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Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Episode 5

2019-11-11T04:11:20Z

Masterupc:

==Episode 5 – First Ruin ──Babel──==
===Part 1===
「Then Rudi……no, Lux-san will depart from this country already?」

The morning of the next day.

Lux who somehow managed to get up borrowed Philuffy’s shoulder and came to the place of the blind girl, Stefa Hersmice.

Saved by Philuffy’s consideration, the necessity of pretending to be on honeymoon was also gone, so Lux had stopped dying his hair since the battle against Rosa.

The same as before, they entered a deserted tea house without any signs of customers and talked about the particulars of the event this time.

Lux told Stefa that he was a member of the Seven Dragon Paladins who came to Heiburg for an investigation, and he also told her everything about what happened in the Underground Market and the showdown against Rosa.

Originally, Lux also invited Calensia to come along with him and Philuffy so that she could meet with Stefa, but Calensia apologetically smiled and refused.

『I was unable to do anything even while knowing about Rosa’s wrongdoing. My family got taken hostage and the best I could do was to protect myself──. There was no choice left but to kill Rosa. Someone like me has no qualification to meet Stefa.』

Calensia told Lux that included within those hostages was none other than Stefa herself. She asked Lux to tell Stefa a message for her.

And then she said that she would prepare a countermeasure against Rosa’s main subordinates, the Servants, who were currently staying at the New Kingdom, put Rosa into isolation, and also gather proof of her wrongdoings until now.

Or rather, Calensia would also fly to the New Kingdom around the same time as Lux’s return there, so at that time she would bring with her the records about the transactions with Dragon Marauder for him too.

Rosa herself was terribly wounded. It was judged that she wouldn’t be able to ride a Drag-Ride for three months.

Although it couldn’t be said that it was completely settled, with this the case this time could be closed and head towards its conclusion.

By the way, Tillfur and Noct returned to the New Kingdom ahead. They would report about this matter to Lisha, Relie, and Lord Dist.

『Ah, speaking about that, if there is something that you want, I’ll tell it to the headmaster you know? Lux-chi too cannot be underestimated eeh.』

Tillfur said that when she was about to depart. Most likely it was about the reward that Magialca mentioned before he departed to Heiburg.

It might also be Relie’s instruction for them to choose a present for his little sister’s birthday in the place of him, who was worked to death by this mission.

He was also aware about the matter of a present for Philuffy’s birthday in the corner of his mind, but in the end he didn’t find anything like that in the party at Heiburg and the Underground Market.

And so, Lux consulted Tillfur who came from a family background of famous craftsman and told her about the image of what he wanted.

『Hmmph. Is this for a present to give to someone? I also ree-ally want a present.』

She teased him with wide grin like that, but it felt like she would send his letter obediently.

A few days later after sending off the two.

The time for Lux to also go back to the New Kingdom had finally arrived.

「I’m still unable to believe about the matter regarding Rosa. That’s why, as soon as I obtain the permission, I want to go meet her.」

「I’m sorry that I cannot be of use to you. Even though I should also ask various things from Lady Rosa myself.」

Lux who collapsed because of Over Limit’s backlash was unable to meet with Rosa since then.

He only heard from Calensia that she was confined in an underground prison.

「No, I’m thinking to go meet her with my own legs. Certainly, Rosa pushed me aside on that night, even so, there was still the vestige of her past self remaining.」

That was the reason why Rosa didn’t kill Stefa and kept her away.

「I’ll ask Calensia to allow me to meet Rosa one more time. I want to be brave and try to talk to her. Really, thank you very much.」

The blind girl who was using a cane smiled slightly and bowed her head to Lux.

Lux too was also helped by her information and guidance.

He said his thanks for those and parted from her.

When he went outside first, an unexpected person was waiting for him in front of the bar.

「Thanks for your hard work Lux-kun. I’ll also go back first to the Vanheim Principality after this. Surely even that Greifer is worried right now.」

「Thank you. We were saved that Coral came here.」

「No. More importantly, I’m glad. That you didn’t kill Rosa at that time. Thanks to that, I can have a bit of confidence with my own thinking.」

「Eh……?」

「Nn, no. It’s about my own circumstance. Rather than that──now」

Coral suddenly brought his lips closer to Lux’s ear and quietly whispered.

「Be careful Lux-kun. I investigated in my own way about the chain of events this time, but there was something strange.」

「Something, strange……?」

Lux asked back to Coral with a doubtful expression.

「Yes. This time, I investigated the King of Vices independently because of the special mission from the Vanheim Principality. And then using the opening when Lady Rosa was defeated, I tried searching inside the military command room but──there was traces in documents that everything was Rosa’s deeds.」

「……And, what about it?」

Lux tilted his head, unable to understand what Coral meant.

Rosa was making a deal with Dragon Marauder through the Underground Market and the military’s stock was just as he expected.

To be able to obtain the proof of that, wasn’t that something to be happy about without reserve?

「And yet, when I looked in the crucial places like her office or the commander’s room, I couldn’t find the key to the vault where the things for the transaction were gathered. I also didn’t find the place of the treasures and Elixir from the Ruins that she should have procured from the transaction. I couldn’t even find anything that was like a cipher.」

「That’s, in other words……?」

Lux didn’t understand the meaning of what Coral wanted to say.

「I cannot say anything concrete. But, something is strange. Even though there is proof remaining, the crucial Ruin’s treasures are mostly undiscovered. I could only find two rare Drag-Ride parts and a single horn flute. The number doesn’t match up at all.」

「…………」

After hearing Coral’s story, certainly something felt strange.

Were the treasures already handed over to the Servants?

No, even that felt out of place somehow.

But, Lux was unable to express it into words and they parted like that.

「Sayonara Lux-kun. Let’s meet again, don’t die okay?」

「Coral yourself, be careful.」

Coral only said that and turned around, then he flew his EX Wyvern and went up high into the sky.

Lux waved his hand and sent off the back of his friend, then he fell into deep thought.

Even though the proof of the transaction remained, the route to the treasures was still unknown.

Did Rosa herself hide the treasures somewhere on the off chance that she was defeated?

Either way, he could do nothing but wait for Calensia’s report.

「Let’s go too, Phi-chan. If we don’t hurry back, something serious might happen in the New Kingdom──」

「Yes」

Philuffy nodded shortly and headed to a deserted back alley.

There Sharis of the Triad was waiting in advance as promised.

「Even princess Lisha and the others are waiting eagerly for your return. Now, both of you, please change into your pilot suits.」

Sharis was remaining here alone in order to carry Lux and Phillufy using her Wyvern’s flight, in order to avoid the troublesome procedure of crossing borders.

Lux was unable to use his Wyvern because of his exhaustion, and Philuffy using her Typhon to run on the ground would be too conspicuous.

Tillfur and Noct had already left Heiburg. They were going to catch up with them before long.

「Sharis-san, you don’t need to force yourself. It’s really far from here until the port city Triport.」

This time, the Triad who came to assist them were also really helpful.

Lux said that with the intention to be considerate to Sharis, but Sharis’s face was lacking composure.

「No, unfortunately there is no room here for presuming on your kindness. We held back from telling Lux-kun so you wouldn’t feel worried while resting, but the current situation in Triport is already getting dangerous.」

「-……. That’s, don’t tell me──」

Sharis nodded shortly and directed a serious gaze at him.

「Yeah, the stationed troops of the Heiburg Republic had arrived at the eleventh floor the other day. If we are unlucky, the Ragnarok might be liberated within these few days.」

「────」

Lux held his breath. Even Philuffy opened her eyes slightly wider.

If the thirteenth floor was assumed to be the highest floor, then there was only one floor left that was separating Heiburg military from it.

If Heiburg military’s plan was progressing just like Rosa mentioned, then there was a high chance that they would direct the Ragnarok to Triport deliberately.

「Please Sharis-san. Bring us as quick──」

「I intend to do so, leave it to me.」

The leader of the Triad nodded in response to the nervous voice of Lux.

Right after that, the Wyvern carrying the two flew high into the sky and rushed at full speed.

===Part 2===
Several screams and the sounds of destruction were resounding intermittently above.

「Haa, haa……. Haa……-!」

An underground prison that was enclosed with stone walls around.

A girl was being hung down with chain inside.

She was only barely clothed with worn out rags. Her expression was completely haggard.

「Why, why……. Why」

She kept her hollow gaze directed towards a corner of the prison and continued to murmur with a hoarse voice that sounded delirious.

When Rosa was defeated by Lux, a single leg and arm of hers were broken. She was only given simple treatment before getting restrained like this.

Even though she had persisted on the path of evil, she was defeated.

Rosa’s faith was smashed. She was spared from death after begging for her life.

Surely she was already abandoned.

In that case, everything was over already.

The things that she had sacrificed to come this far, and then the thing that she tried to protect until now too.

「Why. If in the end something like this will still happen to me then……, everything that I did until now was──」

Rosa groaned with a grieving expression.

Then, in a timing that was as though in concert with her voice, the underground prison’s door was slowly opened.

「──!? A, aa……」

Seeing the face of the woman who appeared, Rosa’s body was shaking fiercely.

The woman was soaked with blood.

And then, the smile that was distorted in joy, giving a hint of the slaughter that had ended above just now.

Guessing the tragedy that would happen to her after this, Rosa’s expression was dyed with despair.

「How do you do Rosa? I’m bringing good news for you. I want you to cooperate with me one more time. By doing that, you will be able to come back once more to your position.」

Saying that, the woman in front of her presented her plan.

A few minutes later, Rosa’s figure vanished from the prison.

===Part 3===
「This place, is port city Triport……?」

They had Sharis flying in full speed until they arrived in the New Kingdom. After entering the New Kingdom’s territory, they ran on land until here using Philuffy’s Typhon.

By the way, midway Sharis used up all of her strength and fell exhausted, so she rested while right now only Lux and Philuffy arrived ahead at the port city.

The time was already dusk. The red evening sun was sinking into the horizon, illuminating the port city beautifully.

It was a port city with history that was governed by Celis’s father, the feudal lord of the New Kingdom’s west territory.

Even though there was Babel located relatively nearby, it should be a lively and bustling port city due to the protection of the troops commanded by Dist, but──

「Somehow, it’s quiet. Also, the smell is strange too.」

Philuffy was unusually making a dubious face. She was staring at the silent townscape.

They also couldn’t see merchant ships from the port, and there was almost no sign of people.

A desolate atmosphere was drifting off, as though the city had been abandoned.

「There is also Onee-chan’s company here, so──I’ll go take a look for a bit, okay?」

After staring at that sight absentmindedly for a while, Philuffy suddenly said while looking at a large building far away.

「Yes. It’s all right already after coming this far, go ahead.」

「……Understood.」

He wasn’t just being considerate of Philuffy, Lux himself also had something he wanted to investigate before the sun set.

Thus Lux was going to head to a place where he would be able to get a clear view of the port, then──

「Oh, you there, are you a Drag-Knight who came from the New Kingdom? You are really young though.」

Suddenly when Lux turned around, a bald and thin old man addressed him.

「No, I’m still a military cadet. Rather than that, did something happen to this Triport?」

「It’s unbelievable. Heiburg’s forces have only been here for around two weeks, but those guys are devouring this city completely.」

The old man lamented Lux’s question while speaking about the current situation.

In order to conquer Babel, this port city was made into a base. Since then, the Abyss were attacking frequently.

Even recently when the Ruins were invigorated, the Abyss would appear with a frequency of five, six times per month, but right now more than ten would appear in a day.

Nothing serious happened due to the conspicuous effort of Lisha and the others who assisted the New Kingdom, but the citizens who got scared and escaped to the neighboring city appeared without end. Heiburg’s troops were increasingly acting as they pleased.

「What’s more, a rumor from somewhere is circulating, saying that an especially large Abyss called Ragnarok will appear soon. The population of this Triport is reduced until less than a third. Even they are unable to walk around outside at daytime in fear of the Abyss. At night, they have to give reception to Heiburg’s soldiers who finished working. It’s only natural that everyone hates it with this situation.」

「……-!? What are the soldiers of the New Kingdom doing?」

Lux asked in a hurry, but the old man sighed and shook his head.

「Unfortunately, during these two weeks the number of people who can fight has decreased by a lot. Thanks to that large swarm of the Abyss, most of the Drag-Knights were injured.」

「Is, that so……」

No matter how active Lisha and the others were in their efforts, they weren’t able to stop all the Abyss that appeared. And their Drag-Ride operational time was also limited.

During that time the forces of Lord Dist also fought and used up their strength.

If this was the case, he needed to report about Rosa’s matter even for a second faster.

How her sin was exposed in Heiburg, and how Babel’s conquering had to be stopped.

「I’m sorry, who is the current commander of the forces that is dispatched here?」

「Hm……? No, I’m just a mere sailor. I don’t know the details about the Heiburg military. It seems the commander is taking command in a frontline base nearby Babel, but more importantly, that collar, could it be you are──」

「Ah, yes. I’m Lux Arcadia. A prince of the former Old Empire……」

Lux smiled with a troubled look while pointing at his own collar.

In his period of doing chores, he hadn’t stayed for long at Triport, so his face wasn’t well known here.

But, the silver hair and eyes that were characteristic of the imperial family.

And then the collar of a criminal was the symbol of that, but because of the madder red color of the evening sun, it seemed the old man didn’t notice until now.

「I, is that so……. You are──then, excuse me.」

「……?」

The bald old man showed agitation while trying to leave from that place.

Even though Lux was feeling something out of place, he could only tilt his head in puzzlement.

「Is it as I thought, that everyone is at the front line fortress near Babel?」

Although from the story that the Triad told him, he heard that even the soldiers of Heiburg stopped the Ruin conquering at sunset.

In other words, no Abyss would appear from now until tomorrow.

Lux judged that his option at present was to reunite with Philuffy here, and then linked up with Lisha and the others who returned from the frontlines.

「Today will come to an end soon huh──」

Looking closer, the evening sun had set completely. The curtain of night was starting to descend.

When Lux focused on meeting with Philuffy, a strange presence suddenly came from behind.

「Hoo, so this is that famous Black Hero? Aren’t you still a cute boy?」

The one who appeared was a woman of blooming age wearing black military uniform.

Similar to Rosa, she was enveloped with arrogant hostility that overwhelmed other people. That bearing of hers resembled the imperial family and the nobles of the Old Empire.

「You are──」

「What, I’m just checking. It will be troublesome if you make excuses of being another person.」

While Lux was bewildered, the woman walked closer with a fearless smile. Her military boots were making clicking sounds on the ground.

「My name is Gutefelica, the general of the Heiburg Republic. Traitor Lux Arcadia. I will capture you now and present you to the world alliance.」

「……Wha-!?」

The moment she told him that, Lux’s expression showed bewilderment.

「Oops, don’t move. My subordinates are already behind you. You won’t be able to dodge a barrage from Breath Gun with that injured body.」

The moment Gutefelica introduced herself, the space behind her distorted and Drag-Rides appeared from the empty spot.

It was two Heiburg soldiers wearing general purpose Drag-Rides who appeared.

Using the function of the special equipment type, they were hiding using camouflage.

「What are you planning? Pointing a weapon at someone in the middle of a city like this」

As expected even Lux had to raise both his hands with a doubtful face.

But, in contrast Gutefelica didn’t change her bewitching smile and brought her face closer to Lux.

「Well well, aren’t you a kid with worse perceptiveness than I thought? Are you listening? I’ll give you a hint. It was the old man just now who told us about your location. He is a citizen of this port city. The notice that those who informed of your location will be given a money reward has been spread in this city since a long time ago.」

「────」

The moment Lux saw the wicked smile of Gutefelica, a shudder ran through his back.

Now Lux realized the fatal carelessness he had committed.

The sense of liberation from the nervousness when he was staying in Heiburg and his exhausted body was dimming his thought.

「Hoo, you are making a clueless face. Then I’ll point out your wretchedness once more right now. You illegally infiltrated Heiburg to attempt an assassination on Lady Rosa in order to stop the Heiburg military from conquering Babel. You damn traitor──the rebel against the world alliance!」

Gutefelica smugly threw a ridiculing and mocking gaze at Lux.

The moment Lux sensed that, his hand almost reached out towards his Sword Device, but he stopped.

「Good kid. Nothing good will come from you making a ruckus here. I’ll be affectionate to you if you are obedient. It will be as my pet though……」

「My, you’re wrong. That conclusion is a misunderstanding.」

「……!?」

A girl’s voice suddenly came from somewhere.

The moment everyone there was taken aback, something unusual happened.

「Gu, AAAH!」

「Wha, what. The Drag-Ride’s control is──」

「What are you all doing-!?」

Heiburg’s troops who were riding Drakes suddenly raised their Blades against Gutefelica.

Even so as expected from a general, she reacted even against the surprise attack and barely dodged.

At the same time she pulled out her Sword Device quickly. At that timing, Lux’s body floated in the air.

「Chih! You think you can get away! Surround the town and search for him! Don’t let him escape from this city-!」

But, while she was obstructed by two Drakes, Lux was safely rescued from that place.

What took Lux away and carried him was the work of a Drag-Ride that was similarly in camouflage.

It was one of the students from the Academy on the side of the New Kingdom whom he knew well.

「Yoruka!? Why are you here──!?」

「Aruji-sama is asking a strange thing. I am always by Aruji-sama’s side.」

Lux realized that he was rescued by Yoruka who was wearing her Divine Drag-Ride Yato no Kami.

She was also requested by the New Kingdom and came to guard this Triport.

「What is this situation? Philuffy, is she safe!?」

「There is no need to worry. She is also being sheltered by the headmaster. But, although she herself has no charge against her, in this situation right now it will be better if she doesn’t show herself.」

It seemed that the treatment as a criminal didn’t reach as far as Philuffy.

But, although he comprehended the current situation, there were several inexplicable things.

「──Now, I believe around here will be fine.」

Suddenly Yoruka stopped Yato no Kami’s leap and put down Lux on the ground.

There they seemed to be in a neighborhood for the wealthy within Triport. Relatively big residences were lining up.

Surely there were a lot of traders here who did business at the port.

「It seems that the general from just now is still pursuing, so I will lure her suitably before giving her the slip. If Aruji-sama goes straight on this street, you will arrive at our hideout.」

「Thank you. But, don’t be reckless. I still don’t comprehend this situation.」

「As you will it, Aruji-sama.」

Yoruka kicked on the air once more and left along with a bewitching smile.

After seeing her off, Lux started walking through the street of the residential district.

Perhaps because the sun had set completely, there were few passerbys. Under the evening darkness, Lux was feeling a strange gaze on him.

After parting from Yoruka, he could clearly hear the sound of footsteps following him.

(Is it a new pursuer from the Heiburg military? Or else──)

Lux once more felt for real that there was a prize money for his head.

Right now, limited to this place, even the citizens of Triport would tattle about Lux’s location.

He had to somehow give the slip to his pursuer, but right now it was hard to even escape for Lux.

When he was thinking that, a girl who was walking from slightly far away quickly took Lux’s hand and broke into a run.

「This way. Our hideout is underground slightly far from here.」

「Krulcifer-san!? Why──」

The echo of that familiar voice made Lux murmur with a nostalgic feeling.

After she took off the hat hiding her face, she brushed up her long blue hair which exposed the side of her beautiful face.

The overseas student who was Lux’s classmate and was extremely intimate with him was there.

「You noticed a bit late, but I’ll forgive you. It looks like Lux-kun too has gone through various troubles.」

She displayed her usual cool smile while telling him that.

Lux sighed in relieve, then he heard the faint sound of a Drag-Ride moving from behind.

「Wait! What are you doing monopolizing the achievement by yourself!? I’m also here you know!?」

Almost at the same time, he saw blonde hair tied into a side tail swaying beside him.

Lisha wearing a Drake was on his side unnoticed.

「I wonder what you are talking about? It was you who decided to focus fully on using camouflage and probing devices because it will be conspicuous to wear a Drag-Ride in the open.」

「That’s true but…… right now it’s fine. There is no sign of anyone in pursuit or the reaction of other Drag-Rides.」

「……Haa, good grief. Then, let’s proceed straight to the safe house like this.」

Prompted by Krulcifer who sighed in exasperation, they knocked on the back door of a church.

「──It’s me. I brought him with me.」

After Krulcifer shortly said that, the church’s door was opened.

Then, a young nun wearing a veil appeared and slowly beckoned to come in.

It seemed that there were also citizens who were cooperating with Lux.

「Thank you very much. You saved us.」

When Lux’s expression relaxed in relief and he said his gratitude, the nun quickly turned around and looked up at Lux with a reproachful gaze.

「Your welcome. It proved to be worthwhile for me to be waiting. It is difficult to follow up on Nii-san who is bringing trouble as soon as you came back.」

「Wait, Airi!? Why are you dressed like that──!?」

「Does it looks good on me? Because Nii-san did bad things and I almost got captured, I have no choice but to hide like this. After all, they were trying to capture me who is your little sister to be used as bait to lure out Nii-san.」

「…………」

Airi’s smile that was plainly filled with thorns caused Lux to stiffen in mute amazement.

「How about you let him off with that much? The case this time should be something unpleasant for him too.」

When Krulcifer calmly persuaded her so, Airi climbed down the stairs inside a small room and started walking inside an underground passage.

「This way. Everyone is waiting already.」

「This place, just where──?」

[[File:SaijakuBahamut v10 08.png|thumb|right]]

Lux muttered while looking around the long dark passage. Airi immediately replied to him while keeping her gaze to the front.

「It’s a hidden passage for the use of a rich person.」

After telling him that frankly, Krulcifer added some more explanation for him.

Originally it was an underground waterway for manufacturing work, but it was also constructed as an emergency hideout as well as an escape route. It seemed that it was further connected to the church and other escape routes.

It was a hidden passage because of the consideration to the city’s nearness to the Ruin Babel.

There was nothing underground, but it could connect to the inside of each residence.

Even the New Kingdom military didn’t know about the information of this passage.

After walking for a while inside the dark passage with a lantern in hand, they opened the lock of a door that connected to a side path.

From there they climbed up a stair to directly above, and came out into a basement that was like a wine cellar.

「This seems to be a villa that also doubled as a warehouse of the Aingram conglomerate. It’s not known publicly, so you can relax here.」

Following Krulcifer’s guidance, Lux entered inside the residence.

They headed to the living room of the mansion where all the windows were covered with curtains and they could finally relax.

「And so, we were able to collect Lux safely. Originally I planned to open a celebration wine for the success of the secret investigation but──」

Lisha faltered mid-sentence.

「Just what is happening in this city? About the reward money for me being a traitor──」

「It’s not just this city, it’s the whole country Nii-san. Right now Nii-san is in the position where even the New Kingdom prepared a money reward for your head. Even I originally should be captured by the New Kingdom military as bait to lure out Nii-san.」

When he listened to the detailed story, it seemed that before the Triad could report about Rosa’s backroom dealing, a report that Lux was a traitor who tried to assassinate Rosa came.

And then the female general Gutefelica who was leading the Heiburg troops began to oppress the people of the New Kingdom since half a day ago.

First the Drag-Knights including Lisha and the others had their actions restricted to only around the port. They were forbidden to approach Babel.

Furthermore, the Heiburg military was searching since the morning without regards to the citizens or the New Kingdom military. They even broke into the houses.

Because of that rough intervention, the hearts of the citizens suffered damage and they were seething with tense anger.

「Even so, just what in the world happened……?」

The story sounded simple, but there were several incomprehensible parts.

Seeing the chronological order, the next day after that evening where Lux fought Rosa and cornered her, a messenger from Heiburg with the message that Lux was a traitor had already departed to here.

「However, how did the other side expose my infiltration? There should be no proof or any──」

「There is proof. I was also astonished at first though……」

Lisha hung her head down with a sigh.

Like that, Lux touched the sword belt on his waist.

Originally there were two Sword Devices hanging from there. Now one of the sheaths was empty──

The Sword Device of his Wyvern was lost amidst the confusion of that battle.

Without the corresponding Sword Device, the Drag-Ride couldn’t be moved. Because of that, even now his Wyvern was unable to be moved from the warehouse of the Aingram Conglomerate located in Heiburg’s capital Hidehelm──

「Then, don’t tell me……?」

「Yeah, the Sword Device that those Heiburg lots handed in was certainly something with your name Lux, engraved on it. The name of the possessor of a general purpose Drag-Ride is recorded in the New Kingdom, so there is no mistake.」

Lisha informed with a bitter face.

Lux’s name was engraved on his Sword Device since the beginning, added to that, if he was told to try to summon his Drag-Ride to proof that it wasn’t his, then he would have no way to make an excuse.

「That’s why, until the enemy that set the trap for Nii-san is defeated, Nii-san needs to hide like this here. If Nii-san is discovered, Nii-san will be apprehended right away and the New Kingdom’s position will become bad.」

At present, Lux was suspected as an assassin, and the Drag-Knights of the New Kingdom were distanced from Babel.

They couldn’t even enter the front line base that was for defense and were forced to intercept the arriving Abyss from the rampart that was adjacent to this Triport. They were forestalled.

「By the way, Celis-senpai is──?」

He saw Yoruka just now, and the Triad weren’t here because of their role as information messengers. It concerned Lux that he still hadn’t seen Celis’s figure.

「My? It’s good news seeing that you still care about Celis-senpai. It doesn’t look like you have been united with that childhood friend of yours in the honeymoon.」

Krulcifer reacted to Lux’s muttering and whispered so with a smile.

「Se, see, it’s just as I thought. I, I believed in Lux all this time……!」

「What are you saying while making a face that looks relieved from the bottom of your heart like that……」

Lisha crossed her arms and puffed out her chest. Beside her, Airi who had changed into her uniform retorted.

「Wai-!? Don’t make fun of me. Phi-chan and I only pretended to be husband and wife in order to infiltrate, such thing──」

Lux was saying that while he reflexively recalled the days of his travel that he spent with Philuffy.

The memory of riding together the shaking coach and the bashful memory of getting treated like husband and wife.

And then, how Philuffy saved Lux when he was suffering from the course of defeating Rosa, and how she was nursing him wholeheartedly.

How she was supporting him with kindness that was unchanging since the past.

His chest was naturally getting heated while recalling that.

(Wait, just what am I thinking……!? Even Phi-chan, it’s not like she──)

He was charmed by her even while denying his own thoughts.

No, in the past his thoughts were filled with nothing but changing the Old Empire, but perhaps, since that time he had actually felt about Philuffy──

「Yes yes. I understand you all are trying to break the tension, but let’s stop here. After all Celis-senpai had just come back too.」

Lux was suddenly returned to his senses from Airi’s voice.

When he looked there, he found Celis who had just climbed the stairs of the underground room and stood inside the living room.

「Lux──!? You are safe!」

The moment he was about to greet her, Celis suddenly hugged him tightly.

The trained firm slender body, and the soft sensation that was characteristic of a girl.

It seemed she had fought just before this, the scent of her sweat was tickling Lux’s emotions.

「……Wait, what are you doing Celis!? Hugging Lux out of nowhere like that──」

Lisha who saw that turned red and flared up. Hearing that Celis was also taken aback and got away from Lux.

「Pa, pardon me! That’s, it’s because I’ve been worried about Lux all this time. I also heard how he was wanted with a money reward as a criminal, and there was also his deathly battle with Lady Rosa……」

「……Ahaha, I’m fine. Though I’m a bit tired, but as senpai can see I’m lively like this.」

Lux quickly smiled and answered like that.

His dear and reliable comrades from the Academy.

He only went to Heiburg for about a week, but even Lux himself felt lonely there.

He had already blended completely into the ordinary days he spent with these girls.

「But, I’m reflecting. To be overcome with emotion and hug like that without thinking about Lux himself, I have done something unbecoming for the captain of Syvalles.」

Celis’s cheeks reddened while she hung her head down. Lux smiled wryly.

And then, he slowly took her hand.

「Thank you very much Celis-senpai. For protecting the New Kingdom while I wasn’t here──」

「Lux……」

When he told her his feeling of gratitude with a straightforward gaze, Celis’s cheeks blushed slightly.

He had heard about Celis’s strenuous effort from the Triad.

In the battle this time, she stayed in this Triport longer than anyone and defeated the Abyss continuously.

Her stamina and skill that she had trained by disciplining herself strictly everyday.

And then, the strong heart that allowed her to accomplish that was something that Lux respected.

When an indescribable pleasant atmosphere was flowing between Lux and Celis──

「My? You were really worried about her weren’t you? Although, the one who was waiting for your return here isn’t just Celis-senpai you know?」

「Ah, yes. Thank you, Krulcifer-san. And also Lisha-sama too.」

「That’s right! We too were doing various things while waiting for you!」

「Yes yes. Please leave that kind of thing for later, How astonishing all of you are, to be able to compete for Nii-san so harmoniously in an emergency situation like this.」

「A, ahaha……」

The three girls faltered from Airi’s retort that was said with a completely exasperated tone.

「Although, your body won’t hold if you don’t rest, so let’s take a meal and bath. I’ll say this though, Nii-san. Please enter the bath alone tonight okay?」

「Wai-!? What’s with that way of talking as though I am usually entering bath together with someone!?」

When Lux was flustered, Airi sent him a reproachful gaze.

「Nii-san got helped by Philuffy-san anyway right? The backlash from Over Limit should make Nii-san unable to move your body properly after all.」

(Even my physical condition got completely seen through-……!)

It seemed that Noct properly reported even that kind of information too.

「Wha, wha-wha-wha-what is the meaning of that Lux-!? Don’t tell me, you and that airheaded girl, together in the bath──!」

「It’s a misunderstanding! She only helped me wiping my body.」

「I, is that so. Then, I can feel relieved.」

For some reason Celis let out a relieved sigh hearing that and patted down her chest, but Krulcifer was smiling with a suspecting gaze at him.

「As expected from Lux-kun’s wife. She is even more ahead than me who is your fiancée candidate.」

「Why is Krulcifer-san’s gaze to me cold for some reason!?」

「And so, the bath has been heated up, so please say it if Nii-san needs help. If so I will help out Nii-san as your little sister.」

「Ah, right. Please……」

Lux smiled awkwardly while being guided toward a separate room in the mansion. And then he entered the bath.

He was uneasy wondering if whether someone like Yoruka would barge in, but fortunately nothing happened and he was able to finish his bath safely.

After that, while everyone was alternately having a bath, the Triad who were leading Philuffy and Yoruka with them, also entered into the mansion from the underground.

It seemed, Celis’s father who was protecting this city, Lord Dist, and headmaster Relie had talked to them. Everyone was eating dinner together in the living room while having a meeting.

「Then, I’m thinking to carry out a strategy meeting to change our original plan from here on. Everyone, it’s okay to eat at the same time, but please listen carefully.」

Everyone nodded at Airi’s words and they began to eat quietly.

On the table that was brightly illuminated by lamp, various dishes that had been prepared before they knew it were lined up until there was almost no space left.

Meats like beef, pork, poultry, and lamb that were roasted with pepper and rock salt.

Consomme soup that was filled with a lot of vegetables.

And then bread and cheese, pickles and the like were also provided in plenty.

They weren’t really in the mood to make a ruckus, so the girls were eating quietly.

During that time, Airi was speaking about the summary of the chronological events until now.

The Sword Device of Lux’s Wyvern was stolen unnoticed and fell into Heiburg’s hands. It was then used as proof for sticking a criminal charge to Lux.

The captured Rosa made use of some kind of method and escaped from Heiburg’s prison.

And then, before long there was a risk of a Ragnarok’s appearance when the deepest level of Abyss was reached and conquered.

「It will be Heiburg’s soldiers who fight with the Ragnarok, but if they run away, the nearby town will be attacked. For them, it will be great if they can defeat it successfully, but if it become dangerous, they can run away and leave it to the New Kingdom.」

「Could we also abandon this city and take some distance?」

Yoruka who was listening to the talk made a frank remark, but Lisha immediately lifted up her face.

「There is no way we can do that you ero woman! If we leave from here, what will happen to this city!?」

「Right. Besides, it’s unfortunate but if we escape then the Ragnarok will come attacking everywhere inside the New Kingdom’s territory. Even if we retreat temporarily, in the end we will have to fight it all the same.

「Yes. Also, I cannot let the name of my father, one of the Four Great Nobles who is governing this west territory to be besmirched further.」

「Munya……. I’ll, work hard too.」

After Lisha, Krulcifer, and then Celis spoke their determination. Philuffy also nodded in agreement.

On the other hand, the Triad was standing still with a conflicted expression.

「Honestly though, I’m scared. The strength of someone like me won’t be any use against a Ragnarok.」

Tillfur smiled bitterly with an embarrassed look.

「I understand your feeling. After all, at the battle against Yggdrasil, even everyone with their Divine Drag-Rides still weren’t a match even after fighting as a group.」

「Yes. We too aren’t slacking off in our training, but as expected I judged that the burden is too hard if speaking about defeating a Ragnarok.」

「…………」

Lux and the others couldn’t deny those words.

In fact, even Bahamut with Over Limit only won barely by a hair’s breadth.

If the Ragnarok lurking within Babel appeared this time, it would be difficult to fight it properly using general purpose Drag-Rides.

「My, it’s fine if you three escape right away you know? Either way, it will be us who are going to face this so-called Ragnarok.」

「Wait, Yoruka. Saying it like that is──!?」

Lux spontaneously opened his mouth hearing Yoruka telling the Triad insensitively like that with a carefree smile.

But, Sharis smiled with a sigh ‘fuh’ and faced Yoruka.

「I’m thankful that you said that, but there is also no way we can do that. Especially when this time Lux-kun and missy Philuffy are also tired. Even our insignificant strength can be of some use if we focus on working behind the scenes.」

「Well, I’ll try doing my best somehow.」

「Yes. We will simply accept Yoruka-san’s consideration thankfully.」

Tillfur clenched her fist, while Noct concluded it like that.

Yoruka making a practical conclusion like that was the usual thing, but hearing Noct saying 『Yoruka’s consideration』, Lux felt happy inside his heart.

‘Just leave the dangerous things to me’──Certainly what Yoruka said could also be interpreted like that.

Airi and Noct said that they would become Yoruka’s friends even if for form’s sake only, but Lux slightly felt it how they were really meeting each other halfway.

「Then, we will carry out the mission from tomorrow! Lux and little sister, don’t leave this hideout for a while.」

And then, after everyone said their piece, the dialogue was concluded.

They could see the direction of their actions tomorrow.

First they would search for the Servants or perhaps Rosa. It might be them who stole Lux’s Sword Device in Heiburg and brought it here.

The role for that information gathering would be the responsibility of Yoruka and the Triad whose faces weren’t really known within the enemy camp.

Lisha and the others, the main force of the New Kingdom would be standing by before the front line base east of Triport like usual……that was how it would be.

And then tonight, because the time had become late, everyone would stay here.

「Err, I will be in the same room as Airi?」

They went up to the second floor and got shown to a bedroom with two beds lined up.

「It can’t be helped right? Nii-san right now isn’t in completely good health. Or perhaps, Nii-san wants to sleep with another girl?」

「Yo, you misunderstand!? I didn’t say anything like that──」

「I wonder about that? Nii-san surely has enjoyed the honeymoon life with Philuffy-san a lot, so maybe Nii-san feels it lacking to be with me your little sister?」

「Look here, I was doing that for the mission more or less though……?」

「I’ll believe it for now. Rest well, Nii-san.」

Airi ignored Lux’s objection and turned off the light.

Silence was filling inside the room, but as expected Lux was unable to sleep.

「Is Nii-san still thinking some kind of needless matter?」

It seemed Airi sensed Lux’s atmosphere that was like that. She called out to him from beside him.

Within the bedroom that was covered in an azure color, Lux slowly formed his words.

「I’m wondering, if I failed once more just as I thought……. Just like in the past, when I tried to do something about the Old Empire’s tyranny and the chauvinism somehow.」

「…………」

After investigating Heiburg, he was convinced that it was the same like that time, that evil structure couldn’t possibly be overturned as long as the ringleader wasn’t defeated.

And then, Lux was cornered in his battle against Rosa.

He tried to make it so that the knights, authorities, and the imperial family members of the Old Empire survived, as many as possible, but due to Fugil who, like him, was also one of the actors in that revolution, Lux’s effort was denied along with his betrayal.

「However, even I, it’s not like I was dreaming that everyone could be saved. And then even if I sent them to prison, I think that they would still get sentenced to death as a result.」

「…………」

「I thought that I’ve made my resolve. I also believed that I know the path of how to protect this New Kingdom won’t be that indulgent.」

「But, Nii-san couldn’t do it right? Making yourself to kill Lady Rosa.」

「Yes…….」

Lux didn’t look at Airi’s face. He kept looking up at the ceiling and muttered.

「Phi-chan, when I was about to get swept up by the voices of the surroundings, she stopped me.」

「Nii-san isn’t feeling, that she was in the way?」

Airi unexpectedly cut into the matter sharply, but there was no malice within her voice.

It looked like she was simply asking in an attempt to ascertain Lux’s feelings.

「I was thinking that I wouldn’t be able to save everyone if I didn’t kill Rosa. But, cutting off her head at that time when she was already unable to move is something that I couldn’t do. Besides, it felt like something was out of place. I felt resistance about killing her unrelated to the matter of good and evil and her sin.」

「Is there still some unresolved puzzle left? In regards to her──」

Lux quietly cast down his eyes and nodded powerlessly.

(Wait──why didn’t she, go to meet her until the very end?)

Thinking carefully, there were several inexplicable things in that battle.

And then, he didn’t understand that uncomfortable feeling because he was only paying attention to Rosa.

「However, Nii-san is calm even after going through that aren’t you? Haa, it’s vexing but perhaps it was the correct choice that Philuffy-san accompanied Nii-san.」

「Wai-!? You too Airi, don’t make fun of me like the others.」

「Why is it I’m unable to use a Drag-Ride……. Even I──」

When Airi was about to say something, at that time.

–

──*DOooOONN!*

–

An intense explosive sound resounded outside.

「……-!?」

The two immediately brushed aside their blankets and got up right away.

Their bodies stiffened from nervousness wondering if their location had been found out, but in that moment, sounds of a bell and people’s angry yell could be heard from outside.

「Abyss! The Abyss appeared from Babel-!」

「Everyone run away, we are going to get attacked too-!」

「……!? No way, don’t tell me!」

Lux immediately approached the window and he was about to open the curtain, but Airi who was also standing up grasped Lux’s hand with a nervous expression and shook her head slightly.

「I’ll wake up the Triad and have them take a look at the situation. Nii-san, please don’t show your face outside. No matter what you mustn’t do that.」

「…………」

‘Why’──He was about to ask, but Lux guessed Airi’s thinking.

In any case, right now, Lux couldn’t get involved.

Right now Lux couldn’t move Bahamut fully, and above all else he was a wanted person. If he went outside, the Heiburg military would notice.

Airi who was living in the position as a criminal since the past had strong wariness in that aspect.

Thinking back now, it was also unnatural how the people’s voices were calling out without any mention of Heiburg.

By any chance, could it be a lure with the expectation that it would make Lux open the curtain or even rush outside?

「If this is a trap, then the opponent is really outrageous. Heiburg’s King of Vices is──」

Airi muttered with sweat trickling down from her forehead slowly.

Could it be that before they could determine Rosa’s location, the other party had already made their move this quickly?

The two went down to the first floor in a hurry. There, the familiar members were already changing into their pilot suits.

「It looks like the opponent is also really in a hurry. To think that they will make their move this quickly.」

First Krulcifer muttered that while brushing up her hair.

Responding to that, Lisha lifted up her face with an unusually tense expression.

「But, if the Abyss attack is a trap, if we can confirm that it’s their lie, even without us going outside──」

「No, most likely we won’t be able to do that. They have the horn flute, if we fall behind it will be too late.」

Celis kept her hand supporting her chin and muttered with a bitter expression.

Seeing everyone hesitating to speak in bafflement, Airi came to a sudden realization in surprise and she spoke.

「They have thoroughly let the Abyss escape outside from the tower until now, exposing the city to danger while advancing their investigation at the same time. Are they going to hesitate after this far?」

「I can also hear the sound of a horn flute, so I think, that’s not wrong.」

Hearing what Airi pointed out, Philuffy pressed her ear and muttered that. Krulcifer also nodded in agreement.

「It seems they are also desperate. They are intending to concentrate their full force to search for Lux-kun who is in this city right now.」

「If we keep hiding like this, the town will be destroyed by the Abyss from the horn flute’s command. But, if we go out to intercept, it will be easier for them to search for Lux and little sister, is that it?」

After Lisha muttered as though she was asking herself, everyone wordlessly nodded.

And then, if the Ragnarok was released in this confusion, the situation where all of them were separated from each other would be taken advantage of and they might get annihilated.

The situation was already overwhelmingly disadvantageous for them.

「But, there is also an opening that we can take advantage of. There is someone playing the horn flute to control the Abyss and making them attack here, that means──」

Receiving Airi’s pleading gaze, Lux nodded.

「Everyone, please. I want you all to cooperate and quickly intercept the Abyss that are advancing here right now due to the horn flute. We have to protect the people of Triport and the forces of Lord Dist. And then──」

「At the same time, we will locate the person who is using the horn flute to manipulate the Abyss. That’s the plan right? If we catch them red-handed, then we can make an excuse to capture them.」

Krulcifer continued like that. Celis also nodded.

「An operation on a scale this large surely has a chain of command. If we can ascertain it……」

「Looks like we have no other choice. Right now is the chance while the enemy is attacking.」

「Then, Nii-san──please decide the strategy.」

Prompted by Airi, Lux quickly made his decision.

And then, a few minutes later.

Lisha and everyone else moved in to counterattack.

===Part 4===
「Fufufufu! This is exhilarating! The old empire that once oppressed Heiburg utterly. To be able to trample these guys like this──life is full of surprises.」

A woman wearing an EX Wyvern was looking down on the blazing townscape while laughing.

She was enjoying that wartime fire through her white mask while playing a flute above a viewing platform.

That was the tone of horn flute to manipulate the Abyss that was excavated from the Ruin.

「Noow then. Let’s suppress the firepower a bit more while tormenting them slowly. There is also the next mission after this, doing this moderately──!?」

Numerous Abyss that the masked woman was manipulating using the flute were shot by a blue flash one after another that froze them.

Right after the Abyss like Gargoyles and Chimeras had their movement stopped, a pursuing attack smashed them into pieces.

「Freezing bullet and sniping…… the user of those is──」

*Bishi-!*, at that moment, a streak of light was fired and hit the Drag-Ride the woman wore.

The Blade she was holding froze. The moment her eyes snapped open in surprise, a girl was flying before her eyes.

「You look like you are having fun, can you allow me to join too?」

Krulcifer wearing Fafnir readied her Freezing Cannon and thrust its muzzle towards the enemy.

「You came faster than I thought. A lowly {{furigana|key|tool}} of Ruin that was chased away from the Ymir Theocracy like you dares to──. Are you trying to have the New Kingdom keep you as their pet by acting loyal to them?」

「I wonder where is Lady Rosa? My bad, but I have no free time to play with a small fry like you.」

「──Hah」

Krulcifer ignored the provocation and told the woman so. The woman bared a wicked grin under her mask.

「Fine. My name is Zecta Bergios of the Sky Punishment, one of the Servants. I’ll give a special lesson to this spoiled Ojou-sama who is only used to the mock battle game.」

Above the viewing platform with the view of the port city, Krulcifer’s fight began.

===Part 5===
「Ple, please. The Abyss are attacking! Help──gafuh!?」

One guard who was running from the flying Abyss pursuing him was atrociously blown away by a bomb blast.

「For a guard to be the first one to escape, how foolish. Just because you don’t have a Drag-Ride──」

A wharf located at the west of Triport.

In that place that became remarkably quiet because in these few days there was no more ships coming, a completely black man was standing wearing an EX Wyrm.

The land battle type Wyrm was hiding a potential of being able to be loaded with a large amount of armaments, but that man’s armament was only one. A thick chain that was like rope with a thorny iron ball attached on its end.

The Smashing Punishment Goldia.

That was the name of this masked man who possessed a muscular body.

「A worthless town. And then──a worthless country. What meaning does a soldier that possesses no strength at all could have?」

A muffled voice was raised under the mask as though he was questioning himself.

Next he readied his iron ball once more and threw it towards the soldier who was still barely alive.

The iron ball flew with powerful speed that even the eyes couldn’t follow, however its trajectory changed and it sank into the ground of the wharf.

「Nuu……」

When he noticed, even the Drag-Ride that Goldia himself was wearing already got heavy.

A gravity field that was tinged with purple light was restraining him.

「It’s amazing how you can boast like that when you are only facing weaponless people. It’s you who is the most worthless! If you surrender right away then I’ll let you off with only getting half-killed!」

Lisha who was wearing the Divine Drag-Ride Tiamat was proclaiming that from the sky.

The targeting of Tiamat’s special armament, the giant cannon Seven Heads had already captured Goldia.

「For the princess of the New Kingdom to personally come out, that’s some fortitude. Allow me to test your caliber.」

The large man’s mouth distorted into an arc shape at the appearance of a powerful enemy.

Right after that, he started to move as though dragging his body even with the gravity field sealing his body movement.

===Part 6===
In front of the government building at the center of the port city.

In front of that place where the commanding officers of the force, including Lord Dist were gathered, the third Servant appeared.

The elite Drag-Knights, the Servants, who were the direct subordinates of the King of Vices, wouldn’t expose their bare faces at the New Kingdom.

A tall man whose face was covered by a white mask was calling even more Abyss using a horn flute.

「……Are you the Drag-Knight of a perished country that we heard from Dragon Marauder, Kirihime, something?」

「My? So you know my name? Even though I’m planning to conceal myself.」

Saying that, Yoruka dispelled the camouflage of Yato no Kami and showed herself before the man.

On the other hand, one of the Servants, the Flame Punishment Viji was also wearing the same type of Drag-Ride, the special equipment type, EX Drake.

If it was the same type that also possessed a probing device, it could also see through the opponent who had the camouflage function activated.

「If you stop the sound of that flute and tell me the location of Rosa Granhide, I won’t mind to at least let you keep your life you know?」

Yoruka thrust out her katana-type Blade and declared so, but Viji wasn’t moved.

「The likes of a dog who changed master from the Old Empire to the New Kingdom like you, it’s astonishing that you can still bark like that.」

Viji sneered even more and blew his flute──but, the next moment. The flute was split into two along with the mechanical right arm that was holding it.

「──!?」

Even though Yoruka should still be outside the range, and yet she approached instantly and slashed. That technique caused Viji to blink in amazement.

Viji moved his EX Drake’s four legs in a hurry and leaped backwards. Yoruka’s eyes narrowed slightly.

「Unfortunately I have no emotion. There is no need for that kind of pointless talk. But──if you still have the leeway to speak once more, then I don’t mind if you continue you know?」

「……Kuh!」

Viji who instantly sensed danger activated the knapsack mechanism on his back that was a rare armament.

Right after that, when Yoruka leaped to pursue him, the surrounding buildings were enveloped in flames.

===Part 7===
「You guys are quite something. To be able to rush to where we are in a straight line like this.」

And then, at the front line base at the east where it was the nearest to Babel.

On the parapet in front of it, a woman with a bared face was standing.

The woman general who was commanding the Heiburg Republic’s military that was staying here loosened her cheeks at the entrance of a worthy opponent.

「Pushing into this city is troublesome, but as expected something like conquering the Ruin is suffocating. It’s far more interesting to fight facing a human opponent. Don’t you think so, Celistia?」

Celis who was wearing Lindwurm was glaring silently at her opponent above the parapet.

「Unfortunately, I find it hard to agree with your opinion. After all, when fighting a human opponent, there are many more things that needs to be considered.」

「Hou? Then how about you go save the citizens who are being attacked by the Abyss? There is no one who needs to be saved in an empty place like this.」

「……How long you are intending to vent your resentment on the New Kingdom? Do you want to repay back the debt that you received from the era of the Old Empire by that much? To even go as far as carrying out this kind of plan.」

Gutefelica was playing dumb, but Celis didn’t follow along with her act.

She sent her an aloof gaze that overwhelmed other people and asked quietly.

That this situation was the plan of the King of Vices to destroy the New Kingdom.

Celis was talking with the assumption that Gutefelica was also approving this plan of causing a sham Abyss attack to lure out Lux who was currently a wanted man.

「How strange. I thought that if it is you, you will be able to understand my feeling.」

Gutefelica’s shoulders were shaking while chuckling ‘ku ku’, she glared at Celis with a haughty expression.

「Aren’t you sick of it? Days of simply protecting the populace from the Abyss, I’m extremely bored of it. It was even more so since that strategist, one of the Lords, Hayes came.」

She looked up to the sky with a faraway look, and then she slowly put her hand on the handle of her Sword Device.

「When that girl put Gigas under her control, we also had no more need to fight against the Abyss. There was also no chance to wield the power that I trained for several years in order to pay back the debt to the Old Empire. Is there any other story crueler than this?」

「If it’s for the sake of satisfying that desire, something like peace is undesirable──you won’t even mind to hurt anyone, is that what you think?」

「I heard about the rumor of you even in Heiburg you know? You are piling up Drag-Ride training more than anyone right? Aren’t you bored? To be unable to even wield the skill that you had trained──!」

She quickly pulled out her Sword Device while talking and equipped an EX Wyvern with chantless high-speed summoning.

Her palm was tinged with crackling light. She grasped a bizarre long sword.

Most likely it was a type of rare armament that was similar to the Lightning Lance that Celis had.

「Is that so, then I have nothing to say. Someone like you who is drunk on power without knowing the horrors of battle──is not a match for me or him.」

「Want to try? This time the limitation of a mock battle won’t get in the way!」

Gutefelica’s eyes snapped wide open, at the same time her EX Wyvern rushed.

In order to meet Gutefelica who was leaping forward with explosive momentum, Celis quickly pulled back her lance.

===Part 8===
Countless sounds of explosion rang out, at the same time there were flashes blinking in the night sky like fireworks.

Flames were rising up here and there due to the Abyss’s attack. Amidst that, Lux was hiding inside the hideout mansion along with Airi.

「You mustn’t, Nii-san.」

「Yes, I understand──」

Airi grasped the hand of Lux whose expression turned grave every time he heard the sounds and flashes and she warned him.

The positions of the Servants who seemed to be manipulating the Abyss with horn flutes had been determined due to the wide range search by Yoruka’s Yato no Kami.

But, even with the girls, their side was still lacking in combat strength.

Philuffy and the Triad should be intercepting the Abyss that were sent to this Triport, even so, as expected Lux couldn’t stop feeling uneasy.

「Be patient for a bit more. With Nii-san’s stamina right now, you can only use Bahamut for a few minutes. Please only use it to protect yourself.」

「……But, the enemy’s number is more than expected. At this rate, this city will receive enormous damage.」

Of course there was a risk of getting discovered and captured by Heiburg’s soldiers, but it couldn’t be helped.

Relie and Lord Dist who were in this city might also suffer damage from this.

Lux let out a deep sigh and tightly grasped the handle of his Sword Device, it was then a voice came from outside the mansion.

「Someone! Please help-! Lux-san……!」

「……-!?」

His name──no, that familiar voice caused Lux to react.

When he quickly opened the curtain and looked below the window, there was the figure of Calensia there. Blood was flowing from her shoulder and she was breathing hard.

–

──*IiIIIII-!*

–

The moment Lux got taken aback and held his breath, the horn flute reverberated once more. A winged Abyss──Gargoyle was targeting Calensia.

「This is bad! If I don’t get out──!」

Lux shook off Airi’s hand that was stopping him and pulled out the Sword Device of Bahamut. At that moment, a voice came from right nearby.

「Yes. Please leave it to me.」

Airi’s best friend, one of the Triad, Noct said those words.

Most likely, because she was able to act without standing out using her Drake, she was hiding around here.

But, although the enemy was only a single Gargoyle, as expected the Abyss was powerful.

Putting aside the other members of Syvalles who possessed Divine Drag-Rides, this should be a great burden for Noct who was a user of a general purpose Drag-Ride.

Thinking that, Lux went down to the first floor and opened the door to assist.

Then──,

「GIYAaAAAAAAH……!」

He saw the sight of the metallic winged monster fall to the ground with its four limbs severed. It exploded and scattered everywhere.

「Eh──?」

「There is no more reaction of the Abyss in the surroundings. She is also the only human presence in the area. What to do now, Lux-san?」

「Eerr──. Just now, you did that alone Noct?」

「Yes. Under this situation, we cannot spare so many members to guard Lux-san, so depending on the type and number of the Abyss, it’s assumed that I will assist in battle rather than fight.」

She spoke that out with a bland tone and calm expression like usual.

It was shocking.

While Lux wasn’t looking, the Triad were also doing training. He had heard of that, but for the result to be the capability to defeat a single Gargoyle so easily like this.

「But, it seems that Lux-san, the essential person himself didn’t believe in me. Even though I told you to leave it to me, this is extremely disappointing. Haa……」

Noct spoke in monotone purposefully. Lux got panicked in response to that.

「So, sorry. But, it was amazing. How did you defeat it?」

「No. It’s a trade secret. More importantly──」

Noct’s gaze turned aside, there he saw the figure of Calensia whose shoulder was injured.

「Calensia-san. That wound, what happened……?」

The girl lost strength and collapsed on her knees after hearing Lux’s question. The glasses girl hung her head down.

And then, she bit her lip in frustration and started talking with pleading eyes.

「Just as you can see, I got counterattacked by Rosa Granhide. There was a hidden escape path in the jail she was imprisoned at──. Most likely after she was rescued by her subordinate, she departed to the New Kingdom.」

「……-!? Then, what happened tonight is──」

「Yes. If Lady Rosa really came here, it’s likely that she is giving command to the Servants. But, this injury of yours……?」

Airi’s muttering was added on by Noct, and she asked.

Then, Calensia embraced her own shoulder and her body trembled fiercely.

「It was Rosa. She is planning to take advantage of this commotion to summon it. The Ragnarok existing in Babel──Metatron.」

「Don’t tell me!? They said that they haven’t reached the twelfth floor──」

Lux who heard Calensia’s story immediately made an alert expression.

But, he noticed that his thinking was overly optimistic and he rethought.

If the Heiburg military whose strings were pulled by Rosa behind the scenes was conquering Babel in order to deal a great blow to the New Kingdom since the beginning, they would easily lie.

Metatron seemed to be an angel type Ragnarok whose existence was described in the ancient document that was obtained from a box inside Babel. No more information than that could be obtained, but it would be dangerous to face it without their full force.

At present, in order to stop the Servants who were in possession of horn flutes, their side’s forces were dispersed.

Rosa was planning to liberate the Ragnarok in order to make use of this opening.

「A part of the Heiburg military is advancing until the room where the Ragnarok appears to be at. I’m begging you Lux-san…… before Rosa leaves from the front line base and summons the Ragnarok, please──」

Calensia was pleading with ‘haa haa’ rough breathing.

Her fingertip was pointing──at the frontline base that was illuminated by watch fire. Around there, a red haired girl wearing military uniform could be seen walking as though she was dragging her body.

There was already no reason to refuse.

At this rate, the New Kingdom, starting from this Triport would get exposed to danger.

「Noct, you go to the city’s center. Report this to everyone!」

「Yes, but, right now Lux-san is──」

「That’s right! Nii-san too should go together with us. With that body, you won’t be able to fight properly──」

「It’s fine. I’m also exhausted, but Rosa’s wounds are also not something that will heal right away. Even the current me has enough strength left to stop her at least.」

「…………」

Seeing Lux’s eyes that were filled with strong will, Airi sighed.

「Please be very careful. I will ask the Triad to be reinforcement immediately. Also──」

「I understand. I won’t force myself more than this.」

「Yes. According to my probing device, there is no sign of Abyss or Drag-Rides from here until the frontline base. Be careful.」

Noct used Drake’s leap to fly towards the center of the city.

On the other hand, Lux asked Calensia to guide him to Rosa’s position.

「Over here. My Sword Device was taken away, so I cannot send you there but……」

Saying that, Calensia looked at Lux’s waist apologetically.

At present even Lux also had the Sword Device of his Wyvern stolen, so he couldn’t use it.

It would be just one flight away if he used Bahamut, but he couldn’t use it casually if thinking about the battle that might happen.

According to Airi’s diagnosis, right now even without Over Limit, Lux wouldn’t be able to last three minutes if he operated his Drag-Ride.

Thus, he advanced along with Calensia using their own feet.

At that time, Lux suddenly opened his mouth and talked.

「……Calensia-san. Did you meet Stefa since then? She wished to meet with you and Rosa all this time.」

「……No. I don’t have any face to meet with her, because all this time I was unable to oppose Rosa and only did exactly as she told me.」

「…………」

「However, we have to stop her for sure this time. Before she releases the Ragnarok and destroys the New Kingdom we──」

「I see.」

Lux was seriously listening to Calensia’s words.

However, he whispered with an expression that looked like he was concealing something.

「Then, as I thought it’s you. The one who arranged this battle.」

「──Eh?」

Calensia came to a stop with a bewildered expression.

「What are you saying? Right now I’m not accepting Rosa’s order anymore! Until now I had no choice but to obey her because of the hostages she kept but──」

「That’s not it Calensia. The one who gave the order is the opposite. Thanks to not killing Rosa at that time, thanks to Philuffy who stopped me, I finally realized the truth.」

「What do you……mean, Nii-san?」

Lux covered the perplexed Airi behind him and pulled out his Sword Device to point it toward Calensia.

A light rain that began to fall drop by drop was gradually increasing in strength.

An even deeper shadow fell on the port city at night due to that, erasing even the expression of the girl before him.

「Thinking back, everything was strange. Why did your cousin Stefa Hersmice live? What’s with her crushed eyes? And then, why did you refuse to meet with Stefa? All this time, I thought she was Rosa’s hostage to threaten you. But, it’s the reverse. You killed the real Calensia and replaced her. At the time when you all were still military cadets, while no one realized the exact truth──」

「────」

「It was also you who stole my Wyvern’s Sword Device. It could easily be done at the moment I lost my consciousness. And then, it should be possible for you to give orders to your subordinates right after that to pin the crime on me. Am I wrong?」

「Ahahahaha」

*Shudder*.

Within her body that melted into darkness, it was only her eyes that were tinged with light.

「Please don’t say something strange Lux-san. You saw how I was tormented by her all those times right? Besides, didn’t everyone fear Rosa? The people of Heiburg, the soldiers, everyone──」

「Yeah, it was your order to Rosa. You ordered her to do that all this time by threatening the safety of her family and also her friend Stefa so that she can only live by doing evil. It’s you who brainwashed Rosa and framed her to be evil, becoming your substitute, the King of Vices of Heiburg. That is your true identity.」

「…………」

「Then, Nii-san got turned into a wanted man even though Lady Rosa was captured, and her escape from inside the prison, all of those were this person’s──!?」

Thinking like that, everything became consistent.

How Rosa Granhide intercepted Lux in the underground market with perfect preparation.

How the items obtained from the backroom deal with Dragon Marauder got taken away from the warehouse.

Calensia came into contact with Lux and asked him to save her from Rosa was in order to spy on how he would move.

And then, the moment Rosa who thought that she couldn’t lose got defeated, this girl attempted to make him kill Rosa to destroy the evidence while also framing him as an assassin.

「Hmph. I thought that I will be able to easily trick a mere hero-sama who is drunk on exterminating the villain but──」

Calensia smoothly took off her glasses and showed her true nature.

Poisonous eyes that were heavily dyed with cruelty and ruthless hostility.

It was a foreign look that was completely the same like Rosa Granhide who was forced to act evil.

「Hey, Lux-kun. You see, the true villain won’t do anything like fighting in the open. Dirtying one’s own hand is a dangerous path, so they will make someone else to do it. But that──by no means is wrong or anything you know? Any adult does it without exception. The one who doesn’t is just stupid. The one who is made to do it is just an idiot, in other words I’m not bad. Because I’m not bad or anything. No one in Heiburg thinks that I’m bad. I’m a pitiful girl without any sin who is tormented by the evil Rosa. Isn’t that right, Lux-kun? If only you stay quiet, I’ll keep being clean. In the future forever──see.」

Calensia told him with a coaxing voice and a gruesome smile.

「…………」

Why did she carry out this kind of evil? Lux couldn’t imagine it.

The desire for a successful life by climbing up to the top of the world alliance and reaching Avalon.

Of course this girl also had such desire, but Lux noticed something even more repulsive from her.

She would obtain what she wanted, and cast away what she hated. She was also wishing for a distorted pleasure of being treated by her surroundings like a proper person──no, even more than that, like a virtuous person even while amusing herself with her desire to oppress and torment other people.

She wanted to torment and hurt people without dirtying her own hands while she herself kept staying in the position where it was only herself who was consoled and praised.

That was a 『blackness』 that was even darker than the Old Empire’s imperial family and nobles who were carrying out tyranny with the full knowledge of the animosity from the people.

Lux wordlessly pointed the tip of his Sword Device.

「Noow then, should we begin Lux-kun? In order to cover up your crime of killing Rosa, you moved to crush Heiburg along with your comrades. I’ll have you along with the New Kingdom take responsibility of that crime that turned the world alliance into your enemy.」

The lump of evil that was like mud without bottom.

Calensia who was showing a distorted smile took out a short sword that she was hiding inside her bag.

The moment Lux guessed what that was, he slashed her right arm.

Originally, in this situation it would be faster to aim at her flesh body and subdue her.

But, Calensia wasn’t perturbed even when blood was flowing from her arm. She buried that blade shining with seven colors into her chest.

「Elixir!? Did you get it from the transaction with Dragon Marauder!?」

It was already too late when he noticed.

Slowly, the light of seven colors was melting into Calensia’s body, a black pattern spread, dyeing her body.

She was transforming into a devil, an existence that transcended a human body. At the same time that thing flew.

「Ushaaah!」

「──Nii-san-!?」

While Airi’s scared voice resounded, Lux barely blocked the enemy’s first attack.

The knife of Elixir that had finished its role after injecting its medicine collided with Bahamut’s Sword Device. It broke into pieces.

「Ku──!?」

The fragment of the blade cut below his right eye. Lux frowned from the pain.

Calensia unsheathed her Sword Device, and she took a thrusting stance aiming at the chest of the faltering Lux.

「Sayonara, evildoer-san.」

At that time when Calensia opened her eyes that were dyed crimson and laughed, her body was punched and blown aside.

「……-!?」

The moment everyone there held their breath, a chain crossed in front of Lux’s eyes.

「Phi-chan!?」

When Lux raised his voice and turned around, he found the answer there.

Philuffy who was wearing her Divine Drag-Ride Typhon sent her Pile Anchor flying and blocked Calensia’s violent attack.

「Lu-chan, go to Rosa. Everyone should catch up soon too so──」

「But……!?」

The moment Lux said that in hesitation, the anchor’s tip dug into Calensia’s body and pulled her closer with intense speed.

Using Typhon’s forte, its hand-to-hand combat ability, Philuffy’s fist was going to shot out after pulling the enemy closer, but at that moment the restriction was unfastened.

「──!?」

「Ahaa」

Calensia using her Sword Device to cut her own uniform that was bitten by the anchor’s tip and escaped, at the same time she twirled midair and recovered her balance.

Using the opening when Philuffy blinked in surprise, Calensia pushed the grip of her Sword Device.

「Come, Alklha!」

Right after that, intense light particles whirled and an armor with luster that was like rust appeared.

It had a hardy huge body to the degree it buried the user’s body into the armor, and huge double-jointed armored arms.

The Divine Drag-Ride that was like a fortress itself was wrapping around Calensia.

Four arms were growing from its torso and both shoulders. One of it was equipped with a huge cannon that was almost the same size as Lisha’s Seven Heads.

「This is──this shape, don’t tell me……!」

「Divine Drag-Ride Alklha──aren’t you lucky? To be able to make a memory before dying.」

One of the Servants, the Hunting Punishment Gerdaf who Lux fought at the end of the campus festival. He was destroyed by a Drag-Ride with the same form as this.

In other words, the Divine Raiment of Rosa’s Gorynych that could change shape was also nothing more than a cover so that Calensia’s true identity wouldn’t be exposed.

「This Drag-Ride is really powerful, but its flaw is its drastic energy consumption you seee. However it’s fine──due to the Baptism, right now I’m receiving Elixir’s protection……{{furigana|Dark Fall|Black Wing Ruin}}-!」

「……Kuh!?」

Lux also tried to join the fight at first, but the moment he readied Bahamut, something strange happened.

*Butsun* All light vanished from the surroundings, everything was closed into darkness.

「This is!? Just what is──!?」

It wasn’t that all the light remaining in the city was erased.

The figure of Airi at his side, the sensation of the Sword Device he was holding──and even the coldness of the rain couldn’t be felt.

Lux’s five senses themselves were erased.

(Then, is this Alklha’s Divine Raiment!?)

It created a barrier with a radius of several dozen ml with itself as the center, which sealed the five senses of the living thing inside it.

A true darkness that severed the world and cognizance.

Lux noticed just how completely terrifying this ability was.

No matter how many countermeasures he prepared, he wouldn’t be able to move if he couldn’t stay cognizant.

By the point of time he got hit with this ability as the first move, it would be a checkmate if he wasn’t wearing a Drag-Ride.

At that moment when the despair of not being able to do anything crossed Lux’s mind, the darkness was removed along with Philuffy’s voice.

「──Missing Faith」

The darkness dispersed along with a surge of nothingness. The night recovered its appearance.

Right after the flash of thunderbolt that illuminated the surrounding, the anchors that were fired from every part of Typhon wrapped around Alklha and sealed its movement.

「Hee, that’s a great response there. Well, you have no other method to defend against this anyway.」

Calensia wasn’t really perturbed. It seemed she had also finished investigating Typhon’s Divine Raiment.

In contrast, Philuffy was facing the enemy in front of her with an unusually grave expression.

「Lu-chan, go ahead. I’ll manage here somehow.」

「But──」

Lux felt uneasy seeing the shining golden Abyss eyes Philuffy displayed.

Philuffy couldn’t activate Typhon’s Divine Raiment without turning her body into an Abyss.

She was training to obtain resistance by making Airi blow the horn flute, but if she forced herself to fight, it would become a burden on her body and her heart might be taken over by Abyss.

「We can only, leave this to her.」

Airi lightly pulled on Lux’s sleeve with a bitter expression.

「If Alklha’s Divine Raiment is an ability to erase the opponent’s five senses, then it’s only Philuffy-san who can oppose her with her ability to negate Divine Raiments. We should leave this to her and chase after Lady Rosa.」

Rosa was most likely trying to open Babel’s door in order to fulfill Calensia’s order for her.

If they didn’t stop that, the Ragnarok of Babel, Metatron would appear and Lux and the others might get annihilated due to a pincer attack.

At the very least, Rosa who was heading to Babel right now shouldn’t have any spare strength left to fight properly.

Then──,

「Phi-chan! I will stop her right away and come back to help! That’s why──!」

「Yes…… see you, Lu-chan.」

Her eyes were colored pitch black with golden light residing in them, even so Philuffy was smiling with her usual tone.

And then, she faced Calensia and Alklha who was standing in her way and she swung up Typhon’s fist.

–

「Haa, haa……!」

After receiving the last command from Heiburg’s King of Vices──Calensia, Rosa Granhide dragged her body and aimed towards Babel.

Because the position where the Ragnarok existed had been discovered, a crack was made beforehand on the external wall of that position.

If that crack was aimed with a long range sniping rifle and the wall was destroyed, the Ragnarok would awaken and get outside.

After that Rosa just needed to leave from this place.

With that, all of her tasks would be finished.

If it was Calensia who saved her from the torture of the man in the military, this time she would also save her again.

Her body felt so much pain that she wanted to faint right away already, but there was no way she could stop.

「Rosa! Wait!」

「-……!?」

When she heard Lux’s voice from behind, the red haired girl tensed herself in panic.

She had done terrible things to him.

That was why, she would be killed for sure if she was caught this time.

Unless she escaped──

Unless she escaped and obeyed the King of Vices, unless she perpetrated evil and subdued other people.

It was as though something stirred her up and she mustered her last strength, but then a Drag-Ride stood in her way.

「Ah──」

When she looked above her, she saw a familiar man wearing a Wyrm.

One of the Servants, the Cutting Punishment Brandish. That man lifted up his Blade and took a stance to cut her down.

「Why are, you here……」

「You didn’t notice? That might be so huuh. Do you think you can destroy even a part of that Babel’s outer wall with your strength right now?」

The emaciated man looked down on Rosa with vaguely empty eyes and calmly told her.

「We will be troubled even if you stay alive longer than this. Your last role after you cannot fight properly anymore is──to become a bait here and die. That is the order of our master.」

「You, lie……right? Because, I still──!?」

Rosa had already noticed, that the King of Vices had abandoned her, and also that this conclusion was inevitable.

Rosa who despaired towards everything closed her eyes, but.

At that time someone crossed before her eyes.

「──GYAAAAH!」

Brandish’s hoarse scream resounded. The emaciated man fell prostrated on the ground.

When she noticed, in front of her a young man with androgynous look and distinctive braided hair──Coral who was wearing an EX Wyvern was standing.

「You, are……?」

「It looks like I made it in time, I’m glad. Just now, when I went to Lux-kun, he said that he wanted me to save you.」

「Why, those people are──……」

She had trapped Lux and his comrades, and hurt them. And now he asked someone to save her? Rosa murmured with an uncomprehending expression.

「Who knows, even I don’t really get it, which is stronger, evil or justice. But──」

Pausing like that, Coral took Rosa’s hand and continued with a gentle smile.

「Lux-kun trying to persist with his own justice is surely also not an easy path. If it’s you who had to do evil against your wishes, don’t you understand his feelings?」

「I, am──」

With that sentence, Rosa’s mask crumbled down into pieces.

What could be seen there, was the unpainted face of a weak girl who had falsified everything until now, in order to protect herself and her friend.

===Part 9===
「Haa, haa……! You were giving me a hard time for a mere small fry, this damn meatball.」

Lisha who was battling on the wharf west of Triport was looking down on the man who lost consciousness in front of her.

One of the Servants, Goldia who was driving an EX Wyrm was a formidable enemy.

Originally, Tiamat that specialized in long range attacks should have an overwhelming advantage, but in order to not give the opponent a chance to play the flute, Lisha had to constantly take the initiative to attack.

And then, although right now there were almost no people around, but Lisha acted considerately that she must not involve the houses and ships into the destruction. That was the cause of her hard fight.

Especially the opponent’s skill in manipulating his huge iron ball was amazing. It caused Lisha to meet unfavorable situations several times.

But, in the end the strength that Lisha had accumulated until now came out on top.

Her new technique that was the result from her developing her unique talent that was Drag-Ride development became the deciding factor and she splendidly wrested away victory.

「However, as expected this is tiring. I poured my effort into development until now, but I have to increase my stamina from here on too, if not──」

Lisha dispelled her armor while mumbling to herself. She returned the two Sword Devices she used back into their sheath.

There were three sword belts wrapped around her waist, and one more on her back. It was an appearance that was normally impossible.

「Hmm. So that’s your new trump card, that’s quite something isn’t it?」

「……-!? Wait, what are you coming here for Krulcifer! Go search for other enemies right away!」

Seeing Fafnir show up above the wharf, Lisha reflexively raised her voice.

「That’s a really terrible remark. My opponent was so dangerous that I had to use my full power──the Full Connect, that’s why I was worried about you and came here as reinforcement.」

「No need. Don’t think that it’s only you who has increased your skills.」

Lisha acted strong and crossed her arms in response to Krulcifer’s words that sounded mischievous.

「My, then you will depart from here right away without rest then? It looks like they have defeated most of the Abyss though. And I’m also worried about Lux-kun.」

「What?」

Lisha equipped her Tiamat once more and headed to the east together with Krulcifer. There, they found two Servants that had already been defeated, and the figures of Yoruka and Celis hunting down the remaining Abyss that were summoned to the city center.

「Those two, are they monsters……?」

Lisha murmured with a dumbfounded tone, but Krulcifer shook her head silently.

「That’s not true. There is no doubt that their fundamental strength is out of bound. But──the enemy should be considerably atrocious too.」

「-……!?」

When Lisha focused her gaze really carefully, she could see traces of fierce battle on the two even from afar.

Break Purge, a technique to take off a part of the armor to create a spec that was focused to breaking through a single point by sacrificing the Drag-Ride’s multifunction. A technique that was a double-edged sword.

For Celis to use that technique, the situation must have been that serious to corner her like that──

「Hm? What, Yoruka is also somewhat strange. The whole frame of Yato no Kami, it looks somewhat distorted──」

「It’s amazing that you can understand that much even from this distance……. Although I’ve seen your mania attitude every time, but it’s still amazing to behold.」

「That’s not it! That’s, there is a proper reason for this. It’s because recently I have often given maintenance to that ero woman’s Drag-Ride too.」

「Is that so?」

Krulcifer unusually showed a shocked face and asked.

「Yeah, because since she left from Hayes’s place, there was no proper mechanic to take a look at her Drag-Ride. That girl’s Drag-Ride is a special make after all, so it’s hard to repair──」

「Good grief someone like you, it’s really a waste, in various things──」

「It’s none of your business-!?」

Seeing Krulcifer staring still at her while holding her head, Lisha spontaneously snapped at her.

