Глава 10

Their voices completely vanished.

These... pitch-black pipes should amplify any and all sounds.

Breathing or footsteps, the clacking of a metal crab crawling through the pipe, or the rumble of machinery––

These pipes will record the vibrations of any signs of life.

And in an instant... all of those voices were devoured.

You mean to say, this darkness behind us––

Is all the life it has devoured.

Just like what happened at that banquet three months ago.

Engineering team, close the first safety lock!

Yes, Commander!

Miss Siege, you've... got sharp senses.

Are you familiar with Londinium's underground structure?

I remember Feist saying... you're from around these parts?

I've... only been here once.

But I've heard a lot of stories about these pipes.

A hundred years ago, a terrible fire ripped through the heart of Londinium. Only the royal family and a few nobles managed to escape the flames.

After that, a legend began to circulate that a magic circle was hidden beneath the palace that could allow the royal family to escape any disaster.

When I first heard that story, I couldn't help but wonder... would our royal family also use these very same pipes for their escape?

Hmm... The story I heard was very similar to your version.

The workers who built Londinium, the posh aristocrats and nobles, and the royal family itself–– are all forced to take the same route during times of crises.

That already is a story that writes itself.

Commander, the safety lock is starting to give!

This door cannot hold him back.

Are you serious? This door's thickness can withstand seven or eight salvos from an armored vehicle!

Retreat! Fall back!

With a sharp, earsplitting noise, a fissure appears in the middle of the metal door.

Under the tearing and folding of the tremendous force behind the door, the thick metal sheet seems thinner than paper. The fissure continues to grow, the dark void behind it like a monstrous, abyssal maw.

Close the second safety lock!

Understoo–– Arrrgh!!

The door slams shut with a heavy thud, but the person sealing the door suddenly slips. Before he has a chance to scream, something invisible drags him into the shadows behind the door.

A smudge of blood seeps through the door's crack.

But not even the pool of blood is allowed to escape. In an instant, the shadows lurch through the door and instantly devour half the passageway.

Another massive roar rings out, though it is unclear whether it came from overhead or behind.

The pipe shudders, and the shadow's edge blurs like a predator's mouthparts, extending to latch onto its prey's ankle.

I... I've also heard of another story.

During a battle two hundred years ago, the Victorian Army joined forces with two other nations to lay siege to a city called Kazdel.

One night, an entire army of heavily-armed troops disappeared in the valley where they were stationed.

The count who had dispatched the army sent men to investigate their whereabouts, but only saw the crimson of the setting sun reflected against the mountain walls.

And as everyone remembered, that day... the sun had not come out at all.

The third safety lock––

Is this... the last one?

Clovisia doesn't answer her.

Just like her answer... Devoured by the monster flooding through the pipes.

12-beg

So you're here.

...Manfred?

It seems the Sanguinarch will be greatly disappointed. He detests dark, damp places the most, yet went into the rebels' subterranean nest to seize you personally.

He must surely have caught up to your friends by now. One wonders if the cries from underground will carry so far up this tower—

You wicked... wicked...

Wicked devil?

No, I don't admire his methods whatsoever. The rebels who died to my cannon fire are far luckier than the ones suffering his torment.

You're both just the same!

In your eyes, maybe so. Whenever you use 'devil' and such to refer to us all, it shows that fear and hatred have long clouded your eyes.

The Victorians regard the Sarkaz as a collective of barbarians reveling in slaughter.

Those who thought like that are now either kneeling before the throne, or are now pale skeletons dried upon the city walls.

You, and Theresis... the army you've led has devastated this city.

No matter how you claim you and the vampire are different, you're both invaders here, hands dripping with blood.

You seem to misunderstand, Cautus of Rhodes Island.

I'm not solely drawing lines between myself and the Prince of Blood—yes, in a certain respect, his predilections disgust me.

But I, like him, do not work the way all the kings of the Court do.

When they stand in front of you, they see Her Majesty's successor, and they may treat you with skepticism, curiosity or disgust for it.

You're...

I can only feel vigilance from you.

Yes, Cautus. I simply see you—as a dangerous enemy.

—Did he just toss a grenade at us?

Hold onto the wall!

It's his Arts... he's using Arts energy to make shockwaves, he's trying to throw us off the city!

Ugh... can't stand straight—it's like every part of the ground's erupting...

The drones can't get near him! Any closer at all and they lose balance—

Everyone... get behind me!

Hrrgh––

A—Amiya, are his Arts fusing with yours?

He's deliberately narrowed and sharpened his attack. He's breaking down the energy layers I form...

What?! You were able to resist a Draco's flames, though!

He's familiar with our combat style.;His Arts are targeted at Amiya.

I knew full well you'd come. You think I'd just sit here waiting for you?

There—There goes another one! It's not just the ground, it's, it's above us, wherever red flashes by, it explodes in midair—

Miss Amiya, can't... can't you use mental Arts?

Can you try and just cram his head with some kind of rubbish?

No.

He's too well-defended, and he's too calm. I can feel the edges of his emotions, but... but right now, his heart only thirsts for victory.

He's stalling for time.

Yes... his mind isn't set on this battle.

He's just waiting for the vampire and defense artillery to destroy the resistance!

Stalling for time? Decent conjecture.

You've faced graver circumstances than this on the battlefield—the choices you make always seem to be the ones more beneficial to the whole.

Please, tell me, what are you about to do next?

Will you expend all your efforts here to kill me and eliminate a long-term threat, or think of some other way to get around me and save those Victorians below?

Uwaaagh!

Mr. Balin, what's happening up ahead?

Partial collapse in the passageway! Three fighters couldn't escape in time—

Route around it! We're pressing on.

Remember, no matter who we lose on this journey, the rest of us cannot stop.

Up, quick, do you see that train?

The Sarkaz haven't found us yet, from the looks of it. Let's think of a way to blend in there, and grab the controls—

Harmo, watch out!!

Sarkaz Crossbowman! They've ambushed us!

Rockrock, one step out and we'll get hit! Best we run back underground!

Going back's... riskier still.

The Commander says our only chance is to get the train moving before the Sarkaz destroy the space underground.