Глава 10

Is it time to say our goodbyes, then?

Doctor, you know very well that if we continue our journey together, both you and Amiya will be in much more danger.

However... if Rhodes Island needs us, we will remain.

Sir, Defensive Cannon S-309 has been activated—

Looks like Manfred has made some progress.

Should we report this to the Regent?

No need. All of this is according to His Majesty's plans.

Manfred still needs more concrete achievements if he is trying to earn the Court's trust. Capturing some fighters is far from enough.

Activating the secondary cannons is the first step. Tell him that His Majesty needs not one, or even several unimportant plates.

Should it be necessary, we can abandon even an entire district...

What's the matter?

Stay still.

The enemy? Here?!

Stay still, if you want to keep your head.

What an unexpected guest.

You don't seem very surprised.

Hmm... Let me put it another way. We've been waiting for your arrival.

The ship is stopped somewhere in the barrenlands outside Londinium, and I thought you would only have just made it to the walls.

Nonetheless, this is hardly surprising. Assassins are always on the move, no?

You talk too much.

I have you to thank for giving me the opportunity, then.

If you want to kill me, why not just do it? Your control of the shadow is so masterful that not even I could notice you immediately. And your breathing...

It seems you did not neglect the techniques you learned from His Majesty after leaving his side. He will be happy to know that.

Shut up.

Letting your emotions get the better of you is unbecoming of an assassin.

How nimble.

You're tougher than the others. Sure enough.

Is that why you didn't strike first?

The life of a Confessarius is not worth taking if it means trading your own... I see. You have yet to see His Majesty, since you've entered the city.

The shadow shows no sign of change. It does not move, much less answer.

The Confessarius gazes past the swath of emptiness to the window and beyond. There is nothing but another swath of emptiness there.

A golden ray of light flutters from his motionless hand toward the faint sunlight outside the window.

When you reach the throne... you might meet much more than just His Majesty.

I look forward to seeing the look on your face, Ascalon.

So they have arrived.

Yes, Your Majesty. Our leader has already met one of them in the legislature.

Inform Manfred. We must find out who is among them.

The young general should have already met with our Messenger, but...

He can handle this matter.

We understand your trust in Manfred, Your Majesty.

But I must emphasize that he is busy dealing with the rebels on all sides. Judging by the results, it seems he did not immediately detect Rhodes Island's approach.

Tell me the candidates.

The kings have shown keen interest in that fake for some time now. Aside from the two who have already begun their moves, the Sanguinarch has also grown tired of superfluous social engagements with the city's nobles.

He is happy to head to Sudean, to Manfred's aid.

Remind him.

That should he ever find the 'The Sarkaz King' and {@nickname}, bring them to me at once.

What of the Dame? Of course, the Nachzehrer King will keep an eye on her, but we must be prepared too.

Let the vampires deal with her as they see fit.

Very well, Your Majesty. I'm sure the Prince of Blood will be elated.

On another note, our leader would like to know if you would have us arrange more guards to secure your surroundings?

No need. If anyone wishes to call on me, let them come.

There is one more thing... Suppose 'she' wants to meet with that group, should we interfere?

Let her go.

In that case, what if 'she' meets her old friends from Rhodes Island...? Will that be a risk?

You'll remind me now that the witchcraft of the Confessarii is unreliable?

My apologies. Please do not be angered.

Just as you saw, 'her' ideas and actions represent the Sarkaz will. This will... should be more than capable of defeating any lingering emotions from the past.

Yet the Confessarii exist to extinguish any lurking problems. Our leader must consider all possibilities.

No need.

A puppet locked inside a cage cannot lead the Sarkaz on the battlefield.

Tell the Confessarii that I will say this only once.

Do not ever insult Theresa again with these excuses... and do not ever insult me again.

We should be nearly there.

Got a signal...

What does it mean... Huh? An emergency meeting?

Was there some kind of emergency?! Rockrock, we have to get back!

What about them?

The commander's order is to bring them to this position, but she wouldn't have time to see them now.

Leave them here.

That's a bit of a waste of time, isn't it? How about this? I will bring them to the commander...

No!

Huh?

We still can't be sure these outsiders are the ones we're looking for.

Who else could they be?

That's for the commander and the captains to decide.

You've already taken a big risk by bringing them into the tunnel without permission and leading them this far.

I've already tested them...

You're quite smart, I'll admit, but you trust others too easily.

Take a closer look at your new friends. Especially the one who's also into drones.

Huh? Who? Me?

She's... a Sarkaz.

Yeah, I'm a Sarkaz, what's the matter? Well, I am not the only Sarkaz here, there...

Hmm, huh? A-Amiya?

Right, Miss Rockrock. They are Sarkaz, and they are also our trusted friends.

We are not like the Sarkaz who took over your home up there.

Whether they're the same is not for you to decide.

What's that supposed to mean?

You should've told us sooner you weren't keen on working with us. We wouldn't have squirmed around in these dark tunnels for so long!

You're locals. If you want to stay, I will welcome you like I welcome all my brothers in arms.

...but I can't trust them so easily.

Ugh... It doesn't matter what you say.

We live together. We die together.

We are all Rhodes Island Operators.;All of them are equally trustworthy.

It's just as the Doctor said...

Miss Rockrock... We've already exchanged plenty of intelligence.

If you still won't afford us the most basic trust, I don't think we should force ourselves to keep walking this tunnel together.

Mr. Feist, on behalf of Rhodes Island, thank you for assisting us earlier.

We will leave you and find our own way out.

Wait!

Erm, that's not what Rockrock meant.