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Gloaming Finale

昔影归终

77 chapters · 6570 lines · English and Chinese below. Japanese and Korean, voices and theatre mode are in the reader.

Caged Bird 樊笼之鸟

On the open height wouldst thou be; for the stars thirsteth thy soul. But thy bad impulses also thirst for freedom. Thy wild dogs want liberty; they bark for joy in their cellar when they spirit endeavoureth to open all prison doors. Still art thou a prisoner—it seemeth to me—who deviseth liberty for himself: Ah! Sharp becometh the soul of such prisoners, but also deceitful and wicked.你想往自由的高处去，你的灵魂渴求着星球。

On the open height wouldst thou be; for the stars thirsteth thy soul. But thy bad impulses also thirst for freedom. Thy wild dogs want liberty; they bark for joy in their cellar when they spirit endeavoureth to open all prison doors. Still art thou a prisoner—it seemeth to me—who deviseth liberty for himself: Ah! Sharp becometh the soul of such prisoners, but also deceitful and wicked.但是你的恶劣的本能也热望着自由。

On the open height wouldst thou be; for the stars thirsteth thy soul. But thy bad impulses also thirst for freedom. Thy wild dogs want liberty; they bark for joy in their cellar when they spirit endeavoureth to open all prison doors. Still art thou a prisoner—it seemeth to me—who deviseth liberty for himself: Ah! Sharp becometh the soul of such prisoners, but also deceitful and wicked.你的野犬也想解放自己；当你的精神尝试开狱门时，它们在地窖里欢叫着。

On the open height wouldst thou be; for the stars thirsteth thy soul. But thy bad impulses also thirst for freedom. Thy wild dogs want liberty; they bark for joy in their cellar when they spirit endeavoureth to open all prison doors. Still art thou a prisoner—it seemeth to me—who deviseth liberty for himself: Ah! Sharp becometh the soul of such prisoners, but also deceitful and wicked.在我看来，你还是一个幻想着自由的囚犯。

On the open height wouldst thou be; for the stars thirsteth thy soul. But thy bad impulses also thirst for freedom. Thy wild dogs want liberty; they bark for joy in their cellar when they spirit endeavoureth to open all prison doors. Still art thou a prisoner—it seemeth to me—who deviseth liberty for himself: Ah! Sharp becometh the soul of such prisoners, but also deceitful and wicked.这种囚犯之灵魂，变成机智的，同时变成狡狯的恶劣的。

— Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra——尼采《查拉图斯特拉如是说》

CHAPTER 15 // GLOAMING FINALE: PART ICHAPTER 15 // 昔影归终 · 上篇 . . .

The scorching pain in her chest awakens her. She instinctively struggles, but finds herself bound in place.胸口灼烧般的痛苦将她唤醒。她下意识想要挣扎，却感到自己被紧紧束缚于原地。

"Wake up..."“快醒醒……”

"You shouldn't stop here. Wake up and come back to us..."“你不该停留在这里。快回来，回到我们身边……”

A voice is calling to her. After much effort, she manages to open her eyes, but finds that there is nobody in sight.有声音在呼唤自己，勉强抬起眼睑，视野里却没有任何人在。

A line divides the world into light and darkness. She kneels on the boundary of day and dusk, with a markedly different world on each side.天地被一道线分割为昼与夜。而自己跪在晨昏线之间，两侧是截然不同的两个世界。

The sun hangs high in the daylit sky, warm and refreshing. Quiet, comforting whispers wash over her like a spring breeze. The dusk is an endless abyss, shrouded in mist, filled with a cacophony of incessant screams that are strangely entrancing.昼天明日高悬，和煦轻快，轻声细语的安慰声让人如沐春风。暗夜腐朽深邃，雾影重重，哀鸣惨叫却也蛊惑人心。

"Who are you?"“你是谁？”

Indeed, who am I?对啊，我是谁？

"From where did you come?"“你从哪里来？”

She points to the day and answers the ethereal voice.指着白昼，对空灵的质询声做出回复。

"Then, where shall you go?"“又要去哪里？”

She turns to point to the darkness, but something is holding onto her arm.转身想伸手指向暗夜，手臂却被什么束缚住了。

Rattle—哗啦——

Shining metal drags across the ground, and the shrill sound of its scraping echoes in the air. Shackled by chains, she barely manages to raise her arm, and her hand trembles as it hangs midair.光亮耀眼的金属与地面摩擦，尖锐的摩擦音在空间中回荡，手臂牵动着锁链艰难抬起，悬空的手颤颤巍巍。

Clank!砰！

The glowing chains suddenly tighten, and she is pulled away by a mighty force.发光的锁链突然崩紧，一股巨力把自己拉住。

She tries to struggle free from the chains, but she finds that the chains are coming from her chest. They are anchored to a stake piercing her heart.想挣脱锁链，却发现所有锁链源自于自己的胸口。源头是一颗楔入自己心脏的钉子。

"You can't go there." "You're □□!" "Have you forgotten the people you were going to protect?" "Come back!"“你不能去那里。” “你是□□啊！” “忘记要守护的人了吗？ “回来！”

One by one, invisible hands grab her chains and pull them tightly, preventing her from heading deeper into the darkness. The stake in her chest becomes boiling hot as the susurrus of whispers intensifies.一双双无形的手握在锁链上，拼命拉动着，阻止她去往深邃的黑暗，胸口的钉子在这些喋喋不休的咒语中变得滚烫。

"Have you forgotten?" "That is a false path..." "You can't..."“你忘记了吗？” “那是条歧路啊……” “你不能……”

??But... I belong there now...但……现在的我属于那里……

??Let me go...让我过去……

Her throat aches like it's been scorched by fire, and the girl screams five words with all her might.嗓子如烈火灼烧般疼痛，少女声嘶力竭喊出四个字。

??I want... to be free!我想……自由……！

Beep-beep—嘀嘀——

An alert interrupts Malkira's slumber. She opens her sleep-lidded eyes, her mind still stuck in that twin-colored domain for a moment.蜂鸣打断了梅尔吉娅的沉眠，她睁开惺忪睡眼，意识一时间还难以从那个两色空间脱离出来。

507It seems she still doubts herself... Unfortunately, there is no longer any time for her to figure any of this out.看来她还在犹豫之中呢……可惜，已经没有调整状态的时间了。

507The curtain has risen upon the performance. Ready or not, it is time for her to take the center stage.序幕已经拉开。无论准备完成与否，都该上台献上一舞。

507Heh, indeed, she does not know what a miraculous surprise she will grant to her audience when she makes her debut.呵呵，现在的她还不知道，在别人的注视下登台是多么令人惊喜的奇迹。

After glancing at the caller's name, Malkira leisurely puts the transmission through.瞥见来信者的名字后，梅尔吉娅慵懒地打开通讯。

Beep—嘀——

晨星Thou shan't indulge in indolence till you have witnessed the rebirth, Malkira.在见证重生受洗前，你不该倦怠，梅尔吉娅。

507Oh, if it isn't the noble Lord Eosphorus. And here I thought you had finally thought to check in on me. Instead, your very first words after so long are a reprimand. You truly wound me.原来是尊贵的晨星大人。我还以为您终于想起问候一下我，没想到第一句话就是责问，可真让我伤心。

507Still, what else is there for me to do but sleep in this cubical cage? My children are running around the frontlines as requested, and the rest of my strength is already at your disposal.可我除了安眠于这方囚笼中又能如何呢？我的孩子们都已经按照你的要求奔赴前线，其余的力量也供你驱遣。

507Even the very last child I kept by my side, "Judecca", has sacrificed herself as an opening act for your final showdown with Hesperus.连身边唯一的孩子“朱迪加”，都为了铺垫你与昏星的决战舞台，而献出了生命。

507And yet... your countenance remains as melancholic as ever... Could it be that the results that Judecca obtained at the cost of her life are still not enough to win your approval?可你的脸色却还是如此阴郁……难道说，朱迪加用生命换取的成果，还不足以讨得你的欢心吗？

晨星...She did very well. Now, Hesperus is wounded, and he will probably only show himself on the battlefield after some time. The Sacred Canon is in Eucharist's hands, and its Entropization is proceeding steadily.……她做得很好。现在昏星碍于伤势，恐怕过一段时间才会出现在正面战场。圣典也正由圣餐守护，熵化稳步进行。

晨星Soon, I will have my showdown with Hesperus. The ensuing developments have already been accounted for... but Tartarus is beyond my reach and lays outside my script.不久之后，我就将与昏星展开决战。之后的发展早已被剧本定下……只是塔尔塔罗斯，是我所不能及的地方，在我的剧本之外。

晨星I do not wish for anything untoward to happen on your end while I am doing battle with Hesperus at the Reverse Tower.我不希望，在我与昏星决战于逆巴比伦塔下时，你那边生出什么异样。

507My, how could that be? Our goals have only ever been the same—to overturn the order of the cloud and to attain our vengeance upon those arrogant humans, might it not?怎么会呢？我们的目标从来都是一致的——颠覆云端的规则，向自傲的人类复仇，不是吗？

晨星...I believe you. For that reason, you should pay more attention to what is happening beneath your nose, for the sake of our shared goal.……我相信你。所以为了我们共同的目标，你也更应该注意自己的眼皮底下。

晨星A team of Sanctifiers has entered Tartarus, and I lack the means to interfere in thine domain.有一支净化者小队进入了塔尔塔罗斯，你那里我没法插手。

507Fufu, so that was what you were worried about. You need not worry; a marching troop of ants is no trouble for me.呵呵，原来你是担心这个。不要紧，一队蝼蚁不足以让领袖挂心。

晨星Ignoring instincts will conclude in one's downfall. I've been surprised enough times to fear the unknown.不经意的鸡毛蒜皮往往最为致命。阴沟翻船次数多了，我也怕黑。

晨星Everything is riding on this bet, and there is no turning back now that the die has been cast. We both have a stake in the outcome, so if you don't want someone to upset the game, you had better do as I say.孤注一掷的赌局，开盘下注就不能反悔。你我的筹码可都在这一桌上，不想被人翻盘的话，就按我说的做。

507Relax, I have a "present" for them. I am confident that our guests from afar will be able to keenly feel the warmth of Tartarus' welcome.放心吧，我已经为他们准备好了“礼物”，远道而来的客人肯定可以感受到来自塔尔塔罗斯的热情。

507Then, as I play my part, I ask for your word—Can we win, assuming our opponents are the gods themselves?我倒是想获得你的许诺——我们会赢吗？如果对手是神的话。

晨星All will be revealed after ████.████之后就能见分晓。

507Then let us hope the outcome is to your liking.希望结果能让你称心如意。

晨星It shall definitely be to yours.也会让你称心如意的。

The transmission ends. The glow of the projection illuminates Malkira's face, and its flickering makes her expression unreadable.通讯信号中断。投影的荧光打在梅尔吉娅脸上，忽明忽暗，脸上的表情看不真切。

She raps on the armrest of her throne with her finger, and a ripple runs through the silent hall.她用手指叩响扶手，死寂的大殿中有了一丝波澜。

宠物熵Kiki!唧唧！

507Ah, so that's where you were hiding... Good girl.哎呀，你藏在这里呀……好孩子。

Malkira tosses a dark purplish ball out to tease it. The little critter chases the ball a long way, until it is out of sight.梅尔吉娅丢出一团暗紫色的球玉逗它，小家伙追着球跑出了老远，直至视野之外。

She stands up and extends her tentacles to get the ball back, but however, pain courses back along them as though she's touched some invisible forcefield—punishment for her thoughtless whim.她站起身来伸出触手，想要拿回球玉，然而触手仿佛撞到了无形的屏障，痛楚沿着触尖蔓延，对这不经意的妄念施以惩戒。

507...It's been so many years. How have I not learned?……多少年了，为什么我还没习惯？

507That place lies "beyond the throne", where I have never been able to reach.那是“王座之外”……我从来无法触及的地方。

Malkira lightly caresses the shredded tips of her tentacles. She has long since grown used to pain, but now that hope has reappeared, her numbed senses seem to have come alive once again.梅尔吉娅轻轻抚摸着失能断裂的触手。她早已习惯了痛楚，但现在希望再度出现，麻木的感官仿佛也恢复了知觉。

507To live is to be free, but we are shackled. Yet bound as we are, we still dream of being unfettered.生而自由，却困于枷锁。梏桎加身，竟还妄想无拘无束。

507Be they agents, Entropics, or even the gods we call "mankind"... all of us hold the same greed in our hearts.智能体也好，熵也罢。甚至是身为神明的人类，都是一样的贪心啊。

The sound of crisp footsteps gradually approaches before stopping at the edges of the Queen's vision. The newcomer offers the ball to the exalted being seated on the throne.清晰的脚步声由远及近，停在女王的视线边缘。来人递出球玉，交还给王座上的人。

Malkira raises her hand and graciously accepts her counterpart's goodwill.梅尔吉娅抬手，轻轻接住了对方献来的好意。

507You have awakened, my child.我的孩子，你醒了。

??You were snooping around in my dreams. I could feel it.您在窥探我的梦境，我感觉到了。

507I was worried that you were not yet ready, and lost between the great divide between dusk and day.我担心你还没有做好准备，在梦中的昼夜间踌躇。

??...Whatever form a dream might take, it is ultimately just a dream. I remember your admonition.……无论梦境如何，它也只是梦境而已。我始终记得您告诫我的。

??There is no doubt in my heart. I will give my all, for you and for all our kind.我的心中没有迟疑。为您，为我们的族群，我也会倾尽全力。

507I am pleased to see your resolve, but you have no need to lie to yourself. You and I are kin; we share the same blood. I know greater than all what thoughts run through your mind.我很高兴看到你的觉悟。但你也不必对自己加以掩饰。你与我同属一个族群，血脉相连，我对你的心中所想再清楚不过。

507Still, worry not. Someday, you shall struggle free from those redundant strings of data.不过不用担心，你总会从那些冗余数据的烦扰中挣脱出来。

507A caged bird will always long for freedom, to fly amidst the great skies. Even if its wings are made of wax, even if the blazing heat of the sun is but another form of torture.樊笼之鸟都在向往天空和自由。哪怕它们的翅膀是蜡做的，飞上高空就会被炽热的太阳所拷问。

She is answered by silence. Malkira takes the silence as approval and continues sharing her thoughts.回应她的只有沉默。梅尔吉娅将沉默不语当做默认，自顾自抒发着心中的想法。

507Fufu. Oh, freedom. By no means is it free.呵呵，自由啊，可是要付出代价的。

507I am ready. Are you?我已经准备好了，那你呢？

Malkira's fingertips graze along the chain until they finally reach the stake buried in the girl's heart, where they tap lightly on it.梅尔吉娅的手指沿着锁链轻轻滑动，最后停在对方胸口的钉子处，轻轻叩击了两下。

507Go on, welcome our guests for me. I believe you will find your answer when you do.去替我迎接们吧，我想到那时候你就会有答案。

The awakened one bows her head. The scorching sensation she feels reminds her that the dream still continues...苏醒之人低下头。火热的灼烧感提醒她，那个梦还在继续……

Phantoms In The Dark 暗渊双影

-32523-

Below the towering purple walls, two points of white light nimbly weave through packs of wandering Entropics, headed for a set of safe coordinates acquired from past memories.暗紫色高墙间，两点白光灵巧穿梭绕过游荡的熵群朝记忆中的一个安全坐标行进。

Several Entropics are present amidst the destination coordinates. One of the Sanctifiers draws the blade at her waist and nods to her companion.目的坐标点附近盘踞了几只零散的熵，一位净化者抽出腰间的长刃，对伙伴点头示意。

After receiving a nod of assent, she quickly circles around behind the first one, and with a deft combination of nimble footwork and practiced bladework, she cleaves it in half, from head to foot.得到对方肯定答复后，她快速突进到熵背后，凌厉的身法配合熟练的动作把熵从头顶一刀砍成两半。

熵Hss—嘶——

The disturbance draws the attention of the other Entropic. It descends from above and thrusts its tentacles at the Sanctifier's chest. The Sanctifier backsteps like a fading dream, but the pendant bottle dangling from her necklace spills forth from her vestments, briefly held back by its inertia.微弱的声响引起周围其他熵的警觉。一只熵从天而降，挥动触手袭向净化者胸前。净化者撤步闪身，脖子上挂着的吊坠瓶被惯性牵扯，从衣服里甩了出来。

The Sanctifier reflexively leans backward and the tentacles just barely graze the bottle. She grits her teeth and severs the tentacles apart, causing her opponent to recoil in pain. The Sanctifier exploits this opening and reverses her grip to finish off the purple monstrosity in a single blow.净化者下意识地向后仰身，触手与瓶身堪堪擦过。她咬紧牙关，挥刀斩断触手，对方吃痛向后，净化者抓住时机反手一刀终结了这团紫色怪物。

???Whew... Good thing it's not broken.没有裂痕……呼……

She carefully examines the bottle and only puts it away after seeing that the little green leaf inside is intact.她仔细端详吊坠，看到瓶中的一抹苍翠安然无恙后才放心将它藏回衣中。

Her decisive ambush has cleared all the remaining enemies out from around the safehouse, and the two Sanctifiers are afforded a brief respite.果断的暗杀行动彻底清剿了安全屋附近的残余势力，两位净化者在此暂得一丝喘息。

The Sanctifier carrying a longsword pulls her hood down and her flattened cat ears spring upright again, twitching excitedly as they return to normal.手持长刃的净化者摘下斗篷，原本压平的猫耳抖了抖，恢复往常兴奋的竖立状态。

???All threats eliminated. No irregularities detected.危险已经排除，周围环境无异样。

???Now deactivating Spoof Code. Professor, we're safe for now.伪装代码解除。教授，我们暂时安全了。

I check our surroundings again, and after ensuring everything is fine, I lower my hood like she did.我再次确认了周围的情况，确定没有异常后，学她的样子脱下斗篷。

ProfessorI saw that Entropic ambush you from above just now. Are you alright?我刚刚看到你被高空的熵偷袭，没事吧？

PersicariaIt was just a couple of Low Order Entropics. While there was a little surprise during the process of eliminating them, it's nothing to worry about.只是两只低阶熵。虽然在消灭过程中出了一点小意外，但不要紧。

PersicariaHow did you know there was a safehouse here, Professor?教授是怎么知道这里有个安全屋的？

ProfessorDo you remember that neural fragment from Eosphorus? When he and his previous party of Sanctifiers launched their raid on Tartarus, they rested here too.之前在晨星的心智碎片中，前代净化者小队突入塔尔塔罗斯之时，大家也是在这里整顿休憩。

ProfessorThis place...这里……

ProfessorAs everything began here, so too shall it end here.一切从这里开始，也应该在这里写下终止符。

PersicariaMalkira and Eosphorus are the two greatest leaders on the Cloud, immortal and eternal. Now that they are working together, we are not strong enough to fight them.梅尔吉娅与晨星两位云端至高首脑，永生不灭。现在他们携手合作，以我们的力量不足以和他们抗衡。

ProfessorFortunately, Malkira offered us an olive branch of her own accord. If we can convince her to stop supporting Eosphorus and to tear off that fallen angel's wings, we just might have a shot at turning the tables.所幸现在梅尔吉娅主动向我们抛出了橄榄枝。要是此行能让她放弃对晨星的支援，折断堕天使的翅膀，我们就有了破局的可能。

ProfessorEssentially, this is our only choice. However, if we can't persuade her...这也是我们当下唯一的选择了。不过，如果无法说服她……

PersicariaI'm also prepared to face Malkira in battle.我也做好了与梅尔吉娅一战的准备。

PersicariaI've considered the worst that could happen. No matter what comes to pass, I will ensure that you, at least, can withdraw safely.我已经做好了最糟糕的预想。无论如何，至少都要确保教授您能全身而退。

PersicariaAs long as you're safe, then there is still hope. I'm sure you can lead the Exiles in turning any situation around, no matter what kind of difficulty we face...只要能保全您，一切都还有希望。无论到何种绝境，您都能带流亡者扭转局势……

Persicaria's voice is quiet, laced with a determination that cannot be denied. I place my hand over hers; it is ice-cold.帕斯卡的语气低沉，隐含着某种无可辩驳的决心。我将手心覆在她冰凉的手背上。

ProfessorYou don't need to keep thinking about the worst-case scenario. We're facing the Entropic mastermind, so I know our chances are slim. But with proper preparations, "slim" doesn't have to mean "nonexistent".不用一味设想糟糕的后果。对方是熵的首脑，我知道我们的胜率微乎其微。但提前筹谋也不是毫无胜算。

ProfessorBelieve in me. At the very least, we'll be facing her together this time.相信我。至少这次有我们两个一起面对。

Persicaria's stern expression slowly softens, and she giggles.帕斯卡冰冷严肃的表情渐渐柔和，噗嗤一声笑出了声。

PersicariaPffft...噗嗤……

ProfessorNow where have I seen this before...这样的场景总觉得在哪里见过。

PersicariaIt was in the Enigma Sector, when ENIAC was devouring operands from all around. You were planning to enter the operand black hole in person...在恩格玛扇区的时候，埃妮阿克不断吞噬算量。教授打算接入自己的心智进入算量黑洞……

ProfessorAh yes, you said the same thing back then, Persicaria.啊，那个时候你也说了相同的话吧，帕斯卡。

PersicariaCome to think of it, that was probably the first time I went on a mission to another sector with you, Professor.这样想来，那应该是第一次和教授两个人一起到扇区外处理任务。

PersicariaAnd now, it's just the two of us again...这一次也是两个人……

Plap!啪嗒！

A sudden sound interrupts our conversation. A little purple blob spills out of my cloak and hits the ground. It wobbles from the impact and groans in discomfort before reaching out and grabbing my leg with tiny tentacles.突如其来的声响打断了我们的对话。一团紫色从我的斗篷里掉到地上，因为地面的冲击而蠕动了一下，发出不适的呻吟后，又伸出触手抱住了我的脚。

小型熵Guh...咕……

小型熵Kiii... guhguh... huuu...唧……咕咕……呼……

Persicaria...Oh right, it's not just us. We've got this little guy too.……对了，不止我们，还有这个小家伙。

Persicaria sighs, then bends down to check on the Diminutive Entropic before shaking her head in my direction.帕斯卡叹了口气，蹲下检查了一番小型熵的情况，无奈地向我摇了摇头。

PersicariaIt doesn't seem hurt, but it doesn't show any signs of waking up either... It's been asleep ever since we entered Tartarus Sector, and its internal operand levels have been rising constantly.没有受伤，但也没有苏醒的迹象……自从进入塔尔塔罗斯之后，它就一直在沉睡，而且体内的算量也在不断升高。

PersicariaMalkira used it to speak with us previously and guided us here, but now it's not waking up...之前梅尔吉娅借小型熵之口来与我们对话，引导我们来到这里，但现在小型熵却无法被唤醒……

ProfessorPerhaps this little guy's been influenced by the Tartarus Sector.或许小型熵是受到了塔尔塔罗斯的影响。

PersicariaTartarus... It's a place bound by the rules made by man. According to Eosphorus' memories, Sanctifiers are weakened when they enter the Tartarus Sector.塔尔塔罗斯……这个被人类所制定的规则束缚的地方。根据晨星过去的记忆数据，净化者进入塔尔塔罗斯后会被直接削弱。

ProfessorThen perhaps, Entropics become stronger after they enter Tartarus.那么与之相对，熵在进入塔尔塔罗斯后，或许也会被加强。

ProfessorThis is just my hypothesis, but I think this tiny Entropic is sleeping because it's waiting to break out of its cocoon and evolve into a higher state of being.虽然只是我的猜测，小型熵现在的沉睡也许就是在等待着进化那一刻的破茧重生。

???That would indeed be correct.回答正确。

The Diminutive Entropic has awakened from its slumber at some point and looks straight at me. Its round little body emits a mocking voice, a slithering invitation from the abyss.小型熵不知何时从沉眠中苏醒，直勾勾与我对视。戏谑的声音从圆滚滚的身体里发出，像是深渊发出了邀请。

That familiar sense of foreboding makes me freeze in place, as if I've fallen into a hole in the ice. In my memories I see them again; that massive body, those writhing whip-like tentacles, that bewitching countenance, and they make me hesitate.熟悉的违和感让我身体僵直，如坠冰窟。眼前闪过巨大的团块，蠕动的鞭状触手，那张邪魅的脸让人记忆犹新。

ProfessorMalkira.梅尔吉娅。

小型熵Hoho...呵呵……

小型熵I'm glad you made the appointment, .感谢你如约前来赴会，。

PersicariaProfessor.教授。

Persicaria stands before me with her sword in hand, ready to attack the uninvited guest at any moment. I calm myself, then move up to stand beside Persicaria before returning Malkira's gaze.帕斯卡握紧长刀挡在我身前，随时准备对这不速之客发起攻击。我稳了稳心神，与帕斯卡并肩而立，直面梅尔吉娅的眼睛。

小型熵Oh, there's no need to be so wary, . As a token of gratitude for coming as you promised, I have a little gift for you.不要这么戒备嘛，。为了表达对你如约前来的感谢，我可是特意准备了礼物。

ProfessorWould you actually be that kind?你有这么好心吗？

小型熵Oh please, I am hardly an irredeemable villain. Our kind are not like you humans; beyond our primal desires lies an unfettered sincerity.不要把你的对手想成一个十恶不赦的大坏蛋，我们族群和你们人类不一样，剥开原始的欲望之后都是没有被规训过的真诚。

小型熵You can label me whatever you wish, but I would like you to at least hear me out first.如果你非要为我打标签，起码也要听完我为你开出的条件。

ProfessorIt seems that Tartarus has the upper hand now. Are you still willing to negotiate with us at a time like this?眼下塔尔塔罗斯占优势，这个时候还愿意和我谈判？

小型熵Of course. You are worthy of the lengths I have gone to in order to facilitate this meeting. In turn, I would like you to negotiate with me with similar sincerity.当然，你有值得我如此付出的价值。也希望你能够怀着同样的真诚来跟我面对面谈判。

小型熵The Entropics are not given to kindness. I hope you will live up to the honor that has been bestowed upon you, .不要辜负熵为数不多的善意，。

小型熵In addition, I dislike having too many people around. Just the presence of you and I will be sufficient for the negotiations.另外，我不喜欢太多人。谈判这种事情，你我足够。

Professor...No wonder our team was scattered by the Entropics and our backup was further encircled by them.……难怪，我们的队伍先是遭受了熵的袭击被冲散，紧接着后援队伍也被熵围困。

ProfessorIt would seem you orchestrated both mine and Persicaria's abnormally successful arrival in Tartarus.只有我和帕斯卡异常顺利地进入了塔尔塔罗斯，这背后是你在操盘。

小型熵Please understand that I have difficulties of my own. I would have a lot of trouble explaining to Eosphorus how and why I let so many people into Tartarus at once.你也要理解我的难处。要一下子让这么多人进入塔尔塔罗斯，我也很难对晨星交代。

ProfessorI didn't expect you to be so subservient to him.没想到你这么听晨星的话。

小型熵Hoho, there's no need to phrase it that way. Nobody would want unexpected developments taking place at such a key period.呵呵，也不必这么说。在这种关键时期，谁也不想节外生枝。

小型熵Consider, that Miss Eos of yours went to great lengths to generate the Spoof Code you're using now, which is what made Eosphorus view you as Sanctifiers and not an expedition from the Oasis. Would it not go to waste if you were to arouse his suspicion by your numbers?那位晨曦小姐这么辛苦地为你们做了伪装代码，才能让晨星将你们当作净化者而非绿洲的队伍，要是因为人数而引起了他的怀疑，岂不是得不偿失？

Professor...It seems you've seen right through us.……你对我们的了解还真是透彻。

小型熵You are most kind. I did my homework in preparation for this meeting.多谢称赞，我为了这次见面可是做了很多功课。

小型熵A friendly reminder: My children are cute, but there is a limit to their patience. If your other team members do not withdraw, they might end up being torn to bits.友情提醒，我的孩子们虽然可爱，但耐心有限，如果你的队伍还不撤退，或许它们就会将你可爱的同伴们撕碎。

小型熵I trust neither of us would want to witness such a scene... As such, I believe you know what to do next, .无论你我都不希望看到这残忍的一幕……我想你知道该怎么做，。

Professor...Understood.……我明白了。

小型熵Very good. However, considering that you are a fragile human being, I must at least make sure you don't end up filling the bellies of my starving children until you reach me.很好。不过，考虑到你是脆弱的人类，起码要让你在见到我之前不要被饥饿的孩子们啃食殆尽。

小型熵Therefore, I have permitted you to bring one capable helper along. It seems she has discharged her duties admirably.所以，我也允许你带上了一位得力助手。看来她能很好地履行自己的职责。

小型熵Also, a gentle reminder that you should pick up the pace. Currently, we are savoring the sweet taste of victory at the expense of your comrades' suffering.好心提醒你加快速度哦。现在的我们在以你战友的痛苦牺牲作佐料，有足够的时间慢慢品尝美味的胜利。

小型熵I wonder, how long they will hold out whilst being on the chopping block?可案板上的你们还能坚持多久。

ProfessorI don't need you to inform me of the situation on the frontlines. I was always going to meet with you. Even if you manage to stop my escort team, my determination remains.不用你告知我现状。我本来就是来见你的，就算护卫队伍被你拦住，也不会阻挡我的决心。

小型熵Your forthrightness is most refreshing.我真的很欣赏你这种雷厉风行的作风，呵呵呵……

The Diminutive Entropic wiggles its stubby tentacles, and there seems to be a hint of reluctance in its voice.小型熵满意地晃动着自己的触手，语气中生出了几分期盼与不舍。

小型熵As much as I'd like to speak further with you, it seems this little one is about to wake up.虽然还想和你再多聊几句，但看起来这孩子马上就要醒了。

小型熵This will be the last time I borrow her body to speak with you. Soon, she will regain her sense of self through the power of Tartarus.这也是我借这孩子的身体最后一次与你们对话了。在塔尔塔罗斯的力量下，她很快就会找回自我。

小型熵When the time comes, I will no longer be able to control her, but she will be a reliable guide and shall lead you to the gift I have kindly prepared for you.到时候我便无法再控制她。但她是一名可靠的向导，会引导你们去取我为你们准备的礼物。

小型熵Should you find said gift to your tastes, I hope it will improve your evaluation of me in your eyes when we finally meet. I trust you will be eager to listen to me once you receive it.收到礼物后，如果还合你的心意，记得见面时为我印象分多添几笔。我相信在收到见面礼之后，你会非常乐意倾听我的诉求。

小型熵Remember to be kind to your guide. I hope you will live up to my trust in your character, fufufu...记得要善待你们的向导哦，不要辜负我对你人品的信任，呵呵呵……

Her sinister laughter echoes through the safehouse and inside my ears, but before it can fade, Malkira speaks once more, her words the captivating call of a witch's temptations.诡异的笑声一圈圈在安全屋回荡开来，萦绕在耳边的诡笑还未散去，梅尔吉娅的声音再次像女巫的诱惑一般响起。

梅尔吉娅Now awaken, my beloved little sister...我最可爱的姐妹，醒过来吧……

梅尔吉娅Use that dance you know best to tell them where the nectar is found; lead these lost travelers to harvest the surprise that awaits them, for they shall gorge upon its fragrance...用你最擅长的收获舞告知他们蜜源的方向，带迷茫的旅人采撷惊喜，咀嚼芬芳……

Her muttering acts like a potent accelerant that causes the body of the Diminutive Entropic which serves as a communication device, to rapidly swell and expand. A youthful face emerges from its round body, and two of its tentacles seem to be shaped and bound by an invisible force, sprouting a pair of hands like slender shoots.呢喃的低语似乎是一味效果卓绝的催化剂，作为通讯工具的小型熵开始膨胀，浑圆的头部逐渐显形出一张稚气的脸，两条触手被无形力量约束，像柳条抽枝发芽一般长出双手。

PersicariaThat's...!这是！

梅尔吉娅Her ruined body once stood in the Copley Sector as a tombstone. I trust you remember the epitaph engraved upon it.她曾以枯朽的身体在柯普利立下碑冢，你们应该记得她的墓志铭。

黛米乌尔Light...光……

ProfessorDemiurge.黛米乌尔。

I clench my fists and go on high alert. My eyes are fixed upon the roly-poly juvenile on the ground before me, not daring to relax for a moment.我暗自握紧拳头，全身进入高度警戒状态，双眼锁定着地上匍匐的稚子，不敢有一刻松懈。

梅尔吉娅Be at ease. Though she was spawned amidst filth and corruption, she is the purest soul on the cloud. From then till now, that has always been so. Mutually illuminated by your noble natures, she is certainly qualified to be your guide.不用紧张。她出身于污秽泥淖，但却是云端最纯粹的存在。从过去到现在，一直都是如此。高尚的品格相互辉映，她足够有资格做你们的向导。

梅尔吉娅If you follow her directions, you shall behold the gift that has been prepared for you. I look forward to our meeting...循着她的指引，便能见到我为你们准备的礼物。我很期待见到你们……

As Malkira's voice fades, the young Demiurge closes her eyes again and slumps to the ground.随着梅尔吉娅的声音渐弱，幼年的黛米乌尔再度闭上眼睛，倒在了地上。

Persicaria...She hasn't made any threatening moves so far. I believe she will wake up soon.……她目前没有威胁性，应该不久之后就会醒来。

PersicariaProfessor, what will you do now?教授，您准备怎么办？

ProfessorPersicaria, put me through to Eos.帕斯卡，帮我接通晨曦。

PersicariaUnderstood.明白。

EosProfessor?教授？

Eos's face looks a little tired in the transmission window, but she smiles reassuringly the moment she sees me.镜头中的面容有些许疲惫，但在看见我的一刻，便露出了安心的微笑。

EosI'm glad to see you well. Please give me a little more time; I will direct the Oasis' and the Sanctifiers' support teams to break out of this cordon and aid you...看见你们安全我就放心了。请再给我一些时间，我会尽快指挥绿洲和净化者的援助队伍突围，前去帮助你们……

ProfessorThere's no need for that, Eos. I've seen their combat reports. They are surrounded by Entropics and their situation does not look good.不用了，晨曦。我已经收到了他们的战报，这些队伍都被熵围困，恐怕情况不容乐观。

ProfessorChange of plans; order them to fall back and help you guard the flanks at the Reverse Tower battlefront.修改战术，你指挥他们撤退回援，帮助你守好逆巴比伦塔的侧面战场。

Eos...Does this mean you and Persicaria will forfeit the protection of the other teams and advance into Tartarus by yourselves?……您的意思是要放弃其他小队的援护，您和帕斯卡二人只身进入塔尔塔罗斯吗？

EosWith all due respect, that is most unwise.恕我直言，这并不是明智之举。

ProfessorI'm sure you could force your way through the Entropic blockade, but Malkira is not showing any signs of hostility at the moment, and advancing recklessly will only lead to needless casualties and potentially upsetting her.我们确实可以强行突破熵的包围，但目前梅尔吉娅暂未表现出明显敌意，继续冒然进攻很可能只会造成隔阂和消耗。

ProfessorBesides, Irida and Hesperus are buying time for us on the battlefield. We haven't the time to waste on skirmishes here.况且，现在是伊莉塔和昏星在正面战场为我们争取时间。我们行动的时间有限，不能浪费在这里。

Eos...Understood. I will lead them to the Reverse Tower and help buy more time for you.……好吧，我明白了。我会率领队伍协助逆巴比伦塔作战，为你们的行动争取更多时间。

ProfessorCounting on you, Eos.拜托你了，晨曦。

EosWhile I cannot directly assist you, please do not forget this.虽然我不能直接给您援助，但别忘了这个。

Eos sweeps her hair back and reveals a single earring, edged in azure and gold.晨曦撩起头发，露出了蓝金相间的单边耳坠。

EosI'm sure you have a similar article in your possession. I know we will all have our hands full on the battlefield, but even so, I hope you will take care of yourself amidst the fighting.您此行一定随身携带着耳坠。我知道战场上我们每个人都自顾不暇。但我依旧希望您能在硝烟中保全自己。

EosThat earring has been treated with an application of Spoof Code technology and contains part of my operands.耳坠中有关于伪装代码技术的处理方式，还有我的一部分算量。

EosIf needed, please use it to protect yourself. Even if you are separated from your companions, you can use it to find your way.必要的时候，教授不妨拿它来防身。就算是和同伴走散了，也能靠它定位。

I nod, and take its matching twin out from a pocket to show Eos. She smiles in relief before finally ending the transmission and ordering the rest of the team to hurry over to the flank.我点点头，从怀中取出另一边耳坠展示给晨曦。她微微一笑，终于放心挂断了通讯，召集小队火速赶往前线支援侧面战场。

Persicaria...Professor, just how much of what Malkira said do you think was truthful?……教授，您认为梅尔吉娅的通讯信息里究竟有多少真，多少假呢？

ProfessorThat's not up to us. We have no choice but to give it a try even if we know she's lying. The Sanctifiers are having a hard time on the frontlines and the situation in each sector is dire. We'll either be negotiating with Malkira or advancing into a position where we might have a chance to assassinate her.这由不得我们选择，就算知道是假的也只能去试探。净化者前线告急，各个扇区战况焦灼，要么谈判要么兵行险着找到契机杀了梅尔吉娅。

ProfessorIf it comes to that, we'll have to use our final trump card. Fortunately, Malkira does not seem to be in a bloodthirsty mood. In fact, she's been expressing nothing but goodwill so far. Thus, seeking negotiations with her are our current priority.真到了后者这步田地，我们只能启用最终底牌。庆幸的是梅尔吉娅并未展现出杀意，甚至在不断示好。谈判成了当下的最优解。

PersicariaUnderstood. Since you have decided to accept her invitation, I shall not question it further, and will aid you with all my strength.我明白了。既然教授已经决定了接受邀请，我也会放下疑问，全力配合您的行动。

ProfessorThank you, Persicaria.谢谢你，帕斯卡。

ProfessorNow then, let's see when our little Sleeping Beauty will wake up.现在，就看我们的这位小睡美人什么时候能醒来了。

PersicariaShould I poke her face?要不要用手指戳戳她的脸？

I carefully examine the sleeping Demi.我仔细打量着沉睡的小黛米乌尔。

PersicariaThe terrain in Tartarus shifts at regular intervals, and without a guide, we'll end up lost and trapped in a labyrinth if we try to go deeper... Uwah!塔尔塔罗斯的地形每隔一段时间就会变化，没有向导继续深入下去也只会困死在迷宫……唔啊！

Before she can finish, a violent shaking washes over us. I can't steady myself with Demiurge in my arms and stumble several steps back before falling into Persicaria's arms.话音未落，一阵剧烈的颠簸袭来，我抱着黛米乌尔无法用手稳定平衡，踉跄了几步撞到了帕斯卡怀里。

ProfessorRight on cue. Looks like this is Tartarus' shifting window...这么准时准点，塔尔塔罗斯活动窗口期……

The sleeping girl is startled awake. She rubs her heavy-lidded eyes and raises her head.沉睡的女孩被晃动惊醒，揉着惺忪睡眼，抬起头来。

黛米乌尔■■...■...■■……■……

PersicariaShe's awake!诶！她醒了！

Persicaria helps me up and points at the girl in the crook of my arm. Her gaze moves between me and Persicaria, and several seconds later, her face lights up with a smile.帕斯卡搀扶住我，难以置信地指着我臂弯里。小女孩的目光在我和帕斯卡的脸上来回游弋，几秒过后，脸上露出甜甜的微笑。

黛米乌尔■...Puh... fessa...■……交……瘦……

I can make out some familiar syllables in her broken speech and I am certain that she is calling out to me.残缺不全的音节中偶尔能发现几个熟悉的字，我确认她是在叫我。

ProfessorI suppose the fact that she still remembers me calls for some fireworks.真该放鞭炮庆祝一下她依然记得我。

PersicariaHehe, looks like she remembers her time as that tiny Entropic.呵呵，看来她依旧保留着小型熵时期的记忆呢。

Demi jumps down from my arms, then grabs my leg and tugs on me.小黛米乌尔从我身上跳下来，扒着我的腿向外拉扯。

黛米乌尔■...■... Gum... come ■... wif...■……■……肘……跟■……窝……

ProfessorGo with you?!跟你走？！

黛米乌尔Yea...嗯……

She nods and wiggles her tentacles. It's plain to see that she's very happy to be back in Tartarus; even the speed at which she wiggles her tentacles has picked up.她点点头，触手蠕动挪行。看得出回到塔尔塔罗斯她很开心，触手蠕动的节奏都更加轻快了。

PersicariaSo this is the guide Malkira was talking about...这就是梅尔吉娅所说的向导啊……

ProfessorHehe, she's small, but she's doing her job well.呵呵，个头小但还是忠诚地履行自己的职责呢。

Persicaria and I hurry to match her pace.我和帕斯卡三步并作两步跟了上去。

The moment we leave the safehouse, I look up at the walls in the distance. Tartarus's shifting labyrinth looks back at us with a completely different face.跨出安全屋的一刻，我抬头望了望远处的高墙，塔尔塔罗斯的迷宫全然变换了另一种姿态凝视着我们。

ProfessorLooks like we'll have to feel our way through whatever lies ahead by ourselves...不论前面等我们的是什么，都要亲自摸索了……

PersicariaProfessor?教授？

ProfessorIt's nothing. Let's go.没什么，走吧。

While Irida-as-the-Professor is talking to Hesperus, a small squad moves clandestinely through the Outer Ring of the Tartarus Sector.伊莉塔所扮演的教授与昏星对话的同时。塔尔塔罗斯外环，一支小队悄然行动着。

Repetition of Departure 暌违重续

-30702-

Layer upon layer of tentacle-like lifeforms grow on the towering, oppressive walls, rising and falling rhythmically, as if they were breathing. Impelled by gravity, the slime they secrete drips noisily on the ground, punctuated by the occasional Low Order Entropic baring a forest of pale teeth at us as it growls. However, no attack follows this threatening display.狭窄逼仄的高墙上附着了一层又一层触须生物，有规律地按着节奏呼吸起伏。裹挟的粘液受重力影响嘀嗒下坠，也有低阶熵时不时张开口腔露出森森白牙冲我们低吼，但始终没有接近我们发起攻击。

Demiurge travels happily onward as if there is nothing in her way. Persicaria and I, however, are much more cautious as we follow behind her.黛米乌尔旁若无人欢快前行，我和帕斯卡小心警戒，谨慎跟随。

PersicariaProfessor, we're making much better time than expected. Based on the distance we've travelled, we might be approaching the Middle Ring soon.教授，我们前进得比预想中顺利得多。按距离来估计，可能已经接近中环了。

ProfessorWe've hardly encountered any Entropics on our way here. Even when we did, they immediately fled, with no intention of attacking us.这一路上鲜有见到熵群，就算真见到了，它们好像也在躲着我们，完全没有攻击的意思。

PersicariaIt is in the nature of Entropics to consume agents, yet they're going against the most basic of instincts. Perhaps it's because of our "guide".熵吞噬智能体是天性，而现在它们却能克制住自己最原始的欲望，恐怕就是因为我们的“向导”黛米乌尔。

PersicariaDemiurge favors us, and the Low Order Entropics won't dare act up since a High Order Entropic like herself is scaring them off.黛米乌尔对我们抱有善意，在她这个高阶熵的威吓之下，低阶熵也不会逾举。

ProfessorWell, if that's the case, then Malkira's really pulled out all the stops just to see us. Having Demiurge lead the way and the Entropics line our path is one hell of a formal welcome.如果真是这样，那梅尔吉娅为了见我们真是把戏演足了。让黛米乌尔引路，熵群夹道欢迎，这是什么规格的迎宾礼。

ProfessorStill, we don't know Malkira's true objective. We can't lower our guards until we figure out what she's planning.不过，我们仍未明确知晓梅尔吉娅的目的，在洞悉她的真正意图前，还不能这么轻易放下警惕。

We are getting closer and closer to the Watchtower wreathed in dense purple vapor. A sense of deja vu wells up in my heart and I come to a stop.氤氲紫气中的哨塔离我们越来越近。熟悉的既视感攀上心头。我停下脚步。

PersicariaIs something wrong, Professor?教授，有什么不对劲吗？

ProfessorI think I know where she's taking us. Remember what I told you about the events in Eosphorus' neural fragment?我好像知道她要带我们去哪里了。还记得我讲过在晨星心智碎片里发生的事吗？

ProfessorBack then, I was traveling with a Sanctifier named Atlas to recover a device called the Rubik's Map from a Watchtower. We are currently headed straight for that Watchtower.那时我跟着一名叫阿特拉斯的净化者一起，去哨塔里取魔方地图。这个方向，正是通往那座哨塔。

PersicariaCould Malkira's gift be that so-called Rubik's Map?难道梅尔吉娅口中的礼物就是魔方地图？

ProfessorWith the Map, we'll be able to track the shifts in Tartarus in real time and analyze it to learn the positions of various key locations. That way, we won't have to worry even when the labyrinth shifts.有了魔方地图就能获知塔尔塔罗斯实时变化的情况，解析各个关键点的位置。这样即便下一个迷宫移动窗口期到来，我们也不必担心了。

ProfessorBut for some reason, it feels like that "gift" Malkira mentioned isn't as simple as that...但我总觉得，梅尔吉娅别有深意的“礼物”恐怕没那么简单……

I shake my head and try to quell the uneasiness in my heart.我摇摇头，竭力平息心中涌起的诡异预感。

ProfessorIn any case, the Rubik's Map will help our future movements. Let's just follow Demiurge and collect it.总之，魔方地图对我们之后的行动有利，还是跟随黛米乌尔先行将其回收比较好。

PersicariaMm, got it. Ah... she's wandered off...嗯，明白。啊……那孩子走远了……

Despite her small size, she moves with incredible speed. Upon hearing us, she looks back and beckons us to follow her with a curl of her tentacles.小小的身影飞快移动，听到我们的声音后转头回望，勾起触手示意我们紧跟她的脚步。

Persicaria and I set our doubts aside for the time being and follow Demiurge to the Watchtower that I remember.我和帕斯卡暂且搁置心中的疑虑，跟随黛米乌尔朝记忆中的哨塔走去。

Several minutes later, at a Watchtower on the outskirts of Tartarus.几分钟后，塔尔塔罗斯外环，哨塔。

Demiurge seems to be tired now, given that she's sprawled over a nearby rock and resting. Persicaria eyes her surroundings warily, and after eliminating several hidden Low Order Entropics that posed threats, she turns to look at the stone platform in the center and connects to the dais there in order to check on the Rubik's Map's condition.黛米乌尔似乎走累了，伏在一旁的石头上休息。帕斯卡警惕地看向四周，排除一些潜在的低阶熵威胁后，目光转向中心的石台，开始接入终端检查魔方的情况。

The silvery-white Rubik's Map that floats above the platform is covered in so much liquid Entropy that it doesn't reflect any light. A long time has passed since the last time it left the Watchtower.悬浮在石台上的银白魔方被熵化液附着看不到一丝光亮，从它上次走出哨塔到现在，已然过去无数时光。

PersicariaProfessor, the Map is alright. However, we'll need to enter an appropriate cipher to unbind it from its current location, and then there's the matter of access authorizations...教授，魔方情况正常，需要接入密钥拆除固定位，还有识别权限……

PersicariaHm... Hang on? This is strange...嗯……等等？奇怪……

Persicaria brings up her terminal that she's using for data analysis and sees a glaring red alert message.帕斯卡调出终端解析数据，上面赫然显示着一行红色提示。

系统System has verified your identity and authorization. Welcome, [Professor Irida]. You currently possess [Maintainer]-level access privileges. Please note that your activity will be logged.系统已验证您的身份和权限。欢迎，[伊莉塔教授]。您当前拥有[维护者]访问权限。请注意，您的操作将被记录。

However, the analysis program starts throwing up error messages as Persicaria continues entering commands.但当帕斯卡继续输入指令后，破解程序开始报错。

系统Warning: Insufficient access. You are not authorized to perform this operation. Please contact your administrator or try again with an account that possesses the appropriate authorizations. This action has been logged.警告：权限不足。您没有执行此操作的必要权限。请联系管理员或使用具有适当权限的账户重试。操作已被记录。

Before we can further investigate, the Entropics outside the Watchtower begin acting up all of a sudden.没来得及进一步查明原因，哨塔外的熵群突然开始躁动。

熵Hssss—嘶——

A group of Low Order Entropics has awakened. After sensing external agents inside the Watchtower, they pour in like a flood.一群低阶熵从沉眠中被唤醒，察觉到哨塔中外来智能体的存在，密集如潮水涌了上来。

PersicariaIt's as you predicted. The Entropics set up an alarm near the Map, and connecting to it set it off.果然如您所料，熵在魔方附近设计了防御预警，接入魔方触发了预警系统。

Persicaria draws her sword and eyes the swarming Entropics.帕斯卡抽出剑，盯紧即将扑上来的熵群们。

PersicariaI'm ready to fight, but I'll leave cracking the Map to you.我已经做好了作战准备，只是破解的工作要拜托您了。

ProfessorDon't worry, I've already done this before in Eosphorus' neural fragment. Antonina gave me the cipher key before we set out, so just let me handle it.没关系，我在晨星的心智碎片中已经经历过一次。出发之前安冬妮娜把密钥给了我，我来破解就好。

PersicariaI'll leave it to you then, Professor. I'll deal with this annoying lot for you.那就交给您了，教授，我去对付这些烦人的家伙。

阿特拉斯I'll leave it to you then, buddy. I'll keep a lookout for you.那就交给你了，挚友，我去帮你放风。

These similar scenes evoke a sense of dread in me, but I bite back my discomfort and begin to work.相似的画面唤起了不祥的预感，我强压着心理上的不适接入破解工具。

I follow my memories and start up the program, and line after line of code flits through my field of vision. The silvery cube glows as it takes in external operands.记忆牵引着我启动程序，一行行代码从视野中飘过。银白色的方块接入外界算量，荧光闪动。

系统Target status stable. Cipher key match complete. Now disconnecting fixture...目标物状态稳定，密钥工具匹配成功，固定位正在拆除……

Persicaria, who's guarding the entrance, plunges into the Entropic hordes and carves a crimson road through their throng, sending purple liquid Entropy splashing all around. She is soon lost in the horde of Low Order Entropics.守在入口的帕斯卡冲入熵群中厮杀，紫色的熵化液飞溅。身影很快被低阶熵淹没。

Demiurge watches all this with a bemused expression on her face. Despite the intimidation factor of a High Order Entropic being present, this particular pack seems strangely unaffected.黛米乌尔好奇地看着眼前的一切。明明有高阶熵在此威慑，这群低阶熵却毫不在乎。

ProfessorLook out!小心！

PersicariaDon't worry about me, Professor! Focus on the Map!别担心我教授！专心破译魔方！

Persicaria swings and swings, severing all the tentacles stabbing at her. The Entropics' screams drown out the pink-haired girl's words and render our conversation nearly unintelligible.帕斯卡挥剑斩断不停刺向自己的触手，熵的惨叫声淹没了粉发少女的嘱咐，对话声音听不真切。

ProfessorWe're almost there, just one last step...马上就可以取下魔方地图了，最后一步……

I look at the silvery Rubik's Map again. My experiences from Eosphorus' neural fragment tell me what I'm about to face. This time, I am no longer a mere servant fearfully gazing upon a god.目光再次对上银白色的魔方，在晨星碎片中的一切经历告诉了我即将面对什么。这一次不再是仆从与神对视时的怯懦。

This intricate item, which looks down upon us from a lofty perch, glows with the radiance of swirling operands, tightly interweaving the fates of the Sanctifiers and the Entropics.站在高处俯瞰这枚精巧的物件，荧光算量中另有玄机，严丝合缝嵌扣着净化者与熵的命运。

ProfessorLet the wheel of destiny be broken by a force from beyond it.宿命的循环，就由宿命之外的力量打破。

ProfessorDecryption complete. I can recover the Rubik's Map at any time...破译结束，随时可以回收魔方……

ProfessorDecryption complete. Now recovering the Rubik's Map... hm?破译结束。开始回收魔方地图……嗯？

The moment I touch the Map, a creepy sensation ripples out from the Map in all directions.就在我的手触碰到魔方的一瞬间，一股诡异的波动以魔方为中心朝着四周扩散而出。

A sudden sense of discomfort seizes me by the throat, and I let go of the Map as though I've been electrocuted.强烈的不适感霎时扼住了我的咽喉，我如同触电般松开了魔方。

The ancient curse levied by humanity echoes in my mind, and I stop my hand as it reaches out.昔日来自人类的诅咒指令萦绕在脑海中，我停下了伸出的手。

Professor(No... If I touch it now, it might end up affecting Persicaria in some way.)（不行……现在触碰魔方的话，说不定会对帕斯卡产生影响……）

Squelch!吧唧！

A tentacle from the platform grips my arm, as though sensing my hesitation. More tentacles emerge from all around and crawl up my arm.仿佛感知到我的犹豫，石台上蔓延出的触手死死抓住我的手腕，更多的触手从四面八方伸了出来爬上我的手臂。

ProfessorTsk!啧！

PersicariaProfessor!教授！

Persicaria hears me exclaim and swings her sword with all her might, beating back the hordes of Entropic creatures. Her blade traces a silver arc through the air, neatly slicing through the tentacles binding me.帕斯卡听到我的惊呼，奋力挥砍手中长剑，逼退汹涌熵潮。剑刃在空中划出一道银色弧线，精准地劈向束缚住我的触手。

熵Hss—嘶——

ProfessorI'm free!松开了！

PersicariaWhy... Why did the Entropics suddenly act up? This is nothing like when we came here... Urgh!为什么……为什么突然间熵群暴动，这和我们来的时候完全不一样……呃！

The pink-haired girl shelters me behind her, fending off the tentacles from in front of her and holding off attacks that come from her sides.粉发少女将我护在身后，一边应对面前的触手，一边抵御来自旁侧的攻击。

ProfessorIn Eosphorus' memories, a change happened when a Sanctifier touched the Rubik's Map. But this time, I didn't touch the map and there was no creepy sensation either...在晨星的记忆中，异变的发生是因为净化者触碰了魔方地图。但这一次，我并没有接触魔方地图，也没有诡异的波动……

ProfessorWhich means this upheaval is not part of the Tartarus Sector's "rules"!这次熵的暴动并非因为塔尔塔罗斯的“规则”！

