GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE story · Event stories
SIN EDITOR
15 scenes, 1,313 lines
1. The Memory of that Day
44 linesThis is a punishment.
A punishment handed down to me.
That is all.
Now, moving on.
We will begin with the judgment of two Nikkes affiliated with the Best Seller squad,
Arcana and Phantom.
...
...
First. Failure to comply with security protocols pertaining to unauthorized information.
Second. Attempting to conceal the matter without properly assessing the severity of the issue.
Third. Unauthorized access to information that could disrupt order within the Ark.
An investigation into past cases identified two precedents with a 65% similarity.
Both cases resulted in identical rulings.
Accordingly, the judgment is rendered as follows.
Phantom and Arcana, members of the Best Seller squad,
will undergo memory wipes.
!!
This concludes the judgment.
Next, for the remaining Nikke,
we will proceed with the judgment of Label.
First. Failure to comply with security protocols pertaining to unauthorized information.
Second. Providing sensitive information to an unauthorized individual for personal reasons.
Third. Exposing highly sensitive information based on personal judgment,
thereby compromising security and stability within the Ark.
An investigation into past cases was conducted based on the above findings.
As no identical precedents were found, judgment was rendered at our discretion. The ruling is as follows.
Label's status is to be maintained.
?!
This concludes the proceedings.
Enikk, w-wait a minute!
L-logically speaking, shouldn't I receive the harshest punishment...?
I... I was the one who committed the gravest offense...
So why is my status not affected?
If all of your memories were to be erased,
there is concern that a similar incident could recur in the future.
I have determined that preserving the memory of this incident is the best course of action to prevent recurrence.
...!
This, too, is a form of punishment, Label.
From this point forward, you are to preserve these memories,
and devote yourself to ensuring such an incident never happens again.
Back then, I had no idea.
That having to bear those memories alone,
rather than having them wiped,
was a punishment far greater than any other.
2. The Third Member: A
98 linesIn the dead of night, when everyone should be fast asleep...
*Scratch, scratch*
*Scratch, scratch, scratch*
Ugh...
I guess two nights in a row was pushing it after all...
*Drip, drip*
I haul myself up and make a cup of coffee,
skimming through a few documents piled up beside me.
"Resource Collection Mission Interim Report"
"Quarterly Resource Supply Overview"
"Resource Supply Plan Performance Report"
"Resource Supply Status Analysis No. 49"
*Sigh*
Seeing the towering stacks of documents is enough to make my head spin.
If only someone would just fall out of the sky and lend me a hand...
...
Yeah, right. Like that'll ever happen.
Hehe, very well.
I shall grant you your wish.
?
*Thud*
H-huh?
Ugh—aaah!
*Crash*
Ow... my back.
I've gotta be more careful when I use Quency's routes next time.
One small mistake can lead to an accident like this...
Phantom...?
Oh, it's been a while, Monsieur.
What are you doing here in the middle of the night...?
I was passing by your room along my route,
when I heard your heavy sigh.
How could I ignore such a cry for help?
...
Well, the truth is...
I briefly explain my current predicament to Phantom.
Why's that?
It just so happens that the phantom thief standing before you
is rather skilled at organizing documents!
Ahh... I see.
No, it's not that.
I just find it fascinating that a phantom thief can be skilled at writing, too.
Come to think of it, Phantom's day job is a librarian.
She would definitely be a huge help with handwritten work.
All right, then. Would you help me?
Hehe, just the words I've been waiting to hear.
Now then, Monsieur.
Prepare to witness, with your very own eyes,
the information-processing prowess of Phantom!
*Scratch, scratch*
*Rustle*
*Scratch, scratch, scratch*
*Rustle*
Oooh...
*Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch*
Phantom unleashes her abilities and clears the mountain of paperwork in no time.
Y-you're amazing...
Hehe, it's still too early to be surprised by this.
Hang around me long enough, and there'll be plenty of surprises in store.
I'm starting to see you in a new light.
