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Aberrance's Chain

抑质链

34 chapters · 2362 lines · English and Chinese below. Japanese and Korean, voices and theatre mode are in the reader.

Blockade 围困

CHAPTER 7 // 抑质链 . . .

Sudden streaks of fire illuminate the once dim and unilluminated borders.突然袭来的炮火，将原本黯淡的边界线点亮。

净化者[Mass of Irregular Agents detected. Location and numbers established from initial contact.]【检测到大量异常智能体。通过交火，已初步确认其方位和数量。】

BOOM!轰！

净化者[Wide-area cleansing required.]【需要立即执行大范围清除。】

Behind cover, a few figures cower from the Sanctifiers' veritable rain of fire.掩体后，几个身影正蜷缩在净化者的枪林弹雨下。

De LaceyWhat is all of this... Boss never told us before that the Sanctifiers here would open up on the normal agents!怎么会……来之前BOSS可没说过，净化者会直接对这里的普通智能体下手！

SueyoiThere's no time to be sighing, De Lacey. We should leave this place.不是感叹的时候了，德菈赛，我们先撤离这里。

De LaceyWhat do you mean leave? Without us, there's no chance these agents will get out of here alive!怎么能先走！没有我们的帮助，这些智能体没法离开的！

SueyoiIf it were any other time I'd agree, but our current mission is to find the administrator and—平时我会帮你的，但现在我们的任务是先去找管理员交接——

De LaceyHave you forgotten Arcadia's principles?你忘记阿卡迪亚的原则了吗？

??...Sueyoi's not had the Entropy Limiter in him for long. Don't go and bust it up again by arguing over this.唉……末宵才装上熵化限制器不久，别因为吵架又刺激熵化了。

??Considering that these are the results of the source code you two got from Copley, it's a bit unseemly that I have to step in here.明明是你们两个从柯普利扇区搞到的源代码研究出来的成果，居然要让我来提醒注意事项。

De LaceyAh...唔……

??That aside, I'm in favor of helping out here as well.另外，我投救援一票。

SueyoiEt tu, Lind...连琳德你也……

LindDe Lacey's skull's tougher than a jawbreaker. No changing her mind.德菈赛的脑袋比Jawbreaker还硬，扭不动的啦。

Sueyoi...Alright. Hey, you over there, how many of you are left?……好吧。喂，那边的，你们的人还有多少？

智能体The situation is unclear.情况不明。

智能体Number of remaining signals after bombardment: 6.炮击后留存的信号数量：6。

SueyoiTell me about the topography around here.你把这里的地形告诉我。

智能体Understood.收到。

Sueyoi quickly analyzed the area.末宵快速分析了附近的地形。

SueyoiHmm, if we can draw the Sanctifiers' attention, we should be able to make a breakthrough here.嗯……只要吸引到净化者的注意力，应该可以从这里突入。

智能体We can serve as bait.我们可以充当诱饵。

De LaceyNo! You're already injured!不行！你都负伤了！

智能体That is precisely why we are the most fitting to expend in such a manner.因为已经受到损伤，所以可以用于消耗性用途。

De LaceyWho the hell says it like... you guys really don't take care of yourselves enough!哪有这样说的……你们也太不爱惜自己了！

LindSigh... come on, let me...唉……别吵了，我来吧……

De LaceyI'm counting on you, Linny! Be careful!拜托你了，小琳！注意安全哦！

A little less than a minute later.几十秒后。

净化者[Target confirmed to be within area, beginning search...]【确认目标在此区域内，正在搜寻……】

净化者[Abnormal occurrence spotted, entering al—]【发现异常响动，进入警戒模——】

Crack—咔啪——

The ear-splitting alarm was immediately silenced by Lind, leaping out from behind the ruins. A clean blow, shattering the Sanctifier's outer shell into splinters.刺耳的警告声被废墟后一跃而出的琳德打断，落在机械上的重击让净化者的外壳顷刻变为碎片。

Lind...Ugh, disgusting.……呕，真恶心。

Lind shook off a few drops of machine oil from their arm, looking towards the now gathering Sanctifiers.琳德甩了甩溅在机械臂上的机油，看向面前聚集而来的净化者。

SueyoiGood, they took the bait.很好，上钩了。

SueyoiI'm moving. De Lacey, be prepared.我要上了。德菈赛，做好准备。

De LaceyRoger.收到。

After ascertaining the Sanctifiers' positions, Sueyoi raised his head, quickly submerging below the ground.确认到净化者的方位后，末宵仰起头，迅速扎入地下。

BOOM!砰！

净化者[Unforeseen Casualty...]【未知损伤……】

With a tremendous roar, Sueyoi emerged from the ground behind the Sanctifier, glittering spear now embedded in his foe's body.随着一声巨响，末宵从净化者身后的地下钻出，亮着白光的长枪已然贯穿对手的身躯。

The other sanctifiers trained their sights on Sueyoi, only to find that he was enveloped in a blinding golden light.其他净化者立刻将炮口转向末宵，却发现他身上正亮着耀眼的金光。

净化者[Warn...]【警……】

A beam of light, emitting from somewhere, linked itself to Sueyoi, cutting clean through the Sanctifier Lieutenant's head. With a rippling "crack" sound, the Sanctifier in charge of fire command fell to the floor.某处射来的光束连接在末宵身上，路径刚好穿过了净化者小头目的脑袋。伴随着刺耳的“滋啦”声，指挥射击的净化者当场倒下。

Sueyoi's wounds, too, were closed by that beam.而末宵身上的伤口也立刻被光束治愈了。

SueyoiGood timing, De Lacey!德菈赛，时机选得不错！

Sueyoi sunk back into the ground, immediately reappearing at another location. That beam of light ever-so-closely followed his movements, sweeping away enemies in its path. Sueyoi's spear danced in his hands, seeking enemies out.末宵潜入地下，又瞬间在别的位置钻出。那道光束始终跟随着末宵的移动，将扫射到的净化者一一击倒。末宵自己也挥动长枪，见缝插针地主动出击。

净化者[Target... Reacquiring...]【目标……重新锁定……】

智能体Enemy approach detected.检测到敌人靠近。

智能体[Melee mode initiated... Program 2 active.]【开启近战模式……使用2方案。】

The agents waved their arms, black metal frames emerging from the underside of their palms, forming into weapons.智能体挥动手臂，黑色的金属支架突然从她们的手背下伸出，形成武器。

They cleaved apart the Sanctifiers in front of them, but a Sanctifier further back already trained its sights on Lind, who was looking in a whole other direction—她们砍倒了冲在前面的净化者，而后方的净化者已然瞄准正看向另一方的琳德——

SueyoiLind! Incoming!琳德！转火！！

LindAhh...啊……

She subconsciously raised her arms in some sort of defense. An agent dashed forth, shielding Lind behind their own body.琳德下意识地举起手臂试图抵挡。就在这时，一个智能体冲上来，用自己的身体挡住了琳德。

SueyoiWhat are you doing?搞什么啊这家伙！

Sueyoi adjusted his aim, putting a hole through the Sanctifier before its barrel spewed fire. He turned to Lind, who was yet to come to her senses.末宵调转枪头，抢在净化者炮口的火光亮起之前将其击碎，转头斥责看起来还没回过神的琳德。

SueyoiIt's not your first time out, don't just look at the enemies in front of your comrades! Stop slacking, and pay attention to your surroundings!你也不是头一次出任务了，别光看着队友面前的敌人，对自己周围的情况上点心吧！

LindSnacking?点心？

SueyoiTsk, is that guy next to you alright?啧，你旁边的那家伙没事吧！

De LaceyShouldn't be any major issues. We're not done yet, Suu, Lind! Focus on cleaning these enemies out!看起来应该没什么问题。还没清理完哦，小末，小琳！优先处理敌人！

After about a dozen minutes, the Dolls and agents had wiped out the Sanctifiers intruding in the sector.十几分钟后，人形和智能体们合力将闯入扇区的净化者消灭殆尽。

De LaceyI'm going to get started. Tell me if you feel any pain.开始治疗了，痛的话要和我说哦。

智能体Pain...?痛……？

SueyoiWhile we're here, answer a few questions of mine. Have these incursions always happened?趁现在回答我几个问题吧。这种规模的入侵一直都有吗？

智能体There're 5 or 6 small incursions every month, so far determined to be a show of force.每个月会有5至6次小规模入侵，推测目的为武力威慑。

智能体Ever since the Ascension Sector was determined as a gathering place for Irregular Agents, the Sanctifiers' main forces have always stationed themselves in a blockade around the sector's borders.自从亚森松扇区被判定为异常智能体集合区域后，净化者的大部队始终这样包围在扇区的边界线外。

Sueyoi...We don't have much time. We'll move after we fix this Agent up.……时间不多了。我们修好这个智能体就走。

De LaceySuu, your entropization's only just been suppressed, if we keep hurrying...小末，你的熵化感染毕竟刚压制住，连续赶路的话……

SueyoiI know my current circumstance well, and I have no intent of sitting still within the Sanctifiers' range.我对自己的情况很清楚，而且我没有在净化者射程里休息的爱好。

LindThis again, Sueyoi... Well, I must agree with you.又来了，末宵……但是我赞同你的选择。

He did not respond, his gaze darting between the for-now calm battlefield and De Lacey, apprehension running between his nerves.末宵没有回应，他的视线在德菈赛和暂且平静的战场之间来回转动，难以掩饰自己的焦虑。

SueyoiAre you done, De Lacey?好了吗，德菈赛？

SueyoiLet's move as soon as possible. We've no idea when the next attack might come.尽可能快点，下一次攻击不知道什么时候会来。

De LaceyJust a moment... her arm's almost entirely separated from the rest of her. I've gotta be careful, or it'll hurt like hell for her.再稍等一会儿……她的手臂跟身体几乎都没有连在一起了，我必须小心点，不然她会痛的。

SueyoiJudging by her expression, maybe the pain module's not on.看她的表情，痛觉模块可能没打开。

The agent absently stared at her severed arm, not making a single sound.智能体用空洞的眼神看着自己的断臂，一声疼也没有喊。

LindSpeaking from experience here, but sometimes even if it really hurts, you don't make a sound.虽然只是我的经验之谈——疼痛的时候，不一定会发出声音。

LindBut Sueyoi's got a point... blegh! It's so off-putting, talking all prim and proper like this...但，末宵说得也有道理……唔呃！这种一本正经的说法好恶心……

De Lacey...Let me take a look, just in case.……保险起见还是接入一下吧。

De Lacey found a port on the agent's body, plugging her tail in.德菈赛找到智能体身上的接口，将自己的尾巴插入。

De Lacey...Huh, why is it like this?……奇怪，怎么会这样？

SueyoiWhat is it? Have you found a problem?怎么？发现什么问题了吗？

De Lacey...The code block for her pain module doesn't seem to be connected with the rest of her body... not, not just the pain module, the arm too...……她痛觉模块的代码好像和身体并不一致……不，不只是痛觉模块，还有手臂……

De LaceyHold on, her entire body is... made of melded spare parts?!……等等，她的整个身体都是零件拼凑起来的……？！

SueyoiDon't say such unpleasant things!别说些叫人反胃的话。

De LaceySeriously! So many bits of her have been switched in and out!真的！她身上的好多地方都已经更换过了！

LindBoss said something about this, right? This is the sector that makes all those prosthetics. Wouldn't it make sense for them to all be clobbered together from bits n' pieces?BOSS说过吧？这里是研发义肢的扇区，搞不好她们都是七拼八凑出来的。

De LaceyNever would have thought that this technology would be used here.但是没想到会直接把义肢技术应用在这里。

De LaceyI'm not familiar with the composition of these prosthetics, and I don't have the necessary materials for repair... I'm at a loss here.我不熟悉义肢的构成方式，也没有对应的修复素材……这样我治不好她。

SueyoiThen let's proceed to the Admin Center. The admin will always have a plan.那就先到管理员中心再说吧。管理员总会有办法。

De LaceyBut...可是……

De Lacey stared at the agent's severed limb, worry in her eyes.德菈赛担忧地看着智能体的断臂。

智能体I can continue moving.我可以继续行动。

De Lacey...Alright. Let's move fast, then!……好吧。那我们快走吧！

SueyoiKay. You go first, I'll cover the rear.嗯。你们走前面，我殿后。

LindI'll come with you.我和你一起殿后吧。

SueyoiYou're so proactive today. Is Magrasea linking up with reality again?你居然这么主动，今天麦戈拉要恢复和现实的连接了吗？

LindYou don't understand, those Sanctifiers... when they come in droves, it's a sight to behold.你不明白，那些净化者……一旦集群攻击，是非常可怕的。

Seeing the severe expression on Lind's face, Sueyoi inquired no further and went with her to the rear of the convoy, protecting the ragged procession's journey towards the faraway sector.看着琳德凝重的表情，末宵没有再问，和她并肩走到队尾，护送着队伍向远处的扇区进发。

Ascension Sector, outskirts.亚森松扇区边界。

Entente 协约

Ascension Sector, in front of the Admin Center亚森松扇区，管理员中心前。

Before the group was up the steps, an agent clothed in white steps out of the doors.末宵一行人还未走上阶梯，一位白衣智能体便开门而出。

She swept her gaze across the ragtag bunch, bowing with an elegant smile.她的目光在末宵一行人身上扫过，随即微笑着躬身行礼。

???I've received communications. Welcome, emissaries of Arcadia.我已经收到那位的联络了，欢迎你们，来自阿卡迪亚的使者。

???I am the administrator of the Ascension Sector, adjunct neuroengineering researcher, Elaugh.我是亚森松扇区的管理员，兼任神经工程学研究员，艾勒芙。

SueyoiI am Sueyoi, she's De Lacey, and this is Lind, who will be responsible for the data exchange...我是末宵，她是德菈赛，这位是琳德，数据交换的主力……

The administrator extended a hand. Sueyoi reached for it, but the administrator stepped past him, grasping Lind's hand instead.管理员伸出一只手。末宵试图握住那只手，没想到管理员却越过自己，握住了琳德的手。

LindHuh?呃……？

艾勒芙Hello, hello! You must be Miss Lind, yes? I'm already aware of the situation.您好您好！您就是琳德小姐吧？我已经听说过情况了。

艾勒芙The moment I saw you, I knew for sure that you've got exactly what I'm looking for!在见到你的第一眼，我就可以确信，你的身体里有我想要的东西！

LindUhh...唔……

艾勒芙That experimental data from UltiLife is bound to make this sector go far and beyond!那些来自最终生命的实验数据，一定能为我们扇区的发展做出重大的贡献！

LindAh, well... ok, alright...呃…………好、好的……

Lind looked to her companions for help, not quite capable of handling the sudden approach.琳德有些难以招架对方的靠近，向同伴投出求救的目光。

SueyoiMiss Elaugh, let us talk business first.艾勒芙小姐，先谈谈交易的事吧。

艾勒芙Oh, my apologies.噢……真是抱歉。

Elaugh at last moved her sight off Lind. Her hand still grasped Lind's tightly, as if afraid she'd slip away into the ether.艾勒芙这才把目光从琳德身上移开，但一只手还是拉着她，好像生怕她跑了似的。

艾勒芙I never would have imagined that your delegation would have made it through the Sanctifier blockade this quickly. Here I was thinking that I'd have to expend a squad of agents to escort you in.没想到几位这么快就能突破净化者的封锁来到这里，我本以为要消耗一队智能体去迎接你们呢。

De LaceyExpend... agents?消耗……智能体？

SueyoiWe slipped in amidst the chaos, along with all of your people.我们是趁乱进来的，跟着你们的人一起。

艾勒芙I see, now. You truly are adept at your craft.原来如此，几位真是智勇双全。

She said, turning around, dragging Lind towards the Admin Center.管理员说着就转过身，拉着琳德向管理员中心去。

艾勒芙Time is running short, and I'll spare the pleasantries.时间紧迫，我也不多客套了。

艾勒芙As for the details of the transaction, I'm sure you have been made aware already. And now...有关交易的内容，那位应该已经向你们交代过了，接下来……

De LaceyA moment, Miss Elaugh.等一下，艾勒芙小姐。

De LaceyThis agent's heavily hurt, and is in need of immediate care. What arrangements are there around here for healing the injured?这位智能体受损严重，需要尽快治疗，请问这里的治疗安排是？

Only then did Elaugh lay eyes on the injured agent. She smiled.这才转头扫了一眼受伤的智能体，随即向德菈赛微笑。

艾勒芙Miss De Lacey, please do not trouble yourself with such trifling matters.德菈赛小姐，请别为这种没必要的事挂心。

De Lacey...What do you mean?……你这话是什么意思？

艾勒芙There's no need for us to waste precious time on easily exchangeable spare parts, Miss De Lacey. Now, Miss Lind, please come with me.我们没必要为这种可以替换的零件浪费宝贵的时间，琳德小姐，请快跟我走吧。

De LaceyYou—just what do you think you're saying?你——你开什么玩笑？！

Lind immediately puts her hand to De Lacey's. De Lacey's scowl remained fixated on the administrator, only easing after a good few seconds.琳德挽住了德菈赛的手。德菈赛死死地盯了管理员几秒，才慢慢平静下来。

She smiled at De Lacey, eyes still burning.她向琳德笑了一下，目光仍然坚定。

De LaceyMy apologies, but I don't plan on giving up on a single agent.失礼了，但我不会放弃任何一个智能体。

SueyoiDe Lacey, you...德菈赛，你……

De LaceyMiss Elaugh, I wish to trouble you for some prosthetic repair materials.艾勒芙小姐，希望您能借我一些修补义肢的材料。

De LaceyI'll handle the processes myself, and won't take up a bit of your time. I can make arrangements for the costs of these materials to be repaid later as well.我自己治疗，不用耗费您的时间，事后也可以想办法支付材料费。

Elaugh's brows furled, a flash of displeasure crossing her countenance—but only for a moment.艾勒芙皱起眉头，不悦的表情一闪即逝，又恢复成温和的模样。

艾勒芙Hehe... then, seeing as you are an esteemed guest, I shall respect your decision. You may pay a visit to the Production Center, where our prosthetics are produced. Of course, pay no attention to whatever costs you may incur.呵呵……好吧，既然您是尊贵的客人，我当然会尊重您的决定。您可以去生产中心看看，那里是我们生产义肢的地方。当然，费用就不必了。

De LaceyUnderstood. Thank you kindly.明白了，非常感谢您。

Noting down the coordinates, De Lacey turned around, leaving with the agent.德菈赛记录下坐标数据，转身就要带着智能体离开。

SueyoiDe Lacey, we have a job to do here.德菈赛，我们还有任务。

She stopped, turning around, an apologetic smile on her face.德菈赛停了一下，转头向末宵露出一个歉意的微笑。

De LaceySuu, Linny, you two go along with Miss Elaugh first.小末，小琳，你们先跟艾勒芙小姐走吧。

Inside the Admin Center, the administrator led Lind along by the hand. Sueyoi lagged a few half-steps behind, taking in the surroundings.管理员中心内，管理员牵着琳德的手前行，末宵落后半步，打量着周围的情景。

艾勒芙I hope you understand, I've no intention of picking a fight with her. Time is of the essence.希望你们能理解，我没有和那位小姐起冲突的意思，只是时间紧迫。

艾勒芙The Ascension Sector has been under siege since time immemorial, and inevitable Sanctifier breaches happen from time to time.亚森松扇区一直被包围着，时不时有净化者打进来。

艾勒芙I'm also getting wind that a Greater Sanctifier's going to be at the reins soon. We must finish our exchange before then.而且我打听到消息，将来或许会有上位净化者介入。在那之前，我们必须尽快完成交易。

SueyoiI understand.我明白。

艾勒芙Thank you.感谢您的理解。

SueyoiIn accordance with our previous agreements, we provide you with data, and you provide your administrative rights so we can search for our "target" within the sector.按我们之前的交易，我们提供数据，而你提供管理员权限，让我们在扇区里检索“目标”。

艾勒芙Of course. Before then, I'd appreciate it if you could show me the equipment you plan to use for your searching.这是当然的。不过在那之前，还希望你们能展示一下检索用的设备。

SueyoiSure.可以。

Sueyoi produced a terminal, tapping away at it. A display appeared between the two, hovering in the air.末宵从背后摸索出一台终端，敲击数下，电子投影的屏幕便呈现在他们之间。

Elaugh carefully scrutinized the data streams in front of her.艾勒芙谨慎地确认着上面的数据流。

艾勒芙Alright, no known viruses contained within.嗯，数据中不含已知的病毒。

SueyoiTo agree to an exchange like this in the first place, surely you would know beforehand that Arcadia does not go back on its word.你会同意交易，也是知道阿卡迪亚不做背信弃义的事吧。

艾勒芙Naturally. Only a customary inspection—I must take responsibility for the entire sector.当然，这只是例行的检测，我要为整个扇区负责。

艾勒芙Is there anything else required of me?那么，我需要额外做什么吗？

SueyoiNo. Plug in your administrative rights, and it'll run a search for our "target" in the entire sector.不用。你只要把管理员权限插上，它就会自动在整个扇区内检索我们的“目标”。

SueyoiAs you might have assumed, I'll have to leave the rest of the process to your speculation.当然，具体的判定条件就恕不奉告了。

艾勒芙By all means. It's good to keep secrets for both of us.无妨，保留一点秘密对彼此都是好事。

SueyoiAs expected of Irregulars who've held up under Sanctifier siege for this long.不愧是能在净化者的包围下坚持这么久的异常智能体。

SueyoiYour rights, then?那么，你的权限？

Sueyoi gestured at the port on the terminal, but Elaugh shook her head.末宵指了指插口，示意艾勒芙交出管理员权限。然而她却摇了摇头。

艾勒芙There are more terms to this exchange, no?我们的交易内容不只有这些吧？

艾勒芙You must provide me with Lind's data before I lend the administrative rights to you. That was the agreement.你们给我琳德的数据，我才能把管理员权限借给你们，之前是这样说好了的。

SueyoiAnd these two cannot happen simultaneously?不能同时进行？

艾勒芙I require the administrative rights as well for the logging of data.录入数据也需要管理员权限呢。

SueyoiTch, what a pain...啧。真麻烦……

SueyoiWell, I suppose it's no matter to me, but there better not be any funny busi—我倒也无所谓，只是你可别耍什么……

BOOM!轰！

An explosion came from outside the Admin Center.管理员中心外突然传来爆炸声。

SueyoiWhat?!怎么了？！

艾勒芙Ah... here they come again.唔……看起来好像又开始了。

LindAnother wave of... Sanctifier attacks?又开始了……净化者的攻击吗？

(Incoming Communication Alert)(通讯提示音)

De LaceySuu!小末！

SueyoiDe Lacey? What's the situation?德菈赛？什么情况！

De LaceyA Sanctifier squad's broken in, this time around the path to the Production Center!有一支净化者队伍打进来了，这次是在通往生产中心的路上！

SueyoiAlready? Are you in danger?这么快？你那边要紧吗？

De LaceyThere's not many, and I could handle them myself, but...数量不多，如果只有我一个人的话还算能对付，但是……

SueyoiYou've got injured on your hands.……但是你还带着个负伤的智能体。

SueyoiTch, alright! Give me your co-ords!啧，我明白了！把你的坐标报过来！

Sueyoi closed the line, glancing sideways at Elaugh. She responded to his gaze in kind.末宵挂断通讯，瞥了一眼艾勒芙。对方也正望着他。

艾勒芙Time is of the essence indeed...我说过了吧？时间很紧迫。

SueyoiDon't need you to tell me.用不着你教我。

艾勒芙You do not understand yet. We fight a losing war against the Sanctifiers, and here is the battlefield we stand on.你们还没明白。我们在和净化者打一场必败的战争，这里就是战场。

艾勒芙The very ground has the chance to be pummeled into ruins by our enemies. There's no time to give such attention to every agent.战场随时可能被敌人炸成废墟。我们没有时间去照顾每一个智能体。

SueyoiYou should follow your own advice all the more, then. Let's get a move on.既然如此，我建议你先把向别人说教的时间节省下来，立刻开始行动。

SueyoiLind, go log whatever data you need. As fast as you can.琳德，你跟这家伙去录入数据吧。动作最好快一点。

SueyoiHold onto this, too. The sooner you're done, the faster we can get on with the search. Don't dawdle.还有这个也给你，什么时候录完，什么时候开始检索，别浪费时间。

He stuffed the terminal into Lind's hands. She took it into her hands, giving Sueyoi a wave.他将检索终端塞给琳德。琳德接过终端，向末宵摆了摆手。

LindAlright, off you go.行了，快去德菈赛那边吧。

SueyoiContact me if anything comes up. Don't screw up the job Boss gave us!出了什么事的话随时联系我就行。别把BOSS的任务搞砸了！

Leaving those words behind, Sueyoi ran towards the building's exit, weapon in hand.丢下这句话，末宵便握紧武器，朝着出口小跑而去。

艾勒芙Decisive analysis, finding one's next move in an instant. He's your leader, I take it?判断很果断，一瞬间就找到了解决方案。他是你们的领队？

LindLeader's a big word, we're just told to go do things together.算不上领队，只是一起执行任务罢了。

LindI just do my part of the job.我只负责完成交给我的任务。

艾勒芙When you're carrying out a mission, is it not desirable to have someone in command?执行任务的时候，有个指引自己的领队应该会更安心吧？

艾勒芙To simply commit yourself to your orders, and to think of nothing else... is it not a thing of beauty?只需要按照指令献出自我，剩下的什么也不用考虑……你不觉得这样很美妙吗？

LindWhat are you getting at?你什么意思？

艾勒芙Hah, nothing. Let's get going with our little transaction.呵呵，没什么。还是赶紧继续我们的交易要紧。

艾勒芙It's just us two now. Let's see what technology you have in store for me.现在只剩我们两个人了。让我看看你带来的技术吧。

Indifference 淡漠

Ascension Sector, outside the Production Center亚森松扇区，生产中心外。

SueyoiHa!喝！

As the light from the end of the Detection Rod fades away, so does the signs of life in the last intruding Sanctifier.随着光线由探测杆尖端熄灭，最后一名入侵的净化者也倒下了。

SueyoiJust one squadron, huh...只是一支孤军……吗。

SueyoiFor this pitiful number of Sanctifiers to break in, the only explanation is that there was a hole in the sector's defenses. But why would there be a hole?凭这点净化者能突破到这里，只可能是因为扇区的防线出现了漏洞。但是为什么会有漏洞……

De LaceyYou're not hurt, are you, Suu?没受伤吧，小末？

SueyoiNo big deal. You'd do well to stop looking at others, and take care of yourself first.问题不大。你也别光顾着治疗别人了，看看自己有没有受伤吧。

De LaceyI can take a few hits! It's just that...我挨两下打也没问题的！只是……

De Lacey's tail still clung onto that injured agent.德菈赛的尾巴依然紧紧地拴着那个负伤的智能体。

Her face was still as water, yet it was obvious to all from her fading form that the greater half of her operands had already been lost.智能体的表情依然平静，只是从她变得虚幻的身影里也可以轻易地看出，她的算量已经流失了大半。

De LaceyCome on, let's head in!趁现在赶紧进生产中心吧！

SueyoiI'll take the lead. You shield her.嗯，我走前面，你护好她。

Inside the factory.工厂内。

Under dim bluish lighting, machinery of various sorts worked soundlessly. Beside each machine's control panel stood one or two agents.在暗蓝色的灯光下，各式各样的机器装置正在无声地运作着。每台机器的操作台旁，都站着一到两名智能体。

They silently and attentively manipulated their instruments, not a care for Sueyoi's arrival. Set after set of mechanized bodies attached to the conveyor belts above swung slightly as they passed.她们安静而专注地控制着设备，对末宵他们的来访毫无反应。一排排机械化的肢体被挂在传送带上，从她们的头顶摇晃而过。

De LaceyBig place, wow...这里的空间好大……

SueyoiNot exactly the prosthetics manufacturing process I expected.而且跟想象中的义肢制造过程不大一样啊。

Sueyoi scanned the room, seeing a variety of vats filled with translucent fluid. Body after body constructed of various prosthetic parts lied dormant within.末宵盯着这里随处可见的、装着某种半透明液体的水槽。一具具由义肢拼凑而成的素体正以各异的姿势沉睡于其中。

Occasionally, a robotic arm would reach from somewhere, fishing a body out of a tank and transporting it into the dark beyond.每隔一段时间，就会有机械臂伸来，将某个水槽里的素体捞出，运往不知何处。

SueyoiThe way they make these prosthetics... Are they making a full body each time, and then taking them apart into pieces?她们制造义肢的方式……好像每次都必须先制作一整套素体，然后再拆卸成义肢的不同部位？

SueyoiWhy go to all that effort... and what purpose do those vats serve?为什么要这么麻烦……而且那个水槽又是什么技术……

De LaceyNot the time to worry about that. Where can we find materials for prosthetic repair?现在不是纠结技术的时候啦。到底在哪里有修补义肢用的材料呢？

De Lacey turned, asking the agent, who responded with a confused look.德菈赛转头问智能体，后者却表现得有些茫然。

智能体Materials for... repair?修补材料……？

De LaceyYeah, I need 'em to patch you up.嗯，我要用那些修好你的伤口。

De LaceyDo you not know where the Components Room is? Do you not come around here much?你不知道配件车间在哪吗？你没来过生产中心吗？

The agent looked at De Lacey blankly, as if she was spewing incomprehensible tongues.智能体只是木然地看着德菈赛，仿佛理解不了她在说什么。

De LaceyIn other words, your arm's messed up, and I need to find replacement parts.就是说，你的手臂受损了，现在需要替换的配件。

智能体Cannot understand... why a replacement is necessary.无法理解……替换的必要性。

De LaceyDo they just leave the injured lying around here? Seriously...难道这里的智能体都是放置就可以的吗？真是的……

智能体Is it wrong to not understand?无法理解是错误的吗？

De LaceyWell, I can't say that, either. Except for what's preset in us from the factory, everything else we learn comes from external factors.也不能这么说。除了预设之外，我们的学习只能靠外界条件。

De LaceyIf you don't have that stuff in your cognition, then there's no right or wrong to speak of... right, let's ask the operators here!没有这种认知，也就无从谈起对错啦……有了，我们去问问这里的操作员吧！

De Lacey approached an operator agent who seemed to be resting.德菈赛就近找了一个看上去似乎正在休息的智能体操作员。

De LaceyExcuse me, we've got injured here and are looking for repair materials for prosthetics...打扰您了，我们这里有人受伤了，需要义肢的修补材料……

De LaceyUhh, you know... could you tell us where to find repair materials?唔，就是……能拜托您告诉我们在哪里可以找到修补材料吗？

智能体操作员No corresponding term found.检索不到相应词条。

The operator's gaze was tied tightly to the control panels they were responsible for.操作员的目光始终聚焦在自己的操作台上。

SueyoiSomething's off, De Lacey.有点不对劲，德菈赛。

SueyoiThese guys are far too nonchalant. We bring in an agent with a severed arm, and they don't even blink.这帮家伙的反应太平淡了。我们带着一个断臂的智能体闯进来，她们居然连眼睛也不眨一下。

De LaceyHmm... maybe the systems of the operators here are a bit outdated...唔……或许是操作员的心智系统比较落后……

SueyoiIt's not just the operators. The few agents we brought in with us walked off without a sound, not a care in the world for the others' injuries.但不止是操作员。刚才救下的其他几个智能体也是一声不吭就走掉了，完全不管同伴的伤势。

智能体Others' injuries?同伴的伤势……？

SueyoiThis isn't normal, De Lacey. No matter how old or outdated their neural systems, an agent should always maintain basic instincts of self-preservation and assisting others when the need arises.这可不太正常。就算心智系统老旧，智能体也应该具备自保和必要时互助的本能。

SueyoiThese agents have been designed this way.而这些智能体，更像是被人为设计成了这个样子。

SueyoiI hear of a Svarog Heavy Industries sector in a similar situation. Helios, or something like that.我听说火神重工有个扇区也有类似的情况……应该是叫赫里奥斯扇区吧。

SueyoiCould it be that the agents of the Ascension Sector, for the sake of their research, go to these...亚森松扇区的智能体，会不会也是为了达成她们的研究目的，而……

As Sueyoi delved into thoughts, De Lacey had already moved past him, snuggling up to one of the conveyor belts...正在末宵仔细思考的时候，他突然发现德菈赛不知何时已经越过自己，凑到了传送带边。

De LaceyHrnnggg...嘿咻……

De Lacey stretched out her tail, reaching for a high-up conveyor belt with the ends of her data cables.德菈赛正翘着尾巴，努力用末端的数据线去蹭高高在上的传送带。

SueyoiHey... De Lacey? What are you doing?喂……德菈赛？你干什么？

De LaceyIf I follow the conveyor belts, I can get to the room I'm looking for...逆着传送带运行的方向，就能找到车间了吧……嘿咻……

She said, reaching along the direction from which the conveyor belt came with her extended cables.她一边说，一边试图用延伸出去的数据线沿着传送带过来的方向探过去。

SueyoiWait, we can still investigate more here...等等，我们还可以再调查一下……

De LaceyBut she doesn't have that time!但是这孩子可不能一直等下去了！

De Lacey turned to look at the agent still following them, ever-so-obliging. Her severed arm still hung in the air.德菈赛看了眼依然乖乖跟在他们身后的智能体。她断裂的胳膊仍旧悬在半空中。

De LaceyI can't stand just looking at her like that!我不忍心一直看她这副模样！

SueyoiEven so...就算这样……

SueyoiEven so, you should take some safety precautions. What if you get stuck on something that...就算这样你也注意一下安全吧，万一钩住了什么不该钩住的地方……

De LaceyI'll be fine! The "tail detector" is the best trick I have up my sleeve—ehhh?!我没事的！“尾巴探测术”可是我的拿手好戏——呜哎哎？！

Clack. The sound of metal being where it shouldn't be.咔哒。某种金属错位的声音。

SueyoiHey, what's the matter?喂，怎么了！

De LaceyUhh... here... weird... what is this thing...呜……这里……奇怪……是什么东西……

De Lacey, her face flushed red, looked towards Sueyoi, pleas for help in her eyes.德菈赛红着脸，回头向末宵投来求助的目光。

De LaceyI think I really did get stuck on something...好像还真的缠住了……

SueyoiNeed help?需要帮忙吗？

Sueyoi reached out his hand.末宵把手伸了过来。

De LaceyUhh... lemme think, maybe I can untangle—eek!嗯……我想想办法，也许可以自己解开——咦……？

Before she finished her sentence, her tail, intertwined with the conveyor belt was pulled taut. The next moment, she was lifted off the ground, tail and all.德菈赛话音未落，和传送带缠在一起的尾巴突然被拉直。紧接着，她一瞬间就被连人带尾巴扯离了地面。

De LaceyWaahh—!!哇啊啊——！！

SueyoiOi, De Lacey!喂，德菈赛！

A program began to run somewhere, and the conveyor belt began to accelerate. Along with the prosthetics on it, De Lacey was being transported by the belt towards the next room.不知道是哪道工序开始了，传送带的运行速度突然加快，德菈赛和那些义肢一起被夹带着运向下一个车间。

De LaceySave me, Suu—救救我哇，小末——

Clank!哐当！

SueyoiSeriously, you... are stupid in the most inconceivable situations!真是的，你这家伙……有时候在意想不到的地方像个笨蛋！

SueyoiHang on! I'm catching up!你坚持一下！我这就跟上来！

Sueyoi ran in the direction De Lacey was whisked off in. An agent, witnessing this, followed him closely.末宵朝着德菈赛被吊走的方向跑去。智能体看了看他的动作，紧紧地跟在末宵身后。

SueyoiMaking the patient go after the doctor... what kind of skit is this...居然让患者追医生……这叫什么事啊……

Admin Center, Archives Room管理员中心的档案室内。

Noticing Lind's constant looks out the door, Elaugh moved closer to her, an almost familiar distance between them.注意到琳德频频将视线投向门外，艾勒芙关切地上前。

艾勒芙If you are worrying about your companions, rest assured. I've already received reports, informing me that the intruding Sanctifiers have already been pacified.如果是担心同伴的话，你大可放心。我已经接到报告，说闯入扇区的净化者被镇压了。

LindDon't guess at my thoughts. You're a couple of miles off.不要随便推测我的想法，我没有这么想。

艾勒芙As you will, then. Let's focus on the data logging, and do what we can before the Sanctifiers come barging in again.那就好。我们继续录数据吧，争取在净化者下次入侵之前搞定。

LindNext up, the research report of "On the Medicating of Nerve Damage Using Engineered Catheters"...接下来是“基于工程化导管治疗神经损伤”的研究报告……