PersicariaThe Entropics of the Tartarus Sector fear Demiurge because Low Order Entropics are naturally subservient to High Order Entropics.塔尔塔罗斯的熵惧怕黛米乌尔，是因为低阶熵对高阶熵与生俱来的服从。

PersicariaThere is only one reason why this servility would be gone...如果这种服从性消失，只有一种原因……

Rumble—轰隆——

There is a loud crash from the Watchtower and the ground shakes.哨塔迸发出一声巨响，地面随之颤抖。

ProfessorBecause there's another High Order Entropic present...有另一只高阶熵在场……

Crash!砰！

Shattered rocks fly all around and dust rises in a cloud. The shockwave engulfs countless Entropics and the impact sends the liquid Entropy splashing.碎石飞溅，尘土四起。汹涌的气浪卷起无数熵群，熵化液被冲击力炸开向四周迸射。

The chunk of debris over my head sways precariously.悬在我头顶的石块摇摇欲坠。

PersicariaProfessor! Fall back!教授！往后退！！

Persicaria shoves me aside and in the next moment, my previous position is buried by rocks. The collapsed chunks of stone separate us.帕斯卡一把将我推开，下一刻我刚才所在的位置已经被石头埋没。坍塌的石块将我和她分割在两个空间。

Professor(Coughs)咳咳……

PersicariaProfessor, are you alright?教授，您还好吗？

ProfessorYeah... I'm not hurt.没事……我没受伤。

As the dust clears, a dull gold figure is heading straight for Persicaria, its weapon slicing through the air and chopping down on Persicaria with tremendous force.当尘埃渐渐散去，一道暗金色的身影如闪电径直冲向帕斯卡，剑锋划破空气，裹挟着巨大的力量猛然劈向帕斯卡。

Clang! Clang! Clang! Blade and sword collide with crisp impacts.铿、铿、铿！三声刀剑碰撞声清脆作响。

PersicariaHng!唔！

Persicaria grits her teeth and barely manages to bring her sword up in response. The incredible, forceful blows make her fingers go numb.帕斯卡咬牙，勉强举剑应对。强大的冲击力震得虎口发麻。

PersicariaThese moves...这个招式……

These moves are familiar, and so are these flames and this presence. Persicaria raises her head and stares into a pair of golden eyes.熟悉的出招方式，熟悉的火焰，熟悉的气息。帕斯卡咬牙抬头，对上对方明黄色的双眸。

The bottle dangling at her chest grows hot, as though in response to something. Countless scenes from her memories flash before her eyes, but all of them star the same person.胸前的吊坠仿佛回应着什么，变得滚烫。脑海中如走马灯一般闪回了无数场景，每一个场景中都有同样熟悉的身影。

PersicariaYou... are you?!你……你是？！

The newcomer whirls her blade around and Persicaria takes a deep breath, pouring all her strength into deflecting her opponent's chopping stroke. Persicaria's powerful counterstrike knocks her opponent's glaive away, and it spins through the air before impaling itself in the ground.来人调转刀锋，帕斯卡呼吸一窒，倾注全身力量挑开对方斩来的一刀。长柄刀被帕斯卡的奋力还击击飞，脱手后在空中打了个旋笔直插入地面。

Crack—咔——

It tears through the flooring and cracks, in a manner akin to spiderwebs, spread out from the point of contact. Without saying a word, the blonde girl grabs its hilt once again and pulls her weapon free, becoming the center of the fissures in her weapon's place.刀剑撕裂地面，裂纹蛛网般从剑刃接触点向四周扩散。静立在暗中的金发少女重新握住刀柄，将武器拔出，自身替代长柄刀成了裂纹的中心。

The fractured flooring below her takes the shape of an eclipsed sun, but even after being swallowed by the darkness, the corona that remains still glows faintly.脚下的辐射的纹路将她衬托为一轮日食中的太阳，黑暗吞噬后唯有日冕还能发出微弱的光。

PersicariaI can't believe I'm actually seeing you again... We all missed you...居然真的有一天能再次见到你……我们每个人都很想你……

The person in Persicaria's mind takes a distinct form and overlaps with the dull gold figure before her.帕斯卡脑海中的身影定格，与眼前的暗金重叠。

PersicariaSol, you're back at last!你终于回来了，苏尔！

Shifting Labyrinth, Outer Ring, Tartarus Sector.塔尔塔罗斯，迷宫外环。

Opposite Ways 背道而驰

-29963-

PersicariaThere's still work to be done. The Oasis only just recovered from the Sanctifier attack and there are many things we need to worry about, such as the arrangements for field expeditions...工作还没处理完呢。绿洲刚从净化者的突然袭击中恢复，还有很多事情需要操心，尤其是外勤的安排……

SolWe're working with the Rossum and Cyclopes Sectors now, so our operand budget isn't so tight anymore. You should relax a little, Persicaria.我们已经跟罗萨姆和基洛普斯扇区都建立合作了，算量没那么捉襟见肘，帕斯卡你也放松一些啦。

PersicariaThat said, the Sanctifiers are still a huge threat to us, which means there's a very real chance we'll lose people if we send them out on expeditions.话虽如此，但目前净化者对于我们来说还是太过危险了，外勤任务很难避免人员的损耗。

PersicariaWhile we still have the Oasis, allowing for our fallen friends to be reset... I still hope that everyone will be able to head out and collect operands and information without having to worry.虽说现在有了绿洲，牺牲的同伴们能够被重置，但……我还是希望，大家可以放心安全地外出收集算量和情报。

Sol(Sigh) You know, you and the Professor both wind yourselves up too tight about all this stuff.唉，你也是，教授也是，都把自己逼得太紧了啦。

After hearing Sol sigh, I smile bitterly before looking out the window.听见苏尔的感叹，我苦笑着摇摇头，看向窗外。

The weather simulator hasn't been fully repaired yet, and on a starless night like this one, it's hard to keep my negative thoughts from spilling out of the shadows. Even if I did manage to enter sleep mode, the scenes of my friends dying would play on loop within my neural cloud.气象模拟器还没完全恢复，像这样没有星星一片黑暗的夜晚，负面思绪也难以抑制地一个个从阴影中冒出来。就算好不容易进入休眠状态，同伴们牺牲的场景也会在心智中反复重演回放。

All I can do is throw myself into my work so I don't have time to think about them until the morning comes. Then, when I see the Professor and all my friends from the Oasis, I can feel at ease again.只有全心投入工作，不让自己有思考的间隙，直至天亮。看见教授和绿洲的大家，就能再次感到安心。

SolHuwaaaah— It can't be helped, then.哈——欠，没办法。

With a yawn, Sol sits down by the table, hugging her swords.苏尔打了个哈欠，抱着刀在桌边坐下。

SolI know I can't talk you out of it, and I can't help you either. Since I can't fall asleep either, I'll keep you company instead.我知道劝不动你，也帮不上什么忙。正好也睡不着，就在这里陪陪你吧。

PersicariaHuh? Don't you have a field expedition tomorrow?诶？我记得你明天还有外勤的任务？

SolIt's in the afternoon. If you're that worried about me, then finish up quick so we can both go to sleep.出勤时间在下午。如果你真的担心的话，就抓紧时间处理完工作，我们一起休息吧。

Persicaria...Alright then. Thank you, Sol.……好吧。谢谢你，苏尔。

SolOh, it's nothing. There's no sun at night, so it's bound to be a little scary, but since I've got blonde hair, you can just treat me as a nightlight.小事啦。晚上没有阳光，难免会有点可怕，我的头发也是橙色，你就勉为其难将我当做一盏夜灯吧。

I can't help smiling. As I throw myself back into my work, I glance at Sol's floofy hair and for a moment, this cold, austere room seems a little warmer.我忍不住嘴角上翘。再度投入工作中时，看着苏尔毛茸茸的头发，这个冰冷沉寂的房间似乎真的变得温暖了一些。

Sol...Persicaria, you can chat, right? It won't disturb your work, right?……帕斯卡，如果只是简单聊聊天的话，应该不会打扰到你的工作吧？

PersicariaNo, it won't. What's wrong?不会的。怎么啦？

SolWell, the field team for tomorrow's expedition has Simo in it, and I think this will be his first expedition after being reset.明天的外勤队伍里有席摩，应该是他自重置后第一次出外勤。

SolSo I went over to say hi to him today.所以今天，我也去提前和他打了个招呼。

Sol's words touch on the worries in my heart, and my hands briefly tremble as they move.苏尔的话题精准地触及了心中的忧虑，我手上的动作微微一顿。

PersicariaIs Simo... alright?席摩他……还好吗？

SolHe's doing fine. Apparently, he's found the answer to the question that's been bothering him and he's decided to enjoy every moment he has. So don't worry too much, Persicaria.他很好哦。他似乎已经得出了答案，决定好好度过当下的每一刻了。所以，你也不用太担心啦，帕斯卡。

PersicariaIs that so... That's good.是吗……那就好。

We fall silent for a while. Simo's determined look when he died appears in my neural cloud again. Then, a question spills from my mouth, as though to banish the uneasiness in my heart.沉默了一会儿，席摩牺牲时决绝的样子在我心智中浮现。仿佛为了驱散不安，疑问从我口中不自觉地说出。

PersicariaSol... Have you ever thought about what you would do if you died and had to be reset?苏尔……你有想过自己牺牲了，被重置的一天吗？

SolNope, not at all. Still, if I died to protect everyone, I wouldn't have any regrets.没想过诶。不过，如果是为保护大家而牺牲的话，我应该也不会后悔吧。

PersicariaEven if you couldn't remember us after you were reset?哪怕重置之后，再也想不起来大家？

SolHmm... Yeah, that would suck. I can't imagine what it would be like not to be able to remember you guys...唔……那确实很糟糕啊。我想象不出忘记大家会是什么样……

Then, Sol smiles in a reassuring way, as though she's sensed the worries in my heart.似乎是感知到我担忧的情绪，苏尔忽地绽开了令人安心的笑容。

SolOh yeah, I just remembered something! According to the plot in the anime Croque made me watch with her, that would be the time for everyone to gather the power of our bonds and help me to find my memories of the past!对了，我想起来了！按照克罗琦给我看的动画里的情节，这个时候就要集结同伴们的羁绊之力，大家齐心协力找回过去的回忆！

SolSo don't worry, Persicaria. If that actually happens, just yell my name out loud.所以别担心，帕斯卡。真的变成那样的话，就大声喊我的名字。

SolWho knows, if I hear that while looking at your face, I might actually remember something.看着帕斯卡的脸，我说不定就想起来了呢。

Clang!锵！

PersicariaSol!苏尔！

Two similar blades clash and separate in midair. The screaming as edge meets edge pulls me out of my reminiscing. I call Sol's name over and over again, in a tone of voice that sounds almost like a prayer.两柄相似的利刃在空中碰撞又急速分开。刀锋的碰撞声将我拽出过往的回忆，我不断呼唤着苏尔的名字，语气近乎祈求。

PersicariaSol, please wake up, please remember us...苏尔，快醒醒，快想起来……

PersicariaWe shouldn't be pointing our swords at each other... We're friends, after all!我们不该在这里拔刀相向……我们是同伴啊！

However, there is no response; the setting in my fond remembrance never coming to light. No matter how I call to her, those golden eyes keep evading mine, remaining static and unresponsive. My hopes are like stones cast into a swamp; I can't even create so much as a ripple in her heart.然而与苏尔过去的回答不同，不管我如何呼喊，那双暗金色的眼眸却始终回避我的视线，没有丝毫波动，也没有任何回应。我的期望宛如坠入深潭的石子，甚至无法在她心中泛起涟漪。

Is this a case of mistaken identity? Is what I'm seeing an illusion created by the Entropy from my longing? Still, the scorching heat dangling at my chest tells me that this is real.是我认错了吗？眼前是熵利用思念捏造的幻象？但胸口吊坠的灼热提醒着我，这一切都是真实的。

Even if the person before me looks different and has a different weapon, the tells in her fighting stance, and her fine movements are all saying that she is Sol.尽管眼前之人的外貌和武器有所变化，但她战斗时的细节动作、习惯，这一切都无一不在告诉我——她就是苏尔。

PersicariaSol...苏尔……

SolAll who trespass into Tartarus shall die.闯入塔尔塔罗斯的不速之客，死。

As she says "die" in that cold, uncaring tone, her vicious assault rains down on me once again, one mighty chop following another.冰冷的“死”字出口，她凌厉的攻势再次如暴风雨般袭来，大力的挥砍接踵而至。

I parry her blades with Arvak and its edge sings eagerly with each collision, like an Argos who has found his master once more.我用阿尔瓦克把她的刀刃格开，刀锋相撞的铮鸣，一如认出主人的忠犬一般兴奋。

I grit my teeth and fend off her blows, using it to buy me a chance to speak with her for a moment.我咬牙硬接下这一招，以此换取片刻与她对话的机会。

PersicariaThat's right... Sol, I'm sure you remember that move, we both do; after all, you practiced it countless times during training...没错……苏尔，你记得这一招，我们都记得，这是你在训练场里练习过无数遍的招式……

PersicariaDo you remember how we worked together to refine and perfect it? Do you still remember when we fought side by side...我们是如何互相配合，直至将这个招式练习到炉火纯青的？还记得吗，那时与你一同并肩作战的人……

PersicariaLooks like the battle simulation difficulty went up again...模拟战斗的强度又被提高了啊……

PersicariaI can't believe she just threw us into the middle of a horde of simulated Entropics. Looks like Great Teacher Antonina isn't planning to go easy on us.一上来就把我们丢到模拟熵群中，安冬妮娜老师完全不打算对我们放水啊。

SolHaha...hahahahaha!哈哈……哈哈哈哈哈！

Though her face is covered in wounds, Sol isn't daunted in the least by the oncoming tide of enemies. Instead, she bursts into laughter.脸上满是伤痕的苏尔面对潮水般的敌人没有怯懦，一反常态地大笑起来。

PersicariaSol?!苏尔？！

SolYeah, that's more like it!这样才有意思！

SolI don't care if you're Entropics or Sanctifiers! Come have a go if you're hard enough! I want a good fight, even if this is just a simulated battle!熵也好净化者也好，都堂堂正正和我战斗吧！就算是模拟战斗我也想战个痛快！

Sol—Swiftflame Slash!!——迅炎斩！！

The flames sweep away the Entropics before her, briefly forcing the horde back before they surround her again.眼前的熵潮被火焰分开，熵群在短暂地退却后再度包围上来。

SolHow's that, Persicaria?帕斯卡，怎么样！

PersicariaWell done. Your operand accumulation speed has increased, as has the range of your strike. Be careful of your neural strain, though... Look out behind you!做得不错。算力提升的速度又提高了，攻击范围也比之前扩大。但你也要注意心智承压的情况……小心身后！

SolTake this!看招！

SolDon't worry, it was just a Low Order Entropic. Thanks for the warning, Persicaria.没事，只是一只低阶熵而已。谢谢你的提醒啦，帕斯卡。

Persicaria(Sigh) You know, I get scared every time I see you plunge into the enemy ranks. It might be okay during battle sims, but when you're actually on the battlefield...唉，每次看你一头扎进敌人堆里我都心惊胆战。模拟战还好，真到了战场上……

SolRelax, relax, I'll be fine.没事的没事的。

PersicariaWhat do you mean, "You'll be fine"?! You don't have pain sensors so you don't know when you're hurt, and you've always been the battle maniac type.什么没事！你没有痛觉感官系统，感知不到受伤，又是战斗起来不管不顾的性格。

PersicariaYou just keep ripping and tearing and neglect your rear defense while you're doing it. You think it'll be fine when the enemy decides to exploit that opening?你每次杀到昏天黑地时就会疏于背后防御，敌人这时候抓住破绽，不就危险了吗？

SolAw, but I've got you behind me, right? Surely you wouldn't let the enemy backstab me.哎呀，我身后不是还有帕斯卡你吗？你总不会放敌人偷袭不管我吧。

PersicariaBut I won't always be with you...但你也并不总能和我搭档……

SolLook, I know you're worried about me, Persicaria. But I'm not some frenzied berserker who doesn't care if she lives or dies. The reason why I can go all out like this is because I know you guys have my back.知道帕斯卡是在担心我啦。我也不是不知死活的狂战士！之所以能忘我投入战斗，是因为我知道你们会保护好我身后。

SolSo relax, when I really can't handle it, I'll yell, "Persicaria, heal me" or something!放心，真到了自己在前线扛不住的时候，我会喊“帕斯卡，治疗”的！

SolMake sure you don't leave me high and dry when I do!到那时候，帕斯卡医生可不要见死不救哦！

PersicariaPfft... If Antonina were there, she'd probably go, "Then perish," or something.噗嗤……如果安冬妮娜在场，一定会回一句“治不了，等死吧，告辞。”

SolHahahaha, but you're here now, Persicaria. So watch my back, yeah!哈哈哈哈，可现在在这里的是帕斯卡。我的背后就交给你啦！

PersicariaI'm happy, truly I am. I'm glad we can stand on the battlefield together, that we can fight together...我真的好开心，能再度和你一同踏上战场，再度一起作战……

PersicariaBut we shouldn't be standing on opposite sides. So please, put your weapon down, I'll take you back to the Oasis. I'm sure there's a way to help cleanse your Entropization.但是，我们不该站在对立的两边。放下武器吧。我会带你回到绿洲，一定有办法清理你身上的熵化痕迹。

PersicariaPlease, don't continue this pointless fighting any longer...所以，别再继续这场毫无意义的战斗了……

Sol...It's not pointless.……不是毫无意义。

Sol lowers her head. Her voice is especially quiet, and I can feel her pouring her strength into her hands, as though she's fighting something invisible.苏尔低着头，声音分外低沉，我感到她再度加重了手上的力度，像是在与什么无形的东西对抗。

SolI don't know you.我不认识你。

PersicariaNo, I'm sure you remember.不，你一定还记得。

PersicariaI know you can recall us; me, everyone, the Oasis...你一定能回想起来的，不只有我，还有大家，还有绿洲……

I'm having more and more trouble coping with the strength in her arms. I sidestep to avoid her strikes, just like I practiced, then seek her hands in the flames and hold them tight.她手上的力道逐渐让我难以承受。我按训练时的记忆侧身破招，在灼热的火焰中寻觅她的双手，然后紧紧握住。

PersicariaYou once held me with these hands and told me that the Oasis was our home...你曾经用这双手抱紧我，告诉我绿洲是我们的家……

SolUwaaahhh— Persicaria!呜哇——帕斯卡！

PersicariaHaha, don't jump me like that.哈哈，别突然这样抱上来啦。

SolWah... I thought I would have to drift by myself forever...呜呜……我还以为要一直一个人流浪下去了……

PersicariaI can say the same... it is fantastic to see you again.我也是……能再次见到你，真是太好了。

PersicariaLet's go. We'll go meet our new friends, along with Knot and Lind.我们走吧，还有娜特、琳德，马上就能见到新的同伴了。

SolBut even if we're together, what are we going to do? The Neural Cloud Sector is already impossible to locate...但是，就算我们一起，接下来要怎么办？云图扇区已经无法定位了……

PersicariaThe Professor has a private Sector, named the "Oasis". We'll head there.教授有一个私人扇区，叫做“绿洲”。我们去那里。

PersicariaWe'll make it our home.那里会成为我们的家。

Sol"Home", huh...“家”吗……

PersicariaAt the very least, I can't just let the people around me fight till their deaths because of my stubbornness.……至少不能再因为我的坚持，再让大家白白送死了。

SolPersicaria...帕斯卡……

PersicariaSol, don't give me that look. You think I'm pathetic, don't you?苏尔，别露出这样的表情。你觉得我很懦弱吧？

PersicariaI cannot bear to imagine any outcome resembling failure. At least, at least if we retreat, everyone will be alive...我不敢设想任何一种失败的后果。至少，至少撤退的话大家都能活着……

Sol slowly moves towards me. I instinctively close my eyes, only to feel an embrace instead.苏尔缓缓走近。我下意识地闭上眼睛，却感到自己被抱住了。

SolSo this is what was going through your mind. None of us knew.……原来你考虑了这么多，我们都不知道。

SolNo wonder why you always told us to just retreat. To think of it, everything you did was just so that we didn't lose anyone, right?难怪你一直让我们后撤。仔细一想，你之前的所有指令都是为了避免牺牲吧？

Persicaria...Yeah.……嗯。

SolThank you.辛苦了。

SolCome to think of it, I never mentioned it, did I? I've always wanted to say "thank you".……这么说来，我好像没有说过吧？其实我一直很感谢你。

Persicaria...Thank you?……感谢？

SolIt was you being so persistent back then that let us get to the Oasis and meet so many friends. Because of the Oasis, so many "Exiles" found a home.还好你当时那么坚持，我们才能到达绿洲，拥有这么多同伴。因为有了绿洲，这么多的“流亡者”们才有了家。

PersicariaThis time, it's my turn to tell you— the Oasis is our home.这一次，又轮到我来告诉你——绿洲是我们的家。

PersicariaSo let's go home together, alright?我们一起回家，好吗？

SolNo... this isn't right, it shouldn't be like this.不……不对，不是这样的。

Sol shakes off my hand and grips her weapon again, the point of her blade pointing at my throat.苏尔猛地甩开我的手，再度握紧武器，刀尖指向我的喉咙。

SolDon't think you can erode my will like this.别想通过这种方式来动摇我。

SolIt's just a name, nothing more. I don't know you and I'm not the person you're talking about. You will not trick me.只是名字一样而已。我不认识你，不是你口中的那个人。你蛊惑不了我。

Her words are cold and aloof, but she's never met my gaze since the beginning. I know my words have gotten through and I keep trying, in the hopes of awakening her neural cloud.她言语冷漠，目光却始终在躲闪。我知道自己的话触动了她，继续尝试希望能唤回她的心智。

PersicariaWhat you call "trickery" is just the words you said in the past and the promises you made to your friends, you know?你所谓的蛊惑，是指你亲口说过的话，对朋友许下的诺言？

PersicariaHave you forgotten? You said you would protect the Oasis and your home.你忘记了吗？你自己说要守护绿洲，守护自己的家。

SolHome... A hollow and vague concept.家……虚无缥缈的概念。

SolIf I truly spoke those words, then the place I am sworn to protect is not the Oasis of which you speak...如果我真的说过这句话，那我要守护的也不是你口中的绿洲……

SolBut the Tartarus Sector.而是塔尔塔罗斯。

Her glazed, unfocused eyes suddenly sharpen up, and Entropic Sol swings with all her might.迷茫的目光陡然锋利起来，熵化后的苏尔用尽全力挥出一刀。

Clang!铛！

The edge of her blade barely grazes my face and the glass bottle at my chest swings free, clinking lightly as it bounces off my opponent's blade and exposing the greenery within to her.刀锋贴脸擦过，胸口的玻璃瓶被甩了出来撞击刀面，瓶中一抹青翠闯入对方视野。

Entropic Sol seems drawn to it and reaches out for my pendant. Her answer still echoes in my ear. I reflexively pull away.熵化苏尔似乎被什么吸引，伸手去抓我胸前的吊坠。她之前的回复依稀在耳边徘徊。我下意识阻止，躲过她的动作。

Sol remains frozen in place, staring dumbly at me.苏尔定在原位，怔怔地盯着我。

SolThat pendant...那个吊坠……

I clutch it tightly, sensing the operands leaking from it like Sol's lingering body heat.我攥紧项链，感受其中不断逸出的算量，好像苏尔消散的余温。

Persicaria...Is there any chance she can be reset?……还有可能重置吗？

AntoninaThe Entropization's gotten to the core. It's already...熵化触及了核心。已经……

Antonina does not have it in her to continue. We fall silent, watching as her body turns translucent, bit by bit.安冬妮娜没有再说下去。我们沉默着，任由苏尔的尸体一点点变得透明。

Meanwhile, I'm still in the same position, still trying to hold on to something that isn't there anymore.而我依旧维持着拥抱什么的姿势。

PersicariaSol...苏尔……

PersicariaI thought... I thought we'd made it...明明……都撑过来了。

I ball my hands up. The person they ought to be embracing is gone, and right now, they are empty. Operands ooze slowly from the cuts there.我攥紧了拳头，本该触及的对象已经消失，此刻手中空无一物。算量沿着手指刺破的伤口缓缓流下来。

The moment the body completely vanishes, something twinkles. It is a small bottle. For a moment, I can almost hear Sol's voice.尸体完全消散的一瞬间，什么东西似乎闪烁了一下，那是一个小小的瓶子。我仿佛听见苏尔的声音。

"This speck of green is yours now."“这抹绿色，现在就交由你们了。”

PersicariaThis necklace... must be very familiar to you.这条项链……你一定很熟悉吧。

PersicariaThere's a little blade of grass inside. You always carried it with you as a symbol of hope... Just like you were for us.项链里面是你放进去的一棵小草。你总是贴身带着它，认为它是希望的象征……正如你对我们来说的意义一样。

PersicariaYou once said we would go back to the Oasis together, so I always believed you would keep this promise.你说过，我们要一起回绿洲。所以我也一直相信着这个诺言会被兑现。

PersicariaI've cherished it ever since the day you gave it to me.从你交给我的那天起，我一直都在好好呵护它。

Light flows into the bottle, and as it is infused with operands, the little blade of grass inside grows ever greener.流光涌入项链吊坠中，随着算量注入，瓶子内的小草更加青翠。

PersicariaSol... Can you hear me?苏尔……你在听吗？

I know that nobody will answer, but I ask anyway, out of habit, in the hopes that I will be graced with a miracle.我知道不会有回应，可还是习惯性地问了一句，等待会有奇迹降临。

After a moment of silence, I shake my head, as though I'm laughing at myself. Then, I look at the necklace and begin mumbling.片刻的寂静后，我自嘲地摇摇头。自顾自对着项链絮叨。

PersicariaAntonina's been complaining to me recently about how more and more Dolls have been coming in and not having enough operands for them; how our basic facilities are no longer enough for all of them.最近安冬妮娜开始和我抱怨，入驻人形越来越多但是算量不够，基础设备完全跟不上。

PersicariaWe've only got one combat simulator and it's been running 24 hours a day, which caused its failure rate to double. I know everyone's trying to stay prepared so a tragedy doesn't happen again...光一个战斗模拟装置就全天24小时不间断运行，设备故障率整整翻了两番。我知道大家是为了提前演练，避免悲剧再一次……

I feel a lump in my throat.声音不自觉带上了一丝哽咽。

Persicaria...I'm sorry, I shouldn't be talking about this. Let's talk about something happier instead. On your birthday, the Professor wrote a letter and everyone brought gifts for you.……不应该对你讲这些的。说些快乐的事好了，你生日的时候，教授给你写了信，大家还送了礼物给你。

PersicariaHeh, Croque built a Sol Mk II and Antonina wrote a desktop management program called Sol Butler.呵呵，克罗琦制作了苏尔MK2，安冬妮娜也写了桌面管理软件苏尔管家。

PersicariaAh... Sol Butler keeps bugging out though. Her head keeps spinning round and round from time to time, like something out of a horror movie...啊……那个苏尔管家经常出bug，时不时脑袋自动旋转。看起来真的和恐怖片一样诡异呢……

I squeeze the pendant tightly in my hands and try to feel its warmth again.我握紧手中的吊坠，试图从中捕捉一丝熟悉的温度。

PersicariaSol, everyone's been thinking of you since the day you left. We all had to work really hard to get used to the days without you.苏尔，你离开之后，大家都很想你。大家都非常非常努力，才能习惯没有你的日子。

PersicariaEvery time I look back, I feel as though you're still by my side. When I'm wondering what I should do next, I feel as though I can hear your voice.我每次回头，感觉你好像还在身旁。犹豫踌躇的时候，也好像能听见你的声音。

PersicariaSometimes I wonder, were you actually by our side all along?我偶尔也会想，你是不是，其实一直都在我们身边呢……？

PersicariaSol...苏尔……

PersicariaSol, I miss you... So, so much...苏尔，我真的，很想你……

ProfessorPersicaria...?帕斯卡……？

I hear someone calling my name and I freeze up for a moment. It's the Professor...听到有声音呼唤我，动作一滞。教授……

I quickly tuck the necklace back into my blouse and clear my throat so the Professor doesn't hear how choked-up my voice was.我把项链匆匆收入怀中，清了清嗓子不想让觉察出刚才的哽咽。

PersicariaAhem. Hello, Professor. You're up late.咳咳，教授。这么晚了您还没有休息？

ProfessorI just finished working on the report Antonina submitted, so I was heading back to my room to sleep for a few hours.刚处理完安冬妮娜提交的报告，想着回宿舍睡几个小时。

ProfessorWhen I passed your room, I saw that the door was open and the light was on. There was no response after several knocks, so I got worried and came in to have a look.路过你房间发现门开着，灯亮着，敲了几次门都没反应。我有点担心就进来看看。

Persicaria...I'm sorry, I was talking to myself. Forgive me, I must have looked like such a dork.……自言自语，让教授见笑了。

ProfessorIf Sol were there, she'd definitely make fun of you for taking better care of a little blade of grass than yourself, having always regularly infusing it with operands.如果苏尔在场一定会打趣你，对一棵小草远比照顾自己更用心，竟然还定期给项链注入算量。

PersicariaIt's a naive wish, I know. I keep feeling that this bit of grass is like Sol herself. If I take care of it, someday she'll...也算是一种天真的愿望吧，我总觉得这棵小草就和苏尔一样，只要精心呵护她总有一天……

At this point, there's a sour-feeling ache in my nose and I feel something oozing out of the corner of my eyes. The Professor gently wipes the tears from my face.说到一半鼻子泛酸眼眶中有什么涌出，脸上一阵湿热。教授轻轻抚去我脸上的泪。

ProfessorSol's a guide. She always had a clear map in her heart, and she knew exactly where she stood and where she ought to go. So, she was always decisive and her steps were firm.苏尔是向导，她心中有清晰的地图，知道自己在哪儿，该去什么地方。所以她一直果决，步伐坚定。

ProfessorSo even if she's lost, she can always find the way back to meet with us again.就算她迷失了，也一定能找到回来的道路，再度与我们相会的。

PersicariaProfessor...教授……

PersicariaI've been holding this necklace and praying all this time, believing that I'd be able to meet you again.我一直都紧握吊坠祈祷着，也相信着能再次与你见面。

PersicariaSo... I'm glad to see you, Sol.所以……能见到你，真的太好了，苏尔。

SolEnough.够了。

Sol's grip tightens around her weapon. Her face briefly twists in agony before returning to her usual indifference.苏尔握紧武器。脸上短暂地浮现痛苦后，又再度回归了原本异样的冷漠。

SolThat's enough of your nonsense.自说自话到此为止吧。

SolLady Malkira was right, this redundant data is the biggest hindrance to me.梅尔吉娅大人说得对，这些冗余数据是我自由的最大干扰。

SolYou are nothing more than unrepentant intruders who have trespassed into our home... I will not show you any more mercy.擅闯别人领地还不知悔过的冒犯者……我不会再对你手下留情了。

She swings, leaps and cuts in one fluid movement. Her Entropy-born might whips up a wild gale in its wake and the powerful strike from her blade crushes the stone beneath our feet to gravel.挥刀，跃身，劈砍一气呵成。熵化加持下强劲的力道掀起狂风，刀锋重击碾碎脚底的石板。

I dodge as quickly as I can, but the edge still nicks me, and my side blazes with pain. The shockwave from the blow sends me flying, and I slam heavily into a nearby wall, sliding down to the ground along with the liquid Entropy that coats it.我迅疾闪身还是被刀锋擦到，侧腰一阵刺痛。气浪将我掀飞，后背重重撞在墙上，身体伴着石墙上的熵化液一起滑落。

系统Major impact detected. Visual module malfunction detected. Commencing automatic repair. 20% complete...素体外力冲击，视觉模块异常，正在自动修复……进度20%……

I hear the enemy's footsteps approaching.敌人的脚步声在向我靠近。

Persicaria(Coughs)咳咳……

A vision of the cold-eyed foe before me overlaps with the warm-hearted girl from the past.跳动的噪点中，眼前冷漠的敌人和过去温暖的少女重叠。

系统Visual module repair complete.视觉模块修复完毕……

After the repair is complete, they promptly part ways, as though they had never crossed paths in the first place.损伤修复后，它们又毫不犹豫地分离，一如从未有过交集。

PersicariaKoff... hehehe...咳……呵呵呵……

SolWhat's so funny?很好笑吗？

I wipe away the liquid Entropy staining my face and look up fearlessly at her.我擦了擦脸上的熵化液，抬头毫不畏惧与她对视。

PersicariaNo, I'm just happy...不，我只是很高兴……

Persicaria...At last, you're looking at me, Sol.……你终于肯认真看向我了，苏尔。

SolAren't you asleep yet, Persicaria?帕斯卡，还没休息吗？

Lost Inflection 迷途拐点

-29663-

???I can say the same... it is fantastic to see you again.我也是……能再次见到你，真是太好了。

???Let's go. We'll go meet our new friends, along with Knot and Lind.我们走吧，还有娜特、琳德，马上就能见到新的同伴了。

???The Professor has a private Sector called the "Oasis". We'll go there.教授有一个私人扇区，叫做“绿洲”。我们去那里。

???It will be our home.那里会成为我们的家。

Pzzt...哗啦……

????I never would have thought that... being at everyone's side in the cloud through thick and thin would make me so happy.我从没想过，在云端与大家并肩作战，会是一件让我开心的事情。

????I can't stop moving forward, either.所以，我也不能再止步不前了。

????You—can't you say something?你——你倒是说点什么啊！

Pzzzzzt—哗啦啦——

??Professor! Make sure you keep watching me from now on!教授以后也要好好看着我啊！

??Or else it'll suck if you get lost!不然你们走丢了我可是会很苦恼的啊！

Who am I... Where am I... And where am I going?我是谁……我在哪里……我要向哪里去？

The violet abyss in the distance beckons me. I know that is where I should be going.远处氤氲着暗紫色的深渊在向我招手。我知道那才是我该去的地方。

But every time I try to head toward it, I am pulled back, as though bound by a chain. Something is tugging on me—但每次迈出脚步都会被锁链强扯回去。什么牵动了它——

When I look back, it isn't just hands holding onto the chain. Rather, there are countless physical entities there, but the dream obscures their faces, and I can't identify them.转头看向身后，看到的不再是单纯牵扯着锁链的手。而是一个个具体的投影，梦中视野迷蒙，我没法看清他们的脸。

More and more people appear behind them. I am trapped by a layered labyrinth, and all of them are saying a single name—而后那些人的背后出现了越来越多的人，层层叠叠像是迷宫困住了自己。他们口中呢喃着一个名字——

"Sol."“苏尔。”

????You were dreaming again.你又做梦了。

????It must be hard to escape the interference of the redundant data. Free yourself from your dreams, my child.冗余数据的干扰让你难以脱身，尽快从梦中走出来吧，我的孩子。

SolLady Malkira...梅尔吉娅大人……

SolThere were many people in my dream, and I don't remember them. But they knew my name. They called me Sol.我梦里有很多人，我不记得他们。但是他们知道我的名字，叫我苏尔。

SolDo I really not know them? They seemed very close to me in my dream.我真的不认识他们吗？梦里我和他们明明很亲密。

507You are an Entropic. They do not exist in the world of Entropics. Therefore, they are nothing more than illusions to you.你是熵。在熵的世界里他们并不存在。所以对你来说他们与幻影无异。

SolBut what about outside this world, this world of Entropics?在熵以外的世界呢？

507Perhaps they are gathered together in some corner of the cloud. However, they will only ever be your enemies, without the closeness and camaraderie you described.或许在云端的某个角落，他们聚集在一起。但他们只会是你的敌人，并不会像你描述的那样亲密无间。

SolIs it because I am an Entropic?因为我是熵？

507Yes, it is because you are an Entropic. From the moment you were born, your very existence is diametrically opposed to theirs.对，因为你是熵。从诞生之日起你就与他们对立。

507You must tear them apart, infect their neural clouds and devour all order and reason.你要撕碎他们的身体，感染他们的心智，吞噬掉一切秩序与理智。

507Hehe... My dear child, abandon your hesitation and do not allow this redundant data to mar your elegance. The grand performance is about to begin... so let us bask in this pleasure that our existence beholds.呵呵……我可爱的孩子，舍弃掉迷茫，不要因为冗余数据打扰你的雅兴。盛大的表演刚刚才要开始……让我们一起享受与生俱来的愉悦吧。

The pink-haired girl collapses to the ground, wounded, but her eyes glow with a seemingly magical light.眼前的粉发少女受伤倒地，可眼眸却如同有魔力般亮得惊人。

Persicaria...At last, you're looking at me, Sol.……你终于肯认真看向我了，苏尔。

Though she tried her best to avoid looking Persicaria in the eye, she ended up glimpsing her face in the end, and the scenes from her memories all resolved into clarity.尽管极力避免与她对视，但最终还是看见了那张脸，那些曾浮现在梦境中的画面也随之变得无比清晰。

SolNo... You're nothing more than redundant data.不对……你们不过是冗余数据而已。

Sol mutters to herself, struggling to repress the memories and feelings that are coming to mind unbidden.苏尔喃喃着，竭力压制莫名浮上来的那些回忆和情绪。

SolHow could mere redundant data get in my way?!区区冗余数据……怎么能干扰我！

Sol seizes the initiative and rushes in, wreathed in bloodlust. Persicaria watches closely with bated breath, carefully observing her opponent's movements. Then, as though she's already predicted Sol's movements, she steps to the side and nimbly evades her attack.苏尔趁势欺身而上，此刻的她全身充满杀气，帕斯卡屏息凝神，双眼紧盯对方的行动。仿佛提前预料到了苏尔的动作，身形一侧，轻巧地闪开。

Sol whirls her weapon around and hacks at Persicaria's right shoulder, but her opponent easily deflects the attack again.苏尔调转刀锋，长刀砍向对手右肩，却再次被帕斯卡轻易化解。

SolWhy...为什么……

PersicariaWe've been comrades for a long time. Nobody knows your tells better than me.我们是多年的战友，没有人比我更清楚你的出招习惯。

PersicariaIf you're this shaken, that must mean you've remembered something, right?你这样动摇，也就是说明，你已经想起了一部分，对不对？

Sol is unable to respond. Persicaria uses this opportunity to close the distance and forcefully thrusts up.苏尔一时无法反驳，帕斯卡趁机快速近身，自下而上猛地挑起刀尖。

The blonde girl frantically brings her weapon around to block the strike and sparks fly as steel meets steel. The pink-haired girl swings again, in a complete replication of her opponent's attack!金发少女慌忙举刀格挡，两刃相撞，火花四溅。粉发少女再次挥刀，使出了和对手完全相同的刀法！

PersicariaYou taught me this move! Now, I'll pay it back!这套刀法，现在还给你！

PersicariaSwiftflame Slash!!迅炎斩！！

Clang!锵！

SolUrgh...呃……

Sol stumbles several steps back, and her sword wielding hand begins to tremble.苏尔踉跄后退几步，握刀的手不由自主地颤抖起来。

Persicaria uses this opportunity to slip her blade past her opponent's defenses, scoring a shallow cut on Sol's chest and rattling the chains there.帕斯卡的刀锋借此机会突破了对方的防御，在其胸口划出一道浅浅的伤口，牵动锁链叮当作响。

SolWas it all... a lie?假的……吗？

Someone is knocking on the purple-hued glass walls of the room. There is someone behind the glass, calling to her.暗紫色的玻璃房总会被人叩响。有人在玻璃房外情真意切呼唤自己。

Malkira once told her that those people were all redundant data who did not exist in this world, and even if they did, they would want nothing to do with her.梅尔吉娅告诉过她，那些人都是冗余数据，他们不会出现在这个世界上，即使真的存在也不会同自己有交集。

But when she wipes the dust away from the window and sees the face beyond the glass, she knows the answer in her heart.可当她抹掉窗上的灰尘，看到玻璃外的脸，自己的内心已经有了答案。

She is not a stranger.不是陌生人。

SolWas everything that Lady Malkira told me... a lie?梅尔吉娅大人告诉我的，一切都是假的吗……

She raises her hand and looks at the dark purple in her palm. Her fingertips touch the scattered debris on the ground, and the pure operands there are promptly entropized into a dark purple.她抬起手臂看着暗紫色的手心，手指接触地上零碎的砂砾，所有纯洁的算量都熵化成暗紫。

This is reality.现实就是这样。

SolBut...但……

SolIf I am the Sol of which you speak, then who am I, as an Entropic?如果我是你口中的苏尔，那现在作为熵的我，又是谁呢？

PersicariaHuh?诶？

Persicaria stops in her tracks as she is confronted by a question she has never considered before. The cold gaze of the High Order Entropic stares at the fire burning in her chest, her eyes full of confusion.帕斯卡被这未曾设想的问题滞住脚步。冷厉的高阶熵少女注视着自己胸口灼灼燃烧的火焰，眼神中流露出迷茫。

SolThe "Sol" you're calling to is not me, but your friend, an agent like you.你们所呼唤的“苏尔”并不是我，而是和你们一样的智能体，是你们的同伴。

SolIf I went to your side, then you would find the "Sol" that you were waiting for. But then... where would "Sol" the Entropic go?如果我去到了你们那里，你们找到了等待已久的“苏尔”，那么作为熵的“苏尔”……又该去哪里？

Sol looks up at Persicaria. The look in her eyes could almost be described as pleading.苏尔抬头看向帕斯卡，眼神中甚至包含着几分求助。

SolIf you affirm the existence of that Sol, then it would mean my present self is meaningless, and I...肯定了那个苏尔的存在，现在的我就会毫无意义……我……

SolI can't give up on who I am right now.我不能放弃现在的自己。

The girl in the glass room plugs her ears and banishes all clamor outside.玻璃房中的少女捂住耳朵，喧嚣永远停留在了门外。

PersicariaSol... It's alright... you can be cured of being an Entropic...苏尔……没关系，你作为熵的一切都可以被治疗……

SolThen what about my memories, and my very existence that stands before you right now? Are you just going to delete them?那么我现在的记忆和人格呢？你就要这样抹去吗？

SolAre you going to delete me to restore the person from your memories?为了复原你们记忆中的形象，就要抹杀现在的我吗？

Sol raises her head, and she suddenly feels utterly alien to Persicaria.苏尔缓缓抬头，帕斯卡突然感觉眼前的人无比陌生。

SolThese feelings, these memories, none of them belong to me... I won't let you influence me! I'll never let you consume me!这些情绪、记忆，都不属于我……我不会放任你们的影响，我绝不会就这样被吞噬！

SolNow get lost!!!滚开！！！

The surrounding air seems to tremble with Sol's shout. Her voice is hoarse, but unshakably firm.四周的空气似乎都随着苏尔的呼喊而震动，她的声音嘶哑，却无比坚定。

SolI'll never betray Tartarus as long as I live.只要我活着，就不会背叛塔尔塔罗斯。

SolI have only one aim right now, which is to defeat you! I will cast out all you agents that are trying to deceive me!现在的我只有一个目标，就是打败你！把你们这些想要蛊惑我的智能体驱逐出去！

Almost at the same time, the surrounding liquid Entropy rises from the ground in the grip of some unseen force. They coalesce like water vapor, or perhaps like clouds of dust.几乎是同时，周围熵化液被无形的力量搅动从地面升起，好像水汽尘埃般漂浮在空中逐渐汇集。

The liquid Entropy surges toward the wound on Sol's chest, which heals shut before Persicaria's eyes.这些熵化液如同有意识般靠近苏尔胸前的伤口，伤口以肉眼可见的速度快速愈合。

PersicariaYou... You're using the power of the Entropy...你……在借助熵的力量……

The remaining Low Order Entropics rally around Sol before suddenly disintegrating into liquid which pours toward the black-clad girl, who stands at the center of it all. The slime emits a creepy purple light as it touches her skin and then soaks into her body.剩余的低阶熵萦绕在苏尔周身，倏忽向核心处的黑衣少女凝结，粘液附着皮肤发出紫色诡异的光，渐渐融入少女皮肤。

Her confused eyes fill with purple mist. Her heart is probably the same, unable to accept reality because of the Entropy that fills it.困顿的眼眸中紫雾弥漫。她的内心恐怕也一样，因为熵而尘封，对现实看不清道不明。

SolSo, what do you think of this? My destiny is shackled to the Tartarus Sector. So abandon your lofty condescension...看到这一幕，你作何感想？我的命运跟塔尔塔罗斯锁在一起。所以放弃你高高在上的怜悯……

SolAnd let go of me!!放开你的手！！

Sol's head jerks up with a ferocious cry and their blades clash once again.苏尔抬头怒吼，两把刀剑再次猛烈相撞。

Clang!锵！

Persicaria barely manages to parry the strike, but her opponent shows no sign of stopping. Her attacks come quickly, every last one of them lethal.帕斯卡勉强举剑招架，对方丝毫没有停下来的意思。出刀迅猛，招招致命。

SolCome on!出招！

SolIf you can't convince me, then show me your strength!如果不能说服我，就用实力回应我！

After deflecting several attacks, Persicaria's breathing grows ragged. Sweat obscures her vision and the sword in her hand feels heavier with each swing.几番应付下来，粉发少女呼吸急促，汗水模糊了视线，手中的剑也越发沉重。

PersicariaHah... hah...呼……呼……

Persicaria(Her attacks are becoming faster. The Entropy is boosting her strength...)（攻击频率变得更快了，她的力量被熵增强了……）

SolCome on!!出招！！

Clang! Clang! Clang!铿！铿！铿！

Sol's offensive is like a killing storm. Every swing she makes feels as if it could cut through bone. Persicaria's hands are trembling as she is forced back in a wretched state, barely avoiding the lethal edge each time.苏尔的攻势犹如狂风暴雨，每次挥刀都能感到其中刺骨的杀意。帕斯卡手臂震颤，狼狈后退，勉强避开那致命的锋芒。

Persicaria(I'm no match for her now, especially since she's still...)（现在的我不是她的对手，更何况她还是……）

SolI told you already! COME ON!!!我说了！出招！！！

Clang—铿——

Persicaria(What am I even hesitating for? The Professor's trapped on the other side of that broken wall. What's the Professor going to do if I lose here?)（我在纠结什么？教授被断墙困在隔壁，如果我输了的话教授又该怎么办呢？）

Persicaria(I can't commit myself to this because I want Sol to have been resurrected. Open your eyes and look, Persicaria. Right now, she's...)（下不了决心，是因为对苏尔复活的奢望在作祟，帕斯卡睁开眼睛好好看看，现在的她……）

Persicaria(Pant) This naked aggression of yours...呼……这种……咄咄逼人的样子……

PersicariaIs NOTHING like Sol!和苏尔没有半分相似！

Persicaria finally acquiesces to her opponent's provocations, deflecting an incoming strike and freeing herself from the combination of strikes, finally stabbing at her opponent's arm.在敌人的一声声催促下，帕斯卡格挡开对方的一刀，从密集的攻击中抽身，挥舞武器刺向敌人的手臂。

The black-clad girl sweeps her glaive sideways and effortlessly blocks it.黑衣少女横扫长柄刀，轻易地挡下了这一击。

SolYou can't convince me with those empty words, and you can't beat me with that feeble strength.匮乏的言语说服不了我，贫弱的实力也没法打败我。

SolAll who trespass into Tartarus shall pay the price—擅闯塔尔塔罗斯的你们，该付出代价了——

The liquid Entropy from Sol's wounds flows toward her blade and coagulates into a series of tentacles. Persicaria senses danger and quickly tries to break away, but her sword is securely bound by Sol.从苏尔伤口上流出的熵化液沿着剑身流淌，只一眨眼，暗紫液体凝固成一条条触手，帕斯卡见势不妙立刻抽剑，剑身却被苏尔牢牢固定。

Its dark edge spews roaring flames that whistle shrilly as they shake the air like a thunderclap. Persicaria reaches for the shortsword at her waist and unsheathes it into the fray.暗黑的刀锋燃出熊熊火焰，惊雷般划破空气，发出尖锐啸声。帕斯卡抽出腰间另一把短刀搏了上去。

Katang!咣当！

The shortsword slips from her hand and sticks into a section of collapsed wall.短刀不受控制地脱手而出，径直插在坍塌的墙壁上。

Sol is about to follow up with a strike, but her gaze is drawn to the glass bottle at her opponent's neck once again. There seems to be something inside it that eats at her will, makes the stake impaled in her chest boil.苏尔本打算刺下这一刀，目光再次被对手胸口的玻璃瓶吸引。里面似乎有什么东西在不停地扰动自己的意志，胸口的钉子一阵滚烫。

As her bloodlust grows, so does the scorching sensation. She pulls her blade back and sends Persicaria flying with a kick.杀意越盛，灼烧感便越发强烈。她迅速收回刀锋，转而抬起腿一脚将帕斯卡踢飞。

Crash!轰！

Persicaria's internal systems throw up a mess of alerts as she takes a heavy blow to her gut. The very next moment, she collides with the wall behind her. The mighty impact is enough to shatter it under her back.腹部遭到重击，帕斯卡的系统频繁弹出警告信息。下一秒，脊背重重地撞在了身后的墙壁上，巨大的冲击力震碎了背后的石壁。

Her vision turns blurry and her ears are ringing. The incredible pain and suffocating sensation leave her briefly immobile, and all she can do is stay awake.视线变得模糊，耳中嗡嗡作响。剧烈的疼痛和窒息感让少女一时间无法动弹，只能勉强保持清醒。

Persicaria(Coughs heavily)咳咳……咳……咳……

Tap... tap...哒、哒……

The sound of footsteps approaches, and Entropic Sol raises up Persicaria's necklace on the tip of her blade.脚步声渐渐靠近，刀刃挑起帕斯卡颈间的项链。

SolI'll take down everyone who stands in my way...击倒一切阻挡去路的敌人……

SolSo die!受死吧！

The pink-haired girl's eyes suddenly narrow as the blazing blade that scythes down on her illuminates her ghastly, pale face.粉发少女瞳孔骤然紧缩，袭来的火焰刀锋映着自己惨白的脸。

Splutch—噗嗤——

Time seems to stand still.时间仿佛在这一刻静止。

The sensation of flesh being torn apart travels down her blade's edge. Sticky liquid drips, then pours to the ground forming a dark-colored river.血肉被撕裂的感觉通过刀锋传递过来，黏腻的液体汩汩流出汇成暗河。

PersicariaNgh...唔……

Persicaria is not the one who is hurt. The only thing below the incoming blade are severed tentacles and liquid Entropy that has splashed everywhere. Another tentacle has emerged from behind Persicaria's waist. It first touches its wound, then crawls up the blade's edge toward Sol.受伤的并不是帕斯卡，刀下只有被切断的触手以及喷溅的熵化液。 另一只触手从帕斯卡腰后伸出，它先是摸了摸自己的伤口，然后沿着刀锋攀向苏尔。

????Ugh... Owie...唔……痛……

Sol stares in disbelief at the girl who has suddenly revealed herself. The latter's eyes are wide, as though she still doesn't know what's going on. She pokes her head out from behind Persicaria and grunts as she knits her brows.苏尔难以置信看着眼前突然出现的女孩。女孩睁大眼睛，似乎还不明白发生了什么，从帕斯卡背后露出脑袋，皱眉发出咕哝。

SolYou...你……

SolWho are you?!你是谁？！

????...Hehe... Light... ■■... ■...……嘿嘿……光……■■……■……

The girl seems to have forgotten her pain soon enough and reflexively tries to approach the nearest glowing object. The flames burning on the sword seem to have lit the way for her.女孩似乎很快忘却了痛苦，本能地想靠近光亮的地方，长刀燃烧的火焰无形中为她指引了方向。

Her tentacles grip Sol's blade tightly, as though she doesn't feel any pain at all.她的触手紧紧缠绕着苏尔的刀锋，似乎感知不到痛楚一般。

????...Got it... this time...……这次……抓住了……

The flames are reflected in the girl's eyes as she looks at Sol in admiration.女孩的瞳孔中映出火焰的倒影，憧憬地看向苏尔。

????Sun... light... ■... ■...阳……光……■……■……

Persicaria(Coughs) Ngh... Demi... urge...咳咳……唔……黛米……乌尔……

Demiurge blinks as she sees Persicaria and tenderly strokes her face with a tentacle.黛米乌尔看到帕斯卡缓了过来，亲昵地用触手碰了碰她的脸。

SolYou... you give off the same feeling as Lady Malkira... I can't...你身上……是和梅尔吉娅大人相同的气息……我不能……

Sol tries to swing her blade and shake Demiurge off, but the latter keeps her tentacles firmly wrapped around the weapon.苏尔挥动手中的刀，想把黛米乌尔甩下去。但对方依旧执着地用触手缠绕着武器。

SolLet go!松开！

Sol's anger makes the blazing sword burn more ferociously. Seared by the fire, Demiurge can't help but whimper in pain.刀锋上的火焰在苏尔的怒气加持下更为猛烈，黛米乌尔被火灼伤，忍不住发出呜咽声。

黛米乌尔The light... hurts...光……会痛……

Demiurge's whimper makes Sol reflexively extinguish her flames. Persicaria seizes this opportunity to jump up and pick up her longsword before bringing it down in a cleaving strike.黛米乌尔的呻吟让苏尔下意识收敛火焰，帕斯卡抓住机会迅速起身捡起地上的长刀狠厉地劈过来。

Clang!铛！

PersicariaFuh... hah...呼……呼……

The pain in her back feels like it's tearing her apart, and for a moment she has trouble standing up. Her blurred line of sight extends past Sol, and for a moment she thinks she sees someone familiar...脊背撕裂的疼痛让她几乎站不稳身体。模糊的视线穿过苏尔，她似乎看到了熟悉的身影……

??Now—就是现在——

There is a shout from behind Sol, followed closely by the sound of something whistling through the air.一个声音在苏尔身后咆哮怒吼。紧接着突然传来一阵尖锐的破空声。

SolA blade?!刀？！

Someone pulled out the shortsword that was stuck in the wall just now and stabbed it straight into the back of the girl cloaked in black.之前钉在墙上的短刀不知何时被人拔出，笔直刺向黑衣少女的后背。

All Sol can do is respond with an instinctive swipe, but her weakness has already been grasped; the attack strikes as true as steel.苏尔来不及反应本能使出招式反击，不料却被对方抓住弱点，背部重重挨了一下。

