Глава 12

Seems like you should stay with Manfred a while longer. He hasn't taught you the most important things you need to know about war.

General Manfred lent me a book, <i>A History of Sarkaz War.</i>

I know the author. His name is Hoederer, and he's an idiot.

'Sarkaz War,' 'Victorian War,' 'Ducal War,' 'Royal Court War,' only an idiot talks about stuff like that.

Who'd be arrogant enough to claim a war for themselves? I sure wouldn't, at least.

War is war, and that's all there is to it.

You don't believe this war can save us all... Then what do you believe in?

I believe when you're hungry, you have to eat, when you're thirsty, you need to drink, swinging your arms around for too long will tire you out, and if I jump out of this ship I will die.

I only believe in these things that can't be given meaning.

Toying around with 'meaning' is the root of all suffering.

In the same way, I believe that profits make people impulsive, fear makes them impatient, a burning fire can not be easily extinguished, and the resulting conflicts cannot be easily ended.

Ines, as a guest, you should have greeted me first.

It's been a while, Manfred.

Indeed it has.

So, why don't you stay? You can admire the scenery with us.

The storm is approaching quickly.

Ines and Manfred turn to look out the window.

They see the smoke and dust rising in the distance, and several high-speed battleship fleets approaching.

This airship high up in the sky is attracting the attention of every ducal force already stationed nearby.

A sudden flash of clarity shoots through Ines upon seeing these little battleships scrambling like insects in the shadow of the airship.

You want the flames.

No, the flames have already been ignited, you're just... using this ship as kindling to keep it in the air.

Caster, Wellington, Windermere, and maybe Normandy too...

The representatives of these greedy dukes are already all gathered on this plate, while their masters' fleets observe their rivals as they make their way here.

This airship is moving so slowly because you're waiting for them, you're tempting them.

The dukes would rather not let the airship hide behind Londinium's robust city walls, so they'll gather here...

And this is what you've all been waiting for.

An perfectly little... shooting gallery for The Shard.

Should I be glad that Hoederer's partner is so sharp?

A shame you put it together so late.

Men, seize her.

So what did she tell you, Paprika?

She said, war is war, and that's all there is to it.

Hmm...

Indeed, that's all.

If she could just see the big picture, just how many things surrounding war would she see?

This intelligence must be delivered.

Ines has to admit that the Military Commission has drawn up a brilliant plan.

She can foresee what will happen next.

The Shard's Catastrophe will severely damage the dukes' forces, and furthermore, said damage will be credited to not just the Sarkaz, but also to their respective rivals.

And once Victoria's storm-bringing prowess is drawn out into the open, any country across the lands will feel fear, and also fury.

Every seat of power will want to destroy this one, or possess it for themselves.

What if, at this time—the dukes guarding the borders slack on their duties because of their infighting?

Leithanien, Ursus, Kazimierz, and even the old Gaulish regions would never let this opportunity slip.

This is only the first flame.

Soon, an unstoppable blaze will sweep across the entire land.

Ines knows, there is still time, it's not too late.

As long as she can get the information out—

A shadow approaches at the end of the corridor. It is not her own shadow, but the owner of this vessel.

Ines, who has heard rumors from her old partner about the revenant, is for the first time in her life glad that she isn't a real Sarkaz.

Yep, shadow's still there.

The sun rises, the long night having finally passed, and the mobile plate below her casts an extremely long shadow.

...Right.

I should thank myself for finding such a high place.

I'm guessing that a jump from here would probably kill me.

Heh, who would have thought that today, the Ines who always comes back from the brink of death, is finally embracing it.

Hoederer and W are gonna laugh themselves to death.

I hope they don't get to see me in such a wretched state.

—*exhale*

She falls, a gale blowing through her hair, and she can hardly keep her eyes open.

But it is only at this height that she can take all the shadows of Norport into her view.

Only at this height can she manipulate these shadows that stretch as far as she can see.

She knows that she only has a few seconds to make it, quickly falling into the shadows before her.

Now.

Death is already lingering beyond the door.

Did old Wellington send his entire reserve fleet here?

Yes, Your Grace.

The Duke of Wellington seems to be fighting that ship... he must be sure of his victory.

Their frontline forces must have already exchanged fire with the Sarkaz.

Grr, and there's still Caster...

That woman has barely ever stepped outside her demesne, but even she's not staying put this time.

Just how valuable is this ship to be worth all their trouble?

Your Grace, the strategists are also recommending we obtain as much technology as we can from that airship.

Whether we stand against the Sarkaz, or... other possible rivals, such an unprecedented weapon will allow us to control an even larger airspace.

Shut them up. What 'possible opponents'? They're inciting me to break up Victoria.

I came here solely to bring Delphine home.

They're also saying that Norport Borough may be in terrible shape right now.

Delphine will be fine. She's my daughter after all.

Y-Your Grace...

Haven't I said before that running inside the ship is forbidden?

Please, take a look at the shadow of that moving plate...

Something's... not quite right...

Duke Windermere takes the telescope offered by the adjutant.

The shadow of the mobile plate cast by the morning sun does not resemble Norport Borough.

Is this because of the structure blocking it? Windermere thinks it strangely resembles a tower.

A tower?

Or... A Shard?

Is that... The Shard's shadow?

How can this be? Is this a natural phenomenon? Or...?

How long did you say it would take for Caster's and Wellington's troops to arrive?

Perhaps within the next two hours?

A rare event indeed, for the troops of three dukes to all coincidentally converge near this area...

According to reports we received earlier, a few other dukes are also planning their moves, so it would not be too surprising to see their warships on the move here.

I've been in the army for many years, and yet this is the first time I've seen something like this.

Full stop! All units, stop immediately!

Get all of them clear of the area at once!

Send a red flare to warn our allies!

Quickly! Now!

Send a plaintext to every Victorian unit in the region!

This place could well be the target of The Shard's attack!