Ears Muffed

But what matters is, we let them know an evacuation's about to happen.

Otherwise, once the dukes start firing their artillery, the majority aren't going to realize that's their opportunity to leave, and they'll just find some way to hide even better.

That's their choice. Maybe they'll end up still alive when the Sarkaz leave.

But they need to know there are other options.

Hrmph. Fine, fine. Other options...

There's a few places I heard signs of life from a few days ago... I hope it wasn't just wild beasts digging at the wreckage for eats.

Morgan, what's wrong? You look funny.

No... I'm fine.

I'm just... haha, just a little bit thrown.

Old boy Strauss and Granny Amir got into a fight over a single jab of first-aid inhibitor. One of 'em blinded the other in one eye.

Me and Amiya busted our arses getting them off each other again, but that eye's hopeless now.

We didn't bring that much medicine in the first place, and everyone's gathered outside, and some of them are in a... an awful panic.

They're worrying they might get infected. Some of them haven't even realized they already are Infected.

Amiya says she hasn't been contacted by Ines on time. She needs to check on how her and the Doctor are doing.

I... I couldn't hang around there any longer on my own. Came here to catch my breath.

You're real chummy with the people you brought back.

I grew up here since I was a kid, after all. I'm willing to bet not even you or Hannah know Norport as well as I do, let alone Siege.

You were always wandering around town back then whenever you had nothing to do.

Yeah. Forget back of my hand, I know Norport like my palm. Every little crease and fold and where it goes.

Vina, I... I was off trying to find all these people I'd known for yonks.

I tried looking for McClaren again. And it's not that he won't respond to us...

He's gone deaf. I saw blood coming from his ears.

I wrote a quick note for him. Should've seen it, clear as day, but... he just went and hid back inside.

And Karsh, guy who ran the record store. Used to trick me into buying awful vinyls, just the stalest stuff. Don't know how much money I wasted at his.

His legs, one of his legs is... nothing like a leg should look like. God knows how he shuffled over here.

Brenda, the one doing import clothes. She always lent me these fashion magazines from Lungmen to read.

I did some treatment on her burns for her, but...

And Claire, Eileen, Itoh...

I know every one of them!

Vina, did we come back just so we could see all this?

What the hell did we come back for?

Vina, Vina, if all we can do is watch on while this happens, if we don't have any way to change anything, then maybe we should've just... forgotten about this place at all?

You know I've read the heroes' sagas. Their terrific adventures and journeys, their chivalry and justice, defeating the evil—

But anyone outside of the hero's just a backdrop to the legend. They just exist in the story so the main character has someone to talk to, a chance to grow.

I always thought that was our kind of story. I was always so bleeding proud of myself...

But I know every one of them! God's sakes, I know every one of them!

Like this would be some bloody outline of monster wrecks village, hero kills monster—it's not that simple.

This isn't some stupid—cliched revenge story.

Vina, twenty years I lived with them in my life. They're not names for a grieving hero to check off out loud. They're not flashbacks they can stuff into an aside before they kill a villain.

They... they shouldn't be...

Morgan, I know what you—

Vina! Alexandrina Vina Victoria!

Did you come back to this country to take a crown which was rightfully yours, to create eternal legends of yet another Aslan King—

Or did you do it to come back home?

Vina, I'm begging you, tell me, tell me this isn't going to be forever...

You can tell me we just... need to hold on a little longer.

I'm sorry, Vina, I don't blame you or anything...

...I just was walking on the street, and I looked up, and it all hit me...

We've lost Norport Borough. We really have.

Morgan!

Vina, I...

Morgan.

Maybe... I came back, just so I wouldn't regret it. Just so I wouldn't realize, years down the line, that I never did anything when I first could.

I don't know where I'll go from here... but I just—can't bear this.

Is that a fable, Mr. Colbert?

Are you attempting to describe Victoria?

Fable? No, no, I don't like to beat around the bush when I talk. I'm just waxing nostalgic, as the old do.

We have to pass the time talking about something, you know, sitting here.

May I just say that I pay more attention to the future, Sarkaz 'of Victoria.'

Taran, you make ample preparations. Presumably you've brought a considerable headcount in.

But on the other hand, I'd think you wouldn't want to be battling for life and death with us.

Stay put here and behave, and nothing will happen.

Are you out to monopolize the technology of that airship?

And did the Duke of Caster send you to this plate just to take a walk?

We can share. The Sarkaz's defense of the airship... can't be that lax. It wouldn't be an easy mission for anyone, certainly.

But if we work together, then this technology can belong to more than just a duke. It can be Victoria's.

I don't care about Victoria.

......

Well, it seems you've made up your mind.

You spoke that our goals were quite in agreement. Synergy.

In light of that, I will trouble you as little as I can, pet of Caster.

Though you were dying to kill me a moment ago.

What? Would you like me to apologize?

Your mission failure will incur no more than a demotion in rank, while your life is preserved in any case.

If you are insistent on commendation and promotion from Duke Caster, you are welcome to try.

Old Wellington's underlings are as stubborn as him, that much I have the privilege of seeing now.

Fine. I can stay here, and I'll yield the airship's technology to you.

But I stipulate something in exchange.

Indeed it does, Doctor of Rhodes Island.

You refused my offer of friendship, so to being a pawn you'll have to return.

I'll be taking the Realmblade. The Windermere girl and Alexandrina must die here.

......

Given in, Miss Successor?

I did not receive orders to intervene in this.

I'll take that as an agreement.

As long as a deal has been made, the Duke of Caster forever honors her commitments. Every single one.

You've no worries, 'Brigadier.' That's our foremost tenet.

(Understood.)

Does every Victorian do that? Never ask the people in question for their opinion?

I think, Mr. 'Trilby Asher,' I just told you a second ago your metaphors suck.

And calling us pawns, that's a metaphor.

So Rhodes Island is hanging onto ties with the Duke of Windermere as its last thread?

That's not a good idea. You're on the wrong team.

We don't have to pick a team to start.

Then you can only—

Wait...

That Windermere girl... Is that illusionist and shadow Arts combined?!

Where is she?

Rhodes!

Impressive rapport there, Mr. 'Trilby Asher.'

It's a question of our tenets, after all.

The thing about honoring commitments forever?

No, a different one.

Never let the winner take all.

This is all meaningless now, Taran. If this lot send their message out, the dukes' main fleets will be forced to push in.

And at that point, the airship goes to whoever takes it down.

It seems none of us will be bringing home the gold.

......

Fine.

Doctor, careful!

Miss Ines, I made it.

We saw the shadows outside the door.

Rhodes Island... The Duke would rather not fall out with you.

Didn't your actions just now amount to a fallout?

Fine, fine. Feel free to apologize.

......

Then may we meet again, someday.

Dublinn army corpses...

They did set up people here.

Their wounds are fresh, can't have been made long ago. Blade cuts, some seem like they're cauterized...

Who's there?!

Comms station should be around here...

I—

Wh—What the hell...?