Chapter 73: Orchestra
After the miasma left Nenel’s body, the one who appeared before us was… Lucile.
“Even if it was imperfect, to think you’d purify Mother’s blessing. I’m not feeling too pleased about this.”
She narrowed her eyes in displeasure as she glanced at Nenel, who was trying to hide behind me.
“… Really. Not only did you interfere with Prince Noel, whom I had my eye on, but you even weakened Nenel’s desire for revenge. You seem to be quite skilled at getting in my way… Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ve already collected the feelings of hatred. It’s a shame my family won’t grow, though.”
“You… What happened to Charlotte?”
Charlotte should have been fighting Lucile. But if Lucile was here, that meant…
“Don’t worry. I didn’t take her life… After all, Charlotte is weak. It wasn’t even a fight. Really, how foolish. Though that’s what makes her adorable.”
“…!”
“Ah-ha. Do you doubt me? In that case, I’ll bring her to you.”
As if obeying Lucile’s words, footsteps approached.
The silhouette gradually became clear, someone carrying Charlotte’s body and—
“—Makina…?”
Silently, Makina gently lowered Charlotte to the floor.
And then… she didn’t return to me.
Instead, as if becoming Lucile’s shield… she stood in front of me.
“…What’s going on?”
“…………”
“Why are you over there…?”
“……………………”
“Come back—Makina!”
“………………………………”
My shouts were in vain. Makina didn’t answer at all.
“Lucile! What did you do to Makina?!”
“Nothing in particular. I just told her the truth.”
“The truth…?!”
Before I could ask what that meant,
“Alfred! The [Land God] is…!”
“…?!”
An ominous power raged, and the [Land God]’s massive body writhed and twisted.
Holy magic of the [Fifth Element] was gushing out from its pure body, gathering at a certain point. At a key-like tool held by Loretta, who had appeared in this place at some point. Was she absorbing the [Land God]’s magic?!
“The [Land God] was a very troublesome opponent. We planned to weaken it with pollution and then purify it to obtain the [Fifth Element] magic… but it was a happy miscalculation that it used its strength on Nenel’s purification.”
“Well, the preparations are complete now, Lucile.”
“It seems the key we had Simeon Garland search for is functioning properly… Then, please proceed, Sister Loretta.”
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Loretta thrust the key that had absorbed the [Land God]’s magic into the floor of the ruins.
The overflowing light spread like plant roots, and soon the entire ruin began to vibrate.
“This shaking…?! What the hell did you do?!”
“You know, don’t you? About the heroes who once defeated Mother.”
The vibrations gradually grew stronger, and cracks appeared throughout the ruins.
However, Lucile continued with an eerie smile, unfazed.
“Heroes like Leuville, Ivelpe, and Saint Claudia. Except for the Saint, the others later built kingdoms and continue to oppose Mother as allied nations to this day… But among them, there was a kingdom that is now lost and forgotten.”
The ceiling of the ruins crumbled, revealing the blue sky, and a whirlwind arose. The vibrations continued, growing even more intense. Amidst the sound of wind being cut, what reached my ears was the sound of gears turning. The sound of some giant magical machine operating.
“A kingdom that flourished with ancient magical technology and perished in the war against Mother—Orchestra.”
A shadow covered the blue sky. What appeared before my eyes was a massive structure.
“A mechanical… palace…?”
The land on which the palace towered became the foundation, and at its base, a giant glowing magic stone was embedded. Around the giant magic stone, countless gears turned in layers, and the sound of the magical machine’s operation echoed through the sky.
“That is Orchestra. The ancient magical machine nation, revived in the present world.”
Light like sunbeams shone from the floating palace, and Lucile spread her arms wide in welcome. Gathering in the projected light were Loretta and… the helmeted girl who appeared with the darkness.
“Tell Luce, ‘The battle with you will surely be a joyous one.'”
“……………………”
Loretta and the helmeted girl were absorbed into the mechanical palace by the light.
After watching this, Lucile chuckled and extended her hand to Makina with a respectful attitude.
“Now then, shall we go, Miss Makina?”
…………I won’t let her go!
“Makina! Take my hand!”
I run. I dash. I sprint. Towards the precious girl. Before she’s taken into that light.
(I’ve reached her—!)
I grab the hand of the girl who has always been by my side. I hold on tightly, not letting go.
“…I’m sorry, Lord Al.”
“…Huh?”
The hand I grabbed was shaken off. By none other than Makina’s own will.
And she moves away from me. Turning her back on me, she takes a step forward.
Instead of mine, she grasps Lucile’s outstretched hand.
“…This is my answer.”
“Yes. I have received it clearly. I look forward to working with you, Miss Makina. No—”
Lucile’s eyes capture mine, and she declares,
“—Princess Makina Orchestra, heir to the royal bloodline.”
Before I could question the meaning of that name, Makina disappeared into the light.
In the blue sky, birds were flying.
Freely, with wings spread wide—.
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