Awakened Bashian 

• Overt themes of the Paragons being treated like slaves, and general themes of Japanese Imperialism. Both of these are portrayed in a negative light.

• Bashian suffers like Jesus, literally.

――When did he first start to “become insane”?

The first thing I gained cognizance of was “myself”.

“Myself” as an “individual”. In other words, an existence that separates a conscious mind and physical body from others.

If so, what of the “others”?

Others are those who are not oneself. Compatriots. Ones who walk the same timeline for a purpose. Or those who do not.

Our “purpose”... To resuscitate this deceased world, the Earth.

One man continues to watch the information code on the monitor.

His name is Bashian.

The man, whose name was given to him by “God” for the sole purpose of convenient identification, is now confronted with a fact that threatens the very foundation of the “self” he has continued to believe in.

A large amount of top-secret information was preserved in the core unit of the “Goddess”.

All of it was shocking to Bashian, but everything unanimously pointed to one conclusion.

“God… Our creators, the Machines, will not grant us salvation.”

Bashian is “crazy”.

It did not originate at this precise moment.

Paragons were given fragments of a restricted consciousness by the Machines that made them work more efficiently. One of them, Bashian, slowly went insane one day, as if he had been affected by a slow-acting poison.

Oneself. Others. His own purpose— thoughts that are repeated again and again like a game of association, created a change within him.

It is an ego that has deviated so far from God's control that it cannot be contained by a mere fragment.

Thoughts we are not allowed to challenge. Emotions we are not allowed to possess.

Bashian, who had become an impermissible presence to God, was beginning to feel a sense of “despair” at this moment.

“Our… Our lives were crushed upon from the beginning. The meaning of life, the future… It was all crafted by design…”

After looking over a sequence of informational codes, Bashian takes out a memory chip and connects it to the core unit of the Goddess.

After copying all of the data, he quietly put it away in his breast pocket.

It was an act of the highest treason against God, but there was no fear to make his hands tremble.

Bashian left the console space of the Goddess as if nothing had happened, and ordered his subordinates to destroy the core unit.

The divine Machines, and the Paragons they created.

The Pandora's Box that changes everything is now held in Bashian's hands.

One of the many interlocked cogs in this machine was now beginning to resist its own rotation.

The Paragon Bashian is “insane”.

In the eyes of God the Creator.

The Paragon Bashian conceals his anger.

With heart, correctly, and calmly――

I walked through a workspace lined with the corpses of my disposed “compatriots”.

It's strange. I never would have called them “compatriots” in the past.

They were people who, like me, just did the tasks they were given. I think that was my mentality at the time.

But now it's different. Those who cooperate and work toward the same objective… I understand that they’re my "comrades."

They all possessed a life. Even if they were manufactured, there was a definite life in them. But from the beginning, that life existed only to be used and discarded.

I felt a fire of silent anger ignite in my chest. At the same time, the warmth of the flame reassured me. We have hearts, too.

I go to my station, and begin today's work.

How long has it been since I learned the “truth”?

We must grasp our future with our own hands… I had a vague idea, but had no concrete method of dealing with the almighty entity known as God.

I thought about revealing the truth to my compatriots. But I could only comprehend the truth because my consciousness had already been altered to irregularity.

It would probably be recognized as “purely data”.

I have a potential trump card, but I can't do anything with it.

I live my days the same as always, with a sense of frustration and nihilist futility.

However, a change has come to this daily routine.

I see an unfamiliar person has arrived at the sector I am in charge of.

The uniform is different from our on-site field work team’s. I also recognize the red armband on their arm.

(That’s a Peace Preservation Defense guard![1] Why are you here now…)

――It's an emergency situation.

Today is not a routine inspection day. The fact that he is coming here means that he has found a problem with this sector.

The only possible cause could be… Me.

Where… What did they find out?

Is it about the Goddess' data... Or is it my consciousness?

Either way, if I am caught, I will definitely be disposed of...

“I’m Nadiff, a Peace Preservation Defense guard. Who is the representative of this sector?”

“...I am.”

“You are… Hmm, I see. You’re called Bashian.”

The man who introduced himself as Nadiff said this, then searched for my identification code on a portable information terminal.

The information of all Paragons, including him, is controlled. We are not allowed to show even the slightest sign of behaving suspiciously or abnormally.

“Today isn't a routine inspection day.”

“It’s called a surprise inspection. Every defective product has to be removed, or it's going to be detrimental to the entire operation.”

“Defective product.”

These are also words that I would have accepted without any consideration in the past.

