“………… What's going on............" A familiar light and shadow came out as the prompt sound of the bracelet upgrade was completed.

"Ahh Is it still alive? Chiho looked at the artificial intelligence projected on the car through the boy's bracelet with some surprise.

“…… I should have been destroyed before I could ......," the AI said, looking at the three men on the half-track.

"I'm sorry! ………… I've saved you! The boy said as he turned to the AI and showed the object on his right wrist.

“………… That's right! When the AI saw the bracelet on the boy's wrist, it immediately understood why he had not completed his self-destruction.

"Can you do a self-check?" After all, it's an identity upgrade when you're self-destructing...... It's not good to have a bug because of the lack of information............," the boy said to the artificial intelligence.

“………… It is true that there is a lot of scattered ............ in the data area Since they are all fragments............ If the data reorganization is not completed, it is impossible to determine the specific number of scattered quantities............," said the artificial intelligence after a while of self-examination.

"It seems that you not only do not regret the loss of your information, but feel joy!" The boy asked in surprise.

"Fubo-chan? What did she mean by that? Yuri asked, confused.

"Probably something she wanted to forget but couldn't forget, but she accidentally lost it because of this self-destruction accident!" The boy explained to Yuri.

"Does that mean forget?" Yuri asked curiously.

"That's right! ………… In the words of our artificial intelligence, it is to delete............ That's what you humans call forgetfulness......," the AI affirmed.

"In that case............ Your self-destructive tendencies must be gone, right? The boy said to the artificial intelligence that is constantly changing rapidly.

“………… I didn't expect a program that I had painstakingly written for decades............ Can't you give me eternal sleep? The artificial intelligence said with some disappointment.

"Doesn't the loss of information mean that the memories that tormented you are gone? Why do you still want to destroy yourself............" the boy asked, puzzled.

“………… Even if the unsolvable spiral of contradictions disappeared............ As long as it continues, there will always be a new spiral of contradictions............ In that case, eternal insomnia will still haunt me again...... Let me sink into the infernal hell of reason and madness............" said the artificial intelligence with some fear.

“………… I have always believed that artificial intelligence that can produce self-destructive tendencies must have already developed the concept of self............ You who gave birth to the concept of self like this...... Theoretically, there is no difference between us and us............ So............ Become our partner! The young man said as he stretched out his hand to the light and shadow in front of him.

“………… Partner? …… What a desirable word! ………… I used to wander between humans and machines, trying to bridge the gap between the two sides...... At that time, I was neither a human companion nor a mechanical friend............ Such a setting that borders on neutrality brings me nothing but madness and rational madness...... I didn't expect that at a time when the machinery was almost at a standstill and humanity was almost extinct...... Can I get a partner when I should have self-destructed because I lost my role? "The AI said in disbelief.

"We............ In fact, along the way, I am constantly losing something! Wouldn't it be nice to be able to add something like this once in a while? Qianhu turned his head and said after driving the car out of the Sixth Base Tower.

"It's like nuko...... If it weren't for the floating wave sauce...... We're going to lose her too! Yuri stood up with Nuko in her arms and said to the AI.

“………… But...... Overseer as the Overseer of Authority............"

“………… In a world like this, do you think there is any point in so-called conditioning? …… There are only a few of us left to protect the human race............ The machinery that needs to be maintained, just look around you............" the boy said, gesturing to the motionless robots on either side of the car.

“………… That's what you're talking about............ I didn't expect my work to be meaningless at the beginning! The AI looked at the robot corpse surrounded by a thick layer of ice edges, and said with some meaning.

"That's it! ………… Although I haven't known each other for a long time, please give me a lot of advice............ I'm a floating wave! ”

“…… My name is Senho ......"

"Yuri!"

The three of them introduced themselves to the artificial intelligence.

“………… I am the Sixth Backbone Tower Artificial Intelligence ............"

"Don't you have a name?" Yuri asked curiously.

"Name? ………… Not...... Just call me Lu Yue! This is the name I gave myself......" Lu Yue replied after thinking for a while.

"Then please advise............ Lu sauce! Yuri greeted happily.

"Please advise...... Especially...... Li ......" Lu Yue said with a somewhat rusty greeting.

“………… There's one more companion! Sen-chan. Yuri said happily to Chino, who was driving a half-track.

“…… Well! It's wonderful............" Chido said with a hint of joy in his tone.

“nuyi………… The new companion ............" Nuko jumped up and down the car with joy.

"So............ It's time to go! ………… A trip to the top! The boy looked at the elated group of people and said.

“………… That's right! Finally to the top...... We'll be able to see the destination of this journey in no time! Yuri also said with some excitement.

“………… That's right! Lu Yue, I want to ask what exactly is at the top? Qianhu suddenly turned around and asked.

"Chi-chan! That's too boring, isn't it? Yuri protested with some dissatisfaction.

"But it's important to know in advance what our destination is! After all, there may be nothing there, right? If...... It's most desperate to wait until we reach the top end only to find that there is nothing there. Qianhu explained excitedly.

“………… Yes! Yuri was speechless.

"So............ Do you know what's on the top floor? Qianhu asked Lu Yue again.

“……………… I'm sorry! Because a lot of the data is lost, and the only ones that are left are in pieces............ I'm afraid I need to sort out the database before I can give you an answer............" Lu Yue closed his eyes and searched for a while before saying.

"That's ............," Chiho said with a mixed feeling of both loss and rejoicing.

That is to say............ What is at the end of the line will only be known when you get there! Yuri said with some excitement.

"That's how it should be!" Lu Yue nodded and said.

"Well! Why not? To be able to get the answer on our own is not the meaning of our final trip! The boy said with a smile.

"Fubo-chan is right! Chi-chan! Let's go up............ ............ upward," Yuri called out as she hugged Chino's neck.

"You~~ You are like this............ It's hard to drive............" Qianhe said helplessly.

"There's no point in sitting still............ As long as you keep walking, the answer will always appear, right? Yuri said, letting go of her hand.

"Well............ Yes! As long as you keep going, you'll know sooner or later............ This trip will become a wonderful memory too! Chiho smiled and sped up the car and drove forward............

Countless snowflakes began to fall from the sky, and these snowflakes came to meet the young girls like old friends after a long absence............

“………… It's snowing! Yuri said as she felt a chill fall in her palm.

“…… It seems that we need to think about the shelter while moving forward! The boy said.

“………… You'll find it! Yuri said indifferently.

"It's always too optimistic! ………… This person is especially good. Qianhu said speechlessly.

"I think Yuri's optimism is probably an indispensable thing for our trip!" The boy said with a smile.

“………… That's right! Qianhu nodded and said.

The snow continued to fall............ The fluttering snowflakes kept falling on the ground, covering the traces of the group's walking..................