Reception Party

...'Technical reasons'.

How unsophisticated.

But, it gets the job done. They know full well... that we all care greatly about our own reputations. Especially in the face of Victoria's coming future.

So, they also decided to throw out a bit of bait... Hmph. A flying fortress, huh?

It pains me to say this, but, as long as they're holding Norport Borough at gunpoint, things are going to get messy.

Now, even Wellington doesn't have the nerve to rush over with his high-speed warship, rain fire down on the old logistics area, and snatch away his new toy.

But he won't be able to resist the temptation.

Affirmative. The Duke of Wellington's troops have sped up their advance. We suspect he's already gained intel on the airship.

This massive airship is indeed beyond our calculations, and it has the potential to reshape future wars. But, as the intelligence says, we're far from the point of things spiraling out of control.

According to our estimates, even if the Sarkaz had a secret channel for transporting supplies, they wouldn't have had the time or resources to build multiple airships.

Those damned devils can hardly bring out the value of this technology, but perhaps we can.

That's right. Naturally, this is extremely important to me. Even if I don't give the order, I expect that you'll bring it to me.

However, our gaze ought to be cast wider than just this singular piece of technology.

What really worries me is...

We've let the Sarkaz run amok in the Shard for far too long. Even the most dim-witted fools will eventually figure out what lies behind those buttons and levers.

Allerdale... I don't blame her. She was never ambitious enough– that was her strong suit, and I allowed her to keep it. But, it doesn't look like there's any way to make use of our 'Stone of the Sword.'

Rest assured, the dukes who supported you, along with their vassals, are still resolutely on your side.

I promised them peace and safety, and I will deliver.

Forever honor one's commitments– that has always been the motto of House Caster since ancient times.

'Trilby Asher' is already being dealt with.

Naturally. They always have a way.

Then, Your Grace, about the citizens of Norport...

Lt. Colonel Lettou said that he was preparing a 'rescue plan.'

You won't go wrong putting your trust in that Gaulish commander. I've met him before– he's an interesting man.

The Sarkaz have never publicly claimed to 'occupy' Londinium, as it has nominally been under the control of the Defense Forces.

And this Lieutenant Colonel has managed to survive in his position for four years without getting caught up in any major trouble either...

We all know how what those devils are like, so that fact alone is respectable enough.

Who knows, maybe he's more keen on becoming a 'savior' than we are.

I see what you're saying.

Getting the right people into the right positions, and turning valued friends into truly loyal partners... is harder than we initially expected.

Old Wellington knows what I want, and I know what he wants.

Though we've never talked about these things openly, we naturally helped each other, all while keeping an extra knife sharpened for one another.

Poor thing. Windermere's been playing with the Leithanians for so long, it might be a while until she remembers how Victoria works.

Indeed, we still don't quite understand why the Duke of Windermere is so keenly interested in Norport's affairs. Does she also want that airship technology?

Maybe she wants to add another card to her hand? She knows she's in for a rough time soon.

With opportunity comes desire. Both are as honey, equally effective at leading people into the abyss.

That cousin of mine failed to understand this, which is why he's been dead for twenty-six years.

You know, he still appears in my dreams, from time to time.

Can't say I ever liked him. He was a bombastic, self-righteous boy.

When we were young, he'd run up and down the corridors of the palace, spouting quotes from past kings he saw in some book.

And, he'd always spew the same trite platitudes.

'A role model for the masses,' 'noblesse oblige,' what have you.

He treated those words as his guiding compass, though they probably didn't even come from the kings they were attributed to. In all likelihood, they were flattering embellishments added by the royal archivists.

He actually believed those words, and paid the price for it.

But despite all that, I sometimes still miss him.

During those years he was still around, we could pretend that all was well.

But now, even the dullest of men must open their eyes.

Open their eyes, and bear witness to all our ugliness, covetousness, and opportunism–

War has broken out, and its advent has fulfilled everyone's wishes at all.

Your Grace, this is also your chance to unite Victoria.

Hah. Unity...

Victoria has been trodden upon and sullied for far too long. You have the right to restore her glory.

This war is for Victoria.

No, no, my child. This war is not for Victoria alone.

'Victoria.' How we love to speak the name of our country–

No. It's nothing more than a rag to cover festering abscesses when the people are in need of morality, an empty husk to exploit hope when the people are in need of dignity.

