Does the mechanical girl dream of the Messiah?

"Really?" Ella looked a little confused, or rather, had almost no reaction to it. "There's nothing strange about it."

"No, that... they are obviously all women... that... how can this... no way, can it be like this?"

Lunicia was almost completely in chaos.

In other words, the teachings of the Glorious Temple do not clearly state whether same-sex relationships are allowed, so from time to time, such lovers would run to the church and ask the priest to help them preside over the wedding ceremony - this would of course cause confusion for the priest himself. In fact, such issues are often reported to the center of the Temple, but the answers they get in the end are exactly the same:

The gods neither said it was possible nor it was not possible, and we don’t know specifically whether it is possible or not, but anyway, the offerings in the ceremony will eventually be sent to the gods, so it is better to do it than not to do it.

So generally speaking, grassroots priests in many places would not have the same reaction as Lunicia. After all, they are completely accustomed to this kind of thing. Of course, for Lunicia, a bird that has never left the cage, this kind of thing seems too far away - I don’t know if she still remembers the kiss with Ella before. I’m afraid that according to her standards, she is actually already in a state of secretly deciding to spend her life with Ella and are in a relationship, but she has no such awareness at the moment.

"No, no, that's not the point."

As if she suddenly realized something, Lunicia shook her head violently.

"If they are a couple, why would they do this?!"

Yes, this is the most important question here.

"Yes, it is indeed very strange."

"If they love each other... why would they allow such a thing to happen...?"

If they really loved each other, how could they allow the other to become the sacrifice of life in such a ceremony? If they really loved each other, how could they not catch the clues in the other's words and deeds and know nothing about the fact that they would become the sacrifice? However, Lunisia did not think about the latter. She was only angry and puzzled about the former.

"When we fight again, I'll find a chance to ask."

Ella shook her head. "Let's not talk about that for now. If the sacrifice is that Muirand star, Colette Xi Caroline, then things are actually more favorable for us."

"Hmm...why do you say that?"

Lunicia still seemed to be upset about this and couldn't accept the fact that Rose actually chose to be the guard of the ceremony. She had already prepared countless reasons for Rose in her mind, such as being coerced by someone using her family members, or being brainwashed by a secret technique. In short, this was definitely not her voluntary behavior.

"Whether or not the rumor that an accident would happen on the fourth day was spread by these people, it seems that it is not that important now." Ella explained patiently, "They don't want the ceremony to be known to others. On the one hand, it is because they certainly cannot represent the entire camp of the Muirand Senate. On the other hand, they must have their reasons for choosing the sacrifice."

"That is, because they want to sacrifice the big star of Muirand, they have to consider keeping it secret. Otherwise, Colette's supporters might come out and mess things up... That's it!"

"Luna has become smarter recently. It seems that trying a few more times may not be without effect."

"Not only have I become smarter, but my mentality has also become much stronger."

"Ella used to have nightmares and needed an individual Asheselyn to comfort her, but it seems that she won't need that anymore in the future."

"Ashe! If you keep doing this I'm going to get mad!"

"Ah, please pretend that the individual Ashlee said nothing and go into silent mode from now on."

"We are still discussing it! ... In short, Lady Luna can use this as a bargaining chip to try to win over those who are against the host of the ceremony and are supporters of Colette. A celebrity like her has influence that is not limited to the stage."

"I understand. I will try to do that later!" Lunicia thought for a while and then said, "But why can't we take a more proactive approach? For example, we can find a newspaper or other media and tell them about this directly, and let them make it public as a scandal."

"Ms. Luna, do you know anything about the newspapers here? If they have the power to prevent the news from being published, or even to investigate the perpetrators of the beatings, what should we do?"

Ella was not simply denying Lunicia's opinion. In fact, she was also trying to use this method to find a better solution - a solution with lower risks, greater benefits and higher success rate.

"Hmm... I guess there are newspapers and magazines that are willing to take risks just for the sake of attention. It's probably easier for these informal newspapers to reveal their informants' information."

"The opposite of a reckless strategy is that the credibility of the information will decrease, and the transmission rate itself will decrease." Ashleelin expressed a different opinion. "This kind of newspaper may be popular in taverns and alleys, but it is limited to this. Those intelligence dealers who draw food from it also need time to verify the news. At the same time, it is difficult to raise the necessary attention and help for Lunisia."

