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Indeed... And you're as good as they come.

Coincidentally, a few more mercenary squads have joined up with us recently, including some of your old acquaintances from the Scar Market.

What mercenary could resist an offer from the Regent himself?

They want more than just the payout from completing a contract or two.

When we followed the Regent out of Kazdel, each warrior carried a different weapon, some even wearing armor that belonged to the enemy just moments ago.

But what about now?

As you've seen, the factories of Londinium now work day and night to produce weapons and armor for us. Our troops are well-regulated, and take orders as a unified unit.

We are united as never before, and that makes our solidarity stronger than ever.

Yes, all of Victoria... No, all of Terra is watching.

All according to the Regent's calculations.

Just a year ago, they guffawed about how Londinium's defenses were impenetrable. They thought we were mercenaries in service to some duke.

Profit is no longer the only thing that motivates mercenaries... They are all looking to see what the Sarkaz can do.

What's a sellsword who's lost interest in selling his sword?

We're not asking our compatriots to give up their status as mercenaries. They simply found other reasons to follow the Regent.

They believe he has created a turning point in the fate of the Sarkaz. That we have an opportunity to earn a new identity for ourselves, not just as looters and servants of the powerful.

You need a home to have an identity.

'When the Sarkaz desire war, the Sarkaz become war itself––'

'––And when each battle ends, the Sarkaz have a home to return to.'

This is what the Regent told all the Sarkaz in Londinium. You saw it yourself. That was the first time we met.

I asked what you thought about that statement.

'If you're a fighter who crawled out of the ruins of Kazdel, how could you say no to that?'

It was three years ago I heard that answer.

Since then, you've left that estate, and now stand with me.

Do you still... hold the same belief?

Manfred, you've earned my loyalty.

Does your left eye still hurt?

It's been over a year. It healed a long time ago.

I... hope you understand. I've never doubted our friendship, not once since that day.

But you know what I'm talking about.

The Confessarii don't drop their guard around a merc. That's how they look after the Regent.

And I... I'm not here to prove my loyalty to anyone. That'd just make me a weaker blade in a fight.

So your answer is still 'no.'

That's fine too.

Sometimes, what I need more is a friend, and for that, Kazdel must temporarily endure the absence of an officer.

We're ready, General!

Excellent.

Tell the patrol to retreat immediately.

Activate the automatic aiming system and enter the long-distance targeting coordinates––

––Coordinates, Sudean Borough, Port 309.

Our efforts over the last few months are finally about to bear fruit.

Hoederer, will you do the honors?

Lieutenant, Dublinn looks like they're about to win.

That's not the situation, but it's also not what matters.

Regardless of who wins, what's important is that they keep each other in check.

That's the situation we need, one that allows your people to charge.

Charge...?

Indeed. While they're too occupied with us, that's your best opportunity to get out of the city.

No... No!

What's on your mind, Robben?

Lieutenant, I don't want to leave anymore.

But...

I have to stay.

But this might be the only chance you have to leave Londinium!

After the scuffle here today, the Sarkaz will have the gate blocked tomorrow.

Conceal your weapons and blend in with the other civilians! Hurry, get going!

We can't just run away like this.

Lieutenant, we can still fight.

Did you see that? I just took down a Dublinn fighter and injured two Sarkaz!

This crossbow is... pretty crude. It's nothing like the standard-issue military crossbows we're used to.

You made it, right? If you even need to make your weapons yourself, don't you also need more men?

It's not a question of what I need...

If you don't want to leave, I won't force you.

I don't want to order another good soldier out of the fight, not again, not when she wanted to stay...

Lieutenant...?

But let's set that aside for now.

We need to get out of here first.

Now's the best shot we're going to get, so if you don't want to move onwards, then fall back with us!

Doctor, the Sarkaz troops are withdrawing from the fight.

I find it strange that after fighting us and Dublinn for so long, the Sarkaz didn't call in reinforcements or start massacring the Dublinn forces.

That's not how the Sarkaz usually fight. Even the mercenaries that W brought with her into Reunion fought more ferociously than they did.

Something's not right.

Doctor, have we fallen into a trap?

This conflict came about so spontaneously and coincidentally... It's as if someone was trying to corral us all together, and then...

Umm, do you think they set all this up for us?

Siege said she found other people who were blending into the crowd just like us... and they seemed to be on the civilians' side.

Might they be the ones the Sarkaz were after?

Combat operators, withdraw from the battlefield immediately.;Scout teams, cover the escape for our combat operators and the civilians.;Everyone, find the nearest place to bunker down and prepare to evacuate!

The Doctor ordered a retreat.

Huh? We're about to complete our rescue though!

There must be a reason behind it. Let's go.

Grr.

Excuse me, Miss Indra! I, I'm over here!

Thomas?

Don't go over there!

I...

A flash of light suddenly fills everyone's eyes.

A scalding wave of heat erupts forth, incinerating almost everything it touches.

Though very little solid debris shoots out, the force of the impact reminds the survivors how they were only a single step from death.

And this threat... came from above.

What just happened?!

Did we get a bomb dropped on us? A huge crater... suddenly appeared in the ground?!

Thomas... *cough* *cough*... The smoke's too thick, I can't see anything!

Indra!

Siege told you to stop.

Fine, I owe you another one.

As long as you get it. Now hurry, let's get out of here––