Gekka no Utahime to Magi no Ou - Volume 1 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4  – Legacy of the Last Hexe
Part 0
Once, a boy was asked by his master.
"What kind of person do you want to grow up to be?"
The boy then answered that he wanted to become someone like his master.
His master managed a wry smile to that reply.
"Lyle...... well, I don't know what kind of person you think I am, but I don't
want you to become like me. Don't you know that masters always want their
disciples to surpass them?"
So said the boy's master, while stroking his head.
"......People can't always be chasing after someone. Someday, they have to
stand on their own, and find their own path to walk. That is why, Lyle, you
must find the path that you, and only you, can tread. Be it left or right, be it
forwards or backwards, to proceed or to retreat―you can think about it,
when the time comes.
And so, Lyle―what kind of person do you want to grow up to be?"
The boy thought about it.
His master's question was rather vague. To begin with, it had not felt like a
question to him.
After racking his brain over it, he answered his master with the thought that
had surfaced in his mind earlier.
It was a normal, boring answer.
"I see. If that's what you want, Lyle, then you will have to become more
prideful, and stand up taller than anybody else. ―Don't worry, you'll be
alright. After all, you're my one and only......" 
 
191
And so the boy's master, as though she were a different person from earlier,
stroked his hair ever so gently. 
 
192
Part 1
Lyle, who had taken refuge in his laboratory, took out some high-purity
amber from the bottom of his desk's drawer.
Exciting the amber, he focused magical power into Lunaria, who was lying on
the sofa. The serious wounds she had suffered on her shoulder and chest
slowly closed up, as she took in the light.
"Now—I need to come up with a plan."
Leaking out a sigh, Lyle shifted the curtains and looked outside.
Students in strange costumes were prowling about the academy grounds.
Coupled with their sleepwalk-like movements, it was like a scene from a
nightmare.
"Master Lyle, do you think it would be difficult to force our way through, with
your magic and my weapons?"
In a humble tone, Milla suggested a drastic measure.
Lyle shook his head.
"We also need to take control of the situation, and not just force our way. I
can't leave them like this."
"Is that what you should be doing, Master Lyle?"
"'Magic must be kept secret. They are but illusions made into fabrication.' —
That is an unspoken rule for magi. As the <Disciple of the Last Hexe>, I cannot
break that rule."
Lyle declared while spinning the amber about in his hands, and then he took
out the piece of paper that Vilhelm had left behind from his pocket.
"......I will head for this place. Milla, I'd like you to watch over the academy."
"Are you going there alone?" 
 
193
"It'd be dangerous for the people being manipulated to leave the academy.
Please contain them within the academy. You're good at that, right?"
"Well yeah... I did do my fair share of locking up bad kids in the shed at my
mistress' bidding."
Milla looked a bit nostalgic.
"However... Master Lyle, I can't really let you go alone......"
"Don't worry about it. Expecting that something will probably happen, that in
itself is a form of preparation."
Lyle then took something that had been hidden, out from the bottom of the
desk. It was a high-calibre, top-break, single-shot revolver.
"Don't you think that that dandy noble needs a few more opponents to go up
against him?"
"Well... this gun is just a regular one, though."
Lyle tucked the gun and various other things into his belt, and pocketed the
bullets that he had crafted himself. Over his formal suit, he put on the
academy's overcoat.
"......If you insist on doing so, would you at least take some of my equipment
along with you?"
Asked the worried Milla.
Just as Lyle was about to reply that he would be fine,
"......In that case, please give me a sword."
Lunaria said, as she rose to her feet, shaking her head.
"Please give me a sword... as I will be going with him."
"You should be resting. Though you have recovered your magical power,
heading off right away is simply too much......" 
 
194
"That man had the magic sword of the Nebulablut."
Said Lunaria, with a frantic look on her face.
"......I understand."
Lyle nodded.
He felt uneasy about it, but if she was going to go regardless, it would be best
if they went together.
"Milla, you... don't have a sword, do you?"
"I do."
"...There is."
"It has been rather dangerous as of late."
Milla who had an anxious look on her face, said that and passed a key over to
Lyle.
"It is the key to the baggage compartment of the horse carriage. Please do as
you please with it."
"...Thank you."
Taking the key, Lyle continued his preparations.
Milla then whispered to Lunaria, who was checking her body's condition and
standing up.
"—Lady Lunaria, I know I am making a selfish request, but please, take care
of the two of them."
Milla bowed her head to Lunaria.
Lunaria remained silent, and suddenly nodded.
"—All right, let's go. First, we need to hurry to Maria's carriage." 
 
195
Dashing out of the living quarters, the three of them ran through an opening
within the puppets. 
 
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Page 2
Maria was in ill humour.
Her rendezvous with Lyle had been disrupted, the dress she had picked out
was dirtied, the dinner that Milla prepared had also gone to waste, and worst
of all, the rope that tied her to the chair felt horrible.
"I wish you'd stop making that kind of face."
Maria glared at Vilhelm, who had remarked in a carefree manner.
"—Why don't you untie these ropes then?"
"If I do that, won't I just get slapped again?"
"You tied me up pretty tightly, didn't you."
"Then just stay like that and don't move."
Vilhelm shrugged his shoulders.
Maria had been brought to a rather dull place.
It bore a slight resemblance to a church. There were many pipes, which
looked like those of a pipe organ, lined up on the wall which had been
distorted into the shape of a fan. And further inside, was a raised platform on
the ground, on which an input device which looked like a keyboard could be
seen.
But the smell of oil and steel that permeated the area was not something a
person would expect to smell in a church. The impression that was given off
would be that of machines, cold and robotic, with an emphasis on efficiency
and functionality.
"......Hah."
"......Stop sighing in that bored manner that makes it seem like you're
thinking, 'this is so pointless', it makes me feel sick." 
 
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"Was I sighing?"
Vilhelm looked surprised.
"Still, you're right. I was thinking that this was rather pointless. You had the
power, but you gave up on your chance to make the most out of it. Your
attitude to Lyle was what I thought was pointless. You erred in your method
of handling him."
"Don't just degrade me however you please."
"I was not. I merely spoke the truth."
His monologue had been indifferent, but Vilhelm's tone hinted at the
emotions concealed beneath.
"......Hah. Well, you can be used as a bargaining tool against Lyle. As long as
you have that kind of worth, I will guarantee your safety and well-treatment.
"......"
"Oh right... let me ask you something. Why do you bear such goodwill
towards Lyle Waldstein? I might learn something useful out of it, so do tell
me."
It was at that moment, that Maria hated the fact that she could not move her
hands more than anything else. If she at least had one hand free—
"—As if I'll tell you, you dunce!"
Sticking out her tongue and going, 'beh', she scoffed at Vilhelm.
"......Oh well. It wasn't all that important."
Saying just that, Vilhelm fell into silence.
'Hmph', snorted Maria.
(......You couldn't understand it the last time anyway.) 
 
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After snorting another time, Maria relaxed her body. It was in preparation for
later, when she would have to go all out.
And so Maria placed her faith in her childhood friend, and rested her body. 
 
199
Part 3
The third factory site at the first military shipyard in the western outskirts
was located a distance away from the multi-purpose plaza. The water
drainage there was poor and hence the place was difficult to put to use—that
seemed to be the reason the authorities had abandoned the site. So, what
had been the reason for constructing a factory at that sort of place?
Lyle soon saw the answer to his questions.
At the centre of the open field, a dim light was being leaked from a cave
entrance. The cave was reinforced with concrete, and there was even a
proper stairways.
It was obvious that the water drainage would be bad. This was because there
was a basement beneath the third factory site. Furthermore, it was a massive
basement at that. Most likely, that was the reason for the poor water
drainage.
Giving his thanks to the horses that had pulled their horse carriage here, Lyle
descended into the underground.
The staircase was lighted at various intervals by lamps, and the steps had
been well-paved, hence it was not difficult to traverse. It was just that, it had
collected a fair amount of dust due to what was likely long years of abandon.
And on that dust, were fresh footprints, hinting at the fact that several
people had most likely been here recently.
Finally reaching the end, Lyle swallowed his breath as he took in the sight
before him.
It was as he suspected, there was a colossal, man-made underground space.
The sheer size of it made the hall in the academy where the ball had been
held at look like a child's sandbox.
However, what surprised Lyle the most was the huge structure enshrined in
the middle of the underground space.
"This is......" 
 
200
It was a rigid airship, and its entire body was wrapped in metal. The envelope
meant to bring up the airframe measured over two hundred metres in
length. The gondola, which supported the multi-layered deck, was about as
tall as a three-storey building. On various places of the airframe, there were
batteries and suitable partitioning covers for them.
"An immense airship... no, a 'flying warship', huh......"
Left behind and forgotten in the underground, it was a rather fitting object
for the remnants of the military shipyard.
The flying warship was an airship that was outfitted with firepower. Ever
since the dawn of the airship, they were frequently proposed to be put into
practical use. However, every proposal for it had been rejected.
The reason was simple. There was a problem in the payload capacity.
Normal airships could fly due to strict weight adjustments. The armour that
protected the warship, the high output steam engine, the armaments and
ammunition, all of those already took up a huge amount of weight.
The most troublesome of all, were the personnel needed to man the warship.
During the Age of Discovery, what usually took up the most capacity were the
humans in the vessel. Outfitting the airship with complex weapon systems for
battle, would make the airship excessively unstable.
"That's the <Erbe Der Last Hexe>......?"
Surveying the sight before him with a doubtful look, Lyle affirmed that the
hatch in the rear of the flying warship was wide open.
His mouth pursed, Lyle headed into the interior of the warship.
The interior was already lit up by lamps. And those lamps indicated the path
in which Lyle should proceed in.
It looked like the steam engine was already running, as a light tremor could
be felt from the ground and walls. 
 
201
There were pipes overhead in the narrow passageway; the conditions were
ill-suited for living in. The interior denoted silently that the airframe was a
thing purely dedicated for use in war.
At the end of the passageway, was a space, which had an appearance
drastically different from the passageway leading up to it. As for how it
looked like, it would resemble a church the most. On the opposite side of the
entrance, namely, near the front of the vessel, a gigantic pipe organ-like
device had been enshrined.
"—Welcome."
At the base of the pipe organ-like device, stood a lone man, sword thrust into
the ground.
"To the <Erbe Der Last Hexe>—The core of the flying warship, <Ymir>1
."
Vilhelm Zest smiled, looking as though he were tired of waiting.
While glaring at Vilhelm, Lyle observed the device resembling a massive pipe
organ behind.
The parts which looked like pipes, were cylinders that lined up wheels, which
engraved numerals. Those were lined up in a row on the surface of the wall,
attached to the enormous gears and cranks. And at the 'keydesk' of the pipe
organ, a huge keyboard of a typewriter had been installed.
Vilhelm was standing before that keyboard, and right next to him, was Maria,
tied to a simple chair. Seeing that there were no visible wounds on her
seemingly ill-humoured self, Lyle heaved a sigh of relief.
"—Do you know what this device that had been installed in the bridge of
<Ymir> is? It is something that you had once proposed, a mechanism that had
been publicised by «The Last Hexe»."
Vilhelm asked, as though he were testing Lyle.
Lyle had understood immediately. Once, he had imagined its entire diagram.

1
 Ymir is the ancestor of all jotun, the frost giants, in Norse Mythology. The kanji being
used is 'King of Giants'. 
 
202
The Difference Engine that Lyle had come up with—a calculator that powered
a steam engine. Although it was something that calculated the certainty of
possible outcomes through predetermined behaviours, the calculations it
was capable of were comparatively simple in nature, and hence it was faster
to do the calculations on paper. Due to that, it was treated like a toy.
However, the calculator was merely the simple first stage. If a semiautomatic
machine was implemented, then there would be a next stage. That
would surely be—
"Yes, it is no calculator, but a mechanical brain that processes orders—the
[Ingenious Engine]."
A mechanical system that governs its own functions based on an order—Lyle
had thought of the theory behind it, but he did not think that the current
level of technology could have completed it.
That was what laid before his eyes.
"The hull of <Ymir>, was a prototype for the implementation of the concept
of a 'flying warship'. As it was a complete failure, it had been abandoned.
After the shipyard above ground was burned down, it was just left as it is
now.
Erllua Azoth was the one who had her eye on this failed project. She had
once collaborated with the military before, and thus, it is likely she was able
to learn of this vessel's existence. What she truly wanted was probably, a
device strong enough to power the Ingenious Engine, which needed a
complex and huge power source.
However, can you understand what kind of 'power' can be born from the
union of a war machine and the Ingenious Engine?"
"......"
It went without saying that Lyle understood.
If the flying warship was outfitted with the Ingenious Engine, then most of
the problems that the airship faced regarding weight capacity would be
eliminated. If a 'program' was installed into the Ingenious Engine beforehand, 
 
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then the machine would be able to operate on its own afterwards. The
soldiers manning the cannons, the personnel adjusting the outputs—the
problem of the 'heavy human baggage' weighing down the flying warship
would be resolved in one fell swoop.
"If that could be mass-produced, it would likely become a ground-breaking
form of weaponry. If properly maintained, they would be machines that
would not get their orders wrong, nor grow tired. No doubt, they would be
the ideal weapon."
Vilhelm said while looking satisfied, as if he were looking at an interesting
toy.
Should that 'ideal weapon' ever be released, the deaths that it would bring
would easily number in the hundreds, no, thousands—he understood that
fact, and admired its power.
"When I first came across this, I had been excited to no end—but this
Ingenious Engine did not function. I did not have the 'key' to start up this
machine."
Vilhelm indicated the opening in the upper region of the keyboard. It was
about the size of a person's palm, and was round in shape—it would be just
right for something like a pocket watch to fit into.
"The conversion key for the machine to interprete the order that had been
entered through calculation—that was what I have been searching for."
Saying that, Vilhelm took out the pocket watch he had taken from Lyle—the
pocket watch Lyle had been given by Erllua. Removing the outer cover and
the watch glass, he took out the 'interior' of the pocket watch.
It was a black, lenticular object. The part connected to the needle of the
watch was protruding out, like a key. The lines that ran around the surface
were flickering with light in systematic intervals.
"It is likely that this would activate <Ymir>. And for what comes after, you are
necessary."
Turning towards Lyle, Vilhelm extended his arm, overflowing with vigour. 
 
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"In the absence of «The Last Hexe», you are the most knowledgeable person
after her—no, you would know the Ingenious Engine even better than the
«Witch». Your power is necessary. Lyle Waldstein, come with me. Together
with the <Ymir>, we will let the entire world know of your talent."
"......"
Lyle looked intently at the outstretched hand, and the Ingenious Engine
behind Vilhelm, in silence.
He had been rather moved by the notion. That the mechanisms he had
formed in his mind had been materialised before his very eyes, there was no
way someone who studied science would not be moved.
He wanted to show the Ingenious Engine to others. That was a natural desire
that Lyle had.
"......I must humbly decline your offer."
After a short pause of several seconds, Lyle expectedly refused.
Vilhelm's face darkened. It seemed that Lyle's answer had not been within his
expectations.
"Yeah, I was the one who had come up with the Ingenious Engine. However,
it was not for this sort of purpose."
"......Are you denying yourself the opportunity to realise your own power,
and your own worth?"
"My goal was not to create a weapon. I cannot stand by and watch it used as
a weapon right from its 'birth'."
"Wisdom and knowledge are 'power'. There's no worth in having power that
you do not use. And the fastest way to increase its worth—is to wield power
as a weapon."
Vilhelm shook his head as if he were clearing away a headache, and
whispered in a chagrined voice. 
 
205
"Although I'd have liked to have him cooperate with me out of his own will, I
guess I have no other choice."
Vilhelm drew the sword at his waist.
"It looks like there's no other way to go about this."
The faint crimson magic sword was pointed towards Maria.
Maria snorted her nose, as if she were provoking him.
"—What a foul man you are."
"The ends justifies the means. Well then—what will you do, Lyle?"
"......If that's how you want it, then I'll be taking a hostage as well."
"A hostage? I don't have anyone you can...!"
Vilhelm was at a loss for words.
Maria's eyes widened in surprise.
From the breast pocket of his overcoat, Lyle had taken out a cylinder-shaped
object. That which looked somewhat like a tenderiser, with a metal tube
attached to the wooden handle, was a...
"To think you had a hand grenade..."
The stick grenade, was one of the most cutting-edge weapons, along with the
bolt-action rifle. Due to the fact that it used a detonator instead of an ignition
fuse, the increased amount of safety was one of its selling points.
"Where on earth did you get that from..."
"Getting to know the compounding method of explosives and how to
produce a detonator, was unexpectedly fun."
Lyle placed his finger on the cord at the end of the handle. 
 
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"If you don't want to be blown to bits, then you had best release Maria right
away."
"......This is some outrageous plan you've come up with."
His composure up till this point in time utterly disrupted, Vilhelm's expression
stiffened, for the first time.
"It is just the most rational one with the highest probability of success."
Lyle smiled sweetly.
"Put too high of a value on me, didn't you, Lord Zest? Now, what will you
do?"
"...At this range, I will take but a second and a half to close the distance. It
takes quite some time for a hand grenade to detonate, doesn't it?"
"In that case—would you care to give it a go?"
Said Lyle, and he promptly pulled the cord.
"Lyle!"
"Damn—"
Before Maria shouted out, Vilhelm had broken into a run.
It was just as he said; Vilhelm took a little less than two seconds to reach Lyle,
and knocked the hand grenade from his hands.
"That was close— !"
Although the hand grenade exploded, what assailed them was no shock
wave, but an intense flash of light.
"Wait, this is a— !"
"Don't worry about it!" 
 
