act33side

He simply feels a sense of guilt towards Theresa, one of the Six Heroes, their King who rebuilt Kazdel.

Kneel if you feel you should. Neither General Theresis nor Lord Scareye will fault you.

Ah... this ancient gesture signifies more than just fealty. I am more familiar with its other meaning...

Penitence.

...Qui'sartuštaj.

Have you found the meaning of your name?

Not yet, Your Highness.

Then forgive their sins as you must forgive yours.

Theresis and I will carry all your sins.

As you bid.

I bow to you, King of Sarkaz.

In millennia of Sarkaz history, it has always been an honor for warriors to go to war with their Kings.

They have tasted struggle and glory, picked themselves up from the bloodied soil...

For the Kings of Sarkaz always stood in front of them, never abandoning their people.

Where the Kings point, that is where home is, where cities will emerge from the earth.

Now, though, they have abandoned their King.

I promised a home of peace and safety, where Sarkaz will be forever free from war.

Before I set foot here, I had a sliver of hope that perhaps someone would follow me.

But I saw fire in your eyes.

I saw the city that none of you had seen with your own eyes burn.

The ancient city comes in many shapes and forms in your eyes.

A city of desire, a city of hatred, a city of wealth, a city of glory...

You all believe you will plunder what you have longed for in that unfamiliar land.

That's why I changed my mind. I decided to see Kazdel's bravest warriors off.

Kazdel will embark on a path of conquest for the first time in many years.

I honor you, even though I never wanted you to take this step.

You answered Theresis's call and dove into yet another campaign of hatred.

Death awaits you far away from home.

Yet you still choose to leave our home and go to Londinium.

The sorrowful King of Sarkaz walks among her people, who bow their heads to avoid her gaze.

Yet their determination does not waver, even if it means defying the King.

'We're going.' 'We're going.'

Voices rise and fall, as though the warriors are singing an elegy for themselves as they go to death.

We exalt Your Highness, but we cannot follow you anymore.

The Regent promises that Londinium will be a new start.

There lies the Sarkaz future.

There lies <i>our</i> future!

Take care of yourselves, my warriors.

Even if you will never return to Kazdel.

The white figure passes through the parted crowd. The King's people are unmoved by her words.

They no longer follow the King they once exalted.

The other possibility for her people, the home full of flowers that she strived to build, did not come in time for the Sarkaz.

General...

You knew this day would come.

What do you think?

Hesitate, and all we've worked for will be for naught.

Her Highness did not hesitate. Neither should we.

Make your preparations, then, Manfred.

Do not forget the feelings that burn within you, here and now.

No matter what they are.

Secret Entrance of Scar Market, Kazdel

No need to be down, Ascalon.

More will join us when Babel grows strong enough to provide shelter for more people.

We're being followed.

Your Highness—!

Wait, Ascalon. She's not hostile.

Whoa, that was a hard hit. Is that a sleeve-blade?

Anyway, Your Highness, I would like to leave with you, if that's okay with you.

Thank you. What's your name?

Julie.

A nice name. One that's not often used by mercenaries. Did you make it up yourself?

No... I don't have a name. Someone else gave it to me. She said having a name gives one a sense of belonging.

She's right.

Why not follow the rest of them to Londinium?

I've had enough of fighting. She says Your Highness will bring about a life where we don't have to fight anymore. That's why I came to check it out for her.

I wanted to challenge you before deciding whether to go with you, but I didn't even have the guts to raise my sword when you stood before me.

You're a strong warrior, that's for sure.

I wouldn't say that about myself when I'm standing in front of you.

At least I can be sure that she wasn't playing me for a fool when she said you were once a great hero of Kazdel.

A reason so simple it's hard to believe.

The red-haired mercenary scratches her head.

Well... I guess I liked the way you talked just now. Not sure I understood most of it, though.

Where's your friend? She can come too.

She's already here. Her sword and her clothes... may be a little loose-fitting, though.

She was a strong warrior. Felt a little like this one over here.

I'm a little something of a tailor. I could hem it for you.

There's no need. I'm used to it.

Let's go, then, Julie.

One moment, please, Your Highness.

There are other mercenaries here who want to go with you.

Theresa looks toward the dark exit of the Scar Market, and sees a swaying speck of flame.

One speck becomes two, two become three, and many more emerge from the darkness. The first torch-carrying mercenary steps into the sunlight and sees the white figure standing on top of the hill.

He points forward and walks toward Theresa without looking back.

More and more follow him, the line seemingly without end.

Just because we're used to battle doesn't mean we're willing to bury ourselves in a campaign with no end in sight. If there's another way to live, many of us are willing to take it.

I heard some people are secretly recruiting the willing in Kazdel. There may be some there ready to join us, although the journey through the wilderness would be a tough one...

I'll make arrangements.

Let's go, Julie. We have a lot to do.

There are plenty of people for us to house, after all.

You're back.

They've retreated. Outstanding work, Doctor.

Who...?

A group of medics hurry through the corridor, carrying several stretchers. Kal'tsit turns to block them from the Doctor's sight.

The enemy was essentially making suicide attacks. It was inevitable that there would be casualties as we broke through.

We lost fewer than we had any right to expect.

How many did we lose?

There was nothing wrong with how you commanded the operation. You don't need to be involved in the cleanup.

Dr. Kal'tsit! We're running low on plasma.

I'll deal with coordination and surgery.

Kal...