Episode 50: For Whom Does This Scenario Exist?

"Good work, Commander."

"Well done, Scarlet. Where’s Asuna?"

"She has already swapped back with Esil. It seems her manifestation was only a temporary arrangement under certain restrictions... She told me to tell you to thank Violet for the assistance."

"I see... And those two?"

"The two of them are..."

Scarlet faltered, casting a glance toward them.

"Damn it..."

"....."

"...As you can see, they’re like that."

They were likely frustrated with their own perceived uselessness, wondering if there was a better way to handle things instead of leaving everything to Scarlet.

Looking at Scarlet, I could see gunshot wounds all over her body. It was clear she had fought a desperate, grueling battle. And yet... it was just as clear how much she had grown through it.

"Alright. For now, let’s get some rest. I doubt Rouge will let us return to Paradise just yet. Once we’ve done the bare minimum to pull ourselves together, Scarlet will lead the clearing of the factory."

"That won’t be necessary. I can’t detect any electronic or biological signatures coming from the factory."

"You... you can sense that much now?"

"Yes. I’ve realized quite painfully that I simply didn't know how to use my abilities before."

Well, that changes things.

"That’s amazing, Scarlet!"

"Hardly..."

"Alright, everyone, listen up! We’re going to rejoin the Slayer Meeting to report that the area is secured and retrieve the device to restore Asuna’s consciousness. After that, we return to Paradise and have her revived under Lady Alter’s instructions!"

"Finally... Master will be back!"

"Indeed!"

While this expedition was far from "safe," it was ending without us losing a single person...

"Alright then, let’s head home!"

"Yeah!"

"Yes, sir."

"...Acknowledged."

"Right!"

BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP—

Suddenly, the comms unit let out a sharp receiving tone. The caller was... Rabia?

"What’s wrong?"

"Bzzzt... zzzzt... Can— hear? Can you hear me!?"

"Yeah, I hear you. Did something happen?"

"Did something happen? Don't give me that! Bzzzt— zzz—"

"She betrayed us! That damn old hag did it!!"

Betrayal? Who?

The only person Rabia and I would both call an "old hag" at their age was...!!

"You can't mean—!?"

"Preparations are complete, Lady Alter."

"Good work."

Finally. Finally, this day has come.

"Today, I will settle a grievance exactly seventy years, three months, twenty-one days, six hours, and twelve minutes in the making. Are you ready, Lica?"

The girl before me remained silent.

"Phew... Go."

At my command, a total of 812 units from the Lica series began their march.

"Search and destroy."

They repeated my words in monotone, mechanical voices devoid of emotion.

"Search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy, search and destroy,

"search and destroy, search and destroy."