[... ]
[... A while later, in Griffin City.]

Sei: Ugh... I should be at the right place, right...
This... is VA-11, isn't it?

[...The White Knight pushes the door open.]

Jill: Enjoy the present day and the present time.
Good Southern Hemisphere, Miss White Knight.

Sei: Ah... hello...
(sniffs) This place smells weirder than how Captain Jericho described it...
Ah, sorry, I shouldn't have said that.

You simply said what I wanted to say.

I'm guessing you're the partner Jericho was talking about? She's a regular here. Feel free to sit anywhere you'd like.

Sei: Mm, I arranged to meet her here. Are you the boss?

Jill: Yes. Just call me Jill.
I'm very glad to meet you, Miss White Knight. Are you a member of the No. 765 Blitzkrieg Unit as well?

Sei: Yes, I'm Captain Jericho's assistant. My name is Sei. P. Asagiri.
Er... I should be ordering something first, right?

Jill: Please, help yourself. The menu's right there. Would you like something stronger, or something more suited to dolls?

Sei: I rarely come to places like these, and I'll be on duty in a while—
Um... I'd like a Sugar Rush.
I've got work later tonight, so no Karmotrine, please?

Jill: No problem. Jericho's already told me about it. Please hold on.

Sei: I knew it, it was Captain Jericho — Wait, you're the boss and you're mixing drinks yourself?

Jill: I have an employee under me, but Gillian’s off protesting the sand rains. You know, a lot of people have gone for them.

Sei: Yeah, I just came from that side. The protests this time round are really loud.

Jill: Should I be talking with you about this? As a White Knight, you’re the one facing down those protests.

Sei: The White Knights aren't the fangs and claws of an evil empire. We're simply paid employees.

Jill: I can understand that, especially since those protesting citizens are all wielding live weapons.

Sei: That's right, especially since many of them don't even know how to chamber rounds, and some of their weapons misfire at random due to lack of care. The weapons are more dangerous than the people themselves.
Fortunately, we have the Valkyries around. They're in charge of handling first aid and putting out fires.

Jill: Do you think the Prime Minister will show up?

Sei: I don't know. The Prime Minister is only in charge of entertainment. She'd be much better organizing a disco dance party than disaster management.

Jill: I'm starting to wonder if the Prime Minister is in full control of the city...

Sei: You heard those rumors too, right?
They're saying that Prime Minister Dorothy Haze is just a puppet and someone else is controlling this city from the shadows.
But I'm thinking, then why would her real master rain down sand every month at breakfast time to ruin this place?

Jill: Last month, I heard a drifter in a vegan burger joint say that during the days of human civilization, the god that created the world would test people.

Sei: But I find it unfair that believers can't test their own gods.
And when I look around, I start to think... What's so great about creating the world?
We may have made the dolls, but now we're nothing more than natives, a minority. Still, life isn't too bad, although the sands are a little worrying.
In any case, I have no right to comment on this. I don't want to think too much about anything besides my job and the people around me.

Jill: That's fine too. I was just curious. After all, everyone loves discussing a conspiracy or two.
Incidentally, you can take your helmet off now. Wearing one of those in a native sector won't win you any popularity points.

Sei: Oh? Sorry. I just put it on recently, and it's still novel to me.

Jill: I can understand. My favorite posters are always the ones I put up this week.
Alright, here's a Sugar Rush.

[...Sei takes off her helmet and puts it aside.]

Sei: Thank you... ah, I like this taste.

Jill: I'm honored to hear that, especially since you're my first customer this evening and a White Knight.
Wait a minute... your face... haven't I seen it somewhere before?

Sei: Huh? Have, have you?

Jill ...You're Stella Hoshii's bodyguard, aren't you? I saw you beside her during one of her street rallies.

Sei: Er... that should have been 2 years ago. Do you know her?

Jill: Of course I do. Who wouldn't know the wealthiest native in Griffin City?
Her IOP Foundation's done a lot for the city, and she's been giving kids presents during the past two Christmases.
She came here for a drink once, but that was from a long time ago.
You can't really tell by her looks, but she's a good person, and everyone knows what she's done for the city.

