GO-6 The Dinner Proclamation

I thought you'd have gotten everyone to help fix up the guts of this tower by now.

And I thought you'd be getting ready for the Speaker's speech, Vina. I'd rather not meddle with the designers while they work anyway.

They know how to build a museum better than I do, and I'm looking forward to what little surprises the 'Knights of the Tower Museum' they're making has in store for me.

But carving a monument commemorating the Knights? That's something I've got to do myself.

Here, have a look. How is it?

Never took you for a sculptor.

Master Mitchell taught me how when I was really young. Though he'd always get so drunk he'd forget to teach me his special techniques.

Come on over and I'll introduce you. This is Master Finn, the last Captain of the Watch, and the elder knight I was closest to.

This is Old Ferguson, the one who taught me to drink. This is Master Bailey, who did her best to teach me how to do makeup.

And here's Master Mitchell—not my carving, though. He made it himself after a night at the pub.

This is Carl, the crybaby. This is Martin. Every week he'd sneak off before getting sent back by his family. This is Karen...

And then there's... There's...

...

Thanks, Vina, but I'm fine.

It's just that every time I come back here, those fading memories of mine become a lot clearer.

You carved your own name too. 'Isabelle Montague'...

The Knights of the Tower never left. We're still here. Master Finn would be glad to hear it.

You know, Parliament could retain the institution of the Knights, even if you—

Our duty is already over, no?

Victoria has no need for a monarch, so naturally she has no need for the Knights. Let the past be remembered in a museum. That's the best ending we could ask for.

Since there's no more need to light up the tower for the palace's sake, my own duty's done as well.

These days, Londinium is no longer home to Isabelle, the Knight of the Tower. There's just Dagda now. Dagda of the Glasgow Gang.

...

But Vina, if you still have need of the Knights, I won't hesitate. Just say the word.

Oh, don't tease me, Dagda. You heard those rumors too?

We've been looking into who's been spreading them. But it seems there's a lot of people who believe, even wholeheartedly support the idea that—

'Vina Victoria will be crowned King.'

Eliseo! Eliseo! Please wait!

Oh, Jenna. More questions you'd like to ask me?

Miss Molly wants to invite you to stay and watch us rehearse our new play—

Also, Eliseo, could you help me prove something?

What is it?

Jamie and I had a wager. That even if my gran and I moved to Columbia, we wouldn't be much better off than we are now.

His dad said that in Columbia, kids like us wouldn't get to go to school, and there wouldn't be any teachers who'd want to teach us how to do plays...

Jamie said everything you told us in class was a lie.

...

Jenna, you should be up on stage for the rehearsal. Don't be bothering Eliseo now.

Ah! M—Miss Molly!

I was just inviting him to stay and watch...

Allow me. Jamie's waiting for you on stage. He's about to cry any moment now.

Without you, he can't say any of his lines. Go on.

Oh, he's so annoying... Alright, I'll go...

You've got to stay and watch, Eliseo!

*sigh* Do forgive the children, Eliseo. They tend to just speak their mind.

I must admit, I'm not too familiar with Columbia, and I'm not entirely sure how Infected children would be treated—

They'd be treated very well!

...So long as their guardians can afford health insurance.

...

...

I see.

The children are very fond of you, and I'm grateful that you took the time to explain how they should take care of themselves after infection. It's important for them to know.

Thank you, truly.

I have to give the same lectures to kids back home pretty often, so it's no trouble at all. Honestly, I'd like to thank you for letting me teach them.

I thought since Parliament's on bad terms with Pure Heart Medical, the schools wouldn't let me near the children.

Parliament's never forbidden us from reaching out to you though? On the contrary, they tend to approve of this sort of thing as long as we're quiet about it, up to a certain degree.

—!

Not just you, either. We've also invited Rhodes Island's doctors over to give the children checkups and lessons.

Parliament knows that children will need assistance.

But there's only so much that checkups and lessons can do for them. What they need is medicine and treatment.

I know. But all we can do now is stay by their side and make sure they are not overcome by fear.

At least at this school, they can still live like how they used to... Like regular people.

I really admire you, Molly.

Back home, if a young Infected is as energetic as these kids here, it usually means their family is pretty well-off.

