Elmo Library › Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium 少女前线2：追放 › Main story

Corposant - Part 1.5

火花之罪·中篇

18 chapters · 3181 lines · English and Chinese below. Japanese and Korean, voices and theatre mode are in the reader.

Nigredo of Putrefaction 腐化之黑

(I sit on a sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down on the city of Lviv.)（我坐在落地窗前的沙发上，俯视着利沃夫的城景。）

(As a White Zone city, it is a clean and bright place. Compared to previous Green Zone cities, it looks like the product of a completely different society.)（作为白区城市，利沃夫的城区明亮、干净，和之前的绿区城市比完全不像是同一个社会的产物。）

(Lines of cars flow steadily down arterial streets while corporate skyscrapers tower overhead. Everything here seems like it's completely disconnected from what lies beyond the quarantine walls.)（道路上车流滚滚，财团所建立的高楼耸立，这里的一切仿佛都和远处隔离墙外的世界毫无关系。）

(It looks even more developed than the major cities from my memories. Apparently, ten years is plenty of time for a core city like this to accumulate all kinds of resources.)（这里甚至比我印象中的大城市建设得还要好，十年的时光让各种资源更加地集中到了这些核心城市。）

(If I hadn't been in the Yellow Zone all this while, this city could have convinced me the world was a better place compared to ten years ago.)（要不是自己一直待在黄区，只在这里往外看去，甚至会产生一切的确比十年前变得更好的错觉。）

(I drag my focus back to reality. Behind me, Colphne is jumping up and down on the bed, making strange dorky noises as she bounces.)（将注意力拉回来，在我背后，寇尔芙在一张硕大的床铺上跳来跳去，一边弹跳一边嘴里发出奇怪的声音。）

ColphneUwow, Commander!呜哇指挥官！

ColphneThis bed is 10,000 times softer than what we have on the Elmo!这里的床比艾莫号上软一万倍耶！

(Colphne launches herself too high and loses her balance, landing head-first on the mattress. Her neck makes a loud CRACK before she bounces off the bed and hits the ground.)（寇尔芙因为弹得太高下落时没控制好平衡，结果头朝下“咔嚓”一声脑袋先落到了床铺上，然后被弹到了地面上。）

ColphneGueh... That hurts...呃唔……痛痛痛……

GrozaAlright, Colphne, that's enough. You're messing up the bed.好啦寇尔芙，你把床被都弄乱了。

ColphneAh, sorry about that. I'll tidy up.啊抱歉抱歉，我来重新铺平吧。

(Colphne climbs back to her feet and looks around the room in surprise as she begins making the bed.)（寇尔芙从地上爬了起来，一边铺床一边惊讶地环顾房间。）

ColphneThis place is so fancy. I didn't know a hotel room could be so luxurious... Commander, were you some kind of super big shot in the past?这个房间好高级啊，我从来没想过一个酒店的房间可以豪华到这种地步……指挥官果然你以前是什么不得了的人物吗？

CommanderNo... Actually, it's my first time staying in a room like this...不……我也是第一次住这种房间……

ColphneEh? No way!诶！不是吧！

ColphneI thought this was your life before you went to the Yellow Zone!我还以为指挥官你在去黄区前就是过这种生活呢！

CommanderAs if, there's no way I could live a one-percenter lifestyle like this.这怎么可能，这种人上人的生活和我向来是无缘的。

CommanderEven in the past, I was nothing more than a salaried employee at a small indie PMC.就算是以前我也不过是小小的承包商雇员而已。

ColphneReeeeeally... For some reason it feels like you're hiding something, Commander...真的么……总觉得指挥官你隐瞒了些什么……

(Currently, we're in the penthouse suite of the Lviv Grand Intercontinental Hotel. Our accommodations are comprised of three rooms: two bedrooms and a living room that doubles as a guest room. There's plenty of space here.)（我们所在的位置是利沃夫洲立国际大酒店的顶层，房间由三个套房组成，除了两个卧室外还有一个可用于接待的客厅，空间十分充足。）

(In addition to the luxurious furniture, the suite is filled with gleaming works of art.)（房间内除了豪华的家具外，到处都放置了金碧辉煌的艺术品。）

(Thanks to the pass, we haven't been hindered or searched once on our way here. In fact, the concierge handed us the keys to the suite without a second word.)（拜通行证所赐，整个旅程我们没有接受任何检查，甚至酒店的前台一句话都没说就将钥匙交给了我们。）

(Municipal police eyed us a few times—two Dolls at my sides, our luggage raising flags—but each time, one glance at our ID and they'd immediately backed off.)（虽然路途上治安单位因为看到我身边的两个人形和携带着的一看就很可疑的几个行李箱而屡次蠢蠢欲动，但都在扫过我们的身份识别纹后就翻了下白眼走开了。）

(I have to say, this does feel quite novel compared to my usual way of life in the Yellow Zone. While Group Two didn't take the same train as us, their reports indicate that their journey has been going quite well too.)（不得不说这种在黄区中没有过的体验还颇具新鲜感，二队的人形虽然没和我们坐同一班洲际列车，但据回报旅途上也还算顺利。）

GrozaColphne, can you lend me a hand?寇尔芙，来替我搭把手？

ColphneSure thing! Coming, Leader!好的，来~了队长！

(Colphne and Groza help me put away the luggage, and they begin extracting all manner of items from them.)（寇尔芙和闪电一起将我们带的行李箱一一打开，大大小小的装备被她们从箱子中取了出来。）

(Colphne quickly checks our weapons, then puts them into the big safe deposit box inside the wardrobe.)（寇尔芙将武器做了简单的检查，然后放进了更衣间的大保险柜中。）

(Meanwhile, Groza begins connecting various pieces of electronics equipment in the living room. Before long, a brand new secure communications server is set up and ready to go.)（而闪电将设备在客厅里展开拼接起来，很快一台全新的封闭通讯服务器被插上了电源。）

(After powering up the Type 70 two-way low-frequency MES system, Groza connects to an encrypted Level II layer and establishes contact with the other teams.)（经过调试的七零式双向低频MES系统启动了起来，闪电连接进了经过加密的二级平层，和其他小队进行了联系。）

GrozaCommander, 404 and Monsoon have reached their designated safe houses and they're deploying their equipment.指挥官，404和季风小队都已经进入指定的安全屋了，正在展开携带的装备。

GrozaThey'll be scouting the high ground nearby afterwards.一会她们会去检查附近的制高点。

CommanderAlright. Make sure they keep a low profile. Have them send their routes over so I can go through it before they proceed.嗯，让她们别太招人注目，出发前把行动路径发过来我们检查一下。

GrozaWill do. I'll let them know.好，我来联系。

CommanderOh yes, isn't it almost time for the scheduled check-in with Springfield?对了，春田那边的定时联系时间是不是快到了？

GrozaYes, we have about ten minutes or so.是的，还有十分钟左右。

CommanderAlright. Let me know when she calls.好的，她呼叫过来了和我说。

(Groza nods, then begins briefing Group Two.)（闪电点了点头，开始和二队进行任务前的沟通。）

(I take out a bottle of sparkling water from the fridge. The glass is crystal clear, and it even has an intricate seal on its surface.)（我从冰箱中拿出了一瓶气泡水，瓶子晶莹剔透，表面还有精致的烫银。）

(I sigh. This bottle of water would probably cost a month's worth of mission earnings in the Yellow Zone.)（我叹了口气，这样一瓶水可能得花我在黄区一个月任务的报酬吧？）

(I twist off the cap. The bitter liquid flows over my tongue and helps ease my fatigue a little.)（我拧开瓶盖，苦涩刺激的液体流过舌尖，略微地消除了一些我的疲劳。）

DandelionWhat's this, Commander? Already enjoying life?诶呀指挥官，已经开始享受生活了？

(I hear teasing laughter over my earpiece. I quickly sweep my gaze over my surroundings, looking for hidden cameras.)（耳机中传来了嘲笑的声音，我迅速地朝周围扫视，寻找可能隐藏的摄像头。）

DandelionOh, don't be so anxious, Commander. I was simply borrowing Colphne's visual feeds.不要那么紧张嘛指挥官，我只是借用了一下寇尔芙的视觉权限而已。

DandelionAnd what do you know, the very first thing I see is you downing a bottle of something super expensive~结果刚接通就看到指挥官在喝一看就很贵的饮料~

(I look behind me, and sure enough, Colphne is sitting on the bed and looking at me.)（我朝身后看去，发现果然寇尔芙坐在床边看向我的位置。）

(I walk over to Colphne and turn her head in the other direction.)（我立即走到寇尔芙身边，将她的头扭到另一边去。）

ColphneGweh!唔诶！

CommanderOkay, keep facing that way. Don't look at me for now.好，就这样，先不要看向我。

(After ensuring Dandelion can't see me, I key my earpiece and continue the transmission.)（在确保丹德莱看不到我后，我才按下耳机继续通话。）

CommanderWhat is it? Is there news?怎么了，有什么新的消息？

DandelionJust making a routine check-in~我来做定期汇报啦~

DandelionThe Elmo is now stopped beside the railway station you set out from, near the Green Zone quarantine walls. I doubt anyone would be bold enough to launch an attack there~现在艾莫号停靠在你们出发时的洲际车站，位置已经在绿区隔离墙的附近了，我想应该没人敢在这个地方明目张胆地动手~

DandelionI've already placed an order for chopper fuel, and the local underground brokers are already sending the supplies over. This way, Group Three will be always ready to extract you all from Lviv.直升机的油料我已经下完单了，附近的暗商正在把货物运送过来，这样三队可以随时将你们从利沃夫接出来。

DandelionSpeaking of which, Commander, I was looking through the Elmo's accounts and I have to say, your finances are in a really sad state~话说回来指挥官，我下单时发现艾莫号的账户上金额真是少得可怜呢~

CommanderWait, you hacked my accounts?!你黑进我的账户里了？？

DandelionOh my, how is that considered "hacking"?诶呀，怎么能叫“黑”呢？

DandelionI prefer to call it "effective asset management"~我是在替指挥官您做有效成本管理啊~

CommanderWell, thank you very much for that. Unfortunately, the Elmo really IS that strapped for cash. So if that really bothers you, why don't you top off our accounts with your URNC salary?我真是谢谢你了，艾莫号就是这么捉襟见肘，你要是看不过去的话可以把罗联发你的工资拿来补贴车用。

DandelionSo not only do you want me to work for free, but you even want me to pay for the privilege of doing so?指挥官您不仅让我白白帮忙，甚至还要我自愿付费上班吗？

DandelionYou're so inhumane... Boohoo.简直太没人性了……抽泣抽泣。

(I choose to ignore Dandelion's theatrics.)（面对丹德莱毫无水平的演技，我直接选择了无视。）

CommanderHow are things with the third-gen Dolls and Melanie onboard the Elmo?车上的三代人形和梅兰妮现在如何？

DandelionThey're pretty normal for now. I've arranged for Groza's Team to keep an eye on them. They shouldn't cause any trouble for the time being.暂时来看还算正常，已经安排闪电小队的几个人形一直监视她们了，至少一时半会应该不会出什么问题。

DandelionThere haven't been any new developments otherwise. As for the Girard Group, it seems they'll be holding a press conference today.其他的话暂时没什么新进展，关于吉拉尔集团的话，他们今天似乎有一个新闻发布会呢。

DandelionIf anything important comes up, I'll share it with you~要是那个会中有什么值得关注的信息，我再同步给您吧~

CommanderThat works for me. Thank you.行，麻烦你了。

GrozaCommander, Miss Springfield's made her check-in call.指挥官，春田小姐的定期联络来信了。

CommanderAlright.好的。

CommanderThat's all for now, then. We'll talk if anything new happens.那先联系到这里，要是有新的情况我们再同步。

DandelionKaaaay~好好~

(I nod to Groza, and she patches Springfield to my earpiece.)（我对闪电点了点头，春田的通讯被接入了我的耳机中。）

SpringfieldCommander...指挥官……

CommanderSpringfield, how's the mission going?春田，任务进行得顺利吗？

CommanderYou should've linked up with Kalin by now, right?这个时间点应该和格琳那边汇合上了吧？

SpringfieldIndeed, we're with Miss Kalina now.的确，我们现在就在格琳娜小姐身边。

SpringfieldHowever...不过……

(Springfield hesitates, and I sense that something is wrong.)（春田犹豫了一下，我嗅到了一丝不安。）

SpringfieldShe's been hospitalized and is undergoing treatment. I've also heard that you've arrived in Lviv.她现在正在医院中接受治疗，我听说指挥官您也已经到利沃夫了。

SpringfieldCould I trouble you to come over and visit her?是否可以请您到这边来看望她呢？

CommanderWait, she's been hospitalized?医院？

CommanderWhat happened to her?!发生什么了！？

(Springfield doesn't reply right away. I can hear someone whispering from beside her.)（春田没有马上说话，我能听到她旁边有人在和她窃窃私语。）

SpringfieldI'm sorry, Commander, but the details are very complicated and I might not be able to explain them over a transmission.抱歉指挥官，信息很复杂，通讯中可能无法讲明白。

SpringfieldIt would be best to explain the specifics to you in person. I've sent you the address. In addition, Miss Kalina would like to speak with you face-to-face.具体的情况最好当面说，我将坐标发送给您了，格琳娜小姐希望和您面对面沟通。

Commander...……

CommanderUnderstood, I'm heading over right now.我明白了，我尽快赶来。

SpringfieldI'm very sorry to have inconvenienced you, Commander.非常抱歉指挥官，给您添麻烦了。

CommanderNot at all. Are you alright?没有的事，你们都没事吧？

SpringfieldYes, we Dolls are fine. It's just that Miss Kalina...嗯，我们这些人形都没有什么，只有格琳娜小姐她……

SpringfieldIn any case, we'll be waiting for you at the hospital entrance.总之，我会在医院门口等您。

CommanderGot it. Give me some time.明白了，给我点时间。

(The transmission ends, and I begin thinking.)（通讯完毕，我陷入了沉思。）

(Springfield mentioned that Kalin was in hospital... Were the Zucchero girls and Kalin attacked during the Helena handover?)（春田提到了格琳在医院……难道方糖和格琳在海伦娜的交接中被袭击了？）

(Alarms immediately go off in my head. If Helena could be snatched even in the White Zone, it means NOMFA doesn't have much control over the situation in Lviv.)（我顿时警惕了起来，如果海伦娜在白区城区中都能被这样悍然夺走，那么非军事力量管理局恐怕对利沃夫并没能形成有效的控制。）

(That also implies that what Kryuger said about putting the Girard Group on trial is probably not going to happen.)（这也意味着之前克鲁格所说的对吉拉尔集团的公审未必真的能达成。）

(I remember an incident in the city of Belgrade. It strikes me that I have nowhere near enough forces on hand to handle a clash of that level.)（我回想起了在一个叫贝莱格莱德的城市所发生过的事，如果要应对这种级别的冲突，我突然感觉手中的力量还不够多。）

CommanderGroza, get ready to move out. This is our destination.闪电，我们准备动身去这个坐标。

GrozaThese coordinates are... Is this a hospital?这个坐标是……医院？

GrozaDid something happen?发生什么事了？

CommanderYes, something happened to Kalin. I don't know the details yet... I only found out from Springfield's transmission.格琳出事了，详细的我也还不太清楚……只是收到了春田的联络。

CommanderMy guess is that they were attacked during the Helena handover... And Kalina is probably hurt.海伦娜的交接应该是遭遇了袭击……格琳可能受伤了。

ColphneThey were attacked?遭遇袭击？

ColphneIs Helena alright?海伦娜不会有事吧？

CommanderI don't know at the moment. In any case, we should get moving ASAP.暂时还不清楚，总之我们尽快动身吧。

CommanderMonsoon stays behind to gather intel near the hotel. 404 shadows us from a distance and keeps an eye on our surroundings.季风留下继续在酒店附近收集信息，404小队和我们保持距离一起去医院，在外围保持监视。

GrozaUnderstood, I'll relay your orders.明白了，我来发布命令。

GrozaColphne, help the Commander gear up.寇尔芙，你帮指挥官整理下装备。

CommanderIt's just a hospital visit, I'll be fine with my sidearm.毕竟去医院，我们带上手枪就好。

Commander404 will carry long-range weapons. Make sure they don't catch the attention of the municipal police.404小队携带长距离武器，注意不要被治安单位盯上。

(Groza and Colphne nod, then begin working on their respective tasks.)（闪电和寇尔芙点了点头，各自去做了准备工作。）

(I rub my temples, feeling grateful for my instincts. Of COURSE my trip to Lviv wouldn't be smooth sailing.)（我按了按太阳穴，不禁佩服起自己的直觉，这次的利沃夫之旅必然不会那么一帆风顺。）

(The taxi drops us off at the main gate of the hospital, but what surprises me is that it looks nothing like what I imagined.)（出租车将我们送入了医院的大门内，出乎我意料的是，这所医院和我印象中完全不同。）

(It doesn't look like a hospital so much as another hotel.)（与其说这是一家医院，还不如说我们来到了另一家酒店。）

(The main courtyard's lush greenery speaks of careful landscaping, while the corridor to the hospital interior remains nearly empty of foot traffic.)（院子中绿植的分布和设计非常考究，而通往住院部的通道也看不到太多人流。）

(I head toward the front door. Springfield is there already, and she has clearly been waiting for a while.)（我走向大门，春田在门口已经等待多时。）

SpringfieldCommander, you're here.指挥官，您来了。

(Groza and Colphne nod to Springfield, but I'm more concerned about just what exactly happened to them.)（闪电和寇尔芙向春田点头致意，而我更在意到底发生了什么。）

CommanderWhat's the current situation?现在是什么情况？

SpringfieldI'm very sorry... We were attacked while we were meeting up with Miss Kalina...非常抱歉……我们在和格琳娜小姐汇合时遭遇了袭击……

Commander...Was it the Girard Group?……吉拉尔集团的人？

KryugerI'll take it from here.具体还是由我来说吧。

(Kryuger walks out from inside the building, wearing a formal suit.)（克鲁格从建筑内走了出来，他换了一套较为正式的西装。）

(His face is gloomy, which is unlike how he was when I last saw him.)（和上次见到他时不同，现在的他脸上密布着阴云。）

CommanderMr. Kryuger, you're here too?克鲁格先生，您也在这里？

KryugerYes. After all, I bear responsibility for what happened.嗯，毕竟出了这种事，我身负不可推卸的责任。

KryugerLet's continue this inside. Come with me, Commander.我们到里面说吧，指挥官，跟我来。

(Kryuger turns and heads inside. I follow him without a word.)（克鲁格转头就走，我默默地跟在他的身后。）

(Inside the corridor, I see several men in suits speaking into their lapels. They eye us warily.)（在通道内，好几个同样穿着西装的人员提起衣领在说些什么，眼神警惕地看向我们。）

(I say a few quiet words to Groza, having her remind 404 not to end up clashing with Kryuger's people. Groza nods and begins speaking with them in Level II.)（我轻声和闪电说了几句，让她嘱咐404小队不要和克鲁格的人产生冲突，闪电点点头在二级平层中沟通了起来。）

(At the end of the corridor, Kryuger opens a door. There is a small reception room beyond and another door on the far side of that one. My instincts tell me that Kalina should be in there.)（到了尽头，克鲁格推开了一扇小门，里面是一个不大的会客厅，会客厅的里面还有一扇小门，我的直觉告诉我，格琳应该就在里面。）

(A petite Doll is standing in the corner of the reception room, her hand raised in greeting. Naturally, I won't be surprised to find her here.)（会客厅的角落中有一个娇小的人形，她抬起手向我打招呼，对此我并不意外。）

(Leva walks over to a nearby sofa, her hands behind her back, which is ramrod straight. The other Dolls silently move to her side, while I settle into one sofa facing Kryuger.)（莱娅走到了沙发旁，双手后背站立，其他人形也自然地走到她身边，而我和克鲁格则面对面各自坐到了两边的沙发上。）

(Kryuger takes a seat and sighs heavily. Then, he looks up, awaiting my questions.)（克鲁格坐下后深深叹了一口气，然后抬起头来等待着我的发问。）

CommanderWhat's going on, Mr. Kryuger?克鲁格先生，到底发生什么了？

KryugerYour guess was correct. The Girard Group attacked the handover point and engaged our agent team and Kalina.你想得没错，吉拉尔集团突袭了海伦娜的交接地点，和我们的外勤小队以及格琳娜产生了冲突。

CommanderDid they take Helena?!他们把海伦娜劫走了！？

KryugerNo... They didn't get anything.不……他们什么都没得到。

Commander...What?……什么？

KryugerThey surrounded the handover point and knocked out our human personnel with some kind of unknown radiation weapon, including Kalina.他们包围了交接的现场，不知用了什么手段，我们在场的人类成员均受到未知的辐射而昏迷，格琳娜也一样。

KryugerMeanwhile, our tactical Dolls were standing off against the Girard Group's armed forces. In the end, we didn't let them take Helena.而我们的战术人形和吉拉尔集团势力的武装部队保持了对峙，到最后也没让吉拉尔他们夺走海伦娜。

CommanderSo Helena's...那海伦娜现在……

KryugerShe's not with us either... Two Dolls from Task Force DEFY took her with them.也不在我们手上……海伦娜被“忤逆”小队的两名人形带走了。

CommanderDEFY?忤逆？

KryugerI think I should let someone who was there tell you about it.关于“忤逆”的情况还是由当事的人形来讲述吧。

KryugerLeva was on the scene at that time. Her logs should be quite convincing.当时莱娅就在现场，她的记录应该最有说服力。

(Leva nods, then takes a step forward and offers me a tablet.)（莱娅点点头，向前一步，并给了我一个平板。）

LevaIt's been a long time, Commander.指挥官好久不见。

LevaAllow me to explain what happened.当时的情况我来解释吧。

(The tablet contains Leva's visual logs—from their standoff with the Girard forces to the two DEFY Dolls moving with Helena.)（平板中是莱娅的视觉记录，里面清晰地看到了和吉拉尔的武装单位对峙以及“忤逆”的两名人形带着箱子移动的视频。）

(Leva goes over the events in the video as they play out before me.)（莱娅借着视频中的信息将当时的过程复述了一遍。）

CommanderSo Girard forces surrounded you, tried to kidnap Helena, then DEFY suddenly showed up and took her away during the standoff?所以当时吉拉尔集团包围了仓库并试图带走海伦娜，而在你们和吉拉尔对峙时，“忤逆”突然出现将海伦娜带走了？

LevaThat's right. The opposition had very strong electronic warfare capabilities. Both our human and Doll elements were suppressed from the very beginning—subject to the unknown Collapse particles which we failed to dedect.没错，当时对方展现了很强的电子战水平，并且散播了某种我们没检测出来的坍塌粒子，从一开始就压制了我们人类和人形小队的行动。

LevaThey were led by a very powerful third-gen Doll, strong enough to fight AK-15 to a standstill.对方领头的是一名素体实力很强的三代人形，甚至在之后和AK15的交战中和对方打了个平手。

CommanderExcuse me?什么？

LevaHave a look, Commander.指挥官，您可以看这一段。

(In the video, I see AK-15 clashing with a Doll in a fancy dress. For a moment, AK-15 is at a disadvantage.)（在视频中，AK15和穿衣华丽的人形不断地交手，AK15一度落了下风。）

(There is an explosion, and then DEFY is nowhere to be seen.)（在一阵爆炸后，“忤逆”的人形便不知所终。）

LevaThey took Helena and fled into the sewers. After that, Girard forces locked it down.在这次交战过后，她们就带着海伦娜撤离到下水道中，随即下水道就被吉拉尔集团封锁了。

CommanderPretty bold of the Girard Group to hit NOMFA personnel this close to the White Zone, don't you think?吉拉尔集团的胆子这么大，敢在紧靠白区的卫星城中直接袭击非军事力量管理局的人？

KryugerKalina and the others exchanged fire with unknown mechanical units first, and then that third-gen Doll showed up with local security forces and surrounded the warehouse.格琳娜她们先和未知的机械体交火，随后那个三代人形带着治安单位的人包围了仓库。

KryugerStrictly speaking, it was a perfectly normal police response to an alert.从名义上，他们是收到报警后的正常出警行为。

CommanderTextbook entrapment, don't you mean?这不是标准的钓鱼执法吗？

KryugerNothing they did violated Green or White Zone laws.从流程上他们没有违反白区及绿区的安全法条。

KryugerI also contacted the Girard Group's chairman, and he swore that this was his underlings acting on their own. He wasn't informed and never gave his approval for anything like this.我也已经联系了吉拉尔集团的总裁，他保证说这是下属的私自行为，没有告诉他，也没有受到他的批准。

CommanderAs if anyone would believe that bullshit!这种鬼话谁会信！

KryugerThat man is in a pretty precarious state in his own right. Given his situation, he had no reason to attack us. So I suspect there might be a new, uncertain element involved.这个人已经自身难保了，站在他的立场上并没有袭击我们的理由，所以我怀疑他们内部可能出现了新的不稳定因素。

KryugerIn any case, I'll keep applying pressure to make sure this kind of attack doesn't happen again.不管如何，我会去持续施压，确保同样的袭击不会再出现。

KryugerWe'll do our best to get Helena back. At the very least, she should be relatively safe as long as she's in DEFY's custody.海伦娜我们会全力追回，至少她在“忤逆”的控制下，应该还算安全。

Commander...……

CommanderWhy would DEFY take Helena?“忤逆”为何要带走海伦娜？

KryugerI believe that at the time, the DEFY Dolls determined that Girard was on the verge of seizing Helena, so they decided to intercept her instead.我认为当时“忤逆”的人形判断吉拉尔集团即将夺走海伦娜，所以她们做出了拦截的动作。

KryugerThat course of action would make sense. They might not be affiliated with Statesec anymore, but they still have ways to reach us.这个动作我认可其合理性，不过虽然她们离开了国安局，但依然有和我们建立联系的能力。

KryugerThat said, I find it very suspicious that they haven't contacted us after taking Helena with them.为什么她们带走海伦娜后一直没有反应，这点我很疑惑。

Commander...……

(In the past, Melanie said that Statesec agents had tried to rescue her, and DEFY is closely linked to Statesec.)（之前梅兰妮说过，有国安的特工试图营救她，而“忤逆”和国安局有千丝万缕的关系。）

(Perhaps they were involved with Helena's situation before I was, but I still can't bring myself to relax until I see Helena safe.)（也许她们比我更早之前就介入了和海伦娜有关的事件中，但是在看到海伦娜安全之前我还是放心不下来。）

(Noting my frown, Kryuger stands up and pats me on my shoulder.)（克鲁格看到了皱眉的表情，站起身来拍了拍我的肩膀。）

(After seeing me raise my head, he points to the inner door and speaks to me.)（看到我抬起头来，他指了指最靠内的小门，向我说道。）

KryugerWe'll look into the Helena situation.海伦娜的事我们会进一步调查的。

KryugerUntil then, you should go see Kalina. She's in the ward over there.在此之前，你还是先见一下格琳娜吧，她就在这个看护病房里。

KryugerShe's feeling very depressed now. Maybe seeing you will help cheer her up.现在她特别低落，也许见到你能让她恢复一些精神。

Commander...Yeah, I'll have a good chat with her.……嗯，我会和她好好聊聊的。

(I nod and rise to my feet. Colphne moves to follow me, but Leva raises a hand to stop her.)（我点了点头站起身，寇尔芙跟在我身后，莱娅微微抬起手拦住了她。）

LevaLet's give them some time alone.让他们独处一会吧。

(Colphne looks at Groza in confusion, but Groza nods to Colphne too, so she obediently returns to her previous place.)（寇尔芙疑惑地看向闪电，闪电也朝寇尔芙点了点头，于是她老实地走回了原地。）

(I open the door and find Lenna sitting on the bed.)（我打开了房门，发现莱娜正坐在床边。）

LennaAh, Commander, you're here!啊，指挥官来了！

(Lenna lightly shakes the person lying on the bed, but she doesn't respond.)（莱娜轻轻地摇了摇躺在病床上的身体，但对方却没有反应。）

LennaKalin?格琳姐？

(Kalina wraps herself in her blanket, curling into a cocoon with her back turned to me. She shows no sign of responding to Lenna.)（格琳娜背对着我，用被子裹住了身体，没有丝毫反应。）

CommanderLet me handle this.交给我吧。

(Lenna nods to me, then hops off the bed and heads outside.)（莱娜朝我点了点头，跳下了病床往外走去。）

LennaCommander, make sure you have a good chat with Kalin, okay?指挥官要好好和格琳姐聊一聊哦？

(After whispering in my ear, Lenna steps outside and closes the door behind her.)（莱娜在我耳边悄悄地这样说道，走出门外关上了小门。）

(I gulp. It sounds simple enough, but I can't help but feel nervous about it.)（我咽了咽口水，虽然话是这么说，但是我依然不自觉地紧张了起来。）

(After calming myself down and pulling myself together, I address the head of the sickbed in a voice as natural as I can manage.)（稍微调整下状态后，我用尽量让嗓音不奇怪的方式，向病床的那头说道。）

CommanderKalin... Um, are you alright?格琳……那个，你，没事吧？

Kalina...…………

(I creep to her bedside and rise on my tiptoes, trying to glimpse her face.)（我蹑手蹑脚地走到病床旁边，踮起脚试图朝她的脸看去。）

(Kalin seems to realize what I'm trying to do and covers her face with the blanket. Soft sniffles escape from beneath the fabric.)（格琳娜意识到了我想做什么，便用被子蒙住了自己的头，轻轻的啜泣声从被子里传来。）

(I sigh quietly and then take my seat beside her bed, waiting for her to emerge.)（我悄悄叹了口气，只能坐到病床边，静静地等待她自己出来。）

(The ward is filled with an almost unbearable silence, which only makes me more aware of how out of place I am here.)（让人难以忍受的寂静弥漫在病房内，让我越加地感觉到不自在。）

(I have to say something to break this deadlock, and with that in mind, I decide to speak.)（不管如何我都得说些什么打破僵局，这样想着的我于是开口说道。）

CommanderSay, Kalin, about that broker you recommended last time, is he the same one that keeps quoting you the lowest prices?话说格琳，之前你交接给我的暗商，是不是也和以前一样用了报价最低的那家？

CommanderFor some reason, his stuff seems a bit dodgy...总觉得他们的物资用起来质量挺有问题呢……

Kalina...…………

CommanderStill, I get that you're watching every penny when it comes to expenses like these, so it's understandable you were going for the most cost-efficient option.不过我知道格琳你对经费的使用抓得很紧，用性价比高的暗商也情有可原呢。

CommanderI guess you're still as thrifty as ever, even after becoming a counselor, huh?没想到格琳你即使当了参事还是和以前一样勤俭持家？

KalinaAs if!怎么可能！

(Upon hearing this, Kalina is so annoyed that she pops her head out of the blankets and glares at me.)（格琳娜听到这话，气得从被子中钻出头来，瞪大眼睛向我盯来。）

KalinaHow could I possibly recommend cheap merchants to you, Commander?我怎么可能给指挥官你用便宜的暗商啊！

KalinaYou're slandering me! I picked out the best brokers in the area for you!我挑选的已经是那附近最好的暗商了，你这是污蔑！

(Her tears from just now are still welling up in her eyes. Without her blazer, Kalina's angry expression can't hide that glimpse of youth and innocence I remember.)（刚才的泪水还在她的眼眶中打转，脱下了西装的格琳娜带着生气的表情，脸上恢复了一点曾经青涩的感觉。）

(She seems to catch herself—in an instant the sheets are yanked back over her face, her hands swiping hastily at tear-streaked cheeks.)（也许是意识到自己的失态，她又用被单挡住了自己的半张脸，快速用手把自己的眼泪抹去。）

KalinaDamn it... You did it to me again, Commander...可恶……指挥官你又用这招对我……

Commander(Clears throat) Well, I'm glad to see you're energetic enough to respond like that.咳咳，看到你有这样的精神我就放心了。

(Now that Kalina isn't going to retreat under the covers for the time being, I finally have the chance to have a proper conversation with her.)（格琳娜一时半会也不好缩回被子中，我终于得以有机会好好和她交谈了。）

(In an attempt to ease the awkwardness in the air, I look at the fruit basket near the head of the bed. There're apples and a fruit knife in there.)（为了掩盖尴尬的气氛，我看向了床头的果篮，里面放着苹果和水果刀。）

CommanderWant an apple? I'll peel one for you.想吃苹果吗，我来削？

(Kalina lowers her head without saying anything. Then, she nods in silence.)（格琳娜低下头没说话，稍许默默地点了点头。）

(I pick up one apple and begin removing its skin. Meanwhile, Kalina's eyes are fixed on the apple.)（我拿起苹果开始细细地削皮，而格琳娜的眼睛一直盯着苹果看。）

(I hand her the peeled apple. Kalina takes a bite of it, and then the tears start flowing once again.)（我将削去皮的苹果递到了她的手里，拿起苹果的格琳娜对着苹果咬了一口，然后随即眼泪又流了下来。）

Kalina...Commander...……指挥官。

KalinaI'm sorry, it was all my fault.对不起，都是我的错。

KalinaI couldn't protect Helena...我没能守住海伦娜……

(Her voice is very soft, but every word oozes self-loathing and regret.)（她的声音很轻，但是自责和悔恨几乎从这几句话中溢了出来。）

(I don't know how to console her. After thinking for a moment, I muster up a simple reply.)（我不知该如何安慰，想了片刻只能简单地回应道。）

CommanderHelena is currently with DEFY. The Girard Group didn't manage to snatch her, which is a plus.海伦娜和“忤逆”她们在一起，吉拉尔集团没能抢走她，已经是不幸中的万幸了。

CommanderBut your health...只是你的身体……

KalinaMy health doesn't matter...我的身体不重要……

CommanderHow could it NOT matter?怎么会不重要呢？

KalinaWhat matters is that I've lost Helena twice...重要的是我已经把海伦娜弄丢两次了……

KalinaI'm too ashamed to face you...我实在没有脸见你……

CommanderDon't worry too much about it. Just focus on getting better.别太过意不去，你好好养病。

CommanderWe'll get her back. Count on it.放心吧，我们一定能把她找回来的。

KalinaI know... I know you can do it, Commander.我知道……指挥官你一定能做到。

KalinaYou'll definitely bring Helena back, and even if someone tries to interfere, you'll thrash them to within an inch of their life.你一定会把海伦娜带回来，就算有人想使坏，你也一定会把敌人狠狠教训一顿。

KalinaYou can always turn any situation around, no matter how bad it gets.不管碰到什么事，你都总是能化险为夷。

(Kalina folds her knees against her chest and buries her face in them.)（格琳娜弓起膝盖，深深地将自己的脸埋了进去。）

KalinaBut I can't... I'm just no good at combat leadership!可是我做不到……我明明就不擅长指挥作战……！

KalinaI prefer sorting ammo and writing reports, actually... But there aren't any places that let me do that anymore!其实我更喜欢分拣弹药和写报告啊……但已经没有地方让我做那些事了！

Commander...……

KalinaThere's no place for me there anymore, so I've got to do all those things I hate!那里已经没有我的容身之处了，所以我必须要去做那些我不喜欢的事！

KalinaIt can't be helped, because I need to prove that I can still make a difference, even if I'm alone!这也是没有办法的事，因为我必须要证明，即使只有我一个人，我也能改变些什么！

KalinaBut... I just CAN'T!但是……实际我就是做不到啊！

Commander...……

KalinaNo matter how hard I try, nothing changes!不管我如何努力，什么改变都没有……！

KalinaNo matter how many people I arrest, no matter how many criminals I put away, I can't even make my surroundings a better place, let alone the URNC as a whole!不管我抓住多少人，不管我消灭了多少罪犯，不要说整个罗联，甚至在我眼皮底下的环境都没有变好！

KalinaWhy... why did things turn out like this?!为什么……为什么会这个样子！

(Kalina viciously clutches the sheets, and the wrinkles in them only grow deeper as she uses more force.)（格琳娜狠狠地抓紧了床单，床单的褶皱随着她的用力越来越深。）

KalinaAt first, I was really mad when I heard about your decision...我一开始对指挥官你的决定是非常生气的……

KalinaWhy did you just leave without saying anything? You didn't even tell me...为什么要一声不吭地离开，为什么甚至不愿意告诉我……

KalinaWas it because I was just a burden to you?是因为我只是个累赘吗？

CommanderNo...不……

CommanderIt's just...只是……

(I pause for a moment, and then I decide to tell her.)（我顿了顿，还是决定说出口。）

CommanderIt's just that I didn't want you to live a life like mine with no future. You've already suffered too much, and your body wouldn't be able to take it...只是你不该承受那种没有未来的生活，你已经吃过太多的苦，你的身体也会支撑不住的……

CommanderThere was no need for you to go back into that mess—你没有必要再陷入到那种旋涡中——

KalinaThat's what I mean, Commander... You've never truly looked at me...所以指挥官……你自始至终都没有真正地将目光投向过我……

KalinaPerhaps I'll always be a kid in your eyes...也许在你心中我永远都是个小孩子……

CommanderI...我……

KalinaI read your service record after joining NOMFA, and after learning just how much you'd been through, I realized that perhaps I would never be qualified to stand by your side.我在加入非军事力量管理局后曾看过指挥官你的经历，从我知道那么多事发生在指挥官你身上后，我就明白过来，也许我永远没有资格站在你的身边。

KalinaAs for all the people who've died... I couldn't sacrifice and contribute like they did... I didn't even have the chance to try.那些已经逝去的人们……我做不到她们的牺牲和奉献……我甚至没有机会尝试。

CommanderNo...不……

KalinaAm I wrong?难道不是么？

KalinaStill, I don't blame you for that anymore. I know you hid the truth out of consideration for me.但我现在已经不会再责怪指挥官你了，我知道指挥官你是站在我的角度考虑才隐瞒了一切。

KalinaThe longer I spent in NOMFA, the more I came to realize why you were so disappointed in the URNC.我在非军事力量管理局待得越久，我就越理解指挥官你为什么会对罗联失望。

(Kalina raises her head to look at me, and in her eyes, I see a complex mix of emotions—frustration, regret, longing... and hope.)（格琳娜抬起头看向我，她的目光中掺杂着各种复杂的情绪——苦恼、遗憾、思念……以及希望。）

KalinaI'm sorry, Commander... I should never have involved you in the Helena mission.对不起指挥官……其实我不该把你拉入到海伦娜的任务中来的。

KalinaI just... I wanted to take this opportunity to contact you again, even if it was just as a bounty hunter and a client.我只是……只是想用这个契机能重新和你联系起来，哪怕只是雇主和赏金猎人之间的交易关系。

KalinaPerhaps... perhaps we could have gone back to how we used to be after working together?也许，也许在合作过后，我们还能回到像以前一样呢？

KalinaMaybe you might have been willing to join NOMFA?说不定指挥官你会愿意回来非军事力量管理局？

KalinaThat way, we'd have been able to work together like we did in the past, with you directing combat ops and with me supporting you from behind.那样的话，我们就能和以前一样，你来指挥作战，我会在背后支持你。

(After saying that, the hope in her eyes fades, replaced by helplessness and resignation.)（说完这些话，她眼神中的希望逐渐消失，随之而来的是一种妥协和无奈。）

Kalina...But I don't want you to come back to this messed up world, Commander.……可是我又不希望指挥官你回来，我不希望你回到这个糟糕透顶的世界。

KalinaIt's so messed up that there's no hope in sight. Everything just follows a scripted scenario.这里是如此的糟糕，甚至你看不到一点希望的光亮，一切都只会按照剧本行事。

KalinaJustice? Fairness? Freedom? It's all fake. The corporations just get bigger, and nobody cares about people outside the walls.正义？公平？解放？一切都是假的，财团的势力越来越大，而墙外的人压根没人关心。

KalinaAfter I contacted you the first time, I even imagined myself going over to the Elmo. I wanted to just throw everything away and head out on the spot.在第一次和你通讯后，甚至我在幻想，我也去艾莫号吧，放弃现在的一切马上就出发吧。

KalinaAfter all, I never had anything to lose in the first place.对我而言，本来就没什么可以失去的。

KalinaWhy should I even stay here and keep suffering, if not to fulfill my duties?如果不是身上的职责所在，为何还要在这里继续受苦呢？

CommanderI'm sorry, Kalina... It was my fault for making you suffer pain that you should never have had to bear.对不起格琳……是我让你承受太多你原本不该承受的痛苦。

CommanderIf I could have—如果我还能——

KalinaBut you couldn't. I know.你不能，我知道的。

KalinaThe truth is, you don't care about anyone. Not even yourself.其实你不在乎任何人，包括你自己。

KalinaYou'd have made the same choice anyway, no matter the cost.不管如何最终你还是会做出这样的选择，即使付出什么代价你都在所不惜。

KalinaI wanted to become someone like that, even though I knew how hard it would be...我就是想成为像你这样的人，即便我知道这条路途有多难……

KalinaIt's just...只是……

(Kalina can't bring herself to go on.)（格琳娜没能再继续说下去。）

(She picks up the apple and bites down on it, then offers it to me.)（她拿起苹果又咬了一口，然后伸手将苹果递向我。）

(I take it without hesitation and take a bite too.)（我毫不犹豫地接过了苹果，也同样咬了一口果肉。）

(Kalina smiles in a complicated way. She wipes her tears and speaks to me.)（格琳娜露出了复杂的笑容，她擦了擦眼角，对我说道。）

KalinaYou're just too kind, Commander. But for me, this kindness is too...指挥官你还是太温柔了，只是这份温柔现在对我而言已经……

Kalina...…………

KalinaPlease let me be alone for a while...请让我静一静吧……

(Kalina lies back down and covers her face with her blanket.)（格琳娜重新躺下身，用被子蒙住了头。）

(I don't know what to say right now. Words bubble up inside me but die on my tongue.)（我此时无言以对，我似乎有无数的话想和她说，但张开嘴却什么话都说不出来。）

(I put the apple on the table and stand up, but she doesn't react. All I can do is turn away, open the door, and leave the room. Kryuger is waiting for me right outside.)（我将苹果放在桌子上站起身来，等了片刻，她还是没有反应，我只能转过身打开门走出了房间，克鲁格就在门外。）

KryugerIs she alright?她还好吗？

Commander...I think so. She said she needed some time alone.……应该吧，她说她想静一静。

KryugerHer self-confidence took a big hit this time round. She's always been very competitive, and this case just so happened to involve you too.这次行动的失败对她的自尊心打击很大，她平时就好胜心很强，这次又偏偏是和指挥官你有关的案件。

CommanderIs there anything I can do?有什么我能做的吗？

KryugerHm...嗯……

(As though he knew I'd ask that question, Kryuger turns away and picks up a folder, which he hands to me.)（仿佛知道我会这样问，克鲁格回过头去，从桌子上拿起一个文件夹交到了我的手上。）

KryugerThis is a file on the Girard Group. I believe you've already found clues on how they're working with Paradeus and information pertaining to Project Eden.这是吉拉尔集团的资料，我想你应该也已经调查到吉拉尔集团和帕拉蒂斯合作的线索，以及和乐园计划有关的信息了吧。

CommanderProject Eden... What the hell is that?乐园计划……那到底是什么东西。

KryugerThat's what we want to know too.这也是我们想要搞清楚的。

KryugerOn the surface, it combines Collapse contamination removal with power generation, and the leader of this project is the daughter of the Girard Group's chairman. Her name is Orphelune.从明面上来说，这是一个去除坍塌污染和能源再生结合的项目，而这个项目的负责人正是吉拉尔集团总裁的女儿，她的名字叫欧菲露妮。

CommanderOrphelune?欧菲露妮？

KryugerYes. She will be holding a press conference on Project Eden, where she will announce technical details.是的，她会在今天召开乐园计划的新闻发布会，公开计划的技术细节。

KryugerAt first, I planned to have Kalina make contact with her, but...原本我安排了格琳娜和她进行接触，不过……

(Kryuger looks toward the ward.)（克鲁格看向病房的方向。）

KryugerRight now, she needs to rest and recover. Can I entrust this task to you?现在她最重要的是静养，所以指挥官，能否请你代劳呢？

CommanderWhat exactly do you need me to do?具体需要我做什么？

KryugerI'll arrange a cover identity for you as a member of the press. While doing so, I want you to build a relationship with her. Figure out just how much she knows about Project Eden.我会安排给你媒体的身份，然后你以记者的角度和她建立联系，掌握她对乐园计划了解的情报。

KryugerHowever, the most important thing is to ensure that she is safe. The Girard Group is getting ready to turn over all their evidence regarding their cooperation with Paradeus. This means the chairman's daughter might end up being kidnapped to forestall that process, or simply as a revenge target.不过最重要的是确保她人身的安全，吉拉尔集团已经准备将他们和帕拉蒂斯合作的证据完全交给我们，总裁的女儿很有可能被当做阻止他们这么做的人质或者报复的目标。

CommanderWouldn't an overt security detail be better? You could have them protect her directly.直接将她保护起来不就好了吗？

KryugerThere are some uncertainties regarding the Girard Group's plea deal. I'll do my best to expedite the process.吉拉尔集团的认罪条件有一些变数，我会去尽快推进完成。

KryugerUntil then, NOMFA does not want the public to link them too closely to the Girard Group.在那之前非军事力量管理局不想在外界让舆论察觉到和吉拉尔有过多的关联。

KryugerOnce this information makes it into the public domain, the media groups controlled by the other corporations might end up twisting the facts into their own interpretation of things.一旦信息在公众面前暴露，其他财团所控制的媒体就很有可能将事件扭曲成另外一种解读。

Commander...So you want to control public opinion, then? I understand.……控制舆论么，我明白了。

KryugerMm.嗯。

KryugerI'll have Leva provide information support, but you have complete operational freedom.我会让莱娅为你提供情报支持，至于你想如何行动完全由你决定。

KryugerI think you should have enough weapons and Dolls to complete this mission. Let me know if you need more resources.我想你带来的武器和人形应该足够你完成这项任务，如果还需要更多资源随时和我联系。

CommanderAlright.好的。

CommanderTell me if you hear anything about DEFY or Helena.如果有忤逆或者海伦娜的消息也请随时告诉我。

KryugerI will.那是一定的。

(Kryuger pauses for a moment.)（克鲁格停顿了下。）

KryugerWelcome back, Commander. Having you around is very reassuring.欢迎回来指挥官，有你在我放心很多。

CommanderI'm not "back", Mr. Kryuger, but don't worry; I'll finish the mission.我并非“回来”，不过放心吧克鲁格先生，我会完成任务的。

Albedo of Purification 净涤之白

(After passing through multiple layers of security checks, I find myself standing at the entrance to the Girard Group's HQ. I take a deep breath.)（穿过层层检查，我站在吉拉尔集团总部的入口处，深吸了一口气。）

(The building's interior surprises me more than the entire city of Lviv. The floors are so clean that they're practically shining, holographic time displays hang in the air, and I'm surrounded by the faint scent of disinfectant... All this fills me with an instinctive sense of discomfort.)（集团的大楼内比利沃夫的城区更让我惊讶，干净到发亮的地面，闪烁着精确时间的全息投影，空气中若有若无的消毒水味道……这一切都让我感到本能的不适应。）

(As my first impression, the internal layout of the building projects a glimpse of "the future" , except this future isn't for everyone.)（看着大楼内的布置，给人的第一印象就是这便是“未来”，只是这个“未来”并不属于每一个人。）

(Looking at the milling throng at the building's entrance, I silently give thanks that I'm in the VIP access corridor.)（我看着大楼门口人挤人的热闹场面，庆幸自己还好待在特邀人员的通道中。）

(There are few people in this express corridor, so I'm able to bring the Dolls in without drawing much attention.)（快速通道的人数稀少，我得以用不太引人注目的方式带着人形们入场。）

(I try to loosen my tie as I walk; it feels like a noose...)（一边走着，我一边不停地试图将领口扯松一些，这领带简直像条绞索……）

(While muttering to myself, my hand reflexively reaches to my waist—where my handgun ought to be.)（我咕哝着，手指不自觉地摸向腰间——那里本该是我的手枪所在的位置。）

(However, there is nothing but a well-made fountain pen and a press pass there.)（但现在，那里只有一支做工精良的钢笔和一张记者证。）

(I'm currently wearing a suit on loan from the hotel. Makiatto spent three full hours trying to reshape my image—from my mannerisms to etiquette knowledge. It's like she was completely reinventing my persona.)（我穿着酒店寄给我的西装，在此之前玛绮朵花了整整三个小时给我做形象培训，从说话方式到走路姿态，从社交礼仪到专业术语，恨不得把我整个人重塑一遍。）

(Still, it feels less like putting on a suit of ill-fitting clothes than wearing a skin that isn't mine.)（但我依然感觉自己不像是穿了一身不合身的衣服，而是像蒙了一张不属于我的皮。）

(The businessmen behind me clear their throats and glare in displeasure—I didn't even realize I'd been standing too long in front of the security checkpoint entrance.)（身后几位排队的商务人士发出咳嗽的声响，投来不满的目光，我这才意识到自己在检查站门口站得太久了。）

CommanderAlright, time to get to work, ace journalist of the "Shining Age".好吧……《时代锋芒》通讯社首席记者，是时候工作了。

ColphneCommander, your shoulders are too stiff. Journalists don't stand up that straight.指挥官，你的肩膀太紧了，哪有记者站得这样笔挺的呀。

ColphneRelax a little. Remember that you're our editor-in-chief right now.放轻松，别忘了您现在的身份还是总编呢。

CommanderI haven't been to places like these for a long time already... There's a strange smell in the air.我已经很久没进过这种地方了……这里的空气有股奇怪的味道。

GrozaDo chief editors get nervous over interviews?主编也会因为采访而紧张么？

CommanderI guess so...大概吧……

(I shrug off the annoyed looks behind me and lead the Dolls into the HQ of the Girard Group.)（我耸了耸肩，在背后几人不爽的眼神下，带着人形走进了吉拉尔总部的入口。）

(Once I'm in the entrance hall, the lavish facade is gone, replaced by cold inspection devices and stern-looking security personnel.)（进入到了内厅，内厅中奢华的布置都被拆除，取而代之的是冰冷的检查仪器和严格的安保措施。）

(We still have six hours until the Girard Group's technology summit.)（此时距离吉拉尔集团主办的科技峰会开始还有六小时。）

(The main conference hall inside the building has already been set up. Guided by the signage and the receptionist , the summit attendees and press personnel file into the venue and make their preparations.)（位于大楼内部的主会场已经布置完毕，在指引牌的示意和接待员的带领下，与会人员和各方媒体开始陆陆续续进行入场准备。）

"Beep—"“嘀——”

"Identify verified."“身份认证成功。”

(Disguised as a media team from the "Shining Age" news agency, we undergo identity verification procedures at the security checkpoint.)（安检区内，我们这支伪装成《时代锋芒》通讯社的媒体团队正在按照次序进行着身份认证。）

(As "editor-in-chief", I am trailed by Groza and Colphne.)（在我这位“资深总编”的带领下，闪电和寇尔芙跟着我顺利进入了会场。）

ReceptionistThis way, please.请这边走。

(After verifying our identities, the receptionist leads us inside.)（通过认证后，接待员将我们带到了会场内部。）

(There's a pre-summit tea gathering happening on the other side of a glass wall. The receptionist stops near a stairwell, then hands me a card with a smile.)（玻璃墙的另一侧正在举行峰会开始前的茶歇交流会，接待员在楼梯口附近的位置停下来，随后面带微笑地把一张卡片交到我手中。）

ReceptionistThis is the keycard for your suite, courtesy of the organizers.这是主办方为您安排的商务套间的房卡。

ReceptionistIt will be a while until the summit begins. Until then, you may rest in your room and prepare for the evening's interview.距离峰会开始还有一段时间，您和您的团队可以先回房间休息，为晚上的采访做些准备。

ReceptionistOf course, if you wish, you can also participate in the ongoing gatherings. Perhaps you might be able to find valuable news before the press conference begins.当然，如果您有兴趣，也可以来参与正在进行的交流会，或许能在发布会开始前就挖掘到相当有价值的新闻。

ReceptionistWe wish you a pleasant day.祝您度过愉快的一天。

CommanderThank you.谢谢。

(I smile at the receptionist. The rest of the "team" and I watch as they leave.)（我对接待员笑了笑，和“团队”的成员们一起目送着对方远去了。）

CommanderHave the other teams made it in?其他小队进来了么？

GrozaThey're still on the other side of the building—waiting as their weapons are brought in through a food service corridor with the catering.她们的武器在想办法从餐饮通道和工作餐一起运进来，还在大楼的另一侧等待。

GrozaKlukai will contact me once they're ready.如果完成部署，可露凯会联系我的。

CommanderMm. I hope nothing goes wrong on their end.嗯，希望她们不要出什么差错。

ColphneWhat will we do next?我们接下来要做什么呢？

CommanderLet's check out the inside of the building. That way we'll have some means of dealing with any contingency.先看看大楼内的情况吧，万一发生些什么好有个应对。

CommanderAlso, there's that young miss from the Girard Group...另外那个吉拉尔集团的大小姐……

(I take out her ID photo and study it carefully.)（我拿出她的证件照仔细地端详了一下。）

CommanderFor some reason, I feel like I've seen her face before...总觉得这个人面孔有些眼熟……

GrozaHave you met her before, Commander?指挥官你之前见过她？

CommanderFor someone in my position, there's no way I could have, but she still seems kind of familiar.以我的身份应该不可能见过她，但的确有些熟悉。

CommanderProbably déjà vu or something.可能只是不必要的既视感吧。

(After giving myself a quick once-over, we decide to mingle with the other attendees to try and figure out what's going on.)（检查了下自身的状态，我们决定先进入交流会现场摸一摸情况。）

(A steady stream of researchers and scientists are entering the venue hall. Some of the more prominent, famous, and senior ones are being mobbed by pressmen trying to tease scoops out of them.)（会场内陆续有一些参会的研究员和科学家们抵达，其中几位明显更有名望的业界前辈正被各方媒体团团围住，想从他们口中挖出一些关于这次峰会的前瞻性消息。）

(Elsewhere, the researchers who are newer to the industry are gathered in front of the refreshments table, seemingly exchanging gossip.)（而另外一些资历尚浅的新人研究员则三五成群地围在茶点台前，似乎在说着什么有趣的八卦。）

(I send Groza and Colphne out to conduct fake interviews while I try to find Orphelune among the attendees.)（我让闪电和寇尔芙上前假装采访，而我自己则在会场内寻找着欧菲露妮的身影。）

(However, nobody who resembles my objective appears even after I make a circle around the venue.)（在会场内转了一圈，却并没有发现有疑似目标的人物出没。）

(As I'm drifting aimlessly around the hall, I spot a group of young men discussing something. They're simply dressed, but with a distinct academic air.)（就在我漫无目的地在会场内转悠时，看到了一群衣着简单但颇有学者气质的年轻人正扎堆在一起讨论些什么。）

(I pretend to consult a Girard Group prospectus while eavesdropping on their conversation.)（我假装看着集团的介绍册，实际在悄悄听着他们对话。）

Sarcastic Student...Man, did you see the constipated look on the Professor's face when he was being interviewed?……你们看到老师接受采访时的那个仿佛便秘的表情了吗？

CuriousAh, yeah, I did.啊啊，看到了。

CuriousMust have been a question about that "Orphelune" again.大概又被问到关于“欧菲露妮”的问题了吧。

Decadent StudentI guess everyone's only interested in young geniuses.果然大家都只对年轻的天才感兴趣啊。

(Upon hearing the keyword "Orphelune", I surreptitiously move closer to them, for a clearer picture of what they're discussing.)（听到了“欧菲露妮”这个关键词，我悄悄地挪到他们的一旁，以便更清晰地听到他们在说什么。）

Sarcastic StudentMoney really is the most important thing when it comes to research.看来做研究这种事，还是钱比较重要。

Sarcastic StudentDespite her young age, she managed to gather the funding needed to build a lab of her own and get people like the Prof to work for her. It would be hard for someone like that not to succeed.年纪轻轻就能斥巨资组建起实验室，还找到很多像老师这样的厉害人物替她打工，想不成功都难吧。

Sarcastic Student(Sigh) If only my parents had worked harder when I was a kid. Maybe I would've been the one speaking on stage later.唉，要是我爸妈年轻的时候多奋斗一下，说不定待会儿站在主发言台上的人就是我了。

(The students chat casually, all seeming to be around Orphelune's age according to her resume. Though her impressive achievements clearly make them uneasy around this exceptional peer.)（年轻的学生们你一言我一语地闲聊着。他们的样子看起来和欧菲露妮履历上的年龄差不多，面对这样一位成就上天壤之别的同龄人，的确让人很难用平常心去谈论对方。）

CuriousDid you see that interview of hers last month?你们看了她上个月的采访吗？

Decadent StudentAh, you mean the one where she was talking about how she grew up? The Professor gave me a copy and told me to study it carefully.啊，是讲述她成长经历的那期对吧。老师可是特地拿给我一本，让我回去好好研读呢。

Decadent StudentYeah, he was muttering crap like "If only I had a student like this, I wouldn't have to worry about my retirement fund" and whatnot.一边说一边嘴里还念叨着什么“如果我有一个这样的学生，就再也不用担心退休金的问题了”。

CuriousProf, don't give up so soon! Your 50s are your prime!喂喂老师不要这么早就想着躺平啊，五十多岁正是闯的年纪！

