Глава 14

Your Highness!

W finally lets out what she's been holding back.

Screw the myriad souls. Screw their sufferings.

I'll bring peace back to you. Maybe you've never had true peace... but—ack, screw it!

I'll... end it all.

For you, Your Highness.

Did she see Theresa stop for a brief moment? W isn't sure.

She shimmers and blends into the light.

Darkness returns once more.

What was that?

You heard the King's echo.

You're alive?!

Qalid'čoa appears behind W without her realizing. Neither the bombs nor the falling rocks left a mark on him.

He comes up beside W and gently closes the door.

Her Highness has left.

How could you be so calm when I just blew up your home?!

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. If destruction is evitable, why despair when it comes.

You don't let things get to you, I'll give you that... Honestly, I'm starting to find you interesting.

Aren't you supposed to be really powerful? Didn't any of the Kings of Sarkaz try to send you to do something useful?

The one I serve, Qui'sartuštaj, transcends history itself. He is a colossal titan in the vast river of time.

I followed him in his wars. My sword, an instrument of death to his command. But my body, a failed vessel at extending his life.

Guess even the craziest among us have their loyalists.

The experiment failed. Unable to fulfill my destined purpose, I banished myself to this realm.

I am of no use, fit only to gather the remnants of bygone heroes and mourn the past.

I have been waiting... for someone to open the door to the future.

I thought Theresa would be the one to do so.

You...

The gaunt figure picks up the broken altar fragments on the ground and grinds them into fine dust.

He trails the powder down his cheeks with his fingers, creating two streaks that resemble tears.

Her Highness Theresa is gone. You have picked up her last echo.

The King of Sarkaz's old subject. Your presence here may not be a coincidence, young Sarkaz.

You know what? I think so too.

Got to leave a souvenir in the Confessarii's nest.

Qalid'čoa looks down to find several bombs at his feet.

Why did you...?

You know what? Of all the old freaks I've met, you're one of the more interesting ones.

But I couldn't leave a Confessarius without leaving a present behind.

What is your name, mercenary?

Find it on Theresis's tombstone.

Fifty-eight hours into the operation...

*Sarkaz swearing*! How are we supposed to fight these guys when our equipment doesn't even come close to theirs?

Evacuate! Now!

Lifebone's signal is strong. We have a good fix on its location.

Forward! Scout casters advance!

Argh—

Look out! Enemies!

In formation! Watch for ambush!

Infantry, form a line! Casters, provide cover!

Royal Court elites, under Manfred's direct command... a lot of them.

No heavy firepower, though. I can at least slow them down.

Hoederer was right...

Ulšulah knows our defenses are weak, and she'll tell Manfred. We can use this to our advantage.

The Military Commission won't allow Lifebone to fall into enemy hands. Manfred would destroy it if he had no other choice.

Draw them in. Avoid direct confrontation.

Manfred will be cautious about the use of heavy weapons as long as he thinks there's a chance to retake the skeleton intact. That gives us a chance to buy time.

With enough time, there's a sliver of hope.

This had better work, Hoederer.

What's this bothersome shadow?

Nachzehrer Arts—

Mercenaries are just mercenaries. Maybe you could hold your own in a one-to-one fight, or small-scale confrontations.

But where did you find the nerve to fight a real war?

I've always been curious. What made mercenaries like you choose to become enemies of the Military Commission?

The shadow blends into the vast darkness, yet not enough to escape the decay that closely follows.

We have intel of a merc who could manipulate shadows. Are you Ines?

An outsider, dressing herself up as Sarkaz, participating in the wars of the Sarkaz... what are you? A Sarkaz fangirl?

I become less interested when the Sarkaz talk too much—

Shadows erupt from beneath the Nachzehrer, morphing into sharp blades that streak towards her chest, only to tear through layers of tattered cloth.

The Nachzehrer's ribbons are wrapped tightly around the shadow blades, until they shatter and disintegrate. The Nachzehrer's knife presses against Ines's throat.

Nice party trick, not enough to take down a real soldier, though. Amateur.

Consider yourself lucky that I don't approve of the Sanguinarch's methods.

A new era for the Sarkaz is dawning. Mercenaries like you who strayed from the path should get a second chance.

Are you the leader of this rabble? I am Lieutenant General Nadine, General Manfred's deputy, and I offer you the chance to surrender. I suggest you take it.

...Hah.

You don't look scared.

Scared of what? A wet-behind-the-ear rookie who's on a real battlefield for the first time?

What did you say?

I know your type. You got into the Military Commission's academy because of your Royal Court bloodline, studied a few theories, and got promoted to staff officer as soon as you graduated.

Sorry to say but real war is a bit harder than those exams you passed.

You'll pay the price for your futile taunting.

It's not futile if it distracts you.

Who's the amateur now, <i>Lieutenant General</i>?

Damn, this thing packs a punch. That heap of deadwood wasn't lying.

How did you know I was coming?

I could smell the explosives from a mile away.

Oh yeah? Guess we're starting to build chemistry.

I'd rather not have my brain cells mixed with your bomb-blasted ones, thank you very much.

Enough small talk. How many did the Military Commission send? I'll blow them all the way back to Kazdel.

Where did you go? And what's with the outfit change?

My old garb was a little frayed, so I had to improvise.

You'd never believe what I ran into out there.

*cough*... You're tough for a heap of deadwood.

If I can't blow you up, at least I'll blast all this stuff.

These weapons and armor are relics of great Sarkaz heroes.

Your weapons will not harm them.

So you're saying these things are blast proof?

Alright, don't mind if I do!

Better for them to get some sunshine with me than rot in here.

Young mercenary, you should respect the Sarkaz heroes—

What's going on? Where's Manfred? I could use a target to try out my new gear.

Don't be hasty. You'll ruin our plan if you make too much of a scene.