Liberi Reader

This was a resplendent place twenty-six years ago.

At the time, the dome above was polished to a mirror sheen, and the radiance of the twin moons and the enchanting darkness of the starry sky dancing together was a most beauteous sight.

Once, I kissed the back of His Majesty's hand here. 'Paying respects to King Alistair', a rare honor indeed.

Victoria no longer has a king, my Lady—

Or should I call you the Earl of March?

Just Eleanor is fine.

I did not beg His Grace the Duke of Normandy for the seat of County March to hold the title of Earl, but rather to expedite a few business matters, Your Highness.

If it were not for that farcical royal hanging, we might have been much closer, Vina.

Please, take it. Since you're more accustomed to do things in a businesslike manner, this might put you at ease.

I'm afraid we are not so well-acquainted. Do you all always decide the future of Londinium here, my Lady?

It was never up to me where we meet. Besides, considering all that's happened here, surely there is nowhere else more suited than this?

I arrived early to both walk down memory lane and to meet with you. We have much to talk about.

Did you not wish to meet me too?

You know I'm holding a—

Vina, surely your friends from Rhodes Island have divulged what the other dukes are thinking to you.

The other dukes? I don't see much difference between you, them and the Duke of Normandy backing you.

Oh, don't get me mixed up with His Grace. He's a man worthy of respect, but it's not worth bothering him with trifles such as handling Londinium.

As for the rest of them, I dare not say I'm worthy of comparison.

The Sarkaz withdrawal does not mean that Londinium's troubles are over. None are willing to tally up the change in the Infected population, but the outcome is rather clear.

Victoria's pharmaceutical production lines are insufficient, and nobody wants to rework their precious factories for the sake of the Infected. You know what I mean.

What do you mean?

I have a long-standing partnership with the Columbian military. They've even referred me to several pharmaceutical companies.

There is no crack that cannot be plugged. For the right price, of course.

Is that a threat?

Only if you think it is. Don't be too hasty to respond. Figure out what bargaining chips you have first before you come find me, Vina.

Let's start our future partnership on the right foot.

Oh, and, you know you can tell just by looking around that your family once steered the course of all Victoria from this ancient palace.

Your Royal Highness Alexandrina, Londinium is far too small for you—

The city's far too large, if you ask me. It shames me to admit, but the wailing I heard all across Londinium had me quaking in my boots, and in my panic, I went the wrong way.

Ah, so many tragic sights in this city...

You really have grown, Ellie. I still remember how you used to clamber up my back and grab onto my antlers.

I am ever grateful for your generosity. His Grace the Duke of Normandy also reminded me that he is off soon to convalesce in greener pastures. You may join him, if you wish.

Hah, I'm not one to leave my manor before I've drained my wine cellar dry of the fine vintages within.

And here I was thinking old Normandy would understand the importance of this little meeting of ours.

But no matter. You are the reason we have gathered here today, Alexandrina.

*cough* Your Grace didn't need to cut to the chase quite so quickly.

The old soldier's running late... Did he refuse your invitation again?

He turned his eyes away from Londinium a long time ago. I'm sure your spies will have all the details of my meeting with him served to you with breakfast tomorrow.

Yet even now, his elegance is no less impressive than the time Gaul was swallowed whole.

I wouldn't consider this a good thing for Victoria.

Tara and Dublinn... Though he has not explicitly declared independence from Victoria, only the blind fail to see the reality of the situation.

Abercorn and Fife suffered tremendous losses, and so have 'forfeited the right' to take part in the big decisions. And the one behind Ashworth has decided to stay far from any sort of turmoil.

As for Normandy... His stance is rather clear-cut.

Aye, the vagaries of life.

Back in those days, we still held parliamentary banquets here, and King Alistair still sat in the throne room. None would take his words lightly.

Hah.

No need to memorialize the dead, Your Grace. His orphan stands before us, does she not?

Hah, aye, so she does. What does it matter if Victoria has no king?

...

The Siege. That's all I can call you until you accept our proposal.

There are better ways to implement your ideas on the Infected, the refugees, even those pain-in-the-arse Sarkaz.

Should I consider this advice from the 'will of the empire'?

Call it an attempt at giving some. We have other means to handle this near-ruined city.

This is not a lifetime appointment. We will judge whether or not you are fit for the position.

Just like the past, no?

With your 'dinner table Parliament', a handful of dukes could dance around the King behind closed doors, deciding the nation's future on a whim.