207
Lyle who had covered his face beforehand, ran past Vilhelm, who had his
hands over his eyes.
"That was just an example of chemiluminescence!"
Lyle headed for Maria at full speed.
Although Maria was blinded by the intense light as well, sensing Lyle's
presence, her face quickly glowed with joy.
"Lylee~"
"Glad to see that you're alright, Maria."
Lyle started to untie the ropes that were restraining Maria.
"Lyle, behind you!"
Turning about abruptly, Lyle found that Vilhelm was heading right back for
him. Though he had not recovered from the blinding light just yet, he had
extended his hands out towards Lyle.
"Just give it— !"
A flash of silver that came from above.
With just his intuition, Vilhelm had counterattacked with his magic sword.
"It's you..."
Lunaria who had came falling from the ceiling, had a long sword of steel in
her hands.
Vilhelm went into a safe defensive position.
Seeing that his fighting prowess had not gone down at all despite his
deteriorated eyesight, Lunaria released the [Fog]. Blocking Vilhelm's field of
vision, she grabbed both Lyle and Maria, and 'fogslided' away, putting some
distance between them and Vilhelm. 
 
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"......You sure pulled a fast one on me, Lyle."
After blinking his eyes, Vilhelm glared at Lyle.
"—What on earth was that earlier?"
"It had been powdered metal—a chemiluminescence reaction created using
some aluminium and combustion agents."
Untying the ropes binding Maria, who had been dragged along with her chair,
Lyle turned around and faced Vilhelm.
"I don't have the skills to make real explosives, due to the precision needed."
"I fell for your trap, didn't I. Good grief...... you're full of surprises."
Although he was the one who had been at a disadvantage, Vilhelm still
smiled, looking excited.
"All the more reason—to not let you return!"
Spinning around, Vilhelm ran towards the base of the Ingenious Engine.
Lyle did not even have the time to stop him.
The core of the pocket watch from the «Witch» was inserted into the
'keyhole' of the Ingenious Engine.
With a small click, the countless numbers of wheels started to turn all at
once.
"—Ascend."
Vilhelm's fingers began to tap on the upper part of the keyboard.
In that moment, the sound of running steam engines grew louder, and with a
stir, the control deck—the flying warship began to tremble greatly. 
 
209
Part 4
The performing arts festival held at the multi-purpose plaza in the western
outskirts of the royal capital had ended, and the performers were drinking
themselves silly in celebration. A certain powerful noble had gifted them with
a generous amount of beer and spirits. Those who knew that said noble was
Vilhelm Zest numbered few, and those who wanted to leave the third factory
site numbered none.
After all, if they could enjoy the drink, they would not care about all the other
little things.
Initially, they had thought that the trembling was due to their insobriety.
And then, those who were less drunk had pointed it out.
"Hahaha, look! I'm so wasted, I'm seeing airships!"
Practically all of them had ignored it and continued their merry-making.
"Hahaha, excellent!"
One part of the wall of the central deck in the flying warship <Ymir> retracted
just as the warship began to rise, and was replaced by a glass pane that
projected the scenery outside. It conferred on them a feeling of being distant
from the ground.
By simply operating the keyboard, the massive flying warship was controlled.
The Ingenious Engine that functioned as the core of <Ymir> was undoubtedly
something that would change the way wars would be waged. Although it
could only support something as large-scale as a flying warship, if a
downsized version were to be available, its worth would be unmeasurable.
"Hahahaha! Excellent! You are truly a genius, Lyle Waldstein!"
"......"
Lyle answered Vilhelm's compliments with only silence. 
 
210
He had invented it, but it was being used in the worst conceivable way. He
could not find the appropriate words to describe his regret.
"......What should we do, Lyle?"
Whispered Maria, who was patting her arms and shoulders after being
released from her bindings.
"He's gone at it quite a number of times, but that dandy noble doesn't have
any openings."
"......There are ways to stop this flying warship even if we do not shut down
the Ingenious Engine."
Automated it may be, but that also meant that it was a complex system. A
complex machine had many weaknesses that could be exploited. For
example, if the head could not be cut off, then one simply had to crush its
heart—
Lyle attempted to slowly retreat, but Vilhelm seemed to have guessed his
intentions, and tapped the keyboard with his fingers.
And immediately, a banging sound came from the passageway that led to the
central deck, and it was shut with a steel door.
"The way to the warship's core is now shut. What will you do now?"
"......"
"Lyle."
Maria clapped the now silent Lyle on the shoulders.
"I don't know what you're thinking of... but you can make use of me."
Turning around, Lyle saw that Maria was wearing a rather dangerous smile.
"I'm pretty strong no matter how you look at me, hm?"
"...I know that." 
 
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Lyle smiled wryly.
It was somewhat deplorable for him, but before he made an all-in gamble, it
seemed he had no choice but to borrow her strength.
"......Lunaria, pass me the pack."
Taking the pack which Lunaria had been carrying on her back, Lyle took out
the weapons inside one after another.
"Here you go, Maria."
Taking her favourite rifle and a belt filled with bullets that was passed to her,
Maria went, "Whoa, would you look at this." The tip of the rifle had been
equipped with a bayonet.
"Now we're ready for battle."
"Alright... what about you, Lunaria?"
"......I am ready."
The girl who was staring at Vilhelm replied softly to Lyle.
"Currently, you're the only one who can oppose that magic sword of his. I
need you to buy some time for us."
"......Understood."
Lunaria tightened her grip on the sword in her hands.
"Lunaria will give us some time. Maria, I'll be needing your assistance."
"Roger that."
"Done with your little chat?"
Vilhelm who had turned and faced them, was approaching, magic sword in
hand. 
 
212
Taking the initiative, Lunaria dashed out at him.
Wearing a bored expression, Vilhelm threw out an attack at
the «Nosferatu» who was clad in [Fog], her Eyes of Amber glowing with the
light of magical excitation.
He deflected the outstretched [Fog] with the magic blade, which shared the
same nature in their magic.
"—Ugh!"
Lunaria slashed with her sword, and it grazed the tip of Vilhelm's nose as he
jumped back. The next instant, a stake of [Fog] followed up with another
attack. Jumping aside, Vilhelm hacked at everything in his way.
"A combination attack using both your [Fog] and a sword. It is more
troublesome to deal with, but..."
Using her 'fogsliding' movement which confused the sense of distance of
people, Lunaria closed the distance, swinging her blade at Vilhelm. He
guarded the attack with ease. The tendril of [Fog] that followed up went for
his weak point, but it was completely dodged, brushed away and hacked
apart.
"It seems you've gotten a little better. I can see the strength and skill behind
your sword, but it is not enough to overcome me. And neither is your [Fog]."
Having seen through her tactics, Vilhelm went on the attack.
As though the battle on the viewing platform had been but a mere warm-up,
the speed and power of the magic blade multiplied.
"Kgh—"
Lunaria felt her hand go numb as she took the attack from the magic blade.
Though she had also guarded with the [Fog], the magic blade had went
through it like a hot knife through butter. The tip grazed Lunaria's slender
neck, and blood began to flow.
"Ow—" 
 
213
"Do not resist. This is but an act of mercy, as you will be reunited with your
brethren."
"...What do you know about us?"
Pressing down on her neck, Lunaria glared sternly at Vilhelm.
"From who exactly did you receive that magic blade from...?"
"Of course, from those who had burned down your hometown."
Gently caressing the blade of the magic sword, Vilhelm said.
"Besides the House of Zest, there are also others who have had secret
agreements with the Phantasm. This includes those who proposed changes,
in order to adapt to this new world transformed by the <Steam Engine
Revolution>—those who were of the Fog had rejected the new ways, and
thus, were consequently destroyed as a result, were they not?"
The young Margrave, looked right back at Lunaria, his eyes filled with pity.
"Well, they had it coming. They were always cooped up in their own world.
Hidden in darkness, the Phantasms passed those dark days. Unable to realise
that they were trapped by the covenants of the olden days, their narrowminded
ideology rejected change—no different from those nobles who had
fallen into ruin, no longer able to be sustained by just their lineage. Utterly
worthless, with not a single bit of productivity. It is no surprise they were
destroyed, those of the Fog, that is."
"Silence!"
Shouting out loud, Lunaria hacked at Vilhelm. He deflected both blade and
[Fog] as though it were child's play.
Lunaria's onslaught was incessant, reckless.
"My father... my mother... my sisters... How dare you insult their name!"
"Why do you feel anger? Why do you feel resentment? There's no meaning in
it, no matter what you do." 
 
214
"Shut up!"
"I'm sure that even you yourself understand that there's no meaning in your
anger, right?"
At his gentle voice, Lunaria's face was contorted, as though she was about to
break out in tears.
"S-Silence...!"
"Truly, you have no worth. After all, you aren't even doing the things you
should be doing here. Which is—to run away, isn't it?"
"Silen.....!"
"Yes, you left those of the Fog behind and fled. You failed to die."
"......"
With Vilhelm's every whisper, Lunaria's movement seemed to become visibly
wilder and wilder. Her aim with her swords strikes and the [Fog] lessened.
Vilhelm was a formidable warrior, but he was no novice in the art of
speechcraft either.
He had said that the most important thing to have as a noble, was to possess
'eyes that can judge'. And so, the young Margrave had seen right through the
weaknesses of the «Nosferatu» girl.
"Why be angry over some insults? There's no need to mourn, nor reason to
grieve—not for you, who had thrown away even the worth of anger and fled,
is there?"
"A... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"
Lunaria screamed. Like a child throwing a tantrum, she entrusted everything
to her anger, and swung her sword.
Vilhelm struck aside Lunaria's direct downward slash with a horizontal blow
from the magic blade. 
 
215
*Bakin*!
A high-pitched sound was produced as Lunaria's sword was cleaved in two.
Vilhelm then drove his palm right into the dumbfounded Lunaria's belly. The
merciless blow from that tempered, well-trained body sent Lunaria flying
away, throwing up blood, helplessly sprawling over the ground.
"...A-Argh...... U-Urgh....."
She had no strength left in her body. Her body shook, trembling.
Even so, she struggled to stand, her sword falling from her hands and onto
the ground.
The sword was broken. A blade that had been rendered useless. It was—just
like her own self.
The moment she laid her eyes on that blade that had almost been broken off
at the hilt, Lunaria finally gave up. She could no longer find any strength nor
will.
"That's right. A pitiful corpse which has lost its pride and ego is practically
worthless."
Slowly walking towards her, Vilhelm raised the magic sword, as though he
were an executioner.
"Now begone...?"
Noticing that something was wrong, Vilhelm turned around.
Lyle and Maria were there, tearing off a certain part of the wall. 
 
216
Part 5
"Just as predicted...!"
Removing the maintainence hatch of the control deck with help from Maria,
Lyle found what he was looking for.
"Yup, this is Master's work. I thought she'd definitely have prepared
something like this."
Although it was not something like the keyboard in front of the Ingenious
Engine, a small terminal with a list of numerals had been installed there. It
was a backup, in case the keyboard to enter the commands with broke down.
"Will you be able to manage?"
"I'll do something about it."
Replying to Maria's question, he placed the terminal in his lap. He was
overcome with emotion. It was unlike his usual self.
—The fruits of the technology he had invented.
It existed in reality. There existed no scientist who would not be happy to see
their ideas be turned to reality.
That feeling could not be so easily erased—Lyle smiled at the irony of it.
"Lyle?"
"It's funny..... how happy I am. I shirk away from this invention that could
very well change the world completely, but at the same time, I can't help but
feel thrilled to see it right before my very eyes."
He thought that it was selfish and pathetic.
"......I'm sorry, Maria."
"Lyle?" 
 
217
"I'm just scared. I'm afraid that I might change someone, or their way of life—
I'm afraid, that's why I did not do anything."
It was because he did not do anything, that he had come here. That was how
it was.
However, he had wavered in his path many times. And each time, the words
from the girl of flaming copper hair beside Lyle had brought him back on
track. If he were to respond to her words—if he were to wield his power as
she wanted him to, would it do for him to remain thus?
"...I'm sorry Maria. If I do it your way—"
"What I wish for, is what you wish for, Lyle."
Hearing Maria say that rather indifferently, Lyle looked up from the terminal
without thinking.
Maria nodded, a satisfied smile on her face.
"I don't know what is it you're worried about—but even though I have some
hopes for you, I won't force you to do anything. Well, I've made a few
preparations in case you ever feel like it, but... that's just a hobby of mine."
"But still, I..."
"Knowledge and wisdom are a means, not an ends. Indeed, there are many
things you can do with them... However, they are also things that only you
can do. So if it doesn't match your own wishes, then you can simply ignore it.
You're you, after all. There's nothing to be worried about."
With that, Maria winked impishly.
—Yeah, I see it now.
His chest felt lightened.
Lyle had always wondered if all Maria cared about was his knowledge and
wisdom. Whether she had wanted him to use said knowledge and wisdom
like Erllua did. 
 
218
Lyle had always hesitated. Afraid that he might make a mistake, and end up
hurting others. That was why he had always held his talent back. His
conscience had always bugged him, why a girl like Maria would ever want to
have anything to do with an unmotivated person like him.
However, he did not feel any guilt nor weakness towards her.
"—Feeling distressed, Lyle? I wonder what you're trying to do now?"
Vilhelm was running towards Lyle, who was operating the terminal.
"Lyle, I leave things to you!"
Maria, without holding back, fired her gun.
Vilhelm dodged that as though he had seen it coming. As if he had predicted
the trajectory of the bullet.
Without giving Maria any time to load another bullet, Vilhelm slashed at her.
Maria did not run, and furthermore, exchanged blows with him head-on.
"Ugh!"
"Haaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Pulling back the bayonet, she sidestepped her foe's attack, and drove the
gunstock of the rifle at Vilhelm, in a counter.
The iron plate-reinforced gunstock taking a bit of the skin from his brow,
Vilhelm turned his body aside and retreated instantly.
"...I see how it is," said Vilhelm as he touched the blood on his brow with his
finger, narrowing his eyes. Your true specialty is in the rifle, eh. That
technique is— [Bayonet Fechten]
1
, isn't it?"
"Bingo."

1
 'Fechten' is German for 'fencing', so yep, it's bayonet fencing. 
 
219
Holding the rifle like a spear, Maria smiled fearlessly.
As guns had become a practical and increasingly commonplace weapon,
there were those who had adopted the new weapon as a form of martial art,
amongst the knights who had lived by the sword. [Bayonet Fechten] was
born along the way, polished and continued, as the newest form of close
quarters combat.
While checking the condition of his sword, Vilhelm scowled at Maria, who
had loaded a round.
"......The maid had some skill, and so does the mistress, it seems. Do let me
enjoy myself a little longer!"
With a smile like that of a beast which had found its prey, Vilhelm charged at
Maria.
Her dress billowing, Maria took the blow from the magic blade, a desperate
expression on her face.
"Lyle! Do it quick!"
"I don't know what you're up to, but— !"
Vilhelm, who had caught Maria's bullet with the flat of his blade, widened his
eyes.
The scenery outside the window—the light from the stars was slowly moving.
The progress was being taken over.
"You can't be—"
"The rotor's torque was stronger than I expected it to be... three tries, it
took..."
"You actually took control of the ship without the conversion key!"
Maria took advantage of his surprise, stabbing out with the bayonet, and
Vilhelm dodged it by a paper-thin margin. 
 
220
"Ridiculous! A back-up is but a back-up! Not to mention, with just a terminal
and some numbers—How!?"
"It's just as you said, Margrave Zest. Master was the one who created the
Ingenious Engine—But I was the one who came up with the theory and
fundamental layout."
Without taking his eyes off the terminal, Lyle replied Vilhelm's question.
"It might be the Ingenious Engine, but it's based on calculations. Even if you
use a keyboard that makes it easy to input text, the commands are
interpreted through a numerical algorithm. If you understand how that
protocol works, even if you key in commands in numerals..."
"Absurd! Even if that were possible—When did you crack the algorithm of
the program!"
"The basis for the calculations is a binary number system involving just 1s and
0s. And then, those pipe cylinders that started rotating when you input the
program—once I saw the nature of the computation process from that, I
understood it at once."
The speed at which Lyle's fingers moved increased, by two, even three times
more.
The pipe organ's—the Ingenious Engine's calculation wheels creaked noisily
as they rotated. After commands were entered into the algorithm which
executed the program, the doors which sealed the passageway leading to the
control deck opened.
"Go! Lyle!"
"Got it!"
At Maria's urging, Lyle started to run. However, seeing the figure of the fallen
Lunaria, his feet stopped for a moment.
"—Lunaria!" 
 
221
He had heard the conversation she had with Vilhelm earlier. It explained the
recklessness and desperation in her attitude. The girl, whose name had been
called out and was looking over at him, her expression had returned to the
same empty emotionless one she had in their first meeting.
"......Whether you have any worth or not, I don't really know! Nor is it
something I can decide!"
However, he had to refute Lunaria's heart, which had been held captive by
her guilt.
"There is just one thing I have to tell you! If you do nothing, then it would
mean that you accept Lord Zest's insults! Are you fine with that, deciding just
that like, the worth of your own bloodline!?"
Saying just that, Lyle turned around.
He did not think that Lunaria's heart would be cleared with just that.
However, he wanted to lighten Lunaria's guilt, if only a little, just like how
Maria had done for him.
(—Doing that would probably make her keep on fighting... it's hypocrisy.)
As though trying to shake off his self-mockery, Lyle picked up his speed and
hurried towards the engine core of <Ymir>. 
 
