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We can't take any of these armies head-on, and we can't work around the essentially unbeatable firepower of that airship...

So, this 'elusive' Feranmut is the best vehicle we could hope for. And, at the same time, it's a fortress, and a spear aimed right at the heart.

In that case, if we succeed, it'll be thanks to the leaders of this counterattack, and not... 'Sarkaz mercenaries'.

It seems we have no grounds on which to refuse cooperation.

'However...'

However...

From a rational point of view, I understand that there are differences among the Sarkaz, that the Exemplars appears to function seamlessly with Misery, but... we're talking about individual friendship.

We may be able to respect, trust, and even love a few select individuals. But now, we stand before a war where all sides have blood-soaked hands.

Given enough time, we may be able to determine one-by-one who has committed war crimes and who is innocent, but we do not have that time.

We are at an impasse, Hoederer. Our cooperation will not be so smooth.

And that is why we are here.

Rhodes Island will serve as a mediator between the two parties.

Such that we can end the suffering of the Victorian people that this war has wrought, and such that we can prevent the Sarkaz of Kazdel from being dragged back into the abyss.

We're not here to force handshakes and reconciliation, we can leave that to the end of this ridiculous war.

Platitudes mean nothing. It's actions that will put an end to all this.

This is all very Rhodes Island, indeed... I've heard Hoederer has been in contact with Rhodes Island in the past?

You've mentioned the place where the Feranmut is docked, among a large number of Sarkaz garrisons.

But if we're talking about the plan rationally, a small number of elites would do better than...

Better than sending workers and street thugs to their deaths, yes? You can speak openly, I won't mind.

But my boys won't miss a chance to strike at the Sarkaz.

Our armor can draw the garrison's fire.

I see Hoederer smiling. It seems this is a side of Siege that relaxes him, at least a bit.

After all, he seems to be hiding something.

That'll do, thanks.

Hoederer expresses his gratitude and the discussion comes to a close.

Sarkaz mercenary, Hoederer.

After reuniting with W in Chernobog, Ascalon gave me his complete file. It dates back to the time of... Babel.

So, I trust him.

...Amiya.

This is our first formal cooperation with <i>Rhodes Island.</i>

Yes, it is.

But, if I might ask you a question...

Sure.

You didn't express your worries or concerns just now. Your innermost thoughts...

Are to save lives, to put an end to war and hate. Isn't that right?

I've heard that the King of Sarkaz can see into people's hearts. It's different from the ambiguous feeling Ines gets. I probably can't hide it from you.

I can respect a Sarkaz who has struggled since the Babel days.

I hope you can answer from your own free will.

So that's how it is.

Yeah.

I'm... fighting for that future.

Very good.

Thank you for your answer, and your trust.

Logos, Dr. Kal'tsit, you're back!

I've analyzed the Vampiric ritual. The results are worrying.

It is indeed a blood blessing, using ancient and very fine techniques.

The Sanguinarch borrows the witchcraft's power, collecting blood spilled in the war to activate the bloodline within the Sarkaz warriors.

He is giving the Sarkaz a constant reminder of our fundamental differences with the other races. It's less amplification and more incitement.

But most importantly... I'm afraid he's using only a small part of the power he's collected for this purpose.

More energy is going somewhere else, somewhere I don't know. I tried to track it, but the structure of the Arts is complex and chaotic. It only points to Londinium.

What is he playing at?

And that reminded me...

At this very moment, at the center of the battlefield stands a Sarkaz leader even better at absorbing and exploiting death than the Vampire.

If it was really just about strengthening the warriors, why would they bother using the witchcraft of the Crimson Court? And why use an Arts Circle? Such that even the towns on the edge of this war get roped in?

Do you have a theory?

The airship, the Feranmut, The Shard, and the witchcraft device right here.

The Doctor's concerns are justified.

As you said, the Feranmut will be our most important breakthrough, and we must take action as soon as possible.

Whether Vampire or Nachzehrer, even the Confessarii, they are all exposed to Nightingale in a most unusual way, they are taking risks.

There is a reason why the war is being fought at this particular point in time.

...Theresis is preparing his final trump card in Londinium. Sure, seizing the capital of an empire is already unheard of...

But, what could it be?

Let me start with a fundamental question.

A question so fundamental that even the Sarkaz have forgotten it.

'Why are the Sarkaz so uniquely susceptible to Oripathy?'