Глава 13

——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.

Talulah's footsteps slow down.

The group slowly marches next to her through the shrubs and reeds.

The rustling sounds are quieter than silence itself.

What is it?

Nine.

Can you release these... restraints? And your Arts too.

You should be well aware you're not allowed to use your Originium Arts. These are your yoke and fetters.

You're 'Talulah, the Hero' only when before our Victorian compatriots.

I'm not a hero, or anything like that.

I just don't want history to repeat itself because of m—

She does not finish her sentence.

Flames of death ignite from the depths of the swamp, encircling the group in their confusion.

Wh-What's going on?!

Where did this fire come from?!

All units on alert!

What is that—

An ominous deep purple climbs up Nine's body before she can finish speaking, engulfing her in death instantly.

Cold flames of death swallow everything.

...'Reunion'. Infected.

Another group of pitiable people, fighting against their pitiable fate. Tenacious, powerful, magnificent.

And yet completely unaware they're involved in another lamentable conspiracy. Draco and Aslan, red dragon and lion.

You people, who rose up from Ursus, were actually lead to where you stand today by a descendant of the red dragon.

Who will ultimately bring about your demise.

'Talulah Artorius'. What sort of woman are you, Draco?

If you're deserving of my attention, then come forth from death.

Sparks fly as death's voice, with dead branches and reeds all reduced to ashes.

...But the flowers are still in bloom.

They are rejecting death.

Flowers?

To think there would even be... flowers that can withstand my flames?

Nine.

I'm fine.

These flames are special.

Yes.

She came for me, so I'll handle her.

Many of us here aren't combat-ready.

You have to keep them all safe.

Reunion will pull on your chain.

You haven't been judged, so don't die just yet.

Her flames of death are cut open.

No. Her death is blocked by delicate vegetation, ignited by flames of fury.

Fire ignites fire.

The Infected turns away from her.

She has never been ignored like this before.

Eblana comes to her senses at once.

The gaze of the Draco named Talulah never shifted away from her.

Raging flame cleaves into mortal flame.

Emotion rends emotion.

Talulah tears into Eblana.

The void is now awash with blood.

Eblana laughs.

Talulah Artorius, daughter of Edward, and legitimate heir to the Victorian throne.

This is—

Your true self.

We have nothing to do with each other, Draco of Dublinn.

Is that for you to say?

Just look at you, red dragon. How strong and powerful you are.

And yet despite your might, you once again willingly toss aside the glory of the red dragon to the Aslans so easily, to let them trample on the red carpets of Westhaleg?

Victoria is a country founded by Draco, Talulah.

Why do you only resist?