＜Infinite Dendrogram＞

□Armored Pilot: Hugo Receps

"If I go out on the ground after the person who jumped out of the jail, I can't see him..."

Instead, it was a hellish sight.

The city burns, buildings collapse, light guards and power suits shoot people, heavy machinery kills people, and dead people rise to join the swarm of slaughter.

"Why are you doing this...?"

Lose words and stand up in a nightmare scene.

I think the reason for this is, as he said, < UBM >.

As Zachariah said, even though it was a recovery bead, the actual situation was dangerous.

"...... Where's Zachariah?"

He was not captured in a cell.

Couldn't he have stopped this from happening?

"Hugo"

"... yes..."

Cueko, who came out of the coat of arms, pulled his hand.

Staying here is nothing.

I remain powerless without a plane.

We need to retrieve the confiscated [White Rose] before we can do anything.

... maybe he's moving on his own.

That's how you run around the city.

If the seized plane is located, I will go to the city hall I investigated yesterday, thinking that it should be a public authority.

Be careful not to be found in corpses or weapons of light.

A situation in which there is no way to fight, and in which the Council dies if it is enemies.

However, thanks to Cueco's sensors, we are evading the light-affected opponents.

It seems that the light itself is a part of the body (...), and Cueco is observing the massive crusade count of < UBM > against the light covered with corpses and weapons.

If you try to avoid it, you won't at least encounter an opponent manipulated by < UBM >.

... even so, this < UBM > is strong. A light elemental that expands its influence on one city. It's quite a high rank to be able to demonstrate your abilities on such a scale.

Maybe more than Cortana's [De Wermis].

"But what the hell did it do to unlock?"

…………

Also, is it possible that there has been an intervention of? Or something else... "

"This is an emergency report."

As I was hiding in the shadows, I heard a voice like that coming from the radio that was rolling over the collapsed building.

"If I hear that Cardina is aware of and reports on the current situation of this city..."

At 13: 00 local time, an armed army beep (...) was confirmed in the northernmost city of Winter Orb.

"...... Huh?"

The information provided was entirely different from the facts.

After that, the radio continues to tell the story that I don't think it belongs to the city where I stand.

In addition...... this was not Caldina, but the enemy state (...).

"What do you mean...?"

"The personnel who were dispatched to the investigation were unjustly detained, me and that person...?"

For one reason... this Winter Orb treats you like an enemy?

No, more than that, there's not a word on the news about < UBM >...

"...... Ugh......"

I feel dizzy and nauseous.

What you see and what you hear.

Which is right, the brain is confused.

"Hugo, Ugh."

"... uu, up...?"

If you look at the tip of Cueco's finger, there was a sight that was not seen by Infinite Dendrogram.

A train runs through the air and a citadel floats behind it.

I was stunned by the distant sight of the Yellow River, even though I knew that the latter belonged to Laputa.

However, what strangled me more than astonishment was the scene that followed.

"Why...?"

From the train that ran over the sky, ten machining gears were dropped.

It was a similar plane to the [Imperial Glory] I had fought on that ship.

Like other weapons, the Mazzin Gear bathed in light and sprayed the thruster on its back as it landed on another block.

Shortly afterwards, I heard the energy weapon fire and explosions... and understood that the Mazzin Gia had begun to destroy the city when it was dropped.

The dumping of weapons that would contribute to this tragedy.

Who did it?

I tried to think of it as a machine dragon on a ship... but my brain denied it.

"That... that... that... that..."

Who could make that [Imperial Glory]?

The unpleasant premonition strikes a disgusting pulse in your heart, and a cold sweat flows down your back.

I feel dazed by the unpleasantness that is no different from realism.

Ahh!

It was at that time that I contacted the radio that was being held.

The person I was trying to communicate with was the person I had in mind... Carut's name.

Connecting communications with trembling hands... confirmed my feelings.

― ― It was we (Cardina) who brought this on.

(...) This was Cardina's plot.

Release the < UBM >, prepare a plan based on it, treat the Winter Orb as an enemy, and even put in a new weapon to expand the damage.

And perhaps not only this city, but a flying fortress overhead... The Yellow River raptor is also involved in planning something.

It's a conspiracy, it's terrorism.

Just like your sister once did in Gideon.

Like I did once.

"Also, I......"

This is the second time that the perpetrators of the tragedy have been involved.

Or maybe even in previous battles... I didn't realize it, so I was standing on your side?

"Hugo..."

"... shouldn't this be...?"

I was supposed to do my best not to harm the people of this city.

Both the recovery of the beads and the investigation were supposed to be for that purpose.

To make it a better future.

The consequences of such actions were reversed in the worst form.

That day, he terrorized the city of Gideon to avoid war, kidnapped a young child, and finally tried to destroy the city itself.

I am also responsible for a piece of tragedy.

"... what shall I do...?"

The difference between this and the previous one is the same except for one.

