Yuuki stood before the Revival Chamber aboard the GDSS Philadelphia, watching as Manjuus scurried between workstations while the research team coordinated the reconstruction of the Revival Machine.
The chamber was alive with activity. Holographic blueprints hovered above the central platform, mechanical components were being assembled into place, and diagnostic displays flickered as the researchers verified each system. Under their supervision, the Manjuus worked with surprising efficiency, transporting components and assisting with the machine's reconstruction.
Brainstorm had improved the original design, resolving the synchronization problem that had previously prevented the machine from reaching completion. Now, with the necessary materials finally available, the researchers could begin bringing the blueprint to life.
A machine capable of reconstructing the bodies of deceased Shipgirls and Nikkes.
One more step forward.
One step closer to bringing those girls home.
"Chief...?"
Yuuki turned at the familiar voice.
"Hey, Yuu. Where are those three?"
Yuu approached him, her hands resting casually at her sides.
"Cinderella decided to visit the flower garden with Esche and Oberis. Sandy, well..." She paused, looking faintly amused. "She's had enough ice cream to put herself out of commission. Eldridge fell asleep, so both of them are in my quarters."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Good. At least someone had fun."
His smile lingered for a moment before his gaze returned to the Revival Machine.
The amusement gradually faded, replaced by quiet contemplation.
Yuu noticed.
"Thinking about them?"
"Yeah."
Yuuki watched as one of the researchers carefully inspected a newly installed component.
"Thinking about the girls waiting for us to bring them back."
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The machine was still incomplete. There were countless checks to perform, systems to calibrate, and tests to conduct before it could be used safely. Even after all that work, they would still need to proceed carefully when the time came to activate it.
But for the first time, the possibility of restoring their lost comrades was no longer just a distant hope.
It was becoming something tangible.
"All of them are waiting, Chief," Yuu said softly. "Their friends, their families, and the comrades they've been hoping to see again for so long."
Yuuki nodded.
"I know."
His eyes followed the researchers as they continued their work.
"Yuu, do you think we're capable leaders?"
The question caught her off guard.
She turned to look at him, studying his expression. Yuuki wasn't joking, nor was he asking merely to hear a compliment. There was genuine uncertainty behind his words.
Yuu stepped closer.
"You are, Chief."
She gave him a small, reassuring smile.
"And I'm not just saying that because I'm your vice commander and head doctor."
Yuuki glanced at her.
"Then why?"
"Because I've seen what you've done for everyone here. You've given them somewhere they can belong, somewhere they can trust, and a future they can look forward to. Even back in Earth 1.0. You gave GDI a purpose again."
She paused, letting her words settle.
"Those girls chose to follow us. They trust us with their lives, and many of them chose to stay with GDI instead of returning home. They could have walked away, Chief. No one forced them to remain by your side."
Yuu looked toward the command displays, where reports from the fleet were being relayed back to the station.
"And now, you've entrusted them with the fleet while we're up here. You trust them to carry out their duties without you standing over their shoulders. That trust goes both ways. They trust your judgment, and you trust theirs."
Her expression softened.
"That's what makes you a leader. Not because you can solve every problem yourself, but because you've built something that can keep moving forward even when you're not there to guide every step."
Yuuki remained silent.
For someone who had spent so much of his life shouldering responsibility, it was difficult to accept that he didn't have to carry everything alone.
He had grown accustomed to being the one who found solutions, developed weapons, made difficult decisions, and stepped into danger when no one else could.
Sometimes, he wondered whether he was doing enough.
Whether the people who had placed their faith in him would eventually discover that he was only human, with all the flaws and limitations that came with it.
Yet here he was, watching a machine that might restore the lives of countless girls, built by a team that believed in the future they were working toward.
And he hadn't built it alone.
Yuuki let out a quiet breath before smiling at Yuu.
"You really know what to say, don't you?"
"Someone has to keep you grounded, Chief."
"Is that so?"
"Absolutely."
He laughed softly.
"Thanks, Yuu."
Yuu leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. For a little while, they simply stood together, watching the researchers continue their work.
Then she spoke again, her voice quieter and more intimate.
"I'm trusting you with my future, too."
Yuuki turned his head toward her.
"Your future?"
"Mhm." She slipped her arm around his waist. "As your vice commander, your head doctor, and..." Her lips curved into a playful smile. "Your future spouse."
Yuuki's expression softened.
Yuu leaned closer against him, enjoying the warmth of his presence.
"Though, honestly, it's a shame I couldn't keep you all to myself."
Yuuki stared at her.
Then he laughed.
"Yuu, you knew what you were getting into."
"I did." She tilted her head, looking up at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But knowing that you're surrounded by so many girls who adore you doesn't make sharing any less troublesome."
"Should I apologize?"
"No."
"Should I promise to behave?"
"That would be a lie, and we both know it."
Yuuki burst out laughing again.
Yuu smiled in satisfaction, then rested her head against his shoulder once more.
Beyond the observation windows, the blue glow of the Revival Chamber illuminated the room. The researchers continued their work, unaware—or perhaps politely pretending not to notice—that their commander and vice commander had momentarily forgotten the rest of the world.
Yuuki looked at the machine again.
There was still much to do. More challenges awaited them, and the road ahead would undoubtedly bring its share of setbacks.
But he wasn't facing it alone.
He had Yuu. He had the girls who trusted him. He had a fleet that continued to stand strong even when he wasn't there to lead it personally.
And soon, if everything went according to plan, he would have the chance to reunite them with the comrades they had lost.
Yuuki gently rested his cheek against Yuu's head.
"Let's bring them home," he murmured.
Yuu tightened her embrace.
"Together, Chief."
For now, that was enough.
"Oh, look at you two lovebirds."