Sei: She'll be very happy to hear that. But as you can see, I've changed sides and become a White Knight, so I don't have anything to do with her any more...

Jill: Perhaps I shouldn't ask, but why?

Sei: I probably shouldn't be talking about this on my first visit here, but Jericho says you're a reliable person, and I feel the same way too.

Jill: It's my job and I like it, as long as dogs or annoying customers don't show up.

[...Sei takes a few drinks and her glass is soon emptied.]

Sei: ...Stella and I were childhood friends. We met each other in a children's park.

Jill: I remember that during one of her speeches, she mentioned that the two of you were attacked by SF in that park, and because the White Knights couldn't respond in time, her eye...

Sei: It took a lot of courage on her part to tell that to the public, and I encouraged her to do it too, because fighting SF shouldn't be the White Knights' job alone.
Back then, she and I made up our minds to use everything we had to build a better world...

Jill:I can understand that. Isn't it a good thing?
Yes, but this world is done for, and there are many things that people are powerless to do anything about.
But whenever she meets difficulties, Stella would always... tough her way through things.
Especially after the first sand rain three years ago. She became more and more extreme, and working with her became harder and harder...

Jill: Why is that? Surely there should have been a reason for that, right?

Sei: I guess she was chasing down news about SF. That attack cost her her right eye, and she'll never forget it...
And I know that it wasn't so much anger so much as a kind of fear...

Jill: So does that mean that the big decrease in SF attacks over the past three years was because of Miss Stella?

Sei: I don't know. Nobody knows. She didn't tell anyone, including me.
She would often go missing by herself, without even taking me along, and I... I was supposed to be her bodyguard, right?
So after that, I had a good talk with her, and then I quit my job as a bodyguard and left her...

Jill: And then you joined the White Knights?
Yes. The White Knights had always been in charge of eliminating SF and protecting the city.
I wanted to understand this city better, and the hearts of the people. I wanted to help her in my own way.
But she's been avoiding me ever since, or perhaps she's been avoiding everyone. I believe that she's a good person, just... that she's grown a little distant...

Sei: It's true that she hasn't made any public appearances over the past three years, especially in the last few months.
What happened to her? Do you still keep in touch?

Sei: Not any more, except last night.
Last night, she suddenly sent me a message.

Jill: ...A message?

Sei: I don't know what it means. At the very least, she knows what I'm doing now.
I chose to take it as... she still misses me?
Still, no matter what, she must have a new bodyguard by now. I chose this path myself...

Jill: Don't say that. You might not be together, but you're still friends, aren't you?
I feel that you should go talk to her, at the very least.

Sei: Alright. After this operation, I should start thinking carefully about...

Jill: Don't worry, the sand won't bury the Southern Hemisphere right away. You've got time to spare.
The next drink is on me. Is there anything you'd like?

Sei: Is that alright? Tonight is my first time here.

Jill: Don't worry about it. Both your work and that of Miss Stella matter to me.
And besides, knowing you is an honor for me—

Jericho: If you're planning a toast to your friendship, then you shouldn't leave out this intermediary over here.

Sei: Ah, Good Southern Hemisphere, Captain Jericho!

Jill: You're late, Jericho.

Jericho: I ran into a bit of trouble along the way, thanks to that baguette-wielding vigilante and the little pet she found...
Still, it's all settled now. I finished scanning the memories of the target, and we've gotten the coordinates and made the appropriate plans.
Jill, I trust you didn't put any alcohol in Sei's previous drink?

Jill: ...Of course not. I did as you told me.
Then hurry up and mix Sei's drink. We'll be heading out once she's done.

Sei: Let's just go now, in that case. With so many people waiting on us, we don't have time to waste.
Miss Jill, we might have a couple of stiff drinks to celebrate when we get back.

Jill: Looks like it's a big operation.

Jericho: Big enough that our beloved Prime Minister might personally rip out my Imprint for telling you — we'll be heading down to the scene, Jill. Save a glass for me too.

[...Jericho and Sei bid Jill farewell and leave the bar.]

Sei: Did you find Elisa's location?

Jericho: I did, at long last...
As I thought, Elisa's hiding place was saved inside Architect's head!

Sei: You rarely get this worked up, Captain.

