The Cat or the Knight. Who Should He Trust?
「Kurose and Hayatarou have also succeeded in defeating the Hydra.」
Kurose and Hayatarou had infiltrated the Hydra’s interior and successfully destroyed its core reactor.
「A portion of the Lanius squad is riding on Cu Siths.」
It seemed that mixed units of Eidolons and Silhouettes were viable and effective on the battlefield. However, coordination inside these mixed units required the presence of a Familia as an interpreter, making it a conditional but highly effective operation.
「The Teras forces are retreating, nya.」
Nyanta reported while analyzing the visuals. Though the Kakodaimons didn’t show any signs of stopping, the remaining Hati and Deep Ones were pulling back from the front lines.
「Unlike the Murders, these enemies actually retreat when they are at a disadvantage. That makes them more formidable. The Kakodaimons act the same as the Murders, though.」
Murders fought until they were completely destroyed—they knew no retreat. The fact that these Mythology Weapons were capable of withdrawing also meant that any damage suffered could also be repaired.
「How exactly do they repair themselves?」
「Most likely, as long as they have the necessary components and miasma, repairs should be possible. Echidna may be the one in charge of that.」
「If it’s a material capable of reconstructing weapon debris, then it makes sense that it could be repurposed for repairs as well.」
Aki nodded in agreement. The strange, otherworldly weapons were formed from a material designed for reconstruction. In fact, applying it for repairs might be the most practical use.
「The real issue starts now.」
「Exactly. Seth remains. Normally, we would simply destroy it and be done, but it seems Bastet and Arthur have conflicting opinions on the matter.」
A display showed Unit 5 and Arthur landing near the downed Seth. Behind them, Garuda touched down as if standing watch.
「I agree with Arthur. However, Kou has built a relationship of trust with Bastet. If he has a plan, we should respect his decision.」
「That’s true, nya. Even if Kou is a cat person, he wouldn’t let personal feelings interfere… probably.」
「Then we just need to turn Kou into a dog person.」
Aki stated with a completely serious expression.
「Aki, you’re the one letting personal feelings get involved. For now, let’s wait and see what they decide.」
Inside the command center, Arthur and Kou’s conversation began to play.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Seth appeared to have completely ceased functioning. Garuda spread his wings protectively over Unit 5 and Arthur, shielding them. He was positioned so that he could cover them at a moment’s notice should anything happen.
「Outis, we need to completely destroy its internal reactor. Right now, it’s only damaged. There’s no telling when it might reactivate.」
「Wait, Arthur.」
Kou hesitated, unable to do as Arthur suggested.
Bastet had stopped him. He couldn’t understand her, but she was clearly saying something.
「Bastet is against the destruction.」
「Can you ask for the reason, Master?」
「Yeah, I’m checking now… —Furuu… Nyaa.」
Master imitated a soft, gentle meow, conversing with Bastet in cat language.
「Nyaa-nyaa… Nnn-nyaa… Oaaannn.」
Bastet let out an especially high-pitched oaaann.
Kou recognized it—it was the kind of cry cats made when they had a strong demand.
「…She’s saying that he will awaken. That they are linked. However, for now, he’s merely in a dormant state.」
Master muttered grimly, her expression unusually tense. Given that Master was using Aimer’s body, the sight only heightened Kou’s sense of unease.
「He—does she mean Typhon?!」
Seth was thought to be connected to Typhon. If they were linked, it wouldn’t be surprising.
「Destroying Seth could be perceived as an act of hostility toward Typhon.」
Even Asia found it difficult to answer immediately.
「We have no intention of fighting Typhon. The Teras are attacking humans, so they need to be dealt with, but…」
Kou had no desire to awaken a weapon designed to destroy super AIs either.
「The cat or me. Which will you trust?!」
「The cat, obviously.」
Asia responded without hesitation. Kou had been about to say the same, but he forced himself to think rationally.
「I want to say the cat, but I understand the danger here. The fact remains—there’s a difference between Bastet, who simply ran to protect human settlements without ulterior motives, and a Mythology Weapon that deceived Flack and fired a problematic weapon before his own restoration was even complete…」
Bastet acted out of pure instinct, without calculation.