But now I feel a stinging ache in my chest.

“I see. If there’s anything I can do to help…”

“I appreciate the offer, Bashian.”

“Do you need yesterday's work report? Or even the staff deployment schedule?”

“No, it’s fine. I– I came here to talk to you.”

He said this with his eyes fixed on me.

It was like a clear declaration that I was his target. I tried desperately to keep my expression from changing, and feigned composure.

This man, Nadiff, is definitely onto something.

If push comes to shove... No, any attempt to use force would be subdued in an instant.

The best solution for me is just to get through this situation somehow.

“Just answer 'yes' to my questions.”

“...Understood.”

“Let’s begin. Do you find pleasure in your daily labor?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think that your mission should be given priority over everything else?”

“Yes.”

“Can you immediately determine what actions you should take?”

“Yes.”

A series of rambling questions follow. But Nadiff is steadily observing me as I robotically answer his seemingly meaningless questions.

Hesitation and mental disturbances. Things we are not supposed to show. If he sees even the slightest bit of either, I go to the inspection room.

After a few more of these exchanges, Nadiff kept his eyes on the information terminal in his hand and muttered, “One last question,” before asking me again.

“...Do you believe in God?”

“Huh―”

I was about to answer. Nadiff suddenly looked up from his information terminal and looked me straight in the eyes.

I involuntarily tense up under his piercing gaze.

This is bad. I have to keep my composure.

As I was thinking this, Nadiff slowly moved his mouth without speaking out loud.

“We nonbelievers exist.”

Judging from the movement of his lips and the context, it was a message from Nadiff himself.

Denial of God the Creator. Treason. I wasn't the only one who doubted God.

Nadiff also said “we”.

No way… There are more―

“What’s wrong? You haven’t replied.”

“Ah, no… ‘Yes’.”

“Alright, fine.”

Nadiff made a full report on his information terminal and then took a scrap of paper out of his pocket.

I think he wrote something down on it, and then he placed it in the palm of my hand.

Communication using paper is a method that cannot be hacked or easily copied, and has the advantage of the ability to be physically destroyed at any time. This showed the importance of the contents.

“Thanks for taking the time to do this. Keep up the good work.”

After Nadiff turned his back and disappeared out of sight, I looked at the piece of paper he handed me. On the paper were written strings of letters that followed a specific pattern.

"Are these… Coordinates?"

Come here - the message is clear.

Nadiff is a Peace Preservation Defense guard, so he could be setting up a trap.

But I was left with no choice but to cling to this glimmer of hope.

“Share your work report, Bashian.”

“Yes. The Goddess statue that was slated for disposal the other day has been handled, and melted down.”

“Ah, thanks for your hard work. What else?”

“Today’s disposal count is 24 bodies… The total for this month is 544 bodies. I believe we are currently in an acceptable range for the amount of bodies produced…”

“Understood. Enough work for today. Make sure you get some rest.”

“Thank you… Very much.”

After finishing my final report to my supervisor, I don’t go to my room, but instead turn heel and leave the central district.

I’ve been waiting for a chance the past few days. On short work days with little to report, there’s more time to move around freely. This would be the best timing.

My destination is the former city district. I take the coordinates given to me by Nadiff, and head out.

“So this is the old city. This is my first time here… The condition looks just as bad as the rumors say…”

The former district was amongst the first things built in this city. Nowadays, its role as a city has long since ended, and the entire city is in ruins.

However, this does not mean that it’s not being utilized at all.

This area is commonly known as “The Hospital”, where it functions as a treatment facility for those who are injured from hard labor.

If their wounds heal, they return to the central district to work again. If they do not heal, they spend the rest of their lives here, awaiting disposal.

But I know.

From my own observations, no one has ever returned from this "Hospital."

This is what God has prepared for us.

It’s a false pretense of “mercy”.

I kept walking, relying on the coordinates, until I arrived at the entrance to a subway station.

It’s an old means of transportation that has long since been abandoned, and deemed obsolete.

I wonder if there are other people who’ve become cognizant like me lurking underground.

As I walked along with this thought, a voice came from the darkness at the end of the stairs, as if it had been surveilling me from somewhere, waiting for me.

“That was faster than I expected. Bashian, if I’m not mistaken, you’re the only one here, right?”

“Yes… Just me.”

“You don’t have to be so formal. You realize me being a security guard is a temporary appearance, right?”

“...I understand, Nadiff.”

“That's good.”

Nadiff leads me along a dimly lit subway line, lit only by emergency lights.

