Liberi Reader

With the help of his friends, the puppet crossed the river of tears, and even the golden ocean behind them they didn't know about...

Finally, they set foot on land once again, and found that Plains of Hope.

Theresa, do you like the ending I came up with?

Of course I do.

The puppet's friends—that's my favorite part of your story.

But... how did the story actually end, Theresa?

'Metal matter, fall like feather.'

There's no way we can stabilize this huge-ass thing! We'll end up a smear on the ground at this rate!

Time to get to work, ancestor!

I am trying! Regaining control of this ship is no easy feat!

Quit pretending! How were you so good at it when you were working for the Military Commission?

Insolence! Treat your elders with more respect, young Sarkaz!

We have to brace ourselves for the impact from the airship's emergency landing. Mon3tr, protect the Doctor and Amiya.

Amiya, the puppet's friends never gave up on him. No matter how they suffered...

Whenever the puppet needs them, they'll show up, catch him, and walk him through his troubles together.

That's what I wish for too. I hope I'll always be there whenever you need me.

But what we go through... things don't always go our way.

Some of the little puppet's friends will get lost while on their journey.

But their collective memories will accompany their little puppet friend to the end.

Amiya... I will always be with you all.

...Regardless of what form I take.

Theresa—

Are you... leaving?

What are you saying, Amiya? I left long ago.

What...?

You're... not Theresa.

Amiya, the memories in your dreams are warm. But you should wake up now.

Return to your companions, Amiya. They need you.

Your journeys have yet to end.

This is the most I can do with my incantations. I'm afraid there's no way to absorb all the impact force.

I'm trying my best here! One more time, old coot!

Mon3tr!

We... landed safely, I guess? Was that old thing actually useful, or...

Bunny? Why do you look like...?

Wiš'adel...? What about me...?

...

Forget it!

Did we end up in Londinium? The Shard doesn't seem so far away.

Yes... The airship is a huge target, so the Sarkaz stationed within the city will soon come looking for us.

We'll have to evacuate as quickly as we can.

Hmph...

I have something better in mind.

Theresa... no, you're not...

I'm the only one who can see you, right?

Yes. Others can see me as well, only if you wish it so.

Just who are you...?

A promise.

Theresa promised to stay by your side and watch you grow up.

Theresa is gone forever, but she left a program inside the crown—I manifested in this form because of your emotions.

I...

Do you have any doubts, Amiya? I can answer them.

...

If Theresa truly left you here as her will...

The story about the puppet, and its ending... What was it that Theresa wanted to tell me?

Theresa made up that story herself, and there are no records of it in any existing works.

So there is no way I can answer your question.

So...

But you have surpassed her, as she wished.

What she wanted to say has already been passed on to you. It's up to you to decide what will happen next in the story.

...

Thank you... Theresa.

Did you guys see that? The Sarkaz airship fell from the sky!

The clouds—they're scattering!

The Sarkaz can't control the storm anymore!

Amiya and the Doctor did it.

No matter how short or long this moment of safety lasts, we must seize the opportunity—

Capture Silverrock Bluffs, and advance toward the city walls.

...Rout the Sarkaz.

...Today, the second time.

We witnessed her departure.

A great King of Sarkaz, a true hero.

She initiated an unprecedented grand undertaking for the Sarkaz.

And we... are witnesses, and participants.

From the Royal Court camps to the War Council, and to the Military Commission of today—

We will never fall as long as war still goes on. We have already wrested enough victories for the Sarkaz over the past millennia.

...

The Victorians zealously chase after the phantom of victory while never understanding of why we crave war in the first place.

...'From death comes new life'.

Hah. This war has sated me.

Mid-range communication has been restored.

Your Grace, the battlefield is back under our control.

...What of him?

The Gastrell is severely damaged, and should still be—

Hold on, we just managed to locate it!

It's—right next to us!

Your Grace, an urgent telegram from the Duke of Gododdin.

...

...Have our forces dispatched to Duskglow River withdraw at once.

Yes, Your Grace.

Your Grace...

...Were we late?

All frequencies... went down simultaneously. He blinded every single eye of ours.

...

That Duke of Wellington...

Many years ago, by the Duskglow River... he told me a day would come when nothing would be able to stop the advance of high-speed battleships.

He's done it.

Your Grace, the Gastrell has paused its advance!

The Iron Duke's warships are forming up again!

Three light battleships have turned their guns toward—

Isn't that the Duke of Wellington's ship?

––What the bloody hell are they doing?!

The Sarkaz have only just retreated, but he wants to start another war with the dukes right away?! Has he truly gone mad?!