Thank you so much.
...!
A-ahem!
Well, if you ever find yourself in need of assistance again, you know who to call.
*Flutter*
Well, I should get—
At that very moment...
*Flutter*
One of the documents she organized flies toward me.
?
"Surphase Resourse Exploretion Repport"
Writen by: Comendor
!!!
Encounttured a low-level Reptore during the explouresion on the surphase.
Scud Nikkae demage rate: Below 5 purcent.
Relavent data secoured, ramainning hustile fources elimanited.
Resaource reacovely targot: 25% of requastted qota.
Oh no...
I was so overjoyed at the prospect of getting help and forgot one crucial fact.
Phantom is an absolute menace at spelling.
Take a look at this.
And so, Phantom departs after correcting every document with me.
After submitting the paperwork, I fall into an unusually deep sleep.
3. The Third Member: B
69 linesUgh...
So sweaty...
The unpleasant feeling of being drenched snaps me awake.
!
H-how long did I sleep...?
I hurriedly grab my phone to check the time.
I've slept half the day away.
*Sigh*
I throw myself back onto the bed.
With half-lidded eyes, I stare at my phone.
Out of habit, I open the news app.
As I scroll through several articles,
my finger stops at one headline in particular.
!
"90% of Surface Resource Recovery Target Achieved"
"An Astonishing Achievement Led by the Ark's Commanders"
The article states that all the commanders who participated in the recovery operation
secured over 90% of their resource targets, achieving remarkable results.
...
Something isn't right here.
In the most recent mission, we didn't even reach half our target...
Come to think of it, since the start of these resource recovery operations,
the targets have been unreasonably high, nearly impossible to achieve.
I have a bad feeling about this...
To alleviate my growing sense of unease,
I send a message to a certain librarian who works where all of the Ark's information is gathered.
...
I should head there for now.
I leave the Commander's Room and head deep into the library.
After passing through a maze-like series of corridors,
I arrive at the coordinates Phantom sent me, only to find...
It's a door.
But not the automatic doors commonly seen in the Ark.
It is an old hinged door with a peephole.
...
Is Arcana not here yet?
I try sending Arcana a message, but there's no reply.
... What do I do now?
Right then...
*Flash*
The lens of the peephole glints.
...?
It feels like something is watching me...
*Knock, knock*
...
Is anyone there?
*Knock, knock, knock*
...
... I guess no one's around?
There is no sign of life inside the room.
...
Just to be sure, I try to peer through the peephole.
Hmm...
The peephole is designed to look outward from inside the room, so it's hard to make out much.
But one thing is certain.
There's something purple on the other side.
Well?
See anything?
Hold on.
I think I can make out something...
Ah, I see.
Take all the time you need to look.
I'll wait right beside you.
Sure, thanks.
...
?!
Arcana?!
4. Beyond the Door: A
90 linesWhat in the world are you doing?
I haven't seen you in ages, and when I do, you're peeking into another girl's room?
I-I can explain!
...
Phantom said you'd be able to help me if I showed up here.
You didn't read the message I sent you earlier.
Did you check your phone?
My phone...?
*Slide*
!!
Oh my.
That's a lot of missed calls and messages...
I must've set my phone to silent when I went to sleep and forgot about it.
Well, at least you checked it now.
Uh-huh.
So, to sum things up,
the news report does't match what you submitted in your report,
and you want to meet Label to get to the bottom of it.
Is that right?
Yup, that's exactly right.
You too?
We're in the same squad, but she rarely shows her face.
It'd be nice if the three of us in Best Seller could stick together,
but since that rarely happens, it can feel a bit lonely at times...
At any rate, since you're here as well,
we definitely have to meet Label today!
Do you have a plan?
Operation Enticement?
Arcana tiptoes up to Label's door.
*Pour*
She fills the cup she's holding to the brim with coffee.
*Plop*
She sets it down in front of the door and steps aside.
...?
What are you doing?
...
Arcana?
