Inaccessible (before battle)
<What do you mean you... can't...?>
I mean it in the most literal sense. My access to Faust's input and information, which has always been readily available... is completely severed.
<... Oh! What if everything about this situation is something you don't have access to yet, like you said last time...?>
One cannot completely dismiss that possibility, but even that is... uncertain...
Faust's answers have always been perfectly accurate and methodical when sharing information.
I don't think she's ever said a sentence that was this full of speculation and doubt.
<Then "Faust", right now you're...>
Yes. At this moment, I am... limited to utilizing only the knowledge that is in my possession.
<…!>
I cannot discern the cause of this disconnection... More than enough precautions have likely been taken in case of interdimensional travel, but perhaps Faust did not take into account an occasion in which we may have to access an unidentified dimension such as this. Or, even if it was taken into account, this particular dimension may not have been subject to cross-observation yet.
If that is not the case, then I-no, never mind.
There was nothing that suggested that my connection to Faust would be lost, not even as we boarded the train. To be honest...
... I find myself in a somewhat perplexed state.
<... Alright, I get it for now.>
Now that changes everything.
I recalled the last thing I saw before the hatch on the capsule closed. When Faust told me not to worry too much.
<Okay. This is just a minor setback. Nothing we can't beat, right? We got this.>
I began to mutter like I was trying to convince myself.
As the manager, my job is to calm everyone down and set their sights on the future. Just as Faust did for me immediately before the hatch closed.
<If you're right about why you were disconnected, then that problem will solve itself once we're off the train...>
<And if we do ever run out of options, I'll just turn the clock and see what happens.>
<Don't stress yourself too much. We still have a lot to work with. Your knowledge, my, um... clock, the Sinners... and...>
I could feel my confidence taking a hit with every word that came out of my metaphorical mouth, but that seemed to be enough for Faust. She nodded.
... Understood.
And... to the Sinners...
... the fact that we are currently confined to a WARP train in operation must be a source of enough stress. It would be best not to share Faust's current state with them and add an unnecessary source of tension.
<Hm...>
What, so wrecking this door ain't gonna do anything? We're all going to bite it once it opens?
Ugh, how many times do I have to tell you that you're not even strong enough to break this door down!
A-a billion years in this box... ha... ha ha...
<... Yeah. That might be best.>
So? What now? Do we take a searching sweep through each car... or something?
In the grand scheme of things, yes.
Faust cleared the air with a cough before continuing.
By A Corp.'s standard time scale, approximately three days have passed since our departure.
As per the contract between Limbus Company and W Corp., I acquired the master keycard placed inside my capsule and adjusted the hatch settings to open automatically in three days.
Three days, huh...
I feel like I just blinked, and... I guess that's hibernation for you.
As you were all informed prior to boarding, there is no way for the economy class passengers to enter the first class car; that is why this place has remained untouched.
However, cross-referencing my own deductions and W Corp.'s rather fragmentary explanations, I can assume that "the situation" is currently under progress in the economy class cars.
The uh... the part where they thrash the shite out of one another, tearin' their limbs off, all that mess?
No, I doubt that... I don't think it gets that bad in just three days. Besides, that's supposed to be business as usual for W Corp., right? There must be something else that's out of the ordinary that they want us to deal with.
Precisely. In my opinion, it is -
O-ooh, hold that thought for but a moment!
Just as Faust was about to continue, Don Quixote raised her index finger to her lips and signaled her to be quiet.
Dost... dost thou hear aught as I do?
Scratching... nay, rapping! Forsooth, past this gate must be... hm...
As Don Quixote kept listening with her ear to the door, an odd expression of half-curiosity and half-horror appeared on her face.
It is possible that there must be... hm? Lady Faust?
…….
After that very distressful noise, everyone simultaneously turned their heads to look at Faust...
... who closed her eyes, briefly in thought.
Please step aside for a moment, Don Quixote. It would be best if I observed it with my own eyes.
With that, she produced the master keycard from her pocket and approached the panel installed next to the door.
Whoa, hang on a minute. You're going to open the door?
I intend to follow your usual flavor of suggestion, Heathcliff.
That there are times in which a physical altercation is preferable to detached ruminations.
H-huh? My suggestion...? Um, well, I ain't going to disagree with you there, but... what's gotten into you, lass?
After all... how could I deduce anything without seeing it myself?
Bleep -
After a brief, mechanical beep...
KAAAGGHHHH!!!
Hideous creatures suddenly crashed through the open door and charged wildly in our direction.