Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 2 (section)

===Part 3===

Today, they were gathering in one of the rooms.

“Gentlemen, thank you for specially come here. First of all, at this moment we Seven Dragon Paladins’ can finally gather, I am very happy.”

A man holding a wineglass full of deep red wine, his unique deep voice resounded through the room.

”Why, are you here——“

Lux, who saw the man after just entering the room, asked cautiously.

It looked like this was just a small military conference room, the room had almost no decoration.

At the center table in the main seat, there was a man.

This man although he was short, but his words and gestures were especially sophisticated, his black eyes seemed bottomless.

He was wearing an eerie dark blue cloak, not even taken off his hood, but just sitting there with a smile.

He was the current Commander of Blackend Kingdom’s guards as well as “Seven Dragon Paladins” vice-captain, “Blue Tyrant” Singlen Shelbrit.

Beside him was someone who was even shorter——A platinum haired girl.

She was appointed a few days ago by Ymir Theocracy as one of the Drag-Knights of the “Seven Dragon Paladins”, Mel Gizalut

This girl looked like a child from the outside, only her mouth was smiling with interest while looking at Lux.

“What’s wrong? Hurry up and sit down, did you get tired after climbing up the stair? Do not hesitate to take a break first, this great me allowed it.”

[[File:Saijaku V6 10.jpg|thumb|right]]

Singlen was buried deep in between his armchair, his whole body leaning back as he said that.

Sure enough he still showed his familiar slovenly look even at another country.

“I am standing because of reason, as I am prepared to leave immediately.”

Lux sighed, looking at him with weary eyes.

“Hey, why? Don’t you like the Princess-sama’s specially prepared rooms? What an arrogant guy. Can’t be helped, I better go ask them to change the room.”

“For what reason, did you specifically summon me, who am unrelated to the “Seven Dragon Paladins,” to participate in the discussion of the round table.”

Lux did not go along with Singlen’s joke, but asked indifferently.

However, the concerning person had a look as if nothing had happened; furthermore he revealed a faint smile and looked at Lux with a surprise expression.

“You are really forgetful, I told you, right? Because your country has not elected a ‘Seven Dragon Paladins’ candidate, so in the past I found a temporary substitute.”

“I remember I have refused on the spot. Have you forgotten?”

“Kukuku … … you really seem to hate this. Then I will first not treat you as a candidate. However, you still need to listen to this discussion and then decide the future path. So——you first of all should just represent the New Kingdom, participate as a representative of the New Kingdom.”

” …….!?”

Lux exposed a surprise look, Singlen was showing a fearless smile.

”Chore Prince, quickly sit down. Or do you want to continue to waste time for all the guests here? We are all very busy. All of these happened are the fault of you guys for not electing a “Seven Dragon Paladins” candidate.”

Singlen indifferently warned, this again made Lux tensed up.

He was still insolently arrogance, and didn’t show the slightest flaw.

Not only did he not compromise, but also use those sophistries to get the pace of the conversation into his hand’s control.

Compared with those controlling New Kingdom who didn’t have any abilities, dealing with the person in front o fhim was much harder.

“You just need to listen, at most it will take some time, please forgive me.”

If he resisted, he was afraid that it would only lead to heavier blame. Lux could only honestly sit down.

Then Greifer sat down next to him, leaving three vacant seats.

“OK, we’re all here, how about we first begin from self-introduction? My name is Singlen Shelbrit, I’m appointed by the World Agreement as the vice-captain of ‘Seven Dragons Paladin’, please take care of me.”

”………”

”We all must have heard of the World Agreement? There are many complex articles regarding the investigations of the ruins. There are considerations of the Drag-Knight’s strength in relation to their Abyss subjugation, then again according to their merits to determine their World Rank. Now that is to say, as the Vice-Captain, I rank second.”

Lux, Greifer, as well as Mel Gizalut showed no reaction.

Then according to instructions Greifer introduced himself by simply saying his name. Then the turn of the young girl came.

”First time meeting you, I am the ‘Seven Dragon Paladins’ of Ymir Theocracy, Mel Gizalut, please take good care of me.”

She was wearing a unique styled dress, with black and white colors like a lovely girl.

However, her big eyes were filled with determination and her breathing suggested that she was ready to fight as any moment.

“It’s rare to see the ‘Seven Dragon Paladins’ sitting together in one room. Originally, I was looking forward to this, but now they seem pretty weak, boring. Anyway, again, take care of me”

”…….”

Smiling innocently, Mel Gizalut finished her introduction. The room was quiet.

The air was filled with an inexplicable sense of tension, and finally it was Lux’s turn.

“I’m Lux Arcadia, and I am attending this meeting as a substitute, so I suppose I don’t need to speak.”

