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Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 4 Chapter 8

2013-10-20T05:44:24Z

65.93.178.100: /* Part 1 */

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==Chapter 8 - Avalon's Imperial Princess==
===Part 1===
In the mothership Beowolf- In the armory, under Dr Hoffman’s command the battle is in full swing.

Eco who was naked was floating in magic guided device. ‘Yggdrasill’s’ capsule. There were groups of technician working around her.

This was out of Anya’s area of understanding. She could only stand by and wall and watch silently.

But, she understood well the pain that Eco was feeling.

The cold voice was followed by its echo when it was reflected on the metal body.

“The cartridge had been filled. Prepare for launching.”

“The countdown starts now. Ten, nine, eight… Three, two, one-.”

“Launch the compressed magic!”

A red bean was shot out followed by a loud gun shooting sound. Anya felt that even the ship was vibrating.

“…!”

Then, there were air bubbles coming from Eco’s mouth. If not because of she was in the liquid, her scream could definitely be heard.

Anya couldn’t bear to see Eco suffering and looked away.

Eco’s body had already taken at least ten shots of the compressed magic.

Eco regained her consciousness after the start of the experiment. At the beginning, she was struggling in the water, but ‘Yggdrasill’s’
capsule was not at all affected.

But after receiving a continuous dozens of compressed magic, she lost her strength.

Right now, she was just like a living dead. Her blank eyes were now lifeless and it was terrible. It was pure torture.

Even so, the group of researchers leaded by Dr Hoffman were not at all shaken and continued silently.

“There is no significant change on the appearance of α. There are no abnormalities on her respiratory system. No magic fluctuation can be
seen.”

Without realizing, the group of researchers started to refer Eco as α.

Eco is a human, a young dragon and also a living being- But this group of human had taken everything from her. To them, Eco was just
experimental material α.

''Who knows if they want to remove their feeling of guilt by calling her with symbols…'' Anya secretly thought so.

At this moment, Dr Hoffman’s voice is heard by Anya.

“Still no changes… It seems like we don’t have any more choices. Activate all the Milinnium.”

Anya turned pale when she heard that.

This means that they had decided to use full power on ‘Yggdrasill’’.

===Part 2===
“*Sob*… It was all… My fault. *Sob*…”

In the maid’s bedroom in the ground floor of the palace.

Prim was lying on the bed with her pillow wet with tears.

There was only Ash and Silvia beside her bed. Cosette was standing outside the room by the door.

Prim cried while she told the whole incident.

Prim arrived at the ancient palace when she was chasing Eco who was running amok.

She had met a few suspicious people there.

Seeing the enemy suddenly attacked, Eco appeared and became the bait to let Prim escape.

When Prim regained conscious, Eco was no longer there.

After hearing, Ash felt something suspicious.

“Why do you go to the ancient palace?”

“That’s because… It was my entire fault! It was my bad to say such things!”

“Prim, please stay calm. Compared to you, Ash was the person who suffered the most.”

After being advised by Silvia, Prim rubbed of her tears.

“You are right. Sorry…”

“Prim-san, please tell me everything before eco was kidnapped!”

Prim nodded.

“I have no ill intention, it was just that… Ash-sama is a human and Eco is a dragon… So I thought that Eco will feel lonely after Ash-sama
married with a human girl. The moment I told her that, Eco rushed out of the room.”

“What…!”

Who would have thought of this, Ash was speechless.

“Idoit! You… Why do you have to tell her this!”

Silvia was mad.

“If I am Eco… I will definitely feel hurt if someone told that to me! Even when Eco is a dragon, her thought is still of a girl’s. She should
know very well that her situation is special. Why was she born as a human? Why was she not born as a dragon… If I am Eco, I can never feel
secure.”

“Princess-sama…”

Ash looked at Silvia who was telling Eco thought in surprise.

“Recently, she had gotten use to the school life. She was also being loved by everyone as the student council’s mascot. Even so, to Eco, the
only person she could thrust in… Is no other but Ash.”

“And I… Had said something terrible…”

“Strictly speaking, Eco is still a young dragon who was not even a year old. Can’t you be a little more indirect in your-”

“Forget it, Princess-sama. Right now, we could never solve the problem even after lecturing Prim-san. What’s more, if they had this planned,
no matter what Prim-san said, Eco will still be kidnapped.”

“…You are right. But how are we going to rescue Eco?”

Silvia nodded in agreement with Ash.

“Prim-san… Could you describe those people who attacked?”

Ash was praying while asking. He only clue is Prim being the witness.

“Err…They had pretended to be the palace servant. But, they didn’t look like a citizen of the Knight Country. For their skin colour, it looked
like they are the Tantalos…. Also, the person who attacked me is a short girl.”

“A Tantalos girl…!”

Ash was feeling Déjà vu. It was like he had found the last piece of puzzle in his memory.

“It was the girl who followed Milgauss!”

Ash’s fists were shacking. The world he was seeing was dyed in red. Even though he had a feeling that Milgauss was the culprit, still, after
making sure, he was still in rage.

“Since we knew who was the criminal-”

Silvia immediately stopped Ash who intends to rush out from the room.

“Hold on, Ash! Where do you think you are going to?”

“The ballroom, of course! I want to settle thing with Milgauss!”

“Kept your calm! Do you think that Milgauss will admit it even after you found him?”

“…Maybe not.”

Ash turned speechless.

Silvia was right, no matter how emotional he became, Eco still wouldn’t be able to return safely.”

Just as if she was trying to have Ash cooled down, Silvia made a suggestion in a calm voice:

“Don’t you think that this is a good time to save Eco when Milgauss is busy with the masquerade?”

“What do you meant?”

“Milgauss couldn’t even be bothered by an activity with long history such as this continental congress and will do anything just to capture
Eco. Even when I don’t know what was his intentions, but capturing Eco alive is their priority. I am sure that their lackeys won’t do anything
to harm Eco when the mastermind was absent.”

After listening to Silvia’s analyse, Ash gave a breath of relieve.

“The problem remains is, where is Eco’s location. Since Ash’s ‘Seikoku’ is not reacting, it means that Eco was being hidden in an enclosed
place. For example something that could be a barrier to cut of magic… Anyway, is must be done with the proper equipment. It just can’t be a rally point that they had just constructed.”

“An enclosed place with proper equipments? That’s it, Milgauss had Klaus backing him up…”

''Last evening, an airship flew past the evening sky…''

''The black ship that was waving the Empire’s flag proudly…''

Ash remembered.

Ash and Silvia exchanged glances and shouted at the same time:

“Beowolf!”

===Part 3===
''-W-Will…I die just like this…''

Eco thought so.

The liquid in the capsule kept on rotating and Eco’s body was being swept by it.

Every time her shoulders or waist touches the glass, her body will move slowly in the opposite direction.

It seems like the liquid was made of special materials. Luckily, it doesn’t affect her breathing. But after suffering a few shots from the magic device, her body turned numb.

This feeling is like an empty mind floating in mid air.

''-If I could just… Continue sleeping… Then I won’t feel any pain…''

Just when Eco thought so, a power that surpassed those previous ones was released at her.

“Noooooooooo…!”

Even though she thought that she shouted in pain, in truth they were just air bubbles coming out from her mouth.

A bright light flashes and the water turned rapid. Just like being swallowed off by a tsunami, her body kept on rotating and kept on hitting the glass around her.

''-W….Why do I have to suffer this kind of pain.''

It had passed the limit of her brain to just think of what they are going to do to her. She could only feel that her body had been injected with a vast amount of magic.

The pain she felt is just like her body being ripped open.

It felt like her organs were being messed up by someone.

''-Urgh… It hurts…. It hurts…. I beg you all, please stop.''

It is pointless no matter how she shout in her mind, the magic was still flowing into the body.
E
co’s body was jerking nonstop and she was struggling.

''You might as well do me a favour by killing me-'' Eco gave up.

“…!”

At the next moment- The Necromancia’s slimy tentacles attacking her from all directions.

Eco couldn’t understand. ''Where did those tentacles appear from in this enclosed environment?''

The tentacles which were wriggling ling a snake slowly snatched her freedom.

Her arms, waist, legs… was entangled by those tentacles.
-
''Stop! This must be an illusion! It is this device that was making me hallucinate…!''

Eco tried to stay conscious and opened her eyes widely.

At that moment, the tentacles disappeared.

The feelings of being entangled by those tentacles also disappeared.

However, not long after that, she loses focus and the tentacles appeared again and had her waist surrounded.

In a blink of an eye, she was lifted by those tentacles.

''-Stop!''
[[Image:SnRK V04 183.jpg|thumb]]

An abnormally thick tentacle was approaching at Eco’s face.

Eco kept her teeth closed with her might. If she was to be careless, the tentacle will surely wriggle into her mouth. Eco had Goosebumps just by think about it.

Eco initially wanted to ask for Ash’s help. She hoped that he could save him from this hell.

However, from the point she woke up in this device, she couldn’t even summon Ash.

Her Astral Flow with Ash had also been cut off.

The lost of her communication had put her in fear.

Eco was shocked that the lost of her connection with Ash would put her in such great fear.

''-I am really an idiot. I only knew what is precious to me after I had lost it.''

This experience had made her wanted to treasure Ash much more.

That’s right, without Ash, I can’t do anything… I am really a good for nothing.

''-Don…''

At that instant, there was something moving in her body.

===Part 4===
“Something is wrong! The magic indicator is showing an abnormal value!”

“We found an unknown magic source! Its power is increasing!”

“We had lost control of ‘Yggdrasill’! It ignored the emergency stop signal!”

The continuous bad news had made Dr Hoffman turn pale.

The laboratory was as if in a fire and tense atmosphere was spreading.

Everyone was with a panic look and were busy dealing with the buttons on their hands.

“What happened…?”

Anya who was looking from aside wondered.

Basically, there was nothing abnormal with Eco who was in the capsule.

Even though she was shot by the high power compressed magic and had struggle like she was having a nightmare, yet nothing dramatic had
happened.

