Chapter 22: Unrest

Time devours life,

And this unseen enemy eats away at our hearts,

Gulping down our lifeblood to grow fat and thrive.

— Charles Baudelaire

The study room in Dusty Miller.

A young man with white hair and one eye holds documents on his desk, gazing at them with a thoughtful expression.

"A massive flow of Aragami materials... The one buying them up is a biochemical corporation touted as Fenrir's successor..."

Ein places the documents on the desk.

"...Echidna, huh."

According to the investigation report, true to its name as a biochemical corporation, it is an up-and-coming private company engaged in the development of various pharmaceuticals and God Arc-related technology.

They used to lie low as a former subsidiary of Fenrir, but came into the spotlight following Fenrir's collapse.

The company's representative, Mr. Gideon Wolf, is said to be a man of character who contributes to the public without regard for profit. Word is that he fully supports the employment of AGEs, mediating for the younger ones, and advocates for the overall improvement of God Eaters' treatment.

However, Ein remains suspicious.

There are rumors that Echidna was the one who originally proposed and promoted Project Odin.

Furthermore, the destination of this massive amount of traded Aragami materials is concerning.

Something about this just doesn't sit right—

"Mr. Ein, it will soon be time for your inspection of the Port's construction."

The voice of an administrative staff member calls out over the intercom.

"Ah. Is it that time already? I'll get ready right away."

Ein shifted his thoughts and began to prepare.

"You guys made it through those treacherous Ashlands? Well now, that's something else. I guess that's AGEs for you."

The bustling streets of a Port lined with prefabricated buildings, people coming and going.

Though called a Port, it is a relatively small settlement enclosed by high outer walls, still under construction with workers bustling about.

"Yeah. No problem. More importantly, was this Port recently built?"

Two traveler-like figures, completely covered by cloaks up to their heads, are conversing with a townsman in an area set up as a flea market.

The townsman speaks to them in a cheerful tone, not particularly suspicious of the two standing there with their faces hidden.

One is a rugged male God Eater, and behind him stands a slender God Eater, likely a young girl.

In this day and age, anyone in business sees countless shady characters with a checkered past. You can't get anything done if you pry into everyone's business.

These God Eaters are likely the same. Being AGEs, it's easily understandable that they'd have special circumstances.

"It used to be a collection of small Satellite Bases, but it recently became a Port. More importantly, since you're God Eaters, you've got a lot of Aragami materials, right? We'll buy them for a high price, what do you say?"

The merchant changes his track, quickly shifting to business talk.

"...Fair enough. We'll have you buy some. Also, I'd like to ask you something. I heard there's an abandoned Fenrir facility around here somewhere..."

"Ah, I've heard talk of that. Something about an old, abandoned research lab far north of here. But apparently, it's an Aragami nest now, so nobody can go near it. On top of that, rumors say it's not just Aragami, but even 'ghosts' of God Eaters appear there. What, are you guys planning to head to such a dangerous place?"

"...No, I just thought there might be supplies in an untouched facility. I see, a nest of Aragami and ghosts... Perhaps there's some kind of clue there... Bell?"

Werner notices the reaction of the girl behind him and looks back.

"...Humans... so many... look delicious..."

Bell licks her lips as she gazes at the people in the market, her stagnant crimson eyes glaring intently.

...As expected, crowded places are no good.

The Aragami influence has been showing strongly in her recently, especially.

It would be best to leave this Port as soon as possible.

"...Let's do this another time. Something urgent came up... Let's go, Bell."

Saying that, Werner urges Bell forward, walking briskly away from the market.

From behind, he can hear the merchant grumbling, "Just window shoppers, huh?"

Avoiding the people around them, Werner and Bell make their way toward the gate in the outer wall leading outside the Port.

"The Anti-Aragami Armor Walls on this side have increased flexibility to enhance their defensive power. That's because general-purpose retro Oracle Cells, which react to individual Aragami, are strengthening the bonds of the defensive shell."

There was a young man with long white hair giving instructions and explaining things to the outer wall workers.

His one eye with a scar, and the single red armlet indicate that he is a First-Generation God Eater.

