11-7 Unto the Flood

You saw it, Morgan?

The guards at the warehouse were so nervous that they didn't even see me coming.

Alright, alright, you win today. Take your jerky.

Ha, knew you'd be cross. Next time you can come with, and loser has to keep guard.

...They're staring at us.

Who?

......

What are you stari—

What's this about...? Get outta the way, already. I need a drink from the kitchen. Thirsty after all that work.

You shouldn't have done that.

You mean lure away the Sarkaz patrol, giving your people a chance to escape the warehouse?

Yes.

Funny way to say 'thank you'? Or did I hear you wrong?

Our comrades in Sudean are grateful, and so are we. The mission went well. But why did you have to burn the warehouse?

It belonged to a Victorian merchant, not the Sarkaz! The Sarkaz were just occupying it.

Ha. Those fat cats are as cowardly as they are greedy. They want to help the Sarkaz, I'm happy to make them suffer for it.

You do understand that you're just driving them into the arms of the Sarkaz?

Even better. More than just warehouses to burn for those traitors.

That's gangster talk, not the way of the Self-Salvation Corps.

......

Do you still insist on working with these people, Lady Isabelle?

My name is Dagda here.

Er...

It's just, Lady Isa—Dagda. When Lady Allerdale introduced you and Her Highness to us, we thought...

Siege told you on day one that it was the Glasgow Gang working with the Corps, not Her Highness Alexandrina and the Knight of the Tower.

Do you really want to see a hoodlum lead us, even take the throne?

What shit-for-brains gives you the right to say that about Vina?

Sword back in its place, Morgan! We're on their ground!

Many of us would rather follow you and Cumberland...

Stuff it! I-I mean, you've said your piece. As long as we still stand together, you should not speak ill of our fellows.

......

Sorry, I spoke out of turn.

......

......

You shouldn't have stopped me.

And let you make a mess for Vina to clean up? Not to mention the bunny and the Doctor from Rhodes Island. Next time, think about your company before you lose your head.

Ha... never thought the day would come that you'd be the one talking to me about losing my head.

Gotta change, and adapt to the environment. Look how Dagda is doing.

Don't say that, it feels weird.

You think I wanna congratulate you? Living your way doesn't feel too nice.

But there's one thing the past couple days've taught me, Morgan. We have to adapt to keep up with Vina.

...Hmph.

Here, your jerky. Neither of us won the day.

Keep it. I've got no appetite.

I've been thinking, Hannah... is this the kind of life that Vina wants? Since when did nobles and merchants give her the respect she deserves?

You're not thinking from the right angle.

They'll realize Vina is a good leader. And the respect Vina gets, she would've earned herself.

Ah, Lady Allerdale! Finally!

Sorry, I've been busy.

I heard you were looking for a buyer for the Steam Armor?

...The news reached you quickly.

Only rumors, only rumors. A friend mentioned that a suit of Steam Armor from Londinium might appear on the market.

But the transaction fell through at the last minute.

...I see.

I would not recommend that you sell something so valuable too easily. It's hard to get a good price under current market conditions.

Thank you for the advice. I'm just trying to do something useful with what little assets my family has left.

I understand. What little money we have means nothing to the Sarkaz.

Has the banquet not yet started? There's no need to wait for me.

We can't have that now. You've been the pillar of Central Londinium for ages. It's all thanks to you that we're alive today.

How is one even supposed to negotiate with a bunch of lunatics who don't care about money?

You flatter me, sir. I'm just a nobody who spoke up a few times at the unjust treatment that those like you have received.

Now, now, don't say that. House Cumberland will undoubtedly rise again under your leadership!

Yes, the past is the past now.

When Londinium knows peace again—not to say that she's not at peace right now, of course!

In any case, House Cumberland will have our gratitude.

Lt. Colonel Lettou is here!

We salute you!

......

It's an honor, Lt. Colonel. You have not graced us with your presence for many nights.

We are most grateful for your efforts to keep the peace!

I've come into a few bottles of excellent wine.

They may not have been so impressive in the old days, but in times like these they are a rarity. I'll have my butler bring them to your residence.

Ladies and gentlemen...

There will be no more banquets, from this day forth.

The Military Commission will be interviewing you soon. Good luck.

...Huh?

Wait, no! What do you mean?

Lt. Colonel Lettou! Lt. Colonel Lettou!

Lady Allerdale, you must speak to Lt. Colonel Lettou! This is serious! P-People will die!

Lt. Colonel! Please don't go!

Miss, this is...

The Sarkaz have been biding their time. They let these fools wallow in luxury in order to keep the dukes from coming together.

There is nothing any given duke would like more than to become the master of Victoria.

At the center of Victorian high society is Londinium, and whomever makes an enemy of Londinium nobility makes an enemy of the entire state.

Such an offense against Victoria would have forced the dukes to put aside their individual interests and join forces to march on Londinium.

But the Sarkaz don't care anymore.

They've achieved their goal.

