Humanity is always looking back, pointing fingers at an unbearable history, as if doing so will caution itself to create a better future.
But the reality is not like that.
...
[Support from the Third Branch will arrive in 17 minutes and 31 seconds]
Lin picked up some fragments from the ground and scanned the components clinging to the burnt, residual metal pieces.
The results came out shortly, a little faster than Lin expected, but he understood why when he saw the displayed list of components.
They were almost entirely new, undiscovered substances, at least 80% of which were artificially synthesized. This also explained why he didn't detect the bombs at all during his initial scan of the Fifth Branch. Like the greatsword, they employed new technology that Lin hadn't been able to access yet.
Lin wasn't surprised by the failure to detect the bombs, but the fact that the man could secretly set up so many bombs in the Fifth Branch and open the detention facility, which required the physiological clearance of only the branch's top brass...
Even without knowing the full picture, the answer was practically screaming at him.
"But what if humanity disappoints you one day?"
Elysia's question echoed in Lin's ears.
Lin slowly closed his hand, crushing the fragments into a Party, then released his grip, letting them fall to the ground.
A new notification received by Prometheus made Lin's gaze freeze completely.
[Lin, 1 minute and 13 seconds ago, the killer violently resisted while being escorted to the headquarters and was executed on the spot. The execution video has been logged into the database]
Executed on the spot? Less than half an hour elapsed between his incarceration and transportation, and the killer was executed, without even having his identity questioned. And this happened on a transport plane carrying only the detainee and the escort?
Given the technology of the Moth of the Fire Chasers, fabricating a completely convincing video material would probably be easier than Lin killing a Honkai Beast.
Lin stood guard in the corridor leading to the top floor, looking at the devastated Fifth Branch, and quietly tightened his grip on the handgun in his holster.
"What's the follow-up?"
[The original plan was to detain him in 'The Deepest Reaches' after questioning. Now, the corpse will continue to be transported to the headquarters for dissection and identity investigation. This is the publicly available information; your clearance is insufficient to view the follow-up]
"'The Deepest Reaches'?" Lin softly repeated the unfamiliar name.
[Information regarding The Deepest Reaches has not yet been recorded in the database]
This meant that regarding the handling of that "corpse," those with "Captain" clearance and below would know only that much—it was practically a blank slate.
An incident that nearly destroyed an entire branch, yet the final handling was so vague and obscured, hidden away like an old woman's fig leaf, reeking but unable to be fully glimpsed.
Then, it probably wouldn't be long before an announcement regarding this incident was released. The content would likely be a vague investigative report about a mysterious organization attacking the Fifth Branch, followed by a promise to continue investigating this "mysterious organization" that was technologically on par with, or even surpassed, the Moth of the Fire Chasers. It might also hint that the reason for the attack was the Moth of the Fire Chasers' modifications to humans.
Where is this mysterious organization, you ask? Come on, since it's a "mysterious" organization, it is, of course, "still unknown." We are investigating, too.
Even though everyone knows that replacing "still unknown" with "no comment" wouldn't make any difference.
"Lin."
Kevin Kaslana walked up to Lin from behind, his head lowered, his voice so low that it didn't sound like the usual cheerful boy.
Lin didn't need to see his expression to know that his face was full of struggle and pain right now.
"The surgery is over," he said hoarsely.
"...What's the result?"
"Doctor Spaciel had his entire left forearm amputated. His life is no longer in danger."
"What about Sijin?"
"..." Kevin didn't answer.
There it was again.
Lin heard the sighs of the deceased standing behind him.
Kevin leaned against the stained, decaying wall, clutching his chest and panting heavily. The crushing weight of guilt seemed to be overwhelming him. He looked at the silent Lin and murmured, "Lin, have you been through this many times?"
"Is this your first time?"
"I..." Kevin put his hands in front of his eyes. The dark gloves were stained with blood. The scene of Lin shooting Karen played over and over in his mind, making his stomach churn with the urge to vomit.
It should have been him, but Lin acted first.
Just like before, Lin resolutely left to protect him when he knew nothing.
He lifted his head, gazing up at the ceiling: "Lin, is it really right to sacrifice some people to save more people?"
"No, it's wrong," Lin answered decisively.
He turned his head, facing the bewildered Kevin with his cold helmet: "Kevin, if shooting Mei could save all of humanity, would you do it?"
"I..."
Kevin's bewilderment instantly receded by half, but what followed was his fear of his own answer, which held not a single moment of hesitation.
"There's a difference even between the few and the few, not to mention that there are situations where the 'individual' outweighs the 'many.' Weighing people on a scale is a false proposition with no answer from the start."
"I pulled the trigger simply because we had no choice at that moment."
What if he hadn't shot? Would he have watched Karen attack them?
"Don't try to define the value of sacrifice. Otherwise, you've already started treating humans as objects."
"And no matter how many objects are lost, it won't break one's heart."
Kevin returned to the rooftop. Lin's words might not dispel the confusion in his heart, but Lin believed he would find his reason to fight by Mei's side.
To protect the majority for the sake of the few—Lin secretly envied those who could do this. In them, the greatness of humanity was fully displayed. Their spirit would lead humanity forward, becoming the radiant "heroes."
The words Lin spoke to Kevin had long become an unattainable luxury the moment he chose to shoot again and again. He was the wrong person who made the "right choice" for everyone, just as he described.
He suddenly reached up and clutched his chest.
"Cough, cough..."
Lin loosened the neck of his helmet and spat out the blood in his mouth.
[Lin, your body hasn't fully recovered. Using Burst Mode will exacerbate your physical burden. I will lock your armor's functions until you are fully healed]
In order to break through from the outside and return to the Fifth Branch, Lin had used the newly installed Burst Mode of the powered armor mid-way. The increase in output overloaded his body. Fortunately, he only used it for travel, and the duration was short, or it would have been more than just spitting up blood.
"The clearance was transferred by me to you. You can't lock my armor," Lin said lightly, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Yes, but I request you do not use Burst Mode again." Prometheus's voice always appeared so suddenly.
Lin didn't respond, only adding flatly, "Someone had to do it."
He turned around to face the silently standing Seele.