Глава 12

In accordance with the Regent's instructions, we must next...

Take a look outside, General.

Manfred turns to look out the window.

He is forced to admit that the carefully-planned flames burning before his eyes are... not as exhilarating as he had imagined.

The firelight is blinding.

Our war has finally broken out.

According to the Military Commission's projections, the dukes will cautiously proceed with military operations within sixteen hours. We have already made our preparations.

No, the war never ended.

It is not only ranks ripping through other ranks that is worthy of the name of war. Those eyes lurking behind the curtains, those curses whispered in the dead of night, those suppressed cries... are all war.

Those compatriots who perished alone in the barrens, those robes dragged across the ground during the Black Processions, those Kazdel bricks and tiles sealed away in a collector's glass display case... are also all war.

War has always been a part of us. We simply... pushed it out for all to see once again.

Even if the flames of war were ignited in Victoria, Kazdel has always been a part of the battlefield. I've already made many plans with the General about this...

No, Manfred, that's not what I was asking.

I simply observed that beneath our feet, the shadow of this airship covers all indiscriminately.

Put an end to it, General. If this ultimately is proven to be the only way for the Sarkaz...

Then, drown tears with tears, and bury suffering with suffering.

This... is the only way.

I will carry out your will, Your Highness.

You see that?

No mistake about it. Looks like it came straight out of a storybook.

The harbinger of destruction. The prophet of turmoil. Nightmare given form...

So...

You ever see that gloompincer as big as a mountain, lugging along its chest of perfume?

Yup, just like Red-Nosed Humbert talked about.

Nine said before, you're in no condition to be drinking.

I only had a sip! I don't have much time left. Leave me with my last bit of hope!

You still remember that night on the snowfield, right? Everyone was freezing to death, and Red-Nosed Humbert told us about a strange legend from his village–

Sorry... I signed on in Victoria.

Oh really? I thought...

Yeah, Red-Nosed Humbert died back in Ursus. He was a good guy, took at least four of those Patrol Unit bastards with him.

Damn it, you would've appreciated him and his stories. Gotta pour one out for him.

You're drunk again, Romanich. How many times do I have to tell you? Hand over the flagon.

Ma'am, I don't have much longer to live, c'mon...

You've still got a long life ahead of you, if you listen to the doctor.

I, I hate doctors! They're all liars, all of 'em!

I need these fluids... They let me see... (mutters softly)...

He's asleep again.

Toss him a blanket.

We can't be too far from Londinium now.

Yeah. If we're lucky, we'll be able to see those city walls in just over a week. It'd be faster if we could fix that piece-of-junk car.

You don't see Catastrophes too often around Londinium, but given the current situation, it's virtually impossible not to bump into any of the dukes' troops. And none of 'em are gonna welcome us.

Then, throw the Sarkaz on top...

We need to be even more cautious during our subsequent operations.

We need to find our trapped people, whether they still think they're our people or not.

Getting everyone back together is difficult... but, we still feel the same pain and share the same sorrow. Those feelings never stop chasing us, and they force us to keep moving forward.

I'm not saying that just to cope, but... this is the only thing we can do with full peace of mind–

Let those Infected on the verge of despair know that they still have comrades out there, and that their lives aren't disposable.

Stay where you belong.

Talulah.

Nine.

I'm just getting a breath of fresh air.

Fine. I have my eye on you.

Flames are burning... Out there, in the distance.

They've been burning for some time now. Hopefully, it's just a patch of woods struck by lightning.

Our squad will cross over.

Lightning, huh...?

I saw you were making stew back at camp.

I was just helping out the cook. She still had two baskets of potatoes to get through.

I gave it a taste. Wasn't too bad.

Alina... I mean, an old friend once taught me a few things.

I thought I had forgotten it all.

If you're still willing to play a part before facing justice, I won't stop you.

But, you'd best remember who you are, Talulah. We'll be watching you. All of us.

...I know.

Start packing up. It's time to go.

Huh? I fell asleep? Damn it...

C'mon, Nine! Take pity on this old man and let me have another sip! Otherwise, I'm as good as dead today!

Bah! Did you see that? The edge of the sky's blood red! Red-Nosed Humbert said...

He said that's a good omen... A good omen, I tell you!

He said that was... the other shore? Victory? Uhh, I don't exactly remember...

Maybe, maybe...

Maybe it means... Tomorrow will be a good day, my friends.