NOVEL NEXT Chapter 368
The large-scale offensive by the Foundation left deep wounds.
We Violets suffered considerable damage, and just that fact ignited a fierce anger within my heart.
But the greatest blow was something else. Our home, our fortress, had crumbled.
“No way! Our Violet Barracks!”
“The heart of the great revolution has disappeared!”
The Violet Barracks had been our pride since the moment we toppled Magnavis. It was the birthplace of the revolutionary flame, our glorious stronghold.
In the distant future, if a free city and nation of Violets were established, I would want to preserve this place as a monument in history.
“There were supposed to be our fellow Violets and immigrants to show it to someday!”
“A symbol of freedom!”
One day, the nation of Violets that would rise on this land wouldn’t just belong to us. Innocent Awakened Ones and Non-Awakened Ones gathered under the protection of the Violets would share it too.
Citizens would come here with their families or lovers to witness the birthplace of the great freedom revolution for themselves.
And they would surely be moved by the democratic spirit of us Violets.
“Children will see and learn the spirit of our Violets too!”
But now, that dream had become impossible. The indiscriminate bombing by those from the Foundation shattered our hopes into pieces.
Essential supplies were stored in the inventory, but the complete disappearance of the traces of our daily lives weighed heavily on my heart.
More than anything, it was painful that our scientific research, which would have made us Violets even stronger, had come to a halt.
“Don’t worry about that part. Thanks to you guiding them just in time, everyone in the Barracks managed to evacuate safely. They’re with us now.”
“Wow! That’s a relief!”
The Scholarship Officer’s words lightened the weight on my shoulders a bit.
At first, I had forced them here and made them work, but I think I’ve grown fond of this uncle.
If he had died, that wicked Ponytail would have gone on a rampage.
“I don’t know why you’re interested in that grumpy glasses uncle!”
“Right? Maybe it’s because she’s an old maid?”
No, this isn’t the time for such thoughts. We must navigate the crisis facing our Violets right now.
“What are your numbers looking like now?”
That was the expected question. Seijis fell silent. I read the dark shadow cast over Unit 1’s face.
“I couldn’t save many!”
Unit 1’s voice trembled with rage.
The biological weapons dropped by the Foundation exceeded our expectations by far.
With every desperate move, their attacks rained down, and even the continental stronghold suffered from drones and bombardments.
Honestly, we should consider it a miracle that we managed to save the thousands we did by moving diligently.
“It’s okay! We still have plenty of Clones, and the animals and Rugilinn’s Iron Fist are still here!”
“Is that so… The animals and Fusion Creatures are unharmed…”
The Scholarship Officer fell deep in thought at my words. That point kept bothering me too.
While Rugilinn could be explained by its nature as a fusion creature, the fact that other animals were completely unharmed unless directly attacked seemed strange.
Now there was a second problem to solve.
How did they figure out our location?
“Do you have any guesses?”
“I don’t know! I felt like someone was calling out from the sky, though.”
It wasn’t entirely hopeless.
Our genius Violet collective intelligence had picked up on several clues. The mysterious signals pouring down from above.
We pooled those faint hints together and brainstormed, but the decisive answer eluded us.
The ambiguity transformed into certainty thanks to a fragment of information that flew in from an unexpected place.
“Violet! This defective product seems to be from Laplacian!”
Suddenly, the V-Crow brought along by our party began to tremble and went on a rampage.
“What reckless thing have they done up in the sky! They can’t even calculate the impact of their actions! What bizarre experiments are they conducting!”
The V-Crow screeched sharply, expressing its anger at the table.
The voice behind the crow belonged to Bernike.
The news delivered through the crow sent to the Joint Research Institute was unexpectedly intriguing.
“Wow, ma’am. What happened?”
“Still unclear on the situation, huh? The signal you released from the sky caused the test subjects to enter an unprecedented state of excitement… From the reactions, it seems related to you, right? They completely lost their reason and went on a rampage. This was the first time we’ve seen such intense reactions!”
Oh, the information coming through the crow wide-eyed our party. Seeing that there was a reaction from that direction seems to confirm my hypothesis. Could it be that the Apostle managed to escape?
“Not quite. Fortunately, thanks to the seven-layer security system, there hasn’t been any physical breach of the test subjects. The aftermath has seriously traumatized many researchers! My magic engineering supervisor was even convulsing while confessing and cut his wrist. Thanks to that, the experiment has been significantly delayed.”
The irritation in their voice seemed more about the delay in research than the loss of life. Well, that sounds like them.
“Other researchers are attempting to perform eye extractions, and there’s been a large-scale mental breakdown occurring—with numerous self-harm attempts. Can your immature brain comprehend the seriousness of the situation now? You limbic system control disorder child! Change out for Commander Pereira right now! He’s not responding to my calls! Where is he? Answer me!”
