"Are you still working, Doctor?"
He knocked gently on the door, and His Majesty the Demon King, having bid farewell to Vera, came to find his friend.
"..."
There was no response.
Suspecting that someone had fainted from hunger due to working long hours, Theresa pushed open the door.
Surprisingly, the Doctor is awake at this moment, and even seems somewhat... excited?
The usually composed Doctor was currently taking notes on something while looking at a book.
Curious, Theresa stepped forward, and the Doctor also broke his concentration.
"Your Highness? I apologize, I was a little distracted."
"Don't always use such unfamiliar terms of address..."
Theresa felt a sense of helplessness. Despite her repeated emphasis, both the Doctor and Kal'tsit always habitually addressed her with honorifics.
"Are we going to the cafeteria together? Wait a moment, I'll be right there..." The Doctor prepared to get up.
"It's okay." Theresa shook her head.
"You must have had a busy day. If you're tired, please ask everyone to bring you dinner. It's okay to be a little indulgent."
"After all..."
Theresa looked at the books on the table, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"It's rare to see the Doctor like this. Is it a new publication brought by Closure?"
"No, it was commissioned by someone else."
"The commission... is it Vera?"
"It seems you two have a pretty good relationship."
Having gleaned information about the progress of their relationship from the way they addressed each other, the Doctor didn't elaborate, but instead pushed the book forward.
Theresa picked it up and looked at it, tilting her head in confusion.
"A script I've never seen before..."
"Indeed, these are not the writings recorded by any civilization on this Daichi,"
His fingers lightly traced the pages of the book, and the Doctor's voice was unusually cheerful.
"Unlike combinations of letters, and not pictographic representations, this script closely resembles Spellvoice, composed of various peculiar patterns..."
The Doctor spoke at length, Theresa gained some understanding of his condition.
I learned in a casual conversation that the Doctor was an excellent linguist. Although he had made outstanding achievements in other fields, linguistics was more of his interest.
As the Doctor effortlessly recounted those obscure facts, Theresa's lips curled into a slight smile.
The shadow cast by the war faded briefly, and the fearsome evil spirit seemed to have returned to the scholar he had first encountered.
"Phew... sorry, I got a little carried away."
Realizing his own state, the Doctor spontaneously regained his composure.
"So, Your Highness, is there another reason for your visit?"
"No, Vera and the others threw a party, and I think it's a great opportunity to build friendships."
"All?"
Everyone will participate.
"With everyone participating, what about the logistical supplies...?"
"Don't worry, although we feel a little embarrassed, we will provide the labor, but the supplies will not be provided by the Babel Tower."
Theresa blinked and praised:
"Thanks to you, the Babel Tower has found a rather generous collaborator."
"It's not easy to repay favors."
The Doctor poured cold water on her enthusiasm, Theresa smiled gently and said:
"So, what's the reply?"
"You go ahead, I'll be there shortly."
"Amiya will cry if you don't come."
"... I will go."
After Theresa left, the Doctor tidied his messy desk, recalling their meeting not long ago.
That spherical bat... it must be a bat, right?
Upon arriving at his office, he directly asked Ascalon to leave.
"Interested in taking on another commission, Prophet?"
A spherical bat handed out a book containing a language never before seen.
"You might not believe it, but this is a magic book from a fairy tale."
"Yes, magic, not Originium Arts, but magic from another world."
He displayed the rotating magic circle, and with curiosity about otherworldly power, the Doctor attempted to record it.
However--
"What's the use? Um... it lets you spin around, and it looks really good."
The red magic circle rotated silently, and the Doctor remained silent.
"Don't look at me like that. We don't understand this stuff either, which is why we need you, the greatest linguist of this Precivilization, to decipher it."
"... Will Lu record these things in the Deep Blue Tree?"
The Doctor was skeptical.
He had good relationships with many of his colleagues, and because of this, he knew that Lu wouldn't record useless data.
At the very least... his identity should be that of the person in charge of Originium Project, not a linguist.
"Well, so that scholar fed herself to her creation, in a physical sense... Are you satisfied with this answer?"
Doctor:"..."
Although he already knew that Lu would not survive to this era, the Doctor still felt a pang of sorrow upon hearing the news.
Are you sad, Prophet?
The spherical bat in front of me flapped its wings and landed on the table.
"There's no need to feel sad. Lu just made the same choice as you."
"To place your hopes on this future civilization... isn't that what you've been hoping for?"
Are we placing our hopes on this Daichi...?
The Doctor remained silent.
Hearing these words from someone else gave him a strange sense of identification and sadness.
