"..."
A heavy silence permeated the headmaster's residence.
The Headmaster watched Androgyne's transformation and departure, his expression shifting several times before settling into solemn quietude.
Father Time had witnessed everything as a mere observer from beginning to end, his face maintaining its usual gentle composure throughout.
The two men remained wordless before each other. Even as the academy erupted into chaos—with professors and students alike debating the celestial phenomena, some even making their way to the headmaster's residence seeking guidance—neither moved an inch.
Only when the anomalies in the sky completely dissipated and Androgyne vanished did Father Time finally speak with an air of satisfaction.
"Thus, the deity has returned to its rightful throne in the heavens. The Machine Doll was indeed born, yet it belongs to no one. This is the result of mankind's first contact with the divine realm since the Common Era began."
His tone carried the detachment of a historian recording events, devoid of either regret or excitement.
In truth, Father Time had observed everything from an utterly neutral standpoint.
The Association maintained complete observational neutrality—this was how they preserved order in the world of magic, a tradition that originated from Father Time himself.
To him, he would only witness. Only record. Never interfere.
His departure from the Vatican and presence here had only been to see the final outcome of his foresight.
By contrast, the Headmaster's emotions were undoubtedly far more complex.
After all...
"That which you pursued for half your lifetime has now been proven to not belong to this world at all."
Father Time studied the Headmaster as if testing him.
"Having seen this outcome, you should abandon your pursuit of the Machine Doll now, Rutherford."
His words were simple statements, nothing more.
The Headmaster fell silent.
A long, heavy silence.
But then...
"Abandon it? Why should I?"
As though blowing away all hesitation, the Headmaster—faced with the departure of what he'd sought for decades—showed neither despair nor defeat. Instead, he smiled with the calm confidence of an old sage.
Because...
"At the very least, this outcome proves the Machine Doll's existence. That it can indeed be created by human magus—that it's no mere fantasy."
Creating a god.
The concept sounded simple, but attempting it would mark one as utterly deranged.
Anyone hearing such claims would dismiss them as jokes. It was a miracle beyond human comprehension.
Yet these events had proven god-creation possible.
Therefore...
"I have no reason for despair."
The Headmaster's smile brimmed with ambition as he declared:
"Androgyne's hypothesis was correct—the compression of artificial souls and the structure of the sanctuary could indeed nurture a divine embryo. I've confirmed it requires no physical vessel, and even witnessed the existence of a divine realm. My next research will proceed more smoothly and yield greater results."
His words made clear to Father Time that he hadn't abandoned his pursuit.
If the first Machine Doll had departed, he would simply create another. That was the Headmaster's unspoken message.
"Spoken like your true self." Father Time showed no surprise, merely remarking indifferently: "But reports indicate the Keystone has been lost—likely taken by Androgyne to another world. How do you intend to conduct further experiments?"
Without the Keytone, creating another Machine Doll would be laughably impossible.
"Only the Keystone can nurture a divine soul. Ordinary Eve's Hearts cannot achieve this. Your Sanctuary of Fools will require complete redesigning now."
Father Time seemed to emphasize the immense difficulties ahead.
Yet the Headmaster remained unfazed.
"Then we begin by replicating the Keystone. We've already gathered sufficient data and analysis."
This was the Headmaster's astonishing resolution.
"Will you have enough time?"
Father Time gave a pained smile.
If they truly started from replicating the Keystone, redesigning the Sanctuary of Fools, then nurturing a second Androgyne into a Machine Doll—the timespan required would be unimaginable.
The Headmaster might never see completion in his lifetime. Perhaps not even his successors would.
"Even so, I will continue pursuing it until the day a Machine Doll truly falls into my hands."
Not a trace of hesitation colored the Headmaster's voice.
Father Time sighed, watching him.
"From a magus's perspective, your relentless pursuit of mystery would earn you boundless praise. Many would hail you as the greatest magus of the 19th century."
His tone carried admiration.
"Yet who could guess that Edward Rutherford's obsession with the Machine Doll stems neither from power lust, technological ambition, nor even magical enlightenment—but simply to fulfill a promise to his deceased wife?"
Precisely so.
The Headmaster's relentless pursuit had but one purpose: to honor his vow to his late wife.
"I swore long ago to present a Machine Doll at my wife's graveside."
The Headmaster met Father Time's gaze.
"Thus, I will not abandon this path."
No matter how many years it took.
Such was the Headmaster's unwavering determination.
"Then I shall watch with interest."
Father Time narrowed his eyes slightly before chuckling and turning away, departing without another word.
The Headmaster watched him leave before returning to gaze out the window. He then sat down and resumed his administrative duties.
As if nothing extraordinary had occurred at all.
.....
Meanwhile, in the academy's underground space...
Tearful cries of joy echoed continuously through the cavern.
Tenzen and Raishin stood surrounded by the resurrected Akabane clan, embracing each other like children, laughing and weeping without restraint.
Nadeshiko stood among them, crushed in her brothers' fierce hugs, her face radiant with happiness.
Led by Akabane Kuukan, the entire clan shed tears of deliverance.
The once-exterminated Akabane family had miraculously reunited, their eyes seeing nothing but each other through tears of joy.
Rozen observed this scene from afar, a knowing smile on his face, before turning away.
"Let's go."
He spoke softly to Irori, Yaya, and Komurasaki.
"You're not going to join them, Rozen?"
Komurasaki blinked in surprise.
Irori and Yaya seemed equally puzzled.
But Rozen simply shook his head.
"I'll pass for now." His smile remained serene. "There will be other opportunities to meet."
With those words, Rozen departed.
After exchanging glances, the three automatons quietly followed their master.
Watching the trio, Rozen found himself recalling a private conversation with Shouko days earlier—when he'd just returned from the Izanagi clan and sought her out before taking Raishin to meet Tenzen.
That day, Rozen and Shouko had shared words known to no one else...