Глава 14

Two days... Enough to do a lot of things.

Do you remember, Hoederer? The three of us were on a mission to steal a Sargonian Pasha's treasure. We got the treasure, but also a hundred or so people on our tails.

We hid in a cave for two whole days. We were starving but were too afraid to light a fire or leave.

It was Ines who stitched your wounds up. You wouldn't have made it otherwise.

Ha. I said, the sun's almost up. Just let me bathe in the sun for a little bit, and I'll feel much better.

I must have stopped you. There were enemies outside. We couldn't risk exposing ourselves.

No, you didn't stop me. Ines teased me. She found it hilarious that a Scar Market merc would miss the sun.

Sure, the Scar Market is under Kazdel and never sees the sun.

I became the pilot of this skeleton when I joined the Military Commission's staff as a major.

When I took the young ones back and forth between Kazdel and Londinium, it was like we had outrun the sun.

I can't go back. None of the Sarkaz can.

...Ulšulah?

What's going on—

They're here.

The skeleton is moving?

For a moment, the Feranmut's skeleton seems to be moving, but Hoederer soon realizes it was not the nerve clusters or bones that are moving.

...Nails.

The ship and pilot have always been one.

Lifebone is never merely composed of the Feranmut's skeletons. Rows of long nails are affixed to the massive frame, assembling it into a transport ship.

One of them, infused with her Arts, pierces through the critical section of the spinal column.

She and the skeleton have always linked by witchcraft.

The Arts of the Royal Court's casters have connected to the skeleton. I can sense it.

No need to be anxious. It's not going to wake up yet. But this little bit of connection, and what remains of the Feranmut's powers on this nail, are enough for me to get out of here.

This nail belongs to me. It's linked to my bones. I'm taking it with me.

What happens when a Feranmut's powers are applied directly to the human body? It's not so bad to cut loose once in a while, just like the old days.

The spine is cracking... No!

I told you, Hoederer, that you'll regret not killing me.

Or would you say that this is just another inevitable chapter of history?

Hoederer thrusts his giant sword into the space of the missing nail, barely in time to hold the critical section in place.

But even this fleeting moment is enough for his prisoner to escape her chains.

Ulšulah leaps through a crack in the ribs, disappearing into the fire along with bone and damaged nerve tissue.

Ulšulah!

Ulšulah... the hero drifting among the shards of history, always trying to save others.

Have I ever told you that the name suits you better?

(Angry roar)

How many of them are there?!

It's a dead end ahead!

I wasn't planning to escape from the front; I just needed space for my bombs—

Get down!

Are... are they dead?

Let's hope the rocks I brought down were enough to crush their skulls.

What are they doing here? Are they protecting something?

How am I supposed to know? Do you seriously believe I can talk to monsters?

Ahem... so, I guess we really did find something incredible? It's too bad Crane's team got eaten by these things.

...Not all of us.

You're alive! What the hell happened?

We found a cave on patrol and decided to check it for any potential secret passages.

That's when we ran into those monsters. Tire, Buckler, and Nut got eaten.

The rest of us ran for our lives. For some reason, the monsters wouldn't come this way, but we couldn't get out either, so we were stuck here, until you showed up.

Bloody hell. I'll skin those things and have Ines make clothes out of them.

What did you find inside?

Not much. I've left markers on the way if you want to see for yourself. Go that way, pass a few masked bodies, then take the right fork.

Masked bodies?

A few skeletons that have been there for years. Must have run away from Londinium a few years ago.

The strange thing is... they all cut their own horns off.

Masked bodies? Severed horns?

Their heads were all wrapped up. Maybe some tribal tradition?

Shit! Either you're going crazy, or I am.

Old enemies? Don't worry, they're very dead—

Take me there, now!

This is the place.

What's the matter, W? I've never seen you like this before.

Shut up.

Several bodies lean against the wall. W bends down and examines them meticulously.

There's nothing left but bones. All death by severe injuries, no question about that.

Looks like someone tended to their bodies after death, maybe their friends. But it's been years, judging by the dust.

There's a small altar in the corner. No sign of witchcraft, so I think it's purely for memorial purposes.

Are these all of them?

Why... why would these assassins be here?

Only these? No others?

What do you mean? Are there supposed to be others?

W! Hey, W! What is it this time?

What's going on?

Assassins? She said these were assassins?

*pant*... *pant*...

W! Wait up!

We checked the surrounding areas. There's nothing else suspicious—

I recognize their outfits.

These traitors... they should all have been dead by now!

If they're here, that means—

No...

No, this can't be! That's ridiculous!

W, I heard that Her Highness Theresa's body... was stolen from Babel.

Don't ask me! How am I supposed to know?

The next time Theresa appeared after the attack on Babel was in Londinium.

We're close to Londinium.

Shut up! I know that.

I...

What do we do now? Should we...

Go back and tell Ines to be on maximum alert. She'll take care of the rest.

As for me... hmph.

I'm going to clean up loose ends.

This is meaningless, mercenary. I see no reason for us to fight.

The war is over! Whether we live or die is inconsequential to this outcome!

You don't get to talk about meaning! Her blood is still on your hands!

You, and your accomplices, anyone still alive.

I'll find all of you. You can run and you can hide, but I'll find you, and tear you apart, bone by bone.

I know my sins better than anyone!

I would have ended my own life, even if I hadn't run into you today! Go on, do it, if it quells your worthless anger.

But you're too late, mercenary.