"You say...... You said you were leaving? ”

"Hmm." I nodded and replied nonchalantly, "I'm too dangerous for you to stay here right now. ”

"Dai ......" Loki listened, looked at Camille, whose face was full of tears and his eyes were almost begging, and said earnestly: "Ada's death...... No...... It's not your fault, it's my rash underestimation of the enemy that caused you to suffer from nothingness......"

"Needless to say, I've made up my mind." I said firmly, "It's not just because of Ada......"

"Seniors, none of you are wrong!" At this time, Soln, who was healing on the side, suddenly ignored the injury, became angry, and immediately interjected: "We all know how critical the situation is now; The sacrifices and dedication of our predecessors are also obvious to all. The damn Rigoletto was a fantasy that was kept secret and locked down, and who would have thought that it would run out and suddenly move around? ”

"Ada-senpai...... She is not only a beloved close friend of her predecessors, but we also love the beautiful and kind-hearted Ida seniors. At the beginning, in order to stop the group of guys in the R&D department from rampage in the evacuation area, she rushed to the front line with her brothers desperately - what regrets does she have when she has put life and death out of the way? If she had a spirit in the sky, she would definitely be happy for everyone's safety now, so why should the seniors blame themselves like this?! ”

Soln's impassioned remarks undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for Loki, who was overwhelmed by the news of his beloved wife's death, and eased the oppressive and almost suffocating atmosphere between the containment teams. Although the words are strict, they are like a spring breeze.

Dare to speak up, speak up, this is soln.

And under her infection, I also expressed the stubbornness in my heart:

"Rocky...... It's like Soln said. I pursed my lips and said with a wry smile, "It's not my fault, it's not your fault...... Whether it's Ada, Maxi, or Gregory, we've all done our best. Since fate wants to play such a big joke on us, there is no regret about it. ”

Nature...... Even if the road is straightened out, Loki will still need time...... He returned to his usual silence, gasping heavily, continuously, as if he was swallowing up suppressed emotions and irrepressible sadness.

"But...... I still have to leave. I said categorically.

"Senpai!" Camille on the side finally couldn't hold it anymore, and suddenly rushed forward, begging very earnestly: "Please, don't go." Parker is gone, Hanna, and Yui are gone...... I can't afford to lose you again! ”

"Hmm......" I looked at the loyal subordinate in front of me, trying to squeeze a trace of sadness out of my rock-like soul - but still found nothing, and the cold silence made me feel bitter.

Perhaps it is not called emotional pain, but another kind of transcendent ...... I...... I don't know how to describe it.

"I can feel ......" I closed my eyes and said heavily, "I ...... myself"

"Buzz ——!" Suddenly, an extremely familiar "breath" came from the chaotic air into my big eyes above the wings that resonated at that moment - "It's Marx!" I immediately got up, and my nerves tensed: "Marx is nearby." I said briefly and seriously.

This is undoubtedly absolutely heavy news, since the withdrawal of the central general control room, in order to maintain a low profile and silence, and to safely withdraw to the secondary defense area at the moment when the enemy is in full advance, Marx immediately turned off the communicator after giving the order to respond and stand by. As a result, the organization is at risk of being leaderless, and according to the dispatch of the last batch of orders, the front can still be maintained for the time being...... In any case, all those who are fighting in the battle need a backbone.

"Really?! Where is it? When Loki heard this, he immediately shook up and asked me nervously and excitedly: "Has Marx restored his communication?" Can you reach me? ”

I shook my head.

"It's not an electronic signal...... It's just a special 'induction'. I said slowly, "I can't discern the digital signal...... At least for now. ”

"But for sure, he must be nearby."

"Let's go now!" Loki immediately got up and prepared to organize people to pick him up: "Where is he?" He asked me again.

"No need." I continued to shake my wings as I said coldly, "It's dangerous there—they've hit the main striker, and it's too dangerous for you to go now." ”

A hint of surprise flashed on Loki's face, but he quickly calmed down and returned to his usual calm and serious look: "Then we ......"