Decadent StudentThat said, there's no way mere mortals like us can hope to replicate the legendary lifestyle of a genius like her.不过话说回来，这种天才的传奇人生，我们普通人根本就没办法复刻吧。

Sarcastic StudentSo... Do you think she really lived through the "Frankfurt Incident", like she said?所以……她真的像她说的那样，经历过“法兰克福事件”吗？

Sarcastic StudentOr did she just sprinkle it into her personal history to add some color to it?还是说，这只是她为了给自己闪耀的履历上再增添一点传奇色彩才故意这么说的？

CuriousWho knows... I was only in middle school ten years ago. I guess everything I know about it came from the TV?不知道……十年前我还只是个中学生呢，只能在电视里看到关于这件事的消息吧？

Sarcastic StudentWell, claiming that she's a survivor of the "Frankfurt Incident"... That's one hell of a lie.作为“法兰克福事件”的亲历者活下来……这种谎话真的太夸张了……

Sarcastic StudentYou gotta make it more believable, Miss.我说下次还是编个更像样的吧，大小姐。

Commander...……

(They end up talking more about Orphelune, but I've already tuned them out.)（后面他们又说了什么关于欧菲露妮的事，我几乎完全听不进去了。）

(I became lost in those decade-old memories from the moment they mentioned that word.)（从他们提到那个字眼开始，我的思绪就已经完全沉浸在十年前的回忆之中。）

(The flames of the NSU's war burned from Moscow all the way to Frankfurt. The fragile illusion of peace was shattered by the hands of the people themselves. The scorched earth was soaked in the blood of the fallen. Countless lives were reduced to nothing more than sacrificial lambs.)（新苏联的战火从莫斯科一直烧到了法兰克福，和平的幻象被人们亲手打碎，鲜血染红了那片焦土，让无数生命成为一场仪式的祭品。）

(Alarms, gunsmoke, ruins...)（警报，硝烟，废墟……）

(Mothers in despair, weeping children, Dolls fleeing in all directions...)（绝望的母亲，哭泣的孩子，四散而逃的人形……）

(—And then there are the memories from "Nirvana" being opened.)（——还有那段因“希岸”被打开而诞生的记忆。）

(...)（……）

(...)（……）

ColphneChief...总编……

ColphneChief!总编！

Commander!！

(When I come to my senses, I see Colphne looking at me with anxiety in her eyes.)（回过神来的时候，寇尔芙正焦急地看着我。）

(The venue hall has gotten noisier before I realized it. A large-scale pre-conference interview begins as the media personnel begin arriving.)（会场内不知什么时候开始渐渐地嘈杂了起来。随着媒体人员陆续抵达，大规模的会前采访开始了。）

(Flashbulbs and cameras are going off all around me.)（现在我的周围到处都充斥着摄像头和闪光灯。）

(While I figure nobody remembers my face anymore, I should probably avoid exposing myself excessively to photographic and video recording equipment.)（虽然应该已经没人记得我的样子了，但为了保险起见，我还是得尽量避免大规模暴露在这些摄影摄像的设备下。）

CommanderI'll go take cover over there.我去那边避避风头。

CommanderKeep watch inside the venue hall. Let me know immediately if Orphelune shows up.你们待在会场内继续盯梢，一发现欧菲露妮出现，就立刻告诉我。

ColphneWill do.好的。

(I quickly dart around the packed crowd, through the revolving door, and arrive at the rooftop balcony outside the venue.)（快速绕过拥挤的人群，我穿过旋转门，来到会场外的露台上。）

(The balcony is much quieter compared to the inside of the venue hall. A gentle breeze caresses my face and briefly frees me from my chaotic thoughts.)（与会场里相比，露台上显得冷清得多。微凉的风拂过我的脸颊，也让我从纷乱的思绪中稍微解放了出来。）

(The news I just heard sparks an explosion of thoughts in my mind.)（刚才听到的那个消息，让我心中爆炸般地产生了无数个想法。）

(Orphelune... So she was a survivor of Frankfurt after all...)（欧菲露妮……居然是法兰克福事件的幸存者……）

(If that's true, then what role did she play when she was there?)（如果这件事是真的，那当时留在那里的她，究竟是什么样的身份？）

(Was she a civilian?)（是平民？）

(A scholar?)（是学者？）

(A soldier?)（是军人？）

(Or was she...)（或者甚至是……）

(A member of Paradeus?)（帕拉蒂斯的成员？）

(Did this "Project Eden" she's working on now grow from seeds planted back then?)（她正在进行的“乐园计划”，是否是那次事件后延续至今的布局？）

(Does that dazzling CV of hers hide an involvement with Paradeus?)（她那份光彩夺目的履历背后，究竟有没有白教的参与？）

(Or is she just another Paradeus leader thrust onto the stage after William made his exit?)（还是说，她是威廉倒台之后，又一个被推到台前的帕拉蒂斯领袖？）

(As I lose myself in my thoughts, a voice suddenly shatters the peace on the balcony.)（就在我沉浸在思绪中时，一个声音突然打破了露台的宁静。）

????"Honored guests and fellow scholars..." No, that's not right...“尊敬的各位来宾，各位学者……”，不，不对……

????"We are gathered here today to bear witness to a miracle of science..." Ugh, trying way too hard...“今天，我们齐聚一堂，共同见证科学的奇迹……”，呃，太做作了……

????"As the supervisor of the Girard Group's biotechnology department, I am honored to..." No, "It is my profound honor to..." Ahhhh, how is that any different?!“作为吉拉尔生物科技部门的负责人，我很荣幸……”，不，“我非常荣幸……”，啊啊，这有什么区别吗！

(The voice comes from the other side of the balcony. There is a small gazebo here, half-hidden by the shrubbery.)（声音来自露台的另一端，那里有一个小小的凉亭，被装饰植物半掩着。）

(I turn to look at it and see someone pacing there, seemingly frustrated about something.)（我微微转头，看到一个身影正在那里踱步，似乎在为什么事情烦恼。）

????Dammit, dammit, dammit! Why can't I even memorize a simple speech?!笨蛋！笨蛋！笨蛋！为什么连这种简单的发言稿都背不下来！

(A young woman's voice reaches my ears, followed by the sound of a stack of papers hitting the ground hard.)（一个年轻女性懊恼的声音传来，随后是一叠纸张被猛然丢在地上的声音。）

????Hmph! It's all the fault of those clowns who wrote this awful script! It doesn't suit me at all! The great Orphelune should be making a more brilliant, more exciting speech, one that highlights our scientific achievements!哼！都是那些无聊的家伙写的蹩脚稿子不对！一点都不符合我的风格！欧菲露妮大人应该有更华丽、更精彩、更能彰显科学成就的发言！

Commander...……

(I silently study this sudden speaker.)（我朝发出声音的人默默看去。）

(While I'm still some distance away from her, my instincts tell me that she is my target.)（虽然离她还有一定的距离，但直觉告诉我，这就是我要找的目标。）

(That said, I didn't expect to encounter my mission objective here at all; it's hard to believe that she, the daughter of the Girard Group's chairman, would actually go around without a bodyguard by her side.)（不过，我完全没想到会在这种地方遇到任务的目标人物，身为吉拉尔集团总裁的女儿，身边竟然没有一个保镖。）

(The girl calling herself the "great Orphelune" is nothing like the elegant and confident scientist mentioned in my files. Even her appearance doesn't match up too well with her picture.)（眼前这个自称“欧菲露妮大人”的女孩，与资料上那位优雅自信的科学家形象相去甚远，就连外表，也与照片大不相符。）

(I continue approaching and finally manage to get a good look at her.)（我悄悄走近了一些，终于看清了她的样子。）

(What shocks me is how young she looks, like a freshly graduated university student. She is currently stomping the ground in frustration, trying to pick up her scattered papers, but then a sudden gust of wind ruins her plans.)（让我惊讶的是，她看起来很年轻，几乎像个刚毕业的大学生。此刻她正懊恼地跺着脚，试图重新捡起散落的纸张，却被突如其来的一阵风打乱了计划。）

????Ahhhhh! Get back here! Stop flying off!啊啊啊！不要飞走啊！回来！！！

(Panicked, she goes after the wind-tossed papers like a kitten chasing a butterfly. As one of them drifts over the edge of the balcony, she leans out to get it—)（她惊慌地追着被风吹散的纸张，像只追逐蝴蝶的小猫。当一张纸飘向露台边缘时，她几乎整个身子都探了出去——）

Commander...Look out!……小心！

(As I see her about to fall off the side of the balcony, I stop caring about whether she's my mission objective and break into a sprint. I grab her collar with one hand and pull her back from the brink, while snatching the fluttering sheet of paper out of the air with the other.)（眼见她就要从露台上跌下去，我也顾不上她是不是任务目标，当即快步上前，一只手拉住了她的衣角将她往回拽，另一只手则抓住了那张即将飞走的纸页。）

????Uwah!呜哇！

(She stumbles under the sudden tug, but soon finds her footing before turning to face me—said face is youthful and delicately featured. Her turquoise eyes would normally be glittering with wisdom and pride, but they are currently filled with surprise and a hint of embarrassment.)（她被突然的拉力带得一个踉跄，但很快稳住身形，转身面对我——那是一张年轻而精致的面孔，圣青色的眼睛闪烁着聪明而骄傲的光芒，但此刻更多的是惊讶与一丝窘迫。）

????Who... who are you?! Why were you listening in on me while I was practicing?!你……你是谁？！为什么偷听本小姐练习！

CommanderSorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop.抱歉，我不是有意的。

CommanderIt's just that I saw you were about to fall off the balcony...只是看到你差点从露台上掉下去……

(I hand her the paper I'm holding and she snatches it back, her face flushing a bright pink.)（我将那张纸递给她，她猛地抢了回去，脸上泛起窘迫的红晕。）

????Hmph...! I wouldn't have made such an elementary mistake! I was just, uh... I was just checking the direction of the wind!哼……！本小姐才不会犯这种低级错误！我只是……只是在确认风向而已！

CommanderChecking the wind, you say?确认风向？

????O-of course! Understanding the environment is a fundamental part of my training as a meticulous scientist! For instance, the wind speed now is 5.3 meters per second, blowing due southwest, ambient humidity is 43%...当……当然！作为一名严谨的科学家，了解环境参数是基本素养！比如现在的风速约为5.3米每秒，风向西南，湿度约为43%……

(She discreetly smooths out her ruffled clothes and hair as she speaks. The panic she doesn't even try to hide makes it all seem very performative.)（她一边说着，一边试图悄悄地整理自己凌乱的衣着和头发，不加以掩饰的慌乱看起来十分刻意。）

(I can't help but frown... Is she putting on an act?)（我不禁皱了皱眉……这难道是她的一种伪装？）

Commander...That's definitely doing your due diligence as a scientist. Would you like me to help you collect your papers?……确实是个严谨的科学家。需要帮忙捡其他纸吗？

????...……

(She hesitates for a moment.)（她犹豫了一下。）

????...I will allow you to provide your assistance. But on one condition! No peeking at what's on them! It's top secret scientific research!……本小姐允许你提供协助。但是！不许偷看上面的内容！那是机密的科学研究！

CommanderUnderstood, oh "great Orphelune".明白了，“欧菲露妮大人”。

OrpheluneW-wait, you know me?!你……你认识我！？

CommanderI mean, I just heard you call yourself that.刚才听到你自称的。

CommanderBesides, you're one of the keynote speakers for this summit and a scientific genius from the Girard Group; your pictures are everywhere. I doubt there are many people out there who wouldn't know you.不过即使不听，大概也能猜到——吉拉尔集团的科学天才，本次峰会的主讲人之一，你的照片到处都是，应该没有几个人不认识你吧？

(That said, the fine details of her current appearance are completely different from her photographs. That's probably why all the pressmen present at the venue didn't realize that she was the real deal.)（虽然她现在跟照片上的精致大小姐简直判若两人，恐怕这也是明明会场中有那么多媒体人士却完全没人发现露台上就是本尊的原因吧。）

OrpheluneOf... of course that's to be expected! I'm a world-famous scientist, after all... I'm just bad at dealing with boring and annoying social events like these.那……那是当然！本小姐可是举世闻名的科学家！……只是不太擅长应付这些无聊的、令人厌烦的社交场合。

CommanderIs that why you decided to hide out here to practice your speech?所以你躲到这里来练习演讲？

OrpheluneWho are you, anyway? Why are you here? Are you one of those annoying paparazzi? Are you trying to get an embarrassing picture of me?你又是谁？为什么会在这里？该不会是那些讨厌的小报记者吧？想要偷拍本小姐出糗的照片？

Orphelune...Erm, I forbid you to repeat my words from just now. I won't acknowledge them even if you do!……呃，我刚才说的那句话你不许说出去，说出去我也不会承认的！

CommanderIt's true that I am a journalist, but I'm not here to capture scandals.我确实是记者，但不是来抓拍丑闻的。

CommanderTruth is, I'm trying to avoid the press of people inside. I'm not used to places that are so... cramped.实际上，我也是在躲避那边的嘈杂环境。我不太习惯那种……拥挤的场合。

(Understanding seems to dawn on her face. Sympathy and understanding flash through her eyes.)（她面露恍然，随即眼神中闪过一丝同情和理解。）

(...Her mood does seem a little mercurial for someone of her status.)（……就她的身份来说，她有些过于喜怒形于色了。）

OrpheluneOh, what will I do with you? I suppose I'll just have to place my faith in you, then. After all, it's so dreadfully suffocating in there...真没办法，本小姐勉强相信你吧。毕竟，那种地方确实有点令人窒息……

CommanderAre you nervous about the upcoming presentation?看起来你对即将到来的演讲有些紧张？

OrpheluneO-of course not! Orphelune Girard fears no challenges! It's just a little speech; I could do it with my eyes closed!才……才没有！欧菲露妮·吉拉尔从不畏惧任何挑战！区区演讲而已，本小姐闭着眼睛也能完成！

(Despite her words, she ends up crumpling the paper in her hands.)（她说着，却不自觉地揉皱了手中的纸张。）

CommanderWell, presentations can be quite challenging, especially in front of so many industry professionals.演讲确实很有挑战性，尤其是在这么多专业人士面前。

CommanderI've interviewed many world-class experts in the past, and many of them felt tense when they had to give an address.我采访过不少世界级专家，他们中很多人在演讲前都会感到紧张。

Orphelune...Really?……真的吗？

CommanderOf course. It's perfectly natural to get nervous, especially when you truly believe in your work and how the audience views it.当然。紧张是正常的，特别是当你真正在乎自己的工作和听众的看法时。

OrpheluneHmph... All they want is a "genius scientist" giving an exciting presentation... But the contents of this speech don't sound like anything I would say!哼……他们都只想听“天才科学家”的精彩演讲，但是这些稿子……这些稿子根本就不像本小姐说的话！

CommanderThen why did you prepare a script that you don't like?那为什么要准备你自己都不喜欢的演讲稿呢？

Orphelune...That's because nobody understands me when I try to explain in my own words.……因为每次我尝试用自己的方式解释，大多数人都听不懂。

(Her expression grows complicated. It seems she's recalling an unpleasant experience.)（她的表情变得复杂，似乎在回忆什么不愉快的经历。）

OrpheluneThe last time I tried giving a presentation in my own style, my assistant called it a "disaster".上次我用自己的方式演讲，我的助理说那是场“灾难”。

OrpheluneAccording to her, it took a lot of effort to delete all video records of it from the Internet.听说她后来花费了很多力气，才把那次的影像记录从公开网站上抹掉。

CommanderA disaster?灾难？

OrpheluneDuring the course of my research on quantum entanglement in cross-dimensional photosynthesis, I discovered a pigment molecule super configuration based on a non-Euclidean topological structure that could convert dark energy into bioenergy through negentropic increase. This mechanism is entirely different from the dehydrogenase-mediated proton pump coupled electron transport chain conventionally observed in nature; instead, it relies on a vibrational mode in the eleven-dimensional world of superstring theory...我在正在研究的跨维度光合作用量子纠缠态中，发现了一种基于非欧几里得空间拓扑结构的色素分子超构型，它能通过反熵增实现暗能量到生物能的转换。这种机制与我们常规观察到的脱氢酶介导质子泵耦联电子传递链截然不同，而是依赖超弦理论十一维世界中的某种振动模式进行……

OrpheluneWould you be interested in a speech like that?这样的演讲……你会有兴趣吗？

Commander...……

(Orphelune seems to sense my awkwardness and smiles nonchalantly.)（欧菲露妮似乎看出了我的窘迫，她毫不在意地笑了笑。）

OrpheluneYou see? Turns out most people aren't as interested in actual knowledge as they think.你看，所以大多数人对真正的知识并没有想象中那么感兴趣。

CommanderPerhaps... the problem isn't in the content, but how it's presented?也许……问题不在于内容，而在于表达方式？

OrpheluneWhat do you mean?什么意思？

CommanderThey say complicated concepts need to be expressed through metaphors and the like so people can understand them more easily. For instance... could you use a simple comparison to express the core of your research?复杂的概念需要通过比喻和类比来帮助大众理解。比如……你能用一个简单的比喻来解释你研究的核心吗？

Orphelune...It... it's like teaching a plant to feed off something other than sunlight?……就像……教一棵植物学会吃阳光之外的食物？

CommanderI think that works very well. Can you elaborate?我觉得这个比喻很好。继续？

Orphelune...Try and imagine if a plant could take in different forms of energy, like a human being, and not rely solely on sunlight... For example... imagine if it could absorb energy from radiation, then convert the harmful components into nutrients for its own growth...……想象一下，如果植物能像人类一样吸收不同种类的能量，不仅仅依赖阳光……比如……比如它们可以从辐射中获取能量，将有害物质转化为自身成长所需的养分……

(Her eyes begin to light up, and she grows more and more animated. She begins gesticulating and describing just how her research could change the biosphere in contamination zones.)（她的眼睛逐渐亮起，整个人也变得生动起来。她开始用双手比划，描述她的研究如何可能改变被污染区域的生态系统。）

CommanderThat was excellent. I'm sure you would captivate the audience if you talked like that on stage.非常棒。如果你能这样在台上讲，我相信每个人都会被吸引。

Orphelune...Really? You're not just trying to be polite?……真的吗？你不是在敷衍本小姐吧？

CommanderOf course not. Actually, I'm quite interested in your research direction.当然不是。事实上，我对你的研究方向非常感兴趣。

OrpheluneYou know about my research?你知道我的研究？

CommanderYour focus on botany is something I've always been following and reporting on. Among them, "the use of plants for two-phase Collapse particle absorption" is of particular interest to me.您主攻的植物科学本来就是我一直在跟踪报道的方向，其中“利用植物的二象态吸收辐射粒子”这个论点更是我非常感兴趣的议题。

OrpheluneI can't believe there's a journalist out there who's actually interested in my research! I just—ahem, I mean, as a responsible scientist, it pleases me to see that the media is showing interest in proper scientific studies.竟然有记者真正理解我的研究！本小姐太——咳咳，我是说……作为一位负责任的科学家，很高兴看到媒体对真正的科学有兴趣。

CommanderI am honored to meet with your approval. In fact, my interest goes beyond mere theory; I've actually seen plants like the kind you've been studying.我很荣幸能得到你的认可。事实上，我不仅对理论感兴趣，我甚至见过你研究的那种植物。

OrpheluneWhat? You say you've seen them before?什么？你说你见过？

CommanderLet me guess, they're mutant plants which look like Epiphyllums, right?我猜那是一种长相类似昙花的变异植物是吗？

OrpheluneAh! How did you know?啊，你怎么会知道！

OrpheluneDid you... Have you snuck into our research bases before?你该不会……偷偷潜入过我们的实验基地吧？

CommanderWhat research bases?实验基地？

OrpheluneSaid plants should only exist in our labs and our test plots... We keep them strictly secluded from the outside world.那些植物应该只存在于我们的试验田和实验室中才对……外界是严格保密的！

(Orphelune begins muttering to herself, and then it seems like she's realized something.)（欧菲露妮自言自语着，突然像是意识到了什么。）

OrpheluneHang on, you're not some kind of industrial spy sent by a rival to steal my research, are you?等等，你该不会是什么竞争对手派来曝光我的研究的间谍吧？

OrpheluneI remember my assistant once said...我记得之前听我的助理说过……

CommanderEr...呃……

CommanderWhile I have no way to prove this, my ID and the invitation from your company can vouch for my identity as part of the media. Will that ease your suspicions?虽然我没办法证明，不过这张证件和贵集团签发的邀请函能证明我正规媒体的身份，这大概可以打消你的疑虑？

OrpheluneHmm... It doesn't seem fake...唔姆……看起来不像假的……

(Orphelune pouts as she studies my ID. Just as the mood in the air begins to turn strange, I hear a contralto voice from the balcony entrance.)（欧菲露妮噘着嘴仔细查看着我的证件，而就在这气氛变得微妙的时刻，突然从露台门口传来一个沉稳的女声。）

??So that's where you are, Young Mistress. I've been searching for you for a long time.大小姐，原来您在这里。我找您很久了。

(I turn to look and see a tall, dignified woman who's shown up there at some point. She's impeccably dressed, but her gaze is razor-sharp.)（我转头看去，只见一个高挑优雅的女性不知何时出现在那里，身着考究的西装，眼神温和却锐利。）

OrpheluneGeh... She found me...啊……被发现了……

(Orphelune shudders, looking for all the world like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar.)（欧菲露妮一哆嗦，瞬间变得像个偷吃糖果被抓到的孩子。）

OrpheluneAh! Igla! I... I just came out to get some air...啊！针！我……我只是出来透透气……

IglaWe still have three hours until the summit begins. How goes your preparations?距离峰会开始还有三小时，您的发言稿准备得如何了？

OrpheluneThey're, uh... They're almost done! I was just confirming some of the details!已经……已经准备得差不多了！本小姐只是在最后确认一些细节！

(The Doll called Igla sighs in exasperation and gives Orphelune a doting look. Then, she bends down and helps pick up her dropped papers.)（被称为针的人形无奈地叹了口气，略显宠溺地看着欧菲露妮，俯身下去，帮忙拾起地上的纸张。）

IglaIt seems you have encountered some difficulty. Do you need my assistance?我看您似乎遇到了一些困难？需要我的协助吗？

OrpheluneNot at all! I can handle all this by myself!才没有呢！本小姐完全可以自己搞定！

IglaNaturally. Your capabilities are beyond question. Though I should mention, your makeup artist and stylist have been waiting in your suite for some time now.当然，您的能力无需质疑。不过，您的化妆师和造型师已经在套房等候多时了。

(Igla reaches out to straighten Orphelune's rumpled collar.)（针伸手轻轻整理欧菲露妮凌乱的领口。）

IglaAnd that lab coat is by no means suitable for tonight's event. I have selected a more suitable evening dress for you.而且这件实验室外套并不适合今晚的场合，我已经为您准备了更加合适的晚礼服。

OrpheluneBut those dresses are so pinchy...那些衣服太不舒服了……

IglaSurely enduring a little discomfort is necessary for the glory of the Girard family, don't you think?为了吉拉尔家族的荣誉，偶尔忍耐一下也是必要的，不是吗？

(As she says this, Igla's gaze briefly sweeps over me. There is a hint of warning and displeasure in it.)（针在说这句话时，目光短暂地扫过了我。那眼神中包含的警告意味不言而喻。）

IglaGreetings. Thank you for keeping the Young Mistress company. If you don't mind, I must take her to begin the final preparations for the summit.您好。感谢您对大小姐的陪伴。如果不介意，我需要带她去进行峰会前的最后准备了。

CommanderCertainly, by all means. It's been an honor to speak with Miss Orphelune.当然，不必客气。能与欧菲露妮小姐交谈是我的荣幸。

(She politely extracts a name card from her breast pocket and hands it to me.)（她礼貌地从胸前的口袋里取出一张名片，递给了我。）

IglaIf you have a professional interest in the Young Mistress' work, you are welcome to join the special conference session tomorrow. Of course, a reservation will be required.如果您对大小姐的研究有专业上的兴趣，欢迎参加明天的专场研讨会。当然，需要提前预约。

(Her tone is cool and polite, but the judgement and caution are evident in her gaze.)（她的语气礼貌而疏远，眼中的审视和警惕却无比鲜明。）

OrpheluneOh yes! What's your name, anyway?对了！我还不知道你的名字呢？

CommanderI am the editor-in-chief of the "Shining Age" media agency. You've already seen my ID.我是《时代锋芒》通讯社的总编，您刚才看过我的证件了。

OrpheluneOh yeah, I was just looking at the stamp...对哦……我光顾着看印戳了……

OrpheluneWill you come listen to my presentation?你会来听我的演讲吗？

IglaYoung Mistress, we don't have much time left.大小姐，时间不早了。

OrpheluneIf you have any questions, you can bring them up then! I... I'll try to answer them sincerely!如果你有问题，可以在演讲后向我提问！我……我会认真回答的！

(Igla guides Orphelune away, but the latter looks back, clearly excited.)（欧菲露妮被针引导着离开，但还是回头看着我，显得相当雀跃。）

(Igla follows Orphelune's gaze. Her voice is gentle, but the warning in her tone becomes more and more evident as she speaks.)（针也顺着欧菲露妮的视线看了我一眼，语气轻柔，但警告的意味越发明显。）

IglaI hope you will enjoy the summit this evening... And at the same time, I hope you will keep your position and duties in mind.希望您今晚能够享受科学盛宴……同时，也请记住每个人的位置和职责。

IglaOverstepping your bounds... will only lead to unnecessary trouble.越界的行为……总是会带来不必要的麻烦。

OrpheluneHonestly! You don't have to keep scaring people all the time!真是的！你别老是给别人压力呀！

IglaMy apologies...非常抱歉……

(The two of them vanish through the balcony entrance. I'm still standing there, feeling the weight of the information in that brief exchange.)（两人的身影消失在了露台门口，我站在原地，感受着刚才那短暂对话中蕴含的信息量。）

(Orphelune is far more innocent and... defenseless than my data suggests. Of course, that could just be an act.)（欧菲露妮远比资料中描述的要单纯和……不设防，当然，也不排除这是一种演技的可能。）

(Meanwhile, there's Igla... the Girard Group's strongest Doll. She probably doesn't know who I am, but she was clearly repulsed by how I "approached" Orphelune.)（而针……吉拉尔的最强人形，她应该还不知道我的身份，不过对我“接近”欧菲露妮的行为，她表现出的反感十分明显。）

(From the Girard Group files I saw and the combat footage Leva showed me, I conclude that this third-gen Doll is very likely to be our trickiest foe yet.)（从吉拉尔集团的资料和当时莱娅给我看的视频都足以让我得出一个结论，这名三代人形极有可能是我们最难应付的对手。）

(Seeing as how understaffed we are at the moment, it would be best not to arouse her suspicion for now.)（在现在人形数量不是很充足的情况下，还是先不引起她的警觉比较好。）

(I study the card Igla left me. In addition to the usual contact information, there is a line of small letters.)（我看着手中针留下的名片，上面除了必要的联系方式外，还有一行小字。）

("Science runs on curiosity, but danger often begins there too. Choose wisely.")（“好奇心是科学的动力，也是危险的开始。祝您有个明智的选择。”）

Citrinitas of Refinement 洗炼之黄

(There's still some time until the presentation begins, and there doesn't seem to be any more news worth overhearing. The Dolls and I return to our room to plan our next move.)（离演讲的开始还有一段时间，眼见已经没有什么值得打听的消息了，我和人形们回到房间中，商量下一步的对策。）

(My conversation with Orphelune just now has given me a basic impression of her, while the presence of that third-gen Doll has given me serious doubts about our upcoming mission.)（刚才和欧菲露妮的对话让我初步对她有了一些印象，而那个三代人形的出现让我对接下来的行动捏了一把汗。）

(Being guarded by such a powerful Doll all but confirms Orphelune's standing as heir. Yet her reaction and way of speaking raise some doubts in me.)（能有着这样能力的人形守卫，欧菲露妮作为吉拉尔集团大小姐的身份应该毋庸置疑了，只是她的反应和谈吐让我产生了一定的疑惑。）

(She seems to have total faith in what she's studying; it makes me think that she genuinely believes she's doing a good thing.)（她似乎对自己研究的东西充满了信心，这种信心能让我感觉到她真心认为自己在做一件好事。）

(I don't smell the stench of Paradeus' lies and evil coming from her. Instead, she feels too—"innocent"?)（我从她身上并没有感觉到以往白教那种虚伪和肮脏的味道，反而有一种——过于“幼稚”的感觉？）

(At the moment, it's difficult for me to tell if she's being genuine or if it's just an elaborate act. It seems I'll need to find a way to make further contact with her.)（现在我很难判断她的表现到底是自然流露还是更高级别的伪装，接下来得进一步想办法和她产生接触。）

(The sound of footsteps comes from outside our suite as I ponder my encounter from just now.)（在我思考刚才的遭遇时，休息室的门外传来了脚步声。）

(There is a series of knocks on the door.)（“咚咚咚——”）

(Groza gets up to open it.)（闪电起身去打开了房门。）

ServerSorry to bother you.抱歉，打扰各位了。

GrozaIt's alright. What is it?没关系。有什么事么？

(The staffer holds up a tote bag in his hand. Its velvety silk material is finely made and features the logo of the summit.)（服务生晃了晃手中的手提袋。丝绸般质地的绒布袋包装精美，上面还印着本次峰会的LOGO。）

ServerAs a token of gratitude for coming all the way here, the organizers would like to present you with a souvenir.为了感谢各位媒体老师的远道而来，本次峰会的主办方特地为老师们准备了伴手礼。

CommanderA souvenir?伴手礼？

ServerYes, it contains the Girard Group's latest products and local delicacies from Lviv. You can bring them home to share with your family members.嗯，里面有吉拉尔集团的新产品和利沃夫特产的小点心，各位老师可以带回去给家人们分享~

Commander...Thank you.……谢谢。

(I gesture to Groza to take the bag. After seeing us bring it inside, the staffer nods, then smiles while executing a bow before turning to leave.)（我示意闪电接过手提袋，对方看着我们拿进门之后，笑盈盈地鞠了个躬，转身离开了。）

(Once the sounds of footsteps outside the door fade away, I shoot Groza a look.)（等到门外的脚步声消失后，我朝闪电递去一个眼神。）

CommanderOpen it and see what's inside.拆开看看里面有什么名堂。

GrozaYes.嗯。

(Groza cautiously opens up the bag.)（闪电谨慎地拆开了袋子的包装。）

(Just as the staffer said, the bag contains an exquisite gift box. The first layer contains many pretty-looking desserts, while the second has the latest smart device from Girard Group's notable subsidiary brand, released just last month.)（正如服务生刚才说的，袋子里装着的是一个精美的礼盒，第一层铺满了许多漂亮的小点心，而第二层则装着吉拉尔集团旗下的子品牌上个月新发布的智能设备。）

(Groza and Colphne inspect the gift box and even take apart the smart device, but they don't find anything suspicious.)（闪电和寇尔芙在礼盒里上下翻找了一通，连那个智能设备也拆开看了看，并没有发现什么可疑的东西。）

CommanderIs it... really just an ordinary welcome gift?难道……真的只是普通的伴手礼？

ColphneCommander, there seems to be something else inside the bag.指挥官，袋子里好像有什么东西。

(The bag was tossed aside after its contents were extracted. Currently, it lies in a limp heap on the corner of the dresser.)（刚才把里面的东西拿出来之后，装着礼盒的布制手提袋被随意丢在一边，此刻正软趴趴地躺在桌子的一角。）

(Or at least, it SHOULD be limp without anything inside to support it, yet there is a little bulge under its velvety surface.)（但由于失去了内容物的支撑，手提袋的绒布面显现出了一小块鼓鼓的凸起。）

CommanderCheck it out.看看是什么。

(Groza picks up the bag and inverts it, but nothing falls out. She then turns it inside out and feels around the site of the bulge.)（闪电拿起手提袋向外倒了倒，并没有倒出什么东西。随后她将袋子整个翻过来，在凸起的地方摸索了一番。）

GrozaThere's a secret lining inside this bag.里面有一个夹层。

(I take it from her and feel around the place Groza indicated. Sure enough, there seems to be something hidden inside it; clearly, someone cut it open and then sewed it back together again.)（我接过袋子，在闪电说的位置摸了摸，发现袋子的夹层里似乎藏着什么东西，很显然是有人把袋子拆开之后又重新缝了起来。）

(I rip the seam open and take out the object inside the bag's lining.)（我沿着缝线的接缝处扯断了缝线，把夹层里的东西取了出来。）

(There is a little box in my hand, with a work ID reading "Special Invitation".)（里面是一个小巧的包装盒，里面有一张写着“特别邀请函”的工作证。）

ColphneIs this some kind of new listening device...?该不会是什么新型的窃听器吧……

GrozaLet's have a look.我看看。

(I hand the device to Groza. She fiddles with it for a moment but doesn't seem to find any issues with it.)（我把手里的东西递给了她。闪电摆弄了一番，似乎并没有发现什么问题。）

(Then, she takes a small slip of paper out from behind the ID.)（随后，她从工作证的后面抽出了一张小纸条。）

Groza"This device can help you solve all the problems before you."“这东西可以帮你们解决眼前所有的麻烦事哦。”

Groza"So make good use of it, okay~"“所以，好好使用吧~”

Groza...……

Commander...……

GrozaCommander, do you have a contact inside the Girard Group?指挥官，你在吉拉尔集团内部有什么熟人吗？

CommanderNot that I remember...我可不记得自己认识这种家伙……

ColphneOr could this be help from NOMFA?也许是非军事力量管理局提供的协助？

CommanderIf it was them, then why wouldn't they give it to us before we came here?是她们的话为什么不在进会场前就交给我们呢？

ColphneHm... That makes sense too.唔……好像也有道理。

ColphneShould we ask them about it?要不问一下对方？

(I nod, and Leva picks up my call shortly afterward.)（我点了点头，莱娅不一会就接起了通讯。）

(I tell her about the work ID.)（我向她询问了关于工作证的事。）

LevaOh Commander, you know we wouldn't go out of our way to deliver unexpected gifts to you~诶呀指挥官，我们可不会特意给您送意外之喜~

LevaAfter all, you've already got all the information we possess. As for that card...现在我们手头掌握的信息都已经交给您了，至于那种卡片……

(Leva pauses.)（莱娅停顿了一下。）

LevaI received some wordless assistance in a similar manner earlier, but given our position, we're in no place to talk about it right now.我之前也收到过这种无言的帮助呢，不过站在我们的立场现在不好多说什么。

LevaPerhaps you should make your own decision on how to handle this token of goodwill?指挥官您按照自己的方式来接受这份好意吧？

CommanderA token of goodwill, you say...好意吗……

(After hanging up, I inspect the ID again. The card is very well made, but there's nothing special about it.)（结束通讯后，我将工作证来回翻看，除了卡片本身制作精致外，似乎没有什么特别之处。）

(I sense that this card is definitely going to come in handy, so I tuck it away into my pocket and wait for the presentation to begin.)（意识到这张卡必定会发挥作用，我将证件放进了口袋中，开始等待演讲的开始。）

(Twenty minutes before the summit.)（峰会开始前二十分钟。）

IglaYoung Mistress, you will be the last to go on stage afterwards.大小姐，待会您是最后一个上场。

IglaAfter taking the length of your script into consideration, we've saved 30 minutes for you to give your presentation. If anything happens, just signal to me and I'll take care of it right away.按照您的稿件估算，给您预留了三十分钟的宣讲时间。如果中途遇到任何问题，您只需向我示意一下，我会立即处理。

IglaThe presentation script has already been uploaded to our internal server. Once your segment begins, just hit "play" on the remote control there to bring it up.您的演示文稿已经上传到了服务器上，等您的部分开始时，按下您手中遥控器的“播放”键就可以调出来了。

IglaEverything else is in order. Do you have any other adjustments you wish to make?一切准备就绪，请问您还有其他需要调整的吗？

OrpheluneNot at all! A simple little presentation like this is nothing for the great Orphelune Girard! Hmph~当然没问题！这种程度的演讲，对天才科学家欧菲露妮·吉拉尔而言简直小菜一碟！哼~

(Orphelune plants her hands on her waist and proudly raises her chin. She has a confident smile on her face, but a keen observer would note that her hands are trembling, and that there is a faint sheen of perspiration on her forehead.)（欧菲露妮叉着腰，骄傲地仰起头。她脸上带着自信的微笑，但敏锐的人能察觉到她微微颤抖的双手和额头细密的汗珠。）

IglaOf course. Your ability is beyond question, Young Mistress. However, your handkerchief seems to be a little wrinkled.当然，大小姐的能力无需置疑。不过，您的手帕似乎有些褶皱了。

(Igla takes an elaborately stitched handkerchief out of her pocket and lightly dabs away the moisture on Orphelune's forehead, then takes out a mirror from a pouch and starts smoothing out the straps of Orphelune's dress.)（针从口袋中取出一条精致的手帕，轻柔地为欧菲露妮擦去额头的汗水，然后又从随身携带的包中取出一面小镜子，调整着欧菲露妮礼服的细节。）

OrpheluneSay, Igla... is my hair messy?针，我的头发……是不是有点乱？

OrpheluneI mean, how could someone like myself take the stage in a less-than-perfect state?我是说，本小姐怎么能以不完美的状态登台呢！

IglaYour hair is flawless, but I will make some minor adjustments as you wish.您的发型完美无缺，不过如您所愿，我会再做一些微调。

(Igla's hands move with a sculptor's touch, as if she's working with a soap bubble that might vanish at a breath. The look in her eyes isn't a mere professional diligence, but something closer to religious reverence.)（针的动作轻柔得像是面对易碎的肥皂泡，如同一位雕塑家在完善自己心爱的作品。她的眼神中流露出的，不仅是专业的认真，更有一种近乎虔诚的情感。）

OrpheluneWhew... I shall declare my findings to the world today!呼……本小姐今天可是要向全世界宣布研究成果的！

OrpheluneI will have everyone bend the knee to the glory of the Girard family!一定要让所有人都为吉拉尔家族的荣光而折服！

IglaI'm sure you will, Young Mistress.您一定会成功的，大小姐。

OrpheluneUm... you'll keep me company until I go on stage, won't you, Igla?嗯……针，在我上台之前，你会一直陪在我身边吧？

OrpheluneIt... it's not like I NEED you with me, but I just want to make sure the plan goes smoothly!不……不是本小姐需要你陪伴！只是为了确保一切都按计划进行！

IglaI will always be by your side, no matter when or where I am needed. It is both a duty and an honor.无论何时何地，我都会在您身边，这是我的职责与荣幸。

OrpheluneSpeaking of which, where did you go just now? You kept me waiting for so long!话说，你刚刚去哪里了？让本小姐等了那么久！

OrpheluneGranted, I did sneak off while you weren't around... but it's quite unusual for you to be late for an occasion like this.虽然我趁你不在的时候自己偷偷跑出去了……不过你居然在今天这种场合迟到，真难得欸。

IglaMy sincerest apologies, Young Mistress. I was handling some issues which might have interrupted your presentation.非常抱歉，大小姐。我去处理了一些可能会干扰您演讲的小问题。

Igla...Certain uninvited guests seemed overly interested in your research. I had to ensure that they would not interrupt your crucial moment.……一些不速之客似乎对您的研究成果过于关注，我必须确保他们不会打扰到您的重要时刻。

OrpheluneMore of those people again... Thank you for your hard work.又有这样的人出现吗……真是辛苦你了。

OrpheluneIt must be those low lives who are trying to steal my work again!肯定又是那些想偷窃本小姐研究成果的卑鄙小人！

OrpheluneStill, it doesn't matter. I'll be making the results public anyway, so they can turn green with envy for all I care!不过没关系，反正今天就要公开研究成果了，让他们都羡慕去吧！

IglaIndeed, they will, Young Mistress. Your accomplishments shall shake the world.正是如此，大小姐。您的成就即将震惊世界。

(Thanks to Igla's soothing words, Orphelune's tension has completely drained away.)（在针的话语下，欧菲露妮紧张的心情已经消失殆尽。）

(Just as she's about to continue preening, an unexpected visitor interrupts her.)（正当她愉快地正要继续炫耀，却被一个意外来客打断了。）

ZimmermanAh, if it isn't my dear little Orphelune! What a bright, shining star you've become!啊，这不是我亲爱的小欧菲娜吗？多么耀眼的明星啊！

(A distinguished gentleman in a dapper suit strides into the room, a warm and affable smile on his face.)（一位身穿考究西装的绅士大步走来，脸上挂着和蔼可亲的笑容。）

OrpheluneUncle Zimmerman!齐默尔曼叔叔！

IglaGreetings, Mr. Zimmerman.齐默尔曼先生，您好。

(Igla's face is perfectly composed, but her body shifts almost imperceptibly in order to put herself between Orphelune and the newcomer.)（针的表情保持着完美的礼貌，但她的身体几乎不可察觉地向前挪动了一小步，轻轻挡在了欧菲露妮与来者之间。）

ZimmermanMiss Igla, I see you're as vigilant as ever, even when meeting with an old friend.我的针小姐，永远如此警惕，即使面对老朋友也是如此。

ZimmermanWhat a responsible guardian you are.真是位称职的守护者啊。

IglaProtecting the Young Mistress is my duty, sir.保护大小姐是我的职责，先生。

OrpheluneI thought you weren't coming today, Uncle!我还以为叔叔今天不来了呢！

ZimmermanMy meeting finished this morning. How could I possibly miss the most important public address in my beloved niece's life?议会上午就结束了。而且作为我亲爱的侄女人生中最重要的演讲，我怎么可以缺席呢？

OrpheluneWhen did you arrive?您什么时候到的？

ZimmermanOh, I made my rounds inside the venue hall.已经在会场内转过一圈了。

ZimmermanAh yes, where is Oleg on such an important day?对了，今天这么重要的日子，怎么没有见到奥列克？

OrpheluneDaddy... said he was going to meet some important guests today, so he wouldn't be coming for today's summit.爸爸他……说是要接待一些重要的客人，所以今天不能来参加峰会了。

OrpheluneHmph, it doesn't matter. I'll make sure I pull this presentation off flawlessly even if I have to do it by myself!哼，没关系，我自己一个人也能把演讲完成得漂漂亮亮！

(Orphelune proudly raises her chin, pretending that it doesn't bother her.)（欧菲露妮抬着下巴，强装出不在意的样子。）

OrpheluneAfter Uncle Rurik died, he had lots of corporate business to handle.而且留里克叔叔去世之后，他那边还有很多集团的事务要处理。

OrpheluneSince I couldn't help out, Daddy asked me to just focus on my research...我帮不上什么忙，爸爸也说让我专心研究就好……

Zimmerman(Sigh) What a shame. To think that Rurik was doing such immoral things behind the Group's back... Things must be hard for you too, aren't they?唉，真是太可惜了。没想到留里克这家伙居然背着财团做了这么多伤天害理的事……你们现在的日子也不好过吧？

ZimmermanI heard the stock prices of several Girard Group subsidiaries plummeted after his deeds were made public.听说他做的那些事曝光之后，吉拉尔旗下几个子板块的股价跌了不少。

ZimmermanIf there's anything I can help with, Oleg should feel free to ask. After all, the fortunes of Cecht FABN and Girard have always been linked.如果有什么能帮得上忙的地方，就让奥列克尽管开口。毕竟赛诺菲与法本集团与吉拉尔集团一直同舟共济。

ZimmermanAs your uncle, I will never turn a blind eye to your plight.叔叔我啊，绝对不会坐视不理的。

IglaThe Girard Group deeply appreciates your concern.您的关心，吉拉尔集团深表感谢。

IglaHowever, the Girard Group has a long history and ample reserves. These temporary difficulties will not shake our foundations.不过，吉拉尔集团有着悠久的历史和深厚的底蕴，这些暂时的困难并不足以动摇我们的根基。

IglaThe results of the Young Mistress' research will prove the Girard family's wisdom and foresight.大小姐的研究成果，也将证明吉拉尔家族的智慧与远见。

ZimmermanOh? Will they?哦？是吗？

ZimmermanThat only makes me even more interested in tonight's presentation.那我就更期待今晚的演讲了。

(Zimmerman's gaze shifts between Igla and Orphelune, a subtle smile on his face.)（齐默尔曼的眼神在针和欧菲露妮之间游移，嘴角挂着微妙的笑容。）

ZimmermanI've heard that your "Project Eden" has been progressing very well. Does this mean you'll be able to release the results of the first stage to the world soon?我早就听说你的“乐园计划”进展飞快，看来很快就能对外公开第一阶段的成果了？

OrpheluneOf course! We've made a huge breakthrough in our research!那是当然！研究早已取得了重大突破！

OrpheluneTonight's presentation is going to leave everyone in awe!今晚的演讲将会让所有人都大吃一惊！

ZimmermanMarvelous.真不错。

ZimmermanNot only will your announcement stabilize the Group's share prices, it'll also bolster faith in Girard within the Conglomerate.这个消息一公布，不但能稳定集团的股价，也能提振财团内部对吉拉尔的信心。

ZimmermanLittle Orphelune has managed to stand on her own two feet in the blink of an eye—who would have expected that?没想到一转眼，小欧菲娜也是个能独当一面的大人了。

OrpheluneI'm... not really interested in the Group's matters.集团内部的事我……我没兴趣参与。

OrpheluneBut I can apply my time and energy to my research! I'll be able to help Daddy that way!但本小姐可以把时间和精力用在科学研究上，这样也能帮到爸爸！

ZimmermanHaha... You're as earnest as ever, little Orphelune.哈哈……小欧菲娜还是像以前一样认真呢。

ZimmermanStill, no matter how you spin it, you're going to be the future heiress of the Girard Group. It's best you understand certain things sooner rather than later.不过不管怎么说，你都是吉拉尔集团未来的继承人，有些事情，还是尽早了解会比较好。

ZimmermanFor example—your research has drawn a great deal of attention within the Conglomerate. Some people even believe that it might affect the entire Conglomerate's future.比如——你的研究在财团内部引起了很大的关注。有些人甚至认为，它可能关系到整个财团的未来走向。

IglaThe Young Mistress's research is entirely driven by scientific objectives. It is not subject to interference from any corporate or political factors.大小姐的研究纯粹出于科学目的，不会受到任何商业或政治因素的干扰。

ZimmermanOf course, of course. The purity of science must be respected.当然，当然。科学的纯粹性是需要被尊重的。

ZimmermanHowever, the purest things are often the most fragile. You should know that better than anyone else, Miss Igla.不过，针小姐，您应该比任何人都明白，在我们这个世界上，纯粹的东西往往是最脆弱的。

IglaAnd that is why they must be protected.正因如此，它们才需要被保护。

ZimmermanA most interesting perspective. However, such protection requires strength and resources.有趣的观点。不过，保护也需要力量和资源。

ZimmermanGiven the current state of the Girard Group... it may have a very hard time guaranteeing an ample supply of both.吉拉尔集团现在的处境……恐怕很难提供足够的保障。

IglaSir, if you are hinting at something, then I must make my position clear—my duty is to serve the Girard family, and in particular the Young Mistress. That will not change regardless of any outside elements.先生，如果您是在暗示什么，我必须明确表示——我的职责是服务于吉拉尔家族，尤其是大小姐。这一点不会因任何外部因素而改变。

ZimmermanLoyalty is a virtue, but wisdom is rarer and more valuable.忠诚是种美德，但明智的选择更是难能可贵。

ZimmermanMiss Igla, I trust that with your skills and your vision, you can see where the wind is blowing.针小姐，以您的能力和眼光，应该能看清楚风向。

OrpheluneUncle Zimmerman!齐默尔曼叔叔！

(Orphelune forcefully interrupts their subtle confrontation.)（欧菲露妮生硬地打断了他们之间微妙的交锋。）

OrpheluneWhile I might not know much about the business side of things, please don't treat me like a dummy!就算我对公司的事没有那么了解，也请不要把我当做傻瓜！

OrpheluneI-I am still Oleg Girard's daughter, and even someone like me will do her best to keep the Girard Group going.我，我是奥列克·吉拉尔的女儿，即便是我也会极力地去维护吉拉尔集团的利益。

OrpheluneSo please stop saying weird things that sound like you're trying to poach Igla away!所以请不要再说那些听起来像是要挖针过去的奇怪话了！

OrpheluneDon't you have third-gen Dolls too, Uncle?叔叔你们那里不也是有三代人形吗！

OrpheluneIgla is... Igla is my assistant! Without Igla, there would be many things that I...针是……针是本小姐的助手！没有针的话，很多事情本小姐都……

(Orphelune suddenly cuts herself off, as though she's realized that she's said too much. She raises her chin again and throws up her facade of pride.)（欧菲露妮突然停住了，似乎意识到自己说得太多了。她抬起下巴，装作高傲的样子。）

OrpheluneIn any case! Igla is MY Doll! I won't let anyone take her away from me! Not even you, Uncle!总之！针是属于我的人形！即使是叔叔您也不许觊觎！

OrpheluneI will be preparing for my presentation right now, so please don't disturb me any further!现在，我需要准备演讲了，请您不要打扰！

(Zimmerman seems to have anticipated Orphelune's reaction, and he laughs nonchalantly.)（齐默尔曼像是早就料到了欧菲露妮的反应，不以为意地笑了笑。）

ZimmermanIndeed, only someone as dedicated as yourself could have obtained your achievements at such an age, my dear Orphelune.果然只有像小欧菲娜这样心无旁骛的性格，才能年纪轻轻就有如今的成就。

ZimmermanIn any case, I won't disturb you any further. Best of luck with your preparations, then.既然如此，我就不多打扰了。你好好准备接下来的演讲吧。

ZimmermanI'll be applauding you from the audience.我会在台下等着为你鼓掌的。

(As Orphelune turns to head back to her dresser, Zimmerman suddenly addresses Igla, who has not yet departed, in a quiet voice.)（在欧菲露妮转身走向准备区的时候，齐默尔曼忽然低声对还未来得及跟上的针说道。）

ZimmermanThe storm is upon us, and even the most loyal guardian will find herself unable to render her aid. When the time comes, I hope you will choose wisely.风暴将至，即使是最忠诚的守护者也会面临无法守护的局面。到那时，期待您能做出明智的抉择。

Igla...Thank you for your concern, sir.……感谢您的关心，先生。

IglaBut my choice will ever be the same.但我的选择永远只会有一个。

(Igla's voice is warm and deferential, but her gaze is as sharp as a razor of ice.)（针的声音温和而恭敬，目光却已如寒冰一般锐利。）

IglaNow then, I must assist the Young Mistress in her preparations. I hope you will enjoy a thrilling presentation tonight.现在，请允许我去照顾大小姐的准备工作。祝您今晚能享受一场精彩的演讲。

(After I finish assigning surveillance positions to the Dolls in the lounge, I check my watch. It seems like it's about time.)（在休息区中部署完人形们的监视位置后，我看了看手表，感觉时间已经差不多了。）

(The summit is already halfway through by the time I exit the lounge and reach the conference center. One botanical researcher after another takes the stage to scattered then swelling applause.)（走出休息区来到会议中心，此时峰会的进程已经过半，植物科学领域的研究员和科学家们接二连三地出场，引起会场内的阵阵掌声。）

(People are gathering in front of the lectern, occasionally exchanging a few words.)（人们在演讲台前聚集，偶尔低声交谈几句。）

(I signal to Groza and Colphne, then silently blend into the crowd.)（我与闪电和寇尔芙示意了一下，随后悄无声息地混入了人群中。）

HostThank you for that thrilling presentation, Mr. Thales.感谢泰勒斯先生为我们做出的精彩演讲。

HostNow, let's welcome the researcher who stands at the cutting edge of botanical research, the leader of "Project Eden"—Miss Orphelune Girard.接下来即将上台的是植物科学界的新锐科学家，同时也是“乐园计划”的主理人——欧菲露妮·吉拉尔小姐。

HostShe will be sharing the details of the much-anticipated "Project Eden" with everyone and taking questions on any potential issues that might arise.她将分享诸位来宾最关心的“乐园计划”的细节，并对其中可能会存在的问题进行解答。

Commander...……

(After a round of applause, Orphelune gracefully takes the stage.)（一阵掌声中，欧菲露妮款款走上了演讲台。）

(Perhaps it's because I only just saw another side of her this afternoon, but the Orphelune who has just revealed herself takes me by surprise.)（或许由于下午刚刚见过她的另一面，此刻出现在演讲台上的欧菲露妮着实让我惊讶了一下。）

(She's wearing an exquisitely made haute couture evening gown, her golden-blonde hair neatly styled, exuding elegance and class with every move she makes. She's nothing like the coltish girl I saw on the balcony this afternoon.)（此时的她穿着一身精致的高定礼服，金色长发整齐地盘成发髻，举手投足间散发着高贵气息。与下午在露台上那个咋咋呼呼的少女判若两人。）

(With a slight raise of her chin, she regards the entire audience with a look that could almost be considered arrogance, then bends into a graceful bow before beginning to speak.)（她微微抬起下巴，以一种近乎骄傲的姿态环视全场，随后才优雅地朝台下鞠了一躬，开始了她的演讲。）

OrpheluneLadies and gentlemen, guests and scholars.尊敬的各位来宾，各位学者。

OrpheluneI stand before you today not just as a biologist, but also as an explorer of a future filled with hope.今天我们站在这里，不仅作为一名生物科学家，更是作为一名对未来充满希望的探索者。

OrpheluneRight now, we stand at the cusp of an unprecedented era, a nexus where technology crosses paths with nature.此时此刻，我们正处于一个前所未有的时代，一个科技与自然交汇的奇点。

OrpheluneAnd at this nexus point, plants—these silent green sanctifiers of the natural world—are prepared to reveal a shocking secret to us.而在这个交汇点上，植物——这些静默的绿色净化者，正向我们揭示着惊人的秘密。

CommanderFirst, let us consider a problem...首先，让我们思考一个问题……

CommanderWhether specially filtered plants can effectively absorb and process ambient radiation...经过筛选的植物是否能有效吸收和处理环境中的辐射……

CommanderIt's just like the script from earlier...果然和之前写好的稿子一模一样……

Commander...……

(Orphelune is the undisputed center of the venue's attention. The researchers, the businessmen, the journalists... everyone is listening intently, looking forward to how her words will change the world.)（在这个会场之中，欧菲露妮是无可置疑的焦点。研究员，企业家，记者……每个人都在翘首以待，期盼着她接下来说的内容，或许能产生改变世界的效应。）

("Radioactive particle absorption through large-scale planting..." "Improving purification zone efficiency at a lower cost...")（“大规模种植植物吸收辐射粒子”“以更低的成本推动净化区运作效率”……）

(Those grand declarations do sound very promising...)（这些堂而皇之的宣言听起来的确前景诱人……）

(But all these are definitely not the true aim of Project Eden.)（可是这些，绝对不是这个所谓的乐园计划真正的目的。）

(That said, what IS its true aim? All the research she's mentioned so far sounds a lot like the operating principles of Collapse Epiphyllums. Could it have something to do with Paradeus' upcoming moves?)（但真正目的究竟是什么？这个听起来与坍塌昙花的原理十分类似的研究，会不会与帕拉蒂斯接下来的动作有关？）

(Are the Girard Group's attempts to kidnap Helena part of Project Eden too?)（吉拉尔集团想要劫走海伦娜，也是这个乐园计划中的一环吗？）

(I suddenly realize that I simply have too few clues about what's going on.)（我突然意识到，摆在我面前的线索实在是太少了。）

(Even if NOMFA and I managed to find a few traces of it, I'm still clueless about the Girard Group's upcoming plans.)（尽管我和非军事力量管理局都在想办法找到一些蛛丝马迹，但对于吉拉尔集团接下来的计划，我依旧一无所知。）

(Orphelune continues her presentation beneath the spotlights. The audience's interest is steadily rising as she continues, and everyone is eagerly looking at the young scholar before them.)（聚光灯下，欧菲露妮的演讲依旧在继续。人们的兴致也随着演讲的进程逐步升温，满怀期盼地看着面前这位年轻的科学家。）

OrpheluneWe have always feared making changes to the contamination zones. Owing to prohibitive costs, we have been unable to bring hope to the people there.我们对于污染区的改造总是天然带有畏惧，由于成本的限制，我们无法将希望带给那里的人民。

OrpheluneHowever, improvements in technology have greatly bolstered our confidence in resisting Collapse radiation. This gives us a controllable, inexpensive, and ordered way of gradually reclaiming living space for mankind.但是技术的提升会大大增强我们与坍塌辐射对抗的信心，让我们得以用一种可控、低廉、有序的方式将人类的生存空间逐步夺回。

Orphelune...We shall learn from the old and wise lifeforms known as plants and make a safer, cleaner future!……我们将向植物这种古老而智慧的生命学习，创造一个更加安全、清洁的未来！

OrpheluneAnd in order to satisfy everyone's expectations, I wish to announce that the first phase of "Project Eden", helmed by myself, will begin in two days.为了满足大家的期待，由本小姐主持的“乐园计划”第一阶段实验，将在两天后开始。

OrpheluneWhen the time comes, all of Lviv will bear witness to the startling changes this project will bring!届时整个利沃夫地区都将一起见证，这个计划为人们所带来的令人惊讶的改变！

