act33side

Winter 1092

Border Battlefield, Kazdel

Those rampaging cystybeasts... are they migrating? The vanguard never stood a chance. All those who didn't get out of the way in time were...

And those soldiers, moving in perfect coordination without exchanging a word... None of that was in the Intel!

That's not what we need to worry about.

I'm the ranking officer now. All survivors, form up and retreat immediately. These supplies are crucial. It will be a hard winter without them.

Yes, ma'am. But how did things go so wrong even though we made our move early? Did our informant—

The intel was good. We were delayed by the mercenaries transporting the supplies. They upped the price on the spot. I've dealt with them.

This is why I hate mercenaries.

Another coincidence...

It's not a coincidence if it keeps happening over and over again. We've had way too many setbacks lately.

Focus, Babel forces must be—

Wait, hel—

A flash of white, and a hole appears in the soldier's forehead. They cannot even tell where the attack is coming from, in the noise of the cystybeast stampede.

'Leave the supplies behind, and you may leave unharmed. You have been warned.'

Without warning, Ulšulah hears a cold, coarse voice in her head.

He... he's dead. *Sarkaz expletive* We need to withdraw! Did you hear that voice?

Hmph... just a bluff! Keep your head low and stay with me!

Don't get separated! Stick together, if you want to live! We need to get these supplies back!

As for the vanguard... we're in no position to think about them.

They're retreating. I suppose nabbing the supplies isn't so easy after all.

'Be patient and follow the Doctor's instructions. The Chairman has said that the priority is to minimize casualties.'

I know, Mantra.

Mantra's lips are closed, but Scout can hear her voice clearly in his head.

She is the perfect coordinator for Babel's covert operations, and a shadow that eats away at the enemy's sanity.

The enemy vanguard has been scattered by the herd. The survivors have fled into the woods.

The enemy's actions were spontaneous, unplanned. They must have known that we decrypted their communications. But the envelopment succeeded nonetheless.

We can leave the rest to Ascalon.

Ascalon will not fail.

Neither will we.

Hah, you're absolutely right. You should get some rest, Mantra. 'Talking' takes a toll on you.

No need to worry about the follow-up. We have the Doctor.

Who directed this operation... the evil spirit again? Just what <i>is</i> this commander? Which Royal Court does it come from?

If it can do this to us, it can do it to you too! Why would you sell your soul to something like that?!

I'm getting out of here alive—

The mercenary hears breathing in the darkness not far away and swings his sword without hesitation.

Got you!

Ugh...

You're wounded too. You think you could kill me and walk away alive?

Get out of my way, or I'll kill you, if it's the last thing I do!

You're not taking Marcel's things. He's going home.

Home? *cough* *cough*—

Our home is... Kazdel! You— traitors to Kazdel...

The mercenary keeps swinging his sword at Odda, who only passively blocks with his hammer.

The mercenary's movement slows down, and his breathing grows weak.

Babel... morons...

Wasn't it the Military Commission who betrayed Kazdel?

Relax. He's dead.

Be more decisive next time, Odda, and there'll be fewer injuries.

The entire squad is dead... they should have died an honorable death, not tormented by fear—

This is not the right time to show mercy. Bring Marcel. Our mission is finished.

You... you remember his name?

I remember everyone in Babel, the living and the dead, the ones who had names, and the ones who didn't.

I could have saved him... it's just hard to raise your weapon against your own kin.

Even if it's to avenge Marcel?

Your father died in the chaos of the city. Have you ever thought about seeking vengeance for him?

Odda takes a deep breath.

I hate the people who killed him, but vengeance doesn't change anything.

A classical idea. Rational, righteous, human.

What if your vendetta is with a cold-blooded deathmonger, with hands soaked in blood?

Would you say you kill for justice and your ideals, without a hint of hatred?

I... I'm not sure.

Do you regret killing mercenaries who threaten Babel, Ascalon?

No.

Then I won't either.

Even if it means I have to...

O-Oh, I'm sorry! I'm saying silly things again. Don't mind me, I'm not important at all—

No, all Babelites are important to Her Highness.

Time to go back.

Rhodes Island of Babel, Kazdel

What are you here for?

I've already said it many times. It was my own decision to betray Her Highness.

It had nothing to do with the Military Commission, and I'm not an informer for them.

You want to execute me, make it quick.

I'm not here to torture you.

I brought some wine.

I don't need it.

Are you sure? This is Victorian fruit wine, not some lousy swill.

What are you here for?

To catch up about old times.

We have nothing to talk about.

I know Scout's hiding something from me. Ascalon would too, because she knows we know each other.

But I can make a pretty good guess why you wanted to kill the Doctor.

Be my guest.

You're not a sore loser. You're unhappy because the Doctor is an outsider.

Everyone wants Babel and the Military Commission to get along. You believe that Dr. Kal'tsit and the Doctor have widened the rift, rather than mended it.

Good guess. Now get out.

I'm an outsider too. And I'm still fighting for the Sarkaz to this day.

You—

The wine.

You're drinking out of your hat?

Do you see a wine glass in this cell? You should have brought one.

*gulp* — Ah.

What happened to the rest of your team?

Let's see... the one with the spear, the caster, the one with the shield who's sitting here right now, a medic, and a sniper?

Skullspear, White Smoke, Grey Sun, Stross, Walnut, Kung, Herb.

So the sniper's name was Herb.

He's dead. Let bygones be bygones.

All good fighters.

If I ever get to mentor the young, I'll raise them to be that kind of fighter.