222
Part 6
"There he goes......"
Lyle's footsteps could be heard as he departed the area, and Maria took up a
stance with her rifle.
"......"
In contrast, Vilhelm was staring blankly at the exit of the deck that Lyle had
unlocked. Though he was so full of openings that it seemed like it would all
be over if she just aimed and shot him, Maria controlled that temptation,
feeling a strange air from him on her bare shoulders and nape.
"......Hu... huhu...Ahahahahaha!"
Vilhelm broke out into uproarious laughter.
"Ha, haha, heheh......he input the calculations directly? I searched for the
conversion key because that had been too complicated—and looking at the
rotations of the wheels? He cracked the program from looking at all those
numbers rotating at that kind of speed? How good must your memory and
mental calculation be to do that? My worries as to whether he was a true
prodigy were all for naught! He's a monster. With his vast amount of
knowledge and his exceptional ability to do mental calculations, he's a
monster of intellect! Magnificent! I must have him on my side, no matter
what."
Maria felt the chills run down her spine.
There was nothing resembling malice in Vilhelm's voice. It felt like that of a
positive, eloquent, pleasant young man.
However, the meaning behind those words, revealed nothing but a disregard
for the other party's will, and only a desire to enforce his own.
Vilhelm returned to the base of the Ingenious Engine and tapped the
keyboard. With a clanging sound, the metal cover was disconnected. 
 
223
"I've opened up the voice pipe in the warship. Anything that happens in this
control deck will be heard throughout the entire ship."
No one knew that such a thing existed, until he had said it.
"Lyle! I don't know how you're going to destroy the engine core without any
explosives, but... get back here at once!"
The Margrave called out to Lyle, who was running in the warship.
"I hope you will think this through quickly! I do not wish to make the ladies
scream—if <Dainsleif> was to absorb their blood, it will all come to the same
ending anyway!"
Vilhelm approached quietly, as though he was a shadow. The magic sword
was drawing closer, aimed towards Maria.
Spinning about using the rifle like a spear, Maria grit her teeth and defended
herself against the fierce assault from the magic blade.
If she suffered so much as a graze, she would be controlled. It was necessary
for her to push her concentration to the utmost limit.
"Damn!"
"Bayonet Fechten is a highly offensive combat style which lacks in defence.
You won't make any progress if you're only defending, will you?"
He was explaining it to Lyle, and at the same time, provoking Maria directly.
The bayonet was used similar to a spear, but it relied heavily on defeating the
enemy in a single strike. It was unavoidable that there would be an opening
for a counterattack. And that was what Vilhelm had been going for.
"Don't worry. I will not treat you coldly. I did say that I will grant you your
wish, after all."
"I have no idea what you're going on about!"
"I'm just saying, if you won't be obedient, then I'll make you be." 
 
224
Instead of defending with the sword, he went on the attack with words.
"I'll even let you bed Lyle. It'd be rather simple to remove all sense of shame
from you."
"Wha—"
"I'll engrave the ways of pleasuring a man right onto your heart. Don't you
think that would make Lyle feel so good that he'd float right up to heaven?"
"You disgusting beast!"
Maria found herself enraged, at those words which had trampled all over her
feelings for Lyle.
Rage disrupted concentration. Maria, who was concentrating on the magic
sword, widened her eyes when she saw that Vilhelm had let go of the hilt. In
that instant, a sharp elbow drove into her body, and her body formed the
shape of a 'c'.
He nimbly grabbed hold of the magic sword in mid-air, and swung it down on
Maria, who was enduring the pain.
"Oh no— !"
However, the blade of the magic sword passed through the air before her
eyes, a distance away. Vilhelm also seemed to be a distance away.
Not quite understanding what had happened, Maria realised that she had
been carried away, the [Fog] entwined around her body, and then she was
placed down next to Lunaria, who was unsteadily rising to her feet.
"......A hateful man he is."
Lunaria sighingly said.
"......Yes, I am but a powerless, worthless and insignificant lass. I have not the
intention of changing that fact... I understand that, yet you...... !"
Maria blinked with surprise, and looked down at Lunaria's pale silver hair. 
 
225
The one she seemed to be angry at was not Vilhelm, but Lyle, it seemed. Her
irritated face seemed to have several kinds of colourful languages written on
it, but the shadow of pessimism seemed to have been chased away.
"All of it... I understood..... yet you...... !"
"—Lyle is just that kind of guy."
Lunaria looked up at her, and Maria smiled wryly in response, as though she
were both proud and amazed.
"For example, he'd even save someone who's trying to commit suicide before
him, right? But, he won't tell that person to cherish their life. He'd probably
just go, 'I dislike seeing this sort of thing happen'. And so, he would stop
them from suicide. No matter how many times, he would save them... and he
would continue to do so until they give up on trying to do so."
"......I think I kind of understand."
Lunaria looked sullen as she quietened down, but she nodded as though of
the same opinion.
She felt that Maria was a surprisingly easy girl to understand, and she could
feel a sense of familiarity from her. Their hearts were being thrown into
disarray by the same young man, and it was similar to the feeling of
'camaraderie'.
"You saved me earlier. I'll have to thank you once this is all over. What would
you like?"
"......Then, would you please tell me your 'secret'?"
Maria raised her eyebrows, but quickly nodded after remembering their
exchange back in Lyle's laboratory.
"Yeah, that's fine by me. Well then, let's get started, shall we, Lunaria?"
"Let us do so, Maria." 
 
226
The copper and pale silver hair, as though being repelled from each other,
abruptly jumped aside. Immediately after, the faint crimson-coloured magic
sword came slashing down.
"—You think by joining forces you'd stand a chance?"
Vilhelm went after Maria, who was on his right. Maria fired a shot, to
suppress him. Naturally, Vilhelm evaded that shot. In the same motion, he
thrust his sword right at Maria,
"Ugh—"
The high-density [Fog] had guarded Maria from the magic blade.
Lunaria then took the place of Maria who had retreated, after being
protected by the [Fog].
And once again, Vilhelm attacked Lunaria, who had come at him riding upon
the [Fog], with both his magic and verbal sword.
"You're still at it? What are you still fighting for? You, who had left your
brethren behind, and failed to die—"
"It is just as you say. I will fail to die."
Lunaria looked back at Vilhelm resolutely, wielding the [Fog].
"What will come of your anger? You, the powerless you, who could do
naught but flee from even your own cowardice, what will come of fighting
now?"
"Nothing will come of it. My feelings still have not changed, that I am
worthless, and that this world would be better off without me. I am but a
coward who ran away..... However, those of the Fog—I cannot forgive any
insults you make to their name!"
"......Tch."
Vilhelm murmured, realising that he would not seize the advantage this time. 
 
227
Lunaria's nihilistic ways were a result of her inability to save her brethren.
She could not forgive her own powerlessness, and that was why she had
thought herself a 'corpse that ought to disappear', 'someone who found no
worth in living, a person who failed to die'.
Her sense of powerlessness was now reversed, due to her love for her family.
"......Then, the only thing left is to cut you down."
Vilhelm spun about, the momentum adding into the heavy blow he
unleashed. The [Fog], which had increased magical density, gave in to
Vilhelm's slash.
Lunaria took up a defensive stance with her broken sword.
"What can you possibly do with that broken blade!"
However, the magic blade that sought to split apart that delicate neck, was
clearly repelled away.
Vilhelm's eyes widened.
"That's..."
A vortex of the phantasmal [Fog] was swirling around the tip of Lunaria's
hand. The [Fog] coiled around the broken sword, as though taking the place
of the sword's blade, forming a white, semi-transparent blade like that of
frosted glass.
"—This is the <Nebula Sparda>
1
."
With a swaying dance, Lunaria threw out a horizontal slash with the blade of
[Fog].
The magic blade parried. The convergence rate of the [Fog]'s density was
stretched to its utmost limits, and it was nothing like what had been seen so
far. And so, Vilhelm put in even more strength into his blows.

1
 The kanji meaning of Nebula Sparda is 'The Sword of Fog' 
 
228
The <Nebula Sparda>was severed in the middle, but the blade of [Fog]
reformed immediately, slicing at Vilhelm.
"What!?"
He dodged, but the blade of [Fog] grazed his well-featured face, wounding his
cheek.
Lunaria concentrated all of the [Fog] that her body was emitting into the
<Nebula Sparda>. No matter how many times it was destroyed, it would
reform itself—it was, so to speak, a sword which cannot be blocked. And like
its namesake, it slipped through defences and attacked, like fog.
However, there was a price to pay for overexertion of this power. The
consumption rate of power was in a different league from when Lunaria was
clad in [Fog], and each time the <Nebula Sparda> was broken and reformed
itself, her face grew paler.
"Why you— !"
It threw away all thoughts of defence, and risked the user's life—Vilhelm,
who had thought that, promptly jumped back. Sparks erupted from the
ground near his feet, from the impact of a projectile.
"Don't forget that I'm here as well!"
Maria called out, loading a round into the rifle.
Lunaria, who had resistance against <Dainsleif>, was the vanguard and
defence, and Maria, who was skilled with the gun, offered suppressive fire
and offence. It was an unexpected, yet natural combination.
"......Still, these are merely parlour tricks, little ladies."
A faint trace of irritation flickering over his face, Vilhelm charged right at the
the two of them. 
 
229 
 
230
Part 7
Lyle was sprinting through the interior of <Ymir>. The battle situation in the
control deck was being broadcasted to the entire ship since a while ago, but
he believed in Maria and Lunaria, and quickened his pace.
The location of the Amber Reactor, the engine core, he had learnt from the
map of the warship briefly flashed across his mind. The steady increase in the
number of thick, heavy doors and the thickening of the pipes substantiated
the fact that he was on the right track.
"......It's here."
He finally arrived at a conspicuous massive steel door. Rotating valves
opened up, and Lyle could feel the hot, dusk-coloured air on his cheeks.
An object formed of thirty-two pentagons and hexagons, interlaced together.
That was the rough shape of the Amber Reactor. The interior was cast in
steel, and there a special alloy called 'mithril' was deposited, which served to
amplify the efficiency of the energy contained in the amber.
The diameter of the Amber Reactor, which was half-buried in pipes and its
furnace, was longer than the length of a large adult; it was solidly and firmly
built. If he were to open the hexagonal grate which replenished the amber,
there would be a fair amount of heat outflow, but he would not do
something that deliberate.
"......Should I use this?"
Lyle took out the weapon he had secretly prepared beforehand.
It was a single-shot revolver that fired explosive rounds. The calibre was high,
but it was not powerful enough to destroy the steel Amber Reactor—
normally, that is.
The trick was in the bullet.
Into the top-break revolver, a silver bullet that reflected with a rainbowcoloured
light was loaded. 
 
231
Going back into the passageway to put some distance inbetween, he held the
gun with both hands, and pointed it at the Amber Reactor.
Placing his finger on the trigger—and Lyle hesitated then.
Was it fine to just destroy <Ymir>—the Ingenious Engine?
Was it fine to just destroy this unprecedented invention, an Ingenious Engine
that was actually in operation, just like this?
His resolve to pull the trigger there and then, would not change.
His determination to not pull the trigger, would change.
The answer to the question that Erllua had once asked him, was now right at
his fingertips.
I'll—
The finger on the trigger began to tremble.
Right at that moment, a voice sounded out from the walls.
"—Enough!"
He heard a voice, loud enough to chase away all his hesitation. 
 
232
Part 8
The fight in the control deck was like a seesaw; the tides turning favourable
one moment, and unfavourable the next, for both parties. It was a precarious
equilibrium. Lunaria's <Nebula Sparda> certainly was powerful, but her skill
with the sword was beneath Vilhelm's. No matter how fast her attacks, they
were all predicted and deflected.
None of Maria's shots had hit thus far; the moment she pulled the trigger, he
was already somewhere else. It went without saying that none of the attacks
from her bayonet struck home either.
With their hasty cooperation, Maria and Lunaria could barely manage to keep
at bay Vilhelm, who was displaying his superhuman skill with the sword. They
were unused to fighting side-by-side with each other, and they were slowly
getting worn out.
"......Sheesh. I wish he'd go a little easier on us."
Maria lamented, as she tried to regulate her breathing.
Vilhelm stood before them, looking rather relaxed. He did not even break a
sweat even though both his opponents possessed uncommon fighting
strength.
"It's about time you ran out of bullets, isn't it? The «Nosferatu» lady over
there looks pretty tired as well."
"......"
Lunaria was silent. She was barely hanging on, trying to catch her breath. The
<Nebula Sparda> was materialised with her magical power. And to the
Phantasms, magical power was their lifeforce. Each time she crossed blades
with Vilhelm's magic sword, a portion of her life was literally shaved away.
"Won't you stop this already? To begin with, this has been a rather pointless
conflict."
Said Vilhelm. 
 
233
"I could even give <Dainsleif> back to the lady there. There are many other
ways of manipulating people. Miss Maria, I'm sure you understand the worth
of the Ingenious Engine, don't you? Not announcing it to the world is simply
preposterous.
So how about it? Won't you both persuade Lyle for me?"
"......" "......"
Maria and Lunaria looked at each other in silence.
And their only response was to take up a stance with their respective
weapons, and simultaneously leaping at him.
Vilhelm leaked out a small sigh.
"......Hah. Really now......"
While looking at the <Nebula Sparda> Lunaria had unleashed,
"What will come of fulfilling your duty to your already departed brethren?
Those of the Fog could not adapt to the times and were thus weeded out,
and you, as one of them, should just disappear silently, just like them."
"That should have been the case."
Taking both Vilhelm's magic blade and words head-on, Lunaria quietly said.
"There is neither meaning nor worth in my present self—I know that very
well."
"If you do, then what are you fighting for? I fail to understand."
As though he was swatting a fly, Vilhelm swung his blade.
Her stance destroyed by a light blow from his sword, the faint crimsoncoloured
blade once again swung downwards at her. However, the bayonet
thrust forward from the side prevented that. 
 
234
"—And speaking of failure to understand, the same goes for you as well,
Maria Highline."
Said Vilhelm, repelling the bayonet that was thrust out like a spear.
"Did not you wish for Lyle to be the standard-bearer for a new revolution?
This was a good opportunity to fulfill that wish. Yet you chose to postpone—
no, how could you waste that chance?"
"—Enough! You cretinous fool!"
Using the rifle as a shield to defend against the magic blade, Maria grit her
teeth and shouted out loud.
"Stop saying that already! You don't know anything about me!"
"I do. You have the backing of the Highline Foundation, a talent for business,
high physical capabilities, and a beautiful body. You also take advantage of
your social status as a woman. There is worth in your abilities. You have both
worth and the ability to utilise Lyle Waldstein's talent to the fullest—"
"Hell if I know anything about worth! My worth is for me to decide! The same
goes for the way I choose to live my life. Stop wasting our time!"
"Talent is a treasure that should be used correctly. It could direct you, yet it
could also control you. Which is why, you need someone who can appraise
worth to manage your talent. If you refuse to do that—then I will be the one
to manage Lyle."
"There's no damn way I'll let you, is there!"
Maria pulled the trigger, firing the bullet at point-blank range, in rage.
Although he had dodged it, the roar of the gunfire caused Vilhelm to grimace.
Maria pressed the attack.
"Do not speak of it lightly, Vilhelm Zest! Do not judge Lyle with your sense of
value! You have not a single clue of his worth!" 
 
235
"......That's interesting to hear. Does he have something that surpasses the
Ingenious Engine that is moving this flying warship? If so, what is it— ?"
"You just don't get it at all, do you?"
Maria smiled, feeling pity for Vilhelm, from the bottom of her heart.
"It's his 'kindness' for sure, isn't it!"
"......Hmph. Merely a woman's jest... I cannot leave him to you, it seems!"
As though it were a counter, Vilhelm thrust his fist at Maria.
As her concentration was focused upon the magic sword, Maria leaked out a
groan as her body bent from the impact.
"I'll be the one to make full use of Lyle Waldstein's talent!"
"Hell no—a man who speaks of nothing but talent should not even speak of
Lyle's name!"
"Just what you'd expect a woman to say!"
"'Cause I am one after all!"
She was still somehow guarding with her rifle, but as she was lacking in
strength, it was easily knocked aside.
And at the now defenceless Maria's neck, the magic blade was thrust out, to
draw her blood.
"Maria!"
Though Lunaria had jumped in to block the attack, it took all of her might to
stop that one attack, due to her exhaustion.
The girls collapsed onto the ground of the deck, as though in a pile.
"It's over now." 
 
236
Vilhelm raised the magic blade overhead—it was at that moment,
"!"
"Kyaah!"
The ground, the flying fortress trembled greatly, and a heavy sound rang out
a moment later.
A small rumble, and then a gigantic booming sound could be heard.
With perfect timing, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble,
throwing Vilhelm off his stance. He who was about to unleash an attack with
all his power behind it, was now exposed with a big, almost fatal opening.
"Eat this, you oaf!"
Maria did not seize the opportunity to run, but pulled the trigger of her rifle.
The spinning bullet, a result of rifling in her gun, shaved off a portion of
Vilhelm's brow.
"Ngh—ugh!?"
Vilhelm threw himself backwards with all his might. Enduring the pain from
his brow, where blood was now flowing profusely, Vilhelm threw the girls a
sidelong glance.
The machinery had stopped, and the flying warship was now moving slowly
due to inertia. What can be seen of the outside was no grassy plains, but a
water surface which reflected the light from the stars.
"......Lake Holle, huh."
It was the water source for the royal capital, located to its northwest. It
measured over five kilometres at its widest, and over two hundred metres at
its deepest. The ideal place to sink a secret.
It seemed that this had been the goal all along. That youth had already
planned where to dispose of <Ymir> from the beginning. 
 