"Thanks to Dusty Miller's assistance, this Port is shaping up to be an increasingly prosperous base. Thank you very much, Mr. Ein."

A middle-aged man, likely the one in charge of the Port's outer wall construction, happily expresses his gratitude.

"I haven't done anything special. The people of this town are developing the Port with their own strength. Dusty Miller merely lent a small hand."

Ein shakes his head, brushing off the praises he's already heard countless times.

"Hm? ...What is that? This strange presence..."

Ein suddenly notices something unsettling stirring in his chest and shifts his gaze to the street.

Reflected in his eye are completely ordinary people passing by.

Returning from Aragami subjugation, or just heading out, there are God Eaters mixed in as well—a common, unremarkable sight.

Amidst that crowd, he pinpoints a duo of God Eaters that catches his attention.

Armlets on both wrists—they are AGEs. Specifically, the figure who appears to be a young girl on one side.

The other self within him reacts, stirring strongly, incredibly strongly.

It ripples within his mind, as if giving a warning.

"...Sorry. Something urgent has come up. Please continue the work as explained."

Leaving those words behind, Ein departs from the scene.

"We should be fine once we get this far. How are you feeling, Bell?"

"Ugh... so many human smells, it feels like my nose is going crazy..."

The two hide in the shadow of some materials outside the Port's gates.

Bell twitches her nose while Werner checks that there is no one around.

He had wanted to procure as many necessary supplies as possible, but given her condition, they can't stay long.

They should make the appropriate preparations and head for the abandoned facility said to be to the north.

"What's fine? If she's sick, I'll take a look at her."

At that moment, someone calls out from behind Werner and Bell.

"Wha...?!"

Werner hastily turns around.

He hadn't sensed a presence. Yet, someone is standing right there.

"My name is Ein. I may not look it, but I'm something of a researcher. I can play the part of a doctor."

The man who spoke. His appearance: a young man wearing a white coat, with a scar over one eye, and his long white hair tied back.

The single red armlet he wears makes it clear he is likely a First-Generation God Eater.

However, the aura he exudes is entirely incomparable to that of a normal God Eater.

Werner instantly understood who this man was.

The young representative who unites Dusty Miller, an up-and-coming, formidable Port, through his exceptional skill.

Ein. But his true identity is likely...

...This is bad. Of all people, he had run into a massive big shot.

Werner pulls his hood down low, keeping his face hidden.

Though they haven't met face-to-face, they are both, in a sense, famous. His own face, in particular, is well-known.

"...Telling you not to be on guard is probably asking too much. But the girl behind you hardly looks fine, does she?"

Startled by Ein's words, Werner looks back at the girl standing behind him.

Bell sways left and right with vacant eyes, looking like a phantom.

Her condition is distinctly different from just a moment ago.

Ein narrows his one eye at her state.

"...She's mixed quite heavily. It seems she's well past the boundary line of an Aragami. The chances of her returning to normal are low. She's in a dangerous state where she could go berserk at any moment."

"I know... Her own will is holding herself back. But even that might not last much longer..."

Werner bears a look of anguish, as if he'd bitten down on a bitter bug.

"...I see. A long time ago, I knew a man who devolved into an Aragami much like that girl. At the very least, he ultimately prevented a complete Aragami transformation... though you could only call that a miracle..."

"She is not an Aragami. —She is unquestionably human."

Werner interrupts him, declaring strongly.

"For now, anyway, right?"

Ein responds, overlapping with Werner's words.

"There's still time. There's someone a little... no, very unusual on the ship I'm associated with. That guy might be able to do something about this."

Ein holds his hand out to them.

"......"

Werner thinks.

Should they continue heading to the abandoned facility in search of a way to return her to normal, not even knowing if one exists?

Or should he trust this man, Ein, and leave it to him?

Time waits for no one.

Even as they stand here, her Aragami transformation progresses with every passing second.

"Tell me more about—"

Just as Werner reached out to grab the offered hand—

"...An Aragami, is here... mixed with a human... a dangerous, special Aragami... right in front of me... I have to hunt it... have... to... hunt it."

The swaying girl's eyes flew wide open, dyed blood-red.