act33side

The Sarkaz people have a right to choose the path they believe is correct: Theresis's, or Theresa's.

Looks like we've got a lot to deal with besides Oripathy.

There's a big difference between knowing and understanding, I guess. Looks like there's much I still need to learn about the history of Terra.

This time, you'll be the one to guide me, Kal'tsit.

...Of course.

All we can do right now is make sure that the Oripathy patients at Rhodes Island have access to proper treatment—

What's going on—

An attack? Now?

Word is Her Highness has set out.

Listen up! We exalt only Her Highness. Destroy Babel, and she will return to the embrace of Kazdel.

If we're branded traitors, so be it. But the Regent must not be hindered at this crucial juncture. Kazdel will take back all that we have lost.

May the Sarkaz be united as Her Highness wills.

Scar Market, Kazdel

Her Highness is coming...

<i>Her</i> Highness? The one who's still on the run?

His or Her, it's not your place to talk shit.

Hah. Say, did you take that job?

Wouldn't pass up an opportunity like this if it's the last thing I did. Londinium, that den of scum.

They say the columns in the Feline palace are covered in gold, and the nobles walk on floors paved with glowing stones.

*Sarkaz expletive*, capital of a great empire! A commission from a grand duke! There's gonna be so much money!

It's been a while, Ascalon.

It's been so long since you last visited. Why not sit down and catch up for a bit?

You're sending mercenaries to Londinium.

Now, now, I must object to that accusation.

People just follow the money, and it leads to what the Regent has provided in Londinium.

You're dragging Kazdel into another war.

'Dragging Kazdel into another war.' Have you been fooling around with those dreamers at Babel for so long that you've forgotten what it means to be a Sarkaz?

Since when have the Sarkaz been apart from war?!

The giant's hand lunges forward. Ascalon is surprised to find that she cannot avoid his fist.

...Grr.

Seeing the future is hard. Seeing through what you will do next, less so.

Did you think you were the child of destiny, so special that you could bridge the rift between the siblings?

Think back to the day when you saw them for the first time...

When you skinned that young mangler and followed the trail of blood through the wilderness, until you walked into a storm and met the King of Sarkaz...

How did you...?

'How did I know?' Are you surprised, Ascalon?

I saw the prophecy and led the tribe on the wastes into the storm that day with game. You happened to be the one who lived.

No one truly understands prophecy. No one can interfere with the future. But I wanted to catch the tail of fate... I wanted to make prophecy.

Theresis didn't kill you. Instead, he kept you and raised you. Maybe he wanted to tempt fate.

But you never changed, in all these years. You're still that poor, lost child on the wastes.

Have patience, Ascalon.

You're not a threat to me yet. And I have higher hopes for you than this.

Master said—

'Your blade points at all the enemies of the Sarkaz.'

Theresis raised you to be a deathmonger, yet you understand less about him than a warmonger like me.

Did you think Theresis would be content to be some puppet for those dukes? Spare your breath, if you don't know the full extent of his plan.

I'm curious, how would you stand before Theresis, if he was sitting in the room behind me right now?

You're simply repeating the words of others, on behalf of the one behind you.

You seem to have put a lot of thought into this war.

How many hostiles?

Exact numbers unclear. We've detected hostiles both in front of and behind us. A lot of them...

Whether it was Theresis's intention or not, the other generals of the Military Commission seem intent to crush Babel while Theresa is absent.

That way, the Sarkaz won't have a choice.

How many combat personnel do we have?

The best soldiers went into negotiations with Her Highness. A good part of the remaining ones have been assigned to the supply convoys. We only have less than one third of our normal force.

At the very least, we need to break through the roadblock ahead...

...Kal'tsit.

I'll take command.

Doctor?

If, as you said, this attack was launched by only a few members of the Military Commission, then they're undoubtedly planning to get this done in one go.

We can't let them set the pace.

Find out where their lines are thin. Disrupt their rhythm, and we'll be safe.

Have you fought a war before, Dr. {@nickname}?

Not the flesh and blood kind... but I've been trained.

I'm able to reconstruct a battlefield as a computable data model.

Take the front line, Kal'tsit. I know you'll be able to protect us.

Of course.

Welcome to the Scar Market, Your Highness.

Things must be busy here lately.

No need going against the will of the many. Am I right, Your Highness?

The voices of the few are worth respecting too.

Many know nothing of what's happening in the lands beyond. Their lives will be turned upside-down. They'll be without a home once again.

I'm just a humble merchant. My business only stretches so far.

Mercenaries seek to sell their lives. I seek to make money. That's why I always respect the positions of my big clients.

Then I'll talk to your biggest client. The one in the room behind you.

Your Highness should go no further.

Since when have you started meddling in the affairs of Kazdel, Scareye?

All the more reason I can't let you go further.

Well...

Please, don't make things difficult for Scareye, Your Highness.

You understand that there's only one way this can go, if you and the Regent come face-to-face here.

...Confessarius.

I beg Your Highness's pardon.

Looks like you've made a decision.

Is this Theresis's position?

It is.

He has decided to abandon our city?

Not abandon. Take a step forward, to go on a long expedition away from home, that's all.

You have made us stagnant. We want to progress.

The Confessarius is right.

I still remember when you and General Theresis came here for the first time. Even fate itself stepped aside for the two of you, when you stood together.

But look at the people here now, when Kazdel is divided.

You can still command any Sarkaz to your will as their King. You could kill all of us who stand here right now. But why not ask them if they're still willing to follow your dream?

The bustling Scar Market has lost its usual commotion. Scattered mercenaries stow their weapons and stand with heads bowed in reverence.

In their eyes is silence, but the King of Sarkaz hears the voices of their hearts clearly.

Uncertainty, excitement, desire, anger.

Most of you have made up your minds.

Then there is no point for me to try to stop you.

One of the Sarkaz suddenly kneels.

He has not changed his mind. He has not turned away from the temptation of Theresis's plan.