Глава 12

But your operator has a very unique background. Moreover, she possesses something important.

You've failed once, but you still haven't given up.

This is my job, Your Highness. Let us not make things harder for each other.

This sword is nothing more than a heavy rod of iron in your hands.

What do you intend to do with it? Can you really cut through the Catastrophe that looms above us?

It is a mere tale. You cannot wield it to its true potential.

What does Duke of Caster want to do with it, then?

To fulfill a promise.

A promise?

To bring her followers peace and safety.

We do indeed have certain... technologies that can immediately put this blade to good use, just as the Sighs of Kings once sheltered Londinium.

The Duke wishes for this blade to become a turning point for unity.

In that case, those who aren't on your side will deservedly be swallowed by the Catastrophe.

That is how it will become that turning point.

(Doctor, I will make my move in three seconds. We must escape this situation.)

(Our operators on the landship are more than capable of taking care of the crisis that could soon unfold... and so we have to take this risk.)

(Three.)

(Two.)

(One.)

All of you seem pretty tense. Perhaps I came at a bad time?

Right on time.

Ines.

Mr. 'Trilby Asher,' you have to admit that you came well-prepared.

Thirteen small communication stations, with four of them triggered passively. They were set up to automatically send out orders if they don't receive your message after ten minutes.

I didn't want to venture a guess as to what orders they were meant to send out, so I took the liberty of crushing them all.

I hope you don't mind.

Your subordinates were very strong, even after they heard the word Vampire.

That said, I believe that aside from the Sarkaz Royal Court, there are certain others hiding in the city who would be very interested to learn of their existence.

Tell me, where do you suppose I should take them?

Ines, former Sarkaz mercenary... It's hardly surprising that you are still alive. We've determined for some time now that someone was behind all these little tricks around Londinium.

You've done very well.

We know that there is a sizable number of Sarkaz mercenaries inclined to leave the Military Commission's control, but we both know that does not come without a cost, don't we?

Your business partner... might be in fairly dire straits.

Perhaps we should be a little more blunt with each other.

I know you have more tricks up your sleeve, and you know we still have some trump cards in our hand. Let's stop probing each other.

Your shadow tells me you are wavering.

Very well. Let's make a deal.

I have a tricky mission, but as you can see, I am not much for fighting and adventure.

So you want someone to die in your stead.

I have faith in your abilities.

Certainly you have already seen the airship that is currently parked at the now-isolated Norport Borough.

Make your way there and get your hands on its schematics.

What's in it for me?

You get to live. For now.

You, your friends, your allies, your wounded, and your landship all get to remain alive for the time being.

This is no trouble at all to Victoria, but as for the rest of you...

Deal.

How quick to answer, Doctor of Rhodes Island.

A safe location has been sent to Alexandrina's terminal. Please stand by there. I cannot guarantee your safety for any actions you take outside of our arrangement.

My terminal? When did...?!

You have some impressive talents among your ranks. That's very good. This should contribute to our common goal instead of becoming an obstacle to our cooperation.

Right?

This isn't completely up to us.;......;Is it a Victorian thing to call threats cooperation?

Of course. We must slowly build our trust.

A cautious silence. How admirable.

Regrettably, yes.

Please await our next communication.

Doctor, I need to contact Closure and reevaluate the safety of Rhodes Island's communications. Until then, maintain radio silence.

Of course, we also need to... take care of the issues regarding the landship's calling procedures.

Thank you, Ines.

Hello, Ines. Is this the first time we've met?

I'm afraid not.

I've lost... some of my memories.

I'm aware.

This is our first meeting, for this version of you.

Have you really lost your memories...? Or is this part of your plan?

I forgot about lots of things, indeed.;......;What makes you ask that?

I've never been quick to judge, Dr. {@nickname}. I can sense that you've gone through some... changes.

We'll have a lot of time to get reacquainted in the future.

Rather than trusting verbal statements, I prefer to see things for myself.

Ines, the Doctor...

Relax, Amiya. My prejudices won't be a factor.

For now.

The evacuation's almost complete!

Good, we need to get out of here ASAP.

That Sarkaz from Rhodes Island. Is his name Logos?

And I thought we'd seen all the surprises Rhodes Island's fighting style had to offer, having fought alongside Misery all this time.

Right. It doesn't matter who exactly he is. His cursecraft has been a great help.

Hah... and he's a great darts player, too.

I played against him for a couple rounds. His accuracy might just be as terrifying as those Arts of his.

A friend of mine taught me a couple tricks before, that's all.

He's no match for me in a chair sliding match, but when it comes to darts... He's not so bad.

Horn, the Sarkaz forces have retreated. We should seize this opportunity.

According to the plan, Rhodes Island and the Self-Salvation Corps will take the supply route, head toward the exit, and make their way to a town called Brentwood to build a new safe house there.

We will regroup with them there.

I suggest we charge toward the city walls. Norport Borough is gone, and even though the Sarkaz have patched up the walls, they wouldn't have had enough time to build new plates to fill the hole there.

The exposed underground structure might just help us somehow.

Looks like I've met another old friend.

The one who taught you to play darts.

Regrettably, no.

Unlike this old friend, my friends are loyal to one another until our deaths.

Everyone, I'm afraid I still have matters to attend to within the city. Horn is more than capable of leading you outside Londinium, and my coworker Misery will also lend you his assistance should the need arise.

Understood.

Stay hidden, everyone. Follow me.

Are the mountains of the past really so worthy of reminiscing? Blood and tears are nothing to be obsessed with.

I must say I'm not entirely fascinated by them.

But what if the mountains are the only place there is left to stay? What if only the light of glory there can give us warmth?

And here I thought I'd hunted enough of you.

This is the thirty-first 'Molly.' You are a hardworking one, Banshee.

But you prevailed nonetheless. You helped Theresis decimate the Self-Salvation Corps.