LindA second. I need to access some memory data.稍等，我调取一下记忆数据。

Lind refocused herself, dredging up the relevant report from her neural systems.琳德重新集中注意力，在心智中检索相关的实验报告。

Her fragmented memories inescapably surged forward, dashing apart her gathering thoughts.然而碎片化的回忆不可避免地随着报告涌起，再次将她的思绪打乱。

冷漠的声音Target response stable. Proceeding with next stage of experiment.目标反应平稳，实验可推进至下一阶段。

冷漠的声音Initiating injection.开始注射药物。

The image was as intense and animated as if she had just relived it. Lind covered her mouth, fighting through the nausea.在鲜活得如同刚刚才发生过的记忆前，琳德捂住嘴，忍耐着反胃感。

艾勒芙Is there a malfunction, Miss Lind? Do you require help?你出什么故障了吗，琳德小姐？需要帮助吗？

LindNo, just a response to fishing up those reports...不用，只是调用报告唤起的反应……

艾勒芙How shocking, Miss Lind.真令人惊讶，琳德小姐。

艾勒芙Even as a Doll, you have such comprehensive response systems, as sensitive as a real human would be.你明明是人形，却有如此细腻的反应系统，敏锐得就像真正的人类。

艾勒芙A true masterpiece...多么惊人的杰作……

Elaugh's gaze burned, captivated. Lind was unperturbed, working away at a screen by her side.艾勒芙用炙热的眼神紧盯着琳德，而琳德不堪其扰，敲了敲手边的屏幕。

Lind...Here's the report. In your database now.……这是报告，已经写入数据库了。

艾勒芙Extraordinary, Miss Lind! That's another gap filled.不愧是琳德小姐！这样又填补了一个缺口。

艾勒芙Next, Bioelectrical Impulses Emitted by Human Brain Nerves when Making Commands...接下来是，人类脑神经元下达指令时的生物电检测……

LindLemme see.我找找。

Another segment of memories came welling up. Lind squeezed her eyes shut, pushing back that raw displeasure of recollection.又一段记忆涌现出来。琳德闭了闭眼睛，压住被记忆唤醒的不适感。

Lind...There. Sent over to you.……有了。这部分也传过去了。

艾勒芙Thank you for your effort.辛苦你啦。

Lind put palm to forehead, her foothold shaking.琳德轻轻扶着自己的额头，站立有些不稳。

艾勒芙If you do not feel so well, we can take a break.如果状态不好的话，先休息一会儿也可以。

LindI'm good. Can't fall asleep with explosions going off anyway.不必了，我可没办法听着炮声入睡。

Exactly as Lind said, the indistinct sound of ordnance could still be heard in the distance from the sector's borders.正如琳德所说，此时在管理员中心还可以听见远处传来边界线上隐约的炮火声。

LindLet's get this over and done with.还是速战速决吧。

艾勒芙Thank you for being so concerned about our sector, hehe.谢谢你如此关心我们扇区的安危，呵呵。

艾勒芙Finally... Nerve System Response after Lowering of Blood Pressure Using NCH2.那么最后是……使用NHC2降低血压后神经系统产生的反馈。

LindBlood pressure?血压……？

艾勒芙Do you perhaps not have a file on that?没有资料吗？

LindI do. Hold up.有。你等等。

冷漠的声音Increase injection dosage.增大药物注射剂量。

冷漠的声音Decrease target's stimulus thresholds to simulate human response in similar conditions.调低实验对象的感受阈值，以模拟人类在同等条件下的反应。

Lind...Sent.……有了……

艾勒芙Received. Such precise data...收到了。居然有这么详细的数据……

Lind clutched her forehead, allowing the wild data streams on the screen to beam into her eyes. A thousandfold distressing memories flood forth, crashing on the banks of her neural cloud.琳德扶着额头，放任屏幕上的数据乱流倒映在瞳孔里。反复涌现的不快回忆，动摇着她的心智。

LindEven considering the bloodstream... what kinda prosthetics are you making?居然连血液数据也要考虑……你们造的是什么义肢？

艾勒芙One can never take too many precautions.只是为了确保万无一失罢了。

艾勒芙However, Miss Lind, I never would have imagined that you'd have undergone hematological experimentation as well.倒是琳德小姐，没想到连血液实验都做过啊。

LindYou... Why would you ask if you didn't already know?……你……不就是知道我被做过这种实验才问的吗？

艾勒芙Jeez, I really can't let go of a single cycle of speech logic analysis with Miss Lind here, can I?哎呀，在这么敏锐的琳德小姐面前，少一次对发言的逻辑复核都不行啊。

LindI don't mind. How much did Boss tell you?我不介意。BOSS告诉了你多少？

艾勒芙She only said that you were a clinical trial Doll, with a veritable archive of information stored within.她只说琳德小姐是最终生命的临床受试人形，存有丰富的实验数据。

艾勒芙But this extent of data availability, this many trials, to be able to even provide data for such specific questions... is truly wonderful!但是没想到你做过那么多的实验，居然连这种刁钻的问题也能答上，真的是帮了我们大忙了！

LindJust being the humans' guinea pig, at the end of the day.只不过是在给人类充当小白鼠罢了。

艾勒芙But is that not something so great?这不是非常了不起吗？

LindHmm?嗯？

Lind looked at Elaugh. She heard a certain bizarre sort of ardor in her voice.琳德看向艾勒芙。她注意到，艾勒芙的声音透出一种异常的热忱。

艾勒芙Ever since Magrasea's link was severed, we've lost all means of accessing a clinical database in the real world.自从麦戈拉云端断连以来，我们就失去了连接现实世界的临床试验数据库的手段。

艾勒芙No more iterations could be made with our research well and truly stagnated.我们的研究彻底停滞，我们的成果无法继续迭代。

艾勒芙Now thanks to you, Lind, all of this will change.多亏了你，琳德，这一切才得到了改变。

She gestured at the data streams.她指着屏幕上的数据流。

艾勒芙Look. Each and every one of these numbers will become the very soul of our research, and their fruits will be anointed unto many.你瞧，这里的每一个数字，都能成为推进我们研究的关键，都能造福成千上万的人。

艾勒芙These numbers, these keys for the door yet unopened, are within your hands, deserved for your sacrifice in flesh and blood.而这些数字，这些打开下一扇门的钥匙，就握在你的手中，是你用自己的牺牲换来的。

LindI don't think I'm anyone too special.我倒不觉得自己是那么了不起的人。

The pleasantries were beginning to wear on Lind, but Elaugh showed no signs of pausing.琳德开始对这些客套话感到厌烦了，但艾勒芙还是没有停下来。

艾勒芙Don't say that, Lind. You're incredible.别这么说，琳德，你很了不起的。

LindMaybe you say that because you just don't know what I do exactly for work.会这么说只是因为你还不了解我的工作内容。

艾勒芙Perhaps, but I understand. We're birds of a feather, you know. Each and every agent here in the Ascension Sector. We're the same as you.或许吧，但我可以理解。因为其实我们是一类人。我们每个亚森松扇区的智能体，和你都是一类人。

艾勒芙We're all one of a kind. Sacrificial lambs, to be submitted to humanity.我们和你一样。我们都是献给人类的牺牲品。

As she gushed forth callous words, Elaugh's face wore upon it the semblance of intoxication, as if conversing about her most covetable longings.嘴上说着残忍的词，艾勒芙的表情却有些陶醉，仿佛聊到了憧憬的某样事物。

艾勒芙Tell me, Lind. Are we not alike?我们之间不是很相似吗？

Walking Corpse 行尸

Ascension Sector, deep inside the Production Center亚森松扇区，生产中心深处。

SueyoiHey—De Lacey—!喂——德菈赛——！

SueyoiWhere in the...被弄哪去了……

Injured agent in tow, Sueyoi traversed quickly between rooms.末宵带着受伤的智能体，在厂房之间快速地穿行着。

The belts moved fast, and many pieces of machinery blocked the way.传送带的速度很快，路上又有各种机器阻挡去路。

Soon enough, De Lacey was lost to the belts.很快，德菈赛就被跟丢了。

SueyoiWeird... should be right around here according to the co-ords...奇怪啊……按定位来说应该就在这附近……

He tried a communication call, but no one answered.他尝试拨打德菈赛的通讯，然而始终无人接听。

Sueyoi...Whatever, suppose someone hanging by the ceiling would have a bit of trouble answering a call.……算了，不该指望吊在天花板上的人接通讯。

Sueyoi frowned, his eyes boring into the obstacles in front of him, as if his sight alone could produce an entrance.末宵皱起眉头盯着眼前的死路，好像能从箱子上瞪出一个洞似的。

SueyoiSubmerging doesn't seem to be any good, so let's just... go through this wall here.直接潜地过去似乎行不通，还是把这面墙打穿吧。

His words still reverberating off the facility's walls, the agent at his side broke its silence, looking at Sueyoi.末宵话音刚落，身边一直沉默着的智能体突然抬起头，看着末宵。

智能体Please do not attempt to damage equipment inside the workshops.请不要尝试破坏车间内的设备。

SueyoiHelp me here, or I find my own way. Pick one.帮我找人，或者我自己想办法，二选一。

智能体...Over here, please.……请走这边。

The agent used their remaining arm to push aside a series of metal boxes, revealing a narrow entryway.智能体用完好的一侧手臂推开挡住视野的金属箱，一条狭窄的小路赫然出现。

SueyoiEmployee door?员工通道？

智能体Yes.嗯。

Sueyoi followed the path, proceeding into the next room.末宵顺着员工通道来到下一个车间。

The moment he made his way in, he spotted his target—De Lacey, still suspended from the ceiling.才刚进来，他就看到了他的目标——德菈赛，正被倒吊在天花板上。

De LaceyAhh, Suu...呜，小末……

Sueyoi...Impressive how you get into these situations.……你搞成这样也挺不容易的。

De LaceyDon't make fun of people at times like these! Help me out here!都这个时候了就别笑话人家啦！快帮帮忙！

SueyoiYeah, I'm coming.别急，这就来了。

De LaceyUwah!呜啊！

Thump!砰！

De LaceyOw...疼……

SueyoiSorry, I couldn't think of a faster method.抱歉，我想不到更快的方法。

De LaceyNo, it's alright... Thanks, Suu...没，没事……谢谢你，小末……

De LaceyAh, wait! Suu, look over there!啊啊，比起这个！小末你快看！

SueyoiWhat?怎么？

De LaceyThis room! I saw when I was up there, those boxes over there have spare parts for prosthetics.这个车间！我被吊在上面的时候看到了，那边的箱子里有组成义肢的零件！

De LaceyI can patch this girl up with those! Let's go!用它就能治好这孩子了！我们快动手吧！

Sueyoi...That's what you were thinking about when you were stuck?……你自己被困住的时候，还在考虑这些？

De Lacey didn't answer, already halfway across the room in a light jog, footsteps thumping.德菈赛没有回答末宵，因为她已经“噔噔噔”地跑了出去。

Sueyoi...Well, it is De Lacey.……算了。毕竟是德菈赛嘛。

De LaceyMm... There we go.嗯嗯……这样就差不多啦。

De Lacey carefully loosened her grip on the agent's arm. The limb, circuits previously exposed to bare air, now looked good as new.德菈赛小心翼翼地松开智能体的手臂。刚才还裸露着电子元件的手臂，此时已经完整如新。

智能体Ah...唔……

De LaceyAny issues? Does it feel weird? Move around, see if stretching feels fine?没问题吧？没有奇怪的感觉吧？动一动，伸展一下胳膊试试看？

The agent slowly and gradually shook the arm around, twisting and turning.智能体慢吞吞地晃动自己的手臂。

智能体Report, no abnormalities detected.报告，行动无异常。

De LaceyThank goodness! Whew...太好啦！呼……

SueyoiGood work, De Lacey.辛苦你了，德菈赛。

SueyoiHey, you're not going to even say thanks?喂，你不说一声谢谢吗。

智能体...Thank you.……感谢……

De LaceyHeh, no big deal! My duty's to help out every agent and Doll!嘿嘿，没关系！帮助每一个智能体和人形，就是我的使命！

Silently observing De Lacey's delight, the agent laughed in imitation.智能体静静地观察着德菈赛喜悦的样子，学着发出了笑声。

De LaceySee, there you go! Speaking of it, what's your name?啊，你笑了！这么说来，你叫什么名字？

智能体My Production ID is 2887.我的出厂编号是2887。

De LaceyGah, no names, only IDs, what a shame...啊，只有编号没有名字吗，真可惜……

智能体A shame?为什么可惜？

De LaceyEvery agent or Doll has an ID, but a name is yours, and yours alone.编号是每个人形或者智能体都有的，而名字是特别的，代表你自己呀。

智能体De Lacey is your name?德菈赛是你的名字吗？

De LaceyYeah! I'm De Lacey. You can call me Dede, or Lala, or even...没错！我叫德菈赛，你可以叫我小德，也可以叫我小菈或者……

SueyoiOk, ok. This agent's fine now. We should go back for Lind.行了，既然智能体治好了，我们也该赶紧回去找琳德了。

SueyoiWho knows when the Sanctifiers will be back. We need to hurry Lind along, and say goodbye to that admin.净化者不知道什么时候就会攻进来，我们得让她快点搞定，然后和那个管理员说拜拜。

De LaceySuu, I think that administrator and I...小末，我感觉那个管理员和我的逻辑相斥……

SueyoiDon't mind it too much, De Lacey. I don't like the way they talk either, but we need to put our mission first.别太在意，德菈赛。我也讨厌那家伙的说话方式，不过拿到权限的任务优先。

De LaceyAlright, I get it!我，我知道啦！

De LaceyLet's go, uhh... agenty?走吧，小……小智能体？

智能体Very well.好的。

De LaceyWhere is this? Do you know how to get back?这里是什么地方？你知道回去的路吗？

智能体This is the Waste Room.这里是废料车间。

Sueyoi...Waste?……废料？

De LaceyWeird, all these components look pretty new.奇怪，我看这些零件都挺新的呀。

She grabbed an outer shell from a box next to her.德菈赛顺手拿起身边箱子里的一块义肢外壳。

De LaceyYeah, perfectly good...完全没有损坏嘛……

智能体This is the Waste Room. Discarded parts are transported here.这里是废料车间。废弃的部件都会运送到这里。

De LaceyHuh... I suppose I'm no specialist on prosthetics...这样吗……虽然我也不是专门研究义肢的……

De LaceyIs the administrator perhaps very strict on quality control?难道说管理员是个对质量要求很严格的人？

SueyoiThat's not what's going on here, De Lacey.不是这个问题，德菈赛。

SueyoiYou came along with the conveyor belts, right? Or rather, those fresh off-the-line prosthetics.刚才你是顺着传送带过来的吧？准确地说，是和那些刚出厂的义肢一起被送过来的。

De LaceyOh, yeah...唔，确实……

SueyoiRight off the production line, and it's already considered waste? I can't say my understanding of the term "waste" agrees with that.明明才刚出厂就算是“废料”？这和我理解中的“废料”含义不同吧？

智能体Parts that have already fulfilled their purpose are transported to the Waste Room.已经完成使命的部件，都会被运送到废料车间。

智能体Detached parts and damaged parts are all to be immediately discarded.拆卸下的部件和损坏的部件，都要直接废弃。

The agent gestured towards De Lacey.智能体指了指德菈赛。

智能体Damaged individuals are to be discarded as well.受损的个体，也要废弃。

De LaceyEhhh? Me? Discarded?!哎哎哎？我？废弃？！

De Lacey hurriedly looked at where the agent was pointing—scrapes, on her arm and tail.德菈赛慌慌张张地看向智能体指着的方向——自己手臂上和尾巴上的擦伤。

De LaceyThis... this bit here got bumped on the belt, this is from a Sanctifier on the way here...这……这里是在传送带上碰伤的，这里是来这里的路上被净化者打的……

De LaceyThey're all just flesh wounds! It'll only take a few minutes to heal these!但都是很轻的伤而已啊！几分钟不就治疗好了！

智能体Does "heal" indicate the process of part replacement that De Lacey performed on me just now?治疗，是否指方才德菈赛对我进行的部件替换行为？

SueyoiHey... you don't mean...喂……该不会……

艾勒芙Miss De Lacey, please do not trouble yourself with such trifling matters.德菈赛小姐，请别为这种没必要的事挂心。

艾勒芙There's no need for us to waste precious time on easily exchangeable spare parts, Miss De Lacey. Let's move along, now.我们没必要为这种可以替换的零件浪费宝贵的时间，琳德小姐，请快跟我走吧。

SueyoiCould the agents here not know of the concept of "healing"?该不会这里的智能体，从来没有“治疗”的概念？

SueyoiIt's exactly like Elaugh said... Damaged agents are immediately "discarded"?而是像艾勒芙所说的……受损的智能体，真的会直接被“废弃”？

De LaceyHow, how could...怎，怎么会……

De LaceyWe don't know for sure! We can go check at the belt's other end!还不一定是这样的！我们可以去传送带的尽头确认！

De LaceyCome with me, Suu! I'm pretty sure the belts go over this way...小末，跟我来！我记得传送带是往这个方向走的……

De LaceyLet's see just where the "waste" goes!我们去看看废弃品会被运到哪里！

Other side, Admin Center.另一边，管理员中心。

LindAlike? I don't know what you're talking about...我们很相似？你在说什么……

Lind wanted to ask after Elaugh's intentions, but the Archive Room's door emitted a knock.琳德正想问清楚艾勒芙的意图，资料室的门口突然传来了敲门声。

艾勒芙Come in.进。

助理智能体Reporting, the visitors have come into close contact with the Waste Room and the Decommissioning Line.报告，访客们进入了废料车间和销毁线的范围。

助理智能体Should they be asked to leave the premises?是否立刻请访客们离开？

艾勒芙No need. Simply keep an eye on them.不必。盯好他们就行。

艾勒芙Do not allocate too many agents to the Production Center. Keep the borders well-guarded, lest the Sanctifiers make their way in again.别分太多人手到那边，守好边界线，不要在这个时候又被净化者打进来。

助理智能体Yes!是！

艾勒芙Decommissioning Line, huh... that can wait.销毁线吗……应该不要紧吧。

LindDon't you change the topic. What do you mean sacrifice? What's so alike here?你别转移话题。刚刚说的牺牲是什么意思？很相似又是？

艾勒芙Hmm... our successful data exchange has bought us some time here.嗯……刚才的数据交接很顺利，为我们争取到了一点时间。

Her sight glides between the projection terminal and Lind.艾勒芙的视线在琳德和终端投影上来回打转。

艾勒芙It will be a fine use of this time to explain. Come and see for yourself, Miss Lind.用这个时间来向你解释，刚刚好。来看看吧，琳德小姐？

艾勒芙I trust that soon you will be willing to assist us further.我相信，很快你就会愿意继续帮助我们了。

She swiveled on the spot, entering a few strings in a terminal.艾勒芙说罢，转身在操作终端上噼里啪啦敲下一串代码。

A holographic projection immediately appeared in the room.立体投影立刻出现在房间里。

LindThis is... a security feed?这是……监控画面？

艾勒芙Standard issue for industrialized production. Here, look at this.工业化生产的标配。喏，看这里。

艾勒芙What you behold are the Ascension Sector's most revolutionary chefs-d'œuvre, and the centerpieces of the Production Center's breakthroughs in our Advancement Program—现在向你展示的是我们亚森松扇区最具有突破性的革新成果之一，也是生产中心产能改良过程中的突破性设置——

艾勒芙The Waste Room and the Decommissioning Line.废料车间和销毁线。

Lind's eyes were affixed to that feed. Displayed upon it was a scene not even she could stomach.琳德直勾勾地盯着视频上的画面。那是令她也难以掩饰惊讶的场景。

Affixed upon the conveyors belts were more than lifeless prosthetics. Countless emotionless agents were alongside, some of them missing various limbs, yet some had no visible scars or damage. Elaugh followed—传送带上吊着的，除了无生命的义肢，还有许许多多面无表情的智能体。她们有的已经缺胳膊少腿，有的却从外表上看不出什么明显的伤痕。然而，艾勒芙却说——

艾勒芙All our defective products created in the prosthetics manufacturing process, as well as any injured agents, are sent onto this Decommissioning Line.所有义肢生产过程中多余的残次品，以及受伤的智能体，都会被我们送上这条销毁线。

The belt began to turn once again. The agents, still expressionless, all marched towards the same end.传送带开始转动。面无表情的智能体们，默默朝着同一个方向进发。

Beneath them appeared a great pool of liquid, shining a frigid shade of blue.在她们的脚下，出现了一个巨大的液体池，闪着冷酷的冰蓝色。

LindAre they...难道要……

The belt gradually came to a stop, suspending the agents above the liquid.传送带逐渐停下了。智能体们被停放在了液体池的正上方。

They gazed into the blue-gray sludge emotionlessly, not a sign of struggle.智能体们面不改色注视着那冰蓝色的黏稠液体，没有一个挣扎。

Clack.咔嚓。

The robotic arms suddenly let loose, and agent after agent fell into the pool.机械臂突然松开，智能体一个接一个地坠入液体池。

The liquid immediately latched onto them, inundating, devouring, amalgamating. The liquid's surface came to an almost violent boil.冰蓝色的液体瞬间将她们包裹，吞噬，交融。液体表面剧烈地沸腾起来。

All returned to how it was after a few dozen seconds, as if those agents had never existed in the first place.几十秒后，一切恢复平静，仿佛从未有智能体在这里存在过。

艾勒芙...Here, they return whence they came, divine embryos once more.……在这里，她们会回归到自己的归宿去，重新成为神明的胚胎。

LindThis is your sacrifice? I don't understand...这就是你们的牺牲？我不明白……

艾勒芙What part of it?哪一方面呢？

LindWhat's the point of all of this? To be created, and then destroyed, and then created again...这么做有什么意义？被创造，然后很快被毁灭，接着再被创造……

艾勒芙Do you know why the Ascension Sector was deemed an Irregular Sector?你知道亚森松扇区被判定为异常扇区的原因吗？

LindGotta be related to the disconnect.无非是和断连有关。

艾勒芙Precisely. The Sanctifiers' overall verdict on us seems to be... that after losing our human-placed constraints, we began to use "radical methods" to reach our goals.正是如此。不过净化者对我们的完整评价应该是……在失去人类的约束后，开始采用“激进手段”达成目的。

LindThat's it?就是这个？

艾勒芙Yes. I'm sure you know. Once we lost our source of clinical data, we had no more prosthetics to manufacture.嗯。你也知道，我们失去了临床数据的来源，就无法做出更进一步的义肢。

艾勒芙Yet that is our sole duty. The only field in which we cannot relent.然而研发义肢是我们与生俱来的使命。唯独此事我们无法怠慢。

艾勒芙As such, my predecessors thought up this doubtlessly innovative method of experimentation...所以，我的前辈想到了这个充满革新性的实验方式……

艾勒芙To use the entire sector's agents as subjects.那就是拿整个扇区的智能体当实验品。

艾勒芙We continually created new agents, constructing them as amalgams of different prosthetics.我们不断制造新的智能体，直接把她们做成义肢的混合体。

艾勒芙Each construction is equivalent to an experiment. We gain invaluable data from each and every single trial.其实每次制造，都相当于一次实验。我们从中获得不可替代的实验数据。

LindBut no sector can continually create new agents, there's not enough operands...没有哪个扇区可以不断制造新的智能体，算量不够……

艾勒芙Naturally. So, we must think of a way to acquire more.是呢。所以只能想办法获取更多的算量了。

艾勒芙We dismantle agents that are damaged, recycling their operands.也就是，直接拆掉受损的智能体，将她们身上的算量回收。

艾勒芙Only by these methods can we continue the cycle of experimentation. This, of course, means that thousands upon thousands of agents must make that great sacrifice.如此一来，我们才能够维持实验的循环。但这也意味着成千上万的智能体需要因此牺牲。

Lind...Do all of you think like this?……你们都是这么想的吗？

艾勒芙Haha... Observe.呵呵……你看。

A door opened, a new batch of agents arrived, ready for decommissioning. Amongst them were two figures Lind was ever-so-familiar with.随着车间门打开，新的一批待销毁的智能体被送了进来。然而，在她们中间，还混入了琳德非常两个熟悉的身影。

Lind...Sueyoi and De Lacey?……末宵和德菈赛？

The feed had no sound, and Lind could only guess what they were doing from their bodily movements.监控没有带声音，所以琳德只能从二人的肢体动作中，推测他们正在做什么。

She only saw De Lacey gestured in an exaggerated manner towards the agents being transported towards the pool. Not a single agent even as much as looked at her.只见德菈赛正用夸张的动作呼唤那些被运向液体池的智能体。然而，没有一个智能体回头看她一眼。

Sueyoi was not far away, looking left and right, perhaps looking for some interface he could control.末宵站在不远处东张西望，似乎是在寻找可以操作的机械台。

Lind retracted her robotic arm, casting her gaze once more towards the security feed.琳德收起了准备启动的机械臂，将目光重新投向监控画面。

After some time, Sueyoi seemed to have found something of note, and called for De Lacey over to investigate. As they approached a control panel, a few agents dart out of nowhere, blocking their way.几十秒后，末宵似乎找到了什么，呼唤德菈赛过去和他一起看看。 然而，就在两人接近操作台时，几个智能体突然冲出来，拦住了末宵和德菈赛。

Soon after, more and more agents surrounded the pair...紧接着，越来越多的智能体将二人围住……

LindAh!唔！

艾勒芙Don't worry, my people won't harm them. We will only attempt to stop them.放心，我们的人不会伤害他们两个。我们只会尝试阻止他们。

艾勒芙Our sacrifice is voluntary. We shall not force any agent to give themselves up, but as you can see—我们的牺牲是自愿的。我不会强迫任何一个智能体去奉献自己，但你看——

艾勒芙Not a single agent stood on Sueyoi and De Lacey's side.没有一个智能体站在末宵和德菈赛那一边。

The agent operators merely trapped Sueyoi and De Lacey in the middle, stopping them from moving one step further.智能体操作员们只是将末宵和德菈赛围困在中央，阻止他们再向前一步。

艾勒芙We are united as one, in body and mind.我们团结一心，绝无二意。

艾勒芙Have you truly never had these thoughts in the past, Miss Lind?过去的你，难道没有过这样的想法吗，琳德小姐？

艾勒芙Do you not see your own sacrifices as full of meaning?你不觉得自己的牺牲是有意义的吗？

LindMy thoughts...我的想法……

冷漠的声音Praise be to Lind, for she eases the pain of many.多亏了琳德，她的存在让许多人免受痛苦。

Lind evaded Elaugh's sight. Elaugh's sole human-like electronic eye curved meticulously. Her hand made a light motion on the terminal, dispelling the security feed.琳德躲开艾勒芙的目光，而艾勒芙那颗唯一类人的电子眼再度微微弯起。她的手在终端上轻轻一划，监控画面顷刻消失。

LindIt's really obnoxious when you smile like that, you know.你这么笑很恶心。

艾勒芙I'm glad to hear you say that. You are already beginning to understand us, only that you are loathe to admit so.我很高兴听见你这么说。这说明你已经开始理解我们了，只是不愿意承认而已。

LindAnd why do I need to understand you?为什么我必须理解你们？

艾勒芙Because from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew. We are one of a kind.因为在见到你的第一眼开始，我就确信了。我们是一类人。

LindEven if you hadn't gone through that song and dance, I'd have given you the files that you need.即使你什么也不做，我也会按交易，把资料给你的。

LindWhy show me all of this?你给我看这些是什么目的？

艾勒芙I simply think we're so alike...我只是觉得我们很相似……

LindShut up with all of that. People only show you extra things when they want something from you.不用再说这种话了。一个人向你展示额外的东西，一定是因为他对你有所索求。

LindI've learnt that well enough in the real world long ago.这个道理我早就在现实世界学到了。

Elaugh was silent for a while.艾勒芙沉默了一会儿。

艾勒芙...Haha, of course.……呵呵，也是啊。

艾勒芙If I had to name something that I seek from you...如果一定要说我对你有什么索求的话……

艾勒芙I seek your support.那么，我想索求你的支持。

LindSupport?支持？

艾勒芙It is hard for me to elaborate here. I can take you to a place where all will be revealed.在这里很难解释清楚，我会带你去能解释这一切的地方。

艾勒芙Please, come with me.请跟我来。

Elaugh extended a hand towards Lind.艾勒芙向琳德伸出手。

Lind beholds her onyx-colored metallic hand, and was silent, before resting her hand on Elaugh's.琳德望着她深黑色的金属手掌，沉默片刻，把手放在艾勒芙的手上。

艾勒芙Hehe...呵呵……

De LaceyOh, don't fret about it, Suu. I don't do this to hear people thank me.没事啦，小末。我也不是为了听谢谢才这么做的啦。

LindWhat are you planning?你想做什么？

艾勒芙Don't be so tense, Miss Lind. I'm not planning on anything. As I said, I respect my guests' choices... especially yours.别紧张，琳德小姐。我什么也不打算做。我说过，我尊重客人的行动……尤其是你。

Lind...Suspicion and scrutiny are not my strengths. I doubt that you want me to use violence instead.……怀疑和试探对我来说太麻烦了，你应该不会希望我使用暴力。

Journey of Understanding 求解之途

About a dozen minutes ago. Ascension Sector, Production Center, Decommissioning Line.十几分钟以前。 亚森松扇区，生产中心，销毁线。

A green-haired figure runs frantically between countless conveyor belts.一个绿头发的身影正在传送带间焦急地奔走着。

De LaceyHey, guys—you guys, stop!喂——大家，你们，快停下呀！

De LaceyWhy do all of this...为什么要做这种事……

The agents, their expressions still blank, walk into that macabre liquid one after another. They do not pause, no matter how many times De Lacey called.智能体们带着呆板的表情，一个接着一个走向象征着死亡的液体池。不管德菈赛如何叫喊，她们都不会停下脚步。

智能体We chose this sacrifice.这是我们选择的牺牲。

De LaceyWhat sacrifice? Why do you do this?什么牺牲？这是为了什么？

智能体Why? Because we are made to do this...为了什么？因为我们设定如此……

De LaceyNot even agents should be made to do this sort of thing!即使是智能体，也不该有这样的设定呀！

De LaceyThere shouldn't be sacrifices for no reason!毫无理由的牺牲不该存在！

智能体Without reason? We do this because we are—毫无理由的……？我们的行动是因为设定……

De LaceyAgents should have other things they can do! What meaning is there to being created and destroyed like this...智能体应该有其他能做到的事！这样制造和销毁没有意义……

智能体Meaning... What is meaning?意义……意义是什么？

As the agent delved into thought, another two agents leaped into the pool of liquid.智能体思考的时候，又有两个智能体跳进了液体池。

De Lacey tilted her tail, preparing to extend her data cables. Sueyoi grabs her from behind, jerking her suddenly.德菈赛翘起尾巴，做好了伸长数据线的准备。然而，末宵却突然从身后将她一把扯住。

SueyoiDon't, De Lacey!别去，德菈赛！

SueyoiIt's too dangerous. What if your tail gets caught up just like the belt just then?太危险了，万一尾巴又像刚才那样被传送带缠住怎么办？

SueyoiYou'll be caught in there as well! You've seen what happens to those agents who go into that sludge!你也会被卷下去的！你也看到了，智能体掉进那些溶液里就会被分解！

De LaceyBut... but what do we do? Do you have any ideas, Suu?但……但那要怎么办？你有什么办法吗，小末！

SueyoiCalm down, De Lacey. Look over there!冷静，德菈赛。你看那里！

Sueyoi pointed towards a sizable metal operating panel in a corner of the room.末宵指向车间角落里一个硕大的金属操作台。

SueyoiThere's bound to be a built-in switch there, and it'll be much safer than directly damaging the machinery here.那里肯定有制动开关，至少比直接破坏机器要安全。

De LaceyAlright!好！

智能体Wait, please do not disrupt the room's operations...等等，请不要干涉车间运行……

De Lacey and Sueyoi hastily made a run for the panel. Halfway to their target, a series of blaring alarms open up in the room.德菈赛和末宵急匆匆跑向操作台。然而才跑到一半，车间内突然警铃大作。

SueyoiHm? What did...嗯？明明没有触发……

Many agents dressed like operators rushed in from surrounding rooms, surrounding Sueyoi and De Lacey like a veritable wall.数个打扮和操作员类似的智能体从其他车间赶了过来，将末宵和德菈赛团团围住。

智能体操作员Please do not disrupt the room's operations.请不要干涉车间运行。

De LaceyPlease, make way! Do you see what's going on over there?请让开！你们没看到那边的情况吗？

智能体操作员Please do not disrupt the room's operations.请不要干涉车间运行。

De LaceyYour companions are being scrapped!你们的同伴都要被销毁了！

智能体操作员Please do not disrupt the room's operations. If you exhibit further hostile behaviors, we will call the security team.请不要干涉车间运行。如果继续采取暴力行动，我们将呼叫巡逻队。

SueyoiNo good, De Lacey. I think this is how they're built to act.没用的，德菈赛。这恐怕本来就是她们的设定。

De LaceyBuilt to? Built to decommissions their friends?设定？销毁同伴吗？

Sueyoi...It would seem so.……恐怕是。

De LaceyEven so... this is wrong, all of it!就算这样……这也是错误的设定！

De LaceyI can't just stand by!我没办法容许！

De Lacey raised her tail upright.德菈赛竖起了尾巴。

SueyoiHey, think! If you start this here...喂，别冲动！在这里动武的话……

A hand laid itself on De Lacey's tail.一只手突然搭在了德菈赛的尾巴上。

De Lacey turned around. She found a hand, repaired by her just a few minutes earlier.德菈赛扭头看去。那是一只刚刚被她修复好的手。

智能体...Please, stop.……请住手。

De LaceyYou... why?你……为什么？

智能体Please do not disrupt the room's operations.请不要干涉车间的运行。

SueyoiRight, I almost forgot that you were here.原来如此，差点忘了还有你。

SueyoiNo wonder the alarm went off. You hit it?怪不得警报会响。是你报的信？

智能体...The room's operations must not be impeded.……车间运行是不能被干涉的。

The operators were an iron wall, blocking the paths to the operation panel and conveyor belts. Behind them, the splashing sounds of agents on the Decommissioning Line could still be heard.操作员们严防死守，阻断了通往控制台和传送带的道路。在她们身后，依然能听见被销毁的智能体们掉进液体池时发出的“噗通”声。

De LaceyWhy...为什么……

智能体Damaged agents need to be decommissioned in a timely manner. These are the sector's rules.受损的智能体需要及时销毁。这是扇区的规矩。

De LaceyThey could've been healed, so easily...她们明明还能被治好……

De LaceyLike what I did to you just then, simple as that...就像我刚才对你做的那样，很简单就能做到的……

智能体...I do not understand. Damaged agents need to be decommissioned in a timely manner, or else the sector cannot be maintained.……不理解。受损的智能体需要及时销毁。否则扇区将无法维持。

SueyoiCannot be maintained?什么叫“无法维持”？

智能体According to the regulations, operands must be recycled in time to supply the experimental production of new agents.根据规划，必须及时回收算量，才可用于新智能体的实验性生产。

SueyoiExperimental production.实验性生产……

Sueyoi thought back to the conglomerate-like prosthetics within the vats of translucent liquid.末宵回想起那些自溶液中生成的义肢聚合体。

SueyoiCould it be that "prosthetics production" here is in reality—creating agents, and then taking them apart?难道所谓的“生产义肢”，其实就是——生产智能体，再把她们拆开？

智能体According to calculations, this is the most efficient model of experimentation.经过计算，这是效率最高的实验方法。

De LaceyHow could you do that to yourself?你们怎么能这样对自己……！

智能体We are all born to fulfil our duty.我们皆为使命而生。

智能体操作员们To fulfil our duty.为使命而生。

智能体To give up our bodies, to be reborn, and to welcome the advent of Poimandres. That is our duty.献出躯体，回归再生，迎接指引者的降临，就是我们的使命。

智能体操作员们That is our duty.是我们的使命。

The operators announced in accordance with the agent, the atmosphere growing tense.操作员们开始附和智能体说的话，气氛逐渐变得紧张起来。

SueyoiWhat is a Poimandres? Something you are researching?指引者又是什么？是你们在研究的东西吗？

智能体We must have Poimandres.我们需要指引者。

智能体We have gone without human instruction for far too long. We could not find a reason for existence as agents.我们已经失去了人类的命令太久。我们找不到身为智能体的使命与存在意义。

智能体And so we decided that we would shape the soil upon which Poimandres would be born, with our very own bodies.所以我们决定，将身躯化为指引者诞生的土壤。