The difference is not between me and the people who used me.

Even if I hadn't been told this time, I knew that collecting the pearls would burden the city.

I conducted a preliminary investigation to satisfy myself.

But in the end, it doesn't change what we've done to make this city worse.

It's the same as then, including that the future has become much worse than I expected as a result of moving for the future.

"What should I do...?"

The difference is one thing.

There are no (...) of them here.

There is no Ray or his people who have overturned our tragedy.

We're the only ones here (...).

Cardina and I painted a picture of the conspiracy... I'm the only one like this...

"Huh! Hugo!"

Cuco's impatient voice raised his face.

Beyond her gaze was a giant machine with a roar.

Whether it's coming out of a maintenance factory in the city, heavy mining equipment is rampaging through the streets in the light.

We're going in that direction.

Even the primitive thought of killing both of them together and turning them into slaves of the light.

Cueko pulls my hand and tries to escape.

However, the heavy equipment is much faster than ours, and the silhouette is approaching...

Suddenly - a big hole was drilled in the front of the heavy machine.

Physical impact above heavy equipment rampage is added from the front, forcing it to stop running.

Then, a giant machine shadow sandwiches between us and the heavy machine, kicking down the heavy machine that stalled the movement.

The heavy machine that had fallen from the ground tried to regenerate in the light, but the shadow of the machine moved to seal it.

"-" Paint Napalm ""

High-performance fuel explosives were exposed, and the heavy equipment was burned to the ground without a trace.

The sudden crisis of life was suddenly burned.

…………

{I finally found it... but is it actually already dead? She looks so pale. ”

Sarcastic words were thrown at me, who was clinging to my ass in the shock of the explosion.

When I looked up in my voice, there was a color of weapon that I knew well.

The white man with heavy armor protrudes in all directions like a mad flower.

That's what [White Rose] looks like after the renovation. The plane I was looking for.

It was moving without a pilot, but I didn't think it was the effect of [Husansheng].

There was also an explanation from Mr. Callute, and above all, his (...) first voice proves it.

I sigh... and ask.

"... do you have something to say (...)?"

No? Do you have any explanation for the stupid pilot who confiscated me?

[White Rose] responded with a sarcastic tone.

To be precise, it wasn't [White Rose] who answered.

Auxiliary computers that are the heart of the plane and still power reactors that supply energy.

"With this kind of situation, I'm very worried about the ownership of this aircraft... but unfortunately, I can't change the owner." I came looking for you in the midst of the commotion. "

[White Rose] talks to me through the external speakers of the plane.

The words are too fluent, and above all, the voice does not seem to be machine speech.

It seems like someone is riding inside, and in fact it is half right (...).

Because the voice that comes from the speaker... is the same as that of a certain human.

"... thank you, [Imperial (I) Glory (G)]"

[Machine Dragon Heart Core Imperial Glory].

And the virtual personality that lived inside the perk artifact... imitated Curtis Eldona, Tian's most powerful pilot who once manipulated the eponymous [Mazzin Gear].

His presence was revealed during the renovated machine testing phase.

A gear skill I didn't know worked, [Machine Mind].

At that time, it turned out that it was "imitating the personality of life as an auxiliary system for moving the aircraft".

Carute said that this skill was established because of the birth of [Imperial Glory] as [UBM]. The ultimate influence of transcribing the personality to the airframe.

They have the same personality, but they don't seem to have any memories of life.

He has excellent airplane manoeuvrability and is no match for me.

But he was an adversarial killer and a criminal who plotted terrorism. I was concerned about relying on that power.

... although it's not something I can say right now.

”Now, do you understand the situation? My situational awareness is depressing because the people with the unpleasant aura are coming over. If you have more detailed information, ask for an explanation.”

"...... < UBM > has been released. I did it... Caldina. Besides, it's also loaded with Mr. Calluto's weaponry."

'I see. I understand. I'm sure they didn't tell us what we were doing. Well, even I won't tell the pilot. "

Not surprised by my explanation, [IG] said lightly.

So how do we move? Do you want to help me destroy the city? Do you want to leave as mission accomplished? Or perhaps even rebellion?

"...... Chuko"

Cueco scolded him for his unwillingness to take our feelings into account.

On the other hand, I wonder... what kind of face I have...

"That said, it's an important story for me." You know the cost and difficulty of servicing this plane. Currently, even if it is damaged, we cannot repair it on our own. We need backup with the money and the technology. ”

It's nothing but Cardina.

Otherwise, Sister...... if I go back to the triangle of wisdom, I'll be fine.

It's the borderline between patrons and friends.

…………

Friends...?

Yes, even Cardina had friends... people who seemed to be friends.

My master, who was unfamiliar with the journey, pulled my hand, even though he was always causing problems.

Mr. Manigord, who claimed to be an evil and vulgar product, was gentle and well looked after.