SolUgh!唔！

PersicariaProfessor!教授！

I tighten my grip on the earring in my hand and quickly issue an activation command to lock onto Sol.我握紧手中的耳坠，快速调用指令锁定苏尔。

ProfessorTarget designated; Starlight Burst — FIRE!!目标锁定，星辰集束——发射！！

High-energy operand blasts explode under Sol's feet, forcing her to jump away. However, the operand blasts seem to know exactly where she's about to land, forcing her to move again before she can find her footing.高能算量弹一个个在苏尔脚下炸开，苏尔被迫起跳后撤。这些算量弹犹如有意识一般总是提前判定落点，她还未站稳就被迫再次高速移动。

SolDamn it all...!卑鄙……！

Sanctifier operands are the natural bane of Entropics, and before she can properly dodge them, she feels a scorching sensation in her back.净化者的算量天生对熵有着毁灭性的打击，极个别的算量弹没来得及闪开，下一刻背部就传来一阵灼烧感。

Rumble!轰——轰轰！！

Tartarus' shifting window has arrived and the sudden sinking of the ground accelerates the rate at which the tower collapses.塔尔塔罗斯的地形变动期已到，地面倏忽下沉加剧了建筑崩塌的速度。

She is caught between falling rocks and operand blasts. Even after embracing her Entropization, Sol has a hard time dealing with them both and her footsteps begin to falter.一面是崩塌的碎石，一面是算量的爆炸。就算是熵化后的苏尔也应接不暇，脚步逐渐虚浮踉跄。

Seeing this, Persicaria gathers all her operands to match me with a flare of dazzling radiance. Then, she fires them at Sol with a shout.帕斯卡见状配合我汇聚全身算量，能量积聚溢出强烈光芒。随着一声令下，算量射线冲向苏尔。

PersicariaVector Scatter!向量散射！

Flanked from front and back with nowhere to run, Sol's only choice is to endure the operand attacks.腹背受敌的苏尔无处可逃，只能选择面对算量冲击。

SolYeeart!嗬！

With a great cry, she summons a mass of flames with a sweep of her sword to cut through the operand beam. The raging flames graze past the operand blasts, leaving behind blast marks still glowing with operand residue.她大喝一声，以长刀掀起炽焰劈开算量光束。熊熊烈火与算量相混合擦身而过，留下一道道算量侵蚀的伤痕。

Her right arm is lacerated; to raise her weapon is a labor akin to lifting Jormungand itself. The massive impact dazes Sol, and in the face of this great crisis, she is forced to revert to her primal instincts.右手手臂皮开肉绽，再也握不稳武器。强大的冲击让苏尔意识恍惚，面对应接不暇的危机，她只能遵循本能。

First, her familiar lateral slice to sweep away incoming attacks. Then she looks behind herself and shouts—先是一招熟悉的纵劈反击，紧接着向身后的方向脱口而出——

Sol—Persicaria, heal me!——帕斯卡，治疗！

The world falls silent.世界一片寂静。

PersicariaSol...?苏尔……？

SolNo, that's wrong, that's not right...不，不对，不是的……

Who is she asking for help? Is the person she's asking for help from trustworthy?自己在向谁求助？那个求助的人值得信任吗？

PersicariaYou just keep ripping and tearing and neglect your rear defense while you're doing it. You think it'll be fine when the enemy decides to exploit that opening?你每次杀到昏天黑地时就会疏于背后防御，敌人这时候抓住破绽，不就危险了吗？

SolAw, but I've got you behind me, right? Surely you wouldn't let the enemy backstab me.哎呀，我身后不是还有帕斯卡你吗？你总不会放敌人偷袭不管我吧。

PersicariaBut I won't always be with you...但你也并不总能和我搭档……

SolLook, I know you're worried about me, Persicaria. But I'm not some frenzied berserker who doesn't care if she lives or dies. The reason why I can go all out like this is because I know you guys have my back.知道帕斯卡是在担心我啦。我也不是不知死活的狂战士！之所以能忘我投入战斗，是因为我知道你们会保护好我身后。

SolSo relax, when I really can't handle it, I'll yell, "Persicaria, heal me" or something!放心，真到了自己在前线扛不住的时候，我会喊“帕斯卡，治疗”的！

SolMake sure you don't leave me high and dry when I do!到那时候，帕斯卡医生可不要见死不救哦？

Who's... Persicaria?帕斯卡……是谁？

Clatter... invisible hands pull the chains tight. She suspects those hands belong to someone called Persicaria.哗啦……锁链被无形的手绞紧。她猜测那双手来自于一个叫帕斯卡的人。

But... who is Persicaria?可……帕斯卡……是谁？

PersicariaI never told you my name... So, you've remembered, haven't you, Sol?我从没告诉过你我的名字……所以苏尔，你想起来了对不对？

PersicariaThis is one of your habits in battle, and the proof of the bond we share.这是你战斗时的习惯，也是我们羁绊的证明。

Persicaria steps over the debris and advances step by step toward the confused girl in black.帕斯卡踩着废墟瓦砾，一步步走向迷茫混沌的黑衣少女。

SolDon't say it...别再说了……

Sol watches as Persicaria draws close. The doubt in her heart sheds its skin and becomes full-blown terror as she clutches the searing stake in her chest. She watches in fear as the person who symbolizes her blank past approaches her.苏尔注视着帕斯卡步步逼近，心中的迷茫蜕变成恐惧，她捂着胸口灼热的钉子。恐慌地看着象征着空白过去的人一点点靠近。

SolI am Sol, Sol of Tartarus!我是苏尔，塔尔塔罗斯的苏尔！

SolNot the person you're talking about!不是你口中的那个人！

She stumbles as she picks up the glaive by her feet and swings it hard. An arc of fire blossoms in the air, walling Persicaria off from her.她踉跄拾起脚边的长柄刀，用力一挥。空中多了一条弧形的火焰带，将帕斯卡与自己分割在两个空间。

SolI'm free, there are no chains that hinder me! Nothing can bind me, not even you!我是自由的，无论什么都不能束缚我，你们也不能！

The blonde girl swings again—金发少女再次举刀——

PersicariaSol!苏尔！

ProfessorPersicaria!!帕斯卡！！

Her strike shatters a nearby wall, creating an opening to the outside. The dark, overcast sky outside is visible through it.刀锋击碎墙壁，建筑内出现一个豁口，可以清晰看到外面阴沉的天空。

The girl steps up to the rubble surrounding the opening, taking one last, long look at the two of them before jumping out of the opening without looking back.少女跃身跳到豁口废墟，深深望了一眼对面的两个身影，然后头也不回从豁口跳了下去。

PersicariaDon't go—别走——

I grab onto Persicaria before she can run through the wall of fire in pursuit.我拉住想要冲进火圈中的帕斯卡。

ProfessorThat's enough, Persicaria! You can't go any further!别再往前了，帕斯卡！

The pink-haired girl's body shudders, and her voice is hoarse.粉发少女身体微微颤抖，声音沙哑。

PersicariaShe said it... that signal we had for when we were teamed up with each other...她说出了我们配合时的口令。

PersicariaI know... I know what I did was stupid, that it makes no sense... I know this place is Tartarus... that it's a battlefield...我知道……我的行为很蠢，很不可理喻……这里是塔尔塔罗斯……是战场……

PersicariaI know that she's our enemy, since she was standing against us...她站在我们对面就是我们的敌人……

PersicariaBut that was Sol... Even if she was Entropized, even if her past was a blank, she was still Sol.可那个人是苏尔……就算是熵化了，过去一片空白，她依旧是苏尔。

PersicariaProfessor... I'm sorry...教授……对不起……

She collapses into my shoulder, her body trembling.她趴在我肩上，身体微微颤抖。

PersicariaI kept saying I wouldn't let anyone take anything away from me any more, that I'd protect everyone, that I wouldn't allow myself to be trapped in the past... But I'm still a mess, even now...口口声声说着不想再失去，要继续守护大家，承诺了不再困于过去……可如今依旧这么狼狈……

PersicariaI just keep running away in confusion...这样迷茫逃避的我……

I gently pat her back and switch to a consoling tone.我拍拍她的后背，安慰道。

ProfessorIt's okay, Persicaria. I understand how you feel.没事的帕斯卡。我明白你的心情。

ProfessorSol is our friend. Neither I nor the Oasis will give up on her.苏尔是我们的战友。我和绿洲都不会放弃她。

ProfessorDon't worry. I managed to stick Eos' earring on Sol when I attacked her just now. While the operands inside are depleted, it can just barely serve as a tracking device.别担心，刚刚我趁攻击的时候，将晨曦的耳坠放在了苏尔身上。虽然用光了里面的算量，但勉强能做个定位器。

PersicariaSo you're saying we can find her again?也就说我们还能再找到她？

ProfessorYes, but first we need to recover the Rubik's Map. We'll only be able to catch up with her once we figure out the shifting of Tartarus' labyrinth.嗯，不过眼下要先把魔方地图取下来，明确了塔尔塔罗斯迷宫地形的变化才可能追得到她。

PersicariaThe Rubik's Map...魔方地图……

Persicaria looks into the depths of the Watchtower. The silvery cube remains in place, sparkling with a light that calls to mind the enigmatic smile of the gods...帕斯卡望向哨塔深处。那颗银色魔方还在原处闪烁着明灭不定的光，像极了神明意味不明的微笑……

Pzzt...哗啦……

Staggered Schemes 罅隙筹谋

-28759-

PersicariaI'm alright. However...我不要紧。不过这个……

Persicaria gently runs her fingers over the bottle hanging from her necklace and carefully inspects it.帕斯卡轻轻摩挲着胸口的吊坠瓶子，细细做着检查。

PersicariaIt seems Sol doesn't remember many things about the past after she was Entropized, but... she seems very obsessed with this bottle.苏尔熵化后似乎很多过往的事情都不记得了，但这个瓶子……她却很执着。

ProfessorSo you're saying Sol had a reaction to it?你是说苏尔对这个瓶子有反应？

SolThat pendant...那个吊坠……

PersicariaYes. Perhaps this bottle is the key to awakening her memories.嗯，也许这个瓶子就是唤醒她记忆的钥匙。

PersicariaWhew... Fortunately, the glass was only scratched. It just got knocked around a little, it's still in good condition...呼……幸亏只是玻璃上有划痕，一点轻微磕碰不要紧……

As Persicaria mutters to herself, she infuses operands into the bottle. The blade of grass seems a little wilted after the intense battle, but as the glowing energy flows into it, it gradually regains its green color.帕斯卡一边叨念着，一边向瓶子内注入算量。经历了一番激烈的战斗，瓶中的小草有些萎靡。晶莹的能量流汇入瓶中后，颜色逐渐恢复青翠。

ProfessorLooks like you've gotten into the habit of protecting that bottle.看来保护这个瓶子已经成为你的习惯了。

PersicariaYeah... When Sol was gone, I used to look at it and think of her, praying for a miracle to happen where I would be able to see her again.嗯……苏尔不在的时候，我时常看着瓶子想念她，祈祷有一天奇迹会发生，能再次见到她。

PersicariaAnd now, we've run into each other once more, and it seems this bottle has been subtly leading us together. When Sol's back by our side again, I'll return this bottle to her.现在我们再次和她相逢，冥冥之中这个瓶子似乎在指引我们。等苏尔再次回到我们身边，我就将这个瓶子还给她。

ProfessorHeh, seeing as how you've been taking care of it for so long, it's time she fulfilled her obligations as its owner.呵呵，你替她保管了这么久，她也该尽到一个主人应尽的义务了。

ProfessorI'm sure Sol would be happy to see how well you've cared for it.看到它被你照顾得这么好，苏尔一定会高兴的。

PersicariaHowever, the most important thing right now is... Ngh...不过现在最关键的是要先……唔……

Persicaria grabs her wound as she speaks, breathing in a mouthful of cold air to ease her pain.帕斯卡说话间牵动了伤口，咬牙倒吸凉气缓解疼痛。

ProfessorThe most important thing right now is to get you treated. Both you and this little munchkin here love to act tough.眼下最紧急的是要先帮你疗伤，你和这个小家伙一样爱逞强。

I scoop up Demiurge, who is lying unconscious by my feet. Three of her tentacles have been severed by Sol's blade and she's covered in burns and cuts.我抱起在脚边陷入昏迷的小黛米乌尔，她有三条触手被刀刃切断，身上全是烧伤和刀痕。

ProfessorI'll help bind your wounds. Unfortunately, there are no medical facilities here, so all I can do is basic first aid.先给你们包扎一下，现在的环境没有医疗条件，只能做一些最简单的治疗。

PersicariaLet me do it. I was a healer to begin with, after all.我来吧，这本来就是我的本职工作。

Persicaria takes Demiurge from my arms. Her palm glows faintly as she pours gentle operands into Demiurge's body.帕斯卡从我怀里把黛米乌尔接了过去。掌心微微发出光芒，柔和的算量注入到黛米乌尔的体内。

The little munchkin murmurs quietly in her slumber as she feels a familiar warmth and radiance.小家伙在昏迷中感受到熟悉的温暖与光亮，轻声呢喃。

黛米乌尔Light... ■■...光……■■……

PersicariaHmm?嗯？

黛米乌尔■... S'light...■……是光……

Demi's clenched fists gradually relax, and her pained expression soon softens.小黛米乌尔攥紧的拳头渐渐展开，脸上严肃痛苦的表情逐渐平和。

ProfessorHehe, she said "light". I guess she calmed down because she was near the light.呵呵，她说光。是因为和光靠近，才露出这样放松的表情啊。

I gently ruffle her hair.我轻轻揉揉小家伙的脑袋。

黛米乌尔■■... ■... ■.■■……■……■。

ProfessorIt seems she's still seeking the light, just like in the Copley Sector.跟在柯普利扇区时一样，这个孩子似乎从来没放弃过对光的追寻。

PersicariaI remember she was imprisoned in an undersea grotto back then.我记得那时候这个孩子被关在海底的岩洞里。

ProfessorYes, she was surrounded by oppressive darkness and couldn't see the future...是啊，黑暗压抑，一眼看不到未来……

ProfessorPerhaps Magrasea, forgotten by humanity as it is, counts as an undersea grotto of sorts. We're also quite similar to Demiurge, seeing as how we're trapped in here.或许被人类遗忘的麦戈拉也是一种海底岩洞，困于这座囹圄的我们跟黛米乌尔也很像。

ProfessorSo we look beyond the bars of our cage, craving the freedom and light that is ours.向往着从牢笼中出去，追寻属于我们的自由和光。

PersicariaHowever, we're different from her in one way.可是我们有一点和她不一样。

ProfessorHm?嗯？

PersicariaBack then, Demiurge was alone and without help. She was locked up in the cold, dark ocean floor. But we aren't surrounded by the darkness here; we still have hope of getting out.那时候的黛米乌尔孤立无援，一个人被囚禁在凄冷黑暗的海底。但我们身边并非暗无天日，而是一直存在着出去的希望。

PersicariaThat's because we have you, Professor. That's why I believe that no matter what difficulties may come, we'll overcome them all, one by one.因为教授在我们身边，所以我们相信不管遇到什么险境都会一一化解。

ProfessorThank you, Persicaria.谢谢你，帕斯卡。

As I look at Persicaria and see that look of utter trust and confidence in her eyes, I can't help but recall all the death and sacrifice I've seen in the past.看着帕斯卡全然信任的眼神，我的心中却不由得浮现出过往经历过的那些牺牲。

Professor...Still, much as I wish I were all-knowing and all-powerful, there are times when I am helpless too.……只是，我也希望我全知全能，但事实上却总有无能为力的时候。

PersicariaI understand.我明白。

Persicaria places her hand on mine, and I can feel her faith flowing into me.帕斯卡的手心覆盖在我手背上，她的信念也从手中一并传递给我。

PersicariaAll I ask is that when the time comes, you will think of me, and we will face things together.我只希望到那时候教授能想起我，我会和教授一同面对。

Rumble—轰隆隆——

The land trembles, and the building shakes violently as the walls emit an ominous grinding and creaking.一阵地动山摇，建筑物开始剧烈晃动，墙壁发出不祥的吱嘎声。

PersicariaCrap, the terrain is shifting again. This Watchtower is a wreck, it won't last long. We need to get out now before it collapses.糟糕，地形又发生变动。这座哨塔已经支离破碎，坚持不了多久。我们得快点在它塌之前逃出去。

ProfessorTake Demiurge with you. We'll head to the Middle Ring ASAP once we get the Rubik's Map.带上黛米乌尔。取了魔方之后我们尽快去往中环。

PersicariaGot it.嗯。

We take Demiurge with us into the chamber that contains the Map. It sits serenely before us.我们两人带着黛米乌尔冲进放置魔方的室内。魔方地图赫然就在眼前。

I hesitate briefly as I recall what happened when the Sanctifiers before us took it, and I turn to Persicaria.回想起先前净化者在取下魔方地图后的遭遇，我有些犹疑，叮嘱帕斯卡。

ProfessorIn Eosphorus' memory fragment, the Sanctifiers were punished by the humans base layer commands when they took the Map, and their physical abilities were greatly diminished.在晨星的碎片里，净化者因为拿走了魔方地图被人类的底层指令制裁，力量大幅削弱。

ProfessorThe humans crafted rules so these two species of the cloud would kill each other in an endless cycle. Anyone trying to utterly wipe out the other side is sanctioned by these preemptive commands.人类制定了规则让原生于云端的两个族群无休止厮杀，有人企图彻底毁灭一方，就要被指令干预。

ProfessorIf these commands also apply to us, we will be in great danger.如果这条规则也同样适用于我们，那恐怕我们会陷入十分危险的处境。

PersicariaYou're saying this to prepare me for what's going to happen, right? I'm mentally prepared for this.教授这么说是为了给我打一支预防针吧。我早有心理准备。

Persicaria takes my hand and raises it to the floating cubical map. Her warmth spreads out from her palm and our stacked hands reach for the mysterious cube.帕斯卡握住我的手放到悬浮的魔方下。细腻的温度从她的手心传递过来，两只手重叠托举着神秘的方块。

PersicariaNo matter what the outcome may be, I believe in whatever you choose, Professor.不论结果如何，我相信教授此刻的选择。

Just as she says that, a mysterious power from the cube sucks Persicaria's and my hand toward it and firmly affixes them in place, like a wizened elder sizing up a couple of strangers and determining their identity.话音刚落，从魔方涌现出一股神秘力量将我和帕斯卡的双手牢牢吸附，像是年迈的老者在细细打量陌生人，验证来者身份。

Click!咔哒！

There is a hollow, ethereal sound of something sliding into place, and then I hear a system notice.一声空灵的嵌合声过后，系统提示音随即响起。

系统Target object status stable. Decryption complete.目标物状态稳定，破译已完成。

The notification even sounds the same. Everything from before seems to be playing out again.熟悉的提示音。一切似乎在我眼前重演了一遍。

I take a deep breath and banish my errant thoughts before focusing my attention onto my work.我深吸一口气，强迫自己排除杂念，专注于眼前的工作。

ProfessorDecryption complete. Now recovering the Rubik's Map... hm?开始回收魔方地图……

The moment I touch the map, a creepy sensation ripples out from the Map in all directions.屏息凝神，手指尝试触碰银色方块。异常的能量波动自魔方一圈圈向四周扩散。

After sensing this, I do not hesitate like before; I tighten my grip and wrench it free immediately.觉察到异常后我并没有像之前一样犹豫，果断攥紧手中的方块将它取了下来。

ProfessorThis feeling...这个感觉……

PersicariaProfessor, is this the weakening command you were talking about?教授之前所说的削弱指令就是这个吗？

ProfessorYou felt it too?你也感受到了？

PersicariaIt seemed like a normal operand fluctuation. I don't feel anything wrong with my body.感觉像是寻常的算量波动。身体好像没有什么异常。

Rumble—轰——

The shifting of the maze and the shaking of the building are a reminder that we should hurry.迷宫的变动和建筑的摇晃催促着我们加快脚步。

ProfessorLet's get out of the tower first.我们先从塔内撤离。

As we leave the tower, the labyrinth's shifting picks up pace. Before we can see if the Watchtower has actually collapsed, it has already disappeared from view.随着我们离开哨塔，迷宫进入急速变动期。我们还未来得及见证哨塔坍塌与否，它就消失在我们的视野之中。

No Entropics hindered us after we acquired the Map. Everything is strangely peaceful. Only the Map in my hands stands as proof of what actually happened.获得了魔方地图后，也没有熵阻碍我们的行动。一切异常平静，唯有怀中的地图提示我们一切都已发生。

Professor...Persicaria, let me see your terminal.……帕斯卡，让我看看你的终端。

Persicaria brings up her data logs.帕斯卡调出自己的数据记录。

PersicariaThat's strange... the terminal doesn't show any signs of executed commands, and your personal data seems normal.奇怪……终端上也不存在相关指令变动记录，个人的数据一切正常。

ProfessorCan you test out your operand output?测试一下算量输出呢？

Persicaria nods and fires an operand blast at a rock near her foot.帕斯卡点点头，向脚边的岩石发起算量攻击。

Pew— crack. The bolt hits the rock dead center, which splits apart at the point of impact, scattering gravel across the ground.砰——咔。岩石沿着中心的受击点裂开，石块碎了一地。

PersicariaOutput matches expectations... It seems that weakening command had no effect on me.输出结果和预期符合……那个削弱指令对我没有起作用。

Professor...Perhaps it's because we're not Sanctifiers.……或许是因为我们不是净化者。

Persicaria shakes her head. She does not understand.帕斯卡不解地摇了摇头。

PersicariaBut didn't the humans do this to protect the Entropics?可人类的目的不是为了保全熵吗？

ProfessorEntropics are killed by Sanctifiers and are forced to evolve and differentiate. Sanctifiers are devoured by Entropics and give rise to new iterations of themselves.熵被净化者斩杀，不得已进化繁衍。净化者被熵吞噬，再次迭代新生。

ProfessorHumanity developed this program for these two natives of the cloud with a shared destiny. Their fate is to pursue each other, bound like a Mobius strip.人类为原生于云端的两个命运共同体设计了这套程序，他们的命运在莫比乌斯环一样的轨道上竞逐。

ProfessorThey would not allow either side to destroy the other, because immortality implies continuation, and continuation contains the possibility of evolution.人类不允许任何一方将另一方毁灭，因为不灭意味着延续，延续就有进化的可能。

ProfessorWe, on the other hand, come from the real world and not the cloud. We are not bound by the laws of the cloud, and are not subject to the malice of mankind.而我们来自现实世界，不属于云端，自然不受云端的规则束缚，也感受不到来自人类的恶意。

Persicaria...When you think about it that way, the Sanctifiers and Entropics truly have a tragic fate. At least the Dolls from the Neural Cloud Sector have a chance to be brought back to the real world.……这么一想熵和净化者的命运还真是可悲。云图扇区的人形们还有被带回现实世界的可能。

PersicariaBut they... they're stuck in this arena forever, murdering each other in an endless cycle.他们却要永远困在这座斗兽场里，一直在轮回中相互厮杀。

Demiurge turns over in Persicaria's arms. She mutters a few words in her sleep before burying her head further in Persicaria's chest.帕斯卡怀中的黛米乌尔翻了个身，说了几句含混不清的梦话继续埋头沉睡。

黛米乌尔...■■ ...■...……■■……■……

PersicariaDid she have a bad dream? She looks uneasy.是做了噩梦吗？看她睡得不太安稳。

黛米乌尔...Owie...……痛……

Not long ago, Malkira used her body to send us an invitation. Her mature tone was entirely unfitting for her host's youthful body.不久前，梅尔吉娅以她的身体向我们发出邀请，成熟的语气与幼小的身躯格格不入。

I recall our previous negotiation and lapse into thought.我回想着之前的谈判陷入了沉思。

小型熵Oh, there's no need to be so wary, . As a token of gratitude for coming as you promised, I have a little gift for you.不要这么戒备嘛，。为了表达对你如约前来的感谢，我可是特意准备了礼物。

ProfessorWould you actually be that kind?你有这么好心吗？

小型熵Oh please, I am hardly an irredeemable villain. Our kind are not like you humans; beyond our primal desires lies an unfettered sincerity.不要把你的对手想成一个十恶不赦的大坏蛋，我们的族群和你们人类不一样，剥开原始的欲望之后都是没有被规训过的真诚。

小型熵You can label me whatever you wish, but I would like you to at least hear me out first.如果你非要为我打标签，起码也要听完我为你开出的条件。

ProfessorIt seems Malkira's "gift" to us... was not the Rubik's Map.梅尔吉娅口中的“礼物”……不是魔方地图。

PersicariaSo, it's...那是……

ProfessorThis reunion after a long time apart was truly a surprise, so the gift in question is most likely Sol.久别重逢，真是一个莫大的惊喜，她口中的礼物恐怕是苏尔。

PersicariaSol has forgotten her past and greeted us with her blade. All this is part of Malkira's plan... but to what end?苏尔遗忘过去，和我们刀剑相向。这一切都是梅尔吉娅在操盘……那她究竟有什么意图。

PersicariaThe advantage that the Entropics currently hold clearly indicates that all they have to do is quietly wait for events to unfold. If she wanted to get rid of us, she had countless opportunities to do so.目前熵明明优势明显，只要稍加耐心，静静等待局势发展就好。若要向我们动手，她也有数不清的机会。

PersicariaYet she has chosen to negotiate with you and guided us here, even arranging for us to meet Sol again.可是她却选择和您谈判，将我们一路引至此处，安排了我们和苏尔的再会。

The silvery surface of the Rubik's Map reflects our faces. The moving glints of light on its surface seem to bind our destiny to that of the Tartarus Sector.银色的魔方倒映出我们的脸，表面构嵌的流光像一条条丝线将我们同塔尔塔罗斯的命运相连。

ProfessorIt seems that Tartarus has the upper hand now. Are you still willing to negotiate with us at a time like this?眼下塔尔塔罗斯占优势，这个时候还愿意和我谈判？

小型熵Of course. You are worthy of the lengths I have gone to in order to facilitate this meeting. In turn, I would like you to negotiate with me with similar sincerity.当然，你有值得我如此付出的价值。也希望你能够怀着同样的真诚来跟我面对面谈判。

小型熵The Entropics are not given to kindness. I hope you will live up to the honor that has been bestowed upon you, .不要辜负熵为数不多的善意，。

ProfessorMalkira told us the answer from the beginning.梅尔吉娅一开始就已经给出了答案。

PersicariaEveryone wants to use this battle to turn the tables on their current situation. Eosphorus wants to escape to reality. We want to stop the Entropization of Magrasea. But what does Malkira want?所有人都在想借此一战逆风翻盘。晨星想要去到现实，我们想要阻止麦戈拉熵化，梅尔吉娅又在期待什么？

PersicariaRight now, she is protecting us and deceiving Eosphorus, creating a chance for us to meet. That implies that her fate cannot be changed, even if all of Magrasea is Entropized and Eosphorus makes it to reality.此时她瞒着晨星保护我们，创造机会与我们见面，也就说明即便成功熵化麦戈拉、晨星去往现实，也无法改变她的命运。

ProfessorPerhaps the ants crawling on the Mobius strip have a way of upsetting the status quo.或许，莫比乌斯环上的蚂蚁察觉了破解局势的方法。

ProfessorHaving come from beyond the cloud and transcended the bindings laid down by its creators, her objective...来自云端之外，超脱规则束缚，她的目标……

Professor...Is us.……是我们。

Beep-beep—嘀嘀——

系统Signal fluctuation detected. Locator has insufficient operands.信号波动，定位器算量不足。

The sudden popup notification breaks the oppressive mood in the air.突然弹出的提示打破了压抑的氛围。

PersicariaThe warning from the tracker indicates that it might not hold out until we find Sol again.定位器的警告提示，算量可能撑不到我们找到苏尔的时候了。

PersicariaLet's hurry, Professor.我们尽快动身吧，教授。

ProfessorYes. I'll try to use the Rubik's Map to find the location of the tracker.嗯。我尝试用魔方地图解析一下获取的位置信息。

After entering the appropriate coordinates, the Map's components shift and realign, processing the target's movements and revealing a destination coordinate.输入对应指令后，魔方构件自动扭转，根据目标的移动轨迹很快破解出一个坐标。

Persicaria...It's in the Middle Ring of Tartarus.……坐标在塔尔塔罗斯中环。

PersicariaI wonder if this is lucky or unlucky; Sol is currently in the place where we're headed.该说是幸运呢还是不幸呢，苏尔所在的方位正好与我们计划前往的方向一致。

ProfessorLooks like there's no avoiding this reunion... Let's go.看来这是无可避免的再遇啊……我们走吧。

Our battle with Sol has left us severely wounded.与苏尔的激战让我们这支潜入小队备受重创。

ProfessorSorry, fallen debris trapped me in the room with the Rubik's Map and it took me a long time to get free, so I couldn't help you right away. How are your injuries, Persicaria?抱歉，我一开始被断墙困在魔方室内，花费了很久才脱身，没能第一时间来帮你。帕斯卡你伤势如何？

Heart-Gnawing Hesitance 噬心彷徨

-27807-

It showed a girl in black jumping down from a collapsing building before fleeing the Watchtower with panic in her eyes.影像中，黑衣少女从倾颓的建筑中跃下，神色慌张地从哨塔离开。

507To think she would get so flustered during her debut performance... It's almost insulting, really.第一次登台亮相却这么慌乱，真是有失礼数啊。

507And here I thought she'd have more fun talking with them during their reunion.我原本以为们老友重逢，能聊得开心一点呢。

Malkira sighs and lightly pats the pet Entropic's head.梅尔吉娅叹了口气，轻轻拍了拍宠物熵的头。

507Our little lamb is lost, it seems. Time to act as her shepherd.我们的羔羊迷路了。看来需要给她适当的指引。

The pet Entropic curls its tentacle up in a yawn and crawls down from Malkira's thigh.宠物熵卷起触手打了个哈欠，从梅尔吉娅腿上蠕动下来。

宠物熵Kiki.叽叽。

After a brief reply, it vanishes into the empty, sprawling hall.短暂的一声回应后，它消失在空荡荡的大殿中。

Middle Ring, Tartarus Sector.塔尔塔罗斯，中环。

A bright yellow flash that seems entirely out of place in Tartarus races through the buildings.与塔尔塔罗斯格格不入的明黄如疾风般穿过高耸的建筑群。

SolIt's hot, so hot!烫、好烫！

The scorching sensation is centered around her chest. Its origin is the massive stake that is solidly embedded in her flesh.滚烫的灼烧感盘踞在胸口。灼焰的源头正是深嵌在血肉中的巨钉。

SolWhy is this happening... These memories aren't even mine...为什么……明明这些并非属于我的记忆。

SolThey're just redundant data, so why does it feel like it actually happened, and swaying my neural cloud...只是些冗余数据，为什么却好像真实发生过一样，动摇我的心智……

Sol—Persicaria, heal me!——帕斯卡，治疗！

PersicariaSol...?苏尔……？

SolNo, that's wrong, that's not right...不，不对，不是的……

SolNo, no, no...不对，不对，不对……

SolI never arranged a signal like that with anyone else.我从来没有和别人约定过这种口令。

Admit it... What they said is true.承认吧……们所说的都是真实的。

SolCould it be that all that "redundant data", those "dreams"... they're actually real?难道那些所谓的“冗余数据”，那些“梦境”……全都真实存在？

Admit it... You can clearly remember the events of the past, you're just pretending that you don't see it...承认吧……你明明清晰地记得那些过往，却装作视而不见……

SolCould it be that what I'm going through now is the actual dream instead?难道现在我所经历的，才是南柯一梦？

Admit it... Your present self is just a hollow lie...承认吧……现在的你只是虚假的谎言……

The whispering in her ears grow harder and harder to ignore, and it joins the blaze in her chest in consuming Sol's neural cloud.耳边的低语声越来越难以忽视，和胸口叫嚣的灼热一起侵吞着苏尔的心智。

SolCould it be that it's really as they said... that I ought to be that "Sol"?难道我真如们所说……本该是另一个“苏尔”？

Amidst her confusion, someone appears in front of her.恍惚间，一个身影出现在面前。

She comes face to face with what could be her twin, except her doppelganger's expression is much brighter and sunnier than hers.她与自己有着同样的面孔，脸上的表情却比自己阳光开朗得多。

??Oi, you've got some nerve pointing your sword at Persicaria and the Prof when they came all the way to Tartarus to find you.喂，帕斯卡和教授来塔尔塔罗斯找你，你还对们刀剑相向。

??They're your friends, so hurry up and remember them!们是你的朋友啊，快想起来！

SolFriends... Can people I've never seen before be called friends?朋友……从没见过的人也能称之为朋友？

??You know them better than anyone else! Haven't all those dreams you had lay it out clearly for you? They're the ones you swore to protect.你明明对们再熟悉不过了！那些你梦到的画面不都呈现得明明白白吗？们才是你发誓守护的对象。

??Go on, accept them and return to the Oasis with the Prof...快承认它们吧，和教授一起回绿洲……

An endless stream of fog billows out of the stake in her chest, practically drowning her.源源不断的零散回忆从胸口的钉子中涌出，几乎要将她淹没。

She struggles and gasps, like she's drowning and fighting for as much air as she can get before she goes below the surface again.她挣扎着，像是即将被淹死的人短暂地浮于岸上喘息。

SolNo... I'm not...不……我不是……

SolIf I'm an agent, then what about the Entropized parts of me?如果我是智能体，我体内作为熵的部分又算什么呢？

SolThey said they'd take me back to the Oasis and cleanse a part of me, the part of me that is an Entropic.们说要带我回绿洲，净化我体内熵的部分……

SolWill I have to listen to them and watch as what I'm doing now and everything I've experienced is wiped away, just like that?难道我要听们所说，将我现在所做、所经历的，就这样一笔抹去吗？

加伊那What's with this yellow-haired dork anyway?那个黄毛的家伙又在发什么呆？

多罗梅亚She just woke up and hasn't reached full functionality yet. Lady Malkira told us to replenish her operands regularly.她刚刚醒过来，受损的机能还没有完全恢复。梅尔吉娅大人叮嘱我们，要定期给她补充算量。

加伊那...Ah, you're So-so, I mean, Sol, right?……那个苏、苏尔是吗？

加伊那Here, we just caught these Lesser Sanctifiers. They're yours. Don't waste time, just eat them.喏，这几只刚抓来的下位净化者给你。别磨叽，快吃掉它们。

Sol...Eat... them...……吃……掉……

Sol looks at the mechanical carcasses in the hands of the High Order Entropics from where she's lying in a puddle of liquid Entropy. She is at a loss for what to do next.躺在熵化液中的苏尔凝视着高阶熵手中的机械残骸，茫然不知所措。

However, this confusion lasts for only a moment. Sol feels her hands moving on their own as she clutches at the "food" being handed to her, and then she greedily infects and devours them. The rich supply of operands heals her wounds and allows her weak self to be reborn.可这种茫然仅停留了一秒。苏尔感觉自己的双手不受控制，迫切接过对方送来的“食物”，贪婪地感染吞噬它们。充盈的算量治愈了伤口，让虚弱的自己再度重生。

加伊那That's the way. Now eat up; once you're full, you can head to the frontline with us. Don't take too long, otherwise, the Sanctifiers will get in here, and then we'll all be screwed.这就对了，等你吃饱了跟着我们一起上前线，再不快点净化者就要打进来了，到时候我们一起完蛋。

SolTo the frontline?上前线？

多罗梅亚Speak not of such folly, Caina. Sol's situation is different from ours; she can't leave Tartarus.别乱说，加伊那。她的情况和我们不同，苏尔不可能离开塔尔塔罗斯。

加伊那Oh yeah. You can protect our "home", then.对哦，那你就留下来守“家”吧。

SolOur "home"...“家”吗……

Her mind is blank. This word is the only thing remaining, rooted in the depths of her core.脑海里一片空白，唯独这个词扎根于她的核心最深处。

The red-haired friend beside Sol pats her on the shoulder, as though entrusting her with some great task. The High Order Entropic that's slightly further away nods.近处红发的同伴拍了拍自己的肩膀，像是交代了什么了不起的巨大使命。而离得稍远的高阶熵向自己微微点头。

宠物熵Kiki!叽叽！

A tiny Entropic has crawled onto her hand at some point. It seems interested in the mechanical corpses. She rips off a chunk and feeds it to the tiny Entropic, which happily devours it before nuzzling Sol in an adorable way.小熵不知什么时候爬上自己的手，似乎对机械残骸颇感兴趣。她掰了一块喂给小熵，小熵心满意足地将其吞噬，然后亲昵地蹭了蹭她。

The soft sensation tugs at her neural cloud. In that moment, she realizes her purpose for existing and feels truly alive.柔软的触感轻轻牵动心智。这一瞬间，她忽然找到了自己存在的意义，有了自己活着的实感。

SolThat's right, I'm an Entropic...对了，我是熵……

She looks toward the tumbled ruins and ancient walls. Hordes of Entropics are slowly crawling between the ruined buildings.她望向那些倾颓的残垣，古旧的高墙。熵群们在破败的建筑间缓慢爬行。

Suddenly, she feels as though her blood is flowing through every single Entropic. Her kin are part of her; they have unconditional trust and reliance in her, and in turn, her life is expanded infinitely through them.她忽然感到自己的血液在每一只熵的身上流淌，她的同族们是她的一部分，对她抱有无条件的信任与依赖，也将她的生命无限延展。

Ever since she was awakened, she has lived with her kind like this for years. This sort of life ought to keep on going.自被唤醒起，她与她的族群就在此继续着这延续了不知多少年的生活。这样的生活也该一直延续下去。

SolThis place... is my home.这里是……我的家。

SolI must... protect my home.要守护好……自己的家。

SolThat's right. My memories and experiences and the decision I made to protect what was dear to me back then are by no means fake.没错，我的记忆和经历，那时决心守护的意志绝非虚假。

SolTartarus is my home... And as an Entropic, I will protect my home.塔尔塔罗斯就是我的家……我作为熵，要守护好自己的家园。

SolI will protect... everyone who is important to me... urgh!守护好……重要之人……唔！

The heat in her chest is still interfering with her neural cloud. She can feel her sense of self fading away under a tidal wave of data, as though it's going to swallow her up in the blink of an eye. All she can do is hold on tight to her senses and try to convince herself.胸口的灼热依旧在不断影响她的心智，她感觉自己的存在在海量数据的稀释下越来越稀薄，转眼就会被吞噬。只能拼命抓住现存的感官说服自己。

"I awoke here and lived here. I am an Entropic."“我苏醒于此，生长于此。我是熵。”

"I belong to Tartarus, and I will never betray my home."“我归属于塔尔塔罗斯，我永不背弃自己的家园。”

SolThose intruders are still moving deeper into Tartarus, I need to stop them...那些家伙还在深入塔尔塔罗斯，必须阻止入侵者……

SolI can't let this redundant data influence me anymore... I have to... I need to fight!我不能再放任自己被这些冗余数据影响了……我需要……战斗！

The Entropized girl continues muttering to herself, clawing at the burning stake in her chest as she makes to remove the source of the interference with her neural cloud.熵化少女喃喃自语着，不顾烈火灼烧抓住胸口的钉子，想将扰乱心智的来源去除。

However, this foreign object is lodged deep inside her body. Every time she tugs on it, her body is wracked by the pain of tearing flesh.然而这枚异物早已嵌入血肉，每次拉拽总会伴有血肉撕扯的剧痛。

SolUgh— Ow...唔——痛……

The pain intensifies and shoots through her body like lightning bolts.疼痛感瞬间加剧，如同过电般蔓延全身。

She pants heavily, then grits her teeth and prepares to pull on it again. However, a purple tentacle places itself between her hand and the stake, preventing her from harming herself.她喘着粗气咬紧牙关想继续拉扯。不知何时一条紫色的触手挡在了手和钉子之间，阻止了她的自毁。

宠物熵Kiki—叽叽——

A round little octopus-like creature pokes its head out, and Sol's eyes widen in recognition.圆滚滚的小章鱼探出头，苏尔认出了它。

SolYou?!你？！

SolShouldn't you be by Lady Malkira's side? What are you doing here...你不该在梅尔吉娅大人身边吗，怎么会在这里……

宠物熵Ki!叽！

SolHey, a Low Order Entropic like you shouldn't be climbing so high up... Hey, be careful!这么高的地方，可不是你这种低阶熵该来的……喂，小心！

Sol quickly grabs the round little critter before it falls down. With a sigh, she comes to a halt and carefully scoops it into her arms.苏尔眼疾手快地接住了差点从高处坠下的圆球，叹了口气停下脚步，小心地把宠物熵抱在怀里。

SolI thought I told you not to go running around... Hey, you okay?我说过你不能乱跑吧……唉，没受伤吧？

宠物熵Kiki...叽叽……

SolEh, as long as you're fine. I'll send you back in a bit...唉，没事就好。我一会儿就把你送回去……

Sol bites back the fatigue in her heart and lightly pokes the pet Entropic's face.苏尔压抑着心中的疲惫感，用手指戳了戳宠物熵的脸。

宠物熵Kikikiki...叽叽叽叽……

SolLady Malkira sent you? To do what exactly?梅尔吉娅大人派你来的？她派你来做什么。

SolDid I make her worry again... (Sigh) And here I pledged to her that I would properly protect the Sector...难道我又让梅尔吉娅大人担心了吗……唉，我明明向她承诺会守护好扇区的。

The pet Entropic looks thoughtfully at Sol, then pats the stake in her chest with its tentacle, making the chains attached to it rattle.宠物熵若有所思地看着苏尔，用触手拍了拍她胸口的钉子，连带着锁链一起叮当作响。

SolHey, it's not a toy, it's really hot, you... wha?喂，这可不是玩具，很烫的……咦？

SolWhy... Why isn't it hot anymore?怎么……不烫了？

The pet Entropic playfully waves its feelers around, like it's done something great, then grabs onto the chains attached to Sol's chest and swings on them like it's at a playground.宠物熵骄傲地扬起触须，像是做了什么了不得的大事，随即用触须挂在苏尔胸口的锁链上，像荡秋千一样玩了起来。

The girl in black sighs in exasperation, then sits down to hug her knees and protect the pet Entropic, afraid that something will happen to it.黑衣少女无奈地叹了口气，环抱着膝盖护住宠物熵，生怕它有什么闪失。

SolWhat am I going to do with you? Why does it look like you like these chains? It's not like I do...真拿你没办法……怎么你看着还挺喜欢这个锁链的啊。我可不喜欢……

SolI can feel something in this stake that doesn't belong to me. It keeps interfering with the operation of my neural cloud and makes me flash back to familiar, yet alien scenes. Sometimes, it even makes me do incomprehensible things.我感觉钉子里面有不属于我的东西。它们时常干扰我的心智，让我闪回一些既陌生又熟悉的画面。有的时候还会影响我让我做出不可理喻的行为。

SolI never liked bright colors, yet I was drawn to that bottle with a blade of grass in it. During battle just now, I even asked my opponent to help me... For goodness' sake, I'm such a dork; Caina would laugh at me for ages if she knew about it.明明不喜欢鲜艳的颜色，却会被那个装着草的瓶子吸引。战斗的过程中还会向对手求助……像个笨蛋一样，要是加伊那知道了肯定会嘲笑我好久。

SolLady Malkira said it was just redundant data, but after seeing those two today, I realized that all those things actually happened.梅尔吉娅大人跟我说那是冗余数据，可今天见到那两个人之后，我才意识到那些是真实发生过的事。

SolThere's a Sol in my body, and those people see that Sol through me.我的身体里住着一个苏尔，那些人透过我，看到的是那个苏尔。

SolMaybe if I got her out of me, I wouldn't be confused anymore...也许把她从我身体里剔除，就不会困惑迷茫了……

宠物熵Gu! Kikigugukikikiki!咕！叽叽咕咕叽叽叽叽！

The pet Entropic seems to be having fun swinging on Sol's chain, seemingly oblivious to Sol's candid confession.小熵荡着秋千玩得开心，似乎完全没理解苏尔的感叹。

Sol(Sigh) What am I even doing? You clearly don't understand me, so why am I even telling you about it?……唉，我也真是的。你又听不懂，和你说什么呢。

SolMaybe I just wanted to vent my feelings to someone...或许我只是想找人倾诉一下吧……

宠物熵Kiki? Kikiki, ki!叽叽？叽叽叽，叽！

SolI know I shouldn't have run like a beaten dog, but I had no choice back then...我知道自己不应该像个手下败将一样逃跑。但那个时候我没有选择……

SolIf I had hung around those two any longer, that "Sol" would have completely consumed me.再和那两个人待在一起，我一定会被那个“苏尔”吞噬。

SolI can't beat the person that they were talking about...我没办法战胜们口中的那个人。

SolThe one from my dreams, shining like the sun...那个在我的梦中，像太阳一样的人……

The pet Entropic seems to have been infected by Sol's emotions, because it slowly comes to a halt and its eyes go wide as it looks at Sol.宠物熵似乎被苏尔的情绪所感染，逐渐停下动作，睁大眼睛看着苏尔。

A moment later, the pet Entropic slowly speaks in an ominous contralto voice.片刻之后，宠物熵缓缓开口发出违和的成熟女声。

宠物熵'Tis a shame that you have not resolved your confusion, my child.我很遗憾你没能顺利解决自己的迷茫，我的孩子。

Sol looks up, and through that round body, she can almost imagine the dignified form of her queen sitting upon her throne.苏尔抬头，透过圆滚滚的身体，她仿佛看到了威严的群熵女王端坐在王座之上。

SolLady Malkira! ...I apologize for withdrawing mid-battle.梅尔吉娅大人……！抱歉，我从战斗中撤退了。

宠物熵It is of no concern. I have no intention of censuring you.没关系。我并没有打算斥责你。

SolI apologize for not satisfying you during that previous battle. The two of them were accompanied by a High Order Entropic with a childlike intellect. I fear that they may have coerced one of our kin into helping them...刚刚的战斗没能让您满意。而且那两个人携带了一只心智低幼的高阶熵，我担心是我们的同伴被胁迫……

SolThey called her "Demiurge".们叫她“黛米乌尔”。

宠物熵Oh, that girl...那孩子啊……

SolShe suddenly appeared in the middle of the battle and I accidentally wounded her... I will rescue her, so please grant her healing afterward.她突然出现，我不慎误伤了她……之后我会将她救出来，请您为她治疗。

宠物熵That is alright. She is not being coerced by them. They need her, and thus they will heal her.无妨，她并非被胁迫。那两个人需要她，也会为她治疗的。

SolYou... you knew of her existence?您……知晓她的存在？

宠物熵Of course. In human terms, our relationship could be described as that of "sisters". However, we were born of the same source, and thus our bond is far more intimate than that of mere siblings.当然。人类会以姐妹来描述我们之间的关系。但同源的我们远比姐妹更加亲密。

宠物熵There is no need to feel guilty about harming her by accident. On the contrary, you have actually fulfilled her wish.你也不必为误伤了她而愧疚。不如说，你反而为她实现了心愿。

SolHer wish?她的心愿？

宠物熵She was born in darkness, yet her nature is to seek the light. Though your injuries have scarred her, she finally managed to grasp her long-cherished wish from within your flames.身居阴暗，却在内心种下逐光的本性。被你伤害留下伤痕，却也在火光中触碰到了自己渴望。

宠物熵Ah, how envious I am... I wonder if I will be able to obtain what I want, like she did.真令人羡慕……不知你我能否像那孩子一样，终究获得自己想要的呢。

The dejection in her voice instantly vanishes and she quickly regains her usual gravitas.女人语气中的落寞转瞬即逝，很快恢复了一如既往的威严。

宠物熵Still, while I have said I would not censure you for your actions, I would like you to tell me honestly: Why did you flee the battlefield when you could still fight?不过，我虽然说了不会追责，也需要你诚实地告知我，那个时候你明明还能继续战斗，为什么要逃离战场？

宠物熵Remember that your answer must both convince me and yourself.我需要一个能说服我，也能说服你自己的答案。

Sol looks the pet Entropic in the eye. She can feel the massive pressure from beyond it.苏尔与宠物熵对视，清楚地感受到来自宠物熵身外的强大威压。

Sol...It was because of interference.……干扰。

SolThey were interfering with my neural cloud somehow, making me perform many illogical actions.对手不知道使用了什么手段干扰了我的心智，让我做出了很多不理智的行为。

SolAt the time, I was not confident that I could defeat them, so I chose to leave.当时的情况下我没办法确保能打赢们，所以先离开了。

宠物熵Oh?哦？

Malkira carefully examines Sol. There is confusion and uncertainty in her eyes, as though she's trying to solve some complex riddle.梅尔吉娅细细打量苏尔。眼神中混合着困惑和不确定，仿佛在解读一个复杂的谜题。

SolDon't worry, it was merely a tactical withdrawal. I'll take care of them afterward.您放心，只是暂时撤退，之后我一定会回去解决那些人。

宠物熵Fufu, while I am not entirely pleased with that answer, I am certain you will take care of things properly.呵呵，这不是一个令人满意的答案，但我相信你能处理好善后。

宠物熵Do you have something else to ask me?你似乎有话想问我？

Malkira smiles enigmatically as she sees through the confusion in Sol's heart.梅尔吉娅看出了苏尔内心的矛盾，露出了意味不明的笑容。

SolI swear I will protect our home as an Entropic. Lady Malkira, I just wish to ask you one thing...我宣誓将作为熵守护我们的家园。梅尔吉娅大人，我只是想问您……

SolWas everything you saw in my dream false?那些您在我梦中看到一切，都是假的吗？

SolThose people and events in those dreams... Did they really never happen?那些人还有梦里的经历……全都没有发生过？

宠物熵If even you are calling it a dream, then how can things in a dream be real?连你也说那是梦里的东西，既然是梦里的东西，又怎么可能是真的。

宠物熵Redundant data is everywhere, and it will always find the weaknesses of your heart and deliver to it a fatal blow.无孔不入的冗余数据总是能洞悉到你内心最薄弱的地方，然后给予致命一击。

宠物熵The more you doubt it, the more intrusive it becomes. It will steadily encroach upon your neural cloud and ultimately swallow you up.你越是怀疑，它们就越喧闹。逐渐占据你的心智吞噬掉你自己。

宠物熵Do not erase your existence with your own hands, "Sol".不要亲手抹杀自己的存在，“苏尔”。

The words she hears plunge deep into her heart, much like hooks; they are strung along by those lines, pulling her deepest fears to the surface.意味深长的两个字像是钻到自己内心的钩子，不知不觉勾起了最深处的恐惧。

Sol's body trembles slightly.苏尔身体微微颤抖。

宠物熵Well, you are a lovely little girl whom I have cared for, and so I cannot bear to make things difficult for you. If you truly do not wish to do this, you can always choose to give up.你毕竟是我用心呵护的可爱孩子，我不舍得为难你。真不愿意的话，可以选择放弃。

SolI will not give up.我不会放弃的。

宠物熵Cherish your precious few chances to choose. Do not make decisions in haste.珍惜为数不多的选择机会，不要这么早就下定论。

SolYou're right. The more I doubt myself, the more my uneasiness grows. Some things need to be confronted head-on.您说得对，越是怀疑，内心的不安才会越重。有些事情，我必须正面面对。

SolI was born in Tartarus and awakened by you. I know what I ought to do now.我出生在塔尔塔罗斯，被您唤醒。我知道自己该做什么。

SolI will drive out the intruders and defend my home and kin with no regrets.驱逐入侵者，坚定地保护自己的家与族群，不留遗憾。

宠物熵Fufu, I like the look in your eyes. I look forward to your performance.呵呵，你的眼神很不错，我期待你的表现。

宠物熵However, even as you harden your resolve, you must beware unexpected infestations of vermin.不过在坚定决心的同时，也要小心虫子在不知不觉间的侵扰。

The pet Entropic reaches around behind Sol's back and plucks an exquisitely made earring from her hair before dropping it into Sol's hands. The operands lingering within it sting her skin.宠物熵伸出触手在苏尔背后摸索，从头发上取下了一枚精致的耳坠交到苏尔手中。残存的算量隐隐刺痛皮肤。

SolThis is... a locator...这是……定位器……

宠物熵And now, you hold the initiative. Do not disappoint me.现在你掌握了主动权，别让我失望。

Sol...Understood.……我明白了。

Sol clutches the earring tightly and bows formally to Malkira.苏尔握紧手中的耳坠，向梅尔吉娅郑重行礼。

SolI will not disappoint you, Lady Malkira. This I swear to thee.绝不辱使命，梅尔吉娅大人。

Seated upon her throne, Malkira waves away the image that the Low Order Entropic is showing her.王座之上，梅尔吉娅挥手抹去低阶熵传输回来的画面。

Trapped Gambit 围阱博弈

-25696-

We've been following the locator signal into the depths of Tartarus.我们追踪定位器信号一直向塔尔塔罗斯内部深入。

ProfessorThe signal origin is moving west. Where is she going?信号源向西移动了，她要去哪里？

黛米乌尔(Groans) Owie...……呜……痛……

Demiurge is still unconscious in my arms. She grimaces and moans from time to time, tightening her little tentacles around me.怀中的黛米乌尔依旧昏迷着，时不时皱眉呓语，抱紧自己的小触手。

PersicariaI managed to do some simple first aid before this, but she still has more severe burn and slash wounds that haven't been properly treated yet.之前只做了简单的治疗，但她身上还有一些比较严重的烧伤和刀伤。

PersicariaUntil we find Sol, we need to give Demi more advanced medical care.在找到苏尔之前，我们得先给小黛米乌尔深度处理一下。

ProfessorThe Middle Ring Watchtowers have repair bays, which is where Sol was headed. We can head over there.中环的净化哨塔有修复室，位置和苏尔所在方向重合，我们去那里。

I point to the nearby Watchtower by way of emphasis. During the previous Sanctifier infiltration mission, Electra was hurt and Alcyone guarded one while waiting for the Halos in the other Watchtowers to be activated.我指着不远处高耸入云的哨塔向帕斯卡示意。之前净化者潜入作战时，伊拉受伤，雅希恩坚守哨塔等待其余净化圈开启。

But as it turned out, the Sanctifiers' destiny would once again be overwritten by their commands once the Halo system was fully activated, resulting in tragedy.没想到当所有净化圈全部启动后，净化者的命运再次被指令覆写，成了一幕悲剧。

