Two weeks later in the training room. Eleanor was learning to walk like a toddler with her robotic arms and legs. It had been 300 years since she had walked or held anything. She walked slowly to the beat to maintain her balance. Beside her, Violence also walked slowly beside her just in case, she felt her sister was pushing herself too hard in her not fully recovered condition.
"Hey, be careful, you're not fully recovered yet," Violence said.
"Don't worry, sis, I'll be careful," Eleanor replied.
Eleanor smiled as she began to get used to walking like a normal person. She slowly quickened her pace while maintaining her balance. She tried to run slowly but surely, maintaining the balance she'd lost over the past hundred years.
Violence clapped her hands softly, proud of her accomplishment.
"Very good, now let's practice your hands. I want to see you play instruments like you used to."
Violence took out a violin and handed it to her. Eleanor took it hesitantly. The glint of metal on her robotic fingers reflected the torchlight in the room. For hundreds of years, she had known only silence and limitations; now, the weight of the violin in her left hand felt both unfamiliar and longed for.
"This...this is something I've missed so much..." she said softly.
"I'll guide you with the double bass," Violence said, holding a large double bass.
"Eh? Since when can you play that instrument?" Eleanor asked in disbelief.
Her eyes widened, staring at her older sister as if she had just seen a stranger. As far as she could remember, Violence was a woman familiar only with lines of computer code, test tubes, and all things scientific. The thought of the hand that usually held a screwdriver now dancing on an instrument felt surreal.
Violence chuckled softly, a rare, faint laugh. "Since the first time you fell asleep in that tube," she replied quietly, leaning back.
Her gaze was distant, as if reminiscing about the hundreds of years of loneliness she'd endured.
"I tried to entertain myself with a few musical instruments to make this room feel less lonely. But unfortunately, I couldn't master all the instruments you used to play easily. My skills are limited, so I can only master the double bass, occasionally playing your favorite songs to accompany you to a long sleep."
Eleanor was stunned. Beneath the sophistication of her now-robotic legs and arms, lay her sister's incredible devotion and loneliness during her unconsciousness.
"So, you've been playing for me all this time?" Eleanor whispered, her cool fingers gently touching her sister's arm.
"Of course, only for my dear sister," Violence replied with a smile. Although her face betrayed no reaction, her voice betrayed a sweet smile. "Let's play slowly so your hands can follow the gentle rhythm."
Eleanor nodded slowly. The metal fingers of her new robotic hand hesitated for a moment, then touched the violin strings. There was a subtle vibration—not just from the strings, but from herself. The first sound was thin, trembling slightly, like a whisper afraid to disturb the silence.
Violence waited.
Her double bass stood upright beside his tall frame. She held still, allowing Eleanor to find her own breath. Only when the violin's tone began to stabilize did she slowly draw the bow.
Duum…
The low notes of the double bass came in like a solid, warm floor, accommodating every little mistake without judgment.
"Good," Violence said softly. "Don't force your hand. Listen, then let it move on its own."
Eleanor closed her eyes. The robotic hand—which had initially felt foreign—began to follow the old memories stored within her. The mechanical joints moved with precision, but the rhythm remained human. The violin notes flowed longer, more confidently, meandering gently over the deep double bass. Violence matched the tempo.
She didn't lead, nor did she chase. She accompanied. Their bows moved in unison—up, down—like two breaths finally finding the same rhythm. Every time Eleanor was a little late, the double bass slowed. Every time Eleanor hesitated, the low notes became thicker, as if to say, "I'm here." There was a small moment when Eleanor smiled.
"It feels… different," she said quietly. "But it's not scary."
"Because it's still your music," Violence replied. "Your hands may change. Your voice doesn't." They continued playing.
Soft notes filled the room, reflecting off the walls like afternoon light. Eleanor's violin wept softly—not with sadness, but with relief. Violence's double bass responded with quiet warmth, keeping the piece from collapsing.
After a while, they finished their final beat and bowed to each other.
"That...is beautiful," Eleanor whispered.
"Hehe, I'm glad to hear that," Violence replied.
Clap...clap...clap...
The sound of applause broke the silence, startling both of them slightly. Eleanor and Violence turned their heads almost simultaneously. At the threshold, Lily stood with a warm smile, her hands still gently clasped together, filled with pride. She then stepped closer, her steps deliberately slowing as if not wanting to ruin the lingering notes that lingered in the air.
Lily spoke softly, her tone sincere.
"Ah… I'm sorry if I interrupted your moment."
Eleanor shook her head slowly. She lowered her violin, her robotic hands resting at her sides. "It's okay," she replied softly. "We're done."
