Глава 13

Let me see your hands.

A ring on Amiya's hand has already disintegrated, leaving not even a trace or fragment.

I... had to use it against him. I'm sorry.

...You've become more skilled with using emotions and memories.

Amiya, you fainted from releasing a ring before.

Kal'tsit, we need to run another check on Amiya.

No, Doctor. Don't worry.

I'm just... kind of tired.

The ring on your right index remains broken. Fortunately, that's just an effect of exerting yourself.

You were burning from rage again.

Me.. angry?

I thought I'd be angry at the Sanguinarch of Vampires for slaughtering so many people.

But what I felt was not just that.

There was also... sadness.

Sadness.

Kal'tsit pauses briefly and a pair of pink eyes always hiding sadness within flashes through her memory.

A few seconds after, she comes to her senses and takes a second look at Amiya fingers.

These rings are meant to help you adapt to the Lord of Fiends' power, and the surge of emotions that come with it.

Another ring has cracked.

Perhaps... we can do nothing but to witness these wounds open again and again.

Please don't worry, Dr. Kal'tsit. No matter who I've faced, or who I will face next...

I won't fall before they do.

the Sanguinarch of Vampires fell into someplace we don't know about.

His court still remains, but no longer poses a threat to us.

However, we failed to prevent the curse from being cast.

It's coming from Londinium... what's happening over there?

The Self-Salvation Corps originally believed that cutting off this supply line would be a way to end the war.

But things have changed. This 'war' will not last for much longer.

We need to hurry over. This skeleton might be able to become a new stronghold, or an unprecedented means of transport.

Hopefully it can be put to good use.

The decisive battle is right before us.

Mhm. The Sarkaz cannot be the culprits of the next calamity.

Also...

Dr. Kal'tsit. The Vampire's obsession, his hopes, and what he called a curse, is 'Originium'.

...Yes.

The oldest Kazdel came into contact with 'Originium' before any other civilization did.

It was not the remnants of a Catastrophe, or a mineral silently buried within rock formations. It was a hunk of 'Originium' from antiquity.

And it birthed the oldest witchcraft, and the most ancient of... Infected.

If the Vampire really knew of this fact, and developed his obsession from that, thinking it could grant him power...

Then it won't just be Londinium's fate that will be determined next.

Back here again.

Londinium.

Yeah, after all we've been through... we're finally in Victoria's capital.

A pity it's now completely surrounded by the Sarkaz and the Dukes' armies.

Guard, quickly arrange...

Percival, arrange another Oripathy screening for our members. I know some of them are still deteriorating.

Non-combatants will be stationed in this forest. Percival, take good care of them and keep in touch with us.

...Are we really going in there?

The Infected will be everywhere throughout the city, no matter how the war ends.

Sarkaz or Victorian, soldiers or nobles, and even farmers, workers, traders. They won't be able to judge their own identity so quickly.

Perhaps they won't even realize it until peace returns and they're once again marginalized, and then it hits them.

I was reminded of this... because of what happened to Guard.

But, no matter.

We have to let every Infected on this land know that our flag flies high once again.

And more importantly, what it stands for.

Once day, when they become prisoners again, they will think of our flag as they realize the justice on this land must be won through struggle.

What's the plan?

We'll split up. It won't happen overnight.

Other people can handle the task of eradicating the disease, while we'll make sure oppression will no longer be tolerated. We'll need to directly demonstrate this with our strength.

In Victoria, we need to at the very least—

——Nine.

There's fire on the other side of the hill, a hundred or two hundred meters away at most.

It's glowing an unnatural hue.

...Percival.

How long has it been since the scouting team last replied us?

Huh? Let me go check...

...Yeah, it's been longer than our estimations. But this isn't the first time, our comms equipment are just junk after all.

I'll go ask Red...

Talulah stares at the flames.

There is no reason or omen. Only a strong feeling.

She smells the stench of death cast by the firelight.

I didn't know Your Highness would be here in person.

This is only a trifling swarm of Infected with weapons. Weak and pitiable people forced to unite and fight.

...Heh. Even if there is a surviving Draco among them?

We'll confirm her identity and handle everything on your behalf.

I'm not blaming you, of course.

Hmm... have the scouts located the target?

Yes. It's consistent with our intel.

However, with all due respect—why do we have to be so concerned about her this much?

Even if she has the red dragon's blood—her 'identity' will only pose a slight detriment to your claim.

But if our intel is accurate, her current identity is that of an 'Infected'.

So what does she mean to...

An Infected, hm?

Don't we know another Infected Draco as well?

My sister will soon return to my side.

Just think of it as eliminating some unnecessary variables to nourish the soil between us.

We can—

A Draco.

Hehe... I've never come into contact with a Draco outside of family before.

All of you, wait here.

I shall take a look myself.

Ah—

Careful.

......Thank you.

This swamp is miserable to wade through.

Yeah.

Our supplies are low, and people aren't getting enough to eat. We haven't been able to get any decent medication either.

Do you need my help?

No, no thank you.

I walked all the way from Ursus, and this isn't so different from back then.