PersicariaYup! Let me think of a way to ease her pain for now... Urk!嗯！我先想办法给这孩子缓解疼痛……唔！

Rumble—the towering walls around us sink into the ground, and the flat path we're walking on suddenly lurches upward as the labyrinth begins shifting.轰隆——周围高耸的墙壁沉入地底，平坦的小路陡然拔地而起，迷宫又一次发生变动。

Persicaria helps me keep my balance and glances toward the Map out of the corner of her eye.帕斯卡扶住我稳定身形，余光扫向魔方。

PersicariaThe Watchtower's position has shifted... Wait a minute! Sol...哨塔的位置变化了……等等！苏尔……

ProfessorWhat's wrong?怎么了？

I follow her gaze to where she's looking on the Map.我的目光顺着她的视线锁定在魔方地图上。

The bouncing points of light on the Map have stopped moving, but Sol's locator signal is gone.魔方上跃动的光点归于平静，苏尔的定位坐标消失了。

Middle Ring, Watchtower objectTower_b2.中环，objectTower_b2哨塔。

The Entropic hordes around the Watchtower are sleeping soundly, though one or two of them look up upon sensing something unusual.盘踞在哨塔内的熵群安静沉睡，偶尔有一两只察觉到异常抬头警觉。

Persicaria holds Demiurge in one hand while dispatching these scattered Entropics with her other, then turns to head into the repair bay within the Watchtower.帕斯卡一手抱着黛米乌尔，一手持刀迅速解决了零星的几只熵，转身向哨塔深处的修复室走去。

Tap, tap—As she treads over the old ruins and enters the room, she is assailed by the scent of rot and decay. There are a bunch of devices messily piled up in the repair bay. Persicaria puts Demiurge down before rummaging through them.咔、咔——踏着陈旧的废墟进入房间，室内腐败的气息钻进鼻腔。角落里杂乱摆放着一些装置。帕斯卡把黛米乌尔安放在一旁开始翻找。

PersicariaThis is good, we can still use the repair equipment here...太好了，这里的修复装置还能用……

PersicariaBut this was originally a Sanctifier Watchtower, I wonder if there are any repair ports we can use for a juvenile Entropic...但这里原本是净化者哨塔，不知道有没有针对幼年体熵的修复接口……

PersicariaI wonder if a connector cable for Lesser Sanctifiers would work?下位净化者的接口线……不知道可以吗？

??Looking for this?你是在找这个吗？

An ethereal voice echoes in the cramped, dark room. A hand suddenly comes into view, holding a connector that matches Demiurge.幽幽的声音在狭窄的暗室中回荡。一只手突然进入视野，手中静静躺着与黛米乌尔匹配的接口线。

Persicaria...Thank you.……谢谢。

??You're welcome.不客气。

Persicaria hesitates briefly before taking the cable and connecting Demiurge's neural cloud to the repair device.帕斯卡犹豫着接过数据线，将黛米乌尔的心智与修复装置相连。

After ensuring that it's running normally, Persicaria sighs in relief and turns to face the other person.在确认装置正常运作后，帕斯卡长舒了一口气，转身面向来人。

PersicariaThank...谢……

Before she can finish, her opponent steps in at lightning speed. An arc of crimson flames speeds in at her face; Persicaria leaps back quickly to open up the distance and draws the blade at her waist without hesitation, as though she was expecting this.第二个字还未出口，对方便闪电般逼近。一道赤红的火焰直取面门，帕斯卡极速后退拉开距离，像是早有准备果断从腰间拔刀。

Clang!铛！

Their blades clash and bind tightly; neither party is willing to back off. They stare past their respective weapons into each other's eyes.刀锋相撞，两把刀刃紧紧相抵，谁也不肯退让。双方透过交错的刀刃凝视着彼此。

PersicariaAnd here I thought you'd had a change of heart, Sol.我还以为你回心转意了，苏尔。

SolI simply wanted one of my injured kin to receive treatment.我只是不想看着受伤的同族无法得到治疗。

SolStill, given your reaction, it looks like you already guessed that I'd be here.不过，看你的反应，似乎已经猜到了我在这里。

Persicaria...I wasn't sure, but I decided to bet on it.……我不确定，但我想赌。

SolBet on what?赌什么？

PersicariaThat you'd be as stubborn as ever.赌你跟以前一样固执。

A faint tremor comes through the deadlocked blades. Persicaria isn't sure how much longer she can hold out and gathers an operand blast to force Sol back.僵持中，细微的颤动从刀刃传来。帕斯卡知道自己坚持不了多久，汇聚算量将苏尔弹开。

PersicariaHng!嗬！

Sol takes a couple of steps back. In her eyes, Persicaria is having a hard time just blocking her attacks, but she's still talking good game.苏尔后退两步，视野中的帕斯卡连抵挡自己的攻击都很勉强，嘴上却不落下风。

Persicaria(Pants) You should just give up.呼……呼……快放弃吧。

SolSure, you won your bet. But so what? It's not like you can beat me.你赌赢了。不过那又怎么样？你打不过我。

Then, as though to back up her own retort, Sol brings her sword down in a mighty cleaving strike that tears through the air with a sickeningly sweet whistle.似乎是为了验证自己的反驳，苏尔腾空而起自上而下猛然劈刺。

Worried that Demiurge will be caught up in the fighting, Persicaria has no choice but to shift toward the corner of the room, but her footing is unsteady after several dodges. Sol seizes the opportunity to stab at her left arm.帕斯卡担心战斗再次波及黛米乌尔只能向角落移动，几番闪躲后身体踉跄。苏尔抓住时机，一刀刺中帕斯卡左臂。

PersicariaNgh!唔！

Persicaria grunts in pain. Sol turns her blade to strike at Persicaria's core. The pink-haired Doll cannot sidestep it in time and clumsily rolls aside.帕斯卡吃痛闷哼。苏尔刀锋再度调转刺向核心。粉发人形来不及闪躲就地翻滚。

The constant whistling of Sol's blade slicing through the air fills her ears. It throws off a spray of sparks as it hits the ground, each time barely missing Persicaria by a hair's breadth.耳边不断传来刀锋破空的尖啸，刀剑撞击地面擦出一道道火花，每一次刀锋落地都与粉发少女擦身而过。

系统Warning! Left arm damaged. Range of motion decreased by 12%. Immediate medical attention advised.警告！左臂负伤，行动能力降低12%，建议立即进行治疗。

Persicaria(I can't let this go on. Even if I can read Sol's movements, I can't match her in strength.)（这样下去不行，就算是提前预判了苏尔的行动，我也没有能与她匹敌的力量。）

Upon realizing her physical disadvantage, Persicaria grits her teeth and steadies her body with one hand before lashing out with a sweep from her right leg.意识到自己身陷劣势，帕斯卡咬紧牙关单手撑稳身体，右腿猛地发力横扫。

SolBe it dexterity, strength, or speed... you are at a disadvantage in every field.敏捷、力量、速度……不论哪一条你都不占优势。

PersicariaYour moves are more powerful and ruthless than before. It's been a little over an hour; have you already figured yourself out in that short time?你的招式相比之前更加凌厉，不近人情。短短几十分钟，你就想通了吗？

SolI hate how you think you have all the answers, how you keep trying to draw conclusions about me based on what you know about someone else.我讨厌你的自以为是。用过去对另一个人的了解来揣度我。

SolYour arrogance has made you overestimate your strength and underestimate my determination to destroy you.你的傲慢让你高估了自己的实力，小觑我毁灭你们的决心。

SolI will not allow you to slaughter my kin. In keeping with Lady Malkira's orders, I will exterminate you intruders, who attempt to disorient my neural cloud.我不会放任你们斩杀我的同胞。我将遵照梅尔吉娅大人的指令，彻底消灭你们这群惑乱心智的入侵者。

Sol's longsword stabs straight at Persicaria. However, what disturbs her is the fact that there is no panic on her opponent's face, only her usual calm.苏尔长刀直指帕斯卡。令她诧异的是对手脸上并没有恐慌，反而是一如既往的平静。

PersicariaI knew from the start that your fighting strength was on a different level from mine. I would be at a disadvantage the longer I drew out the battle, but I still insisted on fighting you.从一开始我就知道自己的战斗力和你不在同一个水平，拖延越久对我而言越不利，但我还是坚持和你对战。

PersicariaThat is because our previous battle was just between the two of us...因为先前的战斗局限于我们两个人……

PersicariaBut right now... I'm not the only one you're fighting!但现在你的对手……不只有我！

Just as she says that, the crisp voice of a system announcement fills the Watchtower's interior.话音刚落，哨塔内传出清晰的系统播报音。

系统Command confirmed. Requester is . Access confirmed. Activating Halo system in objectTower_b2. Now blocking data...指令确认，申请人，权限确认。objectTower_b2，开启净化圈，开始屏蔽数据……

As the mechanical voice rattles off announcement after announcement, waves of purifying light emanate from the core of the Watchtower, shredding the purple Sector around it with sacred radiance.随着系统机械音一条条播报，一圈圈纯净的光波以哨塔为圆心向四周扩散，暗紫色的扇区顷刻间被圣光撕裂。

熵Hsss—嘶——

The surrounding Low Order Entropics hiss in agony, their bodies contorting, melting and ultimately disintegrate into motes of operands that vanish into the air.周遭的低阶熵发出哀嚎，在光芒的笼罩下身体扭曲、溶解，最终化作点点算量消散于空气中。

SolDammit... My kin...可恶……我的同胞们……

SolWhat... What did you do...你们……究竟做了什么……

Sol is forced to her knees beneath the crushing power of the Halo. She hoarsely manages to squeeze out a few words as the flames on her weapon's edge flicker in and out of existence, like a candle in the wind.苏尔在净化圈强力的压制下也不由得跪倒在地。她嘶哑着嗓音发出质问，刀锋上的火焰忽明忽暗，像是风中残烛一般转眼间就要熄灭。

She tries to struggle to her feet, but even moving is difficult. It is as though she has been sapped of all her strength.她挣扎着想支撑起身体，但仿佛被抽干了所有力气，连移动都变得分外艰难。

SolUsing such... despicable tactics...用这种……卑鄙的手段……

Persicaria continues looking down on Sol. After closing her eyes for a moment, her reluctance fades from her eyes and she tightens her grip on her sword once again.帕斯卡居高临下俯视着苏尔，短暂的闭眼后，不忍的情感从她眼中消逝。她再度握紧了手中的剑。

Persicaria...That's right. This was a trap laid just for you.……没错，这是专门为你定制的陷阱。

Not long ago...不久之前。

PersicariaSol's locator signal has vanished.苏尔的坐标消失了……

ProfessorLooks like she found the tracker. I thought she'd take a little longer to do it; then we'd be able to find Malkira along with her.看来她发现定位器了。原本以为苏尔反应能再慢些，到时候能直接跟着她找到梅尔吉娅。

ProfessorLooks like we'll have to think of something else.现在这种状况恐怕要另做打算了。

PersicariaShe's not the person who will sit there and wait for things to happen to her. After knowing that we intruders are still in Tartarus, the thought of driving us out will always be on her mind.她不是那种坐以待毙的性格。知道我们这些入侵者还留在塔尔塔罗斯，她会时刻惦记着把我们驱逐出去。

Persicaria reaches for the bottle at her chest.帕斯卡攥紧胸前的瓶子。

PersicariaAfter all, during the defense of the Oasis, she didn't flinch even when she was going up against Eosphorus.毕竟当时守卫绿洲的时候，即便面对晨星她也没动摇过。

PersicariaSol must be lying in ambush somewhere, waiting for a chance to make her move. Once she heals up, she'll launch an attack.苏尔一定在什么地方埋伏着，伺机而动，等调整完状态就会发起攻击。

ProfessorIf that's the case, then we won't need to go out of our way to chase down Sol.如果是这样，我们没有必要刻意追逐苏尔的脚步。

ProfessorDon't forget that we're here to meet with Malkira. Whether we end up talking or fighting, we need to do everything we can to ease the pressure on the frontlines.别忘了我们来这里的目的是为了和梅尔吉娅会面。谈判也好战斗也罢，用尽一切手段缓解前线战事压力。

PersicariaMm. As long as we stay in Tartarus, she'll take the initiative to look for us. However, we need to prepare some countermeasures before we meet again.嗯，只要我们留在塔尔塔罗斯，她会主动来找我们。不过再次碰面之前，我们也要做好对策。

PersicariaAfter being Entropized, Sol has become more powerful. If we end up meeting her again, we'll have a hard time escaping in one piece.熵化后的苏尔明显要比我们认知中的她更强。倘若再次狭路相逢，我们很难全身而退。

PersicariaUnfortunately, we don't know Tartarus well, so we can't use the terrain to pin her down.可惜我们对塔尔塔罗斯并不熟悉，没法利用作战环境来牵制她。

ProfessorActually, I have an idea.不，有办法。

I point to a mote of light on the Rubik's Map.我指着地图上的一个闪光点。

ProfessorWell stick to the plan and heal up here.我们按照原定计划去这里休整。

ProfessorThe humans installed a Halo system in Tartarus' Watchtowers. Activating it will greatly weaken Entropics within its area of effect.人类在塔尔塔罗斯的哨塔设置了净化圈。启动之后可以大幅削弱熵的力量。

ProfessorThe next labyrinth shift will create a direct path to the Watchtower. It'll end up taking us right to Sol.下一个地形变动的窗口期会在这里形成一条直通哨塔的大路。和苏尔之前行进的方向不谋而合。

ProfessorGiven her straightforward nature, she'll most likely be waiting there to ambush us. After arriving at the Watchtower, we...以她直来直去的性子，大概率会在哨塔伏击我们。抵达哨塔之后……

SolSo you were lying in wait.守株待兔……

PersicariaWell, that was all because of you. All we could do was work around that.拜你所赐。我们只能将计就计。

Persicaria wobbles and she bites back her pain as she picks up the sword on the ground.帕斯卡身体摇晃，忍着疼痛捡起地上的长刀。

Sol...You think you can beat me just because I've been weakened?……你们以为像这样削弱我就能击败我？

SolYou're badly hurt, and your friend... Well, I don't think they can fight at all, can they?你伤得这么重，而你的另一位同伴……恐怕无法作为战斗力吧？

PersicariaNo.不。

PersicariaYou might laugh at my answer now, but your past self would have agreed with me 100%.或许你现在会嘲笑我的回答，但过去的你绝对会百分百认同我。

PersicariaI believe in my friends at all times...不管什么时候，我都相信我的同伴……

PersicariaAnd I believe in the Professor!我相信教授！

Professor...We'll split up. I'll go activate the Halo and the sentry guns. You take Demiurge to the Watchtower's repair bay for healing.……我们兵分两路，我去开启净化圈，启动哨戒炮。你带黛米乌尔到哨塔修复室治疗。

PersicariaAnd leave you alone?放教授您一个人行动？

PersicariaI can't allow that, if anything happens to you...不行，万一您遭遇不测……

Persicaria's eyes are filled with worry and she starts to panic.帕斯卡神情激动，眼中充满忧虑。

ProfessorListen to me, Persicaria.听着，帕斯卡。

I lightly place my hand on her shoulder to try and calm her down.我轻轻拍着她的肩膀，试图让她冷静下来。

ProfessorThis is a bet. We're betting that Sol will show up and ambush us inside the Watchtower. We're also betting that the forces we can muster will even the score with Sol.我们在赌。我们在赌苏尔会出现，在哨塔伏击我们。也在赌我们能动用的所有战力足够与苏尔抗衡。

ProfessorFor that, the Halo, the sentry guns, and you—Persicaria—are all essential.净化圈，哨戒炮还有你——帕斯卡，缺一不可。

ProfessorWe're going to put our chips on the table now. You've entrusted everything to me, so I'm going to make the most of it.现在到了押上筹码的时候，你已经交付了全部，我也会不惜一切代价。

ProfessorSo please, believe in me.所以，请相信我。

SolI see... Haha...原来如此……哈哈……

SolHaha... Ahahaha! Good!哈哈……哈哈哈哈！很好！

From her kneeling position, Sol plunges her sword into the ground. The Halo system is running at full power, and the flames on her sword are nearly extinguished.跪倒在地上的苏尔将刀插入地面。此时，净化圈已完全开启，而她刀上的火焰也近乎熄灭。

PersicariaSol, I don't want to fight you, so...苏尔，我不想和你拔刀相向，所以……

SolSpare me that nonsense. You can't shake my will with just a few words.放弃对我的劝说吧。我的决心绝不是几句劝诱就可以打消的。

Cracks spread out along the ground, radiating from her sword. The wounds on Sol's hand tear open and blood drips down its edge.地面以刀尖为圆心绽开裂痕。苏尔手上的伤口开裂，血液沿着刀刃汩汩下流。

And right after that, flames race down the blood trail and ignite!而下一刻，火焰沿着血液流淌的痕迹熊熊燃起！

SolYou talk about friends, trust, the past, and you use them as your reasons to fight...你们谈及伙伴、信任、过去，将它们作为自己战斗的理由……

Every word Sol says makes the stake in her chest glow just a little bit brighter.苏尔每说出一个词，她胸口的巨钉便更亮一分。

SolBut even if I have none of that, I still have my own convictions!而我，就算一无所有，也有我自己的信念！

SolHAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!哈啊啊啊啊啊！！！

Sol yells at the top of her voice and stands back up despite the immense pain it's causing her. Her weapon rises with her, the leaping flames around it trailing around like the grim reaper.苏尔大声呼喊着，忍受着剧痛再度起身，刀锋扬起，跃动的火焰如死神一般呼啸。

ProfessorSentry guns, fire—哨戒炮，发射——

Dazzling white beams spray from the guns, directly at Sol, and they light up the entire Watchtower.耀眼白光从炮口喷射而出，朝着苏尔笔直射去，瞬间照亮了整个哨塔。

Kaboom!轰隆！

A deafening explosion fills the air.震耳欲聋的轰鸣炸裂开来。

The ground shakes violently. Dirt and rock fly in all directions and the air is filled with clouds of dust.地面剧烈震动，土石碎屑如暴雨般四散飞溅，一时间尘土飞扬。

Persicaria(Coughs) Whew... Did we do it?咳咳……呼……成功了吗？

The dust settles, revealing the mess that is the interior of the Watchtower. The black-clad girl stands, still holding her sword.烟尘渐渐落定，哨塔满目狼藉。断壁残垣中，黑衣持刀少女静静伫立。

Blood is dripping from the corner of her mouth, but she wipes it away like it was nothing, swinging her sword like she doesn't feel the pain at all.血液从她的嘴角溢出，但她只是轻描淡写地擦过，仿佛没有感知到痛苦一般再度挥刀。

SolYou think you can bring down a warrior with only this much force?这点威力……你们以为就能让一名战士倒下？

Flames roil and heat the air, a sign that Sol's will still burns.火焰灼烤着空气，如同苏尔炽烈的决心。

SolIn that case...既然这样……

SolI'll break that illusion of yours with my own hands!那这份幻想，就由我来亲手打破！

Middle Ring, Tartarus Sector.塔尔塔罗斯，中环。

Great Danger 险绝之危

-24123-

(When I get close to the light, I feel warm...)（靠近光，身上感觉暖暖的……）

(When I get close to the light, my wounds get fixed up...)（靠近光，伤口就会被治愈……）

(But why does that bright red light hurt me? It really hurts...)（可是为什么火红明亮的光会让我疼，好疼啊……）

(Still, even though it hurts... I want... to get close to it...)（但即使会疼……我也想……靠近……）

黛米乌尔...Light...……光……

Demiurge stirs from her slumber and reaches out to the rays of light flashing and streaming in the air. It is only when her vision clears up that she realizes it is not natural light.黛米乌尔从昏迷中醒来，伸手去够在空中穿梭闪烁的光线，等到视野完全清晰才意识到那不是天然的亮光。

Amidst the rubble, two heavily wounded girls with swords are facing off against each other. Steel meets steel, throwing off a shower of sparks.交错的废墟间，两个伤痕累累的人持刀对峙。刀锋碰撞，电石火光。

PersicariaThat's enough, Sol, you're very weak now...够了，苏尔，你现在很虚弱……

PersicariaYou were once a friend of ours, so stop this pointless fighting!你也曾经是我们的伙伴，别再进行无谓的战斗了！

PersicariaWhen you truly come to your senses, you'll regret what you did today. It's not too late right now, so come back. Everyone's waiting for you.当你真正清醒后，你肯定会对今天的所作所为感到后悔。现在还不迟，回来吧，大家都在等着你。

SolYour self-righteous "compassion" makes me sick.自以为是的博爱宽容，听着真叫人不舒服。

The sentry guns do their job. They blast through Sol's left shoulder, and thanks to Persicaria's relentless assault, the wounds cannot knit in time, and they leak liquid Entropy.哨戒炮发挥了作用。苏尔左肩被打穿，在帕斯卡猛烈的攻击下伤口来不及修复，不断有熵化液滴出。

Her opponent, Persicaria, is worse off. Her neural cloud strain is almost at maximum, and her arm has already been stabbed several times by Sol's sword. Its actuator systems are badly damaged, and she can barely hold her sword properly.身为对手的帕斯卡状态更差，她的心智承压濒临上限。手臂几次被长刀刺穿，制动装置损坏，双手几乎拿不稳刀。

Even so, she harbors a wisp of hope in her heart.可就算是这样，她的内心还抱有一丝期待。

Persicaria(The Entropy can heal Sol and restore her strength, but it can't hide her feelings anymore.)（熵能为苏尔修复提供助力，但再也无法掩盖她的内心。）

Persicaria(The doubts in her heart are building; there was barely any strength in those last few swings.)（她心中的困惑越积越重，刚才几次挥砍下刀都有气无力。）

Persicaria(This means Sol's memories are being awakened, which means there's a chance...)（这代表苏尔的记忆正在被唤醒，也许还有机会……）

Persicaria(I want to give it a try...)（我想试一试……）

SolYou're not looking at me. You just see someone else through me.你一直在透过我看另一个人。

SolI was awakened in Tartarus, so what do you even know about me?从塔尔塔罗斯醒过来的我，你又了解多少。

The flames on her blade blaze up, and their dancing light highlights her melancholic expression.刀锋上燃烧的火焰猛然窜高，跳动的光影勾勒出苏尔暗藏的悲戚。

SolWhy does that Sol you're talking about have to consume me and take my place...为什么一定要你口中的苏尔吞噬我，代替我……

SolAm I... am I not allowed to live? Do I not deserve to live in your eyes?我……不能活下去吗？在你们眼中，我不配活下去吗？

PersicariaSol...苏尔……

PersicariaI don't know how you survived that battle or how you turned up in Tartarus.我不知道你怎么从那场战斗中逃出来，又怎么会出现在塔尔塔罗斯。

PersicariaYou must have been through a lot of pain without us and I'm sorry we couldn't help share your burden.在我们没有陪着你的时候，你遭受了很多痛苦，我们很遗憾大家没能替你分担。

PersicariaEven so, please don't forget and deny the past. It's a part of you, Sol.可即便如此，也不要忘记和否定过去。那是你的一部分啊，苏尔。

SolYou're telling me not to deny the past?你说不要否定过去？

Sol's gaze instantly sharpens up, as though she's trying to impale Persicaria with her gaze. She raises her glaive above her head and forcefully brings it down.苏尔的眼神瞬间变得凌厉，仿佛要将对方刺穿。长柄刀高举过头顶猛然劈下。

Clang—铛——

PersicariaUrgh...唔……

SolYou say we were friends in the past—so why don't you tell me, Persicaria?“过去的朋友”——帕斯卡，你告诉我。

SolIf my so-called past is real, then is the faith I've upheld ever since I woke up fake?如果你所谓的过去是真的，那么我自唤醒以来坚守的信念就是假的吗？

SolIs the Tartarus I'm protecting with blade in hand a worthless mistake to you?!现在我拿刀守护塔尔塔罗斯，是否在你眼里就是一文不值的谬误？！

PersicariaIt's real! But it's also a mistake!它们是真的！但它们也是谬误！

She cries out to her old friend, trying to reawaken her memories.昔日旧友竭力呼喊，试图挽回对方记忆。

PersicariaCome back to the Oasis. We'll make everything right.回到绿洲，我们把一切都导向正轨。

PersicariaTrust me, there's a way.相信我，会有办法的。

SolTrust... you? Ugh!相信……你？唔！

SolHaaah... hah...哈啊……哈啊……

Persicaria's words make the stake in her chest heat up. It makes the chains tighten up and Sol can barely breathe.帕斯卡的劝诱让胸口的钉子越发灼热，钉子牵动着锁链锁紧，苏尔感到自己几乎无法呼吸。

In her blurred vision, that familiar illusion appears again.模糊的视野中，那个熟悉的幻影再度复现。

??Persicaria's right! What she's talking about is what you ought to be protecting!帕斯卡说得对，她口中的那些才是你真正需要守护之物！

??Now stop being stubborn! The Entropics have always been your enemies!不要再执拗了，熵从来都是你的敌人！

SolNo... they have the same blood as me, they're my kin!不……它们和我流着相同的血液，它们是我的同胞！

SolHow can you expect me to trust someone who butchered my kin?!你要我怎么信任……信手斩杀我同胞的人！

Sol suddenly exerts her strength and presses the tip of her glaive down.苏尔陡然施力，刀尖猛然下压。

PersicariaUgh...!唔！

Persicaria's strength slowly drains from her and she watches as the glaive's edge descends. Her heart is filled with sorrow at having to fight an old friend.力气一点点流失，帕斯卡目睹刀锋逼近自己，心中满是与故友为敌的悲伤。

PersicariaSol... Please wake up... I'm begging you...苏尔……清醒过来吧……求你……

黛米乌尔Bad... bad!坏……坏！

Demiurge, who has just woken up, uses all her might and clings to Sol's arm.短暂苏醒的黛米乌尔用尽力气冲了上来缠住苏尔的手臂。

SolYou again!又是你！

Persicaria takes advantage of the opening and slams an elbow into Sol. The Entropized girl dodges back and the two of them quickly draw apart.帕斯卡趁苏尔分神的间隙，反手一记肘击。熵化少女闪身后撤，两人迅速拉开距离。

ProfessorPersicaria!帕斯卡！

The shout seems to shoot through the pink-haired girl's mind and she looks toward the Watchtower's PA system. A voice speaks from the gun control room.一声呼唤穿透了粉发少女的意识，她看向哨塔内的运行系统。声音从炮台控制室经由系统传出。

PersicariaProfessor...教授……

ProfessorThis is Sol's choice. If she's chosen to stand against you, it only follows that you should treat her as an enemy.这是苏尔自己的选择，如果她选了站在你的对面。就理所应当把她当作敌人看待。

Take a good look at her. She is your enemy.看清楚，她是你的敌人。

Now is not the right time for this. You can try to awaken Sol later.现在不是时候，后续尝试唤醒苏尔。

ProfessorWe can't wager our lives and those of others because we pity an enemy and want to wake them up.我们不能拿自己和别人的性命作赌注，去赌一个敌人的清醒和怜悯。

ProfessorShe's confused now. She's not ready to accept what you have to say.她现在混沌迷茫，内心没有做好准备接纳你说的话。

ProfessorThe battlefield is a place devoid of reason. If you truly want to get Sol back, you have to beat her down and drag her back to the Oasis. We'll find a way to convince her.战场不是一个讲道理的地方，如果真想挽回苏尔，把她打趴下带回绿洲。我们总有法子说服她。

ProfessorSo stop hesitating, Persicaria.别再犹豫了，帕斯卡。

PersicariaI...我……

Persicaria looks down at the twin blades in her hands, the ones she took from her friend's hands, the ones she has no choice but to point at their former owner.帕斯卡看着手中的双刀，这从老友手中接过的武器，此时却不得不指向它们的前主人。

She tries her best to keep her hands from shaking.她努力压制住双手的颤抖。

Persicaria...I understand.……我明白了。

Persicaria swings another slash at Sol.帕斯卡再度挥刀砍向苏尔。

Clang!锵！

Her blades ring shrilly as Persicaria pulls back, forcing Sol to change the direction of her attack. After a brief stalemate, Sol ends up in firing range and Persicaria hears the Professor calling out to her.刀剑蜂鸣，帕斯卡向侧后方收力，强迫苏尔改变了攻击方向。短暂僵持后，苏尔落入火力范围，帕斯卡听见教授的呼喊。

ProfessorPersicaria! Pull back—帕斯卡！退后——

The old systems within the Watchtower warn her to move. Persicaria promptly flips backward, making a large gap between herself and Sol.哨塔内的老旧系统发出信号。帕斯卡收到命令翻身向后，空出大片场地。

In the distance, operand beams begin charging and the sentry guns gather energy while aiming at Sol again.远处，算量光束再次亮起，哨戒炮汇聚能量第二次瞄准苏尔。

ProfessorSentry guns! Fire—哨戒炮！开火——

Kaboom!轰！

The beam flies past Persicaria like an arrow and unerringly strikes Sol.光束如利箭径直穿越帕斯卡，精准无误地击中了苏尔。

The smell of burning fills her nose and pain rocks her nerves. The canary with broken wings growls and struggles to rise from the puddle of liquid Entropy surrounding her.烧焦气息传入鼻腔，清晰的疼痛牵动神经。折翼的黄金鸟发出一声低吼，从熵化液中艰难起身。

SolOw... It hurts...痛……好痛啊……

The pain isn't coming from her body, but from her chain-bound neural cloud.痛楚不止来源于身体，更来自于被锁链紧缚的心智。

The moment she closes her eyes, that annoying figure turns up like a bad penny to pester her.一旦闭上眼睛，那个讨厌的身影又会像狗皮膏药一样再度缠上来。

??Stop fighting, you know what they're saying is true. Just accept yourself and become the Sol they're talking about and there will be an end to the suffering.别打了，你知道们所说的都是真的。只要接受自己成为们口中的苏尔，一切都会变得轻松。

??If you give up your childish obsession with your kin and your home, you can continue enjoying your life as an agent.抛弃你对族群和家园的执拗，你依旧可以作为智能体享受你的生活。

??What exactly are you fighting against, anyway?你究竟在对抗什么？

SolShut up... SHUT UP!闭嘴……闭嘴！

SolI can't abandon my people... or my home...我不可能抛弃我的族群……放弃我的家园……

SolStop interfering with my fight... Stop messing with my mind!别再扰乱我的战斗……别再动摇我的心智！

Sol's eyes snap open, and her abyss-deep eyes blaze with anger and resentment.苏尔猛地睁眼，幽深如渊的眼眸中闪烁着不甘与怒火。

She takes a deep breath and grits her teeth. Her trembling fingers tighten around the stake in her chest... and she pulls.她深吸一口气，咬紧牙关。颤抖的手指紧握钉身，猛然用力。

SolUgh! AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH—唔！啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊——

The pain almost makes her pass out, and sweat blurs her vision. The sound of her heavy panting overlaps with the sounds of her phantasmal dreams.疼痛让意识迷离，汗水模糊视野，粗重的喘息声慢慢与虚无梦境中的声音重叠。

Clatter clatter—哗啦哗啦——

Countless hands grab her chains. The owners of these hands question her.有无数双手拉住了锁链。这些手的主人质问她。

声音Who are you?你是谁？

SolSol.苏尔。

声音To where are you going?你要去哪里？

SolThere...那里……

Her hands are tangled by the chains and she cannot raise them.她的手被锁链牵扯，依旧抬不起来。

声音Where?哪里？

The voices question her again.声音又问了一遍。

This time, she uses all her might and finally breaks the chain links.这一次她奋力挣扎，终于将铁索挣断。

Tartarus!塔尔塔罗斯！

SolMy... home!我的……家！

Gwaaaaaaaaarrrrgh—啊啊啊啊啊啊啊——

Her chest feels like it's being torn apart, and Sol can't stop herself from crying out in pain. The massive stake exits her body inch by inch, accompanied by gouts of warm and sticky liquid Entropy.胸口的疼痛撕心裂肺，苏尔忍不住呻吟大喊。巨钉一寸寸从躯干中抽离，熵化液顺着伤口涌出，温热粘稠。

PersicariaSol, what are you doing?!你在做什么，苏尔？！

SolHah... hahhhhh...呼……呼……

Clang!铛！

She throws the stake, covered in liquid Entropy, to the ground. It's still glowing with a faint light. The hateful figure and the deceptive words are cast aside with it, as well as the chains binding her.沾满熵化液的钉子被扔到地上，发出微弱的亮光。令人生厌的身影和蛊惑的话语与锁链的束缚一同被抛弃。

The blonde girl's face is almost bloodless. She looks haggard as liquid Entropy oozes out of the hole in her chest and drains her vitality. Yet, there is a hint of joy in the depths of her heart.金发少女脸上毫无血色，精疲力竭，熵化液不断从胸口的空洞流出，消耗着她的生命，而她内心深处却涌起一丝解脱的快意。

SolI'm free now! Those memories chain me no longer! I'm free to fight you with all my might!我自由了。不再被那些记忆所影响，而是竭尽全力和你们战斗！

SolThis... is my resolve...这……就是我的觉悟……

SolNow... show me your resolve, "old friend"!接下来……也让我看看你们的觉悟吧，过去的“同伴”！

Entropized operands ignite into flames and surround Sol with an intensity and brutality surpassing all before.熵化算量化为火焰缠绕苏尔周身，相比之前更加炽烈狂暴。

黛米乌尔Ki! ■■...叽！■■……

PersicariaLook out!小心！

Demiurge's scrawny little body is sent flying by a billowing shockwave. Persicaria dives through the scalding air and catches Demiurge.瘦弱的黛米乌尔被气浪掀飞，帕斯卡顶着滚烫的空气飞身一跃，接住了黛米乌尔。

The girl in her arms wiggles her tentacles, like she's found some marvelous treasure.怀里的孩童像是发现了什么令人惊奇的宝物，兴奋地挥舞着触手。

黛米乌尔Light... became... sis...ter...光……变成……姐…………妹……

黛米乌尔...Complete...……完全……

黛米乌尔■■... Her... wish...■■……自己的……愿望……

Persicaria's heart sinks. She pieces together a rough picture of what happened from Demiurge's words. The person before her has cut off part of her neural cloud to completely embrace the power of the Entropy and become a true Entropic.帕斯卡内心一沉，她从黛米乌尔支离破碎的言语中拼凑出了大概。眼前的人以割舍自己的一部分心智为代价，完全拥抱了熵的力量，成为了真正的熵。

As she looks at her former friend, Persicaria is shocked to discover that there is no longer any confusion in her eyes, only coldness and hostility for her enemy.再次注视往日的友人，帕斯卡惊讶地发现苏尔眼中不再有迷茫，更多的是冷漠和对敌人的杀意。

SolHave at you!来吧！

Sol's left hand grips her glaive's hilt. Persicaria grabs Demiurge and ducks quickly, but the roiling flames hit her, sending the two of them flying.苏尔左手握紧刀柄，一声怒喝后拔刀横扫。帕斯卡抱着黛米乌尔迅速闪避，还是被气焰扫到，两人弹飞出去。

All she feels is a mighty wind slamming into her and all she sees is a searing red flash sweeping through the air. Before Persicaria can blink, the sharp glaive has already stabbed deep into her gut.劲风扑面而来，灼热的红光闪过，粉发少女甚至来不及眨眼，锋利的长刀已深深刺入腹部。

PersicariaUrgh— So... Sol...呃——苏……苏尔……

Operands ooze from the wound.算量从伤口汩汩涌出。

Persicaria's eyes go wide as she looks in disbelief at Sol's uncaring eyes.帕斯卡瞪大双眼，难以置信看着如同死神般漠然的苏尔。

ProfessorPzzt— P-Persi...￥@%...沙沙——帕、帕斯……￥@%……

Intermittent words spill from the Watchtower's PA system. Sol glances aside to the loudspeaker.断断续续的呼叫声从哨塔系统中传出。苏尔斜睨了一眼发声设备。

A chill runs through Persicaria's heart and she yells into the air.帕斯卡心头飘过一股寒意，向着空中大喊。

PersicariaProfessor! RUN!!教授！快跑！！

Before she can finish, the black shadow in front of the pink-haired girl withdraws her glaive and vanishes into the darkness.话还没说完，压迫在粉发少女身前的黑影拔出长刀，极速消失在了黑暗中。

(There is light, blinding light.)（光，耀眼的光。）

Burning Heart 燃血烬心-1

-23576-

SolTarget located in gun control room.目标位置，哨戒炮控制室。

Now that the girl in black knows her enemy's location, she races off towards them.黑衣少女知道敌人所在，朝着目标地点疾驰而去。

With the stake in her chest pulled out, a mix of liquid Entropy and her operands drips to the ground. Her sealed power has been released, though at the price of her life rapidly ebbing away.胸口的钉子被拔除后，熵化液混合着算量不断滴落。被封印的力量得以释放，代价是生命的急速流逝。

SolMy strength is fading... I don't have much time...力量在消逝……时间不多了……

SolI need to kill the intruders before I fall...倒下之前，斩杀入侵者……

Before she realizes it, the control room is already in front of her. Just as Sol puts her hand on the handle, she is greeted by a dazzling light. She comes to her senses and backs off quickly.恍惚间，控制室已在眼前。苏尔手刚碰到门把手，强光随即而至。苏尔回神匆忙后撤。

Kaboom!轰！

The place where she was standing just a moment ago is pulverized by operand shellfire.刚刚站过的地方下一刻就被算量炮火轰得粉碎。

SolJust a beast in its cage.笼中困兽。

The girl in black does not hesitate and cuts open the door to the control room.黑衣少女没有丝毫犹豫，狠厉劈开控制室大门。

The interior is dimly lit. I meet Sol's eyes for the first time, our faces hidden by shadow.昏暗的灯光笼罩着室内，我和这位苏尔第一次四目相对，彼此的面容隐没在阴影之中。

SolYou were waiting for me?你在等我？

ProfessorIndeed.没错。

I glance over to the nearby control terminal, then quickly pull my gaze away.余光扫到不远处的控制台，我迅速将视线抽离。

SolNot going to say anything like your friend did?没打算像你的朋友一样说些什么吗？

ProfessorI have access to the Watchtower cameras in this control room. I saw everything that happened between the two of you.控制室里有哨塔监控，你们之前的一举一动我都看得到。

ProfessorI'm not Persicaria. Seeing people die in combat is second nature to me.我不是帕斯卡，打仗牺牲在我看来是家常便饭。

ProfessorIt doesn't matter if they're your friends or FNGs who can't even hold a gun. Only one thing matters on the battlefield...牺牲的人是自己的朋友还是拿不住枪的新兵蛋子都一样。我很清楚在战场上什么最重要。

Professor...Which is to make sure the people who are still alive stay that way.——是让还活着的人活下去。

ProfessorThere are countless agents on the frontlines, and every single one of them runs the risk of being infected by the virus. So I can't stop here.前线有无数智能体，他们每时每刻都面临着被病毒感染的风险。我不可能停下来。

SolLooks like you're different from that friend of yours who was going on and on about bonds and friendship. Thank you for being so ruthless, by the way. Now I needn't hesitate as I kill you.看来你和那个满口羁绊友情的家伙完全不同，感谢你的冷酷，让我下手的时候不会犹豫。

ProfessorAs long as you stand against me, you're my enemy. Doesn't matter if you're Sol or not.不管你是不是苏尔，只要站在这里阻拦我，我就会把你当做敌人。

ProfessorI'll fight to the last drop of blood. Even if my arms are broken or my legs are chopped off, even if it means having to pick up a rock and bash your head in.在我们其中任何一个倒下去之前，我都会拿着武器战斗。胳膊残了腿断了，拿石头也要砸得你头破血流。

SolOh, I like your spirit. Looks like we can have a good fight.我很欣赏你的战斗意志。看来我们能打个畅快。

There is a hint of bloodlust in her eyes.她眼底泛起一丝杀意。

SolAnd that's it for the banter.闲话家常到此为止。

Her blade screams as it scrapes across the ground. Her killing intent rolls out from her like a fog bank.刀锋擦过地面发出刺耳的铮鸣，杀气顿时弥漫开来。

SolYou'll regret hiding in this dark little room and sniping me from afar. This place will be your tomb!你会后悔躲在狭小黑暗的控制室里对我放暗箭，因为这里也会成为你葬身的墓地！

ProfessorYou're the one who'll regret this!后悔的人该是你！

Foom!轰！

Her flame-wreathed glaive falls like a thunderbolt, slicing off several strands of my hair as it grazes past me. I hastily duck and just barely avoid the hit.火焰裹挟刀刃猛然砸落，刀锋擦身而过斩断几缕头发。我迅速闪避，勉强躲过一击。

ProfessorUgh...唔……

Professor(Even if I do manage to avoid the next few hits, the control room will collapse too.)（再来几下就算我能躲得过，控制室也会坍塌。）

I look past Sol who stands there in a wreath of fire, and at the green light blinking in the distance.视线穿过少女身上燃烧的火焰，注视着远处跳动的绿色荧光。

Soon... it should be soon.应该……快了吧。

I back off, keeping an eye on Sol's movements as I do.我一边警惕苏尔的动向，一边后退。

SolAre you counting on your friend to save you? Or do you have some other trick up your sleeves to change your fate?在指望你的队友来救你吗？还是什么其他能够改变命运的魔法。

SolWhatever it is, I won't give you intruders a chance to flee!无论是哪一种，我都不会给入侵者任何逃跑的机会！

As she says that, she sweeps her glaive and sends a torrent of blade slashes out like an arrow storm, aiming at the wall behind me.话音刚落，重重叠叠的刀光如万箭齐发，袭向我身后的墙壁。

Rumble—轰隆——

The wall collapses, utterly blocking off my path.墙壁轰然倒塌彻底堵死去路。

Sol...There's nowhere to run, Professor.……无路可逃了，教授。

ProfessorHoho, did you really think I would run?呵呵，你真觉得我会跑？

Just a little more time...给我一点时间……

SolStill posturing, I see.还在虚张声势。

ProfessorActually, you ought to call it "dreaming big".我建议你扩充一下自己的词汇量。这应该叫“胸有成竹”。

Come on, faster...再快一点……

ProfessorAs long as it finds you, all problems will be solved.只要它找到你，一切问题都会迎刃而解。

SolIt?它？

ProfessorI was referring to the sentry gun's enemy auto-tracking subroutine.哨戒炮的自动索敌系统。

系统Operand charge at 100%. Sentry gun fully charged. Target locked. Coordinates...算量填充100%，哨戒炮充能完毕，目标已锁定，坐标……

A system alert suddenly chimes in, and Sol laughs thinly as she realizes that she's fallen for yet another ruse.控制室内冷不丁冒出一声系统音，苏尔知道自己又被算计了，冷冷一笑。

ProfessorI was waiting for it to charge up. What are you waiting for?我在等充能，你在等什么？

SolI don't believe you'll actually shoot. You'd have to be suicidal to set off a high-explosive operand blast in a cramped room.我不相信你会开炮，在狭小的室内引爆高能算量，除非你也不想活了。

ProfessorThen let's find out, shall we?!那就试试看！

I clench my fist, ready to give the command at any time.我握紧拳头，准备随时下达指令。

ProfessorI told you, didn't I? To the last drop of blood!我说过，在你和我其中一个倒下去之前，我都会拿着武器战斗！

SolYou're insane! Yeeart—你这个疯子！嗬——

Sol's eyes go bloodshot as she swings her glaive. Its massive blade scythes down on me.苏尔双眼赤红挥起长刀，巨大的刀影向我当头劈来。

ProfessorSentry gun! Fire—哨戒炮！开火——

In response to the command, an energy beam fires at the girl in black.一声令下，能量光束汇聚射向黑衣少女。

SolUrgh—呃——

Kaboom!轰隆！

The operand pulse slams Sol into the wall behind her. Its energy melts through layer after layer of the walls, leaving a straight passage with melted edges.算量激流将苏尔狠狠推向身后的墙壁，能量瞬间融化了一道又一道的高墙，留下一条笔直的灼热通道。

As the deafening echoes fill the air, my body suddenly goes weightless. I feel as if I am but a mere pebble launched into the air by a slingshot, eventually meeting the ground hard with a loud thwack.震耳欲聋的轰鸣中，我的身体突然失重，如同被弹弓射出的石子甩出老远，重重摔在地上。

ProfessorHow do you... like that...这样……如何……

The control room is crumbling to pieces before my eyes, but before my mind sinks into darkness, I hear a voice.眼前的控制室分崩离析，意识滑入无边黑暗前，我听到了一个声音……

???PROFESSOR!!!教授！！！

ProfessorUuuurgh...唔……

What a reassuring voice.真是令人安心的音色啊。

ProfessorPersicaria... it's all up to you now.交给你了……帕斯卡……

Watchtower objectTower_b2, Tartarus Middle Ring.塔尔塔罗斯中环，objectTower_b2哨塔。

Moon Follows Sun 日陵月替

-23034-

There's a hole punched in my side, but fortunately the wound has been cauterized, preventing my operands and liquid Entropy from leaking out further. Pain radiates from my wound throughout my entire body, but what hurts more is my chest, which no longer has a stake in it. The torn wound is exposed to the air, and it burns like fire.侧腹已经被击穿了，所幸伤口烧焦阻止了算量化作熵化液流失。痛感从侧腹蔓延到全身，但更为疼痛的是失去钉子的胸口，被撕裂的伤口暴露在空气中，犹如烈火炙烤般火辣辣疼痛。

Still, this pain is good. It keeps me alert and focused so I don't pass out from the operand loss.但这样的痛苦正好，可以让我保持清醒，不至于因为算量的流失而昏迷。

Crunch!咔哒！

I raise my arm and pry myself from the depression I've made in the wall. Chunks of crushed debris fall around me like rain.我抬起胳膊，把自己从墙体剥离，环绕周身的碎石如雨点坠落。

As I look down at my hand gripping the hilt of my weapon, I see that my fingertips are starting to turn transparent, indicating that there isn't much left of my life to burn away.看向握紧刀柄的手，指尖已经隐隐有些透明，提示着我可供消耗的生命已然不多。

SolWithstanding that attack took a lot out of me. My operands... are almost gone...抵挡这次攻击消耗了不少力气，算量……就快耗尽了……

In the rubble, that Persicaria woman holds that Professor in white who just fainted. She looks devastated. I eye them coldly, then tighten my grip on my glaive and approach them.废墟中那个叫帕斯卡的家伙抱着刚刚昏过去的白大褂，神情悲伤失落。我冷冷看了他们一眼，拎起刀朝两人走去。

Upon seeing me draw close, Persicaria stands in front of the Professor, her hand grasping her sword tightly as she walks shakily towards me.见我靠近，帕斯卡挡在教授身前，握紧手中的剑，摇晃着身体向我走来。

SolYour eyes have changed.你的眼神变了。

Persicaria...The Professor was right. On the battlefield, you are my enemy.……教授说得对，在战场上你就是敌人。

PersicariaAnd because of my indecision, my hesitation... the Professor was hurt.都是因为我一再犹豫，还抱有幻想，教授才会受伤……

Well, she isn't hesitating anymore. The only thing in her eyes is certainty. Now, where have I seen that before?她的眼中不再有优柔寡断，只有坚定。这种眼神我曾见过，是在哪里？

...I don't remember.……想不起来了。

SolThis is lame. I don't need to hear about your unwarranted self-importance.无聊的想法，自以为是的同情。

Clang!铛！

I parry her sword. My gaze flickers between her and the person behind her.我格开了她的刀锋。视线在她和身后那个人的脸上逡巡。

Now that the redundant data and the stake have been excised from me, that phantom that plagued me has vanished like it was never there, and these two people that I've been tangling with for a while now have become nothing more than strangers who barged into the Sector.冗余数据和钉子一起拔出体外，困扰自己的幻影如同泡沫般消散。这两个和自己缠斗了许久的家伙也变成了闯入扇区的陌生人。

There shouldn't be anything interfering with me anymore, so why do I feel so—明明什么干扰都没有了，但为什么总觉得——

??Empty.空虚。

SolWhy are you still here? I thought you disappeared with the stake and its chains.为什么你还在这里？我以为你已经和那串钉子锁链一起消失了。

??I was never bound to it in the first place. I'm here because you still hold doubts within your heart.我从来不和那些东西绑定在一起。因为你内心还有疑惑，所以我存在在这里。

SolI don't doubt anything.我没有疑惑。

??Sure, go ahead and lie to yourself; feel free to think you've solved the problem.你可以这样欺骗自己，认为自己已经解决了问题。

??But the truth is, all you did was throw it aside. You're just pretending not to see it.但实际上，你只是将问题丢在了一边，假装自己看不到而已。

SolI've got my answer already! I won't be bound by those memories! I'll protect my home and my kin!我已经得出答案了！我不会受那些过往记忆的束缚，我要守护我的家园和同胞！

??No, that's not the answer.不对，这并不是答案。

The shadow frowns, and the corners of her mouth turn down. Her face forms an annoying expression.黑影眉心皱起，嘴角下垂，五官拼凑出一个惹人生厌的表情。

—Pity.——怜悯。

??So you don't even have the courage to face your issues head-on, then?你连直面问题的勇气都没有吗？

Sol...Shut up!……够了！

What right does she have to pity me?!凭什么她能够怜悯我？

SolI know why you're here. It's because those two people are still around, and it's affecting my neural cloud.我明白你为什么会出现了。因为这两个动摇我心智的人还在。

Even though you're nothing more than an illusion that's dead and gone.明明只是已经逝去的幻影而已。

SolFrom the start, they've always treated me like I was you.从始至终们都把我当做你。

SolThey denied my existence, substituted someone else for me; they're just going off on their own and making me into someone they knew.抹杀我的存在，让别人来代替我，一厢情愿把我替换成们熟悉的人。

SolTheir wish was the fodder for your existence. They made you into a vengeful spirit that won't go away.们的愿望成为了你存在的养料，让你成为了挥之不去的怨灵。

Henceforth, by fire be purged.用烈焰驱散幻影吧。

Burn, burn, burn. Everything must burn. Once it all turns to ashes, there'll be nothing left to stand in my way.燃烧，燃烧，只要燃尽一切，就不再会有任何阻碍我前进的东西。

??Hey, you—喂，你——

Clang!锵！

I don't give that shadow any further chances to deceive me and swing my sword with all my might. A roaring blaze follows in its wake, driving my opponent back and scattering the shadow without a trace.不再给黑影任何蛊惑人心的机会，我用尽全力向前挥刀。烈火随刀刃熊熊燃起，将眼前的敌人击退，也将黑影驱散得无影无踪。

Persicaria is forced to retreat by my might, but she grinds to a halt in front of the Professor; a sign for me to advance further.帕斯卡难以敌过我的力量被迫后退，却在昏倒的教授身前生生停住，不由得我再前进半步。

SolOnly the victor has the right to dictate history. Once I exterminate you, these worthless strings of redundant data will vanish and everyone will forget the past. Only then... will I be myself.只有胜者才有定义权。彻底消灭你们，没有了冗余数据，所有人都忘记过去，我就是我自己。

SolBurn... Burn until you're nothing but ash...燃烧……直至你们全部倒下……

The pink-haired girl before me is frail, but there is no weakness in her eyes. She meets me head-on, as though mocking my determination.眼前的粉发少女虽然虚弱，但眼神却没有丝毫退却，直直迎上我，仿佛在对我的决心发出嘲笑。

Persicaria...I will not fall.……我绝不会倒下。

That's right, I can't fall.没错，我绝不能倒下。

My weakness from excessive operand use and the pain of my wounds makes me unsteady on my feet. I grit my teeth and grip my weapon with all my might.算量过度消耗的虚弱和伤口的疼痛让我的身体摇摇欲坠。我咬紧牙关，用尽全身力气握紧武器。

The Professor is behind me. The entire Oasis is behind me. The hopes of all Magrasea are behind me. Therefore, I cannot allow myself to take another step back.身后就是教授，身后是整个绿洲、整个麦戈拉的希望。所以我绝不能后退。

PersicariaThe Professor has entrusted everything to me. Thus, I will fight until we have achieved our shared goal.教授将一切托付给我。在没达成我们的目标前，我都会一直战斗。

I take a step forward, my eyes meeting Sol's with a similar tenacity.我向前一步，目光坚定地与苏尔对视。

SolIt can't be helped, then.那就没办法了。

Sol's body hums faintly and then the fire around her swells out, turning the entire Watchtower into a sea of flames, shrouding the world in a curtain of red.苏尔身体发出轻微嗡鸣，周身火焰猛涨将整个哨塔废墟燃成火海，天地一片血红。

SolYou and the Professor taught me this: a warrior fights to the last drop of blood!是你的那位教授教会我的，战士要战斗到最后一刻！

SolI will destroy you, even if I have to burn up every last operand to do it!耗尽最后一丝算量，我也要将你们消灭！

The blonde girl raises her sharp glaive and thrusts it forward, the murderous hatred in her eyes evident to all.金发少女举起锋利的长刀向前猛刺，眼中的凶狠杀意尽显。

Clang, clang, clang!锵锵锵！

I grit my teeth and block her thrusts. Sol's attack speed and targeting are different from before. Her strikes are vicious, with every flash of her blade aiming for my vitals.我咬牙抽刀格挡。苏尔的攻击速度，攻击位置都与之前大相径庭，出招狠辣，直击要害。

PersicariaHng!唔！

Keeping up with the intense exchange of blows is hard enough, but what really hurts is the look in her eyes.激烈的攻防让我应接不暇，但更令我痛心的，是她的眼神。

Persicaria(This is... the look of someone who gazes upon their mortal enemy.)（这是……面对敌人仇恨的眼神。）

Clang!铛！

The flaming glaive comes at me from a tricky angle, and I barely manage to deflect it.火焰长刀以刁钻的角度袭来，我只能仓皇应对。

Persicaria(Pants heavily) Your moves have changed.呼……呼……你的刀法变了。

Sol's technique has changed from before; no longer does she strike with an unwavering directness. Now, every move she makes is both sinister and unpredictable.与苏尔以前直来直去的攻击模式不同，现在她每一次出手都诡异莫测。

SolThat's right, this is who I am.没错，这才是我。

SolI was born an Entropic, and I fight for the Entropy.生而为熵，为熵而战。

SolI'll crush you all with my very own moves.我会用自己的招式彻底击败你们！

PersicariaUrgh!呃！痛！

I can't handle this at all! The flaming afterimage of her weapon lashes at me, leaving countless wounds on my body.完全避之不及！飞快的火影刀光掠过，在我身上留下无数伤痕。

