Berserker, Norla Adam
"Can I really use this name?"
Norla rose from his seat, looked at his arm, which had already returned to normal, then turned to Avicebron.
"That is not a decision I can make."
Avicebron looked utterly exhausted. His hands were clasped behind his back as he spoke calmly.
"This is the [True Name] that should have existed in your Spirit Origin from the start."
"Your essence has changed, child. Embrace the new future that belongs to you now."
"You have regained [possibility]!"
Listening to Avicebron's words, Norla looked down at his hands and clenched them into fists.
A surge of strength rose within him.
".A new future."
"Looking at that castle again now, it really is awfully showy."
The submersible had started up again. Standing atop it, Napoleon gazed into the distance at the Castle of Snow and Ice and sighed unconsciously.
"Why do you say that?"
Sitting beside Napoleon, Fujimaru Ritsuka asked curiously.
"Because of the castle's [defensiveness], perhaps."
Mash seemed to have some idea of what he meant and replied with a smile.
"Oh! Sharp-eyed, little Shielder. That's right—the purpose of a castle."
"Beyond serving as a residence, the most important meaning of a castle is its defensive capability. Castles during and before the Middle Ages placed tremendous importance on that."
"Could it withstand an assault? Could it repel a siege? Only a castle capable of those things could be called a true castle. Anything that could not was merely rubbish that could be knocked down with ease."
Napoleon gave Mash an approving glance before returning his gaze to the distant castle.
"And our destination—that castle—is the most impractical sort."
"It was never meant to serve as a fortress at all, but simply as an ornament. Perhaps that is the composure of a ruler. Or