Part 1
Charl’s battle had started while Raishin and the others observed them.
– Let’s do this with everything we have, Sigmund. Luster Cannon!
Sigmund had expelled a fierce burning light from his mouth after receiving Charl’s magical energy.
Raishin felt a chill. Wouldn’t that power open a hole through the walls?
However, the laser of light had quickly decayed after moving for around 15 meters, only melting the surface of the walls. Charl was carefully controlling her shots.
The light had swallowed Olga and Tooru, but it hadn’t damaged them.
Olga was still standing with a composed face. In front of her, the air was sparkling like the surface of water.
(Light particles… Did she stop my Luster Cannon with that?)
It had been the magic called Luster Shell. It looked like it could even stop a Luster Cannon.
Olga had quickly counter-attacked.
– Luster Shell—<Phalanx>!
The light <Shell> had burst like a pomegranate. Raishin had defended against the light particles using Yaya as a shield, Hinowa summoning a shikigami and Loki using the flames from Cherubim.
– Luster Cannon!
Charl had decided to fight it using her big cannon. A huge explosion took place as the two lights collided against each other.
Charl was blown away all the way to the wall behind her by the blast.
Sigmund had uncharacteristically and nervously flied to Charl.
– Charl, are you okay?
– I’m fine… with just this…!
– Olga can counter our attacks. We shouldn’t be attacking her recklessly.
– I know. We just need to know how to destroy that shell…
Charl had glared at Olga after letting Sigmund stand on her arm. Olga just smiled.
– So you still have the will to continue fighting. But, how will you break my defense?
An endless amount of lights had protruded from Tooru’s body, spreading like fireflies all around.
It was once again that Luster Shell. Raishin had started talking to no one in particular, getting worried.
– What is that? How can she even get through that?
– Uuh… probably…
Frey had replied with a tense voice as she stared at the air in front of them.
– I think that’s Jin Mastery. It looks like the wind and light spirits are lending her their strength.
– Did you say… spirits…?
– It’s as Frey-sama just said. Some sentient entities are maintaining that light.
Hinowa agreed with Frey’s words. They seemed to be able to look at those spirits.
– So, Olga is not only controlling Gram, but also some spirits?
Just controlling multiple automata put a great toll on any magician. It was even worse when it came to combining them to something as primitive as a magic that didn’t rely on a magic circuit—
It didn’t look like she was using any secret technique or mechanical apparatus. It seemed like Olga could do it with her own strength.
– Raishin, is this fine…!?
Yaya had pulled Raishin’s hand. She was worried about Charl and Sigmund.
Raishin had decided to just stare at Charl’s fight as he gritted his teeth.
He had also suddenly realized how Sigmund’s expression was very calm.
Sigmund was just staring at Olga, as if thinking of something else, despite their predicament.
– This controlling power… it looks just like Elaine’s…
Raishin had heard Sigmund’s whisper as he was covered by those sparkling lights.
Part 2
On that day 120 years ago, Sigmund was taking a light nap, in the middle of some rocks.
His scales looked like rocks if he didn’t move. He was blending in enough for the insects and birds to not notice.
He wouldn’t even move one bit to reserve as much stamina as possible. He would just rest there to go through the day—that was Sigmund’s regular schedule.
Sigmund had suddenly felt the presence of someone, so he had opened his eyes.
That woman knight from before was standing near the Drake manor entrance, below the slope.
– I see… this is beyond what I imagined.
She was looking at the manor beyond the gate as she stood on her tips.
– It sure looks too rusty after getting abandoned for so long… but I’m surprised there could be a Rococo style mansion like this so deep into the mountain. I guess Drake-dono was surely quite the weirdo.
The girl kept knocking on the door as she spoke to herself.
– Is there someone here?
After confirming there was no one inside, the knight had arbitrarily entered the front garden after opening the gates.
There was an absurd mountain of pigs, cattle, bear and horses bones in that garden. However, the knight hadn’t shown any signs of precautions as she moved towards the mansion.
