Chapter 55: Guarding by Day, Guarding by Night…
『 "Proxy, these coordinates are eleven years old. Given the spatial fluctuation frequency of Hollow Zero, they should have long since lost their utility for pathfinding… They're just a string of numbers that will lead you astray now."
"But I know you can find the coordinates, can't you?"
Seed looked at Belle with hopeful eyes.
"I think… I'm ready."
"Leave it to me… I'll contact my brother. Fairy should be able to handle it." Belle patted her chest with confidence, then pulled out her phone and dialed Wise.
"Belle? It's you. You must have something urgent if you're calling me out of the blue."
"Yeah, Brother. Can you help me triangulate the position of an eleven-year-old coordinate inside Hollow Zero as soon as possible?"
"Of course, no problem. Just leave it to Fairy." Wise replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Understood, Master." Fairy's mechanical voice chimed in.
"Master, I have thoroughly compared and analyzed multiple sets of historical data. What I am displaying for you now is the most accurate, up-to-date information."
The transmitted data hovered silently before Seed's eyes.
"Seed Sr., I'm going to find you." Seed gazed at the data, her resolve hardening.
"Seed, I don't recommend you go in alone… There are far too many variables inside Hollow Zero."
Seed nodded, saying, "I know. The plant extract hasn't been fully formulated yet; I'm still missing some ingredients…"
"Proxy, make sure you stay alive until I come looking for you, okay~"
Belle scratched her head, assuring her she would indeed stay alive, before returning to Random Play.
The next day, Seed and the Obol Squad arrived. It seemed they were the missing ingredients Seed had needed.
After a brief exchange, the group headed toward Hollow Zero. Upon crossing the threshold, Seed appeared somewhat nervous. She looked at Belle and asked, "Proxy, are you alright?"
"Are you asking about my physical condition? I have a slight ringing in my ears, and my breathing feels a bit labored from time to time. But I suppose that's normal for being inside a Hollow…" Belle said, unsure.
After all, she had always entered the Hollows using Eous's body before. 』
『 ....』
〘Qingque〙: Interesting. She's clearly a Proxy, yet she's unsure about the most basic sensations of being inside a Hollow.
〘Sushang〙: But based on the abilities Belle has displayed, she is undoubtedly a highly professional Proxy.
〘Jane Doe〙: Then there can only be one explanation: that legendary Proxy who walks the Hollows as a Bangboo…
〘Belle〙: Don't push it, I'm scared…
〘Wise〙: First the Proxy identity, now even the account… I don't even want to imagine what's next…
〘Vivian Banshee〙: (ÒωÓױ)! Phaethon! You are Phaethon! To think there are two Lord Phaethons!
〘Hugo Vlad〙: Vivian, calm down. You're hurting my eyes with all that shouting.
....
『 "Compared to me… Seed, you look quite nervous…"
Seed took a deep breath. "Yes. Because this plant extract is my final preparation. If even this can't bring Seed Sr. back…"
"Don't dwell on those kinds of thoughts, Seed. Honestly, what you've done so far is enough to leave anyone stunned…" Magus offered comfort.
"Indeed, I can attest to that! When I heard Seed invite the entire Obol Squad to head into Hollow Zero together, that was the widest I'd ever seen the Captain's gun barrel open." Orpheus raised her hand with a smile.
"Ahem—" Magus coughed awkwardly.
"Deep breaths, Seed… Don't carry such a burden. Even if we can't reach our destination this time, we still have next time, and the time after that…" Trigger said softly.
"Just like Seed Sr. used to say, our journey never truly stops."
"Though I don't know exactly what happened, I am happy to be fighting alongside you all," Soldier 11 remarked. 』
『 ....』
〘Billy Kid〙: Anby, that person is just like you!
〘Nicole Demara〙: Billy, shut your mouth! This is Anby's private business!
....
