Madan No Ou To Vanadis

Madan no Ou to Vanadis
1 Temporary Farewell
g!oup o" people intentionall# t!a$e!sed t%e Vos#es Mountains &%i'% !an along t%e (o!de! (et&een B!une and )%'ted. *%ose &%o '!oss t%ese +ountains a!e "e& sin'e t%e!e a!e "e& pat%s, all o" &%i'% a!e poo!l# +aintained. -o&e$e!, t%e g!oup !ode on %o!se(a'k, ad$an'ing silentl# along t%e na!!o& !oad. *%e# nu+(e!ed app!o.i+atel# t&o t%ousand, +a!'%ing (eneat%
)i!nit!a
t%e 'old &inte! &eat%e! &%i'% (le& t%e Bla'k /!agon 0lag a(out 1 t%e "lag (elonging to t%e 2ing o" )%'ted. t t%e "o!e"!ont o" t%e g!oup &as a #oung gi!l. 3%e &as 16 o! 17 #ea!s old, a (eauti"ul gi!l &it% sil$e!4&%ite %ai! do&n to %e! &aist. -e! e#es &e!e !e+inis'ent o" a !u(#. 3%e &as (ot% lo$el# and $aliant. -e! na+e &as 5leano!a Vilta!ia. 3%e &as one o" onl# se$en Vanadis &%i'% e.ist in t%e )%'ted 2ingdo+. *%oug% t%ose inti+ate &it% %e! 'alled %e! (# %e! ni'kna+e, 5llen, t%e!e &e!e none a+ongst t%e t!oops s%e led &%o &ould. tense at+osp%e!e d!i"ted in t%e ai!. *%e sil$e!4&%ite %ai!ed Vanadis g!asped t%e !ein in %e! %ands. 6444 5leano!a4sa+a.7 One 2nig%t ad$an'ed "!o+ t%e soldie!s "ollo&ing %e!, !iding ne.t to 5llen. 3%e &as 5llen8s elde! (# t&o o! t%!ee #ea!s. -e! golden %ai! "lo&ed "!o+ a tail on t%e le"t side o" %e! %ead9 %e! pupils &e!e (lue. *%oug% s%e &as a (eaut#, %e! e.p!ession s%o&ed no sign o" a""a(ilit#.
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-e! na+e &as :i+lis%a, and s%e &as t%e se'ond in 'o++and9 s%e &as 5llen8s !ig%t a!+. 6;%at is it, :i+<7 3eeing %e! t!usted adjutant look at %e! "!o+ t%e side &it% a ste!n ga=e, 5llen 'alled out to %e! (# %e! ni'kna+e. :i+ nodded, %e! "a'e still e.p!essionless. 6Be'ause o" t%e &ind, &e s%ould !est soon. *%e soldie!s and t%e %o!ses a!e >uite ti!ed.7 *%e &ind st!ongl# (le& t%!oug% t%e +ountain pat%. ?t &as 'old and +ade t!a$ele!s nu+(. *%e soldie!s &e!e &!apped in (lankets and &o!e "u! (eneat% t%ei! a!+o! to keep out t%e 'old &eat%e!, (ut e$en t%en, t%e people &e!e sni""ling and %ad !ed ea!s &e!e not "e& in nu+(e!. Onl# 5llen &o!e 'lot%ing t%at did not p!ote't against t%e 'old &eat%e!. 3%e &o!e %e! +ilita!# out"it +ade o" silk. -e! sto+a'% &as (a!e and a longs&o!d &as %eld at %e! &aist 1 it
Vi!alt
&as a /!agoni' *ool g!anted to onl# t%e Vanadis, &%i'% %elped p!ote't %e! "!o+ t%e 'old. 6;e &ill take a !est in a %al" koku. ;e 'an get out o" t%is pass (e"o!e sunset, !ig%t<7 6?t is possi(le.7 ;it%out an# ti+e to t%ink, :i+ !esponded i++ediatel# &it% a s%o!t ans&e!. 5llen s+iled &!#l# and loosened %e! e.p!ession. 3%e %ad 'o+e to talk, despite %a$ing 'al'ulated t%at "a!.
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6? unde!stand. /ig a %ole and sta!t a "i!e. ?8ll allo& so+e al'o%ol as &ell.7 ?" t%e# did not do so >ui'kl#, an# "i!e t%e# atte+pted to sta!t &ould disappea! "!o+ t%e 'u!!entl# st!engt%ening &inds. :i+ !etu!ned to t%e soldie!s. 5llen looked up at t%e sk# &it% a dull e.p!ession. @at%e! t%an looking at t%e sun, s%e &as looking at t%e g!a# 'louds &it% a $ague sense o" an.iet#. --- Once we pass these mountains, we will be in Zhcted Kingdom... In my LeitMeritz. -o&e$e!, t%at &as not 5llen8s destination. 3%e &as %eading to t%e no!t% o" :eitMe!it= to :egni'a &%e!e %e! (est "!iend, le.and!a 1 3as%a 1 go$e!ned. Aust a "e& da#s ago, 5llen &as in t%e land o" *e!!itoi!e in B!une 2ingdo+. 3%e &as 'oope!ating &it% *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n 1 *ig!e. 3%e sepa!ated %i+ and '!ossed t%e Vos#es Mountains (e'ause s%e &as told 3as%a &as in a '!iti'al situation. ;%en '!isis "ell (e"o!e one o" t%e+, 5llen and 3as%a al&a#s !an to ea'% ot%e!. *%at &as t%e pledge t%e# e.'%anged. Bntil no&, 5llen %ad onl# (een t%inking a(out 3as%a9 s%e %ad no !oo+ to t%ink o" an#t%ing else, (ut no& t%at t%e# &e!e taking a (!eak, s%e suddenl# !e+e+(e!ed *ig!e. 3%e tu!ned %e! ga=e to t%e &est 1 to&a!d B!une. 6... *ig!e.7 3%e +u!+u!ed %is na+e un'ons'iousl#. 5llen s%ook %e! %ead &%en s%e !eali=ed &%at it &as s%e said.
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3%e !e+inded %e!sel" t%at %e &as "ine. One t%ousand +en %ad (een le"t &it% *ig!e, and t%e "a+ous Bla'k 2nig%t, @oland, announ'ed %is 'oope!ation. *ig!e8s ene+#, /uke *%ena!die!, 'ould not i++ediatel# plan so+et%ing. 0o! no&, s%e s%ould %elp %e! (est "!iend and !etu!n >ui'kl#. 444 5llen did not kno& @oland &as killed, no! did s%e kno& t%at t%e Muo=inel !+# %ad atta'ked B!une "!o+ t%ei! (o!de!s to t%e sout%east. ?t &as i+possi(le "o! %e! to kno&, espe'iall# sin'e s%e &as no longe! in B!une. 5llen &as an e.'ellent go$e!no!, Co++ande!, and &a!!io!, (ut s%e &as %a!dl# o+nipotent. 5llen g!aduall# looked do&n and p!a#ed to *!igla$, t%e Dod o" ;a!, "o! *ig!e8s sa"et#. *%e "ait% in B!une and )%'ted &e!e +ostl# t%e sa+e. *%oug% it +a# %a$e (een +o!e app!op!iate to p!a# to a +o!e suita(le Dod &%en asking "o! %is sa"et#, 5llen &as +ost "a+ilia! &it% *!igla$. -e! (!ig%t !ed pupils 'ontinued to look at t%e 'loud 'o$e!ed sk#, not a single !a# o" lig%t !ea'%ing t%e ea!t%. *%at des'!i(ed t%e 'u!!ent situation o" t%e 'ount!# o" B!une >uite &ell.
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*%e da# /uke 0eli. a!on *%ena!die! !e'ei$ed a !epo!t !ega!ding t%e Muo=inel in$asion &as t%e sa+e da# %e a!!i$ed %o+e "!o+ t%e @o#al Capital. 6... 3o+et%ing t!ou(leso+e appea!ed.7 ?n %is !oo+ su!!ounded (# lu.u!ious "u!nitu!e, %e 'li'ked %is tongue. *%e se!$ant &%o (!oug%t t%e !epo!t !ea'ted to it and &ent do&n on %is knees at on'e. *%e (est &a# not to in$ite ange! &%en t%e :o!d8s +ood &as poo! &as to !e+ain out o" sig%t and take a postu!e o" o(edien'e. 6P!epa!e a +ap.7 *%ena!die! ga$e an o!de!, %is "a'e s&elling &it% !age. t p!esent, %e &as 42 #ea!s old. /espite t%at, %e did not negle't %is (od# and %ad a stu!d# "!a+e (eneat% %is silk !ai+ent. *%e ange! e+anating "!o+ %is (od# &ould +ake a ti+id pe!son &eep. "te! t%e se!$ant le"t in a pani', *%ena!die! looked do&n&a!d at t%e "inel# e+(!oide!ed 'a!pet 'o$e!ing t%e "loo!. -e &as >uietl# lost in t%oug%t9 %e %ad al!ead# !egained %is 'o+posu!e. 6Be"o!e it &as 3a'%stein, no& it8s Muo=inel...7 -o&e$e!, t%e s'ale &as 'o+pletel# di""e!ent. ;%ile 3a'%stein dispat'%ed t%!ee t%ousand t!oops and %ad t%e+ on stand(#, Muo=inel %ad gat%e!ed t!oops in e.'ess o" t&ent# t%ousand.
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?t &as an a(su!d +is'al'ulation. *%ena!die! %ad not o!iginall# intended to p!olong t%e do+esti' dispute. -e &anted to >ui'kl# eli+inate /uke Danelon, %is politi'al !i$al. -e &anted to !e'ei$e an i+po!tant position $ia %is 'onne'tion &it% t%e 2ing8s &i"e. "te!&o!d, %e &ould pla'e %is son, )aien, on t%e t%!one t%!oug% an engage+ent &it% a &o+an o" !o#al (lood. *%e '%ild (et&een t%e t&o &ould e$entuall# (e'o+e 2ing. --- That brat Tigre urmud !orn has ruined my plans. *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n %ad in$ited t%e )%'ted !+# into t%e 'ount!# and "oug%t )aien, killing %i+ in (attle. Bot% t%e assassins and t%e Vanadis :ud+i!a *%ena!die! sent &e!e stopped (# t%e Vanadis 5leano!a. ?n addition, t%e 'o!ne!stone o" t%e de"ense along t%e &este!n (o!de!s, Bla'k 2nig%t @oland, &as gone. *%oug% @oland disliked %i+, *%ena!die! kne& %is '%a!a'te! &ell enoug%. 3o long as t%e 2ing &as p!esent, t%e 3t!ongest 2nig%t &ould not (e a(le to tou'% %i+. 0o! *%ena!die!, @oland &as on'e a pa&n &%i'% 'ould not (e !epla'ed, sin'e %e %ad +anaged to +aintain t%e sta(ilit# o" t%e &este!n (o!de!s. *%ena!die! stood &it% a lu+p in %is t%!oat. -e did not noti'e %o& se$e!e %is 'ountenan'e %ad (e'o+e. *%e se!$ant &%o !etu!ned &it% a +ap noti'ed %is ga=e and stood pet!i"ied.
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6... ;%at8s t%e +atte!< ;%# a!e #ou just standing t%e!e<7 "te! *%ena!die! spoke in a lo& tone, t%e se!$ant >ui'kl# !an to t%e e(on# ta(le in a pani' and sp!ead t%e +ap out. *%ena!die! paid %i+ no 'on'e!n and looked at t%e +ap &it% a 'old ga=e. --- "hat could their aim be# Muo=inel 2ingdo+. ?t &as a 'ount!# di""i'ult to +aintain ties &it%. *%e!e &as no !eason "o! t%e+ to send soldie!s to ot%e! 'ount!ies. *%oug% "i$e t%ousand t!oops '!ossed t%e sout%east (o!de! "!o+ Muo=inel #ea!s ago, it %ad long sin'e passed. 6*%e# +ust need +o!e sla$es and t%e# 'a+e to get t%e+.7 Eatu!all#, B!une &ould p!epa!e soldie!s to inte!'ept t%e+. *%oug% t%e# %ad sent an e+issa!# to p!otest, t%e# !e'ei$ed an a!!ogant !esponse. 6;e &ill ente! #ou! &oods and get so+e "i!e &ood. ;e8!e la'king +ate!ials to (uild a "i!e.7 Muo=inel and B!une (o!de!ed one anot%e!. ?t &as a natu!al 'ou!se "o! t%e+ to %a$e so+e asso'iation. ?n t%e past, t%e# %ad in$aded (ot% )%'ted and B!une, kidnapping people and looting t%ei! $illages. *%e# also %ad a "leet tailo!ed to '!oss t%e sea so t%e# 'ould atta'k 3a'%stein and s$a!!e.
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?n'identall#, none o" t%e 'ount!ies '!iti'i=ed t%ei! s#ste+ o" go$e!n+ent. 5$e!# 'ount!#, to so+e deg!ee, %ad in'o!po!ated it into t%ei! poli'#. One e.a+ple is selling o"" p!isone!s o" &a! &%ose !anso+ &as not paid in ti+e as sla$es. 0u!t%e!+o!e, t%e# &e!e a 'ount!# t%at p!o$ided "ine >ualit# pape! and goods like tea t%at +an# 'ould not go &it%out. 5$en i" it &as an in'on$enien'e, t%e!e &as not%ing to do (ut to asso'iate &it% t%e+. ?" t%ei! ai+ &as to o(tain +o!e sla$es, t%e# &ould !uin t%e !egion nea! t%e (o!de!. But &it% a 'ount o" t&ent# t%ousand, t%ei! pu!pose 'ould not si+pl# (e to o(tain +o!e sla$es. ?t &as likel# t%e# &e!e ai+ing "o! te!!ito!# o! a "o!t!ess. *%e# +ust %a$e (een p!epa!ing to +a!'% to&a!d t%e 2ing8s Capital. 6*%oug% it8s anno#ing... +a#(e ? s%ould &o!k &it% /uke Danelon.7 s %e +utte!ed to %i+sel", *%ena!die! (egan "o!+ing a st!ateg#. 0i!st, t%!oug% P!i+e Minste! Bod&in, %e &ould %a$e all 2nig%ts "!o+ t%e @o#al Capital %ead to t%e sout%east. -e &ould t%en split up %is o&n t!oops. One g!oup &ould !e+ain on stand(# in t%e 'apital &%ile t%e ot%e! &ould %ead sout%. 6Muo=inel %as s%ips. *%e# &ill likel# atta'k "!o+ t%e sea to t%e sout%. ?t &ill (e a one4sided (attle i" ? don8t +ake p!epa!ations.7 Most o" t%e a!isto'!ats !uling t%e lands to t%e sout% &e!e allied &it% *%ena!die!. ?t &as ne'essa!# %e de"end t%e+ as t%ei! leade!.
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*%e Muo=inel !+# &as to t%e sout%east. *%ena!die! &as t%e kind o" +an &%o 'ould +ake 'al+ %eaded judg+ents in a +o+ent. 6;%ile p!ote'ting t%e @o#al Capital, ? &ill e.plo!e t%e ene+#8s +o$e+ents. ?" t%e# %ead to t%e sout% o! east, ? &ill atta'k t%e+ "!o+ (e%ind o! "!o+ t%ei! "lank. ?" t%e# %ead st!aig%t "o! t%e 'apital, ? &ill &ait it out. ?" t%e# sp!ead t%in, ?8ll atta'k t%ei! suppl# line.7 ;%at 'on'e!ned %i+ &as t%e t%i!d "o!'e in t%e 'ount!#. *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n, %is son8s ene+#, led an a!+# +ade o" B!une and )%'ted soldie!s. *%oug% t%e a!+# &as 'alled t%e
Bnstoppa(le 3il$e! 0lo&
F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G, *%ena!die! did not kno& t%at. --- I ha e heard he has $ewer than $i e thousand troops and his men are e%hausted $rom their $ight against &oland's Knights o$ (a arre. I wonder i$ he'll be $orced to $ight the twenty thousand strong Muozinel )rmy i$ they head along Zhcted's border to the east. 6Di$en t%ei! position as a kno&n t!aito!, t%e# &ill not ask "o! %elp...7 ?" t%e# did, t%e# &ould (e t%e $angua!d o" t%e atta'k against Muo=inel. *%e# 'ould t%en (e !est!ained and (e%eaded (# *%ena!die!8s %and. *%ena!die! %ad judged t%is to (e t%e +ost p!udent 'ou!se o" a'tion. 60o!tunatel#, ou! soldie!s 'an +o$e i++ediatel#.7
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Be"o!e lea$ing t%e 2ing8s Capital, *%ena!die! gat%e!ed %is soldie!s "!o+ t%e neig%(o!ing te!!ito!ies. *%oug% %e o!iginall# "ig%ting against Danelon, 'onta't &as una$oida(le. "te!&a!d, *%ena!die! sent a lette! to Danelon 'alling "o! +ilita!# 'oope!ation until t%e situation &it% Muo=inel &as taken 'a!e o". 6Eo& t%en... ;%at &ill Danelon do<7 "e& da#s late!, a "o!'e o" nea!l# t&ent# t%ousand %ad gat%e!ed in *%ena!die!8s te!!ito!#. *%e sk# &as (lue and o$e!'ast9 "ee(le !a#s o" sunlig%t %it t%e g!ound. ?n t%e +idst o" &inte!, t%e +en &o!e %ea$# "u! 'oats. *%ei! (!eat%s "ogged up as t%e# e.%aled. *%ena!die! di$ided %is t&ent# t%ousand soldie!s into t&o g!oups o" ten t%ousand and %eaded sout%, leading se$en t%ousand t!oops %i+sel". *%e !e+aining t%i!teen t%ousand t!oops &e!e le"t in 'o++and o" a +an na+ed 3teid &%o+ *%ena!die! t!usted. -e &as a $ete!an &it% "e& losses &%o &as &ell skilled in t%e +ilita!# a!ts. -is lo#alt# to *%ena!die! &as %ig% as &ell. 6Ve!# &ell. $oid unne'essa!# "ig%ts until &e !ejoin. ?t does not +atte!, e$en i" Danelon atta'ks. @et!eat. @edu'e da+age as +u'% as possi(le.7
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6 s #ou o!de!, :o!d /uke.7 3teid &as a 33 #ea! old +an. -e %ad s%o!t, "ai! %ai! and a do&n# (ea!d 'o$e!ing %is pale "a'e. -is %eig%t and (uild &e!e a$e!age. -is la'k o" e.p!ession %id an# sign t%at %e &as leading a la!ge a!+#. 6?t &ould (e +ost ideal i" &e 'ould take out Danelon &%en %is t!oops a!e ti!ed "!o+ t%e (attle &it% Muo=inel, (ut ? dou(t t%ings &ill (e so 'on$enient. 3till, keep t%at in t%e 'o!ne! o" #ou! +ind.7 *%ena!die! did not (elie$e t%e "utu!e &ould (e so si+ple. Making an app!op!iate de'ision a''o!ding to t%e situation. -e &ould onl# ent!ust 3teid &it% +o!e t%an ten t%ousand t!oops, so *%ena!die! ent!usted 'o++and to %i+. 6:o!d /uke. ?t is possi(le Danelon %as in$ited t%e Muo=inel !+# to in$ade t%e 'ount!#. ?" t%at is t%e 'ase, t%e# &ill also kno& o" &%at %appened to @oland.7 3teid8s dou(t &as denied &it% a s%ake o" *%ena!die!8s %ead. 3%o&ing a 'al+ attitude %e!e &ould %elp t%e soldie!s settle do&n. 6*%at is not t%e 'ase. ?" it &e!e, t%e Muo=inel !+# &ould 'all out and join /uke Danelon as >ui'kl# as possi(le. *%e# &ould (e o($ious a(out it.7 ?" a no(le as po&e!"ul as Danelon joined &it% t!oops "!o+ anot%e! nation, t%e s%o'k &ould (e (e#ond just *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n and t%e )%'ted !+#.
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?t &ould pa!al#=e t%e "un'tions o" t%e @o#al Capital9 all t%e a!isto'!ats &ould (e'o+e pani'4st!i'ken, and +an# &ould de"e't "!o+ Danelon8s lands and suppo!t *%ena!die!. *%e!e &as no !eason "o! Danelon to all# &it% t%e Muo=inel !+#. 6/o not &o!!# too +u'% a(out an# issues &it% Danelon "o! no&, (ut al&a#s take p!e'autions.7 6Ce!tainl#. ? &ill +eet #ou! e.pe'tations.7 *%ena!die! nodded to 3teid &%o %ad kneeled on t%e spot. 3e$e!al da#s a"te! %e %ad le"t, *%ena!die! !e'ei$ed a noti'e. 6... so Danelon +o$ed %is t!oops.7 *%e!e &as no !esponse to t%e lette! *%ena!die! %ad sent da#s (e"o!e, (ut (ased on t%ei! +o$e+ents, it see+s Danelon &as un&illing to 'oope!ate. 6/a+ned Danelon. ?8$e (een looking "o! a '%an'e to kill #ou sin'e @oland died...7 n i+age o" a +ap o" B!une and t%e su!!ounding a!eas "loated to *%ena!die!8s +ind. ---"as he waiting $or either *achstein or Muozinel to attac+ be$ore he made his mo e# Be'ause s$a!!e and Danelon8s te!!ito!# to t%e no!t%&est (o!de!ed one anot%e!, it &as di""i'ult, i" not i+possi(le, to esta(lis% a 'ease4"i!e.
?" 3a'%stein o! Muo=inel dispat'%ed t%ei! t!oops, it &ould (e *%ena!die! &%o &ould +o$e "i!st to +eet t%e+, !at%e! t%an Danelon, si+pl# (ased on t%e te!!ito!ies t%e# go$e!ned. 6Eo +atte!. Ou! 'on'e!n is Muo=inel "o! no&.7 *%ena!die! +utte!ed to %i+sel" as a s+ile !e+inis'ent o" a "e!o'ious 'a!ni$o!e "loated to %is +out%.
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?n /uke *%ena!die!8s +ansion, deep inside &as an elde!l# +an. -is s+all (od# &as &!apped in a (la'k !o(e. -e ga=ed at so+et%ing &it%out t%e need "o! lig%t. Meat "!o+ la!ge (easts &e!e to!n o"", t%e (ones '!us%ed. *%e a!ea &as 'o$e!ed in +ud, t%e sten'% o" de'a# &as p!esent. -o&e$e!, t%e old +an did not 'a!e a(out t%e s+ell pe!+eating t%e !oo+. @at%e!, %e &as looking at t%e s+all +ountain inside t%e !oo+.
V#"al
?t &as t%e 'o!pse o" a ;#$e!n, and it &as kno&n onl# to t%e old +an. -is na+e &as /!eka$a', and %e %as long se!$ed as /uke *%ena!die!8s see!. 6:ike ? t%oug%t... ?t8s di""e!ent.7 /!eka$a' gla!ed "o! a s%o!t ti+e. -e 'asuall# pla'ed %is %and on t%e lu+p o" "les% and (lood and g!ipped it.
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6*%e!e is t%e po&e! o" t%e &ind, (ut t%at8s not all.7 n ee!ie s+ile 'o$e!ed %is "a'e, as %is p!edi'tion %ad 'o+e t!ue. /!eka$a' tu!ned %is ga=e to t%e 'o!ne! o" t%e !oo+ &%e!e s+all golden e#es &e!e. 6? need #ou to do so+e &o!k, Vod#ano#.7 6444 gain<7 ?n t%e pla'e t%e old +an looked at, a >uestion &as utte!ed, t%e $oi'e "li'ke!ing in t%e da!kness. #oung +an &it% a (!ig%t s+ile sat on t%e "loo! &it% %is (a'k to t%e &all. -e &as o" +ediu+ (uild and &o!e t%i'k 'lot%es &it% a "u! 'olla! and slee$es. -is s%o!t (la'k %ai! &as loosel# 'o$e!ed in a g!een 'lot%. -e (it into a gold 'oin in %is %and as i" it &e!e 'and#. 6?t8s not good "o! an old +an to li$e in ease. Hou s%ould !un a(out on #ou! o&n so+eti+es.7 6? +ust take 'a!e o" t%e /!agons. ;ould #ou like to take +# pla'e<7 6Can8t (e %elped. ;%at do #ou need<7 *%e #oung +an na+ed Vod#ano# stood up as a gold 'oin &as t%!o&n in t%e ai!. ?t d!e& a (eauti"ul a!' and &as 'al+l# 'aug%t &it% t%e tip o" %is "inge!s. 6444 *%e use! o" t%e FBo&G %as appea!ed.7 /!eka$a'8s $oi'e "!o=e t%e ai!. Vod#ano#8s s+ile disappea!ed and %is e#es opened &ide in su!p!ise as %e sta!ed at t%e old +an.
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"te! a &%ile, Vod#ano#8s s>uint !etu!ned and %is ea!lie! s+ile &as !e'o$e!ed. 6;%at do #ou &ant< 2ill %i+<7 6-e is not like t%e Vanadis &%o appea! all t%e ti+e. -e is too p!e'ious to kill. lt%oug% ? &ould like to 'aptu!e %i+... ;ell, "o! t%e ti+e (eing, #ou s%ould kno& &%o ?8+ talking a(out.7 ;%en t%e elde!l# +an stopped speaking, Vod#ano#8s (od# %ad al!ead# +elted a&a#. 3oon, %is enti!e (od# disappea!ed. /!eka$a' nodded in satis"a'tion. 6Eo& t%en, let8s just &at'%. ? &onde! &%o &ill (e t%e last to stand...7 s %e +utte!ed &it% a slig%tl# %app# tone, t%e old +an tu!ned %is (a'k to t%e /!agon8s 'o!pse and &alked to t%e doo!.
*%e 'old o" &inte! dep!i$ed %eat "!o+ t%e ea!t%. soldie! &oke up to t%e "!igid &eat%e! and !u((ed %is %ands toget%e!, +o$ed %is legs, &!apped %is (od# in (lankets, and s%ook as %e &at'%ed %is (!eat% "og o$e!. ?" possi(le, %e &anted to !e+ain unde! t%e (lanket, (ut t%at &as un!easona(le. "te! &as%ing %is "a'e &it% 'old &ate! to &ake up, %e &alked out o" %is tent to t%e "i!e.
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*&o people gat%e!ed and g!eeted ea'% ot%e! as t%e# &a!+ed t%ei! %ands o$e! t%e "i!e. ;it% t%e %eat o" a g!oup, t%ei! (odies 'ould "inall# +o$e as usual at last. 6Please take +# pla'e a (it ea!l#.7 *%e soldie! standing on gua!d spoke &it% a sleep# $oi'e. *%is ti+e, it &ould (e %is tu!n to take a !est. *%e +an &%o %eld %is %and up to t%e (on"i!e &as !elu'tant to pa!t, (ut %e !etu!ned to %is tent, donned %is &eapon and a!+o!, and "inall# took t%e gua!d8s pla'e. *e!!itoi!e &as in east B!une. *&o t%ousand soldie!s %ad (uilt t%ei! 'a+p at t%e &este!n+ost end. 3u!!ounded (# a dou(le "en'e,
Ba#a!d
in t%e +iddle o" t%e +an# tents, t%e @ed -o!se 0lag, t%e "lag o"
)i!nit!a
B!une, and t%e Bla'k /!agon 0lag, t%e "lag o" )%'ted, &a$ed in t%e &ind.
*%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G &as +ade o" (ot% B!une and )%'ted soldie!s. ?t &as led (# a #out% o" 16 #ea!s, *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n. *%ose 'lose to %i+ 'alled %i+ *ig!e. *%oug% %e &as an ea!l &%o go$e!ned lsa'e, one o" t%e p!o$in'es in B!une 2ingdo+, %is +eeting &it% 5llen, a Vanadis o" )%'ted 2ingdo+, g!eatl# '%anged %is li"e. ?n o!de! to de"end lsa'e &%e!e %e &as (o!n and !aised, and in o!de! to de"eat /uke *%ena!die!, &%o t%!eatened t%e pea'e o" %is lands, *ig!e (egan 'oope!ating &it% 5llen. *%e# %ad al!ead# e.pe!ien'ed +an# (attles toget%e!.
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)aien "!o+ /uke *%ena!die!8s %ouse, t%e +an &%o atta'ked lsa'e, &as killed. *o a'>ui!e 5llen8s "!eedo+ o" +o$e+ent, t%e# "oug%t against t%e Vanadis :ud+i!a. *ig!e also +anaged to !epel t%e Bla'k 2nig%t @oland, leade! o" t%e Ea$a!!e 2nig%ts, &%o appea!ed to punis% *ig!e8s !e(ellion. -e %ad !e'ei$ed 'oope!ation "!o+ @oland and &as &it%in a "e& da#s distan'e "!o+ Ee+eta'u+, t%e lands go$e!ned (# /uke *%ena!die!. -o&e$e!, ne&s o" @oland8s deat% and t%e app!oa'% o" a t&ent# t%ousand st!ong a!+# "!o+ Muo=inel &as a g!eat s%o'k. *ig!e sat alone in t%e tent "o! t%e Dene!al, do=ens o" +aps s'atte!ed a(out %is su!!oundings. -is dull !ed %ai! &as a +ess in $a!ious pla'es. *ig!e g!oaned as %e sta!ed at t%e +aps. -e %ad not slept at all, so %is 'o+ple.ion &as poo! and %e &as 'o+pletel# e.%austed. -e 'ontinued to t%ink. -e t%oug%t a(out %o& %e s%ould +o$e "!o+ no& on, &it% t%e in$asion o" t%e Muo=inel !+#. --- "e ha e two thousand here. They ha e twenty thousand. "e can't ,ust $ight them. )t least i$ -llen or Lim were here... -e sig%ed, %a$ing 'onside!ed a pointless t%ing. 5llen and :i+ &e!e e.'ellent Dene!als. ;%et%e! %e "oug%t o! a$oided "ig%ting, t%e# &ould %a$e app!op!iate ad$i'e t%at *ig!e %ad not t%oug%t o".
26
3till, %e %ad !elia(le people %e 'ould 'ount on. -is "at%e!8s (est "!iend, Massas @odant, and Vis'ount ug!e, &%o &as 'u!!entl# 'oope!ating &it% *ig!e. Bot% &e!e $ete!ans !i'% &it% e.pe!ien'e. 3till, *ig!e did not da!e to 'onsult &it% t%e+ !ega!ding t%is +atte!. --- "e could strengthen our de$enses in Territoire and ha e the people ta+e shelter to the north in )lsace and )ude. The .uestion is whether or not to wait $or help $rom the Knights or local aristocrats. (o$e all, t%inking o" pea'e &it%in %is te!!ito!ies &as %is dut# as t%ei! '%a!ge. *ig!e needed to p!ote't lsa'e, Massas %ad to p!ote't ude to t%e no!t%, and ug!e +ust, "i!st and "o!e+ost, p!ote't *e!!itoi!e. --- That's why I can't as+ them. ?" %e asked, Massas and t%e ot%e!s &ould sa# to a(andon t%e dese!ts to t%e sout%east. *%e!e &as likel# no one li$ing in t%at !egion, and, in t%e "i!st pla'e, *ig!e %ad no dut# to&a!d t%at land. 3o long as t%e!e &e!e no inst!u'tions "!o+ t%e 2ing, t%e!e &as no !eason "o! %i+ to de"end t%e +ountains outside %is te!!ito!#. -o&e$e!, *ig!e kne& t%e 2ing &ould not issue a 'o++and, and it &ould lea$e a (itte! taste in %is +out% i" %e igno!ed a '!isis (e"o!e %i+. *ig!e tu!ned %is %ead to look at a s&o!d laid on t%e g!ound. ?t &as a la!ge s&o!d de'o!ated (!illiantl# &it% gold along its gua!d.
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/u!andal. ?t &as 'alled t%e F3&o!d o" ?n$in'i(ilit#G in B!une, (ut it +o$ed %ands "!o+ @oland to *ig!e. -e !e'ei$ed it "!o+ t%e Bla'k 2nig%t as p!oo" t%at %e !e'ogni=ed *ig!e, (ut %e did not i+agine it &ould ne$e! !etu!n to its !ig%t"ul o&ne!. *ig!e !e'alled %is 'on$e!sation &it% @oland. @oland asked &%at *ig!e &ould do s%ould 5llen8s t!oops (egin an in$asion. *ig!e !eplied %e &ould "ig%t to de"end t%e people o" B!une. --- )m I being conceited# *ig!e &as neit%e! a %e!o no! a (!a$e +an. -e &as si+pl# a no(le go$e!ning a s+all te!!ito!# in t%e "!ontie!. lt%oug% %e &as %e!e to "ig%t /uke *%ena!die!, su'% a'tions &e!e on'e unt%inka(le. 6?s it a good ti+e, *ig!e4sa+a<7 *%e $oi'e o" a #oung gi!l %e &as a''usto+ed to %ea!ing 'alled to %i+ "!o+ outside t%e tent. *ig!e looked 'u!iousl# to&a!d *eita, t%e +aid &%o se!$ed %i+. 6*eita< t a ti+e like t%is...7 -e sta!ted sa#ing t%at, (ut *ig!e noti'ed +o!ning %ad al!ead# da&ned. -e 'ould %ea! noises outside %is tent. *%e la+p nea! %is (edside &as still lit, +ost o" its oil used up. ?t see+s %e %ad (een &o!!ied too +u'% and &as lost in t%oug%t.
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6Hou +a# ente!. ;%at8s &!ong<7 s %e 'alled out gentl#, t%e &inte! sunlig%t s%ined t%!oug% t%e 'u!tain as a gi!l &it% t&in tails in %e! '%estnut %ai! >uietl# &alked inside. 3%e &as d!essed in (la'k &it% long slee$es and a long ski!t do&n to %e! "eet. &%ite ap!on 'o$e!ed it. 3%e 'a!e"ull# %eld an ea!t%en pot. 6Dood +o!ning, *ig!e4sa+a.7 *eita8s '%estnut %ai! s%ook as s%e (o&ed. -e! (!ig%t s+ile 'louded o$e! t%e +o+ent s%e sa& *ig!e8s "a'e. 6... /id #ou not !est last nig%t<7 *%oug% *ig!e t%oug%t to +ake an e.'use, it &ould onl# end (adl#. *eita, &%o %e %ad g!o&n up &it%, &ould see t%!oug% %i+ in an instant and %e &ould lose. 6? &as (us# &it% a nu+(e! o" t%ings. ;ell, t%at8s just %o& it is.7 *eita glan'ed up at %i+ !ep!oa'%"ull# as s%e slo&l# app!oa'%ed *ig!e &it% a 'ontaine! %eld &it% (ot% %ands. ?nside &as a soup "!o+ &%i'% stea+ &as !ising. *%e!e &e!e t%in sli'es o" +eat, 'a!!ots, and 'a((age "loating a(out. *%e +o+ent t%e "!ag!ant a!o+a %it *ig!e8s nose, %is (ell# !ang out as i" in &aiting. -e and *eita laug%ed.
29
60i!st, please &a!+ #ou! (od#. ? &ill p!epa!e ot%e! t%ings i++ediatel#.7 6*%ank #ou.7 5$en i" %e &as 'o$e!ed in (lankets, %e &as still 'old. *ig!e !e'ei$ed t%e (o&l &it% a s+ile and (!oug%t it to %is +out% to %a$e a taste. -e (!oug%t %is spoon do&n to eat t%e $egeta(les. -is e+pt# sto+a'% &as no& a'ti$e and !aised a '!# o" jo#. 63u'% poo! +anne!s, *ig!e4sa+a.7 *%oug% *eita8s "a'e &as ste!n, s%e spoke &it% a kind tone like a +ot%e! dotingl# s'olding %e! '%ild. *ig!e, on t%e ot%e! %and, satis"ied %is (od# &it% t%e %eat and saltiness o" t%e soup as %e "inis%ed it o"" &it% a sipping noise. 3eeing *ig!e %appil# satis"# %is appetite, *eita s+iled and le"t t%e tent &it% pea'e o" +ind. 3%e soon 'a+e (a'k &it% a (asket and sat do&n ne.t to *ig!e, pla'ing t%e (asket gentl# on t%e g!ound. *%e!e &as (!ead and '%eese in t%e (asket and sli'es o" s+oked +eat and potatoes. *eita pou!ed &ine into a (!on=e 'up. B# t%is ti+e, *ig!e %ad al!ead# e+ptied %is (o&l o" soup. -e (it into t%e (!ead and '%eese, ate t%e potato, and d!ank t%e &ine in tu!ns. 3in'e it &as still &a!+ "!o+ t%e "i!e, (ot% t%e taste and te.tu!e o" t%e potato &e!e pleasing.
30
;%en %e "inis%ed at last, *ig!e let out a satis"ied (!eat%. 6*%ank #ou "o! t%e +eal. ?t &as deli'ious.7 6Be"o!e t%at, please &ipe #ou! +out%.7 ;%ile %e! &o!ds &e!e on'e again onl# &o!ds o" (la+e, s%e s+iled (itte!l# as s%e gentl# st!et'%ed %e! "inge!s "o!&a!d, &iping t%e potato still a!ound *ig!e8s +out%. *eita sta!ed at %e! "inge! "o! a t!ou(led +o+ent, t%inking a(out &%et%e! o! not s%e s%ould li'k it, (ut %e! "a'e tu!ned '!i+son and s%e %ung %e! %ead do&n i++ediatel#. 6Hou also %a$e so+e (ad +anne!s... Eo, ne$e! +ind. *%anks "o! getting it "o! +e.7 *%oug% %e %ad an idea as to &%# t%e '%estnut4%ai!ed +aid &as e+(a!!assed, *ig!e t%anked %e! like no!+al. Being nea! %e! ga$e %i+ a sense o" se'u!it# %e 'ould onl# "ind in lsa'e. *eita nodded and >ui'kl# put e$e!#t%ing into t%e (asket. 6444 *eita.7 *ig!e 'alled to t%e gi!l &%o %ad %e! (a'k tu!ned to %i+. *eita %ad (ot% a 'u!ious and a&k&a!d "a'e as s%e looked (a'k at *ig!e. -e! +ind i++ediatel# (e'a+e +o!e se!ious and s%e sat up!ig%t as s%e noti'ed t%e intense at+osp%e!e (e%ind %is &o!ds.
31
*ig!e %esitated on %o& to (egin t%e 'on$e!sation. *%e t&o !e+ained as t%e# &e!e "o! a s%o!t ti+e. 6*eita, take sepa!ate a'tion "o! t%e ti+e (eing. 3ta# &it% :o!d Massas.7 6... ;%at do #ou +ean<7 *%oug% t%e &o!ds &it%in %e! e.pe'tations, *eita8s $oi'e still t!e+(led. 6?, ? 'a+e to take 'a!e o" *ig!e4sa+a, and #et...7 6?t8s dange!ous. ? 'an8t a""o!d it.7 63till...7 *%oug% s%e sta!ted to a!gue, &%en s%e sa& *ig!e8s ga=e, s%e s%ut %e! +out%. 3%e looked do&n in silen'e. *ig!e !e+ained >uiet, &aiting "o! t%e +aid8s !ea'tion Be"o!e long, *eita looked up. 6;ill #ou !etu!n sa"el#<7 6? p!o+ise.7 *ig!e ans&e!ed &it% a st!ong #et >uiet $oi'e. *eita looked up &it% a disto!ted s+ile as s%e &as in tea!s. *ig!e stood up and %ugged *eita so"tl# (e"o!e speaking on'e again.
32
6? p!o+ise. ?8ll 'o+e (a'k sa"el# 1 at t%e latest, (# sp!ing.7 *eita let out a tea!"ul sound. ?n !esponse, *ig!e lig%tl# pat %e! (a'k and ans&e!ed %e! >uestion on'e again. ;%en *eita le"t t%e tent, *ig!e g!a((ed %is (o&. ;%en t%ei! (!eak"ast +eals %ad (een "inis%ed, t%e!e &e!e soldie!s +aintaining t%e "i!e, ot%e!s se!$i'ing t%ei! a!+o!, and so+e a+using t%e+sel$es &it% ga+(ling. :ig%tl# saluting t%e +en, *ig!e %eaded to&a!d Massas and ug!e. 6Hou8!e a&ake, :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud.7 #oung 2nig%t !an up to %i+. *%oug% %e %ad $aliant "eatu!es, t%e!e &as no %ai! on %is %ead. @at%e! t%an (eing as%a+ed, %e (oasted o" it. 6Dood +o!ning, @u!i'k. ? a+ %eading to see :o!d Massas. !e #ou 'o+ing<7 *%e 2nig%t 1 @u!i'k 1 nodded i++ediatel#. 6? &ill "ollo& #ou. B# t%e &a#, ? just sa& *eita '!#ing a +o+ent ago...7 *ig!e %ad a (itte! e.p!ession as %e !u""led %is %ai! $iolentl#. -is %ea!t &as %ea$#.
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6B# t%e &a#, as a soldie! o" )%'ted... -o& &ould #ou "ig%t against t&ent# t%ousand ene+ies<7 @u!i'k unde!stood i++ediatel# %ea!ing t%is >uestion. -is e#es s%ined, and a "ea!less s+ile "loated to %is "a'e. 6Hou t%ink t%e!e8s a '%an'e<7 6? don8t kno&.7 6? 'an8t possi(l# 'on$in'e t%e soldie!s i" #ou don8t e$en kno& t%at. t least sta!t "!o+ t%e!e.7 @u!i'k s%!ugged %is s%oulde! &it% a tepid "a'e. *ig!e8s +out% also disto!ted as %e !esponded. 6;e %a$e t&o t%ousand. *%e# %a$e t&ent# t%ousand. ?" ? sa# t%e!e is a '%an'e o" $i'to!#, &%o &ould possi(l# (elie$e +e<7 6*%oug% people (elie$e t%ings (e'ause t%e# a!e (elie$a(le, t%e# also (elie$e (e'ause t%e# &is% to (elie$e in #ou.7 s t%e# e.'%anged t%is 'on$e!sation, t%e# !ea'%ed t%ei! destination. "te! '%e'king &it% t%e gua!ds, *ig!e and @u!i'k ente!ed. *%e t&o people &e!e i++ediatel# at a loss "o! &o!ds. *%e t&o old +en &e!e sitting do&n &it% +aps and pape!s s'atte!ed a(out. (u'ket o" &ate! t%e# used to keep t%e+sel$es a&ake %ad (een pla'ed to t%e side. 6... O%, *ig!e.7
34
*%e old +an, Massas, &it% %is i+p!essi$e g!a# %ai! and (ea!d and sto'k# (od#, 'alled out to t%e+. -is %ai! and (ea!d &e!e dis%e$eled and deep, da!k 'i!'les loo+ed (eneat% %is e#es. Be%ind %i+, a lank# old +an 1 ug!e 1 sat &it%out s%o&ing an# signs o" 'on'e!n &it% %is loosel# &o!n 'lot%es. *%e t&o &e!e also !a'king t%ei! (!ains, and, like *ig!e, %ad not gotten an# !est upon %ea!ing o" t%e in'o+ing '!isis. 6? 'a+e %e!e to talk... (ut &ill #ou t&o (e "ine<7 *ig!e asked %esitantl#. *%e t&o si+pl# s+iled in !esponse. *%e# (ot% t%!ust t%ei! %ead into t%e pale o" &ate! and let out a g!oan. *%e &ate! &as s'atte!ed as t%e# s%ook t%ei! %eads d!#. *%e# t%en &iped t%ei! "a'es &it% t%i'k 'lot% (e"o!e looking (a'k at *ig!e. 6Hes. Do on.7 Bot% @u!i'k and *ig!e stepped (a'k seeing t%is, (ut t%e# 'ould not possi(l# lea$e &it%out sa#ing an#t%ing. *ig!e sat (e"o!e Massas, %is sto+a'% "ull o" (utte!"lies. 6? &ill take 'o++and 1 ? &ill lead t%e soldie!s sout%east.7 Cutting to t%e 'o!e o" t%e +atte! i++ediatel#, *ig!e sta!ed at Massas and ug!e. *%e t&o a!isto'!ats looked at ea'% ot%e!9 Massas 'lea!l# looked sullen.
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6... ? t%oug%t #ou &ould sa# t%at.7 *%oug% %is "a'e and $oi'e e.p!essed a+a=e+ent, %e 'ould not %ide %is a""e'tion. 60i!st, tell us #ou! !easons.7 6*o su!$i$e. ? &ill de"end &%at it is ? +ust p!ote't.7 6*%en s%ouldn8t &e st!engt%en t%e de"enses &it%in *e!!itoi!e<7 ug!e looked at %i+ &it% a g!a$e e.p!ession. *%e s+ile o" t%e good natu!ed old +an &as in no &a# p!esent. *ig!e t%oug%t it &ould tu!n out t%is &a#. -e %ad also gi$en t%is +u'% t%oug%t. 5$en i" %e &anted to de"end people %e %ad no !elation to, t%oug% it +a# pass as a (eauti"ul t%ing, it &as si+pl# so+et%ing (e#ond nonsense. 6?" &e a!e to st!engt%en ou! de"enses... ;%en t&ent# t%ousand t!oops app!oa'%, &ill &e (e a(le to %old out<7 6;e 'an (u# ti+e. 2nig%ts and soldie!s led (# ot%e! no(les &ill appea!. ?" &e stop t%e Muo=inel !+# %e!e, &e &ill not %a$e t%e st!engt% to "a'e Ee+eta'u+.7 6*%e!e is a %ig% possi(ilit# &e &ill (e de"eated (e"o!e !ein"o!'e+ents a!!i$e.7 *ig!e %ad t%oug%t o" t%e +ost "!ig%tening situation (e'ause t%e!e &as no &a# to eli+inate its p!o(a(ilit# o" o''u!!ing. 6*%e!e is also t%e possi(ilit# &e &ill not !e'ei$e !ein"o!'e+ents.7 *ig!e tu!ned to Massas &it% a look o" su!p!ise. *%is is e.a'tl# &%at *ig!e "ea!ed. ug!e, as &ell, laug%ed sa!'asti'all# as %e pla#ed &it% so+et%ing in %is %and. 6*%anks to *%ena!die!, &e a!e 'onside!ed !e(els. ?" &e ask "o! %elp, %e 'ould easil# '!iti'i=e us. ?" &e "ig%t alone, &e &ould %elp %i+ e.%aust t%e Muo=inel !+#.7
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63o #ou t%oug%t t%at "a!.7 -e 'ould onl# (e g!ate"ul t%at t%e t&o %ad al!ead# t%oug%t t%at "a!. 6?t8s i+po!tant to t%ink, (ut &%at +atte!s +ost a!e t%e judg+ent and a'tions #ou take a"te!&a!d.7 Massas put %is %and on *ig!e8s s%oulde!. 6Hou8$e t%oug%t a lot a(out t%is, and #ou 'lea!l# &is% to de"end t%e people, (ut...7 /an you do it# Be"o!e %e said t%ose &o!ds, *ig!e s+iled and nodded po&e!"ull#. 6*%e!e is so+et%ing ? need to ask o" #ou t&o.7 *ig!e %ad t%e soldie!s o" B!une gat%e! t%at a"te!noon. Beneat% t%e o$e!'ast sk#, t%e sun s%ined "ee(le !a#s o" lig%t. *ig!e, &it% Massas and ug!e to %is !ig%t and le"t, told t%e soldie!s t%at t%e Muo=inel !+# %ad (!oken t%!oug% t%e sout%easte!n (o!de!. ;%ile a &a$e o" s%o'k and agitation sp!ead a+ongst t%e+, *ig!e 'ontinued to speak 'al+l#, %iding t%e tension in %is +ind. 6*%e ene+# nu+(e!s t&ent# t%ousand &%ile &e %a$e t&o t%ousand. lt%oug% t%e# a!e &it%in B!une, t%e# a!e still a long distan'e a&a#. Hou +a# t%ink t%is un!elated to #ou, %o&e$e!... ?" &e lea$e t%ings as t%e# a!e, t%e ene+# &ill 'o+e soon9 t%e# &ill atta'k t%e $illages and to&ns &%e!e #ou li$e.7
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*%e at+osp%e!e %ad (e'o+e se!ious. 3+all noises 'ould (e %ea!d %e!e and t%e!e. Man# "eelings, in'luding "ea!, dan'ed a(out t%e g!ounds. 6? %a$e a plan "o! $i'to!#. -o&e$e!, it &ill not &o!k i" #ou a!e "!ig%tened. ?" #ou do not "ig%t &it% #ou! "ull +ig%t, ? 'an8t utili=e #ou! st!engt%.7 *%e!e &as no plan9 %o&e$e!, *ig!e, despite t%e guilt %e "elt in %is sto+a'%, lied to gi$e t%e soldie!s %ope. ?" t%e# sunk into despai! (e"o!e t%e (attle, t%e# &ould lose (e"o!e t%e# 'ould e$en "ig%t. 0inall#, *ig!e t%!e& une.pe'ted &o!ds in o!de! to !eassu!e t%e+. 6*%e )%'ted !+# %as said t%e# &ill "ig%t to t%e last +an 1 3o &%at &ill #ou do<7 *%e >uestion (!oug%t a(out an instantaneous '%ange. *%e s+olde!ing &ill in t%e B!une soldie!s &as lig%t ane&, t%ei! "ea! (lo&n a&a# (# t%ei! sense o" !i$al!#. ?" it is to p!ote't %is %o+e, a soldie! &ould s%o& a &ill to "ig%t lig%t a &ild ani+al. One !aised a '!#, sp!eading t%e "eeling to t%e ot%e! t!oops. *ig!e, Massas, and ug!e, all 'len'%ed t%ei! "ists un'ons'iousl#. --- This response is better than I e%pected... *ig!e &at'%ed t%e soldie!s o" B!une in ad+i!ation.
*%oug% t%e soldie!s o" B!une and )%'ted &%i'% 'o+posed t%e
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F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G &e!e on "!iendl# te!+s, t%e 'on"li't (et&een t%e+ &as deepl# !ooted. *%oug% it %ad (een a p!o(le+ "o! *ig!e, t%is !i$al!# (u!ned (!ig%tl# and &iped a&a# t%ei! "ea!. ?n'identall#, @u!i'k 'on"i!+ed &it% t%e )%'ted soldie!s (e"o!e t%e spee'% &as +ade. *%e (ald %eaded 2nig%t sent a !esponse &%ile patting %is !ound %ead. 6*%oug% ? 'an8t gua!antee #ou an ans&e! a%ead o" ti+e, it s%ould (e "ine.7 *%e one &%o 'a!e"ull# '%ose one t%ousand t!oops "!o+ t%e )%'ted !+# to "ollo& *ig!e &as 5llen. *%e# possessed a good &ill to&a!d *ig!e in t%ei! o&n &a#, and t%e# &e!e &illing to !e+ain &%en 5llen depa!ted. ?t &ould not likel# %a$e +u'% t!ou(le 'on$in'ing t%e+. ;%en t%e '%a!ged noise settled do&n, *ig!e de'la!ed &it% a loud $oi'e. 65$e!#one, please a't i++ediatel# as #ou a!e o!de!edI7 "te! t%at, e$e!# soldie! &as (us# +aking p!epa!ations to +o$e. *%e soldie!s !e'ei$ed "ood and "uel "o! se$e!al da#s, and a 'a!t &as p!o'u!ed to 'a!!# p!o$isions "o! +an# people. 5$e!# pe!son (!oug%t t%ei! p!o$isions to a la!ge tent. B# t%e ti+e t%e soldie!s o" t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G "inis%ed p!epa!ations, t%e sk# &as d#ed $e!+illion as t%e sun set in t%e &este!n sk#.
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*ig!e, Massas, and ug!e united on t%ei! %o!ses. Massas and ug!e &o!e t%i'k &inte! 'oats on top o" t%ei! a!+o!. *ig!e &o!e a leat%e! $est and 'a!!ied a >ui$e! at %is &aist, and %is "a+il# %ei!loo+, t%e (la'k (o&, &as atta'%ed to t%e saddle. *%oug% "atigue d#ed t%ei! "a'es, t%ei! desi!e to "ig%t su!passed it. pp!o.i+atel# se$enteen %und!ed t!oops &e!e lined up (e%ind *ig!e. *%e !atio o" 'a$al!# to in"ant!# in t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G &as a(out eig%t to t&o. *%oug% *ig!e did not &ant to (!ing so +an# 'a$al!#, i" %e %ad not %a!dened %is de"enses, %e &ould onl# lose +o!e t!oops. ?t &as i+possi(le "o! %i+ to +ake t%is g!oup 'onsist onl# o" soldie!s "!o+ lsa'e. ?n t%e end, *ig!e a$oided (!inging soldie!s "!o+ anot%e! te!!ito!#. lso, *ig!e &anted to keep people %e 'ould a(solutel# t!ust (eside %i+. Massas and ug!e "ollo&ed 'losel# (e%ind &it% a "e& do=en and one %und!ed t!oops !espe'ti$el#. *%e !e+aining &e!e inju!ed and !e+ained (e%ind unde! t%e 'a!e o" Bat!an and *eita. Bat!an &anted to "ollo& as &ell, (ut *ig!e "elt uneas#, "eeling %is p%#si'al st!engt% +ig%t a(andon %i+ du!ing (attle due to %is age. 6:o!d, ? a+ so!!#. ?" onl# ? %ad t%e sta+ina "!o+ &%en ? &as #oung...7 *ig!e s+iled and s%ook %is %ead seeing t%e old +an and +aid &%o se!$ed %i+ d!oop t%ei! %eads. 6:ook a"te! *eita "o! +e, Bat!an. ? 'an !ela. i" ? kno& #ou8!e de"ending %e!.7
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*%e old +an !egained %is ent%usias+ and said to lea$e t%ings to %i+. 6Hou, too, *eita. ? kno& #ou8ll (e (us#, (ut don8t o$e!&o!k #ou!sel".7 6? s%ould sa# t%e sa+e to #ou, *ig!e4sa+a. Please... @etu!n in sa"et#.7 *%oug% *eita !eto!ted st!ongl#, tea!s i++ediatel# appea!ed in %e! e#es. 6Eo& t%en, #ou t&o s%ould get so+e !est.7 Massas spoke &%ile st!oking %is g!a# (ea!d seeing *ig!e (o&. 6:ea$e it to us. 3ta# "i!+, *ig!e.7 6?8ll sa# t%e sa+e to #ou. /on8t o$e!e.e!t #ou!sel".7 ;%ile ug!e en'ou!aged %i+, *ig!e (o&ed in g!atitude on'e again. ;%ile *ig!e %eaded to t%e sout%east to "a'e t%e Muo=inel !+#, Massas and ug!e &ould gat%e! t%e 2nig%ts in t%e su!!oundings. 6*%oug% it8s unlikel# &e 'an stand up to an a!+# o" t&ent# t%ousand &it% onl# t&o t%ousand, ? s%ould (e a(le to %old t%e+ up "o! a s%o!t a+ount o" ti+e. 3i! Massas, Vis'ount ug!e. Please, do &%at #ou 'an to +ake t%e 2nig%ts and a!isto'!ats +o$e.7 *ig!e, as a 16 #ea! old, &ould not (e a(le to +o$e ot%e!s. *%is &as espe'iall# t!ue as so+eone &%o &as t%oug%t to lead an insu!!e'tion. -o&e$e!, Massas and ug!e &%o %ad $ast a+ounts o" e.pe!ien'e +ig%t (e a(le to pe!suade t%e+.
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*%e!e &e!e +an# !easons to "a'e t%e Muo=inel !+#. *%oug% t%e la!gest !eason to +o$e &as to p!ote't t%e 'iti=ens, t%e 2nig%ts and a!isto'!ats &ould not (e pe!suaded to +o$e so easil# unless so+eone took t%e lead. lso, t%e Muo=inel !+# &as 'u!!entl# on t%e (o!de! and %ad not #et '%osen a di!e'tion to atta'k in. --- I learned this $rom Lim be$ore. 6:o!d *ig!e$u!+ud, do #ou unde!stand< *o eli+inate #ou! opponent8s options, #ou +ust dull t%ei! judg+ent. ?" #ou 'an su''ess"ull# do t%is, #ou &ill 'a!!# an ad$antage into (attle.7 -e !e'alled :i+8s antiso'ial "a'e and $oi'e du!ing t%ei! 'on$e!sation in autu+n. 6But i" #ou eli+inate t%ei! options, doesn8t t%at +ake it eas# "o! t%e+ to take a'tion<7 6 ssu+e #ou "o!'e #ou! opponent into a situation &%e!e t%e# 'an take onl# t%!ee a'tions. ?t +akes 'ounte!+easu!es si+ple. 0u!t%e!+o!e, t%e ene+# &ill (e 'on"used. ?n t%is state, %e &ill +ost likel# a't in a &a# %e s%ould not. Hou! '%an'es o" su''ess &ill onl# i+p!o$e t%e!e.7 6? see.7 *ig!e o(edientl# e.p!essed %is ad+i!ation o" :i+, &%o +o+enta!il# &as d!a&n out o" %e! e.p!essionless appea!an'e. *%oug% %e! languages 'ontinued on in a se$e!e +anne!, a gentle s+ile appea!ed +o+enta!il#. 6*%oug% &%at ? %a$e told #ou is (asi', don8t "o!get it.7
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*ig!e did not !e+e+(e! lea!ning +u'% !ega!ding st!ateg# "!o+ %is "at%e!, B!=. *%e!e &as still +u'% "o! *ig!e to lea!n t%at %is "at%e! likel# &anted to tea'% %i+9 %o&e$e!, &%en *ig!e &as 14, %e took o$e! as %ead o" t%e Vo!n "a+il# &%en %is "at%e! "ell ill. --- I'll hold the Muozinel )rmy o$$ near the border. "te! seeing Massas and ug!e o"", *ig!e &as "ollo&ed (# t&o people %o!se(a'k &it% looks o" dete!+ination in t%ei! e#es. One pe!son &as t%e (ald 2nig%t, @u!i'k, &%o took lead o" t%e one t%ousand )%'ted soldie!s. *%e ot%e! pe!son &as in %is +id4t&enties. -e &as a #oung +an &it% (!o&n %ai! and (!on=e pupils. -e &as Vis'ount ug!e8s son, De!a!d. -e 'o++anded t%e se$en %und!ed B!une soldie!s. 6? ent!ust +# son in #ou! %ands. Bse %i+ as #ou see "it.7 ug!e said t%ose &o!ds as %e int!odu'ed De!a!d as %e spoke to *ig!e &it% a s+ile. @u!i'k, on t%e ot%e! %and, &as not %app# a(out it. "te! t%e pa!ent and '%ild sepa!ated, t%e!e &as a 'lea! sign o" dissatis"a'tion in %is "a'e. 6?" ? !e'all, %e &as t%e i+polite pe!son &%o igno!ed :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud and si+pl# p!aised ou! Vanadis4sa+a a"te! t%e (attle &it% Ma!>uis D!east.7 6... ;%o did #ou %ea! t%at sto!# "!o+<7
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*%oug% *ig!e asked t%at &it% a t!ou(led "a'e, t%e!e &e!e onl# t&o possi(le 'andidates. ;%en De!a!d p!aised 5llen, onl# :i+ and *ig!e &e!e p!esent. 6:i+lis%a. Bpon %e! depa!tu!e, s%e said to take 'a!e a(out t%is +an.7 6;ell, %e8s t%e t#pe :i+ &ould %ate... (ut Vis'ount ug!e &ould not si+pl# lea$e %is soldie!s in t%e %ands o" %is son &it%out !eason. *%oug% ? 'an8t sa# ou! !elations%ip is g!eat, ? dou(t it &ill (e a p!o(le+.7 *ig!e did not &ant to speak poo!l# o" ug!e8s son, so %e pu!posel# said $ague &o!ds. @e+e+(e!ing t%e 'on$e!sation at t%e ti+e, *ig!e looked o$e! @u!i'k8s s%oulde!. 3u!e enoug%, De!a!d gla!ed at %i+ &it% dange!ous e#es. *%oug% *ig!e &as also an.ious, it &as too late to sa# an#t%ing no&, and %e &as la'king in ti+e and people as it &as.
*%oug% t%ei! ai+ &as to +o$e >ui'kl#, t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G dispat'%ed t!oops t%e t%e su!!ounding $illages and to&ns and !epo!ted to t%e+ t%at Muo=inel &ould soon atta'k and to take s%elte! in *e!!itoi!e. ?n doing so, t%e# &ould (e a(le to gat%e! +aps o" t%e a!ea, pu!'%ase "ood and supplies t%e# %ad not (!ing, and gain pla'es to !est. "te! se$e!al da#s, *ig!e &as in sout% B!une ga=ing o$e! t%e gnes p!o$in'e.
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2 Two Thousand and Twenty Thousand

