Глава 10

9:27 A.M. \ Overcast

Atop the wall, Sudean Borough, Londinium

There's been a riot at Port 309!

Tell the general the patrol squad has sniffed out the rebels.

It's not just the rebels! We're exchanging fire with multiple groups––

General, can you get us backup?

No need.

How are we doing?

Debugging will take roughly another fifteen minutes.

You've got eight.

We don't have time to spare here.

You don't need me to go see what's going on down there? Just a suggestion, of course.

You're worried I'll fail.

Of course not. When have your plans ever failed?

My job is just to make sure we've got fewer unknowns along our path to victory.

You've already done more than enough, mercenary.

Come, stand with me. I need you to see for yourself what is going on beneath these walls, before the experiment begins.

Lively.

How does it compare to the battlefields of Kazdel?

Nothing new.

But at least... it's not Sarkaz on both sides tearing each other apart.

Surely you hunted, during your time in Kazdel.

You're asking if I've been hunting? Us mercs are out in the wilderness all year 'round. Hunting is how we get fed.

Then, you should understand why I left these ports open.

Sometimes, even if your trap is obvious, a beast will step right into it because there's no other choice.

If it can't find a way out, it'll panic and run wild. That means we've got to expend energy and spread our forces thin to round up all the wild beasts.

Sure. That's how things go in the wilds, but there's more to it.

Look at the city below us. It is little more than a concrete wilderness.

Who has the confidence to seal off every exit to the wilds themselves? Who can find every nook and cranny in a jungle? Who can secure every last potential hiding spot?

I am certainly not so conceited.

So that's why you left a few openings. Focus your attention, and wait for the enemies to reveal themselves. That's a pretty efficient way of dealing with it.

But it does come with one risk.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

If I was in your position, I'd do the same thing.

Good. If you're capable of leading mercenaries, you're capable of leading the hunt.

That's why I'd rather fight alongside you than the relics in the Court.

And by the looks of things, you'll be feasting tonight.

Not just the rebels, but Dublinn as well...

Wait, I've seen that caster before. She came to see you once. Didn't you sign a truce? Not that either of you took it particularly seriously.

If you recognize her, then you should also know that people like her don't know when to stop.

You've been wanting to eliminate that variable for a while now, huh?

The situation has changed. His Majesty's opus is reaching its conclusion. If the theatre is too rowdy, it is too easy to overlook an actual threat.

We need to keep a closer eye on the dukes out there.

Couldn't you just send me to do that?

If I wanted her dead, I wouldn't even need you.

What's the problem then?

'The Iron Guard of Wellington.'

You mean...

He hasn't made a move on Londinium yet.

And if he's quiet for even a single day, all the nobles outside Londinium ask their emissaries, first thing in the morning, whether the Iron Duke has spoken.

Okay.

Which is why we haven't made an enemy of Dublinn, so far.

Now though, since she's the one who lost control and took the first step toward violating our agreement––

The Sarkaz have no more reason to continue tolerating them.

So the commotion down there is just the beginning.

Yes. We still need something... more decisive, to take Dublinn out of the picture.

Where the hell did they come from?

I don't know, Captain... I haven't seen these weapons or Arts before!

They're also fighting the Sarkaz... They're not here to back up the devils?

Not that it matters. We'll eliminate anyone who gets in our way.

Hey––

Give us our guy back!

It's... It's you!

Oh, a familiar face? Too bad I still recognize you after the pummeling I gave you this morning.

Look out behind you––

People don't just stand around in a fight and wait for you to run up to them swinging.

Isn't that why I have you?

Don't go too crazy. Remember, we're getting out of here as soon as we secure our target.

I know.

That just means I gotta punch faster.

You're telling me... these are the ones who snatched our mark?

Don't forget their faces.

No, wait a moment... Try to capture one of them alive. I'm sure the Leader would be interested to find out what new power has its eyes on Londinium.

Uhh... Where are these rocks coming from?

Stay on your guard. We're still not inside the city yet, and the Doctor doesn't want to see anyone get hurt.

Alright... You too!

She smashed my construct to pieces with one swing of a hammer?

This one... she's just as nasty as that Victorian soldier!

I wasn't even trying for that one though... See how you like this instead!

Get out of the way, Siege!

Who covered me?

Balin, did you see who that was?

No, there's too much going on. I can't make heads or tails of it.

Amiya, there's somebody else in this fight.

Someone besides us, Dublinn, and the Sarkaz...

And they just might be on our side.

Captain, the situation isn't looking good for us... Do you think you could bring down this entire wall...?

The entire wall, huh? Hah... I've fantasized about it too many times...

But, not now. We'll still have our chance, whenever the Leader decides to come.

Let's not get too carried away here, and just grit our teeth for the time being...

Hear me. Pack your weapons and try not to leave a mess. I don't want that Manfred devil to come knocking on my door ahead of schedule.

Four minutes. We'll wait four more minutes.

As it happens, our men haven't had a chance to do anything fun. Defending a city like Londinium is worlds apart from raiding Lateran caravans in the wilderness.

The nice thing about meeting old friends is you don't have to worry about them taking your head. I've got nothing to complain about.

Don't mistake yourself for one of them.

There aren't a lot of mercenaries out there who could stand being locked up in a little courtyard, reading books all day. That's your department.

I do remember thanking you when you scooped me up and gave me back my sword.

Enough. You're not here to share me this drivel.

Sure, I know.

You need mercenaries, and for more than a couple reasons.