The Match
Phew, I think that's the last of today's visitors...
Thank you for keeping the numbers manageable today as well, Lord Gaph...
Elisa!!
Eeeek?! M-Miss Omega?!
Elisa! What's the good thing about having friends?!
Th-the good thing about friends?
Yup! Omega couldn't answer when somebody asked what's so good about having friends…
Well, l-let me think...
Being together is fun, and... and...
And?
...
...And?
I'm sorry...
I... I don't have... very many f-friends... myself...
...Um, now Omega feels bad.
...
Maybe Cube is right after all.
Omega wasn't born to make friends. Omega was born to do a job.
...
Um, m-may I sit next to you?
Yeah...
So, was that... something your friend said?
...Yeah.
They only ever pick on Omega. Says it's all Omega's fault.
Oh, I think I know exactly what you mean...!
Never admits their own mistakes.
Right! And you know, whenever Omega says something...
They say "Stop having pointless thoughts!" Or, "Stop saying pointless things!"... right?
Right!
I suspected as much... So you were talking about them after all, weren't you!
Hmph, Omega's not gonna talk to Cube ever again!
Ah... my beloved Saintess Muriel... someday we shall walk into the flames together...!
Eh.
Eh.
Weren't we talking about Saintess Muriel?
Weren't we talking about Cube?
Th-they really do have some things in common...
Is that so?
...Elisa, doesn't it bother you to hear stuff like that?
Omega was... kind of mad earlier, listening to Cube.
Honestly... I'm not sure.
But is there anyone who's only ever nice?
Take me, I'm just a slow, foolish being myself...
But... well, if it's about Cube Palace...
I'm not sure if it'll help, but... I do have something to tell you.
Hmm? What is it?
I've been writing a theoretical text about the relics, you see.
Of course, as a Saintess ranked in the triple digits, there's only so much I'm allowed to access, but...
I did get the chance to read a report on Cube Palace.
A report? About Cube?
Yes.
When Cube Palace was first discovered, it was transmitting an unidentified signal.
For a very, very long time, it sent that signal into empty space, with no reply ever coming back.
...
If Cube Palace possessed the same kind of intelligence as you...
...there's no way it didn't feel it.
Loneliness. Solitude.
...I see.
...
Elisa, Omega's gonna head back now.
Time to take Cube home.
Eh, y-yes?!
S-spirit... I mean, Miss Omega?!
...Huh?
Cube... Omega left him right here...
...Where did Cube go?
Cube! Where are you!
Cube! Answer me!!
Ugh... Cube, where are you...
...It's okay. Omega can do high-tech analysis!
Omega lost him... so Omega has to find him!
Nom.
Huh? Mom...
What's wrong?
That kid just picked up a rock and ate it...
What? She couldn't have...
Nom.
...
Not this one.
S-she really did?!
Hmm... not this one either...
This piece...? *Lick*
Ah! This is it! Same as the one where Cube was!
Then... he must've gone this way for sure!
*Bleh* Omega can't taste anything anymore... can't eat one more bite...
End? Is this the end?
The trail ends at this warehouse...
Could Cube Palace be inside...?
Eh.
Someone's being really loud...
You dare defy me?!
I'll make an example out of you!
Something's definitely going on!
Hang on, Omega's coming...!