"You prepare supplies, there are a lot of wounded." I stared intently at the direction of the crisis, and said concisely and quickly: "I'll go and save him alone, and I'll give you a signal when the time comes, and you will know where it is." ”

The crowd was obviously quite surprised, ready to confirm again and again:

"Dai ......"

"There's no time!" I turned my head sharply and spread my wings - "Prepare now!" I threw down a message and quickly rushed out of the hall to Marx and other colleagues who were in danger!

"Puff-poof-puff...... But when my legs were speeding in the winding corridor, the blood in my body was pumping more and more rapidly under the heart, further deepening the "erosion" of me, although my paralyzed body no longer felt pain, but the instinct of longing for survival and freedom sounded more and more urgent alarms all the time-

"We must stop now!!"

"We can't stop now!" I roared violently, even rebelliously accelerating, but was immediately forced back to normal speed under the great fear of survival—"Yo——! I couldn't help but stagger, and my arms waved subconsciously—"Woo......" but suddenly, an unprecedented abnormal touch entered my tired brain, and it was like a death sentence, and I was stunned in place, not daring to move.

"What...... What...... What? I trembled as I recalled the "touch" of Fang Cai, trembling and raising the two pitch-black feather claws, waving them cautiously—at this moment, the sharp hook claws were no longer just alien augments, but full of unknown power...... Like a "steel needle" that stirs up everything, it cuts through the air, and invisibly punctures the boundaries between the present world and dreams, soul and body, life and death—such a majestic but terrifying discovery undoubtedly makes it difficult for my weak human mind to deal with it, but I am not allowed to go crazy, not allowed to escape in any form—now this shell that can still accommodate myself is gradually blocking everything I am as a human being, transforming and disciplining my human mind all the time.

Even my legs, which I used to run and stand, felt inexplicably alienated from the constant movement of my legs—it was obvious that this was a body that was more adapted to moving in high positions such as the "Black Forest" than a dull and slow three-dimensional ......

I move and walk, sit or fall, even if I just stand quietly somewhere, inhale air, and spit out words...... It seems that everything in one's cognition, whether it is living or dead, no matter what role it plays, is constantly forcing itself to give up oneself and plunge into the arms of the end as soon as possible.

I know that sooner or later, my mortal body will succumb to this force.

"Hmm......" I thought I sighed. But I soon realized, to my surprise and regret, that I didn't need to breathe anymore......

And I don't have any emotion, no pain, and I perceive all this...... It has left me like the winter wind of the past, and will never come back.

I was too rational to even have a moment's resonance in my own mind when Yoi's death was gone—and He kept whispering in my ear, urging me to accept it, get used to it, and my body would involuntarily adapt to it. It is only when my spirit cries out with boundless pain that I can gain a temporary peace—the ...... that is unique to humanity Stormy calm.

All in all, while I still have a little bit of human consciousness at the moment, there is still something I can do ...... Thing.

I shook my head, stretched out my arms, and fanned my wings, like a hummingbird churning the air, smoothly and naturally turning the space - "......" suddenly accompanied by a rapid stirring of the air, I immediately appeared in the middle of the battlefield emitting the strong smell of gunsmoke. At my feet was Marx's unconscious, dying figure.

"Hum—"

I momentarily delayed time, reached into the otherworldly time and space that burned like flames, grasped a golden "sword hilt", and slowly extracted it from the quenched purgatory with reverence and calmness like a ritual, revealing the clusters of sharp black feathers that shimmered like blazing and shining like morning and dusk—they contained the dazzling golden eyes on them, nourished the bloody mouths that entrenched in the gauntlets and locked the edge of the sword, like the Tower of Babel stubbornly competing to gather around, There is a great tendency to seize the sky.

At this moment, it has a name that we are all familiar with-

"Twilight".