And the results? Look outside. We have not yet washed ourselves clean of all the Sarkaz blood—

You look only at this little city, while I look at the whole of Victoria.

If Londinium has become an ulcer sapping Victoria's strength, I do not mind gouging it out.

I will allow other nations to see Victoria bleed, but I will not tolerate them mocking our scars, nauseating though they may be.

If you stand in a sewer, you cannot expect to have full view of an ancient empire. Do not forget that the family name 'Victoria' is no stranger to me, Your Royal Highness Alexandrina.

Only the strong and the heroic have the power to steer the empire on its future course.

Let's not frighten our future friend, Your Grace. Didn't we gather here to soothe our worries in a more pleasant manner?

Old Wellington is far from the core, Windermere is in a constant state of uproar, and the rest are keeping an eye on how we stand.

Since it's rare for us all to see eye-to-eye on a matter, let's keep things simple.

That, I cannot deny. But Vina, you can do far more than this.

Though this does not mean the Speaker must sit on the throne, Ellie.

Are you all finished?

...

...

...

My teacher once told me the Sighs of Kings was used to behead rebellious nobles—

No, not the Sighs of Kings any longer, though I do not know what to call it now.

I have not the right to name it, as it was the workers who forged it. To commemorate that victory, whose painful sting has not yet left us.

At first, as it lay forgotten upon the muddy battlefield, I thought its duty had ended.

But those heroes who lost everything still remember it, because it symbolizes the Victoria held in their hearts. They do not wish to see her laden with dust once more.

...

I know what they intended when they gave it to me. They wanted me to judge in their stead... Judge those who brought them to desolation and ruin.

But you don't fear it, do you?

It was never the sword you feared.

'So long as the sword gleams, Victoria's honor will shine eternal.'

They begged my aid in reforging this sword, broken to the point of no return... using my hammer as its core.

Once reforged, they offered it to me without hesitation. But at the time, I could make no promises. King? Speaker? As far as I'm concerned...

Neither title is worth a damn. I'm no different from them. I'm just a woman who wanted to go home.

And when I made it back, what did I find?

I didn't see the 'grand' Victoria you do.

But I did see Infected children in the boxing gym, hoping to learn pugilism so they could defend their homes. And drunkards, mouths full of rotting teeth, donating the drinks they had stashed away to the hospitals, all so soldiers on the operating table could be saved.

The glory of empire has long since left us, so far in the distance it can no longer warm our hard beds in the winter chill of the new year.

This sword is the duty they entrusted to me. I need neither Parliament nor royal authority to know what I must do.

I will do what I can to show them the power they hold in their hands. To make them understand the land is theirs to protect!

But until that day comes, I must stand at their forefront, no matter what title I bear.

Sewers too, may bloom. And so, here, in my home...

I will NOT be lectured by the likes of you!

Hah, well said, my Lady! There's really no point in us keeping the sword nowadays.

Best you pull it right out, no point in nicking such a fine blade.

Your teacher really did give you a practical education. It seems we were worried over nothing, Duke Caster.

Indeed. A rather childish way of doing things, but one that will win over the people. Parliament will see her mature faster than ever.

Wait just a bloody minute—

We have no choice, Siege. Sundered Victoria needs a new voice, and you have stepped forward.

But I have seen many die by their own blades, leading me to think long and hard about taking up that particular one.

Do not let it cut you, Madam Speaker. That is my advice.

Doctor?!

Pardon me, Your Grace. We were... unable to stop the Doctor.

(Bored growl)

You are dismissed.

Doctor...

How interesting. A pharmaceutical company specialized in Oripathy that often dips its toe into areas outside its expertise.

You circumvented the ducal alliance, and tendered a ceasefire with those Sarkaz.

Merely a gift, as thanks for all you have done on the battlefield.

There are some lines that must not be crossed.

We will await your answer, Siege.

As for Rhodes Island, you lot have been keeping quiet for a while now. Why the sudden urgency?

Oh? Time, is it...?

Vina, have a good think about what the people you're still protecting really need.

And remember, if you do make your decision, don't get too close with those Rhodes Islanders.

That's exactly why I'm warning Vina, 'Doctor' of Rhodes Island.

She's not quite like the other dukes.

So, what should we do now, Doctor?

It's been a long time since Babel took my brothers away. As for us who stayed, it's been real rough lately.

