Liberi Reader

Hey, l-let me through already!

Hey, no shoving! You want a good spot, I'll trade you mine for some high-purity Originium out of the mines.

Don't just grab the leaflet out of my hands! Eurgh, that blood all over you stinks...

Can't help it when you're breaking into dead people's houses. Lin...go...nes... That's how you read that word, right?

Where's Lingones?

Gaul.

Oh. Where's Gaul?

How the *Sarkaz swearing* should I know where Gaul is?!

Hey, what's with the attitude?

Shh! The Highnesses and the Royal Court bigshots are discussing something in the chamber. I heard it's about reorganizing the city. Haven't you noticed all the extra guards on the streets recently?

So quiet down a bit!

*sigh* Weather's been real stuffy today.

It is decided.

The Military Commission will replace the War Council in assisting the King of Sarkaz Theresa in decision-making related to Kazdel's military and political affairs.

The Military Commission will be the sole administration of Kazdel, and none will have the authority to issue commands to the Sarkaz in the Royal Court's name.

All present have already received the details of this resolution. To the Royal Court leaders who still wish to cling onto the War Council...

Know that the Military Commission of Kazdel will become the final bastion of the Sarkaz, our eternal fortress, and the usher of a new order.

Are there any further questions?

Your Highness appears more haggard than you did yesterday.

Please, look after your health. No Military Commission is worth it...

If it comes at the cost of Your Highness's health.

...

Laqeramaline... thank you.

I know how hard you have worked for this day... and I also know how Kazdel today views the Banshees of the Convallis.

...

But before I state our position, I encountered a lost envoy of the Liches on my journey here. He entrusted me with a letter for your Highnesses.

That he couldn't even find the road here... let this be proof of the immense changes Kazdel has undergone.

Hmm... A letter from Leithanien.

If things are going as expected, Your Highness's Messenger would still not have received any news from the Cyclopes.

Rather than waiting for the response from deep in the blizzard, should we not hear how the Liches of Leithanien answer?

You're right. It has been... a very long time since the Sarkaz were able to truly unite.

Oh?

Fremont, a Lich who has long resided in Leithanien. It appears that he is now the 'First Scribe' for the Liches.

It seems that the Arts practiced by the Liches of Leithanien have seen some stylistic changes. Oh, he appears rather excited.

...

Why is there only image, but no sound?

Well...

The Lich envoy did suggest to me that he was rather vexed with refining his master's words, but never did I imagine that he would simply erase all the sound.

In short, Fremont apologizes on behalf of the Liches. They are enthralled as ever by their quest for knowledge, and are therefore unable to afford the distraction of making the long journey here.

But if Kazdel were ever in need of their knowledge, they would happily throw wide the gates to their temple for the people that they have chosen.

I am sure that with your abilities, your Highness can understand Fremont's attitude on the matter from his image alone. To me, it appears as though he is sensitive to drastic change, as has always been his wont.

Ah, yes. There is another letter from Fremont, one addressed directly to the General.

Might I remind you, Laqeramaline, that you are nobody's Messenger.

You have not yet expressed where the Banshee Court stands.

I assumed that we had reached an understanding in the course of our reminiscing yesterday. The Banshees will not participate.

We are still recovering from the wounds inflicted by the past war.

Perhaps other Sarkaz will castigate us for this, but all present should know that since that war, the elegies have yet to cease in our valley. We had suffered grievous losses.

If Kazdel calls on the aid of the Banshees once more, then I will give the same promise as Fremont. The Banshees will be there.

But until that day, you will find us willing but unable. Naturally, I myself will render what little assistance I am able to give, from this day onwards.

That's more than we could ask for... Thank you, Laqeramaline.

You are welcome, Your Highness. You know where I stand. For the past hundred years, I have always stood by the decisions you have made.

I can only hope that your brother does not blame us for watching from the sidelines.

...

Next, lord Nezzsalem, the Nachzehrer King.

You were once the leader of the War Council, and the mentor of Theresis and I.

What is your opinion on these many proposals? Where do the other council members that you represent stand on the matter?

Have you discussed them with the Damazti Cluster?

They have long since taken root in Kazdel, under many different names and faces. We have had many conversations over the years, and they have no objections.

Then I have no objections of my own.

Your Highness need not worry about the bureaucratic hurdles, policy imperfections, or enforcement mechanisms. Where I stand is also where the other members of the Council stand.

We all know what we truly long for. A turnabout. A change. A banner.

Go. Do as you will.

We will, Nachzehrer King. I promise you that.

I trust that this stagnant and dulled 'war' can take on a new form in your hands.

I notice you have not said a word this entire meeting...

Sanguinarch of Vampires.

To take the War Council and the century of history behind it...

...And sweep it into the gutter alongside the exalted Heroic Age and what little triumphs within. Is that the General's decision?

It is our decision.

Speak your mind, Duq'arael.

I thank Your Highness, for purifying the filthy blood that I so abhor in my stead.

But never have I needed to hide my requests behind honeyed words. Such as it has been for every King of the past, and so it will be for you.