I waved it, already as if driving the mind, I indifferently came to the high-speed flying bullets, and my footsteps stopped in front of the combatants of the R&D Department who were holding guns and cannons as far as the eye could see. I reached out and gently wiped out their flesh; I flapped my wings, vaporizing the bullets and bombs that had accumulated around me. After all this was done, I stood indifferently in the middle of the hall, relaxing the time that had been firmly grasped, and quietly appreciating what happened next.

Yes, we can call it "appreciation", because the scene before us is so magnificent, so beautiful, so harmonious, so pleasing to the eye—like a daunting chapter of death composed by blood and screaming lyrics. And the cause of all this, I, just quietly admire, waiting for the soulmate who really shares the same interests with me.

"Dai...... Devna ...... It's Daphna-senpai! ”

Behind me, a group of exhausted civilians of the Ministry of Armed Forces looked at everything in front of them in amazement, and when they saw my figure, they shouted in surprise and joy: "Senior Devna has come to save us!" ”

"Senior...... Predecessor. The wounded Eugenie endured the severe pain, got up from the pool of blood with all her might, limped to my side, and asked with a sad face: "Teacher Marx has fainted, we are ...... now"

"You guys go quickly." I knew what she wanted to say, so I indifferently gave instructions: "Now you take Marx and the other wounded, follow the route I have marked, and go to Loki and them immediately." ”

"Yes...... Yes. Eugenie seemed a little overwhelmed, she cautiously and quickly recalled Fang Cai's instructions, and as usual, was ready to ask for details again: "Then ......"

"Rest assured, I can guarantee the safety issue; My marks are also clear at a glance; Loki is still in the original target position. I quickly answered Eugénie's question as I flipped my wings and rapidly vaporized the strings of bullets fired in front of me.

"Move fast! Time is of the essence! I urged, a little bored.

"Yes! Be! Seeing this, Eugenie immediately shouted and organized a group of returning civilians who were still able to move nearby, and began to give first aid to the wounded everywhere, supporting and carrying them. At the same time, I also sent a signal to Loki that support will arrive soon......

And the enemy in front of me gradually realized how futile his weak attack was, and had to adjust his tactics, and began to launch a surprise attack behind me from various angles, and even organized death squads to charge me - of course, for myself at this moment, there may have been no distinction between "front" and "back", and the enemy's slashing was just following in the footsteps of those deadly guns. I flipped my wings, and a strong wave of energy mixed with twilight swept through the enemy line in front of me like a rushing tsunami storm, clearing out a crowd of annoying ants and death-fearing commanders in an instant. I shook the newborn limbs of the two wings behind me, lifted my paws on my back, and waited as usual.

At this point, the enemy finally gave up the attempt to pursue, and had to temporarily retreat into the darkness behind the scenes, like a group of frustrated wolves, gearing up and glaring angrily, angry and patiently waiting.

Soon, Loki was leading the men and horses of the garrison to this long and wide passage, and they quickly completed the transportation and placement of a number of wounded, civilian and other equipment documents, and were trying their best to move closer to the defense line with great efficiency. I paid close attention to everything, and just gave a few simple words to Loki, who came to inquire, "I'll go back, don't worry." The first priority is to protect Marx first. ”

Loki didn't hesitate and immediately took the order. It didn't take long for the entire space to be left with one dried blood stain after another, whispering about the injustice and trampling it had endured.

The enemy still did not dare to move blindly, and the report requesting the transfer of the offensive was reported by a commander in the R&D department, but it did not get any expected results - it seemed that only some of the units that came for emergency support were transferred to other fronts, and the original team was still stationed in place, as if the original offensive could still continue, and not at the place where the march must pass, and there was no insurmountable obstacle at all times.

And the reason for all this, of course, I also know it - that is the "thoughtful visitor" I have been waiting for quietly.

Lo and behold, she's here now.

"Lord Binah!" A different kind of contrived flattery suddenly came from the corridor in the distance—although the next second the left hand was rewarded with a demon spirit, and the fleshy words immediately turned into a howl like killing pigs.

Well...... At least it's more pleasing than a disgusting word.