237
"He had accurately predicted the time when the ship would arrive at this
location and timed the destruction of the Amber Reactor—the surprises
simply keep coming..."
The calculation wheels of the Ingenious Engine started to slow down in its
rotation, along with the weakening of the steam pressure. What remained
was to release the helium from the envelope, and the flying warship covered
with steel armour would sink into the lake.
<Ymir> was supposedly doomed, but Vilhelm was not yet perturbed by the
turn of events.
Indeed, although he had not expected the Amber Reactor to be destroyed
without any heavy-duty equipment, neither had he thought that Lyle
Waldstein would run away on his own. Vilhelm had been certain that he
would come and save the girls.
Vilhelm turned his bloody face towards the girls who were out of breath and
getting up.
"Let us go at it again—and settle this once and for all!"
Closing in on them, Vilhelm let out a chain of attacks one after another.
The magical blade came at Maria and Lunaria, keenly cutting through the air.
In the span of a breath, the two of them were one-sidedly kept on the
defence.
"Though there were unforeseen circumstances, the ending remains the
same."
Vilhelm Zest, who had decided thus, was someone who had achieved
everything. Martial arts, etiquette, status, personal connections.
Of course, he was not talented at every single aspect. However, everything
he had achieved was due to the herculean amount of effort he had spent and
his spirit of perseverance.
"This time is no exception—I will acquire what I want." 
 
238
"—For what?"
A voice resounded in the deck.
"For what do you go that far seeking power?"
What came from the voice pipe was undoubtedly Lyle's voice.
"Haven't I already said it!"
Glaring at the girls who were desperately fending off the magic blade,
Vilhelm shouted his reply.
"This is for my 'own worth'! I will acquire it, and continue to rise!"
"Then, how far will you go?"
"—What?"
"How far will you go before you are satisfied, Margrave Vilhelm Zest?"
As though his weak point had been struck, Vilhelm sank into silence.
Maria and Lunaria then shifted into the counteroffensive, taking advantage
of the opening that was created, due to his sword being slower by a few
moments.
Vilhelm exhaled, and concentrated on the battle.
"Hrmph..."
"Please tell me. How far will you go?"
"...What underhanded methods. Are you trying to distract me with idle
banter?"
"If that's what you think... ha, then you can simply cover your ears." 
 
239
He was most likely sprinting through the passageway and shouting into the
handy voice pipes that were located throughout the path in intervals.
Haggard breathing was mixed in with his voice.
"If you think that it is distracting...... then, is there a reason why you must not
be distracted?"
However, during the breaks when he had caught his breath, his questions
came, merciless and relentless.
"In the first place... has there ever been anything that you had wished for and
obtained?"
"What?"
The <Nebula Sparda> grazed Vilhelm's chest lightly, as he was confused by
the question.
Whether it had been pain or bewilderment, Vilhelm's face was distorted,
perhaps at both parties he was facing.
"—I have always been training myself. A single-minded will I possess, and so I
shall obtain power!"
"A hardworking one, aren't you."
It had a hint of sarcasm behind it.
"Still, is that really what you wish for?"
"Hmph!"
Evading the bayonet aiming for his temple, Vilhelm shouted.
"I will prove it to you right here!"
"Really?"
Lyle continued. 
 
240
"The 'resoluteness of will' is different from the 'strength of feelings'. There will
be no 'end' for you. Would that not mean that there was no 'beginning' in the
first place?"
"Hmph..."
"All you've said is simply what you ought to do... None of it had been what
you wanted to do."
"Ngh......"
It was before anyone had realised it, that Vilhelm had uttered a groan.
Maria's gun, Lunaria's Fog, none of those were things that Vilhelm ought to
have been afraid of. They were things he could deal with.
"Urgh...?"
Vilhelm Zest had obtained everything.
The title of Margrave. At some point in time, he realised that he could make
use of the position better than others could. Which was why he had caused
his father's death in a way that could not be perceived as anything other than
an accident, and succeeded the title of Margrave.
However, if the Margrave were to be asked what he had wanted—
"Ugh..."
"Your ambition and self-denial are things that are difficult for me to respect,
Vilhelm Zest."
It was the first time Lyle had called him by name.
"However, as regrettable as it is, no matter how many things you obtain with
your iron will, you will never be satisfied. No matter how much worth you
accumulate—you still lack 'ambition'."
"Urgh....." 
 
241
"...The tables have turned."
Lunaria murmured.
"How fare you against the verbal blade?"
"Do not be carried away, you relic of the olden age!"
Vilhelm's eyes promptly snapped open as he delivered a slash at Lunaria.
However, the magic blade was stopped by the blade of Fog.
"...Your blade has become dull."
Said Lunaria, as the shape of her <Nebula Sparda> wavered, entwining itself
around the magic sword.
"Ngh..."
"You finally look desperate, my good Margrave."
And over Lunaria's head, Maria's rifle was thrust out.
"I apologise, for the slap this time!"
That attack was dodged, but the bullet fired scraped off a bit of his right
cheek. His cheek was torn open, revealing his teethridge.
"Gah—Ooooooooh!"
With all his might, he slashed at them.
The girls were also reaching their limit and were staggering. Maria loaded her
last bullet, Lunaria's Eyes of Amber flared up, and they jointly attacked
Vilhelm at once.
"...They are damnably persistent..."
Vilhelm grit his teeth, which were now exposed on one side of his face.
—Why do these girls not yield? 
 
242
—Why have they given me so much difficulty?
—Why am I—
"Grr, grrgh...."
"A person's worth is something that he creates himself. A person's meaning in
life is something that he decides himself. Even if others think you worthless."
"I-I..."
"You had said that you do not understand your own worth. That, is also an
example. It is not that you do not understand. It's just that you do not have
any."
The tables had truly been turned, at some point.
All of the combat theories he had, all of the martial arts he had trained in,
had become fuzzy in his mind. His face stiff, Vilhelm desperately fought,
swinging his blade.
"And... what are you trying to say!"
Vilhelm shouted, as though he was throwing up blood.
"What exactly do you want! What is it that you live for! You, who have
thrown aside your own worth readily, what on earth is it that drives you
forward!"
His composure and elegance all but gone, Vilhelm Zest roared.
"Answer me, Lyle Waldstein!"
"—What it is, is something very obvious. So obvious, you might even laugh at
the idea of it."
In the midst of the sounds of an intense battle, Lyle's voice was frighteningly
clear.
"I just—want to be someone who can treat others kindly."
 
243
"......The hell.....?"
A shocked voice escaped from Vilhelm, as though he had forgotten what sort
of situation he was in.
"That's it? Just for that...?"
Lyle's answer sounded like a cliche phrase that a parent would tell their
children.
—But, how many people were there that truly put such an obvious thing into
practice?
Vilhelm finally realised that he had made a misunderstanding.
He had thought that Lyle Waldstein had an attitude that was ill-suited to his
talent. He had an extraordinary intellect, but he was otherwise ordinary, in
terms of sensibility. Therefore, he thought that Lyle would be unable to bring
his talent out to the fullest.
He was wrong.
It was because he was ordinary otherwise, that his talent had all but
consumed him. The impression he gave off was something that could not be
compared to the average person; it was supported by a powerful ego.
"W-What is this..."
And that ego dealt the finishing blow.
Vilhelm felt a sudden chill overcome him. His hand which held his sword
began to tremble.
He had no worries, nothing of the like, up until now. He had thought that
what he did was the obvious thing to do. That was why he rose and rose,
brimming with confidence.
What he was feeling then, was the coldness of losing his pillar of support.
It was obvious—but what did 'obvious' mean? 
 
244
By the time Vilhelm, literally dumbfounded, had realised it, the victor had
already been decided. A bullet struck him in the left shoulder, his body bent
from the impact, and his right arm which held the sword was severed at the
wrist.
Blood spurting, his tempered body fell through the air.
"Grugh......"
With a small thump, Vilhelm pitched forward and collapsed.
His blood spread out on the ground, like a puddle of water.
"......We did it..."
Maria exhaled her breath. She was supporting herself using her rifle as a
walking stick.
The light from her Eyes of Amber fading, the blade of Lunaria's <Nebula
Sparda> dispersed.
The only sounds that could be heard in the control deck of the flying warship
were their ragged breathing.
"Seriously... he was such a monstrous foe."
"Yeah...... if not for Master Lyle's words, we would never have won."
Maria and Lunaria looked at each other, and smiled.
"Well then...... when Lyle comes back— !"
"Maria!?"
Lunaria cried out, seeing that Maria had been sent flying away suddenly.
"......You sure did a number on me, little girls..." 
 
245
His entire body bloodied, Vilhelm's face was distorted, like a demon, as he
rose from the ground. At that ominous sight, a scream rose up in Lunaria's
throat. His unharmed left hand then tightly grabbed her by the neck.
"Gah, ha—"
Vilhelm dragged Lunaria over to Maria, who was trying to stand up, and
kicked her in the neck with the sole of his boots.
"Ga—"
"Don't screw around...... with me...!"
His voice leaked out from his torn right cheek, and Vilhelm exerted more
strength at the girls. Both Maria and Lunaria's faces grew paler. From their
anguished throats, the vestiges of a scream could be heard.
"—Vilhelm Zest!"
It was the natural voice of someone this time.
It was Lyle Waldstein. His face stained with soot and dust, he was glaring
intensely at Vilhelm Zest. 
 
246
Part 9
Having destroyed the engine parts, Lyle blowed into the voice pipe that had
caught his eye, running through the passageway leading to the control deck.
"That which exists at the end of light, the end of darkness. That which
denotes the origin of wind, the origin of fire—"
While sprinting, Lyle chanted the <Oracio>. There was no amber in his hands.
But what was there in its place, was the high-calibre revolver.
"Of forgotten dusk, of heretic gold, that which is the cradle of time. Embrace
the distant lands with thy gentleness, and in thy kindness, grant us
forgiveness—"
He finally reached the control deck, and so the final curtains were about to
fall.
Vilhelm, covered in wounds, was about to kill both the girls.
"Vilhelm Zest!"
".....Ah, it's you, Lyle."
His face looked wild as he faced Lyle; almost like he was someone else.
"......You've surprised me. These girls weren't the ones who drove me into a
corner... it was you. Your worthless little speech."
Said Vilhelm, in a hollow voice.
"It was the first time anyone has ever told me that... still, it's strange, isn't it?
Why did no one ever try to?"
"......That's because you're overtly positive."
Lyle narrowed his eyes, as though in pity. 
 
247
"You're different from me. I've always been at a standstill... you have a will
which pulls people along with you. It's just that—there's no 'end' in that will
of yours."
"Yeah, I see... I did not have a starting point. I only moved, according to what
was required of me... But somehow, I just feel something seething well up
inside me when I hear you say that. Like you've reached something in the
depths of my heart."
Vilhelm looked back at Lyle with a light in his eyes.
"The world ought to thank you, I suppose. If not for your prideful kindness,
the world would have been changed! Your 'power' is far larger than I had
given it credit for... and I wanted that! And that is the only truth that is left
for me! Even if the means I choose have no purpose...!"
"......"
"Well then, I give you a choice..... will you join forces with me and change the
world, or will you reject my offer, leave the world as it is and lose
everything!"
Indicating the girls who were struggling to breathe, a demonic expression
flickered across Vilhelm's face.
"Even now, I still hold their lives in my hands. Now, what will you choose!?"
"......This will be my reply."
Lyle quietly raised the revolver in his hands.
"Are you sure about that? You might end up shooting them with your own
hands, won't you? I doubt that it would be the right decision."
"There is only one thing that will always be right, to me."
Saying that, Lyle smiled.
Lyle slowly aligned the revolver horizontally. 
 
248
Vilhelm noticed that, and his eyes widened suddenly.
"Stop... do you even understand what kind of mistake you are about to
make!"
"Yeah. I'm taking responsibility for what I have created... that much is
obvious."
And into the revolver Lyle held in his hands, he breathed the last verse of the
<Oracio>.
"—Thou art the tremors in the boundary; Surpass logic, and overcome time!
And thus, bring unto us a dusk of eternity!"
The bullet loaded into the gun in Lyle's hand—the high-calibre, single-shot
revolver, was no ordinary bullet.
It was of special-make; a mithril bullet. And within it, amber was sealed.
The amber, which normally reached its critical transition state with the aid of
various external machinery or tools through an increase in heat or pressure,
would be rapidly excited by the magus, Lyle.
The inside of the mithril bullet acted like a miniature Amber Reactor; the
magical power of the amber was being converted by the heat.
A product of magic and science—the fusion of both art and technology
together, that was the <Frei Kugel>1
, which only Lyle could produce and
control. This was also what had destroyed the gigantic Amber Reactor in
<Ymir>'s engine core.
Lyle pointed the <Frei Kugel> at the Ingenious Engine.
"Sto—"
Ignoring Vilhelm who was trying to stop him, he pulled the trigger.

1
 Frei Kugel; Frei = 'free', Kugel = 'bullet', you can put two and two together. The kanji, on
the other hand, means 'magic bullet'. 
 
249 
 
250
The amber bullet that was fired cut through the air in a natural parabola. It
passed by Vilhelm's side, and straight behind him—right into the Ingenious
Engine.
Upon hitting its target, the deftly crafted amber bullet compressed the
miniature Amber Reactor inside it. The amber which was in a stable state,
converted all of the energy contained within it into heat.
And along with the heat came the sudden expansion of air, creating a
shockwave.
The whirling destruction melted the cylinders, smashed the keyboard, and
sent countless numbers of gears flying. The pipe organ-like Ingenious Engine,
was reduced to scrap in a single moment.
"O, ooh..."
Releasing Maria and Lunaria, Vilhelm turned around and faced the destroyed
Ingenious Engine. With unsteady steps, he walked towards the smoking
wreckage.
"O-oh... Why did, why did it come to this......"
Vilhelm was devastated by the 'answer', which was expressed with far more
impact than eloquent words.
The first thing that he had wished for and gotten—was in no way what Lyle
had, that was what the destroyed Ingenious Engine seemed to say.
It was Vilhelm Zest's first experience of 'despair'.
His advantage of holding Maria's and Lunaria's lives in his hands—was all but
gone.
"......Can you stand, Maria, Lunaria?"
Lyle called out to the two of them, and they firmly got up, with their own two
feet.
"Yeah, 'tis but a scratch." 
 
251
Said Maria, smiling.
As though to make him feel at ease, Lunaria nodded with that expressionless
face of hers.
Lyle felt relieved.
"—Lyle."
A certain familiar voice resounded, and Lyle looked up, taken by surprise.
"—Most likely, you're the one who's going to be listening to this."
The nostalgic voice of his master—the voice of Erllua Azoth resounded forth.
 
252
Part 10
"Lyle, what's..."
Though Maria was acquainted with Erllua, her voice still sounded perplexed,
after hearing the voice that had suddenly rang out.
Lyle was also overcome with surprise, and guessed at the identity of the
voice.
It was likely that a gramophone—or some sort of device which could record
sound had been set up. Through the voice pipes in the warship, the nostalgic
voice of his master called out to Lyle.
"—My voice has been set to broadcast upon the destruction of the Ingenious
Engine. Someone who would think of destroying such an invention and
actually carry it out, would probably be a person like you."
Isn't that so, asked the Erllua who drifted through his mind, with an innocent
smile.
"You must have been worried. About destroying the Ingenious Engine, the
fruit of your labour. Still, that's fine. This thing would probably bring more
harm to the world than good."
If that's the case, why did you create it? As he longed to ask that question,
"If that's the case, why did I create it, is what you're most likely thinking. Well,
it's sort of like a job to me. If there's something interesting, I'd want to try and
make it real. Without that, I wouldn't be myself. It's in the nature of a
scientist, after all."
Even her self-deprecating sigh had been precisely reproduced. Erllua's voice
continued,
"......And as I remained pondering, I created many a different thing, but not
once had I thought of whether it was for good or for bad, or whether people
would like it or not. How many people would die then, because of what I had
invented? I can honestly say that I had not a single clue. Well, most people 
 
253
wouldn't have. Still—that puts us on the level of beasts. In the end, we would
merely be slaves to our desires."
"......"
"I thought that you would feel the same... but it seems I was wrong.
Somehow, you're still the same old softhearted person as always."
From her voice, it seemed as though she were smiling wryly, saying, 'What a
hopeless guy'. Lyle too, made a wry smile.
"—Lyle. Is your wish still, 'I want to live to give kindness to others'? Because
that is a thorny path you seek to tread, wanting to be a beast with reason, in
a world of humans, filled with imperfection. That's why Lyle, you have to be
prepared to be hurt, at times."
"......"
"I won't tell you not to think too much about it. You're way smarter than
other people, when all's said and done. That's why, think, and think further
about it, with all your might. Continue to be lost in your thoughts. —That's
your forte after all, right?"
Her voice was laughing cheerily.
"......It may be fun to just go along with the talent you have been blessed with,
but the road that seems to be the most fun, is one that cannot be backtracked
out of. Well—give it your best shot."
It was quite the irresponsible farewell; all that remained was noise like that
of blowing wind.
"......She still loves messing around with her disciple as much as always, eh,"
said Maria.
She believed that Lyle would be the first one to stop <Ymir>, if it was ever
activated. That her disciple would stop the person who would use it for his
own, for her. She left it to him, and because she truly believed her disciple
would be the one to do so, she had left that voice recording. 
 
254
"......If I'm the softhearted person, then you are the troublemaker, Master."
"Would the disciple not take after the master, in that case?"
Lunaria, who was holding <Dainsleif>, which she had picked up from the
ground, had said that while standing next to Lyle.
"...A troublemaker, am I......?"
"The fact that you don't realise it is proof enough."
Maria added, with a smile.
As though to ridicule him, Lunaria narrowed her eyes.
Lyle fell into silence at their reactions, discouraged.
"—Ah, before I forget, this tape will be destroyed automatically, along with
the flying warship."
The trio froze in place, at the sound of the voice that they had thought was in
their mind.
"And before you get caught up in the ensuing destruction, evacuate as quickly
as possible. That's about all I need to say, I'm out."
"Wait a—"
As if to block out any complaints, the sound was abruptly cut off.
"......Well, it does save me some trouble."
"What're you being all calm for!"
Maria shouted.
At the large hole on the other side of the control deck, they saw that the
black water surface was steadily drawing closer. They were losing altitude.
"I-I cannot swim...!" 
 