But the indicator was still indicating an abnormal value. Also, they were losing control of ‘Yggdrasill’.

The situation had suddenly become tense.

Even the emergency trigger had been triggered and the bell was ringing loudly.

''-Dong!''

At that instant, Anya heard something from the ground.

“What is that… Sound?”

As if to prove that it was not an illusion, ‘Yggdrasill’ magic indication exploded.

“Uwaa!”

Some groaned and all the surrounding deviced started to explode with red flames. All the technician were running away in fear.

“Don’t panic! Keep calm!”

Dr Hoffman shouted by not even a single soul was listening.

Because everyone’s sights were Eco who was caged in the capsule.

Eco’s body was glowing with a dim light.

Even Anya was captive by the sight in front.

“Dr Hoffman! Let’s escape!”

A young researcher advised Dr Hoffman. The rest of the researchers were agreeing with him at looked at Dr Hoffman.

Anya left the wall and walk towards Dr Hoffman’s back.

“Dr Hoffman, I also think that it would be wise if we escape now.”

“No!”

Anya was stunned by Dr Hoffman’s aura. She had thought of him as a kind old man and was forced to act cruel as a researcher. Who would know
that he would have such a stubborn side.

“What are you thinking! Even an outsider like me knew that this is dangerous! Isn’t there are Millennium attached to that device too?”

What Anya was worried about is the existence of the Millenniums. Just in case the Millenniums explode… Anya was thinking. Let alone Beowolf,
it is not even surprising if the capital disappear from the maps forever.

However, Dr Hoffman shook his head slowly.

“…I won’t. That will not happen. The energy in the Millenniums had run dry.”

“What?”

“All the magic energy… Was fully absorbed by experimental material α.”

“-!”

Anya looked at Eco dumbstruck.

The intensity of Eco’s light was getting stronger until the extend where one couldn’t look at her directly. Those ''‘Dong’'' sounds had become
clearer.

Even though there were no dangers of the Millennium exploding, it doesn’t mean that they were free from danger. Eco right now was seen as the
bomb.

Later, there was the loud sound of something breaking.

Different from the normal explosions, that explosion sounds like it was originated from something being applied pressure on.

“α….α is escaping!”

A researcher shouted.

The capsule containing eco was now in ruins and the liquid was flowing out like waterfall.

Eco can be seen floating with her eyes closed- in a short moment, she disappeared. What’s left is only stardust like magic particles floating
in the air.

“She… Dissapeared…?”

Anya dumbstruck, murmured alone.

===Part 5===
“Hey… Something’s wrong with Beowolf!?”

When Maestro Lancelot reached the landing space at a height of twenty meters, Silvia shouted:

“That is…!”

Ash who was riding on Lancelot behind Silvia widened his eyes.

The scared airship Esperanza, airship Crown Solas and air ship Silvanus was lined up together.

On the other hand, the huge airship Beowolf was parked quite some distance away from the trio.

The suspicious thing was the black smokes emerging from Beowolf.

Could it be a fire?

If Eco is inside… Ash was too scared to think about it.

“Urgh…!”

At this moment, Ash felt a burning sensation from his left hand.

Although he nearly screamed in pain, he managed to tolerate with it.

It felt like suddenly putting his hand into a furnace.

“Is everything alright, Ash!?”

Silvia was worried about him and turned around and asked, but Ash couldn’t even reply because of the pain.

The ‘Seikoku’ engraved on his left arm was slowly moaning.

A while later, there was a glaring light coming out from his left arm and his sleeve up to his shoulders was burned off. Even the bandage was
burned into pieces.

In a blink of an eye, Ash’s ‘Seikoku’ on his left arm was exposed.

“Wha…!”

The ‘Seikoku’ on his hand was glowing with different light intensity from time to time.

Ash was panicking.

It will be alright if it was just glowing but the heat and the pain sensation had no intention of stopping.

It felt that his left arm is going to explode anytime.

“Hey… What is actually happening?”

Silvia was in shock while holding the reins which was probably caused by the fright she experience from seeing Ash’s ‘Seikoku’s’ reaction.

“I don’t know… But I am now sure that I am again connected to Eco!”

Just like responding to Ash’s left arm, there was an object glowing in the sky.

“Ash! Look upwards!”

Silvia who noticed the abnormality was pointing at the sky. Ash too had noticed.

There was something glowing on the sky above the landing area.

“That is…”

The mysterious light was floating in the sky as if it was decorating it.

On the other hand, the full moon didn’t look as charming as before.

By taking a closer look, it was an egg with beautiful flow lines.

There was a big emblem that was carved on the pearl like egg. At a first glance, it looked like a royal emblem.

To be more specific, that emblem looked like Ash’s ‘Seikoku’.

''-Don…Don…Don…''

There was a frightening beating sound form the egg.

The confusing part is, it moved with the same rhythm as the glow on Ash’s ‘Seikoku’.

Ash immediately understood.

“I couldn’t be more wrong… Eco is in that egg!”

“How is that possible? What are you talking about…?”

“Princess-sama, I beg you. Please take me there!”

“…Alright. I believe in you. Fly Lancelot! Fly higher!”

But Lancelot ignored her orders. It stayed at the twenty meters height at looked at the egg with its head up.

“Hei… Lancelot? Anything wrong? Fly immediately!”

Even though Silvia shouted strictly, Lancelot still ignored her orders. On the other hand, it did an emergency landing at a corner of the
landing space.

“What are you doing? Are you disobeying my orders, Lancelot!”

“…It is useless, Princess-sama. It seems that Lancelot has its own reason.”

“What did you say?!”

Silvia looked at Ash with an imposing manner.

“Do you know what Lancelot was thinking?”

“…I am not sure. It was probably affected by the ‘Seikoku’. I don’t know why, but I could somehow understand what Lancelot was thinking.”

After Ash and Silvia was force to alight Lancelot unwillingly, Lancolot again spread it wings and shoot up into the sky.

Looking at Lancelot’s direction, Ash found out something important.

“Princess-sama! There are more and more… Maestros gathering together!”

Groups of Maestro were gathering from all direction. It had become an amazing night view created by the light from the Maestro’s magic.

One by one the Maestro appeared and gathered at the corner of the sky.

For Maestro’s whose numbers were already little to begin with to gather together, it was unheard of even in the old times-

===Part 6===
“What is actually happening…?”

Lancelot left its master and flew off on its own.

Although this had given Silvia a great blow, still the view of the night sky had gave her a deep impression.

Silvia could clearly hear the ‘Pssshh’ sounds of the beating of the wings.

When she had personally seen the dream like view, all her attention had been captured by it.

That egg even had wings growing out of it and feathers with silver lights were falling off. It was like snows that beautify the night sky.

Then- there was a crack from the egg shell.

The winged egg split into two-

“Uoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!”

A roar as if it was a horn announcing the end to the world could be heard all over.

Silvia who couldn’t look straight into the glaring light closed her eyes. When she reopened her eyes, the winged egg was no longer there. It
was replaced by something that was of of this world.

To describe this thing with a word will be either – GOD or DEVIL.

However what Silvia said was insulting.

“What a scary monster…!”
[[Image:SnRK V04 193.jpg|thumb]]

“Stop! You are not allowed to say that!”

Ash shouted and brought Silvia back o her sense.

“That must be...Eco. I can feel it... I can feel it!”

“Sorry, Ash...”

Although Silvia was annoyed by her gaffe, she still couldn’t believe that it was Eco.

Later, Eco landed slowly while being surrounded by numerous Maestros.

Although the pink fur and the red eyes is similar to Eco, but her horns looked sharp and fierce and doesn’t at all looked like Eco’s round
stubs.

Also, there was a third horn in between the two horns. It was like a unicorn’s horn and was up straight.

Her wings which were spread widely were different from a normal Maestro’s. It made one think of an angle’s wings.

Followed by a loud bang, Eco landed.

Eco lifted up her gigantic hind leg up high- And The large airship that had been the pride of the Empire was squashed in a few seconds.

With the conning tower being right at the middle, Beowolf had been squashed into a V shape and immediately exploded.

Yet, Eco was not at all affected.

Eco probably lost interest in Beowolf and tried to wriggle her long neck. She slowly lowered her center of gravity.

The target of her scarlet eyes was the window of the tall Fontaine Palace.

===Part 7===
-An unidentified flying object appeared above the capital and all the Maestros in the country disobey their masters’ order and gathered together.

Veronica who received the emergency report brought Glenn the captain of the escorts alone with her to the ballroom at the highest floor of the palace.

Anyway, there were important guests in the ballroom that gathered from all over the continent. No matter what happened, she must protect their
safety in the name of the pride of the Knight’s country.

At the same time, she must bring back her father Oswald with her. He had most probably change his appearance and was drinking while mingling in the crowd.

While running on the long corridor, Veronica questioned Glenn:

“Did you too have lost contact with your pal?”

“It totally ignored my summons and ignored my request to present me my Ark. From the looks of the current situation where all the Maestros
gathered at the capital’s sky, it probably has something to do with the unidentified flying object.”

“Then, the Holy Dragners of Lautreamont of our pride can be considered no more. If the Empire attacked us at this moment, without the protection of the Maestros, this country will fall in just a single night.”

“...I don’t have an excuse to offer.” <ref>面目次第も有りません have also the meaning of ‘It is a shame I don’t have the power to…’</ref>

Glenn lowered his head in somber.

===Part 8===
When Veronica and Glenn arrived at the ballroom, the palace music and the party atmosphere of the nobles had disappeared.

Most of the guests were by the glass window and were looking downwards in shock. From there they can see the landing area for the airships.

“That’s…!”

Veronica was also looking downwards through the glass window.

“It is dangerous to stand beside the window, Princess-sama!”

Glenn warned her but Veronica ignored him.

There was a change in the landing area.

A living object that was glowing with silver light suddenly landed there.

''-Uoooooooooooooooooo…!''

It was immediately followed by a loud roar that will made one feel like covering his ears.

