Chapter 3 – The Maiden of Copper

Part 0

She was frightened.

The girl was feeling fear.

There was something that she did not understand, something that she should

have understood. Without knowing why, the girl trembled.

Feeling fear, horror, and after trembling—the girl finally realised it. That she

was a mere lass who knew nothing. A tiny, worthless and insignificant person.

That became her pride.

And that pride still remained within her heart, even now.

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Part 1

Upon waking up in the morning, Lyle saw that the shoes he had taken off last

night before going to bed had been slightly shifted. Shaking it upside down, a

great number of nails and screws spilled out of it.

".......My bad for not falling for it, Hazel."

Facing the empty bed opposite, Lyle sighed and apologised.

Just before he left the dormitory, he borrowed some suitable ingredients

from the fridge and wrapped them in cloth. On the way to the laboratory, he

thought over and over about what kind of face he should put on.

"Hmm........ It'd be awkward........"

There had been something irresistible about seeing her crying face, but he

already understood that girls functioned without logic nor reason, from his

experience with Maria.

The safest option would be to honestly apologise....

".........She'll keep insisting that she was not crying, huh."

She might have had some serious reason behind her obstinacy, as Lunaria

had firmly denied her tears. Probably, her desperate manner might have

been due to the same reason.

Whatever the case, she seemed to think that she was 'one without any

worth'.

".....I don't like this one bit."

Once, Lyle's master, Erllua Azoth had said that magic was 'simply waiting to

disappear'. Indeed, that had been ironic. As his master's face briefly flashed

across his mind, Lyle felt a faint sorrow pass over him.

And thus, even when Erllua was instructing him on science, Lyle never

stopped his research on magic. There was nothing that did not have worth.

Nothing that simply disappears. That was what he had thought.

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If he had to come up with a reason for saving Lunaria—it was probably that

she had been the exact opposite of Lyle's desires and wishes.

".....Her denying that she was crying is going to do her no good."

Renewing his determination, Lyle trudged towards the laboratory.

Climbing the creaking staircase, leaving the dim corridor, Lyle then inhaled

and knocked on the laboratory door.

*Knock, knock*—*Thump, bang!*

"........."

Almost like that was the sound of books that were carried had been dropped

onto the floor in surprise at the knock—that he heard.

"...Excuse me."

Timidly opening the door to his own laboratory, it looked like the dust cloud

in the air had been just formed.

To make matters worse, the skirt of the girl who was half-buried by the

mountain of books was lifted up, and the revealed underwear was facing

right towards Lyle.

"......"

It was an awkward silence.

The slender legs struggled noisily, and dragged out the upper body that was

buried in the mountain of books.

"...A good morning to you, Lunaria."

"Good morning, Master Lyle."

Without any lingering trace of her tears last night, Lunaria looked back at Lyle

with her usual expressionless face.

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"..."

"......"

Lyle closed his mouth thinking of what to say while Lunaria held her gaze

steadily.

The awkward silence continued.

"......How lewd."

With that one leaked out whisper, Lyle jumped up with a start.

Turning around in a circle, Lunaria begun to pick up the books that had fallen

onto the floor.

".....Erm, Lunaria?"

"What is it, Master Lyle?"

Lunaria replied without even looking back, in her usual monotone.

"....What are you doing?"

"Cleaning up."

Holding an armful of books, Lunaria went to place them on the bookshelves.

"I had knocked them onto the floor. Am I not your assistant, Master Lyle? If

so, it is my responsibility to keep this room tidy and neat."

Her pale silver hair swaying, Lunaria went about arranging the books

diligently.

However, her movements were strangely awkward, and when she tried to

stack up the books,

—*Thud, thump*—

"...."

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—*Thud, thump, thud*—

"........!"

—*Thud, thump, crash*.

"Need a hand?"

"No, I am plenty fine on my own."

Lunaria said while feigning total ignorance.

"......Please feel free to go for a stroll while I put things in order. Or perhaps,

Master Lyle, are you not satisfied with just a girl's tears, and would go as far

as to take pleasure from the sight of her sweating from toil?"

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Though what she had said seemed like hypocritical courtesy, her ears had

been dyed red.

Frantically stifling his smile, Lyle quickly left the room before he reached his

limit.

"Hnngh, heh..... she's the surprisingly clumsy type, eh."

Unexpectedly, her base personality might be that of a contrarian who hates

losing. On top of that, she was pretty bad at hiding her emotions even though

she wore that expressionless face.

Lyle's mood became pleasant, and placing the wrapped up breakfast in front

of the door, he left the laboratory behind.

The academy grounds were still quiet. It was finally a holiday, after all. The

boarding students might have stayed out after a night of playing, or were

indulging in inactivity even now.

Walking with a destination in mind, he somehow ended up in a rather lively

place in the midst of all the quiet. Many students were going in and out of a

traditional dance hall.

"Come to think of it, the ball that the student council is organising is

tomorrow."

The Vergenheim Academy organised many such refined functions like garden

parties and balls, for the numerous high class citizens and sons of nobles.

The ball held on the last day of the Springfire Festival was one of the most

popular established traditional event. Before the short holidays, many guys

could be seen confessing to girls everywhere in their search for a partner.

Finding a familiar face in the midst of the diligently working students, Lyle

raised his hands lightly and approached.

"Good morning, Haz...el........."

"......Morning, Lyle Waldstein."

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Looking over with sunken, skeleton-like eyes, Hazel returned with a shadow

of a greeting.

".......Are you really Hazel?"

"Who else could you possibly be looking at!"

Hazel threw the carpenter tool he was holding in his hand and shouted.

"You, you... cannot be forgiven......"

Wanting some help, Lyle faced the other students who had noticed the

disturbance. However, they too returned the gaze with the same grim look in

their eyes as Hazel did.

".....Lyle."

"W-What is it.....?"

"Do you understand who are these people that are making the preparations

here?"

"Kindhearted people who are helping the student council..... That's probably

not the answer, eh......?"

"Yeah. The ones here are those without any arrangements with a girl, and are

left with no choice but to work their asses off, a bunch of miserable

bastards."

The guys whose confessions had been rejected before the holidays, had a

shining glint in their bloodshot eyes.

And then Hazel said to the overwhelmed Lyle with an overly tender voice.

"Hey, Lyle? Don't you think that there are only two types of guys in this

world?"

"........Let's see. You can't really say that there are only two types, can

you.....?"

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"No, actually, there are only two major types. Guys who have no luck with

women...... and guys who have luck with women."

Za!

Hazel and the others stamped their feet simultaneously.

"........Surely you must be different from us, Lyle Waldstein, as one who is

burdened with a partner for the ball."

"No, in the first place I completely forgot about the ball—"

"Stop screwing around! Are you telling us that it's nothing to panic about!"

"Kuh, it's not something to feel envious about, is it!"

"Not staying as childhood friends with [The Rose of Fire], whom all guys

yearn for, Miss Maria Highline."

"Hiring an adorable assistant, and doing this and that!"

Somehow, the news about Lunaria had spread really fast. This time, he had to

try turning the transmission of the rumours into a numerical formula—if he

were to survive this safely.

Lyle slowly increased the distance between him and the guys who were

thirsting for blood and women.

"Let us carry out the Men's Inquisition!"

Hazel called out to the other guys at his back loudly.

"The accused, Lyle Waldstein, what charges do we have against him!?"

"One of the major crimes would be sexual misconduct!" "Sexual

misconduct!Sexual misconduct!"

"Guilty or innocent!?"

"Guilty! Guilty!"

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"Then, what sort of punishment does he deserve!"

"If it's larceny, chop off his arms!" "If it's perjury, cut off his tongue!" "If it's

sexual misconduct—we have to lop it off!"

"Good!"

Accepting the decision of the jurors, Hazel turned towards Lyle.

"W-Wait! Those are false accusations! A misunderstanding! Give me the

chance to defend myself!"

"There's no room for defence or extenuating circumstances. To the Men's

Inquisition, there is only judgement."

"Affirmative!Affirmative!"

"What kind of trial is this!"

"Be at ease. We won't really cut it off. That was just an expression of speech."

"I-I see......."

"We'll just disseminate delicate details like its size and length to the entire

student body."

"Isn't that just as horrible as piking a decapitated head!"

Hazel and the others were holding tape measures and set squares, even

balancing scales. Truly feeling their seriousness, Lyle started breaking out in

cold sweat.

He stood on guard against them—waiting for an opportunity to come.

"—This looks pretty interesting."

At the sound of that soft yet powerful voice, all who heard it ceased in

motion.

"You're all so lively in the morning. Impressive, impressive."

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And at the second time they heard it, everyone's gazes turned at the same

time.

That taut, tall figure of the young man was clad in high grade clothing, with

everyone's gazes fixed upon him.

Charisma, was it? The presence he gave off was like a sharp, keen sword.

Giving off said presence, he carried a strange attraction that drew the

attention of others.

"—Greetings, Lyle Waldstein."

Vilhelm Zest turned his smiling face towards Lyle.

And then, he also smiled at the male students who were carrying measuring

instruments.

"Would you mind if I borrowed him for a little while? I have some business

with him."

"S-Sure......"

As if their maliciousness had been extracted out of them, Hazel and the

others nodded.

By simply arriving at the scene, Vilhelm Zest had changed the entire

atmosphere.

Vilhelm turned that powerful gaze once again towards Lyle, and closed his

eyes partly as if to make Lyle feel at ease.

"And there we have it. Would you mind?"

".....Not at all."

Lyle nodded while maintaining his vigilance, and followed after Vilhelm.

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Part 2

With Vilhelm leading the way, Lyle was brought to a deserted gazebo

constructed next to a lotus pond.

Sitting down facing each other at an already prepared table, Vilhelm

promptly bowed his head.

