act18mini

<p=1>Lifebone</><p=2>October 1098, during the retreat of the Sarkaz forces</>

Hoederer, I've brought along everyone who agreed to use the bones to retreat.

Most of them wouldn't be able to withstand the long journey—the old, the young, and more injured Sarkaz than you can count.

W said, and I quote, 'Let them die if they want,' but the other members of her squad carried them here.

Somehow, she still has quite a few living subordinates—enough to maintain order within the Lifebone and watch over Ulšulah in captivity.

So at least you won't have to worry about having no one to take the wheel if you accidentally die on the road.

...Got it.

What are you waiting for?

The Lifebone casts a shadow over the ruins of the battlefield.

None of the Sarkaz raise their heads. They may already know of—or have grown accustomed to—the greater shadow that will soon envelop their kilometers-long procession.

Most of them move slowly as they cross the trenches left behind by the high-speed battleships.

I was just thinking... Look how long the line of soldiers is.

We've all traveled that road from Kazdel to Victoria before. We all know how long it is.

But if the Victorians break their word and open fire on the retreating Sarkaz forces, there'll be nothing you can do about it.

Yes. That's how it's always been.

Maybe not immediately, but after the signal we send to all of Terra, every nation will be forced to respond.

Are you sure that will work?

Such a blatant retreat back to Kazdel will probably cause many countries to panic.

But there really is no better way.

Our squad must continue to present the strongest possible front to all factions. The moment we lose the strength to wield our weapons, we'll be devoured without a trace.

The same goes for the new 'King of Sarkaz'.

We must seize the initiative here.

The airship in the distance is faintly visible through the bones, and the ship's cannons remain locked in targeting mode.

A massive Catastrophe cloud still hovers around the ship, following the Sarkaz forces as they retreat.

But there's something else that's got me very worried.

Are you sure it's a good idea to have W guard Manfred?

She's the best for the job.

The squad has reached its destination.

The weather is clear, and visibility is good.

Keep looking to the southeast.

We've received the latest intelligence from the Ministry of Defense, which includes Kazdel's approximate coordinates.

Please closely monitor the Sarkaz army, to ensure their retreat home isn't a cover for another military maneuver.

Understood.

The officer does not, in fact, understand why he needs to monitor the Sarkaz.

However, out of respect for his comrades, he sits in the reconnaissance vehicle and stares intently at the data being sent back by the drones.

All is calm.

There's nothing unusual to report at the moment, sir. By the way—and I'm just making small talk—Maylander rarely sends someone of your status to liaise with the military.

Heh, the Victorians think they've done a fine job covering up the disaster in Londinium.

Maylander needs to investigate the situation before we have a talk with them.

Understood.

...Lieutenant! Lieutenant!

You are to report any new developments immediately!

Of course, sir. There's nothing to report right now.

Nothing at all?!

Wait. What's that...?

The officer puts down the communicator. The Catastrophe warning system on the vehicle is blaring an alarm.

He looks toward the capital district, but at this distance, he can barely make out the outline of the nomadic city.

But he can clearly see the massive shadow cast by the Catastrophe cloud, stretching from above the capital district all the way to where he stands.

Yes. He knows you are familiar with the people of Siracusa, so he hopes you'll have a chance to display your talents this time.

Not to worry. The Sarkaz hordes are a chaotic, calamitous force, but they are ultimately mercenaries.

We are now well aware that our neighbor, Victoria, has failed to keep them on a tight leash.

But I shall not allow such filth to disrupt Leithanien's glorious Güldenesgesatz. Of this I am quite certain.

Please send this message along to your master—

The noble is interrupted by a suddenly darkening sky.

...What's going on?

Come inside with me now, sir! It's a Catastrophe!

Contact the base for further orders... Damn! We've got no signal! What the hell is going on? Push the fleet forward. Full throttle!

Wait—

The data from the Catastrophe warning system sends a chill down his spine.

The cloud has stopped expanding, just as suddenly as it had appeared a few minutes ago.

The strong wind blows Originium dust up into the sky, but it doesn't fall back down.

Then the cloud starts to dissipate as the sunlight peaks through.

Can you hear me, lieutenant?

Yes, sir! The Catastrophe cloud appeared out of nowhere. There were no signs at all before it happened...

Of course, of course. This was meant as a display, a show of force to intimidate us.

You think the Sarkaz troops did this...?!

Maylander no longer requires your help with our investigation. Please withdraw at once. Of course, do not disclose any information about our cooperation.

...Yes sir.

May Terra bless us.

Enough. Deactivate the tip line. We have more than enough eyewitness accounts of the Catastrophe cloud!

Everyone saw what happened. Those of us living in the high rises got an even closer look!

For now, I need all of you to come up with explanations and file your stories. Everyone writes a report—whether you explain it away as an advertising hologram or new Arts from Leithanien, that's up to you.

...Do you need anything else?

Sir, this call wasn't from a citizen...

We just received word from our Messengers... Zwillingstürme, Laterano, Montelupe... Catastrophe clouds have appeared over the capitals of every nation.

What about Deity Grypherburg and Max D.C.?

...Same situation.

That little 'Amnannam' thingamajig is pretty handy. It can send a Catastrophe to someone's doorstep before you can blink.

Tch, no wonder Doctor and the hag were so nervous when we came to take it away, and the little bunny insisted on tagging along to keep an eye on me.

Hmm...What if we just, like, destroyed every capital of the Core all at once?

While it may indeed be able to rain down disaster on those nations, that doesn't mean it can destroy them.

I have no doubt that doing so would bring nothing but retaliation against Kazdel. Our history has repeatedly proven this, even from the earliest records.

It would be unwise, Wiš'adel. In fact, you must use Amnannam sparingly—the strain it places on the mind and body is even greater than I imagined.

You just experienced that pain firsthand.

You don't get to tell me that, Manfred.

Amnannam's potential extends far beyond intimidation, assuming we figure out the proper use for it.

Their Highnesses had much higher hopes for it. Yes, it is a weapon, a deterrent, but more importantly, it is the means by which we will break free from our destiny—

You know, you're even more annoying than Hoederer.

Don't forget who you are, dude. You're a prisoner, and we're only keeping you alive 'cause Kazdel needs you alive.

Hell, the only reason we let the Military Commission stick around is that the surviving Sarkaz still need something to believe in on the way home.

Fucking Theresis sure thought of everything, huh?

...I'm guessing Hoederer saw this coming long ago too, didn't he?

This was always the Regent's overt strategy: to reunite a people—brought together once more by hatred—around Kazdel—

Even Babel and the Military Commission are working together again, united toward a common goal.

Yeah yeah, but don't expect to wriggle your way out of this one, Manfred. Remember what I said.

Wiš'adel...

What, still got more to say?

If, someday, Kazdel really does normalize its relations with the other nations, just as Her Highness Theresa once strived for...

Then I, along with the rest of the Military Commission, will have to draw a clear line between ourselves and Kazdel.

As the Sarkaz see it, outbloods bring only pain and hatred, just as we do to them.