—Sigmund couldn’t let her go any further than that.
He had flown after kicking the slope below him.
Sigmund had fiercely descended to attack the knight. The girl nimbly evaded his enormous claws.
The dragon had then emitted a strenuous howl to intimidate the girl after making the earth tremble with his landing.
The trees of the forest had been swayed as the birds fled from above the skies. Even the knight had covered her ears as she ducked.
– Hey dragon, don’t howl like that and let’s just talk. You can understand the human language, right?
Sigmund was totally surprised after hearing her unexpected words.
After determining it wasn’t something he should be hiding, Sigmund decided to answer still slightly puzzled.
– …You reckless human. How do you dare to attempt to talk to a dragon on top of sneaking on its territory?
– The courage is one of the virtues of a knight. But don’t say I sneaked in. I would like you to treat me like a guest.
– How foolish… Look at the mountain of bones. Do you want to be eaten like that too?
– No, because you won’t eat humans.
– —What did you say? What proof do you have that makes you say that?
– I can’t see any human bones among those remains.
The girl had replied with a smile. Sigmund was taken aback for a moment.
– Hmph… I can see you are very perceptive.
– I’m also very intuitive. The newer bones are from pigs and cattle, while the older ones are from horses and bears. I can infer you started going after the livestock in the village after hunting every animal around here—am I wrong?
Sigmund was truly surprised this time. He was also very impressed at the same time. The girl had uncovered the truth without holding any prejudice against him and with very small materials to deduce it. She also appeared to have some natural history knowledge.
She seemed like a dumb person at first glance, but she was actually very clever.
– I had finally arrived at an answer after thinking why wouldn’t you eat humans. You look like a living being, but you’re actually something different—in other words, an automaton.
– …absurd. Are you saying a puppet would eat meat?
– There are some that do. It’s nothing weird really—if you are a Ban doll, that is.
– …I can’t let you leave this place after unveiling that secret.
– Really? That’s good, I thought I was going to get kicked.
The knight had quickly dropped her backpack in front of the surprised Sigmund.
The girl had started making a camp after gathering some branches from the ragged garden.
– I also can’t just return empty-handed. I told the villagers I would do something about you after all. You also said you can’t let me leave, so—
The girl winked after taking a wine bottle from her backpack.
– Why don’t we talk through the night?
– …this is absurd.
– Are you going to tell me you can’t drink with such a huge body? Well, I won’t force you. This is a very expensive wine after all.
After happily taking the cork out, the girl started drinking from the wine after pouring herself one cup.
Sigmund was puzzled. He didn’t know how to handle this human.
She had come alone to get rid of the <Dragon of the Demonic Mountain> and had started drinking all on her own. She would say some irrational things contrary to the keen impression she gave.
– …This is unpleasant, human. I can’t understand your intentions.
– I told you. I want to talk with you. I want you to teach me. Why are you making the villagers suffer? Especially when you’re a gentle and proud dragon.
– …You don’t know anything.
– Oh, was I wrong? That’s what the flowers in this garden are telling me, though.
The girl had signaled to an empty space in the garden, as if her hand was playing with an invisible bird.
Her carefree smile looked both beautiful and noble.
She was a girl no one could grasp, like the wind—
Sigmund had sat in front of the bonfire, quickly getting drawn to her.
Part 3
It was Olga the one that had reacted after hearing the word “Elaine” from Sigmund.
The light shell had slightly opened from one side, showing Olga’s face.
– It looks like you have realized what the essence of this magic is. I guess that’s to be expected, since she was once your master.
Charl had turned to look at Sigmund, flustered.
– What is she talking about? Elaine was one of my ancestors, right?
– Yes… she was your great-great-great grandmother.
– Charlotte doesn’t know her? Really?
Olga gave a cold look at Charl after getting surprised and then slightly disappointed.
– The Belew name would cry. What I’m using right now was something that the <Demon Sword User> Elaine came up with, the Composed Tactics—<Gram Vania>
Charl had turned red up to her earns because of her disgrace and humiliation. To think it would be not her father of grandmother, but a girl from another household the one to ridicule her fighting style.
