Science Council
Babylonia
Dante knows Vergil, standing beside him, dislikes places like this, but truth be told, neither does he.
The sprawling laboratory hums with activity, its space woven into an intricate web of cables. They snake across the floor, connecting workstations spaced at regular intervals. Each station is cluttered with glowing monitors and cups of coffee.
The entire lab feels like a living network, workstations acting as nodes linked by those endless cables.
Researchers in lab coats—some young, some weathered—weave through the maze of cables, occasionally huddling in small groups to exchange hushed words, their murmurs as constant and indistinct as the hum of a hive.
Dante catches the occasional glance from the researchers, their eyes flicking toward him before darting away. And sometimes, with his exceptional hearing, he even picks up fragments of their quiet conversations.
Then, abruptly, the murmurs cease. A silence ripples through the room, distant at first but growing louder until—
Two Chiefs step into view.
Hey, [player name], how's it going?
The two humans approach the table where the two half-demons are seated. Their previous battle has depleted much of their stamina, and the table is laden with pizzas and drinks, a treat clearly meant for them.
A training facility was destroyed during Dante and Vergil's battle.
Dante watches you wearily rub your forehead across from him, responding with a guilty shrug.
Sorry, my bad. Guess we got a little carried away.
So your bonus...
About the data retrieved from the Babel Tower...
As Asimov begins his explanation, Dante and you stop your idle chat. Vergil also shifts his gaze toward Asimov.
According to Thomas' experimental data, his initial research direction was essentially a dead end.
There were two crucial turning points afterward. First, the Hetero Tower shard; second, the supplementary data. And tracing back to its origins, it's possible that this data involves... Dominik.
Just possible.
In fact, the fundamental theory behind Thomas' experiment derives from Dominik's early research. One could even say it's the continuation of an incomplete project Dominik abandoned during the Golden Age.
For several reasons. A human only has limited energy, after all. Even a polymath like Dominik would need to prioritize theories based on strategic necessity and temporal constraints.
Perhaps Dominik picked up old research again during down time, or perhaps it was always just for fun. Either way, Thomas eventually got his hands on the later data and the Hetero Tower shard, which led him to stumble upon the space-time portal.
Regrettably, given the collapse of the Babel Tower, we can't obtain any more data.
Not really following. So can we go back?
If you're incapable, I'll try with Yamato.
The Science Council alone cannot accomplish this, but with Yamato, it's feasible.
Science Council
One week later
One week later, Science Council.
Everyone gathers in one of the Science Council's laboratories. At its center stands a massive circular platform constructed according to Thomas's experimental data, surrounded by geometric polygonal prisms and mechanical arms.
You just need to stand in the center of the circular platform and use Yamato to open a portal the usual way.
Dante and Vergil step onto the platform and turn to face the crowd gathered around the device.
[player name], Asimov with his dark circles, the Gray Raven squad they fought alongside before, as well as Hassen, who's supposed to be the President, and another middle-aged man called Nikola.
Well, party's over. Time to say goodbye.
Vergil unsheathes Yamato, the blade gleaming as he delivers precise horizontal and vertical slashes. In their wake, a cross-shaped rift slowly yawns open. Then, he turns his head, his gaze locking onto you.
[player name], let Alpha know I have left.
You try to ignore Nikola's questioning gaze beside you as you respond to Vergil.
But Vergil doesn't wait for a response, stepping straight through the portal.
Well... You've all been good friends. Maybe we'll meet again someday.
Till then... Adios!
As Dante steps through the portal, the cross-shaped rift seals behind him.
The scene suddenly falls silent.
After a moment, voices break the silence in the room.
Dante and Vergil really are remarkable in their own ways, aren't they?
I feel like I've grown used to having them around Babylonia these days.
Will we get a chance to see them again in the future?
Theoretically, the chances are slim, but...
