I couldn't decide how to start the chapter on Allerdale, when I decided to write one for her. I realized I knew so little about the name that should've been so familiar to me.
The last Cumberland. The one who betrayed us. The one who gave her life to save us. The one who bragged about her cream stew.
Millscar. Caster's minion. Cumberland the Ever on High. Which one was the real Allerdale?
Thirty-four minutes until the Exemplars break through the blockade
Concerned Mercenary
Coordinates confirmed, boss. The location in the anonymous warning message is just ahead. And we've identified the sourceβ
Millscar
Rhodes Island.
Millscar
No surprises there. Let's go.
The mercenary does not move. There is uncertainty on his face.
Millscar
Out with it.
Concerned Mercenary
The boys trust you. Without you, we would have rotted in the alleys, or the devils would haveβ
Concerned Mercenary
I've already died once, so I'm fine with putting my head on the line for you. But this just doesn't make sense. Why should we trust Rhodes Island? We know nothing about them.
Concerned Mercenary
The Exemplars are almost inside the city. It's going to be bedlam outside. We could take this opportunity to line our pockets...
Concerned Mercenary
Or at least... you should not risk yourself, being here.
Millscar
You're not the only one who thinks this way, are you?
The mercenary is silent. He dares not meet Millscar's gaze, fearing her wrath.
But nothing happens.
Millscar
Have you thought about what will become of Londinium after this war?
Concerned Mercenary
Er... the way it used to be?
Millscar
No, nothing will go back to the way it used to be. No one can go back, no matter what comes of this war.
Concerned Mercenary
Y-You're abandoning us?
Millscar
No, I need you. Soon, Londinium will become a city in need of mending.
Millscar
The old order has been destroyed by death and violence. There will be plenty of gaps left behind, plenty to feed us.
Concerned Mercenary
Butβ
Millscar
I'm not asking your opinion.
Millscar
Listen, I don't plan on going back to the old life, which means we have to plan for a new one. I haven't forgotten about you, of course.
Millscar
In order to keep our livelihood, we need people to know what we're capable of.
Millscar
Don't say I didn't give you a choice. So, are you coming or not?
Concerned Mercenary
......
Concerned Mercenary
Oh, sod it, put me at the front of the line, boss.
The blood-red rocks in the gaps of the frame and in the furnace... did the devils hide them here? What are they planning?
Millscar
Vampire stuff.
There is a faint smell of blood in the air. She recalls the onrushing squirming monsters that came straight out of a nightmare.
Concerned Mercenary
Boss! I found something here!
Millscar
A ducal alliance soldier?
Concerned Mercenary
Something's not right. He hasn't been dead for long. The name tag... Fifth Infantry Regiment, Eighth Column. Rank... Major?!
Millscar
The Earl of March's troops, under the Duke of Normandy. No external wounds, but the death was not natural.
Millscar
Her unit should still be outside the walls. Why would a major from the unit be hereβ
???
Where did they come from? Kill them, and quickly. The orders must not be delayed.
???
There are other altars that still need to be activated. There is no time.
Concerned Mercenary
The devils have us surrounded! There's no way outβ
Millscar
Why do we need one?
Concerned Mercenary
......
'Lunatic'.
No one knows where the Steam Knight sword in her hand came from, much less where Millscar herself came from.
The mercenary's legs tremble. He regrets not turning around a few minutes ago.
As long as that purple blade would not impale him from behind.
Concerned Mercenary
Bugger all.
Nadine
Huh. I know that sword.
Nadine
The General's briefing mentioned you. You've got nerve. Is the tin can somewhere nearby?
Nadine
Maybe we can kill two fowlbeasts with one stone.
Millscar
Hmph.
Nadine
Carry on with your work, I'll handle thisβ
*jingle*
Like wind chimes on the beams of a mausoleuma caressed by a breeze, the golden pendants and gems that hang from the veil of the one who slumbers sway and clang against each other in the air.
???
Excuse me, did anyone see my earring?
???
There you are, Little GarnetβOh, it's broken...
???
I guess I'll have to borrow your toys, Duq'arael. Not like you're in any position to refuse.
