Machinist of Mana Chapter 130 New Life

“You knew the archmage?” I said after a long silence.

“Yes, for quite some time. It was very refreshing to see one of us who would live so long.” He smiled for a moment before saying under his breath. “That wasn't my enemy.”

“I only met her a bit you know, but she seemed nice.”

“A bit silly at times, perhaps a bit over concerned with duty as she aged. Who isn't like that though? I spent far too long trying to make others happy. Let me warn you as someone who's seen it, don't do that, it will only make you miserable, and you'll suffer from your losses more than you can imagine.”

“Right... anyway, I'm all for going after whoever killed her, if only because our country views it as something like an act of war.”

“It may well have been. I'm fairly sure it was the southern elves, but I'm not sure how deep their rot goes. It could be a breakaway faction, some black ops group gone rogue, or it could be from the top down, and that's what I want you to find out.”

“You could probably find out yourself,” I pointed out.

“I've made a few inquiries, but someone who can act more openly is needed. If I show up publicly anywhere on the continent it would be a political upheaval the likes of which I am loath to cause. For all that I dislike it I've become something of a legend you see.”

“And you think anyone would even recognize you? Where have you even been all this time?”

“Plenty would, some even believe I'm still around, though most think I'm dead. As for your other question, keeping to myself.”

“Fine, fine. You said you were going to cut away the rot. Before I agree to help you I want to know exactly what you mean.”

“It depends on what you find of course, but provided I see evidence I'll remove whatever the cause of all this is. If that is one individual or some small group I'll just kill them. If it's the whole government. Well, I've destroyed those before. Have to admit that doing so without being noticed will be harder though.”

“What about Greta,” I asked.

“What about her? I've nothing against her personally. Sure, I might have had to do something about that 'Father' had you not, but it sounds like that all worked itself out in the end.” He shrugged. “Honestly had you not done something the priests would have. Busybodies every one of those Orders, but they do keep order.”

“Will you help the goblins rebuild?” I asked. “As a favor to me.”

“I don't think that's wise. I can lend them a bit of support from the shadows, maybe ask for a warship to stick around so that what happened doesn't again while they put together their society, whatever that will be, but too much could have great unintended consequences. Maybe bring some plants here or something, sure, but not much more than those.”

“Fine, I can live with that. Still, I can't believe someone would go this far,” I said with a shake of my head.

“Me either, and for no apparent reason. Sure, I'll believe that the creatures were bad enough here based on the reports I've heard, but they were contained, and no real threat to anyone.”

We chatted for a bit longer about what had happened, but there was nothing more of substance to say. He wanted revenge, I wanted justice and to protect my people. Greta probably wanted revenge too, but she was with the Councilor, whose name I'd still not been told. Everyone seemed to be on the same side, if one that wasn't very chipper.

“Well then, I'll be off then. Mind if I ask you a question before I go?” I inquired.

“Not at all.”

“Why didn't you ever make planes? Or cars, or anything like that?”

“Oh, well that wasn't really a huge interest of mine on Earth, so it would've been building from scratch. Dirigibles were easier when I started, and by the time I would have made any of the others I could teleport, so no point to it. I'll also admit to being curious as to what people would make without my input. Sadly disappointed on that one.”

With a huff of laughter I left him, heading towards out boat. Naturally fate conspired to keep me from getting back to my cabin so easily.

Greta, probably effected by stress, had gone into labor on the beach. She was ardently refusing to return to the boat, and seemed to be ready to snap at anyone nearby.

“My people here are dead, my child will be born on these shores. I won't let whoever did this take our island from us!” she growled at the Councilor.

“You know you could die here right?” he asked.

“I don't care!”

“Fine,” with a hand wave he sent a series of light signals, and then somehow formed an odd looking chair from the dirt itself. “Sit, this is a good position for what you seem determined to do. At least for most things that share our general anatomy it is...”

“What would a male know of these things!” she snapped, still angry.

“I have aided in the births of more children than you've met, now sit down!” he seemed to be losing patience with her, but I stood off to the side, I could not make such a boast.

The old elf led her through a series of breathing patterns and examinations that sounded good, but were not something I was at all qualified for judging until a small medical team came from the boat. He even made some hot water in a bowl for something and aided the medics when they came.

After a few hours, and my retreat away from the screaming goblin girl I was told she'd had a son. The first of the new generation for this place. He even had an aura I was told, one like clouds and rainstorms. If that held with what I knew at least he wasn't one of us.