"—I must apologise for yesterday. I am partly responsible for the recklessness

Gerim and the others have indulged in. I am truly sorry."

"Ah, no......"

Lyle was unnerved by the polar opposites of dignity and meekness that was

displayed.

Upon raising his head, Vilhelm smiled as though he was relieved from the

bottom of his heart.

"I'm glad that you are not hurt. Yesterday and earlier, both those occasions. It

would be our country's loss if you had suffered any harm."

"No way, you exaggerate."

"Such humility, from one who is both a scientist and a mage, «Disciple of the

Last Hexe»."

"!"

His body stiffened instantly at that.

If only for a moment. While correcting the position of his glasses, Lyle played

innocent.

"What do you mean by—"

"Ah, there's no need to be on guard. I am not taken aback that magi or their

like exist. We, the Zest Margrave family are a border chivalric order

responsible for guarding the east. Being in that position has granted us many

opportunities to patronise engineers and technicians. Excellent warriors,

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great architects, builders, and—brilliant mages. During the Dark Ages, we

sheltered many a magus, and have even exchanged secret agreements with

the Phantasms."

"......I see."

Even though magi and Phantasms have gone into seclusion with their dislike

for the state of the world, those who had connections with them would

naturally still exist. And amongst them had to be influential people who had

sheltered them.

"....And so, Lord Zest."

"You can call me Vilhelm. Or if you like, I don't mind if you call me 'Vil' for

short."

Vilhelm corrected him, smiling.

He was unusually friendly.

While trying to imagine what had made him this pleased, Lyle continued the

conversation without changing.

"......Lord Zest. I understand that you are well-acquainted with magi.

However, the fact is that in modern society, 'magi' are assumed to be nothing

more than a superstition. What are you planning to do about me?"

"Calling me Vil would have been fine."

Vilhelm's brows wrinkled. It was an expression that seemed like he was really

hurt.

"—What do I plan to do about you, eh? Without beating about the bush, I'd

say, 'let us start from being friends', how about that? I did not think of

anything like, say, starting an out-dated Inquisition, or trying to destroy the

public opinion of you."

"Are you serious? Even though those guys from yesterday, hated me as

though I were some eyesore of a bug?"

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"That's because they are fools."

The natural-born noble bearing a court rank, scoffed at the youth nobles with

a smiling face.

"Do you know what is of the utmost importance to a noble? Power?Wealth?

Or is it lineage? They are all wrong. Those who are known as nobles, what

they must have, are eyes that can judge worth."

Saying that, Vilhelm focused his gaze onto Lyle.

"—A noble is one who manages others. As the times change, if nobles want

to remain as nobles, then they have no choice but to continue thus correctly.

You have 'worth'. If Gerim and the others failed to see that, then all I can say

is that they are incompetent."

".....I doubt that that's the correct judgement. Isn't your judgement being

clouded by the nickname of the «Disciple of the Last Hexe»?"

"And again, such humility. Then how would you explain the [Introduction to

Steam Calculation] you proposed three years ago?"

"That—"

And this time, Lyle was rendered speechless.

Vilhelm smiled even wider as he had hit the nail on the head.

"As I thought, huh. The automatic machine that moves because of the steam

engine—that thesis of yours was truly astounding. It was officially spread

with Erllua Azoth's name, but it was something that was based on your ideas,

wasn't it?"

"..........Why do you know that?"

"The Last Hexe who was never interested in publicity stunts, had proactively

publicised that. And as I was wondering why, I thought of this. It would fit

together all of the pieces of the puzzle—wasn't it in order to safeguard your

talent, as you were still young at that time?"

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"......"

Lyle was silent. It was just as Vilhelm said.

"You, who had came up with such a thesis at the age of thirteen, have

already exceeded what is known as a genius. Based on that, I will ask you this

again—Lyle. Come with me."

Vilhelm held out his hand towards Lyle.

"I want you. Your talents hold massive potential. And to that worth, I hold the

utmost respect. Will you let me lend you a hand in accomplishing the things

that you want to accomplish?"

Those were the words of the young Margrave who had succeeded his family,

filled with a force that fascinated others. Men would bow their heads, while

women would be charmed.

The voice of one who manages—or a leader.

Even Lyle felt the sway of wanting to serve this man.

".....It is an honour, but I must refuse."

Lyle said while shaking his head.

Vilhelm let out a small groan with a seemingly surprised expression.

"Hmm....... Why?"

"Because I don't have that kind of worth. At least, that's what I think."

"Humans are unable to accurately judge their own worth. You yourself will

not be able to comprehend your own."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah.Because that holds true for me as well."

Vilhelm said, gracefully shrugging his shoulders.

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"I too, am unable to understand 'one's own worth'. And that is also one of

the things which drives me forward. In order to understand my own worth, I

will continue to accept whatever challenges I may face."

"One's own worth....."

"You are the same. What is different, is that I push my own excessive self up,

while you are content with yourself—no, you try to be so. Am I wrong?"

"That's not—"

"Not true, is it."

A smile as though he were facing a stubborn child flashed over Vilhelm's face.

"Those are not your true feelings. It's merely natural that you should want to

exercise your power."

"That's not—"

"What you fear about your own power is that it might be the only thing Miss

Maria requires of you, and you suspect that, am I right?"

"......."

"Heh. Having the things you realised pointed out to you renders you

speechless. How cute."

"Please do not make fun of me."

"I'm not making fun of you. Wondering whether the goodwill from the girl

you are intimate with is directed towards 'you' or your 'talent'.... that is a

rather cute worry. It seems that you can make a decision even right away."

".........."

"Yes, go ahead and display your talent. That talent is also your power.

Wouldn't there be nothing to worry about if you just exhibited that power

and won her favour? Don't you think that my coming would be a direct

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shortcut to that? Establishing your power, and doing so, your relationship

with her would be fine. Right?"

"......"

Lyle stared at that outstretched hand as though drawing it in. Instinctively, he

raised his hand.

Vilhelm narrowed his eyes, looking pleased.

"—Aren't you being a little too hasty, Lord Vilhelm Zest?"

At the same time as the dignified voice, a hand stretched out from the side

and grasped Lyle's wrist tightly.

And then Lyle's field of vision was filled with copper-coloured hair.

"........Maria."

While feeling just the slightest bit of guilt, Lyle called out the name of the girl,

his childhood friend.

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Part 3

Maria, who was heading to the academy first thing in the morning, clicked

her tongue when she saw that Lyle was neither in his laboratory nor in his

dorm room.

Searching the academy grounds, she found the group of people who were

making the preparations for the ball at the dance hall.

"A good morrow to all of you. It is rude of me to interrupt you in the middle

of your work, but would you mind telling me if you have seen Lyle

Waldstein?"

Although Maria did not care much for etiquette and the like when she was

young, she seemed to have grasped how to be an elegant Viscount's

daughter during these recent years. It had been because she realised its

convenience.

Therefore, Maria Highline was the target of the affection of many, regardless

of gender. There were only a few nobles that truly scorned the nobles who

had bought their nobility.

The men that she had called out to straightened their backs sharply, and

smoothly answered Maria's question.

"Thank you, and for your hard work as well. Please keep up the good work!"

Upon her giving them a smile and words of praise, the male students fainted

with a seemingly charmed smile on their faces.

Then and there Maria quickly exited the scene. When she was out of public

sight, she broke into a run at full speed.

Perhaps it was because her prayers had gotten through, that she immediately

found Lyle.

However, the one who was speaking with Lyle was, of all people, Vilhelm

Zest.

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No sooner than she found him, it seemed she had been just in time to see his

face turn into a look of surprise.

Though there were many things she wanted to say, but what she did first was

to glare at the man before her eyes.

"......How scary. Being looked at with such an expression would stop my

heart, Miss Maria."

"If it stops from a lass' glare, then the Lord Zest of the current generation

must really have a delicate heart."

"A lass, eh? They say that even a lioness protecting her young would loosen

her guard every alternate night. Aren't you being a little overprotective?"

"Oh? Since you've said that, it does look like you understand what you're

trying to do, don't you."

Sharpening the look in her green eyes, Maria then said, as though she were

slashing with her words.

"—Please turn back and leave with haste, Margrave Vilhelm Zest. That is, if

you do not wish for another mark on your cheek."

"Dear me...... It seems I'm not welcome."

Vilhelm sighed, looking really sad.

That gesture was truly refined, as one would expect from the young noble

who could charm women as though it were child's play, but Maria did not

loosen her intense glare even for a bit.

The young Margrave—a high rank even among nobility which he had

succeeded, was still an illegitimate second son. Though he should have gone

through unimaginable hardships, he had adapted himself altogether to the

trials and tribulations that were imposed on him.

He was different from those idiots who had gotten their ranks just by

opening their mouths. He possessed both an extraordinary spirit that denied

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his limits and burning ambition, a person worthy of being respected, even

Maria felt thus.

However, that was only initially. After meeting him and exchanging a word or

two, her impression had been turned around, and that was when she started

swinging her hand.

She did not have a clear and distinct reason for that. In other words, it was a

'woman's intuition'.

She did not like this man. She could never understand a person like him—No,

it should be said that she must never understand him.

And that thought, did not change even now.

".....Somehow, it looks like it would be best if I took my leave."

Shaking his head, Vilhelm got up.

"Ah—before I forget. Miss Maria, would you care to hand over Gerim

Schwatten and the other four that you captured yesterday over to me?"

"...I cannot do that. They had pointed a gun at Lyle, and that makes them

fully-fledged criminals. The ones I should be handing them over to are those

in charge of administrating justice."

"Of course, it won't be completely unreasonable. I will silence their tongues.

Wouldn't that save you the trouble of stopping them from spinning out some

absurd fabrication?"

"Do you think we would believe the words of a man who might have

instigated them in the first place?"