Mo!e t%an %al" t%e p!o$in'e o" gnes is a (a!!en &asteland la'king &ate!. Most plants 'annot g!o& t%e!e, and t%e sand onl# +ade t%e at+osp%e!e a!id. *%e!e &e!e +an# 'li""s and %ills o" sandstone &%i'% &e!e !e+inis'ent o" 'ollapsed to&e!s. desolate &ind (le& t%!oug% t%e $alle#s (et&een 'li""s. /espite t%at, a "o!t!ess &as e!e'ted in t%e a!ea sin'e it &as (o!de!ed (# )%'ted and Muo=inel. 3+all $illages and to&ns &e!e s'atte!ed, t%oug% "e&, &e!e s'atte!ed in t%e $i'init# o" t%e 'astle out o" "ea! o" atta'k. *%e Muo=inel !+# appea!ed in t%e a!ea app!o.i+atel# ten da#s ago. *%e# !us%ed t%e (o!de! "o!t!ess and took it (# sto!+. *%oug% t%e t%!ee t%ousand 2nig%ts in t%e "o!t!ess o""e!ed so+e !esistan'e, it &as all in $ain. l+ost all &e!e 'ut do&n and a(andoned. *%ose a(le to es'ape t%e (attle and lea$e t%e "o!t!ess nu+(e!ed "e&e! t%an one %und!ed. "te!&a!d, t%e Muo=inel !+# atta'ked t%e $illages a!ound t%e 'astle, one a"te! anot%e!. *%e Muo=inel !+#8s 'al+, s#ste+ati' atta'k &as "!ig%tening. 0o! e.a+ple, t%e# did not si+pl# set a "i!e and lea$e it (e.
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*%e# used t%ei! nu+(e!s to atta'k in &a$es. *%e# de+olis%ed an# "en'es o! &alls, "o!'ed t%ei! &a# inside, and 'aptu!ed t%e !esidents one a"te! anot%e!. *%e# plunde!ed all +one# and goods. Bnless a pe!son t%e# %ad 'aptu!ed &as not an a!isto'!at o! so+eone &it% politi'al po&e!, t%e# took t%ei! (elongings and kept t%e+ as sla$es. ll t%e elde!l# and '%ild!en, &%o %ad no utilit# as a sla$e, &e!e killed &it%out +e!'#. 0inall#, t%e# dep!i$ed t%e $illage o" all "oods and dest!o#ed t%e %ouses. *%e sla$es &e!e +ade to 'a!!# ite+s out o" t%e &!e'kage to (e used as "i!e&ood (e"o!e lea$ing t%e $illage (e%ind. n# stone %ouses &e!e used to sto!e t%e 'o!pses o" t%e elde!l#, '%ild!en, and an# &%o !esisted. *%e nu+(e! o" $illages t%e# atta'ked nu+(e!ed +o!e t%an t&ent#. *%e# &e!e atta'ked, dest!o#ed, and dep!i$ed o" all t%ings. *%e "lag o" Muo=inel is t%e 'olo! o" t%e ea!t%. On it is a s&o!d and a golden %el+et &%i'% d!a&s a s%a!p angle. ?t is said t%e %el+et and s&o!d a!e s#+(ols o" Va%!a+, t%ei! Dod o" ;a!. *%e "lag is la!ge! t%an t%ose o" t%e neig%(o!ing 'ount!ies, and it &as suppo!ted (# a t%i'k i!on pole painted &it% gold lea". 5ne+ies 'ould see it "!o+ a"a!, and &%en t%e# &e!e standing nea! to it, it +eant t%e# &e!e (eing "o!'ed (a'k.
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gainst t%e g!a# o" &inte!, t%e Muo=inel !+# 'o$e!ed t%ei! "lag &it% g!a$el to keep it "!o+ standing out. *%e soldie!s &it% (!o&n skin &o!e leat%e! a!+o! on top o" t%ei! t%i'k 'lot%es. *%ei! 'u!$ed s&o!ds &e!e %eld at t%ei! &aist, and t%e# 'a!!ied a s%ield and a spea! +o!e t%an t&i'e t%ei! %eig%t in t%ei! %ands. *%e soldie!s %ad (la'k 'lot% &!apped a!ound t%ei! %ead, and t%e +ajo!it# %ad i!on %el+ets on top o" t%at. *%e "o!'e &as p!i+a!il# 'o+posed o" in"ant!#. *%e 'a$al!# did not +ake e$en 20J o" t%e enti!e a!+#. Be%ind t%e t&ent# t%ousand soldie!s, +o!e t%an one t%ousand people "ollo&ed &it% t%ei! %ands (ound &it% !ope. *%e# &e!e onl# #oung +en and &o+en 'o$e!ed in s'a!s and (!uises, t%ei! 'lot%es in tatte!s. /espite an i+p!ope! appea!an'e, it &as not un'o++on "o! t%e &o+en8s 'lot%es to %a$e (een to!n a&a#. *%e# &e!e sei=ed (# t%e Muo=inel !+# and +ade to sla$es. *%e# s%oulde!ed s+all (undles. /espai! &as "ound in t%ei! "a'es, t%ei! gait &as &eak. 63o t%at8s t%e Muo=inel !+#...7 *ig!e and a "e& soldie!s "!o+ )%'ted %ad %idden t%e+sel$es a+ongst t%e sandstone 'li""s and &e!e o(se!$ing "!o+ a distan'e. *%oug% *ig!e &as Dene!al and &as in no position to +o$e a(out t%oug%tlessl#, %e p!essed @u!i'k and De!a!d and joined t%e !e'onnaissan'e unit. -e &o!e leat%e! a!+o! o$e! %e+pen 'lot%es. ?n %is %and &as t%e usual (la'k (o&, and %is >ui$e! &as at %is &aist.
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6*%ei! skin 'olo! !eall# is di""e!ent.7 6 si+ple 'o++ent. *%at !eall# is like #ou, *ig!e4san.7 *easing %i+ &%ile &ea!ing si+ila! ga!( &as !a+. -is !ound "a'e and (od# and (!o&n, (!istl# %ai! &as !e+inis'ent o" a (ea$e!. ;%en *ige! &as a p!isone! o" &a!, %e %ad s%a!ed a "!iendl# !elation &it% t%is +ilita!# s'out "!o+ )%'ted. 6Can8t (e %elped. ?t8s +# "i!st ti+e seeing an#one "!o+ Muo=inel.7 6Hou didn8t see an# in lsa'e< ?8$e %ea!d t%e!e a!e +an# Muo=inel +e!'%ants.7 6... 5$en i" t%e# 'a+e, it &ould not (e "o! t!ade.7 ;%ile %e "eigned igno!an'e, *ig!e %ad not lost %is se!iousness. -is da!k e#es &e!e tu!ned (e%ind t%e Muo=inel !+# 1 to&a!d t%e sla$es. --- It would be pointless to push them bac+. I$ I can, I want to $ree those people. 6;ill #ou ai+ "!o+ %e!e< ;it% #ou! skill, &ould #ou (e a(le to %it t%e+<7 *%oug% !a+ en'ou!aged %i+ &it% a joke, *ig!e s%ook %is %ead. 6?t8s i+possi(le. *%e &ind is too st!ong %e!e.7 *%e &ind (lo&ing do&n "!o+ t%e 'li""s &as "a! too st!ong and e!!ati'. 5$en "o! *ig!e, it &as di""i'ult to !ead t%e "lo& o" &ind o" a land %e %ad just stepped on to. --- *hould I use that power...#
48
-e looked do&n to t%e (la'k (o& in %is %and. ?t &as a (o& &it% a +#ste!ious po&e! &%i'% allo&ed %i+ to s%oot %ig% in t%e ai!, pie!'e t%!oug% a t%i'k 'astle gate, and pus% (a'k @oland. ?" %e atta'ked di!e'tl#, t%e soldie!s a!ound %i+ &ould (e &ounded, and %e &ould onl# %a!+ a "e& do=en "!o+ t%e Muo=inel !+# at t%e +ost. *ig!e s%ook %is %ead. *%e!e &e!e too +an# unkno&ns &it% t%e (o&. -e also did not like t%e "a't t%at it +a# %a$e a !elation &it% *i! na 0a, t%e Doddess &%o !eigned o$e! deat%, da!kness, and t%e nig%t. -e 'ould %a!dl# "ind %e! "a$o!a(le, sin'e s%e %ad on'e taken *eita %ostage. (o$e all, %e %ad al&a#s used t%e po&e! o" t%e (o& &%en %e &as nea! 5llen. ?n %is (attle &it% @oland, %e &as also alongside t%e Vanadis 3op%ia O(e!tas. *%e!e &as onl# one ti+e &%e!e %e used t%e po&e! o" t%e (o& on its o&n, and t%at &as in t%e s%!ine o" t%e Doddess. -e %ad no 'on"iden'e %e 'ould %andle it alone. --- I almost went unconscious when I used it against &oland.
?" t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G &as t%!o&n into 'on"usion, it &as unlikel# t%e# 'ould !out t%e ene+#. --- I$ I shoot their /ommander here, it would only cause a temporary con$usion at the most. *%e!e &as also t%e possi(ilit# t%e# &ould tu!n t%ei! ange! on t%e sla$es. -e &anted to a$oid t%at. 6:et8s tu!n (a'k. @u!i'k s%ould %a$e (egun p!epa!ations. 5$en i" &e 'an8t do an#t%ing toda#, ?8d like to (egin atta'king to+o!!o&.7
49
?n a''o!dan'e &it% *ig!e8s &o!ds, t%e )%'ted soldie!s 'a!e"ull# &alked a&a# "!o+ t%e 'li"" so as not to +ake a sound. *%e last to !ea'% t%e g!ound &as *ig!e. 3in'e %e %ad done so in a >ui'k +anne! &it% %is deli'ate "!a+e, !a+ s+iled in ad+i!ation. 6@eall#, &e!e #ou! pa!ents &ild ani+als o! so+et%ing<7 6?" t%at8s t%e 'ase, #ou!s +ust %a$e (een (ea$e!s.7 *ig!e !etu!ned a joke i++ediatel#. s+all laug% &as %ea!d "!o+ t%e soldie!s. 6Hou s%ould see %is pa!ents at least on'e, *ig!e4san. *%e#8$e de"initel# t!ans"o!+ed into (ea$e!s.7 6? didn8t t%ink an#one 'ould take a"te! t%ei! pa!ents so +u'%.7 *ig!e and t%e ot%e!s !etu!ned to t%ei! %o!ses, %a$ing '%e'ked t%e Muo=inel !+# &as not in t%e a!ea, and '%atted pleasantl# &%ile &%ispe!ing. D!ipping t%e %o!se8s (!idle, *ig!e +otioned "o! t%e+ to not !aise a sound. --- I heard something... 0ootsteps# *%e# &e!e 'u!!entl# on an ani+al t!ail in t%e +ountains. *%e!e &e!e +an# !o'ks st!e&n a(out, so t%e g!ound &as not e$en, and &it% t%e pilla!s o" stone and '!e$i'es "o!+ed (et&een !o'ks, $isi(ilit# &as poo!. *ig!e st!oked t%e (a'k o" %is %o!se8s ne'k to 'al+ it do&n and "o'used on %is ea!s.
50
--- I'm not wrong, those are $ootsteps. 3'outs "!o+ t%e Muo=inel !+# +a# %a$e (een sea!'%ing t%e su!!oundings. *ig!e +otioned to !a+ and t%e ot%e!s9 t%e t&o &alked a!ound on "oot, lea$ing t%e ot%e!s (e%ind. Eo'king an a!!o& to %is (o&, *ig!e app!oa'%ed a 'li""4side nea! t%e sound and %id %i+sel" >uietl#. *%e pe!son appea!ed to (e a t!a$ele! &%o &as (eing '%ased. 0ou! people "!o+ t%e Muo=inel !+# &e!e '%asing a"te! &it% t%ei! 'u!$ed s&o!ds %eld %ig%. *%e# 'alled out so+et%ing in t%e language o" Muo=inel. *%oug% *ig!e did not unde!stand t%e +eaning, it &as 'lea! &%at t%e# &e!e talking a(out (ased on t%ei! "a'ial e.p!ession. *%e t!a$ele! t!ipped and &as >ui'kl# su!!ounded (# t%e soldie!s. ?++ediatel# a"te!&a!d, one o" t%e Muo=inel t!oops &as pie!'ed t%!oug% t%e %ead. *%e a!!o&, o" 'ou!se, &as "i!ed (# *ig!e. *%e Muo=inel soldie!s &e!e at a loss "o! &o!ds. *ig!e %ad s%ot an a!!o& to stop t%e+ &it%out gi$ing an# t%oug%t. *%e# &e!e su!e to slaug%te! t%e pe!son i" %e %ad le"t t%e+ alone. 3till, %e &as an.ious t%e t!a$ele! &ould (e inju!ed (# %is a!!o&s, so %e took p!e'aution o" t%e su!!oundings as %e s%ot. *%e Muo=inel soldie!s "ell to t%e g!ound and stopped +o$ing. "te! '%e'king t%e su!!oundings to ensu!e no ot%e! soldie!s &e!e p!esent, t%e t&o des'ended "!o+ t%e 'li"" and &alked to t%e t!a$ele! on t%e g!ound.
51
6 !e #ou oka#<7 Bpon app!oa'%, *ig!e noti'ed t%e t!a$ele! &as a gi!l. 3%e &o!e a t%i'k +antle &%i'% stu'k tig%tl# to %e! (!easts, (ut "!o+ t%e 'li""top, %e 'ould not tell. *%oug% t%e gi!l sta!ed at t%e 'o!pses in a da=e, %e! a=u!e e#es &e!e d#ed &it% $igilan'e and %e! (od# &ent !igid &%en s%e noti'ed *ig!e &alking to&a!d %e!. *ig!e s%o&ed %is %ands to %e! and s+iled to %elp %e! !ela.. 6? a+ not #ou! ene+#. ? a+ *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n "!o+ B!une.7 -ea!ing *ig!e8s &o!ds, t%e gi!l (linked se$e!al ti+es. *%e &ind (le& and s%i"ted %e! %ood slig%tl#. -e! "a'e see+ed gaunt, and %e! golden %ai! &as 'o$e!ed &it% dust, (ut s%e still !e+ained (eauti"ul. 0!o+ &%at *ig!e 'ould see, s%e &as %is age, o! pe!%aps a #ea! #ounge!. -o&e$e!, *ig!e tilted %is ne'k, as %e "elt %e %ad seen %e! (eaut# (e"o!e. --- I' e seen her somewhere... "here was it# It $eels pretty recent. 6 !e #ou alone< O! is t%e!e so+eone else...7 *%e gi!l s%ook %e! %ead "ee(l#. 6Can #ou stand<7 *ig!e o""e!ed %is %and. *%e gi!l t!ied to g!a( it, (ut stagge!ed "o!&a!d. *ig!e >ui'kl# kneeled and suppo!ted %e! (od#.
52
*%e gi!l see+ed to %a$e "ainted. *ig!e (!oug%t %is ea! to %e! +out% to 'on"i!+ s%e &as (!eat%ing, t%en %e tou'%ed %e! ne'k to +onito! %e! pulse. 3%e see+ed to (e "e$e!is%. --- 1er li$e doesn't seem to be in danger. 0atigue, maybe... *ig!e looked at t%e gi!l &it% a t!ou(led "a'e. *%oug% %e did not &ant to a(andon %e!, %e &as &o!!ied a(out e.t!a pe!sonnel (e"o!e %is (attle &it% Muo=inel. 63%e8s su'% a lo$el# gi!l. ?8+ su!e s%e8d (e e$en 'ute! i" all t%at dust &as !e+o$ed.7 *%e +en 'a+e do&n t%e 'li"" and spoke 'andidl# %a$ing seen t%e gi!l8s "a'e. *%e ot%e!s nodded in ag!ee+ent. 6?t see+s s%e !an a&a#. ;%at &ill #ou do<7 6;e don8t %a$e +u'% '%oi'e (ut to take %e! (a'k.7 *ig!e li"ted %e! in %is a!+s as %e ga$e an ans&e!. 3%e &as lig%te! t%an %e e.pe'ted, d e$en &it% %e! deli'ate (od#. ;it% t%e %elp o" t%e soldie!s, s%e &as tied to %is (a'k. ;%en it &as done, %e looked at t%e "ou! 'o!pses l#ing on t%e g!ound. 6C%e'k to see i" t%e# %a$e an#t%ing i+po!tant on t%e+. *ake t%ei! a!+o!.7 *%oug% %e &as !elu'tant to do so, %e %ad no !oo+ to +ake an# e!!o!s. *%oug% *ig!e also sea!'%ed t%e soldie!8s (elongings, not%ing &as "ound.
54
*%e 'o!pses &e!e %idden a+ongst t%e !o'ks so t%e# &ould not (e eas# to "ind, t%en *ig!e and t%e ot%e!s !etu!ned to t%e +ain unit. 6:ooks like #ou "ound so+et%ing p!ett# (ig.7 *%ose s%o'ked &o!ds &e!e t%e "i!st t%ing @u!i'k said to *ig!e.
*&o t%ousand sla$es "ollo&ed t%e t&ent# t%ousand Muo=inel t!oops as t%e# passed t%!oug% t%e &ilde!ness o" gnes. *%ei! +a!'%ing speed &as slo&. *%e# &e!e 'o+posed p!i+a!il# o" in"ant!#, and sin'e t%e# &e!e in ene+# te!!ito!#, t%e# ad$an'ed &%ile deli(e!atel# s'outing t%e su!!oundings "o! s+all $illages. 3till, t%e# &e!e not en'ounte!ing an# o(sta'les, so t%e +a!'% &as e.t!e+el# "a$o!a(le. 6@eall#... *%e!e8s not%ing a!ound %e!e.7 2as%i+, leade! o" t%e Muo=inel t!oops, looked a(out on %o!se(a'k &%ile (asking in t%e d!# &ind +i.ed &it% sand. 6*%oug% ou! task is to +o$e "o!&a!d and t%o!oug%l# '!us% an# to&n and $illage &e "ind... t t%is !ate, &e +a# %a$e not%ing (# t%e ti+e &e !ea'% ou! destination.7 *%ei! pu!pose &as to take te!!ito!# "!o+ B!une. *%oug% Muo=inel %ad ai+ed at t%e po!t to&ns &%i'% &e!e !i'% and %ad $ast lands &it% nu+e!ous '!ops "!o+ t%e sout%e!n seas, a golden oppo!tunit# %ad "inall# 'o+e to t%e+.
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*%ei! unde!l#ing +oti$e &as to plunde! t%e lands &%ile B!une &as st!uggling &it% t%ei! o&n 'on"usion. 2as%i+ tu!ned 30 t%is #ea!. -is skin &as t%e sa+e (!o&n 'olo! pe'ulia! to t%ose o" Muo=inel. t a glan'e, %e &as a s%a!p as a (lade and &as an i+p!essi$e +an. ?t &as s%o&n not a %el+et (ut a &%ite 'lot% &!apped a(out %is %ead, &%i'% &as de'o!ated &it% sil$e! and je&els. -e &as on'e a sla$e. Be'ause %is talent &as !e'ogni=ed, %e &as "!eed. -e a'%ie$ed t%e position o" Dene!al a"te! +an# "eats o" $alo! on t%e (attle"ield. --- I was once a sla e, but now I am a 2eneral. I will continue to bring success to this e%pedition, but i$ I lose... 2as%i+ s%ook t%e da!k t%oug%ts a&a# in a %u!!#. ;%ile %e a+(itiousl# ai+ed at a %ig%e! position, %e &as "ea!"ul o" !etu!ning to sla$e!#. ?t &as a 'o++on o''u!!en'e. :ooking o$e! %is s%oulde!, %e sa& a g!oup o" B!une 'iti=ens tet%e!ed toget%e! &it% !opes, "!ee=ing in t%e &inte! &ind. *%e!e &e!e so+e &%o !esisted, (ut t%e# &e!e 'aptu!ed, and no&, +ost &e!e o(edient. --- I do not wish to be li+e that again. ;it% t%ose t%oug%ts in %is %ead, %e looked up to t%e sk#. *%oug% t%e!e &as ti+e until sunset, it &ould (e'o+e in'!easingl# di""i'ult to %ide in t%e !eddis%4(!o&n o" t%e 'li""4side as t%e# app!oa'%ed t%e ult!a+a!ine o" t%e &ilde!ness a%ead. *%e &ind (le& 'oldl# against t%e+.
56
--- It's about time to settle $or the night. ;%ile lost in t%oug%t, a !epo!t a!!i$ed "!o+ a unit &%i'% %ad ad$an'ed "u!t%e! a%ead. 6Dene!al, t%e ene+# %as appea!ed. ? (elie$e it is t%e B!une !+#.7 2as%i+ "!o&ned %ea!ing t%e &o!d ene+#. ;%ile %e &as (a'ked (# an a!+# o" t&ent# t%ousand, %e &as not enti!el# su!e o" t%e situation (e"o!e %i+. 6*%ei! nu+(e!<7 6 (out one to t&o %und!ed. *%e# a!e al+ost all 'a$al!#. ;e 'an atta'k &it% 'atapults and a!'%e!s, t%e# 'an de"end &it% t%ei! s%ields. 3till, t%e# &ill %a$e inju!ies...7 *%e soldie!8s !epo!t s%o&ed no sign o" 'on'e!n. ?t see+s %e &as appealing, as i" t%e# &e!e just t!ou(leso+e "lies +o$ing a(out. 6;it% t%at nu+(e!, &e 'an s%oot so+e a!!o&s to d!i$e t%e+ a&a# and %a$e t%e+ s'atte!.7 6*%at +a# (e so... (ut t%e# &ill !etu!n s%o!tl# a"te!. ;e8ll onl# (e in t%e sa+e situation.7 2as%i+ unde!stood. *%oug% %e t%oug%t it &ould (e eas# to get !id o" t%e+, %e &as anno#ed (# t%e p!o+ptness o" t%e !epo!t. -e 'ontinued to d&ell on it. --- They don't seem li+e the remnants $rom the castle. )lso, against our numbers, they would not ha e prepared only one or two hundred men. They're probably drawing us in.
57
3%ould t%e# go '%ase, onl# +o!e ene+ies a&aited t%e+. 6*ake t%!ee t%ousand in"ant!# and "ind e$e!# last one o" t%e+.7 6?sn8t t%!ee t%ousand a (it e.agge!ated< ;e s%ould (e "ine &it% "i$e %und!ed.7 6Ou! !ole is to t%o!oug%l# '!us% all &%o get in ou! &a#. Do >ui'kl#, ? &ill not sa# it t&i'e.7 2as%i+ 'li'ked %is tongue to&a!d t%e su(o!dinate &%o looked at %i+ 'u!iousl#. --- I$ there is a large $orce close by, our reconnaissance should ha e $ound some traces. *ince they didn't, with a decoy o$ one or two hundred, they should number two thousand at most. One t%ousand a!'%e!s and t&o t%ousand spea! (ea!e!s, t%!ee t%ousand t!oops in all, (egan to +o$e. 3oon a"te!, t%e# ente!ed a (ottlene'k su!!ounded (# 'li""s. *%e B!une soldie!s %id a+ongst t%e '!e$asses in t%e 'li""4side to keep "!o+ $ie& o" t%e t%!ee t%ousand Muo=inel t!oops. On'e t%e Muo=inel t!oops e.ited t%e $alle#, t%e# ente!ed an open a!ea &it% sand su!!ounding t%e+. *%oug% en'losed in a (lind alle#, t%e# %ad no ti+e to sp!ead out. ?t &ould (e an a+a=ing sig%t. *%e# &ould (e su!!ounded (# a (la'k s%ado& &it% +an# "lags &a$ing a(o$e t%e+. 60i$e t%ousand... Eo, 3i. t%ousand.7
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soldie! "o!'ed %is $oi'e do&n. Eo +atte! %o& %e looked, t%e# &e!e outnu+(e!ed. *%e Muo=inel !+# kne& t%e# %ad "allen into a t!ap. *%oug% t%e# unde!stood, t%e# %ad no ti+e to !ea't. gainst t%e &este!n sk# d#ed $e!+illion, a (attle '!# &as !aised "!o+ all t%!ee sides. *%e !oa! o" %oo$es and t!e+o!s o" t%e "ollo&ed t%e la!ge (la'k s%ado& as it des'ended upon t%e+. *%e t&o %und!ed t!oops t%e Muo=inel !+# %ad '%ased a"te! %ad also tu!ned a!ound. *%e Co++ande! o" t%e Muo=inel !+# loudl# o!de!ed a !et!eat, (ut it &as not s+oot%l# t!ans+itted. *%e +ajo!it# o" %is t!oops &e!e 'aug%t in t%e $alle# and 'ould not see &%at t%e soldie!s at t%e $angua!d &itnessed. *%e soldie!s ad$an'ing and t%e soldie!s !et!eating 'ollided &it% one anot%e!. ?n t%e da!kness o" t%e su!!ounding $alle#, t%e# onl# g!e& +o!e 'on"used. *%e Muo=inel t!oops %ad stopped +o$ing and &e!e s%ot at &it% stones and a!!o&s &it%out +e!'#. *%e stones t%!o&n &e!e a(out t%e si=e o" a "ist &%i'% (!oke +an# (ones and 'aused an intense pain &%en %itting t%e "a'e o! %and. ?n addition, t%e unit Co++ande!s &%o despe!atel# o!de!ed 'o++ands &it% %oa!se $oi'es &e!e s%ot do&n one a"te! anot%e!. *%e Muo=inel !+# %ad lost t%e &ill to "ig%t and sunk "u!t%e! into ana!'%#. *%e# a(andoned ea'% ot%e! and t!a+pled o$e! ot%e!s in o!de! to es'ape. *%e ti+e it took "o! t%e+ to ad$an'e and !et!eat t%!oug% t%e (ottlene'k, $e!# little ti+e %ad passed.
?n less t%an a %al" koku, +o!e t%an one t%ousand soldie!s &e!e lost.
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6Ou! "ist (attle &ent &ell, so+e%o&...7 ;%ile looking at t%e "allen Muo=inel soldie!s piled up in t%e (ottlene'k, *ig!e +utte!ed &o!ds "ull o" "atigue. s %e tu!ned a!ound, %e looked at t%e (la'k s%ado& 'ast (# t%e "lags &a$ing in t%e &ind. ?t &as 'a+ou"lage. -e %ad used t%e sa+e t!i'k against )aien (a'k in lsa'e. Man# 'a!ts loaded &it% +ate!ials and tents &e!e used to 'ast a la!ge (la'k s%ado&. *%e# %ad (een deli(e!atel# adjusted so t%e s%ado& 'ould (e seen "!o+ t%e Muo=inel !+# (ased on t%e ti+e. 6*%e# +a# 'o+e (a'k. 0inis% t%e &o!k >ui'kl# and pull out.7 @u!i'k ga$e o!de!s to t%e soldie!s as %e 'ontinued !e+o$ing t%e a!+o! "!o+ t%e dead Muo=inel t!oops. *%e stones and a!!o&s &e!e also 'olle'ted.
"te! t%e# "inis%ed 'leaning up, t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G disappea!ed on t%e ot%e! side o" t%e %ill unde! t%e 'o$e! o" da!kness.
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*%oug% %e %ad told Massas %e &anted to "ig%t, *ig!e &as +ind"ul enoug% not to "ig%t an ene+# nu+(e!ing t&ent# t%ousand "!o+ t%e "!ont. *%e plan %e de$ised t%is ti+e &as to !edu'e t%ei! po&e! and dull t%ei! +o$e+ents. ;%en %e !etu!ned to t%e (ase a&a# "!o+ t%e pat% &%e!e t%e Muo=inel t!oops &e!e, *ig!e o!de!ed t%e soldie!s to e!e't t%ei! tents and !est. B# t%e ti+e t%e# "inis%ed, t%e sun %ad 'o+pletel# sunk. @u!i'k and *ig!e ente!ed t%e Dene!al8s tent &%e!e De!a!d &as. *%e t%!ee sat at a ta(le su!!ounded (# +an# +aps. 60o! t%e ti+e (eing, 'ong!atulations on #ou! $i'to!#. 6*%oug% it !eall# is onl# "o! no&.7 De!a!d i++ediatel# inte!!upted @u!i'k8s &o!ds. *%oug% @u!i'k 'lea!l# %ad a sullen e.p!ession, %e +aintained %is p!uden'e in de"e!en'e to *ig!e. "te! a >ui'k nod, *ig!e asked De!a!d a >uestion. 6-o& +an# &e!e killed, and %o& +an# a!e inju!ed<7 6;e %a$e no 'asualties t%is ti+e, (ut &e %a$e t&ent# se$en inju!ed. +ongst t%e+, t%e!e a!e t%!ee t%at 'annot "ig%t. *%e !est %a$e +ild inju!ies.7 -ea!ing De!a!d8s !epo!t, @u!i'k and *ig!e %ea$ed a sig% o" !elie". 6;%at o" t%e a!!o&s and stones<7 6;e %a$e !et!ie$ed app!o.i+atel# "i"t#4si. a!!o&s in total and ele$en stones pe! 'a$al!#+an. ;e %a$e dist!i(uted "i$e to ea'% o" ou! in"ant!#+en.7
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;it%out looking at an#t%ing, De!a!d ans&e!ed &it%out pause. -e also des'!i(ed t%e dist!i(ution o" "ood and "uel, as &ell as a!+o!. 6 pp!o.i+atel# 10J 'an (e !eused. ssu+ing ou! 'onsu+ption, &e &ill last "o! anot%e! t&o 'a+paigns. ? dou(t &e &ill last in a la!ge s'ale (attle. lso, t%oug% )%'ted t!oops a!e e.pe!ien'ed &it% t%e (o&, t%e!e a!e "e& a!'%e!s a+ongst t%ose "!o+ B!une.7 ;it% t%e #oung, (!o&n4%ai!ed +an8s speed and a''u!a'# in 'al'ulation, (ot% *ig!e and @u!i'k let out a +oan. *%oug% *ig!e and @u!i'k also %ad su'% an a(ilit#, De!a!d &as "aste!. 5it%e! &a#, %e %ad taken '%a!ge o" logisti's, &%i'% &as a &el'o+e su!p!ise to *ig!e, sin'e %e 'ould no& "o'us on t%inking o" plans and 'o++anding t%e soldie!s. --- "e need to $ind a way to replenish our supplies. *ig!e &as keenl# a&a!e o" %is situation. Ba'k &%en %e &as in *e!!itoi!e, 5llen &as &it% %i+, so %e did not %a$e to &o!!# +u'% a(out "unds, and it &as eas# to (u# "ood and "uel "!o+ t%e to&ns and $illages in t%e $i'init#. -e &as also a(le to a!!ange "o! +ate!ials to !epai! a!+o! and %o!ses%oes. ?t &as di""e!ent no&, t%oug%. single a!!o& 'ould not (e &asted. -e %ad also gi$en t%e soldie!s stone to supple+ent t%ei! la'k o" a!!o&s.
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--- 0irst, we'll need to $ind more stones. There will li+ely be some on the side o$ the road... 6;%at &ill &e do ne.t<7 @u!i'k asked as %e "olded %is a!+s, (ut t%e ans&e! &as not !etu!ned i++ediatel#. *ig!e sta!ed %a!d at t%e +ap. s t%e# t!a$eled t%!oug% gnes, t%e# %ad negotiated &it% e$e!# to&n and $illage "o! in"o!+ation &%i'% &as "u!t%e! supple+ented (# !e'onnaissan'e. -e &ould not %a$e (een a(le to set a t!ap o! &ould %a$e (een d!a&n into a la!ge! (attle i" %e did not %a$e t%is in"o!+ation. 6-a$e t%e# slo&ed do&n t%ei! ad$an'e<7 De!a!d 'a!e"ull# s%ook %is %ead in !esponse to *ig!e8s >uestion. 6Conside!ing &%at &e %a$e %ea!d "!o+ t%e s'outs8 !epo!ts, t%ei! speed %as not "allen.7 -e (e'a+e an.ious. *%oug% t%e# %ad a little da+age, t&o %und!ed t!oops &e!e a(le to %old o"" a la!ge a!+#. Ee.t, *ig!e asked @u!i'k &%at %e t%oug%t o" t%e ene+# Dene!al. 6-e is e.'ellent.7 "te! gi$ing a su''in't ans&e!, @u!i'k supple+ented %i+ &it% an e.planation. 6-e sent t%!ee t%ousand t!oops to deal &it% t&o %und!ed, so %e %as a !oug% idea o" %o& +an# t!oops &e !eall# %a$e. -e 'a+e &it% t%e intent to '!us% us. 3in'e t%ei! +a!'%ing speed %as not d!opped is p!oo" o" t%ei! !e'o$e!#, (ut4447
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@u!i'k8s &o!ds stopped as %e tilted %is %ead. 6-e see+s a (it too se!ious, o! pe!%aps %e is ne!$ous. ''o!ding to ou! s'outs, %e '!us%ed s+all $illages &it%out o$e!looking a single one. -is !ea'tion &as unusuall# p!o+pt toda# as &ell.7 6*%at8s !ig%t. ? also "elt t%at &a#.7 *ig!e "elt %e +a# (e a(le to e.ploit t%at t!ait. ?" %e 'ould not stop t%ei! +o$e+ents, it &as ne'essa!# to '%ange %is goal. -e &ould %a$e to t%ink a(out %o& to (!eak t%e la!ge "o!'e &it% %is s+all a!+#. 6?" possi(le... ? &is% to pe!"o!+ t&o +o!e 'a+paigns (e"o!e &e lea$e gnes.7 *oda#8s (attle onl# %ad t%e pu!pose o" dulling t%ei! opponent8s +o$e+ents. *%e# also applied +ental p!essu!e. 5$en at t%e !isk o" li"e, %e &anted to laun'% anot%e! atta'k. 65a!l Vo!n, &%at do #ou t%ink is t%e la!gest di""e!en'e (et&een us and ou! ene+ies<7 -ea!ing *ig!e +utte! se!iousl#, De!a!d tu!ned to %i+ &it% a (itte! e.p!ession o" dou(t to&a!d *ig!e. *%oug% 'u!ious a(out %is attitude, *ig!e !esponded "!ankl#. 6*%oug% t%e!e a!e +an# di""e!en'es... ? (elie$e #ou !e"e! to t%e di""e!en'e in ou! +ilita!# po&e!<7 6*%at is 'o!!e't... ;%at ? &is% to sa# is, &%ile t%e ene+# 'an lose +an# (attles, &e 'annot. ;e 'annot lose e$en a "e& do=en t!oops.7
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De!a!d8s 'old &o!ds +ade t%e at+osp%e!e tense. 6?t is said t%at all de"eats a!e signi"i'ant i" it !esults in $i'to!#, (ut t%at is an e.p!ession "o! t%ose &%o %a$e t%e +eans. ?" &e in'!ease t%e nu+(e! o" (attles, ou! FPossi(ilit# o" /e"eatG &ill in'!ease.7 6 ll &e need "o! $i'to!# is to &in.7 @u!i'k spoke &it% a tone t%at 'lea!l# s%o&ed disappoint+ent. *ig!e &is%ed to so"ten t%e tense at+osp%e!e and spoke. 6De!a!d. /o #ou kno& t%e "ai!#tale o" t%e !a((it and t%e (ea!< ?t is a sto!# in &%i'% a s+all !a((it de"eats a po&e!"ul (ea! using &isdo+ and agilit#.7 ?t &as a sto!# %e %ad not #et told to :i+. *ig!e 'ontinued talking, t%inking t%at in t%e 'o!ne! o" %is +ind. 6?8ll si+pli"# t%e sto!#. *%e !a((it "ended o"" t%e Bea!8s atta'ks (lo& "o! (lo&, e$entuall# ti!ing it out. 5$entuall#, it 'ould not +o$e and &as "o!'ed to gi$e up.7 6? also kno& o" t%e sto!#.7 De!a!d s+iled at %i+ as i" %e &e!e an idiot and 'ontinued to speak. 6*%e!e a!e t&o endings to t%at. ?t is said t%e (ea! teased t%e !a((it !epeatedl#. *%e !a((it got 'a!!ied a&a# and &as "inall# 'aug%t (# a (lo& &%i'% took its li"e i++ediatel# 1 in ot%e! &o!ds, it onl# needed to (e stopped on'e.7
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De!a!d sp!ead %is a!+s and +ade a sou! "a'e (e"o!e 'ontinuing %is &o!ds. 65$en i" #ou (et on t%is plan to a'%ie$e $i'to!#, i" #ou a!e unlu'k#, #ou lose. *%e +o+ent #ou '%oose to "ig%t, #ou open t%e possi(ilit# o" de"eat. ?n t%e "i!st pla'e, and ? (elie$e ? said t%is a +o+ent ago, &e do not %a$e t%e st!engt% to "ig%t. 5$en i" &e lea$e gnes, &e &ill onl# "ind unin%i(ited to&ns and $illages. "te! all, &e +ade t%e+ lea$e t%ei! %o+es.7 @u!i'k !ea'ted +o!e sensiti$el# t%an *ig!e to De!a!d8s &o!ds. "te! %itting %is %ead a "e& ti+es &it% t%e pal+ o" %is %and, %e "!o&ned at De!a!d. 6Hou8!e >uit gli(. -o& a(out o""e!ing an opinion !at%e! t%an a 'o+plaint<7 6Di$en ou! 'u!!ent state, t%at is +# opinion, (ald +an o" )%'ted.7 6... @e"!ain "!o+ e.'essi$e language, De!a!d, ot%e!&ise #ou &ill (e'o+e t%e (ald +an o" B!une.7 *ig!e s'olded De!a!d8s +anne! o" speaking as %e $o+ited a(usi$e language. *%oug% %e %ad !anted +an# ti+es sin'e t%e# le"t *e!!itoi!e, *ig!e "ound it di""i'ult to (elie$e %e &as t%e son o" t%e gentle ug!e. *%oug% De!a!d (o&ed and apologi=ed, %is attitude %a!dl# +at'%ed %is a'tion. --- I hope we don't ha e another problem appearing...
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De!a!d (!oug%t t%e soldie!s o" B!une toget%e!, (ut t%e!e &e!e +an# t!oops "!o+ lsa'e and ude t%at Massas %ad (!oug%t. *%e t!oops unde! ug!e8s 'ont!ol &as a'tuall# a +i.tu!e o" people. *%ei! e>uip+ent &as also s'atte!ed. De!a!d %ad done a good jo( keeping t%e+ "!o+ 'olliding. ?t see+s %e kept %is sa!'as+ "o! *ig!e and @u!i'k. ;%en De!a!d looked up, t%e# 'ontinued t%ei! 'on$e!sation as i" not%ing %ad %appened. 6*%e p!o(le+ is not just ou! a(ilit# to "ig%t. ?" t%e# use t%e sla$es as a s%ield, ou! a!+# &ill "all apa!t i++ediatel#.7 *%e B!une soldie!s &ould not (e a(le to dese!t t%ei! people, and i" t%e )%'ted soldie!s atta'ked &it%out %esitation, t%e
F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G &ould "all apa!t. 6... ? got it.7 ;%ile sta!ing intensel# at t%e +ap, *ig!e !etu!ned %is ans&e! &it% a %ea$# tone. *%oug% %e &anted to %elp t%e+ as >ui'kl# as %e 'ould, i" t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G "oug%t %ead on, t%e# &ould (e s&allo&ed in an instant. 5$en i" it &as a %e!oi' a'tion, t%e# &ould not (e a(le to take an# "u!t%e! a'tion. 6B# t%e &a#.7 P!o(a(l# as a '%ange o" pa'e, @u!i'k '%anged t%e topi' as i" %e %ad just !e'alled so+et%ing.
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6:o!d *ig!e$u!+ud. -o& is t%at '%ild<7 *%inking o" t%e gi!l %e %ad sa$ed "!o+ t%e Muo=inel soldie!s, *ig!e s%ook %is %ead. 63%e8s >uite &eak. *%oug% t%e!e8s not%ing &!ong &it% %e! li"e, s%e is 'u!!entl# sleeping. 3%e &akes up, eats so+e soup, and t%en !etu!ns to sleep. ?t8s %appened a "e& ti+es.7 *ig!e ent!usted %e! to ot%e!s sin'e %e &as (us# and %ad no ti+e to spa!e a t%oug%t. *%oug% %e %ad seen %e! a "e& ti+es &%en %e &as "!ee, s%e &as asleep and in no state to talk. -e did not %a$e t%e +indset to "o!'e %e! to talk, eit%e!. 6;e8$e (een t%inking too +u'% a(out t%e Muo=inel !+#. 0o! no&, let8s take a !est.7
+ongst t%e Muo=inel !+#. 2as%i+ &as "u!ious seeing soldie!s, 'o$e!ed in (lood and dust, &it% t%ei! s%oulde!s d!ooped. Eo +atte! %o& "i!+l# %e 'len'%ed %is "ist, %o&e$e!, %e did not !elease %is ange! on ot%e!s. -e &as (a!el# a(le to !est!ain %i+sel". *%e nu+(e! o" ene+ies &as "i$e to si. t%ousand. *%oug% %e dou(ted t%e !epo!t &%en %e %ea!d it, %e 'ould sa# not%ing upon lea!ning o" t%e details. *%oug% %e did not kno& o" t%e na+e o" t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G, %e al+ost p!e'isel# unde!stood t%e 'a+ou"lage t%e# %ad used.
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6*%e# did it, t%e B!une !+#...7 *%e &eat%e! and geog!ap%i'al "eatu!es &e!e skill"ull# used. *%oug% +o!e t%an one t%ousand t!oops %ad died, it did not a''ount "o! e$en 10J o" %is +en. *%e!e &as still !oo+ to !ela.. 3oon a"te!, 2as%i+ !e'ei$ed !epo!t "!o+ a s'outing unit t%at t%e!e &e!e ne& t!a'es o" a 'a+p (eing +ade t%e nig%t (e"o!e. 6*%e ene+# s%ould nu+(e! a little less t%an t&o t%ousand. *%e# see+ to (e '%anging (ase e$e!# da# o! t&o.7 6;ell done.7 2as%i+ s%o&ed %is app!e'iation "o! t%e !e'onnaissan'e and %anded a (ag o" gold 'oins as a !e&a!d. t ti+es like t%ese, %e &as not sting#. *%is &as one o" t%e !easons %e +ade it to %is position as Dene!al "!o+ a sla$e. ;%ile &aiting "o! da&n, 2as%i+ !eo!gani=ed %is a!+#. Bntil t%en, t%e 'a$al!# "!o+ t%e t%!ee t%ousand t!oops %ad (een dist!i(uted to t%e !ig%t and le"t and ad$an'ed a%ead o" t%e +ain "o!'e. ?n t%e su!!oundings, t%e!e &e!e i!!egula! out'!ops o" stones, &%i'% &ould +ake it di""i'ult to take ad$antage o" a 'a$al!#+an8s +o(ilit#. -e '%anged t%e dist!i(ution o" t!oops so t%e in"ant!# &e!e pla'ed to t%e !ig%t and le"t, telling t%e+ to (e pa!ti'ula!l# &a!# o" t%ei! "lank. *%e ene+#8s po&e! did not e$en a+ount to t&o t%ousand t!oops. -e told %is t!oops not to (e +isled, sin'e t%e# &ould disguise t%e+sel$es to appea! to %a$e a supe!io!it# in nu+(e!s.
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--- "e ha e an army ten times larger than they ha e. - en without tric+s, we will win. t t%is ti+e, 2as%i+ %ad not noti'ed %e %ad al!ead# +ostl# "allen into t%e ene+#8s t!ap.
?t &as du!ing t%e e$ening o" t%e da# t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G +ade t%ei! su!p!ise atta'k. s t%e 'li""s to&e!ing to t%e le"t and !ig%t o" t%e pass disappea!ed, t%e !oad (!oadened. Be%ind t%e !o'ks, a g!oup o" 'a$al!#+en app!oa'%ed unde! 'o$e! o" da!kness and %id diagonall# (e%ind t%e Muo=inel !+#. *%e# nu+(e!ed app!o.i+atel# "i$e %und!ed. 6 n a+(us%.7 2as%i+ 'al+l# %anded out o!de!s. *%e Muo=inel in"ant!# lined t%e+sel$es up along t%e side &it%out s%o&ing a gap and s%ot t%ei! a!!o&s to&a!d t%e +ountains (e%ind t%e+. *%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G (lo'ked t%e a!!o&s &it% s%ields and t%!e& stones at t%e Muo=inel t!oops in !etu!n. *%e %o!ses !an a(out in pla'e, 'ausing t%ei! t!oops to 'ollapse. -o&e$e!, t%e "ie!'e o""ensi$e did not 'ontinue "o! long. *%e g!oup o" 'a$al!# &%i'% %ad ad$an'ed (e"o!e%and tu!ned (a'k. @at%e! t%an !us%ing t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G, t%e# &e!e ai+ing to 'ut o"" t%ei! !et!eat.
6*%e#8!e p!o(a(l# t!#ing to in$ite us into a na!!o& pat% like #este!da#, (ut ? &on8t "all "o! t%e sa+e t!i'k.7
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2as%i+ &ould t!iu+p% o$e! t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G (# en'i!'ling t%e+ and '!us%ing t%e+. s %e %anded do&n t%at o!de!, a ne& '%ange o''u!!ed in t%e (attle"ield. Close to one t%ousand s%ado&s appea!ed "!o+ (e%ind t%e !o'ks and atta'ked t%e+. 3eeing t%is, 2as%i+ 'ould not utte! a single sound due to %is astonis%+ent. *%e ene+#8s ne& t!oops &e!e 'lad in t%e a!+o! o" t%e Muo=inel !+#. *%e# &o!e t%i'k leat%e! a!+o!, and t%ei! %eads &e!e &!apped &it% a (la'k 'lot%. 3in'e t%e sun &as sinking, it &as di""i'ult to distinguis% t%e 'olo! o" t%ei! skin, and t%e de'!easing $isi(ilit# o" t%e (attle"ield &as onl# +aking it di""i'ult to !ea't >ui'kl# to t%is atta'k. *%e (attle"ield '%anged >ui'kl#. ?n #este!da#8s "ig%t, *ig!e %ad %is +en st!ip t%e a!+o! "!o+ t%e 'o!pses. *%is ti+e, %e %ad t%e+ &ea! it to 'on"use t%e ene+#. *%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G i+pe!sonated t%e Muo=inel 'a$al!# and sta((ed t%e ene+# !elentlessl#. 3o as not to atta'k t%ei! o&n side, t%e# %ad de'ided on a ke#&o!d (e"o!e%and. ?" one said (ea!, t%e# &ould !espond &it% !a((it. 6*o use a '%ild8s "ai!# tail in t%is situation...7 6Cla!it# is i+po!tant. ?t8s eas# to unde!stand i" it8s eas# to sa#.7 @u!i'k and *ig!e e.'%anged su'% a 'on$e!sation. Bsing t%e '%ildis% ke#&o!d, t%e +an# people "!o+ t%e Muo=inel !+# "ell o"" t%ei! steeds in t%e 'on"usion. ?t &as di""i'ult "o! t%e+ to stand (a'k up.
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?n addition, t%e 'a$al!# &e!e atta'ked "i!st du!ing t%ei! '%a!ge. "te! (eing en'i!'led, t%e Muo=inel !+# nea!l# 'ollapsed, (eing "o!'ed into a situation &%e!e t%e# 'ould not (!eak t%!oug%. *%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G t%en >ui'kl# !an "!o+ t%e (attle"ield. 2as%i+ &anted to o!de! %is +en to pu!sue t%e ene+#, (ut %e did not. -is in"ant!# 'ould not 'at'% up, and sending t%e 'a$al!# 'ould lead to %is t!oops to atta'k t%e+sel$es. lso, at t%is ti+e o" #ea!, it &as nea!l# i+possi(le to see t%e ene+# as t%e# !et!eated. 2as%i+ 'len'%ed %is "ists st!ong enoug% to sta!t (leeding, and %is e#es &e!e (loods%ot. n aid %esitantl# 'alled out to %i+ in a lo& $oi'e to gi$e %i+ a !epo!t. 6444 *%e sla$es.7 *%e aide %ad not unde!stood &%at %e said. 2as%i+ took a deep (!eat% and e.pelled all %is %at!ed. 6*ell t%e soldie!s. B!ing ten o" t%e +ale and "e+ale sa$es to +e on t%ei! knees. ? &ill (u# t%e+ "o! gold. 0i!st 'o+e, "i!st se!$ed. On t%is da#, t%e Muo=inel !+# %ad lost nea!l# one t%ousand t!oops. ;it% t%ei! se'ond loss, nea!l# ten pe!'ent o" t%ei! "o!'es %ad (een lost and t%e# %ad gained not%ing in (attle. 2as%i+ %ad no ot%e! '%oi'e. @at%e!, it &as so+et%ing %e 'ould not %elp (ut '%oose.
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*%e ne.t +o!ning, 2as%i+ (!oug%t t%e sla$es (e"o!e t%e soldie!s and %ad %is soldie!s t%at 'ould speak t%e language o" B!une !epeat %is &o!ds. 6*o t%e %ono!less soldie!s o" B!une &%o sneak a!ound (eneat% t%e !o'ks like &o!+sI 3%o& #ou!sel". ?" #ou (asta!ds %a$e 'ou!age, t%en '%allenge us "!o+ t%e "!ont in a digni"ied +anne! (e"itting a soldie!I ?" #ou &is% to 'ontinue #ou! pett# t!i'ks and atta'k us "!o+ #ou! %iding, t%is is %o& &e &ill !espondI7 s 2as%i+ s%outed, %e (e%eaded t%e ten +en, one a"te! anot%e!. *%e &o+en s'!ea+ed, seeing t%e %eads !oll a!ound and t%e (odies spouting (lood. 6Hou %a$e one koku to s%o& #ou!sel". *%e &o+en &ill (e ne.t. ;e a!e p!epa!ed to do e$en +o!e unless #ou 'o&a!ds s%o& #ou!sel$esI7 -e &as p!o$oking t%e ene+# &it% a t%!eat against t%e sla$es8 li$es. -a$ing e.pe!ien'ed se$e!e losses in to 'onse'uti$e da#s, it &as ne'essa!# to +ake use o" t%e sla$es. *%e# &e!e not to %a!(o! %ope. B# e.e'uting t%e+, %e &ould (e a(le to "o!'e t%e+ to !e+ain o(edient. :ea$ing t%e 'o!pses o" t%e sla$es (e%ind, t%e Muo=inel !+# (egan t%ei! +a!'%. *%is da#, t%e Muo=inel ad$an'ed its +ain unit. *%oug% t%!ee t%ousand st!ong, it &as not t%at la!ge i" one looked at t%e "o!'e in its enti!et#.
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Be'ause t%e ene+# &as e.t!e+el# s+all in nu+(e!, t%e# &ould not likel# atta'k "!o+ t%e "!ont. Heste!da# t%e# %ad atta'ked "!o+ t%e side, and toda# t%e# %ad atta'ked "!o+ (e%ind. 5$en i" t%e# atta'ked "!o+ t%e "!ont, t%e# &ould (e +et (# t%!ee t%ousand soldie!s. 0u!t%e!+o!e, t%e# needed to p!ote't t%e unit &%i'% 'a!!ied "ood and "uel. /ep!i$ing t%e ene+# o" "ood is no!+al in t%e 'ou!se o" &a!. *%oug% t%e# did not ai+ "o! t%at toda#, it is possi(le t%e# +a# %a$e soon in t%e "utu!e. g!oup o" 'a$al!# ad$an'ed (e"o!e t%e+. ;%en t%e sun %it its peak, 2as%i+ !e'ei$ed a !epo!t %e 'ould %a!dl# (elie$e. 60i$e o! si. %und!ed...<7 5$en i" t%e Muo=inel !+# %ad lost 10J o" its t!oops, t%e# still %ad an o$e!&%el+ing eig%teen t%ousand t!oops. *%e nu+(e! o" ene+ies &%i'% stood against t%e+ &as no +o!e t%an si. %und!ed. 6*%e# s%ould %a$e at least one t%ousand, p!o(a(l# t%e#8!e lu!king so+e&%e!e...7 -o&e$e!, against so +an# t!oops, &%at 'ould si. %und!ed o! one t%ousand t!oops do< --- Maybe they don't ha e the power to escape. 2as%i+ pe!suaded %i+sel" in t%at &a#. *%e!e &e!e signs o" a 'a+p %a$ing (een set up, and, a(o$e all, in t%e past t&o da#s, t%e ene+# &ould (e a(le to atta'k +o!e intensel# i" t%e# %ad +o!e +anpo&e!.
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6*%e Dene!al<7 6P!o(a(l# t%e !ed %ai!ed +an at t%e "!ont.7 t t%e "!ont o" t%e 'a$al!# &%i'% nu+(e!ed 'lose to si. %und!ed, a #oung +an &it% dull !ed %ai! !ode a %o!se. -e 'ould not t%ink a +an &%o &o!e leat%e! a!+o! and 'a!!ied a (o& 'ould (e t%e Dene!al &%o led t%e a!+#. --- In the $irst place, no one in 3rune would $ight li+e this. B!une 2ingdo+ despised t%e (o&. 5$en t%ose o" Muo=inel kne& t%is. Eatu!all#, so did 2as%i+. --- (o doubt about it. There must be an ambush nearby. *%e ene+# (e"o!e %i+, o! t%e a+(us%, &%i'% &ould (e t%e +ain "o!'e< 2as%i+ ga$e t%is +o!e t%oug%t. --- *eeing how that red haired man loo+s, the ambush is li+ely the main $orce, but they might be thin+ing that. "hile my attention is on the hidden enemy, the ones be$ore me will act. -e %ad seen t%!oug% t%e ene+#8s plan, o! so %e t%oug%t. -e &as dete!+ined not to let t%is 'ontinue. -e &ould ad$an'e %is a!+# to&a!d t%e +en (e"o!e %i+. -e &as positi$e t%e# &e!e t%e +ain "o!'e. 6Cease t%ese (a!(a!ous a'tions, (!utes o" Muo=inelI7 *%e #oung, !ed %ai!ed +an !aised %is $oi'e. lt%oug% 2as%i+ unde!stood t%e B!une language, %e &ould not stop %is +a!'%.
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6Hou %a$e dep!i$ed t%e inno'ent o" t%ei! li$e. 0o! t%at, #ou dese!$e ten t%ousand deat%s. -o&e$e!, (e"o!e ? take #ou! %ead, &%# is it #ou la&lessl# set #ou! di!t# "eet a'!oss ou! (o!de!s.7 6?8ll ans&e! #ou i" #ou take t%e p!ope! a'tion.7 2as%i+ !idi'uled %i+. 6*%!o& #ou! a!+s a&a#. C!a&l on t%e g!ound and (e'o+e sla$es. ? &ill (e a gene!ous +aste! and tell #ou. ? &ill e$en sell #ou to kind +aste!s.7 Aee!s &e!e t%!o&n "!o+ t%e soldie!s o" Muo=inel %ea!ing t%ei! Co++ande!8s &o!ds. *%e# p!epa!ed a!!o&s and no'ked t%ei! (o&s. *%e# &ould soon !ea'% a distan'e &%e!e a!!o&s &ould !ea'%. t t%at ti+e, a (attle '!# &as %ea!d. Aust as 2as%i+ p!edi'ted, t%e!e &as an a+(us%. -e looked up &it% a s+ile (ut 'ould not (elie$e %is e#es. ?t &as not t%e @ed -o!se o" B!une (ut t%e Bla'k /!agon o" t%e )%'ted 2ingdo+ &%i'% ju+ped into %is $ie&. 2as%i+ %ad %ea!d a s+all g!oup %ad in$ited t%e )%'ted !+# into t%ei! 'ount!#. -o&e$e!, %e (elie$ed %e &ould not en'ounte! t%e+. *%e# %ad no !eason to 'o+e. -e did not (elie$e t%e# &ould s%ed t%ei! (lood to p!ote't B!une. *%at &as 2as%i+8s 'on'lusion. 2as%i+ &as not t%e onl# one &%o 'ould not +o$e "!o+ su!p!ise. ll t%e soldie!s o" Muo=inel stood spee'%less.
)i!nit!a
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)%'ted la# to t%e no!t% o" Muo=inel, so s+all ski!+is%es &e!e not unusual. -e &as used to seeing t%e Bla'k /!agon 0lag, and, o" 'ou!se, %e %ad no good +e+o!ies !elating to it. 6C%a!geI7 ;it% a '!#, @u!i'k led t%e )%'ted soldie!s &%ile *ig!e issued 'o++ands to t%e soldie!s o" B!une.
;it% t%at '!#, t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G atta'ked t%e Muo=inel !+# "!o+ t&o di!e'tions. ;it% t%e t!oops in a da=e, t%e# allo&ed t%ei! ene+# to app!oa'% t%e+. *%ei! da==ling s&o!ds !e"le'ted t%e suns%ine, (ut t%e# &e!e i++ediatel# stained in +ud and (lood. @at%e! t%an 'a!!#ing a spea!, t%e# %eld s&o!ds and atta'ked eit%e! t%e %ead o! t%e a(do+en. !ain o" a!!o&s pie!'ed t%e t!oops e#es. *%ose &%o "ell to t%e g!ound &e!e +e!'ilessl# '!us%ed (eneat% t%e %o!ses. *%e &ilde!ness "ull o" di!t &as >ui'kl# 'o$e!ed in (lood and 'o!pses. *%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G 'ut deepl# into t%e Muo=inel t!oops, (ut &it% t%ei! s+all nu+(e!s, t%e# 'ould not (!eak t%!oug% t%e t%!ee t%ousand st!ong unit. 2as%i+ looked up and glan'ed at t%e (loods%ed t%!oug%out t%e (attle"ield. *%oug% it &as !eg!etta(le t%at %e &as 'aug%t (# su!p!ise, %e &as "inall# a(le to t%ink. ?" %is t!oops endu!ed %e!e, t%e soldie!s to t%e !ea! &ould 'at'% up.
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?" t%e# 'ould su!!ound t%e ene+#, t%e Muo=inel !+# &ould (e $i'to!ious. '%ill !an do&n 2as%i+8s spine as %e al+ost s+iled in satis"a'tion. *%is "eeling %ad sa$ed %i+ +an# ti+es. ?t &as %is intuition, so to speak. 2as%i+ t%oug%t t%e ene+# %ad 'losed in, (ut %e denied it i++ediatel#. 5$en i" t%e ene+# %ad 'losed t%e distan'e on %i+, t%e# &e!e still t%!ee %und!ed alsin Kapp!o.i+atel# t%!ee %und!ed +ete!sL a&a#. 0u!t%e!+o!e, t%at t%!ee %und!ed alsin &as "illed &it% Muo=inel soldie!s. Eo one (oasted t%e st!engt% to pass t%at distan'e easil#, no! &ould a!!o&s !ea'% t%at distan'e. --- It will reach. 2as%i+ %ea!d a $oi'e in %is ea!. ?t &as as i" an e$il spi!it spoke to %i+. t t%e sa+e ti+e, an a!!o& "le& st!aig%t to&a!d 2as%i+. Bsuall#, t%e deat% o" t%e Dene!al is 'on'ealed as +u'% as possi(le (e'ause it &ould +ean de"eat. si+ila! pe!son &ould (e i++ediatel# t!ained as a su(stitute to de'ei$e all# and ene+# alike. *%is &ould (u# ti+e to allo& "o! a &it%d!a&al "!o+ (attle. -o&e$e!, t%at did not %appen t%is ti+e. *%e sk# &as 'lea!, t%e sun &as o$e!%ead, and t%e!e &e!e +an# nea!(# on t%e (attle"ield.
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0u!t%e!+o!e, 2as%i+8s %ead, &%i'% &as &!apped in 'lot%, &as %it. *%e!e &as no possi(ilit# %e su!$i$ed. :ike a &a$e !ippling a'!oss t%e su!"a'e o" t%e &ate!, a "ea! sp!ead a'!oss t%e Muo=inel soldie!s.
*%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G, as i" &aiting "o! t%at !ea'tion, let out a &a! '!#. *%e t&ent# t%ousand Muo=inel t!oops, (e"o!e t%ei! t&o t%ousand st!ong ene+#, lost t%e &ill to "ig%t. *%e# p!o+ptl# !e'o$e!ed "!o+ t%ei! stupo!. ;%ile t%e Co++ande!s &e!e s'olding t%ei! +en, t%e# &e!e killed (# a!!o&s, "u!t%e! lo&e!ing t%ei! +o!ale. *%e "i!st to 'ollapse &e!e t%ose in t%e !ea! &%o %ad not pa!ti'ipated in (attle (ut %ea!d o" t%e deat% o" t%ei! Co++ande!. One pe!son, t%en t&o !et!eated, t%en ot%e!s tu!ned t%ei! (a'ks a&a#. *%ei! a!+s &e!e tossed aside and t%e# !an do&n t%e %ig%&a#. *%e Muo=inel !+# 'ollapsed like (!oken dolls. *%ose "ig%ting t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G (egan pulling (a'k "ollo&ing t%e +o$e+ents o" t%ose (e%ind t%e+. *%ose &%o 'ontinued to "ig%t &e!e 'ut do&n, t%ose &%o tu!ned a&a# &e!e pu!sued. *ig!e led t%e soldie!s o" lsa'e to&a!d t%e "!ont and s%o&ed no +e!'#. -e displa#ed %is !age "o! t%e deat% o" t%e ten +en ea!lie! t%at +o!ning. 6C%ase a"te! t%e+I :ea$e none ali$eI7 ;%ile s%ooting a!!o&s, *ig!e 'alled out inst!u'tions, (ut %e did not let e+otion s&a# %i+.
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*%oug% t%e Muo=inel !+# %ad "allen, t%e# &e!e still +ade o" eig%teen t%ousand +en. On'e t%e# !egained t%ei! 'al+ and o(tained a ne& leade!, *ig!e and %is +en &ould (e de"eated in an instant. ;%ile t%e# &e!e still lost, %e %ad to tea'% t%e+ "ea!. 6... Hou! plan &as (e#ond t%ei! e.pe'tations.7 ;%ile *ig!e 'ontinued to s%oot, @u!i'k d!e& nea! on %is %o!se, (!inging "!es% a!!o&s &it% %i+. *ig!e nodded silentl# &it%out (!eaking %is se$e!e 'ountenan'e. 2as%i+ &as not "oolis% at all, (ut %e !ela.ed %is gua!d. Mo!e a''u!atel#, %e %ad not noti'ed to t%e $e!# end t%at %e %ad let %is gua!d do&n. O$e! t&o (attles, *ig!e %ad i+p!essed %is in"e!io!it# o" nu+(e!s to 2as%i+ and t%!o&n t%e+ into 'on"usion &it% disguises. ?n !esponse to t%at, 2as%i+ took a "o!+ation good against a s+all a+ount o" t!oops and &eakened %is "lank and !ea! gua!ds. *%at &as *ig!e8s ai+. 3till, i" *ig!e %ad "oug%t onl# &it% t%e s&o!d, 2as%i+ &ould %a$e (een a(le to de"end %i+sel" &it% %is &all o" soldie!s and &ould !e+ain ali$e. *%e sa+e &ould appl# i" *ig!e8s a!!o&s 'ould not go (e#ond t%!ee %und!ed alsin. 0o! t%e people o" B!une &%o &e!e poo! at a!'%e!#, it &as i+possi(le to t%ink so+eone 'ould s%oot a''u!atel# at t%!ee %und!ed alsin. Eot e$en 2as%i+ 'ould p!edi't t%at.
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3eeing *ig!e standing at t%e "o!e"!ont o" %is t!oops (!oug%t pit# !at%e! t%an ange! to 2as%i+8s +ind, and %e %ad +ade a de'ision %e +a# no!+all# not %a$e (e'ause o" t%at. -e %ad killed inno'ent people, and *ig!e &ould not !e+ain silent. *ig!e %ad used all o" t%is to g!ip $i'to!# "!o+ a $e!# dange!ous situation. -e %ad 'ut %is distan'e "!o+ 2as%i+ to app!o.i+atel# t%!ee %und!ed alsin and de"eat %i+ as >ui'kl# as possi(le. ?t is possi(le *ig!e +a# %a$e lost t%is (attle i" e$en a single (!ee=e pi'ked up. 6@u!i'k, +a# ? lea$e t%e pu!suit to #ou< *ig!e asked "o! 'on"i!+ation on'e t%e (attle"ield g!aduall# (egan +o$ing sout% to&a!d Muo=inel. 0!o+ %is e.p!ession and $oi'e, @u!i'k unde!stood *ig!e8s "eelings. 6:ea$e it to +e.7 *ig!e t%anked t%e (ald )%'ted 2nig%t and sped a&a# &it% De!a!d and a "e& lsa'e soldie!s to &%e!e t%e sla$es %ad (een 'ut do&n. *o p!ote't t%e+sel$es "!o+ t%e Muo=inel soldie!s !an a&a# &it% a +o+entu+ 'o+pa!a(le to an a$alan'%e and t%e
F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G &%o '%ased a"te! t%e+, t%e# (alled up on t%e g!ound. *%e (lood pou!ed do&n on t%e+, 'o!pses &e!e st!e&n on top, +an s'!ea+s &e!e %ea!d. *%e# &e!e "!ig%tened (# t%e sound o" %o!ses. *ig!e dis+ounted and &alked to t%e+ in 'o+p!o+ise.
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6?t8s "ine no&.7 ;it% a su(dued $oi'e, a &o+an nea!(# 'alled out "o! %elp. *ig!e nodded and s+iled gentl#. *%ei! suspi'ion tu!ned to jo#. Man# ot%e! su!$i$o!s 'alled out as &ell, and t%e!e &e!e ot%e!s &%o s%ook t%ei! %eads in dis(elie". *%e!e &e!e +an# &%o &e!e una(le to unde!stand t%e situation and si+pl# sat in (lank su!p!ise. 6... ;%# didn8t #ou 'o+e ea!lie!I<7 3uddenl#, one o" t%e +en s%outed in a''usation. lt%oug% t%e +an &as (ound (# !ope and 'ould not +o$e, %e gla!ed at *ig!e &it% intense "eelings as %e s%ed tea!s. 6?" #ou %ad s%o&n #ou!sel" t%is +o!ningI ?" #ou %ad s%o&n up at t%at ti+e, %e &ouldn8t %a$e died...7 *ig!e stood !ooted to t%e spot. *%e ones &%o +o$ed &e!e De!a!d and soldie!s o" lsa'e. 6*%at is...7 *%e &o!ds De!a!d &anted to sa# to t%e people t%e# %ad %elped 'ould not (e said. *ig!e !ea'%ed out to !est!ain %i+. *o p!ote't t%e+, soldie!s "!o+ lsa'e %as "allen. *ig!e looked at t%e +an &it% a sad e.p!ession.
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6?8+ so!!#.7 -ea!ing *ig!e8s &o!ds and seeing %is attitude, t%e +an in%aled deepl# &it% su!p!ise. *%oug% +an# &o!ds &e!e !a+paging &it%in %i+, t%e# &ould not 'o+e out. -e sat do&n &it% %is %ead %ung. *ig!e o!de!ed "o! t%e+ to (e untied and "o! 'lot%es to (e p!epa!ed "o! t%e &o+en. *ig!e also %elped se$e! t%e !opes &it% %is dagge!. 6B+...7 s %e un(ound t%e people, a s+all gi!l spoke to *ig!e "ea!"ull#. 3%e ga$e t%e i+p!ession t%at s%e &as a naM$e gi!l a(out t%e sa+e age as *ig!e. ;%ile s%e %id %e! (od# &it% %e! %ands and &%at to!n 'lot%ing !e+ained, s%e (o&ed deepl# to *ig!e. 6*%ank #ou "o! #ou! %elp... nd "o! 'o+pleting +# "at%e!8s !e$enge.7 *ig!e di+l# unde!stood. One o" t%e +en &%o died ea!lie! t%is +o!ning &as likel# t%is gi!l8s "at%e!. 6?8+ so!!#. *%at +an just no&, ? don8t t%ink %e &as &!ong. ? unde!stand %is "eelings, (ut... ? &is%ed to t%ank #ou.7 *ig!e ga$e o"" a 'o+ple. e.p!ession s%o&ing %is +i.ed "eelings upon %ea!ing t%e gi!l8s sin'e!e &o!ds. 3%e %ad %id not%ing. -e! "!ank &o!ds e.p!essed %o& s%e "elt "o! (eing !es'ued, (ut it &as 'lea! s%e %ad s&allo&ed &o!ds o" '!iti'is+.
*%oug% %e did not kno& %o& to p!o'ess %is e+otions, *ig!e t%anked %e! &it%out s%o&ing an# tea!s. 6Hou %a$e +# t%anks as &ell.7
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*%ose "!o+ t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G &%o pa!ti'ipated in (attle &as &ell o$e! one t%ousand. ?t &as al+ost t%e enti!e a!+#. *%e# &e!e una(le to endu!e t%ei! "atigue, and t%ei! (odies &e!e 'o$e!ed in inju!ies. s soon as t%e# !etu!ned "!o+ t%e pla'e &it% se$e!al t%ousands o" 'o!pses and uni+agina(le a+ounts o" (lood, +an# 'ollapsed and "ell asleep. ;it%out looking 'a!e"ull#, it &as i+possi(le to tell &%et%e! t%e# &e!e li$ing o! dead. 3in'e t%e# %ad !un to gnes "!o+ *e!!itoi!e, t%e# did not %a$e ti+e to !est and &e!e "u!t%e! t!ou(led (# t%e sand# %ills and 'li""s. *%e# %ad "oug%t t%e Muo=inel !+# "o! t%!ee 'ontinuous da#s. *%oug% *ig!e %ad allo&ed t%e soldie!s to !est, it &as as little as %e possi(l# 'ould allo& t%e+. *%e# %ad gone t%!oug% +an# (attles and gi$en '%ase. *%e# (!andis%ed t%ei! a!+s and !an "!o+ one end o" t%e (attle"ield to anot%e!. ?t &as una$oida(le t%at %is +en &ould d!op t%ei! a!+s and 'ollapse in t%is situation. *%e Muo=inel !+# lost +o!e t%an t%!ee t%ousand in t%is "ig%t, (!inging t%ei! deat% toll to a(o$e "i$e t%ousand &%en in'luding t%e (attles "!o+ t%e p!e$ious t&o da#s. ?t &as a >ua!te! o" t%ei! enti!e a!+# t%at "ell in t%e lands o" gnes.
