Глава 8

Rosmontis's expression holds not the slightest change.

Dealt with.

There's no front or ambush positions left. We can continue forward.

You do a pretty job, Feline. Settled it without any of us even taking a scratch.

And you skewer their heads real fast, real precise, no hesitation. That's good form.

If only we didn't know you killed the Captain, I'd probably ask you to join us.

You're a natural-born warrior. Shame you're with that Cautus, damn shame.

You can't say bad things about Amiya.

No, I'm not criticizing her now.

I'd been wanting to hear the things she said long, long ago, things I'd heard before.

She's great, Feline. A true great one.

But this won't get you anywhere, Feline, it won't get you anywhere.

I don't believe you. Amiya will be able to do it.

Maybe. But you, with her, it's no good for either of you.

Why?

You're two kinds of people.

What two kinds of people? Me and Amiya get along really well. She's taught me a lot of things.

...Heh, you'll figure in time.

You're doing this on purpose... I don't want to know.

What you just said. I could join you?

You can.

We welcome anyone.

As long as you feel the Infected's fate is unfair, as long as Ursus gets you burning mad, as long as you want to fight.

You can join us, then.

You thought our team only had Ursus in it? Thought it only kept this country's people? Think again, Feline.

...You're a Feline too.

Born in Rim Billiton, went with my parents to Ursus, and settled down afterwards in this frigid place.

I liked picking fights ever since I was young. Decided to join the army later because of it.

Ursus's assessments for joining the army are pretty harsh on Felines, but I still passed.

And after, I joined the Captain's unit, and went with him, fighting campaigns far and wide. That was ten years.

Wars, following wars, and always a war after that. That's Ursus.

I used to feel proud of this country, kid.

Countless among us used to feel proud of this country.

So, why...?

Because my parents got Oripathy, got kicked out of the city, and died in the wilderness.

And I only learned about it half a year after they'd kicked the bucket.

Countless among us have gone through something similar.

I heard you went through something similar too, kid.

But it's not just that.

If it was just that, just the one misfortune I ever happened across, I might even be able to understand it.

But. That's not how it is.

War used to be the only thing that existed inside my head, and the only thing I ever reckoned to accomplish.

I started reflecting, thinking some things over, and only then did I start figuring something out about this country, trying to understand this country I used to struggle for.

If the Captain weren't there, I'd have probably long been court-martialed for making disrespectful remarks at HQ.

After that, I went to the Northern Plains with the Captain.

And the rest is history.

In all of this, I've learned endurance, learned rage, learned hatred.

...Amiya told me not to learn these.

You'll learn them one way or the other, kid.

If you can't use them, chances are they'll swallow you up.

So, was Patriot your family, then?

We fought together for twenty years. He was my best brother, my closest brother-in-arms, and the one I most respected.

He was, kid.

But I've still gotta say, you're all the more suited to join us.

Then would Amiya be able to join you?

That Cautus? Nope, she wouldn't work.

She can't join us.

Then I won't join you.

Hah. I told you. You killed the Captain. There's no way you'd be able to join.

I don't care.

But personally speaking, you need to pay a bit more attention to her. She wants to protect you, but she'll probably die faster than you will.

Why are you that sure?

Because we've met someone like her before.

The Shieldguard looks like he's thinking back to something. He pays no more attention to Rosmontis, puts on his helmet once again, and walks off to his comrades-in-arms.

第六关（后）

Talulah.

...Hm? You rarely make that face, friend. What's wrong?

We've decided.

We're going to stay here.

Ah, uh... putting it another way, there are some of us willing to stay here. And some are thinking about getting out of Ursus territory.

But either way, none of us'll be carrying on heading south with you. We're sorry.

Alright. I see.

You're not even going to ask for a reason?

You're the one who taught us, took us all this way up 'til today—

And does that mean you have to obey me, keep your life tied to your blade, fight Ursus to your last breath?

Because it's never been like that. Never been, friend. You've got the cart and the beast mixed up.

Ha ha... I guess. That's like you, Talulah, it really is.

I'm not your ruler. And you deserve to have this land, in the first place. Even if filled with corpses, turbulent with bad memories, the tundra is, as it was, your homeland.

You're all strong. I'm sure you'll find a way to prevail through it all.

If you want, I can send you off.

No, no, don't, really. You should know it wasn't exactly the firmest thing, making this decision, anyhow...

Ha, thinking about it, I used to be one of your people. I'll be telling my future companions plenty of stories about you.

Here's begging for your mercy, then.

Talulah, the campfire's up!

Alright, I'll be there in a moment!

Friend, will tonight be our last meal together?

Just wait a bit longer... some others'll want to talk with you too, probably. All of them would.

Mm.

...Talulah.

How do you guarantee that everyone who stands by your side works with you as one? How do you know betrayal or some other crap isn't headed your way?

Uh... no, I guess you obviously have your ways. You're so smart, so strong to boot, and you know so much. A wound here or some bleeding there wouldn't slow your pace down, would it?

...The praise is one thing, but could you not make me out to be so terrifying?

Ha ha, don't get us wrong, one or two frustrations wouldn't make us lose our gall. We're no cowards...

I just suddenly realized. Actually, maybe not everyone thinks... thinks the same as you, anyway. Yeah.

I mean, take me. I was gonna die anyway. I just chose to tag along with you all so I'd be able to eat something, live a few more days of my life.

Moment I ate my own fill, I realized there were actually plenty like me. And I figured it'd be nice if they could eat their fill too...

Strength, particularly in goodwill. They're qualities hard to come by.

Yep. Hard, for sure. So it's definitely not everyone who thinks that way.

Who can guarantee we'll keep moving on, that we won't meet a crueler end? The old noblemen eliminating us all, implicating the innocent poor and all their children along the way?

I... it doesn't really matter to me, but when I realize all the other ways it could go, it stresses me out.