Chapter Fifty-Four: Rescue
Wednesday
12:34 P.M.
For a long time.
She couldn't speak; she couldn't talk.
Her body moved on its own, as if it no longer belonged to her—
Like it had a mind of its own.
What was the cost?
Indeed, thanks to her sacrifice, the world might become better.
Yet—
What was the cost?
Would the world even become a better place? She didn't even know.
She couldn't speak, and her subconscious seemed like it had been drowned by mud.
All she could do was wait.
Hopefully, someone will pull her from those murky waters (D.E.M)
But there's always a saying: be careful what you wish for.
Her wish was accompanied by something she would wish for.
Yet... she was indeed saved.
***
It was a busy Wednesday afternoon
Cars passed along the streets below, people moving about as they liked.
The sun hung high overhead.
Shining brightly as a fresh breeze softened the heat.
… at this moment however,
Atop a residential rooftop.
Gently flipping through the pages of a book, was a lone male.
He sat on the outdoor unit of an air conditioner, with a case strapped securely to his back.
Absentmindedly, he hummed as he turned each page.
"Man… I don't understand crap here."
With a sigh, the male muttered dejectedly.
For a long time, he had wondered what this book was actually about.
After all, Crowley was believed to be a mystic, or an occultist.
Some media even labeled him the wickedest man in the world, or something equally dramatic.
Wicked?
Morgan rolled his eyes.
"It's more like the ramblings of a fanatic."
Maybe the problem was his own lack of knowledge.
After all..
He was just a high school student running on fumes and coping as best he could.
Science and physics, he understood.
Understanding mysticism, occultism and spiritual symbols however, was far above him.
«Reinterpretation is possible»
«By synchronizing with this Artemisia Bell Ashcroft individual in particular, Master's computation domain can expand»
«As such, Master could use the computation domain to reinterpret it contents as he wishes»
«Master's Territory will also likely make this possible»
In the corner of his vision was a holographic entity.
She sat casually at the corner of the rooftop, legs dangling freely.
Teal-green hair was tied into twin ponytails that swayed gently despite the lack of wind.
Morgan glanced sideways.
"You're saying Artemisia and I might be compatible?"
He tilted his head slightly.
Resonance immediately came to mind.
Despite appearances, both of them were currently in the middle of work.
What's more, it was a very important one at that.
«Hearing Master praise her so much denotes a possibility of it happening.»
"You're basing that on a hypothetical situation, huh?"
Morgan's lips twitched.
Still, he couldn't deny it. It wasn't exactly far-fetched.
If he couldn't interpret the book…
And if whatever ridiculous resonance theory fails as well, then nothing would work.
Hence helping Cecile and the SSS was indeed the best option. Their negotiations ended in agreement.
But…
Cecile O'Brien, huh?
"That girl has potential."
«Yes, and Master has already made his decision hasn't he?»
"Obviously, that girl is taking advantage of Aunt; it's actually hilarious."
Morgan stifled a laugh.
From what he heard from her, that was the impression he got. Not to mention, she knew how to take advantage of her situation.
Telling him Artemisia's location without any other request.
Cecile's rather cunny, but, he had made his preparations even before this morning.
Schneewalzer Mark II.
Otherwise known as Spindrift Wolf or Sekkarou or the Silver Lance or even Bootleg Rhongomyniad...
Was ready for operation.
«Master is a bit of a comedian, you know.»
"Oh please," Morgan replied lazily. "I hadn't acted this chunni since Junior High."
«That also appears to be the principle behind Master's 'Excalibur Morgan'»
«At this rate, Master is susceptible to copyright infringement...»
The sentient AI almost sounded like she was sighing at his antics.
However, Morgan laughed, jumping off the outside air-con unit.
Slowly, he strode toward the edge of the rooftop.
He stopped there, overlooking the city, rather, the scenery.
The buildings that spread, as well as the streets below.
Yes, the city was too beautiful to be involved in his business.
That was why—
«Master. Beta has completed the hack. It is now possible to trigger a citywide spacequake alarm»
"Good work. As usual."
Morgan glanced toward her.
She lifted her chin just slightly, clearly pleased by the praise.
If she had possessed a physical body, she would have demanded a head pat without hesitation.
Unfortunately, it wasn't possible.
Regardless, she just acknowledged the praise.
Perhaps, if there were a way to summon an actual Spirit into the world. He might have tried that instead.
However, that was too far-fetched.
Both of them even threw theories at each other, but in the end, none were plausible.
And the option of waiting for that long wasn't really on his list.
Instead, he deduced he could gather data directly from them.
That's why they were taking such a roundabout method.
Morgan didn't want bystanders.
He didn't want strangers anywhere near his squabble.
"So, how is it..?"
«Yes. Master may detonate it at any time»
It was a peaceful day.
A truly peaceful one.
Clouds drifted lazily across the sky. Trees swayed gently in the tranquil wind.
While it was just mid-afternoon.
It didn't stop the occasional hustle and bustle of the city.
Of course, that was until…
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu—
The sound of disaster struck, spreading far and wide, and in less than a few seconds, it began.
Meanwhile,
..at the Deus Ex Machina Facility,
A grand facility, proudly standing close to the outskirts of Westminster.
Facilities like this existed across multiple countries.
This one, however, had been deliberately built close to the main headquarters on the opposite side of the city.