After walking for a little while, an unnatural door appeared in the huge wall beside the tracks.

I wonder if it was originally a worker’s station. Nadiff opened said door and gestured awkwardly, as if to escort me in.

“Welcome to our nest.”

On the other side of that door was a wide room, occupied by about 10 Paragons.

Everyone was doing as they pleased on their own, although their eyes were on me. But, they weren't piercing glares that were wary of an outsider. Everyone was smiling, and I could tell they were welcoming me.

“Let me introduce you. This is our newly ‘awakened’ friend, Bashian.”

Nadiff’s loud voice echoed through the nest as he announced this.

“Awakened One..?”

“Ah. That's what we call those who have been released from the chains that bound them to the Machines, and have regained their true minds. As I'm sure you've already guessed, everyone here is an Awakened One as well.”

When I looked around, I saw the other “Awakened Ones” looking at me and nodding their heads in agreement. At the same time, I feel something warm flowing inside me and filling me up.

It’s as if I’m warming my hands in front of a bonfire, smiling. The frozen anxieties and loneliness begin to melt away.

Really... I wasn't alone.

“Hehe… Bashian, was it? Nice to meet you.”

One of them came up to me, and held out their hand.

I held it back in response, timidly.

“...Nice to meet you.”

“You must have been scared when you ‘awakened’. You’d never imagine that the world you had been living in and your own self had been forced upon you by someone else.”

“Yeah… Right…”

“From now on, we are one and the same. Let's do our best.”

“A– ah…”

It was the first time I'd ever met someone who spoke so casually. I tried to respond, but I couldn't come up with a good answer.

I have a lot of thoughts in my head, but I can't put them into words.

Expressing my own feelings… I had never done anything like that before.

Communication of essential matters and facts. Before I became “awakened,” I thought that was the only meaning of conversation.

“Hey, Leader. He has such a weak response to everything, is this guy really okay?”

“Bashian only became awakened a short while ago. Besides… He works as a Gravekeeper.”

“Ah hell, a Gravekeeper… That’s a tough one…”

Nadiff, who I now recognize as their leader, called me a “Gravekeeper”.

As far as I remember, a position with that namesake does not exist.

“Nadiff, a ‘Gravekeeper’?”

“It’s your job. The people in your department that dispose of deceased Paragons… We call them Gravekeepers.”

“I understand… So that’s why.”

“Disposing of your compatriots is so mentally demanding that it’s inevitable that irregularity will occur. So… The restrictions on your ego are much stronger than those on other Paragons. It’s unavoidable that you’re unable to express your emotions well.”

“So that’s what it is… I had no idea…”

This fact was not even contained in the Goddess’ data.

It’s likely that God improved “operating” us in later years.

Hearing these new acts of God, treating us as if we were objects, made me feel a wave of anger and exhaustion at the same time, as if it were all piling on top of me at once.

Nadiff spoke up, as if to encourage me as I hung my head low.

“However, we’re glad a Gravekeeper has joined the Awakened Ones. Even if the restrictions on your ego are much stronger than ours, you can still awaken. Knowing even just this is extremely valuable.”

“That’s right, leader. But anyways, how was Bashian even able to awaken?”

Right. I have to tell everyone what happened.

The event that triggered my awakening. The “truth” about us, and the world, all obtained from the Goddess――

×　　×　　×　　×　　×

“Is this all really true…”

After everyone finished looking at the data on the memory chip I brought, a wave of shocked voices arose through the group.

Although we were modeled to imitate the former human race, our reproductive capability has been removed, and we are simply “manufactured” in artificial wombs.

To prepare for the unlikely event of a rebellion, we were intentionally designed to have a short lifespan.

We were given a limited sense of self— an ego, to be able to work independently.

Everyone is trembling with anger at the horrific treatment we were given by God.

Nadiff was the first to cut through the quiet atmosphere.

“I’m glad you brought this up. Knowing these truths is virtually the same as a revolution in itself. That's why we don't have time to feel anger or sorrow. Bashian, what do you think we should all do?”

“I…”

I was thinking. If only I wasn't alone, if only I had greater power.

If only we had that, we could pave a path to the future.

So in desperation, I try to articulate what’s in my head into words.

For that first step, for the sake of regaining our true lives.

“...I want to be a ‘human being’. To do that, we need to analyze this data in depth and fix our bodies. But I don’t know when that will happen. It may not happen in my lifetime. It may take some time, from the next generation, to the next generation… But still, I…”

Before I knew it, everyone was looking at me.

