Глава 14

I recognize the Steam Knights' equipment.

There's also plenty of Sarkaz remains here, so if my hunch is right...

This is where the Steam Knights were surrounded and killed back then.

Any other clues?

I did find something.

Take a look.

This is... clothing?

Found it on a relatively intact Sarkaz skeleton.

I thought it might jog your memories.

There's a word embroidered in the lining!

...'Julie'?

'Julie'? Hoederer, did you know them?

Hoederer shakes his head.

There aren't many Sarkaz with names, and no way anybody involved in the slaughter here was ordinary.

She left her name here, and it should have stayed undiscovered forever.

But we chanced upon her.

What she and others did here will ultimately be remembered by us.

But it sounds like... it wasn't something to be happy about.

We already have more than enough of our own buried in this foreign country after all. How many of them can we remember when everything's over?

So what next? Your injury—

Wiš'adel... war... ended—live...

...*bzzt*...This is Babel.

Wiš'a...del? Who?

That sounded like—

W...

Hmph. What's she up to this time?

...Have we received any more intelligence from outside the battlefield?

(Shakes head nervously)

I fear we might have missed out on something very important—

Grr... He really did try to kill me.

Give yourself some time to heal.

I won't die just yet. Our top priority is to contact the Doctor and W.

If she wasn't lying in that transmission... then she really needs us now.

It seems like the battle has gone way past how I expected it to go.

Regent, Theresa... what exactly have you two done...?

Kal'tsit, the backup plan is working.;We escaped to the underground passage, covered by the chaos of the airship's crash landing.

We went through so much in the Assimilated Universe, but Originium's special nature means we were only gone for a brief moment.

This will likewise be a sudden change for the Military Commission.

It could be a chance for us.

Indeed. Communications are being restored, and the ducal alliance will speed up their advance. I don't think the Military Commission will stand a chance against a surrounding offensive from the alliance.

A proactive attack from us might bring greater results, if we rely on the contact points within the city she strived to preserve.

It was only because she put herself in danger during this time...

That our backup plan managed to proceed without a hitch.

She did well.

I'd love to hear from Kal'tsit in private about what your group went through, but it really isn't the best time for that.

To be honest, it was all I could do to bring you out of the chaos.

Many of those in the city saw the airship crash, and everyone has been guessing who's done it.

Doctor, you may find it hard to imagine the joy... when you suddenly see hope within the long dark night...

It sounds like it'll benefit our operations in the city.

I wouldn't call it a 'benefit'. At most it means more possibilities for us.

Heidi, how did contacting Closure go?

Communications are still being restored, and the city's taken a big hit. We're pressed for time too.

W... no, she insisted I call her Wiš'adel...

She said she received a transmission from her subordinates, and took off to verify it. I... couldn't stop her.

No matter. She knows very well what she should be doing.

Also, check your belongings. She must have left a way for us to contact her.

Huh...?

There really is!... When did she leave this beacon on me...?

That's very much her style of doing things.

How are Amiya and Logos doing?

The next area hasn't been swept clear yet. Once they confirm it's safe, we'll evacuate to the next safe point at once.

Doctor, Amiya, she...

Don't worry about her.;She just needs some time.

Alright. I'll try my best to get in touch with more of our friends inside the city. We'll need their help.

I also just compiled all the information we know.;Sync that data with Closure once you manage to connect with her.

I also uploaded arrangements for the other Rhodes Island Operators onto PRTS.;Tell them to update their PRTS as soon as they can so everyone's on the same page.

Seizing the opportunity?

Yes.;Currently, every faction in Londinium has their own blind spots.;It's a chance for us to buy time and react to anything in advance.

Understood. I'll handle it—I'm the one most familiar with the rebuilt intracity network after all.

You may not have noticed, Doctor. But you've become more proactive ever since we left the Assimilated Universe.

...Is that so?

Is it due to the first Originium?

You've become somewhat impatient ever since you met Theresa and learned some truths I'm unable to speak of.

...;I don't think it's a bad thing.

I still have my own reservations, but what's important now is to stay clear-headed, and make your judgments.

I... why did I betray Theresa back then?

Only Theresa knows the truth to that.

I will not make any further comments on that incident. But it does not mean my anger towards that event is no more.

However... Doctor, you have proven yourself to me, to us.

You have walked on the same path as us to where we are today, that's enough to prove that Theresa made the right decision.

So, there's no need to be trapped by your past self. Besides, you know absolutely nothing about everything that happened then.

That's precisely why... I can't comprehend Theresa's choice at all.

But from her few sentences...

I have a suspicion that fills me with fear.;I have a guess as to what my own mission is.

I'm a savior of this land.;I'm a destroyer of this land.

If that is your post-reflection conclusion, I have no objections.

But the you I see before me is still far away from accomplishing that.

The path ahead of us is still very, very long... no, perhaps we don't have much time left.

Doctor, the future will not wait for us to be ready before it comes.

But I will follow you with Rhodes Island down this path.

...Can you really say that now with such a calm tone?

You're hesitating. You have doubts.

That was never your true self. Do not let unwarranted speculation disturb your present determination.

We determine who we are by our actions than our words. No matter how long we spend hesitating before we reach the end.

The future will answer me, Doctor.

I am now more willing to follow you down your path.

We will witness it together.

But now, our key focus should be on the thing that can turn the tides of war.

The first Originium.;'Amnannam'.

Theresa would only hand it over to someone she trusts the most, no matter how the Sarkaz are faring.