Jericho: I've waited too long for this moment!
Now, once we capture the Mastermind, we'll be able to put an end to all of SF's wrongdoings.
While we can't do anything about the sand rains, at the very least we'll be able to do something to ensure the people of Griffin City will be able to set foot outside in peace.

Sei: I understand, Captain Jericho.
It's an honor for me to take part in this operation.

Jericho: Still, don't pressure yourself too much. Right now, SF doesn't have any high level toys.

Sei: No, I just...
Maybe it's because I've been talking a lot to Miss Jill, but I suddenly remembered that I've never thanked you before... for the things I've learned over the past one and a half years.

Jericho: Sei, you're the sort of person that plays better with the group the worse you are at interacting with them.
To me, being a White Knight is just a job, and I've never treated you as a friend.
I respect you, it's just... I don't understand this thing you call "friendship". My digimind wasn't designed with that concept in mind —

Sei: That's enough for me, Captain.
Treating a native like me as an ordinary colleague, without taking me lightly or giving me unnecessary attention was all I wanted.

[...Jericho looks at Sei.]

Jericho: I've never thought of myself as a good leader, so... I should be the one thanking you.
Come, we're here. Pull yourself together.

[...]

Sei: This is a native residential area. Are we going to search for the Mastermind here?

Jericho: According to our information, SF has hidden themselves in a few of the district's empty warehouses.
Perhaps someone was harboring them here. That would be a crime.

Sei: SF... hiding in the warehouses here?
Stella and I grew up in this district, and...

Jericho:  What's the matter?

Sei: No, it's nothing important...

Jericho: Don't get distracted and keep a low profile. This is the final battle for Griffin City.
Let's head out and find where that Elisa is hiding!





[...After the operation ends, the White Knights arrive at their destination, a warehouse.]

Sei: Captain, look over here. There's a hidden door, just like your information said.

Jericho:  ...The code authenticated and the door opened. The information from Architect was right.
There's a passage heading underground, but there's signal jamming present. All we can do is go in by ourselves and see what's in there.

Sei: Everything's been going too well. I know SF's combat units aren't too strong, but could there be a trap down there?

Jericho: Of course, which is why my neural cloud's already been backed up.
I'll go in and scout around first. Have someone cover me.

Sei: I'll do it, Captain.

Jericho: We don't have the technology to scan and upload a human brain here. Pick someone else.

Sei: Yes, ma'am. Humans only have one life, as everyone says.
But that's why everyone takes the natives lightly, isn't that so?

Jericho: Sei, that's not what I meant.

Sei: Dolls take risks, knowing that they have backups in reserve. Meanwhile, humans can do the same thing with courage in their hearts...
I joined the White Knights to prove that.

Jericho:  ...
(sighs) You know that I don't really care about your safety, right?
To me, humans and dolls are all single-use subordinates. There's no difference between the two.

Sei: Thank you, Jericho.

Jericho: Vice-Captain Sei, cover me from behind. Everyone else, stay outside and wait for orders.
Let's see if SF's hiding their Mastermind down here, or some petty trick.

[...Ten minutes later, Jericho and Sei pass through the tunnel and reach the underground.]

Sei: I'm not picking up any other signals, and there's no SF units nearby.
Is this... a factory?

Jericho: It's been abandoned. Looks like nobody's come here for years.

Sei: Which means, this place really is an SF hideout.
Where's the Mastermind? Let's go find her.

Jericho: Careful. You may have ample courage, but you should still be careful anyway.

Sei: I'm not that smart, but I'm no fool, Captain.
Huh? Inside this hatch...
Captain, you need to see this!

[...Jericho and Sei fumble with the hatch and open it.]

???: ...

Sei: This is…

Jericho: This is the SF Mastermind, their highest-ranked individual — Elisa.
We've found her.

???: ...

Sei: She's... not moving?

Jericho: Let me see...
...She's out of power.

Sei: Eh? Out of power?
She hasn't been active for three years, like this factory.

Sei: What? That's impossible, SF's clearly been active for the past three years!

[...Jericho does not answer. Instead she continues examining the Mastermind.]

Jericho: ...Her SF command module... has been gone for a long time.

Sei: In other words...
The true culprit who's been controlling SF for the past three years wasn't the Mastermind. It was someone else all this time.

