Глава 8

Nearly a thousand years have passed since we overthrew the Hippogryph. A couple of dying monsters cannot stand against the might of the Ursus people.

Let them do as they will. They will fail.

We will find them, and we will destroy them. Your Majesty need not worry.

I hope it all proceeds as you've said.

What of the Infected situation? Any developments?

Your Majesty is overhasty. You acted too quickly to close the Infected mines the armies held in the northwest.

It may have been your hope to weaken the Army's supply reserves, or even show a little benevolence—

But as much as the Army opposes you, your people also oppose this. They fear the Infected.

It is unwise to go against your people, at this juncture. They by and large despise the Infected, and standing against the Army here could be seen as you standing against the people.

You lack the resources to pursue this course.

Even if it's the right thing to do?

Even if it's the right thing to do. This is to show leniency to the Infected by shoveling them into the jaws of hell.

It is time, Your Majesty. Yurodstvo has been waiting at the door for over fifteen minutes. I think you may want to see to him.

Hmph. Raving lunatic with his holy visions! I'll make a proper joke of him.

But before that, Witte, do you think we can do it? Can we make Ursus great again?

I don't know, Your Majesty. Now is not an appropriate time to answer you.

But at least you do not lay waste to the world as your father did. That is already quite good.

Talulah the Infected... hm.

Should you break the curse of the Deathless Black Snake, then you should be able to break through everything that weighs upon you.

I hope that one day we have a real chance to defeat the country of the last emperor.

Talulah?

You're doing a good service, standing guard in this weather.

I know it is what you want.

So you do. Until we walk out of this winter, my fire will keep burning.

(Sh. Quiet...)

(They're sleeping.)

(Oh, sorry. Shh.)

(They trained all day?)

(The kid with the dark hair looks like he could handle a bow.)

(But he'll need to grow a bit.)

(Then let them sleep. But...)

(I'm about to leave. I'm dropping the temperature too much. They'll catch a cold.)

(Sorry to bother you.)

(You didn't. It's just the one with the white hair... he's a light sleeper. If I don't sing to him, he has night terrors. I don't know what he's been through.

(Time heals all wounds.)

(Is your father still working on tomorrow's battle plan? He told me something about an Ursus Infected transport center.)

(He has to think carefully, keep our losses low. He always tells me to pay attention to that.)

(It's already so late.)

(I've never seen him sleep. Not once.)

(Heroes need rest too. The other fighters should've taken some.)

(Think of yourself before him. Who was that you reached out to a few days ago? Where were they from?)

(Lyudmila and Alex. Looks like they've been around Chernobog. They know the city well.)

(That's a big city.)

(Yes. And with lots of Infected in it. We might be able to bring them in... with the right plan.)

(Lyudmila and the people with her seem strong. I think they might become dependable allies, even if they're a little ornery right now.)

(Ornery as those of us fighting the Ursus Army all the time?)

(Chernobog. It's too far, and too many things stand in our way. How many years would it take? Three or four still wouldn't get us there.)

(Even if we don't fight it or stop it... it will have to come to us. With the efforts of the Infected in the city, we can build a city of our own.)

(And maybe, in three or four years' time... we'll be looking at tomorrow. Tomorrow is so close.)

(I like the sound of that.)

(Get some rest.)

(Right. Good night.)

(Good night, Sasha, and Eno.)

(Hurry back. I'll send the kids to the settlement soon.)

(Right.)

(My brothers and sisters...)

Good night.