Глава 9

I was sincere with her, always...

Sincere? A Victorian soldier, telling us Tarans sincerity?

What a joke for the ages!

Aren't we all... countrymen?

Countrymen? What do you know of our country?

Have you eaten the grains we eat, spoken the language we speak, felt the pain we feel?

But I've always wanted to help you...

Don't come any closer! Put down your flag! You're not calling for backup on us!

I don't want to... I wasn't...

Get out of our land! Never again will the home of the Tarans need Victoria's ensign!

You want... me gone?

We've got no choice.

You saw how... I never even did any wrong, and yet... none of you would just let me go...

I think... Ronan was right, we have a chance now. If we can just win, then nobody will ever come hassling me or Craig again... *sob*...

Craig... do you...?

We don't need you!

A... stone?

'Have you seen the looks in their eyes before?'

'In their eyes, no matter how you behave...'

We aren't the same kind.

So it was... me who never figured it out.

I should go.

The troops are retreating in defeat. Over half the blocks in this city will very soon fall into the spectre force's hands.

How'd they break so quick?! I was thinkin', even if their organization and trainin' was rock-bottom level, at least they could hold out until tomorrow mornin'.

You noticed how that squad from the barracks behaved just now, didn't you?

I saw it. We were holdin' the stadium together, but then once the enemy came, they all ran for the rear in a flash. Would've been useless no matter how we held out.

They seem to have completely lost their will to fight.

That might be it. After all, it was a situation just now. The enemy shows up, the residents in refuge all cheer for 'em and open the gates in. Any soldier'd be a little deflated watchin' a scene like that.

But Colonel Hamilton doesn't seem in any way like the kind who gives up this easily. He especially values County Hillock.

The barracks might be at a disadvantage right now, but they didn't seem to be in any chaos at all when they retreated. They still had firm organization.

I can only believe that this present state still falls into the Colonel's plans. He has some other intent in this war situation.

Closest forces are County Kevin's barracks. If we sent out the signal for help, they could get here by evenin' soonest.

...Assuming they receive the signal in the first place.

Worried about problems with the comms system?

It's our third day since coming here, and we still haven't received any news from Londinium. County Hillock is like a lone island at this moment.

No problem, just a few grenades and a wee squad of mixed forces. I'll sort it out. This street's still safe for the time bein'.

Bagpipe... remember in training when you just joined us, I gave you two hours of weighted handstand push-ups as a punishment.

Course I'd never forget, Leader. Wasn't much of a bad punishment as far as I'm concerned, but for a while, I really thought you didn't like me too much.

I never told you why.

Actually, it was because you told me as you were reporting in, you'd stuffed mince pudding and blankets in your marching bag.

Eh? That's a hometown treat. It's good, honest.

You said much the same at the time.

On the day of the solo cross-country test, you were already starving when you came back, and you obviously kept food in your bag, but you still wouldn't eat it.

Couldn't really bear to... I was goin' to have it as a reward for myself, once the trainin' was over. Scoff it down at the happiest moment.

I once maintained that a person too attached to her home, unable to surmount the past, could not become a good officer.

So, though your grades at Royal Guard were exceptional, and Instructor Slim spared no effort in recommending you to me, I still had doubts as to your potential.

So that's what it was! But you've been awful nice to me since.

You proved yourself.

I gradually came to understand. It's only because you have an indestructible attachment in you, that you could become who you are today, a most excellent Victorian soldier, someone to surpass me.

Bagpipe, what I say next, you need to listen well—

We have to give up on this block. I'm about to take Cello's group to a comms base in the northeast corner. We're hoping it hasn't been occupied by the spectre force yet.

And you, go immediately to the contact station, find a Messenger, and ensure you find them a way out of the city too.

If there's already no way left, then make one.

Bagpipe, I order you. Shy at no cost. You have to relay out what's happened in County Hillock.

Dammit. The others are all with The Leader doing more meaningful things, and I get the rotten luck of sweeping up here...

Funny now that I think about it. There's fighting going on all over. Why would The Leader insist I sweep clean around the statue?

Huh? Who is it... What are you grabbing at me for?

Is this where... Saoirse died?

Saoirse? You mean the traitor The Leader executed? Yeah, it was all her fault. She's dead, and you want me here bloody sweeping up these ashes...

You mean, what you're sweeping is...

Rubbish, nothing more.

...No.

She... She was a good girl. To her family, to her friends... she was so warm. She gave... everything for this city.

Why? What... did she even do wrong? She teared up just reading romance novels—she'd never have it in her to harm anyone...

Wh... What in the world's wrong with you?

Do you sympathize with this traitor? Just who are you?!

She's not called 'traitor.' Her name is Saoirse.

She shouldn't be lying here so alone. I'm taking her back home.

You've got a screw loose. I'm leaving.

What's happening over there?

Sir! There's someone strange, crouching there, going on and on about taking the traitor home! I think she might be an enemy as well, and a traitor too!!

Alright, good on you for reporting.

Hey, who are you?

(...Saoirse, maybe you were wrong, and so was I.)

(You used your life to protect these people, and they didn't even care that you did. And they welcomed the rioters, too. The way this city's turned out now, they're not that innocent at all.)

Are you from the other side?

The other side? I don't know anymore—which side I'm even stood on.

Don't move! Any more, and your skull is—

Dealt with yet another few.

Rabblesome dregs... hah, I'll take however many I can do in on the retreat.

Hey, Vouivre over there, have you seen more of them about?

(...Dregs.)

(Calling Saoirse rubbish. Of course they're dregs.)

They just went running that way.

We'll head right over—

It seemed as if I heard the residents' shrieks, and seemed too as if I'd heard nothing at all.

I only thought of bringing Saoirse away, but no matter how I tried to put the strength in my fingers, the ash would still slip and fall through the cracks.

Saoirse...

A hand reached out to me.

Time to get clear out, Jane.

Here, lemon tea. Warm up.

*Sob*...

If you want to cry, just let it out.

...I can't get the tears out.

I can feel your anger. Do you hate them?

Perhaps...

You got those soldiers to grab a Taran who supports the riots. That make you feel any better?

...No.

Maybe, I hate myself even more.

If... I didn't hand that slip over, Saoirse wouldn't have died, would she?