Rebirth of the Interstellar Pope <Mecha>

Chapter 50

Chapter 50

[An shuo: Anno, do you remember? We promised each other that we would be loyal to each other forever...]

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Rufeite's slightly weary voice came through the communicator: "Anno, where are you going?"

Kai's voice echoed in Anno's mind: "Oh, Rufeite is here; this kid has always been loyal to you."

Hearing Rufeite's voice tightened Anno's chest. "Rufeite, I don't think we have anything to discuss."

"No, Anno, please listen to me. I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have concealed things from you or deceived you. Please, give me a chance! I'll tell you everything about Anshuo's plans."

Rufeite's almost desperate tone cut through Anno like shattered glass, each shard piercing his heart anew. This child had always been a source of concern for him-proud, domineering, unruly, and desperately seeking validation. He was exceptional in every way. Had he and Anshuo not been reborn, Rufeite would undoubtedly have become a steadfast religious leader, free from the burdens now resting heavily on Anno's shoulders.

The trajectory of this galaxy's development should have followed a natural course.

War and the potential destruction of the world had shaped the destinies of humankind throughout history. If they had been ordinary people, they might have chosen to stay together amidst chaos, clinging to one another until the bitter end. But now, between Anno, Rufeite, and Anshuo, who among them could truly relinquish their sense of responsibility?

Kai's voice continued to intrude upon Anno's thoughts. "Oh, then you can ask Anshuo about his plan now."

Ignoring Kai, Anno replied, "Go back, Rufeite. I'll come find you when this is all over."

Silence fell on the other end of the communicator. Leaning against the console, Anno switched off the screen and lights, plunging the interior of the mecha into darkness. Kai fell silent, his figure swallowed by the shadows.

With his head lowered, Anno resembled a statue caught in stillness, enveloped by the dark.

From the communicator, Rufeite's voice emerged, laced with despair and cold resignation.

"Anno, you won't come to me. You want to activate the self-destruction program for the linked particles. Anshuo and I don't know how many there are or where they are located. Only you know. I can only wait for you here at the Starry Sky Gate, according to the approximate coordinates Anmia revealed to me. How many self-destruction programs have you activated? Anno, you know you'll die when the last one is triggered. You can't escape." Rufeite's voice trembled, nearly breaking into sobs. "Why, Anno? Why do you always take such isolated and extreme measures? Three thousand years ago, you activated the particle explosion that destroyed the entire religion, and now you-"

"Rufeite," Anno interrupted, "do you know the eternal theorem of four-dimensional space? No matter which dimension you inhabit, your ultimate fate never changes. Kai once told me that my fate has long been severed. Tell me, Rufeite, do you love me? Or is it merely the image of Pope Anno, who has been dead for millennia, that lingers in your mind?"

Rufeite laughed bitterly, his voice laced with sarcasm: "Are you telling me to forget about you and continue idolizing the Pope who's been sleeping for years? Anno, let me aboard! I want to see you!" He hesitated before adding, "No, wait... there's someone next to you, isn't there?"

Anno sighed softly, "Rufeite, go back and be the good Pope you were meant to be."

Rufeite's voice erupted with frustration. "Anno! Open the door! Let me on the ship!"