Yet, Kou couldn’t shake the feeling that Arthur and Morgan were still keeping something from him. Asia, on the other hand, had been outright vocal about her suspicions.
「But Seth is an evil god, right? We can’t just leave it be. Is there no way to seal it?」
「Outis. Sealing Seth will not be easy.」
Even Garuda expressed concern.
「Figured as much.」
「However, according to myth, Seth is not purely an evil god. He also possesses the qualities of a heroic deity.」
「That’s true. Seth killed Osiris, the god of the underworld, and was later defeated by Osiris’ son, Horus. But at the same time, he was the only god capable of protecting the sun god Ra’s journey from Apophis, the embodiment of evil. That’s why he has a role as a guardian of caravans.」
「The embodiment of evil, huh?」
「Yes. Apophis was the direct opposite of Ma’at—light and order. He was a serpent of chaos and malice. Over time, Seth became assimilated with Apophis and was seen as one and the same. Apophis shares the same linguistic root as the Greek word for serpent, ‘Opis,’ which also connects to Vritra. The origins are the same.」
「Another case of Greek snake-related etymology, huh? Still, even if Seth has a heroic aspect, his association with Apophis as a god of evil is probably stronger. This thing is a Teras, after all. Teras are driven by their destructive impulses, right?」
Kou pondered for a moment before a realization struck him. He quickly connected to Astraea.
「Astraea, I want to confirm something from our earlier conversation. Are we sure the Teras are using Miasma to repair themselves and their forces?」
「They have no regeneration facilities. In that case, they must be relying on craytronics.」
「I see. Then what if we use the Hyloi-Skoria created by Libya to reconstruct Seth instead?」
「You mean recreating him as a Kryptos and drawing out his heroic aspects?」
「That’s what it would amount to. It does feel a bit like brainwashing, though…」
「There’s no need to worry about that. The nature of a weapon is determined by its wielder. If we can restore him with a disposition that allows us to cooperate, there’s no need for destruction.」
「You have a point.」
「Outis. After the reconstruction, I will attempt to reason with Seth. I can’t guarantee how well he’ll understand, but I’ll try.」
It seemed Libya was also paying attention to the situation. Fortunately, Kou had already intended to make this request.
「If the one talking to him is his original creator and the planetary overseer, Libya, then we might be able to get through to him. It’s worth a shot.」
「What exactly do you intend to do, Outis?」
「We’ll transport him to Realm and immerse him in Hyloi-Skoria.」
「How do you plan to transport him? Wouldn’t it be easier to destroy him here?」
Kou felt a slight sense of unease once again at Arthur’s insistence on destruction.
「Transporting him is perfectly doable.」
Garuda responded to Arthur’s skepticism.
「I don’t want to put Realm at risk.」
Arthur had no intention of allowing a dangerous Teras into their stronghold. Kou shared that concern. However, the risk of triggering hostility with Typhon due to their connection was just as significant.
「I’ve thought of a compromise.」
Kou let out a sigh before presenting his proposal.
「We’ll prioritize your repairs as part of the Seth contingency plan. This should relieve some of your concerns, Arthur. We don’t have much to work with—just a collection of leftover parts—but you’ll have to make do.」
Arthur’s greatest desire was his own complete restoration. Kou had no intention of using that as leverage, but for now, convincing Arthur took precedence. Either way, Arthur’s repairs were necessary.
「Very well! Assembling a proper structure from scavenged parts is the true test of an engineer’s skill. I expect great things.」
And just like that, Arthur readily agreed to the plan to transport Seth to Realm.
「I’ll have Flack serve as Arthur’s pilot for a while. Sorry, Flack.」
「It’s fine! Leave it to me!」
The boy was more than happy to accompany Arthur. For Flack, this arrangement was a stroke of luck.
AN:
The reason Bastet’s ‘oaaann’ cry is written that way is because my old cat started making that exact sound after turning twenty. It wasn’t a ‘nyaan’—it was definitely ‘oaaann’. Whenever they needed something, that’s how they called out.
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