Clockwork Planet - Volume 03

by Kamiya Yuu

  “–Of course…! Who do you think I am? I’m Marie–the genius who makes the impossible possible, God! I’m the woman who’s going to crush you one day!”

  –I know. The world I’m seeing now is the things Naoto’s showing me.

  But since she knew of this feeling, even if she was by herself, she would definitely get to this realm…!

  And then, the two of them can go along with their instincts and senses, exchanging smiles–

  Marie abandoned her comprehension as she began to work beyond human intelligence.

  AnchoR was standing on the edge of Grid Ueno, looking down on Grid Akihabara that was right below her.

  The moist red eyes were staring directly at the massive, mechanical spider of a monster.

  The little hands were wavering in front of her chest, touching the cube.

  At that moment,

  “–Please wait.”

  A voice could be heard from behind.

  AnchoR did not turn back to look.

  For despite not doing so, she would be able to understand who that voice belonged to, and for what purpose.

  In contrast, she answered with a stiff voice,

  “…Don’t stop me, sister.”

  No. That sister–RyuZU, replied.

  “Stop. Master Naoto told me tos top you.”

  “…Papa did say…that AnchoR can do whatever she wants, you know?”

  “Freedom and selfishness are two different matters altogether. When a child commits a fault, parents have the right and duty to chide and correct. AnchoR, your decision is wrong here.”

  AnchoR turned around.

  “Then…in that case…is there anything else?”

  RyuZu did not answer AnchoR’s question, but the latter continued on,

  “..If I don’t destroy that thing, everyone will die. The only one able to deal with it is AnchoR…and, AnchoR…isn’t like you, sister. AnchoR only knows how to destroy…”

  RyuZU took the brunt of those words.

  Her vision was lowered, the topaz eyes exchanging looks with the red ruby eyes.

  And then, the latter took a breath, saying,

  “AnchoR–that’s where you’re wrong.”

  “…Eh?”

  Upon hearing her sister’s words, AnchoR widened her eyes, wondering what are you saying? Amongst us sisters, I’m the only one built for combat–what else can I do other than to destroy?

  RyuZU took a step closer, bending slightly.

  “I shall repeat this until you understand. That is not the reason why your built. What you are expected to do, what you need to do, it is not for this simple matter.”

  “…”

  AnchoR was startled.

  RyuZU reached out to that unmoving body, patting her lightly on the shoulder,

  “–You bear the fate of ‘Trishula’, the ‘power’ with the name of anchor, and you are the strongest amongst us sisters.”

  “…Yes, that’s why…I have to destroy–”

  “And because of that, you do not understand. Why are you allowed to be the ‘Trishula’, the ‘Destroyer’? Why must you be granted the name of ‘AnchoR’?”

  “Why…?”

  AnchoR muttered. RyuZU slowly nudged away.

  She placed her hand tenderly on AnchoR’s head, gently caressing it.

  “But–”

  RyuZU gave a wry smile,

  “Your ‘thought’ is not wrong. So I will–not be stopping you.”

  “Sister…?”

  I don’t understand, AnchoR wondered,

  –What is sister trying to say? What am I wrong about? What is right?

  And while AnchoR remained skeptical, RyuZU said,

  “Your ‘thoughts’ are precious, and correct. But before then, you should try believing in Master Naoto–and the worthless Master Marie to go along with it.”

  RyuZU paused, saying,

  “–Please wait until the very end.”

  Right in front of them–was a boy and a girl executing diviine skills beyond human understanding.

  Vermouth saw such a scene, and silently muttered,

  “I say, old man…you’re a Meister too right?”

  And from the same mouth, an old man’s voice responded,

  “…Yes. Or ‘I used’ to be.”

  “Then, mind telling me one thing–is that a Meister? If that’s the case, then while I gave up on being human other than my head, those guys–”

  The last part of those words were not verbalized.

  While Vermouth was starting to feel terrified,

  “Pardon me, young Vermouth–but to declare ourselves Meisters in front of those two–the apex of the technicians in this world, I suppose that would be a mockery of ourselves.”

  –Human had limits.

  Human possibilities are infinite–but no matter how one tried to puff those words, the reality would not change.

  Till this point in his life, Conrad had seen many young people–with futures, talented.

  They were truly brimming with talent, absorbing things like a sponge soaking up water, learning and converting what they learned into their own matter. They received the inheritance left behind by their predecessors–knowledge, and continued moving forward towards the realm no man could reach alone in their lifetime.

  But–despite this, they had to stop at a certain place.

  Setbacks, haughtiness, conceitedness, arrogance, loss of strength–Conrad understood very well that it was too much to dismiss that as immaturity.

  For that was humanity. Anyone with a heart would reach that wall. Thus, despite possessing infinite possibilities, humans would seal off their possibilities somewhere. Or sometimes, they would be crushed by those possibilities. Or sometimes, they would ultimately ruin themselves. Or sometimes, they would go mad.

  –However, Marie had already gone beyond that limit, so Conrad thought.

  She would not compromise, nor succumb. Despite multiple setbacks and failures, she continued to move forward–and reached that realm. She had ‘already’ reached the realm that could be considered the apex of this world.