It was stated in the previous report that ‘an unidentified flying object that looked like a huge egg’, but it seemed that the huge egg had
hatched when Veronica was on her way.

The unbelievable thing is, that huge monster easily split the Empire’s huge airship Beowolf into two with just a stomp.

Right at this moment, there was a man from the crowd was making a fuss.

“Ooh, what is happening! How can a dragon of the Knight’s… Destroy the most advance airship which is our country’s pride! I don’t think that
this is some simple matter!”

The man words had caused an uproar in the ballroom.

Until a moment ago, everyone had just found out that this monster is a dragon.

Talking about a dragon, everyone will think about Lautreamont Knight Country.

“Is that person…Klaus Viderhausen! He is obviously trying to cause a stir!”

Veronica angrily scolded and glared at the Empire’s young noble.

However, there was a man who stupidly tried to argue with Klaus.

“Nonsense! That monster had nothing to do with our country!”

Although the man was wearing a lion shaped mask, judging from his plum body, Veronica immediately knew who he is.

He is he father, Oswald.

“Kluas-dono! This is the truth! That monster had nothing to do with us! Please believe in me!”

“Hu… What you said was not at all convincing. Anyway, everyone here is a witness.”

Klaus was not even bothered by Oswald.

It was because what Klaus said is true. A huge dragon that appeared with any warning had destroyed the Empire’s airship right in front of
everyone.

Nothing could be worst that this.

For Chevron Kingdom and Zepharos Empire who had never see each other eye to eye was originally going to discuss about the peace in between
them in tomorrow’s continental congress ‘Elysium’.

To Chevron Kingdom and its ally Lautreamont Knight Country this should be a historical event.

“Stop… Let alone the Emperor, not even a royal from the Empire attends. It is a total joke. The Empire had never wanted peace-”

Just as Veronica finished her sentence, there were people screaming from everywhere.

Everyone was in a panic.

All the guests who were wearing their mask, including the musicians and the waiters, everyone were trying to escape.

Apart from Oswald who was crying, Klaus who had previously put the blame on the Knight Country was also fleeing.

“What…!”

Veronica who immediately turned around was also sweating tremendously.

There was a pair of scarlet eyes looking into one of the many palace windows.

She spent a few seconds to figure out that the dragon had stretched its neck and was looking into Fontaine Palace.

“Glenn, if I try to slash the pair of eyes with my huge sword… Do you think I have any chance of winning?”

“Please forgive my rudeness… Even if Princess-sama, you are no match for it.”

Glenn told the truth directly.

"Why must you be this honest?"

Veronica was sulking while she confronted the dragon eyes.

The round eyes.

''It looked like a baby’s pairs of eyes. Although it looked naïve, if this monster just rubbed its nose with the palace walls, Fontaine Palace will
turned into dust in seconds. Furthermore, it will be a hill full of bricks and corpse…''

Even though she was thinking of such scenario, Veronica could still manage a smile.

“Kuku… So this is of feeling of my life being controlled by others. I praise you, my child!”

Seeing that Veronica had no intention of escaping, Captain Glenn advised her in panic:

“Princess-sama, please retreat!”

“I mustn’t. Some of the guests are still here.”

Veronica looked around the empty ballroom.

There was a man with a mask standing at the middle of the dance floor.

The man was wearing a elegant suit. However his hair colour was like a cloth stain with blood.

He is obviously the gut in the reports- Milgauss.

Veronica looked at him in admiration.

“Hmm… You indeed look a little like Julius. Remove your mask!”

To her surprise, he actually did it. He could be seen silently removing his mask and threw it to a side as if he don’t need it anymore.

“-!”

Veronica’s eyes widen.

The handsome face beneath the mask was undoubtable Julius of ten years later who had became a seinen.<ref>青年, man with age range between 20-
30.</ref>

He had no longer the rebellious feel with him in his teenage years and was replaced by a feeling of a weapon that had been well polished.

“So you are Julius…!”

As if to sweep away her worries, Julius walked to the side of the window. At the same time, the dragon’s face disappeared as if it had lost
interest with the empty ballroom.

Julius was standing by the window looking at the huge dragon.

“Kukuku… I had been waiting for this moment for a long time!”

That sinful voice and the devil like smile made Veronica felt uneasy.

Glenn took a stepped forward as if trying to ask in behalf of Veronica.

He unsheathed his sword that was on his waist.

“You can’t be Julius, no? My friend will never show such malicious smile.

“Oh, Glenn McGuire! I remembered you are one of the guys that appeared in Julius’s memories. It should be suitable to use ‘it had been a long
time’ in this situation, don’t you think so?”

“What do you meant!”

“You still don’t get it? This body is indeed Julius’s. However, I am not Julius. But I can peek into Julius’s memories anytime.

“What is happening…?”

Veronica was curious but it was not bothered by the man.

“Kneel! Quick! Look carefully! You are witnessing a historical moment!”

The man was acting like a holy man in the religious painting. He spread his arms widely and declared his name.

==References and Translation Notes==
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| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 4 Chapter 7|Chapter 7]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 4 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 4 Chapter 7

2013-10-20T05:41:57Z

65.93.178.100: /* Part 8 */

==Chapter 7 - Masquerade==
===Part 1===
'''The Seventh Continental Congress ‘Elysium’ ''~A brief introduction of the attendees of each country~'' '''

'''I. Holy Espada Agency'''

The Pope Raquel IV is in charge with organizing this congress. Even though she is nine years old, her strong clairvoyance was recognized by all. She was a genius who was recommended to become the pope at a young age. She was now accompanied by twelve cardinals.

'''II. Chevron Kingdom'''

Apart from King Zacherias III and three princes, there are also the nobles who were involved in the country’s politic who attended. They made up a total of three thousand people all together which can be said as the biggest group.

'''III. Zepharos Empire'''

Emperor Ortofon VIII will be absent because of old age. He will be replaced by the baron of the Wadanhuoer borders. Apart from that, there were a few more powerful nobles who attended. Although their numbers were next to the Chevron Kingdom’s, but the amount of attendees for them is unusually small.

'''IV. Labrock Trade Union'''

Led by the Caudillo EnzoSabatini, a total of seven mayors from seven major cities attended.

'''V. Lautreamont Knight Country'''

Apart from Paladin Oswald and First Princes, Princess Veronica, the Fourth Princess, Princess Silvia will attend the congress for the first time. The second and the third princess will not attend because of studying aboard. Also, there are a few nobles who attend.

===Part 2===
After putting aside the pamphlet he took with him to pass time, Ash lay down on the bed lazily.

“Just as I had thought, Pricess-sama is amazing.”

A few moments before, Silvia was lying on this bed exchanging gazes with him. The living Silvia is just an arm length away. But after he saw
Silvia’s name on the pamphlet, he still felt that she was still at that unreachable height.

Ash took out the silver watch that was given by the Paladin.

It was already six fifteen in the evening.

“It is already this late?”

After remembering that the masquerade starts at six thirty, he made up his mind to change. Just when Ash is going to take the suit hanging on
the wall- He stopped.

“What is Eco doing?”

Girls are different from guys. They need to take their time to get prepared. Ash understands that. Even so, Eco and Prim had been away for
four hours.

“Even if they are slow, this is just…”

Who knows where has she been to together with Prim.

After making up his mind, Ash removed the bandages on his left arm.

His left arm that was fully covered with his ‘Seikoku’ can be seen.

“Luckily I am connected with Eco.”

Not long ago, Eco was kidnapped by Angela. During that time, Ash found Angela’s hiding place with the help of his ‘Seikoku’.

Ash placed his left fist on his forehead and held his left wrist with his right hand.

“Please… Tell me where Eco is right now!”

After a pause, his left arm started to felt hot and the embroider symbols on his left arm started to glow. Butterflies created by magic
started to fly one by one. These butterflies were like road signs and normally will show ash the way to Eco.

“Huh??”

But what happen next left Ash staring blankly. The butterflies created had disappeared and the lights and heats coming from his left arm too
were gone.

“What’s happening!?”

Ash stood still, dumbfounded. Even though he kept on trying for the second and third time, he still ended up failing. His ‘Seikoku’ was like a
broken bright dragon crystal powered lamp. It stopped functioning totally.

He had a bad feeling. This is Paladin’s main town, so he had never expected for Eco to face any danger here. Still, the connection between him
and Eco that had been cut off was still the truth.

“Damn…!”

Ash was out of options and rushed out from the room.

He was running aimlessly at the long corridor.

When he was in the room together with Silvia, Eco probably was in danger… When Ash thought about this, he was disgusted by himself.

The space in the palace is wide. Even thought he had totally no idea where to search for Eco, still he couldn’t stay worried in his room.

Just when he was rushing at full speed at the corner, Ash saw a maid.

“Uwaa!”

“Ara ara.”

At the same time the maid was mumbling something, she nimbly avoided Ash.

Not only that, she also seized Ash’s necktie just when he was going to fall and pull him back. Ash was lucky as he was a few moments away
from falling head down.

“It is not like what Ash-sama will do to run around panicking in the corridor.”

Ash looked back embarrassedly and saw Cosette.

Ash as if he met his savior begged Cosette to help him.

“Eco and Prim had not yet return! Even the ‘Seikoku’ had no reaction!”

Cosette immediately became serious.

“Understood. I will immediately order the maids who were not on duty to search for them. It will be better than to let Ash-sama running
aimlessly.

“Thank you! Lets-”

“You mustn’t. Please follow the original plan and attend the masquerade, Ash-sama.”

“How could I… She is my pal. It isn’t right for me not to search for her!”

“Please don’t forget that this is Fontaine City. The coming word may not be pleasant so I beg your pardon… Since the ‘Seikoku’ is not
reacting, even if Ash-sama had joined the search, there is nothing you can do.”

“Wha….!”

“On the other hand, we maids knew the structure of this palace. Please believe in us and let us handle this matter. Not to mention that Prim
onee-chan is my family. I will deal this matter with full force.”