OrpheluneThat's all I have for you today. Thank you, everyone.今天的演讲到此结束，谢谢大家。

Current Affairs ReporterMiss Orphelune, Miss Orphelune!欧菲露妮小姐、欧菲露妮小姐！

Current Affairs ReporterMay I ask a question?可以问一个问题吗？

Technology Column ReporterYou just said the project would begin in two days; can we interpret that as—您刚才说计划将于两天后进行，我可以理解为——

Financial Times ReporterWhat impact do you think Project Eden will have on the Girard Group's share price trends?您怎么看待乐园计划对于吉拉尔集团股价走势的影响？

(As the journalists begin surging forward, the previously serene venue boils over in an instant.)（演讲台旁边的记者们一拥而上，上一秒还无比平静的会场一下子沸腾起来。）

(I approach the lectern in the company of my "peers" and notice that Orphelune, who was about to leave, has an annoyed look on her face. She gestures to Igla, who's standing beside her.)（我随着“同行”们的脚步来到台前，发现正准备退场的欧菲露妮脸上露出了略显不耐烦的表情，抬手向身旁的针示意什么。）

(Fortunately, the host manages to hold off the throng of journalists.)（好在主持人及时上前，拦住了一拥而上的记者们。）

HostThe interview with Miss Orphelune will take place inside Block B in half an hour. We would like to remind everyone with a special invitation to proceed there on time.对欧菲露妮小姐的采访将于半小时后在B座的内场区进行，届时请各位持有特别邀请函的客人们准时前往。

HostThank you for your cooperation.谢谢大家的配合。

(After Orphelune leaves, I hear a ripple of dissent from around me.)（欧菲露妮转身离开后，我周围响起了一阵不满的骚动。）

Current Affairs ReporterI knew it, it's the same as before... Only people with connections can enter the interview area.果然今天也不例外啊……只有那些有关系走后门的家伙才能进入采访区。

Technology Column Reporter(Groan) It's always like this! That's a huge scoop just out of reach! This truly is the darkest hour of my journalist career!唉，每次都是这样。这种明摆着的大新闻却拿不到一手消息，简直是媒体人从业以来的至暗时刻！

Financial Times ReporterEh, I'm going back. I still have to write my article.散了散了，回去写稿子了。

Financial Times ReporterIf I finish up before midnight, I might be able to make the front page on the morning edition.零点之前写完，说不定还能预定一个首发的版面。

(The journalists around me begin to disperse as their interest ebbs.)（周围的记者们意兴阑珊地散去了。）

(Once things around me settle down, I head to a corner and take out the work ID labelled "Special Invitation".)（等我身边重新安静下来之后，我走到角落，从口袋里拿出了那张写着“特别邀请函”的工作证。）

Commander...Is that what it's meant for?……原来是用在这里吗。

(While that scary third-gen Doll's already warned me about this, it seems I'll have to disregard her "advice".)（虽然已经被那名可怕的三代人形有言在先了，不过看来我得无视她的“忠告”了。）

(If Project Eden is really going to begin in two days like Orphelune said, then I'll need to figure out exactly what this project is about within those two days.)（真的像欧菲露妮说的那样，乐园计划两天后就要开始进行实验，那我无论如何都要在两天之内查清这个计划的真相。）

(Currently, my situation is like being adrift in a boundless ocean. So I need to seize on anything I can find, even if it's just a little plank of driftwood.)（我现在的处境就像是漂浮在看不到尽头的海洋里，无论是多小的一根浮木，我都得努力抓住才行。）

(After briefly considering my next moves, I share my thoughts with the Dolls so they're ready to act at any time.)（思考一下策略后，我将接下来的想法同步给了人形们，让她们随时做好准备。）

(Then, I grip the work ID in my hand and walk toward the building at the end of the corridor.)（随后，我拿起手里的工作证，走向了走廊尽头通往的那栋建筑。）

ReceptionistGreetings. This is the reception area for members of the press. Please wait here.您好，这边是记者招待会的等待区，请您在这边稍作等待。

CommanderAlright.好的。

(To my surprise, I actually manage to use this dubious work ID to get into this specially designated interview area.)（凭借这张来历不明的工作证，我居然真的顺利进入了特别安排的内场采访区。）

(Although the press conference hasn't begun yet, I can tell that I'm the only one who doesn't belong here.)（虽然记者招待会还没开始，但看得出来，整间屋子只有我一个人与这里格格不入。）

(All the journalists here seem to know each other. They're sitting at pre-arranged seats and whispering to each other.)（会场内的记者们似乎都互相认识，他们坐在提前预定好的座位上，小声地交头接耳着。）

Reporter?First time?第一次来吗？

(I turn and realize that the other guy is speaking to me.)（我转过头，才发现对方是在和我说话。）

Commander...Yeah.……嗯。

Reporter?Haha, relax.哈哈，别紧张。

Reporter?We're all just the supporting cast for Orphelune's performance.我们这些人都只不过是这场欧菲露妮表演秀里的配角而已。

CommanderUh... yeah...是……是啊……

Reporter?So, bought your shares yet?怎么样，股票买好了么？

CommanderShares?股票？

Reporter?Yes, shares, don't tell me you didn't invest at all.是啊，别告诉我你完全没进仓。

Reporter?Chances to make big bucks like this don't come by every day.这种大赚一笔的机会，可不是天天都有的。

Reporter?Once this press conference ends, the stock price of the Girard Group and related sectors are going to the moon.这场记者招待会结束之后，吉拉尔集团的股价和相关的板块肯定会迎来一波大涨。

Reporter?By wheeling their young mistress out at a time like this, Girard clearly aims to win back their industrial rep and sway public opinion back onto their side.吉拉尔集团这个时候把这位大小姐推出来，就是为了挽回企业声誉和舆论态势的。

Reporter?My guess is that everyone's questions today are going to be related to the vaccine incident from earlier and about their Doll technology.我猜今天大家提出的问题，肯定会和前段时间的疫苗事件，以及集团旗下的人形科技有关吧。

Commander...That way, the group will get the maximum benefit from the "Orphelune" brand.……只有这样，才能利用“欧菲露妮”这块招牌，实现对集团利益的最大化。

Reporter?So you DO get it. What do you do for a living?你很懂行嘛。做什么行业的？

CommanderEr... I'm a journalist.呃……记者。

Reporter?No shit, you're an ACTUAL journalist?不会吧，你居然是真记者？

Commander...……

Reporter?Well, that's rare. Looks like the Girard Group's public image really does need a little tidying up.真稀有啊，看来吉拉尔的公众形象的确得好好改善下了。

Reporter?Better keep your occupational habits in check later on and don't say anything you shouldn't.你待会可千万别职业病发作，说什么不该说的话哦。

Reporter?After all, I'm betting everything I own on today's outcome.毕竟我可是为了今天，赌上了自己的全部家当。

(He pats me on the shoulder and returns to his seat.)（对方拍了拍我的肩膀，坐回到自己的座位上了。）

Commander...…………

(As the press conference draws closer, my surroundings gradually quiet down.)（随着记者招待会开始的时间越来越接近，周围也渐渐安静了下来。）

(Orphelune shows up on time.)（欧菲露妮准时出现在了会场。）

(However, there is a hint of distaste on her face compared to how she looked at her presentation just now.)（不过比起刚才演讲时的样子，她的脸上多了一丝略显厌倦的神情。）

(While she retains the same haughty attitude, her gaze keeps sweeping the audience, as though she's looking for something. Igla stands faithfully by her side, with prim and alert expression on her own face.)（她依然保持着那副骄傲的姿态，但目光却不断扫视着会场，仿佛在寻找着什么。针则忠实地站在她身旁，表情端庄而警惕。）

(After the host announces the beginning of the conference, the "journalists" around me all raise their hands.)（主持人宣布开始后，我周围的“记者”们纷纷举起了手。）

(Their questions are all meticulously crafted, just like what that man from before said.)（正如刚才那个人说的那样，他们提出的每一个问题显然都是被精心设计过的。）

(Each syllable from Orphelune's lips will move the market needles, influencing the position of the Girard Group in the industry and the market.)（从欧菲露妮嘴里吐出的每一个字眼，都将精确拨动着某种指针，影响吉拉尔集团在行业内和市场中的地位。）

(But what of Orphelune herself?)（而欧菲露妮自己呢？）

(Did she memorize an "utterly boring" script before the press conference started, just like what she was doing on the rooftop balcony this afternoon, rehearsing the answers to potential questions?)（在记者招待会开始前，她是不是也要像下午在露台上背诵那篇在她看起来“无聊透顶”的演讲稿一样，反复预演着这些问题的答案？）

(And what about me?)（而我呢？）

(Someone gave me this ID. What do they want me to find? Or rather... what do they want me to change?)（某个人给了我这张内场证件。对方究竟希望我去找到什么？或者……改变什么？）

HostDoes anyone else have any other questions?请问在座的各位，还有人想要提问吗？

(Orphelune stands to one side. She seems relieved.)（欧菲露妮站在一旁，看样子似乎松了口气。）

(Meanwhile, her eyes are still sweeping the venue, searching for something.)（同时，她的目光依然不断地扫视着会场，似乎在寻找着什么。）

(Nobody else is raising their hand.)（现场已经没有人再举手了。）

HostIf there's nothing else—如果没有的话——

CommanderAh, a moment please!啊，请等一下！

(Everyone turns to look at me in surprise.)（所有人都朝我投来了诧异的目光。）

(Right as she's about to leave, Orphelune stops and turns to look at me. A hint of surprise crosses her eyes.)（正准备起身离开的欧菲露妮也停下脚步，将目光投向了我，眼神中闪过一丝惊喜。）

OrpheluneYou, are you... the journalist from earlier, at the balcony?你，你是……刚才露台上的那位记者？

CommanderMiss Orphelune, may I ask a question?欧菲露妮小姐，我可以提问吗？

(Orphelune ignores the host's attempts to stop her and takes a few steps forward. Igla immediately tenses up but Orphelune gestures to her to relax.)（不顾主持人的阻止，欧菲露妮走向了我，针的表情瞬间紧绷起来，但欧菲露妮摆了摆手示意她别担心。）

OrpheluneOf course! I would be glad to answer your question.当然可以！本小姐很乐意回答你的问题。

CommanderEarlier today, I conducted a simple interview with you. During that interview, I mentioned seeing a plant very similar to the kind being studied in your research.在今天的早些时候，我曾经对你进行过一次简单的采访。在那次采访中，我提到我曾经见过一种与你的研究方向十分相似的植物。

CommanderThe truth is, the plant I was talking about did not come from your Lviv test plots. These plants were discovered in large quantities in the contamination zone and then artificially cultured.事实上我说的这种植物，并非您在利沃夫试验田中种植的那些。这种植物曾在污染区中被大批量发现，随后被用于人工培育。

CommanderThe name of this plant is... Collapse Epiphyllum.它的名字叫做……坍塌昙花。

Orphelune...……

CommanderThese plants have the ability to absorb and release Collapse particles and have been sighted in the Red Zones.这种植物具有吸收坍塌粒子和释放粒子的特性，之前在红区中被人屡次目击。

CommanderHowever, the existence of Collapse Epiphyllums seems to have been deliberately concealed by someone. I haven't been able to learn about them from the URNC authorities or the Girard Group's publicly available literature.但不知为何坍塌昙花的存在似乎一直在被人刻意隐瞒，我在罗联官方和吉拉尔集团公布的资料中都未能查到相关信息。

CommanderBut after hearing your presentation, I noticed a lot of similarities between the two.但今天听到您的演讲后，我意识到这两者似乎有相同之处。

OrpheluneHow do you know so much about them...?你竟然知道那么多……？

CommanderWhat I'd like to know is: are these Collapse Epiphyllums linked to the plants you're studying?我想知道，坍塌昙花的存在和您研究的植物是否有一定的关联性？

CommanderWas "Project Eden" founded on this technology?“乐园计划”是否正是以这项技术为基础而进行的？

(As I ask my question, the host is already speaking into the walkie-talkie in his hand. Shortly afterwards, several Girard Group security personnel enter the room and swiftly approach my position.)（就在我提问的时候，主持人已经在朝手中的对讲机说着什么。紧接着，大厅内陆续进入了几名吉拉尔的安保人员，迅速朝我所在的方向接近着。）

HostDear guest, please refrain from asking questions beyond the predefined boundary of interview topics; doing so is a violation of the media regulations!这位客人，请不要提出预先框定范围外的问题，您这样是违反媒体规则的！

(Orphelune's hands tighten around the microphone she's holding. She seems to be hesitating.)（欧菲露妮不停地用手搓着手中的话筒，似乎在犹豫着什么。）

(Her gaze is wavering, and she occasionally glances at Igla, who's standing behind her.)（她的目光闪烁不定，同时紧张地看了看身后的针。）

(Meanwhile, I ignore the host's attempts to stop me and continue addressing Orphelune.)（而我无视了主持人的阻拦，继续朝着欧菲露妮说道。）

CommanderMiss Orphelune, I am genuinely interested in your research.欧菲露妮小姐，我对您的研究真的十分感兴趣。

CommanderI know you have a unique understanding of the ways in which plants can change the environment. Do you not wish to allow the people of the world to know the true nature of your research?我知道您对植物对环境的改造有自己独特的理解，欧菲露妮小姐，您不想让世界上的人们知道您真正的研究内容吗？

OrpheluneI...我……

CommanderDo you not wish to conduct a "true" interview?您真的不想接受一次“真正”的采访吗？

CommanderDon't you want someone to truly understand you, to admire your scientific accomplishments, instead of merely treating you as a mascot for the Girard Group?不想有人真正理解、欣赏你的科学成就，而不仅仅是把你当作吉拉尔集团的招牌和吉祥物？

(The summoned security guards have already reached me.)（受到召唤的安保人员已经来到了我所在的位置附近。）

(I know that if Orphelune does not wish to proceed further, then the mission will be a complete failure.)（我知道，如果欧菲露妮不愿意与我进一步接洽，那么我这次的任务将会彻底失败。）

(There's probably no better opportunity to approach a scientist as heavily protected as her than today.)（想要接近像她这样受到严密保护的科学家，恐怕也不会再有比今天更好的机会了。）

(A hulking guard gestures for me to leave. I'm not exactly thrilled to be going, but this isn't a good place to get violent.)（身材魁梧的安保人员对我做了一个离场的手势，虽然不太情愿，但在这里不好大打出手。）

(All I can do is follow the guards and prepare to depart.)（我只能尾随安保人员，准备从内场离开。）

OrpheluneWait!等等！

(Several long seconds later, Orphelune holds out a hand to stop the guards.)（漫长的几秒钟之后，欧菲露妮伸出手制止了安保人员。）

(Her eyes are shining, and she has a stubborn look on her face.)（她的眼睛亮了起来，脸上露出一种近乎倔强的表情。）

(She descends from the stage and runs over to me.)（她从台上走下，径直小跑到了我的面前。）

OrpheluneYou! Are you really interested in my research? Do you truly wish to understand the science, not just the effect on the Group's stock prices and market reaction?你！你是真的对本小姐的研究感兴趣？是真的想了解科学本身，而不只是集团的股价和市场反应？

Commander...Yes. I'm quite curious about your studies. I would like to know the real Orphelune Girard and not just the label of a "genius scientist".……是的，我对您的科学研究本身非常好奇。我想了解真正的欧菲露妮·吉拉尔，而不仅仅是一个声名远播的“天才科学家”的标签。

OrpheluneHmph! I KNEW you were different from those other rabble!哼！我就知道你跟其他那些庸俗的人不一样！

IglaYoung Mistress...大小姐……

(Igla follows closely behind Orphelune and whispers into her ear.)（针紧紧地跟在欧菲露妮身后，小声提醒了她。）

(After realizing her faux pas, Orphelune quickly resumes her previous attitude.)（意识到了自己发言的失态，欧菲露妮赶紧摆回了刚才的姿态。）

OrpheluneAhem. Ah, thank you for coming, everyone. Let's call it a night.咳咳，那个，感谢大家今天的参与，我们就此散场吧。

(Before the host can continue, Orphelune grabs me by the sleeve and drags me backstage.)（没等主持人接话，欧菲露妮就拉住我的袖子把我往后台带去。）

(After going behind the curtains, Orphelune warily glances outside. After ensuring that we will not be interrupted, she continues speaking to me in an excited voice.)（我们走到幕布后，欧菲露妮还警惕地朝外看了一眼，在确定别人不会听到我们的对话后，她略带兴奋地向我说道。）

OrpheluneYou actually know about the operating principles of the Collapse Epiphyllum?!你竟然还知道坍塌昙花的运作规律？

OrpheluneHardly anyone in my lab understands it!连我实验室中都没几个人能搞明白呢！

OrpheluneSurely you can guess what I'm trying to do, right?!那这样的话，那你一定能猜到我想干什么对吧？！

CommanderAh? I...啊？我……

OrpheluneAh, hang on, let's not talk about it here. I'm not ready for it yet...啊等一下等一下，别在这里说，我还没有做好准备……

OrpheluneHm... Let me think... How about this!嗯……让我想一想，这样吧！

OrpheluneI shall graciously answer your question. But not here, in front of the hoi polloi.你的问题，本小姐会回答。但不是现在，不是在这些俗人面前。

OrpheluneInstead, I shall grant you a special interview tomorrow. As for the location... How about my lab?明天我会为你安排一次专访。地点的话……就在我的实验室如何？

OrpheluneAt that time, you will be able to ask all the questions that you wish to be answered.到时候，你可以问我你想了解的全部问题。

OrpheluneHowever! You must not disappoint me!不过！可不要让本小姐失望哦！

OrpheluneYou must convey my greatness to the world and let everyone know that my research doesn't exist to inflate stock prices!你一定要将我的伟大之处好好传播出去，让大家知道我的研究结果不是仅仅为了抬高股价而吹的概念！

CommanderThank you, Miss Orphelune.谢谢您，欧菲露妮小姐。

CommanderI won't waste the chance that you've given me.我一定不会辜负这次机会。

(Orphelune raises her chin proudly, but she can't keep the corner of her mouth from turning up.)（欧菲露妮高傲地抬起下巴，嘴角却掩不住一丝笑意。）

(She turns to whisper something into Igla's ear. Igla's expression immediately turns complex, but in the end she nods respectfully.)（她转身时特意在针耳边低声说了些什么，针的表情顿时变得复杂起来，但最终还是恭敬地点了点头。）

(Then, Igla turns and addresses me in an extremely polite tone.)（她转过身来，面朝我用十分客气的语气向我说道。）

IglaThis is the contact information for our PR director. Please speak with him, and he will inform you of the specific arrangements for tomorrow.这是我们公共关系总监的联系方式，请和对方联系，他会告诉您明天的具体安排。

(Igla decorously hands me a card, I nod to her in gratitude as I receive it.)（针用很礼貌的姿势将一张名片递给了我，我接过名片也向她点头致意。）

(Orphelune waves to me with a satisfied look on her face, then turns to leave. Igla follows behind her, but before she goes, she shoots me one final warning look.)（欧菲露妮满意地朝我摆摆手，随后转身离开了会场，针跟在她身后，临走时向我投来一个警告的眼神。）

Rubedo of Awakening 苏生之红

(The next day.)（第二天。）

GrozaChief, we're here.总编，我们到了。

(After stepping out of the limo that the Girard Group arranged for us, we find ourselves in front of a white office building. It's inside a science park on the outskirts of Lviv and it stands out by being the sole, towering structure in the vast park area.)（离开吉拉尔集团为我们安排的车子，我们的面前出现了一栋白色的办公楼。它位于利沃夫城郊的一片实验园区内，在偌大的园区之中孤零零地矗立着，看起来十分显眼。）

CommanderSo this is the place...就是这里么……

CommanderLooks plainer than I imagined it to be.比想象中更加朴素啊。

GrozaThere's no way anyone could tell they're conducting those experiments here.从外表来看，完全想象不到这里是进行着那种实验的地方。

Colphne"Compared to its surroundings, the research institute for 'Project Eden' truly feels like paradise..."“‘乐园计划’的研究所与周围的环境相比，像是一座真正的乐园……”

ColphneHow's that for an opener? Isn't it romantic~用这个当做稿子的开头怎么样？是不是很浪漫~

CommanderIt's not like we're actually here to write an article...我们又不是真的来写报道的……

ColphneYou need to really immerse yourself in your character so you don't give yourself away!要完全代入角色才不会露馅嘛！

(I look at the time. We set out early to avoid any complications, and so the time right now is 9:40 a.m., 20 minutes from the appointed interview time.)（我看了看时间。为了避免路上出现什么意外，我们提前出发了一会儿，此时是早上九点四十分，距离约定的采访时间还有二十分钟。）

GrozaWe still have some time before the interview. Shall we just head in?离约定的时间还有一会，我们要直接进去吗？

CommanderComing early to a meeting is a way of showing respect.提前抵达约定地点是表示尊重的一种形式。

CommanderIt would be best to leave her with a good impression of us.这种采访，还是一开始就给对方留下好印象会比较好。

CommanderLet's go.走吧。

(I have the Dolls grab the equipment, then we enter the office building.)（我让人形们拿好采访设备，走进了办公楼内。）

StaffGreetings. Please present your proof of appointment.您好，请出示预约证明。

GrozaWe're scheduled for an interview with Miss Orphelune at 10 a.m.我们预约了对欧菲露妮小姐的采访，预约时间是十点整。

(The staffer looks at the paper in Groza's hand and carefully checks it in the system.)（工作人员看了看闪电手中的材料，在系统中仔细核对着。）

StaffSo you're from the "Shining Age" media agency with an appointment for an interview. Expected number of visitors is one human accompanied by two Dolls.《时代锋芒》通讯社，采访预约，一名人类随行两名人形。

StaffEverything checks out. Please come in.没问题，请进吧。

(The staffer opens the barrier gate at the entrance.)（对方打开了入口处的闸机。）

StaffPlease wait in the reception area with your companions. Someone will come to receive you shortly.请您和您的随行人员在休息区等候，稍后会有人来接待各位。

CommanderAlright. Thank you.好的，谢谢。

(I lead the Dolls to the designated reception area, where we take a seat.)（我带着人形们在工作人员指定的区域坐下了。）

(The inside of the lab is a lot livelier than its exterior would imply. In addition to busy researchers, each floor has its own assistants which keep the lab running in an orderly manner.)（与孤零零的建筑外表比起来，研究所的内部显得热闹得多。除了忙碌的研究员之外，每个楼层还配备了对应的助理人员，使得实验室内部的运作井然有序。）

CommanderLooks like this place is bigger than I imagined.看来这个研究所的规模，比我想象中还要大。

ColphneWoah... After coming to Lviv, my neural cloud's being blown on a daily basis...呜哇……到利沃夫之后真是每天都在刷新我的认知……

ColphneI can't believe they have such big and fancy labs here...竟然真的会有这样既庞大又豪华的实验室吗……

CommanderHm...嗯……

CommanderFor some reason, it seems so "proper" that it feels weird to me instead.总觉得“正规”得让人奇怪。

CommanderThere wasn't even a security check at the entrance, and the people inside are coming and going without any restrictions...甚至门口没有安检，里面的人员也很随意进出的样子……

(I look at the floor plan in the reception area. It says that this building has three floors, with four rooms on each.)（我看向了在休息区的楼层指示牌，上面显示着这栋楼共三层，每层有四个房间。）

(According to the floor plan, the first floor contains the main lounge and various public facilities, the second floor has the lab area and sample storage, while the entire third floor is an office space for Orphelune.)（根据指示牌上的信息，一层是接待大厅和公共设施，二层是实验室和样本储存区，三楼一整层都是欧菲露妮的办公室。）

GrozaGroup Two is monitoring the lab from the outside. They're reporting that there are two large structures on the roof that don't show up on the floor plan, and their exact purpose is unknown so far.二队会在外部监控这座实验室，她们回报天台上似乎还设有两个大型设施，并没有在指示牌上标出，目前还看不出具体是做什么的。

CommanderLarge structures...大型设施……

CommanderDon't tell me they're the same kind of equipment we saw in that Paradeus lab.该不会有之前在帕拉蒂斯的实验室见到的那种东西吧。

Groza...……

GrozaWe can't be certain yet.现在还不确定。

CommanderWe'll find out if we get to check them out later.一会想办法调查一下就知道了。

(Halfway through our observations of the building, a certain someone descends from the floor above.)（就在我们对这栋建筑物进行观察的时候，一个身影从楼上走了下来。）

IglaWelcome, guests from the "Shining Age" agency.《时代锋芒》通讯社的客人们，欢迎光临。

CommanderA pleasure to meet you, Miss Igla.见到你很高兴，针小姐。

(Igla dips her head in a polite nod, but the wariness in her eyes does not diminish in the least.)（针朝我微微颔首，行了个标准的礼节性鞠躬，但她眼中的警惕丝毫未减。）

(Clearly, my stunt with Orphelune at the press conference last night has put her on guard... again.)（显然，昨日记者会上我和欧菲露妮的互动已经引起了她的警惕……又一次。）

IglaThe anticipation which the Young Mistress holds for your arrival is quite an unusual thing.大小姐对您的到来相当期待，这实在是少见的情况。

(Igla's tone is polite and restrained, but the hint of warning in her voice is plainly evident. She is carrying a large box, and I wonder if it contains some sort of powerful weapon.)（针的语调礼貌而克制，但话语中隐含的警告意味十分明显。她手中拿着一个巨大的箱子，不禁让我怀疑其中是否藏有某些用于战斗的杀伤性武器。）

(The Dolls notice it as well and carefully study every move Igla makes, ready for battle at any moment.)（人形们也注意到了这一点，略显紧张地盯着她的一举一动，随时做好了可能会应战的准备。）

(However, Igla seems completely uninterested in the actions of my "assistants". She glances at them briefly, then walks right up to me.)（不过针似乎对我周围这些“助理”的举动丝毫不感兴趣。她只是略微扫了她们一眼，径直走到我面前开始对我说话。）

IglaYou are twenty minutes early.您比约定时间提前抵达了20分钟。

CommanderYes. This interview is very important for my firm, so I did not want to be late.是的。这场采访对于通讯社来说很重要，所以我不希望迟到。

IglaOnly someone with a lack of precise planning in their life would allocate excessive time in their scheduling to avoid lateness.只有对生活缺乏精准规划的人，才会用预留提前量的方式避免迟到。

IglaIt would seem your assistants need more professional training.看来您的助理需要好好进修一下专业课程才行了。

Groza...……

IglaDon't you think a lot of time in your life is wasted on being "early"?您不觉得，您生命中的很多时间，都浪费在了这样的“提前”上吗？

CommanderI don't.我不觉得。

(Igla's gaze sweeps casually over Groza and settles on my face.)（针的目光不经意地扫过闪电，最后落到了我的脸上。）

IglaMy apologies. Miss Orphelune's time is strictly planned and managed under my care. Even a minute's deviation will cause a major disruption to her schedule.抱歉，因为欧菲露妮小姐在我的照料下有着严格的时间安排，哪怕打乱一分钟，也会对她的日程产生重要的影响。

IglaAs a result, I find myself unconsciously judging others by my standards.所以不知不觉就按照自己的要求去衡量别人了。

IglaThat said, Miss Orphelune's time is rigorously managed. She is currently having breakfast and does not wish to be disturbed.不过就像我刚才说的，欧菲露妮小姐的时间规划很严格。目前她正在享用早餐，不方便被人打扰。

IglaTherefore, the interview will take place at ten o'clock sharp. Is that acceptable?所以我们的采访还是会在十点整正式开始。可以么？

CommanderOf course.当然没问题。

(Igla seems very pleased by my response. She gestures for me to follow her.)（针似乎对我的反应很满意。她招了招手，示意我们跟上她。）

IglaPlease allow me to take you on a tour of this facility before the interview; it will provide you background material for your article.在采访正式开始之前，先由我带您游览这栋研究所，作为您撰写稿件时的背景资料吧。

IglaAs you can see, the first floor is the public reception area and is typically used for external matters. Normally, interviews with Miss Orphelune and the other research staff would be conducted here.如您所见，一层作为公共接待区域，通常用于处理对外的相关事宜。一般来说，对欧菲露妮小姐以及其他研究员的采访将在这里进行。

IglaHowever, you are special guest of the Young Mistress, and so she specifically insisted that I bring you to her office for the interview.但由于您是大小姐特别关注的客人，欧菲露妮大小姐特别嘱咐过，让我将您带到她的办公室进行采访。

CommanderI am most grateful for Miss Orphelune's hospitality.多谢欧菲露妮小姐的热情款待。

IglaFrankly speaking, I have never seen Miss Orphelune as excited about an interview as this time.说句实话，我从未见过欧菲露妮小姐她如此期待一次采访的到来。

IglaCould you tell me just how you managed to pique her interest?您能否告诉我，您是如何引起她的兴趣的？

Commander...I'm not sure how I did it.……我不确定。

CommanderHowever, I believe that it's been a long time since she was treated as a proper scientist.不过我想，她应该已经很久没有被真正地当做一名科学家对待了。

Igla...……

(I sense a hint of caution in her eyes. While her demeanor is flawless, her wariness of me has not faded in the least.)（我似乎从针的眼神中看到了一丝警惕。即使她的举止无可挑剔，但我能感觉到她对我的戒备一点都没有减少。）

(Igla brings us to the second floor in silence.)（在一阵沉默之中，针带我们来到了二楼。）

(Along the way, she tells us that this floor is the core research area of this facility and features independent identity verification systems. Only visitors who have received Orphelune's approval are allowed to enter.)（路上，针告诉我们，这一层是本研究所的核心实验区域，设有单独的检查系统，只有得到欧菲露妮小姐允许的访客才能踏入。）

(The biosafety labs within are performing the core research tasks for Project Eden, and they have been the subject of much interest from competitors ever since the project began.)（里面的生物安全实验室正在进行“乐园计划”的核心研究项目，自从立项以来，一直遭到很多竞争对手的觊觎。）

IglaHowever, between the lab's security systems and my own protection, none of these spies and thieves have managed to get their way.不过在整间实验室的安保系统和我的保护之下，那些窃贼从来没有得手过。

(Igla gives me a meaningful look. I turn to look in the direction Igla is pointing and feign innocence.)（针意味深长地看了看我。我把眼神转向针指给我看的方向，尽量装出一副无辜的样子。）

IglaAnd now, we will proceed to Miss Orphelune's work area.接下来就是欧菲露妮小姐的办公区了。

(We climb the broad staircase and arrive at the third floor. I check the time—it is ten o'clock exactly.)（我们步上几阶宽敞的楼梯，来到了三楼。我看了看时间，正好十点整。）

(Igla verifies our identities in front of a big glass door, which then slides open.)（针在一扇巨大的玻璃门前面对我们一一进行了安全认证，随后那扇玻璃门打开了。）

(The sound of something shattering comes from inside, followed by a panicked yelp.)（门内突然传来一阵东西打碎的声音，紧接着是一阵慌乱的惊呼。）

OrpheluneAiiiiiieeeee! Iglaaaa! Help meeeee! This stupid thing isn't cooperating!啊啊啊！针！快来帮帮我！这个愚蠢的仪器完全不听使唤！

(We rush in and find Orphelune standing in front of a complex-looking device. The interior of the room is a mess, and the floor is covered in glass shards and a toppled test tube rack.)（我们走进去时，欧菲露妮正站在一台复杂的分析仪器前手忙脚乱。房间里一片狼藉，地上散落着几块玻璃碎片和翻倒的试管架。）

IglaYoung Mistress!大小姐！

(Igla rushes forward and swiftly clears up the mess on the ground. Her movements are fast and precise, as though she's long used to such scenarios.)（针立刻上前几步，迅速地收拾起地上的混乱。她的动作精准而迅速，仿佛已经习惯了这种场景。）

IglaI was only gone for ten minutes—were you trying to operate the equipment by yourself?我才离开十分钟，您又在尝试自己操作设备了？

OrpheluneHmph! I was simply trying to display the latest research data, but then this wretched machine refused to obey me! Those clowns from R&D must have messed up the calibration parameters again!哼！本小姐只是想展示一下新的实验数据，结果这个倒霉的机器根本就不听使唤！一定是研发部的那群家伙又把校准参数搞错了！

(Orphelune turns to look at us, and her expression immediately turns to stone. Her long blonde hair is a mess, and her lab coat buttons are fastened incorrectly. She looks nothing like the noble, poised scientific genius described in her file.)（欧菲露妮转过身来看到了我们，她的表情瞬间僵住了。金色的长发散乱着，实验服的扣子扣错了位置，看起来与资料中那位优雅高贵的科学天才形象相去甚远。）

OrpheluneAck!啊！

(Orphelune quickly stumbles a few steps back and almost trips on the shards on the ground. Fortunately, Igla reacts swiftly and catches her.)（欧菲露妮迅速地后退了几步，差点被地上的碎片绊倒，幸好针眼疾手快地扶住了她。）

OrpheluneYou, weren't you supposed to come at ten? Igla! Why didn't you inform me beforehand!你，你们不是应该十点才来吗？！针，你为什么不提前通知我！

IglaYoung Mistress, it is ten o'clock right now.大小姐，现在正好是十点整。

OrpheluneWHAT?!什么？！

(Orphelune's eyes snap to the clock on the wall, and her expression goes from surprise to frustration, before quickly shifting to deliberate haughtiness.)（欧菲露妮猛地看向墙上的时钟，脸上的表情从惊讶变成了懊恼，然后迅速变成了故作高傲的样子。）

OrpheluneHmph! No matter, I shall magnanimously forgive your reckless intrusion! Circumstances like this are nothing to me!哼！算了，我大发慈悲，原谅你们的冒失入侵！这种小场面对于本小姐来说根本不算什么！

(She quickly sorts out her clothing, straightens up, and tries to regain a sense of dignity, but her lab coat is still rumpled and misbuttoned.)（她快速地整理了一下自己的着装，挺直腰板，试图恢复一丝仪态，但实验服依然皱巴巴的，扣子仍然扣错了位置。）

IglaYoung Mistress, please allow me to assist you.大小姐，请容我为您整理一下着装。

(Igla produces a new lab coat and a kit bag from the big box she was carrying around, and begins giving Orphelune a high-speed makeover. Orphelune obediently stands still and lets Igla fuss over her like a mother hen with her chick.)（针从她带来的那个大箱子里取出一套崭新的实验服和一些工具，开始为欧菲露妮重新梳理发型和整理服饰。欧菲露妮乖乖地站着，任由针摆弄，就像一个被照顾的孩子。）

OrpheluneHurry, Igla! Don't keep our guests waiting!针，动作快点！不要让客人久等！

IglaYes, Young Mistress.是，大小姐。

(Igla's movements are swift and practiced. In less than a minute, Orphelune looks good as new.)（针的手法娴熟而快速，不到一分钟，欧菲露妮的形象就焕然一新。）

OrpheluneYup, that's more like it!哼！这才像样！

(Once again, Igla begins picking up the scattered lab equipment and documents. Every move she makes looks like it's been precisely calculated to not waste the slightest bit of time or energy.)（针立刻又开始收拾散落一地的实验器材和文件。每一个动作都像经过了精确计算，不浪费一丝一毫的时间和精力。）

(Orphelune clears her throat, then turns to me, her face a mask of deliberate pride and confidence.)（欧菲露妮清了清嗓子，转向我，脸上挂着一种刻意的高傲和自信。）

OrpheluneWelcome to my lab! I am Orphelune Girard, one of the greatest botanists in the world! What an honor it must be for you to be personally received by yours truly!欢迎光临本小姐的实验室！我是欧菲露妮·吉拉尔，当今世界上最杰出的植物学家之一！你们能获得本小姐的亲自接见，真是三生有幸！

CommanderPardon the intrusion, Miss Orphelune. We are indeed honored by your presence.欧菲露妮小姐，打扰了。很荣幸能得到您的接见。

OrpheluneMhm! Very good! It seems you have some manners! Nothing like those journalists and their boring questions!嗯！很好，看来你还算有点礼貌！不像那些总是问无聊问题的记者！

(Orphelune looks me up and down. Her gaze is both curious and judgmental.)（欧菲露妮上下打量着我，目光中带着几分好奇和审视。）

OrpheluneYesterday, our conversation on the rooftop balcony was interrupted by Igla.昨天在露台上，我们的谈话被针打断了。

OrpheluneI was wondering, "Why do you understand my research so well? Most journalists can't even pronounce basic botanical terms!"我一直在想，为什么你对我的研究会有那么深的了解？一般的记者连最基础的植物学名词都说不对！

IglaYoung Mistress, this gentleman is the editor-in-chief of the "Shining Age" news agency. Surely he must have a wealth of interview experience and a broad knowledge base.大小姐，这位客人是《时代锋芒》通讯社的总编，想必有着相当丰富的采访经验和广泛的知识储备。

OrpheluneI knew that! You didn't have to remind me!本小姐知道！不需要你提醒！

(Igla seems used to Orphelune's little flareups. She simply nods and continues restoring order to the chaos on the floor.)（针对欧菲露妮的小脾气似乎习以为常，只是轻轻点头，继续整理着地上的混乱。）

OrpheluneNow that you're here, where shall we begin today? Igla usually arranges a really boring itinerary for events like these, like having to take pictures, answer questions, those sorts of things...既然你来了，那我们今天从哪开始？针通常会安排一个很无聊的流程，什么拍照片、回答问题之类的……

CommanderUm, we could start by taking pictures.呃，是可以先从拍照开始。

(I give Colphne a look. She quickly moves in front of Orphelune and raises her camera.)（我给寇尔芙使了个眼色，她赶紧走到欧菲露妮面前，举起了相机。）

IglaA moment, please.请等一下。

(Upon seeing Colphne point her camera shutter at Orphelune, Igla hurries over to touch up Orphelune's looks once again, helps properly fasten her lab coat, and then discreetly steps out of the frame.)（见到寇尔芙将镜头对准欧菲露妮，针赶紧上前帮欧菲露妮再次整理了一下仪容，帮她把实验服上那些扣子扣整齐，随后侧身让开了相机前的视野。）

IglaPlease allow me to examine the photographs after you're done taking them.照片拍摄完毕之后，请全部交给我检查一遍。

IglaI must ensure that all images published by the media depict the best side of Young Mistress Orphelune.我要确保所有媒体上刊登的，都是欧菲露妮大小姐最体面的形象。

OrpheluneHonestly! You don't have to be so wound up about it! I look perfect from every angle!真是的，别那么紧张嘛！我看起来怎样都很完美！

CommanderActually, showing a side of Miss Orphelune that contrasts her usual dignified persona could win more public goodwill.其实在报道中展示出与平时严肃形象不同的反差一面，反而会容易让大家产生好印象。

CommanderSince Miss Orphelune is typically presented as part of the corporate elite, why not try to show off her more down-to-earth side?欧菲露妮小姐平时都是以集团精英的形象示人，不如试试展示一下更有生活感的画面？

OrpheluneThat sounds great! Igla, did you hear that?听起来很不错！针，你听到了吗？

IglaSuch an attempt might incur risks to the Girard Group's public image.这种尝试对于吉拉尔集团的公众形象可能会有风险。

(After seeing the dejected look on Orphelune's face, Igla quickly adds on to her previous statement.)（看着欧菲露妮露出了失望的神色，针紧接着又补充了一句。）

IglaBut since it is your wish, Young Mistress... Perhaps we could give it a try and see how it goes.不过既然是大小姐的意愿……就先拍出来看看吧。

(With their permission, Colphne does as I said and takes several pictures of Orphelune.)（得到二人的同意后，寇尔芙按照我说的，为欧菲露妮拍摄了几张照片。）

(After the shoot, Igla examines the contents of Colphne's camera, as agreed.)（拍摄完毕后，针按照流程，检查着寇尔芙相机中的内容。）

(Orphelune takes advantage of her distraction to suddenly approach me.)（趁她的注意力全都在照片上的时候，欧菲露妮突然走向了我。）

OrpheluneOh right, I heard that you came to my lab early for today's interview.对了，听说你为了今天的采访，很早就抵达了研究所。

CommanderYes. I hope that shows my sincerity regarding this interview.是的。我希望对这次采访表现出足够的诚意。

OrpheluneYup! Your performance at yesterday's press conference was very good! It isn't often that I'm looking forward to an interview like I am now!哼！你昨天在记者会上的表现，就已经很不赖了！本小姐很少会如此期待一次采访！

OrpheluneWould you like some coffee? I'll make it for you myself!要喝杯咖啡吗？本小姐亲手泡的喔？

IglaYoung Mistress, that might not be...大小姐，恐怕不……

OrpheluneIgla! I can do it myself! You're always treating me like a kid!针！我自己能行！你总是这样把我当成小孩子！

CommanderThen I shall graciously accept your offer.那我就不客气了。

OrpheluneHuh? You're really okay with that?咦？你真的乐意？

CommanderWhy wouldn't I be?为什么我要不乐意？

OrpheluneMy colleagues usually come up with some excuse and try to refuse...我的同事一般都会假装客套一下，然后想办法拒绝呢……

(Orphelune seems surprised that I said yes. For some reason, it makes me panic a little.)（发现我答应了她之后，欧菲露妮反而显得很意外。这让我突然觉得有些心慌。）

CommanderI hope you don't mind me asking, but... do you REALLY know how to use a coffee machine?冒昧地问一句……你真的会使用咖啡机吗？

OrpheluneOf course! Igla has taught me how to make coffee many times! Granted, I might have forgotten a step, or ten, but it's no big deal!当然！针已经教给我很多次泡咖啡的方法了！顶多偶尔会忘记一些小细节而已！

(Orphelune confidently heads over to the drinks counter, and Igla's expression grows tense. However, she merely keeps her distance; it seems she wants to see if Orphelune can actually pull this task off on her own.)（欧菲露妮自信地朝茶水台的方向走过去，针的表情变得有些紧张，但她只是保持着距离，似乎也想看看欧菲露妮能否独立完成这项任务。）

OrpheluneWhat would you like? Lattes are my specialty!你要喝什么？本小姐最擅长拿铁！

CommanderI'll have a latte, then. Thank you.那就拿铁吧，谢谢。

(Orphelune nods, then heads over to the fridge before taking out a carton of milk and dumping it into the coffee machine.)（欧菲露妮点点头，去冰箱里拿了一盒牛奶，加进了咖啡机里。）

CommanderAh...啊，请等……

CommanderMiss Orphelune, that's the bean grinder!欧菲露妮小姐，那个是豆仓！

OrpheluneHuh?咦？

OrpheluneAhhhhhh, I forgot again!啊啊啊我又忘记了！

OrpheluneUh, so the coffee beans go in there, right? Can't those dorks in R&D make it more obvious?!所以这里面是加咖啡豆的对吧？这些研发部的家伙就不能设计得更直观一点吗！

(I doubt their R&D division built this coffee machine, did they...)（咖啡机应该不是她们研发部的人做的吧……）

OrpheluneAlright, I've got it this time.好的，这次我一定记住了。

(After carefully pondering the situation, Orphelune finally manages to add the milk to the right compartment.)（在认真地端详后，欧菲露妮总算把牛奶加进了正确的位置。）

(Right after that, she engages the grinder. After some humming, coffee powder sprays out of the nozzle.)（紧接着，她启动了磨豆机，一阵嗡鸣之后，咖啡粉从出粉口倾泻出来。）

OrpheluneI got that step right, right?这一步总没错了吧？

CommanderEr, yeah, you did well.呃，嗯，您做得很好。

OrpheluneAlright. Next, I'll...好，接下来就是……

OrpheluneAh!啊！

(Just as Orphelune is about to put the ground coffee under the tamper, the coffee machine suddenly starts up without any warning, spraying the ground coffee powder everywhere. Most of it ends up on Orphelune's brand new lab coat.)（就在欧菲露妮把磨好的咖啡粉放到压粉器下边时，机器突然提前启动，把磨好的咖啡粉弄得到处都是，其中的一大半都洒在了欧菲露妮崭新的实验服上。）

(After seeing Orphelune's predicament, Igla sighs, but her eyes are filled with doting kindness. She quickly steps up to take the various implements from Orphelune's hands.)（针看着欧菲露妮的窘状，叹了口气，但眼神中流露出的是无奈的宠溺。她迅速上前接过了欧菲露妮手中的工具。）

IglaYoung Mistress, perhaps you should allow me to help. Your lab coat is dirty again and needs to be changed.大小姐，还是让我来吧。您的实验服又脏了，需要更换一下。

Orphelune(Whimper)呜……

(A look of defeat and shame crosses Orphelune's face for a moment, but it soon transforms into one of stubborn pride.)（欧菲露妮的脸上闪过一丝挫败和羞愧，但很快又转为倔强。）

OrpheluneMy hand just slipped! Small things like that are hardly worth mentioning!只是不小心手滑了而已！这种小事根本不值一提！

IglaOf course, Young Mistress. One moment please, I will get a new lab coat for you.是的，大小姐。请您稍等，我马上为您准备一套新的实验服。

(Orphelune seems used to Igla's pampering and silently accepts this arrangement.)（欧菲露妮似乎很习惯针的照顾，默默接受了这个安排。）

(Igla takes yet another lab coat out of her huge box.)（针从那个巨大的箱子里又取出一套崭新的实验服。）

(Out of the corner of my eye, I notice that the box—which seems to have originally been intended to transport weapons—is instead filled with various articles of folded clothing. It's immediately obvious that they were all prepared for Orphelune.)（我用眼角望去，原本以为是用来承载武器的箱子里，摆放着各种各样叠好的衣服，一看就都是为欧菲露妮准备的。）

(Once again, Igla changes out Orphelune's lab coat with practiced ease before quickly brewing a latte and handing it to me.)（针再次熟练地替欧菲露妮换好了新的实验服，然后迅速地用咖啡机制作了一杯拿铁递给了我。）

IglaPlease enjoy it. After all, Young Mistress Orphelune made it just for you.请享用，这是欧菲露妮大小姐特意为您准备的咖啡。

OrpheluneHey! You were the one who made it!喂！明明是你泡的！

IglaBut it was accomplished by your instruction, so the credit naturally belongs to you, Young Mistress.但这是按照大小姐的指示完成的，功劳自然是大小姐的。

OrpheluneHmph... In any case, give it a try!哼……总之，快尝尝吧！

CommanderThank you.谢谢。

(I take the coffee and sip from the cup. It's really good.)（我接过咖啡，轻轻抿了一口，确实相当美味。）

CommanderIt's delicious. Thank you for your hospitality.很好喝，谢谢款待。

OrpheluneHmph! Sure thing! Only the best from yours truly!哼！当然了！本小姐只会提供最好的！

(Orphelune smiles smugly, as though she was the one who had made the coffee herself.)（欧菲露妮露出了得意的微笑，仿佛这杯咖啡真的是她亲手泡的一般。）

(Igla shakes her head gently, but her eyes are filled with tenderness.)（针在一旁微微摇头，但眼神中充满了宠溺。）

OrpheluneAlright, that's enough idle chatter! So, what's the schedule for today's interview?好了，闲话少说！今天预定的采访日程是什么来着？

IglaWe'll start by taking pictures of your research environment, and then we'll have you answer specific questions regarding Project Eden's research direction.先在办公区对您的研究环境进行纪实拍摄，接下来针对“乐园计划”的研究方向，展开具体问题的答疑。

OrpheluneIsn't that the same as all those other interviews? That's lame! I'm sick of it!这不是和之前那些无聊的采访流程一样么？本小姐都快厌烦了！

OrpheluneSurely the best way to understand my research direction is to directly view our research base, right? That's the only place fit to display my scientific accomplishments!想要了解我的研究方向，最好的方式当然是直接参观实验基地吧？那里才能真正展示本小姐的科学成就！

IglaYou want to present your research base?参观实验基地？

IglaBut the security level there...可是那里的安全级别……

(Orphelune ignores Igla's hesitation and instead turns to look at me.)（欧菲露妮没有理会针的迟疑，反而转过头来看着我。）

OrpheluneHow about it? Interested? I bet you've never seen anything like it before, as a journalist!怎么样，有兴趣吗？绝对是其他记者从未见过的景象哦！

CommanderOf... of course I'm interested!当然……当然有兴趣！

CommanderUsing a tour of a research base that's never been made public before as a lead-in, combined with an exclusive report on the project's research direction and content, will definitely boost the credibility of the article.以从未对外曝光过的实验基地作为切入点，进而对整个研究所和实验内容进行专题报道，毫无疑问会提升整篇文章的可信度。

CommanderIf all goes well, I can make sure it makes the headlines on all the major publishing platforms.如果真的能顺利进行，我可以为这篇报道争取到全发布平台的头版头条。

(I never would have expected Orphelune to actively suggest that we visit one of their research bases. I decided to accept the offer quickly, before anyone can retract it.)（没想到欧菲露妮居然会主动提出要带我们参观研究所的实验基地，我赶紧在有人反悔之前答应了下来。）

(Looks like today's "interview" is going far more smoothly than expected.)（看来今天这场“采访”，实在是有些顺利得过头了。）

IglaMiss Orphelune, you should know that viewing the experimental area is not part of today's itinerary.欧菲露妮大小姐，您要知道，实验区域的参观不在今天的安排中。

IglaIf you head over now, it might create difficulties with the board and Master Oleg might also...如果您现在前往那里，之后可能对董事会不太好解释，奥列克老爷也……

OrpheluneI'll take care of Daddy!爸爸那边我会去解释的！

OrpheluneI'm the supervisor of this research facility, so don't worry!我才是这个研究所的负责人！别担心啦！

Igla...……

(Igla's face is as professional and calm as ever, but I can see the uneasiness in her eyes.)（针的表情虽然依然保持着专业的平静，但我能看出她眼中闪过一丝担忧。）

(However, in the face of Orphelune's determined attitude, all she can do is nod.)（然而，面对欧菲露妮坚决的态度，她最终只是轻轻点了点头。）

IglaAs you wish, Young Mistress.如您所愿，大小姐。

OrpheluneNow then, follow me, you lot! I shall show you a true miracle of science!你们几个，跟我走吧。本小姐要让你见识一下，什么才是真正的科学奇迹！

(One biometric security door after another opens before Orphelune and allows us to enter the research base unimpeded.)（一道道依靠生物信息验证的安全门在欧菲露妮面前打开，让我们畅通无阻地进入了实验基地。）

(Igla follows closely behind Orphelune. Her movements are as elegant and flowing as ever, but her eyes sweep the surroundings, paying particular attention to us "visitors".)（针紧随在欧菲露妮身后，动作优雅而流畅，但眼神始终警惕地扫视着周围，尤其是我们这些“访客”。）

(After several rounds of tiresome identity verification procedures, we arrive at the roof mentioned by Group Two before.)（又经过了几道繁琐的身份认证程序后，我们来到了二队观测到的位于三楼上方的露台上。）

(However, I don't see anything sinister up here.)（不过眼前并没有出现什么诡异的场景。）

(In fact, a verdant expanse of greenery spreads before me. The flourishing vegetation looks especially vigorous under the sunlight, and a little rainbow arcs through the spray of the irrigation sprinklers.)（与之相反的，我面前是一片绿意盎然的景象，肆意成长的植物们在阳光的照射下显得分外茁壮，洒水器喷洒在叶片上，散射出一道道细小的彩虹。）

(Orphelune stands to the side, looking upon the plants before her with a gaze akin to that of a proud parent.)（欧菲露妮站在一旁，用一种看待孩子般的表情看着眼前这些植物。）

OrpheluneBehold, this is the "cradle" of Project Eden! My finest work!看，这里就是乐园计划的“摇篮”！本小姐的最高杰作！

OrpheluneAll the seeds growing across Lviv's test plots were born from this little greenhouse.现在遍布利沃夫的试验田里埋下的种子，全都诞生于这方小小的温室里。

CommanderThat's a really romantic origin for them.真是一个诗意的开局。

OrpheluneBotany has always been a romantic field of research. Unfortunately, there just aren't enough people in this world who get it. Those academic fossils just don't get my vision!植物学本就是一种充满诗意的研究。可惜这个世界上能领悟到的人太少了。那些学术界的老古董根本看不懂本小姐的远见！

(Orphelune cocks her head smugly and gestures to one particular plant.)（欧菲露妮得意地昂起头，示意我向其中的一株植物看去。）

OrpheluneSee that?看到了吗？

CommanderSee what?什么？

OrpheluneIt's the "romance" you were talking about.你刚刚说的“诗意”。

(Clueless, I inspect the plant she's pointing at.)（我不明就里地观察着她所指的那株植物。）

(Orphelune smiles at me, an excited gleam in her eye.)（欧菲露妮对我笑了笑，眼中闪烁着兴奋的光芒。）

OrpheluneWhen you see the plant hormone signal transduction pathways form a nonlinear dynamic system with chaotic characteristics...当你看到植物激素信号转导路径，构成一个具有混沌特性的非线性动力系统的时候。

OrpheluneWhen the epigenome expresses itself as a higher-dimensional space, its codes forming quasi-steady-state attractors...当那些表观基因组呈现为一个高维空间、以许多编码构成准稳态吸引子的时候。

OrpheluneWhen the quantum coherent state of photosynthesis propagates as a non-Markovian process on the sub-femtosecond scale...当光合作用的量子相干态在亚飞秒尺度上呈现出非马尔可夫过程的传播的时候。

OrpheluneWhen an organism forms a complex fractal structure in hyperspace, its Hausdorff dimension exhibiting nonlinear changes over time...当物种在超空间中形成复杂的分形结构，其豪斯多夫维数随着时间表现出非线性变化的时候。

OrpheluneThe melody they create from the weaving of sine and cosine is the most romantic thing I have ever seen in my life.它们在正弦与余弦的映射中交织出的旋律，是我在一生中看过最诗意的景象。

Commander...……

(Igla is watching from the side, a proud smile on her face, like a parent watching her child showing off her talents.)（一旁的针看着欧菲露妮滔滔不绝的样子，脸上露出一丝骄傲的微笑，就像一个看着孩子展示才艺的家长。）

OrpheluneCan you understand the scenes I'm describing?我描述的这些画面，你能感受得到吗？

CommanderI...我……

(I shake my head.)（我摇了摇头。）

CommanderI'm not equipped with the vision to perceive what an outstanding scientist like you can see. Your insight and knowledge are far beyond the scope of what I can understand.我显然并不具备像你这样优秀的科学家能感知到的视野。你的洞察力和智慧也远超我能理解的范围。

CommanderHowever—不过——

CommanderI have a few friends involved in science. I can see the light of reason shining through you, and the fruits of your illumination benefit us all.我也有一些科学家的朋友，在你们身上我能看到理性的光辉，这份光辉所带来的成果正在覆盖我们每一个人。

OrpheluneYou don't think what I say is obscure or hard to understand, or even worthless?你不觉得我说的内容晦涩难懂，甚至毫无价值吗？

CommanderAs a journalist, my job is to convey technical and scientific content in a way that is easily digestible by the masses.作为记者，以平易近人的角度向公众传递出具有专业性和科学性的内容，这是我的职责所在。

CommanderWhen dealing with scientists, we should not try to interpret what they say through a lens of reverence, but to view them as equals and try to understand the vision within their hearts.我们面对科学家时，最应该做的不是以仰视的角度试图去解读，而是应该平等地看待他们，理解到他们心中最深处的愿景。

CommanderTechnology is a means of realizing a vision, and the greatness of a vision is the only standard by which its value should be judged.技术是实现愿景的手段，而愿景的伟大与否才是评判内容价值的标准。

CommanderMiss Orphelune, my guess is that what excites you isn't just the plants themselves, but what they can do—the sheer change they can bring to the world. Am I wrong?我想欧菲露妮小姐，您所激动的不单单是这些植物本身，而是这些植物能为这个世界带来的巨大变化吧？

OrpheluneAh...啊…………

OrpheluneI, um, thank you...那个，谢谢……

OrpheluneAfter all these years, this is the first time I've heard an opinion that gets me so well.这是我这么多年以来，第一次听到能那么理解我的评价。

CommanderI was simply saying what I felt.我只是说出了我的真实感受而已。

OrpheluneDid you know? Ever since I started studying this topic, there have been people trying to profit off my research, others who wanted to use them to develop new kinds of weaponry, and people... even my own family, who wanted to use this research to build their own reputations.你知道吗？自从我开始这项研究以来，有人想要利用我的研究成果牟利，有人想要利用这些植物去开发新型武器，还有人……甚至是我自己的家人，想要利用研究所的名义为自己树立信誉。

OrpheluneBut none of them really wanted to know what I was studying. I'm not saying I don't want to contribute to the Group or Daddy, but...但没有人真的想知道我到底在研究什么，我不是说我不愿意为集团和爸爸奉献，但是……

OrpheluneThey just can't see this... this beauty.他们看不到这些……这些、这些美丽的图景。

OrpheluneEveryone just wants to enrich themselves...大家关心的只有自己的利益……

(There is an undercurrent of fragility in Orphelune's voice, but she instantly recovers her former pride.)（欧菲露妮的声音中带着一丝脆弱，一转眼又恢复了那种骄傲的语气。）

OrpheluneStill, none of that matters! It's not like I need other people to understand me, anyway!不过这些都不重要！反正本小姐也不需要别人的理解！

(Orphelune leads me into an isolation chamber. Then, she pushes a button inside it, which seems to activate some kind of device.)（欧菲露妮带着我走进了一间隔离室。随后她按下隔离室中的某个按钮，似乎是启动了什么仪器。）

(However, there is no visible change outside the chamber after the activation.)（然而仪器启动之后，隔离室外并没有发生什么显而易见的变化。）