– Charl… Edgar didn’t want to let you fight.
Sigmund tried to console her. However, his fatherly love only felt hateful now.
Tooru started laughing unpleasantly.
– What is this? Didn’t you teach her, brother?
– Charl isn’t Elaine. She doesn’t need to mimic her.
– You’re truly a softhearted guy!
The light shell had once again burst, making a shower of light spread through the floor.
Charl had quickly answered the attack with a Luster Cannon. The clash between the two Vanishton had created an explosion. Charl was once again thrown into the outer walls behind her because of the impact.
A clump of air had flown out of her throat, making Charl choke.
– Charl, we can’t be answering with that method anymore.
– Then we can’t do anything! Tell me! How had Elaine-sama used you!?
– You wouldn’t be able to use me like that as you are right now, even if I told you. If only Lotte was…
Sigmund had stopped his words midway. However, Charl knew what he had tried to say.
『If only Lotte was here.』
If only she had remained as her friend… that’s what Sigmund tried to say.
Something like anger and sadness… an emotion hard to describe had swayed Charl’s chest.
– Listen, Charl. Don’t lose yourself. You have your own way to fight.
– —That’s right. You’re right!
Charl had forcefully tried to cheer herself up as she glared at the Olga beyond the light covering the floor.
Olga was waiting for Charl’s move. It was also possible she was just trying to test her. Charl had started preparing all the magical energy she could muster inside her body, getting ready for her next move.
– We will do that. That’s the only thing I have left.
– But, if we destroy the tower—if you make a hole in the outer walls—
– Don’t do it! Don’t destroy it!
– …You’re being absurd. But that’s just like you.
Sigmund had flown to Charl’s right arm with a wry smile.
The vast magical energy had flown inside his body. That very same energy was converted into a big mass after passing through the <Gram> magic circuit.
– Awaken, powerful Fafnir—<Tyrant Rex>!
A deep darkness had suddenly covered the entire floor.
Every light had been gathered and absorbed, giving birth to a very dense darkness. Some thick arms, very sturdy legs and colossal wings had come out of that shadow.
It had been a giant transformation that overcame their limits. Raishin started yelling to his friends as he felt the pressing danger.
– We will get crushed! Run below!
Despite having said that, Sigmund’s transformation was very sudden, giving them no room to escape. Loki had sent his magical energy to Cherubim as he made him burn the floor below them.
– Over here! Jump from here!
– Thanks!
Raishin had jumped down the hole after taking Yaya and Hinowa in his arms. The others had also followed after him.
Regardless, even that had been useless.
Sigmund’s transformation had made his limbs go through the ground below. The floor had collapsed, making some debris fall around the place.
Despite not really having much magical energy left, the group had tried to defend from the debris making use of Kongouriki and Jet’s magic. Charl had apologized with them inside her heart as she bit her lips. She felt sorry for her friends, but she couldn’t stop Sigmund anymore.
After the collapse had settled, the entire tower was covered by Sigmund’s body.
He looked like a person stuffed inside a box. His bent neck looked like it could break through the ceiling at any moment.
Charl had looked down at Olga as she was standing, grabbing one of Sigmund’s horns.
– I’m pretty sure there wasn’t any rule impeding us from breaking the floor, right?
– …Are you sane, Charlotte?
It looked like Olga had been surprised by her actions. Her voice was slightly agitated.
Instead of replying to her words, Charl had increased her magical energy as she sent it to Sigmund.
Sigmund had somehow managed to look down. The light had started gathering from between his fangs.
– The output of the Demonic Sword is equal to the mass of the dragon. Your <Shell> sure looks like an iron wall, but I wonder if you can withstand this attack?
– …The vanishing reaction would produce a blast that would destroy the tower. Are you aware of that?
– Then why don’t you just restrain your attack?
The air had started trembling ominously, announcing the destructive authority that was about to unfold.
– Please make an effort to not die. Luster Cannon—<Goliath>!