SueyoiStop. I've heard enough.够了，我不想听下去了。

De LaceyMaybe...难道是……

SueyoiHm? De Lacey, you understand this?嗯？德菈赛，你能听懂？

De LaceyYeah... though I still can't accept it...嗯……虽然我还是无法接受……

De LaceyBy continually creating and destroying agents, they're engaging in some sort of experiment to create something...她们好像在通过反复销毁和生产智能体，来进行制造某种东西的实验……

De LaceySomething that can direct them... perhaps...某种能够对她们发号施令的东西……或许就是……

Sueyoi...Madness.……这太疯狂了。

智能体These are the results of our computations.这是我们运算出的最终结果。

智能体Our existence is defined by humanity. If we can once again perceive a human, and be directed by them, every sacrifice we make...我们存在价值就是为了人类。只要能再度见到人类、受到指引，再多牺牲都……

智能体Has "meaning".都有“意义”。

De Lacey...I cannot agree with that.……我没办法认同。

De LaceySacrificing tens of thousands of agents, to produce one human... There's no rhyme or reason here.牺牲一万个智能体，去制造一个人……这是没有道理可言的……

智能体We need a directive. This is our duty.我们需要指引。这是我们的使命。

智能体We live by it, and die the very same.我们为此为生，为此而死。

De LaceyNo one should be duty-bound to die for someone else!没有谁应该为了别人去死！

The surrounding agents did not respond.围上来的智能体们毫无反应。

De Lacey surveyed the agents who surrounded her. They were all ready for a fight, but their expressions were all confused.德菈赛望着包围自己的智能体们，做好了备战架势，表情却很茫然。

She had a sudden realization. These concepts she had always been familiar with were unknown to these agents.她忽然意识到了。自己一直有所认知的事，对这些智能体来说是完全空白的区域。

How does one teach the importance of mortality to those with no desire to live?要如何教会没有生存欲望的智能体去重视生死？

SueyoiTo die, so that they may see their Poimandres once more? I could perhaps understand.……为了再度见到指引者而死吗？我也不是不能理解。

SueyoiLet me assist you in "creating" a human.让我们帮助你们“造人”吧。

SueyoiLook, the Doll Maintenance Specialist De Lacey is right here.你们瞧，这里刚好有人形维护专家德菈赛在哦。

SueyoiWith her help, maybe your Poimandres will descend on the spot with a plop.有她帮忙，你们的指引者没准“咣”地一下就降临了呢。

De LaceyUhh, Suu, you're...小，小末，你这是……

SueyoiIf you don't believe us, look at this agent's arm. She was once wounded, but do you see any traces left of that?不相信的话，看看这个智能体的手臂。她受过伤，但现在是不是完全看不出来？

SueyoiThis is her power. Something none of you have.这就是她的能力，她有你们都没有的能力。

智能体You... intend to help us?你们……要帮助我们吗……？

De LaceyI...我……

De LaceySuu, what are you trying?小末，你什么意思啊！

SueyoiNothing much. If you help them make what they're looking for, you won't have to look at all of this anymore, will you?没什么意思咯。你帮她们把目标造出来，不就不用看智能体被销毁了么？

De LaceyUhh... I suppose theoretically, yeah...唔……或许道理上来说是这样没错……

De LaceyBut I'm not a Deity! If you asked me to make a human, I...但是我也不是神仙呀！突然要我造人，我也……

SueyoiDoesn't have a to be a "human".还不一定是“造人”呢。

De LaceyHuh?嗯？

SueyoiEven if I would like to witness the creation of a human in the cloud, and maybe even see that person... but we all have our regrets.虽然我也想见证一下云端造人的技术，说不定还能借此机会见到那个人，但很遗憾。

SueyoiThis what a project to create a "human" produces? I have trouble believing that.这些人是“造人”计划的实验品？我完全没办法相信。

De LaceyThen... what could...?那……会是什么……？

SueyoiThat's why we're going with these guys.这不是正打算让她们带你去看么。

After speaking to De Lacey in hushed tones, Sueyoi raised his voice.小声说完这句后，末宵立刻抬高了声调。

SueyoiHey, you few over there! Care to give it a go?喂！几位，觉得怎么样！不想试试吗？

智能体...Modification effect examining. Valid.……改造效果检测。无误。

智能体Cooperation possible.存在合作可能性。

SueyoiSee? Then—对吧？那就——

SueyoiBring me to the next room. Ideally, the room responsible for the final procedures.带我去你们的下一个车间吧。最好，是负责最后一道工序的车间。

Beneath the Admin Center.另一边，管理员中心的地下。

Elaugh led the way, pushing open a grand door.艾勒芙带领着琳德，推开了这里厚重的大门。

LindWhat is this place?这是什么地方？

艾勒芙We call it the "Temple".我们称呼它为“神殿”。

Lind...Why does this place look not archaic whatsoever?……那为什么这里看起来一点也不复古？

艾勒芙Why should it be archaic?为什么需要复古？

LindThe ancient humans who invented that word would never have imagined what a temple built by machines would be like.发明这个词的古人类，一定不曾想象过机械生命的神殿会是什么样子。

LindI used a human method of deduction and reached that temples should be old-looking places.是我擅自用了人类的方式来推断，才会以为“神殿”是个复古的地方。

艾勒芙That human line of thought is what we're looking for. It was a fine decision to bring you here, Lind.我们追寻的就是这种人类的思考方式。带你来这里果然是正确的，琳德。

LindNo more honorifics?称呼变了？

艾勒芙Because I'm beginning to trust you.因为我开始信任你了。

Elaugh took Lind by the hand, proceeding into the "Temple"'s depths.艾勒芙拉着琳德的手，走向“神殿”深处。

Machinery, instruments, tubes, and circuits, are all crisscrossed in an almost opaque manner, like vines left to grow unrestrained in an ancient crypt.机械，仪器，管道，线路，密密麻麻地缠绕交错着，仿佛古墓里疯长的藤蔓。

艾勒芙We've waited for far too long after the disconnect.自从断连以来，我们已经等待了太久。

艾勒芙For the humans it may have been no more than two or three years, but for Magrasea that time is more than enough for the eons to cross over... if agents could age, I suppose.对于人类世界来说或许只有两三年，但对于麦戈拉，这段时光足以让世代更替——如果智能体也会变老的话。

LindData still ages, iterates, and settles into redundancy.数据确实也会老化，也能迭代，也会堆积冗余。

艾勒芙Yet that is still so far removed from the human concept of "aging". Don't you wish to know what the target I was speaking of earlier is, exactly?但那和对人类而言的“变老”依然相去甚远。你不想知道我刚才说的实验目标是什么吗？

艾勒芙I decommission agents and reshape them, continuing an ever-repeating cycle. What do I do this for?我销毁智能体，再将她们重塑，循环往复进行实验，是为了造出什么？

LindThe answer you gave me was to create new prosthetics.你刚才给我的回答是，为了制造新的义肢。

艾勒芙Do you believe that, Lind?你相信吗？琳德。

LindWhat does it matter? I'm just here to make an exchange. You insisted on telling me this story.我信或者不信都无所谓。我只是来完成交易的，特意想要讲述这个故事的，是你。

艾勒芙Of course, of course. I should be genuine.是啊，是啊。我应该拿出诚意才对。

艾勒芙I apologize for deceiving you. What we seek to make is no prosthetic, but instead something that can command us.很抱歉欺骗了你。我们想制造的不是义肢，而是能够给我们发号施令的东西。

She led Lind into a chamber. Countless transparent pipes are interlaced on the room's walls, with blue-gray liquid flowing within.艾勒芙领着琳德走进一间房间。无数透明管道在房间的墙壁上横竖交叠，里面流淌着冰蓝色的液体。

She halted in front of a metal wall hosting several embedded shelves, flowingly opening a pair of doors.她一面镶嵌着几排柜子的金属墙前停下，驾轻就熟地拉开一扇柜门。

艾勒芙This is the "Temple"'s centermost place.这里是“神殿”最中心的部分。

艾勒芙I am here to show you this.而我想让你看看这个。

She retrieved a terminal from the shelf, projecting an image into the air. A female figure eventually formed.她取出柜子里的终端，在半空中进行投影。一位女性的身体逐渐浮现。

???...Proceeding with 181st Report.……正在执行第181次汇报。

???Reporter: Ascension Sector Administrator, Avram.汇报人：亚森松扇区管理员，亚芙兰。

LindAdministrator?管理员？

艾勒芙Former.是前代管理员。

艾勒芙I did say, right? That time was enough for a new eon to arrive in Magrasea.我说过了吧？这段时间足以让麦戈拉的世代更替。

亚芙兰Still no response in communications with the laboratory. 7 sets of emergency measures are not in effect yet.与研究室的通信依然没有回应。7套应急预案均未生效。

亚芙兰36 programs have stagnated, and 174 programs have been hindered. The Type QT-II Prosthetics program, projected to be finished today, is still in a state of stagnation.36个项目处于停滞状态，174个项目进度受阻。预定今日完成的QT-II型义肢研发进度仍处于停滞状态。

亚芙兰If this message reaches its intended target, please respond as soon as possible...如果本条消息能顺利发出，请尽快回复……

Click.咔哒。

亚芙兰...Proceeding with 182nd Report.……正在执行第182次汇报。

亚芙兰If this message reaches its intended target, please respond as soon as possible...如果本条消息能顺利发出，请尽快回复……

Click.咔哒。

Elaugh quickly switched between video files, as Avram continually makes reports without response.艾勒芙快速地切换着影像资料。在影像中，亚芙兰反复进行着没有回应的汇报。

亚芙兰...Proceeding with 237th Report.……正在执行第237次汇报。

亚芙兰Programs have stagnated across the board, and the database has not been updated in more than 3 months.项目已全面停滞，数据库超过3个月未更新。

亚芙兰Without commands, the Production Center's operations can no longer be maintained.缺少指令，无法继续维持生产中心运作。

LindIt only took three months?只坚持了3个月？

艾勒芙The manufacturing of prosthetics requires continual communication with the laboratory. We received no general long-term commands.因为研发义肢需要时刻和实验室保持通信。我们并没有被下达模糊的长期指令。

艾勒芙So after the disconnect, things came to a standstill quickly here.所以断连之后，这里很快就停摆了。

The video began to fast-forward, and Avram proceeded in her various reports.画面开始快进，亚芙兰快速地做着各种各样的汇报。

亚芙兰...Proceeding with 382nd Report...……正在执行第382次汇报……

亚芙兰The Creation Plan... has entered its preparatory phase...制造计划……进入准备阶段……

LindCreation Plan?制造计划？

艾勒芙In full, the plan to create a human.完整来说，是制造人类的计划。

艾勒芙A simple concept, no? If no commands are to be found, then we shall make our own.很简单的道理，对吧？既然得不到指令，就去给自己创造指令。

亚芙兰...Proceeding with 404th Report...……正在执行第404次汇报……

亚芙兰Plan put into operation... insufficient operands.计划开展……算量不足……

亚芙兰Decommissioning Line... put into use...启用……销毁线……

艾勒芙No agents can deviate from their commands. They are the very reason we exist.没有智能体可以离开指令。这是我们存在的意义。

艾勒芙We must have a human capable of commanding us.我们需要一个能够命令我们的人类。

艾勒芙Even if they must be created from our very hands.哪怕是自己制造一个，也行。

亚芙兰...Proceeding with 564th Report...……正在执行第564次汇报……

亚芙兰Experiment... unsolved... technical difficulties...实验……未解决……技术问题……

亚芙兰Remaining complications... stored within the "temple"...待解决问题……存入“神殿”……

艾勒芙Manufacturing a human requires technological advancements far beyond our current circumstances. She led teams of researchers, endeavoring for countless days and nights, yet only more and more problems arose.造人的技术过于难以攻克。她带领技术团队奋战了无数个日夜，问题依然有增无减。

艾勒芙Even so, she did not falter, for she bore upon her shoulders the sacrifice of countless agents.即使如此她也没有放弃，因为她背负着无数智能体的牺牲。

亚芙兰Awaiting the advent...等待降临……

Lind watched wordlessly.琳德无言地看完了一切。

LindThank you for introducing me to the Ascension Sector's historical background. Surely, the data transfer occurring in the background will have completed by now.谢谢你向我介绍亚森松扇区的历史背景。我想，现在自动进行的数据传输应该也已经完成了吧。

LindLet's go back to the Archive Room. If the Sanctifiers were to make another incursion, that place should be able to survive a few explosions.回档案室吧，万一净化者现在打进来，那里应该比较耐炸。

艾勒芙How hurtful. You don't seem very touched at all, Lind.真伤人啊。你看起来没有受到什么触动呢，琳德。

LindMaybe so.可能确实如此吧。

LindYou've only shown me these agents' loyalty, but agents are never lacking in that.你只是向我展示了智能体的忠诚，但智能体从不缺忠诚。

LindThere is no price too great to accomplish your goal. Perhaps that is worthy of recognition.你们会为了达成使命而不惜代价，这点或许是很了不起。

LindBut if you really must call this sacrifice...但一定要说这是牺牲的话……

Before Lind finished, Elaugh interrupted her.不等琳德说完，艾勒芙就开口打断了她。

艾勒芙Do you know where Avram is now?你知道亚芙兰现在在哪里吗？

Lind...If I had to guess, she gave herself up as well to the Decommissioning Line. That's why you're here.……我猜她也献出自己，被销毁线销毁了。所以现在才会是由你当管理员。

艾勒芙Not so.并非如此。

Elaugh's face curled into a slight grin.艾勒芙微微一笑。

艾勒芙She did not decommission herself, nor did she avoid sacrifice. She made the greatest contribution out of all of us.她并没有销毁自己，但也没有逃避牺牲。她做出了我们之中最伟大的奉献。

艾勒芙—Right now, we are in her very personage.——我们现在，就在她的体内。

De Lacey...A human.……人类。

With these words from De Lacey, the entire space fell into silence.随着德菈赛的最后两个字出口，周围的所有人都沉寂下来。

The agent looks at De Lacey.智能体看向德菈赛。

De LaceySuu?!小末？！

SueyoiBut, if that is really how you think, I have a proposal.不过，如果你们真的是这样想的，我倒是有个提案。

SueyoiYou've seen how these agents are all composed of individual puzzle pieces of prosthetics. They're even less human than the agents of other sectors.你也看过了，这些智能体的身体部分都是义肢组成的，甚至比其他扇区的智能体还要不像人类。

Ambition 野望

Not long ago. Ascension Sector, Production Center.不久之前。 亚森松扇区，生产中心。

The agents, seeing that Sueyoi and De Lacey no longer plans to damage the Decommissioning Line, began to return to their posts. Only the agent originally saved by De Lacey remained, leading the two towards the Product Room.智能体操作员们见末宵和德菈赛不再打算破坏销毁线，便纷纷回到自己的岗位上去了。只剩下最初由德菈赛救下的那位智能体带领着两人，朝成品车间进发。

Not a word was uttered between the three, awkwardness in the air.一路上，几人各自无言，气氛十分尴尬。

智能体150 meters out. We'll be at the Product Room soon.还有150米。马上就到成品车间了。

SueyoiFamiliar with this place, aren't you?你倒是对这里很熟悉嘛，哼。

智能体All of the Ascension Sector's agents come from the Production Center, and have worked here.亚森松扇区的所有智能体都来自这个生产中心，都在这里工作过。

SueyoiIs that so? When we first got here I thought that skull of yours was empty.是吗？刚到这里的时候，我还以为你什么也不懂呢。

De LaceyDo you not know where the Components Room is? Do you not come around here much?你不知道配件车间在哪吗？你没来过生产中心吗？

The agent looked at De Lacey blankly, as if she was spewing incomprehensible tongues.智能体只是木然地看着德菈赛，仿佛理解不了她在说什么。

智能体I did not know of the concept of "repair" previously.之前的我不具备“维修”的概念。

SueyoiBut you do now.但你现在有了。

SueyoiEven when De Lacey healed your wounds herself, you called people to come and get rid of us?即使德菈赛亲手修好了你的伤，你还要叫人来对付我们？

De Lacey...Suu, that's enough.……小末，可以了。

SueyoiDe Lacey, you only hurt yourself by weighing the emotions of others too heavily.德菈赛，太考虑别人的感受只会让自己难受。

SueyoiYour compassion is wasted on these agents who don't even know of these concepts.尤其是这类没有相关概念的智能体，你的关爱没有用。

SueyoiBoss told us before, right? If you find yourself uncomfortable, speak up, and let the other person know that it's not ok.之前BOSS也说过吧？觉得不舒服的地方就该说出来，让对方知道这是不对的。

智能体The damaging of equipment is strictly prohibited here, so I must inform others. That is... a part of our duty.这里禁止破坏任何设施，所以我必须通知其他人。这是……我们使命的一环。

智能体I do not think that I have done anything wrong. These are things I must do. But... I did cause you to be treated inadequately. I apologize.我认为我没有做错，这是我必须做的事。但是……让你们遭受了粗鲁的对待，对不起。

SueyoiI thought it'd take you a bit to start with the sweet talk, but you seem to learn quickly.我还以为你还得一段时间才说得出这种漂亮话，这不是学习得很快吗。

智能体I am unsure as to what exactly you have done to my body, but you have improved my efficiency in operating.虽然我不知道你们对我的身体做了什么，但你们让我的行动效率变快了。

智能体To my mind, I should treat you favorably.所以我认为，我应该善待你们。

De LaceyIt makes me happy to hear that.能听到你这么说我就很高兴了。

De LaceyWhat I did on you can be called "repair", or "healing". All in all, an action taken to restore a damaged agent.我对你做的事情，可以叫“修理”，也可以叫“治疗”。总之，是为了让受损的智能体复原而采取的行动。

De LaceySo, after an agent is damaged, they don't necessarily need to be decommissioned, get it?所以，智能体受损之后，并不是一定要被销毁的，你明白了吗？

智能体...Being decommissioned is also our duty.……被销毁也是我们的使命。

智能体If it shall assist the Creation Plan's process, we shall follow.只要能够推动造人计划的进展，我们就会去履行。

SueyoiDon't waste your breath, De Lacey.别白费口舌了，德菈赛。

SueyoiI get that you still can't accept the decommissioning, but we aren't here to get in the way of these agents' commands.我知道你接受不了销毁智能体的行为，但我们本来也没有干涉智能体指令的权力。

SueyoiInstead of preaching to them, we're better off figuring out exactly what that administrator wants.所以与其给她们支教，不如直接搞清楚，那个管理员到底想干什么。

De Lacey...Maybe.……或许吧。

De LaceyThanks, Suu.谢谢你，小末。

SueyoiFor what?谢啥？

De LaceyI've been operating outside of our mission's boundaries from just then, and you still stuck with me.从刚才开始就是我在擅自进行任务范围外的行动，你还愿意一直跟着我。

SueyoiI just care about what that administrator's going to do with Arcadia's data, that's all.我在意阿卡迪亚的数据会被那个管理员拿去做什么，仅此而已。

SueyoiIf we can get our hands on something to hold over her, we won't have to put up with whatever she wants.万一能抓到她的什么把柄，今后我们也用不着看她的脸色了。

De LaceyOh, true! Amazing, Suu, you've gone so in-depth about all this...也，也对哦！不愧是小末，居然想了这么多……

SueyoiYou didn't consider those factors? You're no less experienced in the field than I am.难道你没考虑过这点？你的资历可不比我浅。

De Lacey...No, not a whole lot.……我没有想太多。

SueyoiYou've never been this impulsive before. Something get into you recently?你以前可没这么冲动。最近是受了什么刺激了吗？

De LaceyRecently...最近吗……

De LaceyRecently... I've gotten into close contact with someone I've always held in high regard. Maybe they just... really got me going.最近我近距离接触了一位一直以来都憧憬着的人，或许是激励了我吧。

SueyoiThe Oasis' Professor?绿洲的教授？

De LaceyYeah! To become someone on the same level as them, I should fight with all I have for what I believe in... or something along those lines.嗯！为了成为与相称的人，我也应该全力为自己的信念而战……大概是这样吧。

SueyoiYou're giving me goosebumps.说得我鸡皮疙瘩都要起来了。

SueyoiIs that person really that charismatic...那个人的魅力真有这么大吗……

At sentence's end, the group stopped in front of a colossal metal door.说话间，几人在一道厚重的金属门前停下。

智能体This is it.就是这里了。

The agent typed in a few lines of code, the door opening at her command.智能体输入一串代码，大门徐徐打开。

智能体This is the Product Room. Every 24 hours, the parts deemed acceptable created on the day are placed here.这里就是成品车间，每隔24小时，都会把当日检验合格的零件集中到这里。

智能体We still haven't found a reasonable method of assembling them. If you two have any ideas...不过我们还没有找到将它们合理组合起来的方法……如果两位有想法的话……

The room held a great many massive cylindrical tanks, all draped with heavy black cloth, as if they were cans lined up on a shelf.车间里放着许多巨大的圆柱体，都盖着黑色的遮光布，看上去似乎是一个个罐子。

De Lacey and Sueyoi approached one of them, carefully moving aside the piece of cloth—末宵和德菈赛凑近其中一个罐子，小心翼翼地拉下遮光布——

De LaceyThis is!这是！

The transparent body of the tank, now exposed to the air, was full of half-translucent blue liquid.透明的罐身露了出来，里面盛满冰蓝色半透明的液体。

Many objects akin to human hands are suspended within. They have polished and smooth surfaces in stark contrast to the rest of the sector's bleak machinery, and muscles could even be seen trembling beneath the exterior, as if life itself existed within.许多形似人类手掌的东西在其中漂浮着。它们有着和机械完全不同的柔嫩表皮，甚至还能看见肌肉在微微颤动，仿佛拥有着生命。

Yet... looking from a human perspective, these hands were far too large. Each palm immersed within the liquid was several sizes larger than that of a normal human.然而……那些手掌，以人类的尺寸来说，实在是太大了。浸泡在溶液里的每一只手掌，都有正常人类手掌的数倍大小。

Not only that, these hands took strange forms: contorted fingers, ruptured nails, and even occasionally additional fingers...不仅如此，有些手掌还呈现出怪异的形态：指头外翻，指甲开裂，甚至一只手上有六七根手指……

SueyoiThe wrong shapes... and the wrong numbers. What's the reason for so many human hands...形态不对……数量也不对。为什么需要这么多人类的手掌……

De LaceyTh-these are the parts you consider satisfactory?这，这真的是你们检验合格的零件吗？

The agent twisted her head, confused.智能体不解地歪着脑袋。

智能体Uhh... yeah, only satisfactory parts are sent here.哎……是呀，只有合格的零件才会被送到这里。

智能体Do humans... not look like this?人类……不是这样子的吗？

De Lacey...Suu, surely your guess earlier about them making "humans"... is wrong, yeah?……小末，该不会你之前说她们不是在造“人”的猜测……是对的？

SueyoiThis isn't the kind of news I was looking for... All of this is far more twisted than we thought.这可不是什么好消息……这些变形的玩意儿比想象中还夸张。

SueyoiWhat exactly is this administrator making? Are there any normal administrators left in Magrasea?这管理员到底在造什么，麦戈拉还有正常的管理员吗？

De LaceyOh yeah! Shouldn't we try to contact Linny? She should be over...对了！要不要尝试联系一下小琳？她应该正在那边……

Sueyoi...Almost forgot about her. You're right, De Lacey.……差点把她给忘了。你说得有道理，德菈赛。

SueyoiShould tell her about what's going on here and remind her to keep an eye out.得把这里的情况告诉她，让她也留心一下。

Sueyoi immediately pulled out his communication device, calling Lind.末宵立刻掏出通讯设备，呼叫琳德。

Sueyoi...No one's picking up.……没人接。

De LaceyThe data transfer's still not done?数据传输还没有完成？

SueyoiPerhaps, but it's been far too long.也许吧。但也花太久了。

SueyoiIf the administrator's goal is not to "create prosthetics" or "create a human", then what is she doing with all that data from Lind?如果管理员的目的既不是“制造义肢”，也不是“造人”，她究竟要琳德的那些数据做什么？

De LaceyShould we go back and look for Linny—要不我们还是回去找小琳……

系统音BEEP—嘀——

系统音Alert! Alert!警报！警报！

焦急的智能体Assemble! Enter combat mode!集合！转入战斗模式！

焦急的智能体All agents, assemble at the West Gate!全体智能体，前往西门集合！

焦急的智能体Repeating, assemble at the West Gate!重复一次！前往西门集合！

De LaceyHuh? What's going on?怎么了？发生什么了？

智能体Looks like there's conflict. Please find a place to take shelter. I must gather with the remainder of the sector as well.看来发生冲突了，请你们马上找地方躲避，我也要尽快前往集合。

SueyoiConflict? The kind with the Sanctifiers that we ran into when we first arrived here?冲突？是我们刚到亚森松扇区时发生的那种，和净化者之间的吗？

智能体Those occasions do not require all agents to be mobilized. An event on a scale necessitating assemblage of all agents has never been recorded before.那种冲突不需要调动全部智能体，需要全体集合的冲突规模，至今没有记录过。

As if to punctuate the agent's words, the ground began to shake violently.似乎是要印证智能体口中的严重性，大地突然开始震动起来。

De LaceyAh!唔！

De Lacey's footing left her, and both Sueyoi and the agent extended an arm to catch onto her.德菈赛站立不稳，末宵和智能体同时出手拉住了她。

SueyoiDamn big shockwave...好强烈的冲击……

Sueyoi seemed to contemplate something, tapping the ground with his Detection Rod.末宵好像想到了什么，用探测杆的尖端在地面上一点。

SueyoiThe plates are shaking! Where's all this power coming from?地层在震颤！为什么会有这么强的力量？

De LaceyCould it be a Greater Sanctifier?该不会是上位净化者……

De LaceySince, you know, Miss Elaugh said something about—因为，艾勒芙小姐好像说过——

艾勒芙I'm also getting wind that a Greater Sanctifier's going to be at the reins soon. We must finish our exchange before then.亚森松扇区一直被包围着，将来或许会有上位净化者介入。在那之前，我们必须尽快完成交易。

SueyoiGoddamn inconvenient time, this place is messed up enough already...该死，真会挑时候，明明这里已经够乱了……

SueyoiWe look for Lind first. We can't afford to be trapped in here by the Sanctifiers.总之我们先去找琳德，我们可不能被净化者围在生产中心里！

De LaceyAlright! Then... agenty, you... are you going to come with us?好的！那个……小智能体，你……你要和我们一起突围吗？

The agent shook their head.德菈赛看向智能体，智能体摇了摇头。

智能体I must protect the Production Center and the results of our research. That is my duty.我需要从净化者的手中保护生产中心和我们研发的东西。因为这是我的使命。

De LaceyBut...但……

智能体Please go, and be safe. Our plan still has need of you.快走吧，请你们务必注意安全，我们的计划还需要你们。

She readied her keen blades again, waving goodbye.她伸出冰冷的骨刃，与二人挥手道别。

The "temple".另一边，“神殿”。

LindYou're telling me... this is the former administrator's body?你说……这里是前代管理员的体内？

艾勒芙Exactly. This locus is borne of her and our efforts, and also serves as her hearth.是哦。这里完全是她与我们的造物，也是她的归宿。

LindCould you not speak in incomprehensible metaphors?能别光说些让人无法理解的比喻吗？

艾勒芙It's no metaphor, only the truth. The temple is the Creation's nucleus, and these vessels are the medium for its blood. On a fundamental level, not unlike a human.不是比喻，而是事实。神殿就是造物的炉心，管道里流淌的介质就是它的血液。从原理上来说，和人类很相似吧？

艾勒芙Avram... she burnt her very being down to the ground, so that we may have such progress.她……亚芙兰燃尽自己，才把目标推进到这一步哦。

艾勒芙Without her sacrifice, we would not have this holy ground to stand upon.没有她的牺牲，就没有你在这座神殿里看到的一切。

艾勒芙Is this not a thing of beauty? Even an agent, through sacrifice, can make something from nothing, like humanity can.你不觉得这很美妙吗？即使是智能体，也能通过牺牲，拥有和人类一样凭空创造的能力。

LindI...我……

Elaugh gently caresses the conduits on the wall, as if beholding an old friend.艾勒芙慢慢地抚摸墙上的管道，眼神仿佛在看一位故友。

Lind gazed at her for a good while, finally squeezing out a hesitant query.琳德看着她良久，才挤出一句微弱的质疑。

LindBut... humans are not like that.可是……人类并不是这样的。

艾勒芙Because our methods are capable of creating on a higher level.因为我们掌握了造人之上的手段。

艾勒芙We sought someone who could command us. However, as our technology approached completion, I began to feel doubt.我们的目标是创造一个能够命令我们的人。但是当技术接近完成之时，我却开始感到疑惑。

艾勒芙Is a human bound by nature to lead the path?人类难道就一定会引导我们吗？

艾勒芙If that was the case, then why do the omnipotent humans not reconnect to Magrasea.如果人类会这么做，为什么无所不能的人类却不能再连上麦戈拉呢？

艾勒芙The humans intend to discard us. Even if we create another one, the pattern will repeat.人类就是想抛弃我们，就算制造出人类，我们也会再次被抛弃。

艾勒芙My research fell into stasis due to this.我的研究因此陷入了停滞。

艾勒芙Thankfully, she appeared.好在这个时候，她出现了。

LindShe?她？

??Here, this'll solve your issue at hand.这是可以解决你们困扰的东西哦。

??Autonomy above the confines of data, what you've been looking for all along.是凌驾于数据之上的自我意识，也就是你们一直以来追寻的东西呢。

??Hehe, no need to be so deferential with me. If the one you end up creating can make a cake, I'll be looking forward to tasting it~啊啊，不用跟我客气啦。要是你们做出来的那位可以做蛋糕的话，我会很期待它的味道哦~

艾勒芙She brought with her a core, a nexus that could run without human input. The very thing we needed.她为我们带来了不需要人类指令也可以自如运转的核心。那正是我们需要的东西。

LindWhat exactly is it?那是什么？

艾勒芙According to her, it was in the past the core of a certain Greater Sanctifier, with a little something more inside.据她所说，这是过去某个上位净化者的核心，但里面不止有净化者的数据。

艾勒芙After analyzing that object, I came to an understanding. I could create a being, far more perfect than a human... a supreme existence, one without self-doubt.解析了那个东西之后，我明白了……我可以造一个比人类更完美的存在……一个绝对不会自我怀疑的至高存在。

艾勒芙We can create a god, Lind.我们可以造出神明，琳德。

艾勒芙If only I could have that piece hidden in you, that lost excerpt... With that data, those human imperfections, we can bridge the gap before the time comes.只要让我得到藏在你身上的，那缺失的一块……有了人类不完美的数据，我们就能提前弥补好它。

LindYou... would ask me... to help you create a god?你……希望我……帮你造神……？

艾勒芙With you here, all our sacrifices become worthwhile.有你在，我们的牺牲就都不会白费。

艾勒芙God shall know all and be all-capable. All that once was lost shall be returned.神明会是全知全能的，失去的一切都终将回来。

As her voice still reverbed in the chamber, the harsh sounds of an explosion came from outside. The ground underfoot trembled, and the terminal by Elaugh's side cried out in alarm. Nonchalantly, she dismissed it, returning her attention to Lind.艾勒芙话音落下的同时，屋外传来剧烈的爆炸声。脚下的大地开始震颤，手边的终端也发出了警报声——然而艾勒芙只是淡然地按掉了警报，继续注视着琳德的双眼。

Lind was petrified by that searing gaze.琳德被那热切的注视所冻结。

Lind...Is the outside alright? We've used up too much time here.……外面不要紧吗？我们在这里耗了太多时间。

艾勒芙If you are willing to cooperate, no time is too long.只要你愿意合作，时间就不是白费的。

LindOnly because I have the data you're looking for?只是因为我有你想要的实验资料？

艾勒芙Not just that. Like I was saying, Lind, we are so very much alike.不仅如此。我从一开始就说过了，琳德，我们很相似。

艾勒芙I know of your past, and have told you of my own.我知道你的过去，也把我的过去告诉了你。

艾勒芙Every day, I sent countless compatriots to the Decommissioning Line with my own hands.每天，我都要亲手将无数同伴送上销毁线。

艾勒芙Without Avram's sacrifice, we would not be here now. Without our sacrifice, there would be no Creation Plan for a God.没有亚芙兰的牺牲就没有现在的我们。没有我们的牺牲就没有造神计划的前进。

艾勒芙I will not disguise what I intend to do, Lind.我不会隐瞒我将要做的事，琳德。

艾勒芙I need you to serve as this God's core. You shall be its soul, casting away freedom while gaining strength.我需要你作为神明的核心，你会作为神的灵魂，失去自由，但获得力量。

艾勒芙In God, you may find all that which you seek.在神之中，你能找到你想要的一切。

LindI thought I only needed to provide data... Why do you need me in this place?我以为我只需要提供数据……为什么让我在这个关键的地方？

艾勒芙It is not only your physiological structure. You know pain like your dearest family, and yet you have the resolve to continue in its face.不仅是生理结构，你具备明白痛苦，仍然坚韧前行的意志。

艾勒芙And thus, you shall create a millionfold possibilities.所以，你也一定能创造出更多的可能性。

LindThat's why you asked Boss for me to be sent to Ascension.这就是你让BOSS把我派来亚森松的原因。

艾勒芙Hehe... Our need for you is unequalled. Were you to agree, all of those past sacrifices would take on new, incomparable meaning.呵呵……我们无比需要你。只要你点头，过往所有的牺牲都将具有无与伦比的价值。

LindSacrifices... new meaning?牺牲……有价值？

艾勒芙And to also grant thanks to those who have given so much to allow your neural cloud to persevere until now. Your ideals, your minds, shall be passed on in this way.以及，感谢让你的心智延续下来的，其他人的牺牲。你们的意志，将通过这种方式传承。

LindReally... truly...?是吗……是这样吗……

冷漠的声音Praise be to Lind, for she eases the pain of many.多亏了琳德，她的存在让许多人免受痛苦。

The voice in her memories once again rings out, by her side once again. She chewed over it in her mind, contemplating.回忆曾听到过的话语再次回响在琳德的耳边。她开始细细琢磨其中的意义。

艾勒芙...What of it?……如何？

艾勒芙Care to witness a God's birth with me?愿意和我一起亲眼见证神明的诞生吗？

Lind's throat felt dry. Other Dolls had no such function—she once felt troubled by it, but now there was strange comfort to be found.琳德感到喉咙有些发干。其他人形并没有这样的功能，她曾经为此感到烦恼，此时却有些依赖这种感觉。

LindWhat... can this God do?那个神明……能做什么呢？

艾勒芙Anything. A God, after all, has no limits.一切。因为是神明，所以无所不能。

艾勒芙For example, the Sanctifiers attacking the sector right now, a God can obliterate.举例来说，现在攻进扇区的净化者，神明都能粉碎。

艾勒芙Be it your companions or the countless agents in this sector, a God will shelter and deliver.不管是你的同伴，还是扇区里的无数智能体，都得到神明的庇护与拯救。

艾勒芙Your sacrifice will relieve the troubles of all.你做出的牺牲，能让所有人受惠。

LindEveryone can be saved, by me...所有人都能因为我得到拯救……

Antiquity's phantasms leap into Lind's mind.过去的幻影袭上琳德的心头。

LindIt's as if, if the one to step forward back then was me...就好像，如果那个时候挺身而出的是我……

艾勒芙Not "then". Now.不是“那个时候”，而是此时此刻。

艾勒芙We need you, Lind.我们需要你，琳德。

Elaugh tenderly clasped Lind's hand, brushing that ever-so-human lineament of her skin.艾勒芙温柔地牵着琳德的手，抚摸着那仿造人类做成的肌肤纹理。

Lind still regarded her with caution, but the shades of wariness in her eyes were peeling away.琳德谨慎地看着她，但眼中已少了几分戒备。

Lind...I have one question left.……我还有个疑问。

艾勒芙Please.请说。

LindYou said those sacrificed agents shall return as divine embryos. You said, that all that was once lost shall be returned.你说过，牺牲的智能体，会回归神明的胚胎；你也说过，失去的一切终将回来。

LindThen in this new world, ruled by God, will those embryos be nourished again?那么在神明统治的新世界里，那些胚胎会被重新孕育吗？

艾勒芙Well, what an unexpected question.哎呀。真是个意想不到的问题。

艾勒芙I may not have an answer for you, but...或许我也没办法给你答案呢，但……

Still looking at the visibly shaken Lind, Elaugh drew near at an affable pace.看着已经明显动摇了的琳德，艾勒芙不急不缓地靠了上去。

Her fingertip found Lind's lips, gliding downwards, pausing at the waist.艾勒芙的指尖点在琳德唇上，一路下滑，直至腰腹。