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On t%e ot%e! %and, a(out t&o %und!ed soldie!s "!o+ t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G %ad lost t%ei! li$es. *%e!e &e!e "i"teen %und!ed still li$ing. +ongst t%ose, "ou!4 %und!ed si.t#4t&o &e!e inju!ed, (ot% se!ious and +ino!. ?t &as a na!!o& $i'to!#, a +i!a'ulous !esult, gi$en t%ei! 'u!!ent state. De!a!d &as una(le to 'ope &it% an unusual "eeling9 %e &as not su!e %o& to !epo!t t%e !esults to *ig!e. -e de'ided to sa# t%e sa'!i"i'e &as s+all sin'e t%e# stopped t&ent# t%ousand t!oops. -o&e$e!, &%en %ea!ing t%e !epo!t, *ig!e8s e.p!ession sunk, and %e did not look like t%e $i'to!. ?t &as not si+pl# out o" "atigue. *%e!e &as no ti+e "o! *ig!e, @u!i'k, o! De!a!d to !est. ;%at t%e# needed to do &as to gat%e! t%e soldie!s &%o 'ould +o$e and 'olle't t%ei! spoils. *%e Muo=inel !+# t%at !et!eated le"t t%ei! "ood and "uel. Be'ause t%e +one# and goods t%e# plunde!ed !e+ained as &ell, t%e# &e!e di$ided a+ongst t%e soldie!s and t%e people. De!a!d %ad not pla#ed an a'ti$e pa!t on t%e (attle"ield, (ut %e "ull# de+onst!ated %is talents. ;%ile t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G se'u!ed t%e supplies, %e &as a(le to e""i'ientl# dist!i(ute t%e "ood and "uel so it &ould last until t%e# a!!i$ed in *e!!itoi!e. 63o &e %a$e no '%oi'e (ut to send t%e+ to *e!!itoi!e<7 -ea!ing t%e !epo!t "!o+ t%e #oung +an &it% (!o&n %ai!, *ig!e asked to &%i'% De!a!d nodded. 6? (elie$e #ou %a$e %ea!d "!o+ t%e+ as &ell, 5a!l Vo!n. ;%en t%ei! to&ns and $illages &e!e !aided, t%ei! li$eli%oods &e!e dest!o#ed. *elling t%e+ to !etu!n in t%e 'oldness o" &inte! is no di""e!ent "!o+ telling t%e+ to (uild a %ouse on t%ei! o&n.7
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6*%oug% ? unde!stand... ;ill *e!!itoi!e (e "ine<7 *%e!e &e!e +an# to&ns and $illages &%o &ent to *e!!itoi!e to es'ape "!o+ t%e "i!es o" &a!. *%oug% *ig!e8s &o!!ies &e!e natu!al, t%e son o" t%e :o!d o" *e!!itoi!e si+pl# s%!ugged %is s%oulde!s. 60o! t&o t%ousand people, &e %a$e no ot%e! '%oi'e.7 *ig!e &as una(le to o(je't. ?" %e a''epted t%e+ into lsa'e, it &as eas# to see %is land &ould 'ollapse i++ediatel#, and ude, go$e!ned (# Massas, &as too "a! a&a#. 6? unde!stand. Please a!!ange t%at.7 s %e said t%at, @u!i'k &alked into %is tent. 6... :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud, ? &ould like to speak to #ou.7 *%oug% %e s+iled (!ig%tl# as usual, t%e!e &as an a&k&a!dness to it. *%oug% ti!ed, *ig!e sa& t%!oug% it. "te! issuing inst!u'tions, %e le"t t%e pla'e &it% @u!i'k and De!a!d. 6;%at8s &!ong<7 6?n ou! pu!suit, &e %a$e taken so+e o" t%e soldie!s 'apti$e.7 *%is is &%at *ig!e %ad o!de!ed. -e needed to kno& t%ei! pu!pose and t%e state o" t%e Muo=inel 2ingdo+. "te! getting !id o" %is "alse s+ile, @u!i'k8s gloo+# e.p!ession su!p!ised *ig!e and De!a!d.
6*%e# all said F;e a!e t%e d$an'ed 0o!'e &%o &e!e to s&eep t%!oug% t%e landG.7
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*ig!e8s "eet stopped. -e &as una(le to +o$e and t%e s%ado& in @u!i'k8s "a'e sp!ead to *ig!e and De!a!d8s in an instant. *%e# %ad !a'ked t%ei! (!ain &it%out sleep to "ig%t against an a!+# t%is si=e. *%e# %ad sa'!i"i'ed +u'%, #et t%is &as onl# t%ei! $angua!d< 6*o t%ink t%at8s all t%e# &e!e...7 *%oug% %is (od# (egan to stagge!, *ig!e +anaged to %old %is g!ound. -is %ea!t (eat $iolentl# "!o+ t%e unp!e'edented tension. 6*%ei! +ain "o!'e<7 6 ''o!ding to t%e+, t%i!t# t%ousand. ? &ill send t%e !e'onnaissan'e unit "o! 'on"i!+ation.7 --- Thirty thousand... -e 'ould not $oi'e it. *%e nu+(e! e'%oed &it%in *ig!e8s (od#. 6... Eo, ? dou(t it &ould end &it% t%i!t# t%ousand.7 De!a!d s%ook %is %ead and took a deep (!eat%. *ig!e nodded &it% a di""i'ult e.p!ession. *%oug% %ad (!oken t%e ene+# o" t&ent# t%ousand, t%e# did not e.te!+inate t%e+ all.
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6*%e soldie!s &%o %a$e !et!eated &ill likel# add anot%e! ten t%ousand to t%e +ain unit.7 6... "te! t&ent# t%ousand, &e %a$e "o!t# t%ousand< ?" t%e# add t%e last ten t%ousand, it &ill take t%e+ so+e ti+e to !eo!gani=e. *%e# +a# not sta!t toda#, (ut t%e# +ig%t sta!t to+o!!o&.7 ;it%in se$e!al da#s, t%e Muo=inel !+#, a la!ge "o!'e o" "o!t# t%ousand, &ould appea! in gnes. 0u!t%e!+o!e, %is t!oops &e!e e.%austed. *%e# &ould need 'o+plete !est toda#9 it &ould (e i+possi(le "o! t%e+ to +o$e at all. ?n addition, t%e!e &e!e t&o t%ousand e.t!a people. 5$en i" t%e# &e!e to "lee, t%ei! +a!'%ing speed &ould de'!ease signi"i'antl#. ?t &as possi(le t%e# &ould (e 'aug%t (e"o!e t%e# le"t gnes. %ea$# silen'e &!apped a(out t%e t%!ee. De!a!d &as t%e one to (!eak it. 6;%at &ill #ou do, 5a!l Vo!n<7 *ig!e sta!ed (lankl# at t%e #oung +an &it% (!o&n %ai!. 6;%at o" t%e "utu!e< ;ill #ou "lee, o! &ill #ou ask "o! assistan'e<7 *ig!e !eali=ed t%e +eaning o" De!a!d8s &o!ds. -e &as speaking "!ankl# &it%out %iding an# ange!. 6... !e #ou sa#ing t%at se!iousl#<7 6... Eo, it &as a slip o" t%e tongue. ? apologi=e.7 De!a!d (o&ed deepl#. On t%e ot%e! %and, t%e one to +o$e &as not *ig!e (ut @u!i'k. -e %it t%e #oung +an as %e stood up!ig%t, "o!'ing De!a!d to stagge! (a'k a step o! t&o.
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*%oug% *ig!e looked at @u!i'k in su!p!ise, %e did not i++ediatel# '!iti'i=e %i+ and &aited "o! %is e.'use. -e &as ti!ed and it &as 'lea! %e %ad %eld (a'k. ?" @u!i'k &e!e se!ious, De!a!d &ould %a$e done +o!e t%an just stagge!. 6... Hou, %o& +u'% "u!t%e! do #ou intent to p!ess :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud<7 ;it% %is "ist 'len'%ed, @u!i'k gla!ed at De!a!d. De!a!d8s s+ile disto!ted as %e &as %eld up. 6? 'annot sa#. 0o! no&, t%at &ill (e all.7 *ig!e &as not pa!ti'ula!l# %app#, kno&ing De!a!d 'lea!l# ad+itted %e &as testing *ig!e. 6?s t%at (ad +out% o" #ou!s also pu!pose"ul<7 6Eo, t%at is &%o ? a+.7 @u!i'k looked as i" %e &ould "l# into a !age (ut 'ont!olled %i+sel". *ig!e ga$e a deep sig%. ?n a situation &it% no !oo+ "o! e!!o!, %e %ad to kno& &%at De!a!d8s intentions &e!e. 6? (elie$e #ou! "at%e! pla'ed #ou! t!ust in +e.7 60at%e! is "at%e!. ? a+ +e.7
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De!a!d !esponded i+pudentl# &%ile !u((ing %is "a'e. 6? &as a"!aid t%at, in #ou! desi!e to de"end lsa'e, #ou &ould a(andon *e!!itoi!e. ?" #ou t%ink o" lsa'e "i!st, it is not an i+possi(le t%ink "o! #ou to t%ink o". *%at is &%# ? &is% to kno& &%at kind o" +an #ou a!e.7 6?n t%at 'ase, s%ouldn8t #ou (e t!#ing to gain ou! t!ust instead<7 De!a!d s%!ugged a"te! seeing @u!i'k8s se$e!e e.p!ession. 6Hou %a$e al!ead# o(tained "at%e!8s *!ust. 5$en i" ? ea!n 5a!l Vo!n8s %at!ed &it% t%is, it &ill end s%ould "at%e! 'ut ties &it% +e late!. 0at%e! &ould 'ut +e a&a# &it%out %esitation. Hou &ill not a(andon +e.7 t!ou(leso+e +an appea!ed on'e again. *ig!e "elt t%is &a# "!o+ t%e (otto+ o" %is %ea!t. 65a!l Vo!n. *%oug% t%is is not t%e ti+e to sa# t%is, #ou a!e &%at is !e"le'ted in t%e e#es o" ot%e!s.7 65#es o" ot%e!s<7 6*%oug% a 'iti=en o" B!une, #ou insist on using t%e (o&, and a"te! (e'o+ing a p!isone! o" &a! to )%'ted, #ou sold #ou! position as an a!isto'!at o" a s+all p!o$in'e in t%e "!ontie! to "ig%t against t%e la!ge politi'al po&e!, /uke *%ena!die!... 0o! t%ose un"a+ilia! &it% #ou! pe!sonalit#, &%at &ould people t%ink upon %ea!ing t%is<7 6*%e# &ould see +e as t%e one &%o p!o$oked a "ig%t.7
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*%oug% %e ans&e!ed e+otionall#, De!a!d laug%ed it a&a#. *%oug% *ig!e &as pa!ti'ula!l# inte!ested in it, %e 'ould onl# nod. *%is so!t o" t%ing &as likel# una$oida(le. 6;ell, ? unde!stand &%at #ou a!e t!#ing to sa#. ? &ill take 'a!e.7 6*%ank #ou "o! listening. ?" ? &e!e to add one +o!e t%ing, t%e +an o" )%'ted &it% a (a!!en &ilde!ness on %is %ead ad+i!es #ou too +u'%. Hou s%ould not use %i+ as a !e"e!en'e.7 6... :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud. ;%at &ill #ou do "!o+ no& on<7 ;it% %is sel" 'ont!ol +a.i+i=ed, @u!i'k !etu!ned t%ei! 'on$e!sation to its o!iginal topi'. *ig!e also pulled %i+sel" toget%e! and (o&ed in assent. De!a!d as &ell. 6 pa!t "!o+ t%e soldie!s, 'an t%e people +o$e< ? &ould like to take so+e distan'e.7 6*%e# %a$e (een (ound &it% !ope and a!e too ti!ed. 0o! no&, t%at is i+possi(le.7 6... *%en please e.a+ine t%e nu+(e! o" +en and &o+en. ?t +a# (e 'old, (ut &e +a# %a$e to +ake t%e +en de"end t%e &o+en. Bntil &e !ea'% *e!!itoi!e, %a$e t%e+ take a &eapon "!o+ one o" t%e Muo=inel 'o!pses.7
*%oug% a !eg!etta(le situation, t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G &as in a position &%e!e %e &as "o!'ed to +ake su'% a '!uel de'ision. 0u!t%e!+o!e, a "o!'e o" t&o t%ousand &as a po&e!"ul &eapon. ?" t%e +en &e!e gi$en spea!s and +a!'%ed alongside, an# ene+# &ould (e +o!e %esitant to app!oa'% t%e+.
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"te! planning t%ei! a'tions, t%e t%!ee (egan &o!king i++ediatel#. *%at e$ening, t%e t&o t%ousand people and t%e
F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G (egan +a!'%ing. *%e# t!udged along &it% %ea$# steps, 'li""s to t%ei! !ig%t and le"t. *%oug% e$e!#one unde!stood t%e Muo=inel !+# &as "ollo&ing a"te! t%e+, t%ei! (odies did not +o$e p!ope!l#. *%ei! "atigue &%i'% %ad a''u+ulated &ould not !e'o$e! &it% just a little !est. --- This is bad... *ig!e and @u!i'k looked at ea'% ot%e!. *%oug% slo&, t%ei! +a!'%ing speed &as (ette! t%an e.pe'ted. *%e# 'ould not (e "o!'ed to !us%, t%oug%. ?t %appened a!ound +id da#9 a !epo!t 'a+e "!o+ !e'onnaissan'e in !ega!ds to t%e position and +o$e+ents o" t%e Muo=inel !+#. 6 pp!o.i+atel# t%!ee to "ou! t%ousand Muo=inel Ca$al!# a!e app!oa'%ing.7 *ig!e +ade a >ui'k de'ision. 6@u!i'k, take 'o++and o" t%e soldie!s and gat%e! all t%e !e+aining a!!o&s.7 6 !e #ou doing so+et%ing '!a=# again<7 *%e )%'ted 2nig%t looked at %i+ &it% a+a=e+ent and an.iet# +i.ed in %is "a'e. *ig!e s%!ugged %is s%oulde!s. 6;e need to slo& t%ei! +o$e+ents so+e%o&. ;e also %a$e a %ead&ind !ig%t no&.7
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*%oug% %e +ig%t slo& t%e ene+#8s +o$e+ents do&n, !etu!n "i!e &ould (e su!e to 'o+e. 6Please take people skilled in a!'%e!#.7 ?t &as a 'ondition %e 'on'eded "o! @u!i'k8s sake. *ig!e t%anked %i+. "te! gat%e!ing ten 'a$al!#, %e le"t, ki'king up dust as %e !an do&n t%e %ig%&a#. "te! a >ua!te! koku, Va%!a+ 1 t%e Dod o" ;a! &o!s%iped (# Muo=inel 1 'a+e into $ie&. *ig!e stopped %is %o!se, no'ked an a!!o&, and >ui'kl# s%ot it. *%e a!!o& d!e& a la!ge a!' in t%e sk# and 'ut t%!oug% t%e &ind. ?t %it its +a!k, 'ausing t%e soldie! at t%e "!ont to "all o"" %is %o!se. *%e )%'ted soldie!s "ollo&ed *ig!e8s lead and s%ot a!!o&s, "elling so+e o" t%e ene+ies. *%oug% t%e Muo=inel !+# stopped +o$ing due to t%e sudden atta'k, t%e# >ui'kl# !egained 'al+ and '%a!ged "o!&a!d, t%e sound o" %oo$es !u+(ling a'!oss t%e ea!t%. *%oug% t%e# also s%ot a!!o&s, due to t%e distan'e and t%e &ind 'onditions not (eing in t%ei! "a$o!, t%e# "ell s%o!t o" *ig!e. *ig!e and t%e ot%e!s !an &it% t%ei! %o!ses, +aintaining a set distan'e. Eo +atte! %o& +an# t%e# s%ot do&n, t%e ene+# 'ontinued to '%a!ge "o!&a!d. 'old s&eat sp!ead a'!oss *ig!e8s te+ple. --- I$ this +eeps up, we'll meet &uric+ and the main $orce... ?t &as at t%at ti+e &%en t%e sound o" %o!ses !unning in'!eased. *%oug% *ig!e t%oug%t it 'ould %a$e (een !ein"o!'e+ents, t%e!e &as no dust 'loud 'o+ing "!o+ (e%ind t%e Muo=inel soldie!s.
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*%e Muo=inel !+# also noti'ed it and stopped t%ei! %o!ses. *ig!e noti'ed t%e sound %ad 'o+e "!o+ a(o$e t%e+. *ig!e looked up "o! t%e "i!st ti+e.
Zirnitra
--- 3lac+ 4ragon 0lag ...# ;a$ing in t%e &ind &as t%e un+istaka(le 'olo! o" t%e )%'ted 2ingdo+. Belo& it &as a (lue spea! d!a&n diagonall# on a &%ite (a'kg!ound. *ig!e !e'ogni=ed it i++ediatel#. g!oup o" 'a$al!# !an do&n t%e steep slope skill"ull# and ente!ed t%e spa'e (et&een *ig!e and Muo=inel. t t%e lead &as a spea! &ielding gi!l o" 15 o! 16 #ea!s. 3%e (!oug%t %e! %o!se (e"o!e t%e stunned *ig!e. 3%e &as s+all in statu!e and %ad (lue %ai! to %e! s%oulde!s. 3%e see+ed "lus%ed sin'e s%e &as !unning on %o!se(a'k. 3%e %ad ado!a(le "eatu!es and pupils like i'e "!o+ &%i'% t%e 'old s%ined t%!oug%. -e! 'lot%es +ade o" (lue silk +at'%ed t%e 'olo! o" %e! %ai!. -e! %e! %and &as a spea! &it% a s%o!t %andle. 3eeing *ig!e8s "a'e, s%e s+iled in a so+e&%at ill4natu!ed +anne!. 6?t %as (een a &%ile, *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n.7 ?t &as t%e Vanadis &%o go$e!ned Ol+ut=.
Mi'%elia
3%e &as t%e F3no& P!in'ess o" t%e 0!o=en ;a$eG, :ud+i!a :u!ie.
Laziris
95
3 [Rainbow Eyes]
lig%t sno& (egan "alling, and t%e 'old &as +ade &o!se (# a d!# &ind, "u!t%e! nu+(ing t%e people &alking in t%e +idst o" &inte!. *%e g!a# sk# +i!!o!ed t%e '%illed ea!t%. 5llen and %e! t!oops %ad "inall# le"t t%e Vos#es Mountains and &e!e '!ossing :eitMe!it= to&a!d :egni'a. 65leano!a4sa+a. 3no&...7 :i+8s %and e.tended along &it% %e! $oi'e to (!us% sno& out o" 5llen8s %ai!, %e! e#es 'lea!l# s%o&ing 'on'e!n. 5llen s+iled in !eassu!an'e. "te! letting out a deep (!eat%, s%e looked to t%e 'loud# sk#. 6*%ank #ou, :i+. ?8+ "ine.7 *%e Vanadis &it% sil$e!4&%ite %ai! '%anged %e! e.p!ession to a se!ious on i++ediatel#. 6444 *%e!e a!e so+e +issing.7 6Eot a s+all nu+(e!, eit%e!, sin'e t%e#8!e going on a "o!'ed +a!'% t%!oug% :eitMe!it=.7 6? don8t 'a!e i" &e lose anot%e! one t%ousand, &e8!e +aintaining speed.7 C!ossing t%e Vos#es +ountains &as a di""i'ult task. 3in'e t%e# %ad ente!ed %e! te!!ito!# o" :eitMe!it=, s%e 'ould ask so+e o" t%e nea!(# to&ns and $illages "o! %ousing "o! %e! t!oops t%at le"t as a Vanadis.
96
;%at 5llen !e>ui!ed no& &as speed. 5llen suddenl# glan'ed (a'k at t%e g!a# s'ene!#, as i" sea!'%ing "o! so+et%ing. &!# s+ile "loated to %e! "a'e as s%e s%ook %e! %ead. 6... ;e!e #ou t%inking o" :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud<7 :i+8s >uestion see+ed to (e %e! guess (ased on 5llen8s gestu!e. 5llen, una(le to den# it, "lus%ed !ed "o! a +o+ent. :i+ sig%ed in a+a=e+ent. 6;e %a$e pa!ted "!o+ %i+ long ago. -o& +an# da#s do #ou t%ink %a$e passed< ;e a!e al!ead# in )%'ted.7 Candid ad$i'e 'a+e "!o+ %e! long4ti+e adjutant. 0a! "!o+ !e"le'ting on it, an ill4natu!ed s+ile "las%ed on 5llen8s "a'e. 6Hou as &ell, :i+. /o #ou 'a!e to e.plain #ou! s%a+e"ul (e%a$io! in t%e &a! 'oun'il last nig%t< /espite it (eing onl# a >ua!te! koku, t&i'e #ou al+ost said F:o!d *ig!e$u!+udG. Hou8!e lu'k# it &as just t%e t&o o" us.7 :i+8s (lue e#es opened &idel# %a$ing (een %it in a so!e point. 3%e (egan to "luste!, t!#ing to "ind an e.'use, (ut e$entuall# s%e looked do&n &%ile (lus%ing. 5llen, no& satis"ied, stopped %e! teasing and s+iled senti+entall#.
97
6-onestl#... ;e +et %i+ in t%e autu+n. Eot e$en %al" a #ea! %as passed.7 ?n t%e "i!st pla'e, t%ei! +eeting on t%e (attle"ield &as not e.a'tl# "!iendl#. 5$en so, *ig!e8s p!esen'e %ad (e'o+e a (ig t%ing &it%in 5llen and :i+. 6:i+, ? t%ink t%at8s anot%e! one o" %is "aults.7 6-is "aults...<7 :i+ looked 'u!iousl# to&a!d 5llen &%ile s%e nodded, %e! !u(# pupils s%ining (!ig%tl#. 6?t8s al&a#s like t%at. -e doesn8t get up in t%e +o!ning, &%en &e t!# to tea'% %i+ %o& to use a s&o!d o! spea!, %e "inds !easons to !un a&a#, and &%en %e is (eing le'tu!ed on st!ateg#, %is 'on'ent!ation (!eaks a"te! a >ua!te! koku.7 5llen stopped speaking %e!e. :i+ &as 'ounting on %e! "inge!s as 5llen ga$e !easons (e"o!e and &as 'ontinuing on in %e! %ead. 5llen stopped as s%e s+iled at :i+, &%o see+ed %app#. 6... ?s t%e!e so+et%ing on +# "a'e<7 6Eo, (ut #ou see+ a (it %app# &%en ? +entioned %is "aults.7 :i+8s "a'e look dissatis"ied %ea!ing 5llen8s e$aluation. -e! golden %ai! tied on t%e le"t o" %e! %ood s%ook. 6?t is %a!dl# a good t%ing. ? &is% %e 'ould (e'o+e +o!e solid like #ou. ?" %e put t%e e""o!t into t%e ot%e! +ilita!# a!ts, %e 'ould do t%e+ p!ope!l#. ?" ? don8t (e "i!+ %e!e, %e8ll si+pl# sit on %is (a'kside all da#...7 63peaking o" (a'kside, %e still %asn8t seen #ou! '%est, %as %e<7
98
6... ;%at a!e #ou talking a(out<7 6Hea%, s%ould ? sa# %e8s unlu'k#, o! s%ould ? sa# %is "ate is good< Hou 'ould sa# %e8s a(sent4+inded, o! +a#(e %e8s une.pe'tedl# s%!e&d. ? t%ink #ou8!e t%e onl# one %e %asn8t seen (at%ing. 5$en 3op%ie and :ud+i!a &e!e seen.7 lt%oug% 5llen said s%e did not pa!ti'ula!l# 'a!e, &%en :i+ %ea!d t%is, %e! "a'e &as "lus% &it% e+(a!!ass+ent, t%en &ent !ed &it% !age (e"o!e "inall# settling on a pale 'o+ple.ion. 6... ? see. ;%en ? !etu!n, it see+s ? +ust %a$e a '%at &it% :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud. /epending on t%e situation, %e &ill !e>ui!e edu'ation !at%e! t%an a le'tu!e 1 Eo, it &ill (e ne'essa!# to tea'% %i+ p!ope!l#...7 :i+ asse+(led a s'%eduled in %e! %ead "o! t%e "utu!e. 65leano!a4sa+a, t%oug% #ou %a$e seen all %is "aults, &%at do #ou t%ink o" %i+<7 6? &onde!...7 5llen put %e! t%oug%ts toget%e!, %e! e#es ga=ing on t%e g!a# sk# a(o$e. 6? t%ink %e8s p!ett# good. *%oug% %e %as plent# o" "aults, depending on %o& #ou look at %i+, #ou 'an t%ink o" t%e+ as %is $i!tues.7 *%oug% :i+ %ad +isgi$ings as to &%et%e! o! not t%is &ould (e'o+e a 'on$e!sation on lo$e a""ai!s, it did not. *%e talk ended t%e!e. *%e a+ount o" sno& "alling into t%ei! $ie& %ad in'!eased signi"i'antl#. 6... :i+, s%ould &e speed up a little +o!e<7
99
?++ediatel# '%anging %e! t!ain o" t%oug%t, 5llen asked :i+ &it% an ea!nest e.p!ession. :i+ >ui'kl# t%oug%t a(out it in %e! +ind. Bntil no&, 5llen %ad !est!ained %e!sel" and settled on t%e pa'e t%e# t!a$eled at 'u!!entl#. ?" t%e# in'!eased t%ei! speed and distan'e toda#, t%e# &ould !e>ui!e !est and +a# not (e a(le to t!a$el t%e ne.t da#. *%e# "ea!ed t%e %o!ses &ould 'ollapse in t%e &o!st 'ase. -o&e$e!, t%e# &e!e >uite nea! :egni'a, and t%e# &e!e a"!aid t%e# +a# (e (u!ied (eneat% t%e sno&, so doing so+et%ing slig%tl# i!!ational +a# (e 'alled "o!. 60!o+ %e!e, &e &ill !ea'% :egni'a &it%in a %al" koku, (ut t%e +en and t%e %o!ses %a$e a''u+ulated a lot o" "atigue, and &e %a$e +o!e lea$ing...7 6? don8t 'a!e. ?t &on8t (e possi(le to stop (# an# to&ns o! $illages on'e &e ente! :egni'a.7 5llen +ade a p!o+pt de'ision. 3%e pulled %e! %o!se to a stop and ste!nl# inst!u'ted %e! +en. 63in'e it8s sno&ing %ea$il# no&, &e8!e ai+ing to %it :egni'a a koku ea!l#. *%ose &%o don8t &ant to "ollo& 'an sta# %e!e, Dot it<7 *%oug% t%e soldie!s !esponded &it% a '!# loud enoug% not to (e d!o&ned out (# t%e &ind, t%e "atigue !an deep in t%ei! "a'es. B!us%ing a&a# t%e sno&, t%e :eitMe!it= !+# led (# 5llen !an >ui'kl# t%!oug% t%e &ilde!ness. --- *asha is sic+, I can't let her down... +ongst t%e se$en Vanadis, 3as%a al&a#s &on against 5llen &%en t%e t&o 'o+peted. 3%e &as so +u'% +o!e po&e!"ul 1 si+pl# put, s%e &as st!ong.
100
?" 3as%a &e!e %ealt%#, e$en i" t%e ot%e! Vanadis atta'ked :egni'a, 5llen &ould &o!!# a(out %e! (od# and &ould 'o+e !unning to %elp. -o&e$e!, 3as%a &as 'u!!entl# in"li'ted &it% a te!!i(le illness. 3%e spent nea!l# %al" t%e da# in (ed, so it &as un!easona(le to t%ink s%e 'ould stand on t%e (attle"ield as t%e Dene!al. ---It doesn't matter how many enemies there are... I will help her5 -e! "u!# &as $isi(le in %e! !u(# e#es. 5llen !us%ed a%ead on %e! %o!se. B# t%e ti+e t%e# !ea'%ed :egni'a, %e! t!oops %ad "allen to little +o!e t%an one t%ousand. 5llen took a (!eak &it% %e! t!oops, (ut a"te! a >ua!te! koku, t%e# took to %o!se on'e again. B# t%e ti+e t%e# !ea'%ed 3as%a8s o""i'ial !esiden'e, t%e sun %ad al!ead# "allen. *%e nu+(e! o" soldie!s "ollo&ing 5llen &as onl# "i$e %und!ed. ?t &as 3op%ie8s !ole to a!(it!ate &%ene$e! 5llen and :ud+i!a %ad an a!gu+ent9 %o&e$e!, t&o #ea!s ago, it &as 3as%a8s jo(. 3in'e %e! %ealt% dete!io!ated, it (e'a+e i+possi(le "o! %e! to lea$e :egni'a. *%e &a# 3as%a ended t%ei! >ua!!els &as to pull t%e t&o apa!t and listen to t%ei! 'o+plaints sepa!atel#. *%e ne.t da#, t%e t%!ee gat%e!ed and t%e t&o &ould !e'on'ile.
101
3%e %ad used "o!'e onl# on'e. ?n an e+pt# s>ua!e just outside o" t%e @o#al Pala'e in t%e 2ing8s Capital 3ilesia, :ud+i!a and 5llen %ad taken out t%ei!
Vi!alt
/!agoni' *ool and &e!e "ig%ting "o! so+e !eason neit%e! 'ould !e+e+(e!. 5llen8s !i"al %ad 'ont!olled t%e &ind &%ile :ud+i!a8s :a$ias "!o=e t%e at+osp%e!e. *%e t&o e.'%anged a $iolent glan'e. t t%at ti+e, a %a!s% $oi'e inte!!upted t%ei! duel. 6... ;%at a!e #ou t&o doing<7 t t%at ti+e, 5llen and :ud+i!a &e!e 14 &%ile 3as%a &as 19, and t%e t&o %ad not #et (een Vanadis "o! +o!e t%an a #ea!. 3as%a %ad (een '%osen (# %e! /!agoni' *ool &%en s%e &as 15. *%e t&o 'ould not !esist against %e! dignit# and st!engt%. 6*%is gi!l...7 5llen and :ud+i!a (ot% pointed at one anot%e!. 3as%a si+pl# sig%ed in a+a=e+ent. 6? got it. ? &ill (e #ou! opponent, t%en.7 3as%a8s /!agoni' *ool &as a pai! o" s&o!ds s%eat%ed on eit%e! side o" %e! &aist. *%e# s%ined gold and $e!+illion !espe'ti$el#, +aking no sound as t%e# &e!e uns%eat%ed.
0alp!a+ Co!tisa
102
3as%a &as kno&n as t%e F-idden P!in'ess o" t%e :u+inous 0la+eG and t%e FP!in'ess o" t%e /an'ing BladesG. *%e "i!st i+p!ession one &ould %a$e o" %e! is 'al+ and gentle. -e! s%o!t 'ut (la'k %ai! &%i'% !ested on %e! s%oulde!s and %e! na!!o& "a'e ga$e %e! a neut!al p!esen'e. -e! skin &as pale and s%e &as +o!e on t%e lean side. -e! tone &as also +ild, (ut not t%e so!t t%at &ould 'oe!'e ot%e!s. Ee$e!t%eless, (ot% :ud+i!a and 5llen "lin'%ed &%en s%e took up %e! *&in 3&o!ds. 6;%at8s &!ong< ?" #ou8$e gone so "a! as to pull out #ou! s&o!d and spea!, su!el# #ou &ant a "ig%t, !ig%t<7 6?t, it is un!elated to #ou.7 :ud+i!a s%a!pl# pointed t%at out. 5llen $igo!ousl# nodded in ag!ee+ent. 6*%is is (et&een +e and %e!. Hou 'an a't as judge.7 -o&e$e!, 3as%a s%o&ed no sign o" (a'king do&n. 6?" '%ild!en do not &is% to listen, t%en ? &ill not !e+ain >uiet. 3in'e #ou t&o don8t see+ to &ant to talk to ea'% ot%e!, ? &ill +ake #ou unde!stand &it% "o!'e.7 -e! golden (lade &as tu!ned to 5llen &%ile t%e $e!+illion (lade &as tu!ned to :ud+i!a. 3as%a 'ontinued speaking >uietl#. 63in'e it8s t!ou(leso+e, #ou t&o 'an 'o+e at +e toget%e!. ?" eit%e! o" #ou inju!es +e, ? &ill a'kno&ledge +# de"eat. ? &ill ne$e! sti'k +# nose in #ou! (usiness again, and ? &ill listen to an#t%ing #ou t&o %a$e to sa# toda#.7
3%e &as (eing gene!ous. "i!e (u!ned $iolentl# &it%in 5llen and :ud+i!a8s e#es.
Vi!alt
103
*%e t&o %ad o(tained t%ei! /!agoni' *ool &%en t%e# &e!e 14 and &e!e 'on"ident in t%ei! skill. 3as%a8s &o!ds st!ongl# sti+ulated t%ei! p!ide. ?n s%o!t, s%e p!o$oked t%e+. *%e t&o &%o &e!e in$ol$ed in a 'at "ig%t just a +o+ent ago e.'%anged a >ui'k look and ki'ked o"" t%e g!ound. *%e# poun'ed si+ultaneousl# "!o+ t%e le"t and !ig%t, #et 3as%a !e+ained stationa!#. ?n a single +o+ent, t&o sounds, &it%out a single gap (et&een t%e+, !ang out in su''ession. 3as%a 'oldl# looked do&n at 5llen and :ud+i!a &%o &e!e l#ing on t%e g!ound. 3%e %ad st!u'k t%e+ a po&e!"ul (lo& and (!oken t%ei! postu!e, "o!'ing t%e+ to "all to t%ei! knees. -e! /!agoni' *ool !e+ained in (ot% %ands. 5$en at t%ei! (est, t%e# 'ould not "o!'e %e! to d!op eit%e! o" t%e+. 6... !e #ou done<7 5llen and :ud+i!a "ee(l# nodded. *%e# &e!e gi$en an atta'k &%i'% kno'ked t%e ene!g# out o" t%ei! (odies. *%e# 'ould not "eel (ut t%e &all &as too %ig% sin'e t%e di""e!en'e in t%ei! skill &as o$e!&%el+ing. 3as%a >uietl# s%eat%ed %e! *&in 3&o!ds and tu!ned to 5llen and :ud+i!a a"te! &iping t%e dust o"" %e! (od#. 63in'e #ou t&o a!e #oung, it 'an8t (e %elped t%at #ou &ill "ig%t, (ut it is un"o!gi$a(le to tu!n #ou! &eapons to one anot%e!. *%is is e$en +o!e t!ue o" /!agoni' *ools...7
104
*%e t&o did not 'onside! t%e &o!ds o" t%e 19 #ea! old &%o looked do&n at t%e+ p!udentl#. 3%e %ad "oug%t t&o o" t%e+ and +o$ed in an instant as i" s%e &e!e a p%anto+. 0u!t%e!+o!e, t%e nu+(ness in t%ei! !ig%t %ands %ad still not disappea!ed. ;%en 5llen des'!i(ed t%is sto!# to 3op%ie late!, s%e na!!o&ed %e! e#es and s+iled as i" s%e &e!e supp!essing %e! laug%te!. 6?n'identall#, ? ne$e! told #ou o! Mi!a. One #ea! ago, 3as%a %ad a p!a'ti'e against t%!ee Vanadis at on'e. ?t &as a 'o+plete $i'to!# "o! %e!.7 One was me. 3op%ie8s golden %ai! &a$ed as s%e pointed to %e!sel". 6Conside!ing #ou! age, #ou &e!e st!ong enoug%, (ut 3as%a %as (een on top "o! a long ti+e. ?t &ould de"initel# (e di""i'ult to &in against t%at Vanadis one on one.7 3as%a8s i+pe!ial pala'e &as lined &it% &%ite +a!(le and sandstone. ?t ga$e o"" a st!ange sense o" taste #et &as still st!ange. *%oug% no one %ad '%anged its design, no one (ot%e!ed to &o!!#, sin'e it &as a design +eant to 'al+ people do&n. 5llen passed t%!oug% i++ediatel#. Be'ause o" t%e %ea$# sno&s, s%e (o!!o&ed a (uilding just outside t%e pu(li' 'ou!t#a!d "o! %e! soldie!s to !est in &%ile t%e %o!ses !e+ained in t%e 'ou!t#a!d. :i+ and 5llen "ollo&ed se!$ants do&n a 'o!!ido! &%e!e "i!es &e!e lit at inte!$als and stood (e"o!e 3as%a8s doo!.
105
63as%a, %o& is #ou! 'ondition<7 6? 'an8t sa# it is $e!# good.7 *%e aged se!$ant &%o &o!ked in t%e pala'e longe! t%an 3as%a %ad a %oa!se $oi'e, %is &o!ds &e!e 'lea!. 6? (elie$e le.and!a4sa+a &ould (e delig%ted to speak to #ou, (ut please stop a"te! a %al" koku. llo& %e! to !est and #ou +a# speak to %e! again a"te! dinne!.7 5llen nodded. *%e se!$ant ente!ed 3as%a8s !oo+ "i!st and (o&ed (e"o!e 'on"i!+ing t%e t&o 'ould ente!. 63%ould ? lea$e +# s&o!d &it% #ou<7 *%oug% 5llen 'alled it to attention, t%e se!$ant !e"used.
Vi!alt
6;e !e'ogni=e t%at a /!agoni' *ool is &it% a Vanadis at all ti+e. (o$e all, #ou a!e le.and!a4sa+a8s p!e'ious "!iend, and #ou %a$e a st!ong "ait% in :i+lis%a.7 -is &o!ds %eld &eig%t. *%e old +an &as t%!ee, "ou! ti+es olde! t%an 5llen. -e %ad also se!$ed t%e p!e$ious Vanadis &%o+ 3as%a su''eeded. "te! (o&ing, 5llen pus%ed open t%e doo!.
106
?t &as a si+ple !oo+ &it% t%e +ini+al a+ount o" "u!nitu!e and a si+ple de'o!ated &indo& s%o&ing t%e &inte!. *%e!e &as also a (!i'k "i!epla'e &it% a "la+e (u!ning (!ig%tl# &it%in. 6444 ?t8s (een a &%ile.7
0alp!a+
3as%a, t%e F-idden P!in'ess o" t%e :u+inous 0la+eG, sat up in (ed and !e'ei$ed 5llen &it% a s+ile. -e! *&in 3&o!ds la# atop %e! knee, glitte!ing gold and $e!+illion.
Vi!alt
*%e B!ig%t 0la+e Ba!g!en. *%e na+e o" %e! /!agoni' *ool &as t%e
*oki no 3ojin
F*&in Blades o" /e+oni' 0o!'eG. 63o!!#. Hou %ad to 'o+e all t%is &a#.7 5llen did not !espond at on'e. 3%e &alked to t%e (ed and stood (e"o!e 3as%a. 6?t8s natu!al t%at ? 'o+e %elp #ou.7 -e! desi!es an nostalgia as s%e !e+inis'ed '%anged to jo# and !elie". 5llen o(edientl# s+iled. --- *he's gotten worse. ;%en t%e# +et last su++e!, %e! (la'k %ai! &as 'ut to an e$en lengt% do&n to %e! s%oulde!s. ?t &as a little diso!de!ed, no&, and %e! ski+ see+ed +o!e pale. *%e "les% on %e! %and &%i'% e.tended "!o+ %e! &%ite 'lot%es &e!e t%inne!. "te! %esitating "o! a +o+ent, 5llen g!asped it &it% (ot% %ands as i" it &e!e p!e'ious.
108
63o #ou still d!ess like t%at.7 3as%a8s "a$o!ite 'lot%es &e!e eit%e! (la'k o! &%ite. 3%e &ould &ea! solid (la'k on %e! uppe! o! lo&e! (od# &%i'% let out a gli+pse o" &%ite 'lot%ing (eneat% it. 5llen %ad seen it a "e& ti+es. *%oug% it depended on t%e +ood o" t%e pe!son in >uestion, 5llen %ad onl# seen %e! &ea! (la'k on t%e (attle"ield, and s%e t#pi'all# &o!e &%ite outside. 6;%en ? go to sleep, +# su(o!dinates p!epa!e &%ite. ? +ake su!e to &ea! +# 'lot%ing t%ank"ull#.7 3as%a !e'o++ended a '%ai! "o! 5llen and :i+ to sit at. 3o as not to o(st!u't t%e t&o Vanadis, :i+ (o&ed do&n (e"o!e taking a seat. 6*%oug% t%e!e a!e a lot o" t%ings to talk a(out, let8s sta!t &it% t%e i+po!tant ones. ?t +ig%t (e a (it !ude, (ut please tell +e a(out #ou! land...7 5llen8s e#es e.uded a po&e!"ul "ea!lessness and &ill to "ig%t. 3%e &ould not "o!gi$e t%ose &%o &ould %a!+ %e! (est "!iend. ?t &as ne'essa!# s%e %ea! t%e 'i!'u+stan'es in detail "!o+ 3as%a. 3as%a did not ans&e! i++ediatel#. @at%e!, s%e &aited until 5llen settled do&n, e$en i" just a little. 6?t8s 5li=a$etta.7 *%e +o+ent s%e %ea!d t%e na+e, 5llen8s 'al+ e.p!ession (e'a+e ang!#. :i+ p!essed do&n on %e! %and >uietl# "!o+ t%e side to keep %e! "!o+ standing up a(!uptl#.
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65leano!a4sa+a. Hou! 'on$e!sation &it% le.and!a4sa+a %as not #et ended.7 deta'%ed $oi'e sounded to appease %e! :o!d &%o &as on t%e $e!ge o" e.ploding. 5llen sat in t%e '%ai!, %e! sil$e!4&%ite %ai! s&a#ing a(out. 63o it !eall# is %e!.7 6/id #ou kno&<7 3as%a8s looked lig%tl# at 5llen, &%o let out a deep (!eat% "ull o" %ea$# e+otions. 6*%e te!!ito!# %eld (# a Vanadis nea!est :egni'a &ould (e +# :eitMe!it= and :e(us t%at s%e go$e!ns. *%e !est is p!o'ess o" eli+ination. 3op%ie !etu!ned to )%'ted &it% +e, and :ud+i!a &ould %a$e to pass t%!oug% +# te!!ito!# to get %e!e.7 5llen 'ounted t%e Vanadis on %e! "inge!s as s%e na+ed t%e+. 6? %ea!d Olga le"t %e! te!!ito!# and %as not 'onta'ted an#one. Valentina8s te!!ito!# is "a! a&a#, so ? t%oug%t it +a# %a$e (een 5li=a$etta. 5llen s+iled p!oudl#. *%oug% s%e did not sa# it, t%e!e &as anot%e! !eason 5llen t%oug%t it &as %e!. --- It seems -liza etta is on good terms with Thenardier and 2anelon... 0o! instan'e, 5li=a$etta +a# %a$e a'ted to "o!'e 5llen to !etu!n to )%'ted.
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?" s%e +ade %e! +o$e, it &ould (e 5llen8s o(ligation as a Vanadis to +o$e in tu!n.
Laziris
--- 1owe er, -liza etta... That 6&ainbow -yes7 , she wouldn't do this ,ust to attac+ me. "hat +ind o$ reasons could she ha e. ;%at s%e t%oug%t did not appea! on %e! "a'e at all. @at%e!, 5llen asked a(out 3as%a. 6;%at8s &it% %e!. ;%at !eason is s%e gi$ing "o! +o$ing %e! soldie!s<7 3as%a s+iled &!#l# and tu!ned %e! ga=e to :i+. :i+ nodded apologeti'all# in !etu!n9 t%oug% t%e!e +a# %a$e (een no ot%e! possi(ilit#, 3as%a %ad guessed &%at 5llen &as t%inking. 3%e %ad al!ead# la(eled 5li=a$etta as e$il. 65llen. ? &ant #ou to listen 'al+l#.7 "te! %e! int!odu'to!# !e+a!k, 3as%a (egan e.plaining &%ile looking at t%e "i!epla'e. 6444 ?n t%e +iddle o" su++e!, 5li=a$etta and ? 'oope!ated to su(due so+e pi!ates o"" t%e 'oast.7 3as%a, &%o go$e!ned :egni'a, and 5li=a$etta, &%o go$e!ned :e(us, &e!e (ot% in '%a!ge o" te!!ito!ies in no!t%&est )%'ted. *%e t&o 'oope!ated in i+po!tant situations. n# pi!ates t%at es'aped t%ei! atta'ks &ould !un a&a# and %ide and t%en !etu!n &%en t%e# %ad t%e '%an'e, so it &as natu!al t%e t&o 'oope!ated "o! t%e 'lean up. 6*%e e.te!+ination &as done >uite easil#. 3%e and ? &e!e 'onside!a(l# supe!io!, t%oug% ? &as una(le to go pe!sonall# &it% +# (od#...7
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*%e p!o(le+s %appened a"te! t%e e$ent. 63%e 'o+plained t%at +# a!+# di!e'ted t%e pi!ates to&a!d %e! o&n, and s%e &as "o!'ed &it% t%e +ajo!it# o" t%e (u!den.7 6?s t%at t!ue<7 6M# su(o!dinates natu!all# said t%e# did not, %o&e$e!, ? 'ould not tell &%at %appened &it% just t%e !epo!t.7 3as%a +o$ed %e! "inge!s t%oug% t%e ai! as s%e d!e& a !oug% +ap o" t%e te!!ain and t!oop +o$e+ents. :i+ and 5llen looked on &it% di""i'ult e.p!essions. *%e# %ad no e.pe!ien'e &it% su(jugating pi!ates, (ut t%e# unde!stood t%e "lo& o" (attle and t%e soldie!8s +o$e+ents &ell. *%at is &%# t%e# 'ould unde!stand 3as%a8s 'lai+s and "elt 5li=a$etta &as intent on a''using %e!. 6@ega!ding t%e pi!ate su(jugation, ? got %e! to 'o+e %e!e in ad$an'e so &e 'ould dis'uss t%e plan and d!a& up a 'ont!a't, (ut neit%e! o" t%is assu+ed t%is &ould %appen.7 6But t%e!e is no 'lea! p!oo" o" +ali'ious intent %e!e. 3u'% "lo&s on t%e (attle"ield a!e not unusual.7 6Hes. ? said it &as unintentional, (ut s%e &as not 'on$in'ed.7
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6;e!e t%e!e an# ot%e! p!o(le+s< 3u'% as dist!i(ution o" t%e spoils...7 :i+ asked sin'e one a!+# +a# %a$e taken a signi"i'ant a+ount +o!e, (ut 3as%a s%ook %e! %ead. 6 lt%oug% ? !e4in$estigated t%ings, ? 'ould "ind not%ing. 3%e did not point it out, eit%e!. ;e &e!e 'o++uni'ating $ia lette!s, (ut t%at (!oke o"" in +id4autu+n.7 ?t &as t%en 5li=a$etta 'o++anded %e! t!oops. 63%e8s an i+patient one.7 5llen8s a!+s &e!e "olded as s%e s'o&led, i+pl#ing s%e did not like %e!. 6Bnde! t%ese 'i!'u+stan'es, ? 'an8t sa# ? don8t unde!stand &%at s%e is sa#ing, (ut ? &anted to 'lea! t%is up pea'ea(l#.7 5llen looked pensi$e &%en 3as%a !esponded. 3%e pla'ed %e! %ands on t%e *&in 3&o!ds o$e! %e! knees. 6?" onl# ? 'ould +o$e4447 s%ado& o" a s+ile appea!ed as s%e st!oked t%e %andle o" %e! &eapons. 6*%ese '%ild!en %a$e judged t%at no one else is >uali"ied to (e Vanadis and %a$e not sepa!ated. ?" t%e# did, ? &ould not need to !el# on #ou, (ut t%e# &on8t lea$e...7 3%e spoke as i" s%e &e!e talking to '%ild!en &%o !e>ui!ed a lot o" 'a!e. *%oug% t%ei! appea!an'e did not '%ange, t%e# gene!ated %eat in !esponse to t%ei! +aste!8s &o!ds. 5llen unde!stood t%at +u'%.
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6*%e# like #ou. ?sn8t t%at a good t%ing<7 s s%e ga$e t%ose &o!ds o" en'ou!age+ent, t%e 3il$e! 0las% at %e! &aist !an a lig%t (!ee=e t%!oug% 5llen8s sil$e!4&%ite %ai!, as i" telling %e! it &ould not lose to t%ose "eelings. 5llen t%anked
Vi!alt
%e! /!agoni' *ool (# tapping its s%eat%e lig%tl#. 6;%e!e is 5li=a$etta !ig%t no&<7 6*%e latest !epo!t said s%e &as in Vasa!o. "te! 'aptu!ing one o" t%e "o!t!esses nea! t%e no!t%easte!n (o!de!, s%e !et!eated &it%out (a!!i'ading %e!sel" inside. 3o "a!, t%e!e %a$e (een no !epo!ts o" $illages o! to&ns (eing atta'ked.7 5llen and :i+ e.'%anged a suspi'ious glan'e %ea!ing 3as%a8s e.planation. 6... ;%at is s%e t%inking<7 *%e soldie!s o" :egni'a 'ould pus% 5li=a$etta (a'k. *%e!e &as no "o!'e &%i'% 'ould pus% (a'k a Vanadis &it%out o$e!&%el+ing st!engt%. 6Eo!+all# speaking, s%e &ould take t%e "o!t!ess and use it as a (a!gaining '%ip.7 6-o&e$e!, "!o+ 3as%a8s sto!#, s%e did not%ing a"te! t%e "o!t!ess "ell. ?t8s like a '%ild &%o sta!ted a'ting out in !e$enge.7
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5llen '!ossed %e! a!+s in dou(t %ea!ing :i+8s opinion. 3as%a s+iled (itte!l# and spoke gentl#, ad+onis%ing %e! (est "!iend &it% sil$e!4&%ite %ai!. 6? unde!stand &%# #ou +a# t%ink t%at, 5llen, (ut 5li=a$etta is still 17. *%e t&o o" #ou! a!e still '%ild!en, so #ou! e$aluation is a little &eak.7 6?n ot%e! &o!ds, #ou t%ink s%e %as ot%e! ai+s<7 6*%oug% ? don8t kno&, it is possi(le.7 3eeing %e! an.iet#, 5llen (egan to laug%, "ull o" a+(ition and t%e desi!e to "ig%t. 6@ela., 3as%a. ?t8ll (e "ine sin'e ? 'a+e %e!e. ?8ll (eat t%at idiot a (it and t%en &e 'an %a$e a ni'e '%at.7 ;%en one in$estigated t%o!oug%l#, t%e!e &e!e +an# possi(le 'auses "o! &a!. ?t 'ould (e (e'ause so+eone stepped (e#ond t%ei! (o!de!s o! (e'ause a landslide in t%e +ountain 'aused p!o(le+s, o! e$en (e'ause a !i$e! "!o=e o$e!. *%oug% s'%ola!s &e!e a+a=ed and la+ented t%ese !easons, "o! t%e people &%o li$ed in t%ose !egions, it &as a +atte! o" li"e and deat%. 5llen kne& "!o+ pe!sonal e.pe!ien'e t%at "ig%ts 'ould e!upt o$e! a single g!ain o" &%eat o! a d!op o" &ate!. ;%ate$e! t%e !easons 5li=a$etta +a# %a$e %ad, s%e led %e! soldie!s on an atta'k against ot%e!s. 63o!!#. ?8ll lea$e it to #ou.7
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3as%a said t%at likel# to ease 5llen8s an.ieties. "te! nodding, t%e t&o talked a(out a sepa!ate issue. 6B# t%e &a#, ? %ea!d #ou &e!e &it% so+e inte!esting gu# t%ese da#s. 3op%ie sent +e a lette!. Hou &e!e in B!une, !ig%t<7 6Hea%. ?8+ lending a (it o" +# to an un!elia(le +an. ?8+ su!e %e8d '!# i" ? a(andoned %i+.7 6*%oug% it "eels like %e8s %elped us "!o+ ti+e to ti+e.7 :i+ p!o+ptl# inte!!upted. 5llen pouted like a sulk# '%ild. 65$en t%oug% #ou sa# t%at like it8s not #ou! (usiness, %e %elped #ou as &ell 1 like su'king on #ou! '%est.7 -ea!ing t%ose &o!ds, :i+ p!essed on %e! '%est on !e"le. and (lus%ed as s%e looked at %e! sil$e!4&%ite %ai!ed :o!d. 6;%a... ;%at a!e #ou sa#ing so suddenl#I7 3%e used all o" %e! sel" 'ont!ol so s%e &ould not s%out (e"o!e an ill pe!son. 6?sn8t it t!ue< Hou! attitude to&a!d *ig!e so"tened >uite a (it a"te! t%at.7 6*%at... ? %a$e onl# (een e$aluating %is e""o!t.7 6?t8s >uite an odd a+ount o" a""e'tion, t%en. ;%ene$e! #ou %a$e "!ee ti+e, #ou8!e >uite ent%usiasti' to tea'% %i+.7
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6...5leano!a4sa+a, ? 'ould onl# &is% #ou %ad t%e sa+e ent%usias+ to listen to +# le'tu!es. *%e +o+ent ? take +# e#es o"" #ou, #ou lea$e t%e 'astle in'ognito.7 !elentless 'ounte!atta'k le"t 5llen spee'%less "o! a +o+ent. 3as%a s+iled &!#l#. 6? see 5llen8s %a(it o" 'utting 'lasses %as not '%anged.7 6?t is i+po!tant to inspe't t%e a""ai!s o" +# 'ount!#.7 5llen ans&e!ed p!o+ptl# in a digni"ied +anne!, t%oug% %e! "a'e &as 'lea!l# (as%"ul. 6?s t%e +eat #ou 'an (u# "!o+ t%e stands deli'ious< -o& a(out t%e st!a&(e!!# and g!ape ja+s on t%e %one#ed (!ead< ?sn8t it i+po!tant to in$estigate t%ese t%ings<7 6D!ape, %u%<7 6? like t%e %one#. *ig!e 1 %, t%e pe!son ?8+ %elping said t%e st!a&(e!!# &as good. ;e 'o$e!ed t%e (!ead &it% %one# &%en &e ente!ed t%e +ountains as &ell. ?t %elps +ello& t%e a'idit#...7 6Hou t&o see+ to %a$e gone o"" t!a'k.7 3as%a looked at 5llen &%o spoke &it% inte!est and :i+ &%o looked a+a=ed. *%oug% 5llen see+ed dissatis"ied, t%e# did not %a$e +u'% ti+e to speak, so t%e sil$e!4&%ite %ai!ed gi!l spoke o" t%ings "!o+ &%en s%e +et *ig!e.
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-o&e$e!, s%e !e"!ained "!o+ speaking o" t%e (la'k (o&. 3%e did not &ant to &o!!# %e! "!iend &%o &as in ill %ealt%. 6... 5llen, ? didn8t t%ink #ou8d lend %i+ #ou! soldie!s "o! so long.7 3as%a looked at %e! in a+a=e+ent at "i!st. 6? %ad intended to d!i$e a&a# /uke *%ena!die!8s !+# and lea!n o" t%e situation in B!une, (ut t%ings %a$e (e'o+e like t%is "o! a nu+(e! o" !easons.7 6:ea!ning t%e status in B!une aside... /o #ou !eall# like t%e (o# t%at +u'%<7 6-e8s an inte!esting gu#. Hou8ll unde!stand i" #ou +eet %i+. ?8+ su!e i" #ou t&o talked, #ou8d like %i+, too.7 5llen spoke %appil# and p!oudl#. :i+ also nodded, despite %e! indi""e!ent e.p!ession. 6-e %as >uite a nu+(e! o" "aults, !at%e!, ? a+ a+a=ed t%e!e a!e so +an#. -o&e$e!, &e still %a$e lent %i+ ou! aid. @at%e!, it see+s so+e&%at una$oida(le.7 6?s t%at so. -e see+s inte!esting. ? &ould like to +eet %i+.7 3as%a g!e& an inte!est in *ig!e, %ea!ing 5llen and :i+8s e$aluation. 6*%e "ig%t in B!une s%ould also end (# sp!ing. ?" so, ?8ll (e %app# to lend %i+ to #ou.7 5llen st!et'%ed %e! '%est "o!&a!d as i" (oasting a(out a to# s%e o&ned. -e! &o!ds &e!e &is%ing "o! %e! (est "!iend8s 'o+plete !e'o$e!# as &ell as o""e!ed en'ou!age+ent.
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6*%at8s !ig%t... ?8ll do +# (est to %old out a little longe!.7 kno'k &as %ea!d on t%e doo!9 t%ei! ti+e li+it %ad ended. *%e ne.t ti+e 5llen &ould +eet t%e (la'k %ai!ed Vanadis &ould likel# (e (e"o!e s%e le"t t%e i+pe!ial pala'e to "ig%t 5li=a$etta. 6... ?t8s al!ead# t%at ti+e. ?t &as "a! too s%o!t.7 5llen gentl# s>uee=ed 3as%a8s %and. /ue to t%e+ (eing on %e! (lades, t%e!e &as a "aint %eat e+itted. /espite t%e t%inness o" %e! "inge!s, 5llen8s an.ieties &e!e !elie$ed "eeling so+e sign o" li"e "!o+ t%e+. 6?t &as good to spend ti+e &it% #ou again. *%ank #ou 5llen, :i+.7 6?t8s good i" #ou sa# t%at. Eo& get a good !est.7 5llen slo&l# sepa!ated %e! %ands. :i+ also (o&ed politel#. *%e t&o le"t 3as%a8s !oo+. "te! 5llen and :i+ le"t t%e !oo+, 3as%a ga$e t%anks to %e!
Vi!alt
/!agoni' *ool &%i'% %eated in !esponse. 6... Hou !eall# don8t like gi$ing up.7 (itte! s+ile &it% +an# e+otions "loated to %e! "a'e. 3as%a g!ipped t%e %ilts o" %e! *&in 3&o!ds and %eld t%e+ out. -e! +us'le st!engt% %ad de'lined and t%e# %ad (e'o+e %ea$#.
*oki no 3ojin
3%e %ad on'e &ielded t%e F*&in Blades o" /e+oni' 0o!'eG "!eel#. 5$en no&, &%en s%e 'ould no longe! use t%e+, it still see+ed ene!geti'.
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-o&e$e!, s%e does not e$en last "o! a >ua!te! koku. 6?" #ou a(andon +e no&...7 3%e 'o+plained silentl#. 5llen did not 'o+e to %elp (e'ause :egni'a &as atta'ked (ut (e'ause s%e &as una(le to +o$e. *%e /!agoni' *ool %ad not taken noti'e o" %e! &o!ds and t!ans+itted %eat to 3as%a8s %ands. 3%e &ould not (e (u!ned, t%e /!agoni' *ool &ould not %eat %e! %ands up to t%at le$el, it &as si+pl# gi$ing 3as%a en'ou!age+ent. 6? kno&. ? &on8t die so #oung. ?8ll !est so ? 'an +o$e a(out a (it +o!e.7 3%e pla'ed %e! s&o!ds on top o" %e! le"t and !ig%t knees again. s i" to '%ee! on its (la'k %ai!ed :o!d, it e+itted a "aint %eat on'e again.
?n t%e sout%east o" B!une in gnes, t%e situation &it% t%e Muo=inel !+# %ad (e'o+e st!ange "o! t%e
F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G.
0ou! t%ousand 'a$al!# "!o+ )%'ted %ad joined t%e
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F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G, "o!'ing t%e Muo=inel !+# to te+po!a!il# !et!eat. *%e t%i!t# t%ousand st!ong Muo=inel !+# %ad added in t%e !e+aining ten t%ousand st!aggle!s, !esulting in a total o" "o!t# t%ousand t!oops. *%e Dene!al o" all t%e t!oops, 2!es%u 3%a%een Ba!a+i!, &as t%e #ounge! (!ot%e! o" t%e 2ing o"
Ba!(a!os
Muo=inel and &as kno&n as F@ed -ai!G. 6... *%e )%'ted !+#<7 ?n a lu.u!ious tent de'o!ated in gold and sil$e!, t%e 37 #ea! old (!ot%e! o" t%e king !e'ei$ed a !epo!t. -is +ediu+ (uild and toned p%#si>ue &as &!apped in silk 'lot%ing &it% "las%# 'olo!s. silk 'lot% &!apped a!ound %is %ead &as de'o!ated &it% i!ides'ent "eat%e!s. -is e#es &e!e sunken and %is nose and ea!s &e!e long. -is "a'e &as 'o$e!ed in a (ea!d &%i'% e.tended do&n to %is '%est. *%oug% %e did not look (ad, gi$en t%e 'lot%es %e &o!e, %e looked +o!e like a 'lo&n t%an a +e+(e! o" t%e !o#al "a+il#. 3till, %e &as not si+pl# a F0igu!e%eadG o" t%e !o#al "a+il#. 0!o+ t%e soldie!s, %e 'o++anded !espe't, a&e, and "ea!. 6? %ad %ea!d a s+all no(le "!o+ B!une %ad allied &it% t%e )%'ted !+#... *%is is une.pe'ted.7 2es%u 'onside!ed t%is ne& "o!'e. -e t%oug%t t%e# &ould 'lai+ to (e allies and t%en tu!n a!ound and loot t%e $illages and to&ns. 2!es%u &anted to a$oid a t!ou(leso+e (attle, sin'e it +eant %e &ould not ea!n as +u'% "!o+ t%e spoils o" &a!.
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;%en t%e Muo=inel !+# atta'ks, t%e# plunde! t%e !egion as a +atte! o" 'ou!se. *%e# %ad intended to !un t%!oug% B!une 2ingdo+ so t%e# 'ould (uild "unds as t%e# +ade t%ei! &a# to )%'ted. --- Kashim was de$eated by an army with 3rune and Zhcted soldiers, and now they ha e an additional $our thousand ca alry $rom Zhcted. I don't +now whether they are rein$orcements or not, they loo+ li+e they're trying to bloc+ our in asion into )gnes. 6*%e!e a!e se$e!al t%ousand soldie!s. ;%at 'ould (e t%ei! !eason< Ma#(e t%e# &ant to +onopoli=e t%e &ealt% t%e# get "!o+ B!une.7 5$en i" %e t%oug%t, a 'lea! ans&e! &ould not appea!. 2!es%u stopped +a!'%ing "o! t%e ti+e (eing and sent a +essenge! to t%e )%'ted !+#. 6Ou! ta!get is sout% B!une, and &e &ill atta'k until &e !ea'% Ee+eta'u+. ?" #ou a!e ai+ing "o! ot%e! !egions, &e s%ould !e"!ain "!o+ inte!"e!ing &it% one anot%e!. ?" &e &is% "o! t%e sa+e ga+e, let us talk o$e! so+e al'o%ol.7 2!es%u patted %is !ed (ea!d as %e ga$e t%e +essenge! %is lette!. 6?" t%e Vanadis p!oposes 'oope!ation, s%ould %e! (eaut# +at'% t%e !u+o!s, ? +a# 'o+e (a'k e+pt# %anded. -a %a %a.7
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-e laug%ed %appil# and se!iousl# nea! %is 'lose attendants. ?t &ould (e no joke i" a +e+(e! o" t%e !o#al "a+il# died "!o+ a di!e't +eeting. 2!es%u &as kno&n "o! %is gene!ous '%a!a'te!, (ut %e &as not 'a!eless. t an# !ate, t%e +essenge! %eaded to t%e )%'ted !+#.
*%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G es'aped a despe!ate situation t%anks to t%e )%'ted !+#. 5$e!#one unde!stood it &as te+po!a!#. Cu!!entl#, in a tent installed (et&een t%e t&o 'a+ps, *ig!e and :ud+i!a sat opposite one anot%e! a'!oss a ta(le. *%e tent &as p!epa!ed (# :ud+i!a and &as +ade o" t&o t%i'k la#e!s o" "lee'e. *%e at+osp%e!e o" &inte! "illing gnes did not ente! it at all. *%e 'a!pet, too, &as o" "ine >ualit#, and did not allo& t%e 'old o" t%e ea!t% to pass t%!oug%. *ig!e, +o!e t%an &a!+t%, "elt it'%#. ?n t%e tent, onl# t%e sound o" tea (eing (!e&ed (# :ud+i!a e'%oed. 6... Please.7 3%e %anded %i+ a 'up +ade o" &%ite po!'elain, &isps o" stea+ !ising "!o+ it. Be"o!e tou'%ing it, *ig!e (o&ed deepl# to :ud+i!a.
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60i!st o" all, t%ank #ou "o! #ou! %elp.7 6444 Minus one.7 :ud+i!a8s aloo" $oi'e pou!ed o$e! *ig!e8s %ead. *ig!e 'u!iousl# looked at t%e (lue %ai!ed Vanadis &it% (lue e#es &%o t%!e& 'old &o!ds at %i+ &it% a disappointed "a'e. 6;e a!e not so inti+ate t%at ? &ould si+pl# 'o+e to %elp #ou... 3in'e ? %a$e not gi$en #ou a !eason, #ou! &o!ds o" t%anks a!e si+pl# ju+ping to 'on'lusions. *%e!e a!e ti+es &%en t%e pe!son &ill !e>ui!e 'ollate!al i++ediatel#.7 6;e +ig%t not (e t%at 'lose... But #ou did (!e& t%is tea.7 6?n t%e "a'e o" negotiation, ? +a# (!e& t%is tea, e$en (e"o!e pa!ties ? do not like. 3%ould t%e negotiations "ail, ? +a# t%!o& t%e 'ontents in t%ei! "a'e. ? &onde! &%at ? s%all do &it% #ou, *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n. %, #ou! title &as taken, so ? suppose #ou a!e :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud<7 ;%ile speaking, :ud+i!a 'ontinued pou!ing tea into t%e 'up pla'ed (e"o!e %i+. 3%e let o"" an in%u+an s+ile as s%e tilted %e! 'up. *%oug% *ig!e !etu!ned a s+ile o" %is o&n, it &as sti"" due to %is +isunde!standing. 6... *%ank #ou "o! t%e lesson.7 6? did not p!epa!e t%is pla'e si+pl# to le'tu!e #ou.7 5$en %is &o!ds o" t%anks &e!e !eje'ted. *ig!e !u""led %is dull !ed %ai!, una(le to %ide %is e+(a!!ass+ent.
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6*%en... Ma# ? ask &%# #ou appea!ed %e!e< 0u!t%e!+o!e, &it% "ou! t%ousand 'a$al!#.7 6;%# do #ou t%ink<7 3%e e$aded t%e >uestion. :ud+i!a &as 'lea!l# enjo#ing t%e situation. *ig!e "olded %is a!+s and tilted %is %ead, despe!atel# in t%oug%t. --- )gnes lies on the border between 3rune, Muozinel, and Zhcted. Be'ause a la!ge Muo=inel "o!'e appea!ed, it &ould (e app!op!iate to t%ink s%e 'a+e to keep an e#e on t%e situation. -o&e$e!, :ud+i!a appea!ed &it% su'% a s+all nu+(e!. 3%e s%ould %a$e 'ontinued +onito!ing t%e B!une and Muo=inel !+ies "!o+ a distan'e. On t%e 'ont!a!#, (# s%o&ing up &it% "ou! t%ousand t!oops and 'o+ing in to 'onta't &it% *ig!e in su'% an o($ious +anne! &ould +ake t%e Muo=inel !+# suspe't %e! o" %ostilit#. ?n t%e end, no ans&e! ot%e! t%an 'o+ing to %elp %i+ appea!ed in %is +ind. --- 3ut this is too con enient... :ud+i!a 'ast an up&a!d glan'e at *ig!e &%ile sipping %e! tea, &at'%ing as %e still %ad not ans&e!ed. 6444 /o #ou &ant +e<7 -ea!ing su'% an a(!upt and 'on"using >uestion, *ig!e8s (od# (e'a+e %ot and %is "a'e d#ed !ed. "te! &i'kedl# enjo#ing %is !ea'tion, :ud+i!a slo&l# added +o!e. 6/o #ou &ant +e and t%e "ou! t%ousand t!oops ? %a$e (!oug%t< Please, tell +e.7
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6? do.7 6Minus t&o.7 3eeing %i+ ans&e! p!o+ptl# &it%out 'a!ing a(out %is appea!an'e, s%e i++ediatel# pointed out %is "ault. 6? unde!stand #ou! situation, (ut #ou s%ould not (o& so easil#. Hou &ill easil# (e taken ad$antage o". B# t%e &a#, ? do not &is% to pa!tne! up &it% su'% a "oolis% pe!son.7 *ig!e &as s&eating, and it &as not just "!o+ t%e %ot tea! o! &a!+ ai!. -e %ad t&o de+e!its. ?n ot%e! &o!ds, i" *ig!e +ade anot%e! +istake, :ud+i!a &ould lea$e in disgust and +o$e %e! t!oops to t%e ot%e! side o" t%e 'li""s. *%e Muo=inel !+# &ould !esu+e its +a!'% to&a!d t%e
F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G &%i'% also %ad t&o t%ousand people and 'a!ts along &it% it. *%e# &ould (e '!us%ed. *ig!e is a +an &%o %as li$ed %is li"e in t%e "!ontie!s. -e &as not skill"ul &it% language. ?n t%e end, %e 'ould t%ink o" no ot%e! a'tion t%an lo&e!ing %is %ead. -e (o&ed on'e +o!e t%an sat up!ig%t. 6Please %elp +e.7 "te! t%at, %e told %e! t%e Muo=inel !+# &as atta'king, and t%at 5llen &as 'u!!entl# not p!esent. -e e.plained %is situation at p!esent.
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6*%oug% ? %a$e no +eans o" 'o+pensating #ou toda#, ? &ill (e a(le to !e&a!d #ou a"te! +# "ig%t &it% /uke *%ena!die! %as ended.7 6Hou<7 6... M# p!ope!ties and +# possessions (elong to 5llen.7 *%oug% %e %esitated, *ig!e lo&e!ed %is %ead on'e again, %is s&eat "alling to t%e ta(le. -e 'ould "ind no &o!ds t%at +ig%t satis"# %e!. (itte! taste !an do&n %is tongue and %e 'ould "eel a %eada'%e. -is enti!e (od# &as "illed &it% !e+o!se. 6444 :ook up.7 *%e $oi'e "!o+ a(o$e &as slig%tl# "lat. t "i!st, *ig!e did not t%ink t%e &o!ds &e!e di!e'ted at %i+, (ut sin'e %e &as t%e onl# one p!esent, %e slo&l# looked up to see :ud+i!a s+iling do&n at %i+ (itte!l# as i" s%e 'ould not %elp it. 6Hou a!e %onest and "oolis% to a "ault. ? &onde! &%i'% &a# is (ette! to sa#< *%oug% ? 'annot sa# #ou %a$e g!o&n up +u'%, #ou %a$e not g!o&n in a (ad di!e'tion. Hou! sin'e!it# %as al&a#s (een a st!ong point, so ?8ll gi$e #ou a passing +a!k.7 6... 3o #ou &ill lend +e a %and<7 *ig!e %ad #et to s&allo& t%e situation and asked9 :ud+i!a s+iled and nodded in a""i!+ation. 6 'tuall#, ? did not need to %ea! an#t%ing. ? al!ead# %ad a !oug% unde!standing o" #ou! situation. 3till, seeing #ou! poo! negotiation skills, ? 'onside!ed lea$ing.7