Hmph. Just do it already. I've got nothing else to say.

I've finished looking into him, Vina.

Longshot, a lifelong mercenary, hails from a place in Kazdel called the Scar Market. During the war, he took part in defending the city in the name of the Military Commission. He never saw the front lines.

Two months ago, Babel organized a withdrawal effort. He didn't follow them. Instead, he got captured by Indra and Dagda while covering for some local Sarkaz as they evacuated. You really did save him.

I... don't remember that.

Hah.

After he committed this latest crime of his, we followed his trail and found the people he was hiding.

His daughter has been helping a few Sarkaz leave the city these past two months. But this time she's part of the group sneaking out herself.

*Sarkaz expletive*!

You attacked the shopkeep who recognized you for supplies, didn't you?

Aaaaaghhh—

Restrain him!

Don't lose your temper just yet, Longshot. Your loved ones managed to slip through our fingers. Someone's helping them.

Millscar. Sounds familiar, right?

Their 'business' is creeping into places they shouldn't be creeping into.

...Hah. Haha.

I don't know a damned thing, Feline. Just kill me already.

...

Worried my blood's going to get this pretty little place all dirty?

The war's just ended, and you're already trembling at the sight of some red?!

None of you sitting here have even one-tenth of the honesty of those Sarkaz you refuse to call Victorians!

Just leave the rest to me.

Alright.

Any new instructions from Her Grace on the latest going-ons in the city?

Her Grace has long since been aware of the trouble these Sarkaz and this Millscar have been causing, and she is very concerned about the safety of the citizens.

But now Parliament is fully assembled, and since the Speaker has been doing a fine job of solving the issues plaguing the citizenry, she believes things will improve.

However...

However?

When it comes to rooting out the risks against Londinium's safety, Her Grace is of the opinion that we should not tarry, especially in regards to Millscar.

And so, there are still problems in this city that we must urge the Speaker to resolve sooner rather than later.

Boss, Parliament hanged that devil, but we managed to snag the stuff he left for us.

These goods...

Send them out.

But boss... That's way too risky right now. Parliament's been trying to sniff us out 24/7.

Then hide them for a spell. They've paid their due, so we'll get them delivered. No need to worry about anything else.

Nobody knows about this batch anyway, maybe we can just—

B-Boss, I had to say it, even if you kill me! That's the best way to handle things!

Didn't those devils kill a whole bunch of our people?!

If you really cared, you'd be on the Exemplars' list of decommissioned soldiers, not here.

But there's nothing wrong with caution, I suppose. With the new Speaker so concerned about the city's safety, we're an inevitable target alongside the Sarkaz.

Hmph. Those devils brought it upon themselves, though.

Two months ago, they decided not to withdraw alongside the rest of their kin. Now that things are heading south for them and they finally wish to flee, it's natural they have to pay extra.

Don't worry. If this goes well, more and more business opportunities will be coming our way.

You're back. How'd it go? Did you manage to get any?

Sanatorium's as full as a tin of fins. Everyone's trying to get their suppressant as soon as they can, not to mention what just happened to Madam Major...

Sorry, Diane. Not even Exemplars get special treatment.

Rhodes Island's been working around the clock to provide as many suppressants as they can, but there's just too many new Infected—

I... I understand.

Hmm... Well, it's not like we've got no way of getting any. I've heard from some war buddies that there's private channels...

Illegal ones?

Hey, as long as you live to see another day—

There's other means of buying medicine? Huh. My boss never told me we'd have competitors.

Hmph. Sure you didn't hear me wrong, mister?

Ah, sorry, my trip from Columbia must have tired me out too much. Hello, I'm Eliseo. Here, my business card.

Colum...bia? Pure Heart Medical?

That's right, I rushed over to Victoria to find... to find...

Err, one second, let me check my list...

Ever since I arrived in Londinium, nearly everything's been different to how the preliminary briefing described it.

Found it. Londinium's interim health secretary... Madam Major. Could you tell me how to get to the Office of Provisional Supply Procurement?

Rest assured, I'm here representing Pure Heart Medical to discuss medical cooperation. The situation here will get better soon.

...

...

Did I... say something wrong?

Didn't you hear the news? Madam Major has... passed away. Just this morning.

Sorry.

—?!

Sorry, I lost my cool for a second. No matter how hard we must strive, Pure Heart Medical's sincerity and dedication will not change.

But right now, could you please take me to her office?