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| Chapter 75 | Book 6 • Chapter 76 | Chapter 77 |
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Researcher A |
Idia hasn't come out of his room for over two years now. |
Researcher B |
I hear he's become completely withdrawn ever since losing Ortho. |
Researcher C |
But he puts in all those large orders for technomantic parts. What is he doing in there...? |
| *door opens* |
| AW YEAH! BOOYAH! It's done! I've finished! I've finally got him back! |
Researcher A |
Idia?! What are you talking about? What's finished? |
| Hee hee hee! You wanna know what? ORTHO, that's what! |
| Hello. I am Ortho. How do you do. |
| See?! I've recreated Ortho's memories and thought patterns exactly. His AI's got a learning algorithm, too. This is the world's first self-improving technomantic humanoid. And his name is Ortho! |
Researcher A |
Wait... You built your late brother?! |
Researcher B |
But that's wrong, Mr. Shroud! |
| Wut. So it's romantic when a hero rescues his ladylove from the Underworld, but when I do the same for my brother it's wrong? |
Researcher B |
Well... |
| Ugh. Plebes, amirite? How about you not judge people based on utterly subjective ethics and sentiment? Who cares if he doesn't have some unprovable, immaterial thing like a soul? My brother's right here. Not only that, but he's WAY stronger and tougher than a human. He won't break easily. And with more improvements, he'll be able to go into space one day, unassisted. Isn't that right, Ortho? |
| Yup! "Shoot for glory among the stars and soar like a comet!" |
| There ya go! Hee hee! This Ortho would obliterate the Chronos Force. Any Phantoms too! This Ortho can totally be a hero! Hee hee... Hee... *hic* *sniffle* *sob* |
| Prefrontal cortex agitated. Autonomic nervous system showing sings of distress. I recommend a moderate amount of rest. |
 |
Where did I go wrong? Maybe if I hadn't tried to go on an adventure... Or maybe if I'd never wished to be a hero... Maybe if I'd never been born into this family at all... If only... If only we'd been part of a normal family... We could play games with friends. Go on adventures. Talk about our future dreams. And maybe one day... I could've become a real hero. How did it end up this way? I just... We just... We just wanted to be like everyone else. |
 |
Idy. |
|
Thanks for coming after me. I'm really happy you did. But you shouldn't come here yet. |
I promised, remember? |
|
I know you did. But now's not the time. You want to read the next chapter of your manga, and go to idol concerts, and play all the latest video games... You love this world too much to give up on all of it. |
I don't need all its stupid garbage! |
|
It's okay that it's stupid. You still don't have to give up on everything. You have a future. And you know what? I want you to get to live the dream we shared that day. |
|
It'll be a long road, and I'm sure it's gonna wear you down... Idy... Idia. I know you. I know you can achieve anything you put your mind to. No matter how far away that dream may seem, I know you'll reach it. It's okay. I'll always be with you. |
| So don't give up, okay? |
Wait! ORTHOOO!!! |
??? |
IDIA! |
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| Chapter 75 | Book 6 • Chapter 76 | Chapter 77 |
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