"Thor, what do you think?"
The girl with dazzling golden hair—Student Council President Olga—cautiously asked the red dragon coiled around her arm.
"Who knows? But when it comes to the power of a 'Cursed Sword,' I have the advantage."
"In that case, the outcome hinges on the power of the puppeteer, right?"
Olga's gaze fell on Charlotte, and she called out softly, "Are you sure you don't want to call your companions?"
In the distance, Raishin and the others watched the two golden-haired girls standing on the battlefield.
This was Charlotte's own request.
"Of course." The steel-colored young dragon stood firmly on Charlotte's shoulder as her brilliant gold hair swayed in the moonlight. "This is my fight—Charlotte Belew's battle."
"I saw your fight before—the one with the 'Sword Emperor.'"
"..." Charlotte fell silent, well aware of how she had performed that night.
Especially now, knowing that Olga was also a master of a 'Cursed Sword' dragon, a wave of shame washed over her.
Her previous, clumsy use of the 'Cursed Sword' had probably been a source of silent mockery. But she had also redeemed herself in the battles against the German students.
"Compared to before, you're like a completely different person now, Charlotte."
Olga offered a dazzling smile. "Show me who you are now."
"For one hundred and twenty years, the Belew family has lived alongside the 'Cursed Sword.'"
Charlotte extended her right hand, and Sigmund flew forward, positioning himself before her. "Allow me to show you what that truly means."
"I look forward to learning it."
Simultaneously, both girls released their magical energy. The massive overflow of power caused their golden locks to flutter and dance as if caught in an unseen wind.
"Go, Charlotte!"
Hinaichigo, sitting beside Alice, waved her small hands enthusiastically.
Alice glanced at the other Alice, gently stroking the cheeks of Kirakishou, who was nestled in her arms. "You're alright now?"
"Mhm." Alice responded with a sly smile, flexing her hand slightly. "Let's just say I got to experience both Karyuusai's craftsmanship and your fairy tales firsthand."
After that night, Edward had realized the power of the Divine Machine was not something he could hope to control.
The main issue with Alice's body had been the mechanical organs inside it, as the metal parts risked corrosion or poisoning.
So, pushed along by Percival, Edward had sought out Karyuusai. Now, organs cultivated by crystal had replaced the original mechanical ones inside her.
"Some of the crystal-cultivated organs still need minor adjustments, but it shouldn't be long before they're fully integrated."
On the battlefield, flashes of light collided. The clash of Cursed Sword against Cursed Sword whipped up a violent storm.
The fierce wind tore at the girls' hair. Kanaria stepped forward, intending to use her parasol to shield them from the oncoming blast.
Whoosh! She was blown back two steps with a surprised cry, only to be caught steadily in Henri's embrace.
Suigintou and Shinku sat to the side, watching the shimmering lights flashing across the battlefield.
The Rozen Maidens remembered everything that had happened after becoming Alice. Seemingly recalling the blow Alice had struck on their behalf, Suigintou suddenly broke into a smile.
The approaching summer heat was gradually intensifying, making even the night feel somewhat stifling to Alice.
A perfectly chilled breeze enveloped her, as Irori gently released a cooling aura around them.
After Irori returned from within the Divine Machine, her doll body had vanished completely, replaced by a human form.
She had become a human capable of using 'Himokagami.'
Though she now possessed Magic Circuits within her, she couldn't use the magecraft of the Type-Moon world.
Alice shifted her gaze back to the battlefield. The battle was nearing its end.
Olga manipulated light spirits, weaving the Cursed Sword expelled by Thor into a rigid, grid-like pattern.
The lattice of light expanded into a box shape, attempting to trap Charlotte and Sigmund.
'Incredible spirit manipulation, Olga... but...'
Charlotte instantly surged her magical energy. Just that alone was enough to throw the light spirits into confusion.
They became unsure whether to obey Olga's commands or Charlotte's. In this moment of stalemate, the cage of light shattered instantly.
"Beam Cannon!"
A merciless blast shot towards the red dragon, but the light halted right before Thor.
Olga stared intently at Charlotte.
The two girls exchanged a smile, then moved simultaneously.
Light against light, magical energy against magical energy, they collided violently across the field.
Spirits danced wildly, and flashes of light seared the retinas of the onlookers.
"Beam Cannon!"
A hand-mirror-sized mirror materialized once more on the battlefield. Sigmund fired his beam towards the empty space directly above it.
The cannon of light veered mid-air, reflected, and pierced straight through the foreleg of the red dragon, who had no time to evade.
Sigmund immediately began gathering light again. Before him, small mirrors were already tracing a complex geometric pattern in the air.
The next moment, their vision was filled with nothing but a blinding, platinum radiance.
The night sky was once again illuminated by the 'Cursed Sword.' The crimson young dragon fell from the sky.
With a thud, Thor landed heavily in the grass.
"...Heh... a splendid strike."
Thor glanced at Olga. Perhaps because the outcome had been decided so abruptly, she hadn't yet recovered from the shock of defeat.
Letting out a slightly disappointed sigh, he turned his gaze to Sigmund.
"You've got a fine master there, brother."
"Thor..."
Amidst the deafening applause of the spectators, tonight's Night Party came to an end.
"I won."
Charlotte walked over to Alice, smiling softly under the night sky.
"Mhm, I saw everything."
Alice replied in a hushed tone.
Souseiseki and Suiseiseki sat beside her, enjoying snacks. Ever since Alice had manifested the Holy Lance that night, no one had dared to cause trouble at the Witch's Mansion anymore, so their work had naturally concluded.
Trimmau refilled the teacups for the girls, then stood to the side holding the tray.
"Charlotte."
"What is it?"
"I'm leaving."
Silence spread under the night sky.
Charlotte's eyes widened. She knew this day would come eventually, but not this soon, nor this suddenly.
She stared at Alice blankly, reluctance clear in her eyes.
"...When are you leaving?"
"Right now."
"Then... will we see each other again?"
"..." Alice started to say something, but a voice in her mind interrupted her.
[Based on your feedback, the transportation used by this Travel Agency has been upgraded.]
[Changed to — Train.]
Since it's a train, then...
With a thought, a golden train ticket materialized in Alice's hand.
"Of course. I look forward to meeting you again in the future."
She handed the ticket to Charlotte, then turned her gaze to the Rozen Maidens. "And you all..."
"I'm going with you, of course."
Suigintou lifted her chin, her tone brooking no argument.
Kirakishou wrapped her arms tightly around Alice's waist. Souseiseki and Suiseiseki nodded silently. Kanaria and Hinaichigo hurried to Alice's side.
Shinku raised her eyes, fixing a firm gaze on Alice. "Are you planning to abandon us?"
Trimmau immediately dissolved into quicksilver, flowing into the pendant of Alice's necklace, seemingly stating her stance clearly.
Irori smiled softly at Karyuusai, and, receiving a smile in return, walked over to stand with Alice.
[The train has a sufficient number of rooms.]
"...I might become different."
"No matter how you change, I will always recognize you."
The resolute tone underscored the girl's determination. Suigintou's red eyes remained fixed intently on Alice.
A graceful curve touched Alice's lips. She looked at the girls gathered before her and softly spoke.
"Alright."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.