...

The dead... that fire in their eyes...

Your Royal Highness Eblana, are you ready?

Anytime.

Huh? What day is it today? What's with the fireworks?

Heck, not just that—Isn't that the municipal building? What was that they just rolled down from up there—

It's a new flag.

We worked so hard just for today, you know.

So? Looks nice, doesn't it?

Thank you for the flower, Miss Reed! It's so pretty!

...

What are you looking at, Miss?

Um... we are quite a distance from Londinium, yes?

Could the ashes from the battlefield float this far?

...It's hot.

...Tara.

After a century, we finally raise our flag once more on this land.

We have proved our strength to the Sarkaz and the Victorians.

Here and now, no one will be able to stop us, to scorn us.

Tarans—my people, they shall become a force that can control the war, and shape the land.

We shall let everyone see the coming of a new age.

He really has no intention of letting us breathe.

Wellington...

Do you truly hate Victoria, or...?

Your Grace, an urgent telegram from the Duke of Gododdin.

And the Duke of Normandy, as well as the Duke of Fife...

Let them sit in their anxiety for a while.

Back then, we joined hands to confine this warmonger into a duke's attire. Now we have no choice but to suffer the consequences of our actions.

Go, fetch the proposal locked away in the first drawer on the right side of my desk.

I wrote it myself... before I came to Londinium.

Will the Iron Duke... be willing to restart negotiations?

No, that's not it.

Victoria will no longer have an Iron Duke in future.

But Caster may perhaps find a new powerful ally.

By reforging an alliance with Wellington at this time?

This is in our best interests.

He knows I will make this choice. He and King Gaeil's descendant... treat war and death like their bargaining chips.

We must recognize Tara's independence if we don't wish to go to war on two fronts at this critical juncture.

Our soldiers and people will be furious once they find out about Wellington's betrayal. They won't accept our choice so easily either.

...Indeed.

But what of it?

The people have always longed for a 'hero' that descends from the heavens to guide them.

She certainly doesn't resemble her father.

Other than her golden hair... speaking of which, it's amusing how legitimate heirs to the Aslan royal line always sport such dazzling hair that you can see it shine from afar.

You mean...

Heh. Ah, Alexandrina. That girl might just be Victoria's chosen one.

The ducal fleets are restructuring their formation...

They're...

Slowing their pursuit?

So that's why the cannons go all quiet?! What are they thinking? The Sarkaz only just retreated, so now's the best time to give them a thrashing!

That's Gododdin's frigate.

They're approaching... the wreck of Caster's flagship. Seems like he's taking the opportunity for a breather.

Just that?

It's probably because he's scared the ship's going to take so long to repair that the Nachzehrers will rush onto the deck and devour them all.

...

When's the last time we saw Londinium's walls?

Are they cracked wide open? Covered with Originium crystals? Or soaked in fresh blood, all covered with dead branches, or even inlaid with the bones of our people?

When we got out of Norport, many of us might have thought that was the worst we'd experience.

But afterwards we saw a deck flooded with blood, and went through a perilous time all thanks to the Originium.

We watched as the war turned our city into an unrecognizable ruin.

Is there anyone willing to puff out their chest and say they can imagine how the city looks like inside?

The dukes' spies should have more information than we do.

From their conduct, Caster and the others are probably preparing to abandon Londinium.

A nomadic city wrecked by Sarkaz may be worth less than a fleet formed at a high price.

Also... the Shard has truly yet to fall. No one knows if the Sarkaz have any remaining tricks to try, or if another city will turn into a battlefield.

More nobles might decide to move their troops back home.

Blast it! I knew they'd pull something like that!

Win a tough fight, and then not give a crap about what's gonna happen to Londinium!

Yes. As you say, that's what they'd definitely do. So it's just another ordinary day for Victoria.

As for us—we've decided long ago what we should do, haven't we?

Exemplars—

Advance!

Enough... enough! Please, just withdraw the order!

The Shard has already stopped, so how can we go on fighting?

What else can we do now but to be smashed into paste by a high-speed battleship?

Shut up! Shut that *Sarkaz expletive* mouth of yours!

We are at war, and this is the battlefield! Hide in here all you want, and some Feline will eventually lop your head off anyway!

Pick up your blade! If we must die, we die with dignity!

There's no other way we can go!

What's going on...? Who else could use the Royal Court's frequency? Whose signal is this?

Quick, follow me!

This path is safe, we haven't spotted any Sarkaz for the time being!

A transmission?