Yuuki and Yuu turned toward the entrance.
Vergil stood there with a teasing grin, accompanied by two familiar women—Suki and Dasha. The Japanese and Russian women, respectively, were Vergil's first and second wives, and neither seemed particularly inclined to let him live down his reputation as a hopeless romantic.
Yuu's face brightened.
"Ara, Suki-chan, Dasha-chan! It's been a while!"
She immediately walked over and embraced her two friends, who happily returned her affection.
"It certainly has, Yuu," Suki replied with a warm smile. Then she glanced at Yuuki, her expression turning mischievous. "And look at you! You've even managed to charm the commander. I was beginning to worry he preferred men."
"Hey!" Yuuki protested.
Suki merely giggled.
Dasha folded her arms, nodding thoughtfully as though she were making an important assessment.
"She's not entirely wrong. Plenty of women in GDI have their eyes on you, but hardly any of them dare approach you directly. And now, look at you—you have a whole harem of Shipgirls and Nikkes, and you've even managed to win Yuu over."
"That's not exactly how I'd describe it," Yuuki muttered.
"Haaah..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Having a harem wasn't part of my plan. Honestly, it just keeps getting in the way of my dream of living like a caveman."
Vergil stared at him.
Then he burst out laughing.
"You want to live like a caveman? With all the technology, magic, and resources at your disposal?"
"Exactly! No responsibilities. No meetings. No paperwork. Just me, a cave, and a peaceful life."
"Chief, you would last three days before getting bored and inventing something," Yuu remarked.
"Two days," Vergil corrected. "He'd start building something on the first day."
Yuuki gave them both an offended look.
"Have some faith in me!"
"Of course, Chief," Yuu replied sweetly.
She slipped her arm through his and leaned against him.
"Besides, I'm sure you'll be able to handle all of us just fine. You're always so considerate, and you make sure everyone receives the same amount of love."
Yuuki glanced at her.
"You're making it sound like I'm managing a distribution schedule."
"Would that be so surprising?" Vergil asked. "With your workload, I wouldn't put it past you."
"Please don't give him ideas," Yuu sighed.
Suki and Dasha exchanged amused glances.
Vergil then clapped Yuuki on the shoulder.
"Still, you're a lucky man. I have two wives, and that's already enough to keep me on my toes. If I dared bring home a fourth woman, these two would probably chop me into pieces and conduct the autopsy themselves."
"Probably?" Dasha raised an eyebrow.
Suki smiled pleasantly.
"Darling, why are you making it sound like we would do something so terrible?"
Vergil's grin faltered.
"...See? This is exactly what I'm talking about."
Yuuki laughed.
"Speaking of your wives, how's Eva?"
Vergil's expression immediately softened.
"She's fine. Actually, things are going rather well. She's gentle as a little kitten whenever we go on dates."
"Until you mess something up," Yuuki added.
Vergil narrowed his eyes.
"Why do you have to bring that up?"
"Because I remember you hiding inside a barrel."
Suki blinked.
Dasha slowly turned toward her husband.
"A barrel?"
Yuuki nodded solemnly.
"A whole barrel. I believe that was the day he discovered that being a brilliant scientist doesn't necessarily help when your wife is angry with you."
Vergil pointed at him.
"First of all, that was a tactical retreat."
"Into a barrel?"
"It was the nearest available concealment!"
"Naturally."
Yuuki shook his head, grinning.
"Men can be commanders, scientists, and leaders of entire organizations. We can develop wonder weapons and save the world. But once we get home, there are times when we're reminded who's really in command."
Vergil sighed.
"Truer words have never been spoken."
Suki and Dasha simply smiled at their husbands' expense.
Yuu, meanwhile, tightened her hold on Yuuki's arm.
"Ufufu. Chief is fortunate that I'm much more forgiving."
Yuuki looked down at her.
"Are you? I remembered you chased me with a scalpel to obtain my alien DNA samples."
"Of course. For research purposes."
"Then why do I feel like that's a warning?"
"Because you're a very perceptive man, Chief."
The two men exchanged a look.
Sometimes, being GDI commanders was easy compared to navigating their own households.
Eventually, Vergil cleared his throat and gestured toward the Revival Machine.
"Anyway, as much as I'd love to continue discussing our domestic survival strategies, we have more important matters to attend to."
Yuuki's expression became serious as he turned back toward the machine.
"How's the progress?"
"Almost complete. The Manjuus and research team have been working according to Brainstorm's improved blueprint, and the assembly is proceeding smoothly. We should be ready for the final checks by tomorrow."
Vergil brought up a holographic display, revealing the machine's internal structure.
"We've also used the Chronosphere to transport the necessary raw materials from the main island. Our Chrono Miners have been busy, so we have enough resources to finish the reconstruction without delaying other projects."
Yuuki examined the holographic model.
"Good. What's left?"
"A final test. We need an intact Wisdom Cube from a deceased Shipgirl to verify that the machine can successfully reconstruct her body and synchronize it with her original data."
Vergil paused before adding, "We've followed the original design as closely as possible while incorporating Brainstorm's improvements. The synchronization layer should make the process considerably more stable than the previous version this world had."
Yuu looked toward the machine.
"And once it works?"
"We'll finally have a reliable way to bring our fallen comrades back. The improved design should also allow us to reconstruct Nikkes, provided we have the necessary data and materials."
A quiet sense of anticipation settled over the group.
For the girls waiting in the Void World, this machine represented far more than another GDI technological achievement. It was a promise that the people they had lost might not be lost forever.
Yuuki folded his arms, considering the information.
"There's something I've been wondering about. The Shipgirls' bodies disappear when they die, don't they?"
Vergil nodded.