255
Lunaria's face stiffened in horror.
"W-We have to escape— !"
"Ah, yeah. We have to hurry...!"
Lyle looked towards the wreckage of the Ingenious Engine.
"Gr... Kgh..... Damn, for it to end like this..... damn it!"
The young man who inherited the title of Margrave, was holding his sides
with laughter.
"Indeed! My plans had gone thus awry—it's the first time I've ever suffered a
defeat like this! Ha... haha...... Hahahahahahahahaha!"
The blood from the gunshot wound on his left shoulder and his severed right
wrist, had stained the deck in a bloody red. As though to wring out even
more of his own blood, Vilhelm continued to laugh.
"......Your bleeding will stop soon. Let's escape this place together."
"Haha! Kind, aren't you..... irritatingly so."
Vilhelm got up unsteadily on his feet, but he stepped backwards—towards
the hole in the deck.
"Kindness and pride are two sides of the same coin... have you noticed that?
If you do not seek compensation for your kindness, then what is it, but
pride?"
"......"
"That kindness can only ever be poison to someone the likes of me. If I accept
your kindness, then it would mean my acknowledgement of the fact that I am
but a drop in the ocean...... And that, I cannot do. Because that is surely......"
"Sto—"
Lyle was about to dash forward, but he was stopped by Maria and Lunaria. 
 
256
Looking content, Vilhelm arrived at the gigantic hole.
"I give you my thanks, dear ladies... Lyle Waldstein. This is my ending point."
Vilhelm said, seemingly satisfied.
"However, you will not end here! More and more people will gather around
you, from now! You are the true <Erbe Der Last Hexe>! Just regret the fact
that you never became mine, someday!"
Laughing boisterously, Vilhelm Zest jumped off the deck.
Swallowed by the darkness, was his quickly disappearing figure.
"......Lyle?"
"Master Lyle...?"
"......Don't worry. It'll be alright, Maria, Lunaria."
Tapping the hands of the girls who were restraining him, Lyle smiled, in order
to put them at ease.
"...Let's go."
Nudging the two of them, Lyle turned his back once and for all, to the
destroyed Ingenious Engine. 