Binha's footsteps grew faster and closer, as if something was chasing after him...... She hurried through the crowd, perhaps eagerly expecting to see something...... It could be me.

Soon, Binah's dusty figure came into view as expected—she had suffered some minor injuries, but she was fine, and her body was quite worn—as if she had just fought a major battle, and had just escaped from the life-and-death battle.

And it must be a very important event for this big man to work tirelessly and come here-

Yes...... That's nature, it could only be me.

"Smack." At this point, Binah finally revealed his metal body in the light and came to me.

"Minister Binah, don't come unharmed." I politely stretched out my hands behind my back and greeted the old boss first.

But Binah didn't seem to appreciate it, she stared at me intently with a dark face, and was unusually alert to my every move.

"Since you choose to wait here, you must be planning to communicate." She got straight to the point, "What do you want?" ”

"What a worthy Minister Binah." I said, raised the corners of my mouth slightly, nodded and said, "Then ...... Is it better to be respectful than to obey your fate? ”

Binah ignored me, just tilted his eyes slightly, as if waiting for something.

"I hope you can answer me a few questions." I spread my hands and took the lead in opening the conversation.

"And what price are you willing to pay?" Binah replied coldly, not repeating the strangely arrogant and lengthy statements of the past.

"I believe Minister Binah......" I stared at the deep hallway behind her that was puzzling with footsteps, "...... You must have an idea of your own, so you might as well say it now. ”

Minister Binah snorted coldly, waved his hand, and motioned for his subordinates behind him to bow forward and pull out a strange-looking device - it appeared to be a suit, with a black Grade A fabric base, sewn and fixed on the back, forearms, hips, and calves, respectively, with several "injection" devices, filled with a pale green liquid, and other devices integrated into it, including a miniature plutonium reactor, communication devices, shield devices, etc., and even a small inverse Kabbalah suppressor system that operated independently...... All in all, this expensive and delicate piece of equipment was clearly made for me - maybe it was Bianh's hole card......

"You've missed the optimal inhibition phase." Binah said very seriously: "Listen, the process of your 'transformation' is irreversible, and the second generation of terminal birds will definitely descend on the city again through this pure and complete 'container'." ”

"And you have now reached the tipping point of transformation...... Every time you unleash your strength, it may be the straw that breaks the camel's back. ”

"Then you want me to be caught?"

"We are all realists." Binah suppressed his unhappiness and continued, "If that kind of disaster happens, it won't be a good outcome for us...... If the rampage of the Terminal Bird gets out of control, all your efforts will be in vain. ”

As he spoke, Bianh pointed to the strange outfit on the side: "It can slow down the process of 'transformation', aogito will be injected into your body regularly, and it can suppress your impulse to release to a certain extent. ”

"If you can stop unleashing power, then at least buy your comrades two days." Binah adds: "During this time, you can move your legs, move freely as a human, and even bring intelligence to your comrades." And there will be no hostile ...... from the R&D department The signalling device on it also reminds my men to be aware and to dodge, even in the middle of a dense attack. ”

"R&D can't control you right now." Binah said calmly, "I don't have to lie to you. ”

As Binah's statement came to an end, I couldn't help but fall into deep thought—

"I might be okay with your terms......" I replied with a purse of my lips and a brief but firm reply.

“…… But I don't understand, now that the Order is only a quarter alive, it is no longer able to launch a counterattack, let alone prevent you from taking the light. They just want to live, so why are you still chasing after them? ”

"That's already the first problem." When Binah heard this, his face immediately darkened: "Tricks are not a matter of credibility - you need to prove yourself to me, Staff Devna." ”

I pouted a little disappointed, and pretended to be casually pacing in place, waiting for Binah to make the first move.

This light action obviously caused Binah's unhappiness even more, but due to the situation in front of him, he also had to follow my rhythm for the time being - "Smack! She snapped her fingers and unleashed a silky "wave" to present the special suit in her subordinates' hands to me, saying, "It's modular, so you can use it as freely as you would an ego." ”

"Huh?" I stretched out my claw arm and took a closer look at the details of the garment—Binah was right, its overall structure was quite unitary, like the armor of an ancient soldier; I can easily set the "Gauntlets" or "Leg Armor" separately.