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gain, s&eat !an do&n *ig!e8s (a'k. *%oug% t%e &o+an &%o said su'% &o!ds %ad a %app# and att!a'ti$e s+ile, %e 'ould not possi(l# look st!aig%t at %e!. 6/o not !ela. so easil#. *%e negotiations %a$e not #et "inis%ed. ? %a$e onl# said ? &ill 'onside! &%at #ou sa#.7 ;%ile pou!ing tea into %e! no& e+pt# 'up, :ud+i!a >uietl# spoke. *ig!e &iped %is s&eat a&a# &it% %is a!+ and &aited "o! %e! ne.t &o!ds. 6/o #ou !e+e+(e! t%e *at!a Mountains<7 *ig!e nodded. *o deal &it% :ud+i!a, &%o &as li+iting 5llen8s +o$e+ents, %e and 5llen "oug%t %e! in t%ose lands. t t%e top o" t%e +ountain &as t%e "o!t!ess &%e!e :ud+i!a !esided. ?t &as a di""i'ult "ig%t "o! *ig!e and 5llen. 6Ba'k at t%e "o!t, do #ou !e+e+(e! &%en #ou dest!o#ed t%e 'astle gate<7 -e &as sta!tled. *ig!e "elt %e %ad unde!stood &%at :ud+i!a &as de+anding o" %i+. -e 'ould onl# nod. :ud+i!a s+iled seeing *ig!e8s ga=e. -e! +#ste!ious s+ile suited %e! '%ildis% "a'e9 it did not gi$e o"" %e! t#pi'al tension. 6 lt%oug% t%e gate &as +ade o" %ollo&ed out &ood &it% t%!ee i!on plates, sepa!ated (# oak (oa!ds, inside, #ou easil# +ade a %ole la!ge enoug% to allo& people to pass t%!oug%.7
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-e &as su!el# a !at 'o!ne!ed (# t%e 'at. -e &as una(le to es'ape "!o+ t%e 'at 'alled :ud+i!a. 6 t t%at ti+e, ? &as in a !us%. ?t &as onl# a"te! #ou le"t t%at ? noti'ed it. "te! t%e gate &as !esto!ed, ? !etu!ned to +# 'astle and e.a+ined it. ?t &as so+et%ing t%at 'ould not (e done si+pl# (# a Vanadis. *%e p!e$ious Vanadis, +# +ot%e!, also "oug%t &it% 5leano!a8s p!ede'esso! +an# ti+es. *%e!e &as +o!e t%an enoug% +ate!ial t%e!e. *%e!e &e!e also t%e sto!ies ? %ea!d "!o+ t%e soldie!s. *ig!e &as not a&a!e %is knees &e!e t!e+(ling. 5$e!# &o!d :ud+i!a spoke %ad a st!ong i+pa't. *ig!e 'ould not %elp (ut "eel an in$isi(le !ope t#ing a!ound %i+. ?n %is +ind, 5llen8s ang!# "a'e "loated. 3%e &ould %ate it i" s%e kne& %e %ad spoken a(out %is (o& to anot%e! pe!son, +u'% +o!e so i" t%at pe!son &as :ud+i!a. 6Hou &is% to !e+ain >uiet< /id 5leano!a "o!(id #ou "!o+ speaking a(out it<7 6Ce!tainl#, #ou did see t%e %ole &e +ade in #ou! 'astle gate...7 *%oug% %e did not t%ink it an e.'use, *ig!e despe!atel# 'ontinued %is !esistan'e. 6*%at is a(out %al" t%e !eason. ? (elie$e ? %a$e told #ou ? a+ an a!isto'!at on t%e "!inge o" B!une, and ? a+ so+e&%at p!oud o" +# a!'%e!# skills.7
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"te! d!inking t%e !e+aining tea in %is 'up, *ig!e !esponded in a poised de+eano! and tone. -e s%!ugged %is s%oulde! as i" it &e!e a joke. 6:o!d *ig!e$u!+ud.7 :ud+i!a pou!ed +o!e tea into %is 'up as s%e s+iled. Cold ai! &as !eleased "!o+ :a$ias 1 t%e spea! +ade o" i'e 1 (eside %e!. ?t d!i"ted past *ig!e8s ea!. ?t &as di""e!ent "!o+ t%e &ind 5llen +ade &it% !i"al. ?t &as o" a t%!eatening natu!e. ?" *ig!e &e!e a (it +o!e sensiti$e, %e +a# %a$e noti'ed t%e!e &as jealous# in t%e ai! sin'e its +aste! %ad (e'o+e inte!ested in anot%e! +an. :ud+i!a tilted %e! %ead 'utel# and 'ontinued s+iling. 6? %a$e (elie$ed in #ou! sin'e!it# (e"o!e. ? %ope to (elie$e #ou! sin'e!it# t%is ti+e as &ell... /o #ou unde!stand<7 ?t &as 'lea!l# *ig!e8s de"eat. -e 'alled @u!i'k and %ad %i+ (!ing %is (la'k (o&.
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6? a+ &a!ning #ou, :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud. ?" #ou &is% to (o!!o& t%e st!engt% o" Ol+ut=, t%e!e is no point in lo&e!ing #ou! %ead. ?" #ou &is% to 'oope!ate &it% +e, #ou +ust t%!o& #ou! %ead (a'k p!oudl#.7 6?" ? e$e! do so, #ou8!e &el'o+e to t%!o& tea in +# "a'e.7 @u!i'k &as (a""led, not unde!standing t%e +eaning o" *ig!e8s &o!ds. *ig!e !e'ei$ed %is (la'k (o& &it%out sa#ing anot%e! &o!d. -e did not unde!stand @u!i'k8s "eelings. *%e 'on"!ontation (et&een :eitMe!it= and Ol+ut= &as not one (et&een 5llen and :ud+i!a. ?t %ad e.isted &it% t%ei! p!ede'esso! Vanadis. Being in a situation &%e!e t%e# needed to (o!!o& po&e! to (!eak t%e status >uo +ust %a$e (een i!!itating to a 2nig%t o" :eitMe!it= like @u!i'k. "te! t%anking %i+ "o! t%e (o&, *ig!e !etu!ned to t%e tent and s%o&ed %is (o& to :ud+i!a. 6 'o+pletel# un!e"ined (o&.7 *%at &as t%e "i!st opinion o" t%e Vanadis &it% (lue e#es and %ai!. 6*%is is an %ei!loo+ o" +# %ouse%old. Please !e"!ain "!o+ sa#ing su'% t%ings "o! +# sake.7 -a$ing said t%ose &o!ds, t%oug%ts o" *i! na 0a '!ossed %is +ind. -e &onde!ed &%# %is an'esto!s +ade t%is an %ei!loo+. ?gno!ing *ig!e8s &o!ds, :ud+i!a o(se!$ed t%e (la'k (o&. 3%e
Vi!alt
(!oug%t %e! /!agoni' *ool 'lose to it.
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6 lt%oug% it "eels a little ee!ie... ?t see+s to (e a "eatu!eless (o&.7 6? also t%oug%t t%at.7 *%at is, until "all, &%en %e s%ot do&n t%e "l#ing /!agon &it% t%e po&e! o" 5llen8s 3il$e! 0las%. *ig!e 'a!e"ull# e.plained, one at a ti+e, &%at %appened &%en %e used %is (o&. :ud+i!a listened &it% an eage! e.p!ession, t%oug% at ti+es s%e see+ed an.ious. -is guilt onl# g!e& %ea$ie! as %e t%oug%t o" 5llen, (ut it &as too late no&. -e 'ould do not%ing (ut p!epa!e %i+sel". :ud+i!a laug%ed, %a$ing guessed &%at *ig!e &as t%inking "!o+ %is e.p!ession. 6?" 5leano!a dese!ts #ou, ?8ll let #ou sta# &it% +e "o! a (it, t%oug% ? dou(t t%at &ill %appen.7 6... ?s t%at so<7 *ig!e looked 'u!iousl# at :ud+i!a. Ce!tainl#, 5llen &ould likel# "o!gi$e %i+, (ut %e did not t%ink t%is Vanadis &ould sa# t%at. 6?" ? assu+e &%at #ou sa# to (e t!ue, t%en it is as i" one +o!e Vanadis e.ists. ?t &ould (e possi(le to o$e!&%el+ingl# do+inate o$e! t%e ot%e! si.. ? &ould +ake su!e to se'u!e su'% a pe!son (e"o!e t%e ot%e! Vanadis. t least, i" it &e!e +e.7
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3%e spoke &it% "!ig%tening non'%alan'e. *ig!e sta!ed (itte!l# at %is (la'k (o&. -o&e$e!, %e also %ad a sense o" !esignation, %a$ing seen t%e spe'ta'le at t%e te+ple o" *i! na 0a. -e 'ould not %elp (ut "eel t%at &a#. "te! 'lea!ing t%e +ood, *ig!e and :ud+i!a !etu!ned to topi'. 6*%at is all ? 'an o""e!. ;ill #ou %elp<7 6?t is not enoug%. :ea$e 5leano!a and 'o+e to +e. ?" #ou do so, ? &ill 'oope!ate.7 6444 /o #ou intend to s%oulde! t%e de(t ? o&e to 5llen as &ell<7 -e t!ied to speak in a p!o$o'ati$e +anne!, (ut :ud+i!a si+pl# laug%ed in a+use+ent. 6?" t%at is all it &ould take, t%en 'e!tainl#. ? &ould %a$e #ou pledge #ou! lo#alt# to +e.7 3%e 'al+l# !etu!ned a !esponse &it%out %ea!ing t%e a+ount %e o&ed. *ig!e8s +out% !e+ained slig%tl# opened. :ud+i!a looked at %i+ &it% a+use+ent like a siste! &ould look at %e! 'lu+s# little (!ot%e!. 6;%et%e! #ou 'o++and one %und!ed soldie!s o! ten t%ousand, &%en #ou take 'o++and o" a la!ge a!+#, #ou !e>ui!e a 'o!!esponding sense o" sensi(ilit#. *%e sa+e t%ing goes "o! po&e!. ?" #ou &is% to 'ontinue using #ou! p!e'ious %ei!loo+, +ake su!e #ou t%ink o" its $alue at t%e ti+e.7 --- The alue o$ this bow... *ig!e unde!stood i++ediatel# as %e sta!ed as %is (la'k (o&. :ud+i!a taug%t %i+ as i" %e &e!e anot%e! Vanadis. ?t see+s %e %ad not #et unde!stood it %i+sel".
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6? apologi=e. Please allo& +e to !et!a't +# p!e$ious state+ent.7 6Ve!# &ell.7 :ud+i!a nodded and sat 'al+l# !ose "!o+ %e! '%ai!. 6@ega!ding t%is +atte!, (ot% &ages and e.penditu!es &ill (e 'a!!ied (# #ou. 3%ould #ou die, it &ill (e 'onside!ed a (!ea'% o" 'ont!a't. /o #ou! (est to li$e.7 --- That's a pretty unreasonable demand gi en this battle. *%at t%oug%t "loated t%!oug% %is %ead, t%oug% %e ag!eed it &ould (e (est not to die. *%oug% it &ould (e di""i'ult, %e dee+ed it (ette! 'o+pa!ed to t%e ot%e! '%allenges %e &as "a'ing. 6:et +e sa# t%is again... t%ank #ou "o! #ou! %elp.7 *ig!e stood up and st!et'%ed %is %and to :ud+i!a. -a$ing s%a!ed a "i!+ %ands%ake, t%e t&o (egan speaking o" (attle i++ediatel#. "te! t%e &a! 'oun'il (et&een t%e t&o %ad "inis%ed, *ig!e le"t t%e tent. *%oug% %e %ad not noti'ed it, t%e# %ad spoken "o! a 'onside!a(le a+ount o" ti+e. *%e sun %ad sunk (eneat% t%e 'li"", and nig%t &as d!i"ting %ea$il# in t%e sk#. Bon"i!es %ad (een lit in (ot% 'a+ps.
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-e "elt e.'essi$el# 'old sin'e %e %ad just (een in t%e &a!+t% o" t%e tent. -e looked up at t%e &%ite +oon as it g!aduall# s%ined a!gent. *ig!e &alked "!o+ t%e tent and e$entuall# !eleased t%e tension in %is s%oulde!s. -e sig%ed and "elt pain in %is sto+a'% as %e t%oug%t a(out &%at &ould %appen &%en %e ne.t +et 5llen. -o&e$e!, %e %ad 'o+pleted t%e 'ont!a't &%en %e s%ook :ud+i!a8s %and. *%e!e &as not%ing "o! %i+ to do (ut to 'o+"o!t %i+sel".
;%en %e !ea'%ed t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G 'a+p, De!a!d !an up to %i+. 6-o& did it go<7 -e did not (ot%e! &it% g!eetings. -is e.p!ession s%o&ed %e &as $e!# an.ious. 60o! no&, &e %a$e t%ei! 'oope!ation.7 De!a!d let out a sig% o" !elease %ea!ing t%at. "te! t%at, %e looked at *ig!e as t%oug% %e &e!e a >uee! ani+al. 6@eall#, &%o on ea!t% a!e #ou<7 6;%at do #ou +ean... &%o a+ ?<7 De!a!d sig%ed in a+a=e+ent seeing *ig!e did not unde!stand %is &o!ds. 65$en ? kno& t%e Vanadis a!e an e.isten'e &it%in )%'ted se'ond onl# to t%e 2ing. 0i!st 5leano!a Vilta!ia, no& t%e Vanadis &it% (lue %ai!. ;%at kind o" po&e! do #ou %a$e to (e a(le to o(tain t%ei! 'oope!ation<7
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6?t8s a natu!al $i!tue.7 *ig!e s%!ugged %is s%oulde!s i+pudentl#. De!a!d looked at %i+ as i" it &e!e si+pl# a (o!ing joke, (ut %e kne& it &ould (e useless to pu!sue t%e +atte! an# "u!t%e!. ?nstead, %is "a'e !etu!ned to its no!+al sa!'asti' e.p!ession. 6B# t%e &a#, did an#t%ing %appen &%ile ? &as a&a#<7 6Hes, t%at8s !ig%t.7 De!a!d nodded, as i" &aiting "o! *ig!e to ask t%at >uestion. 6?t8s a(out t%at gi!l #ou "ound (e"o!e &e "oug%t &it% t%e Muo=inel !+#.7 6 %, t%at gi!l. -o& is s%e< /id s%e look (ette!<7 3%e &as atta'ked (# Muo=inel and &as d!essed as a t!a$ele!. 3%e %ad (een !esting "o! a "e& da#s due to se$e!e "atigue. -o&e$e!, (e'ause t%e# %ad 'onstantl# +o$ed 'a+ps and t%e "ea!
t%at Muo=inel &ould de"eat t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G, s%e 'ould not !est &ell. *%oug% %e &as (us#, *ig!e %ad gone to see %e! on'e a da#, (ut s%e &as al&a#s asleep. 5$en no&, %e! na+e &as not kno&n. 6Hes. ?t %appened a &%ile ago, (ut ? &ould like to ask. ;%at kind o" situation &as it &%en #ou %elped t%e gi!l< 3%e is >uite &a!# o" us and see+s unusuall# a"!aid...7
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6 "!aid<7 6Cu!!entl# one soup (o&l is da+aged and +# "inge! and inde. "inge! a!e (u!nt.7 *ig!e tilted %is %ead in t%oug%t. 6?8d !at%e! %ope not, (ut t%e soldie!s +a# %a$e done so+et%ing, /id t%at %a$e an#t%ing to do &it% it<7 -e did not &ant to t%ink o" it, (ut t%e a!+# is a g!oup o" +en, and t%e# %ad st!ained t%e+sel$es 'onstantl# o$e! t%e past "e& da#s. ?" e$en a single pe!son 'auses a p!o(le+, it &ould not (e a+using. *%ank"ull#, De!a!d s%ook %is %ead. 6*%e pe!son nu!sing %e! is t!ust&o!t%#. 0u!t%e!+o!e, t%e soldie!s a!e kind and o''asionall# app!oa'% to see %o& s%e is doing, (ut s%e does not%ing t%en. *%e!e is no possi(ilit# o" t%at.7 ?" %e sa& %e!, *ig!e +a# %a$e unde!stood so+et%ing. *ig!e (egan to &alk &it% De!a!d one step (e%ind. 0i!st, *ig!e $isited t%e suppl# line to gat%e! so+e &ine, '%eese, (!ead, and "!uit into a s+all (asket. 6/o &e %a$e an# soup<7 6*%e!e is so+e t%at %as 'ooled do&n. ;e 'an &a!+ it at t%e (on"i!e.7
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6?8+ so!!# "o! asking so +u'% o" #ou in a situation like t%is.7 6;ell, it8s "ine. ;e 'an (e a (it gene!ous sin'e &e gat%e!ed so+e "ood "!o+ t%e Muo=inel !+#.7 *ig!e t%anked t%e soldie! in '%a!ge o" 'ooking and !e>uested De!a!d (!ing soup "o! t&o late! on. 60o! t%e ti+e (eing, allo& +e to +eet t%e gi!l alone.7 6*%ank #ou "o! #ou! 'onside!ation. ?n e$e!# !espe'ts s%e looks like a t!a$ele!. *%oug% s%e does not speak, it is al&a#s good to (e a(le to %a$e a (o&l o" soup. 3till, e$en i" &e o(tained supplies "!o+ t%e Muo=inel !+#, e$e!# g!ain is i+po!tant on t%e (attle"ield.7 "te! De!a!d spoke t%ose &o!ds &it% a st!aig%t "a'e and s%!ugged %is s%oulde!s, *ig!e ente!ed t%e tent &it% %is (asket "ull o" "ood alone. One soldie! standing in "!ont o" t%e tent in t%e 'old allo&ed *ig!e ent!# a"te! seeing %is "a'e. -e see+ed i+patient, so %e &as likel# t%e soldie! &%o nu!sed %e!. 6-o& does t%e gi!l look< Can #ou get up<7 6Hes. 3%e see+s >uite 'autious o" us, so ? a+ standing outside so as to not agitate %e!.7 *%e +an &as in %is +id 40s. -is (ell# s%ook as %e laug%ed. 6/on8t &o!!# a(out it. 3in'e ? &ill (e &it% %e!, take a s%o!t !est.7
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"te! telling %i+ t%e suppl# line %ad &a!+ed a (o&l o" soup "o! %i+, t%e soldie! &alked a&a# %appil#. *ig!e passed t%!oug% t%e ent!an'e a"te! seeing %i+ o"". *%e gi!l &it% golden %ai! sat up!ig%t. lt%oug% %e! "a'e sti""ened "o! a +o+ent and s%e gla!ed at *ig!e, %e! e.p!ession loosened upon seeing %i+. --- I wonder i$ she remembers when we helped her. Bnde! t%e (!ig%t la+p, onl# %e and t%e gi!l sat. *%e!e &e!e (ags pa'ked &it% +edi'al %e!(s and tu(s &it% &ate! and to&els in t%e+. *%e gi!l slept on st!a& 'o$e!ed &it% "u! unde! a t%i'k (lanket. *%oug% it &as not pa!ti'ula!l# good, it &as (ette! t%an to (e e.pe'ted on t%e (attle"ield. 6?8$e (!oug%t so+e "ood. /o #ou &ant to eat<7 *%e gi!l nodded deepl# seeing %i+ ask &it% a s+ile. *ig!e &alked nea! %e! &%ile &at'%ing and sat do&n. -e took out a po+eg!anate, di$ided it in t&o, and %anded it to t%e gi!l. 3%e !e'ei$ed it and looked at it 'u!iousl#. --- Is she not going to bite into it# 6Hou 'an (ite into it. *%e !ed t%ings inside a!e seeds, and its jui'es &ill "l# out, so (e 'a!e"ul.7 "te! !e'ei$ing an e.planation, s%e (it into it, 'a!!#ing it to %e! +out% ti+idl#. 3%e "!o&ned "!o+ t%e a'idit# (ut 'ontinued ni((ling it like a s+all ani+al.
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*%oug% t%e!e &as still "atigue in %e! "a'e, s%e see+ed to %a$e !e'o$e!ed 'onside!a(l# 'o+pa!ed to &%en t%e# "i!st +et. *%oug% di+, t%e!e &as a "i!e o" li"e in %e! a=u!e e#es. 6*%e!e8s (!ead and '%eese, too. ? also %a$e so+e &ine, (ut don8t &o!k too %a!d. 5at it little (# little. "te! pus%ing t%e (asket (e"o!e t%e gi!l, s%e nodded >uietl# and 'ontinued gna&ing at t%e po+eg!anate. *ig!e tilted %is %ead 'o+pa!ing t%is st!aig%t"o!&a!d !ea'tion to De!a!d8s sto!#. --- I thought so be$ore, as well, but where ha e I seen this girl# Eo +atte! %o& despe!atel# %e sea!'%ed %is +e+o!#, no 'lea! i+age appea!ed. 6Ma# ? %a$e #ou! na+e<7 lt%oug% it &as an inno'ent >uestion, t%e gi!l stopped eating t%e po+eg!anate and sta!ed at *ig!e &it% %e! (lue e#es. "te! a &%ile, s%e !esponded in a da==lingl# s+all $oi'e. 6@e... @egin.7 6@egin, is it< ?t8s su!p!isingl# suita(le. Ei'e to +eet #ou.7 6444 *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n.7 @egin said it (e"o!e %e spoke %is na+e. -a$ing %ea!d it, *ig!e nodded &it% ad+i!ation.
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6*%at8s !ig%t. ?t8s a (it long, so *ig!e is "ine.7 6... *ig!e.7 -e! !ea'tions still see+ed slo&. "te! +o$ing %e! +out% a "e& ti+es, @egin "inall# spoke *ig!e8s na+e. *ig!e "elt %e! p%#si'al 'ondition +ust not %a$e (een (a'k to no!+al. 6*%ank #ou, *ig!e.7 @egin lo&e!ed %e! %ead, %e! diso!de!ed %ai! s%aking in t%e p!o'ess. *ig!e &as !elie$ed %e 'ould %a$e a p!ope! 'on$e!sation and s+iled at %e!. 6 t t%e $e!# least, &%ile ? a+ %e!e, ? &ill t!# and de"end #ou, so please t!# and !ela..7 "te! nodding again, @egin (egan ni((ling t%e po+eg!anate again. 3%e did not ask >uestions o! let *ig!e out o" sig%t. ;%ile %e! "a'ial e.p!essions &e!e not pa!ti'ula!l# $ast, %e! e#es looked inno'entl# at %i+ like a '%ild !el#ing on %e! +ot%e!, &%i'% 'on"used *ig!e. --- /ertainly, I did help this girl... But is t%at enoug% to (e'o+e so e+otionall# atta'%ed< *%e!e &e!e s+all s'!at'%es and 'uts on *ig!e8s "a'e and a!+s, and %e &as 'o$e!ed in g!i+e and di!t. Blood &as stu'k to %is 'lot%es9 %e see+ed no di""e!ent "!o+ t%e ot%e! soldie!s. -e de'ided to ask ot%e! >uestions instead o" &o!!# a(out it, t%oug%. 6@egin. ;%e!e did #ou 'o+e "!o+< !e #ou "!o+ t%is a!ea<7
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6... ? 'a+e "!o+ "a! a&a#.7 *%oug% s%e did not lie, it &as 'lea! s%e %ad 'a!e"ull# '%osen %e! &o!ds gi$en %e! "a'ial e.p!ession. 63o &%# did #ou 'o+e %e!e "!o+ su'% a long distan'e<7 @egin "ell silent. *ig!e &aited 'al+l#9 e$entuall#, %e s%ook %e! %ead apologeti'all#. 6Eo. ?" #ou do not &is% to speak a(out it, t%en it is not ne'essa!#. Hou %a$e #ou! 'i!'u+stan'es.7 ;%en %e spoke &o!ds o" 'o+"o!t, @egin looked up&a!d at *ig!e. 6Hou. ;%# a!e #ou %e!e<7 *ig!e unde!stood s%e &as &onde!ing &%# %is +ilita!# "o!'es &e!e in gnes. -e spoke as i" to e.plain it to a s+all '%ild. 6Muo=inel 1 t%e 'ount!# to t%e sout%east, %as led its a!+# %e!e. ;e %a$e 'o+e to d!i$e t%e+ (a'k.7 6 !e #ou not t%e lo!d o" lsa'e<7 +o+ent o" silen'e !an (et&een t%e t&o. @egin8s slip o" t%e tongue su!p!ised *ig!e "o! a +o+ent. *%oug% %e 'onside!ed '!oss e.a+ining %e! !ega!ding %o& s%e kne& t%is, %e did not t%ink s%e &ould o(edientl# !espond. 3%e see+ed like t%e t#pe to (e unne'essa!il# stu((o!n.
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6.... -a$e &e +et (e"o!e< Pe!%aps #ou t!a$eled to lsa'e (e"o!e.7 ;it% so+e e""o!t, *ig!e s+iled and spoke to @egin. @egin looked at %i+ &it% &ide e#es (e"o!e s+iling. 6;e +et else&%e!e. 5$en t%en, #ou &e!e gentle.7 ?t see+s t%e# %ad +et, (ut *ig!e 'ould not !e'all. 65a!l Vo!n. ? %a$e (!oug%t t%e soup.7 De!a!d8s $oi'e &as %ea!d "!o+ outside. *ig!e stood up as %e t!ied to s+ile at @egin. 6?s t%e!e an#t%ing else #ou &ant< ? 'an8t sa# &e %a$e +u'%, t%oug%.7 ;%en asked, @egin %esitated "o! a ti+e (e"o!e s%#l# speaking. 6*%en... 3o+e a pail &it% %ot &ate!, and a to&el, please.7 *%inking s%e &anted to &ipe %e! (od#, *ig!e 'onsented. *%oug% 'al+, s%e &as a gi!l, so %e 'ould unde!stand %e! "eelings. ;%en %e put %is "a'e and %ands outside t%e tent to g!a( t%e t&o (o&ls o" soup "!o+ De!a!d, &%o spoke &it% a st!aig%t "a'e. 6-o& is it< /id s%e (ite o! s'!at'% #ou<7 6? &as &o!!ied &%en ? &ent in, (ut s%e8s as 'al+ as a dog one8s kept "o! #ea!s. ;e!e #ou suddenl# asking %e! pe!sonal >uestions<7
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*ig!e s%o&ed a nast# s+ile. De!a!d si+pl# tilted %is ne'k 'u!iousl#. 6*%oug% ? 'an8t !eall# sa# "o! su!e, pe!%aps it !eall# is #ou! talent.7 6*alent<7 6 talent o" de(au'%e!# in &%i'% (eauti"ul &o+en "lo'k to #ou. *%oug% it is a $alua(le natu!al $i!tue, please a$oid 'ausing t!ou(le. ?t is not unusual "o! a %e!o to "all to !uins (e'ause o" a &o+an.7 6... Ou! $isito! &ants a pail, a to&el, and so+e %ot &ate!. Please get it.7 *ig!e 'ounte!ed t%e +an &it% (!o&n %ai! &%o %ad tu!ned a&a#. De!a!d s%ook %is !ig%t %and &it% %is (a'k tu!ned, s%o&ing %is unde!standing. *ig!e !etu!ned to @egin and pla'ed t%e (o&l o" soup (e"o!e %e!. 6Ca!e"ul, it8s %ot.7 s %e said so, e sipped %is soup. *%ank"ull#, t%oug% t%e!e &e!e "e& ing!edients, it &as +ade (ette! in t%is 'old &eat%e!. *%e $egeta(les and +eat +elted into t%e soup, and t%e "la$o! &as en%an'ed (# t%e "at. *%e salt# taste sp!ead a +ode!ate %eat t%!oug%out t%e (od#. s %e &as a(out to take %is se'ond spoon, *ig!e noti'ed @egin &as ga=ing at %is soup. 6;%at8s &!ong<7
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6Ma# ? %a$e t%at soup<7 3%e asked in a s+all (ut 'lea! $oi'e, 'o+pletel# 'on"using *ig!e. -e t%oug%t t%e!e +a# %a$e (een so+e p!o(le+s &it% %e! soup, (ut @egin %ad not e$en pi'ked it up in t%e "i!st pla'e. 65$en t%oug% ?8$e al!ead# %ad so+e to d!ink<7 @egin nodded &it%out a 'a!e. *%oug% !elu'tant, *ig!e e.'%anged (o&ls &it% %e!. @egin d!ank %e! soup &it%out %esitation. 6;a!+...7 s i" 'ondensing %e! lo$eliness, @egin s+iled s%#l# and let out a satis"ied sig%. 3%e >ui'kl# &o!ked %e! spoon, "inis%ing %e! soup (e"o!e *ig!e. 6? &onde! %o& +an# #ea!s its (een sin'e ? %ad an#t%ing t%is &a!+.7 --- 8ears5# *ig!e al+ost d!opped %is spoon. -e t%oug%t t%!oug% t%is gi!l8s st!ange spee'% and (e%a$io!. *%e soup &as not spe'ial. ?t &as si+pl# po!k, potato, onions, and salt t%!o&n into a pan o" (oiling &ate!. ?t &as an o!dina!# !ation "o! t%e a!+# and a popula! +eal "o! t%e 'o++on people.
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--- "as she that poor# (o, it's something di$$erent... 5$en i" %e! $oi'e &as s+all, s%e &as $e!# polite. O(li$ious to *ig!e8s astonis%+ent, @egin 'ontinued s+iling at %i+. 6*%ank #ou. ? !e+e+(e!ed t%e old ti+es.7 *ig!e &as "o!'ed to !espond &it% a s+ile. *%e t&o ate (!ead and '%eese &it%out talking, t%en t%e# d!unk so+e &ine. *ig!e did not kno& &%at to ask %e!, t%oug% %e %ad looked at @egin8s a=u!e e#es se$e!al ti+es. *%e t&o "inis%ed eating t%ei! +eal &it% satis"ied e.p!essions. 6? %a$e (!oug%t t%e %ot &ate!.7 (lunt $oi'e &as %ea!d "!o+ outside. ?t &as De!a!d. *ig!e s%o&ed %is %ands and "a'e outside t%e tent and took t%e to&el and pail. -a$ing (een "o!'ed to 'a!!# t%e ite+s t&i'e, %e see+ed dissatis"ied. 6 n# p!og!ess<7 *ig!e s%ook %is %ead. 3%o'ked (# %e! &o!ds and attitude, %e %ad not +ade an# p!og!ess. 6Please tell %e! to !e+ain o(edient, at least.7
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"te! e.p!essing %is unde!standing to De!a!d, *ig!e pla'ed t%e &ooden tu( and to&el (e"o!e @egin. ;%en %e &as a(out to lea$e, s%e 'alled out to *ig!e. 6B+...7 *%oug% %esitant, a"te! taking a deep (!eat%, @egin looked up at *ig!e as i" s%e %ad +ade a de'ision. 6*%ank #ou "o! e$e!#t%ing #ou8$e done, (ut 'ould #ou %elp &ipe +# (od#<7 6... ;%at<7 *ig!e t%oug%t %e +is%ea!d "o! a +o+ent, (ut @egin8s "a'e &as 'olo!ed &it% s%a+e. 3%e !epeated %e! &o!ds in a $oi'e s+alle! t%an (e"o!e. 6B+... ? a+ not asking #ou to &ipe +# enti!e (od#. Aust t%e pla'es ? 'annot !ea'%. 0o! e.a+ple... M# (a'k.7 63u!el# t%e!e is so+eone else...7 -e %ad sta!ted to sa# t%at, (ut *ig!e !eali=ed t%e 'u!!ent
F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G &as a la!ge g!oup o" +en &it% t%e 'u!!ent pu!pose o" "ig%ting t%e Muo=inel !+#. ?t &ould take t%e+ se$e!al da#s o" +a!'%ing to !ea'% *e!!itoi!e "!o+ gnes, and %e %ad +ade *eita sta# (e%ind. ;it% t%e 'li""s and stones, s%e &ould easil# (e inju!ed. *ig!e &anted to a$oid t%at as +u'% as possi(le.
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?t is possi(le %e 'ould take %e! to :ud+i!a8s !+#, (ut to %a$e to go t%e!e "o! su'% a t!i$ial t%ing &as "!ig%tening. --- That's right, there are two thousand men and women who li ed in )gnes... ;%en t%at idea "inall# a!!i$ed in %is %ead, @egin spoke &it% a su!p!isingl# st!ong tone. 6?", i" it is not #ou... ? 'annot do it.7 3%e (lus%ed "u!t%e!, (ut %e! e#es &e!e "illed &it% a st!ong e+otion as s%e looked up at *ig!e. 6;%# +e<7 @egin &ould not ans&e!, e$en i" %e asked. *ig!e %ad anot%e! t%oug%t in t%e 'o!ne! o" %is +ind. --- This girl does not seem that shy at all... 3%e kne& *ig!e, &%i'% is &%# s%e asked, despite %e! e+(a!!ass+ent. Pe!%aps s%e did not t!ust t%e soup until s%e sa& *ig!e d!ink it. Be"o!e long, *ig!e sig%ed and tu!ned %is (a'k on %e!. *ake #ou! 'lot%es o"". ;%en #ou! (a'k is tu!ned, 'all +e.7 I'm sorry, a s+all $oi'e &as %ea!d "!o+ (e%ind *ig!e. -e 'ould %ea! t%e sounds o" %e! 'lot%es !ustling. *ig!e 'ould not 'ontain t%e st!ess o" (eing in a situation &%e!e a (eauti"ul gi!l nea! %is age &as taking o"" %e! 'lot%es (e%ind %is (a'k. *%e su!!oundings &e!e $e!# >uiet, +aking all ot%e! sounds see+ loude!.
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6Please...7 -e! t!e+(ling $oi'e "ull o" s%#ness 'alled out to %i+. *ig!e tu!ned a(out. ?llu+inated (# t%e lig%t o" t%e la+p, %e! &%ite (a'k &%i'% la'ked "les% &as p!esent. -e %ad t%e sa+e i+p!ession &%en %e li"ted %e! in %is a!+s9 s%e %ad a deli'ate p%#si>ue. Bot% %e! s%oulde!s and %ips &e!e s+all. -e in$olunta!il# let out a (!eat% seeing %e! (eaut#. @egin, %ea!ing t%e sound, tu!ned !ed and tensed %e! +us'les. 3%e 'o&e!ed slig%tl#. *ig!e 'a!e"ull# &alked up to %e! and sat do&n. :atel#, %e %ad seen nude "e+ales up 'lose se$e!al ti+es. Eo +atte! %o& +an# ti+es %e looked, %e 'ould not !e+ain 'al+. 5llen8s nude (od# '!ossed %is +ind9 *ig!e s%ook it o"" in a pani'. --- (o strange thoughts. /oncentrate on &egin $or now. 5$en so, %e &anted %e! to 'o$e! (elo& %e! &aist at least, (ut it &ould (e e+(a!!assing "o! (ot% o" t%e+ i" %e pointed t%at out, so %e took 'a!e not to see as +u'% as possi(le. ;!inging t%e %ot &ate! out o" t%e to&el, %e (!oug%t t%e to&el to %e! s%oulde!. @egin8s (od# t!e+(led st!ongl#, (ut s%e &eakl# told %i+ to 'ontinue. ;it%out using e.'essi$e "o!'e, *ig!e 'a!e"ull# !u((ed @egin8s (a'k so as to !e+o$e all t%e di!t.
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*%oug% *ig!e %ad a st!ange "a'e, %e 'onside!ed it to (e t!i$ial. -is "a'e &as %ot, and a st!ange a+ount o" tension &as p!esent in %is +us'les nea! %is nose. ?t &as a "a'e %e did not &ant to see at all. -is %ea!t !aged, "eeling t%e so"tness o" %e! skin t%!oug% t%e to&el. -e st!uggled %a!d &it% %is !eason to "o!'e %is e.'ite+ent do&n. *%oug% *ig!e g!asped %is le"t %and and endu!ed t%e i+pulse despe!atel#, %e +ade a +istake and a pain"ul sig% leaked "!o+ @egin8s +out%. *ig!e stopped &%at %e &as doing and tu!ned %is "a'e a&a# "o! a 'ount o" "i$e. -e needed to (uild up t%e ene!g# to "o!'e do&n %is desi!e. -e %ad al!ead# gi$en up and let %is lo&e! (od# %a$e an e.'essi$e !ea'tion, (ut it &ould go do&n to no!+al on'e %e &ent out in t%e 'old. t t%e end o" all %is su""e!ing, *ig!e %ad +anaged to "inis% &iping @egin8s (a'k. 6... 3o+et%ing like t%is.7 ?t &as a +an8s %ono! to sa# so+et%ing like t%is. 6B+... Aust a little lo&e!, please.7 ?t !eall# &as onl# a +o+ent o" $anit#. @egin8s &o!ds s%o&ed *ig!e %ad (een t!#ing not to look at %e! &aist as +u'% as possi(le. ;%ile %is sel" 'ont!ol still !e+ained, *ig!e +o$ed %is le"t %and. /espite @egin letting out t&o so"t +oans, %e %ad +anaged to 'o+plete %is &o!k. *%oug% %e! (a'k &as t%in, it still %ad a "e+ale4spe'i"i' elasti'it#, and %e! &aist onl# "elt so"te! to *ig!e8s le"t %and.
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6... Can #ou do t%e !est #ou!sel"<7 *ig!e %ung t%e to&el on a &ooden %ook as %e tu!ned %is (a'k to %e!. 0atigue &eig%ed %is enti!e (od#9 %e &anted to es'ape to 'ool %is (od# as soon as possi(le 6Hes. *%ank #ou $e!# +u'%.7 -ea!ing %e! &o!ds o" g!atitude, *ig!e &as &!apped in a sense o" !elie". -e &as "inall# done. s %e &as t!#ing to e.it t%e tent, @egin8s $oi'e 'alled out to %i+ on'e again. 6?8+ so!!#.7 *%oug% *ig!e &as a(out to look (a'k on !e"le., %e pani'ked a"te! seeing %e! look o$e! %e! s%oulde! and >ui'kl# le"t. -e !eali=ed %e %ad le"t t%e (asket (e%ind, (ut de'ided to lea$e it. --- "hat does she mean...# -e t%oug%t a(out t%e &o!ds @egin %ad said as %e le"t. ?t &as not an apolog# "o! %a$ing %i+ &ipe %e! (od#, (ut %e &as not su!e t%e !eason &%#. --- "ell, it's $ine. *he'll tell me e entually. *ig!e 'on'luded >ui'kl#. *%e!e &e!e too +an# t%ings to t%ink a(out. -is 'ont!a't &it% :ud+i!a, t%e "o!t# t%ousand st!ong Muo=inel !+#, %e did not %a$e t%e ti+e.
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Be"o!e %e sea!'%es "o! a ne& p!o(le+, it8s ne'essa!# to sol$e t%e ones (e"o!e %i+.
5llen and :i+ &e!e gi$en a !oo+ in t%e :egni'a i+pe!ial pala'e. "te! speaking &it% 3as%a and "inis%ing t%ei! +eal, t%e# &ent to sleep ea!l#. *%e t&o &oke (e"o!e da&n and &ent to t%e (uilding at t%e edge o" t%e pala'e, telling t%ei! +en to &ake up. *%e# also '%e'ked t%e nu+(e!s p!esent. :i+ !e'ei$ed t%e !epo!t. 6*%e people &%o %a$e !ea'%ed t%e te+ple (# last nig%t is app!o.i+atel# t%i!teen %und!ed.7 63o &e still don8t %a$e e$e!#one...7 ;%ile p!epa!ing t%ei! a!+o!, 5llen &o!e a di""i'ult "a'e. ''o!ding to 3as%a8s sto!#, 5li=a$etta 'o++anded an a!+# o" a(out "ou! t%ousand. 63as%a said s%e &ould lend us t%!ee t%ousand soldie!s...7 5llen %ad %oped "o! +o!e soldie!s so s%e 'ould settle t%e +atte! >ui'kl#.
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6?" #ou in'lude t%e people &%o a!!i$ed at +idnig%t, it 'o+es to app!o.i+atel# se$enteen %und!ed.7 6*%e# need !est o! t%e# &ill si+pl# die on t%e (attle"ield. ?" &e need t%e+, t%e# 'an (e used as s'outs.7 6Ce!tainl#. ;e &ill do t%at.7 s :i+ !esponded &it% a s+ile, a kno'k 'a+e "!o+ t%e doo!. Opening t%e doo!, t%e old se!$ant and t%!ee senio! aids stood (e"o!e t%e+. 6?s so+et%ing &!ong<7 ;%en :i+ asked &it% %e! e.p!essionless "a'e, t%e se!$ants, &it%out dest!o#ing t%e sole+n at+osp%e!e, (o&ed. 6;e apologi=e, (ut t%e!e a!e +an# &%o &o!k %e!e &%o &is% to see :i+lis%a4sa+a (# all +eans. ? unde!stand #ou a!e (us#, (ut 'ould #ou spa!e us so+e ti+e<7 :i+ &as (a""led (# t%e se!$ant8s &o!ds. ?t &as not t%e "i!st ti+e s%e %ad $isited t%e pala'e. 3%e %ad $isited nu+e!ous ti+es (e"o!e alongside 5llen. ?n an# 'ase, s%e %ad 'o+e &it% 5llen to %elp nu+e!ous ti+es, and t%e unit Co++ande! and g!and '%a+(e!lain %ad (egged %e! to tea'% t%e+ a""ai!s pe!taining to t%e +ilita!# and t%e state. s su'%, :i+ %ad +an# a'>uaintan'es. --- 3ut why would they contact me in such a situation#
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3u!el# t%e# unde!stood s%e &as (us# %elping &it% t%e situation in :egni'a in pla'e o" 3as%a &%o &as ill o" %ealt%. 6:i+. Do.7 5llen pus%ed :i+8s (a'k &it% a du(ious "a'e and a (!ig%t $oi'e. 6*%is is 3as%a8s i+pe!ial pala'e. ? don8t kno& &%at kind o" (usiness t%e# %a$e, (ut it s%ouldn8t (e a p!o(le+ "o! us to deal &it%. 3till, &e8!e (us#, so keep it (!ie".7 *%e!e &as no s%ado& in 5llen8s "a'e at all9 %e! (!ig%t e#es &e!e s%ining. 3%e %ad "ait% in :i+. Bnde!standing t%at, :i+ tu!ned (a'k to t%e se!$ants. 6*%en please guide +e.7 :i+ &as guided a&a# "!o+ t%e guest !oo+ (# t%e se!$ants and &alked do&n t%e 'o!!ido! lined &it% to!'%es. 3%e noti'ed s%e %ad tu!ned a 'o!ne! se$e!al ti+es. --- This is the place we were at yesterday. -e! e.pe'tations soon (e'a+e !ealit#. :i+ &as guided (e"o!e 3as%a8s !oo+. 6... ?sn8t t%is le.and!a4sa+a8s !oo+<7 6Co!!e't.7 *%e se!$ant 'on"i!+ed :i+8s &o!ds &it% a (!ie" !esponse. -e opened t%e doo! and u!ged %e! in. 6? apologi=e "o! %a$ing #ou 'o+e all t%is &a#.7
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?t &as de"initel# t%e !oo+ s%e %ad $isited #este!da#. :ike (e"o!e, 3as%a sat up as soon as s%e sa& %e! guest. :i+ stepped inside, (o&ed, and stood (e"o!e %e!. 6 le.and!a4sa+a. ;%at (usiness +ig%t #ou %a$e &it% +e<7 3in'e s%e &as 'alled alone, s%e +ust not %a$e &anted 5llen to %ea! %e! &o!ds. --- Though -leanora-sama may ha e guessed this would happen. 3as%a nodded and looked up at :i+ &it% a se!ious e.p!ession. 6Please, p!ote't 5llen "o! +e.7 :i+ looked at t%e (la'k %ai!ed Vanadis in su!p!ise. 3u'% a t%ing &as unne'essa!# to sa#. Be"o!e 5llen %ad (e'o+e a Vanadis, :i+ %ad stood (eside %e! and de"ended %e!. 3as%a kne& t%at as &ell. *%oug% :i+ did not s%o& %e! "eelings, 3as%a see+ed to %a$e !ead t%e+ and >uietl# 'ontinued. 6? kno& t%e!e is no need to tell #ou, (ut e$en so, ? &is%ed to sa# it. -e! opponent is 5li=a$etta. 5llen and 5li=a$etta %ad a 'onne'tion. utu+n one #ea! ago, in a 'e!tain $illage in )%'ted 2ingdo+, an epide+i' (!oke out. lt%oug% t%e $illage &as unde! t%e di!e't 'ont!ol o" t%e !o#al "a+il#, it &as adja'ent to :e(us &%i'% 5li=a$etta go$e!ned.
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*o p!e$ent t%e epide+i' "!o+ e.panding, s%e (u!ned t%e $illage and e$e!# pe!son &%o likel# %ad t%e illness. 3%e took a stan'e o" isolation &%ile 5llen o""e!ed to look a"te! t%ose >ua!antined. 6Be"o!e ? (e'a+e a Vanadis, ? li$ed in t%at $illage "o! a pe!iod o" ti+e. ? also &is% to %elp t%e+, (ut ? 'ould not. ? ended up 'ausing #ou t!ou(le.7 -o&e$e!, 5li=a$etta igno!ed 5llen8s !e>uest. 6? unde!stand t%at t%is $illage is unde! 'ont!ol o" t%e !o#al "a+il#. -o&e$e!, t%e!e is no need "o! t&o Vanadis to inte!$ene9 t%e!e is still an epide+i' %e!e. ?t &ould not 'on'e!n +e i" not "o! t%e possi(ilit# t%at t%e da+age &ould !ea'% :e(us. 5$en i" t%is does not in$ol$e +e, as a Vanadis, t%at +atte! %as not%ing to do &it% #ou.7 *%e!e &as no +istake in 5li=a$etta8s &o!ds &%i'% la'ked an# "le.i(ilit#. 3till, 5llen 'ould do not%ing (ut &it%d!a&. -o&e$e!, t%e +ajo!it# o" t%e isolated people &e!e una(le to last t%!oug% t%e &inte!. Man# "a+ilies and a'>uaintan'es &e!e lost, and t%e $illage &%e!e s%e &as (o!n and g!e& up &as tossed aside. *%oug% it &as possi(le to es'ape "!o+ t%e epide+i', t%e# %ad (een dealt a se$e!e +ental and p%#si'al (lo& "!o+ t%e outside &o!ld. *%e!e &e!e +an# disputes o$e! &%at s%ould (e done a+ongst t%e $illage!s. ;%en sp!ing a!!i$ed, t%e nu+(e! o" people %ad de'!eased (# +o!e t%an %al". *%e# ga$e up on !e'o$e!ing t%e $illage and s'atte!ed. *%oug% t%e!e &e!e so+e &%o &e!e a(le to a''ept li$ing in ot%e! $illages, +an# tu!ned to t%e"t. *%e# &ould %a$e (een una(le to li$e ot%e!&ise.
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5llen (la+ed 5li=a$etta "o! t%is. -e! p!oposal &as !e"used, !esulting in t%is una$oida(le o''u!!en'e. 5llen8s t%oug%ts ended at t%at !esent+ent, and s%e 'ould not 'onside! 5li=a$etta8s "eelings. *%oug% s%e &as %u!t as a !esult o" t%is, so &as 5li=a$etta. 5li=a$etta &as not ne'essa!il# '!ossing %e! a!+s and letting t%ings (e. /espite not (eing %e! te!!ito!#, s%e (!oug%t "ood and +ate!ials to t%e+ t%!oug%out t%e &inte!, a!!anged "o! +o!e do'to!s, and o""e!ed to %elp &it% !e'onst!u'ting t%e $illage. n in$isi(le '!a'k &%i'% !an deep "o!+ed (et&een 5llen and 5li=a$etta (e'ause o" t%is a""ai!. t t%at ti+e, an a!isto'!at na+ed @ojion nea! t%e :eitMe!it= (egan to 'ause p!o(le+s. -e po'keted a 'e!tain a+ount o" t%e ta.es %e 'olle'ted and "alsi"ied %is !epo!ts to t%e 2ingdo+. 0u!t%e!+o!e, &%en %is te!!ito!# %ad (e'o+e penniless, %e atta'ked t%e neig%(o!ing te!!ito!ies. *%e a!isto'!ats da+aged appealed to t%e 2ing. -e o!de!ed a Vanadis, 3op%ie, to in$estigate t%e +atte! !ega!ding @ojion, &%o "ound p!oo" a"te! se$e!al da#s. *%oug% t%e 2ing o!de!ed 5llen to su(jugate %is te!!ito!#, t%e one &%o appea!ed &as 5li=a$etta. 6@ojion is +# "at%e!. ? &ill pe!suade %i+. -e &ill !e'ei$e an app!op!iate punis%+ent to atone "o! %is '!i+es.7
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6444 Eo& t%at #ou %a$e (e'o+e a Vanadis, &%et%e! %e is #ou! "at%e! o! not %as no !elation.7 *%oug% 5llen spoke sa!'asti'all#, 5li=a$etta pulled (a'k. -o&e$e!, instead o" !esponding to t%e negotiations &it% )%'ted, @ojion es'aped. 5llen led %e! a!+# to '%ase a"te! %i+, &%i'% led to %is deat%. @ojion %ad 'aused a p!o(le+, 5llen &as gi$en o!de!s (# t%e 2ing, and s%e %ad done &%at needed to (e done. *%oug% 5li=a$etta unde!stood t%at, s%e 'ould not supp!ess t%e intense e+otions &it%in %e!. t t%at point, 5li=a$etta '%allenged 5llen and &as de"eated. 6@ega!ding t%ose t&o e$ents, #ou 'annot sa# eit%e! &as !ig%t o! &!ong. *%e# si+pl# did &%at needed to (e done.7 6 le.and!a4sa+a, ? t%oug%t #ou &ould side &it% 5leano!a4sa+a.7 Eeedless to sa#, :i+ %e!sel" &as 5llen8s all#, and s%e %ad also sta#ed in t%at $illage. :ike t%e sil$e!4&%ite %ai!ed gi!l, s%e also (la+ed 5li=a$etta. 6;%et%e! ? (elie$ed 5llen &as 'o!!e't, ? &ould !e+ain %e! all#. Bn"o!tunatel#, as ? a+ no&, t%at is di""i'ult. 3as%a pla'ed %e! %and on %e! '%est &it% a sad s+ile. 3%e t%en looked up at :i+ &it% a se!ious e.p!ession.
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6Onl# a Vanadis 'an stop a Vanadis, %o&e$e!, ? (elie$e 5llen &ill %ead st!aig%t "o! 5li=a$etta. *%oug% %e! intense "eelings 'an (e good, t%e# +a# dull %e! +o$e+ents.7 :i+ nodded. *%oug% t%e!e &as deep dis'o!d !unning (et&een 5llen and 5li=a$etta, s%e %ad t&o !easons "o! %e! to (e ang!#. *%e "i!st &ould (e t%e atta'k on 3as%a8s te!!ito!#, t%e land o" %e! (est "!iend. *%e ot%e! !eason &as (e'ause s%e %ad le"t B!une to %elp 3as%a 1 s%e %ad (een "o!'ed to pa!t "!o+ *ig!e. ?t &as &%ile :i+ &as de'iding &%et%e! to +ention t%is. 6*%e!e is also t%e issue &it% *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n.7 3as%a 'ontinued >uietl# seeing :i+8s suspi'ious "a'e. 60!o+ #ou! sto!ies, ? 'an unde!stand 5llen '%e!is%es %i+. ;%et%e! it is "!iends%ip o! lo$e, ? 'annot tell... 5$en so, %e is a +an "!o+ anot%e! 'ount!# &%o+ s%e %ad +et on t%e (attle"ield just a "e& +ont%s ago.7 6? 'an unde!stand #ou! t%oug%ts, le.and!a4sa+a. ;%en %e &as a 'apti$e in :eitMe!it=, ? too "elt %e s%ould not %a$e (een le"t ali$e.7 ?t &as di""e!ent no&. 3%e %ad se!$ed as %is assistant and e.'%anged &o!ds. 3%e %ad 'ontinued &at'%ing %is a'tions. *%ose &%o +et t%e +an na+ed *ig!e &e!e '%a!+ed.
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-o&e$e!, :i+ 'ontinued speaking &it% 'on$i'tion. 6-o&e$e!, :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud %as s%o&n to (e o" a suita(le 'ali(e! to ea!n 5leano!a4sa+a8s t!ust. -e %as 'ontinued to s%o& it, e$en &it%in su'% a s%o!t span o" ti+e.7 ;%en :i+ 'losed %e! +out%, silen'e "illed t%e !oo+. 3as%a8s e.p!ession o" !eg!et "!o+ not (eing a(le to do an#t%ing did not disappea!. 6?s 5llen oka#< ?s t%e!e a need "o! %e! to !us% %e!sel"<7 6*%at...7 :i+ 'ould not ans&e! 3as%a8s >uestion in an instant. 5$en i" t%e# %ad !et!eated "!o+ Ee+eta'u+ &%i'% *%ena!die! go$e!ned, t%e# %ad t!a$eled se$e!al da#s a"te! !epulsing (ot% Ma!>uis D!east and t%e 2nig%ts o" Ea$a!!e in su''ession. n#t%ing 'ould %appen. t t%is ti+e, neit%e! :i+ no! 5llen kne& o" t%e in$asion (# t%e Muo=inel !+#9 %o&e$e!, t%e# 'onside!ed t%e possi(ilit# o" an in$asion "!o+ anot%e! 'ount!#. *%inking o" t%at, t%e# &is%ed to !etu!n as >ui'kl# as possi(le. 6One #ea! ago, 5llen de"eated %e!. -o&e$e!, i" s%e %as (ot% ange! and i+patien'e, ? 'annot sa# &%at t%e !esult &ill (e. *%at is &%# ? &is%ed to speak to #ou &%o %as !e+ained (# %e! side sin'e s%e &as a +e!'ena!#.7 9lease protect -llen. 3as%a said it on'e again as s%e (o&ed (e"o!e :i+.
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6? &ill p!ote't %e! to t%e (est o" +# a(ilit#, e$en i" it +eans using +# (od#.7 *%oug% s%e said t%at, s%e &ould do %e! (est to p!e$ent it. 3%e !e'alled t%e ti+e &%en s%e &as poisoned (# an assassin. 5llen &ould g!ie$e i" s%e died, so s%e &anted to a$oid it at all possi(le 'osts. 6*%is is "a!e&ell "o! no&.7 s i" s%e &e!e &aiting "o! :i+ to !etu!n, 5llen &ent to $isit 3as%a. 6*%oug% ? told #ou (e"o!e, ? %a$e a gu# ? need to %elp. On'e ? kno'k 5li=a$etta to t%e g!ound, ?8ll (e %eading t%e!e.7 Be%ind 5llen, :i+ !e+ained e.p!essionless, a'ting as i" t%e t&o %ad not +et a +o+ent ago. 3as%a g!asped t%e %and 5llen p!esented to %e!. 65llen, ? %a$e a !e>uest.7 ;%en 5llen looked 'u!ious &it% %e! "!iend8s %and (et&een %e!s, 3as%a spoke >uietl#. 6?" #ou %esitating, do not sti'k a!ound "o! :egni'a o! +e. ? &ant #ou to gi$e p!io!it# to &%at #ou +ust. ? a+ glad t%at #ou e$en took t%e ti+e to 'o+e %e!e. 5llen t%oug%t o" *ig!e and laug%ed ene!geti'all#.
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6Hou just !est and &ait "o! t%e good ne&s. ?8ll de"initel# (eat 5li=a$etta.7 l+ost e.a'tl# at da&n, against t%e &%ite sunlig%t illu+inating t%e easte!n sk#, 5llen and :i+ led "ou! t%ousand t!oops and le"t t%e i+pe!ial pala'e. *%e sk# &as da!k, t%ei! (!eat% &as &%ite, t%e ai! &as still 'old. *%ank"ull#, it &as not sno&ing, so t%e# 'ould easil# ad$an'e &it%out sno& !e+o$al9 %o&e$e!, t%e g!ounds nea! Vasa!o. 6:i+, ou! "ig%t &ill (e at Vasa!o.7 5llen spoke ste!nl# to t%e adjutant ne.t to %e!. 6?8ll take t&o t%ousand o" t%e t!oops 3as%a lent and t%ose "!o+ :eitMe!it= to atta'k "!o+ t%e "!ont. Hou %it 5li=a$etta "!o+ t%e side o! t%e !ea!.7 65leano!a4sa+a...7 :i+ s%ook %e! %ead and !aised %e! $oi'e. 3%e %ad just p!o+ised to de"end 5llen, #et it &ould (e i+possi(le i" s%e &e!e not nea!(#. 5llen looked 'u!iousl#, seeing :i+ s%o& signs o" ange!. 6?s it st!ange< *%e !i$e! "lo&ing nea! Vasa!o is "!o=en, and t%e!e a!e %ills and plains in t%e $i'init#. 3as%a8s soldie!s %a$e %ig% +o!ale as &ell.7 :ooking o$e! t%ei! s%oulde!, t%e soldie!s o" :egni'a %ad a &ill to "ig%t as t%e# ad$an'ed &%i'% 'ould not (e %idden. ?t &as unusual.
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*%ei! land &as atta'ked, t%ei! :o!d &as si'kl#. ?t &as 'lea! t%e# intended to enti!el# '!us% :e(us. *%e po&e! o" t%ei! silent '!# &as 'lea! to %ea!. 6*%e#8!e looking "o! a "ig%t, so lea$e 5li=a$etta to +e. Hou take '%a!ge o" t%e "l#ing 'olu+n. ?t8s a !easona(le plan.7 :i+ 'ould not "ind an# &o!ds to sa#. tta'king "!o+ t%e "lank &%ile t%e ene+# &as p!eo''upied &it% a "ig%t at t%e "!ont &as t%e 'o!!e't plan. :i+ &a$e!ed #et again, (ut %e! :o!d8s ga=e &ould not pe!+it an#+o!e ti+e. 3%e spoke %esitantl#. 75leano!a4sa+a... #ou a!e (ot% ang!# and i+patient.7 3as%a spoke o" %e! &o!!ies &%ile looking do&n, t%oug% :i+ &as !elu'tant to sa# t%at out o" 'onside!ation o" t%e &o+an &%o asked %e! t%is "a$o!. /espite %e! su!p!ise, 5llen s+iled gentl# at on'e. 6Ce!tainl# ? a+ ang!#, as a!e t%e soldie!s (e%ind us, and ? a+ &o!!ied a(out *ig!e, (ut +# +ind is not 'louded, no! a!e +# +o$e+ents dull.7 :i+ still did not t%ink it pe!+issi(le to lea$e 5llen out o" %e! sig%ts. 5llen !elu'tantl# asked %e! a >uestion.
164
6*%en &%at s%ould ? do<7 6/e$ote #ou! t!oops to de"ense until ? +ake t%e su!p!ise atta'k. *%oug% ? 'annot sa# t%is too loudl#... t%e!e is +eaning in !e+aining in position9 it is so t%at le.and!a4sa+a8s "o!'es do not a't !e'klessl#. 3oldie!s &it% a %ig% +o!ale dis!ega!d t%ei! Co++ande!8s inst!u'tions and go +ad &it% !age. *%e!e a!e nu+e!ous e.a+ples o" a 'al+ ene+# st!iking su'% "o!'es do&n. 6Hou8!e (eing pa!anoid, :i+.7 5llen laug%ed &it% %e! !u(# pupils glitte!ing seeing :i+ &o!!#. 6-o&e$e!, #ou %a$e a point. ;e8ll do it t%is &a# so #ou don8t %a$e to &o!!# so +u'%. -o&e$e!4447 -e! joking s+ile (e'a+e se!ious. 6Can #ou %u!!# up< ?t &ould (e t!ou(leso+e i" t%e# noti'ed ou! deta'%ed "o!'es.7 O!iginall#, 5llen &ould take t%e o""ensi$e so 5li=a$etta &ould not !eali=e it, &%i'% is &%# 5llen took lead o" (ot% t!oops "!o+ :eitMe!it= and :egni'a. 6? s%all do +# (est. Hou +ust take 'a!e as &ell, 5leano!a4sa+a.7 :i+ spoke t%ese &o!ds as (est s%e 'ould. *%e sno& g!aduall# (e'a+e deep, and t%e sk# looked suspi'ious as po&de!# sno& dan'ed to t%e g!ound. *%e# a!!i$ed at Vasa!o (e"o!e +idda# t%e "ollo&ing da#.
165
One gi!l &as l#ing do&n, ent!usting %e! (a'k to t%e +ane o" %e! %o!se. ?n one %and &as a (la'k s%o!t &%ip used "o! %o!ses. ;%ile %olding it in t%e ai!, s%e &at'%ed as t%e sno& +elted and disappea!ed. *%oug% t%e %o!se &as &ell a''usto+ed to t%e !ide!, s%e %ad an e.'ellent sense o" (alan'e. *%e sun app!oa'%ed its peak9 t%e sk# &as 'o$e!ed in a $eil o" sno& 'louds. 3uddenl#, s%e s%ut %e! le"t e#e and looked at t%e sk# &it% %e! golden !ig%t e#e. *%en s%e 'losed %e! ot%e! e#e and looked up &it% %e! a=u!e le"t e#e. ?t &as so+et%ing o" a %a(it to look at t%ings &it% a single e#e. --- - en i$ the color o$ my pupils are di$$erent, the scenery doesn't change. 3%e %ad done t%is "!o+ a #oung age, #et s%e still %eld an e.pe'tation in t%e (a'k o" %e! +ind t%at so+et%ing &ould '%ange.
:a=i!is
F@ain(o& 5#esG. *%is gi!l 1 5li=a$etta 0o+ina 1 %ad e#es o" di""e!ent 'olo!s. *%at is &%at s%e &as 'alled in )%'ted, (ut t%e inte!p!etation o" %e! alias &as di""e!ent "!o+ !egion to !egion. ?n t%e land s%e &as (o!n in, s%e &as 'onside!ed e$il, (ut t%ose o" :e(us, t%e people o" t%e land s%e go$e!ned, 'onside!ed it to (e a good o+en.
166
5li=a$etta &as 17 #ea!s old. 3%e %ad $i$id !ed %ai! do&n to %e! &aist and &o!e pu!ple 'lot%ing9 %e! d!ess &as "ull o" la'e and !u""les -e! &ell4de$eloped (oso+ and t%in &aist &e!e e+p%asi=ed, +aking %e! appea! "las%# (ut ne$e! $ulga!. -o&e$e!, %e! pe'ulia! e#es &e!e al&a#s looked at "i!st. 5$en %e! (!ig%t !ed %ai! and go!geous d!ess paled in 'o+pa!ison to %e! pupils. *%e sound o" %o!ses%oes app!oa'%ed, 'alling "o! 5li=a$etta to !etu!n. 3%e sat up and sa& a 2nig%t, %e! aid, app!oa'%. -e &as in %is +id4t%i!ties and %ad se!$ed as a 2nig%t in :e(us (e"o!e 5li=a$etta (e'a+e a Vanadis. -is "a'e looked #oung &it%out a (ea!d, (ut "atigue &as 'lea!l# 'a!$ed into it. 6Vanadis4sa+a. Ou! s'outs sa# a "o!'e t%!ee t%ousand st!ong is app!oa'%ing "!o+ t%e sout%.7 6*%ei! 'olo!s<7 5li=a$etta pla#ed &it% %e! (!ig%t !ed %ai!. s i" e.pe'ting t%e >uestion, t%e 2nig%t !esponded p!o+ptl#. 6*%e!e a!e t&o. One &it% (lades o" $e!+illion and gold '!ossing diagonall# on a #ello& (a'kg!ound, and one &it% a s&o!d o" sil$e! on a (la'k (a'kg!ound.7 *%e +o+ent s%e %ea!d t%e !epo!t, (ot% ends o" 5li=a$etta8s '%a!+ing lips !aised in a $iolent s+ile. *%e "i!st &as 3as%a8s, (ut t%at did not +atte!. Onl# t%e se'ond "lag &as i+po!tant.
167
--- 8ou came, -llen...5 6Hou8$e &o!ked %a!d. *ell t%e t!oops to !et!eat &%en t%e# see t%e Vanadis. ? &ill "ig%t %e! on +# o&n.7 6But... t%e!e a!e t&o a!+ies, and t%e!e is t%e possi(ilit# le.and!a4sa+a &ill appea!, despite %e! poo! %ealt%.7 6 pointless &o!!#. 5$en i" le.and!a &is%ed to join, 5leano!a &ould not allo& it.7 *%e Vanadis &it% (!ig%t !ed %ai! +ade t%at de'la!ation. "te! dis+ounting %e! %o!se, s%e pi'ked up t%e saddle at %e! "eet and (!us%ed t%e sno& o"" it. Vasa!o &as su!!ounded (# endless plains &it% gentl# !olling %ills and $alle#s. ?t &as 'o$e!ed in sno&. *%oug% not deep, t%e g!ound &as onl# e.posed &%en &alking t%!oug% it. *%e!e &as no &ind, (ut t%at &as &el'o+e "o! %e! "ou! t%ousand t!oops. 6Hou8$e &o!ked %a!d "!o+ t%e pi!ate su(jugation until no&.7 s s%e put t%e saddle on %e! %o!se, 5li=a$etta ga$e &o!ds o" app!e'iation to %e! soldie!s. *%e +en p!esent si+pl# s%ook t%ei! %ead. 6;e kno&, t%at in t%e t%!ee #ea!s sin'e #ou %a$e (e'o+e a Vanadis, #ou %a$e de$oted #ou! st!engt% to t%e people o" :e(us.7
168
*%e!e &as no need to t%ank t%e+. 5li=a$etta +ounted %e! %o!se. /ue to a $a!iet# o" +odi"i'ations in %e! d!ess, s%e 'ould !ide %e! %o!se &it% a ski!t on &it%out !iding side4saddle. ;it% t&o %o!ses at t%e "!ont, t%e t!oops p!o'eeded to&a!d t%ei! st!ong%old. *%e a"te!noon &%en 5llen lead t%e :egni'a and :eitMe!it= allied "o!'es to 'on"!ont 5li=a$etta and t%e :e(us !+# s%e 'o++anded. Bot% a!+ies totaled se$en t%ousand in nu+(e!. *%e +en (e%ind ea'% Vanadis looked at ea'% ot%e! &it% intense ga=es. 6Hou8!e >uite &ell p!epa!ed...7 5llen said t%at (e"o!e (attle. 6Hou kne& &e &e!e 'o+ing< :ooks like #ou didn8t use t%e '%an'e to es'ape, :i=a.7 6*%at is a +atte! o" 'ou!se, sin'e ? &is%ed to +eet #ou, 5llen.7 5li=a$etta pa!!ied 5llen8s &o!ds &it% a gentle s+ile and a s%a!p $oi'e "!aug%t &it% ani+osit#. *%oug% s%e spoke &it% a "oolis% tone, t%e &o!ds t%e+sel$es &e!e not a lie. ?" not, s%e &ould %a$e si+pl# stood up and le"t.
169
6... ? %a$e no +e+o!# o" allo&ing #ou to 'all +e in su'% a +anne!.7 5llen8s 'old $oi'e &%i'% 'ould "!ee=e e$en t%e sno& lo&e!ed e$en +o!e. 6Eo! do ? !e'all allo&ing #ou to 'all +e :i=a.7 5li=a$etta !esponded %appil# &%ile "lou!is%ing t%e s%o!t &%ip in %e! %and. --- 0orgi e me, Lim. 5llen de'ided to !ide t%e !ed %ai!ed Vanadis8 p!o$o'ations. "te! apologi=ing to :i+ in %e! +ind, s%e de'ided to "u!t%e! %ide t%e p!esen'e o" t%e deta'%ed "o!'es. *%e :egni'a soldie!s &ould soon (e una(le to %old (a'k an# longe!. !i"al let o"" a lig%t &ind as 5llen pla'ed a %and on t%e longs&o!d at %e! &aist, as i" to en'ou!age %e!. 6? &ill gi$e #ou one '%an'e. Det o"" #ou! %o!se, '!a&l on t%e g!ound, and apologi=e. Eot to +e, (ut to t%e people o" :egni'a.7 6? !e"use.7 6*%en #ou &ill die.7 Pulling out t%e longs&o!d at %e! &aist, s%e s&ung it do&n&a!d and pointed its tip to t%e !ed %ai!ed Vanadis. 6C%a!geI7 (attle '!# &as let loose "!o+ se$en t%ousand soldie!s, e.tending a'!oss t%e g!a# sk#. *%e land s%ook, and t%e sno& &as ki'ked a(out and +elted "!o+ t%e %eat o" t%e +en.
170
?n t%is "!ontal 'las%, 5li=a$etta %ad t%e ad$antage o" nu+(e!s. -o&e$e!, t%e "ig%ting spi!it o" t%e soldie!s o" :egni'a &as o$e!&%el+ing. *%e# put t%ei! g!udge o" %a$ing t%ei! lands atta'ked into t%ei! &eapons and t%!e& it at t%e ene+# (e"o!e t%e+. *%e soldie!s o" :e(us %uddled toget%e! and (!oug%t t%ei! s%ields "o!&a!d. *%e# "oug%t (a'k despe!atel#, pie!'ing t%!oug% t%e spa'es (et&een t%ei! s%ields &it% spea!s. ?++ediatel# a"te!, t%e# &e!e (at%ed in %eat and (lood, &%i'% s%ined (!ig%tl# in t%e sno&. !!o&s "le& (#, letting out an o+inous sound o" pie!'ing t%e "les%. *%e# &ielded t%ei! (attle a.es, using t%ei! ange! to 'lea$e t%!oug% t%e ene+#8s %el+ets. *%e# t%!ust t%ei! s&o!ds "o!&a!d, s'ooping out t%e ent!ails. ?t &as a s'ene o" %ell, &!apped in t%e agoni=ed '!ies o" pande+oniu+. ?t &as i+possi(le to t%ink t%is &as on'e a "antasti' lands'ape 'o$e!ed in sno& and silen'e. :eading t%e atta'k, 5llen and 5li=a$etta +et.
:e# d+os
6Clea$e t%e ;indI7
Veda
;%ile %e! %o!se 'ut t%e distan'e, 5llen !eleased %e! /!agoni' 3kill &it%out %esitation. la!ge &ind &as !eleased "!o+ t%e longs&o!d, (lo&ing all sno& aside as it 'ut a'!oss t%e "!o=en ea!t% to&a!d 5li=a$etta. 5li=a$etta sa'!i"i'ed %e! %o!se &it%out %esitation and ki'ked o"" t%e saddle as %e! %o!se +o$ed to&a!d t%e in$isi(le &a$e. *%e &ind &as suddenl# "illed &it% (lood. *%e %o!se8s (ones s%atte!ed, its "les% to!n to s%!eds.
171
Casuall# sp!eading t%e %e+ o" %e! d!ess &%ile in t%e sk#, 5li=a$etta pulled out a s%o!t &%ip. ?n t%at +o+ent, %e! (la'k &%ip tinged &it% a golden lig%t and &!iggled a(out like a snake pla#ing in t%e ai!. ;%en 5li=a$etta s&ung it do&n&a!d to&a!d 5llen, it %ad (e'o+e a "o!t# '%et Kapp!o.i+atel# "ou! +ete!sL &%ip 'o$e!ed in lig%tning. 5llen kne& it %ad an a(no!+al dest!u'ti$e po&e!. ?t &as a
:a=i!is
spe'ta'le &o!t%# o" t%e F@ain(o& 5#esG 5li=a$etta, t%e

