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Barbara Claudia.
A member of the White Line's Lower House. Though technically just a Lower House representative, the fact that her district was the White Line—where nearly all of the Ark's power was concentrated—meant she held far more influence than her counterparts from other lines.
'For someone like that to seek me out... there must be something quite special she wants.'
The very moment my eyes met Barbara Claudia's—
["…Something feels off."]
Esther's voice echoed, and the surrounding ether stirred with an eerie chuckle.
Esther's ether was clashing with the ether in this place.
[Kkik, kkigik───!]
[Hell-o. How-are-you. Good-day. Hell-o. How-are-you. Good-day. Hell-o. How-are-you. Good-day...]
[Kik, kikikik───!]
Fitting for someone born near Mount Noah, the White Line. Barbara Claudia herself was clearly a powerful ether-compatible individual, which explained the reaction.
"…Indeed. I wasn't wrong about you. You're as impressive as they say."
Barbara Claudia smiled as she said this.
"Quite the grand introduction."
"I'd heard rumors that Carl Marcus was a powerful ether-compatible. And indeed, you live up to the name. Just like your sister, Miss Lania."
"You met Lania?"
"Yes. We had matters to discuss regarding the Alliance. I was surprised you weren't there yourself."
That must've happened after the Ark's alliance with the Kronos Union. I had left immediately after to hunt the Bone Lord, so I'd been out of touch.
"Let's skip the small talk. Why did you summon me here? Surely it wasn't just to see my face."
"First, I want to thank you for all you've done for the Ark. I should have said it much sooner... I apologize it's only happening now."
Her words might have sounded as though she were speaking for the entire Ark.
But I knew the truth.
That arrogance wasn't misplaced.
"You think a few words of thanks are enough?"
"Of course not. The Ark is always prepared to repay your sacrifices. If you check your personal ID, I believe you'll find the amount deposited more than satisfactory."
If someone from the White Line's Lower House was saying that, the amount truly must be substantial.
I hadn't had many opportunities to earn credits lately, so this worked out nicely for me.
"Then let's get to the point. Why did you really want to see me?"
At my words, a subtle shift passed through Barbara Claudia's blue eyes behind her glasses.
"Carl Marcus, there's something I'd like you to do. Something only you can do."
"Only I can do? That's an odd way to put it. The Ark has no shortage of capable people."
"Let me clarify. We need the help of someone foreign to the Ark—someone like you."
"You do realize how strange that sounds, right?"
Though I had helped the Ark in various ways, that alone didn't justify someone from the White Line's Lower House personally seeking me out.
There were plenty of soldiers far more loyal than me.
'And yet, she came to me.'
If she wanted me as an outsider, there had to be a reason.
"Lately, there have been troubling developments in the Purple Line. Carl Marcus, I'd like you to investigate."
The Purple Line, huh…
I had a feeling I knew what this was about—and it wasn't just a hunch.
"Be specific."
"Are you familiar with a religion called the Machine Cult?"
"To some extent."
"Then this should be quick. The Machine Cult has been gaining momentum in the Purple Line. In fact, they've begun aggressively expanding their influence into other lines as well."
As expected, she mentioned the Machine Cult.
This was no coincidence.
Just as I had begun considering making contact with them, the White Line—and by extension, the other powers in the Ark—were also taking note of the Machine Cult.
"Do you happen to know one of the core doctrines of the Machine Cult?"
I did, of course—but I had no intention of revealing just how much I knew.
"Not really. I'm not that familiar."
"The Machine Cult views humanity itself as an incomplete species that must eventually be replaced. Machines, they believe, are the perfect alternative. That alone makes them dangerous."
Barbara Claudia continued.
"In the Ark, religion is a risk. It deceives people and assigns meaning to things that don't exist—as if they were more real than reality itself."
"How convenient. Sounds like you just want to protect the status quo—the one where the White Line rules over the entire Ark."
"…That's one way to look at it. I won't deny it. But whether sooner or later, the Machine Cult will bring chaos to the Ark. That much is undeniable."
At least she didn't bother to deny it.
Just as I'd heard, Barbara Claudia wasn't the authoritarian type her title suggested.
If anything, it was probably that personality that got her this far.
"In any case, if the Machine Cult continues to grow unchecked, something terrible will happen within the Ark. I'd like you to find out exactly what's enabling their expansion."
"Their foundation, huh... You must have investigated already. So, this is for cross-verification, isn't it?"
