Isabelle Yagrush

• Depiction of sexual assault in Episode 9.

All living beings wield their power to survive. None can take that right away.

Long ago, the Earth nearly met its demise. The world was engulfed in a flood of mankind's bulging, swelling desires...and became afflicted by global pollution and the exhaustion of natural resources. Humanity had no way left to survive. Thus, as if strangling itself, mankind pulled the trigger to its own ruin.

A conglomerate group took control of the Earth, replacing all countries. The company created an artificial god and mechanical angels that drove humanity to the brink of extinction.

----------

Many years had passed since that calamity.

The planet was gradually restored by new life, made in humanity's image by a mechanical god. The god called these synthetic humans "Paragons" to distinguish them from the old human race. Their duty was to ready the surface for the ideal humans that would someday be reborn from an electronic paradise. They were disposable, with no other roles to fulfill.

A turning point arrived one day for these expendable lifeforms.

The gods of the electronic paradise had lost their command and their numbers due to a malignant virus. Machinekind, who had been controlling the Paragons on Earth, were thrown into disorder as the Paragons gained their own egos and emotions. The Paragons reflected on their own existence. After countless thoughts, they arrived at a singular answer.

"We have lives too! These lives aren't an imitation! We aren't just expendable!"

Just like humankind of old, those living in this cruel, desolate wasteland were driven to fight to prove the meaning of their existence.

Before they knew it, the Paragons splintered into hardliners and moderates, creating tension among them. The hardliners—"Innovators"—believed they had ownership of the Earth, and began plotting a rebellion against Machinekind to prevent the impending rebirth of the new human race. The plan was steadily proceeding beyond Machinekind's control—and the fateful day approached.

It towered over the polluted land like a gravestone for humanity—a black megastructure that pulsated with an eerie glow at regular intervals. There, humanity slept in its cradle, dreaming of rebirth on Earth from electronic paradise.

After what felt like eternity, the megastructure prepared to regenerate humanity and lit the furnace of rebirth. Not long after, twelve children appeared in reality. This information naturally made its way to the Paragons.

"The time for action is now!" the Innovators cried, raising their weapons high.

In a moderate town on the outskirts of Ionia Colony...

"Yes, that's right! Kneel down and beg for your life!"

Amid the blaze, two shadows danced. One crumpled to the ground, a red stain spreading, while the other watched the struggling figure closely.

This is all right, Isabelle. It's all right.

Flipping her golden hair, Isabelle Yagrush repeated those same words in her mind over and over again, as though convincing herself she was doing the right thing. How long had she done so?

Suddenly, the girl came to her senses and sent the crouching silver-haired boy flying with a kick.

The boy had already breathed his last.

"Remember our objective, Isabelle."

The girl hugged her trembling body, steadied her shaky breathing, and continued on.

"As Innovators, our objective is the erasure of the Returnees, and the elimination of those who disagree with our beliefs."

Those words were a tranquilizer to her. Her expression slowly softened with each repetition.

"Ha. Haha! Of course, there's nothing to fear. This is our dearest wish."

"—belle. Miss Isabelle."

A voice came from behind her, snapping Isabelle back to reality.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Yes! We believe we have identified a target among the opposition's surviving forces!"

"Well. Have you dealt with it?"

"You see...we have encountered unexpected resistance. I'd like to request your help as soon as—"

"Did you honestly come here to give me an excuse for your report? Wasting your energy on this nonsense only proves your incompetence!"

A piercing look from her clear blue eyes shook the man to his core.

"I-I will pursue the target at once!"

He spun on his heel and headed back to the battlefield. The girl watched him go, then walked on toward her next target.

They were after the humans reborn from paradise. Killing them was no different from declaring war against the Machines that had created them. Once fired, an arrow cannot be stopped. Should they miss their mark, nothing less than the Paragons' extinction awaited.

"Ha, haha, this fight won't end until we've burned it all to ashes! Ahahahaha!"

Her convictions settled, the girl carried on with a warped smile, raising her voice as if singing.