?sg!i"a
F0las% P!in'ess o" t%e *%unde! 3&i!lG. ?t &as i+possi(le to de"le't it &it% t%e &ind. 5llen t%!e& %e! %o!se aside and ju+ped to t%e g!ound, !olling a&a# as a &%ip to!e t%!oug% t%e at+osp%e!e, nea!l# at t%e speed o" sound. ;%en s%e stood up, &%at 'a+e into $ie& &as %e! %o!se8s 'o!pse &it% its %ead +issing. 6?t &ill %u!t i" #ou !esist too +u'%, !ig%t, 5llen<7 5li=a$etta lig%tl# landed on t%e sno& and %it t%e g!ound &it% %e! &%ip. s i" ans&e!ing %e!, t%e &%ip dis'%a!ged innu+e!a(le (lue spa!ks into t%e at+osp%e!e. 6? also &on8t %old (a'k, *%unde! 3&i!l.7 *%at &as #et anot%e! na+e %eld (# 5li=a$etta. *%unde! 3&i!l Valitsai", t%e &%ip o" lig%tning kno&n as t%e
3aika no 3entei
F:ig%tning 0las% o" B!oken Cala+it#G.
172
6? &ill !etu!n t%ose &o!ds !ig%t (a'k at #ou.7 ;%ile 5llen !eto!ted (oldl#, a :egni'a soldie! let out a s%out and atta'ked 5li=a$etta "!o+ (e%ind. 3%e &as t%e ene+#8s Dene!al and %e! "o'us &as on 5llen, so %e! (a'k &as de"enseless.
:a=i!is
-o&e$e!, t%e spea! did not !ea'% 5li=a$etta. F@ain(o& 5#esG si+pl# !olled %e! &!ists lig%tl#. *%e &%ip o" lig%tning (oun'ed a'!oss t%e g!ound. ?ts tip dest!o#ed t%e spea! %andle and &!apped a!ound t%e soldie!8s &!ist, t%!o&ing %i+ into t%e ai!. ?t &as a g%astl# sig%t in t%e sno&# "ield s+ea!ed &it% (lood and di!t. :ig%tning &as e+itted "!o+ t%e &%ip and s%ot to&a!d t%e soldie!. t%in "il+ o" at+osp%e!e &as split (# +an# la#e!s o" %eat and lig%t "a! su!passing %u+an tole!an'e, (u!ning t%e soldie! &it%out +e!'#. -is pain &as instantaneous, (e'ause %is deat% o''u!!ed in a single +o+ent. ;it%out looking at t%e soldie! &%o "ell (e%ind %e!, 5li=a$etta 'a!e"ull# +easu!ed t%e distan'e (et&een %e! and 5llen. On t%e ot%e! %and, 5llen ki'ked o"" t%e g!ound, 'asuall# s%o!tening t%e distan'e.
Ve!ni
6444 3%ado& ;ind, is it<7 *%e &ind 'lung to 5llen8s (od#, %e! sil$e!4&%ite %ai! "lutte!ing as s%e +o$ed. 5llen !an at a "u!ious speed despite t%e sno&. 5li=a$etta8s s+ile disappea!ed as %e! e#es o" di""e!ent 'olo!s +o$ed >ui'kl# a(out t%e (attle"ield. 3%e +o$ed %e! &%ip, (ut it did not %it 5llen.
174
?t &as di""i'ult to sa# s%e !ead t%e o!(it o" t%e &%ip. 5llen8s +o$e+ents &e!e !oug% and >uite o($ious, (ut s%e e$aded t%e lig%tning &it% %e! o$e!&%el+ing speed.
2usuta!i
6Bsing su'% slopp# +o$e+ents... ?!on ;%ipI7 Clen'%ing %e! teet%, 5li=a$etta8s lig%tning >ui'kl# '%anged. *%e +ass o" snake4like lig%tning de'!eased (# %al" its lengt% and t!ans"o!+ed into a st!aig%t !od. *%e!e &as a $iolent 'las% i++ediatel# a"te!&a!d. sto!+ o" sil$e!4&%ite and gold !aged. Pa!ti'les o" i'e &e!e &%ipped a(out (# t%e &ind, e$apo!ated (# t%e %eat o" t%unde! in an instant. *%e sno& $anis%ed "!o+ t%ei! su!!oundings, t%e ea!t% &as to!n a&a# as an a"te!e""e't. 3%e did not t!# to "ig%t 5llen t%!oug% po&e!, (ut atta'ked "u!iousl# like a sto!+ "!o+ $a!ious angles. 3%e 'ut up&a!d, do&n&a!d, s&iped "!o+ t%e side, 'ontinuing to atta'k &it%out (linking an e#e. ?" s%e s%o&ed an# opening, t%e t%unde! at 5li=a$etta8s "inge!tips &ould tu!n to "angs. 5llen %ad (een "o!'ed to d!i$e %e! into a state &%e!e it &as di""i'ult to !elease %e! t%unde!. t a +o+ent o" i+pa't, 5llen8s (od# &as (lo&n a&a# (# a te!!i"i' atta'k o" lig%tning. 3%e st!aig%tened %e! postu!e in t%e ai! in an instant and sa"el# landed, g!asping %e! s&o!d &it% (ot% %ands. --- "hat was that ,ust now#
175
3%e needed +o!e ti+e to unde!stand t%e atta'k "!o+ t%e &%ip o" steel. "te! t%e# 'las%ed, s%e &as (at%ed in lig%tning. !ed s'a! !an up 5llen8s a!+ as s%e &as (u!ned (# t%e atta'k. -e! "!ill# ski!t '%anged. *%e t%unde! on'e again took t%e "o!+ o" a &%ip as 5li=a$etta ki'ked o"" t%e g!ound. 5llen t!ied to app!oa'% t%e &o+an, (ut '%anged %e! +ind i++ediatel#. 5li=a$etta8s &%ip +o$ed in an e''ent!i' t!aje'to!# &%i'% split t%e ea!t% and di$ided t%e &ind. 5llen ga$e up !eading its o!(it at on'e. ;it% just a "li'k o" %e! &!ist, t%e Vanadis &it% (!ig%t !ed %ai! 'ould g!eatl# '%ange t%e +otions o" %e! &%ip. ;it% atta'ks 'o+ing "!o+ e$e!# (lind spot, 5llen 'ould not !ead it at all. 3%e >ui'kl# pa!!ied 5li=a$etta8s %ea$# and $igo!ous atta'ks. 3%e 'ould not e$en app!oa'%. *%e sound o" t%e &%ip splitting t%e ai! p!essu!ed 5llen8s e#es and ea!s. Cat'%ing a (lo& &it% %e! s&o!d, 5llen8s (od# so"tl# d!i"ted (a'k t%!oug% t%e ai!, %e! postu!e +aintained. 3%e landed se$e!al steps (a'k. -a$ing (een (lo&n (a'k (# 5li=a$etta8s &%ip, t%e &ind put t%e app!op!iate distan'e (et&een t%e+. 5llen and 5li=a$etta &e!e s&eating and (!eat%less, (ut &%ile 5li=a$etta %ad !oo+ to !ela., 5llen8s "a'e s%o&ed a sense o" '!isis.
176
?" s%e !e'ei$ed a single %it di!e'tl#, t%e onslaug%t &ould not end. 5$en i" s%e 'ould endu!e it, 5llen8s atta'k &ould onl# (e %it &it% a (a!!age o" +o!e (lo&s. --- )ri$al's wind can't per$ectly de$end against her lightning stri+es. *%e s%o'k &ould +ake %e! (od# nu+(9 s%e &ould (e una(le to +o$e and &ould ine$ita(l# (e de"eated. 6;%e!e &as t%at st!engt% #ou %ad a +o+ent ago< Hou! 'ounte!o""ensi$e is !at%e! (o!ing.7 6? &as si+pl# a+a=ed sin'e #ou! atta'ks a!e so 'oa!se.7
3il$"!au
*%e F;ind P!in'ess o" t%e 3il$e! 0las%G sa!'asti'all# !eto!ted to

