act37side

<i>It was a meeting to decide Londinium's future, so her residents had the right to know what happened exactly.</i>

<i>I stood there in my hiding spot, trying to note down every word as impartially as I could, but when I saw Vina draw that sword from her hip, pointing it at those bastards who thought they knew it all...</i>

<i>I hoped from my deepest heart that she would strike them all down. That way, what came next might have gone differently.</i>

My teacher once told me the Sighs of Kings was used to behead rebellious nobles—

No, not the Sighs of Kings any longer, though I do not know what to call it now.

I have not the right to name it, as it was the workers who forged it. To commemorate that victory, whose painful sting has not yet left us.

At first, as it lay forgotten upon the muddy battlefield, I thought its duty had ended.

But those heroes who lost everything still remember it, because it symbolizes the Victoria held in their hearts. They do not wish to see her laden with dust once more.

I know what they intended when they gave it to me. They wanted me to judge in their stead... Judge those who brought them to desolation and ruin.

But you don't fear it, do you?

It was never the sword you feared.

Vina gently caresses the flourishes on both sides of the sword's crossguard, every detail sculpted by the artisans of Londinium.

A hammer and a sword. They glimmer in the darkness.

'So long as the sword gleams, Victoria's honor will shine eternal.'

They begged my aid in reforging this sword, broken to the point of no return... using my hammer as its core.

Once reforged, they offered it to me without hesitation. But at the time, I could make no promises. King? Speaker? As far as I'm concerned...

Neither title is worth a damn. I'm no different from them. I'm just a woman who wanted to go home.

And when I made it back, what did I find?

I didn't see the 'grand' Victoria you do.

But I did see Infected children in the boxing gym, hoping to learn pugilism so they could defend their homes. And drunkards, mouths full of rotting teeth, donating the drinks they had stashed away to the hospitals, all so soldiers on the operating table could be saved.

The glory of empire has long since left us, so far in the distance it can no longer warm our hard beds in the winter chill of the new year.

This sword is the duty they entrusted to me. I need neither Parliament nor royal authority to know what I must do.

I will do what I can to show them the power they hold in their hands. To make them understand the land is theirs to protect!

But until that day comes, I must stand at their forefront, no matter what title I bear.

Sewers too, may bloom. And so, here, in my home...

I will NOT be lectured by the likes of you!

Vina firmly plants the sword into the ground, its point passing through the stone like butter. It stands tall before the dukes.

All eyes fall upon the quivering sword. A very clear provocation from Vina.

'Realmblade' and 'miracle'. In the wake of the war, those two words have become joined at the hip.

Rather than 'the late king's orphan', they are much more concerned about Vina's other identity.

Hah, well said, my Lady! There's really no point in <i>us</i> keeping the sword nowadays.

Best you pull it right out, no point in nicking such a fine blade.

Your teacher really did give you a practical education. It seems we were worried over nothing, Duke Caster.

Indeed. A rather childish way of doing things, but one that will win over the people. Parliament will see her mature faster than ever.

Wait just a bloody minute—

We have no choice, Siege. Sundered Victoria needs a new voice, and you have stepped forward.

But I have seen many die by their own blades, leading me to think long and hard about taking up that particular one.

Do not let it cut you, Madam Speaker. That is my advice.

She's more clear-headed than Your Graces think.;I'd say you've done pretty well so far, Vina.

Doctor?!

Pardon me, Your Grace. We were... unable to stop the Doctor.

(Bored growl)

You are dismissed.

Londinium needs a leader who can protect everyone.

You cannot rely on anyone else.

Doctor...

The final decision is yours, naturally.;We will do everything we can to help the Infected here.

How interesting. A pharmaceutical company specialized in Oripathy that often dips its toe into areas outside its expertise.

You circumvented the ducal alliance, and tendered a ceasefire with those Sarkaz.

Well, there was no reaction from Your Graces' fleets.;You assented to it, did you not?

Merely a gift, as thanks for all you have done on the battlefield.

There are some lines that must not be crossed.

We will await your answer, Siege.

As for Rhodes Island, you lot have been keeping quiet for a while now. Why the sudden urgency?

Time itself makes for irrational decisions.

Oh? Time, is it...?

Vina, have a good think about what the people you're still protecting really need.

And remember, if you do make your decision, don't get too close with those Rhodes Islanders.

I believe we have a good relationship with Duke of Normandy, my Lady.

That's exactly why I'm warning Vina, 'Doctor' of Rhodes Island.

She's not quite like the other dukes.

So, what should we do now, Doctor?

You already have your answer, don't you, Vina?;It's not good for Rhodes to get more involved in Londinium's affairs.

Amiya's already left for Kazdel.;Most of our staff... will withdraw from Londinium ASAP.

<p=1>The Sineselde, Parliamentary Chamber</><p=2>December 8th, 1098, 5:01 P.M.</>

It's been a long time since Babel took my brothers away. As for us who stayed, it's been real rough lately.

Hmph. Just do it already. I've got nothing else to say.

He looks all around him, watching the people on their benches whisper to one another uneasily, an unconscious sneer on his face.

This place fettered him, and in its magnanimity, it had also fettered those who would decide his fate.

Not too long ago, Vina vetoed a proposal to use the Palace of Westhaleg to house the Parliament, instead choosing this building oft rented out by the royal family.

She hoped this would be the starting point of a new Parliament.

I've finished looking into him, Vina.

Longshot, a lifelong mercenary, hails from a place in Kazdel called the Scar Market. During the war, he took part in defending the city in the name of the Military Commission. He never saw the front lines.

Two months ago, Babel organized a withdrawal effort. He didn't follow them. Instead, he got captured by Indra and Dagda while covering for some local Sarkaz as they evacuated. You really did save him.

I... don't remember that.

Hah.

After he committed this latest crime of his, we followed his trail and found the people he was hiding.

His daughter has been helping a few Sarkaz leave the city these past two months. But this time she's part of the group sneaking out herself.

*Sarkaz expletive*!

You attacked the shopkeep who recognized you for supplies, didn't you?

Aaaaaghhh—

Restrain him!

Don't lose your temper just yet, Longshot. Your loved ones managed to slip through our fingers. Someone's helping them.

Millscar. Sounds familiar, right?

Their 'business' is creeping into places they shouldn't be creeping into.

...Hah. Haha.

I don't know a damned thing, Feline. Just kill me already.

Worried my blood's going to get this pretty little place all dirty?

The war's just ended, and you're already trembling at the sight of some red?!

None of you sitting here have even one-tenth of the honesty of those Sarkaz you refuse to call Victorians!

Just leave the rest to me.

Alright.

Any new instructions from Her Grace on the latest going-ons in the city?

Her Grace has long since been aware of the trouble these Sarkaz and this Millscar have been causing, and she is very concerned about the safety of the citizens.

But now Parliament is fully assembled, and since the Speaker has been doing a fine job of solving the issues plaguing the citizenry, she believes things will improve.

However...

However?

When it comes to rooting out the risks against Londinium's safety, Her Grace is of the opinion that we should not tarry, especially in regards to Millscar.

And so, there are still problems in this city that we must urge the Speaker to resolve sooner rather than later.

<p=1>Millscar Hideout</><p=2>December 8th, 1098, 6:05 P.M.</>