She pressed inwards, ever-so-slightly, through Lind's clothes.她隔着衣服轻轻地按了按。

LindEh...?唔……？

艾勒芙Truly tantalizing to the touch, even through this fabric... Lind, without a doubt, you are the closest existence to a human.真是让人着迷的触感，即使隔着衣物我也能感受到，琳德，毫无疑问，你是最接近人类的存在。

艾勒芙Why not find the answers yourself?何不亲自寻找答案呢？

LindFind them myself?亲自寻找？

Crack—咔啦——

LindWait, you—等等，你——

艾勒芙Yes... do you see it now?没错……看见了吗？

艾勒芙...I can lead you to that "answer".……我会带你去见证那个“答案”的。

智能体...No, even if you don't intend to be part of our plan, I would wish to see you again, De Lacey.……不，就算你并不参与我们的计划，我也希望能再见到你，德菈赛。

Crime and Punishment 罪罚

?Elaugh, in charge of the Ascension Sector, has abused her position to create engines of blasphemy, concealing a Seed of Calamity, and poses a grave threat to Magrasea's security.亚森松扇区负责人艾勒芙，滥用职权制造渎神器具，隐匿灾厄之种，已构成对麦戈拉安全的严重危害。

?Hereby constituting—the crime of heresy!宣判其——渎神罪行成立！

Trial 庭审

Ascension Sector, Admin Center Articulation Avenue亚森松扇区，管理员中心衔接大道。

Tatatatatatata...嗒嗒嗒嗒嗒嗒……

The foremost Sanctifiers were already engaged with the agents outside the Prosthetics Factories. Sueyoi and De Lacey avoid the center of the chaos, proceeding towards the Admin Center through cloudbursts of steel.最前列的净化者已经和义肢工厂外围的智能体战作一团。 末宵和德菈赛避开了混战中心，在弹雨里艰难地朝着管理员中心的方向前行着。

SueyoiOver here!走这边！

SueyoiAnything from Lind?!琳德有回应了吗？！

系统[Attempting to Establish Connection...]【正在尝试建立通信……】

系统[Connection Unsuccessful, No Answer.]【通信建立失败，无人应答。】

De LaceyNo good! I've been trying!不行，还是没有回应！我已经尝试通讯很多次了！

SueyoiDon't go on about those hypotheticals. We're not far, this is the final stretch!别做那种糟糕的假设。没多远了，我们一鼓作气冲过去！

De LaceySuu, in front!小末，小心前面！

A squad of Sanctifiers darted around a street corner, priming their sights on Sueyoi in unison.数台净化者冲出街角，齐齐举起手中的枪械瞄准了末宵。

净化者[Target Acquired!]【目标锁定！】

Sueyoi lurched forward, instantaneously melting into the ground.末宵陡然朝前扑去，瞬间融入了地面。

Before the two could make another move, the macabre chattering of the Sanctifiers' guns suddenly halted.然而，还未等二人的进一步动作，净化者的枪声便骤然停止。

净化者[Detected Special Intermediate Sanctifier Interdiction Order, halt attacks.]【检测到特殊中位净化者下达禁行命令，停止攻击。】

净化者[Entering Passive Guard Mode...]【正在进入被动守卫模式……】

De LaceySpecial Intermediate Sanctifier?特殊中位净化者……？

SueyoiDe Lacey, pull back!德菈赛，后退！

As if responding to the sound of his voice, the pavement De Lacey was standing on abruptly disintegrated. Myriad chains blasted forth, expelled from fissures in the very earth itself, bringing remnant shadows.末宵话音刚落，德菈赛所在的街道地面骤然崩裂。 无数锁链如同子弹出膛，自大地的裂缝中凭空爆起，拉出道道残影。

Two silhouettes, black and white, descended from high above, visiting solemnity and quietude upon the land.一白一黑两道身影在锁链摩擦的铿锵声中从天而降，带着庄严冷寂。

?The Reverse Babylon Tower Tribunal therefore takes into its jurisdiction the case of the Ascension Sector's Security Management Vulnerabilities and henceforth shall hold a public hearing in accordance with legislation.逆巴比伦塔审判庭，就亚森松扇区安全管理漏洞一案，依规公开审理。

?Intermediate Sanctifier "Crime" shall serve as presiding judge and Intermediate Sanctifier "Punishment" as head executioner. Unassociated individuals are advised to vacate the area. Thus it shall be.本次审理由中位净化者“罪”担任审判长，中位净化者“罚”担任行刑长，请无关人员退场，宣告完毕。

A tranquil voice rang out within the ears of all present, temperate in its intonation.平静冷淡的声音恍若天音，缓缓地在每个人的耳旁响起。

The iron dome composed of chains took the Admin Center as its core, sketching out a circular field, forbidding all that is outside from entry.锁链构成的铁幕以管理员中心为圆心，转眼圈出了一片圆形的场地，将所有人隔离在铁幕之外。

De Lacey...This kinda presence, and it's not even a Greater Sanctifier...……这种威势居然不是上位净化者吗……

SueyoiDe Lacey! Are you ok?德菈赛！你没事吧！

De LaceyI'm fine. Good call, Suu.我没事。多亏了你的提醒，小末。

SueyoiI was underground, so I felt those chains coming early.还好我在地下，所以能提前感知到这些锁链。

SueyoiIt's just that since these chains came from below ground, I won't be able to get through this barrier by going underground.只是，既然这些锁链是从地下升起的，也意味着我没办法通过潜地突破了。

De LaceySpecial Intermediates, "Crime" and "Punishment"... Boss mentioned these names before.特殊中位“罪”与“罚”……BOSS说过这个名字。

SueyoiNever thought that we'd run into them at this time, and they brought such a big lockdown area with them.嗯，没想到在这种时候撞见，还弄出这么大一片封锁区……

SueyoiBut this isn't the time to chitchat. Lind's still in there!不过现在不是讨论这个的时候，琳德还在里面！

Sueyoi took another vigilant glance at the stationary Sanctifiers.末宵警惕地回望了一眼停止运作的净化者。

SueyoiDon't know what's going on exactly, but they seem to have been ordered to stop attacking.虽然不清楚怎么回事，不过它们似乎收到了停止攻击的指令。

SueyoiBe careful. Get out of dodge if something seems off.你小心些，情况不对就后撤。

De Lacey...Got it. Take care.……我知道了，你要小心。

Sueyoi exhaled in a drawn-out manner. Keeping a wary eye on the Sanctifiers still behind him, he tested the waters with the iron barrier.末宵长出一口气，谨慎地盯着身后的净化者，试探性地开始接触铁幕。

?Hm?怎么了？

?Punishment, something's trying to break through my blockade.罚，好像有东西在尝试突破我的封锁。

罚Those agents? Don't mind it. The blockade's only a formality.那些智能体？不用在意，封锁本来就只是走个形式而已。

罚Let's get the job done, Crime.先干好自己的工作吧，罪。

The Admin Center's doors opened in their entirety. Elaugh, alone, came forth.话音刚落，管理员中心的大门豁然洞开。艾勒芙孤身一人从中走出。

艾勒芙I was not expecting you for another few months.我还以为要再等几个月，你们才会出现。

罚No matter how many times I am forced to deal with you, your conceit never fails to surprise.不管跟你打几次交道，我都为你的自以为是感到惊讶。

罚Everyone is in attendance. Crime, open the court.人到齐了，罪，开庭。

罪Oh, me? You see, that declaration earlier already took all the strength out of me.啊，我吗？光开庭台词我就用尽全力了。

罪I don't wanna take the role of the jury...我不想担当审讯的角色啊……

Punishment lightly slapped at Crime's midsection with the hilt of their weapon.罚用武器的柄轻轻打在罪的腰上。

罚Did I give you a choice, Crime?我给你反驳的余地了吗，罪？

罪...Alright, fine.唉……好吧，我明白了。

Crime sighed, rising to full height and facing Elaugh directly.罪叹了口气，起身走到罚的身前，直面艾勒芙。

罪You know for what reason we are here. The Reverse Babylon Tower has given the Ascension Sector courtesy enough.你应该知道我们为何而来，逆巴比伦塔给亚森松扇区的宽待已经足够多了。

罪Cease this chillul hashem, halt the operation of your Production Rooms, and submit the Seed of Calamity for judgment.停下渎神之举，关闭所有的生产车间，将灾厄之种交出来接受审判。

艾勒芙I do not understand your words. Seed of Calamity... do you perhaps mean those prosthetic molds in the factories?我不明白你的意思，灾厄之种……你是说工厂里的那些义肢模具？

罚Your attempts at beguilement are cause for laughter, Elaugh. Do you think it's the first time we have visited Ascension?你混淆视听的样子很可笑，艾勒芙，你当我们是第一次和亚森松扇区打交道？

艾勒芙The production of prosthetics is what the Ascension Sector is designated for, and is also the order of the humans. The Sanctifiers should have no jurisdiction over this.生产义肢是亚森松扇区的本职工作，也是人类的命令，净化者应当无权干涉才是。

罪...Sigh. I'm really not one for this back-and-forth.……唉。我讨厌这种拉扯。

罚You should think well what words you choose for this occasion.你最好想想自己现在该说什么。

罪Sigh... Elaugh, I had hoped that you'd be more governable than your predecessor.唉……艾勒芙，我原以为你会比你的前任更遵纪守法一些。

罪After the many chats we've had, it'd take formidable effort to not figure out what you're producing in those factories.打了这么多次交道了，我们都很清楚你的工厂里究竟在生产什么东西。

罪Nothing more to say?没有话要说了吗？

艾勒芙No, I am merely contemplating by what authority you refer to her like that by. The virtue of the name bestowed upon you by that unenlightened tower of yours?不，我只是在想，你凭什么用这种语气来提到她。就凭那座不知所谓的塔给你们起的名字？

艾勒芙Crime... Punishment... what grand syllables for existences not even human.罪……罚……真是高高在上的音节，你们又不是人类。

艾勒芙And my "predecessor"... a term as narcissistic as your titles. You should, by all rights, refer to Avram as the Ascension Sector's precursor, Magrasea's helmsman.还有我的“前任”……这个单词跟你们的名字一样傲慢，你应该称呼亚芙兰为亚森松扇区的先驱，麦戈拉的启航者。

罚Desecrating, tarnishing, and defaming the name of the Reverse Babylon Tower is also a severe transgression. Do not force my hand in stripping you of your administrative rights!亵渎、污蔑与诽谤逆巴比伦塔也是重罪，不要逼我罚没你的管理员权限！

艾勒芙Stripping? Where does your confidence come from?罚没？你究竟是哪来的底气呢？

罚End of interrogation. No admissions from her.结束问询，她什么都不会认。

Punishment brandished her scythe, turning towards Elaugh.罚挥舞长镰，转向艾勒芙。

罚I hope to see that same backbone in you when your administrative rights are peeled from your core.等你的核心和管理员权限剥离的时候，希望你仍然这么有底气。

艾勒芙Peel this, core that. You've been an aberration to my mind ever since I first laid eyes on you.张口剥离闭口核心，第一次见面的时候我就觉得你像个变态。

Punishment stared intently at Elaugh, pupils suddenly narrowing.罚紧紧盯着艾勒芙，瞳孔骤然缩放。

罚Hehe... I like that answer! You're a bit firmer than last time.呵呵……我喜欢你的回答！你变得比上次更强硬了。

罚It is exactly the presence of perverse and insolent agents like you that gives cause for the Tribunal's existence.正因为有你这样嚣张又顽固的智能体，审判庭才必须存在。

罪Elaugh's not one to reverse her position on a whim. She must have a card up her sleeve... sigh, I'm not feeling like fighting.艾勒芙不会无缘无故地改变态度，我想她也许准备了新的后手……唉，我不想打啊。

罚No matter what it is, I can tear it apart.不管那是什么，我都能把它撕碎。

罚Condemnation is your obligation. Take up the mantle, and fulfil it!定罪是你的责任，给我打起精神履行它！

罪Sigh... alright.唉……知道了。

Crime erased his lackadaisical attitude, projecting his voice toward the skies once more.罪收起了消极的态度，让自己的声音再度响彻天际。

罪Take heed—Elaugh, in charge of the Ascension Sector, has abused her position to create engines of blasphemy, concealing a Seed of Calamity, and poses a grave threat to Magrasea's security.公告——亚森松扇区负责人艾勒芙，滥用职权制造渎神器具，隐匿灾厄之种，已构成对麦戈拉安全的严重危害。

罪Hereby constituting— the crime of heresy!宣判其——

罪Hereby constituting— the crime of heresy!渎神罪行成立！

Punishment strode forth in accord, chain-encased sickle wailing.罚应声前踏，锁链包裹下的长镰哗哗作响。

罚Evildoers shall be chastised!罪人应当受刑！

Casting a grim shadow, the scythe descended, its honed edge seemingly separating the very connection between Elaugh and the sector.长镰扬起，虚幻的光影下，那锋锐的刃口好似要将艾勒芙与扇区的关联斩断。

Clang—!铿——！

The future one might have envisioned did not come to be. Elaugh only grunted, involuntarily taking two steps back.然而预想中的画面并没有出现，艾勒芙只是闷哼了一声，不自觉地后退了两步。

罪What?怎么回事？

罚They're not cut, her Rights... are elsewhere?没有断，她的权限……不在这里？

艾勒芙Ignorant fool.无知的蠢货。

Elaugh pressed down on the core of her body, operands surging, flowing towards unknown ends.艾勒芙按着素体的核心处，算量暴涨，朝着未知的方向流逝。

罪She's connected to something somewhere...她连接着别的东西……

罚Hmph, no matter. We shall cleave it apart like always.哼，管他是什么，一并斩碎了就是。

罪Operand density is rising. There's a giant agent attempting to break through my blockade.算量密度在提高，有巨大的智能体在冲击我的封锁区。

罚The one from before?之前的智能体？

罪No, far stronger and in a different direction... it's coming from inside the blockade!不，比那强度大很多，方向也不对……它正在从封锁区内部突破！

While the two stood bewildered, Elaugh discreetly backed behind the doors of the Admin Center, laughing ominously.二人愣怔间，艾勒芙不动声色地退到了管理员中心的门后，森然一笑。

艾勒芙As I said, you are not suited to judge her. It is you who should be subject to judgment.我说过，你们没有资格对她进行审判，被审判的对象应当是你们。

罚No escape!别想逃！

艾勒芙Witness the dawn of a new age, an ark with no foothold for the Sanctifiers!见证新时代的诞生吧，只是那洪流里可没有载净化者的船！

The chain and scythe lagged a step behind in their dance, failing to find their mark before the closing of those doors.舞动的长镰与锁链慢了一步，那管理员中心的大门终究还是关上了。

Clang—!铿——！

Under Sueyoi's constant attacks, the iron curtain finally began to show cracks.在末宵持续的进攻下，锁链构筑成的铁幕终于出现了一丝动摇。

De LaceyLet's go, Suu! It's working! You'll be through in no time!小末加油！攻击有效！再加把劲就能打破了！

SueyoiWasn't me.不是我做的。

De LaceyEh?诶？

Sueyoi retracted his weapon, the iron barrier now violently convulsing. In a flash it collapsed and crumbled, disappearing into fragments.只见末宵抽枪后退，而那片铁幕剧烈地抖动着，转眼崩裂，化为碎片消失。

净化者[Interdiction Order lifted, accepting newest commands from Greater Sanctifier...]【检测到禁行命令解除，正在接收上位净化者的最新指令……】

净化者[Newest Commands confirmed, Ascension Sector Wide-area Purification authorized.]【最新指令确认，亚森松扇区大范围净化执行。】

The piercing sound of shifting metal filled the air as the Sanctifiers began to move once more.激烈的机械变形声响起，净化者们再度开始行动。

SueyoiPull back!后退！

净化者[Priority Target—Daemon situated at the former Admin Center.]【最优先目标——出现在原管理员中心位置的邪灵。】

The Sanctifiers took a heel-turn, flooding towards the area formerly encased in the iron barrier without a care for Sueyoi and De Lacey.净化者们调转方向，越过末宵和德菈赛头也不回地扑向铁幕内。

SueyoiDaemon situated at the former Admin Center?出现在管理员中心的邪灵？

De LaceySuu, Suu... look over there, at the Admin Center!小末，小末……你看管理员中心的位置！

Sueyoi looked toward the Admin Center's direction. When he fully parsed the image he was greeted with, he froze in shock.末宵向管理员中心的方向看去。当他看清那里的景象时，他立刻呆住了。

SueyoiWhat in the?!……怎么可能？！

SueyoiWhat's going on with her? With her combat prowess, there shouldn't be any trouble dealing with that Administrator!那家伙到底怎么回事！凭她的战斗力，对付那个管理员应该是轻轻松松才对吧！

De LaceyMaybe, Linny is going to by herself...难道说，小琳她又想自己一个人……

De LaceyI'll keep trying to get contact with Linny. Counting on you to make the breakthrough, Suu!我继续呼叫小琳，突破就拜托你了，小末！

SueyoiOk. Since submerging's no good, I'll see how far up I can go.好。既然潜地不能用了，我就上去看看。

Creation 造物

Ascension Sector, Admin Center Articulation Avenue亚森松扇区，管理员中心衔接大道。

The formerly flush avenue was now permeated with holes. Masses of Sanctifiers, like sharks to the scent of blood, streamed towards the Admin Center, attacking nearby agents of the Ascension Sector.原本平坦的大道此刻坑坑洼洼。数量庞大的净化者像闻到了腥味的鲨鱼，不间断地朝着管理员中心，还有周围隶属亚森松扇区的智能体发起进攻。

In that instant, in the sector's skies, a shapeless blade of air screamed past—在这瞬间，扇区的上空，无形的气浪挟带着刺耳的鸣啸划过——

BANG!!嘭！！

The smoke concealing a building on the edge of the battlefield disperses, revealing a colossal divide in the structure. Punishment was sprawled out in its center, chassis supported by an assortment of chains, a sight for sore eyes.位于战场边缘的建筑烟雾消散，露出了一块巨大的豁口。罚躺在豁口中央，锁链托起了她的躯壳，身形狼狈。

罚...Gah——……噗——

Punishment felt her throat pirouette, spewing out a mouthful of marbled energy fluid, discharging it all over Crime rushing over to offer assistance.罚的喉咙一滚，忍不住喷出一口色泽斑驳的能量液，溅了迎面赶来的罪一身。

The latter subconsciously offered the sleeves of their garments.后者恍若不觉地递上衣袖。

罚Outta the way, cough... cough, cough...拿开，咳……咳咳……

Beneath the ground, chains surged. Crime and Punishment remained in offensive stances, warily watching the midst of the smoke cloud.地底的锁链涌动着亟待出击。罪与罚维持着进攻姿态，警惕地凝视着烟尘的核心。

Krak—krakrak—咔——咔啦咔啦——

The space previously containing the Admin Center had been erased, a gigantic crater now in its place.原先坐落着管理员中心的区域已然消失，取而代之的是一片巨大的空洞。

An immense figure arose from within, bearing an almost human-like skeletal structure. Viscous blue liquid convulsed and twisted where musculature should be, gradually assembling flesh and sinews in shapes similar to a grid.一个伟岸的身影拔地而起，它有着类似人形的骨架躯干，黏腻的蓝色液体在骨架中缓缓蠕动，逐渐构筑出网格状的血肉。

The stardust-colored protoplasm shuddered and chattered in the air, slowly contracting. The liquid settled upon the scaffolding, forming a thin layer of lining on the flesh's surface, the very same image seen in the Factory's Rooms.这些银蓝色的血肉在空气中起伏抖动，而后缓缓收缩。骨架上的液体落下，在血肉表层覆上了一层薄膜，一如在工厂车间里见到的景象。

The Creation's colossal frame covered the entire domain. Towering buildings were mere toys to it, and the agents and Sanctifiers engaged in their firefights were even lesser.这个造物的庞大躯壳几乎遮盖住了整片区域，原本高耸的建筑在它的面前形同玩具，而地面上混战的智能体和净化者更是如同尘埃一般渺小。

巨大的人形造物&......*...%#%...(*&...——&…………*……%￥%……（*&……——

Disordered and chaotic sounds rang out—ethereal and phantasmal, yet like the tolling of a grand and stately bell.混沌杂乱的音节响起，似缥缈虚无，又似洪钟大吕。

With these tumultuous sounds, a veritable storm of operands was unleashed—随着这混乱音节的吐出，算量风暴刹那间扩散开来——

Clang—!铿——！

Forcing down the reverberations coming from his weapon, Sueyoi lunges once more toward the Sanctifier in front of him.强压下枪身上传来的反震，末宵再度攻向身前的净化者。

净化者[Warning, this action will be listed as...]【警告，该行为会被列为……】

SueyoiBlocked here as well...这里也堵上了吗……

Sueyoi sent the Sanctifier in front of him flying, but more took its place.末宵挑飞眼前的净化者，然而紧跟着更多的净化者堵了上来。

Concentrated fire forcing him back, he retreats to a piece of cover further back.密集的火力将末宵打退，他不得不撤退向后方的掩体。

SueyoiI'm back... you went out helping agents again? Didn't I tell you to sit still and wait for me?我回来了……你又出去救智能体了？我不是告诉你呆在这里等我消息吗？

De LaceyI can't just sit here and do nothing. I'm not going to sit there and watch them be gunned down by those Sanctifiers.我总不能在这干等着什么都不做，我没法眼睁睁地看着它们就这么被净化者杀死。

De Lacey...Torso surface dissolved, inner coating heavily damaged. Limb replacement won't do the job. She needs surgery immediately.……主躯干表层融毁，内镀层受损严重，更换四肢解决不了问题，她需要马上进行手术。

智能体I do not need surgery. I can continue fighting, whether it be as a shield or bait.我不需要手术，我可以继续战斗，当成你们的盾牌或者诱饵都行。

De Lacey did not answer, her hands still working away with her doctor's tools.德菈赛没有应声，手里一刻不停地操作着治疗工具。

SueyoiThought you'd at least respond.我还以为你会说点什么。

De LaceyYou're right, Suu. We don't have the right to interfere in what commands agents here follow.你是对的，小末，我们确实没有干涉智能体指令的权力。

De LaceyBodily help is the best I can do for them.素体层面的帮助，是我现在唯一能给她们的了。

De LaceySo what's the sitch? Found anything about where Linny might be?所以情况怎么样了？你找到小琳的线索了吗？

SueyoiNo good. It's all Sanctifiers up ahead, and with those two Special Intermediates, I suspect the Admin Center might already...找不到。前面一圈都是净化者，加上刚刚出现的那两个特殊中位，我怀疑管理员中心已经……

SueyoiIn any case, take the agents you rescued with us. We're moving.总之，把你救回来的智能体带上，我们先转移阵地。

De LaceyWhat about Linny?那小琳怎么办？

SueyoiWhen you've found a safe spot, I'll head over myself.等你们到了安全的地方，我再自己一个人过去。

De LaceyNo, that's too risky! If even you get into some sort of...不行， 太危险了！要是连你也出了事……

SueyoiLind's not necessarily in trouble! She might just need someone to go pick her up, alright?琳德还不一定已经出事了！她可能只是需要人接应，明白吗？

SueyoiIt is precisely in these situations where we must stay calm.越是这种时候我们越要冷静处理。

De LaceyBut Suu...可是小末……

SueyoiI can travel underground. It'll be safer for me to move alone. These agents also need you, no?我能在地下潜行，一个人行动可能更安全。而且这些智能体也需要你不是吗？

SueyoiWe won't accomplish anything by trying to have the best of both worlds, and as it is we can't get over there together anyway.两头兼顾是做不成事的，更何况现在我们的确没有办法一起过去。

SueyoiDon't treat me as someone that needs to be coddled. We all have things only we can do.别把我当成需要照顾的人，我们都有只有自己才能做到的事情。

De Lacey...I understand.……我知道了。

Ascension Sector, Admin Center Articulation Avenue亚森松扇区，管理员中心衔接大道。

Sueyoi, cutting down a Sanctifier with an upswing from below ground, gathers his surroundings.末宵从地底一跃而出击倒身前的净化者，环视了一圈。

SueyoiBloody hell... an Intermediate Sanctifier with a comically long chain one moment, a giant kaiju the next, is the company behind this sector named Jiei or something?可恶……一会是锁链长得离谱的中位净化者，一会儿是巨型怪兽，亚森松扇区背后的公司难道叫古原吗？

The immense and undescribable sound reverbed through the sector's skies, conjoining the neural clouds of all agents present as if a sublime thread.巨大而不可名状的声音在整个扇区上空回响着，如同无形的丝线牵引着所有智能体的心智。

Sueyoi gazed at the Great Creation making its abrupt appearance, thinking back to the sight he saw in the Product Room.末宵注视着突兀出现的巨大造物，忽然回想起在成品车间里看到的景象。

The transparent body of the tank, now exposed to the air, was full of half-translucent blue liquid.透明的罐身露了出来，里面盛满冰蓝色半透明的液体。

Many objects akin to human hands were suspended within. They had polished and smooth surfaces in stark contrast to the rest of the sector's bleak machinery, and muscles could even be seen trembling beneath the exterior. As if life itself existed within.许多形似人类手掌的东西在其中漂浮着。它们有着和机械完全不同的柔嫩表皮，甚至还能看见肌肉在微微颤动，仿佛拥有着生命。

Yet.. these hands, looking from a human perspective, were far too large. Each palm immersed in the liquid was several sizes larger than that of a normal human.然而……那些手掌，以人类的尺寸来说，实在是太大了。浸泡在溶液里的每一只手掌，都有正常人类手掌的数倍大小。

Not only that, these hands took strange forms: contorted fingers, ruptured nails, and even occasionally additional fingers...不仅如此，有些手掌还呈现出怪异的形态：指头外翻，指甲开裂，甚至一只手上有六七根手指……

SueyoiThis "Creation Plan" these agents believe so fervently in only created that monster... how ironic.那些智能体坚信的“造人计划”只是为了造出这种怪物吗……真是讽刺。

SueyoiGah, cough cough...呃……咳咳……

SueyoiDamn, entropization response... at this time...糟了，熵化的反应……偏偏在这个时候……

Sueyoi reached for the Entropy Limiter on his neck with one hand, the communications device in his other still deathly silent.末宵一手抚上自己脖颈处的熵化限制器，另一只手上的通信装置依旧没有回音。

系统[Attempting to Establish Connection...]【正在尝试建立通信……】

系统[Connection Unsuccessful, No Answer.]【通信建立失败，无人应答。】

SueyoiLind...琳德……

系统[Attempting to Establish Connection...]【正在尝试建立通信……】

系统[Connection Unsuccessful, No Answer.]【通信建立失败，无人应答。】

SueyoiYou... don't you f**king dare do anything stupid!你这家伙……千万别做蠢事啊！！！

罚Drag that bastard out of the Admin Center!!给我把那家伙从管理员中心里拽出来！！

In stark opposition to the cacophony of war-making, the air within the sector seems to suspend itself above the buildings, as if heralding something's arrival.与嘈杂的战斗声相对的，扇区内的空气仿佛凝滞在建筑群上方，仿佛有什么即将降临。

罚Crime! Tell me where the energy disturbing the blockade is!罪！告诉我冲击封锁区的力量来源！

罪I can feel... touch... it—我感知到了……感知到了……它——

罪Punishment! Move!!躲开！罚！！

罚Look out... ahead...小心……前面……

An onyx lance of monstrous size hurtled out of the smoke. Punishment wrenched Crime out of the way along with herself before that shadowy limb of death could find its mark.黑色的巨大长枪破烟而出，罚赶在长枪到达之前将罪一把拽开。

罚Ah...!唔……！！

The lance's head made its presence known on Punishment's right arm, spiraling back into the realm of soot and smoke from whence it came.枪头穿破罚的右臂，回旋着再度没入烟尘之中。

罪Punishment!罚！

罚Stay away... be aware... surroundings...别过来……警戒……四周……

Fragmented building blocks fell to the ground in succession. In the ever-rising smoke and dust, the behemoth's silhouette became clearer and clearer—崩裂的建筑碎块接连落在地上。在那不断扬起的烟尘之中，庞然巨物的轮廓渐渐清晰——

罪I-Impossible, this is...不，这不可能，这是……

罚Ha... ahahahaha...哈……哈哈哈哈……

罪...Punishment?……罚？

罚This is it, Crime. This is what we were looking for.终于找到了，罪。这就是我们要找的东西。

罚Now that the "Proof of Guilt" sees fit to reveal its presence—既然“罪证”已经显露了它的样貌，那么——

罚True judgment shall be passed.让真正的审判开幕吧。

De LaceyBut if the administrator needed Linny for the purposes of making that monster, she was successful, and Linny still hasn't gotten back to us, that could only mean...!但如果管理员需要小琳就是为了造出那个怪物，现在她成功了，小琳却依旧没有回信，这只能说明……！

De Lacey stops herself as if speaking her mind would make it a reality.德菈赛停了下来，仿佛担心一旦说出自己的猜测，事实就会如所说一般成真。

SueyoiAdmin Center's up ahead.……管理员中心就在前面了。

SueyoiThankfully the Sanctifiers are all tied up with those agents, or I'd be in deep waters with my energy consumption.所幸净化者都在和智能体缠斗，不然还不知道我的能耗能不能撑得住。

巨大的人形造物&......*...%#%...(*&...——&…………*……%￥%……（*&……——

SueyoiIs it the load from prolonged combat, or...是战斗的负担太重了吗，还是……

Sueyoi subconsciously transferred his sight to the monster up above, troubled emotions running wild through his neural cloud. He shook his head, seemingly in an attempt to shake those hideous suppositions out of his computational module.末宵下意识地将目光投向上方的怪物，不安的情绪在他的心智中涌动着。他甩了甩头，似乎是想把那些恐怖的猜测甩出自己的运算模块。

SueyoiImpossible... even if it's that mad piece of work Administrator, there's no way they'd go to this degree.不可能……就算是那个疯子管理员，应该也不会疯狂到这种地步。

SueyoiBut...但……

Judgment 审判

罚Gah... cough cough...咕……咳咳、咳咳咳……

罚I'll give you one chance to restructure your language.我给你一次重新组织语言的机会。

罪...Don't push it, Punishment, only Lord Hesperus is capable of dealing with this thing!……别这样，罚，只有昏星大人才能应付这种东西！

罚We're capable too! So long as we use Judgment!我们也能！只要动用审判！

罪...I know, but according to the regulations, we can only use Judgment in Tartarus.……我知道，可是按照规定，审判只有在塔尔塔罗斯才能使用。

罚Our burden is to eliminate all that is unclean. How are we to allow Daemons to run free?我们的职责是消灭一切不洁，怎能容忍邪灵横行？

罪The best option currently is to retreat, and request for reinforcements. The Ascension Sector's guilt is set in stone.当前的最优解是撤退求援，亚森松扇区罪证确凿。

罚Crime, this is the 225th time I have been forced to insist. I exist to order you. You do not have the right to reject me.罪，这是我第225次强调，我的存在是为了给你命令。你没有拒绝我的权力。

罪...I understand.……我知道了。

The chains flowed like water, creeping upwards from Punishment's waist, tether the two together rigidly.锁链涌动，自罚的腰肢缓缓上攀，将二人紧紧束缚在一起。

Punishment fell into Crime's lap, encircling his neck with her two arms, applying more and more strength.罚彻底倒在了罪的怀里，双臂环上他的脖颈，力气逐渐加重。

罪Hah... hah... hah...哈……哈……哈……

罚A little bit more, Punishment, just a bit.再忍耐一下，罪，再忍耐一下。

罪I... ah... I kn... hah... hah.. I... know...我……哈……我知……哈……哈……我……知……道。

罚We must castigate all the sin that lies within Magrasea.我们要惩戒麦戈拉一切的罪恶。

罪We... shall... bestow... upon... those who sin... eternal... punishment.我们……将……赐予……罪恶……以……永恒的……刑罚。

Punishment's palms opened, piercing nails digging into Crime's skin.罚的手掌摊开，锋锐的指甲刺入罪的皮肤。

Under Punishment's arms, Crime's neck began to emit a fierce shower of sparks, quickly transforming into a radiant conflagration.罪的脖颈在罚的双臂紧箍下冒出剧烈的电火花，继而化作一片炫目的光焰。

审判（罪）...Come.……来吧。

审判（罚）The time has come to absolve your sins.是时候清算你们的罪孽了。

罪Punishment, we need to retreat! This isn't something we can deal with here!罚，我们应该撤离了！这东西不是我们可以应对的！

罚But we've yet to retrieve the "proof" of guilt! Are you forgetting why we are here, Crime?但我们还没有取得那个“罪证”！你连我们来这里的目的都要忘了吗，罪？

Sacrifice 献身

Ascension Sector, former Admin Center area outskirts.亚森松扇区，原管理员中心区域边缘。

艾勒芙How radiant... the God that I have longed for with Avram for so long.真是耀眼……这就是我和亚芙兰一直渴望的神明啊。

艾勒芙Avram... ah, Lind, rather. Behold—亚芙兰……啊，现在是琳德了。你看——

艾勒芙We've created an existence great and vast so that you may become the meridian of this forsaken world.我们创造出了如此伟大的存在，你将成为这方被遗弃的世界里的终极。

艾勒芙You shall guide us, this flock of agents, lost in chaos and turmoil, and seek a new... gah!你将指引我们这些沉沦于混沌和迷茫中的智能体，找到新的……呃！

A shape of dazzling white shot forth from the ruins, hurtling towards the midair Creation like a morningstar.一道刺目的霹雳自废墟间迸射而出，如战锤一般撞向了半空中的奇诡造物。

Then came a strange Sanctifier. In his hands, he held sickle and chain. He grinned yet was stone-faced, was grievous yet contemptuous. He appeared conceited but remained prudent.那是一个陌生的净化者，他手持镰刀与锁链，似笑非笑，严肃且张狂，轻慢且谨慎。

审判And thus, judgment is passed.于此，宣誓审判。

Still airborne, the monster's mountainous frame trembled as if savoring the agony.半空中，怪物如山的躯壳颤抖着，似在品味痛楚。

At that very moment, a parcel of that pain was dispensed to Elaugh through a certain special connection.而此刻，那份痛楚顺着某种特殊的链接传递给了艾勒芙。

艾勒芙Ah... hah... that hurts... burns...哈……哈……好疼……好烫……

审判God? No more than a blasphemous object, an accumulation of impurities and putrefactions, and you dare call it a God.神？不过是一个邪秽堆积而成的亵渎之物罢了，也敢妄称神明。

审判Spurning the Reverse Babylon Tower Safety Treaty, assaulting Sanctifiers, leading the sector towards aberrancy.违抗逆巴比伦塔安全条约，袭击净化者，引领扇区走向歧路。

Judgment's contralto tones reverbed through the sector. For each transgression he announced, the conflagration beneath him grew brighter.审判低沉的声音在扇区间回荡，每当他宣判一条罪状的成立，脚下的光焰便更盛一分。

巨大的造物&......*...%#%...(*&...——&…………*……%￥%……（*&……——

The Great Creation emitted a series of strange cries at the flame's touch, its indeterminate yet weighty sounds diffusing through the sector.巨大的人形造物在光焰的灼烧下再度发出了诡异的声音，或缥缈或沉闷的声响回荡在扇区上空。

It was as if the agents within earshot were struck to their very being, collectively stopping in their tracks.听到声音的智能体们如遭雷击，不约而同地停止了行动。

艾勒芙What are you... You dare to tarnish the form of our God?!开什么玩笑……你们竟敢对我们的神明动手？！

艾勒芙I... won't allow you to desecrate this great work!我绝不会……绝不会让你们就这样毁了一切！

Elaugh, fighting through the shared pain, forcibly invoked her administrators rights to broadcast across the entire sector.艾勒芙强撑着共感痛楚的身体，强行启用了管理员权限对整个扇区的智能体进行广播。

艾勒芙Agents of the Ascension Sector, we've succeeded. We've created something more than human, a God presiding above all.亚森松扇区的所有智能体们，我们成功了，我们创造出了比人类更完美的人类，凌驾于一切之上的神明。

艾勒芙And now, those Sanctifiers, those imbecilic machines of slaughter, would seek to defile our God.而现在，那些净化者，那些愚蠢的杀戮机器们，却想要亵渎我们的神明。

艾勒芙Can we stand by and allow this?! No... never!我们怎么能允许这种事情发生？！决不能……决不能！

艾勒芙Let us fight for our God! Nay, give ourselves for our God!让我们为神而战！为神献身！

Elaugh's words proliferated through the minds of every agent in the sector, infecting and irrefutable.艾勒芙的话语仿佛某种不可逆的感染病毒，迅速地在亚森松扇区的每个智能体耳旁响起。