  Or at the very least, that appeared to be the case of Conrad’s eyes.

  –Because of this, the scenery before Conrad caused him to realize his incomplete understanding.

  The petite girl–was willing to compromise and squeeze out everything she absorbed in her sponge. Despite this, she chose to continue moving forward.

  Chasing after the back of that boy–who was at a realm Conrad, probably nobody in this world could approach–

  “…Professor Marie, where exactly do you intend to be…”

  He was filled with admiration as he muttered, looking afar. Vermouth told him,

  “…I don’t know what’s going on. But after seeing people actually doing such things, I’m starting to have the urge to challenge the ‘dream’ I’m about to forget–isn’t this saying that men are still brats no matter how old they are? What do you think, old man?”

  “Hmm…I see. It does make sense.”

  Conrad agreed, and added,

  “…Even at this age, the young ones really did teach me a lesson. I suppose I am still immature after all? Now that I look at this way, I do feel delighted wondering if I will continue to grow, and what results will occur.”

  Upon hearing Conrad’s cheerful voice, Vermouth gave a wry smile,

  “Yeah, looking forward to it. Build me the best Dutch Wife.”

  Vermouth paused.

  “Of course–of the standard of that Initial-Y.”

  But once he heard that joking voice, Conrad did not appear to be displeased.

  He merely seemed surprised, asking,

  “…Hm? Did I say anything that implied that?”

  “Nothing? It’s just that I’m a lifeform who manages to live on through instincts.”

  Vermouth looked down at his prosthetic–or to be precise, the playdoll automata body Conrad created, and continued on,

  “You built a playdoll automata meant f
or viewing so thoroughly–I don’t think you probably have any ideas after looking at one, right?”

  “Well…it’s not really something amazing. I forgot about it myself.”

  Conrad said as he reminiscenced over the past.

  “–That was when I was in my twenties.”

  “That was a long time back.”

  “There was a young chap back then, famous for being the youngest Meister in the world, hailed as an unprecedented genius.”

  “Oh, so were you that guy?”

  “Why, thank you for realizing. In any case, that chap was requested by his own country, Her Majesty back then, to deal with something. There was an automata that would not move, hidden in the Royal Family–the words imprinted on the neck were…’Y, ‘BezEL’, I suppose?”

  “–”

  Vermouth was silent. Conrad continued with a wry tone,

  “That lad was in disbelief. Back then–and it was half a century back. The equipment were not as powerful as they are now–the lad’s pride was crushed in the face of this amazing, divine artistry, a Core Tower practically compressed into a young girl’s body. That lad then swore that he had to personally build an automata that surpassed it..”

  “…Is that the reason why you became a clockwork technician?”

  “Surely you jest?”

  Conrad gave a wry smile.

  “I did mention that I had long forgotten about it. Surprisingly for me however, perhaps it was always deep inside me somewhere.”

  However–

  “–Challenge a Initial-Y series…well, this isn’t a bad ‘dream’.”

  “Isn’t this great? This is what they mean by revisiting your youth, isn’t it?”

  Vermouth’s shoulders were shaking as he laughed. But at this moment–his sights turned to the clock.”

  “Leaving that aside…I can say it’s not just a matter of passing humanity, and looks like they’ve already surpassed God. But…isn’t this right, old man?”

  “Hm, yes…even at this speed–there is only a 50% chance of making it.”

  They had a look at the clock; there was only 3 minutes left.

  Naoto and Marie shortened the 1 hour of work by a dozen Meisters to 30 seconds.

  But despite this–creating new circuits for the severely damaged ‘Heaven’s Pillar’–would take 120 Meisters a month. What Conrad was worried about was whether the time could be shortened to 180 seconds.

  But–assuming that could be done, that would be something beyond God–

  The promised time had arrived.

  The limit of 72 minutes Naoto declared was approaching.

  I can’t wait anymore. AnchoR stood u, saying,

  “…Now then, sister…I shall be going, I guess…”

  She touched the dangling cube in front of her chest.

  The armory was opened with a tremendous rip in the air. AnchoR drew out the weapon she possessed–no, it was a toy teddy bear.

  Naoto bought this for her 2 days ago.

  AnchoR took off the ring on her right middle finger, and handed it to RyuZU along with the teddy bear.

  “Erm…I’m scared of dirtying it…please help me take it.”

  “…I shall accept it.”

  RyuZU received the ring and teddy bear, looking somewhat skeptical as she continued,

  “AnchoR, if you do get ‘serious’, you will surpass my ‘Mute Scream’. Wait until 71 minutes and 59 seconds–”

  “Sorry, sister…I won’t wait.”

  AnchoR immediately shook her head in response.

  “I obeyed what papa ordered me to do. So…it doesn’t matter. AnchoR will end everything, won’t let anyone hurt–papa and the others–”

  AnchoR turned to look below.

  She was looking down at the block below–the ‘target’ lying in wait at Akihabara.

  The ominous, massive–thing that wanted to kill the ones she loved.

  She stared at the one thing–she decided she would merciless destroy, and took a breath.

  She touched the cube in front of her chest.