But here... I hear some kids had nowhere to go, so you gave them shelter at the school. You've got them putting on plays, ones that bring hope to the people here.

That's amazing.

You flatter me, Eliseo.

I am merely following in the footsteps of those teachers who can no longer return to school... Especially the lady I respect the most.

Do you mean Lady Golding? I heard Heidi mention her before.

Yes. The play we are rehearsing today was the last she ever wrote in this classroom.

It's a lovely little tale. Two young children go on many adventures to find a fowlbeast that can chase away any illness, which saves their sickly friend.

Lady Heidi once asked me if Lady Golding ever called it a 'meaningless consolation' when she was writing it...

But why?

Is it alright if I stay and watch them rehearse, Molly?

For the sake of the children, and so I can show how much I respect you, and your lady.

I have a feeling that maybe here, in Londinium, there's still a lot I can do to help.

...For Lady Golding.

...For Lady Golding.

Are all the MPs present?

They are.

How much longer until the city-wide broadcast?

Two minutes.

Testing, testing, *cough*—

Shall I begin?

Go ahead.

...

This is Vina Victoria. As Speaker of Londinium's Parliament, I now address all the city's residents who took part in resistance during the war, and who yet live.

Two months ago, we walked out from the midst of tragedy.

You lot shut up! Can't you tell the Speaker's started her speech already?

On behalf of Parliament, allow me to convey our respect to those heroes who contributed to the war effort.

Every citizen, every soldier of the ducal alliance, every fighter of the Exemplars.

The city will remember each and every one of your deeds, and honor all those who are no longer with us.

...

To you, my brothers... and to me.

Now, Londinium has begun her long road to recovery. Order will be reestablished, and those lives once so familiar to us will return.

But that's not all. In regards to the Exemplars, those glorious fighters of extraordinary circumstance, Parliament has decided to reserve this unit designation forevermore, so that we may commemorate both the past and the present of these troops.

I can hear the children singing, and the retired soldiers singing alongside them. Seems like they're in a good mood.

The song they're singing is from the end of the play.

The sickly child finally recovers, and together, they find happiness.

I... expected those homeless soldiers to care a lot more about the Speaker's speech.

Of course they care, but they are of firm belief that the Speaker will not abandon them.

After all the suffering endured, happiness will surely come, Eliseo. Do you believe so?

...

The Exemplars came together once more for one simple dream: to go home. No matter their status, no matter their standing.

Now, this dream of theirs has become reality. We are home now. We have reached the end of the road.

Hah, 'reached the end of the road'.

Seems this Speaker lady really is set on disbanding them. What an idiot, pulling apart your army of mates—

Then what do you propose she should do with such a motley crew?

Keep chasing those Sarkaz for the kill? Or set their sights on the dukes?

Uh...

We've got better things to worry about than the Exemplars.

Such as replenishing our strength as quickly as we can. Focus on that instead.

Many former Exemplars have joined the Defense Force's ranks, continuing to protect our homeland.

As for those who no longer wish to bear arms, they have the right to enjoy peace alongside their families.

Parliament promises each and every one of our Exemplar comrades a place to settle down. It may take a long time for this to come to fruition, but the door to the Speaker's office is forever open to my friends—

I'm afraid it'll take a few years to see this through. You've got a long road ahead of you, Vina.

Coming along for dinner, Catherine? There's a fair few old retired blokes who've reported back to the factory.

They'll be real happy to see you!

Sure you're not just angling for my stash of smokes? I worked real hard to collect them.

Hehe.

Fine, fine, I'll come along. Oh, right. While you're at it, tell everyone to bring a few friends along.

Once Parliament helps us restart more factories, the hands we have now won't be enough.

And I, Vina Victoria, do promise to every one of this city's residents, that in this coming future without a king—

—!

Why the cut-off? What's... What's going on at Parliament?

Madam Speaker, Madam Delphine, while I was fixing up the broadcast system, I noticed this old component.

It's ancient scrap, should've been replaced when His Majesty Alistair was on the throne.

Who would've thought an unremarkable thing like this could still hold up until now! My mentor never told me anything about this!

So it's all just an accident?

Why was there suddenly something on your maintenance checklist that wasn't there before?

Iؙ—I just followed what the system synced up to me—

Ladies and gentlemen, may I sit in on this round of parliamentary discussion?