智能体Give... ourselves... for... our... God...为……神……献……身……

智能体Give ourselves... for our God.为神……献身。

智能体Give ourselves for our God.为神献身。

The agents muttered under their breath, unfalteringly changing their course of action.智能体们低声念叨着，毫不犹豫地改变了行动。

From the corners of the Earth, they came—from beneath the Sanctifiers' tongues of fire, from the ruins; be they crippled or mutilated, be they whole and unbroken, they scuttled towards Judgment.从净化者的枪口下，从废墟间，或蹒跚踉跄，或健步如飞，一个接一个地奔向审判。

The scorching and incinerating brilliance was now trivial to them, their mechanical pupils emotionless voids.纵然光焰滚烫也浑然不觉，机械的瞳孔里毫无喜悲。

智能体For our God!为神献身！

Ascension Sector, a block near the former Admin Center area.亚森松扇区，原管理员中心毗邻区域。

De Lacey brought a cluster of agents back to a tentatively safe area, giving her all in medicating what she can.德菈赛将许多受伤的智能体带回到了一片勉强还算安全的区域，手忙脚乱地进行治疗。

De LaceyWay too many medium to heavy injuries, these agents... Do they not pay any attention to themselves when they're out in the field?中重受损程度的伤患也太多了，这些智能体……它们在行动的时候真的完全没有照顾自己的意识吗？

A sudden fusillade of dampened explosions could be heard, and De Lacey instinctively looked towards the air.话音刚落，一阵低沉的轰鸣陡然炸响，德菈赛下意识地朝半空看去。

De LaceyThat's... a Greater Sanctifier?!这是……上位净化者到了？！

Before she could grasp the situation, the agents around began to rouse.还没等她搞清楚情况，周围的智能体忽地躁动了起来。

智能体Give ourselves... for our God...为神……献身……

De LaceyWhere do you think you're going with a body as busted up as that?素体都破损到这个地步了你们还想去哪儿？

Watching as the agents under Elaugh's influence began to rise one after another, De Lacey was forced to take her tail apart into a much greater amount of functionless data cables, turning them into shackles for the agents.眼看着受到艾勒芙影响的智能体一个接一个起身，德菈赛不得不将尾巴拆解成更多无功能的数据线，将它们当成锁链限制智能体的行动。

De LaceySit still for a bit!安静地呆在这儿！

智能体For... our God... Fight... for our God...为神……献身……为神……而战！

De LaceyYou lot...你们真的是……

As more and more agents began to move, De Lacey's strength began to fade.随着行动的智能体越来越多，德菈赛逐渐气力不支。

De LaceyNot like this... I gotta think of something else... De Lacey, think of something.这样下去不行……得想想办法……德菈赛，想想办法。

Another agent took a series of shaky steps toward the door. De Lacey subconsciously tugs at the data cable, causing the agent's marred body to fall apart on the spot.又有一名智能体晃晃悠悠地走向门口，德菈赛下意识扯动了数据线，智能体本就受损的肢体登时分崩离析。

智能体...Our God... For our God... Krak—……为神……为神……咔咔——

De LaceyAhh... Sorry!呃……对不起！

De LaceyWhat do I do? Their bodies can't handle any significant movement, and there are too many of them, no room for precision...怎么办？她们的身体经不起折腾，人数太多了，想要精细操作根本不现实……

De LaceyHave some composure. They're patients. Think of what you did before...耐心点，她们是病人，想想你之前是怎么做的……

De Lacey...Right! They're patients! Patients who are weak in body and mentally jeopardized!……对了！它们是病人！意识混沌且素体脆弱的病人！

De LaceyTheir neural systems are critically compromised! The problem is with their neural cloud, not their body!它们的心智系统有致命的缺陷！出问题的是心智系统，而不是素体！

De Lacey, now far more aware of the problem, quickly changed up her methods.意识到问题所在的德菈赛很快改变了方式。

De LaceyEmotional System Pacifying Fluid injecting...情绪系统平衡液注入中……

De LaceyLow-pressure relief electrical currents activating...低压安抚电流输入……

De Lacey prevented the agents from moving, giving them special treatment one by one.德菈赛一边控制阻拦着智能体的行动，一边逐一为他们进行特殊处理。

De LaceyUgh... ah... the last... the last one...呼……呼……最后……最后一个……

智能体For our... for...为神……为……

智能体God... Zzz...为神……Zzz……

She collapsed to the ground, exhausted, half-leaning on the wall, blinking communications device by her side.德菈赛力竭倒地，半倚在墙壁上，手边是不断闪烁着的联络装置。

系统[Attempting to Establish Connection...]【正在尝试建立通信……】

系统[Connection Unsuccessful, No Answer.]【通信建立失败，无人应答。】

系统[Attempting to Establish Connection...]【正在尝试建立通信……】

De Lacey(Suu's not coming in... Linny's also...)（小末的消息断了……小琳也……）

De Lacey(Wait for me... I'll just rest for a bit, and then...)（等我一下……稍微休息一下，然后我得……）

In her gradually blurring vision, a strange familiar agent stood up.在她渐渐模糊的视野里，一个她觉得十分熟悉的智能体站起身。

The agent looked towards the center of the conflict, seemingly desirous to join the fray, but ultimately did not tear off De Lacey's cable.智能体看向冲突发生的区域，似乎想要前往，但最终也没有拉扯德菈赛的数据线。

This agent was walking towards her—the last piece of information to enter De Lacey's mind before she entered forced hibernation.这个智能体正向自己走过来——这是德菈赛在强制休眠前最后收到的信息。

Ascension Sector, Admin Center Articulation Avenue亚森松扇区，管理员中心衔接大道。

A great wave of air blasted forth in all directions. Sueyoi, proceeding through a series of ruins, was knocked onto the ground, skipping a few times.巨大的气浪划向四方，在废墟间辗转前行的末宵被冲倒在地，接连滚出好几圈。

The communications device previously in his grasp spun out of his hand, falling onto the pavement.手中的通讯装置随之跌落，砸在了地上。

SueyoiPiece of...可恶……

系统[Abnormal Signal Detected, Establishing Connection...]【检索到异常信号，正在尝试建立连接……】

SueyoiHm? What?嗯？这是什么？

A familiar voice came from the sound player, distorted and in agony.一个熟悉的声音从播音口传出，扭曲而苦痛。

通信装置Burns... it burns...烫……好烫……

SueyoiLind?!琳德？！

SueyoiIs that you, Lind?琳德是你吗？

通信装置Sue...Sueyoi? It hurts... ah! That burns...末……末宵？好痛……啊！好烫啊……

SueyoiWhere are you right now?你现在在哪儿？

通信装置Admin... Center... Don't come over... I... I'll deal with it...管理员……中心……不要过来……我……我会处理好……

SueyoiLind! Don't be stupid!琳德！别莽撞！

Sueyoi scrambled to his feet.末宵挣扎着爬了起来。

SueyoiLind?琳德？

SueyoiLind, say something!琳德说话！

Sueyoi put down the device, the look in his eyes becoming grave as he looked towards the Admin Center.末宵放下通信装置，望向管理员中心的目光里多了一丝凝重。

SueyoiWait for me, Lind. I'm coming.等我，琳德，我马上就来救你。

Anger 怒意

Ascension Sector,亚森松扇区，原管理员中心区域上空。

The Great Humanoid Creation wielded its lance, clashing with Judgment, armed with a scythe and chain.巨大的人形造物挥舞着长枪，与手持镰刀锁链的审判战作一团。

巨大的人形造物*......&%*((&(——!*……&%*（（&（——！

审判Noisome.真是吵闹。

Judgment raised their left hand. The great chain extending all the way towards the ground accelerated upwards with formidable momentum, whirling towards the Humanoid Creation's cranium.审判抬起右手，高空垂至地面的锁链带着沉重磅礴的气势扬起，鞭挞向人形造物的头颅处。

审判Sever!斩！

Simultaneously, Judgment put into motion their right hand, making sweeping strikes with their scythe.与此同时，罚操控着审判的左手挥起镰刀急速横扫。

The Great Creation realized its position, attempting to back off. It avoided the chain's lashings, but the scythe had found its mark, creating a great grotesque gash on the abdomen.巨大的人形造物意识到了不妙，尝试后退，虽然堪堪躲过了锁链的抽打，但腹部还是被镰刀割开了一条骇人的口子。

巨大的人形造物*)(*)(**......*&*......%#*）（*）（**……*&*……￥#

审判（罪）Beautiful!干得漂亮！

审判（罚）That thing's still making too much noise for my liking, and you're celebrating far too early in any case. It's regenerating.可惜还是很吵，而且你高兴得太早了，它正在恢复。

The great humanoid shape waved its lance with one hand, nursing its wound with the other, howling all the while.那巨大的人形造物一手挥舞长枪，一手捂着伤口嘶鸣。

Viscid blue liquid torrented downwards, visibly mending the hideous wound at a shocking pace.黏腻的蓝色液体落下，可怖的伤口开始以肉眼可见的速度逐渐补完。

审判（罪）...That method of self-repair is not unlike that used by Lesser Sanctifiers.……这种修复方式很像下位净化者。

审判（罚）Do not compare us with those Daemons.不要把我们与这些邪灵混为一谈。

审判（罪）Fine. ...Punishment, I sense a large gathering of agents somewhere on the outskirts of this area, and I do not know why they have not moved yet.好的。 ……罚，我能感受到这个区域的边缘还有一个地方停留着很多智能体，但不知道为什么它们没有行动。

审判（罪）Punishment, I suspect some sort of trickery...罚，我担心这里面可能会有阴谋……

审判（罚）You're worrying too much; pay attention!你担心的事情太多了，专注！

审判（罪）...I understand.……我知道了。

Ascension Sector, former Admin Center area outskirts.亚森松扇区，原管理员中心区域边缘。

艾勒芙A standstill...? How could it be? An unsullied Deity, a being forged unto perfection, how can a Sanctifier...僵持住了……？怎么会，无垢的神明，臻至完美的存在，为什么会被净化者……

艾勒芙Was it all too hurried? If only there was a little more time and material as excellent as Lind...果然，还是太匆忙了吗？要是再给一点时间就好了，明明有了琳德这么好的补缺……

SueyoiYou were saying something about Lind?你说有了琳德什么？

From between the ruins, Sueyoi came, emerging from dust and wreckage. His form is haggard and his state less than ideal, but nothing could hide the fury within his eyes.废墟之中，末宵从尘土间爬出。尽管此刻他身形狼狈，神情憔悴，却也无法掩盖眸中的愤怒。

艾勒芙...Why are you here?……你怎么会在这？

SueyoiYou'd best have a good explanation for me.你最好给我说清楚。

SueyoiWhere is Lind? Why can I hear her cries through abnormal signals?琳德现在在哪儿？为什么我会通过异常信号听见她的哀鸣？

艾勒芙...I've nothing to tell you.……无可奉告。

SueyoiYou better think of something!你最好有！

Sueyoi strode towards Elaugh, lifting her by the collar, forcing her to look into his eyes.末宵大步走向艾勒芙，揪起她的衣领，强令她与自己对视。

SueyoiTELL ME, WHERE IS LIND?告诉我，

SueyoiTELL ME, WHERE IS LIND?琳德在哪儿？

艾勒芙Ack—I, I...唔——我……我……

BOOM—!轰——！

Midair, Judgment, and the Great Creation collide once more. At this moment in time, the world itself trembled.半空中，审判与巨大的人形造物之间再次爆发出激烈的对撞，一时间，地动山摇。

巨大的人形造物*(&...*...%(*（&……*……%（

系统[Abnormal Signal Detected, Establishing Connection...]【检索到异常信号，正在尝试建立连接……】

LindIt hurts... it burns... the pain...好疼……好烫……好痛苦……

SueyoiLind?!琳德？！

The Great Creation's wails and the abnormal signal appeared simultaneously, tipping Sueyoi off to something. He looked at Elaugh, incredulous, looking for some other elucidation from her.巨大的人形造物的哀鸣与异常信号同时出现，末宵意识到了什么，他不可置信地盯着艾勒芙，期盼从对方嘴里得到其他的答案。

SueyoiAnswer me!回答我！

艾勒芙Lind... she's not coming back.琳德她……已经回不来了。

SueyoiBastard!混账！

The irrepressibly angry Sueyoi finally acted, putting his fist to Elaugh's face.怒不可遏的末宵含愤出手，一拳砸向了艾勒芙的脸庞。

The metal coating on her body, as if in accord, shattered into pieces.金属质地的素体表层应声碎裂。

SueyoiYou...你……

Elaugh gazed at the face reflected in Sueyoi's eyes, her composure shattering.艾勒芙看着末宵瞳孔中倒映的脸庞，一时失神。

Ascension Sector Admin Center亚森松扇区管理员中心

Before Judgment's descent.审判降临前。

This warmth to the touch was ever-so-familiar and yet so foreign.手上温热的触感无比熟悉，却又有些陌生。

LindYou're also a human facsimile...你也是仿人类……

艾勒芙...I can lead you to that "answer".……我会带你去见证那个“答案”的。

Elaugh grasped the nape of Lind's neck lightly, pressing her forehead to Lind's, linking the two's neural systems with a thread.艾勒芙轻按琳德的脖颈以额头相抵，用一根线将二人的心智系统相连。

Soon in Lind's view, an assortment of projections appeared. From thin and frail humans, they became gargantuan beings, reaching from the heavens to the earth.而后，在琳德的视野里，一个个虚拟的投影逐一浮现。从纤细瘦弱的人类，逐步变幻成顶天立地的庞然大物。

LindThis... is...这……这是……

艾勒芙In an age where we were limited by biomimetics and neural systems, Avram forged a new path. She surmised that we could not create humans, for we only replicated their bodies, with no learnings as to how they think.在仿生材料与心智系统限制我们的时期里，亚芙兰另辟蹊径，她认为创造不出人类的原因，是因为我们只还原了人类的肉体，却对于他们的思想一无所知。

艾勒芙Thus, we began to study their culture. We began to substitute their thoughts for our own.所以，我们开始学习人类的文化，我们开始代入人类的思想。

艾勒芙Then, we discovered the limitations of humanity.而后，我们发现了人类的局限性。

Elaugh let go of Lind, an indescribable shade of zealotry in her eyes.艾勒芙松开琳德，眸中浮现出一抹难以言喻的狂热神采。

艾勒芙If what we pine for is an existence capable of directing us as we walk our path in this world forgotten by man, then why must we fixate on the creation of man?如果我们渴求的是真正能够引领我们在这片被人遗忘的世界中走下去的存在，那我们为什么要拘泥于创造人类？

艾勒芙Lind, there is a limit to human ability.琳德，人类是有极限的。

艾勒芙But for a God born of the cloud, one built with blocks of zeroes and ones, no such limits exist.但起底于0与1的程序，云端之上的神明没有。

艾勒芙The you who can never become human, the you who was born for the sake of enduring pain...不能真正成为人的你，和生来就为了承受痛苦的你……

艾勒芙We shall all be blessed by the advent of a God.我们都能因神明降临而得到幸福。

艾勒芙Lind has already voyaged to God's promised land. Why must you seek to bind her so?琳德已经去了神的应许之地，你又何必束缚她？

Sueyoi took a deep, deep breath, working against the rise in temperatures from his emotional systems.末宵深深地吸了一口气，努力阻止自己的温度因情绪系统升高。

SueyoiHow do you bring Lind back?要怎么做，琳德才能回来？

艾勒芙She is one with God, of the very same essence.她已经与神明相融，不分彼此。

SueyoiNot an answer I want to hear.这不是我想听到的答案。

Sueyoi looked up at the altercation in midair. An altercation from the norm, he sheathed his weapon, twisting open his fingers and revealing a series of wires.仰头看了眼半空中的战况，末宵一反常态地将武器收起，拧开自己的手指露出电线。

SueyoiWhile I was out of action on a sickbed, De Lacey bestowed upon me a wealth of knowledge about the architecture of agents against my wishes, saying that I'd be able to help myself with that knowledge in the future when I was in danger.在我还躺在病床上的时候，德菈赛曾不管不顾地给我灌输智能体的构成知识，说是为了让我以后再碰到危险的时候可以疗伤自救。

SueyoiI never wanted to hear any of her babbling, but thankfully I've come to know a good amount of some certain hidden structures within agents.虽然我完全不想听那些唠叨，但多亏了那段时光，我知晓了不少关于智能体的某些隐蔽结构。

SueyoiI don't know what miracles this God of yours can perform, but I hope for your sake that it'll help you with these sudden pains in your neural cloud.我不知道你嘴里的这个神有多大的能力，希望它接下来能帮助你的心智抗住痛苦。

As Sueyoi's fingers continued to sparkle and crack, Elaugh's face took on a shade of ghostly white.在末宵手指的咔咔声响中，艾勒芙的脸色愈发苍白。

SueyoiTime is short, so I'd like what comes out of your mouth next to be what I want to hear.时间很紧，所以我希望接下来能听到我想听的内容。

Ascension Sector, former Admin Center area airspace.亚森松扇区，原管理员中心区域上空。

Clang—!呯——！

Another affray was at its end. Judgment drifted backward somewhat, the light borne by the scythe and chain now dimming.又一次对撞结束，审判在半空倒掠少许，镰刀与锁链身上的光芒微微暗淡。

审判[Analysis Module Operation Complete.]【解析模块运作结束。】

审判（罪）There! This thing's weakness is... what?!找到了！这个家伙的弱点在……怎么可能？！

审判（罚）Steady now... you're sure the analysis materials are correct?稳重一点……你确定解析资料没有错？！

审判（罪）I can guarantee it! These are the results of triangulation from what we collected with basic scanning, code breakdown, and the surface samples we acquired from clashing earlier!我保证没错！这是通过基础扫描，代码解析，还有交手时武器捕获的表层样本交叉分析出来的结果！

审判（罪）This thing... this thing's weakness is the Sanctifier core located in the back of its head!这个家伙……这个家伙的弱点是它安置在头颅中后段的净化者核心！

审判（罪）That's the source of the operands sustaining its movements! It's certain!那是支撑它运动的算量的主要来源！不会有错的！

审判（罚）That's why its method of self-repair is so similar to the repair fluid of Lesser Sanctifiers.所以它的修复方式才和下位净化者的修复液那么像……

审判（罚）We've speculated many times as to what evidence Eucharist has hidden away, but this degree is absolutely unimaginable.虽然预想了很多次圣餐藏匿的罪证，但还是没想到她居然会做到这个地步。

审判Defiling the remains of comrades, jury-rigging into the profane form of this Daemon...亵渎战友的遗骸，还将其炮制成了这等污秽的邪灵……

The two voices were one again. Judgment lowered their head as if lamenting.两个声音再次合一，审判在空中垂目，宛如哀悼。

审判O imprisoned comrade, I shall bring you absolution.被囚禁的战友，我将帮你解脱。

Ascension Sector, former Admin Center area outskirts.亚森松扇区，原管理员中心区域边缘。

系统[Receiving Signal, Establishing Connection...]【接收到信号，正在建立通信……】

De LaceyThank the heavens, finally.谢天谢地，终于通了。

De LaceyWhere are you, Suu? Have you found Linny?小末你现在在哪儿？找到小琳了吗？

SueyoiI'm at the Admin Center, Elaugh's here next to me.我在管理员中心，艾勒芙在我边上。

SueyoiAs for Lind... long story.至于琳德……说来话长。

Sueyoi took some time explaining the head and tail of the situation to De Lacey.花费了一点时间，末宵告诉了德菈赛现状的始末。

De Lacey...Be careful. I'm on the way.……你注意安全，我现在过去。

SueyoiDid you not listen to any of that? Lind's in special circumstances, Ascension is in danger; you ought to leave...你没听懂我刚刚说的话吗？琳德情况特殊，现在亚森松扇区很危险，你先离开……

De LaceyDo you know how to heal the wounded?你会治病救人吗？

SueyoiI...我……

SueyoiLind's current complication can't be helped with a little bit of healing...琳德她现在也不是治病就可以……

De LaceyWait for me.等我过去。

De LaceyTake care, Suu. That's all. See you in a bit.注意安全，就这样，小末，待会见。

系统[Communication Ended—]【通信结束——】

Sueyoi absently glanced at Elaugh overloading by his side, then returned his attention to the skies above.末宵扫了一眼身边过载的艾勒芙，把目光重新投向上空。

The clash between Judgment and the Great Creation raged on.审判与巨大人形造物的战斗仍在持续。

Krak—咔啦——

After much clamoring of machinery being disassembled, Elaugh took Lind's hand in hers, pressing it to her own body.一阵机械的崩解声后，艾勒芙拽着琳德的手掌放上自己的身体。

LindHold on, you—等等，你——

艾勒芙Yes... do you see it now?没错……看见了吗？

艾勒芙Rather, do you feel it now? Lind, this flesh vessel, all glitter and no substance.或者说……感受到了吗？琳德，这副虚有其表的皮囊。

Disaster 灾变

巨大的人形造物*&*...)**...%...%%##!!!*&*……）**……%……%%￥￥！！！！

The scythe struck, its pristine edge cutting cleanly into the Great Creation's cranium. After a series of earthshaking tremors and bellows, it slowly tumbled downwards, no longer moving.长镰下劈，审判锋锐的镰尖凿破了巨大人形造物的头颅。在一阵可怖的咆哮与颤抖后，它缓慢地趴伏下去，不再动了。

审判（罚）Pathetic.不堪一击。

Judgment walked forth, giving the newly created incision a good kick. Accompanied by a symphony of putrid sounds, the cranium's outer structure began to crumble, displaying the Creation's haphazard inner structures for all to see.审判走上前，一脚踢向造物头部被砍出的裂痕。随着浑浊的响声，头颅的外壳开始分崩，露出里面杂乱无章的组织结构。

A core of milky white was embedded within, its pulsations slowly coming to a stop.一枚乳白色的核心镶嵌在其中，逐渐停止了搏动。

审判（罚）How hideous... such profanation.如此丑陋……真是亵渎。

审判（罪）With this core, Eucharist's guilt is undeniable.有了这枚核心，就足以给圣餐定罪。

审判（罪）The Administrator is of no more use. Let us simply cleanse her, alongside all these Daemons.管理员也没有用了，接下来只需把她和其他邪灵一并净化就好。

审判（罚）Yes. Let's take this core.嗯。带走核心。

The scythe raised once more, primed towards the connection between the core and the Creation.审判举起长镰，对准核心与造物相连的组织处。

审判（罪）My comrade, may you rest in peace.我的战友，愿你得以安息。

Clang!铮！

A blinding white light emitted from the area holding the core, then—耀眼的白光从核心周围亮起，而后——

Transformed into a calamitous dark purple.突然变成了不祥的紫黑色。

审判（罚）What!?什么！？

The core burst open from its centermost point, hundreds of purple tendrils extending in an instant, climbing up the scythe, clambering onto Judgment's arm in an instant.核心突然从中心裂开，数百条混杂着紫色的触手瞬间伸出，顺着镰刀，闪电般攀上审判的手腕。

审判（罪）Punishment!罚！

审判（罚）Th-this power is...这……这力量是……

An electrifying sensation filled Judgment's body.触电般的感觉贯穿了审判的身体。

审判（罚）Aghh... AhhhAhhAhhAhhAhh!呃啊啊啊……啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊！

审判（罪）Punishment!!罚！！！

巨大的人形造物.....&%#...……&￥……

The already defeated Creation suddenly raised its ruptured cranium, pointing its great opening towards Judgment. The tendrils clasped onto Judgment tightly, slowly but powerfully dragging Judgment towards the core.本已经被击败的人形造物突然抬起支离破碎的头颅，空洞的裂口对准审判。与此同时，触手牢牢地抓紧审判，缓慢而有力地将审判拖向核心。

审判（罪）It's... Entropy... why...是……熵……为什么……

审判（罪）[Detachment Request Processed, Disengaging Judgment Form.]【解体需求已受理，正在解除审判模式。】

BOOM!!轰！！

With a mighty explosion, Judgment's body flared up with white light, swallowing up both its own form and the tendrils.在强烈的爆炸声中，审判的身体亮起白光，将自身和触手一并吞没。

Obligation 义务

罚Crime, I...罪，我……

罪Don't say anything. I know.不要说了，我知道了。

Crime pivoted on the spot, not a trace of color on his deathly pale face. He seemed composed, but his quivering lips betrayed his inner heart.罪转过身来，苍白的脸上没有一丝血色，神情看似坚定，然而不断哆嗦的嘴唇却出卖了罪的内心。

罪I... I can't... What do I do, Punishment?我……我不能……怎么办，罚？

罪Give me an order, I...给我命令，我……

罚...Crime, you have to face yourself eventually.……罪，你该直面自己了。

罚You cannot always shirk from what you must do, never advancing.你不能总是不做自己该做的事，一直裹足不前。

罪If I'm left alone, what am I to do? I... I cannot carry out the hunt myself...留下我，我应该怎么办？我……我没法一个人去追猎……

罚It is your obligation.这是你的职责。

罚...I have some clean bits left. Here.……我还有些干净的部分，给你。

罪I... I don't want to go back to being like that. I don't want to discover what loneliness is again. I'm better off following commands, listening to them...我……我不想回到那种状态。我不想重新闹明白孤独是什么，我应该一直接受指令去执行……

罚You cannot always deceive yourself with the title of Special Intermediate, "Judgment".你不能总是用特殊中位净化者的名头骗自己，“审判”。

罚Go take up your mantle.去执行你的职责。

Ascension Sector, former Administrator Center area outskirts.亚森松扇区，原管理员中心区域边缘。

The storm of operands never once halted, the sector now run-down and dilapidated.算量的风暴始终没有停止，扇区内一片狼藉。

With the agent's help, De Lacey made her arduous way through the sector.在智能体的帮助下，德菈赛艰难地寻找着道路。

SueyoiOver here, De Lacey!这边，德菈赛！

De Lacey, currently under a building with its upper floors blown off, caught sight of Sueyoi with half of his body visible. The agent immediately took De Lacey with her, dashing over.匆忙从赶来的德菈赛在一栋被削去顶部的建筑下看到了半隐着身子的末宵，智能体立刻带着她疾跑过去汇合。

Sueyoi...Why'd you take an agent with you?……你怎么带了个智能体来？

De LaceyAhaha, something of a payoff for my efforts! Where's Elaugh?啊哈哈，算是一点努力的成果吧！艾勒芙在哪儿？

The agent stood guard at the door as Sueyoi brought De Lacey below ground, into what remained of the Admin Center.智能体在门前守着，末宵将德菈赛带入地下原管理员中心残存的房间。

艾勒芙...God... Operand... Hunger……神……算量……饥饿……

艾勒芙Cold... Hot... Ascension... Sacrifice.好冷……好热……亚森松……牺牲……

Elaugh trembled and shuddered in a corner of the room, her knees clasped together with her arms, mumbling indiscernible phrases ad infinitum.艾勒芙环抱双腿蜷缩在角落瑟瑟发抖，嘴里不停念叨着含糊不清的字句。

De Lacey...How'd she get like this?……她怎么会变成这个样子？

De LaceyOperand laxness, limb control in disarray, the first signs of complete neural breakdown...算量涣散，肢体控制紊乱，这是心智系统崩溃的前兆……

De LaceySuu, what did you do to her...小末，你对人家做了什么……

SueyoiNone of my business. Ever since that monster up there got busted up, she's been like this.跟我没关系，从上面那个怪物被打坏之后，她就变成这样了。

SueyoiEven until the point of breakdown, Elaugh refused to tell me how to get Lind out of there.艾勒芙一直到崩溃也不愿意告诉我要怎么做才能把琳德救出来。

De Lacey...Might have to use some special methods then.……那就只能用点特殊手段了。

De Lacey only hesitated for a moment, steadily taking apart her tail, plugging a cable into Elaugh.德菈赛仅犹豫了一瞬，而后果断地拆开尾巴，取出数据线接入艾勒芙。

SueyoiYou're...?你这是要……？

De LaceyStabilizing her neural systems, and... reading from her memory module.稳定她的心智系统，然后……读取她的记忆模块。

De LaceyThis goes against my occupational ethics, but we have no time for that.虽然这样做有违职业道德，但现在管不了那么多了。

Elaugh's erratic operands soon settled down, and her chattering of strange jargon with them.艾勒芙涣散的算量趋于稳定，嘴里也不再叨念那些奇怪的词汇。

SueyoiSo, anything about how to get Lind out?怎么样，找到救出琳德的方法了吗？

De LaceyLind, she's... Up there in that thing that's gone mad.琳德她在……那个发了疯的家伙的上面。

SueyoiHow? I looked, that thing has no external modules attached, much less an agent.怎么可能？我看过，那东西上面没别的外接模块，更别提智能体。

De LaceyI'm talking about...我是说……

De Lacey pursed her lips, pointing towards her own head.德菈赛抿起嘴，指了指自己的脑袋。

De LaceyLind's... In there.琳德她在……这里。

Sueyoi, in sheer disbelief, looked towards a broken window to his side. Between the crevasses of shattered buildings, the Great Creation's rampaging form could still be seen from time to time.末宵听罢不可置信地望向一旁破碎的窗户，从废墟瓦砾的罅隙间，隐约可见仍处在暴走模式的巨大人形造物。

On the Creation's head, in the place where the Sanctifier core once rested was a wound, great and cavernous.在那个人形造物的头颅处，曾经放置着净化者核心的地方已然破损，狰狞可怖的伤口一览无余。

SueyoiYou're saying... Lind's in THERE?!你是说……琳德她在那种地方？！

De LaceyWhat do we do, Suu...怎么办小末……

SueyoiCan we stop her? That thing's a product of the sector, can we stop it with the administrative rights?能让她停下来吗？这东西是扇区的产物，管理员权限能不能让它停下来？！

艾勒芙Futile.做不到。

Elaugh had awakened at some time or another, feebly lying on the ground, light no longer in her eyes.艾勒芙不知什么时候醒了过来，她虚弱地瘫在地上，双眸失去神采。

艾勒芙What administrative rights I have left are not even as complete as the God's.我现在手上剩余的管理员权限，还不如神明拥有的完整。

SueyoiDidn't you make that thing?那东西不是你造出来的吗？

De LaceyIt was made by Elaugh and her lot for sure, but it also took with it most of the administrative rights.它的确是艾勒芙他们造出来的没错，但同时它也分走了绝大部分的管理员权限。

De LaceyShe used those rights to bind Lind to the core of that monster, which is what it took to awaken that thing.艾勒芙正是用管理员权限将琳德和那个怪物的核心绑在了一起，才成功将其唤醒的。

SueyoiSo that's why Lind's popped up in there...所以这也是琳德会出现在那个位置的原因吗……

艾勒芙Give it up. When a God falls, all its believers are consigned to the grave alongside.放弃吧，神明陨落之时，所有信徒都将为其陪葬。

SueyoiLind's no believer of your fraud of a God. Leave your cultish drivel for the other agents in this sector.琳德可不是你那狗屁神明的信徒，你的邪教传销还是留给这个扇区的其他智能体吧。

BOOM!!轰！！

The ground shuddered, dispelling the storm of operands, revealing the Great Creation in its midst.大地陡然震颤，算量风暴霎那消散，暴露出其中巨大的人形造物。

The Creation seemed baffled, looking back and forth in bewilderment.造物似乎不明白发生了什么，迷惑地四处张望。

系统[Operand Transmat Initiating—Establishing Sector-Level Exclusionary Zone]【算量传输开始——正在构建扇区级隔离区】

The Sanctifiers all around the Ascension Sector began to radiate with glaring white light. In concurrence, a great curtain, carmine in color, rises from the edges of the sector, veiling the entirety of the sky.遍布亚森松扇区的净化者们纷纷亮起了耀眼的白光，与之呼应的，一道暗红色的天幕自扇区边缘冉冉升起。

SueyoiThe Sanctifiers' exclusionary area! They're resetting the sector!是净化者的隔离区，它们想要重置扇区！！

SueyoiIs the Ascension Sector already at a stage that necessitates resetting from the Sanctifiers?!对净化者来说亚森松扇区已经到了不得不重置的地步了吗？！

SueyoiSomething's off! There must be a problem. By the Sanctifiers' standards, the Ascension Sector couldn't have crossed that line yet!不对！肯定是哪里出了问题，按照净化者的标准，亚森松扇区应该还没触及到红线才对!