"At the very least, I see Lyle as someone with immense worth. I'd like you to

trust me on that."

"......Fine."

With a stiff expression, Maria nodded her head in assent.

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The 'worth' that she herself had placed on him told her that it was unlikely

that he would double-cross them. Based on that alone, she could trust him.

"I'll send a messenger tonight. That concludes things, I believe, Miss Maria

Highline and Lyle Waldstein."

With a smile brimming with confidence, the young Margrave departed.

As the sight of his figure disappeared completely from her line of sight, Maria

finally let out a slow breath of relief.

".........When they say someone can't be dealt with with ordinary means, they

must refer to someone like him."

"Maria....."

Upon him calling out to her, Maria sternly glared at Lyle.

".........What were you thinking?"

"Sorry?"

"Were you thinking of joining forces with someone like him?"

Without minding the fact that Lyle was cringing, Maria narrowed her eyes.

"Leaving me, whom you've had an inseparable relationship with for over ten

years, for that kind of guy?"

"Ma-Maria, calm down...."

"Calm down? I am already calm enough!"

Contrary to her words, Maria raised her voice.

Maria thought it was mortifying.

As she feared, she only meant that much to Lyle.

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"........I am no longer the girl who only ever got lost, y'know? I'm begging you,

at least discuss things with me first. At least share with me your worries........"

Involuntarily, her voice had dropped down to a softer tone, and Maria cast

her eyes downwards. It was rare, for the girl who was always trying her best

in front of Lyle.

To Maria, Lyle Waldstein was a very important person. He was a youth who

was said to be a memento of her family's benefactor, her trusted childhood

friend, and more than anything, the 'benefactor of her soul'.

That was why the fact that Lyle did not rely on her, vexed her this much.

"Ma-Maria......!"

At the depressed state of Maria which he had practically never seen before,

Lyle went into a panic.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't consult you because I was in a miserable state, and I

didn't want to show you how awful I was! It doesn't mean that I was ignoring

you or anything! I'm sorry! Really sorry! I apologise! I'm sorry, Maria!"

—Eh?

Maria was surprised that her childhood friend was desperately apologising.

Lyle was someone who always brushed off her advances. It was unusual that

he would proactively be concerned for her.

Should I.....?

Inside the depressed Maria, hope and expectation were starting to well up.

It was also convenient that she had not let go of his hand. Like a spoiled child,

Maria brought Lyle's arm to her body.

"......Are you really sorry?"

"Y-Yeah....."

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Lyle nodded, his face gradually reddening due to the softness of the chest

that was pushing against him.

Sticking her body close to him, Maria's face was blushing bright red. If he

were not at least embarrassed himself, she would definitely not be able to

face him.

".......If so, will you be my partner for the ball tomorrow?"

"S-Sure..... wait, what?"

Lyle blinked. Recovering his composure, he eyed Maria with a suspicious look

in his eyes.

"..........Were those crocodile tears?"

"Hmm? I have no idea what you're talking about, y'know?"

Treating it like a contest, Maria rubbed her chest against him hard. He was

fearful that his heart would burst any moment with how fast it was beating,

as her expression was full of a woman's sensuality, her eyes looking at him

suggestively.

"You said 'sure' and agreed, didn't you? Since you've already said so, you'll

keep your word, won't you?"

"........I understand. I'll promise you, Maria."

Lyle nodded, having seemingly given up.

Crying out inside with joy, Maria hugged Lyle by the neck with all her

strength.

"Thank you so much, Lyle!"

"Whoa whoa! Maria— !"

Being hugged this suddenly, Lyle lost his balance.

Overwhelmed by Maria's vigour, Lyle fell down brilliantly.

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"Gueh!"

"Lyle!?"

Groaning with a voice like that of a squashed frog, Lyle had naturally fainted.

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Part 4

It was Lunaria Nebulablut's first time doing something like cleaning. Being the

first to be born to those of the Bloodline of the Fog (the Nebulablut) in

roughly a century, she was brought up by her brethren like a princess.

Hence, it was natural that she would be poor at it. That was how Lunaria

made an excuse for not making any progress at all. Afterwards, she had been

rather surprised at herself when she thought back about it.

Speaking of surprised, those humans who had quite some years on them—all

of them who had the occupation of a 'professor'—had come to visit Lyle.

"May I ask who might you be?"

After they had gotten over their surprise after hearing her answer that she

was the newly hired assistant, they had said, 'I see, he's finally got around to

it..... but he sure did hire a cute young lady. My assistant is a naggy old hag

instead'. After complaining, they passed Lunaria some documents and left.

Closely packed numbers and symbols were written on those documents.

They looked like they had wanted to pass these documents over to Lyle. It

seemed as if that youth could decipher these codes that could even be a

match for the language of faeries and spirits.

Over the day, the laboratory was returned to its original disorderly messy

state, and then the owner of the room returned.

"—Lend me the sofa."

Maria Highline who had turned up and promptly left earlier, said that while

pointing at Lyle who had fainted for some reason.

"...Did something happen?"

"W-Who knows...?"

Upon Lunaria's enquiry, Maria left the room while whistling.

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Was that whistling some sort of prayer or something? I still don't quite

understand the traditions of humans.

Swiftly returning, Maria had a wash basin filled with water in her hands.

Moving the side of Lyle who was lying on the sofa, she soaked a handkerchief

and applied it to the back of his head.

Although Maria looked embarrassed, the movements of her nursing Lyle

were filled with affection. Bringing a chair over to the sofa, she smiled while

gazing at Lyle who was lying there, sleeping. And at times, she reached out to

stroke his forelocks.

".......Lady Maria."

"Maria."

While waving her finger, Maria corrected.

".....Honorifics like 'Lady' are used for formal situations."

"........Then, Maria, have you known Lyle for a long time?"

"Hmm... it's already been nine years, seven months and eighteen days since

I've known him, I think."

Maria said in specific detail.

Her meeting with Lyle had been so astounding, to the extent that she could

still clearly remember the day they met.

".......The first time I met him, was at a villa in the countryside."

Although there was no way she could have read Lunaria's inner thoughts,

Maria had started to say while giggling, with a nostalgic expression.

"My mother had a weak constitution, and in order for her to recuperate, I

accompanied her to the countryside. And in that countryside, lived the

Highline family's benefactor, Madam Erllua Azoth."

"Erllua Azoth....."

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"She was Lyle's master, and also a foster mother to him. When Madam Erllua

had paid us a visit at the villa, she had brought with her Lyle, whom she had

just taken custody of. He was so skinny and frail, that my first impression of

him was that he was a 'weak, gangly kid'."

'Even though he hasn't changed that much', added Maria, looking down at his

sleeping face.

"Because of that, I made Lyle into my sidekick and dragged him around. 'I'll

train you hard!', I said at that time. Thinking back.... it was amazing that he

didn't hate me for it."

The side profile of the wryly smiling Maria, could not be mistaken as anything

other than an expression of a 'maiden in love'.

"Ever since then—Um, you have liked him ever since then, right?"

She started to stutter halfway through her question.

Lunaria who had absolute nil experience regarding the matters of love was

engaging in a discussion on it for the first time.

Maria responded with a groan and frown to Lunaria's enquiry.

"You wanna know?"

"No...... no, I would like to know. Master Lyle is my employer, after all."

"Hm..... well, the closest thing to describe him with would be a 'cowardly

disciple'. At that time, I was a dreamer, so I said things like 'you have to be a

stronger man than me' to him."

"So.... why did you do that?"

"That's a secret."

Cutting it off with a dignified voice, Maria stood up firmly.

"—In just one day, you've had a lot of changes in expression, haven't you. Till

yesterday, you didn't even have the will to die."

146

After being told that, Lunaria was doubtful of its veracity.

"Did Lyle say something to you? No—rather, he said nothing to you, right?"

Maria had a strained smile.

"I'll be heading back. I've something on tomorrow night, so there are some

preparations I need to do. I'll leave things to you."

Waving her hand, Maria started to leave the room.

Lunaria, without thinking,

"—Uhm."

"What is it?"

"......Are you fine with this? If he is with someone like me..... Do you not find

it unpleasant...?"

Even Lunaria herself did not quite understand why she had asked a question

like that.

"Yes, it's unpleasant alright. So much so that I want to pluck out my heart."

Hearing that answer, Lunaria felt a chill in her heart. Previously she had felt

that it was closer to dislike, but that chilling feeling that she thought had

faded away—was actually the feeling of loss.

Could it be, that she had not wanted to lose anything anymore?

She who had nothing to lose, she who simply wanted to fade away, was she

truly thinking that?

But—what was it exactly?

"It's unpleasant, but I don't mind. I will win Lyle over through my own charm.

I won't let something like having one or two more people stop me."

147

At Maria's words, Lunaria who had unconsciously cast her gaze downwards

raised her head.

The girl with the copper hair suddenly relaxed her frowning expression, and

shrugged her shoulders.

"—Lyle would neither permit it, surely. After all, he's a very prideful and

softhearted person who'll insist that it's for self-satisfaction, even if he gets

hurt, and even if it's hypocrisy."

A very prideful and softhearted person.

Although she was expressing her feelings about that youth, she had a rather

calm expression.

"And so, do as you like. Because that's what I'm going to do."

Saying just that, with her copper hair swinging around, Maria departed.

Dumbfounded, Lunaria could only stare at the door which Maria had left

through.

She was a really impressive girl.

For some reason, Lunaria thought that she herself was miserable. Both

reason and worth for harbouring thoughts of shame, just a little more and

they would have meant nothing to her.

And what was it that had made that girl seemed so dazzling?

Was there a reason for her proudly saying that it was a 'secret'?

".......If I get to know that 'secret', would I too understand you?"

Lunaria whispered while looking down at Lyle.