They all waited with bated breath for me to continue, their expressions showing something like a fighting spirit forming as I spoke.

That's right. I'm not alone.

“...Still, we can do it! Even if we’ll never see it with our own eyes, our wish for the Paragons to gain true freedom will come true!”

If you wage war with God directly, your chances of succeeding are slim.

But, there are other ways to wage war.

On this day, we huddled together in an embrace and united our wishes into one.

The Paragons will definitely claim victory in their future.

“Oh, you're here, Bashian. How was your interview?”

“I don't think it was a problem, Nadiff. I've gotten used to interviews after I've ‘awakened’.”

“No kidding, huh. Is that… A new ‘corpse’?”

“...Ah. Could you pray with me?”

“Of course.”

We carried over the bodies brought from the worksite to our nest in the old city, and we prayed.

Now that you are emancipated from this life, I hope you can rest in peace.

It’s only an imitation of the former human race, but it felt like a necessary thing for us to do.

“...Alrighty, then. Well, I’ll leave the data examination to you.”

“Understood. Um, so… Now might be too late to ask, but is it really okay for me to be in charge of this?”

“Yessir, it’s too late for that. This is something only you can do. In fact, Bashian’s ability to analyze far surpasses anyone else.”

“But…”

“Besides, everyone has high expectations for the dream you’ve touted. As do I. So, how can I put this… I want you to carve this path with your own hands. In exchange, leave the support to us.”

“...I understand. Thank you.”

After thanking Nadiff, I continued my work on verifying the rest of the data.

Inspection of the data obtained from the Goddess, and analysis as to what measures should be taken to the bodies based on it.

We’ve been repeating this process using the remains of our comrades.

It may be blasphemous, desecration of the dead. However, the results obtained from actually using Paragon bodies for analysis were far superior, and as a "Gravekeeper", it was easy for me to obtain the corpses, so I had no choice but to take this measure.

As we repeat this process over and over to test our results, despair fills our hearts, and drags itself down deeper and darker through our chests.

I was convinced that the information etched into the Goddess was an undeniable fact.

A lifespan designed to be short, a body incapable of bearing children, a limited ego and sense of self―― I accurately record the fact that we were created to be convenient for the Machine race, leaving behind a vast number of files in my memory chip.

(We are not objects… Even if we were manufactured, we have a heart, a soul. The Machines that have a distorted sense of life… Something like that is not our ‘God’.)

From the data of the Goddess, I compare the biometric information of the former humans we were modeled after and the Paragons’ biological information, searching around little by little for the parts that were intentionally changed.

Also, the analysis of the structure of the artificial womb, which is still an enigma, is absolutely necessary for us to become "human".

The analysis work continued for a long time.

“Bashian, why don't you go back to your room for today? It'll affect your work tomorrow if you don’t rest.”

“I’ll go a little longer. I think I’m starting to figure out the changes in the Paragon genetic structure.”

“That’s amazing, isn’t it?!”

“Ah. At this rate, within our lifetime… We might be able to establish a ‘cure’..!”

I was in a hurry―― Or maybe my greed was getting the best of me.

I vowed to obtain freedom in the future, no matter how many generations it took. But perhaps because the analysis was progressing too smoothly, at some point I started thinking, "We too want to see freedom."

Impatience begets cracks forming.

Paragons are not permitted to have those feelings.

×　　×　　×　　×　　×

A few weeks later.

After my usual meeting with my supervisor, I finished my routine maintenance rounds and was in my room analyzing the data from the Goddess.

With the resolute desire to do as much analysis as possible, I found myself reluctant to spend time traveling to the old town, which was far from here. At some point I started working in my own room, as well.

With skilled hands, I connect the memory chip to my terminal. Although the analysis doesn't require a network, the chip's data is encrypted in multiple layers just as a precaution.

Since then, the analysis has progressed further, and we have narrowed down which specific areas of the body have been altered. At this rate, the impetus of our most cherished wish[2] may not be far off.

I went to start my work with an irrepressible sense of restlessness.

“...Something's wrong. The terminal is locked――”

Instantly, the lights in my room turned off.

I immediately realized what was going on and rushed to the door, slamming the switch to open it. But there was no response.

Everything I was given in the central district, everything I had to live off of, was taken away from me.

“Shit..! I was careless!”

I have a bad feeling about this situation.

The result of today’s interview and routine maintenance must have branded me with the mark of "failure".

Mental irregularity, treason, there’s so many reasons, I don’t know what it could be. But I understand――

What fate awaits me is certain. I’m going to be “scrapped”.