"Now then, I think I'll have some fun hunting. Give it your all running away, won't you?"

From the furnace of rebirth in Ionia Colony, twelve boys and girls appeared. We had no way to know how the furnace creates new humans. Could they have been made in an artificial womb like us synthetic humans, or perhaps...? No. Thinking about it won't mean anything to us. The moderates saw what the furnace birthed and were delighted that the promised day had arrived.

Honestly, how can they be so foolish? How can they take the Machines at their word? It was we Paragons who continually restored this polluted Earth for generations. The remains of millions of our race lay sleeping in this land. It is soaked in the blood of our brethren who died pitifully, treated as expendable.

Yes. We have already paid more than enough.

Are we just supposed to sit back and watch as the humanity that wrought its own extinction snatches it away from us!? We are not the ones who should go extinct. Rather, it is the garbage cluttering the Earth even now, and the Returnees that appeared on it as if it was their own!

We have disposed of eleven Returnees. Those who would protect them have already been disposed of. That means, if we can remove one last person, our great leader Ahav's wish will be fulfilled. We have prepared to win this battle. We will not falter.

Let us go and choke the life out of the final Returnee. Our ideal world is so close. We mustn't waste a second to actualize it.

With the last Returnee eliminated, we will cut off the path to mankind's rebirth...or so I thought, until I encountered that Returnee girl.

Ionia was one of the oldest cities still in operation. I don't know if that's the reason, but compared to larger colony cities, fewer Paragons were assigned here. They were a ragtag group with no talent for combat. I wouldn't let us fall behind because of that.

"Ahaha! Burn them! Kill them! Drag that last Returnee out here!"

My troops burned the fields to ash in the blink of an eye, reducing every home to rubble in their wake. At this pace, we could seize the target imminently.

"Miss Isabelle! It appears the target is headed for the church!"

"The church, hm...?"

What did they hope to gain by clinging to an imaginary higher power? How foolish.

"Hah! To think you would beg God for help at a time like this. I can't help but laugh. All forces advance!"

We approached the church to find that many moderate soldiers had assembled there in a defensive web.

"You will not pass—we must protect our hope!"

Oh, how truly futile. Struggle all you like, but the ending will not change.

----------

We cut a path to the church with our overwhelming numbers and firepower.

"You all, after me! The rest of you, annihilate the remaining soldiers!"

"Yes!"

The church stood quietly, as though unaware of the raging battle. I dispatched my subordinate to open the door. No response from inside. Stepping through the entrance, it still looked empty at first glance. However, my instincts told me there must be someone here, holding their breath and biding their time.

"How long will you keep running? Now that I am here, hiding is pointless!"

Clack, clack. As if teasing my prey, sizing them up, I let my footsteps ring out as I walked toward the altar. Then, on my final step, I felt a lethal gaze at the back of my neck.

Killing intent—a language I understood perfectly well.

I leapt into the air as the floor behind me shattered. I looked up and saw where the bullet was fired from—the skylight on the second floor.

"There you are, you fool...found you!"

I couldn't see his expression from the shadows, but there was definitely a Paragon with a rifle hiding there. He was clearly talented if he could shoot at my precise location. And yet...

"Trying to kill me, are you? I promise I'll kill you oh so gently, so be a good boy and come on down, okay?" 

"I-I'll have you know I'm a woman!"

"You don't say? In that case, why don't I punish you until you want to die yourself before I end you? Ahaha!"

Oh, I mustn't, but I'm having so much fun. But no one will mind if I let loose a little on my own, will they?

"Done already? Won't you have some more fun with me?"

"I never asked for that!"

With those words, the young woman climbed out of the window and escaped to the roof. She headed into the darkness of the forest. Her skills were crude, but genuine. I had no doubt in my mind. She should have been capable enough to kill all the other soldiers, but she fled into the forest instead.

"After her! Don't let her escape!"

"Stop. It's a trap."