”Originally the Old Kingdom seventh Prince, now living in Cross Field City and enrolled in Cross Field’s Academy, the chore prince who is worked hard by the officer cadets who are noble girls.”

”A…..!?”

Lux had just sat down, Singlen sitting at the opposite immediately exposed his identity.

“Now is the lowest Drag-Knight, the Drag-Ride he is using “Wyvern”, fighting style is not attack, only special defense type, so getting the such a name as “Weakest Undefeated”, and —— oh yeah, If I continue I’m afraid it will cause problems, right?”

”Sir Singlen.”

Lux looked at him with cold eyes and protested, but Singlen did not pay attention to it.

”Huh? What is it? Don’t need to thank me, this level of supplement explanation is my job as the ‘Seven Dragon Paladins’ vice captain. You’re welcome.”

“…… If it’s all right, can you listen to my request? Because tomorrow I still have to attend the upgrade test, so I wanted to get back to the dormitory before midnight, please?”

Lux sighed, and changed his strategy.

After all, if he went head to head, there was no way to win.

So Lux decided to wait and find a way out.

“You’re really strong headed…….there’s no other way, let’s get started. I have sent messengers to the Kings of the countries and their sides have received the message, but I’ll say it again.”

Singlen paused for a moment, and then the conversation suddenly became serious.

”’Dragon Marauders’, have any of you heard of this name?”

“……‘Dragon Marauders’?”

Lux asked, Mel had a puzzled expression, Singlen nodded and said.

“Well, it’s the mercenary group that has been expanding aggressively in recent years. Drag-Ride mercenaries are not really that unusual. However, their real purpose is a big problem.”

“Uncle, your opening is too long. What are those sneaky guys prepared to do?

Greifer rudely asked.

“They should be secretly plotting to overthrow our country.”

Singlen raised his mouth to answer immediately.

“Overthrow huh, so how will they do it?”

Mel wasn’t surprised, she asked while still maintaining an innocence look.

”As I said, the ‘Dragon Marauders’ is a Drag-Ride mercenary organization, as long as there is money, they will ambush on the battlefield, waiting for action. There are a lot of people who will hire them, such as rich families, rulers, politicians, and there are——arm dealers among countries that are hiring them.

”………..”

Singlen looked meaningfully at Lux, and Lux remained silent.

He thought of Heiburg’s military adviser, Dark Merchant Hayes.

That girl who was supposedly had connection to the Ruin, she also had anything to do with the ‘Dragon Marauders’?

“But this is strange, the mercenary group behaving this way is commonplace? Why do we have to discuss it here?”

“In other words, in fact, this is also our fault, Greifer. You will often hear of this argument. Since the early discovery of the Drag-Ride treasure slumbered inside the ruin, the pioneers, who in order to monopolize these treasures, had agreed on a set of rules. The whole All-Dragon Battle system is also a big part of it. And for example, we from the Blackend Kingdom is very far away from this ruin; even if we have an exploring certificate, we can’t simply go in to explore. So we normally pay tolls to other countries to explore together to make up for this shortcoming. But this sooner or later will leave a gap, you dare say that this isn’t a possibility?”

”And, what you mean is——“

”Everyone wants the Drag-Ride slumbering within the ruins, but exploring the ruins will mean they will inevitably face the Abyss. Only strong Drag-Knights can have the ability to compete with the Abyss, and the right to explore is decided by competition between the Drag-Knights, in that case the strong countries will only become stronger and stronger, while the weak countries will be left behind farther and farther.”

Lux sensed the true implication in Singlen’s words.

Countries that had been lucky to get ahead developed the World Agreement in order to keep themselves in the first place.

However, unfortunate countries and people were placed under restriction.

Not only small countries without Ruin, even territories that have relics within great countries will have gap opened.

This separation would create under-the-table power struggles. One might look and thought it was calm like water surface, but underneath is a burning flame of disputes.

“Don’t you think this is very unreasonable? At most we don’t really need to care much, after all the people who are enjoying the benefit won’t think this is unreasonable, or pretend not to see it.”

”………”

”As a result, they must face limited assets; those in power, politicians are afraid to lose their power. Once the military power gap becomes bigger, then their rights and property may be taken away at any time so they are anxious. The mercenaries Drag-Knight spot this as a money-making opportunity, moreover some people will depend on them to break the balance, and they might even steal the Drag-Ride and treasures in the ruins.”

Singlen half mockingly laughed and then sighed.

He shook his glass, and slightly leant his body on the chair.

