Глава 14

The surrounding terrain has been completely transformed. We will need to pass through a wasteland filled with unknown dangers.

Given also the fact that battles with be inevitable in our journey, I estimate at least three days to handle the Blood of Teekaz.

An immobile skeleton makes for an extremely conspicuous objective. Guarding this site will not necessarily be easier than the raid you carried out on it.

I propose that Ascalon stay behind and help protect the Lifebone.

But my job is to stay by your side and keep you safe, Doctor.

During the Sanguinarch's attack, it was my error that led to your injury, a dangerous mistake I do not intend on repeating.

The Lifebone is vital, and Manfred is likely to order an assault.

You understand him well.

I agree. The Sarkaz will be reliant on their commander personally overseeing the battle and making decisions. If you are able to stem Manfred's advance, then that might relieve pressure on the mercenaries.

I will respect your decision.

What about the gang of useless Victorians? Are they going with you?

We will head to the front lines at Silverrock Bluffs.

Wait, are you saying you want to lead just a couple thousand men, some of whom are civilians who've barely held a weapon, straight into battle with the Nachzehrer army?

You have your legends, Sarkaz, and we have ours.

We have the Sighs of Kings, the blade that can cleave Catastrophe in twain.

Since the Sarkaz have controlled the storm, then it's time that this sword plays its part.

You have been contacted by the Duke of Caster.

An invitation to be precise.

It is as we surmised. Since the Sarkaz started their strange... doings, the Victorians, or rather, the ducal alliance have been heavily hit.

Caster, no, any Grand Duke ought to have figured out exactly the kind of circumstances Victoria has found herself in.

We've all seen those altars spewing that red light, or any light for that matter. As it stands, Londinium and all the battlefields surrounding it have become a giant Arts Circle.

This is how the Sarkaz fight. Not like Leithanien. Not like Ursus. Not like any other nation's tactics that we are familiar with.

The Trilby Ashers will have told Caster that all the intelligence they have gathered so far is useless when it comes to Sarkaz tactics.

The Sighs of Kings... No longer will this piece of steel I hold in my hand be merely a leverage to get Caster back to the negotiation table. It will turn the tide of war, bringing true change to the battlefield.

None of us knows when the next Catastrophe will strike.

I don't know what form Caster's 'Stone of the Sword' will take, but no matter if it's a square room on wheels or an odd contraption on an officer's back, I'll find it.

If we can quiet these storms, then I dare say that the battle will become somewhat more evenly matched.

From Sufrior Chasm to the front line at Silverrock Bluffs... It will take you two days, even if you follow the road that the dukes have cleared from the Westbound Forest to Gibsonham.

The Duke of Caster would be more than happy to snatch away the Sighs of Kings, if afforded the opportunity. It will allow her to lead the dukes in this difficult war, and move her one step closer to the throne.

And she will not be the only one attempting to do so.

I am aware.

The Duke of Windermere has died in combat, and her troops have retreated from battle.

If any other duke withdraws their forces, the scales of war will be tipped even more against us. The war will drag on, Londinium's restoration will be delayed, and more blood will be shed.

For Sarkaz and Victorian alike, this is the battle that will determine our ultimate fate.

And as for us... We are the Exemplars.

Wherever a miracle is needed the most, is where we will be.

Besides, if this sword really can calm storms as the legends say, I daresay it would help speed along your journey to Londinium, after all this.

Closure?

How'd you know I was done with my preparations?

To keep things short, your ever-reliable Chief Engineer Closure and her team have come up with seven different plans to get around the comms interference.

This equipment of mine has also started analyzing that super-Catastrophe's trends and impacts.

Originium triggered reactions always leave a trail, no matter how intense they are... things like dust concentration, activity index, and then there's spread conditions—

Well, I'm sorry to say that all these metrics are pretty high, as expected, so we can't tell what's going to happen in the most dangerous regions.

But we can deduce which parts of the battlefield are safer. Relatively.

That is, of course, if we can go deeper into the heart of this battle and obtain more data.

Misery's agreed to be our bodyguard, but since you guys are already heading over to where there's most action going on, I figured we might as well tag along.

So... could we trouble the Exemplars to look after us?

Gladly, we are duty-bound.

Making sure that things don't get any worse is Rhodes Island's mission, right, Kal'tsit?

Thank you, Closure.

...Doctor.

Let's both go with Amiya.;Could I go with Siege and Closure?;I'd prefer to stay here with the skeleton.

Our path might be the most dangerous one of all.

But I'll keep you safe, Doctor... Just like always.

Thank you for trusting in us, Doctor.

Your command experience will be most valuable.

You're serious?

You do realize that with the bunny and the crone's pet gone, I can pretty much do whatever I want, right?

I know you fear for the safety of each and every operator, which makes you hesitant to choose.

But the truth is that I need you to come with me.

So we can go behind enemy lines together?;So we can deal with the altar problem?

There is no changing what we will face during our final confrontation.

Originium has shaped the history of the Sarkaz, just as it will shape the futures of us all.

Perhaps you still have misgivings about why Rhodes Island must intervene in this war. I did not have the opportunity to explain in the past, and nor could I give you a precise answer.

I have never doubted that the dark clouds above the Shard concealed some dreadful unknown. Yet when it has revealed itself, as it has now, I still find myself confronted by... mixed emotions.

I'm not one to explore the subject of fate, especially not yours and mine.

But now, fate has reared its head, and is coming our way.

Kal'tsit...;You don't sound like your usual self.

Originium's effects are far beyond any of our comprehension.

<i>Our?</i> Even yours?

Of course.

Dr. {@nickname}... I hope...

No, I believe...

I believe that you are still the one who can change everything.

I've never had any doubts, either.

Doctor, I think should get going now.

Alright.;Let's go.

Not gonna ask me for a twenty-one-gun salute?

Take care, W.

Look, little bunny, I'm not like the sheep over there. I'm real hard to kill.

The Exemplars are ready.

Glad to hear it, Siege.

Remember everyone, time is of the essence.

Every minute, every second on this battlefield... There will be people who are suffering because of Originium.

Our mission is clearer than ever.

Stop the spreading of Originium.;Stop Amnannam.

Right.

And then, we plunge into the darkest depths of the fog.

To Londinium.

We'll bomb that tower and grab Terra's biggest bastard out of the rubble.

We'll stop the disaster before us, and any more yet to come.

Thirteen hours into the operation...

The further we go, the more dire the situation becomes.

Freshly-rent canyons, diverted rivers... pathways that withstood the weight of great normadic cities, now torn, distorted, warped beyond recognition.

The maps of the past are now no more than scrap paper. Every trail must be charted anew.

There is no doubt that the Blood of Teekaz lies this way, though. Our bond yet hums.

The closer we get to the heart of the battlefield, the higher the rate that Originium integrates with all information.

The rocks, the soil, the waters, the peoples... Originium's influence has its clutch around virtually everything on Terra, yet perhaps we have long forgotten the fundamental principles of how it works.

What did you mean by 'information' just now, Kal'tsit?

Perhaps you shall find out rather soon, Doctor.