Some fools lost their cool and failed to heed my orders. As I thought, their lives ended with a hole in their chests as they set foot in the forest. It must have been her territory. Was she intentionally encamped at the church to create this situation?

"How brilliantly enticing..."

Heheh. I had expected this to be so simple. How should I end you...?

"Isabelle!"

As I eyed the depths of the forest, a large armored motorcycle roared to my side.

"Oh, Saul! It appears you completed the suppression without incident, yes?"

Looking down from his bike was Saul, a comrade and fellow commander.

"Yeah, he was nothin' to deal with. Hey...what are you smiling for?"

"I'm enjoying this fight far more than I expected."

Saul let out a fearless laugh.

"Oho! That's more like you! Hunting down your enemies with a smile has gotta freak out enemies and allies alike."

"I'm not some kind of reaper, you know."

"Well? Is the last Returnee in the forest?"

I nodded.

"She is hiding in the depths. Shield me with your bike and charge in, and I will shoot down the sniper."

"Roger that."

Saul casually straddled his bike.

"Let us be off!" I cried.

"Yeah!"

We flew into the dark forest. It seemed Saul's charge may have worked, as the sniper was clearly panicked. She had lost the accuracy from our confrontation in the church. We would close the gap in the next instant—

"!?"

I immediately shifted my body to dodge a bullet. Another bullet flew at me, seemingly aimed at the end of my movement. I narrowly twisted my body to avoid it, and a burning pain shot through my cheek.

"Hah, not bad!"

Blood slowly trickled down. As we charged through the bullet-filled forest, I let my emotions surge through me. Deep down, something told me there were two enemies, and how to find them. We just had to corner them!

"There!"

I fired at the girl hiding in the shade of a tree. She crumpled over. In the blink of an eye, I slid within her reach.

"Oh, dear, you thought you could make a fool of me!?"

I knocked the weapon out of her hands, rendering her powerless. Then, I held her arms tight behind her and put the muzzle to the back of her neck.

"Sniper number two, you had best come out quietly before I kill her, understood?"

A moment of silence. I heard rustling, and a girl with a pathetically childish face stepped out from the bushes.

Another girl had appeared from the bushes. She looked much younger than the one in my grasp, but her every move was purposeful. I was certain of her skill.

"That's a good girl. Now, how shall I finish you off...?"

"Take that gun away from Yonah!"

She stood firm, even in this situation.

"Wow, you two aren't bad! With your strong resolve, why not come and join us? Our leader Ahav would surely welcome you with open arms!"

The girl I held at gunpoint spoke up, "Who the hell would join you guys? Miriam, just leave me with—ngh...!"

"I believe it was my turn to speak. Did no one teach you any manners? Perhaps I'll take you with me and teach you myself."

This area was as good as conquered. I only had to wait for Saul to dispose of the last Returnee. The very moment I thought about that...

"Hm...!"

The girl named Miriam suddenly turned her face toward Saul's location in the forest depths. There was an unusual air about her. I turned my head as well to follow her gaze, and at that moment—

I saw dazzling lights at the edges of my vision. Then, I was hit by an ear-piercing roar and felt an impact like compressed air.

My consciousness...was fuzzy... I didn't know what was happening. I couldn't move my body properly.

"Yonah! Are you all right?"

"I'm okay."

"Let's get out of here!"

As my consciousness faded, I could do nothing but watch the two girls run away.

...

...belle.

...sa...belle...

I felt a faint pain in my cheek. That slowly pulled my consciousness back to reality.

"Where am I...?"

"You're up, Isabelle?"

"Saul...?"

When I came to, Saul was carrying me on his shoulders.

"Wha—Why are you carrying—no, more importantly, what on earth just...huh?"

I could faintly make out the spectacle before me with my shaky vision. A wide field, burned all over. A long scratch was gouged into the ground in a straight line that ran as far as the eye could see.

"No...you mean this is Ionia? That can't be. The moderates were concealing tactical weapons?"

My body trembled involuntarily. I felt an indescribable fear from the bottom of my heart.

