act18mini

Can you hear Victoria cry, o kings of yore?

Fires burn my mother's skin...

I fly above her head, but do not hear her cry for help.

Only lament.

But who does she lament for—

Don't bother collecting the bodies of the Steam Knights and mercenaries. The Victorians already built this tomb for them.

I know, Ines, but...

Paprika clenches the blood-stained piece of paper in her hand and tries to imagine what it felt like as the Steam Knight wrote these words.

This is the Steam Knights' home, but the Sarkaz shouldn't be left here.

If Hoederer can really bring everyone back to Kazdel with the Lifebone, can we take them with us too?

If you've already made up your mind, then go ahead.

But are you sure about this, Paprika? You aren't from Kazdel.

I—I can always find a way back to Columbia if I need to—

It's safer to travel back with the group for now.

Who knows what they'd do to you if you stayed in Victoria, or tried to head back to Columbia now?

Given the circumstances—

Ngh!

Stop pretending you're not injured.

I won't die. I can't die. Besides, we're already taking too long.

How is the Lifebone's recovery going?

It'll make it to Kazdel... provided no one 'accidentally' damages it again.

Oh, was that meant for me?

Guess YOUR recovery's going just fine.

How are things looking outside, W?

I'll let you off the hook about the name <i>this time</i>, Ines.

Even better. How are things looking outside, W?

The Victorians made a big push right after the fire on the walls. The Nachzehrer lines collapsed right away.

What about the Nachzehrer King?

Still kicking, but he retreated into the city—

I—Is there any news about the General, Miss Wiš'adel?

Nope. Could be dead for all I know.

Manfred wouldn't die so easily.

But the chaos outside is a problem.

Based on intel my guys collected, Nezzsalem is still sitting cozy, even though the Military Commission screwed this battle up big time.

And while I'd <i>love</i> to blow Theresis to smithereens, I gotta admit...

He's a cunning enough bastard that there's no way his forces would back down that easy.

I'm thinking your plan needs to be moved up, Hoederer.

The Lifebone is ready.

Whatever the Regent is scheming, we should prepare to leave with the ones who've been dragged into this mess... before the Sarkaz purge begins.

I doubt the Victorians would let them go so easily.

I know, but...

Since when did we need the Victorians' permission to do anything?

I've got an idea.

But first, we'll need to capture the Commission's command center. Say, in the name of Babel.

You guys just wait here for my orders—

An idea isn't a plan, W, but you seem confident.

Fine, let's go. I've spent enough time underground.

Er, doesn't Hoederer need someone to take care of him?

I have it on good authority that he won't die.

...Yes, that's what I said.

Whatever the Regent and Nachzehrer are planning at the Palace of Westhaleg, the fate of the survivors is probably not their priority.

We can't just sit back and watch. You can tell us about your idea on the way.

Hmph. Two dunces.

What about you, Yarnball?

I'll go with you! The General might be at the command center. I have so much to ask him!

But do we just leave the Lifebone here?

I could blow it to pieces if you want. If you're volunteering to carry everyone on your back instead.

W...

It's WIŠ'ADEL!

Don't worry, Yarnball, no one'll ever guess it's here. And if anyone dares get close, my guys will take care of them.

Wiš'adel surveys the resting place of kings, now barely-recognizable rubble.

Besides, what better place to hide a pile of bones than a graveyard?

<p=1>Outside the Military Commission Command Center</>

Found a way in yet?

The ducal alliance's army is surrounding the place, but they don't seem to have any intention of attacking.

What are they doing, then? Out for a picnic?

Defending this place was so important to the General. How could...

The General? You mean that devil by the name of Manfred? I'm afraid he fled with his tail between his legs, abandoning all of you.

Her Grace was right. The Military Commission's spies do come through here.

Who the hell are you calling Commission spies?

We are not your enemies. We've come to end this war.

I've read your file, Sarkaz. 'The Right-Hand of Manfred'. Your word can hardly be taken at face value.

Then maybe you've also read how I <i>escaped</i> from Manfred.

I'm afraid I lacked the patience to read through the files of every insignificant devil.

We've surrounded the place, sir.

Eliminate these Sarkaz spies.

Search their bodies for intel on the command center. I've had enough of the Sarkaz's tricks.

Hah! So you're not attacking 'cause you're too scared of what's inside?!

Well, if you don't have the guts, we'll do it for you.

Are you sure you want to pick a fight now, W? I can ensure a safe retreat, at least.

(Pulls weapon) I'm with her. The Sarkaz cannot afford to wait.

Protect Paprika, Ines. We're forcing our way through.

If you say so.

Shadows spread from Ines's feet, locking on to every Victorian soldier present.

Then, she senses a different kind of shadow.

...Delphine?

Let them through, <i>sir</i>.

And here I was thinking you finally made up your mind to kill us.

I am not under the command of the Exemplars, my lady. Nor do I want to be put on 'mandatory leave' like Bellingham. I am simply executing the Duke's orders—

'Wipe out the Sarkaz.' No more, no less.

These Sarkaz share our strategic objective.

They aren't a monolith.

You're here to kill the Nachzehrer, aren't you, Hoederer?

The Nachzehrer King holds great significance to the Sarkaz, but he cannot be allowed to live.

Only the swift and complete defeat of his forces will convince the ones sitting on the fence to willingly withdraw with us.

...You want to flee with the devils?

Got a problem with that, punk?

You do understand the crimes they committed, do you not?

...I can't deny them.

But I also understand what will happen if large numbers of leaderless Sarkaz mercenaries are left scattered across the countryside.