  The spring spun, and all the power stored within the ‘Perpetual Gear’.

  Was all converted into–

  “AnchoR.”

  The older sister called out her name from behind.

  However, AnchoR did not look back. She took a step forward towards the battlefield–to obliterate everything.

  “AnchoR.”

  The older sister repeated her call. The tone was the same as before, filled with noble elegance.”

  “–When you get back, Master Naoto shall tell you something you do not know about yourself. I do not wish to force you to remain unscathed.”

  However, this proud older sister continued with a poignant voice.

  “You have to return. If you have no intention of doing so–”

  A pause.

  “–As the older sister, I shall drag you back, even if it means a little punishment.”

  AnchoR looked a little sad as her lips curled.

  “…Sorry…but sister, you can’t stop AnchoR, you know?”

  “Now that will be a tough thing to say. You are the little sister I am so proud of, but I suppose you are getting a little too carried away, and it seems I have a need to–educate you again.”

  “–”

  “You have to know that even in and out of the heavens, there is no automata more outstanding than I am–and that there is no little sister more outstanding than this older sister♪”

  Ha–Anchor inadvertently chuckled, and nodded.

  And then, she leaped.

  From a height of 1,5000m–towards the magnetized Grid Akihabara.

  —

  The red and white girl fell, her hair and clothes flapping with the intense winds.

  Her mouth was throbbing slightly, leaking some sounds.

  It was not the usual vague, childish voices, but a cold, mechanical voice converted into language.

  ‘Defining Declaration–Initial Y series, Unit 04, ‘Trishula’ AnchoR.”

  She affirmed with the voice of one declaring a revolution.

  Condition Check–All Green.

  Balance Wheel, number 1. Armaments undamaged. Full Activation Condition, removal confirmed.

  Warning–Stored Energy in Ten thousand Flowers Fragrance Box , ‘Power Reservoir’–6.1%. Power calculation…done.

  Maximum power, 12th Movement activated, subjective maximum power output estimated at 3.2 seconds.

  –Ignored.

  Inherent function—Ten Thousand Flowers Fragrance Box (Power Reservoir)…beginning transformation sequence.

  She stated her intent to rebel.

  It was a declaration that from this moment onwards–she would defy all physical laws.

  At the same time, she affirmed the enemy.

  The target–was the multipedal electromagnetic tactical class weapon ‘Yatsukahagi’.

  320m in height, 932m in length.

  She recognized the source of the heat–the central Core, affirmed that there was electromagnetic technology used.

  At at instant, she sensed someone inside her, differing from her will, chuckling within.

  –Really, even after 1,000 years, you’re still there?

  Even AnchoR could not understand what this was all about, but the battle simulation continued to analyze the enemy in her eyes.

  The enemy armaments: electromagnetic pulse gun, railgun and a microwave mega cannon.

  Equipped with phased array radar and an infrared sight. Current position is within enemy effective range.

  Enemy armor is a magnetic shield. Inferring from the information that it deflected Unit 01 RyuZU’s slice attack, deduced minimum output to destroy is at 11–

  “–Enemy threat level, classification ‘lacquer’–Balance Wheel, begin shift to number 13.”

  The girl’s body then began to sear.

  The laws of physics began to rattle, the paradoxes in concepts began to rub against each other.

  “–Began chan
ge–Balance Wheel, number 2.”

  The round disc within AnchoR–the automata built for combat, began to spin.

  It was a device akin to a clock. The hand hand jumped to the position marked II, moving towards III.

  “–Number 3–moving beyond activation condition for ‘Bloody Murder’–”

  At the same time, the girl’s black glossy hair reached out in an arc, dyed in a bloody red color.

  The white armor expanded ominously, the glowing red lines spreading madly over the black armor.

  “–Number 4–5–6, 7, 8–”

  The revolutions accelerated.

  The girl knew that the surging heat was wrecking time, contorting it, maddening it.

  For every gear that increased, the subjective time would lengthen increasingly.

  “9, 10, 11–”

  She felt the clock hand in her body spin around once, and concluded,

  –‘Another method’ I told Master.

  The weapons she could use were limited, but with the high power frequency activation, most ordinary weapons could not be used–but it was fine, for there was no other plausible method, and there was no time.

  “–Number 12–Stored armament LB01, BC08–deploy.”

  The cube in front of the chest spun.

  After that, a mechanical gear sword taller than AnchoR appeared in her right hand.

  Following that immediately afterwards were 8 balls floating behind AnchoR.

  And then, the girl’s chest bloomed.

  The clothes covering the chest broke apart, the artificial skin ripped open, the ribs erratically converted into a vessel.

  The spinning cube continued to accelerate with no signs of slowing down, moving at near lightspeed.

  And at that next moment, with the infinitely increasing heat, the cube was embedded deep within the girl’s blooming chest.

  “–Removing the subjective regulative condition out of ‘free will’–breakthrough.”

  The clock hand pointing at XII within the girl’s body was throbbing intensively in a resistive manner.

  The clock hand was twisted, turning, and the reverberation was maddening. Finally, there were numerous cracks, breaking and scattering.