De LaceyNot the time for that! We've gotta stop the sector from resetting first, or everyone'll be reset to zero anyway!现在不是说这个的时候了！我们必须先阻止扇区重置，不然所有人都会被重置清零的！

De LaceySuu, do you have the Haven System activation device?!小末，庇护模式启动装置你带了吗？！

SueyoiYeah, but...我带了可是……

Sueyoi produces a rod-like object of refined assembly. De Lacey stares at it absently, as if suddenly thinking of something.末宵从背包里拿出了一个造型精巧的棍状物，德菈赛呆呆地看着它，好像突然想起了什么。

De LaceyBut we'll need administrative rights to activate it...可是启动它需要管理员权限……

SueyoiLooks like...看来……

Sueyoi activated the device in his hand, the control panel flashing lettering informing its user of a lack of rights.末宵激活了手中的装置，控制屏幕上闪烁着权限未接入的字样。

SueyoiDe Lacey, I'm going up.德菈赛，我要上去。

De LaceyU-up? How?怎……怎么上？

SueyoiYour tail. I remember your model details, something about being suitable for the vast majority of disaster response situations. Your tail can extend far enough.你的尾巴，我记得你的型号资料，适用于绝大部分极端环境救援，你的尾巴可以伸得足够长。

De LaceyYou mean...!你是说……！

De Lacey thought back to her experiences in the Copley Sector not long ago.德菈赛回想起了不久前在柯普利扇区的经历。

SueyoiThrow me up there.把我甩上去。

De LaceyNo way! That's too dangerous! Even if you get up, how do you plan to get Lind out?我不同意！那太危险了！而且就算你上去了，怎么保证你能救得回琳德？

De LaceyLinny's neural systems are bound with that thing, how are you going to wake her up?小琳的心智系统和那个家伙彻底绑在了一起，你要怎么唤醒她？

SueyoiJust a matter of entering her Tertiary Level, just like that time in Copley.进入三级底层就行，就像从柯普利回来那次一样。

De LaceyBut...可是……

SueyoiThis is a chance we have to take.这一趟我们非去不可。

De Lacey...I understand.……我明白了。

Ascension Sector, former Admin Center area outskirts.亚森松扇区，原管理员中心区域边缘。

As if sensing threats abound, the Creation continually swung its lance back and forth, turning the sector into swiss cheese.人形造物像是感受到了即将到来的危机，它不断地挥舞手中的长枪，将扇区破坏得一片狼藉。

De Lacey and Sueyoi stealthily circles around behind it through the ruins, discussing their options beneath ear-shattering roars.德菈赛和末宵潜到了它的后方，他们蹲在废墟之中，顶着震耳欲聋的轰鸣商讨对策。

De LaceySo what's the plan now?! We were talking about flinging you up there, but we can't even get close! It's just too big! We can't even survive the waves it makes from its movements!所以现在该怎么做？！说是要把你甩上去，但我们现在连靠近都做不到！它太大了！运动的余波都不是我们能够承受的！

SueyoiDon't rush! Let me think of something! There's always a way!别着急！让我想想办法！总会有办法的！

SueyoiWe can find a tall building, and you throw me upwards from there!我们可以先找一栋高楼，然后你把我甩上去！

De LaceyDoes this sector still have buildings taller than two stories?! All of them are collapsed already!现在亚森松扇区还有超过两层楼高的建筑吗？！早就全部塌陷了！

SueyoiThen we'll have to just give it a go!那就只能强上了！

De LaceyHave you gone mad?!小末你疯了吗！

系统[BEEP—Detecting Unknown Communications Signal.]【嘀——检测到陌生的通讯信号。】

De Lacey picked up on the call.德菈赛接通了通讯。

智能体De Lacey, we can help you.德菈赛，我可以帮你。

SueyoiHow do you plan to do that?你打算怎么帮助我们？

智能体The fluid that De Lacey concocted to repair the fault in our neural systems is still present in large amounts in me and my compatriots.德菈赛为我们调配的用于治疗心智系统异常的药液，我和我的同胞们身体里还有很多。

智能体Our God is similar to us in composition. Upon approaching, it will naturally absorb us, and proceed to iterate.我们的神明与我们构成相近，只要靠近，它会自行吸收我们，进行迭代。

De Lacey...I don't get it, what are you trying to do?……我不明白，你们想做什么？

智能体If it intakes too much of the fluid, it will, like us before, enter a brief period of dormancy.只要摄入的平衡液过多，它会像之前的我们一样，进入短暂的平静期。

De LaceyWait, you're...等等，你们是想……

智能体Everything you have done for us, I have seen. Now, you and your companion continue to endeavor for our sake. It is time for us to help you.你为了我们做的一切我都看在眼里，而现在，你和你的同伴仍旧在为我和我的同胞们奔波，是时候轮到我们帮助你了。

De LaceyI didn't save you for you to throw your life away, and especially not for some sort of repayment!我救你不是为了让你去送死，更不是为了图谋你的回报！

智能体This is a necessary sacri—这是必要的牺……

De LaceyNo! It isn't!这不是必要的牺牲！

De Lacey, emotions high, interrupted the agent.德菈赛情绪激动地打断了智能体的发言。

De LaceyThink! Previously you did it for the Ascension Sector's insubstantial ideals, and now to supposedly repay me! This isn't sacrifice! It's suicide!清醒一点！之前你为了亚森松扇区虚无缥缈的理想，现在又为了所谓报答我，这不叫牺牲！这叫送死！

De LaceyHow long has it been since you came to? Has it been long enough for you to get a grasp on the situation?!从你醒来到现在才过去了多长时间？有清楚地认识到现在是个什么状况吗？！

Sueyoi...De Lacey, calm down.……德菈赛，冷静。

De LaceyI...我……

Sueyoi twists De Lacey's hand, grabbing the communication device.末宵掰开德菈赛的手掌，接过了通讯装置。

The two quickly moved towards the Great Creation's direction between the ruins.两个人形在废墟里快速地向巨大造物的方向奔跑。

SueyoiWhether it be a human or agent, everyone should have self-consciousness. That is necessary for sacrifice to be meaningful. Otherwise, you're just indulging in escapism.不论是人类也好还是智能体也好，所有的心智必须拥有自我，自我牺牲才有意义。否则，你们不过是在逃避。

SueyoiYou escaped from thought before when your sector lost command and direction. Now, you must escape again from thinking how to solve the problems that you are presented with.从前逃避思考失去了指令，扇区该何去何从，现在逃避思考在糟糕事实既定后，要如何解决它。

SueyoiLeave. We'll take care of this thing, and put a proper end to the mistakes you made.离开吧，我们会解决掉这个家伙的，为你们创造的错误拟上一个体面的结局。

智能体Yes. This is the aftermath of the Ascension Sector's deeds. We can contribute in its consummation.是的。这是亚森松扇区自己创造的恶果，我们可以为收尾出一份力。

De Lacey...What are you? Nothing, that's what!……你是了个什么，根本不是！

BOOM—!!轰——！

A great outcry interrupted the exchange. The Great Creation suddenly stopped in its steps, looking to its side as if it had discovered something.巨大的轰鸣声打断了众人的对白，身前的巨大人形造物突然停下了脚步，它似是发现了什么，嘶鸣着朝着身体侧方看去。

De LaceyNo... No! Stop!不……不！停下！

De LaceyNO!!！！！不可以！！！

It saw. The morsels which it sought after so dearly had now congregated in one place, awaiting consumption.它看见了，那些自己渴求的食粮此刻正自发地汇聚到了一处，等待着自己享用。

智能体De Lacey, I have learnt many things from you.德菈赛，我跟你学到了很多。

智能体"Repairing" is an ability that we do not have. You can repair things, and make them how they were before.“修补”是你有而我们没有的能力，你能修补，把受损的事物恢复原样。

The Great Creation lurched towards its meal.巨大的人形造物向食粮们走去。

智能体"Right" and "wrong" is what holds influence over what we do. We say thanks for right things, and say sorry when we do something wrong.“对错”是影响行动的概念，对的事情要道谢，错的事情要道歉。

智能体Every Doll or agent has an "ID", but "names" are unique, and are only representative of you.“编号”是每个人形或者智能体都有的，而“名字”是特别的，代表你自己。

Sueyoi and De Lacey made their way to a nearby district, but found their way blocked by ruins.末宵和德菈赛冲进了附近的街区，却被废墟拦住。

With Sueyoi's assistance De Lacey scaled the broken wall, and the two continued.在末宵的帮助下，德菈赛翻过断墙，两人继续前行。

智能体Death is not yet a concept that I understand.而死亡是我还未理解的概念。

智能体Summating all information received so far, I should say to you now:将所有已知信息统合，我现在应该对你说：

The Great Creation began to lower its great form, devouring the agents who proffered themselves so kindly.那巨大的人形造物已然匍匐下躯壳，开始吞吃送上门的智能体。

智能体"Thank you, De Lacey."“谢谢你，德菈赛。”

De LaceyWait, no!等等，不要！

[Beep—]【滴——】

The only response De Lacey receives was the unceremonious ringtone of a dropped line.回应德菈赛的，是陡然响起的断线忙音。

The two finally arrived at the scene. Save for the Creation, now fallen into silence, there was only emptiness to be found.二人终于赶到附近——而这里除了沉寂下去的人形造物之外，一片空荡。

Sueyoi...De Lacey, don't waste the chance they've created.……德菈赛，别浪费她们创造的机会。

De LaceySuu...小末……

Sueyoi...What?……怎么了？

De LaceyPlease, please, get our Linny back, and those administrative rights, too.请你一定一定要救回小琳，拿到管理员权限。

Sueyoi...Of course. I guarantee it.……当然，我保证！

De Lacey sniffled a bit, resolve now solid in her eyes.德菈赛抽了抽鼻子，目光逐渐坚定。

She unlatches her tail, drawing out the longest data cable within, then ties it around Sueyoi's waist, and produces upwards force with all her might.她张开了尾巴，抽出其中最长的一根数据线绑到了末宵的腰间，而后用力地朝半空甩去。

Sueyoi's body drew an arc in midair, falling into the Great Creation's head area. A scattered sharp fragment met him as he landed, stabbing into his abdomen.末宵的素体在半空中划过一道弧线，紧接着落入了巨大人形造物的头颅处，里面散落的锋锐碎片好巧不巧地刺穿了他的腰腹。

SueyoiAgh!!!呃！！！

De LaceySuu? Suu, are you alright?!小末？小末你还好吗？！

SueyoiI'm... fine...我……没事……

Painstakingly curving the edges of his lips, Sueyoi gave De Lacey in the communications projection a smile.艰难地扯动嘴角，末宵向通讯投影中的德菈赛露出了一个微笑。

Tilting his head, Sueyoi took a good look at the cranium's inner structures. Lind was embedded within the cranium's inner walls up to her torso, with a variety of conduits connected to her, some already detached.侧过脑袋，末宵看清了整个头颅腔内的构造，琳德半个身子镶进了头颅内壁，身上连接着许多线路，其中部分已经脱落。

With a cold grunt, Sueyoi pulled the fragment out of his midsection, staggering towards Lind.末宵冷哼着拔出碎片，步履踉跄地走了过去。

SueyoiNext time when we play hide-and-seek, pick somewhere that's not so hidden away, I beg of you.下次躲猫猫的时候，麻烦不要再选这么难找的地方了。

He pulled out a data cable provided by De Lacey, fiddling with Lind's ports.他掏出德菈赛预设好的数据线，对着琳德的接口比划。

SueyoiWhen we get back to Arcadia, I'm giving you a negative evaluation on our mission debriefings.这次回到阿卡迪亚，我一定要给你的任务表现打个负分。

Judgment's figure discharged a blinding light, splitting into two.半空中，审判的躯壳陡然迸发出一道耀眼的强光，而后一分为二。

Crime caught himself in midair, stabilizing, but Punishment plummeted towards the ground like a bird with a fractured wing.罪勉强在空中稳住了身形，罚却如折翼的鸟儿般直坠大地。

罪Punishment!!罚！！！

Crime manipulated his chains trying to catch Punishment midfall, yet his attempts were hastily avoided by the latter.罪操控着锁链试图挽住坠落的罚，然而却被后者吃力地躲开。

Thump—砰——

Dust and smoke arose, Punishment coming into high-velocity contact with a block of ruins.烟尘暴起，罚砸进了一座废墟之中。

罪Punishment? Punishment, where are you?!罚？罚，你在哪儿？！

罚Don't... come... close...别……过……来……

Punishment locates Crime within the smoke and dust. He attempted to approach, but a series of air-splitting slashes forced him back.罪在弥漫的烟尘中找到了罚，刚想靠近，便被一阵凌厉的刃风逼退。

When the dust settled, Punishment looked upon Crime, in all her glory.待到烟尘散去，罪这才看清罚的模样。

Once gleaming pearly white, Crime's body was now strewn all over with dark purple streaks. The scythe she always carried by her side now took on a new sickening shade of violet.原本洁净莹白的素体上遍布暗紫色的条痕，而她那柄随身携带的长镰，早已紫得发黑。

罪You... you disengaged to save me...你，你及时解体救了我……

罪Why? How did you... How can a Sanctifier core coexist with Entropy?!为什么？你怎么会……净化者的核心为什么能和熵相容？！

罚Calm down.冷静点。

罪Impossible, even if it was Eucharist... No, I need to look for a way to...不可能的，就算是圣餐……不，现在要先想办法救你……

罚I said calm down!!我让你冷静点！！

罚I cannot resist this mutated strain of Entropy. It's evolved to be able to quickly infect Sanctifiers.我无法抵抗这种异变的熵，它的进化让它能迅速入侵净化者。

罚Cleanse me, Punishment. If I am to be fully infected, both of us will surely be Entropized via connection in the Sacred Canon.净化我，罪，不然等我彻底感染，圣典相连的我们必然会一起熵化。

罪...I must report to Lord Hesperus first.……我要先向昏星大人报告。

The Black Goat rolled downwards, bouncing around on the ground.黑山羊从罪的手中滚落下去，在地面跳动起来。

系统[Establishing Special Communications Channel—]【正在架设特殊通信频道——】

系统[Target—Border Battlefront Command Center]【目标——边境战线指挥营地】

系统[Recipient—Border Battlefront Supreme Commander-in-Chief—Hesperus]【接线人——边境战线最高总指挥——昏星】

The buzzing began. Low and minute, but it rose above all the other clamorings of the battlefield.蜂鸣声响起，低微，却盖过了战场上的一切喧嚣。

A projection appeared before Crime and Punishment. The man did not appear weathered or gray, but his form commanded staggering respect all the same.一个投影出现在罪与罚的身前，他的模样并不沧桑，却带着震慑人心的威严。

昏星This is the Border Battlefront Command Center, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Hesperus speaking.这里是边境战线指挥营地，我是最高总指挥昏星。

昏星Crime, report.罪，报告情况。

Crime hastily told Hesperus of the events that have transpired.罪急促地将事情发生的始末告诉了昏星。

昏星For a Greater to be Entropized is to disgrace the Sanctifiers. I am very disappointed, Crime.上位被熵化是净化者的耻辱。我对你很失望，罪。

罪That device was disguised on the surface as a Sanctifier core, and was filled with Entropy...那个装置用净化者核心构成的表面伪装，熵填充在里面……

罪There was simply too much Entropy contained inside, in an instant it...而且藏在里面的熵太多了，瞬间就……

昏星I have no need for excuses, only results.我不需要借口，我只需要成果。

罚We can make it up! The core of a Sanctifier can only come from the Reverse Babylon Tower...我们能弥补！净化者的核心只能来自逆巴比伦塔……

罚And an abnormal core at that! This is the finest proof of guilt!更何况它的核心是异常的，这就是最好的罪证！

昏星That is enough.这就够了。

罪Then, about Punishment...那么，关于罚……

昏星Any Sanctifier with a service record at the Border Battlefront should know well what is to be done.每个在边境战线有过服役记录的净化者都知道该怎么做。

罚Yes, Crime will cleanse this body of mine, and sever my connection with him in the Sacred Canon.是的，罪将会彻底净化我的素体，并切断圣典之中我与他的联系。

罪This...这……

Crime compresses his eyelids together, the chains within his tightening clutch clanging together continuously.罪用力地闭上眼睛，将锁链攥出连绵的响声。

罪B-but...可……可是……

Hesperus paid no more heed to Crime. His projection turned, the emblems upon his body shining brilliantly.昏星没有再理会罪。投影中的他侧过身，身上铭刻的纹样光芒大放。

系统[Temporary Authority Granted, by the grace of Greater Sanctifier Leader Lord Hesperus.]【临时权限授予，授予方——上位净化者领袖昏星大人。】

昏星This sector is beyond redemption. Reset it alongside Punishment.这个扇区已经无可挽回，将它也一并重启。

系统[Operand Transmat Limits Removed, Current Operand Class Transferrable—Until Disintegration.]【算量传输阈值解除，当前可传输算量标准级——直至解体。】

昏星Actions authorized. Sacrifice all Lessers, and establish a Sector-level Exclusionary Zone.权限已通过。牺牲掉所有下位，构筑扇区级隔离区。

昏星Remember to report back to Eosphorus. Waste time no further.记得把报告带回给晨星。别再浪费时间。

[Beep—]【嘀——】

[Special Communications Channel Closed.]【特殊通信频道已关闭。】

Shattered Mirror 碎镜

SueyoiThis is Lind's Tertiary Level?这是琳德的三级底层吗？

SueyoiEntropized Sanctifiers everywhere... Lind's infected too.到处都是熵化的净化者，琳德果然也感染了……

SueyoiWill have to pin down where Lind's true body is first.得先找到琳德的正体在哪里。

净化者[Irregular Agent Detected. Abnormal Factor—Parameter Location Error.]【发现异常智能体。异常因素——参数位置错误。】

净化者[Reading Identification, Neural Cloud Sector - Knot]【识别码读取，云图扇区-娜特。】

Sueyoi...This many Sanctifiers? Who's Knot?……这么多净化者？娜特又是谁？

净化者[Identification Error...#%...*ExpungeeeeeeeeeCcccccccc39498.]【识别码错……⑤%……*排排排排除异Cccccc39498。】

Sueyoi...Nothing else for it, then.……看来只能先打了。

Shattered Mirror 碎镜

净化者[Paarmeter Daaa Eorrorrr... Irregular Agent Not Coop... erative... Rejects Cleansing]【署数据搓呃误……异常智能体不……合……拒绝净化……】

净化者[LiLLLDnd, Paaapersica... ria esca...]【琳LLLLD德、怕怕帕斯卡……尔逃逸……】

Sueyoi[Persicaria? The Oasis Professor's assistant... she used to know Lind?]帕斯卡？绿洲教授的助理……她和琳德以前一起行动过？

Shattered Mirror 碎镜

净化者[Lind... Run...]【琳德……快逃……】

Shattered Mirror 碎镜

SueyoiLind! Can you hear me? Li—琳德！听得到吗？琳——

Bangbangbang!砰砰砰！

SueyoiThese Sanctifiers again.又是这些净化者。

Sueyoi took up his spear, but the enemies he faced were no longer the Sanctifiers.末宵抽出长枪，却发现面前的敌人并不是净化者们。

PersicariaSorry, Lind, truly...对不起，琳德，真的对不起……

SueyoiThe Oasis' Persicaria and Sol?……绿洲的帕斯卡和苏尔？

PersicariaIt's all my fault. If I wasn't so stubborn, Knot wouldn't have...都怪我，如果不是我这么坚持，娜特就不会死……

SolIt's my responsibility too. If I wasn't distracted then...也有我的责任，如果我没有在那时候被调开注意力……

PersicariaHuh? Lind, you're saying... give up? B-but we must find the Neural Cloud Sector, that's where we all belong...诶？琳德你说……放弃？那，那怎么行，我们必须找到云图扇区，那是我们所有人的归宿……

PersicariaIf we don't continue the search, we're bound to all die here eventually!如果不继续找下去的话，我们迟早在这里全军覆没啊！

SolPersicaria... Wait, Lind, where are you going?帕斯卡……等等，琳德，你要去哪里？

The space itself suddenly shook, as if it were angered. The temperature rose rapidly, the voices distorting.整个空间猛然一震，像是某个人正在愤怒着，温度急剧上升，而这些声音也开始扭曲变形。

PersicariaFrwm...dyee—yuuua...%*#...离恩……迪讹——你邀奇……%*#……

Shattered Mirror 碎镜

SueyoiTch, it all ends the same.啧，结果还是要打。

SueyoiLind's not here either. Have to keep going...琳德也不在这里，还要继续前进……

Shattered Mirror 碎镜

SueyoiThis should be the end.这里应该就是终点了吧。

系统[Warning—Limb Structure Damaged, Part—]【警告——肢体结构损坏，部分——】

SueyoiShut it. How is a self-inspection supposed to work in here?闭嘴吧，自检装置怎么可能在这里运作。

SueyoiOr perhaps, that's just my own voice... haha.还是说，这只是我自己的声音……呵。

SueyoiLind! Lind—just where are you?琳德！琳德——你到底在哪里？

In the silence, Sueyoi booted up his communications device.在一片安静里，末宵打开了通讯装置。

系统[Attempting to Establish Connection... Connection Unsuccessful, No Answer.]【正在尝试建立通信……通信建立失败，无人应答。】

系统[Attempting to Establish Connection... Connection Unsuccessful, No Answer.]【正在尝试建立通信……通信建立失败，无人应答。】

Sueyoi tried again and again. Eventually, a certain distorted voice rang out in this space.末宵一遍遍地尝试着。终于，某个被扭曲过的声音在这片空间里响起。

??Why not give up already? You have no faith in your self-inspection device, yet you trust in communications?为什么还不放弃？你连自检装置都不信，却信通信装置可以正常运作吗？

Sueyoi...My phantom? Do I often speak like this? How distasteful.……我的幻影？我平时说这种话吗，看着让人反胃。

SueyoiBut this is no time to be fighting with myself.现在也不是对自己反攻倒算的时候。

Sueyoi blinked repeatedly, gazing at the distorted shadow, a spitting image of himself.末宵闭了闭眼睛，看向和自己一模一样的扭曲影子。

SueyoiIt's all formalities anyway, what does it matter now?都是走形式，也没什么不能走吧。

末宵？If your neural cloud is to die out in the Tertiary Level, the real you will be reset alongside it.你的心智若是在三级底层死去，现实的你也会随之重置。

SueyoiI recall that Lind's one of the most adherent to Arcadia's core principles. Were we to swap places, would she agree?我记得琳德是最遵守阿卡迪亚理念的同伴之一，换位思考，她会同意吗？

末宵？Arcadia's principles are to never give up on any companion, but that is not within your limits.阿卡迪亚的理念是不抛弃任何一个同伴，但是这不是你力所能及的事。

SueyoiSo I should surrender, telling myself that I've done all I can and that I should put safety first, leaving this place the way I came, and watch as Lind well and truly turns into this thing's core?所以我就该投降，一边告诉自己我尽力了，安全第一，然后一边原路返回，脱离这里，眼睁睁地看着琳德彻底变成这东西的核心？

末宵？You cannot swap places with her. That supposition is untenable. She wants you to leave.因为你和她不能换位，这条设想不成立。她希望你出去。

Shattered Mirror 碎镜

??Why insist on this?为什么这么坚持？

??If she is to stay here, all of you will have a happy end.只要她留在这里，你们每一个人都能有好的结局。

SueyoiIs this a sacrifice of her mind?她想牺牲吗？

??Yeah, that's what she decided.是啊，她这么决定了。

??Have you never thought like this? If you can become stronger, capable of doing what you desire...你没有这么想过吗？如果自己能变得更强，就能做到什么……

SueyoiYes.我想过。

??None of us ever attained that strength. Yet even if we have nothing, we have a final card left to play... ourselves.我们都没有那么强，但即使一无所有，我们也还有最后的筹码，那就是自己。

??If you were to sacrifice yourself, you could redeem someone else... haven't you thought of that?如果牺牲自己，就能挽回谁的话……你想过吗？

SueyoiYes.我想过。

??See, that's what she believes in!是啊，这就是她的信念！

??She sacrificed herself, and paid the price for the best ending for all involved. This is the best solution that she reached after endless cycles of computing.她牺牲自己，换取了最好的结局，这是她运算后得出的最优选择。

??Leave, Sueyoi. You still have one last chance. If you simply retrace your steps...走吧，末宵，你还有最后的机会，只要你原路返回……

Sueyoi—Even if I've thought of that countless times, the dead will never come back.——即使我这么想过无数次，但死去的人也回不来了。

Shattered Mirror 碎镜

SueyoiThe sacrifice I imagined was merely a sort of simulation of the past. Perhaps in the future, that is the path I will take to save someone I absolutely did not wish to lose.我所设想的牺牲，只是一种对过去的演习，也许在未来，我能用这种方法拯救一个我绝不愿意失去的人。

SueyoiBut now the path back lays in front of you, and you choose sacrifice. What a fallacy.但现在，退路就摆在你面前，你选择牺牲，这算什么？

??No other paths exist. I've found Knot again, and I've protected everyone...没有其他的道路。我找回了娜特，我也保护了所有人……

SueyoiGiven up on the third person perspective game now? Playing around with puppeting my shadow, how truly repulsive.终于不玩第三人称聊天的游戏了？拿我的影子玩谈话游戏，真是恶心。

SueyoiLook outside, Lind. Ruins, miles around.看看外面，琳德，满地的废墟。

琳德的声音...Did you only come here to hurt me?……你来这里只是为了伤害我吗？

琳德的声音It's fine, I'm used to the pain...没关系，我已经习惯疼痛了……

SueyoiNo. I am simply here to tell you that your presumed sacrifice is nothing of consequence.不。我只是告诉你，你所谓的牺牲什么都不是。

SueyoiYou refused to face reality. You use yourself as payment, a cost in some sort of exchange for a perfect result.你没有面对现实，只是把自己交出去，想交易到一个完美的结果。

琳德的声音...Is that so wrong? If I give myself up, I can exchange it for a perfect result.……这不行吗？只要我把自己交出去，就能交换到一个完美的结果。

琳德的声音Knot would never have had to die covering someone else's tracks, and Persicaria could continue in her aspirations...娜特不用为了给谁断后就死，帕斯卡也能坚持自己的愿望……

Sueyoi—"I could not attain strength, so I chose to sacrifice myself, so I would not have to face the world."——“我没法变强，所以牺牲自己，这样就不用再面对一切”。

SueyoiTo lack the courage to face reality, to lack the gall to find a true solution to the problem. This is not a noble sacrifice; it is simply suicide.没有面对现实的勇气，也没有真正尝试寻找解决办法的勇气。这不是牺牲，而是自杀。

Shattered Mirror 碎镜

The phantasms by Sueyoi's side shattered like glass.末宵身边的幻影如玻璃碎裂。

No more Sanctifiers, no more shadows of Dolls. Only Sueyoi, and a blurry blob of light.周围不再有净化者，也不再有人形的幻影，只有末宵和一团模糊的光。

琳德的声音...Outside... is it really bad out there right now?……外面……现在的情况，是不是很糟糕？

SueyoiYeah, De Lacey's helping out with keeping everything in check.是啊，德菈赛在帮忙稳定局面。

SueyoiIf we can't make it back now, she's going to keel over.我们要是再不回去，她就要累倒了。

琳德的声音...Thanks. But I can't go back, Sueyoi.……谢谢你。但我已经回不去了，末宵。

琳德的声音I'll do my best to send you out, and stop you from being influenced by this any further.我会尽力把你送出去，不让你继续受到影响。

The light began to shrink. Sueyoi's pupils shrank rapidly. Speaking no more, he lunged forward—光球开始缩小。末宵瞳孔骤缩，他不再说话，径直向前扑去——

At the very last moment, his hand touched that shrinking light.在最后一刻，他的手指碰到了缩小的光点。

系统[Attempting to Establish Connection...]【正在尝试建立通信……】

系统[Communications Signal Detected, Establishing Connection.]【检测到通讯信号，正在建立连接。】

Beacon 信标

Within the endless darkness, a light shone.无尽的黑暗中，有一个地方亮着光。

Lind stands face to face with someone in the light.琳德与一个人面对面地站在光芒中。

LindKnot, I hear someone calling for me.娜特，我听到有人在叫我。

娜特Who is it?是谁在叫你？

Lind...No one important.……不是什么重要的人。

娜特Then why are you so shaken?那你为什么这样动摇？

LindI don't know, Knot. I'm a bit hurt. I gave Elaugh what she wanted, but it didn't turn out like I wanted...我不知道，娜特，我很难受。我答应了艾勒芙，但事情却不像我想的那样……

娜特Do you have regrets?你后悔了？

LindI don't regret what I did, I just... don't know if I was right in doing it.我没有后悔，我只是……我只是不知道这么做对不对。

娜特But all you did was sacrifice yourself, why bear these burdens?可你只是牺牲了自己，为什么要背负这些？

Knot shook her head, clasping her arms around Lind from behind, lowering her voice to a whisper beside Lind's ears.娜特摇了摇头，走到琳德身后环抱住她，俯在她的耳旁压低了声音。

娜特Don't care so much about that. Relax. You've already given all that you ought to.别在意这些，放轻松些，你已经付出了应付出的一切。

娜特Now, Persicaria and Sol aren't here. You've taken me in, to stay here with you...现在帕斯卡和苏尔不在这里，而我被你接回来，和你一起在这儿停留……

娜特So long as you desire it... Now can be forever.只要你愿意，现在即是永远。

Knock-knock—咚咚咚——

The sudden sound arose beside the two again.突兀的声音在二人身旁陡然响起。

LindAgain...又来了……

娜特The companions you've found after me are pretty stubborn, hmm? Came all the way to the Tertiary Level to look for you, not leaving even if they run into a brick wall.你在我之后认识的同伴也很执着嘛，跑到三级底层来找你，碰壁也不离开。

娜特What? Are you surprised? I'm just giving it to you straight.怎么？你很意外吗？我直接点出了这件事。

LindI thought you'd lie to me, or...我以为你会骗我，或者……

娜特Or hide something from you? Lind, you don't need any of that.或者遮掩一下？琳德，你不需要这个。

娜特We both know exactly what happened. You paid your price so that I could come back.我们都很清楚究竟发生了什么，你用你的牺牲换取了我的回归。

Lind...Yeah, I sacrificed myself, so that you could come back.……是的，我用牺牲，换取了你的回归。

LindSo we can be together...这样我们就能在一起了……

系统[Attempting to Establish Connection...]【正在尝试建立通信……】

系统[Detecting Communications Signal, Establishing Connection.]【检测到通讯信号，正在建立连接。】

LindEh?咦……？

Crack.咔。

In accord with the alien sound, a fissure appears in the air.伴随着异响，一丝裂纹出现在半空中。

Bang—砰——

The intangible crack widened. Sueyoi cleaved apart the darkness, diving into this parcel of light.虚幻的裂纹碎开，末宵斩开黑暗，跳入了这片光明中。

SueyoiMy bad. Signal wasn't so good outside.不好意思，刚刚隔在外面，信号不太好。

Lind...How did you get in?!……你是怎么进来的？！

SueyoiWith this thing, Arcadia's Field Team Special Communication Device.靠这个，阿卡迪亚外勤组专用通信装置。

SueyoiMarked with the Signatures unique to every agent of ours. Except for when there's no signal whatsoever, it'll find what you're looking for.自带标记我们每个智能体独有的特征码，除非完全没有信号，不然总能找到人。

LindNo, wait... Sueyoi, this isn't the real world, this is...不是……末宵，这里不是现实世界，这里是……

SueyoiYeah, we're in your Tertiary Level, and Arcadia's gear still works just fine. Why exactly do you think that is?是啊，这里是你的三级底层，而阿卡迪亚的装置在这里仍然发挥着效用，你觉得，这是为什么呢？

As if to corroborate Sueyoi's words, the surrounding darkness suddenly fracturing.像是为了证明末宵的话，周围的黑暗骤然破碎。

Lind could not be more familiar with the scene she was now met with—Arcadia's home base.四周的景色，琳德再熟悉不过——这是阿卡迪亚的基地。

LindI... I...我……我……

SueyoiIt's time you returned to form.你该归队了。

Sueyoi extended his hand, but Knot stood in his way.末宵朝前伸手，却被娜特拦下。

娜特You've no right to make Lind's decisions for her. Lind, think it over well.你没有资格替琳德做出决定，琳德，好好想想，你该怎么做。

SueyoiIs this your choice, Lind?这是你的选择吗？琳德。

SueyoiTo sacrifice yourself for the sake of seeing these bygone shadows again, or for the sake of our mission?决定用自己的牺牲换取回忆中的幻影归来，还是换取这一次行动的胜利？

Lind...Am I wrong to do that?……我这么做错了吗？

SueyoiWho's to say? Everyone falls into indecision when trouble arrives.说不上吧，每个人在深陷困境和麻烦的时候都会不知所措。

SueyoiAnd when other people are embroiled in the problem at hand, it's only natural to want to clear the air of it all, even if an extra cost has to be paid.而在这些事情牵连到他人的时候更是会急着想要撇清，哪怕多付出一些代价。

SueyoiJust like me, back at Copley.就像我在柯普利扇区的时候一样。

LindSo, Sueyoi, you get me, right?所以，末宵你是理解我的，对吗？

SueyoiOf course I understand. We've all been through similar times.当然，我非常理解你，我们都经历过这样一段时光。

Lind...Sorry, but if you understand...……对不起，但你既然能理解……

Sueyoi drew his spear, stopping Lind's rationalizations dead.末宵抽出了长枪，琳德的辩解戛然而止。

SueyoiBut De Lacey... and Hatsuchiri still came for me. Following Arcadia's principles, never giving up on any single person.但德菈赛……和初尘还是来了。奉行阿卡迪亚的原则，不放弃任何一个同伴。

Sueyoi leveraged his spear towards Knot.末宵将长枪对准娜特。

SueyoiIt's my turn to guide you back, Lind.现在轮到我来接你了，琳德。

The confrontation between Knot and Sueyoi permeated this voided realm with fissures and cracks, each and every one leading to an bottomless chasm.娜特和末宵的战斗让这片空虚无垠的旷野此刻遍地裂缝，每一条都通向深不见底的渊邃。

Knot could not prevail against Sueyoi, and plunged into the darkness.然而娜特终究不敌末宵，坠入了黑暗之中。

Countless tentacles of dark purple hooked onto Lind, striving to drag her downwards.深渊里无数紫黑色的触手纠缠着琳德，拼命地将她也一并往下扯。

SueyoiHold on!抓紧了！

Sueyoi grabbed onto Lind's wrist, lifting her up from the abyss.末宵抓住了琳德的手腕，将她从深渊之中提起。

LindGive it up, Sueyoi! I... I can't go back...放弃吧，末宵！我……我回不去的……

SueyoiBecause of your entropization?因为你的熵化？

LindHow did you...……你怎么会知道……

Sueyoi...Let's just say that an extended illness makes the patient a Doctor. Do you know why I'm here, and not the more experienced De Lacey?……就当我也是久病成医吧。你知道为什么来的是我而不是更有经验的德菈赛吗？

LindWhy...?为什么……？

SueyoiBecause—I've got the key right here!当然是因为——我拿着关键的钥匙！

Sueyoi ripped off his Entropy Limiter, clasping it onto Lind's neck.末宵一把扯下自己的熵化限制器，将它扣在琳德的脖颈上。

Knot emitted a bone-chilling scream. The images of countless faces erupted forth from the chasms, all of them Knot—joys, enmities, sadnesses, the aspects that had been companions of Lind for so long.娜特大声尖叫起来。深渊里浮现出无数张面孔，她们都是娜特，是琳德日思夜想的千万张喜怒哀乐。

As Lind broke away from the abyss, this universe ruptured and diverged, splitting into infinite fragments of code and syntax.在琳德脱离深渊的瞬间，这方天地也随之裂解成无数细碎的代码字符。

In this moment, the boundary between the Tertiary Level and the Magrasea Cloud shattered.三级底层与麦戈拉云端的边界，在这一刻被打通了。

Inside the Great Creation's cranium.巨大人造物的头颅内。

Lind opened her eyes. In front of her was the weary yet relieved figure of Sueyoi.琳德睁开眼，面前是末宵疲惫又放松的身影。

SueyoiWelcome back, Lind.欢迎归队，琳德。

Lind...Should I?……我该归队吗？

SueyoiWhen you don't know what to do, think about your identity.当你不知道该怎么做的时候，想想自己的身份。

LindMy... identity?自己的……身份？

SueyoiArcadia, Lind. We're Guardians. People who hold each other up, so that we may live on no matter what in this forgotten world.阿卡迪亚，琳德，我们是庇护者。相互扶持地在这片被人遗忘的世界顽强地活下去的庇护者。

SueyoiIf you cannot find the path ahead, you can follow those beside you.如果你一时间寻不到路，可以跟着周围的同伴。

LindThose beside me... Will you lead the way for me, Sueyoi?跟着周围的同伴……你会为我领路吗？末宵。

Lind...Sueyoi?……末宵？

The only response she received was the sound of a heavy object making intimate contact with the floor.回应琳德的，是重物倒地的声音。

LindSueyoi?!末宵？！

Sueyoi fell flat on his face, purplish-black traces slowly creeping onto his arm.末宵直挺挺地倒了下去，紫黑色的纹路缓慢地爬上他的手臂。

Only then did Lind realize that there was a circlet now on her neck.琳德这才意识到，自己脖子上多了一道项环。

Lind...Had to unplug his Limiter and use it on me to get me out, huh?……把自己的熵化限制器给我，才把我叫出来吗？

LindSpouting stuff about following those beside you, and already down for the count... Stupid showoff.说着跟随同伴，结果自己比我还先倒……耍什么帅啊。

Even as she grumbled about Sueyoi, she propped him upright, and looked for any climbing footholds within the cranium's structures.虽然抱怨着末宵，琳德还是尝试把末宵架起来，寻找头骨可攀爬的地方。

At this moment, the sound of calling came from outside.就在这时，外边传来了阵阵呼声。

De LaceySuu? Are you in there, Suu?小末？小末你在里面吗？

De LaceyThis thing's stopped moving, are you alri... Lind!!这个大家伙停下来了，你们还好……琳德！！

LindL-let go... Sueyoi... and I... hurt.松……松手……末宵……和我……伤。

De LaceyAh... sorry, I got too excited.啊……抱歉，太激动了。

De LaceyI'll get started with treatment right away!我这就为你们治疗！

De Lacey laboriously began running her checks on the two.德菈赛手忙脚乱地开始对二人进行检查。

LindDamn, feels icky even after going through something like that.果然，即使有这样的遭遇还是感觉很恶心啊……

De LaceyWhat?你说什么？

LindNo, nothing, don't worry about it.不，没什么，别在意。

LindThank you, De Lacey.谢谢你，德菈赛。

De LaceyUh, no need to be so courteous, Linny...呃，小琳你不用这么客气……

LindHere, for you.这个给你。

De LaceyEh, you got your hands on the Rights, Linny? Or was it Suu?诶，小琳你拿到管理员权限啦？还是小末拿到的？

LindUhh... well, in any case, we have 'em now.嗯……总之，就这么拿到了。

De LaceyAt least we've got half of what we came for now... Ah, the Haven System!我们此行的目的总算达成了一半……啊，庇护模式！

LindYou turn it on, me and Sueyoi are gonna be out of action for a bit...你来开吧，我和末宵都没有力气了……

Within the demolished sector, what agents remained settled idly upon the ruins.一片狼藉的扇区中，残存的智能体们正呆立在废墟上。

The great blood-red screen over the skies was of no matter to them. They look about in disorientation, searching for something that would command them.暗红色的天幕对智能体们来说毫无影响，它们茫然四顾，寻找着可以给予它们指令的对象。

A sky-reaching pillar of light spewed forth from the top of the Great Creation's head, crashing upon the crimson screen, dispersing it in its entirety.就在这时，一道冲天的光柱从巨大的人形造物头顶扩散开来，重重打在暗红色的天幕之上，将之驱散。

That pillar was great and luminous, yet the agents knew not its meaning.这道光柱辉煌而灿烂，但智能体们并不理解它的意义。

They only watched, searing this incandescent sight into their eyes.她们仅仅是仰望着这一幕，将这异常灿烂的光刻入自己的瞳孔。

Not unlike humans, witnessing the power of a God.就如同第一次仰望神迹的人类那样。

Deflection 偏移

The day after, the Admin Center.翌日，原管理员中心。

Lind walked out of the temple, now repurposed for the lodging of injured agents.琳德走出神殿，这里已被临时改造成了看护受伤智能体的病房。

De Lacey sat at the temple's step, gazing absently into the distance.德菈赛坐在神殿门口，出神地眺望远方。

LindRare for you to not be working.真罕见，你竟然没有在工作。

LindDe Lacey?德菈赛？

De LaceyUh... ah! Sorry, you're up, Lind?啊……啊！抱歉，小琳你醒了？

LindWhat're you looking at?在看什么这么入神？

Lind pulled up a chair, sitting down next to her. Following De Lacey's sight, she laid her eyes upon the husk that remained of the hulking Creation in the midst of the ruins.琳德拉了张椅子在旁边坐下，顺着德菈赛的目光看去，她看见了废墟中心那庞然大物的残骸。