Earl of March.

Eleanor. My name's not hard to remember, Vina.

You seem rather surprised to see me here. What, did no one tell you?

It seems your informants have been lax of late, Lady Delphine.

...

Londinium has no need for... 'informants' to host a guest, my Lady. The city welcomes every Victorian who loves this land.

Lovely to hear.

Then I suppose you won't mind if I invite a few dukes to revisit an old haunt for a little reunion.

—?

Judging by the time, they should be arriving any moment now. Considering their sensitive position, the dukes are hesitant to drop in on any specific person's home, so I was forced to borrow one of your places.

I hope Parliament will understand. You're also welcome to join in, Vina. And you too of course, Delphine.

I know you are about to leave for Windermere. There are a few old friends who hope you could take their condolences for your mother along with you.

I loved your speech, a very sensible decision. Yet...

Far, far too impatient. There are some things you are free to say to us, but not to the common public.

This is for their own good, and yours too.

So you were the one who cut our signal.

We'll be assembling at the Royal Academy of Sciences, Vina. It won't take too long, so don't be late.

By the by, sometimes, there's no need for you to think you haven't done enough. The changes this city has seen are far beyond what I imagined.

...

I assumed Your Grace would have less of an appetite.

I've always been a practical lad, Eleanor.

We all know the situation in Londinium. This light wine and bread is already enough to show us the Speaker's good faith.

The Duke of Wellington is absent, yet again.

*sigh* It seems the alliance between yourself and His Grace is not as reliable as we imagined.

We all know we're here for more than just pleasantries, Your Grace. Old Wellington would never have come in the first place.

How do you believe we should treat with Duke of Wellington, Vina?

If it has naught to do with Londinium, it has naught to do with me.

Oh, really?

Would he really care what you all think? He's always been one to seize the initiative.

All I know is that since the battle for the walls ended two months ago, the engines of the Gastrell and the other frigates have not rested for even a moment.

Wellington has been waiting for you to bite, and I'm afraid to say that he's very disappointed in you all.

Quite right.

But what you see is merely one side of the matter, Delphine Windermere.

In Old Wellington's eyes, it is still far far too early to decide what sort of relationship will exist between Tara and Victoria.

In these two months, we have had a... tacit understanding. So long as nobody moves to break the silence, then silence we shall enjoy.

But really, it's Her Grace over here whose emissaries are always sneaking into Wellington's demesne. She's much better qualified than I to speak on the matter, no?

Once I return, I will be investigating who has been going against my orders.

After you return to Windermere, young Delphine, I would happily welcome some tired guests at the Lynncardine winery, whenever you like—

Could we dispense with the banalities already?

Londinium may welcome all Victorians, but we have no time to waste chatting with each and every one of them. There are still many issues affecting our citizens that need urgent handling, all more important than the people sitting here.

I am, of course, well aware that your sudden visit to Londinium is also thanks to an... ahem, tacit understanding.

I know that Wellington's only an excuse. Parliament will not interfere in this matter. So if what you're going to discuss next doesn't involve Parliament, then I don't need to waste my time here—

That's where you're wrong, Vina. The Duke of Wellington's choice really does have something to do with you. Or to be more precise, it's to do with the late king. Your late father.

...

Twenty-six years ago, Old Wellington never cast a vote in the matter of how to handle your father. He simply watched in silence as King Alistair was led from the throne to the gallows...

Thereafter, he was disappointed. Disappointed in Victoria. Disappointed in the dukes. Disappointed in your father.

From that moment on, the tug of Tara's undercurrent has never ceased.

Duke Windermere never mentioned any of this to me—

Your mother didn't care. No one regretted executing the King. Sorry, Vina, you know I don't mean anything untoward.

Just because Old Wellington himself will never come to Londinium doesn't mean that he has no interest in the city, or in you.

For the time being, we still do not know his true intentions. But just because the throne has sat idle for many years does not mean Victoria needs no king.

Bloody hell, Vina, patrol's just come by your office to tell you—

The crown's been stolen from the throne room!

—!

...?

Pardon?

It seems our meeting must be postponed, Speaker Victoria. There are side matters that require your attention.

If you need help, Vina, you know where to find me.

Chances are we'll be troubling you a little longer, Madam Speaker.

...

...

You sodding—