He who made a mess out of other's hearts, the fainted Lyle was a somewhat

carefree person.

"...........He is truly a hateful man."

148

Part 5

Gerim Schwatten and his other four cronies were released deep in the night.

As the coachman who was the messenger dispatched by Margrave Zest

started the horse carriage, they leaked out a sigh of relief at their regained

freedom.

However, noticing that the horse carriage was heading to the outskirts, one

of the youths called out to the coachman.

"Oi, where are we going?"

"......"

The coachman did not respond. Though they scolded him for his disrespect,

the human-like figure remained silent.

Where the horse carriage was stopped, it was in the middle of a field in the

outskirts of the royal capital. The sky was covered by thick clouds, and it was

impossible to accurately determine their exact location.

With the weird coachman leading the way with a lamp, they finally reached a

pit that suddenly opened up in the ground. In the middle of the field covered

with grass, was a part that was paved with concrete artificially.

The coachman descended down the staircase that continued into the bottom

of the pit. The youths reluctantly followed.

......For how long did they descend downwards?

They finally arrived at what looked like an immensely wide space. The only

source of light that was the coachman's lamp was nowhere enough to dispel

the thick darkness.

However, it was enough to illuminate the faces of people there.

"Lord Vilhelm...!"

The young Margrave, with his sword as a cane, had been waiting for them.

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Almost falling over, the youths ran forward, bowing their heads toward

Vilhelm.

"P-Please forgive us, Lord Vilhelm... for our terribly disgraceful behaviour....."

"However, we have good news! That Lyle Waldstein is a user of suspicious

magic!"

"He had even kept a fiendish devil wearing the form of a girl as a pet! We

need to call for an Inquisition immediately!"

Vilhelm listened to them motionlessly. No, he only looked as if he were.

Before long, they had ran out of things to say, and Vilhelm, without turning

towards anyone,

"........Hah."

Leaked out a tiny sigh.

".......How could you even mention something like an Inquisition in this time

and age? Have you forgotten the history of the Kingdom of Ilsestein? For

those words to come from the descendants of nobles who had fought against

the despotism of the Church.....was that meant to be a joke?"

—Was anyone from the group of youths able to notice that subtle change?

That Vilhelm Zest had made a decisive judgement.

".......I realise my folly."

"Lord Vilhelm....?"

"And on top of that........ I made a promise to make them keep quiet, huh."

Saying that, Vilhelm drew his sword without any enthusiasm. The sword was

brandished as though it were a reward, and as natural as if it were merely a

shrug of the shoulders. The youths inhaled their breaths at its sight.

A flash, two flashes—there were four strikes in total.

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As though it were a prearranged act, four of the youths collapsed

simultaneously.

The coachman carrying the lamp, as though having seen nothing, did not

move at all.

"Hi, hii!"

The only one remaining was Gerim, who was wondering what had brought

this upon him. The power had drained out of him, and he scrambled about on

the ground in fear in an unsightly manner.

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"

"—There's no particular meaning behind this. It was pure chance that my

sword had been swung in this order."

Vilhelm said with a composed tone to Gerim whose voice had been rendered

incoherent.

"I must express my gratitude. Thanks to all of you, I have been able to grasp

the general idea of the power belonging to the major nobles, and also how

they use their assets. I'll be able to do as I please, from now on."

Gerim's face paled.

Taking control of influential nobles. That was what Vilhelm had said.

"Y-You deceived us......"

"That's ridiculous. If you had been more capable, we could have been on

friendlier terms. However, no matter which way you consider it, I'm far

better than you. What you should hate is your own limit, GerimSchwatten."

That had been nothing more than the product of aristocratic spirit.

Whether they had any use to him or not—this man had almost committed

the merciless one-sided slaughteronce done by nobles of the past to the

commoners.

151

Right before the eyes of Gerim who was deemed useless, the sharp point of

the sword was thrust at him.

Elegant it was, but the long sword also gave off an ominous feeling. The blade

gave off a faint reddish sheen, looking as though it would drip blood at any

moment. Although the craftsmanship was exquisite, what attracted the most

attention was the mysterious shining gem on the hilt. The dusk-coloured

gem—more commonly used as fuel nowadays, but since time immemorial it

had been known as the mysterious magical stone—amber. As though glaring,

it glowed with a glittering light.

"W-Wait! Please wait! Anything—I'll do anything!"

".........Ha."

With a small sigh, the blade sliced through the air.

152

Part 6

On the last day of the Springfire Festival, the masquerade ball planned by the

academy's student council on the last day of the holidays begun without a

hitch.

As the sky darkened, people in all sorts of fantastic get-ups started to appear

from every corner of Vergenheim Academy. There were girls wearing

kimonos that came from the Oriental East and guys geared in full metal

armour. There were also those who had put on skull-shaped masks imitating

the Grim Reaper or the classic white mask of a jester.

Looking at the students in different elaborate outfits in the dance hall of the

academy, Lyle felt dizzy.

Lyle himself was dressed in a normal suit with an owl mask that covered the

top half of his face. Although, in the midst of people wearing tiger or lion

pelts, that could be considered rather mild. Besides his mask, he was as

normal as it got.

Idling away at a corner of the hall, he was abruptly clapped on his shoulder.

Looking at the person who had nonchalantly done so—Lyle groaned.

"It's you, Lyle, isn't it? It's me, your pal."

The grotesque zombie before him with arrows sticking out of his head,

complete with fake eyeballs popping out—the person dressed up like a

zombie before him, called out to Lyle with a familiar attitude.

"...Are you Hazel?"

"Spot on."

With energy unlike that of a zombie's, Hazel puffed out his chest, proud of his

costume.

"So, whaddya think about this costume?"

"...It's pretty good."

153

"Yeah! The troupe I was working with as a part-time job dressed me up with

their stage props. Just what you'd expect from true professionals. Did it scare

you?"

"Yep. It sure did."

"With a get-up as awesome as this, I'm gonna stand out more than any of

those bastards out there. The ladies are gonna go gaga at me."

Although Hazel seemed pretty excited, Lyle simply nodded his head in

silence.

"But, how did you know it was me?"

"'Cause you were just standing there without looking like you had any

interest in the ladies. Look, the impatient ones are already starting."

While some people were making small talk, they could also see others that

were whispering into their partner's ears. In masquerade balls, guessing the

names of the other party-goers was but one of the games. It also provided a

good opportunity for people to make romantic confessions, with lines like, 'I

finally found you'. Although there were also rumours that lovers who took

part in the ball together would end up breaking up if they could not find their

partner.

"They're really desperate, aren't they? Especially those guys who couldn't get

a girlfriend, but it's not like they can do much about it. Well, someone who's

got it real good like you wouldn't care about them, would you..."

"I'm begging you, don't put that face so close to me..."

Just as Lyle winced due to Hazel's visage of death drawing near him, a stir of

wonder began to spread throughout the hall. Following where the masked

guests were looking at, they found themselves shifting their attention

towards the entrance.

The Goddess of Fire—the collective attentions of the party-goers were

concentrated upon the woman so gorgeously dressed.

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A deep crimson dress that adorned her slender body. Her back and shoulders

were daringly exposed, yet it gave off the impression of sheer grace and

beauty. Wrapped around her chest area were many layers of thin cloth that

resembled a plumage.

She wore a glamorous mask crafted of scarlet-dyed feathers. Even from just

her red lips and fine jaw, they could tell that she was beautiful. And

combined with her copper hair, her outfit was truly magnificent, as though

she were a phoenix.

"Absolutely gorgeous and filled with glamour, yet there's not even a single bit

of gaudiness."

Hearing Hazel's thoughts, the charmed Lyle came to his senses. While

rebuking himself for having lost his composure, he approached the [Goddess

of Fire] who had been encircled by people.

"...As promised, I have come to be your escort, Lady Maria Highline."

"Thank you, and let us enjoy the evening , Sir Lyle Waldstein."

Curtseying with perfect etiquette, Maria who was dressed up as the Goddess

of Fire then reached out with her hand, placing it on top of Lyle's.

"Sigh~ I knew it, it's Lady Maria."

Startled by the approaching zombie, Maria reflexively threw out her fist.

"Gah!"

"Maria! That's Hazel! He's Hazel!"

"Oh. Oops. He was a little too disgusting, so I......"

"U-uu... that hurt......"

Hazel who had been struck right in the liver, rose up totteringly as though he

was about to die.

155

Looking at the overly eerie face of Hazel, Lyle and Maria then exchanged

glances with each other, and turned around to face the commotion that was

rising up once more.

"Whoa! Look at that!"

Hazel who had seen the source of the commotion, departed as though he

were a fresh new zombie.

The one who had caught the attention of the party-goers, this time, was a

slim, slender girl in a black dress. The dress was elaborately cut, though it had

a simple design, which emphasised just how ephemeral the girl was. Her

mask was black like her entire outfit, which further highlighted the clarity of

her pale silver hair.

The Princess of Moonlight—that might have been the best way to describe

her.

Her ephemeral atmosphere stimulated the guys' protective instincts, and

hence a lot of male students approached her asking to be her escort. And

amongst them was a certain zombie (Hazel), shoving his way through till he

reached her. With exaggerated gestures, Hazel made a speech, but the girl

lightly brushed him off with one or two word answers, and he fell prostrate

onto the floor of the hall.

"......I feel sorry for him."

Just as everybody's attention were focused on the creepy 'body' that was

more realistic than the real thing itself, the [Princess of Moonlight] slipped

out of the crowd of people. Coming over and stopping before Lyle, who had

watched the entire thing from start to end, she made a curtsey.

"......He really invited you, didn't he."

Pouting her lips, Maria then turned and faced the [Princess of Moonlight]—

Lunaria.

"A good evening to you, Lady Maria. —As tonight calls for formality."