“Uh, ma’am. Calm down and we’ll talk later. I’ll explain it to you later!”
I felt a bit annoyed at the Ponytail lady.
I shut off the communication, recalling the mechanism of the bomb embedded in Bernike’s mind and the workings of the brain parasite.
“A defective Laplacian product! I need to give them a smackdown!”
Thanks to the Apostle’s rampage, our Violets’ genius collective intelligence was getting closer to the truth.
To summarize it all:
“It seems the Foundation fired something into the sky that connects with us! Probably…”
In the next moment, three voices cut through the air in unison.
The voices of me, the Scholarship Officer, and Irene.
“It must be a satellite.”
That’s right. The only tool that could send signals to us Violets from the sky is indeed a satellite.
The Foundation couldn’t have launched a space battleship yet.
Though it was merely a hypothesis, I felt a sense of satisfaction at this rapidly drawn conclusion.
We had solved half the mystery, and now only one thing remained.
“Violet, judging by the symptoms, the Foundation most certainly used Corbus Infection! I don’t know how they managed to affect the Awakened Ones, though…”
“Gasp! That makes sense! No wonder it hurt so much!”
As Daphne pointed out, the biological weapon they created was the key.
Considering the indiscriminate dispersal across the city, the Foundation had clearly established a mass production system.
Even if we manage to destroy all their satellites or find a way to hide, it’s obvious they would unleash the virus bomb the moment we made ourselves noticeable.
The forces stuck in the stalemate had also met their end that way!
“How on earth should we respond…?”
Regrettably, those gathered here were skilled in combat and fighting, but such dilemmas lay beyond our expertise.
Should we assign it to the nano-lab guys in prison?
Just as our collective intelligence was about to turn its attention to the high school girl disguised as a scientist.
A sudden sound came through.
“Woof!”
All eyes shifted to me as I abruptly lifted my head to survey the surroundings.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing? I just suddenly heard a dog barking… Is it a monster?”
As I appeared puzzled and was about to sit back down, the barking once again echoed.
“Freedom will never die!”
Someone was desperately searching for our Violets.
*
Ten hours after the pesticide was sprayed. The silence of the isolation room was broken by the animals’ covert plotting.
“First, we’ll escape this facility and join up with the other V-Animals. What do you think?”
“Perfect! We’ll be able to unite our strength!”
The puppy perked its ears at the monkey’s suggestion.
With the added intelligence from experiments and a temporary connection to the animal network, their thoughts became even more refined.
“The problem is the route after the escape. We don’t know what’s beyond this isolation room.”
The cat’s sharp observation cut through the air.
The test subjects had never had the chance to walk freely outside of this prison-like space. The puppy spoke with a nervous voice.
“Let’s time it with the guard change. They come to patrol at a fixed time every day.”
The animals recalled the guards’ routines: status checks, lock verification, record writing.
The monotonous routine. There must be a gap somewhere.
“While you draw their attention, I’ll smash the cage!”
The monkey enthusiastically echoed the puppy’s words.
“Then keying in for ID cards would be crucial! That thing on their uniforms!”
The eyes of the other animals sparkled with understanding. They recalled the entry processes of the authorized personnel they had observed daily.
“But we’re still trapped!”
The parrot voiced concern, and the puppy revealed its teeth.
In that instant, a brilliant red flash sparked from its body. The animals held their breath.
“Could it be… you already have control over magical power?”
“It awakened as I yearned for freedom! Everyone, give it a try! Shout for animal democracy!”
“Animal democracy… huzzah?”
With suspicion, the cat’s paw shimmered with power.
The cat’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“Animal democracy huzzah!”
“This is the power of freedom!”
Although awkward and feeble, the manifestation of magic instilled confidence in the animals.
While it may not reach the level of the great V-Animal warriors in fantasy, it seemed sufficient to take down armed humans.
“Alright! Let’s show them our rage!”
With only 2 hours left until the great undertaking, the animals mobilized their collective wisdom to patch up the plan.
*
As the night deepened, the V-Animals roamed the city like shadows.
The monkey squad, cloaked in camouflage, glided like phantoms between the street trees and buildings.
Following in their footsteps, the mice scurried through alleyways while crows soared through the night sky.
Even in the middle of the night, the city was suffocating with tension.
Mech Hounds patrolled under the glare of drone spotlights, and the rifles of hunters and robotic soldiers gleamed ominously from the darkness.
Nightmarish howls echoed throughout the streets from the lower-grade monsters that had been chipped.
“The Foundation’s cowardly and vile means led to our leader’s capture!”
With the monkey captain’s anger-filled shout, Cocoa clenched her fists.
“Exactly! We almost faced a major disaster! Even so… we survived!”
Cocoa’s voice carried a steely resolve.
