

Thank you. Though it seems I'll have to stay on the run for a while longer.

Since I completely dismantled one of the Chaos Order's most powerful sects,

the bounty they've placed on my head has...

skyrocketed to a level comparable to Terrascion's.

Of course I am. Thanks to you, I've been reunited with Xinlu, and...

I'll be analyzing the data extracted from the Ark's wreckage to go find everyone.

And since there's a bounty on the Chaos Order too, if they come to me, it'll save me the trouble of tracking them down.

There's nothing but upside.

That's one of her greatest strengths.

I can put on a brave front when push comes to shove, but I'm actually quite easily shaken.

It's time to go.

Everyone, thank you so much for everything.

I won't forget the words you shared with me, Captain.

We owe you a great deal. Call on us anytime you need our help.

And here's the reward I promised.

Ruixiang reaches into her sleeve and pulls out a small chip, tossing it over.

I do hope it proves useful.

With beaming smiles, they set off toward their new home.

So this is...

the data on the native god.

Data collected since the Earth era... this is the finest research material imaginable.

To be honest, I was also quite interested in Ruixiang's customized android body, hehe...

Well then, shall we run an analysis?

Hm? What's this? A video file?

I'm sorry, Captain, but I'm afraid I cannot simply hand over our clan's treasures.

Please allow me to extend my apologies to Elaine as well, as she must have been looking forward to this.

......Hmm?

When working with me, you must never let your guard down until the very end.

But I wonder. Did you also see this coming, Captain?

I've prepared a different gift instead. I look forward to continuing to work with you.

...

...

......Sigh...

Hey... do you mind if I head back to my room and take some rest?

Oh, well. You're the one who did all the hard work, after all... Whatever this gift is, I hope you're happy with it...

Yeah...

Elaine opens the door and staggers out.

Well, then...

Allow me to show you the other secrets I hold.

The hologram dissolves into static, and a flood of data washes over the screen.

The methods the Chaos Order used to destroy the Ark, the factions that aided them, and even information on other Arks they're targeting...

Fei... Though she hides her true self behind a mask of infamy and walks a path cloaked in darkness,

she has never lost the radiant light within her soul.

I hope we can meet again beneath a clear, open sky...

Captain?

Captain?

What are you staring at?

Huh? An assignment request?

Let's see...

Client name: Ruixiang. Before my android body reaches the end of its lifespan, I would very much like to visit my hometown.

But that hometown has been completely swallowed by Chaos...

That's a touching story, but...

I don't think someone can just afford to hire us like that.

She can provide whatever we want depending on the negotiation?

Captain.

Don't tell me you're actually going to accept such a suspicious assignment...

You think you can just take cheese from a mousetrap and walk away?

You're not wrong, but...

Sigh... I'll call Tressa and Mika.

I'm getting too soft.

Grumbling, Renoa immediately called the agents and prepared to head out.

Going out of her way to call us to the neutral zone...

I've got a bad feeling about this...

Oh! I forgot. I left my pudding on the table...

That is truly unfortunate...

It'll probably have gone bad by the time we get back, right...?

...Am I the only one who's on edge here?

You must be from the SS Nightmare, right?

?!

Tressa. Mika.

At a single word from Renoa, Tressa and Mika immediately prepared for battle.

There's no need to be on guard. My body is not equipped with any combat capabilities.

You think we shouldn't be on guard against someone who appeared without a sound?

Just as I expected from the "Black Rose." You're far more capable than the rumors suggest.

Of course, Captain.

Allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Ruixiang. As you can see, I'm an android.

I see you have a very keen eye as well, Captain.

But what could I, a mere girl, could possibly do against elite agents?

I came here to negotiate the assignment, nothing more.

As I told you in the email, I would like you to escort myself and one companion to my hometown, which has been swallowed by Chaos.

As for the reward, we can provide...

You mean...

You don't need enough Units to perform a full maintenance on the SS Nightmare,

nor do you need these rare minerals that are gaining attention as a new energy source.

And the same goes for all the other things we offered... Is that right?

I see you came here believing I have a hidden card up my sleeve.

I thought the negotiation would go smoothly at the very least...

Fine, it seems I'll have to play my last card.

Would it be possible to get in touch with Miss Elaine?

What's your angle?

I simply want someone present who can appreciate the value of my hidden card.

Understood.

What's with the sudden call? Weren't you supposed to be meeting the client today?

Greetings, Elaine. My name is Ruixiang.

An android...? And a fully customized one at that? Just how much did you spend on that body?

My body is rather special, you see.

The finest technology of the time was used to push both the artificial brain and memory systems to their absolute limits.

Ruixiang, was it? What was the reason for going that far?

This dear little android body was created to hold all the data of our clan,

who have worshipped their god from the distant days of Earth up to the present.

A native deity? And from the days of Earth, no less?

Indeed. A "Successor" would be chosen to commune with the god and lead our clan.

I am the history of our clan itself.

I can't believe it... Just how much data is in there...? Incredible...

If you accept the assignment, I will provide you with a copy of that data.

For real?

Captain, please say yes, quickly!

You know as well as I do. Most of humanity's ancient civilization was lost as we boarded the Arks and fled Earth.

And data related to spiritual culture is especially valued, to the point that it led to a new interstellar treaty mandating its excavation, protection, and preservation...

If we analyze this data and incorporate it into the Zero System, it'll result in entirely new variables!

Captain? You're going to accept this, right?

I knew she would recognize the value of my data!

Isn't this more than enough, Captain?

...

Then what if I flip over our cards and show you what lies beneath...?

One can never be too cautious.

But when you're negotiating with someone who has nothing left to lose, such quality can be an opening to exploit.

Come on out.

You called?

Fei, I think it would be best if you joined the negotiation from here on. These guys are no ordinary bunch.

Fei...? Did you just say Fei...?!

Without hesitation, Renoa points her gun at the woman stepping out of shadows.

Why would the key person of interest in the Ark crash incident be here?!

As everyone was stunned in disbelief, Fei simply smiled quietly.