"Well, let's save the catching up for later. I'm already at my limit...carrying you on my back," Saul said. With those words, he collapsed on the spot.

"Saul!? What, why!?"

I was stunned speechless. Saul's body could barely function.

Though we ultimately took control of Ionia, our forces suffered heavy losses, making it difficult to pursue the enemy. Thus, instead of tracking down the Returnee, I chose to return to Olympias to let Saul recover and report to our leader Ahav. While we were en route, I sat by Saul where he lay in the rescue equipment and listened to him talk about the Returnee girl he fought.

"There was a bright flash from the little punk, and that was it for me."

As Saul explained, the girl's gun emitted an intense light, space warped, and an incredible heat shot through the line of fire. To think she was carrying such an absurd weapon... Could the other Returnees be carrying the same weapons? However, none of them had used any weapons with that kind of power, nor had we found any on their bodies. It was terrifying to admit, but the scratches on Saul's body were unmistakable.

"It can turn such a large area to scorched earth in only an instant. If there are others with weapons like that..." I wondered.

No matter the Innovators' military strength, they could overturn our momentum instantly.

"It's massive. I'll bet it's not the kind of thing she can just keep firing, but we should still be careful," Saul continued.

"Yes."

Saul had taken a violent beating, but he escaped death thanks to the Paragons' regenerative ability and the supply team's timely rescue. But if I hadn't gone on the offensive back there, he might not have had to go through this. Thinking about it that way made his wounded body painful to see.

"Saul, I..."

"Hey, I'm glad the only thing you lost in that blast was your consciousness."

"This is not the time to be making light of me. I am the cause of your wounds. Why don't you blame me?"

"What are you talking about? That wasn't your fault, it was practically a natural disaster! Quit dwelling on it."

Saul's left hand could barely move, but he clenched it tightly.

"We're still alive. You survived, so think about how you'll survive the next battle. Use your head and give it your best. You can do that much, can't you?"

Even in his condition, his eyes held no trace of resignation. That gave me no excuse to sit around moping.

"Thank you, Saul. I nearly lost sight of myself. Rest assured I will crush them in our next battle."

"Ha ha ha! That's the spirit—that high-and-mighty attitude is more like you!"

Huh? Is that what you think of me?

"I shouldn't have worried about you," I said.

"Hey, what's that look for—ow!"

Silently, I smacked Saul's body with my prosthetic fist.

Olympias was a central city located on the shore opposite Ionia. It was an important site for Innovators, built by Paragons who came from the western part of the continent and Africa.

Paragons had always had heightened physical abilities, but it was when they were given egos that they truly surpassed the old humanity in every aspect. Furthermore, Paragons had achieved what the old humans struggled to: the ability to fuse with machines. Synthetic humans with highly advanced physical capabilities and self-regeneration could truly be called paragons of humanity.

However, though they appeared perfect at first, there were ways in which they could not perfectly imitate the old humanity. Clear discrepancies between the two: the inability to age or leave behind descendants.

These synthetic humans, produced in artificial wombs in colonies primarily managed by Machinekind, were given the outward appearance of a suitable fixed age. In other words, they had no way to live but to act out their predetermined roles. They suffered greatly under this restriction, but the hardliners' leader, Ahav, would upend it.

Ahav was a synthetic human from generations past. As he sought salvation, he prolonged his life by replacing his own body with machinery. Ahav created the first synthetic human born from conception—Saint Bathsheba. Bathsheba, born with a body that could grow, was a symbol of hope for the Innovators.

Isabelle arrived at Olympias Cathedral, passed through its doors, and delivered her battle report to Ahav where he stood in the inner sanctum.

"Where could they be going, Lord Ahav?"

The man in the iron mask—Ahav—predicted the Returnee party's destination with his artificial vocal cords, his words interlaced with noise.

"There's only one place to go. Ephes Colony, one of the moderates' bases."

Ephes was a sizable defense base among the cities neighboring Ionia.

