Liberi Reader

We took on a few soldiers who were still breathing when we passed through that valley. Oh, and the survivors have caught up to our column.

They're all Infected. As they should be, after spending a night in a corpse-filled crater.

You did disinfect properly, didn't you? You could have gotten Active Originium dust on you.

Don't worry, I have experience with large-scale Active Originium zones from my time in County Hillock.

We undertook the cleanup according to SOP.

The soldiers were conscripts under the Duke of Ashworth. They said that their company simply pulled out after the battle, without rescuing the wounded or cleaning up the battlefield.

He said he had a friend who had been crying for help by a shallow puddle all night. Couldn't turn himself over because his legs were injured.

He had drowned by the time we found him.

The puddle was ankle-deep. He would have survived if someone had just flipped him over.

I examined the area. Looks like they marched into a Royal Court trap. Some Sarkaz mercenaries must have sacrificed themselves by acting as bait.

But... how could they have gone down without a fight?

That's not surprising. Other than the strongest dukes, professional soldiers make up only a quarter of the armies of the other ducal armies, at best.

Most Victorian soldiers are conscripted, sent into battle after only a few months of basic training on how to use a crossbow or Arts Unit.

Frankly, if not for this war, the officers and soldiers may never have spoken to each other their entire lives.

Vina wouldn't like to hear it.

I hate this. How could you trust your back to someone whom you don't trust?

Mother never answered my questions. She said I would find the answer, someday—

*Cough*... argh!

Vina!

Take it easy, Morgan... my neck... I can't breathe...

Sorry, got excited. You had been unconscious for two days.

You were running a fever. At least the wound on your chest was healing well, otherwise we would have been even more worried.

Where are we...? We aren't in Chetleigh anymore, are we?

Ahem... Maybe I should explain.

We pulled out two days ago. We're back to our original encampment.

At Horn's advice, we pulled out as quickly as possible before the Duke of Gododdin's fleet entered Chetleigh, avoiding direct contact with the reinforcements.

...Horn?

We have a lot of... complicated circumstances. It's going to cause a lot of complications if we establish official communications with the dukes' troops.

I've talked about this with Misery, and the others support what we're doing.

While we still have troops formerly under the command of Duke Windermere, their military ID has expired, and there's a high risk of 'friendly fire'.

Well, not so much expired as no longer recognized...

No need to mince words about the nobles' dirty deeds.

It's the same deal as gangs fighting for territory.

...What's the situation?

Some have chosen to join Duke Gododdin's forces and continue the fight. Gododdin's officers didn't even say anything about the Infected. The majority have chosen to stay with us, however.

They trust us. Or should I say, they trust you. We won! Morale is really high right now.

They're even joking about the old conflicts now.

We did it.

Your plan worked. We made it. It's very possible that no one will ever know the sacrifices we made...

It's just one small victory in a greater war.

But we saved Chetleigh, Vina.

Yes, we did.

Would things have gotten so bad if everyone was fully committed to fighting for Victoria from the very beginning?

No, they all firmly believe that they are fighting for Victoria.

It's the other way round. Things have already spiraled out of control. Therefore...

We're fighting for ourselves now.

Siege, one of the survivors from Chetleigh has brought us a surprise.

His family collected Gaulish artifacts, and his father once picked up a little Victorian object from Lingones's former route.

It wasn't anything valuable, so it has been sitting in a warehouse for a long time. He gave it to us before we left as a gift of gratitude, and Horn recognized it immediately.

Here.

This is an IFF beacon used in IFVs. It emits a signal that allows Victorian armies to identify the bearer's affiliation.

It contains a military identification code?

Yes. This black box belonged to the Victorian Army. I'm familiar with the symbol on it.

But I thought that the unit that it once belonged to no longer exists, lost in the ruins of Gaul—

—the Exemplars.

A unit of legend, predecessor to Tempest Platoon. This thing took a long journey back to Victoria.

Back to us.

...Hah.

Consider it a gift from fate.

What's this...? The beacon that Lieutenant Shearer left us has picked up a signal.

Shearer?

Lady Delphine, there has been a change of circumstances at Irnclad Galavae...

We are approaching your position now. ETA in one hour.

Be prepared for unhappy news... and a guest who insists on seeing you.

Your wounds! What a shoddy work of first aid!

It may look like the wounds have closed, but the inflammation wasn't effectively treated, which explains the fever.

With serious wounds like these, it's important that they're treated by a doctor and all vital signs monitored, reducing the chance of lingering after-effects.

You're fortunate that it was a piece of metal, not Originium crystal. When you're dealing with Sarkaz witchcraft devices, even the slightest touch could be infectious.

Even if it wasn't directly caused by Originium, there was a high risk of infection given the circumstances. It's incredible that your blood Originium levels still remain at normal levels.

You really should thank your lucky stars.

Well, it was a chaotic situation, Lieutenant.

At least I'm alive. It pays to have a strong constitution.

...*sigh*.

Fine. Lady Delphine has explained what happened.

It was a battle worthy of study in the war colleges, given the difference in strength between the two sides. Most of the people on your side weren't even regulars...

Oh? Should I be sad that no one will remember what we did?

You're wrong on that, Siege.

I'll remember. The soldiers outside will remember. The survivors of Chetleigh will remember.

Most legends are not born from official records.

I didn't know you were the type to say things like that.

Ahem.

Well, I've wrapped your wounds again. Don't try to blow me off with excuses like 'strong constitution', because I'm going to be keeping a close eye on your condition. I'm the doctor in this room.

I'll be checking on your friends too, and the injured soldiers and civilians.

Thanks, Lieutenant.

Also...

I suggest you check on that guest. I'm not sure if Lady Delphine is ready to handle her on her own.

