Chapter 4  – Legacy of the Last Hexe

    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,

    203

    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

    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.

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    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."

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    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.

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    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 Spardawas 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."

    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."

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    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.

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    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

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    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.

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    "......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.