Gekka no Utahime to Magi no Ou Vol 1 Chapter 3

Chapter 3  – The Maiden of Copper

She was frightened.

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

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

That became her pride.

Part 1

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

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

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

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

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

experience with Maria.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Renewing his determination, Lyle trudged towards the laboratory.

and knocked on the laboratory door.

"........."

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

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

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

right towards Lyle.

It was an awkward silence.

buried in the mountain of books.

"Good morning, Master Lyle."

with her usual expressionless face. 

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"......"

steadily.

"......How lewd."

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

".....Erm, Lunaria?"

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

"Cleaning up."

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

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

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

—*Thud, thump*—

—*Thud, thump, thud*—

—*Thud, thump, crash*.

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

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

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

124 

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been dyed red.

limit.

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

she wore that expressionless face.

of the door, he left the laboratory behind.

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

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

traditional dance hall.

tomorrow."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

their eyes as Hazel did.

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

here?"

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

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

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

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

world?"

you.....?" 

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

Hazel and the others stamped their feet simultaneously.

burdened with a partner for the ball."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

misconduct!Sexual misconduct!"

"Guilty! Guilty!" 

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

"Good!"

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

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

"Affirmative!Affirmative!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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time.

everyone's gazes fixed upon him.

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

"—Greetings, Lyle Waldstein."

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

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

"S-Sure......"

others nodded.

atmosphere.

eyes partly as if to make Lyle feel at ease.

".....Not at all."

Part 2

constructed next to a lotus pond.

promptly bowed his head.

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

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

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

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

"No way, you exaggerate."

Last Hexe»."

His body stiffened instantly at that.

innocent.

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

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

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

the Phantasms."

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

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

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

short."

He was unusually friendly.

conversation without changing.

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

"Calling me Vil would have been fine."

hurt.

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

public opinion of you."

though I were some eyesore of a bug?" 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"That—"

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

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

wasn't it?"

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

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

"......"

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

again—Lyle. Come with me."

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

that you want to accomplish?"

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

The voice of one who manages—or a leader.

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

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

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

not be able to comprehend your own."

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

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

will continue to accept whatever challenges I may face."

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

"That's not—"

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

exercise your power."

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

"......."

speechless. How cute."

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

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.

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

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with her would be fine. Right?"

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

Vilhelm narrowed his eyes, looking pleased.

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

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

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

Part 3

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

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

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

Waldstein?"

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

convenience.

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

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

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

with a seemingly charmed smile on their faces.

sight, she broke into a run at full speed.

found Lyle.

Zest. 

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face turn into a look of surprise.

to glare at the man before her eyes.

heart, Miss Maria."

must really have a delicate heart."

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

trying to do, don't you."

slashing with her words.

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

Vilhelm sighed, looking really sad.

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

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

through unimaginable hardships, he had adapted himself altogether to the

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

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

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

swinging her hand.

'woman's intuition'.

it should be said that she must never understand him.

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

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

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

in charge of administrating justice."

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

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

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

"......Fine."

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

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

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

finally let out a slow breath of relief.

must refer to someone like him."

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

"Sorry?"

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

years, for that kind of guy?"

"Calm down? I am already calm enough!"

Maria thought it was mortifying.

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

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

in front of Lyle.

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

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

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

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

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

Maria was surprised that her childhood friend was desperately apologising.

he would proactively be concerned for her.

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

Maria brought Lyle's arm to her body.

"Y-Yeah....." 

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that was pushing against him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Thank you so much, Lyle!"

Being hugged this suddenly, Lyle lost his balance.

"Gueh!"

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

143

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

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

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

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

"May I ask who might you be?"

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

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

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

match for the language of faeries and spirits.

state, and then the owner of the room returned.

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

"...Did something happen?"

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

144

understand the traditions of humans.

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

Although Maria looked embarrassed, the movements of her nursing Lyle

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

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

While waving her finger, Maria corrected.

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

I've known him, I think."

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

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

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

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

"Erllua Azoth....." 

145

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

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

sleeping face.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

146

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

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

Waving her hand, Maria started to leave the room.

"—Uhm."

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

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

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

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

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

truly thinking that?

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

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

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

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

hurt, and even if it's hypocrisy."

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

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

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

She was a really impressive girl.

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

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

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

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

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

148

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

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

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

"Oi, where are we going?"

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

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

impossible to accurately determine their exact location.

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

The coachman descended down the staircase that continued into the bottom

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

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

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

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

149

Vilhelm.

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

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

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

towards anyone,

Leaked out a tiny sigh.

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

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

That Vilhelm Zest had made a decisive judgement.

"Lord Vilhelm....?"

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

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

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

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

"Hi, hii!"

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

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"

sword had been swung in this order."

incoherent.

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

Gerim's face paled.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

it glowed with a glittering light.

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

Part 6

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

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

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

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

academy, Lyle felt dizzy.

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

normal as it got.

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

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

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

"Spot on."

costume.

"...It's pretty good." 

153

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

"Yep. It sure did."

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

silence.

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

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

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

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

partner.

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

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

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

towards the entrance.

concentrated upon the woman so gorgeously dressed. 

154

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

resembled a plumage.

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

she were a phoenix.

of gaudiness."

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

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

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

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

"Gah!"

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

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

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

rising up once more.

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

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

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

her pale silver hair.

her.

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

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

onto the floor of the hall.

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

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

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

Lunaria.

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

156

"You too, Lunaria."

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

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

and thus I cannot lend anyone my body.'"

were nonetheless misleading for someone still going through his teenage

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

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

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

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

Both Maria and Lunaria were exceptionally beautiful girls who gave off

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

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

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

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

"Master Lyle, your hand."

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

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

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

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

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

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

upon resounded from all over the hall.

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

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

even more.

suspects, for sure. 

158

an "Excuse me."

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

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

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

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

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

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

With that, Lunaria pressed herself onto him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"...That reminds me."

orchestra.

bowed his head to the student conductor.

kind as to let her have the floor?"

shocked.

and let them have the conductor's stage.

"But......"

give it a shot." 

160

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

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

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

"—Aahh—"

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

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

could not take his eyes off her.

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

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

applause at the songstress who had suddenly took the stage.

made a small bow and stepped down.

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

"Lunaria, you sing really well." 

161

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

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

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

"...Master Lyle?"

"...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,

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

Part 7

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

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

"Greetings, Miss Maria."

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

Holding back a sigh, Maria curtseyed before him.

called for me."

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

outfit?"

invited, and Vilhelm raised his hands in surrender.

tea?"

bring a fair amount of trouble later on.

food that had been prepared.

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

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

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

Chapter end