"…You don't miss a thing, do you? Yes."
"What's the intel?"
Barbara Claudia sighed deeply.
"Haa… At this rate, verifying the intel might be pointless, but since you've figured this much out—there are rumors that the Machine Cult has found a Messiah. It's that Messiah's presence that's allowed them to grow."
"Messiah?"
"Yes."
A Messiah…
I couldn't just ignore that, but I made sure not to show my reaction.
"There's still something that doesn't add up."
"What would that be?"
"If that's all you needed, there's no reason it had to be me. If you're hiding something, spill it now."
Barbara Claudia nodded slowly.
"…Very well. I'll be honest. Not long ago, several White Line databases were hacked. No critical intelligence was leaked, but the names of soldiers from both the White and Red Lines were exposed."
"You think the Machine Cult did it?"
"We can't say for certain. But they're our prime suspect."
"Because they're the only ones with that kind of tech?"
"Yes. It's only conjecture, but we can't afford to be careless. That's why we need your help. The Machine Cult likely knows the identities of every White and Red Line soldier. As an outsider, we want you to approach them."
Of course, I knew.
There were still plenty of vague and suspicious details in what Barbara Claudia had said.
'But… it's not like I have to think twice.'
Even if the request was murky, I had already planned to approach the Machine Cult. There was no reason to refuse.
Of course, not for free.
"Payment?"
"We don't have anything specific prepared, but... is there anything you want? We'll do our best to arrange it."
"Then I'll name the price after the job's done."
By then, I'd probably know exactly what kind of reward I wanted.
"Understood. I'll make a note of that."
The deal was made.
From my perspective, it was a perfect opportunity to carry out something I was going to do anyway—with the White Line footing the bill.
'More importantly, it's good news that the White Line's mission doesn't conflict with my own.'
If our goals had clashed, I might've been forced to choose one.
Not that I couldn't overturn both if I wanted to, but that would've dragged things out far longer.
In the end, keeping things simple was best.
"By the way… Carl Marcus, you're not quite what the rumors say."
"What do they say?"
"That you're quite stoic. But you're surprisingly talkative in person."
"..."
Esther, who'd been listening silently, nodded.
["See? I told you. For someone who pretends to be all serious, you talk way too much."]
You and I are going to have a talk later.
"…I'll be going now."
"Oh—yes, of course. I must've said something unnecessary. I look forward to hearing good news, Carl Marcus."
I turned and walked away.
It was time to head to the Purple Line.
* * *
Outer perimeter of the White Line.
"Yaaawn…"
Colonel Melissa let out a long yawn as she stood on duty as usual.
A Skull Knight—a rare asset even within the Ark—she had been stationed here ever since her transfer to the White Line.
"I'd really like to return already. How long are they planning to keep me holed up here…?"
Since the White Road assault incident, Colonel Melissa hadn't been allowed to leave the White Line.
She had been happy at first, thinking it was a promotion. But the thrill didn't last.
Staring at the same dreary White Line scenery day after day was driving her mad.
"Hm?"
That's when something unfamiliar brushed against her ether sense.
"What's wrong, ma'am?"
Her aide spoke up, and Melissa narrowed her eyes.
"I don't know… Something feels... off."
She instinctively sharpened her senses to find what was distorting her ether perception.
And at the end of her gaze—stood a man.
He looked oddly familiar yet unfamiliar, and Melissa racked her memory.
"…Ah."
It didn't take long for her to realize who he was.
Carl Marcus.
The man currently shaking the Ark to its core.
She didn't know how or why he had come to the White Line, but one thing was certain—
'What… is this?'
Every sense in Colonel Melissa's body screamed of danger.
An overwhelming presence beyond description.
That's what emanated from Carl Marcus.
'He's not even a Skull Knight—how can a human feel like this…?!'
Sweat beaded on her brow despite the cold, and her sturdy legs began to tremble.
For someone like Melissa—someone who was a Skull Knight—this reaction was unthinkable.
'…This can't be real.'
In shock, she could only stare at Carl Marcus from a distance.
And then—
"…Huh?"
When had it started?
Or maybe it had been from the beginning?
When her eyes met his, Melissa felt as though her heart had stopped.
'I'm going… to die.'
She squeezed her eyes shut—
But nothing happened.
Only her aide's worried voice reached her ears.
"Colonel? Are you alright?"
"…Ah."
Only then did she realize—
She was on her knees.
A silent testament of submission, as if she had bowed before him of her own will.
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