“Understood…”

After Ash promised while nodding, Cosette finally smile.

“Although this doesn’t seem right, I must ask Ash-sama to act as Princess-sama’s escort.”

“Princess-sama’s escort?”

“Even though she was always what you saw, actually, she is very timid and afraid of strangers. But, as long as Ash-sama is with her, I don’t
think that it will be a problem."

Cosette’s plan should be perfect. But this is the time where Eco will face danger any moment, and yet he was enjoying the masquerade, he
didn’t feels that this is the right thing to do.

As if she had seen through what ash was thinking, Cosette guaranteed:

“Please have faith in me, Ash-sama.”

Ash reluctantly accepted.

“…Alright. Eco will be in your hands.”

<noinclude>

===Part 3===
After four in the evening, Anya returned back to Beowolf through the long secret passage. After handing over Eco to Dr Hoffman, she borrowed the shower room.

Although it is summer, Anya felt very cold. She was drenched by the heavy rain outside not long before.

After entering the changing room, Anya firstly removed her maid attire that was soaked with water. Only then she removed her tight undergarments.

Lastly, she let loose her hair that was tied at the back of her head and she was now naked.

There was a huge mirror hanging on the wall in the bathroom.

“…”

It had been a long time since she stared at her own body.

Her wet dark hair, her wheat coloured skin that only the mountains people have, her small chest and her curves that looked as if the extra
flesh were being removed by a knife.

Without any reasons, Anya touched her breast. Compare to ‘La Tene’s’ manager, Rebecca of the president of the student council and Princess
Silvia, there is nothing special about hers- But at least hers could be compared with Eco’s.
[[Image:SnRK V04 004-005.jpg|thumb|'' It seems like I am not at all feminine… Anya mocked her own self. “…!” Just when she thought about that, Anya panicked. ''What nonsense am I thinking about?'' '']]

''It seems like I am not at all feminine…'' Anya mocked her own self.

“…!”

Just when she thought about that, Anya panicked.

''What nonsense am I thinking about?'' Anya in her past was never bothered by her looks. It was probably that living in the dragon riding academy for this whole time had made her impetuous.

Logically speaking, big breasts will become a hindrance in battle. There are even legends that said that female warriors of the mountain
people in the ancient times tend to cut off one of their breast in order to not obstruct them in archery.

“That’s it. It is better to have a small breast than to face the knife!”

After Anya tried to give herself an excuse, she turned on the tap.

Although the water was initially cold, it had turned warm in just a few moments. Anya once again was amazed by the Empires skills and let the
warm water flows from her head.

She hoped that her impetuous feeling too will be wash away together-

Anya while letting the warm water run through her body with her eyes closed, she thought about her previous mission.

Basically, it was a successful mission.

Even though she had underestimated Eco’s fighting ability and caused her four underlings to be injured, still, since they were not spotted by
any of the guards, she could force a pass in it.

“But… The problems start here.”

===Part 4===
On the third floor of the palace- In the ball room, the temperature is rising. All the guests were with a silver mask. Apart from those traditional mask where it hides the area beside the eyes, there were also masks that were shaped like dragons, lions and many other animals.
Among them, there were also guest there dressed up as a clown.

After Ash who was in the formal suit wore the mask that he received from the counter, he stood beside the entrance. That was because Cosette
had told him that he will meet Silvia sooner or later if he stood there.

The palace’s orchestra was performing a light music at the opposite of the door. Ash could never be able to blend into this kind of
environment.

“Eco…Where are you?”

For numerous times… Ash had called out to his ‘Seikoku’, but there still isn’t a positive result.

The ‘Seikoku’ is like a quite beach during the low tide.

“-Anything wrong. You look like as if you are worrying about something.”

Suddenly, when he heard someone was talking to him, Ash looked up in fright. A lady with a black butterfly was staring at him. The black
butterfly was of course a mask. Since it had only covered the top part of her face, it was easy when it come to figure out who she was.

“Huh… Princess!”

Silvia glared at Ash.

“Uwaa, sorry…”

Ash was apologizing to Silvia while trying to check any emotional changes from her.

Her glaring golden hair was tied into a mature hairstyle and stood out together with the deep red coloured ribbon. The long gloves that
covered until her elbow gave out the feeling of a fair lady. On her right hand was a fan which looked like a choice of a girl from a high
family status.

Her evening dress was blue in colour with gem stones sewed on the important places and it looks like it emerges from the lakes during
summer. In contrast to her waist that was bounded tightly by Cosette, the lower part of her dress was let of loosely and looked like a sole
lilium. <ref>Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large prominent flowers. Lilies are a group of
flowering plants which are important in culture and literature in much of the world. Wikipedia</ref>

Ash blushed. He recalled the memories two hours ago where both of them were on the bed.

“Princess-sama… Is really beautiful.”

Ash felt pathetic as he has such a poor vocabulary. That is because Silvia is that beautiful.

“D-Don’t keep on staring at me. It’s embarrassing…!”

When Silvia noticed Ash’s sight, her cheeks turned rosy and shyly lower down her head. She open up the fan and covered her mouth with it.

“Sorry…”

Ash was also embarrassed and turned his head aside.

There was an awkward moment in between the two and after a while, Silvia spoke:

“That’s it! I had heard of it from Cosette. It was said that Eco and Prim were lost together…”

Upon hearing, Ash was now fully awake.

“That’s right… Cosette right now was looking for them. If it is possible, I would also like to take part in the search. But, the ‘Seikoku’ is
not reacting.”

“What did you say! How is it possible…?”

Just when Silvia was getting tense…

“Excuse me, miss. Can you please step aside?”

A man who was hiding his face like the rest of the guest was speaking to Silvia gently. The man's language bears a strong Empire’s accent.

“Ahh…Sorry.”

Silvia immediately stepped aside.

“Thank you, Princess Silvia- Sorry, tonight should be a masquerade. Hehe… It is better if we keep each other’s identity a secret.”

The man who was like a noble spoke like a poet and walk into the ballroom leisurely. Even when Silvia wore her mask, the man recognized her
with just a glance.

''Who the hell is this guy''…Ash felt uneasy.

“You!”

At the next instant, Ash shouted.

The mysterious man have a follower with him. The follower initially was following the man from behind but he was forced to stop when Ash held
his shoulder.

“You are…!”

Silvia gasped when she saw the follower.

Ash angrily asked without hesitating:

“Milgauss… Why are you here!?”

To his horried, Milgauss attempted to enter the ballroom with his usual mask.

“…Can you please let go, Ash Blake. I have nothing that I want to talk to you here.”

Milgauss was calm.

Not only Ash was irritated by Milgauss when he purposely called his full name, but he also had a bad feeling about it.

“What? How dare you after doing those things…”

When Ash was going to refute, he noticed something.

The Kingdom’s language that Milgauss used doesn’t bears the Empire’s accent. Milgauss is Prince Julius- There is a sudden increase in the probability of what Silvia had said.

“Oops. Could it be that my follower had offended both of you?”

The man before turned back to face the door. The previous tense atmosphere disappeared in an instant.

Milgauss glared at Ash as if he wanted Ash to know his stand.

Through the mask, the fierce pressure that his eyes bear caused Ash to be shaking.

Milgauss than act as if he had lost interest in Ash turned around and faced the man.

“Nothing. Just a misunderstanding. Nothing to make a fuss about.”

Even though he was a follower, Milgauss didn’t even try to speak in a humble form. <ref>Humble form is a way to express yourself in Japanese when you are speaking to a person from a higher social status.</ref>

Ash could only see them off disappearing into the crowd.

At this moment, Silvia spoke to Ash in a stuttered voice:

“That man… I knew him.”

“Really?”

“That’s it. He should be the Klaus, Baron for the Wadanhuoer borders.”

He had never imagined to hear the name of the agent of the Zepharos Empire’s Emperor from Silvia. In his heart, he felt a tense feeling as if someone was pointing a knife at his neck which is far more intense than the previous fight between him and Milgauss.

===Part 5===
After bathing, Anya changed back into a usual tribal wear.

Even though the weather was hot, she still had the muffler around her neck. The mission before required her to remove the muffler which made her have the feeling of the lack of safety around her neck. Now, it is better.

After that, Anya head to the armory to check on Eco.

===Part 6===
Upon stepping into the armory, the atmosphere changed significantly into a hectic situation. ‘Yggdrasill’ seemed to be running and the buzzing sound can be heard.

The Millenniums on the body of the machine were shining. There are also the sounds of the technician reading the data shown on the screen.

It seems that Eco was already inside ‘Yggdrasill’-The capsule.

Her clothes were removed and she was naked.

She is just like a baby holding on to her knees floating in the capsule.

Her beautiful figure gave Anya a mysterious feeling.

“Ahh, ain’t you Anya-dono?”

The representative of the researchers- Dr Hoffman<ref>note: Dr Hoffman’s ‘DR’ is a PHD holder’s Dr and not a medical Dr.</ref> noticed Anya and walk towards her.

“Has the experiment…begun?”

“At our current stage, there is nothing abnormal. It is all according to the plan.”

Dr Hoffman gave a gentle smile just like a kind elderly man. But this man took Eco as a experimental object without even a second though. This made Anya felt uneasy.

“It seems that Anya-dono didn’t like much about this experiment.”

Dr Hoffman’s word had hit the bull’s eye.

“N-No…!”

Anya felt embarrassed. Even though she denied verbally, everyone can tell that she was lying from the looks of her face.

“It is alright. You are still young.”

“Professor… Have you ever have any doubt? Although Eco is a dragon… her appearance is of a girl’s.”

“Do I have a choice? For what I am today, it is all thanks to Klaus-sama. Last time, when I was forced to carry out all inhuman experiments, I
strongly rejected them and pissed off the Zepharos Emperor. In the end, I was chased out from the capital Arkham. During that time, Klaus-sama
is my savior and invited me to his private research center.”
After saying that, Dr Hoffman gave a gentle cough.

“Anya-dono, what do you think that this ‘Yggdrasill’ was used for?”

