Глава 14

That sounds scary.;Pretty cool of you.

The work was done in no time.

After finishing, we all looked up at the sign together. Ace asked when I was leaving, so I gave them two dates–

The first was when I'd be leaving the landship, that very same day; the next was three days later. Seventy-two hours is the shortest time needed to make a round trip from the place the landship was docked at and the Valley of the Banshees.

When Ace heard that, he immediately told Scout to give him five days' worth of booze money. Scout wagered that I'd be back in the Valley for more than a week.

As for Misery... He pulled a 'welcome back' ribbon out of his pocket and replaced the 'farewell' banner that he had originally put up as a joke.

Sounds like everyone was having fun.;You were all such good friends.

I carry a lot of responsibility on my shoulders, and even if I don't want to set any of them down altogether, I still have to pick and choose what I prioritize.

But, I knew from the very beginning that I made the right call.

...Doctor.

I've not questioned you since you returned from Chernobog.

You have no memories of the past, so why do you choose to remain with Rhodes Island even now? Why are you willing to take immense risks and dive deep into the dangers ahead?

Lord Banshee... Mr. Logos! Th-The road ahead has been blocked!

The Doctor and the King of Sarkaz would like you to hurry up–

A newly-formed rift.

This huge rift suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The blue-haired Confessarius went through it, so we're definitely on the right track. But, right now...

The Originium is reshaping the terrain with increased frequency and severity.

I can feel it.

I trust that you can as well, Amiya.

The ground... is trembling.

The Sarkaz's emotions are resonating violently with the Originium. Their rage is gathering, and it shakes this land like a storm.

When the Blood of Teekaz is used in tandem with Amnannam, the battlefield itself becomes an Arts Circle of colossal proportions.

The Originium Arts of the rampaging Sarkaz are amplified, and in turn, that increased power promotes the spread of Originium.

A similar situation took place thousands of years ago.

The Sarkaz acquired witchcraft through Originium, and through witchcraft, Amnannam was awakened.

In the centuries to follow, violent storms flayed the land, and great fissures cut deep into the earth. The Originium had almost completed its mission of devouring everything.

You were able to stave off the end of days?;Did you manage to stop things from getting worse?

That is not something I can do. Or should.

The war ended before Originium could completely engulf the land. The Elders, the Ancients, and the Sarkaz all suffered losses so grievous that they were unable to carry out any more large-scale conquests.

At least, for the time being.

War knows no end.

Sixty-eight hours into the operation...

Smoke and thick fog tug and tear at one another.

The deck of the Gastrell is teeming with the seeds and withered branches of the Nachzehrers. Seventy percent of the guns that once breached countless fortresses have now fallen silent.

Its teeth almost completely pulled and its talons whetted smooth, the logical next step is for this prey to be dismantled and devoured.

However, the Nachzehrer's throne has also been pierced by dozens of chain-ladled fortcrackers.

With just one move, the God of War could be pulled from his throne.

You have proven to me... that war marches on.

Two hundred years ago, no Victorian would have come even this far.

Heh... And you, Sarkaz. You've proven that you're not just some decrepit old shadow.

You are indeed a threat to this great land. Perhaps my warship should've paid you a visit sooner, after I tore Gaul apart.

You would have been afforded no such opportunity.

None of you.

A Confessarius transmission.

Yes... In the direction of the Blood of Teekaz.

The Nachzehrer King takes in the entirety of the battlefield.

The enemy is trying to halt the storm. This might change the flow of battle, but it is hardly decisive. Even without the Catastrophe, his warriors are just as savage, just as unrelenting.

Wellington is a worthy opponent, but the fetters of time will soon drag him away. He has no place among the future's wars.

The true threat comes from elsewhere. It comes... from behind.

Theresis and the Confessarius have reminded me that this is not the only battlefield.

Will you attend to it personally?

I have already received the wars promised to me by the Military Commission, present and future.

The Nachzehrers must also fulfill their pact with the Regent.

But before I leave, I must sow some seeds of decay on this battlefield for me to reap upon my return.

A thick haze rises.

Upon the battlefield, only the throne remains.

Is that Nachzehrer... running away?

No. In a real war, there is no retreat.

Wait, General! Look at the throne!

There's some kind of mist pouring from it...

*cough*... *cough*... That isn't any ordinary mist! It's... eating me from the inside!

General, your body–

Soldier, status report on the Gastrell.

Damage to the cabins in excess of sixty percent. Per your previous orders, propulsion capabilities are largely intact! As for weapons–

Remove anything that's basically unusable and discard it on the spot.

Roll out the Originium cannons from the lower deck.

Those are already...

Obsolete. But still enough to kill.

Yessir!

Notify the Gastrell to retreat to G-0 high ground according to the plan, and continue to consolidate defenses there.

We will also follow at speed, while ordering all current battle lines to fall back.

Next, we'll send these Sarkaz over to Caster and Gododdin to handle.

Any news from Shay?

The captain and Lady Eblana have captured most of the Nachzehrer altars in this area!

Yes, I saw. Her flames are... very vivid.

*cough* *cough*.

Medic!

No need.

General?

...Heh.

A battle with no decisive conclusion... will not be my last.

'Alliance Fleet Command Emergency Transmission–'

Three minutes left.

We should be able to hear gunfire from our current position.

Yes, Your Grace. Wellington's column is not far from ours, ensuring we'll be able to provide mutual support.

This battle will determine Victoria's fate.

Indeed, if all goes well–

Then we'll be able to end this meaningless stalemate as quickly as possible.

Those eyes truly burn with a lust for battle.

Do you think he has any ulterior motives?

For two decades, my desk has been filled with intel related to him, along with its response proposals. As of late, these reports have been updating a dozen times a day.

The true struggle begins after the Sarkaz have been dealt with.

But at this moment... Wellington isn't the only one who needs a decisive victory.

The time has come. The assault is about to commence, and he has never failed to be punctual.

Ahh, do you hear that?

The Gastrell's full broadside... Such a different timbre it is compared to our ships.

But after this battle, Caster's name will shine alongside Wellington's in the annals of Victorian military history–

'Anomaly, anomaly. 00 and 01! Repeat! 00 and 01!'

Drat, the comms have been cut?!

Your Grace, all signals from the Duke of Wellington... have vanished.