Глава 13

There aren't many of them. We can pin them down. The reinforced compartment is one bulkhead away. Get the civilians there—

No, there's something more important that you must do.

Those people came with me. I promised to protect them.

Duke Windermere likely doesn't know how bad things are below.

Go and inform her. I'll hold out until your reinforcements arrive.

But I—

This suits us better. You have a formal command structure. There's no way to integrate us quickly.

Vina...

Go!

Damn, you've got a hard head. Almost made my hand go numb.

*Sarkaz profanity*...

(In Sarkaz) So be it. The Sighs of Kings will be spoils enough.

(In Sarkaz) Surround the Aslan.

Get ready for a brawl, mates.

For an instant, I wished I was with them.

Like when I first joined Slobberknocker Gym, when I went from being alone to being in a community.

Cador, and... Baird.

We stood together.

This ends now.

The swing of the hammer compresses the air in the passage. It roars.

Tiny drops of liquid fall on my face.

My vision blurs.

Delphine!

A shadow draws near.

Delphine!

Mother?

I try to wipe my eyes.

I see another pair of eyes right there in front of me.

Red flows from their sockets.

Delphine... go no further...

You're hurt—

You'll only be in the way. Same for me.

Kill me, before whatever this is consumes me.

The Swordguards and Her Grace will kill the Sarkaz.

Do not put yourself in danger, Delphine... no...

I don't even feel the pain anymore...

Free me. Then stop.

I draw my sword.

She is still conscious. I should not do this to her. But I see the relief in her eyes.

She grabs my sword, sending it into her own body.

I'm trembling. I can't see clearly.

Lady Delphine—You must live—

Thank you—for freeing me—

I look down and see the red eyes.

She gives up breathing, smiling to the end.

This is... Sarkaz...

Mother...

My feet cannot move. Worry, unease, and fear grip them.

The lights go out. The only light comes from above deck.

There is only silence amongst the bodies. Rain solidifies as it falls.

Flowing backwards, evaporating, converging.

A red-black sun rises into the sky, obscuring its white counterpart.

A bloodless complexion emerges from the black sun, not a speck of blood on it.

He descends from the black sun.

I avert my gaze.

Am I afraid?

How shameful...

Hmm.

You should not have dodged.

The paleness of your face would have contrasted well with the blood drops.

They would have painted a picture of beautiful despair.

Hmph.

Leeches can't stop playing with blood, I see.

Nothing has changed with you people, even after all these centuries.

Rain begins to fall again.

Drip. Drop.

Look.

It's a good day to die.

Your Grace, this attack was planned.

As expected.

For a sovereign of the Sarkaz to pay a personal visit, though... all well and good, I suppose.

The battle below is not going well. The officers are organizing the defense.

No matter. This one is our only threat.

Mother... the Duke of Windermere points her sword towards the invading Sarkaz leader.

I cannot see the expression on her face, but I know that is not the mother I know so well.

The soldier was right. I would only be in the way.

I've long had enough of Leithanian Spire Arts.

I wonder what the spine of a Vampire looks like.

Hmmm.

You're a strong Victorian. You don't think you'll shirk back.

But your blood will betray you.

The creator built a bridge of life for humanity, and I stand above the bridge.

Oh?

Not any worse than those spire madmen.

A blue blade cuts through the rain of blood.

A tiny drop of rain cuts open Mother's cheek.

Was it the red rain, or blood seeping out? I could not see.

There is no change in Mother's expression, but... have I ever seen her get hurt before?

Poor fool.

Still clinging to dreams and fantasies.

Guess why your battleship fell from within?

Focus on the mission at hand, soldiers.

Ready.

Roger.

Your duty is to kill the enemies of Windermere, not protect the life of Windermere.

Do all you can to weaken the Sarkaz. Victoria will take back what is hers.

The Vampire's movement starts to slow.

No, the Swordguards are too fast.

I've received formal military training. I did not go to Londinium unprepared.

But here and now, I realize the weight of the words 'Duke of Windermere'.