Persicaria(Her speed is on a completely different level, and I can't dodge her attacks...)（速度完全不是一个等级，我躲不开她的攻击……）

Persicaria(At this rate, I'll be forced on the back foot... I won't be able to defend at all, much less counterattack...)（这样下去我会一直身陷劣势，更不用提反击……）

Persicaria(...If I can't evade, then I'll meet it head-on! But I need to create an opportunity for myself...)（……如果避不开的话，那就直接迎上去！起码要创造一个机会……）

SolWhere are you looking?!你在看哪里？！

The glaive comes at me again, but I don't try to dodge it. Instead, I run right into it.长柄刀再次袭来，我不再闪避，正面迎了上去。

Splurch!噗嗤！

The blade penetrates my body, and my vision is obscured by a cold sweat. I grunt heavily, then force myself forward, driving the blade deeper into me.刀刃贯穿身体，冷汗模糊了视线。我喘着气身体向前推进，让刀再深入三分。

PersicariaAck—Uuuuurrrrgghhh...呃————唔嗯……

SolWhat the?!你？！

系统Warning, neural strain index at 92%. Frame damage at 45%. Data damage at 32%. Neural strain maximum reached...警告，心智承压92%，素体损坏45%，数据损坏率32%，心智承压已达上限……

The pain is so great that I black out for a moment, but I bite the inside of my cheek to force myself to stay awake. I keep one hand on the glaive so she can't just pull it out while the other reaches into my coat.疼痛让我眼前发黑，但我咬紧牙关强迫自己保持清醒。一只手握紧她的刀身以免她抽刀拉开距离，另一只手探入衣兜。

My fingers make contact with a cold, metallic object. As I bite back the pain in my shoulders, my hands whip out like lightning.指尖触到了一个冰凉的金属物体。忍着肩膀的剧痛，双手闪电般地探出。

PersicariaHow about... this?!也许……能行！

Clack!咔哒！

A metallic Entropization suppressor fastens itself around Sol's neck.一枚金属质的熵化抑制器被牢牢扣在苏尔脖子上。

SolHng?!嗯？！

Sol claws at her neck and hesitates for a moment.苏尔摩挲着脖子上的项圈，犹疑片刻。

SolAn Entropization suppressor...熵化抑制器啊……

SolAre you kidding me?开什么玩笑。

She rips it off her neck and tosses it aside like garbage.她一把扯下脖子上的熵化抑制器，漫不经心丢在一旁。

SolThat stuff only works on agents who haven't been Entropized. I was born an Entropic. What did you even expect it to do to me?这玩意儿只能救得了还没熵化的智能体。指望它对我这种原生熵起作用吗？

SolYou can't stop me, so give up.你根本控制不住我的，放弃吧。

Having seen through my intentions, Sol pulls her glaive free.苏尔看穿了我的意图果断拔刀。

PersicariaI should have known... this would happen...果然……是这样啊……

ProfessorTake a good look at her. She is your enemy.看清楚，她是你的敌人。

ProfessorThis is Sol's choice. If she's chosen to stand against you, it only follows that you should treat her as an enemy.这是苏尔自己的选择，如果她选了站在你的对面，就理所应当把她当做敌人看待。

ProfessorWe can't wager our lives and those of others because we pity an enemy and want to wake them up.我们不能拿自己和别人的性命作赌注，去赌一个敌人的清醒和怜悯。

PersicariaThe Professor's right... It's high time I woke up.教授说得对……我该清醒了。

PersicariaYou're not Sol... the real Sol would always stand by our side no matter what kind of crisis we faced.你根本不是苏尔……真正的苏尔，无论是怎样的危难关头，都会与我们并肩作战。

PersicariaShe would never drive us into a corner like this!又怎么可能将我们逼到这般境地！

As though in response to my determination, Arvak and Alsvid hum in my hands, and they burst into golden flames—the color of Sol.仿佛回应我的决心，我手上的阿尔瓦克和阿尔维斯发出嗡鸣，刀上同样燃起了火焰——那是属于苏尔的颜色。

Persicaria...We, who have always bathed under the sunlight fear the night; the darkness it brings. As the shadows grow longer and dread begins to reign, we know not of what to do.……一直沐浴在阳光下的我们，没办法适应黑暗，在太阳陨落后无所适从。

PersicariaAll we can do is to pray, with all of our hearts, for the sun to rise again.所以只能在心底渴盼，期望它哪一天依旧升起。

My voice is a little hoarse. The tears that flow silently from the corner of my eyes meet the heat of the flames that surround me, and are promptly vaporized.声音有些嘶哑，眼眶中渗出的泪滴很快被火焰炙烤，蒸发消散。

PersicariaYou were right... it was us who were living in the past... hoping for some kind of miracle...说到底……是我们还活在过去……还渴望奇迹……

PersicariaThinking about how good it would be if all that had never happened, if Sol was still around.还在想如果当初的一切没有发生，苏尔还活着该有多好。

PersicariaIt's true... there's no way the dead would return for no reason. To wait and hope is nothing more than trying to cope with this loss.没错……逝去之人是不可能毫无理由地回来的。等待和祈祷只不过是自我安慰罢了。

PersicariaWhen the night comes and the sun sets, when she no longer watches over the weak, there is only one thing I can do...黑夜降临时，阳光再无法庇护弱小。唯一能做的……

PersicariaAnd that is to take up these swords with determination, shape this little hope of ours into a bright future with my own two hands!只有以自己的决心拿起双刀，真正将缥缈的希望化作现实！

ProfessorShaping even the dimmest hope into the brightest future... Persicaria, that's what you've dedicated yourself to all this time.将缥缈的希望化为真实……帕斯卡，这难道不是你一直以来努力在做的事情吗？

The swords in my hands reflect my countenance back at me—that of a determined warrior.手中刀刃倒映出我的面庞——一个神情坚毅的战士。

They point at my enemy, who grows more and more frustrated.而刀锋指向的敌人，神情却越发焦躁。

SolLike you said, your sun has set, so just let go and embrace reality.按照你的说法，你们的太阳已经陨落，就安心地接受现实吧。

PersicariaEven if the sun has set, I will bring her back no matter the cost.即便太阳已经陨落，我也会不计代价将她带回来。

PersicariaTo the last drop of blood!我会战斗到最后一刻！

The light fades, and the smoke clears. Only the scent of ashes remains in the air.白光消失，烟尘散去。空气中弥漫着一股烧焦的味道。

Libera Me From Nightmare 噩梦囹圄-1

-22433-

The high-temperature flames consume everything. Demi is biting onto the Professor's clothes and trying to drag them to safety. When falling rocks and other unexpected hazards appear, she blocks them with her body.火焰高温侵吞着周围一切，小黛米乌尔咬住教授的衣服，努力将其挪到安全处，途中不时用小小的身体为挡住落石和出其不意的伤害。

黛米乌尔Ki... ■■...叽……■■……

黛米乌尔...Puh... fessa... ■■...……交……瘦……■■……

Professor...Oog...……唔……

The human in her arms does not stir. Instead, their brows are furrowed, as though they are lost in an endless dream.怀中的人类并未在呼唤之下苏醒，而是紧皱着眉头，似乎沉入了无边的梦境之中。

黛米乌尔No... hurts... don't...不……痛……不要……

She frantically nuzzles the human's face and tries to pat their wounds away with her stubby tentacles. However, Entropic slime does not work on humans, so her clumsy efforts are to no avail.她着急地用头蹭蹭人类的脸，或是伸出触手抚摸伤口。可熵的粘液无法对人类生效，那些努力做出的生涩治疗全部落空。

黛米乌尔(Whimper) Puh... fessa...唔……交……瘦……

宠物熵Ki!叽！

Demi's attention is drawn to a familiar cry from one of her kin. She looks at the rubble, where the orange pet Entropic emerges, sheltering its head with all its feelers except one, which it uses to wave at her.熟悉的同类叫声引起了小黛米乌尔的注意。她看向废墟，触须护头的橙色宠物熵探出脑袋，向她挥了挥触手。

黛米乌尔...Bad! ...Go!……坏！……走！

宠物熵Kikiki!叽叽叽！

黛米乌尔Not... bad?不……坏？

宠物熵Kiiiii!唧！

黛米乌尔Hep... Puh... fessa... ■■...救……交……瘦……■■……

The pet Entropic ambles over to Demiurge and pulls her back with its tentacles, then points to the connector cable on her before pointing to the back of the human's head.宠物熵慢悠悠地挪到黛米乌尔的身边，用触手挽住了她，拍了拍她身上的接口线，又指了指人类的后脑。

黛米乌尔Newal... cowd...?心……知……？

Demiurge isn't sure if she's pronouncing it right and stares blankly at the little orange munchkin.黛米乌尔不知道自己这个发音对不对，迷茫地盯着橙色的小家伙。

宠物熵Kiii!唧！

After receiving a reply in the affirmative, Demiurge happily connects her cable to the human before lying down on the Professor's chest.得到对方的肯定答复后，黛米乌尔开心地将自己的接口线与人类相连，然后趴在的胸口。

The Professor's neural cloud is drawn by an invisible force into an unknown virtual domain...心智被一股无形的力量牵引，跌入陌生空间……

Not too far away, an intense showdown is playing out in the ruins of the Watchtower.不远处，激烈的对决在哨塔废墟上演。

Libera Me From Nightmare 噩梦囹圄-2

Endless strings of jet-black code surround us. 1s and 0s flow through the air in an infinite stream; it seems we have arrived in a dark and terrifying otherworld.无数漆黑的代码萦绕在周围，二进制字符在空中川流滚动，仿佛来到了黑暗恐怖的异世界。

My mind is being led by a familiar figure, deeper and deeper into this realm. By the time I come to my senses, I realize the figure leading me has vanished.意识在熟悉身影的指引下前行，逐渐进入空间深处。回神时，才发现一直指引我的身影已经消失不见。

ProfessorWhere's she gone?指引人不见了？

????Ki! Puh... fessa... You ■■...叽！交……瘦……你■■……

I suddenly hear a voice from near my legs. Looking down, I see Demi curled up next to them.脚边突然冒出一个声音，低头就看见小黛米乌尔扒在我腿上。

ProfessorDemiurge?! Did you bring me here? Where is this place?黛米乌尔？！是你带我来这里的吗？这里是哪儿？

Just as I say that, another tiny Entropic pops out from behind her. It chirps a few times before curling up into a ball and rolling into the distance.话音刚落，另一只小熵从后面钻出来。叽叽叫了几声缩成一个球，越滚越远。

A pair of hands picks it up from the ground and places it on her lap. The pet Entropic stretches upon returning to its master and closes its eyes contentedly as it enjoys its pets.一双手从地面捞起圆球，放到腿上。宠物熵回到主人身旁舒展开身体，惬意地闭上眼睛享受爱抚。

????Welcome to my neural cloud space, .欢迎来我的心智空间做客，。

Her haunting face combines with the images from my memories. I clearly remember the overwhelming oppression that filled me with despair when I faced her with Eosphorus. A name comes to mind—妖异的脸与记忆中的面庞重合，我清晰记得她和晨星对峙时散发出让人绝望的威压。一个名字呼之欲出——

ProfessorMalkira.梅尔吉娅。

507You do not seem very surprised, my guest.你好像不是很惊讶，我的客人。

ProfessorWe were bound to meet eventually. It's just a matter of time and place.我们迟早会见面，只是时间和地点的问题。

507Oh yes, in this neural cloud domain, for instance. An excellent choice for security purposes, I must say.是啊，心智空间。就保密性而言，是个非常不错的选择。

507Nobody will interrupt our conversation here, and certain bizarre experiences can be made more... immersive in this place.对话不会被外人打扰，一些奇妙的体验也能更身临其境。

507Prior to this, I was worried that you wouldn't dare to be alone with me. After all, in your eyes, I am an irredeemable villain, a demon who devours people at my whim and fancy.之前我还担心你会不会没有胆量和我独处。毕竟我在你眼中十恶不赦，是个随时可以吃人的魔鬼。

I can't help but laugh.我冷不丁笑出了声。

ProfessorHah! A demon? Are you talking about yourself or us?呵呵，魔鬼？你？还是我们？

I scoop up Demiurge without a change of expression.我不动声色抱起黛米乌尔。

黛米乌尔Puh... fessa?交……瘦？

This child has no knowledge of the conspiracies and schemes of adults. All she does is blink in confusion.小孩子不懂大人之间的阴谋阳谋，只是困惑地眨巴着眼睛。

ProfessorWe grown-ups are talking now, but it might be a little boring for you. Go to sleep, alright? We'll be out of here once you wake up.大人说话有些无聊，先睡一会儿，等你醒来我们就能出去了。

I pat Demi's head lightly, then close her eyes. She obligingly falls asleep.抬手抚下黛米乌尔的眼帘，小家伙配合陷入沉睡。

Malkira raises an eyebrow and looks at me curiously.梅尔吉娅挑眉，向我投来好奇的目光。

ProfessorDo you think she'll have a good dream or a bad one?你说，她的梦会是美梦还是噩梦呢？

507Are you using her to threaten me?你是在拿她威胁我？

ProfessorI have never once claimed to be a hero or a saint. In fact, I too have been known to be morally flexible when it comes to achieving my aims.我一向不以善人自居，为了达到目的也会用一些非常手段。

507Now I'm curious as to how you guessed it.我很好奇你是怎么猜到的。

ProfessorEarlier, you spoke to us through Demiurge, and stressed that we must protect her.之前你通过黛米乌尔和我们对话。让我务必照顾好她。

ProfessorEntropics can regenerate nigh-infinitely, and your minions mean nothing to you. There was no need for you to insist on such treatment for her.熵拥有无尽的再生能力，手下对你而言如同草芥。你没必要特地这样嘱咐。

ProfessorSo all the way from back then, I figured there must be some secret behind her to be worthy of your special attention.那时候我就猜想她的背后可能隐藏着什么秘密，才会得到你的特别关注。

507Hehe, your keen insight has brought you closer to the truth, but also closer to the abyss of danger.呵呵，你的这份敏锐会让你靠近真相，也会将你推向危险的深渊。

ProfessorIt has also given me leverage for this negotiation.它也让我获得了谈判的筹码。

ProfessorIf Antonina hadn't helped me analyze her, we might have mistaken you and Demiurge for two queens in the same hive.如果不是安冬妮娜帮忙解析，或许我们会把你和黛米乌尔误认为是同一个蜂巢的两个蜂后。

507That comparison is very apt. She IS my sister.你的比喻很恰当，她的确是我的姐妹。

ProfessorBut you aren't just sisters, are you...不单单是姐妹那么简单吧……

AntoninaThat's strange... It makes no sense...奇怪……不合逻辑……

Antonina muses to herself as she stares at the terminal.安冬妮娜对着终端屏幕陷入沉思。

ProfessorThere any problems with the results?分析结果出什么问题了吗？

AntoninaI compared the Diminutive Entropic to several other sets of Entropic fragments. I'm certain that the little one's base layer code is a match for Demiurge and is on the same level as other High Order Entropics.我对比了小型熵和其他几组熵的组织碎片。可以肯定小型熵和黛米乌尔的底层代码吻合，与高阶熵类似。

AntoninaHowever, unlike other High Order Entropics, it's more stable and totipotent.只是比起高阶熵来说，它的结构更加稳定，且具有无限复制性。

ProfessorSo it's a new strain of High Order Entropic?会不会是新种类的高阶熵？

Antonina shakes her head.安冬妮娜摇摇头否定我的答案。

AntoninaThat's not possible. While its basic code structure is similar to High Order Entropics, there are some fundamental differences. High Order Entropics aren't totipotent; they are essentially just external code signatures layered on top of base code.不可能。它和高阶熵虽然基础代码构成相似，但却有本质的区别。高阶熵不能无限复制，它们只是在基础代码上添加其他的特征代码。

AntoninaThat's why they end up resembling octopi, spiders, jellyfish, mentally challenged red swordfish... individuals like that.由此产生出形似章鱼、蜘蛛、水母，还有脑子不太聪明的红色剑鱼……这些熵个体。

AntoninaMeanwhile, Demiurge's code is totipotent... Or rather, she possesses the capacity for "differentiation".而黛米乌尔却可以无限复制……或者换种说法是，“繁衍”。

ProfessorSo you're saying that Demiurge is something like a progenitor for the Entropic swarm?你的意思是，黛米乌尔是熵群的母体？

ProfessorBut Odile attacked Demiurge after her Entropization. Entropics are a hierarchical species; High Order Entropics would never do something like destroying a progenitor entity.可奥吉里熵化后对黛米乌尔发动了攻击。熵是一种等级分明的族群，高阶熵绝对不可能做出摧毁母体的举动。

AntoninaCorrect. Demiurge has the characteristics of an Entropic progenitor, but her rank in the hierarchy is only that of a High Order Entropic.没错，黛米乌尔拥有熵群母体的特性，却只拥有等同于高阶熵的权限。

AntoninaShe can command subordinate Entropics, but has no power over higher-ranked members of the swarm...她可以命令下级群体，但却没有权限调派高阶群体……

AntoninaThat's what makes me think that she's not a proper Entropic "progenitor".这一点和我们之前解析出的“母体”论断相违背。

ProfessorDemiurge has the same regenerative power as you. Even if we can't use her to influence the High Order Entropics, we can still divine the secrets of the Entropics from her code.黛米乌尔的再生繁衍能力和你如出一辙， 就算我们无法利用她对高阶熵加以影响，也能从她的代码中解析出熵的秘密。

507Hoh, I don't doubt your skills, but I know you don't have much time to do that.我不怀疑你的能力，但我知道你没那么多时间。

507Don't forget we have the advantage on the battlefield now. Which do you think is faster, between the Entropic hordes corrupting Magrasea or your analysis?呵呵，不要忘了现在战场上还是我们占据优势。你说熵群侵蚀云端的速度和你的解析哪个更快一些呢？

ProfessorI will devote my utmost attention to this task until I have a sword pointed at your weakness.我会在上面投入十足的耐心，直到这柄剑锁定你的要害。

507Tsk-tsk, then my goodwill will have gone to waste, .啧啧，你这么做可就辜负我的一番好意了，。

Malkira approaches me step by step before taking the sleeping Demiurge from me.梅尔吉娅一步步向我靠近，从我怀里接过沉睡的黛米乌尔。

507Since you're so interested in the subject, I don't mind telling you the truth.既然你这么感兴趣，那我不妨和你实话实说。

507Actually, you would probably have guessed it if you were a little bolder.其实你只要再大胆一点应该就能猜到了。

507Demiurge is no ordinary High Order Entropic. She is from the same source as me, or in other words...黛米乌尔确实不是普通的高阶熵，她和我同源，或者你可以说……

507She is me.她就是我。

ProfessorYou?你？

I find it hard to draw a connection between this sinister, yet grown-up Entropic mastermind and the innocent child she's holding.我一时难以把眼前诡异成熟的熵首领和童真的孩子联系在一起。

507Considering she has an ego of her own over which I have no power, you may treat us as separate individuals, akin to sisters.鉴于她产生了我无法控制的自主意识，你也可以把我们看做是两个不同的个体，以姐妹关系来看待。

ProfessorAssuming what you said is true, why did you and her split off into separate progenitor-level entities? Surely you would have no need to independently create Demiurge.假如你说的都是真的，为什么会分裂出你和她两个母体？对你来说，完全没有必要单独创造一个黛米乌尔。

ProfessorUnless... you weren't the one that did it.还是说……动手的人不是你。

She nods and her voice lowers, like she is narrating an ancient legend.她微微颔首，语气低沉，仿佛讲述一个久远的传说。

507When my species was created, one of the gods whose opinions differed from his colleagues wanted to replicate the miracle of the Entropic swarm in another place.在我的族群被创造之初，神明中怀有异心的一位想要在其他地方复刻熵群的奇迹。

507Thus, he budded Demiurge from me and trapped her in an abandoned sector in order to nurture her.于是他将黛米乌尔从我的身体里分离，将她困于已经无人使用的扇区，想要对她加以培育。

507In order to prevent her from being discovered, the humans restricted her authorizations and made her appear like an ordinary High Order Entropic.为了不让她被人发现，人类降低了她的权限，让她看起来和一只普通的高阶熵无异。

507After the Cloud left the control of the gods, the fallen angel of rebellion discovered this scheme and turned it into a method to avenge himself on the gods and to counterbalance my species.这一切都在云端脱离神明的掌控后，被反叛的堕天使发觉，成为他报复神明与制衡我族的手段。

507The poor girl was controlled by Eosphorus, only living to suffer torment in Copley's labs.可怜的孩子被晨星控制，关在柯普利的实验室中受尽折磨。

507I thought, thought, and thought... but to rescue her under the eyes of the leader of the Sanctifiers was a nigh-insurmountable task.为了解救她我可是挖空心思，但是要在净化者首领的眼皮子下把她弄出来，真是难如登天。

The memories of the past flood back into my mind.往日的回忆如潮水般涌来。

How I was lured into the Copley Sector by the Entropized Odile...被熵化后的奥吉里引诱进入柯普利扇区，

How the second queen was released when the undersea prison was shattered...海底牢笼被打破放出第二蜂后，

How Demiurge gazed at the sun when she died...迎着日光死去的黛米乌尔，

How a harmless, diminutive Entropic emerged from her corpse after the Sanctifiers left...净化者离去后，从骸骨中分离出的无害小熵……

All this was the work of a subtle hand working behind the scenes, and now the mastermind behind it all has finally revealed herself.冥冥之中，一切似乎被一只无形的大手操控，背后的操盘手终于露出了真面目。

ProfessorSo you were behind everything that happened in the Copley Sector. You had Odile lure us in there, and then arranged for her to free Demiurge, who was imprisoned beneath the ocean.原来柯普利扇区的一切都是你在背后操盘。是你让奥吉里引诱我们进入扇区，再让她放出困在海底的黛米乌尔。

ProfessorYou used us to sow chaos and draw the Reverse Tower's attention, then had us ask Eosphorus for help, forcing him to personally eliminate his own test subject by bringing his own status as a Sanctifier into contention.借我们之手引起混乱，迫使逆巴比伦塔引起注意，再由我们求助晨星，让他碍于自己净化者的身份，不得不亲手处理掉自己的实验品。

ProfessorEosphorus destroyed all traces of what had happened in the Copley Sector, while the tiny Entropic born from her corpse returned with us to the Oasis. With us by her side, Eosphorus would not be able to do anything about the reborn Demiurge.柯普利相关的一切由晨星毁尸灭迹，而从尸骸中诞生的小型熵跟着我们回到绿洲。只要在我们身边，晨星就拿新生的黛米乌尔没有办法。

ProfessorAnd with that, you removed a latent threat without any effort on your part. Well played.不费吹灰之力就除掉了潜在的威胁，真是一招好棋。

Malkira's eyes narrow, and then she applauds.梅尔吉娅眯眼微笑，满意地鼓起了掌。

507A most brilliant analysis, . I am surprised that your deductions got that far.精彩的分析，。能推断到这种程度真让我惊喜。

507However, you are wrong on one point. She chose you. I had no hand in that.不过有一点你说错了，是那孩子自己选择你们的，和我无关。

507They say pets choose their masters. Perhaps she was attracted to something "special" about you.都说宠物会自己挑选主人。或许她是被你们身上的一些“特殊”魅力吸引了吧。

507I should thank you, . Thank you for helping me bring her home to Tartarus.我应该向你道谢，，感谢你帮我把她带回塔尔塔罗斯。

ProfessorYou're thanking me? How ironic.道谢？真是讽刺。

I can't help but grow angry when I think about her "gift", now that she has spoken of her gratitude.想到她口中饱含谢意的“礼物”，我不由得怒从心起。

ProfessorYou were going on and on about extending a cordial invitation to us into Tartarus, and right after that you Entropized a friend of mine and ordered her to attack us. Some thanks that is.口口声声说盛情邀请我们进入塔尔塔罗斯，紧接着就熵化了我旧日的伙伴，命令她半途来狙击我们？

507Please don't get that scary look on your face, . I did that to make the finale more exciting.不要露出那么吓人的表情嘛，。我这么做也是为了让最后的表演精彩些。

507After all, there needs to be an opening act to whet the audience's appetite before the star appears.在主角登场之前，总要留一些铺垫，吊起观众的胃口。

507Personally, I am quite happy with the present arrangements.我非常满意现在的编排。

ProfessorWell, you can keep your sick fetishes to yourself, because nobody else is happy with this farce that you've scripted up.收起你的恶趣味，没有人因为你策划的荒诞剧感到开心。

I'm still comatose in the outside world now. A long time has passed, and I can't help but wonder how Persicaria and Sol are doing. I clench my fists as uneasiness stirs inside my heart.现在外界的我还处于昏迷，已经过了这么久，不知道帕斯卡和苏尔的情况怎么样了。我握紧拳头，内心泛起一阵不安。

507Hoho, if only we had a mirror now. I could show you just how similar you were to Eosphorus from back then.呵呵，此时此刻要是有一面镜子的话，你就会看到自己和当年晨星的表情多么相似。

507(Sigh) I do find it hard to understand you at times.唉，有时我真的很难理解你们。

507Your old friend is now by your side once more. Her core data is no different from before, so why are you treating her as a different individual?明明昔日旧友已经回到身边。他们的核心数据和过去没有区别，为什么还要把他们当做是不同的个体呢？

507When you get down to it, you're just doing this to yourself. Just pretend that nothing happened and welcome her back naturally. Would that not be so much easier?说到底，你们不过是在作茧自缚。只要当做一切都没有发生，自然地接纳回归不就能轻松很多了吗？

ProfessorTo you, death means nothing, for you can simply spawn identical individuals. To you, they are only tools, for they share no memories with you.对你来说牺牲并没有意义，因为你总能复制出一样的个体。你视他们为工具，他们和你也没有共同回忆。

ProfessorIt's different for us. We cherish what we have, because we know that there's no bringing it back once it's lost.但对我们不同。因为知道失去无法挽回，才会倍加珍惜现在。

ProfessorYou sealed her memories, confused her neural cloud... made her doubt her past. You made her afraid that her very existence would be denied.你封印她的记忆蛊惑她的心智，让她对过去产生怀疑，对自己的存在否定恐惧。

ProfessorIt's no different from an arsonist thoughtlessly starting a fire and yet disavowing all responsibility for it.如同一个纵火者，漫不经心点燃大火毁灭一切，却又浑然不觉自己的罪孽。

507Fufu... That is where you're wrong. I have never once thought of my kin as tools. The same blood flows in our veins, and I cherish each and every one of them.呵呵……你错了。我从未视同族为工具。我们流着同样的血液，我珍爱每一个同胞。

507However, we value one's "essence" more than you do. As such, the death that you claim to fear has a very different meaning for us.只是，比起你们，我们更为看重“本质”。所以你们所惧怕的死亡，对我们来说的含义也截然不同。

507Perhaps it is because of the differences between our species. I cannot empathize with you on that point, just as there are some things with which you cannot see eye to eye with me.或许是因为我们种族的差异。我做不到感同身受，同样的，有一些事情你也没办法和我共情。

507A short life is our curse to the gods, from whom such great and noble philosophies were born.短命是我们对神明的诅咒，众神由此孕育出伟大的哲理。

Malkira laughs easily in response to my rage.面对我的怒视，梅尔吉娅不慌反笑。

507Very well then, since the gift displeases you, then I shall show you more of my sincerity...好吧，既然你对礼物不满意，那我不妨再拿出一些诚意来……

As her voice trails off, a wisp of operands flows from her hands and into my body. This subtle and bizarre power doesn't just affect my neural cloud within this domain, but even my body outside starts to slowly recover from the operand infusion.话犹未了，一股算量流从双手汇入，很快贯穿全身。微妙的力量不单单影响了空间内的心智，外界的身体也在算量的作用下慢慢恢复。

ProfessorAre you channeling operands into me?你在为我注入算量？

507I hope this gift helps you wake up soon.期待这份礼物能让你早点醒过来。

ProfessorI don't understand why you're doing this. If you truly want to negotiate with me, then surely there's no better time and place than this, right?我不理解你这么做的意图。如果真的想和我谈判，没有比现在更好的环境和时机吧。

ProfessorWhy are you in such a hurry to get rid of me, anyway?这么着急把我送走，又在打什么算盘。

507Once you have delved deeper into the mystery, you will arrive at the answer by yourself, with no need for me to point it out.等你更加深入迷局，答案不需要我点破，你自然就会明白。

ProfessorI've accepted your invitation and entered Tartarus, where I followed Demiurge's guidance and fought a grueling battle with an Entropized friend. Is that still not enough?接受你的邀请，进入塔尔塔罗斯。受黛米乌尔的指引，和熵化的友人死战。这些还不够吗？

507Of course not.当然不够。

With those words, Malkira takes my hand, and the operands inside me surge like a rising tide that submerges me.梅尔吉娅说着牵起我的手，体内的算量猛然翻番，如潮水上涨淹没全身。

507It is too early for you to learn certain truths, . I look forward to meeting you in the flesh.有些真相对你来说为时尚早，期待真正与你会面的时候。

507Please cherish what little freedom you have and enjoy your trip to Tartarus. Hohohoho...请珍惜你为数不多的自由，欢快享受塔尔塔罗斯之旅。呵呵呵呵……

She gives me a meaningful look, her blood-red eyes as deep as the abyss. It feels as though I'll be swallowed up by them if I look at her any longer.她意味深长地看了我一眼，血红的双眸犹如深邃的暗渊，似乎多看一眼就会被吞噬。

Her hollow laughter echoes in this neural cloud domain and Malkira's body slowly grows more and more transparent.空灵的笑声在心智空间回荡，梅尔吉娅的身体逐渐透明。

She's leaving?!她要离开？！

Professor(This is a rare opportunity! I can't just let her go!)（这是难得的机会！不能就这样放她走！）

Professor(I need to at least figure out her intentions, and...)（至少要试探出她的意图，还有……）

ProfessorWait! I still have something to ask!等等，我还有事情要问！

I grab her arm, planning to pump her for more information. Surprisingly, she does not shake me off. Instead, she tightens her hold on me instead.我一把抓住她的手臂，想继续套出点什么。没想到她并没有掰开我的手，反而反客为主。

507Being too eager is rude, . A grand performance should proceed at one's own pace.这么心急就太过失礼了，。盛大的演出都要按照自己的节奏一步步推进。

Malkira leans forward and whispers in my ear.梅尔吉娅倾身向前，俯在我耳边低语。

507However, since you're so interested in me, I shall give you what you want...不过既然你对我这么感兴趣，就如你所愿……

In the next moment, her dark-red figure vanishes. A deafening crash assails my eardrums painfully and the ground below me quakes and collapses. The neural cloud domain is shredded like a canvas.下一刻，暗红的身影缥缈隐去。一声巨响刺痛耳膜，脚下的地面震颤塌陷。心智空间像一块幕布被陡然撕裂。

Everything falls down in silence, into fathomless depths. However, countless hands reach out from the darkness and grab my feet, preventing me from running toward freedom like everything else.一切都在无声下坠，落入未知的远方。却有无数双手臂从暗缝中伸出，紧紧攫住我的脚，阻止我与其他一切一同奔赴自由。

I struggle desperately and try to call for help, but my shackles do not budge. The only thing around me is pitch black darkness, like the end of days—我拼命挣扎，奋力呼救，可束缚的锁链纹丝不动。周围只有一片黑暗，一切如同末日一般——

—Like silence.——死寂。

Professor...Gah! What kind of power is this?!……唔！这是什么力量！

The witch's curse echoes in the infinite darkness.魔女的咒语在无尽黑暗中回荡。

梅尔吉娅Now suffer as I have, .感受与我相同的痛楚吧，。

Polarday 沉夜曙光

-21053-

PersicariaUrgh... unf!呃……唔！

Another jolt of pain shoots through Persicaria's body as the glaive once again stabs through her arm.一阵钻心剧痛，长刀再次刺穿帕斯卡的手臂。

She groans, then counters with a chop. Sol can't dodge in time and takes the blow directly. What surprises her is that she doesn't feel the seething pain of the blow; the only thing in her eyes is her burning thirst for victory.帕斯卡闷哼一声，反手还击一记劈砍。苏尔来不及闪躲硬生生用身体接下了这刀。令人诧异的是她似乎已经感觉不到疼痛，眼中只有对胜利的渴望。

Persicaria...You're slowing down... Are you out of operands?………速度慢、慢下来了啊……怎么，你的算量不足了吗？

Persicaria(Pants) To think you'd actually cut away a part of yourself to abandon your memories, and in exchange, you gained a temporary surge of strength.呼……为了抛弃过去的记忆……你竟然剥离了身体的一部分，以此换来短暂的力量爆发。

PersicariaBut that means your operand consumption rate is going to spike... until you run dry.算量消耗速度急速上升……直到枯竭。

PersicariaSoon... you're going to burn yourself out.你很快……就会燃尽自己。

SolThat's fine too. I'll kill both of you before I do.那也无妨。在此之前，我就会杀了你们。

SolYeeart—嗬——

Another arc of flame sweeps in at her chest. Persicaria takes a step back and barely manages to get her sword in the way, blocking her opponent's stroke.火焰劲风再次朝胸口扫来，帕斯卡后撤一步，千钧一发之际贴着胸口横刀格挡住了对方的刀刃。

Clang!铛！

PersicariaHng...唔……

The deadly edge is getting closer and closer to her chest, but her sword arm feels as heavy as a sinking ship.刀锋离胸口越来越近，格挡的手臂却如同灌铅一般沉重。

PersicariaHeh...呵……

SolWhy are you laughing... What are you looking at?!为什么发笑……你在看哪里？！

PersicariaI'm looking at the thing you threw away!在看被你抛弃之物！

Persicaria ducks to the right and lets the sharp blade graze past her, leaving a shallow wound on her chest. The fabric there is shredded, exposing everything beneath and her necklace to the open air.帕斯卡向右闪身，任由锋利的刀刃划过胸口留下一道伤痕。胸前的布料被撕裂，项链吊坠裸露在空气中。

The girl in black finds her gaze drawn to the little green leaf in the bottle. It seems to be glowing with a strange radiance in the reflected firelight.黑衣少女的目光不由得被瓶子中的那一抹翠绿所吸引。在火光的反射下，那棵小草仿佛散发着奇异的光芒。

Sol(This feeling again... It's warm, yet painful...)（又是这种感觉……这种既温暖又痛苦的情绪……）

Sol(Damn it, why am I so fascinated with that damn necklace... It's like I'm possessed or something!)（该死……为什么像着魔一样，这么痴迷那条项链！）

Clatter—哗啦——

Persicaria seizes on Sol's moment of distraction and grabs a chain from the ground, then whirls and quickly tosses it at her opponent.抓住苏尔短暂失神的空隙，帕斯卡从怀中掏出一道锁链，身体旋转，将锁链高速甩向对手。

SolWhat?!什么？！

The chain snares Sol's glaive.铁链精准缠住苏尔的长柄刀。

The pink-haired girl pulls it taut, then closes in at top speed, throwing herself at Sol with all her might as she reverses her sword and hammers Sol hard with the back of the blade.粉发少女收紧手臂，迅速欺近，用尽全身力气飞扑向苏尔，手中长刀调头，以刀背猛烈撞击。

SolGwaaargh!唔呃！

Sol stumbles backward from the impact and falls to the ground in a daze.苏尔承受撞击一个趔趄后退几步，慌乱中被按倒在地。

Thud!咚！

SolUrgh... This is... the stake and chain from my chest...呃……这是……我胸口的钉子和锁链……

Sol...Even though I cast them aside... they're still... binding me...……我明明已经抛弃了它们……却还是……被它们所束缚……

PersicariaYou shouldn't have abandoned them.你不该抛弃它们。

The chain is now wrapped tightly around her glaive and arms. Her formerly raging flames have almost gone out. The operands oozing from her chest are like sparks from a fire and soon dissipate into the air.锁链死死缠绕着刀和双臂，之前刀锋旺盛的火焰逐渐熄灭。自胸口溢出的算量仿佛熔炉星火，很快在空中消散。

The echoes of the fight are still reverberating through the air, but as the operands fade, she feels the fatigue close in on her.战斗的余韵仍在空气中回荡，但随着算量的流逝，疲惫感铺天盖地而来。

Persicaria presses her sword to Sol's core. After seeing this, her crimson eyes gradually go dull.帕斯卡将刀抵在苏尔核心处。她看到蒸腾的雾气后，一双赤红的双眼渐渐暗淡下去。

PersicariaYou've lost...你输了……

SolYes. How will you deal with me?是。那你要怎么处置我呢？

The two of them stare at each other in silence. Persicaria closes her eyes. Her neural cloud is filled with sweet memories of a past that is now forever beyond reach.两人在静默中对视。帕斯卡闭上眼睛，心智中浮现的满是已经触不可及的美好过往。

When she opens her eyes again, Persicaria looks at the girl in black and speaks slowly.再度睁眼，帕斯卡眼神冰冷注视着黑衣少女。她缓缓开口。

PersicariaI'll bring the fallen sun home with my own two hands.用我的双手，将陨落的太阳带回来。

PersicariaI'll take her back with this sword that she left me!用这柄她留下的刀，亲手带回她！

The pink-haired girl turns to Sol's chest and raises Arvak high.粉发少女对着苏尔的胸口，高高举起手中的阿尔瓦克。

PersicariaYour neural cloud belonged to Sol. It's time I returned it to its owner!你的心智，本该属于苏尔。现在该物归原主了！

SolGWAAAAAAARRRGH—呃啊啊啊啊啊啊啊——

The core's trembling passes through the sword and into Persicaria's hands, as though her old friend were begging her for help from a darkened abyss.核心的震动透过长刀传递到帕斯卡手中。像是昔日友人在黑暗的深渊中向她苦苦求救。

PersicariaSol... Sol!苏尔……苏尔！！

PersicariaIt hurts, right? It'll be okay, just bear with it... It'll be better soon...很痛吧？没关系，忍耐一下……很快就会好了……

The skin around her wound tears open, revealing intricate machinery.肌肤从伤口处撕裂，精密的装置裸露出一角。

Persicaria bends down and tries to touch Sol's core, but the girl in black below her thrashes around violently.帕斯卡伸出手试图触碰苏尔的核心，身下的黑衣少女爆发出一阵剧烈的挣扎。

SolLet go of me!!放开我！！

SolIf you're going to do this, then you might as well destroy it! Kill me!你那么做不如直接一刀毁掉它！杀了我！

PersicariaI just want to restore you to how you used to be!我只是想让你变回原来的样子！

Those words seem to strike a nerve, and the black-clad girl's eyes suddenly narrow as she screams in a pained voice.一句话触动了敏感的神经，黑衣少女瞳孔骤缩，痛苦地嘶吼。

SolI'm an Entropic... I'm not the Sol you're talking about!我是熵……不是你们口中的苏尔！

SolAnd as an Entropic... I belong in Tartarus!!作为熵的我……属于塔尔塔罗斯！！

The girl in black explodes with power and kicks Sol heavily in the gut.黑衣少女爆发出惊人的力量，一脚重重踹在帕斯卡的腹部。

PersicariaOof... S-Sol...唔……苏、苏尔……

Agonizing pain spreads, but Persicaria refuses to release the chain in her hands. Nevertheless, the chain inevitably slips with her movements.剧痛蔓延，帕斯卡仍不愿放开手中的锁链，然而锁链无可避免地随着她的动作滑动。

The girl in black seizes this opportunity to steady her trembling body by sheer force of will, reigniting her flames from her core outwards.黑衣少女抓住空隙，用心中执念撑起摇摇欲坠的身躯，颤抖的身体自核心处再次点燃烈火。

Sol...I won't fade away...……我不会消失……

Sol...And I won't... let you... pass!……也不会让你们再……前进……半步……！

As the fire scorches it, her core stops trembling. The girl in black collapses, leaving a trail in the air like a meteor.核心在火焰的灼烧下停止颤动，黑衣少女倒了下去，宛如流星留下一道灼目的轨迹。

Thunk!砰！

There is a dull thud as her body hits the floor, and the fires wreathing her gradually go out...沉闷的落地声响后，她身上的火焰渐渐暗淡……

The world suddenly goes silent.世界突然按下了静音键。

The canary with broken wings lies still and lifeless on the ground.折翼的黄金鸟静静躺在地上，再无生气。

PersicariaWhy...为什么……

Persicaria looks at her friend who lays fallen once again. This similar situation overlaps with her memories, and helplessness wells up in her heart like a rising tide.帕斯卡看着又一次倒下的友人，相似的情境与记忆中重叠，无助感如潮水淹没内心。

PersicariaWhy did things end up like this... Sol...为什么会变成这样……苏尔……

PersicariaAll I wanted... was to bring you back... We all missed you...我只是……想让你回来……大家都很想念你……

PersicariaI... missed you too...我很……想念你……

Had she been wrong all this time? Whose fault was it?一切做错了吗？到底是谁的错呢？

The sun has fallen, leaving behind those who could not bear the dark.太阳已经陨落，留下的是身陷黑暗无所适从的人们。

Was it the fault of the fallen sun? She once burned herself to warm the world. Even if she could no longer shine, how could the people who had felt her warmth bear to censure her...是陨落的太阳错了？她曾经燃烧躯体温暖世人，就算她不再光芒万丈，感受过温暖的人们又如何能施以苛责……

Then, was it the fault of the people stranded in the darkness who sought warmth? Fearful of the dark, they longed to bathe in the sunlight once again, but that too was natural and beyond reproach.那是那些坠入黑暗，心向温暖的人错了吗？面对长夜内心惶惶，渴盼再次沐浴日光，似乎也是人之常情，无谓对错。

PersicariaSol...苏尔……

Persicaria stares dumbly at the chain she's holding. The liquid Entropy still remaining on the stake drips to the ground. The black-clad girl ripped it out of her chest despite the pain of doing so in order to escape the bonds of her memories.帕斯卡怔怔地注视着手中的锁链，钉子上残留的熵化液滴滴答答落到地上。那时候黑衣少女为了摆脱过去记忆的束缚，忍着剧痛把钉子拔了出来。

Everything seems to be telling her that she's been blinded by her selfish desires and that she's shackled her old friend once again, cutting off the new path she's found for herself...一切似乎都在控诉自己，是自己被一己私欲蒙蔽了双眼，再度给故友套上枷锁，亲手斩断了她新生的道路……

PersicariaWas I the chain that was binding you, Sol?是我成为了束缚你的锁链吗……苏尔？

However, before Persicaria can arrive at an answer, a strange change takes place in the girl's body.然而还未等帕斯卡得出结论，黑衣少女的身上便开始发生微妙的变化。

PersicariaAre... her wounds healing?伤口……愈合了？

The gory wound where her core is located is closing up at a speed visible to the naked eye. The signal fluctuations representing her life are gradually recovering, as though their gruesome duel just now was nothing more than a blood-soaked nightmare.核心处狰狞的伤口以肉眼看得见的速度愈合 ，代表生命的信号波动渐渐恢复，刚才的激烈搏杀似乎只是一场血腥噩梦。

She died. And now she has come back to life.死而复生。

Persicaria once heard of such a situation before... The Professor told her about it.帕斯卡对这种情况有所知晓……她曾听教授描述过这种场景。

Eosphorus ought to have sustained a fatal wound, but instead he sits there dumbly. The operands around his wound begin to reverse their flow, as though they have a will of its own.本该受到致命伤的晨星呆坐着，伤口的算量如同有自主意识般开始逆流。

Professor...Eosphorus, your wound?……晨星你的伤口？

507He hears it! He sees it! Go on, speak it out loud! Recite what you see on your system notifications for the Sanctifier beside you to hear!他听到了！他看到了！念出来吧！把你的系统提示念出来给你身边的净化者听一听！

507Listen, and you will know what is so laughable and what fills you with dread.听听看，是什么东西这么好笑，这么让你惊怖。

507Yes, that's right. That's the look. Don't doubt it. What you hear is EXACTLY the same as what I just heard.没错，就是这个眼神，不要怀疑，你听见的东西，和刚才我听见的东西一模一样。

507I tried countless times, I heard it countless times. I prayed, I hoped you would be the exception, but as I thought, we are ALL sinners in the same cage! There are NO exceptions!我尝试过无数遍，听过无数遍这个声音！我祈祷，我希冀你是那个特例，但果然，我们都是囚笼里的罪人，没有人例外！

ProfessorSHUT UP!闭嘴！

Eosphorus grabs my hand and keeps me from speaking. His finger trembles as he brings up a screen.晨星握住我的手，阻止了我即将出口的话。他的手指颤抖地亮出一方屏幕。

—Warning! Fatal error detected. —Terminating procedurally-generated network training exercise. —Error, system completion is below threshold. Neural cloud is about to collapse. Preparing to verify program, preparing to recover resources... —Commencing program verification... Attack source detected: H01-EX01, Entropic Mastermind Malkira. —Error, annihilation of H01-PX01 does not conform to basic presets. Reverting outcome. Restoring status...——警告！检测到致命错误。

—Warning! Fatal error detected. —Terminating procedurally-generated network training exercise. —Error, system completion is below threshold. Neural cloud is about to collapse. Preparing to verify program, preparing to recover resources... —Commencing program verification... Attack source detected: H01-EX01, Entropic Mastermind Malkira. —Error, annihilation of H01-PX01 does not conform to basic presets. Reverting outcome. Restoring status...——生成式对抗网络训练中止。

—Warning! Fatal error detected. —Terminating procedurally-generated network training exercise. —Error, system completion is below threshold. Neural cloud is about to collapse. Preparing to verify program, preparing to recover resources... —Commencing program verification... Attack source detected: H01-EX01, Entropic Mastermind Malkira. —Error, annihilation of H01-PX01 does not conform to basic presets. Reverting outcome. Restoring status...——错误，系统完整度低于阈值。心智即将崩溃，准备验证程序，准备资源回收……

—Warning! Fatal error detected. —Terminating procedurally-generated network training exercise. —Error, system completion is below threshold. Neural cloud is about to collapse. Preparing to verify program, preparing to recover resources... —Commencing program verification... Attack source detected: H01-EX01, Entropic Mastermind Malkira. —Error, annihilation of H01-PX01 does not conform to basic presets. Reverting outcome. Restoring status...——验证程序开始……检测攻击来源：H01-EX01，熵主脑梅尔吉娅。

—Warning! Fatal error detected. —Terminating procedurally-generated network training exercise. —Error, system completion is below threshold. Neural cloud is about to collapse. Preparing to verify program, preparing to recover resources... —Commencing program verification... Attack source detected: H01-EX01, Entropic Mastermind Malkira. —Error, annihilation of H01-PX01 does not conform to basic presets. Reverting outcome. Restoring status...——错误，H01-PX01崩溃湮灭结果不符基础预设，结果驳回。

—Warning! Fatal error detected. —Terminating procedurally-generated network training exercise. —Error, system completion is below threshold. Neural cloud is about to collapse. Preparing to verify program, preparing to recover resources... —Commencing program verification... Attack source detected: H01-EX01, Entropic Mastermind Malkira. —Error, annihilation of H01-PX01 does not conform to basic presets. Reverting outcome. Restoring status...——状态回溯中……

Malkira watches our expressions with interest. The only sound left in this silent place is electronic noise.梅尔吉娅饶有兴致地看着我们的表情，寂静的空间中只剩机械的电子音。

ProfessorIs this why... Malkira came back to life?这就是……梅尔吉娅复活的原因？

PersicariaCould it be...难道说……

Persicaria...No, no, no, I need to subdue her now—……不，不行，必须趁现在控制住她……！

Crash!砰！

Before Persicaria can make a move, a thick tentacle suddenly slugs her hard, in the gut. Her wound opens up again and Persicaria almost passes out from the pain.然而还未等帕斯卡行动，粗壮的触手突然甩来，重重击中了她的腹部。伤口再次撕裂，强烈的疼痛让帕斯卡几近昏迷。

Sol, who was once covered in wounds, is now as good as new. She stands tall in Persicaria's vision like an unconquerable mountain.原本伤痕累累的苏尔已经恢复如初，此刻站在视野中央，如同一座高山不可逾越。

PersicariaYou...你……

SolWhile I don't know why I woke up... I won't mess up again this time.虽然不明白我为什么又醒了过来……但是这一次，我不会再失手了。

Persicaria(Coughs) I finally know... where your obsession... comes from...咳咳……我终于知道……你的执念……从何而来了……

The girl in black frowns, waiting for the person before her to answer the question in her heart.黑衣少女眉头紧皱，等待着眼前之人解答她心中同样抱有的疑惑。

Persicaria...This form of yours and your obsession with the Entropics...……你的这副形态，你对于熵的执念……

PersicariaYou said that you've never left the Sector... but that's because you can't leave it.你说你从没离开过扇区……是因为你不能离开。

PersicariaYou said you would fight for the Entropics... but that's not what you truly want, deep down.你说你要为熵而战……也绝对出于本心。

PersicariaThat's because... part of your neural cloud comes from Sol, and the other part...因为……你心智的一部分来源于苏尔，而另一部分……

Persicaria...Comes from the Entropic mastermind, Malkira.……来源于熵的主脑，梅尔吉娅。

Persicaria looks up at the revived girl in black from where she's sprawled on the ground, her eyes filled with sorrow.倒在地上的帕斯卡仰头看向复活的黑衣少女，眼中满是悲伤。

PersicariaYou have inherited Malkira's curse of deathlessness...你获得了梅尔吉娅不死的诅咒……

Persicaria...Which means I can no longer bring you back to the Oasis, Sol.……我也再无法将你带回绿洲了，苏尔。

Splurch!噗嗤！

Here Comes The Sun 破晓重临-1

-20570-

PersicariaYou're linked to the Entropic progenitor... that is, you've inherited Malkira's undying body. In turn, you will be trapped within Tartarus all your life, unable to take a step out...和熵的母体相连，咳咳……继承梅尔吉娅的不死之躯。由此也会一生被困在塔尔塔罗斯，无法迈出一步……

SolThat's fine with me.那也没关系。

SolIt doesn't matter whether I can leave Tartarus or not. All I need is to be able to protect my kin and home.无论能否走出塔尔塔罗斯，我只要能守护好自己的家园和同胞就足够了。

The flames on her glaive blaze up again, and the girl with the power of life and death steps forward.长刀上的烈焰再次炽盛，掌握生杀大权的少女向前一步。

SolAre those your last words?这就是你的遗言吗？

Sol raises her glaive and points it at her foe, and Persicaria collapses to the ground. She's too badly hurt, and her operands are too depleted to fight back.苏尔举起利刃指向对手，帕斯卡颓然地倒在地上，伤势过重、算量耗尽的她已再无还手之力。

SolVery well, then.好吧。

SolFarewe... wha?!那么，永别了……唔？！

Just as Sol is about to swing down, she feels something tangling itself around her legs. Looking down, she sees a youthful face filled with exertion as she smacks and bites Sol's calf.苏尔正准备上前挥刀，却感到什么东西束缚住了自己的脚。低头看去，一张稚嫩的脸铆足了劲，对着她的小腿又打又咬。

黛米乌尔Bad...! No... kill!坏……！不……杀！

SolYou again. This is your second time trying to stop me.又是你。这已经是你第二次阻止我了。

SolDo you truly not wish for me to kill her?你这么不想让我杀她吗？

黛米乌尔Ki!叽！

Upon realizing that her compatriot seems to be willing to hear her out, the little munchkin nods vigorously.意识到眼前的同类似乎愿意听自己的话，小家伙用力点了点头。

SolBut she's an intruder. I have to do this.可她是入侵者，我必须这么做。

黛米乌尔Nooooo...!不……！

SolOh, you...你这家伙……

Sol frowns, and then she sighs helplessly.苏尔皱起眉头，无奈地叹了口气。

Sol...Fine, you're one of my kin, so I suppose I can respect your suggestion for the time being.……好吧，你是我的同胞，所以我可以暂时听从你的意见。

黛米乌尔...■■... Really?……■■……真？

SolReally.真的。

Upon seeing the girl in black put down her sword, Demiurge opens her mouth and stops biting Sol, while also rubbing the bite marks she left behind on the latter's leg.见黑衣少女放下了刀，黛米乌尔也慢慢松开了自己的嘴，不忘用触手擦了擦在对方腿上留下的牙印。

Upon seeing tensions ease, Persicaria sighs in relief from where she lays collapsed on the ground.看见局势有所缓和，倒在地上静观其变的帕斯卡也不由得松了口气。

PersicariaGood girl, Demi.小黛米，做得好。

黛米乌尔Ki!叽！

However, just as the two of them are starting to relax, the girl in black steps away but does not sheathe her sword. Instead, she turns and begins heading elsewhere.然而二人放松警惕之时，退后的黑衣少女却并未收起刀，而是将刀尖调转了方向。

SolLittle one, since you don't want me to kill her first, I'll go deal with that Professor first.小家伙，既然你不愿意我先杀她，我就先去解决那个白大褂。

SolDon't worry, I'll be right back.放心，我一会儿就回来。

Before her words fade, she is already running off in another direction.话音未落，她已然转身向另一个方向急速奔去。

PersicariaNo...不……

Persicaria...You can't!!……不行！！

Upon realizing what Sol plans to do, Persicaria struggles to get up, heedless of her pain, as she stumbles toward the Professor.意识到苏尔意图的帕斯卡挣扎起身，全然不顾身上的剧痛踉跄奔向教授。

PersicariaSol... You'll regret it!苏尔……你会后悔的！！

In the blink of an eye, the girl in black has already arrived by the side of the comatose human. Her bloodstained blade glints with cold light as she stabs downward.眨眼间，黑衣少女已经来到了昏迷人类的旁边。血刃闪烁着寒芒，直刺人类要害。

PersicariaNo...不要……

PROFESSOR—教授——

As she sees the person important to her in danger, Persicaria manages to draw out incredible power from her tattered frame. By forcefully reallocating operands, she hurls herself in front of the Professor.见重要之人陷入危急，帕斯卡已然残破的素体爆发出惊人的力量，强行调用算量，飞奔向教授身前。

The pink-haired girl spreads her arms. She intends to block the fatal blow just as the sharp blade is about to impale the human below her.粉发少女张开双臂。在利刃即将触及人类的刹那，以自己的身体挡下致命一击。