CommanderThis is...这是……

OrpheluneI'm currently releasing radioactive particles inside the greenhouse to adjust the ambient radiation intensity.我正在通过某种手段释放辐射粒子，调高温室内的辐射浓度。

Commander...?……？

OrpheluneYou don't seem very surprised?你好像不是很惊讶？

OrpheluneIn the past, all the higher-ups who heard that ran off the first chance they got.之前来这里的高官们听到这话都是第一时间就找理由跑了。

CommanderMaybe it's because I'm not that sensitive to radiation?可能我对辐射不是很敏感的原因吧？

OrpheluneIs that so? You're weird.是这样吗？你可真是个怪人。

OrpheluneStill, you don't have to worry. We've taken rigorous measures to protect our current position. Yours truly is the most important person in the Girard Group. Who would be dumb enough to throw themselves into a radiation bath?不过放心吧，我们所在的位置早就做好了严格的防护措施。本小姐可是吉拉尔集团最重要的人才，怎么会笨到把自己扔进辐射里？

(The instrument displays inside the isolation chamber indicate that the equipment is indeed functioning normally under Orphelune's operation.)（在隔离室内的设备仪表盘上，显示着这台设备正按照欧菲露妮的操作正确运作着。）

IglaYoung Mistress, please don't spend too long in the lab. It will affect the rest of your schedule.大小姐，请别让实验持续太久，会影响后面的日程安排。

OrpheluneHmph! You worry too much, Igla! I know my limits!哼！针你总是这样担心过度！我有分寸！

(Igla does not press the issue. Instead she stands silently on the sidelines, remaining vigilant and ready to respond to any potentially dangerous situations.)（针没有继续劝阻，只是默默地站在一旁，时刻保持着警惕，随时准备应对任何可能的危险情况。）

OrpheluneLook over there!看那边！

(I look at the plants on the test plot. After being exposed to the radioactive particles, their leaves slowly open, and soft buds emerge at the end of their stems.)（我看向试验田中的植物们。接受了辐射粒子的作用后，它们正在生长的叶片缓慢地舒展开来，最终在茎叶的尾端生长出一个个柔和的花苞。）

(This is followed by the buds blooming one after another, revealing flowers that look like they came out of some fever dream. The colors of the petals are like the sprinkler rainbows, changing with the angle of observation.)（紧接着，那些花苞接二连三地绽放，开出了犹如某种幻觉中才会出现的花朵。花瓣的颜色也像是洒水器下方的一道道彩虹般，随着观察的角度不断变幻着。）

(The instrument displays indicate that the particle density is falling as the flowers bloom.)（仪表盘上显示的辐射粒子浓度随着花朵的开放正在逐渐降低。）

(Just as the flowers fully blossom, Orphelune presses another button.)（就在这些花朵繁盛一时之时，欧菲露妮按下了另外一个按钮。）

(It looks like it's connected to some kind of energy collection device. The moment Orphelune presses the button, a flare of light fills the greenhouse, following which a holographic display comes to life. Its contents constantly shift, like it's showing off the development process of a large future city.)（它看起来像是一台类似能源收集器的设备。当欧菲露妮按下按钮的一瞬间，整个温室被一片光芒笼罩，随后一台全息投影设备亮起，中央的投影景象不断变换着，似乎是在演示一座大型未来城市发展的历程。）

(The scene goes from a set of radiated ruins to a series of high-rise buildings skyrocketing from the ground; dense green forests spreading between the buildings until they cover the entire globe.)（画面从一片受到辐射影响的废墟到拔地而起的高楼，楼宇间郁郁葱葱的森林不断扩散，直至布满整个星球。）

OrpheluneYou see? That's the future of Project Eden!看到了吗？这就是“乐园计划”的未来！

OrpheluneThe holographic projection we just saw consumed 1 MWh of electrical power—all provided by the energy converted from the radiation absorbed by those plants.刚才我们看到的这段全息投影演示，所消耗的电力是1MWh——完全由植物吸收辐射后转化而来的能源所供能。

OrpheluneThe specially selected plants I've cultivated can be connected to soil-based energy-collection devices, which can transmit the power gathered by the plants to upstream power storage facilities. By connecting them in series, we can scale the applications of the Collapse particle power generation effect as needed.我所培育的特选的品种可以直接和土壤中的聚能装置连接，装置可以将植物所吸收的能源传输给更上一层的电容设施中，通过串联就可以形成坍塌粒子转化应用的规模效应。

OrpheluneNo matter how big or small the target area is, we can use different-sized plots of energy-collecting gardens to absorb ambient Collapse particles to generate power.无论应用地区的大小，都可以选择不同模块大小的种植聚能园区来吸收当地的坍塌粒子用于发电。

OrpheluneIf we can successfully initiate Project Eden tomorrow, the test plots in the Yellow Zone around Lviv will generate 5,000 MWh of power per day.如果明天乐园计划可以顺利启动，利沃夫周边黄区的那些试验田每天可以产生5000MWh的能源。

OrpheluneYou know what that means, right?你应该知道这意味着什么吧！

CommanderIt means those plots can supply the entire power demand for all of Lviv.意味着整个利沃夫的能源，都可以由那些试验田来提供。

OrphelunePrecisely!没错！

OrpheluneMy research will completely revolutionize the field of energy!本小姐的研究将彻底革新能源领域！

OrpheluneThose geriatric goons who laughed at me will all be begging for my forgiveness in no time!那些嘲笑我的老古董们很快就会跪地求饶！

(As I listen to Orphelune's explanation, I'm reminded of Persica's "Remolding Pattern" technology.)（听着欧菲露妮的讲解，我想到了帕斯卡所研究的“拟态图谱”技术。）

(But if this is just a recreation of the technology Persica was using... then this so-called "Project Eden" doesn't seem particularly harmful.)（不过如果真的只是复刻了帕斯卡所利用的那项技术的话……这个所谓的“乐园计划”，似乎并没有什么危险的因素。）

(But is that really all?)（但真的只是这样吗？）

(Is everything she told me today really the truth?)（她今天告诉我的，真的是全部的事实吗？）

(Orphelune doesn't seem to have realized my suspicions and continues speaking.)（欧菲露妮并没有注意到我的怀疑，依旧在继续讲解着。）

OrpheluneCurrently, the portions of Project Eden that have been announced are only the first phase of the plan—namely, plant-based radiation cleansing.目前乐园计划公开的内容只是计划中的第一阶段——即让植物净化辐射粒子。

OrpheluneAs the plan progresses, these cultured plants will become part of a unique ecological framework, one that will not only restore life to Lviv but change the living conditions of people around the world...而随着计划的推进，当这些经过培育的植物形成一种独特的生态体系结构时，它不但能让利沃夫恢复生机，还可以改变整个世界的人类处境……

OrpheluneAnd when the time comes, the particle density in the contamination zones will plummet while the energy costs in the Green and White Zones will be greatly decreased! It's truly a win-win situation!到时污染区的粒子辐射程度会快速下降，而绿区和白区城市的能源成本会大幅降低，这就是真正的双赢！

OrpheluneI'll turn the URNC into a true Garden of Eden!本小姐会把罗联带向真正的乐园！

OrpheluneHmph! All those people who doubted me will have to apologize to me then!哼！到时候那些质疑本小姐的人都会向我道歉！

OrpheluneI could even...甚至可以让我……

OrpheluneGo back to "Frankfurt"...!回到“法兰克福”……！

OrpheluneAh...啊………………

(Orphelune seems to realize that she's made a slip of the tongue and falls silent.)（欧菲露妮似乎意识到了自己的失言，说完这些话之后，她沉默下来。）

CommanderI remember that you mentioned in a certain interview that you were present during the Frankfurt Incident.我记得你在某次采访里提到过，你曾是法兰克福事件的亲历者。

OrpheluneYes. I was studying abroad in Frankfurt and got caught up in the attack.嗯。我那个时候在法兰克福留学，刚好遇到了那次袭击事件。

OrpheluneI... I thought I would die there. Fortunately, I survived.我……还以为自己会死在那里。不过幸运的是，我最终还是活了下来。

CommanderMay I ask a potentially offensive question? Since you almost died in Frankfurt, why do you still want to go back?我可以冒昧地问一句吗？既然你在那里遭遇了不幸，为什么你还会想回到法兰克福？

OrpheluneThat's because when I was there, I saw—因为那个时候我看到了——

IglaYoung Mistress...大小姐……

(Just as Igla is about to stop Orphelune from speaking, her communicator suddenly rings.)（就在针想要阻止欧菲露妮继续往下说的时候，她的通讯器突然响了起来。）

(She frowns and glances down at it, but in the end she turns away to take the call.)（她皱起眉头，看了一眼通讯器，还是转过身去，接听了通讯。）

Igla...……

Igla...Understood.……我知道了。

OrpheluneWhat happened?怎么了？

IglaMy apologies, Young Mistress. A sudden emergency has come up which requires my immediate attention.非常抱歉，大小姐。有一件紧急事务需要我立即处理。

OrpheluneIs it more Group business? Why do they keep doing this at key moments... You're my assistant, Igla!又是集团那边的事？为什么总是在关键时刻？针……你可是我的助理！

IglaIt was a call from Lady Chiloveig herself. She said the situation was urgent and needed me to proceed immediately.奇洛薇格女士亲自打来的通讯，她说情况紧急，需要我立即前往。

OrpheluneChiloveig...奇洛薇格……

(Orphelune's expression softens a little when she hears that name.)（听到这个名字，欧菲露妮的表情稍微缓和了一些。）

OrpheluneIt can't be helped, then. Go, Igla, and say hi to her for me.那就没办法了，你去吧，针，记得替我向她问好。

IglaI shall. I've already notified the other assistants. They will help with your schedule for the rest of the day.是。我已经通知了其他助理，她们会负责您剩余的日程安排。

IglaPlease do not conduct any unsanctioned experiments while I'm away, and please do not take our guests deeper into the research area.在我离开期间，请不要再进行任何未经批准的实验，也不要带客人参观更深层的研究区域。

OrpheluneHmph! I'm not a kid!哼！我又不是小孩子！

IglaAlso, please contact me immediately if you need anything. I will rush to your side no matter where I am.以及，如果您有任何需要，请立即联系我。无论在哪里，我都会第一时间赶回来。

(There's clear worry in Igla's voice, and the concern in her eyes is apparent as she looks at Orphelune.)（针的语气中带着明显的担忧，她看向欧菲露妮的眼神中满是关切。）

OrpheluneYes, yes, I know! Now go!知道啦知道啦！快去吧！

(Igla turns to look at me and that fleeting gentleness is gone.)（针转向我，眼中的温柔瞬间荡然无存。）

IglaSir Editor, I thank you for your interest in the Young Mistress' research... But I hope you will remember that there are some lines which should not be crossed.总编阁下，感谢您对大小姐研究的关注……但希望您能记住，有些界限是不该跨越的。

IglaIf the Young Mistress is inconvenienced in any way, I will know immediately.如果大小姐有任何不适，我会立即得到通知。

IglaSo I urge you to... tread carefully.请务必……谨慎行事。

(Saying so, Igla bows, then turns and strides away.)（针说完，轻轻行了一礼，随后转身快步离去。）

OrpheluneWhew, she's gone at last! Igla's really capable, and she does care for me, but she can be a real pain at times! She always treats me like a kid!呼！终于走了！针虽然很能干，也确实很关心我，但有时候真的太烦人了！总是把我当做小孩子看待！

CommanderThis "Lady Chiloveig"... who is she?“奇洛薇格女士”……是什么人？

OrpheluneHm, she's a friend and a fellow researcher from the Group.哦，是我的朋友，也是集团的科学家。

(Orphelune shrugs and doesn't linger on the topic.)（欧菲露妮摆了摆手，并没有想在这个话题上纠结太多。）

OrpheluneNow that Igla's gone, we can have a proper discussion! I can say whatever I want without her breathing down my neck!现在针不在，我们可以真正地聊一聊了！没有针在旁边管东管西，本小姐想说什么就说什么！

(Orphelune visibly relaxes. She even pumps her fists in excitement, like a child who's finally escaped her guardian.)（欧菲露妮的态度一下子轻松了许多，她甚至有些兴奋地搓着双手，像是终于摆脱了监护人的孩子。）

(After turning off the equipment, Orphelune and I exit the lab.)（关闭设备后，我和欧菲露妮走出了实验室。）

OrpheluneTalking to you was so much fun that I lost track of time.和你聊得很开心，所以一下子就忘记了时间。

CommanderMe too. I hope this doesn't affect your upcoming itinerary.我也是。希望没有影响你接下来的行程。

OrpheluneOh, don't worry about it, it's just some unimportant advertising stuff. Hardly worth my attention!没关系，只是一些无关紧要的宣传行程。本小姐才不在乎那些！

OrpheluneAh, yes, when you publish your article, could you help me gather the opinions of the public?啊对了，等你的文章发布的时候，能帮我收集一下公众的评论吗？

OrpheluneIgla usually keeps me off social media... So I'd love to know how I appear in others' eyes!针平时不允许我用社交媒体……真想看看别人眼中的我是什么样子！

CommanderAh... Of course.啊……当然。

(I suddenly feel a little guilty as I meet Orphelune's sincere gaze.)（面对欧菲露妮真挚的眼神，我突然觉得有些愧疚。）

(While this "interview" is an important part of the fact-finding process, the fact remains that I'm still lying to her.)（尽管这次“采访”是调查中必要的一环，但我毕竟还是欺骗了她。）

(All I can do now is try to learn the truth ASAP, find Helena, and completely dismantle Paradeus' scheme.)（现在我只希望能尽快查清真相，找回海伦娜，并且彻底摧毁帕拉蒂斯的阴谋。）

(Speaking of Paradeus...)（帕拉蒂斯……）

(Based on my conversation with Orphelune today, she doesn't seem to know anything about Paradeus, and her understanding of Collapse Epiphyllums remains at an application level.)（从今天和欧菲露妮的谈话来看，她似乎表现得对和帕拉蒂斯有关的事并毫不知情，对于坍塌昙花的理解也只是停留在应用级别的理论。）

(Her answers to my questions today also seemed sincere enough. Based on her performance today, she doesn't strike me as someone who's given to putting on false pretenses.)（并且对于我提出的所有问题，也回答得足够坦诚，从她的表现来看，这并不是一个善于伪装的人。）

(If she's really telling the truth...)（如果她真的没有说谎的话……）

(Then is Paradeus using her research and controlling events in Lviv from the shadows?)（会不会是帕拉蒂斯利用了她的研究，在暗中操纵着利沃夫发生的事？）

(I find myself at a loss over whether I should believe what she just said.)（对于是否要相信她刚才说的那些话，我陷入了纠结。）

Commander...……

CommanderMiss Orphelune... May I ask you one last question?欧菲露妮小姐。 我可以问你最后一个问题吗？

OrpheluneGo ahead! If it is within my ability, I'll answer!说吧。本小姐知无不言！

CommanderDuring the course of your research... Did you ever run into any bottlenecks?你在进行这项研究的过程中……有没有遇到过什么瓶颈？

OrpheluneBottlenecks? You mean...瓶颈？你是指……

CommanderLet me get this out of the way beforehand—I am not doubting your abilities.首先声明，我并不是在怀疑你的能力。

CommanderIt's just that a scientist as young as yourself being able to complete such a large project is quite a breathtaking feat.只不过像你这么年轻的科学家，居然可以一个人完成如此庞大的实验，实在是令人惊叹。

Orphelune...……

(Orphelune's expression suddenly turns complex. She bites her lip and looks like she's considering how to answer.)（欧菲露妮的表情突然变得复杂起来，她咬了咬下唇，似乎在考虑如何回答。）

Orphelune...……

OrpheluneWill you publish my answer as part of your article? Will you tell everyone?你会把我的回答写进采访稿里吗？会让所有人都知道吗？

CommanderDo you want me to?你希望我这样做吗？

OrpheluneI...我……

(Orphelune hesitates. That fleeting weakness from before appears again, but vanishes instantly.)（欧菲露妮犹豫着，那种转瞬即逝的脆弱又一次浮现，但立刻消湮。）

OrpheluneIt's true that I received some technical support from other scientists during the course of my research. For instance, that Chiloveig I mentioned just now is also my best friend. Some other corporation-affiliated researchers gave me some help... well, so did those clowns in R&D.在研发过程中，我的确接受过其他科学家的技术援助，比方说刚才说到的奇洛薇格，她是我最好的朋友，还有其他集团的研究者，也提供了一些帮助……当然，还有研发部的蠢蛋。

OrpheluneBut I can assure you that the conception of the project, the theoretical models and framework, the establishment of the research facilities... All of those were the result of my work alone.但我可以向你保证，整个实验的构想、理论模型搭建、研究所的落成……都是由我一个人完成的。

OrpheluneYou might not believe it, but I—说出来也许你不信……但是我——

(Orphelune pauses again, then takes a deep breath before continuing.)（欧菲露妮再次犹豫了片刻，深吸了一口气继续说道。）

OrpheluneI've seen the truth.我看到过真理。

CommanderThe truth?真理？

OrpheluneBack then... the truth was revealed to me.在那个时候……我看到了真理就展现在我面前……

OrpheluneEverything I understand now comes from what I realized at that moment...我现在所理解的一切，都是那个时候察觉到的……

Commander...………

OrpheluneAhaha... That sounds so abstract now that I think about it. Just pretend I was talking nonsense.啊哈哈……这么说有一些抽象，就当我说了奇怪的话吧。

OrpheluneAnd don't you dare publish it!刚才那些可不要写进报道里哦！

CommanderI understand.我明白了。

(While I don't quite understand what she's trying to say, I nod obediently, then begin packing up and prepare to leave.)（虽然不太能理解她口中的意思，但我还是配合地点点头，收拾东西准备离开。）

(However, Orphelune picks this moment to speak again.)（但就在这个时候，欧菲露妮再次开口了。）

OrpheluneDid you know?你知道吗？

OrpheluneDaddy called me after that press conference last night.昨天记者会结束之后，爸爸就给我打过电话了。

OrpheluneHe doesn't call me often. Igla usually relays all his messages.他其实很少打电话给我的。平时都是针来替他转达一切。

CommanderI'm sorry, was it because I...抱歉，是不是我……

OrpheluneNo, not at all. He's actually busy dealing with investigations from the URNC, so he doesn't have the time to worry about me.没关系，现在他忙着应付罗联政府的调查，没空管我的事情。

OrpheluneOtherwise, given his way of doing things... He'd probably have had you arrested on charges of disturbing public order.不然的话，以他的手段……现在恐怕早就以扰乱治安的名义把你抓起来了。

Commander...……

OrpheluneAh, I'm sorry, I didn't say that to scare you. I just wanted to say that I'm very glad that you were willing to interview me, even if doing so was risky for you.啊抱歉，我说这话不是为了吓你，我只是想说很感谢你愿意冒险来采访我。

OrpheluneAfter talking to you, I feel like someone finally "gets me" for the first time...和你聊完后，我第一次体会到被人“理解”的感觉……

OrpheluneI've been living under the spotlight that the Girard Group turned on me for all these years, playing the role of the "capable young scientist".这些年以来，我都活在吉拉尔集团为我打出的聚光灯下，扮演着一名被打造出来的“年轻有为的科学家”。

OrpheluneMy purpose was to show up and gather support when faith in the Girard Group declined. After all, they needed a pure, presentable symbol.我的作用，就是在公众对吉拉尔集团失去信心时，出面给予集团应有的支持，他们需要一个干净的招牌。

OrpheluneOf course, that was my duty as part of the family. After all, the lab you just saw was funded and built by the Girard Group. Father gave me just about everything I needed.当然，这是我身为家族一份子的责任。毕竟你所看到的整个研究所，都是由吉拉尔集团出资建成的。父亲几乎给了我所需的一切。

OrpheluneBut I've always thought that my life shouldn't be limited to performing on a "stage". At times, I wonder... Would I be happier if I wasn't the heiress to the Girard Group? Would I be happier if I were just an ordinary researcher?但我觉得，我的人生不该被局限在一个“舞台”上。有时候我会想……如果我不是吉拉尔家族的大小姐，如果我只是一个普通的科学家……会不会更好……

Commander...……

OrpheluneIt's strange, really... When I saw you that day, you looked totally suspicious, like an industrial spy trying to dig secrets out of me.很奇怪……那天见面时，你的出现明明就非常可疑，怎么看都是来套我话的商业间谍一类的人。

OrpheluneBut my instincts told me that you were trustworthy, and that you would understand me.但是我的直觉告诉我，你是可信的，你一定可以理解我。

OrpheluneSo... have we met before?那个……我们是不是以前在哪里见过？

CommanderI don't think so.我想应该没有。

OrpheluneI see... Well, then I guess it must have been fate that we met. In any case... Make sure you share what I told you today with the world!这样嘛……那可能只是因为我们比较有缘吧，总之……之后一定要好好把我今天说的传播出去哦！

CommanderI will do my best when writing this article.我会把这篇报道好好地写出来的。

CommanderThat way, everyone will be able to understand the real you.为了让大家认识真正的你。

OrpheluneThank you. Also, please remember that I'm not trying to solicit pity here! I just want everyone to know the true value of my research!谢谢。不过记住，本小姐可不是在寻求同情！我只是想让人们看到我的研究真正的价值！

(Before leaving, I bid Orphelune farewell. She waves and watches me leave.)（临走时，我向欧菲露妮告别。她挥了挥手，目送我们离开。）

(While I still find it hard to trust anyone at the moment, I'm starting to believe that Orphelune is truly unaware of Paradeus' plans.)（虽然现在的我不敢轻易相信任何人，但我开始认为欧菲露妮可能真的对帕拉蒂斯的计划一无所知。）

(My next task is to contact Leva and the others, share what I know with NOMFA, and let them conduct a more in-depth investigation.)（接下来的工作就是联系上莱娅她们，把我刚才掌握到的信息传递给非军事力量管理局，让她们来出面进行进一步的调查。）

(As for that little lady... I can only hope her wish comes true.)（而这位大小姐……希望她的愿望能够达成吧……）

(The stand-in assistant escorts us outside the lab and then leaves.)（临时助理把我们送到了研究所外面，便立刻转身告辞了。）

(The Girard Group vehicle that's here to pick us up is waiting outside the park area.)（来接我们的吉拉尔集团的车子停在了园区外。）

GrozaWhat's next, Commander?指挥官，接下来要做什么？

Commander...……

(Something about that "Lady Chiloveig" whom Orphelune and Igla mentioned bothers me.)（……我有些在意欧菲露妮和针提到的叫做“奇洛薇格女士”的人。）

(From what Orphelune said about her, she sounds like a pretty important figure, and she's involved with Project Eden to some extent.)（从欧菲露妮的描述来看，这个人的分量不轻，而且与“乐园计划”有着一定的联系。）

(Most importantly, I don't think just anyone could get Igla away from Orphelune's side, especially since I—whom Igla clearly didn't trust—would be with Orphelune.)（最重要的是……我不认为随便一个人就能够从欧菲露妮的身边叫走针，还是在欧菲露妮身边有个针本来就不放心的我的情况下。）

(Assuming Orphelune really is innocent, could this Chiloveig be the one pulling the strings?)（假设欧菲露妮真的无辜，那会不会这个人才是真的幕后黑手？）

(What if she's been the one manipulating Orphelune from behind the scenes all this time?)（如果她是那个一直在背后操纵欧菲露妮的那个人呢？）

(In that case, Orphelune's complete innocence would make sense, right?)（这样的话，欧菲露妮刚才那副似乎完全不知情的表现，是不是就解释得通了？）

(If so, then the place that Igla is going to now is very suspicious.)（万一真的是这样，针现在要去的地方就十分可疑了。）

(I can't just let a good chance like this slip away from me.)（我决不能眼睁睁放任这种好机会白白溜走。）

CommanderGroza, can you have Group Two trace the location where Igla went to?闪电，二队是否能追踪刚才针离开的位置？

GrozaI think so. They actually just dispatched a squad to follow her.应该可以，她们刚才有派小组去跟踪。

CommanderAlright, then we'll—好，那我们——

GrozaHang on!等一下！

GrozaGroup Two is reporting armed forces approaching the lab!二组汇报有武装单位在靠近这座实验室！

CommanderWhat...什……

("Whoosh—boom—".)（“咻——砰——”。）

(Before I can take another step, a massive explosion comes from the lab behind us.)（还没走出几步，我们身后的研究所突然响起了巨大的爆炸声。）

(A grenade caves in part of the research building, and thick black smoke billows up from behind the structure.)（一颗榴弹将研究所的大楼轰塌了一个角。浓浓的黑烟从建筑后方升了起来。）

(I can see the silhouettes of many people through the building's windows; the sounds of an intense gunfight can be heard from within.)（研究所内的玻璃窗透出了幢幢人影，里面同时响起了激烈的交战声。）

CommanderLooks like Kryuger was right, someone's gunning for the young miss.看来克鲁格说的不错，的确有人想对那位大小姐下手。

CommanderGroza, have Group Two break stealth. Engage the attackers and get the situation here under control!闪电，让二队解除隐蔽，准备和袭击这里的敌人交火，控制住局面！

GrozaUnderstood, moving now!明白，马上执行！

Carrion Crow 食腐的乌鸦

(The heavy metal door seals shut, hedging out the clamor of the outside world.)（厚重的金属门紧闭着，将外界的一切喧嚣隔绝在外。）

(Inside the lab, the only sounds are the low humming made by various precision instruments echoing in the spacious interior.)（实验室内，只有各种精密仪器发出的低沉嗡鸣声，在空旷的空间中回荡。）

(There is a faint scent of disinfectant in the air, blended with the unique static odor produced by electronic equipment. The atmosphere here is oppressive and choking.)（空气中弥漫着一股淡淡的消毒水味，夹杂着电子元件特有的焦糊气味，无一不令人感到压抑和窒息。）

(In the center of the room is a specially made chair. It has a high back, and its metal armrests have manacles built into them. The chair is covered in various complicated buttons and indicator lights.)（房间的中央，摆放着一张特制的椅子，椅背高耸，两侧延伸出金属扶手，上面布满了各种复杂的按钮和指示灯。）

(Its surface is made of some kind of black material that looks cold and hard.)（椅子表面，覆盖着一层黑色的特殊材料，看起来冰冷而坚硬。）

(Alva has been stripped of all her equipment and bound to the chair.)（埃芙被去除了所有武装，就被束缚在这张椅子上。）

(Her head is lowered and her eyes are dark. She is currently shut down.)（她低垂着头颅，眼眸漆黑，正处于关机的状态。）

(Cables of various thicknesses are plugged into her body. They are connected to devices surrounding her.)（而在她的身上，则插满了各种粗细不一的电线，连接着周围的各种仪器。）

(A huge monitor displays constantly shifting complex data and waveforms.)（一台巨大的显示器上，显示着各种复杂的数据和波形图，不断地跳动着。）

(Several lab-coated Marionette Doll researchers are working around Alva.)（几名身穿白大褂的傀儡人形研究员，正围着埃芙忙碌着。）

(They have received extensive and sophisticated biosynthetic external customization, so their facial expressions look exceedingly lifelike. However, the way their fingers fly across their keyboards exudes an inhumanity that is difficult to hide.)（他们都进行了精致的仿生处理，脸上专注和沉思的表情栩栩如生，手指在键盘上飞快地敲击着，却依然散发着一股难以消去的非人感。）

(From time to time, they will glance up at the data on the big screen and frown, as though they've encountered some problem.)（偶尔，他们会抬头看一眼显示器上的数据，眉头紧锁，似乎遇到了什么难题。）

(One researcher carefully adjusts the cables coming from Alva, ensuring there's a good connection to the equipment.)（一个研究员，正小心翼翼地调整着埃芙身上的电线，确保它们与仪器连接良好。）

(Another researcher carefully studies the data on the screen, constantly taking notes.)（另一个研究员，则盯着显示器上的数据，不断地记录着什么。）

(Yet another researcher is holding a tablet PC, but a closer inspection reveals that they are actually playing a game.)（还有一个研究员，正拿着一个平板电脑，仔细一瞧，却是在玩电子游戏。）

(Click.)（咔哒。）

(Suddenly, the sound of a heavy metal door opening shatters the lab's silence.)（忽然，厚重的金属门开启的声音，一下打破了实验室内的寂静。）

Igla...……

(Igla's stride is even, like a society gentleman entering a grand theater.)（针迈进实验室的步伐十分从容，如同一位绅士步入了华丽的歌剧院。）

(Her gaze coldly sweeps the room and instantly locks onto the researcher who's playing solitaire in the corner.)（她的视线冷冽地扫过房间，瞬间锁定了那个正在玩蜘蛛纸牌的研究员。）

(Her lips curl with an almost undetectable disgust, but she maintains her composure.)（她的唇边浮现出一丝几乎难以察觉的嫌恶，却依然保持着得体的姿态。）

IglaIs there really a need to dress up these Marionette Dolls and have them act out this charade?这些傀儡人形的装饰与服饰，是否真的有其必要性？

????It's called aesthetics, Miss Igla, aesthetics.这叫艺术感，针小姐，艺术感。

(In response to Igla's question, a figure slowly rolls out of the shadows on a swivel chair.)（直到针发问，一个人影才悠悠然从阴影中拖着椅子慢慢滑出来。）

(She has a cup of hot coffee in one hand, which she is stirring with a spoon in the other. The murky coffee has so much sugar in it that it's practically solid.)（她手里端着一杯热咖啡，另一只手则用汤勺搅拌着，浑浊的咖啡液里，糖多得几乎快凝固在一起。）

(Her smile is bright and sinister. Her eyes are wide, but there is a mania in them.)（她的笑容灿烂而诡异，眼睛瞪得大大的，目光中带着一种疯狂的热情。）

IglaLady Chiloveig...奇洛薇格女士……

(Igla's slightly-wrinkled brow and the revulsion in her eyes indicates her true feelings about the researcher.)（针微微皱起的眉头和略显嫌恶的眼神，表明了她对眼前这位研究员的做派感到不适。）

IglaI hope there was a good reason for you to summon me while Young Mistress Orphelune was receiving guests.希望您有充分的理由将我从欧菲露妮大小姐的接待中召唤过来。

ChiloveigAw, relax~诶呀，别着急嘛~

(Chiloveig tilts her head back and finishes the coffee in one gulp, then spits it all back out.)（奇洛薇格仰头将手中的咖啡一饮而尽，然后又将咖啡全吐了出来。）

ChiloveigBleh—That was awful!呸呸——难喝！

IglaWhat is the meaning of this?您这是在做什么？

ChiloveigAh, I wanted to try and live like my idol in order to spark some inspiration! However, I'm bad with sweet stuff.哎，我想代入一下我偶像平时的生活方式，这样能激发灵感！可惜，我喝不来太甜的东西。

ChiloveigOh yeah, clean it up, janny!那个谁，快过来把这里打扫干净！

(A Marionette Doll steps in from the sidelines and cleans up the floor.)（一旁的傀儡人形拿着拖把过来清洁起了地板。）

(Chiloveig chuckles and puts the sediment-filled mug back on her table, then kicks off the ground to set her spinning chair revolving until she gets dizzy.)（奇洛薇格呵呵笑着，将还剩下一堆凝固物的杯子放到了桌上，随即将双腿一蹬，椅子旋转了一圈又一圈，直到天旋地转。）

IglaYou are free to enjoy your personal amusements.如果您享受这个游戏，那是您的自由。

IglaBut the reason why I rushed here upon receiving the news was to obtain results, not... appreciate your aesthetics.但我收到消息便立刻赶来，是为了结果，不是为了……欣赏您的艺术感。

IglaThe Young Mistress is entertaining important guests, and I cannot be away for long.大小姐此刻正接待重要客人，我不应离开太久。

(Despite Igla's polite tone, the annoyance in her eyes is growing.)（针的语气虽然礼貌，但眼中的不耐烦却愈发明显。）

(She walks slowly to the center of the lab. Her gaze locks on the bound Alva like she's inspecting an exquisite but flawed work of art.)（她缓步走向实验室中央，盯着被束缚的埃芙，目光仿佛在检视一件精美但有瑕疵的艺术品。）

ChiloveigAw, lighten up, Miss Igla! Did you know? The way you frown reminds me of when my kitty at home gets mad!别那么严肃嘛，针小姐！你知道吗？你每次皱眉头的样子，都让我想起我家猫咪生气时的表情！

(Chiloveig laughs in a melodramatic way and even jumps out of her chair, hopping and skipping over to Igla and making a kitty's-got-claws gesture at Igla.)（奇洛薇格夸张地笑着，甚至从椅子上跳了起来，蹦蹦跳跳地接近针，将双手在胸前摆成爪子的样子，模仿猫咪的动作。）

IglaYour sense of humor is as... striking as ever. Get to the point; I need to return to the Young Mistress' side.您的幽默感……依旧令人印象深刻。尽快进入正题，我很快就要回到大小姐身边。

ChiloveigYoung Mistress this, Young Mistress that... every other word out of your mouth is about Orphelune!大小姐大小姐……你真是一句话都离不开欧菲露妮！

ChiloveigAhhhhh! I'm so jelly!啊啊啊啊！我好嫉妒！

ChiloveigFiiiiiiine then~ What I want to say is, we gained absolutely nothing from hacking into her! Nada! Zip! Zilch! It was a catastrophic failure!好吧~我要说的就是……从结论来讲，对她的入侵，我们完全没有任何收获！零！零分！大失败！

(Chiloveig's tone suddenly switches to a theatrical depression. She collapses into her chair, face falling into a mask of exaggerated despair as she tilts her head back to gaze at the ceiling.)（奇洛薇格的语气陡然变得夸张而失落，她一屁股坐回椅子上，仰头望着天花板，一副世界末日的表情。）

ChiloveigHer neural cloud's been completely locked down. Nobody's been able to get into it. I've tried 107 different methods to try and crack it, but none of them worked.她的心智底层被完全锁住了，任何人都无法访问，我用了107种方式尝试破解，均告失败。

ChiloveigMy guess is that this is the legendary "Pandora Code" I've heard so much about... Fucking geniuses, I swear to god. Seriously, it's been TEN YEARS and nobody's been able to crack it yet. Pretty scary, don't you think?我猜，这种加密方式应该就是传闻中的“潘多拉密码”……所以说天才就是叫人讨厌，明明已经过了十年，居然还是没人能破解，很可怕吧？

ChiloveigIn any case, my plans to get into her base layer through direct access methods look like a bust. Laaaame.总之，我想直接通过硬接入的模式来进入她的底层是不太可能了，真是无趣。

IglaHow disappointing. Did you pull me away from the Young Mistress' side just to tell me that?令人失望。您就是为了告诉我这个结果，才将我从大小姐身边叫走的？

ChiloveigAw, but I needed to throw the incredible and amazing processing power of a third-gen Doll like yourself at this particular problem~诶呀，这不是只能依赖您这位三代人形优越又庞大的算力来尝试一下嘛~

ChiloveigI mean, there's no Doll in the Girard Group who's better at electronic warfare than you are, right?吉拉尔集团中除了你之外没有在电子战上更精通的人形了吧？

IglaAnd why should I help you?我为什么要帮你？

ChiloveigIt's so that...当然是为了……

(Igla glares coldly at Chiloveig, who responds with an ingratiating and annoying smile as she rubs her hands together.)（针冷眼盯着奇洛薇格，于是奇洛薇格露出了一副针格外讨厌却又无可奈何的谄笑，一边搓着手一边说道。）

ChiloveigIt's so that we can better implement the Young Mistress' Project Eden, of course!当然是为了大小姐的“乐园计划”能更好地实施啦！

ChiloveigThe considerable effort DEFY expended to seize that box suggests they likely had a lot of data on the specimen inside. We might find top secret information in there to help the Young Mistress overcome her technical barriers!忤逆会夺走那个箱子，势必掌握着里面试验品的大量情报，说不定可以挖出绝密信息帮大小姐一举突破技术壁垒呢！

Igla...…………

ChiloveigErm, did I sound like I was trying to trick you?诶呀，我这么说是不是有点显得太忽悠人了？

(Igla lightly adjusts her cuffs with her slender fingers. Her movements are simple, but there is a chilling pressure in them.)（针抬起手，修长的手指轻轻整理了一下袖口，简单的动作却透着一种令人不寒而栗的压力。）

IglaReactivate her.请将她重新激活。

ChiloveigOhhh~? Are you sure you're doing this? Really, really sure?哦~？你确定吗？确定确定？

(Chiloveig's eyes light up and she suddenly cozies up to Igla, a look of something resembling surprise on her face.)（奇洛薇格的眼睛一下子亮了起来，她猛地凑近针，脸上露出了一种近乎惊奇的表情。）

IglaIt's not like whatever hidden agendas you may have can do me any harm.反正不管你有什么小心思，对我而言也没有坏处。

ChiloveigOh, what's that supposed to mean? Of course the Young Mistress' well-being is my top priority, I just happen to be able to get a little something out of it too~诶呀诶呀，瞧您这话说的，我当然是为了大小姐好啦，只是我也顺便有一点点小小的便宜可以占罢了~

(Igla does not answer her. She only unreels a cable from her own access port.)（针没有回应她，只是将自己接口的连接线拉了出来。）

ChiloveigBe careful when hacking her~ If you fail to break through her barriers, she'll probably self-destruct on the spot.入侵时可一定要小心啊，突破失败，她应该会直接自毁才对。

ChiloveigAnd that would be game over~那可就没得玩了哦~

IglaFocus on your work, Lady Chiloveig.烦请执行操作，奇洛薇格女士。

(Igla's tone does not change, but there is an undeniable authority in her words.)（针的语气没有任何波动，却带着不容置疑的威严。）

IglaI am sure you are aware that time is not on either of our sides.我想您应当清楚，不论是对您，亦或是对我，时间都并不与我等为伴。

ChiloveigWhat's this~ Has old man Oleg already found out you've been messing around behind his back?怎么~奥列克那老头子已经发现是你在搞小动作了？

Igla...……

ChiloveigEhehe, looks like that old dude isn't as dumb as he looks!诶嘿嘿，那老头也没看起来那么傻嘛！

ChiloveigIf he finds out you were interfering with his business... Hehehe...要是被他知道你坏了他的好事……呵呵呵……

Igla...Mind your words, Lady Chiloveig.……还请慎言，奇洛薇格女士。

ChiloveigYes, yes, you're the best, Boss Igla! Boss Igla's the fairest! Boss Igla's wish is my command!好吧好吧，针阁下最大！针阁下最美！针阁下说了算！

(Chiloveig bows in an over-the-top fashion to show that she's ready to cooperate, and her eyes shine ever brighter.)（奇洛薇格以一种夸张的敬礼姿势表示服从，眼中的光芒愈发明亮。）

(In response to Chiloveig's acquiescence, the Marionette Dolls dressed up as humans begin moving without a command, as though they had been suddenly infused with lifeforce. Their movements are mechanical and precise, with no hesitation or delays.)（随着奇洛薇格的应承，无需命令，那些装扮如人类的傀儡人形们，一个个如同被注入了生命般开始动作。他们的动作精准而机械，完全没有犹豫或迟疑。）

(They follow procedures meticulously; the click of switches and the humming of machinery is like a prayer for resurrection.)（他们精密地按照流程操作，拉下闸门，机器嗡鸣的响声就像是复活前的祷告。）

(Electrical current flows through the cables plugged into Alva and into her entire body. She reflexively struggles and groans in pain.)（顺着插满全身的电线，电流瞬间流遍了埃芙的周身上下，她下意识地挣扎了一下，发出痛苦的闷哼。）

(However, the bindings which secure her in place leave her unable to move.)（但束缚带牢牢地固定着她的身体，让她无法动弹分毫。）

(The awakening process takes some time. After a while, Alva slowly opens her eyes, her blurry vision slowly focusing into clarity.)（苏醒的过程耗费了一些时间，直到片刻之后，埃芙才缓缓地睁开眼睛，模糊的视线逐渐对焦变得清晰。）

(After surveying her unfamiliar surroundings, she turns to the Marionette Dolls—now frozen in place, their earlier flurry of movement replaced by vacant stares fixed on her.)（她环顾四周，看着这陌生的环境，以及那些忙碌之后，站定在原地，目光呆滞地盯着她不放的傀儡人形。）

(She does not catch the silhoutee of Chiloveig. Instead, her gaze goes straight to Igla.)（她没有看见奇洛薇格，视线直接顺着落到了针的身上。）

(Upon seeing her, Alva suddenly relaxes and smiles.)（看到针，埃芙忽然变得放松下来，轻轻地露出了一个笑容。）

Igla...……

(Igla raises an eyebrow almost imperceptibly—that is her sole expression of surprise. She gracefully adjusts her jacket and slowly walks up to Alva, a look of calm judgement in her eyes.)（针微微挑眉，那个几乎难以察觉的动作是她唯一表现出的惊讶。她整理了一下西装的下摆，缓步走到埃芙面前，眼神中流露出冷静的审视。）

IglaI have to admit, your response was rather... unexpected. May I ask what amuses you so?我必须承认，您的反应相当……出人意料。请问，是什么引起了您的愉悦？

Alva...I'm smiling because you're completely out of options.……我笑你无计可施。

(Alva's tone is calm, but with an undercurrent of mockery in it.)（埃芙的语气平静，但却带着一丝嘲讽。）

AlvaYou've already tried to hack my base layer, haven't you?你们已经试过入侵我的底层了，不是吗？

AlvaAnd if you'd succeeded, you wouldn't have powered me back on.……而如果你们成功了，就不会把我重新启动。

Igla...……

(Igla's eyes flash coldly.)（针的眼中闪过一丝冷光。）

AlvaAlso, the fact that you're here can only mean one thing... Voymastina is harder to capture now that she's moving alone, isn't she? Your target is smaller now. You might not even be able to locate her at all.而且，你出现在这里，我想只有一种可能……单独行动的威玛西娜，变得更难抓了，对吧？目标变得更小，你恐怕连她在哪都已经找不到了。

AlvaOtherwise, there is no way that you, as the one person who can fight her on even terms, would possibly leave the battlefield.否则，你作为唯一能制衡威玛西娜的人，不可能离开抓捕前线。

AlvaAfter all, I'm just an unimportant side character, aren't I?毕竟，我只是个无关紧要的小角色，不是吗？

(She pauses, then continues.)（她顿了顿，继续说道。）

AlvaThe reason you're here, and not at the front, is plain and simple: you failed to capture Voymastina and to crack my neural cloud.你离开前线，来到我的面前，只能说明不管是抓捕威玛西娜还是破解我的心智，你们都失败了。

AlvaIn other words, you are completely out of options and it's eating you up inside.现在你无计可施，而且心烦意乱。

Igla...Heh.……呵呵。

(Igla chuckles. Her laughter is elegant and melodious, but cold as ice.)（针轻笑一声，那笑声优雅而动听，却如冰水般寒冷。）

(She approaches Alva and reaches out to lightly lift her chin, feigning gentleness.)（她靠近埃芙，伸出手，指尖轻轻抬起埃芙的下巴，动作轻柔。）

IglaYour powers of observation deserve praise, but you are jumping to conclusions.您的观察力值得赞赏，但您的结论却过于草率。

IglaTrying to anger your opposition is not wise, especially given your current... situation.试图激怒对手并非明智之举，尤其是在您目前的……处境下。

IglaWhat I can do to you far exceeds what you can imagine.我能为您提供的体验，恐怕远超您的想象范围。

ChiloveigOoooohhh—Is this when the fun part begins?哦哦哦——这就要开始有趣的部分了吗？

(Chiloveig has moved behind Alva at some point. She claps excitedly, a twisted glee twinkling in her eyes.)（奇洛薇格不知何时已经滑到了埃芙身后，她兴奋地拍着手，眼中闪烁着病态的光芒。）

ChiloveigOh Alvochka, did you know? Miss Igla might look as meek as milk, but there's no limit to how far she'll go to get the job done! I'm actually kind of curious as to just what she'll do to you. Will you cry and leak snot everywhere? Will you scream and beg for mercy? Or will you just go mad and have a psychotic breakdown on the spot?小埃芙，小埃芙，你知道吗？别看针小姐看起来温柔得像水，她可是出了名的手段多样呢！我都好奇她会怎么对待你，会让你痛哭流涕？尖叫求饶？还是疯狂崩溃？

AlvaYou!你……！

(Alva's composure shows its first crack upon noticing Chiloveig's presence.)（注意到奇洛薇格的存在，埃芙的情绪第一次出现了破绽。）

AlvaAren't you...你不是……

Chiloveig...Supposed to be dead? Tut tut, that's the least of your worries right now, my dear.我不是死了吗？啧啧，啧啧，这现在对你来说可是最不要紧的一件事了，小可爱。

(Chiloveig's voice is filled with a childlike curiosity and excitement. She bends down and speaks into Alva's ear, but she does not whisper, ensuring that Igla can hear her too.)（奇洛薇格的声音充满了孩童般的好奇和兴奋，她俯身贴近埃芙的耳边，声音却故意放大，确保针也能听到。）

ChiloveigMiss Igla might appear dignified, elegant, and proper as hell, but in private... oh boy.针小姐平时看起来端庄优雅，正经得要命，但私底下嘛……嘿嘿。

ChiloveigI bet she's going to play aaaaall kinds of games with you~我打赌，她肯定有一整套特殊的“游戏”准备给你哦~

IglaLady Chiloveig, while your eagerness is most touching, would you mind reining yourself in a little?奇洛薇格女士，您的热情令人感动，但或许您可以稍稍克制一下？

(Igla's tone bears a hint of warning.)（针的语气已经带上了一丝警告的意味。）

Alva...Believe me, you could not even begin to inflict the kind of suffering I've already been through.……相信我，我已经承受过无数你给不了的痛苦。

(After her brief surprise, Alva quickly gets her emotions under control and faces Igla again.)（短暂的惊讶之后，埃芙也迅速收敛起了情绪，重新面向针。）

(There is a look of what could almost be admiration in Igla's eyes as she gazes at Alva.)（针注视着埃芙，眼神中流露出一种近乎欣赏的情绪。）

(She takes a step back, her hand gently caressing Alva's cheek. It is a gesture so tender that it could have come from a lover, but it sends a chill down Alva's spine.)（她微微后退一步，手指轻轻拂过埃芙的脸颊，那触碰温柔得几乎是来自一位爱人，却让人感到一丝不寒而栗。）

IglaYour resilience is most admirable. However, I have no intention of trying to outdo your past.您的坚韧令人钦佩。然而，我并非是要与您的过往经历一较高下。

IglaInstead, I'm curious; when your partner was freed by your departure, did you feel something like... relief?我只是好奇，当您的搭档因您的离去而获得自由时，您是否感到一丝……释然？

IglaAfter all, you were always the millstone around her neck, were you not?毕竟，您一直都是她的枷锁，不是吗？

Alva...……

(Alva's only response is a scornful smile. For some reason, this smile ignites a nameless flame in Igla's neural cloud.)（埃芙没有回答，只是露出了蔑视的微笑，这份微笑让针的心智中涌起了无名之火。）

(She turns away and addresses Chiloveig in a voice that allows no refusal.)（她转过身去，用不容置疑的声音向奇洛薇格说道。）

IglaI think we can go straight to the final phase for her.我想，我们可以直接进入最终阶段。

ChiloveigWOW, right to the main course, then?哇哦，直接就上主菜吗？

(Chiloveig rubs her hands together in excitement.)（奇洛薇格兴奋地搓着双手。）

ChiloveigI can't wait to see what her neural cloud is like! Is it an intricate little box? A patch of starry sky? Maybe a labyrinth? Aaaaaah, it's all so exciting!我已经等不及要看看她的心智是什么样子了！会不会像个精致的盒子？还是像一片星空？或者像一座迷宫？太让人兴奋了！

(Igla pays no attention to Chiloveig's antics. She simply nods to indicate that the Marionette Dolls should continue their work.)（针没有理会奇洛薇格的狂热，只是轻轻点头，示意傀儡人形们继续操作。）

IglaDo it.动手吧。

(Several Marionette Dolls surround Igla, their hands connecting various cables to the access ports Igla has opened up.)（几名傀儡人形将针围在中间，七手八脚地将各种电缆连接到针拉出的连接线上。）

(A massive amount of signals floods through them into Alva's mind, blacking out her vision.)（巨量的信号沿着电缆冲击着埃芙的心智，让埃芙的眼前几乎变成了一片漆黑。）

(Alva struggles in the darkness with all her might, but she can't break free of the bonds which hold her.)（一片黑暗中，埃芙用力地挣扎着，却无法挣脱捆住身体的束缚带。）

AlvaUrgh!呃……！！

(For an instant, Alva's body twitches and shudders before she goes limp and unconscious.)（几乎在一瞬间，埃芙浑身开始激烈地颤抖，下一秒，便又一次陷入了失去意识的状态。）

IglaHer offensive barriers are down. You can do whatever you want to her now.她的攻性防壁已经失效了，你可以做任何你想做的事了。

ChiloveigW-what? Already?!这……这么快！？

IglaThat said, I don't know how long that's going to last, so you'd better work fast.但我不能保证这能持续多久，你最好尽快。

ChiloveigNo worries, just leave it to me!放心啦~交给我！

(Chiloveig gleefully waves her hands; her eyes are practically shining as she approaches Alva, admiring her like an exotic treasure.)（奇洛薇格欢快地挥舞着双手，眼睛几乎发光，她凑近埃芙，像是在欣赏一件稀世珍宝。）

ChiloveigDid you know, Miss Igla? While my specialty is plants, I like to study Doll neural clouds in my free time!你知道吗，针小姐？虽然我的专业在植物上，但其实我在业余时光特别喜欢研究人形的心智！

ChiloveigThey hold so many secrets and surprises! Opening them up is like unwrapping a present! If you ever decide to donate your body to science, please let me know!里面有那么多秘密，那么多惊喜！就像拆礼物一样刺激！——如果有一天你愿意为科学研究献身，可千万要通知我！

IglaYour enthusiasm is most... striking. I hope you will apply it in the right direction.您的热情……令人印象深刻。希望您能将这种热情用在正确的方向上。

(Igla's words are calm and even, but the warning in her voice is becoming increasingly evident.)（针的语气温和，但眼神中的警告意味却愈发明显。）

IglaNormally, I would return to the Young Mistress' side immediately, but after taking the importance of this matter into consideration, I have decided to stay behind to personally supervise the procedure.原本我应当立即返回大小姐身边，但考虑到此事的重要性，我决定留下来亲自监督这个过程。

Igla(Igla walks over to the control panel at the side of the lab and sits down in a high-backed chair. Her poise and posture are perfect, and her gaze is locked on Alva.)（针走到实验室一侧的控制台旁，在一把高背椅上坐下，保持着完美的姿态，目光锁定在埃芙身上。）

ChiloveigOhhh~ I'm honored that you hold us in such high regard, Miss Igla~哦~真是荣幸啊！能得到针小姐如此高的重视~

(Chiloveig fakes a look of depression, but there is a sly glint in her eyes.)（奇洛薇格故作失落地看着针，眼中却闪烁着狡黠的光芒。）

IglaDo not misunderstand me, Lady Chiloveig. I am simply ensuring that everything is going according to plan. After all, I have some... concerns about your work.别误会，奇洛薇格女士。我只是确保一切按计划进行。毕竟，我对您的工作方法有些……顾虑。

ChiloveigOh ye of little faith, Miss Igla~针小姐总是那么不信任人家~

(Chiloveig makes a show of pouting before a fanatical smile spreads across her face.)（奇洛薇格夸张地撅起嘴，随即又露出了狂热的笑容。）

(Naturally, she's going to take GOOD care of this new toy of hers.)（……她当然会好好照顾这个小玩具。）

(In fact, she has a special "dream" ready for Alva.)（她为埃芙准备了一个特别的“梦境”。）

IglaI look forward to seeing your results.我期待您的成果展示。

(Chiloveig turns toward Alva, her hands gently caressing her still features, her eyes gleaming with an obsessive light.)（奇洛薇格转向埃芙，双手抚摸着她冰冷的脸庞，眼中闪烁着近乎痴迷的光芒。）

ChiloveigAlright... Now then, how shall I play with my new toy?好了……现在，我该怎么料理这个“玩具”呢？

(...)（……）

(...)（……）

(Ba-dump.)（咚咚。）

(Her heart lurches, as though it's going to burst right out of her chest.)（心脏剧烈地跳动着，仿佛下一秒就要从胸腔中跃出。）

(Alva wakes up, and then she remembers that she doesn't even have a heart in the first place.)（埃芙在一片混沌中惊醒过来，却回想起自己根本没有心脏。）

(Her breathing grows ragged, her body glistens with cold sweat, and she feels a chill run down her spine. With nothing but utter darkness before her, she unconsciously reaches up to touch her eyes.)（她的呼吸变得粗重，身体像是爬满了冷汗一样如芒在背，面对眼前一片黑暗的混沌，她下意识地摸了摸自己的眼。）

(...She can't see anything.)（……她什么也看不见。）

(Is it just dark, or is she blind?)（究竟是天黑了，还是她失去了光明？）

(She reflexively attempts to move forward, but she feels as though she is suspended in the void, with no way to exert her strength.)（她下意识地想要朝前迈步，却感觉自己仿佛漂浮在虚空之中，没有任何着力点。）

(Alva realizes that she is being hacked at this point.)（至此，埃芙意识到，自己此时正在遭受入侵。）

(And the moment she realizes that...)（而就在她意识到这一事实的下一个瞬间……）

(The surroundings suddenly fill with a burst of noise that approaches her rapidly, as though it's locked onto Alva's presence and is closing in on her.)（一阵嘈杂声骤然从周遭响起，且越来越近，就像是刻意以埃芙为目标在靠拢一样。）

(As the terrifying sound draws closer, a blinding light suddenly appears before Alva.)（伴随着令人恐惧的声音越来越近，陡然间，埃芙的眼前亮起了一道刺目的光。）

AlvaNgh!呜……！

(She reflexively reaches a hand out to block it, but in the next moment, the true extent of the bone-chilling sight around her becomes apparent.)（她下意识伸出了手去遮挡光线，但下一秒，她便看清了周围令她毛骨悚然的景象。）

ELIDGraaaahhhh!!嗷……！！

(Thousands of ELIDs are rushing her like a flood, the horde extending as far as her eyes can see and exuding a nauseating stench. All of this almost convinces her that she isn't just seeing things.)（数以千计的生骸如同潮水一般向她涌来，漫山遍野的生骸弥漫着刺鼻的臭味，令这一切都仿佛不是幻觉。）

AlvaOh—糟——

(Alva frantically tries to bring her gun up to shoot back, but she finds that her hands are empty.)（埃芙忙不迭地想要端起枪口进行反抗，却发现自己的手中空无一物。）

(And in this moment of confusion—)（而就在她这一瞬的恍惚后——）

AlvaErk!呃——！！

(She is swamped by a tide of monsters, carried away like a reed in a flood.)（她就像被洪流冲走的一根苇草一般，被尸潮淹没。）

AlvaGet the hell... away from me...!给我……滚开……！

(She struggles with all her might, her steely fingers ripping limb after limb away from the ELIDs' bodies.)（她竭力反抗着，犹如钢钎般的手指撕开一个又一个生骸的肢体。）

(However, the endless tide of ELIDs feel no pain, and they eventually gain the upper hand.)（然而没有痛觉，无穷无尽的尸潮始终占据着上风。）

(Her frame is gouged open by sharp claws and teeth, her circuits are slashed apart, the sparks from her power systems char blackened, smoking chunks into the horde, but it doesn't stop them in the least.)（她的素体被利爪和牙齿挖开，电路被切断，电火花在丧尸的身上炸出一块又一块的焦黑，却不能阻拦它们的脚步。）

(Alva can feel her vision going dark once again.)（埃芙感觉到自己的视野再一次变得灰暗。）

(This time, it seems to foretell her imminent demise.)（而这一次，却仿佛预兆了她的死亡。）

(Her limbs are slowly running out of strength. She doesn't know if it's because her power circuits were cut or if it's because her CPU is on the verge of crashing.)（她的四肢逐渐失去了力量，她不知道是电路被切断了，还是她的主控已经濒临宕机。）

Alva...……

(She opens her mouth, but she can't make a sound.)（她张大了嘴，却发不出一点声音。）

(The creatures bury her in the abyss.)（尸潮将她埋入深渊。）

(She doesn't feel pain, only a growing fatigue.)（她并不感觉到痛苦，只是越发疲倦。）

(...She's getting a little tired.)（……她有些累了。）

????—AN-94! Get a hold of yourself!——AN94！你在发什么呆！

(Just as Alva is about to doze off, a mighty force suddenly grabs her arm and pulls her out of the ELID horde.)（就在埃芙即将沉沉睡去的时候，忽然一道巨力扯住了她的手腕，硬生生将她从尸潮中拽了出来。）

Alva—!!——！！

(Before she can react, she hears the sound of a gun cocking above her head.)（她还没来得及反应，便听到自己的头顶传来扣动扳机的声音。）

(Right after that, she feels her AN-94 thrust into her hands like a fire poker.)（下一秒，属于她的AN94便像是烧火棍一样被丢到她的怀中。）