Our own Exemplar frequency... Miss Closure!

I'm listening! Turn the volume up... some more...

Everyone should be able to hear it now.

...

Wow... did I hear that right?

That Siege lady did it! She brought back our people with her, and together pave a way...

...A way home.

We've sent a squad closest to their location over. Fang's squad is also on their way. She's the fastest out of them and can help us ensure the road stays clear.

Right.

Next, I just have to find a relatively safe spot for the rendezvous...

No need for that.

Miss Closure, we're quite close to the city walls.

Every maintenance access point... is inside my head.

Every member of the Self-Salvation Corps who pulled out from Londinium won't forget them.

There are some very old passages the Sarkaz definitely have no clue about.

We can go home.

That frequency you care about is active.

Judging from their speed, they're practically rushing toward the city.

The passages the Sarkaz don't know about only number a few.

They'll definitely pick the path closest to Highbury.

K13?

Something happened in there before. Feist won't risk that with his party.

It's probably K15. If they go through somewhere else, spread some news about Munitions Factory No. 11 and figure a way to lure them there.

Same rules as usual?

Yes. Clean that path up as much as you can.

And don't get spotted when we make a kill, yeah?

You're more wary with these regular workers and 'The Exemplars' than you are with the Sarkaz.

In case something does go awry, could you just let me know if you see them as friend or foe?

That doesn't matter. The person they knew is no longer here.

That disgraceful traitor died in the Mausoleum of Kings, and... is no longer worthy of retrieving the glory they threw away themselves.

That armor... did it fly away?

We haven't gotten any news.

The Sarkaz might have taken it apart, or maybe Originium buried it on the battlefield.

You achieved your goal for now by leading it to the Sighs of Kings to help the Exemplars out. But it's really difficult to control. Do we have to figure out a way to retrieve it?

Let's not risk ourselves with that yet.

Sure, I mean, it might just pop out on its own accord whenever. Who knows what a mad ghost would want to do next?

Perhaps...

Or maybe, when next we meet, he can find a bit of... something that belongs to him.

*cough* *cough* No, absolutely NOT! You know just how rare it is to find protective gear able to cope with high levels of Originium in Londinium nowadays!

But, your price is just too—

We have a lot of people in our community who needs these, so can't you just cut it down...?

You just told me your wife and child have stones growing on them, and they can't bear with the pain—

I'll be frank. Me too! Every night it gets so bloody painful I can't catch a wink!

I suspect the same goes for everyone in this city. These wretched crystals are growing wantonly on everybody!

Not to mention those devils anxiously running amok now.

So, listen well. My price is fairer than fair. You're worried for your health, but I have to plan for my future.

Columbia's private sanatoriums don't come cheap. I know a director there who's a cunning scoundrel, and I only hope he doesn't con me out of my coin.

I also have to pay my servants, my chef...

What's going on?!

Mr. Hall, they're currently—

Have the Sarkaz found us? Hurry, get moving! And push out those paupers still clinging around our doorway to buy some time! Those devils can't tell whose lives are more valuable!

No, that's not it! They're not Sarkaz!

Blast it, they've smashed in our warehouse wall! Now everyone's rushing in to grab the goods inside and we can't stop them!

What do I pay you for?! Where are your electrical nets and heavy crossbows? I don't care if you attract some Sarkaz as long as you keep the goods safe!

B-But they have fire on their side—

Fire?

...

Good day, Mr. Hall.

...I know you people—

'Reunion', right? The city has been all abuzz about your group these past few days.

Listen to me, Reunion. I don't know why there's a misunderstanding between us—I'm Infected too!

We're basically family, right? We can work together!

Just name a price—how much for you to be my bodyguards?

Reunion does not accept employment offers.

Then—ngh, what about a share of my sales? Or a donation?

I can make a donation as an Infected! The city's Infected need all of these urgently, aren't we the people you fight for?

Heh. 'Donation'? That's not the tune you were whistling earlier.

I see, I get it now. I should have thought of it earlier.

Ha! Of course, of course... everyone would want all of this for themselves—you're just capitalizing on another crime!

You want to set the score? Sure, I'll begin.

Stewart Hall. You applied for a huge subsidy every year for protective equipment because your factory processes Originium.

But your workers have never seen a single garb of protective gear you've accumulated. The Infected living in the outskirts of town—just how many of them were your workers who were kicked out from your factory?

Meanwhile, you stuffed yourself with Columbian pioneer company meetings. Failing to send all these gear out before war broke out in Londinium must have cost you a pretty penny.