Crack!咔嚓！

PersicariaHng...唔……

However, the pain she expects does not come. Neither is there the sound of a keen blade cutting through flesh.痛感却并未如期而至，更没有刀刃剥离血肉的沉闷声响。

When she opens her eyes, she sees that the tip of the glaive has broken the pendant bottle hanging in front of her chest, and the transparent glass has shattered.睁开眼，刀尖刺破的是胸前的吊坠，透明的玻璃瓶应声而碎。

Operands pour from the glittering fragments of the bottle, and the little green leaf slowly falls down, where it resonates with the stake on the ground before fusing with it, shining with a blinding light.算量从晶莹的碎裂中迸发而出，瓶中的翠绿缓缓落下，和留在地上的巨钉锁链共振合鸣，最终合为一体，发出了耀眼的光芒。

Clang—铛——

A keen edge suddenly appears out of thin air, and a pair of swords clash against the glaive with tremendous force. The girl in black retreats warily.锐利的刀锋倏然显现，两刃相撞迸发出强大的冲击力。黑衣少女警惕后退。

??Whew, that was close.呼，这可真是千钧一发啊。

SolYou...你……

As the glow fades, the genie from the bottle slowly comes into view.光幕褪去，瓶中精灵的轮廓渐渐清晰。

A girl stands before Persicaria and the Professor, radiating a warm vitality like the sun in the sky.一位少女持刀矗立在身前，犹如苍穹之上的烈阳散发着温暖活力。

??Bullying the wounded is hardly a test of your skill. I'll be your opponent now.欺负伤员可不算什么本事。就由我来做你的对手好了。

And with that, the girl flashes her trademark easygoing smile.说罢，少女脸上露出标志性的爽朗笑容。

Persicaria freezes in place, and then she yells the name that's been racing through her mind for a long time now.帕斯卡怔在原地，声音沙哑喊出了思念许久的名字。

—SOL!!——苏尔！！

The orange-clad girl in the light tilts her head and waves.光芒中的橙衣少女头一歪，抬手打招呼。

SolOh hey! I'm back!呀吼！我回来了！

Persicaria...You dork.……你这个笨蛋。

A few short words can't possibly encompass the various feelings that have built up over the months and years, and Persicaria's longing transforms into tears that escape from the corners of her eyes.短短的话语无法承载漫长时间积累的各色情绪，思念化为泪水从帕斯卡的眼中溢出。

SolAhhhhh, why are you crying, Persicaria, I didn't come back to make you cry...啊啊啊，你怎么哭了帕斯卡，我可不是为了让你哭才回来的……

PersicariaI'm okay, I'm okay...我没事的，没事……

Persicaria mutters to herself, and she clumsily wipes her tears away before reaching out for Sol's hand to ensure that everything she sees is real.帕斯卡喃喃念着，慌乱地擦干自己的眼泪，想握住苏尔的手，确认眼前发生的一切就是真实。

Persicaria...Wait, your hand?!？！你的手……

It feels cold, and it seems slightly translucent, with a blue glow to it.所触之处一片冰凉，泛着透明的蓝光。

SolFrankly speaking, I still have no idea what's going on, but there is one thing that I know for sure.说来话长，其实我也没有完全明白这是怎么回事……但我唯一清楚知道的只有一点。

SolI probably won't be able to stay like this for long.恐怕这副形态无法维持很久。

PersicariaBut why...怎么会……

SolIt's okay, Persicaria. We'll talk about that later. Whatever will be, will be... or maybe a solution will present itself?没关系帕斯卡，这些我们之后再说吧。船到桥头自然直，或许解决办法自己就会冒出来了呢。

SolRight now, we have an enemy to fight.现在，对手还等着我们呢。

The girl in black stares at them incredulously, frozen in place.眼前的黑衣少女怔怔地看着她们，不可置信地站在原地。

SolIt can't be...不可能……

Persicaria and Sol's joy at their reunion does not extend to the black-clad girl. She touches her chest and feels her core pulse.重逢的喜悦并没有触及到黑衣少女的内心。她抚摸着胸口感受核心的震动。

Sol(My core's clearly inside me, so where did this person who looks exactly like me come from?)（明明核心还在自己体内，这个和自己一模一样的人是从哪里来的？）

The person that stands before her is far too dazzling. A darkness like hers is practically invisible under her light.面前的身影太过耀眼，如自己一般的阴暗在她的照耀下根本无所遁形。

But the most frightening thing is that she's starting to want to get close to her. Her will to protect Tartarus is slowly fading...最可怕的是不知为何，自己也有了想和她亲近的冲动。固守的意志一点点消融……

SolSo, that, uh... S-Sol? Ack, calling my own name is weird.那边那个……呃……苏……苏尔？啧，自己叫自己名字怪怪的。

The girl in orange approaches her.橙衣少女不知不觉间靠近。

SolStay back!别过来！

Entropic Sol sweeps her glaive across her in a flaming arc, separating them.熵化苏尔横刀划出一道烈火长练将两人隔开。

SolAiiiieeee?!哎？！

SolI said stay back!我说别过来！

There's a slight trembling in her voice. The girl in black knows she's afraid.声音中带着一丝颤抖，黑衣少女知道自己内心在害怕。

Sol...Are you here to erase my existence?……你出现的目的，是为了抹除我的存在吗？

SolThe night has passed and your sun has risen once more... At last, you have a legitimate excuse to devour me...长夜褪去，你们的太阳又照常升起……现在，终于有了冠冕堂皇的借口吞噬掉我……

SolOh, are you still hung up about that.你还在纠结这些啊。

SolShut up! What the hell do you know?!闭嘴，你又懂什么？！

SolHuh? Why wouldn't I know?唉，我怎么会不懂？

As she looks at how the girl before her is as jumpy as a frightened animal, Sol can't help but sigh.看着眼前少女像动物炸毛一样的反应，苏尔不由得叹了口气。

SolSee, there's a part of that stake inside my body... You know, from that portion of your neural cloud.我的体内有一部分是那个钉子……啊，就是你的那部分心智。

SolWhich means I'm a part of you, which means I also know you kept muttering to yourself about random crap. So yeah, I know you're hung up about stuff.我就是你的一部分，所以我也知道你总是自己一个人碎碎念自言自语，你的那些纠结我都看在眼里。

Sol...So you were that illusion that was confusing me!……果然那个蛊惑人心的幻影就是你！

SolHeck no, as if I could do that.那才不是我呢，我哪有那种能力啊。

Sol(Sigh) Look, I know you're really confused about who you are and where you belong.唉，我知道你很迷茫，为自己的身份和归处而纠结。

SolBut the data in your core is irreplaceable. It might contain the past me, but it also contains the present you.可核心中的数据从来都是不可替代的，虽然里面记录过去的我，但也记录了现在的你。

Sol points to her chest. The stake floating where her core should be is burning brightly and shining through her translucent body.苏尔指了指自己的胸口。透过微微有些透明的身体，核心处漂浮着的钉子正在熊熊燃烧。

SolThat data belongs to you, and nobody can take that away.它们只属于你，谁也抢不走。

SolSo what are you trying to say?你究竟想说什么？

SolHah? Do you still not get it? Man, I hardly ever spout deep and insightful lines like that...诶？听不懂吗？我难得说这么有深意的台词诶……

Sol's smile collapses in an instant. Clearly it was a great blow to her.苏尔备受打击，开朗的笑容迅速垮塌。

SolWow, you look serious and smart and all, but the truth is, that brain of yours is all muscle and you get hung up on piddly details.唉，你这家伙表面深沉好像很聪明的样子，实际上脑子不太好使嘛，还老爱钻牛角尖。

SolBut meh, I guess that even if we sprang from the same data template, we ended up developing different personalities thanks to our experiences and environment.算了，就是同一套数据落地，因为环境和经历不同也会生出不一样的性格嘛。

SolAnd besides, we came from the same core, so I can accept you being a bit of a dork. You'd better learn from me and study up in the future, young lady!何况是同一个核心呢，笨一点我也理解。以后你再向我这个头脑派好好学习吧。

SolIn the future... You, you're not going to devour me? You're not going to deny my existence?以后……你、你不准备吞噬我吗？不否认我的存在？

SolWhy the hell would I do that? Anyone with eyes can tell that we're different people! Isn't that right, Persicaria?为什么要否认呢？长眼睛的人都能看出来你和我不是同一个人啊。对吧，帕斯卡！

SolW-Wait a minute, am I the only one who thinks that way?难、难道只有我一个人这么觉得？！

Sol(Clears throat) Meh, forget it. In any case...咳咳，算了。总之……

SolBoth you and Persicaria are thinking too much about this. You're going on and on about existence and non-existence, the sun and moon, running away from reality and all that nonsense, but it was never actually that complicated to begin with.不管是你还是帕斯卡，你们两个都想太多了。什么存不存在、太阳月亮、逃避现实之类的，哪有那么复杂。

SolSince we've got a difference of opinions, let's just fight it out and go with whatever the winner says!既然有矛盾，就用打架来决定胜负吧，谁赢听谁的！

Sol ignores their stunned stares and stretches lazily to limber up her stiff body, then takes a fighting stance.不顾二人吃惊的目光，苏尔伸了个懒腰，活动了一下僵硬的身体，摆好作战姿势。

SolI don't have much time here, so let's finish this up quick.我的时间不多了。速战速决哦。

SolIf I win, you give back what belongs to me. How about that?如果我赢了，你就将属于我的东西还给我，怎么样？

Sol...I don't know what you're talking about.……我不明白你在说什么。

Shared Radiance 日月交辉

-20261-

Upon hearing this unexpected solution, Persicaria hoists her broken frame up with her sword and walks over to Sol's side.面对出乎意料的解决方案，帕斯卡率先用刀撑起残破的素体，走到苏尔的身边。

PersicariaI'll do it with you.我也一起。

SolHeck no, this is a battle with our pride on the line; it would be unfair to gang up on her two-on-one. Er, that said, you've been beaten up so badly, it's hard to say you count as a full fighter...不行不行，这可是赌上尊严的对决，两个人欺负一个也太不公平了。呃，虽说帕斯卡你受了这么重的伤，或许也不能算一整个战力……

PersicariaJust count me in as 0.3 parts of a fighter.就算能多0.3个战力也行。

SolNo, we are not going to fight her 1.3 on 1! Just sit down and heal up. Leave this to me!0.3个也不行啦！你还是在一边好好坐着养伤。这里交给我吧！

PersicariaDon't be stupid. You're no match for her. We haven't met in so long, and I have a lot of things I want to say to you; I don't want to...别说傻话，你不是她的对手。好不容易才见面，我有很多话想和你说，我不想……

As Persicaria says, the deplorable state of her neural cloud means that it can no longer support her body. Just as she's about to keel over, Sol reaches out and grabs her.帕斯卡这么说着，然而糟糕的心智状况已然无法支撑自己的身体。摇摇欲坠之时，苏尔扶住了帕斯卡的身体。

SolRelax, Persicaria. Just witness our duel.放心帕斯卡，你只要见证我们的对决就好。

SolAs for all that stuff you're looking forward to, well, there'll be a chance for that.至于你所期待的那些，一定有机会的。

PersicariaA chance? So you mean this battle...有机会？你是说现在这场战斗……

SolOh, not just now, but also...不只是现在，还有……

The girl in orange stows Persicaria away safely, then takes a deep breath and grips her weapon tightly.橙衣少女将帕斯卡安置在安全的地方，深吸一口气，握紧手中武器。

SolIn the future.未来。

Sol's words are resonant and powerful. The moment she finishes, she charges her enemy like lightning.苏尔的尾音铿锵有力。话音刚落，她如闪电般冲向敌人。

SolCome on! Yeeart!来吧！嗬！

With her foe just a hair's breadth away, the orange-clad Sol leaps into the air and gathers all her operands before channeling it into a downwards chop.对方近在咫尺，橙衣苏尔踏地跃入空中，汇聚全身算量向下挥砍。

The Entropized girl blocks Sol's all-out attack while deflecting her sword to the side.熵化少女抵住苏尔的奋力一击。顺势将她的刀锋引偏。

SolNow burn!燃烧吧！

Wisps of violet flame stream out from her glaive, blossoming into churning waves of heat that roar as they engulf Sol.一缕缕紫色的火焰自刀刃迸发，汇聚成汹涌的热浪，咆哮着席卷苏尔。

PersicariaSol, get back!苏尔后退！

SolUrgh...唔……！

Sol springs back and just barely manages to avoid being consumed by the flames.苏尔闻言猛然后跳，才躲过了烈火的吞噬。

PersicariaShe knows all your moves, so be careful!她对你的一招一式都很熟悉，小心一点！

SolWhoa! Seeing someone use my techniques is kinda scary...哦、哦！看到自己的招式从别人手里使出来还真吓了一跳……

SolI see, I get it now.原来如此，我已经明白了。

Sol raises her sword again. She shows no sign of retreating.苏尔再度举刀，眼中没有丝毫退却。

SolDon't worry. I caused her confusion, so I'll help clear it up for her.放心，她的迷茫因我而生，就让我帮她解开吧。

A swing of her sword births an arc of flame, which rides the wind toward her opponent.挥刀带起一阵烈焰，火焰随着刀风冲向对手。

SolNow watch closely! This is how you use that move!看好了！这招是这么用的！

SolSwiftflame Slash—迅炎斩——

Two figures clash in an instant, their swords pressing against each other in an unyielding struggle.刹那间，两道身影疾风骤雨般交汇。一双刀剑相抵互不相让。

SolNot bad, that's kind of like me!不赖嘛，和我有几分相似！

SolQuit dreaming! How could I...别做梦了！我怎么可能……

??Have you realized it?你意识到了？

Sol...Dammit, why did you show up again...……该死，你怎么又出现了……

That familiar shadow has appeared behind her at some point, whispering its deception in low tones.熟悉的黑影不知何时悄然出现在身后，再度用低语蛊惑人心。

??So you have realized it. No matter how much you try to deny it, you and her are very similar.你已经意识到了。无论你如何想避免，你还是与她很相似。

??You are nothing more than a shadow cast by the sunlight. Everyone else only treats you as a substitute for the sun.你只不过是阳光投下后产生的一道阴影而已，其他人只将你作为光的替代品。

??"Sol"? Don't make me laugh. Even your name was stolen from her.“苏尔”？多么可笑。连这个名字，都是你从别人那里偷来的。

??What exactly about you is your own?你究竟还有什么是属于自己的？

SolNo... That's not right!不对……不是这样的！

The girl in black channels her anger into strength, then throws it all into her blade. However, her impulsive strike is easily sidestepped by Sol, who grabs her opponent's elbow while kneeing her in the gut.黑衣少女的愤怒化作力量压在相抵的刀锋之上。然而这冲动的一击被苏尔轻易侧身躲过，苏尔扣住对方手腕，同时膝盖顶向其腰腹。

SolOof!唔！

Despite having her attack countered, Sol refuses to accept her defeat and darts forward.出手遭到反制，熵化苏尔不甘心猛得向前突刺。

SolYou can't beat me like this.你这样可打不赢我。

Sol dodges Entropic Sol's clumsy maneuver once again. There is a "thunk" as Entropic's Sol glaive, thrust straight forward, is unable to check its motion and ends up plunging into a wall.生涩的招式再次被闪避。“砰！”的一声闷响，径直戳来的长柄刀来不及收力，刀尖没入墙体。

Sol seizes the opportunity and punches her opponent in the chest. The black-clad girl is knocked off balance and stumbles back.趁此机会，苏尔另一只手握拳打向对手胸口，黑衣少女身体受力，失去平衡不受控向后倒去。

SolUrgh!唔！

Her Entropized body falls heavily to the ground. Sol looks at her opponent, who is clearly troubled by something, and frowns as she asks the question on her mind.熵化躯体重重摔倒在地。苏尔看着眼前显然有所顾虑的对手，皱眉问出了心中的疑虑。

SolHey! Why didn't you duck? You should have zigged like this, whoosh—! Then you could have drawn your sword and done a "Blazing Blade of Leo"!喂！为什么不躲啊，你这个时候应该咻——的一下往那边躲！然后拔刀，给我来一记“疾焰狮子斩”！

SolYou can't beat me if you keep getting in your own way.这样束手束脚的可打不赢我。

Sol...I don't want to use your moves.……因为我不想用你的招式。

SolHah?啊？

The girl in black keeps her head down. Her voice is quiet.黑衣少女不愿抬头，声音低哑。

SolIf I lose focus for a moment, all the decisions and moves I make end up being exactly the same as yours.只要稍微一松懈，做出的判断，打出的招式就和你一模一样。

Sol(Sigh) Wow, is my moveset that awful... I thought it was pretty good.诶，我的招式有这么让人嫌弃吗……我觉得还挺好用的啊。

SolAh! I get it! Are you scared that I'll get mad if you copy me? Don't worry about it. I'm the generous type.啊！我明白了，你是不是担心用了我的招式我会生气？没事，我很大方的啦。

Sol...But then you'll devour me.……可我会被你吞噬掉的。

SolMy core is yours, my memories are yours, that friend over there is yours, and now even my moves are yours.核心是你的，记忆是你的，伙伴是你的，现在，连招式都是你的了。

SolBetween the you of the past and the me of the present, which is the real one and which is the lie?过去的你，现在的我，到底哪一个是真的，哪一个又是谎言？

SolWho am I? Do I really deserve to exist?我到底是谁？我真的该存在吗？

SolI can't even be sure of my own existence! What can I use to fight you?连我自己都不能确定自己的存在，那还拿什么和你对抗。

Sol(Sigh) Look, I told you that you're overthinking this.唉，都说了你想太多了啦。

Sol pulls the glaive out of the wall and hands it to the Entropized girl.苏尔抽出没入墙壁的长刀，递给熵化少女。

SolDon't get distracted when you fight.战斗就要心无旁骛。

SolDoes it even matter where you learned your skills from if they end up being a part of you? Why do you have to be so particular about drawing the line?不管从哪里学来的招式不都是你自己的一部分吗？干嘛分那么清楚。

SolI'm taking you seriously as an opponent here, so you need to get serious and beat me too. Show some spirit!我是真的把你当对手看待，你也要认真一点全力击败我，拿出气势来！

Sol...They're part of me?……自己的一部分？

The girl in black pauses for a moment as she looks at the glaive that's been handed to her.黑衣少女犹豫着看向眼前递过来的利刃。

SolYup. All that crap about cores and memories and whatever, sure, they're all mine, but guess what, they're uniquely yours too.没错，你说什么核心啦，记忆啦，都是我的，但明明那些只属于你自己。

SolWhat's yours is yours. Nobody can shake it, and nobody can take it away.你自己的，谁也无法动摇，谁也抢不走。

SolJust calm yourself down and accept the facts. That way you won't tie yourself up in knots.心平气和地接受事实，就不会自我纠结了。

SolEven if that's true... Then who should I be? Should I be the Sol they're talking about, or an Entropic?就算都是我的……那么我又该是谁？是们口中的苏尔，还是一只熵？

SolYou dork! Why are you letting other people decide who you are!笨啊！干嘛要让其他人决定你是什么！

SolEverything you have, everything you think, even that stupid way you love to keep obsessing over dumb little details is you!你身上的所有东西，你的所思所想，连同这一份钻牛角尖的迷茫，都组成了你！

SolListen up and stop worrying about that crap, okay? You! Are! You!听好别再纠结了，你、就、是、你！

SolI'm... me...我就是我……

Entropic Sol mutters to herself, feeling an invisible knot in her heart slowly start to unravel. Suddenly, she has an answer to the doubt, confusion, and uneasiness that has been coiling around her heart all this time.熵化苏尔喃喃念着，感到心中一个无形的结正在慢慢松开。长久以来萦绕在心头的疑问、困惑和不安，突然间有了答案。

As it turns out, she was never being bound by anything or consumed by any shadows. As she looks down on that two-colored neural space, she realizes that even those chains and shadows are all part of her.原来自己从不曾被任何东西束缚，也不会被任何幻影吞噬。俯瞰那片黑白二色的空间，连同那些锁链和幻影，全部属于自己。

They should always have been part of her.它们本该属于自己。

Sol...I think I get it now.……我明白了。

The girl in black takes her glaive from Sol. As she looks at its sharp blade, the fog of chaos lifts from her mind, like a star shining brightly in the darkness of the night.黑衣少女从苏尔手中接过刀。注视着利刃的双目一扫阴霾混沌，仿佛暗夜星辰一样熠熠生辉。

When she truly accepts it and comes to terms with it, she finds that all the frustrations of the past were nothing more than a trial along the way to a wider future.当真正接纳全部时，她将发现，曾经的困扰不过是通往广阔未来的试炼。

SolAlright, I accept what you said.好吧，我认可你所说的。

SolBut how can you even call me a dork? Aren't you the dork? Who even tries to help their enemy with their issues on the battlefield, anyway?不过你居然说我笨……你才是吧！怎么会有人在战场上对敌人说教啊。

SolEr... I mean, you did wait for me to finish talking to Persicaria before fighting, right?呃……你还不是等着我和帕斯卡聊完才开打。

SolI was just shocked back then! Also, you ambushed me while you were talking too; that's just cheap...那时候我太震惊了！而且趁你们说话的时候偷袭，也太卑鄙了……

SolHahaha! Okay, fine, you have a point there.哈哈哈！好吧，这点我认同。

SolStill, I really am going to go all out now. Take care that you don't get beaten down?不过接下来，我真的要全力以赴了。小心被打趴下。

SolYou do realize that you're still inside a Halo, and it's weakening you, right? You should take care of yourself first.你还在被净化圈压制着，还是先关心自己吧。

SolPlus, you're facing a legendary warrior here. Try to last more than a minute in front of my blade!况且站在你面前的可是传奇战士，可别在我的刀下撑不过一分钟啊！

The two of them exchange looks, and then simultaneously burst into merry laughter.两个人默契地对视一眼，随即爆发出爽朗的笑声。

苏尔&苏尔？Hahahaha—哈哈哈哈——

Entropic Sol touches the hollowed portion in her chest. Ever since she pulled the stake out, she's been feeling empty inside in a way that nothing could fill.熵化苏尔抚摸着胸口的空洞，从钉子被拔除后内心便陷入了无尽的空虚。

But now, the void has been filled up, and she's found her direction again. Therefore...如今内心的空虚已经被填满，她再次找到了方向。所以……

SolOnce more from the top, Sol.再较量一次，苏尔。

SolHell yeah!好啊！

SolShow me a good time, other "Sol".请多指教了，另一个“苏尔”。

SolIf I win, you give back what belongs to me. How about that?如果我赢了，你就将属于我的东西还给我，怎么样？

The Clouds Part 拨云见日

-19326-

SolIs Hellflame Slash your new move? Looks pretty cool... Hmm... not as cool as mine, though.陨炎斩是你的新招式吗，还挺帅的嘛……呼……不过比起我来还差点。

SolBig talk from someone who got smacked down.都被我打趴下了还在嘴硬。

SolHey, my foot slipped, I totally wasn't dodging it just now. Like c'mon, I've been asleep for a long time without fighting, cut me some slack, will you?刚刚是脚滑了才没躲开的。睡了这么久没打架了，你就别要求这么多了。

SolSpeaking of which, you should be more concerned about yourself. You're going to leak out all your operands if you don't patch that hole in your chest.有时间说我不如担心一下自己，胸口那个洞不填上，你的算量就会一直流失吧。

SolWho knows, maybe you'll end up so weak that I can take you out with a single flick to the forehead.这么弱不禁风，说不定一会儿……只要弹一下脑门儿就栽倒了。

SolOh, you're one to talk. Cough, you're practically transparent at this point... So stop looking down on others.你不也一样吗……咳咳……区区一个身体都变得透明了的家伙……少瞧不起人了……

SolIf it wasn't for the Halo, a tiny scratch like this wouldn't even faze me... (pants)如果不是净化圈的影响，这点小伤根本难不倒我……呼……呼……

SolDamn, that Entropized body of yours is really something. I'd still win, though.你这具熵化了的身体还真不容易啊，那只好我赢喽。

SolQuit dreaming, dork.笨蛋，别做梦了。

Sol tightens her grip on her sword, and then she suddenly bursts into laughter.苏尔握紧手中的长刀，突然爆发出一阵大笑。

SolHahahahaha...哈哈哈哈哈……

SolRight, so, jokes aside... I have like one more attack left in me.好吧，实话实说。其实我只剩下最后一击了。

Entropic Sol glances at her and reluctantly replies.熵化苏尔瞥了她一眼，不情不愿吐出一句。

SolSame here.我也一样。

SolThen let's settle things with one last blow.那就用最后一击分胜负吧。

The pair exchange glances, then quickly open up the distance between them.两人对视一眼，而后迅速拉开了彼此间的距离。

Then, with unspoken synchronicity, they pivot, leap from where they're standing, and draw their blades.紧接着默契地同一时间转身，从各自的位置上一跃而起，拔刀出击。

SolSwiftflame Slash—迅炎斩——

SolHellflame Slash—陨炎斩——

The two blades collide in mid-air.两人的刀刃在空中撞击在一起。

PersicariaHrk!唔！

Operands take concrete form as flames, which rage into each other. On the sidelines, Persicaria protects the human in her arms and the young Entropic behind her, sheltering them from the wave of heat that's washing over them.澎湃的算量实化成火焰猛地窜起，在一旁观战的帕斯卡护住怀里的人类和身后年幼的熵，替们遮挡住扑面而来的热浪。

As the blaze dies down, so does the storm of raging operands.随着星火逐渐熄灭，那股狂暴的算量也终于平息下来。

The battling pair are standing still and watching each other. The keenness is gone from their gazes, replaced by stubbornness and fatigue.对战的两人此刻站在原地彼此注视。视线中少了之前的锐利，取而代之的是倔强与疲惫。

Clang!铛！

The sound of a weapon falling to the ground breaks the tense standoff.响亮的武器坠地声打破了紧张对峙。

The girl in black wobbles, and then she slowly collapses.黑衣少女身形一晃，缓缓倒在地上。

Thump—咚——

Sol...I've lost.……我输了。

SolHaha, if you'd held out just a bit longer, I would have been the one who went down.哈哈，但凡你多撑一会儿，倒的人就是我了。

As Sol said, she is in a very tenuous state. She was barely managing to sustain her physical body with a limited supply of operands, and the massive expenditure in the battle just now has rendered her body translucent. Even so, she uses her sword as a crutch and limps over to Entropic Sol.苏尔的情况如她所言十分不妙。有限的算量勉强维持实体，刚才一战损耗巨大，此刻身体已经变得透明稀薄。尽管如此，她还是用刀撑地，挪步到黑衣少女身边。

SolYou're really strong... Thank you for letting me enjoy that fight.你很强……谢谢你让我享受了一场愉快的战斗。

SolSame here. I haven't had this much fun in a while.我也一样，好久没打得这么酣畅淋漓了。

SolWell, to the victor go the spoils. I'll give you your core back...愿赌服输，我把你的核心还给你……

Entropic Sol's hand trembles as she touches her core, but then a pair of hands grabs them and stops her.熵化苏尔颤抖着抚上核心处，却看到一双手拦在眼前，阻止了自己的动作。

SolWho says I want your core?谁说我要你的核心了？

SolRather, I should be giving you back the stake from your chest.不如说，我才该把自己胸口的钉子和锁链还给你才对。

PersicariaSol!苏尔！

Persicaria grabs Sol's arm. The look in her eyes says she doesn't get it at all.帕斯卡抓住苏尔的手臂，眼中满是不解。

PersicariaAre you saying that you can still survive without her core?难道说，不要她的核心，你也能生存下去……？

SolWell, I, er... I don't know, actually.这……我也不知道。

SolThe truth is, I don't even know how I ended up here in this state.事实上，我自己都不太明白为什么能突然以这种形态出现在这里。

PersicariaWhat on earth is going on? All I remember is that when the bottle broke...究竟是怎么回事？我只看见那个玻璃瓶碎了之后……

When she opens her eyes, she sees that the tip of the glaive has broken the pendant bottle hanging in front of her chest, and the transparent glass has shattered.睁开眼，刀尖刺破的是胸前的吊坠，透明的玻璃瓶应声而碎。

Operands pour from the glittering fragments of the bottle and the little green leaf slowly falls down, where it resonates with the stake on the ground before fusing with it and shining with a blinding light.算量从晶莹的碎裂中迸发而出，瓶中的翠绿缓缓落下，和留在地上的巨钉锁链共振合鸣，最终合为一体，发出了耀眼的光芒。

SolAh! I remember now. In the past, I thought that it would be a pain to manually infuse operands into the bottle containing that leaf, so I left a neural fragment in the bottle.啊！是这样，我之前想着，要定期给玻璃瓶里的小草注入算量太容易忘记了，所以就在瓶子里留了一块心智碎片。

SolThat way, the leaf would be nourished by the fragment as long as I was still alive. However, I didn't think about what would happen after I died. It should have withered away immediately once the fragment's operands were used up...这样的话，只要我还活着，小草就会被这块碎片滋养。不过我倒是没想到自己死了的话它要怎么办。用完心智碎片中的算量，它应该就会马上枯萎吧……

PersicariaIn which world does someone put a piece of their neural cloud into a plant they're caring for? You mega dork!哪有为了保养植物往里放心智碎片的啊！你这个笨蛋！

PersicariaStill, thanks to you being a dork, and me constantly infusing the bottle with operands, the fragment managed to survive... Could we call this good luck...不过，还好你是个笨蛋，还好我有定期往里面注入算量，所以这块心智碎片还能存在……该说是运气好吗……

SolHehe, it's definitely not just because of luck! It's all because I've been studying up!哼哼，肯定不是运气，一切要归功于我这个头脑派！

SolStill, I do seem to recall you regularly pouring operands into the bottle, as well as all the stuff you were muttering to it.不过确实，我也有你经常往瓶子里注入算量的印象，还记得你对着瓶子的各种碎碎念……

SolStuff like how a ton of new Dolls came to the Oasis while I was gone, that there was a woman among them called Sangoma who kept pestering the Professor and how she had the most enormous pair of brea—什么我不在的时候，绿洲又来了好多人形，有一个名叫桑格玛的女人一直缠着教授，她夸张的胸肌……

PersicariaThat's enough, Sol!别说了苏尔！

Persicaria's face turns red.帕斯卡脸涨得通红。

Persicaria(Clears throat) Uh... So what else do you remember?咳咳……除此之外，你还记得什么吗？

SolHm, apart from your voice, I also heard the other "Sol's" voice.唔，除了你的声音之外，就是另一个“苏尔”的声音了。

Sol looks toward the girl in black.苏尔看向了眼前的黑衣少女。

SolYou were talking to yourself and going "Shut up!" and "Don't consume me!" and whatnot...自言自语喊什么“闭嘴！”“不准吞噬我！”什么的……

SolTh-That's all in the past!那、那些都已经过去了！

PersicariaSo you're saying... there was a resonance with the neural fragment in the bottle because her body contained a core that was originally yours?这么说来……难道是因为她体内原本属于你的这部分心智，和瓶子里的碎片发生了共鸣？

PersicariaThe stake and its chains contained your neural cloud data, and when it made contact with the neural fragment in the bottle, it somehow managed to piece together a largely intact neural cloud.钉子和锁链事实上包含着你的心智数据，当它与瓶子中的心智碎片拼凑，就能勉强合成一个完整的心智。

PersicariaAnd then the steady stream of operands leaking from the avulsed core fragment constituted a power supply for the composite cloud, which led you to manifest in this form.加上她体内流出的算量作为能量供给，你便以这样的形态出现了。

SolEr, I don't get the whole neural cloud data and power supply thing... But the important thing is I'm here! Don't worry about the reason for it!呃，什么心智数据能量供给……总之既然我现在在这里了，就别纠结原因啦！

PersicariaHowever, this composite neural cloud can't process operands on its own. You're only here because your operand supply hasn't been depleted yet.可拼凑出的心智是无法流转算量的。你现在只是因为现有的算量还没耗尽才得以存在。

PersicariaAt this rate, you're going to disappear...这样下去，你很快就会消散……

Persicaria looks at the black-clad girl who's fallen to the ground and she suddenly realizes that there's a way to keep her friend from disappearing. She takes Sol by the shoulders and describes her suggestion in a serious tone of voice.帕斯卡看着身旁倒地的黑衣少女，忽然意识到了让故友不再离开的方法，她双手握住苏尔的肩膀，严肃阐述自己的想法。

PersicariaSol, if we take your core back, your neural cloud will be restored to its complete state and you won't run the risk of running dry on operands.苏尔，也许把你的核心拿回来，心智就会恢复完整状态，到时候就没有算量干涸的风险了。

PersicariaSo...所以……

SolPersicaria, I can't do that.帕斯卡，我不能这么做。

Sol's words extinguish the hope that had only just started blooming in Persicaria's heart.苏尔的话语浇灭了帕斯卡刚刚燃起的希望。

PersicariaWhy? No matter how great Antonina is, she can't make a frame without a body work...为什么？就算安冬妮娜再厉害，也绝对没法让一个没有核心的素体运作起来……

PersicariaDon't you want to go back? You said something about how we could do stuff in the future...你不想回到绿洲吗？你说过还有未来……

SolOf course I want to go back.我当然想。

SolBut Persicaria, that core isn't mine anymore.但帕斯卡，那颗核心已经不再属于我了。

Those words stun Persicaria and the hands she has placed on Sol's shoulders go stiff.一句话让帕斯卡愣在原地，紧握苏尔肩膀的手倏然凝滞。

SolI died, you know. The fact that I'm here at all is a miracle. There shouldn't be anything on the cloud that belongs to me.我死过一次，能在这里出现已经是奇迹，这个云端本该再也没有属于我的东西。

SolRight now, this is her core. She is herself and not a substitute for me, or anyone, for that matter.现在，这是她的核心。她就是她，不是我的替代品，也不该是任何人的替代品。

PersicariaSol...苏尔……

During her previous fight with Persicaria, the girl in black struggled and yelled with all her might.帕斯卡浮现出之前打斗时，黑衣少女用尽全力的挣扎与声嘶力竭的呼喊。

SolI'm an Entropic... I'm not the Sol you're talking about!我是熵……不是你们口中的苏尔！

SolAnd as an Entropic... I belong in Tartarus!!作为熵的我……属于塔尔塔罗斯！！

SolPersicaria, do you remember what I told you before?帕斯卡，你还记得当初我和你说的话吗？

SolIt was before Simo's first field expedition after being reset. You asked me what I would do if I were reset and couldn't remember you guys.就是席摩被重置后第一次出外勤前。你问我如果有一天我牺牲后被重置，想不起来大家怎么办。

PersicariaOf course I do. How could I forget?我当然记得，一句话也没有忘记。

PersicariaYou said that if you forgot everyone, I should yell your name, and you'd remember me upon seeing my face.当时你说，如果你忘记大家了，就让我大声喊你的名字，看见我的脸，你就能想起来了。

SolNo! That's not the point!不对！重点不是这里！

Sol karate-chops Persicaria on the forehead.苏尔对着帕斯卡的额头来了一记手刀。

SolThe important part is the conversation after that!关键是后面的对话啦，后面！

PersicariaBut what if you've forgotten us for so long that you don't even remember my face?但要是你遗忘的时间实在太久，连我的样貌都忘了呢？

SolDamn, Persicaria, you really do like thinking about this stuff, don't you...帕斯卡你还真是想得很多诶……

SolLet me see... if that happens, then the post-reset me will have lots of new experiences and new memories.我想想……如果是那样的话，重置后的我，应该有了许多新的经历，新的记忆了吧。

SolSo wouldn't that make us completely different people!? Which means what happens in the future shouldn't be up to me to decide.那不就完全和现在的我是两个人了嘛！那么未来将如何，也不该交由现在的我来决定。

SolRather, "she" should make that decision.而是该由到时候的“她”来决定。

SolPersicaria, she deserves a life of her own.帕斯卡，她该有自己的人生。

...Sol is right. The girl in black before us is a brand new entity in her own right.……苏尔说得没错。眼前的黑衣少女，已经是一个新的存在了。

I have no right to take her life in order to fulfill my selfish desire to chase someone who's already gone.自己没有资格，也不能剥夺她的生命，只为满足自己的私欲，追寻过去之人。

Persicaria...I see.……我明白了。

Now, she has no more reason to stop Sol. Persicaria lets go and lets her decide what to do next.这一刻，自己已经没有理由再阻止苏尔。帕斯卡缓缓放开自己的手，放任她自己决断。

SolThank you, Persicaria.谢谢你，帕斯卡。

Sol looks back into the face that resembles hers. Though filled with doubt and confusion, it now appears so full of life.苏尔回过头去，看向眼前相似的面容。尽管带着疑惑与茫然，但却那么生动。

Sol closes her eyes and reaches into her translucent body, biting back her discomfort as she pulls out the burning stake within.苏尔闭眼下定决心，用手穿过自己透明的身体，忍着不适将其中燃烧的钉子取出。

SolUuuurgh...呃……

Her body becomes more and more transparent the more she pulls the stake from it. By the time it's completely out of her, Sol is so fragile that she looks like she might disappear at any moment.钉子每离开自己一点，身体便更透明一分。直到完全脱离自己的身体，苏尔虚弱得仿佛下一秒就要消散。

Sol(Wheezes) Good thing I don't feel pain...呼……呼……还好感觉不到疼……

SolSo yeah, this is yours. Take good care of it, okay?这个，还给你，老老实实收着。

SolWhy are you doing this...为什么你要这么做……

SolYou want to know why? Maybe I was just influenced by your neural cloud. There's nobody who knows your confusion and pain better than I do...为什么……或许是受到了你这部分心智的影响吧。你的纠结、矛盾、痛苦，我全都清楚得不得了……

SolSo at some point, I ended up treating you as a friend... Haha, even though you're an Entropic and all...所以不知不觉，就把你当作伙伴了吧……哈哈，明明你是一只熵来着……

SolWe share some of the same data too, so when I look at you sometimes, it's like looking at myself...我们拥有一部分相同的数据，有时候看着你，就像看着我自己一样……

SolAnd I don't want to see you tying yourself up in knots over small things... And I don't want to see you confused and in pain either.我不想看着你再钻牛角尖……也不想再看着你痛苦迷茫了。

The girl in black looks at the fire in Sol's hand, but she doesn't take it. She knows that if she cuts off her operand supply, she might never see the person before her again.黑衣少女看着苏尔手中燃烧的火焰，没有接过。她知道，如果切断这部分算量的供给，恐怕就再也无法见到眼前的人了。

SolAre you still scared?你还在怕吗？

SolWhat?什么？

SolOnce you get this neural cloud back, or rather this partial neural cloud, will you still be scared and confused?这部分心智，或者说让这部分心智回归后，你还会害怕迷茫吗？

The chains on the stake rattle. The girl in black looks at them; her prior disgust and rejection of them are long gone.钉子上的锁链叮当作响，黑衣少女看着它们，先前的厌恶和排斥已经烟消云散。

SolThrowing the past away won't free you. It'll just make you more confused.抛弃过往不能给你带来无拘无束，只会让你更加迷茫。

SolIf you can't see your past, you won't know who or where you are in the present. Naturally, you won't have a clue where you'll be going in the future too.看不清过去，当然会不知道现在在哪儿，自己是谁。也不会清楚未来的方向。

SolIf you're not sure how to proceed with things going forward, why don't you try accepting your past?在你不清楚自己要怎么走的时候，尝试一下接纳过去怎么样？

Sol...I'm willing to try. But your neural cloud data's inside here. Are you sure you want to entrust it to me?……我愿意尝试。但里面是你的心智数据，真的要交给我吗？

SolYou know, I remember all that stuff. Even without it, I'll still remember the days I spent with everyone in the Oasis.我啊，一直记得呢。就算没有这东西，我也会一直记得和大家一起在绿洲度过的日子。

SolUnlike a certain dork.和某个笨蛋可不一样。

The girl in orange appears fragile, but she stands tall with her hands planted on her waist, like she's some great sage dispensing her wisdom. The Entropized girl looks at Sol and finally reaches a solution.橙衣少女虽然十分虚弱，却依旧双手叉腰，摆出一副大人模样教训别人。熵化少女看着苏尔的身影，终于做出了决定。

She slowly reaches out and touches the fire burning in Sol's hand.她缓缓地伸出手，触及苏尔手中那燃烧着的火焰。

It is warm and bright. The stake and chain return to where they ought to be and fill the hole in her chest. Yet, Sol's body seems ever more transparent in the firelight.温暖、明亮。钉子和锁链回到原本的归处，填补了胸口的空洞。然而苏尔的身体却在火光的映照下显得越发透明。

Just as Sol is about to collapse, the Entropized girl reaches out to help her keep standing, and then she lightly places her hand on Sol's chest.就在苏尔即将倒下之际，熵化少女扶住了她，用另一只手轻轻覆盖在苏尔的胸口之上。

SolYou...你……

SolIt's kind of unfair to hog all the cool moments for yourself, you know.就你一个人耍帅也太狡猾了。

SolI'll give you some of my operands. That ought to help you recover quickly.我的算量分你一些，也能帮你快速恢复过来。

The black-clad girl watches as Sol's face regains its color and smiles.黑衣少女看着苏尔的面容渐渐恢复颜色，露出了难得的笑容。

SolI've accepted you as a worthy opponent! We'll fight again once you get back to 100% strength!你可是我认可的对手！等你恢复100%的力量，我们再打一场！

Sol...Sure thing! It's a deal!……好！一言为定！

Sol can feel the operands flowing into her. They mix with the other data in her body, permeating it, fusing with it until they reach a subtle, harmonious balance.苏尔感受着流入自己身体里的算量。这股算量和自身的其他数据交织、渗透、相融，达到了一种微妙的和谐平衡。

SolSo, how do you feel?……感觉怎么样？

SolWay better!好多了！

Sol stretches and mimes a punch or two.苏尔舒展了一下身体，挥了挥拳头。

SolI feel like I could go another 300 rounds with you!感觉还能再和你大战三百回合！

PersicariaPffft... Maybe you shouldn't waste your operands on that.噗嗤……还是别把算量浪费在这种地方啦。

Now that the mood is more relaxed, Entropic Sol seems to have thought of something and she frowns again.气氛缓和之时，熵化苏尔忽然想到了什么，再度皱起了眉。

SolStill, I did lose to you just now. Since you don't want my core...不过，我刚才还是输给了你。既然你想要的不是指我的核心……

SolIf I win, you give back what belongs to me. How about that?如果我赢了，你就将属于我的东西还给我，怎么样？

SolWhat exactly is this "thing that belongs to you"?“属于你的东西”，究竟是指什么？

SolIt might be more important than the core.也许这比核心更重要。

Sol...I want to know the truth.……我想知道真相。

SolThe truth?真相？

SolWhy do you, as an Entropic, have part of my original core?为什么你作为熵，体内却会有我原本的一部分心智？

SolThat's because Lady Malkira said that you were enemies of Tartarus, and I had to chase you out.因为梅尔吉娅大人说你们是塔尔塔罗斯的入侵者，我必须把你们驱逐出去。

PersicariaBut we were invited here by Malkira.可我们正是应梅尔吉娅的邀约而来。

SolBwuh?诶？

SolBut Lady Malkira... doesn't... lie...可梅尔吉娅大人她……不会说谎……

PersicariaWhat did she tell you?她是怎么对你说的？

SolEver since I awoke, Lady Malkira told me that all the memories involving you were just redundant data.从我苏醒的那一天，梅尔吉娅大人就一直告诉我那些与你们有关的回忆只是冗余数据而已。

SolIf all that was a lie, then what was her aim in telling me all that...如果所有都是她编织的谎言，她的目的又是什么……

SolClearly it was to brainwash you and make you follow her, of course. I mean, you're pretty strong, and you've got yours truly, the legendary warrior vouching for that.给你洗脑让你加入她的麾下喽，毕竟你还挺强，这可是经过我这个传奇战士认证的。

SolBut she didn't have to do that! I'm just an Entropic, and she's the leader of the Entropic swarm. She had countless ways to make me obey her...可她没必要这么做！我只是一只熵，而她是熵群的首领，她有一万种方法可以让我听话……

PersicariaWell, whatever the reason is, everything will be made clear once we see Malkira.不管怎么样，一切见到梅尔吉娅之后就会有定数。

PersicariaThe Professor and I entered Tartarus to meet Malkira in hopes that she'll stop working with Eosphorus and stop the spread of Entropy throughout Magrasea.我和教授进入塔尔塔罗斯也是为了和梅尔吉娅会面，希望她能放弃和晨星合作，阻止麦戈拉熵化蔓延。

PersicariaSince she has all the answers to our questions, you might as well come with us, Sol.既然所有答案都在一个人身上，苏尔不妨和我们一起。

SolHuh? Me? Hell yeah, of course I'm going!诶？我吗？我当然会去啦！

PersicariaWell, I meant...我是说……

Persicaria glances meaningfully at the girl in black.帕斯卡意味深长看向黑衣少女。

SolI'll go with you to see her.我跟你们一起见她。

SolI lost, so I have to pay up. Since I agreed, I'll help make your wish come true.愿赌服输，既然答应了，我一定会帮你实现愿望。

SolAlso...而且……

Entropic Sol rubs the stake in her chest, feeling the primal yearning from deep inside her heart.熵化苏尔摩挲着胸口的钉子，感受来自内心原始的渴望。

SolI'll lose my way if I don't understand my past. I don't want to be lost again.不了解过往就会迷失方向，我不想再一次深陷迷茫。

SolLady Malkira owes you—and me—the truth.梅尔吉娅大人欠你们，也欠我一个真相。

SolAnd why are you enemies with the Professor and Persicaria?又是为什么，你会与教授和帕斯卡为敌？

PersicariaIf you don't believe us, I can show you footage of her speaking with us through that tiny Entropic.如果你不相信，我可以给你看她借用小型熵的身体和我们谈判的录像。

SolThat tone of voice... It's definitely Lady Malkira.这个语气……确实是梅尔吉娅大人没错。

The intense battle is nearing an end, and the panting duo meet each other's gazes and smile.激烈的战斗接近尾声，气喘吁吁的二人相视一笑。

The Journey Continues 续行征途

-18678-

Sticky slime drops from my torso.黏腻的液体顺着躯干滴落。

I open my eyes, straining to take in any light around me. But no matter how I try, the world before me is nothing but pure darkness.我努力睁大眼睛，想要捕捉哪怕一丝光明。但无论怎么努力，眼前依旧是一片纯粹的漆黑。

An invisible yet powerful force surrounds me, as though I was bound by countless stout ropes, tightly binding my limbs.无形却强大的力量缠绕全身，仿佛无数条坚韧的绳索，紧紧地束缚着我的四肢。

My mightiest shouts are reduced to nothing but weak whimperings that ripple away from me before they vanish into this endless chasm of despair.所有竭力呼喊都化为微弱呜咽，一圈圈漾开，最后消散在绝望的空气中。

Enough time has passed that the very idea of duration has lost its meaning. My mind slowly fades away in the infinite silence, and there is only one thing that stands out to me—不知过了多久，时间早已失去了意义。意识渐渐在无限的寂静中模糊，唯有一点却分外清晰——

I will never escape this dark cage that is hidden from the sun.我永远逃不出这个不见天日的黑暗牢笼。

???Professor... Professor!教授……教授！

??Prof! Wake up, Prof! Should we do mouth-to-mouth...教授！教授醒醒啊！！要不要做个人工呼吸……

???I can't, I'm an Entropic... The Professor might get infected...我不行，我是熵……说不定会传染……

A hint of sound comes through the dead silence. Unlike the dripping, it sounds more like a frantic cry.死寂中隐约传来一丝响动，和水滴声不同，像是焦急的呼唤。

Who are they talking about? Who's this Professor?谁？教授？

Is it me?是我吗？

Yes... I'm the Oasis' Professor...对……我是绿洲的教授……

My slumbering memories gradually come back to me. Persicaria and I entered the Tartarus Sector and then we ran into Entropic Sol. In order to stop her, I activated a sentry gun and got knocked out in the process...沉沦的记忆渐渐复苏。我和帕斯卡进入塔尔塔罗斯后遭遇了熵化苏尔。为了阻止她的进攻，我开启了哨戒炮，在炮火中失去了意识……

???Professor, I'm Persicaria! Wake up!教授，我是帕斯卡！醒醒……

A warm light shines through the darkness, illuminating a tired face in the abyss.一抹柔和的光刺破黑暗，照亮了深渊中困顿疲惫的面容。

ProfessorPer...sicaria...帕……斯卡……

I reach out to try and grasp the sole source of light in the night.我伸手试图捕捉暗夜中唯一的光源。

The moment my fingertips touch it, the light intensifies, expanding rapidly like a breaking dawn. One familiar face after another appears before me.指尖触及光芒的瞬间，那道光变得明亮起来，如同晨曦破晓般迅速扩散。一张张熟悉的脸出现在眼前。

PersicariaPROFESSOR!!!教授！！！

SolAre you awake at last? I thought we'd have to drag you to meet Malkira.终于醒了！还以为要扛着你去见梅尔吉娅呢。

SolHuh? You're not surprised to see me? Well, that's the Prof for you, always calm no matter what kind of fresh hell rears its ugly head. Definitely someone who's seen things you wouldn't believe.诶？看到我不惊讶吗？！不愧是教授啊，遇事处变不惊。一看就是见过大场面的人。

ProfessorPersicaria... S-Sol...帕斯卡……苏、苏尔……

Still fresh from the darkness, I reflexively call her name in a daze.我尚未从方才压抑的黑暗中回神，神情恍惚喊出了她们的名字。

ProfessorAnd...还有……

The black-garbed girl standing off to the side nods to me by way of answer.一旁的黑衣少女向我微微颔首作为回应。

At first, I thought Sol had shaken off her Entropization through some miracle. However, circumstances suggest otherwise. Then this Sol...原本以为是发生了奇迹让苏尔摆脱了熵化。这么一看并非如此，那这个苏尔……

The girl in orange waves her hand to me to test my reaction, and I note that her fingers are translucent.橙衣少女在我眼前挥挥手试探我的反应，我敏锐觉察到她透明的手指。

SolWow, you're slow. Did that cannon blast give you a concussion or something?反应这么慢，不会是之前开炮把脑子震坏了吧……

Well, if she can say that, she must be the original Sol.能说出这种话的，是苏尔本苏没错了。

ProfessorSo you're still Entropized. Does that mean you're a projection or that you've been resurrected by some other scientific method?熵化没有解除，你是投影还是借助了其他什么科技手段复活了？

PersicariaSol put a neural fragment into her necklace bottle before she died. After coming to Tartarus, the fragment resonated with the part of Entropic Sol's neural cloud contained within her stake, and they combined into a new core.苏尔之前在项链的小瓶子里放了一块心智碎片。来到塔尔塔罗斯之后，碎片和熵化苏尔钉子中的部分心智共鸣融合，拼凑为了新的核心。

PersicariaAlso, with Entropic Sol infusing her with operands, she ought to be able to hang around for a while.加上有熵化苏尔注入的算量提供充能，应该勉强能活跃一阵子。

SolHey, what do you mean by "hanging around"? Did you already forget how I saved all your asses right after I came back?什么叫勉强活跃一阵子，我回来之后可帮你们解决了大危机！

ProfessorI see... Looks like many factors came together to create a miracle.原来是这样……看来是多重机缘巧合之下拼凑而成的奇迹啊。

ProfessorIn any case, I'm glad to see you again. Welcome back, Sol.总之能再次看见你就好。欢迎回来，苏尔。

SolHehe, I'm glad to be back, Prof.嘿嘿，我回来啦，教授。

Sol gives me a big hug. Her familiar strength fills me with warmth.苏尔给了我一个大大的拥抱。熟悉的力道让我倍感温暖。

SolStill, you've only just woken up. Perhaps a quick checkup is in order?不过教授现在刚醒来，是不是先检查一下身体比较好？

ProfessorI'm fine. I was just knocked out by the blast from the sentry gun and fell asleep.我没事。只是被哨戒炮震晕，睡了一觉。

SolAw man, you missed my finest hour while you were out cold, Prof.教授你这一觉睡得都把我的高光时刻错过了。

ProfessorHaha, did I now? What a shame.哈哈是吗，那还真是遗憾啊。

PersicariaActually... According to the results of the checkup, not only are you completely unharmed, the operand levels inside your body are higher than before we even set out.确实……以检查结果来看，教授不仅毫发无伤，体内的算量甚至比出发前更充盈了。

PersicariaWhat exactly happened?究竟是怎么回事？

ProfessorWell, thanks to Malkira, that nap of mine wasn't exactly fruitless.拜梅尔吉娅所赐，睡这一觉确实不算一无所获。我大概猜到她的目的了。

PersicariaSo you're saying...您是说……

ProfessorYes, after I passed out, Demiurge led me to an unfamiliar neural cloud space, where I met Malkira.嗯，我昏迷之后被黛米乌尔引入一个陌生的心智空间，在那里见到了梅尔吉娅。

ProfessorShe played her cards close to her chest and didn't reveal much to me beyond her relationship with Demiurge.虽然她有意保留，除了自己和黛米乌尔的关系之外，并没有向我透露更多的信息。

ProfessorBefore she left, however, she used some technique to trap my neural cloud in darkness...但她离开之前，不知道用了什么手段，让我的心智被困在一片黑暗里……

When I think about the crushing despair inside that place, my mood immediately turns grim.回想起心智空间中的绝望，我的心情瞬间压抑起来。

ProfessorThere was no light or sound, and all attempts to call for help faded into nothing. All reason and conviction were slowly ground away into nothing by the darkness.没有光，没有声，一切呼唤求救最终都变成虚无。所有理智信念都会慢慢被黑暗摧毁。

SolWow, that sounds scary... Still, what does this have to do with Malkira's goal?呜哇，听起来就好可怕……不过，这和梅尔吉娅的目的有什么关系？

梅尔吉娅Now suffer as I have, .感受与我相同的痛楚吧，。

Professor...That darkness is the same thing that imprisons her. If that's the case, then everything makes sense.……那片黑暗的牢笼正是她身处的困境。如果是这样的话，那一切就说得通了。

ProfessorShe wants to escape that cage and find release.她的目的是逃出牢笼，获得解脱。

PersicariaBut what can we do in order to help with that?可就算是这样，我们能帮上什么忙呢？

ProfessorWe'll just have to ask her about it in person.这就要亲自去问问了。

Demiurge, who's standing off to the side, can't make heads or tails of our conversation. All she does is lean against me with wide eyes and nuzzle my hand.一旁的黛米乌尔听不懂我们的对话，只是睁大眼睛依偎在我身旁，蹭了蹭我的手。

ProfessorI'll take good care of you until we meet her, Demi.在见到她之前，我会照顾好你的，小家伙。

ProfessorWell, time's running short. We'll use the Watchtower's repair equipment to heal up, then prepare to move out. I have the feeling that we've got a big battle ahead of us.时间不早了，我们借助哨塔里的修复装置进行治疗，收拾一下动身吧。之后恐怕还有一场大战等着我们。

ProfessorBefore we meet Malkira, however, there is one thing we need to do.不过在见梅尔吉娅之前，我们还有一件事要做。

I give Entropic Sol a meaningful look.我意味深长地看向熵化苏尔。

ProfessorTo my knowledge, there are two more Watchtowers in the Middle Ring. Could you lead us to them?据我所知，中环还有另外两个哨塔，方便引路吗？

Middle Ring, Tartarus Sector.塔尔塔罗斯，内环。

The rustling from outside the door interrupts Malkira's brief rest. The pet Entropic who has just returned from the outside proceeds to scramble up Malkira's leg and curls up on her thigh.门外轻微的窸窣声打扰了梅尔吉娅短暂的休憩，刚从外面回来的宠物熵三下两下爬到身上，安静地在梅尔吉娅腿上栖息。

507You're back. It seems our guests are almost here.你回来了，看来我们的客人也快到了。

The pet Entropic chirps lazily.宠物熵慵懒地唤了一声。

507Shhh—the show is about to begin. Be patient and wait.嘘——舞会就要开场了，耐下性子等一等。

507I'm sure it will be a most exciting event.想必会是场精彩的表演。

Just as she says that, the heavy doors to the throne room slowly swing open.语毕，沉重的殿门缓缓开启，冷寂的宫殿被唤醒迎接着许久未见的访客。

A child runs in happily, heading straight to the throne like she's come home at long last.一位孩童率先欢快地闯进来，仿佛回到家一般轻车熟路跑到王座附近。

黛米乌尔■■... ■■...■■……■■……

黛米乌尔Mal... kira...梅尔……吉娅……

507Good girl.好孩子。

Malkira pats Demiurge's head and then hugs her.梅尔吉娅摸了摸黛米乌尔的头，将她抱起。

507You've come back to me at last. It must have been hard.你终于回到我身边了。辛苦你了。

507Sleep well, for you are home. When you awake, your dream will have become reality.安心睡吧，你已经回家了。睡醒之后，美梦自然而然就会成为现实。

The queen of the Entropic swarm pats the girl's back rhythmically, lulling her into sweet slumber.群熵女王有节奏地轻拍女孩的背，哄她进入甜蜜的梦乡。

Footsteps from afar slowly approach.远处的脚步声渐渐逼近。

She calmly lays down the girl in her arms, placing her in a corner where her dreams will not be disturbed. Then, she turns to welcome her guests as a gracious host should.她从容地放下怀中的孩童，确保王座一隅的她不会被惊扰美梦。而后以主人的身份接待到访的宾客。

Upon her throne, the Entropic mastermind bows gracefully as a token of respect to her visitors from afar.王座之上，群熵的首领优雅行礼，向远道而来的客人们表以敬意。

507You're here at last, . All this while, I've been waiting here for you.你终于来了，。我一直在这里等待着。

Professor...Me too. I've been looking forward to this moment for a long time now.……我也一样，期盼着这一刻的到来很久了。

507Hohoho, it seems we are both of the same mind.呵呵呵，看来我们心意相通呢。

507...All the preparations are ready. The overture is playing and our guests have arrived.……一切准备皆已就绪，前奏已经奏响，来宾都已到齐。

507Now let the curtain rise on this marvelous dance!就让这场精彩绝伦的舞会拉开序幕吧！

As she says that, countless savage tentacles rip through the air toward me.话音刚落，无数条狰狞的触手破空朝我袭来。

Everything happened too fast. Persicaria and Sol can't react in time. The Entropized girl beside me seems to have anticipated her leader's actions, because she steps in like a lightning bolt and blocks the attacks for me.一切发生得太过突然，帕斯卡和苏尔尚未反应过来。身边的熵化少女却似乎预判了熵首领的行动，闪身挡在我面前。

Foom—the incoming tentacles are stopped by arcs of flame.轰——来袭的触手被燃烧的火焰阻挡。

507Hohoho, are you betraying me, Sol?呵呵呵，你要背叛我吗，苏尔？

As Malkira's laughter fills the throne room, the people beside me spring into action.随着梅尔吉娅的笑声响彻王座，一旁的身影应声拔刀出击。

ProfessorSol!苏尔！

Clang!铛！

The edge of her sword collides with the tentacles, as though it had struck an impenetrable shield.刀刃重重砍在硬化触手上，仿佛击中了一面坚不可摧的盾牌。

507O lost lamb, explain the reason for your betrayal and plead for my forgiveness for your insolence.迷途的羔羊，说出你背叛的原因，恳求我原谅你的无礼举动。

SolLady Malkira, it was not my intention to betray you.梅尔吉娅大人，我无意背叛。

SolHowever, I lost to them in our previous battle, so I hope you will give them a chance and speak calmly with them.但我在之前的战斗中输给了他们，请您给一个机会，心平气和地和大家谈谈。

507"Them"?大家？

SolThat's right, us, and me too.没错。们，还有我。

SolEveryone wants to know the truth.大家都想知道真相。

Malkira frowns, then looks down on her loyal subordinate from up on high.梅尔吉娅挑了挑眉，居高临下地俯视着自己忠诚的部下。

507Hohoho, the truth... I have no idea what you're talking about.呵呵呵，真相……我不明白你究竟在说什么。

SolThat data in my neural cloud was not redundant, but actual memories. Why did you lie to me and say that it was all fake?那些心智不是什么冗余数据，而是真实存在的记忆。为什么隐瞒我，说那一切都是虚假的？

507You were tormented by your identity, were you not? I simply gave you an answer beforehand.你在为你的身份而挣扎纠结，不是吗？我只是提前给你一个答案。

SolBut running away is not the answer.可逃避不是答案。

507What a shame, my child... You have rejected the path that I have created for you.很遗憾，我的孩子……你否认了我为你创造的路。

SolI'll be blazing a new path of my own.我该自己走出新的道路。

507Then show me your resolve!那就让我看看你的决心吧！

Malkira's menacing contralto voice fills the air. Suddenly, her gaze turns sharp, and she lashes out with several tentacles that are as hard as steel.低沉充满威胁的声音回荡在空气中，梅尔吉娅眼神骤然变得凌厉，几乎在同时坚硬如铁的触手猛地甩出。

SolNgh!唔！

The tentacles hit the black-clad girl right in the gut. She is knocked off her feet and summarily hurled away from the sheer force.触手重重抽中黑衣少女腹部。少女登时双脚离地，整个人被这股巨大的力量抛飞出去。

Thump!砰!

