Глава 5

第六关（后）

It's your turn to move.

If you can kill me here, all of my forces will collapse.

It would be such a pity if you refused to even have a chat with me. Please, come kill me - if you can, that is.

Madam Ch'en!

The enemy's attacks are too overwhelming! We can't afford to drag this out any longer!

The situation is quite straightforward - only one of us will survive.

I promise to keep my last words short, Madam, as long as you can make me say them.

Do you think yourself a martyr?

Nobody will remember you after you die. Being dead and being respected are two completely different matters. What matters is what you've done in life, not how you die.

I obviously wish for nothing more than to play with worthwhile foes, and then to die a worthwhile death.

But I don't think you'll be able to help me fulfill my desires after all. You will suffer a terrible defeat, Madam. Now it's my turn to point out the situation that you're in.

Your confidence was built upon the fall of Chernobog.

But this isn't Chernobog, nor is this the ruthless land of Ursus.

The mighty Lungmen will not fall into the hands of scum like you.

Well said.

Faust.

I know.

GROOAAAAAR!!

Was that a slash? N-no, impossible! Could this be... Arts?!

Back off.

What... How can this be?

(Groans in anguish)

Don't be afraid!

It won't hurt you. There's no need to be afraid.

UNNGGHHH...

Phew...

(He's too far. It's only going to get harder for me to close the gap. I'm at a disadvantage if this drags out.)

Your skills are formidable.

You used your Arts to detonate Faust's attack in advance, and broke through my formation. Your blade even cut through my guard's neck and almost reached me.

If I had let you come a few steps closer, you would have cut me in half. Not even Faust would've been able to stop you.

You won't be so lucky next time.

Unfortunately, there won't be a next time. Your secret has been exposed, Madam.

You've heard the saying - never try the same trick twice. You can't fool your audience again after the secret comes out.

The distance between us is greater than your Arts' range, isn't it?

The rooftop is only so big. You don't have much room to move back.

How much closer can you get?

Faust, show her what real Arts are.

I know your position all too well. An exposed sniper poses no...

You...

You are remarkable, Madam Ch'en. Are you able to cut through any shot fired at you? Just like before, I could barely even see your movements.

Sniper, I was attacked by you and someone from 3 o'clock simultaneously. But there's nobody in that direction.

I doubt you're that kind of caster.

There's no need for you to try to guess, Officer. You won't figure it out.

Tsk.

Now, how many shots will you be able to deflect? Ten? Forty? A hundred?

But, how about the shrapnel? The blast? What about the Arts inside?

Are you able to stop all of it?

Nonsense.

Then, let's keep going!

Officer, I know what you are. My Originium Arts only work on the Infected.

I don't care.

Don't you know that you're only going to become his pawn, to be discarded when you've served your purpose?

You can have those words back.

We will give you a chance. Lungmen will not.

Madam Ch'en, I'm afraid we'll have to make our way down! We can't deal with the enemy's fierce attacks!

(Tsk... As soon as I want to move, the sniper will attack me from all directions. Just how is he doing that...?)

(I can neutralize his ranged attacks, but if I let him keep wearing me down, I won't last long.)

(I'll have to seize victory in a single decisive moment...!)

I don't care what you have to say. I don't have time to listen to your blathering.

(I can see a red aura congealing around her. She's about to use her Arts.)

(Mephisto, according to the plan, if I shoot her now, she'll have to stop her casting or she'll die in the explosion.)

But wouldn't this be the best opportunity to break her spirit? Hold your fire, and just watch her first.

We will miss our opportunity.

Broader strategic goals are more important than the specific tactics used to get there, Faust.

Come with me! Don't stay here anymore!

Do you not want to leave here? Let's get far, far away from these people, and this place!

Do you really not know? He's the reason why all the adults treat us like this! It's all his fault!

I hate this accursed city. I hate him. Don't make me hate you too.

Chi Xiao—

—Unsheathe!

Guards, form a line! Stop her!

EEEEAAAAAARRRGHH!!

Ugh...!

(N-no! I lost control of Chi Xiao? Why now of all times?!)

Her Arts paused. Her casting failed.

Faust, now.

Command, fire.

Damn it... Scatter!

What a terrifying weapon.

Just the dispersion of your Arts was powerful enough to block all the bolts, as well disable three of my guards.

But you were still hit by the blast, weren't you?

Ugh... Gahh...

(One rib, no, two are broken? I can endure it. But this firepower... There's no way I can take another...)

It's just like our leader said.

Madam, it's not that you don't want to kill me. You cannot unsheathe that sword.

What did you say? Who told you that?

You should know this name, Madam Ch'en. As you said, this sword was not to be meant to be used against someone like me. Your recklessness disrupted its intended mechanism.

If we seized the opportunity to attack you while you were defenseless, you would have already been turned into dust. She already knows all your weaknesses.

You waste your breath.

We will destroy this world as it currently is.

If we allow the rampant corruption to grow, the entire world will rot away.

Only by cutting it all away can these rusted cities break free from their chains and be born anew.

GRAAAAAAGHHH!!

Out of my way.

Come, Madam Ch'en. Aren't you also very disappointed in Lungmen?

Our leader is waiting for you. There's no reason why you need to bow your head to Lungmen, is there?

I have my duties.

That has nothing to do with which side you take. While you keep talking about these mundane 'duties,' you know just how our fellow peoples are being treated.

Just give me a sign, then I'll call off the attack immediately. Come, join us. Let us work towards the greater good together.