But, seeing the citizens who were being chased by the Abyss, they quickly matched their rhythm with each other.

「There-! Follow me Krulcifer!」

Lisha held back two Chimeras that were chasing after a man who looked like a merchant, then Fafnir’s freezing bullet sealed their movement at that chance.

But, faster than Lisha could do a follow up attack, a Drag-Ride’s silhouette rushed vertically.

「You are late, Lizsharte.」

「Yes, with this──it’s the last.」

Celis’s Lindwurm pierced through the core of one Chimera with its lance, while the Blade that Yoruka wielded bisected the other one.

Lisha whose eyes were stolen by their striking movements pouted her lips sharply.

「Don’t snatch other people’s prey as you please! Besides, it was me who repaired your Drag-Ride!」

「Yes. I’m grateful about that, that’s why, I offered my help just now.」

Seeing Yoruka who was smiling carefreely, Lisha became at a loss for words.

「More importantly, let’s go quickly. I’m worried about Lux-kun.」

「That’s right. Philuffy returned to guard him, but there is still the matter of thd Ragnarok too.」

Celis said that and glared towards Babel, it was at that timing her eyes snapped open wide in surprise.

「That’s──!?」

After her, Lisha looked at the faraway residential area and turned speechless.

Right now the townscape had few lighting, but in that area, there was a black curtain in half-spherical shape covering it.

It was unclear whether it was a Ragnarok or the ability of the enemy’s Divine Drag-Ride, but in any case Lux was in danger──

Thinking that, everyone gathered their strength to dash there. But then a voice came suddenly from behind.

「Ku-ku-ku-ku, I’m filled with awe. To think that you all really have strength that surpassed us.」

It was Gutefelica who had been confirmed as one of the Servants.

Her unruly hair that twisted frizzily like flame was hanging down while she laughed.

But, even seen from the side, her body was already at its limit.

The EX Wyvern she was wearing also had its armor and armaments broken already. Seeing her figure with blood spewing out from her mouth, she was clearly unable to fight no matter how anyone looked.

「It’s splendid, really something. Strangely my wish came true. The strength that I obtained in order to crush you people of New Kingdom didn’t reach as expected. And then── I also protected my honor as a soldier.」

While she continued to mutter with an empty expression, a part of her words caused Lisha to frown.

「……What did you say?」

「I’m saying that you all got caught into my master’s plan……! A Ragnarok is the same as any other Abyss, when it sees other living things──it will become active and move. If only the curtain of my master’s Alklha is lifted up and she showed her figure, it has been arranged so that it can fight anytime……! Now, come! The protector of the throne nesting in Babel!」

Instantly, the wall of Babel’s upper floor that existed far away at the other side of the city was broken down along with a thunderous sound.

At the same time, Gutefelica flew above. And then her body was smashed by a streak of light.

「──Ku, they destroyed the wall around the top floor of Babel and exposed the outside world to the inside!?」

Lisha who instinctually guessed the situation spontaneously yelled after seeing the remains of the broken EX Wyvern.

「And then, she flew until the height where the Ragnarok’s eyes could reach, and turned herself into a bait……is that what happened?」

「Just what could she be thinking, the so called master of that woman.」

Cold sweat was emerging on Krulcifer’s forehead, and color was also leaving Celis’s face.

「There is no time for small talk──it’s coming.」

But, Yoruka’s voice that was the same like usual made everyone recover their calm.

At that moment, Lisha strongly breathed out and lifted up her Sword Device for encouragement.

「Everyone, don’t let the enemy approach Lux and the airhead girl! We are going to finish off that wannabe angel with the four of us!」

The remaining three nodded at Lisha’s instruction, at the same time, a gigantic spherical body with more than thirty wings growing was approaching Triport.

The red eyes that were packed full on its surface opened, catching sight of the four who were taking position above the frontline base.

They began their battle against Metatron while feeling a nervousness that they had never experienced before.

===Part 10===
「Were we too late!? That Abyss with wings, is Metatron──!?」

Lux discovered Rosa while heading towards Babel and asked Coral to protect her, but, the Ragnarok was easily liberated. Was there another enemy hiding in ambush somewhere else?

But, when he was going to pursue the Ragnarok for the time being, the Triad who had just returned called out to him.

「Wait Lux-kun. You are already exhausted, it’s an order from Lord Dist, that you must not use Bahamut until the very last minute.」

「Yes. The remaining Servants were already defeated by Lisha-sama and the others. Leave the Ragnarok to the four of them──」

「We are going to reinforce Philuffy!」

Saying that, Tillfur approached, but she immediately hesitated and the Wyrm she was wearing stopped moving.

「Wait, this, what is going on──!?」

Sweat was flowing down from her forehead with twitching expression on her face.

Calensia had turned into a devil using Elixir. She controlled Alklha using a bottomless life force.

Her four huge arms were attacking Philuffy one after another. The stone paving, stone wall, houses behind Philuffy, they were all destroyed with one hit.

But, even in front of that fierce and brutal attacks, Philuffy didn’t loosen Pile Anchors restriction around the enemy.

It should be disadvantageous for her facing Alklha which was a giant land battle type Drag-Ride because she would get pulled towards the enemy, but,

「Alklha’s Divine Raiment can steal the five senses of all living things within the area a few dozen ml from it. In order to respond right after the enemy uses it, she has to constantly stay in contact with the enemy’s body like that despite the danger.」

「Then, isn’t Philuffy actually in even more danger!? But──」

They couldn’t get near.

It wasn’t just because the Triad’s strength simply couldn’t reach, because of the situation where both sides were mutually doing offense and defense in super close range, they couldn’t interfere.

If they got close half-bakedly, they would become a hindrance or perhaps get dragged into it.

With that prospect, the Triad couldn’t approach near.

「Yes. We too have become stronger more or less, but as expected, the two of them are on a different level. Then──I judged that we shouldn’t put on an air needlessly and do what we can do with our all.」

「……Guess so. Looks like it’s still not yet the time to show off our new technique.」

Tillfur nodded looking somewhat fretful. Noct’s Drake stretched out a cord towards her Wyrm and connected.

「Lux-kun, you stay behind me.」

「…………」

But, Lux himself couldn’t stay quiet.

A hundred ml from him, Calensia and Philuffy were displaying a gruesome mortal combat.

「You are working really hard. But── I wonder what you will do against this? {{furigana|Sol Tooth|Sun Eater}}!」

「……-!?」

Philuffy continued to endure even with four arms raining down fists consecutively from very close range. In response, Calensia fired countless shells from the backpack loaded on Alklha’s back.

「That’s light bullet!? Or else, what are they doing above──!?」

Tillfur looked up to the sky with a dubious face, right after that, Alklha’s armor shined mysteriously.

The Divine Raiment that stole cognizance from other people──for some reason it wasn’t unleashed towards Philuffy, but towards the cloudy sky.

「Firing to wrong direction…… what is she planning!?」

Sharis muttered in bewilderment. Immediately after, Lux noticed Calensia’s aim.

「Phi-chan, be careful! The shells just now are falling!」

Right after that, from inside the curtain of black barrier that was hiding everything within it, missiles with various trajectories were falling towards Philuffy.

「────」

Philuffy immediately entered a defensive stance by fully deploying Typhon’s barrier, but she couldn’t fully defend against everything.

Her balance crumbled from the rain of shells showering her. The next moment, Alklha’s giant arms came striking,

「U, ku……」

Philuffy was blown away. She closed one of her eyes and endured the impact that penetrated through her whole body.

But, even so she didn’t falter and skated forward, but this time she was fully hit by a blow from Alklha that came from the side.

「Why!? It’s different from before, now it’s only the enemy’s attack that is landing!?」

Tillfur who was baffled took the stance of charging ahead with her armament, a hammer in hand.

Then, Airi spoke her own hypothesis with a subdued tone.

「I think, perhaps, things that enter the curtain of darkness that the Divine Drag-Ride Alklha deployed won’t be able to be perceived by other people. She is deploying that curtain behind and to the left and right is in order to hide her own attack.」

「So that means──it will be unknown where the attack is going to come from until just before it hits you?」

「We cannot just watch like this. I’ll also help, Philuffy!」

Aiming at the timing where a distance was opened between Calensia and Philuffy, Tillfur rushed her Wyrm towards Calensia.

But,

「This monster too won’t be able to rest in peace huh, even though she had been working hard to cover for you weaklings, but you actually came rushing in by yourself.」

「……-!?」

The moment Alklha’s Divine Raiment, the Dark Fall entangled around Tillfur, she lost control and tumbled down.

Without stopping she moved towards the nearby wall and crashed.

「No, way……!?」

「So it’s impossible as expected.」

Even though Lux was sweating nervously, he accepted the situation calmly.

Drag-Ride realized a tremendous mobility due to the power of its Force Core and various parts of the frame, but the moment Alklha’s Dark Fall entered, even the cognizance to perform that control was taken away.

Not only did the opponent become unable to see their self and the enemy, even the sensation of holding the control stick for the body control manipulation was erased, that was why they became unable to even understand what they were doing themselves and couldn’t fight.

In other words, other than Philuffy’s Typhon that possessed the Divine Raiment to erase other Divine Raiments, they couldn’t fight properly other than using long range attacks.

However, even that Missing Faith that was the last ray of hope would become a burden to the body, so it couldn’t be used that often.

Alklha’s preliminary movement when attacking was erased from view, its cannon shells and blow couldn’t be dodged, the armor of Typhon was gradually breaking and torn off.

In less than a minute, the battle situation was turning for the worse in the blink of an eye.

「Haa, haa……!」

Philuffy’s breathing was gradually getting harder, the sweat trickling from her was sticking on her front hair.

She was starting to show the omen of her limit approaching, just like what she showed at the campus selection battle.

「Phi-chan, run away! I’ll fight her with Bahamut next!」

When Lux spontaneously yelled, Philuffy stopped him with Typhon’s hand gesture.

「I’m all right. I, can still go on.」

She told him that with gasping breath and continued to endure Alklha’s fists.

「How foolish. And then, how pitiful. You are resisting like this even though you have no chance of victory. Are you trying to become a sacrificial pawn of the New Kingdom?」

「-……」

Lux who heard Calensia’s mocking strongly clenched his fist.

But, even so Philuffy wasn’t shaken.

「Or perhaps, you are drunk with heroism because you have met that kind of experience? You can feel at ease without despairing if you are at least useful for someone else──, but you see. That is a weakness.」

「…………」

「What they call goodness, is the last place to escape for living things who cannot make others recognize their existence and unable to seize a position for themselves. They are living things lower than livestock, trying to obtain favor only by following what others told them to do and pile up good deeds. There is no way someone like that can win against me──this 『evil』 me, the one who is truly powerful, that’s including the Black Hero over there!」

Alklha’s offensive was increasing in momentum even more, but Philuffy was avoiding direct hits with her body handling while gradually closing the distance.

「That’s──wrong. At the very least, Lu-chan is different.」

Her eyes were dyed black. Her figure was turning into something that gave off the scent of an Abyss in part.

Even so she was rebutting indifferently with the usual expression and tone of Philuffy.

「You are just averting your eyes from inconvenient things. I know, that saving without hurting someone, is far more painful than simply saving by hurting other people, that’s why──」

*Dokun*, Lux who was listening to those words felt a warm feeling filling his chest.

This childhood friend who was kind through thick and thin was looking at the worried, anguished, and hesitating Lux, even more than he himself.

Just like when he first met Philuffy, when she noticed how he was covering for her and accepted the blame himself.

「Lu-chan was trying to save Rosa and the people of Heiburg, even if he has to get hurt in their place. I, like such kind Lu-chan. That’s why, I won’t let him get hurt for more than this. I swear I’ll──protect Lu-chan」

「Empty prattle! This monster pretending to be a saiiint!」

The will of Philuffy that wouldn’t waver and break no matter what.

Calensia was enraged by those words and she finally took a stance with an arm──the one that was holding the enormous cannon called {{furigana|Luna Tooth|Moon Eater}} to thrust it forward.

She was planning to decide the battle using the armament of one hit sure kill that evaporated Gerdaf’s EX Wyvern completely.

No matter how solid Typhon’s armor was, it wouldn’t be able to endure that main cannon.

Lux’s hand instantly reached to his Sword Device. In that instant, the whole area was covered by a black curtain.

「Ku……!」

Due to Alklha’s Divine Raiment, Dark Fall that manifested once more, all cognizance was erased.

But, this time the black curtain was dispelled without waiting for the cancellation by Philuffy’s Missing Faith──the sensation of net wrapping around him, Airi, and the Triad altogether bewildered Lux.

「This is──iron net!?」

「But, why is it aiming at us rather than Philuffy-san──」

「This is bad, in this situation, we cannot get away immediately!」

While Airi was perplexed, Sharis who was wearing her Wyvern said that.

Right after that, Calensia and Alklha that had switched positions from before was aiming their huge cannon towards Philuffy.

No, Philuffy was standing at the front, while Lux and others who were entangled inside a net were behind her. Calensia had made this situation and started charging energy into Luna Tooth.

「If you can escape by abandoning the comrades behind, you, just try it. A monster like you hiding in human skin, I’ll tear off that mask right here.」

「……-!?」

Calensia made a cold smile that was like a demon and provoked Philuffy.

But, this was an obvious trap.

The cannon attack from that Luna Tooth couldn’t be defended with the current half-broken Typhon.

By making Philuffy and Lux stand in a straight line, she was planning to deal with them with one attack.

In response, Philuffy didn’t move and deployed her barrier dozens of ml ahead of Lux and the others.

She was intending to accept the attack right from the front to protect Lux and the others until the end.

「Phi-chan, run away! Defeat Calensia before she can──」

Lux reflexively yelled while holding Airi’s shoulder.

But, Philuffy kept glaring forward without turning around and she told──only a sentence.

「It’s fine, because……I won’t let her hurt anyone else anymore.」

It was her dreamy tone that was the same as usual.

However, Lux held his breath toward her resolve that was filled with a powerful will.

「Is that so, then I’ll send you all off to heaven happily──sayonara.」

Calensia who was baring a wicked smile like a demon fired the energy of Luna Tooth.

A thick beam of light completely covered the surrounding.

The torrent of intense high heat and impact was fired in a wave motion.

===Part 11===
Above an empty residential area, four Divine Drag-Rides were dancing.

A Ragnarok of spherical shape with countless eyeballs and pairs of wings.

Considering the immortal Poseidon and Yggdrasil that could resurrect and grow by obtaining resistance respectively, it wasn’t difficult to imagine that this Metatron must be hiding some kind of special ability too.

In contrast, although the four of them had gotten stronger, right now each of them was exhausted.

Therefore, if they were trying to defeat it here, they had not many options and time left.

Lisha who was taking command of this battle first faced the other three and gave instructions using Dragon Voice.

『We’ll surround it from four directions and attack, the moment the enemy advances to the plaza, I’ll bring it down to the ground!』

『──Roger』

『Acknowledged.』

『Understood.』

Krulcifer, Celis, and even Yoruka responded to her voice.

In order to protect the exhausted Lux, it was necessary to exterminate the Ragnarok in this place.

And then, even without expressly giving a detailed explanation, everyone there understood the best action to take.

First everyone readied their weapons and surrounded it from four directions, holding it back.

But, Metatron didn’t show any reaction in respond and advanced forward towards Lisha.

「Here I go monster eyeball! Prostrate under god’s name! Suppressor!」

The moment Metatron’s giant body came right above the plaza, Lisha activated Tiamat’s Divine Raiment──gravity control.

Gravity burden was applied on the Ragnarok’s whole body. The plan was to strike down that body and pasted it on the ground, but──

「……What-!?」

「──iiIIIIIiI」

Just when it let out a faint cry, right after that the gravity field covering Metatron was erased. Right after that──Lisha and the others who were surrounding it from four directions were covered with light that struck them down to the ground all at once.

「This is──!? Don’t tell me!?」

「Tiamat’s Divine Raiment!? Then──!」

Even while receiving a burden from gravity, Celis fired out a lightning attack from the tip of her lance.

The lightning’s tip from the Lightning Flash was erased as expected before it could reach Metatron. The attack recoiled back to everyone.

「U, aaah……!?」

The power of lightning attack that was transmitted to the whole body caused the four to scream.

「As expected it’s like that, this Ragnarok absorbed our attacks and reflected it back……!」

Krulcifer gritted her teeth and glared at Metatron above.

But, Celis shook her head slightly and denied that.

「It’s not just simple reflection. At the very least the strength is magnified by several fold! If we aren’t careful, we will get wiped out!」

「Then──, I also need to test it.」

The moment the gravity field and the lightning attack’s discharge cut off, Yoruka drove her Yato no Kami and danced in the air.

The back of her Drag-Ride’s four legs released wind and heat. It was the special armament {{furigana|Karafumi|Vacuum Step}} to kick on the air. By using it to leap up, even though her Drag-Ride was a special equipment type, she was able to approach Metatron in the sky.

But──when the giant eyeballs covering its surface were fully opened, a flash of high heat surged.

「──Yoruka-!?」

Lisha deployed her defensive barrier while yelling.

But, before Yoruka got hit by the enemy’s attack, she finished an action using her katana-type Blade.

The slash with super speed that was only for one action by using Quick Draw.

The slash ran on the surface of Metatron and carved a line on it.

「──That girl, what is in her mind? To purposefully wait until the enemy moved like that……!」

In order to aim for a counter, she intentionally let herself get hit to attack at the risk of her own life.

But, even that line from the slash vanished and then it unleashed shockwaves consecutively to the surrounding.

「Even physical attacks, are reflected…….!?」

The attack Yoruka unleashed was scattered back with several times the power. Countless cracks ran through the houses and stone paving.

Although Yoruka dodged the enemy’s heat ray and reflected attack to the minimum, as expected even Yoruka’s armor got damaged.

「This Ragnarok, it’s really beyond our means isn’t it──」

「Ku……!?」

Yoruka’s composed smile still hadn’t crumbled, but beside her Lisha was gritting her teeth.

Even with four Divine Drag-Ride users gathered here, they had nothing that could be done this quickly.

Whether it was a physical attack, or shockwave, or lightning attack──if every kind of attack was magnified and reflected back, then they had no way to fight back at all.

Furthermore because Metatron itself was slowly moving like a balloon, they also couldn’t use its own strength to hurt it.

「It will be better if I don’t fire my Freezing Cannon. We will get wiped out if we get smashed while frozen.

For Krulcifer to only be able to make that kind of frivolous talk even after using Fafnir’s future prediction, it gave them a hint just how despairing the situation was.

Because in other words, with their battle strength right now, no matter how they struggle there was no future where their attacks would go through that could be predicted.

「──IIiI, IiIIIIIiIIIIIII」

After Metatron cried with a strange voice, it started to advance towards the residential area where Lux and the others were at.

At that moment, the injured Yoruka kicked on empty air once more and leaped.

「──!?」

Lisha, Krulcifer, Celis, the three of them held their breath seeing that.

This time Yoruka unleashed multiple slashes consecutively, but as expected they were reflected the same.

「What are you doing ero woman! It’s pointless even if we attack this thing! We are only going to get hit back!」

「My? We won’t know that unless we try it.」

An absolute difference in battle potential.

Yato no Kami’s Divine Raiment, the Spell Code wouldn’t work on Metatron that wasn’t a Drag-Ride.

Even so Yoruka repeated various attacks as though she had no fear and hesitation at all.

『You──, don’t tell me』

『Aah, it’s fine if everyone got away from here. This is only something that I’m doing willfully.』

Yoruka calmly answered the question Lisha sent through Dragon Voice.

『There is no way I can let this enemy go to where Aruji-sama is at while we still don’t understand its weakness. Even if this body will break at the end of this, if I don’t even search around for some kind of impetus to be able to damage it, there won’t be any meaning for a tool like me to exist.』

『……-!?』

Lisha reflexively held her breath hearing Yoruka saying those words as though it was only natural.

Realizing the conviction of this girl called Yoruka, her expression changed.

『It will be pointless even if you stop me as commander, I’m──』

「Don’t speak selfishly you damn idiot-!」

「Eh──!?」

The moment Yoruka tilted her head, twelve Legions pierced Metatron’s eyeballs.

But, as expected the attack was amplified and reflected back, blowing away the approaching Lisha.

「What are you intending to do? This experiment can be done by me alone.」

「Annoying, shut up! No matter what you are trying to do it’s just selfish! Do you think that your strength won’t be necessary for Lux’s sake from here on!?」

「…………」

Hearing Lisha’s caustic words that sounded like an angry roar caused Yoruka’s eyes to open wide.

As though to continue after Lisha, Krulcifer sniped using a normal bullet, while Celis used Divine Gate and unleashed a simultaneous attack at two spots. Those attacks were similarly reflected and they received damage.

「As expected this enemy isn’t simple, but──with our attack hitting it, its attention is directed to us. It will aim at us as long as we don’t escape.」

「Yes, we also approve your gamble. If you are searching for weakness, it should be done with everyone using various methods.」

「────」

It seemed that it was too unexpected for Yoruka. She was dazed for a while hearing their words, but hearing Lisha’s supporting words, her smile returned.

「That’s how it is. We cannot let this thing go to Lux’s position while we still haven’t found the method to oppose it. That’s why, you too cooperate and fight with us. This isn’t something for you to shoulder alone!」

Lisha’s breathing was rough from her approaching her limit, even so seeing how she kept acting strong, Yoruka smiled.

「──I understand. Lizsharte-san.」

Lisha was bewildered how the smile Yoruka was wearing was different from until just now while rushing towards the Ragnarok once more.

[[File:SaijakuBahamut v10 09.png|thumb|right]]

The opposition resumed by the girls’ unity.

===Part 12===
「-……!」

After the storm of an instant where they couldn’t even breathe passed through, they opened their eyes── and over there was.

「Ho, how-!? How can you endure through the bombing by Luna Tooth just now-!? No──」

The devil was shocked seeing Typhon that was smoking black from its whole body.

Philuffy wasn’t simply enduring through the attack.

The reason the half broken Typhon was able to hold back that fierce bombing was before their eyes in a clear shape.

「That’s, don’t tell me──!?」

「Is that, what Saniya and the others used……!?」

「Yes. Is something like this, possible?」

Sharis, Tillfur, and Noct were staring in amazement at that figure.

The root of Abyss growing from Philuffy’s back entangled on Typhon’s armor, transforming that appearance.

The new form of Typhon with the dark red pulsing root entangling it.

It was a sight that even Lux had remembrance of from his battle with Saniya.

Using a part of Yggdrasil’s special characteristic that could invade and fuse with even inorganic matter, not just one’s body, even the Drag-Ride one was wearing would transform.

「B-blood Typhon……is it? But, that form is──」

Originally, maintaining her sanity while displaying Yggdrasil’s power that was putting burden on her should be an act that was next to impossible.

He had to assist her as soon as possible, that was what Lux thought. But the moment he slipped out of the net, Philuffy was moving.

「Wha-, what the hell-!? That figure──!」

「Surely, I still cannot go to heaven or anywhere yet.」

Philuffy had unleashed Yggdrasil’s power, even so she asserted with her usual calm tone.

At the same time the countless Pile Anchors she fired entwined around Alklha and pulled.

The giant armor that should be two sizes bigger that Typhon was gradually getting dragged closer, and before long it floated in the air and got pulled.

Perhaps due to the strengthening ability of Yggdrasil, even the anchors’ strength was increasing. The pulling was accelerating with a speed that even the eyes couldn’t follow.

[[File:SaijakuBahamut v10 10.jpg|thumb|right]]

「Why! Why would you go that far until turning into something like that even after receiving human’s malice with that body──!?」

「Because Lu-chan said, that he wants even me like this to stay at his side.」

The Alklha that was approaching before her eyes along with a shriek was kicked up by B-blood Typhon to right above.

Due to the sudden strike to high above after getting moved in high speed horizontally, the crumbling pieces of that armor fluttered in the sky.

「……THAT’S, IMPOSSIBLEeEEEE-!」

Blood vomit scattered from that mouth. Those crimson eyes were opened wide until the limit and she yelled.

She who was charmed by the path of evil and persisted in it──as though opposing her fate.

But, even after getting kicked flying to far above, the binding of the anchors was still holding strong.

Typhon’s both arms grabbed those wires, and then as though swinging down a sword from right above the head to straight below, the restrained Alklha was thrown to an empty ground.

「GAGAaAAAH!」

Receiving the throw that was utilizing centrifugal force while being restrained, that armor which looked like an evil fortress was smashed apart into pieces.

Because of the devil transformation from the Elixir’s effect, Calensia avoided instant death, although her movement was completely stopped with all the broken bones in her body.

「Phi-chan!?」

Lux who slipped through the iron net rushed forward, at the same time Airi blew the horn flute she was carrying in hiding.

The command that she made towards Abyss was inaction.

Right after she made that command, Yggdrasil’s root pulled back and even Typhon was dispelled.

「We had tested it before once due to Philuffy-san’s request. Though even using the horn flute’s support, the burden on the body is too much──」

「Nn, I’m glad……」

The darkness in Philuffy’s eyes was vanishing, her face was returning to her usual look.

But, it appeared she had already used up even the strength to stand up. She was about to crumble down when Lux caught her in his arms.

「Why, did you do something so reckless……! If something happened──」

「It’s fine, you know?」

Philuffy’s voice was frail, even so she showed him a smile.

「Because, I still want to stay at Lu-chan’s side, so, I won’t disappear──」

「…………」

The feeling of Philuffy who said that to him struck Lux’s chest and he embraced her tightly.

Then, the devil who was lying down nearby laughed ‘ku-ku’ with a trembling throat.

Her flesh didn’t start regenerating.

Her heart that had its reasoning melted by Elixir surpassed the limit of her own life force and perished.

He didn’t know whether she was tricked by Dragon Marauder or if she personally committed a blunder, but that body was burning out like ash, she was starting to crumble from her feet.

「Ha, hahahaha, kukukukuku……!」

Yet even so, the King of Vices was sneering seeing the two of them.

「You fools are carrying out a pointless struggle……. Even if you defeat me, your wish won’t come true. Evil is growing more severe under the shadow of goodness that you idiots are risking your life to do. Even if you expect some kind of reward, even if you expect to be praised, you will be able to obtain that only for a moment──」

Her eyes were already looking hollow and dull, the King of Vices continued while facing the sky, as though to look up at god.

「If someone doesn’t continue to stand on the side that rules……one day it will be their fate to have everything taken away. I’m not wrong, until the end, I didn’t let myself, become anyone’s prey……anymore.」

「────」

With that muttering at the end, her whole body became ash and decayed.

Airi who was standing beside him suddenly stared at the corpse with sad eyes.

「Perhaps, this person too was used by someone in the past.」

「Yes……」

As a part of the imperial family of the Old Empire, and then as someone who was banished from the imperial court, it wasn’t like he didn’t understand the feelings of the King of Vices.

Someone who was wounded in the world of betrayal and schemes where it was eat or be eaten would try to stand at the side of the strong so that they wouldn’t be used anymore.

There was no more way for them to know about what happened in this girl’s past, but they felt a slight sympathy.

And then, they thought that her words also had truth in it.

It might be just as she said.

『Someone who wasn’t loved by anyone, will try to be loved by anyone.』

Calensia’s last words became a stimulation that resurrected Fugil’s words in the back of his mind.

Even Lux thought that it might be true for a time.

And then that──was rejected by the King of Vices just now.

If Lux was fighting because he wanted to be recognized by the people, then perhaps someday he would get used and cause him to fall──but,

「Nii-san! That’s──!」

「-……!?」

Airi raised a nervous voice and pointed to the sky.

Over there was a golden spherical body with diameter that reached more than ten mel──

The surface possessed a great number of eyes, and pure white wings were growing from its body in many pairs. A monster of an angel.

The Ragnarok of the first Ruin Babel──Metatron was looking down below.

–

「──Manifest, the violent dragon that devours the flesh and blood of the gods. Sever the sky of black cloud, Bahamut!」

–

Lux immediately lifted up his Sword Device and equipped the jet black Drag-Ride.

At the same time, as though to say that she had been waiting for it, Noct stretched out a cord from her Drake and connected it to Bahamut.

「Please wait for around ten seconds. I will transfer the internal energy I have gathered up from Sharis and Tillfur’s Drag-Rides into Lux-san’s Bahamut. Originally Lux-san will only be able to fight for three minutes, but with this you should be able to move for around five minutes.」

It seemed that the Triad who were fighting defensively one-sidedly since before this were working hard so that they could increase Bahamut’s activation time even if only for a bit more.

Right after Lux glared at the dark cloud preparing to intercept the enemy, a Dragon Voice from Lisha could be heard.

『──Be careful Lux! No attack will work on this guy! Whether it’s physical attack or any kind of energy attack, everything will get absorbed and reflected back!』

Along with that desperate yelling voice, Lisha and others, the four members of Syvalles appeared together.

Lisha, Krulcifer, Celis, Yoruka.

Although they somehow still maintained the materialization of their Divine Drag-Rides, everyone was wounded all over with ragged armor.

It could be seen that they had no spare strength to fight properly.

「These four people together still couldn’t win, such thing──」

Tillfur looked up to the sky with a despairing expression, while Sharis and Noct also held their breaths.

But, Lux calmly glared at the calamity class demon.

And then first he quickly faced the girls and gave the very best instruction he could.

「Please take Philuffy and Airi to retreat. I will take over here.」

He entrusted the girls to the Triad and skated Bahamut towards the sky.

After he climbed up to a height where he could take an unbroken view of Triport, Metatron’s countless eyes captured Lux’s figure.

「Please be careful Lux! The enemy will fire laser beams from its eyes!」

*Giin!* Just as Celis said, its eyes shined and fired heat ray energy.

Lux used his great sword as a shield and blocked it. When the attack was over he unleashed his gathered energy.

「──Howling Howl-!」

It was a perfect timing that aimed at the moment the enemy’s attack ended──but, Metatron’s whole body shined faintly. The vortex of shockwave vanished and immediately after it was reflected towards Lux.

「……Ku!?」

Even while enduring the power of the attack he released himself, Lux was observing the enemy’s state calmly.

Among the countless eyes covering that enormous body, he saw that there was only one eye that was crushed.

「That’s, how is that──!? Why is only one of its eyes wounded……!」

「We don’t know. When everyone attacked it frantically, my sniping pierced it through. ──There should be some kind of secret about it!」

Hearing Krulcifer’s voice made Lux arrive at a certain hypothesis instinctually.

It was an imagination that he could think of exactly because he had accumulated several thousand battle experience from mock battles until he was called with the nickname The Weakest Undefeated.

Perhaps his idea was mistaken.

He might fail, get wounded, and then lose.

But even so──this hint came from none other than the girls who tried to leave behind a light of hope for Lux that they stayed behind even in their worn out state.

And then, Lux’s belief that was denied by Calensia was taken back by Philuffy for him.

I wasn’t fighting until now in order to be loved by someone.

「──I fight, because of my admiration.」

Philuffy who was in a position that possessed no power whatsoever, saved him who was in hell after losing his mother.

He thought that he couldn’t do anything for the country because he was the youngest child of the imperial family, however Philuffy was different.

She saved him simply with her kindness and feeling. He admired her nobleness and beauty.

That was why──no matter what anyone said, he wouldn’t hesitate anymore.

Lux’s true essence as a Drag-Knight.

His power of concentration that had been polished until the extreme was moving him to the very best action.

That attack was developed not by logical thought, it was as though his body was naturally guiding him.

(A timing where the attack works exists, if my hypothesis is correct, if I’m to aim at that moment──it can only be, this!)

「Howling Howl……!」

Energy was concentrated at the inside of the armor and a vortex of shockwave was fired once more.

「That’s no good Lux! Like that it will be reflected again!」

「You’re wrong, Lizsharte-san. Aruji-sama’s aim, is likely──」

Right after Lisha yelled, Yoruka corrected her with a bewitching smile.

Yoruka who possessed natural talents for battle seemed to notice it.

The absolutely invincible Ragnarok who absorbed every kind of enemy attack and returned it back to the enemy exactly as it was.

If there was a situation where an attack could work on it, that was──

「──HAAAAAAAAAAAaAAH!」

Lux took a deep breath, and activated Bahamut’s Divine Raiment with his whole soul.

The timing of an instant where failure wouldn’t be permitted had been ascertained with the first Howling Howl attack.

The activation of Divine Raiment with high output and wide range.

Lux’s new technique that was brought about by his bond with Celis, the barrier of Reload on Fire was deployed.

The barrier covered a side of Metatron that was floating in front of him. It absorbed Lux’s Howling Howl and then shifted to reflect it back, but its movement was decelerated and stopped.

In other words, attacks would work on it only in this instant that was even less than a second.

Using Bahamut’s Reload on Fire, the speed of the attack reflection was decelerated. At that timing, the great sword Lux thrust out pierced Metatron.

「────GIIIIIIIIiiiIIIIiiiIIIII!」

While the Ragnarok was raising a shriek that sounded like a scream, Lux operated his back wings propulsion device in full power and charged through inside its body in a straight line.

Even with the barrier and pilot suit protecting his body, heat that felt scorching to his whole body was enveloping him. Even so he didn’t stop.

Just by thinking of Philuffy, and then his comrades from the Academy, his last strength welled up.

(Thank you──everyone.)

And then, there was a sensation of breaking through a membrane with hard resistance. Right after that, Lux pierced through to outside the spherical body.

There was a definite response of piercing the core.

Lux turned around and readjusted Bahamut’s posture. Almost at the same time──that enormous body exploded and burning fragments danced in the air.

It was like countless falling stars were illuminating the night sky of despair. They were silently burning to ash.

────

From inside the blown up Ragnarok, a crystal──the Grand Force fell out. Lisha caught it.

Everyone of Syvalles landed down on the ground. Even after they dispelled their armor and gathered, they immersed themselves in the aftertaste of the battle for a while.

「──It’s over huh, Lux.」

「Yes. Thanks to everyone.」

When Lisha held out the crystal with a relieved smile, Airi and the Triad who were hiding to protect themselves rushed towards Lux in a hurry.

「Are you okay, Nii-san!?」

Lux caught Airi who was jumping at him into his embrace, then a smile naturally formed on his lips.

「Yes. Thanks to the Triad sharing their energy with me, I can stay awake like this.」

「I see, that’s great. Then, let’s treat this as Lux-kun owing us a favor.」

「Wait, you are saying that in this kind of situation-!?」

Lux spontaneously yelled at Sharis’s mischievous talk.

He was sighing in relieve that they seemed to have more spare energy than he thought, but next Tillfur also put her arm around his shoulder.

「Thaat’s riight. After all even though we also wanted to unveil our new weapon, yet we generously conceded the best spot to Lux-chi!」

「No. I judged that we merely mistook the timing to use it. Besides, there is still one issue that we haven’t solved──」

「Wai-!? What are you saying Noct, I told you that’s still a secret──」

Noct retorted to Tillfur who was proudly boasting. A lively laugh was spreading to everyone.

「You girls are just like always──but, with this my failure has been settled.」

The Campus Festival around half a month ago.

Even this incident that began from a connection with Rosa was finally closing its curtain.

Rosa Granhide who was able to escape from Calensia’s control was being guarded by Coral.

Lux was reported to the alliance as an assassin sneaking into Heiburg, but surely she would give proof of his innocence.

「Even so it’s a bit unfortunate. We too believed that we have grown stronger considerably but── in the end we completely relied on Lux-kun again.」

Krulcifer coolly brushed up her hair and muttered that jokingly.

In response, Lux shook his head and told his current feeling honestly.

「No, you are wrong Krulcifer-san. This time I was able to defeat the Ragnarok thanks to everyone lending me strength, also, Philuffy was……」

She stopped him when he was caught in the evil designs of Heiburg’s King of Vices and he almost took the wrong path.

She gave the answer to Lux’s doubt that was budding from this time and five years ago when the Old Empire was destroyed.

Next time even if he confronted Fugil again, he wouldn’t be in doubt anymore.

He would only fight holding the belief that was taught to him by her who was closer to him more than anyone.

「It’s Phi-chan, right?」

Philuffy was objecting while leaning unsteadily on Lux, her expressionless face seemed to be a bit dissatisfied.

「A, at this kind of time it should be fine right!? That’s, the atmosphere feels serious like this──」

Lux’s cheeks flashed red and he objected, but Philuffy was discontent and faced aside with ‘puih’,

「Lu-chan, is cold. Even though, I helped you a lot during the honeymoon.」

The moment she muttered that casually, everyone around was provoked.

「Wha wha wha what did you say-!? Even though I heard it was only an act just for form’s sake, don’t tell me you──!?」

「It seems it’s necessary to hear the details. To act like that while disregarding me the fiancée……」

「It’s a misunderstanding Lisha-sama! Or rather, Krulcifer-san too, that’s wrong right!? How did it become a formal betrothal like that!?」

「Lux!? Yo, you have joined together with her!? N, no, i, if it was Lux himself who was wishing for that, then it’s not like I can say anything about it but──uu」

Celis who said such thing was hanging her head down with a depressing aura strangely enveloping her.

When he reflexively looked at Yoruka looking for help, she burst into a smile and stared at Lux.

「It was worth it to endure myself from chasing after Aruji-sama to serve as your guard. It will be great if a successor is safely made──」

「Why are you pouring oil on fire at the very end-!?」

Everyone who was lit on fire by Yoruka’s saying questioned Lux all at once.

「Haa, really. Everyone is a troubling person just like usual.」

Soon the coldness of winter would be intensifying.

Airi was looking up deeply at the freezing night sky while letting out a white sigh.

===Part 13===
On the other hand, around the same time.

The royal capital of the New Kingdom, Lordgalia. Inside the royal palace there, a strange ship with streamlined shape was mooring.

That thing that was staying at the courtyard was a prehistorical legacy that was called Sky Palace.

It was called an airship that could float in the air and swam through the sky, it was recognized by the world alliance as the dwelling of the Lords as well as a vehicle that could travel around.

Because the Lords needed to be involved with the conquering of the remaining Ruins, they were preparing this in order to fly around to the Ruins in every country.

Inside it, in the space inside the ship that was made from smooth metal, the silhouettes of four people were standing.

One of them was the first imperial princess of the Holy Arcadia Empire, Listelka.

In addition, was her imperial knight, Fugil.

Then the maid Mishis V Xfer.

And then── even the second imperial princess, Aeril Vi Arcadia was there.

The tops of the Lords faction who were the rulers of the old era were all there, talking to each other about the present abnormal situation.

「My deepest apologies, my princess. Like this, I was unable to predict their movement early. Please punish me as you see fit.」

Fugil who was wearing an extravagant red cloak first said that to his master and awaited her judgement.

But, in contrast Listelka shook her head slightly and brushed up her beautiful silver hair.

「No, the case this time is my blunder. Their battle with Metatron should be a few days from now in the plan, and we also dealt with the Dragon Marauder that appeared nearby. Though thanks to that, it became a little troublesome.」

Saying that, the girl let out a lamenting sigh looking as though she was troubled from the bottom of her heart.

Originally, the liberation of Ruins was an important groundwork for arriving at Avalon.

But regardless of the accomplishment of conquering one of the Ruins, the situation was being guided to a different direction from their plan.

「Because of him, the trick of the Ruin might be suspected. If it’s not by us, the clan of the Lords, Grand Force cannot be placed at the deepest part of the Ruin. But, how does that Singlen know about that? Even though there should be no more humans alive who know about that in this era.」

Beside Listelka who was tilting her head in confusion, the second imperial princess called Aeril was observing Fugil’s behavior.

She was trying to ascertain some kind of reaction from him, but it was as though he wasn’t showing suspicious behavior at all.

(Am I just over thinking it? However…… I’m feeling some kind of apprehension in my chest.)

In front of the conflicted Aeril, her elder sister suddenly turned her face.

「It’s also unfortunate that Aeril didn’t make it in time. In the end, you were unable to obtain any clue about Dragon Marauder from the King of Vices correct?」

「──Yes. But, I noticed something strange. Sir Singlen was lurking in a place where he could help in defeating that Metatron, but he intentionally let Lux Arcadia take the credit. That means the possibility that he understands our situation is high.」

「Is that so, in any case this is troubling. I want to do this as amicably as possible, but if by any chance he installed more than two Grand Forces, then we will have to make him disappear.」

The usual gentle atmosphere vanished from Listelka. She was showing an expression of bottomless darkness.

「Let’s observe their movement with even more prudence. We don’t want to stand out, but in the next Ragnarok subjugation, we also have to participate and manage the situation.」

Listelka nodded at the words of the maid called Mishis.

Beside her, the second imperial princess Aeril was seized by a baffling thought.

(Why did Singlen hand over the achievement to him……? Even though he should have failed in winning over Lux Arcadia, don’t tell me──!?)

An uneasy imagination was born inside her chest.

The art of manipulating people wasn’t limited to just using a strong authority.

By giving a helping hand to one’s own enemy, one could guide their movement.

Something was moving behind the scenes.

She was feeling such uneasiness in her chest while looking down silently.

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Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Epilogue

2019-10-10T02:17:56Z

Masterupc: /* Epilogue – His answer is */

==Epilogue – His answer is==

In the Basement『Labyrinth』at night ,one the day after the suppression operation ended.

In the presence of the consular officials including Milmiet, Lux officially signed a contract to become one of the『Seven Dragon Paladin』.

It would usually take time to be approved by every country, however, there was no turning back.

But it might cause any trouble for the New Kingdom of Atismata if the admission for the『Seven Dragon Paladin』was refused.

Just as Lux was thinking, Celis called out.

“Well then Lux, please allow me to handle this. You, who refused my recommendation were detained. You decided to give in that strong argument.”

Celis’ expression was unusually happy.

“But I don’t want to trouble Celis-senpai.”

“There is no trouble. As far as the Ralgris house is concerned, you become one of the『Seven Dragon Paladin』. I will be praised and face proudly in front of my father. That’s why I want to help you. ”

“… Then I will rely on you, senpai.”

When Lux nodded in agreement, Celis was relieved and said,

“Yes. However, there is one condition. Each of the 『Seven Dragon Paladin』 must have an aide. Please let me help you in this too. ”

Aide of a『Seven Dragon Paladin』.

Greif had taken Coral, and Singlen brought old knight Zwei

He didn’t waver.

If Celis, who was the strongest in the academy and well-known in the history of all member country and the political affairs of their aristocracy supports him during negotiation, there would be no greater help than her.

Lux agreed and finally settled.

“After the end of inspection and some treatment in infirmary, I decided to go to the room where Airi and the Triad is gathered.”

“Are you sure you want us here? Isn’t it more convenient to talk among family?”

Just as Lux sat on a bed in the room, Celis asked, but Airi quietly shook her head.

It appears that Celis is thankful to Lux and Airi for risking their lives in this fight.

“Is your body okay? You aren’t hurt, are you?”

“I ask the same question to you nii-san, are you okay?”

“……”

For Airi, who already returned to her usual self, Lux smiled nervously.

At that moment, Airi suddenly sat on Lux’s lap.

“Wa…!?”

Lux didn’t feel much weight in his legs because Airi was much lighter than him.

Being puzzled by this rare behaviour of Airi, Lux froze in the place.

“… Don’t be shy now. I have some complaints towards nii-san.”

“Complaints… towards me? What did I do?”

“Because of nii-san, I have terrible memories from yesterday. I’m embarrassed to death from crying in front of all those people. How are you going to repay me?”

[[File:Saijaku V6 16.jpg|thumb|right]]

While blushing, Airi who was sitting on Lux’s lap, stared at him.

“So, sorry. But, that… I——”

“Nii-san is truly selfish. It’s aggravating so I gave up on stopping you.”

“——Eh?”

“Nii-san, as the 『Seven Dragon Paladin』, please stop that Singlen. Nii-san’s goals and plans are largely decided on that. I will also assist you as much as possible, such as deciphering an ancient document, and aiding Her Majesty the Queen.”

Drag Knight world rankings.

As Singlen served as vice captain, it is the world-wide rankings showing the capabilities of Drag Knights.

The world rankings of Drag Knights are decided on various achievements such as Abyss subjugation, simulated warfare and strategy carried out at various places.

As a 『Seven Dragon Paladin』 representing the New Kingdom of Atismata to stop Singlen. Fugil needs to be tracked at once.

“…May I?”

“I admit defeat. From the start, I don’t have any hostility towards nii-san. I knew, I already became aware of my feelings——”

Being embarrassed, with a glare in her eyes, Airi stared at Lux.

Upon seeing this, Lux responded with a smile.

“Oh, wow. These two are letting us watch something good.”

“Forbidden love—— Ah, I won’t lose——”

“Yes, I support Airi.”

“——Ha!? Are you serious!?”

When Triad said it while watching, Lux’s face became red with embarrassment.

But, Celis stood face-to-face with Lux and coughing purposely to gain attention as she straightened her chest.

“Then, can you give me more time? Thanks to you, we have been appraised highly in this campaign and got qualifications to get into upper class——but, I decided to decline the offer this time.”

“Eh…?”

“This is what we three decided after discussion. It is still early for us now, right. Even when I fight as 『Black Hero』, I was trying very hard and you reminded me of my lack of strength and naivety.”

“Such a thing——”

“Of course, I’m aware of the gap between our talent and aptitude. However, I want to try again with you all three from the beginning. Therefore when we hit the wall, will you lend me your power as a friend?”

To Celis’ words, Tillfarr and Noct looked at her with determination.

After hearing those words, Lux showed a warm smile.

“——Yes, if you are ok with me, I’m glad to help.”

To Lux’s reply, the Triad replied with a smile and with Celis’ proposal, Airi also participated in the celebration.

After all, the hidden sake was brought out by Pare, everyone who used to be on good terms with him had now become angry at Professor Raigree.

But now, there are many friends who support Lux and Airi.

This became the happiest and the greatest achievement so far.

From now on as a 『Seven Dragon Paladin』, the pursuit of a new dream finally begun.

In the meantime, Lux cherished his life filled with laughter and warmth, and with a great determination to protect it.

***

The next afternoon, in the room where Coral’s presence was not there, Lux was gathering his luggage to return home. Suddenly, there was a soft knock on the door.

When he got up and opened the door, Krulcifer was standing in front of him.

“Congratulations on your promotion.——and great job. Also this time, it seems a lot of things had happened.”

“Thank you. Also, congratulations to Krulcifer-san. ——But, what’s the matter? We have to leave the city soon and later…”

“……”

Ignoring Lux’s question, Krulcifer entered the room.

And quietly sat on the bed where Lux was packing.

“……?”

Lux was slightly confused and sat next to her.

“So a 『Seven Dragon Paladin』. Lux-kun, you’ve become a big deal. When I first met you, you were just a molester and an underwear thief. ”

“No, well… ——that was an unfortunate accident wasn’t it!? It was a misunderstanding!”

While panicking, Krulcifer smiled and said.

“But you decided, right? You won’t hesitate anymore.”

“…Un. Actually, I cannot suppress my feelings anymore. ”

Five years ago, that day.

Due to Fugil’s betrayal, the future which Lux wanted during the revolution ended in failure.

Lux took action because of the atrocities the royal family was committing.

He understood, he could no longer hesitate.

The 『Seven Dragon Paladins』which is not bound to international treaties and using the power to protect those dear to him.

To stop Singlen’s tyranny who rules like the Old Empire and to find the truth regarding the incident five years ago.

The criminal living in the New Kingdom… as the prince of the Old Empire, what can he do?

He realized that he needed to find a way to walk towards his desires.

“Since you seem to be determined, can I say one thing?”

Sitting closely to Lux, Krulcifer whispered.

“Lux-kun. Are you interested in the mystery of the ruins?”

“——Eh?”

Those unexpected words made Lux flinch.

“It is better to say that after returning to the New Kingdom, I may return to Ymir once again.”

“Well, maybe——”

In the past, Lux was involved in the engagement of Krulcifer and was reminded of something.

“Well, it’s where I came from. I had an urgent call from Einfolk family. Obviously, it’s regarding the political marriage to make connections with upper echelons of the New Kingdom. Hence, I do not know what kind of wind is blowing back home.”

She smiled nervously.

Krulcifer always talked indifferently about her family and home, it seemed she had complex feelings about them.

Krulcifer who came from ruins, still somewhere which it seemed to have a wall between her and her family.

“Could that mean, it is related to Ruins…?”

“I think that the possibility is high. There was a big event in the Ruins. So, my presence is needed.”

“……”

Orders were sent to return home immediately due to the changes in Ymir’s Ruin and increasing vigilance.

This is a reasonable decision even if the issue was not related to Krulcifer.

“So, that’s why—— I came to consult with you…”

“——Okay, I will go.”

Just as Krulcifer said that, Lux replied.

“Eh……?”

With round eyes, Krulcifer stared into Lux’s face.

“Although I am Lisha’s knight, I will go with you, I think she will allow us to go together.”

“Y, yes, thank you…”

Towards Krulcifer who looked relieved, Lux looked curiously.

“…I’m surprised that you agreed immediately. Is it ok?”

With blushed cheeks, she whispered to Lux with a tone only she can hear.

“Eh? Did you say something Krulcifer-san. Ah, What?”

In the moment of confusion, Krulcifer further pressed her body against Lux.

When Lux turned his face, Krulcifer whispered with a subtle expression.

“——I have a favour to ask. If I’m forced to explore the Ruins, you will have to find something that connects it to the Arcadia Empire.”

Airi had already shared the information about the ancient document to Lux’s close friends, Relie and Lisha.

On top of that, Krulcifer was concerned about his relationship with Lux. His blood line called “key manager” and the haze’s blood line which he called himself “Creator”.

We may know what kind of mystery lies within when it is revealed.

“However, I just want you to promise me that no matter what I do, don’t abandon me and be there for me——”

Krulcifer who was always calm said in a weak tone.

She was afraid that when the mystery in the ruins would be revealed, her relationships with the people around might change.

Lux held the girl’s hand and smiled gently.

“No matter what happens, Krulcifer-san will always be my friend. I promise.”

“—— Thank you.”

Shortly after silence filled the room, Krulcifer gently stroked Lux’s cheek.

Then, as Lux blushed and diverted his eyes, Krulcifer brought her lips close to Lux’s face.

“Ku, Krulcifer——… san?”

“Don’t worry. This is the advance payment for coming to country of Ymir——”

While feeling the sweet moments with the girl close to him, a knock came on the door.

“……!?”

“Lux-kun. It’s time to say goodbye to everyone in the New Kingdom whom are about to depart——”

When the coarse voice came beyond the door, the two separated in panic.

“Just as we are in our sweet moments, someone came to disturb us.”

While blushing, Krulcifer slowly stood up.

While somewhat relieved, Lux had an awkward expression.

Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 4

2019-10-10T01:53:09Z

Masterupc: /* Part 8 */

==Episode 4 – Second Ruin 『Maze』(Dungeon)==

===Part 1===

At the early morning next day.

Lux woke up early before the sunrise and then he headed toward the practice ground inside the military ground.

He had took confirmation from Coral who was in the same room with him that it was permitted to use the place. The place was empty as he expected, perhaps the factor that it was right after the exam also played a part of it.

“Now, then......”

After changing into his pilot suit, he wore Wyvern on his body and carried out basic operation as replacement for warming up.

And then he released the control of tuning just like how Lisha taught him.

“-......!?”

Several images of light were floating around him, with ancient letter, symbol, and graphic reflected in them.

Originally it was a function that was literally to tune things like the Drag-Ride's output, armament, and so on. Usually this function wasn't used while fighting, but now he was deliberately starting up while keeping the function activated.

(As I thought, controlling Drag-Ride in tuning mode is, considerably difficult......)

One could concentrate better if information and options were limited to a certain degree.

The control of Drag-Ride was already complicated and numerous in the best of time. Adding the fiddling of even its output value in the middle of battle gave a degree of difficult that was nearly ill-advised.

“However──......just a bit more”

After taking a deep breath and fired himself up, Lux repeated basic action while keeping that state on.

After around an hour passed with some light rest in between, his stamina finally reached the bottom and he fell on his knee on the ground.

“──Haa, haa......”

He was breathing hard with his shoulders heaving while crouching on the spot. Then suddenly he heard footsteps from behind him.

The moment Lux stood up to turn around, a towel was dropped on his head.

“......Wah!?”

Lux's sight was plunged into darkness and he panicked.

When he took the soft white towel, there was a familiar face there.

“Morning, Lu-chan.”

“Ah......”

It was a lovely face that was expressionless and absentminded with trace of childishness remaining in it.

Philuffy in pilot suit appearance was standing there.

Different from usual, her hair was tied into a short ponytail. That appearance looked fresh and surprising.

“Phi, Phi-chan. Why are you here──?”

“I'm also always, doing morning training. Then, I heard Lu-chan's voice, from here.”

After saying that with a dispassionate tone, Philuffy slowly took back the towel.

“Wai-, what are you doing Phi-chan!?”

“You will catch cold, if you don't properly wipe the sweat, you know?”

Philuffy was wiping Lux's sweat using the towel with serious face and a tone that sounded a bit chiding.

But, it was embarrassing to have a girl that was his childhood friend to do that much for him, so Lux was flustered.

“I, I'm fine you know!? I, it's only this much. I can wipe myself alone so──!”

There was no people around, but Lux turned his head left and right to check.

“It's okay, I'm finished already.”

Philuffy finished her work while he was doing that and she put the towel on Lux's shoulder.

Like that she was then staring very still at Lux with her pure eyes.

“-......!?”

Perhaps because she had just been training, Philuffy's skin and face were slightly flushed, and there was a faint scent of sweat from her. They made Lux's heart throbbed fast.

Compared to her childhood, her breasts, her thighs, and other places had grown into an amazing feminine body. He thought of that once more while looking at her face from nearby.

“Wha, what's wrong? Is there something on my face──”

“Ei”

“Waah!?”

Lux's body half rotated just from Philuffy lightly jerking his arm.

In the blink of eye he was made to turn his back on her and he felt bewildered once more.

“Wha, what are you doing Phi-chan!? My sweat is already──”

Philuffy's body clung closely on the back of the flustered Lux. Then she whispered to him with indifferent tone.

“Checking a bit. Whether your body, is hurt.”

“Yo, you don't need to do that, I'm really not tired! ──Uwah!?”

Honestly speaking, he was on tenterhooks because Philuffy's large breasts were touching his back.

When Lux twisted his body to shake her off, his foot got entangled and they fell down together.

“Aa......”

Lux leaked out a voice after falling.

When his hand reflexively moved to stand up, there was Philuffy's body right below him.

“So, sorry-......!]

The large breasts that didn't lose shape even when she was lying down face up flew into his sight, causing Lux's head to boil up.

Philuffy who was expressionless as usual kept staring at Lux and she suddenly moved her lips.

“It's okay, to not endure you know?”

Philuffy's question that was said with her usual serious face made Lux turned stiff.

The warmth and softness of Philuffy's body that was glued to him.

After getting conscious of that, Lux's heart was pounding hard like an alarm bell, his consciousness turned blank for a moment.

“Because Lu-chan, you look like you are brooding over something.”

“──Eh?”

After Lux whispered toward those words that suddenly came at him, Philuffy showed a faint smile.

“Since the past, Lu-chan would immediately endure. You would hide your true feeling.”

“............”

That voice sounded somewhat nostalgic.

And yet it also sounded somewhat lonely. Philuffy formed her words with such voice.

“I'm happy, that you are doing your best for our sake, but──. It's fine, to be more honest with your own feeling, you know?”

“......Such, thing”

‘Isn't true'. For some reason he became unable to say that when he looked at Philuffy's straightforward gaze.

*GOOOON*. Suddenly the sound of large bell that informed the time rang at the area.

“Oh......, I need to return to my room soon──”

“Right. Later, Lu-chan.”

They stood up, and then after exchanging only those words, Lux parted with Philuffy and returned to his room.

The straightforward words of his childhood friend caused a mysterious feeling to sprout inside him.

===Part 2===

There was an emergency call. Almost all the officers as well as the officer cadet who were the examinees of Class Promotion Exam were gathered on the Canopy at the upper part of Ruin's Gear's center.

The Drag-Knights were lined up. In front of them was a stage, where the principality's princess, Milmiette, and the man who was the mayor of Ruin's Gear were standing side by side.

“Everyone──first, thank you for your hard work in the Class Promotion Exam this time. The joint exam with New Kingdom Atismata that was being held for the first time has also ended safely, I believe that it will give a result where we can hope for even better development.”

Milmiette first showed a smile that was like a flower and greeted formally.

But, in contrast with those words, it was as though the atmosphere didn't feel relaxed.

“Originally we will break up with this. But, just as everyone of the New Kingdom Atismata also knows, recently the appearance rate and the atrocity of the Abyss from Ruin are gaining strength. The second Ruin, the Dungeon existing underground this Ruin's Gear is also not an exception.”

*Murmur*. The gathered Drag-Rides looked at each other's face after hearing those words.

“Originally, the number of Abyss appearing from Dungeon is fixed, but that number will overflow if it's left alone for a long period, and they will climb up from the door at the bottom. Originally this kind of situation happen once every few months, but regardless of the frequency of subjugation that we has increased in this Ruin, the situation is that the Abysses are going to flood out.”

“......!?”

The female students who came from Academy and the military officers gulped.

“Perhaps everyone can already imagine it after I talk this far, but I wish to ask the cooperation of everyone from the New Kingdom, in exterminating those Abysses that has been increasing too many inside the Dungeon.”

After she was speaking that far, the mayor stood on the stage and spoke out the outline of the mission.

The Dungeon that was existing underground the Ruin's Gear.

The underground was divided into five levels in total. In this mission they would descend down those levels, defeated as many Abyss as possible, and decreased their number.

However, in the mission this time, they would only step in until the second level.

The reason was because there were few cases where powerful Abyss appeared in low level.

“Of course, originally there is no merit in this talk for the ladies and gentlemen of New Kingdom Atismata. Naturally we are planning to pay the compensation for your effort, but we are thinking to grant one more reward for it.”

After the grey haired mayor with moustache stepped down, Milmiette continued the talk once more.

“The result that everyone raised in this suppression mission will be treated as a special supplementary exam of this time's Class Promotion Exam, and the score will be added into the exam's evaluation.”

“......Ooh!?”

The dazzling smile and words of Milmiette caused the depressed officers to lift their face.

“Of course, cooperation with every officers and defeating many Abyss safely will be evaluated even higher. After all if one neglected to cooperate in their hurry for achievement, they will also fall behind in the real battle. Inside the Ruin, the Drag-Knights of our country who are serving as examiner will take the lead. It will be our happiness if those with spare energy can come forward and cooperate in this by all means.”

Milmiette bowed, then a commotion that somewhat resembled a cheer rose.

“Fuu. The princess of this country can say a good thing too huh.”

Tillfur who was beside Lux by chance showed a small smile after hearing that.

At the exam this time, she seemed to be lacking in confidence what's with the obstruction in the middle of it too, so she must be relieved inside her heart for this chance.

The subjugation would be done by team of three or four people. Fundamentally entering into the third level was forbidden.

It seemed that this judgment came from the thinking that although the Dungeon was vast and deep, but because the passage itself wasn't that wide, moving in large group would be obstructive.

This suppression mission would be performed for around three hours.

Of course, continuously operating Drag-Ride through all that time would be impossible, so they would take rest inside the Dungeon, or outside.

Everyone gathered comrades and prepared, then at the lobby they would apply for participation as team. After that they would gather under the Canopy──in front of the spiraling corridor that continued toward the Gate underground, and they would enter in order from the team who got the permission first.

“It seems that the content of the supplement exam this time is advantageous for us whose main strength is cooperation.”

Sharis of Triad who was listening to the talk from right nearby called out like that to her comrades Tillfur and Noct.

Right at that timing, Noct who was there met Lux's eyes.

“Ah......”

The other day they parted without him unable to say anything to her. Lux was troubled about how he should greet her.

(What should I say, that can assure her......?)

While he was hesitating in front of her with such thinking──,

“Good morning Lux-san. Were you hurt from the exam yesterday?”

“Ah, I, I'm fine. I'm completely──”

Unexpectedly it was Noct herself who broached the topic about the exam that he thought would be hard to talk with her.

“Is that so, I was a bit worried.”

“Eh......?”

Lux tilted his head in puzzlement. Noct spoke with her usual calm expression.

“Yes. We are talking about Lux-san who is kind to girl here, so you will surely think about various methods in order to console me who might be feeling down. I was worried whether you would be lacking in sleep because of that.”

“N, no, it's not like I was thinking that──”

Noct's exactly right guess caused Lux to object with red face.

“Is that so, that's unfortunate. It doesn't matter that I am the roommate of your little sister, the matter about me won't really weigh in your mind that much isn't it?”

“Tha, that's not true. That, I was worried──about the matter of all of you the Triad.”

Noct looked at Lux with contemptuous eyes when he said that with an earnest tone.

“Yes. As expected you were thinking about that kind of thing weren't you? Surely it's a method of touching our body to console──”

“Just what kind of person Noct think I am!?”

When Lux retorted in panic, Noct's expression suddenly loosened.

“I'm glad. Because I thought that Lux-san would be troubled, that you were unable to help me in the exam the other day.”

“I was just concerned about you, but instead I made you worried!?”

“Yes. Being considerate to the surrounding is the duty of Leaflet family that came from the lineage of servant. I still cannot lose against Lux-san.”

The girl who was his junior smiled slightly at the exhausted Lux and she said that to him.

“Okay, oka─y. Then we will prepare as well. Lux-chi too, let's meet again inside the Ruin.”

As soon as the mood relaxed, Tillfur came rushing in.

“Ah, that──can you allow me to join the Triad's team together too?”

「......」

Hearing this, the Triad members were speechless for a moment with their eyes snapped wide open.

“E, eh......? Is it, no good......?”

Seeing Lux being troubled, Sharis grabbed Lux's head into her underarm.

“Wah......!?”

Due to the posture, Lux's face hit Sharis's chest. His face suddenly heated up.

Her body was toned, with the sensation of soft breast pressed on him.

And from her body floated her trademark the rose fragrance that tickled Lux's nose alluringly.

“Fuh...so even that innocent Lux has become very proactive. You truly want to make all three of us fall for you, don't you?”

Sharis said that jokingly with a mischievous smile.

“Wa ha haa, Lux-chi is so bold. As expected a boy is really different eh─”

“Yes, Lux-san too is finally developing a great interest in girls. I judged that it's my obligation to report this to Airi.”

“I, I said it's not true!? I don't have that kind of strange ulterior motive, I just──”

Even Tillfur and Noct got into the joke and Lux became even more panicked, it was then,

“We truly understand. Thank you for worrying about us.”

Sharis released Lux from under her arm, and gently placed her finger along his chest.

“But, only this time some of us want to try things. So we are going to rely on you at another chance. For now, please go to the other girls who are waiting for you.”

“Okay...... Then everyone, be careful.”

With some hesitation, Lux agreed and slowly left.

After he talked with Lisha and others about the grouping, Lux returned to the lodging house for once to see Airi's face.

===Part 3===

“Fuh, it somehow went well. Although we originally agreed to this, you do not have any regrets, Tillfur, Noct?”

Sharis was seeing off Lux's back while speaking to her two compatriots.

“Yes, we hope that we don't add to Lux-san's burdens by more than this.”

“Actually, I was really happy though....... He is properly worrying about us too──”

With a joyful and lonely expression, Tillfur sighed.

While Airi was alone in her dorm room last night, the Triad girls made some plans in advance.

In order to help Lux, the three decided to distance themselves instead from him.

Although it was because of Buzzheim's evil design and added with a coincidence, it still resulted in them dragging down Lux at the Class Promotion Exam.

If they who didn't even have the strength to skillfully use Divine Drag-Ride were near Lux, they would become a hindrance to him.

The words that Singlen said at the exam yesterday stabbed the chest of the Triad.

To re-evalute their strength again from the beginning, the three decided not to request Lux's assistance and fought by themselves.

“But, I might have done something bad towards Tilfur. I stole away the time where you can be together with him.”

Sharis spoke teasingly.

“Wai-......!? Sharis yourself, even though just now you pushed your breast on Lux-chi!”

“Yes, I think that's quite bold of Sharis. ......In fact, you like Lux-san, correct?”

“──Fuh. I was just giving him a bit of nice memory in my own way as my feeling of gratitude. No, though it's not a mistake that I'm pleased with him.”

[[File:Saijaku V6 13.jpg|thumb|right]]

“Is that really true～...... ? Sharis, even though she has been putting act as a big sis but she is actually pure, so she is unexpectedly weak against straight advance though~, ......and she like younger one too.”

“Yes, although we are childhood friends, this is the first time I have seen you do this type of thing towards a man.”

“... We, well, time to get back to the topic on hand.”

Sharis's face was slightly reddening from Tillfur's mischievous laugh and Noct's fixed stare. She then made a forced cough.

“Our goal is to accomplish this by our own strength. ──Now, let's go and do what we can with our all.”

Sharis repeated the instructions from the start. The other two nodded understandingly.

The three of them stepped forth toward the passage of Drag-Ride hangar that was borrowed from Ruin's Gear

===Part 4===

“Airi, are you in there?”

After knocking gently on the door and hearing a”Come in,” Lux entered the room.

Exuding her usual cold atmosphere, Airi sat at her desk reading.

“Is something the matter, Nii-san? You are going to join the aforementioned suppression mission aren't you? Isn't it better to quickly prepare?”

“Ahaha....... No, there is something that troubled me a bit.”

Saying that, he talked about how after he was rejected from accompanying the Triad, he went to where Lisha and others were.

Lux was thinking to group with Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, or Celis who he got along well with and belonged to Syvalles together, but Instructor Raigree who was there told him that he was forbidden to accompany them.

The instructor said,

“On the surface the task is officially to destroy the Abyss, but it is also a supplement exam to test the teamwork in facing the Abyss. You all the user of Divine Drag-Ride, don't group among yourselves. Split up and devoute yourself in supporting the other students.”

It was like that.

Now that he was told that, it was the natural decision.

Lisha and others, the four of them were on another level of strength that was nearly EX Class and had a high chance of passing the exam, thus it would be unnecessary for them to force themselves to achieve victories in the campaign.

Also, the second ruin [Dungeon] is very deep.

It was better that the members of [Syvalles] who had experience going to the Ruins before to be split accordingly to support the other cadets.

That was how they are told.

“Even though I'm thinking of supporting Lux with the Drag-Ride that I've newly created at great pains......”

After the warning, Lisha became upset.

“I understand what you are saying, and it's the correct reasoning. But I still feel a little dissatisfied emotionally.”

Krulcifer showed a smile with hidden meaning while agreeing.

“It's unfortunate....... Even though, I've been carrying the snack for Lu-chan's share too.”

“......Ahh, nn. Please bring it for me at the next chance. This time Phi-chan can eat them all yourself.”

Lux showed a wry smile while comforting his usually expressionless childhood friend.

“Even though I wanted to peel the orange for you.”

“You really don't need to do that!? Going that far will make me embarrassed okay-!”

After his panicked exclamation, Celis also came to his side.

“It can't be helped. I originally wanted to use this opportunity to repay Lux for all the times you helped me but──no, Its definitely not that I just want to be with you, okay.”

“Then please at another chance. For today please become the strength for the others.”

Like that he parted with the girls and Lux returned to the lodging house.

“Haa, nii-san is very popular. However, please stop getting intimate with your classmates now while enrolled in the academy. Otherwise, I would feel ashamed.”

“Wha, what are you saying!? Everyone is just treating me well I'm telling you.”

Airi's accusation made Lux's face to redden as he panicked.

Then however, Airi's sighed deeply as she muttered something quietly while averting her face away from Lux.

“......Nii-san's denseness is already at the territory of serious illness after all. As I thought, is the cause because he is dragging along the matter of the past?”

“Eh...?”

“Never mind. It's not like I want to see someone like the womanizer Nii-san anyway.”

Airi said in exasperateion while looking out the window.

“I will wait in the lobby of the Ruin. It seems that the people of Seven Dragon Paladins will also be there, so you don't need to worry about me.”

“Mm, got it.”

Lux nodded and smiled.

“Airi, other than this, has anything notable happened recently?”

“...Not really.”

Lux smiled wryly when Airi answered with some hesitation.

“Okay, but if anything happens please let me know. Although I may be unreliable, I am still your big brother after all.”

“-.....!?”

The words Lux said made Airi trembled for a moment.

Although Airi immediately returned to her usual calm expressionless, and she showed a faint smile.

“I understand. Good luck, Nii-san.”

“Nn”

After acknowledging this, Lux showed Airi a smile as he left.

A few seconds later, the expression that she forcefully made finally crumbled, and Airi fell onto her bed.

“My uniform will get wrinkled......”

Such thinking was crossing the back of her mind even while she was unable to bear it.

There was no way she could say it.

For some unknown reason, Singlen was showing an abnormal fixation toward Lux.

It wasn't only the persistent persuasion to join the Seven Dragon Paladins, he may also knew things about Lux's past when at the Old Empire and even about Lux's eldest brother Fugil.

So──in order to prevent the two from getting even more invoved with each other, Airi kept quiet about last night's events.

The Dragon Marauder's spy may had already infiltrated the New Kingdom.

And then, the important nobles of various countries who were financing Dragon Marauder were searcing for trigger of war.

If the content of the old document that Airi deciphered was reported to the upper brass of the New Kingdom, the history and knowledge about the Old Empire until now would be overturned and a great chaos would occur, the brunt of it would surely──be pointed at Lux and Airi.

As the final survivors of the Old Empire, amd then as criminals, there was the risk that thye would be doubted of having ties with the Lord(Creator) of Ruin.

“If it is only me that ends up hurt then it is still fine. But──“

The worst case would be if Airi was taken hostage, and Lux would fall into the grip of the New Kingdom.

Furthermore, there were also people within the consul who desired to take advantage of Lux.

She didn't want to become a burden for his big brother for more than this.

“I, what should I do......”

At that moment, a knock suddenly came on the door causing Airi to get taken aback and she held her breath.

“Who is it?”

She asked as she placed her diary where the ancient document was hidden in a safe spot on her desk.

“Please do not panic. I am with Wanheim Principality.”

Hearing the sound coming from a young girl, Airi relaxed as she opened the door.

“-.....!? You are──”

“Could you come with me? Miss Airi Arcadia”

The one who appearead along with a few followers was Princess Milmiette.

===Part 5===

“Now then, what to do from here.”

In order to participate in the suppression mission, obviously he needed to fix his equipment. However he was refused from teaming up with the Triad, and it didn't look like he could accompany Lisha or the others this time.

“Should I try aksing the other classmates?”

Lux pondered such thing while opening the door of the lodging room──then,

“Wah......!?”

“──Eh?”

Someone sitting on the bed was taking off their shirt, rolling the shirt off their arm.

The exposed smooth white-skinned back appeared in front of Lux's field of vision.

“So, sorry-!? I didn't expect someone to be in the middle of changing here──”

Reflexively, Lux closed the door at the sight of the half-naked androgynous youth.

However, after his panickedly yelled that, he noticed something strange.

“Eh......? Looking closesly, could you be......Coral?

[[File:Saijaku V6 14.jpg|thumb|right]]

“Oh, ah, um......that's me. I'm also a boy, so there's no problem here. Come in.”

“Ah, yes, that's right. Then, I'm coming in......?”

When Lux timidly entered inside, Coral who had already changed into a pilot suit was inside the room.

No matter how androgynous his appearance and body, Coral undoubtedly should be a boy.

And yet, for some reason a slight guilt welled up inside Lux. Even Lux felt it mysterious.

“Um, about that──sorry that I suddenly made such a strange voice.”

Coral apologized with a somewhat shy smile.

“Oh, that's fine. It was my fault for forgetting to knock──anyways, is Coral also taking part in the mission?”

He did not watch Coral's fight at the All-Dragon Battle last time, it was understood that given his ability to use EX Wyvern meant that his strength was High Class at the very least.

From the results of the examination, it didn't look like that Coral necessarily need the extra points, but...

“Well, everyone in my country is basically participating. After all this is our own country.”

“I see.”

Thinking about it, it was really the natural development.

“Sorry to make you accompany us playing out at night last evening. But──did you able to relax a bit from it?”

“......Thank you. Because of that, I was able to get along slightly with Greifer.”

After hearing Lux's words, Coral put his hands together.

“That's good then. Lux is really very kind just as I thought.”

Coral spoke with a voice that was mixed with relieve and delight. Lux smiled wryly to that, saying”No such thing.”

There were the matter of what Singlen said, Airi whose condition was somewhat strange, and the matter of Triad, even so Lux's feeling had slightly beome light.

“Then, this is an opportunity that is hard to come by, do you want to join us in the suppression mission?”

“That, do you mean──”

Lux was bewildered at Coral's invitation.

“Mm. In the upcoming suppression mission in the Ruin, I hope that you and me, along with Greifer, can be in a team together. Is that okay?”

“-......!?”

*chiri-*, a sharp pain ran behind Lux's eyes and static that looked like sandstorm ran at the back of his mind.