"Uh-huh. Good evening to you too, Lunaria."

156

"Thank you... and a good evening to you too, Master Lyle."

"You too, Lunaria."

Though he was a little concerned with Maria who was trying to hint at

something and Lunaria's appearance, Lyle pointed at the 'corpse' being

carried away and said,

"...What did you say to him?"

"I refused Sir Hansel, telling him that, 'Master Lyle keeps me busy all night,

and thus I cannot lend anyone my body.'"

Although it was true that she was up busy cleaning even at night, her words

were nonetheless misleading for someone still going through his teenage

puberty.

For a few seconds, Lyle made a silent prayer in his heart for Hazel, whose

name had not even been remembered.

"More importantly—is there something that is making us the centre of

attention...?"

Lyle surveyed the surroundings, after hearing Lunaria's words.

The many students within the grandiose hall were focusing their attention at

Lyle—rather, at the [Goddess of Fire] and [Princess of Moonlight] who were

waiting upon him.

Both Maria and Lunaria were exceptionally beautiful girls who gave off

different impressions. Their masquerade tonight only served to further

enhance those impressions others had of them. It was not surprising that

they were in the spotlight.

"Still, it looks like there are some pretty scary looks mixed in there."

Stifling her smile, Maria took Lyle's right arm.

Those scary looks—namely, the looks coming from the guys, intensified. Lyle

could feel the intensity of the stares of those who were gritting their teeth in

157

jealousy both in his heart and on his neck. The bloodthirst focused upon his

vital points were rather unnerving.

"Master Lyle, your hand."

Saying that, Lunaria entwined her arm with his, on Maria's opposite side.

From somewhere, he could feel the voices cursing him, going, '...Ain't he one

hell of a bastard no matter how you look at it?', 'I'll kick his ass later'.

"L-Lunaria? I'd really appreciate it if you would let go of me..."

"It would not do for me to be separated from my master."

Hearing Lunaria say that, the grinding of teeth could be heard.

(...Is she doing this on purpose?)

Looking at Lunaria, Lyle thought that even if she wore a mask, there really

was no difference given her usual expressionless face.

"Isn't having a lady on each arm a man's dream, Lyle?"

Maria who was on his right could not hide the teasing smile worn on her lips,

and pressed herself closer to him, as though emphasising her cleavage.

Instantly, the ripping sounds of handkerchieves that were being gnawed

upon resounded from all over the hall.

(......They sure have put me in a tight spot.....)

Lyle's childhood friend whose purpose in life seemed to be teasing him

endlessly was indeed a massive headache-inducing existence for him.

Having these troublesome girls on each arm, Lyle was dragged to the middle

of the hall. With each step he took, the killing intent that he felt increased

even more.

—If he were to get killed in the near future, they would not have a shortage of

suspects, for sure.

158

Just as Lyle was despairing over his future, a waiter called out to them with

an "Excuse me."

"I have a message here for you, Milady."

With that, he handed an envelope to Maria. She then opened the envelope

and took out the letter inside, with a suspicious look on her face.

"......Hmm. Sorry about this, but excuse me for a while, Lyle. Something just

came up."

Shrugging her shoulders, Maria reluctantly let go of Lyle's arm.

"Got it? Until I get back, don't make a fool out of yourself!"

Emphasising her words by pointing at him, Maria then followed behind the

waiter.

Lyle who had been left there, felt the slight lessening of killing intent, and

heaved a sigh of relief instinctively.

"...Oh well, let's enjoy ourselves, shall we?"

"Yes, Master Lyle."

With that, Lunaria pressed herself onto him.

The feeling of her body he felt on his arm was surprisingly delicate, and that

made the softness of her slight chest a little more prominent.

Though Lyle tried to break free, she grabbed on with even greater strength

that he did not expect from such a slender arm, and gave up trying to.

Immediately following that, the hall was filled with dance music. Beneath the

crystal chandelier, men and women in all sorts of eccentric get-ups began to

dance a waltz, with steps that had grace unlike their costumes.

"Are you going to dance as well, Master Lyle?"

"I'm afraid not..."

159

He did learn a bit of dancing before, but his teacher had told and emphasised

specifically to him, 'Got it? Lyle, you can't dance with anyone else besides me,

understand? Definitely not!' There was no doubt that he must have been a

really bad dancer.

"What about you, Lunaria? You seem like you'd be good at it."

"...I have been taught how to dance, but I was never skilled at it."

He was a little relieved that he was not alone in that, and with that, they

found themselves with nothing to do.

As they were wondering what to do next, their heads tilted in contemplation,

the music ended, those that were dancing dispersed, and a new group of

people stepped onto the middle of the hall. The orchestra started to set up,

and the conductor was stretching his shoulders.

"...That reminds me."

An idea suddenly struck him. Grasping Lunaria's hand, Lyle brought her to the

orchestra.

The orchestra was formed from the students from the music club. Lyle

bowed his head to the student conductor.

"Excuse me, but this lady here would like to sing a song. Would you be so

kind as to let her have the floor?"

Even though she had her mask on, it was evident that she was completely

shocked.

Throwing Lunaria a fleeting glance, the conductor nodded his head lightly,

and let them have the conductor's stage.

"Well, if you please."

"But......"

"You may not be that good at dancing, but singing is your forte, right? Just

give it a shot."

160

".....As you wish, Master Lyle."

Lunaria whispered as though in surrender, got up onto the conductor's stage

and bowed her head to the orchestra. After a discussion with the leader of

the orchestra, they decided on a rather antiquated piece of music.

Couples who had found each other were gathering in the middle of the hall.

At the sound of the leading violin, the music started.

Lunaria synchronised herself with the rhythm, and—

"—Aahh—"

The moment she started her song, everybody froze in place, and turned their

heads to the source of the song and the music which accompanied it. The

members of the orchestra who had been in blank amazement stopped their

playing of the instruments, but quickly resumed in a panic. The conductor

beside Lyle was completely caught off-guard by Lunaria's singing voice, and

could not take his eyes off her.

(......Once again, I'm reminded of how truly beautiful her voice is.)

There were many legends of Phantasms that related to their 'singing voice'.

Lunaria's song was fitting for a «Nosferatu», those who were the children of

the night, giving off the feeling of a clear night sky with a silent moon.

When her song ended, the students who were dancing broke into hearty

applause at the songstress who had suddenly took the stage.

Although Lunaria had stiffened up on the conducting stage, before long, she

made a small bow and stepped down.

"Good work there."

"......It's the first time that I have gotten such an applause."

Mumbling in a small voice, Lunaria tugged on Lyle's sleeve.

"Lunaria, you sing really well."

161

"......I must confess that I do not have much of a liking for dancing... and that I

practiced singing for the purpose of covering that up......"

Lyle could not see her expression underneath her mask, but somehow it

appeared that she was rather pleased, and so he was relieved.

"—Erm, excuse me."

The voice of the student conductor reached their ears. It seemed like they

wanted an encore because of her popularity.

"...Master Lyle?"

"Yeah. It's alright, go ahead."

"...Please excuse me then. Thank you very much."

Bowing her head, Lunaria went off to join the orchestra members in a halfrun.

With that, she would be able to enjoy herself despite her inability to dance,

which Lyle was thankful for.

The melody of a moonlit night begun once more. And so, Lyle closed his eyes

and enjoyed it.

162

Part 7

Maria ascended to the second storey of the hall.

Looking down from the atrium, the masquerade ball of fantastic outfits

seemed almost like a zoo.

Maria was led to one of the private spaces that had been partitioned off by

curtains, and she frowned behind her mask.

"Greetings, Miss Maria."

The one who welcomed Maria was the young Margrave, Vilhelm Zest. The

militaristic uniform he wore suited him well, but for some reason he was not

wearing a mask, even though it was a masquerade ball.

Holding back a sigh, Maria curtseyed before him.

"It is my honour to be invited, Lord Zest. I understand why is it you have

called for me."

"There's no way I could mistake another woman for you―saying that out

loud does sound rather impressive, hm. By the way, would you care to bring

me to a boutique and give me a few pointers on how to pick a mask and an

outfit?"

Maria could not hide the indignation on her face at how rudely she was

invited, and Vilhelm raised his hands in surrender.

"I apologise for my rudeness. Won't you let me make it up to you over some

tea?"

Of course, she could have forcibly left, but it seemed like doing that would

bring a fair amount of trouble later on.

Maria took a seat violently. She did not even so much as take a glance at the

food that had been prepared.

"Do you not like the tea that had been prepared?"

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"Not at all. I do enjoy tea, but I like them best when you have some milk to go

with it."

Blocking out the mellow fragrance of the tea from her mind, Maria then

asked Vilhelm.

"And so? You came to a masquerade ball without a mask, care to share

why?"

"Straight to the point, aren't you. You truly cherish your time together with

Lyle, do you not?"

"If you understand, then let's get this over and done with, shall we? If you're

going to keep up that annoying attitude, your face is going to turn red again,

y'know?"

"Very well, I'll stop beating about the bush. —Maria Highline. Will you lend

me your strength?"

"You would want the help of such a little lass?"

"Modesty—it is not, but deception. You already possess great influence in

numerous businesses. Though you are their only daughter, your existence is

something that the Highline Foundation cannot simply ignore."

"......Huh, I wonder about that."

As Vilhelm had said, Maria already had control over many of her family's

businesses. It was not a mere one or two businesses that she had started up

on her own. However, Maria was only pretending to have no actual power, as

it would be easier for her to take action that way.

—And that fact, had been readily discovered by him.

Maria nonchalantly adjusted her sitting posture.

"—Margrave Vilhelm Zest. What do you wish for? What is it you wish for that

you would seek power?"

164

"My wish is merely something that anyone would have. 'To increase one's

own worth', it is simply that."

"'One's own worth'?"

