Collapse
We proceed through the upper hallway with Shirufi's guidance.
Along the way are Prelati's mostly mummified bodies.
-There is a lift ahead. but…-
"Is the power turned off?"
-Yes, the main power is already collapsing-
"I see."
I pry open the elevator door
In the darkness, a small light can be seen from far below.
"Can everyone go that far?"
"""No problem!"""
The voices of the knights are reliable
"That's right. Is it connected all the way down to the lower layer?"
-That elevator only connects to the middle layer-
"Understood. Let's go!"
Five people at a time descend to the middle layer along the rope of the elevator.
First up is Sedona and Wince.
I'm the last one
"Shirufi, can you hear me?"
After confirming that everyone has descended, I follow the rope and begin descending to the middle layer.
-Yes?-
"There's no one around me"
-……-
"Why can you use Tuega's machines?"
-Well, somehow my body remembers...-
"Do you think you can fool anyone with that?"
-…Are you aware of it?-
"I don't know the details though."
-I see... I'm sorry, but I didn't actually fail the transition surgery-
"Do you remember it too?"
-Yes-
"Why did you pretend that you failed and get expelled?"
-...Because Serufi's transition surgery failed-
"I see, Serufi…"
-I know. It was recorded on a surveillance camera that Serufi was being roughly dismantled-
"If only I had acted sooner."
-It's my fault in the first place. I wish I had talked to Serufi more, I wish I had listened to Serufi's true feelings-
As we express each other's regrets
"Shiro-san!"
It seems like I've descended to the middle layer before I knew it.
Wince is waiting just below.
-When you get out, please take care of my room in the Empire-
"I understand."
―――――
"Shiro-sama, I'm glad you're safe!"
When we arrived at the middle layer, the number of knights had increased.
Two people are carrying communication cables on their backs.
"You guys came from the lower layer!"
"Yes, to have you contact Yukikaze-sama as soon as possible."
That's what the knight says, covered in scars
Minor but many lacerations
"What about those wounds?"
"We just got caught up in the riots in the lower layer. For now, please contact Yukikaze-sama rather than talking to us."
I pick up the prepared telephone receiver
"Yukikaze?"
-Good, I was able to contact you!-
"What happened? Ah no, should I explain this first?"
-You can start either way, but please come back as soon as you finish talking!-
"Why?"
-Tuega will collapse in 85 hours!-
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