(Again......? Just what is this? This pain──, I have felt it before)

Before Lux was able to confirm what made him uneasy, the feeling soon went away.

“......What's the matter?”

“Ah, its nothing. I hope that I will not trouble you too much then.”

Although he was hesitant whether he should help the other girls, but they were also encouraged by Instructor Raigree that they assembled team together with their allied country Wanheim Principality.

After Lux gave his answer, he changed out of his uniform into his pilot suit.

“Wah......!?”

“Wha, what is it...?”

“No, nothing......Don't' worry about me.”

Coral answered with a troubled smile for some reason. Lux thought it strange while he finished his getup.

He was carrying compass, portable food and drinking water in his bag, then they joined with Greifer.

“I don't really care, but why are you purposefully teaming up with this fellow from another country.......”

“It's fine right? Greifer doesn't have many friends anyway.”

Coral retorted at Grefier who was a bit annoyed. Then after they stopped by at the base inside the palace──the lobby, the three of them went towards the entrance to the Dungeon.

After arriving at the bottom of the spiral staircase that was hollow like ant lion larva's pit, the Drag-Knights of both countries were already gathered in large number.

“Lux! If anything happens, call me immediately! I will rush to your aid!”

Hearing Lisha's energetic voice, Lux awkwardly waved.

Altough the three of the Triad were also present, for some reason that Buzzheim was also present.

His injuries were tied with bandages, making it hard to imagine how he could operate a Drag-Ride. Moreover, his proctor license should also have been revoked.

It seemed like he was merely there to see off the beginning of the mission as a member of the military. However, he glared at Lux with hound-like eyes like usual.

“............”

“Relax. Buzzheim already doesn't have anything to do with this part of the exam.”

Coral, who noticed where Lux's line of sight went, had understood the situation.

However, Greifer muttered peevishly.

“......I wonder? Well, I'll be keeping an eye for you.”

“Next team! Number 17, come forward!”

“It's our turn now.”

After being called by the proctors, Lux and his comrades walked up.

If the Gigas that came to the New Kingdom was excluded, this would be his first time entering the Ruin of another country. Lux was feeling nervous of that while he braced himself.

As Lisha's knight too, it would be the best for Lux raise his Class.

Besides that, in order to protect the city from the magical beasts, he would give his utmost effort.

(But... for what?)

Singlen's words stuck to his mind.

He had decided that he would not hesitate... and yet why was his feeling like this?

“Let's go, Lux-kun.”

Coral gently touched Lux's back, indicating Lux to exit. In front of the site, Lux summoned <Wyvern> and pulled out his sword.

“Come, the winged dragon of crest, the symbol of strength. Follow my sword and fly, Wyvern!”

He pressed the button on his hilt and said the chant.

Light particles gathered around him at high speed. His body became covered with streamlined blue armor.

A few seconds later, while standing on the pentagon on the floor that was called the Gate, an orange light gradually rose, giving Lux a feeling of floating on air.

Feeling like their consciousness was separting from the body, the three of them entered the Dungeon.

===Part 6===

The rooftop of the Palace that was overlooking down on the spiral staircase continuing to the Dungeon──the edge of Canopy.

Singlen, wearing his usual armor suit was lying down on the edge that was made of stone, where a single mistaken step would make him fall down for few dozen mel.

As his eyes followed Lux disappearing in to the Dungeon, he stared lazily back towards the rear of the main troops.

“I have returned, my lord.”

The air behind Singlen slightly rippled.

As if he was covered by a bed sheet, an old knight wearing a white mask and white jacket appeared.

“You are late, Zwei. Did anyone tail you here?”

“There has been no action at all. Are they saving their capability? Or else, perhaps the Dragon Marauder too isn't planning to make a move carelessly here.”

“Who knows...If I were them, I would not hesitate at this chance. Right now that the danger of Ruin is increasing and each country is hardening their defense, there may not be another chance where they can move this easily if they miss this one.”

“...True.”

The old knight's husky voice agreed with his master's opinion.

“Then I'll order the Knights of White Ridge to stay vigilant. To prepare for the worst case scenario—“

The old knight prepared to leave. Singlen, stabbed the sheath of his Sword Device onto the ground, elucidating a small thud as it landed.

“Well, hold on a second, Zwei. Although you were an able man since in the past, your decision making is just a bit too premature. We certainly were requested to protect this city. ──But, no one will evaluate us highly just from extinguishing a small fire that cannot be seen. Haven't we experienced that many times in the past, let's be a little cleverer here. We will make use of our lesson.”

“............”

Singlen smiled as he said this, exuding a deep, unending darkness.

The old knight suddenly realized the true meaning behind his words.

“...That”

“Catching the big fish requires patience. Keep in mind we will prioritize the Milmiette ojou-sama's safety first.”

“Yes, sir.”

After this brief response, Zwei disappeared.

Singlen did not care as he looked over the doors of the palace.

“...Fugil, ah. What will your brother do next? I am looking forward to it.”

Singlen's face held a deep smile.

However, his dark voice was not heard by anyone.

===Part 7===

“This...is the Dungeon?”

As his body moved past the door, Lux could not help whispering as he witnessed the incredible interior.

Although the Academy's lectures and pre-mission meeting described what he needed to know, it was still a view beyond his imagination.

“What's up? Is this your first time entering a Ruin?”

“...it's very spectacular.”

In response to Coral, Lux could not say any other words to describe his impression.

However, those were his real feelings.

In Lux's mind, the Dungeon was supposed to appear as caves.

With cold, dark, inorganic rocks channeling through them.

However, the scenery in front of him surpassed his imagination.

Directly in front of them was an altar-like patio.

Around the patio was a field of flowers.

Above the patio, instead of a blue sky, something like moss that gave off a pale yellow fluorescent light made the area appear just bright enough.

Rather than a cave, it was more like a courtyard with walls surrounding it on every side.

“Here in the middle is the exit to the outside world. There are also places like this far away from where we are with a lake and other scenery, isn't it interesting?”

As Lux curiously looked around, Coral gave his explanation.

As they approached, the other female students would stop to look in adungeonment.

“Oh, honor student-sama! Our task is to suppress Abyss here yeah? Don't treat it like a picnic.”

“Greifer is still the same! Our mission should last just a few hours, yet you still get nervous. Or is it that you just want to finish quickly and get back to Princess Milmiette?”

The two of them began to quarrel.

Lux looked at the two with a wry smile as a thought crossed his mind.

“So now... how many levels are we going to raid?”

“According to the records the exploration has only reached until level four. The area looks spacious, but it's actually quite complicated. After we pass three levels, the amount of powerful Abyss and harsh environment will increase...”

“I see.”

Listening to Coral's answer, Lux breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed that in this Ruin, the existence of Automaton that was called Gear Leader hadn't been confirmed.

Without that Hayes who was called as Lord, the possibility that something happened in Ruin must be low.

“Shall we begin? Although there are only a few Abyss here, don't let your guard down and take them one by one!”

Lux nodded to Coral's words, then they too began the Abyss extermination.

Far in the darkness, a scream could be heard.

“That sound, it's Hind huh.”

“Even though this creature looks like a deer, it is very ferocious. Be very careful!”

Lux listened to Greifer and Coral's instructions as he drew his weapon.

The suppression mission began with this team that was formed for the first time.

===Part 8===

“Listen to me! Greifer is amazing? I failed so many dishes that I cooked yet he took it as a challenge and ate all of it!”

“....I-Is that so?”

At the same time.

Under the Canopy, deep in the halls of the Dungeon above the door, Princess Milmiette and Airi were there.

Why was she sitting next to the princess of Wanheim Principality?

It seemed that Coral arranged a lot of security to ensure Airi's safety, but having a lot of guards made her nervous.

“Coral is the son of my distant relatives, but because of the death of his parents from illness, he was adopted as my escort. As the assistant of Greifer of the Seven Dragon Paladins, I think that sooner or later his visit to the New Kingdom will also increase, please treat him well then.”

“It's no problem. That...If I may say so, could you excuse me for a few minutes?”

“Oh, I'm sorry. I was too preoccupied with talking. I will send a guard to accompany you.”

“I-I'll be fine by myself!”

Princess Milmiette had good intentions, but being surrounded by male officers was troublesome.

(How to say it...this person, she is too pure that it's hard to deal with her......)

Other than that, a lot of eyes and ears around made Airi felt uneasy.

Because of the ancient document that she deciphered was hidden in a parcel in Airi's bag.

She exited the Lobby and brought her feet toward the toilet.

Airi had been very cautious until there.

However, right after she finished her business and exited the building, for a moment she let her guard down.

“──!?”

“Hey!”

A silhouette quietly approached from the shadows.

A man with a cloth covering his face snatched Airi's bag.

“Thi-Thief! Stop! Please stop-...!”

She was shouting while knowing that it was in vain.

Even though she was hit and knocked down, she stood up quickly and began to give chase. However, she could not catch up.

The man ran towards the cover of building inside the Palace. As if replacing that man, a Wyvern flew out from there while holding the bad and fled down the spiral staircase.

“──Eh!?”

Airi was stopped by the unexpected scene.

If the man flew outside, it would be hard to find him. And yet the man was heading to the bottom of Palace──to the entrance of the Dungeon where there would be no place to escape.

He was a thief, so why would he run towards a place with a dead-end.

Although a lot of Drag-Knights had gathered due to the suppression mission, however, if an outside went down there he should still get noticed.

Unless this man was originally a Drag-Knight who was a part of the suppression mission and had received the permission to participate ──.

“What exactly is going on...?”

The situation was puzzling.

But after thinking about it for a few seconds, the possibility made Airi tremble.

From between the gaps in the cloth, the thief's face appeared similar to that of one of Buzzheim's men.

“Surely...it can't be...”

At that moment, Airi remembered a scene from last night.

When Singlen visited Airi's room last night, he used words that suggested that Airi was secretly in possession of the something that was connected to the Ruin.

「Those guys are sending spy to every country. It will be dangerous if they know you are hiding the secret of Ruin. What I want to say is be cautious.」

What if supposedly Buzzheim overheard this conversation...

“-...!?”

Airi's heart beat furiously, and she felt her consciousness fading.

If the ancient documents were exposed, they would lose the place that they had obtained in the New Kingdom.

People will question their relationship with the Lord(Creator), then they would be imprisoned once more, or else──.

(There is no time to hesitate)

Airi rushed back towards the Lobby to inform others of the emergency.

This matter of robbery couldn't be reported to the military officer of Wanheim Principality.

Since there was no evidence that it was one of Buzzheim's people, and it was only Airi's speculation.

She couldn't act against the military officer of another country without solid evidence. And even if for example she had something like that, they would obviously feign ignorance.

That means she couldn't stop Buzzheim through normal means.

“Nii-san, I──...”

Airi hesitated to discuss this with her brother. Airi rushed down the spiral staircase as though she was being pushed down. As she approached the Gate of the Dungeon, Noct came into her field of vision.

“What's the matter Airi? Your face doesn't look good.”

“...”

Tillfur and Sharis of the Triad were also there. Perhaps they had just finished resting and returned here.

However, Lux and Lisha and other members, the users of Divine Drag-Ride were not there.

Perhaps it would be best to seek their assistance first, but there was no time for that .

Buzzheim could not use a Drag-Ride due to his injury, and most of his followers shouldn't be accompanying him, only a few of them──.

“Noct, there is something I need your help with. Could you please help me?”

When Airi noticed, she had cut to the case.

She said that she wanted to go into the ruins to catch the thief.

===Part 9===

“Fuu... we did pretty well. And just now our team finished the fourth battle.”

Coral said this with a smile as the firewood crackled.

They were surrounded by rocks on all sides with a thin lawn covering the ground like a blanket.

They were resting in an open space of the northeast part of the Dungeon's first level.

It seemed there were several resting places called Camp scattered throughout the Dungeon.

They were not originally part of the Dungeon but set up one by one by Wanheim Principality as they explored. Next to them, water from the waterfall parted to create a basin around them.

Lux and Coral were resting in shabby tents set up in the vicinity.

“I doubt there is poison in the water, but it's still likely better to not drink it. If we can understand the situation upstream, then our safety will also increase, but there is no guarantee for that.”

“Got it.”

The teapot and water they had at hand came from a part of the food they brought in advance.

Since they were only exploring for a day, there was not a need to bring too many provisions in advance.

“──However, there is no doubt that Lux will be promoted here.”

As Lux sipped his tea, Coral smiled and congratulated him.

Based on the pocket watch they had, there was less than an hour before they needed to return.

They exterminated Abyss following the instructions of the examinees who were here and there and repeated that several times.

While Lux could only use Wyvern to fight, Greifer and Coral were quite strong so the mission went smoothly.

In the main exam, he acted in the way that lowered his evaluation several times, but with this Lux's promotion to Middle Class should be without a problem.

He would continue to uphold his reputation as Lisha's knight.

(Buy why is it I wonder....... Why am I feeling this superficial?)

Lux put down his tea cup and began strolling around the tent in a daze.

There were no more Abyss around and only the sound of quiet water flowing could be heard, but...

“Oi”

“Wah!?”

There was a voice that suddenly came from the side, then a Dagger stabbed the floor in front of him.

When Lux jumped backward in panic, Greifer wearing Cuelebre arrived at his side.

“Don't loiter around as you please. We are resting right now but don't wander too far from the tent.”

“Ah, sorry...”

Lux hurriedly apologized. Greifer grunted towards the side.

(Aa, when I thought that our relationship has finally improved slightly...)

Greifer's blunt attitude towards Lux made him felt down as he walked back towards the tent, it was then──,

“That was dangerous, Greifer! Anyways, you need to explain to him about that!”

“What do you mean?”

The words of Coral who was exiting the tent confused Lux, while Greifer was showing a bothersome face.

“Haah, the Portal(transfer device) is in that direction. Didn't I explain it before we entered?”

“Oh...”

Lux noticed what Greifer's intention was.

Inside this Dungeon, other than stair that went underground, there were things called Portal installed at several floors.

The Portal's shape was simply a group of rocks in a circle that was easy to notice, but because it could only transport things from the upper floor to the lower floors in one-way trip, the team could be in danger of getting separated at the moment they stood at that spot without noticing it.

Lux noticed that while he presented a different attitude on the surface, Greifer was quite concerned about Lux's safety.

In any case, the man is really quite caring no matter what he said.

“Thank you Greifer. I'll switch with you to patrol around now.”

Lux said this with a smile, while for some reason Greifer gave an uncomfortable glance to the side.

“I ain't feeling like drinking tea, so I'll refrain. We are going to return back soon anyway right? Rather than that──”

Greifer had an indifferent look as always as he stood up wearing his Cuelebre.

“A communication from Dragon Voice came in. There seems to be something strange going on. The men of New Kingdom who weren't too hot at the exam this time──that team seems to raise some abnormal results for this exam.”

“Isn't that a good thing? With that the possibility the people of New Kingdom's military getting promoted will increase.”

Coral tilted his head while Greifer continued to speak.

“That's if they are doing it in proper way. According to the proctor, it seems that team took care of about a dozen Abyss or more already.”

“Eh..?”

Upon hearing this, Lux reacted to the conversation for the first time.

Strange.

The New Kingdom's Drag-Knights, with the exception of the captain Dilwy, should be consisting of only Low or Middle Class Drag-Knight.

Of course, that Class in the end was only one indicator of strength, but it was hard to imagine that they would all suddenly show such results inside this unfamiliar Ruin in foreign country.

“Seems that the Abyss on the second level ain't a match for them, thus they went towards the entrance to the third floor. I wonder, what is their trick?”

“............”

As Greifer said these words, a grave expression appeared on Coral's face for the first time.

However, he sighed immediately and returned to his usual demeanor.

“That is concerning, but no rules were broken, so there is no problems.”

“If that's so then it's okay. It is still a bit early, but how about we start heading back?”

At Greifer's suggestion, Lux stood up.

But, at that very moment. *Dong!* The Dungeon began shaking vertically.

“Earthquake!?!”

Right after Lux judged like that, the pale yellow light that illuminated the cave began to flash bright red.

“That's!?!”

Lux recalled a past situation in the Ark that was similar with this. He pulled out his Sword Device.

“Someone broke into the third floor!? This is bad, at this rate──the Ruin will enter alert state!”

Coral who saw that also called out his EX Wyvern and equipped it.

“Greifer! I'm going to confirm the situation. You go outside the Dungeon and await instructions from Princess Milmiette.”

“Gotcha. Hey, prince, let's go back to the Palace.”

“Hold on! I am going to go take a look as well!”

Lux requested to accompany him, but Coral calmly shook his head.

“I can't take you along towards a part of the dungeon that you are not familiar with. Although you are concerned about the officers of the New Kingdom, please bear with it for now.”

Saying that, Coral glided out while driving EX Wyvern.

He traveled through the dungeon and quickly disappeared from the field of vision in the blink of an eye.

===Part 10===

“...W-what is this shaking! What is happening!?”

“I-It's not our fault!? Although we accidentally chased the Abyss towards the third floor, just because of that, the Ruin become like this...!”

“Captain Dilwy! Did you see!? Should we retreat...”

It was a team that was composed of only male officers.

The squad captain, Dilwy and three Drag-Knights of the New Kingdom military. They were panicked at the sudden change in situation and showed the weak-kneed expression that was exactly opposite with until now when they were defeating a lot of Abysses.

Their steady advance until now was solely thanks to Dilwy, while the other three were only given the leftover. There was no sense of duty or dignity as knight in that.

“──Haah.”

Dilwy raised a smile of mockery towards them.

His old wound had healed. His right arm now had strange black pattern on its surface. That arm was holding a knife that was left behind by the robed man last night.

No, not so much as healed, but it was even stronger than before.

“The seed of war huh. I see, so that is how it was...”

“Cap-Captain Dilwy! Let's retreat quickly.”

“Aah, it is already that time huh... then, let's have a farewell soon.”

The men in his squad let out a sigh of relief hearing Dilwy's words.

No one there noticed how Dilwy was like a completely different person from his normal demeanor.

===Part 11===

“This sound, what happened–!?”

Equipped with her Wyvern, Sharis was surprised and wondering what was happening?

The Triad and Airi were searching for Buzzheim on the second floor when the sudden chaos ensued.

Perhaps it was time to head back, there were no signs of other Drag-Knigths around them.

“Isn't this bad!? How come this feels like the last time in the Ark?”

“Yes, I judge that the possibility is high. But according to the Radar, it will still take a little more until we catch up with Buzzheim and others who seem to be the robbery culptrit, about 70 mel ahead──”

“.....”

Airi bit her lips with a complex expression while being held by Noct's Drake.

They heard explanation about the Dungeon's alert state when they received instruction regarding this suppression mission.

About five minutes after the color inside Ruin changed, the stairs connecting the third floor and the second floor would be blocked. And there was danger that many Abyss would appear.

That ancient document absolutely had to be taken back.

──However, she also couldn't expose the Triad to even more danger than this because of her selfishness.

“...As long as we have my Drake, we will be able to communicate within the Ruin using Dragon Voice. There's about 50 mel left till we get to the stair connecting to the third level. They should be there.”

Noct said this in response to seeing Airi's troubled face.

Sharis also spoke to the undecided Airi.

“Let's go. There is no time to waste. The despicable thieves, as someone serving as the Academy's vigilance committee, I will not stand them unless we pay them back.”

“That's true~, they also harassed us a lot at the exam~”

“Yes, I will continue detecting the Abyss, so please leave securing the path of retreat to me.”

“──My apologies, everyone.”

Airi let out a weak voice toward the Triad who were considerate and helpful to her.

“I'd also like to test my skills after all. Let's go Tillfur, Noct.”

“Roo~ger”

“Yes, my Lord” (English)

Tillfur and Noct responded to Sharis's statement with a smile.

Right in front of the staircase leading to the third floor, it was discovered that Buzzheim and a small group of people were taking position there.

Buzzheim did not have any Drag-Ride equipped but he was holding on to Airi's bag. However, the four men of Wanheim Principality's military officer with him each were equipped with general purpose Drag-Ride.

Sharis quickly aimed her breath Gun and gave a warning.

“A warning towards all of you the officers of allied country Wanheim Principality! You are in possession of something that belongs to the civil official of our New Kingdom. If you return it now, I will not report your deed to your superior and the incident will not turn into serious matter. But if you refuse, we will take it back by force!”

In response, Buzzheim face shifted from surprise into a sneer.

“...Just when I thought what you are going to say, but could you have gotten the wrong people? The package was something that was given by an acquaintance of mine.”

He said this as he retreated behind his subordinates.

“So you are refusing to return it. If so, I won't be so polite in taking it back.”

The moment the finger of the Wyvern Sharis controlled touched on her Breath Gun, one of the followers wearing Wyrm rushed ahead suddenly.

He released a barrier to protect himself from the assault, so that he could forcefully charge forward even while deflecting bullet.

“The standard reaction huuh. That's no good you know──”

Aware of the enemy's movements, Tillfur who was similarly wearing Wyrm intercepted the enemy.

Tillfur's Hammer swept aside the enemy's Blade, making him lose balance. Then she landed a decisive blow to the shoulder of her opponent's armor.

“Ga, ahh......!?”

When the man flinched backwards after witnessing that smooth blow, Sharis who had switched her weapon followed with an attack by her Blade. The enemy's armor was dispelled after his Force Core received the impact.

Furthermore, Noct kept covering Airi while pulling the trigger of her Breath Gun to hold back the other men who tried to join the fray. The three of them splendidly coordinated their strategy and acted all at once.

“This is checkmate, Buzzheim-dono.”

“Ku...!”

As Sharis's sword was pointed at him, the defenseless Buzzheim groaned.

The outcome was decided.

If they returned with full speed from now, they could go back before the blockade of the stair between second floor and the third floor was completed.

As soon as Airi had a slight peace of mind, Buzzheim loudly called out.

“I-I will not give it back to you! I know that I am holding the evidence of of you hiding something that will lead to the Ruin's secret! If you hurt me, I'll expose everything in court! You wouldn't want that. After all──”

“Is that so──then I'll have you entrust that so called Ruin's secret to me.”

“Na..!?”

The sudden incoming voice made Buzzheim, his men, the Triad, and Airi all freeze in place.

Standing there was a young man with delicate features clad in EX Wyvern, Dilwy Froias.

(Even though I don't want it to get seen by this person too who is an army officer of New Kingdom──)

Seeing how things have been going, Airi was desperately thinking about what to say to Dilwy.

However, the necessity of this disappeared a moment later.

“Wh-what are you saying!? Who will...ahh!”

*Zan-*, the EX Wyvern's Blade swung and cut off the head of Buzzheim.

“-...!?”

Right after Airi and the Triad felt terrified, Dilwy's Blade slashed once more.

Accompanied by the sound of air being cut away, the silver flash ran through the air and lopped off the head of the rest of Buzzheim's followers who were dumbfounded.

“Wha, what are you──”

Giving a glance at Sharis who whispered with pale face, Dilwy carelessly snatched the blood soaked bag of Airi from the arm of the headless Buzzheim.

His presence was completely the same like his usual quiet attitude without any change.

But that was instead felt so hair-rising terrifying.

“Ah, sorry to frighten everyone.”

Dilwy said it with a deadpan face without revealing any emotion, as though what he had done was even less than crushing a bug.

“The squad that came with me are already heading back. Although it is quite difficult to communicate using Dragon Voice from this third level to the ground level, but in the unlikely chance you girls manage to call for help, it would be quite troublesome.”

“What are you saying? You...”

Sharis said with a slight trembling in her voice.

“Enough with the chit-chat. After all, threats require the necessary steps. So, how much should I say I wonder? Right, it's nearly impossible for you to call for help. If you draw your weapon against me, then you will die. I will cut the hands and legs off of the three girls around you one by one before cutting their neck. Do you understand now? Well then, this thing about the way to the Ruin's secret, could you please explain? Airi Arcadia?

“............”

Airi could only shiver as the saliva in her mouth dried up.

Her heart and mind were unable to comprehend the reality in front of her.

However, one thing was obvious.

That, this man──was a horrifying enemy.

“Having said that, I did not expect that I can be this strong. Although my right wrist is now working thanks to that strange man──well, I don't need to mention that too.”

“──Sharis, Tillfur, are you in position? The reaction is close.”

Adorned with her <Drake>, Noct whispered while holding a tense expression.

“Well, there is no other way──let's go!”

Right after that call, Sharis's Wyvern flew to the side.

Taking a deep breath, Noct grabbed Airi and she with Tillfur ran following Sharis.

“Sorry, but we aren't a match against him! Your safety is the highest priority, Airi!”

Sharis shouted while searching for a different path to get to the second floor.

The understanding of the nearby terrain and the detection of Abyss had been finished using Noct's Drake.

“It appears that you all are unable to understand your own strength from the Class promotion exam, huh? I was threatening because all of you have no escape.”

Dilwy spoke with a calm tone as he chased them with EX Wyvern.

“Unfortunately, I understand about myself. Your worry is unnecessary!”

When they arrived at spacious, straight channel, Sharis fled towards the cramped passage at the side.

“──!?”

In that moment, a roar from the darkness before them sounded out through the air.

“Indeed you are the commander's daughter. That's not half bad.”

Dilwy who noticed the Triad's intention whispered with a fearless smile.

Sharis's plan was to escape by making fellow formidable enemies clashed with each other.

A ferocious medium-sized Abyss intercepted Dilwy from the front.

===Part 12===

On the other side, since the mission was about to reach the time limit, and the Ruin entered the alert state, 90% of the Drag-Knights were returning to above ground.

It was not only to escape the changing, deteriorating terrain but also to intercept the Abysses that were summoned around the Ruin. The combat force needed to return back for that.

“What do you mean? Why can't we go rescue them!?”

In the middle of the Lobby where many Drag-Knights were gathered, Lisha, dressed in pilot suit flared up at the commander of Wanheim.

“That is because, due to the regulation regarding the Ruins, people the New Kingdom shall not enter the Dungeon while it's in alert state......”

“I already said that we can! Give us the permission already!”

As Lisha slammed her fist on the table, a voice came from behind them.

“──Good grief, could you please be quiet, your highness the princess of New Kingdom.”

“-...!?”

A man in a blue coat made a sudden, unexpected appearance.

The Blue Tyrant──Singlen Shelbrit who had been concealing himself since last night.

Although the air was tense, he did not waver at all.

His dull black pupils were deeply dark like an abyss.

With that pair of eyes staring at her, Lisha slightly faltered.

“Can you explain to us? Our comrades are still trapped inside there.”

Singlen shrugged toward the grim gaze of Krulcifer standing beside Lisha.

“Oh? It seems that I was overestimating all you. I thought that although you all are just noble daughters playing around, you all are still people who belonged to the military after a fashion, looks like I'm wrong.”

“Don't mess with me! There isn't much time, so I can't be sitting around pretending to make conversation with you!”

Krulcifer pushed out her hand to the side to hold Lisha back.

“The priority of the army is to protect Wanheim Principality's princess Milmiette here──is that what you are saying?”

From Krulcifer's words, Singlen merely responded with a smile.

Of course, although half of that reason was only a pretext. The truth was that they wanted as much combat force as possible to wipe out the Abysses that were appearing near the entrance quickly.

Thinking about it now, from the start this was the reason that princess Milmiette purposefully came to observe the exam personally.

If they recruited the officers of New Kingdom to exterminate Abyss and the Ruin entered alert statem, they could gather combat force near the Dungeon's entrance and made them protect the city. That was their aim.

The princess was a necessary presence to achieve each of these goals under just cause.

“This me who is holding the right of command this time have given the command to those in the Ruin to retreat. Well, do not worry, I will send in my men to search. If you're lucky──hm? Aah”

There, a man wearing a white coat representing the White Ridge Knights whispered in Singlen's ear.

“I see, it's quite regrettable. Just now, it seems that the entrance to third level is blocked, and the bunches on the third level became stuck inside.”

“What──!?”

Hearing that, even the expression of Instructor Raigree who was keeping calm changed drastically.

At the second and third level, there was a mechanism to blockade the level entrance.

Thus, it was strictly forbidden to enter the third floor. However, some did it accidentally.

Such as the forces of Buzzheim and the troops of Dilwy.

Additionally, the members of the Triad and Airi who entered last were also imprisoned on the third level.

“It can't be helped. The investigation of Ruin is always accompanied by accident. We will send in rescue team after the alert state is dispelled, made up from those who still have spare strength left at that time.”

Those words from Singlen changed the atmosphere.

“── Don't screw around.”

A cold voice passed through the the noisy Lobby.

From behind Lisha, Lux showed up while walking towards Singlen.

“Are you saying that you are abandoning them knowing that they are left behind? You're abandoning fellow Drag-Knights while having the strength to save──”

Lisha and Krulcifer were surprised at how Lux spoke with such a menacing force that was unlike him and they stared at his face.

“Don't lose your temper handyman. This is also the decision o fthe consul managing Ruin's Gear. The ones trapped on the third floor are mostly Middle Class or lower anyway. They are just obsolete bunch who fell behind without any significant ability or quality. In this current world──there is no leeway to save the weak.”

“The weak...... you say?”

Singlen chuckled at the Lux's quiet voice that contained rage.

“There also seems to be a few officer cadets mixed among those bunches. But, keep in mind, they are still military people. They should be resolved even with this kind of situation. A Ruin that is moving into alert state will summon a lot of Abyss to its surrounding in no time at all. In a situation where the enemy's battle force surpassed yours, it's the basic to do defensive battle at the base. You are planning on going to rescue them for the sake of your own so called sense of justice, and expose the people of the city to danger?”

“............”

Lux had no words in response.

Lisha and others, along with the other military personnel who until now were insisting to rescue their comrades held their breath without being able to say any more objection.

Singlen's words were fundamentally correct.

Plus they cannot disobey the man who was the current commander of operations.

Whispered sighs spread like at his words.The commotion was drawing back like ripple.

Even Wanheim's military personnel who were demanding to send rescue team, along with the officers of the New Kingdom, they came to think that there was nothing they could do. However,

“So what?”

“...huh?”

Lux's sudden words broke the silence.

He weaved through the gap of the bewildered soldiers and confronted Singlen.

“You said they are weak? That those who are left behind inside the Ruin, are bunches without significant ability or quality. That here, there is no leeway to save them.”

“I said that, so?”

“Your decision is mistaken.”

Lux muttered these words as he glanced around. Then he continued.

“Rescuing the surviving allied combat force is also our job. In this suppression mission, when the time limit is passed, even if we exterminate Abyss after that, it won't add anything to our exam evaluation.”

“And?”

“The possibility is high that our allies who are left behind inside the Dungeon likely entered the third level because they fought the Abyss in an unexpected situation and headed toward the third floor while the time hadn't run out. Or perhaps they chose that in order to save their comrade who was in the verge of danger. That's why they ended up left behind inside the Ruin.”

Lux continued speaking matter-of-factly with calm demeanor.

“In the army, order is absolute. However, a knight that is able to make his own judgements considering the changing situations isn't the same like a coward who is merely fliching in front of enemy and only tries to survive without problems. You ──which of the two are you?”

A burst of commotion spread throughout the Lobby.

Lux faced the commander of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Singlen who was also appointed as the commander of the operation this time, with opposing attitude right to his face.

“.............”

Singlen mulled over Lux's words quietly for a few seconds before giving an empty smile.

“Kukukukuku. You're a more interesting man than I expected. My opinion of you has slightly changed. But see, you are a powerless human. At this place, you are unable to ignore the rules set by Wanheim Principality.”

“Certainly. ──Save only one exception.”

Right after Lux answered, *Bang!* the door of the Lobby was kicked open and a man entered.

It was another member of Seven Dragon Paladins the same like Singlen, Greifer.

“I spoke to the geezers at the government office. If it is the Seven Dragon Paladins who are recognized by the World Agreement, it seems they can exercise a unique authority even toward a Ruin of another country yeah? Especially in emergency cases, they can trespass into Ruin without going through protocol──”

“Greifer...”

“Well, my duty too originally was to protect the princess, but I also gotta go to search for that Coral.”

Lux felt his conviction from that sentence.

Right after that Lux turned again to face Singlen.

“I swear to the vice-captain of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Singlen Shelbrit. At this very minute, I aspire to become the Seven Dragon Paladins of New Kingdom Atismata!”

“-...!?”

The words of Lux took everyone by surprise.

As the ripples of noise spread, an uninhibited smile emerged on Singlen's face.

“You're taking a big step just to save your sister huh. The man who before this refused to join by that much.”

“Time is running short. Even if you disagree, I will go to rescue them even if I have to violate the rule.”

“──Fuh, fine then.”

Lux's words caused Singlen to hold his laughter.

“I already obtained the consent of the people in authority. The last descendant of the Old Empire, the ruined prince Lux Arcadia. I'll recognize you as the Seven Dragon Paladins of New Kingdom Atismata.”

Singlen loudly announced at the top of his voice toward everyone present.

While the Lobby was in commotion due to the surprises, Lux walked away as though he was parting through the officers.

Midway as he passed Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, and others, he stopped momentarily and whispered.

“My apologies, Lisha-sama. Please take care of the rest.”

Lisha understood what he meant and nodded back with a confident smile.

“...Got it, get the better of that twisted man and leave him speechless.”

“Yes.”

Lux nodded with a serious expression and then he stood at the edge of the spiral staircase's entrance that connected to the Dungeon's Gate.

“You're ready, prince?”

Lux nodded his head wordlessly and pulled out Bahamut's Sword Device.

Greifer also readied the Sword Device of Cuelebre. Together they kicked the handrail and jumped down to the center.

The people and the military surrounding them didn't even have time to be surprised as a roar thundered from the Ruin.

──BIiiiiiiIIIII-!

“──!?”

Countless Abyss emerged from below the widely open spiral staircase through the Gate.

The first to approach them were the Gargoyles, Chimeras, and other winged beasts that flew at them in a straight line from the central hole.

Lux and Greifer both pushed the button of their Sword Device and equipped their respective Divine Drag-Ride.

“──Yoruka, I'll leave them to you!”

After Lux's sharp shout, numerous cuts appeared across the air. Just from that, the many Abysses were cut apart and scattered everywhere in the blink of eye.

After a breath, a Drake's camoflauge function was lifted, and a black haired girl with exotic foreign clothes was revealed piloting a Divine Drag-Ride.

“I have been waiting impatiently for your command, my lord.”

The assassin Drag-Knight who was formerly called as the Empire's Assassin Blade──Kirihime Yoruka.

In order to obtain assistance in this Ruin of foreign country where they were in a situation that was under many restrictions, Lux called for her even with the understanding of the dangers.

“Uoh!? Who the hell is this woman?”

“Don't worry. She is my──ah, my companion.”

Lux who wasn't an imperial family of the Old Empire anymore found it hard to call her as his servant or subordinate, so he spoke that.

Yoruka was falling while cutting down winged Abysses one after another that crossed path with her, as though being vanguard for Lux and Greifer.

Three people landed on the floor where four Abyss were cleared out at the same time. They then took position on the Gate's entrance that was enveloped with dim darkness.

When Lux and co stood above the Gate wearing their respective Drag-Rides, they were immediately pulled into the inside.

At the same time Yoruka pulled out her Sword Device, and countless windows of light floated from her shoulder armor.

“Search Frame – On(Probe Mechanism – Boot Up)”

At the same time with Yoruka's whisper, countless lines of light spread radially from her shoulder armor and spread widely, crawling in high-speed along the ground and walls of the Dungeon.

The Divine Drag-Ride of special equipment type, Yato no Kami was provided with functions like enemy search, camouflage, support, supplement, repair and so on. Its abilities were a few ranks above the general purpose Drag-Ride, Drake. (TN: The special equipment type here refer to Drake-type Drag-Ride that is installed with various ability that Wyvern-type and Wyrm-type doesn't have)

“──My lord, your younger sister is still safe and sound. The three others around her are all right as well. From the coordinates, they are to the northeast part of the third level. Although they are moving little by little.”

Most likely, they were searching for the exit of third level while running away from enemy at the same time.

The three girls of the Triad were doing everything they could to protect Airi even under this situation.

Their escape route was blocked, and they were left behind. In that desperate situation, they didn't give up and continued to fight.

Just this fact made strength well up in Lux chest.

“Yoruka, can I ask you to guide us through the Dungeon? I want you to derive the shortest route while avoiding battle with Abyss as much as possible.”

“Affirmative my lord.”

Yoruka responded, at the same time she drove the four legs of Yato no Kami and jumped with a movement as though she was kicking midair.

That special armament that was called <Vacuum Step> made it possible to make that frame of special equipment-type Drag-Ride that possessed no ability to fly to move as though it was sliding in the air.

“I see, for you to have this kind of terrifying ally, looks like you prince got more then meet the eye huh.”

Greifer exclaimed in admiration from Yoruka's expert performance. From time to time, he sent flying the Abyss that was coming from behind using his Tail Blade.

After a few minutes moving in high speed through the corridor, leaving behind the flowing scenery, Yoruka who was going ahead dropped her speed.

“We have arrived, my lord. It is right below us.”

“-......!?”

Seeing the scene, Lux could not help but be shocked.

Each floor had a large stair set up leading to the bottom. The entrance of the stair to the third level there was sealed by a solid iron lattice.

“Hah, just something like this──!”

Greifer filled his Tail Blade with energy and slashed, but only sparks flew out.

“──This is not an ordinary iron lattice!?”

Lux also followed, slashing his black great sword──Chaos Brandhe, but it bounced off the same.

The thick lattice around the size of an adult's arm was only scratched a little.

It could possibly take them half an hour in order to break down the lattice.

“Nothing could be done, huh. Destroying this barrier is the key, but another way into the third floor is──”

“............”

Lux bitterly kept thinking.

(Calm down, there should be other ways. If I remember right, when they explained this Dungeon's structure description──)

[Lux-san! Are you close!? Please respond!]

“-......!?”

At that moment, communication came through from the Dragon Voice of Noct's Drake.

[I am here, Noct! We are above your position on the second floor! But──]

“I know what you want to say, Lux-kun. We also tried it. If only we could destroy the partition between us, we will be able to escape somehow. ──But”

“Sharis-san! Airi! Everyone else too──”

Across the lattice that divided the area──near the large stair, he could see the figure of the Triad and Airi.

They seemed to have struggled too, but as expected it seemed they also failed to destroy the lattice from the third floor side.

It was evidenced by Sharis's weapon being in tatters.

“......Lux-kun, we are still safe. Don't be too rash. The alert state of this Ruin won't last for long right? Then it's fine. If it's just a few minutes, we will hold on somehow.”

“I'm rea-ally frazzled but, compared to Celis-senpai's training this is still better perhaps.”

“Yes, I am used to waiting.”

Although Sharis and others showed a smile, it was obvious they were bluffing.

Their forehead and neck were covered with sweat, and ragged breathing could be heard.

They were fatigued from the Class promotion exam, in addition to the mission to suppress the Abyss that they participated in without resting.

On top of all that, they seemed to have been battling with some sort of formidable enemy several times as evidenced by the cracks in their armor.

“My lord, there is an influx of Abyss coming from behind us. On your younger sister's side, there is the presence of Drag-Ride approaching. From their situation, it does not seem like that it's an allied Drag-Knight.”

“............”

Lux had an idea about a party who would aim at Airi.

The Dragon Marauder, whose goal was to explore Ruin and obtain treasures through any means to weaken the power of countries that currently were in possession of Ruin.

This threat was approaching the Triad and Airi from their side.

“Don't worry about my safety, Nii-san. I am still okay—“

And then, Airi called out from behind Noct.

She had the same calm and graceful usual tone, with a smile of a young lady that smoothly navigated the society.

Lux also understood that she was acting tough.

“Airi, I understand.”

Thus, Lux also answered with his usual gentle smile.

Just like what he had done many times since their childhood in the past until now, he used the same voice like when he patted her head and told her this.

“I will come save you soon, so wait just a little bit more for me.”

“-......!?”

Lux's words made Airi's expression froze.

The mask of calmness she would always keep on her face gradually collapsed and her shoulder began trembling.

“N-Nii-san, what are you talking about. ......It won't work, please consider the situation. In any case, the second level and the third level are completely separated now!”

Even so, Lux calmly breathed in without a single twitch on his expression.

“No──there's a way.”

“──Eh?”

Lux calmly made a statement to that caused Airi and the Triad to stir.

“There is a one-way Portal in this Dungeon that connect to the lower floor. If we use that, we can get to the third floor evne from here.”

“Please hold on!? What are you thinking!? The Portal in this Dungeon will only lead you to the bottom! In order to save us, even you will be locked in. I don't──want to become Nii-san's burden anymore!”

“Airi...”

Seeing Airi shouting sadly, someone placed a hand on her head.

“We are also begging you. Don't be too rash, Lux-kun.”

Sharis cut in with a gentle expression.

“I am very glad you are coming to save us. However, this is our responsibility. After all, we the Triad got lured here by that bunch. We were unable to see through their aim and exposed Airi-chan to danger.”

“Yes, we too do not wish to be a hindrance anymore to Lux-san.”

“We-ell, you don't have to worry so much. We've survived till now, haven't we──”

And so Sharis and Noct requested, and Tillfur echoed their sentiments with a wry smile.

They have obviously been through quite a bit with all the wounds over their body, but the four acted tough so not to burden Lux even more than this.

“No matter what, we the Triad will do our utmost to protect your sister. So──”

Sharis said it with a somewhat lonely tone, but also with the conviction of a warrior.

But──

“──Yoruka, can you confirm the location of the transporter at the third level?”

“What...!?”

The words that Lux said with serious face caused the face of the three Triad to change color.

“Why do you go so far...”

While Airi whispered with a stunned look, Yoruka gave her report to Lux indifferently.

“It looks like it's a little far from here. It's position is to the northeast.”

“Understood. I want you to stay here and lure the Abyss swarm that come. Can I leave it to you?”

“It is regrettable that I cannot join you my lord, but it cannot be helped isn't it?”

Yoruka responded with a hearty smile and she took a stance with her katana-type Blade.

“Let's go, Greifer!”

“Got it. I too gotta go find that Coral.”

Lux steered Bahamut towards the Portal.

“Everyone! Hold on a bit longer!”

Right after he yelled, he left the stair in the blink of eye and quickly flew wearing through the corridor.

Before long they found a circle engraved with some unknown text. They landed on it.

The time it took the Portal to move them towards the interior of the Ruin was quite short.

The light began to overflow around Lux and Greifer along with the Drag-Ride.

“Sorry, Greifer for dragging you with me.”

“Hah, I have not gotten weak enough that I require your highness' concern.”

In reply to Lux's apology, Greifer laughed confidently.

In that moment, their weight seemed to disappear and their vision was covered by light.

As their field of vision cleared up, some medium sized Abyss were coming.

It was a situation that if it was the average Drag-Knight, this would become an assault that was like an ambush where they wouldn't even be able to react.

However, the two members of of the Seven Dragon Paladins didn't waver at all even in this siutaiton and they moved.

“──Photon Dive.”

As sharp teeth and claws approached, Greifer's Cuelebre was wrapped in light.

The Divine Raiment that performed invincibility for a few seconds repelled the attack of the Abyss before his eyes, it was at that moment Lux's Bahamut took action.

“Reload on Fire.”

Time was compressed, and then his speed was accelerated by several fold which he used to launch super speed slashes.

Criss-crossing slashes from a blade resulted in the beast's body to be completely hacked to pieces.

Originally, it required preparation to counter the enemy's attack. However, Greifer's Photon Dive created an opening that allowed Lux to attack.

“You took the prey, huh. Oh well, not much time left anyway, I'll forgive you.”

“Much appreciated.”

Lux expressed his appreciation, then continued flying towards where Airi was.

However, although the Ruin was under alert state, surprisingly few Abyss appeared.

He felt it strange even while they arrived at the location of the Triad and Airi.

Across from them, the girls were facing a man.

“So you all also came here?”

The Silver Flash, Dilwy Froias.

A military officer who at this occasion was serving as a group leader leading the soldiers of New Kingdom who were taking exam here.

“Well yeah. Rather than that where is your comrades? Also by the way, have you seen a Drag-Knight with a girly face named Coral or a man named Buzzheim?”

Landing nearby, Greifer raised some questions.

Lux intended to ask a question, when Sharis made a tense voice.

“Both of you be careful! That man is suspicious! Buzzheim and his men were also killed by him!”

Lux and Greifer were puzzled after hearing those words.

But, Dilwy, who didn't look bothered at the slightest, began laughing softly.

“That is a misunderstanding. They were attacked by some parasitic Abyss. And these kids saw me clean up the situation so they think I killed them. Why would I kill people of my own country and the soldier of Wanheim?”

“So...what is that thing in your hand then?”

“Oh this. This is something Buzzheim-dono dropped. I picked it up to hold on to it for now. But the content is somewhat suspicious for this to be his item. Inside there is a diary of a girl and some ancient archives from Ruin slipped in between.”

“............”

After he muttered, he opened that ancient document and traced its text in a display.

“Even though I look like this, I am very interested in these treasures related to Ruin. I also once spent my time deciphering ancient text. I don't understand the exact content of this text because I'm not that knowledgable though.”

“What are you saying──”

“The only thing that I understand from this text, is Holy Arcadia Empire──only that name. I've never heard that this kind of ancient document has been submitted. I have connection with the consuls of the royal capital see. If this document is something that you secretly concealed, then you two will need to be questioned for the responsibility......no, about the connection between that Old Empire and the Ruin.”

“──?!”

Airi had a tragic expression after hearing this.

The secret that she thought should not be known to others was exposed now.

“Lux Arcadia. And Airi Arcadia. You two siblings know about something? The Old Empire, and its connection to the Ruin that is described in this ancient document. The true identity of the two of you the imperial family of the Old Empire──”

Dilwy's words surprised everyone at that place.

Between the intermittent alarm sounds and shaking red light, Lux breathed calmly.

“......I don't know. Even if I did I wouldn't tell you.”

He stared at Dilwy with cold eyes.

“You want to ask why... it is because you are a Dragon Marauder's spy, infiltrating the New Kingdom's military looking for a chance.”

“──?!”

As Lux asserted this, everyone there was tense.

“Why did you take your comrades into the third level of this Ruin? It is well known that the dungeon is deep, and exploring it is not allowed. For such an honest and loyal soldier who is famous like you, why would you commit such baffling act?”

“...You think too highly of me, Lux-kun. I am not perfect. Even I will make a miss when several unfortunate accidents piled up one after another.”

Lux continued staring at Dilwy who was smiling bitterly.

“The purpose of the criminals Dragon Marauder is to plunder treasures in the Ruin in order to hamper the countries' military power. You caused the ruins to enter an alert state, you also provoked Buzzheim to steal the ancient document my sister had, in order to lay the blame on her, while you yourself will search for the secret of the Ruin──”

“......I have said several times already, kid. Buzzheim-dono was killed because he was possessed by Abyss. Are you so committed to make me out as a traitor so you can escape from my question?”

“The Portal to go to the third level is a one way road that go from above to below. That's why, in the case you go down the level without using that, you won't be conscious of the stair location. Can you grasp the route I used from the place where I was transferred to reach until this spot?

“............”

Lux's question elicited only silence from Dilwy and his expression vanished.

“The corpse we saw had no trace of possession because of Abyss. In other words──”

“There isn't anything else to say, meek man. You are the traitor who killed your own comrades.”

Greifer calmly finished Lux's words, and held up his Tail Sword.

Lux and Greifer deliberately showed an ignorant attitude based on their suspicion of Dilwy.

“—Hu”

As Dilwy heard their words, the atmosphere changed.

“It seems that I underestimated you a little. The true identity of the Black Hero was you, a kid that appeared to be nothing special. Honestly, it was hard to believe.”

“Then, as expected my bag was stolen becauase──?”

As Airi whispered, Dilwy's shoulders shook in laughter.

“You misunderstand, it was purely by chance. I was just watching you. I happened to overhear your conversation with Singlen and induced Buzzheim by giving him hint to steal the bag with the ancient document. Another option would be using the magic flute to make the Abyss kidnap you.”

“The plan was well-planned but the execution was stupid. Do you truly believe you can deal with two users of Divine Drag-Ride by yourself?”

Taking Greifer's words as a signal, Lux also raised his great sword.

When the explosive situation reached the limit, Dilwy's both eyes snapped open and he flew high.

“-......!”

The celing was flashing with the red warning light.

From there, he swooped down and unleashed a stabbing attack with his Blade.

From above──especeially from right overhead was the position that Drag-Ride found it the most difficult to defend against.

When Lux and Greifer barely avoided that attack, the Blade of the EX Wyvern Dilwy was riding grazed through.

“This guy...!?”

*Ceng!* As the crisp sound of air being sliced resounded, a slash drawing the trajectory of creascent moon came flying.

Greifer twisted his body to avoid the attack. Then Dilwy quickly turned his right wrist resulting in a second cut, third cut, till fifth slash cutting the air.

Criss-cross. Cascading shocks from the slashes crossing many times over were also moving towards Lux next.

Lux avoided the slashes by a mere millimeter, as the rocks behind him became engorged with countless deep cut marks.

“Shot Blade(Dragon Teeth Shot Sword)──, a rare weapon that general purpose Drag-Ride can use huh......”

Although the performance was not equal to that of special armament of Divine Drag-Ride, rare weapon with level of performance that was close to that existed.

The Shot Blade, it could release energy from the forward motion of it blade, releasing arrow-like shots with a slash.

Lux heard from Sharis that Dilwy's famous ”Silver Flash” nickname came from the fact that he was more skilled than anyone else with using that special armament.

“That's quite something. So the rumor that you are a man who cannot stand anymore in front line because your right hand is broken and unusable is just a bluff huh. That's some personality you got there.”

“You are incorrect──. Until last night, I was a weakling exactly like your description.”

“...What do you mean?”

Dilwy quietly smiled while listening to Lux's question.

“Why!? Why would──! You who are my father's direct subordinate, why would you collude with the Dragon Marauder?”

As the daughter of the deputy commnader of the New Kingdom's military, Sharis shouted at that conversation, resulting in Dilwy's exasperated sigh.

“Stupid question. A rich lady who happen to stand out among the weakling and is contented with her lot won't get it. You see, I have aaalways been dissatisfied. Five years ago, I was injured by the ‘calamity' of Blackend Kingdom, and after returning home, I entered under the banner of the New Kingdom as Drag-Knight of moderate faction.”

“Then, you...!?”

“You are of the rebel army that inherited the will of the Old Empire...is that correct?”

Tillfur and Noct flared up, but Dilwy snorted.

“That's a shallow thinking. I am not interested in that sort of label. Whether it is the Old empire or the New Kingdom, it doesn't matter. I, Dilwy Froias, being born as a man in a family of knights only aim to become the strongest Drag-Knight.”

“-......!? For that sort of goal, you abandon the New Kingdom to join the Dragon Marauder? You go so far as to ignore her majesty's kindness in promoting you as a non-commisioned officer──”

When Airi shouted incredulously, Dilwy wordlessly pulled out his Shot Blade.

It cut through the air with a strange sound and the shockwave pierced the air flying towards Airi's neck.

Noct moved to block the attack but her defense was broken, with the shockwaves hitting even her clothes.

“Guh, ah...!”

“Noct!?”

“Shut up please. Did I ask for your opinion? Mindless pawns will be mindless pawns, you can just feel satisfied as you are being used. Someone not even aiming for the top, not even lamenting their own powerlessness, existing just to complete the orders given to them. How can incompetent like that understand my distress?”

“-......!?”

His words caused the Triad to show pained expression.

But the next moment, two Drag-Knights attacked towards Dilwy's sneering face.

“──Don't screw around.”

Lux's Bahamut flew parabolically.

He used the momentum from the free fall to add some power to his attack as he swooped past.

The use of the free fall part of the flight path (Downflow) was a higher level technique with more force than a stabbing attack.

Even if Dilwy's skill let him rivaled EX Class Drag-Knight, it should be difficult to counter the power in the incoming attack, but──.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitudes.”

“......-!?”

At the moment they crossed each other, Dilwy's <EX Wyvern> released a barrier which shocked Lux.

It was a parrying technique that made use of tuning, to create sharp force field that averted attack from left to right.

That is the special move of barrier manipulation that the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit showed Lux.

Dilwy grinned wickedly and swung his Blade to Lux whose attack was evaded and showed a defenseless back.

He was aiming at the brainstem part, where the barrier of the armor was thin.

Greifer's Tail Sword blocked that attack which assaulted in a timing of certain kill.

The force of their attacks caused both of them to be repelled backwards away from each other.

“Hah, what a terrifying person, to be able to use even that vice captain-sama's technique. Well, you ain't gonna win against me with just that though.”

“...Seven years ago I once studied under Sir Singlen. At that time I was unable to learn any of his moves. But now, I finally obtained skill of that level.”

Dilwy muttered to himself intoxicatedly.

“Wanheim Principality's Seven Dragon Paladins...... If it's you who start from being a lowly orphan and climbed up until being the princess's aide, you should be able to understand my pride too aren't you?”

“Unfortunately, I ain't interested in your life. Let's finish this quickly yeah, Dragon Marauder's spy.”

“You are after all, just a wild dog lured by bait. ──Then, let me finish you off here.”

While taking Greifer's shower of attacks one after another, Dilwy suddenly fired towards the ground with his Howling Howl.

“-......!?”

Large amounts of dust suddenly arose inside the gloomy underground of the Dungeon, and then numerous silver flashes of light headed towards Greifer.

“──Photon Dive!”

Greifer's Cuelebre wasted no time to activate its Divine Raiment of invisibility and all the slashes from the Shot Blade were deflected.

This was the battle style of Greifer and Cuelebre that excelled in defensive ability.

Not giving the opponent the opportunity to counter-attack and dragged it into a battle where they could only defend while destroying all path of retreat──it was like a seasoned hunter tracking his enemy before giving the final blow.

However, he was affected by the smoke cloud that made him lose track of Dilwy's silhouette.

“──What!?”

As Greifer's eyes search for his lost target, EX Wyvern jumped out from behind Airi and the Triad.

“-......!?”

“──Reload on Fire.”

But, Lux who stood on his way a moment quicker activated Bahamut's Divine Raiment.

Using his time compression, he released consecutive high-speed slashes.

The slashes aimed towards EX Wyvern's wrists and shoulders in an attempt to break the barrier. But in that moment, Lux noticed something and he changed his movement.

Five Daggers were thrown in parabolic arc from behind Dilwy.

Lux immediately knocked them down and at the end he aimed at Dilwy's armor.

But, his attack was barely blocked by Shot Blade and a distance was opened once more between them.

“Even though I was hiding inside smokescreen so my attack pattern wouldn't be read, even so my movement was still predicted──that's really something isn't it? I'm getting a better opinion on you two now.”

“............”

Having two Divine Drag-Rides as his opponent at the same time, Dilwy still revealed a composed expression.

Seeing this, Lux had a strange sensation in his chest.

Although Greifer too maintained a casual attitude, he gradually began to frown with suspicion.

(Certainly, he might be already a brilliant Drag-Knight from the beginning, but──)

No matter how he was using an EX Wyvern with stacked up tuning and he was an expert of a rare weapon, but would that be enough to make him able to fight the current Lux and Greifer until this much?

“It looks like, your royal highness is also confused huh?”

Greifer suddenly said such thing as he stood there.

“It's really strange. With that Drag-Ride and armament, it's not like that sort of move is impossible──but, no matter how I see it that man is strange. I cannot say it well but, he ain't a normal human for sure.”

Lux agreed with Greifer.

But, he still wasn't really confident with his hypothesis.

“Is that it? That is your limit? The name of Seven Dragon Paladins is going to cry you know?”

Greifer steps forward to meet the mocking Dilwy.

“You're on. I'm also tired hearing your lecture, I'll finish this in the next move.”

Then, Cuelebre flew and threw numerous Daggers towards Dilwy.

“Stupid man. Do you not understand that these tricks don't work on me?”

In response, Dilwy moved his Shot Blade swiftly in various arcs to release shockwaves.

The mesh-shaped shockwaves entangled the Daggers and deflected them.

In long-range battle, Dilwy's Shot Blade held the advantage.

When Greifer activated Photon Dive to defend against the silver flashes heading towards him, Dilwy grinned.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitudes. How incompetent can you be to use the same move twice in a battle.”

Dilwy formed a barrier forcefield in the timing of impact to parry the attack from right to left.

Greifer's slash was dodged and he stood still with his defenseless back exposed to Dilwy.

“I have seen through the amount of time you can operate your Divine Raiment. ──You should apologize to your princess from the other world.”

Without missing the opportunity, Dilwy slashed at his back.

However──,

“...what!?”

Instead of what Dilwy expected, Cuelebre's Photon Dive did not end, the light wall was deflecting the slash toward the back.

Realizing his mistake, Dilwy attempted to flee from Greifer's thrust, however it was too late.

“──The one incompetent is you right? I fought a woman who saw through this right from the start y'know?”

The stretching Tail Blade drew a spiral trajectory to avoid Dilwy's barrier and pierced his barrier.

As the blade cut across his chest, droplets of fresh blood rushed out.

“Gobah...!?”

Dilwy vomited blood as his eyes rolled back.

At that moment──the outcome was decided.

“...As I thought. It is easy to deal with opponents that you do not need to worry about killing.”

The Photon Dive's duration on Cuelebre.

Normally Greifer would deliberately fix the duration of his Divine Raiment to a certain period and lift the effect in short several seconds to mislead people of the timing of his invincibility.

Although Lux heard about this matter from Krulcifer after the All-Dragon battle, it was still a splendid plan.

“Now then, we gotta think about how to get out of here. Although most of the Abyss seems to be gone outside, we still need to find that Coral.”

The relaxed Greifer turned away from Dilwy's dead corpse.

At that moment, Lux noticed something strange.

“Behind you! Greifer!”

“────”

Greifer heard Lux and turned back around while holding up the Tail Blade as a shield.

However, his defense was a little slow. And Dilwy's Blade bit deeply into his armor.

“Guh, ah...!?”

Greifer was blown backward, but he somehow held his ground.

Dilwy, who should have been completely dead, continued to move.

His chest was cracking, like dried fish.

“Wha...what the hell is this guy?!”

Greifer who was normally aloof had a distorted expression from shock.

It wasn't an illusion nor a fantasy. Dilwy, who could not have possibly survived the fatal injury, was giving a gruesome smile.

His hand was not holding the EX Wyvern's control lever, but a small knife.

There was a strange burst of seven-color aura coming out of the knife.

“...I will not lose. Because that hero has saved me! I who was clinging even to Dragon Marauder looking for hope, is filled with this light......!”

“What did, you mean!?”

“Let me awaken! My voice, my cry, my shout, if they are reaching..... Grant ”Baptism” throughout my whole body, guide me! Oh ”Elixir”!”

*Stab*. Dilwy, with his trembling hand, inserted the knife into his own left chest. With the knife in his chest, he underwent another strange mutation.

“-......!? Wh-What is that? What is happening!?”

Sharis who was watching from the side was stunned as she whispered.

While Everyone present was taken by shock, Dilwy's body that was still wearing EX Wyvern was suddenly──transforming.

The same black pattern that was running on his right wrist spread out from his left chest to the rest of his body.

His body was like a pale flame wrapped in waves of heat, being colored darker and darker.

His skin became darker than night, while his hair turned white.

His eyelids opened wide, showing eyes radiating a scarlet red light like fresh blood.

“Wh-What is that...? It is not the Drag-Ride──but he himself that is changing──!?”

“Yes, the cause of calamity that occurred in various places, could it be......”

“Nocturnal......, is this the new type Abyss──!?”

Tillfur, Noct, and Airi were shaking as this devil began to make its first sound of its birth in this world.

“SHAaAAAAAAAaAAAAaaAAAAaAaAAAAAAAH!”

It was the roar of devil from a human that wasn't a human.

That monstrous shriek was far more terrible than the Abyss that was the nemesis of human. The screams shocked the walls of the Dungeon as well as the eardrums of everyone present.

The time passing seemed to be a mesh of nightmare with reality as the devil flew together with the Drag-Ride.

“──!?”

Fast.

Compared to the winged Abysses they fought previously, he was considerably faster.

EX Wyvern creeped along the ground in a very low flight.

If a blunder was made──no, with a speed that wouldn't stop even if it crashed on the opponent, Dilwy who was changed into devil attacked Lux.

“Kuh...!”

He did not have time to use Reload on Fire to accelerate time.

Lux swung his great sword using Quick Draw and slashed horizontally at Dilwy who was approaching like a bullet.

──But,

“Ku ku ku──this is the strength of the so called Black Hero?”

“......-!?”

Lux was shocked as the dark voice reached his ear.

Dilwy's Shot Blade met Lux's Chaos Brand, resulting in the projection of some intense sparks.

“...Gu!?”

Lux was blown directly to the side from receiving the charge's gust of wind.

Dilwy who looked like he was going to crash on the rock wall sharply dove up on the spot.

He quickly somersaulted through the air, then moved towards Greifer next.

“What..!? This thing──”

From a super low-altitude flight to rapidly rising followed by a rapid dive into a backflip.

The more preeminent someone was in handling Drag-Ride, the more they would understand just how impossible that movement was.

Drag-Ride couldn't be moved with just pure operating skill.

Things like the burden on the rider's body and stamina, the timing of breathing, and so on existed.

No matter how proficient someone was at swimming, they wouldn't be able to dive underwater for tens of minutes without breathing.

Thus, witnessing Dilwy making impossible movements for a Drag-Knight created a moment of opening in Greifer which Dilwy took advantage of. Greifer was blown away.

“Chih...! This damn monster”

Lux and Greifer adjusted their movement in preparation for pursuing attack.

But unexpectedly Dilwy and the EX Wyvern flew until near the ceiling of the hall, taking a position to look down on everyone there.

“──!? Everyone, quick! Defend yourselves!”

Lux immediately understood his intentions, and at the same time he flew to where Airi and others were at.

The devil's eyes glowed deep red and grinned wickedly while overlooking the scenery.

Next, the right hand armor gripped the Shot Blade which began to emit light energy.

“──Silver Flash, Hail Fang”

*Gin-!* With a roaring sound that could be heard splitting through the air, a flash of shockwave that drew an arc like crescent moon was fired.

Originally, the silver flash the Shot Blade fired was limited to several shots per breath because of the burden on the user's stamina and mind.

But this attack appeared to be an unending torrent of rain of light pouring down on the Dungeon's zone.

“────”

Several hundred overlapping sound of slicing wind and the destruction sound of the ground getting pulverized could be heard.

The storm of hail that reached them in less than a second erased the stifled scream of the girls, blowing away even their consciousness and thought.

Their breathing stopped in their tenseness and fear, and ashes were swept up that blocked their vision.

As it felt like the endless nightmare was ending──before long, Airi opened her eyes.

“......U, ah.”

Due to the aftermath of the attack, dust covered their bodies.

The previously sturdy walls of rock were cut apart, and the terrain was completely different.

While lying on the debris, Airi gingerly moved her fingertips.

Fortunately, her body was intact.

In addition, the Triad were lying around her with their Drag-Ride cancelled off.

“Everyone──please, get ahold of yourself.”

Perhaps due to being strained to their physical limit, the three of them could only stir a little bit.

Airi intended to call for help but as she looked up, the scene made her at a loss for words.

“──Ha, hah, ku...a”

Buried in the rubble with Bahamut, Lux was breathing hard.

Fatigued from all the fighting, Lux's face had an anguished expression and his whole body was dripping with sweat.

“End Action huh....... a hidden move of Drag-Ride operation that was introduced during the Old Empire days, a technique that unleashed unlimited slashes. But even it has to end, and it seems your strength has finally reached its limit.”

“Damn......, it”

In an equally ragged state, Greifer in Cuelebre was laying at the opposite side of Lux.

The invincibility of his Photon Dive could only be maintained for about 10 seconds at maximum.

So, on this prolonged, uninterrupted attack that lasted more than ten second, he naturally could not make it out unscathed.

At the same time, Lux too was protecting Airi, and the Triad using End Action and he succeeded, but it took everything he had to do so.

The two of them were exhausted until very nearly the limit while they did their all so only their Divine Drag-Ride wouldn't get desummoned.

That was their only way to resist in their current state.

“──Magnificent.”

Dilwy smirked in intoxication in the air as he looked down from above at everyone who was standing still unable to move.

“Ah, what a wonderful power.”

He kept muttering to himself heartily.

“The officer cadets of the New Kingdom, a Seven Dragon Paladins, the Black Hero......I transcended and surpassed all their strength. Dilwy Froias is able to return in his true form as a Drag-Knight who aims for the seat of the strongest like in the past. I will be able to realize the dream that I have held through a long time from here on. I'll immediately build a new legend. I can surpass the Blue Tyrant──the mentor who once abandoned me. If it's the current me, even that will soon come true.”

Dilwy ended his intoxicated self-praising words, and moved his venomous red eyes towards Lux.

“Although the outcome has already been decided, I do have some questions left for you, Lux Arcadia.”

He opened Airi's bag and pointed to one of the lines of text in the ancient documents.

“The name of ”Arcadia” recorded in this ancient text. I wanted to ask before I kill you if you are associated with these Ruin, and know something about it.”

“......You have already betrayed everyone, what is the point? Just what do you intend to obtain by becoming the strongest Drag-Knight whatever for the sake of Dragon Marauder?”

Although his breathing was ragged, even then Lux's eyes weren't dead.

Seeing this, Dilwy's jet black face twisted as he laughed with bared teeth.

“The Dragon Marauder you say...? I have no more business with them. My goal was to attain even greater power from this Ruin. In order to prove my strength as Drag-Knight, I need to cause more chaos and great war......!”

His body was wrapped in dark desire and resentment.

It was the answer of the man who was writhing in agony from being toyed by the reign of the Old Empire and the distortion of the era.

His path as Drag-Knight met setback, his hope stolen, and after clinging on his past for a long time, this was his true real nature.

“Don't make me ask you a second time, Lux Arcadia! Give me all the knowledge you own, show me the path to reach the deepest layers of these ruins! Otherwise──”

Dilwy turned his ominous crimson gaze towards Airi and the Triad, and he yelled.

The roar of devil shook the air around him. Right then,

“Understood. It looks like, this is as far as it goes.”

Airi who was dirtied by the dust of the smashed rock wall slowly stood up and muttered.

“Nii-san over there──No, that person who I called brother and used by me, the Lord(Creator) of the Ruin is ignorant of my true identity. Asking him is useless.”

“Ai,ri...?”

Lux who stood up trying to rally up Bahamut saw his sister's cold expression and icy eyes.

“Hou, you are saying that you are a survivor of Ruin, connected to the name of Arcadia written here? That you were hiding it all this time until now?”

“More accurately speakling, I just forgot about it. In order to protect my own safety──but, there is no meaning even if I hide it in this situation. Even I value my own life.”

Airi spoke these words fluently.

Then, she looked at the bewildered Lux with a cold expression.

“When I found that old document, I remembered. That my true identity is one of the Lords, Aeril vi Arcadia, and also my original purpose and mission──”

“Y-you, what are you saying...? What is the meaning of this, Airi missy!”

Airi turned a deaf ear to Sharis, who could only move half her body.

“In any case, the man who I called as “Nii-san” and used as my guard is not usable anymore. But──at the present, even I the Lord is unable to completely control the Ruin. If you promise that you will guarantee my life, I will cooperate with you to a certain degree you know?”

“Hou...”

The expression of the devil who heard that distorted inhumanly in joy.

“I do not think you have any other choice. By yourself, you won't be able to use the true function of the Ruin fully.”

“Very well...”

‘Ku ku', Dilwy's devil shoulders shook with laughter.

“Now, come over here. I'll listen to the story of this so called Lord without rushing.”

“──Then, excuse my leave, everyone.”

Airi whispered without any emotion as she moved towards Dilwy.

“...Wait, a minute, Airi.”

Noct and Tillfur were conscious but could not move as they lied on the floor.

Airi glanced coldly at that as she walked towards Dilwy, and then──,

*Zan-*

A jet black dragon landed down between them in a position that seemed to shield Airi from the devil.

His heart was beating furiously and he could not control his breathing. His body also clearly displayed his fatigue. But Lux was somehow able to move his body.

“......You are in my way. I have already said I don't have any use of you anymore.”

Airi coldly criticized as she said with slight frown.

But,

“──I won't let you go. I have already decided that I won't let anyone take away those I cherish anymore.”

“Hah”

Dilwy's eyes shot towards Lux. Looking into his determined eyes, Dilwy laughed and readied his Shot Blade.

Multiple silver flashes pierced Bahamut's fragile barrier.

Not being able to withstand the impact, Lux's upper body cracked with multiple red lines.

“Gu...!”

However, he did not back down as he rushed toward Dilwy before him.

Even as his body was swaying due to physical exhaustion, he slashed down an attack using his great sword with a sharp trajectory. Dilwy casually evaded it and struck Lux's body with his Shot Blade.

Even so, Lux immediately regained his fighting posture and charged forward once more.

However, before Lux's great sword found its mark, Dilwy deflected it with his own sword.

“You still try even though you know it is futile, how unsightly. So the true identity of the Black Hero is only something like this.”

Lux unabatedly continued his assault while ignoring Dilwy's scornful words.

In contrast, Airi began to feel pain as she witnessed the scene.

“Stop──please, stop already!”

Airi yelled seeing the heavily wounded Lux showing no sign of stopping the fight even then.

“Why, are you doing something like that!? You, you don't need to fight for my sake anymore, so why──”

“I changed my mind. Although I'm still interested in you, I'll bring you down here. Together with everyone else too.”

Dilwy made a quick backhand stroke and flashes of silver flew towards the Triad who were lifting up their upper body.

Lux flew and intercepted the roaring silver flashes.

“-......!”

Due to the pressure of the impact, Lux's face was covered with thin red lines.

Even through all of that, Lux continued to glare at Dilwy with fearless eyes.

“Lux, kun......”

“Lux-chi......”

“......Lux, san”

The members of Triad were speechless seeing him covering even their tattered self.

Witnessing this scene, Airi had a faintly pained expression on as she held her hands on her chest.

“-......!?”

“I can't understand. Are you that stupid? Even though there is no reason to save your sister who already betrayed you, even though there will be no advantage saving those useless small fries in this situation. Ku ha ha ha ha. Is it just like Singlen said? You really don't have any reason to fight, you try to save someone just because you want to be loved? A pitiful──”

“──Shut up”

“What?”

Lux commanded with a cold, yet threatening tone.

“Don't you notice anything? Why Airi said those words, why she went as far as lying, pretending to be unrelated to us.”

“-......!?”

Airi's cold mask was on the verge of collapse at Lux's words.

“Airi wants to save us. Even if it gains the resentment of her friends, even if she has to become the villain, even though she cannot use a Drag-Ride, even so she is constantly thinking about what she can do, and fight.”

“........”

“I remembered....... Whether as the prince of the Old Kingdom, or a criminal of the New Kingdom, the reason I fight has not changed in the slightest since the past.”

In order to protect the people important to him.

No matter how powerful and unyielding the authority(plot) Lux faced, he swore he would accomplish its destruction in his own way.

“Since I failed at that time──I thought that it would be fine if I entrust my dream to someone else.”

Lux thought that his path was to protect Lizsharte, the princess of the New Kingdom, and cooperated for the sake of her ideal.

“But, I'm wrong. It won't be meaningful if my ideal doesn't come true together with it.”

When an enemy that he couldn't match was standing in his way, if he had to consider his important people as weak and abandoned them like Singlen──he would rather fight, became stronger, he swore he would protect them.

“I'm──not going to give up anything. I won't let someone like you, take away even a single one of these girls who are important to me.”

Although blood was dripping from his head and whole body onto his armor, Lux's willpower didn't wither in the slightest.

“──Hah! Then I will teach you your helplessness right here! You powerless hero!”

Dilwy sharply flew forward and brandished up his Shot Blade, rushing toward Lux.

He violently drove his EX Wyvern and struck with a terrific slash.

“You can't protect anyone! Let me show you!”

Dilwy released silver flashes towards Airi.

Lux intended to block the attack, but the number of attacks were too great and several slipped through him──however,

“Don't worry about us, Lux-kun!”

Sharis shouted from behind.

The Triad stood up once more in their Drag-Rides and worked together to make a solid barrier to shield Airi.

“What are you all doing! Don't move so carelessly! Wearing Drag-Ride in that condition will make you──”

“It's all good, Airi-chan.”

Sharis smiled even as blood was dripping from her forehead while the other two also nodded in agreement.

“Even though we look like this, we are not playing around. We cannot just lie down sleeping. It doesn't matter even if we are powerless in the present situation, we can't just stand around doing nothing after seeing how you and Lux are fighting.”

“We-ll yeah, we can still move after a fashion......”

“Yes, we will fight until our last breath.”

“You all......”

Airi whispered while the three of them were adjusting their formation.

“Thank you──everyone.”

Lux thanked them as he resumed his battle with Dilwy.

With the three's assistance, the task of protecting Airi was left to them. Lux was gradually pushing on Dilwy.

But──,

“Let me tell you......all of your struggling is futile!”

Dilwy once again soared towards the ceiling while waving his Shot Blade.

“You are definitely finished this time──Silver Flash, Hail Fang!”

“You're gonna be the one to die yeah, blackened uncle.”

