Upon arriving at the Orange Line, I surveyed the battlefield where restoration efforts were in full swing.
Crumbled walls.
Corpses of beasts and monsters that had stormed the area from all sides.
And the groans of wounded soldiers.
["…This is utter chaos."]
Esther clicked her tongue.
It couldn't be helped.
No matter how many tactical nukes Ark had deployed, that alone wasn't enough to wipe out all the beasts and monsters. Naturally, the battlefield bore the gruesome scars of war, and the Orange Line was no exception.
'The only silver lining is that the casualties seem surprisingly low.'
Given the power level I knew the Orange Line held, it wouldn't have been strange to see a far higher death toll from a triple wave. And yet, the number of visible casualties was unexpectedly small.
As if some unseen force had intervened beyond my perception.
'Hm?'
And then, I spotted a curious pair.
"Ouch! Just a bit more gently, please..."
"Hold still."
In the holding area where the less severely injured had gathered, Hildegarde was wrapping a bandage around Cowardly Bell's arm.
Even seeing it with my own eyes, it was hard to believe—what a strange pair.
'Hmm.'
Seeing that peculiar duo, I began to understand why the Orange Line had suffered so few losses.
If both Hildegard and Cowardly Belle had begun to awaken their abilities, then naturally the frontline situation would've improved.
'Though the Orange Line's minimal damage likely isn't just because of their awakening… something must've happened.'
The soldiers of Ark, whose growth had been somewhat stunted due to my actions, were now coming into their own.
For someone who had been running around trying to protect Ark, it was a heartening sight.
'The other soldiers must be doing well too.'
Though not here, other playable characters like Kalakin and fellow soldiers were surely doing their best in their own way.
So, I had to do what needed doing in this place.
["Heading off now?"]
'Yeah.'
With things wrapped up here, I turned my steps toward the Red Line.
It had been quite a while since I'd met with Quartermaster Gedwin and Maybell Pilgrim.
'Might as well check in with Lieutenant Colonel Banol and report on this mission too.'
Things had been hectic, and I hadn't yet had the chance to debrief Banol after returning.
'I'll start by finding him.'
I headed for the Red Line.
Normally, I might have stopped by the Red-17 Gate, but lately there was little reason to use the Red Line gates, so I skipped it.
'Can't keep visiting forever.'
If Lieutenant Imosha found out, she might be a little disappointed—but such is life.
Every meeting has its beginning and its end.
'Still, if fate allows, we'll meet again.'
I headed straight for Lieutenant Colonel Banol's office without detouring through Red-17.
"Come in."
Inside, I found Banol hard at work.
"You're here. Good work."
"It was nothing. More importantly, did the team all make it back safely?"
"Thanks to you. From what I've heard on the front, it seems their training paid off."
"That's good to hear."
Apparently, those who'd been with me on this quasi-mission had demonstrated the fruits of their training. As someone who had hoped for this outcome, I was more than satisfied.
"Oh, and you probably already know, but the recent White Line assault has stirred things up inside Ark. You'll want to be careful. Even as an honorary citizen, you're still practically an outsider, and one slip could drag you into something nasty."
He wasn't wrong. Tensions in Ark were high following the White Line incident.
Any suspicion during a time like this could get someone branded a traitor and fast-tracked to Ark's infamous custom-built electric chair.
"Thanks for the warning."
"No problem. Losing a talent like you would be a big loss for Ark."
Banol seemed to recall something.
"By the way, I heard you were active on the Orange Line. What happened?"
"I plan to work from the Orange Line going forward."
"...Really? That's a shame. If you'd like, I could introduce you to the defense captain of the Orange Line."
"I'd appreciate that."
Although I'd already acted on the Orange Line frontlines this time out of necessity, to work there officially I'd need to meet with their defense captain.
Just as I'd done with Banol previously, I'd need to speak with the Orange Line's captain to acquire my status as a mercenary.
'It's not required, but it'd make things easier in the long run.'
Most importantly, having official status meant I could earn credits for mercenary work on the Orange Line.
"Then I'll be off."
"Leaving already? A shame."
"Too many people to meet."
"Hah, the life of a busy man. Still, keep what I said in mind. Not just in the Red Line—anywhere in Ark, don't give them an excuse. White Line's eyes are everywhere now."
"You make it sound like I'm a walking disaster."
"Weren't you? Haha."
Banol let out a hearty laugh.
"Until next time."
"It was a pleasure. Stop by if you're ever in the Red Line again—I'll treat you to some fine tea."