"That's what the available records suggest. Their Wisdom Cubes appear to preserve the information necessary to reconstruct them."
"Hmm. I don't think their bodies simply disappear."
Vergil raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"More like they're transported to the Void World."
The researchers nearby briefly paused at the suggestion.
Yuuki continued, his gaze fixed on the holographic model.
"If their bodies are sent there when they die, then reviving them might involve more than reconstructing a new body from the information stored in their Wisdom Cubes. The machine could be establishing a connection between the real world and the Void World, allowing the original Shipgirl to return."
Vergil considered the possibility.
"That would explain some of the peculiarities we've encountered in the data. You're suggesting the Wisdom Cube acts as an anchor, while the machine reconstructs the physical vessel and restores the connection."
"Something along those lines. I've been to the Void World myself, after all."
"True." Vergil rubbed his chin. "We don't have enough evidence to confirm the exact mechanism yet, but it's a possibility worth investigating. If the theory holds, the machine may be doing more than we originally understood."
"Which is why we need to test it carefully," Yuuki said. "We shouldn't assume we understand the process just because we can make the machine work."
"Agreed. First, we get it running. Then we study what happens."
Vergil enlarged the final assembly diagram.
"All we need now is an intact Wisdom Cube. Once the final assembly is finished tomorrow, we can begin the initial validation."
He glanced at Yuuki.
"You have several in your possession, don't you?"
"Yeah. Most of them are safely stored back at the main base, but..."
A faint smile appeared on Yuuki's face.
He raised his hand, and a Wisdom Cube materialized in his palm.
"I brought several with me. This is one of them."
Yuu's expression changed as soon as she recognized it.
"That one..."
Yuuki looked down at the cube resting in his hand. Its surface caught the chamber's blue light, reflecting it in a soft, subdued glow.
"One of the first girls I want to bring back," he said quietly.
His fingers curled slightly around the precious object.
"The others can wait a little longer. There are some people we simply can't afford to leave waiting any longer than necessary."
Yuu understood without asking for an explanation. Her expression softened, and she moved a little closer to him.
Vergil, however, was staring at the Wisdom Cube with the intense curiosity of a scientist who had just been handed an unprecedented research opportunity.
"Hoo... An intact Wisdom Cube."
He leaned forward, peering at it with undisguised fascination.
"You wouldn't mind lending it to us for the initial examination, would you?"
Yuuki gave him a measured look.
"That depends."
"On what?"
"On whether you intend to perform some bizarre experiment on her."
Vergil recoiled slightly.
"Hey! What kind of person do you take me for?"
Yuuki stared at him.
Vergil hesitated.
"...All right, that's a fair question."
Suki covered her mouth to hide a laugh, while Dasha shook her head in amusement.
Yuuki continued, his tone firm despite the smile tugging at his lips.
"I promised her sister that I wouldn't hurt her. So no dangerous experiments, no unnecessary disassembly of the machine while she's connected to it, and absolutely no taking risks just because you're curious."
Vergil raised both hands.
"Understood. We only need to conduct observational studies. None of us has ever had the opportunity to examine a Wisdom Cube firsthand, much less one that we intend to use in a revival procedure."
He glanced toward the Revival Machine again, his scientific enthusiasm returning.
"We can study its energy signature, information-storage properties, and response to the machine's synchronization system. Everything can be done without damaging the cube or compromising the revival process."
Yuuki studied him for another moment.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"And if Brainstorm's calculations indicate even the slightest risk to her?"
"We stop immediately."
Yuuki finally nodded and held out the Wisdom Cube.
"All right. You can examine it under supervision. But remember, Vergil—she isn't just a research subject. She's someone we're bringing home."
Vergil accepted the cube carefully, his usual joking expression giving way to genuine seriousness.
"I know, Yuuki."
He looked down at the cube resting in his hands.
"And we'll make sure she's given every chance to return safely."
"Just be careful with it. It's delicate."
Yuuki carefully passed the Wisdom Cube to Vergil.
Vergil accepted it with both hands, his usual playful expression replaced by genuine scientific curiosity. He tilted the cube slightly, observing how its surface reflected the chamber's lights.
Suki leaned closer, her eyes sparkling.
"So beautiful..."
"Daa," Dasha murmured in agreement. "There is so much power and energy contained within such a small object."
Both women studied the cube with fascination. Despite their familiarity with GDI's advanced technology, neither had ever seen a Wisdom Cube up close.
Yuuki smiled at their reactions.
"She's going to be revived, so you can observe her as much as you want before she's summoned back. Just make sure you don't damage the cube."
"Of course," Vergil assured him. "We'll treat it with the utmost care."
He continued examining the cube for another moment before looking toward the research team.
"Actually, I'll leave this with the research girls. They'll be able to conduct a much more thorough examination than we can. They already have plenty of experience analyzing the data from our previous projects, and they'll know exactly what to look for."
He paused, then glanced at Yuuki with a grin.
"Besides, they've already gathered a mountain of data from our portal gun experiments. They've even submitted several requests for improvements and additional features."
Yuuki immediately recognized that look.
"...What now?"
Vergil's grin widened.
"When are we going to finish building your portal gun?"
Yuuki stared at him.
"Seriously? We just finished discussing the Revival Machine!"
"And the Revival Machine is almost complete. The portal gun isn't going to build itself."
"You could give me a day to breathe."
"A day? Yuuki, you've already had plenty of time to breathe!"
"I've been busy!"
"So have I!"
The two men stared at each other.
Yuu watched them with an increasingly exasperated expression while Suki and Dasha exchanged amused glances.
Finally, Yuuki let out a long sigh.
"All right, all right. Let's go work on it."
Vergil immediately brightened.
"Excellent!"