"In a man's life, what he would desire for is surely that. Doing good deeds,

amassing wealth, wanting a partner, desiring status, leaving behind

descendants, all of that is done so one could affirm their own worth—isn't

that so?"

"It's not like I don't understand."

'Worth' was, namely, the recognition of others. And because people wanted

recognition, it was natural that they would want others to see them in a

better light.

There existed none who were worthless. If there were, that was only because

they had not found any worth in themselves.

"What will become of a person's worth, what have they accomplished

before? What I want, is just to fully utilise the worth of others. Something

which is connected to that of my own. So, how about it? Will you allow me to

increase your worth?"

"......After all that I've done, eh."

Maria wore a thin smile on her face. It was a smile of rejection.

"I'm quite satisfied with myself, at the moment. I do not wish for anything

more than that."

"Stop deceiving yourself. You're not satisfied."

"And what do you base that assumption on?"

"<Erbe Der Last Hexe>."

Maria was shocked.

165

"The rumour spread around at the same time as the disappearance of «The

Last Hexe», Erllua Azoth. Though it is an urban legend, it does indeed exist.

Be it a theory, or a magic formula, it is a manifestation of power. Miss Maria,

you should have some idea of what it is. The Highline family had a deep

relationship with that «Witch», after all."

"...That's your reason, huh."

Maria quietly comprehended what she had been told.

The reason why Vilhelm Zest, the young Margrave had approached her—

"—Is it for the sake of getting Lyle on your side?"

"Indeed. If there was someone who could obtain that , it would have to be

the one and only person that Erllua Azoth had ever mentored, the «Disciple

of the Last Hexe»—Lyle Waldstein."

Vilhelm's smile widened, and he extended his hand.

"I know something of the <Erbe>. And if I show him that, even he would feel

compelled to join my cause. After all, your dissatisfaction is overriden by your

vexation towards him. So, lend me your strength. If you agree, I will give you

what you wish for—a Lyle Waldstein who will change the world."

That invitation was the temptation of the devil. Probing for the hidden

dissatisfactions of humans, appraising the worth of their souls, whispering in

their ear, tempting them.

Maria stared motionlessly at the outstretched palm.

If she reached out and took that hand, her desire could very well be fulfilled.

Her dream could very well come true. That was a hand which encompassed

power, and made her believe in it.

"—Ggh, ggh...... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

As Vilhelm frowned with a doubtful look, Maria did not seem particularly

concerned. Her body trembling and jolting, she continued her uproarious

laughter.

166

"Heheh...... Seriously, haha, you're such a funny chap, Vilhelm Zest!"

"......What is so amusing?"

"I finally got it. Why I've always thought that, 'I must not understand him'."

Maria stood up with enough force to knock over the chair.

"Well, I must say that although I think things would be pretty fun if I were to

make use of you, my goal is not to get Lyle on my side. It is to put him on the

right track."

"So... what is the difference?"

"If you do not understand—"

Maria narrowed her eyes in pity.

"Then you'll spend the rest of your life being unable to understand what

resides within a woman's heart, Margrave Vilhelm Zest."

".........Hrmph."

After Maria had finished saying her piece, Vilhelm made a small sigh.

"......And here I thought you were someone whom I could see eye to eye

with. You have the drive to achieve greatness, and the determination to

support that drive... however, that is the very thing that restricts you......

hah."

Leaking out a sigh again, Vilhelm wiped his face of expression—and snapped

his fingers.

The partitioning curtains were pushed apart, and many masked men showed

up.

Maria snorted.

She knew who they were, even though they had their masks on. They were

the noble youths she had beaten up the other day.

167

"—Is this a breach of our agreement?"

"I'm not laying a hand on Lyle, am I?"

Vilhelm declared nonchalantly.

The masked noble youths approached Maria, who was shrugging her bare

shoulders, without hesitation.

"......Wait, hold it right there."

Saying that, Maria removed her mask. Her dolled-up, vivacious and beautiful

face was revealed. She was glamorous—and with a flirtatious smile on her

face, the young men who were about to seize her were stopped in their

tracks.

"After all the effort I put in..... I'll at least let you all have a little look."

Placing her mask on the table, Maria suddenly placed her right leg on her

chair. Her scarlet high heels, slender ankle and the black stockings worn over

her supple calf were exposed.

Someone's gulp could be heard.

Maria's smile widened, and she pinched the corners of her skirt around her

knees, slowly lifting it up.

Smoothly, from her knees, to her thighs overflowing with sex appeal—no

man would be able to take their eyes away from the healthy colour of her

beautiful legs being revealed in such a sensual manner.

Maria nodded, seemingly satisfied at their excited reaction,

"—Enjoy yourselves on this, alright?"

With that, Maria pulled her skirt up to a comfortable position and then, she

drew out a Derringer that had been inserted into her garter belt.

And at the youths who had suddenly found themselves staring into the

muzzle of the gun, Maria mercilessly pulled the trigger.

168

Along with the quiet gunshot, the bullet that was fired hit the leg of one of

the youths.

"—GYAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

An instant later, he screamed in a voice far louder than the gunshot.

"You got to see something good, didn't you! That was but the reward!"

Treating the collapsed man as a cushion, Maria leapt right into them.

Revealing the splendid contours of her legs, she delivered kicks, and in a flash

she had floored two of them.

The remaining two then silently drew closer. Maria dodged with nimble

steps, and abruptly, she struck them across the back of their heads with the

handgrip of her Derringer.

In the twinkling of an eye, the five youths were lying on the floor of the

terrace.

Even though there had been a gunshot and that loud scream, the

atmosphere of the ball had not been disrupted.

Due to the performance of the orchestra and the various assorted acts on the

lower floor of the hall, people had not noticed the commotion on the second

floor terrace.

"......Hrmph. I did not expect much out of them, but the results are

nevertheless disappointing."

Murmuring in a low voice, Vilhelm stood up from his seat. Before anyone had

noticed it, he had already drawn his sword.

"So, you're next?"

Maria turned her gun towards him. She had only one shot left.

169

170

"Ah, do not be hasty. I have something to do before that."

Vilhelm then turned towards the youths who were groaning after being

kicked. Having had his mask knocked out of place, Gerim Schwatten's face

was revealed, he who had taken part in surrounding her earlier.

"......Turns out you weren't useful at all, Gerim."

"P-Please forgive me..."

"I forgave you the first time. But there won't be a second time."

Off-handedly, Vilhelm slashed his blade across the nape of Gerim's neck.

Maria's eyes widened in surprise, but in reality it was a shallow cut, and not a

fatal wound.

Rather, the shocking thing was what came after.

The blood on Vilhelm's sword disappeared. It was almost like the blade had

drank the blood.

At the same time, Gerim, who had suffered the cut, began to quiver with a

jerk. The light faded from his eyes, and so did his frightened expression. And

then, he rose to his feet, as though he did not have a gunshot wound on his

leg.

"...What is this?"

The youths whom she thought had been knocked out got to their feet. Their

masks were dislodged, revealing eyes that were also void of the light of

consciousness.

"Now, get her."

At Vilhelm's order, the youths rushed forward at Maria.

"Kgh!"

171

They advanced, without any care for the muzzle pointed at them.

Reluctantly, she fired yet another shot into a leg, but that did nothing to halt

their advance.

"Damn it!"

Although it would have been easy to get away due to their amateurish

movements, she was overawed by the bizarreness of it all.

"If there's only five of them, I can completely take control of all their minds.

They no longer feel pain nor fear. Do me a favour and give yourself up, will

you?"

Vilhelm said to Maria.

He had been manipulating those who had admired him as though they were

puppets, yet his voice did not even have a single trace of guilt.

"Y-You vile— !"

Cursing, Maria changed her course of action.

What sort of trick it was she did not know, but she was certain Vilhelm was

manipulating them. All she knew was that she had to do something about the

puppeteer.

Maria leapt over the head of the youth who came at her, and from the hem

of her skirt that billowed in the air, she pulled out yet another Derringer.

Without mercy, she fired two shots at Vilhelm one after another.

"......You're kidding me, aren't you......?"

Landing on the ground, she took in the spectacle that had happened before

her in disbelief.

Vilhelm had stopped both the bullets that had been fired at him by Maria

with his sword. The crushed lead masses that were left of the rounds fell to

the ground with a clinging sound.

172

"Impressive. You only took but a moment to aim right at the centre of the

human body."

He had spoken those words such in a carefree manner that no one could

mistake it for anything other than a jest.

Maria was overwhelmed, her body frozen at the overwhelming sword work.

The puppets then came at her.

"N-No, stop!"

She let out a girlish scream, but once she had been grabbed hold of, she

would not be able to break free with just plain arm strength. Maria was

suppressed, like a helpless maiden.

"Stop! Don't touch me! Release me!"

"—You let out a pretty cute voice when you scream, don't you."

The calmly approaching Vilhelm sank the hilt of his sword into Maria's

abdomen.

"If you let him hear such a cute scream, it might entice him into doing

something, hmm?"

"Gr-ugh... Ly... le......"

While still groaning and murmuring, Maria fainted.

And with that, Vilhelm lost interest in her, and looked downwards from the

edge of the terrace—at the dancing that was going on in the middle of the

hall.

"Indeed..... this is the first time that I've controlled numbers like this."

Vilhelm sighed, and—the scarlet blade of the sword he held in his hand

glimmered brilliantly. The amber encrusted onto the hilt of his sword started

to shine, flickering so.

173

Part 8

"Good work", said Lyle to Lunaria, after she had finished singing three songs.

It was due to her that the atmosphere in the hall seemed to have grown even

more wild and fun.

Just as the two of them were going to get some drinks, a masked guest that

was dressed as a werewolf stopped before them.

"O lovely songstress, would you care to have a drink with us?"

