act37side

How do you know where she is?

I take it you Columbians are not in the habit of listening to the broadcasts.

Well, we're more used to watching...

Never mind. Where is the Speaker?

At the memorial service for Madam Major.

Here? There are so many people, how do we get to the Speaker?

Come with me. I know a shortcut.

Through the window, Eliseo sees Vina Victoria for the first time.

He has done his homework, and heard the legends of the young Speaker during the war.

He thought the Speaker would be more impressive.

When he sees the well-dressed Aslan speaking at the podium, he feels nothing but disappointment—

Vina Victoria is not nearly as splendid as he imagined.

Are you lost?

If you're here for the service, the entrance is that way.

Would you like a hand, Eliseo?

Oh, er, thank you.

Hey, how did you—

I was the one who put the files on Pure Heart Medical—and yourself—on the Speaker's table, long before you arrived in Londinium.

So you know what I'm here for?

Of course.

And the Speaker knows what I've been trying to do for the past few days?

Of course.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

I thought the Speaker would be different from the other nobles I've met.

Eliseo!

It's fine. I would just like to clear up the misunderstanding. This is not Columbia, Eliseo, and it is arrogance to judge us by your standards.

Sometimes, we must follow the rules first, in order to change things.

Not even she could do it?

Inside the hall, Vina is muttering something with a sad expression on her face, but they cannot hear what she is saying.

Delphine meets Diane's gaze, then quickly averts her eyes.

Was Madam Major another victim of the rules?

No, only a respectable woman. One of those 'nobles' you were talking about.

She could have stayed in Normandy, far from danger, but she came of her own accord to the chaos of Londinium in order to help the people here.

She refused to stop working, even as her condition deteriorated, trying to help as many people as she could. Just like you, Eliseo.

Our conflict with her was only because of the harm that her radicalness and stubbornness were doing to herself.

There are no dark secrets, no conspiracies behind her passing. She was not a 'victim'.

I'm sorry, I... I didn't know.

But that makes it even harder to understand. Why do you refuse to work with Pure Heart? We're just trying to solve your problems.

Are you aware that Pure Heart Medical is backed by the Columbian Department of Defense and the Maylander Foundation?

Of course. The military and the Foundation have always been our main stakeholders.

You... are a good, responsible man. Feel free to come and find me, if you insist on carrying out that responsibility.

Oh, er... you are...?

Delphine Windermere. You may call me Delphine. Looks like your company has work to do when it comes to client research.

I'm not giving up, Lady Delphine. I believe we can help with Londinium.

I can't make any promises on behalf of Vina or Parliament. But believe me when I say that we want to heal this city more than anyone else.

But, if you would like, you can come with me, to say goodbye to Madam Major...

And to all those who have died in the chaos of the past few years.

The bell of mourning tolls. Fowlbeasts glide close to the ground, a sign of impeding rain.

Right now, though, nobody pays any heed. Their heads are bowed.

No tears are shed. War has already spent the city of its last drop.

All leads point to this place being Millscar's hideout. Why are you still taking your time?

Don't you think it's too easy?

Besides, there has been rumors of unidentified Sarkaz activity here. Can't hurt to be careful.

I say it can't hurt to have an accident or two. Good exercise.

Why do you think I refused to help Morgan with her stupid paperwork?

You're an upright girl, to come along like this. I thought you'd shut yourself up in the tower as soon as you came back.

<i>You</i> really ought to be staying put at the ship, Hannah. How many times has Medical reminded you about your condition—

The sound of bells echoes in the sky above the city. As if everything has gone quiet for a moment.

The memorial service has started.

Well—no time to wallow in sentiment. Let's go, Dagda. I don't want to get my arse kicked while I'm trying to wipe the tears from my eyes.

Sometimes I just don't know what to do with you, Hannah.

What do we do if we run into Allerdale?

Punch her in the gut and leave the rest for Vina to worry about.

Who's there?!

I'm afraid you won't find her. It's not you she wants to see.

Who are you?!

The Rose Riverside's Canoe.

<i>I couldn't decide how to start the chapter on Allerdale, when I decided to write one for her. I realized I knew so little about the name that should've been so familiar to me.</i>

<i>The last Cumberland. The one who betrayed us. The one who gave her life to save us. The one who bragged about her cream stew.</i>

<i>Millscar. Caster's minion. Cumberland the Ever on High. Which one was the real Allerdale?</i>

<p=1>Londinium Underground Tunnel</><p=2>September 28th, 1098, 4:53 P.M.</>

Thirty-four minutes until the Exemplars break through the blockade

Coordinates confirmed, boss. The location in the anonymous warning message is just ahead. And we've identified the source—

Rhodes Island.

No surprises there. Let's go.

The mercenary does not move. There is uncertainty on his face.

Out with it.

The boys trust you. Without you, we would have rotted in the alleys, or the devils would have—

I've already died once, so I'm fine with putting my head on the line for you. But this just doesn't make sense. Why should we trust Rhodes Island? We know nothing about them.

The Exemplars are almost inside the city. It's going to be bedlam outside. We could take this opportunity to line our pockets...

Or at least... you should not risk yourself, being here.

You're not the only one who thinks this way, are you?

The mercenary is silent. He dares not meet Millscar's gaze, fearing her wrath.

But nothing happens.

Have you thought about what will become of Londinium after this war?

Er... the way it used to be?

No, nothing will go back to the way it used to be. No one can go back, no matter what comes of this war.

Y-You're abandoning us?

No, I need you. Soon, Londinium will become a city in need of mending.

The old order has been destroyed by death and violence. There will be plenty of gaps left behind, plenty to feed us.

But—

I'm not asking your opinion.

Listen, I don't plan on going back to the old life, which means we have to plan for a new one. I haven't forgotten about you, of course.

In order to keep our livelihood, we need people to know what we're capable of.

Don't say I didn't give you a choice. So, are you coming or not?

Oh, sod it, put me at the front of the line, boss.

I'm not imagining it, am I... what is this...?

The blood-red rocks in the gaps of the frame and in the furnace... did the devils hide them here? What are they planning?

Vampire stuff.

There is a faint smell of blood in the air. She recalls the onrushing squirming monsters that came straight out of a nightmare.