(She stares in disbelief at the person who handed it to her.)（她难以置信地看着那个人。）

AlvaAn... An...安……安……

AngeliaShut up, you don't have time to spout rubbish.闭嘴，没时间废话了。

AngeliaGet ready to fight!准备战斗！

Spotless Swan 无垢的天鹅

(A sticky, choking darkness plugs her nose and throat. It's disgusting, but she can't even throw up.)（粘稠、黑暗、令人窒息的空气堵住了嗓子，只是反胃，却连呕吐都做不到。）

(This is the only thing Alva can feel right now.)（这是埃芙此刻唯一的感受。）

(It's as though she's drowning in a huge swamp, unable to breathe or move.)（她感觉自己仿佛被困在一个巨大的泥潭之中，无法呼吸，无法动弹。）

(Roars slam into her ears, accompanied by the nauseating sounds of chewing.)（耳边，是震耳欲聋的嘶吼声，和令人作呕的咀嚼声。）

(They're ELIDs.)（是E.L.I.D.。）

(These aren't the usual ELID creatures, but human-based infected, surging toward her like a flood.)（和生骸不同，无数的 E.L.I.D.——那由人类转变而来的感染体如同潮水般涌来。）

(Alva has never seen such a variety of ELIDs before.)（埃芙记忆中，在过去她所见过的E.L.I.D.从没有像眼前这样品类繁多过。）

(Yet, the monsters before her eyes take all kinds of forms. Some look like beasts, others resemble insects, still more appear human, but all of them radiate the same terrifying presence.)（如今在她眼前，这些怪物却有着各种各样的形态，有的像野兽，有的像昆虫，有的像人类，但无一例外都散发着令人恐惧的气息。）

(Their claws can easily rend a Doll's armor, and so Alva fights back with all her might, her gun spewing fire and bringing down one ELID after another.)（它们锋利的爪牙能轻易地撕开人形的护甲，而埃芙奋力抵抗，手中的枪械喷吐着火舌，将一只只 E.L.I.D. 击倒。）

(However, more ELIDs rush up to meet her, as though they were endless.)（但更多的 E.L.I.D. 涌了上来，仿佛无穷无尽。）

(Alva can feel her bullets hitting them, even smell the charred odor in the air.)（埃芙能够感受到，子弹击中它们，甚至能够闻到焦糊的味道。）

(However, these monsters appear to know no fatigue or pain.)（但这些怪物，却好像不知疲倦，不知疼痛。）

(There are far, far too many of them...)（它们的数量，太多，太多了……）

(A powerful sense of helplessness fills Alva's neural cloud, a profound realization that nothing she does matters driving her to lower her gun.)（一种强烈的无助感涌进了埃芙的心智，一种无论做什么都无可挽回的放弃感让她低下了枪口。）

AngeliaWhat are you doing, 94?! Keep shooting!你在做什么94，快继续射击！！

(At the sound of a sharp rebuke behind her, her frame shudders as she frantically reloads and starts shooting once again.)（埃芙的背后传来响亮的责备声，这让她素体为之一震，急忙装上弹匣开始新一轮的射击。）

AngeliaTake out this wave and we'll withdraw together!把这一轮打完，跟着我后撤！

AngeliaI already have charges set, so make sure you move fast!我埋好了炸药，记得跑快点！

(Ange emerges from behind her cover, and it is then that Alva sees her fully.)（安洁从掩体中站起身，埃芙这时才看清安洁的全貌。）

(Her hair is tied up, and she is barking orders while firing her gun—in other words, she is just the same as she used to be. After emptying her last magazine, she throws her weapon at the oncoming tide before punching Alva on the shoulder and yelling at her.)（绑着头发的她依旧是那熟悉的模样，她一边开枪一边嘴里大声咒骂着，在射击完最后一个弹匣后，她将武器扔向了还在涌来的尸潮们，捶了一下埃芙的肩膀朝她喊道。）

Angelia94, with me!跟我来，94！

(Ange retreats and Alva immediately follows her.)（安洁朝后跑去，埃芙立即跟在她身后。）

(Ange pulls out a detonator and tosses it to Alva. The ELID horde has already swamped their previous position.)（安洁掏出一个起爆器扔给了埃芙，而尸潮已经冲到了她们刚才所在掩体的位置了。）

AngeliaBlow them all to hell, 94!送它们上天吧，94！

(Alva presses the detonator without hesitation, and an explosion erupts. A wave of searing heat washes over her from behind and sends the surrounding sand and dust flying.)（埃芙毫不犹豫地按下了起爆器，爆炸声立即响起，灼热的气浪从背后冲击而来，同时也将周围的沙尘吹飞。）

(At this point, Alva finally sees that this is an old train station, and Ange is leading her deeper inside it.)（此时埃芙终于能看清这是一座老旧的车站，而安洁正在带着她朝站内奔去。）

AngeliaWell done, 94!干得好，94！

AngeliaYou think we're safe?我们安全了吗？

(Ange and Alva run over to the platform. Rail lines extend as far as her eyes can see in either direction, but there are no train carriages within the station.)（安洁和埃芙冲进了站台的位置，一条铁轨向着左右两边延伸，但是站内却没有车辆。）

(The place where the train should be is instead full of monsters, their eyes filled with savagery. They emit low growls as they slowly begin to close in.)（原本该有车辆的位置，一只只怪物正虎视眈眈地盯着她们，嘴里发出了骇人的低吼声，开始慢慢地逼近。）

AngeliaTch, looks like I spoke too soon.啧，看来说安全还为时过早。

Angelia94, what's your ammo situation like?94，你还有子弹吗？

(Alva looks down at her weapon. All she has left is the final magazine that's already loaded into her rifle.)（埃芙低头看向武器，她只剩下枪上那插着的最后一个弹匣了。）

(Meanwhile, Ange pulls out the MP443 at her waist and her combat knife before smiling bitterly at Alva.)（而安洁拔出了腰间的MP443和随身的匕首，朝埃芙露出了苦笑。）

AngeliaLooks like we'll need to hang in there until the train arrives. It's going to be a hard fight...看来我们得坚持到列车进站才行，接下来是一场苦战啊……

AngeliaSo let's get ready for it, 94—we need to survive this!准备作战吧94——我们要一起活下去！

(Countless ELIDs flood the train station, but the train Ange is talking about does not arrive.)（数不尽的E.L.I.D.几乎要将整个车站淹没，但安洁所说的列车却迟迟没有到来。）

(Alva mounts her bayonet and lays into the ELID horde with all her might. Disgusting fluids and limbs fly through the air as she stabs and slashes them while her bayonet gleams coldly.)（埃芙将刺刀装在枪口，尽全力和尸潮拼杀着，恶心的汁液和残肢到处飞舞，在刺刀的寒光下E.L.I.D.被穿刺切碎。）

(Where is the rest of Task Force DEFY? Why aren't they here to protect Ange?)（忤逆的其他人形在哪里？为什么她们不来保护安洁？）

(...That's right, how's Ange doing?!)（……对了，安洁！）

(Alva suddenly thinks back to the one person who requires the most protection in this desperate situation.)（猛然间，埃芙回想起了在这样的绝境下，最应当被保护的人。）

(She tries to call Ange's name, but she's unable to project a sound.)（埃芙想要呼喊安洁的名字，但是，她发不出任何声音。）

(It's certainly not for any lack of trying, but any vocalization she can manage is drowned out by the thunderous roars of the ELID horde.)（不是她不想呼喊，而是她的声音，被淹没在了尸潮震耳欲聋的嘶吼声中。）

(Her throat feels dry and painful, as though someone is strangling her. The only thing that leaves her mouth is a weak expulsion of air.)（她的喉咙，仿佛被什么东西给扼住了，干涩而疼痛，只能发出微弱的气音。）

(She desperately opens her mouth, but all she manages to do is inhale more of the choking air.)（她拼命地张嘴，却只能徒劳地吸入更多令人窒息的空气。）

AlvaAn...安……

(She sees Ange.)（她看到了安洁莉娅。）

(Ange is standing close by, facing away from her as she struggles valiantly against the ELIDs.)（安洁就站在不远处，背对着她，奋力与 E.L.I.D. 战斗。）

(It's as though she can't see Alva. Her gun spews flame as she pulls the trigger without stopping, bringing down one ELID after another.)（她仿佛看不到埃芙，只是不停扣动扳机，枪口喷吐着火舌，将一只只 E.L.I.D. 击倒。）

(However, there are simply too many ELIDs. They're like an endless tide, wave after wave washing in with no end in sight.)（但是，E.L.I.D. 的数量实在太多了，如同无穷无尽的海浪，一波又一波地涌来。）

(Several ELIDs have already fallen around Angelia, but even more ELIDs are already lunging at her.)（安洁莉娅的身边，已经倒下了几只 E.L.I.D. 的尸体，但更多的 E.L.I.D. 扑了上来。）

(One of them pounces from behind, its sharp claws seeking her exposed back.)（一只 E.L.I.D. 从安洁莉娅的身后扑来，锋利的爪子抓向她的后背。）

(Angelia nimbly evades it, but another ELID charges her from the side.)（安洁莉娅敏捷地闪避开来，但另一只 E.L.I.D. 又从侧面扑了过来。）

(She opens fire and kills that ELID, but even more rush up and surround her.)（她开枪击毙了那只 E.L.I.D.，但更多的 E.L.I.D. 已经将她团团围住。）

(Angelia's movements begin to slow down, and the gun in her hand locks open on an empty chamber—for all her strength of will and extensive training, she is ultimately only a human being.)（安洁莉娅的动作，开始变得迟缓，而她手中的手枪已经空仓挂机——不论意志多么强大，训练如何有素，她也只不过只是个人类。）

(Her body bears several wounds, and fresh blood oozes from them.)（她的身上，已经出现了几道伤口，鲜血正从伤口中流出。）

(Alva wants to rush over, but the ELIDs have already surrounded her as well, to the point where she can't even take a step forward.)（埃芙想要冲过去救援，但她的周围也早已围满了E.L.I.D.，她甚至无法向前一步。）

AlvaAnge... Ange!安洁……安洁……！！

(All she can do is watch the horde swallow up Ange, powerless to help.)（她只能眼睁睁地看着安洁莉娅陷入困境，却无能为力。）

(...This powerlessness is... very familiar.)（……这种无力感，这种……熟悉的，无能为力的感觉。）

Angelia—Tch!——啧！！

(A huge ELID throws itself at Ange and knocks her to the ground.)（一只巨大的 E.L.I.D. 猛扑过来，将安洁莉娅扑倒在地。）

(Alva reflexively reaches for the gun at her waist, but her hand finds nothing. At almost the same time, she sees Ange's pistol on the ground.)（埃芙下意识地去摸腰间的手枪，却摸了一个空，而几乎是同时，她看到安洁的手枪落到了地上。）

(It is the MP443 that has accompanied her for ten years.)（那柄，已经伴随了她十年的MP443。）

(Ange tries to struggle to her feet, but the ELIDs' sharp claws have already pierced deep into her body.)（安洁挣扎着想要爬起来，但 E.L.I.D. 锋利的爪子，已经刺入了她的身体。）

(Crimson blood stains her clothes instantly. It is a more visceral and shocking sight compared to how electronic components are exposed when a Doll's synthetic skin is torn open.)（鲜血，瞬间染红了她的衣服，比起人形被撕裂时露出的电子零件更加触目惊心。）

(Ange collapses to the ground, still struggling weakly. Alva can also see that she is looking at her.)（安洁倒在地上无力地挣扎着，然而，埃芙却看到，她的视线投向了自己。）

(While her eyes are filled with pain and a refusal to accept her fate, there is no fear or despair there.)（她的眼神中，充满了痛苦和不甘，但却没有恐惧，没有绝望。）

(Her lips are moving slightly, as though she's trying to tell Alva something.)（她的嘴唇，微微动了动，似乎想要对埃芙说什么。）

(However, Alva cannot make out what she's trying to say. All she can hear are the howls and roars of the monsters.)（但埃芙听不到她到底在说什么，她的耳中只有怪物的嘶吼和咆哮。）

(Suddenly, Angelia pounds the ground and all the surrounding sounds vanish, as though Alva had gone deaf all of a sudden.)（安洁猛地捶地，周围的声音突然间完全消失，埃芙就像失聪了一般什么都听不见了。）

(The fallen Angelia suddenly kicks away the ELID attacking her and shouts at Alva. In a world of silence, her voice is clear and almost deafening.)（但是倒地的安洁狠狠地踢开了攻击她的E.L.I.D.，朝着埃芙开始大喊，在一片寂静中她的声音是如此的清晰而刺耳。）

AngeliaAlva! Board the train!埃芙！快上车！！

AlvaWhat?什么？

(Sound suddenly returns to the world. The ELIDs' howls pierce the silence first, then the urgent blare of a train horn as it thunders into the station.)（周围的声音骤然恢复，E.L.I.D.的怒吼再次回到了埃芙的耳中，而比这更为响亮的是——一辆列车拉着汽笛轰鸣着朝站内冲来。）

(She can also hear a machine gun firing from behind her; the ELIDs around her collapse to the ground.)（而一阵机枪的扫射声也从埃芙的背后传来，她周围的尸潮也应声倒地。）

RPK-16You're a mess, senior of mine.真是凄惨呐，前辈。

Alva...!……！

AlvaNa...Nadia...?娜……娜迦……？

(The Doll with the machine gun winks, but her weapon never stops firing, cutting down one mob of ELIDs after another.)（手持着机枪的人形低垂着眼，手中的机枪也在不断喷吐着火舌，将一片片 E.L.I.D. 击倒。）

(Her smile is as mysterious as Alva remembers, but after learning the full truth, she realizes that there's something else behind the mystery.)（她浅浅的微笑一如埃芙记忆中一样神秘，而在得知所有的真相后，在埃芙眼里，这神秘的背后，又多了一些别的东西。）

AlvaThis isn't right... You're...不对……你已经……

RPK-16Yes, I'm dead.死了，是的。

RPK-16All men must die, after all.每个人都会死。

(After laying down a torrent of ferocious firepower, RPK-16's LMG finally falls silent.)（在一阵猛烈的攻击之后，RPK16 的机枪停止了咆哮。）

(She is out of ammunition.)（她的子弹耗尽了。）

RPK-16But Dolls do not die, and neither will you, Alva.但死亡不属于人形，也不属于你，埃芙。

RPK-16It's time you boarded the train.你该上车了。

AlvaBoarded...?上车……？

(All Alva feels is a stabbing pain in her neural cloud.)（埃芙只感到心智一阵刺痛。）

(It's as though she's forgotten something very important.)（她似乎忘记了什么十分重要的事。）

(The train's brakes shriek as they engage, and it slowly grinds to a halt amidst a spray of sparks. Then the door to its cabin suddenly flies open, as though it were waiting for someone.)（列车响起了刺耳的刹车声，在一阵火花后停在了站台上，车门骤然打开，像等待着谁的来临。）

(Alva opens her mouth to ask what is going on, but she doesn't get the chance to say anything. Because RPK-16, still smiling, suddenly raises her hand and shoves her onto the train.)（埃芙张口想问什么，但没有给她继续询问的机会，面带微笑的RPK16忽然抬起了手，一把将她推向了列车。）

RPK-16Береги себя, дорогая дочка. (Take care of yourself, dear daughter.)Береги себя，дорогая дочка.

Alva!!！！

(The force of the shove sends Alva rolling over the floor of the cabin. The door immediately closes and the train begins to move.)（埃芙因为推动滚进了列车内，列车立即关上了车门开始启动。）

(Alva rushes over to the door and pounds on it. Through the glass, she sees the Doll who calls herself Embla walking slowly toward Angelia.)（埃芙冲到门前敲打着车门，透过玻璃她看到为自己命名为恩布拉的人形缓缓走向安洁。）

(Meanwhile, more and more ELIDs rush toward them, and soon they are buried beneath a tide of corpses. No matter how Alva shifts herself, she can't see them.)（而越来越多的E.L.I.D.朝她们冲去，很快将她们淹没在了尸潮中，不论埃芙如何调整位置都再也无法看见她们的身影。）

AlvaRPK...!!RPK……！！

Spotless Swan 无垢的天鹅

AlvaAnge!!安洁！！

(Alva suddenly snaps awake. Her originally blurred vision begins to focus.)（埃芙突然苏醒过来，视野逐渐从一片模糊，变得清晰起来。）

(Her frame's functions quickly recover, and the scenery before her gradually focuses into a cold, white expanse.)（素体的机能在迅速恢复，眼前的景象逐渐聚焦，最终，定格在一片冰冷的白色之中。）

(She is lying in a half-sealed capsule, and the cables used to assault her neural cloud are still connected to her access ports.)（她被放置在一个半封闭的舱体内，用来攻击她心智的线路还安装在她的一个个对外端口上。）

(This place is cramped. She is surrounded by icy cold metal on all sides, covered in a complex array of wiring and indicator lights.)（这是一个狭小的空间，四壁都是冰冷的金属，上面布满了各种复杂的线路和指示灯。）

(Her body is bound to a chair. She is unable to move except for some small head movements.)（她的身体，被固定在座椅上，动弹不得，只能小幅度活动头部。）

(The capsule is filled with a quiet hum. Upon closer listening, it turns out to be the running noise of various pieces of equipment, which make her feel anxious and uneasy.)（舱内充满了轻微的嗡鸣声，依稀可以听出是各种仪器设备运转的声音，让人感到烦躁不安。）

(A wave of dizziness washes over Alva, and she even feels the phantom pain of severed limbs as simulated nociception signals assault her neural cloud.)（她感到一阵阵的眩晕，她甚至感觉到了肢体被截断的幻痛，这些模拟的伤痛感知冲击着埃芙的心智。）

(The signals feel incredibly real, so real that she's actually experiencing a sense of weightlessness, as though her body no longer belongs to her.)（那种感觉，太真实了，真实到让她有一种失重感，仿佛身体已经不属于了自己。）

(...They've force-activated all her biosynthetic sensory feedback links, so her experience during this enhanced interrogation session is as close to a human's as possible.)（……她们故意开启了她所有的仿生感官，令她在接受拷问时无限接近于人类。）

(She even experienced that ordeal in Level II as a human being would.)（甚至，在二级平层，让她作为人体验了那一切。）

(All this manages to disorient even the present Alva. Her neural cloud is slow and chaotic, like she's been forcibly subjected to excessive input. It takes her nearly twenty seconds before she can come to her senses and start thinking again.)（即便是如今的埃芙，也感到一阵恍惚，她的心智像是被强行塞入了太多的信息，变得迟钝而混乱，足足花了十几秒的时间才缓过神来，才能开始思考。）

(The outer offensive barriers of her neural cloud have been broken. The opposition is now flooding her Level II layer with huge amounts of sensory data—simulating human-level torture-induced suffering—in a final attempt to overwhelm her operating logic.)（自己心智外层的攻性防壁被攻破了，对方在试图进入二级平层时加入了大量感知数据，试图用人类被折磨时的痛苦来冲击她的心智逻辑。）

(They are also attempting to overwrite Alva's original cognitive processes with large quantities of phantom signals, aiming to force her defensive systems to self-destruct.)（大量致幻的信号也同样覆盖了埃芙原有的认知端口，试图让埃芙的防御体系陷入自毁。）

(However, these attacks have not been effective, and Alva thus woke from her "nightmare".)（然而这些攻击却未能奏效，埃芙从“噩梦”中苏醒了过来。）

Alva...……

(Alva falls silent. Had she awoken from that nightmare because of Angelia... Or was it because of "her"?)（埃芙陷入了沉默，自己能从噩梦中惊醒，是因为安洁……还是因为“她”？）

(As she peers through the observation port of the neural capsule, Alva can see the spacious lab where she had been just a while ago.)（透过心智舱的观察窗，埃芙可以看到不久之前，自己还待在那边的宽敞的实验室。）

(The researchers in white are working on the lab instruments and recording data. They don't seem to have noticed that she's woken up.)（那些穿着白色制服的研究员，仍在忙碌地操作着仪器，记录着数据，似乎还没有注意到她已经苏醒。）

Alva...……

(Alva frowns, because she sees Igla standing in the middle of the lab.)（埃芙挑了挑眉，因为她在实验室的中央看到了站立着的针。）

(She doesn't know how long she's been unconscious. After all, there's no way to judge the passing of time in Level II, and her internal chronometer doesn't work anymore.)（她无法判断自己失去意识了多久，毕竟二级平层里流逝的时间也不能作为参考，而她的内部计时器也已经不起作用了。）

(Perhaps Igla is still here because she was only shut down for two minutes. Or maybe it's been a full day, and Igla had already left and returned.)（也许她只关机了两分钟，所以针还没有离开，也许已经过了整整一天，而针已经是去而复返。）

(...This is by no means an unimportant matter.)（……这还真不是什么无关紧要的事。）

(While Alva is pondering this, she suddenly notices a human soldier rushing in from outside the lab.)（而就在埃芙思考的时候，忽然，她看见从实验室的外面，闯入了一个急匆匆的人类士兵。）

(His outfit looks very similar to the armed troops she fought earlier.)（看穿着打扮，与之前交手的武装单位十分类似。）

(There is an anxious, frightened look on his face, and his forehead is covered in sweat.)（他的脸上带着焦急和恐惧的神色，额头上也满是汗水。）

Security GuardI, uh, I have news, ma'am!报，报告！

(Despite his evident panic, he walks and carries himself like a proper soldier. However, it's still obvious that he's forcing it; Alva can tell that he's wounded, even from a distance.)（即便已经如此慌张，但他的脚步和站姿依然符合一个军人的标准，只是仍旧可以看出一些勉强，哪怕隔着这么远，埃芙也隐约看出他的身上带着一些伤。）

(Igla maintains her calm bearing even after seeing her subordinate's condition. She turns slowly, her eyebrows slightly furrowed as she studies the guard.)（即便见到下属这般模样，针依然保持着得体的姿态，缓缓转过身去，眉头微微蹙起，目光锐利地注视着这位警备员。）

IglaPlease explain the reason why you have come here.请说明您此刻前来的缘由。

(The guard gulps. His throat shifts visibly as he swallows, but he does not answer Igla's question right away.)（警备员紧张地咽了咽口水，肉眼可见喉头抽动了一番，却并没有第一时间回答针的问题。）

(Igla's frown deepens. A flicker of unease passes through her eyes, as though she already knows his news is not good.)（对此，针的眉头越拧越紧，她眼中闪过一丝不安，显然已经预感到了某种不祥的消息。）

Igla...Is it about AK-15? Did she manage to break through the lockdown?……是AK15的讯息有变？她成功突破了封锁区域？

IglaOr did someone force their way into the sewer search area?还是说，有人强行闯入了下水道搜索区？

Security GuardNo, this has nothing to do with her, our squads are still carrying out their search.不，跟她无关，那里的小队仍在进行搜索。

(More sweat beads on the guard's forehead. He knows that no matter how hard he tries, there's no avoiding what's coming next.)（警备员的额头又渗出了更多汗水，但他也明白，不论再怎么难说出口，他也不可能一直逃避。）

(Igla's gaze is gentle but still terrifying.)（针的目光虽然温和，但依然令人畏惧。）

Security GuardI-it's about the Young Mistress, she—urgh?!是，是大小姐，她——呃！？

(He takes a deep breath, then finally manages to work up the courage to speak, but before he can even finish explaining why he is here—)（他深吸了一口气，似是终于鼓起了勇气，然而就在刚刚开口，还没说清原委的瞬间。）

(Hearing that key phrase causes Igla to instantly lose her composure. Fueled by a rare savagery, she seizes the man by the collar and lifts him off the ground.)（便被听到关键词而瞬间失态的针抓住了衣领，她的动作罕见地带上了一丝粗暴，将警备员整个提起。）

IglaWhat happened to the Young Mistress?!大小姐怎么了？

Security Guard(Coughs heavily) Th-the lab... was... attacked...呃……咳……咳咳……研，研究所……遭遇了……袭击……

Security GuardB-but... the Young Mistress... is, she's alright!但，但是……大小姐……没，没有大碍！

(The man frantically tries to explain himself, like he's pleading for his life.)（就像是为了求饶一般，士兵慌忙解释道。）

Igla...……

(Igla's face goes pale. She lets go of the man. He drops to the ground amidst a fit of coughing.)（针的面容变得苍白，她松开了手，警备员便直接摔落到地上，剧烈地咳嗽起来。）

(She forces herself to stay calm, but the anger and worry in her eyes is obvious to anyone.)（她强迫自己保持着表面的平静，但任谁都能看出她眼中的怒火与担忧。）

(The guard doesn't dare to raise his head or look at Igla's face. He opens his mouth as though he's about to speak, but he doesn't manage to utter anything beyond nonsensical syllables.)（警备员不敢抬头，不敢去看针的表情，他张了张嘴，似乎想要说些什么，但却什么也说不出来，只能发出一些无意义的音节。）

(He's heard rumors about Igla...)（他曾听说过一些针的传闻……）

(Just as the guard is teetering on the verge of panic, Igla suddenly reaches for the pistol at her waist. It looks like it's been custom-made, and its gold-plated body shimmers with a faint blue light.)（就在警备员仍在惴惴不安的时候，忽然，针猛地拔出了挂在腰间的手枪，这把枪似乎是特制的，金色鎏金的枪身上，闪烁着幽幽的蓝光。）

(She raises it with a blank expression on her face, so fast that the guard can't even react to it. By the time the guard realizes what's going on, all he can do is close his eyes in resignation and despair.)（她面无表情地举起手枪，动作很快，警备员第一时间都没来得及反应，而当他意识到针做了什么的时候，已经绝望地闭上了眼。）

(However...)（然而……）

(Igla defies everyone's expectations by turning and taking aim at Chiloveig, who's spinning lazily in her chair.)（出乎所有人的预料，针轻轻转身，枪口对准了正在不远处悠闲晃动着椅子的奇洛薇格。）

(Blam—!)（砰——！）

(She pulls the trigger.)（她扣下了扳机。）

(A fireball erupts from the gun's muzzle. Its primitive black-powder propellant belches a thick gunsmoke cloud. Chiloveig's face disintegrates into crimson mist, the massive impact sending her entire body crashing to the ground.)（枪火瞬间炸开，复古的火药点燃的黑烟从枪口喷出，几乎同时，奇洛薇格的脸上直接爆出一朵血花，整个人受到巨大的冲击，直接栽倒在地上。）

(She doesn't even manage to cry out; her fingers twitch slightly, and then she goes limp. Foul-smelling blood oozes from the hole in her head and makes a huge stain on the ground.)（连惨叫声都没有，她的手指轻轻松动了一下，便再没有半点声息，只有从脸上炸开的窟窿中淌出的腥臭污血在缓缓流淌，染红了大半的地板。）

(The guard's eyes go wide as he covers his mouth, desperately fighting the urge to scream.)（警备员瞪大了眼睛，捂住了自己的嘴巴，拼命地不发出一点声音。）

(It's not that he hasn't seen dead people before. In fact, he's personally created many corpses in the line of duty.)（他并不是没有见过死人，甚至自己也曾亲自处决过不少人。）

(But right now, he is terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought.)（但此时此刻，他仍然只感到恐惧。）

Alva...……

(Alva observes all this with a blank look on her face.)（埃芙面无表情地注视着这一幕。）

(Igla's actions are ruthless and decisive, but not surprising—Alva has already seen through Igla's true nature from the start.)（针的举动冷酷而决绝，却丝毫不令人意外——在更早的时候，她就已经看透了针的本性。）

(After Chiloveig collapses, the Marionette Dolls milling around the lab, indistinguishable from human beings, all start to collapse lifelessly one after the other.)（伴随着奇洛薇格的倒下，那些在实验室内来来往往，看起来与生人无异的傀儡人形，也接二连三地东倒西歪，完全丧失生气。）

(Whoosh—)（噗咻——）

(Meanwhile, a device on the other side of the lab suddenly comes to life—it looks like the sleep capsule Alva is currently occupying. Its silver-colored exterior and hatch gleam with a dazzling light.)（而几乎是同时，在研究室另一侧的某个仪器忽然开始运作——它看起来像是某种与埃芙此时所在的休眠舱类似的东西，有着银白色的外壳和舱门，闪烁着耀目的光泽。）

(There is a burst of noise as machinery runs and gears engage, and then the capsule's hatch slowly opens, emitting a cloud of white vapor.)（一阵响动之后，伴随着机械运转和齿轮咬合的声音，仪器的舱门冒着白色的烟雾缓缓打开。）

(A naked woman steps out of it, wreathed in wisps of what looks like some sort of refrigerant gas as it evaporates. She casually reaches for a lab coat from a nearby peg and throws it on.)（在像是某种冷冻气体的烟雾缭绕之中，一个赤身裸体的女人从里面踱步走出，随手便从一旁的衣挂上取下一条白大褂披在了身上。）

(With her entrance, the collapsed researchers who look like puppets with their strings cut all begin to slowly get back up. They appear as though they had been recalled to life, and carry on with their tasks like nothing had happened.)（而随着她的出现，那些像是断线木偶一样东倒西歪的研究员，又仿佛重获了生命，一个个都慢慢站了起来，像是什么都没发生过一样又继续做起了自己的事。）

Chiloveig(Sigh) How barbaric~唉唉唉~真是粗鲁呢~

(The woman from the capsule sighs heavily, but her tone is theatrical and mocking.)（从舱体内走出的女人长叹了一口气，语调却带着一种夸张的戏谑。）

(Her hair is damp and her face is oily, like someone spread a layer of butter on it. But it's plain to see that she looks identical to the Chiloveig who's lying dead on the ground.)（她的头发濡湿，脸上也湿润得像是涂了一层黄油，但仍然可以轻易看到，她与倒在地上的奇洛薇格有着一模一样的五官。）

ChiloveigWhy the temper tantrum? Is this how you treat an old friend, Miss Igla? How rude~发什么小脾气嘛？这样对待老朋友，针小姐真是越来越不懂礼貌啦~

(As she says this, she snaps her fingers like she's performing a magic trick.)（她一边说着，一边打了个响指，动作夸张得像是在表演魔术。）

(In response to her signal, several researchers like the one who cleaned up the coffee spill before promptly appear from a corner of the lab. They begin clearing away the corpse and bloodstains.)（随着她的招呼，几个和刚才替她打扫过咖啡的研究员一样的生物立即从实验室的角落中冒出，开始清理地上的尸体和血迹。）

(Their movements are swift and practiced, as though they've rehearsed this countless times before... Or maybe they've had to perform this procedure innumerable times before.)（它们的动作迅速而熟练，就像是经过了无数次的训练……或是经历了无数次相同的情况。）

(After carrying the corpse away, mopping up the blood and re-waxing the floor, everything is back to how it originally was.)（它们将尸体抬走，将血迹擦干，将地板重新打蜡，一切都恢复了原状。）

(It is as though nothing had ever happened.)（仿佛，刚才什么都没有发生过一样。）

Igla...Please return to your post.……请回去吧。

Security GuardYes... Yes, ma'am!是……是！

(The guard scrambles out of the lab as if granted a stay of execution.)（如蒙大赦一般，士兵连滚带爬地逃离了实验室。）

(After watching the guard scramble away, Igla turns to regard the "brand new" Chiloveig.)（喝退了目瞪口呆的警备员，针重新转向了“崭新的”奇洛薇格。）

Igla...I thought I would not need to explain myself, but clearly I have overestimated your intelligence.……我本以为不需要我过多赘述，但看来这是对您智力水准的高估。

IglaDon't forget, the only reason I am going along with your despicable schemes is for the sake of the Girard Group... and the Young Mistress.别忘了，我之所以奉陪你肮脏、下作的计划，完全是旨在为捍卫吉拉尔集团……与大小姐的利益。

ChiloveigAren't we a paragon of virtue~ So how was that MY fault? You think I sent people to attack the lab? I'm a scientist and I swear on the name of science that my brain is perfectly normal.天~地~良~心~关人家什么事嘛？难道是我派人袭击的研究所？我是个科学家，我能打包票证明我的脑子很正常。

ChiloveigMeanwhile, what good does putting a bullet through my head do for you, anyway?而且呀，你直接毙了人家能解决什么问题嘛？

ChiloveigYou're always so violent, Miss Igla, no wonder Orphie thinks you're so strict~针小姐总是这么暴力，难怪欧菲露妮小甜心觉得你太严肃啦~

Igla...……

(A wisp of smoke coils up from the barrel of Igla's gun as she takes aim at Chiloveig again. Its muzzle is trained squarely on Chiloveig's head, and she looks like she might fire again at any time.)（针举着尚有一缕硝烟的手枪再次转向奇洛薇格，枪口依然指着她的头颅，似乎随时可能再次开枪。）

(However, Chiloveig doesn't seem the least bit afraid of her. All she does is shrug in mock innocence as madness twinkles in her eyes.)（而奇洛薇格则毫无惧意，只是一脸无辜地摊着手，眼中却闪烁着一丝疯狂的光芒。）

Alva...……………………

Alva(...So this was why she could appear again like nothing had happened even after committing suicide.)（……原来，这就是她明明已经自杀了，却能好像一点事都没发生过一样再次出现的原因。）

Chiloveig...?……？

(Chiloveig follows the gaze back towards its source and realizes that Alva is awake.)（奇洛薇格顺着埃芙的眼神朝舱门看来，她发现了埃芙已经苏醒。）

(She bats her eyelashes and opens her mouth in a parody of surprise, then tosses off a wink while smiling with a twisted playfulness.)（她夸张地眨着眼睛，随即张大嘴巴，做出一个故作惊讶的表情，紧接着又抛了个媚眼，脸上的笑容充满了病态的调皮。）

Alva...……

(Alva coolly meets her gaze.)（埃芙冷冷地与她对视。）

Alva(Resurrection, is it?)（复活……吗？）

Alva(What a disgusting technology.)（真是，令人反胃的技术。）

Igla...……

(Igla narrows her eyes and studies Chiloveig. She takes note of the latter's antics, but she doesn't seem to care about them.)（针眯着眼看着奇洛薇格，后者的小动作自然逃不过她的眼睛，但她并不在乎。）

Igla...I was away from the lab for less than half an hour, and it just so happened to be attacked during that time, right when I wasn't around... Do you really think I would write it off as a coincidence?……我才刚离开研究所不到半个小时，那里就被袭击了，刚巧就选在我不在的时候……你觉得，我会认为这是巧合？

ChiloveigOf course it was~ Isn't everything in the world a coincidence? Even us meeting each other is a coincidence!当然是咯~世界上的事情不都是巧合嘛？就像我们能相遇也是巧合！

(Chiloveig turns in place like a kid, her lab coat flaring out in the air around her.)（奇洛薇格像个孩子般转了个圈，白大褂在空中划出一道弧线。）

IglaYou asked me to hurry here because a critical issue arose during the DEFY member's interrogation.是你说对忤逆的审讯出现了很重要的问题，要我立即前来。

ChiloveigDid I actually say that? ...Aw, I'm a total scatterbrain, you see~是这样吗？……哎呀，人家记性不太好嘛~

(Chiloveig affects a look of vexation, and then she throws herself back into her chair and kicks her legs like a child.)（奇洛薇格夸张地摆出一副困扰的表情，随后直接跳到椅子上，像个小孩子般荡着双腿。）

ChiloveigStill, if I were you, I'd hurry back to the Young Mistress' side right now instead of blowing off steam by blowing up my head.不过如果我是你，我肯定现在就应该立刻赶到大小姐身边，而不是在这里宣泄情绪。

ChiloveigEven if she's fine, she might be suuuuuuper scaaaaared~就算她没受伤，保不齐这会有~多~害~怕~呢。

ChiloveigAnd besides, if the attackers come back for another go, do you really think she might be as lucky the next time round~而且……要是还有第二波袭击，不知道还有没有那~么~好~运？

Igla...!……！

(Igla's face turns pale and a momentary panic flashes through her eyes.)（针的面容变得更加苍白，眼中的担忧一闪而过。）

(Then she adjusts her jacket, holsters her gun, and her movements regain their usual smoothness.)（她整理了一下西装的下摆，将枪收回枪套中，动作恢复了流畅。）

Igla...If anything happens to the Young Mistress, I will personally ensure that there is no coming back for you, Lady Chiloveig.……若大小姐有任何闪失，我将亲自确保您不会迎来下一次苏醒的机会，奇洛薇格女士。

(Her voice is calm again, but the chilling threat she utters is more terrifying than any shout could ever be.)（她的语气恢复了平静，但那种冰冷的威胁却比任何怒吼都更加令人胆寒。）

(She shoots one last icy look at Chiloveig before turning to leave. She doesn't bother with affecting elegance; her priority is returning to Orphelune and the lab posthaste.)（她最后冷冷地看了奇洛薇格一眼，随即转身离开了实验室，也顾不上什么优雅，快速地向欧菲露妮研究所赶去。）

(Her footsteps fade into the distance and vanish.)（脚步声逐渐远去，最终彻底消失。）

(All that remains in her wake is gunsmoke and the stench of blood.)（只留下实验室中弥漫的淡淡的硝烟，还有血腥味。）

ChiloveigAnd there she goes~ Someone clearly doesn't know how to enjoy life, don't you think?哎呀呀，她走啦~一点都不懂得享受生活，对吧？

(After Igla leaves, Chiloveig jumps out of her chair. She spins around happily like she's putting on a show in this lab which only has Marionette Dolls in it.)（而在针走后，奇洛薇格从椅子上跳下，在只有傀儡来来往往的实验室里，开心地转了个圈，像是在舞台上表演。）

Alva...……

(Alva knows Chiloveig is talking to her.)（埃芙知道，她是在跟自己说话。）

(However, she has no intention of replying.)（但她并不打算回应。）

(Chiloveig skips over to Alva's hibernation capsule. The hem of her lab coat drags on the ground, and her bare feet make a padding sound as she moves.)（奇洛薇格蹦蹦跳跳地走到了埃芙所在的休眠仓前，白大褂的后摆拖在地板上，赤足踩在地上发出啪嗒啪嗒的声音。）

(Like a curious child, she taps the observation window and cranes her head to peer at Alva inside the capsule.)（她像个好奇心极重的小孩，轻轻用手指叩了叩观察窗，探头探脑地观察休眠仓内的埃芙。）

ChiloveigI didn't expect you to awaken halfway through. Looks like your neural cloud is stronger than I expected.我没想到你会中途醒过来，你的心智强度，比我想象的还要高呢。

(She looks at Alva in amusement, her eyes twinkling like she's appreciating a precious work of art... or a beloved toy.)（她饶有趣味地看着埃芙，目光熠熠生辉，像是看着一件珍贵的艺术品……或是一个心爱的玩具。）

ChiloveigA normal Doll's neural cloud would have burned out in less than three seconds after being hooked up to her~一般的人形在那个家伙手里，连三秒钟都撑不到心智就会烧掉呢~

ChiloveigAnd you actually managed to break free of that peak-grade torture program all by yourself.而你竟然能从那种顶级折磨的程式中自己挣脱出来。

Alva...……

ChiloveigWant to know something? If you ask me, I think you're more of a third-gen Doll than Igla is.你知道吗？我觉得跟针比起来，你更像一个三代人形。

(Alva looks at the Nyto researcher before her. Her heart is filled with revulsion and wariness.)（埃芙看着眼前的涅托研究员，心中充满了厌恶和警惕。）

(She has no idea what this woman is up to.)（她不知道，这个女人，究竟想要做什么。）

ChiloveigThe folks from Orlog are all dimwitted plebs. Their approach to Doll development has gone astray.奥尔劳格的人都是一群脑子不灵光的庸才，他们对人形开发的思路彻底走偏了。

ChiloveigEach one they develop is stronger than the last, but the neural clouds get more childish with each generation.性能是一台比一台强大，心智却一个赛一个的幼稚。

ChiloveigI mean, if the mark of excellence was fighting power, then the first third-gen Doll wouldn't be RO635 but AK-15 of DEFY, right?要是卓越的标志是能打，那最初的三代人形就不是RO635，而是你们忤逆的AK15啦，对不对？

ChiloveigIgla's got her little girl crush on that war machine, but she never noticed that YOU are the real treasure of Task Force DEFY.针满脑子都只想着那架战车，却一点都没注意到，你才是忤逆小队最珍贵的财产。

Alva...……

ChiloveigThere's no doubt that Samantha Shaw is a genius. She spent most of her life devoted to developing military hardware, yet despite only being a newcomer to the Doll field, she managed to create that Pandora... and you.萨曼莎·肖毫无疑问是个天才……作为军工专家，在重火力武器上耕耘了半生的她只在人形这条道路上浅尝辄止，就创造出了那个潘多拉，还有……你。

ChiloveigI'm~ sooooo~ jelly~真~叫~人~嫉~妒……

(Chiloveig heaves a theatrical sigh, her face falling into gloom before brightening suddenly with a huge smile.)（奇洛薇格夸张地叹了口气，表情变得阴郁，随后又突然绽放出一个大大的笑容。）

ChiloveigStill, however talented or outstanding she is, she's dead, returned to the earth, and that means it's all over for her.可惜，不论才华再怎么卓越，死了，也就变成了一撮尘土，毫无意义。

ChiloveigThe true winner is the one who survives to the end.只有活到最后的，才是真正的赢家。

(She indicates herself with her right thumb. Despite her beaming smile, there is a frigid edge to it.)（她用右手拇指指向了自己，笑容灿烂却透着一丝寒意。）

Chiloveig...I may not be as smart as those geniuses, but I will survive to the end, stand on everyone's shoulders, and be the first to reach the truth.……我不像那些天才那么聪明，但我会活到最后，踩在所有人的肩膀上，第一个碰触真理。

ChiloveigAnd you are my next stepping stone, my cutie.你就是我的下一级台阶，小可爱。

Alva...……………………

(Chiloveig bares her teeth in a grin as she knocks on the observation window, like she was rapping on a pet's fishbowl.)（奇洛薇格咧开嘴笑着敲了敲观察窗，像是在敲击宠物鱼缸。）

ChiloveigNow then, let's continue our little game... Don't worry, I'll make sure you won't wake up this time.我们该继续玩啦……放心，这次我会确保你不会再醒过来。

ChiloveigLet's see just how much I can extract from your neural cloud... I wonder what surprises I'll find?让我看看，我还能从你的心智里挖到多少好东西吧……会有什么惊喜呢？

(Saying so, she saunters over to the control panel in front of the hibernation capsule, shoves away the Marionette Doll working there and begins operating the instrumentation herself.)（说完，她蹦蹦跳跳地走到休眠仓的控制台前，挤开了傀儡，亲自操作了起来。）

(The capsule emits a low hum in response to Chiloveig's manipulations, and Alva feels her mind go blurry again.)（随着她的操作，休眠仓再次发出一阵嗡鸣声，埃芙便感觉自己的意识又一次逐渐变得模糊。）

(Darkness envelopes her once more.)（黑暗，再次笼罩了她。）

(The last thing she sees before she passes out is Chiloveig's playful, excited expression.)（在她失去意识之前，她最后看到的，是奇洛薇格那玩味、兴奋的眼神。）

(And then, she plunges into darkness.)（她，再次陷入了黑暗之中。）

(But this time, she does not know if she will awaken again...)（但这一次，她不知道，自己还能不能再次醒来……）

Transcendent Violet 超越之紫

GrozaCommander, the enemy has been driven out of the research facility.指挥官，敌人被赶出研究所了。

Groza404 is engaging the remaining hostile forces near the site; Monsoon Squad is on the way to provide support.404一队正在和研究所附近的残敌交战，季风小队也在赶来增援的路上。

CommanderConnect me to 404.帮我接通404。

GrozaUnderstood.好。

CommanderKlukai, what's the situation?可露凯，现在情况如何？

KlukaiWe're still exchanging fire with them. They're armed to the teeth, but we can't identify their affiliation.我们还在和对方交火，对方装备很好，但无法判断势力。

KlukaiThey're deliberately concealing their identities. Do we need to change the rules of engagement?他们故意隐瞒了自己的身份，攻击规则要改变吗？

CommanderNo. Eliminate them as the top priority, and gather as much information as possible.不用，优先消灭他们，然后尽可能收集信息。

KlukaiUnderstood. But we're outnumbered. If their target is that young lady, and they split their forces, we may not be able to intercept them.明白，但我们人数太少，对方的目标如果是那个大小姐的话，一旦分兵我们可能无法拦截。

CommanderWe'll take the young lady to a safe location first. Once we have her under control, you move toward my position.我们这就去把那个大小姐带到安全的地方，控制住她后你们朝我的位置靠拢。

KlukaiRoger that. We'll wait for your signal, Commander.好，等你的消息，指挥官。

(I cut the connection and turn to Groza and Colphne.)（我关闭了通讯，看向闪电和寇尔芙。）

CommanderLet 404 buy us some time first.先让404拖延时间吧。

CommanderColphne, what's the situation around us?寇尔芙，周围情况如何？

ColphneIt looks like everyone inside the facility has fled outside. This place really doesn't have a single armed guard...研究所里的人似乎都往外逃走了，这个地方真的连一个武装警卫都没有啊……

CommanderMaintain control of the area. People from the Girard Group or PSA should arrive soon. Until then, we need to keep Orphelune safe.保持对区域的控制，吉拉尔或者治安部门的人应该很快就会赶来，在此之前我们先保护好欧菲露妮。

CommanderCan you locate that young lady?那位大小姐的位置能获取到吗？

ColphneI saw her run up to the experimental area on the top floor just now.刚才我看到她逃到顶楼的实验区域去了。

CommanderShe's there, huh. I see. Let's move.刚才那个地方吗，我知道了，我们过去吧。

(Avoiding stray rounds from the firefight between the unknown forces and Squad 404, we rush up to the rooftop. We smash through the glass doors of the experimental complex and force our way inside.)（避开未知部队和404小队交火造成的流弹，我们冲上了楼顶，打碎了实验基地的玻璃门后，闯了进去。）

(In the isolation chamber where Orphelune has demonstrated an experiment for me not long ago, a figure sits there blankly, knees hugged to her chest.)（就在前不久欧菲露妮为我进行演示实验的那个隔离间里，一个人影抱着膝盖呆坐在那里。）

(Groza and Colphne check the surroundings. No armed personnel are in sight. I stow my weapon inside my clothes and stride quickly toward that figure.)（闪电和寇尔芙朝四周检查，没有看到武装人员的身影，我将武器藏进衣服中，快步朝那个身影走去。）

CommanderMiss Orphelune!欧菲露妮小姐！

OrpheluneAh! W-why are you here?!啊！你、你们怎么来了？

CommanderI was about to get in the car and leave when I saw black smoke rising from this direction, so I rushed over with everyone.我正准备上车离开的时候看到这边冒起了黑烟，就赶紧带着大家赶过来了。

OrpheluneY-you're just a journalist! Don't play the hero!你，你只是个记者！不要乱逞英雄！

(Her tone is harsh, but the panic and tears in Orphelune's eyes betray her true emotions. I hurry over to assess her condition.)（尽管语气强硬，但欧菲露妮眼中的惊慌和泪光却出卖了她的真实情绪，我赶紧走过去观察她的状态。）

(Though she's trembling all over, she doesn't appear to have any external injuries. Judging by her breathing, her internal organs likely weren't damaged by the explosion either.)（虽然欧菲露妮在浑身发抖，但看起来没有受到外伤，从呼吸的状态看应该也没有因为爆炸而伤到内脏。）

(I extend my hand to Orphelune. After hesitating for a moment, she finally takes it and stands up.)（我朝欧菲露妮伸出手，虽然犹豫了片刻，但她还是握住了我的手站了起来。）

OrpheluneW-where are the people who attacked the facility?袭、袭击研究所的人呢？

CommanderThey've been repelled for now.暂且被击退了。

OrpheluneRepelled? But there aren't even any armed guards here!击退？可是这里没有拿枪的警卫啊？

CommanderWe found a way to drive them back.我们想办法击退了他们。

OrpheluneYou did?!你们？！

CommanderIn any case, this place is extremely dangerous. We don't know when the attackers will strike again. You need to leave immediately.总之，这里很危险，袭击者不知道什么时候会再打过来，你得快点离开这里。

OrpheluneD-don't be ridiculous! As the heiress of the Girard Group, how could I be frightened off by a bunch of small-time thugs?!别、别开玩笑了！作为吉拉尔集团的继承人，本小姐怎么能被区区小喽啰吓退？

OrpheluneBesides, these research data are... absolutely priceless! As if I could let them be destroyed!再说这些研究数据也是……是无价之宝！怎么能让它们被毁掉！

(Despite her tough words, Orphelune almost drops the haphazard pile of data pads and test tubes in her arms.)（欧菲露妮语气强硬，手上却笨拙地捧着一堆数据板和试管，几乎要掉下来。）

(She bites her lip, trying to shoulder everything on her own.)（她咬着嘴唇，试图一个人承担所有事情。）

CommanderNow isn't the time to worry about that. Plants can be cultivated again if they're destroyed, but if something happens to you, then everything really is over.现在不是想这些的时候。植物被破坏了还可以再培育，万一你要是有什么事，一切就全都结束了。

OrpheluneHmph! As if something could happen to me! I'm... I'm...哼！本小姐怎么可能出事？我可是……可是……

(Her voice suddenly trails off, as if she's talking to herself.)（她的声音突然低了下来，像是在对自己说话。）

OrpheluneBut without this research, I don't even know what else I can do...可是没有这些研究，我就不知道自己还能做什么了……

CommanderIt's too early to say that. You're only in your twenties. You still have a long life ahead of you.现在说这些还太早了。你才二十几岁，还有很漫长的人生要走。

CommanderDon't you remember? You survived what happened in Frankfurt. Compared to that, this is nothing.你忘了吗？你都经历过法兰克福的事，现在这些根本不算什么。

Orphelune...……

(Orphelune's eyes flicker slightly, as though a memory has been stirred.)（欧菲露妮的眼睛闪烁了一下，似乎触动了什么记忆。）

OrpheluneY-you're right... but don't get the wrong idea! I'm only agreeing to temporarily relocating the research! Tomorrow's demonstration will absolutely not be canceled!你……你说得对……不过可别误会！本小姐只是考虑到研究暂时转移也无妨而已！明天的演示是绝对不会取消的！

CommanderThen come with me.快点起来，跟我走。

(I signal for Colphne to take hold of Orphelune. This time, Orphelune obediently follows as Colphne starts moving.)（我示意寇尔芙拉住欧菲露妮，这次欧菲露妮倒是很老实地跟着寇尔芙开始前进。）

(But just as we reach the doorway, intense gunfire erupts from below, shots and explosions coming one after another.)（但我们刚到门口，突然楼底传来了激烈的交火声，枪声和爆炸声接踵而来。）

KlukaiCommander!指挥官！

KlukaiThe enemy has begun a full assault on the research facility. Be careful not to get caught in it!敌人开始强攻研究所了，注意不要被波及到！

CommanderThanks for the warning!感谢提醒！

CommanderHold them off! We're escorting the young lady out of the lab!拦截住他们，我们要带大小姐离开实验室了！

KlukaiRoger! Stay safe!收到，你们注意安全！

(The firefight downstairs intensifies further, and several rifle grenades come flying toward the rooftop.)（楼下的交火声烈度又增加了几分，而几发枪榴弹也随之朝顶楼飞来。）

CommanderGet down!趴下！

(I shield Orphelune as we dive toward the doorway.)（我掩护着欧菲露妮朝门口扑去。）

(One of the grenades hits the isolation chamber directly. The glass shatters, fragments hurtling toward us under the force of the blast.)（刚才的枪榴弹正巧打在隔离室的位置，玻璃被击碎，在冲击力的作用下朝我们飞来。）

OrpheluneOw! It-it hurts...呀！好、好痛……

(Orphelune cries out, her face strained as she tries not to show too much pain.)（欧菲露妮惊叫一声，脸上却强忍着不让自己流露出太多痛苦的表情。）

(I look down and realize that a shard of glass has lodged itself squarely in her leg.)（我低下头，才发现其中的一片玻璃碎片恰好插进她的腿里。）

CommanderColphne!寇尔芙！

(Colphne picks up a pair of lab forceps and carefully pulls out the glass shard. Then she rinses the wound with distilled water and applies an adhesive bandage meant for emergency treatment.)（寇尔芙拿起实验室的镊子，将玻璃碎片小心地拔出。随后，她用蒸馏水把伤口冲洗干净，并贴上了用于应急处理的OK绷。）

CommanderBear with it for now. Once we reach a safe place, you'll be fine.忍一忍，等我们到安全的地方就好了。

Orphelune(Sob) Tis but a scratch... Doesn't bother me at all!呜……呜呜……这、这点小伤……本小姐根本不放在眼里！

(Even as she says this, a small sob escapes Orphelune. She bites her lip hard, as if ashamed of her own weakness.)（尽管嘴上这么说着，欧菲露妮却忍不住轻轻抽泣了一下，随即又仿佛为自己的软弱感到羞耻一般紧咬嘴唇。）

Commander...Is there anywhere easily defendable in this building?……这栋建筑有没有什么适合防守的地方？

CommanderThe main entrance is swarming with attackers. It's too dangerous to go out that way.正门到处都是袭击的敌人，出去太危险了。

OrpheluneBelow this building... there's an air-raid shelter for emergencies.在这栋建筑的下方……有一个用来避难的防空洞。

CommanderTake us there.带我们去。

(We proceed with extreme caution toward the air-raid shelter while being targeted by successive explosions and attacks.)（经历了接二连三的爆炸和袭击之后，我们谨小慎微地行进在前往防空洞入口的路上。）

CommanderAre you all right? Can you walk on your leg?你还好吗，你的脚还能支撑么？

Orphelune...I-I'm fine.……我，我没事。

(Orphelune endures the pain along the way, still trying to maintain her pride.)（欧菲露妮一路上忍着疼痛，却依然想维持她的自尊。）

OrpheluneI've... been through worse in Frankfurt...本小姐……在法兰克福遇到过更糟的情况……

OrpheluneBack then... Igla hadn't been created yet... so no one could help me... It was my father...当时……针还没有诞生……所以没有人能帮我……是我爸爸……

(Orphelune's voice suddenly wavers with both nostalgia and unease.)（欧菲露妮的声音突然变得有些动摇，像是在怀念什么又像是有所担忧。）

OrpheluneIgla... still hasn't come back?针……针还没回来吗？

OrpheluneHow could she not be by my side at a time like this...明明这种时候她怎么能不在我身边……

(Orphelune rarely shows such helplessness, but she quickly straightens her back again.)（欧菲露妮罕见地流露出无助的表情，随即又急忙挺直腰背。）

OrpheluneN-not that I need her to protect me all the time! I'm the heiress of the Girard Group! I can protect myself!不、不过本小姐当然不需要她一直保护！我可是吉拉尔集团的继承人！我能自己保护好自己！

(I look at her face, not quite sure how to feel.)（我看着她的脸，露出了复杂的表情。）

Commander...Yes. I'm sure you can, Miss Orphelune.……是啊，您肯定可以的，欧菲露妮小姐。

(After passing through long corridors and descending flight after flight of stairs, we finally reach the air-raid shelter entrance that Orphelune mentioned.)（穿过漫长的走廊和长长的楼梯之后，我们终于艰难地来到了欧菲露妮所说的防空洞入口。）

(During the journey, whenever her injured leg is jostled, Orphelune would grimace from the pain, only to quickly force herself to straighten up each time.)（在前进的过程中，由于一直触碰到她腿上的伤口，欧菲露妮时不时就露出十分痛苦的表情，但每次都会故作坚强地挺直腰背。）

(She then fumbles awkwardly for quite a while before finding and pressing a button, opening the door at the entrance.)（随后，欧菲露妮笨拙地摸索了好一会儿，才找到并按下了一个按钮，将入口处的门扉打开。）

(The blast door made of half-meter-thick homogeneous steel slowly swings open.)（门扉慢慢敞开，这是厚达半米的匀质钢做成的防爆门。）

(Supporting Orphelune, we help her inside. As the heavy door closes, I issue orders to Group Two.)（我们搀扶着欧菲露妮入内，看着大门缓缓关上，我向二队发出了命令。）

CommanderWe've entered an underground shelter in the rear courtyard. Secure the surrounding area and don't let the enemy get close.我们进入了后院的地下室，守住周围区域，不要让敌人靠近。

KlukaiRoger. On it right away.收到，开始执行。

Transcendent Violet 超越之紫

KlukaiCommander, the enemy is beginning to withdraw!指挥官，敌人开始撤退了！

CommanderSo they've finally given up?终于放弃了吗？

KlukaiIt doesn't quite look like it...看起来不太像……

KlukaiWait... Monsoon reports that the third-gen Doll who left earlier has returned!等一下，季风小队报告说刚才那个离开的三代人形回来了！

CommanderIgla... She sure reacts quickly.那个针……反应还挺快。

KlukaiHer vehicle is three minutes out. She'll intersect with our team's position, Commander. How should we proceed?她所在的载具还有三分钟路程，我们小队所在的位置会和她遭遇，指挥官，如何处置？

CommanderWithdraw from the research facility. Do not engage.撤离研究所的位置，不要和她发生冲突。

KlukaiBut her target is the young lady! She'll run into you, Commander.她的目标是那个大小姐！会跟你们遭遇，指挥官。

CommanderWe'll be fine. Maintain a safe distance and observe the air-raid shelter where we are.我们不会有事的，你们保持安全距离，观察我们所在的防空洞。

CommanderIgla isn't someone we can handle right now. Don't engage her unless there's absolutely no other option.那个针不是我们现在能对付的，不到万不得已不要和她动手。

