Volume 1 - CH 4

Chapter 4  – Legacy of the Last Hexe

1

Ymir is the ancestor of all jotun, the frost giants, in Norse Mythology. The kanji being

used is 'King of Giants'. 

202

The Difference Engine that Lyle had come up with—a calculator that powered

a steam engine. Although it was something that calculated the certainty of

possible outcomes through predetermined behaviours, the calculations it

was capable of were comparatively simple in nature, and hence it was faster

to do the calculations on paper. Due to that, it was treated like a toy.

However, the calculator was merely the simple first stage. If a semiautomatic

machine was implemented, then there would be a next stage. That

would surely be—

"Yes, it is no calculator, but a mechanical brain that processes orders—the

[Ingenious Engine]."

A mechanical system that governs its own functions based on an order—Lyle

had thought of the theory behind it, but he did not think that the current

level of technology could have completed it.

That was what laid before his eyes.

"The hull of <Ymir>, was a prototype for the implementation of the concept

of a 'flying warship'. As it was a complete failure, it had been abandoned.

After the shipyard above ground was burned down, it was just left as it is

now.

Erllua Azoth was the one who had her eye on this failed project. She had

once collaborated with the military before, and thus, it is likely she was able

to learn of this vessel's existence. What she truly wanted was probably, a

device strong enough to power the Ingenious Engine, which needed a

complex and huge power source.

However, can you understand what kind of 'power' can be born from the

union of a war machine and the Ingenious Engine?"

"......"

It went without saying that Lyle understood.

If the flying warship was outfitted with the Ingenious Engine, then most of

the problems that the airship faced regarding weight capacity would be

eliminated. If a 'program' was installed into the Ingenious Engine beforehand, 

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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'. 

249 

250

The amber bullet that was fired cut through the air in a natural parabola. It

passed by Vilhelm's side, and straight behind him—right into the Ingenious

Engine.

Upon hitting its target, the deftly crafted amber bullet compressed the

miniature Amber Reactor inside it. The amber which was in a stable state,

converted all of the energy contained within it into heat.

And along with the heat came the sudden expansion of air, creating a

shockwave.

The whirling destruction melted the cylinders, smashed the keyboard, and

sent countless numbers of gears flying. The pipe organ-like Ingenious Engine,

was reduced to scrap in a single moment.

"O, ooh..."

Releasing Maria and Lunaria, Vilhelm turned around and faced the destroyed

Ingenious Engine. With unsteady steps, he walked towards the smoking

wreckage.

"O-oh... Why did, why did it come to this......"

Vilhelm was devastated by the 'answer', which was expressed with far more

impact than eloquent words.

The first thing that he had wished for and gotten—was in no way what Lyle

had, that was what the destroyed Ingenious Engine seemed to say.

It was Vilhelm Zest's first experience of 'despair'.

His advantage of holding Maria's and Lunaria's lives in his hands—was all but

gone.

"......Can you stand, Maria, Lunaria?"

Lyle called out to the two of them, and they firmly got up, with their own two

feet.

"Yeah, 'tis but a scratch." 

251

Said Maria, smiling.

As though to make him feel at ease, Lunaria nodded with that expressionless

face of hers.

Lyle felt relieved.

"—Lyle."

A certain familiar voice resounded, and Lyle looked up, taken by surprise.

"—Most likely, you're the one who's going to be listening to this."

The nostalgic voice of his master—the voice of Erllua Azoth resounded forth.

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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.