Isara was busy at the orphanage and helped out with Mr. Manigord.

From the same [Triangle of Wisdom], Carute refurbished [White Rose] together.

The people of Cardina were friends with me.

…………

Such charutes are also involved in this conspiracy.

Just as a kind sister to me carried out a conspiracy in Gideon.

The people who are kind to me are not necessarily nice to the rest of the people.

--They kept looking at me with cloudy eyes.

Also, I remember his hateful words.

But... I should have known.

I (...) only know the good things about my close opponents.

I can't imagine the horrible face or the face I can show other than myself.

"I should have known that for a long time..."

Like my father and my mother.

"Thinking about the future, in terms of rationality, it would be either to help or to bystand. As a pilot, your only weapon, I have no choice but to recommend them."

Regardless of my regrets, [IG] continues to speak.

His position... would be that as a weapon.

If we turn Cardina against us, we won't be able to make any repairs.

It's like being left behind by the enemy.

It is impossible to travel in the desert.

Still, they take the people they were close to as their enemies.

If we become enemies, is there a future ahead of us?

But... if you still have a choice, I'll...

But my suggestion is only about (...) rationality.

……

I looked up at [IG]...... [White Rose] who had changed the tone of my voice.

You don't need a mind (...) to move just by rationality.

His camera eye looked down, but looked straight into my eyes.

'It is the actions that do not fit the reason that make an organism happy, like pursuing romance, even if it is sometimes unreasonable, and living in love, even if it is sometimes stupid. It is only natural if you are alive to suffer and to worry about it. Therefore, if you think that you should do it, you may abandon your country and your friends and run out. "

It is not the language of machines, nor of ruthless military terrorists.

It seemed like the words of Curtis Eldona before becoming both.

"Hey, Hugo."

Cueko stands beside me and takes my hand.

And she also looked straight into my eyes...

"- What does Hugo's heart say?"

When asked, their words pushed me to my back.

Is it my (my) heart?

Think about what my heart is looking for right now.

And just thinking about it for a moment... now (...) my heart is honestly showing what I really want to do.

There's only one thing to do with the sight in front of you... not the tip of the eye.

"... yes..."

I pressed my back, swallowed the conflict, and stood up.

[IG]. Open the cockpit.

[IG] follows my orders and opens the cockpit hatch.

Double-seated seat... I see a seat for me and Cuco.

I step onto the boarding steps and get into the cockpit.

Cueco follows me on board.

Cueco is my partner on my path.

[IG] has a lot of irony and dislike, but it follows me.

That's why... I choose the path.

What are you going to do?

”I don't think about the future...”

Huh?

With pleasure, [White Rose] swayed.

"I can't help but wonder if I (I) am stupid enough to grieve about the future."

Once upon a time, now.

Whether it's Gideon or Winter Orb.

For no reason has it moved for the future, lost, and not really convincing.

"That's why I look beyond the future." Just look in front of you and do what you want. ”

What you did (what you did in the past) and what you are doing (what you are doing now).

Visible, just looking in front of you... moving as your heart indicates.

That's the most shameless moment in the world I could think of.

When you broke your sister's word and moved to defeat that man-eating bandit.

Even though I was puzzled by your sister's iniquity, I ran to her side in the [Destruction King] 's shelling.

Without a second or two, my heart kicks down that I should do so.

That's the answer.

I don't know the future.

If you get lost in the future and can't move, don't look at the future, you idiot (I).

The future is enough for a good night's sleep tomorrow.

Is it reopening?

"Yes, it is."

So what do we do?

[IG] with a pleasant voice and Cueco asked further.

Cuco, who was looking at me from the front seat, was smiling for the first time in a long time.

Let's fight.

What?

"All the tragedies that are before our eyes right now."

Defeat [Husan Shen] who was responsible for this incident.

I destroyed all the weapons that Cardina had scattered, [Gladius].

Don't leave the tragedy behind.

"That's why I need your help." Both of you. "

"Ugh, noo..."

From the beginning, that's how I am. Whether it's foolishness or foolishness, I'll help you. "

As usual... the cucumber of the street used to be, and IG with a pleasant sarcasm.

With the help of both of us, my plane will move.

If Hugo has lost his way, then my evolution is over.

As Cuco transforms into blue and white particles of light, while being wrapped in a different shine (...) of particulation...... she covers the mechanical flower with snow.

It's my first time. I'll show you the difference between the weaponry and the phenomenon that's besetting this city.

[Mecha Dragon Heart Core] raised its roar and conducted its energy all over his body.

My riding - [White Rose (full bloom), Full Bloom (white rose)] moves.

"...... Phew"

Grasp the joystick and exhale.

My mind is already settled.

Like that day.

It's not a plan, it's not an inertia.

I made a move because I wasn't abandoned... like the day I fought him.

Right now, I'm shaking my head here.

"-- Quest, Start"

--Run out, my (my) heart.

To be continued