“I-I don’t know.”

“I am not surprised. Even I have no idea about this thing initially. I only realized after I read Milgauss-dono’s written opinion.”

“What did Milgauss-sama wrote?”

“It was said that, a long time ago… when the ancient kingdom reaches its prime, humans and dragons can even control life. On the first glance
on this ‘Yggdrasill’, Milgauss-dono knew that this is a medical tool.”

“Medical…?”

“In contrary to the modern times, all the dragons in the ancient time can transform into a Maestro. But of course there are exceptions. This
machine is used for dragons who couldn’t transform into Maestro… Basically, it was for dragons with handicap.”

Anya finally understood Dr Hoffman’s hint.

“In another words, our plan is to use its function… To awaken Eco?”

“That’s right. We are going to compress the enormous magic of the Millennium into her body and force out her true self.”

“But…Why now? Tomorrow is the continental congress ‘Elysium’, to launch such a experiment at such an important time is to…?”

“This has no longer anything to do with me.”

Dr Hoffman’s answer is no longer the kind old man. He just answered coldly.

“I am only following Klaus-sama’s orders. Anya-dono, didn’t you too obeyed Milgauss-dono’s order to capture young dragon Eco?”

“That’s… true.”

Dr Hoffman’s words were like an ice blade that stabbed into Anya’s chest.

===Part 7===
It was seven in the evening.

The masquerade that intends to bring all the people of different countries together had started right on time.

The venue was located at the highest floor of Fontaine Palace.

Fontaine Palace which had been famous for its plain design had only this ballroom being designed grandly with the Chevron style.

At the dance floor in the middle of the ballroom, men and ladies were holding hands dancing gracefully according to the music tempo. Around the dance floor were also bars, tables, chairs and sofas. A number of guests were chit chatting there.

Looking at those gentlemen and gentlewomen hiding their faces behind those mask and gathered together, Ash secretly felt that this is not a
place where he belongs to.

Ash avoided the crowd nimbly and head towards Silvia and said:

“Princess-sama was already used to this kind of ball right?”

“You are wrong. A citizen of the Knights should be focusing on plainness… It is not our wish to organized such a noisy party… Apart from that,
could you not address me as ‘Princess-sama’?”

“Why?”

Ash didn’t know how to react to this. Silvia suddenly stood still. She was showing an unsatisfied look on her face. Because her mask had
covered the area around her eyes, Ash could only judge her expression through her lips.

“What did you think this mask is for? If you kept on saying ‘Princess-sama’, everyone will know who I am.”

“Ahh…You are right.”

“Tsk, Can’t you use some of your brains?”

“So what should I call you as?”

“Err…!”

Silvia was silenced by the unexpected question. Her face turned red in a blink of an eye.

After a few seconds, Silvia spoke:

“…You can call me Sylvie.”

The Silvia right in front of him is very attractive which made him wanted to give her a hug.

“Then…”

Ash gulped.

''-Sylvie.''

His heart was jumping nonstop. Just like resonating to Ash feelings, Silvia lowered down her head and acted shyly as if to prevent her
heartbeat form being heard.

Ash made up his mind and spread open his dry lips.

“Silv- Uwaa!”

At this moment, Ash with a ‘Don!’ was pushed aside by someone and fell down. Before he could react, Silvia was surrounded by three men.

“My beautiful ojou-san<ref>A way to address a girl from a high family status.</ref>. Could I have the honor for you to be my dance partner?”

“Although your face was covered, the classy air around you couldn’t be hidden from my eyes!”

“Hold on! I am here first!”

Ash was dumbstruck. Even though those men are with their mask on, but judging from their actions, they are not someone simple. These men should
have noticed the different air around Silvia.

“Hold on… I am a little troubled by all of you inviting me suddenly…”

If it was the usual Silvia, she will tell them off mercilessly. But, right now, she is just a girl that had little experience of this world.

''-Even though she was always what you saw, actually, she is very timid and afraid of strangers''

Ash remembered what Cosette had said. She is worthy to become Silvia’s maid for her to notice all the details.

After Ash fell down, there were still men approaching her. The number of men surrounding her had increased from three to five.

Now it is ten. The voices that were inviting Silvia to be their dance partner were getting louder.

The guests around started to notice the noise and looked at them curiously.

“About that… I don’t feel like doing it now…”

Just like ants surrounding sugars, the numbers of men surrounding were still growing.

Facing all the passionate men, Silvia was being overwhelmed.

“Hey, Ash!”

But she suddenly shouted Ash’s name as if she wants Ash to come to her help.

After he made his mental preparations, Ash dragged Silvia through the walls of men.

There were sounds of disapproving from their surroundings.

“Hey, where’re your manners!”

“Couldn’t you take your turn!”

“Even though this is a masquerade, you must keep up with your manners!”

You are the ones who don’t have any manners…Ash grumbled in his heart and kept on squeezing forward.

These weak nobles couldn’t even stand still when they were pushed by Ash. And can only make way. They are at most nobles who were raised
while being protected. Naturally, they are no match to Ash who undergo strict training in the dragon riding academy in terms of strength.

“Waa!”

A waiter in black immediately made way to protect the expensive wine glass upon seeing Ash rushing right into him.

In a few moments, they are no longer surrounded and their field of vision widens. At the same time, the music had become louder.

“Ehh…?”

Ash stopped.

A group of people were holding hands dancing in pairs. Ash only found out that they mistakenly ran into the dance floor.

The numerous amount of evening dress made the scenery looks like hundreds of flowers blossoming at the same time.

Every time the ladies in the dance floor turned their bodies, their long skirts turned into a giant rose.

“W-We should retreat! Princess-sama!”

“Didn’t I told you not to call me Princess-sama!”

“This is not a time to be arguing about those things!”

For the two to be standing in the dance floor while holding hands while arguing, suddenly there were applauses from their surroundings.

“W-What happened?”

From the looks of it, they definitely want to give courage for the two to dance. It was probably Silvia classy feel around her that caught
their attentions. Ash was just a side character.

“What should we do now, Princess-sama?”

Ash was troubled and turned around to look at Silvia. Seeing Ash being embarrass, Silvia laugh.

“Wa…What are you laughing about, Princess-sama?”

“Nothing. Right now, we can only return the favour of the guests.”

“Ehh…?”

In opposite of what just happened, Silvia took the initiative to hold Ash’s hands.

“Wait! I know nothing about dancing!”

“You should had learn before the basic of a ballroom dance in the physical education class, no?”

“I-I guess so…”

“Alright, everyone is looking. I will take the lead, you just have to follow.”

“Okay… I will give it a try.”

Ash imitates the guests’ action and held Silvia’s waist with a hand. Her waist is just as thin as a doll.

Followed by the light waltz, Ash and Silvia started to dance. The distance between they were so near that they can feel each other’s breath.
This made Ash’s head spins. Although there were a few time where he nearly tripped over Silvia’s feet, she was not bothered by it and even
cover up for Ash.
[[Image:SnRK V04 167.jpg|thumb]]

Not long later, the dancers around and the beat of the music had disappeared from Ash thought.

Starting from her breath from her lips that had lip gloss on them, to the feeling from his palm, to the soft sensation he felt whenever their
bodies collides with each other and also that rosy smell…

While dancing, ash felt like he is going to faint.

As if to drag him back to reality, Silvia grumbled to Ash.

“Anyway, it was your entire fault for not positioning yourself properly.”

“…What do you meant?”

Ash asked while accidentally stepping on Silvia’s feet. Ash totally don’t get what she was saying.

“For the start when we entered this ballroom, you kept on following me from behind? No matter how I think of it, I can only see you as my
follower. That is why those guys will try to approach me...”

Ash gave a wry smile.

At such a time, Silvia would even think of lecturing him. Although it fits her style well, what comes next gave ash a great big shock.

“B-But… You look cool…Err…When you were running while holding my hand.”

“Princess-sama…?”

“N-Nothing! Forget it!”

Silvia immediately stopped talking and focused her mind on the dance.

===Part 8===
After dancing, Ash brought Silvia to a corner of the ballroom.

Ash wished to relax for a moment from the eyes of others. He passed a cup of drink that he received from a waiter to Silvia.

“Thank you.”

After Silvia whose face was red thanked him, she took a sip from the cup. Even though the ballroom dance looked graceful, after trying, he found
out that it actually requires a lot of energy.

Ash took the cup and drank from it. The liquid in the cup was lemon juice that taste a little sweet and sour. He can feel that the juice
was being absorbed by his exercised body.

''Anyway, shouldn’t there be any news yet from Cosette?''... Ash wonders. It had been almost an hour since he saw Cosette.

“-Excuse me, may I have a word with you?”

There was a sudden voice coming from behind that brought Ash back to his sense and he turned around-

“You…!”

Upon seeing the person, Ash lost his composure.

He hid Silvia behind him and glared at the person.

“…Have you any business to do with us?”

After Ash asked coldly, that person just reply with a smile.

“Hmm. It seems like I had become a nuisance.”

He is the young noble that they met not long before. If Silvia’s prediction was right, he is Klaus, Baron for the Wadanhuoer borders. Milgauss
was following him from behind like a shadow.

Even though their meeting not long before had nearly turned into a fight, Klaus still tried to greet them in purpose. There should be a limit
of how much an airhead he could be.

Klaus ignored Ash and looked at Silvia. Then he gracefully held out his hand to her.

“Your dance is excellent. I would like to know that if I had the honour to dance with you?”

“Are you kidding! What are you trying to pu-”

“Ash! Hold on!”

Silvia unexpectedly stopped Ash. After she indirectly rejected Klaus offer, she looked at Milgauss.

“If this man become my dance partner, I would allow it.”

“Haha! Who would have thought that I would be rejected while this follower is asked… You have quite some good eyes there.”

Not only that her actions didn’t anger Klaus, he even smiled. Silvia's words should have shattered his pride but it was like he was not even
bothered by it. He looked like a proud older brother whose younger brother is admired.