"That makes sense..."

"In fact, there is only one reason why we don't choose a more proactive approach."

"Ok?"

Lunicia looked at Ashcelin and tilted her head slightly.

"That is being in the dark. This is the only advantage Lunisia has."

Chapter 52 Day 1: The Saint's Edge

"...Ke..."

"..."

"...Colette!"

"Well... okay, don't call me..."

"But, it's already twelve o'clock~"

"Twelve o'clock...wait, what time?!"

Hearing this, Colette H. Caroline, the Star of Muirand, the best of the Bards Academy, the beloved black and white princess, was now frantically throwing off the quilt on her body and suddenly jumped up from the bed.

"Rose! If this happens again, just shake me awake!"

"Is that okay~?"

"Better than oversleeping!"

Perhaps she really felt that she had slept too much until now, and whether it was the speed of getting up or the degree of flusteredness, it seemed that she was much more active than usual. She dressed and brushed her teeth at the same time, and asked Rose to comb her hair while washing her face. Although she often showed a dignified and elegant demeanor of a noble family in public, perhaps she was really more suitable to be an adventurer or an officer of the city guard. The complicated etiquette of the social scene was really a bit depressing for her.

"Today's newspaper—"

"I've already bought the Shancheng Newspaper."

It seemed that Rose got up much earlier than her. This dragon girl who loved to wag her tail had overcome her aversion to winter today.

"So, is there any new information in the Northeast District Reconstruction Minutes?"

“It’s not much different from before~”

"That sounds good. Is this breakfast or lunch?"

"It should be breakfast, right~?"

"Lunch, I think..."

There is a formal social event tonight, which is a party held at Beatrix's mansion. Unlike a slightly more relaxed dinner among relatives, celebrities from all walks of life in Muirand will come to attend this party. For Colette, it feels more tiring than performing a whole day of plays or singing in a tavern all day.

Of course, she was supposed to perform all day tomorrow, an unprecedented twelve-act performance of "Sitzberg". Today was supposed to be a temporary vacation for the actors to adjust their condition, but Rose and Colette, as the "leading actor" and heroine, had to spend their time at a meaningless banquet, which seemed completely unacceptable to her.

So what if it was unacceptable? She still had to attend in the end. She could only adjust herself as much as possible to avoid any mistakes. Attending such an event was not due to some kind of requirement or some kind of irresistible force. She didn't have anything that had to be done at such a banquet.

Even Colette herself didn't know why she had to participate.

"Actually, if possible, I'd like to spend this holiday with Rose. After all, it's a rare holiday."

"Rose has been with Colette all this time~?"

"Well, that's true..."

Indeed it is.

Since when did the two of them never separate? They were always together, but now they couldn't help but say such words. Did Colette not realize it at all, or did she realize it but pretended to be ignorant? Only she could understand this.

"This afternoon, and... the morning of the day after tomorrow."

After washing and dressing, she just sat on the edge of the bed, seemingly not planning to do anything. She quietly counted the free time, and then found that there were only so many days. The pale sand slipped through her fingertips. When she wanted to grasp it again, she finally found that it was too late. Time was like this to her.

A stream that never dries up, an hourglass that cannot be reversed.

"What are you thinking about~?"

"Ah, nothing." He responded subconsciously, "After returning to Muirand, I just feel like I'm not used to it in any way."

"Hey, isn't that good~?"

"Nowhere."

"There are fewer things to do... and so on. Although not everything is good, for example, there is less time to play."

Colette knew exactly what Rose meant by "fun" - Colette herself did not have the same brutal and terrifying taste as Rose, but for her, since everything Rose did was for her own ideal of justice and a judgment on the villains, she would not say anything. After all, she was never a non-killer.

"That's exactly it. I'm not used to it." Colette raised her index finger and said seriously, "It's really a very quiet day. Even if I go out on patrol every day, I don't encounter citizens who fall into strange places, cats and dogs escaping from pet stores, flying carpets causing traffic accidents, and daring criminals... That's why I feel uncomfortable."

"Colette is the type who likes fatigue~? Eh——"

"Don't let your mind wander!"

