act33side

Someplace in the wilderness, Kazdel

...Hah.

Haha! Hahahaha!

Prophecy? As if this could be called prophecy! Ascalon did NOT kill me!

What has been spoken still requires discernment, what has been discerned can still be altered. The essence of prophetic Arts is merely conjecture and calculation. No wonder there is no destiny that can't be defied!

The Cyclops Court is nothing more than a big, sick joke!

*spit* That hurts.

I didn't die under Ascalon's blade. This isn't what I prophesized...

Then maybe she's the one who should've died.

She's bound to come confirm that I'm dead. When that happens, you lot can nail down her shadow and rip her to shreds.

She's wounded too. I didn't get all beaten up for nothing after all...

What are you guys doing?

You're aiming at me? Really?

Who bought you off?

Nobody, boss.

It's just a good opportunity to get a promotion.

An opportunity? I see. Babel's entered the city, and you could take my head to curry favor with them.

If Babel loses, you can always go back to the Scar Market. Nothing to lose.

Scareye silently looks at the soldiers he set up for the ambush himself.

The wind sweeps past, carrying the faint scent of his blood.

Heh.

It's a good plan, fellas.

Fate did not kill him. He made it. He had reversed a prophecy.

And then he died atop a stage of his own making.

Londinium, Victoria

The huge palace complex situated in the center of Londinium is always too quiet.

Theresis disdains the apathetic nobles who live within. He only respects those who put their lives on the line to fight a way out and come up to him.

Even if the swords that they raise are pointed at Theresis himself—

Showing mercy to your enemy will only result in your own death, Manfred. Do not repeat that mistake again.

Forgive me, General. I thought—

Focus on the enemy. It seems these traitors have been sharpening their blades for this ambush for a while now.

They have stirred the hearts of the Victorians. We are the only ones who can extinguish this rebellion now.

*Ancient Sarkaz Language*—

By the time he murmurs his covert orders, a group of silent figures are already appearing on the chaotic battlefield.

Like a passing gale rattling the raindrops in a storm.

Stand back.

Hmph. We'll handle these guys.

Julie, you and the rest keep going.

Got it.

Don't even think of getting close to the General.

No need to rush. It'll be your turn soon.

I am the General's guard captain, assassin.

Then you're gonna wanna hold your sword tight.

An inconspicuous arc sweeps past Julie's eyes.

A chill runs through her spine. Her body stiffens.

She thinks of the day that she saw Her Highness in the Scar Market.

At the time, she did not even dare to raise her sword.

Enough, Manfred.

General!

They have come to me in search of an honorable death, not mercy.

They are using their lives to show me the future as they see it.

You are in a race. She is facing countless threats in Kazdel, just as we are here.

Such a race only ends with my life, or hers.

I will give you a chance. Come, deathmongers. Kill me. Do not disappoint Theresa.

Countdown

2 hours, 7 minutes, 21 seconds

'SHATTER'.

Th-The gates have fallen! They're about to come through!

Countdown

1 hour, 33 minutes, 48 seconds

Notify all operations within the city to disarm the patrolling troops.

The defenses in the city are weak. It's pretty much just the Military Commission's defense forces.

We'll strike at them before they can regroup. Move fast.

Even if both sides are trying to prevent the battle from spreading into the city, this is still rather irregular.

Send all our intelligence back to the Doctor. All operating teams, quicken your pace, and stay vigilant at all times.

Take down the Military Commission's flag in the plaza, and tune our radio into all frequencies in the city.

Countdown

49 minutes, 59 seconds

Prepare for the landship's connection. We want to let Her Highness and the others enter the region that we control ASAP.

Also contact Ascalon's team and tell them to rendezvous quickly. Three teams have already completed their deployments ahead of schedule.

Where to next, Dr. Kal'tsit?

The former site of Babel.

Babel's flag has not been raised there for many years.

Kal'tsit walks along the street. She's still familiar with the route to Babel's offices.

The Sarkaz on the street quietly move about, climbing as high as they can on the surrounding buildings, gazing at the same ruins within the city.

A flag that has not been seen in Kazdel for many years slowly rises.

Babel has returned.

Mantra's latest report says we've managed to completely clear five main roads.

If everything is going according to plan, Kal'tsit should have seen the fires of the Soul Furnace by now.

Kazdel's defenses are all but crippled, Doctor. We can board the city now.

Good.

But the Military Commission will not give up on Kazdel. If we want complete control of the city, we still need a bit more time.

By then, we might not be able to completely avert the destruction of Kazdel's center city—

Wait.

I felt them.

What?

They are still here, but they have no intention of aiding anyone.

It seems that some arrogant bystanders have joined our battle.

Theresa.

Hmm...

I also feel... enemies. Not ordinary ones.

Their souls burn with killing intent, sorrow, misery and determination.

The Military Commission's assassins. They intended to use the city as bait all along, so they can inflict heavy damage on Babel's headquarters.

This was also within my calculations. But this time, there is no wagering or planning our way out of this. We must defeat the assassins, then return to our city.

I will go control the landship's defense systems and mount a defense.

Go, Doctor.

We need not bring another fight into the city, not as it bathes in the twilight afterglow.

Countdown

22 minutes, 48 seconds

Closure, have you made contact with the landship?