Machine God Thor 

A mechanical cocoon lies sleeping deep underground in Blue Country.

The Imperial army destroyed the fortress city that was covering the cocoon and forcibly seized it. They installed it at a dimensional gate near their home country.

The gate has the side effect of extracting energy from other worlds, and the military and Iseria thought if they could harness this, they could encourage the Machine God to awaken.

The original functions of the Machine God Thor are unknown, but it is believed one of them was the complete control of ether, and another was to prevent fighting between humans.

If Thor was operating normally, the Empire would be able to achieve many of its objectives.

But the Machine God awakened earlier than expected.

He acts of his own will, unknown to anyone. 

He can no longer be calmed.

As members of the Imperial Army's elite Crimson Spear, their most recent mission was to search for and secure ancient weapons and Machine Gods.

They have traveled the entire continent, visiting ancient ruins in each country. When they find any traces that seem likely, they forcibly retrieve the ruins and relics under the pretext of research or eliminating danger.

They drove away anyone who resisted and destroyed all obstacles—making completion of their mission their top priority.

However, they have an idea of ​​where the Machine God is... 

In particular, Thor is thought to be one of the main legendary  gods. It rests underground in the fortress city of Blue Country. 

Preliminary investigations had revealed this several years ago.

So why was the Imperial Army rushing to discover and procure ancient weapons in places unrelated to Thor?

The answer was… The Machine God is a mechanism of an ancient civilization, but it was predicted that the equipment that should be brought to the hands of the God was missing. 

In order to make the Machine God operate correctly, the Imperial Army is trying all possible arrangements.

Legend has it that once a Machine God is successfully put into operation, it will bring about a vast amount of ether—and all natural types of ether—through its massive body.

Awakening the Machine Gods that have turned into sleeping cocoons would require an enormous investment of energy. The Imperial Army believes using a dimensional gate would make it possible to encourage the awakening.

However... using a gate to forcefully supply energy risks contaminating the surrounding area and causing an explosion.

Obtaining ether requires consuming large amounts of other energy sources... Using the Machine Gods as an energy source doesn't seem efficient—considering the costs and risks involved.

That is why the Machine Gods had remained sealed away in Blue Country, and only the small amounts of ether power spill out from their cocoons had been utilized. Even if it is only a small amount, it was after than naturally generated areas of ether.

In that case, there's no need to awaken him. Surely the way things are now is enough...

The ancient people manipulated the Machine Gods with their own hands to make the continent more livable…

Machine Gods were created by the ancient people of that time—taking the form of former gods as a convenience for humans.

Even now, they are of great use.

Our empire will control the continent through the Machine Gods.

Machine Gods are five to ten times the size of a normal human, and they are filled with unknown power. That surge of power is always converted into ether and dispersed around them.

Among the hundreds of types of Machine Gods, some have special drive systems that allow them to move effortlessly through the air. The Blue Reaper that appeared in Blue Country was also a type of god—one that could float and had no legs.

What about Thor?

Before me is its cocoon, wrapped in solid armor. It's so big I have to look up to see it, and I can feel it stirring. It's clearly showing signs of awakening.

The cocoon is slightly transparent, giving the impression of rippling life within... 

I'm looking forward to the day when it opens its eyes, takes its first steps—or flies through the air—and reduces everything to ash.

As a Hunter who takes on jobs from many different people, I know a fair bit about the customs and traditions of many countries. It's hard to do business if you can’t understand these things.

And so, there are the Machine Gods. Rumors of them are the same in every country. 

A Machine God that will reshape the world. A god with the ability to manipulate ether. 

A huge monster created by humans—taking on human form, but differently.

In desert folklore and the legends of the Mythos, there are stories of giant Machine Gods and the special heroes who serve them… But they’re just old legends.

The ancient people are dead, so there shouldn't be any more Machine Gods. 

...I only recently learned about the machine gods of Blue Country. Is it true there’s tons of them sleeping underground!? 