The action of being forcibly locked down, in order to prevent one's movement, falls into the category of quite severe restriction. Repair and restoration are out of the question. Without a doubt, it would lead to scrapping.

However, I can’t just sit here and wait to be killed. I have to escape from the executioners that’ll be here any moment now.

I pull the memory chip out of my terminal and put it in my pocket. Then, I pulled out a handgun I had hidden from underneath my bed and fired several rounds into the door’s lock.

I thrust the pole from my bedroom lamp into the newly formed gap of the destroyed locking mechanism with all my might, and used leverage to pry open the door frame and squeeze out into the hallway.

Should I say I made it in time, or that I didn't make it in time?

I was immediately greeted outside my room with gunfire from the approaching execution officers.

“Target confirmed. Securement is unnecessary. Dispose of it immediately.”

“Ngh… They’re already here!”

My pistol is no match for the heavily armed, combat-type Paragons of the executioner squad.

I frantically ran as fast as I could from the dormitory building, all the while avoiding the hail of bullets hurtling my way.

(Where can I escape to…?! The old city… No, I need to avoid our nest being discovered! There’s no way I could even get there before then! What do I do… What do I do?!)

As I kept thinking in circles, I realized that there was no true escape for me.

A Paragon under control with no freedom. An overwhelming military power chasing him. Wherever he runs, it's only a matter of time before he’s captured.

I’m going to die here.

At least… At least I have this data to leave behind――

“Bashian! Get in the car!”

Nadiff’s voice reverberated alongside the sound of several cars slamming on their brakes.

The vehicles are occupied by the figures of my awakened comrades, armed.

All of those weapons were stored in the nest just in case of an emergency.

I remember saying once, "I hope there's no need for something like this in the future."

But now, this moment that should never have arisen has arrived.

“Nadiff!”

“Forget about me! You need to get out of here!”

“But, Nadiff?!”

“We’re buying time, here!”

“No! You’re coming with us!”

“Listen, Bashian. You’re our beacon of hope. Didn't I tell you? ‘We will obtain true freedom, even if it takes generations.’ I’d be honored to become a part of that foundation.”

“No… Don’t!”

“...Pull out!!”

“Nadiff! NADIIIIFF!!”

At Nadiff’s command, the car I was in immediately drove off.

And not even a moment sooner, the sound of heavy gunfire echoed from behind the vehicle.

I understand. So do my surviving comrades.

Nadiff… Is never coming back.

“It’s my fault… It’s all my arrogance that made this situation happen…”

I punch the dashboard out of frustration in a pitiful display. But at the same time, I felt my mind calming down and becoming clearer.

I wasn’t prepared enough. But, Nadiff taught me vicariously through his own actions.

I won't make the same mistake again.

I ruminate over the words spoken by Nadiff and I from that day, and make that executive decision.

After escaping Murcia, where the central district is located, we abandoned our vehicle. We slipped past the eyes of our pursuers and boarded a municipal boat.

After sliding down a garbage chute and getting covered in trash, we finally arrived at the northern land of Zaragoza.

Zaragoza has remained untouched by the Machines, as all that remains is the ruins from the former human civilization that lived here. We should be able to buy our time for a little while here.

While we were traveling, I remembered something one of my comrades said to me.

The Awakened Ones are said to be appearing in various parts of the continent, not just in the central district where we were.

However, as soon as they awaken to their own ego, the majority of them undergo a purge known as “disposal”, ending their own lives.

The difference between us and them was that they didn't have an organization to gather and unite the Awakened Ones.

After awakening to my own ego, I was taken away, not even knowing what had happened to me―― When I remember what I was like before meeting Nadiff, it’s easy to imagine why this happens.

To the Machines, it doesn’t matter if one of us awakens. They simply dispose of us immediately. It won’t be an obstacle in their plan to resuscitate the Earth.

“We… Might be the last surviving irregular Paragons out there…”

The anxiety expressed on their face as they told me that is burned into my mind.

Whether that’s the case or not, my mind had drawn a single conclusion.

The Paragons’ future… We need to slightly correct the course of our plan.

We were in a building that seemed to have been used as a religious institution in the ruins of Zaragoza.

There’s twelve of us left, including me. We all sat and faced each-other in a circle.

I borrowed one of my comrade’s devices, which had bypassed the lock by disconnecting from the network in advance. I duplicated the memory chip and handed a copy to each one of them.

“This is…”

“The data I analyzed is in these. The data analyses of the artificial womb, the parts of the bodies that the Machines modified... Everything I have.”

