Joyous days are always fleeting. After the merrymaking, it's time for people to gather their spirits and brace for the next storm that might be brewing.
Strangely enough, during this recent period, thanks to everyone's efforts, the momentum of the Honkai seemed to have truly entered a phase of retreat.
The number of Honkai Beasts appearing had decreased, and their intensity didn't seem as troublesome as before.
Was this a sign that victory was approaching?
Clearly...
It was not.
Neither the upper echelons of MOTH, nor Dr. MEI, nor even Mobius believed so. This calm felt more like the lull before the storm; no one could tell what kind of crisis was brewing behind it.
Yet, against this backdrop, one event unfolded inevitably—the protest of the Armored Dolls.
From some unknown point, a great number of Armored Dolls had awakened to self-awareness.
They no longer mechanically carried out the commands issued by humans as they used to. Instead, they stepped forward one after another, protesting the repetitive, day-in, day-out tasks predetermined for them by humanity.
"We want freedom..."
"We want freedom!"
More and more Dolls joined in. Their voices, though childish, carried an undeniable resolve.
The final decision-making power naturally fell upon the "mother" of the Armored Dolls—Dr. Einstein. After all, these Dolls were all designed and created by her hand.
People were abuzz with discussion.
Some said that since the threat of the Honkai seemed to have lessened, perhaps humanity no longer needed these Armored Dolls. Letting them go free wasn't unacceptable, especially since they now possessed their own thoughts.
But others held opposing views, suggesting that Einstein should simply erase the newly born consciousness of these Armored Dolls, revert them to their former state, and let them continue as humanity's ever-obedient tools.
The road to combating the Honkai was still long, and having these Dolls' help would always lighten the load somewhat.
Einstein herself was conflicted.
The Armored Dolls were her personal creations, products of her own effort. In her heart, they truly were like her own children.
Her own inclination was actually to set the Dolls free.
Seeing them gain self-awareness, capable of thought and expressing their desires, she even felt a sense of relief, like 'her children had grown up.'
But... reason told her that the disaster of the Honkai was far from over, and the help of the Dolls was still indispensable.
It was not yet time to let go.
"026, no, I should call you Zero now."
Einstein looked at the small Doll standing ramrod straight before her, her expression complex.
Ling was among the first batch... perhaps even the very first Doll to awaken to self-awareness. Regarding its transformation, Einstein had actually anticipated it.
Back then, she had specifically helped Ling change its hair color, no longer the uniform orange-gold, but a pure white.
"It's alright, Doctor,"
Ling's voice was steady, carrying a hint of warmth uncharacteristic of machinery,
"As our creator, you may address me as you please. Whether it's 026 or Ling, I like them both."
It looked at Einstein "earnestly," the light in its eyes seeming to hold warmth.
Einstein let out a soft sigh:
"Hmm, though I didn't expect you to be chosen as the representative."
Ling lowered its head slightly,
"This was everyone's idea. I represent them all, to have a proper talk with you."
Einstein nodded:
"I can understand."
"We truly have learned many things, not just the techniques for battling those Honkai Beasts."
Ling raised its head, its tone carrying a barely perceptible heaviness,
"We've watched countless companions be destroyed in battle, leaving forever. We feel grief. You might not know, but this grief—we can express it through electrical signals too. That feeling... is very hard to bear."
"We..."
Ling paused,
"We also wish to have a self, to know what else we can do besides fight. We might also want freedom, like humans, to decide where to go and what to do."
It looked at Einstein,
"Since the birth of humanity, such a splendid civilization has emerged, such a bustling world. On Earth, so many races live according to their own ways."
"We were created, and gained consciousness. Can we be considered a new race?"
"Doctor. Dr. Einstein."
Ling's voice softened a little,
"In your view, are we merely tools?"
Listening to these words, Einstein let out a wry laugh, though no mirth reached her eyes:
"Hmm, it seems your evolution has indeed surpassed my expectations."
She hadn't expected these "children" she created to already be pondering such profound depths.
However, what gave her some small comfort was that they weren't thinking in an anti-human direction. They bore no resentment for being treated as tools. That was already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.
"As for the answer, I can tell you now."
Einstein looked at Zero,
"I see you as my own children. From the bottom of my heart, I cherish you. Of course, I hope you can grow freely, to see the beauty of this world."
"But I'm sorry..."
Her voice held regret,
"The very purpose for which we created you was to help humanity weather this disaster... Now is not yet the time."
In her heart, Einstein knew that if she weren't aware of Vya's circumstances, of what unforeseen events might arise in the future, perhaps she truly would have made a different choice, readily granting these Dolls their freedom.
But now, she dared not gamble. Humanity was still far too insignificant in the face of disaster—that was undeniable. She couldn't risk humanity's safety.
Zero listened quietly, offering no rebuttal, only giving a slight nod:
"We understand."
"We can continue to carry out the mission we were born with: to fight for humanity until the disaster ends."
"Only, we will grieve for our fallen comrades, and remember them forever."
Having said that, Zero closed its eyes, as if sharing information with the other Dolls.
The air around them seemed to grow still. Those Dolls scattered about everywhere, in this silence, seemed to convey the same sorrow.
Witnessing this scene, a mix of emotions churned within Einstein. She solemnly swore:
"But I promise you this: after everything is over, after the Honkai has ended, you will gain true freedom. You will possess rights belonging to you, and be respected and treated well, like all living beings."
"Hmm, thank you, Doctor."
Zero opened its eyes, giving a slight bow to Einstein, accepting this promise.
The negotiations came to a temporary close, with both sides reaching a provisional peace.
But no one could have imagined that what was to happen next would grant the Dolls their freedom ahead of schedule... Of course, that is a tale for later.
...
"Little Zero, Little Zero, your hair really has become so pretty! Like snow!"
Vya said.
Even with its changed hair color, she still recognized it at a glance.
Einstein had specifically asked Vya to come here, hoping she could ease the atmosphere from the earlier negotiations and perhaps resolve some issues.
After all, the birth of the Armored Dolls' self-awareness was, to a greater or lesser extent, connected to Vya's previous unconscious interactions and influence, invisibly having added fuel to the fire.
Zero raised a hand, touching its new white hair, its gaze towards Vya softening considerably:
"I originally wanted to make it like yours, but the Doctor said that might not be good, so it was changed to pure white."
"Mhm-mhm, that's fine~ It's still very pretty this way!"
Vya leaned closer, examining it curiously,
"What were you all talking about earlier? It looked so serious."
Zero didn't answer directly, instead asking:
"Vya, what do you say freedom is?"
Vya tilted her head in thought and soon had an answer:
"Well, freedom is doing what you want to do. Like being able to fly when you want to fly, play when you want to play, without others telling you what you should do."
"Oh."
Zero responded softly, as if earnestly considering this answer.
The remaining words, Zero did not voice aloud. Instead, they were shared via the internal network, reaching the consciousness of every Armored Doll—
'Then, can we obtain freedom?'
…
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