Глава 7

I'm looking forward to it.

I'm surprised you let her finish her first sentence.

Not like you can understand it.

Why don't you explain it to me then?

It's not time yet.

When you see for yourself, you should understand.

Secrets are like wellsprings. Sometimes they will flow out, whether you want them to or not.

What a strange device.

Where are you taking me?

Will you fill the holes in my body, or mend my scars?

Will you let me forget everything, just like the other one did for me, before?

If I was to forget everything...

Do I want to forget?

I want...

Can I make that choice?

Core City

...What's going on? Dark clouds? It's snowing?

But, it's also covered the sun for me. This'll make my next step a lot easier.

Ugh... I can't afford to take any more hits.

Tch... Are you scared of shedding a little blood, Ch'en Hui-chieh? What happened to your determination?

There seems to be infighting among Reunion's ranks. This is the best time for me to move.

Are my hands trembling because I'm finally going to see you again?

...I must do what is right.

It doesn't matter what you are now, whether or not you're the same Talulah I knew.

Talulah... we have a date.

The snow sure is coming down hard...

Just like... that one Christmas.

You've never spoken to me about that.

Hm.

But you already know.

Me knowing and you telling me are two separate things.

Princess, let's not embarrass Missy over here.

Madame Oni.

...Let's drop that title, Princess.

Madame Oni, the Lin family will never forget all you've done.

But right now, I don't know if there will be an opportunity to reward you for it.

What are you talking about? Of course you can.

She... I know she'll succeed.

Ah Ch'en...

Ugh...

Look at you, where'd all your willpower go?

Ah, what are you gonna do? Missy has always been like that.

Now now, Missy, there's no need to cry.

You... Stop treating me like a child...

Don't worry. Everything is going to be fine.

But... this is the last time we'll see each other. I'm not ready yet... What if... I never see that smelly dragon again?

That won't happen, Missy.

There's this phrase that I really like. Mm, it goes like this: 'We'll meet again someday, somewhere.'

...Yes. And when we look back at each other again, we will ask about our lives.

...Why?

What's going on? Where are these tears coming from?

It's as if... someone just told me about a death.

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...