*Creeeak*
!
The old door opens with an unpleasant groan.
*Whoosh*
A thin pale hand slips out through the crack and snatches the coffee.
*Thud*
... Did you see that?
So she really was inside...
I told you, didn't I?
I've observed her for a long time.
Label only reacts to a few specific types of bait.
So!
I came prepared with my secret weapon today.
Oh?
*Slide*
Arcana pulls out a book with a strangely reddish hue.
Ta-da!
What is that?
"Hot, Blind Impulses: Flagrant Displays"
I've got a hot-off-the-press new release.
I wonder if anyone wants it?
At that moment, movement stirs behind the door.
I guess it's too bad if you're not interested.
Looks like I'll have to return it to the restricted section.
This new release was banned in the Ark for being too explicit.
!!!
...
Arcana grabs the doorknob.
*Rattle, rattle*
If you'd like, I could come inside and give you a tiny peek...
*Rattle*
*Creeeeak*
5. Beyond the Door: B
150 linesOnce upon a time.
A very long time ago.
In a dark, damp room that reeks of mold.
There lives a girl.
...
The girl loves staying in her room so much
that she shuts herself inside and lives there.
Then, one day,
the girl stumbles upon an article about a man.
The Ark's hero,
and its hope.
A beacon of light, someone who reaches out a hand to every Nikke.
Wow...
Wanting to know more about him,
the girl scours all the information in the world to learn more.
He turns out to be even more incredible than she imagines.
The more the girl investigates,
the deeper she falls for him.
Wow...
She wonders if, someday, he might take her out of this place too.
Would he extend his hand even to someone who had locked herself away in her room?
And so, holding onto that hope,
the girl begins waiting for him every single day.
Days become weeks.
Weeks become months.
One year become two.
But the girl never gives up.
A lot of time goes by,
yet whenever the girl thinks of that man,
a bright smile spreads across her face.
*Knock, knock*
Is anyone there?
*Knock, knock, knock*
... I guess no one's around?
An adult man's voice, utterly out of place, echoes from outside the eerie confines of the girl's room.
The girl hurriedly peers outside through the peephole.
...!
Could this be fate?
Though she has never seen his face nor heard his voice before,
she knows it instinctively.
... I found you.
He has come to find her.
Ah-ha...
Just as I predicted.
The one I dreamed of...
has finally come.
He's come to take me away from this dark place.
He has come all this way, for me!
That's right, Label.
I'll get you out of this dark place.
...
... What?
He could never have said such a thing, you say?
No.
The girl hears it clearly.
His voice...
*Step, step*
!!!
The man who lingers by the door begins walking toward the girl.
Before she knows it, separated only by the door,
they find themselves face to face.
You must have suffered all these years.
*Clink*
The man places a cup of coffee in front of the door for the girl
and shows her the book she has wanted most.
*Screeeech*
!
...
In that moment, Label sees it.
The light pouring out from behind the man,
and the man standing before her...
Ah... Ahhhh...
*Swoosh*
!!!
Y-you have?
Hehe... there's no need to be embarrassed.
I know everything about you.
Even the fact that you came all the way here to find me...
You're not too far off the mark, but...
Ah-ha... I knew it...!
I knew my instincts were right!
Can you see it...?
This thick, crimson thread that binds us together...?
...
*Sniff, sniff*
*Sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff*
Ah, you smell amazing.
You even wore cologne for me?
Or is that your natural scent?
Hehe, I like it either way.
*Sigh* You're perfect...
Hehe...
...
I steady Label on her feet as she clings to me.
L-let's just calm down first.
I... I...
Hehe, it's been so long since we met... no wonder you're flustered.
Are you worried things might be awkward between us?
Well, don't worry.
I've come to brighten your day!
I will tear down the walls you've built up around...
*Thud*
... yourself.
...
I honestly don't know...
Her reaction does seem pretty strange.
I think I need to get to know Label a little more.
...
All right... I'll leave it to you.
