Глава 7

When all the forces of the world align to put pressure on us, we need our own special methods to handle them...

But if our methods are to work— We need the forces acting against us to have a shred of sense left in their thick skulls.

So when there comes a day like today, where anything could happen, Rhodes Island has to be ready with the right response.

Get to the point.

I have a proposal.

I hope it's a good one.

I'm not sure if I should be disclosing this information to you, Mr. Wei.

You must know, with Lungmen's strength and your talents, you could annihilate Rhodes Island with a snap of your fingers.

No matter how advanced our equipment may be, there is nothing we could do against your forces.

If we act against you, Rhodes Island is as good as dead.

Go on. Dr. Kal'tsit, Miss Amiya, rest assured I have no energy to direct at Rhodes Island anymore.

So please, proceed.

Very well.

When we first met, Mr. Wei, you were very curious about our military capabilities.

I can admit now, as I just said, Rhodes Island is no match for Lungmen in this respect.

However, no matter how strong a force may be, it can be limited by the circumstances it finds itself in. It's largely a difference of degree.

Even your men can't project power with their hands tied. Even if you step onto the battlefield personally, the enemy still has something to use against you.

The truth is, a colleague of mine once saw the Duke of Kashchey at a fundraising banquet with his adopted daughter.

This wasn't a slave market or some noble bacchanal. It was an event for those who represent the many movers and shakers of our world.

...Continue.

I'm sure you can guess what happened next, Mr. Wei. Many young people proved their value that night, with the ideas and theories that they espoused—

But Talulah did not. Neither my colleagues nor I ever expected that she would become the leader of Reunion.

In fact... we should have realized that the Duke of Kashchey only shows himself when necessary, to do what is necessary. Otherwise, he stays out of sight.

Kashchey won't tip his hand in exchange for assistance, and neither will Talulah. I'm sure you know their relationship much better than we do, Mr. Wei.

The Duke of Kashchey never made her a slave or a hostage.

She is his successor.

Oh?

Your observations confirm my suspicions, Dr. Kal'tsit. Talulah is Kashchey's successor.

Correct. Mr. Wei...

The Duke of Kashchey knows what you have, and what you're capable of. Talulah may as well.

You can leave this in our hands now, Mr. Wei. We have what it takes to handle this situation.

Like Amiya told you before, the official agreement between Lungmen and Rhodes Island is over.

By now, the Rhodes Island landship has left Lungmen's port. What we do from here on has nothing to do with Lungmen.

Is that acceptable, Amiya?

...Yes.

Mr. Wei. We... won't concern ourselves with the future of Lungmen, or your personal business.

But all this is the result of someone conspiring to exploit the Infected, and we will fight it with all our might.

If you'll permit us to act, and if you can promise you won't act against us in any way——

Then the battle to come is our battle, Rhodes Island's battle.

I won't rely on the Infected. I don't trust the Infected. The only difference between you and Reunion is that you haven't turned against Lungmen... yet.

What was Reunion like before? Even if we don't remember, someone does. They weren't anything like this.

You can dress up your schemes in fancy words, just as Reunion can shout from the rooftops that they will be the ones to deliver the Infected from their fate. In the end, they still ended up being cannon fodder for Ursus.

In short order, Ursus will snuff out the fire that is Reunion.

Will you be the next Reunion? Who can say? When will you bare your fangs and turn against us?

What's more, I doubt you have the strength to deal with Kashchey's successor.

That Duke of Kashchey... only Lungmen has successfully opposed him over all these years.

Mr. Wei, you intend to personally lead your forces to attack the Chernobog core city, correct?

Don't make blind conjectures.

What you just told me, Mr. Wei, is revealing. You think you're the only one who can handle this situation.

It's true that Lungmen has the raw power to do it, and you've also overcome the machinations of Ursus.

And this time, you intend to sacrifice yourself to nullify the declaration of war on Ursus.

As Miss Fumizuki said, you feel you've betrayed your principles, and you hope to end it all with your death.

I've made so many mistakes. My death can't pay for them all. I don't even know who I'd be paying.

Nevertheless, Mr. Wei, are you so certain that, after your death, no one will bear you any ill will?

Lungmen is strategically important to Yan. Thanks to my protection, it will continue to prosper.

I was referring to Lady Fumizuki.

(Dr. Kal'tsit... Show some tact!)

Dr. Kal'tsit?! What are you saying?!

I meant what I said, Mr. Wei. I'm afraid your wife will suffer because of your actions. Even if you're dead, she is your widow. She'll still know everything you knew.

Since someone is forcing you to act against your will, I believe, this sort of thing... is to be expected.

I have a feeling that particular individual won't be so magnanimous.

That's enough, Dr. Kal'tsit! You're way out of line. I can't...

You're saying that even if I do this, I still won't be able to protect Fumizuki.

And it may not end with Miss Fumizuki.

...I can go too. Death is the worst that can happen...

Fumizuki!

*Sigh*.

Speak, Dr. Kal'tsit.

For the sake of your beloved city... And your beloved people...

I am begging you, Lord Wei. Leave this to the experts.

We may be powerless against a standing army, but we know the Infected.

We know what they want, and what they don't.

Only the Infected can face the Infected.

So, what do you want? Leader of Rhodes Island, Dr. Kal'tsit?

You're not a charity. Attacking the core city is tantamount to throwing an egg at a boulder. It will be ruinously expensive, and may be utterly futile.

You understand our position, Mr. Wei.

At this point, it benefits us both to speak plainly.

More than your agreement with our battle plan, Mr. Wei, we need your guarantee.

Considering you may change your mind in the future... We need your promise, for now.

Because I believe that Lungmen and your family, and Madame Ch'en, are worth that promise.

We don't need your money, Miss Fumizuki. Your kindness and your attitude toward the Infected are enough for us to execute this operation free of charge.

(Little rabbit...)

Huh?

(Gives a thumbs-up)

I agree. Until the end of the Lungmen-Chernobog conflict, we, Lungmen, will not in any way interfere in Rhodes Island's affairs.

And it looks to me like the good Dr. Kal'tsit has more yet to say.

Speak up. I can endure it, for the time being. Because I need Rhodes Island to save one very specific Infected.

...Then, I have another proposal.

Name your price.

Twenty years ago, Edward Artorius, father of Talulah Artorius, died here in Lungmen.

I would like Mr. Wei to lend us his remains.