“Since the lady had proposed-”

Klaus looked at Milgauss while smiling.

Milgauss remained silent. He looked as if he had merged with the mask which bears no expression. Seeing that Milgauss had not yet replied,
Klaus shrugged his shoulders and said:

“Kuku, you are not allowed to decline. Don’t forget that the you right now are one of my followers.”

===Part 9===
Milgauss was dancing with Silvia while holding on to each other’s hands.

It is better to describe this as a beautiful show than a ballroom dance.

In contrast to the attractive Silvia, Milgauss hair was still with the red and white mix colour. Although he gave out a dangerous feeling, it is undeniable that the masquerade provides a cover for him.

Ballroom dancing is just a general statement. In truth, Ash knew that this dance had many developments that were affected by the difference of each country culture and style.

What Milgauss and Silvia were dancing right now is undoubtably the traditional dance of the Lautreamont Knight Country.

Ash was so focused in their dance that he had forgotten about the previous hatred.

But Ash was not the only one who was amazed.

Without knowing, everyone was entranced by Milgauss and Silvia’s dance.

Right now, the people dancing in the dance floor were only both of them.

They are occupying the whole wide space. Just like blessing them, the orchestras were at the climax of the music.

Followed by the movement of her evening dress, Silvia was dancing swiftly.

Facing Silvia, Milgauss was leading the dance.

They looked like a combination of light and shadow, yet their dance is perfect.

“Wow… This is my first time seeing such a great dance.”

Klaus was who admiring the dance while standing beside Ash spoke in a low voice in admiration.

===Part 10===
The dance of the two people ended silently like a setting sun.

Milgauss remained silent the whole time. He returned Silvia to Ash just like returning a book and walk off silently.

“Certainly his indifference attitude gave me some trouble.”

Klaus gave a wry smile and disappeared into the crowd while he ran after Milgauss.

Ash inspected Silvia’s face carefully.

“Have you found any clue? Could Milgauss true identity be…”

“No… I can’t be sure. Because I was very young the last time I saw Anii-ue… But, Milgauss' dance is definitely originated from the Lautreamont Knight Country. I am sure that he had a long history with the Knight Country.”

Silvia murmured.

“-Ash-sama.”

At this moment, someone whispered into Ash’s ears.

“Cosette!”

Ash turned around. Cosette was with a straight and serious face spoke:

“The maids who heads the search in the ancient palace had found Prim Onee-chan.”

"Yggdrasill ~A.S.B.1365.7~" is closed.

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 4 Chapter 6|Chapter 6]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 4 Chapter 8|Chapter 8]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 4 Chapter 7

2013-10-20T05:41:22Z

65.93.178.100: /* Part 8 */

==Chapter 7 - Masquerade==
===Part 1===
'''The Seventh Continental Congress ‘Elysium’ ''~A brief introduction of the attendees of each country~'' '''

'''I. Holy Espada Agency'''

The Pope Raquel IV is in charge with organizing this congress. Even though she is nine years old, her strong clairvoyance was recognized by all. She was a genius who was recommended to become the pope at a young age. She was now accompanied by twelve cardinals.

'''II. Chevron Kingdom'''

Apart from King Zacherias III and three princes, there are also the nobles who were involved in the country’s politic who attended. They made up a total of three thousand people all together which can be said as the biggest group.

'''III. Zepharos Empire'''

Emperor Ortofon VIII will be absent because of old age. He will be replaced by the baron of the Wadanhuoer borders. Apart from that, there were a few more powerful nobles who attended. Although their numbers were next to the Chevron Kingdom’s, but the amount of attendees for them is unusually small.

'''IV. Labrock Trade Union'''

Led by the Caudillo EnzoSabatini, a total of seven mayors from seven major cities attended.

'''V. Lautreamont Knight Country'''

Apart from Paladin Oswald and First Princes, Princess Veronica, the Fourth Princess, Princess Silvia will attend the congress for the first time. The second and the third princess will not attend because of studying aboard. Also, there are a few nobles who attend.

===Part 2===
After putting aside the pamphlet he took with him to pass time, Ash lay down on the bed lazily.

“Just as I had thought, Pricess-sama is amazing.”

A few moments before, Silvia was lying on this bed exchanging gazes with him. The living Silvia is just an arm length away. But after he saw
Silvia’s name on the pamphlet, he still felt that she was still at that unreachable height.

Ash took out the silver watch that was given by the Paladin.

It was already six fifteen in the evening.

“It is already this late?”

After remembering that the masquerade starts at six thirty, he made up his mind to change. Just when Ash is going to take the suit hanging on
the wall- He stopped.

“What is Eco doing?”

Girls are different from guys. They need to take their time to get prepared. Ash understands that. Even so, Eco and Prim had been away for
four hours.

“Even if they are slow, this is just…”

Who knows where has she been to together with Prim.

After making up his mind, Ash removed the bandages on his left arm.

His left arm that was fully covered with his ‘Seikoku’ can be seen.

“Luckily I am connected with Eco.”

Not long ago, Eco was kidnapped by Angela. During that time, Ash found Angela’s hiding place with the help of his ‘Seikoku’.

Ash placed his left fist on his forehead and held his left wrist with his right hand.

“Please… Tell me where Eco is right now!”

After a pause, his left arm started to felt hot and the embroider symbols on his left arm started to glow. Butterflies created by magic
started to fly one by one. These butterflies were like road signs and normally will show ash the way to Eco.

“Huh??”

But what happen next left Ash staring blankly. The butterflies created had disappeared and the lights and heats coming from his left arm too
were gone.

“What’s happening!?”

Ash stood still, dumbfounded. Even though he kept on trying for the second and third time, he still ended up failing. His ‘Seikoku’ was like a
broken bright dragon crystal powered lamp. It stopped functioning totally.

He had a bad feeling. This is Paladin’s main town, so he had never expected for Eco to face any danger here. Still, the connection between him
and Eco that had been cut off was still the truth.

“Damn…!”

Ash was out of options and rushed out from the room.

He was running aimlessly at the long corridor.

When he was in the room together with Silvia, Eco probably was in danger… When Ash thought about this, he was disgusted by himself.

The space in the palace is wide. Even thought he had totally no idea where to search for Eco, still he couldn’t stay worried in his room.

Just when he was rushing at full speed at the corner, Ash saw a maid.

“Uwaa!”

“Ara ara.”

At the same time the maid was mumbling something, she nimbly avoided Ash.

Not only that, she also seized Ash’s necktie just when he was going to fall and pull him back. Ash was lucky as he was a few moments away
from falling head down.

“It is not like what Ash-sama will do to run around panicking in the corridor.”

Ash looked back embarrassedly and saw Cosette.

Ash as if he met his savior begged Cosette to help him.

“Eco and Prim had not yet return! Even the ‘Seikoku’ had no reaction!”

Cosette immediately became serious.

“Understood. I will immediately order the maids who were not on duty to search for them. It will be better than to let Ash-sama running
aimlessly.

“Thank you! Lets-”

“You mustn’t. Please follow the original plan and attend the masquerade, Ash-sama.”

“How could I… She is my pal. It isn’t right for me not to search for her!”

“Please don’t forget that this is Fontaine City. The coming word may not be pleasant so I beg your pardon… Since the ‘Seikoku’ is not
reacting, even if Ash-sama had joined the search, there is nothing you can do.”

“Wha….!”

“On the other hand, we maids knew the structure of this palace. Please believe in us and let us handle this matter. Not to mention that Prim
onee-chan is my family. I will deal this matter with full force.”

“Understood…”

After Ash promised while nodding, Cosette finally smile.

“Although this doesn’t seem right, I must ask Ash-sama to act as Princess-sama’s escort.”

“Princess-sama’s escort?”

“Even though she was always what you saw, actually, she is very timid and afraid of strangers. But, as long as Ash-sama is with her, I don’t
think that it will be a problem."

Cosette’s plan should be perfect. But this is the time where Eco will face danger any moment, and yet he was enjoying the masquerade, he
didn’t feels that this is the right thing to do.

As if she had seen through what ash was thinking, Cosette guaranteed:

“Please have faith in me, Ash-sama.”

Ash reluctantly accepted.

“…Alright. Eco will be in your hands.”

<noinclude>

===Part 3===
After four in the evening, Anya returned back to Beowolf through the long secret passage. After handing over Eco to Dr Hoffman, she borrowed the shower room.

Although it is summer, Anya felt very cold. She was drenched by the heavy rain outside not long before.

After entering the changing room, Anya firstly removed her maid attire that was soaked with water. Only then she removed her tight undergarments.

Lastly, she let loose her hair that was tied at the back of her head and she was now naked.

There was a huge mirror hanging on the wall in the bathroom.

“…”

It had been a long time since she stared at her own body.

Her wet dark hair, her wheat coloured skin that only the mountains people have, her small chest and her curves that looked as if the extra
flesh were being removed by a knife.

Without any reasons, Anya touched her breast. Compare to ‘La Tene’s’ manager, Rebecca of the president of the student council and Princess
Silvia, there is nothing special about hers- But at least hers could be compared with Eco’s.
[[Image:SnRK V04 004-005.jpg|thumb|'' It seems like I am not at all feminine… Anya mocked her own self. “…!” Just when she thought about that, Anya panicked. ''What nonsense am I thinking about?'' '']]

''It seems like I am not at all feminine…'' Anya mocked her own self.

“…!”

Just when she thought about that, Anya panicked.

''What nonsense am I thinking about?'' Anya in her past was never bothered by her looks. It was probably that living in the dragon riding academy for this whole time had made her impetuous.

Logically speaking, big breasts will become a hindrance in battle. There are even legends that said that female warriors of the mountain
people in the ancient times tend to cut off one of their breast in order to not obstruct them in archery.

“That’s it. It is better to have a small breast than to face the knife!”

After Anya tried to give herself an excuse, she turned on the tap.

Although the water was initially cold, it had turned warm in just a few moments. Anya once again was amazed by the Empires skills and let the
warm water flows from her head.

