Iseria Leidenschaftlich

A technical officer of the highest rank in the Imperial Army—she was the driving force behind the design and development of the equipment and new mechanical ether weapons used by the military.

She prefers research in unknown areas and is a pragmatist (though she doesn’t make light of theory).

Believing it to be the fate of a researcher, she often does reckless experiments. In the past, she once caused a major accident that nearly destroyed the research facility. However…

“This is also an art… But fools can’t understand, can they?”

As a result of the accident, Iseria acquired the ability to violently manipulate ether, which is unusual for an engineer. With the aid of equipment, she was able to further increase her powers, and was sent to the front lines herself.

My name is Iseria Leidenschaftlich. As the highest-ranking engineer in the Imperial Army, I leave this record here. 

The military's current priority is to discover, investigate, and seize the ancient weapons hidden throughout the continent of Emerg.

I usually work on developing cutting edge machinery that utilizes the drive systems of those ancient weapons, but this time, my knowledge and track record in manufacturing military equipment have been recognized, and I've been sent on a mission to the front lines.

It’s a good deal. We can conduct more practical weapons operation tests

I believe it was a giant ancient sword called the Seele Tact. Although the army finally managed to track down its signal, the Excavation Brigade had gotten there first. If things continue as they were, the Brigade would sell off this rare weapon somewhere…

Gustav's troops have already set out in pursuit of the Brigade, but... We can't leave it to them alone, can we?

I contacted the Hunter’s Guild in Makam and asked a woman named Dis to infiltrate the Brigade. If all goes well, we'll be able to steal Seele Tact. Let's wait for good news, shall we?

The Hunter screwed everything up. I paid a lot of money for her, but she turned out to be a complete failure.

We have no choice but to pursue SeeLe Tact with our EEF forces.

In preparation for the drastic changes in the ether environment that may come in the future, we in the Empire must study the technology of ancient civilizations and become able to control ether freely.

We are also developing a mechanical device that does not rely on ether, but there are still problems with its reliability… The power of ether is too strong on this continent.

In the wars of Emerg, artillery fire has long been imbued with ethereal firepower—and swords with the power of ethereal water or wind. Hand-to-hand combat using weaponry endowed with attributes is where the skill of a musical knight on the battlefield can truly shine.

So take a look at my new equipment, EEF.

Enchanted Etherframe is different from previous elemental armor. Rather than simply "wearing" equipment coated in ether, the wearer "transforms" themselves into the armor.

Etherframe parts allow the wearer to absorb the flow of ether, becoming one with the energy. The body itself is modified and transformed into tough armor. EEF gives the wearer strength, speed, and durability that is simply impossible for a normal warrior to achieve.

Is it a desecration of nature? As long as we win the fight, I don’t care…

Oh? Is this nostalgia…?

I remember. Hidden underground in Blue Country’s ancient ruins, are many slumbering Machine Gods. If they are showing signs of awakening, it is my personal duty to greet them.

With mass destruction via Tetrachord, the Empire's pride and joy, the advance forces' mission of storming Blue Country’s citadel is a success.

Great, we can see everything from here—even deep underground.

Invade and overrun! Kick aside all who get in your way!

I see... This is the first time I've seen a Dominant in this form!

The cocoon of the Machine God Thor! We’ve caught the biggest fish of them all!

It seems that some of the people of Blue Country have suffered casualties... But this is but a minor concern when considering the drastic changes that await the continent in the future.

If we, the Imperial Army, can control the Machine God and stop the ether from going out of control, the Empire can save hundreds of thousands lives!

…But more importantly than salvation, I’m interested in seeing the unknown amounts of energy this Machine God contains.

I’ve earned the nickname of Imperial Mage. 

Magic? Strange, isn't it? The age of well-trained magicians is long gone. But there are two reasons why I am called such a thing.

One is that as an engineer, I have perfected my knowledge and skills. The ultimate form of which is like magic that ordinary people cannot understand.

The other is my cursed magical body. Through this body, I can manipulate ether more skillfully than any other music user, creating explosive tunes.

A curse, I said it myself. Hehehe... indeed.

How disgusting, but it is amusing, isn’t it?

Eight years ago, an attempt to compress and refine ether failed at a research facility. That explosion was the catalyst that changed my destiny.

My body was exposed to large amounts of scattered crystals—becoming altered and contaminated... but I somehow survived and gained an extraordinary affinity for ether.

Until then, I was just a young prodigy with a knowledge of machines and ancient history. 

I should be grateful to my master for taking me to the scene of the accident back then… I wonder where he is and what he's doing now.

Hehe... Look, look! My power is increasing even more! 

The modified EEF gives me even more power to manipulate music magic! 

What's wrong? Hmph, you can’t look me in the eye?

Are you afraid of women with large breasts? Or are you afraid of the overwhelming power of the ether coursing through me?

This voluptuous body of mine also changed rapidly after that explosion so long ago. Before that, it was frail and pathetic.