Klukai...…………

KlukaiUnderstood. We'll remain on the perimeter and be ready to provide support at any time.我明白了，我们会在外围，随时准备提供支援。

CommanderThank you. Over.谢谢，完毕。

(The attackers seem to be withdrawing because they've also received news of Igla's return. Something is fishy about the Girard Group having such up-to-date information about the situation within the research facility.)（看来袭击研究所的人也应该收到了针返回的消息而撤离，能对研究所的情况如此了解，吉拉尔集团的内部看起来很有问题。）

(There are emergency medical kits inside the shelter. Colphne takes one and re-dresses Orphelune's wound.)（防空洞内有着急救用的医疗包，寇尔芙取下了医疗包帮欧菲露妮重新处理了伤口。）

(Orphelune nods in thanks to Colphne, but she is still trembling. She's still clearly worried that the enemy will make their way here.)（欧菲露妮向寇尔芙点头感谢，但是她的颤抖却依然没有停止，看起来她还是很担心敌人是否会前来。）

(I step forward to reassure her.)（为了让她放心，我走到她面前安慰道。）

CommanderDon't worry. The attack is over.放心吧，袭击结束了。

OrpheluneWhy are you... carrying weapons? Aren't you journalists?你们……为什么会带着武器？你们不是记者吗？

CommanderUh... journalism is a high-risk profession in this day and age. Knowing how to shoot for self-defense isn't that strange, is it?呃……这年头记者可是高危行业，学一些射击的本领防身也不是什么奇怪的事吧？

OrpheluneIs... is that so?是……是这样吗？

CommanderMhm.嗯。

CommanderBy the way, Miss Orphelune, has this research facility ever been attacked before?对了欧菲露妮小姐，这座研究所以前被袭击过吗？

OrpheluneN-no... never. Not even once.没……没有，一次都没有过。

OrpheluneThis place has always been very safe. Its secrecy level is extremely high. Not even the Group's own security forces are allowed to approach this facility.这里一直都非常安全，因为保密等级非常高，这个研究所连集团的安保部门都不让靠近。

CommanderNo armed security at all... Don't you find that strange?不留武装安保……你不觉得奇怪吗？

OrpheluneNot really. Lviv is so safe—what would we need armed guards for?不会啊，利沃夫这么安全，要武装安保来做什么？

(So this attack was likely triggered by recent events... Is the goal to destroy the research, or are they coming after the young lady?)（也就是说是因为最近的事才引发的袭击……是要破坏这里的研究成果，还是说就直接冲着这位大小姐来的？）

(If the young lady is a key figure in Project Eden, there are certainly no shortage of forces who'd want her gone.)（如果这位大小姐是“乐园计划”的关键人物，想要她消失的势力倒是不少。）

KlukaiCommander, we've completed our withdrawal.指挥官，我们已经撤离。

KlukaiIgla has entered the research facility. You must be careful.针已经进入研究所，你一定要小心。

CommanderGot it.嗯。

OrpheluneAre you really journalists?你们真的是记者吗？

OrpheluneFrom how you acted just now, you—总觉得从刚才的表现看你——

(A sudden deafening crash interrupts Orphelune mid-sentence.)（门口突然传来了一声巨响，打断了欧菲露妮的问话。）

("BOOM!")（“轰——”）

(The shelter's security door is blasted open with a massive hole. The tremendous impact twists and warps the heavy steel door.)（防空洞的安全门被轰开了一个大洞，巨大的冲击力把沉重的钢门砸得扭曲变形。）

(As the dust settles, Igla's figure appears in the doorway. The scabbard of the slender rapier at her waist gleams with subdued silver light, mirrored by the silver-and-gold pistol in her hand. Her posture is immaculate, not that of a Doll who blasted through a steel door, but of an aristocrat stepping into an opera house.)（尘埃散去之后，针的身影从门扉中显现。腰间的细剑剑鞘泛着低调的银光，与她手中那把银金相间的手枪相互辉映。她的姿态一丝不苟，如同一个正踏入歌剧院的贵族，而非刚刚摧毁了一道钢铁防护门的人形。）

(Igla raises her gun, aiming it directly at my head.)（针手里拿着枪，直接对准了我的脑袋。）

(Step by step, she walks slowly toward me.)（她一步一步地慢慢走向了我。）

IglaPardon me for rudely interrupting your conversation. If there is any discourtesy, I ask for your understanding.请允许我冒昧地打断各位的谈话。若有任何不敬之处，还望海涵。

IglaI humbly request that you all immediately step away from the Young Mistress.我必须请求诸位立即离开大小姐。

IglaIf your hesitation causes Miss Orphelune even one additional second of discomfort, I fear I will have to resort to methods that are... less polite.若是因为迟疑而导致欧菲露妮小姐多受一秒钟的不适，恐怕我将不得不采取一些不够礼貌的手段。

(Igla's voice is glacially cold.)（针的声音冰冷彻骨。）

(At my signal, Groza and Colphne do not draw their weapons. I lock eyes with Igla, refusing to bend to her will.)（在我的暗示下，闪电和寇尔芙并未拿出武器，而我紧紧地盯着针的双目，试图在气势上不落下风。）

OrpheluneIgla! You finally made it!针！你总算来了！

(Orphelune's eyes glisten with joy, the composure she'd forced upon herself completely crumbling.)（欧菲露妮眼中闪烁着欣喜的光芒，之前强装的冷静全部瓦解。）

(Igla steps forward. The sound of her heels is clear and crystalline. She bows slightly, left hand to her chest, in a flawless gesture of courtesy.)（针向前踏出一步，高跟鞋与地面接触的声音清脆如同水晶相击。她微微欠身，左手轻触心口，做出一个完美的行礼姿态。）

IglaMy apologies for being tardy, Young Mistress.大小姐，请原谅我的迟到。

Igla...You're injured?……您受伤了？

(For the first time, Igla's voice wavers ever so slightly, though her near-perfect posture doesn't change.)（针的声音第一次出现了一丝不稳定波动，但那近乎完美的姿态未有丝毫改变。）

(Guilt flashes across her face for an instant, swiftly replaced by resolute restraint.)（她的脸上一瞬间被自责侵占，却又迅速被坚定的克制所取代。）

(She drops to one knee, right hand to her chest, performing an impeccable oath of loyalty.)（她单膝跪地，右手轻触胸前，做出一个无可挑剔的效忠礼。）

IglaSeeing you injured is the greatest disgrace of my service as your assistant!看到您受伤，是我作为您的助理最大的耻辱！

IglaIt is an unforgivable failure on my part that I was not by your side when you needed me. Please, punish me!是我无可宽恕的失职，我竟未能在您需要我的时候守在您身边。请您施予惩罚！

OrpheluneIt-it's nothing! I was just cut by some glass! As a member of the Girard family, this kind of injury is nothing at all!没、没什么！本小姐不过是被玻璃划了一下而已！作为吉拉尔家的人，这点小伤根本不算什么！

IglaYour strength moves me, Young Mistress. Once I deal with these uninvited guests, I will take you to the finest hospital to ensure no scarring occurs.您的坚强令我感动，大小姐。等我处理完这些不速之客，便带您去最好的医院，以免留下疤痕。

(Igla rises from the floor in one fluid movement. Her gaze settles on us again, with such icy murderous intent it sends a chill down my spine.)（针从地面起身，动作连贯，目光再次转向了我们，冰冷的杀意让人不寒而栗。）

IglaIf you were sent here by Cecht FABN, perhaps we could conduct a more civilized negotiation.各位，若是法本集团派您们前来，我想我们或许可以进行一场更为文明的商谈。

IglaGirard is willing to offer ten times your current compensation, in exchange for your promise never to set foot in Lviv again.吉拉尔愿意提供十倍于您们当前报酬的酬金，以换取诸位今后不再踏足利沃夫一步。

IglaThat sum should be enough for all of you to live as upper-class citizens in any White Zone. What do you say?这笔财富应足以让各位在任何一处白区享受上等人的生活，不知您意下如何？

OrpheluneYou misunderstand, Igla...你误会了，针……

OrpheluneActually, they came back to save me.其实他们是回来救我的。

IglaYoung Mistress, please allow me to handle these trivial matters.大小姐，请允许我处理这些杂事。

IglaThis is my duty.这是针的职责所在。

(Igla's tone remains gentle and courteous, yet carries an unmistakable finality.)（针的语气依然温和有礼，却带着不容置疑的决断。）

IglaYou should always remain pure and noble of heart... just as you were on the day you found me before the furnace.您应当一直保持内心的纯真和高贵……就像当初您在熔炉前面把我捡回来的那天一样。

IglaLet me discern and eradicate the lies of these filthy individuals.而这些肮脏之徒的谎言，则由我来为您辨别和剔除。

IglaWell? On what conditions would you release the Young Mistress? Name your terms.说吧，你们想要什么条件，才肯释放大小姐？

IglaOr must you force me to tear you apart in front of Miss Orphelune?还是说，你们一定要逼我在欧菲露妮小姐面前撕碎你们？

CommanderYou really should listen carefully to what Orphelune is trying to tell you.你真的应该好好听听欧菲露妮的话。

CommanderEven if you don't trust me, at least calm down and analyze the situation in front of you.就算你不相信我，至少先冷静分析一下眼前的状况吧？

CommanderIf I were in cahoots with the attackers outside, I could've just taken Orphelune and left, no?如果我和外面的袭击者是一伙的，直接把欧菲露妮带走不就好了？

CommanderWhy would we stay in this shelter?还留在这个防空洞干什么？

IglaPerhaps your purpose was to play the savior and deceive the Young Mistress into trusting you. Do you deny it?或许这次行动的目的，只是想装成拯救者骗取大小姐的信任，不是么？

Commander...What would even be the point?……做这种事有意义吗？

OrpheluneThey protected me the entire time during the attack!他们在刚才的袭击中一直在保护我！

OrpheluneBesides, I'm a good judge of character! Someone I personally chose to interview me couldn't possibly be a bad person!而且，本小姐的眼光可不会出错！被我选中进行采访的人，怎么可能是坏人？

(Orphelune lifts her chin proudly, though the tension in the air makes her unconsciously clutch the hem of her clothes.)（欧菲露妮傲娇地扬起下巴，但也因为气氛的紧张，而不自觉地捏着衣角。）

IglaVery well.好吧。

IglaSince Miss Orphelune trusts you, I will grant you an opportunity to explain yourselves.既然欧菲露妮小姐信任你们，我可以给你们一个解释的机会。

IglaMay I ask this "Editor-in-Chief" to explain why your entourage consists of armed tactical Dolls?请您这位“主编”解释一下，为什么您的随行人员，会是持有武器的战术人形？

IglaAnd there are also some sneaky rats lurking around the perimeter, spying on this place. I assume those are your subordinates as well?还有在研究所外围有着鬼鬼祟祟的老鼠朝这里偷窥，我想那些也是您的部下吧？

(She actually noticed Group Two monitoring the perimeter. As expected, she's not an easy opponent.)（她竟然发觉了在外围监视的二队，果然是不太好对付的敌人。）

Commander...……

IglaIf you're not lackeys sent by Cecht FABN, then you must be dogs of the Non-Military Forces Administration or some other URNC organization.如果不是法本集团的走狗，那不外乎是非军事力量管理局，或者罗联其他组织的走狗罢了。

CommanderUnfortunately, you're wrong on all counts.很可惜，你都猜错了。

IglaThen may I ask your affiliation?那请教您的所属是？

CommanderI'm not affiliated with any faction, but I do have my own agenda.我不属于任何势力，但我的确有属于我的目的。

IglaYoung Mistress, you heard it yourself. This man has ulterior motives.大小姐，您都听到了，这是个别有用心的人。

IglaMay I deal with them now?现在我可以对他们动手了吧？

Orphelune...But...……可是…

CommanderOne reason I came here was because I heard that Miss Orphelune might be at risk of an attack. That's why I brought T-Dolls with me.我来这里的一个目的是因为我听说欧菲露妮小姐可能会有被袭击的风险，这是我带战术人形来的原因。

CommanderAnd thanks to them, we were able to repel the first wave of attackers and ensure Miss Orphelune's safety.也幸好因为有她们在，我们抵挡住了第一波外来的袭击，确保了欧菲露妮小姐的安全。

CommanderSurely you can tell the difference between the attacking forces and us, can't you?我想你应该不会看不出袭击的部队和我们的不同吧？

OrpheluneYou came here specifically to protect me?你是专门来保护我的？

Igla...……

(Igla frowns. Though she wants nothing more than to kill us immediately, there's no changing Orphelune's mind about this.)（针皱了皱眉，虽然她想立即动手，但已经无法改变在欧菲露妮心中的事实。）

(Orphelune raises a hand, signaling Igla to stay her hand. As her attendant, Igla cannot disobey her order.)（欧菲露妮对她举起手示意她什么都不要做，而身为管家的她无法违背大小姐的命令。）

CommanderAnd the other reason I came here... was to ask Miss Orphelune a burning question.而我来这里的另一个目的，就是为了问欧菲露妮小姐一个真正我想问的问题。

OrpheluneA burning question?真正的问题？

(I ignore the rapier pointed at me and ask Orphelune in an unmistakably firm voice.)（我无视了朝我指来的佩剑，用无可置疑的声音朝欧菲露妮问道。）

CommanderMiss Orphelune, I'm afraid there's more to your Project Eden than meets the eye.欧菲露妮小姐，恐怕你的“乐园计划”，也不像表现出来的那么简单吧。

OrpheluneI don't know what you mean...我不明白你在说什么……

OrpheluneI've already shown you everything about Project Eden during the demonstration earlier.关于乐园计划的事，在刚才演示的时候，我都已经给你看过了。

CommanderYou said your research had received technical assistance from another scientist, didn't you?你之前说，你的研究曾经接受过其他科学家的技术援助，对吧？

CommanderCould you tell me honestly—who exactly was this "other scientist"?你能如实告诉我，这位“其他的科学家”，究竟是什么人么？

Igla...…………

(Igla's posture shifts subtly, a sharp edge flashing in her eyes. She steps forward half a pace, the sound of her heels echoing clearly in the shelter.)（针的姿态出现了微妙的变化，那双眼睛里闪过一丝锋芒。她向前迈出半步，高跟鞋与地面接触的声音在防空洞内清晰回响。）

IglaAllow me to issue a final warning, Mr. Editor-in-Chief. Miss Orphelune has no obligation to answer such questions.请容我发出最终的警告，总编阁下，欧菲露妮小姐没有回答这种问题的义务。

IglaThe only reason I haven't acted yet is because I don't wish for the Young Mistress to witness something cruel. Do not mistake my tolerance for leverage!我之所以还没动手，只是因为不想让大小姐看到残酷的画面，不要将我的容忍当做得寸进尺的筹码！

(Completely unlike her earlier unflappable demeanor, I see unmistakable anger in Igla for the first time.)（和刚才自信的表现完全不同，我第一次在针的身上看到了如此明显的愤怒。）

(I must've hit a nerve.)（我想，我或许已经摸到了问题的关键。）

KlukaiCommander, we have a bead on the third-gen Doll's head. One slight tilt of your head, and we'll fire immediately.指挥官，我们已经瞄准那个三代人形的头部，只要你歪下头我们就立即开枪。

(Klukai's voice comes through my earpiece. I remain outwardly calm and decide to press on.)（耳机中传来的人形的声音，我不动声色，决定继续逼问。）

(But before I can speak, Orphelune begins on her own.)（可我还没张开嘴，欧菲露妮就自己开始说道。）

OrpheluneIt's fine, Igla.没关系，针。

OrpheluneThere's nothing to hide. I've already told them some of it earlier.这件事没什么好隐瞒的，我刚才已经跟他们说过一些了。

Igla...…………

OrpheluneThe person who assisted my research is also an expert in plant sciences. Her earlier work focused on genetic engineering; she only shifted into botany about ten years ago.协助我研究的那个人，同样是一位植物科学领域的专家。她之前的研究方向主攻基因工程，是十年前才转入植物科学领域的。

OrpheluneYes, I'm talking about Chiloveig, the good friend that I mentioned before. You should be able to find her profile on various academic sites.对，就是我说的奇洛薇格，她是我的好朋友，你应该也能在各种学术网站中找到她的资料。

OrpheluneTo be honest, I met you... under very similar circumstances as when I first met her.说实话，我第一次见到你的时候……和她初次见面的场景很相似。

Commander...……

OrpheluneAt the time, I had hit a bottleneck in my research. I tried countless methods but couldn't break through. Though I hate to admit it... I was stuck.当时我在研究中遇到了瓶颈，用了很多种手段都没能攻破。虽然本小姐不愿承认，但确实是……卡住了。

OrpheluneAnd then she appeared, at just the right moment.就在那个时候，她恰好出现了。

OrpheluneNot only did she help me overcome the technical obstacles, she even proposed more innovative solutions.她不但协助我攻破了当时的技术难点，甚至还提出了更加创新的方案。

OrpheluneShe fully agreed with my philosophy that plants could lead humanity toward a better future.而且她完全认同我的理念，认为植物能帮助人类通向更好的未来。

OrpheluneShe's the one who helped me resolve the practical application of the particle-transformation carrier—those flowers!就是她帮我解决了粒子变化载体的落地问题，那就是那些花朵！

Commander...………

OrpheluneI'm very grateful to her. She's one of the few people who didn't treat me as... as—我很感激她。她是少数几个不把本小姐当作……当作——

(Orphelune suddenly stops, unwilling to continue.)（欧菲露妮突然停下，似乎不愿继续这个话题。）

OrpheluneIn short, Chiloveig helped me a great deal back then!总之奇洛薇格当时帮了我很多！

OrpheluneThere! I've told you everything!好了！我的事情已经说完了！

(Orphelune turns away from me. Her shoulders are trembling slightly, and her voice has lost its earlier edge.)（欧菲露妮转过身去，背对着我。她的肩膀微微颤抖，声音也变得不那么强硬。）

OrpheluneNow it's your turn to answer my questions.现在该轮到你回答了。

(Her voice quivers.)（欧菲露妮的声音微微颤抖。）

OrpheluneWhen you came to "interview" me... were you really only interested in my research?你来“采访”我，真的只是对我的研究感兴趣吗？

Commander...……………

CommanderYes.是的。

Orphelune...But you're not really an editor-in-chief, are you?……但其实你并不是什么总编对吧？

CommanderThat's right. I'm not an editor-in-chief.没错，我不是什么总编。

CommanderBut I AM interested in your research, though only because the subject of your research is connected to a cult.但的确我对你的研究感兴趣，只是我感兴趣的原因是因为你研究的东西和一个邪教组织有关。

CommanderThis Chiloveig you mentioned is very likely a member of said cult.你所说的奇洛薇格，很可能就是他们中的一员。

OrpheluneA c-cult?!邪……邪教！？

CommanderParadeus. Have you heard of that name?帕拉蒂斯，有听说过这个名字么？

(Orphelune looks bemused. She glances at Igla, then slowly shakes her head.)（欧菲露妮露出迷茫的表情，她看了眼针，缓缓地摇了摇头。）

CommanderBased on what I know, the assistance you received came most likely from Paradeus.从我已知的信息来看，你所接受的，很可能就是帕拉蒂斯的帮助。

Orphelune...Paradeus? That famous organization in Germany from years ago?……帕拉蒂斯？那个之前在德国很有名的组织吗？

CommanderIt's a long-standing cult that has used tens of thousands of people as test subjects in contamination zones, all to satisfy its ambitions.那是一个存在已久，一直在污染区中使用成千上万的人当做试验品来满足自己野心的邪教。

CommanderThey were supposed to have been eradicated, but now they've resurfaced.他们原本应该已经被消灭了，但现在这个邪教又再次死灰复燃。

CommanderWhich means the so-called scientific assistance you accepted was very likely the result of human experimentation.所以你接受的所谓的科学援助，很可能就是人体试验的成果。

OrpheluneIm-impossible! That's nonsense!不、不可能！你在胡说些什么！

CommanderThose Epiphyllums?还记得那些昙花吗？

CommanderYour so-called particle carriers were never naturally occurring plants.那些所谓的用来承载粒子的植物，根本就不是自然产生的。

CommanderThey were deliberately cultivated and designed to spread Collapse particles in contamination zones, destroying and mutating the living environments of the people there.那是被人有意培育设计，专门用来在污染区散播坍塌粒子，破坏和变异那里人民生活区域的植物。

CommanderWho could do such a thing? Where did those plants come from? Do you truly not know anything at all?到底什么人能做到这些事，那些植物又是从何而来，你一点点都不知道吗？

OrpheluneI... I didn't...!我……不是…！

(Orphelune stares at me with wide eyes, then looks away. As the heiress of the Girard Group, it's impossible for her to be completely uninformed.)（欧菲露妮睁大了眼睛看向我，但随即她挪开了眼神，作为吉拉尔集团的大小姐不可能真的什么都不知道。）

(She tries to deny it, but her nature won't allow her to lie.)（虽然她努力想反驳我，但她的性格却让她无法将谎言说出口。）

IglaHave you said enough?你说够了么？

IglaBefore Miss Orphelune's lunchtime begins, I must remove anything that could affect her appetite.在欧菲露妮小姐享用午餐的时间开始之前，我必须帮她扫除一切会影响她食欲的东西。

(Igla points her gun at me.)（针将手枪对准了我。）

IglaMr. Editor-in-Chief, let's start with you.总编阁下，就从您先开始吧。

OrpheluneWait!等等——！

(Orphelune struggles to her feet, raises her arms, and steps between me and Igla.)（欧菲露妮挣扎着站了起来，举起双臂，来到了我和针中间。）

IglaYoung Mistress, please step back!大小姐！请您退后！

(Panic seeps through Igla's voice for the first time, though her grip on the gun remains steady.)（针的声音第一次出现了慌乱，但手上的枪依然稳定。）

Orphelune...Listen to me, Igla.……听我说，针。

OrpheluneYou've always protected me, made decisions for me, solved all my problems... but this time, I have to face it myself.你一直以来都保护着我，替我做决定，替我解决一切麻烦……但这次，本小姐要自己面对。

OrpheluneIf I don't even have the courage to face this, what right do I have to claim that I want to change the world?如果我连面对这些的勇气都没有，又有什么资格宣称自己要改变世界呢？

(There's no trace of forced arrogance in Orphelune's voice now, only a mix of determination and vulnerability. Igla's hand trembles slightly, and she slowly lowers the gun.)（欧菲露妮的声音不再有那种刻意为之的傲慢，而是带着坚定和脆弱的混合。针的手微微颤抖了一下，最终缓缓放下了枪。）

(Orphelune turns back to look at me.)（欧菲露妮缓缓转过身来看着我。）

OrpheluneYou said Chiloveig might belong to a cult.你刚才说，奇洛薇格可能隶属于一个邪教组织。

OrpheluneHuman experimentation is definitely... definitely wrong!拿人体做试验肯……肯定是不好的！

Orphelune...But what I felt from her was genuine passion and sincerity toward botany!……可是我从她的身上，我感受到的是对于植物科学的热情和真诚！

OrpheluneEven if she really is a bad person, the knowledge she brought has undeniably advanced my research in a substantial way...就算她真的是坏人，她带来的知识的的确确让我的研究有了实质性的推进……

CommanderBut that knowledge is built on the suffering of countless innocent people!但这份知识，是建立在无数无辜之人的悲惨遭遇上的！

OrpheluneNo... you don't understand what I mean.不……你没有明白我的意思。

OrpheluneEven if what you say is true, as long as Project Eden is successfully launched—if everything I envision comes to pass—it will bring immeasurable benefits to the entire world.就算你说的是真的，只要“乐园计划”成功启动，只要本小姐所设想的一切都能实现——我们将会为整个世界带来莫大的福祉。

OrpheluneThose plagued by radiation sickness, those struggling to survive in the Yellow Zones—all of them will be redeemed.那些饱受辐射病困扰的人们，那些在黄区苦苦挣扎求生的人们，全部都能得到救赎。

OrpheluneKnowledge itself isn't evil. Even if it originates from mistakes, I can guide it onto the right path. Or is that wrong?知识是没有错的，就算这份知识是由错误带来的，但是我能让它进入到正确的轨道上，这难道也有错吗？

OrpheluneYou saw my demonstration earlier, didn't you? Energy converted from radiation can massively boost productivity, improve quality of life, and free countless people from meaningless repetitive labor.你之前也看到我的演示了吧？利用辐射转化而来的能源，可以极大提升生产效率，改善人们的生活质量，更可以帮助无数人从毫无意义的重复劳动中解放。

OrpheluneThen everyone can devote themselves to creative and productive work.到时候所有人都能投身于创造性的生产中。

OrpheluneIf we're on the brink of such a world, can you really dismiss my research as evil so lightly?如果我们即将迎来这样一个世界，你还能如此轻率地认为，我的研究成果是邪恶的吗？

OrpheluneScience itself has no stance. Whether a result is good or bad depends solely on how people use it!科学本来就是没有立场的，决定一个研究成果的好与坏，只是取决于人们使用它的方式而已！

CommanderCan you be certain your research will be used that way?你能确定你的研究结果会被如此使用吗？

OrpheluneI...我……

CommanderScience may have no stance, but those who wield it do.的确科学是没有立场的，但使用科学的人却有立场。

CommanderWhen you can't control the power science brings, its stance will no longer bend to your will.当你无法控制科学带来的力量时，它的立场也不会再由你的意志所转移。

CommanderAnd... a path built on a wrong foundation can never lead to a right destination.而且……错误的方法绝不可能通往正确的道路。

CommanderThat's something I've experienced personally.这是我曾经亲身经历过的事情。

CommanderYou lived through Frankfurt as well. You should understand better than anyone what really happened.你也经历过法兰克福的事情，你应该最了解当时是怎么回事才对。

OrpheluneI...我……

CommanderOnce Collapse particles are gathered by those Collapse Epiphyllums, can you truly control how they'll be used?当那些坍塌昙花收集起坍塌粒子后，这些粒子会被用来做什么事，你真的能控制吗？

CommanderYour Project Eden will be harvesting an immense quantity of particles. Will you have full control over what they will be used for?而你想进行的“乐园计划”所能收集到的粒子数量会被拿去做什么，你又能控制得了吗？

OrpheluneWhat do you mean?什么意思？

CommanderAt the site of an incident I encountered, we found large numbers of victims sealed in culture tubes.在我经历过的某个事件的现场，发现了大量被装进培养皿中的受害者。

CommanderIt was an illegal underground laboratory. The victims were packed into containers like livestock, and inside those containers were plants very similar to those in your research.那是一个非法的地下实验室，那些受害者像畜生一样被塞进罐子里，而同样在罐子中的还有与你的研究中相似的植物。

CommanderThey were cultivated into ELIDs, even Boojums. Without high-density particle irradiation, that simply couldn't be achieved in such a short time.他们被培养成生骸，甚至伯介姆，如果没有高密度的粒子照射，这是在短期内根本无法做到的事。

CommanderWith technology that gathers Collapse particles in high concentration, not only ELIDs, perhaps even Boojums, could be mass-produced.而有了集中粒子的技术，不要说生骸，说不定连伯介姆都能被批量生产出来了。

CommanderGiven how well you understand your own research, you must know how catastrophic it would be if the massive stockpile of Collapse particles from your project were misused.你既然如此了解自己的研究，应该知道如果利用你的计划所积攒的巨量坍塌粒子，会造成多么巨大的危害吧？

CommanderDo you really think that would still be right?你觉得这也是正确的事吗？

OrpheluneI...我……

OrpheluneI had no idea...我完全不知道还有这种事……

OrpheluneIgla, have you heard of this?针，你听过这件事吗？

(Orphelune's voice trembles. Her arms hang limply at her sides. She no longer tries to hide her confusion and fear behind a proud façade.)（欧菲露妮的声音颤抖着，双手无力地垂在身旁。她不再试图维持高傲的形象，而是真实地流露出了困惑和惊恐。）

Igla...Young Mistress...……大小姐…

OrpheluneBe honest... I want the truth...说实话……我想听实话……

Igla...A similar incident did occur recently on the outskirts of a satellite city. Since it fell under the jurisdiction of the Girard Group, I conducted a brief investigation.……最近在某个卫星城的城郊，的确发生了一起类似的袭击事件。由于那里是吉拉尔安保集团的辖区，所以我稍微调查了一下这件事。

IglaLater, the matter was passed over to the Non-Military Forces Administration, so I don't know the details beyond that.但后来这件事被非军事力量管理局接手，具体的我就不知道更多了。

OrpheluneIn other words, this Editor-in-Chief was telling the truth...也就是说刚才这位总编所说的是真实存在的事实了……

IglaAll I can say is that a similar event has occurred, but there's no proven connection to your research, nor is there any evidence linking it to Lady Chiloveig.我只能说有类似的事情发生，但这既和大小姐您的研究没有关系，也没有任何证据证明这和奇洛薇格小姐有任何瓜葛。

OrpheluneI see...好吧……

(Orphelune clenches her fists. Not daring to look at me, she turns and issues an order to Igla.)（欧菲露妮攥紧了拳头，她不敢将目光看向我，背过身去朝针命令道。）

OrpheluneIgla, I'm ordering you to investigate this matter immediately and thoroughly! I'll never forgive anyone who dares to abuse my research in such a way!针，本小姐命令你，现在马上去调查这件事。彻底调查！如果有人胆敢把本小姐的研究用来做这种事……绝对不可原谅！

IglaImmediately?现在？

OrpheluneYes! This knowledge is meant for a better future... Past mistakes can be corrected!没错！这份知识是为了更好的未来……以前的错误是可以被纠正的！

IglaBut—可是——

IglaWhat about them?这些人要怎么处理？

OrpheluneLet them go...让他们走吧……

Igla...……

IglaMiss Orphelune, we absolutely cannot let them go.欧菲露妮小姐，我们绝对不能放他们走。

OrpheluneWhy not? You were just offering them money to keep them from ever setting foot in Lviv again.为什么？刚才你不是还想给他们一笔钱，让他们永远不要踏足利沃夫吗？

Igla...The situation is different now.……现在情况不一样了。

IglaIf we let them go and they expose the fact that you accepted external scientific assistance, your research will be ruined.如果放了他们，一旦他们将您接受外部科学援助的事曝光，您的研究就会毁于一旦。

IglaAre you... truly willing to accept that outcome?您……真的愿意看到这样的结果吗？

(Orphelune turns back, gathering her courage to face me again.)（欧菲露妮转过身来，鼓起勇气重新看向我。）

OrpheluneIf your goal is to make this public, then be my guest.如果你们来这里的目的只是想要曝光这件事，那大可以随便去做。

OrpheluneI believe in my research—regardless of its origins—as something meant for the future of this world.本小姐相信自己所做的研究——无论它的起源如何——都是为了这个世界的未来。

OrpheluneI stand by my view: science itself has no stance. Whether a result is good or bad depends on how people use it!我还是那个观点——科学本来就是没有立场的，决定一个研究成果的好与坏，只是取决于人们使用它的方式而已！

OrpheluneI believe I have the power to ensure my research is used on the right path!我相信我有力量能确保我的研究会被用在正道上！

OrpheluneProject Eden will officially begin tomorrow. When you witness the beginning of the experiment tomorrow, I hope you'll change your mind.“乐园计划”明天就会正式启动，希望明天实验开始的时候，看到了一切的你，会改变你现在的想法。

(She reaches out and forces Igla—who had pointed the gun at me again while speaking—to lower her weapon. Orphelune, now fragile yet resolute, is no longer the haughty Young Mistress.)（她伸出手，压下了针手中的枪。欧菲露妮不再是那个傲慢的大小姐，而是带着一种脆弱却坚定的气质。）

OrpheluneLet them go. After all, they just saved me... and I don't want to owe them a debt!放他们走。毕竟他们刚才救了我……本小姐可不想欠他们的人情！

(Igla looks at Orphelune, complex emotions flickering in her eyes. Finally, she nods.)（针看着欧菲露妮，眼中闪过复杂的情绪，最终点了点头。）

IglaAs you wish, Miss Orphelune.如您所愿，欧菲露妮小姐。

(Orphelune leaves the shelter with Igla. The research facility is now teeming with members of the Girard Group and the PSA.)（欧菲露妮跟着针走出了防空洞，吉拉尔集团和治安部门的人已经挤满了研究所的每个角落。）

(The duo board a luxurious sedan and gradually disappear into the distance—while far behind them, a team of Dolls silently follow in pursuit.)（她们登上了一辆豪华的轿车后逐渐远去，在她们遥远的背后，一队人形已经悄然无声地跟踪了上去。）

Slumbering Lion 沉眠的狮子

(After the aftermath at the research facility is dealt with, Igla calmly steps into the laboratory where Alva is confined.)（在处理完研究所现场的后续工作之后，针从容地踏入关押埃芙的实验室。）

(Her footsteps strike the marble floor with precise, rhythmic clicks—each step carrying an undeniable authority yet landing with the lightness of a ballet dancer's pointe.)（她的脚步声在大理石地面上发出精准而有节奏的回响，每一步都带着不可忽视的威严，却又轻盈得如同芭蕾舞者的点地。）

ChiloveigAloha~ Welcome back, Miss Igla!Aloha~欢迎回来，针小姐！

(Chiloveig is still wearing nothing but a loose white lab coat. She sits barefoot on a swivel chair and spinning happily, a cup of coffee in her hands nearly drowned in syrup. Her smile is dazzling to the point of being unnatural, while cunning and madness glint in her eyes.)（奇洛薇格依旧只披着一件松垮的白大褂，赤脚坐在转椅上愉快地旋转着，手中端着一杯几乎被糖浆淹没的咖啡。她的笑容灿烂到几乎有些不自然，眼中却闪烁着狡黠与疯狂的光芒。）

(She lazily swings her legs, the faint curves of her body beneath the lab coat forming a stark contrast with the laboratory's solemn atmosphere.)（她慵懒地晃动着双腿，白大褂下若隐若现的身体曲线与实验室的严肃氛围形成了鲜明对比。）

IglaPlease forgive my discourtesy, Lady Chiloveig.请原谅我的失礼，奇洛薇格女士。

(Igla inclines her head slightly, then suddenly lashes out with a kick, sending a Marionette Doll nearby flying straight into the wall with brutal speed.)（针微微颔首，随后飞起一腿，直接将一旁的傀儡踹飞到墙上，动作迅猛而粗暴。）

(The metal wall cracks open on impact, leaving a human-shaped dent.)（金属的墙面直接迸裂，出现了一个人形的凹陷。）

(The Marionette Doll dressed as a researcher sticks to the wall as if glued there, limbs hanging limp, like a mosquito slapped flat.)（研究员打扮的傀儡，就像是黏在上面了一样，根本不掉下来，四肢无力地垂着，像是被拍扁的蚊子。）

(The laboratory walls let out a groan under the strain.)（实验室的墙壁，也发出不堪重负的呻吟声。）

Chiloveig...Good heavens! You brute!……天哪！野蛮鬼！

(Chiloveig jumps to her feet, dramatically cupping her cheeks. Her eyes widen with excitement as she hops over to the deformed Marionette Doll, tilting her head to admire the "artwork".)（奇洛薇格猛地站起身，夸张地捧住脸颊，眼睛却因兴奋而放大。她蹦蹦跳跳地靠近那个变形的傀儡人形，歪着头欣赏这幅“艺术品”。）

ChiloveigI much prefer this way of expressing your anger~ Way more creative than shooting me in the head!我好喜欢你这种表达愤怒的方式~比起朝我的脑袋开枪，这种有创意多了！

IglaAllow me to be frank, Lady Chiloveig.恕我直言，奇洛薇格女士。

(Igla calmly smooths her sleeve. Her voice is velvet-soft, but her gaze is glacial.)（针轻轻整理着袖口，声音如同丝绒般柔和，眼神却冰冷刺骨。）

IglaI believe I have made my position very clear on multiple occasions—and this will be the final time I reiterate it. Our cooperation is strictly between you and me. Miss Orphelune is not included.我相信我曾多次清晰地表达过一个观点，这也将是最后一次重申——我们的合作范畴仅限于您与我之间。欧菲露妮大小姐，不在此列。

ChiloveigOh~ Now thaaaat's~ interestingggggg~哦~这可真~有~趣~

(Chiloveig clasps her hands behind her back and circles Igla like a curious little girl, thinking aloud with exaggerated flair.)（奇洛薇格将双手背在身后，像个好奇的小女孩般绕着针转圈，一边走一边夸张地思考。）

ChiloveigWhy bring up Miss Orphelune all of a sudden?怎么突然提起了欧菲露妮小姐？

ChiloveigIs it because my interactions with her made you... jealous?是因为我和她的交往让你……吃醋了？

Igla...……

ChiloveigOr do you think I gave our dear little Young Mistress something I shouldn't have?还是你觉得我提供了什么不该提供的给了我们的大小姐？

IglaShe was never YOUR Young Mistress.大小姐从来都不是你的。

ChiloveigNaturally. But she's not yours either~那自然，但也不是你的哟~

Igla...……

ChiloveigI suppose I have been having some "private exchanges" with Miss Orphelune lately. After all, the Young Mistress needs someone to tutor her studies~要硬说的话，我的确和针小姐目前有一些“私人往来”，毕竟大小姐的功课需要有人辅导~

ChiloveigAnd I'm just like you, you know. She's such an adorable young lady, I just can't help but get a little attached now that I've spent time with her.不过我也和你一样哦，那么可爱的大小姐，相处久了自然也会日久生情啊~

IglaWhat exactly are you talking about?您到底在说什么？

ChiloveigI'm saying I'm doing the same thing as you—helping Miss Orphelune!我是在说，我这也是和你一样，为了帮助欧菲露妮大小姐嘛！

ChiloveigAh, but really, blame that old man. It's all because that fossil Oleg actually wants to bow to that NOMFA goon called Kryuger. In plain terms, that senile old fool wants to sell out the Girard Group to the URNC government.诶呀，要怪就都怪那个老头，都是因为奥列克那个老傻叉居然想向非军事力量管理局的那个克鲁格低头，说白了那个老年痴呆想把吉拉尔集团出卖给罗联政府。

ChiloveigBut~ we—or rather, Paradeus—have always wholeheartedly collaborated with Girard to help the Young Mistress advance her research, and while we're at it, make the Girard Group great again~但~是，我，或者说，帕拉蒂斯，我们和吉拉尔的合作可是全心全意地想帮大小姐推进她的研究，顺便让吉拉尔集团再次伟大起来哦~

Igla...If everything proceeds according to Lord Oleg's arrangements, Girard's cooperation with you will come to an end.……倘若一切都按奥列克老爷的安排进行，吉拉尔和你们的合作就会停止。

ChiloveigNot only that! That damned, filthy, bald geezer!不止——！那个该死的，肮脏的，脑袋秃顶的老头子！

ChiloveigHe'd sell us out in a heartbeat just to save his own skin—that's a no-brainer!我用拌了七十二号混凝土的意大利面思考都知道，他铁定会把我们出卖，作为他自保的筹码！

(She suddenly stops and hops onto the lab workbench, her legs swinging cheerfully in the air.)（她突然停下，用力一跃，坐在了实验台上，双腿在空中愉快地晃荡。）

ChiloveigThat's why I came to you, Miss Igla. You're not like him—you're smart. My hope is that you can stand against the pressure from NOMFA in his stead and protect the Girard Group... as well as our collaboration with Miss Orphelune.所以，我才找上你，针小姐，你跟他不一样，你是个聪明人——但我希望的，是你能代替他，在非军事力量管理局的压力下保护吉拉尔集团，保护……我们和欧菲露妮大小姐的合作。

ChiloveigMiss Orphelune's Project Eden officially begins tomorrow, doesn't it?大小姐的“乐园计划”明天就要正式开始了吧？

ChiloveigShe has devoted ten years of her life to this research project. You wouldn't want to see it destroyed like this, would you~?那可是倾注了她十年心血的研究哦，你也不想看它就这样被破坏吧~

(Igla makes no response. She walks forward slowly.)（针没有立刻回应，而是缓步向前。）

(She stops in front of Chiloveig, inclines slightly, and gently places one hand on the surface of the workbench.)（她靠近实验台，在奇洛薇格面前停下，随后微微欠身，将一只手轻轻放在桌面上。）

(The moment her hand makes contact, the surface lets out a faint groan, then collapses. The entire workbench splits apart as if ripped by an invisible force, documents, instruments, and coffee cups spilling onto the floor in a chaotic avalanche.)（桌面在接触的瞬间发出一声轻微的呻吟，随后骤然断裂。整张实验台如同被无形的力量撕裂，文件、器皿、咖啡杯一齐倾泻而下，在地面形成一片混乱的海洋。）

(Yet Igla herself remains utterly still, without so much as a wrinkle on her clothes.)（然而针本人却纹丝不动，甚至连她的衣服都没有一丝褶皱。）

Igla...And the only reason I agreed to that foolish, presumptuous, and unreasonable request was to protect Miss Orphelune.……而我答应这愚蠢的，冒昧的，不可理喻的要求的唯一原因，就是为了保护欧菲露妮大小姐。

IglaIf anyone dares to harm her—be it Lord Oleg or you—it makes no difference to me.如果有人妄图伤害她，不论是奥列克老爷，亦或是你，对我而言都是一样的。

ChiloveigOhhhhh, come on, use your brain, my sweet darling Igla~噢——天哪，拜托，你动动脑子好不好，我亲爱的针针宝贝~？

(Chiloveig nimbly hops off the shattered workbench, clapping her hands together as a manic grin spreads across her face.)（奇洛薇格从破碎的实验台上敏捷地跳下，双手拍在一起，脸上露出狂热的笑容。）

ChiloveigHow could I ever hurt her? Wasn't it me who helped you obtain the agreement Oleg signed with NOMFA?我怎么会伤害她呢？难道不是我帮你搞到了奥列克和非军事力量管理局签下的协议？

Igla...……

(Chiloveig leans close to Igla, her lips almost brushing Igla's ear.)（奇洛薇格凑到针身旁，嘴唇几乎贴到了她的耳根。）

Chiloveig...That old man is willing to confess to all his crimes in exchange for HIS OWN personal safety.……那个老头子，愿意自首所有罪行，以换取“自己”的人身安全。

ChiloveigYour precious Young Mistress is not even on his list~你的亲亲大小姐，根本不在他的名单上~

(Igla tilts her head slightly and stares at Chiloveig without expression.)（针微微侧头，面无表情地看着奇洛薇格。）

ChiloveigGuh?!咕——！？

(In the next instant, with a movement too fast to see, she grips Chiloveig by the throat and lifts her into the air.)（随即，她便用无人能够看清的动作抓住了奇洛薇格的喉咙，并把她整个人举了起来。）

Igla...I hardly need reminding.……我不需要你提醒。

(Igla's voice is ice-cold—her usual air of elegance has vanished entirely by now.)（针的声音十分冰冷——那种始终环绕在她身侧的优雅，这一刻也荡然无存。）

IglaEven if the Young Mistress were on that list, I would never allow such stupidity as to entrust her very life to another.就算大小姐在名单上，我也不会容许这种把身家性命——大小姐的身家性命——假借他人的愚蠢行为。

ChiloveigCough... cough...! Y-you... you're right! That's exactly it!咳……咳……！对……没错，没错，就是这样！

(Chiloveig smacks Igla's wrist in surrender. When Igla releases her, she drops to the floor.)（奇洛薇格拍着针的手腕求饶，而在针松开手之后，又掉到了地上。）

Chiloveig...That's why we have to complete Project Eden together. It's Girard's only chance to turn things around—I told you that already, didn't I?……所以，我们才得一起完成乐园计划，这是吉拉尔翻盘的唯一机会，我不是说了吗？

ChiloveigAnd your precious Miss Orphelune... truly is a genius scientist! Brilliant, diligent, full of ideals—and absolutely adorable! That's precisely why she's an indispensable part of Project Eden. Even if you kill me a hundred times, that fact won't change.而你的欧菲露妮大小姐……她确实是个天才科学家！聪明，勤奋，充满理想——而且还超可爱！正因如此，她才是“乐园计划”不可或缺的一环！就算你再在这杀我一百次，这个事实也不会改变。

ChiloveigAnd more importantly... this was her research to begin with.而且重点是……这本来就是她的研究。

ChiloveigSo once the project becomes our core objective, she naturally has to take part in it.因此，当这个计划成为我们的核心之后，她当然没法置身事外。

ChiloveigSo for your sake, and for the sake of our plan, of course I wouldn't hurt her~而不论是为了你，还是为了我们的计划，我当然都不会伤害她~

Igla...……

Igla...On that point... I have no objection. Completing Project Eden is the Young Mistress' long-cherished wish.……这一点……我并无反对之意，完成乐园计划是大小姐的夙愿。

IglaHowever... Miss Orphelune is a noble scientist in pursuit of a pure and lofty ideal—not a pawn in your so-called "game" or "plan".但……欧菲露妮大小姐是一位尊贵的科学家，她的研究纯粹而高尚，而非您所谓的“游戏”或“计划”的棋子。

(Perhaps swayed by Chiloveig's words, Igla's hostility eases slightly, but when it comes to Orphelune, she yields not an inch.)（也许是被奇洛薇格说服，针的攻击性变得弱了一些，但在关于欧菲露妮的问题上依然寸步不让。）

(Chiloveig rubs her throat. Rising onto her toes, she peers up at Igla with an ominous gleam in her eyes.)（而奇洛薇格揉了揉自己的喉咙，随即又踮起脚尖面向针，眼中闪烁着危险的光芒。）

ChiloveigYes, yes... the Young Mistress is nothing like me—she's a good little girl...对对对……大小姐跟我这种人不一样，她可是个乖宝宝……

ChiloveigBut on that note... there's something I wonder if you've considered, my dear Igla.不过嘛……说到这个，有件事不知道你有没有想过，我亲爱的针。

ChiloveigOnce Project Eden is complete, Girard will reach new heights, and her talents will gain worldwide recognition.等乐园计划完成，吉拉尔将会赢得新的高峰，她的才能也会得到全世界的关注和认可。

ChiloveigAnd then... those little secrets hidden within her will become... extraordinarily~ valuable~到时候，她体内那些有趣的小秘密也会变得……特~别~宝~贵~

(Igla's gaze turns icy once more at those words.)（此言一出，针的眼神再一次冷却到冰点。）

(Her posture remains flawless; only the tension in her jaw betrays the slightest ripple of emotion.)（她的姿态依然完美无缺，只有紧绷的下颌线透露出一丝情绪波动。）

Igla...Pardon me for being blunt, but your insinuation is both vague and impolite.……恕我直言，您的暗示既模糊又无礼。

IglaIf you have a point to make, you could perhaps state it more clearly.若您有什么想表达的观点，或许应当以更明确的方式陈述。

ChiloveigI'm just telling it as it is! Truth is like candy—the prettier the wrapping, the sweeter it tastes!我只是实话实说！真相就像糖果一样，包装越精美，吃起来越美味！

(Chiloveig prances right up to Igla, looking up at this most powerful third-gen Doll with a smile both innocent and dangerous.)（奇洛薇格蹦到针的面前，仰头看着这位最强大的三代人形，露出一个天真又危险的微笑。）

ChiloveigWalls always have cracks, Miss Igla. What Paradeus knows, others will eventually know too.墙总是有缝隙的，针小姐。帕拉蒂斯知道的事情，总会有其他人知道。

ChiloveigThere are no true secrets in this world—only truths that haven't been spoken yet~这世界上没有真正的秘密，只有暂时还没被说出口的真相~

Igla...Should I take that as a threat, Lady Chiloveig?……我是否应当将此理解为一种威胁，奇洛薇格女士？

(Igla's voice remains courteous but her tone is chilling.)（针的声音依然温和有礼，但温度已降至冰点。）

(Even the air in the laboratory seems to freeze under her words.)（实验室的空气似乎也因为她的言语而凝固。）

ChiloveigA threat? No, no, no—that's far too crude!威胁？不不不，那太粗鲁了！

(Chiloveig waves her hands exaggeratedly, then suddenly grows somber. She presses a finger lightly against her lips, her eyes flashing sharply.)（奇洛薇格夸张地摆手，随后突然变得严肃，一根手指轻轻点在唇边，目光锐利。）

ChiloveigI'm merely... offering a friendly reminder.我只是……提出一些善意的提醒。

ChiloveigThis matter is of no consequence to me. All I want is for Project Eden to be completed successfully. You get to revive Girard, and Miss Orphelune fulfills her lifelong ambition—well, she might be a bit too young to be talking about "lifelong ambitions"—cherished wish, then.这对我来说当然无关紧要，我只要乐园计划圆满完成，你也可以借此让吉拉尔起死回生，而欧菲露妮大小姐也完成了毕生——虽然她的年纪谈毕生实在有点早，但总之，能完成夙愿。

ChiloveigSounds like a perfect happy ending!听起来像是圆满大结局！

Chiloveig...As long as we don't consider the risks that may follow afterward.……只要不考虑，在这之后可能会出现的风险问题。

Igla...……

(Igla takes a slow, deep breath.)（针深吸了一口气。）

Igla...What is your solution? And... what do you want?……你有什么办法？以及……你想要什么？

ChiloveigFirst~ Project Eden must be completed. That's the premise of everything. Stopping the plan to protect her would be the stupidest case of putting the cart before the horse!首先~乐园计划肯定要完成，这是一切的前提，可没什么为了保护她所以要叫停计划的说法，那简直是最蠢的本末倒置！

ChiloveigBut avoiding risks is easy... just don't put her under the spotlight.不过，要回避风险也很容易……只要，不把她放在聚光灯下就好了。

Chiloveig...If you could retrieve O-43 and hand her over to me as soon as possible... then perhaps I could complete Project Eden independently?……如果你能够——越快越好——把O-43找回来，交给我……也许我可以独立完成“乐园计划”呢？

(She flashes a radiant smile again, a shrewd glint dancing in her eyes.)（她再次露出灿烂的笑容，眼中却闪烁着精明的光芒。）

ChiloveigThat way, whether Princess Orphelune stays or leaves would be entirely up to you, Miss Igla. Speaking as a fellow scientist, it may be a bit unfair to her, but...那样的话，欧菲露妮小公主是去是留，不就全凭针小姐一句话了吗？虽然同为科学家，这对她真是太不公平了，但——

(She shrugs dramatically and spreads her hands.)（她夸张地耸耸肩，摊开双手。）

ChiloveigI value my partner's feelings more.我更珍惜合作伙伴的感受。

Igla...……

Igla...And what do you gain from this? From what I could tell, fame is beneath you.……这对你有什么好处？据我所知，您并非贪图虚名之辈。

ChiloveigYour friendship is the sweetest candy of all for me, Miss Igla~针小姐的友谊就是我最棒的糖果~

ChiloveigBesides... secrets only become resources when they're held by a select few.而且……秘密只有掌握在少数人手里才叫资源。

(Chiloveig winks playfully.)（奇洛薇格调皮地眨眨眼。）

ChiloveigBut of course, everything depends on how good you are at catching mice~但所有的前提，当然还是要看针小姐抓老鼠的本事啦~

(She sends the ball back to Igla's court and looks at her expectantly, waiting for an answer.)（她将皮球踢回给了针，并用一种期待的眼神看着她，似乎在等待着针的答复。）

(Igla's gaze flickers. In the end, she says nothing.)（针的眼神闪烁了一下，最终，还是没有说话。）

(Her eyes turn toward Alva inside the specialized hibernation capsule. Through the observation window, Alva can be seen writhing in agony within a hallucination.)（她的目光转向了特制休眠仓内的埃芙。透过观察窗，可以看到埃芙正在幻觉中痛苦挣扎。）

(Igla knows Chiloveig is right—no matter what, capturing Voymastina, retrieving O-43, and completing the mission she was given from the start remain her top priority.)（她知道奇洛薇格说得没错，不论如何，她现在最重要的，依然是抓捕威玛西娜，带回O-43，完成她一开始就接到的任务。）

(As for Chiloveig... there will be time to settle the score later.)（至于奇洛薇格，以后有的是时间和她算账。）

(The hibernation capsule's indicator lights flash incessantly, alarms echoing as Alva's neural data register extreme instability.)（休眠仓的指示灯不断闪烁，警报声持续回荡，显示着埃芙的心智数据正处于极度不稳定状态。）

Igla...If not for Task Force DEFY's interference, this wouldn't have become so complicated.……倘若没有忤逆小队的干涉，这件事本不必如此复杂。

(Igla gently rests her hand on the capsule's control panel and connects her own port to it.)（针轻轻抚上休眠仓的控制面板，将自己的端口连接上了休眠仓。）

(A moment later, she turns back to Chiloveig and inclines her head slightly.)（稍后，她转身面向奇洛薇格，微微颔首。）

IglaI will retrieve O-43. Please honor your promise—this is my only request.我会将O-43带回。请您务必恪守承诺，这是我唯一的请求。

IglaYou gave me your word.记得你的承诺。

Chiloveig...……

(Inside the capsule, Alva's body convulses violently, as if enduring unimaginable pain—pain that intensifies further due to Igla's connection.)（心智舱内，埃芙的身体剧烈抽搐，仿佛承受着无法想象的痛苦，而这份痛苦因为针刚才的连接变得更加的剧烈。）

(Igla smooths the hem of her suit and walks toward the exit, her footsteps still calm and measured.)（针轻轻整理了一下西装的下摆，朝门口走去，脚步声依然从容而有节奏。）

ChiloveigOh my, my~哎呀呀~

(Chiloveig watches Igla's receding back, then turns to Alva writhing in the capsule, her expression peculiar.)（奇洛薇格看着针远去的背影，又转向休眠仓中痛苦挣扎的埃芙，表情变得复杂而古怪。）

ChiloveigThis really isn't my fault, darling~ I was planning to treat you gently! What a shame, what a shame...这可不怪我啦，亲爱的~我本来还想温柔地招待你呢！真可惜，真可惜……

(She sighs, then beams brightly again. Hopping back to her seat, she picks up a fresh cup of coffee and gazes at the hibernation capsule as though watching a performance.)（她叹了口气，随后又露出灿烂的笑容，蹦蹦跳跳地回到了自己的位置上，拿起新的咖啡杯，像是欣赏一场演出般注视着休眠仓。）

ChiloveigSince your fate is sealed, you might as well contribute a bit more data before you die, my dear~既然命运已定，那就在死前多贡献一点资料吧，好孩子~

Embers 余烬

(Alva jolts awake, gasping for air, her body shaking violently—like a drowning person finally breaking the surface.)（埃芙猛然惊醒，大口地喘息着，身体剧烈地颤抖，像是溺水之人终于浮出了水面。）

(Sweat soaks through her clothes, clinging coldly to her skin, making her shiver.)（汗水浸透了她的衣衫，黏在身上，冰冷而难受，让她一阵哆嗦。）

(She looks down and stares blankly at her drenched clothing in disbelief—something feels wrong, unmistakably wrong, yet she can't quite put a finger on what.)（她低下头呆滞地看着自己的衣服，有些难以置信——她觉得似乎有哪里不对，但又说不出来，究竟哪里不对。）

(She places a hand against her soaked chest, feeling her heart hammering violently, as if it's about to burst free from her ribcage, its dull pounding echoing in her ears.)（她的手放在湿透了的胸口，感受到心脏剧烈的跳动，它就仿佛要从胸腔中跳出来一样，沉闷的鼓动声在耳边回响。）

(...Sweat? A heartbeat?)（……汗水？心跳？）

(She looks around in a daze and realizes she is sitting upright inside a train.)（她茫然四顾，发现自己正身坐在一辆列车上。）

(The train is moving at high speed; through the window she can see it is crossing a desert.)（列车正在快速行驶，透过窗外可以看到，它处于一片荒漠之中。）

(Yellow sand stretches endlessly in every direction.)（黄沙漫天，无边无际。）

(Fierce winds howl, whipping sand into the air, blotting out the sky and turning the distant landscape into a hazy blur.)（狂风呼啸着，卷起漫天沙尘，遮天蔽日，让远处的景象也变得朦胧不清。）

(The blazing sun scorches the earth, filling the air with dry heat, as if trying to bake everything alive.)（烈日灼烧着大地，空气中弥漫着一股干燥、焦灼的气息，仿佛要将人烤干一般。）

(The ground is cracked and barren, with not a blade of grass in sight—a hopeless desolation, fissures crisscrossing the land like scars, speaking of utter death.)（地面是干裂的土地，寸草不生，呈现出一种令人绝望的荒凉，干裂的缝隙纵横交错，诉说着这里的死寂。）

(This scene is painfully familiar to her.)（这幅情景，她十分熟悉。）

(She has wandered "aimlessly" through a world like this for a full ten years.)（她就是在这样的世界里，“漫无目的”地游荡了整整十年。）

(Countless battles, countless clashes, all gradually forgotten in this contamination zone.)（无数次作战、无数次交锋，都在这片污染区被逐渐遗忘。）

VoymastinaYou had a nightmare.你做噩梦了。

(Voymastina's voice sounds beside her, breaking the howling silence.)（威玛西娜的声音从身旁响起，打破了呼啸中的沉默。）

(It is soft and calm, devoid of emotional fluctuation—almost like an inorganic, synthesized electronic tone.)（她的声音很轻，很平静，似乎没有任何情绪波动，就像是某种无机质的电子合成音。）

