Глава 10

Seems like they're in a bit of a row.;Did we come at a bad time?

Haha, just a minor squabble.

Don't worry. The commander won't mind.

Most folks here come from very different backgrounds. They may not agree with each other sometimes, but all of us stand together.

Besides, no matter how out of hand their feud gets, as long as the commander is here, we'll find a solution in the end.

Seems you really trust her.;Is she really that amazing?

Hm... She rescued most of us. If it wasn't for our commander, we would long have died by the hands of the Sarkaz or Dublinn.

Just like Rockrock. Her pa was beaten to death by the mercenaries because he wasn't willing to sell the defense force out.

As for me, I didn't want to work for the Sarkaz, so me and a few coworkers ran all the way here from Highbury. We almost died of hunger in the tunnels...

In the end, it was the commander who found us.

She was the one who pulled each of us up from our hopelessness and united us.

All of us look up to her, and we trust that she will lead us through each and every hopeless situation we'll come across.

Commander, help me out. We should get out of here right now, right?

Commander, I suggest we start a rescue operation right away.

Commander...

Harmo, Tyrell. Calm down, both of you.

Time is of the essence. This is no time for infighting.

That voice...

Vina, what's the matter?

No, nothing. I might just have misheard.

Mr. Feist, is the one who last spoke your commander? She sounds... very young.

Surprising, isn't it? When I first met her, I thought the exact same thing.

Do you remember how I figured out you were the leader the moment I first saw you, Cautus lady? Soon, you'll know how I knew.

Come, let's meet our commander.

I know how you feel, everyone, but there is one point that I think requires no discussion.

We will save our brothers and sisters in arms.

If we let our enemies hurt our warriors, who would be willing to fight alongside us?

If we let our enemies take our friends away, who would be willing to offer us a helping hand?

We are the Londinium Citizens' Self-Salvation Corps. We must save Londinium, but before that, we need to save each and every one of our living friends.

Her hands are slender and delicate. Fragile, even. Yet it seems to have enough power to quell the anger and anxiety that is about to boil over.

The meeting room falls into silence.

Those in attendance naturally cast their eyes on their commander. It is as though none of them have ever doubted whether her narrow shoulders could bear their heavy hope.

The scene is somewhat familiar.

Most of the Rhodes Island Operators feel this way. They all turn their gazes toward the Cautus who stands in front of them.

I think I know what Feist means now.

Ehhh, they really are kinda alike, right?

I agree.;......;Not really.

Everyone... quiet down. Let's not interrupt their meeting.

Looks like we have a few new friends to greet before we discuss a concrete rescue plan.

Feist, bring them here.

Uh... Yes, Commander!

Well met, Rhodes Island. I've been looking forward to your arrival.

I'm Clovisia, the commander of the Londinium Citizens' Self-Salvation Corps.

General, the commander of Dublinn is here.

Madam Mandragora.

General... Manfred.

I trust you are here because you have something important to discuss.

You... Hmph, you saw everything, and you still put up this act?

Are you really a Sarkaz? They don't seem to be so...

Tricky, like you.

Madam Mandragora, your words just now could be taken as an insult to the Sarkaz.

Whatever you say.

I'm here... to apologize anyway.

Oh? You have an apology?

My men had a little misunderstanding with your people down at the port.

Misunderstanding?

I... I'm here because I wanted to make sure... the cooperation between us still stands.

Madam, let me remind you again. There are no concrete terms that we must follow for our cooperation to continue.

Dublinn will not interfere with Sarkaz operations in Londinium. In exchange, we will allow you to remain in a demarcated area here.

You can take that as a..

Tacit understanding, between the two of us.

You told me, yes... and I haven't forgotten.

Right, and it doesn't matter if you have. We will consider the ruckus earlier a reminder.

Thank... you.

Don't be so quick to thank me. The Sarkaz are not as forgetful as you.

What do you want me to do, then? Do you want my life? If that's what you really want...

If that's what I actually wanted, you would not have made it here.

Hmm... and you wouldn't have taken to the steps of Westhaleg those months ago, either.

Er...

What we want to see is a bit of sincerity from Dublinn.

And not the kind of 'sincerity' where you snatch a few Victorian soldiers from us or kidnap a couple Londinium citizens who escaped.

It's about time that... we actually cooperate.

Horn!

What's wrong?

I didn't want to bother you, but Salley... he's not going to last much longer! His leg is so swollen that you can't even squeeze any more pus out...

Is the 3rd back yet?

No, things were a mess outside this morning. It might have delayed things for them.

How many men do we have?

Including the new blood, we have a total of seventeen who can fight.

The 2nd will stay. High alert.

I'll bring five men with me and pay the Dublinn's borrowed home a little visit.

But... if you go back, what will you do if you run into Mandragora again?

Salley can't wait much longer.

He needs medicine. Without painkillers and anti-inflammatories, he won't even make it through the afternoon.

Do any of you have anything that's worth money? Hm? Old Ayton's been racking his brains just to figure out how to trade for enough food each day.

If we don't take it from Dublinn, who are we supposed to turn to? The Sarkaz?

Or do you mean to ask the civilians for help? Have you given it any thought what the enemy will do to them if they offer us anything?

*Sigh*...

Dejection won't buy us our friend's life.

Pack it up. Bring any weapons we can use. We'll leave immediately.

Robben, you said you haven't killed enough of them, right? Lucky you. Your chance is here.