Contents
Chapter 70: Play the Orator
Overview
Under siege, Hadrian attempts a hostage exchange with Prince Aranata while Valka concludes Kharn Sagara is transferring into Ren and Suzuha. Aranata executes prisoners, including Sir William, and mortally wounds Smythe. Cornered, Hadrian kills Nobuta to compel withdrawal, triggering Aranata’s brutal retaliation and ending any hope of negotiation.
Summary
As Cielcin forces batter the Schiavona, Hadrian checks on the captives Ren, Suzuha, and Nobuta. Valka examines the children’s implants and concludes Kharn Sagara is transmitting his consciousness into them via quantum telegraph, explaining their comatose state. With morale fraying and Bassander absent, Hadrian seeks leverage through communication.
In the projection booth, Hadrian confronts Prince Aranata, demanding the return of human captives in exchange for Nobuta and Tanaran’s companions. Aranata counters by demanding Nobuta’s release. A tense standoff follows as Cielcin display prisoners; among them are the wounded Sir William Crossflane and the burned Raine Smythe.
To force compliance, Aranata summarily executes two legionaries with Smythe’s sword, then seizes and kills Sir William by biting out his throat. Smythe, mangled and near death, reaches for him. Hadrian, realizing delay only brings more deaths, abandons negotiation and asserts a new line: he will kill Nobuta if Aranata does not withdraw.
When Tanaran assures its master that Hadrian will not act, Hadrian proves the opposite, stabbing Nobuta through the heart to end the stalemate. Aranata howls in anguish and fury. The prince immediately orders wholesale retaliation: Cielcin set upon the prisoners, tearing them apart, and Aranata personally executes Tanaran for its failed counsel.
Horrified, Hadrian cuts the transmission, the attempted diplomacy ruined. He claims his family’s creed—“The Sword, our Orator”—accepting that force, not words, now governs events, while Valka’s revelation about Sagara’s impending rebirth in Ren and Suzuha darkens the broader stakes.
Who Appears
- Hadrian MarloweNarrator; leads a parley, then kills Nobuta to halt Cielcin executions, abandoning negotiation.
- Prince Aranata OtioloCielcin leader; demands Nobuta, executes prisoners and Sir William, orders captives devoured, kills Tanaran.
- NobutaJuvenile Cielcin captive; leverage in negotiations, ultimately killed by Hadrian during the standoff.
- Valka OnderraScientist; deduces Kharn Sagara’s mind-transfer into Ren and Suzuha via implants; witnesses the failed parley.
- Raine SmytheCommander; grievously burned, appears among captives, dies amid Cielcin retaliation.
- Sir William CrossflaneFirst officer; tries to sacrifice himself; Aranata kills him by tearing out his throat.
- TanaranCielcin attendant; counsels Aranata that Hadrian won’t kill; executed after Nobuta’s death.
- Lieutenant CartierLegion officer aboard Schiavona; coordinates troops, facilitates Hadrian’s use of the projection system.
- Tor VarroScholiast-physician; checks Ren and Suzuha, debates Valka’s mind-transfer theory.
- RenComatose child; implant indicates Kharn Sagara’s consciousness transfer in progress.
- SuzuhaComatose child; second target for Sagara’s upload, reinforcing the dual-backup threat.