She hoped that her impetuous feeling too will be wash away together-

Anya while letting the warm water run through her body with her eyes closed, she thought about her previous mission.

Basically, it was a successful mission.

Even though she had underestimated Eco’s fighting ability and caused her four underlings to be injured, still, since they were not spotted by
any of the guards, she could force a pass in it.

“But… The problems start here.”

===Part 4===
On the third floor of the palace- In the ball room, the temperature is rising. All the guests were with a silver mask. Apart from those traditional mask where it hides the area beside the eyes, there were also masks that were shaped like dragons, lions and many other animals.
Among them, there were also guest there dressed up as a clown.

After Ash who was in the formal suit wore the mask that he received from the counter, he stood beside the entrance. That was because Cosette
had told him that he will meet Silvia sooner or later if he stood there.

The palace’s orchestra was performing a light music at the opposite of the door. Ash could never be able to blend into this kind of
environment.

“Eco…Where are you?”

For numerous times… Ash had called out to his ‘Seikoku’, but there still isn’t a positive result.

The ‘Seikoku’ is like a quite beach during the low tide.

“-Anything wrong. You look like as if you are worrying about something.”

Suddenly, when he heard someone was talking to him, Ash looked up in fright. A lady with a black butterfly was staring at him. The black
butterfly was of course a mask. Since it had only covered the top part of her face, it was easy when it come to figure out who she was.

“Huh… Princess!”

Silvia glared at Ash.

“Uwaa, sorry…”

Ash was apologizing to Silvia while trying to check any emotional changes from her.

Her glaring golden hair was tied into a mature hairstyle and stood out together with the deep red coloured ribbon. The long gloves that
covered until her elbow gave out the feeling of a fair lady. On her right hand was a fan which looked like a choice of a girl from a high
family status.

Her evening dress was blue in colour with gem stones sewed on the important places and it looks like it emerges from the lakes during
summer. In contrast to her waist that was bounded tightly by Cosette, the lower part of her dress was let of loosely and looked like a sole
lilium. <ref>Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large prominent flowers. Lilies are a group of
flowering plants which are important in culture and literature in much of the world. Wikipedia</ref>

Ash blushed. He recalled the memories two hours ago where both of them were on the bed.

“Princess-sama… Is really beautiful.”

Ash felt pathetic as he has such a poor vocabulary. That is because Silvia is that beautiful.

“D-Don’t keep on staring at me. It’s embarrassing…!”

When Silvia noticed Ash’s sight, her cheeks turned rosy and shyly lower down her head. She open up the fan and covered her mouth with it.

“Sorry…”

Ash was also embarrassed and turned his head aside.

There was an awkward moment in between the two and after a while, Silvia spoke:

“That’s it! I had heard of it from Cosette. It was said that Eco and Prim were lost together…”

Upon hearing, Ash was now fully awake.

“That’s right… Cosette right now was looking for them. If it is possible, I would also like to take part in the search. But, the ‘Seikoku’ is
not reacting.”

“What did you say! How is it possible…?”

Just when Silvia was getting tense…

“Excuse me, miss. Can you please step aside?”

A man who was hiding his face like the rest of the guest was speaking to Silvia gently. The man's language bears a strong Empire’s accent.

“Ahh…Sorry.”

Silvia immediately stepped aside.

“Thank you, Princess Silvia- Sorry, tonight should be a masquerade. Hehe… It is better if we keep each other’s identity a secret.”

The man who was like a noble spoke like a poet and walk into the ballroom leisurely. Even when Silvia wore her mask, the man recognized her
with just a glance.

''Who the hell is this guy''…Ash felt uneasy.

“You!”

At the next instant, Ash shouted.

The mysterious man have a follower with him. The follower initially was following the man from behind but he was forced to stop when Ash held
his shoulder.

“You are…!”

Silvia gasped when she saw the follower.

Ash angrily asked without hesitating:

“Milgauss… Why are you here!?”

To his horried, Milgauss attempted to enter the ballroom with his usual mask.

“…Can you please let go, Ash Blake. I have nothing that I want to talk to you here.”

Milgauss was calm.

Not only Ash was irritated by Milgauss when he purposely called his full name, but he also had a bad feeling about it.

“What? How dare you after doing those things…”

When Ash was going to refute, he noticed something.

The Kingdom’s language that Milgauss used doesn’t bears the Empire’s accent. Milgauss is Prince Julius- There is a sudden increase in the probability of what Silvia had said.

“Oops. Could it be that my follower had offended both of you?”

The man before turned back to face the door. The previous tense atmosphere disappeared in an instant.

Milgauss glared at Ash as if he wanted Ash to know his stand.

Through the mask, the fierce pressure that his eyes bear caused Ash to be shaking.

Milgauss than act as if he had lost interest in Ash turned around and faced the man.

“Nothing. Just a misunderstanding. Nothing to make a fuss about.”

Even though he was a follower, Milgauss didn’t even try to speak in a humble form. <ref>Humble form is a way to express yourself in Japanese when you are speaking to a person from a higher social status.</ref>

Ash could only see them off disappearing into the crowd.

At this moment, Silvia spoke to Ash in a stuttered voice:

“That man… I knew him.”

“Really?”

“That’s it. He should be the Klaus, Baron for the Wadanhuoer borders.”

He had never imagined to hear the name of the agent of the Zepharos Empire’s Emperor from Silvia. In his heart, he felt a tense feeling as if someone was pointing a knife at his neck which is far more intense than the previous fight between him and Milgauss.

===Part 5===
After bathing, Anya changed back into a usual tribal wear.

Even though the weather was hot, she still had the muffler around her neck. The mission before required her to remove the muffler which made her have the feeling of the lack of safety around her neck. Now, it is better.

After that, Anya head to the armory to check on Eco.

===Part 6===
Upon stepping into the armory, the atmosphere changed significantly into a hectic situation. ‘Yggdrasill’ seemed to be running and the buzzing sound can be heard.

The Millenniums on the body of the machine were shining. There are also the sounds of the technician reading the data shown on the screen.

It seems that Eco was already inside ‘Yggdrasill’-The capsule.

Her clothes were removed and she was naked.

She is just like a baby holding on to her knees floating in the capsule.

Her beautiful figure gave Anya a mysterious feeling.

“Ahh, ain’t you Anya-dono?”

The representative of the researchers- Dr Hoffman<ref>note: Dr Hoffman’s ‘DR’ is a PHD holder’s Dr and not a medical Dr.</ref> noticed Anya and walk towards her.

“Has the experiment…begun?”

“At our current stage, there is nothing abnormal. It is all according to the plan.”

Dr Hoffman gave a gentle smile just like a kind elderly man. But this man took Eco as a experimental object without even a second though. This made Anya felt uneasy.

“It seems that Anya-dono didn’t like much about this experiment.”

Dr Hoffman’s word had hit the bull’s eye.

“N-No…!”

Anya felt embarrassed. Even though she denied verbally, everyone can tell that she was lying from the looks of her face.

“It is alright. You are still young.”

“Professor… Have you ever have any doubt? Although Eco is a dragon… her appearance is of a girl’s.”

“Do I have a choice? For what I am today, it is all thanks to Klaus-sama. Last time, when I was forced to carry out all inhuman experiments, I
strongly rejected them and pissed off the Zepharos Emperor. In the end, I was chased out from the capital Arkham. During that time, Klaus-sama
is my savior and invited me to his private research center.”
After saying that, Dr Hoffman gave a gentle cough.

“Anya-dono, what do you think that this ‘Yggdrasill’ was used for?”

“I-I don’t know.”

“I am not surprised. Even I have no idea about this thing initially. I only realized after I read Milgauss-dono’s written opinion.”

“What did Milgauss-sama wrote?”

“It was said that, a long time ago… when the ancient kingdom reaches its prime, humans and dragons can even control life. On the first glance
on this ‘Yggdrasill’, Milgauss-dono knew that this is a medical tool.”

“Medical…?”

“In contrary to the modern times, all the dragons in the ancient time can transform into a Maestro. But of course there are exceptions. This
machine is used for dragons who couldn’t transform into Maestro… Basically, it was for dragons with handicap.”

Anya finally understood Dr Hoffman’s hint.

“In another words, our plan is to use its function… To awaken Eco?”

“That’s right. We are going to compress the enormous magic of the Millennium into her body and force out her true self.”

“But…Why now? Tomorrow is the continental congress ‘Elysium’, to launch such a experiment at such an important time is to…?”

“This has no longer anything to do with me.”

Dr Hoffman’s answer is no longer the kind old man. He just answered coldly.

“I am only following Klaus-sama’s orders. Anya-dono, didn’t you too obeyed Milgauss-dono’s order to capture young dragon Eco?”

“That’s… true.”

Dr Hoffman’s words were like an ice blade that stabbed into Anya’s chest.

===Part 7===
It was seven in the evening.

The masquerade that intends to bring all the people of different countries together had started right on time.

The venue was located at the highest floor of Fontaine Palace.

Fontaine Palace which had been famous for its plain design had only this ballroom being designed grandly with the Chevron style.

At the dance floor in the middle of the ballroom, men and ladies were holding hands dancing gracefully according to the music tempo. Around the dance floor were also bars, tables, chairs and sofas. A number of guests were chit chatting there.

Looking at those gentlemen and gentlewomen hiding their faces behind those mask and gathered together, Ash secretly felt that this is not a
place where he belongs to.

Ash avoided the crowd nimbly and head towards Silvia and said:

“Princess-sama was already used to this kind of ball right?”

“You are wrong. A citizen of the Knights should be focusing on plainness… It is not our wish to organized such a noisy party… Apart from that,
could you not address me as ‘Princess-sama’?”

“Why?”

Ash didn’t know how to react to this. Silvia suddenly stood still. She was showing an unsatisfied look on her face. Because her mask had
covered the area around her eyes, Ash could only judge her expression through her lips.

“What did you think this mask is for? If you kept on saying ‘Princess-sama’, everyone will know who I am.”