Colette tried her best not to let the topic stray into strange directions.

"It's a good thing that Myuland is so peaceful. It would be even better if it could stay this way forever... But if it's like this, I always feel like I can't do anything, like I've failed in my duty."

"Will it~?"

"perhaps……"

Does Colette need psychological counseling in this regard?

In her opinion, it must be unnecessary - she understood all those principles. For example, even if she could not help people in need, even if there were no criminals that needed her to hunt down and judge, it did not mean that she could not do something for others. Singing on the stage and bringing wonderful performances to the audience of the Muirland Theater could also make people feel happy and become the most cherished treasure in people's memories. She knew very well that this could not bring her real satisfaction.

Or, at least that's how she thought she was satisfied.

"Probably. After returning to Myulande, I've been feeling like I have nothing to do, and recently I've had problems with my sleep quality..."

"I think Colette sleeps very soundly at night. She doesn't talk in her sleep or snore."

"…Do you snore, Rose?"

"I don't know. People who snore usually don't know they snore, right?"

"That makes sense. I may look like I'm sleeping soundly, but I'm actually having a nightmare."

"It was a nightmare. What kind of dream was it?"

"I don't remember it clearly, but I seemed to have dreamed of a lot of gears, a lot of clocks, and blood? And..."

There was also a woman whose appearance I could not remember.

I seem to have never seen her face in my dreams, and I may have never even seen her in person. A narrow and closed room, a bloody shadow entangled on the door, and a pure white figure parked outside the door. The images are chaotic and mixed together. I can't figure out what they refer to. It's a nightmare, but it's not scary. It just occasionally gives me a feeling:

That's how it is after all.

If pessimism can be considered a kind of "fear", then it is not wrong to regard this as a nightmare, but Colette would never admit that she felt "pessimistic" in it. That was what she deserved, that was what she should do, and that was destined for her.

But, if that's the case, why call it a nightmare?

Is it because the imagery of blood is too ominous, the poet of Muirand?

"...Could it be that Colette is afraid?"

"Do not……"

"Colette doesn't want to--"

"That's absolutely impossible!"

Rose's tone always gave people a sense of innocence, like a child or a wild animal, who was more likely to follow her most instinctive feelings than to think carefully, whether it was fighting or the tone of her voice. Worry was an uncommon emotion for her, just like now.

As for Colette.

Her words were not harsh, but decisive and crisp.

……

“The Alexandria Museum—actually, this is my first time visiting this place…”

"Haven't you been here 'previously'?"

Lunicia's emotion made Ella a little curious. The "Muelland Museum" and the "Alexandria Museum" are both famous attractions in Miland. If the "first time" is purely for tourism purposes, there seems to be no reason to skip these two places.

"Indeed not." This question seemed to make Lunicia quite embarrassed. "I don't think I'm the type who is suitable for visiting museums and other exhibitions. Well, you see, those exhibits are generally very old and have a long history, so... I can't help but diverge in the direction of pragmatism..."

"That's a really bad idea. So pitiful, Luna."

“Why are the reviews here so pitiful…”

Lunicia's eyes swept across the exhibits one by one - unlike the restaurant that Colette and her group had visited before, that kind of place was more inclined towards the experienced locals of Muirand, so it would seem a bit deserted on the first day of the holiday. Places like the Alexandria Museum are more oriented towards tourists from other places, so there are always a lot of visitors, such as now.

"So, why did you bring us here in the first place?"

The one who suggested coming to the Alexandria Museum was actually the expressionless Ashatherine. Although it can be seen from the way she looked around that she was also quite interested in other exhibits here, she must have some clear purpose for proposing this idea.

"The collections here have a lot to do with the God of Time and Judgment."

"Yes."

“Where we are now is the exhibition hall that houses the most precious collections. Everything here is inseparable from the past glory of the Church of Alexandria.”

"Yes."

"Is Ash planning on taking something from here as a trump card?"

Many of the exhibits here, as Lunicia said, not only have historical and cultural value as cultural relics, but are also powerful weapons, protective gear, and magical creations. Perhaps some of them are not on display, but are in the hands of clergy or stored in secret warehouses. At present, these are also a force that cannot be ignored.