”Of course, as you also knew, there have been several rebellions in various countries. Therefore, the situation surrounding the Ruins is also unstable and very dangerous, and there might even be unexpected situations. The group of thieves might cause disaster in the ruins that is unprecedented in the past. We Blackend Kingdom also had a ‘disaster’ occurred, a new Abyss calls Nocturnal(Phantom Devilman).”

The ‘Disaster’ of Blackend Kingdom turned one-third of its territory into scorched earth.

It was the incident that became the impetus for the recall of Singlen who was once exiled by the royal family.

After that, although it had not yet been confirmed whether it was true or not, but compared with the Abyss in the past, the new Abyss’s strength was overwhelming——the matter of Nocturnal had also been heard in the academy.

“And then finally, it’s the turn of us the ‘Seven Dragon Paladins’, is that what you’re saying?”

Mel showed a bold smile, Singlen nodded.

Uniting the countries as well as strengthening combat capability, in order to oppose the threat of Ruins, and confronted the “Dragon Marauders”.

That was probably the reason the ‘Seven Dragon Paladins’ existed.

But——

”Surely the outside world thinks so, however, have you thought about the implication inside this? To the end which side is right? One side who does not distribute the benefits derived from the Ruins, and afraid of it being taken away by others, and monopolize everything, are the major powers, the pioneers, royalties and nobles in the right in your view? Or the other side who cannot get the exclusive treasures, but can only use mercenaries to plunder those in power. Standing under different circumstances, can we dare to say that we are right?”

Singlen jokingly laughed at it all.

Greifer listened to his words, couldn’t stand it and sighed.

”Haa……So what are you trying to do? I’m just a mere Drag-Knight, I have no interests in what is good and bad…….And vice captain-sama, this kind of things are for the people above to judge isn’t it? If you want to waste time, then I’ll go back first.”

Really worthy of Greifer, he was such a person.

He had an indifferent look, watching it all from the perspective of a calm bystander.

“So, what do you want to do as a representative of the country? Do you want to join hand with the ‘Dragon Marauders’ because Blackend Kingdom has no ruins?”

Then Mel Gizalut of Ymir Theocracy said contemptuously.

Only to see Singlen put down the glass and bent his mouth.

“——No, I will not allow helps on either side.”

He whispered in a dim voice enough to shake the ear membrane.

Lux and three people exposed a look of astonishment, Singlen tapped his forehead with a finger.

”You didn’t think about it? At the present, wars have been bogged down since a long time ago, ever since the discovery of ruins ten years ago, the scale of the war has also been suppressed. But this has not perfectly ended the war, so this ‘Dragon Marauder’ is the side-effect.”

Singlen put his feet on the table like an uneducated child, a devil-like smile could be seen deep inside his hood, he looked at the three people one by one.

”The battle between two sides is inevitable, before the destruction of one of them, I am afraid they will also spread to the citizen to intensify the struggle. In the past, my country had also fallen into disaster because of riots. So——Here, as the leaders of the countries are not present in this conference room, I have a proposal to tell you.”

*Bam!* Singlen put his Sword Device on the table and exposed a fierce look.

”Let the elite Drag-Knights of this world create a unified country. A new army leads by us ‘Seven Dragon Paladins’ to bring an end to this war, and also the governments of this world.”

”What…..!?”

Hearing these words, Lux was dumbfounded.

These words sounded impossible.

Singlen’s statement was clearly a rebellious incitement for them to oppose the government of each country.

”……..That doesn’t sound sane, what are you planning?”

Even the usual unconcerned Greifer looked at him in caution.

”I don’t think this is surprising, I just want to save my country. As I just said, once this mud-like battle intensified, then it is bounded to have huge casualties. Before the situation turn into this way, we rule this world by our own hands. It is a salvation in a way.”

Just like that, Singlen indifferently and confidently woven his words.

On one side the pioneer countries that got prioritized to explore the ruins, amassed a large number of Drag-Rides and Drag-Knights, and then at the other side was those who wanted to catch up but have no ruin inside their territories, and could only depend on the mercenary organizations.

If Singlen’s words were true, then his idea might not be mistaken necessarily.

”Well, it’s really noble. But, why should we even do that? No——it’s better to say how can you guarantee we could do it successfully?”

“To win over the public sentiment you will need a just cause, and people to lead them. Evil foreign enemies and Abyss, if we can defeat these enemies that is threatening the existence of the common people, we can be seen as heroes. And the only people who can do this are us, elite Drag-Knights. We can then protect the people, conquer the lands, preserve the country existence. We can be way better than the backward system of long ruling aristocrats, this is my basis.”

”………”

After listening to Singlen’s reasoning, Mel shrugged.

She did not seem to accept this reason completely, however she also did not plan to refute.

But Lux didn’t relax his vigilance for a moment.