Unnoticed by anyone, Cuelebre rushed to meet EX Wyvern that was going to unleash a storm of slashes from the silver flash once more.

“──You!?”

“I'm thinking that I'm not gonna die here for the sake of our princess. I too ain't able to bear it see, that I keep getting looked down by a sleazebag like you.”

Greifer concentrated all his energy and with a dazzling, shining light cut down with the Tail Blade.

Seeing the spiral curve of the attack, Dilwy snickered.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitude.”

The moment just before the blade's tip touched, a forcefield of barrier that was formed with diagonal track repelled the attack of Tail Blade──wasn't what happened here.

“What-...!?”

“Don't underestimate someone else too much, uncle. Certainly I'm really reckless, but can learn y'know?”

The blade with multi joint drew an arc with a movement that avoided the barrier and entangled the blade of the Shot Blade.

It was a deluding attack that pretended to aim at the body but actually attacked the opponent's weapons.

“Your struggling is futile! ──How unsightly, you stray dog!”

But, Dilwy who was taken by surprise counterattacked with Howling Howl without delay.

The impact was several times more powerful than the attack output of an average Drag-Ride, and Greifer was blown far backwards.

“......-!?──Well fine, I've made an opening I guess. I'll leave the rest to you yeah, your highness.”

Cuelebre's armor was broken while Greifer said with a fearless smile.

To his words, Lux responded with only brief comment.

“──Yeah, I won't hesitate anymore to fight for my own sake.”

The moment Dilwy turned into offense and exposed a large opening, Lux held aloft his great sword.

“It's futile──no matter how many times you try, I am much faster than you!”

Dilwy was able to defend faster than Lux could swing down his sword.

He moved with an extraordinary speed and Drag-Ride operation technique that only the current him could achieve.

He unleashed an attack using his Shot Blade to bisect Bahamut with all his strength, however, the forcefield of barrier that was generated from Lux's left to his right completely repelled that attack.

“──Whaaat-!?”

“──Battle Array – Vicissitude”

One of the Drag-Ride operation techniques that the strongest Drag-Knight of Blackend Kingdom, the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit used.

Dilwy who couldn't learn that technique until he was turned into devil borrowing the power of Baptism witnessed it with his own eyes.

How can this kid use this technique!?

Just from seeing it only a few times during the Class promotion exam he──.

Even more shudder of terror ran through Dilwy without giving him any time to soak in his shock.

“──Battle Array – Aeon Fire.”

“......!?”

The special move that even now Dilwy couldn't use.

By collecting all energy from the barrier, propulsion, and driving force into the Blade, a blow with explosively increased might could be unleashed.

The attack broke through the EX Wyvern's barrier of maximum output and cut down feeply into the shoulder.

“Guh, gahhhh...!”

His blackly dyed shoulder was soaked red from the spilt blood.

Blown to the floor, Dilwy tried to take action to defend from Bahamut's pursuing attack. However, EX Wyvern was slow to react as he tried to take a defensive posture.

“......The machine isn't moving!? Why?! My body is still──”

Although his body was moving, the Drag-Ride was not responding.

Given the impact of Lux's attack on the Force Core in his shoulder, he was unable to move for a few seconds.

“I won't lose...! After attaining this power! Against a bastard like you, I won't──”

Dilwy screamed and struggled as Lux moved nearer.

He operated his Drag-Ride with all his available strength to defend against Lux's sword and slashed back──, Lux didn't overlook that obvious counterattack.

“──Reload on Fire”

Instantly, countless slashes from the great sword cut through EX Wyvern's armor.

The wrist armor, Force Core, back wings, and other joints to move the armor were slashed apart by the instantaneous slashes, bursting and scattering the EX Wyvern.

“Impossible...!? Wh, WHYyyYYY-!? I should have taken it back! The power that I should be able to obtain in my hand, and yet──”

Dilwy frantically screamed as his armor fell apart.

[[File:Saijaku V6 15.jpg|thumb|right]]

He picked up the Shot Blade with his own flesh and blood hand and brandished it, but then that hand along with the sword was cut off.

“──Then, that strength must be just an illusion right? Monster uncle.”

“Gahh......! GUSHAaAAAAaAaAaAaAAA-!”

The Blade of Cuelebre that Greifer drove flickered and the tip of the blade gouged the heart.

Cracks of light emerged from his body as this monster that was once a man gave his last screams of sorrow.

Similar to an Abyss with its core destructed, that body broke and dissipated into the dust.

===Part 13===

[So──that handyman brat, he really used my technique, the Battle Array?]

After the fight subsided, one man was moving in the shadow.

It was a strange looking Divine Drag-Ride flying through the passage of Dungeon at high speed──It was Zweigbergk the old knight.

At the surface, he was following Singlen's orders to rescue Lux and others who were left behind in Dungeon but,

[Sir-, but I don't understand. My lord's Battle Array that is making use of tuning is the best technique for a Drag-Knight. No matter how outsanding Lux Arcadia's skill is, it should be impossible to learn it in that short of a time period.....]

The expression of the old knight didn't change. However he sent back a reply with Dragon Voice that was mixed with irritation somewhere. But,

[That's simple. Isn't the answer obvious already, Zwei?]

[By that, you mean?]

Singlen maintained his calm attitude while answering.

[That guy had already known about it. He couldn't use the two Battle Array that I use, but he knew them.]

[............]

[The use of tuning is impossible if one is not knowledgable about the control interface of Drag-Ride. But that guy, he must have attempted the finesse of the technique many times since in the past. Even though he did not know the mechanism of tuning, he himself wasn't satisfied with just devising three hidden techniques. Even after that, he constantly thought whether there is something more that he could do, and day after day, on and on, he continued to work hard groping for new techniques. That's how it is.]

[No way, such thing is......]

‘Hard to believe', Zwei let out such voice.

[He crossed sword with me at the exam. When he saw that my skill is clearly superior, that guy immediately switched his fighting style. He moved not to defeat me, he fought in the way to steal my techniques──that guy always hardened his defence at the tournament in royal capital most likely isn't just for training his foresight, he also aimed to learn the technique of his opponent's attack even just by one more.]

Singlen's exultant tone caused Zwei to become silent.

[In a situation where that guy cannot help but joining Seven Dragon Paladins, he realized my trap while leaping into it in order to save his comrades. Until that point it's according to my expectation, but it's unexpected that he also stole two of my techniques. Even though his face looks like he cannot even kill a bug, but he is scheming like a strategist. He cannot be dealt with normal methods, is what this mean.]

[............]

[I was thinking of him as one of the pawns connected to Fugil, but he is a man more terrifying than I imagined. The time ahead looks amusing......don't you agree, Zwei?]

Even while in one side Singlen was showing vigilance toward Lux, his tone sounded as though he was amused.

Zwei nodded in agreement to that before he immediately cut off the Dragon Voice's communication.

===Part 14===

“......That was a tiresome battle. Good grief.”

“Are you all feeling okay? Greifer, everyone?”

Greifer took a breath, then he saw a new EX Wyvern flying in front of him.

The one who was riding it was a youth with androgynous features, Coral.

“You...... where did you go until now?! Do you know how long we have been looking for you──”

“Sorry. I desperately shook off the many Abysses that appeared here in the Dungeon. If I carelessly brought them over here, I am afraid it would put you all in danger so──”

“Haa, well, doesn't matter. Although there are lots I wanna say, for now let's leave this place first.”

The moment Greifer muttered, not far from them, the sound of a something being opened was heard. Yoruka wearing Yato no kami landed down.

“It is great you are alright, my lord. I followed your instructions and secured the escape route.”

As a result, it seemed that she eliminated a large number of Abysses in the area by herself.

The lights in the surrounding also returned to their original color, and the alert state of the Ruin was finally ended.

“Let's retreat now. We are going to talk later, after we ensure everyone's safety.”

Greifer agreed with Coral's suggestion after examining the surroundings.

The Triad also stood up somehow, while Lux who had dispelled his armor was standing in front of Airi.

“.............”

Airi could not lift her face to meet Lux's eyes.

The matter of the ancient document that she was hiding.

The matter about whether she and Lux were really related by blood with the Ruin or not, which was still unclear at this point.

The matter of how she showered harsh words to Lux and others, even though it was in order to save them.

And above else, the matter of how she got caught into the evil design of Dilwy of the Dragon Marauder, which exposed everyone to danger. All those matters made her unable to lift up her face.

However──

“I'm sorry Airi. You feel pained for my sake.”

Even so, Lux said in his usual tone while sounding somewhat apologetic.

“Airi, I completely understand how you are feeling. It's all right already, so──”

The words of her big brother that were the same like usual made Airi's feelings erupt.

“-......!? Nii-san! Just what are you saying!?”

The tears that she was trying to hold back dripped down, then she knocked her hands on Lux's chest powerlessly.

“We might be different from what we thought you know!? We might not be a mere criminal of the ruined Old Empire, we might be people related to Ruin! If that's really the case, then from here on, it's unknown what is going to happen to me or Nii-san!”

Airi feared these things all this time.

The possible realities weighed on her so she could not help but shout.

“Even just now too! Why didn't Nii-san just abandon me?! I don't want nii-san to suffer because of me anymore! So why──”

“I don't feel miserable or anything.”

He murmured as he gently held Airi, stroking the hair that was the same color as his.

“I have never imagined anything I have done to protect Airi to be painful. There is also nothing that I thought as painful or I regret doing for you. Just being able to protect my only important family makes me happy.”

“...Why?”

Airi could not bear it and she buried her face in Lux's chest with a sob.

“Why is nii-san always like this!? Are you idiot!? Why are you always, for the sake of someone like me──”

“......I'm sorry that I made you worry. But, I won't change my mind. No matter what kind of secret is hidden inside us, I will always be Airi's big brother, that's why.”

Lux gave off a slightly shy smile as he stroked his sister's back gently.

“It will surely be all right. It's alright, that's why──don't cry anymore.”

“tsu......U, AAaAAAAAAH!”

Airi raised her voice in contrast with Lux's words.

She wanted to hold back in front of the others, but the tears would not stop.

The family who continued to stay at her side since she was a child, when she had been frail and helpless as she lost her mother.

The big brother who since the period of Old Empire, had continued to protect her no matter how much he got hurt.

Even though he was always slow and insensitive, even though when the time came he would forcefully shoulder everything alone.

His voice's warmth and his chest were warm, the reassurance from his hands stroking her hair, they caused the tears to spill out without end.

Inside the Dungeon, a girl's sobs echoed.

And then, the incident closed its curtain.

Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 4

2019-10-09T22:23:29Z

Masterupc: /* Part 7 */

==Episode 4 – Second Ruin 『Maze』(Dungeon)==

===Part 1===

At the early morning next day.

Lux woke up early before the sunrise and then he headed toward the practice ground inside the military ground.

He had took confirmation from Coral who was in the same room with him that it was permitted to use the place. The place was empty as he expected, perhaps the factor that it was right after the exam also played a part of it.

“Now, then……”

After changing into his pilot suit, he wore Wyvern on his body and carried out basic operation as replacement for warming up.

And then he released the control of tuning just like how Lisha taught him.

“-……!?”

Several images of light were floating around him, with ancient letter, symbol, and graphic reflected in them.

Originally it was a function that was literally to tune things like the Drag-Ride’s output, armament, and so on. Usually this function wasn’t used while fighting, but now he was deliberately starting up while keeping the function activated.

(As I thought, controlling Drag-Ride in tuning mode is, considerably difficult……)

One could concentrate better if information and options were limited to a certain degree.

The control of Drag-Ride was already complicated and numerous in the best of time. Adding the fiddling of even its output value in the middle of battle gave a degree of difficult that was nearly ill-advised.

“However──……just a bit more”

After taking a deep breath and fired himself up, Lux repeated basic action while keeping that state on.

After around an hour passed with some light rest in between, his stamina finally reached the bottom and he fell on his knee on the ground.

“──Haa, haa……”

He was breathing hard with his shoulders heaving while crouching on the spot. Then suddenly he heard footsteps from behind him.

The moment Lux stood up to turn around, a towel was dropped on his head.

“……Wah!?”

Lux’s sight was plunged into darkness and he panicked.

When he took the soft white towel, there was a familiar face there.

“Morning, Lu-chan.”

“Ah……”

It was a lovely face that was expressionless and absentminded with trace of childishness remaining in it.

Philuffy in pilot suit appearance was standing there.

Different from usual, her hair was tied into a short ponytail. That appearance looked fresh and surprising.

“Phi, Phi-chan. Why are you here──?”

“I’m also always, doing morning training. Then, I heard Lu-chan’s voice, from here.”

After saying that with a dispassionate tone, Philuffy slowly took back the towel.

“Wai-, what are you doing Phi-chan!?”

“You will catch cold, if you don’t properly wipe the sweat, you know?”

Philuffy was wiping Lux’s sweat using the towel with serious face and a tone that sounded a bit chiding.

But, it was embarrassing to have a girl that was his childhood friend to do that much for him, so Lux was flustered.

“I, I’m fine you know!? I, it’s only this much. I can wipe myself alone so──!”

There was no people around, but Lux turned his head left and right to check.

“It’s okay, I’m finished already.”

Philuffy finished her work while he was doing that and she put the towel on Lux’s shoulder.

Like that she was then staring very still at Lux with her pure eyes.

“-……!?”

Perhaps because she had just been training, Philuffy’s skin and face were slightly flushed, and there was a faint scent of sweat from her. They made Lux’s heart throbbed fast.

Compared to her childhood, her breasts, her thighs, and other places had grown into an amazing feminine body. He thought of that once more while looking at her face from nearby.

“Wha, what’s wrong? Is there something on my face──”

“Ei”

“Waah!?”

Lux’s body half rotated just from Philuffy lightly jerking his arm.

In the blink of eye he was made to turn his back on her and he felt bewildered once more.

“Wha, what are you doing Phi-chan!? My sweat is already──”

Philuffy’s body clung closely on the back of the flustered Lux. Then she whispered to him with indifferent tone.

“Checking a bit. Whether your body, is hurt.”

“Yo, you don’t need to do that, I’m really not tired! ──Uwah!?”

Honestly speaking, he was on tenterhooks because Philuffy’s large breasts were touching his back.

When Lux twisted his body to shake her off, his foot got entangled and they fell down together.

“Aa……”

Lux leaked out a voice after falling.

When his hand reflexively moved to stand up, there was Philuffy’s body right below him.

“So, sorry-……!]

The large breasts that didn’t lose shape even when she was lying down face up flew into his sight, causing Lux’s head to boil up.

Philuffy who was expressionless as usual kept staring at Lux and she suddenly moved her lips.

“It’s okay, to not endure you know?”

Philuffy’s question that was said with her usual serious face made Lux turned stiff.

The warmth and softness of Philuffy’s body that was glued to him.

After getting conscious of that, Lux’s heart was pounding hard like an alarm bell, his consciousness turned blank for a moment.

“Because Lu-chan, you look like you are brooding over something.”

“──Eh?”

After Lux whispered toward those words that suddenly came at him, Philuffy showed a faint smile.

“Since the past, Lu-chan would immediately endure. You would hide your true feeling.”

“…………”

That voice sounded somewhat nostalgic.

And yet it also sounded somewhat lonely. Philuffy formed her words with such voice.

“I’m happy, that you are doing your best for our sake, but──. It’s fine, to be more honest with your own feeling, you know?”

“……Such, thing”

‘Isn’t true’. For some reason he became unable to say that when he looked at Philuffy’s straightforward gaze.

*GOOOON*. Suddenly the sound of large bell that informed the time rang at the area.

“Oh……, I need to return to my room soon──”

“Right. Later, Lu-chan.”

They stood up, and then after exchanging only those words, Lux parted with Philuffy and returned to his room.

The straightforward words of his childhood friend caused a mysterious feeling to sprout inside him.

===Part 2===

There was an emergency call. Almost all the officers as well as the officer cadet who were the examinees of Class Promotion Exam were gathered on the Canopy at the upper part of Ruin’s Gear’s center.

The Drag-Knights were lined up. In front of them was a stage, where the principality’s princess, Milmiette, and the man who was the mayor of Ruin’s Gear were standing side by side.

“Everyone──first, thank you for your hard work in the Class Promotion Exam this time. The joint exam with New Kingdom Atismata that was being held for the first time has also ended safely, I believe that it will give a result where we can hope for even better development.”

Milmiette first showed a smile that was like a flower and greeted formally.

But, in contrast with those words, it was as though the atmosphere didn’t feel relaxed.

“Originally we will break up with this. But, just as everyone of the New Kingdom Atismata also knows, recently the appearance rate and the atrocity of the Abyss from Ruin are gaining strength. The second Ruin, the Dungeon existing underground this Ruin’s Gear is also not an exception.”

*Murmur*. The gathered Drag-Rides looked at each other’s face after hearing those words.

“Originally, the number of Abyss appearing from Dungeon is fixed, but that number will overflow if it’s left alone for a long period, and they will climb up from the door at the bottom. Originally this kind of situation happen once every few months, but regardless of the frequency of subjugation that we has increased in this Ruin, the situation is that the Abysses are going to flood out.”

“……!?”

The female students who came from Academy and the military officers gulped.

“Perhaps everyone can already imagine it after I talk this far, but I wish to ask the cooperation of everyone from the new kingdom, in exterminating those Abysses that has been increasing too many inside the Dungeon.”

After she was speaking that far, the mayor stood on the stage and spoke out the outline of the mission.

The Dungeon that was existing underground the Ruin’s Gear.

The underground was divided into five levels in total. In this mission they would descend down those levels, defeated as many Abyss as possible, and decreased their number.

However, in the mission this time, they would only step in until the second level.

The reason was because there were few cases where powerful Abyss appeared in low level.

“Of course, originally there is no merit in this talk for the ladies and gentlemen of New Kingdom Atismata. Naturally we are planning to pay the compensation for your effort, but we are thinking to grant one more reward for it.”

After the grey haired mayor with moustache stepped down, Milmiette continued the talk once more.

“The result that everyone raised in this suppression mission will be treated as a special supplementary exam of this time’s Class Promotion Exam, and the score will be added into the exam’s evaluation.”

“……Ooh!?”

The dazzling smile and words of Milmiette caused the depressed officers to lift their face.

“Of course, cooperation with every officers and defeating many Abyss safely will be evaluated even higher. After all if one neglected to cooperate in their hurry for achievement, they will also fall behind in the real battle. Inside the Ruin, the Drag-Knights of our country who are serving as examiner will take the lead. It will be our happiness if those with spare energy can come forward and cooperate in this by all means.”

Milmiette bowed, then a commotion that somewhat resembled a cheer rose.

“Fuu. The princess of this country can say a good thing too huh.”

Tillfur who was beside Lux by chance showed a small smile after hearing that.

At the exam this time, she seemed to be lacking in confidence what’s with the obstruction in the middle of it too, so she must be relieved inside her heart for this chance.

The subjugation would be done by team of three or four people. Fundamentally entering into the third level was forbidden.

It seemed that this judgment came from the thinking that although the Dungeon was vast and deep, but because the passage itself wasn’t that wide, moving in large group would be obstructive.

This suppression mission would be performed for around three hours.

Of course, continuously operating Drag-Ride through all that time would be impossible, so they would take rest inside the Dungeon, or outside.

Everyone gathered comrades and prepared, then at the lobby they would apply for participation as team. After that they would gather under the Canopy──in front of the spiraling corridor that continued toward the Gate underground, and they would enter in order from the team who got the permission first.

“It seems that the content of the supplement exam this time is advantageous for us whose main strength is cooperation.”

Sharis of Triad who was listening to the talk from right nearby called out like that to her comrades Tillfur and Noct.

Right at that timing, Noct who was there met Lux’s eyes.

“Ah……”

The other day they parted without him unable to say anything to her. Lux was troubled about how he should greet her.

(What should I say, that can assure her……?)

While he was hesitating in front of her with such thinking──,

“Good morning Lux-san. Were you hurt from the exam yesterday?”

“Ah, I, I’m fine. I’m completely──”

Unexpectedly it was Noct herself who broached the topic about the exam that he thought would be hard to talk with her.

“Is that so, I was a bit worried.”

“Eh……?”

Lux tilted his head in puzzlement. Noct spoke with her usual calm expression.

“Yes. We are talking about Lux-san who is kind to girl here, so you will surely think about various methods in order to console me who might be feeling down. I was worried whether you would be lacking in sleep because of that.”

“N, no, it’s not like I was thinking that──”

Noct’s exactly right guess caused Lux to object with red face.

“Is that so, that’s unfortunate. It doesn’t matter that I am the roommate of your little sister, the matter about me won’t really weigh in your mind that much isn’t it?”

“Tha, that’s not true. That, I was worried──about the matter of all of you the Triad.”

Noct looked at Lux with contemptuous eyes when he said that with an earnest tone.

“Yes. As expected you were thinking about that kind of thing weren’t you? Surely it’s a method of touching our body to console──”

“Just what kind of person Noct think I am!?”

When Lux retorted in panic, Noct’s expression suddenly loosened.

“I’m glad. Because I thought that Lux-san would be troubled, that you were unable to help me in the exam the other day.”

“I was just concerned about you, but instead I made you worried!?”

“Yes. Being considerate to the surrounding is the duty of Leaflet family that came from the lineage of servant. I still cannot lose against Lux-san.”

The girl who was his junior smiled slightly at the exhausted Lux and she said that to him.

“Okay, oka─y. Then we will prepare as well. Lux-chi too, let’s meet again inside the Ruin.”

As soon as the mood relaxed, Tillfur came rushing in.

“Ah, that──can you allow me to join the Triad’s team together too?”

「……」

Hearing this, the Triad members were speechless for a moment with their eyes snapped wide open.

“E, eh……? Is it, no good……?”

Seeing Lux being troubled, Sharis grabbed Lux’s head into her underarm.

“Wah……!?”

Due to the posture, Lux’s face hit Sharis’s chest. His face suddenly heated up.

Her body was toned, with the sensation of soft breast pressed on him.

And from her body floated her trademark the rose fragrance that tickled Lux’s nose alluringly.

“Fuh…so even that innocent Lux has become very proactive. You truly want to make all three of us fall for you, don’t you?”

Sharis said that jokingly with a mischievous smile.

“Wa ha haa, Lux-chi is so bold. As expected a boy is really different eh─”

“Yes, Lux-san too is finally developing a great interest in girls. I judged that it’s my obligation to report this to Airi.”

“I, I said it’s not true!? I don’t have that kind of strange ulterior motive, I just──”

Even Tillfur and Noct got into the joke and Lux became even more panicked, it was then,

“We truly understand. Thank you for worrying about us.”

Sharis released Lux from under her arm, and gently placed her finger along his chest.

“But, only this time some of us want to try things. So we are going to rely on you at another chance. For now, please go to the other girls who are waiting for you.”

“Okay…… Then everyone, be careful.”

With some hesitation, Lux agreed and slowly left.

After he talked with Lisha and others about the grouping, Lux returned to the lodging house for once to see Airi’s face.

===Part 3===

“Fuh, it somehow went well. Although we originally agreed to this, you do not have any regrets, Tillfur, Noct?”

Sharis was seeing off Lux’s back while speaking to her two compatriots.

“Yes, we hope that we don’t add to Lux-san’s burdens by more than this.”

“Actually, I was really happy though……. He is properly worrying about us too──”

With a joyful and lonely expression, Tillfur sighed.

While Airi was alone in her dorm room last night, the Triad girls made some plans in advance.

In order to help Lux, the three decided to distance themselves instead from him.

Although it was because of Buzzheim’s evil design and added with a coincidence, it still resulted in them dragging down Lux at the Class Promotion Exam.

If they who didn’t even have the strength to skillfully use Divine Drag-Ride were near Lux, they would become a hindrance to him.

The words that Singlen said at the exam yesterday stabbed the chest of the Triad.

To re-evalute their strength again from the beginning, the three decided not to request Lux’s assistance and fought by themselves.

“But, I might have done something bad towards Tilfur. I stole away the time where you can be together with him.”

Sharis spoke teasingly.

“Wai-……!? Sharis yourself, even though just now you pushed your breast on Lux-chi!”

“Yes, I think that’s quite bold of Sharis. ……In fact, you like Lux-san, correct?”

“──Fuh. I was just giving him a bit of nice memory in my own way as my feeling of gratitude. No, though it’s not a mistake that I’m pleased with him.”

[[File:Saijaku V6 13.jpg|thumb|right]]

“Is that really true～…… ? Sharis, even though she has been putting act as a big sis but she is actually pure, so she is unexpectedly weak against straight advance though~, ……and she like younger one too.”

“Yes, although we are childhood friends, this is the first time I have seen you do this type of thing towards a man.”

“… We, well, time to get back to the topic on hand.”

Sharis’s face was slightly reddening from Tillfur’s mischievous laugh and Noct’s fixed stare. She then made a forced cough.

“Our goal is to accomplish this by our own strength. ──Now, let’s go and do what we can with our all.”

Sharis repeated the instructions from the start. The other two nodded understandingly.

The three of them stepped forth toward the passage of Drag-Ride hangar that was borrowed from Ruin’s Gear

===Part 4===

“Airi, are you in there?”

After knocking gently on the door and hearing a”Come in,” Lux entered the room.

Exuding her usual cold atmosphere, Airi sat at her desk reading.

“Is something the matter, Nii-san? You are going to join the aforementioned suppression mission aren’t you? Isn’t it better to quickly prepare?”

“Ahaha……. No, there is something that troubled me a bit.”

Saying that, he talked about how after he was rejected from accompanying the Triad, he went to where Lisha and others were.

Lux was thinking to group with Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, or Celis who he got along well with and belonged to Syvalles together, but Instructor Raigree who was there told him that he was forbidden to accompany them.

The instructor said,

“On the surface the task is officially to destroy the Abyss, but it is also a supplement exam to test the teamwork in facing the Abyss. You all the user of Divine Drag-Ride, don’t group among yourselves. Split up and devoute yourself in supporting the other students.”

It was like that.

Now that he was told that, it was the natural decision.

Lisha and others, the four of them were on another level of strength that was nearly EX Class and had a high chance of passing the exam, thus it would be unnecessary for them to force themselves to achieve victories in the campaign.

Also, the second ruin [Dungeon] is very deep.

It was better that the members of [Syvalles] who had experience going to the Ruins before to be split accordingly to support the other cadets.

That was how they are told.

“Even though I’m thinking of supporting Lux with the Drag-Ride that I’ve newly created at great pains……”

After the warning, Lisha became upset.

“I understand what you are saying, and it’s the correct reasoning. But I still feel a little dissatisfied emotionally.”

Krulcifer showed a smile with hidden meaning while agreeing.

“It’s unfortunate……. Even though, I’ve been carrying the snack for Lu-chan’s share too.”

“……Ahh, nn. Please bring it for me at the next chance. This time Phi-chan can eat them all yourself.”

Lux showed a wry smile while comforting his usually expressionless childhood friend.

“Even though I wanted to peel the orange for you.”

“You really don’t need to do that!? Going that far will make me embarrassed okay-!”

After his panicked exclamation, Celis also came to his side.

“It can’t be helped. I originally wanted to use this opportunity to repay Lux for all the times you helped me but──no, Its definitely not that I just want to be with you, okay.”

“Then please at another chance. For today please become the strength for the others.”

Like that he parted with the girls and Lux returned to the lodging house.

“Haa, nii-san is very popular. However, please stop getting intimate with your classmates now while enrolled in the academy. Otherwise, I would feel ashamed.”

“Wha, what are you saying!? Everyone is just treating me well I’m telling you.”

Airi’s accusation made Lux’s face to redden as he panicked.

Then however, Airi’s sighed deeply as she muttered something quietly while averting her face away from Lux.

“……Nii-san’s denseness is already at the territory of serious illness after all. As I thought, is the cause because he is dragging along the matter of the past?”

“Eh…?”

“Never mind. It’s not like I want to see someone like the womanizer Nii-san anyway.”

Airi said in exasperateion while looking out the window.

“I will wait in the lobby of the Ruin. It seems that the people of Seven Dragon Paladins will also be there, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

“Mm, got it.”

Lux nodded and smiled.

“Airi, other than this, has anything notable happened recently?”

“…Not really.”

Lux smiled wryly when Airi answered with some hesitation.

“Okay, but if anything happens please let me know. Although I may be unreliable, I am still your big brother after all.”

“-…..!?”

The words Lux said made Airi trembled for a moment.

Although Airi immediately returned to her usual calm expressionless, and she showed a faint smile.

“I understand. Good luck, Nii-san.”

“Nn”

After acknowledging this, Lux showed Airi a smile as he left.

A few seconds later, the expression that she forcefully made finally crumbled, and Airi fell onto her bed.

“My uniform will get wrinkled……”

Such thinking was crossing the back of her mind even while she was unable to bear it.

There was no way she could say it.

For some unknown reason, Singlen was showing an abnormal fixation toward Lux.

It wasn’t only the persistent persuasion to join the Seven Dragon Paladins, he may also knew things about Lux’s past when at the old empire and even about Lux’s eldest brother Fugil.

So──in order to prevent the two from getting even more invoved with each other, Airi kept quiet about last night’s events.

The Dragon Marauder’s spy may had already infiltrated the New Kingdom.

And then, the important nobles of various countries who were financing Dragon Marauder were searcing for trigger of war.

If the content of the old document that Airi deciphered was reported to the upper brass of the new kingdom, the history and knowledge about the old empire until now would be overturned and a great chaos would occur, the brunt of it would surely──be pointed at Lux and Airi.

As the final survivors of the Old Empire, amd then as criminals, there was the risk that thye would be doubted of having ties with the Lord(Creator) of Ruin.

“If it is only me that ends up hurt then it is still fine. But──“

The worst case would be if Airi was taken hostage, and Lux would fall into the grip of the New Kingdom.

Furthermore, there were also people within the consul who desired to take advantage of Lux.

She didn’t want to become a burden for his big brother for more than this.

“I, what should I do……”

At that moment, a knock suddenly came on the door causing Airi to get taken aback and she held her breath.

“Who is it?”

She asked as she placed her diary where the ancient document was hidden in a safe spot on her desk.

“Please do not panic. I am with Wanheim Principality.”

Hearing the sound coming from a young girl, Airi relaxed as she opened the door.

“-…..!? You are──”

“Could you come with me? Miss Airi Arcadia”

The one who appearead along with a few followers was Princess Milmiette.

===Part 5===

“Now then, what to do from here.”

In order to participate in the suppression mission, obviously he needed to fix his equipment. However he was refused from teaming up with the Triad, and it didn't look like he could accompany Lisha or the others this time.

“Should I try aksing the other classmates?”

Lux pondered such thing while opening the door of the lodging room──then,

“Wah......!?”

“──Eh?”

Someone sitting on the bed was taking off their shirt, rolling the shirt off their arm.

The exposed smooth white-skinned back appeared in front of Lux's field of vision.

“So, sorry-!? I didn't expect someone to be in the middle of changing here──”

Reflexively, Lux closed the door at the sight of the half-naked androgynous youth.

However, after his panickedly yelled that, he noticed something strange.

“Eh......? Looking closesly, could you be......Coral?

[[File:Saijaku V6 14.jpg|thumb|right]]

“Oh, ah, um......that's me. I'm also a boy, so there's no problem here. Come in.”

“Ah, yes, that's right. Then, I'm coming in......?”

When Lux timidly entered inside, Coral who had already changed into a pilot suit was inside the room.

No matter how androgynous his appearance and body, Coral undoubtedly should be a boy.

And yet, for some reason a slight guilt welled up inside Lux. Even Lux felt it mysterious.

“Um, about that──sorry that I suddenly made such a strange voice.”

Coral apologized with a somewhat shy smile.

“Oh, that's fine. It was my fault for forgetting to knock──anyways, is Coral also taking part in the mission?”

He did not watch Coral's fight at the All-Dragon Battle last time, it was understood that given his ability to use EX Wyvern meant that his strength was High Class at the very least.

From the results of the examination, it didn't look like that Coral necessarily need the extra points, but...

“Well, everyone in my country is basically participating. After all this is our own country.”

“I see.”

Thinking about it, it was really the natural development.

“Sorry to make you accompany us playing out at night last evening. But──did you able to relax a bit from it?”

“......Thank you. Because of that, I was able to get along slightly with Greifer.”

After hearing Lux's words, Coral put his hands together.

“That's good then. Lux is really very kind just as I thought.”

Coral spoke with a voice that was mixed with relieve and delight. Lux smiled wryly to that, saying”No such thing.”

There were the matter of what Singlen said, Airi whose condition was somewhat strange, and the matter of Triad, even so Lux's feeling had slightly beome light.

“Then, this is an opportunity that is hard to come by, do you want to join us in the suppression mission?”

“That, do you mean──”

Lux was bewildered at Coral's invitation.

“Mm. In the upcoming suppression mission in the Ruin, I hope that you and me, along with Greifer, can be in a team together. Is that okay?”

“-......!?”

*chiri-*, a sharp pain ran behind Lux's eyes and static that looked like sandstorm ran at the back of his mind.

(Again......? Just what is this? This pain──, I have felt it before)

Before Lux was able to confirm what made him uneasy, the feeling soon went away.

“......What's the matter?”

“Ah, its nothing. I hope that I will not trouble you too much then.”

Although he was hesitant whether he should help the other girls, but they were also encouraged by Instructor Raigree that they assembled team together with their allied country Wanheim Principality.

After Lux gave his answer, he changed out of his uniform into his pilot suit.

“Wah......!?”

“Wha, what is it...?”

“No, nothing......Don't' worry about me.”

Coral answered with a troubled smile for some reason. Lux thought it strange while he finished his getup.

He was carrying compass, portable food and drinking water in his bag, then they joined with Greifer.

“I don't really care, but why are you purposefully teaming up with this fellow from another country.......”

“It's fine right? Greifer doesn't have many friends anyway.”

Coral retorted at Grefier who was a bit annoyed. Then after they stopped by at the base inside the palace──the lobby, the three of them went towards the entrance to the Dungeon.

After arriving at the bottom of the spiral staircase that was hollow like ant lion larva's pit, the Drag-Knights of both countries were already gathered in large number.

“Lux! If anything happens, call me immediately! I will rush to your aid!”

Hearing Lisha's energetic voice, Lux awkwardly waved.

Altough the three of the Triad were also present, for some reason that Buzzheim was also present.

His injuries were tied with bandages, making it hard to imagine how he could operate a Drag-Ride. Moreover, his proctor license should also have been revoked.

It seemed like he was merely there to see off the beginning of the mission as a member of the military. However, he glared at Lux with hound-like eyes like usual.

“............”

“Relax. Buzzheim already doesn't have anything to do with this part of the exam.”

Coral, who noticed where Lux's line of sight went, had understood the situation.

However, Greifer muttered peevishly.

“......I wonder? Well, I'll be keeping an eye for you.”

“Next team! Number 17, come forward!”

“It's our turn now.”

After being called by the proctors, Lux and his comrades walked up.

If the Gigas that came to the New Kingdom was excluded, this would be his first time entering the Ruin of another country. Lux was feeling nervous of that while he braced himself.

As Lisha's knight too, it would be the best for Lux raise his Class.

Besides that, in order to protect the city from the magical beasts, he would give his utmost effort.

(But... for what?)

Singlen's words stuck to his mind.

He had decided that he would not hesitate... and yet why was his feeling like this?

“Let's go, Lux-kun.”

Coral gently touched Lux's back, indicating Lux to exit. In front of the site, Lux summoned <Wyvern> and pulled out his sword.

“Come, the winged dragon of crest, the symbol of strength. Follow my sword and fly, Wyvern!”

He pressed the button on his hilt and said the chant.

Light particles gathered around him at high speed. His body became covered with streamlined blue armor.

A few seconds later, while standing on the pentagon on the floor that was called the Gate, an orange light gradually rose, giving Lux a feeling of floating on air.

Feeling like their consciousness was separting from the body, the three of them entered the Dungeon.

===Part 6===

The rooftop of the Palace that was overlooking down on the spiral staircase continuing to the Dungeon──the edge of Canopy.

Singlen, wearing his usual armor suit was lying down on the edge that was made of stone, where a single mistaken step would make him fall down for few dozen mel.

As his eyes followed Lux disappearing in to the Dungeon, he stared lazily back towards the rear of the main troops.

“I have returned, my lord.”

The air behind Singlen slightly rippled.

As if he was covered by a bed sheet, an old knight wearing a white mask and white jacket appeared.

“You are late, Zwei. Did anyone tail you here?”

“There has been no action at all. Are they saving their capability? Or else, perhaps the Dragon Marauder too isn’t planning to make a move carelessly here.”

“Who knows…If I were them, I would not hesitate at this chance. Right now that the danger of Ruin is increasing and each country is hardening their defense, there may not be another chance where they can move this easily if they miss this one.”

“…True.”

The old knight’s husky voice agreed with his master’s opinion.

“Then I’ll order the Knights of White Ridge to stay vigilant. To prepare for the worst case scenario—“

The old knight prepared to leave. Singlen, stabbed the sheath of his Sword Device onto the ground, elucidating a small thud as it landed.

“Well, hold on a second, Zwei. Although you were an able man since in the past, your decision making is just a bit too premature. We certainly were requested to protect this city. ──But, no one will evaluate us highly just from extinguishing a small fire that cannot be seen. Haven’t we experienced that many times in the past, let’s be a little cleverer here. We will make use of our lesson.”

“…………”

Singlen smiled as he said this, exuding a deep, unending darkness.

The old knight suddenly realized the true meaning behind his words.

“…That”

“Catching the big fish requires patience. Keep in mind we will prioritize the Milmiette ojou-sama’s safety first.”

“Yes, sir.”

After this brief response, Zwei disappeared.

Singlen did not care as he looked over the doors of the palace.

“…Fugil, ah. What will your brother do next? I am looking forward to it.”

Singlen’s face held a deep smile.

However, his dark voice was not heard by anyone.

===Part 7===

“This...is the Dungeon?”

As his body moved past the door, Lux could not help whispering as he witnessed the incredible interior.

Although the Academy's lectures and pre-mission meeting described what he needed to know, it was still a view beyond his imagination.

“What's up? Is this your first time entering a Ruin?”

“...it's very spectacular.”

In response to Coral, Lux could not say any other words to describe his impression.

However, those were his real feelings.

In Lux's mind, the Dungeon was supposed to appear as caves.

With cold, dark, inorganic rocks channeling through them.

However, the scenery in front of him surpassed his imagination.

Directly in front of them was an altar-like patio.

Around the patio was a field of flowers.

Above the patio, instead of a blue sky, something like moss that gave off a pale yellow fluorescent light made the area appear just bright enough.

Rather than a cave, it was more like a courtyard with walls surrounding it on every side.

“Here in the middle is the exit to the outside world. There are also places like this far away from where we are with a lake and other scenery, isn't it interesting?”

As Lux curiously looked around, Coral gave his explanation.

As they approached, the other female students would stop to look in adungeonment.

“Oh, honor student-sama! Our task is to suppress Abyss here yeah? Don't treat it like a picnic.”

“Greifer is still the same! Our mission should last just a few hours, yet you still get nervous. Or is it that you just want to finish quickly and get back to Princess Milmiette?”

The two of them began to quarrel.

Lux looked at the two with a wry smile as a thought crossed his mind.

“So now... how many levels are we going to raid?”

“According to the records the exploration has only reached until level four. The area looks spacious, but it's actually quite complicated. After we pass three levels, the amount of powerful Abyss and harsh environment will increase...”

“I see.”

Listening to Coral's answer, Lux breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed that in this Ruin, the existence of Automaton that was called Gear Leader hadn't been confirmed.

Without that Hayes who was called as Lord, the possibility that something happened in Ruin must be low.

“Shall we begin? Although there are only a few Abyss here, don't let your guard down and take them one by one!”

Lux nodded to Coral's words, then they too began the Abyss extermination.

Far in the darkness, a scream could be heard.

“That sound, it's Hind huh.”

“Even though this creature looks like a deer, it is very ferocious. Be very careful!”

Lux listened to Greifer and Coral's instructions as he drew his weapon.

The suppression mission began with this team that was formed for the first time.

===Part 8===

“Listen to me! Greifer is amazing? I failed so many dishes that I cooked yet he took it as a challenge and ate all of it!”

“….I-Is that so?”

At the same time.

Under the Canopy, deep in the halls of the Dungeon above the door, Princess Milmiette and Airi were there.

Why was she sitting next to the princess of Wanheim Principality?

It seemed that Coral arranged a lot of security to ensure Airi’s safety, but having a lot of guards made her nervous.

“Coral is the son of my distant relatives, but because of the death of his parents from illness, he was adopted as my escort. As the assistant of Greifer of the Seven Dragon Paladins, I think that sooner or later his visit to the new kingdom will also increase, please treat him well then.”

“It’s no problem. That…If I may say so, could you excuse me for a few minutes?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was too preoccupied with talking. I will send a guard to accompany you.”

“I-I’ll be fine by myself!”

Princess Milmiette had good intentions, but being surrounded by male officers was troublesome.

(How to say it…this person, she is too pure that it’s hard to deal with her……)

Other than that, a lot of eyes and ears around made Airi felt uneasy.

Because of the ancient document that she deciphered was hidden in a parcel in Airi’s bag.

She exited the Lobby and brought her feet toward the toilet.

Airi had been very cautious until there.

However, right after she finished her business and exited the building, for a moment she let her guard down.

“──!?”

“Hey!”

A silhouette quietly approached from the shadows.

A man with a cloth covering his face snatched Airi’s bag.

“Thi-Thief! Stop! Please stop-…!”

She was shouting while knowing that it was in vain.

Even though she was hit and knocked down, she stood up quickly and began to give chase. However, she could not catch up.

The man ran towards the cover of building inside the Palace. As if replacing that man, a Wyvern flew out from there while holding the bad and fled down the spiral staircase.

“──Eh!?”

Airi was stopped by the unexpected scene.

If the man flew outside, it would be hard to find him. And yet the man was heading to the bottom of Palace──to the entrance of the Dungeon where there would be no place to escape.

He was a thief, so why would he run towards a place with a dead-end.

Although a lot of Drag-Knights had gathered due to the suppression mission, however, if an outside went down there he should still get noticed.

Unless this man was originally a Drag-Knight who was a part of the suppression mission and had received the permission to participate ──.

“What exactly is going on…?”

The situation was puzzling.

But after thinking about it for a few seconds, the possibility made Airi tremble.

From between the gaps in the cloth, the thief’s face appeared similar to that of one of Buzzheim’s men.

“Surely…it can’t be…”

At that moment, Airi remembered a scene from last night.

When Singlen visited Airi’s room last night, he used words that suggested that Airi was secretly in possession of the something that was connected to the Ruin.

「Those guys are sending spy to every country. It will be dangerous if they know you are hiding the secret of Ruin. What I want to say is be cautious.」

Wjat if supposedly Buzzheim overheard this conversation…

“-…!?”

Airi’s heart beat furiously, and she felt her consciousness fading.

If the ancient documents were exposed, they would lose the place that they had obtained in the new kingdom.

People will question their relationship with the Lord(Creator), then they would be imprisoned once more, or else──.

(There is no time to hesitate)

Airi rushed back towards the Lobby to inform others of the emergency.

This matter of robbery couldn’t be reported to the military officer of Wanheim Principality.

Since there was no evidence that it was one of Buzzheim’s people, and it was only Airi’s speculation.

She couldn’t act against the military officer of another country without solid evidence. And even if for example she had something like that, they would obviously feign ignorance.

That means she couldn’t stop Buzzheim through normal means.

“Nii-san, I──…”

Airi hesitated to discuss this with her brother. Airi rushed down the spiral staircase as though she was being pushed down. As she approached the Gate of the Dungeon, Noct came into her field of vision.

“What’s the matter Airi? Your face doesn’t look good.”

“…”

Tillfur and Sharis of the Triad were also there. Perhaps they had just finished resting and returned here.

However, Lux and Lisha and other members, the users of Divine Drag-Ride were not there.

Perhaps it would be best to seek their assistance first, but there was no time for that .

Buzzheim could not use a Drag-Ride due to his injury, and most of his followers shouldn’t be accompanying him, only a few of them──.

“Noct, there is something I need your help with. Could you please help me?”

When Airi noticed, she had cut to the case.

She said that she wanted to go into the ruins to catch the thief.

===Part 9===

“Fuu…we did pretty well. And just now our team finished the fourth battle.”

Coral said this with a smile as the firewood crackled.

They were surrounded by rocks on all sides with a thin lawn covering the ground like a blanket.

They were resting in an open space of the northeast part of the Dungeon’s first level.

It seemed there were several resting places called Camp scattered throughout the Dungeon.

They were not originally part of the Dungeon but set up one by one by Wanheim Principality as they explored. Next to them, water from the waterfall parted to create a basin around them.

Lux and Coral were resting in shabby tents set up in the vicinity.

“I doubt there is poison in the water, but it’s still likely better to not drink it. If we can understand the situation upstream, then our safety will also increase, but there is no guarantee for that.”

“Got it.”

The teapot and water they had at hand came from a part of the food they brought in advance.

Since they were only exploring for a day, there was not a need to bring too many provisions in advance.

“──However, there is no doubt that Lux will be promoted here.”

As Lux sipped his tea, Coral smiled and congratulated him.

Based on the pocket watch they had, there was less than an hour before they needed to return.

They exterminated Abyss following the instructions of the examinees who were here and there and repeated that several times.

While Lux could only use Wyvern to fight, Greifer and Coral were quite strong so the mission went smoothly.

In the main exam, he acted in the way that lowered his evaluation several times, but with this Lux’s promotion to Middle Class should be without a problem.

He would continue to uphold his reputation as Lisha’s knight.

(Buy why is it I wonder……. Why am I feeling this superficial?)

Lux put down his tea cup and began strolling around the tent in a daze.

There were no more Abyss around and only the sound of quiet water flowing could be heard, but…

“Oi”

“Wah!?”

There was a voice that suddenly came from the side, then a Dagger stabbed the floor in front of him.

When Lux jumped backward in panic, Greifer wearing Cuelebre arrived at his side.

“Don’t loiter around as you please. We are resting right now but don’t wander too far from the tent.”

“Ah, sorry…”

Lux hurriedly apologized. Greifer grunted towards the side.

(Aa, when I thought that our relationship has finally improved slightly…)

Greifer’s blunt attitude towards Lux made him felt down as he walked back towards the tent, it was then──,

“That was dangerous, Greifer! Anyways, you need to explain to him about that!”

“What do you mean?”

The words of Coral who was exiting the tent confused Lux, while Greifer was showing a bothersome face.

“Haah, the Portal(transfer device) is in that direction. Didn’t I explain it before we entered?”

“Oh…”

Lux noticed what Greifer’s intention was.

Inside this Dungeon, other than stair that went underground, there were things called Portal installed at several floors.

The Portal’s shape was simply a group of rocks in a circle that was easy to notice, but because it could only transport things from the upper floor to the lower floors in one-way trip, the team could be in danger of getting separated at the moment they stood at that spot without noticing it.

Lux noticed that while he presented a different attitude on the surface, Greifer was quite concerned about Lux’s safety.

In any case, the man is really quite caring no matter what he said.

“Thank you Greifer. I’ll switch with you to patrol around now.”

Lux said this with a smile, while for some reason Greifer gave an uncomfortable glance to the side.

“I ain’t feeling like drinking tea, so I’ll refrain. We are going to return back soon anyway right? Rather than that──”

Greifer had an indifferent look as always as he stood up wearing his Cuelebre.

“A communication from Dragon Voice came in. There seems to be something strange going on. The men of new kingdom who weren’t too hot at the exam this time──that team seems to raise some abnormal results for this exam.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? With that the possibility the people of new kingdom’s military getting promoted will increase.”

Coral tilted his head while Greifer continued to speak.

“That’s if they are doing it in proper way. According to the proctor, it seems that team took care of about a dozen Abyss or more already.”

“Eh..?”

Upon hearing this, Lux reacted to the conversation for the first time.

Strange.

The New Kingdom’s Drag-Knights, with the exception of the captain Dilwy, should be consisting of only Low or Middle Class Drag-Knight.

Of course, that Class in the end was only one indicator of strength, but it was hard to imagine that they would all suddenly show such results inside this unfamiliar Ruin in foreign country.

“Seems that the Abyss on the second level ain’t a match for them, thus they went towards the entrance to the third floor. I wonder, what is their trick?”

“…………”

As Greifer said these words, a grave expression appeared on Coral’s face for the first time.

However, he sighed immediately and returned to his usual demeanor.

“That is concerning, but no rules were broken, so there is no problems.”

“If that’s so then it’s okay. It is still a bit early, but how about we start heading back?”

At Greifer’s suggestion, Lux stood up.

But, at that very moment. *Dong!* The Dungeon began shaking vertically.

“Earthquake!?!”

Right after Lux judged like that, the pale yellow light that illuminated the cave began to flash bright red.

“That’s!?!”

Lux recalled a past situation in the Ark that was similar with this. He pulled out his Sword Device.

“Someone broke into the third floor!? This is bad, at this rate──the Ruin will enter alert state!”

Coral who saw that also called out his EX Wyvern and equipped it.

“Greifer! I’m going to confirm the situation. You go outside the Dungeon and await instructions from Princess Milmiette.”

“Gotcha. Hey, prince, let’s go back to the Palace.”

“Hold on! I am going to go take a look as well!”

Lux requested to accompany him, but Coral calmly shook his head.

“I can’t take you along towards a part of the dungeon that you are not familiar with. Although you are concerned about the officers of the new kingdom, please bear with it for now.”

Saying that, Coral glided out while driving EX Wyvern.

He traveled through the dungeon and quickly disappeared from the field of vision in the blink of an eye.

===Part 10===

“…w-what is this shaking! What is happening!?”

“I-It’s not our fault!? Although we accidentally chased the Abyss towards the third floor, just because of that, the Ruin become like this…!”

“Captain Dilwy! Did you see!? Should we retreat…”

It was a team that was composed of only male officers.

The squad captain, Dilwy and three Drag-Knights of the new kingdom military. They were panicked at the sudden change in situation and showed the weak-kneed expression that was exactly opposite with until now when they were defeating a lot of Abysses.

Their steady advance untilnow was solely thanks to Dilwy, while the other three were only given the leftover. There was no sense of duty or dignity as knight in that.

“──Haah”

Dilwy raised a smile of mockery towards them.

His old wound had healed. His right arm now had strange black pattern on its surface. That arm was holding a knife that was left behind by the robed man last night.

No, not so much as healed, but it was even stronger than before.

“The seed of war huh. I see, so that is how it was…”

“Cap-Captain Dilwy! Let’s retreat quickly”

“Aah, it is already that time huh…then, let’s have a farewell soon.”

The men in his squad let out a sigh of relief hearing Dilwy’s words.

No one there noticed how Dilwy was like a completely different person from his normal demeanor.

===Part 11===

“This sound, what happened–!?”

Equipped with her Wyvern, Sharis was surprised and wondering what was happening?

The Triad and Airi were searching for Buzzheim on the second floor when the sudden chaos ensued.

Perhaps it was time to head back, there were no signs of other Drag-Knigths around them.

“Isn’t this bad!? How come this feels like the last time in the Ark?”

“Yes, I judge that the possibility is high. But according to the Radar, it will still take a little more until we catch up with Buzzheim and others who seem to be the robbery culptrit, about 70 mel ahead──”

“…..”

Airi bit her lips with a complex expression while being held by Noct’s Drake.

They heard explanation about the Dungeon’s alert state when they received instruction regarding this suppression mission.

About five minutes after the color inside Ruin changed, the stairs connecting the third floor and the second floor would be blocked. And there was danger that many Abyss would appear.

That ancient document absolutely had to be taken back.

──However, she also couldn’t expose the Triad to even more danger than this because of her selfishness.

“…As long as we have my Drake, we will be able to communicate within the Ruin using Dragon Voice. There’s about 50 mel left till we get to the stair connecting to the third level. They should be there.”

Noct said this in response to seeing Airi’s troubled face.

Sharis also spoke to the undecided Airi.

“Let’s go. There is no time to waste. The despicable thieves, as someone serving as the Academy’s vigilance committee, I will not stand them unless we pay them back.”

“That’s true~, they also harassed us a lot at the exam~”

“Yes, I will continue detecting the Abyss, so please leave securing the path of retreat to me.”

“──My apologies, everyone.”

Airi let out a weak voice toward the Triad who were considerate and helpful to her.

“I’d also like to test my skills after all. Let’s go Tillfur, Noct.”

“Roo~ger”

“Yes, my Lord” (English)

Tillfur and Noct responded to Sharis’s statement with a smile.

Right in front of the staircase leading to the third floor, it was discovered that Buzzheim and a small group of people were taking position there.

Buzzheim did not have any Drag-Ride equipped but he was holding on to Airi’s bag. However, the four men of Wanheim Principality’s military officer with him each were equipped with general purpose Drag-Ride.

Sharis quickly aimed her breath Gun and gave a warning.

“A warning towards all of you the officers of allied country Wanheim Principality! You are in possession of something that belongs to the civil official of our New Kingdom. If you return it now, I will nor report your deed to your superior and the incident will not turn into serious matter. But if you refuse, we will take it back by force!”

In response, Buzzheim face shifted from surprise into a sneer.

“…Just when I thought what you are going to say, but could you have gotten the wrong people? The package was something that was given by an acquaintance of mine.”

He said this as he retreated behind his subordinates.

“So you are refusing to return it. If so, I won’t be so polite in taking it back.”

The moment the finger of the Wyvern Sharis controlled touched on her Breath Gun, one of the followers wearing Wyrm rushed ahead suddenly.

He released a barrier to protect himself from the assault, so that he could forcefully charge forward even while deflecting bullet.

“The standard reaction huuh. That’s no good you know──”

Aware of the enemy’s movements, Tillfur who was similarly wearing Wyrm intercepted the enemy.

Tillfur’s Hammer swept aside the enemy’s Blade, making him lost balance. Then she landed a decisive blow to the shoulder of her opponent’s armor.

“Ga, ahh……!?”

When the man flinched backwards after witnessing that smooth blow, Sharis who had switched her weapon followed with an attack by her Blade. The enemy’s armor was dispelled after his Force Core received impact.

Furthermore, Noct kept covering Airi while pulling the trigger of her Breath Gun to hold back the other men who tried to join the fray. The three of them splendidly coordinated their strategy and acted all at once.

“This is checkmate, Buzzheim-dono.”

“Ku…!”

As Sharis’s sword was pointed at him, the defenseless Buzzheim groaned.

The outcome was decided.

If they returned with full speed from now, they could go back before the blockade of the stair between second floor and the third floor was completed.

As soon as Airi had a slight peace of mind, Buzzheim loudly called out.

“I-I will not give it back to you! I know that I am holding the evidence of of you hiding something that will lead to the Ruin’s secret! If you hurt me, I’ll expose everything in court! You wouldn’t want that. After all──”

“Is that so──then I’ll have you entrust that so called Ruin’s secret to me.”

“Na..!?”

The sudden incoming voice made Buzzheim, his men, the Triad, and Airi all freeze in place.

Standing there was a young man with delicate features clad in EX Wyvern, Dilwy Froias.

(Even though I don’t want it to get seen by this person too who is an army officer of new kingdom──)

Seeing how things have been going, Airi was desperately thinking about what to say to Dilwy.

However, the necessity of this disappeared a moment later.

“Wh-what are you saying!? Who will…ahh!”

*Zan-*, the EX Wyvern’s Blade swung and cut off the head of Buzzheim.

“-…!?”

Right after Airi and the Triad felt terrified, Dilwy’s Blade slashed once more.

Accompanied by the sound of air being cut away, the silver flash ran through the air and lopped off the head of the rest of Buzzheim’s followers who were dumbfounded.

“Wha, what are you──”

Giving a glance at Sharis who whispered with pale face, Dilwy carelessly snatched the blood soaked bag of Airi from the arm of the headless Buzzheim.

His presence was completely the same like his usual quiet attitude without any change.

But that was instead felt so hair-rising terrifying.

“Ah, sorry to frighten everyone.”

Dilwy said it with a deadpan face without revealing any emotion, as though what he had done was even less than crushing a bug.

“The squad that came with me are already heading back. Although it is quite difficult to communicate using Dragon Voice from this third level to the ground level, but in the unlikely chance you girls manage to call for help, it would be quite troublesome.”

“What are you saying? You…”

Sharis said with a slight trembling in her voice.

“Enough with the chit-chat. After all, threats require the necessary steps. So, how much should I say I wonder? Right, it’s nearly impossible for you to call for help. If you draw your weapon against me, then you will die. I will cut the hands and legs off of the three girls around you one by one before cutting their neck. Do you understand now? Well then, this thing about the way to the Ruin’s secret, could you please explain? Airi Arcadia?

“…………”

Airi could only shiver as the saliva in her mouth dried up.

Her heart and mind were unable to comprehend the reality in front of her.

However, one thing was obvious.

That, this man──was a horrifying enemy.

“Having said that, I did not expect that I can be this strong. Although my right wrist is now working thanks to that strange man──well, I don’t need to mention that too.”

“──Sharis, Tillfur, are you in position? The reaction is close.”

Adorned with her <Drake>, Noct whispered while holding a tense expression.

“Well, there is no other way──let’s go!”

Right after that call, Sharis’s Wyvern flew to the side.

Taking a deep breath, Noct grabbed Airi and she with Tillfur ran following Sharis.

“Sorry, but we aren’t a match against him! Your safety is the highest priority, Airi!”

Sharis shouted while searching for a different path to get to the second floor.

The understanding of the nearby terrain and the detection of Abyss had been finished using Noct’s Drake.

“It appears that you all are unable to understand your own strength from the Class promotion exam, huh? I was threatening because all of you have no escape.”

Dilwy spoke with a calm tone as he chased them with EX Wyvern.

“Unfortunately, I understand about myself. Your worry is unnecessary!”

When they arrived at spacious, straight channel, Sharis fled towards the cramped passage at the side.

“──!?”

In that moment, a roar from the darkness before them sounds out through the air.

“Indeed you are the commander’s daughter. That’s not half bad.”

Dilwy who noticed the Triad’s intention whispered with a fearless smile.

Sharis’s plan was to escape by making fellow formidable enemies clashed with each other.

A ferocious medium-sized Abyss intercepted Dilwy from the front.

===Part 12===

On the other side, since the mission was about to reach the time limit, and the Ruin entered the alert state, 90% of the Drag-Knights were returning to above ground.

It was not only to escape the changing, deteriorating terrain but also to intercept the Abysses that were summoned around the Ruin. The combat force needed to return back for that.

“What do you mean? Why can’t we go rescue them!?”

In the middle of the Lobby where many Drag-Knights were gathered, Lisha, dressed in pilot suit flared up at the commander of Wanheim.

“That is because, due to the regulation regarding the Ruins, people the New Kingdom shall not enter the Dungeon while it’s in alert state……”

“I already said that we can! Give us the permission already!”

As Lisha slammed her fist on the table, a voice came from behind them.

“──Good grief, could you please be quiet, your highness the princess of new kingdom.”

“-…!?”

A man in a blue coat made a sudden, unexpected appearance.

The Blue Tyrant──Singlen Shelbrit who had been concealing himself since last night.

Although the air was tense, he did not waver at all.

His dull black pupils were deeply dark like an abyss.

With that pair of eyes staring at her, Lisha slightly faltered.

“Can you explain to us? Our comrades are still trapped inside there.”

Singlen shrugged toward the grim gaze of Krulcifer standing beside Lisha.

“Oh? It seems that I was overestimating all you. I thought that although you all are just noble daughters playing around, you all are still people who belonged to the military after a fashion, looks like I’m wrong.”

“Don’t mess with me! There isn’t much time, so I can’t be sitting around pretending to make conversation with you!”

Krulcifer pushed out her hand to the side to hold Lisha back.

“The priority of the army is to protect Wanheim Principality’s princess Milmiette here──is that what you are saying?”

From Krulcifer’s words, Singlen merely responded with a smile.

Of course, although half of that reason was only a pretext. The truth was that they wanted as much combat force as possible to wipe out the Abysses that were appearing near the entrance quickly.

Thinking about it now, from the start this was the reason that princess Milmiette purposefully came to observe the exam personally.

If they recruited the officers of new kingdom to exterminate Abyss and the Ruin entered alert statem, they could gather combat force near the Dungeon’s entrance and made them protect the city. That was their aim.

The princess was a necessary presence to achieve each of these goals under just cause.

“This me who is holding the right of command this time have given the command to those in the Ruin to retreat. Well, do not worry, I will send in my men to search. If you’re lucky──hm? Aah”

There, a man wearing a white coat representing the White Ridge Knights whispered in Singlen’s ear.

“I see, it’s quite regrettable. Just now, it seems that the entrance to third level is blocked, and the bunches on the third level became stuck inside.”

“What──!?”

Hearing that, even the expression of Instructor Raigree who was keeping calm changed drastically.

At the second and third level, there was a mechanism to blockade the level entrance.

Thus, it was strictly forbidden to enter the third floor. However, some did it accidentally.

Such as the forces of Buzzheim and the troops of Dilwy.

Additionally, the members of the Triad and who entered last Airi were also imprisoned on the third level.

“It can’t be helped. The investigation of Ruin is always accompanied by accident. We will send in rescue team after the alert state is dispelled, made up from those who still have spare strength left at that time.”

Those words from Singlen changed the atmosphere.

“── Don’t screw around.”

A cold voice passed through the the noisy Lobby.

From behind Lisha, Lux showed up while walking towards Singlen.

“Are you saying that you are abandoning them knowing that they are left behind? You’re abandoning fellow Drag-Knights while having the strength to save──”

Lisha and Krulcifer were surprised at how Lux spoke with such a menacing force that was unlike him and they stared at his face.

“Don’t lose your temper handyman. This is also the decision o fthe consul managing Ruin’s Gear. The ones trapped on the third floor are mostly Middle Class or lower anyway. They are just obsolete bunch who fell behind without any significant ability or quality. In this current world──there is no leeway to save the weak.”

“The weak……you say?”

Singlen chuckled at the Lux’s quiet voice that contained rage.

“There also seems to be a few officer cadets mixed among those bunches. But, keep in mind, they are still military people. They should be resolved even with this kind of situation. A Ruin that is moving into alert state will summon a lot of Abyss to its surrounding in no time at all. In a situation where the enemy’s battle force surpassed yours, it’s the basic to do defensive battle at the base. You are planning on going to rescue them for the sake of your own so called sense of justice, and expose the people of the city to danger?”

“…………”

Lux had no words in response.

Lisha and others, along with the other military personnel who until now were insisting to rescue their comrades held their breath without being able to say any more objection.

Singlen’s words were fundamentally correct.

Plus they cannot disobey the man who was the current commander of operations.

Whispered sighs spread like at his words.The commotion was drawing back like ripple.

Even Wanheim’s military personnel who were demanding to send rescue team, along with the offices of the New Kingdom, they came to think that there was nothing they could do. However,

“So what?”

“…huh?”

Lux’s sudden words broke the silence.

He weaved through the gap of the bewildered soldiers and confronted Singlen.

“You said they are weak? That those who are left behind inside the Ruin, are bunches without significant ability or quality. That here, there is no leeway to save them.”

“I said that, so?”

“Your decision is mistaken.”

Lux muttered these words as he glanced around. Then he continued.

“Rescuing the suriving allied combat force is also our job. In this suppression mission, when the time limit is passed, even if we exterminate Abyss after that, it won’t add anything to our exam evaluation.”

“And?”

“The possibility is high that our allies who are left behind inside the Dungeon likely entered the third level because they fought the Abyss in an unexpected situation and headed toward the third floor while the time hadn’t run out. Or perhaps they chose that in order to save their comrade who was in the verge of danger. That’s why they ended up left behind inside the Ruin.”

Lux continued speaking matter-of-factly with calm demeanor.

“In the army, order is absolute. However, a knight that is able to make his own judgements considering the changing situations isn’t the same like a coward who is merely fliching in front of enemy and only tries to survive without problems. You ──which of the two are you?”

A burst of commotion spread throughout the Lobby.

Lux faced the commander of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Singlen who was also appointed as the commander of the operation this time, with opposing attitude right to his face.

“……….…”

Singlen mulled over Lux’s words quietly for a few seconds before giving an empty smile.

“Kukukukuku. You’re a more interesting man than I expected. My opinion of you has slightly changed. But see, you are a powerless human. At this place, you are unable to ignore the rules set by Wanheim Principality.”

“Certainly. ──Save ony one exception.”

Right after Lux answered, *Bang!* the door of the Lobby was kicked open and a man entered.

It was another member of Seven Dragon Paladins the same like Singlen, Greifer.

“I spoke to the geezers at the government office. If it is Seven Dragon Paladins who are recognized by the World Agreement, it seems they can exercise a unique authority even toward a Ruin of another country yeah? Especially in emergency cases, they can trespass into Ruin without going through protocol──”

“Greifer…”

“Well, my duty too originally was to protect the princess, but I also gotta go to search for that Coral.”

Lux felt his conviction from that sentence.

Right after that Lux turned again to face Singlen.

“I swear to the vice-captain of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Singlen Shelbrit. At this very minute, I aspire to become the Seven Dragon Paladins of New Kingdom Atismata!”

“-…!?”

The words of Lux took everyone by surprise.

As the ripples of noise spread, an uninhibited smile emerged on Singlen’s face.

“You’re taking a big step just to save your sister huh. The man who before this refused to join by that much.”

“Time is running short. Even if you disagree, I will go to rescue them even if I have to violate the rule.”

“──Fuh, fine then.”

Lux’s words caused Singlen to hold his laughter.

“I already obtained the consent of the people in authority. The last descendant of the old empire, the ruined prince Lux Arcadia. I’ll recognize you as the Seven Dragon Paladins of New Kingdom Atismata.”

Singlen loudly announced at the top of his voice toward everyone present.

While the Lobby was in commotion due to the surprises, Lux walked away as though he was parting through the officers.

Midway as he passed Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, and others, he stopped momentarily and whispered.

“My apologies, Lisha-sama. Please take care of the rest.”

Lisha understood what he meant and nodded back with a confident smile.

“…Got it, get the better of that twisted man and leave him speechless.”

“Yes.”

Lux nodded with a serious expression and then he stood at the edge of the spiral staircase’s entrance that connected to the Dungeon’s Gate.

“You’re ready, prince?”

Lux nodded his head wordlessly and pulled out Bahamut’s Sword Device.

Greifer also readied the Sword Device of Cuelebre. Together they kicked the handrail and jumped down to the center.

The people and the military surrounding them didn’t even have time to be surprised as a roar thundered from the Ruin.

──BIiiiiiiIIIII-!

“──!?”

Countless Abyss emerged from below the widely open spiral staircase through the Gate.

The first to approach them were the Gargoyles, Chimeras, and other winged beasts that flew at them in a straight line from the central hole.

Lux and Greifer both pushed the button of their Sword Device and equipped their respective Divine Drag-Ride.

“──Yoruka, I’ll leave them to you!”

After Lux’s sharp shout, numerous cuts appeared across the air. Just from that, the many Abysses were cut apart and scattered everywhere in the blink of eye.

After a breath, a Drake’s camoflauge function was lifted, and a black haired girl with exotic foreign clothes was revealed piloting a Divine Drag-Ride.

“I have been waiting impatiently for your command, my lord.”

The assassin Drag-Knight who was formerly called as the Empire’s Assassin Blade──Kirihime Yoruka.

In order to obtain assistance in this Ruin of foreign country where they were in a situation that was under many restrictiosn, Lux called for her even with the understanding of the dangers.

“Uoh!? Who the hell is this woman?”

“Don’t worry. She is my──ah, my companion.”

Lux who wasn’t an imperial family of the old empire anymore found it hard to call her as his servant or subordinate, so he spoke that.

Yoruka was falling while cutting down winged Abysses one after another that crossed path with her, as though being vanguard for Lux and Greifer.

Three people landed on the floor where four Abyss were cleared out at the same time. They then took position on the Gate’s entrance that was enveloped with dim darkness.

When Lux and co stood above the Gate wearing their respective Drag-Ride, they were immediately pulled into the inside.

At the same time Yoruka pulled out her Sword Device, and countless windows of light floated from her shoulder armor.

“Search Frame – On(Probe Mechanism – Boot Up)”

At the same time with Yoruka’s whisper, countless lines of light spread radially from her shoulder armor and spread widely, crawling in high-speed along the ground and walls of the Dungeon.

The Divine Drag-Ride of special equipment type, Yato no Kami was provided with functions like enemy search, camouflage, support, supplement, repair and so on. Its abilities were a few ranks above the general purpose Drag-Ride, Drake. (TN: The special equipment type here refer to Drake-type Drag-Ride that is installed with various ability that Wyvern-type and Wyrm-type doesn’t have)

“──My lord, your younger sister is still safe and sound. The three others around her are all right as well. From the coordinates, they are to the northeast part of the third level.Although they are moving little by little.”

Most likely, they were searching for the exit of third level while running away from enemy at the same time.

The three girls of the Triad were doing everything they could to protect Airi even under this situation.

Their escape route was blocked, and they were left behind. In that desperate situation, they didn’t give up and continued to fight.

Just this fact made strength welled up in Lux chest.

“Yoruka, can I ask you to guide us through the Dungeon? I want you to derive the shortest route while avoiding battle with Abyss as much as possible.”

“Affirmative my lord.”

Yoruka responded, at the same time she drove the four legs of Yato no Kami and jumped with a movement as though she was kicking midair.

That special armament that was called <Vacuum Step> made it possible to make that frame of special equipment-type Drag-Ride that possessed no ability to fly to move as though it was sliding in the air.

“I see, for you to have this kind of terrifying ally, looks like you prince got more then meet they eye huh.”

Greifer exclaimed in admiration from Yoruka’s expert performance. From time to time, he sent flying the Abyss that was coming from behind using his Tail Blade.

After a few minutes moving in high speed through the corridor, leaving behind the flowing scenery, Yoruka who was going ahead dropped her speed.

“We have arrived, my lord. It is right below us.”

“-……!?”

Seeing the scene, Lux could not help but be shocked.

Each floor had a large stair set up leading to the bottom. The entrance of the stair to the third level there was sealed by a solid iron lattice.

“Hah, just something like this──!”

Greifer filled his Tail Blade with energy and slashed, but only sparks flew out.

“──This is not an ordinary iron lattice!?”

Lux also followed, slashing his black great sword──Chaos Brandhe, but it bounced off the same.

The thick lattice around the size of an adult’s arm was only scratched a little.

It could possibly take them half an hour in order to break down the lattice.

“Nothing could be done, huh. Destroying this barrier is the key, but another way into the third floor is──”

“…………”

Lux bitterly kept thinking.

(Calm down, there should be other ways. If I remember right, when they explained this Dungeon’s structure description──)

[Lux-san! Are you close!? Please respond!]

“-……!?”

At that moment, communication came through from the Dragon Voice of Noct’s Drake.

[I am here, Noct! We are above your position on the second floor! But──]

“I know what you want to say, Lux-kun. We also tried it. If only we could destroy the partition between us, we will be able to escape somehow. ──But”

“Sharis-san! Airi! Everyone else too──”

Across lattice that divided the area──near the large stair, he could see the figure of the Triad and Airi.

They seemed to have struggle too, but as expected it seemed they also failed to destroy the lattice from the third floor side.

It was evidenced by Sharis’s weapon being in tatters.

“……Lux-kun, we are still safe. Don’t be too rash. The alert state of this Ruin won’t last for long right? Then it’s fine. If it’s just a few minutes, we will hold on somehow.”

“I’m rea-ally frazzled but, compared to Celis-senpai’s training this is still better perhaps.”

“Yes, I am used to waiting.”

Although Sharis and others showed a smile, it was obvious they were bluffing.

Their forehead and neck were covered with sweat, and ragged breathing could be heard.

They were fatigued from the Class promotion exam, in addition to the mission to suppress the Abyss that they participated in without resting.

On top of all that, they seemed to have been battling with some sort of formidable enemy several times as evidenced by the cracks in their armor.

“My lord, there is an influx of Abyss coming from behind us. On your younger sister’s side, there is the presence of Drag-Ride approaching. From their situation, it does not seem like that it’s an allied Drag-Knight.”

“…………”

Lux had an idea about a party who would aim at Airi.

TheDragon Marauder, whose goal was to explore Ruin and obtain treasures through any means to weaken the power of countries that currently were in possession of Ruin.

This threat was approaching the Triad and Airi from their side.

“Don’t worry about my safety, Nii-san. I am still okay—“

And then, Airi called out from behind Noct.

She had the same calm and graceful usual tone, with a smile of a young lady that smoothly navigated the society.

Lux also understood that she was acting tough.

“Airi, I understand.”

Thus, Lux also answered with his usual gentle smile.

Just like what he had done many times since their childhood in the past until now, he used the same voice like when he patted her head and told her this.

“I will come save you soon, so wait just a little bit more for me.”

“-……!?”

Lux’s words made Airi’s expression froze.

The mask of calmness she would always keep on her face gradually collapsed and her shoulder began trembling.

