Глава 9

Our forces have taken over every last part of County Hillock, save a few small pockets.

The barracks didn't realize our true strength until it was too late, just as planned.

Did you see the looks on their faces? A force they thought to have been wiped out, and suddenly it reappeared. Like they were seeing actual ghosts.

Their greatest failure coming right as they were celebrating their victories. Not many Victorians left with any fight in them.

Grr. I almost forgot. My dear classmates are still struggling about in the outskirts.

Pitiful, pitiful. Their last ditch effort isn't going to change anything, and even if we don't so much as lift a finger, they've long been on their last legs, exhausted by the corruption of the military.

Mandragora's off looking for them. She's plenty enough to deal with the issue.

All according to plan—all except one thing.

Loughshinny got away.

You mean to say my servants have failed.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised. They may be fools, but they hardly claim the title of 'weak.'

That said, we have no need of them anymore.

Their ambitions grew all too quickly. They only knew to fan the flames of war for their own benefit, even plotting to use Loughshinny to carry out their plans right under your nose.

In the end, off they went, engulfed by the flames of their own appetite. Saved us some trouble.

What about you?

*Cough*... *cough*...

Me?

You know me. All I want... is to see the end.

I asked you this when we first met—

If death is inevitable, and order will always collapse no matter how many times it is rebuilt, then how do those who walk this journey bear with these pointless decisions again and again?

And you... you reached your hand out to me.

You showed me that even perished souls can dance brilliantly in death.

Ever since, I've always wanted to see for myself just how this world looks beyond the flames.

Greedy, yet honest.

Hah... The biggest difference separating me and those fools is that I know when to lie.

So, what will we do with Loughshinny?

My sister... Who did she pick?

We don't know much about the ones who saved her, but they rescued a great deal of the city's residents.

They seem like... a medical-something aid group?

To tell the truth, I'm deathly curious. They don't seem to have much to do with any one country, so why stand up against us?

Hoh, that sounds interesting.

Should I bring along a few men to scope them out?

Your call, my cherished strategist.

Perhaps there will come a day when I take a good look at them myself.

Send word that the Victorian soldiers are our only targets. If anyone dares lay a hand on the civilians, they become an enemy of Dublinn.

Yes, ma'am.

There are some civilians against us, though.

We must first make them believe we're standing on their side, no?

What the people need after such a traumatic event isn't harsher rule. It's all the help they can get.

Oh, yes. And you are not to harm the rescuers either—at least not within County Hillock, and not in view of the locals.

The fire's burning plenty bright. It's about time to put it out before it consumes everything, and renders this all a pointless charade.

Soon, the wounds will heal, and the masses will remember who it was that made them so cruelly suffer, and who it was that pulled them back out of hell.

Dublinn warriors are not like the Victorians—

And this idea will forever be etched onto the city's heart after its rebirth, like a scar.

What about the outsiders...? If we stop now, will they see it?

Anyone who's wanted for a look has already seen it.

That's all we need to do?

Of course. What did you think was the point of all this?

To make the Tarans' voices heard? Do you really believe that? Neither you nor I have an ounce of anything to do with Tara.

To take over County Hillock? Only an arrogant clown would believe that. Victoria may stand on shaky, even precarious ground, but any of the dukes' armies could easily reduce a nomadic city to ashes.

All we need to do is make sure the fire burns, so that all of Victoria will turn their eyes to it.

And in the fire, some of them will have seen only profit, some will have made known their hatred, and yet some will have found faith. In a way, this is quite the happy ending, wouldn't you agree?

Let's go. We still have one last thing to take care of.

Once we finish with that, it'll be time for us to leave. The traitors who continue to about on the stage are far more despicable than any clown.

Before it's time for us to step into the limelight again, we should climb back into the graves that Victoria was kind enough to dig for us. Such is the spectre force—Wouldn't you agree, Hill?

'The entire city has fallen. Communication signal's lost. We can't reach any of the teams...'

'The enemy's charging the base. They've clearly got us vastly outgunned. We can't hold here much longer!'

'Report...'

'Calling HQ. Retreat immediately. I repeat, retrea—Aghhhhh!'

Colonel, we have to go, now!

We can't hold here. They have us surrounded—

Go...? Go where?

Talk later! County Hillock's gone!

Gone? Shut your godforsaken flap!

As long as I'm here, this city will never be lost! County Hillock will forever belong to the Victorian Empire!

They won't show you any mercy, Colonel! They have no mercy for Victorians... Please, come with us!

Go.

Colonel—!

What are you standing there for? Run! With your tail clutched between your legs and your head hung in shame! Don't you ever cross my sight again—unless you have a death wish!

Right... Right, then, we're leaving.

P... Please, stay safe!

...Hah.

Stay safe? On the battlefield?

How contrary to the meaning of a soldier.

—Where's my blade?

Here you are, old friend... How long has it been since you've last seen gunsmoke, since we last alighted a high-speed battleship together?

The sound of turret fire and screaming grows ever closer, before falling into silence for a brief moment.

A silence quickly followed by densely packed footsteps—that all come to gather in front of the tightly shut door.

In the darkness, the colonel stands up from his chair and adjusts the collar of his uniform, before he steps toward the entrance.

He stands up straight, draws his standard-issue saber, and raises it at what lies outside.

The bright light of the blaze comes surging through.

'My saber and I hail from Victoria!'

Oboe, Cello and I have made it to the communications tower!

How is it looking on your end?

Leader, I have explosives planted on platforms 1 through 7. Just waiting on the enemy now!

Very well, let's start with Number 1—

Good, the enemy is heading in that direction! Watch out over there.

Cello, climb up the tower!

Oboe, Numbers 2 and 3!

Oboe... I'm seeing more Casters approaching through the passageway. Be careful!

Watch the Casters' attack. I'm detecting a strong energy signal accumulating—

Keep your distance from the enemy!

No, fall back immediately! Oboe, take your people and leave the passageway!

The enemy's Arts have too wide an effect area! They aren't even going to look for you. They'll wipe out all the platforms with one gigantic fireball!

Understood, Leader. Let's see who's faster.

Oboe...!

Cello, Oboe bought us some time. Keep heading up!

Get the word out as soon as you find the control panel.

I'll stay here at the bottom to provide suppressive fire.

Five minutes. You have my word, not a single one of them will be making it up the tower in the next five minutes.