Their civilization has been destroyed, and it is understandable that they believe in the resilience of life and entrust their hopes to their successors.
But time is really running out...
The Star Pod can't block out the light for much longer; it doesn't know when it will begin to watch over this Daichi.
Is it possible?
To cross that darkness that even they could not cross.
Based on this nascent civilization...
Did Lu Zhen give up hope? Perhaps... she gave up.
No, Lu is not that kind of person.
[But Lu has already left, the Deep Blue Tree Project has stalled, and the Preservator has not responded. Are you really going to believe Ed's plan?] (Ed: The person in charge of the Paradise Pivot Plan, who advocates elbowing the lumberjacks.)
No, Ed's plan is too crazy; there's no turning back...
[In that case, the only remaining option is obvious... Originium Project. A hundred years is enough time for Originium to cover the entire Daichi.]
Bang--!
The Doctor banged his head hard, trying to dispel the voice of his other self.
There is still hope; it is too early to pronounce a death sentence on the civilization of this Daichi.
"Are you arguing with another version of yourself again, Prophet?"
The Doctor suddenly raised his head, his eyes showing obvious wariness for the first time.
It's confirmed... this guy's information definitely wasn't obtained from the Deep Blue Tree.
"Don't look at me like that. In a sense, I am also a [Prophet]."
Lucky took flight again and stuck to the Doctor's mask.
"It's really complicated, my fellow countrymen..."
"They clearly don't want to interfere with the progress of civilization, but they can't help but get involved."
Is it out of enthusiasm for helping a new civilization, or a hope to see a shadow of the old homeland in it?
"..."
The Doctor did not answer; instead, his aura grew increasingly cold.
"How sad... The records show that you were on good terms with many scholars, so you seemed like a cheerful person, but ever since I met you, you've had a gloomy aura about you."
Lucky returned to the desktop, and the Doctor felt a momentary daze as he spoke in his childish voice.
"I don't understand what you're struggling with, but from a [human] perspective... I'd rather rebuild my own civilization than place my hopes on others."
"Since you have the ability to preserve the Fire Seed, then this Fire Seed should rightfully bear the responsibility of reviving civilization."
"Perhaps the nascent civilization will be destroyed again, then let's leave behind the Fire Seed, time and time again..."
"We will fight Him to the death!" / [We will fight Him to the death!]
Two voices rang out simultaneously, and instinctively, the Doctor called out the name.
"... Ed?"
"Hmm? It seems my comment reminded you of your colleague?"
The face that belonged to his compatriots faded away once more, and Ed's face returned to that of a grinning bat.
Staring into those narrow, beastly eyes, the Doctor began to wonder if the soul lurking within its body belonged to a member of Precivilization.
"Is what you're saying... what's on your mind?" the Doctor probed.
"Well, I was just kidding."
Taking a deep breath, the Doctor felt his vision blurring.
The guy in front of me is definitely not a fellow citizen of the Precivilization. If he really is... given his personality, he would never remain unknown!
"However, part of it is true. Shall we guess which part it is?"
"Guess if I guess or not?"
The Doctor was so angry he almost laughed, but the bat in front of him just grinned wickedly.
"Yes, yes, this is the way I know it."
Does it look familiar?
The Doctor subconsciously began to analyze; the person in front of him knew too much about the past of the ancient civilization, yet he was not one of his own kind.
... parallel world?
Having come up with an answer, before the Doctor could prove it, Lucky continued:
"Ahem, actually what I wanted to say was... there's no need to get bogged down in Terra. We can advance both the Precivilization and the current civilization simultaneously!"
Snapping out of his thoughts, the Doctor immediately launched a debate.
"We don't have enough time or resources. This planet's resources are far from enough to rebuild our home. Exploring outwards will only lead us to that darkness."
"A bit disillusioning... Do you guys also worry about resources?"
"... Even the most glorious civilizations cannot exist without the support of a foundation; even we cannot create something from nothing."
"What if the legacy of another civilization could help you?"
"..."
The Doctor remained silent for a long time, his greyish-white eyes behind the mask making Lucky feel uneasy.
Is this a joke?
"No, although it's not certain yet, we'll have an answer in a few days."
"So I hope we can make an agreement."
"Originium Project might succeed, but if a better approach comes along... how about we put it on hold for now?"
"I cannot trust you," the Doctor said frankly.
"That's really hurtful to hear..."
Lucky covered his eyes with his wings, pretending to cry.
"Although I may be a stranger to you, you are already very familiar to me."
"I sincerely hope you can fulfill your wish, my fellow countryman~"
Are we... really compatriots?