He carefully handed the Wisdom Cube to one of the nearby researchers, giving her strict instructions to handle it gently and conduct only non-invasive observations. Once she assured him that she understood, he turned back toward Yuuki, practically radiating enthusiasm.
"Come on! JARVIS has already assembled most of the components, and the sooner we finish integrating them, the sooner we can begin testing."
"You're acting as though you've been waiting your entire life for this."
"I have been waiting my entire life for this! Do you have any idea how incredible it would be to carry a portable portal system capable of connecting to recorded coordinates?"
Yuuki rubbed his forehead.
"Yes, Vergil. I was the one who designed it."
"Then you should understand my excitement!"
"Unfortunately, I do."
With that, the two commanders began walking toward the laboratory exit, already discussing power requirements, spatial stabilization, and the improvements requested by the research team.
Yuu watched them disappear around the corner.
"Sigh... Boys."
Suki giggled, while Dasha folded her arms and nodded knowingly.
"Men," the Russian woman remarked. "When they get focused on something, they're rather cute. They forget everything else exists, including their wives—or fiancées, in your case."
Yuu looked down at her hand, which had only recently been resting comfortably around Yuuki's arm.
"Ufufu. You're absolutely right, Dasha-chan."
She sighed again, though a fond smile soon appeared on her face.
"At least Chief is cute when he's excited about his work."
Suki chuckled.
"And Vergil?"
Dasha glanced toward the corridor where her husband had disappeared.
"He's lucky I love him."
The three women exchanged knowing smiles.
"Shall we go see what they're up to? I don't have any urgent work to attend to. Besides, Arisa is off my back for today. That's one of the reasons I wanted to accompany him to Philadelphia."
"Arisa... She's quite a handful," Suki remarked.
"She didn't get to become Yuuki's maid, but she did become mine," Yuu said with a small sigh.
The other two chuckled.
"Come on, then. Let's make sure those two haven't blown themselves up."
=======
"Ah... Such beautiful scenery."
Cinderella stood beside a flower bed in one of the gardens aboard the GDSS Philadelphia, admiring the vibrant flowers stretching toward the artificial sunlight overhead. Beyond the garden's glass dome, the blue curve of Earth hung majestically against the darkness of space, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the peaceful sanctuary.
"Indeed, this place is beautiful," Esche agreed.
The tiny fairy landed gracefully atop a particularly large flower, her delicate wings fluttering as she admired the surrounding scenery.
Oberis, meanwhile, hopped between several nearby blossoms before settling on a broad petal.
"Those scientists certainly didn't see us as much as we expected," she remarked.
Esche tilted her head.
"Hmm? What dost thou mean?"
"We thought they would observe us for days on end, asking endless questions and conducting all sorts of experiments. Instead, they mostly took pictures, recorded our abilities, and asked us to demonstrate our powers a few times."
Oberis shrugged.
"Then they took notes and let us go about our business. We even gave them leaves from Laurelin and Telperion for their research."
"Curious bunch of humans," Esche mused.
Cinderella giggled softly.
"They're probably just busy with their other projects. Prince told me that GDI has a lot of research to conduct."
"Perhaps," Esche replied, waving one tiny hand dismissively. "Still, it is their loss if they spend all their time in laboratories rather than enjoying such a lovely garden."
Oberis nodded enthusiastically.
"Exactly!"
The two fairies exchanged a look before turning their attention back to the flowers. Their small, delicate bodies allowed them to hop between the blossoms with ease, occasionally taking flight to reach a higher perch.
Cinderella watched them with a gentle smile.
"Still, being away like this is wonderful. I don't think I've ever seen such beautiful scenery since I was born."
Esche turned toward her.
"Thou art one of those Old Tales Nikkes, art thou not?"
Cinderella's smile softened.
"Yes, I am."
She walked toward the flower bed and carefully sat on its wide stone edge, allowing the warm artificial sunlight to fall across her face.
"But my life wasn't always so peaceful."
Her voice grew quieter.
"I was forced to become Anachiro. I had to endure a living hell, trapped inside a corrupted existence and forced to watch myself slaughter humans and Nikkes. I knew what I was doing, yet I couldn't stop it."
She lowered her gaze to her hands.
"Sometimes, I wondered whether Cinderella had ever truly existed anymore, or whether only Anachiro remained."
Esche and Oberis stopped playing among the flowers.
Neither interrupted her.
"But now..." Cinderella looked up at the sky beyond the dome. "Now, I can live again. Because of my Prince, I have the chance to see this world, to experience its beauty, and to decide what kind of life I want to live."
She smiled, and this time, there was no trace of sorrow in it.
"I can finally become Cinderella once more."
For a moment, the garden was quiet.
Then Oberis flew down to sit beside her, her tiny feet resting on the stone ledge.
"Thou hast endured much suffering."
She glanced toward Esche, who had settled on another flower nearby.
"We understand loneliness, though our circumstances were different. We are the fairies of the twin trees, Laurelin and Telperion. For as long as we can remember, we have remained where the trees stood. We could admire the world around us, but we could never truly explore it."
Esche nodded.
"We were bound to our home. No matter how much we wished to see what lay beyond it, we could not simply leave."
Her expression brightened.
"Then the Great Hero came along, and the trees followed him. Naturally, we followed as well."
Oberis giggled.
"Where he goes, we go!"
"Indeed," Esche agreed. "And now, we can finally see the world from the heavens. We can explore places we have never imagined, meet people we have never known, and discover all the wonders hidden beyond our former home."
She spread her tiny arms toward the garden.
"Just look at this place! Such beautiful flowers, such a magnificent view, and so many new things to discover. Following the Great Hero has proven far more entertaining than remaining beside our trees forever."
Cinderella laughed softly.
"Then perhaps we have more in common than I thought."