A stormy stream of light had burst from the colossal dragon along with Charl’s command.
Part 4
Everything in his line of sight had turned into white due to the outstanding amount of light.
Every type of resistance looked futile. Raishin had closed his eyes, still holding Yaya and Hinowa.
Charl hadn’t forgotten about her friends. The corner where Raishin and the others were had been a secure zone. Even so, a terrible blast had still hit them.
A very stormy pressure. It made Raishin feel like his organs would spill out of his body.
A fearsome cavity had been opened below them after the light had dispersed.
The bottomless hole extended all the way down below.
The destructive light from Sigmund had also burned the frontal part of his torso, part of his tail and limbs. It had even totally destroyed the floor below them, extending a few meters into the bedrock below the tower.
It looked like even Olga had trouble to defend against the attack. She was sitting in one corner of the floor, and she seemed to be short of breath. She had consumed a big amount of her magical energy.
Her dragon, Tooru, was nowhere to be seen around her.
– You’re too naïve, Sigmund.
Suddenly, Tooru’s voice had resounded from a totally different place.
(Above…?)
Still holding the unconscious Yaya, Raishin had raised his hazy head.
Charl—was there. She was grabbing Sigmund’s horn. Although, it looked like she was about to faint from the impact just now. She was leaning on that horn.
A red dragon was standing on Charl’s hat on top of her.
It was Tooru! He was trying to burn Charl with the Demon Sword’s light from his opened mouth!
Sigmund had realized this as he started yelling with a loud voice.
– Stop it, Tooru! Your master will also be disqualified if you attack Charl!
– I told you you’re too naïve, brother. It looks like you’ve totally become a coward in these 120 years. I don’t care about this Evening Party. Did you forget Olga is a person from the <Society>?
Sigmund had swallowed his breath, opening his eyes surprised.
– An individual who would use you, as well as Elaine’s techniques—So Olga is from the Seth family! That curse was indeed the <Nibelungen Curse> from the Seth like Madame Kimberly had feared—
– What…? What are you… talking about?
Charl could not grasp the situation. She had dimly asked Sigmund a question. Even though she was about to get murdered any second now!
Raishin had furiously struggled to move. However, he couldn’t get up because the previous explosion had been great enough to damage his semicircular canals.
Tooru had finished gathering his magical energy while Raishin was struggling to move.
– I will let tell you this now that we’re here at the end. Brynhildr didn’t die because she was killed by her enemy.
– What… did you say?
– I ate her. There are two <Gram> inside of me!
Raishin had seen how an atrocious light had dwelled inside Sigmund’s eyes in that moment.
He had shook his enormous head to throw both Charl and Tooru down. As Tooru had started flying in the air after getting away from Charl, Sigmund had used his great jaw to bit him to death and swallow him.
Still staggering, Raishin had received Charl’s body as she fell from above. Despite having strengthened his own body with his magical energy, he couldn’t totally endure the impact. His right knee had made an unpleasant sound.
Regardless, he had managed to grab Charl.
Just when he was getting reassured, Sigmund’s chest had exploded.
The light from a Luster Cannon had destroyed his steel blue chest. A bloody small dragon had flown out of that light. —He had pierced Sigmund’s stomach from inside.
– See? Everyone who starts liking having a master will just continue to die.
Tooru laughed as he activated his magical circuit once again.
– Farewell, human dog!
The flash of light expelled from his mouth had this time pierced Sigmund’s body from outside.
Raishin had instantly intuited what that light had pierced.
Yaya started swaying Raishin’s body from below as he stood still like a scarecrow.
– Raishin! What happened!?
– Sigmund’s…
– Raishin!?
– —heart was destroyed!
The change was already manifesting. His scales had come off while his flesh had started falling in pieces. Charl had extended her hand after flying out of Raishin’s arms.
She had pulled Sigmund’s body that fell like a dead bird with telekinesis. He had already shrunken into a small dragon when she reached her hands.
– Sigmund! Answer me! Respond!
