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''.
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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
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.
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"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!"
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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.
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"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."
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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.
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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''
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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."
1
Frei Kugel; Frei = ''free'', Kugel = ''bullet'', you can put two and two together. The kanji, on
the other hand, means ''magic bullet''.
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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...!"
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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.
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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.