It would be winter vacation in another week.
I was plagued by strange obsessions.
If I could not resolve the case by the end of the year, Yasuhiko would not be revived. Neither Mr. Tsuchiya nor BlackRose’s younger brother would be able to awaken from their comas…
I would be useless.
I thought it was a false idea that didn’t make any sense.
But it clung to me all the time and made me feel like restless. When I was taking classes at school or walking around the city, I had the sudden urge to scream loudly.
I couldn’t find the final waves, Corbenik and Cubia, in the game.
The departure of the system administrators had caused tremendous damage to our group.
The ability to search for enemies had declined so much that we could no longer even chase the shadows of enemies.
Although the residents of Net Slum struggled under the command of Helba, the loss of power was indescribable.
We had a hard time getting to the big boss, since we lost decisive power.
“Apparently, the final wave is being cautious,” Wiseman said.
“Previously, the waves were rather active, as though provoking us. Of the eight phases, seven have been defeated, so it’s only natural the last one would hide.”
“But what do we do? We’re exhausted as it is,” Balmung said while looking at the inhabitants of Net Slum.
“Everyone is very tired. I think it’s better we part for the time being.”
I decided to do so.
“I will continue to improve the vaccine,” Helba said as we parted.
“By improving the performance of the vaccine itself, it may be possible to expose hidden enemies.”
But she didn’t seem to believe her words strongly.
BlackRose’s mood was unusual. She was utterly disheartened.
“I was the one who invited Elk. It’s my fault.”
“Nothing we can do about it, BlackRose,” I said, comforting her.
“No one could predict that that would happen.”
Elk lost his friend, the cat PC, Mia.
I data drained Mia, I mean Macha, right in front of him. I had had no choice but to do it.
I couldn’t get in touch with Elk.
I tried to contact Mr. Tokuoka by phone.
I thought he might be able to come up with an idea to overcome these difficulties.
However, I couldn’t get a hold of Mr. Tokuoka. He didn’t answer the phone. Perhaps he was also facing his own problems.
What would happen now? If we were to go into a long battle against the enemy, we would lose the deciding factor.
Inside the game was their territory. There was nothing we could do. Yasuhiko couldn’t be revived. Neither Mr. Tsuchiya nor BlackRose’s younger brother could be revived from their comas.
I couldn’t afford to be too impatient and let this overwhelm my thoughts.
I had to remain calm.
That’s right, there was something I could do while logged out.
Using the printer in the school staff room, I printed the text of the Epitaph of Twilight given to me by Wiseman and read it over repeatedly.
There should be a clue in the inscription, I thought. I read it many times as though imploring it to reveal something.
It took me four days to find something.
Huh? I thought.
I checked them one by one.
Skeith. Check.
Inis. Check.
Magus. Check.
Fidchell. Check.
Tarvos. Check.
Gorre. Check.
Macha. Check.
Corbenik. Check.
Cubia. The bottom of the Keel Mountains seems to refer to Cubia. He would be there.
And Morganna Mode Gone.
…………
Not here.
Not to be found anywhere.
Morganna’s name was nowhere to be seen.
The Epitaph of Twilight is likely the epic poem that The World is based on, and the foundation for the story,” Wiseman told me.
So… who was our enemy? Morganna Mode Gone?
.hack//Translate 