Charl was relentlessly calling his name. Sigmund was looking at Charl with an empty look, but he wouldn’t respond.
– Admit your defeat, Charlotte.
Olga told Charl to give up. Her face was sweating.
Charl had glared at her in response, with teary eyes.
…She was trying her best to hold her position.
She just wanted to admit defeat and quickly rush to the medical offices.
Raishin had yelled at that Charl, after losing his composure.
– It’s fine! Admit defeat already and go treat Sigmund!
– ……
– Is it really the time to be doubting!? Sigmund will die!
Charl didn’t reply. She was only pitifully trembling. She was getting crushed by her guilt towards her friends and her love for Sigmund.
Just when Raishin was worrying about what to do, the wall behind him had burst.
An enormous serpent-type automaton had destroyed the wall and entered the tower.
It was a great automaton of about 20 meters. It looked like it could swallow any person with ease. A single female student was elegantly sitting on its bathtub-sized head.
She was wearing a very weird uniform that was widely opened on the chest area, giving the impression that it was some kind of medieval woman. Her bumpy and curled hair was something Raishin recognized.
– …What’s the meaning of this, Sonechka?
Olga looked up at the big snake as she spoke in a criticizing tone.
At that moment, a very fierce flame of anger had lighted up in her calmed eyes.
– You fool! That’s my line! Carrying out this meaningless slaughter after displaying an absolute gap in your power—what are you doing, Olga!?
Sonechka had released a severe magical energy wave along with her yell that had made Raishin’s extremities tremble.
– If there’s a single drop of pride left in you, leave the grounds right now. I, Sonechka Snitkina will take over this duel.
– What did you say? Why are you arbitrarily—
– Pull back! While I’m still holding myself!
The diffused magical energy had attacked them like a waterfall. Subaru and Mutsura had pulled their bodies back, Frey had gotten scared and even Loki was making a painful face.
Olga took some time to think as she looked at Sonechka’s snake.
She had already used a vast amount of her magical energy to defend against Charl’s enormous Luster Cannon. Fighting with Sonechka right now would put her at a disadvantage no matter how anyone looked at the situation.
Olga relaxed her body as she turned to Charl.
She had then smiled after giving the dying Sigmund a look.
– I would like to settle this match in the coming days. I guess—there are no objections.
Olga had gallantly started walking down to the lower floors after calling her bloody red dragon back.
Just like that, Olga had hastily left the place.
– Charlotte! Why are you freezing there!? Go recompense the loyalty of your dragon!
Sonechka had yelled annoyed. Charl came back to her senses with that, as Raishin and the others also started moving.
– Frey! Sorry, but carry Charl to the doctor’s office!
– Uuh, understood!
Frey had gathered her Garm dogs and made Charl grab her Saint Bernard after confirming she wasn’t injured. She had then followed after her through the half broken stairs after sitting on top of Rabi.
Raishin had forced his tired body and used Yaya’s help to jump out of the tower.
– Raishin! Where are you going with that injured body!?
– I will call Shouko-san! If it’s her… she will surely be able to save Sigmund. Just like how she saved Rabi!
Raishin started running, clinging to that single ray of hope.
His injured tendons were giving him a fierce pain, but Raishin would just ignore that and continue running.
Part 5
The audience was very boisterous when Olga came out of the tower.
They seemed to have been swayed by the grand battle between Grams, aside from Sonechka’s intervention. She could hear claps and cheers, but the stir was even greater.
Olga had apathetically bowed to them.
Tooru had decided to mess with her after looking at her dark expression.
– What’s with that face? Do you feel guilty now or something?
*kekeke* He had moved his face to look at Olga’s eyes while laughing.
– Becoming a Wiseman is your one and only reason to live. You wouldn’t mind dirtying your hands for that goal—isn’t that right?
Olga endured her impulse to want to strangle Tooru. Despite her usual calm tone of voice, she had decided to reply sarcastically, secretly displaying her agitated heart.
– You were surely merciless there. I guess you know where the vital parts of the <Demonic Sword> are.
