Глава 10

It's all because of the traitors! They bought out our elite squads!

Miss, were you in the military?

No, I wasn't. I was... uh... a local, like them.

Alright, a local.

I know the military had its share of traitors. Plenty of them, even.

The traitors and some of the aristocrats defected to the Sarkaz with much of the defense force.

Outside Sudean, you may still find Londinium forces patrolling the streets, but their commanding officers are all regulars at Sarkaz soirees now.

What about the last squad that fought here?

They held out to the bitter end. Each of them paid a dear, terrible price.

I don't know how many of them survived, but I think... having experienced a hopeless fight like that, even if they made it out alive, their hearts must ache whenever they look at Londinium's walls.

Don't be so alarmed. Keep your head up. Take your hand off the crossbow, and relax a little.

*cough*, *cough*.

The residents here are used to seeing all kinds of people. They won't help us, but as long as they don't feel their lives are in danger, they won't follow Dublinn or the Sarkaz's orders.

Life under the enemy's watchful eyes... I can't imagine going through that.

Do you know how they used to think of us?

Uh, I haven't thought about it.

I never did either.

Lieutenant...?

Alright, stop calling me Lieutenant. I'm Horn here. There are way too many lieutenants running around, of all different factions.

Right, Horn. Where are we going?

To regroup with my companions first.

The Sarkaz patrol will pass by the area in five minutes. We'll split into two teams and follow the rail tracks east separately.

After three hundred and fifty meters, you'll see an iron staircase leading up.

If you hear five metallic knocks, come on up. Three, stay put. Two, disband immediately.

You might think the abandoned factories there look familiar... Don't be surprised. It's Dublinn's stronghold.

Isn't that a little dangerous?

With Dublinn occupying the area, the Sarkaz don't go there often.

Want to try your hand at hide-and-seek? You're welcome to join in on the fun.

So are you really just a normal business?

Just like you're a normal engineer.

Haha... That's putting it simply.

Now that the Sarkaz are in charge of Londinium, who am I to doubt your excuses? You're security personnel working for a medical corporation, right?

Let's see... a team with a total of seventeen people. All of you are outfitted with military-grade equipment, and you work well with each other. You even have these half-decent drones.

'Half-decent...?'

What do you mean, 'half-decent?' You can't talk about my work like that!

Ehhh, settle down.

I didn't get a good look at them up there. Maybe you can show them to me another time?

The Sarkaz blew them all up! Just thinking about it makes my heart ache!

Why don't you try fixing them? You should have a couple wrecked drones left, right? How about I take a look at them for you? I have all the tools we need.

Closure, I did manage to snatch two...

Those drones are Rhodes Island technology.;You have to work with us first before we can share it.

I gotta find something nice to trade with you, then?

Whoa, someone's cautious.

Doctor... What kind of doctor are you anyway? Eh, never mind. We'll talk about it another time. I'm in no rush.

That aside, how did you make it to Londinium in the first place? I've told you plenty about the city's situation. If we're working with each other, why don't you tell me something about the outside?

It was a long journey...

I know you already fought Dublinn.

You have eyes outside the city?

Cautus lady. We talked about this. We're sharing information with each other.

Okay.

Taking us back a bit... We did have a run-in with Dublinn outside Londinium...

10:20 A.M. \ Overcast

527km out from Londinium, operation platform of an abandoned mine

Docking complete.

Nothing out of the ordinary... Phew. Maybe you should take a break now?

Or are you going to start...

Quiet.

Dame Kal'tsit, it's been a while...

T-Th-This rotten smell...

A Vampire. In a doctor's gown too... How strange.

*Hiss*...

Retract your fangs.

Not even the oldest red eyes dare to approach my flesh. They are cowards all, and fear my seething anger could cause their fangs to rot.

Kal'tsit, how many Sarkaz are there who could cause me to lose my composure, even for a moment?

There's at least one, right in front of you.

It's been a long time since I last saw an old Sarkaz hero walking Terra. I presume there must be a reason that you are gracing these barrenlands with your presence, King of the Nachzehrer?

You could say I'm here to visit an old friend.

We've met twice.

You looked very different the first time.

As for the second time...

I saw someone outside the ship on the day of her accident... So that was really you.

I thought the Nachzehrer Court had already made its choice when it turned a blind eye to an assassination that despicable.

Be it then or now, the nachzehrer have only ever had one choice. We are Sarkaz, and we are loyal to the Sarkaz, not the throne or the crown, much less ancient witchcraft.

For the past few centuries, I have feasted on the flesh and blood of countless enemies, and I have witnessed the fall of several Sarkaz heroes.

Some of them died by the blades of their strongest foes, while others were assassinated.

As such, I am here because I seek an answer.

Tell me—

What killed the last pure-blooded Wendigo?

Answer me, Dame!

Kal'tsit! H-Hu-Hurry up and get Mon3tr out! He's going to strike!

The landship is right there! We can't just...

Hear me, Nachzehrer King.

I will not fight you here.

Buldrokkas'tee has departed the cage that had confined him for his entire life. I will not tarnish his last wish with pointless violence.

Is this your way of commemorating a Sarkaz hero? By running away... so loathsomely?

I am not running away.

I gave you the answer you wanted, just like when the Wendigo wanted a fight in place of answers.

I will say it again, Nachzehrer King. I refuse to fight you here.

You feed on the flesh of your enemies and swallow their cries and regrets to fuel your next battle.

Yet we are not enemies. There were times when we fought alongside each other, and there were also times when we had to raise swords against each other over differing opinions.

Likewise, this applies to Rhodes Island and Buldrokkas'tee when he sided with Reunion.

Just as you witnessed her passing, I witnessed the return of a Wendigo soul to Kazdel.

You say you are his witness.

I am.

And he chose you himself?

In his final moments... Buldrokkas'tee wanted a fitting opponent, and a friend to talk to.

Hah... hahahaha!

Very well. I accept your answer.

Now, you show yourself, Confessarius.

Had I moved to strike... even if the black monster did not come out, you would have raised your blade against me.