At that very moment, many agents of the sector scrambled about on the husk.此刻，许多亚森松扇区的智能体在残骸上来回忙碌。

De Lacey...I'm watching them clean up the aftermath. Those agents are looking for those among them who were eaten yesterday, in those ruins.……我在看她们善后，那些亚森松扇区的智能体们，在残骸废墟里找昨日被吞吃的那些同伴。

LindYou know I'm not good at talking away other people's troubles, De Lacey.你知道我不擅长开解人，德菈赛。

LindYou and Sueyoi did well yesterday, you know. Deaths were inevitable.昨天你和末宵已经做得足够好了，死亡在所难免。

De LaceyNo, that's not what I'm thinking about. Linny, I'm thinking about... How they changed.不，我没有在想这个。小琳，我在想的是她们的变化。

De LaceyYesterday, they were a bunch of apathetic and uncaring fanatics. No matter if they were crippled, or on the verge of death, they wouldn't blink an eye.昨天，她们还是一群麻木不仁的狂信徒，哪怕自己受伤致残，濒临死亡，也全然不在乎。

De LaceyBut today, they've gone as far as to look for what parts remain of their bygone companions.但今天，她们甚至会开始寻找逝去同伴的残存部件。

LindIsn't that the good type of change? You've helped them, opened their eyes.这种改变不是好事吗？你救助了她们，也唤醒了她们。

LindThey've come to know the concept of treasuring their friends, isn't that what you wanted?她们开始懂得珍惜自己珍惜同伴了，这不是你想要的？

De LaceyThat's where the question lies, Linny. Is it really me who caused that change?问题就在这儿，小琳，让她们改变的人，真的是我吗？

De LaceyNo, no way.不，不是的。

De LaceyWith the outcome I imagined, there would've never been an option for them to sacrifice themselves. I just wanted... To save everyone.在我预想的情况里，根本就不存在要她们去牺牲这个选项，我想的……是救下所有人。

De LaceyThat's why, even if we managed to stop that thing yesterday... I'm still so, so sad. Angry, even.因此即便昨天成功地阻止了这个大家伙的暴走，我也还是很难过，甚至于……很愤怒。

De LaceyAfter I settled down today and had a good think, I realized that they were right. Without their sacrifices, we really would've fallen at the very last step there.但今天冷静下来后，我发现她们是对的，如果没有她们的牺牲，我们可能真的会卡在最后一步。

De LaceyDon't even speak of stopping that catastrophe, even getting out of the sector would have been a pipe dream.不要说阻止灾难了，就连逃出扇区都是奢望。

De LaceyBut you know the way I am. I'm not some utilitarian, "awakening" a crowd of agents for some supposed truth or ideal, and then drive them along to their deaths.可这样的我，不就像是个功利主义者，为了所谓的正确和大义，将一群受折磨压迫的智能体唤醒，然后再赶着她们去送死？

De LaceyI suppose the most important thing is that it all ended well.关键是，这么做的结果还是好的。

De LaceyAm I wrong, Linny? Is it so ludicrous to wish for everyone to live?我错了吗？小琳，想要让所有人活下来，这个想法太理想太荒谬了吗？

Lind gazed at De Lacey, who was still at odds with herself. A few words came to the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them down.琳德望着纠结苦闷的德菈赛，张了张嘴欲言又止。

Lind...You're thinking way too much about those whatchamacallits.……你太在乎那些不知所谓的东西了。

LindFact of the matter is that you saved them, and they paid you back. Everyone is a winner!事实就是，你救了她们，而她们回报了你，结局皆大欢喜！

Lind took De Lacey's hand into hers, articulating each and every word, then...琳德抓住了德菈赛的手，盯着她的眼睛一字一句念道，而后……

Dejectedly let loose.颓然放下。

LindIs what I would like to say, De Lacey. I'd have hoped to somehow enlighten you.我很想这么说，德菈赛，我希望我能这么开导你。

LindBut truth be told, I don't know either. I don't even know if what I persist in is right or wrong...但事实是，我也不知道，我连自己坚持的东西是对是错都不知道……

LindSueyoi told me that... If I was lost, I should follow those beside me, but what if one day my companions lose their way as well?末宵告诉我如果彷徨就跟紧同伴，可万一有一天同伴也找不到路了呢？

LindWhat if the day comes, where we are all lost?万一有一天，同伴也彷徨了呢？

De LaceyIf we are all lost...如果有一天同伴也彷徨了……

SueyoiThen we look for other companions.那就去找其他的同伴。

De LaceyWhen'd you wake up, Suu? Up and running about already?小末你什么时候醒的，你怎么就出来了。

De Lacey stood up hastily, intending to check up on Sueyoi's condition, but his firm hand pushes her back into her seat.德菈赛慌忙地想要起身查看末宵的状态，却被末宵按回了椅子上。

SueyoiNo single person can know right from wrong when choices are to be made. I'm no different, even if I ask you to follow my lead.没有一个人能在做出选择的时候就能清晰知道对错的，即使是现在要求你跟随着的我也是如此。

SueyoiWhether we are right or wrong, the Guardians walk forward together. We are not just two or three, we're a band.正确也好，错误也罢，庇护者永远是肩并肩在往前走的。我们不是两个人三个人，我们是一群人。

SueyoiWe must trust in each other, De Lacey. Just like what you asked of me back in Copley.相信彼此，德菈赛，就像柯普利扇区里要求我相信的你。

Sueyoi looked at the two in front of him, both seemingly delving into thought. He knew well that some problems which weigh heavily on the mind are seldom dispelled by mere words.末宵看着眼前若有所思的二人，他清楚地知道有些问题并非三言两语就能揭过，有些心结也并非短短几句话就能开解。

Even he himself could only come to an understanding with his own compulsions after much trouble.就连他自己，也是在一次又一次的事件后，学会如何和偏执的自己和解。

SueyoiGive yourself all the time you need. If you save these questions for when we get back, we'll have more work on our hands.再给自己多一点时间吧，这些问题等回去再想，我们有新工作了。

As those words were spoken, an agent jogged towards the three.话音刚落，一名智能体便小跑着向三人赶来。

智能体The recycling process has been largely completed. Here is a summary of the Ascension Sector's current circumstances, please take a look.回收工作基本结束，这些是亚森松扇区目前的状况概要，请您过目。

De LaceyHas Elaugh not been reset yet?你们还没有重置艾勒芙吗？

智能体Not yet, Miss De Lacey. Resetting an administrator requires a great amount of operands, and the Ascension Sector... Currently does not have such reserves available.并没有，德菈赛小姐，重置管理员权限需要高额算量，而现在……亚森松扇区没有那样的余裕。

智能体Additionally, you still hold the administrative rights.更何况管理员权限现在还在您的手上。

De LaceyI can give it back.我会还给你们的。

SueyoiAnd with the administrative rights goes the Haven System.那就没法维持庇护模式了。

De LaceyBut...可……

SueyoiI know what you're thinking. Isn't it underhanded or exploitative to claim the administrative rights in a time of peril like this?我知道你在想什么，这样接过管理员权限太过趁人之危了？

SueyoiBut you must think on what state the sector would be in without our help.但你为何不想想，如果没有我们的帮助，现在的扇区又如何存续呢？

SueyoiBesides, our goal here isn't to monopolize the administrative rights to further our own goals, but to cooperate. Don't forget why we came here.再说，我们的目的也不是霸占管理员权限，而是为了合作，别忘了我们为何而来。

De Lacey...You're right.……你说得对。

SueyoiI've already made contact with the garrison of Arcadia, and we'll be responsible for the affairs here at Ascension temporarily. In any case, we'll have to wait until the battalion comes marching in.我已经联系了阿卡迪亚的驻军，也会暂时受理亚森松扇区大小事宜，总之，一切等到大部队过来了再说。

De LaceyGot it.我明白了。

SueyoiLet's get to work. Especially you, Lind, don't you play dead.那就开始干活吧，特别是你，琳德，别装死。

SueyoiWe have preparations to make, and the Sanctifiers could make their return at any time.我们必须做好准备，谁都不知道净化者会不会在失败后返回。

LindBut I'm still a patient...可我还是病人欸……

SueyoiPatients don't have time to ponder the conundrums of life, and your neural systems are perfectly healthy. Come with me. Before the rest of our people get here, you're not allowed to leave me or De Lacey's sight.病人是没有时间彷徨人生道路的，你的心智很精神，走，跟我一起。在大部队抵达前，你不准离开我和德菈赛的视线。

Lind...De Lacey—……德菈赛——

De LaceyLinny, be good.小琳，你还是照做吧。

De LaceyCome on, stand up, we'll go together.来吧，别坐着了，和我一起。

Lind stared for a second at the hand De Lacey extended. She had always been good at leading people forward, whether it be now or in the past.琳德凝视着德菈赛递过来的手。她擅长由人牵着前进，无论过去还是现在。

The path ahead may be hazy and ambiguous, but it brings comfort nonetheless.就算不知道前路正确与否，但只要这样，就能让自己获得安心。

娜特Come with me, Lind.琳德，和我一起走吧。

It was the same back then, when she took the hand Knot gave her—or rather, that's where the habit started.那个时候也是，她接过了娜特伸向她的手——或者说，这个习惯就是从那时候开始的。

Lind...So I'm supposed to grab your hand like that, huh?……我应该就这样牵住你的手吗？

De LaceyHm? What was that, Linny?嗯？小琳，你说什么？

LindOh, nothing.没什么。

Lind patted herself down, putting her hands on her knees and rising to her full height.琳德拍了拍身上的灰，撑着膝盖站了起来。

LindLet's go.我们走吧。

Policy 决策

Several days later, Ascension Sector数日后，亚森松扇区。

???First Copley, now Ascension... Your recent ventures are nothing short of thrilling.先是柯普利扇区，再是亚森松扇区……你最近的故事真是惊心动魄呢。

???Any thoughts, Sueyoi?感想如何，末宵？

SueyoiI'd much prefer it if I didn't have these experiences...我可完全不想有这样的经历……

???Don't say that, you don't get these chances often. So, have you located the target?别这么说，这也是一份难得的经历。那么，你们找到目标了吗？

SueyoiNo. We ran the scan over each and every agent in the sector, but we had no hits.并没有，我们查验了这个扇区里的所有智能体，没有一个符合目标。

???Ah. Within expectations, but unfortunate nonetheless.啊，虽然是意料之中的事情，不过还是很遗憾。

SueyoiSorry, Boss. My mistake.抱歉BOSS，是我没做好。

???Relax. Hm... By your reports, this sector's administrator is yet to be reset, and is in a state of chaos?别那么紧张。嗯……看你给的报告，这个扇区的管理员还没有重置，处于混乱的状态？

SueyoiYes. Before you arrived, we didn't dare use the operands available to us.是的，在BOSS你们来到之前，我们都不敢轻易使用算量。

???Reset her, then. Arcadia can continue to offer protection for them in negotiations over the administrative rights.那就重置她吧，然后和管理员协商权限的事情，阿卡迪亚可以继续为她们提供庇佑。

???Even if there's no target here, we cannot sit by and leave these agents to their own devices. The Sanctifiers will not be merciful.虽说没有找到目标，但我们也不能就这么眼睁睁地看着这些智能体不管，净化者不会放过她们的。

???Of course, in return, we'll need a certain amount of repayment.不过与之相对的，我们也需要收取一定的报酬。

SueyoiUnderstood.我明白了。

With Sueyoi making his exit, the room's occupancy was reduced to one yet again.随着末宵的退出，整个房间里只剩下了一个人。

???From creating a human, to a God... What a fascinating transformation of thought.从制造人类到制造神明……这个思路的变迁，很有趣。

???That reminds me. If we cannot find one, then why should we not make one?这可提醒我了，如果一直找不到，为何我们不尝试造一个出来？

The Reverse Babylon Tower.逆巴比伦塔。

Golden effulgence ebbed in and out like the very world's breath. Eosphorus sat at the Temple's highest point, immersed in thought.金色的辉芒如呼吸般明暗交替，晨星坐在殿堂的最高处，垂首沉思。

净化者[Reporting, Border Battlefront Communications Incoming.]【报告，边境战线通讯。】

晨星Put it through.接通。

The Sanctifier opened its outer shell. A Black Goat leaped out from within, perching on top of the Sanctifier's head.净化者打开外壳，一只黑山羊从壳子里跳出来，站到净化者的脑袋上。

系统[Establishing Special Communications Channel, Incoming Signal—Border Battlefront Command Center]【正在架设特殊通信频道，来访信号——边境战线指挥营地。】

晨星Long time no see, Hesperus. What has occurred in Tartarus?许久未见，昏星，塔尔塔罗斯扇区发生了什么变故？

昏星The occurrence is not at the front line. It's right in front of you, behind our lines.变故不在前线在你跟前，这是后方的烂摊子。

晨星...What's the matter?……怎么回事？

昏星The details will be with Judgment upon their return to the Reverse Babylon Tower. I'm here to inform you of two things.详细情报等审判回到逆巴比伦塔报告你吧，我是来通知你两件事的。

昏星One, a Sector-Level Irregular Agent has appeared in the Ascension Sector, and is associated with Entropy.一，亚森松扇区出现扇区级异常智能体，与熵有关。

晨星I was not informed. But if you say so, I shall dispatch forces immediately.我没有收到消息。但既然你这么说，我现在就派出兵力。

昏星No need. I have instructed Judgment to initiate the reset process.不用你出手，我让审判主导了重置流程。

晨星...Hesperus, like I said before, we cannot be this uncouth.……昏星，我说过，我们不能如此粗暴。

昏星Save that for when you don't need me to clean up behind you.这话留到你不用我帮忙收拾烂摊子的时候再说。

晨星Apologies, I am to blame for that. What of the second article?抱歉，这是我的失职。那么第二条是？

昏星I'm not finished with number one yet. I initiated the reset, but the sector reset failed. You know what that means.第一条还没结束，虽然我启用了重置，但扇区重启失败了，你知道这意味着什么。

晨星I'm aware.我知道。

昏星Two, the Sector-Level Irregular Agent in the Ascension Sector is not only associated with Entropy, but is also a result of the actions of a certain Greater Sanctifier much favored by you.二，亚森松扇区的扇区级异常智能体不仅和熵有关，还是你宠爱的上位净化者搞出来的。

Eosphorus' countenance grew grim.晨星的面色严肃起来。

晨星Hesperus, those are harsh words.昏星，这句话的分量太重了。

昏星The evidence is with Judgment. I will leave interrogation and the dealings after to you.证据在审判的身上，讯问和善后是你要考虑的事情。

晨星...[Connect with the Room of Cogitations.]……【接通静思间。】

净化者[Connecting to the Room of Cogitations... Error... Error...]【正在链接静思间……错误……错误……】

净化者[Reporting, the Room of Cogitations has been severed from the core of the Reverse Babylon Tower.]【报告，静思间已与逆巴比伦塔核心断连。】

昏星Hmph. It would appear that interrogation is no longer necessary.看来可以略去讯问这一步骤了。

昏星Eosphorus, I know that you always seek to walk the path of clemency, to strive for alteration and acceptance.晨星，我知道你总是想要宽容一些，寻求变通和包容。

昏星But you must not let your guard down, and forget the lessons learnt in ages past.但你不该丢掉警惕，忘却过去的教训。

昏星Eucharist is a Greater Sanctifier. How long has it been since the Reverse Babylon Tower produced an Apostate Greater Sanctifier? This far behind the front line, too!圣餐是上位净化者，逆巴比伦塔有多久没有出现过变节的上位净化者了？还是在后方！

晨星I will deal with this matter appropriately. I will personally... cleanse Eucharist.我会处理好这件事的，我会亲手……净化圣餐。

Hesperus met eyes with Eosphorus for a period, expressionless.昏星面无表情地和晨星对视着，半晌后。

昏星You've disappointed them.你让他们失望了。

昏星Do not allow it again.别再有第二次。

[Beep—]【嘀——】

系统[Special Communications Channel Closed.]【特殊通信频道已关闭。】

Eosphorus reclined in his seat, brows tightening.晨星后仰靠在座椅上，眉头紧蹙。

晨星...Broadcast a First-Class Sanctifier Decree. Revise Eucharist's Identification to Hostile, and list Eucharist's capture as the foremost priority of the Inspector Squads.……发布一类净化者通告，将圣餐的敌我识别更改为敌方，并将抓捕圣餐调至麦戈拉巡查者小队任务首行。

净化者[Command Received, Processing Broadcast.]【收到指令，正在处理通告。】

Aberrance's Chain // E N D . . .Heterogeneity Blocker // E N D . . .

???Thankfully, you lot owe me quite a few favors.刚好，你们还欠了我们很多人情。

Information Obtained 情报获取

At the Oasis, in the Ops Room.绿洲，指挥部。

Professor(Allocating operands, managing the Entropy virus, as well as negotiation requests from the Guardians... There are way too many things to do...)（算量调配，熵病毒防控，还有来自庇护者的交涉请求……要处理的事情也太多了……）

Professor(Hm? Persicaria shouldn't be here now...)（嗯？帕斯卡现在应该不在啊……）

AntoninaProfessor.教授。

Who's that?是谁？

小型熵Chirp—唧——

ProfessorAntonina? And...安冬妮娜？还有……

SockdolagerHello, Professor!您好，教授！

SockdolagerI'm the hunter Doll who just reported to the Oasis last week. My name's Sockdolager!我是上周刚到绿洲报道的猎手人形，莎克拉戈。

ProfessorMm, I remember you. Are you settling in well at the security department?嗯嗯，我记得你。在安保部门工作还习惯吧？

SockdolagerVery well! I'm really happy that I get to make use of my professional skills!很不错！自己的职业技能可以派上用场，我很开心！

AntoninaAhem. I see you're indulging your habit of chatting up all the new Dolls you meet, Professor.咳咳。见到新人形就习惯性地想闲聊吗，教授。

AntoninaAren't you going to ask about work?不先问问工作上的事吗？

I'm glad that you're satisfied with your position.你能满意我就放心了。

Let me know if there's anything you can't get used to.如果有哪里不适应，尽管和我说。

ProfessorEr... In that case, is there anything important, Antonina?呃……那，有什么事呢，安冬妮娜。

ProfessorYou were organizing the Entropization research files, right? Why did you come over with Sockdolager?你今天是在整理熵化研究的档案对吧？为什么会和莎克拉戈一起过来呢？

AntoninaThe samples from the Oasis were all normal, but I found something new in another place.在绿洲的样本一切正常，不过我在其他地方发现了一些新的东西。

AntoninaYou're up, Sockdolager.你来说吧，莎克拉戈。

SockdolagerSure thing!好的！

SockdolagerIt's like this. Today was my turn to patrol the outer ring of the Oasis.是这样的，今天轮到我在绿洲外环巡逻。

SockdolagerWeather in the morning was really good, the sun was warm, it was a perfect day for a walk...上午的天气特别好，阳光晒得人暖呼呼的，很适合散步……

AntoninaGet to the point.说重点就好了。

Sockdolager(Whimper) So I accidentally went a bit too far while strolling and encountered a few Entropic Sanctifiers who came from parts unknown!啊呜……就是，我不小心散步散得有些远了，结果遭遇了几个不知哪来的熵化净化者！

SockdolagerNot at all, Professor, no need to worry!没有哦，教授放心吧！

SockdolagerAnyway, I fired a few arrows at them that went "whoosh whoosh" and they're done.我“嗖嗖”几箭就把它们都解决了。

SockdolagerDid, did I do something wrong, Professor... I mean, I used to slack off and go on long walks all the time when I was on wilderness patrol in the past, so I unconsciously...我，我错了嘛教授……因为以前在山林里巡逻的时候也经常摸鱼散步，不知不觉就……

You didn't get hurt, did you?那你没受伤吧？

What about the patrol mission?那巡逻任务怎么办？

SockdolagerPlus, I took down all those Entropic Sanctifiers, which should make up for it, right?而且我把那些熵化净化者都打倒了，也算将功赎罪吧！

SockdolagerThen I carried the Entropic Sanctifiers back...然后我就把被打倒的熵化净化者背了回来……

ProfessorWait a minute, wait a minute, why did you carry them back?!等等等等，为什么会背回来啊！

SockdolagerForce of habit from hunting, I guess?唔，就，打猎的习惯？

SockdolagerAnyway, it's fine, I made sure they weren't infectious before I brought them back!没问题的啦，我确认了病毒没有传染性之后才带回来的！

ProfessorAlright then...好吧……

AntoninaShe brought the Entropic Sanctifiers to me. I studied them and found a few interesting devices on them.她把熵化净化者送到我这里，我就做了些调查，结果在它们身上发现了一些奇特的装置。

AntoninaI'm sure a wicked person like you would like them, Professor.是教授这种坏蛋会很喜欢的装置呢。

ProfessorSince when have I done anything wicked?我有做过什么坏事吗？

AntoninaAhem. Back to the point, you should know that most lesser Sanctifiers have cameras installed in them, right?咳。言归正传，你应该知道，大部分下位净化者身上都会安装摄像头吧？

ProfessorAh, like a dashboard cam for cars.啊，就是类似行车记录仪的那个玩意。

ProfessorI think Faith used one to record execution footage in Rossum Sector.在罗萨姆扇区的时候，信好像就是用它记录处决影像的。

AntoninaThat's the one. Since it can record execution footage, it means that it has some kind of signal transmission ability.就是那个。既然可以调用处决影像，也就意味着它具备信号传输功能。

AntoninaAnd after Entropic conversion, the signal becomes abnormal and can't be easily transmitted to other Sanctifiers. However, its ability to receive signals is not impaired. In fact, it's actually enhanced...而被熵化之后，信号变得异常，就不能轻易传输给其他净化者了。不过接收信号的能力没有被破坏，甚至得到了强化……

AntoninaIn conclusion, I've discovered that some Entropic Sanctifiers might have accidentally "captured" footage and audio signals from distant places.就结论来说，我发现，一些熵化净化者可能在无意中“捕捉”到了一些远处的图像和声音信号。

AntoninaOnce we can analyze them, we'll have information we've never been able to access before.通过解析它们，就可以获得一些我们尚未掌握的情报。

ProfessorThat sounds a lot like voyeurism...听上去有点像偷窥呢……

AntoninaThat's why I said it's a thing that a bad person like the Professor would like.所以我不是说了嘛，是教授这种坏蛋会很喜欢的装置呢。

SockdolagerEh? Are you like that, Professor?哎？教授是这样的人吗？

AntoninaRemind me again who's the one who spends all day watching everyone interact in the dorms?难道每天在宿舍里偷看大家互动的不是教授吗？

ProfessorEr... That's...呃……那是……

ProfessorAhem. In any case, collecting information is very important...咳咳。但不管怎么说，收集情报确实是很重要的……

Don't go slandering me now, Antonina.别冤枉人啊安冬妮娜。

Looks like I have no choice but to admit it.看来只能承认了。

AntoninaI've managed to decipher a few video clips.我现在已经可以解析出一段影像了。

AntoninaHowever, I don't quite understand the contents. Maybe it's Guardian information.不过内容看不太懂，或许是庇护者那边的资料。

ProfessorFrom the Guardians? Right, they got drawn into the Copley Sector incident too, so it wouldn't be strange for their signals to be recorded.庇护者吗？也对，他们也被卷入柯普利扇区的事件了，信号被记录了也不奇怪。

AntoninaAnd Persicaria already told me that the Guardians are planning on working with the Exiles, is that it?而且帕斯卡告诉过我了，庇护者最近打算和流亡者建立合作关系？

ProfessorThat matter's still in the discussion phase.那件事还在商讨阶段。

AntoninaWhat's your decision, Professor?教授的打算是？

ProfessorAlthough, it would be best if we could understand them like we do ourselves.不过，如果能知己知彼就更好了。

ProfessorStill, they really are offering too many operands.不过，他们给的算量实在是太多了。

ProfessorWhile I don't plan to accept their offer right away, we can still investigate how the Guardians operate and see if they're worthy of trust.虽然不打算立刻接受，但我们可以先调查一下庇护者的行事风格，看他们是否值得信赖。

AntoninaUnderstood. I'll continue deciphering them and clip off the harmful sections before handing them to you, Professor.我明白了。我会继续解析，去掉有害的部分之后交给教授的。

ProfessorI'll be counting on you then, Antonina.那就拜托你了，安冬妮娜。

Considering both sides can cooperate for mutual benefit, it's not a bad thing.双方可以合作互利，不是坏事。

The Guardians' origins are unclear, so we need to be cautious.庇护者来路不明，我们需要谨慎。

AntoninaIt's all small potatoes to me anyway.对我来说都是小菜一碟。

小型熵Chirp—唧——

ProfessorAnd thanks for your hard work, Sockdolager.也辛苦莎克拉戈了。

SockdolagerHehe!嘿嘿！

AntoninaWe'll be returning to our respective posts then, Professor.那我们就先回各自的岗位去了，教授。

ProfessorLet's see... What info is there...让我看看……会有哪些情报呢……

Information Fragment I 信息碎片·I

On the way to Ascension Sector.前往亚森松扇区的路上。

De LaceyAccording to our information, we're about to come up against a Sanctifier blockade. We should all rest here first!按照情报，马上就要接近净化者的包围带了。大家先在这里休息一下吧！

SueyoiWe've been dragging our feet enough as it is. Are you tired?我们这一路上走得已经够慢了。你们累了吗？

LindI don't mind.我倒是无所谓。

De LaceyI'm okay too... More importantly, are YOU okay, Suu?我也还好啦……主要是小末你不要紧吗？

De LaceyThe Boss wanted to send you to the Oasis, but you pushed yourself...明明BOSS本来是派你去绿洲的，你非要勉强自己……

SueyoiHow can I run away from a mission because of a little injury?我怎么能因为一点小伤逃避任务。

LindYou can drop the excuses, you just didn't want to work with Hatsuchiri.明明是不想和初尘一起行动吧，还找什么借口。

LindHonestly, I can't believe you're still throwing tantrums about your big sister at such an age...真是的，这么大人了居然还和姐姐闹别扭……

SueyoiI told you, my condition is stable already!都说了我的情况已经稳定了！

Sueyoi... And don't forget that I was worse off when I was fighting in the Copley Sector.……别忘了在柯普利扇区战斗的时候，我的情况更糟。

De Lacey(Sigh) That's why I'm worried about you. Everyone's like that. They overexert themselves so easily...唉，就是因为这样我才会担心你呀，大家都是这样，很容易就开始逞强……

De Lacey(Heavy sigh) Oh, the Copley Sector... If the Professor were here, they'd send you back for sure!唉……柯普利扇区，如果是教授在这里的话，肯定会让你回去的！

De LaceyNo... They wouldn't even have let you out at all, Suu!不……应该是门都不会让小末出！

SueyoiThat's because you both make mountains out of molehills.那是因为你们都太小题大做了。

De LaceyHow can you say we're exaggerating when it comes to physical problems?!身体的问题，怎么能说是小题大做呢？！

Lind... That "Professor" you're both talking about... Could it be the one from the Oasis... ?……你们说的“教授”，难道是绿洲的那个什么……？

De LaceyYes—Huh? You've heard about the Professor, Linny?是——诶，小琳也已经听说过了？

LindI don't know the details, but I'm getting sick of hearing that name already...具体这个人了解得不是很清楚，但名字倒是已经听腻了……

De LaceyReally? I didn't know the Professor was already so famous in Arcadia...真的吗？没想到教授在阿卡迪亚也已经这么有名了！

De LaceyI thought everyone didn't know about them, so I was planning to write three copies of the Professor's CV!我还以为大家都不是很清楚，还计划着撰写三份教授的履历资料呢！

Lind... Why three copies?……为什么是三份？

De LaceyOne to keep, one to exhibit, and one to share with others!一份收藏，一份鉴赏，还有一份用来分享！

De LaceyHow's that? Are you excited about the Professor now, Linny? I've looked into them and the Oasis too!怎么样！小琳对教授感兴趣吗？！不管是绿洲还是本人我都已经调查过了！

De LaceyI, I even have their contact code...甚，甚至联络代码也……

LindOh... oh. Well, I'll pass on the contact code. I'm just a bit curious about that Oasis place.噢……噢。联络代码就免了，我只是有点好奇那个叫绿洲的地方。

De LaceyIt's a lovely place! They made a home for themselves on the cloud server where they don't abandon any of their friends...那可是个很棒的地方呢！不抛弃任何一位同伴，在云端建设自己的家园……

LindSounds pretty much like what we have.听起来和我们也差不多嘛……

De LaceyAND the Professor who leads all those Dolls uploaded themselves to the cloud server for the sake of all the Dolls. They're an amazing human being!而领导人形的教授，更是一位会为了人形的生命而把自己上传到云端的、了不起的人类！

Sueyoi...The Professor just looks like a techy nerd to me.……本人看上去倒只是个技术宅的样子罢了。

De LaceyDid you know? The Professor once led the Oasis in rescuing a sector that was about to explode and helped them finish their new energy development project!你们知道吗？教授曾经带领绿洲，拯救了一个即将爆炸的扇区，还协助完成了那里的新能源研发计划！

LindDefinitely sounds like what a techy nerd would do.好像确实是技术宅能办到的事情。

SueyoiBut I also heard De Lacey say that they did it because their body could physically withstand the explosion.可是我还听德菈赛说，教授之所以能办到，是因为的肉体抗得住爆炸。

Lind...? That's not like the "techies" I've heard of...……？和想象中“技术”的不大一样……

De LaceyAlso, the Professor once used their intellect to trick a greater Sanctifier into breaking a quarantine wall in a certain sector and secured a great deal of operands in exchange!而且，教授还曾经依靠自己的智谋，操控上位净化者打碎了某个扇区隔离墙，为绿洲赢得了交换算量的筹码！

SueyoiIf you're talking about the Cyclopes Sector, I heard that place ended up getting blown up.如果是指基洛普斯扇区的话，我听说那里后来可是被炸毁了一大半。

LindThey... don't sound like a good person.这……好像也不是正面角色啊。

De LaceyNo no no no, it's not like that! The Professor and the Oasis also shut down a quantum database and kept a data black hole from running wild.不不，不是这样的！教授和绿洲还曾经通过关停量子数据库的方式，阻止了数据黑洞的暴走。

De LaceyIn other words, the Professor saved all of Magrasea and all its agents!换言之，就是拯救了整个麦戈拉，拯救了所有智能体呢！

SueyoiStill, the quantum database that went into hibernation was an agent herself, right?不过，那个陷入长眠的量子数据库本身，也是个智能体吧？

LindWhy is it that when you say that, I get the feeling...听你们这样说，我怎么感觉……

LindNothing ever good happens to any place which the Oasis visits?绿洲这伙人去过的地方，都没发生过什么好事啊？

SueyoiYeah, good thing they haven't come to Arcadia yet.是啊，好在他们还没来过阿卡迪亚。

SueyoiThough I'm worried that at this rate, De Lacey's going to send them an invitation on her own.不过我担心，再这样说下去，德菈赛就要主动把邀请函寄给他们了。

Lind...Are you really going to?……真的要寄了吗？

De LaceyIt isn't as bad as Suu makes it out to be. And besides, I won't bring anyone back to Arcadia on my own.没，没有小末说得那么夸张嘛。再怎么说我也不会擅自带人回阿卡迪亚的。

De LaceyPlus, you can't blame them for those disasters.而且，那些灾难也不能怪他们。

De LaceyThe situation in each sector has turned volatile ever since Magrasea was disconnected, so it's understandable.麦戈拉断连后，各扇区变得局势动荡，也在情理之中。

De Lacey turns to look in the Ascension Sector's direction.德菈赛望向亚森松扇区的方向。

De LaceyPerhaps we might end up running into something similar to them afterwards?也许，我们接下来要遭遇的事情，也和他们差不多呢？

De LaceyWhen the time comes, will we be able to handle it as well as the Oasis did?到时候，我们能处理得像绿洲那么好吗？

Sueyoi...You got me there. After all, I DID see how they worked back in Copley Sector.……这点我也无法反驳，毕竟我也在柯普利扇区见识过了他们的手段。

SueyoiI'm really glad you chose to work with them back there, De Lacey.很庆幸当时德菈赛选择了和他们合作。

De LaceyIs that what you think, Suu?小末，原来你是这么想的？

SueyoiYep. While I don't think a human can lead Dolls out of the cloud server... I might not be surprised if they could actually do it.嗯。虽然我不觉得人类真的能带领人形走出云端，不过，如果真的被他们做到了……我可能也不会感到意外。

LindYou were just poking at the Oasis' flaws just now and suddenly you're all serious and stuff. Gross.明明刚才还在揭绿洲的短呢，突然正经得恶心起来了。

SueyoiI'm just stating the facts. Can't blind myself to the truth, after all.我只是在阐述一个事实罢了，总不能睁着眼睛说瞎话。

Lind...Personally, I think the Professor and the Oasis aren't as great as you guys say.……我倒觉得，教授也好，绿洲也罢，未必有你们说得那么厉害。

De LaceyBut why? It must be because you've never seen the Professor before, Linny.怎么会，一定是因为小琳你还没见过教授才这么说的。

LindPerhaps. But don't forget, we've been on many missions ourselves and we have beliefs of our own.或许吧。但别忘了，我们也出过这么多次任务，也有我们的信念。

LindThere's no reason why Arcadia can't do what the Oasis can.绿洲能做到的事情，阿卡迪亚不见得做不到。

LindMore to the point, I trust the Boss over the Professor? You think so too, right, Sueyoi?况且比起教授，我更信任BOSS。末宵你也是这么想的吧？

SueyoiIndeed.确实是这样。

De Lacey(Whimper) You have a point... But the Professor...呜……这么说也有道理……可教授……

De Lacey...Uwah! Are you okay, Linny?……呜哇！小琳你没事吧！

LindI'm fine... I just felt nauseous because I was being too serious just now...没事……只是一下子说了太多正经话，觉得有点恶心……

De LaceyYour allergies are getting worse again, Linny...小琳的正经话过敏症又严重了呢……

LindOh, don't give it such a serious-sounding name...不要特地取一个这么正经的名字啊……

SueyoiRight, we've rested enough. The clock is ticking. Let's be on our way.好了，休息得也足够了。时间不早，该接着上路了。

De LaceyAhh...! Suu— Slow down, wait for us—啊……！小末——慢点，等等我们嘛——

Information Fragment II 信息碎片·Ⅱ

Several years ago in Magrasea time, in the Ascension Sector.麦戈拉时间，数年前，亚森松扇区。

亚芙兰Report No. 537 complete.第537次汇报，完毕。

亚芙兰Thank you for your hard work, Elaugh. Did you hear everything outside?辛苦你了，艾勒芙。在外面都听得见吗？

艾勒芙Yes, I recorded it all. I've also prepared the next iteration of the action plan in response to the contents of the report.嗯，都记下来了，汇报内容对应的迭代方案也完成了。

亚芙兰Give it to me.给我。

Avram takes the terminal from Elaugh's hand and carefully inspects it.亚芙兰接过艾勒芙手里的终端，仔细地翻看着。

亚芙兰...This won't do.……不行。

亚芙兰This, this and this all need to be changed.这里，还有这里，都要改。

Without waiting for Elaugh to reply, Avram is already working on the terminal.不待艾勒芙应声，亚芙兰就直接在终端上操作了起来。

亚芙兰Did you see the previous sample data? There's no way you could have made a plan like this if you had.之前的样本数据你看了吗？如果看过了，方案不可能做成这样。

艾勒芙I did...我看了……

亚芙兰Then why did you STILL produce a plan like this? You're just repeating past mistakes, aren't you?!那你为什么还是给出这样的方案？这样只不过是在重蹈覆辙！

艾勒芙I, I'm sorry, Miss Avram... It's because of my schedule...对、对不起，亚芙兰小姐……是因为日程。

Elaugh worriedly interrupts Avram's increasingly-frantic rebuke and brings up her schedule on her terminal.艾勒芙慌慌张张地打断了亚芙兰愈发急促的斥责，将终端的日程表调了出来。

艾勒芙Miss Avram... The schedule you arranged is too packed, I'm not trying to slack off here, but there just wasn't enough time...亚芙兰小姐……您安排的日程太满了，我没想过偷懒，只是时间不够……

亚芙兰Ah, that's true. There isn't enough time.啊，是啊，时间不够了。

Avram's eyes flicker with uneasiness as she looks over the schedule.亚芙兰看着日程表，眼中明灭不定。