?sg!i"a
t%e F0las% P!in'ess o" t%e *%unde! 3&i!lG. *%e nu+(ness in 5llen8s %and &as getting &o!se as ti+e passed. 3%e ju+ped (a'k despite t%e !isks (e'ause o" t%at. 6?n'identall#, ? %a$e not asked #ou #et.7 -ea!ing 5llen8s &o!ds, 5li=a$etta stopped &alking. t t%is ti+e, t%e t&o &e!e a 'onside!a(le distan'e a&a# "!o+ t%e (attle"ield. 6;%o asked #ou to pla# t%is %and< *%ena!die!< Danelon<7 6... ;%at do #ou +ean<7 5li=a$etta8s atte+pt to de'ei$e %e! "ailed. -e! $oi'e &as dist!a'ted and dela#ed. 6:egni'a &as p!o(a(l# atta'ked to "o!'e +e to !etu!n to )%'ted.7 6? do not unde!stand #ou! &o!ds... ? "ollo& -is Majest# t%e 2ing. ? +o$e onl# "o! t%e national inte!ests o" )%'ted.7
177
3+iling (itte!l#, 5li=a$etta s%!ugged %e! s%oulde!, see+ingl# 'ontinuing to "eign igno!an'e. ;%ile doing so, s%e did not loosen %e! $igilan'e to&a!d 5llen. ?" s%e !ela.ed "o! e$en a +o+ent, t%e &ind "!o+ t%e Vanadis &it% sil$e!4&%ite %ai! &ould 'ut %e! i++ediatel#. 6Mo$ing at t%e (e'k and 'all o" a $illain "!o+ a "o!eign 'ount!# is in t%e (est inte!ests "o! )%'ted< /on8t +ake +e laug%.7 6? do not &is% to %ea! t%at "!o+ #ou. @u+o!s sa# #ou %a$e put >uite a (it o" e""o!t into %elping #ou! p!isone!. ? s%ould sa# t%ose $e!# &o!ds to #ou.7 5li=a$etta spoke sa!'asti'all#, %e! %and %eld up to %e! +out%. 5llen si+pl# laug%ed it o"". 6*%oug% it8s %a!dl# an e.'use... -ea!ing t%ose &o!ds "!o+ a pe!son &%o kno&s not%ing is !at%e! pitia(le.7 Be"o!e 5li=a$etta 'ould !espond, 5llen '%anged t%e su(je't on'e again. 6*%e!e8s one +o!e t%ing ? &ould like to ask.7 5llen pointed %e! (lade to&a!d 5li=a$etta on'e again. 6... ;%at did #ou do to o(tain t%at st!engt% #ou %a$e no&<7 3%e %ad dealt 5llen an intense (lo&. ?n t%ei! duel t%e #ea! (e"o!e, s%e did not %a$e su'% a %e!'ulean st!engt%. 6? got it no&%e!e... ?t is a !esult o" despe!ate t!aining.7
178
5llen s+iled &it% de!ision to&a!ds 5li=a$etta8s natu!al s+ile. 6?8$e (een s&inging +# s&o!d sin'e t%e age o" 6. /o #ou !eall# t%ink #ou 'an "ool +e &it% t%at nonsense<7 6... ? kno&.7 3%e spoke in a >uiet tone, di""e!ent "!o+ %e! usual +anne!. -e! e#es o" di""e!ent 'olo!s looked nostalgi' "o! a +o+ent, (ut it &as onl# just. Eot noti'ing, 5llen 'ontinued. 6? a+ &ell a&a!e o" #ou! st!engt% "!o+ one #ea! ago. Eo +atte! t%e +et%ods, t%at is not a st!engt% #ou 'an a'%ie$e &it%in a #ea!. *!aining aside, ot%e! t%an t%e st!engt% o" #ou! atta'ks, not%ing %as '%anged, it is not so eas# to app!oa'% +e.7 5li=a$etta8s %ands g!asped t%e lig%tning &%ip and t!e+(led. ?ntense e+otion s&i!led in %e! gold and a=u!e e#es. 63till... 5$en t%en, #ou %a$e t%e st!engt% to o$e!po&e! +e.7 63o &%at<7 ?n 'ont!ast to 5li=a$etta, 5llen !e+ained 'al+. Bsing t%e oppo!tunit#, s%e took a %al" step "o!&a!d, 'lad in !i"al8s &ind, as s%e looked 'a!e"ull# "o! an oppo!tunit#. *%e long &%ip o" t%unde! &!apped a(out 5li=a$etta8s &!ist. *%e &%ip 'oiled a(out %e! in +an# (!ig%t la#e!s, as i" to p!ote't %e!. ?t &as a snake &%i'% &ould atta'k all t%at app!oa'%ed &it% t%unde!.
179
6?" #ou &is% to t!iu+p% 1 t%en s%o& it to +e.7 5llen (!oug%t up %e! 3il$e! 0las% on'e again, pulling in t%e 'old sno& &it% %e! &ind. -e! (od# s%ined (!illiantl#, !e"le'ting t%e lig%t "!o+ t%e i'e pa!ti'les. sto!+ !aged at t%e tip o" %e! (lade, +u'% la!ge! t%an t%e one e+itted (e"o!e. *%e &%ip a(out 5li=a$etta also e+itted a da==ling lig%t in !esponse to its +aste!8s &ill. *%e pulsating t%unde! s'!ea+ed t%!oug%out t%e at+osp%e!e as 'ountless ele't!i' spa!ks &e!e dis'%a!ged. *%e +o+ent 5llen !aised %e! (lade, nine &%ips o" lig%tning %it t%e g!ound, so (!ig%t it &ould (lind t%e e#es o" o!dina!# people.
:e# d+os
6Clea$e t%e ;indI7
D!on :a=!iga
6444 Bu!n and 3plit -ea$en and 5a!t%I7 *%e sto!+ and nine (lades o" lig%tning 'ollided &it% a "ie!'e !oa!. *%e (!ig%t (lades (o!n "!o+ t%e
3aika no 3entei
F:ig%tning 0las% o" B!oken Cala+it#G ate into t%e $o!te. o" &ind
2o+a no )anki
'!eated (# t%e FB!illiant Be%eade! o" t%e 0allen 3pi!itG &%i'% +o$ed a(out like a la!ge %at'%et o" &ind. t!ail o" e+(e!s "ollo&ed t%e t&o as t%e# 'las%ed &it% t%ei!
Vi!alt
/!agoni' *ool. 5llen igno!ed t%e !ed (u!ns a'!oss %e! (od# &%ile 5li=a$etta igno!ed t%e 'uts &%i'% to!e %e! skin and d!ess to tatte!s.
180
*%e ea!t% s%ook, t%e &ind and t%unde! 'a!$ed t%e g!ound as t%e# ate into one anot%e!, d#ing out at t%e sa+e ti+e. ;%at &as le"t &as a %ollo& +o!ta! &it% s+all &%i!ls o" &ind and spa!ks o" ele't!i'it# !olling a(out t%e 'ente!, like e+(e!s o" t%unde! (u!sting in t%e ai!. 3no& and +ud soa!ed in t%e sk#, "alling soundlessl# (# t%e t&o. 5llen s%o&ed a "ea!less s+ile as s%e %eld up %e! s&o!d. *%oug% %e! (od# &as "ull o" &elts and (u!ns, s%e did not let out a single sound o" pain. 5li=a$etta, too, g!ipped %e! &%ip, igno!ing t%e la'e!ations on %e! (od#. 6?t...7 5li=a$etta &as a(out to sa# t%e# &e!e e$en, (ut s%e s&allo&ed %e! &o!ds. ;%ile 5llen %ad not +o$ed a single step "!o+ t%e 'las%
Veda
o" t%ei! /!agoni' 3kill, s%e %ad (een "o!'ed (a'k. --- My... t t%is ti+e, t%e (attle"ield '%anged. :i+8s "o!'e appea!ed to t%e :e(us soldie!8s le"t "lank. ?t &as a st!ong, $iolent atta'k. C!ies &e!e 'alled as t%e 'olo!s o" (ot% "!iend and "oe +ingled. 6... *%is is +# de"eat.7 3eeing t%e sig%t "!o+ a distan'e, 5li=a$etta %ad a disto!ted s+ile. ?t &as a "alse sense o" st!engt%. ;%ile s%e did not kno& s%e %ad !e$ealed %e! e+otions to 5llen, s%e kne& s%e did not &is% to !e$eal %e! &eakness to %e!sel".
181
6? %a$e not taken #ou! ne'k #et.7 5llen stepped "o!&a!d, %e! 3il$e! 0las% in %and. 5li=a$etta s+iled (!ig%tl# &it%out p!epa!ing %e! &%ip. 3%e spoke &o!ds &%i'% see+ed as i" t%e# &e!e p!epa!ed (e"o!e%and. 6/on8t #ou %a$e +o!e p!essing (usiness, 5llen<7 5llen8s "eet stopped t%e!e, %e! e#es opened &ide as t%e "a'e o" a #oung +an '!ossed %e! +ind. ;it% %e! longs&o!d %eld at t%e !ead#, 'on"li't and agg!ession &e!e $isi(le in %e! !u(# e#es as s%e gla!ed at 5li=a$etta. 3eeing t%is !ea'tion, t%e Vanadis o"
:a=i!is
F@ain(o& 5#esG s+iled gloatingl#. 6Bot% /ukes *%ena!die! and Danelon %a$e p!epa!ed t%ei! soldie!s long ago. Bntil no&, t%e# %a$e (een !est!aining ea'% ot%e!, (ut, at t%e $e!# least, /uke Danelon %as de'ided to +ake a +o$e, t%oug% ? do not &%o %e +ig%t (e +aking it against.7 5llen stood silent, una(le to +o$e. 3%e 'ould unde!stand /uke Danelon +o$ing against *ig!e, and *%ena!die!8s son %as (een killed (# *ig!e. *%e# +a# $e!# &ell %a$e "o!+ed a te+po!a!# t!u'e, "o!+ing a "o!'e st!ong enoug% to supp!ess *ig!e. 6One +o!e t%ing. ?t see+s Muo=inel %as in$aded B!une.7
182
5llen stopped (!eat%ing "o! a +o+ent. --- Muozinel did# -e! %ea!t (eat intensel#. 3%e did not unde!stand %o& *ig!e &ould +o$e, and %e &as su!e %e &ould (e in$ol$ed. *%inking o" %is position, it &as "a! (e#ond t%e &o!st 'ase o" "ig%ting (ot% *%ena!die! and Danelon &it% Muo=inel 'o+ing into pla#. 6;e %a$e (een "ig%ting "o! o$e! one koku. ?" #ou &ant +# ne'k, &e 'an 'ontinue (# all +eans, (ut... +# soldie!s &ill last at least anot%e! one o! t&o koku i" ? do not stop t%e+. --- *uch nonsense...5 5llen 'len'%ed %e! teet%. *%oug% s%e t!ied to 'onju!e t%e &ill to "ig%t, it did not go so &ell. -e! &ill as st!ong as steel &as to!n (et&een %e! distant allies and t%e ene+ies (e"o!e %e!. ?" t%e di""e!en'e (et&een t%e t&o !e+ained "!o+ a #ea! ago, 5llen &ould %a$e '%osen to kill %e! &it%out %esitation, (ut no& t%e !ed %ai!ed Vanadis %ad skill on pa! &it% 5llen. 3eeing 5li=a$etta s+ile, s%e s%ook %e! %ead and 'lea!ed %e! idle t%oug%ts. 6? &ill end it %e!e. ? %a$e no &a# o" kno&ing #ou &on8t atta'k again.7 6;ill #ou a''ept a &!itten oat%<7 6... Oat%<7 6*%e !esto!ation o" le.and!a8s "o!t!ess... t%oug% t%at &ill not (e "!ee. ? !e>ui!e &e !esta!t negotiations !ega!ding t%e +atte! o" t%e pi!ate su(jugation, and a non4agg!ession pa't "o! a #ea! 1 so+et%ing like t%at<7
183
5li=a$etta s+iled '%ee!"ull# and t!ans"o!+ed %e! lig%tning into a s%o!t &%ip, s%o&ing no intention to "ig%t. 3%e s&ung it a!ound a "e& ti+es.
:a=i!is
5llen sta!ed at t%e Vanadis, t%e F@ain(o& 5#esG in 'on"usion. 6Hou... ;%at is #ou! pu!pose<7 6*%oug% ? 'annot tell #ou, ? %a$e a'%ie$ed it.7 0o! a &%ile, t%e t&o !e+ained +otionless. 5li=a$etta stood t%e!e 'al+l# &it% %e! a!+s lo&e!ed. 3%e %ad no &ill to "ig%t. ?" s%e 'ontinued, s%e kne& s%e &ould e$entuall# lose. On t%e ot%e! %and, 5llen 'lea!l# &as 'on"li'ted. ?" s%e killed 5li=a$etta %e!e, t%e situation &ould onl# (e'o+e +o!e 'u+(e!so+e. 3%e &ould need to go to t%e 'apital to e.plain %e! !easons to t%e 2ing, and t%e ne& &ielde! o" t%e &%ip o" lig%tning &ould need to (e "ound. 'i$il &a! +a# (!eak out, in$ol$ing :egni'a and :eitMe!it=. *%e!e &e!e +an# su'% e.a+ples in t%e %isto!# o" )%'ted. 6... ? &is% to add one +o!e 'ondition.7 Be"o!e long, 5llen lo&e!ed %e! s&o!d and sta!ed at 5li=a$etta &it% %e! !ed e#es. 6;%at 'ould it (e<7
184
6 n apolog#.7 ?t &as a 'on'ise, "!ank de+and &%i'% %eld eno!+ous e+otions. 5li=a$etta unde!stood t%ings pe!"e'tl# gi$en t%e s%a!p sound s%e let out. 6? a+ not sa#ing #ou need to '!a&l on t%e g!ound. ? just &ant a sin'e!e, ea!nest apolog#.7 6... ? ag!ee.7 6?" #ou e$e! do t%is again... ? &ill '!us% #ou.7 Bpon %ea!ing 5li=a$etta8s p!oposal, 5llen !e'alled 3as%a8s &o!ds. 3%e did not &ant 5llen to !e+ain (e%ind "o! %e! and :egni'a. ?t &as not as i" s%e %ad anti'ipated &%at &ould %appen, (ut i" s%e 'ontinued "u!t%e!, (ot% 5llen and 3as%a &ould "eel %ea!ta'%e. 6*%en ? &ill go.7 5llen s%eat%ed %e! longs&o!d and tu!ned %e! (a'k a&a#. 3%e p!o'eeded to t%e (attle"ield, una&a!e t%at 5li=a$etta sta!ed at %e! (a'k in silen'e. *%e allied "o!'es o" :egni'a and :eitMe!it= %ad "oug%t a (attle s&inging (et&een o""ense and de"ense, ad$an'e, and !et!eat. ;%en t%e t&o Vanadis !etu!ned to 'o++and, t%e distan'e g!aduall# sp!ead.
185
;%ile t%e a!+# unde! 5llen8s 'o++and 'a+e to a %alt in a''o!dan'e to %e! de+ands, t%e :e(us !+# led (# 5li=a$etta !eo!gani=ed t%ei! lines to a''o++odate "o! t%e s'atte!ed soldie!s &%o %ad "led. Vasa!o &as a(out ten (elsta Kapp!o.i+atel# ten kilo+ete!sL a&a#. On'e t%e# !ea'%ed it, t%e :e(us !+# "inall# stopped !et!eating. 5li=a$etta o!de!ed %e! soldie!s to take a !est and +ade allo&an'es "o! t%e inju!ed. 3%e also sent s'outs to !e'o$e! t%e 'o!pses o" %e! a!+# and (u!# t%e+ a"te! 'olle'ting !eli's to send to t%e (e!ea$ed "a+ilies o" t%e depa!ted. 5$e!# unit Co++ande! !epo!ted t%ei! situation. *%e nu+(e! &%o died &as o$e! si. %und!ed. s%ado& "ell o$e! %e! di""e!ent 'olo!ed e#es as s%e %ea!d t%e nu+(e!. 6Hou %a$e &o!ked %a!d. *%ank #ou. ? &as a(le to a'%ie$e +# pu!pose.7 5li=a$etta %ad t&o pu!poses. One !eason &as to lu!e 5llen t%e!e to test out %e! a(ilit#. *%e ot%e! &as as 5llen pointed out ea!lie!. 3%e %ad !e'ei$ed a !e&a!d "!o+ Danelon and *%ena!die! "o! +o$ing %e! t!oops. ?" it &as not 5llen, s%e +a# not %a$e +o$ed %e! a!+#. 0u!t%e!+o!e, s%e &as g!ate"ul s%e 'ould take ad$antage o" 3as%a. /u!ing t%e pi!ate su(jugation, so+e o" 3as%a8s su(o!dinates 'o++itted so+e "ailu!es. *%oug% 5li=a$etta &as gene!ous enoug% to "o!gi$e t%e+, s%e !eali=ed it &as a golden oppo!tunit#. 3%e &as also a(le to ea!n so+et%ing "o! t%e s+all $illages in %e! te!!ito!#.
186
3%e also &anted to kno& i" s%e 'ould "ig%t 5llen as s%e &as. --- /onsidering I could not touch her a year ago, it was worth the e$$ort. n e.isten'e &%ose na+e s%e 'ould not e$en (egin to "at%o+ %ad 'onta'ted 5li=a$etta and gi$en %e! a po&e! &%i'% t!ans'ended %u+anit#. *%oug% s%e 'ould not #et utili=e 10J o" its po&e!, s%e &as a(le to o$e!&%el+ 5llen. --- )s e%pected o$ you, -leanora... *%oug% 5li=a$etta &as +o$ing %e! (od# in a 'a!eless +anne!, s%e %ad (een a''u!atel# seen t%!oug%. *%oug% it &as +o!ti"#ing, s%e &as "o!'ed to !e'ogni=e s%e %ad not #et !ea'%ed 5llen8s le$el. ?" s%e did not (e'o+e st!onge!, s%e &ould not (e a(le to +aste! %e! po&e!. --- I will need to cut down on my useless mo ements $rom now on. "te! gi$ing inst!u'tions to %e! unit Co++ande!s, 5li=a$etta looked up at t%e &%ite sk#. *%e sno& &%i'% stopped ea!lie! (egan to "all on'e again. --- It was also snowing the $irst time I met -leanora. ;%ite petals s'atte!ed and dan'ed in t%e sk# as nostalgi' +e+o!ies "loated t%!oug% %e! +ind. 3e$en #ea!s ago, 5li=a$etta did not kno& s%e &as t%e illegiti+ate '%ild o" an a!isto'!at. 3%e spent e$e!# da# in a poo! $illage. 5llen &as a +e!'ena!# &%o sta#ed in t%e $illage at t%e ti+e. s usual, t%e '%ild!en in t%e $illage (ullied 5li=a$etta "o! %e! %ete!o'%!o+ia. ?t &as 5llen &%o %elped %e!.
187
?t see+s 5llen did not !eali=e it. 3%e did not noti'e t%e gi!l at t%e ti+e &as 5li=a$etta. ;%en t%e# +et t&o #ea!s ago as Vanadis, 5llen spoke as i" t%e# %ad +et "o! t%e "i!st ti+e. ?t 'ould not (e %elped. *%e ti+e t%e# %ad spoken &as s%o!t, and 5li=a$etta %ad %idden %e! !ig%t e#e at t%e ti+e. s t%e go$e!no! o" :e(us and a Vanadis, s%e no longe! needed to keep it %idden. -o&e$e! 1 5li=a$etta %ad ne$e! "o!gotten t%e (!ig%tness o" 5llen8s !u(# e#es &%en s%e !ea'%ed %e! %and out se$en #ea!s (e"o!e. 6? &ill not lose...7 5li=a$etta, ent!en'%ed in %e! +e+o!ies o" distant ti+es, !etu!ned to !ealit# %ea!ing people 'all %e! na+e. 6Vanadis4sa+a. ;e 'an dela# ou! +o$e+ents (# a >ua!te! koku i" #ou a!e ti!ed...7 6Eo. ? a+ "ine.7 5li=a$etta s%ook %e! (!ig%t !ed %ai! in !e"usal. 3%e !e'ei$ed t%e !epo!t and issued +o!e inst!u'tions. Be"o!e t%e sun "ell, s%e &as a(le to (u!# all t%ose killed in (attle. 6... @ig%t.7 3uddenl#, 5li=a$etta t%oug%t o" so+et%ing.
188
6?" ? !e+e+(e!, %is na+e is *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n.7 0!o+ %e! "ig%t &it% 5llen, s%e did not t%ink t%e t&o &e!e 'oope!ating "o! 'on$enien'e and st!ateg# alone. 60o! t%e ti+e (eing, ? &ill &at'% %o& t%e# +o$e.7 *%oug% :e(us, t%e te!!ito!# 5li=a$etta go$e!ned, &as on "!iendl# te!+s &it% /uke *%ena!die! and Danelon, it &as due to t%e poli'ies o" t%e "o!+e! Vanadis. 5li=a$etta, (e'ause it &as not disad$antageous, su''eeded it "o! t%at !eason. --- 4u+es Thenardier and 2anelon might not necessarily win... Conside!ing *ig!e +a# &in, it &as not a (ad idea to esta(lis% a 'onne'tion no&. 6*%at is !ig%t. ? &ill not lose.7 5li=a$etta spoke &it% a st!ong tone as s%e sta!ed at t%e sk# &it% %e! e#es o" di""e!ent %ue. 0o! %e! sake, and t%e sake o" t%e people o" :e(us suppo!t %e!, 5li=a$etta (egan t%inking o" a ne& plan. +ongst t%e allied "o!'es o" :eitMe!it= and :egni'a.
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5llen8s opponent, 5li=a$etta, !e>ui!ed +an# t%ings (e done. *%oug% s%e &is%ed to %u!!# to B!une e$en one koku ea!l#, t%e duties o" a Vanadis &ould not pe!+it %e! to, no! did 5llen intend to t%!o& t%e+ aside. 3%e %ad ea!ned t%e soldie!8s lo#alt# and popula!it# &it% t%e people due to %e! a'tions in (attle. *%ank"ull#, t%e :egni'a !+# unde!took t%e +ajo!it# o" t%e p!o'edu!es. 65leano!a4sa+a, &e 'annot apologi=e enoug%. ;e %a$e !e'ei$ed a s'olding "!o+ Vanadis4sa+a. Please, "eel at ease and !etu!n to B!une in sa"et#.7 *%e Dene!al o" t%e :egni'a !+# also kne& o" t%e 'i!'u+stan'es and (o&ed to 5llen. 6? &ill g!ate"ull# !e'ei$e #ou! aid. Please tell 3as%a t%at "o! +e.7 *%ose killed in a'tion &e!e (u!ied, and t%ose &it% la!ge inju!ies &e!e o!de!ed to !etu!n to :eitMe!it=. *%e ne.t +o!ning, 5llen and :i+ le"t Vasa!o &it% one t%ousand t!oops. *%e sno& %ad 'ontinued sin'e t%en9 t%e plains &e!e 'o$e!ed in &%ite. *%e "!o=en !i$e! %ad (e'o+e a ne&, +akes%i"t !oad. *%e 'oni"e! "o!est see+ed distant, and t%e distant +ountains &e!e d#ed &it% sno&. 6;%at &ill #ou do no&, 5leano!a4sa+a<7 :i+ p!ote'ted %e!sel" against t%e 'old in t&o la#e!s o" "u! and !ode t%e %o!se ne.t to 5llen. s s%e ga=ed "o!&a!d, 5llen !eplied &it% a ste!n look.
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6;e need to take a !est. lso, ? &ant in"o!+ation. :et8s %u!!# to :eitMe!it= and t!# and g!asp t%e +o$e+ents o" Muo=inel.7 *%oug% 5li=a$etta %ad not lied, s%e &as dou(t"ul it &as t%e 'o+plete t!ut%. 6?" Muo=inel !eall# atta'ked, *ig!e &ouldn8t sta# >uiet. -onestl#, %e 'an (e so un!easona(le...7 :i+ nodded in assent. 6*%at +an !eall# s%ould lea!n to '%e!is% %i+sel" a little +o!e...7 6But isn8t t%at &%at #ou like a(out %i+<7 5llen8s !u(# e#es tu!ned to t%e side as s%e laug%ed and teased :i+. :i+8s "a'e &as d#ed !ed, and, despite t%e 'old, %e! skin &as %ot. 3%e !e"used to ad+it it and tu!ned a&a#. 6*%at is so+et%ing di""e!ent... Eo, !ig%t, i" ? &e!e to e$aluate it, ? &ould sa# it is +o!e o" a +e!it o" %is, t%oug% it8s also a "ault...7 6? get it, ? get it. ?8ll use toda# to t%ink o" &%at to sa# to *ig!e.7 3%e laug%ed seeing :i+ pouting as s%e spoke on'e again. 63u!el# 5leano!a4sa+a %as gi$en t%oug%t a(out &%at to sa# al!ead#.7
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6? %a$en8t gi$en it an# t%oug%t at all.7 :i+ looked 'oldl# at 5llen &%o t%!ust %e! '%est "o!&a!d in a (oast"ul +anne!. 6... ? %a$e enoug% to talk a(out "o! one %und!ed da#s, (ut ? s%ould t%ink a(out so+et%ing t%at &ould sound good.7 5llen !esponded &it% an a&k&a!d "a'e9 s%e %ad not #et (een a(le to get !id o" %e! +is'%ie$ous e.p!ession. --- 3ut I wonder what I should say, what $eels right# 3%e looked up at t%e sno&# sk#. *%e "i!st &o!ds t%at 'a+e to %e! +ind &e!e FHou8!e (a'kG, (ut s%e >ui'kl# denied it. --- 8eah, that's strange. 3%e &as going to g!eet *ig!e, not &aiting "o! %i+ to 'o+e (a'k. --- I' e returned# I'm bac+# (o, that's not that di$$erent. I wonder what Tigre's reaction would be... 6?8+ (a'k7 &ould (e too 'asual. ?t is so+et%ing s%e &ould sa# &it% a s+ile to&a!d t%e people &%o &o!k in %e! pala'e. 3%e unde!stood %e! &o!ds and %e! attitude +ust +aintain %e! dignit# as a Vanadis. 5$en &it%in t%e pala'e, s%e +aintained t%is "o! t%e pu(li' o!de! o" :eitMe!it=. -o&e$e!, it is "o! t%is !eason t%at 5llen 'onside!ed t%e &o!ds s%e &ould speak to *ig!e to (e p!e'ious.
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4 Gatherin
6444 One (attle.7 :ud+i!a pointed &it% %e! "inge! and spoke ste!nl#. 6;e &ill "ig%t on'e and dest!o# t%e Muo=inel !+#.7 ?n t%e tent "o! t%e Dene!al in t%e 'a+p o" t%e
F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G, se$e!al +aps su!!ounded *ig!e, :ud+i!a, and @u!i'k. :ud+i!a spe'i"i'all# $isited to gi$e t%e +en a sense o" !elie". *%e soldie!s o" :eitMe!it= did not pa!ti'ula!l# "eel good &%ile t%e soldie!s o" B!une &e!e si+pl# 'on"used seeing an all# suddenl# appea!. 6Can #ou do it<7 6?t is not a(out &%et%e! &e 'an do it o! not. ;e +ust do it.7 Dlan'ing at t%e (ald 2nig%t, t%e Vanadis &it% (lue %ai! !esponded a!!ogantl#. --- *he's similar to -llen. :ud+i!a8s attitude and e.p!essions ga$e *ig!e t%at i+p!ession. *%oug% :ud+i!a and @u!i'k &ould (e ang!# to %ea! it, %e! uns%aka(le &ill and a(ilit# to +ake de'isions !e+inded *ig!e o" 5llen and :i+.
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--- I hope those two are sa$e. I wonder i$ -llen was able to help her $riend. One a"te! anot%e!, *ig!e !e+e+(e!ed *eita and Bat!an, t%en ug!e and Massas. -e did not e.pe't %elp "!o+ t%e+9 !at%e!, %e %oped t%e# +anaged to e$a'uate sa"el#. gain, 5llen8s s+ile '!ossed %is +ind. -e "elt se'u!e &%en s%e &as nea!(#. O" 'ou!se, s%e &as a po&e!"ul +ilita!# "o!'e, (ut it &as +o!e t%an t%at444 6Minus one.7 Cold ai! sp!a#ed at %is "a'e along &it% %e! &o!ds. *ig!e (!oug%t %is +ind (a'k to t%e su!!oundings and noti'ed :ud+i!a looking at %i+ in disappoint+ent. 6? unde!stand #ou a!e ti!ed, (ut &%# a!e #ou so a(sent4+inded in t%e +iddle o" an i+po!tant &a! 'oun'il< ;%at &e!e #ou t%inking a(out<7 ?t &as 'lea! :ud+i!a &ould lea$e i++ediatel# i" %e %onestl# ans&e!ed t%at %e &as t%inking a(out 5llen. *ig!e &ould ea!nestl# (eg "o! "o!gi$eness and @u!i'k &ould look at %i+ (itte!l#. ?t &as "o!tunate, pe!%aps, t%at :ud+i!a si+pl# sig%ed. 6:et us !etu!n to t%e 'on$e!sation. t +ost, #ou! +en &ill last "o! one (attle.7 *ig!e s'o&led %ea!ing t%at "a't. :ud+i!a 'ontinued &it% a g!i+ e.p!ession. 6? a+ not (la+ing #ou, (ut to "ig%t an a!+# o" t&ent# t%ousand &it% a little less t%an t&o t%ousand is !e'kless. Hou! +en need a da#s !est... *%is is espe'iall# i+po!tant sin'e t%e# a!e on t%e (attle"ield.7
194
6But... Hou said &e &ill last "o! a single (attle. /id #ou %a$e a plan in +ind &it% t%at<7 *ig!e asked &it% an e.p!ession t%at did not %ide %is 'on"usion. Bn"o!tunatel# "o! *ig!e, %e 'ould onl# t%ink o" t%e in'!easing ne'essit# to !el# on t%e po&e! o" %is (o& t%e +o!e and +o!e %e (e'a+e 'o!ne!ed. ?t &as e$iden'e t%at *ig!e &as +entall# and p%#si'all# "atigued. 60unda+entall#, #ou do t%e sa+e t%ing as &%en #ou "oug%t t&ent# t%ousand.7 (!ig%t lig%t, as i" app!aising %i+, s%ined in :ud+i!a8s (lue e#es as s%e looked at *ig!e. 6Hou &ill igno!e t%e ene+# and ai+ at t%e ene+# Dene!al. gainst a la!ge "o!'e, #ou 'an onl# ai+ at t%e "ood suppl# and t%e Dene!al.7 6;%# not ai+ "o! t%e "ood<7 6?n t%at 'ase, #ou need to (e t%o!oug%.7 @u!i'k looked at :ud+i!a s%o&ing %e did not unde!stand &%at s%e +eant. 60i!st, #ou &ould need to +o$e deepe! into t%e ene+#8s t!oops. Ee.t, t%e to&ns and $illages along t%ei! +o$e+ents %a$e (een e+ptied and (u!ned do&n. On a 'lea! nig%t &it% good 'onditions, e$en an idiot &ould not put t%e+ out in t%e open, and t%e ene+# is no idiot. 6/o #ou kno& an#t%ing a(out t%e ene+#<7
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:ud+i!a8s e.p!ession (e'a+e st!ained &%en s%e %ea!d *ig!e8s "!ank >uestion. 3%e "!o&ned in anno#an'e as s%e ans&e!ed. 62!es%u 3%a%een Ba!a+i!. -e is t%e (!ot%e! o" t%e 2ing o"
Ba!(a!os
Muo=inel &it% t%e ni'kna+e o" F@ed Bea!dG.7 *ig!e and @u!i'k looked at ea'% ot%e! du(iousl#. 6... ?s %e "a+ous<7 6Audging "!o+ %e! e.p!ession, ? &ould sa# so.7 6Hou do not kno& (e'ause #ou a!e igno!ant.7 3%e sta!ed at t%e+ 'oldl# in ange!. *ig!e s'!at'%ed %is %ead in !esponse. 6*%is kind o" 'on$e!sation &asn8t !eall# !ele$ant in lsa'e. 3o!!#, do #ou +ind tea'%ing us<7 6-onestl#... ;%at is 5leano!a tea'%ing #ou<7 *%oug% :ud+i!a s%o&ed dissatis"a'tion, s%e p!o$ided an e.planation. 6 (out ten #ea!s ago, t%e 3a'%stein !+# took t%ei! "leet o" one t%ousand s%ips and in$aded Muo=inel. t t%at ti+e, 2!es%u %ad t&o %und!ed s+all $essels.7 6Audging "!o+ t%e "lo& o" t%e 'on$e!sation, 2!es%u &on.7 6-e &as $i'to!ious. *%e 3a'%stein !+# (e'a+e so a"!aid o" %is st!engt%, t%e# ga$e %i+ t%e ni'kna+e F@ed Bea!dG. ?n a Muo=inel diale't, %e is 'alled Ba!(a!os.7
196
*ig!e and @u!i'k looked at ea'% ot%e!. Eeit%e! %ad kno&ledge o" na$al &a!"a!e, (ut t%e# !eali=ed t%e +an %ad an o$e!&%el+ing $i'to!# against an ene+# "i$e ti+es %is st!engt%. -e &as a po&e!"ul ene+# &%o &as "a! "!o+ no!+al. -o&e$e!, %e 'ould not !un a&a#. *%e people and t%e soldie!s &ould not (e a(le to +ake it. 60i!st, it is i+possi(le to "ig%t &it%in gnes. ;e +ust !et!eat.7 Pi'king up one +ap, t%e (lue4%ai!ed Vanadis s%o&ed @u!i'k and *ig!e a pla'e (e#ond gnes &it%in B!une, t%e O!+ea Plains. ?t &as "ull o" !olling %ills &it% a single %ig%&a# 'u!$ing t%!oug% t%e 'ente! o" it. *%e!e &e!e t&o %ills nea!(# su!!ounded (# s+oot% g!ound. 6 gnes is 'o$e!ed in 'li""s9 it &ill (e ad$antageous "o! a la!ge a!+#.7 @u!i'k spoke &it% a t%o!n# tone. "te! tapping %is s%oulde! to 'al+ %i+ do&n, *ig!e asked :ud+i!a a >uestion in as gentle a tone as possi(le. 6? suppose #ou %a$e a !eason "o! '%oosing t%is lo'ation.7 :ud+i!a nodded as i" it &e!e natu!al. 6? &ill e.plain... (ut (e"o!e t%at, please e.plain t%e di""e!en'e (et&een t%e a!+# o" t&ent# t%ousand #ou "oug%t and t%is ene+# o" "o!t# t%ousand.7
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:ud+i!a gla!ed at t%e t&o. /espite %e! petite (od#, a s%i$e! o" inti+idation !an do&n t%ei! spines. *ig!e o(edientl# ad+i!ed %e! as e$en @u!i'k +ade a &!# "a'e "!o+ %e! p!essu!e. 60i!st, t%e nu+(e! is o($iousl# di""e!ent, so t%e a'tual dept% o" t%e a!+# &ill '%ange.7 @esponding to %e! !e>uest, *ig!e t!ied to gi$e a point (# point e.planation &%ile 'ounting t%e+ on %is "inge!s. P!o(a(l# (e'ause it &as *ig!e !at%e! t%an @u!i'k t%at :ud+i!a ga$e it t%oug%t. 6*%e!e is also t%e di""e!en'e (et&een an ad$an'ed "o!'e and t%e +ain "o!'e. *%e# +ost likel# %a$e t%e in"o!+ation on t%e (attles al!ead# %eld.7 *%e# likel# s&ept t%!oug% gnes to lea!n its geog!ap%i'al "eatu!es. ?n ot%e! &o!ds, *ig!e 'ould not !epla# %is %ands. 6*%ose t&o points a!e enoug%.7 :ud+i!a8s (lue pupils pie!'ed t%e t&o +en. 6*%e# kno& t%e topolog# and %a$e a !oug% esti+ate o" ou! nu+(e!s, so t%e# &ill not get 'aug%t &it% pett# t!i'ks. 5$en i" &e use a su!p!ise atta'k, &e &ill not !ea'% t%ei! Dene!al.7 63o #ou (elie$e &e 'an +anage so+e%o& in O!+ea Plains<7 6*%at8s one !eason, (ut &e still la'k nu+(e!s. ;e &ill likel# need t%e t&o t%ousand !e"ugees to %elp.7 *ig!e in%aled deepl# %ea!ing t%ose &o!ds. "te! sta!ing at :ud+i!a8s e+otionless "a'e, %e spoke &it% a (itte! "a'e.
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6... ;%at &ill &e %a$e t%e+ do<7 6*%e# &ill (e a de'o#.7 :ud+i!a s%o&ed t%e+ t%e lo'ation on t%e +ap, su!p!ising *ig!e and @u!i'k. --- /ertainly, we ha e a good chance o$ winning i$ we do this, but... "te! e.a+ining t%e (lue4%ai!ed Vanadis8 plan on %is o&n, *ig!e looked at :ud+i!a &it% a stone4like e.p!ession. D!atitude and tension, pe!ple.it# and dou(t. *%e!e &e!e a $a!iet# o" e+otions piling up &it%in %i+, (ut %is "a'e (et!a#ed none o" t%e+. 6... ?t8s a dange!ous plan.7 6 !e #ou a"!aid<7 *ig!e >uietl# !e"used t%e 3no& P!in'ess8 p!o$o'ation. ?t &as too late "o! "ea!, (ut %e &as an.ious. 6;%# a!e #ou lea$ing t%is to +e<7 :ud+i!a8s !esponse &as 'lea! 'ut. 6?" #ou &ant, #ou 'an (o!!o& so+e +o!e.7 -e &as satis"ied &it% t%at. ?t see+s %e &as (o!!o&ing >uite a (it. *ig!e looked a&a# "!o+ %e! and glan'ed at %is (la'k (o& leaning in t%e 'o!ne! o" t%e tent. -e t%oug%t a(out t%e (o&.
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--- (o, I should do this with my own power. 6Hou %a$e o""e!ed 'onditions, and ? a+ >uite satis"ied. ? %a$e e.pe'tations o" #ou.7 *%e +o+ent %e %ad %is t%oug%t, :ud+i!a s+iled +is'%ie$ousl#. *ig!e looked at %e! intentl# and s+iled &it% !ene&ed $italit#. 6Dot it. *%ank #ou.7 "te! t%e +eeting "inis%ed, *ig!e sa& :ud+i!a o"" as s%e !etu!ned to t%e Ol+ut= !+# and %eaded to t%e people, sin'e %e needed to ask "o! t%ei! 'oope!ation. 63%all &e go toget%e!< ? a+ uneas# to sa# t%is, :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud, (ut ? &ould not (e su!p!ised i" t%ings got out o" %and on a''ident.7 6Eo. ? a+ enoug% on +# o&n.7 -e de'lined @u!i'k8s in$itation and &alked along &it% %is (la'k (o&. *%oug% it &as !eassu!ing to %i+, *ig!e &as a"!aid t%e people &ould 'onside! it a t%!eat. 0u!t%e!+o!e, %e &anted to pla'e as little !esponsi(ilit# on t%e people.
200
2!es%u 3%a%een Ba!a+i!, t%e Dene!al o" t%e Muo=inel !+# !e'ei$ed a !epl# "!o+ t%e +essenge! %e sent to t%e )%'ted !+#. -e did not &ait silentl#. 5$en i" %e did not +o$e %is +ilita!# "o!'e ea!l#, t%e suppl# o" "ood, &ate!, and "uel &ould onl# de'!ease (# a da#. -e +o$ed &it%out %esitation and +o$ed %is a!+# along t%e gnes pat%, sand&i'%ed (et&een t%e sandstone 'li""s. O" t%e "o!t# t%ousand soldie!s, "i"t#4"i$e %und!ed %ad o!gani=ed as a single "o!'e. *%!ee t%ousand &e!e pla'ed in t%e 'ente!, one t%ousand on ea'% "lank, and "i$e %und!ed &e!e in t%e !ea! as a !ese!$e "o!'e. ;it% t%is nu+(e!, t%ei! +o$e+ents &ould not (e %inde!ed (# t%e na!!o& pat%. 2!es%u designed t%e "o!+ation o" t%ese t!oops (ased on t%e +ap 2as%i+ %ad +ade. -e %ad +ade se$en sepa!ate a!+ies &it% t%e (!ot%e! o" t%e 2ing, @ed Bea!d, p!o'eeding a 'e!tain distan'e "!o+ t%e !oad. *%e !e+aining soldie!s !e+ained at t%e !ea! as !ese!$e po&e!. 2!es%u, in t%e (eginning, t!ied to gi$e a na+e to t%ese se$en units. 60o! a te+po!a!# na+e, let8s go &it% @ed Cattle !+#, Blue Cattle !+#, D!een Cattle !+#... *%at s%ould do, ? suppose.7 6?" it is te+po!a!#, it +a# (e (est to 'all t%e+ (# nu+(e!.7 -is su(o!dinate !esponded to %is na+es. 2!es%u a''epted t%e ad$i'e, sin'e %e %ad onl# t%oug%t o" t%e na+es o"" t%e top o" %is %ead. +ongst t%e se$en a!+ies, 2!es%u +ade t%e se$ent% a!+# t%e +ain unit.
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--- (ow, these should be acceptable against Zhcted and 3rune i$ they come out. -o&e$e!, not%ing o(st!u'ted t%ei! ad$an'e (# t%e ti+e t%e# le"t t%e na!!o& pat%. ;%en t%e# "inall# es'aped "!o+ t%e na!!o& pass, t%e# &e!e 'on"!onted &it% a p!ai!ie o" !olling ups and do&ns. 3in'e it &as &inte!, it &as da!k, (ut t%e g!een &ould sp!ead a(out, (lanketed (# a 'a!pet o" g!ass, on'e sp!ing a!!i$ed. ?n t%e distan'e &as a s+all %ill. ;%ile %e 'aug%t t%e sno& d!i"ting do&n "!o+ t%e g!a# sk# in %is pal+, 2!es%u8s su(o!dinate >ui'kl# ga$e a !epo!t, sa#ing t%e +essenge! sent to t%e )%'ted !+# %ad !etu!ned. 6? %a$e !e'ei$ed &o!d "!o+ t%e Vanadis :ud+i!a :u!ie, t%e Co++ande! o" t%e )%'ted !+#. ? &ill !epeat &%at s%e said.7 3eeing t%e +essenge! &ipe %is s&eat a&a#, 2!es%u u!ged %i+ to 'ontinue &it% a nod. 6... ;e %a$e le"t ou! land and ente!ed t%is 'ount!# to %elp an i+po!tant +e+(e! o" B!une 2ingdo+ &%o asked "o! ou! aid. ;e di""e! "!o+ #ou! !+# &%i'% la&lessl# $iolates t%e land o" ot%e! 'ount!ies. ?" #ou s%ould dou(t +# &o!d, #ou %a$e onl# %ea! o" it "!o+ *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n. *%oug% ? do not %a$e an# desi!e to a'ti$el# "ig%t #ou! !+#, it 'annot (e %elped s%ould #ou o(st!u't ou! duties. ? p!a# #ou sa"e !etu!n t%!oug% t%e pat% #ou %a$e 'o+e (#.7 "te! sa#ing e$e!#t%ing, t%e +essenge! let out a s+all (!eat% and (o&ed. 63o s%e8s sa#ing to tu!n (a'k i" &e don8t &is% to (e %u!t.7
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2!es%u !oug%l# su++a!i=ed :ud+i!a8s &o!ds (e"o!e opening %is la!ge, %ollo&ed out e#es. --- I$ I doubt her words, I should as+ the small noble o$ 3rune... :ud+i!a8s !esponse &as ad$antageous "o! *ig!e. *%e!e &as no !ig%teousness on %is side. lt%oug% :ud+i!a !esponded %e!sel", s%e le"t no !oo+ "o! an e.planation on t%ei! end. --- "hether it is someone $rom 3rune or someone $rom Zhcted, there is no need to get heated up. 6;e %a$e "o!t# t%ousand +en. ;e %a$e no !eason to "lee si+pl# (e'ause t%e# %a$e a Vanadis on t%ei! side. ? kno& o" :ud+i!a :u!ie. Ve!# &ell. :et us see &%o &ill "eel t%e pain.7 2!es%u laug%ed and told t%e +essenge! to take a !est. "te! a &%ile, a !epo!t !etu!ned "!o+ t%e !e'onnaissan'e unit. 63%ould &e p!o'eed to t%e &est along t%e %ig%&a#, &e &ill e$entuall# !ea'% t%e %ills &%e!e t%e B!une and )%'ted !+# a!e setting "o!+ation. ;e %a$e 'on"i!+ed (ot% "lags.7 6*%e!e is a g!oup o" app!o.i+atel# t&o t%ousand to t%e no!t%&est. Conside!ing t%ei! 'lot%ing, t%e# a!e t%e people t%at &e!e on'e 'aug%t.7 2!es%u &alked &it% %is se$en aids as %e listened to t%e !epo!t. *%e %ig%&a# t%e# &e!e on e.tended st!aig%t and 'u!$ed slig%tl# to t%e no!t%&est nea! t%e %ills.
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?n t%at a!ea, t%e!e &e!e no geog!ap%i'al '%anges ot%e! t%an t%e t&o %ills. *%e!e &e!e no "o!ests o! +a!s%es, and t%e !i$e! &as t%in. "te! 'on"i!+ing t%e in"o!+ation, 2!es%u asked "o! t%e opinion o" %is aids. 6*%e# a!e p!o(a(l# just sta#ing on t%e %ill to keep us in '%e'k &%ile allo&ing t%e sla$es to es'ape.7 6?" &e '%ase t%e sla$es, t%e# &ill %a$e no +eans o" !et!eat do&n t%e %ill.7 6 ''o!ding to t%e s'out8s !epo!t, t%e# %a$e a(out "i$e t%ousand t!oops !e+aining. *%e# do not see+ to (e a(le to p!epa!e p!o$isions &it%in a da#.7 2!es%u also %ad t%e sa+e gene!al idea as t%e# did. 6Ve!# &ell. ;e &ill su!!ound t%e %ill &it% t%e "i!st "ou! a!+ies and '%ase a"te! t%e sla$es &it% t%e !e+aining t%!ee.7 *%e!e &as a !eason to 'aptu!e t%e sla$es. *%e "i!st !eason &as (e'ause it &ould (e an e""e'ti$e ta'ti' against t%e B!une soldie!s on t%e %ill. lso, t%e "a't t%at a sla$e +anaged to es'ape "!o+ t%e Muo=inel !+# &as %a!+"ul to t%e+. (o$e all, it &as natu!al "o! t%e+ to take sla$es on t%e (attle"ield. ?n "a't, 2!es%u %ad anot%e! pu!pose, (ut %e %eld t%at "!o+ t%e ot%e!s.
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6:ud+i!a :u!ie is kno&n "o! %e! e.'ellent de"ense. ;e do not need to a'ti$el# atta'k t%e %ill, &e si+pl# need to 'on"ine t%e+ t%e!e.7 ?t (egan to sno&. *%oug% late in t%e +o!ning, it &as still not past +idda#. *%e 'on"!ontation late! kno&n as t%e FBattle o" O!+eaG (egan. *%e Muo=inel !+# +o$ed >ui'kl# &it% splendid 'oope!ation. 0ou! a!+ies o" "i"t#4"i$e %und!ed t!oops, nu+(e!ing +o!e t%an t&ent# t%ousand in total, ad$an'ed to&a!d t%e %ill &it%out taking +u'% distan'e "!o+ one anot%e!. *%e ot%e! t%!ee a!+ies +o$ed a&a# to&a!d t%e %ig%&a#. 6-o& is t%e situation on t%e %ill<7 t t%e 'ente! o" t%e t%!ee a!+ies ad$an'ing along t%e !oad, 2!es%u asked %is aide. -e %ad p!epa!ed t&i'e t%e no!+al a+ount o" !e'onnaissan'e as usual and &as !e'ei$ing in"o!+ation "!o+ all di!e'tions. -e a''u!atel# g!ipped an# '%anges. 6;e %a$e 'on"i!+ed "ou! "lags, 'u!!entl#. *%e!e is 'u!!entl# t%e
Ba#a!d )i!nit!a
@ed -o!se 0lag, t%e Bla'k /!agon 0lag, t%en...7 6?t see+s t%e# %a$e +ade (a!!i'ades o" spea!s t%!oug%out t%e %ill. -o!ses 'an (e %ea!d in a s+all "o!t. ;%en &e app!oa'%ed too 'losel#, &e &e!e atta'ked &it% stones and a!!o&s.7
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6 n# inju!ies<7 6Eo. 0o!tunatel#, &e &e!e not %it.7 2!es%u ga$e %is &o!ds o" app!e'iation. 6One +o!e t%ing. ;%at a(out t%e s+all %ill "u!t%e! (a'k<7 6?t is 'o$e!ed in a (lanket o" sno&. ;e %a$e seen no sign o" t%e ene+#8s appea!an'e.7 6? see. ?n t%at 'ase, tell t%e +en to su!!ound t%e %ill. /o not app!oa'%, si+pl# su!!ound t%e+.7 *%oug% o(st!u'ted (# t%e t%i'k g!a# 'louds, t%e sun slo&l# app!oa'%ed t%e peak o" t%e %ea$ens. ;%en +idda# app!oa'%ed, t%e Muo=inel !+# 'aug%t t%e t&o t%ousand !e"ugees in t%ei! sig%ts. 6 n# +o$e+ents on t%e %ill<7 2!es%u 'on"i!+ed t%at t%e!e &e!e no +o$e+ents and o!de!ed %is soldie!s to in'!ease t%ei! pa'e. 6*%at !eno&ned Vanadis, s%e +ust %a$e kno&n it &ould (e %opeless to atta'k su'% la!ge nu+(e!s. Eo, pe!%aps %e! onl# o(ligation to B!une &as to !e+ain on t%e %ill< Pe!%aps it %as to do &it% t%e politi's o" &a!...7 -o&e$e!, 2!es%u8s !eading &as o"". One soldie! appea!ed and >ui'kl# ga$e a !epo!t.
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6Hou! e.'ellen'#. *%e ene+# %as appea!ed. *%e# nu+(e! app!o.i+atel# t%!ee t%ousand. 6*%e# +ust (e atta'king t%e nea!est a!+#... But &%e!e did t%e# 'o+e "!o+<7 2!es%u s%o&ed no sign o" (eing upset. ;%en an ene+# suddenl# sp!ung out o" no&%e!e, t%e# +ust %a$e %idden t%e+sel$es so+e&%e!e. -ea!ing t%at t%e!e &e!e t%!ee t%ousand soldie!s, %e 'onside!ed t%e+ to (e in t%e s%ado& o" t%e unin%a(ited %ill. --- I see. Our soldiers must ha e been too $ocused on the troops barricading themsel es on the hill. O" 'ou!se, t%e# did not negle't t%e unin%a(ited %ill, (ut t%ei! "o'us &as on t%e ene+# on t%e %ill. 2no&ing t%is &ould %appen, t%e ene+# +ust %a$e %idden itsel" not on t%e %ill (ut in t%e s%ado& 'ast (# it. --- -%cellent, Ludmira Lurie. It seems the $ame o$ your s+ill in de$ensi e battles is not un$ounded. *%oug% 2!es%u 'onside!ed +an# kinds o" possi(ilities, %e t%oug%t :ud+i!a &ould de$ote %e!sel" to a de"ensi$e (attle on t%e %ill gi$en t%e !u+o!s to %e! na+e. --- (o matter. "e also ha e countermeasures $or when we are attac+ed. )bo e all, we still ha e si%teen thousand troops remaining and you ha e three thousand at most. t t%at ti+e, anot%e! !epo!t &as (!oug%t "o!t%. 6*%e sla$es &%i'% !an a&a# %a$e !etu!ned and a!e atta'king %e!eI7
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2!es%u8s 'lose aids %ad tense "a'es and &e!e speaking noisil# &%ile t%e (!ot%e! o" t%e 2ing o" Muo=inel si+pl# st!oked %is !ed (ea!d. -e looked at t%e "lag a(o$e, "lapping in t%e &ind. On it &as a golden %el+et and s&o!d, t%e s#+(ol o" Va%!a+, t%e Dod o" ;a!. 6;ell t%en, ;ill t%e Dod o" ;a! %unt t%e &i'ked /!agon and %o!se, o! &ill it (e o$e!!un<7 *%e Muo=inel !+# %ad t%e "i!st t%!oug% "ou!t% a!+ies en'i!'le t%e %ill &%ile t%e "i"t%, si.t%, and se$ent% a!+ies '%ased a"te! t%e sla$es do&n t%e !oad. *%e "i"t% a!+# a'ted as $angua!d, "ollo&ed (# t%e si.t% a!+#, t%en t%e se$ent% a!+#, &%i'% se!$ed as t%e +ain "o!'e.
*%e "i"t% a!+# &as atta'ked (# t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G and t%e Ol+ut= !+# %idden (eneat% t%e %ill. *%e# a+(us%ed t%e Muo=inel !+# &%i'% !ode %o!ses and %eld spea!s, &it% a !ain o" a!!o&s. *%ousands o" a!!o&s +i.ed in &it% t%e sno& and s%o&e!ed t%e+ "!o+ t%e skies. *%oug% t%e# !etu!ned "i!e, not a single a!!o& %it :ud+i!a. *%e a!!o&s "!o=e in +id ai! and s%atte!ed to pie'es, +elting a&a# as t%e "!ag+ents "ell to t%e g!ound. 3eeing a p%eno+enon (e#ond 'o++on sense, t%e Muo=inel soldie!s let out a s'!ea+.
Vi!alt
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6*%at8s... t%e po&e! o" #ou! /!agoni' *ool<7 *ig!e sa& t%e a!!o&s '!u+(le like pape! "!o+ t%e side and asked %e!. 6/o not sa# it so loudl#.7 :ud+i!a s+iled lig%tl# and 'on"i!+ed %is >uestion. *ig!e nodded and no'ked a "e& a!!o&s in %is (la'k (o&. *%is ti+e, :ud+i!a looked into %is e#es. -e pulled (a'k t%e (o&st!ing &it% g!eat st!engt%. *%e a!!o&s tu!ned to (la'k s%ado&s and "le&, sti'king into t%e %eads o! a!+s o" t%e (!o&n skinned soldie!s. *%e +en inju!ed &e!e neatl# lined up. 6Eot (ad.7 :ea$ing s%o!t &o!ds o" p!aise, :ud+i!a (!a$el# !us%ed "o!&a!d into t%e '!o&d &it% %e! %o!se, (!andis%ing t%e 0!o=en ;a$e in (ot% %ands as lu+ps o" i'e "o!+ed. 3%e +o&ed do&n Muo=inel soldie!s one a"te! anot%e!, e.tending t%e pat% *ig!e %ad '!eated as s%e p!essed "o!&a!d. *%e (lood &%i'% "lo&ed &as "!o=en in an instant, +elted, t%en disappea!ed in t%e sno& as t%e 'o!pses "ell to t%e g!ound. 3&o!ds &e!e 'ut, spea!s &e!e s+as%ed, and (o&s '!u+(led as t%e# &e!e p!essed (et&een 'o!pses, t%ei! (odies pie!'ed and stu'k to t%e g!ound. *%oug% t%e Muo=inel soldie!s &e!e lig%tl# d!essed, t%e# &ould not (e a(le to stop %e! "ie!'e '%a!ge, e$en in i!on a!+o!.
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3pea! (ea!e!s '%a!ged at :ud+i!a "!o+ +ultiple angles si+ultaneousl#. -al" s%e d!o$e a&a# &%ile t%e !e+ainde! s%e dodged (# skill"ull# +anipulating %e! %o!se and postu!e. *%e ne.t +o+ent, t%e 0!o=en ;a$e d!e& out "!o+ %e! %and and 'ut t%!oug% t%e Muo=inel soldie!s in a "las%. sti! &!apped a!ound t%e Muo=inel !+#. *%e# &e!e (eing pus%ed (a'k in an instant (# a s+all gi!l in %e! +id4teens. Ee.t to %e! &as a (o#, not so di""e!ent in age "!o+ t%e gi!l, &ielding a (la'k (o&, "i!ing &it% an unnatu!al st!engt% and a''u!a'#. 6 !e #ou not a"!aid<7 ;it%out stopping t%e %and &ielding %e! spea!, :ud+i!a asked %i+ in a+a=e+ent. 6?" #ou t%ink so, t%en please de"end +e.7 *ig!e !esponded in a so+e&%at !oug% te!+. ;%ile !eg!etting t%at %e 'ould onl# speak so si+pl#, %e pulled out anot%e! a!!o& "!o+ t%e >ui$e! at %is &aist. -e &as al!ead# !unning lo&. s i" %e kne& in ad$an'e, De!a!d &o!e leat%e! a!+o! and app!oa'%ed *ig!e >uietl# "!o+ (e%ind &it% a ne& >ui$e!. *ig!e tapped t%e ne& >ui$e! lig%tl# instead o" gi$ing a g!eeting. 6?n a situation like t%is, #ou 'an e$en ai+ at t%e ene+#8s unit Co++ande!.7 :ud+i!a looked at *ig!e &it% ad+i!ation. *%e (attle"ield &as &!apped in a "!en=# and one8s "ield o" $ie& s%ook &ildl#. 0u!t%e!+o!e, it &as sno&ing, and t%e ene+#8s unit Co++ande! &as &ea!ing a steel %el+et, +aking %i+ di""i'ult o !e'ogni=e. 5$en so, %e ai+ed and s%ot %is a!!o&. ?t &as no eas# "eat.
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-o&e$e!, *ig!e ga$e a 'asual !esponse. 6-e8s t%e onl# one &it%out a (la'k 'lot% on %is %ead. ?" #ou t%ink a(out it, it8s p!ett# st!aig%t"o!&a!d.7 ?" ot%e! people %ea!d %is !easoning, t%e# &ould t%ink %i+ +ad. ?n "a't, @u!i'k %ad %ea!d t%is t%eo!# and tilted %is %ead, asking o! an e.planation again. ?n t%e (attle "ollo&ing gnes, *ig!e kne& %o& t%e Muo=inel soldie!s d!essed. ;it% t%e (!eadt% o" $ision and skill !e>ui!ed, onl# *ig!e 'ould a''u!atel# atta'k. /ue to t%e une.pe'ted su!p!ise atta'k, t%e 'ounte!4o""ense o" t%e !e"ugees t%e# &e!e p!e#ing upon, :ud+i!a8s (!a$e!#, and *ig!e8s a''u!ate sniping, t%e "i"t% a!+# "ell in a $e!# s%o!t ti+e. ;%ile !outing t%e "i"t% a!+#, *ig!e and :ud+i!a joined t%e !e"ugees. 6:o!d *ig!e$u!+ud, a!e #ou sa"e<7 @u!i'k #elled out "!o+ %is %o!se. *ig!e !etu!ned a s+ile. 6? s%ould ask #ou t%at. ;ell, ?8+ "ine.7 *%e Muo=inel !+# %ad !et!eated do&n t%e %ig%&a# &it%out an# o" t%e people t%e# &e!e pu!suing. *%e !e"ugees &e!e a'tuall# 'a+ou"laged soldie!s "!o+ t%e Ol+ut=
!+# and t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G. *%e# %id t%e+sel$es as t%e# !et!eated and +at'%ed t%ei! +o$e+ents to &%en *ig!e and :ud+i!a atta'ked t%e "i"t% "o!'e.
*%e !e"ugees &e!e a'tuall# on t%e %ill su!!ounded (# t&ent# t%ousand t!oops "!o+ t%e Muo=inel !+#.
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*&o nig%ts ago, a"te! t%e &a! 'oun'il &it% :ud+i!a, *ig!e &as %a$ing di""i'ult "inding &o!ds to pe!suade t%e !e"ugees. *%e# &ould !e+ain on t%e %ill, and s%ould t%e ene+# app!oa'%, t%e# &ould atta'k &it% stones and a!!o&s. :ud+i!a8s st!ateg# &as "o!+ed on t%e (asis t%at t%e ene+# &ould not t!# to supp!ess t%e %ill. 65$en i" Muo=inel atta'ks, t%e# 'an 'aptu!e t%e !e"ugees and use t%e+ as %ostages. *%inking a(out it, t%e# &ould &ant to a$oid a "ig%t, e$en +o!e so against people not o" B!une.7 ;it% t%ei! "atigue, it &as >uestiona(le &%et%e! o! not t%e# &ould unde!stand t%e e.planation. 5$en i" t%e# did unde!stood, t%e!e &as no gua!antee t%e# &ould 'oope!ate. *ig!e $isited t%e !e"ugee 'a+p, still la'king 'on"iden'e. *%ei! situation &as di""e!ent "!o+ t%e soldie!s8. *%e# %ad tents esta(lis%ed and (on"i!es (u!ning %e!e and t%e!e9 %o&e$e!, t%e# la'ked p%#si'al st!engt%, no! did t%e# %a$e "en'es o! a +oat. 6444 5a!l.7
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#oung !e"ugee gi!l noti'ed *ig!e and t!otted up to %i+. 3in'e t%e# lea!ned o" *ig!e8s title, t%e# 'alled *ig!e (# it. *ig!e nodded to %e! &%ile !u""ling %is !ed %ai! and asked %e! to 'all t%e !ep!esentati$e "o! t%e !e"ugees. 5$en i" t%e# &e!e !e"ugees, t%e# still nu+(e!ed a!ound t&o t%ousand. *en !ep!esentati$es &e!e ele'ted, and *ig!e &as a(le to (!ing a(out so+e se+(lan'e o" o!gani=ation. *%oug% it &as s+all, it &as no di""e!ent t%an %is jo( as a "eudal lo!d. *ig!e (o!!o&ed a tent and asse+(led t%e !ep!esentati$es &it%out gi$ing t%e+ an# details. -e ga$e an outline o" t%e situation. -e told t%e+ t%e ene+# &as app!oa'%ing, and, t%oug% t%e# &ould "ig%t, t%e# &e!e la'king in nu+(e!s. -e asked t%e+ to 'oope!ate. ?n a +o!e 'on'!ete +anne!, t%e# &e!e to !e+ain on t%e %ill. s e.pe'ted, t%e @e"ugees s%o&ed t%ei! disapp!o$al. 6;e &e!e t%!o&n into t%is &a!. Eo!+all# #ou s%ould (e p!ote'ting us. ?t8s a (it t!ou(leso+e i" #ou suddenl# ask us to "ig%t.7 6*o (egin &it%, 'an &e (elie$e #ou< -o& do &e kno& &e &on8t just (e le"t on t%e %ill &%ile #ou !un a&a#<7 6;e %a$e no (uildings %e!e, eit%e!. ;e %a$e no p!ope!t#, &e (a!el# %a$e "ood, and &e s%i$e! in t%e 'old e$e!# nig%t, #et #ou still &is% "o! us to do so+et%ing<7 --- I$ they're caught, they will be made into sla es. *%oug% t%e &o!ds &e!e in %is t%!oat, *ig!e "o!'ed t%e+ do&n. -e 'a+e to pe!suade t%e+, not t%!eaten t%e+.