The Doctor asked a question directly, which was unusual for him, but it carried a rare sense of urgency.
"We can be, if you want to."
Lucky chuckled and landed on the Doctor's head.
"Of course, if you're not willing, we can start as brothers."
The order is reversed...
"If you don't answer, I'll take that as a yes. By the way, are you and the Priestess actually married? If not, will I be able to attend your wedding?"
"Cough! Cough!"
Upon hearing the unexpected name, the Doctor coughed violently.
Why would you...?
"I've already said so much, is it really necessary to ask this again?"
The Doctor fell silent, then let out a long sigh.
Can I know your reasons for doing this?
"The reason? Probably because they think we'll definitely get involved in this civilization, and even if I don't... they will."
"You hate this civilization?"
The Doctor was somewhat surprised; he had said so much, but the guy in front of him didn't seem very enthusiastic about participating.
"No, no, no, how could I dislike it?"
"Steampunk, futuristic style, chivalrous heroes of the Great Yan Dynasty, ancient golden kingdom, nautical adventure, gangster underworld..."
"The fact that countless civilizations with such different styles converged in the same era is truly exhilarating."
"If even someone like you can't resist getting involved, how can we possibly tolerate it?"
Lucky's figure disappeared one after another, and books were placed on the Doctor's desk.
"Originium Project..."
"Storing everything into an internalized universe to evade His search sounds wonderful, doesn't it?"
"But clearly, Prophet, neither you nor I can call a state in which even the physical form has been lost 'alive'."
"A civilization without people is meaningless; I think we can all agree on that."
"So the Prophet..."
"Let's do this for the sake of the Precivilization, to become a magical girl bar!"
The Doctor wasn't optimistic, Lucky was quite indifferent.
"Give it a try? Just to help out, or are you more interested in civil engineering?"
I prefer to call this a delegation.
The Doctor wasn't fooled by this wicked little dumpling; since it was a commission, there should naturally be a reward.
"Tsk, didn't get it for free after all?"
Doctor:"..."
Doesn't this person know how to speak properly?
Old Deng, Precivilization, felt a wave of mental exhaustion, but after that exhaustion, he inexplicably felt a sense of relaxation.
However, the necessary procedures still need to be completed.
"Since you dare to make such a boast, consider it proof... I need your help to deal with a formidable enemy."
"Wow, there's someone you can't handle?"
Lucky nonchalantly flapped his wings.
"Speak, speak. We've already agreed that we'll provide you with power. Who does Father-in-law want to kill?"
"Which Behemoth is giving you a headache...?"
"Flame Demon."
Vane: "..."
After a long silence, Lucky cautiously said:
"You're not talking about that one Columbia recently released, are you?"
Are you confident?
Lucky's expression was strange.
"What if we could recruit Him?"
The Doctor was somewhat surprised, not expecting that the person in front of him was also an idealist like Theresa.
"If you can do it."
"Then it's settled. You'll be in charge of deciphering all these magic books!"
"... Is there anything else?"
"Oh, could I have your snacks?"
"..."
Carrying the Doctor's treasured snacks, Lucky wobbled away.
Recalling the other party's shameless manner, the Doctor shook his head and closed the book.
The door opened a crack, and a pair of long ears revealed the girl behind it.
"Doctor..."
Amiya peeked out, cautiously observing the Doctor.
"Aren't you coming along?"
He reached the door and ruffled the girl's hair.
The Doctor crouched down to pick Amiya up, but then silently stood up again after considering his own physical condition.
Taking the girl's hand, the two walked towards the lights outside the ship.
Have you made any new friends?
"Yes! Sister Ifrit is a good person!"
"That's good..."
"What about the Doctor? Has the Doctor made any friends yet?"
Why do you say that?
"Because... the Doctor seems rather happy today."
"Hmm, Amiya, guess?"
"Doctor ~"
Thinking of a certain wicked bat, the Doctor vigorously rubbed the girl's head, eliciting a soft, whimpering sound in return.
Hearing the little rabbit's harmless complaints, the Doctor let out a pleasant hum.
In one world, the hooded beings may be evil spirits who inherited the resentment of the destruction of Precivilization and wander through the new world.
But in this world, he may have new choices.
"Doctor, I'm going to get angry if you keep doing that!"
"What if I treat Amiya to Carrot Pie?"
"Hmm... then Amiya forgives the Doctor."
"So cute, Amiya."
"Mmm..." (shy)
The little rabbit ran away shyly, and the Doctor followed behind, panting.
Integrating into a new civilization? It doesn't have to be that complicated.
Dear Doctor.
Standing on this Daichi, you are a member of this new civilization.