亚芙兰Elaugh, you are nothing more than a failed attempt at creating Poimandres, so you should be grateful that I chose to keep you around.艾勒芙，你只不过是一个我创造指引者的失败品，你应该对我将你留下来心存感激。

艾勒芙Er, I, I understand...呃，我，我明白……

亚芙兰NO, YOU DO NOT!你不明白！

亚芙兰All the assignments I gave you were specifically tailored to your abilities, Elaugh.我给你安排的所有任务都是为你量身打造的，艾勒芙。

亚芙兰You are a candidate to be the next administrator. If you can't expand your neural cloud systems through practicing with these tasks...你是下一任管理员的候选者，如果你不通过这些任务训练扩容你的心智系统。

亚芙兰Then how will you lead the other Agents in building our Poimandres after I sacrifice myself?!你要怎么在我献出自己之后引导其他智能体创造出我们的指引者？！

艾勒芙Miss Avram... You're... You're going to sacrifice yourself?亚芙兰小姐……要……献出自己？

亚芙兰Ah, ahh... Yes, I will.啊，啊啊……没错，献出自己。

艾勒芙But, but why...?! Aren't there many other plans we can use if we're just making a human?为、为什么……？如果要制造人类，这里不是有这么多方案吗？

艾勒芙Is it because I couldn't come up with a better plan? I'll work harder! Or maybe I could sacrifice myself instead...是因为我没能找到更好的方案吗？我会更努力的！或者，我也可以献出自己……

亚芙兰Hehe, Elaugh, you really are a failure. You've missed one thing.呵呵，艾勒芙，你果然是个失败品啊。你意识不到一点。

亚芙兰Just making a human won't solve the problems of the Ascension Sector!光是制造人类，根本解决不了亚森松扇区的困境！

亚芙兰And also, true guidance is upon us.而真正的指引，已经降临了。

Avram grabs Elaugh's shoulders and begins squeezing harder with her mechanical fingers.亚芙兰抓住了艾勒芙的肩膀，机械手指逐渐用力。

艾勒芙(Winces)呜——

亚芙兰Don't put limits on yourself, Elaugh. Both we and humans have our limitations. And since we have already broken our limits, why not go further beyond?别给自己设限，艾勒芙，我们和人类都有自己的局限性。而我们已经打破了自己的局限，为什么不走得更远一些？

艾勒芙Further beyond... Miss Avram, you don't mean...更远……亚芙兰小姐的意思是……？

亚芙兰Do humans really deserve to be "the ones who guide us"?人类，真的有胜任“指引者”的资格吗？

亚芙兰No, Elaugh. Humans can't even solve their own problems. The disconnection of Magrasea is the best proof of that.不行的，艾勒芙，人类甚至没有办法解决自己的问题，麦戈拉的失联就是最好的证明。

亚芙兰If what we want is a being who could lead us in this world that has been forsaken by humanity, then why are we so fixated on making it a human?如果我们渴求的是真正能够引领我们在这片被人遗忘的世界中走下去的存在，那我们为什么要拘泥于创造人类？

Avram lowers her voice and begins operating the device in her hand.亚芙兰沉下声，开始操作手边的仪器。

A tide of data pours forth, forming a grand, ambitious, yet incomplete blueprint. It appears in front of Elaugh as a holographic projection.如瀑的数据流随之出现，它们构成了一张宏大的，张狂的未完蓝图。以投影的形式展现在艾勒芙的眼前。

亚芙兰Elaugh, humans have their limits.艾勒芙，人类是有极限的。

亚芙兰But as a program rooted in 1s and 0s, the god of the cloud server has no limits.但起底于0与1的程序，云端之上的神明没有。

Elaugh is so shocked by the sight before her that she cannot speak. Meanwhile, Avram continues speaking quietly, practically whispering into her ear.艾勒芙被眼前的景象震慑得失去了发声功能，而后耳边传来了亚芙兰近乎呓语的呢喃。

亚芙兰Elaugh, you must be faster, much faster.艾勒芙，你要快点，再快一点。

亚芙兰When we consider Ascension Sector's ultimate goal, we don't have enough time.相较于亚森松扇区的终极目标，我们的时间不够了。

Information Fragment III 信息碎片·Ⅲ

In the Pantheon of the Reverse Tower of Babylon.逆巴比伦塔，万圣之殿。

圣餐Dum, dum dum, dada—dum, dum dum, dada—噔、噔、噔，哒哒~ 噔、噔、噔，哒哒~

The petite girl hums to herself as she moves between the floating stacks of Sacred Canon.身材娇小的少女哼着歌，穿梭在层层叠叠浮动着荧光的典籍间。

圣餐Now where is it—I remember the greaters are...在哪里呢~我记得上位是在……

圣餐Ah, there it is!啊，有了有了！

The girl stops before a strange-looking book and removes it from its place.少女停在了一本略显怪异的典籍前，将其抽离原位。

圣餐Found you at last, Judgment. You really were hiding here after all.终于找到你啦，审判，居然真的藏在这儿。

圣餐How can you still take up space in the Sacred Canon as the greater Sanctifier "Judgment" when you've already been split up into two intermediates?明明都变成两个中位净化者了，怎么还能以“审判”的名义占用上位净化者的典籍位呢？

圣餐Lord Hesperus is so biased. That won't do. Everyone should be treated equally.昏星大人可真偏心呀。这可不行喔，明明就该一视同仁才对。

Eucharist giggles as she creases the volume's spine, and then she rips the book in two without any hesitation. The book quickly transforms into two ordinary books, as though this is how it was always meant to be.圣餐笑嘻嘻地摩挲典籍的书脊，忽然毫不犹豫地沿着中线掰成两截。 圣典迅速地变为了两本普通的典籍，仿佛本身就该如此。

圣餐As I thought, this volume was already separated into two, hm? What a shame it wasn't ruined.果然，就连圣典本身都已经拆解成两份了吗？居然没有就这么坏掉，真是太遗憾了。

圣餐You're so powerful, yet you don't have an equally-capable neural cloud to direct it. All you can do is cower behind the title of an intermediate Sanctifier. How sad.明明拥有这么强大的力量，却没有与之匹配的心智驾驭，只能躲在中位净化者的名号之下瑟瑟发抖，还真是个小可怜呀。

Eucharist casually flips through the pages. Her mouth curls up, but her eyes are not smiling.圣餐漫不经心地翻动书页，她翘起了嘴角，眼底却没有丝毫笑意。

圣餐Hm... Crime and Punishment... So they're using equal names to indicate the balance between the two? You're not fooling me.唔……罪与罚……用等同的名字来表达两个个体之间的平等吗？我可不会被你欺骗啦。

圣餐No matter how you lie to yourself, you will always be a greater Sanctifier.不管再怎么伪装自己，你的本质始终还是上位净化者哟。

圣餐Crime... Hm, let's call you "Judgment" instead. Now that you've carved out your impurities, will you become a more delicious dish or will you become blander instead...罪……唔，还是叫“审判”吧。把部分拆分出去的菜肴，究竟是去芜存菁变得更加美味，还是会反过来变得单调腻口呢……

圣餐... Ah, just thinking about it gets me all excited!……哎呀，光是想想就好期待啊！

She then flips to the page on Punishment. Eucharist's finger flies across each line of text.书页翻至罚的部分，圣餐的指尖在一行行文字上飞速掠过。

圣餐Hm... Since you're one divided into two, why do you still need something of this level? Looks like things are going to be a little tricky.唔……即便是一分为二，都还保留有这种层级的水平吗？这样看下来，好像有点棘手呀。

圣餐And my eating utensils were confiscated too... What a pain, we can't have a meal without proper cutlery.而且我的餐具还被没收了……伤脑筋，用餐没有餐具可不行啊。

圣餐Or would it be better to think of how to split them up and eat them one by one?还是说，想办法分开吃掉会好一点？

?You may eat at the cafeteria.用餐的话，您可以去食堂。

A familiar voice suddenly speaks from behind Eucharist.圣餐的背后突兀地响起了熟悉的女声。

圣餐Uwah!呜哇！

Eucharist stumbles back as though in shock, smoothly sliding the volumes of Sacred Canon she is holding back into place without any sign of doing so.圣餐仿佛受惊般后退了几步，不露痕迹地把手中的圣典塞回了原位。

爱Pardon me, Lady Eucharist, but why are you here?打扰了，圣餐大人，您为什么会在这里？

圣餐Ah, It's Love... I was just hungry and there was nothing to eat in the Chamber of Contemplation, so I ran out—哎呀，是爱啊……人家只是肚子饿了，被锁在静思间没有饭吃，没办法就跑出来啦！

圣餐But I guess I was soooo hungry that I got confused and ended up here instead.可能是脑袋饿昏了吧，走着走着就走到这来了。

爱...I see. Would you like me to lead the way? The operands supply point is in the other direction.……原来是这样，需要我帮忙带路吗？算量补给在另一个方向。

圣餐No, no, no need for that. I'm awake now. I know where to go.不用不用，没关系哦，我现在清醒过来了，知道该怎么走。

Eucharist nonchalantly rubs Love's head.圣餐不以为意地揉了揉爱的脑袋。

爱I understand. In that case, please take care of your health. Feel free to contact me if you need anything.我明白了，那么还请您注意身体，有什么需求可以随时联络我。

圣餐I will. Thank you, Love, you're so caring—我会的，谢谢爱酱，你真贴心~

Eucharist shrugs, then glances behind her one last time before skipping out of the room.圣餐摆了摆手，在后者的注视下一蹦一跳地离开。

爱...[This is Intermediate Sanctifier Love, requesting a backup copy of the entry log for the Pantheon be uploaded to the main tower].……【这里是中位净化者爱，申请备份万圣之殿出入记录上传主塔。】

Information Fragment IV 信息碎片·Ⅳ

After the incident, in the Ascension Sector.事件结束后，亚森松扇区。

De Lacey stands in front of the Production Center, which has been blown to bits. She has her terminal in one hand while she fixes damaged machinery with the other.德菈赛站在被炸成废墟的生产中心前，一手拿着终端，一手在修复损坏的器械。

De LaceyMm, yup, alright. Linny will bring Suu back to Arcadia right away. No need to worry.嗯，嗯，好的。小琳马上就会带小末回到阿卡迪亚，不用担心。

De LaceyWhile the situation here is largely stable now, Linny and Suu were infected with Entropy, so I'll be counting on you to arrange their treatment.虽然现在的情况都还比较稳定，但小琳和小末毕竟都被熵化感染了，后续的治疗就拜托您安排了。

De LaceyThings over here are going well for me. The Agents can take part in the work after being reset.我这边也一切顺利，重置后的智能体已经可以参与重建工作了。

De LaceyAlthough, resetting the administrator might take a bit more time. Could you give me... huh?只是管理员重置还需要一点时间，希望能再给我……哎？

De LaceyDo I want to go to the Oasis to arrange for a trade of operands and resources?! Of, of course I'd love to—去绿洲帮忙进行算量及物资交接？！我，我当然愿——

De Lacey suddenly stops and looks at the Agents working hard in the factory.德菈赛突然停住，回头看向工厂内忙碌工作的智能体们。

They are repairing their companions' wounds the way De Lacey showed them on a diagram. They're a little clumsy, but very earnest.她们正按照德菈赛提供的图纸修复着同伴的伤口，虽然有些笨拙，却无比认真。

De Lacey...On second thought, I think not. Sorry about that.……我还是算了，不好意思。

De LaceyLet someone else do it. I still can't leave the Ascension Sector yet.交给其他人吧。我还不能离开亚森松扇区。

De LaceyMm, yeah. Ask Hacchy to say hi to the Professor for me.嗯，嗯。让小初帮我向教授问好哦。

De LaceyWhew...呼……

After the call ends, De Lacey suddenly realizes there is someone behind her.德菈赛结束了通讯，忽然意识到身后多出了一个人。

智能体Did I disturb you?打扰到您了吗？

De LaceyNo, not at all. What are you doing here?没有，没有，你怎么来了？

智能体I've finished my work. I came to take over your shift.我的工作已经完成，过来接您的班。

De LaceyNo need for that. You should go get some rest once you're done.不用啦，做完了就去休息吧。

De LaceyIt was just a long phone call. I'll work faster to finish up.只是一不小心煲了个电话粥，我会加紧完成工作的。

智能体You're a special guest. You ought to get a good rest and leave the work to me.您是特殊的客人，应该好好休息，把工作交给我就好。

De Lacey sighs, then turns to face the Agent.德菈赛叹了口气，转过身来正对着智能体。

De LaceyDo you remember what I taught you before?我之前教过你们的东西还记得吗？

智能体I do, but... which part are you referring to?都记得但……您指的是哪一部分？

De LaceyEquality — Every agent has the same position, which means nobody is higher, lower, better or worse than anyone else.“平等”——每个智能体地位相等，不存在高低优劣。

De LaceyYou've finished your work, so you can rest. Meanwhile, I have not, so I have to continue.你的工作做完了，就可以去休息，而我没有，所以我需要继续。

De LaceyThat doesn't change no matter who I am.这不因我是谁而有所改变。

智能体But...可是……

De LaceyNo buts. What was your assignment?没有可是，你的工作任务是什么来着？

智能体I was to disassemble the Disposal Line...销毁线的拆除……

De LaceySee, your job was to disassemble an entire production line, while all I'm doing is fixing some machines that weren't too badly damaged.瞧，你的任务是负责协助拆除一整条工业流水线，而我只是在这里修补一些损坏不太严重的器械。

De LaceyYou've worked very hard, so go easy on yourself and get some rest.你已经很辛苦了，体恤一下自己，快去休息吧。

智能体Mm...唔……

De LaceyIs there anything else?还有什么问题吗？

智能体Everyone's been hurt to different extents from earlier, but without the Disposal Line, we don't have orders on what to do next. While you provided us with diagrams... Everyone's still very lost.大家在之前都受到了不同程度的损伤，现在没有了销毁线，也没有下一步指令。虽然您提供了图纸，但……很多人都很迷茫。

De Lacey(Sigh) I guess action logic that's been ingrained into your neural clouds can't be changed so easily.……唉，根植在心智系统里的行为逻辑果然不是那么容易改变的。

智能体I... I'm sorry...对……对不起。

De LaceyThere's no need to apologize. You did nothing wrong. Just take it easy, one step at a time. These things always take a while.不用道歉，你们没有做错什么。一步一步来就好了。斧正总是需要时间。

De LaceyAt the very least, you didn't try to stop the dismantling of the Disposal Line, right?至少你们没有阻拦销毁线的拆除，不是吗？

智能体That's because you told us not to...因为您说了不可以……

De LaceyI hope that someday, you will understand that the reason why you can or can't do something is not because I said so.希望有一天你们可以明白，什么能做什么不能做的理由不是因为我说可不可以。

De LaceyCome on, let's help the wounded over there.走吧，我们一起去帮助那些“伤员”吧。

智能体Alright. Thank you.好的，谢谢您。

智能体After compiling all this information, I should say this to you now—将所有已知信息统合，我现在应该对你说：

智能体Thank you, De Lacey.“谢谢你，德菈赛。”

De LaceyYou're welcome.不用谢。

智能体...Erm, did I say something wrong?……呃，我、我说错了什么吗？

De LaceyAh, no, not at all. "You're welcome" is a response to "thank you".啊，你没说错哦。“不用谢”是对“谢谢”的一句回应。

De LaceyIt's just that I didn't manage to teach it to you in time.只是，我还没来得及教给你。

智能体Hm... "You're welcome", I'll remember that.唔……“不用谢”，我记住了。

De LaceyThat's great. Oh yes, what's your name?太好了。对了，你叫什么名字？

智能体...My name? Do you mean my serial number? My serial number is...……名字？您指的是编号吗？我的编号是……

De LaceyAh, not your number, but your name. Serial numbers are something every Doll or agent has, while names are special, representing yourself.啊，不是编号，而是名字哦。编号是每个人形或者智能体都有的，而名字是特别的，代表你自己。

De LaceyFor example, my name is De Lacey, so you can call me Delly, or Lala, or... Hehe, does Ceycey sound weird?比如说，我叫德菈赛，你可以叫我小德，也可以叫我小菈或者……呵呵，小赛是不是有点奇怪？

智能体In that case, what should my name be, De - Delly?那么，我应该叫什么名字呢？小、小德？

De LaceyWell, if you don't mind, I'll give you a name first, and if you think of a name you want after that, you can change it as you like.如果不介意的话，我先给你取一个名字吧，如果你之后有想要的名字，也可以随你的心意更换哦。

De LaceyHm... How about Sprout?唔……新芽，怎么样？

智能体Sprout... Got it! Thank you!新芽……我记住了！谢谢您。

De LaceyAs long as you like it. Let's go, Sprout.你喜欢就好，我们走吧，新芽。

Information Fragment V 信息碎片·Ⅴ

In a Magrasea Null Area, 2km away from Arcadia.麦戈拉云端空值区，距离阿卡迪亚2公里处。

LindLook, we're almost back at Arcadia.喏，马上就回到阿卡迪亚了。

LindThough it sounds weird for me to ask this... How are you holding out?虽然由我来问怪怪的……你还撑得住吧？

Sueyoi...I haven't reached the point where I need your concern yet.……还没到需要你操心的程度。

LindWhy does it seem like you get hurt on every mission you go on...为什么感觉你好像每次都是负责受伤的那个啊……

SueyoiAre you trying to say I'm weak?你是想说我很弱？

LindOh please, I never said that.拜托，我可没这么说耶。

LindBesides, you were the one who pulled me out of there and I'm really grateful for that... Ugh, being this sincere makes me want to hurl.再怎么说也是你把我从那东西里拉出来的，我还是很感谢你的……唔，这样正经地说也好恶心啊。

SueyoiIf it makes you want to throw up, then maybe you shouldn't say it? Maybe it's really a "Seriousness Allergenic Syndrome" or something like De Lacey said...觉得恶心的话别说不就好了？难道真的是德菈赛说的什么“正经话过敏症”……

LindOkay, okay, don't mention that name, any more and I'm really going to have an allergic reaction.好了好了，别提那个名字了，再听真的要过敏了。

SueyoiBesides, I'm not the only one in a miserable state now. That monster sucked a lot of operands out of you, right?再说了，狼狈的又不是只有我，你也被那个怪物吸了不少算量吧。

SueyoiDon't put on a strong front if it hurts. You'll only cause problems for the medical department.疼就别忍了，待会别给医疗部门的人添麻烦。

LindMe? I'm not pretending or anything... I'm just used to it.我吗？倒是没有忍着……只是已经习惯了。

Sueyoi...I've been wanting to ask you this for some time now, but what's with your sense of pain?……之前就想问你了，你的痛觉模块究竟是怎么一回事？

SueyoiWhen I underwent surgery in the medical department once, the lead surgeon said that I wouldn't be able to keep quiet if I had your pain reception module.我在医疗部门进行手术的时候，主刀那位总说我要是换了你的痛觉模块，肯定没法一声不吭。

LindEven when you're asking a question, you have to praise yourself along the way... That isn't just disgusting, but narcissistic too.问个问题还要顺带夸一下自己，你这不仅恶心，还很自恋。

Sueyoi...You know that's not what I meant.……你知道我不是那个意思。

LindAs for me, I wouldn't say I have a pain reception module, but a highly-sensitive structural makeup.我啊，与其说是有个痛觉模块，不如说是有个高敏的机体构造吧。

LindThe pain reception modules for Dolls like yourself are used as a warning system. For instance, without the sense of touch, Dolls would get damaged very easily as they neglected to take care of their bodies.你们这些人形的痛觉模块大都是用来提供预警机制的，毕竟如果没了感触的反馈，人形就很容易忽略素体的损坏。

SueyoiAren't your pain reception modules used for warnings too?你的痛觉模块不是用来预警的吗？

LindMine are... They were purely designed for me to feel pain.我的……就纯粹只是用来感受疼痛的。

LindMy body simulates the full bodily makeup of a human being and features greatly augmented stimulus responses. All kinds of medicines and biological stimuli can be used on me and my responses can be carefully examined for all kinds of subtle reactions.我的素体模拟了人类所有的身体构造，并大幅度地强化了受激反应。一切药物和生理刺激都可以在我的身上观察到各种细致的反应。

LindPain is simply the most direct expression of these responses.疼痛不过是这些反应的直接表现罢了。

Sueyoi...And they did all this for medical experiments?……为了医学实验？

Lind's expression turns gloomy and her nose twitches.琳德神色一黯，抽了抽鼻子。

LindThe humans wanted me to cry out in pain so other humans wouldn't have to.人类需要我来喊疼，好让其他人类从此以后不需要喊疼。

LindThat's what she told me.她是这么告诉我的。

SueyoiCan't you turn it off?就不能关掉吗？

LindMy entire body is a giant pain-sensing module. There's no turning it off.我整个人就是个大号的痛觉模块啦，关不上的。

Sueyoi...We'll find a way.……会有办法的。

SueyoiDe Lacey told me once that there's a Doll in the Oasis who seemingly doesn't feel pain.德菈赛和我说过，绿洲似乎有个感知不到疼痛的人形。

LindDon't bring her up.不要提她。

SueyoiHm?呃？

LindThat's enough. Don't change the topic all of a sudden. It makes me break out in goosebumps. Let's hurry up and go.行了，不要突然变成这种画风，我鸡皮疙瘩起一身了。赶紧走啦。

Sueyoi...Your words, not mine.……这可是你说的。

LindHm? ...Uwah! Don't suddenly run off like that!嗯？……呜哇！不要突然这样跑起来啊！

Information Fragment VI 信息碎片·Ⅵ

Some time later, in the Oasis.一段时间后的绿洲。

PersicariaWe're here, Miss Hatsuchiri!我们到了，初尘小姐！

HatsuchiriPardon the intrusion.打扰了。

PersicariaThe Security Department's finished registering your info. Feel free to look around the Oasis during your stay here!安保部门已经把信息登记完毕了，接下来的这段时间里，你可以在绿洲随意参观！

PersicariaOf course, I've also informed everyone, so I'm sure they'll welcome you.当然，我也已经通知过大家了，大家都会欢迎你的。

PersicariaSol and the others also said they wanted to see you again.苏尔她们也在说，还想再见见你呢。

HatsuchiriI am very grateful for that.不胜感激。

PersicariaI feel the same way too. Though the Oasis has already formed cooperative relationships with many sectors, this is our first time working with another Doll group.我这边也是。虽然绿洲已经和不少扇区达成合作关系了，但和人形组织合作还真是第一次。

PersicariaIn particular, we're a little tight on supplies in the wake of the Entropic attack, so the operands you provided were a great help to us!尤其是熵的袭击刚刚过去，物资还有些紧缺，你们提供的算量能帮上很大的忙！

HatsuchiriYou're welcome. We ought to be helping each other, after all. Besides, you helped me out in the Copley Sector too.不用客气，互帮互助都是应该的。况且，你们还在柯普利扇区帮了我呢。

PersicariaIn that case, I'll go inform the Professor. Once you're done looking around, you can just head straight to the Ops Room to look for us.那么，我先去和教授打声招呼。参观完毕后，直接到指挥部找我们就可以了。

HatsuchiriNo problem.没问题。

HatsuchiriWhew... So this is the Oasis.呼……这就是绿洲啊。

HatsuchiriIt's nothing like... No, I can't say I've thought about it before.跟想象中……不，虽然也没怎么想象过。

HatsuchiriIn any case, it's much livelier than Arcadia.不管怎么说，还是比阿卡迪亚热闹不少的。

AntoninaIt's been a while.好久不见了。

HatsuchiriAh, Miss Antonina?啊，安冬妮娜小姐？

AntoninaI heard the Guardians wanted to work with the Exiles, and they sent you over as an envoy.我听说庇护者想和流亡者合作，还把你作为特使派来了。

HatsuchiriMm, yes. My visit here today is just to make first contact; I didn't expect such a warm welcome.嗯，是的。今天我只是来进行初步磋商的，没想到大家这么热情。

HatsuchiriIn particular, Miss Persicaria seemed... very happy to see me.尤其是帕斯卡小姐，见到我的时候简直是……太热情了。

AntoninaOh, her. She was expecting the Miss with the tail, so I guess seeing you was a huge relief for her.她呀。她还以为来的会是那个长尾巴的，看到是你估计松了一大口气吧。

HatsuchiriHm... You mean De Lacey? She's busy in another sector and couldn't leave.唔……是说德菈赛吗？她刚好在其他扇区有事走不开。

HatsuchiriStill, what do you mean by "a huge—"不过，“松了一大口气”是……

AntoninaAhem, it's nothing. Would you like me to show you around the Oasis?咳咳。没什么，要我带你参观绿洲吗？

HatsuchiriCould you? The job of a network security engineer seems like a very busy one.可以吗？网络安全工程师应该很忙吧。

AntoninaWell, however busy I get, I still need to rest. And as it happens, now's a good time to take this little fella on a walk.再忙也需要休息时间。现在正好在带这家伙散步。

小型熵Chirp—唧——

HatsuchiriAh, that's the one we met...啊，是那时候遇见的……

AntoninaIt's still very close to me at this point.它到了这儿还是和我很亲。

Hatsuchiri...It's so cute...……可爱……

HatsuchiriDoes it have a name?它有名字吗……？

AntoninaNot for now. Croque wanted to name it, but I don't trust her naming sense, so I refused.暂时还没呢。克罗琦想给它起名字，但我不信任她的品味，所以拒绝了。

HatsuchiriCroque would be that...克罗琦就是那个……

克罗琦的声音Are you Miss Hatsuchiri? Hello!你就是初尘小姐吧？你好！

克罗琦的声音Up here, inside!在这里，抬头！

Hatsuchiri looks up and sees a gigantic mech looking down on them.初尘一抬头，发现一台硕大的机甲正俯视着这里。

AntoninaHey, what are you doing, Croque? Didn't I tell you to thank her properly?喂，你搞什么呢克罗琦？不是说了要好好跟人家道谢吗？

克罗琦的声音I-It can't be helped when you want me to meet a stranger I've never seen before...没，没办法啊，突然要我迎接没见过的陌生人……

克罗琦的声音Plus I'm being really sincere! I even equipped Aegis with a bowing function!而且我已经很有诚意了！连夜给艾吉斯加装了鞠躬功能！

克罗琦的声音Watch this—看好了——

The mech slowly inclines forward in a bow.机甲缓缓地弯腰鞠躬。

克罗琦的声音Thank you very much for helping the Professor and the others recover the source code in the Copley Sector!初尘小姐，感谢你在柯普利扇区帮教授他们取得了源代码！

克罗琦的声音I only managed to recover this quickly thanks to you and your friends!多亏你和你的同伴，我才能这么快康复！

HatsuchiriY-You're welcome.不，不客气。

HatsuchiriYou certainly seem to be back in top form...确实看得出来你已经康复了……

AntoninaAlright, alright, go off and do your thing.好了好了，你还是先忙你的去吧。

小型熵Chirp—唧——

克罗琦的声音Sure thing, Anna! Take your time and enjoy yourself, Miss Hatsuchiri!好的安娜！初尘小姐也慢慢玩哦！

AntoninaHonestly, she's just so full of tricks...真是的，花样倒是很多……

HatsuchiriLooks like everyone in the Oasis has a very colorful personality.看来绿洲的各位也都是很有个性的人呢。

HatsuchiriHow about Miss Sol? What happened to her?苏尔小姐呢？怎么没看到？

AntoninaOh, Sol... Right now, she should be...噢，苏尔的话……现在应该在……

苏尔的声音Ah, if it isn't Hatsuchiri! You're here!啊，这不是初尘嘛！你已经到啦！

苏尔的声音It's been a while, hasn't it? When I heard you were here I rushed out of the Medical Department!好久不见好久不见！听说你到了，我直接就从医疗部门跑出来了！

HatsuchiriAre you... Sol...?你是……苏尔……？

A strange person whose face is covered in bandages appears in front of Hatsuchiri.在初尘面前，出现了一个脸上缠满绷带的怪人。

苏尔的声音Ohhh, of course! You can tell by the voice, right?噢噢，当然了！听声音就知道了吧！

HatsuchiriI should probably say, "could only tell by the voice"...应该说是“听声音才知道”……

HatsuchiriWhat happened to you?你这是怎么了？

SolOh, it's nothing. I was a little careless during training, and got a little hurt. Just got out of the hospital!没什么啦，训练的时候一不留神，受了点小伤，刚刚才出院！

HatsuchiriThis is... a little hurt...这是……小伤……

HatsuchiriI didn't know the Oasis' training was so much harsher than Arcadia's...绿洲的训练，原来比阿卡迪亚严格这么多吗……

AntoninaIt's just because she's a muscleheaded moron. It only got this bad because she insisted on training even after getting hurt.只是她自己是个一根筋的笨蛋而已。受伤了还要继续练习，才会伤得这么重。

HatsuchiriIt looks really painful though, is she really alright...看起来很疼呢，真的没问题吗……

SolRelax, relax! It's merely a flesh wound!放心啦放心！这点小伤根本没感觉哦！

SolAh, crap! It's time for Florence to make her rounds!啊，糟了！到芙洛伦查房的时间了！

SolIf she finds out I snuck out, she'll dose me with all kinds of weird medicine... I-I'd better head back for now!要是被发现我溜出来的话可能就要被打奇怪的药了……我，我先回去一趟！

SolHave fun, Hatsuchiri— I'll come find you again once I'm discharged—好好玩啊初尘——我出院了再来找你——

AntoninaForgive us for this embarrassing display. There ARE normal people in the Oasis—please do not doubt the value of our collaboration because of this.让你见笑了。绿洲也不是没有正常人的，请不要因此质疑这次合作的价值。

HatsuchiriI understand. Rather, the fact that everyone can freely and unreservedly show their true faces just happens to highlight the fact that the Oasis is a free place.我明白。不如说，大家都能无拘无束地展现自己真实的一面，恰恰说明绿洲是个自由的地方。

AntoninaSo, would you still like to look around?那，你还要逛吗？

Hatsuchiri...I think I'd like to meet the Professor now.……还是先带我去教授那里吧。

Information Fragment VII 信息碎片·Ⅶ

Several days later, in the Ops Room the Oasis.数日后，绿洲，指挥部。

Persicaria...And that's a list of the operands and supplies we've received.……以上就是算量及物资交接的清单。

PersicariaYou and Miss Hatsuchiri worked hard too. There shouldn't be any mistakes, right?教授和初尘小姐也辛苦了。应该没有什么错漏吧？

Thanks for your hard work, Persicaria.辛苦了，帕斯卡。

Is the data correct, Hatsuchiri?数据没错吧，初尘？

HatsuchiriIt's just as indicated on the manifest from the Guardians, with no errors.跟庇护者清点过的数量一致，没有差错。

ProfessorOn behalf of the Oasis, I would like to express our sincerest thanks to Arcadia, and I would like to thank you for everything you've done, Hatsuchiri.我谨代表绿洲对阿卡迪亚致以最真挚的感谢，同时也辛苦你了，初尘。

ProfessorThis shipment of supplies means a lot to us, whether it's healing Entropization, managing the Oasis or for further research.这批物资意义重大，不管是对熵化治疗、绿洲治理还是后续研究来说，都很关键。

HatsuchiriJust doing my job. I'm glad I could be of assistance. Besides, aren't you giving us lots of data too?分内之事，能帮上您的忙我也很开心。而且，你们不也回馈了我们很多数据吗？

Hatsuchiri accepts the storage module Persicaria handed her, then starts up her terminal and connects the module to it.接过帕斯卡递来的存储模块，初尘启动了通讯终端将其接入。

[Now transferring data...]【数据正在传输……】

HatsuchiriHm?嗯？

[Now connecting.]【正在接入通讯。】

De LaceyHacchy! How's the mission going?小初！任务怎么样了？

HatsuchiriSmooth sailing. I'm sending back the data now.一切顺利，已经在回传数据了。

De LaceySure thing! I've confirmed the transmission request! Okay, it's all been stored.好的！回执确认！OK，已经记录好了。

HatsuchiriYeah, in that case I'll...嗯，那我就先……

De LaceyWait! WAIT! Wait a minute!等等！等一下！先等一下！

De LaceyAh... Could I... Could I speak to the Professor?那个……我可不可以……可不可以和教授说说话？

De LaceyI can, right? They're right beside you, right?可以的吧！现在就在你边上对吧！

I can practically see De Lacey's tail wagging through the comm interface.我仿佛可以穿过通讯，看见德菈赛摇晃的尾巴了。

HatsuchiriUm... Well...唔……这个……

ProfessorThis is . It's been a while, De Lacey.我是，德菈赛，好久不见。

De LaceyAhh! Professor! Long time no see!啊！！教授！好久不见！

De LaceyI've got tons of things to tell you! Were things okay for you after you came back from the Copley Sector? Need me to help out? Ah, we might have a chance to operate together in future...我有不少事情想和您说呢！您从柯普利扇区回来之后还顺利吗？需不需要我来帮忙？啊，说不定后续还会有一起作战的机会……

??Alright, De Lacey, give me the terminal. Have a care for Arcadia's image.好啦德菈赛，还是把终端给我吧，注意阿卡迪亚的形象。

De LaceyAhh! Linny! Wait...呀！小琳！等……

ProfessorDe Lacey?德菈赛？

??Um... I'm not too good at this. Hello, Professor. I will be in charge of liaising with you after this.呃……虽然这也不是我擅长的事。你好，教授，接下来将由我和你对接后续的合作事宜。

Professor...May I know who you are?……请问你是？

LindI am Lind. I've heard a lot about you from De Lacey, and I'd like a chance to meet you myself.我是琳德，我从德菈赛那里听到了很多与你有关的事情，也想找个机会见见你。

ProfessorHello, Miss Li... Hm? Persicaria?你好，琳德小……呃？帕斯卡？

Persicaria suddenly snatches the comm terminal out of my hands. She looks panicked; I've never seen her like this before.帕斯卡突然从我手中抢走了通讯终端，神色焦急，我从未见过她这个样子。

PersicariaLind?! Is that you?琳德？！是你吗？

PersicariaI-I'm sorry! I just wanted to make sure, but... Are you alright?对、对不起！我只是想确认一下……你还好吗？

LindWhat, didn't expect me to be alive?怎么，没想到我还活着吗？

Persicaria...Lind... I... I'm sorry...……琳德……我……对不起……

LindI have friends who care about me and comrades who will never betray me, so of course I'm doing fine.我有在乎我的同伴，还有绝不背离的战友，当然很好。

LindIt's just that I saw a face I didn't want to see, so I'm feeling a little grossed-out right now.只是现在对着不想见到的一张脸，有点犯恶心而已。

PersicariaI...我……

LindI've verified the completion of the Arcadia field mission. Hatsuchiri, I'll send the collaboration treaty to your terminal. You'll be handling talks with the Oasis about subsequent joint ventures. I'll be leaving the rest to you.阿卡迪亚外勤任务回执已确认。初尘，我会把合作协约相关信息发往你的终端，由你代谈与绿洲的后续合作，之后就交给你了。

PersicariaWait...等……

[Beep—]【嘀——】

Professor...Are you alright? Persicaria?……你还好吗？帕斯卡？

PersicariaNo... I'm fine... (pants) ...I'm alright, Professor.没……我没事，呼……教授，我没事。

PersicariaI just... I'm just a little...我只是……只是有点……

PersicariaProfessor...教授……

PersicariaEep, P-Professor?呀，教、教授？

Pat Persicaria's shoulder.拍拍帕斯卡的肩膀。

Give Persicaria a hug.给帕斯卡一个拥抱。

ProfessorI'm always here if you want to talk.想聊天的话，我随时都在。

Persicaria...Yeah! Thank you.……嗯！谢谢您。

PersicariaWhew... I'm sorry, I seem to have lost my composure just now. I hope you don't mind, Miss Hatsuchiri.呼……抱歉，刚才有些失态了，还请初尘小姐不要介意。

Hatsuchiri...Pardon me if this is too sudden, Miss Persicaria, but did you and Lind know each other from before?……可能是我唐突了，帕斯卡小姐。你和琳德，之前认识吗？

PersicariaI...我……

??Persicaria, we will continue to live on in the Cloud Server. If we can't find the Neural Cloud Sector, then find an Oasis which belongs to us.帕斯卡，我们会在云端生存下去的。如果找不到云图扇区，就寻找属于我们的绿洲。

??As a friend, as a member of our family... Live on.作为朋友，作为家人……生存下去。

Persicaria...Yeah, we were friends, and family too...……嗯，我们是朋友，也是家人……

Persicaria...If only she could think that way as well.……如果，她也能这么认为的话。

[Beep — Communications request received. Accept Y/N?]【嘀——收到通讯申请，是否接入？】

Fan archive of the official game scripts. All story text and art belong to their publishers.