Глава 10

st03

Your Majesty.

Regretfully... I was late.

Does... does Your Majesty share the same regrets I do? That we were not able to stop them here?

Manfred...

Back then... in Kazdel, you would never speak to me so guardedly.

Back then, you'd look me straight in the eye.

Your Majesty, Kazdel was nothing more than a cluttered ruin and a thick stack of blueprints. In all those years, you and the general...

No, as things are now, there is no need to speak of past matters.

Your Majesty has returned to the general's side. Together, you shall rule the Royal Court and bring the Sarkaz victory once again, just as countless times in the past.

For me and the rest of the men, we need only remember this.

Yes...

Even so, Manfred... I really wish to meet the girl.

Your Majesty!

Do you think a person dreams, in death?

I've dreamt of them often, the past few months.

Again and again I dream of that ship. I dream of conversations with that doctor of few smiles. I dream of standing shoulder to shoulder with that silent commander on the ship's deck. I dream of...

...I dream of sitting by her bedside every night, telling tales of the Sarkaz and this great land, lulling the girl to sleep.

Is... the general aware?

He knows all.

However, a dream is but a dream...Isn't that so?

Your Majesty, your cheeks...

Ah... It's just ash.

I thought...

I do not shed tears.

Yes... Why do I not shed tears?

Your Majesty, in the end you still allowed 'her' to go to the city walls?

You are aware of the threat the 'King of Sarkaz' bears.

Of course. Not even Manfred or the Sanguinarch may be capable of successfully capturing the successor to that power.

——To defeat a 'Sarkaz King', the safest choice is naturally another one.

Did you not intend that when you raised that suggestion to me?

I also remember that you nearly killed me when I first suggested to bring 'her' back.

'Vomit inducing'—— That's what you said. It's difficult to forget such fury.

My opinion has not changed.

But we still need 'her', do we not?

Only when the two of you stand together, will the soldiers truly believe that the chaotic and dark era of the past is now history.

They will never again question the legitimacy of your orders. There will no longer be two different voices in the Sarkaz's hearts.

To this end, we must get hold of the other 'Sarkaz King' as soon as possible.

Then go and make sure of that.

The soldiers must focus on the war ahead.

They must clearly understand that they are following a ruler who can lead them out of their plight, and not just some power of dubious ownership.

I know, I know. You have never cared for that black crown.

For your satisfaction, I have never stopped researching the 'Sarkaz King' either.

Thanks to 'her', I've made great progress. Should we get our hands on that Cautus too... Perhaps, we will be able to truly understand the power of the 'Sarkaz King' before too long.

The Sarkaz are not slaves to any man or power.

If the crown of the 'Sarkaz King' is but another shackle...

Then, crush it.

Your wish aligns with my own... It will be done, Your Majesty.

I did not expect you to return so late, Your Highness.

...Keh.

You seem... tired.

Confessarius, you neglected to inform me that the banshee was there too.

Ah... I thought you'd have guessed it.

Hmph.

A banshee can be more trouble to deal with than a nachzehrer. What frightening talent.

That said, next time I'll simply stick his tongue in a crystal case and gift it to his mother.

The Regent and the Nachzehrer King will not be pleased, Your Highness.

Then they'd best not find out.

Also, that Manfred... How dare he use those toys mounted on the city walls on me?

Half the filth on me is thanks to him. Perhaps I should teach him a lesson.

I understand your frustrations, Your Highness.

Consider this, as a tiny compensation for the missing intel, I will suggest the Regent grant you the task of capturing the 'Sarkaz King'.

Heh, that bastard failed after all. I've been telling Theresis all this time he's just a soft-hearted coward.

It's fine, all of this is within the Regent's plans.

Let them celebrate for now. After all, the best way to crush hope is to first let it come to fruition.

Hah... The nobles in the city grow restless once more. You're right, let them continue with their folly.

When the banquet is at its peak, the abrupt shifting of laughter to horror... it's tantalizing.

Incidentally, speaking of the nobles——

Is there anything Your Highness wishes to report to the Regent?

No, nothing.

Tell Theresis... I await the next banquet.

He's obviously discovered something, but he's hiding it?

These little moves... I fear the Regent will not tolerate him much longer.

Leader.

Any movement from the Duke's forces outside the city?

Oh...?

The Nachzehrer King will be returning soon. Once he arrives, send him to meet the Regent immediately.

Also... didn't you mention a Victorian noble sent some Messengers back?

Let us go and meet them.

Sir, there's one more thing.

Is there?

She... actually chose to return, at such a time.

Yes...

Do you have a plan, sir?

Send a message to the Royal Academy of Sciences.

It's time... for a long awaited family reunion.

Liz... How are you feeling? Are we going too fast? Are you tired?

...I'm fine.

You have to tell me if you feel any discomfort.

Yes... my chest feels a bit stuffy.

Is it because you're getting closer to home?

No, that isn't my home.

Shining... My home is with you and Nearl.

I didn't want you to come back here.

But I wanted to.

I want to go with you, and... I want to find what I've lost.

I... I can feel that they're here.

Yes, Nightingale. We'll find them, and they'll help you get better. You are going to get better.

And then... we'll return to Rhodes Island. Or we could also go to Kazimierz... We'll go wherever you want.

You'll... go with me, right?