CHAPTER 19: SAFE HAVEN

Muse led Snow into a large tent filled with machinery—communication devices, repair tools, and combat gear. “Cindy, she’s awake,” Muse called. An Android emerged from under a table, orange hair braided on both sides, wearing glasses. Her silver eyes lit up at the sight of Snow, adjusting her frames as she approached:

“You recovered faster than I expected! The materials I used to fix you could’ve made two brand-new THE SHIEL2 suits! I repaired your armor too—though it’s a prototype, it’s pretty handy. Where’d you get it, Muse? How’re the hands I made you? Still good? Should I…”

“Slow down, Cindy, my hands are fine,” Muse interrupted with a smile. “Snow, this is Cindy. She handles Android repairs and crafts gear here. She fixed you up, and my hands are her work too.”

“Thanks, Cindy. I’m Snow,” Snow said with a slight bow.

“No problem, no problem—I love fixing things! I’m a third-generation labor Android, once called WRK 555, now Cindy. Sorry if I talk too much; I’m just excited. It’s my first time seeing second-gen Androids with emotions like you two. Muse brought you for a check-up, right? Let me start the scan… Done! No issues—you’re fully operational!” Cindy chattered, making Muse and Snow chuckle.

“Cindy, why wear glasses? Android eyes can see far, can’t they?” Snow asked, curious.

“For style! My old owner loved me in glasses. She treated Androids well, but after bankruptcy…” Cindy slowed, sadness flickering in her eyes. “Anyway, when debt collectors came to repossess Androids, I accidentally hurt one and fled. Lune found me and brought me here.”

“Isn’t that the chatterbox Android talking about me?”

A Homunculus entered, purple hair tied high. “When I found you, only the core was intact,” Lune said with a warm laugh. “Snow, this is Lune, an Illusionist. Most folks here were rescued by her, including me,” Muse introduced.

“Lune, Cindy, thank you both. If not for you…” Snow hesitated.

“No need to thank us—we’re just doing our jobs. When I found Muse, she was fighting guards outside Elysium like a lunatic,” Lune grinned carefree. “Besides, the Reaper’s companion is quite the character.”

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“You all know already?” Snow asked, surprised.

“Muse told us. Honestly, we admire you two. From enemies to friends—you even faced Beasts without Server support. I’d love to be that cool; I’m really good at…”

“Okay, okay,” Lune covered Cindy’s mouth. “This is a haven for beings like us—human creations tired of pointless slaughter. Mordred has something to tell you, Snow. Meet him at the camp gate.”

“Let me come—I wanna hear too!” Cindy whined.

“Have you finished Lockheed like Mordred asked!?” Lune grabbed Cindy, dragging her out despite her protests.

Snow met Mordred at the gate as Lune instructed, still wary. Sensing it, Mordred spoke first to reassure her:

“Though I look like him, I swear the only thing I want right now is to drive a sword through his heart,” he said firmly. “I’m a victim of Arthur too.”

“So his name’s Arthur…” Snow muttered. “How are you and Arthur so alike?”

“I’m a Homunculus made to take his punishment—a walking corpse,” Mordred recounted. “I escaped thanks to a Chosen One causing chaos at the execution. He broke his cuffs, blasted lightning at the guards—I seized the chance and ran.”

“How’d you build this place?” Snow pressed.

“I wandered battlefields, originally seeking death,” Mordred replied. “But fate wouldn’t let me die, so I gathered Homunculi and Androids sick of war here. Like you and Kira, we want to end this conflict.”

“Any news of Kira? She might still be hiding in the sewers…” Snow said, anxious.

“Snow, listen—Kira’s in danger. We just learned she’s been captured by Arthur and is likely en route to Neo Babylon,” Mordred said gravely.

“Midgard… She’s powerless now—what can she even do!?” Snow shouted.

“Our intel suggests he’s turned the Reaper into a vessel for high-tier Beasts. If he unleashes that power, it won’t just be Midgard—Olympus will fall too,” Mordred added.

“I’m going to save Kira,” Snow clenched her fists. “I’ll save her no matter what.”

“I understand,” Mordred placed a hand on her shoulder. “Not just Kira—you’re our hope too, Snow. Your emotional journey inspires this camp. The Knights of Treachery stand with you!”

“I fixed Lockheed—praise meeee!!” Cindy waved from afar.

“Come with me, Snow. Our ticket to Neo Babylon’s ready,” Mordred said.

Lune rallied everyone per Mordred’s orders. He explained the mission, stressing it was a suicide run—anyone could stay if unwilling. Eyes met; a Homunculus spoke first:

“Kira saved me once at Battlefield No. 8. Time to repay her.”

“Me too—at No. 12,” another Homunculus added.

“002—I mean Snow—shielded me at No. 6, though she might not recall,” an Android chimed in.

“If everyone’s in, we head to Neo Babylon at dawn!” Mordred raised his fist; the camp roared in unison.

Snow felt gratitude. Cindy ran to her side, joined by Muse and Lune. Once soulless creations forced to fight, they now shared one goal. A suicide mission loomed, yet smiles graced every face.