Глава 13

Logos, figure out a car for Ascalon too.

The Confessarii attack was no simple one. They and the Vampire were working together, but in the process, they estranged Amiya from the ship.

Doctor, are you worrying?

Closure and the Self-Salvation Corps troops don't have any suitable combat personnel between them. Kal'tsit's wounded. Shining's powerful, but the Confessarii are sure to have methods prepared just for her.

...I understand.

The state Amiya's in may not be curable with medication. What she needs most right now, before she comes to, is not to fall into the Confessarii's line of sight.

Operating under this squad's support will be safer.

I'll get Ascalon to back up Kal'tsit. We've got you here.

Besides...

The Doctor looks at the sanguine Arts Circles. A pit forms in their stomach.

Say no more. I know far too well.

These crystals... aren't just simple Originium.

Do you know what the cruelest thing in the world is?

Neither total darkness, nor endless torment, nor a dark alley filled with murderers.

It is when a gentle hand pulls you out of a nightmare, just as you thought it was over, and all the pain would come to an end.

Only for you to realize that salvation was just a cruel joke, a brief respite before falling further into the darkness.

Even greater suffering is gazing upon you, within a stone's throw.

And you are powerless before such mockery.

Delphine, do you want to... join us?

The Duke of Windermere's coffin is being transported to the approaching battleships. Some of the refugees have taken it upon themselves to organize a funeral procession, in their gratitude.

She keeps looking at the place where her mother had fallen, even though any trace of blood is long gone.

It may not be a good idea to invite her now...

I'm already starting to regret it.

Can you thank them for me, Vina? I... I want to stay here a while longer.

What did they say to you?

Nothing, I'll just stay for a little longer and cool my head.

The Swordguards boarded the late-arriving escort fleet. Most of them kept silent while the nobles panicked.

A moment's weakness, when I tried to help that soldier...

The Vampire reached out his hand. Whether it was an obvious trap or not... mother was wounded because of it.

Broken formation and fallen soldiers. Swordguards do not defend their duke. Their only goal is to fulfill their mission—

—But they faced a foe powerful beyond their imagination.

Delphine...

The staff officers think there was too much personal sentiment in this reckless operation. They never supported it.

They must believe... that I'm the reason Mother died.

'A hero should not die for the weak.'

And they're right.

I gaze at the late-arriving battleships, their standards flying high.

For some reason, I am reminded of Allerdale.

I've cleaned your wounds as best I can, Lady Delphine. This is all I can do with the limited amount of medicine available.

Thank you, doctor.

I must go. The general staff have ordered all troops to report back.

I've left behind some things that belong to you.

These were the Duke's gifts to you... and you have her sword.

This may sound impudent, but I hope that you will come back to Irnclad Galavae with us.

Whatever the senior officers say, nothing can change the fact that you are the heir to the title of Duke Windermere.

I'll think about it... right now, I just want some quiet.

How are things?

They took a bunch of people, but many more remain.

So, that rough mum really...

Yes.

Ironic, isn't it? The Duke has trained her officers well.

Even now, the general staff of Windermere continue to plot the next course of action according to the plan.

But...

What about Delphine?

It seems like the snobbish officers are planning to abandon her.

I don't know. I'm even worried what they might do to Delphine as the 'heir'.

Heir.

She... she's not ready.

Duke Windermere was a strong leader. Her Swordguards, her general staff, they all serve the greater good of Victoria alone.

But she herself...

She made an admirable, but reckless decision, for the sake of her daughter.

That decision saved a bunch of lives, though, didnnit?

I'm not criticizing her! I respect her!

But it means that Delphine is being abandoned by what her mother, Duke Windermere, built on her own.

Oh...

What do we do now?

They took some of the refugees. Can we really trust them? Do we follow the tails of the nobles in the coming battle?

They didn't take everyone?

That's not right. If this one ship could take everyone, there's no reason that so many battleships couldn't—

What's that movement? I thought the ship's engines were out.

The window!

Dust rises from the escort fleet that has only just rendezvoused with us.

They're sailing away.

Delphine!

She stands on the deck, where her mother left this world, holding her mother's sword in her arms, as she did before I went below.

The wind sweeps at her short hair. Her solitude makes her look even smaller than she is.

What's going on—

I grab her shoulder. Only then does she come out of her stupor.

I see none of the anger, fear, or sorrow that I expected to see. She's wearing barely any emotion at all.

Only calm, flat disappointment, and a quiet so deep it is painful to see.

They're gone.

Her voice trembles a little.

But it's still too calm.

There are civilians down below waiting to see the Duke of Windermere's coffin off!

Those bastards didn't mind running innocent people over?!

What's going on?!

That's wasn't part of the orders! Maybe there was a miscommunication...

We still have a few good IFVs. We need to head back to Irnclad Galavae and get confirmation!

Pah.

I've never gazed upon the tail of a battleship so intently.

How ridiculous.

The marks that the rain of blood left on our clothes is a lingering reminder of that cruel attack.

Several hours have passed since we left the Duke of Windermere's flagship.

Bad news keeps coming. We did a head count as we left the ship. The Doctor, Amiya and Ascalon were not there.

We only had time to do a brief search, which came up empty.

All I can do is keep faith in their strength. But for some reason, I think back to Amiya's lean shoulders.

Sorrow and helplessness are luxuries that this group can no longer afford.

Stop dawdling!

I... I really can't go any further...

I'll whip you if I have to!