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*%e# 'ontinued to speak o" t%ei! unease and an.ieties. *ig!e &aited "o! t%e+ to 'al+ do&n (e"o!e speaking. 6? unde!stand #ou! &o!!ies, %o&e$e!, &ill #ou still a''ept t%is plan< ?" ? a+ to %elp #ou, t%is is a ne'essit#... ? %ope #ou 'an do t%is.7 7*%en #ou s%ould 'o+e to t%e %ill as &ell. *%at8s !ig%t. ;%# s%ould &e (elie$e #ou! a'ting<7 -e %ad guessed &%at t%e !e"ugees &e!e t%inking. Bitte! "eelings &e!e s%o&n in *ig!e8s e.p!ession. 6*%at 'annot (e done. ;e a!e '%allenging tens o" t%ousands o" ene+ies. @eg!etta(l#, ? a+ one t%at 'an "ig%t.7 6*%en t%ink o" anot%e! plan. ;%# don8t #ou talk to t%e ene+#< @at%e! t%an +aking us do t%e i+possi(le, i" #ou8!e a po&e!"ul no(le, t%en t%e# s%ould listen to #ou.7 --- I would ha e done that i$ I could. *%oug% %e onl# kne& so t%!oug% :ud+i!a, t%e ene+#8s (asi' poli'# &as to plunde!. 5$en i" :ud+i!a sent a +essage to t%e Dene!al o" t%e Muo=inel !+#, %e &ould not ne'essa!il# !espond "o! su'% a pointless t%ing. ?n t%e &o!st 'ase, %e &ould sa# %e &anted to negotiate &%ile %a$ing %is +en ad$an'e. 6*o (egin &it%, &%at a(out -is Majest#, t%e 2ing, t%e 2nig%ts, and t%e ot%e! a!isto'!ats< ;%# don8t #ou ask "o! t%ei! %eal &it% #ou! po&e! as an 5a!l<7
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;%en *ig!e %ea!d t%is ans&e!, %e &as t!ul# disgusted. 6444 ? &ill "ollo& t%e 5a!l.7 deep $oi'e &it% a >uiet, o$e!&%el+ing st!engt% sounded. ?t 'a+e "!o+ a lone !ep!esentati$e, a #oung +an. *ig!e kne& %is "a'e (# sig%t. ;%en %e %ad "!eed t%e+ "!o+ 2as%i+, %e &as t%e +an &%o intensel# (la+ed *ig!e. Man# people !e+e+(e!ed it and &e!e 'lea!l# su!p!ised. *ig!e also 'ould not 'on'eal %is su!p!ise. 6*%e 5a!l# t!a$eled "a! to 'o+e %e!e.7 6-o&e$e!, %e +a# not %a$e ne'essa!il# 'o+e to %elp us.7 not%e! pe!son spoke up and (e'a+e >uiet seeing t%e +an gla!e at %i+. *%e +an t%en 'ontinued to speak. 6-e %as %elped us and (!oug%t us t%is "a!. *%at is a "a't. ? &ouldn8t +ind %a$ing a (it o" !e$enge, eit%e!. *%e# killed ou! "a+ilies and dest!o#ed ou! %o+es.7 *%e +an 'ut %is &o!ds t%e!e and looked at t%e ot%e! !ep!esentati$es. 6;e 'an "ig%t. ?" &e a!gue &it% t%e+ "a'e to "a'e, t%e# &ill just take ou! ne'ks. But i" &e "ollo& t%e 5a!l, &e +a# su!$i$e. /on8t #ou &ant to stop t%e+<7
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nge! and tension &as +i.ed &it% "ea!. *%e +an8s $oi'e t!e+(led. ?n !esponse to %is &o!ds, *ig!e nodded st!ongl#. 6*o t%e (est o" +# a(ilit#, ? &ill de"end #ou.7
*%e !eason t%e Muo=inel !+# s'outs +istook t%e !e"ugees on t%e %ill as soldie!s &as (e'ause :ud+i!a %ad t%e+ in 'a+ou"lage "o! app!o.i+atel# %al" a da#. 6?t is di""i'ult to 'a!e"ull# e.a+ine a 'astle. s'out is !e>ui!ed to (e a(le to g!asp t%e 'apa(ilities o" a "o!t!ess >ui'kl#... 'on$e!sel#, sin'e t%e# s%o&ed us t%ei! st!engt% t%e!e in t%e "i!st pla'e, t%e# t!i'ked us &it% +ini+al ti+e and e""o!t.7 :ud+i!a %ad &onde!"ull# used %e! "a+e "o! de"ense to t!i'ked t%e Muo=inel !+#. 5$en &%en %e !e'ei$ed a !epo!t t%at t%e "i"t% tea+ &as dest!o#ed,
Ba!(a!os
F@ed Bea!dG s%o&ed no sign o" 'on"usion. 5$en i" %e lost "i$e t%ousand +en, %e 'ould send t%e ne.t unit o" "i$e t%ousand soon a"te!&a!d.
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lt%oug% %is aides &e!e dis+a#ed (# an app!oa'%ing ene+#, 2!es%u !etained %is p!esen'e o" +ind. 63end a +essenge! to ou! "ou!t% tee+. 3u!!ound t%e %ill &it% t%e "i!st t%!ee g!oups and %a$e t%e "ou!t% unit +o$e >ui'kl# to p!o$ide !ein"o!'e+ent.7 2!es%u t%oug% o" se$e!al situations (e"o!e %e ga$e o!de!s. -e told an#t%ing &it% a %ig% p!o(a(ilit# o" o''u!!ing to ea'% unit Co++ande!.
;it% t%e speed t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G and Ol+ut= !+# &e!e +o$ing at, t%e# &ould e$entuall# 'las% &it% t%e se$ent% a!+#. *%e Bla'k /!agon and @ed -o!se &ould de$ou! t%e Dod o" ;a! a!+ed &it% &eapons o" gold. 2!es%u o!de!ed t%e se$ent% a!+# to !et!eat. *%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G and t%e Ol+ut= !+# did not +iss t%e !et!eat o" t%e se$ent% unit, and "ollo&ed 'losel# a"te!&a!d. t t%at ti+e, t%e si.t% unit >ui'kl# '%anged di!e'tion and +o$e "o!&a!d !apidl#. 63o it !eall# %as 'o+e to t%at..I7 *ig!e let out a deep (!eat% as %e gla!ed at t%e si.t% a!+# +o$ing in a distan'e. -e did not %a$e t%e spa!e ti+e to &ipe %is s&eat o! 'lea! a&a# t%e (lood o" t%e de"eated. -is dull !ed %ai! %ad solidi"ied in a st!ange s%ape. *ig!e o!de!ed t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G, 'onsisting o" onl# on t%ousand B!une soldie!s, to &at'% "o! t%e +o$e+ents o" t%e si.t% a!+#. ?t &as &it%in e.pe'tations. ?nstead o" atta'king "!o+ t%e "!ont &it% t%e se$ent% unit, 2!es%u o!de!ed t%e si.t% unit to take a s+all detou! "!o+ t%e side. *%ei! ai+ &as to kill t%e leade!s, :ud+i!a and *ig!e.
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-o&e$e!, t%e# 'ould not. *%e one t%ousand B!une soldie!s 'ollapsed just (e"o!e atta'king t%e si.t% a!+#. 6... ;%at8s going on<7 :ud+i!a and *ig!e looked on in (lank su!p!ise. ?n an instant, t%e# &e!e su!e o" it. --- They' e reached their limit... *%e B!une soldie!s %ad "ollo&ed %i+ "!o+ *e!!itoi!e. *%is is &%# :ud+i!a 'alled t%ei! FOne Battle :i+itG. *ig!e %ad judged t%e# &ould (a!el# %a$e enoug% p%#si'al st!engt% to "ig%t, (ut t%e!e &as not a single d!op o" sta+ina !e+aining. *%e 'old o" t%e sno& and t%e 'ontinuous (attle sin'e t%e +o!ning %ad taken its toll. Onl# a "e& %und!ed B!une soldie!s 'ontinued to atta'k, (ut t%e# &e!e spo!adi'. ?n t%e end, t%e# 'ould not +eet e.pe'tations. *%e si.t% a!+# "!o+ Muo=inel &as atta'king t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G and Ol+ut= !+# "!o+ t%e "lank, as &ell. *%e $iolent "o!'e stopped :ud+i!a and *ig!e8s +o$e+ents.
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6Aust one +o!e step...I7 spea! o" i'e pie!'ed t%!oug% t%e leat%e! a!+o! o" Muo=inel soldie!s as :ud+i!a &as "o!'ed o"" %e! %o!se. 3t!eaks o" (lood (lotted %e! (lue %ai!, (lue 'lot%es, and skin. -e! (!eat%ing &as !oug%9 it &as un'e!tain %o& +an# ene+ies s%e %ad al!ead# killed. *ig!e, standing ne.t to %e!, killing t%e ene+# &it% %is a!!o&s, &as no di""e!ent. Bot% %is le"t a!+ g!ipping t%e (o& and t%e !ig%t a!+ d!a&ing t%e (o&st!ing &e!e nu+(, and %e 'ould no longe! !e+e+(e! %o& +an# >ui$e!s %e %ad used. On t%e ot%e! %and, 2!es%u &as s+iling (!ig%tl# as %is %ollo& e#es looked at %is ene+# on its last leg. 6-a %a %a. *%oug% s%o!t, it &as a (!illiant +o$e, :ud+i!a :u!ie. Vanadis "a+ous "o! de"ense (oldl# atta'ked &it% t%e ai+ o" taking +# ne'k, (ut it see+s #ou &on8t (e taking it an# ti+e soon.7 Aust to (e su!e, %e %ad +o$ed to t%e (a'k o" t%e se$ent% a!+#. 6*%at8s !ig%t, +# ene+# is not just t%e Vanadis. ?t &as t%at d!ead"ul a!'%e! &%o took 2as%i+8s %ead "!o+ t%!ee %und!ed alsin.7 *%e se$ent% and si.t% a!+ies %ad sp!ead le"t and !ig%t to su!!ound t%ei! ene+#. 6? &ill d!ag t%is "a+ous Vanadis o" a neig%(o!ing nation (e"o!e t%e 2ing. ? &ill not s%a+e #ou as a p!isone! o" &a! (ut &ill t!eat #ou &a!+l# as a guest.7
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?t 'ould not (e %elped t%at 2!es%u "elt %e %ad &on. *%e!e &as no +eans "o! t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G o! Ol+ut= !+# to atta'k 1 t%e# &e!e in su'% a despe!ate situation. *%e (ulk o" %is a!+# su!passed ten t%ousand, and t%e# &e!e atta'king an ene+# &it% less t%an si. t%ousand "!o+ t&o di!e'tions, and %e %ad %al" en'i!'led t%e ene+#. n#one 'ould see it &as t%e Muo=inel !+#8s $i'to!#. One a"te! anot%e!, :ud+i!a %ad ske&e!ed t%e Muo=inel soldie!s &%o !aised t%ei! s&o!d to %e!. 3%e t%!ust t%!oug% t%ei! to!so and 'ut t%!oug% t%ei! ne'ks. /ead (odies piled up in t%e sno&, disto!ting t%e g!ound as t%e# "!o=e. *ig!e also e+ptied +an# >ui$e!s. -e looked (a'k to De!a!d. Vis'ount ug!e8s son %ad little !oo+ as &ell and &as %a!d p!essed against *ig!e8s (a'k &it% t&o >ui$e!s o" a!!o&s, %is %ai! a 'o+plete +ess. ;it% a look o" dist!ess, t%e +an &it% (!o&n %ai! spoke. 6*%is is all &e %a$e !e+aining...7 Onl# t%e t&o >ui$e!s !e+ained in %is %and, and t%e situation %ad (e'o+e di!e. *ig!e looked (a'k at :ud+i!a &%ile %olding %is a!!o&s. 6:ud+i!a, ? &ill %old t%e+ &it% +# (o&, #ou4447 63ilen'e.7
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s s%e &ielded %e! spea! and "o!e$e! silen'ed t%e ene+# (e"o!e %e!, t%e (lue4%ai!ed Vanadis silen'ed *ig!e. 0atigue &as 'lea! in %e! "a'e, (ut %e! %ig% +o!ale s%ined in %e! e#es. 6;e %a$e plent# o" ene+ies (e"o!e us. ?s t%is t%e ti+e to 'o+plain<7 Be"o!e *ig!e ans&e!ed, %e >ui'kl# s%ot an a!!o& t%!oug% t%e ne'k o" a soldie! atta'king :ud+i!a. 6?t8s natu!al to tell a ti!ed gi!l to !est.7 *ig!e t!ied to laug% (ut "ailed. -is (!eat% %ad "allen into diso!de!, and it &as di""i'ult "o! %i+ to speak. -e did not %a$e +u'% st!engt% and %is "a'e %ad (e'o+e sti""ed. 6... Hou! "a'e looks te!!i(le.7 *ig!e &as a+a=ed :ud+i!a still %ad !oo+ to sa# su'% t%ings as a &!# s+ile "loated to %is "a'e. -o&e$e!, s%e 'ontinued %e! &o!ds &it% a se!ious e.p!ession. 6? a+ a Vanadis. M# +ot%e! and +# g!and+ot%e!... ? %a$e p!ide t%at ? %a$e su''eeded t%ei! position as a Vanadis &%o +anipulates i'e.7 Muo=inel soldie! &it% a pa!ti'ula!l# la!ge p%#si>ue (!andis%ed a la!ge %at'%et and app!oa'%ed :ud+i!a. :ud+i!a (u!ied t%e soldie! &it% a single "las%. -e! spea! !eleased 'old in !esponse to its o&ne!8s &ill to "ig%t. 6Hou a!e t%e one &%o s%ould !est, *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n. ? &ill p!ote't #ou! (a'k.7
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Eeit%e! :ud+i!a8s e.p!ession no! $oi'e &e!e intense. ?t &as >uiet like t%e 'old s%e +anipulated. *%e Muo=inel soldie!s &e!e o$e!&%el+ed. *ig!e looked at %e! in (lank su!p!ise "o! a +o+ent. *%e #oung +an &it% !ed %ai! (!oug%t %is %o!se ne.t to t%e Vanadis &it% (lue %ai! and g!ipped %is (la'k (o&. 6Hou %a$e #ou! p!ide. ? %a$e +# stu((o!nness.7 63tu((o!nness<7 60!o+ +# "at%e!... and "!o+ +an# people, little (# little. ?t is +# stu((o!n natu!e as a +an.7 -is "at%e!, B!=, Massas, Bat!an, t%e people o" %is te!!ito!#, ug!e, Bla'k 2nig%t @oland. Ot%e! t%an t%e people %e %ad +et until t%is da#, t%e!e &e!e t%e !e"ugees &%o 'oope!ated &it% %i+, t%e gi!l &%o t%anked %i+, *eita and :i+ &%o &e!e not %e!e. nd 5llen. 6?" ? 'an8t (e p!oud o" +#sel", t%en ? 'ouldn8t possi(l# s%o& +# "a'e to *eita...7 6... ?diot.7 :ud+i!a8s $oi'e &as so s+all and %e! s+ile da==ling. *%oug% %e! $oi'e 'ould not (e %ea!d, it (!oug%t a +#ste!ious "eeling &it% it deep "!o+ &it%in %e! '%est. ne&4"ound ene!g# "illed t%e "atigued (od# o" t%e (lue4%ai!ed Vanadis.
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6Ve!# &ell. Hou +a# "ig%t. 0ig%t (# +# side. 0ig%t toget%e! &it% +e.7 *%e Vanadis (!andis%ed t%e 0!o=en ;a$e &%ile t%e #oung +an no'ked anot%e! a!!o& into %is (la'k (o&. t t%at ti+e, t%e (attle '%anged su(stantiall# #et again. (attle '!# &as %ea!d "!o+ a distan'e. 0!o+ t%e si=e, it see+ed to (e a "o!'e o" se$e!al t%ousand. 6... @ein"o!'e+ents<7 *ig!e8s "a'e (e'a+e tense, sin'e %e &as (a!el# a(le to (elie$e %is e#es. Ce!tainl#, t%e# &e!e !ein"o!'e+ents, %o&e$e!, t%e# "le& unde! t%e
Ba#a!d
@ed -o!se 0lag o" B!une 2ingdo+. 60ig%tI /on8t let t%e Muo=inel !+# "u!t%e! into ou! 'ount!#I7 *%ousands o" +en &ielding long spea!s and s%ields in t%e %ands suddenl# appea!ed on %o!se(a'k a"te! gi$ing out a (attle '!#. *%e# %ad appea!ed "!o+ t%e no!t% o" O!+ea Plains. -a$ing judged t%e!e &as no possi(ilit# o" !ein"o!'e+ents, 2!es%u8s !e'onnaissan'e %ad negle'ted it. *%e net 2!es%u8s t!oops %ad 'a!e"ull# (uilt up &as dispe!sed, as i" ki'king a&a# so"t sno&. *%e# &e!e >ui'kl# '!us%ed. 6... ;%at is going on<7 *ig!e 'ould not !espond to :ud+i!a8s $oi'e in (lank su!p!ise. *%e +en app!oa'%ed &it% spea! in %and and (o&s to t%e ai!.
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65a!l Vo!n, 5a!l Vo!nI ;%e!e a!e #ou<7 #out%"ul '!# sounded out in t%e 'o!ne! o" t%e (attle"ield. Be"o!e *ig!e and :ud+i!a 'ould !ea't, t%e a!ea s%ined &it% i'e. *%e Muo=inel soldie!s !us%ed t%e+ (ut &e!e i++ediatel# "elled (# spea! and a!!o&. 2nig%ts '%a!ged "o!&a!d, 'lea!ing a&a# t%e t!oops "!o+ Muo=inel. *%!ee +en appea!ed on %o!se(a'k "!o+ t%e g!oup and stood (e"o!e *ig!e. *%e (!ig%tness o" t%ei! a!+o! &as lost "!o+ t%e 'old, (lood, and di!t, testa+ent to t%ei! despe!ate "ig%t. 2nig%t *ig!e8s senio! (# a(out ten #ea!s (o&ed to *ig!e. 6M# na+e is 5+i!. ? %a$e %ea!d o" #ou! na+e "!o+ 5a!l Massas @odant and !an %e!e &it% "i"teen4%und!ed Pe!u''%e 2nig%ts. ? p!a# #ou &ill pe!+it +e to "ig%t unde! #ou! na+e.7 Ee.t to t%e 2nig%t kno&n as 5+i! &as a +an %olding not a spea! (ut a s&o!d. -is "a'e &as &ide and %is (od# &as la!ge. 60o!gi$e +e "o! appea!ing on %o!se(a'k, as t%is is a (attle"ield. ? a+ 3%aie o" t%e :ute'e 2nig%ts. ? %a$e (!oug%t "i"teen %und!ed "ollo&e!s &it% +e. ? %a$e 'o+e at t%e !e>uest o" Vis'ount ug!e. ;e &ill "ollo& unde! #ou! 'o++and.7 0inall#, a +iddle4aged 2nig%t &it% a (ea!d ga$e o"" a good4natu!ed s+ile &%i'% did not suit t%e (attle"ield. *ig!e !e'ogni=ed %is "a'e i++ediatel#.
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6? a+ uguste o" t%e 2nig%ts Cal$ados along &it% t&o t%ousand +en. llo& +e to %elp, :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud. *ig!e did not kno& &%at to sa# due to t%e se!ies o" su!p!ises. 6Hou... 'a+e...7 *%e# unde!stood "!o+ %is $oi'e and e.p!ession. 5+i! and 3%aie tu!ned a&a#, &%ile ugust app!oa'%ed to de"end *ig!e. 6Eo& t%en, let8s get !id o" t%ese gu#s i++ediatel#. 6Ma# t%e "o!tunes o" &a! (e upon us.7 5+i! and 3%aie ki'ked t%e (ell# o" t%ei! %o!ses and !an to t%e (attle"ield. "te! seeing t%e+ o"", *ig!e !egained %is t%oug%ts. -e looked at ugust as %e sig%ed. 6... uguste<7 6/o #ou !e+e+(e! +e, *ig!e4sa+a<7 -e $e!i"ied &it% a t!e+(ling $oi'e. uguste s+iled9 %e &as o!iginall# so+eone "!o+ lsa'e &%en B!=, *ig!e8s "at%e!, !uled (e"o!e (e'o+ing a 2nig%t. -e &as &ell a'>uainted &it% *ig!e. 63o #ou didn8t "o!get +e. ?t looks like #ou8!e %ealt%#9 t%at is +ost i+po!tant.7 6Bntil no&, it &as i+possi(le to 'o+e to #ou! aid as a 2nig%t. ? a+ so!!#. ? &as "eeling i+patient &%en ? %ea!d a(out #ou "!o+ :o!d @olland and Oli$ie! "!o+ t%e Ea$a!!e 2nig%ts t%!oug% a lette!.7
225
6... @oland<7 *ig!e sta!ed in (lank su!p!ise %ea!ing an une.pe'ted na+e. 6Hou &ent to &a! "o! t%e people o" B!une 1 t t%at ti+e, ? &as +aking p!epa!ations to "ig%t. ? %ea!d #ou! sto!# "!o+ and !us%ed %e!e. Bot% t%e 2nig%ts o" Pe!u''%e and :ute'e a!e t%e sa+e.7 ;o!ds o" t%ei! li$es and &o!ds o" t%ei! deat%, t%e# %ad pie!'ed t%!oug% t%e 2nig%ts, (!inging t%e+ to a'tion. 6*%ank #ou... *%ank #ou, ugust.7 -e %ad (e'o+e so e+otional t%at %e &as (!oug%t to tea!s, (ut t%is &as a (attle"ield. ugust s%ook %is %ead, and *ig!e (lotted out t%e tea!s at t%e edge o" %is $ision. 6*ig!e4sa+a. Hou %a$e (e'o+e splendid. Hou a!e $e!# +u'% like B!=4sa+a.7 -e 'ould not !espond. *ig!e !u((ed %is e#es &%ile p!etending to +ess &it% %is (angs. ;it% t%e 2nig%ts pa!ti'ipating in (attle, %e %ad !oo+ to do so. 6444 ?s #ou! talk o$e!<7 :ud+i!a &alked to a %o!se, as i" &aiting "o! t%ei! 'on$e!sation to end. *ig!e !etu!ned a st!ong nod. :ud+i!a, also, !esponded &it% a (!ig%t s+ile. 6? &as a(le to !est. Hou< ;ill #ou sta# (e%ind<7
226
6Eo. M# (o& is still not spent.7 3t!engt% gi$en to %i+ (# t%e people suppo!ting %i+ (!eat%ed ne& li"e into %is ti!ed (od#, allo&ing %i+ to +o$e "o!&a!d. 6:ea$e #ou! (a'k to +e. ? an %old out a little +o!e.7 6? see. *!# not to (e too ent%usiasti', it is unsee+l#.7 s i" it &e!e natu!al, t%e t&o (!oug%t t%ei! %o!ses side (# side. *%e #oung +an no'ked an a!!o& and t%e gi!l d!e& (a'k %e! spea!. *%ei! 'lot%es &e!e s+ea!ed &it% s&eat, (lood, di!t, and sno&, (ut t%ei! e#es s%ined st!ongl#. 3t!aig%tening t%ei! (!eat%ing, :ud+i!a and *ig!e ju+ped (a'k into t%e "!a#. 62nig%ts< 2nig%ts is, %++...7 2!es%u !eali=ed t%e $i'to!# %e %ad g!asped &as disappea!ing and let out a sound in ange!. -o&e$e!, in an instant, %e !egained %is 'o+posu!e. 6-o&e$e!, it is onl# "i$e t%ousand +en.7 2!es%u &as not ne'essa!il# de"eated. -e 'alled "o! t%e "ou!t% a!+# to (e su!e.
227
;%ile !eo!gani=ing t%e se$ent% a!+#, 2!es%u o!de!ed t%e+ to !et!eat and o!de!ed a +essenge! to %a$e t%e si.t% a!+# "o'us
on "ig%ting t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G and Ol+ut= !+#. 6*%e# &ill lose t%ei! +o(ilit# i" t%e# !us% an o$e!&%el+ing "o!'e "!o+ t%e "!ont.7 2!es%u8s a(ilit# as a Dene!al &as su!p!ising. -e skill"ull# a$oided t%e 2nig%t8s '%a!ge and %ad t%e "ou!t% unit atta'k t%e+ "!o+ t%e side. 6Ou! "i!st ene+# is e.%austed. *%e# %a$e +o!e ene!g# &it% t%e 2nig%ts 'o+ing in as allies. C!us% t%e+ all.7 2!es%u atta'ked *ig!e "!o+ t%e side &it% t%e si.t% a!+# and t%e 2nig%ts &it% t%e "ou!t% and se$ent% a!+ies. 5$en i" t%e ene+# 'ould '!us% t%e ene+# (e"o!e t%e+ (# '%a!ging, t%e# 'ould not i++ediatel# !ea't to an atta'k "!o+ t%e side and t%e !ea!. Countless a!!o&s and spea!%eads !ained o$e! t%e 2nig%ts. *%e %o!ses &e!e killed, "o!'ing t%e +en o"" t%ei! steeds. *%e# &e!e o$e!&%el+ed (# t%e su!!ounding people as t%e# t!ied to stand up against t%e &eig%t o" t%ei! a!+o!. *%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G and t%e Ol+ut= !+# &e!e (eing (lo'ked (# t%e si.t% unit and 'ould not !us% to 'o$e! t%e 2nig%ts. -o& +an# ti+es %ad t%e# (een 'o!ne!ed< *%e# +a# not %a$e su!$i$ed t%e "i!st &a$e i" not "o! t%ei! su!p!ise atta'k. ?t took a good Dene!al to (!ing t%e 2nig%ts to de"eat.
Ba!(a!os
228
-o&e$e!, F@ed Bea!dG %ad e$en +o!e outstanding judg+ent. -is a(ilit# to 'o++and t%e t!oops despite t%e addition o" t%e 2nig%ts &as "!ig%tening. -o&e$e!, ne& !epo!ts %ad (een (!oug%t sin'e t%e# joined. 6... ne& ene+# "!o+ t%e no!t%&est<7 ?t &as not onl# t%e 2nig%ts, (ut t%e a!+ies o" :o!ds Massas and ug!e. *%e# 'onsisted o" t%!ee t%ousand 'a$al!# and in"ant!#. *%oug% t%ei! st!engt% &as not as +u'% as t%e 2nig%ts, t%e# &e!e a(le to '%a!ge at t%e si.t% a!+# p!essu!ing *ig!e. *%ei! e.isten'e &as de'isi$e in t%e &a!. 2!es%u %ad a se!ious look o" 'on'e!n &%en 'onside!ing %is "utu!e plans "o! t%e (attle"ield in %is +ind. --- "hat to do, what to do. 0ig%ting o"" *ig!e and :ud+i!a and !epelling t%e 2nig%ts and a ne& "o!'e o" t%!ee t%ousand +en. 5$en i" it &as i+possi(le "o! ot%e!s, it &as possi(le "o! %i+. --- The problem is... whether or not that is the last o$ them. ?nitiall#, 2!es%u assu+ed t%e ene+# nu+(e!ed "e&e! t%an si. t%ousand. ?t &as al+ost an e.a't nu+(e!, displa#ing t%e %eig%t o" skill o" t%e #ounge! (!ot%e! o" t%e 2ing, @ed Bea!d.
229
-o&e$e!, "i$e t%ousand 2nig%ts appea!ed &%en %e &as t%e $e!ge o" $i'to!#. ;%ile %e &as t%inking o" %o& to deal &it% t%at, an additional t%!ee t%ousand t!oops joined t%e (attle. *%e ene+# %ad +o!e t%an dou(led in si=e sin'e t%e (attle (egan. --- "hy didn't the scouts see this# 4id they miss it# 2!es%u %ad a(solute 'on"iden'e in t%e !e'onnaissan'e unit %e o!gani=ed and '!eated a plan (ased on t%e in"o!+ation t%e# p!o$ided. -e &ould lead %is soldie!s to $i'to!#. --- (o, there were no problems this time... I$ anything, it was bad luc+ which plagued Kreshu this time. *%e ene+ies (e"o!e %i+ &e!e neit%e! /ukes *%ena!die! o! Danelon. --- "as it Tigre urmud !orn# 3rune names are too long. I'll shorten it to Tigre. ;%ile insulting %is na+e, 2!es%u 'ontinued t%inking o" plans. 5$en i" %e de"eated *ig!e %e!e, t%at &ould not (e t%e end o" t%ings. -is pu!pose &as to ad$an'e %is t!oops t%!oug% sout%e!n B!une to o(tain t%e sla$es o" a (us# po!t to&n su!!ounded (# "e!tile lands. -e also &anted to 'aptu!e Ee+eta'u+, i" possi(le. -e &ould o(tain g!eat &ealt% (# taking t%e po!ts to t%e sout%, and it &ould allo& %i+ 'onta't &it% %is 'ount!# $ia t%e sea. -e 'ould also send t%e sla$es %e o(tained in B!une to %is %o+eland $ia s%ip.
230
--- - en i$ I de$eat him here, I will not ha e enough men to $ight 4u+e Thenardier. 2!es%u %eld g!a$e dou(ts &%en !ein"o!'e+ents appea!ed t&i'e.
Ba!(a!os
5$en at an age a(o$e 30, F@ed Bea!dG %ad (een t!ou(led onl# a %and"ul o" ti+es. -e !elu'tantl# o!de!ed %is a!+# to !et!eat. *%oug% %e p!epa!ed $a!ious t!i'ks to gi$e %is t!oops additional ti+e, not a single ene+# '%ased a"te! t%e+. 6-o& (o!ing. B!a$e!# and !e'klessness %as not "allen to e$en one o! t&o people, so t%e#8!e not +aking an# +istakes.7 2!es%u spoke like a '%ild &%o did not get t%e to# %e &anted. -e o!de!ed t%e t%!ee a!+ies en'i!'ling t%e %ill to !et!eat and listened to t%e da+age !epo!t. 3i. t%ousand &e!e killed in a'tion9 2!es%u g!i+a'ed. *%e nu+(e! &as la!ge. *%e ad$an'ed "o!'e o" t&ent# t%ousand and t%e +ain "o!'e o" t%i!t# t%ousand... t%e# &e!e "i"t# t%ousand st!ong in total, #et +o!e t%an 30J %ad (een lost. 6;ell, &e still %a$e t%i!t#4"ou! t%ousand !e+aining. ;e %a$e nea!l# t%!ee ti+es t%e nu+(e! o" t%e ene+# (e"o!e us.7 -o&e$e!, 2!es%u did not take "u!t%e! a'tion. -e (uilt %ad a 'a+p (uilt &it% a +oat and a "en'e and inst!u'ted %is soldie!s to get t!eated and !est. -e %ad not #et lost t%e &ill to "ig%t9 t%e !epo!t &%i'% &ould dete!+ine %is "utu!e plans &ould soon a!!i$e.
231
*%e ne.t +o!ning, a +essenge! "!o+ 2!es%u8s %o+eland a!!i$ed. 6Ou! "leet atta'king "!o+ t%e sea &as de"eated (# /uke *%ena!die!.7 6? see. ?n ot%e! &o!ds, e$en i" ? use t%ese t%i!t#4"ou! t%ousand t!oops to (!eak t%!oug% t%is ene+# and de"eat /uke *%ena!die!, ? &ould %a$e to se'u!e t%e po!t and endu!e until !ein"o!'e+ents a!!i$ed.7 "te! 2!es%u laug%ed, t%e +essenge! &it%d!e& "!o+ t%e tent. --- *o long as I am not the only one to $ail, I don't mind. 6 %, t%at8s !ig%t. ? s%ould in$estigate *ig!e$u!+ud Vo!n and p!aise %i+.7 2!es%u inst!u'ted %is soldie!s to &it%d!a& and t%oug%t o" su'% a t%ing. *%e!e &e!e t&o !easons "o! t%is. *%e "i!st !eason &as (!ing "o!t% jealous# o" *ig!e8s in"luen'e. 2!es%u &anted it to !ea'% t%e le$el o" *%ena!die! and Danelon. *%e ot%e! !eason &as "o! %is %ono!. 65$en i" #ou %a$e lost t%e Bla'k 2nig%t @oland, t%e!e is a #oung %e!o &%o is in no &a# in"e!io!. *%e dignit# o" B!une is still ali$e, is &%at &e s%ould sa#. Hes. ?" it8s t%is, t%e (lo& to +# %ono! &ill de'!ease.7 *%e Muo=inel !+# !et!eated in an o!de!l# +anne! t%!oug% t%e !oads o" gnes. *%at &as t%e 'on'lusion o" t%e FBattle at O!+eaG.
232
! The Re"elation
*ig!e &as glad to see Massas and ug!e, espe'iall# sin'e t%e# %ad just pulled %i+ out o" a di!e situation. 2!es%u +ust %a$e !eali=ed, it, t%oug%, t%at %e still %ad t%!ee ti+es t%e t!oops as *ig!e. -e pulled (a'k t%e inju!ed to p!ote't t%e !e"ugees &%ile %e !eo!gani=ed t%e line. -e 'ontinued to &at'% until t%e Muo=inel !+# !et!eat until t%e# disappea!ed "!o+ sig%t. ;%ile *ig!e &as still &at'%ing, a +essenge! "!o+ t%e Muo=inel !+# appea!ed. "te! gi$ing so+e t%oug%t, *ig!e, :ud+i!a, and Massas de'ided to %a$e a +eeting.. -e &anted to i+p!ess t%e 'oope!ation &it% t%e )%'ted !+# (# %a$ing :ud+i!a p!esent, and Massas &ould a't as an ad$ise! to p!e$ent t%e negotiations "!o+ (eing t!ou(leso+e. @u!i'k and De!a!d &e!e ti!ed, and t%e!e &e!e 'i!'u+stan'es t%at !e>ui!ed ug!e to speak to t%e ot%e! a!isto'!ats. t an# !ate, t%e# (!oug%t t%e +essenge! into t%e tent to speak. 6? 'a+e (# t%e o!de!s o" t%e #ounge! (!ot%e! o" Muo=inel8s 2ing, 2!es%u 3%a%een Ba!a+i!. 5a!l Vo!n. Hou %a$e put up a good "ig%t and appea! to (e popula! &it% a $a!iet# o" a!isto'!ats and 2nig%t%oods. ;e sin'e!el# salute #ou. ?t is B!une8s +istake to s%o& su'% 'onte+pt "o! a!'%e!#. Hou %a$e t%e 'apa(ilit# to %it #ou! ta!get &%ile "i!ing "a! a(o$e t%e (attle"ield (u!ied in soldie!s. Hou! skill is !e+inis'ent o" a legend in ou! 'ount!#
3il$!as%
a(out a +an &%o &as 'alled F3ta! 3%oote!G...7
233
*%e# &e!e &o!ds o" p!aise gi$en to e.'ellent a!'%e!s in Muo=inel. 5$en so, a 'o+pli'ated "eeling &elled up &it%in *ig!e. --- Is that supposed to be a nic+name $or the /ommander o$ the
:nstoppable *il er 0low
6*il er Meteor )rmy7 ... *%e +essenge! 'ontinued speaking gi$ing &o!ds o" "latte!# to t%e e.tent t%at &as disgusted. ;%ile polite on t%e outside, :ud+i!a &as a(using %i+ &it% "!ost# &o!ds. *%e# 'ould not a""o!d to "ig%t t%e Muo=inel !+# an# longe!. Ca!eless &o!ds 'ould not (e a""o!ded. 6444 *ig!e.7 "te! t%e +essenge! le"t, Massas tapped on *ig!e8s s%oulde!. 6Hou %a$e &on. Hou %a$e de"ended #ou! people.7 6... /id ?, !eall#<7 6? (elie$e so. *%e# a!e too "a! a&a# to &o!!# a(out a t!ap.
234
*%e old ea!l laug%ed. 0inall#, *ig!e 'ould "eel !elie". 6:o!d Massas. ? a+ so!!#, (ut +a# ? !est "o! a &%ile< ? &ould like #ou to do so+et%ing in t%e +eanti+e. 6Hes. Hou "oug%t %a!d... Hou 'an lea$e t%is to +e and get so+e !est. Massas nodded and st!oked %is g!a# (ea!d, lea$ing t%e tent in good spi!its. :ud+i!a stood ne.t to *ig!e &as also p!epa!ing to tell t%e soldie!s "!o+ Ol+ut= to !etu!n. 3uddenl#, %e! e#es opened &ide. *ig!e8s (od# %ad leaned o$e! and "allen onto :ud+i!a. 6;ai... ;%at<7 :ud+i!a8s 'ould not possi(l# suppo!t *ig!e8s "ull &eig%t &it% %e! s+all "!a+e &%en s%e &as 'aug%t o"" gua!d. :ud+i!a let out a s+all '!# as s%e "ell in pla'e. 0o!tunatel#, it &as 'o$e!ed in 'a!pet, so s%e "elt no pain. 6;%at a!e #ou doing<7 :ud+i!a g!ipped *ig!e8s s%oulde! and sta!ted to pus% %i+ a&a# &%en s%e noti'ed *ig!e &as (!eat%ing deepl# in sleep. *ig!e %ad 'o+pletel# ente!ed t%e &o!ld o" d!ea+s. --- *hould I $reeze him to wa+e him up#
235
:ud+i!a t%oug%t su'% a t%ing &%en s%e looked at *ig!e8s sleeping "a'e. *%e ange! in %e! "a'e disappea!ed as s%e looked at %i+ se!iousl#. -is %ai! &as a +ess, and t%e!e &e!e s'!at'%es and signs o" "!ost(ite all a'!oss %is "a'e, e.%austion &as 'lea!l# p!esent a!ound %is e#es. 6... Hou %a$e "oug%t "o! su'% a long ti+e.7 -e %ad led %is a!+# "!o+ *e!!itoi!e to gnes, t!a$eling "o! +an# da#s and ente!ed (attle in t%e land o" gnes "ull o" sandstone. 5$en &%en t%e (attle"ield +o$ed to O!+ea, %e %ad "oug%t against an opponent tens o" t%ousands in si=e. *%e p!essu!e &as unusual. 6/id so+et%ing %appen<7 0!o+ outside t%e tent, a soldie! asked a >uestion %ea!ing t%e sound o" *ig!e 'ollapsing. :ud+i!a said not%ing %appened, 'on$in'ing t%e soldie!. 5$en &it% su'% loud sounds nea! %is ea!, *ig!e s%o&ed no sign o" a&akening. :ud+i!a s+iled, 'o!!e'ted %e! postu!e, and e+(!a'ed *ig!e 'losel#. 6*%at stu((o!nness #ou %a$e p!ide in, #ou 'e!tainl# did s%o& it to +e.7 0!o+ t%e (otto+ o" %e! %ea!t, :ud+i!a "elt it &as t%e 'o!!e't de'ision to 'oope!ate &it% *ig!e. 3in'e %e %ad taken a'tion to 'onta't t%ose in t%e su!!oundings, %is sto!# &ould 'e!tainl# sp!ead >ui'kl#. *ig!e &ould (e'o+e a po&e!"ul "o!'e in t%e "utu!e. ppealing to %is sin'e!it# &ould gua!antee %e &ould !epa# %is de(t i++ediatel#.
236
-o&e$e!, :ud+i!a %ad "ound a desi!a(le pa!tne! in *ig!e. 3%e &as %onestl# %app# a(out t%at. 6444 Hou &o!ked $e!# %a!d. Hou !eall# a!e g!eat... *ig!e.7 3%e %ad 'alled %i+ *ig!e, t%e na+e s%e !e+e+(e!ed 5llen used. *%oug% s%e said it >uietl#, s%e &as st!angel# e+(a!!assed as %e! "a'e "lus%ed !ed and %e! '%est (u!ned %ot. ;%en s%e t%oug%t a(out it, s%e onl# 'alled 3op%ie and 3as%a, (ot% Vanadis, (# t%ei! ni'kna+es. Ee$e! on'e in %e! 16 #ea!s o" li"e %ad s%e spoken in su'% an inti+ate +anne! &it% a +e+(e! o" t%e opposite gende!. ;%en s%e &as #oung, +en &ould speak to %e! &it% !e$e!en'e as a daug%te! o" t%e Vanadis. *%is did not '%ange &%en s%e su''eeded t%e position. :ud+i!a a''epted it as a +atte! o" 'ou!se. --- 3ut... This is not too bad. s "o! *ig!e, e$en &it% %is +#ste!ious (la'k (o& &it% t%e po&e! o"
Vi!alt
a /!agoni' *ool, #ou 'ould sa# %e did not look to (e an e>ual to t%e Vanadis. :ud+i!a >uietl# s+iled and gentl# patted *ig!e8s %ai!. 63&eet d!ea+s, *ig!e.7 3oon, po&e! "ell "!o+ :ud+i!a8s (od# and s%e "ell on top o" *ig!e, (!eat%ing deepl# as s%e "ell asleep.
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"te! +o!e t%an a >ua!te! koku %ad passed, De!a!d $isited t%e ten to speak to *ig!e, (ut &%en %e sa& t%e t&o sleeping &%ile e+(!a'ing ea'% ot%e!, %e le"t t%e tent, de'iding %e %ad not seen an#t%ing. De!a!d also told t%e gua!d t%at *ig!e &as asleep and ga$e st!i't o!de!s not to distu!( *ig!e until +o!ning. De!a!d &as to (e 'onta'ted "o! an#t%ing ne'essa!#. -e t%en %appil# &alked a&a#.
/ue to De!a!d8s "a$o!, *ig!e did not a&aken until nig%t "ell. *%oug% %e $aguel# unde!stood so+et%ing &a!+ &as tou'%ing %i+, it &as da!k and %is +ind &as di+. 0o! t%e +o+ent, %e tou'%ed &%ate$e! so"t &as e+(!a'ing %i+. 3in'e %e &as %al" asleep, %e did not t%ink +u'%. >uestion suddenl# appea!ed to %is +ind &%en a s&eet s'ent ti'kled %is nose and a "aint sig% tou'%ed %is ea!s. -e opened %is e#es. *%oug% it took so+e ti+e to get a''usto+ed to t%e da!kness, *ig!e &as (e'o+ing in'!easingl# a&a!e.
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--- "hy is it so warm...# On'e %is e#es %ad (e'o+e a''usto+ed to t%e da!k, %e !e'ogni=ed t%at :ud+i!a %ad nestled up to %i+ and %is le"t %and &as 'u!!entl# +assaging %e! !ig%t (!east. *ig!e !eali=ed t%at &as t%e sou!'e o" t%e so"t "eeling. 6... -o& long do #ou intend to 'ontinue tou'%ing +e<7 n une.pe'ted $oi'e &as %ea!d. s'!ea+ &as %al"4&a# s&allo&ed (# *ig!e and onl# leaked out slig%tl#. *%e %and tou'%ing %e! (!east &as g!ipped. 3lo&l#, :ud+i!a opened %e! e#es. 6?t is una$oida(le sin'e #ou &e!e %al" asleep... But &%# did #ou tou'% +e<7 6Be, (e'ause it &as so"t...<7 Be'ause %is %ead &as not "ull# a'ti$e, %is $oi'e &as %ollo& and %is !esponse 'a+e out as a >uestion. 5$en so, %e 'ould not t%ink o" an# ot%e! !eason. -e t%oug%t it &as like t%e (od# o" a dog &it% long %ai! in &%i'% %e +ig%t &ant to (u!# %is "a'e in, (ut %e !e+ained silent (e'ause %e did not t%ink %e 'ould easil# sa# t%at in an instant. 6?n t%at 'ase 1 &%at is &it% #ou! (od#8s !ea'tion<7 :ud+i!a glan'ed 'oldl# at *ig!e8s &aist. 5$en i" %e e.plained t%e t!ut%, s%e &ould not unde!stand, and e$en i" s%e did, s%e &ould not (e 'on$in'ed.
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6... ;a, &ait, &ait a +inute. ?t &ill settle do&n in t%e 'old.7 63%all ? %elp< ?" #ou &ant, ? 'an 'ool it in an instant, t%oug% it +a# "!ee=e o"" and !ot.7 *ig!e did not ans&e! (ut sat up and ga$e a %u+(le apolog#. 6444 Ve!# &ell. ? a+ also in t%e &!ong "o! sleeping ne.t to #ou.7 :ud+i!a "inall# spoke a"te! *ig!e apologi=ed &%at see+ed to %a$e (een one t%ousand ti+es. "te! all t%at, %e spoke >uietl#. 6;ill #ou "o!gi$e +e<7 ;%en *ig!e looked up in su!p!ise, :ud+i!a nodded &it% a sig%. 6 s ? said just no&, it &as pa!tl# +# "ault. ? &ill "o!gi$e #ou.7 *ig!e t%anked %e! on'e +o!e. :ud+i!a stood up +id&a#, pa#ing no +ind to %is &o!ds, and &alked to&a!d t%e e.it. s s%e &as a(out to e.it, s%e tu!ned (a'k and looked at *ig!e. *%oug% %e! "a'e &as d#ed !ed, %e 'ould not tell "o! 'e!tain. ?t +a# %a$e (een an illusion in t%e da!k tent. 6:et us %a$e so+e tea. 0ollo& +e.7 *ig!e stood up and "ollo&ed a"te! %e! &it% (la'k (o& in %and. :ea$ing t%e tent, t%e# &alked (eneat% t%e 'loud4'o$e!ed sk#. -und!eds o" tents and "i!es 'ould (e seen past *ig!e8s &%ite (!eat%.
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*ig!e 'alled a nea!(# lookout and asked "o! t%e situation. 6 !e #ou &ell !ested, 5a!l Vo!n< 3in'e #ou &e!e last seen, t%e!e %a$e (een no pa!ti'ula! +o$e+ents a+ongst t%e soldie!s. Most %a$e (een setting up tents and !eo!gani=ing.7 *ig!e &as !e+inded on'e again t%at it &as a "ie!'e (attle. "te! asking "o! t%e lo'ation o" t%e Ol+ut= soldie!s, :ud+i!a took o"". Eatu!all#, *ig!e "ollo&ed %e! >uietl#. 6;%at &ill #ou do "!o+ no& on<7 ;%ile &alking t%!oug% t%e "!igid da!kness, *ig!e asked :ud+i!a. 60i!st, ? &ill 'on"i!+ t%e situation o" +# a!+#. 5leano!a %as not #et !etu!ned, so ? suppose ? s%ould ask i" #ou still &is% to 'oope!ate +o!e<7 :ud+i!a stopped %e! &o!ds and ga=ed s%a!pl# in a spe'i"i' di!e'tion. *ig!e "ollo&ed %e! ga=e. --- "hat is that...# ?t &as a la!ge s%ado& appea!ed (e"o!e t%e+. *%e +o+ent %e set e#es on it, an intense '%ill !an do&n *ig!e8s spine. -is $oi'e &ould not 'o+e out.
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?t &as 'lea!l# da!ke! against t%e lig%t o" t%e (on"i!es. 6... *%e# sa# t%e %ou! (e"o!e da&n is t%e da!kest.7 5$en against su'% a st!ange sig%t, :ud+i!a see+ed 'al+, (ut t%e!e &as no !oo+ in %e! e.p!ession. :ooking 'losel#, s%e &as (lotted &it% s&eat. *%e s%ado& looked as i" it &e!e laug%ing, g!inning. ?t tu!ned a!ound and &alked &it%out a sound. :ud+i!a "ollo&ed it &it% a g!i+ look. *ig!e &as una(le to keep up &it% t%e situation and "ollo&ed a"te! %e!. 6;%at... &as t%at<7 6? %ea!d a(out it "!o+ +# +ot%e!. ?t is a g%ost, a +onste!, o! so+e kind o" de+on... ?t is +# "i!st ti+e seeing it.7
:a$ias
'old &ind "!o+ t%e 0!o=en ;a$e in :ud+i!a8s %and &!apped a(out %e! (od#, as i" p!ote'ting its +aste!. 6;e 'annot a""o!d to lea$e it (e... 0ollo& +e.7 3%e did not allo& *ig!e to put a &o!d in ot%e!&ise, (ut s%e &as &o!!ied in %e! o&n &a#. *ig!e nodded at last. --- Monster, demon... I thought o$ these things as $airy tales. -e st!ongl# g!asped t%e (la'k (o& in %is %and. *ig!e %ad so+et%ing in %is %and &%i'% (elonged to t%e !eal+ o" "ai!# tales. -e 'ould not (!ing %i+sel" to den# :ud+i!a8s &o!ds, espe'iall# as s%e &as a Vanadis.
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*%e s%ado&, not !e'ogni=ed (# t%e soldie!s, &alked >ui'kl# a%ead &it% lig%t steps. --- Is it ,ust Ludmira and I that are aware o$ this...# *%inking o" :ud+i!a8s &o!ds, it &as likel# it &as a"te! t%e Vanadis, (ut %e needed to t%ink o" t%e possi(ilit# it &as a"te! %i+. ;%en t%e ti+e 'a+e, *ig!e &as dete!+ined to %elp %e!, e$en i" %e needed to use t%e po&e! o" %is (o&. Eot de"end, (ut "ig%t toget%e!. *%e t&o '%ased una&a!es a"te! t%e s%ado& into a +eado& so+e distan'e "!o+ t%e 'a+p. 3uddenl#, t%e s%ado& stopped and tu!ned a!ound. s it "aded a&a#, a #oung +an e+e!ged &it% a t%i'k g!een 'lot% &!apped loosel# a(out %is s%o!t, (la'k %ai!. -is (od# &as o" a$e!age %eig%t and &eig%t, and %e &o!e a 'oat &it% "u! lining t%e 'olla! and slee$es. 6444 3o (ot% :o!ds 'a+e. Eo +atte!.7 *%e #oung +an s+iled (!ig%tl# and spoke to %i+sel" in a st!ange stan'e. -is legs &e!e sp!ead and %is (od# &as leaned "o!&a!d se$e!el#. 6? &ill %a$e #ou 'o+e &it% +e, Bo#.7 *%e #out% s+iled at *ig!e and ki'ked o"" t%e g!ound in %is unusual postu!e. +o+ent late!, %is (od# &as in t%e ai! at a %eig%t i+possi(le "o! a no!+al %u+an.
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6Det a&a#, *ig!eI7 :ud+i!a s%outed at %i+ and %eld %e! spea! o" i'e to +eet t%e +an. 6Hou a!e in t%e &a#, Maste! o" t%e 0!o=en ;a$e.7 *%e +an s+iled t%inl#. :ud+i!a t%!ust %e! spea! out as t%e +an "ell in a''o!dan'e to g!a$it#9 %o&e$e!, t%e +an stopped t%e (lo& &%i'% 'ould easil# pie!'e t%!oug% i!on &it% %is (a!e %ands. -e used t%e !e'oil to '%ange %is t!aje'to!# and +o$ed to&a!d :ud+i!a8s %ead. *%e (lue4%ai!ed Vanadis !otated %e! spea! to (lo'k t%e +an8s ki'k. t t%e sa+e ti+e, *ig!e s%ot an a!!o& %e %ad no'ked. *%e t&o "oug%t as i" t%ei! $e!# (!eat%s &e!e united. su!p!ising spe'ta'le o''u!!ed #et again. *%e +an 'aug%t t%e tip o" t%e 0!o=en ;a$e &it% %is (a!e %and and 'aug%t t%e a!!o& 'o+ing to&a!d %i+ &it% %is tongue, &%i'% &as longe! t%an *ig!e8s a!+. 6;%at8s t%is. *%is see+s p!ett# no!+al.7 *%e +an +utte!ed in !eg!et as %e lig%tl# ki'ked :ud+i!a8s spea! and spun in t%e ai!. -e landed so+e distan'e a&a#. *ig!e and :ud+i!a 'ould not +o$e "o! an instant. *%e# %ad seen t%e +an8s tongue &%i'% &as "a! (e#ond %u+an. 6Hou... ;%at a!e #ou<7 *%e +an laug%ed %ea!ing *ig!e8s %oa!sel# spoken >uestion.
245
6M# "!iends 'all +e Vod#ano#. Hou +a# as &ell.7 ?t &as a na+e *ig!e %ea!d. ?t &as t%e na+e o" a +onste! "!o+ "ai!# tales. 6?t is an old sto!#, (ut Vod#ano# &as t%e na+e o" a "!og de+on...7 :ud+i!a spoke &%ile 'a!e"ull# +easu!ing t%e inte!$al (et&een t%e+ and Vod#ano#. 6 n a(no!+al ju+ping a(ilit# and a long tongue. Hou !eall# a!e like a "!og.7 *%e #oung pe!son &it% t%e na+e o" a de+on si+pl# s%!ugged %is s%oulde!. 6Maste! o" t%e 0!o=en ;a$e. ? a+ not %e!e "o! #ou.7 6?s t%at so. Bn"o!tunatel#, ? &ill still need to "ig%t.7 6O%< ;%# is t%at<7 Vod#ano# !etu!ned lig%t &o!ds to :ud+i!a8s joke. :ud+i!a !esponded &it% a "ea!less s+ile. 6M# p!ede'esso! on'e said t%at :a$ias is 'alled t%e
-aj#a no 3enkaku
F3pea! o" 5$il /eat%G. ?t is a &eapon to kill F/e+onsG, and one stands (e"o!e +e no&.7 6?s t%at so. Di$e it a t!#.7 s+ile o" !idi'ule "loated to Vod#ano#8s "a'e, as i" to p!o$oke :ud+i!a. *ig!e no'ked an a!!o& in %is (o& and de'ided to silentl# &at'% %o& e$ents &ould pla# out. --- 1e said he came $or me.
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-is %ead &as a +ess. ;%at e.a'tl# &as t%e ai+ o" t%is +onste! 'lad in %u+an skin< ?t &as likel# t%e (o&. 0!o+ t%e +o+ent t%is (la'k (o& "ell into *ig!e8s %ands, du!ing %is en'ounte!s &it% 5llen, it %ad (!oug%t %i+ into a t!e+endous &o!ld. /id t%e (o& (!ing %i+ to t%is &o!ld, o! &as it so+et%ing de'ided at (i!t%< --- I need to calm down. -e s'olded %i+sel". -e '%ose to use t%e (o&9 it &as not (e'ause it &as a "a+il# %ei!loo+, no! did %is "at%e! "o!'e %i+ to use it. *%oug% %e &as su!p!ised (# t%e po&e! in t%e (o&, %e %ad not t%!o&n it aside. ?t &as (e'ause o" t%is (o& t%at %e %ad gotten as "a! as %e %ad. ;%ile *ig!e &as t%inking, t%e (attle (et&een :ud+i!a and Vod#ano# 'ontinued. Vod#ano# pa!!ied e$e!# (lo& :ud+i!a dealt &it% %is (a!e %ands. 5$en &it% t%e 'old !eleased at t%e tip, %is attitude s%o&ed signs "o! !ela.ation, and %is %and &as un+a!!ed. On t%e ot%e! %and, :ud+i!a &as (!eat%ing %ea$il#. *%oug% t%e "atigue "!o+ t%e p!e$ious da# %ad not #et disappea!ed, t%e +ental "atigue "!o+ "a'ing an unkno&n indi$idual &%ose t!ue '%a!a'te! &as #et to (e !e$ealed &as e$en la!ge!.
247
Vod#ano# 'ollided and !et!eated at t%e sa+e ti+e. ?n t%at +o+ent, *ig!e pulled t%!ee a!!o&s "!o+ %is >ui$e! and no'ked %is (o&, pulling (a'k "o!'e"ull#. *%e t%!ee a!!o&s "le& at Vod#ano#. ?t &as >ui'k to t%e e#es "o! (ot% :ud+i!a and t%e +onste!. 0o! a +o+ent, Vod#ano# in%aled slig%tl#, s%o&ing %is ad+i!ation. *%e +onste! spit out a s+all a+ount o" a pu!ple, poisonous li>uid. ?t %it t%e a!!o&s (e"o!e t%e# +et Vod#ano#. ?t let out an ee!ie sound, like &ate! e$apo!ating, as t%e a!!o&s +elted and "ell to t%e g!ound. *ig!e and :ud+i!a unde!stood it %ad spit out so+e kind o" a'id. ;%ile *ig!e p!epa!ed anot%e! a!!o&, %e !an up to :ud+i!a &%o %ad still not !egulated %e! (!eat%ing. 6 !e #ou oka#<7 6Hou %a$e no ti+e to &o!!# a(out +e. ?t is a"te! #ou.7 6*%e!e s%ould (e no p!o(le+s i" #ou 'an speak t%at +u'%.7 -e "o!'ed %i+sel" to s+ile. *%e Muo=inel !+# %ad "inall# !et!eated. *%e# %ad no ti+e to (e "ig%ting so+e unkno&n '!eatu!e. Eeit%e! %e no! :ud+i!a &anted to e$en see su'% a g!otes>ue '!eatu!e. ;%ile %e %ad %is %and on %is (o&, t%e (lue4%ai!ed Vanadis &%ispe!ed to *ig!e.
248
6Can #ou stop %is +o$e+ents< single +o+ent is "ine.7 6... ? &ill so+e%o& +anage &it% t%is (o&.7 *ig!e !eali=ed :ud+i!a8s goal at on'e. ?t &as a po&e! t%at o!iginall# lent its st!engt% to *ig!e8s (o&. 3%e &ould use t%e po&e! o" %e! &eapon as t%e Maste! o" t%e 0!o=en ;a$e. 6Ve!# &ell. ? &ill lea$e it to #ou.7 "te! %ea!ing %e! t%anks, *ig!e no'ked an a!!o& to s%oot Vod#ano#9 %o&e$e!, Vod#ano# si+pl# looked at t%e+ as i" (o!ed. 6... ?s it possi(le #ou 'an8t use #ou! (o&<7 3eeing its dis(elie$ing look, *ig!e (egan s&eating. 6But #ou %a$e used it at least on'e... Pe!%aps it is unsta(le< O! pe!%aps #ou 'an8t use it unless #ou8!e on t%e $e!ge o" deat%.7 6;%at is #ou! pu!pose<7 -e 'a!e"ull# sele'ted %is &o!ds so as not to sa# an#t%ing unne'essa!#. ?t &ould (e +o!e ad$antageous i" %e t%oug%t *ig!e 'ould not use %is (o&. 6? &ant #ou and t%e (o&.7 Vod#ano# 'on'isel# !esponded &it% a s+ile. 6?" #ou 'o+e &it% +e, ? &ill o$e!look t%e Maste! o" t%e 0!o=en ;a$e.7
249
6... ? !e"use.7 ?t &as not *ig!e &%o ans&e!ed (ut :ud+i!a. 3%e ki'ked o"" t%e g!ound &it% %e! spea! as a +ass o" '!#stals "o!+ed. 3%e 'ut t%e distan'e to Vod#ano# at a "u!ious speed. *%e g!ound &as
Vi!alt
"!o=en (# t%e po&e! o" t%e /!agoni' *ool and slid on top o" it. :ud+i!a 'losed in on Vod#ano# and t%!ust t%e 0!o=en ;a$e "o!&a!d &%ile lo&e!ing %e! &aist. 3%e '%anneled po&e! t%!oug% %e! enti!e (od# and ju+ped %ig%, (ut s%e did not intend to !elease t%e +onste! &it% a %u+an8s appea!an'e.
3%e!o )a+ 2a"a
6444 0!ee=e t%e 3k#.7 %uge gust o" 'old t%!ust into t%e g!ound. :a!ge %e.agonal '!#stals su!!ounded :ud+i!a. ;it% %e! spea! pointed to t%e g!ound, a la!ge pilla! o" i'e t%!ust up t%!oug% t%e ai!. Vod#ano#8s e.p!ession s%o&ed no sign o" !ela.ation "o! t%e "i!st ti+e. -e dest!o#ed t%e pilla!s o" i'e &it% %is "ist and +o$ed %is (od#, t!#ing to es'ape. t t%at ti+e, *ig!e s%ot an a!!o&. ?t &as a no!+al a!!o&, &it%out using t%e po&e! o" %is (o&, so Vod#ano# igno!ed it and 'asuall# kno'ked it a&a# &it% %is %and. ?++ediatel# a"te!, a sound o''u!!ed as Vod#ano#8s +o$e+ents sti""ened "o! an instant. One a!!o& %ad to!n t%!oug% t%e +onste!8s 'lot%es, pinning t%e+ to t%e pilla! o" i'e. *ig!e kne& %is "i!st s%ot &ould (e kno'ked a&a#, so %e s%ot t&o a!!o&s in !apid su''ession.
250
:ud+i!a 'losed in on Vod#ano# again, !unning along t%e i'e. Vod#ano# spit out %is pu!ple a'id, (ut it &as "!o=en and s%atte!ed (e"o!e !ea'%ing :ud+i!a. *%e 0!o=en ;a$e 'ollided &it% t%e +onste!8s "ist, 'ausing a s+all e.plosion o" lig%t. :ud+i!a &as pus%ed (a'k &it% a s+all s'!ea+. 6Maste! o" t%e 0!o=en ;a$eI @ig%t %e!e, #ou &ill444I7 Vod#ano# 'ould not speak anot%e! &o!d. -e s&allo&ed %is &o!ds sensing a "o!'e &it% %is enti!e (od#. -e sta!ed at *ig!e &it% &ide e#es. *ig!e g!asped %is (la'k (o& and ai+ed an a!!o& to&a!d Vod#ano#. (la'k lig%t gat%e!ed a!ound t%e a!!o&%ead. ;%ile Vod#ano# &as i+patient, *ig!e &as unnatu!all# 'al+. Pe!%aps it &as (e'ause o" t%e t!ust t%e Vanadis pla'ed in %i+ o! t%e st!engt% o" t%e (o&, eit%e! &a#, *ig!e %ad a 'lea! +ind. 0o! t%e "i!st ti+e, *ig!e utili=ed t%e po&e! o" %is (o& &it%out %esitation. -e &as a(le to endu!e t%e p!essu!e atta'king %is (od#. s :ud+i!a landed on t%e g!ound, s%e %ea!d a 'old &ind (lo& past %e! ea!s as la!ge %e.agonal '!#stals &e!e su'ked a&a#. *%e a!!o&%ead &as 'o$e!ed in a (la'k lig%t and 'lu+ps o" i'e, su!!ounded (# an unnatu!al silen'e.