『 "Deep breaths, Seed. Close your eyes. You aren't alone at all." Belle looked at Seed, speaking softly.
Seed nodded, took several deep breaths, and signaled that she was ready to depart.
As they neared their destination, the group came to a halt.
"We're almost there," Trigger said.
"Yeah… After all this time, we're finally returning to the beginning of the story," Magus said, tapping her gun barrel.
"Captain, you've suddenly become so poetic…!" Orpheus noted.
"I have not! I'm just starting to doubt myself. Is he really waiting for us somewhere?" Magus said, turning her gun barrel away.
"Those pings were indeed hard to verify. Even I…" Trigger mused.
"So… where are we going?" Soldier 11 asked, confused.
"So you really didn't know anything… We're here to accompany Seed to see a friend who has been missing for a long time. His consciousness might just be waiting for us somewhere in Hollow Zero…" Orpheus explained.
"Is it… Seed Sr.?" Soldier 11 pressed.
"You know him? But I clearly remember when you joined the squad, he had already…"
Hearing Soldier 11's question and sensing something was amiss, Magus turned her gun barrel toward her.
"Seed has mentioned him to me many times… He must be someone very important to her," Soldier 11 replied.
"Whenever Seed was unhappy, I would chat with her alongside Seed Sr.."
"Wait, what does that mean?" Magus's eyes went completely blank, her expression one of utter bewilderment.
"Is there a problem? After the military supplies were stolen last time, I saw everyone looking gloomy, Seed included. She wouldn't say a word."
"So I pulled out that phone… Not long after, Seed looked much more spirited… Yes, it worked quite well!" Soldier 11 nodded and smiled.
Orpheus, Magus, and Trigger all wore expressions of sheer confusion. 』
『 ....』
〘Trigger〙: This is what they call…
〘Orpheus〙: Always on guard…
〘Magus〙: …but you can't guard against your own kin???
〘Soldier 11〙: Hm? What's wrong? Is there something wrong with doing that?
〘Seed〙: Not at all, I'm very happy~
〘Soldier 11〙: Hm, as long as you're happy, Seed.
....
『 "So… that perfectly timed text message came from you…" Belle summarized, looking at Soldier 11.
"Hmm… This one, the previous one, and the one before that… I can't quite remember…" Soldier 11 rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. "I understand the feeling of missing someone, and I know that some people may never be seen again. That feeling isn't pleasant."
"The first time I witnessed Seed sending a message to Seed Sr., I could never forget the expectant look in her eyes… That's why I picked up Seed Sr.'s phone in the common room for the first time…"
"So it really was you, Soldier 11." Seed was not surprised in the slightest.
"I'm sorry, I lied to you." Soldier 11 bowed her head toward Seed.
"I know… I said it before, didn't I? 'That really doesn't seem like Seed Sr.'s style.' Besides, Seed Sr. only started replying to my messages after you joined the squad."
"Then… why do you persist?" Belle asked, puzzled.
"Since I've embarked on this journey, I must find the truth… Seed Sr. certainly wouldn't want me to give up halfway," Seed explained.
"The process and the answer—every single footprint matters."
After saying this, the group continued toward their destination, stopping before a rift. The coordinates were inside. 』
『 ....』
〘Seed〙: What could be waiting for me at the end of the journey?
〘Trigger〙: No need to be nervous, Seed. As I said before, we still have next time and the time after that…
〘Magus〙: That's right, Seed. Even if there's nothing at the end, I've seen your growth throughout this process. You're truly amazing.
〘Orpheus〙: Magus, don't talk about the worst-case scenario!
〘Stelle〙: Your squad has such a close bond; it's on par with our Astral Express crew.
〘March 7th〙: I believe that you, Miss Seed, will definitely find something at the end of the road.
〘Elysia〙: Mm♪, after all, girls who love to smile always have good luck, right? Don't you agree, Mobius♪?
〘Mobius〙: Don't drag me into this, Elysia.
....