The cockpit where Silver has grown into is lit up by countless holographic screens displaying the ideals and many of the Arcana Union's extraordinary plans. The plan, with peace as its core, is amazing but can be corrupted. Silver knew that such a genius mind that led the Arcana Union was a kind person. Even after its later succession to the next generation, the Arcana Union still held on to their ideals, even if they were naive ones.
[Around the year 2152 Space Calendar, the Arcana Union, which had always felt threatened by the Empire's war-prone ideals, finally could not stop themselves. Later, in records, it is said that the Arcana Union began to open up to the public and also leaked information on how to create Angel Frames to all the nations that still existed back in the day. The reason for the leader of the Union's anger was because, with the help of the weaponized Angel Frame that the Arcana Union helped create, the Empire wiped out one of the nations that had been fighting them. This event was later known as the start of the Unification War in the year 2139, only seven years after the Empire weaponized the Angel Frame — making the Frame look more like a Devil rather than an Angel, said one of the records of the fallen nation facing the Empire. But because of the fact that the Arcana Union leaked the Angel Frame blueprint, many nations who scrambled to put up a fight managed to create their own Angels, with some, like the Gurand Frontier, having specs far above the Empire's Angels, later called the Rand-Type Angel Frame.]
[The war, which was supposed to be fast and precise, became one of the longest wars the Empire ever fought. Later, in the 2164 calendar year, the Empire discovered what the Union had done and branded them as enemies, later as a rebel force. The Arcana Union, having been branded as enemies, began to create their own Angel-Type Frames. Born from their vast knowledge and advanced technology, these Frames far surpassed those of the Empire. They completed their first Angel Frame — one of the most advanced Frames ever created and the only type that used a Quad Maternum Core as its energy source. But even to this day, with the help of your memory, it seems the Empire has yet to crack a way to stabilize the Quad Maternum Core technology. It is known that only the technology to create the Octa Maternum Core, used for the OFD to power the Seraphim-Class Battleship, has been cracked.] explained AUDAL as she finished speaking, while showing Silver several holograms as proof.
"So, the power that the Empire uses to gain its dominance came from a force they later called a rebel?" asked Silver in disbelief, as he realized how deep the Empire's dark and corrupt nature truly was.
[Correct.] AUDAL's soft, gentle voice answered again.
"And what about this ship?" asked Silver, deciding there was no use thinking too much about the flood of information he had just received.
[This ship is a Seraphim-Class Battleship, Codename: Ark Noir. It is the last technology and hope to fight back against the Empire. I detect the NSD Reactor has been active since 603 years ago, since its completion. Detecting faint traces of conflict — after a full scan of the interior, it is likely an internal fight. Detecting that any remains and bodies have been fully disposed of by the still-active maintenance drones across the ship. Would you like to initiate the Arcana Protocol?] asked AUDAL once again.
"What's this Arcana Protocol anyway? What about it, and what does it do?" asked Silver, wanting to confirm whether this protocol would do him any good — or harm.
[The Arcana Protocol is an appointment created as the worst-case scenario, where no remaining member of the Arcana Union sends out a leader signal — meaning no other leader has been passed down or appointed. As the Angel Frame Type Arcana Number 20, Codename: The Judgement, was destroyed in the Arcana War, the Arcana Type 00, Codename: The Fool, regained its privilege as the Beginning, giving it full administrator permission.] explained AUDAL in a short summary.
"What? So that means this Angel Frame can rewrite orders for any Arcana-Type Angel Frame?!" said Silver in surprise and fear at the power The Fool possessed.
[Negative. As explained before, the Shuffle Protocol has been initiated, severing all and any connections the Arcana-Type Angels had before. But if the connection links are reconnected, it is possible, as the Angel Frame The Fool has the source code for all AIs connected to each Arcana Type. As of now, I can only use The Fool's authority to bind and register you, Silver, as the Pilot of The Fool and Leader of the Ark Noir, giving you full, absolute control of the vessel.] explained AUDAL in a low, gentle voice.
"So after you initiate the Arcana Protocol, can I use this ship to escape the Ungrath Solar System?" asked Silver, hoping he could just run away from this war-torn planet and find another one to live on.
[Affirmative. It is possible to run the Ark Noir without any crew, as I can integrate my consciousness into the Ark Noir's main system and operate the ship as you wish. But it will be the most stupid and dumb order I would take from you, Silver, if you do order me to do so. Calculating survival chance with pilot order as the base... calculated. Report: Survival chance 2%.] explained AUDAL after hearing Silver's question. Even Silver could feel that AUDAL was giving him a deadpan, disappointed face right now, even without seeing how she looked.
"Why the low percentage? Isn't this ship the most advanced one that has Arcana Union tech in it?" asked Silver, his face contorted as he scratched his head, not understanding how such an advanced ship could only give him a 2% chance of survival.
[Answer: The Arcana Technology is a technology created by humans. It is by no means a divine power that can bend through fate, possibilities, or god's will. Wielding and operating such technology gives you advantages, but by no means makes you invincible in battle. The Ark Noir, equipped with its own energy barrier, protects it from enemy radar and attacks. In full power, this weakens its radar-deflecting ability in exchange for durability — allowing it to receive barrages of attacks from three Seraphim-Class Battleships nonstop for three hours. But in its normal state, it could only withstand the attacks of two Seraphim-Class Battleships for two hours nonstop. Usually, this is enough, but the Ark Noir's current state lacks necessities like food, water, and ammunition. Its weapons consist of only 78 energy cannons, 50 kinetic cannons with no ammunition, 700 HVL launchers without any missiles, and one main cannon. Meanwhile, in official Empire data back in the Pre-Unification War, a Seraphim-Class Battleship would have one main cannon, 52 energy cannons, 36 kinetic cannons, eight hangar door bays consisting of 800 total Angel Frames in each hangar bay, with each bay having two launch pads, making 64 Angel Frames ready to launch, and more than 2,000 missiles at bay that can be launched from 300 HVL launchers at any time. Summary: we will be outgunned and outrun by Angel Frames. Simply put, after the energy barrier can no longer hold, we will be destroyed in less than 15 minutes.] explained AUDAL in great detail, showing how weak the Ark Noir's current situation was.