But you still thought yourself lucky. Londinium's done for, and the protective suits you almost deemed a loss came in handy once again.

You... just what do you people want?! Are you not a group that liberates the Infected? Look, just look at the stones all over my body—

Physical illness is not the source of the Infected's suffering—it is injustice.

Your luck has run out, Mr. Hall.

Because Reunion is here.

You're Talulah, right? I've heard of you, it's all thanks to you—

Just doing what I should do.

This is a lot of protective suits we have here. We'll have to distribute them...

Even if infection is inevitable for some, this equipment can slow the disease's progression for those already sick. At the very least, they won't suddenly explode into bits from continuous exposure in a high level Originium zone.

But most Infected choose to hide in their homes, so they wouldn't know who to ask for help even if their condition gets terribly dire, right?

So let us go look for them.

Tommy, you know how dangerous that is.

Of course. That odd thing hanging above the Shard seems to be gone, and the sky seems to have lightened up a little.

Guess the Sarkaz are having some trouble. Our blokes are saying a huge amount of Sarkaz are retreating into the city.

They're also swarming the spot where that flying fortress fell. According to the current alert level, going out is practically suicide.

Then you still—

We were doomed long ago, right?

...

...I understand.

My brother lives in County Castshire, you've met him. If I don't make it back, just give my wrench to him. If... if possible, tell him I was a...

Nah, forget it. Tell him nothing.

Also, Catherine. My stance towards you, Feist, the Self-Salvation Corps and Rhodes Islanders has never changed.

There's no meaning in saying that. What's happened won't change.

But you can influence and change whatever's yet to happen, kid.

Hah!

Then... we're all good to go.

That's quite brave of them.

You've spent quite some time staring at some of those punks.

They turned their backs on us. Reunion nearly collapsed because of traitors.

These few fellas didn't shake things up too much. Is there anyone who has never been confused in their life?

We have our own rules.

...

There are other places that could use your help, but you'll go over anyway, right?

Save your strength, avoid combat, go get some suits from Percival and keep yourself safe.

How did you know—

No, forget it.

Thanks.

That went smoothly. Quite a number recognized you and your fire, Talulah.

I already put the shackles back on.

If only they could see my flames as hope.

Now, we have a literal city of Infected.

Can you find a shadow of your former ideals in it?

Only rubble and ruin everywhere I look.

Even we Infected live in our vastly different lives. We suffer from the same disease, but never the same kind of suffering.

This is why Reunion has to be here.

If the Infected are born from injustice, then we... will stand against all injustice.

...

You're finally back! Are you hurt, child? The Sarkaz didn't spot you, did they?

I'm fine. Thank you for letting me stay here. I brought some food back with me.

How are you feeling today?

There's more stones, but it's fine. It doesn't hurt. An old lady like me never had much long to live anyway.

But a group came by while you were gone. They're good people, they gave me a checkup, and I asked them to come back in a bit to examine you too—

A checkup? Were they doctors?

(Rhodes Island should be in the city by now, but I haven't managed to reconnect with them. If that was them...)

Doctors? I'm not sure, but they told me to look for a place with flames if I needed any help.

Flames?

Oh! You're back!

This girl has helped me so much. She's infected too, so take her with you for an examination.

—!!

...

So it's you.

Yes.

It's been a long time, Ch'en.

It's too quiet. We're not on a battlefield... Ines... Ines?!

Ines! Ines! Hoederer's awake!

Paprika...? Where are we? Where're Ines and W? What's become of the battlefield now? *cough* *cough* Did they recapture the Lifebone already?

Uh... we're currently underground with many stone giants...

Um... Ines is... W went with the others...

Wait, hold on, that's too many questions at once—

You recovered quicker than I thought.

I thought he'd be more ruthless with you.

...What of him?

Who knows, Ascalon might have already killed him.

...

Hmph, don't give me that look.

It's good for us if he's really dead.

But Ines—

Paprika, now's not the time.

Okay...

Currently, we've stopped the Lifebone in the Mausoleum of Kings. W followed the Doctor and the others to stop the airship, but we don't know how they're doing.

The Mausoleum of Kings? Are you sure—

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?

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—

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...?

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.

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.

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...

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...?

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...

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

Seizing the opportunity?

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

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.

...

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

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

Theresa's trust towards Theresis has never changed—they have never truly diverged from one another.

What we currently face is still within the scope of their plan.

We have unfinished tasks to get to.

We don't know what Theresis plans to do with a weapon that can easily change this land.

There is reason to believe it will not be a gentle method.

...

No. Now, have you decided our next course of action, Doctor?