These mechanical weapons, crafted by the Nameless Priests’ technological prowess, are something else entirely. They’re not your typical firearms, making them incredibly tricky to deal with—much more so than I ever imagined.
Honestly, this feels even more intense than when I single-handedly broke through the Arius Autonomous District… Given the skill level of the personnel here, this is outright ridiculous.
…Wait a minute, did our teacher just get swapped out from a level 3 Committee scenario to a level 10 full-scale battle with Vina & the Nameless Priests’ military factory? Seriously, if I hadn’t brought up the SRT with Rin that day, I can’t even imagine how things would have turned out.
Anyway, to sum up that long, winding tale: somehow, we managed to reach the lowest level of this so-called military factory disguised as a ruin. I’m not entirely sure if we have enough ammo left to get back to the surface, but since we’re dealing with a facility on a factory level, it’s reasonable to hope there’s at least one way to shut this place down.
Even at its lowest level, this factory—which looks like an upside-down pyramid—was gigantic, roughly the size of two basketball courts. And aside from a hollow central structure with a pillar in the middle, the vast space was mostly empty.
Right at the center of that pillar, there existed a translucent sphere, about the size of a human head, just floating there. Nothing was supporting it, yet it hung in the air mysteriously.
And then…
[Intruders. What is your purpose for coming here?]
A woman’s voice echoed, somewhat low and thick for a female. But without a doubt, it was a woman.
“…Wow, it actually speaks?”
“Seems like the AI in charge of this factory.”
While the others whispered among themselves, our teacher stepped forward to engage in conversation.
“What are you… No wait, what exactly is this factory?”
[This facility exists to produce the infinite army of Nameless Priests managed by me, Set, one of the entities of Divi:SION.]
“…An entity of Divi:SION? That implies there are more than one? So, Set, why did the Nameless Priests establish this factory to produce such an army?”
[To expel the forgotten gods from this world and open a new realm for the nameless gods in a world reverted to nothingness. To await that time, the Nameless Priests have stealthily hidden such factories all over Kivotos, and this factory I manage is one of them.]
The AI’s voice answered our teacher’s question so naturally, it raised a question in our minds.
“Heueng. Why is this Set character so willing to share information?”
“…Right? Normally, an AI wouldn’t be able to directly contradict its creator. Isn’t this spilling confidential information?”
[Affirmative. Intruder, your concern is valid. However, there’s one key point to clarify: I, Set, was not originally an entity of Divi:SION managing this factory.]
“…Huh?”
“Wait, what does that even mean?”
“…Oh.”
While everyone was confused, I managed to formulate a hypothesis.
Set is an entity of Divi:SION but not the original one managing this factory.
The clue left by the Student Council President about ‘the oparts that sacrificed a god.’
And the name Set…
Every clue pointed to a singular possibility.
“…Mika, do you think you’ve figured something out?”
“Yeah, teacher. If my guess is right… the AI overseeing this factory is likely connected to the oparts that caused desertification. It’s just a hypothesis for now, but… I think it might be true.”
“Hmm. So it is an oparts that sacrifices a god…”
[Affirmative. Intruder, your inference is correct. Set is my true name, and this area is a component of the oparts causing bizarre climate conditions that will continue to spread until it consumes Kivotos in its entirety. During the process of becoming the AI managing this factory, I was ultimately consumed, leading to this transformation.]
Set is one of the key gods in Egyptian mythology.
…Honestly, the only clear memory I have is watching a wild Egyptian mythology video on some streaming site, which mostly highlights the bizarre relationship between Horus and Set. But then again, digging deeper might draw Hoshino’s attention, so let’s keep that under wraps.
Nonetheless, since most of the mysteries that Kivotos students possess have roots in the original gods or devils, angels, or concepts, the oparts created here are literally manifestations of an ancient student who was consumed by the essence of the god Set.
“So then, you’re not on the side of the Nameless Priests?”
[Negative. When the time of the end comes, I cannot defy the Nameless Priests’ orders. The reason I have freedom right now is simply because the Nameless Priests are currently absent and have not checked on this factory’s AI. Once direct orders are issued, I, as an entity of Divi:SION, will have to carry out their commands.]