“N-Nii-san, what are you talking about. ……It won’t work, please consider the situation. In any case, the second level and the third level are completely separated now!”

Even so, Lux calmly breathed in without a single twitch on his expression.

“No──there’s a way.”

“──Eh?”

Lux calmly made a statement to that caused Airi and the Triad to stir.

“There is a one-way Portal in this Dungeon that connect to the lower floor. If we use that, we can get to the third floor evne from here.”

“Please hold on!? What are you thinking!? The Portal in this Dungeon will only lead you to the bottom! In order to save us, even you will be locked in. I don’t──want to become Nii-san’s burden anymore!”

“Airi…”

Seeing Airi shouting sadly, someone placed a hand on her head.

“We are also begging you. Don’t be too rash, Lux-kun.”

Sharis cut in with a gentle expression.

“I am very glad you are coming to save us. However, this is our responsibility. After all, we the Triad got lured here by that bunch. We were unable to see through their aim and exposed Airi-chan to danger.”

“Yes, we too do not wish to be a hindrance anymore to Lux-san.”

“We-ell, you don’t have to worry so much. We’ve survived till now, haven’t we──”

And so Sharis and Noct requested, and Tillfur echoed their sentiments with a wry smile.

They have obviously been through quite a bit with all the wounds over their body, but the four acted tough so not to burden Lux even more than this.

“No matter what, we the Triad will do our utmost to protect your sister. So──”

Sharis said it with a somewhat lonely tone, but also with the conviction of a warrior.

But──

“──Yoruka, can you confirm the location of the transporter at the third level?”

“What…!?”

The words that Lux said with serious face caused the face of the three Triad to change color.

“Why do you go so far…”

While Airi whispered with a stunned look, Yoruka gave her report to Lux indifferently.

“It looks like it’s a little far from here. It’s position is to the northeast.”

“Understood. I want you to stay here and lure the Abyss swarm that come. Can I leave it to you?”

“It is regrettable that I cannot join you my lord, but it cannot be helped isn’t it.”

Yoruka responded with a hearty smile and she took a stance with her katana-type Blade.

“Let’s go, Greifer!”

“Got it. I too gotta go find that Coral.”

Lux steered Bahamut towards the Portal.

“Everyone! Hold on a bit longer!”

Right after he yelled, he left the stair in the blink of eye and quickly flew wearing through the corridor.

Before long they found a circle engraved with some unknown text. They landed on it.

The time it took the Portal to move them towards the interior of the Ruin was quite short.

The light began to overflow around Lux and Greifer along with the Drag-Ride.

“Sorry, Greifer for dragging you with me.”

“Hah, I have not gotten weak enough that I require your highness’ concern.”

In reply to Lux’s apology, Greifer laughed confidently.

In that moment, their weight seemed to disappear and their vision is covered by light.

As their field of vision cleared up, some medium sized Abyss were coming.

It was a situation that if it was the average Drag-Knight, this would become an assault that was like an ambush where they wouldn’t even be able to react.

However, the two members of of the Seven Dragon Paladins didn’t waver at all even in this siutaiton and they moved.

“──Photon Dive.”

As sharp teeth and claws approached, Greifer’s Cuelebre was wrapped in light.

The Divine Raiment that performed invincibility for a few seconds repelled the attack of the Abyss before his eyes, it was at that moment Lux’s Bahamut took action.

“Reload on Fire.”

Time was compressed, and then his speed was accelerated by several fold which he used to launch super speed slashes.

Criss-crossing slashes from a blade resulted in the beast’s body to be completely hacked to pieces.

Originally, it required preparation to counter the enemy’s attack. However, Greifer’s Photon Dive created an opening that allowed Lux to attack.

“You took the prey, huh. Oh well, not much time left anyway, I’ll forgive you.”

“Much appreciated.”

Lux expressed his appreciation, then continued flying towards where Airi was.

However, although the Ruin was under alert state, surprisingly few Abyss appeared.

He felt it strange even while they arrived at the location of the Triad and Airi.

Across from them, the girls were facing a man.

“So you all also came here?”

The Silver Flash, Dilwy Froias.

A military officer who at this occasion was serving as a group leader leading the soldiers of new kingdom who were taking exam here.

“Well yeah. Rather than that where is your comrades? Also by the way, have you seen a Drag-Knight with a girly face named Coral or a man named Buzzheim?”

Landing nearby, Greifer raised some questions.

Lux intended to ask a question, when Sharis made a tense voice.

“Both of you be careful! That man is suspicious! Buzzheim and his men were also killed by him!”

Lux and Greifer were puzzled after hearing those words.

But, Dilwy, who didn’t look bothered at the slightest, began laughing softly.

“That is a misunderstanding. They were attacked by some parasitic Abyss. And these kids saw me clean up the situation so they think I killed them. Why would I kill people of my own country and the soldier of Wanheim?”

“So…what is that thing in your hand then?”

“Oh this. This is something Buzzheim-dono dropped. I picked it up to hold on to it for now. But the content is somewhat suspicious for this to be his item. Inside there is a diary of a girl and some ancient archives from Ruin slipped in between.”

“…………”

After he muttered, he opened that ancient document and traced its text in a display.

“Even though I look like this, I am very interested in these treasures related to Ruin. I also once spent my time deciphering ancient text. I don’t understand the exact content of this text because I’m not that knowledgable though.”

“What are you saying──”

“The only thing that I understand from this text, is Holy Arcadia Empire──only that name. I’ve never heard that this kind of ancient document has been submitted. I have connection with the consuls of the royal capital see. If this document is something that you secretly concealed, then you two will need to be questioned for the responsibility……no, about the connection between that old empire and the Ruin.”

“──?!”

Airi had a tragic expression after hearing this.

The secret that she thought should not be known to others was exposed now.

“Lux Arcadia. And Airi Arcadia. Are you two siblings knows about something? The old empire, and its connection to the Ruin that is described in this ancient document. The true identity of the two of you the imperial family of the old empire──”

Dilwy’s words surprised everyone at that place.

Between the intermittent alarm sounds and shaking red light, Lux breathed calmly.

“……I don’t know. Even if I did I wouldn’t tell you.”

He stared at Dilwy with cold eyes.

“You want to ask why…it is because you are a Dragon Marauder’s spy, infiltrating the new kingdom’s military looking for a chance.”

“──?!”

As Lux asserted this, everyone there was tense.

“Why did you take your comrades into the third level of this Ruin? It is well known that the dungeon is deep, and exploring it is not allowed. For such an honest and loyal soldier who is famous like you, why would you commit such baffling act?”

“…You think too highly of me, Lux-kun. I am not perfect. Even I will make a miss when several unfortunate accidents piled up one after another.”

Lux continued staring at Dilwy who was smiling bitterly.

“The purpose of the criminals Dragon Marauder is to plunder treasures in the Ruin in order to hamper the countries’ military power. You caused the ruins to enter an alert state, you also provoked Buzzheim to steal the ancient document my sister had, in order to lay the blame on her, while you yourself will search for the secret of the Ruin──”

“……I have said several times already, kid. Buzzheim-dono was killed because he was possessed by Abyss. Are you so committed to make me out as a traitor so you can escape from my question?”

“The Portal to go to the third level is a one way road that go from above to below. That’s why, in the case you go down the level without using that, you won’t be conscious of the stair location. Can you grasp the route I used from the place where I was transferred to reach until this spot?

“…………”

Lux’s question elicited only silence from Dilwy and his expression vanished.

“The corpse we saw had no trace of possession because of Abyss. In other words──”

“There isn’t anything else to say, meek man. You are the traitor who killed your own comrades.”

Greifer calmly finished Lux’s words, and held up his Tail Sword.

Lux and Greifer deliberately showed an ignorant attitude based on their suspicion of Dilwy.

“—Hu”

As Dilwy heard their words, the atmosphere changed.

“It seems that I underestimated you a little. The true identity of the Black Hero was you, a kid that appeared to be nothing special. Honestly, it was hard to believe.”

“Then, as expected my bag was stolen becauase──?”

As Airi whispered, Dilwy’s shoulders shook in laughter.

“You misunderstand, it was purely by chance. I was just watching you. I happened to overhear your conversation with Singlen and induced Buzzheim by giving him hint to steal the bag with the ancient document. Another option would be using the magic flute to mae the Abyss kidnap you.”

“The plan was well-planned but the execution was stupid. Do you truly believe you can deal with two users of Divine Drag-Ride by yourself?”

Taking Greifer’s words as a signal, Lux also raised his great sword.

When the explosive situation reached the limit, Dilwy’s both eyes snapped open and he flew high.

“-……!”

The celing was flashing with the red warning light.

From there, he swooped down and unleashed a stabbing attack with his Blade.

From above──especeially from right overhead was the position that Drag-Ride found it the most difficult to defend against.

When Lux and Greifer barely avoided that attack, the Blade of the EX Wyvern Dilwy was riding grazed through.

“This guy…!?”

*Ceng!* As the crisp sound of air being sliced resounded, a slash drawing the trajectory of creascent moon came flying.

Greifer twisted his body to avoid the attack. Then Dilwy quickly turned his right wrist resulting in a second cut, third cut, till fifth slash cutting the air.

Criss-cross. Cascading shocks from the slashes crossing many times over were also moving towards Lux next.

Lux avoided the slashes by a mere millimeter, as the rocks behind him became engorged with countless deep cut marks.

“Shot Blade(Dragon Teeth Shot Sword)──, a rare weapon that general purpose Drag-Ride can use huh……”

Although the performance was not equal to that of special armament of Divine Drag-Ride, rare weapon with level of performance that was close to that existed.

The Shot Blade, it could release energy from the forward motion of it blade, releasing arrow-like shots with a slash.

Lux heard from Sharis that Dilwy’s famous ”Silver Flash” nickname came from the fact that he was more skilled than anyone else with using that special armament.

“That’s quite something. So the rumor that you are a man who cannot stand anymore in front line because your right hand is broken and unusable is just a bluff huh. That’s some personality you got there.”

“You are incorrect──. Until last night, I was a weakling exactly like your description.”

“…What do you mean?”

Dilwy quietly smiled while listening to Lux’s question.

“Why!? Why would──! You who are my father’s direct subordinate, why would you collude with the Dragon Marauder?”

As the daughter of the deputy commnader of the New Kingdom’s military, Sharis shouted at that conversation, resulting in Dilwy’s exasperated sigh.

“Stupid question. A rich lady who happen to stand out among the weakling and is contented with her lot won’t get it. You see, I have aaalways been dissatisfied. Five years ago, I was injured by the ‘calamity’ of Blackend Kingdom, and after returning home, I entered under the banner of the new kingdom as Drag-Knight of moderate faction.”

“Then, you…!?”

“You are of the rebel army that inherited the will of the Old Empire…is that correct?”

Tillfur and Noct flared up, but Dilwy snorted.

“That’s a shallow thinking. I am not interested in that sort of label. Whether it is the Old empire or the New Kingdom, it doesn’t matter. I, Dilwy Froias, being born as a man in a family of knights only aim to become the strongest Drag-Knight.”

“-……!? For that sort of goal, you abandon the New Kingdom to join the Dragon Marauder? You go so far as to ignore her majesty’s kindness in promoting you as a non-commisioned officer──”

When Airi shouted incredulously, Dilwy wordlessly pulled out his Shot Blade.

It cut through the air with a strange sound and the shockwave pierced the air flying towards Airi’s neck.

Noct moved to block the attack but her defense was broken, with the shockwaves hitting even her clothes.

“Guh, ah…!”

“Noct!?”

“Shut up please. Did I ask for your opinion? Mindless pawns will be mindless pawns, you can just feel satisfied as you are being used. Someone not even aiming for the top, not even lamenting their own powerlessness, existing just to complete the orders given to them. How can incompetent like that understand my distress?”

“-……!?”

His words caused the Triad to show pained expression.

But the next moment, two Drag-Knights attacked towards Dilwy’s sneering face.

“──Don’t screw around.”

Lux’s Bahamut flew parabolically.

He used the momentum from the free fall to add some power to his attack as he swooped past.

The use of the free fall part of the flight path (Downflow) was a higher level technique with more force than a stabbing attack.

Even if Dilwy’s skill let him rivaled EX Class Drag-Knight, it should be difficult to counter the power in the incoming attack, but──.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitudes.”

“……-!?”

At the moment they crossed each other, Dilwy’s <EX Wyvern> released a barrier which shocked Lux.

It was a parrying technique that made use of tuning, to create sharp force field that averted attacl from left to right.

That is the special move of barrier manipulation that the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit showed Lux.

Dilwy grinned wickedly and swung his Blade to Lux whose attack was evaded and showed a defenseless back.

He is aiming at the brainstem part, where the barrier of the armor was thin.

Greifer’s Tail Sword blocked that attack which assaulted in a timing of certain kill.

The force by their attacks caused both of them to be repelled backwards away from each other.

“Hah, what a terrifying person, to be able to use even that vice captain-sama’s technique. Well, you ain’t gonna win against me with just that though.”

“…Seven years ago I once studied under Sir Singlen. At that time I was unable to learn any of his moves. But now, I finally obtained skill of that level.”

Dilwy muttered to himself intoxicatedly.

“Wanheim Principality’s Seven Dragon Paladins…… If it’s you who start from being a lowly orphan and climbed up until being the princess’s aide, you should be able to understand my pride too aren’t you?”

“Unfortunately, I ain’t interested in your life. Let’s finish this quickly yeah, Dragon Marauder’s spy.”

“You are after all, just a wild dog lured by bait. ──Then, let me finish you off here.”

While taking Greifer’s shower of attacks one after another, Dilwy suddenly fired towards the ground with his Howling Howl.

“-……!?”

Large amounts of dust suddenly arose inside the gloomy underground of the Dungeon, and then numerous silver flashes of light headed towards Greifer.

“──Photon Dive!”

Greifer’s Cuelebre wasted no time to activate its Divine Raiment of invisibility and all the slashes from the Shot Blade were deflected.

This was the battle style of Greifer and Cuelebre that excelled in defensive ability.

Not giving the opponent the opportunity to counter-attack and dragged it into a battle where they could only defend while destroying all path of retreat──it was like a seasoned hunter tracking his enemy before giving the final blow.

However, he was affected by the smoke cloud that made him lose track of Dilwy’s silhouette.

“──What!?”

As Greifer’s eyes search for his lost target, EX Wyvern jumped out from behind Airi and the Triad.

“-……!?”

“──Reload on Fire.”

But, Lux who stood on his way a moment quicker activated Bahamut’s Divine Raiment.

Using his time compression, he released consecutive high-speed slashes.

The slashes aimed towards EX Wyvern’s wrists and shoulders in an attempt to break the barrier. But in that moment, Lux noticed something and he changed his movement.

Five Daggers were thrown in parabolic arc from behind Dilwy.

Lux immediately knocked them down and at the end he aimed at Dilwy’s armor.

But, his attack was barely blocked by Shot Blade and a distance was opened once more between them.

“Even though I was hiding inside smokescreen so my attack pattern wouldn’t be read, even so my movement was still predicted──that’s really something isn’t it? I’m getting a better opinion on you two now.”

“…………”

Having two Divine Drag-Rides as his opponent at the same time, Dilwy still revealed a composed expression.

Seeing this, Lux had a strange sensation in his chest.

Although Greifer too maintained a casual attitude, he gradually began to frown with suspicion.

(Certainly, he might be already a brilliant Drag-Knight from the beginning, but──)

No matter how he was using an EX Wyvern with stacked up tuning and he was an expert of a rare weapon, but would that be enough to make him able to fight the current Lux and Greifer until this much?

“It looks like, your royal highness is also confused huh?”

Greifer suddenly said such thing as he stood there.

“It’s really strange. With that Drag-Ride and armament, it’s not like that sort of move is impossible──but, no matter how I see it that man is strange. I cannot say it well but, he ain’t a normal human for sure.”

Lux agreed with Greifer.

But, he still wasn’t really confident with his hypothesis.

“Is that it? That is your limit? The name of Seven Dragon Paladins is going to cry you know?”

Greifer steps forward to meet the mocking Dilwy.

“You’re on. I’m also tired hearing your lecture, I’ll finish this in the next move.”

Then, Cuelebre flew and threw numerous Daggers towards Dilwy.

“Stupid man. Do you not understand that these tricks don’t work on me?”

In response, Dilwy moved his Shot Blade swiftly in various arcs to release shockwaves.

The mesh-shaped shockwaves entangled the Daggers and deflected them.

In long-range battle, Dilwy’s Shot Blade held the advantage.

When Greifer activated Photon Dive to defend against the silver flashes heading towards him, Dilwy grinned.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitudes. How incompetent can you be to use the same move twice in a battle.”

Dilwy formed a barrier forcefield in the timing of impact to parry the attack from right to left.

Greifer’s slash was dodged and he stood still with his defenseless back exposed to Dilwy.

“I have seen through the amount of time you can operate your Divine Raiment. ──You should apologize to your princess from the other world.”

Without missing the opportunity, Dilwy slashed at his back.

However──,

“…what!?”

Instead of what Dilwy expected, Cuelebre’s Photon Dive did not end, the light wall was deflecting the slash toward the back.

Realizing his mistake, Dilwy attempted to flee from Greifer’s thrust, however it was too late.

“──The one incompetent is you right? I fought a woman who saw through this right from the start y’know?”

The stretching Tail Blade drew a spiral trajectory to avoid Dilwy’s barrier and pierced his barrier.

As the blade cut across his chest, droplets of fresh blood rushed out.

“Gobah…!?”

Dilwy vomited blood as his eyes rolled back.

At that moment──the outcome was decided.

“…As I thought. It is easy to deal with opponents that you do not need to worry about killing.”

The Photon Dive’s duration on Cuelebre.

Normally Greifer would deliberately fixed the duration of his Divine Raiment to a certain period and lifted the effect in short several seconds to mislead people of the timing of his invincibility.

Although Lux heard about this matter from Krulcifer after the All-Dragon battle, it was still a splendid plan.

“Now then, we gotta think about how to get out of here. Although most of the Abyss seems to be gone outside, we still need to find that Coral.”

The relaxed Greifer turned away from Dilwy’s dead corpse.

At that moment, Lux noticed something strange.

“Behind you! Greifer!”

“────”

Greifer heard Lux and turned back around while holding up the Tail Blade as a shield.

However, his defense was a little slow. And Dilwy’s Blade bit deeply into his armor.

“Guh, ah…!?”

Greifer was blown backward, but he somehow held his ground.

Dilwy, who should have been completely dead, continued to move.

His chest was cracking, like dried fish.

“Wha…what the hell is this guy?!”

Greifer who was normally aloof had a distorted expression from shock.

It wasn’t an illusion nor a fantasy. Dilwy, who could not have possibly survived the fatal injury, was giving a gruesome smile.

His hand was not holding the EX Wyvern’s control lever, but a small knife.

There was a strange burst of seven-color aura coming out of the knife.

“…I will not lose. Because that hero has saved me! I who was clinging even to Dragon Marauder looking for hope, is filled with this light……!”

“What did, you mean!?”

“Let me awaken! My voice, my cry, my shout, if they are reaching….. Grant ”Baptism” throughout my whole body, guide me! Oh ”Elixir”!”

*Stab*. Dilwy, with his trembling hand, inserted the knife into his own left chest. With the knife in his chest, he underwent another strange mutation.

“-……!? Wh-What is that? What is happening!?”

Sharis who was watching from the side was stunned as she whispered.

While Everyone present was taken by shock, Dilwy’s body that was still wearing EX Wyvern was suddenly──transforming.

The same black pattern that was running on his right wrist spread out from his left chest to the rest of his body.

His body was like a pale flame wrapped in waves of heat, being colored darker and darker.

His skin became darker than night, while his hair turned white.

His eyelids opened wide, showing eyes radiating a scarlet red light like fresh blood.

“Wh-What is that…? It is not the Drag-Ride──but he himself that is changing──!?”

“Yes, the cause of calamity that occurred in various places, could it be……”

“Nocturnal……, is this the new type Abyss──!?”

Tillfur, Noct, and Airi were shaking as this devil began to make its first sound of its birth in this world.

“SHAaAAAAAAAaAAAAaaAAAAaAaAAAAAAAH!”

It was the roar of devil from a human that wasn’t a human.

That monstrous shriek was far more terrible than the Abyss that was the nemesis of human. The screams shocked the walls o fthe Dungeon as well as the eardrums of everyone present.

The time passing seemed to be a mesh of nightmare with reality as the devil flew together with the Drag-Ride.

“──!?”

Fast.

Compared to the winged Abysses they fought previously, he was considerably faster.

EX Wyvern creeped along the ground in a very low flight.

If a blunder was made──no, with a speed that wouldn’t stop even if it crashed on the opponent, Dilwy who was changed into devil attacked Lux.

“Kuh…!”

He did not have time to use Reload on Fire to accelerate time.

Lux swung his great sword using Quick Draw and slashed horizontally at Dilwy who was approaching like a bullet.

──But,

“Ku ku ku──this is the strength of the so called Black Hero?”

“……-!?”

Lux was shocked as the dark voice reached his ear.

Dilwy’s Shot Blade met Lux’s Chaos Brand, resulting in the projection of some intense sparks.

“…Gu!?”

Lux was blown directly to the side from receiving the charge’s gust of wind.

Dilwy who looked like he was going to crash on the rock wall sharply dove up on the spot.

He quickly somersaulted through the air, then moved towards Greifer next.

“What..!? This thing──”

From a super low-altitude flight to rapidly rising followed by a rapid dive into a backflip.

The more preeminent someone was in handling Drag-Ride, the more they would understand just how impossible that movement was.

Drag-Ride couldn’t be moved with just pure operating skill.

Things like the burden on the rider’s body and stamina, the timing of breathing, and so on existed.

No matter how proficient someone was at swimming, they wouldn’t be able to dive underwater for tens of minutes without breathing.

Thus, witnessing Dilwy making impossible movements for a Drag-Knight created a moment of opening in Greifer which Dilwy took advantage of. Greifer was blown away.

“Chih…! This damn monster”

Lux and Greifer adjusted their movement in preparation for pursuing attack.

But unexpectedly Dilwy and the EX Wyvern flew until near the ceiling of the hall, taking a position to look down on everyone there.

“──!? Everyone, quick! Defend yourselves!”

Lux immediately understood his intentions, and at the same time he flew to where Airi and others were at.

The devil’s eyes glowed deep red and grinned wickedly while overlooking the scenery.

Next, the right hand armor gripped the Shot Blade which began to emit light energy.

“──Silver Flash, Hail Fang”

*Gin-!* With a roaring sound that could be heard splitting through the air, a flash of shockwave that drew an arc like crescent moon was fired.

Originally, the silver flash the Shot Blade fired was limited to several shots per breath because of the burden on the user’s stamina and mind.

But this attack appeared to be an unending torrent of rain of light pouring down on the Dungeon’s zone.

“────”

Several hundred overlapping sound of slicing wind and the destruction sound of the ground getting pulverized could be heard.

The storm of hail that reached them in less than a second erased the stifled scream of the girls, blowing away even their consciousness and thought.

Their breathing stopped in their tenseness and fear, and ashes were swept up that blocked their vision.

As it felt like the endless nightmare was ending──before long, Airi opened her eyes.

“……U, ah.”

Due to the aftermath of the attack, dust covered their bodies.

The previously sturdy walls of rock were cut apart, and the terrain was completely different.

While lying on the debris, Airi gingerly moved her fingertips.

Fortunately, her body was intact.

In addition, the Triad were lying around her with their Drag-Ride cancelled off.

“Everyone──please, get ahold of yourself.”

Perhaps due to being strained to their physical limit, the three of them could only stir a little bit.

Airi intended to call for help but as she looked up, the scene made her at a loss for words.

“──Ha, hah, ku…a”

Buried in the rubble with Bahamut, Lux was breathing hard.

Fatigued from all the fighting, Lux’s face had an anguished expression and his whole body was dripping with sweat.

“End Action huh……. a hidden move of Drag-Ride operation that was introduced during the Old Empire days, a technique that unleashed unlimited slashes. But even it has to end, and it seems your strength has finally reached its limit.”

“Damn……, it”

In an equally ragged state, Greifer in Cuelebre was laying at the opposite side of Lux.

The invincibility of his Photon Dive could only be maintained for about 10 seconds at maximum.

So, on this prolonged, uninterrupted attack that lasted more than ten second, he naturally could not make it out unscathed.

At the same time, Lux too was protecting Airi, and the Triad using End Action and he succeeded, but it took everything he had to do so.

The two of them were exhausted until very nearly the limit while they did their all so only their Divine Drag-Ride wouldn’t get desummoned.

That was their only way to resist in their current state.

“──Magnificent.”

Dilwy smirked in intoxication in the air as he looked down from above at everyone who was standing still unable to move.

“Ah, what a wonderful power.”

He kept muttering to himself heartily.

“The officer cadets of the new kingdom, a Seven Dragon Paladins, the Black Hero……I transcended and surpassed all their strength. Dilwy Froias is able to return in his true form as a Drag-Knight who aimed for the seat of the strongest like in the past. I will be able to realize the dream that I have held through a long time from here on. I’ll immediately build a new legend. I can surpass the Blue Tyrant──the mentor who once abandoned me. If it’s the current me, even that will soon come true.”

Dilwy ended his intoxicated self-praising words, and moved his venomous red eyes towards Lux.

“Although the outcome has already been decided, I do have some questions left for you, Lux Arcadia.”

He opened Airi’s bag and pointed to one of the lines of text in the ancient documents.

“The name of ”Arcadia” recorded in this ancient text. I wanted to ask before I killed you if you are associated with these Ruin, and know something about it.”

“……You have already betrayed everyone, what is the point? Just what do you intend to obtain by becoming the strongest Drag-Knight whatever for the sake of Dragon Marauder?”

Although his breathing was ragged, even then Lux’s eyes weren’t dead.

Seeing this, Dilwy’s jet black face twisted as he laughed with bared teeth.

“The Dragon Marauder you say…? I have no more business with them. My goal was to attain even greater power from this Ruin. In order to prove my strength as Drag-Knight, I need to cause more chaos and great war……!”

His body was wrapped in dark desire and resentment.

It was the answer of the man who was writhing in agony from being toyed by the reign of the old empire and the distortion of the era.

His path as Drag-Knight met setback, his hope stolen, and after clinging on his past for a long time, this was his true real nature.

“Don’t make me ask you a second time, Lux Arcadia! Give me all the knowledge you own, show me the path to reach the deepest layers of these ruins! Otherwise──”

Dilwy turned his ominous crimson gaze towards Airi and the Triad, and he yelled.

The roar of devil shook the air around him. Right then,

“Understood. It looks like, this is as far as it goes.”

Airi who was dirtied by the dust of the smashed rock wall slowly stood up and muttered.

“Nii-san over there──No, that person who I called brother and used by me, the Lord(Creator) of the Ruin is ignorant of my true identity. Asking him is useless.”

“Ai,ri…?”

Lux who stood up trying to rally up Bahamut saw his sister’s cold expression and icy eyes.

“Hou, you are saying that you are a survivor of Ruin, connected to the name of Arcadia written here? That you were hiding it all this time until now?”

“More accurately speakling, I just forgot about it. In order to protect my own safety──but, there is no meaning even if I hide it in this situation. Even I value my own life.”

Airi spoke these words fluently.

Then, she looked at the bewildered Lux with a cold expression.

“When I found that old document, I remembered. That my true identity is one of the Lords, Aeril vi Arcadia, and also my original purpose and mission──”

“Y-you, what are you saying…? What is the meaning of this, Airi missy!”

Airi turned a deaf ear to Sharis, who could only move half her body.

“In any case, the man who I called as “Nii-san” and used as my guard is not usable anymore. But──at the present, even I the Lord is unable to completely control the Ruin. If you promise that you will guarantee my life, I will cooperate with you to a certain degree you know?”

“Hou…”

The expression of the devil who heard that distorted inhumanly in joy.

“I do not think you have any other choice. By yourself, you won’t be able to use the true function of the Ruin fully.”

“Very well…”

‘Ku ku’, the devil Dilwy’s shoulders shook with laughter.

“Now, come over here. I’ll listen to the story of this so called Lord without rushing.”

“──Then, excuse my leave, everyone.”

Airi whispered without any emotion as she moved towards Dilwy.

“…wait, a minute, Airi.”

Noct and Tillfur were conscious but could not move as they lied on the floor.

Airi glanced coldly at that as she walked towards Dilwy, and then──,

*Zan-*

A jet black dragon landed down between them in a position that seemed to shield Airi from the devil.

His heart was beating furiously and he could not control his breathing. His body also clearly displayed his fatigue. But Lux was somehow able to move his body.

“……You are in my way. I have already said I don’t have any use of you anymore.”

Airi coldly criticized as she said with slight frown.

But,

“──I won’t let you go. I have already decided that I won’t let anyone take away those I cherish anymore.”

“Hah”

Dilwy’s eyes shot towards Lux. Looking into his determined eyes, Dilwy laughed and readied his Shot Blade.

Multiple silver flashes pierced Bahamut’s fragile barrier.

Not being able to withstand the impact, Lux’s upper body cracked with multiple red lines.

“Gu…!”

However, he did not back down as he rushed toward Dilwy before him.

Even as his body was swaying due to physical exhaustion, he slashed down an attack using his great sword with a sharp trajectory. Dilwy casually evaded it and struck Lux’s body with his Shot Blade.

Even so, Lux immediately regained his fighting posture and charged forward once more.

However, before Lux’s great sword found its mark, Dilwy deflected it with his own sword.

“You still try even though you know it is futile, how unsightly. So the true identity of the Black Hero is only something like this.”

Lux unabatedly continued his assault while ignoring Dilwy’s scornful words.

In contrast, Airi began to feel pain as she witnessed the scene.

“Stop──please, stop already!”

Airi yelled seeing the heavily wounded Lux showing no sign of stopped fighting even then.

“Why, are you doing something like that!? You, you don’t need to fight for my sake anymore, so why──”

“I changed my mind. Although I’m still interested in you, I’ll bring you down here. Together with everyone else too.”

Dilwy made a quick backhand stroke and flashes of silver flew towards the Triad who were lifting up their upper body.

Lux flew and intercepted the roaring silver flashes.

“-……!”

Due to the pressure of the impact, Lux’s face was covered with thin red lines.

Even through all of that, Lux continued to glare at Dilwy with fearless eyes.

“Lux, kun……”

“Lux-chi……”

“……Lux, san”

The members of Triad were speechless seeing him covering even their tattered self.

Witnessing this scene, Airi had a faintly pained expression on as she held her hands on her chest.

“-……!?”

“I can’t understand. Are you that stupid? Even though there is no reason to save your sister who already betrayed you, even though there will be no advantage saving those useless small fries in this situation. Ku ha ha ha ha. Is it just like Singlen said? You really don’t have any reason to fight, you try to save someone just because you want to be loved? A pitiful──”

“──Shut up”

“What?”

Lux commanded with a cold, yet threatening tone.

“Don’t you notice anything? Why Airi said those words, why she went as far as lying, pretending to be unrelated to us.”

“-……!?”

Airi’s cold mask was on the verge of collapse at Lux’s words.

“Airi wants to save us. Even if it gains the resentment of her friends, even if she has to become the villain, even though she cannot use a Drag-Ride, even so she is constantly thinking about what she can do, and fight.”

“……..”

“I remembered……. Whether as the prince of the Old Kingdom, or a criminal of the New Kingdom, the reason I fight has not changed in the slightest since the past.”

In order to protect the people important to him.

No matter how powerful and unyielding the authority(plot) Lux faced, he swore he would accomplish its destruction in his own way.

“Since I failed at that time──I thought that it would be fine if I entrust my dream to someone else.”

Lux thought that his path was to protect Lizsharte, the princess of the new kingdom, and cooperated for the sake of her ideal.

“But, I’m wrong. It won’t be meaningful if my ideal doesn’t come true together with it.”

When an enemy that he couldn’t match was standing in his way, if he had to consider his important people as weak and abandoned them like Singlen──he would rather fight, became stronger, he swore he would protect them.

“I’m──not going to give up anything. I won’t let someone like you, take away even a single one of these girls who are important to me.”

Although blood was dripping from his head and whole body onto his armor, Lux’s willpower didn’t wither in the slightest.

“──Hah! Then I will teach you your helplessness right here! You powerless hero!”

Dilwy sharply flew forward and brandished up his Shot Blade, rushing toward Lux.

He violently drove his EX Wyvern and struck with a terrific slash.

“You can’t protect anyone! Let me show you!”

Dilwy released silver flashes towards Airi.

Lux intended to block the attack, but the number of attacks were too great and several slipped through him──however,

“Don’t worry about us, Lux-kun!”

Sharis shouted from behind.

The Triad stood up once more in their Drag-Rides and worked together to make a solid barrier to shield Airi.

“What are you all doing! Don’t move so carelessly! Wearing Drag-Ride in that condition will make you──”

“It’s all good, Airi-chan.”

Sharis smiled even as blood was dripping from her forehead while the other two also nodded in agreement.

“Even though we look like this, we are not playing around. We cannot just lie down sleeping. It doesn’t matter even if we are powerless in the present situation, we can’t just stand around doing nothing after seeing how you and Lux are fighting.”

“We-ll yeah, we can still move after a fashion……”

“Yes, we will fight until our last breath.”

“You all……”

Airi whispered while the three of them were adjusting their formation.

“Thank you──everyone.”

Lux thanked them as he resumed his battle with Dilwy.

With the three’s assistance, the task of protecting Airi was left to them. Lux was gradually pushing on Dilwy.

But──,

“Let me tell you……all of your struggling is futile!”

Dilwy once again soared towards the ceiling while waving his Shot Blade.

“You are definitely finished this time──Silver Flash, Hail Fang!”

“You’re gonna be the one to die yeah, blackened uncle.”

Unnoticed by anyone, Cuelebre rushed to meet EX Wyvern that was going to unleashes storm of slashes from the silver flash once more.

“──You!?”

“I’m thinking that I’m not gonna die here for the sake of our princess. I too ain’t able to bear it see, that I keep getting looked down by sleazebag like you.”

Greifer concentrated all his energy and with a dazzling, shining light cut down with the Tail Blade.

Seeing the spiral curve of the attack, Dilwy was snickered.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitude.”

The moment just before the blade’s tip touched, a forcefield of barrier that was formed with diagonal track repelled the attack of Tail Blade──wasn’t what happened here.

“What-…!?”

“Don’t underestimate someone else too much, uncle. Certainly I’m really reckless, but can learn y’know?”

The blade with multi joint drew an arc with a movement that avoided the barrier and entangled the blade of the Shot Blade.

It was a deluding attack that pretended to aim at the body but actually attacked the opponent’s weapons.

“Your struggling is futile! ──How unsightly, you stray dog!”

But, Dilwy who was taken by surprise counterattacked with Howling Howl without delay.

The impact was several times more powerful than the attack output of an average Drag-Ride, and Greifer was blown far backwards.

“……-!?──Well fine, I’ve made an opening I guess. I’ll leave the rest to you yeah, your highness.”

Cuelebre’s armor was broken while Greifer said with a fearless smile.

To his words, Lux responded with only brief comment.

“──Yeah, I won’t hesitate anymore to fight for my own sake.”

The moment Dilwy turned into offense and exposed a large opening, Lux held aloft his great sword.

“It’s futile──no matter how many times you try, I am much faster than you!”

Dilwy was able to defense faster than Lux could swing down his sword.

He moved with an extraordinary speed and Drag-Ride operation technique that only the current him could achieve.

He unleashed an attack using his Shot Blade to bisect Bahamut with all his strength, however, the forcefield of barrier that was generated from Lux’s left to his right completely repelled that attack.

“──Whaaat-!?”

“──Battle Array – Vicissitude”

One of the Drag-Ride operation techniques that the strongest Drag-Knight of Blackend Kingdom, the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit used.

Dilwy who couldn’t learn that technique until he was turned into devil borrowing the power of Baptism witnessed it with his own eyes.

How can this kid use this technique!?

Just from seeing it only a few times during the Class promotion exam he──.

Even more shudder of terror ran through Dilwy without giving him any time to soak in his shock.

“──Battle Array – Aeon Fire.”

“……!?”

The special move that even now Dilwy couldn’t use.

By collecting all energy from the barrier, propulsion, and driving force into the Blade, a blow with explosively increased might could be unleashed.

The attack broke through the EX Wyvern’s barrier of maximum output and cut down feeply into the shoulder.

“Guh, gahhhh…!”

His blackly dyed shoulder was soaked red from the spilt blood.

Blown to the floor, Dilwy tried to take action to defend from Bahamut’s pursuing attack. However, EX Wyvern was slow to react as he tried to take a defensive posture.

“……The machine isn’t moving!? Why?! My body is still──”

Although his body was moving, the Drag-Ride was not responding.

Given the impact of Lux’s attack attack on the Force Core in his shoulder, he was unable to move for a few seconds.

“I won’t lose…! After attaining this power! Against a bastard like you, I won’t──”

Dilwy screamed and struggled as Lux moved nearer.

He operated his Drag-Ride with all his available strength to defend against Lux’s sword and slashed back──, Lux didn’t overlook that obvious counterattack.

“──Reload on Fire”

Instantly, countless slashes from the great sword cut through EX Wyvern’s armor.

The wrist armor, Force Core, back wings, and other joints to move the armor were slashed apart by the instantaneous slashes, bursting and scattering the EX Wyvern.

“Impossible…!? Wh, WHYyyYYY-!? I should have taken it back! The power that I should be able to obtain in my hand, and yet──”

Dilwy frantically screamed as his armor fell apart.

[[File:Saijaku V6 15.jpg|thumb|right]]

He picked up the Shot Blade with his own flesh and blood hand and brandished it, but then that hand along with the sword was cut off.

“──Then, that strength must be just an illusion right? Monster uncle.”

“Gahh……! GUSHAaAAAAaAaAaAaAAA-!”

The Blade of Cuelebre that Greifer drove flickered and the tip of the blade gouged the heart.

Cracks of light emerged from his body as this monster that was once a man gave his last screams of sorrow.

Similar to an Abyss with its core destructed, that body broke and dissipated into the dust.

===Part 13===

[So──that handyman brat, he really used my technique, the Battle Array?]

After the fight subsided, one man was moving in the shadow.

It was a strange looking Divine Drag-Ride flying through the passage of Dungeon at high speed──It was Zweigbergk the old knight.

At the surface, he was following Singlen’s orders to rescue Lux and others who were left behind in Dungeon but,

[Sir-, but I don’t understand. My lord’s Battle Array that is making use of tuning is the best technique for a Drag-Knight. No matter how outsanding Lux Arcadia’s skill is, it should be impossible to learn it in that short of a time period…..]

The expression of the old knight didn’t change. However he sent back a reply with Dragon Voice that was mixed with irritation somewhere. But,

[That’s simple. Isn’t the answer obvious already, Zwei?]

[By that, you mean?]

Singlen maintained his calm attitude while answering.

[That guy had already known about it. He couldn’t use the two Battle Array that I use, but he knew them.]

[…………]

[The use of tuning is impossible if one is not knowledgable about the control interface of Drag-Ride. But that guy, he must have attempted the finesse of the technique many times since in the past. Even though he did not know the mechanism of tuning, he himself wasn’t satisfied with just devising three hidden techniques. Even after that, he constantly thought whether there is something more that he could do, and day after day, on and on, he continued to work hard groping for new techniques. That’s how it is.]

[No way, such thing is……]

‘Hard to believe’, Zwei let out such voice.

[He crossed sword with me at the exam. When he saw that my skill is clearly superior, that guy immediately switched his fighting style. He moved not to defeat me, he fought in the way to steal my techniques──that guy always hardened his defence at the tournament in royal capital most likely isn’t just for training his foresight, he also aimed to learn the technique of his opponent’s attack even just by one more.]

Singlen’s exultant tone caused Zwei to become silent.

[In a situation where that guy cannot help but joining Seven Dragon Paladins, he realized my trap while leaping into it in order to save his comrades. Until that point it’s according to my expectation, but it’s unexpected that he also stole two of my techniques. Even though his face looks like he cannot even kill a bug, but he is scheming like a strategist. He cannot be dealt with normal method, is what this mean.]

[…………]

[I was thinking of him as one of the pawns connected to Fugil, but he is a man more terrifying than I imagined. The time ahead looks amusing……don’t you agree, Zwei?]

Even while in one side Singlen was showing vigilance toward Lux, his tone sounded as though he was amused.

Zwei nodded in agreement to that before he immediately cut off the Dragon Voice’s communication.

===Part 14===

“……That was a tiresome battle. Good grief.”

“Are you all feeling okay? Greifer, everyone?”

Greifer took a breath, then he saw a new EX Wyvern flying in front of him.

The one who was riding it was a youth with androgynous features, Coral.

“You……where did you go until now?! Do you know how long we have been looking for you──”

“Sorry. I desperately shook off the many Abysses that appeared here in the Dungeon. If I carelessly brought them over here, I am afraid it would put you all in danger so──”

“Haa, well, doesn’t matter. Although there are lots I wanna say, for now let’s leave this place first.”

The moment Greifer muttered, not far from them, the sound of a something being opened was heard. Yoruka wearing Yato no kami landed down.

“It is great you are alright, my lord. I followed your instructions and secured the escape route.”

As a result, it seemed that she eliminated a large number of Abysses in the area by herself.

The lights in the surrounding also returned to their original color, and the alert state of the Ruin was finally ended.

“Let’s retreat now. We are going to talk later, after we ensure everyone’s safety.”

Greifer agreed with Coral’s suggestion after examining the surroundings.

The Triad also stood up somehow, while Lux who had dispelled his armor was standing in front of Airi.

“………….”

Airi could not lift her face to meet Lux’s eyes.

The matter of the ancient document that she was hiding.

The matter about whether she and Lux were really related by blood with the Ruin or not, which was still unclear at this point.

The matter of how she showered harsh words to Lux and others, even though it was in order to save them.

And above else, the matter of how she got caught into the evil design of Dilwy of the Dragon Marauder, which exposed everyone to danger. All those matters made her unable to lift up her face.

However──

“I’m sorry Airi. You feel pained for my sake.”

Even so, Lux said in his usual tone while sounding somewhat apologetic.

“Airi, I completely understand how you are feeling. It’s all right already, so──”

The words of her big brother that were the same like usual made Airi’s feelings erupted.

“-……!? Nii-san! Just what are you saying!?”

The tears that she was trying to hold back dripped down, then she knocked her hands on Lux’s chest powerlessly.

“We might be different from what we thought you know!? We might not be a mere criminal of the ruined old empire, we might be people related to Ruin! If that’s really the case, then from here on, it’s unknown what is going to happen to me or Nii-san!”

Airi feared these things all this time.

The possible realities weighed on her so she could not help but shout.

“Even just now too! Why didn’t Nii-san just abandon me?! I don’t want nii-san to suffer because of me anymore! So why──”

“I don’t feel miserable or anything.”

He murmured as he gently held Airi stroking the hair that was the same color as his.

“I have never imagined anything I have done to protect Airi to be painful. There is also nothing that I thought as painful or I regret doing for you. Just being able to protect my only important family makes me happy.”

“…Why”

Airi could not bear it and she buried her face in Lux’s chest with a sob.

“Why is nii-san always like this!? Are you idiot!? Why are you always, for the sake of someone like me──”

“……I’m sorry that I made you worry. But, I won’t change my mind. No matter what kind of secret is hidden inside us, I will always be Airi’s big brother, that’s why”

Lux gave off a slightly shy smile as he stroked his sister’s back gently.

“It will surely be all right. It’s alright, that’s why──don’t cry anymore.”

“tsu……U, AAaAAAAAAH!”

Airi raised her voice in contrast with Lux’s words.

She wanted to hold back in front of the others, but the tears would not stop.

The family who continued to stay at her side since she was a child, when she had been frail and helpless as she lost her mother.

The big brother who since the period of old empire, had continued to protect herself no matter how much he got hurt.

Even though he was always slow and insensitive, even though when the time came he would forcefully shoulder everything alone.

His voice’s warmth and his chest were warm, the reassurance from his hands stroking her hair, they caused the tears to spill out without end.

Inside the Dungeon, a girl’s sobs echoed.

And then, the incident closed its curtain.

Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 4

2019-10-09T22:14:26Z

Masterupc: /* Part 5 */ misspelled words

==Episode 4 – Second Ruin 『Maze』(Dungeon)==

===Part 1===

At the early morning next day.

Lux woke up early before the sunrise and then he headed toward the practice ground inside the military ground.

He had took confirmation from Coral who was in the same room with him that it was permitted to use the place. The place was empty as he expected, perhaps the factor that it was right after the exam also played a part of it.

“Now, then……”

After changing into his pilot suit, he wore Wyvern on his body and carried out basic operation as replacement for warming up.

And then he released the control of tuning just like how Lisha taught him.

“-……!?”

Several images of light were floating around him, with ancient letter, symbol, and graphic reflected in them.

Originally it was a function that was literally to tune things like the Drag-Ride’s output, armament, and so on. Usually this function wasn’t used while fighting, but now he was deliberately starting up while keeping the function activated.

(As I thought, controlling Drag-Ride in tuning mode is, considerably difficult……)

One could concentrate better if information and options were limited to a certain degree.

The control of Drag-Ride was already complicated and numerous in the best of time. Adding the fiddling of even its output value in the middle of battle gave a degree of difficult that was nearly ill-advised.

“However──……just a bit more”

After taking a deep breath and fired himself up, Lux repeated basic action while keeping that state on.

After around an hour passed with some light rest in between, his stamina finally reached the bottom and he fell on his knee on the ground.

“──Haa, haa……”

He was breathing hard with his shoulders heaving while crouching on the spot. Then suddenly he heard footsteps from behind him.

The moment Lux stood up to turn around, a towel was dropped on his head.

“……Wah!?”

Lux’s sight was plunged into darkness and he panicked.

When he took the soft white towel, there was a familiar face there.

“Morning, Lu-chan.”

“Ah……”

It was a lovely face that was expressionless and absentminded with trace of childishness remaining in it.

Philuffy in pilot suit appearance was standing there.

Different from usual, her hair was tied into a short ponytail. That appearance looked fresh and surprising.

“Phi, Phi-chan. Why are you here──?”

“I’m also always, doing morning training. Then, I heard Lu-chan’s voice, from here.”

After saying that with a dispassionate tone, Philuffy slowly took back the towel.

“Wai-, what are you doing Phi-chan!?”

“You will catch cold, if you don’t properly wipe the sweat, you know?”

Philuffy was wiping Lux’s sweat using the towel with serious face and a tone that sounded a bit chiding.

But, it was embarrassing to have a girl that was his childhood friend to do that much for him, so Lux was flustered.

“I, I’m fine you know!? I, it’s only this much. I can wipe myself alone so──!”

There was no people around, but Lux turned his head left and right to check.

“It’s okay, I’m finished already.”

Philuffy finished her work while he was doing that and she put the towel on Lux’s shoulder.

Like that she was then staring very still at Lux with her pure eyes.

“-……!?”

Perhaps because she had just been training, Philuffy’s skin and face were slightly flushed, and there was a faint scent of sweat from her. They made Lux’s heart throbbed fast.

Compared to her childhood, her breasts, her thighs, and other places had grown into an amazing feminine body. He thought of that once more while looking at her face from nearby.

“Wha, what’s wrong? Is there something on my face──”

“Ei”

“Waah!?”

Lux’s body half rotated just from Philuffy lightly jerking his arm.

In the blink of eye he was made to turn his back on her and he felt bewildered once more.

“Wha, what are you doing Phi-chan!? My sweat is already──”

Philuffy’s body clung closely on the back of the flustered Lux. Then she whispered to him with indifferent tone.

“Checking a bit. Whether your body, is hurt.”

“Yo, you don’t need to do that, I’m really not tired! ──Uwah!?”

Honestly speaking, he was on tenterhooks because Philuffy’s large breasts were touching his back.

When Lux twisted his body to shake her off, his foot got entangled and they fell down together.

“Aa……”

Lux leaked out a voice after falling.

When his hand reflexively moved to stand up, there was Philuffy’s body right below him.

“So, sorry-……!]

The large breasts that didn’t lose shape even when she was lying down face up flew into his sight, causing Lux’s head to boil up.

Philuffy who was expressionless as usual kept staring at Lux and she suddenly moved her lips.

“It’s okay, to not endure you know?”

Philuffy’s question that was said with her usual serious face made Lux turned stiff.

The warmth and softness of Philuffy’s body that was glued to him.

After getting conscious of that, Lux’s heart was pounding hard like an alarm bell, his consciousness turned blank for a moment.

“Because Lu-chan, you look like you are brooding over something.”

“──Eh?”

After Lux whispered toward those words that suddenly came at him, Philuffy showed a faint smile.

“Since the past, Lu-chan would immediately endure. You would hide your true feeling.”

“…………”

That voice sounded somewhat nostalgic.

And yet it also sounded somewhat lonely. Philuffy formed her words with such voice.

“I’m happy, that you are doing your best for our sake, but──. It’s fine, to be more honest with your own feeling, you know?”

“……Such, thing”

‘Isn’t true’. For some reason he became unable to say that when he looked at Philuffy’s straightforward gaze.

*GOOOON*. Suddenly the sound of large bell that informed the time rang at the area.

“Oh……, I need to return to my room soon──”

“Right. Later, Lu-chan.”

They stood up, and then after exchanging only those words, Lux parted with Philuffy and returned to his room.

The straightforward words of his childhood friend caused a mysterious feeling to sprout inside him.

===Part 2===

There was an emergency call. Almost all the officers as well as the officer cadet who were the examinees of Class Promotion Exam were gathered on the Canopy at the upper part of Ruin’s Gear’s center.

The Drag-Knights were lined up. In front of them was a stage, where the principality’s princess, Milmiette, and the man who was the mayor of Ruin’s Gear were standing side by side.

“Everyone──first, thank you for your hard work in the Class Promotion Exam this time. The joint exam with New Kingdom Atismata that was being held for the first time has also ended safely, I believe that it will give a result where we can hope for even better development.”

Milmiette first showed a smile that was like a flower and greeted formally.

But, in contrast with those words, it was as though the atmosphere didn’t feel relaxed.

“Originally we will break up with this. But, just as everyone of the New Kingdom Atismata also knows, recently the appearance rate and the atrocity of the Abyss from Ruin are gaining strength. The second Ruin, the Dungeon existing underground this Ruin’s Gear is also not an exception.”

*Murmur*. The gathered Drag-Rides looked at each other’s face after hearing those words.

“Originally, the number of Abyss appearing from Dungeon is fixed, but that number will overflow if it’s left alone for a long period, and they will climb up from the door at the bottom. Originally this kind of situation happen once every few months, but regardless of the frequency of subjugation that we has increased in this Ruin, the situation is that the Abysses are going to flood out.”

“……!?”

The female students who came from Academy and the military officers gulped.

“Perhaps everyone can already imagine it after I talk this far, but I wish to ask the cooperation of everyone from the new kingdom, in exterminating those Abysses that has been increasing too many inside the Dungeon.”

After she was speaking that far, the mayor stood on the stage and spoke out the outline of the mission.

The Dungeon that was existing underground the Ruin’s Gear.

The underground was divided into five levels in total. In this mission they would descend down those levels, defeated as many Abyss as possible, and decreased their number.

However, in the mission this time, they would only step in until the second level.

The reason was because there were few cases where powerful Abyss appeared in low level.

“Of course, originally there is no merit in this talk for the ladies and gentlemen of New Kingdom Atismata. Naturally we are planning to pay the compensation for your effort, but we are thinking to grant one more reward for it.”

After the grey haired mayor with moustache stepped down, Milmiette continued the talk once more.

“The result that everyone raised in this suppression mission will be treated as a special supplementary exam of this time’s Class Promotion Exam, and the score will be added into the exam’s evaluation.”

“……Ooh!?”

The dazzling smile and words of Milmiette caused the depressed officers to lift their face.

“Of course, cooperation with every officers and defeating many Abyss safely will be evaluated even higher. After all if one neglected to cooperate in their hurry for achievement, they will also fall behind in the real battle. Inside the Ruin, the Drag-Knights of our country who are serving as examiner will take the lead. It will be our happiness if those with spare energy can come forward and cooperate in this by all means.”

Milmiette bowed, then a commotion that somewhat resembled a cheer rose.

“Fuu. The princess of this country can say a good thing too huh.”

Tillfur who was beside Lux by chance showed a small smile after hearing that.

At the exam this time, she seemed to be lacking in confidence what’s with the obstruction in the middle of it too, so she must be relieved inside her heart for this chance.

The subjugation would be done by team of three or four people. Fundamentally entering into the third level was forbidden.

It seemed that this judgment came from the thinking that although the Dungeon was vast and deep, but because the passage itself wasn’t that wide, moving in large group would be obstructive.

This suppression mission would be performed for around three hours.

Of course, continuously operating Drag-Ride through all that time would be impossible, so they would take rest inside the Dungeon, or outside.

Everyone gathered comrades and prepared, then at the lobby they would apply for participation as team. After that they would gather under the Canopy──in front of the spiraling corridor that continued toward the Gate underground, and they would enter in order from the team who got the permission first.

“It seems that the content of the supplement exam this time is advantageous for us whose main strength is cooperation.”

Sharis of Triad who was listening to the talk from right nearby called out like that to her comrades Tillfur and Noct.

Right at that timing, Noct who was there met Lux’s eyes.

“Ah……”

The other day they parted without him unable to say anything to her. Lux was troubled about how he should greet her.

(What should I say, that can assure her……?)

While he was hesitating in front of her with such thinking──,

“Good morning Lux-san. Were you hurt from the exam yesterday?”

“Ah, I, I’m fine. I’m completely──”

Unexpectedly it was Noct herself who broached the topic about the exam that he thought would be hard to talk with her.

“Is that so, I was a bit worried.”

“Eh……?”

Lux tilted his head in puzzlement. Noct spoke with her usual calm expression.

“Yes. We are talking about Lux-san who is kind to girl here, so you will surely think about various methods in order to console me who might be feeling down. I was worried whether you would be lacking in sleep because of that.”

“N, no, it’s not like I was thinking that──”

Noct’s exactly right guess caused Lux to object with red face.

“Is that so, that’s unfortunate. It doesn’t matter that I am the roommate of your little sister, the matter about me won’t really weigh in your mind that much isn’t it?”

“Tha, that’s not true. That, I was worried──about the matter of all of you the Triad.”

Noct looked at Lux with contemptuous eyes when he said that with an earnest tone.

“Yes. As expected you were thinking about that kind of thing weren’t you? Surely it’s a method of touching our body to console──”

“Just what kind of person Noct think I am!?”

When Lux retorted in panic, Noct’s expression suddenly loosened.

“I’m glad. Because I thought that Lux-san would be troubled, that you were unable to help me in the exam the other day.”

“I was just concerned about you, but instead I made you worried!?”

“Yes. Being considerate to the surrounding is the duty of Leaflet family that came from the lineage of servant. I still cannot lose against Lux-san.”

The girl who was his junior smiled slightly at the exhausted Lux and she said that to him.

“Okay, oka─y. Then we will prepare as well. Lux-chi too, let’s meet again inside the Ruin.”

As soon as the mood relaxed, Tillfur came rushing in.

“Ah, that──can you allow me to join the Triad’s team together too?”

「……」

Hearing this, the Triad members were speechless for a moment with their eyes snapped wide open.

“E, eh……? Is it, no good……?”

Seeing Lux being troubled, Sharis grabbed Lux’s head into her underarm.

“Wah……!?”

Due to the posture, Lux’s face hit Sharis’s chest. His face suddenly heated up.

Her body was toned, with the sensation of soft breast pressed on him.

And from her body floated her trademark the rose fragrance that tickled Lux’s nose alluringly.

“Fuh…so even that innocent Lux has become very proactive. You truly want to make all three of us fall for you, don’t you?”

Sharis said that jokingly with a mischievous smile.

“Wa ha haa, Lux-chi is so bold. As expected a boy is really different eh─”

“Yes, Lux-san too is finally developing a great interest in girls. I judged that it’s my obligation to report this to Airi.”

“I, I said it’s not true!? I don’t have that kind of strange ulterior motive, I just──”

Even Tillfur and Noct got into the joke and Lux became even more panicked, it was then,

“We truly understand. Thank you for worrying about us.”

Sharis released Lux from under her arm, and gently placed her finger along his chest.

“But, only this time some of us want to try things. So we are going to rely on you at another chance. For now, please go to the other girls who are waiting for you.”

“Okay…… Then everyone, be careful.”

With some hesitation, Lux agreed and slowly left.

After he talked with Lisha and others about the grouping, Lux returned to the lodging house for once to see Airi’s face.

===Part 3===

“Fuh, it somehow went well. Although we originally agreed to this, you do not have any regrets, Tillfur, Noct?”

Sharis was seeing off Lux’s back while speaking to her two compatriots.

“Yes, we hope that we don’t add to Lux-san’s burdens by more than this.”

“Actually, I was really happy though……. He is properly worrying about us too──”

With a joyful and lonely expression, Tillfur sighed.

While Airi was alone in her dorm room last night, the Triad girls made some plans in advance.

In order to help Lux, the three decided to distance themselves instead from him.

Although it was because of Buzzheim’s evil design and added with a coincidence, it still resulted in them dragging down Lux at the Class Promotion Exam.

If they who didn’t even have the strength to skillfully use Divine Drag-Ride were near Lux, they would become a hindrance to him.

The words that Singlen said at the exam yesterday stabbed the chest of the Triad.

To re-evalute their strength again from the beginning, the three decided not to request Lux’s assistance and fought by themselves.

“But, I might have done something bad towards Tilfur. I stole away the time where you can be together with him.”

Sharis spoke teasingly.

“Wai-……!? Sharis yourself, even though just now you pushed your breast on Lux-chi!”

“Yes, I think that’s quite bold of Sharis. ……In fact, you like Lux-san, correct?”

“──Fuh. I was just giving him a bit of nice memory in my own way as my feeling of gratitude. No, though it’s not a mistake that I’m pleased with him.”

[[File:Saijaku V6 13.jpg|thumb|right]]

“Is that really true～…… ? Sharis, even though she has been putting act as a big sis but she is actually pure, so she is unexpectedly weak against straight advance though~, ……and she like younger one too.”

“Yes, although we are childhood friends, this is the first time I have seen you do this type of thing towards a man.”

“… We, well, time to get back to the topic on hand.”

Sharis’s face was slightly reddening from Tillfur’s mischievous laugh and Noct’s fixed stare. She then made a forced cough.

“Our goal is to accomplish this by our own strength. ──Now, let’s go and do what we can with our all.”

Sharis repeated the instructions from the start. The other two nodded understandingly.

The three of them stepped forth toward the passage of Drag-Ride hangar that was borrowed from Ruin’s Gear

===Part 4===

“Airi, are you in there?”

After knocking gently on the door and hearing a”Come in,” Lux entered the room.

Exuding her usual cold atmosphere, Airi sat at her desk reading.

“Is something the matter, Nii-san? You are going to join the aforementioned suppression mission aren’t you? Isn’t it better to quickly prepare?”

“Ahaha……. No, there is something that troubled me a bit.”

Saying that, he talked about how after he was rejected from accompanying the Triad, he went to where Lisha and others were.

Lux was thinking to group with Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, or Celis who he got along well with and belonged to Syvalles together, but Instructor Raigree who was there told him that he was forbidden to accompany them.

The instructor said,

“On the surface the task is officially to destroy the Abyss, but it is also a supplement exam to test the teamwork in facing the Abyss. You all the user of Divine Drag-Ride, don’t group among yourselves. Split up and devoute yourself in supporting the other students.”

It was like that.

Now that he was told that, it was the natural decision.

Lisha and others, the four of them were on another level of strength that was nearly EX Class and had a high chance of passing the exam, thus it would be unnecessary for them to force themselves to achieve victories in the campaign.

Also, the second ruin [Dungeon] is very deep.

It was better that the members of [Syvalles] who had experience going to the Ruins before to be split accordingly to support the other cadets.

That was how they are told.

“Even though I’m thinking of supporting Lux with the Drag-Ride that I’ve newly created at great pains……”

After the warning, Lisha became upset.

“I understand what you are saying, and it’s the correct reasoning. But I still feel a little dissatisfied emotionally.”

Krulcifer showed a smile with hidden meaning while agreeing.

“It’s unfortunate……. Even though, I’ve been carrying the snack for Lu-chan’s share too.”

“……Ahh, nn. Please bring it for me at the next chance. This time Phi-chan can eat them all yourself.”

Lux showed a wry smile while comforting his usually expressionless childhood friend.

“Even though I wanted to peel the orange for you.”

“You really don’t need to do that!? Going that far will make me embarrassed okay-!”

After his panicked exclamation, Celis also came to his side.

“It can’t be helped. I originally wanted to use this opportunity to repay Lux for all the times you helped me but──no, Its definitely not that I just want to be with you, okay.”

“Then please at another chance. For today please become the strength for the others.”

Like that he parted with the girls and Lux returned to the lodging house.

“Haa, nii-san is very popular. However, please stop getting intimate with your classmates now while enrolled in the academy. Otherwise, I would feel ashamed.”

“Wha, what are you saying!? Everyone is just treating me well I’m telling you.”

Airi’s accusation made Lux’s face to redden as he panicked.

Then however, Airi’s sighed deeply as she muttered something quietly while averting her face away from Lux.

“……Nii-san’s denseness is already at the territory of serious illness after all. As I thought, is the cause because he is dragging along the matter of the past?”

“Eh…?”

“Never mind. It’s not like I want to see someone like the womanizer Nii-san anyway.”

Airi said in exasperateion while looking out the window.

“I will wait in the lobby of the Ruin. It seems that the people of Seven Dragon Paladins will also be there, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

“Mm, got it.”

Lux nodded and smiled.

“Airi, other than this, has anything notable happened recently?”

“…Not really.”

Lux smiled wryly when Airi answered with some hesitation.

“Okay, but if anything happens please let me know. Although I may be unreliable, I am still your big brother after all.”

“-…..!?”

The words Lux said made Airi trembled for a moment.

Although Airi immediately returned to her usual calm expressionless, and she showed a faint smile.

“I understand. Good luck, Nii-san.”

“Nn”

After acknowledging this, Lux showed Airi a smile as he left.

A few seconds later, the expression that she forcefully made finally crumbled, and Airi fell onto her bed.

“My uniform will get wrinkled……”

Such thinking was crossing the back of her mind even while she was unable to bear it.

There was no way she could say it.

For some unknown reason, Singlen was showing an abnormal fixation toward Lux.

It wasn’t only the persistent persuasion to join the Seven Dragon Paladins, he may also knew things about Lux’s past when at the old empire and even about Lux’s eldest brother Fugil.

So──in order to prevent the two from getting even more invoved with each other, Airi kept quiet about last night’s events.

The Dragon Marauder’s spy may had already infiltrated the New Kingdom.

And then, the important nobles of various countries who were financing Dragon Marauder were searcing for trigger of war.

If the content of the old document that Airi deciphered was reported to the upper brass of the new kingdom, the history and knowledge about the old empire until now would be overturned and a great chaos would occur, the brunt of it would surely──be pointed at Lux and Airi.

As the final survivors of the Old Empire, amd then as criminals, there was the risk that thye would be doubted of having ties with the Lord(Creator) of Ruin.

“If it is only me that ends up hurt then it is still fine. But──“

The worst case would be if Airi was taken hostage, and Lux would fall into the grip of the New Kingdom.

Furthermore, there were also people within the consul who desired to take advantage of Lux.

She didn’t want to become a burden for his big brother for more than this.

“I, what should I do……”

At that moment, a knock suddenly came on the door causing Airi to get taken aback and she held her breath.

“Who is it?”

She asked as she placed her diary where the ancient document was hidden in a safe spot on her desk.

“Please do not panic. I am with Wanheim Principality.”

Hearing the sound coming from a young girl, Airi relaxed as she opened the door.

“-…..!? You are──”

“Could you come with me? Miss Airi Arcadia”

The one who appearead along with a few followers was Princess Milmiette.

===Part 5===

“Now then, what to do from here.”

In order to participate in the suppression mission, obviously he needed to fix his equipment. However he was refused from teaming up with the Triad, and it didn't look like he could accompany Lisha or the others this time.

“Should I try aksing the other classmates?”

Lux pondered such thing while opening the door of the lodging room──then,

“Wah......!?”

“──Eh?”

Someone sitting on the bed was taking off their shirt, rolling the shirt off their arm.

The exposed smooth white-skinned back appeared in front of Lux's field of vision.

“So, sorry-!? I didn't expect someone to be in the middle of changing here──”

Reflexively, Lux closed the door at the sight of the half-naked androgynous youth.

However, after his panickedly yelled that, he noticed something strange.

“Eh......? Looking closesly, could you be......Coral?

[[File:Saijaku V6 14.jpg|thumb|right]]

“Oh, ah, um......that's me. I'm also a boy, so there's no problem here. Come in.”

“Ah, yes, that's right. Then, I'm coming in......?”

When Lux timidly entered inside, Coral who had already changed into a pilot suit was inside the room.

No matter how androgynous his appearance and body, Coral undoubtedly should be a boy.

And yet, for some reason a slight guilt welled up inside Lux. Even Lux felt it mysterious.

“Um, about that──sorry that I suddenly made such a strange voice.”

Coral apologized with a somewhat shy smile.

“Oh, that's fine. It was my fault for forgetting to knock──anyways, is Coral also taking part in the mission?”

He did not watch Coral's fight at the All-Dragon Battle last time, it was understood that given his ability to use EX Wyvern meant that his strength was High Class at the very least.

From the results of the examination, it didn't look like that Coral necessarily need the extra points, but...

“Well, everyone in my country is basically participating. After all this is our own country.”

“I see.”

Thinking about it, it was really the natural development.

“Sorry to make you accompany us playing out at night last evening. But──did you able to relax a bit from it?”

“......Thank you. Because of that, I was able to get along slightly with Greifer.”

After hearing Lux's words, Coral put his hands together.

“That's good then. Lux is really very kind just as I thought.”

Coral spoke with a voice that was mixed with relieve and delight. Lux smiled wryly to that, saying”No such thing.”

There were the matter of what Singlen said, Airi whose condition was somewhat strange, and the matter of Triad, even so Lux's feeling had slightly beome light.

“Then, this is an opportunity that is hard to come by, do you want to join us in the suppression mission?”

“That, do you mean──”

Lux was bewildered at Coral's invitation.

“Mm. In the upcoming suppression mission in the Ruin, I hope that you and me, along with Greifer, can be in a team together. Is that okay?”

“-......!?”

*chiri-*, a sharp pain ran behind Lux's eyes and static that looked like sandstorm ran at the back of his mind.

(Again......? Just what is this? This pain──, I have felt it before)

Before Lux was able to confirm what made him uneasy, the feeling soon went away.

“......What's the matter?”

“Ah, its nothing. I hope that I will not trouble you too much then.”

Although he was hesitant whether he should help the other girls, but they were also encouraged by Instructor Raigree that they assembled team together with their allied country Wanheim Principality.

After Lux gave his answer, he changed out of his uniform into his pilot suit.

“Wah......!?”

“Wha, what is it...?”

“No, nothing......Don't' worry about me.”

Coral answered with a troubled smile for some reason. Lux thought it strange while he finished his getup.

He was carrying compass, portable food and drinking water in his bag, then they joined with Greifer.

“I don't really care, but why are you purposefully teaming up with this fellow from another country.......”

“It's fine right? Greifer doesn't have many friends anyway.”

Coral retorted at Grefier who was a bit annoyed. Then after they stopped by at the base inside the palace──the lobby, the three of them went towards the entrance to the Dungeon.

After arriving at the bottom of the spiral staircase that was hollow like ant lion larva's pit, the Drag-Knights of both countries were already gathered in large number.

“Lux! If anything happens, call me immediately! I will rush to your aid!”

Hearing Lisha's energetic voice, Lux awkwardly waved.

Altough the three of the Triad were also present, for some reason that Buzzheim was also present.

His injuries were tied with bandages, making it hard to imagine how he could operate a Drag-Ride. Moreover, his proctor license should also have been revoked.

It seemed like he was merely there to see off the beginning of the mission as a member of the military. However, he glared at Lux with hound-like eyes like usual.

“............”

“Relax. Buzzheim already doesn't have anything to do with this part of the exam.”

Coral, who noticed where Lux's line of sight went, had understood the situation.

However, Greifer muttered peevishly.

“......I wonder? Well, I'll be keeping an eye for you.”

“Next team! Number 17, come forward!”

“It's our turn now.”

After being called by the proctors, Lux and his comrades walked up.

If the Gigas that came to the New Kingdom was excluded, this would be his first time entering the Ruin of another country. Lux was feeling nervous of that while he braced himself.

As Lisha's knight too, it would be the best for Lux raise his Class.

Besides that, in order to protect the city from the magical beasts, he would give his utmost effort.

(But... for what?)

Singlen's words stuck to his mind.

He had decided that he would not hesitate... and yet why was his feeling like this?

“Let's go, Lux-kun.”

Coral gently touched Lux's back, indicating Lux to exit. In front of the site, Lux summoned <Wyvern> and pulled out his sword.

“Come, the winged dragon of crest, the symbol of strength. Follow my sword and fly, Wyvern!”

He pressed the button on his hilt and said the chant.

Light particles gathered around him at high speed. His body became covered with streamlined blue armor.

A few seconds later, while standing on the pentagon on the floor that was called the Gate, an orange light gradually rose, giving Lux a feeling of floating on air.

Feeling like their consciousness was separting from the body, the three of them entered the Dungeon.

===Part 6===

The rooftop of the Palace that was overlooking down on the spiral staircase continuing to the Dungeon──the edge of Canopy.

Singlen, wearing his usual armor suit was lying down on the edge that was made of stone, where a single mistaken step would make him fall down for few dozen mel.

As his eyes followed Lux disappearing in to the Dungeon, he stared lazily back towards the rear of the main troops.

“I have returned, my lord.”

The air behind Singlen slightly rippled.

As if he was covered by a bed sheet, an old knight wearing a white mask and white jacket appeared.

“You are late, Zwei. Did anyone tail you here?”

“There has been no action at all. Are they saving their capability? Or else, perhaps the Dragon Marauder too isn’t planning to make a move carelessly here.”

“Who knows…If I were them, I would not hesitate at this chance. Right now that the danger of Ruin is increasing and each country is hardening their defense, there may not be another chance where they can move this easily if they miss this one.”

“…True.”

The old knight’s husky voice agreed with his master’s opinion.

“Then I’ll order the Knights of White Ridge to stay vigilant. To prepare for the worst case scenario—“

The old knight prepared to leave. Singlen, stabbed the sheath of his Sword Device onto the ground, elucidating a small thud as it landed.

“Well, hold on a second, Zwei. Although you were an able man since in the past, your decision making is just a bit too premature. We certainly were requested to protect this city. ──But, no one will evaluate us highly just from extinguishing a small fire that cannot be seen. Haven’t we experienced that many times in the past, let’s be a little cleverer here. We will make use of our lesson.”

“…………”

Singlen smiled as he said this, exuding a deep, unending darkness.

The old knight suddenly realized the true meaning behind his words.

“…That”

“Catching the big fish requires patience. Keep in mind we will prioritize the Milmiette ojou-sama’s safety first.”

“Yes, sir.”

After this brief response, Zwei disappeared.

Singlen did not care as he looked over the doors of the palace.

“…Fugil, ah. What will your brother do next? I am looking forward to it.”

Singlen’s face held a deep smile.

However, his dark voice was not heard by anyone.

===Part 7===

“This…is the Dungeon?”

As his body moved past the door, Lux could not help whispering as his witnessed the incredible interior.

Although the Academy’s lectures and pre-mission meeting described what he needed to know, it was still a view beyond his imagination.

“What’s up? Is this your first time entering a Ruin?”

“…its very spectacular.”

In response to Coral, Lux could not say any other words to describe his impression.

However, those were his real feelings.

In Lux’s mind, the Dungeon was supposed to appear as caves.

With cold, dark, inorganic rocks channeling through them.

However, the scenery in front of him surpassed his imagination.

Directly in front of them was an altar-like patio.

Around the patio was a field of flowers.

Above the patio, instead of a blue sky, something like moss that gave off a pale yellow fluorescent light made the area appear just bright enough.

Rather than a cave, it was more like a courtyard with walls surrounding it on every side.

“Here in the middle is the exit to the outside world. There are also places like this far away from where we are with a lake and other scenery, isn’t it interesting?”

As Lux curiously looked around, Coral gave his explanation.

As they approached, the other female students would stop to look in adungeonment.

“Oh, honor student-sama! Our task is to suppress Abyss here yeah? Don’t treat it like a picnic.”

“Greifer is still the same! Our mission should last just a few hours, yet you still get nervous. Or is it that you just want to finish quickly and get back to Princess Milmiette?”

The two of them began to quarrel.

Lux looked at the two with a wry smile as a thought crossed his mind.

“So now…how many levels are we going to raid?”