With that, my meeting with Banol ended, and I moved on.
Next up: Quartermaster Gedwin.
"You've arrived."
Gedwin looked pale—perhaps the workload was taking a toll.
"Been a while."
"I heard you were out on a mission… glad to see you looking well. Are you looking for something in particular?"
"Yes."
I discussed the supplies I needed—mostly consumables like multi-calorie bars and camouflage sheets for the hideout.
"I've noted everything. Will this be enough?"
"Yes."
Though I wanted to request new equipment, I didn't have enough merit points to afford it this time.
At least the credits earned from the mission and defending Ark were decent—I'd be able to handle some upgrades through Maybell Pilgrim.
"Given the volume, it'll take some time. Will you wait here?"
"No, I'll be at the Special Purpose Weapons Lab. Contact me there."
"Understood. I'll send word once everything's ready."
Gedwin bowed and disappeared deeper into the Red Line.
I didn't hesitate and moved on.
["You're especially busy today."]
'When am I not?'
["True."]
Esther nodded.
["But… if you're going to come to the Red Line this often, is there any reason to base yourself in the Orange Line? Defending Ark is the same here or there."]
She wasn't entirely wrong.
Whether in the Red Line or the Orange Line, a wave was still a wave.
But there was one thing Esther didn't know—the stage system fundamental to The Defense.
Major characters and boss stages are tied to specific areas.
Trying to forcefully divert the story rarely ends well.
'This is just more efficient.'
["Efficient? In what way?"]
'It just is.'
Chatting idly with Esther, I arrived at the Special Purpose Weapons Lab.
I glanced around to see if Brigadier General Victor was waiting, but he was nowhere to be seen.
It could mean he was busy—or maybe there was no reason for him to wait for me here anymore.
'We already made arrangements. No need for him to stick around.'
I was slightly concerned about how Victor might use me going forward, but considering the significance of Möbius, I doubted he'd ask for anything too outrageous.
'Still… I've got other things to worry about first.'
While I was lost in thought, the elevator stopped at the floor where Maybell Pilgrim's lab was located.
Normally, I'd be greeted by the noise of chaotic experiments—but today, the lab was strangely silent.
As I carefully stepped inside, I soon found Maybell Pilgrim sitting weakly at her desk.
"...Oh, you're here?"
Her expression seemed clouded.
"Something happen?"
"...Huh? Oh, no! It's nothing."
Hmmm...
I had a rough idea why she looked so down.
'Now that I think of it, one of the Shadow Order members was Maybell's younger brother…'
Michael Pilgrim.
Along with Sophia Belov, one of the human members of the Shadow Order.
Maybell had likely begun to suspect the truth.
To learn that your own sibling was a Turncoat who'd committed treason against Ark...
Her emotional state was understandable.
"You, okay?"
"...I'm fine."
"No, I think you should take the day off."
I gave up on the upgrade.
It might sound obvious, but equipment upgrades are still done by people—and Maybell's condition played a big role in their success.
I'd broken more than one weapon trying to upgrade when she was in a bad mood.
'No need to gamble unnecessarily.'
Maybell, unaware of my reasons, forced a smile.
"No, really. I'm fine. If you have something to leave, I'll take care of it."
"No need to push yourself. Take the day off."
At that, her eyes glistened, as if she might cry.
I pretended not to notice and turned away.
"I'll be off, then."
"...Yes. Take care."
With that, everything I needed to do was complete.
All that remained was to wait for the Line Assembly to begin—and end.
["Speaking of which… do you think the White Line incident will be okay?"]
"We can only hope."
At this point, the Shadow Order's attack on the White Line was out of my hands.
I'd done all I could, and what happens next depended entirely on the Navy Line and the Belov family.
'Well… it's pretty clear how Anton Belov will respond.'
The Tripathi family's offer might reek of suspicion, but he had no choice but to take it.
The Navy Line and the Belovs were in that kind of situation now.
'Now… all that's left is the Shadow Order.'
With the Tripathi family in play, the Order's second plan had essentially collapsed.
So now the question was: how would they respond?
I wouldn't have to wait long for the answer.
'They're coming.'
I looked toward the other side of the Red Line, where a familiar figure approached.
An all-too-familiar silhouette.
A visitor I had, in some sense, been expecting.
["Commander…"]
Isabel.
The Young Lady of the White Line.
And the Leader of the Shadow Order.
"Carl Marcus."
She had come to find me.