Having survived the accident, I became both a talented researcher and was valued by the Imperial Army as a precious test subject.

I spent my days doing fulfilling research.

I conducted numerous experiments in an attempt to create new individuals like myself… Of course, not everything went smoothly, and I made many sacrifices, but…

It seems coincidences don't happen often.

Ultimately, the EEF was a product of that research. But my master looked at me as if I were trash, and he eventually abandoned his job and left the army… Why?

The continent's ether environment continues to deteriorate, but even if harsher conditions arise in the future, EEF warriors will surely be able to survive.

You appear before me now, you bastard!?

Former Imperial engineer! Clemens, you traitor!

You're a weak fool who threw away your pride, abandoned your accomplishments, and fled... And now you're turning your back on us to lend a hand to the Excavation Brigade!!

Oh? You're planning to draw your hidden sword and face me?

Those eyes... It seems you're serious…

But I have been granted an excellent body and talent since the accident... I cannot lose this life. 

Shall I give it my all…?

Ah, Master... Master Clemens! Why did you suddenly leave me and vanish?

And why are you standing in my way now!?

If you’ve abandoned the past, then stay in the past!

Ugh… I don’t understand this feeling!

Disappear, all of you! Explode with the memories…

...I can’t fight properly. Gustav, what should I do?

When I returned to the command center, I had no choice but to make an excuse. 

Despite leading the most advanced EEF forces, we continue to be at the mercy of amateurs like the Excavation Brigade and strange opponents like the boy from another world. We haven’t been able to capture or destroy them, let alone obtain Seele Tact… How embarrassing.

Suppress your emotional turmoil and become like a machine, Iseria.

What did my master say? That's the enemy. Kill the enemy. 

The instability of natural ether is also detestable. Exterminate it. The Empire must understand and manipulate everything…

For now, improvements to the Tetrachord Cannon are complete. The mechanism has been replaced with an older generation one. There is always the risk of contamination to the surrounding area, but there's no other way... 

Last time, I suffered the humiliation of having my cannon's firing function cut off by Ancient Music, but next time it won't be so easy. Hmph, that Brigade. I'll show you what you've got.

And finally, the awakening of the Machine God's cocoon is drawing near. If the Machine God Thor is revived, the combination of his boundless energy and the Cold Cannon will reduce the enemy's defensive shields to ashes.

If we believe the descriptions in myth and legend... in ancient times, on the continent of Emerg, there was a heroic being called the Conductor. 

He was a Dominant, meaning he possessed the technology and skill to freely control the Machine Gods. It is said that the Machine Gods, tasked with a mission, roamed all over the continent—not only maintaining the ether, but even building the very earth of Emerg.

A Conductor can control the gods with just his hands. The power to not only rule the world, but also the gods.

It’s terrifying, yet fascinating, isn’t it?

The Imperial Army and I have considered and taken every possible measure to normalize the recent disturbances in the ether on this continent. Resistant forces have been repeatedly exterminated and defeated by my EEF forces and Gustav's Red Orchestra.

If we don't do that, we won't be able to protect the peace and order of the continent. 

The Imperial Army is responsible for justice in Emerg. 

It is the role of our Empire to keep the world under control.

Let's hope that Shizuma boy isn't a Conductor. Otherwise, we have no future unless we take his life.

Hehehe, we did it! We have finally succeeded in getting the Machine God Thor to work! 

Look! The power of this electricity! A surge of overwhelming power! 

At this point, there is no need to fear Seele Tact! That is nothing more than an extendable longsword! 

And I will control Thor! With my magical talent, amplified by the EEF!

Ah, what are you doing?! Are you trying to betray the Empire, Gustav? If you get in the way, I will destroy you as well...! 

...W-What? 

Why...how did it come to this?

Thor won't listen to me. Someone... stop him! 

You dare oppose me, Machine God…? Damn it! I used the power of ether to put invisible reins on Thor, but... Could it have never been working...?

Hmph. So he was just a broken god after all. The Reaper and Thor are no different. Gods only bring us harm. 

Then Imperial forces! Kill that god! Now!

Machine God Thor was killed, but he was instantly resurrected. His power is too much for humans to handle... He rampages indiscriminately, and won't stop until everything is burned to ashes.

Even with the mobilization of the elite EEF forces and even the Imperial Homeland Defense Force, we were on the brink of annihilation…

So my plan was flawed…

Was I so stupidly engrossed in my talent that I didn't notice my own carelessness?

What!? Gustav is teaming up with the Excavation Brigade to stop Thor? Then lend us a hand!

Seele Tact has resonated with Thor, and the surrounding monsters have been activated by the distortion of the ether! I don't have enough hands to deal with them all!

Great, what a pain! I’ll take care of it myself!

Tetrachord Cannon, ready! The target is the horde of golems!

Don't make the mistake of hitting Gustav or Shizuma! They are not our enemies... Haha... No, they are not enemies…

There is only one being in this world who can converse with God. Conductor Shizuma, let's see what you can do.