“According to the records the exploration has only reached until level four. The area looks spacious, but it’s actually quite complicated. After we pass three levels, the amount of powerful Abyss and harsh environment will increase…”

“I see.”

Listening to Coral’s answer, Lux breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed that in this Ruin, the existence of Automaton that was called Gear Leader hadn’t been confirmed.

Without that Hayes who was called as Lord, the possibility that something happened in Ruin must be low.

“Shall we begin? Although there are only a few Abyss here, don’t let your guard down and take them one by one!”

Lux nodded to Coral’s words, then they too began the Abyss extermination.

Far in the darkness, a scream could be heard.

“That sound, its Hind huh.”

“Even though this creature looks like a deer, it is very ferocious. Be very careful!”

Lux listened to Greifer and Coral’s instructions as he drew his weapon.

The suppression mission began with this team that was formed for the first time.

===Part 8===

“Listen to me! Greifer is amazing? I failed so many dishes that I cooked yet he took it as a challenge and ate all of it!”

“….I-Is that so?”

At the same time.

Under the Canopy, deep in the halls of the Dungeon above the door, Princess Milmiette and Airi were there.

Why was she sitting next to the princess of Wanheim Principality?

It seemed that Coral arranged a lot of security to ensure Airi’s safety, but having a lot of guards made her nervous.

“Coral is the son of my distant relatives, but because of the death of his parents from illness, he was adopted as my escort. As the assistant of Greifer of the Seven Dragon Paladins, I think that sooner or later his visit to the new kingdom will also increase, please treat him well then.”

“It’s no problem. That…If I may say so, could you excuse me for a few minutes?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was too preoccupied with talking. I will send a guard to accompany you.”

“I-I’ll be fine by myself!”

Princess Milmiette had good intentions, but being surrounded by male officers was troublesome.

(How to say it…this person, she is too pure that it’s hard to deal with her……)

Other than that, a lot of eyes and ears around made Airi felt uneasy.

Because of the ancient document that she deciphered was hidden in a parcel in Airi’s bag.

She exited the Lobby and brought her feet toward the toilet.

Airi had been very cautious until there.

However, right after she finished her business and exited the building, for a moment she let her guard down.

“──!?”

“Hey!”

A silhouette quietly approached from the shadows.

A man with a cloth covering his face snatched Airi’s bag.

“Thi-Thief! Stop! Please stop-…!”

She was shouting while knowing that it was in vain.

Even though she was hit and knocked down, she stood up quickly and began to give chase. However, she could not catch up.

The man ran towards the cover of building inside the Palace. As if replacing that man, a Wyvern flew out from there while holding the bad and fled down the spiral staircase.

“──Eh!?”

Airi was stopped by the unexpected scene.

If the man flew outside, it would be hard to find him. And yet the man was heading to the bottom of Palace──to the entrance of the Dungeon where there would be no place to escape.

He was a thief, so why would he run towards a place with a dead-end.

Although a lot of Drag-Knights had gathered due to the suppression mission, however, if an outside went down there he should still get noticed.

Unless this man was originally a Drag-Knight who was a part of the suppression mission and had received the permission to participate ──.

“What exactly is going on…?”

The situation was puzzling.

But after thinking about it for a few seconds, the possibility made Airi tremble.

From between the gaps in the cloth, the thief’s face appeared similar to that of one of Buzzheim’s men.

“Surely…it can’t be…”

At that moment, Airi remembered a scene from last night.

When Singlen visited Airi’s room last night, he used words that suggested that Airi was secretly in possession of the something that was connected to the Ruin.

「Those guys are sending spy to every country. It will be dangerous if they know you are hiding the secret of Ruin. What I want to say is be cautious.」

Wjat if supposedly Buzzheim overheard this conversation…

“-…!?”

Airi’s heart beat furiously, and she felt her consciousness fading.

If the ancient documents were exposed, they would lose the place that they had obtained in the new kingdom.

People will question their relationship with the Lord(Creator), then they would be imprisoned once more, or else──.

(There is no time to hesitate)

Airi rushed back towards the Lobby to inform others of the emergency.

This matter of robbery couldn’t be reported to the military officer of Wanheim Principality.

Since there was no evidence that it was one of Buzzheim’s people, and it was only Airi’s speculation.

She couldn’t act against the military officer of another country without solid evidence. And even if for example she had something like that, they would obviously feign ignorance.

That means she couldn’t stop Buzzheim through normal means.

“Nii-san, I──…”

Airi hesitated to discuss this with her brother. Airi rushed down the spiral staircase as though she was being pushed down. As she approached the Gate of the Dungeon, Noct came into her field of vision.

“What’s the matter Airi? Your face doesn’t look good.”

“…”

Tillfur and Sharis of the Triad were also there. Perhaps they had just finished resting and returned here.

However, Lux and Lisha and other members, the users of Divine Drag-Ride were not there.

Perhaps it would be best to seek their assistance first, but there was no time for that .

Buzzheim could not use a Drag-Ride due to his injury, and most of his followers shouldn’t be accompanying him, only a few of them──.

“Noct, there is something I need your help with. Could you please help me?”

When Airi noticed, she had cut to the case.

She said that she wanted to go into the ruins to catch the thief.

===Part 9===

“Fuu…we did pretty well. And just now our team finished the fourth battle.”

Coral said this with a smile as the firewood crackled.

They were surrounded by rocks on all sides with a thin lawn covering the ground like a blanket.

They were resting in an open space of the northeast part of the Dungeon’s first level.

It seemed there were several resting places called Camp scattered throughout the Dungeon.

They were not originally part of the Dungeon but set up one by one by Wanheim Principality as they explored. Next to them, water from the waterfall parted to create a basin around them.

Lux and Coral were resting in shabby tents set up in the vicinity.

“I doubt there is poison in the water, but it’s still likely better to not drink it. If we can understand the situation upstream, then our safety will also increase, but there is no guarantee for that.”

“Got it.”

The teapot and water they had at hand came from a part of the food they brought in advance.

Since they were only exploring for a day, there was not a need to bring too many provisions in advance.

“──However, there is no doubt that Lux will be promoted here.”

As Lux sipped his tea, Coral smiled and congratulated him.

Based on the pocket watch they had, there was less than an hour before they needed to return.

They exterminated Abyss following the instructions of the examinees who were here and there and repeated that several times.

While Lux could only use Wyvern to fight, Greifer and Coral were quite strong so the mission went smoothly.

In the main exam, he acted in the way that lowered his evaluation several times, but with this Lux’s promotion to Middle Class should be without a problem.

He would continue to uphold his reputation as Lisha’s knight.

(Buy why is it I wonder……. Why am I feeling this superficial?)

Lux put down his tea cup and began strolling around the tent in a daze.

There were no more Abyss around and only the sound of quiet water flowing could be heard, but…

“Oi”

“Wah!?”

There was a voice that suddenly came from the side, then a Dagger stabbed the floor in front of him.

When Lux jumped backward in panic, Greifer wearing Cuelebre arrived at his side.

“Don’t loiter around as you please. We are resting right now but don’t wander too far from the tent.”

“Ah, sorry…”

Lux hurriedly apologized. Greifer grunted towards the side.

(Aa, when I thought that our relationship has finally improved slightly…)

Greifer’s blunt attitude towards Lux made him felt down as he walked back towards the tent, it was then──,

“That was dangerous, Greifer! Anyways, you need to explain to him about that!”

“What do you mean?”

The words of Coral who was exiting the tent confused Lux, while Greifer was showing a bothersome face.

“Haah, the Portal(transfer device) is in that direction. Didn’t I explain it before we entered?”

“Oh…”

Lux noticed what Greifer’s intention was.

Inside this Dungeon, other than stair that went underground, there were things called Portal installed at several floors.

The Portal’s shape was simply a group of rocks in a circle that was easy to notice, but because it could only transport things from the upper floor to the lower floors in one-way trip, the team could be in danger of getting separated at the moment they stood at that spot without noticing it.

Lux noticed that while he presented a different attitude on the surface, Greifer was quite concerned about Lux’s safety.

In any case, the man is really quite caring no matter what he said.

“Thank you Greifer. I’ll switch with you to patrol around now.”

Lux said this with a smile, while for some reason Greifer gave an uncomfortable glance to the side.

“I ain’t feeling like drinking tea, so I’ll refrain. We are going to return back soon anyway right? Rather than that──”

Greifer had an indifferent look as always as he stood up wearing his Cuelebre.

“A communication from Dragon Voice came in. There seems to be something strange going on. The men of new kingdom who weren’t too hot at the exam this time──that team seems to raise some abnormal results for this exam.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? With that the possibility the people of new kingdom’s military getting promoted will increase.”

Coral tilted his head while Greifer continued to speak.

“That’s if they are doing it in proper way. According to the proctor, it seems that team took care of about a dozen Abyss or more already.”

“Eh..?”

Upon hearing this, Lux reacted to the conversation for the first time.

Strange.

The New Kingdom’s Drag-Knights, with the exception of the captain Dilwy, should be consisting of only Low or Middle Class Drag-Knight.

Of course, that Class in the end was only one indicator of strength, but it was hard to imagine that they would all suddenly show such results inside this unfamiliar Ruin in foreign country.

“Seems that the Abyss on the second level ain’t a match for them, thus they went towards the entrance to the third floor. I wonder, what is their trick?”

“…………”

As Greifer said these words, a grave expression appeared on Coral’s face for the first time.

However, he sighed immediately and returned to his usual demeanor.

“That is concerning, but no rules were broken, so there is no problems.”

“If that’s so then it’s okay. It is still a bit early, but how about we start heading back?”

At Greifer’s suggestion, Lux stood up.

But, at that very moment. *Dong!* The Dungeon began shaking vertically.

“Earthquake!?!”

Right after Lux judged like that, the pale yellow light that illuminated the cave began to flash bright red.

“That’s!?!”

Lux recalled a past situation in the Ark that was similar with this. He pulled out his Sword Device.

“Someone broke into the third floor!? This is bad, at this rate──the Ruin will enter alert state!”

Coral who saw that also called out his EX Wyvern and equipped it.

“Greifer! I’m going to confirm the situation. You go outside the Dungeon and await instructions from Princess Milmiette.”

“Gotcha. Hey, prince, let’s go back to the Palace.”

“Hold on! I am going to go take a look as well!”

Lux requested to accompany him, but Coral calmly shook his head.

“I can’t take you along towards a part of the dungeon that you are not familiar with. Although you are concerned about the officers of the new kingdom, please bear with it for now.”

Saying that, Coral glided out while driving EX Wyvern.

He traveled through the dungeon and quickly disappeared from the field of vision in the blink of an eye.

===Part 10===

“…w-what is this shaking! What is happening!?”

“I-It’s not our fault!? Although we accidentally chased the Abyss towards the third floor, just because of that, the Ruin become like this…!”

“Captain Dilwy! Did you see!? Should we retreat…”

It was a team that was composed of only male officers.

The squad captain, Dilwy and three Drag-Knights of the new kingdom military. They were panicked at the sudden change in situation and showed the weak-kneed expression that was exactly opposite with until now when they were defeating a lot of Abysses.

Their steady advance untilnow was solely thanks to Dilwy, while the other three were only given the leftover. There was no sense of duty or dignity as knight in that.

“──Haah”

Dilwy raised a smile of mockery towards them.

His old wound had healed. His right arm now had strange black pattern on its surface. That arm was holding a knife that was left behind by the robed man last night.

No, not so much as healed, but it was even stronger than before.

“The seed of war huh. I see, so that is how it was…”

“Cap-Captain Dilwy! Let’s retreat quickly”

“Aah, it is already that time huh…then, let’s have a farewell soon.”

The men in his squad let out a sigh of relief hearing Dilwy’s words.

No one there noticed how Dilwy was like a completely different person from his normal demeanor.

===Part 11===

“This sound, what happened–!?”

Equipped with her Wyvern, Sharis was surprised and wondering what was happening?

The Triad and Airi were searching for Buzzheim on the second floor when the sudden chaos ensued.

Perhaps it was time to head back, there were no signs of other Drag-Knigths around them.

“Isn’t this bad!? How come this feels like the last time in the Ark?”

“Yes, I judge that the possibility is high. But according to the Radar, it will still take a little more until we catch up with Buzzheim and others who seem to be the robbery culptrit, about 70 mel ahead──”

“…..”

Airi bit her lips with a complex expression while being held by Noct’s Drake.

They heard explanation about the Dungeon’s alert state when they received instruction regarding this suppression mission.

About five minutes after the color inside Ruin changed, the stairs connecting the third floor and the second floor would be blocked. And there was danger that many Abyss would appear.

That ancient document absolutely had to be taken back.

──However, she also couldn’t expose the Triad to even more danger than this because of her selfishness.

“…As long as we have my Drake, we will be able to communicate within the Ruin using Dragon Voice. There’s about 50 mel left till we get to the stair connecting to the third level. They should be there.”

Noct said this in response to seeing Airi’s troubled face.

Sharis also spoke to the undecided Airi.

“Let’s go. There is no time to waste. The despicable thieves, as someone serving as the Academy’s vigilance committee, I will not stand them unless we pay them back.”

“That’s true~, they also harassed us a lot at the exam~”

“Yes, I will continue detecting the Abyss, so please leave securing the path of retreat to me.”

“──My apologies, everyone.”

Airi let out a weak voice toward the Triad who were considerate and helpful to her.

“I’d also like to test my skills after all. Let’s go Tillfur, Noct.”

“Roo~ger”

“Yes, my Lord” (English)

Tillfur and Noct responded to Sharis’s statement with a smile.

Right in front of the staircase leading to the third floor, it was discovered that Buzzheim and a small group of people were taking position there.

Buzzheim did not have any Drag-Ride equipped but he was holding on to Airi’s bag. However, the four men of Wanheim Principality’s military officer with him each were equipped with general purpose Drag-Ride.

Sharis quickly aimed her breath Gun and gave a warning.

“A warning towards all of you the officers of allied country Wanheim Principality! You are in possession of something that belongs to the civil official of our New Kingdom. If you return it now, I will nor report your deed to your superior and the incident will not turn into serious matter. But if you refuse, we will take it back by force!”

In response, Buzzheim face shifted from surprise into a sneer.

“…Just when I thought what you are going to say, but could you have gotten the wrong people? The package was something that was given by an acquaintance of mine.”

He said this as he retreated behind his subordinates.

“So you are refusing to return it. If so, I won’t be so polite in taking it back.”

The moment the finger of the Wyvern Sharis controlled touched on her Breath Gun, one of the followers wearing Wyrm rushed ahead suddenly.

He released a barrier to protect himself from the assault, so that he could forcefully charge forward even while deflecting bullet.

“The standard reaction huuh. That’s no good you know──”

Aware of the enemy’s movements, Tillfur who was similarly wearing Wyrm intercepted the enemy.

Tillfur’s Hammer swept aside the enemy’s Blade, making him lost balance. Then she landed a decisive blow to the shoulder of her opponent’s armor.

“Ga, ahh……!?”

When the man flinched backwards after witnessing that smooth blow, Sharis who had switched her weapon followed with an attack by her Blade. The enemy’s armor was dispelled after his Force Core received impact.

Furthermore, Noct kept covering Airi while pulling the trigger of her Breath Gun to hold back the other men who tried to join the fray. The three of them splendidly coordinated their strategy and acted all at once.

“This is checkmate, Buzzheim-dono.”

“Ku…!”

As Sharis’s sword was pointed at him, the defenseless Buzzheim groaned.

The outcome was decided.

If they returned with full speed from now, they could go back before the blockade of the stair between second floor and the third floor was completed.

As soon as Airi had a slight peace of mind, Buzzheim loudly called out.

“I-I will not give it back to you! I know that I am holding the evidence of of you hiding something that will lead to the Ruin’s secret! If you hurt me, I’ll expose everything in court! You wouldn’t want that. After all──”

“Is that so──then I’ll have you entrust that so called Ruin’s secret to me.”

“Na..!?”

The sudden incoming voice made Buzzheim, his men, the Triad, and Airi all freeze in place.

Standing there was a young man with delicate features clad in EX Wyvern, Dilwy Froias.

(Even though I don’t want it to get seen by this person too who is an army officer of new kingdom──)

Seeing how things have been going, Airi was desperately thinking about what to say to Dilwy.

However, the necessity of this disappeared a moment later.

“Wh-what are you saying!? Who will…ahh!”

*Zan-*, the EX Wyvern’s Blade swung and cut off the head of Buzzheim.

“-…!?”

Right after Airi and the Triad felt terrified, Dilwy’s Blade slashed once more.

Accompanied by the sound of air being cut away, the silver flash ran through the air and lopped off the head of the rest of Buzzheim’s followers who were dumbfounded.

“Wha, what are you──”

Giving a glance at Sharis who whispered with pale face, Dilwy carelessly snatched the blood soaked bag of Airi from the arm of the headless Buzzheim.

His presence was completely the same like his usual quiet attitude without any change.

But that was instead felt so hair-rising terrifying.

“Ah, sorry to frighten everyone.”

Dilwy said it with a deadpan face without revealing any emotion, as though what he had done was even less than crushing a bug.

“The squad that came with me are already heading back. Although it is quite difficult to communicate using Dragon Voice from this third level to the ground level, but in the unlikely chance you girls manage to call for help, it would be quite troublesome.”

“What are you saying? You…”

Sharis said with a slight trembling in her voice.

“Enough with the chit-chat. After all, threats require the necessary steps. So, how much should I say I wonder? Right, it’s nearly impossible for you to call for help. If you draw your weapon against me, then you will die. I will cut the hands and legs off of the three girls around you one by one before cutting their neck. Do you understand now? Well then, this thing about the way to the Ruin’s secret, could you please explain? Airi Arcadia?

“…………”

Airi could only shiver as the saliva in her mouth dried up.

Her heart and mind were unable to comprehend the reality in front of her.

However, one thing was obvious.

That, this man──was a horrifying enemy.

“Having said that, I did not expect that I can be this strong. Although my right wrist is now working thanks to that strange man──well, I don’t need to mention that too.”

“──Sharis, Tillfur, are you in position? The reaction is close.”

Adorned with her <Drake>, Noct whispered while holding a tense expression.

“Well, there is no other way──let’s go!”

Right after that call, Sharis’s Wyvern flew to the side.

Taking a deep breath, Noct grabbed Airi and she with Tillfur ran following Sharis.

“Sorry, but we aren’t a match against him! Your safety is the highest priority, Airi!”

Sharis shouted while searching for a different path to get to the second floor.

The understanding of the nearby terrain and the detection of Abyss had been finished using Noct’s Drake.

“It appears that you all are unable to understand your own strength from the Class promotion exam, huh? I was threatening because all of you have no escape.”

Dilwy spoke with a calm tone as he chased them with EX Wyvern.

“Unfortunately, I understand about myself. Your worry is unnecessary!”

When they arrived at spacious, straight channel, Sharis fled towards the cramped passage at the side.

“──!?”

In that moment, a roar from the darkness before them sounds out through the air.

“Indeed you are the commander’s daughter. That’s not half bad.”

Dilwy who noticed the Triad’s intention whispered with a fearless smile.

Sharis’s plan was to escape by making fellow formidable enemies clashed with each other.

A ferocious medium-sized Abyss intercepted Dilwy from the front.

===Part 12===

On the other side, since the mission was about to reach the time limit, and the Ruin entered the alert state, 90% of the Drag-Knights were returning to above ground.

It was not only to escape the changing, deteriorating terrain but also to intercept the Abysses that were summoned around the Ruin. The combat force needed to return back for that.

“What do you mean? Why can’t we go rescue them!?”

In the middle of the Lobby where many Drag-Knights were gathered, Lisha, dressed in pilot suit flared up at the commander of Wanheim.

“That is because, due to the regulation regarding the Ruins, people the New Kingdom shall not enter the Dungeon while it’s in alert state……”

“I already said that we can! Give us the permission already!”

As Lisha slammed her fist on the table, a voice came from behind them.

“──Good grief, could you please be quiet, your highness the princess of new kingdom.”

“-…!?”

A man in a blue coat made a sudden, unexpected appearance.

The Blue Tyrant──Singlen Shelbrit who had been concealing himself since last night.

Although the air was tense, he did not waver at all.

His dull black pupils were deeply dark like an abyss.

With that pair of eyes staring at her, Lisha slightly faltered.

“Can you explain to us? Our comrades are still trapped inside there.”

Singlen shrugged toward the grim gaze of Krulcifer standing beside Lisha.

“Oh? It seems that I was overestimating all you. I thought that although you all are just noble daughters playing around, you all are still people who belonged to the military after a fashion, looks like I’m wrong.”

“Don’t mess with me! There isn’t much time, so I can’t be sitting around pretending to make conversation with you!”

Krulcifer pushed out her hand to the side to hold Lisha back.

“The priority of the army is to protect Wanheim Principality’s princess Milmiette here──is that what you are saying?”

From Krulcifer’s words, Singlen merely responded with a smile.

Of course, although half of that reason was only a pretext. The truth was that they wanted as much combat force as possible to wipe out the Abysses that were appearing near the entrance quickly.

Thinking about it now, from the start this was the reason that princess Milmiette purposefully came to observe the exam personally.

If they recruited the officers of new kingdom to exterminate Abyss and the Ruin entered alert statem, they could gather combat force near the Dungeon’s entrance and made them protect the city. That was their aim.

The princess was a necessary presence to achieve each of these goals under just cause.

“This me who is holding the right of command this time have given the command to those in the Ruin to retreat. Well, do not worry, I will send in my men to search. If you’re lucky──hm? Aah”

There, a man wearing a white coat representing the White Ridge Knights whispered in Singlen’s ear.

“I see, it’s quite regrettable. Just now, it seems that the entrance to third level is blocked, and the bunches on the third level became stuck inside.”

“What──!?”

Hearing that, even the expression of Instructor Raigree who was keeping calm changed drastically.

At the second and third level, there was a mechanism to blockade the level entrance.

Thus, it was strictly forbidden to enter the third floor. However, some did it accidentally.

Such as the forces of Buzzheim and the troops of Dilwy.

Additionally, the members of the Triad and who entered last Airi were also imprisoned on the third level.

“It can’t be helped. The investigation of Ruin is always accompanied by accident. We will send in rescue team after the alert state is dispelled, made up from those who still have spare strength left at that time.”

Those words from Singlen changed the atmosphere.

“── Don’t screw around.”

A cold voice passed through the the noisy Lobby.

From behind Lisha, Lux showed up while walking towards Singlen.

“Are you saying that you are abandoning them knowing that they are left behind? You’re abandoning fellow Drag-Knights while having the strength to save──”

Lisha and Krulcifer were surprised at how Lux spoke with such a menacing force that was unlike him and they stared at his face.

“Don’t lose your temper handyman. This is also the decision o fthe consul managing Ruin’s Gear. The ones trapped on the third floor are mostly Middle Class or lower anyway. They are just obsolete bunch who fell behind without any significant ability or quality. In this current world──there is no leeway to save the weak.”

“The weak……you say?”

Singlen chuckled at the Lux’s quiet voice that contained rage.

“There also seems to be a few officer cadets mixed among those bunches. But, keep in mind, they are still military people. They should be resolved even with this kind of situation. A Ruin that is moving into alert state will summon a lot of Abyss to its surrounding in no time at all. In a situation where the enemy’s battle force surpassed yours, it’s the basic to do defensive battle at the base. You are planning on going to rescue them for the sake of your own so called sense of justice, and expose the people of the city to danger?”

“…………”

Lux had no words in response.

Lisha and others, along with the other military personnel who until now were insisting to rescue their comrades held their breath without being able to say any more objection.

Singlen’s words were fundamentally correct.

Plus they cannot disobey the man who was the current commander of operations.

Whispered sighs spread like at his words.The commotion was drawing back like ripple.

Even Wanheim’s military personnel who were demanding to send rescue team, along with the offices of the New Kingdom, they came to think that there was nothing they could do. However,

“So what?”

“…huh?”

Lux’s sudden words broke the silence.

He weaved through the gap of the bewildered soldiers and confronted Singlen.

“You said they are weak? That those who are left behind inside the Ruin, are bunches without significant ability or quality. That here, there is no leeway to save them.”

“I said that, so?”

“Your decision is mistaken.”

Lux muttered these words as he glanced around. Then he continued.

“Rescuing the suriving allied combat force is also our job. In this suppression mission, when the time limit is passed, even if we exterminate Abyss after that, it won’t add anything to our exam evaluation.”

“And?”

“The possibility is high that our allies who are left behind inside the Dungeon likely entered the third level because they fought the Abyss in an unexpected situation and headed toward the third floor while the time hadn’t run out. Or perhaps they chose that in order to save their comrade who was in the verge of danger. That’s why they ended up left behind inside the Ruin.”

Lux continued speaking matter-of-factly with calm demeanor.

“In the army, order is absolute. However, a knight that is able to make his own judgements considering the changing situations isn’t the same like a coward who is merely fliching in front of enemy and only tries to survive without problems. You ──which of the two are you?”

A burst of commotion spread throughout the Lobby.

Lux faced the commander of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Singlen who was also appointed as the commander of the operation this time, with opposing attitude right to his face.

“……….…”

Singlen mulled over Lux’s words quietly for a few seconds before giving an empty smile.

“Kukukukuku. You’re a more interesting man than I expected. My opinion of you has slightly changed. But see, you are a powerless human. At this place, you are unable to ignore the rules set by Wanheim Principality.”

“Certainly. ──Save ony one exception.”

Right after Lux answered, *Bang!* the door of the Lobby was kicked open and a man entered.

It was another member of Seven Dragon Paladins the same like Singlen, Greifer.

“I spoke to the geezers at the government office. If it is Seven Dragon Paladins who are recognized by the World Agreement, it seems they can exercise a unique authority even toward a Ruin of another country yeah? Especially in emergency cases, they can trespass into Ruin without going through protocol──”

“Greifer…”

“Well, my duty too originally was to protect the princess, but I also gotta go to search for that Coral.”

Lux felt his conviction from that sentence.

Right after that Lux turned again to face Singlen.

“I swear to the vice-captain of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Singlen Shelbrit. At this very minute, I aspire to become the Seven Dragon Paladins of New Kingdom Atismata!”

“-…!?”

The words of Lux took everyone by surprise.

As the ripples of noise spread, an uninhibited smile emerged on Singlen’s face.

“You’re taking a big step just to save your sister huh. The man who before this refused to join by that much.”

“Time is running short. Even if you disagree, I will go to rescue them even if I have to violate the rule.”

“──Fuh, fine then.”

Lux’s words caused Singlen to hold his laughter.

“I already obtained the consent of the people in authority. The last descendant of the old empire, the ruined prince Lux Arcadia. I’ll recognize you as the Seven Dragon Paladins of New Kingdom Atismata.”

Singlen loudly announced at the top of his voice toward everyone present.

While the Lobby was in commotion due to the surprises, Lux walked away as though he was parting through the officers.

Midway as he passed Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, and others, he stopped momentarily and whispered.

“My apologies, Lisha-sama. Please take care of the rest.”

Lisha understood what he meant and nodded back with a confident smile.

“…Got it, get the better of that twisted man and leave him speechless.”

“Yes.”

Lux nodded with a serious expression and then he stood at the edge of the spiral staircase’s entrance that connected to the Dungeon’s Gate.

“You’re ready, prince?”

Lux nodded his head wordlessly and pulled out Bahamut’s Sword Device.

Greifer also readied the Sword Device of Cuelebre. Together they kicked the handrail and jumped down to the center.

The people and the military surrounding them didn’t even have time to be surprised as a roar thundered from the Ruin.

──BIiiiiiiIIIII-!

“──!?”

Countless Abyss emerged from below the widely open spiral staircase through the Gate.

The first to approach them were the Gargoyles, Chimeras, and other winged beasts that flew at them in a straight line from the central hole.

Lux and Greifer both pushed the button of their Sword Device and equipped their respective Divine Drag-Ride.

“──Yoruka, I’ll leave them to you!”

After Lux’s sharp shout, numerous cuts appeared across the air. Just from that, the many Abysses were cut apart and scattered everywhere in the blink of eye.

After a breath, a Drake’s camoflauge function was lifted, and a black haired girl with exotic foreign clothes was revealed piloting a Divine Drag-Ride.

“I have been waiting impatiently for your command, my lord.”

The assassin Drag-Knight who was formerly called as the Empire’s Assassin Blade──Kirihime Yoruka.

In order to obtain assistance in this Ruin of foreign country where they were in a situation that was under many restrictiosn, Lux called for her even with the understanding of the dangers.

“Uoh!? Who the hell is this woman?”

“Don’t worry. She is my──ah, my companion.”

Lux who wasn’t an imperial family of the old empire anymore found it hard to call her as his servant or subordinate, so he spoke that.

Yoruka was falling while cutting down winged Abysses one after another that crossed path with her, as though being vanguard for Lux and Greifer.

Three people landed on the floor where four Abyss were cleared out at the same time. They then took position on the Gate’s entrance that was enveloped with dim darkness.

When Lux and co stood above the Gate wearing their respective Drag-Ride, they were immediately pulled into the inside.

At the same time Yoruka pulled out her Sword Device, and countless windows of light floated from her shoulder armor.

“Search Frame – On(Probe Mechanism – Boot Up)”

At the same time with Yoruka’s whisper, countless lines of light spread radially from her shoulder armor and spread widely, crawling in high-speed along the ground and walls of the Dungeon.

The Divine Drag-Ride of special equipment type, Yato no Kami was provided with functions like enemy search, camouflage, support, supplement, repair and so on. Its abilities were a few ranks above the general purpose Drag-Ride, Drake. (TN: The special equipment type here refer to Drake-type Drag-Ride that is installed with various ability that Wyvern-type and Wyrm-type doesn’t have)

“──My lord, your younger sister is still safe and sound. The three others around her are all right as well. From the coordinates, they are to the northeast part of the third level.Although they are moving little by little.”

Most likely, they were searching for the exit of third level while running away from enemy at the same time.

The three girls of the Triad were doing everything they could to protect Airi even under this situation.

Their escape route was blocked, and they were left behind. In that desperate situation, they didn’t give up and continued to fight.

Just this fact made strength welled up in Lux chest.

“Yoruka, can I ask you to guide us through the Dungeon? I want you to derive the shortest route while avoiding battle with Abyss as much as possible.”

“Affirmative my lord.”

Yoruka responded, at the same time she drove the four legs of Yato no Kami and jumped with a movement as though she was kicking midair.

That special armament that was called <Vacuum Step> made it possible to make that frame of special equipment-type Drag-Ride that possessed no ability to fly to move as though it was sliding in the air.

“I see, for you to have this kind of terrifying ally, looks like you prince got more then meet they eye huh.”

Greifer exclaimed in admiration from Yoruka’s expert performance. From time to time, he sent flying the Abyss that was coming from behind using his Tail Blade.

After a few minutes moving in high speed through the corridor, leaving behind the flowing scenery, Yoruka who was going ahead dropped her speed.

“We have arrived, my lord. It is right below us.”

“-……!?”

Seeing the scene, Lux could not help but be shocked.

Each floor had a large stair set up leading to the bottom. The entrance of the stair to the third level there was sealed by a solid iron lattice.

“Hah, just something like this──!”

Greifer filled his Tail Blade with energy and slashed, but only sparks flew out.

“──This is not an ordinary iron lattice!?”

Lux also followed, slashing his black great sword──Chaos Brandhe, but it bounced off the same.

The thick lattice around the size of an adult’s arm was only scratched a little.

It could possibly take them half an hour in order to break down the lattice.

“Nothing could be done, huh. Destroying this barrier is the key, but another way into the third floor is──”

“…………”

Lux bitterly kept thinking.

(Calm down, there should be other ways. If I remember right, when they explained this Dungeon’s structure description──)

[Lux-san! Are you close!? Please respond!]

“-……!?”

At that moment, communication came through from the Dragon Voice of Noct’s Drake.

[I am here, Noct! We are above your position on the second floor! But──]

“I know what you want to say, Lux-kun. We also tried it. If only we could destroy the partition between us, we will be able to escape somehow. ──But”

“Sharis-san! Airi! Everyone else too──”

Across lattice that divided the area──near the large stair, he could see the figure of the Triad and Airi.

They seemed to have struggle too, but as expected it seemed they also failed to destroy the lattice from the third floor side.

It was evidenced by Sharis’s weapon being in tatters.

“……Lux-kun, we are still safe. Don’t be too rash. The alert state of this Ruin won’t last for long right? Then it’s fine. If it’s just a few minutes, we will hold on somehow.”

“I’m rea-ally frazzled but, compared to Celis-senpai’s training this is still better perhaps.”

“Yes, I am used to waiting.”

Although Sharis and others showed a smile, it was obvious they were bluffing.

Their forehead and neck were covered with sweat, and ragged breathing could be heard.

They were fatigued from the Class promotion exam, in addition to the mission to suppress the Abyss that they participated in without resting.

On top of all that, they seemed to have been battling with some sort of formidable enemy several times as evidenced by the cracks in their armor.

“My lord, there is an influx of Abyss coming from behind us. On your younger sister’s side, there is the presence of Drag-Ride approaching. From their situation, it does not seem like that it’s an allied Drag-Knight.”

“…………”

Lux had an idea about a party who would aim at Airi.

TheDragon Marauder, whose goal was to explore Ruin and obtain treasures through any means to weaken the power of countries that currently were in possession of Ruin.

This threat was approaching the Triad and Airi from their side.

“Don’t worry about my safety, Nii-san. I am still okay—“

And then, Airi called out from behind Noct.

She had the same calm and graceful usual tone, with a smile of a young lady that smoothly navigated the society.

Lux also understood that she was acting tough.

“Airi, I understand.”

Thus, Lux also answered with his usual gentle smile.

Just like what he had done many times since their childhood in the past until now, he used the same voice like when he patted her head and told her this.

“I will come save you soon, so wait just a little bit more for me.”

“-……!?”

Lux’s words made Airi’s expression froze.

The mask of calmness she would always keep on her face gradually collapsed and her shoulder began trembling.

“N-Nii-san, what are you talking about. ……It won’t work, please consider the situation. In any case, the second level and the third level are completely separated now!”

Even so, Lux calmly breathed in without a single twitch on his expression.

“No──there’s a way.”

“──Eh?”

Lux calmly made a statement to that caused Airi and the Triad to stir.

“There is a one-way Portal in this Dungeon that connect to the lower floor. If we use that, we can get to the third floor evne from here.”

“Please hold on!? What are you thinking!? The Portal in this Dungeon will only lead you to the bottom! In order to save us, even you will be locked in. I don’t──want to become Nii-san’s burden anymore!”

“Airi…”

Seeing Airi shouting sadly, someone placed a hand on her head.

“We are also begging you. Don’t be too rash, Lux-kun.”

Sharis cut in with a gentle expression.

“I am very glad you are coming to save us. However, this is our responsibility. After all, we the Triad got lured here by that bunch. We were unable to see through their aim and exposed Airi-chan to danger.”

“Yes, we too do not wish to be a hindrance anymore to Lux-san.”

“We-ell, you don’t have to worry so much. We’ve survived till now, haven’t we──”

And so Sharis and Noct requested, and Tillfur echoed their sentiments with a wry smile.

They have obviously been through quite a bit with all the wounds over their body, but the four acted tough so not to burden Lux even more than this.

“No matter what, we the Triad will do our utmost to protect your sister. So──”

Sharis said it with a somewhat lonely tone, but also with the conviction of a warrior.

But──

“──Yoruka, can you confirm the location of the transporter at the third level?”

“What…!?”

The words that Lux said with serious face caused the face of the three Triad to change color.

“Why do you go so far…”

While Airi whispered with a stunned look, Yoruka gave her report to Lux indifferently.

“It looks like it’s a little far from here. It’s position is to the northeast.”

“Understood. I want you to stay here and lure the Abyss swarm that come. Can I leave it to you?”

“It is regrettable that I cannot join you my lord, but it cannot be helped isn’t it.”

Yoruka responded with a hearty smile and she took a stance with her katana-type Blade.

“Let’s go, Greifer!”

“Got it. I too gotta go find that Coral.”

Lux steered Bahamut towards the Portal.

“Everyone! Hold on a bit longer!”

Right after he yelled, he left the stair in the blink of eye and quickly flew wearing through the corridor.

Before long they found a circle engraved with some unknown text. They landed on it.

The time it took the Portal to move them towards the interior of the Ruin was quite short.

The light began to overflow around Lux and Greifer along with the Drag-Ride.

“Sorry, Greifer for dragging you with me.”

“Hah, I have not gotten weak enough that I require your highness’ concern.”

In reply to Lux’s apology, Greifer laughed confidently.

In that moment, their weight seemed to disappear and their vision is covered by light.

As their field of vision cleared up, some medium sized Abyss were coming.

It was a situation that if it was the average Drag-Knight, this would become an assault that was like an ambush where they wouldn’t even be able to react.

However, the two members of of the Seven Dragon Paladins didn’t waver at all even in this siutaiton and they moved.

“──Photon Dive.”

As sharp teeth and claws approached, Greifer’s Cuelebre was wrapped in light.

The Divine Raiment that performed invincibility for a few seconds repelled the attack of the Abyss before his eyes, it was at that moment Lux’s Bahamut took action.

“Reload on Fire.”

Time was compressed, and then his speed was accelerated by several fold which he used to launch super speed slashes.

Criss-crossing slashes from a blade resulted in the beast’s body to be completely hacked to pieces.

Originally, it required preparation to counter the enemy’s attack. However, Greifer’s Photon Dive created an opening that allowed Lux to attack.

“You took the prey, huh. Oh well, not much time left anyway, I’ll forgive you.”

“Much appreciated.”

Lux expressed his appreciation, then continued flying towards where Airi was.

However, although the Ruin was under alert state, surprisingly few Abyss appeared.

He felt it strange even while they arrived at the location of the Triad and Airi.

Across from them, the girls were facing a man.

“So you all also came here?”

The Silver Flash, Dilwy Froias.

A military officer who at this occasion was serving as a group leader leading the soldiers of new kingdom who were taking exam here.

“Well yeah. Rather than that where is your comrades? Also by the way, have you seen a Drag-Knight with a girly face named Coral or a man named Buzzheim?”

Landing nearby, Greifer raised some questions.

Lux intended to ask a question, when Sharis made a tense voice.

“Both of you be careful! That man is suspicious! Buzzheim and his men were also killed by him!”

Lux and Greifer were puzzled after hearing those words.

But, Dilwy, who didn’t look bothered at the slightest, began laughing softly.

“That is a misunderstanding. They were attacked by some parasitic Abyss. And these kids saw me clean up the situation so they think I killed them. Why would I kill people of my own country and the soldier of Wanheim?”

“So…what is that thing in your hand then?”

“Oh this. This is something Buzzheim-dono dropped. I picked it up to hold on to it for now. But the content is somewhat suspicious for this to be his item. Inside there is a diary of a girl and some ancient archives from Ruin slipped in between.”

“…………”

After he muttered, he opened that ancient document and traced its text in a display.

“Even though I look like this, I am very interested in these treasures related to Ruin. I also once spent my time deciphering ancient text. I don’t understand the exact content of this text because I’m not that knowledgable though.”

“What are you saying──”

“The only thing that I understand from this text, is Holy Arcadia Empire──only that name. I’ve never heard that this kind of ancient document has been submitted. I have connection with the consuls of the royal capital see. If this document is something that you secretly concealed, then you two will need to be questioned for the responsibility……no, about the connection between that old empire and the Ruin.”

“──?!”

Airi had a tragic expression after hearing this.

The secret that she thought should not be known to others was exposed now.

“Lux Arcadia. And Airi Arcadia. Are you two siblings knows about something? The old empire, and its connection to the Ruin that is described in this ancient document. The true identity of the two of you the imperial family of the old empire──”

Dilwy’s words surprised everyone at that place.

Between the intermittent alarm sounds and shaking red light, Lux breathed calmly.

“……I don’t know. Even if I did I wouldn’t tell you.”

He stared at Dilwy with cold eyes.

“You want to ask why…it is because you are a Dragon Marauder’s spy, infiltrating the new kingdom’s military looking for a chance.”

“──?!”

As Lux asserted this, everyone there was tense.

“Why did you take your comrades into the third level of this Ruin? It is well known that the dungeon is deep, and exploring it is not allowed. For such an honest and loyal soldier who is famous like you, why would you commit such baffling act?”

“…You think too highly of me, Lux-kun. I am not perfect. Even I will make a miss when several unfortunate accidents piled up one after another.”

Lux continued staring at Dilwy who was smiling bitterly.

“The purpose of the criminals Dragon Marauder is to plunder treasures in the Ruin in order to hamper the countries’ military power. You caused the ruins to enter an alert state, you also provoked Buzzheim to steal the ancient document my sister had, in order to lay the blame on her, while you yourself will search for the secret of the Ruin──”

“……I have said several times already, kid. Buzzheim-dono was killed because he was possessed by Abyss. Are you so committed to make me out as a traitor so you can escape from my question?”

“The Portal to go to the third level is a one way road that go from above to below. That’s why, in the case you go down the level without using that, you won’t be conscious of the stair location. Can you grasp the route I used from the place where I was transferred to reach until this spot?

“…………”

Lux’s question elicited only silence from Dilwy and his expression vanished.

“The corpse we saw had no trace of possession because of Abyss. In other words──”

“There isn’t anything else to say, meek man. You are the traitor who killed your own comrades.”

Greifer calmly finished Lux’s words, and held up his Tail Sword.

Lux and Greifer deliberately showed an ignorant attitude based on their suspicion of Dilwy.

“—Hu”

As Dilwy heard their words, the atmosphere changed.

“It seems that I underestimated you a little. The true identity of the Black Hero was you, a kid that appeared to be nothing special. Honestly, it was hard to believe.”

“Then, as expected my bag was stolen becauase──?”

As Airi whispered, Dilwy’s shoulders shook in laughter.

“You misunderstand, it was purely by chance. I was just watching you. I happened to overhear your conversation with Singlen and induced Buzzheim by giving him hint to steal the bag with the ancient document. Another option would be using the magic flute to mae the Abyss kidnap you.”

“The plan was well-planned but the execution was stupid. Do you truly believe you can deal with two users of Divine Drag-Ride by yourself?”

Taking Greifer’s words as a signal, Lux also raised his great sword.

When the explosive situation reached the limit, Dilwy’s both eyes snapped open and he flew high.

“-……!”

The celing was flashing with the red warning light.

From there, he swooped down and unleashed a stabbing attack with his Blade.

From above──especeially from right overhead was the position that Drag-Ride found it the most difficult to defend against.

When Lux and Greifer barely avoided that attack, the Blade of the EX Wyvern Dilwy was riding grazed through.

“This guy…!?”

*Ceng!* As the crisp sound of air being sliced resounded, a slash drawing the trajectory of creascent moon came flying.

Greifer twisted his body to avoid the attack. Then Dilwy quickly turned his right wrist resulting in a second cut, third cut, till fifth slash cutting the air.

Criss-cross. Cascading shocks from the slashes crossing many times over were also moving towards Lux next.

Lux avoided the slashes by a mere millimeter, as the rocks behind him became engorged with countless deep cut marks.

“Shot Blade(Dragon Teeth Shot Sword)──, a rare weapon that general purpose Drag-Ride can use huh……”

Although the performance was not equal to that of special armament of Divine Drag-Ride, rare weapon with level of performance that was close to that existed.

The Shot Blade, it could release energy from the forward motion of it blade, releasing arrow-like shots with a slash.

Lux heard from Sharis that Dilwy’s famous ”Silver Flash” nickname came from the fact that he was more skilled than anyone else with using that special armament.

“That’s quite something. So the rumor that you are a man who cannot stand anymore in front line because your right hand is broken and unusable is just a bluff huh. That’s some personality you got there.”

“You are incorrect──. Until last night, I was a weakling exactly like your description.”

“…What do you mean?”

Dilwy quietly smiled while listening to Lux’s question.

“Why!? Why would──! You who are my father’s direct subordinate, why would you collude with the Dragon Marauder?”

As the daughter of the deputy commnader of the New Kingdom’s military, Sharis shouted at that conversation, resulting in Dilwy’s exasperated sigh.

“Stupid question. A rich lady who happen to stand out among the weakling and is contented with her lot won’t get it. You see, I have aaalways been dissatisfied. Five years ago, I was injured by the ‘calamity’ of Blackend Kingdom, and after returning home, I entered under the banner of the new kingdom as Drag-Knight of moderate faction.”

“Then, you…!?”

“You are of the rebel army that inherited the will of the Old Empire…is that correct?”

Tillfur and Noct flared up, but Dilwy snorted.

“That’s a shallow thinking. I am not interested in that sort of label. Whether it is the Old empire or the New Kingdom, it doesn’t matter. I, Dilwy Froias, being born as a man in a family of knights only aim to become the strongest Drag-Knight.”

“-……!? For that sort of goal, you abandon the New Kingdom to join the Dragon Marauder? You go so far as to ignore her majesty’s kindness in promoting you as a non-commisioned officer──”

When Airi shouted incredulously, Dilwy wordlessly pulled out his Shot Blade.

It cut through the air with a strange sound and the shockwave pierced the air flying towards Airi’s neck.

Noct moved to block the attack but her defense was broken, with the shockwaves hitting even her clothes.

“Guh, ah…!”

“Noct!?”

“Shut up please. Did I ask for your opinion? Mindless pawns will be mindless pawns, you can just feel satisfied as you are being used. Someone not even aiming for the top, not even lamenting their own powerlessness, existing just to complete the orders given to them. How can incompetent like that understand my distress?”

“-……!?”

His words caused the Triad to show pained expression.

But the next moment, two Drag-Knights attacked towards Dilwy’s sneering face.

“──Don’t screw around.”

Lux’s Bahamut flew parabolically.

He used the momentum from the free fall to add some power to his attack as he swooped past.

The use of the free fall part of the flight path (Downflow) was a higher level technique with more force than a stabbing attack.

Even if Dilwy’s skill let him rivaled EX Class Drag-Knight, it should be difficult to counter the power in the incoming attack, but──.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitudes.”

“……-!?”

At the moment they crossed each other, Dilwy’s <EX Wyvern> released a barrier which shocked Lux.

It was a parrying technique that made use of tuning, to create sharp force field that averted attacl from left to right.

That is the special move of barrier manipulation that the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit showed Lux.

Dilwy grinned wickedly and swung his Blade to Lux whose attack was evaded and showed a defenseless back.

He is aiming at the brainstem part, where the barrier of the armor was thin.

Greifer’s Tail Sword blocked that attack which assaulted in a timing of certain kill.

The force by their attacks caused both of them to be repelled backwards away from each other.

“Hah, what a terrifying person, to be able to use even that vice captain-sama’s technique. Well, you ain’t gonna win against me with just that though.”

“…Seven years ago I once studied under Sir Singlen. At that time I was unable to learn any of his moves. But now, I finally obtained skill of that level.”

Dilwy muttered to himself intoxicatedly.

“Wanheim Principality’s Seven Dragon Paladins…… If it’s you who start from being a lowly orphan and climbed up until being the princess’s aide, you should be able to understand my pride too aren’t you?”

“Unfortunately, I ain’t interested in your life. Let’s finish this quickly yeah, Dragon Marauder’s spy.”

“You are after all, just a wild dog lured by bait. ──Then, let me finish you off here.”

While taking Greifer’s shower of attacks one after another, Dilwy suddenly fired towards the ground with his Howling Howl.

“-……!?”

Large amounts of dust suddenly arose inside the gloomy underground of the Dungeon, and then numerous silver flashes of light headed towards Greifer.

“──Photon Dive!”

Greifer’s Cuelebre wasted no time to activate its Divine Raiment of invisibility and all the slashes from the Shot Blade were deflected.

This was the battle style of Greifer and Cuelebre that excelled in defensive ability.

Not giving the opponent the opportunity to counter-attack and dragged it into a battle where they could only defend while destroying all path of retreat──it was like a seasoned hunter tracking his enemy before giving the final blow.

However, he was affected by the smoke cloud that made him lose track of Dilwy’s silhouette.

“──What!?”

As Greifer’s eyes search for his lost target, EX Wyvern jumped out from behind Airi and the Triad.

“-……!?”

“──Reload on Fire.”

But, Lux who stood on his way a moment quicker activated Bahamut’s Divine Raiment.

Using his time compression, he released consecutive high-speed slashes.

The slashes aimed towards EX Wyvern’s wrists and shoulders in an attempt to break the barrier. But in that moment, Lux noticed something and he changed his movement.

Five Daggers were thrown in parabolic arc from behind Dilwy.

Lux immediately knocked them down and at the end he aimed at Dilwy’s armor.

But, his attack was barely blocked by Shot Blade and a distance was opened once more between them.

“Even though I was hiding inside smokescreen so my attack pattern wouldn’t be read, even so my movement was still predicted──that’s really something isn’t it? I’m getting a better opinion on you two now.”

“…………”

Having two Divine Drag-Rides as his opponent at the same time, Dilwy still revealed a composed expression.

Seeing this, Lux had a strange sensation in his chest.

Although Greifer too maintained a casual attitude, he gradually began to frown with suspicion.

(Certainly, he might be already a brilliant Drag-Knight from the beginning, but──)

No matter how he was using an EX Wyvern with stacked up tuning and he was an expert of a rare weapon, but would that be enough to make him able to fight the current Lux and Greifer until this much?

“It looks like, your royal highness is also confused huh?”

Greifer suddenly said such thing as he stood there.

“It’s really strange. With that Drag-Ride and armament, it’s not like that sort of move is impossible──but, no matter how I see it that man is strange. I cannot say it well but, he ain’t a normal human for sure.”

Lux agreed with Greifer.

But, he still wasn’t really confident with his hypothesis.

“Is that it? That is your limit? The name of Seven Dragon Paladins is going to cry you know?”

Greifer steps forward to meet the mocking Dilwy.

“You’re on. I’m also tired hearing your lecture, I’ll finish this in the next move.”

Then, Cuelebre flew and threw numerous Daggers towards Dilwy.

“Stupid man. Do you not understand that these tricks don’t work on me?”

In response, Dilwy moved his Shot Blade swiftly in various arcs to release shockwaves.

The mesh-shaped shockwaves entangled the Daggers and deflected them.

In long-range battle, Dilwy’s Shot Blade held the advantage.

When Greifer activated Photon Dive to defend against the silver flashes heading towards him, Dilwy grinned.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitudes. How incompetent can you be to use the same move twice in a battle.”

Dilwy formed a barrier forcefield in the timing of impact to parry the attack from right to left.

Greifer’s slash was dodged and he stood still with his defenseless back exposed to Dilwy.

“I have seen through the amount of time you can operate your Divine Raiment. ──You should apologize to your princess from the other world.”

Without missing the opportunity, Dilwy slashed at his back.

However──,

“…what!?”

Instead of what Dilwy expected, Cuelebre’s Photon Dive did not end, the light wall was deflecting the slash toward the back.

Realizing his mistake, Dilwy attempted to flee from Greifer’s thrust, however it was too late.

“──The one incompetent is you right? I fought a woman who saw through this right from the start y’know?”

The stretching Tail Blade drew a spiral trajectory to avoid Dilwy’s barrier and pierced his barrier.

As the blade cut across his chest, droplets of fresh blood rushed out.

“Gobah…!?”

Dilwy vomited blood as his eyes rolled back.

At that moment──the outcome was decided.

“…As I thought. It is easy to deal with opponents that you do not need to worry about killing.”

The Photon Dive’s duration on Cuelebre.

Normally Greifer would deliberately fixed the duration of his Divine Raiment to a certain period and lifted the effect in short several seconds to mislead people of the timing of his invincibility.

Although Lux heard about this matter from Krulcifer after the All-Dragon battle, it was still a splendid plan.

“Now then, we gotta think about how to get out of here. Although most of the Abyss seems to be gone outside, we still need to find that Coral.”

The relaxed Greifer turned away from Dilwy’s dead corpse.

At that moment, Lux noticed something strange.

“Behind you! Greifer!”

“────”

Greifer heard Lux and turned back around while holding up the Tail Blade as a shield.

However, his defense was a little slow. And Dilwy’s Blade bit deeply into his armor.

“Guh, ah…!?”

Greifer was blown backward, but he somehow held his ground.

Dilwy, who should have been completely dead, continued to move.

His chest was cracking, like dried fish.

“Wha…what the hell is this guy?!”

Greifer who was normally aloof had a distorted expression from shock.

It wasn’t an illusion nor a fantasy. Dilwy, who could not have possibly survived the fatal injury, was giving a gruesome smile.

His hand was not holding the EX Wyvern’s control lever, but a small knife.

There was a strange burst of seven-color aura coming out of the knife.

“…I will not lose. Because that hero has saved me! I who was clinging even to Dragon Marauder looking for hope, is filled with this light……!”

“What did, you mean!?”

“Let me awaken! My voice, my cry, my shout, if they are reaching….. Grant ”Baptism” throughout my whole body, guide me! Oh ”Elixir”!”

*Stab*. Dilwy, with his trembling hand, inserted the knife into his own left chest. With the knife in his chest, he underwent another strange mutation.

“-……!? Wh-What is that? What is happening!?”

Sharis who was watching from the side was stunned as she whispered.

While Everyone present was taken by shock, Dilwy’s body that was still wearing EX Wyvern was suddenly──transforming.

The same black pattern that was running on his right wrist spread out from his left chest to the rest of his body.

His body was like a pale flame wrapped in waves of heat, being colored darker and darker.

His skin became darker than night, while his hair turned white.

His eyelids opened wide, showing eyes radiating a scarlet red light like fresh blood.

“Wh-What is that…? It is not the Drag-Ride──but he himself that is changing──!?”

“Yes, the cause of calamity that occurred in various places, could it be……”

“Nocturnal……, is this the new type Abyss──!?”

Tillfur, Noct, and Airi were shaking as this devil began to make its first sound of its birth in this world.

“SHAaAAAAAAAaAAAAaaAAAAaAaAAAAAAAH!”

It was the roar of devil from a human that wasn’t a human.

That monstrous shriek was far more terrible than the Abyss that was the nemesis of human. The screams shocked the walls o fthe Dungeon as well as the eardrums of everyone present.

The time passing seemed to be a mesh of nightmare with reality as the devil flew together with the Drag-Ride.

“──!?”

Fast.

Compared to the winged Abysses they fought previously, he was considerably faster.

EX Wyvern creeped along the ground in a very low flight.

If a blunder was made──no, with a speed that wouldn’t stop even if it crashed on the opponent, Dilwy who was changed into devil attacked Lux.

“Kuh…!”

He did not have time to use Reload on Fire to accelerate time.

Lux swung his great sword using Quick Draw and slashed horizontally at Dilwy who was approaching like a bullet.

──But,

“Ku ku ku──this is the strength of the so called Black Hero?”

“……-!?”

Lux was shocked as the dark voice reached his ear.

Dilwy’s Shot Blade met Lux’s Chaos Brand, resulting in the projection of some intense sparks.

“…Gu!?”

Lux was blown directly to the side from receiving the charge’s gust of wind.

Dilwy who looked like he was going to crash on the rock wall sharply dove up on the spot.

He quickly somersaulted through the air, then moved towards Greifer next.

“What..!? This thing──”

From a super low-altitude flight to rapidly rising followed by a rapid dive into a backflip.

The more preeminent someone was in handling Drag-Ride, the more they would understand just how impossible that movement was.

Drag-Ride couldn’t be moved with just pure operating skill.

Things like the burden on the rider’s body and stamina, the timing of breathing, and so on existed.

No matter how proficient someone was at swimming, they wouldn’t be able to dive underwater for tens of minutes without breathing.

Thus, witnessing Dilwy making impossible movements for a Drag-Knight created a moment of opening in Greifer which Dilwy took advantage of. Greifer was blown away.

“Chih…! This damn monster”

Lux and Greifer adjusted their movement in preparation for pursuing attack.

But unexpectedly Dilwy and the EX Wyvern flew until near the ceiling of the hall, taking a position to look down on everyone there.

“──!? Everyone, quick! Defend yourselves!”

Lux immediately understood his intentions, and at the same time he flew to where Airi and others were at.

The devil’s eyes glowed deep red and grinned wickedly while overlooking the scenery.

Next, the right hand armor gripped the Shot Blade which began to emit light energy.

“──Silver Flash, Hail Fang”

*Gin-!* With a roaring sound that could be heard splitting through the air, a flash of shockwave that drew an arc like crescent moon was fired.

Originally, the silver flash the Shot Blade fired was limited to several shots per breath because of the burden on the user’s stamina and mind.

But this attack appeared to be an unending torrent of rain of light pouring down on the Dungeon’s zone.

“────”

Several hundred overlapping sound of slicing wind and the destruction sound of the ground getting pulverized could be heard.

The storm of hail that reached them in less than a second erased the stifled scream of the girls, blowing away even their consciousness and thought.

Their breathing stopped in their tenseness and fear, and ashes were swept up that blocked their vision.

As it felt like the endless nightmare was ending──before long, Airi opened her eyes.

“……U, ah.”

Due to the aftermath of the attack, dust covered their bodies.

The previously sturdy walls of rock were cut apart, and the terrain was completely different.

While lying on the debris, Airi gingerly moved her fingertips.

Fortunately, her body was intact.

In addition, the Triad were lying around her with their Drag-Ride cancelled off.

“Everyone──please, get ahold of yourself.”

Perhaps due to being strained to their physical limit, the three of them could only stir a little bit.

Airi intended to call for help but as she looked up, the scene made her at a loss for words.

“──Ha, hah, ku…a”

Buried in the rubble with Bahamut, Lux was breathing hard.

Fatigued from all the fighting, Lux’s face had an anguished expression and his whole body was dripping with sweat.

“End Action huh……. a hidden move of Drag-Ride operation that was introduced during the Old Empire days, a technique that unleashed unlimited slashes. But even it has to end, and it seems your strength has finally reached its limit.”

“Damn……, it”

In an equally ragged state, Greifer in Cuelebre was laying at the opposite side of Lux.

The invincibility of his Photon Dive could only be maintained for about 10 seconds at maximum.

So, on this prolonged, uninterrupted attack that lasted more than ten second, he naturally could not make it out unscathed.

At the same time, Lux too was protecting Airi, and the Triad using End Action and he succeeded, but it took everything he had to do so.

The two of them were exhausted until very nearly the limit while they did their all so only their Divine Drag-Ride wouldn’t get desummoned.

That was their only way to resist in their current state.

“──Magnificent.”

Dilwy smirked in intoxication in the air as he looked down from above at everyone who was standing still unable to move.

“Ah, what a wonderful power.”

He kept muttering to himself heartily.

“The officer cadets of the new kingdom, a Seven Dragon Paladins, the Black Hero……I transcended and surpassed all their strength. Dilwy Froias is able to return in his true form as a Drag-Knight who aimed for the seat of the strongest like in the past. I will be able to realize the dream that I have held through a long time from here on. I’ll immediately build a new legend. I can surpass the Blue Tyrant──the mentor who once abandoned me. If it’s the current me, even that will soon come true.”

Dilwy ended his intoxicated self-praising words, and moved his venomous red eyes towards Lux.

“Although the outcome has already been decided, I do have some questions left for you, Lux Arcadia.”

He opened Airi’s bag and pointed to one of the lines of text in the ancient documents.

“The name of ”Arcadia” recorded in this ancient text. I wanted to ask before I killed you if you are associated with these Ruin, and know something about it.”

“……You have already betrayed everyone, what is the point? Just what do you intend to obtain by becoming the strongest Drag-Knight whatever for the sake of Dragon Marauder?”

Although his breathing was ragged, even then Lux’s eyes weren’t dead.

Seeing this, Dilwy’s jet black face twisted as he laughed with bared teeth.

“The Dragon Marauder you say…? I have no more business with them. My goal was to attain even greater power from this Ruin. In order to prove my strength as Drag-Knight, I need to cause more chaos and great war……!”

His body was wrapped in dark desire and resentment.

It was the answer of the man who was writhing in agony from being toyed by the reign of the old empire and the distortion of the era.

His path as Drag-Knight met setback, his hope stolen, and after clinging on his past for a long time, this was his true real nature.

“Don’t make me ask you a second time, Lux Arcadia! Give me all the knowledge you own, show me the path to reach the deepest layers of these ruins! Otherwise──”

Dilwy turned his ominous crimson gaze towards Airi and the Triad, and he yelled.

The roar of devil shook the air around him. Right then,

“Understood. It looks like, this is as far as it goes.”

Airi who was dirtied by the dust of the smashed rock wall slowly stood up and muttered.

“Nii-san over there──No, that person who I called brother and used by me, the Lord(Creator) of the Ruin is ignorant of my true identity. Asking him is useless.”

“Ai,ri…?”

Lux who stood up trying to rally up Bahamut saw his sister’s cold expression and icy eyes.

“Hou, you are saying that you are a survivor of Ruin, connected to the name of Arcadia written here? That you were hiding it all this time until now?”

“More accurately speakling, I just forgot about it. In order to protect my own safety──but, there is no meaning even if I hide it in this situation. Even I value my own life.”

Airi spoke these words fluently.

Then, she looked at the bewildered Lux with a cold expression.

“When I found that old document, I remembered. That my true identity is one of the Lords, Aeril vi Arcadia, and also my original purpose and mission──”

“Y-you, what are you saying…? What is the meaning of this, Airi missy!”

Airi turned a deaf ear to Sharis, who could only move half her body.

“In any case, the man who I called as “Nii-san” and used as my guard is not usable anymore. But──at the present, even I the Lord is unable to completely control the Ruin. If you promise that you will guarantee my life, I will cooperate with you to a certain degree you know?”

“Hou…”

The expression of the devil who heard that distorted inhumanly in joy.

“I do not think you have any other choice. By yourself, you won’t be able to use the true function of the Ruin fully.”

“Very well…”

‘Ku ku’, the devil Dilwy’s shoulders shook with laughter.

“Now, come over here. I’ll listen to the story of this so called Lord without rushing.”

“──Then, excuse my leave, everyone.”

Airi whispered without any emotion as she moved towards Dilwy.

“…wait, a minute, Airi.”

Noct and Tillfur were conscious but could not move as they lied on the floor.

Airi glanced coldly at that as she walked towards Dilwy, and then──,

*Zan-*

A jet black dragon landed down between them in a position that seemed to shield Airi from the devil.

His heart was beating furiously and he could not control his breathing. His body also clearly displayed his fatigue. But Lux was somehow able to move his body.

“……You are in my way. I have already said I don’t have any use of you anymore.”

Airi coldly criticized as she said with slight frown.

But,

“──I won’t let you go. I have already decided that I won’t let anyone take away those I cherish anymore.”

“Hah”

Dilwy’s eyes shot towards Lux. Looking into his determined eyes, Dilwy laughed and readied his Shot Blade.

Multiple silver flashes pierced Bahamut’s fragile barrier.

Not being able to withstand the impact, Lux’s upper body cracked with multiple red lines.

“Gu…!”

However, he did not back down as he rushed toward Dilwy before him.

Even as his body was swaying due to physical exhaustion, he slashed down an attack using his great sword with a sharp trajectory. Dilwy casually evaded it and struck Lux’s body with his Shot Blade.

Even so, Lux immediately regained his fighting posture and charged forward once more.

However, before Lux’s great sword found its mark, Dilwy deflected it with his own sword.

“You still try even though you know it is futile, how unsightly. So the true identity of the Black Hero is only something like this.”

Lux unabatedly continued his assault while ignoring Dilwy’s scornful words.

In contrast, Airi began to feel pain as she witnessed the scene.

“Stop──please, stop already!”

Airi yelled seeing the heavily wounded Lux showing no sign of stopped fighting even then.

“Why, are you doing something like that!? You, you don’t need to fight for my sake anymore, so why──”

“I changed my mind. Although I’m still interested in you, I’ll bring you down here. Together with everyone else too.”

Dilwy made a quick backhand stroke and flashes of silver flew towards the Triad who were lifting up their upper body.

Lux flew and intercepted the roaring silver flashes.

“-……!”

Due to the pressure of the impact, Lux’s face was covered with thin red lines.

Even through all of that, Lux continued to glare at Dilwy with fearless eyes.

“Lux, kun……”

“Lux-chi……”

“……Lux, san”

The members of Triad were speechless seeing him covering even their tattered self.

Witnessing this scene, Airi had a faintly pained expression on as she held her hands on her chest.

“-……!?”

“I can’t understand. Are you that stupid? Even though there is no reason to save your sister who already betrayed you, even though there will be no advantage saving those useless small fries in this situation. Ku ha ha ha ha. Is it just like Singlen said? You really don’t have any reason to fight, you try to save someone just because you want to be loved? A pitiful──”

“──Shut up”

“What?”

Lux commanded with a cold, yet threatening tone.

“Don’t you notice anything? Why Airi said those words, why she went as far as lying, pretending to be unrelated to us.”

“-……!?”

Airi’s cold mask was on the verge of collapse at Lux’s words.

“Airi wants to save us. Even if it gains the resentment of her friends, even if she has to become the villain, even though she cannot use a Drag-Ride, even so she is constantly thinking about what she can do, and fight.”

“……..”

“I remembered……. Whether as the prince of the Old Kingdom, or a criminal of the New Kingdom, the reason I fight has not changed in the slightest since the past.”

In order to protect the people important to him.

No matter how powerful and unyielding the authority(plot) Lux faced, he swore he would accomplish its destruction in his own way.

“Since I failed at that time──I thought that it would be fine if I entrust my dream to someone else.”

Lux thought that his path was to protect Lizsharte, the princess of the new kingdom, and cooperated for the sake of her ideal.

“But, I’m wrong. It won’t be meaningful if my ideal doesn’t come true together with it.”

When an enemy that he couldn’t match was standing in his way, if he had to consider his important people as weak and abandoned them like Singlen──he would rather fight, became stronger, he swore he would protect them.

“I’m──not going to give up anything. I won’t let someone like you, take away even a single one of these girls who are important to me.”

Although blood was dripping from his head and whole body onto his armor, Lux’s willpower didn’t wither in the slightest.

“──Hah! Then I will teach you your helplessness right here! You powerless hero!”

Dilwy sharply flew forward and brandished up his Shot Blade, rushing toward Lux.

He violently drove his EX Wyvern and struck with a terrific slash.

“You can’t protect anyone! Let me show you!”

Dilwy released silver flashes towards Airi.

Lux intended to block the attack, but the number of attacks were too great and several slipped through him──however,

“Don’t worry about us, Lux-kun!”

Sharis shouted from behind.

The Triad stood up once more in their Drag-Rides and worked together to make a solid barrier to shield Airi.

“What are you all doing! Don’t move so carelessly! Wearing Drag-Ride in that condition will make you──”

“It’s all good, Airi-chan.”

Sharis smiled even as blood was dripping from her forehead while the other two also nodded in agreement.

“Even though we look like this, we are not playing around. We cannot just lie down sleeping. It doesn’t matter even if we are powerless in the present situation, we can’t just stand around doing nothing after seeing how you and Lux are fighting.”

“We-ll yeah, we can still move after a fashion……”

“Yes, we will fight until our last breath.”

“You all……”

Airi whispered while the three of them were adjusting their formation.

“Thank you──everyone.”

Lux thanked them as he resumed his battle with Dilwy.

With the three’s assistance, the task of protecting Airi was left to them. Lux was gradually pushing on Dilwy.

But──,

“Let me tell you……all of your struggling is futile!”

Dilwy once again soared towards the ceiling while waving his Shot Blade.

“You are definitely finished this time──Silver Flash, Hail Fang!”

“You’re gonna be the one to die yeah, blackened uncle.”

Unnoticed by anyone, Cuelebre rushed to meet EX Wyvern that was going to unleashes storm of slashes from the silver flash once more.

“──You!?”

“I’m thinking that I’m not gonna die here for the sake of our princess. I too ain’t able to bear it see, that I keep getting looked down by sleazebag like you.”

Greifer concentrated all his energy and with a dazzling, shining light cut down with the Tail Blade.

Seeing the spiral curve of the attack, Dilwy was snickered.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitude.”

The moment just before the blade’s tip touched, a forcefield of barrier that was formed with diagonal track repelled the attack of Tail Blade──wasn’t what happened here.

“What-…!?”

“Don’t underestimate someone else too much, uncle. Certainly I’m really reckless, but can learn y’know?”

The blade with multi joint drew an arc with a movement that avoided the barrier and entangled the blade of the Shot Blade.

It was a deluding attack that pretended to aim at the body but actually attacked the opponent’s weapons.

“Your struggling is futile! ──How unsightly, you stray dog!”

But, Dilwy who was taken by surprise counterattacked with Howling Howl without delay.

The impact was several times more powerful than the attack output of an average Drag-Ride, and Greifer was blown far backwards.

“……-!?──Well fine, I’ve made an opening I guess. I’ll leave the rest to you yeah, your highness.”

Cuelebre’s armor was broken while Greifer said with a fearless smile.

To his words, Lux responded with only brief comment.

“──Yeah, I won’t hesitate anymore to fight for my own sake.”

The moment Dilwy turned into offense and exposed a large opening, Lux held aloft his great sword.

“It’s futile──no matter how many times you try, I am much faster than you!”

Dilwy was able to defense faster than Lux could swing down his sword.

He moved with an extraordinary speed and Drag-Ride operation technique that only the current him could achieve.

He unleashed an attack using his Shot Blade to bisect Bahamut with all his strength, however, the forcefield of barrier that was generated from Lux’s left to his right completely repelled that attack.

“──Whaaat-!?”

“──Battle Array – Vicissitude”

One of the Drag-Ride operation techniques that the strongest Drag-Knight of Blackend Kingdom, the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit used.

Dilwy who couldn’t learn that technique until he was turned into devil borrowing the power of Baptism witnessed it with his own eyes.

How can this kid use this technique!?

Just from seeing it only a few times during the Class promotion exam he──.

Even more shudder of terror ran through Dilwy without giving him any time to soak in his shock.

“──Battle Array – Aeon Fire.”

“……!?”

The special move that even now Dilwy couldn’t use.

By collecting all energy from the barrier, propulsion, and driving force into the Blade, a blow with explosively increased might could be unleashed.

The attack broke through the EX Wyvern’s barrier of maximum output and cut down feeply into the shoulder.

“Guh, gahhhh…!”

His blackly dyed shoulder was soaked red from the spilt blood.

Blown to the floor, Dilwy tried to take action to defend from Bahamut’s pursuing attack. However, EX Wyvern was slow to react as he tried to take a defensive posture.

“……The machine isn’t moving!? Why?! My body is still──”

Although his body was moving, the Drag-Ride was not responding.

Given the impact of Lux’s attack attack on the Force Core in his shoulder, he was unable to move for a few seconds.

“I won’t lose…! After attaining this power! Against a bastard like you, I won’t──”

Dilwy screamed and struggled as Lux moved nearer.

He operated his Drag-Ride with all his available strength to defend against Lux’s sword and slashed back──, Lux didn’t overlook that obvious counterattack.

“──Reload on Fire”

Instantly, countless slashes from the great sword cut through EX Wyvern’s armor.

The wrist armor, Force Core, back wings, and other joints to move the armor were slashed apart by the instantaneous slashes, bursting and scattering the EX Wyvern.

“Impossible…!? Wh, WHYyyYYY-!? I should have taken it back! The power that I should be able to obtain in my hand, and yet──”

Dilwy frantically screamed as his armor fell apart.

[[File:Saijaku V6 15.jpg|thumb|right]]

He picked up the Shot Blade with his own flesh and blood hand and brandished it, but then that hand along with the sword was cut off.

“──Then, that strength must be just an illusion right? Monster uncle.”

“Gahh……! GUSHAaAAAAaAaAaAaAAA-!”

The Blade of Cuelebre that Greifer drove flickered and the tip of the blade gouged the heart.

Cracks of light emerged from his body as this monster that was once a man gave his last screams of sorrow.

Similar to an Abyss with its core destructed, that body broke and dissipated into the dust.

===Part 13===

[So──that handyman brat, he really used my technique, the Battle Array?]

After the fight subsided, one man was moving in the shadow.

It was a strange looking Divine Drag-Ride flying through the passage of Dungeon at high speed──It was Zweigbergk the old knight.

At the surface, he was following Singlen’s orders to rescue Lux and others who were left behind in Dungeon but,

[Sir-, but I don’t understand. My lord’s Battle Array that is making use of tuning is the best technique for a Drag-Knight. No matter how outsanding Lux Arcadia’s skill is, it should be impossible to learn it in that short of a time period…..]

The expression of the old knight didn’t change. However he sent back a reply with Dragon Voice that was mixed with irritation somewhere. But,

[That’s simple. Isn’t the answer obvious already, Zwei?]

[By that, you mean?]

Singlen maintained his calm attitude while answering.

[That guy had already known about it. He couldn’t use the two Battle Array that I use, but he knew them.]

[…………]

[The use of tuning is impossible if one is not knowledgable about the control interface of Drag-Ride. But that guy, he must have attempted the finesse of the technique many times since in the past. Even though he did not know the mechanism of tuning, he himself wasn’t satisfied with just devising three hidden techniques. Even after that, he constantly thought whether there is something more that he could do, and day after day, on and on, he continued to work hard groping for new techniques. That’s how it is.]