Veda
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t last, Vod#ano# noti'ed. 5$en :ud+i!a8s /!agoni' 3kill &as a(so!(ed. --- 3low him away...5 *ig!e s%ot t%e a!!o& &it% an ada+ant &ill. jet o" "!o=en ai! "ollo&ed (e%ind t%e a!!o& as it "le& to&a!d Vod#ano# at a speed (e#ond a no!+al a!!o&. *%e +onste!8s e#es "ollo&ed t%e in'o+ing a!!o& a''u!atel#9 %is "ist &as (e"o!e %i+ as it 'aug%t t%e p!oje'tile. t t%at +o+ent, Vod#ano#8s !ig%t a!+ "!o=e and s%atte!ed in "!ag+ents. Be"o!e %e !eali=ed it, t%e a!!o& o" i'e &as t%!ust !ig%t (e"o!e %is '%est. Bna(le to '%ange %is postu!e in t%e ai!, Vod#ano#8s (od# &as "!o=en (# t%e t!e+endous "o!'e. *%e!e &as no sound as %e &as (lo&n a&a#. *%e "og +elted in t%e +o!ning sun. *%e (od# o" t%e de+on tu!ned to g!ains o" i'e and disappea!ed in t%e ai!. --- 4id we get it...5# ll at on'e, a la!ge sense o" e.%austion %it *ig!e8s (od#. ?t &as i+possi(le "o! %i+ to stand up. :ud+i!a !an up to %i+, looking do&n &it% e#es "ull o" a+a=e+ent. 6... Aust no&, &as t%at t%e po&e! o" #ou! (o&<7
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*%oug% %is e.p!ession &as languid, %e nodded. :ud+i!a !ea'%ed out to *ig!e, %e! "a'e "ull o" 'on'e!n. 6Can #ou stand<7 6... *%e ot%e! da#, ? nea!l# "ainted. Co+pa!ed to t%at...7 ?t &as (ette! sin'e %e &as still 'ons'ious. 5$en so, %is (od# &as %ea$# enoug% t%at %e &anted to lie in pla'e, t%oug% it &ould (e t!ou(leso+e to do so. 6? suppose it 'annot (e %elped.7 :ud+i!a suppo!ted *ig!e, (ut sin'e s%e &as s%o!t in statu!e, *ig!e ended up d!agging %is "oot. *ig!e t%anked %e! &it% a (itte! s+ile. 6*%is is no (ig deal. 5$en so, it is di""i'ult to (elie$e t%at just %appened...7 6? dou(t &e &ill e$e! unde!stand &%at t%at t%ing &as... no +atte! &%o &e ask.7 6? 'ould not do it... ;it%out #ou! po&e!, &e &ould not %a$e &on.7 s s%e looked to t%e side, s%e noti'ed *ig!e8s "a'e (e"o!e looking a&a# &it% a "aint (lus%. *%e t&o 'aug%t t%e sound o" %o!ses !unning t%!oug% t%e "o!ests at t%e sa+e ti+e. ?t &as not one o! t&o, eit%e!. ?t &as an a!+# o" se$e!al %und!ed. 6... n ene+#<7 6Eo, it is di""e!ent.7
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*ig!e >uietl# dispelled :ud+i!a8s unease. *%e 'a+p s%ould %a$e noti'ed t%is +an# app!oa'%ing soone!, #et t%e# !e+ained >uiet. *ig!e8s anti'ipation 'a+e t!ue soon enoug%. !a# o" lig%t illu+inated t%e "igu!es to t%e east. *%e# !ode (eneat% t%e
)i!nit!a
Bla'k /!agon 0lag. +ongst t%e la!ge g!oup o" 'a$al!#, t&o s%ado&s app!oa'%ed. 6*ig!eI7 ?t &as t%e nostalgi' sig%t o" sil$e!4&%ite %ai! and '!i+son e#es. ?t &as 5llen "ollo&ed (# an e.p!essionless gi!l &it% golden %ai! tied in a tail "!o+ t%e le"t side o" %e! %ead. *ig!e su++oned all %is st!engt% to &a$e to 5llen and :i+. 6? just got (a'k4447 "te! 'on"i!+ing *ig!e8s appea!an'e, 5llen !an to&a!d %i+ on %e! %o!se &it% a s+ile. -e! (!ig%t s+ile disappea!ed a(!uptl#. 3%e app!oa'%ed &it% a 'lea!l# displeased look. "te! s%e app!oa'%ed a "e& steps 'lose!, s%e looked do&n &it% a s%a!p glan'e. *ig!e &as pu==led (# %e! attitude. 6... ;%at is t%e +eaning o" t%is, #ou<7 *ig!e &as 'on"used "o! a +o+ent, t%en %e noti'ed t%e &o!ds &e!e not di!e'ted at %i+.
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6... ;%at +ig%t #ou +ean<7 *%e !ig%t a!+ suppo!ting *ig!e see+ed to "!ee=e in an instant. :ud+i!a spoke &it% a tone so 'old, e$en t%e (!eat% (e"o!e %e! see+ed to (e tinged &it% i'e. 6? &ill ask 'a!e"ull# so #ou &on8t +isunde!stand. ;%# did #ou %elp *ig!e< Pe!%aps #ou &is% to take %is (o&<7 0o! e$e!# &o!d s%e spoke, *ig!e "elt as t%oug% t%e ai! %ad gotten 'olde!. :ud+i!a ans&e!ed &it% a !e"!es%ed s+ile. 6?s it so unnatu!al to lend +# s%oulde! to *ig!e, &%o is so $e!# i+po!tant to +e<7 6444 ;%en did #ou sta!t 'alling *ig!e so inti+atel#< ;%at do #ou +ean (# an i+po!tant pe!son< /id #ou! %ead stop &o!king "!o+ t%e 'old<7 ?n'identall#, *ig!e "elt t%e tension in'!ease &it% e$e!# &o!d. ?" %e spoke a single &o!d, %e &ould att!a't t%e attention o" t%e t&o Vanadis. ?t &as "!ig%tening. 6Man# t%ings %a$e %appened sin'e #ou &e!e last %e!e. Man# t%ings4447 :ud+i!a e+p%asi=ed %e! last &o!ds +o!e t%an ne'essa!# to p!o$oke 5llen. "te! t%at, s%e &%ispe!ed in *ig!e8s ea!s.
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6*ig!e, please allo& +e to 'all #ou t%at "!o+ no& on. Hou +a# 'all +e Mi!a.7 6Mi, Mi!a<...7 ?nad$e!tentl#, *ig!e !aised %is $oi'e +o!e t%an usual. 5llen did not +iss it. 3%e got o"" %e! %o!se $iolentl# and app!oa'%ed *ig!e &it% an e.p!ession "ull o" +u!de!ous intent. 6*ig!e. lt%oug% ? %oped to +eet #ou again &it% a s+ile... ?t see+s &e %a$e a p!o(le+.7 6@ela., *ig!e. ? &ill p!ote't #ou.7 "te! >uietl# setting *ig!e on t%e g!ound, :ud+i!a 1 Mi!a 1 stood (e"o!e 5llen. *%e t&o Vanadis e.'%anged an intense glan'e. ;%ile *ig!e looked at t%e t&o, so+eone lig%tl# tapped %is s%oulde!. ;%en %e tu!ned a!ound, :i+ &as kneeling on t%e g!ound, %e! inde. "inge! !ig%t (e"o!e %e! +out%. *ig!e s&allo&ed %is &o!ds and nodded. :i+ >uietl# 'a!!ied t%e +an &it% dull !ed %ai! on %e! (a'k and stood up as i" *ig!e &e!e si+pl# a (a'kpa'k. 3%e lig%tl# !an "!o+ t%e spot &it%out e+itting an# unne'essa!# sounds. ;it% t%ei! ga=es un&a$e!ing, neit%e! 5llen no! Mi!a noti'ed. "te! t%e# %ad sepa!ated enoug% "!o+ t%e Vanadis, :i+ opened %e! +out%. 6? %ope #ou 'an e.plain t%e situation, :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud.7 3%e spoke &it% a st!ong tone &it% a "aint gli+pse o" ange! inside. *ig!e, a''usto+ed to %e! t#pi'al s'olding, "lin'%ed slig%tl#, t%oug% it &as t!ue %e needed to gi$e an e.planation.
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*ig!e e.plain t%e enti!e situation, "!o+ &%en t%e Muo=inel !+# in$aded until it &it%d!e&. *ig!e took a "e& (!eaks due to %is "atigue, (ut :i+ patientl# &aited "o! %i+ to "inis%. 63o t%at is &%at %appened...7 "te! %ea!ing t%e enti!e sto!#, :i+ nodded in 'onsent. s t%e 'a+p 'a+e into sig%t, *ig!e +anaged to stand on %is "eet. ?t &ould (e (ad i" %is soldie!s sa& %i+ (eing 'a!!ied (# pigg#(a'k. 6*%e!e a!e +an# t%ings ? &ant to tell #ou...7 :i+ tu!ned to *ig!e &it% t%ose &o!ds and s+iled &a!+l#. 6But "i!st t%ings "i!st. *%ank #ou "o! t%e %a!d &o!k, :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud.7 Massas g!eeted *ig!e &%en %e ente!ed t%e Dene!al8s tent &it% :i+. 6Hou &ent on a &alk ea!l# in t%e +o!ning.7 6... ?8+ so!!#. ? &as too ti!ed and "ell asleep ea!l#.7 /espite s'olding *ig!e, Massas &as &o!!ied a(out %i+. "te! t%at, t%e old ea!l e.'%anged g!eetings &it% :i+. 6-as t%e Vanadis !etu!ned< ?t8s a good t%ing &e 'ould all +eet again sa"el#.7
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6;e &ill not die so easil#, no +atte! %o& +an# people a!e a"te! us.7 Massas laug%ed %ea!ing :i+8s !esponse. 6B# t%e &a#, :o!d Massas. ;%at a!e #ou doing so ea!l# in t%e +o!ning<7 6Hes, &ell...7 Massas %esitated "o! a +o+ent (ut spoke &%en %e "elt t%ei! ga=es on %i+. 6? !e'ei$ed a !epo!t t%at so+eone st!ongl# !ese+(ling -is -ig%ness t%e P!in'e, %e!e, so ? &is%ed to speak to #ou "i!st.7 7*%e P!in'e<7 *ig!e "!o&ned. -e &as not su!e i" t%e!e &as a pe!son like t%at, t%oug% t%e!e &as a '%an'e so+eone like t%at e.isted a+ongst t%e t&o t%ousand !e"ugees. 6*%at8s !ig%t. Blue pupils and s%o!t, golden %ai!.7 -ea!ing Massas8 &o!ds, *ig!e looked at :i+ &%o stood ne.t to %i+. 3%e %ad (lue e#es and golden %ai!, (ut t%e# &e!e not s%o!t., and t%e e#e and %ai! 'olo! &as not un'o++on a+ongst t%e people o" B!une o! )%'ted. 6Ot%e! t%an t%at... /o #ou %appen to %a$e t%e pe!son8s na+e<7 6Hes. ? %ea!d it "!o+ ot%e! soldie!s and &as su!p!ised.7 Massas let out a sig%. :i+ t%en spoke "!o+ t%e side.
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6But didn8t -is -ig%ness die<7 Massas nodded &it%out !oo+ "o! 'on"usion. *ig!e tilted %is ne'k &%ile t%inking. t t%at ti+e, one soldie! ente!ed. 65.'use +e, (ut t%e gi!l na+ed @egin &ould like to speak to t%e 5a!l.7 --- &egin...# Bne.pe'tedl#, %e !e'alled %e! &%ite (a'k. *ig!e s%ook t%e +e+o!# out o" %is %ead in a pani' as :i+ and Massas glan'ed at %i+ 'u!iousl#. *ig!e in"o!+ed t%e soldie! to allo& %e! to pass. --- 3ut what would she be doing so early in the morning# It can't ,ust be small tal+. @egin ente!ed t%e tent and e.'%anged pla'es &it% t%e soldie!. Massas looked &ide e#ed and 'ould "ind not%ing to sa#. -e st!oked %is g!a# (ea!d %a!d enoug% to pull %is ja& a&a#. :i+ looked e.p!essionlessl# and stood pe!ple.ed. @egin asked "o! %elp &it% a glan'e. *ig!e also &anted to %ea! Massas8 sto!#, (ut t%at &as a +atte! to &o!!# a(out at anot%e! ti+e, so %e s+iled at %e! "o! t%e ti+e (eing. 6Hou see+ to (e %ealt%# no&. /id #ou need so+et%ing<7
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@egin pulled %e!sel" toget%e! and (o&ed &it% a se!ious look on %e! "a'e. 6*%oug% ? apologi=e "o! taking #ou! ti+e... ? &is% to speak &it% #ou alone.7 6 lone...7 -ea!ing t%e sudden !e>uest, *ig!e 'ould not 'on'eal %is 'on"usion as %e looked at @egin. -e! "a'e s%o&ed dete!+ination, (ut s%e &as t!e+(ling. 6? unde!stand. Hou +ust %a$e 'i!'u+stan'es as &ell9 %o&e$e!, i" it is i+po!tant, ? &ill 'onsult &it% t%ese t&o people &%o+ ? t!ust.7 -ea!ing *ig!e8s &o!ds, @egin8s ga=e +o$ed uneasil# to %is le"t and !ig%t, looking at :i+ and Massas. :i+ (egan to stand up, (ut @egin spoke, %e! "a'e s%o&ing s%e %ad +ade %e! +ind up. 6... ? unde!stand. -o&e$e!, :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud. ;%at ? &ill sa# in t%e "utu!e, 'an ? (elie$e t%at #ou &ill not sa# to ot%e!s<7 @egin8s (lue pupils s%ined st!ongl#. *ig!e t%oug%t a(out %e! attitude and a''epted. Massas and :i+ looked at %i+. 6?" possi(le, 'ould &e speak o" t%is to one +o!e pe!son4447 6? unde!stand.7 :i+ nodded (e"o!e *ig!e 'ould sa# an# +o!e. Massas also ag!eed. t last, @egin looked at *ig!e a"te! t%ei! !eassu!an'e.
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6?... ? %a$e (een li$ing unde! t%e na+e o" @egnas until a s%o!t ti+e ago.7 To be e%act ; &egnas -stel Loire 3astien do /harles. ;%en s%e "inis%ed sa#ing t%at, an ee!ie silen'e !uled t%e tent. ?t &as o($ious "o! *ig!e and Massas, (ut e$en :i+, "!o+ a di""e!ent 'ount!#, kne& t%e na+e. @egnas &as %e! na+e, 5stel &as an %ono!a!# title &%i'% +eans 63ta!,7 :oi!e &as %e! su!na+e, and Bastein &as a na+e !e'ei$ed "!o+ %e! an'esto!s. /o C%a!les +eant s%e %ad a !elation to 2ing C%a!les, t%e "ounde! o" t%e B!une 2ingdo+. 5$en as a joke, s%ould t%e na+e 'o+e to lig%t, it &ould (e 'onside!ed a "elon# punis%a(le (# deat%. --- 3ut, now that you mention it... ;%en %e %elped %e! "!o+ t%e Muo=inel soldie!s, %e "elt as t%oug% %e %ad kno&n %e! (# sig%t. 3in'e %e !e'ogni=ed %e! as a &o+an "!o+ t%e sta!t, %e did not 'onne't %e! to @egnas. 6... 0o! t%e ti+e (eing, please allo& us to 'all #ou @egin.7 *%e "i!st to speak &as :i+. Pe!%aps Massas &as too o$e!&%el+ed to speak, as %e stood t%e!e, +out%ing %e! na+e. ?t &as (est to lea$e t%ings (e until %e settled do&n. @ig%t no&, @egin &as t%e p!i+a!# 'on'e!n.
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6/o #ou pe!%aps an# p!oo" to asso'iate #ou &it% t%at na+e<7 @egin s%ook %e! %ead. :i+ tilted %e! %ead in 'on"usion. 6? apologi=e, (ut &e 'annot speak, t%en. *o (egin &it%, #ou a!e a &o+an...7 6:o!d *ig!e$u!+ud.7 @e+o$ing %e! e#es "!o+ :i+, @egin looked at *ig!e. 63i. #ea!s ago, do #ou !e+e+(e! &%at took pla'e in Vin'ennes<7 6Vin'ennes...7 *ig!e !ea'ted to t%e &o!d i++ediatel#. Vin'ennes &as a %unting g!ound in t%e !egion to t%e east o" t%e 2ing8s Capital, Ei'e. *%e!e &e!e +eado&s, !i$e!s, and "o!ests. ll t%e past 2ings %eld a "esti$al t%e!e and in$ited t%e do+esti' a!isto'!ats and no(les o" "o!eign 'ount!ies in o!de! to p!o+ote "!iends%ip. 3i. #ea!s ago, 2ing 0a!on in$ited t%e do+esti' a!isto'!ats to a %unting "esti$al. *ig!e &as taken along &it% %is "at%e!, B!=, to pa!ti'ipate. 6 t t%at ti+e, ? &as t!eated to a "!es%l# 'ooked (i!d #ou %ad "elled. ?t &as t%e "i!st ti+e ? %ad eaten an#t%ing "!es%l# 'ooked.7 @egin s+iled as s%e spoke t%ose &o!ds. *ig!e8s (!eat% stopped "o! a +o+ent (e'ause t%at +o+ent &as kno&n onl# to *ig!e and @egnas. 3pea!s &e!e used to %unt (i!ds o" p!e# in t%e %unting "esti$al %eld (# t%e B!une 2ingdo+. Bo&s &e!e used (# t%e se!$ants onl# to d!i$e t%e (easts to&a!d t%ei! +aste!s.
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t t%at ti+e, *ig!e a'ted alone a"te! g!eeting t%e 2ing and t%e P!in'e. -is "at%e!, B!=, did not pa!ti'ula!l# &ant to s%o& o"" %is son8s skill &it% a (o&. *%e @o#al 0a+il# si+pl# se!$ed to g!eet t%e no(les at t%e "esti$al. *ig!e &alked alone in t%e "o!est and +et &it% @egnas, &%o %ad slipped a&a# "!o+ %is supe!$iso!. 3in'e t%e# %ad "inis%ed t%ei! g!eetings just a +o+ent ago, @egnas !e+e+(e!ed *ig!e. 3eeing a !ed4%ai!ed (o# &it% a (o& see+ed to %a$e att!a'ted t%e inte!est o" t%e 10 #ea! old P!in'e. @ega!dless, t%e onl# son o" a no(le &it% a (o& &as *ig!e. /an you use it# @egnas asked *ig!e. -e s%ot a (i!d e""o!tlessl# to s%o& %i+. *%e P!in'e looked at %i+ &it% &ide e#es. *%e (o# &it% a (o& used %is %ands to (uild a "i!e as i" %e &e!e "a+ilia! &it% it and %andled t%e (i!d. @egnas &at'%ed t%e se!ies o" +otions t%!oug% %is "inge!s as %e 'o$e!ed %is e#es. *%e P!in'e %esitated to ask, (ut, seeing *ig!e (ite into t%e (!o&ned +eat &%i'% see+ &ell salted, %is appetite &on. ;%ile (iting into t%e (i!d, t%e P!in'e spoke &it% e.'ite+ent. ?t &as %is "i!st ti+e eating su'% a "!es%l# 'ooked +eal... 6... Hou.7
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*ig!e8s $oi'e t!e+(led. -is +ind !e'alled t%e +e+o!# "!o+ si. #ea!s ago as %e looked intentl# at @egin standing (e"o!e %i+. -e %ad not e$en told %is "at%e!. 3in'e @egnas %ad told %i+ to keep it a se'!et, %e &as a"!aid a"te! t%e "esti$al %ad ended. s t%e son o" an a!isto'!at "!o+ t%e "!ontie!, %e 'ould ne$e! 'o+e nea! t%e P!in'e o" %is 'ount!#. 5$en so, t%e P!in'e %ad asked a st!ange! to s%oot a (i!d, &at'%ed %i+ 'a!$e it up on t%e spot, and ate it &it%out kno&ing &%et%e! o! not t%e +eat &as sa"e. ?" t%e P!in'e +entioned t%is to so+eone, t%e!e &as a $e!# %ig% '%an'e t%e %ouse o" Vo!n &ould %a$e pe!is%ed "!o+ t%e &o!ld i" %e %ad su""e!ed "!o+ a sto+a'%a'%e. 6*%e ne.t ti+e ? ate a &a!+ +eal &as &%en #ou (!oug%t +e soup t%e ot%e! da#. ? apologi=e, t%oug%, "o! t%e t!ou(le ? %a$e 'aused ot%e!s...7 -ea!ing t%ose &o!ds, *ig!e &as 'on$in'ed o" @egin8s (e%a$io! at t%e ti+e. 3%e &as &a!# o" t%e p!esen'e o" poison. ?t &as onl# &%en *ig!e put t%e soup in %is +out% t%at s%e &as 'on"i!+ed it &as sa"e. 6/o #ou t!ust +e<7 *ig!e 'ould do not%ing (ut nod to @egin8s &o!ds. Massas !oug%l# guessed t%e 'i!'u+stan'es "!o+ %e! &o!ds. -is "a'e &as pale and %e p!essed st!ongl# against %is sto+a'%. ?" %e p!essed an# +o!e, %e +a# $e!# &ell %a$e "ainted.
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*ig!e also &anted to 'ollapse, (ut %e did not. s s%e ga=ed at %i+, %e !egained p!esen'e o" +ind. 6;%# +e<7 3%ould %e t%ink o" %e! as a +an o! a &o+an< 3%ould %e 'onta't t%e @o#al 0a+il#< 5$en &it% t%ose t%oug%ts in %is %ead, *ig!e spoke in %is usual tone. @egin did not pa!ti'ula!l# (la+e %i+9 !at%e!, s%e a''epted it. 6Be'ause ? &is% to (o!!o& #ou! st!engt%.7 3%e ans&e!ed 'lea!l#, %e! e.p!ession s%o&ing %e! st!ong &ill. --- )ctually, I'm in a situation where I would li+e more help. t t%at ti+e, 5llen and Mi!a ente!ed t%e tent. *%e Vanadis "!o&ned in dou(t, "eeling t%e at+osp%e!e o" dis(elie" "loating t%!oug% t%e tent. 5llen looked !udel# at @egin. 6;%o is t%is &o+an<7 Massas "inall# "ainted. *ig!e and :i+ looked at ea'% ot%e!, una(le to sa# an#t%ing. ;%ile :i+ looked a"te! Massas, *ig!e and @egin e.plained t%e 'i!'u+stan'es to 5llen and Mi!a. *%e !ea'tion t%e t&o Vanadis %ad &e!e $e!# si+ila!. *%e# tu!ned to @egin in suspi'ion.
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6/idn8t #ou die in /inant<7 6?" ? %ad died, su!el# t%e!e &ould %a$e (een a 'o++otion... ?" #ou %ad taken +# su(o!dinates and +e as p!isone!s, it &ould %a$e (een +o!e &ell kno&n. M# ne'k &as not taken, and ? &as not "ound, so +# deat% &as !epo!ted to -is Majest#, t%e 2ing.7 6Ce!tainl#... ?t &as unnatu!al &%en #ou sa# it like t%at. 5$en i" #ou !eall# &e!e killed in t%e &a!, t%e# &ould &ant to %ide it as +u'% as possi(le.7 :i+ ag!eed &%ile looking dou(t"ul. *%e t%!ee looked at @egin "o! an ans&e!. s soon as s%e unde!stood t%at 5llen &as t%e Vanadis t%at "oug%t at /inant, s%e g!ipped *ig!e8s slee$e and s%ook like a s+all, "!ig%tened ani+al. 6?t8s "ine. ?" #ou 'an t!ust +e, t%en please t!ust %e! as &ell. ? (elie$e in 5llen.7 ;%ile *ig!e spoke to appease @egin, 5llen looked silentl# at Mi!a in t!iu+p%. :i+ si+pl# &at'%ed %e! :o!d silentl# as i" s%e &e!e deplo!a(le. *%oug% @egin &as &o!!ied, s%e de'ided to (elie$e *ig!e. 3%e st!aig%tened %e! postu!e and tu!ned (a'k to 5llen, +eeting t%ei! ga=e. 6... *%is is a 'onspi!a'# (et&een /ukes *%ena!die! and Danelon. ?" it is in t%e (attle"ield, it &ould not (e unnatu!al "o! +e to die as a 'asualt# o" &a!.7
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6*o (egin &it%, #ou &e!e a &o+an< ?t &ould (e +o!e (elie$a(le i" #ou said &e!e a %al"4siste! o! so+et%ing.7 5llen asked like a (!att# '%ild, sitting '!oss legged and speaking &it% poo! +anne!s. Massas and *ig!e also &anted to kno&, t%oug%. @egin looked do&n as s%e %esitantl# ans&e!ed. 6*%is is due to +# +ot%e! and +e. ?n B!une, a Nueen &%o 'an onl# gi$e (i!t% to daug%te!s &ould (e despised. 0u!t%e!+o!e, t%e !ig%ts o" su''ession a!e li+ited "o! a P!in'ess... *%at is, it is i+possi(le to !ise to t%e t%!one.7 63o #ou p!etended to (e a P!in'e< ?sn8t t%at !e'kless<7 6-onestl#. ?t8s "ine &%en #ou8!e "lat as a (!i'k, (ut i" #ou! '%est g!o&s up to (e like :i+8s o! 3op%ie8s, &%at &ould #ou %a$e done< ? %ope #ou &e!en8t t%inking o" 'utting t%e+ o"".7 6Please do not de!ail t%e 'on$e!sation, 5leano!a4sa+a.7 :i+ (lus%ed and !ep!oa'%ed 5llen "o! %e! 'o++ent. Mi!a looked disappointed, and *ig!e p!etended %e %ad not listened. 6-o&e$e!, *%ena!die! and Danelon did not kill #ou9 !at%e!, #ou &ent +issing. Hou une.pe'tedl# +anaged to es'ape...7 5llen %it %e! %and as s%e said t%ose &o!ds. 6?sn8t it "ine !e+aining dead "o! t%e ti+e (eing< ?sn8t it "ine (eing @egin< -o& +an# people in B!une !eall# kno& t%e P!in'e is a'tuall# a &o+an<7
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6 lt%oug% it is supposed to just (e -is Majest#, +ot%e!, and +e, it is likel# /uke *%ena!die! and /uke Danelon also kno&. *%oug% *ig!e &as (a""led &%ile listening to t%e 'on$e!sation (et&een t%e sil$e!4&%ite %ai!ed Vanadis and t%e P!in'ess, %e "inall# unde!stood. --- I see. - en i$ she has died already, once the 9rince's name came out, she would be +illed again. 3%e &ould (e 'onside!ed a gi!l t!#ing to s&indle ot%e!s and &ould (e punis%ed. 5$en i" s%e %ad so+e ite+ as p!oo", t%e# 'ould si+pl# sa# s%e pi'ked it up "!o+ t%e (attle"ield in /inant. ;it% *%ena!die! and Danelon8s po&e!, t%at +u'% &as possi(le. 6 t /inant, &%en t%e )%'ted !+# +ade its su!p!ise atta'k, +o!e t%an ten assassins 'a+e a"te! +e. M# gua!ds de"ended +e, and +# se!$ant,, Aeanne, (a!el# +anaged to es'ape /inant &it% +e.7 @egin8s s%oulde!s t!e+(led in ange! and so!!o&. 6 "te!&a!d, t%oug% ? t%oug%t to !etu!n to t%e @o#al Pala'e, /uke Danelon took a'tion in t%e 2ing8s Capital and Aeanne &as lost. 5$en i" ? 'ould !el# on so+eone, it &ould (e i+possi(le to ea!n t!ust &it% t%is (od#.7 6?t &ould (e e$en &o!se. /ukes *%ena!die! and Danelon &ould tu!n #ou into a pu(li' ene+#. Hou &ould eit%e! (e 'aug%t o! sold as a sla$e i" #ou &ent to an#one.7
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Massas, &%o %ad "inall# !e'o$e!ed, and *ig!e "!o&ned %ea!ing 5llen8s 'andid &o!ds, t%oug% t%e# 'ould not den# t%e+. 6@ega!ding t%is talk, does /uke Danelon kno& #ou a!e ali$e<7 *ig!e &as suddenl# an.ious. ?t &as not @egin (ut Massas &%o ans&e!ed. 6?n'identall#, -is -ig%ness, t%e P!in'e8s "une!al &as %eld in t%e 2ing8s Capital... 5.'use +# i+politeness. /uke Danelon %eld a "ake "une!al. ?" t%at is t%e 'ase...7 6Hes. -e kno&s ? a+ ali$e9 %o&e$e!, %e %as not put an# pa!ti'ula! (a!!ie!s in pla'e. ? %a$e seen not%ing nea! t%e 'apital.7 6But &%# did #ou 'o+e to su'% a pla'e "!o+ /inant<7 *ig!e 'ould not %elp (ut ask in su!p!ise. *!a$eling t%!oug% t%e easte!n pa!t o" B!une &ould not %a$e (een eas# "o! a t!a$ele!, let alone a P!in'ess. 6Aeanne8s %o+eto&n &as in gnes. ? &ould not %a$e (een sa"e in t%e @o#al Capital. /uke Danelon and *%ena!die!8s e#es &e!e ai+ed to t%e no!t%, &est, and sout% o" B!une. ? did not t%ink ? &ould (e sa"e an#&%e!e.7 6?" #ou kne& *ig!e, &%at a(out lsa'e4447 6 t t%at ti+e, %e &as a p!isone! o" &a!.7
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*%e P!in'ess &it% golden %ai! inte!!upted 5llen8s &o!ds as s%e gla!ed a''usingl# at t%e Vanadis o" sil$e!4&%ite9 %o&e$e!, *ig!e &as t%ank"ul "o! t%ese &o!ds. 6B+... ?8+ so!!#.7 6 %, no.... ?t is not #ou! "ault, :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud.7 3eeing *ig!e (o& deepl#, @egin looked up and spoke in a pani'. Bna(le to inte!!upt t%e at+osp%e!e &%i'% %ad "o!+ed, 5llen and :i+ looked at ea'% ot%e! sullenl# &%ile Mi!a 'on'ent!ated on t%e P!in'ess. 7Hou! -ig%ness, please 'ontinue t%e 'on$e!sation4447 3peaking &it% a su(dued, digni"ied tone, Massas see+ed to %a$e a''epted t%e situation at last. *ig!e tapped %e! s%oulde! to %elp t%e sti""ened P!in'ess to !ela.. 3%e %ad a dignit# &as like 5llen8s and &as so+et%ing ot%e! teenage!s 'ould not +i+i'. @egin pulled %e!sel" toget%e! and spoke on'e again. 6? %ad lea!ned +an# t%ings "!o+ Aeanne. 3o+e%o&, ? &as a(le to 'ontinue +# jou!ne# &it%out %e!. lt%oug% ? settled in t%e $illage in gnes &%e!e s%e &as (o!n and !aised, t%e Muo=inel !+# atta'ked.7 *%e $illage!s took a'tion t%en and t%!e& t%ei! $illage a&a#, s'atte!ing in e$e!# di!e'tion. *%oug% @egin &anted to do so as &ell, s%e %esitated (e'ause s%e did not %a$e a sense "o! t%e land. 3%e &as "ound (# Muo=inel s'outs.
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6 nd t%en... t%e !est is as :o!d *ig!e$u!+ud kno&s.7 @egin 'losed %e! +out%. *ig!e looked at t%e P!in'ess &%ose e.p!ession &as di""i'ult to !ead. On t%e ot%e! %and, 5llen and Mi!a %ad t!ou(led "a'es. 6... 3o, &%at &ill #ou do, *ig!e<7 6;%at &ill ? do<7 *ig!e asked in !etu!n, not unde!standing t%e +eaning o" %e! >uestion. 6:ending %e! #ou! po&e!. 0!ankl# speaking, t%is pe!son is a %ind!an'e.7 5llen i+plied ag!ee+ent &it% Mi!a8s (!utall# %onest &o!ds. 6?" #ou 'lai+ t%e P!in'e is ali$e, /uke *%ena!die! and Danelon &ould si+pl# t!# to kill %e!, sin'e s%e is a &o+an, t%e!e &ill (e +an# &%o &ould put %e! at "ault.7 *ig!e tilted %is %ead %ea!ing t%ei! opinions. 6? unde!stand &%at #ou +ean, 5llen, Mi!a... But i" &o!d !ea'%ed -is Majest#, &ouldn8t it &o!k out< *%oug% ? %ea! %e is 'u!!entl# ill.7 Massas (egan to '%oke %ea!ing *ig!e8s &o!ds. :ooking at t%e une.pe'ted noise "!o+ t%e old 5a!l, it &as 'lea! %e &as s&eating.
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6:o!d Massas<7 *ig!e 'alled out to Massas in &o!!#. ;%ile %olding %is g!a# (ea!d, Massas +anaged to s>uee=e out %is $oi'e, e.plaining t%e 2ing %ad (e'o+e e.t!e+el# +entall# unsta(le %ea!ing o" t%e P!in'e8s deat%. 6*%at... ?s it t!ue<7 @egin tu!ned pale and stagge!ed "!o+ t%e i+pa't. *ig!e !an to suppo!t %e! and s%e +anaged to not "all (# 'linging to %is a!+. 6Bn"o!tunatel#...7 Massas looked do&n and !e"used to sa# an# +o!e. *%e gi!ls "!o+ )%'ted &e!e natu!all# 'al+. 5llen silentl# s%ook %e! %ead, Mi!a !e+ained as aloo" as possi(le, and :i+ !e+ained pain"ull# silent. ?t &as a pain"ul situation, e$en "o! *ig!e. *ig!e kne& s%e &as t%e P!in'e, (ut it is so+et%ing p!o$en onl# t%!oug% a +e+o!# s%a!ed (# t%e t&o. ?t is not so+et%ing t%e# 'ould tell to ot%e!s. @egin !e+ained +ute, as i" t!#ing to a''ept &%ate$e! +a# %appen. "te! &o!!#ing "o! so+e ti+e, *ig!e spoke. 6... @egin, &%# did #ou tell +e< ;%# do #ou t!ust +e<7
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-e! !esponse &ould de'ide &%at %e did. @egin >uietl# looked up and looked at *ig!e. 6Be'ause #ou %a$e no ulte!io! +oti$es.7 6@eall#<7 *ig!e looked dou(t"ul. ?n'identall#, t%e t%!ee gi!ls sitting opposite @egin nodded in satis"a'tion. *%e p!in'ess also nodded on'e (e"o!e speaking again. 6*oda#, (e"o!e ? 'a+e to #ou, ? asked t%e soldie!s and t%e people o" B!une %e!e. *%oug% t%e!e &e!e not onl# "!iendl# opinions... ? 'ould tell #ou %ad so+et%ing #ou &is%ed to de"end, and #ou &e!e st!uggling "o! t%at pu!pose.7 ;%ile !e'alling t%at ti+e, @egin pla'ed %e! %and on %e! '%est and 'ontinued speaking. 65$en i" #ou %elp t%e people o" gnes and O!+ea, #ou %a$e not%ing to gain in !etu!n, e$en +o!e so &it% an opponent against &%o+ #ou %a$e no possi(ilit# o" dete!+ining t%e out'o+e. 3till, #ou 'a+e %e!e, #ou "oug%t. Hou %elped +e, and... &%en #ou 'onsented to +# "a$o!, #ou &e!e not !oug%.7 @egin "aintl# (lus%ed as s%e said t%at. *ig!e unde!stood t%e !eason and also (lus%ed. 6... ;%at did #ou ask<7 *&o people8s e.p!ession '%anged s%a!pl#. 5llen (egan to "!o&n.
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*%oug% @egin sta++e!ed, s%e %onestl# ans&e!ed t%at s%e asked %i+ to &ipe %e! (od#. *ig!e took a de"ensi$e stan'e e.pe'ting 5llen to (e ang!#, (ut s%e s%o&ed an une.pe'ted !ea'tion. 6Hou did so+et%ing p!ett# dange!ous, #ou kno&.7 3%e looked at @egin &it% ad+i!ation. 6?" *ig!e atta'ked #ou, did #ou intend not to sa# an#t%ing<7 @egin nodded s%a!pl#. 6444 *%oug% it &as a 'o&a!dl# t%ing to ask o" %i+... t t%at ti+e, ? %ad no ot%e! +eans ? 'ould t%ink o".7 --- Is that why she apologized to me at the time# t last, *ig!e &as 'on$in'ed. @egin, in %e! o&n &a#, &as despe!ate. *%oug% :i+ and Mi!a &e!e still un%app#, t%e# did not (la+e %i+. *ig!e looked up at t%e di!t# la+p and let out a sig% in %is +ind. -e 'ould not possi(l# a(andon %e!. 6@egin. n#t%ing is good, e$en i" it8s t!i$ial... /o #ou %a$e an# 'lue t%at p!o$es #ou a!e %is Majest#, t%e 2ing8s '%ild<7 ?" s%e did, @egin &ould (e a(le to !etu!n to t%e 2ing8s Capital openl#. -e !etu!ned to lsa'e t%anks to 5llen. *ig!e %oped %e 'ould %elp %e! !etu!n to t%e pala'e.
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@egin despe!atel# sea!'%ed %e! +e+o!# and !aised a s+all $oi'e &%en s%e !e+e+(e!ed so+et%ing. 6:utetia...7 6/uke Danelon8s te!!ito!#. ?s t%e!e a 'lue t%e!e<7 Massas asked politel#. @egin nodded in !esponse. 6?n :utetia, in t%e 'ente! o" t%e 'apital, !tis%e+... Beneat% t%e soil, t%e!e is a passage &%i'% 'an onl# (e opened (# a +eans passed do&n t%!oug% t%e @o#al 0a+il# &%e!e !e'o!ds a!e sto!ed. *%e# s%ould (e kno&n to P!i+e Ministe! Bod&in as &ell. -e s%ould (e a(le to e.a+ine t%e+. 6 6Ou! talk '%anges >uite a (it i" t%at8s t%e 'ase.7 5llen leaned "o!&a!d, "ull o" inte!est. 6?" it is t!ue, t%en &e 'an +o$e to&a!d !tis%e+ &%ile &e 'lai+ t%at. 5$e i" people t!# to "ig%t (a'k, t%e# 'an8t do an#t%ing sin'e t%e gi!l is t!#ing to p!o$e s%e is a +e+(e! o" !o#al lineage.7 6Ce!tainl#. ?" so+eone asso'iated &it% t%e !o#al "a+il# suppo!ts t%is, it onl# lends '!eden'e to t%e 'lai+.7 :i+ also ag!eed. 6*ig!e, &%at &ill #ou do<7 5llen8s !u(# pupils s%ined %appil#.
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65it%e! &e +o$e &est and kill /uke *%ena!die! in Ee+eta'u+, o! &e +o$e no!t% to&a!d :utetia and "ig%t Danelon.7 *ig!e did not ans&e! at on'e. -e looked at e$e!#one8s "a'es in su''ession. 5llen, :i+, Mi!a, Massas, @egin. *%e situation %ad (e'o+e st!ange. -e %ad (een %elped and suppo!ted (# *eita, @u!i'k, ug!e, and De!a!d. ;%at 'ould %e do in !etu!n< Could %e !etu!n &%at it &as t%e# %ad gi$en to %i+< -e unde!stood %e +ust end t%e situation as >ui'kl# as possi(le. 6... :et8s go. *o :utetia.7 "te! t%inking t%!oug% it, *ig!e ga$e a 'lea! !esponse.
/uke *%ena!die!8s 'a+p &as in t%e &ilde!ness &%e!e t%e t!ees &e!e spa!se. "te! !epulsing t%e Muo=inel "leet atta'king t%e po!ts to t%e sout% o" B!une, %e did not i++ediatel# +o$e to !es'ue %is allies at on'e9 !at%e!, %e +o$ed %is a!+# to a na+eless "o!est.
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"te! %e %ad settled do&n, "i$e da#s %ad passed. *%oug% %e %ad pu!'%ased in"o!+ation on t%e kingdo+ in detail, %e lea!ned o" in"o!+ation &%i'% &as not pleasant to %is ea!s. -e %ad t!usted 3teid &it% t%e a!+# +o$ing against /uke Danelon. *%oug% t%e# %ad endu!ed &ell, t%e# &e!e in t%e $i'init# o" Ee+eta'u+ a"te! (eing "o!'ed to !et!eat nu+e!ous ti+es. --- I will ha e to wait another day. That guy still hasn't returned. soldie! appea!ed &it% a !epo!t. *%ena!die! glee"ull# stood up and !us%ed to %is destination on %o!se(a'k. *%oug% %e %ad not %ea!d o" t%e lo'ation details, %e unde!stood &it% a glan'e. 0i$e /!agons 'ould (e easil# seen "!o+ a distan'e. *%ena!die! !us%ed %is %o!se "o!&a!d until %e !ea'%ed t%e /!agons. 6... ? apologi=e "o! %a$ing kept #ou &aiting, #ou! 5.'ellen'#.7 0i$e /!agons. *%e old +an, /!eka$a', (o&ed %is %ead !e$e!entl#. 6-onestl#. 3till4447 *%ena!die! +o$ed %is glan'e to t%e /!agons (e%ind t%e old +an. 6Hou (!oug%t +e +o!e t%an ? anti'ipated.7
3u!o
O" t%e "i$e, t%!ee &e!e 5a!t% /!agons %e %ad seen (e"o!e. One &as a 0i!e /!ake &it% long %ai!s g!o&ing (et&een its s'ales, 'o$e!ing its (od#. ?t ate as% and '%a!'oal. ?t &as a /!agon &%i'% 'ould !elease "la+es to (u!n e$e!#t%ing.
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*%e last &as t&o ti+es la!ge! t%an t%e ot%e! /!agons and %ad an o$e!&%el+ing po&e!, as i" it &e!e a s+all +ountain t%at 'ould !un. ?t %ad t&o %eads and t%i'k s'ales.
Da!a /o$a
6*%is is a /ou(le -eaded /!agon...7 *%oug% a dauntless +an, *%ena!die! 'ould not %elp (ut (e o$e!&%el+ed &it% delig%t. *%e /ou(le -eaded /!agon &as a spe'ies 'onside!ed a +al"o!+ation a+ongst /!agons. ?t &as la!ge, at!o'ious, and st!ong, and &ould atta'k and kill its (!et%!en. *%e sound o" '%ains sounded in *%ena!die!8s ea!s. *%e /ou(le -eaded /!agon &as (ound &it% a s%a'kle o" t%i'k, (la'k i!on &%i'% &!apped a(out its (od#. 6... ;as t%is '%ain +ade spe'i"i'all# "o! t%is<7 -e 'ould t%ink o" no ot%e! !eason. *%oug% *%ena!die! %ad on'e seen an elep%ant in a "o!eign land, t%e '%ain &as "a! too t%i'k and la!ge. 6?t is as #ou sa#. ?n t%e 'ase o" t%is /!agon, it 'an kill t%e Vanadis...7 *%oug% %is $oi'e &as %oa!se, /!eka$a' spoke indi""e!entl#. *%ena!die!, 'ont!a!# to t%e no!+, t!usted %i+. 6Hou %a$e &o!ked %a!d.7 Con$in'ed o" %is $i'to!#, *%ena!die! s+iled $iolentl#.
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*%ena!die! %ad postponed %is +o$e+ents to t%e no!t% in o!de! to add t%e "i$e /!agons to %is +ilita!# st!engt%. /!eka$a' si+pl# %ad an e.p!ession like a s'%ola! o(se!$ing a la(o!ato!# ani+al. 6?t +ust %a$e (een di""i'ult to p!o'u!e t%is /ou(le -eaded /!agon.7 #oung +an8s $oi'e sounded "!o+ a s%ado& &%i'% appea!ed (e%ind t%e elde!l# +an. 6-o& &as it<7 ;it%out looking (a'k, /!eka$a' asked a s%o!t >uestion. *%e s%ado& g!aduall# s&elled and took t%e s%ape o" a pe!son. "te! enoug% ti+e passed, Vod#ano#, &%o s%ould %a$e (een de"eated (# *ig!e and Mi!a, stood t%e!e. 6Hou +a# not like to %ea! t%is, (ut ? &as %ad. -e &as &it% t%e Maste! o" t%e 0!o=en ;a$e.7 -e spoke in a 'a!e"!ee tone, as i" %e &e!e pla#ing. *%e old +an s+iled and took a gold 'oin "!o+ %is slee$e. 6? kno& #ou &e!e de"eated. *ell +e &%at #ou t%ink o" t%e 'aste! "o! t%e FBo&G.7 6-e8s &eak9 %o&e$e!, a"te! anot%e! "ig%t o! t&o, %e +a# 'o+e to +aste! t%e (o&. ?" t%at is t%e 'ase, %e &ill (e t!ou(leso+e. ;%at s%ould ? do "o! no&<7 ;%ile gna&ing on t%e gold 'oin, Vod#ano# asked &it%out an# sign o" tension. 6@e+ain on stand(# "o! no&. Danelon doesn8t see+ to (e up to an# good !ig%t no&.7 ;%ile &at'%ing t%e &ilde!ness, /!eka$a' (egan to slo&l# &alk a&a#.
280
Epilo ue
*%at nig%t, se$e!al t%ousand people t!a$eled a'!oss O!+ea Plains to !ea'% a lo'al 'astle.
*%e# 'onsisted o" +e+(e!s o" t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G, t%e Ol+ut= !+#, t%!ee di""e!ent 2nig%t%oods, +en se!$ing unde! $a!ious no(les, and !e"ugees "!o+ gnes. *%e +oon &as %ig% in t%e sk#, and t%e !esidents &e!e &!apped in (lankets and o"" to t%e &o!ld o" d!ea+s, (ut t%e people on dut# &e!e still a&ake. 6?8ll lea$e t%e dist!i(ution o" "ood to #ou. /o t%is >ui'kl#, 'iti=ens o" B!une.7 6*%ose o" #ou "!o+ )%'ted, i" #ou %a$e ti+e to talk, &%# not go on pat!ol< *%ose o" #ou &%o 'an8t +o$e, use #ou! %ead. Bse it t&i'e as +u'% to +ake up "o! &%at #ou! (od# 'an8t do.7 @u!i'k and De!a!d sa!'asti'all# assigned +is'ellaneous duties, sta#ing up t%!oug%out t%e nig%t. *%e# see+ed to (e &o!king un&illingl#. -o&e$e!, t%ei! leade!s &e!e e$en +o!e (us#. 5$en t%oug% t%e# %ad not #et !e'o$e!ed "!o+ t%e "atigue o" (attle, *ig!e &ent to $isit all t%e no(les and 2nig%ts. Bna(le to !e"use t%ei! !e>uests, %e ended up o""e!ing %is %elp. Massas, ug!e, and uguste +anaged t%e pla'e to p!e$ent o$e!'!o&ding. 5$entuall#, %e &as a(le to +eet *eita and Bat!an. -e %ad "inall# !etu!ned sa"el# and ga$e (!ie" &o!ds to g!eet t%e+.
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"te! all t%e +eetings at t%e end o" t%e da#, *ig!e sat do&n and sig%ed st!ongl#. *&o (eauti"ul &o+en looked do&n at t%e #oung +an &it% !ed %ai! &%o &as e.%austed. *%e# &e!e Mi!a and 5llen. 6*ig!e. Co+e to +# pla'e. ? &ill +ake #ou so+e tea to %elp #ou get !id o" #ou! "atigue.7 ;%ile teasing %i+ and speaking to %i+ &it% 'a!e, Mi!a st!et'%ed out %e! %and &it% an e.p!ession t%at &as +o!e 'ute t%an (eauti"ul. On t%e ot%e! side, 5llen &as (eing +o!e di!e't and si+pl# pulled *ig!e to a stand. 6Bn"o!tunatel#, *ig!e and ? need to '%at "o! a (it... :et8s go.7 -o&e$e!, Mi!a did not stand t%e!e silentl#. 3%e stood (e"o!e 5llen, p!e$enting %e! "!o+ lea$ing. *%e t&o Vanadis gla!ed at ea'% ot%e! dange!ousl#. 6Hou &e!e a &o+an &%o &as not t%e!e &%en it &as +ost i+po!tant. ;%at 'ould #ou possi(l# sa# to %i+ no&<7 6? s%ould sa# t%e sa+e to #ou. Hou +anaged to use %is kindness to sell #ou! %elp at a %ig% p!i'e.7 65$en #ou a!e not %elping %i+ "o! "!ee.7 6?8$e ne$e! ja'ked up t%e p!i'e just (# %o& t%e pe!son talks, unlike a 'e!tain so+eone.7 5$e!# ti+e t%e# spoke, t%ei! e#es (e'a+e s%a!pe! and t%ei! +out%s disto!ted +o!e. *ig!e did not "eel t%e need to a!(it!ate. -e &as +entall# ti!ed, and it &as si+pl# too (ot%e!so+e.
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Mi!a (egan to speak to o(je't to 5llen8s p!o$o'ati$e attitude. 3uddenl#, a soldie! o" Ol+ut= stopped (# &it% a !epo!t sa#ing it &as ne'essa!# "o! Mi!a to (e p!esent to take +anage t%e t!oops and t%e supplies. 6? unde!stand. On'e ? "inis% +# (usiness, ? &ill !etu!n.7 *%e!e &as no %esitation in Mi!a8s !esponse. 3%e &as not one to gi$e p!io!it# to %e! o&n 'on$enien'es o$e! pu(li' +atte!s. *%oug% %e! e.p!ession did not '%ange, *ig!e and 5llen 'ould not +iss t%e disappoint+ent 'olo!ing %e! e#es. 6... B+, t%ank #ou "o! in$iting +e, Mi!a. ?" #ou a!e "ine &it% it, pe!%aps anot%e! ti+e.7 *ig!e spoke &it% t%e intent to 'o+"o!t %e!, telling %e! s%e did not %a$e to &o!!# a(out it. Mi!a s+iled in !etu!n and nodded. ?t &as an une.pe'ted &ind"all "o! 5llen. On'e s%e sa& Mi!a &alk a&a# &it% a slig%tl# 'o+ple. e.p!ession, s%e pulled %e!sel" toget%e! and pulled *ig!e out (# t%e a!+. 6;%e!e a!e &e going<7 63o+e&%e!e &%e!e &e &on8t (e inte!!upted.7 *%e t&o le"t t%e 'a+p and &alked to a p!ai!ie &%e!e t%e &ind (le&. *%e# &alked a long distan'e at a leisu!el# pa'e until 5llen stopped. 6... Hea%, t%is s%ould (e good enoug%.7
283
5llen >uietl# let go o" *ig!e8s a!+. *%e t&o sat on t%e g!ound &it% a &ind dan'ing $i(!antl# a(out t%e su!!oundings. Pe!%aps !i"al %ad '!eated it. 6-al" a koku. Hou8$e (een (us#, so at least a >ua!te! koku. ?t s%ould (e ni'e to spend #ou! ti+e in a pla'e like t%is &it%out doing an#t%ing.7 *ig!e unde!stood at last. 3%e &anted to take %i+ a&a# "!o+ t%e 'a+p so %e 'ould !est. 5llen s+iled gentl# and %eld out %e! !ig%t %and. ;it%in %e! g!asp &as a li>uo! (ottle. 6? pi'ked it up in #ou! tent and %id it "o! ou! &alk.7 6... ? didn8t noti'e at all.7 *ig!e &as not pa!ti'ula!l# slo&. -e &as si+pl# ti!ed, and %e al&a#s !ela.ed %is +ind &%en %e &as nea! 5llen. 6? &onde! i" an#one &ill noti'e #ou8!e gone< ;ell, ? suppose t%ose t%at look "o! #ou &ill just t%ink #ou8!e loite!ing a(out.7 5llen took a >ui'k d!ink "!o+ t%e (ottle in %e! %and and let out a deep (!eat%. -e! e#es na!!o&ed in dissatis"a'tion as s%e gla!ed at *ig!e, and s%e spoke &it% a g!u"" $oi'e. 6@eall#, ? &is% #ou8d (e a (it +o!e a&a!e. *%e +o+ent ? lea$e, so+e gi!l a'ts a little kindl# to #ou, and #ou sta!t d!ooling... Hou kno&, s%e8s s%o!te! t%an +e and %e! (!easts a!e s+alle!, too.7
284
*ig!e &as at a loss "o! &o!ds. 5llen pus%ed t%e al'o%ol to %i+. *ig!e ga=ed at t%e (ottle, (ot% tension and 'on"usion in %is "a'e. -e &as e+(a!!assed t%at %e &as "inding it di""i'ult to put an#t%ing into &o!ds. -o&e$e!, 5llen ga=ed at %i+ %appil#. "te! a (it o" %esitation, *ig!e took t%e 'ontaine! and gulped it do&n. ?t &as s&eet and %ad a '!isp a'idit# &%i'% pie!'ed %is nose and t%!oat. 6... ?t8s good.7 6?sn8t it<7 5llen s+iled p!oudl# as *ig!e !etu!ned t%e (ottle. 5llen (!oug%t it to %e! +out% t%en suddenl# looked at t%e (ottle intentl#. -e! "a'e &as se!ious and d#ed !ed. *ig!e noti'ed %e! in t%e pe!ip%e!# o" %is $ie&, (ut %e 'ould not tu!n to look at %e! in t%e da!k. 0!o+ %e! +o$e+ents, %e 'ould tell s%e d!ank +o!e. 3%e passed t%e (ottle to *ig!e again. -e took it and d!ank +o!e. -is (od# &as %eating up "!o+ t%e inside. ?t &as p!o(a(l# (e'ause o" t%e al'o%ol. *%e (ottle e$entuall# (e'a+e e+pt# as t%e# d!ank in tu!ns.
285
6?t &as good. *%anks.7 "te! t%at, *ig!e tu!ned to 5llen &it% %is enti!e (od#, sat up!ig%t, and 'alled %e! na+e. 6444 ?8+ so!!#.7 -e (o&ed deepl#, %is %ead to t%e g!ound. 6Man# died.7
-e &as speaking o" t%e soldie!s "!o+ t%e F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G. ?t &as 'o+posed o" a +i.tu!e o" B!une and )%'ted soldie!s. *%e )%'ted soldie!s &e!e 5llen8s su(o!dinates, and, depending on *ig!e8s de'isions, +an# +a# %a$e su!$i$ed. 0o! t%e people &%o li$e in B!une, in'luding *ig!e, t%e in$asion (# t%e Muo=inel !+# &as not a p!o(le+ "o! ot%e!s, (ut t%at &as di""e!ent "o! t%e soldie!s "!o+ )%'ted. *%e Ol+ut= !+# "ollo&ed :ud+i!a and "oug%t "o! %e!, (ut t%e soldie!s o" :eitMe!it=, in'luding @u!i'k, "oug%t "o! *ig!e. ;%at &e!e t%ei! "eelings, e$en i" t%e# &e!e '%osen (# 5llen to sta# (e%ind< 6... :ook up, *ig!e.7 *ig!e sat up %ea!ing 5llen8s $oi'e. *%e gi!l &it% sil$e!4&%ite %ai! s+iled gentl# at %i+.
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6:ie do&n.7 5llen la# on t%e g!ound as s%e said t%at. *%oug% a (it e+(a!!assed, *ig!e la# ne.t to %e!. *%oug% %e 'ould "eel t%e 'old g!ound against %is (a'k, %e 'ould "eel a %eat in %is (od# and %ead. -o&e$e!, *ig!e igno!ed t%at %eat and looked a(out. *%e sk# &as "ull o" sta!s. Pe!%aps t%e!e &e!e an innu+e!a(le a+ount o" sta!s in %is $ision t%at &ould take a li"eti+e just to 'ount. *%oug% it &as so+et%ing %e &as used to seeing, it &as 'u!iousl# "!es%. -e "elt so+et%ing so"t tou'% %is %and9 it &as 5llen8s %and. -e! slende!, deli'ate %ands did not see+ like %ands t%at (!andis%ed a s&o!d a(out. *ig!e so"tl# g!asped %e! %and. 6*%e!e is no need to !eg!et t%e "ig%ts #ou %a$e (een in until toda#.7 5llen +utte!ed >uietl#, as i" %e! $oi'e &as s&allo&ed (# t%e da!kness. 6Hea%. ? &on8t t%en.7 6*%at8s good. 0o! t%ose &%o %a$e "oug%t (!a$el# "o! #ou, please p!a# to &%ate$e! Dod #ou +a# (elie$e in.7 "te! !epeating 5llen8s &o!ds in %is +ind se$e!al ti+es, *ig!e unde!stood. 6*%ank #ou.7 ?nad$e!tentl#, %e %ad put st!engt% in t%e %and %olding %e!s, g!asping %e! "inge!s st!ongl#. ;%en %e tu!ned to&a!d 5llen, s%e tilted %e! %ead. *%e!e &as $alian'e as a &a!!io!, a (!ig%tness, and so+e e.pe'tation in %e! !ed e#es.
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6... *o tell #ou t%e t!ut%.7 Nuietl#, 5llen spoke in a tone as i" s%e &e!e telling a se'!et sto!#. 6? t%oug%t o" #ou +an# ti+es on t%e &a# to :egni'a.7 -e! &o!ds (!oke o"", (ut *ig!e unde!stood. 1ow about you# 5llen &as silentl# asking %i+. -e did not !e'all t%inking a(out %e!, (ut %e al&a#s %ad a #ea!ning to see %e! again. 6... ? kept t%inking a(out %o& !elia(le #ou &ould (e (# +# side.7 3%e t&isted %is "inge!s, (ut (e'ause %e e.pe'ted it, %e did not "eel pain. 6;%# &e!e #ou t%inking a(out t%at du!ing #ou! "ig%t< ;ell, ? do unde!stand, (ut... Couldn8t #ou %a$e '%osen so+e (ette! &o!ds< ;e!en8t #ou &o!!ied a(out +e<7 *%e silen'e "!o+ (e"o!e %ad $anis%ed. 5llen na!!o&ed %e! e#es in dissatis"a'tion. -e! tone &as sulk# !at%e! t%an ang!#. *ig!e apologi=ed o(edientl#, (ut %e did not t%ink 6&o!!#7 &as an app!op!iate te!+. 6? p!o(a(l# t%oug%t it &ould (e "ine i" it &e!e #ou. "te! taking 'a!e o" #ou! ene+#, #ou &ould !etu!n.7 6;%at i" ? &as 'aptu!ed o! in t!ou(le<7
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*ig!e 'ould not i++ediatel# t%ink o" a !esponse to ans&e! t%e pouting gi!l ne.t to %i+. @at%e! t%an t%inking a(out it, t%e!e &as p!o(a(l# onl# one ans&e! %e &ould gi$e to %e! >uestion. 6?" ? kne& it, ? &ould go to %elp #ou at on'e.7 ?t &as not a "alse s%o& o" st!engt% o! %ono!, (ut pu!el# sin'e!e &o!ds. *%e pe!son in >uestion (linked in$olunta!il#. 6... Hea%, t%at8s !ig%t.7 "te! sta!ing intentl# at *ig!e, 5llen !etu!ned %e! ga=e to t%e skies. 3%e "inall# said s%e &ould do t%e sa+e "o! *ig!e. *%e &ind (le& lig%tl# (et&een t%e t&o. ?t &as not natu!al9 %e!
Vi!alt
/!agoni' *ool &as (eing +is'%ie$ous. 6*%at8s !ig%t... Hou 'ould pus% (a'k an ene+# nu+(e!ing "i"t# t%ousand. ?8+ su!e #ou 'ould do t%at.7 5llen +utte!ed >uietl#, %e! "a'e and tone &e!e %app#, (ut %e! $oi'e did not !ea'% *ig!e t%!oug% t%e &ind. 0o! a &%ile, t%e t&o looked up at t%e nig%t sk# &it% t%ei! %ands joined. *%e gi!l &it% sil$e!4&%ite %ai! %ad a !ed "a'e "ull o" satis"a'tion.

Madan No Ou To Vanadis - 04

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Madan No Ou To Vanadis - 04

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2 Two Thousand and Twenty Thousand

F3il$e! Meteo! !+#G.

(!oug%t %e! /!agoni' *ool 'lose to it.

6Clea$e t%e ;indI7

spe'ta'le &o!t%# o" t%e F@ain(o& 5#esG 5li=a$etta, t%e

F:ig%tning 0las% o" B!oken Cala+it#G.

*%e F;ind P!in'ess o" t%e 3il$e! 0las%G sa!'asti'all# !eto!ted to

6Clea$e t%e ;indI7

a(out a +an &%o &as 'alled F3ta! 3%oote!G...7

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