Jericho: Looks like it...
Architect's played us. Her secret master ordered her to trick us with false memories.
What a petty trick... when I go back, I'm going to dip her face-first into Szechuan hot sauce, and then find her master — the culprit who took the SF command module!

Sei: ...

Jericho: Sei, are you alright?
Don't be disheartened, all this means is that this has gone from the endgame to another stage in the investigation. We can still keep looking.
Those abandoned warehouses might be SF hideouts, but if we find who owns these buildings, we'll know who took—

Sei: Captain Jericho...
Last night, Stella sent me a message.

Jericho: ...And what of it?

Sei: She asked me...
"Do you still remember the place where we played hide and seek as kids?"
"Please help me keep that secret."

Jericho: What does that mean?

Sei: Jericho, I used to play hide and seek with Stella in this district when we were kids.
There were many times when I couldn't find her, because she always knew about some hidden corner within these warehouses...
Until one day, when she told me that these warehouses belonged to her family...

Jericho: What?
Wait! Was she the one who took Elisa's command module!?
Stella Hoshii! She's the true master of Architect and all of SF!

[...Jericho makes to stand up, but she hears the sound of a bullet chambering behind her, and so she freezes.]

Jericho: Sei...
Did Stella ask you to point your gun at me?

Sei: No, she didn't say anything...
Because she knew... if she asked me to do anything like that...
The me from back then would never be able to agree.

Jericho: And so... this was Stella's plan.
She ordered Architect to deliberately fall into our hands, and then tricked us into coming here, where she would have you eliminate me...

Sei: I felt that it was strange... I came down here with you just in case something happened, but I didn't expect that...
You didn't expect that you would be that "something".
I'm sorry, Captain, Jericho...
Right now, I don't have a choice...

Sei: I can't let Stella be captured by the White Knights, I have to... keep the secret...

Jericho:  You know what's going to happen next, right, Sei?
This place is completely blanketed by signal jamming. I can't upload my memories for backup.
Once you pull the trigger, the next time I wake up I'll only remember stepping into this little shack, and I'll forget everything else.

Sei: Yes, I know...
I'll come up with a lie to make you believe me.

Jericho: And I will believe you, because you're my most trusted subordinate, and my digimind was written by a goddamn electronic program.
I will continue being friends with the person who killed me, go back to the bar and finish that drink I never had with you, and celebrate a hollow victory! Do you think it's fair, Sei? SF never killed me, not a single time!
And you're going to kill me, and then help someone with Parapluie who might be planning to endanger everyone in Griffin City at this very moment!

Sei: I... I don't know... I don't want to do this either... but I want to protect Stella. She must have her reasons.
I'm not like you all, Jericho. I only have one life, I only have one chance...
All I can do is choose to be anyone, take any risk and do anything for her!

Jericho: Really? I think you don't dare to shoot. You're just too worked up, Sei. This isn't like you at all...

Sei: It's just what I think, Jericho!
I don't care about political perspectives, social debates, human rights and responsibilities, dolls, humans, I don't care about any of that!
The reason I'm doing this... It's simply because she believed in me, believed that I would do this..
And I just want... to do something for my friend...

[...Jericho falls silent for a while.]

Jericho: "Friends", huh. I've never really understood that concept...
If I were human and Stella were a doll, what would you choose?

Sei: ...I don't know.
The "me" who would have met the two of you then wouldn't be the same "me" right now...

Jericho: That's true...
Ah, friendship... it looks like it really is something only you would believe in.
Now then, there's one last thing remaining.
You do know that when fitted with an Imprint, a doll's draw speed...
...Completely outclasses that of a human being's, no?

Sei: ...!

[...Bang!]

Sei: ...Jericho?

Jericho: Especially... when it comes to their mental state...
It looks like... you still weren't... calm enough...

[...Jericho collapses to the ground.]

Sei: Jericho... Jericho!
I didn't mean to! I... I—!

Jericho: It's fine...
It's okay, Sei...

Sei: Why... Jericho...
I'm sorry... I...

Jericho: Now... Go do what you want to do...
It's alright... there are times...
When I also...
Want to do something... for a friend...


...