She looked at the two fairies with genuine affection.
"Although your lives were different from mine, you understand what it means to be confined to a life you never chose."
"Perhaps we do," Esche replied.
Cinderella's fingers rested against the edge of her dress.
"Abe gave me a chance once, too."
Her expression became more reflective as she recalled the woman who had created her.
"Abe was the scientist responsible for creating the Old Tales squad. She believed that we could surpass the first-generation Grimms Models, the Goddess Squad. She created me, Little Mermaid, Hansel, and Gretel. Later, she even turned herself into a Nikke."
Oberis blinked curiously.
"She created all of thee?"
"Yes. She was our creator, our researcher, and, in many ways, someone who believed in us when nobody else would."
Cinderella paused.
"When I first became Anachiro, Abe was the one who continued to believe in me. Even after my corruption, even when others regarded me as a Heretic who needed to be destroyed, she refused to abandon me."
Her voice trembled faintly.
"She believed there was still something worth saving."
Esche listened intently.
"And yet, thou wert corrupted once more?"
Cinderella nodded.
"Red Shoes was responsible. She reactivated the corruption within my body and turned me into Anachiro again. I was terrified that I would lose myself forever, that everything I had regained would be taken away from me."
She looked down at her hands, remembering the fear that had once consumed her.
"But then my Prince came."
A tender smile spread across her face.
"His blood freed me. It removed the corruption and restored me completely. He told me that I would never have to fear being corrupted again."
She drew a slow breath.
"For the first time in my life, I could believe that my suffering was truly over."
Oberis flew closer, settling on Cinderella's shoulder.
"Thou hast been given another chance, just as we have."
Cinderella gently raised one hand to support the little fairy.
"Yes. And I am grateful to the heavens for it."
She gazed toward the distant Earth, her eyes reflecting the light from the garden.
"My Prince could have ignored me. He could have decided that I was too dangerous and simply killed me. After everything I had done as Anachiro, nobody could have blamed him for making that choice."
Her voice softened.
"But he didn't. He gave me the opportunity to live again, to discover who I am without corruption controlling me."
She smiled fondly.
"I owe my Prince my life, my love, and even the chance to reclaim my own beauty. He gave me back the things I thought I had lost forever."
Esche fluttered down from her flower and hovered before Cinderella.
"Then perhaps the heavens are kinder than we sometimes believe."
She placed a tiny hand over her chest.
"We, too, owe the Great Hero our gratitude. He freed us from our lonely existence and allowed us to see the wonders beyond our home."
"Indeed!" Oberis exclaimed. "We were saved by the heavens as well!"
Cinderella looked between the two fairies and smiled.
"Then let us make the most of the lives we've been given."
The melancholy atmosphere gradually lifted.
Esche suddenly clapped her tiny hands together.
"Well, enough of such serious matters! Shall we go and explore more dessert shops?"
Oberis's eyes immediately lit up.
"Yes! There were so many delicious things in the café earlier. I want to try more!"
Cinderella giggled.
"Then you're both in luck. My Prince gave me plenty of credits to spend while I'm aboard the Philadelphia."
She rose from the flower bed, brushing a few stray petals from her dress.
"And I would love your help shopping for new clothes. I've been looking forward to trying different designs ever since I arrived here. There are so many styles I've never had the chance to wear!"
Esche spun excitedly in the air.
"Clothes? New clothes? Oh, this shall be delightful!"
"We must find something beautiful for thee!" Oberis declared.
Cinderella laughed at their enthusiasm.
"Then it's settled. Let's go shopping!"
With that, she activated her flight system and rose gracefully into the air. Esche and Oberis fluttered alongside her, their tiny wings carrying them effortlessly through the garden's open passage.
They left the flowers behind and flew into the bustling interior of the orbital station, where cafés, boutiques, confectioneries, and countless other attractions awaited them.
Cinderella looked ahead with bright, expectant eyes.
For so long, her life had been defined by suffering, corruption, and the fear of losing herself.
Now, she could spend an afternoon exploring a beautiful station, tasting unfamiliar desserts, and choosing clothes simply because she liked them.
No missions. No battles. No fear of becoming Anachiro again.
Just a girl, two fairies, and a world full of wonders waiting to be discovered.
And somewhere aboard the Philadelphia, her Prince was probably busy with another scientific project, blissfully unaware that the credits he had given Cinderella might soon fund an entire shopping expedition.
Not that Cinderella intended to waste a single moment of her newfound freedom.
After all, she had waited far too long to enjoy a life of her own.
=================
Yuuki and Vergil exchanged satisfied smiles as they stood before the completed device.
After countless calculations, design revisions, and hours of integrating technologies that had never been intended to work together, they had finally assembled every component required for their coordinate-based Portal Gun.
The result was surprisingly compact.
Its metallic-grey casing had a blocky yet rounded design, with a bulbous, elongated muzzle at the front. A black control dial sat atop the device, allowing the user to select a destination, while a small red-and-green LED display showed the current coordinates and the device's operational status. Above the main body sat a transparent containment chamber, designed to house the Purifier's teleporter crystal.
At first glance, it looked like an ordinary futuristic ray gun.
Yet the technology packed inside it was anything but ordinary.
"Hoh hoh! This is it!" Vergil exclaimed, turning the device over in his hands. "It actually looks simple and compact. After everything we've put into it, I was expecting something much bulkier like my portal gun."
"That's because we managed to miniaturize the systems without sacrificing their core functions. I owe it to this world's shrinking tech." Yuuki replied.
He gestured toward the device.
"Think about what's inside. Your portal stabilizer, Chronosphere displacement technology integrated with the Unily Formula, the Scrin's Einstein–Rosen bridge calculations, and the Purifier's crystal serving as both a stabilizer and a location recorder. We've also integrated a New Element Arc Reactor as the primary power source."
