Глава 14

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.

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...?