I sincerely apologize for my behavior before, and my misplaced assessment about you.

There is one thing on which I won't budge, however. You're too impulsive and emotional.

You shouldn't be trying to solve every problem on your own. Turn around once in a while, and you'll find plenty of people ready to help.

......

*Glug* *glug*— whew!

Take it easy, Aunt Manning.

The Sarkaz were everywhere on my way here! I thought I was going to die.

Thank goodness that Lieutenant Shearer was tracking Irnclad Galavae, which was how he got there in time to save my life.

He's a decent man, but lacks flexibility. Those men would never allow him to board the ship.

You said you escaped Irnclad Galavae? What's happening there?

It makes me angry just thinking about it! Those damned officers charged into the central hub of the fortress and pointed their swords at me! Marquess Vontaire must be behind this!

I found an opportunity to change into inconspicuous clothes and escape. The fortress elevator almost ripped my dress!

Sounds like you really were lucky.

I thought I was just coming along with your mother to see how things were going on the front lines, and to take you home. What's the worst that could happen, safe inside a nomadic fortress? Who would have thought...?

......

The old Dukes of Windermere would be proud of Mother.

You're right.

But you're the Duke of Windermere now, Delphine.

Auntie, you're hurting me... what's that look on your face?

The general staff were eager to go back because... they believed the Duke's death was caused by a Leithanian plot.

You want to laugh, don't you? But they have evidence. Leithanien may not be in league with the Sarkaz, but they undoubtedly caused this situation.

What? Leithanien?

The staff are cautious about accusing Leithanian nobles directly, but they have set their sights on the rebellions going on the provinces.

No one wants to come all this way to fight the Sarkaz, only to return and find the demesne they have defended for centuries has fallen under Leithanian control.

You're her daughter, Delphine. Your duty will come soon.

Now, let me rest... then we'll leave this place.

Leave? To where?

You should not be with these peasants.

Watch your words! Don't call them peasants!

Alright, Delphine, listen.

If you really care about them, really think that they're heroes, a part of Victoria...

...Think of how many people like them are there in your mother's demesne.

If you really want to protect these people, take my advice and seek aid from the Duke of Caster to return to your demesne and take charge.

Perhaps you will have to become a Caster vassal... but you'll be able to fulfill your duty.

I—

What are you balking at? Did you fall in love with them just because they fought alongside you? You've stopped loving your own subjects?

Accept it, Delphine... you and your mother have suffered enough.

Accept Duke Caster's proposal, and at least Windermere will be spared from devastation.

......

Why do you hesitate? Do you really want to be a vagabond forever, leaving your family, your bloodline and your duty behind?

...I understand.

I'm Mother's daughter. You're right, I have a responsibility, not just to my friends, but to the subjects of Windermere as well.

But...

Why did the Swordguards leave me behind, when I still had such a duty?

If this was a duty glorious beyond all doubt, why do you come to me in such a condition?

I...

You're right. If Windermere has fallen under the cloud of conspiracy, then I feel both the obligation and desire to do something about it.

But I...

We're with you, Delphine. Say what you want to say.

Sorry. I couldn't hold back anymore.

Do you know what we just went through, madam?

And you are...?

I'm not going with you.

You have a duty!

I'm my mother's daughter, comrade to these warriors, and nothing else.

Even if I once was... I don't believe it anymore.

I stood here for them, so that their lives would no longer be the playthings of people like you, and I'm not going anywhere until I've bled my last.

Leave.

I hope the Sarkaz don't take you.

I'm fine. Let's go.

Head west once you leave the camp. If you're lucky enough, you should be able to reach the kind Duke of Caster.

Do you think you can survive without the Duke's protection?

We can, and we will.

Alright... I'm going to Duke Caster. I'll take a leisurely pace. This is your last chance.

Come with me, and we'll all live.

I won't stop you.

But the work of Delphine and her mother...

No, I'm not the one who's wrong... you're naive, stupid, foolishly believing that you're right.

So be it.

......

You heard her. It was undoubtedly an attractive proposal for many people.

We survived the worst of times together, Vina.

But what now? What happens when the morale and spirit that burns so brightly now is worn away by hardship and suffering?

Who will tell them where to go?

Lend me your ears.

If any among you still have faith in the proud dukes that are the faces of our Victoria, you should go with that woman now.

No one would fault your decision.

None among you?

Is it not our instinct to seek protection from the powerful? It's nothing to be ashamed of.

I would very much like to. Oh how I wish that this sorry sword I carry had the power to protect my friends, such that none among them would die.

She would very much like to. How many times has she cried when no one was watching? Wishing that someone could have saved her mother's life.

You would very much like to. Don't look away, I know you would. The Sarkaz wouldn't have butchered your brother so badly you couldn't even identify his corpse, if the troops that were supposed to escort you didn't flee.

But none among you have left.

You know that those nobles don't care about you in the slightest.

But do you really need to seek the strength and protection of another?

It's always been like that for us. We keep worshipping people and things that never really gave us anything, become their willing slaves.

Massacre, infection, besiegement. We survived all that, on our own strength!

We all want to go home. We all want this rotten war to end. But we can't win by hiding.

The fastest way is to give those warmongering bastards hiding in Londinium the old one-two in the face!

If the dukes won't do it, we will!

If no one will take us home, we'll walk home ourselves!

A gift fell into our laps, a unit ID that the dukes left behind in Gaul.

It was called the Exemplars. They were elites, the will of the nation, with a long list of accolades.

But now, they are nothing more than this little box in my hands.

It has no special powers. But we can take it back to Londinium—

Punch those warmongering bastards in the face, throw this in the faces of the dukes, and tell them—

This bloody land is OUR land!