Глава 16

You know...

I rather like Bresk this time of year.

The sun no longer rises and falls, there is no distinction between day and night... and there is no need to pretend that anything is under the light anymore.

The Marshal calls it 'The Autumn of Troubles'.

Time is of the essence, Your Imperial Highness. The situation grows more tense as we speak, as I enjoy your hospitality and your tea.

The Marshal awaits your reply.

I see even Marshal Evgeny is flustered. It seems there is truly great trouble in Ursus.

You are correct.

The mellow response from Deity Grypherburg is unacceptable—The Marshal is not the only one who thinks so.

I expect he has realized how wisely his father acted in that insurrection. The Fourth Army could have had a worse outcome than being sent to the border.

So, has young Evgeny made up his mind to be at the forefront?

The Marshal is simply performing the duty of a soldier of Ursus, to protect her by standing where the danger is the greatest.

Our only problem lies with you, Your Imperial Highness.

The Marshal needs to know that you are willing to continue to cooperate.

Is this his notice to me?

A request made of a friend.

The Marshal values your friendship and trusts your wisdom. He believes that, even at a time like this, the interests of Bresk and the Fourth Army are closely aligned.

Besides, he is not asking you to do anything other than give the nod.

He seems to think it is an easy thing.

Does he think the Tsar a fool? Does he think Chairman Witte an idiot?

There is no middle ground... just as the sun cannot coexist with the night.

The Marshal understands your situation. He is happy to share in your burden.

In any case, there is considerable room for interpretation for the fall of an Emperor's Blade. The Marshal is glad to make the interpretation for you.

'The Fourth Army assisted Bresk in suppressing a rebellion in the Far North.' As long as you are willing to cooperate, that will be the only sentence in the Fourth Army's report to Grypherburg.

You do not even need to nod. The Marshal will accept silence.

No, that's not it... if the Marshal truly understands me, he should know that it was never Deity Grypherburg's inquiry I was concerned about...

The people who live upon my land, the people of Ursus... they are my only concern.

The Marshal understands your benevolence and vows that no one shall cross the line you have drawn.

Young, impatient Evgeny... I would not wish to see my dear friend put himself in danger.

Even if I do keep silent as he wishes, it would simply be one fewer pebble in his path. How does he intend to handle the mighty boulders?

That is not something you need concern yourself with. Be it boulders or anything else, the Marshal is confident he will overcome all foes that stand in the way of Ursine glory.

Do I take it that I have your response?

Field Marshal Evgeny sends his regards.

For the glory of Ursus.

For the glory of Ursus...

Are you alright, Ksenia? I can carry both of you, if necessary!

N-No, I'm fine...

I just don't understand... why do we have to be in such a hurry?

I have a theory...

If the government has already learned about the ore vein incident...;There is only one explanation for the widespread silence in the Far North—

Ursus will not allow news of the vein exhaustion to get out.

Look at the sky, Doctor!

Was it like this when we came in?

No... Am I seeing things?

Why that color... again?

Conspicuously red, the color of warning. You do not even need to look up to see it.

It begins to cover the gray skies, and everything below them.

...The army.;The warning light of the Ursine armies.

They're here.

Why...?

Why would the army come to the Far North at a time like this? They shouldn't be here!

Doctor. High-energy Originium reaction on a large scale, five kilometers to the northwest. Someone is approaching, fast.

We need to get back to the lab, now.;We need to let Amiya know at once.

Are you alright, Ksenia? We're speeding up!

Yes, the lab...

We need to get back to the lab.

This way!

The emergency communications equipment is on the top-floor observation deck. The key is in the director's office—

Follow me!

(Whisper) Those footsteps didn't come from any of us.

(Whisper) Is there someone else here?

There aren't many of them.

We don't have time.;We need to reach Amiya ASAP.

Sorry, there's no emergency lighting here. I've lit a candle.

Yes, here's the communications equipment... I've never used it. Not sure how long its range is.

It's an Ursine military communicator.

You've seen one before?

Raidian has something similar. She helped the Ursine army's research into such equipment years ago. Looks like they've put it into production already.

If it's what I think it is, then it's a form of high-performance, large-area broadcasting equipment.

It's equipped with a high-powered Arts unit, roughly the equivalent of a hundred standard military communicators.

It was designed to broadcast urgent messages to military facilities in a large area. Experts at perceptive Arts, such as Raidian, are also able to receive such messages.

Isn't that a good thing?;Why do you look so anxious?

We can't specify the frequency to use.

If we use this device to send a message, the nearby Ursine army will receive it too, immediately revealing our position.

Doctor...

...Send the message.;Send the message, then move at once.

Got it.

Tell me what message you want to send, and I'll operate it.

The Ursine ore veins are near exhausted.

Recorded. What's next?

Look out!

Whoa—!

Wh-Why are they attacking the lab?

At least one army is intervening in the Far North.

They're trying to enforce a blackout—

Message recorded!

Sending—

Let's get out of here! Now!

Doctor, Ksenia, grab on to me tightly.

We will—

Hello... hello—!

Damn. Did we make it in time?

You were pretty tough when you came for me, monster. Don't die here!

Do you hear me? Do you hear—

...Doctor?