Some think what befell Londinium the past few years a disaster. But now—

War has truly come.

What about us, then?

Could you talk to Lt. Colonel Lettou, as the nobles suggested? You might...

They called me 'pillar'. But whom amongst them set foot in Cumberland Manor before the Sarkaz took control of Londinium?

Which of the Duke's true friends participated in these pretentious banquets?

I'm simply a figurehead for nobles who lack chips on their side, or those who are trying to protect themselves.

They flocked to the Cumberland banner, so Cumberland may take the fall for them.

So what you mean is...

Let's go, Ailshie. Inform our Self-Salvation Corps and Rhodes Islander friends to evacuate the ducal manor immediately. It is no longer safe.

We'll take one last look at our ancestral home.

Allerdale.

You are...

A letter from the duke.

A few days in Auchterigg, then Highbury. Look at all those factories and houses packed tight together. Never seen a place so cramped.

Can we go back to Central Londinium after this mission, Captain?

And do what? I don't know what Manfred was thinking, hiring kids like you who've barely taken a life before...

I'm not a kid! I did a lot of jobs back in Columbia with Grimm, when he was still around!

Grimm, eh...? I have babysit now because he got himself killed in Sudean. I should've taken his head and nabbed the bounty beforehand.

Er... weren't you friends?

It's not my job to teach you how to be a mercenary, kid. But it is yours to read the map. Where do we go next?

Munitions Factory No. 11 is just ahead.

General Manfred gave us a pretty long list... these are all older workers who know something, right? Just take them somewhere with no witnesses and kill them?

I would kill everyone in the factory, if it were up to me.

All that crap about killing only the ones who know anything... does he have any idea how much trouble that is?

Well, he's the boss.

Whatever. Put away the list and let's go.

Feist!

Patto.

It's been a year. I missed you.

Sorry, I should have tried to send word.

Never mind that. I'm so glad to see you. For the past year, I've been telling everyone that you'd definitely come back alive.

Remember that vent over there? There's a bit of a platform outside the other end of it.

A few years ago, you said you would jump off it and onto the factory next door.

We were scared out of our minds. It was what, more than thirty meters off the ground? Fall, and you'd be dead for sure.

But you dared to jump. And then... Tommy jumped, Day jumped, and in the end I jumped too.

Whenever they ask me if I think you're dead, I tell them to look up at the vent.

Haha... we weren't afraid of anything, were we?

So these are your Self-Salvation Corps friends?

Looks well-read to me.

I heard there were all kinds in the Corps. Guess the rumors are true.

The Doctor is definitely well-read.

You have partners?

It's sounding more and more like the real deal, isn't it?

Haha.

So, why have you come back? Anything I can help with?

I—

Patto!

Ca— Catherine... I'm sorry.

Get back to work.

Yes, ma'am.

But Feist is back, isn't he? He's not going anywhere?

Don't you worry about him right now. As for your friend, we should talk somewhere else.

......

Don't blame Catherine, Feist.

She's been protecting us from the Sarkaz for the past year. It's thanks to her that we haven't lost anybody.

There was one time when things got really bad, and she called on the leader of the Defense Forces to mediate.

But the Sarkaz have been putting more pressure on us, on Catherine.

I know, Patto.

I don't blame Granny one bit.

When I joined the Corps and truly understood what I was facing...

I knew what a difficult decision Granny had to make.

Alright, talk. What did you come back for?

We're looking for something.

Something?

Yes. A hidden Sarkaz supply line that's fueling their mad war.

We're certain the line ends here in the industrial district.

We need to find it.

No one knows the district better than you, Granny. I'm sure you can help.

That's why I came to you.

Flattering me won't do you any good.

Yes, we won't cause any trouble for the factory.

Why do you think I would help you?

Maybe I already told Patto to call the Sarkaz mercenaries.

......

If that's the case... I'll have to flee with the others.

Tell me, how many died in that incident you caused in Sudean?

......

Do you remember their names? Their faces? Do you remember what they looked like when they died? Their last words?

I...

Don't rush your answer, Feist. And don't try to bluff your way through it.

I don't know what this 'Doctor' of yours thinks, but I know you. You think you're smart, but being smart isn't enough to fool death.

Catherine! A bunch of Sarkaz just showed up at the door...

...?!

Doctor, we need to get out of here—

They say Lt. Colonel Lettou, a Defense Force officer, wants to see you. You're to be escorted.

...What?

......

George, watch these two and make sure they stay put.

Care for a smoke?

Don't bother trying to butter me up.

Lt. Colonel Lettou wants to see me?

Yes.

We've been meeting our targets. Nothing for him to worry about.

Whatever. He wants to see you. Come with us.

......

Give me a minute. I have something to take care of first.

We're not asking, old bag.

I have to put someone in charge. This is very sudden, after all.

We can wait a little bit... can't we?

(Whisper) I don't think the General wants a scene.

Ugh. You have ten minutes.

Good enough.

Granny, why are they looking for you?

None of your business.

But—

Shut up and come with me.