“The great Violet leader will not falter! Waiting at the Red Zone is proof of that! Since we’ve been told to stand by, a command will drop soon!”
The remaining V-Animals in Academy City had somewhat regained their composure from the turmoil of the day.
The Network was still intact, and they confirmed their safety through their leader’s feedback.
Now, all that remained was to wait. Flames of revenge ignited within the hearts of the animals.
“We’ve gathered weapons and ammunition, so we can handle some grunts.”
“No one will be safe before the united strength of animals!”
At that moment, a powerful signal shook the Network.
“Attention! Attention! The Command Center has a message. Verify your location at the designated coordinates!”
The sudden command struck all the animals’ nerves awake.
“It’s time.”
The eyes of the scattered animals across the city lit up like blue flames.
“V-Animals, assemble!”
*
Twelve hours after the pesticide was sprayed, while the lights of the isolation room flickered dimly, the animals held their breath, waiting for the right moment.
“The patrol is coming. Everyone get ready!”
The puppy’s keen ears had picked up the sound of footsteps.
Two guards trudged in, yawning sleepily while beginning their routine checks. It was a pattern just as mundane as any other day; that’s what the guards thought.
“Meow!”
The cat made the first move. It began to yowl sharply as if nothing was different than usual.
The guard cast an annoyed glance at the cat.
The cat, boldly scratching at the bulletproof glass, began to act up in plain view.
As the guard approached to hit our electric shock button, a voice sounded from the opposite side.
“Die! Go to hell! You filthy trash!”
Provoked by the parrot, the guard frowned.
“What’s wrong, where did you learn that? Stupid bird…”
“Caw!”
After applying the electric shock once more, as he turned to leave, suddenly chaos erupted from all sides.
The isolation room had become a riot.
“Are they insane?”
While focused on the sound, the guards heard something they shouldn’t have.
—THUD! THUD!
“What, what is that?”
As the guards turned, they only then noticed the cracks forming in the glass.
And beyond that, animals fiercely glaring back with glowing red eyes.
Those with beaks began pecking at the glass, while others clawed, bit, and slammed against it in a crazed frenzy.
“Shit… it’s magic?”
“E-Emergency! Emergency—”
—CRASH!
In a flash, the glass shattered from their unexpected power, leaving the guards dizzy.
With their free hands scrambling for communication devices, in that instant, the puppy lunged at them.
The small puppy’s teeth pierced into a neck.
“ARAAARGH!”
The direction that another guard turned toward was a shower of blood as the puppy sent him flying towards the ceiling.
The remaining guard froze, weapon drawn.
“No! Take the weapon!”
In an instant, the monkey snatched the gun, while the cat pounced toward the guard’s face, claws at the ready.
Screams filled the isolation room.
“Cough… cough…”
The animals that broke the glass cage seized ID cards and opened the door.
Before them lay an unfamiliar hallway lit by flickering fluorescents.
“Got it! Let’s keep going like this!”
Without a clue of direction, the animals bolted through the research institute’s corridor.
Though their bodies were exhausted from experiments, the newly felt power coursing through them exhilarated them.
It was then.
“What the heck! Why are you here!”
The animals faced the very researchers who had previously tormented them.
“There! Get that guy!”
“Capture him!”
The puppy bared its teeth, sinking its teeth into the researcher’s ankle.
“AAARGH! No!”
In an instant, limbs grasped by animals held the researcher tight.
The bloody maw of the puppy loomed dangerously close, growling ominously.
“Y-You! Puppy? Be g-good, okay?”
At the researcher’s plea, fury swelled.
The specters of deceased allies flashed through my mind. The puppy growled through gritted teeth.
“Enemy of the animals! Foe of my friends!”
Suddenly, the speaking puppy froze the researcher in place.
Just as it seemed ready to sink its teeth into the neck, the parrot jumped in front.
“Wait! Don’t kill him yet! We will use him as a hostage! He’ll show us the way out!”
“Y-Yeah! I know this place well! You want to escape, right? Isn’t that correct?”
“Exactly! Smart parrot!”
As the puppy suddenly shifted its stance, the researcher, bewildered, seized upon the slender opportunity for survival.
“I’ll show you! The way is—”
“Alright! Let’s use him! We’ll kill him less painfully instead of tearing him apart!”
“Correct! The enemy of our revolution! Show us the way!”
“What? Aaaagh!”
The revolutionary animals dragged the researcher down the corridor.
“AAARGH!”
“Show us the way! Traitorous human!”
The procession of revolution swept through the research facility.
Screams of on-duty researchers echoed, and guards rushing in were taken down one by one.
Monkey warriors wielding guns attempted to threaten with warning shots, while the four-legged beasts charged with full force.
And at the forefront, a puppy with a knife gripped in its mouth raced ahead.
“Woof! All animals stand up!”
The leading puppy put down the knife momentarily and roared.