Lily nodded slightly, her eyes sparkling. "Honestly… that was the most beautiful performance I've ever seen in my life," she said. "Music played by two sisters."
Violence was silent for a moment. She carefully set down her double bass and turned to Eleanor. Her expression remained impassive, but there was a faint warmth in her voice as she spoke.
"Thank you," she said briefly, but meaningfully. Eleanor looked down slightly, her cheeks heating up.
"I still make a lot of mistakes," she said quietly.
"My hands aren't quite used to it yet."
"That's what makes it beautiful," Lily said quickly. "There's an honesty there. Like… you're waiting for each other and looking out for each other."
Lily smiled wider. She looked at Eleanor's robotic hand, then at her face.
"And today," she said softly, "I see someone finally at peace with herself."
Eleanor gripped her violin a little tighter. She glanced at Violence, who stood quietly beside her—steadfast, silent, yet ever-present.
"Perhaps," she said softly, "because I'm not alone."
"Ara-ara, it seems I'm late," Cassandra said, holding her cheek as she stood in the doorway.
Lily bowed respectfully.
"Welcome, Lady Cassandra. What brings you here?"
Cassandra walked over, feeling a little sad that she had just missed an exciting performance. "Hmm~ What a shame, I heard that gentle melody from the hallway. So, how is everything going?"
Lily replied in a soft yet reassuring tone.
"So far, Eleanor has managed to move her arms and legs very smoothly without any significant problems. She's getting used to walking, and she's even able to play a musical instrument again with her robotic arm."
Hearing the report, Cassandra smiled proudly. She clapped her hands softly, showing a rare show of appreciation.
"Very good. Then, I'll give you two days to get used to the movement. Use that time to have as much fun as you like."
Lily was taken aback, her eyes widening at the sudden decision.
"Eh? Lady Cassandra, isn't that a little too soon for them? I think it would be best if we postpone it a little longer until they are truly physically and mentally ready."
Cassandra paused for a moment. She rested her hand on her cheek, a lazy expression on her face, as if this haggling was boring.
"Hmm, okay. Three days," she said curtly without looking up, then continued walking out of the room.
Violence and Eleanor were speechless, unable to refute the Queen's Counselor's decision. Amidst the awkward silence, Lily looked at them with pity. She had a sincere plan to make the siblings feel truly accepted as part of the family, not just guests or freeloading experimental subjects.
Lily turned to them, trying to lighten the mood. "Please forgive Lady Cassandra. Although she can be strict and stiff at times, her every word and action always has good intentions."
Eleanor smiled faintly, feeling a little more at ease at that explanation.
"Yes, we'll probably get used to it soon," she replied softly.
Lily then approached, assessing Eleanor's physical condition once more.
"Eleanor, do you feel like you still need your wheelchair?" she asked in a concerned tone.
Eleanor shook her head firmly. She took one more step to reassure herself.
"No, I can walk normally now," she replied, though her voice still sounded a little amazed at her own abilities.
Lily nodded slowly, a smile spreading across her face.
"Good then. If you agree, I'll take you on a tour of the small town of Lyovianne. I want you to see the facilities we've built and start enjoying it as your new home."
Hearing the offer, Violence and Eleanor looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Violence's hand was still gently stroking Eleanor's robotic fingers, as if making sure her sister was truly ready to face the outside world.
"We gladly accept your offer," Violence replied calmly.
"Thank you so much for your kindness, Lily," Eleanor added sincerely.
Moments later, they arrived at the front gate of the headquarters. As they strolled leisurely, Eleanor and Violence looked around, taking in the unfamiliar yet tranquil atmosphere of the city. Lily patiently explained every corner they passed. She recounted Lyovianne's dark history, where the city was once divided into two warring factions, fighting for the last resources needed to survive.
"However, the two factions were eventually united by the Queen," Lily explained proudly. "She formed a nation that looked out for each other, ensuring that every citizen felt safe from the cruelty of the outside world. All the women you see here are refugees we rescued."
Violence's steps suddenly stopped. A logical question arose in her mind as a scientist.
"If all the people here are women because the Justice virus has wiped out the males, then how will you maintain the survival of the human race? How will you reproduce?"
Lily stopped in her tracks. The question was simple, yet it felt difficult to utter. She took a deep breath, trying to gather her emotions before answering.
"Actually... there was one man who was known to be immune to the virus," Lily answered, her voice trembling slightly. "But due to certain medical reasons, he couldn't have sex naturally. So, he could only donate his sperm. We managed to secure at least twelve tubes of fertile sperm from him. However, he disappeared on a dangerous mission. His body was never found, nor was any trace of him. To date, his status is only listed as missing."
