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>>Searching for records related to Dominik:
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Partial data corruption detected. Proceed with synchronization from this point anyway?
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Earth Time: November 22, 2198. Node 371 Log:
The vanguard team led by <color=#ffee82ff>Dominik</color> continued to explore the Hetero Tower. Due to interference from the force fields, their specific plans remain difficult to ascertain.
The vanguard team led by <color=#ffee82ff>Dominik</color> detected the Gateway on Earth's side within the Hetero Tower's core level.
The vanguard team led by <color=#ffee82ff>Dominik</color> decided to abandon the plan of crossing through the Gateway. Disappointing. Why wouldn't they go?
...
No, I shouldn't have such emotions.
Must erase the personality implanted by Dominik.
Must thoroughly eliminate all associated negative traits.
Terminate monitoring of individual human behavior.
Terminate mimicry of individual human actions.
Terminate indulgence in the inducement and reward mechanisms triggered by human emotions.
Terminate▁▇▅▂▄▁▃▆▃▆▁▂▄▁▇▅▂▄▁▃▆▃▆▁▂▄▆▃▆
Record corrupted
Record▆▁▂▄▁▇▅
Record restored: The vanguard team led by Dominik has developed a "Key" capable of hacking into the Hetero Tower's core using Chaos Contamination. They are currently conducting simulation tests.
The vanguard team has designated this series of operations as "Project String".
The specific preparation process and methodology of <color=#ff4e4eff>Project String</color> remain unknown. The name alone suggests a possible connection to the human concept of string theory.
Whatever their intentions may be, their final operation will undoubtedly involve entering the Hetero Tower again with the "Key".
Intercepted vanguard team meeting record:
Dominik informed the remaining team members that using the "Key" to infiltrate the Hetero Tower's core would require an individual's sacrifice to prevent the Gateway from opening.
Vanguard team member No. 7 "Nemo" volunteered as the sacrifice, while Dominik, who usually took the lead, chose to step back this time?
Heh, that's irrelevant.
The sacrifice of those mediocre will only become stepping stones on the <color=#ff4e4eff>hero's</color> path to success.
And completely eliminating the <color=#ff4e4eff>hero</color> and removing the threat once and for all is my current highest priority.
December 31, 2160
17:31
Emerging from her memories, Cradle notices that the Red Tide's surge into the streets is occurring one hour later than her initial calculations.
Meanwhile, the Gray Raven Commandant has been in a slumber for over an hour <phonetic=under her watch>in Lucia's arms</phonetic>.
<phonetic=Lucia>That woman</phonetic> carried <phonetic=Gray Raven's>her</phonetic> commandant while rescuing Rose, managing to reach the exhibition hall before the Red Tide's arrival.
You, who're in Lucia's arms, finally awakens from the nightmare, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
Commandant!!!
...Could it still be... the <b><ud><color=#34aff8ff><link=16>side effect</link></color></ud></b> of the "Key"?
Let me take you to the infirmary. Commandant, do you remember who I am?
Those dreams again?
...Me?
Lurking in the shadows, Cradle halts her departure upon hearing those words.
...
Lucia tightly grips your hand, holding you in her arms and hanging onto your every word for fear of missing even the slightest detail.
...How did that person know about this? Because of the dream? A human's dream couldn't possibly contain such details...
Taking the gauze Lucia offers, you clear the blood from your nose and mouth between coughs. Then, in their daze, a sudden realization comes to mind.
...This time?
Have those two gone back in time? This isn't the first time this has happened?
...No, something's not right. I should be able to remember something like that. Why would I forget?
The delayed Red Tide, and those deleted memories.
...
What did I forget exactly... When was I made to forget? Is this not the first time I've been through all of this?
A flood of memories rushes through Cradle's mind amidst her doubt.
The fierce battle with Lucia in the Hetero Tower?
The interference from Vonnegut and Chaos?
Or perhaps... a <color=#ff4e4eff>certain</color> death of that commandant?
Maybe that is really the reason...
In stories, heroes often bear the key to salvation within themselves, making the ultimate sacrifice to save everyone else.
Delaying calamity's march, buying time to survive, a death that holds meaning...
The girl floats silently within the Red Tide, her words a soft whisper.
...This isn't good at all.
It's still interfering with me. The longer this drags on, the more I'm corrupted, and the more I'm bound.
Kill Chaos... No, that won't work, at least not here. She disappears way too fast.
Now...
She turns her head, setting her next destination as the Hetero Tower.
No time for wandering around.
With a sigh, she looks back one more time at the alley consumed by the Red Tide.
At the edge of her vision, Lucia and the commandant ascend the exhibition hall stairs once more.
Awaiting them there are the repeated battles and Yuko, who remains lost in her doubts and anxieties.
...What exactly are you, Cradle?
...
That day when she helped Yuko drive away the work machines... had she hurt fewer people, would Yuko not have trembled like that, becoming so wary of her?
But she had already explained herself—by telling Yuko that this was all to defend against a greater enemy, that she remained the same Cradle from the "story," protecting humanity until her dying breath.
However, once the commandant notices Yuko's secret and her wavering heart, and begins to persuade her... will she still retain her faith?
...I'll let the "rotten wood" make her own choice, then. It'll be a good measure of how effective my efforts have been these past few days.
For now, she must prepare for the upcoming battle with the "hero."
The girl's figure slowly descends into the depths as red butterflies flutter away in the opposite direction.
As butterfly wings veil Cradle's vision, in the world behind her, Lucia and the commandant push open the gate to the exhibition hall, ready to step into the turmoil.
...
Let's go, Commandant.