A great number of people who seemed to be thinking of the same thing as

the 'werewolf' had gathered behind him, fidgeting.

"...I'm afraid I must refuse. I cannot leave this man's side. As such, I humbly

decline."

"......I see."

The 'werewolf' looked over at Lyle, muttering and murmuring something.

"IseeIseeitshimsheswithhim... thenitsfineifidothisitsfinefinefin......"

The 'werewolf' suddenly lunged at Lyle, who had been looking suspiciously at

him.

"Whoa!"

Lyle hurriedly dodged the fist that came straight at his nose.

Just as the 'werewolf' was about to throw out a second punch, Lunaria

rushed in and knocked him down. Although the 'werewolf' was rampaging

violently, he was completely suppressed by the slender arm of the

«Nosferatu» Lunaria.

Lunaria then chopped the 'werewolf' right in the back of his neck, and he

promptly fainted.

"H-He was really trying to kill me..."

174

"Master Lyle, something seems off."

Lunaria called out to Lyle, who had turned pale, as she pulled off the mask of

the 'werewolf' and flung it aside.

Masks were turned towards them.

Lyle acutely felt the gazes concentrated upon them, but it was completely

different from earlier.

"......There's no hostility...?"

The masked guests who had turned their puppet-like eyes towards them,

simultaneously took a step forward.

"......LyleLyleLyleLyleLyleLyleLyleeeeeeee......."

"Seizegrabseizegrabseizegrabhunthunthunt......."

"Huhu, huhuhu, huhuhuhuhu...... huhuhuuuuuuunt!"

The masked crowd did not have a sense of unity about them.And then, they

came at once, stampeding and rushing.

"W-Whoa....!"

Lyle panicked and ran away, and Lunaria followed him.

"DoOoooooOooOon'T RuuuUuuuUuUun!"

Heading to the exit, they found themselves facing a wall of humans, the door

shut behind them.

As they could not proceed past that, Lyle and Lunaria turned and ran further

into the hall. It was worth a try to escape to the outside from the corridor.

"What the heck was that..... there's no reason for them to want to kill me, is

there?"

"It looked like they were being manipulated. I believe that it was the effect of

the spell, 'Puppetry'."

175

"'Puppetry'... is the culprit one of your brethren?"

One of the magical powers that the «Nosferatu» were capable of was the

ability to manipulate the hearts of people, through the intermediary of their

blood.

Lunaria's expressionless face stiffened.

"No... that should not be possible..."

She was making a difficult expression. Perhaps she was hiding something, as

she seemed to be far more troubled than Lyle.

"......Anyway, we need to get away for now―"

"LYLEEEEEEEEEEE! ROT AND DROP DEAD AL―"

"My bad, Hazel!"

Lyle knocked down the zombie (Hazel) that came at him. However, the

people who were being manipulated were still drawing closer from the other

side of the corridor.

Together with Lunaria, Lyle darted into a nearby bend.

"...Oh crap."

No matter how many turns they took, Lyle and Lunaria were always forced

back the way they came.

"......They're not attacking at random. They're being guided by something."

"Guided?"

"Yeah. It looks like they're trying to force me to go to the viewing platform on

the upper floors."

Lyle's eyes brightened behind his glasses.

Lunaria's eyes widened.

176

Lyle was displaying the same perceptiveness he had a few days back, as

though a switch had been flipped in him. It was hard to believe this was the

same person who was normally so carefree.

"......What shall we do? Should we force our way through?"

"No, let's just go with it. If they're being guided by something, then the

Puppeteer should be lying in wait."

Taking out the pocket watch that was encrusted with amber, Lyle proceeded

onward.

As he had predicted, their course had been altered many times. The two of

them then headed to the stairway that led to the viewing platform. After

arriving at the viewing platform, Lyle closed the door behind them tightly,

just in case. It could delay the masked guests who were after them for a bit

longer.

Lyle and Lunaria's footsteps resounded in the viewing platform, where pillars

of marble were lined up.

And like the Springfire Festival, there was a fire burning at the centre of the

area.

At the opposite of the entrance, on the terrace that was jutting out, was an

illuminated, fallen figure.

"Maria!?"

InsXncXvely, Lyle rushed forward―but he suddenly stopped.

"......As I thought, it is indeed difficult to control that many minds at once.

Sending them into a frenzy was all I could manage. I'll have to keep that in

mind next time."

A tall young man had stepped up onto the terrace where Maria was lying. He,

who had his sword drawn in his hand, was none other than―

"...Lord Zest, were you responsible for what happened downstairs?"

177

Said Lyle, glowering at Vilhelm.

"Yeah, that's right. I apologise for having resorted to such methods."

"Are you... a magus?"

Lyle tightened his grip on the pocket watch.

Shaking his head, Vilhelm raised the sword in his hands upwards.

"That would be the work of this sword. This magic sword, to be exact."

"Magic sword?"

The blade gave off a faint crimson sheen, like that of a bloody moon. The

amber inlaid onto the hilt of the sword as an ornament was shining with

dusk-coloured light—the light of magical excitation energy.

"A magic sword... that manipulates humans....?"

"No—it is a magic sword that manipulates those whose blood it has

absorbed."

The one who answered Lyle's question was the one standing beside him,

Lunaria.

Lunaria stared at Vilhelm, her body quivering.

"...Once wielded by the 'King of the Night', the [Blade of Vampires]..........

<Dainsleif>!"

"Hmm, that does look like what's inscripted."

"Why...... Why do you have that!"

Lunaria shouted. A cry of anguish.

"That magic sword was sealed away by the Bloodline of the Fog... and was

burned down together with my hometown..."

178

"Hmm..... You're one of them, as I suspected. Fate is certainly ironic."

Vilhelm looked down at the magic sword—Dainsleif, a sardonic smile on his

face.

"It was handed over to me."

"Who did!?"

"I wonder who it was? Well, I shall tell you in due time."

Vilhelm broke off his eye contact with Lunaria, and looked at Lyle.

"Well then—Lyle. I'll ask you once more. Will you lend me your strength?"

"You dare....!"

It was no surprise Lyle lost it and raised his voice at Vilhelm, who had taken

Maria hostage and gotten many innocent people involved.

"What do you want this time!"

"I need your power. So that I can obtain the <Erbe Der Last Hexe>."

"......<Erbe Der Last Hexe>?"

Hearing him mention that rumour—no, it was no mere rumour. Vilhelm's

composure was calm. That was not the behaviour of someone who was

chasing after a rumour.

"It should have been entrusted to you by «The Last Hexe». The <Erbe>—the

key to unlocking the [Ingenious Engine]."

Vilhelm pointed the tip of his magic sword at the fainted Maria.

"Ideally, I'd like you to serve me loyally. However, if that's difficult for you,

then I'll have to drain some of Miss Maria's blood with Dainsleif."

"......!"

179

The sound of Lyle's grinding teeth could be heard. There were a few vague

points in what Vilhelm had said, but he had no choice but to agree—just as

Lyle was thinking that,

"Do not defile that sword any further!"

Lunaria manifested the [Fog]. Her shining Eyes of Amber glaring at Vilhelm,

she went on the offensive.

"Return it!"

".........Hmph."

Drawing back the sword he pointed at Maria, he blocked Lunaria's [Fog].

With one brandish of the magic sword, the tentacle of [Fog] that could smash

even rock was dispersed.

"Heh. Truly, this is the magic sword of the «Nosferatu». It is effective against

the magic of its own kind."

"Return it!"

Lunaria moved, as though gliding on the [Fog] that was creeping on the

ground. With movements that could very well be described as 'Fogsliding',

Lunaria was before Vilhelm in an instant, throwing a punch with her arm that

was clad in [Fog].

An arm of fog that tore through the wind.

However, Vilhelm was suddenly in the air. In mid-air, where there were no

footholds, he swung his sword skillfully. The tip of the magic sword cut into

Lunaria's shoulder.

"A-ugh.... AAHH!"

Holding back the pain in her shoulder, Lunaria sent forth a torrent of [Fog] at

Vilhelm who had landed.

180

Vilhelm sliced the wall of [Fog] right into two with the magic sword, to

Lunaria's amazement, and retaliated, his blade biting into her chest this time,

diagonally upwards from her chest to the shoulder.

"......It is to be expected that the «Nosferatu» cannot be taken control of. I'll

just have to kill you then. Without hesitation, I will cut you and your brethren

down."

Vilhelm raised his sword overhead, preparing to swing it down upon Lunaria,

who was crouching in pain.

"Farewell, the last princess of the Fog—Oh?"

Taking a step back, Vilhelm brandished his magic sword.

The owl mask that had come flying at high speeds was split into two, falling

onto the ground.

"Stop right there!"

Drawing out the magical power of the amber from his pocket watch, Lyle

immediately started to cast his magic.

(—Controlling the motion of water vapour molecules—increasing the

gravitational acceleration— !)

The hail that been formed over the sky of the viewing platform began to fall

all at once. Combined with the increased gravitational acceleration, it could

reach a deadly falling speed in a short period of time.

"Hahaha! Magnificent!"

Said Vilhelm, swinging his sword ecstatically. The lumps of ice that were

hardly visible were knocked aside by the constantly flashing blade.

"...Lunaria!"

Shouting, Lyle created hail once more.

"The same thing is not going to—gah!?"

181

Lunaria's [Fog] shook the viewing platform. She could not fully concentrate

on the attack, but the distraction was enough.

"Go!"

The rain of bullet-like hail fell on Vilhelm, who was engulfed in [Fog],

battering him.

The sound of the solid ice's impact on the viewing platform resounded.

"The sword— !"

Lunaria rushed towards the dust-filled centre of devastation.

And then, a faint red blade cut through the dust.

Vilhelm approached the stumbling Lunaria, his smile dangerous.