All those farmers, laborers, soldiers, and nobles... All these who despise each other, who grope at each others' throats. Why does lumping all of them together make the great Victoria?

When they speak of Victoria, what is it they refer to? The fields they've tilled for half a lifetime? The factories that've gorged on their blood and tears?

Collections of looted artifacts? Great halls of imported carpets? A splotch of color with a line of text on an atlas? Or, a news headline and a set of economic figures on a television set?

Or, is it the vast, glorious, and invincible empire built upon the foundations of each man's imagination?

Let us prepare ourselves. Let us wait with bated breath.

Take a good look. Witness where this war will take us.

Good day, sir–

Lemme guess. You wanna be strung up on that fence too, huh?

To be honest, I don't have a lot of fun with that job. I suggest you turn around and crawl back to where you belong.

No, please wait, good sir! I just... The others just wanted me to come talk to you...

Err, that's not what I meant... We just have a few trivial issues, so if you could show us a bit of mercy...

When did you Victorians start taking us devils for a bunch of bleeding hearts?

All we wanted... was to know what's going on in Norport Borough...

Nothing worth mentioning.

What if... Look, we can still scrounge up some valuable trinkets. Surely, you've heard of Sargon's gems...? I have a number of them here...

Get lost.

I get it, you're not interested, huh? I also have a collection of old Gaulish paintings that are said to be priceless– Oh, alright! M-Maybe I was out of line to say that. This is going to cost me my life, isn't it...?

How about a Sankta patron firearm? I just happen to have one stashed away back home...

Interesting... You got your hands on an angel's guardian gun huh?

Oh, um, it's not mine though! It's just for safekeeping... Heavens, those angels from the Notarial Hall are going to flay me alive if they find out, but if you're interested–

I just happened to hear, you– Err, the Sarkaz enjoy collecting them, so...

Listen up. I prefer my angelic toys freshly looted from a pile of corpses. Now, piss off.

Sarkaz! We just want to know what's going on! This is a perfectly legitimate request!

So many of us have been driven out of our homes and crammed into a little ghetto with no place to live, no food, and no freedom. Now, all we want is an explanation!

Are all these houses not good enough for you? Pick a door, any door– knock on one of them, and get your sorry ass inside. What more do you want? A bathtub with a built-in back massager?

You can't treat us like this! Where are the Defense Forces? I personally know Lettou and want to speak with him! We haven't broken any rules!

That's enough, mister. Be careful...

They're armed!

Let go of me! What do I have to be careful for? Listen up, Sarkaz! I've lived here for thirty years! This is my city! This is my neighborhood!

I know you've taken over those factories. I know you lust after Londinium's wealth, so take it. Splitting off a few factories won't put a dent in Victoria's glory.

But I am my own man! Not even the King can take my home!

Tell me, why did Norport Borough drive out of Londinium overnight? What's the meaning of all these walls outside the borough?!

Hey... Are you trying to get yourself killed?

What possessed you into thinking... that you could challenge my authority?

Wait, please, good sir! He doesn't know what he's talking about!

Urk... Nngh...

What a waste.

Listen up, you sorry worms. To tell the truth, I'd like nothing more than to slaughter each and every one of you right now. Seeing your faces makes me sick. But the boss says you lot are still useful.

So I promised him– I'd show a little restraint.

This is the grace I've afforded you, but know that I can take it back just as easily.

Hurry! Run! Get away from here!

H-Help!

Run, run, as fast you can, pathetic Victorians! You've had your fun already! Now, it's your time to get a taste of the life once forced onto us!

Hide in every nook and cranny, hide beneath every shadow. Rip up your morality and swallow your dignity! This is everything we Sarkaz have experienced! Now, rejoice, because it's yours too!

Call it equality. This is the kind of equality you've never known!

Explain myself? Answer your questions?

No, this is war, you dipshits!

Learn it! Embrace it! Just like we did for thousands of years!

*sob*... *sob*...

I... *sob*... Where am I...?

Stop your blubbering already.

Did you think they invited you here for a picnic? You can guess where the people who weren't so willing to come ended up.

You're...

Call me Baird. You're hurt, and need your wounds dressed.

Follow me.