I'd love to help, but if I stick around, she'll just stay like that forever.
I get it.
Label seems friendly toward me, so it shouldn't be too difficult to approach her.
Hehe, all right.
I trust you've got this covered.
Just don't get too close, or I might get jealous.
Okay?
6. Tea Party: A
35 linesA few days after meeting Label...
Is it already tomorrow...?
I've cleared my schedule so I can head back to the library.
As I ponder how to approach Label...
*Buzz*
*Buzzzz*
?
*Buzz, buzz, buzz*
Who'd be texting me at this hour...?
...
*Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz*
!!!
What in the world?!
...
I've got a bad feeling about this...
but I should get some sleep and get ready for tomorrow.
Ahh, yes. A very elegant room, with a great atmosphere.
There's food I brought from my room...
And then,
the highlight of the tea party.
Me!
Hehe... Th-this is perfect.
I-I prepared so much...
He'll love it, right...?
I set this all up for him myself, after all.
*Knock, knock, knock*
*Creeeak*
?
Is this the right place...?
Hehehehe...
!!
Hehehe... Welcome...
7. Tea Party: B
107 lines...?
I thought you said we'd be somewhere elegant with a great atmosphere...
I look around.
We're in a space that's closer to a storage room than an actual room.
Dusty boxes are piled up everywhere,
and on top of them sits the food Label prepared.
...
Ah... I've always wanted to do this.
A tea party together with the one I love...
Hehehe. I'm not the only one who's happy right now, am I...?
You're happy too, right?
... Yeah, I'm happy too.
Hehehehe...
I knew you'd say that.
Oh! R-right.
You... you gave me a drink last time.
It's time I return the favor.
*Pour*
*Click*
What's this?
It's a special coffee brewed by me... I think?
...
The coffee Label serves me looks unusually thick.
... All right.
*Glug, glug*
!!!
The liquid that touches my tongue carries none of the familiar fragrance of coffee.
Instead, a strong, fishy bitterness overwhelms me.
There's a good chance it's past its expiration date...
Ugh...
Label looks at me expectantly.
...
*Gulp*
With great effort, I manage to choke down the coffee.
Uh... Umm...
It tastes incredible...
And so the tea party begins.
I spend time with Label, waiting for the right moment to ask her some questions.
Is it okay if I ask you something?
Something like that.
You live in the library, right?
Then what kind of work do you do?
Yeah, I'm suddenly curious.
...
Y-you could say I keep records of the information in the library.
Hehe... I-it's nothing important.
You don't need to concern yourself with it...
...
A-anyway...!
Would you... like to try my favorite cookies?
Hehehe... I'm sure you'll feel great once you have a taste.
The cookies look awfully dark.
... Label's heart still seems closed for now.
At this point, I need to find a way to put her at ease.
A few days later...
...
H-he's not here yet, is he...?
Hehe... Well then...
That jacket Commander left behind last time...
I'll just use it until the end of this week, then return it...
*Sniff, sniff* *Sniff, sniff, sniff*
Hehe... th-this is the best...
*Creeeak*
...
What are you doing...?
If it's not a good time, I can come back later.
A few more days later...
In front of the door to Label's room.
...
Having made no progress, I make plans with Label again.
She's probably waiting for me in the storage room by now,
which means there's no one in her room.
... There might be information inside.
I know it's wrong... but it should be okay if it's just for a moment, right?
The thought flashes through my mind.
Suddenly...
Commander...?
!!!
...
I try approaching her room several times after that,
but Label always appears behind me, as if she knows.
In the end, I'm unable to obtain any special information.
8. Censored Memories
84 linesIn a dark, damp room.
Label is buried under a mountain of reports.
*Rustle, rustle*
*Rustle*
She organizes the documents in an instant.
Hmm...
She compiles the statistics,
*Rustle*
slides the documents into envelopes,
*Tear*
then seals them with tape labeled "Censored."