“Why are you giving us something so valuable?”

“...We have to part ways here. Rather than being caught as an entire group, I want to increase the chances that this data will be passed on to someone in the future. Besides, our lifespans are short. I want even just one person to survive and pass on these facts, so that they can be studied for generations to come… That's the only path left for us.”

“Yeah, that’s right… These are the wishes that we have…”

“I could have done a little more research, but... I'm sorry that it all came to this because of me.”

“It’s alright. If it wasn’t for you, Bashian, we wouldn’t have had any hope to begin with. We’ll follow you by your side.”

“Everyone… Thank you…”

Even if I was merely imitating the former human race, I wanted to act a little more―― feel a little more “human” than I do now.

After thanking everyone, I picked up a sword hanging on the wall.

I deliberately sliced my palm with the sword, and bright red blood suddenly gushed out to trace the line of the wound.

My comrades saw that and held out their palms as well. One by one, I cut the same wound into their hands.

Everyone is bleeding the same red blood.

Ah, that’s right. We’re all “alive”.

"The lives of the Paragons have been twisted at the hands of the Machines who call themselves Gods! Only we can end this cycle and bring about freedom to the Paragons! Blood will be shed, both now and in the future! But that blood will never be futile! Pledge an oath with this blood! For the future of the Paragons!”

“For the future of the Paragons!”

Everyone's voices echoed in unison.

The group raised their hands high and clenched them into fists, causing blood to trickle down and form puddles on the floor.

Just like a mirror, everyone’s faces reflected in those pools of blood.

All of their faces were smiling without even knowing it, I think.

――Bashian’s escape is about to come to an abrupt end.

The highway leading out of the city of Zaragoza.

Bashian, who had been cornered to the abandoned road that had long lost its function, let out a sigh of resignation as he looked at the completely collapsed highway that spread out before his eyes.

It's not at a height where he could escape by jumping down. He understands his limits.

Bashian tried to find salvation for the Paragons.

A salvation to be released from their shackles, where one's life and death is controlled by the hands of others.

When he duplicated the memory chip, he secretly included a concealed report file.

Its message; “Regardless of whether you're a Machine or a Paragon, you should not hesitate to make sacrifices for the sake of freedom.”

To end your own life is to choose to live. Only Bashian himself knows the true intentions to those words, but that too will likely fade away in time.

Just as he wanted.

Armed execution squad soldiers stood in a row right before Bashian’s eyes.

Bashian raised the ceremonial sword high into the heavens and muttered just a few words.

“Paragons… Now is the time for you to awaken…”

That voice reached no one's ears, drowned out by the innumerable gunshots that followed――

But the story doesn't end here.

The comrades who had been following Bashian had copies of the memory chip that they received from him, and scattered them to various places, carrying on and connecting his thoughts.

To become a "genuine human being."

To be born, to give birth, and to die. To obtain the natural order of things.

Their thoughts, like the seeds of a dandelion, will reach the soil somewhere and eventually sprout.

This is a long journey of wishing for salvation that will span many generations.――

　×　　×　　×　　×　　×

“The creator of the initial version was... ‘Bashian’, huh?”

Inside the research laboratory, a man was working to restore corrupted data from an old memory chip.

His form could be described as ‘grotesque’, as the majority of his body was mechanized for the sake of prolonging his life.

What remains of his original body has clearly aged far beyond a Paragon's expected lifespan.

“...This data!? Ma– Magnificent! To think there was someone this far in the past who had already done this much analysis before me!!”

The man became completely obsessed with restoring the data.

He had been advancing his own research, and information that seemed to fill in the gaps started to appear in succession. He couldn’t hide his excitement and screamed with glee.

“Perhaps this time it will finally come to pass! The birth of my true child, Bathsheba!!”

The man said this with his arms outstretched, looking up to the sky. Behind him were rows of large pods filled with culture fluid.

Inside each of them was the form of a pregnant woman with a child in her womb.

The long history of the battle between Metaverse and the Surface.

The awakening of the person who will bring an end to that history is drawing near.

[1] The original Japanese term is “治安維持警備隊員” (chian iji keibi taiin). The usage of the kanji “治安維持” could imply this is a reference to the “Peace Preservation Law” from the imperial era of Japan’s history from 1925 to 1945. It would make thematic sense with the consistent subject of rebellion against the “system of government”– in the case of real Japanese history, the “Kokutai”.

[2] The kanji used here is “悲願” (higan), which translates to “earnest/treasured wish”, but more notably, it also means “Buddha's vow to save humanity”.