Глава 14

You <i>couldn't</i> save her.

Shut the f—

I've made many mistakes in my life, but on this one thing, there's no way I could have erred.

I killed all the traitors. I remember exactly how each one died, even the expressions on their faces as they went. But why did these scums die here?

Kal'tsit said the Confessarii resurrected her. Why did they need a living, breathing Theresa?

Is there more to it than Theresis's plans for the leadership of the Sarkaz?

Theresis, Confessarii... I couldn't care less about whatever schemes you're plotting, but you desecrated someone you should never have.

Which is why I'll kill you all, if it's the last thing I do!

Just what the hell is this place? What's this door doing here?

Out—of—my—way!

*cough* *cough*...

What the heck is this?

A strange sight indeed. The narrow passage opens to a vast, shadowy cavern. Untouched by sunlight, the chilling cave is strewn with dusty weapons and armor.

The space is dotted with bizarre crystals. Massive patterns, reminiscent of eerie symbols, stretch ominously from the walls down to the ground.

W is overcome by an unsettling sensation, as though it is not she who gazes upon the vast underground structure, but the other way round.

Clank.

A blunt sound echoes through the cave.

Clank. Clank.

W recognizes it as the sound of bones being crushed by a heavy object.

Who... goes... there...?

Paprika, Paprika!

Hey, stay still!

Let's run for it!

What are you talking about?

Haven't you noticed? The mercenaries under that W are all gone. The Military Commission's troops must have arrived.

All the more reason to not run around and get caught in the crossfire.

Don't forget it was the Military Commission that hired us!

If they've come, it's curtains for the guys here!

If we make a run for it now, we could still explain things to General Manfred!

You want to go back to him?! He'll just send you back to Victoria to kill more people. Is that what you want?

You think we have a choice? What do you think the General will do to us when he finds out that we surrendered?

I'll run errands if they tell me to run errands, and I'll kill if they tell me to kill. Whatever it takes to survive.

You want to stay, that's your choice. I'm going. Goodbye.

Fifty hours into the operation...

Aren't you the lucky one, Major Ulšulah.

It's not every day that you get to lose a critical objective, be captured by the enemy, and still make it back in one piece.

Looks like you got along well with your old Scar Market buddies.

Watch your tone, Nachzehrer. It's not your place to judge my failure.

Regardless of the circumstances, Major Ulšulah's survival is good news for the Military Commission.

General Manfred, I—

I know about the Sanguinarch's death. You can explain later.

As for now, I hope you've returned with something of value.

I have the skeleton's location... and details about the mercenaries guarding it.

That's all? Sounds like it would've been more worth it if you had stayed in the hands of those mercenaries.

I want to hear what you think.

The mercenaries are trying to reawaken the Feranmut skeleton. Whatever their plans are, it has something to do with them.

I don't know what they're plotting, but they don't have a lot of people guarding the skeleton, for some reason.

Is Hoederer among them?

...Yes.

Surround the canyon.

Take back the spine, no matter the cost.

Yes, sir!

General Manfred, for the upcoming battle—

You won't be needed. Stay in the rear.

...Yes, sir.

As a precaution, may I ask...

What are your plans if we're unable to take back the skeleton quickly?

I don't enjoy such hypotheticals, Ulšulah.

Manfred's troops are here. They're a little earlier than expected.

What about the Royal Court's men? Nothing from Ulšulah?

She got away.

It's my fault...

We'll talk about this later.

Where's W?

She went out to scout the battlefield. Worst case scenario, she'll run into the enemy before we do.

If Ulšulah got back to Manfred, they may have information on our current location and defenses.

We're significantly outnumbered. A prolonged fight doesn't favor us.

It's been fifty hours since the Doctor's team set out. Any news?

Nothing.

We have to hold out until the agreed time.

Given our odds, the only way to hold off the Military Commission for a day is if they were struck by a Catastrophe. But as things stand, even Catastrophes are at their command.

The Military Commission won't let this weapon fall into our hands and threaten their aerial supremacy. They'll come at us with everything they have.

We'll have to take the chance.

What do you mean?

The chance that Manfred doesn't want to destroy the skeleton either.

I hope you really know Manfred as well as you think you do.

One last question. What happens if we don't get word from the Doctor when the agreed time has passed?

Then we abandon the skeleton.

There's no point fighting to the death. Evacuation comes first. Our main priority is always to keep as many people alive as we can.

Reasonable. No objections.

There's another way that might delay the Royal Court's attack...

Killing their commander.

Ascalon.

Agreed.

I'll kill him.

It's freezing.

I don't want to admit it, but I can feel my heart race. Damn, stop trembling!

It's just like that time when I had to face Talulah alone—no, even worse.

This strange figure must be the master of those monsters and this realm. Yet, I sense no hostility from him—it's as if my presence is not worth his attention.

He just keeps hacking at the crystallized bones with his axe without even looking my way. Did he kill all these people?

I have my finger on my trigger, but I can't move an inch.

Pull yourself together, W! Haven't you seen your fair share of monsters by now?

Find out who he is, and what this cavern has to do with Theresa. Pry it out of his mouth, if that's what it takes.

Alright, I don't have time to waste on you, you sorry piece of wood. I have a few questions, and your answers will decide whether my next move is to throw bombs at your face or not.

This is a Confessarius altar. Are you a Confessarius?

Clank. Clank.

The relentless and haunting sound of axe striking bone echoes through the cavern, as if carrying the weight of eras forgotten.

He slowly opens his mouth to speak.

I am a servant of Qui'sartuštaj, the King of Sarkaz.

The bloodline of the King perseveres through life and death.