Глава 14

Hold out a bit longer. We're about to break through–

'(Indistinct Sarkaz language) You shall...'

'(Indistinct Sarkaz language) ...not pass.'

What's... going on...

I've lost all sensation... in the arm holding my hammer...

'Vina!'

'The Sighs of Kings! The Sighs of Kings has been knocked flying! After it––'

The Sigh... of Kings? That's... the sword? But I... had it on my back...

'(Indistinct Sarkaz language) Death...'

'(Indistinct Sarkaz language) ...the final end'

'Damnit! Vina, stand up!'

'Help her! Bagpipe, cover my back! I need to reload!'

'I can block their blades! Bloody hell, why can't I run any faster?!'

A dark shadow... Something... is approaching me...

'Vina!!!'

'Victoria...'

'Victoria!'

'Victoria!!'

Vina could never forget that voice, even if she can on longer make out all the information it contains.

But, her intuition tells her... that it is a name. A name that is associated with her entire life.

The ground shatters, and along with it, three mobile altars.

White vapor erupts, and a fiery red blade emerges.

Look – a Steam Knight!

A Steam Knight stands with us!

Victoria's glory has returned, and he stands with us!

Follow him into battle!

Slay them! Slay every last Sarkaz!

'Glooooory–– to Victoria!!!'

(Muffled gushing sound)

Slash. Pierce. Charge.

The suit of armor fights valiantly, and ferociously.

The path behind him is soon littered with Sarkaz corpses and the fragments of shattered altars.

Witchcraft missiles fall at his feet, crossbow bolts fly towards him, blades slash at his body.

But, he never stops. He cleaves apart the next enemy, sweeping them away, along with any traces they left on him.

A Steam Knight... still lives?!

That's right. We saw him inside the city.

But why... is he here now?

He came... for the sword...

Vina!

I... can still fight!

But... the sword is gone!

I see the Sighs of Kings! It's lying atop of a pile of bodies in the combat zone. I'll retrieve it for you.

Just as you said – pounce on to it, and press onward. Don't look back.

I promise you that the sword will appear when it is needed.

Vina...

I will keep going. Cover me.

She clenches the hammer in her hands, shrugging off all doubt and hesitation.

She has placed her trust not just in her partners, but also in people who she had never trusted before... No, she placed her trust in all of Victoria.

The Victoria she believes in.

Run. Faster. Almost there...

Argh—!

Don't force it!

Get hit again, and you're a goner!

The mobile altar...

––It stopped?!

Then, who fired that shot...? One of our own tanks?

Vina, we're connected with the Duke of Fife's suit of armor! We've also located Captain Seymour – he's still alive! More troops are on their way to join us!

We'll handle all those altar that are flying around!

Great news! Let's keep moving!

Don't you dare get in our way!

We've used up the last of our ammunition. That means... it'll come down to some good old CQC.

Roger that, Captain!

Pretty nostalgic, right? Reminds me of our academy days.

Let's see how these Sarkaz like our technique.

Let them try... to get past us.

The Stone of the Sword is right ahead, but that corrosive fog...

Your Royal Highness, my colleagues have secured the Gloriana.

*cough*... The next time our cooperation is needed, the Exemplars will hear from this Trilby once more.

Finally, allow me to use my Originium Arts... as well as a little bit of authority, to light your way.

A ray of green light cuts through the dense fog of decay.

Deep within the storm, the Stone of the Sword radiates with light.

Oh right, the sword...

After thinking things through, one really should not disobey a duke's orders––

But I also made a promise to Your Royal Highness. That's quite a pickle.

Alright, then. Catch!

A silver light streaks across the battlefield, piercing through the fog.

The Sighs of Kings. A blade so common that it does not attract the attention of soldiers on either side of the battlefield––

I've got it!

Don't turn back now, Siege! This is the final stretch!

Dun worry about me, Captain! Go with them!

The storm rises from the battlefield, but the White Wolf has already leapt up.

Aim, fire. A procedure she knows by heart.

Take it, Siege!

The longsword left her hand, cutting through the air as countless eyes followed its path.

Vina never looks back. She simply continues running, carefully listening to every last sound.

Swoosh.

The sound of metal vibrating through the air. The sound of air being cut apart by a sharp object.

She forcefully throws down the hammer in her hands. Its massive head lodges into the cliffside, creating a tiny foothold for her.

She steps on it, and leaps. And when she extends her hand, the Sighs of Kings has already found its way into her palm.

Indra, Morgan, remember how we used to chuck Molotov cocktails down the chimneys of the nobles?

Yeah, we'd stand on each other's shoulders!

But this time, I'll be running ahead first.

The Originium beneath her feet feel like alive, unlike any wall or mountain she's ever traversed before.

How much farther?

How much longer will it be until the dark clouds disperse, and the war draws its last breath?

She fled Londinium to the land beyond its walls; then from there, she returned. How much farther must she go... before she returns to her peaceful homeland, and to the people she loves?

Vina does not know. But at least, the Stone of the Sword is right before her eyes. She extricates her hammer with all her might.

She knows what she must do.

She leaps up, hammer and sword held high in her hands, glimmering in the sunlight.

A legend is bestowed by the people.