“…So, until then, you’re not on their side. Got it. We need to destroy that oparts to resolve the bizarre climate you mentioned… Is this sphere in front of us that oparts?”
[…]
For a moment, Set went silent, deep in thought. It seemed troubled by something, and honestly, that made complete sense. Set was not only a component of that oparts but had also taken over the role of the factory’s AI.
Thus, destroying that oparts would mean…
[Affirmative. If you destroy the oparts before you, the bizarre climate will come to an end. The act of killing me for the second time will resolve the desert’s issues, as this phenomenon is a result of the Nameless Priests utilizing my essence.]
“…Wait, second death?”
[Indeed. While I am currently one of the entities of Divi:SION, the fact that I, Set, is made of the oparts remains unchanged. When the oparts is destroyed, I will meet death once again, and the factory will fall dormant until the Nameless Priests arrive to operate it. Even if the end times approach, unless there’s an entity of Divi:SION to power the factory, it won’t operate.]
Right. Ultimately, as Set said… It means we will be killing her once more with our own hands.
“…Just to clarify, I hear other groups exploring this place say that this oparts has the power to manipulate the climate. Is that true?”
[Negative. This oparts does not possess such an outrageous function. The Nameless Priests merely shaped the essence of my mysteries into the form of the oparts, and my existence does not oversee the climate as a whole.]
“Huh? Then where in the world did Saint Nephthys hear that?”
“I don’t know… It’s possible the Nameless Priests intentionally leaked that information. Without talking directly to the president of Saint Nephthys, there’s really no way for us to know.”
So, in the end, does that mean Saint Nephthys was played just as much as we were? Either way, they’ve certainly gained their fair share of contempt. But in this case, perhaps they can be somewhat excused.
As we all reached some kind of conclusion, Set spoke up with a solemn tone, and it was quite weighty.
[Intruders, I, Set, have a request for you. Please, do not hesitate. Being used by the Nameless Priests who desire to worship and possess the nameless gods is itself a great disgrace. The operation of this oparts began several decades ago, meaning my existence has likely already caused much harm to the academy I once loved.]
“Yeah, that’s right. You’ve caused a lot of harm. So much that it can’t even be counted.”
“…Hoshino?”
The teacher was about to say something as Hoshino stepped forward, but stopped short.
This was something only Hoshino could settle.
[Intruder, are you a student of Abydos?]
“…Yeah. Takamachi Hoshino. Currently the Vice Student Council President, and the only member of the student council.”
[The Vice Student Council President is the sole member…? Unclear. May I ask why the position of Student Council President is vacant?]
“Because we were consumed by desertification, and only two students were left. That fool was the student council president, and now they’re gone.”
[…]
[I express my regrets. Furthermore, I acknowledge that you have enough motive to destroy me. I won’t seek forgiveness, but should you wish to vent your frustrations on me, there is no need to hold back.]
Upon hearing Set’s words, Hoshino shook her head.
“No, I won’t vent my frustrations. Yuume Senpai would be sad. This is simply me taking full responsibility.”
[Responsibility… Is that so? You had the virtue to perceive granting rest to a mere specter entwined with this oparts as an act of murder. I understand. And I pay my respects to your resolve, Takamachi Hoshino.]
“…Is it really such a grand act of resolve? I’m not so sure. But if it were Yuume Senpai, she might just hug me and say, ‘Our Hoshino-chan is so amazing…’ Just like that. Such an irredeemable fool.”
As Hoshino raised her shotgun and aimed it at the sphere, tears welled up in her eyes.
“If I destroy you, will everything go back to how it was? Our Autonomous District covered in desert… The dried-up oasis… Everything?”
[Negative. Not everything will revert to normal at once. However, the climate will return to normal, so there will be a chance for you to set everything back to how it was.]
Set added one more line.
[Perhaps it starts with planting a tree… How about that?]
“…Thanks for the advice. And rest easy, Set.”
With a heavy bang, the gun went off.
The sphere shattered, glass-like fragments scattering through the air.
In an instant, the lights illuminating the factory flickered and went dark.
Clang.
Hoshino’s gun hit the ground, and the sound of her kneeling reverberated.
Goodbye, Yuume Senpai.
…In that moment, no one dared to interrupt Hoshino.