Chapter 4 Legacy of the Last HexePart 0Once, a boy was asked by his master."What kind of person do you want to grow up to be?"The boy then answered that he wanted to become someone like his master.His master managed a wry smile to that reply."Lyle...... well, I don't know what kind of person you think I am, but I don'twant you to become like me. Don't you know that masters always want theirdisciples to surpass them?"So said the boy's master, while stroking his head."......People can't always be chasing after someone. Someday, they have tostand on their own, and find their own path to walk. That is why, Lyle, youmust find the path that you, and only you, can tread. Be it left or right, be itforwards or backwards, to proceed or to retreatyou can think about it,when the time comes.And so, Lylewhat kind of person do you want to grow up to be?"The boy thought about it.His master's question was rather vague. To begin with, it had not felt like aquestion to him.After racking his brain over it, he answered his master with the thought thathad surfaced in his mind earlier.It was a normal, boring answer."I see. If that's what you want, Lyle, then you will have to become moreprideful, and stand up taller than anybody else. Don't worry, you'll bealright. After all, you're my one and only......"191And so the boy's master, as though she were a different person from earlier,stroked his hair ever so gently.192Part 1Lyle, who had taken refuge in his laboratory, took out some high-purityamber from the bottom of his desk's drawer.Exciting the amber, he focused magical power into Lunaria, who was lying onthe sofa. The serious wounds she had suffered on her shoulder and chestslowly closed up, as she took in the light."NowI need to come up with a plan."Leaking out a sigh, Lyle shifted the curtains and looked outside.Students in strange costumes were prowling about the academy grounds.Coupled with their sleepwalk-like movements, it was like a scene from anightmare."Master Lyle, do you think it would be difficult to force our way through, withyour magic and my weapons?"In a humble tone, Milla suggested a drastic measure.Lyle shook his head."We also need to take control of the situation, and not just force our way. Ican't leave them like this.""Is that what you should be doing, Master Lyle?""'Magic must be kept secret. They are but illusions made into fabrication.' That is an unspoken rule for magi. As the Disciple of the Last Hexe, I cannotbreak that rule."Lyle declared while spinning the amber about in his hands, and then he tookout the piece of paper that Vilhelm had left behind from his pocket."......I will head for this place. Milla, I'd like you to watch over the academy.""Are you going there alone?"193"It'd be dangerous for the people being manipulated to leave the academy.Please contain them within the academy. You're good at that, right?""Well yeah... I did do my fair share of locking up bad kids in the shed at mymistress' bidding."Milla looked a bit nostalgic."However... Master Lyle, I can't really let you go alone......""Don't worry about it. Expecting that something will probably happen, that initself is a form of preparation."Lyle then took something that had been hidden, out from the bottom of thedesk. It was a high-calibre, top-break, single-shot revolver."Don't you think that that dandy noble needs a few more opponents to go upagainst him?""Well... this gun is just a regular one, though."Lyle tucked the gun and various other things into his belt, and pocketed thebullets that he had crafted himself. Over his formal suit, he put on theacademy's overcoat."......If you insist on doing so, would you at least take some of my equipmentalong with you?"Asked the worried Milla.Just as Lyle was about to reply that he would be fine,"......In that case, please give me a sword."Lunaria said, as she rose to her feet, shaking her head."Please give me a sword... as I will be going with him.""You should be resting. Though you have recovered your magical power,heading off right away is simply too much......"194"That man had the magic sword of the Nebulablut."Said Lunaria, with a frantic look on her face."......I understand."Lyle nodded.He felt uneasy about it, but if she was going to go regardless, it would be bestif they went together."Milla, you... don't have a sword, do you?""I do.""...There is.""It has been rather dangerous as of late."Milla who had an anxious look on her face, said that and passed a key over toLyle."It is the key to the baggage compartment of the horse carriage. Please do asyou please with it.""...Thank you."Taking the key, Lyle continued his preparations.Milla then whispered to Lunaria, who was checking her body's condition andstanding up."Lady Lunaria, I know I am making a selfish request, but please, take careof the two of them."Milla bowed her head to Lunaria.Lunaria remained silent, and suddenly nodded."All right, let's go. First, we need to hurry to Maria's carriage."195Dashing out of the living quarters, the three of them ran through an openingwithin the puppets.196Page 2Maria was in ill humour.Her rendezvous with Lyle had been disrupted, the dress she had picked outwas dirtied, the dinner that Milla prepared had also gone to waste, and worstof all, the rope that tied her to the chair felt horrible."I wish you'd stop making that kind of face."Maria glared at Vilhelm, who had remarked in a carefree manner."Why don't you untie these ropes then?""If I do that, won't I just get slapped again?""You tied me up pretty tightly, didn't you.""Then just stay like that and don't move."Vilhelm shrugged his shoulders.Maria had been brought to a rather dull place.It bore a slight resemblance to a church. There were many pipes, whichlooked like those of a pipe organ, lined up on the wall which had beendistorted into the shape of a fan. And further inside, was a raised platform onthe ground, on which an input device which looked like a keyboard could beseen.But the smell of oil and steel that permeated the area was not something aperson would expect to smell in a church. The impression that was given offwould be that of machines, cold and robotic, with an emphasis on efficiencyand functionality."......Hah.""......Stop sighing in that bored manner that makes it seem like you'rethinking, 'this is so pointless', it makes me feel sick."197"Was I sighing?"Vilhelm looked surprised."Still, you're right. I was thinking that this was rather pointless. You had thepower, but you gave up on your chance to make the most out of it. Yourattitude to Lyle was what I thought was pointless. You erred in your methodof handling him.""Don't just degrade me however you please.""I was not. I merely spoke the truth."His monologue had been indifferent, but Vilhelm's tone hinted at theemotions concealed beneath."......Hah. Well, you can be used as a bargaining tool against Lyle. As long asyou have that kind of worth, I will guarantee your safety and well-treatment."......""Oh right... let me ask you something. Why do you bear such goodwilltowards Lyle Waldstein? I might learn something useful out of it, so do tellme."It was at that moment, that Maria hated the fact that she could not move herhands more than anything else. If she at least had one hand free"As if I'll tell you, you dunce!"Sticking out her tongue and going, 'beh', she scoffed at Vilhelm."......Oh well. It wasn't all that important."Saying just that, Vilhelm fell into silence.'Hmph', snorted Maria.......You couldn't understand it the last time anyway.198After snorting another time, Maria relaxed her body. It was in preparation forlater, when she would have to go all out.And so Maria placed her faith in her childhood friend, and rested her body.199Part 3The third factory site at the first military shipyard in the western outskirtswas located a distance away from the multi-purpose plaza. The waterdrainage there was poor and hence the place was difficult to put to usethatseemed to be the reason the authorities had abandoned the site. So, whathad been the reason for constructing a factory at that sort of place?Lyle soon saw the answer to his questions.At the centre of the open field, a dim light was being leaked from a caveentrance. The cave was reinforced with concrete, and there was even aproper stairways.It was obvious that the water drainage would be bad. This was because therewas a basement beneath the third factory site. Furthermore, it was a massivebasement at that. Most likely, that was the reason for the poor waterdrainage.Giving his thanks to the horses that had pulled their horse carriage here, Lyledescended into the underground.The staircase was lighted at various intervals by lamps, and the steps hadbeen well-paved, hence it was not difficult to traverse. It was just that, it hadcollected a fair amount of dust due to what was likely long years of abandon.And on that dust, were fresh footprints, hinting at the fact that severalpeople had most likely been here recently.Finally reaching the end, Lyle swallowed his breath as he took in the sightbefore him.It was as he suspected, there was a colossal, man-made underground space.The sheer size of it made the hall in the academy where the ball had beenheld at look like a child's sandbox.However, what surprised Lyle the most was the huge structure enshrined inthe middle of the underground space."This is......"200It was a rigid airship, and its entire body was wrapped in metal. The envelopemeant to bring up the airframe measured over two hundred metres inlength. The gondola, which supported the multi-layered deck, was about astall as a three-storey building. On various places of the airframe, there werebatteries and suitable partitioning covers for them."An immense airship... no, a 'flying warship', huh......"Left behind and forgotten in the underground, it was a rather fitting objectfor the remnants of the military shipyard.The flying warship was an airship that was outfitted with firepower. Eversince the dawn of the airship, they were frequently proposed to be put intopractical use. However, every proposal for it had been rejected.The reason was simple. There was a problem in the payload capacity.Normal airships could fly due to strict weight adjustments. The armour thatprotected the warship, the high output steam engine, the armaments andammunition, all of those already took up a huge amount of weight.The most troublesome of all, were the personnel needed to man the warship.During the Age of Discovery, what usually took up the most capacity were thehumans in the vessel. Outfitting the airship with complex weapon systems forbattle, would make the airship excessively unstable."That's the Erbe Der Last Hexe......?"Surveying the sight before him with a doubtful look, Lyle affirmed that thehatch in the rear of the flying warship was wide open.His mouth pursed, Lyle headed into the interior of the warship.The interior was already lit up by lamps. And those lamps indicated the pathin which Lyle should proceed in.It looked like the steam engine was already running, as a light tremor couldbe felt from the ground and walls.201There were pipes overhead in the narrow passageway; the conditions wereill-suited for living in. The interior denoted silently that the airframe was athing purely dedicated for use in war.At the end of the passageway, was a space, which had an appearancedrastically different from the passageway leading up to it. As for how itlooked like, it would resemble a church the most. On the opposite side of theentrance, namely, near the front of the vessel, a gigantic pipe organ-likedevice had been enshrined."Welcome."At the base of the pipe organ-like device, stood a lone man, sword thrust intothe ground."To the Erbe Der Last HexeThe core of the flying warship, Ymir1."Vilhelm Zest smiled, looking as though he were tired of waiting.While glaring at Vilhelm, Lyle observed the device resembling a massive pipeorgan behind.The parts which looked like pipes, were cylinders that lined up wheels, whichengraved numerals. Those were lined up in a row on the surface of the wall,attached to the enormous gears and cranks. And at the 'keydesk' of the pipeorgan, a huge keyboard of a typewriter had been installed.Vilhelm was standing before that keyboard, and right next to him, was Maria,tied to a simple chair. Seeing that there were no visible wounds on herseemingly ill-humoured self, Lyle heaved a sigh of relief."Do you know what this device that had been installed in the bridge ofYmir is? It is something that you had once proposed, a mechanism that hadbeen publicised by The Last Hexe."Vilhelm asked, as though he were testing Lyle.Lyle had understood immediately. Once, he had imagined its entire diagram.1Ymir is the ancestor of all jotun, the frost giants, in Norse Mythology. The kanji beingused is 'King of Giants'.202The Difference Engine that Lyle had come up witha calculator that powereda steam engine. Although it was something that calculated the certainty ofpossible outcomes through predetermined behaviours, the calculations itwas capable of were comparatively simple in nature, and hence it was fasterto do the calculations on paper. Due to that, it was treated like a toy.However, the calculator was merely the simple first stage. If a semiautomaticmachine was implemented, then there would be a next stage. Thatwould surely be"Yes, it is no calculator, but a mechanical brain that processes orderstheIngenious Engine."A mechanical system that governs its own functions based on an orderLylehad thought of the theory behind it, but he did not think that the currentlevel of technology could have completed it.That was what laid before his eyes."The hull of Ymir, was a prototype for the implementation of the conceptof a 'flying warship'. As it was a complete failure, it had been abandoned.After the shipyard above ground was burned down, it was just left as it isnow.Erllua Azoth was the one who had her eye on this failed project. She hadonce collaborated with the military before, and thus, it is likely she was ableto learn of this vessel's existence. What she truly wanted was probably, adevice strong enough to power the Ingenious Engine, which needed acomplex and huge power source.However, can you understand what kind of 'power' can be born from theunion of a war machine and the Ingenious Engine?""......"It went without saying that Lyle understood.If the flying warship was outfitted with the Ingenious Engine, then most ofthe problems that the airship faced regarding weight capacity would beeliminated. If a 'program' was installed into the Ingenious Engine beforehand,203then the machine would be able to operate on its own afterwards. Thesoldiers manning the cannons, the personnel adjusting the outputstheproblem of the 'heavy human baggage' weighing down the flying warshipwould be resolved in one fell swoop."If that could be mass-produced, it would likely become a ground-breakingform of weaponry. If properly maintained, they would be machines thatwould not get their orders wrong, nor grow tired. No doubt, they would bethe ideal weapon."Vilhelm said while looking satisfied, as if he were looking at an interestingtoy.Should that 'ideal weapon' ever be released, the deaths that it would bringwould easily number in the hundreds, no, thousandshe understood thatfact, and admired its power."When I first came across this, I had been excited to no endbut thisIngenious Engine did not function. I did not have the 'key' to start up thismachine."Vilhelm indicated the opening in the upper region of the keyboard. It wasabout the size of a person's palm, and was round in shapeit would be justright for something like a pocket watch to fit into."The conversion key for the machine to interprete the order that had beenentered through calculationthat was what I have been searching for."Saying that, Vilhelm took out the pocket watch he had taken from Lylethepocket watch Lyle had been given by Erllua. Removing the outer cover andthe watch glass, he took out the 'interior' of the pocket watch.It was a black, lenticular object. The part connected to the needle of thewatch was protruding out, like a key. The lines that ran around the surfacewere flickering with light in systematic intervals."It is likely that this would activate Ymir. And for what comes after, you arenecessary."Turning towards Lyle, Vilhelm extended his arm, overflowing with vigour.204"In the absence of The Last Hexe, you are the most knowledgeable personafter herno, you would know the Ingenious Engine even better than theWitch. Your power is necessary. Lyle Waldstein, come with me. Togetherwith the Ymir, we will let the entire world know of your talent.""......"Lyle looked intently at the outstretched hand, and the Ingenious Enginebehind Vilhelm, in silence.He had been rather moved by the notion. That the mechanisms he hadformed in his mind had been materialised before his very eyes, there was noway someone who studied science would not be moved.He wanted to show the Ingenious Engine to others. That was a natural desirethat Lyle had."......I must humbly decline your offer."After a short pause of several seconds, Lyle expectedly refused.Vilhelm's face darkened. It seemed that Lyle's answer had not been within hisexpectations."Yeah, I was the one who had come up with the Ingenious Engine. However,it was not for this sort of purpose.""......Are you denying yourself the opportunity to realise your own power,and your own worth?""My goal was not to create a weapon. I cannot stand by and watch it used asa weapon right from its 'birth'.""Wisdom and knowledge are 'power'. There's no worth in having power thatyou do not use. And the fastest way to increase its worthis to wield poweras a weapon."Vilhelm shook his head as if he were clearing away a headache, andwhispered in a chagrined voice.205"Although I'd have liked to have him cooperate with me out of his own will, Iguess I have no other choice."Vilhelm drew the sword at his waist."It looks like there's no other way to go about this."The faint crimson magic sword was pointed towards Maria.Maria snorted her nose, as if she were provoking him."What a foul man you are.""The ends justifies the means. Well thenwhat will you do, Lyle?""......If that's how you want it, then I'll be taking a hostage as well.""A hostage? I don't have anyone you can...!"Vilhelm was at a loss for words.Maria's eyes widened in surprise.From the breast pocket of his overcoat, Lyle had taken out a cylinder-shapedobject. That which looked somewhat like a tenderiser, with a metal tubeattached to the wooden handle, was a..."To think you had a hand grenade..."The stick grenade, was one of the most cutting-edge weapons, along with thebolt-action rifle. Due to the fact that it used a detonator instead of an ignitionfuse, the increased amount of safety was one of its selling points."Where on earth did you get that from...""Getting to know the compounding method of explosives and how toproduce a detonator, was unexpectedly fun."Lyle placed his finger on the cord at the end of the handle.206"If you don't want to be blown to bits, then you had best release Maria rightaway.""......This is some outrageous plan you've come up with."His composure up till this point in time utterly disrupted, Vilhelm's expressionstiffened, for the first time."It is just the most rational one with the highest probability of success."Lyle smiled sweetly."Put too high of a value on me, didn't you, Lord Zest? Now, what will youdo?""...At this range, I will take but a second and a half to close the distance. Ittakes quite some time for a hand grenade to detonate, doesn't it?""In that casewould you care to give it a go?"Said Lyle, and he promptly pulled the cord."Lyle!""Damn"Before Maria shouted out, Vilhelm had broken into a run.It was just as he said; Vilhelm took a little less than two seconds to reach Lyle,and knocked the hand grenade from his hands."That was close !"Although the hand grenade exploded, what assailed them was no shockwave, but an intense flash of light."Wait, this is a !""Don't worry about it!"207Lyle who had covered his face beforehand, ran past Vilhelm, who had hishands over his eyes."That was just an example of chemiluminescence!"Lyle headed for Maria at full speed.Although Maria was blinded by the intense light as well, sensing Lyle'spresence, her face quickly glowed with joy."Lylee~""Glad to see that you're alright, Maria."Lyle started to untie the ropes that were restraining Maria."Lyle, behind you!"Turning about abruptly, Lyle found that Vilhelm was heading right back forhim. Though he had not recovered from the blinding light just yet, he hadextended his hands out towards Lyle."Just give it !"A flash of silver that came from above.With just his intuition, Vilhelm had counterattacked with his magic sword."It's you..."Lunaria who had came falling from the ceiling, had a long sword of steel inher hands.Vilhelm went into a safe defensive position.Seeing that his fighting prowess had not gone down at all despite hisdeteriorated eyesight, Lunaria released the Fog. Blocking Vilhelm's field ofvision, she grabbed both Lyle and Maria, and 'fogslided' away, putting somedistance between them and Vilhelm.208"......You sure pulled a fast one on me, Lyle."After blinking his eyes, Vilhelm glared at Lyle."What on earth was that earlier?""It had been powdered metala chemiluminescence reaction created usingsome aluminium and combustion agents."Untying the ropes binding Maria, who had been dragged along with her chair,Lyle turned around and faced Vilhelm."I don't have the skills to make real explosives, due to the precision needed.""I fell for your trap, didn't I. Good grief...... you're full of surprises."Although he was the one who had been at a disadvantage, Vilhelm stillsmiled, looking excited."All the more reasonto not let you return!"Spinning around, Vilhelm ran towards the base of the Ingenious Engine.Lyle did not even have the time to stop him.The core of the pocket watch from the Witch was inserted into the'keyhole' of the Ingenious Engine.With a small click, the countless numbers of wheels started to turn all atonce."Ascend."Vilhelm's fingers began to tap on the upper part of the keyboard.In that moment, the sound of running steam engines grew louder, and with astir, the control deckthe flying warship began to tremble greatly.209Part 4The performing arts festival held at the multi-purpose plaza in the westernoutskirts of the royal capital had ended, and the performers were drinkingthemselves silly in celebration. A certain powerful noble had gifted them witha generous amount of beer and spirits. Those who knew that said noble wasVilhelm Zest numbered few, and those who wanted to leave the third factorysite numbered none.After all, if they could enjoy the drink, they would not care about all the otherlittle things.Initially, they had thought that the trembling was due to their insobriety.And then, those who were less drunk had pointed it out."Hahaha, look! I'm so wasted, I'm seeing airships!"Practically all of them had ignored it and continued their merry-making."Hahaha, excellent!"One part of the wall of the central deck in the flying warship Ymir retractedjust as the warship began to rise, and was replaced by a glass pane thatprojected the scenery outside. It conferred on them a feeling of being distantfrom the ground.By simply operating the keyboard, the massive flying warship was controlled.The Ingenious Engine that functioned as the core of Ymir was undoubtedlysomething that would change the way wars would be waged. Although itcould only support something as large-scale as a flying warship, if adownsized version were to be available, its worth would be unmeasurable."Hahahaha! Excellent! You are truly a genius, Lyle Waldstein!""......"Lyle answered Vilhelm's compliments with only silence.210He had invented it, but it was being used in the worst conceivable way. Hecould not find the appropriate words to describe his regret."......What should we do, Lyle?"Whispered Maria, who was patting her arms and shoulders after beingreleased from her bindings."He's gone at it quite a number of times, but that dandy noble doesn't haveany openings.""......There are ways to stop this flying warship even if we do not shut downthe Ingenious Engine."Automated it may be, but that also meant that it was a complex system. Acomplex machine had many weaknesses that could be exploited. Forexample, if the head could not be cut off, then one simply had to crush itsheartLyle attempted to slowly retreat, but Vilhelm seemed to have guessed hisintentions, and tapped the keyboard with his fingers.And immediately, a banging sound came from the passageway that led to thecentral deck, and it was shut with a steel door."The way to the warship's core is now shut. What will you do now?""......""Lyle."Maria clapped the now silent Lyle on the shoulders."I don't know what you're thinking of... but you can make use of me."Turning around, Lyle saw that Maria was wearing a rather dangerous smile."I'm pretty strong no matter how you look at me, hm?""...I know that."211Lyle smiled wryly.It was somewhat deplorable for him, but before he made an all-in gamble, itseemed he had no choice but to borrow her strength."......Lunaria, pass me the pack."Taking the pack which Lunaria had been carrying on her back, Lyle took outthe weapons inside one after another."Here you go, Maria."Taking her favourite rifle and a belt filled with bullets that was passed to her,Maria went, "Whoa, would you look at this." The tip of the rifle had beenequipped with a bayonet."Now we're ready for battle.""Alright... what about you, Lunaria?""......I am ready."The girl who was staring at Vilhelm replied softly to Lyle."Currently, you're the only one who can oppose that magic sword of his. Ineed you to buy some time for us.""......Understood."Lunaria tightened her grip on the sword in her hands."Lunaria will give us some time. Maria, I'll be needing your assistance.""Roger that.""Done with your little chat?"Vilhelm who had turned and faced them, was approaching, magic sword inhand.212Taking the initiative, Lunaria dashed out at him.Wearing a bored expression, Vilhelm threw out an attack atthe Nosferatu who was clad in Fog, her Eyes of Amber glowing with thelight of magical excitation.He deflected the outstretched Fog with the magic blade, which shared thesame nature in their magic."Ugh!"Lunaria slashed with her sword, and it grazed the tip of Vilhelm's nose as hejumped back. The next instant, a stake of Fog followed up with anotherattack. Jumping aside, Vilhelm hacked at everything in his way."A combination attack using both your Fog and a sword. It is moretroublesome to deal with, but..."Using her 'fogsliding' movement which confused the sense of distance ofpeople, Lunaria closed the distance, swinging her blade at Vilhelm. Heguarded the attack with ease. The tendril of Fog that followed up went forhis weak point, but it was completely dodged, brushed away and hackedapart."It seems you've gotten a little better. I can see the strength and skill behindyour sword, but it is not enough to overcome me. And neither is your Fog."Having seen through her tactics, Vilhelm went on the attack.As though the battle on the viewing platform had been but a mere warm-up,the speed and power of the magic blade multiplied."Kgh"Lunaria felt her hand go numb as she took the attack from the magic blade.Though she had also guarded with the Fog, the magic blade had wentthrough it like a hot knife through butter. The tip grazed Lunaria's slenderneck, and blood began to flow."Ow"213"Do not resist. This is but an act of mercy, as you will be reunited with yourbrethren.""