The Military Commission is merely an attempt to hide Sarkaz witchcraft and blood behind a 'more modern, more efficient' name.

Truth be told, I feel like this is insignificant. More than insignificant, it is simply not necessary.

You reject the proposal...?

On behalf of the Vampire Court?

Not a rejection, no. I am merely expressing some minor frustrations about this meeting.

You are great and powerful, all of you are. How long has it been since so many members of the Royal Court have gathered here in Kazdel?

Not to mention that it was you who defeated that foolish coalition in the prior age and wrestled the future into your own hands, before personally establishing the War Council.

And now you wish to personally 'change' this Council? Why?

Look about you at the other dignitaries in this chamber.

You have long reached a consensus. The only obstacle to your Military Commission is myself—and the Vampires.

You would foist some ridiculous title upon me before forcing all Vampires to bow down to your Commission．

When did you learn this political trickery that those Victorians and Leithanians so love?

Why not just take my head here and now, and slaughter the Vampires within this city's walls?

This meeting was not convened to persecute anyone.

Was it not?

It was convened to discuss how to bring Kazdel into a new age—

'A new age'?

In that so-called 'Age of the Six Heroes' the songs love to praise, what I saw was bloodthirst and violence.

I had thought that when I arrived in Kazdel, I would be greeted with the sound of Yliš's wailing, but what did I see instead?

I saw the coalition routed. Witchcraft, enough to cover the land and fill the skies, crushed the enemy front. The power of the Sarkaz shook the earth.

I felt amazement. I felt... excitement. Spurred by my passion, I took the head of the Leithanian envoy who had orchestrated the coalition and offered it to the War Council.

Nezzsalem!

...

That war was the true beginning of a new age. I thought you would agree with me.

Have you too succumbed to schemes and politics... and shut your ears to the echoes of the abyss?

The abyss has no place for you, Duq'arael. Do not drag me into your tantrum.

Ah, my apologies. But I am curious—what position did they offer the esteemed Sarkaz master of war in the Military Commission that has rendered even you so shortsighted?

All I await is the next war.

And what war would that be?

If it pleases you, Your Highness.

Come, Duq'arael.

I will show you.

...

You should understand now, Vampire. You should understand what these visions mean.

Or perhaps you have begun to grow weak and feeble as Yliš in the short span of a hundred years? You were once a warrior.

...I cannot deny that.

But are you saying that a new and reborn Kazdel requires the Royal Court to relinquish its former authority?

Close, but not quite.

The new Kazdel will no longer require the Royal Court's former authority.

It will be 'more modern, more efficient', Duq'arael.

How can the Sarkaz speak of unity while you continue to indulge in your noble bloodlines? Will it come from the 'rule' of the Royal Court?

You may still rule over your own court, and maintain the power and prestige you hold among the Sarkaz, but the Vampire Court must yield to the Military Commission.

...

I promise you this, in Theresa's name.

When the age that you witnessed comes, Kazdel will no longer be a single dot upon the map.

It was once more than just a city. And so it shall be more again.

...

It seems I have spoken out of turn. Please, continue, Your Highness Theresa.

The aftermath of the ongoing conflict, enough to reshape current power dynamics, will engulf us all. It may come in fifty years, in ten, or perhaps even tomorrow...

Kazdel cannot escape it.

The Damazti and I both saw the visions of the campaign that will destroy Lingones.

High-efficiency command systems made possible by Originium Arts, high-speed battleships that can break through front lines, maneuver tactics that can mobilize entire legions... new advancements are applied to the battlefield as we speak.

Their capacity for destruction is surpassing our innate instinct rooted in our bloodlines.

What worries me more is the fact that we will still find fellow Sarkaz among the countless casualties of war.

Gaul employed Royal Court casters and the Liches in Leithanien are killing each other in battle, while a certain Wendigo is spilling the blood of his fellow Sarkaz to prove his loyalty to the Ursine Tsar.

As for the Sarkaz mercenaries sent to the frontlines as Arts fodder, they won't even be counted in any nation's casualty statistics.

The Sarkaz massacre one another in wars we have no stake in, regarded as disposable goods to be abandoned without care by the leaders of those wars.

For the sake of keeping pace with these changes, the Sarkaz must once again gather around the furnace. And if necessary...

The power to dominate the war must lie in our hands.

We will plunder the other nations, and wrest their most profound secrets from them.

We were once the proud Teekaz, forced to become the Sarkaz and derided as devils...

Because the outlanders feared us. It is an ancient fear, rooted deep in their hearts.

Let us remind them. Let us show all of Terra our history and legend that have been either forgotten or falsified.

The Sarkaz are not weak. We do not need others to save us from our fate.

On the contrary, we will dictate the fate of Terra. Dictate how this land should move forward.

The details of our plan have been delivered to all present, through the runic Arts of the Banshees.

Duq'arael.

...

Do you still hold doubt?

No. Exceptional work, Theresis. Set aside a seat on the Military Commission for the Crimson Court.

It appears that our Nachzehrer King has not yet grown addled with age. But as to whether or not he could usher in such a grand feast...