After completing her work,
she returns to a familiar space,
to wipe away the memories lingering in her mind from the day's work.
Label lies down on the bed protruding from a large cylindrical machine.
...
She closes her eyes, as if resigned to her fate,
and folds her hands neatly in front of her.
*Whirr*
"Memory wipe procedure initiated"
It's dark.
She is bereft of all thoughts and emotions.
This moment might be the most comfortable part of the entire process,
Label wonders cautiously.
...
Ah, it's you.
The one who left us to die like dogs on the surface.
Wh-who are you?
Back from doing a job?
Y-yes, but...
I'm the Nikke you erased from your report.
...!
The probability of a commander dying in their first operation is 70%.
In a squad where the commander's chances of living are that low,
what do you think the odds are for a mass-produced Nikke?
...
And yet, what did you report instead?
A successful operation with three injured and zero dead?
Don't make me laugh.
I saw it with my own eyes. At least thirty died out there.
Let me ask you just one thing.
Why did you do it?
Why?
Peace, huh?
I see.
Peace is nice.
But what about them...?
Before Label's eyes, piles of corpses come into view.
We're disappointed in you, Label.
Label stands in the center of the memory-wiping room.
Before her,
Arcana and Phantom lie side by side in front of the machine.
!
N-no...
I... I'm sorry...
I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...
I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
*Hiss*
"Memory wipe complete"
*Knock, knock, knock*
*Creeeak*
Are you free today?
9. An Alternate Ending: A
98 linesHehehe!
...
I meet Label every single day,
but each day is nothing more than a repeat of the last.
I haven't achieved anything of note.
Uh... sure.
If this keeps up, today will be another bust like the others.
I realize I need to get some information before it's too late.
Hey, Label.
Are you not close with your squadmates?
Wouldn't it be nice if we all had a tea party together?
Well...
I suppose so, b-but...
Hehe... it still feels a little awkward...
And more than anything else...
there's no reason for them to get close to someone like me.
Does there have to be a reason?
O-of course...!
If I were to approach them without thinking,
and something happened to the both of them...
What sort of thing?
Did something happen between you guys...?
What are you talking about?
Y-yes... that's right.
I guess there was no hiding it...
Someone as high-ranking as you would surely know about it.
No...
Something like that must never happen again...
Label... are you okay?
No... no...
Label doesn't seem to hear my words.
She begins backing away toward the exit.
I... I think that's it for today's tea party.
Label lifts her teacup with trembling hands.
*Crash*
Eeep!
!
Are you okay? You didn't hurt yourself, did you?
Stay here.
I'll go find something to clean this up.
*Grab*
No, Commander.
I'll... I'll take care of this myself.
You... you should head back.
Broken glass... is very dangerous, after all...
...
Yes, it was as if she's suffering from some kind of trauma.
I'm only asking to be sure.
Nothing ever happened between you guys, right?
Wh-what are you talking about?
We barely ever see her.
How could anything have possibly happened...?
Arcana's right.
We haven't spent enough time together for there to have been any history between us.
Hmm... this is tough.
What is it?
The three of us first met on the same day, at the same time.
Yet Label has been avoiding us ever since.
It's as if something happened between us.
Which means...
Perhaps something happened before you all met.
!
Well, either way,
we'll have to hear it directly from her.
That seems to be our only option for the time being.
We could keep wracking our brains, but it'd only lead to more speculation.
I'll leave it to you, Monsieur.
All right.
Steeling myself,
I send Label a single message.
10. An Alternate Ending: B
81 linesLabel seems to have seen my message,
but she doesn't reply.
I can't afford to keep waiting like this,
so I head for the library once again.
...
In front of Label's room.
*Haa...*
I take a deep breath.
I'm just about to knock when...
*Creeeeak*
The door opens, but no one is standing there.
...?
Ugh...
A sound comes from below, and I look down.
!!!
There...
Label is lying flat on the floor.
I... I... I'm sorry...
What are you doing...?
I... I've been thinking...