“Ahh…You are right.”

“Tsk, Can’t you use some of your brains?”

“So what should I call you as?”

“Err…!”

Silvia was silenced by the unexpected question. Her face turned red in a blink of an eye.

After a few seconds, Silvia spoke:

“…You can call me Sylvie.”

The Silvia right in front of him is very attractive which made him wanted to give her a hug.

“Then…”

Ash gulped.

''-Sylvie.''

His heart was jumping nonstop. Just like resonating to Ash feelings, Silvia lowered down her head and acted shyly as if to prevent her
heartbeat form being heard.

Ash made up his mind and spread open his dry lips.

“Silv- Uwaa!”

At this moment, Ash with a ‘Don!’ was pushed aside by someone and fell down. Before he could react, Silvia was surrounded by three men.

“My beautiful ojou-san<ref>A way to address a girl from a high family status.</ref>. Could I have the honor for you to be my dance partner?”

“Although your face was covered, the classy air around you couldn’t be hidden from my eyes!”

“Hold on! I am here first!”

Ash was dumbstruck. Even though those men are with their mask on, but judging from their actions, they are not someone simple. These men should
have noticed the different air around Silvia.

“Hold on… I am a little troubled by all of you inviting me suddenly…”

If it was the usual Silvia, she will tell them off mercilessly. But, right now, she is just a girl that had little experience of this world.

''-Even though she was always what you saw, actually, she is very timid and afraid of strangers''

Ash remembered what Cosette had said. She is worthy to become Silvia’s maid for her to notice all the details.

After Ash fell down, there were still men approaching her. The number of men surrounding her had increased from three to five.

Now it is ten. The voices that were inviting Silvia to be their dance partner were getting louder.

The guests around started to notice the noise and looked at them curiously.

“About that… I don’t feel like doing it now…”

Just like ants surrounding sugars, the numbers of men surrounding were still growing.

Facing all the passionate men, Silvia was being overwhelmed.

“Hey, Ash!”

But she suddenly shouted Ash’s name as if she wants Ash to come to her help.

After he made his mental preparations, Ash dragged Silvia through the walls of men.

There were sounds of disapproving from their surroundings.

“Hey, where’re your manners!”

“Couldn’t you take your turn!”

“Even though this is a masquerade, you must keep up with your manners!”

You are the ones who don’t have any manners…Ash grumbled in his heart and kept on squeezing forward.

These weak nobles couldn’t even stand still when they were pushed by Ash. And can only make way. They are at most nobles who were raised
while being protected. Naturally, they are no match to Ash who undergo strict training in the dragon riding academy in terms of strength.

“Waa!”

A waiter in black immediately made way to protect the expensive wine glass upon seeing Ash rushing right into him.

In a few moments, they are no longer surrounded and their field of vision widens. At the same time, the music had become louder.

“Ehh…?”

Ash stopped.

A group of people were holding hands dancing in pairs. Ash only found out that they mistakenly ran into the dance floor.

The numerous amount of evening dress made the scenery looks like hundreds of flowers blossoming at the same time.

Every time the ladies in the dance floor turned their bodies, their long skirts turned into a giant rose.

“W-We should retreat! Princess-sama!”

“Didn’t I told you not to call me Princess-sama!”

“This is not a time to be arguing about those things!”

For the two to be standing in the dance floor while holding hands while arguing, suddenly there were applauses from their surroundings.

“W-What happened?”

From the looks of it, they definitely want to give courage for the two to dance. It was probably Silvia classy feel around her that caught
their attentions. Ash was just a side character.

“What should we do now, Princess-sama?”

Ash was troubled and turned around to look at Silvia. Seeing Ash being embarrass, Silvia laugh.

“Wa…What are you laughing about, Princess-sama?”

“Nothing. Right now, we can only return the favour of the guests.”

“Ehh…?”

In opposite of what just happened, Silvia took the initiative to hold Ash’s hands.

“Wait! I know nothing about dancing!”

“You should had learn before the basic of a ballroom dance in the physical education class, no?”

“I-I guess so…”

“Alright, everyone is looking. I will take the lead, you just have to follow.”

“Okay… I will give it a try.”

Ash imitates the guests’ action and held Silvia’s waist with a hand. Her waist is just as thin as a doll.

Followed by the light waltz, Ash and Silvia started to dance. The distance between they were so near that they can feel each other’s breath.
This made Ash’s head spins. Although there were a few time where he nearly tripped over Silvia’s feet, she was not bothered by it and even
cover up for Ash.
[[Image:SnRK V04 167.jpg|thumb]]

Not long later, the dancers around and the beat of the music had disappeared from Ash thought.

Starting from her breath from her lips that had lip gloss on them, to the feeling from his palm, to the soft sensation he felt whenever their
bodies collides with each other and also that rosy smell…

While dancing, ash felt like he is going to faint.

As if to drag him back to reality, Silvia grumbled to Ash.

“Anyway, it was your entire fault for not positioning yourself properly.”

“…What do you meant?”

Ash asked while accidentally stepping on Silvia’s feet. Ash totally don’t get what she was saying.

“For the start when we entered this ballroom, you kept on following me from behind? No matter how I think of it, I can only see you as my
follower. That is why those guys will try to approach me...”

Ash gave a wry smile.

At such a time, Silvia would even think of lecturing him. Although it fits her style well, what comes next gave ash a great big shock.

“B-But… You look cool…Err…When you were running while holding my hand.”

“Princess-sama…?”

“N-Nothing! Forget it!”

Silvia immediately stopped talking and focused her mind on the dance.

===Part 8===
After dancing, Ash brought Silvia to a corner of the ballroom.

Ash wished to relax for a moment from the eyes of others. He passed a cup of drink that he received from a waiter to Silvia.

“Thank you.”

After Silvia whose face was red thanked him, she took a sip from the cup. Even though the ballroom dance looked graceful, after trying, he found
out that it actually requires a lot of energy.

Ash too took the cup and drink from it. The liquid in the cup was lemon juice that taste a little sweet and sour. He can feel that the juice
was being absorbed by his exercised body.

''Anyway, shouldn’t there be any news yet from Cosette?''... Ash wonders. It had been almost an hour since he saw Cosette.

“-Excuse me, may I have a word with you?”

There was a sudden voice coming from behind that brought Ash back to his sense and he turned around-

“You…!”

Upon seeing the person, Ash lost his composure.

He hid Silvia behind him and glared at the person.

“…Have you any business to do with us?”

After Ash asked coldly, that person just reply with a smile.

“Hmm. It seems like I had become a nuisance.”

He is the young noble that they met not long before. If Silvia’s prediction was right, he is Klaus, Baron for the Wadanhuoer borders. Milgauss
was following him from behind like a shadow.

Even though their meeting not long before had nearly turned into a fight, Klaus still tried to greet them in purpose. There should be a limit
of how much an airhead he could be.

Klaus ignored Ash and looked at Silvia. Then he gracefully held out his hand to her.

“Your dance is excellent. I would like to know that if I had the honour to dance with you?”

“Are you kidding! What are you trying to pu-”

“Ash! Hold on!”

Silvia unexpectedly stopped Ash. After she indirectly rejected Klaus offer, she looked at Milgauss.

“If this man become my dance partner, I would allow it.”

“Haha! Who would have thought that I would be rejected while this follower is asked… You have quite some good eyes there.”

Not only that her actions didn’t anger Klaus, he even smiled. Silvia's words should have shattered his pride but it was like he was not even
bothered by it. He looked like a proud older brother whose younger brother is admired.

“Since the lady had proposed-”

Klaus looked at Milgauss while smiling.

Milgauss remained silent. He looked as if he had merged with the mask which bears no expression. Seeing that Milgauss had not yet replied,
Klaus shrugged his shoulders and said:

“Kuku, you are not allowed to decline. Don’t forget that the you right now are one of my followers.”

===Part 9===
Milgauss was dancing with Silvia while holding on to each other’s hands.

It is better to describe this as a beautiful show than a ballroom dance.

In contrast to the attractive Silvia, Milgauss hair was still with the red and white mix colour. Although he gave out a dangerous feeling, it is undeniable that the masquerade provides a cover for him.

Ballroom dancing is just a general statement. In truth, Ash knew that this dance had many developments that were affected by the difference of each country culture and style.

What Milgauss and Silvia were dancing right now is undoubtably the traditional dance of the Lautreamont Knight Country.

Ash was so focused in their dance that he had forgotten about the previous hatred.

But Ash was not the only one who was amazed.

Without knowing, everyone was entranced by Milgauss and Silvia’s dance.

Right now, the people dancing in the dance floor were only both of them.

They are occupying the whole wide space. Just like blessing them, the orchestras were at the climax of the music.

Followed by the movement of her evening dress, Silvia was dancing swiftly.

Facing Silvia, Milgauss was leading the dance.

They looked like a combination of light and shadow, yet their dance is perfect.

“Wow… This is my first time seeing such a great dance.”

Klaus was who admiring the dance while standing beside Ash spoke in a low voice in admiration.

===Part 10===
The dance of the two people ended silently like a setting sun.

Milgauss remained silent the whole time. He returned Silvia to Ash just like returning a book and walk off silently.

“Certainly his indifference attitude gave me some trouble.”

Klaus gave a wry smile and disappeared into the crowd while he ran after Milgauss.

Ash inspected Silvia’s face carefully.

“Have you found any clue? Could Milgauss true identity be…”

“No… I can’t be sure. Because I was very young the last time I saw Anii-ue… But, Milgauss' dance is definitely originated from the Lautreamont Knight Country. I am sure that he had a long history with the Knight Country.”

Silvia murmured.

“-Ash-sama.”

At this moment, someone whispered into Ash’s ears.

“Cosette!”

Ash turned around. Cosette was with a straight and serious face spoke:

“The maids who heads the search in the ancient palace had found Prim Onee-chan.”

"Yggdrasill ~A.S.B.1365.7~" is closed.

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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</noinclude>