Vergil nodded, admiring the finished product.
"And the coordinate-targeting system."
"Right. The Unily Formula allows us to calculate the destination, while the Scrin portal formula establishes the wormhole. The Chronosphere's displacement principles help us compensate for spatial distortions, and the Purifier's crystal provides the location-recording function that ties everything together."
Yuuki tapped the side of the device, where a small holographic projector was embedded into the casing.
"The world hologram lets us visualize recorded locations and select our destinations. Once a location has been recorded, we should be able to open a portal to it without having to travel there again first."
"Provided we're staying on the same planet," Vergil added. "At least for this version. We haven't validated interplanetary connections yet, and I'm not particularly interested in discovering what happens when we try to open an unstable wormhole across astronomical distances."
"Neither am I."
Yuuki grinned.
"Still, imagine carrying something like this around. A portable Chronosphere backpack, except much cooler."
"Much cooler," Vergil agreed solemnly. "And significantly less embarrassing to wear."
Yuuki gave him a sideways glance.
"You're just upset that my version isn't bulky like yours."
"I will neither confirm nor deny that accusation but mine's futuristic."
Before Vergil could continue, Yuuki brought up another holographic display, revealing the device's security architecture.
"I've also implemented an authorization system. Only approved personnel will be able to activate the gun or pass through its portals. For now, that means you, me, Yuu, and anyone else we explicitly authorize."
Vergil studied the schematic.
"Good. We can't have people using it to wander into restricted facilities, bypass security checkpoints, or escape somewhere they shouldn't be going."
"Exactly. The device will verify the user's authorization before opening a portal. I've also added an emergency safety mechanism."
Yuuki highlighted a section of the portal-control software.
"The portal won't close while a person or object is occupying the passage between the two openings. We don't want someone getting caught halfway through because the connection suddenly shuts down."
Vergil's expression became serious.
"Now that's a feature I can appreciate. Instantaneous transportation is wonderful. Instantaneous amputation, not so much."
"Let's make sure we never have to test that distinction."
"Agreed."
The two men exchanged a nod.
Then Vergil carefully lifted the Purifier's teleporter crystal.
The crystal resembled a bluish stone, its uneven surface appearing almost primitive compared with the advanced technology surrounding it. There were no visible circuits, no mechanical components, and no obvious indication of the extraordinary dimensional properties hidden within it.
Yet this unassuming object was the final piece they needed.
"All right," Vergil murmured. "Moment of truth."
He carefully placed the crystal inside the transparent containment chamber atop the Portal Gun. The chamber sealed around it, locking the crystal securely into position while allowing its energy to interface with the device's internal systems.
At that moment, Yuu entered the laboratory alongside Suki and Dasha. It was already evening and they are here to take their respective mates to dinner.
"Are you two finished yet?" Yuu asked.
"Almost," Vergil answered without looking away from the device.
Suki glanced at the Portal Gun.
"So this is the device you've been working on?"
"Indeed," Vergil replied proudly. "A portable, coordinate-based portal system. If everything works as intended, we should be able to travel to any previously recorded location on the planet."
Dasha examined the small containment chamber.
"And that little stone makes it possible?"
"More or less. The crystal records locations and helps stabilize the connection and the main source of travel. But there's a catch."
Vergil turned toward the holographic display.
"We can't simply point the gun at a random set of coordinates and expect it to know everything about the destination. The Unily Formula lets us calculate where we want to go, but the crystal still needs to establish a reliable spatial reference."
Yuuki nodded and continued the explanation.
"Think of it as exploring an unmapped region. The coordinate system can tell us where a place should be, but the crystal needs to record that location before we can use it as a dependable destination."
He tapped the world hologram.
"When we visit a place, the crystal records its spatial signature. Once that information is stored, we can return whenever we want. We can also provide the device with a sufficiently accurate memory or visualization of a location to help it calculate the initial connection, assuming the necessary spatial data can be established."
"So you can use the device to explore new places, record them, and then return whenever you like?" Suki asked.
"That's the goal," Yuuki answered. "For now, the safest approach is to visit a location first, let the crystal record it, and then use that record for subsequent trips. The memory-projection function should make the process easier, but we still need to test its accuracy."
Vergil smiled.
"And once we have another Purifier crystal, we can build a second device without having to dismantle this one."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Assuming we can get our hands on another crystal. We have two purifiers and only one with the crystal."
"One problem at a time."
Vergil placed his hand over the activation control.
"Ready?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Let's do it."
Vergil switched on the device.
CRACKLE!
Lightning flickered inside the transparent containment chamber, dancing across the bluish crystal. For a brief moment, the energy surged wildly, illuminating the surrounding machinery with sharp flashes of white.
The researchers monitoring the experiment immediately focused on their instruments.
Then, gradually, the violent electrical discharge subsided.
The lightning condensed around the crystal, changing from white to an increasingly vivid blue. The crystal began to glow, and a faint hum resonated through the device as its internal systems came online.
"JARVIS," Yuuki called out. "Status report."
"Portal Gun activation confirmed, sir. The Purifier crystal is responding to the containment system. Initial synchronization is underway."
A holographic display appeared above the device.
"Recording available spatial data. The crystal is transmitting location information and projecting the preliminary destination hologram."
The world hologram flickered into existence, initially displaying incomplete information before gradually filling with spatial data.
"Synchronization progress: fifty percent."
Yuuki and Vergil watched the display.
"Come on..." Vergil muttered.
"Synchronization progress: ninety percent."
The hologram stabilized.
