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The End of Weise ｢ヴァイゼの
Summary
Macht begins instructing Denken on how to use magic, which the latter had enjoyed. Under Glück's order, Macht continues to mentor the boy in magic, as an instructor and the eventual enemy to be defeated. Through the years studying from Macht, Denken becomes a successful military mage, and secures marriage to Glück's daughter, Lektüre, who is also his childhood sweetheart.
At around this time, due to the destruction of a northern Fortress City at the hands of a powerful demon, the townspeople become restless and demand that Macht be put under the Stone Bracelet of Servitude as a safety mechanism to control him. Macht agrees to the terms and is equipped with the mind-controlling bracelet. He continues to serve Glück many years afterwards and oversees his daughter's death and his son-in-law's departure from his hometown without any return in sight. As Glück has grown old, Macht finally decides to destroy the Fortress City of Weise, carrying out his original plan to attempt to feel malice or guilt.
Plot Details
The chapter opens on a magic lesson where Denken is practicing long-ranged attacks on a rock across a lake. After a failed attempt, Macht suggests the boy take a break since his concentration is wavering. He assures Denken there is no need to rush since even demons would have difficulty hitting a target from that distance, which spurs Denken on. He unleashes another attack which finally hits its mark. Macht smirks, impressed, and Denken smirks back, agreeing to take a break as the carriage of Glück and Lektüre arrived.
Denken and Lektüre have lunch while Glück and Macht watched over them. Glück is very pleased at Denken's progress. Macht remarks that Denken does not trust him, to which Glück concurs and says that he would never introduce a relative's child to him otherwise, for Macht is an expert at deceiving people. He says that humans need a reason to keep on living, even if it is revenge, and that Denken is in a healthier mindset than when he was praying in the church every day in sorrow. Glück is pleased to see the boy smiling and having fun again. He commands Macht to continue being Denken's teacher as well as his enemy to be defeated, which Macht agrees to. The demon then asks Glück if his daughter is fond of Denken. Glück smirks at his question, claiming such a thing is not possible and that Macht does not understand humans after all.
Macht continues to train Denken in mana restriction, magic theory, and practical combat as the latter grows up. Denken joins the army and is highly successful on the battlefield. At the same time, he and Lektüre's relationship become closer, finally ending up in marriage. Glück delivers this news to Macht one day, noting that the demon is wearing an unusual expression. Macht replies that it is his usual smile, but mentions that what he said years ago turned out to be correct. Glück dismisses his claim, saying he does not recall it. He tells Macht that it is because of him that Denken could secure the marriage, thanks to the accomplishments Denken has made on the battlefield. Macht replies in a humble manner that it was because of Denken's own ability.
Glück then informs Macht of "bad news" for him. A Fortress City at the northernmost region was felled by a single demon, who killed all of the city's inhabitants and disappeared without a trace. He asks Macht whether he had any clue about this attack, to which Macht asks him back if he thinks he had. Glück says of course Macht would not have any idea, but the attack has caused anxiety among the citizens. Macht agrees and says that only a greater demon would be capable of such a feat. It could only be a demon with power comparable to Macht himself. The nobles have seized this turn of public opinion to put pressure on Glück to subjugate Macht. The demon asks him whether he is to be executed. Glück wonders if such a thing is possible as he presents Macht with the Stone Bracelet of Servitude.
Macht recognizes the item, stating that it was crafted by the Sage Ewig in the Mythical Era. He expresses surprise that it actually exists. Glück adds that the nobles of Weise have gained the support of the common people as well by spreading rumors that they could obtain unfathomable riches through Macht's power when they put the demon under their control. The nobles would put Macht under their control by making him "serve" the citizens of Weise, and restrict him with a shackle to prevent him from committing any malicious acts as a safety measure. Glück is openly contemptuous at these orders and laughs at the nobles for not understanding anything about demons. He askw Macht if he is willing to put on the Bracelet and to die if he ever feels any malice. Macht smiles at him and asks Glück once again if the feudal lord will accompany him to the depths of hell. When Glück affirms it, Macht easily agrees, calling it yet another amusement.
After the Bracelet is put on him, Macht continues serving Glück as before without any change, attending him in his daily activities. He is by Glück's side as his daughter falls sick and dies. He is present at her funeral and witnesses Glück trying to console a despondent Denken, telling the young man that though Lektüre always had a frail body, she must have lived happily thanks to him. Afterwards, Denken leaves Weise without returning for many years. Glück has formed the habit of visiting his daughter's grave and praying there practically every day.
On one of these visits, Glück comments on Denken's absence with acceptance, saying that it must be hard for Denken to have his wife die even after devoting everything to save her. Macht, who accompanies him there, advises him against repeating the trips for the sake of his health. He repeats what Glück said to him years ago, that continuing to pray in sorrow is not healthy. Glück smirks at him and says he had not expected to hear that from Macht of all people. When he tries to stand up to leave, Macht kneels down and helps him stand. Glück muses that he has grown so old that relying on Macht for basic activities has now become natural, to which Macht agrees. The demon intends to summon a carriage, but Glück calls him off, saying he is in the mood for a walk.
As Glück walks back to the city with Macht in tow, the feudal lord contemplates that Macht has not changed at all in the past thirty years. He says it must be the difference in time between demons and humans and wonders whether all the time they have spent together is nothing but a mere moment to Macht. With a solemn expression, Macht replies that even if it might have been but a moment in time, the time they had spent together was something he considers irreplaceable. Glück smirks at the answer, saying it feels really bad to hear. However, the feudal lord feels the same and considers Macht to be a wonderful partner in crime. Macht begins to unleash Diagoldze and declares he intends to destroy all of which he had considered "irreplaceable." He tells Glück that through doing so, he feels like he will be able to understand the concept of "malice," and how it feels to have "guilt".
Glück turns to stare at him before smiling in acceptance. He takes out his box of cigarettes and picks out a stick. He orders Macht to light the fire for his final smoke. Macht complies, kneels down, and lights the cigarette on fire. As he is lighting the fire, Glück says he had expected Macht to do something like this someday. Macht's expression shifts. Glück laughs at him for being taken aback and says he had always known, having watched the demon for over thirty years. As he is being transmuted into gold, he tells Macht that the latter is his important partner in crime and an irredeemable villain, who will get his upcoming just like Glück is right then. His final words are telling Macht it had been fun, to which Macht replies he felt the same.
After turning Glück to gold, Macht envelops the whole city with his magic in an instant, transmuting the Fortress City of Weise into gold and bringing about its swift demise.
Characters in Order of Appearance
Locations
- The Fortress City of Weise
Battles and Events
Events
- The Destruction of Weise
Objects of Interest
Spells
- Zoltraak
- Defensive magic
- Spell to Transmute All Creation into Gold: Diagoldze