act33side

Autumn, 1031

The nomadic city of Kazdel, Kazdel

Hey, l-let me through already!

Hey, no shoving! You want a good spot, I'll trade you mine for some high-purity Originium out of the mines.

Don't just grab the leaflet out of my hands! Eurgh, that blood all over you stinks...

Can't help it when you're breaking into dead people's houses. Lin...go...nes... That's how you read that word, right?

Where's Lingones?

Gaul.

Oh. Where's Gaul?

How the *Sarkaz swearing* should I know where Gaul is?!

Hey, what's with the attitude?

Shh! The Highnesses and the Royal Court bigshots are discussing something in the chamber. I heard it's about reorganizing the city. Haven't you noticed all the extra guards on the streets recently?

So quiet down a bit!

*sigh* Weather's been real stuffy today.

It is decided.

The Military Commission will replace the War Council in assisting the King of Sarkaz Theresa in decision-making related to Kazdel's military and political affairs.

The Military Commission will be the sole administration of Kazdel, and none will have the authority to issue commands to the Sarkaz in the Royal Court's name.

All present have already received the details of this resolution. To the Royal Court leaders who still wish to cling onto the War Council...

Know that the Military Commission of Kazdel will become the final bastion of the Sarkaz, our eternal fortress, and the usher of a new order.

Are there any further questions?

Your Highness appears more haggard than you did yesterday.

Please, look after your health. No Military Commission is worth it...

If it comes at the cost of Your Highness's health.

Laqeramaline... thank you.

I know how hard you have worked for this day... and I also know how Kazdel today views the Banshees of the Convallis.

But before I state our position, I encountered a lost envoy of the Liches on my journey here. He entrusted me with a letter for your Highnesses.

That he couldn't even find the road here... let this be proof of the immense changes Kazdel has undergone.

Hmm... A letter from Leithanien.

If things are going as expected, Your Highness's Messenger would still not have received any news from the Cyclopes.

Rather than waiting for the response from deep in the blizzard, should we not hear how the Liches of Leithanien answer?

You're right. It has been... a very long time since the Sarkaz were able to truly unite.

Oh?

The ornate calligraphy upon the letter turns into silken threads that float above the paper and weave into the shape of a familiar figure.

Fremont, a Lich who has long resided in Leithanien. It appears that he is now the 'First Scribe' for the Liches.

It seems that the Arts practiced by the Liches of Leithanien have seen some stylistic changes. Oh, he appears rather excited.

Why is there only image, but no sound?

Well...

The Lich envoy did suggest to me that he was rather vexed with refining his master's words, but never did I imagine that he would simply erase all the sound.

In short, Fremont apologizes on behalf of the Liches. They are enthralled as ever by their quest for knowledge, and are therefore unable to afford the distraction of making the long journey here.

But if Kazdel were ever in need of their knowledge, they would happily throw wide the gates to their temple for the people that they have chosen.

I am sure that with your abilities, your Highness can understand Fremont's attitude on the matter from his image alone. To me, it appears as though he is sensitive to drastic change, as has always been his wont.

Ah, yes. There is another letter from Fremont, one addressed directly to the General.

Might I remind you, Laqeramaline, that you are nobody's Messenger.

You have not yet expressed where the Banshee Court stands.

I assumed that we had reached an understanding in the course of our reminiscing yesterday. The Banshees will not participate.

We are still recovering from the wounds inflicted by the past war.

Perhaps other Sarkaz will castigate us for this, but all present should know that since that war, the elegies have yet to cease in our valley. We had suffered grievous losses.

If Kazdel calls on the aid of the Banshees once more, then I will give the same promise as Fremont. The Banshees will be there.

But until that day, you will find us willing but unable. Naturally, I myself will render what little assistance I am able to give, from this day onwards.

That's more than we could ask for... Thank you, Laqeramaline.

You are welcome, Your Highness. You know where I stand. For the past hundred years, I have always stood by the decisions you have made.

I can only hope that your brother does not blame us for watching from the sidelines.

Next, lord Nezzsalem, the Nachzehrer King.

You were once the leader of the War Council, and the mentor of Theresis and I.

What is your opinion on these many proposals? Where do the other council members that you represent stand on the matter?

Have you discussed them with the Damazti Cluster?

They have long since taken root in Kazdel, under many different names and faces. We have had many conversations over the years, and they have no objections.

Then I have no objections of my own.

Your Highness need not worry about the bureaucratic hurdles, policy imperfections, or enforcement mechanisms. Where I stand is also where the other members of the Council stand.

We all know what we truly long for. A turnabout. A change. A banner.

Go. Do as you will.

We will, Nachzehrer King. I promise you that.

I trust that this stagnant and dulled 'war' can take on a new form in your hands.

I notice you have not said a word this entire meeting...

Sanguinarch of Vampires.

To take the War Council and the century of history behind it...

...And sweep it into the gutter alongside the exalted Heroic Age and what little triumphs within. Is that the General's decision?

It is our decision.

Speak your mind, Duq'arael.

Duq'arael lowers his gaze.

Theresa's white skirt is mottled with many a blackened bloodstain.

The Sanguinarch is highly attuned to such matters. He senses the blood of the lowly, the foul stench of fallen descendants, and the murky taint of Royal Court members who willingly debased themselves.

I thank Your Highness, for purifying the filthy blood that I so abhor in my stead.

But never have I needed to hide my requests behind honeyed words. Such as it has been for every King of the past, and so it will be for you.

The Military Commission is merely an attempt to hide Sarkaz witchcraft and blood behind a 'more modern, more efficient' name.

Truth be told, I feel like this is insignificant. More than insignificant, it is simply not necessary.

You reject the proposal...?

On behalf of the Vampire Court?

Duq'arael glances at Theresis, but Theresis remains indifferent to him.

Time has left almost no trace on the mixed-blood Sarkaz.

He stands steadfast by Theresa's side, the same nameless warrior who stood by the seamstress a century ago.

His eyes never fall on the Vampire.

Not a rejection, no. I am merely expressing some minor frustrations about this meeting.

You are great and powerful, all of you are. How long has it been since so many members of the Royal Court have gathered here in Kazdel?

Not to mention that it was you who defeated that foolish coalition in the prior age and wrestled the future into your own hands, before personally establishing the War Council.

And now you wish to personally 'change' this Council? Why?

Look about you at the other dignitaries in this chamber.

You have long reached a consensus. The only obstacle to your Military Commission is myself—and the Vampires.

You would foist some ridiculous title upon me before forcing all Vampires to bow down to your <i>Commission</i>．

When did you learn this political trickery that those Victorians and Leithanians so love?

Why not just take my head here and now, and slaughter the Vampires within this city's walls?

This meeting was not convened to persecute anyone.

Was it not?

It was convened to discuss how to bring Kazdel into a new age—

'A new age'?

In that so-called 'Age of the Six Heroes' the songs love to praise, what I saw was bloodthirst and violence.

I had thought that when I arrived in Kazdel, I would be greeted with the sound of Yliš's wailing, but what did I see instead?

I saw the coalition routed. Witchcraft, enough to cover the land and fill the skies, crushed the enemy front. The power of the Sarkaz shook the earth.

I felt amazement. I felt... excitement. Spurred by my passion, I took the head of the Leithanian envoy who had orchestrated the coalition and offered it to the War Council.

Nezzsalem!