"Synchronization complete. The GDSS Philadelphia has been successfully recorded as an accessible destination. The Portal Gun can now establish connections to recorded locations aboard the station, provided the user can identify the intended destination and the device has sufficient power."
Silence fell over the laboratory.
Yuuki slowly turned his head toward Vergil.
Vergil turned toward Yuuki.
"Dude..."
"Dude."
"Dude!"
"DUDE!"
The two commanders broke into delighted laughter.
Behind them, Yuu stared at the device in disbelief. Suki and Dasha exchanged astonished looks before turning back toward the holographic display.
Yuu blinked several times.
Then she looked at Suki.
Then Dasha.
"...I wonder if this is how men communicate with each other when they're excited."
Suki covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Dasha sighed.
"Apparently, advanced technology has its own language."
Meanwhile, Yuuki had already taken the Portal Gun from Vergil.
The researchers outside the testing area gave him enthusiastic thumbs-up, signaling that they were ready to begin the first practical test.
Yuuki returned the gesture before looking at Vergil.
"Let's start with something simple."
Vergil nodded.
"No ambitious destinations, no complicated coordinates. Just a short-distance connection within the laboratory."
"Exactly."
Yuuki focused on a location a short distance away, visualizing the area he wanted to reach.
The device's holographic display responded, calculating the intended destination and checking its spatial reference.
A small indicator on the side of the Portal Gun glowed red.
"Still triangulating," JARVIS reported. "Please wait for destination confirmation."
Yuuki waited.
A few seconds later, the indicator changed from red to blue.
"Destination locked. Portal formation authorized."
Yuuki grinned.
"Here we go."
He raised the Portal Gun, aimed it toward an empty section of the laboratory, and squeezed the trigger.
KRAK-THOOM!
A streak of blue-white energy shot from the muzzle.
Unlike Vergil's Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, which produced clearly visible, see-through openings, Yuuki's device fired a stream of luminous energy that struck the air and spread outward like liquid splashing across an invisible surface.
Space rippled.
Then a swirling blue portal formed, its edges crackling with electrical energy as the opening expanded to a stable size.
A second portal appeared at the selected destination.
The connection was established.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Even the researchers seemed reluctant to breathe too loudly, as though an unexpected movement might somehow disrupt the breakthrough unfolding before them.
Yuuki stared at the two openings.
Then he looked at Vergil.
"Well?"
Vergil was already grinning.
"It worked."
"It actually worked."
"It actually worked!"
Yuu stepped forward, her eyes wide.
"Chief, you really did it..."
Suki and Dasha looked between the two portals, still struggling to comprehend that a handheld device had just created a stable connection between two separate locations.
Yuuki, however, wasn't ready to celebrate just yet.
"Let's test the connection first."
He spotted a baseball lying near the testing equipment.
Picking it up, he tossed it through the nearest portal.
The ball disappeared into the blue opening.
A split second later, it shot out of the second portal and landed on the floor.
One of the researchers immediately recorded the result.
"Test object one: successful transit. No visible structural damage. Transit time within expected parameters."
Vergil retrieved the baseball and examined it.
"Perfect."
Yuuki then picked up an apple from a nearby table.
"Let's see whether organic material behaves differently."
He tossed the apple through the portal.
It emerged on the other side and rolled across the floor.
Yuuki retrieved it, inspected its surface, and took a bite.
He chewed thoughtfully.
"Still an apple."
Vergil stared at him.
"Did you seriously just eat the test specimen?"
"It's an apple, Vergil. Not an experimental core."
"You could have at least waited for the researchers to finish scanning it!"
Yuuki took another bite.
"Relax. It passed through perfectly. No vaporization, no apparent temporal distortion, and no unexpected acceleration."
JARVIS confirmed the preliminary observations, while the research team continued recording the data.
The device was performing exactly as intended.
But there was still one crucial question.
Could it transport a living person safely?
Yuuki glanced at the portal, then at the Mark 86 armor stored nearby.
"All right. Time for the real test."
Yuu immediately looked at him.
"Chief... are you sure it's safe?"
"I'll be all right, Yuu."
"That isn't what I asked."
Yuuki paused.
"...Fair point."
He gave her a reassuring smile.
"We've already tested the connection with inanimate objects. The portal is stable, the energy readings are within acceptable limits, and JARVIS hasn't detected any abnormal temporal effects. I'll cross over wearing the armor, and the researchers will monitor every reading."
Yuu clearly wasn't entirely convinced, but she knew him well enough to recognize that he had already made up his mind.
Yuuki activated his Mark 86 armor.
The armor assembled around him, its systems powering up as the helmet sealed into place. Once the suit's diagnostics were complete, he approached the portal.
Vergil watched the readings.
"Connection stability is holding. Energy output is consistent. No fluctuations in the displacement field."
Yuuki looked back at them.
"Keep monitoring everything. If something goes wrong, shut down the connection immediately."
"Understood," JARVIS replied.
Yuuki stepped through the portal.
For a fraction of a second, his armored silhouette vanished into the swirling blue light.
Then he emerged from the second portal.
He stopped, turned around, and raised a hand toward the group.
"See? Easy."
Yuu released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Suki's eyes widened.
Dasha stared at the portal, then at Yuuki, who was now standing safely on the other side.
And Vergil—
Vergil threw both fists into the air.
"HOLY HELL! IT FINALLY WORKS!"
His triumphant shout echoed through the laboratory.
The researchers erupted into cheers, some clapping while others hurried to review their recordings. JARVIS continued collecting diagnostic data, documenting the first successful human transit through the coordinate-based Portal Gun.
Yuuki stepped back through the portal and returned to the original side, his armor's diagnostic systems showing no immediate abnormalities.
He removed his helmet and grinned at Vergil.
"We did it."
Vergil grabbed his shoulders.
"We actually did it!"