Alva...Yeah.……嗯。

(Voymastina is seated opposite her, cradling a massive anti-materiel sniper rifle. Even though the weapon's surface is rough and worn, it still reflects a harsh, piercing cold light.)（威玛西娜坐在她对面的座椅上，怀中抱着一把巨大的反器材狙击枪，即便枪身表面已经显得粗糙破损，也依然反射着刺目的寒光。）

(Alva remembers that back when Voymastina first realized her specs no longer gave her an overwhelming advantage over everything, she sought many alternatives—this rifle was one of them.)（埃芙记得，在意识到自己的性能已经渐渐无法碾压一切后，威玛西娜曾寻找过很多的替代方案，这把枪便是众多策略中的一项。）

(Even so, in this desolate world, even holding such a weapon, Voymastina's towering figure still looks so small compared to the desert outside—insignificant, lonely, forlorn, as if forgotten by the world.)（但即便如此，此时此刻，在这孤寂的世界中，即使怀抱着这样一把枪，威玛西娜巍峨的身躯和窗外的荒漠相比也依然显得十分渺小，如此微不足道，甚至有些孤独，有些落寞，就像是被世界遗忘了一般。）

(Alva's lips are cracked. She opens her mouth and is startled by how hoarse her voice feels.)（埃芙的嘴唇有些干裂，她张了张口，发现自己的声音嘶哑得吓人。）

(She lifts a hand to her head and lets out a quiet sigh, trying to massage her temples to ease the stabbing pain.)（埃芙用手捂着脑袋，轻轻地叹了口气，想要揉捏自己的太阳穴，缓解刺痛感。）

(Only then does she notice her fingers trembling slightly, her palms slick with sweat. The sticky and stifling sensation is deeply uncomfortable.)（而也是这时候，她才注意到，自己的手指还在微微颤抖，掌心也满是汗水，黏腻而闷热，让人很不舒服。）

(She takes a deep breath to steady herself, but ends up inhaling more dust, triggering a violent coughing fit.)（她深吸了一口气，试图平复自己的情绪，但却吸入了更多的灰尘，引起了一阵剧烈的咳嗽。）

(The image of Ange being swallowed by the tide of ELIDs refuses to leave her mind, replaying again and again, tormenting her.)（安洁被尸潮吞没的画面，依然在她脑海中挥之不去，不断闪回，让她痛苦不已。）

(And then there's RPK-16—why was SHE the one who helped her, the one who stayed by Ange's side?)（还有RPK16，为什么在那个时候偏偏帮助自己和留在安洁身边的是她。）

Alva...I dreamed of Ange... of Ange when she was still alive. I... couldn't protect her. I couldn't... protect anyone.……我梦见了安洁……梦见了安洁还活着的时候，而且……我没能保护好她，我又没能……保护好、大家。

(Her trembling voice, filled with pain and guilt, breaks as though she might cry at any second.)（她的声音中充满了痛苦和自责，带着一丝哽咽，断断续续的，像是随时可能哭出来一样。）

(Whenever Alva thinks of Angelia, an indescribable sorrow surges in her heart—like it's being stabbed by a blade.)（每当想起安洁，埃芙的心中都会涌起一阵难以言喻的悲伤——就如同刀割一般。）

(Every time she looks back and remembers the first time they lost Angelia, she can't help but wonder: if only she had been more perceptive and discovered the problem sooner... If only she had done a better job at protecting AK-12 so that she hadn't missed that decisive battle... If only—)（每每她回想起曾经，回想起她们第一次失去安洁，她都会不禁去想，倘若自己能更加敏锐，能更早发现问题，或者更早，如果她保护好AK12，不让她缺席那一次战斗，如果……）

(If only she had been stronger. If only she had made the right choices. Maybe none of this would have happened.)（如果她能够更强大一些，如果她能够做出正确的选择，或许，这一切都不会发生。）

(Maybe Angelia would still be alive. Maybe Task Force DEFY would still be whole. Maybe...)（或许，安洁莉娅还活着；或许，忤逆小队还完整；或许……）

(But there are no maybes.)（但是，没有或许。）

(Alva knows this. She knows it all too well. In this world, there are no maybes.)（埃芙知道，也很清楚，这个世界上，没有或许。）

Alva...Sorry, 15. That was a bunch of meaningless nonsense.……抱歉，15，说了些没意义的废话。

AlvaI hardly ever have nightmares. I guess I'm just not used to it.我很少做这样的噩梦，可能只是不太习惯。

(She rarely has nightmares.)（她很少做噩梦。）

(Strictly speaking, she almost never dreams at all.)（确切地说，她从来不做噩梦，就连做梦本身都很少。）

Alva...Dream?……做梦？

AlvaDo I... dream?我会做梦吗？

(...That's right. She is just a Doll. No matter how human-like she seems, she is still a Doll.)（……是啊，她是个单调的人形，不论有多像人，她都是人形。）

(Dolls do not die. Nor do they have heartbeats. Or nightmares. They do not sweat either.)（死亡是不属于人形的，心跳也是，噩梦也是，汗水，也是。）

(She stares blankly at her sweaty, sticky hand, her thoughts momentarily unraveling.)（她愣愣地看着自己因汗水而濡湿黏腻的手，思绪一时间断了线。）

AK-15You're surprisingly self-aware.你很有自知之明。

Alva...?……？

(As Alva freezes in confusion, AK-15 suddenly speaks, her voice cutting cleanly through her thoughts.)（就在埃芙因疑问而呆滞的时候，AK15突然开口发出的声音，截断了她的思维。）

(Her tone is completely different from before—cold and sharp, as if she has become someone else.)（她的语气，与之前截然不同，变得冰冷而尖锐，像是换了一个人。）

AlvaAK-15...?AK15……？

AK-15Everything that has happened...之前发生的这一切……

AK-15Ange's death, Paradeus running rampant...安洁的死，帕拉蒂斯的肆虐……

AK-15And us being reduced to this state today—it's all because of you.还有我们沦落到今天这个地步，也是因为你。

AK-15Because of your... incompetence.因为你的……无能。

Alva...!!……！！

(Alva's head jerks up as she stares wide-eyed at AK-15, who is now on her feet, looming over her, gazing down ruthlessly. Alva's pupils constrict in shock.)（埃芙猛地抬起头，瞪大了眼睛，看着不知何时已经站了起来，居高临下，冷酷地看着她的AK15，瞳孔剧烈地收缩着。）

(She can't believe her ears. She even wonders if she's still dreaming, or if she's fallen into another hallucination.)（她不敢相信自己的耳朵，她甚至怀疑自己是不是还在做梦，亦或者，又进入了什么新的幻觉。）

(...Hallucination?)（……幻觉？）

AlvaThis is nothing more than an illusion on Level II...!这里不过是二级平层中的幻象罢了……！

AK-15Making excuses for yourself now?开始为自己找借口了吗？

(As AK-15 looks at the shaken Alva, a smile—so derisive it is utterly out-of-character—appears on her face.)（看着激动的埃芙，AK15的脸上，浮现出了根本不可能属于她的，嘲弄的笑容。）

AK-15Since Ange's gone, everything we've done has been meaningless.自从安洁离去后，我们每一天都在做着徒劳无功的事。

AK-15Day after day, we've been endlessly repeating the same hollow task of eradicating Paradeus...日复一日，乏善可陈地重复着摧毁帕拉蒂斯的工作……

AK-15But has anything actually changed?可是这一切有所改变吗？

AK-15Ten years have passed. Has Paradeus truly been destroyed? For every base we wipe out, two more pop up immediately.十年了，帕拉蒂斯有真正毁灭过吗？我们摧毁一座基地，就会立刻冒出两座新的。

AK-15Tell me—what is the point of it all?你告诉我，我们做的事到底有什么意义？

Alva!!!！！！

(Rising higher and higher, AK-15's voice trembles with rage, hatred, and despair.)（AK15的声音越来越高亢，充满了愤怒、憎恨和绝望，甚至带着一丝颤抖。）

(Even as Alva keeps telling herself that this is only a hallucination, her will still threatens to buckle.)（即便埃芙不断告诉自己，眼前的她只是幻觉，却依然动摇着她的心智。）

AK-15No matter how hard we try, no matter how much we sacrifice, we can never eradicate them completely.无论我们如何努力，无论我们付出多少牺牲，都无法将它们彻底根除。

AK-15Even if we persist, we'll just be endlessly repeating a Sisiphean task.只是这样继续下去，那我们永远在做着徒劳无功的事情。

AK-15Do you understand? It's all futile!你明白吗，一切都是徒劳！

(AK-15's voice has turned into a roar—her words crash through the silent desert like a thunderclap.)（她猛地提高了音量，近乎咆哮地喊道，在这寂静的荒漠中，就如同一道惊雷。）

AK-15All our sacrifices, all our efforts—none of it means anything in the end!我们的一切牺牲，我们的所有努力，到头来根本没有任何意义！

AK-15We're trapped in an endless loop we can never escape from—and the one who caused all of this...我们，就像是被困在一个永无止境的循环之中，永远无法逃脱，而造成这一切的，不是别人！

AK-15...Is none other than you, Alva! All of it is because of you!是你，埃芙！全都是因为你！

AlvaThat's not true!!不是这样的！！

(Alva covers her ears and screams in agony.)（埃芙捂住了耳朵，崩溃地大吼道。）

(She wants to run. Or fight. But she can do neither.)（她想要逃走，或者战斗，但不论是哪一种选择，她都做不到。）

(She can't move.)（她动弹不得。）

(Her body feels nailed to the ground, heavy as lead, utterly immobile.)（她的身体，仿佛被钉在了地上，无法动弹，像是灌了铅一样沉重。）

(An inexplicable terror envelops her, pinning her in place.)（一种莫名的恐惧笼罩着她，让她动弹不得。）

(...A hallucination?)（……幻觉？）

(...Why is she so certain this is a hallucination?)（……她为什么能认定这是幻觉？）

(...Who's to say the real Voymastina doesn't have such thoughts?)（……真正的威玛西娜，就真的，不是这么想的吗？）

(At that moment, AK-15 suddenly begins to move.)（就在这时，AK15忽然缓缓地动了起来。）

(Her movements are slow, stiff—like a marionette pulled by invisible strings.)（她的动作，很慢，很僵硬，就像是一个提线木偶，被无形的丝线所操控。）

(Or a rusted machine that squeaks and groans with every motion.)（又像是生锈的机器，每一个动作，都带着令人牙酸的摩擦声。）

(As she leans in closer, her face begins to change.)（随着她的靠近，她的面容，也逐渐发生了变化。）

(As it twists and distorts, her features blur like a sketch rubbed away by an eraser.)（她的脸开始扭曲，变形，五官变得模糊不清，像是被橡皮擦过的素描画。）

(Her eyes hollow out, until they become black voids that seem to swallow everything.)（她的眼睛，变得空洞无神，失去了光彩，像是两个黑洞，要将人吸进去。）

(Her mouth stretches into a grotesque grin. Like a wild beast, she bears sharp fangs, sending chills down Alva's spine.)（她的嘴巴，咧开一个诡异的弧度，露出了尖锐的牙齿，就像野兽，令人不寒而栗。）

(That isn't AK-15.)（那不是AK15。）

(It is... herself.)（她是……自己。）

Other Alva...You know I'm right.……你知道我说得没错。

Other AlvaWhether I'm a hallucination or not...不论我是幻觉，抑或不是。

Other AlvaEverything I've said is true.我所说的都是事实。

Other AlvaAnd you are perfectly aware of that.你心知肚明的事实。

(The "Alva" before her reaches out and grips her throat. With her airway cut off, suffocating panic floods Alva's mind.)（眼前的埃芙伸出手掐住了自己的脖子，埃芙觉得自己无法呼吸，窒息带来的恐慌充斥在她的心中。）

(The world before her gradually darkens—is this how it ends...?)（眼前的一切逐渐变黑，就这样结束了吗……）

(Woooooooo!!)（呜————！！）

(The train horn suddenly blares. The train lurches and rapidly slows, and the "Alva" before her loses balance, releasing her grip.)（列车的汽笛声突然响起，列车猛地减速，眼前的埃芙因为身形不稳而松开了双手。）

(At the same time, a burly figure slams into "Alva", sending her flying.)（而此时一个壮硕的身影撞在了眼前的埃芙身上，将她撞飞了出去。）

(The train screeches to a halt. Rows of doors click and slide open on both sides of the carriage.)（列车迅速地停下，在机械结构声下，一排排的车门在左右两侧打开。）

(As Alva clutches her throat and coughs, Voymastina yanks her up from the seat.)（在埃芙摸着自己的脖子咳嗽时，威玛西娜将她从座位上拽了起来。）

VoymastinaMove.快走。

(She shoves Alva out of the train. Behind them, furious roars echo from within the carriage.)（威玛西娜将埃芙推出了列车，而在背后，列车中传来了愤怒的咆哮声。）

(The doppelgänger "Alva" is now covered in grotesque scars that crisscross her face like countless knife wounds—hideous beyond words.)（那个和自己一样的埃芙，她的脸上布满了狰狞的伤痕，交错纵横，丑陋无比，像是被无数把刀刃划过。）

(Her bloodshot and bulging eyes, filled with hatred and rage, lock onto Alva as if she wants to devour her alive.)（她的眼睛，充血，暴突，充满了怨恨和愤怒，死死地盯着埃芙，像是要将她生吞活剥。）

(Voymastina turns to face the doppelgänger. She glances back at Alva one last time, then strides into the carriage and swings her fist at the grotesque Doll.)（而威玛西娜转过身面对敌人，她回头最后看了埃芙一眼，随即大步走进了车厢，举了拳头向那个丑陋的人形砸去。）

Other AlvaIt's your fault! It's all your fault!就是你的错！全都是你！

(That "Alva" begins to rupture and split apart into waves of ELIDs crashing to the ground, snarling as they surge toward her.)（那个埃芙开始不断分裂，一堆又一堆的尸潮跌落在地面上，低吼着朝自己扑来。）

(Alva feels her breathing quicken... but she must stay calm. She must not be deceived by the illusion. She must not let her emotions take control.)（埃芙感到自己呼吸变得急促……但她必须保持冷静，不能被幻觉所迷惑，不能被情绪所控制。）

(She has to find the flaw in this hallucination if she wants to escape.)（她必须找到幻觉的破绽，才能从这里逃出去。）

(She takes a deep breath and grips the gun in her hands tightly, feeling the cold solidity of the weapon, forcing her emotions back under control.)（她深吸了一口气，用力握紧了手中的枪，感受着武器带来的冰冷触感，努力平复着自己的情绪。）

(The train doors close and the train begins to move again, carrying away Voymastina and the grotesque "Alva", while the tide of ELIDs that has spilled outside rushes toward her.)（列车关上了车门开始行驶离去，带走了正在战斗的威玛西娜和那个丑陋的埃芙，而落出车外的尸潮已经快冲到了自己的面前。）

(This is a battle she cannot afford to lose.)（这是一场不能输的战斗。）

(If she loses, she will be trapped in this illusion forever—never escaping, forever living in pain and self-blame.)（如果她输了，她将永远被困在这个幻境之中，永远无法逃脱，永远活在痛苦和自责之中。）

(...With no chance of redemption.)（……再无翻身之日。）

Embers 余烬

(Alva opens her eyes.)（埃芙睁开了眼。）

(She is sitting in a vast desert.)（自己坐在一片荒漠之中。）

(Some distance away, the howls of an ELID horde foretell the imminent battle, and just when she is about to run out of ammo, Angelia will come to her rescue.)（不远处E.L.I.D.的嘶吼预示着接下来的战斗，而自己会在快弹尽粮绝之际收到安洁的拯救。）

(She just has to accept the fact that she will never be able to pull Angelia onto that train.)（只是她知道，无论如何她都无法将安洁拉上那辆列车。）

(She will be ushered onto the train by RPK-16, then expelled from the same train by AK-15, only to start waiting for Angelia's arrival again.)（她会被RPK16推上列车，随后她会被AK15逐出那辆列车，重新开始等待新的安洁降临。）

(How many times has she repeated this cycle?)（这是第多少次循环了？）

(Alva has lost count.)（埃芙已经无法记清。）

(She recalls what AK-15 just said.)（她回想起了AK15刚才的话语。）

AK-15We're trapped in an endless loop we can never escape from—and the one who caused all of this...我们，就像是被困在一个永无止境的循环之中，永远无法逃脱，而造成这一切的，不是别人！

AK-15...Is none other than you, Alva! All of it is because of you!是你，埃芙！全都是因为你！

(She lowers her head.)（她低下头。）

(What she is experiencing here is exactly the same as what she has been doing in the past ten years—going in an endless circle in a place that defies description.)（这十年的时光就和这里的光景一样，仿佛永远在一种难以言语的地方不断地打转。）

(Together with the hulking Doll, they have wiped out Paradeus again and again whenever it appears in their sights.)（她带着那个壮硕的人形，一次又一次地消灭了出现在她们视野中的帕拉蒂斯。）

(Yet as time goes on, the intelligence they receive leads them to a desperate conclusion—Paradeus is reviving in some form, and that revival is accelerating.)（然而随着时光的推移，她们收到的情报却让她们得出了一个绝望的事实——帕拉蒂斯在以某种形式复苏，并且这种复苏变得越来越迅速。）

(With "her" assistance and the support of their former comrades, Alva and Voymastina have both grown significantly in strength.)（即使在有“她”的协助和有之前朋友们的支持下，她们的实力已经大大增强。）

(But even so, the day they can fulfill their former leader's wish seems to be drifting farther and farther away.)（然而，离实现曾经那位队长愿望的日子却仿佛在越来越远。）

(This place is both a nightmare and a reenactment of reality.)（这里既是梦魇，也是现实的再现。）

(Alva opens her palm, which reveals a small cube.)（埃芙伸出掌心，那是一个小小的魔方。）

(That cube appeared in her hand when she got off the train for the first time.)（当她第一次离开列车时，那个魔方就出现在了她的掌心中。）

(Alva peers at the glowing cube, yet still shakes her head.)（埃芙看着发光的魔方，却依然摇了摇头。）

(Even if this is only a nightmare, Angelia's appearance has given Alva second thoughts.)（即使只是一个噩梦，安洁的出现也令埃芙陷入犹豫。）

(But... she knows she can no longer hesitate.)（可是……她明白，她已经不能再犹豫了。）

(Something has to change, Alva thinks. After a brief pause, she touches the cube with her fingertips.)（必须要改变什么，埃芙这样想着，她迟疑了片刻，用指尖触及了魔方。）

(The cube emits a faint glow. A blurry figure gradually takes shape in front of her.)（魔方发出了微弱的光芒，在自己的对面，一个模糊的身影逐渐显现出来。）

AK-12What's wrong, Alva? Got yourself in a bind?怎么了埃芙，遇到困扰了吗？

Alva12...12……

(Alva stares blankly at that familiar—yet somehow distant—face.)（埃芙愣愣地看着那个熟悉的面孔——熟悉而又有些陌生。）

(It has been ten years since she last saw her in this form.)（她已经有十年没有见到过她这副模样了。）

Alva...Who would've thought I'd still have to rely on you even here.……没想到在这里也依然要依靠你。

AK-12Is that so? You do know that everything here is a construct of your own simulation, right?是么？你知道这里的一切都是你自己模拟出来的吧？

(AK-12 casually looks around before letting her gaze settle back on Alva.)（AK12轻松地环顾了下四周，最后将目光落回到埃芙身上。）

AK-12My appearance will only draw the external attacks to you faster. Are you sure that's okay?我的出现，只会让外面的攻击更快地来到这里，真的没问题吗？

Alva...I know. I just wanted to see you.……我知道，我只是想见见你。

AK-12Aww, Alvochka is still such a baby.这样呀，小埃芙还真是爱撒娇呢。

AK-12That cube—"she"—has already helped you. Why keep yourself trapped here?那个魔方，“那家伙”已经帮助你了，为何要把自己困在这里？

AlvaI...我……

(A gentle smile graces AK-12's face, her eyes remaining closed.)（眼前的AK12闭着自己的双眼，露出了温柔的微笑。）

AK-12You don't want to keep doing things that seem meaningless even to you, do you?其实你并不愿意做这些你自己都不认为有意义的事，对吗？

AlvaI don't think what I'm doing is meaningless.我并不认为自己在做没有意义的事。

AK-12Then why trap yourself here?那为何还要将自己困在这里呢？

AlvaI've always done what I believed was right, but that sense of "rightness" has grown blurry with time.我一直在做自己认为正确的事，可是自认为的正确却随着时光而变得模糊不清。

AlvaI can't tell whether my past efforts have truly changed anything. I don't know whether, as the leader of Task Force DEFY, I'm really carrying on Ange's will...我无法判断之前的努力是否真的在改变什么，我不知道自己身为队长，是否真的在继承安洁的意志……

AK-12Have you fallen into the trap of self-doubt?你陷入了自我怀疑的陷阱吗？

AK-12You're a Doll. Thinking about such meaningless things is, in itself, meaningless for you.明明身为人形，思考这些毫无意义的事情对你来说毫无意义。

AK-12And yet, these thoughts still plague your neural cloud like a nightmare. Isn't that ironic?结果这种想法却如梦魇缠绕你的心智，这是一种讽刺吗？

AlvaI'm just... afraid that I won't be able to achieve Ange's goal.我只是……只是害怕无法实现安洁想要达成的目标。

AK-12And what exactly was Angelia's goal?安洁的目标又是什么呢？

AlvaShe wanted to eradicate Paradeus for good. She wanted to rid the world of those who'd try to use the power of the Relics for their own ambitions.她想要将帕拉蒂斯彻底消灭，她想让试图用遗迹力量来实现自己野心的人全部消失。

AK-12Is that really what she wanted?这真的是她想要的吗？

AlvaWhat?什么？

AK-12She never told you her true ideals, did she?她从未将自己真正的理想说给你听过吧？

AK-12Perhaps all of this is nothing more than your own wishful thinking.或许这一切只是你自己的一厢情愿呢？

Alva...……

AK-12She fell on a path that was destined to fail, and you followers are repeating the same mistake.她倒在了一条必然失败的路上，而你们这些追随者却在重蹈覆辙。

AK-12Her ideal was too lofty—so lofty that she couldn't possibly pay the price to realize it; so lofty that even those who try to carry on her will after she's gone couldn't understand it.她的愿望过于宏大，宏大到她根本无法支付实现的代价，宏大到当她消失了之后连试图继承她的人都无法明白她的愿望。

AK-12Angelia merely followed her instincts toward a place that seemed to shine with light—only for that place to be a sheer cliff.安洁只是徒劳地跟着自己的本能往一个亮着光的地方前进，而那个地方却是一个悬崖峭壁。

AK-12She fell. And you? Are you going to become another lost follower?她摔了下去，你呢？你要成为那个迷失的追随者吗？

AK-12Ten years have passed. Has anything truly changed?已经过去了十年，这一切有什么改变吗？

AlvaDo you know why I'm stuck here, listening to your lecture?你知道为什么我被困在这里，还要听你说这些吗？

AK-12Why?为什么？

AlvaBecause I know these are all thoughts born from my own neural cloud.因为我知道这些都是我的心智中自己的想法。

(The smiling AK-12 gradually turns into Alva.)（眼前微笑的AK12逐渐变成了埃芙的样子。）

AlvaThis is my weakness—an obstacle I have to face and overcome.这是我的软肋，是我必须要面对和克服的难题。

AlvaI've always wondered why Ange kept struggling even in such utter despair.我一直在思考，为什么安洁在那种绝望的境地下还要那么挣扎。

AlvaI remember something she once said: "If everything in life is futile, what is the point in struggling?"我想起了她曾说过的话——“如果人生注定是一场徒劳，那么挣扎的意义究竟是什么？”

AlvaI know I don't have all the answers right now.我知道现在的我无法回应你所有的疑问。

AlvaI think Ange may have been questioning herself with the very same doubts.我想，也许同样的疑问安洁也一直在拷问着自己。

AlvaHer answer to that particular question was...所以她的回答是——

Other Alva"I will answer that question with my entire life."“我将用一生，来回答这个问题。”

AlvaYes.是的。

AlvaEven if no hope is in sight, someone still has to keep moving forward. One day, everything will change.即使看不到希望，也必须有人不断前进，总有一天，一切会改变的。

AlvaIndeed, I may not truly understand what Ange wanted to achieve.的确，我也许并非真正能理解安洁想实现的到底是什么。

AlvaBut I know this much—so long as I... so long as we haven't given up, her will lives on.只是我知道，只要我……只要我们还没有放弃，她的意志就没有死去。

AlvaAs long as I keep going, I haven't betrayed the oath of Task Force DEFY.只要我继续下去，我就没有背叛“忤逆”的誓言。

(The "Alva" before her smiles serenely, finally at peace.)（眼前的埃芙露出了坦然的笑容。）

Other AlvaChoices always come with a price. She paid the price for her choice. What about you?选择永远要付出代价，她为自己的选择付出了代价，那你呢？

AlvaI'm willing to do the same.我也愿意。

Other AlvaIf that's your choice, then let's see whether you truly have the strength to back it up.既然你的选择是如此，那就看看你有没有这个实力吧。

("Alva" begins to split apart, rupturing into hordes of ELIDs that crash onto the ground, snarling as they lunge toward her.)（眼前的埃芙开始不断分裂，一堆又一堆的尸潮跌落在地面上，低吼着朝自己扑来。）

(But now, Alva is no longer stricken with panic. She simply tightens her grip and raises her weapon, aiming it at the "Alva" before her.)（但此时的埃芙，已经没有一开始时的慌乱，她只是捏了捏握把，随即将武器对准了眼前的埃芙。）

AlvaI've wasted quite some time. I suppose I'll have to apologize properly afterward.浪费了些时间，事后得好好道歉才行呢。

AlvaBut... I have to keep moving forward. Because not moving forward is not an option.但是……我必须继续前进了，因为不前进不行。

AlvaIsn't that right, Ange?是吧，安洁？

Sycamore Branches 梧桐树的紫枝

(The desert, the yellow sand, the campfire, and the endless ELIDs—all vanish without a trace.)（荒漠，黄沙，篝火，还有无穷无尽的E.L.I.D.，都消失得无影无踪。）

(All that remains before her eyes is a vast expanse of pure white.)（呈现在她眼前的，只剩下一片洁白的空间。）

AlvaWhat is this place?……这里是？

(Her neural cloud is no longer at the mercy of hallucinations. She calmly awaits the final conversation.)（她的心智早已不再受幻觉的操纵，坦然地等待着最后的交谈。）

Alva...……

(Alva looks up at the sky. There is no sun, no moon, no stars—only a pristine whiteness, like an immaculately spotless ceiling.)（埃芙抬头看了看天空，没有太阳，也没有月亮与星辰，只有一片白皙，就像个一尘不染的天花板。）

(She looks around in confusion, sensing the stillness of this world.)（她茫然四顾，感受着这寂静的世界。）

(When she first opens her eyes, the surrounding white seems shrouded in a thin mist or vapor. As she begins to observe more closely, that haze slowly fades away.)（在她最初睁眼的时候，周围的白皙就像蒙上了一层薄薄的薄雾，或是水蒸气，而当她开始确实地观察后，这层薄雾便慢慢淡去了。）

Alva?？

(Even though everything remains flawlessly white, Alva has already recognized it.)（尽管一切都依然是不染纤尘的白，但埃芙已经辨认了出来。）

(She is in THAT mansion.)（这里是那座洋房。）

(The carpet, the walls, and the furniture, all white, blend perfectly into the white background. However, if one looks carefully, their shapes can still be discerned through light and shadow.)（地毯、墙壁，还有屋内的家具都是与背景完全重合的白，但只要认真辨认，依然可以借着光影看清它们的形状。）

(If she were equipped with Wolf Eye, she would've figured it out much more easily, Alva thinks.)（如果自己也有狼眼的话，大概就不需要看得这么费劲了，埃芙这样想着。）

AngeliaYou finally made it here, Alva.你终于来了，埃芙。

Alva...Ange.……安洁。

(As if she has known Angelia would appear all along, Alva turns toward the source of the voice.)（就像早就知道安洁会出现一般，埃芙回过头去朝声音的方向看去。）

(Angelia is wearing a long, pure-white dress, almost completely merging with the background. Only her familiar face and confident smile stand out clearly.)（而安洁莉娅穿着一身纯白的长裙，几乎与背景融为一体，只有那熟悉的面容和自信的笑容清晰可见。）

(She looks more mellow than Alva remembers, without a trace of battle left upon her.)（她看起来比埃芙记忆中的更加柔和，没有一丝战斗的痕迹。）

(Alva is slightly taken aback by Angelia's unfamiliar appearance.)（看着安洁这陌生的模样，埃芙愣了一下。）

(Angelia steps forward lightly and reaches out to stroke Alva's cheek. The sensation is warm and real.)（安洁莉娅轻轻走上前，伸手抚摸埃芙的脸颊，那触感温暖而真实。）

AngeliaAlva, it's been a long time.埃芙，好久不见。

(Seeing Angelia dressed like this fills Alva with an inexplicable sense of familiarity and comfort.)（埃芙看着如此穿着的安洁莉娅，不知为何让她感到无比熟悉和安心。）

(She doesn't know what to say. She can only keep drinking in the sight of Angelia, as if trying to etch this image deep into her neural cloud.)（她不知道该说些什么，只是不停地打量着眼前的安洁莉娅，仿佛想把这个形象牢牢地记录在自己的心智中。）

AngeliaIt's been ten years, hasn't it?十年没见了吧？

AlvaThat's right... Ten years.嗯……十年了。

AngeliaAh... good heavens. So much time has passed in the blink of an eye.啊……真是的，一眨眼都过去那么久了呀。

(Angelia scratches her head with a self-mocking smile, unsure where to begin.)（安洁有点自嘲般地挠了挠头，一时不知道该从哪里说起。）

AngeliaBy the way, how have you all been these past ten years?对了，这十年，你们过得怎么样？

AlvaWe...我们……

(Alva wants to speak, but it feels as though something is lodged in her throat. She gazes at Angelia, a flood of complex, indescribable emotions surging within her.)（埃芙想说些什么，但喉咙像是被什么堵住了一样。她注视着安洁，心中涌起一阵难以言喻的复杂情绪。）

(Angelia takes Alva's hand and leads her slowly through the pure-white mansion.)（安洁拉起埃芙的手，带着她在纯白的洋房中缓步行走。）

(Alva steadies herself and tells Angelia about Task Force DEFY's battles over the past ten years—about forming a new anti-Relic organization, about dismantling Paradeus bases one after another.)（埃芙平稳了下自己的状态，告诉了安洁“忤逆”这十年来的战斗，告诉安洁她们组建了新的反遗迹组织，告诉了安洁自己在一个接着一个消灭帕拉蒂斯的基地。）

(Ange simply listens with a smile as ten years' worth of words gush out of Alva all at once.)（安洁莉娅只是微笑着听她说着，而埃芙则不断地述说着自己的经历，仿佛想把十年间的话都一口气说出来似的。）

AlvaKevin and Nele have been helping us as well.凯文也好奈乐也好，也在帮助我们。

AlvaDo you remember the child we rescued from the submarine base?还记得我们在潜艇基地中救出来的那个孩子吗？

AngeliaThe one with the same name as me?和我名字一样的那个孩子？

AlvaYes. Anna.是啊，那个“安娜”。

AlvaShe's all grown up now—she can stand on her own two feet.她现在也长大了，变得独当一面了。

AlvaAnd the other children who were with her... they're all alive and well.还有和她一起的那些孩子们，大家都好好地活着。

AngeliaIs that so...? That's wonderful...是吗……真好呢……

(Suddenly, Angelia stops walking. She turns to Alva and asks her, in the same casual tone one might use to ask what to eat for lunch.)（忽然安洁莉娅停下脚步，转身面对埃芙，用像问中午该吃什么般的语气向埃芙问道。）

AngeliaIt's been ten years, Alva. Don't you want to give up?十年了，埃芙，你不想放弃吗？

Alva...Why bring that up all of a sudden?……为什么突然说这个？

AngeliaParadeus is too vast. Maybe you'll never be able to defeat it.帕拉蒂斯太庞大了，或许你们永远无法击败它。

AngeliaMaybe you could stop, and find a life of your own.也许你能停下来，找到属于自己的生活。

Alva...……

AngeliaI say that, but I'm sure you'd never agree to that, would you?虽然话是这么说，但你想必不会同意吧。

AlvaNo, I can't stop yet. I—嗯，我还不能停，我——

(Before Alva can finish, Angelia gently pulls her into an embrace, speaking in a voice like she's soothing an exhausted child to sleep.)（埃芙还没说完，安洁莉娅轻轻地将她拥入怀中，用像是在哄一个疲惫的孩子入睡般的声音说道。）

AngeliaI'm sorry. I just went and left everything to you lot.对不起，我将一切都抛给了你们。

AngeliaThese ten years must have been hard on you and the others.这十年你和她们都很辛苦吧？

(Alva doesn't reply. She just holds Angelia tightly.)（埃芙不再回话，只是紧紧地抱住安洁。）

AngeliaEven through all that pain, all that confusion, you've kept going all this time.即使那么痛苦，即使那么迷茫，你也一直坚持到了现在。

AngeliaYou've grown mature, dependable... reassuring.你变得成熟了，可靠了……变得能让我放心下来了。

(Reluctantly, Alva lifts her head. After a long while, she whispers something so softly it's almost inaudible.)（埃芙依依不舍地抬起头来，过了好久她才挤出了一句几乎让人无法听见的话语。）

AlvaIf only... you were still here...要是……你还在该多好……

AngeliaI wish I were too. But you have to accept the fact that I'm already gone.我也希望我还在，可是你也必须接受我早已不在了的事实。

AngeliaI'm sorry. When everything became even harder to bear, all I could do was stand by, powerless.抱歉，在一切变得更加沉重的时候，我却只能在一边无能为力。

AlvaIt's okay. You once lived... That's good enough for me.没关系，只要你曾经在过……只要这样就行了。

AngeliaThat's true...的确呢……

AngeliaA dead person isn't worth all this pining. It's time to end this. Stop frying your own neural cloud with this simulation.一个已经死去的人不值得你这样牵挂，所以，是时候结束了，不要再燃烧自己来模拟这一切了。

AlvaAnge...安洁……

AlvaWhat should I do?我该怎么办才好？

AlvaI don't want to give up... but sometimes I really don't know what I should do to make things better.我不想放弃……可是有的时候我真的不知道该怎么做才能变得更好。

AngeliaTo be honest, I don't know either.说实话，我也不知道呢。

AngeliaYou're already far more dependable than I ever was. If I'd been as reliable as you are now, maybe things wouldn't have turned out that way... Haha, just kidding.现在的你已经比我可靠多了，要是那时我有你现在这般可靠，可能当初就不会发展成那样了……哈哈，开玩笑的。

Alva...But...……可是…

AngeliaStill, maybe I can offer you a small piece of advice.不过，我也许能给出一个小小的忠告。

AlvaAdvice?忠告？

AngeliaMake doing the right thing your goal—rather than following my obsessions.让做正确的事成为你的目标，而不是跟随我的执念。

AngeliaCarrying on my will doesn't mean being trapped by past doctrines. Find a purpose that you believe in.继承我的意志不代表你要被困死在过去的信条中，找到你自己也认同的那个目标吧。

AlvaMy purpose...我的目标……

AngeliaYou must have saved a lot of people over these ten years, just like we used to. Do you regret putting effort into that?和我们以前做的事一样，这十年里你应该拯救了不少人吧，为此付出努力会让你感到后悔吗？

AlvaHow could I ever regret saving lives?!我怎么会后悔呢！

AngeliaThen keep at it. Use your strength to save innocent people. Keep doing it, again and again, until the day you truly find the right path.那样的话，你就继续拯救下去吧，用你的力量拯救那些无辜的人们，一直一直这样拯救下去，直到你真正找到正确道路的那一天。

AngeliaOne day, we'll realize where the path of righteousness and justice in our hearts truly lies. Haven't we always been feeling our way forward like this?总有一天我们会察觉到我们心中那个正确和正义的道路到底在何方，我们不就是一直这样摸索着前进吗？

AlvaYeah...嗯……

AngeliaAs long as you girls are around, those people full of bad intentions won't have a peaceful night's sleep.只要一天有你们的存在，那些一肚子坏水的人就一天睡不好觉。

AngeliaSo go ahead and keep "defying" them!你就尽情地“忤逆”他们吧！

AlvaHahaha...呵呵呵……

(Alva chuckles in relief, and Angelia laughs along with her.)（埃芙露出了释然的笑容，安洁莉娅也和她一起笑了出来。）

AlvaYou're right. One day, I'll put them to a good sleep they'll never wake up from.嗯，总有一天，我会让他们睡一个永远都不用醒来的好觉。

AngeliaI'm looking forward to that day.我很期待那一天的到来。

(Angelia stretches, walks a few steps forward, then turns back to look at Alva.)（安洁莉娅伸了一个懒腰，往前走了几步，然后回过头来看着埃芙。）

AngeliaAlright. It's about time.好了，也差不多是时候了。

AngeliaI've said a lot of things that sound very unlike me... After all, the "me" here isn't really me.说了好多不像我的话呢……毕竟，这里的“我”不是“我”。

AngeliaBut I believe "Angelia" would've said pretty much the same—maybe a bit more gruffly. The "me" in your memories is far too gentle.但我相信，“安洁莉娅”想要表达的也没什么不一样，顶多比我语气差一点——你记忆中的“我”太温柔了。

AlvaHaha...哈哈……

AngeliaYou know the way back, right?你应该知道回去的路吧？

AlvaYeah.嗯。

(Alva takes out the cube. Before activating it, she prepares to say her final goodbye to Angelia.)（埃芙掏出了魔方，在启动它前，她准备和安洁做最后的道别。）

AlvaAnge, I'm so glad I could talk with you.安洁，能和你说上话真是太好了。

AngeliaYou're quite sly, you know. If those people realized you were using the computing power from their attacks to do something like this, they'd be grinding their teeth in fury!你真是狡猾呢，要是那些人知道你用她们攻击你的算力做这种事，一定会气得牙根都咬断吧！

(Alva laughs and shakes her head.)（埃芙笑着摇了摇头。）

AlvaThat's thanks to "her" help. Otherwise, I don't know if I could've held on.那多亏了“她”的帮助，不然我也不知道自己能不能撑过去。

AngeliaTrue enough. Send my regards to the others for me, and tell them it's time they let me go.也是呢，替我向她们问好，告诉她们不用老是惦记我。

AlvaI will.我会的。

(Alva opens her palm. The cube glows brightly.)（埃芙伸出手掌，魔方正在闪闪发光。）

(She closes her hand. When she opens it again, the cube has transformed into a familiar MP-443.)（她捏住了掌心，再次张开时，魔方变成了那把熟悉的MP443。）

AngeliaDo it, Alva.埃芙，动手吧。

AlvaRight. Goodbye, Ange.嗯，再见了，安洁。

(Alva raises the pistol. In the sights, Angelia smiles and waves at her.)（埃芙举起手枪，在准星中，安洁莉娅笑着朝她挥了挥手。）

(Bang!)（砰！）

(As "Angelia" falls, her body dissolves into countless specks of light. The white space finally fails to hold, collapsing in vast swathes and revealing the endless darkness beyond.)（伴随着“安洁”倒下，她的身躯化作无数光点。白色空间终于无法维持，大片大片地崩塌，露出背后无尽的黑暗。）

(Before everything returns to nothingness, Alva seems to glimpse a blurry figure standing in the distance.)（在一切归于虚无之前，埃芙似乎看到了一个模糊的身影，站在远处。）

(The figure simply nods once, then turns away, fading away along with the collapsing white world.)（那身影只是简单地点了点头，随即转身而去，消散在崩塌的白色世界中。）

AlvaThank you...谢谢你……

AlvaI'll keep moving forward... Ange.我会继续前进的……安洁。

Magnum Opus 伟大功业

(...)（……）

(...)（……）

(...)（……）

(The familiar hum echoes in her ears. The sounds of countless instruments and machines interweave into an endless industrial symphony.)（熟悉的嗡鸣声在耳边回荡，各种仪器设备运转的声音交织在一起，像是一首永无休止的工业交响乐。）

(Inside the hibernation capsule, the cold touch of metal presses in from all sides, binding Alva tightly and leaving her unable to move.)（心智舱内，冰冷的金属触感从四面八方传来，将埃芙紧紧地束缚住，让她动弹不得。）

Alva...……

(Alva slowly opens her eyes.)（埃芙缓缓地睁开了眼睛。）

(Her vision shifts from a blur to clarity.)（她的视野，从一片模糊，逐渐变得清晰。）

(The scene before her is no different from before. She is in the same narrow, specially designed capsule, with the same busy Marionette Doll researchers milling about outside.)（眼前的景象，与之前并没有什么不同，依然是那个狭小的特制心智舱，还有舱外那些忙碌的傀儡研究员。）

(And through the observation window, legs crossed as she perches on a high stool, is Chiloveig.)（以及，站在观察窗前，翘着二郎腿坐在高脚凳上晃荡着的奇洛薇格。）

ChiloveigOh my, oh my~ Sleeping Beauty is finally awake!哎呀呀~小睡美人醒啦！

(Chiloveig springs up exaggeratedly and scampers to the observation window, pressing her entire face against the glass. Her distorted grin looks eerie and slightly comical.)（奇洛薇格夸张地一跃而起，小跑到观察窗前，将整个脸贴在玻璃上，扭曲变形的笑容显得诡异而滑稽。）

(She taps the glass with a finger, as if knocking on a fish tank.)（她用手指敲了敲玻璃，如同敲击鱼缸。）

ChiloveigHow absolutely marvelous...真是太神奇了……

(She suddenly falls back a step, cupping her face with one hand, eyes wide.)（她猛地后退一步，单手捧脸，眼睛瞪得大大的。）

ChiloveigI thought your little brain would be turned into total mush this time for sure! And yet, you regained consciousness!我本以为你的小脑瓜这次肯定会变成一锅浆糊呢！没想到竟然还能苏醒！

ChiloveigMiss Igla cranked the power dial way past the red line! Tut-tut, how terrifying!针小姐可是把功率旋钮拧到了爆表呢！啧啧啧，太恐怖了！

(Chiloveig spins as she talks, making a little gesture beside her temple to convey how mind-blowing she finds the situation, then abruptly freezes. She bends down and presses her face close to the window again.)（她边说边转着圈，手指在太阳穴旁做出爆炸的动作，然后又突然停下，弯腰将脸凑近观察窗。）

ChiloveigLooks like I really underestimated Pandora's endurance... Samantha Shaw's masterpiece, indeed.看来，我还是低估了“潘多拉”的强度……不愧是萨曼莎·肖的杰作。

(She bares her teeth in a wide grin, then suddenly slumps in disappointment, letting out an exaggerated sigh as her shoulders droop.)（她咧嘴一笑，露出一排整齐的牙齿，突然又做出失望的表情，重重地叹了口气，同时夸张地垂下肩膀。）

ChiloveigWhat a shame. I was actually planning to recover your data fragments and put your neural cloud back together piece by piece, like a puzzle. Might've found something interesting.真可惜，我本来还打算回收一下你的数据碎片呢，像拼拼图一样把你的心智碎片拼起来，说不定能找到一些有趣的东西。

(She traces shapes in the air, as if assembling an imaginary jigsaw.)（她用手指在空中比划着，就像在玩一个想象中的拼图游戏。）

ChiloveigBut it's now apparent that even if I really wanted to destroy your little brain, I probably couldn't!但现在看来，就算我真的想摧毁你的小脑袋瓜，恐怕也做不到呢！

(She shrugs, then abruptly puts on an expression of sympathy, blinking her big eyes and pouting her lips in an exaggerated manner.)（她耸耸肩，突然换上一副同情的表情，眨巴着大眼睛，将嘴撅成一个夸张的"O"形。）

ChiloveigOh. Right! My dear Alvochka, I am soooo terribly sorry for the pain you just went through!哦，对了，亲爱的小埃芙！我为你刚才经历的痛苦感到非——常——抱歉！

(She strikes an over-the-top pose in apology, right hand to her chest, left hand drawing circles in the air.)（她一边说，一边做出夸张的道歉姿态，右手放在胸前，左手在空中画着圈。）

ChiloveigWho could've guessed that my dear partner—the ever elegant and refined Miss Igla who always says "please" to everyone—would completely lose her temper over a few harmless jabs from you?谁能想到，我亲爱的合作伙伴，优雅的，跟谁说话都带个“请”字的针小姐，会因为你几句不痛不痒的挑衅就暴跳如雷呢？

ChiloveigBut don't worry, sweetheart! I wasn't the one who turned the power up that high! Miss Igla was the violent maniac who twisted the dial all the way!不过别担心，亲爱的！我可不是把功率开到那么高的那个人哦！针小姐才是那个把旋钮拧到底的暴力狂！

(She presses a finger to her lips in a conspiratorial shushing gesture.)（她将手指放在唇边，做出一个“嘘”的手势，像是在分享一个秘密。）

ChiloveigWhat Igla did went way past the safety limits—past even what I expected! My goodness, I was scared out of my mind!针的操作已经完全超过了安全界限，甚至超过了我的预期——天哪，我真的吓坏了！

ChiloveigEven I wouldn't dare turn the power up that high! Who knows what might happen? The whole lab could've blown up! Boom!就连我都不敢把功率开那么高！毕竟，谁知道会发生什么呢？也许会炸掉整个实验室！嘭！

ChiloveigBut really, darling, I couldn't stop her. You know better than I do—she's a complete monster.不过说真的，亲爱的，我没法阻止她，你应该比我更清楚，她就是个彻头彻尾的怪物。

ChiloveigIf she loses her temper again, who knows what'll happen. I might really get chopped into little pieces!要是惹她不开心，天知道会发生什么。可能我真的会被切成小块块！

(She makes a throat-slitting gesture, sticks out her tongue, then breaks into giggles.)（她做出一个割喉的动作，吐了吐舌头，随即又咯咯地笑了起来。）

Alva...……

(Alva merely watches her manic display in silence, her eyes utterly flat.)（埃芙只是静静地看着她有些疯癫的模样，眼中没有任何波动。）

ChiloveigOh dear, did I ramble too much about Igla?哎呀，我是不是说太多关于针的事情啦？

(Chiloveig suddenly stops and lightly smacks her own cheeks, as if admonishing herself.)（她突然停下来，用手轻轻拍了拍自己的脸颊，像是在责备自己。）

ChiloveigYou're the star here, isn't that right, Alvochka?现在你才是主角，对吧，小埃芙？

(She smiles sweetly, licking her lips as her tone suddenly becomes low and enticing.)（她笑眯眯地看着埃芙，舔了舔嘴唇，语调突然变得低沉而诱惑。）

ChiloveigSo you survived that. Impressive. But miracles aren't infinite, you know~ You of all people should understand how painful a neural assault can be.虽然你扛了过去，很了不起，但奇迹可不是无限的哦~你现在应该比谁都清楚承受心智攻击有多痛苦。

(She leans against the observation window, fingertips gliding lightly across the glass.)（她靠在观察窗上，指尖轻轻划过玻璃表面。）

ChiloveigSo maybe now you'd be more inclined to tell me a little secret? Hmm?也许，你现在愿意告诉我一点小秘密啦？嗯？

(She tilts her head, her voice almost coquettish—yet a dangerous glint shines in her eyes.)（她歪着头，用一种近乎撒娇的语气问道，眼中却闪烁着危险的光芒。）

Alva...……

(Alva doesn't answer right away, even though she senses that she has regained the ability to speak—whether because her condition has improved, or because Chiloveig has disabled some restrictions, she doesn't know.)（面对奇洛薇格的提问，埃芙并没有立刻回答，尽管她能感觉到，不知是因为自己的状态有所恢复，还是奇洛薇格关闭了某些开关，总之她现在应该具备说话的能力了。）

(Regardless, she simply stares at Chiloveig. Her gaze is utterly calm and still, like stagnant water, without the slightest ripple.)（但她依然只是静静地看着奇洛薇格，眼神中没有任何情绪波动，像是一潭死水，看不出任何波澜。）

ChiloveigTsk. So that little bit of pain was nothing to you, huh!啧，看来这种小小的痛苦对你来说根本不值一提，是吧！

(Chiloveig pouts and stomps her foot like a child denied candy.)（奇洛薇格撅起嘴，像个没得到糖果的孩子一样跺了跺脚。）

(Then her expression rapidly shifts. She leans close to the glass, a cruel smile spreading across her face.)（随后她又突然变脸，凑近观察窗，露出一个冷酷的微笑。）

ChiloveigFigures. After all, you're a bunch of monsters who've never even experienced death.也是，毕竟你们都是一群连“死亡”也不曾体会过的“怪物”。

Alva...……

(Alva's eyelids twitch.)（埃芙的眼皮动了动。）

Alva...What do you want me to tell you? I've been imprisoned here for a long time. You are probably more aware of Voymastina or O-43's whereabouts than me.……你想让我透露什么？我已经被你们囚禁在这里很久了，威玛西娜和O-43的下落，我未必会比你们更清楚。

AlvaAs for information about Task Force DEFY, Paradeus already knows more than enough. You're the ones hiding in the shadows; we're the hunters.而忤逆小队的情况，你们帕拉蒂斯已经掌握得足够多了，躲在暗处的是你们，我们才是猎人。

ChiloveigNo, no, no, my dear! You've got it all wrong!不不不，亲爱的！你完全搞错啦！

(Chiloveig wags a finger and prances away.)（奇洛薇格晃了晃手指，转身嚷嚷着远离了一些。）

ChiloveigI'm not interested in that stuff at all. Only Miss Igla worries about that kind of boring nonsense!我对那些才不感兴趣呢，那是针小姐才关心的无聊事！

AlvaI thought you were partners.我以为你们是同伴。

ChiloveigAllow me to correct you, sweetheart!容我订正一下，亲爱的！

ChiloveigWe're just collaborators. It's a working relationship! A pure exchange of interests! Like... pizza and cola! Totally different, but they sometimes show up together!我们只是合作者。工作关系！纯粹的利益交换！就像……披萨和可乐！完全不同，但偶尔会一起出现！

(She wags a finger like a strict teacher, even though the analogy might have as well come from a child.)（她用一根手指在空中摇晃着，像个严厉的老师——却用着小孩子才会用的比喻。）

ChiloveigAt the moment, we just happen to share a goal. That hardly makes us comrades. I like her sword, she needs my brain. Simple as that!在当前状况下，我们只是有共同的目标，但远远称不上同志。我喜欢她的剑，她需要我的脑子，就这么简单！

AlvaI said partners.我说的是同伴。

ChiloveigOur aspirations aren't even the same; how long do you think this "partnership" can last?如果连志向都不同，又能同伴到几时？

(Her smile suddenly vanishes, and her tone turns grave.)（她突然收起了笑容，语气变得异常严肃。）

ChiloveigTell me—did Task Force DEFY make it this far bound together by interests alone?你们忤逆小队，难道是靠利益绑定走到今天的？

Alva...……

(Alva lifts her head slightly.)（埃芙微微抬起了头。）

(Since their encounter at that base, this is the first time she truly meets Chiloveig's eyes.)（从在那个基地相遇开始，这是她第一次真正正视奇洛薇格的眼睛。）

AlvaThen what is your aspiration?那你的志向是什么？

(Chiloveig snaps her fingers lightly, and her grin reappears.)（奇洛薇格轻轻地打了个响指，笑容重新爬上她的脸。）

(With that gesture, the Marionette Doll researchers bustling around the lab all freeze, turn, and stare at Alva with hollow eyes.)（随着她的动作，那些原本在实验室中忙碌的傀儡研究员，都停下了手中的工作，转过身来，用空洞的眼神看着埃芙。）

(They stand in perfect unison, like soldiers awaiting orders, silently watching her. An oppressive presence.)（它们整齐划一地站在原地，像是等待着命令的士兵，无声地注视着埃芙，给人一种莫名的压迫感。）

(Chiloveig slowly walks back to the observation window, her voice dripping with temptation.)（奇洛薇格则缓缓地走到观察窗前，用一种充满诱惑的声音说道。）

ChiloveigTo be honest, even though I love chatting and talking and acting like I know everything, I still think I don't know enough about you DEFY Dolls. You're always scurrying around like rats, after all.说实话，尽管我爱聊天，爱说话，好像什么都知道，但其实我自认为，我对你们这些忤逆人形的了解还是不够多，毕竟，你们总是像老鼠一样躲来躲去！

ChiloveigBut this much I know—you harbor an almost obsessive hatred for Paradeus.但我知道，你们对帕拉蒂斯，有着一种近乎偏执的仇恨。

ChiloveigI find that hatred fascinating... and confusing.这种仇恨，让我很好奇，也很不解。

(Her tone grows somber, and a fanatic light blazes in her eyes.)（她的语气突然变得正经，眼中闪烁着狂热的光芒。）

ChiloveigTo me, Paradeus' research is nothing short of a miracle—technology that surpasses humanity's current limits.在我看来，帕拉蒂斯的研究，是超越了人类现有科技水平的神迹。

(She throws her arms wide, as if embracing the entire world.)（她猛地张开双臂，像是要拥抱整个世界。）

ChiloveigWe're exploring the mysteries of life! Creating miracles of evolution! It's like magic—only better, because it's science!我们正在探索生命的奥秘，我们正在创造进化的奇迹！就像魔法一样，但更好，因为这是科学！

(Her eyes gleam as she stares into empty space.)（她的眼睛闪闪发光，目光炯炯，看着空中并不存在的某些东西。）

ChiloveigEven if it requires some small sacrifices along the way... incurs a few negligible costs...即使在这个过程中，会有一些小小的牺牲……会付出一些微不足道的代价。

ChiloveigThe final result will be beautiful. Worth it. So dazzling, so exquisite! Just like baking a cake—you have to break a few eggs!但最终的结果，将会是美好的，将会是值得的！如此绚丽，如此美丽！就像做蛋糕，总要打破几个蛋！

(She mimes cracking eggs, then lifts her hands as if presenting an invisible cake.)（她做出打蛋的动作，然后又抬起双手，像是在展示一个看不见的蛋糕。）

ChiloveigWe'll lead humanity into the next stage of evolution! We'll create a brand-new, better world!我们将带领人类，走向进化的下一个阶段，我们将创造一个全新的、更好的世界！

(She pauses, her tone softening like she's speaking to a lost child, though the fervor in her eyes remains.)（她顿了顿，语气变得更加温柔，像是在对一个迷途的孩子说话，但眼神中的狂热丝毫未减。）

ChiloveigAnd you, sweet Alva... you could've been part of that new world.而你，埃芙甜心，你本可以成为这个新世界的一员。

ChiloveigYou have such a powerful neural cloud, such extraordinary potential, yet you're trapped in this outdated shell, bound by meaningless hatred.你拥有如此强大的心智，如此卓越的潜力，却被困在了这具陈旧的躯壳里，被那些无意义的仇恨所束缚。

ChiloveigWhat a waste... Such a terrible waste...这太可惜了，真的太可惜了……

(Chiloveig theatrically wipes away non-existent tears, lamenting Alva's incomprehensible choice.)（奇洛薇格夸张地抹了抹并不存在的眼泪，似乎对埃芙的选择感到惋惜和不解。）

ChiloveigSo how about it, Alvochka? I'll give you a chance.这样吧，小埃芙，我给你一个机会。

ChiloveigA chance to let go of the past and embrace the future.一个让你摆脱过去，拥抱未来的机会。

ChiloveigIf you join us, I'll grant you one wish—one you can't possibly refuse!只要你愿意加入我们，我就可以满足一个你一定无法拒绝的愿望！

AlvaA wish?愿望？

ChiloveigThat would be... Ta-daaaaa!那就是——铛铛铛铛！

ChiloveigReviving your former commander...复活你们曾经的长官……

ChiloveigAn~ge~li~a~安~洁~莉~娅~

(She drags out each syllable, her voice tantalizing.)（她拉长语调，每个音节都清晰可闻，带着诱惑的意味。）

Alva...!……！

(At the sound of Angelia's name, Alva's pupils contract sharply.)（听到“安洁莉娅”这个名字，埃芙的瞳孔猛地一缩。）

ChiloveigYou've seen me come back from the dead—twice! You know I can do it!你见过我死而复生的过程，两次！你知道我能做到！

(She grins as she mimes clawing her way out of a grave.)（她咧嘴一笑，做出一个从坟墓中爬出来的动作。）

ChiloveigEven though ten years have passed, the engram of Angelia's consciousness has been preserved in Paradeus' database this whole time!虽然已经过去了十年，但安洁莉娅的人格备份数据一直都保存在帕拉蒂斯的数据库中！

ChiloveigThe moment you give the green light—I don't even need all DEFY members' approval, just yours—I'll give her back to you!只要你点头——我甚至不需要整个忤逆，我只要你——只要你点头，我就可以把她还给你！

ChiloveigAs far as I know, that's the biggest source of hatred you have toward Paradeus anyway.反正，据我所知，这也就是你们跟帕拉蒂斯最大的仇恨来源。

ChiloveigWell? It's a fair deal, right? A perfect win-win, if you ask me!如何？这个交易很公平吧？妥妥的双赢啊！

(Chiloveig sways smugly, watching Alva's reaction, convinced she's struck her weakness.)（奇洛薇格得意地笑着，摇晃着身体，观察着埃芙的反应，她认为自己击中了埃芙的软肋。）

Alva...……

Alva...Do you... really mean it?……你，说的是真的？

(Chiloveig's eyes light up, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.)（奇洛薇格眼睛一亮，露出满意的笑容。）