It seems I've committed a grave offense...
I'm sorry for disappearing so rudely before...
What can I do to make you feel better...?
...
*Grab*
I'll do anything you ask.
If you tell me to lick your shoes, I'll lick them.
If you tell me to crawl between your legs, I'll do it.
Just... Just please...
Don't abandon me...
I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
Label, calm down...
I manage to calm Label, who is clearly not in her right mind.
I'm not angry.
You can trust me.
Of course.
There's no way I'd get angry over something like that.
And stop apologizing.
...
I knew it... I didn't think things through.
There's no way you'd act like that...
Because you're the one who will save me...
You keep mentioning the word "save."
Do you really think I'm the one who can save you?
Then tell me.
Tell me what happened.
And how I can help you.
...!
Deep down, the girl carries a faint hope.
Given how high he has risen in the Ark,
maybe he is the one
who can lighten her burden.
She spoke of salvation without really knowing what it meant,
and now wonders if he might reach out a helping hand to someone like her.
Trust me.
She had been so terribly weak back then.
Unlike what happened with Phantom and Arcana,
she wondered if things would be different this time.
...
But...
Ah, it's you.
The one who left us to die like dogs on the surface.
We're disappointed in you, Label.
We truly trusted you.
11. The Door That Wouldn't Open: A
119 linesLabel hesitates for a long time before finally speaking.
Her job is to organize and compile the reports written by commanders and Nikkes.
Using the data collected, she compiles various statistics.
...
That's all you do?
I'm not convinced by her answer.
It feels like she's still hiding something.
Can't you trust me?
Can't you trust us?
If something's troubling you, tell me.
That's right. If something's troubling you, please tell us.
We won't resent you for it.
This scene feels awfully familiar.
A sense of déjà vu washes over her.
You have to tell me, so I can save you.
*Swoosh*
...
The man extends his hand to the girl, just as she had always dreamed.
This is the moment she longed for,
but the unnerving sense of déjà vu makes her hesitate.
...
The girl can't remember her life prior to becoming a Nikke.
But one thing is certain.
*Swoosh*
It's the first time she has ever felt another person's warmth.
*Grab*
Well then, since we're all here, why don't we take a photo to mark the occasion?
Sounds like a fine idea.
Hehe, great! Would you step over here for a moment?
*Step step*
Uh...
Oh, c-coming!
...
Label, could you smile a little more?
A bit more.
*Click*
It's the first time she has ever felt the warmth of another person.
Because of that, the moment feels all the more precious.
Her heart begins to open.
...
It feels like you've been spending more and more time in your room.
Does it have to do with the new work you were assigned?
... Can't you trust us?
Uh...
The girl thinks it over.
These people might truly be trustworthy.
...
Maybe they can help carry the weight in her heart.
Well... in that case...
Could you come to my room for a moment?
I...
I-I'm sorry...
Because of me... both of you...
...
...
It's such a shame, Label.
I thought we were closer than this.
You don't need to feel guilty.
We would have done the same in your place.
Yes, it's disappointing.
But surely you don't think we resent you?
We get our memories wiped every day anyway.
B-but... this time... the memory wipe...
It's fine.
Even if our memories disappear,
you can always come back to us again,
just like when we first met.
...!
Hehe, we'll see you later.
We'll be off now.
*Thud*
In that moment, the girl makes a vow.
No one will ever be hurt because of her again.
Ever.
12. The Door That Wouldn't Open: B
69 lines...
Label has been obsessively hiding her work,
acting as if it must never be exposed.
If she can access the reports written by commanders and Nikkes,
it would be easy for her to alter their contents.
I organize my thoughts, and my suspicions begin to harden into certainty.
...
The work you're doing...
You're altering the contents of the reports, aren't you?
...
!!
H-how did you know that...?
N-no... no!
You can't... you can't...
Do you know what will happen to you... if you know that information...?
Label begins shaking like a leaf.
...
Heh... hehehe.
Ahh... I knew it...