"If you equip a limb, you'll get an answer, what do you think?" Binah said patiently, pretending to be kind. But even so, everyone present could clearly feel the murderous aura overflowing from her words - it seems...... I need to stop my own contempt and provocation for a while.

As soon as Binah's words fell, I immediately placed a string of "gauntlets" on my right arm, which was full of pitch-black blade feathers......—and in a trance, a huge, intense, and indescribably wonderful feeling of ease and comfort swept over me—just like ............ It was like inhaling enkephalin for the first time, and I couldn't help but shudder.

But...... But the chemicals could no longer sink me, and I preferred to believe that it was a real relief—a little too crowded with a powerful deity in my little mind.

"Cheng ...... Deal. I said slowly, "Tell me, answer." Why won't you let them go......"

“……”

When Binah saw this, a relaxed look appeared in his eyes - maybe it was because he had saved face, or maybe it was because the outfit had worked as expected...... In any case, her mood finally calmed down and she was ready to communicate.

"Because the light ......," she replied briefly.

"Light?" These three inexplicable words made me wonder for a while: "Why?" ”

"The Tree of Light originated from you...... It stems from the endless cycle that you have experienced here for more than 10,000 years—in other words, your existence is the light itself. ”

"Of course...... So do we. Binah said, pointing to himself as well: "The director, the minister, the staff, and even the AI that has been running for more than 10,000 years, every soul struggling in this dungeon is the direct source of that light, and the light has long taken root in your 'heart'. ”

"So......" I asked, listening to Binah's statement, with a solemn expression, "you are trying to capture the light...... Is it necessary to put us to death? ”

"That's right...... This is the only way. Binah replied with extreme calmness, "At that time, all life here will die—including all the ministers." And everything around us will be reshaped in the light of the blockade. ”

"We have to get that light, and we can get it." Binah said categorically: "No matter what the price will be......"

Binah's answer couldn't help but make me wonder more: "If Angela (AI), the one who started all this, is determined to take the 'light' in order to survive......" I looked at Binah's pitch-black metal body again and asked, "And what are you for?" For revenge? To survive? ”

"That's the second question." Binah shook her finger.

"Smack!" Needless to say, I didn't hesitate to put on the device on my left arm, clapped my hands, and signaled that I could continue.

"I helped Angela capture the light for a past engagement." Binah closed his eyes slightly and said softly, "With an immortal ghost." ”

"Promise? Ghost? That's it? I was surprised: "Is it with Ayin!?" ”

"That's the third question." Binah reminded coldly: "I advise you to be more considerate, and you don't have to dig into the details. ”

"Tsk......" I gritted my teeth and pondered it again and again—this unclear word is naturally difficult to call intelligence, but if I continue to ask, I may not be able to get the answer I want......

Now it was my turn to be anxious, but Binah was calm.

"Anyway...... We are powerless to stop you from taking the Seed of Light. I shook my head and rearranged my thoughts: "Then tell me, what will happen next after you take the light?" ”

"Poof." After hearing this, Binah sneered rather playfully, but still replied truthfully:

"Library."

"A giant tower forged by light, built by Angela's desire to survive and learn. Towering over the ruins of this facility. Binah explained briefly.

Again, the answer was ambiguous, but this time I decided to continue the question—"Bang." I put two leg armors on top of my calves: "Tell me more, what exactly are you going to do?" ”

"Well...... Binah said helplessly, "these questions...... I think sooner or later we will all face it together, and we will all get the answer together......"

"However, since you insist, it doesn't hurt to say it—it's just a foretold future, and it's always a little boring."

I was tempted to choke her, but given that Binah was not an open-minded person, I held back.