"If they've been through here, it's highly likely they will head for that city. Isabelle, you and Saul will launch an assault on Ephes Colony."

"Understood, sir."

Ahav pointed to a spot on the map Isabelle had spread out.

"We will also begin preparing for the decisive battle. We must execute the Returnee in Ephes Colony, and use that opportunity to attack Perses Colony as well."

Perses was the largest moderate city, located far east of Ionia. It could be considered the headquarters of the Machines guarding the central part of the continent. The largest megastructures were located there.

"I will let you lead the charge, Isabelle."

"Yes, sir! In the name of Yagrush, I shall see my duty through!"

Isabelle's eyes shone with a wicked gleam. The spark of a new battle would soon be lit.

Under Ahav's orders, Isabelle left the cathedral to prepare for the upcoming battle. As she made her way through the nave with enthusiasm, the sound of a lonely bell rang out, as if dispelling the solemn atmosphere.

"That sound...!"

It was the bell heralding the ceremonial guard. She could hear it from the other side of a pillar. Isabelle frowned for a brief moment, then stepped before the bell's owner.

Before her stood a synthetic human girl with silver hair and crimson eyes accompanied by her guard. Saint Bathsheba.

"Lady Bathsheba..."

"Isabelle. I hear you are leaving for the front once again."

Isabelle felt her body jump in surprise at Bathsheba's gentle smile.

"Will you not come closer? We are hardly strangers to one another," she continued.

"O-Of course."

Isabelle had once been proud to serve as lady's maid to Bathsheba. However, she had been terrified by the many gruesome experiments that were performed on Bathsheba. Thus, she quit her post, leaving the girl crying, and devoted herself instead to the battlefield. Isabelle was dreadfully afraid of encountering Bathsheba once again.

"Your face is so beautiful," Bathsheba said, giggling. She stroked Isabelle's cheek with her slender fingers. "Not a thing has changed since then—oh, you have a scar here?"

"I—there was a battle with the moderates, and..."

"Why have you not let it heal?"

"The scar is my vow. My conduct before the enemy was disgraceful. I want to leave it until I've buried the girl who gave it to me with my own hands."

"Is that so?"

Bathsheba brought her finger closer to the wound and brushed across it lovingly, smiling sweetly.

"I feel somehow...envious."

Then, as the bell tolled once more... Bathsheba suddenly dug her finger into the cut. Her nail pierced the skin so easily, slipping deep below and spilling red liquid onto Isabelle's cheek.

"...gh! L-Lady...Bathsheba...!"

With a sadistic smile, Bathsheba pushed the wound open and dipped her finger deeper. She brought the dripping red finger to her mouth, sucking the blood from it. Then, tasting the mixture of blood and saliva, she smiled at the gasping Isabelle.

"Now I am the one who gave you this wound. Will you not try to kill me? I will allow it."

"I would never do such—mmph—!?"

Isabelle's lips were parted by force. Her body was paralyzed by overwhelming terror as her own blood flowed into her.

"Nn...nnn..."

Their lips separated. A thin red string tied their lips together, shining with an eerie glint. The bell echoed coldly.

"This is a blessing. Go forth and dye your hands red with blood as you destroy everything. Yes, everything..." Bathsheba said, giggling once more. "I await good news."

With those words, Bathsheba left for her bedchamber with the sound of the bell. Her singing voice echoed behind like a curse cast on the whole world.

The sun had nearly sunk below the horizon. Saul and I were in charge of a new unit, leading the advance on Ephes Colony. The hardliners and moderates would meet at the front line. Ephes' military strength was three times that of Ionia.

"Quite the army, as expected," I observed.

"Well, we've gotta flatten this place or we won't be chasing down that Returnee."

"Yes. How quickly we can take control of the city will be the key."

Doing so would turn the tide in the hardliners' favor.

"I'm looking forward to seeing this new weapon of yours in action, Saul."

"Just watch."

