Zero’s activation.The conditions for it were extremely demanding.That was the reason Gale never made the final piece.You could say he built the flashlight, but not the batteries that fit it.He created Zero—but not the direct energy source that would power it.That’s why you need a high-grade device capable of channeling a reactor’s output.Normally, you’d connect the reactor-mounted equipment to Zero,add in a specialized process,and produce a plasma blade.That’s {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} the usual route.But to do that, I’d have to go back into Wayless Headquarters—a hassle I’d rather avoid.However… there was another way.Borrowing a technician’s skill.Like the man standing before me.“Michael Wok—at least in plasma technology, he’s a step above Eli.”One of the Liberation League’s officers,and the one in charge of their non-combat personnel.He was staring intently at the sword Zero, his face alight with excitement.Which could only mean one thing:He’s discovered the secret—the key to the plasma blade.And knowing his personality,he’d try to recreate it.An unexpected opportunity.“...Hmm.”Michael, who had seemed dazed until a moment ago,sharpened his gaze.“Is it true?”“Of course.”He replied with a lazy look, digging a finger in his ear.“Forget it. Not interested in a thing I’ll have to return anyway.”Really?I didn’t think so.His leg was bouncing, betraying his nerves.His mind was spinning fast.I looked for an opening—a way to turn this situation to my advantage.“Pity.”“...?”From Michael’s perspective, even if he recreated a plasma blade,he’d just have to hand it back.A wasted effort.But that mindset could easily be changed.“I didn’t think you’d turn down a favor.”“You mean to give me the sword?”“As if.”“Then what?”“You could at least learn its secret.”“Hmm…!”His hesitation wouldn’t last long.For a drunkard like him, this would be a golden opportunity.As he dismantled Zero, he’d be forced to confront technologiesfar beyond his own understanding.To him, that would be nourishment—a chance to create a second Zero, or at least an imitation.So I knew he wouldn’t refuse.“Still, this feels like a bad deal for me.Why bother with something I’ll have to return?”As expected, he feigned reluctance—testing my resolve rather than rejecting outright.Even his lazy hand wave was calculated.“Michael Wok.”I had no intention of playing along.“Enough with the bad acting.”“What was that…?”“Don’t you see this as an opportunity too?”A silence fell.Eric Palmer beside us shifted awkwardly at the sudden tension.Then Michael closed his eyes briefly, sighed,and opened them again—his gaze sharp and alive.“You’re no fool, I see.”That was the real Michael.“It’s a fascinating piece, that much is certain.”“It’s the only weapon capable of channeling a plasma blade.”“I can wire the circuits for you.It won’t take long—but I’ll need compensation.”“What do you want?”“Time. Enough to draft a proper blueprint for this sword.”“I’d like it back before the next battle.”I couldn’t afford to hand it over for too long—a day, maybe two at most.Michael nodded at the word battle.“So things went well with the Mother. Understood.You’ll have it back before then.”His eyes burned with purpose.Yet somehow, I felt a little sorry for him.He’s chasing a mirage.A “second Zero,” or even a copy—it was impossible.Only Zero could fully wield a plasma blade,and that was tied to the core reason:Atom Alloy.That was the essential material for a true plasma blade.Gale hadn’t chosen that metal for nothing.You could use a slightly inferior alloy to produce a weaker imitation, sure—but…Unless it’s Zero, it’ll be one-shot at best.Plasma coating required enormous heat,which imposed several limitations.To withstand it, the blade’s firepower would have to be drastically reduced.The duration—brief.And even finding an alloy capable of handling that much heatwas no easy task.The process would be long and grueling.So even if Michael understood the technology,he could never forge a true second Zero.Entrusting Zero to a Liberation League officer—someone not yet fully on our side—was a calculated move.Michael, of course, didn’t realize that.His breathing had grown rough.“Huff… huff…”Still, at this point, no one handles Zero better than that drunkard.Even Eli Wayless lagged behind him in this area.Among the options I had,he was the best choice.Of course—I didn’t expect him to achieve full activation.Zero’s complete activation is impossible, even for Michael.There’s only one person who can do that…Still, if his hands could make it usable—even temporarily—that would be enough.Ten seconds.No—five seconds would do.If he could produce a plasma blade for even five seconds,its potential in battle would be limitless.Especially with the coming fight against Behemoth.