Editing City Series:Volume6a Chapter8 (section)

===Part 2===

Silber had been designed primarily for carrying cargo, so 70% of its internal space was taken up by the 1st Cargo Bay. That large space was 15 yards wide and tall and 60 yards deep.

Their rapid flight caused the cargo bay’s contents to shake somewhat, including a blue male Grösse Panzer in a landing pose that was going through its final pre-Schreiben inspection.

They had no time.

The work was being swiftly completed by a few of Bermark’s men and they all wore various military uniforms instead of work jumpsuits.

Someone was watching them while leaning against a shield-reinforced pillar to the side of the cargo bay.

It was Berger who had lost his entire left arm and now had bandages wrapped around the wound.

He was not wearing his black coat. He had also removed his shirt, so the bandages were the only thing covering his upper body.

He toyed with Gelegenheit in his right hand while he watched the Grösse Panzer’s final inspection.

Until he heard some solid footsteps approaching from his left.

He turned his head toward the noise to see Schweitzer there. He was not looking at Berger. He was looking up at the Grösse Panzer.

“Bermark does love his gambles.”

“He just wants you to return alive. He’s a good aide.”

Berger smiled and stared more intently at the Grösse Panzer.

“HMF309 Blau Löwe.”

“It is a ship-defense Grösse Panzer developed by the Geheimnis Agency. Its weight has been reduced as much as possible while maintaining sufficient power output and its Ober Emblem called Luft Fang allows it to deploy its wings and fly. …Assuming you can activate the Ober Emblem, that is.”

“You’re looking at the second best Grösse Panzer in the world here. Give me 3 minutes and it’s done.”

“I never imagined I would need this much of your help.”

Berger clicked his tongue at Schweitzer’s attitude.

“We just so happen to want the same thing here. Once we save her…well, we’ll have to see what happens then, right?”

Berger’s snide tone got Schweitzer to turn toward him.

“Why won’t you use your power as a Heidengeist? With that, you could solve this like you did 2 years ago.”

“Because I keep my promises, Schweitzer.”

Berger’s tone said he was not accepting any more questions on the matter and he reached up to touch the pendant he wore at his neck with the same hand holding Gelegenheit. The chain he wore it with jangled quietly before he said something more.

“Marsch promised to develop the country, so I think I get why he activated that craft and why he decided to implant the Messiah eye in a Heidengeist.”

“?”

Berger answered Scwheitzer’s confusion by raising his right index finger.

“There is a single word that links Marsch to that prophecy you people are obsessed with.”

''The one-armed youth holds the Messiah

''The moonlit pair returns to the earth

''The dragons gather and dance tonight

''Every last thing returns home

“It’s the Messiah,” said Berger. “Hazel isn’t the Messiah yet. If that really is a prophecy, then she becomes the Messiah only once the prophecy has been fulfilled. Which means…”

“Which means what?”

“To return to the earth, you must first rise above it. To return home, you must first leave it. Do you get what I’m saying?”

“That Marsch created and activated the Sylphide in order to create the Messiah?”

Berger spread his right hand with three fingers raised.

“You said everyone in the Geheimnis Agency was given a prophecy based off of the Unreif Germane three months ago, right? And you were told to search for the Messiah based on it. Marsch was probably building the Sylphide when it occurred to him that the Sylphide might be necessary to fulfill the conditions needed to create the Messiah.”

“So he gave the Messiah implant to a Heidengeist to match the Unreif Germane?”

Schweitzer’s question was followed by the ship’s lighting turning red.

“!”

A shipwide announcement played.

“Enemy craft located! The V-0 is approaching from seven o’clock. We will arrive within the V-0’s firing range in 1 minute and 18 seconds. Matching altitude and preparing for counterattack. Cargo Team and Docking Team, complete your inspections ASAP!”

And…

“Also, something odd is happening with the Sylphide out ahead. We thought the craft was done evolving, but now it…appears to be falling apart!”

The surprised voice spoke quickly but did not rush.

“These soldiers are well trained,” said Schweitzer before turning to Berger. “Why would it fall apart?”

Berger smiled bitterly.

“The Nein Ton rounds the military hit it with are only now taking effect. Now that it’s done evolving, the Sylphide’s Tons are no longer in flux and that near-forgotten poison it swallowed can do its damage.”

“…”

“Do you still not get why Marsch sent me the 9th Section of the Ruling King? His will no longer exists in the Sylphide. The machine’s own instincts and duty are driving it to carry the Messiah into outer space. Marsch may have wanted to prevent that and make the song come true.” Berger’s smile grew even more bitter. “The trouble we go through for that man.”

Schweitzer sighed, removed his coat, and handed it to Berger.

“Here’s a spare coat. Put it on.”

“I’d rather not receive clothes from another guy.”

“It was weirding me out to see you without any black on.”

With that, Schweitzer turned around and did not look back again.