I never should have approached you
I never should have loved anyone
It only leads to misery in the end...
Label.
*Thud*
...!
As the girl breaks down,
Commander pulls her into a silent embrace.
Everything's okay now.
No...
It's not okay.
Phantom and Arcana trusted me. If you knew what happened to them, you wouldn't...
Label.
You know me well, don't you?
When we were in that room together, what did you see?
What...?
You said you'd been waiting for me.
...
I saw the Ark's hero,..
and its hope.
A beacon of light... someone who reaches out a hand to every Nikke.
... And the one who would save Label.
That's far more praise than I deserve.
...
But I'll accept it for now.
This might sound a little arrogant, but I'll make it clear to you.
The hero of the Ark won't break so easily.
I'll hold onto your hope until the very end.
At those words,
the shattered glass,
which had done nothing but hurt others with its sharp edges,
slowly begins to piece itself back together.
I give you my word.
So don't worry. Speak freely.
What troubles you?
13. The Words She Has Wanted to Say: A
127 linesYou said you organize and compile reports.
Yes... and I compile the statistics, too.
At least, that's what people are told.
In reality... it's a little different.
...
Label hesitates for a moment, then speaks.
I... I...
I manipulate information that could threaten the Ark's stability
and release it to the media.
!
Adjusting any negative information in the reports...
Th-that's the core of my job.
For example... the number of casualties,
unstable supply levels... things like that.
Power outages caused by the Ark's failing infrastructure.
When something goes wrong with the Splendamin.
Or when Raptures infiltrate the Ark.
I had a hand in all of it... I think.
What ends up being reported often goes against common sense.
...
In the reports, those who never returned exist only as numbers...
And I falsified
even those numbers.
So...
Instead of simply being dead,
it's as if they never existed.
No one remembers them...
They've vanished from everyone's memory.
...
You can scream at me if you want.
I deceived and manipulated the people in the Ark...
I stole the truth from them, when it was their right to know.
...
You don't remember all of it, do you?
N-no... It's not like that!
After my work is finished each day, I undergo a memory wipe.
So the details are all a bit fuzzy.
I just...
I deprived them of their right to know the truth.
And you're okay with that?
O‑of course...!
I'm helping the Ark.
...
Do you remember?
The day the video was broadcasted on the Dome of Eternity?
I've heard of it...
People panicked.
That year, the death toll skyrocketed.
The truth is, we're all trapped in the Ark.
But we aren't strong enough to face that ugly truth.
...
Whether there will be enough food for the day,
or if there will be power tomorrow.
Many in the Ark don't have the luxury to think about the future.
... So they chose to cover it up,
until the day we reclaim the surface.
So people wouldn't lose hope.
Sometimes I wonder if this is really the right thing to do...
But if being the villain means everyone else can be happy,
then someone has to do it.
And that alone... is enough for me.
...
It's a heavy burden.
That's why I was afraid when you first approached me...
I was scared that what happened with Phantom and Arcana would happen again.
So, something did happen between you guys.
Yes... that's right.
The responsibility of manipulating the Ark's information was weighing heavily on me,
and the two of them reached out to help.
I never should have accepted it...
...
I was foolish.
I didn't realize the full weight of my responsibility.
And I ended up passing that burden onto both of them
That's why you've been avoiding them.
Yes...
I don't deserve to face them.
I selfishly shifted that burden onto them,
while shamelessly keeping all the memories to myself.
... But one thing is clear now.
What's that?
They don't resent you.
If you were in their shoes,
would you have acted differently?
...
Label, being able to remember isn't a curse.
It's a blessing that lets you create a better future.
I hope you'll cherish not just me, but the two of them as well.
Don't you want to go and be with them?
Also...
There's something I want to tell you.
...
In a gesture of utmost sincerity, I bow my head,
a sign of respect for Label
and the burden she bears.
For the lives still remaining in the Ark,
and for every sacrifice that disappeared without ever being named.