[No way, such thing is……]

‘Hard to believe’, Zwei let out such voice.

[He crossed sword with me at the exam. When he saw that my skill is clearly superior, that guy immediately switched his fighting style. He moved not to defeat me, he fought in the way to steal my techniques──that guy always hardened his defence at the tournament in royal capital most likely isn’t just for training his foresight, he also aimed to learn the technique of his opponent’s attack even just by one more.]

Singlen’s exultant tone caused Zwei to become silent.

[In a situation where that guy cannot help but joining Seven Dragon Paladins, he realized my trap while leaping into it in order to save his comrades. Until that point it’s according to my expectation, but it’s unexpected that he also stole two of my techniques. Even though his face looks like he cannot even kill a bug, but he is scheming like a strategist. He cannot be dealt with normal method, is what this mean.]

[…………]

[I was thinking of him as one of the pawns connected to Fugil, but he is a man more terrifying than I imagined. The time ahead looks amusing……don’t you agree, Zwei?]

Even while in one side Singlen was showing vigilance toward Lux, his tone sounded as though he was amused.

Zwei nodded in agreement to that before he immediately cut off the Dragon Voice’s communication.

===Part 14===

“……That was a tiresome battle. Good grief.”

“Are you all feeling okay? Greifer, everyone?”

Greifer took a breath, then he saw a new EX Wyvern flying in front of him.

The one who was riding it was a youth with androgynous features, Coral.

“You……where did you go until now?! Do you know how long we have been looking for you──”

“Sorry. I desperately shook off the many Abysses that appeared here in the Dungeon. If I carelessly brought them over here, I am afraid it would put you all in danger so──”

“Haa, well, doesn’t matter. Although there are lots I wanna say, for now let’s leave this place first.”

The moment Greifer muttered, not far from them, the sound of a something being opened was heard. Yoruka wearing Yato no kami landed down.

“It is great you are alright, my lord. I followed your instructions and secured the escape route.”

As a result, it seemed that she eliminated a large number of Abysses in the area by herself.

The lights in the surrounding also returned to their original color, and the alert state of the Ruin was finally ended.

“Let’s retreat now. We are going to talk later, after we ensure everyone’s safety.”

Greifer agreed with Coral’s suggestion after examining the surroundings.

The Triad also stood up somehow, while Lux who had dispelled his armor was standing in front of Airi.

“………….”

Airi could not lift her face to meet Lux’s eyes.

The matter of the ancient document that she was hiding.

The matter about whether she and Lux were really related by blood with the Ruin or not, which was still unclear at this point.

The matter of how she showered harsh words to Lux and others, even though it was in order to save them.

And above else, the matter of how she got caught into the evil design of Dilwy of the Dragon Marauder, which exposed everyone to danger. All those matters made her unable to lift up her face.

However──

“I’m sorry Airi. You feel pained for my sake.”

Even so, Lux said in his usual tone while sounding somewhat apologetic.

“Airi, I completely understand how you are feeling. It’s all right already, so──”

The words of her big brother that were the same like usual made Airi’s feelings erupted.

“-……!? Nii-san! Just what are you saying!?”

The tears that she was trying to hold back dripped down, then she knocked her hands on Lux’s chest powerlessly.

“We might be different from what we thought you know!? We might not be a mere criminal of the ruined old empire, we might be people related to Ruin! If that’s really the case, then from here on, it’s unknown what is going to happen to me or Nii-san!”

Airi feared these things all this time.

The possible realities weighed on her so she could not help but shout.

“Even just now too! Why didn’t Nii-san just abandon me?! I don’t want nii-san to suffer because of me anymore! So why──”

“I don’t feel miserable or anything.”

He murmured as he gently held Airi stroking the hair that was the same color as his.

“I have never imagined anything I have done to protect Airi to be painful. There is also nothing that I thought as painful or I regret doing for you. Just being able to protect my only important family makes me happy.”

“…Why”

Airi could not bear it and she buried her face in Lux’s chest with a sob.

“Why is nii-san always like this!? Are you idiot!? Why are you always, for the sake of someone like me──”

“……I’m sorry that I made you worry. But, I won’t change my mind. No matter what kind of secret is hidden inside us, I will always be Airi’s big brother, that’s why”

Lux gave off a slightly shy smile as he stroked his sister’s back gently.

“It will surely be all right. It’s alright, that’s why──don’t cry anymore.”

“tsu……U, AAaAAAAAAH!”

Airi raised her voice in contrast with Lux’s words.

She wanted to hold back in front of the others, but the tears would not stop.

The family who continued to stay at her side since she was a child, when she had been frail and helpless as she lost her mother.

The big brother who since the period of old empire, had continued to protect herself no matter how much he got hurt.

Even though he was always slow and insensitive, even though when the time came he would forcefully shoulder everything alone.

His voice’s warmth and his chest were warm, the reassurance from his hands stroking her hair, they caused the tears to spill out without end.

Inside the Dungeon, a girl’s sobs echoed.

And then, the incident closed its curtain.

Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 4

2019-10-09T22:03:50Z

Masterupc: /* Part 5 */

==Episode 4 – Second Ruin 『Maze』(Dungeon)==

===Part 1===

At the early morning next day.

Lux woke up early before the sunrise and then he headed toward the practice ground inside the military ground.

He had took confirmation from Coral who was in the same room with him that it was permitted to use the place. The place was empty as he expected, perhaps the factor that it was right after the exam also played a part of it.

“Now, then……”

After changing into his pilot suit, he wore Wyvern on his body and carried out basic operation as replacement for warming up.

And then he released the control of tuning just like how Lisha taught him.

“-……!?”

Several images of light were floating around him, with ancient letter, symbol, and graphic reflected in them.

Originally it was a function that was literally to tune things like the Drag-Ride’s output, armament, and so on. Usually this function wasn’t used while fighting, but now he was deliberately starting up while keeping the function activated.

(As I thought, controlling Drag-Ride in tuning mode is, considerably difficult……)

One could concentrate better if information and options were limited to a certain degree.

The control of Drag-Ride was already complicated and numerous in the best of time. Adding the fiddling of even its output value in the middle of battle gave a degree of difficult that was nearly ill-advised.

“However──……just a bit more”

After taking a deep breath and fired himself up, Lux repeated basic action while keeping that state on.

After around an hour passed with some light rest in between, his stamina finally reached the bottom and he fell on his knee on the ground.

“──Haa, haa……”

He was breathing hard with his shoulders heaving while crouching on the spot. Then suddenly he heard footsteps from behind him.

The moment Lux stood up to turn around, a towel was dropped on his head.

“……Wah!?”

Lux’s sight was plunged into darkness and he panicked.

When he took the soft white towel, there was a familiar face there.

“Morning, Lu-chan.”

“Ah……”

It was a lovely face that was expressionless and absentminded with trace of childishness remaining in it.

Philuffy in pilot suit appearance was standing there.

Different from usual, her hair was tied into a short ponytail. That appearance looked fresh and surprising.

“Phi, Phi-chan. Why are you here──?”

“I’m also always, doing morning training. Then, I heard Lu-chan’s voice, from here.”

After saying that with a dispassionate tone, Philuffy slowly took back the towel.

“Wai-, what are you doing Phi-chan!?”

“You will catch cold, if you don’t properly wipe the sweat, you know?”

Philuffy was wiping Lux’s sweat using the towel with serious face and a tone that sounded a bit chiding.

But, it was embarrassing to have a girl that was his childhood friend to do that much for him, so Lux was flustered.

“I, I’m fine you know!? I, it’s only this much. I can wipe myself alone so──!”

There was no people around, but Lux turned his head left and right to check.

“It’s okay, I’m finished already.”

Philuffy finished her work while he was doing that and she put the towel on Lux’s shoulder.

Like that she was then staring very still at Lux with her pure eyes.

“-……!?”

Perhaps because she had just been training, Philuffy’s skin and face were slightly flushed, and there was a faint scent of sweat from her. They made Lux’s heart throbbed fast.

Compared to her childhood, her breasts, her thighs, and other places had grown into an amazing feminine body. He thought of that once more while looking at her face from nearby.

“Wha, what’s wrong? Is there something on my face──”

“Ei”

“Waah!?”

Lux’s body half rotated just from Philuffy lightly jerking his arm.

In the blink of eye he was made to turn his back on her and he felt bewildered once more.

“Wha, what are you doing Phi-chan!? My sweat is already──”

Philuffy’s body clung closely on the back of the flustered Lux. Then she whispered to him with indifferent tone.

“Checking a bit. Whether your body, is hurt.”

“Yo, you don’t need to do that, I’m really not tired! ──Uwah!?”

Honestly speaking, he was on tenterhooks because Philuffy’s large breasts were touching his back.

When Lux twisted his body to shake her off, his foot got entangled and they fell down together.

“Aa……”

Lux leaked out a voice after falling.

When his hand reflexively moved to stand up, there was Philuffy’s body right below him.

“So, sorry-……!]

The large breasts that didn’t lose shape even when she was lying down face up flew into his sight, causing Lux’s head to boil up.

Philuffy who was expressionless as usual kept staring at Lux and she suddenly moved her lips.

“It’s okay, to not endure you know?”

Philuffy’s question that was said with her usual serious face made Lux turned stiff.

The warmth and softness of Philuffy’s body that was glued to him.

After getting conscious of that, Lux’s heart was pounding hard like an alarm bell, his consciousness turned blank for a moment.

“Because Lu-chan, you look like you are brooding over something.”

“──Eh?”

After Lux whispered toward those words that suddenly came at him, Philuffy showed a faint smile.

“Since the past, Lu-chan would immediately endure. You would hide your true feeling.”

“…………”

That voice sounded somewhat nostalgic.

And yet it also sounded somewhat lonely. Philuffy formed her words with such voice.

“I’m happy, that you are doing your best for our sake, but──. It’s fine, to be more honest with your own feeling, you know?”

“……Such, thing”

‘Isn’t true’. For some reason he became unable to say that when he looked at Philuffy’s straightforward gaze.

*GOOOON*. Suddenly the sound of large bell that informed the time rang at the area.

“Oh……, I need to return to my room soon──”

“Right. Later, Lu-chan.”

They stood up, and then after exchanging only those words, Lux parted with Philuffy and returned to his room.

The straightforward words of his childhood friend caused a mysterious feeling to sprout inside him.

===Part 2===

There was an emergency call. Almost all the officers as well as the officer cadet who were the examinees of Class Promotion Exam were gathered on the Canopy at the upper part of Ruin’s Gear’s center.

The Drag-Knights were lined up. In front of them was a stage, where the principality’s princess, Milmiette, and the man who was the mayor of Ruin’s Gear were standing side by side.

“Everyone──first, thank you for your hard work in the Class Promotion Exam this time. The joint exam with New Kingdom Atismata that was being held for the first time has also ended safely, I believe that it will give a result where we can hope for even better development.”

Milmiette first showed a smile that was like a flower and greeted formally.

But, in contrast with those words, it was as though the atmosphere didn’t feel relaxed.

“Originally we will break up with this. But, just as everyone of the New Kingdom Atismata also knows, recently the appearance rate and the atrocity of the Abyss from Ruin are gaining strength. The second Ruin, the Dungeon existing underground this Ruin’s Gear is also not an exception.”

*Murmur*. The gathered Drag-Rides looked at each other’s face after hearing those words.

“Originally, the number of Abyss appearing from Dungeon is fixed, but that number will overflow if it’s left alone for a long period, and they will climb up from the door at the bottom. Originally this kind of situation happen once every few months, but regardless of the frequency of subjugation that we has increased in this Ruin, the situation is that the Abysses are going to flood out.”

“……!?”

The female students who came from Academy and the military officers gulped.

“Perhaps everyone can already imagine it after I talk this far, but I wish to ask the cooperation of everyone from the new kingdom, in exterminating those Abysses that has been increasing too many inside the Dungeon.”

After she was speaking that far, the mayor stood on the stage and spoke out the outline of the mission.

The Dungeon that was existing underground the Ruin’s Gear.

The underground was divided into five levels in total. In this mission they would descend down those levels, defeated as many Abyss as possible, and decreased their number.

However, in the mission this time, they would only step in until the second level.

The reason was because there were few cases where powerful Abyss appeared in low level.

“Of course, originally there is no merit in this talk for the ladies and gentlemen of New Kingdom Atismata. Naturally we are planning to pay the compensation for your effort, but we are thinking to grant one more reward for it.”

After the grey haired mayor with moustache stepped down, Milmiette continued the talk once more.

“The result that everyone raised in this suppression mission will be treated as a special supplementary exam of this time’s Class Promotion Exam, and the score will be added into the exam’s evaluation.”

“……Ooh!?”

The dazzling smile and words of Milmiette caused the depressed officers to lift their face.

“Of course, cooperation with every officers and defeating many Abyss safely will be evaluated even higher. After all if one neglected to cooperate in their hurry for achievement, they will also fall behind in the real battle. Inside the Ruin, the Drag-Knights of our country who are serving as examiner will take the lead. It will be our happiness if those with spare energy can come forward and cooperate in this by all means.”

Milmiette bowed, then a commotion that somewhat resembled a cheer rose.

“Fuu. The princess of this country can say a good thing too huh.”

Tillfur who was beside Lux by chance showed a small smile after hearing that.

At the exam this time, she seemed to be lacking in confidence what’s with the obstruction in the middle of it too, so she must be relieved inside her heart for this chance.

The subjugation would be done by team of three or four people. Fundamentally entering into the third level was forbidden.

It seemed that this judgment came from the thinking that although the Dungeon was vast and deep, but because the passage itself wasn’t that wide, moving in large group would be obstructive.

This suppression mission would be performed for around three hours.

Of course, continuously operating Drag-Ride through all that time would be impossible, so they would take rest inside the Dungeon, or outside.

Everyone gathered comrades and prepared, then at the lobby they would apply for participation as team. After that they would gather under the Canopy──in front of the spiraling corridor that continued toward the Gate underground, and they would enter in order from the team who got the permission first.

“It seems that the content of the supplement exam this time is advantageous for us whose main strength is cooperation.”

Sharis of Triad who was listening to the talk from right nearby called out like that to her comrades Tillfur and Noct.

Right at that timing, Noct who was there met Lux’s eyes.

“Ah……”

The other day they parted without him unable to say anything to her. Lux was troubled about how he should greet her.

(What should I say, that can assure her……?)

While he was hesitating in front of her with such thinking──,

“Good morning Lux-san. Were you hurt from the exam yesterday?”

“Ah, I, I’m fine. I’m completely──”

Unexpectedly it was Noct herself who broached the topic about the exam that he thought would be hard to talk with her.

“Is that so, I was a bit worried.”

“Eh……?”

Lux tilted his head in puzzlement. Noct spoke with her usual calm expression.

“Yes. We are talking about Lux-san who is kind to girl here, so you will surely think about various methods in order to console me who might be feeling down. I was worried whether you would be lacking in sleep because of that.”

“N, no, it’s not like I was thinking that──”

Noct’s exactly right guess caused Lux to object with red face.

“Is that so, that’s unfortunate. It doesn’t matter that I am the roommate of your little sister, the matter about me won’t really weigh in your mind that much isn’t it?”

“Tha, that’s not true. That, I was worried──about the matter of all of you the Triad.”

Noct looked at Lux with contemptuous eyes when he said that with an earnest tone.

“Yes. As expected you were thinking about that kind of thing weren’t you? Surely it’s a method of touching our body to console──”

“Just what kind of person Noct think I am!?”

When Lux retorted in panic, Noct’s expression suddenly loosened.

“I’m glad. Because I thought that Lux-san would be troubled, that you were unable to help me in the exam the other day.”

“I was just concerned about you, but instead I made you worried!?”

“Yes. Being considerate to the surrounding is the duty of Leaflet family that came from the lineage of servant. I still cannot lose against Lux-san.”

The girl who was his junior smiled slightly at the exhausted Lux and she said that to him.

“Okay, oka─y. Then we will prepare as well. Lux-chi too, let’s meet again inside the Ruin.”

As soon as the mood relaxed, Tillfur came rushing in.

“Ah, that──can you allow me to join the Triad’s team together too?”

「……」

Hearing this, the Triad members were speechless for a moment with their eyes snapped wide open.

“E, eh……? Is it, no good……?”

Seeing Lux being troubled, Sharis grabbed Lux’s head into her underarm.

“Wah……!?”

Due to the posture, Lux’s face hit Sharis’s chest. His face suddenly heated up.

Her body was toned, with the sensation of soft breast pressed on him.

And from her body floated her trademark the rose fragrance that tickled Lux’s nose alluringly.

“Fuh…so even that innocent Lux has become very proactive. You truly want to make all three of us fall for you, don’t you?”

Sharis said that jokingly with a mischievous smile.

“Wa ha haa, Lux-chi is so bold. As expected a boy is really different eh─”

“Yes, Lux-san too is finally developing a great interest in girls. I judged that it’s my obligation to report this to Airi.”

“I, I said it’s not true!? I don’t have that kind of strange ulterior motive, I just──”

Even Tillfur and Noct got into the joke and Lux became even more panicked, it was then,

“We truly understand. Thank you for worrying about us.”

Sharis released Lux from under her arm, and gently placed her finger along his chest.

“But, only this time some of us want to try things. So we are going to rely on you at another chance. For now, please go to the other girls who are waiting for you.”

“Okay…… Then everyone, be careful.”

With some hesitation, Lux agreed and slowly left.

After he talked with Lisha and others about the grouping, Lux returned to the lodging house for once to see Airi’s face.

===Part 3===

“Fuh, it somehow went well. Although we originally agreed to this, you do not have any regrets, Tillfur, Noct?”

Sharis was seeing off Lux’s back while speaking to her two compatriots.

“Yes, we hope that we don’t add to Lux-san’s burdens by more than this.”

“Actually, I was really happy though……. He is properly worrying about us too──”

With a joyful and lonely expression, Tillfur sighed.

While Airi was alone in her dorm room last night, the Triad girls made some plans in advance.

In order to help Lux, the three decided to distance themselves instead from him.

Although it was because of Buzzheim’s evil design and added with a coincidence, it still resulted in them dragging down Lux at the Class Promotion Exam.

If they who didn’t even have the strength to skillfully use Divine Drag-Ride were near Lux, they would become a hindrance to him.

The words that Singlen said at the exam yesterday stabbed the chest of the Triad.

To re-evalute their strength again from the beginning, the three decided not to request Lux’s assistance and fought by themselves.

“But, I might have done something bad towards Tilfur. I stole away the time where you can be together with him.”

Sharis spoke teasingly.

“Wai-……!? Sharis yourself, even though just now you pushed your breast on Lux-chi!”

“Yes, I think that’s quite bold of Sharis. ……In fact, you like Lux-san, correct?”

“──Fuh. I was just giving him a bit of nice memory in my own way as my feeling of gratitude. No, though it’s not a mistake that I’m pleased with him.”

[[File:Saijaku V6 13.jpg|thumb|right]]

“Is that really true～…… ? Sharis, even though she has been putting act as a big sis but she is actually pure, so she is unexpectedly weak against straight advance though~, ……and she like younger one too.”

“Yes, although we are childhood friends, this is the first time I have seen you do this type of thing towards a man.”

“… We, well, time to get back to the topic on hand.”

Sharis’s face was slightly reddening from Tillfur’s mischievous laugh and Noct’s fixed stare. She then made a forced cough.

“Our goal is to accomplish this by our own strength. ──Now, let’s go and do what we can with our all.”

Sharis repeated the instructions from the start. The other two nodded understandingly.

The three of them stepped forth toward the passage of Drag-Ride hangar that was borrowed from Ruin’s Gear

===Part 4===

“Airi, are you in there?”

After knocking gently on the door and hearing a”Come in,” Lux entered the room.

Exuding her usual cold atmosphere, Airi sat at her desk reading.

“Is something the matter, Nii-san? You are going to join the aforementioned suppression mission aren’t you? Isn’t it better to quickly prepare?”

“Ahaha……. No, there is something that troubled me a bit.”

Saying that, he talked about how after he was rejected from accompanying the Triad, he went to where Lisha and others were.

Lux was thinking to group with Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, or Celis who he got along well with and belonged to Syvalles together, but Instructor Raigree who was there told him that he was forbidden to accompany them.

The instructor said,

“On the surface the task is officially to destroy the Abyss, but it is also a supplement exam to test the teamwork in facing the Abyss. You all the user of Divine Drag-Ride, don’t group among yourselves. Split up and devoute yourself in supporting the other students.”

It was like that.

Now that he was told that, it was the natural decision.

Lisha and others, the four of them were on another level of strength that was nearly EX Class and had a high chance of passing the exam, thus it would be unnecessary for them to force themselves to achieve victories in the campaign.

Also, the second ruin [Dungeon] is very deep.

It was better that the members of [Syvalles] who had experience going to the Ruins before to be split accordingly to support the other cadets.

That was how they are told.

“Even though I’m thinking of supporting Lux with the Drag-Ride that I’ve newly created at great pains……”

After the warning, Lisha became upset.

“I understand what you are saying, and it’s the correct reasoning. But I still feel a little dissatisfied emotionally.”

Krulcifer showed a smile with hidden meaning while agreeing.

“It’s unfortunate……. Even though, I’ve been carrying the snack for Lu-chan’s share too.”

“……Ahh, nn. Please bring it for me at the next chance. This time Phi-chan can eat them all yourself.”

Lux showed a wry smile while comforting his usually expressionless childhood friend.

“Even though I wanted to peel the orange for you.”

“You really don’t need to do that!? Going that far will make me embarrassed okay-!”

After his panicked exclamation, Celis also came to his side.

“It can’t be helped. I originally wanted to use this opportunity to repay Lux for all the times you helped me but──no, Its definitely not that I just want to be with you, okay.”

“Then please at another chance. For today please become the strength for the others.”

Like that he parted with the girls and Lux returned to the lodging house.

“Haa, nii-san is very popular. However, please stop getting intimate with your classmates now while enrolled in the academy. Otherwise, I would feel ashamed.”

“Wha, what are you saying!? Everyone is just treating me well I’m telling you.”

Airi’s accusation made Lux’s face to redden as he panicked.

Then however, Airi’s sighed deeply as she muttered something quietly while averting her face away from Lux.

“……Nii-san’s denseness is already at the territory of serious illness after all. As I thought, is the cause because he is dragging along the matter of the past?”

“Eh…?”

“Never mind. It’s not like I want to see someone like the womanizer Nii-san anyway.”

Airi said in exasperateion while looking out the window.

“I will wait in the lobby of the Ruin. It seems that the people of Seven Dragon Paladins will also be there, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

“Mm, got it.”

Lux nodded and smiled.

“Airi, other than this, has anything notable happened recently?”

“…Not really.”

Lux smiled wryly when Airi answered with some hesitation.

“Okay, but if anything happens please let me know. Although I may be unreliable, I am still your big brother after all.”

“-…..!?”

The words Lux said made Airi trembled for a moment.

Although Airi immediately returned to her usual calm expressionless, and she showed a faint smile.

“I understand. Good luck, Nii-san.”

“Nn”

After acknowledging this, Lux showed Airi a smile as he left.

A few seconds later, the expression that she forcefully made finally crumbled, and Airi fell onto her bed.

“My uniform will get wrinkled……”

Such thinking was crossing the back of her mind even while she was unable to bear it.

There was no way she could say it.

For some unknown reason, Singlen was showing an abnormal fixation toward Lux.

It wasn’t only the persistent persuasion to join the Seven Dragon Paladins, he may also knew things about Lux’s past when at the old empire and even about Lux’s eldest brother Fugil.

So──in order to prevent the two from getting even more invoved with each other, Airi kept quiet about last night’s events.

The Dragon Marauder’s spy may had already infiltrated the New Kingdom.

And then, the important nobles of various countries who were financing Dragon Marauder were searcing for trigger of war.

If the content of the old document that Airi deciphered was reported to the upper brass of the new kingdom, the history and knowledge about the old empire until now would be overturned and a great chaos would occur, the brunt of it would surely──be pointed at Lux and Airi.

As the final survivors of the Old Empire, amd then as criminals, there was the risk that thye would be doubted of having ties with the Lord(Creator) of Ruin.

“If it is only me that ends up hurt then it is still fine. But──“

The worst case would be if Airi was taken hostage, and Lux would fall into the grip of the New Kingdom.

Furthermore, there were also people within the consul who desired to take advantage of Lux.

She didn’t want to become a burden for his big brother for more than this.

“I, what should I do……”

At that moment, a knock suddenly came on the door causing Airi to get taken aback and she held her breath.

“Who is it?”

She asked as she placed her diary where the ancient document was hidden in a safe spot on her desk.

“Please do not panic. I am with Wanheim Principality.”

Hearing the sound coming from a young girl, Airi relaxed as she opened the door.

“-…..!? You are──”

“Could you come with me? Miss Airi Arcadia”

The one who appearead along with a few followers was Princess Milmiette.

===Part 5===

“Now then, what to do from here.”

In order to participate in the suppression mission, obviously he needed to fix his equipment. However he was refused from teaming up with the Triad, and it didn’t look like he could accompany Lisha or the others this time.

“Should I try aksing the other classmates?”

Lux pondered such thing while opening the door of the lodging room──then,

“Wah……!?”

“──Eh?”

Someone sitting on the bed was taking off their shirt, rolling the shirt off their arm.

The exposed smooth white-skinned back appeared in front of Lux’s field of vision.

“So, sorry-!? I didn’t expect someone to be in the middle of changing here──”

Reflexively, Lux closed the door at the sight of the half-naked androgynous youth.

However, after his panickedly yelled that, he noticed something strange.

“Eh……? Looking closesly, could you be……Coral?

[[File:Saijaku V6 14.jpg|thumb|right]]

“Oh, ah, um……that’s me. I’m also a boy, so there’s no problem here. Come in.”

“Ah, yes, that’s right. Then, I’m coming in……?”

When Lux timidly entered inside, Coral who had already changed into a pilot suit was inside the room.

No matter how androgynous his appearance and body, Coral undoubtedly should be a boy.

And yet, for some reason a slight guilt welled up inside Lux. Even Lux felt it mysterious.

“Um, about that──sorry that I suddenly made such a strange voice.”

Coral apologized with a somewhat shy smile.

“Oh, that’s fine. It was my fault for forgetting to knock──anyways, is Coral also taking part in the mission?”

He did not watch Coral’s fight at the All-Dragon Battle last time, it was understood that given his ability to use EX Wyvern meant that his strength was High Class at the very least.

From the results of the examination, it didn’t look like that Coral necessarily need the extra points, but…

“Well, everyone in my country is basically participating. After all this is our own country.”

“I see.”

Thinking about it, it was really the natural development.

“Sorry to make you accompany us playing out at night last evening. But──did you able to relax a bit from it?”

“……Thank you. Because of that, I was able to get along slightly with Greifer.”

After hearing Lux’s words, Coral put his hands together.

“That’s good then. Lux is really very kind just as I thought.”

Coral spoke with a voice that was mixed with relieve and delight. Lux smiled wryly to that, saying”No such thing.”

There were the matter of what Singlen said, Airi whose condition was somewhat strange, and the matter of Triad, even so Lux’s feeling had slightly beome light.

“Then, this is an opportunity that is hard to come by, do you want to join us in the suppression mission?”

“That, do you mean──”

Lux was bewildered at Coral’s invitation.

“Mm. In the upcoming suppression mission in the Ruin, I hope that you and me, along with Greifer, can be in a team together. Is that okay?”

“-……!?”

*chiri-*, a sharp pain ran behind Lux’s eyes and static that looked like sandstorm ran at the back of his mind.

(Again……? Just what is this? This pain──, I have felt it before)

Before Lux was able to confirm what made him uneasy, the feeling soon went away.

“……What’s the matter?”

“Ah, its nothing. I hope that I will not trouble you too much then.”

Although he was hesitant whether he should help the other girls, but they were also encouraged by Instructor Raigree that they assembled team together with their allied country Wanheim Principality.

After Lux gave his answer, he changed out of his uniform into his pilot suit.

“Wah……!?”

“Wha, what is it…?”

“No, nothing……Don’t’ worry about me.”

Coral answered with a troubled smile for some reason. Lux thought it strange while he finished his getup.

He was carrying compass, protable food and drinking water in his bag, then they joined with Greifer.

“I don’t really care, but why are you purposefully teaming up with this fellow from another country…….”

“It’s fine right? Greifer doesn’t have many friends anyway.”

Coral retorted at Grefier who was a bit annoyed. Then after they stopped by at the base inside the palace──the lobby, the three of them went towards the entrance to the Dungeon.

After arriving at the bottom of the spiral staircase that was hollow like ant lion larva’s pit, the Drag-Knights of both countries were already gathered in large number.

“Lux! If anything happens, call me immediately! I will rush to your aid!”

Hearing Lisha’s energetic voice, Lux awkwardly waved.

Altough the three of the Triad were also present, for some reason that Buzzheim was also present.

His injuries were tied with bandages, making it hard to imagine how he could operate a Drag-Ride. Moreover, his proctor license should also have been revoked.

It seemed like he was merely there to see off the beginning of the mission as a member of the military. However, he glared at Lux with hound-like eyes like usual.

“…………”

“Relax. Buzzheim already doesn’t have anything to do with this part of the exam.”

Coral, who noticed where Lux’s line of sight went, had understood the situation.

However, Greifer muttered peevishly.

“……I wonder? Well, I’ll be keeping an eye for you.”

“Next team! Number 17, come forward!”

“It’s our turn now.”

After being called by the proctors, Lux and his comrades walked up.

If the Gigas that came to the new kingdom was excluded, this would be his first time entering the Ruin of another country. Lux was feeling nervous of that while he braced himself.

As Lisha’s knight too, it would be the best for Lux raise his Class.

Besides that, in order to protect the city from the magical beasts, he would give his utmost effort.

(But…for what?)

Singlen’s words stuck to his mind.

He had decided that he would not hesitate…and yet why was his feeling like this.

“Let’s go, Lux-kun.”

Coral gently touched Lux’s back, indicating Lux to exit. In front of the site, Lux summoned <Wyvern> and pulled out his sword.

“Come, the winged dragon of crest, the symbol of strength. Follow my sword and fly, Wyvern!”

He pressed the button on his hilt and said the chant.

Light particles gathered around him at high speed. His body became covered with streamlined blue armor.

A few seconds later, while standing on the pentagon on the floor that was called the Gate, an orange light gradually rose, giving Lux a feeling of floating on air.

Feeling like their consciousness was separting from the body, the three of them entered the Dungeon.

===Part 6===

The rooftop of the Palace that was overlooking down on the spiral staircase continuing to the Dungeon──the edge of Canopy.

Singlen, wearing his usual armor suit was lying down on the edge that was made of stone, where a single mistaken step would make him fall down for few dozen mel.

As his eyes followed Lux disappearing in to the Dungeon, he stared lazily back towards the rear of the main troops.

“I have returned, my lord.”

The air behind Singlen slightly rippled.

As if he was covered by a bed sheet, an old knight wearing a white mask and white jacket appeared.

“You are late, Zwei. Did anyone tail you here?”

“There has been no action at all. Are they saving their capability? Or else, perhaps the Dragon Marauder too isn’t planning to make a move carelessly here.”

“Who knows…If I were them, I would not hesitate at this chance. Right now that the danger of Ruin is increasing and each country is hardening their defense, there may not be another chance where they can move this easily if they miss this one.”

“…True.”

The old knight’s husky voice agreed with his master’s opinion.

“Then I’ll order the Knights of White Ridge to stay vigilant. To prepare for the worst case scenario—“

The old knight prepared to leave. Singlen, stabbed the sheath of his Sword Device onto the ground, elucidating a small thud as it landed.

“Well, hold on a second, Zwei. Although you were an able man since in the past, your decision making is just a bit too premature. We certainly were requested to protect this city. ──But, no one will evaluate us highly just from extinguishing a small fire that cannot be seen. Haven’t we experienced that many times in the past, let’s be a little cleverer here. We will make use of our lesson.”

“…………”

Singlen smiled as he said this, exuding a deep, unending darkness.

The old knight suddenly realized the true meaning behind his words.

“…That”

“Catching the big fish requires patience. Keep in mind we will prioritize the Milmiette ojou-sama’s safety first.”

“Yes, sir.”

After this brief response, Zwei disappeared.

Singlen did not care as he looked over the doors of the palace.

“…Fugil, ah. What will your brother do next? I am looking forward to it.”

Singlen’s face held a deep smile.

However, his dark voice was not heard by anyone.

===Part 7===

“This…is the Dungeon?”

As his body moved past the door, Lux could not help whispering as his witnessed the incredible interior.

Although the Academy’s lectures and pre-mission meeting described what he needed to know, it was still a view beyond his imagination.

“What’s up? Is this your first time entering a Ruin?”

“…its very spectacular.”

In response to Coral, Lux could not say any other words to describe his impression.

However, those were his real feelings.

In Lux’s mind, the Dungeon was supposed to appear as caves.

With cold, dark, inorganic rocks channeling through them.

However, the scenery in front of him surpassed his imagination.

Directly in front of them was an altar-like patio.

Around the patio was a field of flowers.

Above the patio, instead of a blue sky, something like moss that gave off a pale yellow fluorescent light made the area appear just bright enough.

Rather than a cave, it was more like a courtyard with walls surrounding it on every side.

“Here in the middle is the exit to the outside world. There are also places like this far away from where we are with a lake and other scenery, isn’t it interesting?”

As Lux curiously looked around, Coral gave his explanation.

As they approached, the other female students would stop to look in adungeonment.

“Oh, honor student-sama! Our task is to suppress Abyss here yeah? Don’t treat it like a picnic.”

“Greifer is still the same! Our mission should last just a few hours, yet you still get nervous. Or is it that you just want to finish quickly and get back to Princess Milmiette?”

The two of them began to quarrel.

Lux looked at the two with a wry smile as a thought crossed his mind.

“So now…how many levels are we going to raid?”

“According to the records the exploration has only reached until level four. The area looks spacious, but it’s actually quite complicated. After we pass three levels, the amount of powerful Abyss and harsh environment will increase…”

“I see.”

Listening to Coral’s answer, Lux breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed that in this Ruin, the existence of Automaton that was called Gear Leader hadn’t been confirmed.

Without that Hayes who was called as Lord, the possibility that something happened in Ruin must be low.

“Shall we begin? Although there are only a few Abyss here, don’t let your guard down and take them one by one!”

Lux nodded to Coral’s words, then they too began the Abyss extermination.

Far in the darkness, a scream could be heard.

“That sound, its Hind huh.”

“Even though this creature looks like a deer, it is very ferocious. Be very careful!”

Lux listened to Greifer and Coral’s instructions as he drew his weapon.

The suppression mission began with this team that was formed for the first time.

===Part 8===

“Listen to me! Greifer is amazing? I failed so many dishes that I cooked yet he took it as a challenge and ate all of it!”

“….I-Is that so?”

At the same time.

Under the Canopy, deep in the halls of the Dungeon above the door, Princess Milmiette and Airi were there.

Why was she sitting next to the princess of Wanheim Principality?

It seemed that Coral arranged a lot of security to ensure Airi’s safety, but having a lot of guards made her nervous.

“Coral is the son of my distant relatives, but because of the death of his parents from illness, he was adopted as my escort. As the assistant of Greifer of the Seven Dragon Paladins, I think that sooner or later his visit to the new kingdom will also increase, please treat him well then.”

“It’s no problem. That…If I may say so, could you excuse me for a few minutes?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was too preoccupied with talking. I will send a guard to accompany you.”

“I-I’ll be fine by myself!”

Princess Milmiette had good intentions, but being surrounded by male officers was troublesome.

(How to say it…this person, she is too pure that it’s hard to deal with her……)

Other than that, a lot of eyes and ears around made Airi felt uneasy.

Because of the ancient document that she deciphered was hidden in a parcel in Airi’s bag.

She exited the Lobby and brought her feet toward the toilet.

Airi had been very cautious until there.

However, right after she finished her business and exited the building, for a moment she let her guard down.

“──!?”

“Hey!”

A silhouette quietly approached from the shadows.

A man with a cloth covering his face snatched Airi’s bag.

“Thi-Thief! Stop! Please stop-…!”

She was shouting while knowing that it was in vain.

Even though she was hit and knocked down, she stood up quickly and began to give chase. However, she could not catch up.

The man ran towards the cover of building inside the Palace. As if replacing that man, a Wyvern flew out from there while holding the bad and fled down the spiral staircase.

“──Eh!?”

Airi was stopped by the unexpected scene.

If the man flew outside, it would be hard to find him. And yet the man was heading to the bottom of Palace──to the entrance of the Dungeon where there would be no place to escape.

He was a thief, so why would he run towards a place with a dead-end.

Although a lot of Drag-Knights had gathered due to the suppression mission, however, if an outside went down there he should still get noticed.

Unless this man was originally a Drag-Knight who was a part of the suppression mission and had received the permission to participate ──.

“What exactly is going on…?”

The situation was puzzling.

But after thinking about it for a few seconds, the possibility made Airi tremble.

From between the gaps in the cloth, the thief’s face appeared similar to that of one of Buzzheim’s men.

“Surely…it can’t be…”

At that moment, Airi remembered a scene from last night.

When Singlen visited Airi’s room last night, he used words that suggested that Airi was secretly in possession of the something that was connected to the Ruin.

「Those guys are sending spy to every country. It will be dangerous if they know you are hiding the secret of Ruin. What I want to say is be cautious.」

Wjat if supposedly Buzzheim overheard this conversation…

“-…!?”

Airi’s heart beat furiously, and she felt her consciousness fading.

If the ancient documents were exposed, they would lose the place that they had obtained in the new kingdom.

People will question their relationship with the Lord(Creator), then they would be imprisoned once more, or else──.

(There is no time to hesitate)

Airi rushed back towards the Lobby to inform others of the emergency.

This matter of robbery couldn’t be reported to the military officer of Wanheim Principality.

Since there was no evidence that it was one of Buzzheim’s people, and it was only Airi’s speculation.

She couldn’t act against the military officer of another country without solid evidence. And even if for example she had something like that, they would obviously feign ignorance.

That means she couldn’t stop Buzzheim through normal means.

“Nii-san, I──…”

Airi hesitated to discuss this with her brother. Airi rushed down the spiral staircase as though she was being pushed down. As she approached the Gate of the Dungeon, Noct came into her field of vision.

“What’s the matter Airi? Your face doesn’t look good.”

“…”

Tillfur and Sharis of the Triad were also there. Perhaps they had just finished resting and returned here.

However, Lux and Lisha and other members, the users of Divine Drag-Ride were not there.

Perhaps it would be best to seek their assistance first, but there was no time for that .

Buzzheim could not use a Drag-Ride due to his injury, and most of his followers shouldn’t be accompanying him, only a few of them──.

“Noct, there is something I need your help with. Could you please help me?”

When Airi noticed, she had cut to the case.

She said that she wanted to go into the ruins to catch the thief.

===Part 9===

“Fuu…we did pretty well. And just now our team finished the fourth battle.”

Coral said this with a smile as the firewood crackled.

They were surrounded by rocks on all sides with a thin lawn covering the ground like a blanket.

They were resting in an open space of the northeast part of the Dungeon’s first level.

It seemed there were several resting places called Camp scattered throughout the Dungeon.

They were not originally part of the Dungeon but set up one by one by Wanheim Principality as they explored. Next to them, water from the waterfall parted to create a basin around them.

Lux and Coral were resting in shabby tents set up in the vicinity.

“I doubt there is poison in the water, but it’s still likely better to not drink it. If we can understand the situation upstream, then our safety will also increase, but there is no guarantee for that.”

“Got it.”

The teapot and water they had at hand came from a part of the food they brought in advance.

Since they were only exploring for a day, there was not a need to bring too many provisions in advance.

“──However, there is no doubt that Lux will be promoted here.”

As Lux sipped his tea, Coral smiled and congratulated him.

Based on the pocket watch they had, there was less than an hour before they needed to return.

They exterminated Abyss following the instructions of the examinees who were here and there and repeated that several times.

While Lux could only use Wyvern to fight, Greifer and Coral were quite strong so the mission went smoothly.

In the main exam, he acted in the way that lowered his evaluation several times, but with this Lux’s promotion to Middle Class should be without a problem.

He would continue to uphold his reputation as Lisha’s knight.

(Buy why is it I wonder……. Why am I feeling this superficial?)

Lux put down his tea cup and began strolling around the tent in a daze.

There were no more Abyss around and only the sound of quiet water flowing could be heard, but…

“Oi”

“Wah!?”

There was a voice that suddenly came from the side, then a Dagger stabbed the floor in front of him.

When Lux jumped backward in panic, Greifer wearing Cuelebre arrived at his side.

“Don’t loiter around as you please. We are resting right now but don’t wander too far from the tent.”

“Ah, sorry…”

Lux hurriedly apologized. Greifer grunted towards the side.

(Aa, when I thought that our relationship has finally improved slightly…)

Greifer’s blunt attitude towards Lux made him felt down as he walked back towards the tent, it was then──,

“That was dangerous, Greifer! Anyways, you need to explain to him about that!”

“What do you mean?”

The words of Coral who was exiting the tent confused Lux, while Greifer was showing a bothersome face.

“Haah, the Portal(transfer device) is in that direction. Didn’t I explain it before we entered?”

“Oh…”

Lux noticed what Greifer’s intention was.

Inside this Dungeon, other than stair that went underground, there were things called Portal installed at several floors.

The Portal’s shape was simply a group of rocks in a circle that was easy to notice, but because it could only transport things from the upper floor to the lower floors in one-way trip, the team could be in danger of getting separated at the moment they stood at that spot without noticing it.

Lux noticed that while he presented a different attitude on the surface, Greifer was quite concerned about Lux’s safety.

In any case, the man is really quite caring no matter what he said.

“Thank you Greifer. I’ll switch with you to patrol around now.”

Lux said this with a smile, while for some reason Greifer gave an uncomfortable glance to the side.

“I ain’t feeling like drinking tea, so I’ll refrain. We are going to return back soon anyway right? Rather than that──”

Greifer had an indifferent look as always as he stood up wearing his Cuelebre.

“A communication from Dragon Voice came in. There seems to be something strange going on. The men of new kingdom who weren’t too hot at the exam this time──that team seems to raise some abnormal results for this exam.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? With that the possibility the people of new kingdom’s military getting promoted will increase.”

Coral tilted his head while Greifer continued to speak.

“That’s if they are doing it in proper way. According to the proctor, it seems that team took care of about a dozen Abyss or more already.”

“Eh..?”

Upon hearing this, Lux reacted to the conversation for the first time.

Strange.

The New Kingdom’s Drag-Knights, with the exception of the captain Dilwy, should be consisting of only Low or Middle Class Drag-Knight.

Of course, that Class in the end was only one indicator of strength, but it was hard to imagine that they would all suddenly show such results inside this unfamiliar Ruin in foreign country.

“Seems that the Abyss on the second level ain’t a match for them, thus they went towards the entrance to the third floor. I wonder, what is their trick?”

“…………”

As Greifer said these words, a grave expression appeared on Coral’s face for the first time.

However, he sighed immediately and returned to his usual demeanor.

“That is concerning, but no rules were broken, so there is no problems.”

“If that’s so then it’s okay. It is still a bit early, but how about we start heading back?”

At Greifer’s suggestion, Lux stood up.

But, at that very moment. *Dong!* The Dungeon began shaking vertically.

“Earthquake!?!”

Right after Lux judged like that, the pale yellow light that illuminated the cave began to flash bright red.

“That’s!?!”

Lux recalled a past situation in the Ark that was similar with this. He pulled out his Sword Device.

“Someone broke into the third floor!? This is bad, at this rate──the Ruin will enter alert state!”

Coral who saw that also called out his EX Wyvern and equipped it.

“Greifer! I’m going to confirm the situation. You go outside the Dungeon and await instructions from Princess Milmiette.”

“Gotcha. Hey, prince, let’s go back to the Palace.”

“Hold on! I am going to go take a look as well!”

Lux requested to accompany him, but Coral calmly shook his head.

“I can’t take you along towards a part of the dungeon that you are not familiar with. Although you are concerned about the officers of the new kingdom, please bear with it for now.”

Saying that, Coral glided out while driving EX Wyvern.

He traveled through the dungeon and quickly disappeared from the field of vision in the blink of an eye.

===Part 10===

“…w-what is this shaking! What is happening!?”

“I-It’s not our fault!? Although we accidentally chased the Abyss towards the third floor, just because of that, the Ruin become like this…!”

“Captain Dilwy! Did you see!? Should we retreat…”

It was a team that was composed of only male officers.

The squad captain, Dilwy and three Drag-Knights of the new kingdom military. They were panicked at the sudden change in situation and showed the weak-kneed expression that was exactly opposite with until now when they were defeating a lot of Abysses.

Their steady advance untilnow was solely thanks to Dilwy, while the other three were only given the leftover. There was no sense of duty or dignity as knight in that.

“──Haah”

Dilwy raised a smile of mockery towards them.

His old wound had healed. His right arm now had strange black pattern on its surface. That arm was holding a knife that was left behind by the robed man last night.

No, not so much as healed, but it was even stronger than before.

“The seed of war huh. I see, so that is how it was…”

“Cap-Captain Dilwy! Let’s retreat quickly”

“Aah, it is already that time huh…then, let’s have a farewell soon.”

The men in his squad let out a sigh of relief hearing Dilwy’s words.

No one there noticed how Dilwy was like a completely different person from his normal demeanor.

===Part 11===

“This sound, what happened–!?”

Equipped with her Wyvern, Sharis was surprised and wondering what was happening?

The Triad and Airi were searching for Buzzheim on the second floor when the sudden chaos ensued.

Perhaps it was time to head back, there were no signs of other Drag-Knigths around them.

“Isn’t this bad!? How come this feels like the last time in the Ark?”

“Yes, I judge that the possibility is high. But according to the Radar, it will still take a little more until we catch up with Buzzheim and others who seem to be the robbery culptrit, about 70 mel ahead──”

“…..”

Airi bit her lips with a complex expression while being held by Noct’s Drake.

They heard explanation about the Dungeon’s alert state when they received instruction regarding this suppression mission.

About five minutes after the color inside Ruin changed, the stairs connecting the third floor and the second floor would be blocked. And there was danger that many Abyss would appear.

That ancient document absolutely had to be taken back.

──However, she also couldn’t expose the Triad to even more danger than this because of her selfishness.

“…As long as we have my Drake, we will be able to communicate within the Ruin using Dragon Voice. There’s about 50 mel left till we get to the stair connecting to the third level. They should be there.”

Noct said this in response to seeing Airi’s troubled face.

Sharis also spoke to the undecided Airi.

“Let’s go. There is no time to waste. The despicable thieves, as someone serving as the Academy’s vigilance committee, I will not stand them unless we pay them back.”

“That’s true~, they also harassed us a lot at the exam~”

“Yes, I will continue detecting the Abyss, so please leave securing the path of retreat to me.”

“──My apologies, everyone.”

Airi let out a weak voice toward the Triad who were considerate and helpful to her.

“I’d also like to test my skills after all. Let’s go Tillfur, Noct.”

“Roo~ger”

“Yes, my Lord” (English)

Tillfur and Noct responded to Sharis’s statement with a smile.

Right in front of the staircase leading to the third floor, it was discovered that Buzzheim and a small group of people were taking position there.

Buzzheim did not have any Drag-Ride equipped but he was holding on to Airi’s bag. However, the four men of Wanheim Principality’s military officer with him each were equipped with general purpose Drag-Ride.

Sharis quickly aimed her breath Gun and gave a warning.

“A warning towards all of you the officers of allied country Wanheim Principality! You are in possession of something that belongs to the civil official of our New Kingdom. If you return it now, I will nor report your deed to your superior and the incident will not turn into serious matter. But if you refuse, we will take it back by force!”

In response, Buzzheim face shifted from surprise into a sneer.

“…Just when I thought what you are going to say, but could you have gotten the wrong people? The package was something that was given by an acquaintance of mine.”

He said this as he retreated behind his subordinates.

“So you are refusing to return it. If so, I won’t be so polite in taking it back.”

The moment the finger of the Wyvern Sharis controlled touched on her Breath Gun, one of the followers wearing Wyrm rushed ahead suddenly.

He released a barrier to protect himself from the assault, so that he could forcefully charge forward even while deflecting bullet.

“The standard reaction huuh. That’s no good you know──”

Aware of the enemy’s movements, Tillfur who was similarly wearing Wyrm intercepted the enemy.

Tillfur’s Hammer swept aside the enemy’s Blade, making him lost balance. Then she landed a decisive blow to the shoulder of her opponent’s armor.

“Ga, ahh……!?”

When the man flinched backwards after witnessing that smooth blow, Sharis who had switched her weapon followed with an attack by her Blade. The enemy’s armor was dispelled after his Force Core received impact.

Furthermore, Noct kept covering Airi while pulling the trigger of her Breath Gun to hold back the other men who tried to join the fray. The three of them splendidly coordinated their strategy and acted all at once.

“This is checkmate, Buzzheim-dono.”

“Ku…!”

As Sharis’s sword was pointed at him, the defenseless Buzzheim groaned.

The outcome was decided.

If they returned with full speed from now, they could go back before the blockade of the stair between second floor and the third floor was completed.

As soon as Airi had a slight peace of mind, Buzzheim loudly called out.

“I-I will not give it back to you! I know that I am holding the evidence of of you hiding something that will lead to the Ruin’s secret! If you hurt me, I’ll expose everything in court! You wouldn’t want that. After all──”

“Is that so──then I’ll have you entrust that so called Ruin’s secret to me.”

“Na..!?”

The sudden incoming voice made Buzzheim, his men, the Triad, and Airi all freeze in place.

Standing there was a young man with delicate features clad in EX Wyvern, Dilwy Froias.

(Even though I don’t want it to get seen by this person too who is an army officer of new kingdom──)

Seeing how things have been going, Airi was desperately thinking about what to say to Dilwy.

However, the necessity of this disappeared a moment later.

“Wh-what are you saying!? Who will…ahh!”

*Zan-*, the EX Wyvern’s Blade swung and cut off the head of Buzzheim.

“-…!?”

Right after Airi and the Triad felt terrified, Dilwy’s Blade slashed once more.

Accompanied by the sound of air being cut away, the silver flash ran through the air and lopped off the head of the rest of Buzzheim’s followers who were dumbfounded.

“Wha, what are you──”

Giving a glance at Sharis who whispered with pale face, Dilwy carelessly snatched the blood soaked bag of Airi from the arm of the headless Buzzheim.

His presence was completely the same like his usual quiet attitude without any change.

But that was instead felt so hair-rising terrifying.

“Ah, sorry to frighten everyone.”

Dilwy said it with a deadpan face without revealing any emotion, as though what he had done was even less than crushing a bug.

“The squad that came with me are already heading back. Although it is quite difficult to communicate using Dragon Voice from this third level to the ground level, but in the unlikely chance you girls manage to call for help, it would be quite troublesome.”

“What are you saying? You…”

Sharis said with a slight trembling in her voice.

“Enough with the chit-chat. After all, threats require the necessary steps. So, how much should I say I wonder? Right, it’s nearly impossible for you to call for help. If you draw your weapon against me, then you will die. I will cut the hands and legs off of the three girls around you one by one before cutting their neck. Do you understand now? Well then, this thing about the way to the Ruin’s secret, could you please explain? Airi Arcadia?

“…………”

Airi could only shiver as the saliva in her mouth dried up.

Her heart and mind were unable to comprehend the reality in front of her.

However, one thing was obvious.

That, this man──was a horrifying enemy.

“Having said that, I did not expect that I can be this strong. Although my right wrist is now working thanks to that strange man──well, I don’t need to mention that too.”

“──Sharis, Tillfur, are you in position? The reaction is close.”

Adorned with her <Drake>, Noct whispered while holding a tense expression.

“Well, there is no other way──let’s go!”

Right after that call, Sharis’s Wyvern flew to the side.

Taking a deep breath, Noct grabbed Airi and she with Tillfur ran following Sharis.

“Sorry, but we aren’t a match against him! Your safety is the highest priority, Airi!”

Sharis shouted while searching for a different path to get to the second floor.

The understanding of the nearby terrain and the detection of Abyss had been finished using Noct’s Drake.

“It appears that you all are unable to understand your own strength from the Class promotion exam, huh? I was threatening because all of you have no escape.”

Dilwy spoke with a calm tone as he chased them with EX Wyvern.

“Unfortunately, I understand about myself. Your worry is unnecessary!”

When they arrived at spacious, straight channel, Sharis fled towards the cramped passage at the side.

“──!?”

In that moment, a roar from the darkness before them sounds out through the air.

“Indeed you are the commander’s daughter. That’s not half bad.”

Dilwy who noticed the Triad’s intention whispered with a fearless smile.

Sharis’s plan was to escape by making fellow formidable enemies clashed with each other.

A ferocious medium-sized Abyss intercepted Dilwy from the front.

===Part 12===

On the other side, since the mission was about to reach the time limit, and the Ruin entered the alert state, 90% of the Drag-Knights were returning to above ground.

It was not only to escape the changing, deteriorating terrain but also to intercept the Abysses that were summoned around the Ruin. The combat force needed to return back for that.

“What do you mean? Why can’t we go rescue them!?”

In the middle of the Lobby where many Drag-Knights were gathered, Lisha, dressed in pilot suit flared up at the commander of Wanheim.

“That is because, due to the regulation regarding the Ruins, people the New Kingdom shall not enter the Dungeon while it’s in alert state……”

“I already said that we can! Give us the permission already!”

As Lisha slammed her fist on the table, a voice came from behind them.

“──Good grief, could you please be quiet, your highness the princess of new kingdom.”

“-…!?”

A man in a blue coat made a sudden, unexpected appearance.

The Blue Tyrant──Singlen Shelbrit who had been concealing himself since last night.

Although the air was tense, he did not waver at all.

His dull black pupils were deeply dark like an abyss.

With that pair of eyes staring at her, Lisha slightly faltered.

“Can you explain to us? Our comrades are still trapped inside there.”

Singlen shrugged toward the grim gaze of Krulcifer standing beside Lisha.

“Oh? It seems that I was overestimating all you. I thought that although you all are just noble daughters playing around, you all are still people who belonged to the military after a fashion, looks like I’m wrong.”

“Don’t mess with me! There isn’t much time, so I can’t be sitting around pretending to make conversation with you!”

Krulcifer pushed out her hand to the side to hold Lisha back.

“The priority of the army is to protect Wanheim Principality’s princess Milmiette here──is that what you are saying?”

From Krulcifer’s words, Singlen merely responded with a smile.

Of course, although half of that reason was only a pretext. The truth was that they wanted as much combat force as possible to wipe out the Abysses that were appearing near the entrance quickly.

Thinking about it now, from the start this was the reason that princess Milmiette purposefully came to observe the exam personally.

If they recruited the officers of new kingdom to exterminate Abyss and the Ruin entered alert statem, they could gather combat force near the Dungeon’s entrance and made them protect the city. That was their aim.

The princess was a necessary presence to achieve each of these goals under just cause.

“This me who is holding the right of command this time have given the command to those in the Ruin to retreat. Well, do not worry, I will send in my men to search. If you’re lucky──hm? Aah”

There, a man wearing a white coat representing the White Ridge Knights whispered in Singlen’s ear.

“I see, it’s quite regrettable. Just now, it seems that the entrance to third level is blocked, and the bunches on the third level became stuck inside.”

“What──!?”

Hearing that, even the expression of Instructor Raigree who was keeping calm changed drastically.

At the second and third level, there was a mechanism to blockade the level entrance.

Thus, it was strictly forbidden to enter the third floor. However, some did it accidentally.

Such as the forces of Buzzheim and the troops of Dilwy.

Additionally, the members of the Triad and who entered last Airi were also imprisoned on the third level.

“It can’t be helped. The investigation of Ruin is always accompanied by accident. We will send in rescue team after the alert state is dispelled, made up from those who still have spare strength left at that time.”

Those words from Singlen changed the atmosphere.

“── Don’t screw around.”

A cold voice passed through the the noisy Lobby.

From behind Lisha, Lux showed up while walking towards Singlen.

“Are you saying that you are abandoning them knowing that they are left behind? You’re abandoning fellow Drag-Knights while having the strength to save──”

Lisha and Krulcifer were surprised at how Lux spoke with such a menacing force that was unlike him and they stared at his face.

“Don’t lose your temper handyman. This is also the decision o fthe consul managing Ruin’s Gear. The ones trapped on the third floor are mostly Middle Class or lower anyway. They are just obsolete bunch who fell behind without any significant ability or quality. In this current world──there is no leeway to save the weak.”

“The weak……you say?”

Singlen chuckled at the Lux’s quiet voice that contained rage.

“There also seems to be a few officer cadets mixed among those bunches. But, keep in mind, they are still military people. They should be resolved even with this kind of situation. A Ruin that is moving into alert state will summon a lot of Abyss to its surrounding in no time at all. In a situation where the enemy’s battle force surpassed yours, it’s the basic to do defensive battle at the base. You are planning on going to rescue them for the sake of your own so called sense of justice, and expose the people of the city to danger?”

“…………”

Lux had no words in response.

Lisha and others, along with the other military personnel who until now were insisting to rescue their comrades held their breath without being able to say any more objection.

Singlen’s words were fundamentally correct.

Plus they cannot disobey the man who was the current commander of operations.

Whispered sighs spread like at his words.The commotion was drawing back like ripple.

Even Wanheim’s military personnel who were demanding to send rescue team, along with the offices of the New Kingdom, they came to think that there was nothing they could do. However,

“So what?”

“…huh?”

Lux’s sudden words broke the silence.

He weaved through the gap of the bewildered soldiers and confronted Singlen.

“You said they are weak? That those who are left behind inside the Ruin, are bunches without significant ability or quality. That here, there is no leeway to save them.”

“I said that, so?”

“Your decision is mistaken.”

Lux muttered these words as he glanced around. Then he continued.

“Rescuing the suriving allied combat force is also our job. In this suppression mission, when the time limit is passed, even if we exterminate Abyss after that, it won’t add anything to our exam evaluation.”

“And?”

“The possibility is high that our allies who are left behind inside the Dungeon likely entered the third level because they fought the Abyss in an unexpected situation and headed toward the third floor while the time hadn’t run out. Or perhaps they chose that in order to save their comrade who was in the verge of danger. That’s why they ended up left behind inside the Ruin.”

Lux continued speaking matter-of-factly with calm demeanor.

“In the army, order is absolute. However, a knight that is able to make his own judgements considering the changing situations isn’t the same like a coward who is merely fliching in front of enemy and only tries to survive without problems. You ──which of the two are you?”

A burst of commotion spread throughout the Lobby.

Lux faced the commander of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Singlen who was also appointed as the commander of the operation this time, with opposing attitude right to his face.

“……….…”

Singlen mulled over Lux’s words quietly for a few seconds before giving an empty smile.

“Kukukukuku. You’re a more interesting man than I expected. My opinion of you has slightly changed. But see, you are a powerless human. At this place, you are unable to ignore the rules set by Wanheim Principality.”

“Certainly. ──Save ony one exception.”

Right after Lux answered, *Bang!* the door of the Lobby was kicked open and a man entered.

It was another member of Seven Dragon Paladins the same like Singlen, Greifer.

“I spoke to the geezers at the government office. If it is Seven Dragon Paladins who are recognized by the World Agreement, it seems they can exercise a unique authority even toward a Ruin of another country yeah? Especially in emergency cases, they can trespass into Ruin without going through protocol──”

“Greifer…”

“Well, my duty too originally was to protect the princess, but I also gotta go to search for that Coral.”

Lux felt his conviction from that sentence.

Right after that Lux turned again to face Singlen.

“I swear to the vice-captain of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Singlen Shelbrit. At this very minute, I aspire to become the Seven Dragon Paladins of New Kingdom Atismata!”

“-…!?”

The words of Lux took everyone by surprise.

As the ripples of noise spread, an uninhibited smile emerged on Singlen’s face.

“You’re taking a big step just to save your sister huh. The man who before this refused to join by that much.”

“Time is running short. Even if you disagree, I will go to rescue them even if I have to violate the rule.”

“──Fuh, fine then.”

Lux’s words caused Singlen to hold his laughter.

“I already obtained the consent of the people in authority. The last descendant of the old empire, the ruined prince Lux Arcadia. I’ll recognize you as the Seven Dragon Paladins of New Kingdom Atismata.”

Singlen loudly announced at the top of his voice toward everyone present.

While the Lobby was in commotion due to the surprises, Lux walked away as though he was parting through the officers.

Midway as he passed Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, and others, he stopped momentarily and whispered.

“My apologies, Lisha-sama. Please take care of the rest.”

Lisha understood what he meant and nodded back with a confident smile.

“…Got it, get the better of that twisted man and leave him speechless.”

“Yes.”

Lux nodded with a serious expression and then he stood at the edge of the spiral staircase’s entrance that connected to the Dungeon’s Gate.

“You’re ready, prince?”

Lux nodded his head wordlessly and pulled out Bahamut’s Sword Device.

Greifer also readied the Sword Device of Cuelebre. Together they kicked the handrail and jumped down to the center.

The people and the military surrounding them didn’t even have time to be surprised as a roar thundered from the Ruin.

──BIiiiiiiIIIII-!

“──!?”

Countless Abyss emerged from below the widely open spiral staircase through the Gate.

The first to approach them were the Gargoyles, Chimeras, and other winged beasts that flew at them in a straight line from the central hole.

Lux and Greifer both pushed the button of their Sword Device and equipped their respective Divine Drag-Ride.

“──Yoruka, I’ll leave them to you!”

After Lux’s sharp shout, numerous cuts appeared across the air. Just from that, the many Abysses were cut apart and scattered everywhere in the blink of eye.

After a breath, a Drake’s camoflauge function was lifted, and a black haired girl with exotic foreign clothes was revealed piloting a Divine Drag-Ride.

“I have been waiting impatiently for your command, my lord.”

The assassin Drag-Knight who was formerly called as the Empire’s Assassin Blade──Kirihime Yoruka.

In order to obtain assistance in this Ruin of foreign country where they were in a situation that was under many restrictiosn, Lux called for her even with the understanding of the dangers.

“Uoh!? Who the hell is this woman?”

“Don’t worry. She is my──ah, my companion.”

Lux who wasn’t an imperial family of the old empire anymore found it hard to call her as his servant or subordinate, so he spoke that.

Yoruka was falling while cutting down winged Abysses one after another that crossed path with her, as though being vanguard for Lux and Greifer.

Three people landed on the floor where four Abyss were cleared out at the same time. They then took position on the Gate’s entrance that was enveloped with dim darkness.

When Lux and co stood above the Gate wearing their respective Drag-Ride, they were immediately pulled into the inside.

At the same time Yoruka pulled out her Sword Device, and countless windows of light floated from her shoulder armor.

“Search Frame – On(Probe Mechanism – Boot Up)”

At the same time with Yoruka’s whisper, countless lines of light spread radially from her shoulder armor and spread widely, crawling in high-speed along the ground and walls of the Dungeon.

The Divine Drag-Ride of special equipment type, Yato no Kami was provided with functions like enemy search, camouflage, support, supplement, repair and so on. Its abilities were a few ranks above the general purpose Drag-Ride, Drake. (TN: The special equipment type here refer to Drake-type Drag-Ride that is installed with various ability that Wyvern-type and Wyrm-type doesn’t have)

“──My lord, your younger sister is still safe and sound. The three others around her are all right as well. From the coordinates, they are to the northeast part of the third level.Although they are moving little by little.”

Most likely, they were searching for the exit of third level while running away from enemy at the same time.

The three girls of the Triad were doing everything they could to protect Airi even under this situation.

Their escape route was blocked, and they were left behind. In that desperate situation, they didn’t give up and continued to fight.

Just this fact made strength welled up in Lux chest.

“Yoruka, can I ask you to guide us through the Dungeon? I want you to derive the shortest route while avoiding battle with Abyss as much as possible.”

“Affirmative my lord.”

Yoruka responded, at the same time she drove the four legs of Yato no Kami and jumped with a movement as though she was kicking midair.

That special armament that was called <Vacuum Step> made it possible to make that frame of special equipment-type Drag-Ride that possessed no ability to fly to move as though it was sliding in the air.

“I see, for you to have this kind of terrifying ally, looks like you prince got more then meet they eye huh.”

Greifer exclaimed in admiration from Yoruka’s expert performance. From time to time, he sent flying the Abyss that was coming from behind using his Tail Blade.

After a few minutes moving in high speed through the corridor, leaving behind the flowing scenery, Yoruka who was going ahead dropped her speed.

“We have arrived, my lord. It is right below us.”

“-……!?”

Seeing the scene, Lux could not help but be shocked.

Each floor had a large stair set up leading to the bottom. The entrance of the stair to the third level there was sealed by a solid iron lattice.

“Hah, just something like this──!”

Greifer filled his Tail Blade with energy and slashed, but only sparks flew out.

“──This is not an ordinary iron lattice!?”

Lux also followed, slashing his black great sword──Chaos Brandhe, but it bounced off the same.

The thick lattice around the size of an adult’s arm was only scratched a little.

It could possibly take them half an hour in order to break down the lattice.

“Nothing could be done, huh. Destroying this barrier is the key, but another way into the third floor is──”

“…………”

Lux bitterly kept thinking.

(Calm down, there should be other ways. If I remember right, when they explained this Dungeon’s structure description──)

[Lux-san! Are you close!? Please respond!]

“-……!?”

At that moment, communication came through from the Dragon Voice of Noct’s Drake.

[I am here, Noct! We are above your position on the second floor! But──]

“I know what you want to say, Lux-kun. We also tried it. If only we could destroy the partition between us, we will be able to escape somehow. ──But”

“Sharis-san! Airi! Everyone else too──”

Across lattice that divided the area──near the large stair, he could see the figure of the Triad and Airi.

They seemed to have struggle too, but as expected it seemed they also failed to destroy the lattice from the third floor side.

It was evidenced by Sharis’s weapon being in tatters.

“……Lux-kun, we are still safe. Don’t be too rash. The alert state of this Ruin won’t last for long right? Then it’s fine. If it’s just a few minutes, we will hold on somehow.”

“I’m rea-ally frazzled but, compared to Celis-senpai’s training this is still better perhaps.”

“Yes, I am used to waiting.”

Although Sharis and others showed a smile, it was obvious they were bluffing.

Their forehead and neck were covered with sweat, and ragged breathing could be heard.

They were fatigued from the Class promotion exam, in addition to the mission to suppress the Abyss that they participated in without resting.

On top of all that, they seemed to have been battling with some sort of formidable enemy several times as evidenced by the cracks in their armor.

“My lord, there is an influx of Abyss coming from behind us. On your younger sister’s side, there is the presence of Drag-Ride approaching. From their situation, it does not seem like that it’s an allied Drag-Knight.”

“…………”

Lux had an idea about a party who would aim at Airi.

TheDragon Marauder, whose goal was to explore Ruin and obtain treasures through any means to weaken the power of countries that currently were in possession of Ruin.

This threat was approaching the Triad and Airi from their side.

“Don’t worry about my safety, Nii-san. I am still okay—“

And then, Airi called out from behind Noct.

She had the same calm and graceful usual tone, with a smile of a young lady that smoothly navigated the society.

Lux also understood that she was acting tough.

“Airi, I understand.”

Thus, Lux also answered with his usual gentle smile.

Just like what he had done many times since their childhood in the past until now, he used the same voice like when he patted her head and told her this.

“I will come save you soon, so wait just a little bit more for me.”

“-……!?”

Lux’s words made Airi’s expression froze.

The mask of calmness she would always keep on her face gradually collapsed and her shoulder began trembling.

“N-Nii-san, what are you talking about. ……It won’t work, please consider the situation. In any case, the second level and the third level are completely separated now!”

Even so, Lux calmly breathed in without a single twitch on his expression.

“No──there’s a way.”

“──Eh?”

Lux calmly made a statement to that caused Airi and the Triad to stir.

“There is a one-way Portal in this Dungeon that connect to the lower floor. If we use that, we can get to the third floor evne from here.”

“Please hold on!? What are you thinking!? The Portal in this Dungeon will only lead you to the bottom! In order to save us, even you will be locked in. I don’t──want to become Nii-san’s burden anymore!”

“Airi…”

Seeing Airi shouting sadly, someone placed a hand on her head.

“We are also begging you. Don’t be too rash, Lux-kun.”

Sharis cut in with a gentle expression.

“I am very glad you are coming to save us. However, this is our responsibility. After all, we the Triad got lured here by that bunch. We were unable to see through their aim and exposed Airi-chan to danger.”

“Yes, we too do not wish to be a hindrance anymore to Lux-san.”

“We-ell, you don’t have to worry so much. We’ve survived till now, haven’t we──”

And so Sharis and Noct requested, and Tillfur echoed their sentiments with a wry smile.

They have obviously been through quite a bit with all the wounds over their body, but the four acted tough so not to burden Lux even more than this.

“No matter what, we the Triad will do our utmost to protect your sister. So──”

Sharis said it with a somewhat lonely tone, but also with the conviction of a warrior.

But──

“──Yoruka, can you confirm the location of the transporter at the third level?”

“What…!?”

The words that Lux said with serious face caused the face of the three Triad to change color.

“Why do you go so far…”

While Airi whispered with a stunned look, Yoruka gave her report to Lux indifferently.

“It looks like it’s a little far from here. It’s position is to the northeast.”

“Understood. I want you to stay here and lure the Abyss swarm that come. Can I leave it to you?”

“It is regrettable that I cannot join you my lord, but it cannot be helped isn’t it.”

Yoruka responded with a hearty smile and she took a stance with her katana-type Blade.

“Let’s go, Greifer!”

“Got it. I too gotta go find that Coral.”

Lux steered Bahamut towards the Portal.

“Everyone! Hold on a bit longer!”

Right after he yelled, he left the stair in the blink of eye and quickly flew wearing through the corridor.

Before long they found a circle engraved with some unknown text. They landed on it.

The time it took the Portal to move them towards the interior of the Ruin was quite short.

The light began to overflow around Lux and Greifer along with the Drag-Ride.

“Sorry, Greifer for dragging you with me.”

“Hah, I have not gotten weak enough that I require your highness’ concern.”

In reply to Lux’s apology, Greifer laughed confidently.

In that moment, their weight seemed to disappear and their vision is covered by light.

As their field of vision cleared up, some medium sized Abyss were coming.

It was a situation that if it was the average Drag-Knight, this would become an assault that was like an ambush where they wouldn’t even be able to react.

However, the two members of of the Seven Dragon Paladins didn’t waver at all even in this siutaiton and they moved.

“──Photon Dive.”

As sharp teeth and claws approached, Greifer’s Cuelebre was wrapped in light.

The Divine Raiment that performed invincibility for a few seconds repelled the attack of the Abyss before his eyes, it was at that moment Lux’s Bahamut took action.

“Reload on Fire.”

Time was compressed, and then his speed was accelerated by several fold which he used to launch super speed slashes.

Criss-crossing slashes from a blade resulted in the beast’s body to be completely hacked to pieces.

Originally, it required preparation to counter the enemy’s attack. However, Greifer’s Photon Dive created an opening that allowed Lux to attack.

“You took the prey, huh. Oh well, not much time left anyway, I’ll forgive you.”

“Much appreciated.”

Lux expressed his appreciation, then continued flying towards where Airi was.

However, although the Ruin was under alert state, surprisingly few Abyss appeared.

He felt it strange even while they arrived at the location of the Triad and Airi.

Across from them, the girls were facing a man.

“So you all also came here?”

The Silver Flash, Dilwy Froias.

A military officer who at this occasion was serving as a group leader leading the soldiers of new kingdom who were taking exam here.

“Well yeah. Rather than that where is your comrades? Also by the way, have you seen a Drag-Knight with a girly face named Coral or a man named Buzzheim?”

Landing nearby, Greifer raised some questions.

Lux intended to ask a question, when Sharis made a tense voice.

“Both of you be careful! That man is suspicious! Buzzheim and his men were also killed by him!”

Lux and Greifer were puzzled after hearing those words.

But, Dilwy, who didn’t look bothered at the slightest, began laughing softly.

“That is a misunderstanding. They were attacked by some parasitic Abyss. And these kids saw me clean up the situation so they think I killed them. Why would I kill people of my own country and the soldier of Wanheim?”

“So…what is that thing in your hand then?”

“Oh this. This is something Buzzheim-dono dropped. I picked it up to hold on to it for now. But the content is somewhat suspicious for this to be his item. Inside there is a diary of a girl and some ancient archives from Ruin slipped in between.”

“…………”

After he muttered, he opened that ancient document and traced its text in a display.

“Even though I look like this, I am very interested in these treasures related to Ruin. I also once spent my time deciphering ancient text. I don’t understand the exact content of this text because I’m not that knowledgable though.”

“What are you saying──”

“The only thing that I understand from this text, is Holy Arcadia Empire──only that name. I’ve never heard that this kind of ancient document has been submitted. I have connection with the consuls of the royal capital see. If this document is something that you secretly concealed, then you two will need to be questioned for the responsibility……no, about the connection between that old empire and the Ruin.”

