The Repository of Truth was a small shrine near the far wall of the city, open on all sides, and staffed by a lone 1-Servant. Like everyone else around, they seemed unnerved by the presence of a Worm Feeder and its prey, but I hoped they would still be willing to hear our case. After a brief discussion, Hizen and I decided that I should be the one to speak to them.
“H-hello…”
“…”
“Do you, uh, work here…?”
“Y-yes! Um...it’s just that...well, normally I greet people by saying ‘Our Lord’s blessings be upon you’, but...it seems to be a little late for that in this case...”
“Does that mean I can’t have any special information...?”
“Well...it’s not against the rules, I don’t think...and as a Sanctified Servant, you probably have the very highest clearance.”
“I do? I-I mean, yeah, I do! I’m, uh, surprised you recognize the Holy Seal...few people do, you know~.”
“Oh, I have been fully educated in the sacred ideography as part of my training. Someday, I hope to become a Sanctified Servant, too!”
“That’s...good! I mean, I guess…”
“Your markings are very interesting...that motif can be read as ‘a gift from the genesis’, or something very mystical from the beginning of time. And this symbol on your chest is a binary star— the seal of the ancestry of Nobles, and Divine Conversion.”
“Um—”
“I see that you’re also fifth of your assembly— you know, the number five is considered unlucky. I’ve heard that the fifth member always gets the longest prayers…is that true??”
“Uh, well, I wouldn’t know—”
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“What shrine did you come from, anyway? I mean, if you don’t mind my asking...I’m really curious to know how a Sanctified Servant could have been discarded…”
“That’s actually exactly what I want to know! You see, I...my brain is…”
“Ohhh...I see…”
“...But, uh, technically I can’t be executed until I know everything about my past. So I need some detailed information on the Nebula Access Shrine in Year 152.”
“The Nebula Access Shrine?? Then, you must be from that incident! The one where everything blew up!”
“...Was it that bad...?”
“Well, I don’t really know first-hand, but I remember it being super shocking to everyone at the time. Some people say Our Lord Herself even got injured during the event…”
“Oh...my gosh…”
“It’s too bad your brain is missing; I’d love to ask you all about what happened! Although, I guess that wouldn’t exactly be proper, since that information is sealed...I can prepare a file for you, but please don’t tell me what’s in it, no matter how much I beg.”
“...Alright...”
“Step up to the altar for verification, please. In the name of Our Lord Syzygy, let your eyes be opened to the truth...”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“...It doesn’t seem to be working.”
“What?? But why— oh no, I just remembered…”
“What’s wrong? Do you have a firewall up…?”
“No, it’s my antennas...I broke them off, so…”
“Oh…! I didn’t even notice...well, that would certainly make it difficult to connect to the Nebula...”
“Couldn’t you just read me the file? Please…?”
“Oh no, I couldn’t...I told you, I don’t even have the right to hear about it, let alone look at it for myself...”
“Aw….”
“But, perhaps...your...um, companion, there, might be able to receive the file in your stead?”
“My...he could??”
“If I’m not mistaken, those markings on his arms are those of the Custodians, high-ranking guardians of the planet’s most important shrines. Depending on the status he reached before he...fell from grace, he might have the required clearance.”
“That’s...urgh…”
“What’s wrong; will it not work? I don’t really know much about W-worm Feeders, so…”
“No, it’s just...if you don’t mind, we need a minute to think about it...”