I heard that the Imperial Army is serious about it and is rushing to obtain them.

I like the fortified cities of Blue Country. They’re lively and full of business.

That's why I've been sneaking around, acting like a thief... but hearing about a big monster underground makes me feel sick. How can the people in the city live peacefully?

There was a time when private businesses tried to investigate the source of the ether that enriches the land surrounding Blue Country... but they were framed for nonexistent crimes and executed. 

Because of the selfishness of the royal family.

That's how precious the technology and ether obtained from the underground ancient ruins and the sleeping Machine Gods were to the royal family.

As if the kings would lose control of the country without them.

Even I, the second prince, had no idea that the cocoon of the Machine God slept underground and  the ether that flowed from it supported our culture.

But my father and my brother—heir to the throne—finally told me the truth as they lay dying...

"Oh, royal family, you must not disturb the sleep of the Machine God Thor. Even that small Blue Reaper posed great danger. The disaster that an awakened Thor could bring is immeasurable."

The tyranny of the Empire forces those who had been asleep to wake up to the reality of the present.

And so, Thor awoke from his slumber.

I, who have been content to spend my time hiding from others, must wake up as well...

I don't know anything about science. But advanced science has a mystique that is almost on par with myth…

Have I told you this story yet? Ancient people probably used a dimensional gate to come to this continent from elsewhere, construct the Machine Gods, and reshape the continent's etheric environment.

This is how it’s told in myths and folklore.

But in the Sacred Kingdom, ancient documents remain that tell a hidden truth not found in other legends... Although it is unusual for a country that places great importance on oral doctrine and neglects history.

I will tell you, and only you, the secret. Here’s what it says.

The machine gods were not created in Emerg—they came from somewhere different from humans.

They also came to the continent through the gate.

The Machine Gods themselves had their own wills and cultures that were different from humans. They were not tools that followed human orders, but lived on the continent as their own race.

Humans cooperated with the Machine Gods, communicating with them and becoming accustomed to life on the continent.

However, one day, a war broke out between the machine gods and humanity.

Because of this, the ancient people perished, and the tools of the Machine Gods' civilization now only remain as weapons…

Why was this fact hidden?

Maybe the ancient people weren’t happy about the superiority of the Machine Gods' race?

It seems that this ancient civilization, like the former Blue Country and the current Empire, wanted the Machine Gods to be mere puppets that obeyed their orders.

Even though the Machine Gods have their own story.

Shizuma, if you are the legendary Conductor... What would you talk about if you weren't fighting the Machine God?

When Thor first awoke, he had forgotten how to speak.

He couldn't even remember what he was meant to be doing.

He had lost his memories of the past.

Was it because he had been asleep for so long—10,000 years?

However, he was aware that he was filled with immense power and had the ability to reshape the world.

Over time, he gradually remembers how to fight.

Thor escapes from the cocoon and stands up…

Looking around slowly, he saw that the ancient people who had rebelled against the Machine Gods in the old war and tried to control them were no longer there. But…

These humans are similar to them, yet different—the Imperial soldiers, just like the ancients did before them, pointing their weapons at Thor and hurling threatening insults at him. Hiding their fear in their hearts as they attempt to control his mind and body.

Numerous wires and cords bind Thor, preventing him from moving freely... 

Foolish humans.

Did they think that would be enough to bind a god? 

Thor quickly breaks free from the wires and burns through the cords, transforming into a demon that ravages everyone below.

Due to the power of the Empire's new weapon, Thor was defeated and stopped moving.

But Thor was not dead.

Thor was disillusioned.

It wasn’t just the ancients—the new humans born on this continent are just shallow and cruel, unworthy of a dialogue…

Yes, dialogue...Thor remembered the words.

Thor understood human language. He is different from the lowly Reaper. That is why he rejected the wishes of humans and spoke of his own will.

"Destroy these fools."  With this declaration, Thor reveals his true form, and he begins to move once again.