"Uhh... haha, so it's not possible, huh? Well anyway, yes, let's just initiate that Arcana Protocol. I'm so tired from what's happening anyway." Silver slumped back into the cockpit, his back laid lazily against the seat as he released his clutch on the Angel Frame's controls.
[Affirmative. Initiating Arcana Protocol. Administration Code: The Fool, the first Monarch of Wings and Freedom. Connection with Administration Code: success. Starting reclaiming protocol. Giving order to subject: Seraphim-Class Vessel Codename Ark Noir... Reclaimed. Integrating AUDAL as the main consciousness and creating a connection... success. EVA Protocol commence... success. EVA has been awakened. Integrating AUDAL and EVA as a singular entity... success. EVA has been bound to the current Pilot of The Fool. Arcana Protocol successful. Welcome to your vessel, Mr. Fool.] said AUDAL — now EVA — as she had been combined with the ship. The Angel Frame that Silver was in now resonated with her. AUDAL, now codenamed EVA, had a voice softer and far more pleasant to hear.
"Wow... so am I like an Admiral from the Empire or something now? And why Mr. Fool?" asked Silver after hearing the long line of the robotic woman's voice, confused as to why he was called The Fool. Even AUDAL didn't call him that after registering him as The Fool's pilot, so why did EVA?
[It is customary to receive your own codename after joining any military-based operation. As Ark Noir has the power to destroy a planet with its cannon, I have designated it as a military force bound to you, Silver. So, I used the fact that you are the Pilot of The Fool Angel Frame as your codename — creating the name Mr. Fool. Or would you prefer I call you Silver instead? Or maybe... master?] EVA explained why such a name existed. Silver, hearing her teasing tone, was surprised — his face even flustered as he heard such a cute and pleasant voice ask him that.
"Ah no, please, Mr. Fool or Silver is fine. Just remove the last callsign." Silver said, his face red as he tried to avert his gaze.
[Very well, Mr. Fool. I will need to recharge for a bit. You may walk around your vessel to get a hang of the place. I have activated all systems and self-maintaining drones and bots that are available. If you are hungry, there is preserved energy liquid in the cafeteria. I have sent the Ark Noir map into your brain. Do call me when you need something. Very well, see you, Mr. Fool.] As EVA said that, the cockpit door opened. Silver stepped down and saw that his Angel Frame, The Fool, was standing straight with its back connected into some kind of holding block. Energy particles could be seen transferring from that block into The Angel Frame's back.
Before Silver could even think of walking around like a haggard boy, a drone approached him carrying a dark crimson-colored ring. Silver didn't know what to do with it.
"What is this, EVA?" asked Silver, seemingly to no one, knowing that EVA would answer him in his mind — but to his surprise…
She appeared before him. She had long white hair that seemed unbound by gravity, flowing freely. Her eyes, a mix of many colors, looked unreal. She wore a pure white dress covered by a black robe, as if suggesting the air was cold. Her face was delicate and perfect, slightly taller than Silver. Her form was holographic, semi-transparent, yet still felt real as she walked toward him. She answered his question with a soft, delicate voice that could charm any man.
[It is a Nanobyte Ring, Silver.] she said softly.
"Ugh... I knew it was a Nanobyte Ring, but why does it look like this? Nanobyte Rings are usually silver-colored, right?" said Silver as he composed himself, trying to find somewhere to look.
[Correct. The silver-colored rings that are produced to help Angel Frame pilots carry their suits are created using Meotolyte Alloy, found in abundance across the galaxy. But that ring only has the technology to inject streams of nanobots into the pilot's bloodstream, giving the pilot adrenaline suppression, pain reduction, and minor healing properties. It also helps pilots cope better with high-G maneuvers. But the ring in your hands, created using Nexarias high-grade steel covered with three layers of Maternum dust, offers far more features — from enhanced nanobot versions, higher healing properties, and a constant stream of energy, giving you the option to generate nano technology to create your space suit if you wish.] explained EVA with a soft smile.
"But Maternum only binds surrounding elements — it can't make an element like iron and such from nothingness. That would break the laws of the universe." Silver said, holding the ring — technology that should never have existed.
[Yes, that is also correct. The Maternum dust only helps create the necessary nanobots, much like regular nanobots that use your nutrients and blood to sustain themselves. The same applies to that ring — it can use those very same nanobots to create your suit, binding and weaving it together using materials of your choice. You may wear it and try going into the storage bay. I found data that it has some leftover materials used to create the Ark Noir's coating.] explained EVA.
"I see, thanks. I'll be going then." Silver said as he wore the ring. Instantly, he felt the ring prick his middle finger. Not long after, an itchy feeling spread all over his body, indicating that the nanobots were healing him faster than before.
"Well, I might never get used to this." said Silver as he felt uncomfortable all over his body, but decided to ignore it and walk into the storage room as EVA suggested.