Charlot Marvel

Charlot Marvel, an internationally wanted criminal.

He would be remembered for the rest of his life as the worst serial killer in history.

The trial dragged on for a lengthy period of time. To unravel and bring to justice the hundreds of charges against him one by one, Charlot was subjected to a series of life-prolonging treatments.

And then his life was ended in prison. During the middle of the trial, without a full verdict, Charlot died alone in his cell. According to one theory, his body could not withstand the life-prolonging treatment.

However, this was not what earned him the title of a serial killer. Subsequent historical records indicated that right before his death, Charlot was laughing. It was reported that he was laughing merrily while singing a song.

But what did that mean?

Why did Charlot commit such a major crime?

Not a single thing was uncovered.

And the key to unlocking the "closed" M.O.R.S. ward server, which he did not disclose until the very end, was buried in darkness.

◇

Several years had passed since Charlot Marvel's "consciousness" had been transferred to the real world. The M.O.R.S. ward server had been spared from the collapse. And even now, it was still up and operating.

Indeed.

This was because many patients who had not yet returned from M.O.R.S were still connected to it. Investigations by the police were still ongoing.

Periodically, the patients would be awakened.

Although slowly.

They were waking up from the world of virtual reality.

M.O.R.S. will not stop operating until everyone has been "rescued".

◇

On the verge of being transported back to the real world, Charlot exercised his authority to prevent outside interference in the Labyrinth. He shut down M.O.R.S in exchange for himself.

And why was that?

In a virtual space that can no longer be observed, the "simulation" still persisted.

People who had lost their memories were living in a vast Labyrinth. And the Apocrypha virus did not vanish. The collapse of the world also kept progressing slowly, and the distortions created new Nightmares.

◇

With a thud, a huge shadow collapsed. It slowly faded into fragments of data and dissipated into thin air.

"We've almost finished exterminating the Nightmares in this area, haven't we?"

Iberis, who stomped on the ground with her Bandersnatch feet, opened her mouth. Sheathing his broken Dáinsleif, Jack nodded.

"Yeah. I think we're safe. I'll use my administrative authority to send the people inside the shelter to the outside as soon as possible."

"Yes."

Iberis and Jack walked out.

"Where's Alice?"

When asked, Jack responded in a hushed voice.

"She's in the shelter. She said she was going to exterminate the Nightmare that got in."

"Oh. Then…"

Iberis laughed softly as she patted the White Knight on the shoulder.

"Go ahead. I'm fine now. I'll take care of transferring the patients. Don't worry."

"Thank you…"

Jack considered briefly, then drew his Dáinsleif and slashed through the space.

◇

Alice was seated in a daze outside the shelter… on the top, hugging her legs.

A black forest.

A black night enveloped the surroundings.

"There you are."

Jack called out from behind her. Turning around, Alice looked at Jack, her face covered with an eye patch.

"Oh… I'm sorry. I didn't mention any words to you."

"It's okay. Come here."

Alice stood up and gently settled down on top of the seated Jack. The White Knight tenderly embraced her body.

"How many more shelters are there…?"

"Who knows…"

Jack took a breath and gazed up at the black sky with the white moon gleaming in it.

"There's no way to communicate with the outside world…"

"Hey, Jack."

Alice hugged Jack's arm and mumbled to him.

"If… if…"

"…"

"If we rescue all the patients in this M.O.R.S., will the labyrinth cease?"

"…"

For a while, Jack did not answer Alice's question. But then he said to Alice, quietly, "It will probably shut down."

"I see…"

"But, Alice."

Jack, behind his helmet, seemed to smile slightly.

"That's what keeps us alive, isn't it?"

"…"

Alice raised her eyes to Jack's face and brought her arms around him and her knees. Then she smiled like a little girl of her age.

"You're right…"

"It's okay. If this place shuts down, I'm here. And so is this sword."

"Yes."

"I'll take you and Iberis wherever we go. We're going to live."

The wind swept by. Alice watched the forest below her with her remaining left eye, receiving the polluted air with a soft and gentle breeze.

"Jack?"

"What's wrong?"

Alice was silent for a moment, then softly said, "Let's go to the next shelter."

With that, Jack lifted Alice in his arms and stood up. At the top of the shelter, the white armor shone in the moonlight. Looking straight in the same direction, Jack spoke.

"… Oh, let's go."

[Alice in the Massacre, The End]