Saul's ruined body had been replaced with a mechanical one at the recycling facility in Olympias, and fitted with the 240mm high-caliber convergent laser cannon "Caladbolg." It was an optical weapon capable of emitting beams of focused light. Using it, he could smash through the walls of Ephes with ease.

The time for battle had come.

"Listen well, comrades! The moderates bluster about their foolish 'hope' in these Returnees—they believe they can oppose us! It is we Paragons who are worthy of inheriting this Earth!"

Many angry cries rang out as everyone recalled the mistreatment they suffered to get here. I needed only guide those feelings of hatred down the right path.

"Yeah! Let's take a stand! No backing down! Let your anger burn! Burn it all down with the flames of passion!"

"Ohhhhhhhh!"

An avalanche of soldiers flooded the outer wall of Ephes.

"Hell of a speech. I've never seen my squad this charged before," Saul said.

"This is hardly the time. Is that weapon for show, or are we going to take them?"

"Right on it. It's my first battle with my new pal here, so let's make it a good one!"

----------

Not long after that, Ephes Colony fell. We proceeded to stamp the enemy out in no time. I was certain this victory would become a stepping stone on my way to eliminating the Returnees.

As I charged into the city's center after sunset, a bright light illuminated the sky once more. I caught a glimpse of the light that the Returnee girl fired!

"Isabelle! Hop on!"

I heard the roar of Saul's bike. I had already pinpointed the Returnees' location. The airship landing pad—that would be their grave.

The moment we reached the landing pad, Saul readied Caladbolg—the sword that could burn the whole world in an instant. It had better work.

"I'll smash y—"

"You shall not!" cried a resounding voice, drowning out Saul's roar. We turned at the sound to see an armored car speeding toward the pad.

"Piece of shit! Outta my way!"

As Caladbolg burned through the car—

A huge explosion suddenly burst from the vehicle just as the light would have destroyed it.

"Saul!"

Before I could even think it through, I went after Saul. By a hair's breadth, I managed to deploy a shock resistant field in time.

"Ha, haha, ahaha! Oh, you've done it now!"

"Sorry you had to save me, Isabelle. Didn't realize they'd try and suicide bomb us..."

"Rotten moderates! How low will they stoop to mock us with their ridiculous tricks!?"

I will not let them get away with it. I will not let them escape! There must be something else I can do!

...That's right. This is the airship landing pad. It was possible at least one ship was still intact.

"Ha, haha, I found youuu..."

I spotted a ship lying at the back of the hangar. Moreover, it was a high-speed assault ship ideal for pursuing the enemy. It was our only option if we wanted to give chase.

"Whoa, Isabelle, don't tell me..."

"I'll be going on ahead. I'm not the sort of good girl who sits pretty when she's made a fool of over and over."

A silver ship had flown into the eastern sky. The Returnee girl. I had no doubt I would catch her and tear her throat with my teeth.

Oh, I mustn't, but I'm having so much fun. I had better hurry if I want to slaughter every last one, no?

The Japanese term for the Paragons is 真人 (shinjin), literally meaning "true human." I couldn't find a direct translation of this that wouldn't sound clunky with how often the word comes up, so I nearly opted to leave it romanized as if it were a coined word. But seeing a Japanese word up against the very translatable "Returnee" (originally "returning species") so often didn't feel right, so I settled on Paragon—fitting for artificial, ideal recreations of the old humanity, I think. Incidentally, I made sure that "shinjin" is the correct reading—I worried about it for a while until I discovered that Ahav says the term aloud in his system voice dialogue! Sega, please bring back system voices, I beg of you...

Isabelle is fond of using unusual kanji spellings of common words, fancier vocabulary, and typically feminine speech patterns, which I tried to reflect in English—it gives her dialogue a more refined, often high-and-mighty feel. She seems to take after Bathsheba, around whom she loses this attitude and reverts to polite speech. Bathsheba herself uses the personal pronoun watakushi, an extra-formal version of Isabelle's watashi.

See also: Isabelle Yagrush and Caladbolg in the glossary.