(So, what is the final goal of this man……)

Lux didn’t feel that Singlen would do this because he was driven by a sense of justice.

No matter how to look about it, it all seemed like he was just inviting everyone to overthrow the existing regime.

——Well, what is he planning to do?

Even if it was really like Singlen said and there were bitter struggles over the ruins, there were surely other ways to avoid the struggle?

”If the three of you directly join my White Ridge Knights, I hope you will become the backbone of this new organization. Of course, you don’t take orders from the Blackend Kingdom, please rest assured about this. I do not intend to let you betray your motherland and form allegiance to the Blackend Kingdom. But we will treat your family well, servants and friends, we will pay you enough compensation.”

However, Lux ignored Singlen’s casual invitation, and asked with a serious look.

”——If this really becomes so, then what about those who can’t use Drag-Ride?”

”The talentless is obliged to serve the genius……..Finally it will become so. But it will be based on that person’s ability to grant him the appropriate power, we will set up a variety of qualifications or something. Like today Ruin’s Gear organized class upgrade test——”

Singlen replied smoothly.

Lux took a deep breath and stared at Singlen with cold eyes.

“Then, I’ll pretend to not hear anything.”

“Gosh? Are you angry? Or——Because you want to accuse me of looking down on the weak? I cannot think how you turned out to be the royal family of the Old Empire of Arcadia.”

”Because your idea is too contradictory, you mock the folly of two sides fighting, but you create a new system only benefits the strong Drag-Knight, so you only treat it differently.”

Lux stood up straight, and walked directly to the door.

Before he could reach it, Singlen sighed.

”Is this a story that is too early for a kid to listen to? There is no equality in the world, if you think your country is now equal, it can only show that your eyes are clouded. And then currently, we are fighting battles with our life on the line, but we are in a position where sooner or later we will used up for all of our worth before getting thrown away. You’re a strange man, Chore Prince. While you’re standing in an unfair position where you yourself got hurt and made to take the brunt of everything, but you accepted it and did not even complain about the treatment you received. Are you born with servile personality seeping to your bone, or perhaps——“

”…….”

Listening to Singlen’s rebuke, Lux suddenly stopped.

”But see, don’t avert your eyes. Don’t assume that your own choice is always correct. You’re your hard work to try to save others sometimes will also cause distress to someone else. Just like by you helping the New Kingdom to carry out exploring the ruins, and defeat the Abyss Ragnarok, the result is that it makes people of your country and foreigner fear how dangerous you are. Yeah, I understand. You are doing that much of a feat of valor, but still idiotically insist on continuing being a sinner, your reason for doing that is ultimately——“

”-…….!?”

His heart was in pain as if being stabbed by a needle, which made Lux couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

Lux suddenly had an inexplicable impulse, just when he wanted to open his mouth to rebuff——

*Duang!*

At this time, the bell rang vigorously. The bell rang through the city hall, including the center of the Ruin’s Gear.

This tone and the alarm were different.

It was to inform people it was night time.

”……So we have already talked this long. There are still you two? Greifer Nest and Mel Gizalut, what do you think?

“You think I would have the slightest interest in this nonsense?”

In the face of Singlen’s inquiry, Greifer rudely rejected.

”E~I think it’s interesting?”

Unlike him, Mel’s voice was very happy, but half way her words became dim.

“But——I do not want to join under you wings. If you let me be the leader, then I’d consider?”

Mel stared at Singlen with her dreary gaze.

Worthy of being the elite Drag-Knights who had gone through many selections to represent their own country, everyone seemed to have their own plans.

”Whew, you’re really an annoying group. Forget it, if later we have a chance we’ll talk about it again. I hope next time you can give me an answer that will satisfy me.”

Singlen took out his pocket watch before he slowly stood up and said that.

”……I’ll leave first.”

Then, closest from the door Lux walked out of the room.

Although he didn’t deliberately look back, but he could also feel that someone was following after him.

”It actually dragged on for so long, if we go back at this time Coral must be very anxious.”

Said Greifer as he casually walking next to him.

He didn’t touch the content of the meeting, was it because of him being considerate? But Lux did not say anything.

Even if he reported Singlen’s speech to the top-levels, it seemed there would be of no use.

After all, he might have already discussed in advance with the leaders of other countries, saying he just wanted to “test their loyalty.”

(Rather than that, I, just what am——)

Regarding of what Singlen had said just now, the reason Lux was still continuing to stay as criminal.

Although the consuls in the capital told him that they would free him from the shackles of being criminal, Lux didn’t take their offer. Did he do that really only to avoid getting used by them?

Walking down the long stairs, they finally left the upper part of the palace——“Canopy”

In front of them appeared the door to the second ruin “Dungeon”, its structure was like an ant nest.