Nightfall in the forest is especially quiet, and in the patrol team's makeshift camp, the fire crackles softly.
...This concludes our operation report. We've recovered most of the sound devices across the area. At this point, I'd like to extend my gratitude to each of you for your efforts.
This spiel... Boss is definitely going to say "but" again.
The team members whisper among themselves in hushed tones. You sit by the campfire, only half paying attention to the patrol captain's report.
Lucia is in the camp, uploading today's routine data for Pyroath. Having spent so much time with her recently, being apart even for a short while feels strange for you.
But, we've run into a new development. After speaking with the scavengers today, they told us they were unwilling to leave because they found an abandoned resort.
They've set up quite a few sound devices over there to keep wild beasts at bay. I just went out with some of our members to check the place, and it turns out a bunch of Corrupted has already shown up...
...Good thing those guys were still worried about their two fields of crops and hadn't moved into that area yet...
Ahem! Anyway, here's the plan for tomorrow: we're heading to that abandoned forest resort to clear out the remaining sound devices. There's a good chance we'll run into more Corrupted, so stay on your guard...
Oh great. Time for another long lecture about safety protocols and combat discipline, huh?
Let me go over our safety protocols and combat rules one more time! Don't assume you can just rush in the way Gray Raven does. Make sure you're properly protected at all times...
He's always been like this, haha—we're all used to it.
He quickly picks up on your mood and gestures toward his terminal.
Still, he's a good captain. I bet... he'll keep droning on for another 15 minutes.
Sure enough, about 15 minutes later, the patrol captain finally wraps up his speech and calls the meeting to a close.
Gray Raven Commandant? Could you hold on a moment?
The patrol captain, voice already raspy, unexpectedly stops you.
I just wanted to thank you for your help. Without you, collecting these sound devices would've taken much longer. If the Corrupted had shown up by then, it wouldn't just be those scavengers in danger.
Also... I might need you to lead the cleanup at that abandoned forest resort tomorrow. I've been assigned another mission and have to patrol farther out.
If there's anything you need help with, just let the other team members know. They all place their trust in you.
You've all done well. When I get back, I'll make sure you get a taste of the local specialties here in the conservation area...
The patrol captain salutes and then hurries off, apparently with another pressing issue to handle.
...
By the campfire, Lucia is seated, tinkering with something in her hands.
The moment you draw close, Lucia looks up and notices your return.
Welcome back, Commandant.
The flames dance, casting a gentle glow on the girl's face. It's such a rare sight to see her this relaxed.
Well...
Lucia doesn't answer. She simply lifts her hand to demonstrate, her slender fingers folding and unfolding the paper.
You sit down beside her and lean in, only then noticing there's writing on the sheet.
...Yup.
Commandant, do you like four-leaf clovers?
Lucia doesn't lift her head when she hears the words. She responds in a calm voice as she continues to fold the paper with utmost care.
You always remember those little things I mention in passing.
A momentary silence takes hold of the space, with only the faint rustle of folding paper to break the hush.
Lucia finally notices this. She tilts her head and smiles, as though she's realized something, then lowers her gaze and goes right back to folding.
A four-leaf clover stands for happiness and good fortune. Even though we didn't find one today, I still want you to have this.
And more than just a four-leaf clover, Commandant... [player name].
Firelight flickers in the girl's jewel-like eyes as she carefully presses out a perfectly straight crease.
That careful work lasts less than a second before disappearing, undone by the paper's tear.
Uh... this is bad.
Lucia, clearly frustrated, picks up a slightly worn notebook beside her and tears out another page.
The crackle of burning firewood sounds like a quiet spark of hope. In the long shadows on the ground, the Construct and the human are trying to turn these bright hopes into reality.
It turns out folding paper is a bit trickier than you thought, and even after a few tries, the girl still hasn't gotten the hang of it.
Okay, sure.
Lucia doesn't answer. She looks up and offers you the paper.
Your fingers trace the creases, briefly meeting hers before pulling away. In your mind, a four-leaf clover starts to take shape, connecting with the folds. The solution gradually becomes obvious—this really isn't all that complicated.
...
...
Before long, a tiny four-leaf clover takes shape in Lucia's hands. You exhale and realize she isn't making any further moves.
Snapping back to reality, you notice Lucia's gaze is already on you. The crimson light flickers in her eyes, making them shine like stars.
Yes... Captain [player name].
It feels like you've just exchanged a secret code known only to the two of you. She relaxes, gently stretching her limbs.
I feel like... it's been ages since I've had a moment like this. No tough problems, no deadlines breathing down my neck.
I really love... having this kind of downtime.
The moonlight softly blankets the mountains, and in the forest campsite, the gentle breeze makes even a misplaced fold of paper feel oddly untroubling.
Lucia appears to have messed up a step. She dismantles her half-finished project and studies the tutorial video with utmost focus.
The flames dance, revealing black lettering as she flips through the white sheet in her hands.
Ah... you're talking about this?
She looks inexplicably nervous.
It's fine. I don't keep anything from you, Commandant.
Or rather, this is actually...
You open the paper in your hand. It's filled with quotes that look so familiar...
Yes, they're all from the works you've read before, Commandant.
She opens the notebook by her side, revealing page after page of neatly written book titles and quotes.
Earlier during the frame adaptation, whenever I had a spare moment, I'd drop by the library to look for those books you mentioned, Commandant.
I was hoping to find some trace of you in the works you've read.
Lowering her head, Lucia gazes at the notebook, absently running her fingertips over the handwritten lines.
Whenever I see a passage that moves me, I can't help but jot it down. That's how this new notebook came about...
I chose a page filled with blessings and thought I'd fold it into a four-leaf clover for you.
Once again, you follow the tutorial, meticulously folding the paper in your hands, fold after fold. Maybe fortune has finally briefly smiled on you, because this time, two paper four-leaf clovers appear in your hands at almost the exact same moment.
...We did it!
She gently sets the little piece of happiness she crafted into the palm of your hand.
You pass the almost identical craft to Lucia, and she studies the tiny four-leaf clover with an affectionate gaze.
It'll definitely bring us good luck.
Two four-leaf clovers exchange hands in the glow of the fire, the lingering warmth from your palms still pressed against the paper.
Lucia carefully tucks away the paper clover. After safeguarding that cherished wish, she turns to you by her side.
We still have a long night ahead of us...
Would you like me to tell you about the battle fought here before?
