Глава 10

But Ursus still went on the trajectory that Kashchey had set for her.

War is happening. The conflict between the Council and the Army intensified, and the will of the people is sparking new flames through each and every conflict.

And I will stand atop the most fertile soil, sowing seeds to the best of my abilities.

I will guide... or perhaps I should say spur these revolutions to take root.

I remember you once refuted the education of the masses as meaningless.

If a ruler is so inflexible that she does not adapt to the changing tides, then she is undoubtedly following a path of destruction.

You still see yourself as a ruler. I see. You actually haven't changed at all.

I almost forgot you hated that word as much as you hated Kashchey's control. I told you long ago that I didn't care who was in charge.

How many times has power changed hands since the Ursus took these lands from the Hippogryphs?

Talulah, you are me, and I am you.

What we want... is an Ursus that can yet spark fires from our hands.

These fires... will sooner or later engulf all of Ursus. No, not just Ursus. Victoria... and all the other countries will be caught in the flames too.

When the fire is over, will these lands become more prosperous? Or will they be dealt destruction?

Ursus has walked its first millennium. I will guide it down its second and third. This is the meaning behind the Black Snake's existence.

The Black Snake is immortal not because I want to live, but because Ursus must live.

The Aslan heir has returned to Londinium?

It seems that way.

The Sarkaz gave us this information in exchange for the Sarkaz Messenger we returned to them.

'In exchange?'

They're merely using us to escalate the scuffle among the dukes.

It couldn't be more obvious, but we can also tell from their methods that the situation in Londinium has changed, and the Sarkaz are anxious.

Did the Sarkaz say anything else?

Nothing useful.

Hmph, ever since our spy's cover was blown, we haven't gotten much news from Londinium.

Unfortunate.

Right... it's unfortunate. Fortunately, our losses are still manageable.

Right, there is another piece of news that might be important.

We caught wind of this from a Columbian arms dealer we've worked with—

About a month ago, that organization called Reunion recovered their previous 'leader.'

You mean...

Talulah.

If all the information we've received thus far is correct, she... she could very well be a Draco.

Y-You havin' a laugh? N-No funnin' here, now?!

Why would I do that?

Gimme a slap.

I'm sorry?

Smack me right now. Otherwise, I might think I'm dreamin'!

There's a wall over there. Knock yourself out. Try not to ram it so hard you knock it down, though. Otherwise, you'll have some explaining to do to the county's mounted police.

I... I'm not sure what to say...

Are you really so shocked? You were the one who's been going 'Leader's got to be alive' day in and day out.

But I thought... I could...

You thought she'd be waiting for you to rescue her somewhere?

Uh-huh.

But it's more of a surprise, knowin' she made it out!

Thanks, Chenchen. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have met Rhodes Island. If I hadn't joined Rhodes Island, they wouldn't've helped get her out. I'm so happy, waaaaahhhhh...

No hugging!

Waaaahhh! But I'm so glad!

At the very least... a little less of a squeeze... Urgh...

Wait, Chenchen, does that mean... you're gonna leave then? You promised to help me rescue her, but she doesn't need me to rescue her anymore.

Times like these, you think pretty fast, don't you?

To tell you the truth, I've thought about it. Ever since I found out she'd escaped, I've been thinkin' of lookin' for her.

Actually, I can kinda tell...

Ch'en Hui-chieh never gives up halfway.

We've come so far, and finally found ourselves some clues.

Bagpipe, I'll get to the bottom of this with you. 'Until the day the spectre force is exposed for all to see again.' Only then will I do what I should've done long ago.

I will find Talulah.

Think, Talulah. Think with all the techniques that you learned from Kashchey whether everything that I say comes from the bottom of my heart.

No need.

Will you kill me here, then? You had to avoid the Royal Guard's watchful eyes, so you don't have a sword.

And so you must kill me with your flames. Will you commit such a horrifying crime in front of all my students, who have nothing but admiration for me?

If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't pick a method that would startle anyone.

Don't forget. You taught me all of this.

Will killing me satisfy you?

If that doesn't give you the satisfaction you need, I could give you a second, if not third name.

You're telling me that, aside from you, there is more than one Black Snake within Ursus's borders.

You could also think that I'm trying to deceive you to live longer.

Your new body is... fragile.

It wouldn't take any more work to kill you than it took to kill that old Phidia.

What are you waiting for, then? Quick, turn my body to ash, and scatter it all across this dark hallway!

'Terrifying Infected Murderer Reemerges in College Campus' —That's the headline that will don the front pages tomorrow.

You wouldn't mind having that on your reputation.

I should point out that I'm not afraid of the patrol unit who will be here in three minutes, either.

But... your new old friends who are waiting outside the city... They don't stand a chance against the Royal Guards.

Even if they begrudgingly allowed you to return to Ursus because of those in control... They wouldn't tolerate murdering anyone on Ursus land.

Kashchey.

If the Royal Guards found out that the immortal monster—the mastermind behind the Chernobog incident was right here, do you think they would try to take me in or turn their attention and blades to you?

So, why haven't you killed me yet?

It's almost time.

She's not back yet? Nine, you're mistaken about her, aren't you?

If she doesn't show up when it's time, all of you will evacuate as planned.

And you?

She's wearing my handcuffs, and that makes her my prisoner. I will take her in myself.

Sounds like I saved you the trouble, then.

—Talulah.

You're back. Not a minute late either. Is your business done?

More or less.

So?

You want to know what I got out of her? I was going to spare your ears my long-winded grumblings.

Good. You seem to have lightened up. Even found yourself a sense of humor.

So, what about the evil god? Did you slay him?

She said that's not who she is anymore.

And you bought it?

No, but I also am not the old Talulah who would think that killing her would solve all our problems.

I won't let her out of my sight, and when the time comes, I will kill her myself.

But I have a weird feeling about this...

A weird feeling?

An immortal evil god... will die eventually, but I won't be the one to kill her.

—Ursus will kill her.

Even now, she thinks she can bend human will. We will prove to her, though—

One day, the people will awaken and abandon the ignorant conqueror.