...What do you know about us?"Pressing down on her neck, Lunaria glared sternly at Vilhelm."From who exactly did you receive that magic blade from...?""Of course, from those who had burned down your hometown."Gently caressing the blade of the magic sword, Vilhelm said."Besides the House of Zest, there are also others who have had secretagreements with the Phantasm. This includes those who proposed changes,in order to adapt to this new world transformed by the Steam EngineRevolutionthose who were of the Fog had rejected the new ways, andthus, were consequently destroyed as a result, were they not?"The young Margrave, looked right back at Lunaria, his eyes filled with pity."Well, they had it coming. They were always cooped up in their own world.Hidden in darkness, the Phantasms passed those dark days. Unable to realisethat they were trapped by the covenants of the olden days, their narrowmindedideology rejected changeno different from those nobles who hadfallen into ruin, no longer able to be sustained by just their lineage. Utterlyworthless, with not a single bit of productivity. It is no surprise they weredestroyed, those of the Fog, that is.""Silence!"Shouting out loud, Lunaria hacked at Vilhelm. He deflected both blade andFog as though it were child's play.Lunaria's onslaught was incessant, reckless."My father... my mother... my sisters... How dare you insult their name!""Why do you feel anger? Why do you feel resentment? There's no meaning init, no matter what you do."214"Shut up!""I'm sure that even you yourself understand that there's no meaning in youranger, right?"At his gentle voice, Lunaria's face was contorted, as though she was about tobreak out in tears."S-Silence...!""Truly, you have no worth. After all, you aren't even doing the things youshould be doing here. Which isto run away, isn't it?""Silen.....!""Yes, you left those of the Fog behind and fled. You failed to die.""......"With Vilhelm's every whisper, Lunaria's movement seemed to become visiblywilder and wilder. Her aim with her swords strikes and the Fog lessened.Vilhelm was a formidable warrior, but he was no novice in the art ofspeechcraft either.He had said that the most important thing to have as a noble, was to possess'eyes that can judge'. And so, the young Margrave had seen right through theweaknesses of the Nosferatu girl."Why be angry over some insults? There's no need to mourn, nor reason togrievenot for you, who had thrown away even the worth of anger and fled,is there?""A... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"Lunaria screamed. Like a child throwing a tantrum, she entrusted everythingto her anger, and swung her sword.Vilhelm struck aside Lunaria's direct downward slash with a horizontal blowfrom the magic blade.215*Bakin*!A high-pitched sound was produced as Lunaria's sword was cleaved in two.Vilhelm then drove his palm right into the dumbfounded Lunaria's belly. Themerciless blow from that tempered, well-trained body sent Lunaria flyingaway, throwing up blood, helplessly sprawling over the ground."...A-Argh...... U-Urgh....."She had no strength left in her body. Her body shook, trembling.Even so, she struggled to stand, her sword falling from her hands and ontothe ground.The sword was broken. A blade that had been rendered useless. It wasjustlike her own self.The moment she laid her eyes on that blade that had almost been broken offat the hilt, Lunaria finally gave up. She could no longer find any strength norwill."That's right. A pitiful corpse which has lost its pride and ego is practicallyworthless."Slowly walking towards her, Vilhelm raised the magic sword, as though hewere an executioner."Now begone...?"Noticing that something was wrong, Vilhelm turned around.Lyle and Maria were there, tearing off a certain part of the wall.216Part 5"Just as predicted...!"Removing the maintainence hatch of the control deck with help from Maria,Lyle found what he was looking for."Yup, this is Master's work. I thought she'd definitely have preparedsomething like this."Although it was not something like the keyboard in front of the IngeniousEngine, a small terminal with a list of numerals had been installed there. Itwas a backup, in case the keyboard to enter the commands with broke down."Will you be able to manage?""I'll do something about it."Replying to Maria's question, he placed the terminal in his lap. He wasovercome with emotion. It was unlike his usual self.The fruits of the technology he had invented.It existed in reality. There existed no scientist who would not be happy to seetheir ideas be turned to reality.That feeling could not be so easily erasedLyle smiled at the irony of it."Lyle?""It's funny..... how happy I am. I shirk away from this invention that couldvery well change the world completely, but at the same time, I can't help butfeel thrilled to see it right before my very eyes."He thought that it was selfish and pathetic."......I'm sorry, Maria.""Lyle?"217"I'm just scared. I'm afraid that I might change someone, or their way of lifeI'm afraid, that's why I did not do anything."It was because he did not do anything, that he had come here. That was howit was.However, he had wavered in his path many times. And each time, the wordsfrom the girl of flaming copper hair beside Lyle had brought him back ontrack. If he were to respond to her wordsif he were to wield his power asshe wanted him to, would it do for him to remain thus?"...I'm sorry Maria. If I do it your way""What I wish for, is what you wish for, Lyle."Hearing Maria say that rather indifferently, Lyle looked up from the terminalwithout thinking.Maria nodded, a satisfied smile on her face."I don't know what is it you're worried aboutbut even though I have somehopes for you, I won't force you to do anything. Well, I've made a fewpreparations in case you ever feel like it, but... that's just a hobby of mine.""But still, I...""Knowledge and wisdom are a means, not an ends. Indeed, there are manythings you can do with them... However, they are also things that only youcan do. So if it doesn't match your own wishes, then you can simply ignore it.You're you, after all. There's nothing to be worried about."With that, Maria winked impishly.Yeah, I see it now.His chest felt lightened.Lyle had always wondered if all Maria cared about was his knowledge andwisdom. Whether she had wanted him to use said knowledge and wisdomlike Erllua did.218Lyle had always hesitated. Afraid that he might make a mistake, and end uphurting others. That was why he had always held his talent back. Hisconscience had always bugged him, why a girl like Maria would ever want tohave anything to do with an unmotivated person like him.However, he did not feel any guilt nor weakness towards her."Feeling distressed, Lyle? I wonder what you're trying to do now?"Vilhelm was running towards Lyle, who was operating the terminal."Lyle, I leave things to you!"Maria, without holding back, fired her gun.Vilhelm dodged that as though he had seen it coming. As if he had predictedthe trajectory of the bullet.Without giving Maria any time to load another bullet, Vilhelm slashed at her.Maria did not run, and furthermore, exchanged blows with him head-on."Ugh!""Haaaaaaaaaaaah!"Pulling back the bayonet, she sidestepped her foe's attack, and drove thegunstock of the rifle at Vilhelm, in a counter.The iron plate-reinforced gunstock taking a bit of the skin from his brow,Vilhelm turned his body aside and retreated instantly."...I see how it is," said Vilhelm as he touched the blood on his brow with hisfinger, narrowing his eyes. Your true specialty is in the rifle, eh. Thattechnique is Bayonet Fechten1, isn't it?""Bingo."1'Fechten' is German for 'fencing', so yep, it's bayonet fencing.219Holding the rifle like a spear, Maria smiled fearlessly.As guns had become a practical and increasingly commonplace weapon,there were those who had adopted the new weapon as a form of martial art,amongst the knights who had lived by the sword. Bayonet Fechten wasborn along the way, polished and continued, as the newest form of closequarters combat.While checking the condition of his sword, Vilhelm scowled at Maria, whohad loaded a round."......The maid had some skill, and so does the mistress, it seems. Do let meenjoy myself a little longer!"With a smile like that of a beast which had found its prey, Vilhelm charged atMaria.Her dress billowing, Maria took the blow from the magic blade, a desperateexpression on her face."Lyle! Do it quick!""I don't know what you're up to, but !"Vilhelm, who had caught Maria's bullet with the flat of his blade, widened hiseyes.The scenery outside the windowthe light from the stars was slowly moving.The progress was being taken over."You can't be""The rotor's torque was stronger than I expected it to be... three tries, ittook...""You actually took control of the ship without the conversion key!"Maria took advantage of his surprise, stabbing out with the bayonet, andVilhelm dodged it by a paper-thin margin.220"Ridiculous! A back-up is but a back-up! Not to mention, with just a terminaland some numbersHow!?""It's just as you said, Margrave Zest. Master was the one who created theIngenious EngineBut I was the one who came up with the theory andfundamental layout."Without taking his eyes off the terminal, Lyle replied Vilhelm's question."It might be the Ingenious Engine, but it's based on calculations. Even if youuse a keyboard that makes it easy to input text, the commands areinterpreted through a numerical algorithm. If you understand how thatprotocol works, even if you key in commands in numerals...""Absurd! Even if that were possibleWhen did you crack the algorithm ofthe program!""The basis for the calculations is a binary number system involving just 1s and0s. And then, those pipe cylinders that started rotating when you input theprogramonce I saw the nature of the computation process from that, Iunderstood it at once."The speed at which Lyle's fingers moved increased, by two, even three timesmore.The pipe organ'sthe Ingenious Engine's calculation wheels creaked noisilyas they rotated. After commands were entered into the algorithm whichexecuted the program, the doors which sealed the passageway leading to thecontrol deck opened."Go! Lyle!""Got it!"At Maria's urging, Lyle started to run. However, seeing the figure of the fallenLunaria, his feet stopped for a moment."Lunaria!"221He had heard the conversation she had with Vilhelm earlier. It explained therecklessness and desperation in her attitude. The girl, whose name had beencalled out and was looking over at him, her expression had returned to thesame empty emotionless one she had in their first meeting."......Whether you have any worth or not, I don't really know! Nor is itsomething I can decide!"However, he had to refute Lunaria's heart, which had been held captive byher guilt."There is just one thing I have to tell you! If you do nothing, then it wouldmean that you accept Lord Zest's insults! Are you fine with that, deciding justthat like, the worth of your own bloodline!?"Saying just that, Lyle turned around.He did not think that Lunaria's heart would be cleared with just that.However, he wanted to lighten Lunaria's guilt, if only a little, just like howMaria had done for him.Doing that would probably make her keep on fighting... it's hypocrisy.As though trying to shake off his self-mockery, Lyle picked up his speed andhurried towards the engine core of Ymir.222Part 6"There he goes......"Lyle's footsteps could be heard as he departed the area, and Maria took up astance with her rifle."......"In contrast, Vilhelm was staring blankly at the exit of the deck that Lyle hadunlocked. Though he was so full of openings that it seemed like it would allbe over if she just aimed and shot him, Maria controlled that temptation,feeling a strange air from him on her bare shoulders and nape."......Hu... huhu...Ahahahahaha!"Vilhelm broke out into uproarious laughter."Ha, haha, heheh......he input the calculations directly? I searched for theconversion key because that had been too complicatedand looking at therotations of the wheels? He cracked the program from looking at all thosenumbers rotating at that kind of speed? How good must your memory andmental calculation be to do that? My worries as to whether he was a trueprodigy were all for naught! He's a monster. With his vast amount ofknowledge and his exceptional ability to do mental calculations, he's amonster of intellect! Magnificent! I must have him on my side, no matterwhat."Maria felt the chills run down her spine.There was nothing resembling malice in Vilhelm's voice. It felt like that of apositive, eloquent, pleasant young man.However, the meaning behind those words, revealed nothing but a disregardfor the other party's will, and only a desire to enforce his own.Vilhelm returned to the base of the Ingenious Engine and tapped thekeyboard. With a clanging sound, the metal cover was disconnected.223"I've opened up the voice pipe in the warship. Anything that happens in thiscontrol deck will be heard throughout the entire ship."No one knew that such a thing existed, until he had said it."Lyle! I don't know how you're going to destroy the engine core without anyexplosives, but... get back here at once!"The Margrave called out to Lyle, who was running in the warship."I hope you will think this through quickly! I do not wish to make the ladiesscreamif Dainsleif was to absorb their blood, it will all come to the sameending anyway!"Vilhelm approached quietly, as though he was a shadow. The magic swordwas drawing closer, aimed towards Maria.Spinning about using the rifle like a spear, Maria grit her teeth and defendedherself against the fierce assault from the magic blade.If she suffered so much as a graze, she would be controlled. It was necessaryfor her to push her concentration to the utmost limit."Damn!""Bayonet Fechten is a highly offensive combat style which lacks in defence.You won't make any progress if you're only defending, will you?"He was explaining it to Lyle, and at the same time, provoking Maria directly.The bayonet was used similar to a spear, but it relied heavily on defeating theenemy in a single strike. It was unavoidable that there would be an openingfor a counterattack. And that was what Vilhelm had been going for."Don't worry. I will not treat you coldly. I did say that I will grant you yourwish, after all.""I have no idea what you're going on about!""I'm just saying, if you won't be obedient, then I'll make you be."224Instead of defending with the sword, he went on the attack with words."I'll even let you bed Lyle. It'd be rather simple to remove all sense of shamefrom you.""Wha""I'll engrave the ways of pleasuring a man right onto your heart. Don't youthink that would make Lyle feel so good that he'd float right up to heaven?""You disgusting beast!"Maria found herself enraged, at those words which had trampled all over herfeelings for Lyle.Rage disrupted concentration. Maria, who was concentrating on the magicsword, widened her eyes when she saw that Vilhelm had let go of the hilt. Inthat instant, a sharp elbow drove into her body, and her body formed theshape of a 'c'.He nimbly grabbed hold of the magic sword in mid-air, and swung it down onMaria, who was enduring the pain."Oh no !"However, the blade of the magic sword passed through the air before hereyes, a distance away. Vilhelm also seemed to be a distance away.Not quite understanding what had happened, Maria realised that she hadbeen carried away, the Fog entwined around her body, and then she wasplaced down next to Lunaria, who was unsteadily rising to her feet."......A hateful man he is."Lunaria sighingly said."......Yes, I am but a powerless, worthless and insignificant lass. I have not theintention of changing that fact... I understand that, yet you...... !"Maria blinked with surprise, and looked down at Lunaria's pale silver hair.225The one she seemed to be angry at was not Vilhelm, but Lyle, it seemed. Herirritated face seemed to have several kinds of colourful languages written onit, but the shadow of pessimism seemed to have been chased away."All of it... I understood..... yet you...... !""Lyle is just that kind of guy."Lunaria looked up at her, and Maria smiled wryly in response, as though shewere both proud and amazed."For example, he'd even save someone who's trying to commit suicide beforehim, right? But, he won't tell that person to cherish their life. He'd probablyjust go, 'I dislike seeing this sort of thing happen'. And so, he would stopthem from suicide. No matter how many times, he would save them... and hewould continue to do so until they give up on trying to do so.""......I think I kind of understand."Lunaria looked sullen as she quietened down, but she nodded as though ofthe same opinion.She felt that Maria was a surprisingly easy girl to understand, and she couldfeel a sense of familiarity from her. Their hearts were being thrown intodisarray by the same young man, and it was similar to the feeling of'camaraderie'."You saved me earlier. I'll have to thank you once this is all over. What wouldyou like?""......Then, would you please tell me your 'secret'?"Maria raised her eyebrows, but quickly nodded after remembering theirexchange back in Lyle's laboratory."Yeah, that's fine by me. Well then, let's get started, shall we, Lunaria?""Let us do so, Maria."226The copper and pale silver hair, as though being repelled from each other,abruptly jumped aside. Immediately after, the faint crimson-coloured magicsword came slashing down."You think by joining forces you'd stand a chance?"Vilhelm went after Maria, who was on his right. Maria fired a shot, tosuppress him. Naturally, Vilhelm evaded that shot. In the same motion, hethrust his sword right at Maria,"Ugh"The high-density Fog had guarded Maria from the magic blade.Lunaria then took the place of Maria who had retreated, after beingprotected by the Fog.And once again, Vilhelm attacked Lunaria, who had come at him riding uponthe Fog, with both his magic and verbal sword."You're still at it? What are you still fighting for? You, who had left yourbrethren behind, and failed to die""It is just as you say. I will fail to die."Lunaria looked back at Vilhelm resolutely, wielding the Fog."What will come of your anger? You, the powerless you, who could donaught but flee from even your own cowardice, what will come of fightingnow?""Nothing will come of it. My feelings still have not changed, that I amworthless, and that this world would be better off without me. I am but acoward who ran away..... However, those of the FogI cannot forgive anyinsults you make to their name!""......Tch."Vilhelm murmured, realising that he would not seize the advantage this time.227Lunaria's nihilistic ways were a result of her inability to save her brethren.She could not forgive her own powerlessness, and that was why she hadthought herself a 'corpse that ought to disappear', 'someone who found noworth in living, a person who failed to die'.Her sense of powerlessness was now reversed, due to her love for her family."......Then, the only thing left is to cut you down."Vilhelm spun about, the momentum adding into the heavy blow heunleashed. The Fog, which had increased magical density, gave in toVilhelm's slash.Lunaria took up a defensive stance with her broken sword."What can you possibly do with that broken blade!"However, the magic blade that sought to split apart that delicate neck, wasclearly repelled away.Vilhelm's eyes widened."That's..."A vortex of the phantasmal Fog was swirling around the tip of Lunaria'shand. The Fog coiled around the broken sword, as though taking the placeof the sword's blade, forming a white, semi-transparent blade like that offrosted glass."This is the Nebula Sparda1."With a swaying dance, Lunaria threw out a horizontal slash with the blade ofFog.The magic blade parried. The convergence rate of the Fog's density wasstretched to its utmost limits, and it was nothing like what had been seen sofar. And so, Vilhelm put in even more strength into his blows.1The kanji meaning of Nebula Sparda is 'The Sword of Fog'228The Nebula Spardawas severed in the middle, but the blade of Fogreformed immediately, slicing at Vilhelm."What!?"He dodged, but the blade of Fog grazed his well-featured face, wounding hischeek.Lunaria concentrated all of the Fog that her body was emitting into theNebula Sparda. No matter how many times it was destroyed, it wouldreform itselfit was, so to speak, a sword which cannot be blocked. And likeits namesake, it slipped through defences and attacked, like fog.However, there was a price to pay for overexertion of this power. Theconsumption rate of power was in a different league from when Lunaria wasclad in Fog, and each time the Nebula Sparda was broken and reformeditself, her face grew paler."Why you !"It threw away all thoughts of defence, and risked the user's lifeVilhelm,who had thought that, promptly jumped back. Sparks erupted from theground near his feet, from the impact of a projectile."Don't forget that I'm here as well!"Maria called out, loading a round into the rifle.Lunaria, who had resistance against Dainsleif, was the vanguard anddefence, and Maria, who was skilled with the gun, offered suppressive fireand offence. It was an unexpected, yet natural combination."......Still, these are merely parlour tricks, little ladies."A faint trace of irritation flickering over his face, Vilhelm charged right at thethe two of them.229230Part 7Lyle was sprinting through the interior of Ymir. The battle situation in thecontrol deck was being broadcasted to the entire ship since a while ago, buthe believed in Maria and Lunaria, and quickened his pace.The location of the Amber Reactor, the engine core, he had learnt from themap of the warship briefly flashed across his mind. The steady increase in thenumber of thick, heavy doors and the thickening of the pipes substantiatedthe fact that he was on the right track."......It's here."He finally arrived at a conspicuous massive steel door. Rotating valvesopened up, and Lyle could feel the hot, dusk-coloured air on his cheeks.An object formed of thirty-two pentagons and hexagons, interlaced together.That was the rough shape of the Amber Reactor. The interior was cast insteel, and there a special alloy called 'mithril' was deposited, which served toamplify the efficiency of the energy contained in the amber.The diameter of the Amber Reactor, which was half-buried in pipes and itsfurnace, was longer than the length of a large adult; it was solidly and firmlybuilt. If he were to open the hexagonal grate which replenished the amber,there would be a fair amount of heat outflow, but he would not dosomething that deliberate."......Should I use this?"Lyle took out the weapon he had secretly prepared beforehand.It was a single-shot revolver that fired explosive rounds. The calibre was high,but it was not powerful enough to destroy the steel Amber Reactornormally, that is.The trick was in the bullet.Into the top-break revolver, a silver bullet that reflected with a rainbowcolouredlight was loaded.231Going back into the passageway to put some distance inbetween, he held thegun with both hands, and pointed it at the Amber Reactor.Placing his finger on the triggerand Lyle hesitated then.Was it fine to just destroy Ymirthe Ingenious Engine?Was it fine to just destroy this unprecedented invention, an Ingenious Enginethat was actually in operation, just like this?His resolve to pull the trigger there and then, would not change.His determination to not pull the trigger, would change.The answer to the question that Erllua had once asked him, was now right athis fingertips.I'llThe finger on the trigger began to tremble.Right at that moment, a voice sounded out from the walls."Enough!"He heard a voice, loud enough to chase away all his hesitation.232Part 8The fight in the control deck was like a seesaw; the tides turning favourableone moment, and unfavourable the next, for both parties. It was a precariousequilibrium. Lunaria's Nebula Sparda certainly was powerful, but her skillwith the sword was beneath Vilhelm's. No matter how fast her attacks, theywere all predicted and deflected.None of Maria's shots had hit thus far; the moment she pulled the trigger, hewas already somewhere else. It went without saying that none of the attacksfrom her bayonet struck home either.With their hasty cooperation, Maria and Lunaria could barely manage to keepat bay Vilhelm, who was displaying his superhuman skill with the sword. Theywere unused to fighting side-by-side with each other, and they were slowlygetting worn out."......Sheesh. I wish he'd go a little easier on us."Maria lamented, as she tried to regulate her breathing.Vilhelm stood before them, looking rather relaxed. He did not even break asweat even though both his opponents possessed uncommon fightingstrength."It's about time you ran out of bullets, isn't it? The Nosferatu lady overthere looks pretty tired as well.""......"Lunaria was silent. She was barely hanging on, trying to catch her breath. TheNebula Sparda was materialised with her magical power. And to thePhantasms, magical power was their lifeforce. Each time she crossed bladeswith Vilhelm's magic sword, a portion of her life was literally shaved away."Won't you stop this already? To begin with, this has been a rather pointlessconflict."Said Vilhelm.233"I could even give Dainsleif back to the lady there. There are many otherways of manipulating people. Miss Maria, I'm sure you understand the worthof the Ingenious Engine, don't you? Not announcing it to the world is simplypreposterous.So how about it? Won't you both persuade Lyle for me?""......" "......"Maria and Lunaria looked at each other in silence.And their only response was to take up a stance with their respectiveweapons, and simultaneously leaping at him.Vilhelm leaked out a small sigh."