“The age of animals has arrived!”
*
And thus, twelve hours after the pesticide was sprayed, Secretary General Fegan received the most absurd report he had ever heard in his life.
“…A test subject uprising? What are you saying?”
“We managed to prevent their escape from the research facility, but the staff have been taken hostage. They are currently in a standoff with security forces.”
At the report relayed to Fegan, his mind spun as he grappled with disbelief. Hostages? Such a term could arise from the rampage of experimental beasts?
The real-time broadcast screen vividly displayed the absurd truth.
The animals occupying the research facility were using the humiliated staff as human shields, confronting armed soldiers from all sides.
“Grr! Step aside! You enemies of freedom!”
And, at the heart of it all, stood a clearly visible puppy, upright and speaking in the center of the screen.
“Ariel Group… Just what cursed magic is this?”
The first-ever animal riot in the history of the Rumyx Foundation left the high-ranking officials in a state of denial.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted on the scene.
“Release the hostages immediately and cease the uprising! If not, we’ll open fire!”
The parrot threateningly clacked its beak.
“Shut up, you stupid humans! Does this look like a riot?”
Pointing a bloodied beak that had just moments ago been pecking at a researcher’s skull, all weapons pointed at them.
“It’s a great animal revolution against the anti-freedom forces that took away our happiness!”
“If you ignore our demands, we cannot guarantee the safety of the hostages!”
The commander on-site flinched and stepped back at the claws and teeth poised at the throats of the hostages.
These unexpectedly sentient beasts demonstrated surprising intelligence, capable of communicating with humans.
“Do not approach! If you come any closer, I will pull this trigger!”
In front of the animals, some of them even strapped on grenades they salvaged from somewhere, leaving the soldiers hesitating.
The animals’ eyes sparkled.
“Alright, it worked!”
“…What are your demands?”
Through a haphazard network, opinions exchanged rapidly.
“Let’s buy time! We need to find an escape route!”
While the mice searched for avenues of escape, the rest desperately held the line.
The parrot raised its voice.
“Bring the Ariel Group!”
“…All members of the Ariel Group are dead.”
“That’s a lie! A lie!”
Amid the bedlam, a piece of information floated into the commander’s consciousness.
[Suppression unit ready to be deployed, one hour until suppression and rescue operation commences]
[Buy time as much as possible]
Even in this absurd scenario of negotiating with the first-ever talking test subjects, the commander decided to continue the conversation. They needed time.
“Is there anything else you desire…?”
“Open the exit!”
“Releasing the hostages is the priority!”
Meanwhile, the suppression unit gradually closed in on the bottleneck through hallways and vehicles.
The Foundation had made up its mind. Rather than continuing with the dangerous experiment, it was better to dispose of all Ariel-related test subjects and start anew.
“Of all the places, the Corbus Infection research facility…”
While the standoff continued, the Foundation acted swiftly.
They only made one fatal mistake. Lost in the intoxication of victory, they ignored other variables. That was it.
They were not the only ones who sensed the existence of the revolutionary animals.
“What do we do…?”
The puppy, mulling over, heard the echo once more.
“High mountains, deep valleys, silent wilderness!
“Violets walk the snow-covered frontlines!”
The animals felt an unexplainable thumping rise from deep within.
Burrowing beyond those research facility walls.
Something enormous was drawing near.
*
Between buildings, ten drones sliced through the night sky.
Hanging from the drone flotilla were a total of fifteen monkeys.
Having gathered materials received from Violet allies, they swiftly moved by drone and soon arrived near the dark building.
No air defense was to be seen. It didn’t matter for the high-altitude drop.
Mouse pilots manipulated their controllers connected by wires atop the drone’s body, straining against the tumultuous jamming surrounding the facility.
“Ugh! Controlling it is so hard!”
“It’s okay! We’ll be finished soon!”
Cocoa shouted with exuberance.
“Woo! Ten minutes to drop!”
Smiles broke out across the monkeys’ faces. A sense of victory enveloped them.
“Our leader is with us!”
This wasn’t mere bragging. Behind the monkeys stood humanity’s strongest tactical commander, watching over them.
The genius girl who had driven out the strongest mage faction from Academy City and cornered the Foundation was leading them.
Who could dare stop them?
The Network shifted into combat mode.
“Prepare to deploy tactical maps!”
“Prepare for tactical engagement!”
Bodies of V-Animals, connected to the will of the Violet Network, trembled violently. Now their will and all instincts would be dissected and reassembled in countless pieces.
The will of the glorious and great Clone Democracy would flow through their nerves and vessels.
The fact that they were being turned into puppets felt almost sacred.
At this instant, the V-Animals became the manifestation of Violet’s will and the very embodiment of it.
The monkeys shouted.
“We shall rescue our animal comrades!”
“Woohoo!”