– He fell for a very boorish provocation. His body will soon start disintegrating.
– The Demonic Sword’s magic circuit is one and indivisible from the heart—I heard it’s impossible to separate them. I’m sure there was no other way than destroying the heart in order to stop the magic circuit. …However…
Olga had hastily retired from the coliseum, as if to run away from the spectators.
– The Demonic Sword magic circuit is very valuable. Was it fine… to just destroy it like that?
– I guess it was indeed a waste. But, this body is too weak to withstand three Gram at the same time. My value would also skyrocket if I destroyed it.
– I didn’t mean that… Wasn’t Sigmund your brother?
Tooru was astounded. He had then started laughing amused.
– I guess that just means even <Golden Olga> was also a human. Don’t worry, there was no need to falter. We’re essentially immortals.
– What does… that mean?
– …Oops, I guess I spoke too much. You will need to ask the Dragon King for more, when you go to that world someday.
Tooru continued laughing pleased. Olga had looked down as she smiled sarcastically.
– …That world huh. If only such a place existed.
How big of a comfort would it be for Olga if the souls were truly immortal?
Dying meant becoming the nothingness. That’s why the humans feared it and suffered with each parting.
Olga had suddenly stopped by the forest road after feeling someone’s presence.
– —Who’s there?
She had let her thirst for blood spread around because of her relentless state. Maybe after feeling her animosity, the person hiding had unexpectedly and obediently decided to show themselves.
It had been a muscular student the one that came out from the trees.
Olga knew him. He had a well-shaped, chiseled face. However, his tired expression ruined his appearance. He was tall with wide shoulders. His well-developed muscles gave the impression of a wild animal.
– <Last One>, August Veyron.
There was an automaton behind Veyron. His design was that of a medieval armored knight and his entire body was metallic—probably composed of a magic ore.
It was weird for him to take an automaton with him. Olga had decided to question him, still suspicious.
– Are you having your nightly walk outside the coliseum despite refusing to be part of our agreement?
Veyron hadn’t answered. Olga continued talking.
– Did you feel like taking part of it now?
– …Not in the slightest. I hate tedious things.
He had finally replied, shrugging his shoulders in a very bothersome gesture.
Olga had unintentionally called out to the male student that was about to leave.
– Wait. …This might sound weird, but is Veyron your real surname?
Veyron stopped, sending his very sharp eyes towards Olga over his shoulder.
– …Forgive me for meddling. Forget it.
Veyron had once again not replied as he walked off after yawning.
Tooru laughed intentionally after putting on an amused look.
– Are you interested in him?
– I have a feeling that I know that man.
– Hoh? What kind of relationship could that be?
– …I can’t remember it. He might be someone like me with a mission—someone from the <Society>. He smells just like them.
– You sound convinced. How can you tell?
After thinking for a while, Olga had smiled to dodge the question.
– The winds told me.
– The winds’ spirit—Sylph huh. The youngest Zekaros sibling was also using them.
– Don’t couple mine with that sham.
Olga smiled sarcastically. What could’ve happened to the brothers in the end?
The enormous Luster Cannon that Charl had used a while ago had been truly dangerous. There was a chance that the youngest sibling was affected by the attack if he was in the floor down below.
Although the Evening Party executives wouldn’t have stayed quiet if someone had died.
(Well, it doesn’t matter. He’s no more than my piece, and it’s not part of my duties to supervise him.)
They had carried out this operation without Olga’s permission. A leader from the <Society> should be the one to worry about their lives.
There was but a single thing important to Olga.
– The duel was postponed thanks to Sonechka’s intervention… however, the Demon Sword automaton was already destroyed and the Raishin faction is in a losing position. My victory is assured.
Olga clenched her fist that wore a white glove as she displayed a lovely smile on her face.
– I will soon become a Wiseman and attain my freedom.
– I wonder if that freedom is something so good.
Tooru had laughed as if ridiculing her words, looking at the starry sky as he whispered.
– Say, brother. What do you think?
雪月花 