Глава 16

I assure you that my sole purpose here is to discover the truth about the mutated Infected and bring about order.

Deity Grypherburg seeks to protect the interests of the Infected.

I'm afraid I'm not convinced.

At the Tashkent Mines, at Chorna Prison... I never saw a single noble who stood up for the interests of the Infected.

Ah... so you're Ursine too? Third Army, I take it?

That was a long time ago.

Very well... I accept that you have legitimate reasons for your dim opinion of this nation.

Regardless, I am loyal to the motherland, and what you're trying to avoid lines up with what I'm trying to avoid, to an extent.

The miners who left are headed towards the south. They will inevitably pass through Grypherburg on their way to the Kazimierzian border.

Whether they realize it or not, whatever their actual intentions are, they'll be treated as insurgents attempting to attack the capital, once they are discovered.

Only one end awaits them, in that event.

I thought you were going to ask a question, not make a threat.

I'm just stating the truth. I would not have to be so solemn if Gospozha Raidian here would be frank and honest with me. I need to know how these miners left, and why they fled.

Hiding the truth won't do you or them any good.

I see only a group of Infected who are only trying to survive. No one is in any position to denounce them.

You just won't listen, would you?

Gospozha Amiya, we've traveled together for a while now. Could you perhaps help me persuade our strong-minded Liberi here?

There's something even more urgent before that, Eloysius.

The miners and villagers here are in a dangerous situation. They have no supplies and nowhere to go. We can't just abandon them.

We must ensure their safety before talking about the next step.

You don't have to worry about the villagers. I was planning to seek assistance from the Grand Duchess for the rebuilding of their village anyway. Her Imperial Highness has always been generous on such matters.

These miners, though... they're not a problem that a letter will solve.

If you cannot offer assistance to them, then Rhodes Island will.

Very well, I'll help you one more time, for the sake of our cooperation.

We take the miners to Grypherburg.

What?

Yes. We go to Deity Grypherburg and report to His Imperial Majesty the truth about the Infected mutation in the Central Mining District, turning these miners into witnesses.

This will give Grypherburg a reason to protect them, and intercept rather than eliminate the ones who left, until the investigation into the Grand Duchess has concluded, at least.

And after that?

I'll persuade the Chairman to request that His Imperial Majesty grant amnesty to these Infected, then ask Rhodes Island to intervene on the grounds of medical assistance.

Or maybe you only need these miners for now, and you'll have no further use of them after you bring the Grand Duchess down.

Otherwise, you have no reason to spare these Infected. I know Ursus. Whatever warmth the Tsar wants to bring to this cold soil... the Infected will never be part of it.

Take that back.

I'm just stating the truth.

How dare you—

—Maybe that's true for Ursus, but I've seen enough of Eloysius that I'm willing to trust her.

Amiya?

Sorry, Eloysius. Raidian's simply expressing her concerns. I'm sure we all know how Ursus has historically approached the Infected problem.

(Nods)

Very well... thank you for your trust, even if it's only towards me.

The Guardswoman bows at them exaggeratedly, and casts one last provoking look at Raidian.

...I have one final question.

Are you authorized to do this, <i>Sergeant?</i>

Maybe you've been away from Grypherburg too long to know the weight that the name Gorchekova carries there.

On the name of my house—

You don't need to worry about anything else, other than providing medical assistance.

...You're telling the truth.

Of course I am.

Even if the plan works, we must get the miners to agree first.

Yes. I'll go.

I'll explain the situation to them and ask what they think.

There you are, Vetochki...

There's something that we need to tell everyone. We have a choice: leave here and go to Deity Grypherburg together—

Grypherburg?

Mama said, black locusts, and cherry trees, grow on the streets, of Grypherburg.

The sky, is bright, the fowlbeasts, build nests, they don't, fly away.

...There's spring there. That, Grypherburg?

Yes, that Grypherburg. Do you want to go?

Yes! I wanna—

*cough*!

She is so eager that she lets cold air get into her throat, causing pain from the dryness.

I know you do. But what about the others?

I've never, left the mines. I...

We have to ask the others whether they're like you, if they're willing to trust us and go to Grypherburg.

I-I'll ask. I know, they will!

Before you... came back, Darya said, we can't, get away.

Even if we, wanted to, go back, people outside would, stop us. They'll... burn us, to death.

I'll tell her, it's not, like that.

You're right. It's not like that.

Darya! Darya?

Darya! We'll go, to Deity Grypherburg! Serafina has, a way!

We'll all, go!

...Darya?

The girl is sitting straight with her back against the wall. Her eyes are closed, exhaustion upon her young face like shadows.

She still breaths, but she is not doing any more than the minimum required to live.

No... we can't... stay here...

Come with me—hang on, I'll carry, you!

Darya...!

Probably just tired. Let her rest, we'll find others—

Vetochki looks around, hoping that her friend's silence is just a coincidence.

Dyadya Volya...

She walks over and shakes them one by one, only to find that their backs are all straight and stiff, just like Darya.

Some are kneeling while others are standing, but they are all facing the old woman with bowed heads inside the house, as though they can hear nothing else.

Vetochki looks up, and a word slips from her mouth.

...Babushka?

Raidian follows Vetochki's fearful gaze.

An ancient voice fills the space in the direction that they are all looking.

Welcome...

The one who Ursus remembers.

The figure's face and eyes are concealed by a hood, but somehow, Raidian has a feeling that the figure is not looking at her.

What did you say?

Sorry for the interruption, but you're taking too long.

Everyone! I have a proposal that can ensure your safety, to the greatest extent possible.

<i>Sergeant—</i>

Leave the Far North with us and come to Deity Grypherburg.

The State Council will protect you, as long as you are willing to testify against the Grand Duchess.

His Imperial Majesty must know what happened here. Ursus must know what happened here!

Once everything is settled, Rhodes Island, where this lady you all know came from, will provide further treatment.

Now, anyone willing to come with me—

They're not listening.