Глава 13

Honestly, since coming to Victoria, my drafting work has been at a standstill.

Back in my mercenary days, I spent most of my free time writing them. One book filled, a new book empty. Really, I had more to write than I physically could.

And yet, since joining the Military Commission, I haven't given those notebooks a flip-through in forever by now.

I obtained what seemed like a higher position and power. I wasn't directing a squad or two of mercenaries any longer; now they put the sand table of the whole battlefield before me.

And I grew more and more sick of what I'd written about.

I used to believe the most important test of an archivist's character was loyalty to their accounts.

Yet bit by bit, I came to discover these books had turned into echoes of wave after indistinguishable wave, reproductions of scene after scene of the same tragedy.

I'd been through this all with my own flesh, felt it all with my own soul. Why even make all this... vacant language and empty summary out of it?

I'd had enough.

When did it happen, again?

I remember. Last year in September... last year, where the summer was exceptionally long.

General, the Mayor is dead.

Your saber still drips with the blood.

If only the blades of the Military Commission and the mercenaries could be as swift.

As long as it's a weapon, there's no real difference.

I remember the look he gave me in that moment.

But I'm still not sure what he really meant by it.

...Roger.

News just came from the mercs. The fourteen MPs in the plot to assassinate the Regent have been apprehended.

And what stance are the other MPs taking?

They don't have one.

I thought you'd be more direct about your methods.

If the Military Commission requires, I can execute every MP straight away.

With our current situation, this will suffice. The airship is still under construction; we need just a little extra patience.

Pull your men out. The Nachzehrer King's legion has arrived.

...Legion?

My voice shakes a little. The Nachzehrer's legion.

Of all the 'military powers' I'd met in war, the vast majority paled compared to that one name. The difference was heaven and earth.

When? How?

Whatever direction a Kazdel army enters Victoria from, they'd have to pass through major duchies. It wouldn't matter how they conceal themselves, that large a force could never—

His Majesty has arrived at Londinium's suburbs. Two reorganized Royal Court units directly subordinate to him have been stationed outside the city.

I understand. I'll order the mercs to withdraw.

That Lt. Colonel Lettou had his talk with the Regent. He and his Defense Forces will soon be assuming control over all of Londinium's administrative affairs.

On the surface, Londinium will enter a state of semi-martial control led by the Defense Forces, owing to the 'garrisoned rebellion'.

Don't think that'll fool the Grand Dukes... their intelligence networks are well developed in the city. They'll definitely start mobilizing for war within the next few months.

It won't take that long. It's exceedingly likely the quickest army will show up beneath Londinium's walls within twenty days.

But no fear. No matter who arrives first, they won't be hasty to act.

Any duke that dares march alone will become the common enemy of all, just as in the Duke of Windermere's failure of a raid two years ago.

Her high-speed warships didn't even succeed in launching from their berths before her own men obstructed her. It was ridiculous.

The Duke of Windermere... She's clever. She's been warning Parliament since the day the Regent first made contact with Victoria.

Cavendish didn't just invite us to enter Londinium on his lonesome. Each and every duke was hoping to make a 'military vassal' out of the Regent, an assistant to the thorns in their sides.

Understand? This Duke of Windermere is no exception. Behind the guise of the iron-fisted soldier, she obeys the game logic of aristocrats as much as the rest.

She was just the one most impatient to place us back in the toolbox.

From what I hear, Victoria's legendary Steam Knights don't exist anymore.

You <i>do</i> have a nose for sniffing, Hoederer. Not a good quality for a serviceman.

I'm a mercenary, General.

The Regent and Military Commission's scheme was a huge success. Pretty crazy. Somehow, the Sarkaz have a firm hold on Victoria's capital.

The dukes need an easy-to-cut-up army to put down dissidents, and Parliament is desperate for an 'appropriate' defense, to avoid any more action like those two stupid dukes' adventures.

In their eyes, the Sarkaz came fresh out of civil war on a silver platter, table ready, disposable.

Now, we've taken the industrial sector, leashed Parliament, and even The Shard will be under our control any day now. The Regent's taken Londinium, for real.

But we can't shunt this city off.

We can stir up conflict, but then what? We end up buried together with Londinium under a coalition of foreign militaries?

What <i>is</i> the Commission planning?

I know I'm being a little too forward. But you draw suspicion by being too obedient.

Yet Manfred doesn't even turn to look at me. He's... flipping through a book.

Untitled.

Do mercenaries have so many problems, Hoederer? Have I given you too much leeway?

I only need to know what the goal I'm serving is.

The mercenaries <i>I</i> know have other tastes. Inquiring as to the more loose-pocketed employer, or mulling over how to waylay a Sankta caravan.

...I just have different personal habits.

'Personal habits'.

The Military Commission general before me pries his gaze away from the book. I hear his position here isn't just for his service rank; I hear his relationship with Theresis is very special.

Which means, I have to be extra cautious.

I dip my head slightly, working to ensure I express enough respect and humility.

Is your eye alright?

...It affects my depth perception in sword combat. I'll get used to it ASAP.

I received your interrogation records. The assassin was an Ines woman, a mercenary alike.

We sure didn't expect a Sarkaz like Ines to get bought out by Parliament, especially for a hit on the Regent.

Ines is dead, and you lost an eye for it. You'll receive commendations from the Military Commission.

No commendations necessary.

Then you'll receive payment, in mercenary fashion.

After all, you and Ines, and that lunatic with the W callsign, led an active mercenary unit for quite some time. The old Sarkaz of the Scar Market, <i>their</i> commendations for you are blinding.

Very decisive of you to kill her.

It's the only way a mercenary lives. We'll do anything to survive.

Even gutting your own colleagues?

Even gutting our own colleagues.

Then I'm sure one day you'll come to dispatch me. Won't you?

You asked me just now. What could the Military Commission be planning?

Our plan is only drawn up to the point war breaks out. As for what follows, that would be... <i>their</i> plan to make.

This place is the heart of hatred, and it will be buried by vengeance.

Just as you wrote in those booklets. Just as every war we've been through.

So you were...

Never mind that. Carry on writing.

You've a heavy mission. Bear that responsibility.

Now, the Military Commission's duty in Londinium is fulfilled. With a single activation of The Shard, the tempest of war will be unstoppable.

In which case, what more could Theresis want to do?

What more can we do?

Done with your notes?

No, I wasn't writing anything.

Just giving this sword another polish. The mercenary claymore... I haven't used this thing in forever.

You're so heartless.

If you want it, you can have it. A present from me to you.

A sword? Low efficiency, zero interest.

*sigh*... And you found the time to fix your hair?

Can't blame you, I guess. We're not going to have the time for hair gel like you did back in Londinium.

It's just more convenient this way.

You should've kept that outfit. Maybe you could keep acting the merc leader, treasure of the army?

What's that thing army guys say? It's your calling to serve?

A mercenary's calling is to get paid, not get bereavement. Knock it off and save your spittle, you two.

Defense perimeter, scouting radius. Is this the opening?