Warriors need not die in a blaze of glory. That is a vulgarity only chased by those who seek fame.

...

Oh, I nearly forgot you were still here, Laqeramaline.

I have made myself abundantly clear from the start, Prince Duq'arael. I need only silently observe your... enthusiastic attempt at self-expression.

How pitiful it is to look upon such a shabby little Court. I will cherish your elegies.

Then this I promise you. When death comes for you, the Lord of the Banshees will sing you an elegy, delivered to you by the night wind.

Set aside your chatter for another time. It seems Their Highnesses still have matters to discuss.

The other members of the War Council will wish to know their decisions. Duq'arael, Laqeramaline, and you Damazti disguised outside the door, with me.

You never mentioned that you would announce the plans for war to the Royal Court.

You did not refute me either.

Would I have been able to refute anything?

You are well aware of what I think. If you wanted to argue against any of it, you would have done so a few years ago.

For now, I have them by the reins. But it's not just them, this entire city hungers for war.

I will prevent matters from heading down the worst possible path... lest the prospects of Terra's continued existence become infinitesimally small.

You must be quick about it.

I will.

What does Fremont's letter say?

He... has surmised what would transpire during that meeting rather accurately. He has given his opinion on some matters, alongside a reminder.

Do not place all your coming hopes in one basket.

You with that Babel? Pah, don't count on the Military Commission to look after you all.

We're here to help you.

Help us? My parents died at the hands of you Leithanians.

You got some nerve. What, not scared of me?

We knew what to expect when we came here. Just needs some getting used to.

Besides, our captain warned us not to agitate the locals.

You looking down on me?! *Sarkaz swearing*!

Eh?

The hell is this?! Let me go!

(Welcoming wave)

Do not harm him, but do make him leave.

Dr. Kal'tsit?

I said not to deviate from our planned route, even if it is to treat the wounded along the way.

Sorry, Dr. Kal'tsit.

No matter. You handled it well. We've reached our destination.

Welcome to Babel.

Did you manage to retrieve all our stray colleagues?

Yes. All's well with them.

The construction of Babel's facilities is proceeding smoothly. The school that you were so looking forward to is already complete.

Yet I heard that the unbeatable Dr. Kal'tsit had not too long ago been turned down. Perhaps even kicked out?

I did not foresee such a... direct refusal.

I'm not surprised at all, to be honest. To many Sarkaz, the invitation of the King is barely worth the paper it's printed on.

On the other hand, our 'connections' with Sargon and Rim Billiton have delivered good news. As for Columbia... Some scientists have proposed a technology exchange program.

They have their eyes on the ancient Sarkaz witchcraft, while we have need of their latest mobile farms.

It took us a century's effort to share an equal dialogue with these powers.

The results speak for themselves. You are creating new history, Theresa.

Thank you, Kal'tsit.

But I can tell you've had a lot on your mind recently.

The Military Commission has been formally established.

Babel's existence will spark yet another near-irreconcilable conflict in Kazdel.

Our staff comes from different races and nations. How should they live alongside the Sarkaz?

If your efforts to soothe enmity and prejudice instead become a fuse to spark conflict anew, what does Your Highness plan to do?

If we cannot even eliminate prejudice and hatred within the walls of Kazdel, how can Babel hope to achieve equality for the Sarkaz throughout all of Terra?

There will be members of the Military Commission posted to Babel soon. They will ensure the safety of our people.

This will also serve as a warning to some.

Babel is backed by both Theresis and me.

...

Oh, right! Did I ever tell you how I met a Sankta Messenger, Kal'tsit?

Strange. The Sankta do not generally dare to approach the borders of Kazdel. Was this why Your Highness disappeared this afternoon?

Was it that obvious? I thought Laqeramaline had me covered.

The Lord of the Banshees clearly tried, but judging from the results, she isn't the best pick for clerical work.

Well, what of that Sankta Messenger?

He was getting water from the river, and we struck up a conversation. We chatted about many things. History, peace, hatred.

Our viewpoints did not align on most things, but I could sense in him wisdom and intelligence beyond his years.

He had thoughts concealed within his heart, ones even he did not know of.

And so...

You used the power of the King of Sarkaz on a Sankta?

I simply wished to know what this fated encounter meant.

And... what did it mean?

It's still hard to say. But while I was looking at his soul, I felt that, perhaps... we are not so alone, Kal'tsit.

Many on this land are doing all they can to pursue hope. Hopes big and small, hopes bright and beautiful.

Ugh... That hurt... Are those people nuts or something? I just wanted to get a few nice things for myself, never even heard of any Babel...

I refuse to die here...

It's you or me, you bastards! Out of the way!

Are you alright? Were you trying to save me just now?

There's so much blood. Why does it feel like I'm the one saving you?

Hold on, I'll bring you to Babel! Our doctors there can help you!

Hah... I'm still alive...

Hmph, who would have thought that those lunatics would decide to attack innocent bystanders in broad daylight to get at Babel. I don't know how the others are faring...

Hey, hey! Stay with me! I still don't know your name!

I'm... Good...luck...

Huh?