Thank you, Label,
for protecting the Ark.
I... Commander...
The moment the girl had dreamed of
had finally become reality.
The girl was no longer afraid.
With him by her side, she feels like she can accomplish anything.
...
However, her obsession, which only grows stronger... is a story for another time.
14. The Words She Has Wanted to Say: B
75 lines...
...
Yeah...
Well, he is human, after all. There are some things he simply can't fix.
Yeah...
Yeah...
...
But still...
How am I not supposed to be upset?!
I really thought we might finally get close to her.
*Sigh*
...
Moping won't solve anything either.
Let's leave it at that for today and talk about this again later.
All right...
Phantom supports Arcana as she sags limply, guiding her to the entrance of the library.
*Whirr*
!!
Phantom, what did you just say?
I could've sworn you said something terribly discourteous toward a lady...
*Thud*
*Clatter*
Ughhh...
The girl musters up her courage and approaches them,
but the moment she comes face-to-face with them, fear overwhelms her.
She squeezes her eyes shut and collapses to the floor.
Thank you, Label.
...?
Your bravery means more to us than you know.
!!
Those warm words she hadn't heard in a very long time.
Startled by the unexpected response, the girl cautiously opens her eyes.
And before her...
...!
Aren't you going to take my hand?
Hehe, come on. Get up, Label.
Ohh...
Once again, a hand is extended toward her.
Label struggles to hold back her tears.
*Grab*
Hey, I've got an idea.
Since we're all together again, why don't we take a photo to mark the occasion?
And then it crosses her mind...
maybe it wouldn't be so bad to go back once more.
Back to their warm company.
SIN EDITOR: END
15. The Uncomfortable Truth
67 linesAfter that incident,
with Label's cooperation, I gathered accurate data on the Ark's food supplies and other resources.
Going all the way back to the Ark's inception,
the amount of resources collected by the commanders, including myself, was absurdly low compared to our targets.
It's a miracle the Ark has even survived this long.
What would happen if this fact became public?
A sense of dread flashes through my mind.
...
Wanting to clear up the doubts that have been piling up over the past few days,
I go to see Ingrid, who's in charge of supplies and logistics.
You don't usually reach out first.
So, what's this about?
I'm not sure if you're aware of this,
but Label told me about what she's been doing.
...
I see.
You're calmer than I expected.
Well, this falls within what I anticipated.
Once you got involved with Label, this was inevitable.
Are you going to punish her?
...
According to regulations, this can't be overlooked.
Someone has to take responsibility.
...!
Then I'll—
Right. I figured you'd say that.
I'll let this one slide.
...
You already know dozens of secrets that could shake the Ark to its core.
Knowing one more won't affect its operations.
Besides...
I'm well aware of the burden that she carries.
... From what I've heard, it doesn't seem like you ordered it.
That's right.
It was Enikk's request.
She concluded that releasing all incoming information to the Ark as-is
would have a severe impact on the citizens' mental state.
... I see.
Is that all?
Given how much preparation you've done,
I doubt you came here with just one question.
That's right.
I explain to Ingrid what can reasonably be inferred from the data.
I figured that, as the person in charge of the Ark's resources you couldn't possibly be unaware of this.
... A sharp observation.
The Ark is a vast underground city.
From the day it was built,
humanity has sourced all manner of resources from the surface, not just electricity and food.
However, the success rate of surface operations has remained low.
As a result, the resources we obtain are woefully insufficient.
We're consuming far more than we're gaining.
Precisely.
This fact has been true since the Ark was first created.
So far, we've somehow managed to maintain the Ark,
thanks to the surplus resources brought in during the initial migration.
...
Let me put it this way.
Grossly insufficient supplies.
Ever-increasing demand over time.
If those two factors persist for decades, or even centuries...
What do you think will happen?
...
I'm sure you already know the answer.
Yes.
Everyone has turned a blind eye to this uncomfortable truth.
But deep down, they all know.
The Ark doesn't have much time left.