Глава 7

Who is it?

Everything in the core city has been unfolding according to my plan.

Patriot will die by the hands of the Infected, and the Sarkaz mercenaries will start fighting the ordinary Reunion forces.

Oh.

Patriot is dead? So it was Patriot.

A true warrior. Such a name was not enough to describe you. Ursus itself was too small for your greatness.

A patriot to the very end.

...Why am I crying? Is it out of nostalgia, or a courtesy to those who want to kill me?

'All sins must come to an end?'

Then we shall see. If we are the sinners, then we will inevitably meet our end...

But I shall wait for you at that end.                      But I shall wait for her at that end.

Why are you here, Kojui?

Just like all those decades ago. When people get anxious, they make stupid decisions, and they end up pacing around here.

Funny, isn't it? Still haven't kicked this old habit after all these years.

Do you know what I'm going to do, Kojui?

I do happen to know. All thanks to that niece of yours, of course. You two are both cut from the same cloth of stupidity.

Kojui, you're not out here on a stroll. Even if you were, you shouldn't waste my time.

Is it ever a waste of time to talk to an old friend?

Do you not consider me a friend anymore, Wei Yenwu?

If you do, promise me...

I can't. I won't promise you anything.

So be it. You're not going anywhere today.

...Don't think too highly of yourself.

That's what I should be saying to you. Wei Yenwu, you've been up in that tower of yours too long, it's bad for your character. Come down and let out some of that hot air - it's good for you.

Better not blink, old windbag.

What are the two of us... but a pair of old windbags?

It's hard to imagine. Even the old Patriot can die.

Should I laugh? Should I shed a couple tears?

What's really funny is now that he's dead, you climbed all the way to the top of Reunion, second only to the Leader.

Ah, you've really outdone yourself. You should give yourself a pat on the back, W.

*clap* *clap*

Why do we cry? Because even he is dead. Ahh, alas, poor Patriot!

What thoughts went through his head as he died, and what was it like? Did he die on his feet or on his knees? If even he can die, then who among us can live?

Maybe he was the most likely to die.

Never knew how to keep a low profile. Only knew how to cling to a vague ideal. On this path he walked and walked, until everyone around him was gone. And then, he could finally rest in peace.

How sad.

Wait, doesn't that sound a bit like you, W?

Ehh? How am I anything like that?

W, don't lie to yourself. You're practically the same.

Nah, I never lie to myself. I'll never become like Patriot, because I can't.

I just can't.

Besides, death was... kind of a release for him, right?

But not for you, W. Death is the game of your life.

What doesn't kill you, puts you one step closer to death.

The closer you get to death... the closer you also get to madness.

Thanks, Kal'tsit.

I dunno how I would've gotten out of that trash heap without you.

Oh yeah, Talulah...

Can you hear me, Talulah? Knock knock?

Forget it, it's no big deal. I just wanted to let you know...

——I'm back.

I can return her to you, Wei.

Stop!

...Don't do it.

Oh? You and your mighty executioners have made my life hell.

Of course I'm willing to return her to you... But the cuffs on her body will tear Lungmen in half.

Damn you...

Wei, this is the method you used against me. The way you forced me out of Lungmen.

But now, our roles are reversed. I'm the guest, as well as the poisoner.

Kashchey. You killed my brother.

No, no, Wei. You slew your own brother.

My role is irrelevant. Your brother's tragedy may have come from a Unicorn's secret orders, or from the wrath of a Lung. Whether it was me who leaked the news... ultimately, does not matter.

What's important, Wei, the one thing you mustn't forget... is that your Chi Xiao drank his blood. You did it.

Chi Xiao, the dragonslaying sword. And who is it that this blade slew? Your friends. Your family. Your people.

Dragonslaying sword? How ironic that your people forged a weapon that would be turned against its own kind.

You've gone too far.

Very well. I offer you a choice.

Choose. Slay me, and take back your niece, but lose your city as a result. Or, let us walk free.

Don't draw that sword. You know the consequences.

(Grinds teeth audibly)

Relax, Wei. I've let you choose your own fate. If you don't take my generous offer, then you and I both, all your citizens, and these two lovely sisters... will all perish.

What are you scheming?

Wei, old Wei... I know you well. Too well.

You've always had a choice, isn't that right?

What will your precious citizens think when they hear that their lives have been placed upon a scale? And on the other side... is a young dragon whose name they've never heard.

As for me, I don't even have a reason to hurt her.

...Since I was negligent enough to let you step foot back into this city, there's no reason to let you leave again.

Tal!

Oh really?

I'll kill you myself.

Now, now. There's no need for that.

My life is not yours to take.

By the way, you can save her before I put the handcuffs on her.

But you'll also have to think about defending against me. Defeating me. Striking me down. Annihilating me... And, what I am going to do next.

Wei, you're actually afraid of me, aren't you?

She's here.

Finally.

I'll kill her myself.

Confessarius, answer me.

The Leader of Reunion, is there any value in forming an alliance?

Why ask me about things that you know very well, Your Majesty?

A youth with no possessions, background, or capital cannot possibly seek to take an important Ursus city alone.

The uninfected rulers know not what to make of her actions.

They will panic, overreact, and try to resolve the chaos through more destruction — and use the chaos caused by the Infected as a front.

But, we Sarkaz know better.

What do you think of the team she finally left here?

They are unworthy, Your Majesty. As you foresaw, there is no hope for them. They are not trained soldiers, unable to cause the violence that we seek.

Eliminating them will not sever Talulah's power. We lack an opportunity to take her out.

Right, Your Majesty.

The situation that she fomented and the power she wielded to force the issue... shows that she is no one-eyed leader among the blind, or some pampered princeling awaiting the throne.