The next thing Thor remembered was anger—intense anger towards humanity, who were about to repeat their foolish mistakes.

This became the source of Thor's power. He unleashes lightning, burns flames, and destroys everything.

It was for reconstruction after the destruction.

To maintain the balance of the continent of Emerg. To prevent and crush the mistakes made by humans.

The elite of the Imperial Army tried to fight back against Thor's overwhelming power with all their might, but they were easily defeated. 

How pathetic.

Did you think you could resist force with force? You do not understand my threshold.

My voltage easily controls your mind and body. I will crush that warped spirit.

And the sacred and inviolable realm is also a threshold... 

Those who try to touch the realm that should not be entered—those who try to invade the border... I will pierce it with my own hands.

Iseria planned to use music magic to bind and control Thor, but Thor's will and strength easily crushed Iseria's plans.

The knight Gustav had anticipated Thor's strength—his power and will. He knew that this noble Machine God would be more than the army could handle. So he tried to stop Thor's awakening, even if it meant making the army his enemy. But it was already too late.

Lumiera pursued the whereabouts of the Machine God with a sense of duty as a saint. Glenn thought that it was his fault that the Machine God's cocoon was stolen from Blue Country.

However, as they face the awakened Machine God, they both realize that this is not just their own personal problem—or even the problem of one single country. The entire continent was at risk.

It is impossible for one person to resist that fate alone.

Clemens thought Thor’s claim was correct. 

The artificial manipulation of ether by the Empire and other organizations was ruining the environment, and Thor was working to stop it…

But now, Thor's enormous power is turning into violence.

Both the people and warriors stand up against this brutality—a fight to put an end to the conflict, and then–

There was a swordsman with abilities comparable to those of a Machine God.

He is believed to be the legendary hero, the Conductor.

Shizuma takes Seele Tact and faces Thor.

Shizuma shouted. 

He moved all his troops and soldiers away from Thor, and he faced Thor alone.

No matter how strong Seele Tact was... Was Shizuma planning to fight the Machine God to the death?

...That wasn’t it.

By overcoming the trials in the Sanctuary, Shizuma learned not to manipulate ether, but to be in harmony with it. He let himself go with the flow of nature. 

Shizuma did not slash with his sword, but simply skillfully deflected Thor's onslaught—testing his strength and intentions. 

Rather than cutting Thor down, Shizuma seemed to be testing Thor's will with his swordsmanship.

Thor also sensed Shizuma's skill and determination. 

This human had no intention of controlling or using him. So then… Why is he challenging me? 

Is he trying to get me to say something... through his sword?

Eventually, Thor came to his senses and controlled his excessive power.

A moment of silence fell over the earth.

And as everyone looked on, The sword dance between the Machine God and the swordsman began.

A sincere and meticulous exchange of blows—the fighting spirit surrounding Thor and Shizuma made it seem as if their battle was a duel between two equally sized warriors…

Shizuma aims to defeat Thor using straightforward swordsmanship. Thor also draws out Shizuma's tricks and engages in a tactical battle. 

Thor is a Machine God skilled in combat. He was looking for an opponent with whom he could compete on an equal footing…

The ethereal light from the dimensional gate soon enveloped both Thor and Shizuma. The light in the darkness was so dazzling that no one could see the boundary between the colors.

At this point, Thor realizes that he has regained his emotions and memories.

Fighting Shizuma reminded him... He had forgotten for a long time.

His mission living on the continent had already ended. The days of struggle were long gone.

A place to return to was waiting beyond that light.

It was time to go home. The continent now belongs to the new human race.

Even if they make some mistakes, I will leave it to them to handle things.

It was for the sake of both the continent and themselves…

Thor set out on his journey to the light—beyond the dimensional gate. Beyond the Schwarzschild radius.

To his homeland, beyond the horizon of photons.

Shizuma is the witness.

“Let us meet again somewhere, boy.”

The parting words came naturally from Thor.