Глава 11

Show your face, now!

Hmph. There are enough variables without that sound of gushing steam rising in Londinium again.

What would the Duke think if she knew there were survivors among the Steam Knights?

Would she be uneasy? Or glad that the glorious heroes of old have returned?

Ha, glory...

Let's take care of the hoodlums. Don't let them get in Allerdale's way.

(Heavy gushing)

...Steam Knights.

Four years... there are survivors among the Steam Knights?

Those marks... they should have been lethal wounds. The Sarkaz spikes destroyed the cores. There's no way the wearer would survive.

Plus, no one could enter or leave the Mausoleum of Kings without the royal key.

He's spent four years in this dark dungeon...

Even if he survived the initial carnage, how could he have survived in this place?

What does the man in the armor look like now?

(Heavy gushing)

Who are... you...?

No... what are you?

A flame sparks in the helmet of the armor.

Allerdale can feel a cold gaze upon herself.

Upon everyone here.

The flame...

The armor roaring in the flames.

It was a dream from her childhood.

Her hope for salvation.

The destruction that she witnessed with her own eyes.

A nightmare, too terrible to gaze upon.

He is back. Back before her.

Allerdale cannot keep herself from trembling.

Have you come to settle this?

(Heavy gushing)

Allerdale!

Look out!

Steam Knight, I am Alexandrina Vina Victoria, heir to the Aslan kings.

Halt your attack, knight.

We are not your enemies.

'Victoria.'

Siege hears a voice echo above her head.

Was it the Steam Knight? She is unsure. It sounded more like the rumbling of a machine than a human voice.

The spurts of white steam become more rapid and forceful.

The dark knight raises his massive weapon towards her.

'Victoria.'

Siege suddenly understands. The Steam Knight is not calling her name.

It is looking at her sword.

The Sighs of Kings, the symbol of the royal house of Victoria.

'Victoria.'

He called the sword Victoria.

The Victoria that he swore to defend unto his last breath.

Glorious Victoria betrayed him. Now, he will defend the symbol of Victoria.

The last knight of the empire shall take revenge on all those who transgress against her.

He charges towards the heir to the throne.

Get out of the way, Siege!

Why did the Steam Knight attack you?

Can't he tell...?

Get down!

Argh... *cough*...

The sword of fire...

Don't let it hit you!

It's gone mad! We can't stop it!

Get out of here! Get out! Get out...

Gah!

We'll all be dead before long.

Get your men out.

Do as Vina says.

Mission aborted, then.

Looks like my retirement plan will have to wait.

Dagda, take the mercs and get out.

Your Highness!

You're the last one who bowed to them.

Take their story back, let it see the light of day.

The story belongs to all of us, Siege.

We should tell it together.

I don't know what's come over you, Allerdale.

I used to respect you. I thought you were worthy of a knight's honor. No, you were a knight paragon in my mind.

Always at the forefront, not caring for fame and fortune, not afraid of any foe.

You were Cumberland the Ever on High!

Nothing can remain on High forever, Dagda.

But we fought together, didn't we?

Your story is here too, Allerdale.

If you want to come back.

I can't do that, can I?

It depends on you.

But first, we deal with this knight.

My master taught me that a duel between knights must be fair and honorable.

Our foe is a glorious hero.

Allow me to stand by your side, Your Highness.

...Of course.

Fight... him?

A pathetic, despicable, lying traitor.

How can one like that challenge fate?

It's a wonderful fable, isn't it?

An innocent child wanted to become a hero. But she went bad, and when the hero returned from history, she found his sword at her throat.

The story should end with her death.

She should lose everything. Never to fulfill her destiny.

Vina, I...

I don't want to hear you talk about 'destiny' anymore, Allerdale.

Hold your head high, Allerdale Cumberland. There is no such thing as destiny, for me or for you.

I need to calm him down. Then, if you still want this sword, all you need to do is challenge me, and I'll abide.

This is not your bloody destiny, Allerdale. What you want to do, do it.

But don't say that word anymore.

(Heavy gushing)