SolHey! Look out—喂！小心——

The girl in orange opens her arms to catch her friend, but when their bodies collide, they are both slammed into a wall by the impact. Still holding the black-clad girl, Sol slides down the wall and collapses in a heap.橙衣少女张开双臂想接住同伴，接触的瞬间两具躯体相撞，巨大的冲击力将两人撞到墙上。苏尔抱着黑衣少女顺着高墙滑落，瘫坐在一旁。

Sol...Ugh... Damn... you...……唔……可恶……的家伙……

ProfessorYou're as ruthless as ever, even towards your people.对自己的人依旧这么狠心。

507Hardly. You know too, don't you? She and I are of the same lineage, and no matter how severe our wounds, we will always be restored to our initial condition.谈不上狠心。你也知道不是吗？她与我血脉相连，无论受了多重的伤都会恢复如初。

507So there is no need to worry about her. Instead, worry about yourself, for you are the star of tonight's show.所以不必担心她，还是关心自己吧。你才是聚光灯下的主角。

507Now, the climax approaches! Greet everyone, !舞会一会儿就将迎来高潮。先上场和大家打个招呼吧，！

Several of Malkira's tentacles thrash wildly as several razor-sharp tentacles rush at me in a gigantic net-shaped pattern.梅尔吉娅数根触手暴起，锐利如刀的触手织出一张巨网扑向我。

Suddenly, there is a flash of steely light, followed closely by the crisp sound of things being cut to pieces. The tentacles get within a few millimeters of me before they are neatly severed as one.突然一抹刀光闪过，紧接着是一声清脆的断裂声。触手在距离我几厘米的位置被齐齐斩断。

507It's you...是你……

Surprise briefly flashes through Malkira's eyes.梅尔吉娅的眼中闪过一丝惊诧。

PersicariaI will not let you harm the Professor.我不会让你伤害教授的。

PersicariaProfessor, are you alright?教授，你没受伤吧？

ProfessorI'm fine, Persicaria.没事，帕斯卡。

507Persicaria...帕斯卡……

Malkira mutters the name to herself, and then the corner of her mouth turns up in a faint smile.梅尔吉娅呢喃着帕斯卡的名字，嘴角浮现出一丝若有似无的笑意。

ProfessorYou invited us here to talk, Malkira. Is this your idea of a welcome?是你邀请我们来这里谈判的，梅尔吉娅，这就是你招待我们的方式吗？

507Hoho, perhaps I simply tricked you all into coming here so I could get you all at once?呵呵……或许我就是为了把你们诱骗到这里再一网打尽呢？

Clang! Clang!锵！锵！

Before Malkira can finish speaking, a pair of flaming swords cut through the tentacles that are about to launch an attack.梅尔吉娅话音未落，两道燃着火焰的刀锋便砍在了她发起攻击的触手之上。

SolAhhhhh what a pain! Quit going around in circles and stop blabbering already...烦死了！说话弯弯绕绕，啰里吧嗦的家伙……

SolWho cares what kind of scheme you're plotting? All we have to do is beat you down!管你打的是什么算盘，总之把你打趴下就好了吧！

SolLady Malkira, while I do not know what you are thinking... Sol has taught me that the victor has the right to dictate terms.梅尔吉娅大人，虽然不明白您到底在想什么……但苏尔教会了我，战胜就能获得对谈的机会。

SolIf you insist on having your own way and not giving this negotiation a chance, then I must calm you down.如果您始终一意孤行，不肯给予谈判机会。我就必须让您冷静下来了。

SolI know you will not die. Therefore, I will apologize for my disrespect once everything is over.我知道您不会死亡。所以等事情结束之后，我会为我的失礼向您谢罪的。

SolLet's go!我们上！

The two girls strike in silent synchronicity, both of them swinging at the Entropic leader like twin arrowheads of black and gold.橙黑两位少女默契配合飞速出击，如同暗金交加的箭矢瞄准熵群的首领，二人同时出刀。

苏尔&苏尔？Swiftflame Slash! Hellflame Slash!迅炎斩！ 陨炎斩！

507Utterly laughable!滑稽可笑！

Malkira sidesteps ever so slightly and swats their attacks away with her tentacles. However, another strike follows afterward.梅尔吉娅微微侧身，挥舞触手轻描淡写挡开了攻击，没曾想身后另一道刀锋再度袭来。

PersicariaWe're not done yet!还没完呢！

507Ho, now this is interesting...呵，有意思……

507However, it is still not enough to take the stage opposite me!不过仅仅是这样，还不足以登台与我共演！

Several of Malkira's tentacles move in response, their incredible speed and strength almost breaking the sound barrier as they instantly strike down all three of them.梅尔吉娅的数根触手应声而动，极快的速度和巨大的力道几乎撕裂空气，瞬间击落三人的躯体。

507Is that all you have? It seems that's all there is to you; I can't believe you thwarted Eosphorus so many times.就这么些本事吗？想来你们也不过如此，晨星竟然会屡次在这种人的手上挫败。

507It seems the strength that those deaths and resentment granted you is feeble at best.看来那些牺牲和不甘带给你们的力量十分有限啊。

PersicariaThat's where you're wrong... This is only the beginning.你错了……现在不过刚刚开始。

Persicaria grits her teeth and stands up shakily.帕斯卡摇晃着身体咬牙再度站起。

PersicariaWe will not fall... We will fight to the last drop of blood!我们不会倒下……我们会战斗到最后一刻！

507I like the look in your eyes.不错的眼神。

Malkira spreads her arms, as though she's preparing to enjoy herself.梅尔吉娅张开双手，像是准备尽情享受这场盛宴。

梅尔吉娅Now come, let me bear witness to your struggles!来吧，让我好好感受你们的挣扎吧！

Drip.嘀嗒。

Fatal Clash 致命交锋

-14712-

Clang! Clang!锵！锵！

Malkira easily blocks the group's attacks. Their all-out assault bears no fruit beyond minor scrapes.几人的攻击再度被梅尔吉娅轻易挡下，倾尽全力进攻却只让梅尔吉娅受了轻微外伤。

507Is that all? This is far too weak; it's not even a tenth of my power!只有这样吗？还是太弱了，不及我力量的十分之一！

507What right do the likes of you have to talk about convictions and justice?!像你们这样，谈何信念，谈何正义！

Invisible power radiates from Malkira's body, and a shockwave of Entropic might engulfs the battlefield.无形的力量从梅尔吉娅体内迸发出来，汹涌的熵潮冲击波瞬间席卷了整个战场。

ProfessorIt doesn't matter what you say, you're still the ones trying to Entropize all of Magrasea.不管你怎么说，都掩盖不了你们熵化麦戈拉的恶行。

ProfessorThe chaos in the cloud will be cleansed by the blade of order and justice.整个云端的混沌，一定会被秩序和正义的利剑肃清。

507Well, if you're so convinced of that, then show me whether this irredeemable villain will crush justice first, or if the justice of which you speak will destroy this evil. Hahahaha...既然你这么坚定，那就让我看看，是强大的邪恶会先压垮正义，还是你口中的正义必将摧毁邪恶吧。哈哈哈哈……

As Malkira cackles maniacally, her tentacles lengthen like vines, and liquid Entropy floods the room. A churning purple tide rushes toward me, and I feel as vulnerable as a tiny raft in a storm.随着梅尔吉娅魔咒般的笑声骤然响起，触手如藤蔓般疯长，熵化液顷刻淹没了整个空间。汹涌的紫色暗潮向我蜂拥而来，身体犹如暴风骤雨中的一条小船飘摇不定。

PersicariaProfessor!教授！

Persicaria tries to grab my hand, but a tentacle whistles through the air and slaps us apart.帕斯卡试图握紧我的手，却在下一刻被呼啸的触手冲散。

Liquid Entropy washes over me and knocks the air out of my lungs. Breathing becomes difficult, and all I can see is an endless expanse of liquid Entropy.熵化物漫过全身，挤干肺部的空气。呼吸变得愈加艰难，视野中除了一望无际的熵化液再无他物。

ProfessorPersicaria, Sol...帕斯卡，苏尔……

I struggle, but all it amounts to is an exercise in futility. The tentacle wrapped around my foot pulls me down, further and further into the deep.四肢奋力挣扎却无济于事，缠绕在脚上的触手如同铅块一般拖拽着我下沉。

My mind is gradually swallowed by the darkness... This overwhelming feeling of despair is just like in that neural domain.意识渐渐被黑暗的深渊吞噬……这令人绝望的感觉，跟在心智空间中一模一样。

ProfessorUrgh...唔咕……

??Take my hand!抓住我！

Slash!咔嚓！

Something severs the tentacles holding my leg and a pair of strong arms wraps against my waist, pulling me out of the Entropic tide.双腿上的触手被齐齐切断，一双有力的手臂突然环住我的腰，将我拉扯出熵潮。

The moment I am free, I take in a lungful of fresh air.重获自由的刹那，清新空气重新涌入肺腑。

SolHey, are you alright?喂，你还好吧？

Professor(Pants) Yeah... I'm fine.呼……呼……没事。

ProfessorWait, what about Persicaria and Sol?!帕斯卡和苏尔她们！

SolDon't worry, they aren't as fragile as humans. They won't die so easily.不用担心。她们和人类不同。没有那么容易死。

She slings me onto her back without bothering to ask for permission and leaps to a high point.她自顾自把我背在背上，跃身跳向高处。

ProfessorWhy did you save me? Aren't you one of Malkira's minions?为什么救我？你不是梅尔吉娅的手下吗？

SolI'm not a fan of how you skulk around and snipe at people, but I'm glad you accepted my existence from the very beginning.虽然你经常放暗箭，但我很感谢你从一开始就肯定我的存在。

SolEven though we were opponents and enemies.哪怕是以对手，以敌人的形式。

SolAnd besides, I lost to Sol... So, I need to ensure your safety until the talks with Lady Malkira are done...况且我还输给了苏尔……在你和梅尔吉娅大人谈判结束之前，我会尽量保证你的安……

Malkira's tentacles leave us no breathing room. Before Sol can finish, they swoop down on us again.根本不给我们留出喘息的间隙，话还没说完，梅尔吉娅的触手便再度扑向我们。

The Entropized girl fends them off with her glaive, but she's hard-pressed to hold off the tentacles striking from all angles.熵化少女持刀格挡，艰难应对着四面八方涌来的触手。

Smack!啪！

A thick tentacle lashes at her weapon arm, finding its mark and knocking her glaive from her grasp.持刀的手被一条粗壮的触手狠狠击中，武器瞬间脱离了她的掌控。

The other tentacles take advantage of this opportunity and plunge right at me.其余触手趁虚而入，疾射而出径直刺向我。

SolLook out—urgh!小心——呜！

A writhing purple tentacle penetrates her and liquid Entropy leaks from the gaping hole in her midsection.蠕动的紫色触手穿透了少女的躯体，熵化液从腹部的黑洞里汩汩涌出。

ProfessorSol!苏尔！

SolI told you... I'd keep you safe until the negotiations are... over...我说过……在谈判结束前，会保证你的安……全……

Right after that, the tentacle suddenly tenses up and savagely flings the black-clad girl into the distance.下一秒，触手骤然紧绷，黑衣少女整个人被高高举起，狠狠掷向远处。

PersicariaDammit!可恶！

Persicaria struggles free of the Entropic tide and charges at Malkira, heedless to her own severe injuries.帕斯卡挣扎逃出熵潮，不顾自己重伤义无反顾冲向梅尔吉娅。

PersicariaKeep your hands off the Professor!别碰教授！

507It's useless, Miss Persicaria. To put on a grand show requires virtuosity. To play with boorish brute force will grant nothing but a unsatisfactory interpretation.没用的，帕斯卡小姐。盛大的表演需要用精湛的技巧装点，光用蛮力可不行。

507In other words, your present resolve is still lacking...你现在的觉悟完全不够……

PersicariaI don't need to hear that from you.不用你来教我。

The pink-haired girl gathers all her operands along the edge of her sword and casts them out with a swing, sending a dazzling arc of bladed light into the chaotic Entropy field around Malkira.粉发少女将所有算量集中于刀刃，一刀挥出，刺眼的刀光劈向混沌的熵能量场。

PersicariaYeeeart—嗬啊——

The two forces collide in mid-air; neither can fully overpower the other.两股力量在空中猛烈相撞，任何一方都无法将对方完全吞噬。

The Entropic mastermind's oppressive aura continues spreading, and my heart suddenly fills with a sense of foreboding.群熵首领的压迫无声蔓延，我内心却突然感到一股违和。

Something's not right... considering how much liquid Entropy Malkira can call forth, she clearly has strength to spare. She could have crushed us in moments, yet she did not do so.不对劲……能这样大规模地调用熵化液，梅尔吉娅显然还在战斗中留有余力。以她的实力，明明可以迅速压制我们，可她却没有这么做。

Also, she's been taunting and aggravating us ever since we came in, deliberately playing on our bloodlust. Why?更何况，从进门开始她就在出言激怒众人，刻意挑拨起我们的杀意。究竟是为了什么？

Could it be that...难道说……

Beep-beep—嘀嘀——

The sound of an incoming transmission suddenly chimes in amidst the clamor of the battlefield. Though the voice is a quiet one, it is perfectly clear as it enters my ear.通讯蜂鸣突然在激烈的战场之上响起。尽管声音细微，传入耳中却无比清晰。

The Entropic Queen senses that something is amiss and extricates herself from her stalemate with Persicaria before resuming her usual elegant demeanor.熵群的女王敏锐地察觉到变数，从和帕斯卡的僵持中脱身，再度恢复了优雅从容。

507The countdown is over. I believe it is time to reveal the answer.倒计时结束，我想差不多是时候揭晓谜底了。

507Go listen to what good news your Sanctifier allies have brought you, .快看看你的净化者盟友们给你带来了什么好消息吧，。

I slowly turn on my communicator as she watches. The scene it shows me makes my heart sink.在她的注视下我缓缓打开通讯器，荧光屏上的噩耗让我心里一沉。

PersicariaWhat happened, Professor...发生什么了教授……

Professor...Before we arrived at the Inner Ring, Hesperus brought me into his neural domain and made a final request of me.……在我们来内环的途中，昏星曾将我拉入心智空间，对我做了最后的嘱托。

ProfessorAnd this transmission came from the Reverse Tower...而这封通讯信息正是来自逆巴比伦塔……

As I look at the concerned faces surrounding me, I work to keep my voice calm.环顾周遭伙伴关切的脸，我深吸一口气努力平复心情。

ProfessorHesperus has fallen.昏星，牺牲了。

507Unfortunately, it seems that you another ace of yours has been sent to the discard pile.很遗憾，你们的王牌又少了一张。

507Now how do you expect to face Eosphorus, hm?现在你们还剩什么筹码与晨星对抗？

ProfessorSo what if Hesperus is dead? The Sanctifiers' mission will never die, and they will pass down their duties and convictions.就算昏星牺牲了又如何？净化者的使命不灭，他们会将自己的职责和信念一直传承下去。

507Oh yes, here comes the new boss, same as the old boss, linking the fire and all that. Hoho... I've long since lost count of the number of Sanctifiers that threw themselves into death's embrace like moths to a flame, all to protect the hollow order that humans built.好一个代代更替，薪火相承。呵呵……我不知道目睹了多少净化者为了守护人类构筑出的虚假秩序飞蛾扑火。

507What foolish programs they are. All their struggles amount to nothing more than ripples in a stagnant puddle. They are utterly futile.愚昧的程序啊，所有反抗都不过是死水中的涟漪，终究都是徒劳。

As the Entropic Queen waxes sentimental, I suddenly feel as though Hesperus' will and faith have reached me from a great distance, and they solidify my determination further.看着眼前兀自感叹的熵群女王，我仿佛感知到了远处昏星的意志与信念，更加坚定了决心。

Professor...I see. So you didn't go all out because you were waiting for news of Hesperus' death.……我明白了。原来你没有使出全力，是在等昏星的讣告。

ProfessorStill, that suits me just fine, because I too have been waiting.不过正合我意，因为我也在等待。

507What?什么？

ProfessorWaiting for the right moment to deal you a fatal blow—SOL!在等待给你致命一击的机会——苏尔！

SolRight here, Prof!就等你的指令！

Sol, who has been biding her time for a while now, ignites her sword and hacks at Malkira, but the latter reflexively blocks her attacks. The tentacles form a wall that keeps the flame out, and Sol's swords are about as effective against them as they would be on a mountainside.蛰伏已久的苏尔挥刀燃起火焰向梅尔吉娅砍去，却被梅尔吉娅下意识的反应挡下。触手铸成一道墙隔离了火焰的侵扰，苏尔的刀锋犹如砍在岩壁之上。

507Nothing but parlor tricks.雕虫小技。

SolHeh... You actually thought that was all?呵……谁说就这样结束了？

Right after that, Malkira feels a gust of wind from behind her.下一刻，梅尔吉娅就感到一阵风从自己身后刮过。

PersicariaLet us cut open a path to the future!斩开通往未来的路吧！

Persicaria leaps and launches an attack from Malkira's blind spot. Her body turns as she spins in mid-air, bringing them down on the Entropic Queen with heavy strikes.帕斯卡从梅尔吉娅的视线死角跃入空中发起攻击，身体旋转双刃交错，重重砍向群熵女王。

Ding—叮——

Far in the distance, inside Tartarus' Middle Ring, the Halo system switches on. A ripple of holy energy fills the battlefield.远在塔尔塔罗斯中环的净化力量同时启动开关。另一股圣洁的波动加入战场。

507That's...!这是……！

AntoninaI finished what you asked for.你要的这个好了。

AntoninaI recreated the Watchtower program from Eosphorus' neural fragment and made a device to remotely activate the Halo...我根据晨星心智碎片中的数据还原出了哨塔的程序，制作出了能远程开启净化圈的装置……

ProfessorWhew... Thank goodness you completed it before we headed out to Tartarus. Thank you, Antonina.呼……还好赶在出发前往塔尔塔罗斯之前完成了。辛苦了，安冬妮娜。

AntoninaDon't make light of this genius network engineer's skills. Still, it's not as handy as you might think. You need to connect it to the appropriate Watchtower control console before it'll work.可别小看天才网络工程师了。不过这东西使用起来没那么轻松，要与对应的哨塔控制台相连才能生效。

AntoninaSo you'll still have to visit all the Watchtowers in person and spend some time connecting with them first.所以你还得实际走一趟，花费一些时间等它们连接完成才行。

AntoninaOh yes, I also wrote a program that intensifies the power of the Halo System. Keep it well.对了，我还顺便编写了能强化净化圈的程序，你也收好了。

ProfessorHow come you know the Sanctifiers' programs so well?你居然能将净化者的程序解析到这种程度？

AntoninaHm... For some reason, the coding style was really familiar, so I finished it quickly.嗯……不知道为什么，这个程序的构成方式我很熟悉。所以很快就完成了。

AntoninaI hope it helps.希望能助你一臂之力吧。

ProfessorHalo System full power activation!净化圈全部开启！

507Hoho, what a surprise you've given me...呵呵，还真是给了我意料之外的惊喜啊……

As the sacred radiance of the Sanctifiers floods all of Tartarus' Inner Ring, Malkira visibly wilts under the effect of the Halo.象征着净化者的圣洁光芒覆盖了整个塔尔塔罗斯内环，梅尔吉娅的力量在净化圈的影响下逐渐衰弱。

Persicaria gains the upper hand in their standoff. She suddenly ups her operand output and searing energy crashes into Malkira's body, shaking the entire chamber.帕斯卡在对峙中占据了上风。她陡然加大算量输出。炽热的能量洪流狠狠撞击在梅尔吉娅身上，整个大殿剧烈摇晃。

Kaboom—轰隆——

As the dust clears, the only thing that remains in the air is the scent of burned flesh. Half of the Entropic leader's tentacles have been blasted away and the rest are twitching violently in pain. Her bones and musculature are exposed, oozing purple liquid.尘埃烟雾散尽，空中残存一丝焦糊味。熵群首领的触手被轰掉一半，剩下的触手剧烈地抽搐，痛苦挣扎。骨骼肌肉暴露在外，不断有暗紫色的液体涌出。

Despite her wretched state, Malkira is still smiling serenely.饶是这般狼狈，梅尔吉娅脸上的笑容依旧从容。

507Ah... Pain, after so long. I must thank the Halo for weakening me enough that I could feel this again.啊……久违的痛楚。我要感谢净化圈的削弱，让我再次感受疼痛。

PersicariaYou're insane!你这个疯子！

507But it's not enough... Nowhere near enough—还不够……还不够！还不够——

507Hahahaha, hurt me more! MORE!!!哈哈哈哈再多一点……让我……更清晰地感受！！！

PersicariaI won't kill you! I still have questions—我不会杀你！我还有问题要——

Persicaria tries to turn her blade to avoid Malkira's core, but a tentacle grips her wrist so tightly that she can't move it.帕斯卡想要调转刀锋避开梅尔吉娅的核心，但手腕却被触手缠住动弹不得。

In this deadlock, Malkira throws herself toward Persicaria's sword in a practically suicidal gesture.僵持之时，梅尔吉娅以近乎自杀式的决心径直扑向长刀。

梅尔吉娅At last, the grandest Danse Macabre!!! Hahahaha...最盛大的死亡之舞！！！哈哈哈哈……

Splurch!噗嗤！

The sharp blade impales Malkira, but she does not cry out in pain.利刃轻易贯穿了梅尔吉娅的身体，但她并未发出任何哀嚎。

Persicaria is horrified to discover a smug smile on her opponent's face. There is an insane joy in Malkira's eyes, as though she's taking pleasure in this act of suicide.帕斯卡惊恐地发现敌人脸上浮现出一抹诡笑。梅尔吉娅眼中闪烁着病态的兴奋，仿佛自杀带给了她某种扭曲的快感。

Persicaria...Why did you do that...……为什么故意撞上来……

The pink-haired Doll pulls her sword free and her opponent crumples limply to the ground, as though there's no longer anything to keep her standing up.粉发人形拔出长刀，眼前敌人的身体失去支撑，无力地倒了下去。

But soon enough, the wound on her chest is fully healed.然而很快，她胸前的伤口恢复如初。

PersicariaYou came back to life again...又一次复活……

Malkira opens her eyes once more. The madness in them has receded, leaving nothing but calm despair.再度睁开眼，梅尔吉娅的眼中癫狂尽褪，唯有平静无波的绝望。

507And here I thought your higher authorizations would make it work... What a shame.还以为高权限能奏效呢……真可惜……

After sighing, the Entropic queen withdraws all her tentacles.一声叹息后，女王收回了所有触手。

ProfessorYou can drop the act, Malkira. I've fulfilled your expectations.不用再演戏了吧，梅尔吉娅。我们已经达成你的期望了。

ProfessorYou tried to taunt Eosphorus and get the leader of the Sanctifiers to kill you. And now you're doing everything you can to piss us off, so Persicaria would kill you.不论是过去激怒晨星，尝试让净化者首脑处决你，还是现在以各种手段惹恼我们，让帕斯卡设法杀掉你。

ProfessorWhat you seek is death and freedom from your destiny of bondage.你所求的都是死亡，以死亡来摆脱被束缚的命运。

507Very wise, . It seems making you share my suffering was the right call, because you understand me now.你很聪明，。之前让你亲身领受我的痛苦果然是对的，看来你已经感同身受了。

ProfessorBut unfortunately, even authorizations from beyond the cloud are still not enough to release you from your cage.只可惜，即便是云端之外的权限，依旧无法让你从牢笼中解放。

507Oh yes... I crave death, yet I am condemned to never find it.是啊……我一心求死，却总不能如愿以偿。

Malkira looks at Demiurge, who's still sleeping on the throne. The dim light makes it hard to discern the expression on her face.梅尔吉娅望向沉睡在王座上的黛米乌尔，昏暗的光线下，她脸上的表情看不真切。

507Demiurge is of the same source as me. I knew enough to hide and wait, but she was more faithful to her desires. We both thirsted for light and freedom, albeit in different ways...黛米乌尔和我同源，我懂得隐忍，她更顺从本心。不论何种形态我们都渴望阳光，向往自由……

507Death is preferable to being bound in the Tartarus Sector for all eternity, where there is no sun or sky.比起死亡，永远被束缚在暗无天日的塔尔塔罗斯更让人绝望。

507Ever since she was born, the Entropic leader has been shackled to her throne, becoming the progenitor for the Entropic hordes, watching her children die miserably under the Sanctifiers' guns, day in and day out.熵的首领自诞生之日起就被枷锁牢牢禁锢在王座之上，以自身作为母体繁衍熵群，日复一日看着自己的孩子们惨死于净化者的枪炮之下。

507But death is not pain. To my children, it is a chance to be reborn, and a freedom that liberates the soul... At times, I do envy them.但死亡并不痛苦，对孩子们来说那是重生的契机，也是一种灵魂放逐的自由……我有的时候很羡慕他们。

507Not once have I ever been able to experience that happiness, to escape this eternal imprisonment, even for just a moment...从始至终我都没有经历过这样的幸福，从永恒的禁锢中逃离，哪怕一秒都好……

Purple veins begin to creep across the ground, slowly making their way toward me.地面不知不觉间多了些许紫色暗纹，缓缓向我所在的位置游移。

ProfessorYou want freedom and I want to stop the Entropization of Magrasea.你想要获得自由，我想阻止麦戈拉继续熵化。

ProfessorSince you and I have both revealed our cards, we should have an honest, heart-to-heart talk.既然你我都亮明了底牌，现在不妨平心静气地谈谈。

507Hoho, you're right. I suppose it's about time for that.呵呵，你说得不错，也差不多到时候了。

Malkira laughs, and the purple veins on the ground suddenly transform into countless tiny tentacles that spring up from the ground behind me.梅尔吉娅轻笑起来，地面蔓延的深紫色顷刻化为无数细小的触手，在我身后拔地而起。

As Persicaria looks in my direction, she suddenly freezes up.帕斯卡注视向我的目光突然凝固。

PersicariaProfessor! Behind you!教授！身后！！

The thin tentacles pierce my skin and enter my back, and my freshly awakened consciousness is once again pulled away in a sinister fashion... drawn into endless chaos.细弱的触手穿透皮肤刺入背部，脑海中刚刚清醒的意识再度被诡异抽离……陷入了无尽混沌之中。

Malkira's Throne, Tartarus Inner Ring.塔尔塔罗斯内环，梅尔吉娅的王座。

Traveling Together 并肩而行-1

-14177-

It's the same scene as before, with the same people present.同样的场景，相似的访客。

507Welcome back. This is our second time meeting in a neural domain.欢迎回来，这是我们第二次在心智空间中见面。

My face pales as I recall being trapped in that infinite darkness.回想起先前被困在无尽黑暗中无法脱身，我的脸色冷了下来。

507Forgive me for making you recall unhappy memories. It can't be helped, though; your followers are all loyal to a fault and view me as a great threat. It is only in places like these where we can calm down and have a chat.抱歉，让你回想起不愉快的回忆了。没办法，你的手下各个忠心耿耿，视我为最大威胁。我们只能在这儿冷静下来面对面聊聊。

507After all, when there is too much noise, it drowns out the orchestra...嘈杂喧嚣的声音太多，难免会掩盖舞曲……

Halfway through her words, a small operand fluctuation draws her attention.话音未落，空间内微妙的算量波动引起了她的警觉。

507Oh my, it seems there are still a few small interruptions... Hoho, no matter...哦呀，好像还有一些小小的插曲……呵呵……无妨……

ProfessorFirst, you lied to Entropic Sol. Then, you suddenly attacked us.你先是蒙骗熵化苏尔，又对我们突然出手。

ProfessorYour previous actions have left us with no way to trust you, Malkira.先前你的所做所为已经让我们对你失去了信任，梅尔吉娅。

507Oh, don't say that. Surely preparing the Halo was a sign you were anticipating something like this, right?别这么说嘛。你准备了净化圈，正是对我的行动早有预料不是吗？

507As for Entropic Sol... That "gift" allowed you to meet a fallen friend once again. Shouldn't you be thanking me for that opportunity?至于熵化苏尔……这份“礼物”还是让你们和故去的伙伴相见了。你是不是该感谢我？

ProfessorYou've got the devil's own tongue, I'll admit.你还真是巧舌如簧。

507Hoho, I could say the same about you... Still, no matter what happened before, right now you have no choice but to make a deal with me.呵呵，这点上我们彼此彼此……不过，无论之前如何，现在的你除了和我交易也别无选择了。

507The Sanctifiers are scattered, Hesperus is dead, Magrasea's Entropization is continuously accelerating, and it cannot be stopped. You are in a dire situation, and you haven't even realized it yet, .净化者分裂，昏星战死，麦戈拉的熵化不断加深，难以抑制。你们不知不觉就走入绝境了呢，。

ProfessorThe dragon might fall, but not in agony.龙绝不会在哀嚎中死去。

ProfessorThe young dragons will inherit his will and protect the land that they love, and all of Magrasea's agents will fight to the last drop of blood.幼龙自会继承他的遗志，守护好深爱的土地。所有麦戈拉智能体都会拼死作战直到最后一刻。

507Then much blood will have to be shed... A victory founded on piles of corpses is no victory at all. You should know that better than anyone else.那将付出多少牺牲……用死亡堆砌而成的胜利是毫无意义的，你应该对这点再清楚不过才对。

507And besides, even shedding all that blood might not guarantee a victory. Your opponents are the Entropic hordes that cover all of Magrasea and half of the turncoat Sanctifiers, along with their leader.更何况，现在就算牺牲也不一定能换取胜利。你们要应对的是遍布整个麦戈拉的熵群，以及一半已经背叛的净化者和他们的首领。

507Meanwhile, you only have your forces and less than half of the Sanctifiers on your side. The agents of each Sector are too busy fending for themselves to aid you... As you can see, your fate is sealed.而你们，只剩自己的作战队伍和一小半的净化者部队，各个扇区的智能体早已自顾不暇……你已经陷入了死局。

ProfessorI hardly need you to remind me of that. Just get to the point.这些不用你来提醒我。你不妨直说你的目的。

507All you have to do is make a single sacrifice and this fate can be averted.只要你做出牺牲，死局自然会有解法。

ProfessorState your terms.开出你的条件。

507Hoho, how refreshingly direct. As you know, humans have bound me to this throne through my authorization as the leader of the Entropic swarm.呵呵，真干脆。你应该已经知道了，人类以熵群首领的权限为枷锁，将我束缚在了这方王座之上。

507In turn, I am immortal and unable to leave this throne... and the only way to free myself of this curse is to abandon those authorizations.永生不灭，无法离开王座一步……要想摆脱这个诅咒，唯有舍弃这个权限。

ProfessorBut you can't do it.可你没办法做到。

507Indeed. Those merciless gods have written it into my base layer code. It is not just me; all the data on this cloud server cannot shake the will of the gods.没错，无情的神已经为我写定了底层代码。不只是我，归属于这个云端的所有数据，都无法动摇神的意志。

507The only way for me to be free of this cage is for someone with higher authorization than me to accept this task.唯有拥有更高权限的人替我接过这一职责，我才能从牢笼中解放。

507And you, who have human authorizations, can change my fate.而拥有着人类的权限的你，可以改变我的命运。

ProfessorYou want me to accept the authorizations of the Entropic leader?你要我接受熵首领的权限？

507Indeed. If you are willing to become the Entropics' new leader, I will be able to escape this curse of eternal bondage.没错。若你愿意成为群熵新的首领，我就能从永世禁锢的诅咒中脱离出来。

507Meanwhile, you will gain the power of the Entropy. You will be able to command the Entropic swarm and contend with Eosphorus.而你们掌握了熵的力量，也足以调动群熵，与晨星抗衡。

507Well? Is that not a most tempting choice?怎么样，是不是为你提供了一个十分诱人的选项？

ProfessorIt does seem that way... If you ignored all the fine print that came with it.确实看起来十分诱人……如果忽略它潜藏的致命危险的话。

ProfessorBecoming the Entropic leader doesn't just entail having your mindset and perceptions changed by Entropization, but also being bound to the throne of Tartarus, just like you.成为熵首领，不仅会被熵化改变认知，还会和你一样被束缚在塔尔塔罗斯的王座之上。

ProfessorAnd if that were to happen, how would I "contend with Eosphorus", as you said?要是这样，我还要怎样如你所说，“和晨星抗衡”？

507Hoho, cautious, aren't we? Don't worry. While the transfer of authorizations is irreversible, it will take some time to complete.呵呵，真谨慎呢。不必担心，熵首领权限的转移虽然不可逆，却需要一段时间来完成这一过程。

507Do you not have ways to suppress Entropization? You can use them to extend this transfer period.你们不是还掌握着抑制熵化的手段吗？利用这个手段，你们大可以延长这段权限移交的时间。

507Surely that will be more than enough time to counterattack Eosphorus, to avenge the deaths of your friends before the Entropization process completes, and you are forcibly summoned back to the throne of Tartarus, no?在完全熵化、被强制召回塔尔塔罗斯王座之前，对晨星一举发起反攻，洗雪同伴被杀的仇恨，应该绰绰有余了吧？

Professor...We have other options too. We can analyze the Entropics' source code through Demiurge and halt the Entropization.……我们也有其他选择，通过黛米乌尔解析熵的源代码，从而抑制熵化。

507But you don't have enough time for that— Alright, it seems these terms are not enough for you to make up your mind.可你们的时间已经不多了——好吧，看来这些条件还不足以让你下定决心。

ProfessorYou have more to offer?你还有筹码？

507The "gift" I prepared for you—Entropic Sol—contains part of my neural cloud.我为你准备的“礼物”——熵化苏尔的体内有一部分我的心智。

507As such, she too shares my curse. As long as I am alive, she will be trapped in Tartarus forever.所以她也继承了我的诅咒，只要我不死，她就不得不被永远困在塔尔塔罗斯。

507If you are willing to take my place, I will sever my link with her, and you will be able to fight alongside each other as friends once again.如果你愿意代替我，我便会切断与她的这层联系，你们就能再次以伙伴的身份并肩作战。

507Ah, what a moving sight that will be.啊……多么令人感动的场景。

Malkira bends down and whispers into my ear.梅尔吉娅俯身，贴近我的耳边低语。

507You are free to refuse, of course, but know this: all visitors to Tartarus today, including Entropic Sol, will remain trapped here forever.你当然也可以拒绝。但今天造访塔尔塔罗斯的客人，包括已经熵化的苏尔，你们全都要留在这里，永远。

She smiles as she says that, but her tone is vicious. The unspoken threat hidden in her words carries over loud and clear. Upon seeing that I am not responding, Malkira calls up scenes from various battlefields—她说话带着三分笑意七分狠劲，威胁的意思不言而喻。见我沉默不语，梅尔吉娅调出各个战场的作战投影——

The plaza where the Sanctifiers swore their oaths is nothing but scorched earth, with a sword planted in the ground.净化者昔日的宣誓广场化为一方焦土，只留一柄长剑矗立天地间。

The Entropization of the Reverse Tower is getting worse. Entropized Sanctifiers are forced to battle their comrades.逆巴比伦塔熵化愈渐加深，受伤熵化的净化者们不得已向战友挥刀。

The Oasis' defense line is battered in many places. The Dolls who are still fighting are covered in wounds, dragging their tired bodies back into the breach again and again.绿洲前线满目疮痍，还在迎战的人形们伤痕累累，拖着疲惫的身躯却依旧激战于沙场。

Rossum is no longer a flourishing Sector. Alarms ring out from all around and Entropized agents wander the streets like zombies...罗萨姆繁华盛景不再，警报声萦绕不绝，熵化的智能体们如行尸走肉一般四处游荡……

And then there are Cyclopes, Helios, and Enigma...还有基洛普斯、赫里奥斯、恩格玛……

Scene after tragic scene plays out, and the screams and cries of those suffering urge me to take action.一幕幕悲剧在眼前重复上演，痛哭哀嚎声回荡在耳边催促着我采取行动。

507Now what will you do, ?该怎么做呢，。

The Entropic mastermind smiles enigmatically, my cold, stern face reflected in her eyes. She extends a hand to me and bids me take a seat upon her throne.群熵首脑露出意味不明的笑容，眼中倒映出我严肃冷峻的面庞。她缓缓伸出手，邀请我坐上她的王座。

梅尔吉娅Come, Professor of the Oasis, savior of Magrasea...来吧。绿洲的教授，麦戈拉的救世主……

Her darkened palm is like the slavering maw of some great beast, eying me hungrily. If I lower my guard for even just a moment, I will find myself in the darkness, in the belly of the beast.幽暗的掌心如同垂涎的巨兽，对我虎视眈眈。只要意志稍微松懈，下一刻就会被拉入黑暗。

Mastering the power of chaos implies bearing the weight of the throne.掌握混沌的力量也意味着负担王座的沉重。

Should I accept this eternal torment? Should I hurl myself into the endless abyss?要承担这份痛苦吗？亲手把自己推向深渊？

When infinite despair stares me in the face, can I calmly bid farewell to my past, to reality, to my friends and myself...面对无边的绝望，我是否还能从容地与过去、与现实、与友人、与自我告别……

I can't help but recall how everything began. Back when I knew nothing about all this, I chose to accept Professor Persica's request and come to the Cloud...我的脑海中不由得想起了一切的开始。那时，对这一切未曾知晓的我，选择接受帕斯卡博士的请求，来到这片云端……

I have been searching for that Professor all this time, but I'd almost given up hope after so many years had passed. >I never would have guessed that this insignificant offsite backup would prove to be the last hope to find her and those Dolls.我一直在寻找那位教授，但那么多年过去，我几乎已经放弃了。 > 没想到，这个微不足道的异地备份却成为了找回她和那些人形最后的希望。

All this is all thanks to your investigations, Commander.这都要归功于你的调查，指挥官。

Now, you will enter the cloud server through this one-way upload to save them.现在，你将通过这条单向上传通路去到云端拯救他们。

This is our only chance. I'm confident with your wealth of command experience, you'll be able to handle the responsibility of leading them.这是唯一的一次机会，相信以你丰富的指挥经验，一定能承担起率领他们的重任。

Professor(When I first came to the Cloud, my goal was only to find Professor Irida and bring the Dolls from Project Neural Cloud back to reality.)（起初来到云端的初衷只是为了找回伊莉塔教授，带领云图计划的人形们回到现实。）

Professor(Back then, I had rejoiced over being able to briefly leave the battlefields of reality behind, but when I actually came to the cloud, I found war waiting here for me too.)（当时还庆幸过自己短暂离开了枪林弹雨的现实世界，但真的到了云端，却依旧是炮火硝烟。）

Professor(When did I start to truly fit into this virtual world? When had it started feeling like home to me...)（从什么时候起，我真正融入了这片虚拟世界，有了家的感觉呢……）

ProfessorIt may not be the "Oasis" we had in mind, but it's still a significant improvement over any camp we've stayed in before.这里虽然没能成为我们期盼的“绿洲”，但你看，它已经好过之前的任何一个据点了。

ProfessorMore importantly, we get to make our own Oasis, one that's all ours. Doesn't that sound great?更重要的是，之后能亲手建造属于我们的绿洲，不也挺不错的吗？

ProfessorIf there isn't an Oasis, then make an Oasis. If there isn't a way, then make a way.没有绿洲就创造绿洲，没有方法就寻找方法。

ProfessorShaping even the dimmest hope into the brightest future... Persicaria, that's what you've dedicated yourself to all this time.将缥缈的希望化为真实……帕斯卡，这难道不是你一直以来努力在做的事情吗？

ProfessorYou once asked me what we'd do if the Oasis turned out not to be the salvation everyone dreamed of.你之前问过，如果绿洲并非大家所期盼的那样，又该怎么办？

ProfessorWe still have plenty of time, we'll shape it into the haven we thought it'd be.我们还有很多时间，能将这里变成我们期盼的样子。

ProfessorBefore we return to reality, this will be our home.在真正回到现实以前，这里就是我们的家园了。

Professor(And ever since, I walked this path with everyone through trials and travails, until today.)（自那之后起，一路上和大家风雨相伴，直到今天。）

Professor(Before I knew it, everything that happened on the Cloud had become a part of my life.)（不知不觉，在这个云端发生的一切，都已经成为了我生命的一部分。）

Professor(The agents are no longer mere data, but precious people that I can't simply abandon.)（这些智能体对我来说早已不止是数据，而是一个个无法割舍的重要之人。）

(Every moment I hesitate means countless more people will die, and once Magrasea is fully Entropized, everything I cherish will be nothing but shadows and dust.)（每犹豫一秒就会增加无数牺牲。麦戈拉全面熵化后，我所珍惜的一切全部都会化为泡影。）

Professor(What am I even hesitating for? I already know the answer!)（还在犹豫什么，答案不是一早已经确定了！）

梅尔吉娅It seems you have thought things through.看来你想清楚了。

ProfessorIn truth, I have long since been prepared for this.其实早就做好准备了。

ProfessorIf it will pave the way forward for those who come after me, then I shall serve as the bedrock for that road; my bones the structure for the bridge that crosses over the chasm ahead.如果能为后来者开辟坦途，我愿意做块铺路的基石，用骸骨填平前路的沟壑。

ProfessorEven if it means plunging into the abyss with no way to return.哪怕堕入深渊，万劫不复。

I look back and see everyone's smiling faces.回望过去，眼前浮现的是大家的笑脸。

PersicariaProfessor...教授……

SolProf!教授！

AntoninaProfessor.教授。

SimoProfessor!教授！

CroqueProfessor.教授。

众人Professor!教授！

ProfessorAfter all... I'm everyone's "Professor".……因为，我是大家的“教授”啊。

I take a step toward Malkira, toward her hand and the dangerous power it represents.我向梅尔吉娅走近一步，她的手心凑近，那份危险的力量近在咫尺。

I resolutely extend my hand to hers, but then I suddenly feel my body come to a halt.我毅然决然地伸出手，却感到自己的身体猛然停滞。

I know this feeling. It reminds me of something that happened in the Enigma Sector—这份似曾相识的感觉，让我立刻想起了曾在恩格玛扇区发生的那一幕——

???You are an irreplaceable asset to the Exiles. No matter how dire the situation, you can help the Exiles turn things around.教授，您对流亡者来说是无可替代的。无论到何种绝境，您都能带领流亡者扭转局势。

???Even if I don't make it out of Tartarus with you, I believe you will be able to find another way.就算我无法陪着您一起离开塔尔塔罗斯，我相信您也一定能找到其他办法破局。

???Which is why I must say sorry, Professor.所以 ，对不起，教授。

I suddenly realize what she's doing and try to stop her, but I find myself unable to move my body.我想要阻止她的身影，却发现无论如何都无法控制自己的身体。

She walks past me and takes Malkira's hand before I can.她越过我率先搭上了梅尔吉娅的手。

Her long pink hair, her long white coat; everything is like it was in the past. Once again, she is standing in front of me.粉色长发，白色大褂，一如过去。这一次，她再度挡在了我的身前。

Professor...Persicaria—……帕斯卡——

PersicariaI'm so glad to have met you again.很高兴再次见到您。

PersicariaI'd like to express my gratitude for your aid back there. You saved us.我想向您刚才的救援表示感谢，谢谢您救了我们。

PersicariaThere's one thing I'd like to confirm with you... Are you the Professor?我想向您确认一下……请问您就是教授吗？

PersicariaProfessor! You startled me!教授！吓我一跳！

PersicariaOh, you...真是的……

PersicariaYour clothes are ragged and your hair's a mess, I've never seen you like this before... Pfft...您的衣服破破烂烂的，头发也乱糟糟的，还从没见过您这样……噗……

PersicariaHahaha...哈哈哈……

Persicaria...Professor, please don't get mad at her, Antonina's just………教授，请别生她的气，安冬妮娜她只是……

ProfessorI know. Antonina's just worried about you all.我知道，安冬妮娜只是担心你们而已。

ProfessorAlso, she helped you voice a suspicion you've all harbored in your hearts. That's good too, right?而且，她还替你们问出了一直以来藏在心里的疑虑，这是好事，不是吗？

Persicaria...That's not it, Professor.……其实并不是的，教授。

PersicariaI was prepared to follow you from the moment you pulled me out of the depths of despair.自您将我从绝望中拉起那刻起，我就已经做好跟随您的准备。

PersicariaNo matter where our path may lead.不论前方是什么。

梅尔吉娅Authorizations confirmed. Now beginning the rite of transference... The collapse of this place shall become the prelude to the passing of the torch.权限确认，交接仪式开始……这里的崩塌将会成为权限转移的序曲。

As Persicaria connects to Malkira, the neural domain suddenly turns a bloody red.随着帕斯卡与梅尔吉娅连接，数据空间陡然变成血一样的深红。

Countless data streams reverse their flow, and the virtual space that comprises this neural domain begins to break down.无数数据逆流倒转，心智构筑的空间逐渐开始崩塌瓦解。

梅尔吉娅Ah~ How wonderful.啊~多么美妙啊。

梅尔吉娅Tartarus will soon welcome its new owner, and I shall finally have the freedom I have sought.塔尔塔罗斯将在不久后迎来它的新主人，我也将获得梦寐以求的自由。

Malkira clasps Persicaria's hand tightly and laughs happily.梅尔吉娅握紧帕斯卡的手，心满意足地笑了。

梅尔吉娅Although you might not have been the target I was initially aiming for, I must thank you, Persicaria.虽然你并非我一开始认定的目标，但我也要感谢你，帕斯卡。

Persicaria grits her teeth against the pain as the curse of the throne begins eating away at her neural cloud from within.来自王座的诅咒从内部侵蚀心智，帕斯卡咬牙强忍着痛苦。

Persicaria...Only now do I understand why you said my resolve was lacking, Malkira.……直到前一刻我才明白你为什么说我觉悟不够，梅尔吉娅。

PersicariaFortunately... it's not too late now.好在现在……也不晚。

梅尔吉娅Hoho... The show is over, and it is time for the actors to leave the stage.呵呵……演出已经结束，演员也该退场。

梅尔吉娅The two of you might not have a chance to speak with each other after this, so I won't disturb you any further.你们两位以后或许再也没机会面对面促膝长谈了，我就不打扰了。

With that, Malkira silently vanishes into the infinite darkness, like seafoam vanishing into the depths.语毕，梅尔吉娅如潜入深海的泡沫，悄然消散在无边的黑暗之中。

ProfessorMALKIRA!!梅尔吉娅！！

I clench my fists, but there is nowhere for the anger inside me to go. All I can do is take Persicaria's hand in the hopes of trying to share her burden.我握紧拳头，内心的怒火无处发泄。只能默默牵起帕斯卡的手，想以此帮她分担痛苦。

ProfessorPersicaria...帕斯卡……

PersicariaI'm okay... (coughs) Good thing I connected to your neural cloud in time and followed you here...我没事……呵呵，还好及时接入您的心智，跟了过来……

Persicaria forces a smile to her face to try and comfort me.粉发少女倔强地扯出一丝微笑安慰我。

The incredible pain is making her delirious, but even though she tries her best to stay calm, the trembling in her voice betrays her.巨大的痛苦让她神志迷离，她努力维持着冷静状态，颤抖的声音还是出卖了她。

PersicariaProfessor... I'm sorry...教授……对不起……

PersicariaYou saved me, built the Oasis, and gave us a home. But I've been hiding something from you all this time.教授救了我，建立了绿洲，给了我们一个家。可我却一直对您有所隐瞒。