* * *The Ark Division was in a mild uproar over unexpected news.“What? The commander?”Kyle Han, head of Ark Division—after three days of scouting, he finally made contact.Benjamin hurried toward the base communications room,others following behind, relieved to hear their leader was alive.When they arrived—“...You had us worried.”Eli, looking a little haggard,clutched the receiver with a tired smile.—…kzzzt. I’ve run into a string of unforeseen circumstances.“Commander!!”Chief of Staff, is that you?“Did something happen during the recon mission?”I’m fine. I’ll explain later. For now, tell me how the base is holding up.Three days—a long time in a disaster like this.Plenty of time for misfortune to strike.Kyle might be far tougher than the average survivor,but human imagination always finds a way to worry.Hearing his calm voice, Benjamin felt his chest loosen.“Then I’ll begin with the current situation at HQ.”Kzzzt… go ahead.Communication with the Ark Division had finally been restored—thankfully, they were now in a period of stability.Food and water were being supplied normally—that alone solved their biggest issue.Fortification of the base was nearly complete,and their forces had begun hunting local hostiles.There was only one concern:Too many people are flocking to the Ark’s location.Thousands, according to reports.If the number kept growing,they’d no longer be able to use ammunition as currency.When I mentioned this to Eli,her answer was clear:We’re already developing our own currency. It should be done soon.A paper-based money system.Risky, since it could be forged—but they were being careful.In an era where crypto had been the norm,paper money might feel strange to most people.But to me, it felt almost nostalgic.The next important topic:contact with the Engineer’s Union.Benjamin had already briefed me.The problem’s the Mafia.“They’re getting in the way?”Yes. They claim they’ve been protecting the engineers,so they’re demanding equal payment.“What do the engineers themselves say?”As expected, they’d rather side with us—some even see this as their chance to break free from the Mafia’s control.At this stage, the Mafia-led Company couldn’t be too powerful.Even if they were, the Ark Division could crush them easily.“I want to hear what the field commander thinks.”I think it’s too soon to act.“Hmm.”We should keep trying to negotiate a bit longer.Benjamin and I agreed.With so many things on our plate,starting a turf war now was reckless.And if we did show force, it had to be carefully calculated.Once it turns into a power struggle, there’s no pulling back halfway.If we fight them, we’ll have to annihilate them.Otherwise, we’ll look weak to everyone else.“I agree.If talks fail, then pay them as well.”You think that’ll work?“Extending a hand before pointing a gun isn’t such a bad idea.”That, at least, would give us justification.A power struggle is still a battle between people,and killing people wears on the spirit.If you lack a righteous cause, morale will crumble.Understood.That wrapped up the Ark’s report.Now, it was time to discuss the Liberation League.“I imagine you have a lot of questions.”Yes.“I’m currently in the eastern region—Willow Route.I’ve made contact with a a splinter group that broke away from the criminal quarantine zone—the Liberation League, led by Mother.”Kzzzt… hmm…!A soft, uneasy sound.The explanation was long.How I came here,what happened at the Egg Residential Complex,our encounter with the Survival Support Agency,and the Behemoth’s appearance here.The negotiations with Mother,and everything that followed.Benjamin listened silently.When I finally finished—Commander, should we mobilize a support team immediately?“Support would be ideal,but the distance from HQ is too great.Physically impossible.”Then, may I be frank?“Go ahead.”I don’t know how strong this Liberation League really is,but I believe it’s too dangerous.Understandable.He could speak freely, since no one else was listening in.“Their forces are slightly weaker than Ark’s.But their commander’s far more capable.”Hmm…It might sting to hear, but facts are facts.“And Mother—she’s no less than me.In some respects, she might even surpass me.”Stronger than you, Commander?His disbelief came through clearly.So I gave him the name.“If you hear her name, you’ll understand.”Kzzzt… her name?“Yes. You know it too, Chief of Staff.”Someone I know…?“Her name is Erhi Mergen—former Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces.”Kzzzt—kzzt—Static burst sharply across the line.Maybe he’d dropped the receiver.After a brief silence—…My God.She’s alive…?“She is. And in excellent health.”

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