The blood-red altar within the iron frame begins to glow, but quickly goes dark again and then shatters.
The broken red pendant in the air is now good as new, glowing with a faint light.
The red glow is almost mesmerizing.
*jingle*
The sound echoes by Millscar's ear.
???
Take care of Little Garnet for me, for a while.
???
She'll lead you where you belong. Now, you should go.
???
I'm surprised that anyone like Dame Kal'tsit would trust you, though.
Six minutes until the Exemplars break through the blockade
Millscar
Let's go to the next one.
Concerned Mercenary
Boss, that weird Vampire thing... as we destroy the altars, it just keeps getting... prettier.
Millscar
We've got more important things to worry about. Word is that the Exemplars have made it into the city, but they're being impeded by the ducal alliance's troops.
Millscar
Have the factories gotten the order?
Concerned Mercenary
Aye. They're getting ready.
Millscar
These strange hidden Sarkaz altars, and rumors that the dukes are ready to leave Londinium blockaded and abandon it to its fate...
Millscar
Hah. Who's the one who actually wants to blow up the city?
???
Does it really matter?
Clovisia
It's been a while, Allerdale.
Millscar
......
Millscar
I thought you were dead.
Clovisia
I thought YOU were dead.
Clovisia
Even with Rhodes Island's help, there are too many of these for you to deal with, and too little time.
Clovisia
Who knows how many such altars the Sarkaz have hidden across the city? Without my knowledge, too. They could not have done it on their own.
Clovisia
More than one key district will be reduced to rubble if these altars are activated. I've discovered and destroyed several key ones, however.
Millscar
By yourself...?
Clovisia
Vina needs help. The Exemplars need one final push. And the dukes need to hear the true voice of the people.
Clovisia
It was I who spread the rumors that the dukes are planning to abandon Londinium. Not that there wasn't an element of truth to it.
Millscar
What do you want me to do?
Clovisia
You're already doing it. You and those who follow you.
Clovisia
But you, too, need a little push. I'll take care of the remaining altars.
Millscar
You've changed. A lot.
Clovisia
I could say the same for you, 'Millscar'. Are you sure you like that name?
Clovisia
You've chosen to live. Then follow the path, and see where it leads.
Millscar
......
Concerned Mercenary
Boss, she'sβ
Millscar
Run like you've got all Kazdel on your heels. Go to the outer city, and tell the others to get ready to receive the Exemplars.
Two days after the Exemplars break through the blockade
Morgan
I never knew taking inventory could be such a pain.
Morgan
Taking inventory at the factories on our turf back in the day wasn't half as bad...
Vina
If this is pain, I'll gladly take more pain.
Morgan
It sure is exciting, though, to see so many people supporting usβ
Morgan
(Yawn) We've been at this all night. The sun's already coming up.
Vina
We have to push forward. The others can only buy so much time.
Vina
Word from WiΕ‘'adel is that they threw a dozen wrenches into the Military Commission's system of command, but the Nachzehrers are still guarding Westhaleg.
Vina
We've been inside the city for two days, but there has been little sign of movement from them.
Morgan
Weren't there rumors that Theresis has abandoned them and gone into hiding? Maybe that's why the Nachzehrers aren't moving.
Vina
That's just speculation. Not even the Doctor's team has been able to confirm it.
Vina
Get some rest, Morgan. The alliance's order to attack will come soonβ
Morgan
I just don't like counting, that's all!
Morgan
I want to help Dagda. I reckon I've got a little more experience sweet-talking people into helping us.
Morgan
Delphine is persuading the nobles who are still on the fence. Hannah and Catherine are organizing the surviving workers and Self-Salvation Corps. I have no doubt they can get it done.
Morgan
But Dagda... she's not really the temperament for this...
Vina
Go help her.
Vina
Phew.
Vina
Let's continue. Supplies from Heidi... improvised weapons by the Self-Salvation Corps...
Vina
Huh?
Vina
What's this at the bottom? It's not on the list.
She looks around and sees only Exemplars transporting supplies. She recognizes all their faces.
She carefully examines the box. After being satisfied that there is no threat, she opens it.