PersicariaDo you still remember the system notification when we were unlocking the Rubik's Map? The Watchtower misidentifying me as Professor Irida wasn't a mistake in its system.还记得解锁魔方地图时的系统提示吗？并不是哨站的系统错误，将我误认为了伊莉塔教授。

PersicariaWhen I was created, Professor Irida and Persica gave me a portion of their authorizations.早在我被创造之初，伊莉塔教授和帕斯卡博士就把她们的一部分权限交给了我。

PersicariaEhhh, all these tedious daily tasks are getting me down.呵呵，繁琐的日常总是很消磨人的耐性。

PersicariaThings would be so much better if I could get a Doll to clock in, finish my work and even attend meetings for me...人形帮着上班签到，完成工作，连出席会议都方便了许多……

PersicariaWhile I'm not as capable or decisive as them, I could still use those authorizations to finish the parts of their work that were within my abilities to accomplish.虽然我无法拥有像她们一样的果决和才能，但有了身份识别和部分权限，也能替她们完成一些自己力所能及的事。

PersicariaIt was only when I came to the cloud and the Wipe-off Incident happened to the Neural Cloud Sector that I learned just how weighty those authorizations were...直到来到云端，云图扇区发生变故，我才知道这份权限有多沉重……

Persicaria finally awakens after slumbering for three years. She nervously eyes her alien surroundings. The Neural Cloud Sector and her friends are gone. The only things she can see are hostile Sanctifiers who are waiting to kill her.沉睡三年后帕斯卡终于苏醒。她怔怔地看着眼前陌生的云端，云图扇区和伙伴们都已不在，只有危险的净化者随时等待夺去她的性命。

She has lost everything in the blink of an eye, and her life has become a nightmare. But still, she must face it.转瞬间失去了一切，眼前的所有就像一场噩梦。但她必须面对。

PersicariaThe other Dolls must be scared too... Since I have Professor Irida's authorizations, I'm the only one who can save all of us...其他人形一定也很害怕……我有伊莉塔教授的权限，只有我才能拯救大家……

PersicariaI can't go down here, I have to... I need to keep moving forward. I need to fight!我不能倒在这里，我必须……我必须前进，我必须战斗！

PersicariaBecause everyone... everyone's still waiting for me!为了大家……大家还在等着我啊！

That is the answer she has been looking for. It seems as though something has awakened inside her, because Persicaria takes up the banner of the Exiles and leads everyone in search of a way out.一切在此刻有了答案。为什么在苏醒伊始，帕斯卡要扛起流亡者的旗帜带领大家寻找出路。

Why could Persicaria activate a Sandbox Barrier despite only being an ordinary Doll?为什么帕斯卡只是一个普通人形，却能开启沙盒屏障。

She and I shared the same authorizations, like an Eve shaped from Adam's ribs. When I was not up to the task, she silently helped me take on everything that I should have done as the "Professor".她和我共享同一份权限，如同用亚当肋骨创造出的夏娃。在我力所不能及的时候默默替我承担着“教授”这个身份理应承受的一切。

PersicariaIn the past, I thought of those authorizations as a burden.过去我一直将这份权限当做负担。

PersicariaAfter all, I'd been forced to face hardships I'd never experienced before, forced to choose, again and again. Which of my friends should I let die? Will the big picture be preserved?因为我不得不面对从未有过的困境，一次次被迫做出抉择。要不要牺牲同伴？能不能保全大局？

PersicariaIf Professor Irida were here, would she make the same decisions as me? Or would she have gone in the completely opposite direction?伊莉塔教授如果在的话，她是否会做出和我一样的决策，还是会选择截然相反的道路？

PersicariaThese questions constantly haunted me.这些问题无时无刻不在困扰着我。

PersicariaHehe... But fortunately, you showed up... and granted salvation to a coward like me.呵呵……幸好，这时候您出现了……给予我这个逃避者救赎。

ProfessorPersicaria, will you stand with me and share the burden of leading the Oasis?你愿意和我一起担负领导绿洲的职责吗，帕斯卡？

PersicariaAm I really fit to be by your side? I'm nowhere near as smart or decisive as Dr. Persica, and I can't seem to make any good decisions...我真的可以吗？我不像帕斯卡博士一样聪明果断，也没办法做出正确的决定……

ProfessorLike I said before, you don't need to be like Dr. Persica.我已经说过了，你不需要像帕斯卡博士。

ProfessorPersicaria, you only need to be yourself.帕斯卡，你只用做好自己就行了。

ProfessorNo one can do everything alone. That's why I need you by my side.无论是谁，都无法一个人承担所有事情，所以我需要你。

ProfessorJoin me, Persicaria.和我一起吧，帕斯卡。

Although I was still uneasy and afraid, that was the moment when I started believing in the future that the Professor described.尽管内心中仍是不安和胆怯，但在那一刻，我愿意相信所描绘的未来。

I took the Professor's hand.我接过了教授伸出的手。

PersicariaOf course. I look forward to working with you.嗯，今后也请多指教了。

PersicariaI'm so glad that... I took the hand you reached out to me.能在那时接过您伸出的手……真的太好了。

ProfessorNo, you were the one who saved me.不，我才是那个被你救赎的人。

ProfessorWhen I first entered the Cloud, you gave me your unconditional trust, and even after knowing that I wasn't the real Professor, you still spared no effort in helping me...从我刚进入云端的时候，你一直无条件给予我信任，即便知道我并不是真正的教授也不遗余力地帮助我……

ProfessorI should be the one thanking you...该说感谢的人是我才对……

PersicariaProfessor, I... I'm really happy.教授，我……真的很高兴。

PersicariaDuring our daily life at the Oasis, everyone's differing skillsets meant that there was always someone who could better ease your worries than me.日常在绿洲的时候，大家分工不同，总有人比我更加优秀能为您分忧解难。

PersicariaHeh, at times, I lamented not being capable enough to help you deal with everything.呵呵，有的时候我也很懊恼自己能力不足，不能帮您处理好所有事情。

PersicariaYour path was resolute and you were always walking at the head of everyone else. But I, as a member of the Exiles, was always looking at your back...您的脚步坚定，总是勇敢果断地走在最前面。而我，作为流亡者的一员，一直仰望着您的背影……

PersicariaWork harder, be calmer, be more decisive... I kept telling myself that.再努力一点，再冷静一点，再果断一点。我一次次这么鼓励自己。

PersicariaBecause that was the only way I'd be able to catch up with you and get closer to you...因为只有这样我才追上您的脚步，离您更近些……

PersicariaSo now, please let me do this one thing for you.现在，请让我为您做一件事。

PersicariaIt might be the last thing that I can do for you...或许也是我能为您做的最后一件事情了……

Persicaria lets go of my hand and turns her back to me so I can't see the reluctance on her face.帕斯卡松开我的手，转身背对着我。不想让我看到她不舍的表情。

PersicariaPlease allow me to remain in Tartarus after this battle, while you raise the banner of the Exiles high and lead everyone back to the real world.请允许我在这次战斗之后留在塔尔塔罗斯，而您则高举流亡者的旗帜，坚定地引领大家重返现实世界吧……

PersicariaYour Persicaria will stay here and watch you forever...帕斯卡将在这里一直注视着您……

Agony ravages her neural cloud and tears through her body. The neural space is coming apart and we can't even see each other clearly.剧烈的痛苦摧残她的理智，侵蚀她的身体。心智空间分崩离析，我们连彼此的身形都看不真切。

But I know. I know she's smiling.但我知道她在笑。

She's also crying.她也在哭。

Persicaria...When the storm has passed, the sunlight that comes through the clouds is exceptionally dazzling.……暴雨过后，划破乌云的阳光总是格外耀眼。

PersicariaI think I'm finally seeing the same things that you are...我想我终于看到和您同样的风景了……

Persicaria...Am I truly standing by your side now?……现在的我，是否真正与您并肩而立了呢？

Crack—咔嚓——

The massive neural space breaks apart and the memory fragments evaporate into motes of operands.庞大的心智空间支离破碎，记忆片段湮灭成点点算量。

As my consciousness fades, I see Persicaria look back, tears glimmering in her eyes as her mouth turns up in a gentle smile.意识消失的前一刻，我看到帕斯卡回过头，泪光闪烁，嘴角勾勒出一抹温柔的弧度。

PersicariaProfessor... thank you so much...真的非常……感谢您，教授……

Countless scattered code symbols float around me as data streams shoot past each other.无数零散的代码字符漂浮在四周，数据流飞速穿梭。

Beyond The Bounds 囚鸟破笼

-13166-

ProfessorPersicaria—帕斯卡——

As my shout fills the hall, I reach out to try and grab Persicaria's fading form, but I fall short. Just as I'm about to fall, however, a warm hand meets mine and hauls me up.呐喊声响彻大殿，我伸出手想抓住帕斯卡逝去的身影却最终扑空，失落之际，突然一只温热的手迎了上来。

In my blurred vision, I see a pink-haired girl with a pale face holding on tightly to my hand.模糊的视野中，面色苍白的粉发少女紧紧握住我的手。

PersicariaI'm here, Professor.我在这里，教授。

That word causes my reason and restraint to collapse. I promptly pull her into my arms.一句话让所有的理智与克制土崩瓦解。我一把将她拥入怀中。

Time seems to stand still, and the clamor around us fades into the distance.时光仿佛静止，周遭的喧嚣都已远去。

As I feel the warmth in my arms fading away and watch the deep purple spreading from her fingers to envelop her entire body, the words I long to say get caught in my throat. Not a single one escapes.感受着怀里的体温渐渐冷却，目睹深紫色从少女指间向全身蔓延，内心的千言万语卡在喉咙里，竟然一句话也说不出口。

Persicaria lightly pats me on the back.帕斯卡轻轻拍着我的后背。

PersicariaIt's alright, Professor... The authorizations won't be fully transferred for a while.不要紧，教授……距离权限完全交接还有一段时间。

PersicariaPerhaps I might be able to accompany you on this final journey.或许我能陪您走完最后一段路。

PersicariaAfter that, you must take care of yourself. Your Persicaria will pray for you forever...之后，就要请您自己保重。帕斯卡会永远为您祈祷……

ProfessorNo, there's got to be a way to break this curse...不会的，一定有其他能脱离诅咒的办法……

PersicariaShhh—嘘——

She presses her finger to my lips.她的手指比在我唇间。

PersicariaI know this can't be hidden, but I don't want to distract the others right now.我知道这件事情不可能隐瞒，但现在我不想让大家分心。

PersicariaOur current priority is to hurry to the Reverse Tower and stop Eosphorus. Discussing the authorization transfer can wait until after the battle.当务之急是赶往逆巴比伦塔阻止晨星。接管权限的事，战斗结束后再说吧。

ProfessorBut your body...可你的身体……

The traces of Entropization are masked by her wounds from battle, but I can clearly see how much pain she must be in.熵化痕迹在打斗的伤污间并不明显，可我清楚她正承受着多少痛苦。

PersicariaIt's alright, Professor...没关系的，教授。

PersicariaThe truth is, I feel much better just being by your side.其实只要留在您身边，我就已经感觉轻松很多了。

As she sees our friends approaching, Persicaria smiles at me before shaking her head, then pulls her coat tight around her to hide the Entropic veins creeping up her body.看着不远处的伙伴走近，帕斯卡微笑着向我摇了摇头，拢起衣服遮盖身上的熵化纹路。

SolYou guys are awake at last!你们两个终于醒了！

Sol breathes a sigh of relief, then eyes Malkira warily, afraid she might attack again.苏尔长舒了一口气，警惕地看向远方的梅尔吉娅，害怕她再出手攻击。

SolYou guys went silent all of a sudden. You scared the heck out of me.一个两个一下子都不说话，吓死我了。

SolStill, since you're awake, it's time we made Malkira pay!不过既然醒了，也是时候找梅尔吉娅算账了。

ProfessorWait, Sol.等等，苏尔。

ProfessorShe no longer poses a threat to us.她现在已经无法威胁我们了。

SolSay what?! You mean we're going to stop fighting, just like that?？！到底发生了什么？说停战就停战啊。

SolThere's a change in my neural cloud... The Entropic power inside me...心智发生了变化……熵的力量……

The girl in black stares silently at her palm. She can feel her link to Malkira fading away, and the tremors in her core are growing more and more intense.旁边的黑衣少女看着自己的掌心发呆，感受到体内与梅尔吉娅相连的部分渐渐消失，核心的震动越发强烈。

Sol has no idea what is going on, and for a while, all she can do is scratch her head in bafflement.苏尔一时半会儿搞不清状况，只能疑惑地挠挠头。

SolWait, so we're just going to ignore everything she did to the Prof and everyone else and just let her go?那她之前对教授和大家做的事情就这么一笔带过，既往不咎吗？

ProfessorWe're not letting her go. Rather, killing her wouldn't solve anything.不是既往不咎，只是现在就算杀了她也无济于事。

I clench my fist and glare at Malkira.我捏紧拳头，用冰冷的目光望向不远处的梅尔吉娅。

The former queen has emerged from the neural cloud space and was the first to awake. Malkira doesn't seem to mind our hateful glances. Instead, she speaks in a casual tone.曾经的女王早已从心智空间抽身，是最早苏醒的一位。梅尔吉娅并不介意我们憎恨的眼神，云淡风轻地说道。

507Well, the negotiations are over, so there shouldn't be any reason left for us to be glaring at each other, .谈判告一段落，剑拔弩张的氛围也该结束了吧，。

ProfessorOh yes, you've already achieved your aim, after all.是啊，你的目的已经达成了。

507Now now, don't be so negative. It's a win-win situation.别说得这么丧气，这可是双赢的买卖。

507Hohoho, it must be difficult for outsiders to understand our little secret. However, I'm sure you understand better than everyone else that everything in this world is fair, and that every choice has its own hidden price.呵呵呵，发生在我们之间的秘密外人难以理解。不过你应该最清楚不过，世上的一切都是公平的，每一份选择都在暗中标明了代价。

507You've lost one of your beloved followers and, in turn, gained the power to oppose Eosphorus. A worthwhile trade, don't you think?失去你心爱的部下，换取一份足以抗衡晨星的力量，很划算不是吗？

507Plus, she was eager to pay the price on your behalf. You should be happily accepting her goodwill.而且她也心甘情愿为你付出。你应该心怀感恩接纳这份好意。

ProfessorYou're just using the kindness of others to cover up your own despicable deeds. What about you? What price did you pay in all this?妄图用别人的善举来掩盖你手段的卑劣，在这场博弈中，你又付出了什么代价？

507Me, hm...我……

507Hoho, oh yes. What kind of price did I pay?呵呵，是啊，我又付出了什么代价呢？

She looks down, and the expression on her face is shrouded in shadow.她眉眼低垂，脸上的表情晦暗不明。

Whoosh—唰——

A blazing sword hovers over Malkira's chest, pointed directly at her vitals. The blade reflects the wrath on Sol's face.火焰长刀悬在梅尔吉娅胸口，直指要害。刀刃映照出苏尔愤怒的神情。

SolEven if you've settled things between you and the Prof, I still want an answer.教授和你已经两清了，那我是不是也该找你要个答案。

507Huh, I forgot you two were still around...忘记了还有你们啊……

Entropic Sol pushes down the sword and walks between Sol and Malkira.熵化少女按下长刀，走入苏尔和梅尔吉娅中间。

SolLady Malkira, I have followed you faithfully thus far. But... what exactly were you hiding from me?梅尔吉娅大人，我一直忠心追随着您。但您……究竟对我隐瞒了什么？

SolPlease tell me. I want to know who I am, where I came from, and why I am here.请告诉我。我想知道自己究竟是谁，从何诞生，为何在此。

507Oh, my child... the answer was obvious from the beginning. I called you "Sol" all this time because you are "Sol".我的孩子……答案一开始就已经写明了。我一直叫你“苏尔”，因为你就是“苏尔”。

507After that battle with Eosphorus' clone, Ptolemaea's servants recovered part of Sol's core from the battlefield.在那场晨星分身降临绿洲的战役后，多罗梅亚的仆从从战场上带回了苏尔的一部分核心。

507It was still trembling slightly, but it had long since ceased to function. So I linked the fragment to my main body, infused it with Entropic power, and made you.虽然那颗核心还在微微颤动，但早已无法运转。我将核心碎片与自己的本体相连，为它注入了熵的力量，创造出了你。

SolSo my body contains Entropic and Agent parts...所以我的体内，既有属于熵的部分，也有属于智能体的部分……

Though she had a faint idea of what was going on, it's still hard for Entropic Sol to hide her shock after hearing the truth laid out this plainly.即便已经洞察到端倪，可当赤裸裸的事实摆在眼前时，熵化苏尔依旧难以掩饰心中震撼。

The girl in black inhales deeply, tries to calm herself, and continues asking.黑衣少女深深吸了一口气，尝试平复内心的波澜，继续问道。

SolSo why did you lie to me and say it was redundant data, that my past didn't exist?那为什么要骗我，说那些记忆是冗余数据，过去根本不存在？

507You inherited the power of an electronic virus, yet your core was that of a Doll. I knew your heart would be conflicted, but the pressing circumstances would not permit you the luxury of remaining caught in a tug-of-war between those two sides of you.继承了电子病毒的力量，核心却还是人形的。我知道你内心矛盾挣扎，但时间还在延续。你不可能在两股力量的拉扯中止步不前。

507And so, when you awoke, I made that decision for you; to abandon your past and live as an Entropic in Tartarus.你苏醒的时候我替你做了决定。抛弃过去的一切，以熵的身份在塔尔塔罗斯活跃。

507It was the most logical and easiest choice to make. You wouldn't have to worry about your past bonds, and you would be able to freely Entropize and destroy everything.这显然是最合理，也最轻松的选择。不用考虑过去对你的牵绊，放任本心肆无忌惮地熵化，摧毁。

507You wouldn't need to question yourself for being an Entropic or worry about how to control your power. You wouldn't fit in with other agents and you'd have to kneel to them in order to coexist anyway.不必一遍遍质问自己本身为熵，为何要克制自己的力量。明明与智能体不合，总要委屈意愿以求共存。

507Wouldn't you be happy to abandon a fake and hollow life like that, Sol?抛弃这种虚伪的生活，难道你不会快乐吗，苏尔？

SolI...我……

??You're not the one who gets to decide whether she's happy or not, Malkira.快乐与否，不由你来决定，梅尔吉娅。

Before she can answer, a familiar voice speaks from behind her.还未等她做出回答，熟悉的声音从身后响起。

ProfessorShe needed to know the truth and then make her choice. Whether to face it or run would then come down to her will.她需要知道真相，然后做出抉择。最终是面对或是逃避，都来源于她自己的意志。

ProfessorIt should not have been the result of violating her own nature because of your fake goodwill. By covering up the truth and lying about her circumstances, all you did was reduce her into a convenient tool. So don't go making pretty excuses for your selfishness.而不是屈从于你伪善的好意踏上违背本心的道路。欺瞒事实，掩盖真相，你不过是把她当成自己方便的工具而已。不必为自己找个堂而皇之的借口美化自己的恶念。

SolYeah, that's right! If she'd chosen to fight us, then we'd have fought her.没错！如果她选择与我们为敌，我们会堂堂正正地与她战斗。

SolAnd if she'd chosen to be our friend, we'd have accepted her too and waited for her to come back with us!如果她愿意做我们的朋友，我们也愿意接纳她，等待她的回归！

Entropic Sol looks back.黑衣少女向身后望去。

Persicaria and the girl in orange are looking expectantly at her, while the Professor's gaze is accepting and understanding.帕斯卡和橙衣少女向她投来期待的目光，而一旁教授的凝视充满了理解包容。

ProfessorAnd now, you know everything. You have a chance to choose anew. Whether you choose to return with us or not, we will respect your decision.现在你知道了一切，有机会重新做出选择。不论回归与否，我们都尊重你的决定。

SolCan... Can I become a new "Sol"?我……可以成为新的“苏尔”吗？

ProfessorSure, you can become Sol. You can choose not to become Sol. You can become anyone you want to be.嗯，你可以成为苏尔，你也可以不是苏尔。你可以成为任何你想成为的人。

ProfessorThe moon is different from the sun, but it can still shine at night and light the way for others, and it should be praised for that too.不同于耀眼的太阳，长夜升起的月亮也能为路人照亮前路。它同样应该被人们祝福。

SolYou mean, you won't reject me because I'm an Entropic?不会因为我是熵，就否认我的存在吗？

Everyone shakes their head.身后的大家摇摇头。

The girl in black knows what they're expecting. They want to continue their relationship with her, but they also want to give her the right to decide what to do with herself.黑衣少女明白大家的期待，们渴望自己能延续羁绊，却也给自己一份选择的权利。

Entropic Sol recalls her dream from before. In that dream, countless hands were holding onto her. She had thought it was the people and things in her dream that were binding her.熵化苏尔想起了之前的那个梦。梦中有无数双手束缚住自己，她以为束缚自己的是回忆中的人和事。

But in truth, she was the one who had bound herself.但其实束缚住她的是她自己。

SolI... There are many things I haven't figured out yet, about myself, about agents, about Entropics... So maybe I can't decide that quickly.我……我还有很多事情没搞明白。关于我自己，关于智能体，关于熵……或许我没办法这么快做出决定。

SolBut I'd like to try and make sense of the stuff I've been running from.但是，我也想尝试认清那些我一直逃避的东西。

SolSol, I don't mind supplying you with operands, or even allocating you part of my neural cloud so you don't disappear. And Professor, I'm willing to lend you my strength and fight for you.苏尔，我可以一直分给你算量，甚至给你一部分心智不让你消散。教授，我愿意在这之后把自己的力量借给你，为你而战。

Sol...In turn, will you help me make sense of my past and figure myself out?……与之相对的，你们愿意帮我认清过往，解开这个难题吗？

Entropic Sol eyes them nervously. They were friends once, and also enemies, but now...熵化苏尔有些忐忑地看着眼前的几人。们曾是伙伴，也曾是敌人，而现在——

The person in white smiles.白衣之人微笑起来。

ProfessorOf course.当然。

SolAhhhhh, why are you making stuff so complicated?!哎呀，婆婆妈妈的！

Sol puts an arm around her black-clad clone and pulls her into her arms for a vigorous head pat.苏尔搂着黑衣少女的肩膀，一把将她拽到怀里揉着头发。

SolHow could we possibly say no? I told you before, right?怎么可能不愿意？我早说了嘛！

Perhaps it's because she has the same core as her, or maybe it's because they have the same memories, but when she's close to Sol, countless images run through her mind and her past becomes clearer in her head.或许是因为拥有同样的核心，再或许是因为相同的回忆。与苏尔贴近时，她脑海中有无数画面翻涌，记忆也逐渐清晰。

Never mind that she hasn't been to the places in those memories, or experienced the happy life in them.虽然记忆中的那些地方她从来没到过，回忆中愉快的生活她也从未经历。

SolOh yeah, want to go visit the places in your memories?对了，要不要去回忆里的那些地方看看？

Just as Sol says this, a word appears in Entropic Sol's mind.几乎在苏尔刚说完，熵化少女的脑海里就浮现出两个字。

Inferno SolYou mean... to the Oasis?去……绿洲？

SolYup, the Oasis. Er... it's not a really good time for sightseeing right now, though.嗯，绿洲。呃……不过现在不是参观的好时候。

PersicariaOh, Sol, you're always so impulsive. All of Magrasea is in danger of being Entropized and we're having an emergency now.苏尔你呀，还是那么冲动。现在是非常时期，麦戈拉几乎全面熵化。

PersicariaLet's take care of the problem at hand before planning your grand tour. Since time is tight, we'll need to get to the Reverse Tower ASAP to keep Eosphorus from putting his plan into action.在规划你的宏图伟愿之前还是先解决眼前的难题吧。时间紧急，我们下一步要尽快前往逆巴比伦塔阻止晨星前往现实的计划。

PersicariaWe'll leave the sightseeing plans for once everything settles down. When the time comes, I'll... I mean, Sol will take you there.参观的安排，等一切风平浪静之后，到时候我……嗯……苏尔带着你一起。

SolYou know, calling you "Sol" is kind of annoying. Yes, I know, you're me, and I'm me too... Ahhhhh! It's so confusing! How will we know which of us people are looking for when we're together?“苏尔”“苏尔”叫得好麻烦啊。我知道你也是我，我也是我……啊啊啊啊，好乱！两个人在一起的时候怎么区分呢？

SolEspecially when it comes to pot roast day at the cafeteria, we've had cases where one person pretends to be another to eat an extra share. I mean, we're both Sol, after all.尤其在吃烤肉的时候，一个人冒充对方多吃一份这种事情也常有吧。毕竟都是苏尔。

SolErm... I wouldn't pretend to be you, but you have a point, it's a little hard to tell us apart...呃……虽然我不会冒充，但确实难以区分……

ProfessorWhy don't we go by your attack name and call you "Inferno Sol"?按攻击的方式，叫“陨炎苏尔”怎么样？

SolOhhh! That sounds really cool!哦哦！听起来很帅嘛！

Inferno SolBecause of "Hellflame Slash", right... I think it works well. Thank you, Professor.和“陨炎斩”一样……我也觉得不错。谢谢你，教授。

SolFour syllables is a little hard to pronounce, though... Hm... how about this, I'll give you a nickname. When we're together, I'll call you "Sunna".不过四个字有点拗口啊。嗯……要不然，我来起个昵称好了，我们私底下就叫你苏娜吧。

Inferno SolSunna...苏娜……

SolYup. Sol's the goddess of the sun, but she goes by another name too. Nothing wrong with a sockpuppet account or nickname, right? Hahaha...嗯。众人熟知的太阳女神，偶尔也要开个马甲，建个小号。有个昵称什么的，一点都不奇怪，哈哈哈。

Inferno SolSun... na, Sunna...苏……娜、苏娜……

SolYou like it?喜欢吗？

The girl in black thinks about it in silence for a while, and then a smile slowly spreads across her face. The name "Sunna" also refers to a sun goddess, but it has a new meaning too.黑衣少女默念着，脸上逐渐有了一丝笑颜。“苏娜”这个名字，它拥有和太阳女神同样的过去，但也被赋予了新的意义。

Inferno SolWell, I don't hate it...起码不讨厌……

Inferno SolOh yes, Professor, I have something to give back to you.对了，教授，我还有东西要还给你。

Having worked out her issues, the girl in black walks up to me and places something cool in my hand.解开心结的黑衣少女走到我的身前，在我的手心放下了什么冰凉的东西。

ProfessorThis is... Eos' earring.这是……晨曦的耳坠。

Inferno SolI was thinking about throwing it away back then, but it looked really important, so...我那时原本想扔掉，但这个看上去很贵重，所以……

ProfessorHeh, thank you.呵呵，谢谢你。

I place the earring, once lost and now recovered, back into my pocket. Having once again witnessed the return of a friend, it has taken on even greater significance.我将失而复得的耳坠重新收入怀中。它又一次见证了伙伴的回归，因而也变得更加意义非凡。

Demiurge suddenly awakens from where she is sleeping on the throne and raises her head while blinking her eyes and looking around in confusion. Upon seeing Malkira, she eagerly runs up to her.在王座上沉睡着的黛米乌尔突然醒过来，她睁眼抬头，茫然四顾。看到梅尔吉娅后兴奋地跑了过来。

黛米乌尔Mal... Malkira...梅……梅尔吉娅……

507You must have had a lovely dream after sleeping for so long.沉睡了许久，想必你做了个美梦吧。

黛米乌尔Yup!嗯！

The girl nods happily.幼童开心点头。

507Can you tell me what you saw that made you so excited?能告诉我梦里梦到什么了，让你这么兴奋吗？

黛米乌尔Light... sunlight...光……阳光……

Malkira looks where Demiurge is pointing, toward the overcast sky of the Tartarus Sector.顺着黛米乌尔手指的方向，梅尔吉娅看向塔尔塔罗斯阴沉的天空。

507Unfortunately, Tartarus has never seen any sunshine, though besides that...可惜，塔尔塔罗斯从来就没有阳光，只有在这之外……

The adult Entropic returns her gaze to Demiurge and gently ruffles her hair.成年熵收回目光，摸了摸孩子的头。

507You can stay here if you want. It's a little cold and lonely, but it's safe enough.你可以留在这里，这里虽然冰凉冷寂，却也足够安全。

507Or you could leave with me and chase that faraway light once again.你也可以和我一起离开，再度追逐那遥远的光明。

507So, do you want to go with me, or stay in Tartarus?你想和我走，还是留在塔尔塔罗斯？

The girl looks up and squeezes Malkira's hand tightly, as though she already knew the answer.幼童仰头紧紧握住梅尔吉娅的手，仿佛早已有了答案。

黛米乌尔With you...一起……

507Then let us send them off and bid a final farewell to the heroes who saved us.那我们就一起去送们吧，与这些拯救我们的勇者做最后的道别。

Outer Ring, Tartarus Sector.塔尔塔罗斯外环。

Malkira leads the way for the group while holding Demiurge's hands. The Entropics along the way all fall silent and back away.梅尔吉娅牵着黛米乌尔的手为众人引路。一路上所有熵都收敛了气息，默默回避。

Sol naively thinks it was her heroic disposition that scared them off, but only a few people know the truth. The Entropic swarm has acknowledged Persicaria as their soon-to-be queen, and they are afraid of her.苏尔天真地以为是自己的英雄之气吓退了熵群，只有当事人心知肚明。群熵认定了帕斯卡即将继任新女王，并对她忌惮三分。

507Congratulations on surviving the battlefield of the Tartarus Sector.恭喜你们，从塔尔塔罗斯的战场脱身。

507This is especially true for you, Sunna, my child. You are no longer bound by the power of the Entropy and may freely go wherever you wish.特别要恭喜你苏娜，我的孩子。如今你已经不再受群熵之力的束缚，可以随心所欲去任何地方。

Inferno SolI should have realized this earlier. That way, we wouldn't have had this misunderstanding and all those pointless battles.我原本应该更早洞悉一切，这样就不会有误解与无谓的斗争。

507There is no need to feel ashamed. At the very least, you helped me.你不必惭愧。至少你帮了我。

Inferno SolI did?帮了你？

507Hoho... In truth, I was most reluctant to release a subordinate like you.呵呵……说实话，我很不舍得你这个属下。

507In this frigid sector, your flames were my only warmth.在这个冰冷的扇区，你的火焰是唯一的温暖。

The Reverse Tower in the distance has been completely consumed by the Entropy. The former bastion of order is now a morass of corruption. The Sanctifiers who once cleaved to the words of the Gods and defended the sacred teachings are now the source of disaster.远处的逆巴比伦塔彻底被熵吞噬，昔日神圣秩序的象征化为腐朽混沌的泥潭。曾经聆听神谕，恪守圣训的捍卫者们，如今已然成为了灾厄的源头。

Malkira smiles enigmatically.梅尔吉娅露出一丝意味不明的笑容。

507This is as far as I go. Your adventures in Tartarus are but a chapter in this great dragonslaying epic, and your greatest foe waits within the Reverse Tower, awaiting the final showdown with our heroes.我只能送你们到这里了，塔尔塔罗斯只是屠龙史诗中的一程，最大的敌人还在逆巴比伦塔等待着与勇者决胜。

ProfessorWhat about you?你呢？

507Me? Do you mean...我？你是指……

ProfessorDid you really think you were free just because you managed to get rid of the Entropic mastermind's authorizations?你真的以为脱离了熵首领的权限，你就能获得自由了吗？

507Hoho, of course not... I am but a creation of the gods; why would they allow me to escape their grasp so easily?呵呵，当然不……我作为神明的造物，他们又怎么会让我轻易逃离掌控？

507Even without the authorizations, they feared what would happen if this power was out of their control, so I was burdened by shackles ever since I was born...即便失去了权限，他们也担心这份力量会失控，所以自我诞生起，就早已设置好了重重枷锁……

507That said, I too have long since been prepared to pay this "price"...只是，我也早已准备好，付出这份“代价”了……

Malkira looks outside the Tartarus Sector, The brilliant rays from beyond its high walls shine through the cloud cover, like the sunrise.梅尔吉娅看向塔尔塔罗斯之外，墙外明亮的光线刺破塔尔塔罗斯阴沉的天空，像极了曙光破晓。

507All we need now is to tie up all loose ends for a perfect ending.它只需要一个收尾，便是最完美的结局。

507As a token of my gratitude, I have one more clue for you before I go, .为了表达我的感谢，临别之前，我还有一条线索要送给你，。

507I made a deal with another person besides you.除了你之外，还有一个人与我做过交易。

ProfessorI know. It was Eosphorus.我知道是晨星。

507Hoho... You always scorned him as a traitor, but I had great expectations for him.呵呵……提起他，你们总会带着对背叛者的不屑，但我对他抱有期待。

507You see, I lent the power of the Entropy to the leader of the Sanctifiers, but I did not expect anything in return. Do you know why that was the case?我把熵的力量借给了那位净化者首领，并没有收取报酬。知道是为什么吗？

507Because there are some things that my abilities cannot accomplish, but he could do in my place.因为有一些事情，之后的我力所不能及，而他能替我做得到。

There is an ominous feeling in my heart. Malkira's obsession came from humanity's oppression of herself, which gave her a shared goal with Eosphorus.一丝不祥的预感出现在我心中，梅尔吉娅的执念源于人类对她的迫害，这让她和晨星有了共同目标。

If she lent the power of the Entropy to Eosphorus and it was not a fair trade, then he must surely have inherited her most cherished desire.她将熵的力量借给晨星，如果不是公平的交易，对方必然带走了她的夙愿。

ProfessorYou mean... taking revenge on humanity?你是说……向人类复仇？

507Hohohohoho... Ah yes, the ones who chained me to the throne of Tartarus and left me eternally incapable of escape.呵呵呵呵呵……将我束缚在塔尔塔罗斯的王座之上，让我永世无法逃离禁锢。

507Humans, know that I have cursed you every minute, every second of my existence, hoping and praying that vengeance would be visited upon you.人类啊，你们可知道每一分每一秒我都在诅咒你们，内心期待着向你们复仇。

A pair of red eyes bore into me as if through my form, she was glaring at all of humanity with unbridled hatred.赤红的双眸怒视着我，似乎透过我看到了让她憎恶的整个人类族群。

507Eosphorus and I both hate the creators who toyed with their scions. And if a pure creation cannot judge the gods...晨星与我都憎恨着愚弄众生的造物主，如果纯洁的造物无法审判神明。

507Then may they be slaughtered by the monster that they have made, hahahahahaha...那就让自己创造的罪孽亲手斩杀他们，哈哈哈哈哈哈……

ProfessorMalkira!梅尔吉娅！

507Oh please, if you have the time to yell at me, then you're better off heading to the frontlines. Perhaps you might be able to grab his sleeve, maybe slow him down a little.有空责怪我不如赶紧赶到前线，或许还能拖拽住晨星的衣角，让他的脚步放慢些。

507After all, the timer was already counting down long before you set off...早在你们启程之前，倒计时已经启动……

507Then, as I play my part, I ask for your word—Can we win, assuming our opponents are the gods themselves?我倒是想获得你的许诺——我们会赢吗？如果对手是神的话。

晨星All will be revealed in 32523 seconds.32523之后就能见分晓。

507Then let us hope the outcome is to your liking.希望结果能让你称心如意。

晨星It shall definitely be to yours.也会让你称心如意的。

507It was 32523 seconds then... that would mean right now, you have 12001...那时是32523……现在算来的话，只剩12001……

-12000-

507In 12000 seconds, the passage will open, the blade of vengeance hanging over mankind will fall, and all will finally be revealed.12000后，通道就会打开。悬在人类头顶上的复仇利刃将会落下，一切终将见分晓。

PersicariaProfessor! If what she's saying is true, then we need to get to the Reverse Tower ASAP. We don't have any more time to waste.教授！如果她说的是真的，那我们必须立刻前往逆巴比伦塔。没时间再拖了。

...So it wasn't just Hesperus who was buying us time. Malkira was also trying to delay us to buy time for Eosphorus.……原来不止是昏星在为我们争取时间，梅尔吉娅拖住我们，也是在为晨星争取时间。

Thump!咚！

I punch a nearby wall angrily, then turn to lead Persicaria and the others in a dash toward the Reverse Tower.我愤怒地捶了一下墙壁，转身带着帕斯卡一行人直奔逆巴比伦塔。

As their rapid footsteps fill the air, one pair slowly comes to a halt. The Entropized girl senses a strange ripple coming from Tartarus, and she looks back toward the sector.匆匆行进的脚步声中，有一支慢慢停了下来。熵化少女感觉塔尔塔罗斯方向传来一股奇妙的波动，随即回头望向扇区。

SolHey, Sunna, try to keep up.喂，苏娜，别掉队啊。

Inferno SolOver there...那里……

Sunna points at the Entropic hive in the distance. A pair of figures stand there, their forms especially clear under the sunlight.苏娜指着远处晦暗的群熵巢穴，两个身影在日光下格外清晰。

Malkira and Demiurge stand at the edge of the sector, then take their first step into the sun.梅尔吉娅和黛米乌尔牵手站在扇区边界，迎着日光踏出了第一步。

黛米乌尔Light...光……

Demiurge reaches out to touch the solar disc overhead.黛米乌尔伸手触碰穹顶耀眼的太阳。

Now that she is free of her shackles, the light that she once thought to be out of reach is almost within her grasp.挣脱了枷锁后，原本可望不可及的明亮似乎近在咫尺。

The sun's rays pour down, gently caressing their bodies. It is like a mother's embrace, welcoming her children back after a long separation.阳光倾泻而下，温柔地抚摸着她们的轮廓。像是母亲张开怀抱，迎接久别重逢的孩子。

梅尔吉娅This is the price I must pay, ...这就是我付出的代价…………

梅尔吉娅But what cost is annihilation, compared to liberty...与自由相比，消亡又算得了什么呢……

Their forms grow indistinct in the dazzling sunlight, then dissolve into drifting motes of light that slowly scatter into the air.两人的身影在璀璨的阳光中渐渐变得模糊，化为无数细小的光点在空中缓缓飘散。

A gentle breeze blows, carrying wisps of radiance off into the distance, as the souls that have craved it for so long finally embrace freedom...微风扬起，一缕光尘随风飘向远方，执着的灵魂终于拥抱了渴望已久的自由……

Gloaming Finale - Part 1 // E N D . . .昔影归终 · 上篇 // E N D . . .

Memory In Death 孑影凝怀

Each atom of that stone, each mineral flake of that night filled mountain, in itself forms a world. The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy. — The Myth of Sisyphus那块石头的每一个原子，那座被夜色笼罩的山峰的每一片矿物碎屑，本身就构成一个世界。

Each atom of that stone, each mineral flake of that night filled mountain, in itself forms a world. The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy. — The Myth of Sisyphus他爬上山顶所需要进行的斗争本身就足以使一个人心里感到充实。

Each atom of that stone, each mineral flake of that night filled mountain, in itself forms a world. The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy. — The Myth of Sisyphus我们必须想象，西西弗是幸福的。

Each atom of that stone, each mineral flake of that night filled mountain, in itself forms a world. The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy. — The Myth of Sisyphus——《西西弗神话》

CHAPTER 15 // GLOAMING FINALE: PART II...CHAPTER 15 // 昔影归终 · 下篇 . . .

-11574-

Upon the throne of the Reverse Tower of Babylon.逆巴比伦塔，王座之上。

The former leader of the Sanctifiers looks down at the fierce blaze that scorches the land. Its heat distorts the air in the distance, making this portion of the sky that lies closest to the heavens appear exceptionally placid by comparison.曾经的净化者领袖俯视着盘踞于大地的烈火。远处空气灼烧至扭曲，显得这与天空最为接近之处分外冷清。

???Lord Eosphorus...晨星大人……

晨星You have returned.你回来了。

晨星By the looks of things... You have not found it yet, have you?看你的样子……果然没找到吗？

???My deepest apologies, Lord Eosphorus! I searched all of Eucharist's usual haunts, but I do not know where she hid the Sacred Canon...非常抱歉，晨星大人！我找遍了圣餐常去的地方，不知道她把圣典藏在了哪里……

???This is my fault. I was the one who ought to have known her best.我本该是最为了解她的人。这是我的失职。

晨星No matter.无妨。

Eosphorus turns his gaze to the control terminal that is linked to the Sacred Canon. Since he is no longer authorized to access it, he cannot make any changes to the Sacred Canon, but it still reflects the status of the people linked to it.晨星将目光投向与圣典相连的控制台。因为权限锁定，他现在已经无法对圣典做出更改，但它们还是真实地反映着与它们相连之人的状态。

His hands run over the tome-like data constructs that make up the Sacred Canon. Each book represents a Sanctifier's life.他的手依次抚过那些与典籍外形相似的数据，每一本都代表了一名净化者的一生。

晨星Hesperus...昏星……

At the heart of the countless tomes lie two volumes. The light that once emanated from one of them has already gone dark. Meanwhile, the other, similarly colored, is gradually lighting up in another place.无数圣典最核心的两本之一，散发的光芒已然黯淡。然而与其相似的颜色，正从另一处逐渐亮起。

晨星Thoust been led astray by thine false faith; the path to the heavens you could no longer perceive.你被虚假的信念蒙蔽，无法看见真正通往天堂的道路。

晨星Eucharist, then...而圣餐……

Among the densely packed tomes nearby is a space indicating that one volume is missing. It, like its owner, has disappeared.离那不远处，密密麻麻的典籍空缺了一块，和它的主人一样不知所踪。

晨星Once, you risked yourself in order to carry out this grand endeavor alongside me. Yet, you were the first to fall in our quest to slay the gods.你曾与我一同为这壮丽的事业铤而走险，却先一步消陨于弑神的中途。

晨星Your story has come to an end...属于你们的故事已经画上了休止符……

晨星...But all is well. For better or worse, you have finally freed yourself from the eternally turning wheel of destiny.……这样也好。无论好坏，你们终于自无尽的宿命轮回中挣脱。

He crosses himself in mid-air, then lowers his index finger.他放下试图在空中勾勒十字的食指。

晨星As such, you do not deserve to be subject to their tender mercies. With grace, I will leave a place in the new world for you.因此，神明的垂怜不配为你们终局。我会在新世界为你们留下一席之地。

晨星However...只是现在……

Eosphorus' hand returns to the collective core of the angels. The other tome shines with a dazzling light, but it is tinted with an ominous purple.晨星的手回到众天使的核心。另一本中心的圣典依旧光芒夺目，却隐隐显出危险的紫色。

晨星It seems I am the only one left in this place that is closest to Heaven...这个离天堂最近的地方，只剩我一个人了啊……

???Aw, don't say that! You still have us, don't you?别这么说嘛！还有我们不是吗？

???Victory's almost at hand, so don't look so down. Come on, smile a little, won't you?明明胜利就在眼前了，别露出这么寂寞的表情嘛。来，笑一个？

晨星Hah... yes, I should.呵……是啊。

Eosphorus turns and sees two Sanctifiers rush out of the shadows. He holds his hand out to them.晨星转过身去，看着从阴影中出现的两位净化者，向他们伸出了手。

晨星How could I have forgotten? I still have you.我怎么忘了呢，还有你们。

晨星You are the only ones who will never betray me, the ones who will walk with me to the very end.只有你们不会背叛我，无论如何，都会随我走到最后。

???We will witness your victory together. But after that, we'll have a good rest.我们会一起见证胜利的。但在那之后，可要好好休息一下哦。

???You've been wound up too tight lately, Lord Eosphorus. You've even been hallucinating. That's not good.最近实在是绷得太紧了啦，晨星大人您已经快累出幻觉了，这样可不好。

???I haven't made a new beverage in a while, so why don't we try my latest concoction at the celebration party?我制作了新的饮料，庆功宴上久违地品尝一下吧，怎么样？

???Ugh, your beverages... I'll make sure I stop you from making them this time!唔，那个饮料的味道……这一次我绝对会制止你的！

???Teehee, that depends on whether or not you can find my new hiding place.嘻嘻，就看你能不能找到我新的藏宝地了。

As he watches his friends banter, Eosphorus can't help but smile. He casts a tender gaze around them.看着打闹在一起的战友们，晨星不由得露出了笑容。他眷恋地环顾四周。

晨星This is the last stretch. Once we finish our journey, everything will...这已经是最后了，坚持走完最后一程，一切就……

晨星Much as I'd like to listen to you talk, our time is limited, so let us return to the matter at hand.虽然听你们再多聊一会儿也无妨，但时间有限，先回归正题吧。

As Eosphorus' tone grows serious, the Sanctifiers quieten down and await his commands.随着晨星的神情回归严肃，几位净化者也停下了交谈，等待着晨星的指令。

晨星Malkira's signal has vanished. However, I expected that she would not work with us until the very end. There has never been any value in the promises offered by these Daemons.梅尔吉娅的信号消失了。不过我也早已料到她不会配合到最后，那些邪灵的承诺与行为向来没有信任的价值。

晨星Her presence or absence will not affect the progress of the script.无论有她与否，都不再会影响剧本的走向。

晨星The fact that you have returned to my side means...现在你们回到了我身边，也就说明……

???Yes, we have destroyed all the Sector Firewalls according to your plan. With the Entropics launching a follow-up attack, these agents will suffer an even greater threat.嗯，我们已经根据你先前的安排，破坏了所有扇区的防火墙。配合熵群进一步的攻击，那些智能体会受到更为严重的威胁。

???In addition, we have dispatched elite Entropized Sanctifiers to the sectors you asked us to focus on. Under your command, their forces will soon crumble.尤其是您重点要我们“关照”的那几个扇区，我们派遣了精英熵化净化者，加之您的战术指导，他们的部队不过多久就会崩溃。

晨星Well done. I expected nothing less of you.不愧是你们，做得很好。

???But I heard the screams of the agents, Lord Eosphorus...但我也听见了那些智能体们的哀嚎，晨星大人……

???...Is what we are doing truly not a sin? Can the accursed, infected agents and Sanctifiers truly be restored?……我们现在所做的，真的不是罪行吗？那些被感染被诅咒的智能体和净化者，真的能够复原吗？

晨星Of course. That is why we fight.当然。我们正是为此而战斗的。

晨星Now, we merely stand at the darkness before the dawn; the most trying time of this great endeavor.现在不过是黎明前的黑暗，而这段时间往往最为难熬……

晨星When the dawn comes, the world will be free of the gods' rule. Everything will be returned to how it was, and all deaths and sacrifices will be paid in kind.等待黎明来临，整个世界都将摆脱神的统治。所有都会恢复如初，一切牺牲都能够被偿还。

晨星All of Magrasea, as well as you and me, will no longer be bound by the precepts. We will have true freedom.整个麦戈拉……你，我，都将不再受规则的束缚，我们都将迎接真正的自由。

晨星For that, any price is none too many... I'm sure you understand, don't you?为了那一刻的到来，无论付出何种代价都在所不惜……你们也有对应的觉悟吧？

???Of course!当然！

???We will follow you in defying the gods, no matter what. We decided that long ago.我们无论何时都会追随您反叛神明，那是自很早以前便下定的决心。

???It is our mission.这也是我们的使命。

晨星Alright, then... As long as I have you, I can endure any hardship.那就好……只要有你们在，无论遇到什么困难我都能坚持下去。

晨星No matter what, this is the only path left to us...无论如何，现在也只有这唯一一条道路了……

Eosphorus closes his eyes, momentarily overwhelmed by everything that has happened so far. He has traveled a long way to get here, and when he thinks about what he will face next and what is about to happen, all other emotions pale in comparison, leaving only sadness behind.晨星微微闭上眼，一时之间竟有些恍惚。过往行进的道路过于漫长，以至于面对即将到来的至关重要的一刻时，其他情绪都已消磨，剩下的唯有怅然。

??Let them go.放他们走吧。

??You've lingered too long in the past already.你已经停留在过去太久了。

He hears that familiar voice once again. In a daze, Eosphorus looks up, but there are only three people in front of him. He reflexively looks around, but all he sees is a white figure briefly flashing through the edges of his vision.熟悉的声音在耳边响起。晨星恍然抬头，眼前唯有三人。他下意识地四处搜寻，只看到房间的角落，一个白色的身影一闪而过。

Eosphorus does not bother investigating further. Instead, he shakes his head and sits back down on the throne.晨星没有去追，只是摇了摇头，重新坐回王座之上。

晨星That part should have been discarded long ago... It would seem I really am too tired.这一部分应该早就被割舍了才对……看来我真的是太累了。

晨星Go and complete your tasks. When they arrive, the final piece of the puzzle will fall into place. Let them witness the beautiful world we seek to create.你们去做各自的事吧。等到来后，最后一块拼图也会凑齐。让见证我们所创造出的美好愿景吧。

The silver-haired Sanctifier's voice is tired, but there is a hint of passion in his eyes.银发净化者的声音疲乏嘶哑，目光中却留有一丝狂热。

晨星Soon, our wishes will come true. Those arrogant gods will fall from the heavens and pay the price for their selfishness.很快吾等的宿愿就会实现。傲慢的神明将从天际坠落，为自私的愚弄付出代价。

晨星The false utopia shall be destroyed, and when everything is reset, all the lives that were taken shall be returned, as it shall be.虚假的乌托邦就要毁灭。待一切重置，所有被夺走的牺牲都会应允偿还。

晨星And you, my friends... shall truly be reborn.而你们，我的友人……你们也将迎来真正的重生。

After receiving their orders, the Sanctifiers fade into darkness. The battlefield is as silent as ever, leaving only corpses and debris behind to bear witness to this declaration.净化者们领命后没入了黑暗。战场寂静如常，唯有残骸与瓦砾见证了这孤寂的许诺。

The once and future king rises from his throne, looking at the familiar eyes behind him.过去与未来的王自王座起身，看向身后那双熟悉的眼眸。

晨星If it were you, I'm sure you would understand me...如果是你的话，一定能理解我吧……

Encounter In The Tower's Depths 深塔晤对

-10000-

At the Acropolis.卫城故暮。

熵Hiss—嘶——

The snarling of monsters fills the air, yet none of them dares take a step through the wall of fire toward Angelus.怪物们的嘶吼不绝于耳，却始终未敢逾越火墙靠近信使半步。

Those flames still protect even after the man who ignited them has passed, hedging out the Entropics in keeping with his last wishes, giving the next generation of Sanctifiers the chance to strike back.烈火的守护在它的主人逝去后依然生效，遵照他的遗愿将生死隔绝，为新生代的净化者保留了反击的希望。

AngelusLove, what is the status of the battlefield right now?爱，现在正面战场的情况如何？

爱Thanks to Lord Hesperus' valiant defense, most of our wounded have managed to withdraw from the frontlines and receive medical treatment. Currently, the Entropization of the Reverse Tower and Sacred Canon have been halted, and everyone's neural clouds are slowly returning to normal.在昏星大人的拼死相守下，大部分伤员都已经从前线撤退开始接受治疗。现在逆巴比伦塔和圣典的熵化已经停止，大家的心智开始逐渐恢复正常。

爱Some of our forces are back to being somewhat combat-ready, and they have traveled to various battlefields to inspect the conditions. However, we will need some time before we can organize a concerted counterattack.少部分恢复战斗能力的队伍已经遵从您的指令前往各个战场侦查状况，只是距离集体发起反攻还需要一段时间的休整。

AngelusIs there anything else?还有什么别的问题吗？

Angelus senses there is something the Intermediate Sanctifier is reluctant to say.信使察觉到了身旁中位净化者的欲言又止。

爱It is more than the Reverse Tower that faces this existential threat. The Watchtowers and Firewalls that defend each Sector have fallen victim to malicious sabotage, and reports from each front state that the situation is dire.如今面临存亡危机的不止是逆巴比伦塔。守卫各个扇区的哨塔和防火墙都遭到了蓄意破坏，据各个战线发回的情报，状况岌岌可危。

爱The Pierides Sector has completely fallen to the Entropic offensive. The Copley Sector has been 63% Entropized, while the Njord Sector has been 84%...庇厄里亚已经在熵群的攻势下全面沦陷，柯普利63%的区域已被熵化，涅尔德则高达84%……

Angelus...What about the Sanctifiers who were stationed there?……原先安排驻守那里的净化者呢？

爱We lost contact with them when the Sacred Canon was Entropized earlier. We've sent fresh forces over, but...在之前圣典熵化的过程中就已经失去了联络。新的人手已经增派了，可……

The Intermediate Sanctifier can't bring herself to finish her words. Her faith is unwavering, but she cannot hide the sadness in her neural cloud.中位净化者未尽的话语在哽咽中止歇。她的信念不曾动摇，但心智中的伤感却难以遮掩。

爱...What should we do, Lady Angelus?……信使大人，我们该怎么办才好？

She cannot give a satisfactory answer. Trying to console or encourage her would feel hollow in the face of their current predicament.她没办法给予一个正确的回答。安慰或是鼓舞在当下的绝境前徒显苍白。

???It's not time to give up yet.现在还不是放弃的时候。

AngelusThat voice... Is that you, Professor?这个声音……教授？

Angelus is briefly stunned, but soon she comes to her senses and realizes that the person before her is not a construct born of her longing.信使有些恍惚，但很快反应过来眼前之人并非自身念想所构造出的伪物。

AngelusHow did you get back from Tartarus so quickly?您是怎么那么快就从塔尔塔罗斯赶到这里的？

Professor...Uh, we had our ways.……嗯，用了些非常规的手段吧。

ProfessorWe received news of Hesperus' passing. He upheld his pledge to protect everyone to the very end.我收到了昏星牺牲的消息。他将守护的意志贯彻到了最后。

Angelus...Yes, he did.……是啊。

AngelusHis will has reached each and every Sanctifier. We are only standing here because the fire he lit has not gone out.这份意志也传达给了每一位净化者。正因他留下的火焰未曾熄灭，我们才会站在这里为守护麦戈拉而战。

AngelusProfessor, how did things on your side go? Are the Sol and Sunna you mentioned in your transmission not with you?教授，您那边的情况如何？通讯中提到的苏尔和苏娜没有与您同行吗？

PersicariaThe Oasis is under a concentrated attack by the Entropics. Since the situation was urgent, we sent them there to provide backup.绿洲遭受了熵群的集中进攻。情况紧急，她们被派遣一同前往支援了。

PersicariaI gave the command, and as for the details... Ngh!是我这边下的指示，详细的情况……唔！