"The sky-high light will fade away, and the darkness will continue for days. In the newborn library, the deceased will be reshaped by the hidden light and awakened at the right time – or continue to sleep. And the lobe company that has lost its pillar will quickly collapse, and the L-nest will also collapse, shrouded in the same haze as before. ”

"That's how it ......," I said, looking up and imagining the scenes, "even if you are reborn, you must die...... Can they still be called 'alive'? ”

"You say yes, then it is." Binah wasn't prepared to answer my question, just left a meaningful look.

"One last question." I slowly lifted the last part of the outfit – a vertebrae-like back armor. "If the runaway apocalypse comes to the city again, will you still be able to suppress him? And at what cost? ”

“……”

This seems to be a very sensitive issue, and I can clearly feel Binah's entanglement at the moment, and I can't help but be alert......

“…… It is too early to draw conclusions on this matter. Binah finally spoke, "But the 'Chief' will not sit idly by. ”

Quite a sloppy answer, but the information contained is sufficient. I kept my promise and attached the last piece of the puzzle behind me, and with the strange touch of needle insertion and the continuous sound of mechanical fixation, the "corset" specially made for me finally performed its full function—my mental burden was lightened like never before, my hands were no longer empty, I no longer had the worry of walking on thin ice under my feet, and my heart gradually swelled with agitated emotions.

In other words, I felt as if I had become a human being, a living person again.

"I hope you'll keep our agreement." Binah suppressed his throat and warned me with a gloomy face, "This is your last chance, and our last chance. ”

"Don't make a decision that you and I will regret."

Although the words are not very good, they are also weighty, like a sharp chisel axe, leaving an indelible mark in my heart.

"Staff Devna." Just as the conversation was coming to an end, Binah suddenly changed her tone and called out to me in a different soft tone.

"Yes?" I looked up and looked at my former boss with some blankness.

"And then it." Binah said, picking up a black stick and throwing it straight in my direction—

"Poof!" I subconsciously reached out and immediately caught it.

"This ...... This is ......" At the moment of contact with it, an unusually familiar and ethereal touch suddenly baptized my mind like an electric shock—and when I really saw the guy clearly, the agitated emotions took over my fragile mind almost instantly, stirring tense nerves, and I was like a sugar pot to be manipulated, stuffed with trembling, trembling, weeping, anger and despair......

The one that was quietly held in my hands was none other than the "Justice Judge", the black-feathered greatsword that exuded the breath of immortal Gregory. Topmost...... It was also stained with patches of dried blood......

I was holding the long sword, and I was a little overwhelmed for a moment.

"He was a respectable warrior and should not be forgotten." Binah said.

"Bang-bang-" At this moment, there was a sudden sound like a roar in the corridor behind Binah, and this sudden violent agitation naturally aroused her high alarm - it was clear that she could no longer stay here and waste time.

"Pass my orders." Binah immediately whispered to the attendant next to him, "...... So, got it? ”

"Yes! Your Excellency, you will not be disappointed. ”

"Well, without further ado."

With that, Binah immediately turned around and strode with a meteor, once again merging his twilight-glittering metal body into the endless darkness behind him, and quickly plunged into the unfinished brutal battle.

"What are you doing in a daze?"

After Binah left, the commanders of the R&D department immediately began to jump up and down, urging their subordinates to continue the offensive of Fang Cai:

"Rush it all!!"

"Rush! Rush!! ”

"Rush !!"

With their shouts one after another, the "Bangbangs" waved their weapons again and began to charge in the direction of the Order's recent retreat—and I was no longer an insurmountable obstacle, and they passed through me as if they were a torrent of flint.

I still hold the black-feathered greatsword that bears the name of "Justice Judge", and I stand like a sculpture in this hall filled with blood and violence. I looked at the strange faces around me that should have been hated, and all I could have burned in my heart was the anger of revenge.

But I still ...... He did nothing, even though he knew that this turbulent and relentless current would eventually wash mercilessly over his companions who had sworn to protect him, and drown their lives like floating grass.

"It's ...... It's all so that nothing worse......" I shuddered and kept repeating this sentence in my heart.