"Yes, Vergil. We did. More like you did. Your portal gun is the base, I just use the same concept. Strap a few things and make it compact. Except, I can't use this as a wonder weapon like you."
"We built a portable portal gun that can travel to recorded locations across the planet! Plus, without the Unily Formula.. this would be impossible."
"Provided we have enough power and the destination is properly recorded."
"Yuuki, let me enjoy the moment!"
Yuuki laughed.
"All right, all right! I owe it to you."
"And Brainstorm including you!"
Behind them, Yuu finally relaxed, though she still gave Yuuki a pointed look.
"Next time, Chief, warn me before you volunteer yourself as the first human test subject."
Yuuki smiled sheepishly.
"I'll try."
"That means you won't."
"...Probably."
Suki giggled while Dasha shook her head.
The Portal Gun continued humming softly in Yuuki's hand, its blue indicator shining steadily.
Vergil examined the device again, already thinking about the next stage of development.
His own Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device produced transparent, see-through portals, allowing users to look directly through one opening and observe the other side. Yuuki's coordinate-based version, by contrast, generated swirling blue portals that concealed their destinations behind a luminous energy field.
Both designs worked.
And now that they had successfully integrated the Purifier crystal, the team had a clear path toward building more advanced versions—provided they could obtain another crystal.
Vergil glanced at his own portal gun, then at Yuuki's.
"You know, once we find another Purifier crystal, I might redesign my next version around your coordinate-targeting system."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Already planning an upgrade?"
"Of course! Your device has a recorded-location system, a world hologram, and a much more flexible targeting architecture. Meanwhile, mine has the advantage of letting us see through the portals."
He tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Perhaps we can combine the best aspects of both designs. A coordinate-based portal gun with transparent openings."
Yuuki grinned.
"Now that sounds interesting."
"Right? And we could make it more compact. Perhaps even redesign the casing into something closer to a conventional pistol."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We still need to finish the safety tests, evaluate the power consumption, and determine the maximum range."
Vergil sighed dramatically.
"Why must you always bring up the responsible part?"
"Because one of us has to."
"Unfortunately."
The two men laughed.
Around them, the research team continued working, already preparing the next series of tests.
They had begun with an ambitious idea: combine the best elements of several different civilizations' transportation technologies into a device small enough to carry in one hand.
Now, standing in the middle of their laboratory, they had proof that it could work.
Humanity had taken another step toward mastering dimensional transportation—not by relying on someone else's infrastructure, but by developing a system of its own.
And judging by Vergil's expression, this was only the beginning.
"Oh man... I haven't felt this much excitement in years!"
Vergil grinned from ear to ear as he raised his Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device. With a squeeze of the trigger, he fired a blue portal onto one suitable surface, then an orange portal onto another.
Both openings shimmered into existence, their transparent interiors revealing the opposite sides.
Vergil peered through one of them, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
"Still," Yuuki remarked, holding his own Portal Gun, "yours has the advantage of being see-through. Mine looks like I'm shooting a hole in reality and hoping for the best."
"Hey, don't underestimate this baby!" Vergil protested, patting his ASHPD affectionately. "It's a perfectly functional wonder weapon. Just imagine shooting one portal here and the other inside a volcano."
He spread his arms dramatically.
"Then we toss something through and watch the fun!"
Yuuki gave him a flat stare.
"Your portal gun has no authorization restrictions, does it?"
Vergil paused.
"...It's a weapon unlike yours, remember?"
"That doesn't answer my question."
"It's a scientific instrument!"
"An instrument that can send someone directly into a volcano."
"An educational experience."
Yuuki shook his head.
"You're unbelievable."
Vergil ignored him and admired his portal gun again.
"Still, I love this thing more than anything!"
Silence.
Vergil's smile froze.
Slowly, he turned toward his wives.
Suki and Dasha were staring at him.
Their smiles were perfectly pleasant.
Their eyes were not.
"More than us?" Suki asked sweetly.
Dasha tilted her head.
"Is that what you just said, darling?"
Vergil immediately lowered the ASHPD.
"No! Of course not, dears!"
Suki stepped closer.
"Dear..."
Dasha joined her.
"Let's have a little talk."
Vergil swallowed.
"...I can explain."
Unfortunately for him, Yuuki had already recognized the danger and was preparing his escape.
"Sorry, mate. Your marriage, your problem."
"HEY! HELP A BROTHER OUT!"
Yuuki promptly grabbed Yuu's hand and aimed his coordinate-based Portal Gun toward a recorded location elsewhere aboard the Philadelphia.
The indicator glowed blue.
WHOOSH!
A swirling portal opened before them.
Yuu blinked at the sudden development, then looked at Yuuki.
"Chief, are we running away?"
"Strategic withdrawal."
"Ah, of course."
Yuuki grinned and pulled her toward the portal.
"Sorry, Vergil! Good luck!"
Yuu waved cheerfully at the abandoned scientist.
"I'll have your brain on my operating table if it's still intact, Vergil! Suki-chan, Dasha-chan, we'll wait for you at the restaurant for dinner!"
She followed Yuuki through the portal.
The opening closed behind them.
For a moment, Vergil stood alone with his two wives and his beloved ASHPD.
He slowly turned toward the device in his hands.
Then he looked at Suki.
Then Dasha.
Both women were still smiling.
Somewhere in the laboratory, even the research girls had quietly disappeared, apparently deciding that observing an unstable dimensional phenomenon was considerably safer than witnessing Vergil's domestic predicament.
Vergil stared at the empty room.
"...Dears?"
Suki's smile widened.
"Yes, darling?"
Dasha cracked her knuckles.
"Now, about what you said..."
Vergil glanced desperately toward the spot where Yuuki's portal had been.