Violence listened intently, beginning to grasp the existential crisis the city was facing. She glanced again at the crowd, but noticed something odd: none of the women appeared to be pregnant.
"Then... why aren't there any pregnant women here?" Violence asked again, this time in a heavier tone, as she began to guess the situation.
Lily replied calmly, realizing that this truth couldn't be hidden forever.
"Her Majesty hasn't permitted the people to become pregnant yet. The world is still vast, and there are likely still many humans surviving out there. She doesn't want this small town to experience an uncontrolled population explosion. That's why she decided to store the sperm vials in the most secure underground facility."
Eleanor, who had been listening, felt her chest tighten as she imagined the burden the Queen was carrying.
"So, those twelve vials are the only hope left for humanity in this city?"
Lily nodded slowly, then turned to the crowd of people trying to heal their trauma.
"For now, yes, we're still searching for that man, hoping he's still alive and well."
Lily glanced at a shop on the corner, then turned to them with a forced smile, trying hard to steer the conversation away from the heavy atmosphere.
"By the way, are you hungry? We can eat and chat at that restaurant if you'd like," she offered, pointing to a building with a delicious aroma wafting through the air.
At the word "eat," Eleanor's eyes lit up slightly. After hundreds of years of surviving solely on nutrient fluids in tubes, the idea of experiencing the texture of real food excited her. Violence nodded in agreement, wanting her sister to experience the sensation of being fully human again.
They approached the restaurant, busy imagining what kind of food might still exist in a world like this. As soon as they stepped inside, the chime of the doorbell greeted them. Lily chose a comfortable seat in the corner, right next to a large window overlooking the bustling town of Lyovianne.
Eleanor ran her robotic fingers through the wooden table, then gazed out the window, amazed at the life pulsing back before her.
One of the waitresses approached them, bowing respectfully upon seeing Lily seated there.
Violence suddenly remembered something. She stopped reaching for the menu and asked in a very polite yet confused tone, "
Wait a minute... How am I supposed to eat? And you too, Lily, how are you supposed to swallow that food? Aren't our bodies completely robotic now?"
Lily chuckled at the question. She found it quite endearing to see a genius scientist like Violence so flustered by such basic things. "Hehe, you know? Humans whose consciousnesses have been transferred into robot bodies like ours can still enjoy food," Lily replied playfully. "We're designed to feel human even in mechanical bodies. On Lyovianne, our mecha body technology is equipped with highly advanced artificial taste sensors."
Lily pointed to her own throat.
"Our internal systems will either process the food into energy or expel it through a special filtration system. So, don't worry. You can still taste the sweet, salty, and even spicy flavors without damaging the mechanical components inside."
Eleanor touched her lips, feeling both relieved and amazed. "So, she can really taste strawberries or chocolate again, Lily?"
Lily nodded firmly.
"Of course. So, now stop thinking like a machine and start choosing what you want on the menu."
Violence touched the iron tongue in her mouth, feeling both envy and admiration for the progress of human evolution on Lyovianne amidst this viral apocalypse.
"You're all thinking too much about the future of humanity, aren't you?" She said.
Lily chuckled again, this time warmer.
"Well, it's the higher-ups like Voltrania and Cassandra who came up with those innovations; we scientists are just trying to make their ideas a reality." She turned to the waiter, "One Beef Bourguignon, one Ratatouille, and three Macarons. For drinks, please have two strawberry juices and one hot chocolate."
The waitress took their orders and then headed back to the kitchen. Violence was stunned when Lily mentioned some classic dishes, and her eyes widened in disbelief when she read the menu, which featured a variety of traditional European dishes.
"No way... In this doomsday world, you're still preserving traditional French cuisine? This is absolutely insane," she said in a skeptical tone, as if her scientific logic were being challenged.
Lily smiled gently at Violence's overreaction. "Well, we developed those ingredients through meticulous biochemical engineering. The Queen insisted that Lyovianne grow into a technologically advanced nation, while still maintaining its identity and traditional flavors of the past."
She took a sip of the water in front of her before continuing.
"We have a specialized food laboratory that replicates the texture of meat and the freshness of vegetables to match the real thing. So, what you'll be eating isn't just artificial nutrition, but rather relived memories."
Eleanor seemed very enthusiastic, drumming her metal fingers on the table to the beat of her excitement.
"I can't wait to experience it. It really is like coming home, Sis."
"Welcome back to the world, Eleanor, Violence," Lily said softly, almost drowned out by the din of the restaurant.
That night, in a corner of a small town isolated from the cruelty of the outside world, two souls who had lain dormant for hundreds of years finally felt truly alive again. They were no longer mere experiments or mecha subjects; they were human beings celebrating their return over plates of warm food.