However at this moment.
Inside their command center.
"What's going on?"
"Yes, sir. We've just received a signal indicating an impending spacequake."
Neon light filled the space.
It was only natural; even the most basic facilities had command centers like that.
That way, they could easily communicate with Headquarters and the Board.
Dominating the far wall was a massive display showing a detailed map of the city.
But something was wrong.
"Wait, what the—that entire radius, it's the entire city!? That's absurd! Recalculate the projection, now!"
Standing at the central command position was a middle-aged man in a military uniform.
A Board member of DEM.
For a long time, he, and others like him, had grown dissatisfied with Isaac Westcott's leadership.
Not without reason.
They had lost Neryl Island to anti-Wizard and Nightmare's attack.
Which fairly enough, it was one of their most productive facilities.
But… worse still, an invaluable test subject had escaped.
It had been nothing short of a catastrophe.
Naturally, some of the Board intended to use this as leverage.
Even if it wouldn't be easy.
After all, the world's strongest Wizard was firmly on Westcott's side.
"Tch. Talk about rotten timing. Right in the middle of the Cipher Systems installation."
He muttered, leaned back into his chair, rubbing his forehead.
Frustration crept into his expression as he awaited the reports, however—
"Sir. No change. The projected impact area still encompasses all of Westminster."
"What!? Is it [Guardian]? Or [Knight]? That's impossible! They've never generated anything on that level."
He straightened abruptly, slamming his hand on his armrest.
Certainly, Headquarters had to be panicking as well.
If this spacequake actually manifested, it would rank among the second or third largest ever recorded.
Grinding his teeth, he drew in a sharp breath before barking out orders.
"Lock down the facility. Deploy the Research Product once confirmation is complete."
"...Sir, is it okay? Has the director-"
"Silence! I am a member of the Board. You will follow my orders!
"Y-yes, sir!"
Immediately, the workers scrambled.
Lockdown procedures activated immediately.
Underground sections opened, and personnel were ordered to evacuate below as fast as possible.
Naturally, the panic spread to the workers.
"Move!"
"Run! Before the bulkheads close!"
Footsteps thundered across the floor as workers in white overalls rushed toward the exits.
A few huffs passed, mixed with sweat.
Not to mention, they weren't even moving in a calm manner.
High school students put them to shame.
But Morgan, walking across the crowds without panicking, wasn't here to judge them.
'To think it would work.'
Certainly, they would realize soon enough that it was a false alarm.
By then, his presence would no longer go unnoticed.
Of course, he added dryly.
Despite boldly declaring I'd kidnap her… it was never going to be that simple.
Regardless.
He could sense that wave.
It was incomparable.
'That's her.'
"Beta, lead the way."
«Acknowledged»
D.E.M Headquarters.
While that was happening—
The alert wasn't limited to the research facility. D.E.M's Headquarters had received the alert as well.
<>
Underground conference room.
A round table dominated the chamber, though most of the seats were empty.
Only the central position was occupied.
And Westcott sat on it.
The room was dimly lit, with ambient lighting above.
Before him, several holographic projections hovered in the air.
Each one represented a member of the D.E.M's Board.
<
<
<
It was clear from their tone that they were confident.
Westcott even donned a pleased expression.
But it wasn't in agreement with what they said.
Something was fishy.
Behind him stood Ellen and Maya.
Ellen was visibly raring to move.
The slightest order would have sent her out the door without hesitation.
However, seeing as he hadn't made his call, she stayed.
"Dear members of the Board, this is a false alarm. The calculations included."
Slowly tapping his finger on the table, Westcott calmly announced.
There were several reasons why he believed so.
But no matter what angle he looked at it from, it was fake.
<
"It is as I have said."
Just as he said that, his finger tapped the desk once, and then, as if on cue.
"Yes, we have just detected signs of tampering within the spacequake system."
Maya, standing behind Westcott, spoke up.
Her gaze was fixed on a holographic panel in front of her as her brows furrowed.
"We're currently tracing the origin. However, our systems also picked up a unique waveform."
Nngh!
She paused.
Just for a fraction of a second, her eyes widened, then immediately steadied.
"…That hesitation tells me this is the work of a third party. If I had to guess.. X?"
Westcott said calmly leaning back with a light exhale.
The amusement drained from his expression.
What replaced it wasn't anger.
It was disappointment, as though he had grasped the intention of this mysterious person.
"Yes, it is as you said."
<
<
Westcott didn't answer immediately.
Because the answer was obvious.
"We are the target."
He simply voiced out.
And yet, there was no excitement in his voice.
If anything, he seemed… unimpressed.
Such an elaborate setup, only to announce one's presence so loudly.
It was like setting off fireworks in the middle of the night.
Doing this only made his actions predictable and crude.
Not to mention—
The cipher key can now transition into the testing phase.
"Britannia and the Ashcroft Series are ready for deployment. Awaiting authorization, sir."
Maya said, closing the holographic screen, folding her arms behind her, and waiting for his order.
Excellent.
Westcott smiled faintly.
It seems like not everyone here is a pure meathead, though he'd known that for a while now.
Maya had already identified the true target.
It wasn't hard to figure out.
"Permission accepted."
Maya nodded. Immediately, she tapped the buds on her ears, turning slightly.
<
<