"White, I think it would be better to ask 9S for help with this," 2B said suddenly, stepping into the command room with her usual composed expression.
The firm sound of her metallic heels echoed through the silent hall. She glanced from one to the other, not fully understanding what was happening, but she immediately sensed that the conversation was… delicate.
In her mind, it had to be some kind of special mission—perhaps something technical, confidential, or requiring extreme precision. And frankly, a combat android like her wouldn't be the ideal choice for that.
In truth, a Type-H android, specialized in medical and biotechnological support, would be the most logical option.
But for security reasons, it made sense to call someone trustworthy.
And among all of them… 9S was the most obvious choice.
Before anyone could respond, a muffled sound broke the silence.
White covered her mouth with her hand, trying to suppress her laughter, while A2—who had entered alongside 2B—simply turned away, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Arthur, on the other hand, went completely still, his expression darkening like a storm about to break.
"2B," he called, his voice calm, yet carrying a dangerously serious undertone.
"Yes?" she replied, slightly confused, not understanding the sudden shift in atmosphere.
Arthur looked at her with such solemnity that it seemed like he was about to declare war.
"I would rather die," he said, without a trace of emotion, "than ask 9S to do that."
The silence that followed was absolute.
Then White, no longer able to contain herself, burst into laughter.
A2 crossed her arms and muttered under her breath, clearly amused:
"Looks like our hero has very well-defined limits."
White took a deep breath, regaining her composure, and turned to 2B.
"This task, dear, can only be carried out by a woman."
2B blinked, confused.
"Oh… really?"
"Yes," White confirmed with a playful smile. "And I'm sure Arthur would be very happy if you took part. After all, he seems to like you quite a bit."
2B tilted her head, genuinely surprised.
"He likes me?" she asked, with an almost endearing innocence.
"Of course," White replied.
Arthur, meanwhile, simply sighed.
"Well… if that's what you all want, then I'll gladly accept the three of you."
White let out a soft laugh.
A2 raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.
"Don't you think you're being a bit greedy, Arthur?"
"Not at all," he replied, smirking.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them until their faces were only inches apart.
"It's perfectly normal for a king to have multiple concubines."
A2 held his gaze, but the faint blush on her face betrayed her.
"I don't see a problem," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck in a teasing manner. "But I can't guarantee the same for them."
"I don't see any problem at all," White replied smoothly.
2B, completely out of sync with the subtext, responded literally:
"I still don't understand what's going on, but… I don't see a problem either."
"Alright, alright… I'm glad to hear that, but we still have work to do," Arthur said, stepping back with a satisfied smile.
"White, call all Healer-type units. We're going to need them."
"Understood," White replied elegantly, beginning to leave.
But before she crossed the doorway, Arthur stopped her with a gesture.
"Oh, and call those twins as well… Devola and Popola."
"Noted," she answered, disappearing down the corridor.
---
Those two were the only remaining special twin androids left in the world.
Devola and Popola—names that, in another era, symbolized hope—now carried the weight of tragedy.
Because of their error, the grand plan to return human souls to Earth had failed… and with that failure came the definitive extinction of humanity.
The two sisters should have been eliminated immediately.
It was the logical sentence. The standard punishment for defective and dangerous units.
But for reasons no one ever fully explained, they were spared.
However, that mercy came with a new form of torment: a guilt program implanted directly into their cores.
A code that forced them to remember, to feel, to suffer endlessly for what they had done—for all eternity.
Since then, every sunrise had been a painful reminder.
Every routine, a form of penance.
They existed solely to atone for their sins.
Up until that moment, White had never revealed to the twins that Arthur was, in fact, human, despite the many rumors circulating.
She believed it wasn't the right time.
Such a revelation could deeply shake the two, who had spent ages believing they were responsible for the death of all humans.
To learn that a human still lived… would be like facing the ghost of their own sin.
But, surprisingly, it was Arthur himself who asked for them.
With a calm yet firm voice, he had told White to call them—and though hesitant, she complied naturally.
She knew him well enough to understand that once Arthur decided something, there was no turning him back.
White was about to initiate the call when the terminal on her desk blinked, emitting a soft digital sound.
Beep. Beep.
A new message had arrived.
She glanced at the screen and, upon reading the sender, raised an eyebrow—a subtle smile forming on her lips.
"Speak of the devil…" she murmured, a hint of irony in her tone.
The message was from Operator 6O—always cheerful and far too curious for White's liking.
But it was the content of the message that truly caught her attention:
"Devola and Popola are requesting to speak with Arthur.
They say it's important."
White leaned back in her chair, interlacing her fingers as she stared into nothingness, thoughtful.
Fate seemed, once again, to be playing with all of them.
"So… they decided to seek him out themselves," she murmured, the corner of her lips curling into an enigmatic smile.
"I'm happy for them… their sins will be atoned for…"
She stood up slowly, the sound of her heels echoing through the metallic corridor of the Bunker.
The bluish glow of the panels reflected in her eyes, and for a brief moment, she wondered what those two would feel upon meeting a living human.
Then, without hesitation, she sent her reply:
"Bring the twins to the main room."
As the digital confirmation echoed through the air, White headed toward the elevator. Her hand unconsciously drifted down to her abdomen as she imagined the future.
"Soon… very soon…" she murmured with a faint smile.
---
Back in the command room—
Arthur turned his gaze to the two who remained—2B and A2—and clapped his hands once, energetically.
"Alright, girls," he said lightly. "Let's get to work."
---
(End of Chapter)