Глава 14

Thank you, Mother.

Go. Your friends are waiting.

I'm so proud of you.

(Intimidating roar)

It's a dead end! Sheer cliff ahead!

Wait, from the Shard...

What's that?

We're too late.

The last vestige of Teekaz fades away.

But it had gotten an answer, a recognition, a response.

The sensation was subtle at first.

But the clouds no longer converged upon the pinnacle of the Shard, replaced by something else.

The branches and vines began to bear red fruit.

It is a bizarre scene, but somehow it inspires comfort rather than fear, as though this is how it should be, how it always has been.

The world seems to have always been like this; all that has happened is that someone had removed the back cover of a clock by accident, revealing the springs and gears underneath.

Originium is an integral part of Terra's ecology. Originium in the atmosphere bring about Catastrophe, and Originium in the body cause sickness. Even insects know to cover themselves in hard shells of Originium.

The coexistence of Originium and Terra is an immutable law, just like how two parallel lines can never intersect.

But where did Originium come from?

Has Amnannam descended after all?

The Confessarii's control over Amnannam exceeds our expectations. We're one step too late.

Will it become a weapon for the Sarkaz?;Can the Sighs of Kings still fight it?

No... Amnannam brings more than Catastrophe, and it's far more than a weapon.

It's not just the origin of the Sarkaz... in fact, one could say it's the origin of everything in Terra.

This may be the greatest crisis we've ever seen... maybe the greatest crisis Terra has ever seen.

Can we stop it?;We need to find a way out of here first!

The Lifebone. W is there. We can seek the Feranmut's help!

Let me try to get in touch with W—

No, I'm not getting through—

Hello? Hello? ...Finally!

...Bunny... where...

Almost... Manfred... Hoederer has...

The agreed time...

W! They're alive!

But the interference is too strong...

Try to take off, W!

...Where? How did—

Find where the biggest commotion is! That's where we are!

Lost contact.

What did you mean by 'commotion', Doctor?

Originium is everywhere here.;And what catches W's attention like nothing else?

Unreasonably risky.

But... worth a try.

Twelve hours ago...

Fifty-eight hours into the operation...

Sir, we've taken control of the Lifebone's central area.

Examine the skeleton and eliminate any resistance. Tell Nadine to clean up the remaining mercenaries outside. Leave no survivors.

Set up defenses around the skeleton and rig it with explosives.

Do you mean to...?

...Yes, Sir!

The blood reaches Manfred's feet. He takes one glance at the body on the ground, then turns and leaves the room.

What to do with enemy mercenaries that we captured in the Lifebone, sir?

Is this all of them?

Yes, sir. Many of them previously served the Military Commission.

Kill them all.

Yes, sir!

Show yourself.

G-General Manfred...

...Paprika.

Was I supposed to see you here?

I... I was captured by the mercenaries here while transporting a shipment.

I had to protect my squad...

That doesn't explain why you didn't respond when the Military Commission attacked this skeleton.

And what were you doing hiding here?

I... I was just afraid.

Hmph. Afraid.

Your previous mission is over, Paprika.

Your new mission is to execute these traitors to the Military Commission.

But... but they're prisoners, defenseless—

As warriors, they're traitors to their cause. As mercenaries, they've unilaterally broken their contract. One way or the other, they must pay the price.

B-But they're in no position to resist anymore. They're no threat to you.

What meaning is there to all this killing? Didn't you say yourself that you wanted as many Sarkaz to go home as possible—

I gave you a chance, Paprika. I've been very patient.

You're not the first one to disappoint me today.

General!

The engineers have examined the Lifebone. The structure is largely intact, and the mercenaries don't have the means to make direct modifications. However...

We found a large amount of explosives that were not set by us.

Explosives?

Unable to reach Lieutenant General Nadine, sir!

What?

That hard-headed Hoederer can come in useful once in a while. You really did lead an attack squad, Manfred.

Is this our first formal meeting? I guess I should introduce myself. I'm from Babel, and I'm here to take your life. You can call me W.

A mercenary from Hoederer Squad...

You came back to die?

Die?

Pfft. Have you thought for a moment that why your attack has gone a little too smoothly? Where did you think all the mercenaries went?

Who's surrounded now?

You think this rabble can stand against the soldiers of the Military Commission?

I hope your bones are as hard as your words.

Because I'll blow your head off before your soldiers can even knock on the door.

Hmph...

Manfred begins to swing, but shadows entangle his feet. Then bombs explode all around him before he can break free.

Aim, W!

Stop complaining! I told you I'm good at controlling explosions!

*cough*—

You're trying to destroy the skeleton—

Oh, is that not very convenient?

I'm not sentimental like Hoederer is. I have absolutely no problem making this big pile of bones your grave.

I wonder what Theresis would be sadder about: Losing this big guy, or losing his favorite foster son.

You think I'd let you do that?

...Not a moment too soon.