Chapter 763: The Tale of the Mechanized God ⑤ (1/2)

<Author's Notes>

My apologies, but I'm struggling a bit with the next chapter of Anima arc, and I don't want too large a gap between updates, so I'll update Makina arc, which is already finished, first.

I- I'll definitely update Makina arc next time, so please wait a little longer.

[Heehhh…… You can beautifully see the stars here huh~~]

[Unnn, I guess that's the only thing this empty island can boast of.]

After taking a bath, Alicia and Makina went outside the house to look at the sky. The air on this man-made island, far from the land, was clean and there was no light around except for Makina's house, so the stars in the night sky were very visible.

It was a strange feeling. Although they had only spent half a day together, it was as if they had been together for years, and the atmosphere was so peaceful that they could communicate with each other even without saying much.

As Alicia was smiling, letting the pleasant sensation wash over her, she heard Makina mutter.

[I wonder why I was born with a power like this?]

It felt as if so many emotions were filled into those words. She wondered why she was different from other people. She wondered why she has to be alone on a deserted island since she can remember. And she wondered the meaning of her existence, for her to be born with the power to see the world.

It was something that had been in Makina's mind for a long time, and that's why…… She couldn't help but speak it out towards Alicia, who has lived much longer than she has, and has seen and heard much more than she did……

[I dunno? If you ask me, that power of yours sure is convenient. If I had that kind of power, it'd be a lot easier for me to find what I'm looking for.]

Alicia just slightly tilted her head at her question. It's not that she was uninterested with her question…… and from what Makina heard…… she understood that she was telling her to not worry about such trivial things, and that she should just take it easy.

[Do you want this power, Alicia?]

[No, don't want it. I'm an old-fashioned traveler, believing that I have to seek the things I'm looking for on my own.]

The power of clairvoyance, which is envied by many, isn't something that Alicia is interested in. Hearing Alicia's words, Makina happily smiled.

Alicia isn't interested in her ”power”. The words she told her meant that the reason she became her friend was that she liked Makina as herself, regardless of her clairvoyance…… The fact that she could feel such a thing without hesitation made Makina inexplicably happy.

[Fufu, that part of Alicia…… is something I like. I'm glad we've become friends like this…… but you're a traveler, so you'll disappear someday.]

[……Me disappearing or Makina disappearing isn't something I know…… but I'm going to stay around here for a while longer. My journey is a long one, where I have no idea where I'll end up, so it's not a bad idea to take a detour once in a while.]

Alicia originally had planned to move to another place, but after meeting Makina, she had already changed her plan. Living in a world of almost infinite time, the time when she weaves a bond with someone she likes is very precious to her.

The best friend she once had, the sister she once loved, the friends she once fought with, and the people she once met on her random journey…… All of them left Alicia, departing for the afterlife. That's why, the time she spent with such precious people…… the ”detour” was something she prioritized above all else.

She really likes Makina, and was even thinking that she might be able to live on this empty artificial island with her for a while.

[I see…… I envy you though. After all, even if I can see and know things, those are things I actually didn't experience.]

[Hmmm, let's take a stroll outside then!]

[Eh?]

[Don't worry, it's not so hard to fool the security system in this place. I'm a wizard after all. Well, it's late today, so let's just go out tomorrow.]

[……Unnn.]

Although she was puzzled in many ways, she was honestly delighted by Alicia's concern, making Makina smile again.

A long night ended and the next day arrived. They slept together in an unnecessarily large bed and immediately went for the stroll that Alicia suggested.

[Hyahhh!? Wawawa, A- A- A- Alicia!?]

[Unnn? What's the matter?]

[You don't ask what's the matter here! W- Why the heck are you running on top of the ocean!?]

Easily carrying Makina, who was taller than her, in a princess carry, Alicia sprinted towards her destination…… ”running on top of the ocean”.

Alicia was astonished when she created a clone that looked exactly like Makina to fool the island's security system, but she was also astonished to see her run atop the ocean as if it were a matter of course…… Makina had been astonished all morning.

[Of course, I can run atop the ocean. I'm a wizard after all…… Ahh, wait. So that's what you're talking about!]

[Eh? W- What's with that teasing smile on your face? I have a bad feeling about this. A really bad feeling……]

[Guess you'd ask that. I knew Makina would ask something like that…… ”If I'm a wizard, I guess we should be flying in the sky”, right!? Alright, leave it to me!]

[I didn't say that! Also, that expression on your face…… Your face totally doesn't look like you're going to start flying, you know? Stop, stooooooooop!]

Makina's protests fell on deaf ears, Alicia put all her strength into her legs and kicked up to the air, running up into the sky at a tremendous speed.

[Hyaaaahhhhhhh!?]

[We will soon break through the clouds!]

[Do we really have to go above the clouds!?]