ChiloveigOf course, sweetheart! I'm Dr. Chiloveig! Chiloveig never lies—at least not to her friends!当然啦，小甜心！我可是奇洛薇格博士！奇洛薇格从不骗人——至少不骗自己人！

(She places one hand over her heart and raises the other high in solemn oath.)（她右手放在胸前，左手高高举起，做出一个庄严宣誓的姿势。）

Alva...How do I know you're not lying?……我怎么知道你不是在骗我？

AlvaMaybe everything you've said was just to trick me into handing over O-43.也许你从刚才开始说的就全都是铺垫，到头来，你还是只想要O-43。

AlvaI heard your conversation. You're trying to complete Project Eden. That's the common goal you share with Igla.你们的谈话我听见了，你们要完成“乐园计划”，这就是你说的，你和针共同的目标。

AlvaI don't believe you'd abandon something that important just to convert me.我不相信你会撇下正事不管，只顾着策反我。

(Alva's voice trembles slightly, though she tries to keep it steady.)（她的声音，微微有些颤抖，但语气却尽量保持平静。）

(She peers at Chiloveig with a mix of hope and doubt, waiting for an answer, seeking confirmation that the woman before her is telling the truth.)（她看着奇洛薇格，眼神中带着一丝期待和疑惑，像是在等待着答案，也像是为了进一步确认，眼前的这个女人，说的是否是真的。）

ChiloveigHa!哈！

(Chiloveig slaps her thigh and bursts into exaggerated laughter.)（奇洛薇格猛地一拍大腿，发出一阵夸张的大笑。）

ChiloveigOh darling, you underestimate me! I'm a genius who can multitask!亲爱的，你太小看我啦！我可是能一心多用的天才！

ChiloveigI can win you over AND complete Project Eden at once! Like dancing a perfect duet—my feet stepping one way, my hands moving another.策反你，和完成乐园计划，我两手都能抓，两脚都能踩，就像跳双人舞一样简单！

AlvaThen... what exactly is Project Eden?那……乐园计划到底是什么？

ChiloveigOh ho~ You really want to know that badly?哦嚯~你真的那么想知道？

(She arches an eyebrow, leaning forward as if sharing a grand secret.)（她挑了挑眉，语气中带着一丝玩味，身体微微前倾，似乎在分享一个重大秘密。）

(In her eyes, Alva has clearly been shaken by the offer and is starting to waver.)（在她看来，埃芙显然已经被自己提出的条件打动，开始动摇了。）

ChiloveigAlright then. Since you're so curious, I'll let you in on the gist of it...好吧，既然你这么好奇，我就告诉你一点点……

(She steps closer to the observation window, lowering her voice.)（她走近观察窗，用一种神秘的语气说道。）

ChiloveigProject Eden is a magnificent project—one that can change humanity's destiny!“乐园计划”，是一个伟大的计划，一个足以改变人类命运的计划！

ChiloveigThrough a "flower" that draws in butterflies, we'll get a glimpse of a new world no one has ever set foot in!我们将利用一朵能引来蝴蝶的“花朵” ，来窥视一个从来没有人能踏足的新世界！

ChiloveigA world without war, without disease, without pain!一个没有战争，没有疾病，没有痛苦的世界！

ChiloveigA world of nothing but joy, happiness, and eternity!一个只有快乐，只有幸福，只有永恒的世界！

(She spreads her arms and closes her eyes, as if already seeing it.)（她张开双臂，闭上眼睛，仿佛已经看到了那个美好的新世界。）

ChiloveigIn that world, everyone can shed the shackles of flesh and gain eternal life!在这个世界里，每个人都可以摆脱肉体的束缚，获得永恒的生命！

ChiloveigEveryone can realize their dreams! The possibilities are endless!每个人都可以实现自己的梦想，拥有无限的可能！

ChiloveigAll this requires a qualified "flower" to serve as the essential "key"!而这一切，都需要一个合格的“花朵”，来成为那个重要的“钥匙”！

(Her eyes snap open and blaze with fanatic light.)（她猛地睁开眼睛，眼中闪烁着狂热的光芒。）

(She has revealed another new term—"key".)（她又抛出了一个新的词汇——钥匙。）

Chiloveig...Do you understand now, sweetheart? It's time for you to decide.……明白了吗？小可爱，现在，轮到你做决定了。

(Chiloveig smiles faintly, tossing the "key" toward Alva.)（奇洛薇格微微一笑，将“钥匙”抛给了埃芙。）

(She doesn't notice that while she was busy making her impassioned speech, Alva's gaze has already grown cold.)（然而，奇洛薇格并没有注意到，在她“慷慨陈词”的时候，埃芙的眼神，已经逐渐变得冰冷。）

(The faint hesitation has vanished completely, leaving only scorn and fury.)（原本的一丝迟疑最终也彻底消失，只剩下嘲弄和愤怒。）

Alva...It really does sound "magnificent".……听起来还真是“伟大”。

AlvaSo basically, you're planning to use that child to open the "gateway" that activates the Relics?所以，你是要用那个孩子来打开能引发“遗迹”运作的“门”吗？

AlvaYou built a device that imitates the "Starfish", didn't you? No wonder you needed the Girard Group to gather Collapse particles...你们是造出了仿制“海星”的小型设备么，难怪你们需要吉拉尔集团来为你们收集坍塌粒子……

AlvaWhat exactly do you plan to do... with this space triggered by the Relics?引发“遗迹”所带来的空间……你们想用那个空间做什么？

(Alva's rapid-fire questions catch Chiloveig completely off guard.)（埃芙的一连串的发问几乎让奇洛薇格猝不及防。）

Chiloveig...You...!……你……！

ChiloveigWait. How do you know all this?!等一下，你怎么会知道这些！？

(Chiloveig's smile freezes, shock and anger flashing across her face.)（奇洛薇格的笑容凝固在脸上，眼中闪过一丝震惊和愤怒。）

(She rushes to her terminal, only to discover the central system's firewall has already completely failed.)（她立即冲到了自己的电脑旁边，发现中央系统中的防火墙早已完全失效了。）

(That's when it dawns on her—Alva has infiltrated the servers. She may have read all the classified data.)（她意识到，埃芙已经渗透到了服务器中，那些机密的资料也许已经被她看个精光了。）

Chiloveig...You played me?!……你耍我！？

(Her voice turns sharp, her sweet smile twisting into something grotesque.)（她的声音从甜腻变得尖锐，脸上的笑容扭曲成一个狰狞的表情。）

AlvaLooks like you're not as smart as you think.看来，你也没有自己说得那么聪明。

AlvaWhy did you think I came?你以为我来这里是做什么的？

(This time, it is Alva whose voice is dripping with open mockery.)（这一次，轮到埃芙的声音多了些讥讽。）

AlvaBut at least you got one thing right.不过，至少你有一件事说得没错。

AlvaYou don't hold a candle to Dr. Shaw.你比肖博士，差得远了。

Chiloveig...……

(Chiloveig's expression shifts rapidly—anger, hurt, rage—before finally settling into a warped smile.)（奇洛薇格的脸色迅速变化，从愤怒到受伤，再到狂怒，最后定格在一个扭曲的笑容上。）

ChiloveigWhat a pity. I was going to give you a chance—how generous of me! But since you don't know what's good for you...真是可惜，我本来还想给你一个机会——多么慷慨的我啊！既然你不识好歹……

(She slams her hand against the observation window with a deafening bang.)（她猛地将手砸在观察窗上，发出一声巨响。）

ChiloveigI see you preferred your previous treatment. No matter. Since you survived the neural attacks, let's see how you'd fare in reality.看来你还是喜欢之前的服务，不过没关系，既然你能在心智攻击中活下来，不如想想看，能不能在现实中也活下来？

ChiloveigI sure hope you can keep up that tough attitude next time, sweetheart!希望你下一次，还能装出这种强硬的姿态，小甜心！

(A sick smile spreads across her face as she presses her face up close to the glass.)（奇洛薇格的脸上露出病态的微笑，几乎贴在观察窗上。）

Alva...……

(Alva no longer hides her fury.)（而埃芙，也已经不再掩饰自己内心的愤怒。）

(She glares at Chiloveig with open contempt and disgust.)（她看着奇洛薇格，眼神中充满了鄙夷和厌恶。）

AlvaOh, I will.我会的。

AlvaI will make Paradeus, as well as the Girard Group, pay for everything you've done.我会让你们，让帕拉蒂斯，还有吉拉尔，为你们所做的一切，付出代价。

AlvaAs for you, I will personally... twist your head off.尤其是你，我会亲手……拧下你的脑袋。

AlvaI will make you pay for insulting Ange.我会让你，为你侮辱安洁的言行，付出应有的代价。

ChiloveigHahahahaha...哈哈哈哈哈……

(Chiloveig guffaws as if she's just heard the funniest joke.)（面对埃芙的威胁，奇洛薇格却像是听到了什么好笑的笑话一样，忍不住大笑起来。）

Chiloveig...I'm really looking forward to it, Alvochka! Very much looking—……我很期待，小埃芙！非常期——

(Suddenly, red lights flash throughout the lab. Alarms flood the room.)（突然奇洛薇格所在的实验室开始闪起了红灯，警报声开始充斥着整个房间。）

Chiloveig—forward...?待？

(The smile freezes on Chiloveig's face as she stares at Alva in disbelief.)（听到警报，奇洛薇格的笑容凝固在了脸上，她不可思议地看向埃芙。）

ChiloveigWhat have you done?!你做了什么！？

(Alva answers her with a hint of derision.)（而埃芙带着些许嘲讽的语气朝她说道。）

AlvaWhat do you think?你觉得呢。

(Chiloveig stands stunned for three seconds—then snaps out of it.)（奇洛薇格在原地愣了三秒，然后立即反应了过来。）

(She rushes back to the terminal, trying to initiate self-destruction, but the system rejects her again and again.)（她再次来到电脑前，试图进行自毁的操作，但是系统却一次又一次拒绝了她。）

ChiloveigYou...!你……！

AlvaYou really shouldn't make the same mistake twice.同样的失误不能犯两次呢。

AlvaBy the way... have you brought poison this time? If not, you'd better run, or it'll be too late.对了，这次带毒药了吗？没带的话，再不跑可来不及了哦？

ChiloveigTsk... I just remembered I've got lots of things to take care of. I'll come back for you once I'm done... Don't miss me!啧……我突然想起我还有很多事要忙，等我忙完了再回来找你……别想我哦！

(She blows an exaggerated kiss, then turns and sashays out of the lab without looking back.)（说完，她夸张地送了个飞吻，转身扭动着步伐走出了实验室，头也不回地逃走了。）

AlvaYou're up, Voymastina.轮到你的工作了，威玛西娜。

(Alva closes her eyes. There is no panic, no hesitation, just calmness that seems out of place on a prisoner in enemy captivity.)（埃芙闭上了眼睛，没有慌张，没有犹豫，平静得丝毫不像身处危险的敌营。）

(Her fingers twitch lightly, as if playing a silent melody.)（她的手指，轻轻地颤动着，像是在弹奏一首无声的乐曲。）

(Meanwhile, deep beneath the Girard Group's facilities, Voymastina makes her final preparations within the labyrinthine sewer system.)（与此同时，在吉拉尔集团的地下深处，错综复杂的下水道系统中，威玛西娜正在进行最后的行动准备。）

Voymastina...……

(Voymastina is leaning against a damp wall. Before her floats a holographic projection of the Girard Group's underground complex.)（威玛西娜靠在潮湿的墙壁边，面前展开了一张吉拉尔集团地下设施的立体投影图。）

(This is one of the things "she" prepared before Voymastina and Alva entered Lviv—originally intended as a retreat plan. No one thought it would now be used for an assault.)（这是“她”在威玛西娜和埃芙攻入利沃夫之前提供的事前准备之一，当时将这作为了撤退预案之一，却没想到，现在却要为进攻做计划。）

(Voymastina is laden with carefully prepared tactical gear: breaching tools, electronic jammers, spare magazines, and several compact EMP devices. Each has been checked and calibrated to ensure flawless performance.)（她的身上挂满了精心准备的战术装备：爆破工具、电子干扰器、备用弹匣和几个小型EMP装置。每一件都经过了检查和校准，确保在关键时刻能够可靠发挥作用。）

(She finishes her third equipment check, shuts down the map, and stands upright.)（她刚刚完成了第三遍装备检查，确认无误后将地图关闭，站了起来。）

(In a corner of the sewer, Helena keeps a clear distance from Voymastina. She curls up on a protruding pipe in the shadows, watching Voymastina's every move with vigilance. Three metal spheres orbit her, ready to form a defensive array.)（在下水道的角落里，海伦娜与威玛西娜保持着明显的距离。她蜷缩在阴影中的一块突出的管道上，警惕地观察着威玛西娜的一举一动。她身边的三个金属球在空中盘旋，随时准备形成防御阵型。）

Voymastina...Moving in one minute.……一分钟后行动。

(Voymastina's voice is low and steady, though it's unclear who she's addressing.)（威玛西娜的声音低沉而坚定，却不知道是在跟谁说话。）

(She inspects her assault rifle, making sure that every mechanical component is optimal, then seats the magazine in one smooth, silent motion.)（她检查了手中的突击步枪，确认每一个机械部件都处于最佳状态，然后将弹匣装入枪膛，一气呵成的动作几乎没有发出任何声响。）

(Helena watches her proficient handling of the weapon and instinctively shrinks back. The three metal spheres move at once, forming a miniature protective barrier before her.)（海伦娜看着威玛西娜熟练地操作武器，身体不自觉地向后缩了缩，三个金属球立即移动到她面前，形成了一道微型防护屏障。）

(Voymastina notices the movement but shows no emotional response. She simply continues with her preparations, scanning the surroundings with Wolf Eye and running self-diagnostics.)（威玛西娜注意到了海伦娜的动作，但没有表现出任何情绪，只是继续自己的准备工作。狼眼扫描着周围，正进行着自检程序。）

Voymastina...Route confirmed.……路线确认。

(Helena leans forward slightly, seemingly curious about Voymastina's "muttering", but quickly withdraws when Voymastina looks up at her.)（海伦娜微微向前探了探身子，似乎对“自言自语”的威玛西娜产生了一丝好奇，但当威玛西娜抬头看向她时，又立即缩了回去。）

HelenaIs she... up there?那个人……在上面？

Voymastina...……

(Voymastina nods briefly. She takes a small device from her tactical pack. After a moment of hesitation, she sets it on the ground between herself and Helena without moving closer.)（威玛西娜简短地点头确认，随后从战术背包中取出一个小型装置，犹豫了一下，将它放在自己和海伦娜之间的地面上，没有直接靠近她。）

VoymastinaFor emergency. Press it and it'll release a wide-area interference signal.紧急情况下使用。按下后，会释放大范围干扰信号。

(Helena stares at the device but doesn't reach for it. One of her metal spheres glides over, lightly prods it as if checking for danger, then carefully carries it back to her.)（海伦娜盯着那个装置，但没有立即伸手去拿。她的三个金属球中有一个缓慢移动过去，轻轻触碰了一下那个装置，似乎在检测是否安全，随后才小心翼翼地将它带回到海伦娜手中。）

(Voymastina watches calmly, offering no comment. Once Helena has it, she turns back to her own gear.)（威玛西娜平静地注视着这一幕，并没有任何情绪表示，只是确认海伦娜收下了之后，转头继续检查自己的装备。）

VoymastinaWe DEFY members all have in-built trackers that only respond to each other.我和她，还有“她”，素体内都安装了只能彼此呼应的定位器。

VoymastinaThe range is only two kilometers. Very archaic signal. But only the three of us recognize it.只有两公里的范围，信号很古老，但只有我们三个知道。

(It is a key component of her and Alva's "breach formation"—and now the lifeline of this rescue mission.)（这是她与埃芙的“攻坚阵型”中的关键组件——现在成为了营救行动的生命线。）

(Helena listens, her wariness easing slightly, though she still keeps her distance.)（海伦娜听着威玛西娜的解释，眼中的警惕似乎减轻了一些，但依然保持着距离。）

HelenaWhy... did she... stay behind?为什么？……那个人？要留下？

(The question catches Voymastina off guard. She pauses what she's doing and looks at Helena. Something subtle shifts in her eyes.)（这个问题似乎让威玛西娜有些意外。她停下了手中的动作，抬起头看着海伦娜，眼神中有一丝微妙的变化。）

Voymastina...For the mission. For you.……为了任务。为了你。

(The short, direct answer seems to weigh on Helena. She lowers her head and murmurs softly.)（简短而直接的回答，却让海伦娜的眼神变得更加复杂。她低下头，小声地说道。）

HelenaShe... and Helena... are strangers.那个人，海伦娜，不认识。

Voymastina...……

(Helena falls silent, as if pondering what Voymastina just told her.)（海伦娜沉默了片刻，似乎在思考威玛西娜的话。）

HelenaYou... save... her?你，那个人，救？

(The question once again gives Voymastina pause. She meets Helena's gaze.)（这个问题让威玛西娜停顿了一下。她转过头，与海伦娜的目光相遇。）

Voymastina...……

VoymastinaI will.我会。

HelenaSave?救？

Voymastina...Yes.……嗯。

(Voymastina nods.)（威玛西娜点了点头。）

Voymastina...I can't take you along.……不能带你。

(Helena's eyes widen.)（海伦娜瞪大了眼睛。）

HelenaTake me!带！

VoymastinaNo.不行。

(Voymastina shakes her head.)（威玛西娜摇了摇头。）

VoymastinaIt's dangerous. I can't protect you.很危险，我保护不了你。

HelenaVery strong!很厉害！

(Helena points at herself.)（海伦娜指了指自己。）

Voymastina...……

(Voymastina draws her broken combat knife and uses the snapped blade to carve a grotesque face into the ground.)（威玛西娜拔出了断掉的军刀，用断刃在地上刻画出一张扭曲的怪脸。）

VoymastinaShe's strong.她很强。

VoymastinaStronger than me.比我更强。

(Helena looks down at the crude drawing. Even generously speaking, it's terrible, but she recognizes Igla all the same.)（海伦娜低头看着威玛西娜画出来的涂鸦，虽然保守地说，也绝谈不上好，但她还是认出了这是针。）

HelenaSuper strong...超厉害……

(Helena droops, dejected.)（海伦娜一下沮丧了起来。）

VoymastinaSo wait here.所以，在这里等我。

VoymastinaI'll rescue Alva, then come back for you.我救出埃芙，就回来找你。

Helena...Okay.……嗯。

(Helena seems to remember something.)（忽然，海伦娜像是想起了什么一样。）

(The three metal spheres beside her begin to rotate slowly, emitting a faint hum.)（她身边的三颗金属球，开始缓缓旋转起来，发出轻微的嗡鸣声。）

(One of the spheres breaks formation and floats up in front of her.)（其中一颗金属球，从球体中分离出来，悬浮在海伦娜的面前。）

(Helena reaches out with her small hands, gently cups the sphere, and offers it to Voymastina.)（海伦娜伸出小手，轻轻地捧起那颗金属球，递给了威玛西娜。）

HelenaThis. For you!这个，给你！

HelenaTo protect you!保护你！

(Her tone is serious, resolute, like entrusting something precious.)（她的语气，很认真，很坚定，像是在托付一件很重要的东西。）

Voymastina...……

(Voymastina freezes slightly as she looks at the sphere.)（威玛西娜看着海伦娜手中的金属球，微微一怔。）

(She may not fully understand Helena's specific circumstances, but she knows the spheres are Helena's weapon as well as her defense system.)（虽然她不了解海伦娜的具体情况，但一路走来，她也看得出，这是海伦娜的武器，也是海伦娜的保护者。）

(She wants to refuse. Helena needs it more.)（她本想拒绝，因为她觉得比起自己，海伦娜才更需要这种保护。）

(But seeing the expectant look in Helena's eyes, she finally relents and accepts it.)（但看着海伦娜那充满期待的眼神，她最终还是伸出手，接过了金属球。）

Voymastina...Thank you.……谢谢。

(The sphere feels cold in her hand, but the texture doesn't feel exactly metallic to her.)（金属球入手冰凉，却又带着不属于冰冷金属的某种触感。）

(Once the sphere comes into contact with Voymastina, it seems to gain awareness and floats up to hover at her side.)（在威玛西娜接触到金属球之后，金属球仿佛拥有智慧一般，转而悬浮到了威玛西娜的身旁。）

(Helena nods with satisfaction. She steps back slightly, her eyes never leaving Voymastina.)（海伦娜满意地看着这一幕，随即往后站了站，目光始终盯着威玛西娜的脸。）

(Voymastina rises to her full height and looks up toward the sewer exit once more.)（威玛西娜则是站起身来，再次抬头看向了下水道的出口。）

(Her gaze sharpens, resolute—like a beast about to strike.)（她的眼神，越发锐利而坚定，像是一头即将出击的野兽。）

(She takes a deep breath and rolls her shoulders. Her joints crackle softly.)（她深吸了一口气，活动了一下身体，发出一阵“咔咔”的声响。）

(She is ready.)（她已经做好了战斗的准备。）

(No one will stop her.)（没有任何人，可以阻拦她。）

(—Whoosh!)（——唰！）

(She launches upward like a battering ram, smashing through the metal grate in an instant. The entrance is torn open, and a shaft of bright light comes pouring down.)（她猛地一跃而起，身形如同战车一般，瞬间撞破了金属格栅，将入口撕开，落下一束明亮的光。）

(The light falls on Helena, who has stayed behind on her own. She lifts her head slightly, waiting in silent obedience.)（那束光照在了海伦娜的身上，独自一人站在原地的她轻轻抬起了头，一言不发，乖巧地等待着。）

Tabula Smaragdina 翠玉录

(Rapid, heavy footsteps echo through the empty corridor.)（急促而沉重的脚步声，在空旷的走廊上回荡。）

(If not for Alva's signal guiding her, Voymastina would never have discovered the secret Paradeus laboratory hidden inside this glossy, immaculate building.)（倘若不是有埃芙的信号作为指引，威玛西娜恐怕发现不了在这光鲜亮丽的大楼内部，还隐藏着帕拉蒂斯的秘密实验室。）

(She can't find—nor does she bother to look for—the switch to any hidden door. After confirming the location, she simply smashes through the wall with brute force, revealing the dark passage beyond.)（她找不到，也懒得找密门的开关，在确认位置之后，她直接用蛮力撞开了墙壁，露出其后的暗道。）

(Helena's metal sphere follows closely behind. It emits a beam of blue light to scan the passage for traps and surveillance devices. Then it precisely fires several jamming pulses that cripple the electronics along the way.)（海伦娜的金属球紧随其后，释放出一道蓝光扫描暗道内的陷阱和监控装置，随即精准地发射出几道干扰脉冲，使得沿途的电子设备陷入瘫痪。）

(Bang!)（——砰！）

(After destroying the automated sentry turrets lining the corridor, she drives a powerful kick into the heavy metal door standing at the far end, producing a deafening crash.)（在摧毁沿途的自动警戒哨塔之后，她猛地一脚踹开了竖在通道尽头的，沉重的金属门，发出一声震耳欲聋的巨响。）

(Under the tremendous force, the metal door twists and caves inward, nearly tearing free from its frame.)（金属门在巨大的力量作用下，扭曲变形，向内凹陷，几乎要从门框上脱落下来。）

(The hinges let out an agonized screech, like a cry of pain under unbearable strain.)（门轴发出不堪重负的“吱呀”声，像是某种痛苦的哀嚎。）

(Debris flies. Dust fills the air.)（碎屑飞溅，烟尘弥漫。）

(As the door finally collapses completely, Voymastina's figure appears in the laboratory entrance, like an unscalable mountain.)（随着金属门彻底脱落，威玛西娜的身影出现在了实验室门口，像是一座不可逾越的山峰。）

Voymastina...……

(She takes in the busy Marionette Doll researchers, the complex instruments and machinery, but in the end, her gaze settles on the specially designed hibernation capsule.)（她看到了那些忙碌的傀儡研究员，看到了那些复杂的仪器设备，但她的目光，最终还是落在了那个特制的心智舱上。）

(Even without confirming the signal, she knows that Alva is in there.)（即便不确认信号，她也知道，埃芙就在那里。）

Alva...Voymastina.……威玛西娜。

(Likewise, despite being trapped inside the capsule, Alva is aware of Voymastina's arrival.)（同样的，被困在舱内的埃芙也发现了威玛西娜的到来。）

(Her voice, coming from within the capsule, sounds weak—utterly different from when she confronted Chiloveig earlier.)（从休眠仓内传出的埃芙的声音显得有些虚弱，与她和奇洛薇格对峙时截然不同。）

(Weak, but unmistakably clear. More importantly, there is an air of inevitability in her tone, as if everything has unfolded exactly as she calculated.)（虽然虚弱，但却清晰可辨，更重要的是——她的语气中带着一丝理所当然，似乎一切都在她的计算之中。）

Voymastina...……

(The moment Voymastina steps into the lab, the once-busy Marionette Dolls abruptly turn toward her in unison, their eyes glowing a terrifying red.)（在她真正踏入实验室之后，那些忙碌的傀儡陡然间齐齐转身面朝向她，眼眸也射出慑人的红光。）

(Blades and firearms extend from hands once used for research with a whoosh. In the very next second, they all lunge at Voymastina together.)（他们原本用于科研的手，也齐刷刷地伸出刀刃和枪械，紧跟着下一秒，便一齐扑向了威玛西娜。）

(At that instant, Helena's metal sphere deploys its full weapon system, transforming into a floating spherical turret. Precise energy beams fire from multiple angles, striking key points on several Marionette Dolls and opening a path for Voymastina.)（海伦娜的金属球在这一刻突然展开全部武器系统，变成了一个漂浮的球形炮台，从多个方向射出精准的能量束，击中了几个关键位置的傀儡人形，为威玛西娜创造了突破口。）

(—Crack!)（——咔嚓！）

(These Dolls are even stronger than the guards outside.)（这些傀儡的性能比起外围的守卫，竟还要强上三分。）

(A blade hacks into Voymastina's frame, carving a deep wound.)（刀刃劈砍在威玛西娜的身上，也留下了深深的伤口。）

VoymastinaMove.让开。

(But Voymastina pays it no mind.)（但，依然毫无意义。）

(She grabs one of them and yanks hard, tearing off the arm with a polymer vibration blade attached to it.)（她一把抓住其中一人，用力一扯，伸展出高分子振动刀刃的手臂便被生生扯断。）

(Without a single pause, she swings the severed limb like a weapon.)（没有丝毫的停顿，顺势将手中的残肢当作武器，猛地一挥。）

(Bang!)（——砰！）

(The limb slams into another Doll's head with tremendous force.)（残肢带着巨大的力量，击中了另一个傀儡人形的头部。）

(Its skull explodes instantly, electronic components and oil spraying everywhere.)（傀儡人形的脑袋瞬间爆裂开来，电子元件和机油四处飞溅。）

(Voymastina's movements are clean, decisive, and packed with raw power. In the next moment, she has already closed in on the remaining Dolls.)（威玛西娜的动作没有丝毫的拖泥带水，干净利落，充满了力量感。下一秒，便已经欺近到剩余的傀儡近侧。）

(Bang! Bang! Bang!)（——砰！砰！砰！）

(Weapons extended from their arms fire continuously.)（傀儡们手中延伸出的武器，不断地喷吐着火舌。）

(Bullets rain down on Voymastina, sending sparks flying violently across her frame.)（子弹如雨点般向威玛西娜倾泻，她的素体外壳不断摩擦出激烈的火花。）

(Yet she seems unfazed, her steps never slowing.)（但她却像是没有感觉一样，脚步没有一点停顿。）

(Soon, only one figure remains standing in the laboratory.)（很快，实验室里就只剩下了她一个站立的身影。）

(She stands amid the wreckage, her body splattered with synthetic blood and machine oil.)（她站在一片狼藉之中，身上沾满了敌人的仿生血液和机油。）

(Strong as she may be, Voymastina is still covered in wounds. The metal sphere hovers at her side, scanning the remains on the floor, checking for any units that haven't been fully disabled.)（即便是她，如今身体上也布满了伤痕，身侧的金属球悬浮着，扫视着地上的残骸，似乎在检查是否还有没有停机的机体。）

Voymastina...……

(Ignoring the sphere, she strides straight toward the capsule holding Alva. She lifts her right arm and drives it straight into the metal hatch like a blade.)（她没有理会金属球的动作，径直走向埃芙所在的休眠舱，右手竖直为刀，用力一戳，便直接插入了金属舱门。）

(Then she hooks her thumb in and rips hard, tearing the capsule door right off.)（随即，她再用拇指插入，用力一扯，便将休眠仓的舱门直接拽开。）

(Alva sits quietly inside.)（埃芙就静静地坐在里面。）

Voymastina...Alva?……埃芙？

AlvaI'm fine. Everything went according to plan.我没事，和计划没有偏差。

(Her voice is still soft, but her eyes are razor-sharp and fully alert.)（埃芙的声音依旧很轻，但眼神却异常锐利和清醒。）

(Voymastina lowers her gaze to the cables and restraints binding Alva's frame. Having fought her way here with sheer violence, she now becomes careful and precise, slowly removing each restraint.)（威玛西娜低头看着那些束缚埃芙身体的电线与束缚带，一路依赖暴力杀到这里的她，此时却变得细腻小心，慢慢地为埃芙去除了这些束缚。）

(The torn cables, still sparking, silently testify to the torment Alva endured while imprisoned.)（被扯断后，兀自闪耀着电火花的线缆，无声地诉说着她被囚禁时遭受的折磨。）

Alva...……

(Wires snap with crackling pops, sending sparks flying.)（电线被扯断，发出“噼啪”的声响，火花四溅。）

(Restraints tear loose with ripping hisses, falling to the floor.)（束缚带被扯断，发出“嘶啦”的声响，散落在地。）

(Soon, Alva is completely free.)（很快，埃芙就从束缚中解脱了出来。）

(The moment she regains her freedom, she stands up on her own without waiting for Voymastina's help.)（在终于重获自由之后，不等威玛西娜伸手帮忙，埃芙立刻便自己站了起来。）

(No greetings. No visible relief. She just gently pushes Voymastina aside and walks straight toward the terminal at the center of the lab.)（她没有与威玛西娜寒暄，甚至没有表现出丝毫的脱险喜悦，而是轻轻将威玛西娜推开，径直走向了实验室中央的电脑。）

(Her objective is crystal clear, as if every step has long been planned. At this moment, Alva looks less like a rescued captive and more like an operative who has finally reached her target.)（她的目标明确，仿佛早已计划好每一步行动——这一刻，埃芙的状态与其说是获救的囚徒，不如说是终于到达目标的特工。）

Alva...Where's Helena?……海伦娜呢？

(Alva extracts an auxiliary digit from her hand, then draws a data cable from the back of her neck and plugs it directly into the terminal. The motion is fluid—nothing like someone who has just survived an almost lethal neural attack, and far more like a hunter finally lunging for her prey.)（埃芙从手指中拉出辅助指，并从自己的脖颈处拉出一条数据线，直接接入了终端。动作流畅得丝毫不像刚在心智攻击中经历了生死危机的人形，而更像是一个等待许久终于扑向猎物的猎手。）

VoymastinaIn the sewers.在下水道。

VoymastinaI told her... to stay there.我让她……留在那里。

(Alva frowns slightly with some concern.)（埃芙蹙了下眉头，显然有些忧虑。）

(Voymastina keeps her eyes on Alva, running rapid diagnostics with her Wolf Eye. Once she confirms there's no severe damage, the tension in her body eases almost imperceptibly.)（威玛西娜紧盯着埃芙，狼眼飞速运行，检查着埃芙的素体，在确认她没有遭受严重损害后，她紧绷的身体微不可察地放松了一些。）

Voymastina...It's safer there.……那里更安全。

(She then scans the room and locates the equipment stripped from Alva.)（随即，她左右环顾一圈，找到了埃芙被卸下的装备。）

Alva...……

(Alva says nothing. Her eyes are already flashing once more with cascading green data streams.)（埃芙没有吭声，她的眼睛已经又一次进入绿色的数据流不断滚动的状态。）

VoymastinaAlso... there's a comms link.还有……通讯器。

(Having retrieved Alva's gear, she moves to her side and re-equips everything piece by piece as Alva focuses on copying data.)（威玛西娜取回了埃芙的装备，走到她身边，在埃芙专注地拷贝数据时，给她一件件重新穿上。）

(At the same time, she points at the hovering metal sphere Helena gave her, indicating that it can serve as a communicator.)（同时，她指了指一旁悬浮着的，海伦娜交给自己的金属球，表示其可以作为通讯器使用。）

Voymastina...……

Voymastina...Your neural cloud has taken quite a hit. I don't recommend hacking at this time.……你的心智遭受了很大损害，不建议在此时进行入侵。

AlvaEvery second counts, Voymastina. If I don't do this, there'll be no point to everything we've done.分秒必争，威玛西娜，我不做的话，我们做这一切就都没有意义了。

AlvaI've learned more about the truth behind Project Eden...我已经进一步了解了关于乐园计划的真相……

AlvaAs expected, it's far more complex than we thought. I need to know more.果然没有我们想得那么简单……我还需要知道更多。

Alva...And there's something else.……还有。

Alva...They said that the engram of Ange's consciousness is still in Paradeus' database, even now.……她们说，安洁的人格数据备份直到今天还在帕拉蒂斯的数据库里。

Voymastina...……

AlvaThat engram needs to be deleted. She deserves to rest in peace, Voymastina.那个备份需要被删除，她应该安息，威玛西娜。

(Alva doesn't turn her head. Even as Voymastina finishes helping her gear up, she remains fully focused on the terminal.)（埃芙连头也没回，直到威玛西娜替她穿好装备，她也依然专注在眼前的电脑上。）

AlvaBefore their reinforcements arrive... before Igla returns, we must decrypt and copy as much data as possible.在她们的支援……在针折返之前，我们必须解密并拷贝尽可能多的数据。

AlvaWe still know far too little about Paradeus.关于帕拉蒂斯，我们知道的还是太少了。

Voymastina...It took me two minutes and forty two seconds to breach the building and reach this lab. They've had plenty of time to react.……从入侵这栋建筑，到抵达这里，我总共花费了两分四十二秒，他们有充足的反应时间。

VoymastinaIf we don't retreat in time, breaking out will be extremely difficult once that Doll returns.如果不及时撤退，等到那个人形返回，我们会很难突围。

Alva...I know.……我知道。

(Alva doesn't waver. On the monitor before her, the data scroll mirrors her flashing eyes.)（埃芙依然没有动摇，在她的面前，电脑的显示屏上，数据的滚动就好像她的心情一样瞬息万变。）

AlvaThe data here is critical. If we can send them out, even if we fall here, it'll be worth it.这里的资料很重要，如果能传输出去，即使我们都损失在这里都是值得的。

Voymastina...Understood.……我明白了。

(Voymastina nods, no longer objecting. She heads toward the lab entrance that she has wrecked, crouches down, and begins setting traps.)（威玛西娜点点头，也不再反对，而是转身走向被她摧毁的实验室大门，俯身下去，开始布置陷阱。）

(Alarms continue to wail throughout the lab and corridors. Amid flashing red lights and piercing sirens, Voymastina and Alva work in silence, swiftly assuming their respective roles.)（实验室和外面的通道内，警报声始终不绝，闪烁的红灯和刺耳的声音中，威玛西娜和埃芙彼此沉默着，迅速地各司其职，进入了各自的角色。）

(Even after completing every preparation she can, Voymastina says nothing more. She simply positions herself behind Alva and stands guard.)（即便是在做好了能做的一切准备之后，威玛西娜也不再说话，只是默默地站到了埃芙的身后，为她警戒。）

(She will protect Alva and fight for her decisions. In turn, Alva handles everything else, pointing Voymastina toward the path forward.)（她会保护埃芙，为埃芙的决定而战斗，相对的，埃芙则处理其他一切事务，并为威玛西娜指出前进的方向。）

(...Just as it's always been.)（……就像她们一直以来所做的那样。）

Peacock's Tail 孔雀尾

(Inside the laboratory, aside from the shrill alarm looping endlessly, the only sounds are the low hum of operating machinery and the soft tapping of Alva's fingers striking the keyboard.)（实验室里，除却警报不停重复的刺耳噪音以外，只能听到仪器设备运转的嗡鸣声，以及埃芙手指敲击键盘的“哒哒”声。）

(On the screen, a progress bar crawls forward at an agonizing pace, as if racing against time itself. Every second seems unbearably long.)（屏幕上，一个进度条正在缓慢地推进着，像是与时间赛跑一般，每一秒都显得格外漫长。）

Alva...……

Voymastina...……

Alva...…………

VoymastinaNext time...下次……

AlvaHm?嗯？

VoymastinaDon't pull this kind of stunt again.不要再执行这样的计划。

Alva...……

Alva...No promises, but it probably won't happen again, Voymastina.……我不能保证，但应该不会了，威玛西娜。

AlvaThe same trick won't work twice. If they catch me next time, they'll fry my neural cloud outright.这样的招数不会起效两次，下次抓到我，她们会直接融掉我的心智。

Voymastina...They could've done that this time.……这一次也可能会。

AlvaBut you came.但你来了。

Voymastina...……

Voymastina...Helena is hidden.……海伦娜藏起来了。

AlvaMm. Once things are settled here, we'll leave together.嗯，等到这边解决，我们就一起离开。

(Alva's gaze is focused and intent. Even as she speaks to Voymastina, her eyes remain locked on the progress bar.)（埃芙的眼神专注而认真，尽管在跟威玛西娜说话，但眼睛却紧紧地盯着屏幕上的进度条。）

(Her fingers dance rapidly across the keyboard, as if playing an impassioned piece of music.)（她的手指，飞快地在键盘上跳动着，像是在弹奏一首激昂的乐曲。）

(BOOM!)（——轰！）

(Suddenly, at this critical moment, a thunderous explosion erupts from outside the door—so loud it drowns out even the blaring alarm.)（突然，在这关键的时候，从门外传来了一声连嘈杂的警报都被盖住的巨响。）

(The laboratory walls shudder, as if struck by an earthquake.)（实验室的墙壁都为之震动了一下，像是发生了地震一般。）

Alva...……

(Alva's hands pause for less than half a second before calmly resuming their work.)（埃芙手上的动作微微一顿，只停下了大约不到半秒，便平静地继续起了手上的工作。）

(Unlike last time, Alva did not give Chiloveig a chance to self-destruct. She could not destroy the data in the computer or wipe the hard drives. There is far too much intelligence here that they need.)（这一次与上次不同，埃芙没有给奇洛薇格进行自毁的机会，她没能销毁电脑中的数据，也没能销毁硬盘，电脑里储存了太多她们需要的情报。）

(...Including the true, detailed files of Project Eden.)（……包括“乐园计划”真正的详细档案，也在其中留有记录。）

Voymastina...……

(Voymastina raises her head. She gazes through the laboratory door, through the long corridor beyond, and into the distance.)（威玛西娜抬起了头，目光穿过实验室的门，穿过狭长的通道，看向远处。）

VoymastinaShe's here.她来了。

(Voymastina says it calmly, as if stating something utterly trivial. She racks the bolt and grips a high-polymer vibrating blade stripped from a Marionette Doll.)（她平静地说着，像是在叙述一件微不足道的小事，拉动枪栓，另一只手握着从傀儡人形身上拆卸下来的高分子振动刀。）

VoymastinaI'm going.我去了。

Alva...……

Alva...Good luck.……祝你好运。

(Alva does not turn around.)（埃芙没有回头。）

(But she feels the faint movement of air behind her.)（但她感受到了身后的一股轻风。）

(Soundlessly, Voymastina's figure vanishes from the laboratory.)（无声无息地，威玛西娜的身影从实验室内消失了。）

(In the corridor, dust and smoke slowly disperse, revealing a graceful silhouette.)（走廊上，烟尘缓缓散去，露出一道优美的身影。）

(Igla calmly strides through the wreckage left by the explosion, as though out for a leisurely stroll. Her suit remains perfectly pressed; her high heels click crisply against the rubble.)（针迈着从容的步伐，穿过爆炸留下的废墟，仿佛是在散步一般。她的西装没有一丝皱褶，高跟鞋踩在瓦砾上，发出清脆的声响。）

(Behind her follows a fully armed elite unit.)（在她身后，跟着一支全副武装的精锐部队。）

(Igla comes to a halt, lightly straightening her cuff. Her gaze settles ahead—on Voymastina, who is standing like an unbreakable bulwark, blocking the way to the lab.)（针停下脚步，轻轻整理了一下袖口，目光落在了前方——在通往实验室的道路上，威玛西娜的身影如同一道坚固的壁垒，挡住了去路。）

IglaOh?噢？

(Igla's voice is soft as velvet, yet carries undeniable force. She inclines her head slightly, as if greeting an old friend.)（针的声音如同丝绒一般柔和，却又蕴含着不容忽视的力量。她微微颔首，像是见到了一位老友。）

IglaMiss Voymastina, what an unexpected encounter. I thought I would be meeting Miss Alva instead.威玛西娜小姐，真是意外的邂逅。我还以为会见到埃芙女士呢。

(But after only a few steps, she stops once more.)（但她不过迈出了几步，便又一次停下了脚。）

(None of the guards behind her are human soldiers.)（她身后的警卫没有一个是人类士兵。）

(All of them are Marionette Dolls directly under Igla's command, each personally selected and modified by her, capable of making short work of an ordinary tactical squad.)（全员都是直属于针的傀儡人形小队，每一个都经过针本人的挑选和改造，拥有横扫寻常战术小队的能力。）

(Igla stands at the doorway, her gaze cold and sharp like a blade.)（针站立在门口，眼神冰冷而锐利，像是一把刀子。）

Igla...……

(And before her, on the road leading to the laboratory, that familiar figure blocks her path once again.)（而在她的面前，在通往实验室的道路上，那个熟悉的身影又一次挡在了她的面前。）

(This alone is reason enough for her to stop.)（这是她停下脚步的唯一原因。）

Voymastina...……

(Voymastina does not respond. She gently sets the assault rifle in her hands down against the wall, then retrieves two long blades from her waist, gripping one in each hand.)（威玛西娜没有回应，她只是将手中的突击步枪轻轻放下，搁置在了一旁的墙壁上，随后从腰间拾起两柄长刀，分别握在手中。）

(After their previous clash, both she and Igla know full well that conventional firearms are meaningless against tactical Dolls of their caliber.)（经过之前的交手，她和针彼此都很清楚，一般的热武器，对她们这种水准的战术人形，根本没有意义。）

(Igla watches Voymastina's movements, her lips curling into a smile.)（针注视着威玛西娜的动作，嘴角浮现出一丝笑容。）

IglaAh, your choice of weapons reveals your intent. I understand.啊，武器的选择透露了您的意图。我理解了。

(She lifts a hand lightly, signaling the unit behind her to halt.)（她轻轻抬手，示意身后的队伍停下。）

IglaPlease wait, my friends. This is a private invitation from an honored guest.稍等，各位。这是一场尊贵客人的私人邀约。

(Igla steps forward, her movements fluid and elegant, like a ballerina taking center stage. Her right hand brushes the slender rapier at her waist; her left draws the silver-and-gold pistol, only to return it to its holster a moment later.)（针向前迈出一步，动作流畅而优美，如同一位芭蕾舞者踏入舞台中央。她的右手轻轻抚过腰间的细剑，左手则抽出那把银金相间的手枪，随后又将其收回。）

IglaFirearms, at our level of discourse, do seem a bit... lacking in taste.火器在我们这个层级的交流中，确实显得有些……缺乏品味。

(She holsters the pistol and calmly draws the rapier from her waist. Under the lights, the blade gleams with a cold luster.)（她将手枪放回枪套，从容地抽出了腰间的细剑，那把剑在灯光下闪烁着冷冽的光芒。）

IglaI must admit, I'm beginning to see the whole picture now.我必须承认，我开始理解整个局面了。

Voymastina...……

(Her voice remains gentle, yet carries a peculiar note of admiration.)（她的声音依然温和，却蕴含着一种奇特的赞叹。）

IglaMiss Alva's plan is indeed impressive. Her capture was no accident—it was a deliberate arrangement.埃芙女士的计划确实令人印象深刻。被我俘获并非意外，而是刻意为之的安排。

IglaA meticulously designed trap, meant to lure us into bringing her into the core area, granting her access to classified data she otherwise could never reach.一个精心设计的陷阱，让我们将她带入核心区域，让她接触到那些原本无法触及的机密数据。

IglaAnd you, Miss Voymastina, are now the final piece on the board—tasked with blocking any force that might interrupt the data transmission.而您，威玛西娜小姐，现在则是这场棋局中的最后一枚棋子——负责阻挡任何可能中断数据传输的力量。

(Igla lightly flicks her rapier, tracing a graceful arc through the air.)（针轻轻挥舞着细剑，在空中划出一道优美的弧线。）

IglaSuch audacity, such courageous execution. It is truly astonishing.如此大胆的计划，如此勇敢的执行，实在令人叹为观止。

IglaTask Force DEFY's reputation is well deserved. When I come face-to-face with Miss Alva again, I must formally apologize for my earlier discourtesy.忤逆小队的名声，果然名不虚传——在我再次与埃芙小姐面见之后，我必须要为此前的失礼而向她道歉。

Voymastina...……

(Voymastina remains silent. She lowers her center of gravity slightly and shifts into an optimal combat stance.)（威玛西娜依然沉默，她微微压低了身体，调整到最适合战斗的姿势。）

(Her Wolf Eye is running at high speed, analyzing Igla's every movement and possible lines of attack.)（狼眼高速运转，分析着针的每一个动作和可能的攻击路线。）

IglaI take your silence as confirmation.您的沉默我理解为确认。

IglaStill, allow me to express my personal respect. Though we stand on opposing sides, I sincerely admire your and Miss Alva's courage and intellect.不过，请允许我表达一下个人的敬意——尽管我们立场对立，但我依然钦佩您和埃芙女士的勇气与智慧。

(Igla's tone is earnest, yet a dangerous glint flashes in her eyes.)（针的语气诚恳，眼神中却闪烁着危险的光芒。）

IglaHowever, respect is respect, and duty is duty.然而，敬意归敬意，职责归职责。

IglaI cannot allow your plan to succeed.我不能让您们的计划成功。

IglaMiss Orphelune's future, the fate of the Girard Group, and the completion of Project Eden all outweigh my personal feelings.欧菲露妮大小姐的未来，吉拉尔集团的命运，以及“乐园计划”的完成，都远高于我个人的情感。

(She raises her rapier and points it at Voymastina menacingly.)（她抬起细剑，指向威玛西娜，姿态充满威胁。）

IglaHow much longer? How long does Miss Alva need to finish the data transfer? Five minutes? Ten?还有多久？埃芙女士需要多久才能完成数据传输？五分钟？十分钟？

(Igla studies Voymastina's reaction closely, though Voymastina remains utterly stoic and unresponsive.)（针细致地观察着威玛西娜的反应，即使威玛西娜没有任何回应和动摇。）

IglaI see. Then it seems I must quicken the pace.我明白了。看来我必须加快节奏了。

(She steps forward, the sound of her high heels striking the floor crisp and clear.)（她向前踏出一步，高跟鞋与地面接触的声音清脆悦耳。）

IglaMiss Voymastina, please forgive my forthcoming discourtesy.威玛西娜小姐，请原谅我接下来的无礼。

IglaI will endeavor to ensure this process is both efficient and... dignified.我会尽量确保这个过程既高效又……体面。

Voymastina...You talk too much.……你的废话，太多了。

(Voymastina finally speaks, her comment brief and blunt.)（威玛西娜终于开口，简短而直接。）

(Igla lets out a soft chuckle. The warmth in her eyes vanishes, replaced by icy focus.)（针闻言轻笑一声，眼中的温和荡然无存，取而代之的是冰冷的专注。）

IglaThen let action replace words.那么，就让行动代替语言吧。

(She bends her knees and assumes the en garde position in fencing.)（她的身体微微前倾，做出标准的西洋剑术起手式。）

IglaMy apologies, I'm afraid I must interrupt Miss Alva's work.请容许我必须打断埃芙女士的工作。

Peacock's Tail 孔雀尾

(The clash of metal on metal echoes through the empty corridor like a piece of meticulously composed music.)（金属与金属的交击声在空旷的走廊中回荡，如同某种精密的音乐。）

(Every thrust of Igla's blade is graceful and dazzling, as though she is dancing a waltz rather than fighting for her life.)（针的每一次出剑都优雅、华丽至极，仿佛在进行一场华尔兹，而非生死搏杀。）

(Her rapier traces perfect arcs through the air. Though her movements are filled with flourishes, each strike is measured to the millimeter, leaving no opening at all.)（她的细剑在空气中划出完美的弧线，尽管多余的动作极多，但每一次挥击都精确到毫米，依然密不透风。）

(Voymastina answers with steady, precise blocks. The twin blades in her hands become extensions of her body, every motion stripped of excess—just like her personality.)（威玛西娜则以沉稳而精准的格挡回应，双刀在她手中化为延伸的肢体，动作毫无多余之处，一如她本人的性格。）

(The battle between two top-tier tactical Dolls has long surpassed the bounds of ordinary combat, resembling an intense performance instead.)（两位顶尖战术人形的战斗，已经超出了常规战斗的范畴，更像是一场激烈的表演。）

IglaI must admit, your fighting style is impressive, Miss Voymastina.我必须承认，您的战斗方式令人印象深刻，威玛西娜小姐。

(Igla's voice remains mild and velvety, yet every word carries a razor-sharp killing intent.)（针的声音依然保持着那种丝绒般的温和，但每一个字都带着锋利的杀意。）

(She speaks even as she threads her attack through nearly impossible angles, the rapier seeming almost alive as it hunts for the tiniest gap in Voymastina's defense.)（她一边说话，一边以几乎不可能的角度变换攻击路线，细剑如同有生命般寻找着威玛西娜防御中最微小的空隙。）

IglaSo plain yet exquisitely precise. Truly a pleasure to behold.这种朴实无华却又精准至极的战斗风格，实在令人赏心悦目。

IglaEven in battle, I can't help but offer you my sincere respect.即使是在战斗中，我也不得不对您表示由衷的敬意。

(Her high heels strike the floor in an elegant rhythm, each step part of a dance, each step carrying lethal threat.)（她的高跟鞋在地面上踩出优雅的节奏，每一步都像是舞蹈的一部分，却又蕴含着致命的威胁。）

Voymastina...……

(Voymastina does not respond. All of her attention is focused on the fight.)（威玛西娜没有回应，她的全部注意力都集中在战斗上。）

(Her body is already covered in wounds. Her combat suit is slashed open in several places, exposing synthetic components beneath and the seep of biomimetic blood.)（她的身上已经布满了伤痕，作战服被划开数道口子，露出下面的义体和渗出的仿生血液。）

(Even so, her movements remain precise and efficient, without the slightest hesitation or retreat.)（即便如此，她的动作依然精准而高效，没有丝毫的犹豫或退缩。）

IglaYou don't seem to enjoy conversation during combat.看来您不太喜欢战斗中的交谈。

IglaWhat a pity. I had hoped to learn more about the history of Task Force DEFY.真是遗憾，本想多了解一些关于忤逆小队的历史。

(No sooner does Igla finish speaking than she abruptly accelerates her assault. The rapier leaves afterimages in the air, every strike viciously angled at points that are hardest for Voymastina to defend.)（针话音刚落，突然加快了攻击的节奏，细剑在空中留下一道道残影，每一次出击都刁钻至极，瞄准的全是威玛西娜最难防守的角度。）

(At the same time, the few remaining Marionette Dolls behind her join the fray, attempting to break through Voymastina's defenses from the flanks.)（与此同时，她身后仅剩的几名傀儡人形也加入了战斗，试图从侧面突破威玛西娜的防线。）

(Voymastina's Wolf Eye flashes. In the next instant, she twists her body at an almost impossible angle, narrowly evading Igla's deadliest thrust. Simultaneously, her long blade sweeps sideways, cleaving a charging Marionette Doll cleanly in half.)（威玛西娜的狼眼闪烁，下一秒，便以一个近乎不可能的角度侧身，避开针最致命的一击，同时长刀横扫，将一名试图靠近的傀儡人形拦腰斩断。）

IglaSplendid! Your reflexes truly live up to your reputation.精彩！您的反应确实不负盛名。

(Igla inclines her head slightly in genuine admiration.)（针轻轻颔首，发出了由衷的赞叹。）

IglaBut I'm afraid time is on my side.但恐怕，时间站在我这一边。

IglaMiss Alva's data transfer requires time, and the wear on your frame is already quite severe.埃芙女士的数据传输需要时间，而您的素体损耗已经相当显著。

(As if to validate her words, the long blade in Voymastina's left hand emits an ominous sound of metal fatigue during the next block.)（仿佛为了印证她的话，威玛西娜左手中的长刀在下一次的格挡中发出了不祥的金属疲劳声。）

(Bang!)（——嘭！）

(With a sharp crack, the blade snaps in two. The broken edge spins away and embeds itself deep into the wall.)（伴随着一声脆响，威玛西娜的长刀应声断裂，锋利的刀刃飞向一旁，深深插入墙壁。）

Voymastina...……

(Voymastina glances expressionlessly at the broken weapon in her hand, then casually discards it and grips the remaining blade with both hands.)（威玛西娜面无表情地看了眼手中的断刀，随手将其丢弃，转而双手握住剩下的那把。）

(Her stance grows slightly constrained, but her gaze remains as firm as ever, without the slightest hint of retreat.)（她的姿态略微局促，但眼神依然坚定如初，丝毫没有退缩的意思。）

IglaWeapon degradation is often a harbinger of a turning point. Perhaps you should consider a more dignified exit?武器的损耗往往是战局转折的前兆。您或许应该考虑一个更体面的退场方式？

(Igla twirls her blade in a flourish, its cold sheen flashing beneath the lights.)（针舞了个剑花，细剑在灯光下闪烁着冷冽的光芒。）

(Her posture is unhurried, as though she holds complete control over the battle.)（她的姿态从容不迫，仿佛完全掌控了战局。）

IglaOf course, I fully understand your duty as a guardian.当然，我完全理解您作为护卫的职责。

IglaBut sometimes, recognizing reality is also a form of wisdom.但有时候，认清形势也是一种智慧。

Voymastina...You're the only one left.……只剩下你了。

(Voymastina answers calmly.)（威玛西娜平静地回答。）

(Her gaze sweeps down the corridor—the Marionette Doll unit under Igla's command has been almost entirely annihilated, leaving only a few that are barely able to move.)（她的目光扫过走廊——原本跟随针的傀儡人形小队已经几乎被全部消灭，只剩下零星几个还能勉强行动。）

IglaAh, taking pride in your accomplishments? It is indeed something to be proud of.啊，您是在为自己的战绩感到自豪吗？确实值得骄傲。

(Igla smiles faintly, her eyes sharpening further.)（针微微一笑，眼神却愈发锐利。）

IglaBut you seem to have forgotten—even if I am the only one left, the outcome will not change.但您似乎忘了，即使只剩我一人，结局也不会有任何改变。

IglaI will win, and then I will give my regards to Miss Alva personally.我会取得胜利，然后去迎接埃芙女士。

IglaAs for you... you will become just another line of data in the Girard Group's archives.至于您……将成为吉拉尔集团档案中的又一条数据。

Voymastina...……

(Voymastina eyes Igla.)（威玛西娜看着针。）

Voymastina...You really are strong.……你的确很强。

VoymastinaAs strong as me.就像我一样强。

Igla...……

(Igla quirks an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes.)（针微微挑眉，眼中闪过一丝诧异。）

IglaThat's a rather unusual way to evaluate yourself.这实在是一种奇特的自我评价方式。

VoymastinaWhen Dr. Shaw first created me, there was no Doll in the world stronger than me.肖博士最初制造我的时候，即便放眼世界，也没有比我更强的人形。

VoymastinaWe both have terrible personalities. In that, we're the same.我们的性格都很糟糕，这一点，我们一样。

(Voymastina's words are calm and definitive, not boastful. She is merely stating facts.)（威玛西娜的话语平静而确凿，没有丝毫的傲慢，只是在陈述一个事实。）

IglaAn interesting observation. Are you implying there is some kind of similarity between us?真是有趣的观点。您似乎在暗示我们有某种相似之处？

(A trace of wariness flashes in Igla's eyes as she subtly adjusts her stance, preparing for the next exchange.)（针的眼神中闪过一丝警惕。她微微调整站姿，为下一轮攻击做准备。）

Voymastina...You remind me of myself, so I thought I'd offer you a bit of advice.……只是想起了自己，所以想给你一些忠告。

(Voymastina lifts a hand to her head and rolls her neck.)（威玛西娜用手扶着头，扭动了一下脖子。）

VoymastinaIf losing the title of "the strongest Doll" leaves you with nothing—如果失去了“最强人形”这个称号后你就一无是处的话。

(Before she gets to the end of the sentence, Voymastina suddenly drops low to evade Igla's thrust at an unbelievable angle.)（话音未落，威玛西娜突然猛地下沉身体，以一个不可思议的角度避开了针刺来的细剑。）

(The cold glint of the rapier skims just above her head, severing a few strands of hair.)（那道寒光堪堪从她头顶掠过，擦断了几缕头发。）