Dark clothing hung from the ceiling lights. The New Vatican occupation had imposed strict blackout laws on Tallinn, and the only hotel in the town was no exception to the rule. Dark shadows moved in the attic.
"Well, this is a surprise."
One of the figures looked up at the dim yellow arc lights and groaned in admiration. Even in a large city, it was pretty rare to see electric lighting, but there it was—proof that the electric power stations were in good condition.
"I'm surprised that such a remote area like this has electricity. And the town is much nicer than I had imagined. There must be quite a lot of money here."
"All of it is under the power of the count."
The ten or so local residents who were listening to the comments of their guests from Rome twitched a little to hear their home referred to in this way. Among them, the one next to Eulis seemed to be acting as the representative to the group. With an air of self-importance, he started explaining: "Three years ago, the count inherited the family estate, and he really invested in developing the town. He built a power station, a school, and a hospital. If it weren't for the count, Tallinn would be nothing but a poor rural town, still."
"Sergei, stop it. What I did was very minor. Nothing special," Eulis said modestly. He took something small out of his pocket and smiled. "If we want to thank someone, we should be offering our thanks to this. I just recognized its potential."
"What is that?" Abel looked at the item Eulis offered to him. In that slim hand was a small black pebble. "Coal? So small?"
"It's called Oilshell. There are large mineral deposits of it in the mountains around here," Eulis spoke very seriously as he rolled the stone in the palm of his hand. He didn't much look like the leader of a country—more like a scientist with a serious passion for research. "The truth is, in between the grains of this mineral is oil. When I was a student, I studied in Albion. There, I refined a process for purification."
"You can get oil from this?" Abel's eyes were wide behind his glasses.
Since Armageddon, fuel had been a precious resource, and the oil-producing countries like Hispania and Albion were all major powers as a result. But if a small country like Estonia could harvest oil, then they would gain unfathomable wealth. No doubt they'd be able to build schools and hospitals.
"It was thanks to this that I managed to turn Tallinn's fortune around. The business is still on a small scale and our operations are only limited to one mountain and purification center, but we are hoping to expand," Eulis explained.
"Oh. That would explain the big pipe we saw on our way here," Abel said, remembering their trip to Tallinn.
"Yes. That pipe is connected to a mountain about twenty-five miles from the city and leads to a purification plant."
From the window, they could see the mountain range in the distance. It formed a natural rampart around Tallinn.
"Inside is a high-powered conveyer. It carries the mineral from the mountain to the purification center. But I was worried that New Vatican may have broken it. I was on my way back from checking on the center when I was discovered."
"I see. And you said that New Vatican has occupied this town for a week now?" Abel questioned the citizens who were shrouded in a thin darkness. "What happened to the country's soldiers? Did they not fight to protect the city?"
"Of course, everyone fought bravely... but we still lost," Eulis' expression fell. His lips pursed and his voice wavered a little. "We had the numbers and the equipment but the strength of the enemy far surpassed our own. I commanded the knights myself, but we were no match. If the knights had not so bravely kept to the posts as the castle fell, then I don't know what would have happened to me."
Count of Estonia fell silent. Perhaps he was embarrassed that the castle had been lost while under his command. Or perhaps he was lamenting the loss of life. His whole body shook a little. The citizens seemed to feel his pain and they all sighed.
New Vatican may have been defeated by the church's troops at Brno, but they still possessed tuned soldiers and war vehicles. They would have easily crushed a civilian force.
"I see. I think I understand. We won't be able to expect any help from you then?"
All the citizens fell silent at this. It was quite an inappropriate remark, following what was just said. But it wasn't Abel who made the tactless comment. This time, the youth had spoken up. Up until now, he had been examining his split ends, looking distinctly bored.
"Abel, it seems like we lose the bet. There is no way we can get our hands on Cherubim in this situation. If we're discovered by them, then it'll be the end of us too. But I guess if we go back to Rome now, we're dead men anyway." Antonio had painted a grim vision of the future with his usual upbeat voice.
"We continue the operation to take Cherubim," the robots voice said. The short priest looked out the window and shook his head. "Taking Cherubim is our top priority. If we give that up, then we will never be able to return to Rome."
"That may be true, Father Tres. So what do you think we should do? There are three hundred of us. But they have tuned soldiers as well as machine soldiers," Antonio contended. "We're only four people. Countess Anhalt, me... Look, why don't we give up and go back to Rome? We might be forgiven still?"
Tres just stared back at the foolish young man, who was now checking his nails.