Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit

Chapter 105 - A Way In

Chapter 105 - A Way In

I was drowning in thought, consumed by the whirlwind of realizations swirling in my mind. It was almost absurd—nearly every thread of misery in my life could be traced back to a single name: Neil Orbeus. He wasn't just my friend and classmate- he is a member of the Neo Terrestrial Reich, the architect of the Blackout Incident at the Archonlight Tower, and, ironically, the key to unlocking the mysteries of the Cosmic Tree.

Everything seemed to orbit him, like satellites locked in the gravity of a dying star. And in a twisted way, that should've made things easier. If the root of my troubles was standing right in front of me, then surely there was a path to resolution. But the thought brought no comfort. Because I knew deep down: to bring this to an end, I might have to cross lines I swore I'd never approach.

The room was growing colder, though no breeze passed. A chill crept over my skin as Neil stood there, trying to hold himself together. His smile was more of a grimace—forced, hollow—and his eyes trembled with the weight of remorse.

"I know," he said, voice low and quivering. "I know what I did at Archonlight Tower was unforgivable. People died—killed by the Cosmic Beast I summoned. I regret it. I truly do."

I folded my arms, my voice sharp with disdain. "That wasn't just killing, Neil. That was a crime against humanity. You kinda violated every article in the Geneva Convention."

"I know," he whispered, averting his gaze. "Ismail Arondight said the fall of the Archonlight Tower was our best shot—cripple Xyraxis Metropolis and Exestia in one blow. We even planned to capture the Kaiserin. I just... I wanted answers. I wanted to understand my link to the Cosmic Tree and the truth behind the HUSBANDOs. That's why I followed through with Ismail's plan."

"So you just rolled out of bed and thought, 'Let's cause chaos today?'" I asked, voice laced with mockery.

Neil's head dipped lower. "I was wrong. I thought striking first would give us control, but all it gave me was bitterness. I've hated the Cosmic Beasts all my life, and yet I used their power—became the very thing I loathed. My parents died because of those animals. That's why I left the NTR after the Blackout. I couldn't stomach what I'd become."

"Why are you telling me all this?" I asked, voice low, uncertain whether to brace for manipulation or confession.

Neil met my gaze, his voice surprisingly steady. "Because I know you're someone I can trust. You've known about Fei's secret for weeks now—and yet, you haven't told a soul. Not even Myrrh."

I scoffed. "That's because Fei threatened me, Neil. She made it clear—if I slip up, people die. That bitch isn't subtle about her leverage." I took a sharp breath, my jaw tightening. "So tell me, are you here to threaten me too?"

Neil shook his head with a short, bitter laugh. "No. Not at all." He paused, his eyes drifting toward the far wall, as if searching for something distant—something lost. "You remember the drawing, don't you? That is my sigil of rebellion. I wanted to fuck NTR up. Back during the Blackout Incident, something clicked—I saw the truth. I saw how all of us HUSBANDOs had been manipulated, brainwashed by the Reich's idealistic garbage. We were just weapons wrapped in ideology. What I did that day... it was a disaster. A tragedy. And I want—no, need—to make things right."

I bit down hard on my lip and balled my fists at my sides. "And Fei?" I asked, almost not wanting to know the answer.

Neil's expression softened, guilt settling over him like a winter fog. "I want to save her too. I really do. She's not officially with the NTR, but being the Red Meteor? That makes her complicit. We're both responsible for what happened at Archonlight Tower." He looked down. "But the difference is, she's not backing down. She's still trying to pull you into this whole mess—trying to recruit you into the same terrorist machine I escaped from."