"Unfortunately for you, this magic sword is rather sturdy!"

He had prevented a fatal injury by using the sword as a shield to protect

himself from the hail that fell perpendicular to the ground—though he was

not completely unharmed; rather than being impressed, Lyle felt more

fearful of the monstrous grit he had displayed.

Vilhelm suddenly turned about and continued towards Lunaria, who had

fallen down behind him. It seemed he was still cautious of Lyle's hailstorm.

The magic sword was brought down on Lunaria.

Using the [Fog] that she had gathered, she stopped the slash. The [Fog] was

highly versatile, capable of transforming into a shield, a foothold, or a

tentacle, and it just barely managed to stop the blindingly fast sword work.

Lyle was worried, but he could not do anything to protect her in melee

combat. He could only watch on.

"You're good at being on the defence—but what can you accomplish if you

do not attack, princess from the Bloodline of the Fog?"

182

Vilhelm asked while throwing out slashes.

Lunaria's expression hardened.

"What you should be doing here now—is to escape, isn't it?"

"...Shut up."

"Is there a reason not to? You'll be safe if you simply run away. Just like you

once did."

"Shut up."

"Protecting others here—or fighting for them, what could come out of it?

You should just run away. Go on, do it."

"Shut up!"

Lunaria sent an overarm strike his way. Clad in a helical-shaped [Fog], it was a

powerful punch, packed with power enough to kill someone instantly.

Vilhelm smirked.

Carrying his magic sword on his shoulders, he caught and shifted Lunaria's

overarm strike upwards hard, using his own body weight.

Lunaria's body floated into the air. Generally, a person's physical strength

was not so much different from how strong they looked.

Vilhelm then sank his boots right into the abdomen of the now defenceless

girl.

Thump! A frightening sound could be heard resounding forth.

The slender body flew parallel to the ground, smashing against the fence of

the viewing platform.

Instead of screaming, Lunaria vomited blood, her body trapped by the now

bent fence.

183

"......Hmph. You might have been able to protect something, were you not so

easily provoked."

The smile he had during the fight faded away, and Vilhelm sighed, as though

bored.

"Lunaria!"

Just as Lyle was about to rush over to her, the burning torch at the centre of

the area was hacked apart, sending embers flying everywhere.

Stumbling about, Lyle held up the pocket watch, scattering the sparks.

"—You're the most troublesome of all. You're versatile, thus the tactics you

can employ are many."

Lyle turned about instantly at the voice that had come from behind, but

before he could do anything, his right hand was struck. The pocket watch

that his master had passed down to him was knocked onto the ground.

First was his wrist, and then his jaw was grabbed. Lyle found himself

completely restrained.

"That pocket watch had amber inserted onto it, didn't it. And without it,

you're out of options."

Vilhelm whispered into his ear from his back.

Lyle felt goosebumps rising from that chilling sensation.

"Now, let's go back to the beginning. Lyle, give me the key."

"What are you talking—"

"It exists, doesn't it? Erllua Azoth must have entrusted the key to the <Erbe>

to you, her one and only disciple, after her disappearance."

"......The only thing that Master had left me before she disappeared was that

pocket watch."

184

Groaning, Lyle looked towards the pocket watch that had been knocked

away—and frowned.

The impact against the ground had damaged its exterior, exposing the

interior of the pocket watch. And what was inside of it, were not the

mechanisms of a pocket watch as far as Lyle knew.

There were no springs or cog-wheels, and most of the interior was occupied

by a black mass.

Around the black mass were many lines, which were flickering with a bluishwhite

colour at regular intervals.

"It's... not a mechanical pocket watch...... that's......"

"Ha... haha..... I see. That is it. That's the key to the <Erbe>!"

Behind the wide-eyed Lyle, Vilhelm had a big smile on his face.

"Hmph, it's finally in my hands. Well then, Lyle, I'm going to bring you along

with me."

"Who's going to— !"

The hand around his jaw twisted about, forcefully turning his head around,

and pushed his face against the ground. Vilhelm's well-featured face was

close enough for Lyle to feel his breath on him. His blues eyes, sharp like a

blade, looked right at Lyle.

"I dislike using brute force. But as much as I dislike it, I have no choice but to

resort to it this time. Though, if you see that, you might be in the mood to

change your mind."

"'That'? The <Erbe>, you mean?"

"Yes. That is the———— !"

Vilhelm, who looked as though he was about to kiss Lyle, released his hold

and jumped backwards instantly. Immediately after, the spot where he was

standing at was pierced with many throwing knives.

185

"—Who goes there!"

Shouted Vilhelm, as he gripped his sword tighter. Turning about, he found

that the other party was atop one of the stone pillars at the other side.

"Ask if you will, but I have no name to give thee—I am merely a beautiful

young maid."

The figure who had introduced herself nimbly stepped off the pillar onto the

viewing platform. The embers that had been scattered about from the fallen

torch illuminated a familiar face of a girl Lyle knew.

"Milla..."

"Good evening, Master Lyle."

The maid with blond hair and light-brown skin, who was also Maria's direct

subordinate, pinched the sides of her apron dress and made a curtsey.

"Milla... why are you here?"

"For some reason, there were a lot of zombie-like people wandering about.

And so, I came up here."

Saying that, Milla pointed at a hooked rope that was entwined around the

fence.

"There is no need to be surprised. Have I not always been the best at treeclimbing?"

Lyle returned Milla's bright side with only a look of amazement.

On the other hand, Vilhelm who had been interfered with, had a face

contorted with displeasure.

"......A mere servant dares to oppose me, a Margrave?"

"I answer to only my mistress, Lady Maria."

"I see. Very well—you had best fulfill your duty to the very end, then!"

186

Vilhelm broke into a run, magic sword in hand.

Milla responded in the same way, going head-on at him.

"Milla! If that sword even scratches you—"

At the same time as Lyle's warning, <Dansleif> was swung downwards.

Evading the pale crimson blade by a paper-thin margin, Milla was suddenly at

Vilhelm's back, with ghostly movements.

"What?"

The astonished Vilhelm hastily guarded the back of his neck with the magic

sword.

*Garin*!

The clash of metal scattered sparks about.

"How regrettable. You have fast reflexes."

Before anyone had realised it, Milla was holding a whip-like weapon in her

hands. But where there were supposed to be thick leather and cord, there

were only steel blades thinner than razors.

"What a strange-looking weapon.... which reminds me. I had heard that the

previous leader of the Highline Foundation had a bodyguard with certain

remarkable skills."

The smile had returned to Vilhelm's face, and his mouth opened as though

reciting a poem.

"And that assassin bodyguard... could you have been the rumoured, 'Assassin

Slayer'?"

"What a distasteful thing to do, Sir Margrave. Trying to expose a woman's

secrets, that is."

187

While still maintaining her smile, Milla swung the whip of razor-sharp, thin

blades.

It was like a whip, but far more lethal. The steel 'whip-sword' lashed out at

Vilhelm, drawing a spiral arc in the air.

Vilhelm intercepted the attack with a horizontal slash from <Dainsleif>.

However, the trajectory of the whip-sword changed right before the clash

between weapons, and it went directly downwards. Bouncing off the stone

floor, the tip of the razor blades headed straight for Vilhelm's jaw.

Vilhelm had barely managed to evade that attack.

"Haha! No doubt that this is equal to even the likes of demonic and faerie

blades! Indeed, the assassin is well-matched with her blade!"

Vilhelm replied, while returning with attacks of his own.

The whip-sword was ill-suited for receiving blows. Though a scratch or two

would not make it unusable—it still ought to have been a one-sided fight.

However, Milla was able to dodge every single attack that came her way.

"Well dodged!"

"You give me too much credit."

Dodging backwards, Milla lashed out with her whip-sword. The flexible whipsword

wrapped itself around <Dainsleif>.

The sounds of the magic sword and the whip-sword grinding against each

other could be heard.

"—Impressive."

"Nowadays, this is a basic requirement of being a maid. There is no need for

such praise."

188

"Heh, I wish I had a maid as skilled as you are. I could make you obey me with

this magic sword, but...... Well, the door is always open. It is regrettable, but

there are things I must attend to... !"

Suddenly, there were sounds of footsteps on the stone floor.

From the shadow of the stone pillars on the other side of the viewing

platform, emerged the figures of numerous puppets.

Although they had many opportunities to join the fray, it seemed like they

had been waiting up till now, just in case.

"Well then, what will you do, my lady maid? At this rate, Lyle is going to be in

danger, isn't he?"

Vilhelm then blew a sharp whistle.

The youths who had been made into puppets lunged at Lyle. Though he had

taken a defensive stance, without amber, he could not use any magic.

"Master Lyle!"

Letting go of her whip-sword, Milla leapt aside. With the hilts of the knives

concealed in her sleeves, she struck and neutralised them.

"Sorry about that, Milla."

"Don't—In all honesty, I would not have had a chance of winning, had the

fight been dragged on. And so I aimed for a tie... but everything was a little

too late."

Milla's face darkened as she surveyed the viewing platform, her body

drenched with sweat.

"...It looks like he escaped using the rope I had come up here with. I am very

sorry."

"......No, I was also at fault."

189

The pocket watch was also gone. It was most likely taken away by Vilhelm,

who had called it a 'key'. In its place, a piece of paper was left.

"......Damn it."

Crushing the piece of paper in his hand, Lyle cursed.

"...Milla. Let's leave this place for now. How is Lunaria doing?"

"She is still breathing. I will carry her."

Lyle nodded, and turned his gaze westward, past the centre of the royal

capital, where a massive fire illuminated the white castle of Ilsestein—

towards the outskirts.

'The multi-purpose plaza in the western outskirts of the royal capital

The first military shipyard

The third factory site'

That was what had been written on the piece of paper which was left behind.