......Hah. Really now......"While looking at the Nebula Sparda Lunaria had unleashed,"What will come of fulfilling your duty to your already departed brethren?Those of the Fog could not adapt to the times and were thus weeded out,and you, as one of them, should just disappear silently, just like them.""That should have been the case."Taking both Vilhelm's magic blade and words head-on, Lunaria quietly said."There is neither meaning nor worth in my present selfI know that verywell.""If you do, then what are you fighting for? I fail to understand."As though he was swatting a fly, Vilhelm swung his blade.Her stance destroyed by a light blow from his sword, the faint crimsoncolouredblade once again swung downwards at her. However, the bayonetthrust forward from the side prevented that.234"And speaking of failure to understand, the same goes for you as well,Maria Highline."Said Vilhelm, repelling the bayonet that was thrust out like a spear."Did not you wish for Lyle to be the standard-bearer for a new revolution?This was a good opportunity to fulfill that wish. Yet you chose to postponeno, how could you waste that chance?""Enough! You cretinous fool!"Using the rifle as a shield to defend against the magic blade, Maria grit herteeth and shouted out loud."Stop saying that already! You don't know anything about me!""I do. You have the backing of the Highline Foundation, a talent for business,high physical capabilities, and a beautiful body. You also take advantage ofyour social status as a woman. There is worth in your abilities. You have bothworth and the ability to utilise Lyle Waldstein's talent to the fullest""Hell if I know anything about worth! My worth is for me to decide! The samegoes for the way I choose to live my life. Stop wasting our time!""Talent is a treasure that should be used correctly. It could direct you, yet itcould also control you. Which is why, you need someone who can appraiseworth to manage your talent. If you refuse to do thatthen I will be the oneto manage Lyle.""There's no damn way I'll let you, is there!"Maria pulled the trigger, firing the bullet at point-blank range, in rage.Although he had dodged it, the roar of the gunfire caused Vilhelm to grimace.Maria pressed the attack."Do not speak of it lightly, Vilhelm Zest! Do not judge Lyle with your sense ofvalue! You have not a single clue of his worth!"235"......That's interesting to hear. Does he have something that surpasses theIngenious Engine that is moving this flying warship? If so, what is it ?""You just don't get it at all, do you?"Maria smiled, feeling pity for Vilhelm, from the bottom of her heart."It's his 'kindness' for sure, isn't it!""......Hmph. Merely a woman's jest... I cannot leave him to you, it seems!"As though it were a counter, Vilhelm thrust his fist at Maria.As her concentration was focused upon the magic sword, Maria leaked out agroan as her body bent from the impact."I'll be the one to make full use of Lyle Waldstein's talent!""Hell noa man who speaks of nothing but talent should not even speak ofLyle's name!""Just what you'd expect a woman to say!""'Cause I am one after all!"She was still somehow guarding with her rifle, but as she was lacking instrength, it was easily knocked aside.And at the now defenceless Maria's neck, the magic blade was thrust out, todraw her blood."Maria!"Though Lunaria had jumped in to block the attack, it took all of her might tostop that one attack, due to her exhaustion.The girls collapsed onto the ground of the deck, as though in a pile."It's over now."236Vilhelm raised the magic blade overheadit was at that moment,"!""Kyaah!"The ground, the flying fortress trembled greatly, and a heavy sound rang outa moment later.A small rumble, and then a gigantic booming sound could be heard.With perfect timing, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble,throwing Vilhelm off his stance. He who was about to unleash an attack withall his power behind it, was now exposed with a big, almost fatal opening."Eat this, you oaf!"Maria did not seize the opportunity to run, but pulled the trigger of her rifle.The spinning bullet, a result of rifling in her gun, shaved off a portion ofVilhelm's brow."Nghugh!?"Vilhelm threw himself backwards with all his might. Enduring the pain fromhis brow, where blood was now flowing profusely, Vilhelm threw the girls asidelong glance.The machinery had stopped, and the flying warship was now moving slowlydue to inertia. What can be seen of the outside was no grassy plains, but awater surface which reflected the light from the stars."......Lake Holle, huh."It was the water source for the royal capital, located to its northwest. Itmeasured over five kilometres at its widest, and over two hundred metres atits deepest. The ideal place to sink a secret.It seemed that this had been the goal all along. That youth had alreadyplanned where to dispose of Ymir from the beginning.237"He had accurately predicted the time when the ship would arrive at thislocation and timed the destruction of the Amber Reactorthe surprisessimply keep coming..."The calculation wheels of the Ingenious Engine started to slow down in itsrotation, along with the weakening of the steam pressure. What remainedwas to release the helium from the envelope, and the flying warship coveredwith steel armour would sink into the lake.Ymir was supposedly doomed, but Vilhelm was not yet perturbed by theturn of events.Indeed, although he had not expected the Amber Reactor to be destroyedwithout any heavy-duty equipment, neither had he thought that LyleWaldstein would run away on his own. Vilhelm had been certain that hewould come and save the girls.Vilhelm turned his bloody face towards the girls who were out of breath andgetting up."Let us go at it againand settle this once and for all!"Closing in on them, Vilhelm let out a chain of attacks one after another.The magical blade came at Maria and Lunaria, keenly cutting through the air.In the span of a breath, the two of them were one-sidedly kept on thedefence."Though there were unforeseen circumstances, the ending remains thesame."Vilhelm Zest, who had decided thus, was someone who had achievedeverything. Martial arts, etiquette, status, personal connections.Of course, he was not talented at every single aspect. However, everythinghe had achieved was due to the herculean amount of effort he had spent andhis spirit of perseverance."This time is no exceptionI will acquire what I want."238"For what?"A voice resounded in the deck."For what do you go that far seeking power?"What came from the voice pipe was undoubtedly Lyle's voice."Haven't I already said it!"Glaring at the girls who were desperately fending off the magic blade,Vilhelm shouted his reply."This is for my 'own worth'! I will acquire it, and continue to rise!""Then, how far will you go?""What?""How far will you go before you are satisfied, Margrave Vilhelm Zest?"As though his weak point had been struck, Vilhelm sank into silence.Maria and Lunaria then shifted into the counteroffensive, taking advantageof the opening that was created, due to his sword being slower by a fewmoments.Vilhelm exhaled, and concentrated on the battle."Hrmph...""Please tell me. How far will you go?""...What underhanded methods. Are you trying to distract me with idlebanter?""If that's what you think... ha, then you can simply cover your ears."239He was most likely sprinting through the passageway and shouting into thehandy voice pipes that were located throughout the path in intervals.Haggard breathing was mixed in with his voice."If you think that it is distracting...... then, is there a reason why you must notbe distracted?"However, during the breaks when he had caught his breath, his questionscame, merciless and relentless."In the first place... has there ever been anything that you had wished for andobtained?""What?"The Nebula Sparda grazed Vilhelm's chest lightly, as he was confused bythe question.Whether it had been pain or bewilderment, Vilhelm's face was distorted,perhaps at both parties he was facing."I have always been training myself. A single-minded will I possess, and so Ishall obtain power!""A hardworking one, aren't you."It had a hint of sarcasm behind it."Still, is that really what you wish for?""Hmph!"Evading the bayonet aiming for his temple, Vilhelm shouted."I will prove it to you right here!""Really?"Lyle continued.240"The 'resoluteness of will' is different from the 'strength of feelings'. There willbe no 'end' for you. Would that not mean that there was no 'beginning' in thefirst place?""Hmph...""All you've said is simply what you ought to do... None of it had been whatyou wanted to do.""Ngh......"It was before anyone had realised it, that Vilhelm had uttered a groan.Maria's gun, Lunaria's Fog, none of those were things that Vilhelm ought tohave been afraid of. They were things he could deal with."Urgh...?"Vilhelm Zest had obtained everything.The title of Margrave. At some point in time, he realised that he could makeuse of the position better than others could. Which was why he had causedhis father's death in a way that could not be perceived as anything other thanan accident, and succeeded the title of Margrave.However, if the Margrave were to be asked what he had wanted"Ugh...""Your ambition and self-denial are things that are difficult for me to respect,Vilhelm Zest."It was the first time Lyle had called him by name."However, as regrettable as it is, no matter how many things you obtain withyour iron will, you will never be satisfied. No matter how much worth youaccumulateyou still lack 'ambition'.""Urgh....."241"...The tables have turned."Lunaria murmured."How fare you against the verbal blade?""Do not be carried away, you relic of the olden age!"Vilhelm's eyes promptly snapped open as he delivered a slash at Lunaria.However, the magic blade was stopped by the blade of Fog."...Your blade has become dull."Said Lunaria, as the shape of her Nebula Sparda wavered, entwining itselfaround the magic sword."Ngh...""You finally look desperate, my good Margrave."And over Lunaria's head, Maria's rifle was thrust out."I apologise, for the slap this time!"That attack was dodged, but the bullet fired scraped off a bit of his rightcheek. His cheek was torn open, revealing his teethridge."GahOoooooooh!"With all his might, he slashed at them.The girls were also reaching their limit and were staggering. Maria loaded herlast bullet, Lunaria's Eyes of Amber flared up, and they jointly attackedVilhelm at once."...They are damnably persistent..."Vilhelm grit his teeth, which were now exposed on one side of his face.Why do these girls not yield?242Why have they given me so much difficulty?Why am I"Grr, grrgh....""A person's worth is something that he creates himself. A person's meaning inlife is something that he decides himself. Even if others think you worthless.""I-I...""You had said that you do not understand your own worth. That, is also anexample. It is not that you do not understand. It's just that you do not haveany."The tables had truly been turned, at some point.All of the combat theories he had, all of the martial arts he had trained in,had become fuzzy in his mind. His face stiff, Vilhelm desperately fought,swinging his blade."And... what are you trying to say!"Vilhelm shouted, as though he was throwing up blood."What exactly do you want! What is it that you live for! You, who havethrown aside your own worth readily, what on earth is it that drives youforward!"His composure and elegance all but gone, Vilhelm Zest roared."Answer me, Lyle Waldstein!""What it is, is something very obvious. So obvious, you might even laugh atthe idea of it."In the midst of the sounds of an intense battle, Lyle's voice was frighteninglyclear."I justwant to be someone who can treat others kindly."243"......The hell.....?"A shocked voice escaped from Vilhelm, as though he had forgotten what sortof situation he was in."That's it? Just for that...?"Lyle's answer sounded like a cliche phrase that a parent would tell theirchildren.But, how many people were there that truly put such an obvious thing intopractice?Vilhelm finally realised that he had made a misunderstanding.He had thought that Lyle Waldstein had an attitude that was ill-suited to histalent. He had an extraordinary intellect, but he was otherwise ordinary, interms of sensibility. Therefore, he thought that Lyle would be unable to bringhis talent out to the fullest.He was wrong.It was because he was ordinary otherwise, that his talent had all butconsumed him. The impression he gave off was something that could not becompared to the average person; it was supported by a powerful ego."W-What is this..."And that ego dealt the finishing blow.Vilhelm felt a sudden chill overcome him. His hand which held his swordbegan to tremble.He had no worries, nothing of the like, up until now. He had thought thatwhat he did was the obvious thing to do. That was why he rose and rose,brimming with confidence.What he was feeling then, was the coldness of losing his pillar of support.It was obviousbut what did 'obvious' mean?244By the time Vilhelm, literally dumbfounded, had realised it, the victor hadalready been decided. A bullet struck him in the left shoulder, his body bentfrom the impact, and his right arm which held the sword was severed at thewrist.Blood spurting, his tempered body fell through the air."Grugh......"With a small thump, Vilhelm pitched forward and collapsed.His blood spread out on the ground, like a puddle of water."......We did it..."Maria exhaled her breath. She was supporting herself using her rifle as awalking stick.The light from her Eyes of Amber fading, the blade of Lunaria's NebulaSparda dispersed.The only sounds that could be heard in the control deck of the flying warshipwere their ragged breathing."Seriously... he was such a monstrous foe.""Yeah...... if not for Master Lyle's words, we would never have won."Maria and Lunaria looked at each other, and smiled."Well then...... when Lyle comes back !""Maria!?"Lunaria cried out, seeing that Maria had been sent flying away suddenly."......You sure did a number on me, little girls..."245His entire body bloodied, Vilhelm's face was distorted, like a demon, as herose from the ground. At that ominous sight, a scream rose up in Lunaria'sthroat. His unharmed left hand then tightly grabbed her by the neck."Gah, ha"Vilhelm dragged Lunaria over to Maria, who was trying to stand up, andkicked her in the neck with the sole of his boots."Ga""Don't screw around...... with me...!"His voice leaked out from his torn right cheek, and Vilhelm exerted morestrength at the girls. Both Maria and Lunaria's faces grew paler. From theiranguished throats, the vestiges of a scream could be heard."Vilhelm Zest!"It was the natural voice of someone this time.It was Lyle Waldstein. His face stained with soot and dust, he was glaringintensely at Vilhelm Zest.246Part 9Having destroyed the engine parts, Lyle blowed into the voice pipe that hadcaught his eye, running through the passageway leading to the control deck."That which exists at the end of light, the end of darkness. That whichdenotes the origin of wind, the origin of fire"While sprinting, Lyle chanted the Oracio. There was no amber in his hands.But what was there in its place, was the high-calibre revolver."Of forgotten dusk, of heretic gold, that which is the cradle of time. Embracethe distant lands with thy gentleness, and in thy kindness, grant usforgiveness"He finally reached the control deck, and so the final curtains were about tofall.Vilhelm, covered in wounds, was about to kill both the girls."Vilhelm Zest!"".....Ah, it's you, Lyle."His face looked wild as he faced Lyle; almost like he was someone else."......You've surprised me. These girls weren't the ones who drove me into acorner... it was you. Your worthless little speech."Said Vilhelm, in a hollow voice."It was the first time anyone has ever told me that... still, it's strange, isn't it?Why did no one ever try to?""......That's because you're overtly positive."Lyle narrowed his eyes, as though in pity.247"You're different from me. I've always been at a standstill... you have a willwhich pulls people along with you. It's just thatthere's no 'end' in that willof yours.""Yeah, I see... I did not have a starting point. I only moved, according to whatwas required of me... But somehow, I just feel something seething well upinside me when I hear you say that. Like you've reached something in thedepths of my heart."Vilhelm looked back at Lyle with a light in his eyes."The world ought to thank you, I suppose. If not for your prideful kindness,the world would have been changed! Your 'power' is far larger than I hadgiven it credit for... and I wanted that! And that is the only truth that is leftfor me! Even if the means I choose have no purpose...!""......""Well then, I give you a choice..... will you join forces with me and change theworld, or will you reject my offer, leave the world as it is and loseeverything!"Indicating the girls who were struggling to breathe, a demonic expressionflickered across Vilhelm's face."Even now, I still hold their lives in my hands. Now, what will you choose!?""......This will be my reply."Lyle quietly raised the revolver in his hands."Are you sure about that? You might end up shooting them with your ownhands, won't you? I doubt that it would be the right decision.""There is only one thing that will always be right, to me."Saying that, Lyle smiled.Lyle slowly aligned the revolver horizontally.248Vilhelm noticed that, and his eyes widened suddenly."Stop... do you even understand what kind of mistake you are about tomake!""Yeah. I'm taking responsibility for what I have created... that much isobvious."And into the revolver Lyle held in his hands, he breathed the last verse of theOracio."Thou art the tremors in the boundary; Surpass logic, and overcome time!And thus, bring unto us a dusk of eternity!"The bullet loaded into the gun in Lyle's handthe high-calibre, single-shotrevolver, was no ordinary bullet.It was of special-make; a mithril bullet. And within it, amber was sealed.The amber, which normally reached its critical transition state with the aid ofvarious external machinery or tools through an increase in heat or pressure,would be rapidly excited by the magus, Lyle.The inside of the mithril bullet acted like a miniature Amber Reactor; themagical power of the amber was being converted by the heat.A product of magic and sciencethe fusion of both art and technologytogether, that was the Frei Kugel1, which only Lyle could produce andcontrol. This was also what had destroyed the gigantic Amber Reactor inYmir's engine core.Lyle pointed the Frei Kugel at the Ingenious Engine."Sto"Ignoring Vilhelm who was trying to stop him, he pulled the trigger.1Frei Kugel; Frei = 'free', Kugel = 'bullet', you can put two and two together. The kanji, onthe other hand, means 'magic bullet'.249250The amber bullet that was fired cut through the air in a natural parabola. Itpassed by Vilhelm's side, and straight behind himright into the IngeniousEngine.Upon hitting its target, the deftly crafted amber bullet compressed theminiature Amber Reactor inside it. The amber which was in a stable state,converted all of the energy contained within it into heat.And along with the heat came the sudden expansion of air, creating ashockwave.The whirling destruction melted the cylinders, smashed the keyboard, andsent countless numbers of gears flying. The pipe organ-like Ingenious Engine,was reduced to scrap in a single moment."O, ooh..."Releasing Maria and Lunaria, Vilhelm turned around and faced the destroyedIngenious Engine. With unsteady steps, he walked towards the smokingwreckage."O-oh... Why did, why did it come to this......"Vilhelm was devastated by the 'answer', which was expressed with far moreimpact than eloquent words.The first thing that he had wished for and gottenwas in no way what Lylehad, that was what the destroyed Ingenious Engine seemed to say.It was Vilhelm Zest's first experience of 'despair'.His advantage of holding Maria's and Lunaria's lives in his handswas all butgone."......Can you stand, Maria, Lunaria?"Lyle called out to the two of them, and they firmly got up, with their own twofeet."Yeah, 'tis but a scratch."251Said Maria, smiling.As though to make him feel at ease, Lunaria nodded with that expressionlessface of hers.Lyle felt relieved."Lyle."A certain familiar voice resounded, and Lyle looked up, taken by surprise."Most likely, you're the one who's going to be listening to this."The nostalgic voice of his masterthe voice of Erllua Azoth resounded forth.252Part 10"Lyle, what's..."Though Maria was acquainted with Erllua, her voice still sounded perplexed,after hearing the voice that had suddenly rang out.Lyle was also overcome with surprise, and guessed at the identity of thevoice.It was likely that a gramophoneor some sort of device which could recordsound had been set up. Through the voice pipes in the warship, the nostalgicvoice of his master called out to Lyle."My voice has been set to broadcast upon the destruction of the IngeniousEngine. Someone who would think of destroying such an invention andactually carry it out, would probably be a person like you."Isn't that so, asked the Erllua who drifted through his mind, with an innocentsmile."You must have been worried. About destroying the Ingenious Engine, thefruit of your labour. Still, that's fine. This thing would probably bring moreharm to the world than good."If that's the case, why did you create it? As he longed to ask that question,"If that's the case, why did I create it, is what you're most likely thinking. Well,it's sort of like a job to me. If there's something interesting, I'd want to try andmake it real. Without that, I wouldn't be myself. It's in the nature of ascientist, after all."Even her self-deprecating sigh had been precisely reproduced. Erllua's voicecontinued,"......And as I remained pondering, I created many a different thing, but notonce had I thought of whether it was for good or for bad, or whether peoplewould like it or not. How many people would die then, because of what I hadinvented? I can honestly say that I had not a single clue. Well, most people253wouldn't have. Stillthat puts us on the level of beasts. In the end, we wouldmerely be slaves to our desires.""......""I thought that you would feel the same... but it seems I was wrong.Somehow, you're still the same old softhearted person as always."From her voice, it seemed as though she were smiling wryly, saying, 'What ahopeless guy'. Lyle too, made a wry smile."Lyle. Is your wish still, 'I want to live to give kindness to others'? Becausethat is a thorny path you seek to tread, wanting to be a beast with reason, ina world of humans, filled with imperfection. That's why Lyle, you have to beprepared to be hurt, at times.""......""I won't tell you not to think too much about it. You're way smarter thanother people, when all's said and done. That's why, think, and think furtherabout it, with all your might. Continue to be lost in your thoughts. That'syour forte after all, right?"Her voice was laughing cheerily."......It may be fun to just go along with the talent you have been blessed with,but the road that seems to be the most fun, is one that cannot be backtrackedout of. Wellgive it your best shot."It was quite the irresponsible farewell; all that remained was noise like thatof blowing wind."......She still loves messing around with her disciple as much as always, eh,"said Maria.She believed that Lyle would be the first one to stop Ymir, if it was everactivated. That her disciple would stop the person who would use it for hisown, for her. She left it to him, and because she truly believed her disciplewould be the one to do so, she had left that voice recording.254"......If I'm the softhearted person, then you are the troublemaker, Master.""Would the disciple not take after the master, in that case?"Lunaria, who was holding Dainsleif, which she had picked up from theground, had said that while standing next to Lyle."...A troublemaker, am I......?""The fact that you don't realise it is proof enough."Maria added, with a smile.As though to ridicule him, Lunaria narrowed her eyes.Lyle fell into silence at their reactions, discouraged."Ah, before I forget, this tape will be destroyed automatically, along withthe flying warship."The trio froze in place, at the sound of the voice that they had thought was intheir mind."And before you get caught up in the ensuing destruction, evacuate as quicklyas possible. That's about all I need to say, I'm out.""Wait a"As if to block out any complaints, the sound was abruptly cut off."......Well, it does save me some trouble.""What're you being all calm for!"Maria shouted.At the large hole on the other side of the control deck, they saw that theblack water surface was steadily drawing closer. They were losing altitude."I-I cannot swim...!"255Lunaria's face stiffened in horror."W-We have to escape !""Ah, yeah. We have to hurry...!"Lyle looked towards the wreckage of the Ingenious Engine."Gr... Kgh..... Damn, for it to end like this..... damn it!"The young man who inherited the title of Margrave, was holding his sideswith laughter."Indeed! My plans had gone thus awryit's the first time I've ever suffered adefeat like this! Ha... haha...... Hahahahahahahahaha!"The blood from the gunshot wound on his left shoulder and his severed rightwrist, had stained the deck in a bloody red. As though to wring out evenmore of his own blood, Vilhelm continued to laugh."......Your bleeding will stop soon. Let's escape this place together.""Haha! Kind, aren't you..... irritatingly so."Vilhelm got up unsteadily on his feet, but he stepped backwardstowardsthe hole in the deck."Kindness and pride are two sides of the same coin... have you noticed that?If you do not seek compensation for your kindness, then what is it, butpride?""......""That kindness can only ever be poison to someone the likes of me. If I acceptyour kindness, then it would mean my acknowledgement of the fact that I ambut a drop in the ocean...... And that, I cannot do. Because that is surely......""Sto"Lyle was about to dash forward, but he was stopped by Maria and Lunaria.256Looking content, Vilhelm arrived at the gigantic hole."I give you my thanks, dear ladies... Lyle Waldstein. This is my ending point."Vilhelm said, seemingly satisfied."However, you will not end here! More and more people will gather aroundyou, from now! You are the true Erbe Der Last Hexe! Just regret the factthat you never became mine, someday!"Laughing boisterously, Vilhelm Zest jumped off the deck.Swallowed by the darkness, was his quickly disappearing figure."......Lyle?""Master Lyle...?""......Don't worry. It'll be alright, Maria, Lunaria."Tapping the hands of the girls who were restraining him, Lyle smiled, in orderto put them at ease."...Let's go."Nudging the two of them, Lyle turned his back once and for all, to thedestroyed Ingenious Engine.