“──?!”

Airi had a tragic expression after hearing this.

The secret that she thought should not be known to others was exposed now.

“Lux Arcadia. And Airi Arcadia. Are you two siblings knows about something? The old empire, and its connection to the Ruin that is described in this ancient document. The true identity of the two of you the imperial family of the old empire──”

Dilwy’s words surprised everyone at that place.

Between the intermittent alarm sounds and shaking red light, Lux breathed calmly.

“……I don’t know. Even if I did I wouldn’t tell you.”

He stared at Dilwy with cold eyes.

“You want to ask why…it is because you are a Dragon Marauder’s spy, infiltrating the new kingdom’s military looking for a chance.”

“──?!”

As Lux asserted this, everyone there was tense.

“Why did you take your comrades into the third level of this Ruin? It is well known that the dungeon is deep, and exploring it is not allowed. For such an honest and loyal soldier who is famous like you, why would you commit such baffling act?”

“…You think too highly of me, Lux-kun. I am not perfect. Even I will make a miss when several unfortunate accidents piled up one after another.”

Lux continued staring at Dilwy who was smiling bitterly.

“The purpose of the criminals Dragon Marauder is to plunder treasures in the Ruin in order to hamper the countries’ military power. You caused the ruins to enter an alert state, you also provoked Buzzheim to steal the ancient document my sister had, in order to lay the blame on her, while you yourself will search for the secret of the Ruin──”

“……I have said several times already, kid. Buzzheim-dono was killed because he was possessed by Abyss. Are you so committed to make me out as a traitor so you can escape from my question?”

“The Portal to go to the third level is a one way road that go from above to below. That’s why, in the case you go down the level without using that, you won’t be conscious of the stair location. Can you grasp the route I used from the place where I was transferred to reach until this spot?

“…………”

Lux’s question elicited only silence from Dilwy and his expression vanished.

“The corpse we saw had no trace of possession because of Abyss. In other words──”

“There isn’t anything else to say, meek man. You are the traitor who killed your own comrades.”

Greifer calmly finished Lux’s words, and held up his Tail Sword.

Lux and Greifer deliberately showed an ignorant attitude based on their suspicion of Dilwy.

“—Hu”

As Dilwy heard their words, the atmosphere changed.

“It seems that I underestimated you a little. The true identity of the Black Hero was you, a kid that appeared to be nothing special. Honestly, it was hard to believe.”

“Then, as expected my bag was stolen becauase──?”

As Airi whispered, Dilwy’s shoulders shook in laughter.

“You misunderstand, it was purely by chance. I was just watching you. I happened to overhear your conversation with Singlen and induced Buzzheim by giving him hint to steal the bag with the ancient document. Another option would be using the magic flute to mae the Abyss kidnap you.”

“The plan was well-planned but the execution was stupid. Do you truly believe you can deal with two users of Divine Drag-Ride by yourself?”

Taking Greifer’s words as a signal, Lux also raised his great sword.

When the explosive situation reached the limit, Dilwy’s both eyes snapped open and he flew high.

“-……!”

The celing was flashing with the red warning light.

From there, he swooped down and unleashed a stabbing attack with his Blade.

From above──especeially from right overhead was the position that Drag-Ride found it the most difficult to defend against.

When Lux and Greifer barely avoided that attack, the Blade of the EX Wyvern Dilwy was riding grazed through.

“This guy…!?”

*Ceng!* As the crisp sound of air being sliced resounded, a slash drawing the trajectory of creascent moon came flying.

Greifer twisted his body to avoid the attack. Then Dilwy quickly turned his right wrist resulting in a second cut, third cut, till fifth slash cutting the air.

Criss-cross. Cascading shocks from the slashes crossing many times over were also moving towards Lux next.

Lux avoided the slashes by a mere millimeter, as the rocks behind him became engorged with countless deep cut marks.

“Shot Blade(Dragon Teeth Shot Sword)──, a rare weapon that general purpose Drag-Ride can use huh……”

Although the performance was not equal to that of special armament of Divine Drag-Ride, rare weapon with level of performance that was close to that existed.

The Shot Blade, it could release energy from the forward motion of it blade, releasing arrow-like shots with a slash.

Lux heard from Sharis that Dilwy’s famous ”Silver Flash” nickname came from the fact that he was more skilled than anyone else with using that special armament.

“That’s quite something. So the rumor that you are a man who cannot stand anymore in front line because your right hand is broken and unusable is just a bluff huh. That’s some personality you got there.”

“You are incorrect──. Until last night, I was a weakling exactly like your description.”

“…What do you mean?”

Dilwy quietly smiled while listening to Lux’s question.

“Why!? Why would──! You who are my father’s direct subordinate, why would you collude with the Dragon Marauder?”

As the daughter of the deputy commnader of the New Kingdom’s military, Sharis shouted at that conversation, resulting in Dilwy’s exasperated sigh.

“Stupid question. A rich lady who happen to stand out among the weakling and is contented with her lot won’t get it. You see, I have aaalways been dissatisfied. Five years ago, I was injured by the ‘calamity’ of Blackend Kingdom, and after returning home, I entered under the banner of the new kingdom as Drag-Knight of moderate faction.”

“Then, you…!?”

“You are of the rebel army that inherited the will of the Old Empire…is that correct?”

Tillfur and Noct flared up, but Dilwy snorted.

“That’s a shallow thinking. I am not interested in that sort of label. Whether it is the Old empire or the New Kingdom, it doesn’t matter. I, Dilwy Froias, being born as a man in a family of knights only aim to become the strongest Drag-Knight.”

“-……!? For that sort of goal, you abandon the New Kingdom to join the Dragon Marauder? You go so far as to ignore her majesty’s kindness in promoting you as a non-commisioned officer──”

When Airi shouted incredulously, Dilwy wordlessly pulled out his Shot Blade.

It cut through the air with a strange sound and the shockwave pierced the air flying towards Airi’s neck.

Noct moved to block the attack but her defense was broken, with the shockwaves hitting even her clothes.

“Guh, ah…!”

“Noct!?”

“Shut up please. Did I ask for your opinion? Mindless pawns will be mindless pawns, you can just feel satisfied as you are being used. Someone not even aiming for the top, not even lamenting their own powerlessness, existing just to complete the orders given to them. How can incompetent like that understand my distress?”

“-……!?”

His words caused the Triad to show pained expression.

But the next moment, two Drag-Knights attacked towards Dilwy’s sneering face.

“──Don’t screw around.”

Lux’s Bahamut flew parabolically.

He used the momentum from the free fall to add some power to his attack as he swooped past.

The use of the free fall part of the flight path (Downflow) was a higher level technique with more force than a stabbing attack.

Even if Dilwy’s skill let him rivaled EX Class Drag-Knight, it should be difficult to counter the power in the incoming attack, but──.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitudes.”

“……-!?”

At the moment they crossed each other, Dilwy’s <EX Wyvern> released a barrier which shocked Lux.

It was a parrying technique that made use of tuning, to create sharp force field that averted attacl from left to right.

That is the special move of barrier manipulation that the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit showed Lux.

Dilwy grinned wickedly and swung his Blade to Lux whose attack was evaded and showed a defenseless back.

He is aiming at the brainstem part, where the barrier of the armor was thin.

Greifer’s Tail Sword blocked that attack which assaulted in a timing of certain kill.

The force by their attacks caused both of them to be repelled backwards away from each other.

“Hah, what a terrifying person, to be able to use even that vice captain-sama’s technique. Well, you ain’t gonna win against me with just that though.”

“…Seven years ago I once studied under Sir Singlen. At that time I was unable to learn any of his moves. But now, I finally obtained skill of that level.”

Dilwy muttered to himself intoxicatedly.

“Wanheim Principality’s Seven Dragon Paladins…… If it’s you who start from being a lowly orphan and climbed up until being the princess’s aide, you should be able to understand my pride too aren’t you?”

“Unfortunately, I ain’t interested in your life. Let’s finish this quickly yeah, Dragon Marauder’s spy.”

“You are after all, just a wild dog lured by bait. ──Then, let me finish you off here.”

While taking Greifer’s shower of attacks one after another, Dilwy suddenly fired towards the ground with his Howling Howl.

“-……!?”

Large amounts of dust suddenly arose inside the gloomy underground of the Dungeon, and then numerous silver flashes of light headed towards Greifer.

“──Photon Dive!”

Greifer’s Cuelebre wasted no time to activate its Divine Raiment of invisibility and all the slashes from the Shot Blade were deflected.

This was the battle style of Greifer and Cuelebre that excelled in defensive ability.

Not giving the opponent the opportunity to counter-attack and dragged it into a battle where they could only defend while destroying all path of retreat──it was like a seasoned hunter tracking his enemy before giving the final blow.

However, he was affected by the smoke cloud that made him lose track of Dilwy’s silhouette.

“──What!?”

As Greifer’s eyes search for his lost target, EX Wyvern jumped out from behind Airi and the Triad.

“-……!?”

“──Reload on Fire.”

But, Lux who stood on his way a moment quicker activated Bahamut’s Divine Raiment.

Using his time compression, he released consecutive high-speed slashes.

The slashes aimed towards EX Wyvern’s wrists and shoulders in an attempt to break the barrier. But in that moment, Lux noticed something and he changed his movement.

Five Daggers were thrown in parabolic arc from behind Dilwy.

Lux immediately knocked them down and at the end he aimed at Dilwy’s armor.

But, his attack was barely blocked by Shot Blade and a distance was opened once more between them.

“Even though I was hiding inside smokescreen so my attack pattern wouldn’t be read, even so my movement was still predicted──that’s really something isn’t it? I’m getting a better opinion on you two now.”

“…………”

Having two Divine Drag-Rides as his opponent at the same time, Dilwy still revealed a composed expression.

Seeing this, Lux had a strange sensation in his chest.

Although Greifer too maintained a casual attitude, he gradually began to frown with suspicion.

(Certainly, he might be already a brilliant Drag-Knight from the beginning, but──)

No matter how he was using an EX Wyvern with stacked up tuning and he was an expert of a rare weapon, but would that be enough to make him able to fight the current Lux and Greifer until this much?

“It looks like, your royal highness is also confused huh?”

Greifer suddenly said such thing as he stood there.

“It’s really strange. With that Drag-Ride and armament, it’s not like that sort of move is impossible──but, no matter how I see it that man is strange. I cannot say it well but, he ain’t a normal human for sure.”

Lux agreed with Greifer.

But, he still wasn’t really confident with his hypothesis.

“Is that it? That is your limit? The name of Seven Dragon Paladins is going to cry you know?”

Greifer steps forward to meet the mocking Dilwy.

“You’re on. I’m also tired hearing your lecture, I’ll finish this in the next move.”

Then, Cuelebre flew and threw numerous Daggers towards Dilwy.

“Stupid man. Do you not understand that these tricks don’t work on me?”

In response, Dilwy moved his Shot Blade swiftly in various arcs to release shockwaves.

The mesh-shaped shockwaves entangled the Daggers and deflected them.

In long-range battle, Dilwy’s Shot Blade held the advantage.

When Greifer activated Photon Dive to defend against the silver flashes heading towards him, Dilwy grinned.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitudes. How incompetent can you be to use the same move twice in a battle.”

Dilwy formed a barrier forcefield in the timing of impact to parry the attack from right to left.

Greifer’s slash was dodged and he stood still with his defenseless back exposed to Dilwy.

“I have seen through the amount of time you can operate your Divine Raiment. ──You should apologize to your princess from the other world.”

Without missing the opportunity, Dilwy slashed at his back.

However──,

“…what!?”

Instead of what Dilwy expected, Cuelebre’s Photon Dive did not end, the light wall was deflecting the slash toward the back.

Realizing his mistake, Dilwy attempted to flee from Greifer’s thrust, however it was too late.

“──The one incompetent is you right? I fought a woman who saw through this right from the start y’know?”

The stretching Tail Blade drew a spiral trajectory to avoid Dilwy’s barrier and pierced his barrier.

As the blade cut across his chest, droplets of fresh blood rushed out.

“Gobah…!?”

Dilwy vomited blood as his eyes rolled back.

At that moment──the outcome was decided.

“…As I thought. It is easy to deal with opponents that you do not need to worry about killing.”

The Photon Dive’s duration on Cuelebre.

Normally Greifer would deliberately fixed the duration of his Divine Raiment to a certain period and lifted the effect in short several seconds to mislead people of the timing of his invincibility.

Although Lux heard about this matter from Krulcifer after the All-Dragon battle, it was still a splendid plan.

“Now then, we gotta think about how to get out of here. Although most of the Abyss seems to be gone outside, we still need to find that Coral.”

The relaxed Greifer turned away from Dilwy’s dead corpse.

At that moment, Lux noticed something strange.

“Behind you! Greifer!”

“────”

Greifer heard Lux and turned back around while holding up the Tail Blade as a shield.

However, his defense was a little slow. And Dilwy’s Blade bit deeply into his armor.

“Guh, ah…!?”

Greifer was blown backward, but he somehow held his ground.

Dilwy, who should have been completely dead, continued to move.

His chest was cracking, like dried fish.

“Wha…what the hell is this guy?!”

Greifer who was normally aloof had a distorted expression from shock.

It wasn’t an illusion nor a fantasy. Dilwy, who could not have possibly survived the fatal injury, was giving a gruesome smile.

His hand was not holding the EX Wyvern’s control lever, but a small knife.

There was a strange burst of seven-color aura coming out of the knife.

“…I will not lose. Because that hero has saved me! I who was clinging even to Dragon Marauder looking for hope, is filled with this light……!”

“What did, you mean!?”

“Let me awaken! My voice, my cry, my shout, if they are reaching….. Grant ”Baptism” throughout my whole body, guide me! Oh ”Elixir”!”

*Stab*. Dilwy, with his trembling hand, inserted the knife into his own left chest. With the knife in his chest, he underwent another strange mutation.

“-……!? Wh-What is that? What is happening!?”

Sharis who was watching from the side was stunned as she whispered.

While Everyone present was taken by shock, Dilwy’s body that was still wearing EX Wyvern was suddenly──transforming.

The same black pattern that was running on his right wrist spread out from his left chest to the rest of his body.

His body was like a pale flame wrapped in waves of heat, being colored darker and darker.

His skin became darker than night, while his hair turned white.

His eyelids opened wide, showing eyes radiating a scarlet red light like fresh blood.

“Wh-What is that…? It is not the Drag-Ride──but he himself that is changing──!?”

“Yes, the cause of calamity that occurred in various places, could it be……”

“Nocturnal……, is this the new type Abyss──!?”

Tillfur, Noct, and Airi were shaking as this devil began to make its first sound of its birth in this world.

“SHAaAAAAAAAaAAAAaaAAAAaAaAAAAAAAH!”

It was the roar of devil from a human that wasn’t a human.

That monstrous shriek was far more terrible than the Abyss that was the nemesis of human. The screams shocked the walls o fthe Dungeon as well as the eardrums of everyone present.

The time passing seemed to be a mesh of nightmare with reality as the devil flew together with the Drag-Ride.

“──!?”

Fast.

Compared to the winged Abysses they fought previously, he was considerably faster.

EX Wyvern creeped along the ground in a very low flight.

If a blunder was made──no, with a speed that wouldn’t stop even if it crashed on the opponent, Dilwy who was changed into devil attacked Lux.

“Kuh…!”

He did not have time to use Reload on Fire to accelerate time.

Lux swung his great sword using Quick Draw and slashed horizontally at Dilwy who was approaching like a bullet.

──But,

“Ku ku ku──this is the strength of the so called Black Hero?”

“……-!?”

Lux was shocked as the dark voice reached his ear.

Dilwy’s Shot Blade met Lux’s Chaos Brand, resulting in the projection of some intense sparks.

“…Gu!?”

Lux was blown directly to the side from receiving the charge’s gust of wind.

Dilwy who looked like he was going to crash on the rock wall sharply dove up on the spot.

He quickly somersaulted through the air, then moved towards Greifer next.

“What..!? This thing──”

From a super low-altitude flight to rapidly rising followed by a rapid dive into a backflip.

The more preeminent someone was in handling Drag-Ride, the more they would understand just how impossible that movement was.

Drag-Ride couldn’t be moved with just pure operating skill.

Things like the burden on the rider’s body and stamina, the timing of breathing, and so on existed.

No matter how proficient someone was at swimming, they wouldn’t be able to dive underwater for tens of minutes without breathing.

Thus, witnessing Dilwy making impossible movements for a Drag-Knight created a moment of opening in Greifer which Dilwy took advantage of. Greifer was blown away.

“Chih…! This damn monster”

Lux and Greifer adjusted their movement in preparation for pursuing attack.

But unexpectedly Dilwy and the EX Wyvern flew until near the ceiling of the hall, taking a position to look down on everyone there.

“──!? Everyone, quick! Defend yourselves!”

Lux immediately understood his intentions, and at the same time he flew to where Airi and others were at.

The devil’s eyes glowed deep red and grinned wickedly while overlooking the scenery.

Next, the right hand armor gripped the Shot Blade which began to emit light energy.

“──Silver Flash, Hail Fang”

*Gin-!* With a roaring sound that could be heard splitting through the air, a flash of shockwave that drew an arc like crescent moon was fired.

Originally, the silver flash the Shot Blade fired was limited to several shots per breath because of the burden on the user’s stamina and mind.

But this attack appeared to be an unending torrent of rain of light pouring down on the Dungeon’s zone.

“────”

Several hundred overlapping sound of slicing wind and the destruction sound of the ground getting pulverized could be heard.

The storm of hail that reached them in less than a second erased the stifled scream of the girls, blowing away even their consciousness and thought.

Their breathing stopped in their tenseness and fear, and ashes were swept up that blocked their vision.

As it felt like the endless nightmare was ending──before long, Airi opened her eyes.

“……U, ah.”

Due to the aftermath of the attack, dust covered their bodies.

The previously sturdy walls of rock were cut apart, and the terrain was completely different.

While lying on the debris, Airi gingerly moved her fingertips.

Fortunately, her body was intact.

In addition, the Triad were lying around her with their Drag-Ride cancelled off.

“Everyone──please, get ahold of yourself.”

Perhaps due to being strained to their physical limit, the three of them could only stir a little bit.

Airi intended to call for help but as she looked up, the scene made her at a loss for words.

“──Ha, hah, ku…a”

Buried in the rubble with Bahamut, Lux was breathing hard.

Fatigued from all the fighting, Lux’s face had an anguished expression and his whole body was dripping with sweat.

“End Action huh……. a hidden move of Drag-Ride operation that was introduced during the Old Empire days, a technique that unleashed unlimited slashes. But even it has to end, and it seems your strength has finally reached its limit.”

“Damn……, it”

In an equally ragged state, Greifer in Cuelebre was laying at the opposite side of Lux.

The invincibility of his Photon Dive could only be maintained for about 10 seconds at maximum.

So, on this prolonged, uninterrupted attack that lasted more than ten second, he naturally could not make it out unscathed.

At the same time, Lux too was protecting Airi, and the Triad using End Action and he succeeded, but it took everything he had to do so.

The two of them were exhausted until very nearly the limit while they did their all so only their Divine Drag-Ride wouldn’t get desummoned.

That was their only way to resist in their current state.

“──Magnificent.”

Dilwy smirked in intoxication in the air as he looked down from above at everyone who was standing still unable to move.

“Ah, what a wonderful power.”

He kept muttering to himself heartily.

“The officer cadets of the new kingdom, a Seven Dragon Paladins, the Black Hero……I transcended and surpassed all their strength. Dilwy Froias is able to return in his true form as a Drag-Knight who aimed for the seat of the strongest like in the past. I will be able to realize the dream that I have held through a long time from here on. I’ll immediately build a new legend. I can surpass the Blue Tyrant──the mentor who once abandoned me. If it’s the current me, even that will soon come true.”

Dilwy ended his intoxicated self-praising words, and moved his venomous red eyes towards Lux.

“Although the outcome has already been decided, I do have some questions left for you, Lux Arcadia.”

He opened Airi’s bag and pointed to one of the lines of text in the ancient documents.

“The name of ”Arcadia” recorded in this ancient text. I wanted to ask before I killed you if you are associated with these Ruin, and know something about it.”

“……You have already betrayed everyone, what is the point? Just what do you intend to obtain by becoming the strongest Drag-Knight whatever for the sake of Dragon Marauder?”

Although his breathing was ragged, even then Lux’s eyes weren’t dead.

Seeing this, Dilwy’s jet black face twisted as he laughed with bared teeth.

“The Dragon Marauder you say…? I have no more business with them. My goal was to attain even greater power from this Ruin. In order to prove my strength as Drag-Knight, I need to cause more chaos and great war……!”

His body was wrapped in dark desire and resentment.

It was the answer of the man who was writhing in agony from being toyed by the reign of the old empire and the distortion of the era.

His path as Drag-Knight met setback, his hope stolen, and after clinging on his past for a long time, this was his true real nature.

“Don’t make me ask you a second time, Lux Arcadia! Give me all the knowledge you own, show me the path to reach the deepest layers of these ruins! Otherwise──”

Dilwy turned his ominous crimson gaze towards Airi and the Triad, and he yelled.

The roar of devil shook the air around him. Right then,

“Understood. It looks like, this is as far as it goes.”

Airi who was dirtied by the dust of the smashed rock wall slowly stood up and muttered.

“Nii-san over there──No, that person who I called brother and used by me, the Lord(Creator) of the Ruin is ignorant of my true identity. Asking him is useless.”

“Ai,ri…?”

Lux who stood up trying to rally up Bahamut saw his sister’s cold expression and icy eyes.

“Hou, you are saying that you are a survivor of Ruin, connected to the name of Arcadia written here? That you were hiding it all this time until now?”

“More accurately speakling, I just forgot about it. In order to protect my own safety──but, there is no meaning even if I hide it in this situation. Even I value my own life.”

Airi spoke these words fluently.

Then, she looked at the bewildered Lux with a cold expression.

“When I found that old document, I remembered. That my true identity is one of the Lords, Aeril vi Arcadia, and also my original purpose and mission──”

“Y-you, what are you saying…? What is the meaning of this, Airi missy!”

Airi turned a deaf ear to Sharis, who could only move half her body.

“In any case, the man who I called as “Nii-san” and used as my guard is not usable anymore. But──at the present, even I the Lord is unable to completely control the Ruin. If you promise that you will guarantee my life, I will cooperate with you to a certain degree you know?”

“Hou…”

The expression of the devil who heard that distorted inhumanly in joy.

“I do not think you have any other choice. By yourself, you won’t be able to use the true function of the Ruin fully.”

“Very well…”

‘Ku ku’, the devil Dilwy’s shoulders shook with laughter.

“Now, come over here. I’ll listen to the story of this so called Lord without rushing.”

“──Then, excuse my leave, everyone.”

Airi whispered without any emotion as she moved towards Dilwy.

“…wait, a minute, Airi.”

Noct and Tillfur were conscious but could not move as they lied on the floor.

Airi glanced coldly at that as she walked towards Dilwy, and then──,

*Zan-*

A jet black dragon landed down between them in a position that seemed to shield Airi from the devil.

His heart was beating furiously and he could not control his breathing. His body also clearly displayed his fatigue. But Lux was somehow able to move his body.

“……You are in my way. I have already said I don’t have any use of you anymore.”

Airi coldly criticized as she said with slight frown.

But,

“──I won’t let you go. I have already decided that I won’t let anyone take away those I cherish anymore.”

“Hah”

Dilwy’s eyes shot towards Lux. Looking into his determined eyes, Dilwy laughed and readied his Shot Blade.

Multiple silver flashes pierced Bahamut’s fragile barrier.

Not being able to withstand the impact, Lux’s upper body cracked with multiple red lines.

“Gu…!”

However, he did not back down as he rushed toward Dilwy before him.

Even as his body was swaying due to physical exhaustion, he slashed down an attack using his great sword with a sharp trajectory. Dilwy casually evaded it and struck Lux’s body with his Shot Blade.

Even so, Lux immediately regained his fighting posture and charged forward once more.

However, before Lux’s great sword found its mark, Dilwy deflected it with his own sword.

“You still try even though you know it is futile, how unsightly. So the true identity of the Black Hero is only something like this.”

Lux unabatedly continued his assault while ignoring Dilwy’s scornful words.

In contrast, Airi began to feel pain as she witnessed the scene.

“Stop──please, stop already!”

Airi yelled seeing the heavily wounded Lux showing no sign of stopped fighting even then.

“Why, are you doing something like that!? You, you don’t need to fight for my sake anymore, so why──”

“I changed my mind. Although I’m still interested in you, I’ll bring you down here. Together with everyone else too.”

Dilwy made a quick backhand stroke and flashes of silver flew towards the Triad who were lifting up their upper body.

Lux flew and intercepted the roaring silver flashes.

“-……!”

Due to the pressure of the impact, Lux’s face was covered with thin red lines.

Even through all of that, Lux continued to glare at Dilwy with fearless eyes.

“Lux, kun……”

“Lux-chi……”

“……Lux, san”

The members of Triad were speechless seeing him covering even their tattered self.

Witnessing this scene, Airi had a faintly pained expression on as she held her hands on her chest.

“-……!?”

“I can’t understand. Are you that stupid? Even though there is no reason to save your sister who already betrayed you, even though there will be no advantage saving those useless small fries in this situation. Ku ha ha ha ha. Is it just like Singlen said? You really don’t have any reason to fight, you try to save someone just because you want to be loved? A pitiful──”

“──Shut up”

“What?”

Lux commanded with a cold, yet threatening tone.

“Don’t you notice anything? Why Airi said those words, why she went as far as lying, pretending to be unrelated to us.”

“-……!?”

Airi’s cold mask was on the verge of collapse at Lux’s words.

“Airi wants to save us. Even if it gains the resentment of her friends, even if she has to become the villain, even though she cannot use a Drag-Ride, even so she is constantly thinking about what she can do, and fight.”

“……..”

“I remembered……. Whether as the prince of the Old Kingdom, or a criminal of the New Kingdom, the reason I fight has not changed in the slightest since the past.”

In order to protect the people important to him.

No matter how powerful and unyielding the authority(plot) Lux faced, he swore he would accomplish its destruction in his own way.

“Since I failed at that time──I thought that it would be fine if I entrust my dream to someone else.”

Lux thought that his path was to protect Lizsharte, the princess of the new kingdom, and cooperated for the sake of her ideal.

“But, I’m wrong. It won’t be meaningful if my ideal doesn’t come true together with it.”

When an enemy that he couldn’t match was standing in his way, if he had to consider his important people as weak and abandoned them like Singlen──he would rather fight, became stronger, he swore he would protect them.

“I’m──not going to give up anything. I won’t let someone like you, take away even a single one of these girls who are important to me.”

Although blood was dripping from his head and whole body onto his armor, Lux’s willpower didn’t wither in the slightest.

“──Hah! Then I will teach you your helplessness right here! You powerless hero!”

Dilwy sharply flew forward and brandished up his Shot Blade, rushing toward Lux.

He violently drove his EX Wyvern and struck with a terrific slash.

“You can’t protect anyone! Let me show you!”

Dilwy released silver flashes towards Airi.

Lux intended to block the attack, but the number of attacks were too great and several slipped through him──however,

“Don’t worry about us, Lux-kun!”

Sharis shouted from behind.

The Triad stood up once more in their Drag-Rides and worked together to make a solid barrier to shield Airi.

“What are you all doing! Don’t move so carelessly! Wearing Drag-Ride in that condition will make you──”

“It’s all good, Airi-chan.”

Sharis smiled even as blood was dripping from her forehead while the other two also nodded in agreement.

“Even though we look like this, we are not playing around. We cannot just lie down sleeping. It doesn’t matter even if we are powerless in the present situation, we can’t just stand around doing nothing after seeing how you and Lux are fighting.”

“We-ll yeah, we can still move after a fashion……”

“Yes, we will fight until our last breath.”

“You all……”

Airi whispered while the three of them were adjusting their formation.

“Thank you──everyone.”

Lux thanked them as he resumed his battle with Dilwy.

With the three’s assistance, the task of protecting Airi was left to them. Lux was gradually pushing on Dilwy.

But──,

“Let me tell you……all of your struggling is futile!”

Dilwy once again soared towards the ceiling while waving his Shot Blade.

“You are definitely finished this time──Silver Flash, Hail Fang!”

“You’re gonna be the one to die yeah, blackened uncle.”

Unnoticed by anyone, Cuelebre rushed to meet EX Wyvern that was going to unleashes storm of slashes from the silver flash once more.

“──You!?”

“I’m thinking that I’m not gonna die here for the sake of our princess. I too ain’t able to bear it see, that I keep getting looked down by sleazebag like you.”

Greifer concentrated all his energy and with a dazzling, shining light cut down with the Tail Blade.

Seeing the spiral curve of the attack, Dilwy was snickered.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitude.”

The moment just before the blade’s tip touched, a forcefield of barrier that was formed with diagonal track repelled the attack of Tail Blade──wasn’t what happened here.

“What-…!?”

“Don’t underestimate someone else too much, uncle. Certainly I’m really reckless, but can learn y’know?”

The blade with multi joint drew an arc with a movement that avoided the barrier and entangled the blade of the Shot Blade.

It was a deluding attack that pretended to aim at the body but actually attacked the opponent’s weapons.

“Your struggling is futile! ──How unsightly, you stray dog!”

But, Dilwy who was taken by surprise counterattacked with Howling Howl without delay.

The impact was several times more powerful than the attack output of an average Drag-Ride, and Greifer was blown far backwards.

“……-!?──Well fine, I’ve made an opening I guess. I’ll leave the rest to you yeah, your highness.”

Cuelebre’s armor was broken while Greifer said with a fearless smile.

To his words, Lux responded with only brief comment.

“──Yeah, I won’t hesitate anymore to fight for my own sake.”

The moment Dilwy turned into offense and exposed a large opening, Lux held aloft his great sword.

“It’s futile──no matter how many times you try, I am much faster than you!”

Dilwy was able to defense faster than Lux could swing down his sword.

He moved with an extraordinary speed and Drag-Ride operation technique that only the current him could achieve.

He unleashed an attack using his Shot Blade to bisect Bahamut with all his strength, however, the forcefield of barrier that was generated from Lux’s left to his right completely repelled that attack.

“──Whaaat-!?”

“──Battle Array – Vicissitude”

One of the Drag-Ride operation techniques that the strongest Drag-Knight of Blackend Kingdom, the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit used.

Dilwy who couldn’t learn that technique until he was turned into devil borrowing the power of Baptism witnessed it with his own eyes.

How can this kid use this technique!?

Just from seeing it only a few times during the Class promotion exam he──.

Even more shudder of terror ran through Dilwy without giving him any time to soak in his shock.

“──Battle Array – Aeon Fire.”

“……!?”

The special move that even now Dilwy couldn’t use.

By collecting all energy from the barrier, propulsion, and driving force into the Blade, a blow with explosively increased might could be unleashed.

The attack broke through the EX Wyvern’s barrier of maximum output and cut down feeply into the shoulder.

“Guh, gahhhh…!”

His blackly dyed shoulder was soaked red from the spilt blood.

Blown to the floor, Dilwy tried to take action to defend from Bahamut’s pursuing attack. However, EX Wyvern was slow to react as he tried to take a defensive posture.

“……The machine isn’t moving!? Why?! My body is still──”

Although his body was moving, the Drag-Ride was not responding.

Given the impact of Lux’s attack attack on the Force Core in his shoulder, he was unable to move for a few seconds.

“I won’t lose…! After attaining this power! Against a bastard like you, I won’t──”

Dilwy screamed and struggled as Lux moved nearer.

He operated his Drag-Ride with all his available strength to defend against Lux’s sword and slashed back──, Lux didn’t overlook that obvious counterattack.

“──Reload on Fire”

Instantly, countless slashes from the great sword cut through EX Wyvern’s armor.

The wrist armor, Force Core, back wings, and other joints to move the armor were slashed apart by the instantaneous slashes, bursting and scattering the EX Wyvern.

“Impossible…!? Wh, WHYyyYYY-!? I should have taken it back! The power that I should be able to obtain in my hand, and yet──”

Dilwy frantically screamed as his armor fell apart.

[[File:Saijaku V6 15.jpg|thumb|right]]

He picked up the Shot Blade with his own flesh and blood hand and brandished it, but then that hand along with the sword was cut off.

“──Then, that strength must be just an illusion right? Monster uncle.”

“Gahh……! GUSHAaAAAAaAaAaAaAAA-!”

The Blade of Cuelebre that Greifer drove flickered and the tip of the blade gouged the heart.

Cracks of light emerged from his body as this monster that was once a man gave his last screams of sorrow.

Similar to an Abyss with its core destructed, that body broke and dissipated into the dust.

===Part 13===

[So──that handyman brat, he really used my technique, the Battle Array?]

After the fight subsided, one man was moving in the shadow.

It was a strange looking Divine Drag-Ride flying through the passage of Dungeon at high speed──It was Zweigbergk the old knight.

At the surface, he was following Singlen’s orders to rescue Lux and others who were left behind in Dungeon but,

[Sir-, but I don’t understand. My lord’s Battle Array that is making use of tuning is the best technique for a Drag-Knight. No matter how outsanding Lux Arcadia’s skill is, it should be impossible to learn it in that short of a time period…..]

The expression of the old knight didn’t change. However he sent back a reply with Dragon Voice that was mixed with irritation somewhere. But,

[That’s simple. Isn’t the answer obvious already, Zwei?]

[By that, you mean?]

Singlen maintained his calm attitude while answering.

[That guy had already known about it. He couldn’t use the two Battle Array that I use, but he knew them.]

[…………]

[The use of tuning is impossible if one is not knowledgable about the control interface of Drag-Ride. But that guy, he must have attempted the finesse of the technique many times since in the past. Even though he did not know the mechanism of tuning, he himself wasn’t satisfied with just devising three hidden techniques. Even after that, he constantly thought whether there is something more that he could do, and day after day, on and on, he continued to work hard groping for new techniques. That’s how it is.]

[No way, such thing is……]

‘Hard to believe’, Zwei let out such voice.

[He crossed sword with me at the exam. When he saw that my skill is clearly superior, that guy immediately switched his fighting style. He moved not to defeat me, he fought in the way to steal my techniques──that guy always hardened his defence at the tournament in royal capital most likely isn’t just for training his foresight, he also aimed to learn the technique of his opponent’s attack even just by one more.]

Singlen’s exultant tone caused Zwei to become silent.

[In a situation where that guy cannot help but joining Seven Dragon Paladins, he realized my trap while leaping into it in order to save his comrades. Until that point it’s according to my expectation, but it’s unexpected that he also stole two of my techniques. Even though his face looks like he cannot even kill a bug, but he is scheming like a strategist. He cannot be dealt with normal method, is what this mean.]

[…………]

[I was thinking of him as one of the pawns connected to Fugil, but he is a man more terrifying than I imagined. The time ahead looks amusing……don’t you agree, Zwei?]

Even while in one side Singlen was showing vigilance toward Lux, his tone sounded as though he was amused.

Zwei nodded in agreement to that before he immediately cut off the Dragon Voice’s communication.

===Part 14===

“……That was a tiresome battle. Good grief.”

“Are you all feeling okay? Greifer, everyone?”

Greifer took a breath, then he saw a new EX Wyvern flying in front of him.

The one who was riding it was a youth with androgynous features, Coral.

“You……where did you go until now?! Do you know how long we have been looking for you──”

“Sorry. I desperately shook off the many Abysses that appeared here in the Dungeon. If I carelessly brought them over here, I am afraid it would put you all in danger so──”

“Haa, well, doesn’t matter. Although there are lots I wanna say, for now let’s leave this place first.”

The moment Greifer muttered, not far from them, the sound of a something being opened was heard. Yoruka wearing Yato no kami landed down.

“It is great you are alright, my lord. I followed your instructions and secured the escape route.”

As a result, it seemed that she eliminated a large number of Abysses in the area by herself.

The lights in the surrounding also returned to their original color, and the alert state of the Ruin was finally ended.

“Let’s retreat now. We are going to talk later, after we ensure everyone’s safety.”

Greifer agreed with Coral’s suggestion after examining the surroundings.

The Triad also stood up somehow, while Lux who had dispelled his armor was standing in front of Airi.

“………….”

Airi could not lift her face to meet Lux’s eyes.

The matter of the ancient document that she was hiding.

The matter about whether she and Lux were really related by blood with the Ruin or not, which was still unclear at this point.

The matter of how she showered harsh words to Lux and others, even though it was in order to save them.

And above else, the matter of how she got caught into the evil design of Dilwy of the Dragon Marauder, which exposed everyone to danger. All those matters made her unable to lift up her face.

However──

“I’m sorry Airi. You feel pained for my sake.”

Even so, Lux said in his usual tone while sounding somewhat apologetic.

“Airi, I completely understand how you are feeling. It’s all right already, so──”

The words of her big brother that were the same like usual made Airi’s feelings erupted.

“-……!? Nii-san! Just what are you saying!?”

The tears that she was trying to hold back dripped down, then she knocked her hands on Lux’s chest powerlessly.

“We might be different from what we thought you know!? We might not be a mere criminal of the ruined old empire, we might be people related to Ruin! If that’s really the case, then from here on, it’s unknown what is going to happen to me or Nii-san!”

Airi feared these things all this time.

The possible realities weighed on her so she could not help but shout.

“Even just now too! Why didn’t Nii-san just abandon me?! I don’t want nii-san to suffer because of me anymore! So why──”

“I don’t feel miserable or anything.”

He murmured as he gently held Airi stroking the hair that was the same color as his.

“I have never imagined anything I have done to protect Airi to be painful. There is also nothing that I thought as painful or I regret doing for you. Just being able to protect my only important family makes me happy.”

“…Why”

Airi could not bear it and she buried her face in Lux’s chest with a sob.

“Why is nii-san always like this!? Are you idiot!? Why are you always, for the sake of someone like me──”

“……I’m sorry that I made you worry. But, I won’t change my mind. No matter what kind of secret is hidden inside us, I will always be Airi’s big brother, that’s why”

Lux gave off a slightly shy smile as he stroked his sister’s back gently.

“It will surely be all right. It’s alright, that’s why──don’t cry anymore.”

“tsu……U, AAaAAAAAAH!”

Airi raised her voice in contrast with Lux’s words.

She wanted to hold back in front of the others, but the tears would not stop.

The family who continued to stay at her side since she was a child, when she had been frail and helpless as she lost her mother.

The big brother who since the period of old empire, had continued to protect herself no matter how much he got hurt.

Even though he was always slow and insensitive, even though when the time came he would forcefully shoulder everything alone.

His voice’s warmth and his chest were warm, the reassurance from his hands stroking her hair, they caused the tears to spill out without end.

Inside the Dungeon, a girl’s sobs echoed.

And then, the incident closed its curtain.

Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 4

2019-10-09T21:23:31Z

Masterupc: /* Part 3 */

==Episode 4 – Second Ruin 『Maze』(Dungeon)==

===Part 1===

At the early morning next day.

Lux woke up early before the sunrise and then he headed toward the practice ground inside the military ground.

He had took confirmation from Coral who was in the same room with him that it was permitted to use the place. The place was empty as he expected, perhaps the factor that it was right after the exam also played a part of it.

“Now, then……”

After changing into his pilot suit, he wore Wyvern on his body and carried out basic operation as replacement for warming up.

And then he released the control of tuning just like how Lisha taught him.

“-……!?”

Several images of light were floating around him, with ancient letter, symbol, and graphic reflected in them.

Originally it was a function that was literally to tune things like the Drag-Ride’s output, armament, and so on. Usually this function wasn’t used while fighting, but now he was deliberately starting up while keeping the function activated.

(As I thought, controlling Drag-Ride in tuning mode is, considerably difficult……)

One could concentrate better if information and options were limited to a certain degree.

The control of Drag-Ride was already complicated and numerous in the best of time. Adding the fiddling of even its output value in the middle of battle gave a degree of difficult that was nearly ill-advised.

“However──……just a bit more”

After taking a deep breath and fired himself up, Lux repeated basic action while keeping that state on.

After around an hour passed with some light rest in between, his stamina finally reached the bottom and he fell on his knee on the ground.

“──Haa, haa……”

He was breathing hard with his shoulders heaving while crouching on the spot. Then suddenly he heard footsteps from behind him.

The moment Lux stood up to turn around, a towel was dropped on his head.

“……Wah!?”

Lux’s sight was plunged into darkness and he panicked.

When he took the soft white towel, there was a familiar face there.

“Morning, Lu-chan.”

“Ah……”

It was a lovely face that was expressionless and absentminded with trace of childishness remaining in it.

Philuffy in pilot suit appearance was standing there.

Different from usual, her hair was tied into a short ponytail. That appearance looked fresh and surprising.

“Phi, Phi-chan. Why are you here──?”

“I’m also always, doing morning training. Then, I heard Lu-chan’s voice, from here.”

After saying that with a dispassionate tone, Philuffy slowly took back the towel.

“Wai-, what are you doing Phi-chan!?”

“You will catch cold, if you don’t properly wipe the sweat, you know?”

Philuffy was wiping Lux’s sweat using the towel with serious face and a tone that sounded a bit chiding.

But, it was embarrassing to have a girl that was his childhood friend to do that much for him, so Lux was flustered.

“I, I’m fine you know!? I, it’s only this much. I can wipe myself alone so──!”

There was no people around, but Lux turned his head left and right to check.

“It’s okay, I’m finished already.”

Philuffy finished her work while he was doing that and she put the towel on Lux’s shoulder.

Like that she was then staring very still at Lux with her pure eyes.

“-……!?”

Perhaps because she had just been training, Philuffy’s skin and face were slightly flushed, and there was a faint scent of sweat from her. They made Lux’s heart throbbed fast.

Compared to her childhood, her breasts, her thighs, and other places had grown into an amazing feminine body. He thought of that once more while looking at her face from nearby.

“Wha, what’s wrong? Is there something on my face──”

“Ei”

“Waah!?”

Lux’s body half rotated just from Philuffy lightly jerking his arm.

In the blink of eye he was made to turn his back on her and he felt bewildered once more.

“Wha, what are you doing Phi-chan!? My sweat is already──”

Philuffy’s body clung closely on the back of the flustered Lux. Then she whispered to him with indifferent tone.

“Checking a bit. Whether your body, is hurt.”

“Yo, you don’t need to do that, I’m really not tired! ──Uwah!?”

Honestly speaking, he was on tenterhooks because Philuffy’s large breasts were touching his back.

When Lux twisted his body to shake her off, his foot got entangled and they fell down together.

“Aa……”

Lux leaked out a voice after falling.

When his hand reflexively moved to stand up, there was Philuffy’s body right below him.

“So, sorry-……!]

The large breasts that didn’t lose shape even when she was lying down face up flew into his sight, causing Lux’s head to boil up.

Philuffy who was expressionless as usual kept staring at Lux and she suddenly moved her lips.

“It’s okay, to not endure you know?”

Philuffy’s question that was said with her usual serious face made Lux turned stiff.

The warmth and softness of Philuffy’s body that was glued to him.

After getting conscious of that, Lux’s heart was pounding hard like an alarm bell, his consciousness turned blank for a moment.

“Because Lu-chan, you look like you are brooding over something.”

“──Eh?”

After Lux whispered toward those words that suddenly came at him, Philuffy showed a faint smile.

“Since the past, Lu-chan would immediately endure. You would hide your true feeling.”

“…………”

That voice sounded somewhat nostalgic.

And yet it also sounded somewhat lonely. Philuffy formed her words with such voice.

“I’m happy, that you are doing your best for our sake, but──. It’s fine, to be more honest with your own feeling, you know?”

“……Such, thing”

‘Isn’t true’. For some reason he became unable to say that when he looked at Philuffy’s straightforward gaze.

*GOOOON*. Suddenly the sound of large bell that informed the time rang at the area.

“Oh……, I need to return to my room soon──”

“Right. Later, Lu-chan.”

They stood up, and then after exchanging only those words, Lux parted with Philuffy and returned to his room.

The straightforward words of his childhood friend caused a mysterious feeling to sprout inside him.

===Part 2===

There was an emergency call. Almost all the officers as well as the officer cadet who were the examinees of Class Promotion Exam were gathered on the Canopy at the upper part of Ruin’s Gear’s center.

The Drag-Knights were lined up. In front of them was a stage, where the principality’s princess, Milmiette, and the man who was the mayor of Ruin’s Gear were standing side by side.

“Everyone──first, thank you for your hard work in the Class Promotion Exam this time. The joint exam with New Kingdom Atismata that was being held for the first time has also ended safely, I believe that it will give a result where we can hope for even better development.”

Milmiette first showed a smile that was like a flower and greeted formally.

But, in contrast with those words, it was as though the atmosphere didn’t feel relaxed.

“Originally we will break up with this. But, just as everyone of the New Kingdom Atismata also knows, recently the appearance rate and the atrocity of the Abyss from Ruin are gaining strength. The second Ruin, the Dungeon existing underground this Ruin’s Gear is also not an exception.”

*Murmur*. The gathered Drag-Rides looked at each other’s face after hearing those words.

“Originally, the number of Abyss appearing from Dungeon is fixed, but that number will overflow if it’s left alone for a long period, and they will climb up from the door at the bottom. Originally this kind of situation happen once every few months, but regardless of the frequency of subjugation that we has increased in this Ruin, the situation is that the Abysses are going to flood out.”

“……!?”

The female students who came from Academy and the military officers gulped.

“Perhaps everyone can already imagine it after I talk this far, but I wish to ask the cooperation of everyone from the new kingdom, in exterminating those Abysses that has been increasing too many inside the Dungeon.”

After she was speaking that far, the mayor stood on the stage and spoke out the outline of the mission.

The Dungeon that was existing underground the Ruin’s Gear.

The underground was divided into five levels in total. In this mission they would descend down those levels, defeated as many Abyss as possible, and decreased their number.

However, in the mission this time, they would only step in until the second level.

The reason was because there were few cases where powerful Abyss appeared in low level.

“Of course, originally there is no merit in this talk for the ladies and gentlemen of New Kingdom Atismata. Naturally we are planning to pay the compensation for your effort, but we are thinking to grant one more reward for it.”

After the grey haired mayor with moustache stepped down, Milmiette continued the talk once more.

“The result that everyone raised in this suppression mission will be treated as a special supplementary exam of this time’s Class Promotion Exam, and the score will be added into the exam’s evaluation.”

“……Ooh!?”

The dazzling smile and words of Milmiette caused the depressed officers to lift their face.

“Of course, cooperation with every officers and defeating many Abyss safely will be evaluated even higher. After all if one neglected to cooperate in their hurry for achievement, they will also fall behind in the real battle. Inside the Ruin, the Drag-Knights of our country who are serving as examiner will take the lead. It will be our happiness if those with spare energy can come forward and cooperate in this by all means.”

Milmiette bowed, then a commotion that somewhat resembled a cheer rose.

“Fuu. The princess of this country can say a good thing too huh.”

Tillfur who was beside Lux by chance showed a small smile after hearing that.

At the exam this time, she seemed to be lacking in confidence what’s with the obstruction in the middle of it too, so she must be relieved inside her heart for this chance.

The subjugation would be done by team of three or four people. Fundamentally entering into the third level was forbidden.

It seemed that this judgment came from the thinking that although the Dungeon was vast and deep, but because the passage itself wasn’t that wide, moving in large group would be obstructive.

This suppression mission would be performed for around three hours.

Of course, continuously operating Drag-Ride through all that time would be impossible, so they would take rest inside the Dungeon, or outside.

Everyone gathered comrades and prepared, then at the lobby they would apply for participation as team. After that they would gather under the Canopy──in front of the spiraling corridor that continued toward the Gate underground, and they would enter in order from the team who got the permission first.

“It seems that the content of the supplement exam this time is advantageous for us whose main strength is cooperation.”

Sharis of Triad who was listening to the talk from right nearby called out like that to her comrades Tillfur and Noct.

Right at that timing, Noct who was there met Lux’s eyes.

“Ah……”

The other day they parted without him unable to say anything to her. Lux was troubled about how he should greet her.

(What should I say, that can assure her……?)

While he was hesitating in front of her with such thinking──,

“Good morning Lux-san. Were you hurt from the exam yesterday?”

“Ah, I, I’m fine. I’m completely──”

Unexpectedly it was Noct herself who broached the topic about the exam that he thought would be hard to talk with her.

“Is that so, I was a bit worried.”

“Eh……?”

Lux tilted his head in puzzlement. Noct spoke with her usual calm expression.

“Yes. We are talking about Lux-san who is kind to girl here, so you will surely think about various methods in order to console me who might be feeling down. I was worried whether you would be lacking in sleep because of that.”

“N, no, it’s not like I was thinking that──”

Noct’s exactly right guess caused Lux to object with red face.

“Is that so, that’s unfortunate. It doesn’t matter that I am the roommate of your little sister, the matter about me won’t really weigh in your mind that much isn’t it?”

“Tha, that’s not true. That, I was worried──about the matter of all of you the Triad.”

Noct looked at Lux with contemptuous eyes when he said that with an earnest tone.

“Yes. As expected you were thinking about that kind of thing weren’t you? Surely it’s a method of touching our body to console──”

“Just what kind of person Noct think I am!?”

When Lux retorted in panic, Noct’s expression suddenly loosened.

“I’m glad. Because I thought that Lux-san would be troubled, that you were unable to help me in the exam the other day.”

“I was just concerned about you, but instead I made you worried!?”

“Yes. Being considerate to the surrounding is the duty of Leaflet family that came from the lineage of servant. I still cannot lose against Lux-san.”

The girl who was his junior smiled slightly at the exhausted Lux and she said that to him.

“Okay, oka─y. Then we will prepare as well. Lux-chi too, let’s meet again inside the Ruin.”

As soon as the mood relaxed, Tillfur came rushing in.

“Ah, that──can you allow me to join the Triad’s team together too?”

「……」

Hearing this, the Triad members were speechless for a moment with their eyes snapped wide open.

“E, eh……? Is it, no good……?”

Seeing Lux being troubled, Sharis grabbed Lux’s head into her underarm.

“Wah……!?”

Due to the posture, Lux’s face hit Sharis’s chest. His face suddenly heated up.

Her body was toned, with the sensation of soft breast pressed on him.

And from her body floated her trademark the rose fragrance that tickled Lux’s nose alluringly.

“Fuh…so even that innocent Lux has become very proactive. You truly want to make all three of us fall for you, don’t you?”

Sharis said that jokingly with a mischievous smile.

“Wa ha haa, Lux-chi is so bold. As expected a boy is really different eh─”

“Yes, Lux-san too is finally developing a great interest in girls. I judged that it’s my obligation to report this to Airi.”

“I, I said it’s not true!? I don’t have that kind of strange ulterior motive, I just──”

Even Tillfur and Noct got into the joke and Lux became even more panicked, it was then,

“We truly understand. Thank you for worrying about us.”

Sharis released Lux from under her arm, and gently placed her finger along his chest.

“But, only this time some of us want to try things. So we are going to rely on you at another chance. For now, please go to the other girls who are waiting for you.”

“Okay…… Then everyone, be careful.”

With some hesitation, Lux agreed and slowly left.

After he talked with Lisha and others about the grouping, Lux returned to the lodging house for once to see Airi’s face.

===Part 3===

“Fuh, it somehow went well. Although we originally agreed to this, you do not have any regrets, Tillfur, Noct?”

Sharis was seeing off Lux’s back while speaking to her two compatriots.

“Yes, we hope that we don’t add to Lux-san’s burdens by more than this.”

“Actually, I was really happy though……. He is properly worrying about us too──”

With a joyful and lonely expression, Tillfur sighed.

While Airi was alone in her dorm room last night, the Triad girls made some plans in advance.

In order to help Lux, the three decided to distance themselves instead from him.

Although it was because of Buzzheim’s evil design and added with a coincidence, it still resulted in them dragging down Lux at the Class Promotion Exam.

If they who didn’t even have the strength to skillfully use Divine Drag-Ride were near Lux, they would become a hindrance to him.

The words that Singlen said at the exam yesterday stabbed the chest of the Triad.

To re-evalute their strength again from the beginning, the three decided not to request Lux’s assistance and fought by themselves.

“But, I might have done something bad towards Tilfur. I stole away the time where you can be together with him.”

Sharis spoke teasingly.

“Wai-……!? Sharis yourself, even though just now you pushed your breast on Lux-chi!”

“Yes, I think that’s quite bold of Sharis. ……In fact, you like Lux-san, correct?”

“──Fuh. I was just giving him a bit of nice memory in my own way as my feeling of gratitude. No, though it’s not a mistake that I’m pleased with him.”

[[File:Saijaku V6 13.jpg|thumb|right]]

“Is that really true～…… ? Sharis, even though she has been putting act as a big sis but she is actually pure, so she is unexpectedly weak against straight advance though~, ……and she like younger one too.”

“Yes, although we are childhood friends, this is the first time I have seen you do this type of thing towards a man.”

“… We, well, time to get back to the topic on hand.”

Sharis’s face was slightly reddening from Tillfur’s mischievous laugh and Noct’s fixed stare. She then made a forced cough.

“Our goal is to accomplish this by our own strength. ──Now, let’s go and do what we can with our all.”

Sharis repeated the instructions from the start. The other two nodded understandingly.

The three of them stepped forth toward the passage of Drag-Ride hangar that was borrowed from Ruin’s Gear

===Part 4===

“Airi, are you in there?”

After knocking gently on the door and hearing a”Come in,” Lux entered the room.

Exuding her usual cold atmosphere, Airi sat at her desk reading.

“Is something the matter, Nii-san? You are going to join the aforementioned suppression mission aren’t you? Isn’t it better to quickly prepare?”

“Ahaha……. No, there is something that troubled me a bit.”

Saying that, he talked about how after he was rejected from accompanying the Triad, he went to where Lisha and others were.

Lux was thinking to group with Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, or Celis who he got along well with and belonged to Syvalles together, but Instructor Raigree who was there told him that he was forbidden to accompany them.

The instructor said,

“On the surface the task is officially to destroy the Abyss, but it is also a supplement exam to test the teamwork in facing the Abyss. You all the user of Divine Drag-Ride, don’t group among yourselves. Split up and devoute yourself in supporting the other students.”

It was like that.

Now that he was told that, it was the natural decision.

Lisha and others, the four of them were on another level of strength that was nearly EX Class and had a high chance of passing the exam, thus it would be unnecessary for them to force themselves to achieve victories in the campaign.

Also, the second ruin [Dungeon] is very deep.

It was better that the members of [Syvalles] who had experience going to the Ruins before to be split accordingly to support the other cadets.

That was how they are told.

“Even though I’m thinking of supporting Lux with the Drag-Ride that I’ve newly created at great pains……”

After the warning, Lisha became upset.

“I understand what you are saying, and it’s the correct reasoning. But I still feel a little dissatisfied emotionally.”

Krulcifer showed a smile with hidden meaning while agreeing.

“It’s unfortunate……. Even though, I’ve been carrying the snack for Lu-chan’s share too.”

“……Ahh, nn. Please bring it for me at the next chance. This time Phi-chan can eat them all yourself.”

Lux showed a wry smile while comforting his usually expressionless childhood friend.

“Even though I wanted to peel the orange for you.”

“You really don’t need to do that!? Going that far will make me embarrassed okay-!”

After his panicked exclamation, Celis also came to his side.

“It can’t be helped. I originally wanted to use this opportunity to repay Lux for all the times you helped me but──no, Its definitely not that I just want to be with you, okay.”

“Then please at another chance. For today please become the strength for the others.”

Like that he parted with the girls and Lux returned to the lodging house.

“Haa, nii-san is very popular. However, please stop getting intimate with your classmates now while enrolled in the academy. Otherwise, I would feel ashamed.”

“Wha, what are you saying!? Everyone is just treating me well I’m telling you.”

Airi’s accusation made Lux’s face to redden as he panicked.

Then however, Airi’s sighed deeply as she muttered something quietly while averting her face away from Lux.

“……Nii-san’s denseness is already at the territory of serious illness after all. As I thought, is the cause because he is dragging along the matter of the past?”

“Eh…?”

“Never mind. It’s not like I want to see someone like the womanizer Nii-san anyway.”

Airi said in exasperateion while looking out the window.

“I will wait in the lobby of the Ruin. It seems that the people of Seven Dragon Paladins will also be there, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

“Mm, got it.”

Lux nodded and smiled.

“Airi, other than this, has anything notable happened recently?”

“…Not really.”

Lux smiled wryly when Airi answered with some hesitation.

“Okay, but if anything happens please let me know. Although I may be unreliable, I am still your big brother after all.”

“-…..!?”

The words Lux said made Airi trembled for a moment.

Although Airi immediately returned to her usual calm expressionless, and she showed a faint smile.

“I understand. Good luck, Nii-san.”

“Nn”

After acknowledging this, Lux showed Airi a smile as he left.

A few seconds later, the expression that she forcefully made finally crumbled, and Airi fell onto her bed.

“My uniform will get wrinkled……”

Such thinking was crossing the back of her mind even while she was unable to bear it.

There was no way she could say it.

For some unknown reason, Singlen was showing an abnormal fixation toward Lux.

It wasn’t only the persistent persuasion to join the Seven Dragon Paladins, he may also knew things about Lux’s past when at the old empire and even about Lux’s eldest brother Fugil.

So──in order to prevent the two from getting even more invoved with each other, Airi kept quiet about last night’s events.

The Dragon Marauder’s spy may had already infiltrated the New Kingdom.

And then, the important nobles of various countries who were financing Dragon Marauder were searcing for trigger of war.

If the content of the old document that Airi deciphered was reported to the upper brass of the new kingdom, the history and knowledge about the old empire until now would be overturned and a great chaos would occur, the brunt of it would surely──be pointed at Lux and Airi.

As the final survivors of the Old Empire, amd then as criminals, there was the risk that thye would be doubted of having ties with the Lord(Creator) of Ruin.

“If it is only me that ends up hurt then it is still fine. But──“

The worst case would be if Airi was taken hostage, and Lux would fall into the grip of the New Kingdom.

Furthermore, there were also people within the consul who desired to take advantage of Lux.

She didn’t want to become a burden for his big brother for more than this.

“I, what should I do……”

At that moment, a knock suddenly came on the door causing Airi to get taken aback and she held her breath.

“Who is it?”

She asked as she placed her diary where the ancient document was hidden in a safe spot on her desk.

“Please do not panic. I am with Wanheim Principality.”

Hearing the sound coming from a young girl, Airi relaxed as she opened the door.

“-…..!? You are──”

“Could you come with me? Miss Airi Arcadia”

The one who appearead along with a few followers was Princess Milmiette.

===Part 5===

“Now then, what to do from here.”

In order to participate in the suppression mission, obviously he needed to fix his equipment. However he was refused from teaming up with the Triad, and it didn’t look like he could accompany Lisha or the others this time.

“Should I try aksing the other classmates?”

Lux pondered such thing while opening the door of the lodging room──then,

“Wah……!?”

“──Eh?”

Someone sitting on the bed was taking off their shirt, rolling the shirt off their arm.

The exposed smooth white-skinned back appeared in front of Lux’s field of vision.

“So, sorry-!? I didn’t expect someone to be in the middle of changing here──”

Reflexively, Lux closed the door at the sight of the half-naked androgynous youth.

However, after his panickedly yelled that, he noticed something strange.

“Eh……? Looking closesly, could you be……Coral?

image

“Oh, ah, um……that’s me. I’m also a boy, so there’s no problem here. Come in.”

“Ah, yes, that’s right. Then, I’m coming in……?”

When Lux timidly entered inside, Coral who had already changed into a pilot suit was inside the room.

No matter how androgynous his appearance and body, Coral undoubtedly should be a boy.

And yet, for some reason a slight guilt welled up inside Lux. Even Lux felt it mysterious.

“Um, about that──sorry that I suddenly made such a strange voice.”

Coral apologized with a somewhat shy smile.

“Oh, that’s fine. It was my fault for forgetting to knock──anyways, is Coral also taking part in the mission?”

He did not watch Coral’s fight at the All-Dragon Battle last time, it was understood that given his ability to use EX Wyvern meant that his strength was High Class at the very least.

From the results of the examination, it didn’t look like that Coral necessarily need the extra points, but…

“Well, everyone in my country is basically participating. After all this is our own country.”

“I see.”

Thinking about it, it was really the natural development.

“Sorry to make you accompany us playing out at night last evening. But──did you able to relax a bit from it?”

“……Thank you. Because of that, I was able to get along slightly with Greifer.”

After hearing Lux’s words, Coral put his hands together.

“That’s good then. Lux is really very kind just as I thought.”

Coral spoke with a voice that was mixed with relieve and delight. Lux smiled wryly to that, saying”No such thing.”

There were the matter of what Singlen said, Airi whose condition was somewhat strange, and the matter of Triad, even so Lux’s feeling had slightly beome light.

“Then, this is an opportunity that is hard to come by, do you want to join us in the suppression mission?”

“That, do you mean──”

Lux was bewildered at Coral’s invitation.

“Mm. In the upcoming suppression mission in the Ruin, I hope that you and me, along with Greifer, can be in a team together. Is that okay?”

“-……!?”

*chiri-*, a sharp pain ran behind Lux’s eyes and static that looked like sandstorm ran at the back of his mind.

(Again……? Just what is this? This pain──, I have felt it before)

Before Lux was able to confirm what made him uneasy, the feeling soon went away.

“……What’s the matter?”

“Ah, its nothing. I hope that I will not trouble you too much then.”

Although he was hesitant whether he should help the other girls, but they were also encouraged by Instructor Raigree that they assembled team together with their allied country Wanheim Principality.

After Lux gave his answer, he changed out of his uniform into his pilot suit.

“Wah……!?”

“Wha, what is it…?”

“No, nothing……Don’t’ worry about me.”

Coral answered with a troubled smile for some reason. Lux thought it strange while he finished his getup.

He was carrying compass, protable food and drinking water in his bag, then they joined with Greifer.

“I don’t really care, but why are you purposefully teaming up with this fellow from another country…….”

“It’s fine right? Greifer doesn’t have many friends anyway.”

Coral retorted at Grefier who was a bit annoyed. Then after they stopped by at the base inside the palace──the lobby, the three of them went towards the entrance to the Dungeon.

After arriving at the bottom of the spiral staircase that was hollow like ant lion larva’s pit, the Drag-Knights of both countries were already gathered in large number.

“Lux! If anything happens, call me immediately! I will rush to your aid!”

Hearing Lisha’s energetic voice, Lux awkwardly waved.

Altough the three of the Triad were also present, for some reason that Buzzheim was also present.

His injuries were tied with bandages, making it hard to imagine how he could operate a Drag-Ride. Moreover, his proctor license should also have been revoked.

It seemed like he was merely there to see off the beginning of the mission as a member of the military. However, he glared at Lux with hound-like eyes like usual.

“…………”

“Relax. Buzzheim already doesn’t have anything to do with this part of the exam.”

Coral, who noticed where Lux’s line of sight went, had understood the situation.

However, Greifer muttered peevishly.

“……I wonder? Well, I’ll be keeping an eye for you.”

“Next team! Number 17, come forward!”

“It’s our turn now.”

After being called by the proctors, Lux and his comrades walked up.

If the Gigas that came to the new kingdom was excluded, this would be his first time entering the Ruin of another country. Lux was feeling nervous of that while he braced himself.

As Lisha’s knight too, it would be the best for Lux raise his Class.

Besides that, in order to protect the city from the magical beasts, he would give his utmost effort.

(But…for what?)

Singlen’s words stuck to his mind.

He had decided that he would not hesitate…and yet why was his feeling like this.

“Let’s go, Lux-kun.”

Coral gently touched Lux’s back, indicating Lux to exit. In front of the site, Lux summoned <Wyvern> and pulled out his sword.

“Come, the winged dragon of crest, the symbol of strength. Follow my sword and fly, Wyvern!”

He pressed the button on his hilt and said the chant.

Light particles gathered around him at high speed. His body became covered with streamlined blue armor.

A few seconds later, while standing on the pentagon on the floor that was called the Gate, an orange light gradually rose, giving Lux a feeling of floating on air.

Feeling like their consciousness was separting from the body, the three of them entered the Dungeon.

===Part 6===

The rooftop of the Palace that was overlooking down on the spiral staircase continuing to the Dungeon──the edge of Canopy.

Singlen, wearing his usual armor suit was lying down on the edge that was made of stone, where a single mistaken step would make him fall down for few dozen mel.

As his eyes followed Lux disappearing in to the Dungeon, he stared lazily back towards the rear of the main troops.

“I have returned, my lord.”

The air behind Singlen slightly rippled.

As if he was covered by a bed sheet, an old knight wearing a white mask and white jacket appeared.

“You are late, Zwei. Did anyone tail you here?”

“There has been no action at all. Are they saving their capability? Or else, perhaps the Dragon Marauder too isn’t planning to make a move carelessly here.”

“Who knows…If I were them, I would not hesitate at this chance. Right now that the danger of Ruin is increasing and each country is hardening their defense, there may not be another chance where they can move this easily if they miss this one.”

“…True.”

The old knight’s husky voice agreed with his master’s opinion.

“Then I’ll order the Knights of White Ridge to stay vigilant. To prepare for the worst case scenario—“

The old knight prepared to leave. Singlen, stabbed the sheath of his Sword Device onto the ground, elucidating a small thud as it landed.

“Well, hold on a second, Zwei. Although you were an able man since in the past, your decision making is just a bit too premature. We certainly were requested to protect this city. ──But, no one will evaluate us highly just from extinguishing a small fire that cannot be seen. Haven’t we experienced that many times in the past, let’s be a little cleverer here. We will make use of our lesson.”

“…………”

Singlen smiled as he said this, exuding a deep, unending darkness.

The old knight suddenly realized the true meaning behind his words.

“…That”

“Catching the big fish requires patience. Keep in mind we will prioritize the Milmiette ojou-sama’s safety first.”

“Yes, sir.”

After this brief response, Zwei disappeared.

Singlen did not care as he looked over the doors of the palace.

“…Fugil, ah. What will your brother do next? I am looking forward to it.”

Singlen’s face held a deep smile.

However, his dark voice was not heard by anyone.

===Part 7===

“This…is the Dungeon?”

As his body moved past the door, Lux could not help whispering as his witnessed the incredible interior.

Although the Academy’s lectures and pre-mission meeting described what he needed to know, it was still a view beyond his imagination.

“What’s up? Is this your first time entering a Ruin?”

“…its very spectacular.”

In response to Coral, Lux could not say any other words to describe his impression.

However, those were his real feelings.

In Lux’s mind, the Dungeon was supposed to appear as caves.

With cold, dark, inorganic rocks channeling through them.

However, the scenery in front of him surpassed his imagination.

Directly in front of them was an altar-like patio.

Around the patio was a field of flowers.

Above the patio, instead of a blue sky, something like moss that gave off a pale yellow fluorescent light made the area appear just bright enough.

Rather than a cave, it was more like a courtyard with walls surrounding it on every side.

“Here in the middle is the exit to the outside world. There are also places like this far away from where we are with a lake and other scenery, isn’t it interesting?”

As Lux curiously looked around, Coral gave his explanation.

As they approached, the other female students would stop to look in adungeonment.

“Oh, honor student-sama! Our task is to suppress Abyss here yeah? Don’t treat it like a picnic.”

“Greifer is still the same! Our mission should last just a few hours, yet you still get nervous. Or is it that you just want to finish quickly and get back to Princess Milmiette?”

The two of them began to quarrel.

Lux looked at the two with a wry smile as a thought crossed his mind.

“So now…how many levels are we going to raid?”

“According to the records the exploration has only reached until level four. The area looks spacious, but it’s actually quite complicated. After we pass three levels, the amount of powerful Abyss and harsh environment will increase…”

“I see.”

Listening to Coral’s answer, Lux breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed that in this Ruin, the existence of Automaton that was called Gear Leader hadn’t been confirmed.

Without that Hayes who was called as Lord, the possibility that something happened in Ruin must be low.

“Shall we begin? Although there are only a few Abyss here, don’t let your guard down and take them one by one!”

Lux nodded to Coral’s words, then they too began the Abyss extermination.

Far in the darkness, a scream could be heard.

“That sound, its Hind huh.”

“Even though this creature looks like a deer, it is very ferocious. Be very careful!”

Lux listened to Greifer and Coral’s instructions as he drew his weapon.

The suppression mission began with this team that was formed for the first time.

===Part 8===

“Listen to me! Greifer is amazing? I failed so many dishes that I cooked yet he took it as a challenge and ate all of it!”

“….I-Is that so?”

At the same time.

Under the Canopy, deep in the halls of the Dungeon above the door, Princess Milmiette and Airi were there.

Why was she sitting next to the princess of Wanheim Principality?

It seemed that Coral arranged a lot of security to ensure Airi’s safety, but having a lot of guards made her nervous.

“Coral is the son of my distant relatives, but because of the death of his parents from illness, he was adopted as my escort. As the assistant of Greifer of the Seven Dragon Paladins, I think that sooner or later his visit to the new kingdom will also increase, please treat him well then.”

“It’s no problem. That…If I may say so, could you excuse me for a few minutes?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was too preoccupied with talking. I will send a guard to accompany you.”

“I-I’ll be fine by myself!”

Princess Milmiette had good intentions, but being surrounded by male officers was troublesome.

(How to say it…this person, she is too pure that it’s hard to deal with her……)

Other than that, a lot of eyes and ears around made Airi felt uneasy.

Because of the ancient document that she deciphered was hidden in a parcel in Airi’s bag.

She exited the Lobby and brought her feet toward the toilet.

Airi had been very cautious until there.

However, right after she finished her business and exited the building, for a moment she let her guard down.

“──!?”

“Hey!”

A silhouette quietly approached from the shadows.

A man with a cloth covering his face snatched Airi’s bag.

“Thi-Thief! Stop! Please stop-…!”

She was shouting while knowing that it was in vain.

Even though she was hit and knocked down, she stood up quickly and began to give chase. However, she could not catch up.

The man ran towards the cover of building inside the Palace. As if replacing that man, a Wyvern flew out from there while holding the bad and fled down the spiral staircase.

“──Eh!?”

Airi was stopped by the unexpected scene.

If the man flew outside, it would be hard to find him. And yet the man was heading to the bottom of Palace──to the entrance of the Dungeon where there would be no place to escape.

He was a thief, so why would he run towards a place with a dead-end.

Although a lot of Drag-Knights had gathered due to the suppression mission, however, if an outside went down there he should still get noticed.

Unless this man was originally a Drag-Knight who was a part of the suppression mission and had received the permission to participate ──.

“What exactly is going on…?”

The situation was puzzling.

But after thinking about it for a few seconds, the possibility made Airi tremble.

From between the gaps in the cloth, the thief’s face appeared similar to that of one of Buzzheim’s men.

“Surely…it can’t be…”

At that moment, Airi remembered a scene from last night.

When Singlen visited Airi’s room last night, he used words that suggested that Airi was secretly in possession of the something that was connected to the Ruin.

「Those guys are sending spy to every country. It will be dangerous if they know you are hiding the secret of Ruin. What I want to say is be cautious.」

Wjat if supposedly Buzzheim overheard this conversation…

“-…!?”

Airi’s heart beat furiously, and she felt her consciousness fading.

If the ancient documents were exposed, they would lose the place that they had obtained in the new kingdom.

People will question their relationship with the Lord(Creator), then they would be imprisoned once more, or else──.

(There is no time to hesitate)

Airi rushed back towards the Lobby to inform others of the emergency.

This matter of robbery couldn’t be reported to the military officer of Wanheim Principality.

Since there was no evidence that it was one of Buzzheim’s people, and it was only Airi’s speculation.

She couldn’t act against the military officer of another country without solid evidence. And even if for example she had something like that, they would obviously feign ignorance.

That means she couldn’t stop Buzzheim through normal means.

“Nii-san, I──…”

Airi hesitated to discuss this with her brother. Airi rushed down the spiral staircase as though she was being pushed down. As she approached the Gate of the Dungeon, Noct came into her field of vision.

“What’s the matter Airi? Your face doesn’t look good.”

“…”

Tillfur and Sharis of the Triad were also there. Perhaps they had just finished resting and returned here.

However, Lux and Lisha and other members, the users of Divine Drag-Ride were not there.

Perhaps it would be best to seek their assistance first, but there was no time for that .

Buzzheim could not use a Drag-Ride due to his injury, and most of his followers shouldn’t be accompanying him, only a few of them──.

“Noct, there is something I need your help with. Could you please help me?”

When Airi noticed, she had cut to the case.

She said that she wanted to go into the ruins to catch the thief.

===Part 9===

“Fuu…we did pretty well. And just now our team finished the fourth battle.”

Coral said this with a smile as the firewood crackled.

They were surrounded by rocks on all sides with a thin lawn covering the ground like a blanket.

They were resting in an open space of the northeast part of the Dungeon’s first level.

It seemed there were several resting places called Camp scattered throughout the Dungeon.

They were not originally part of the Dungeon but set up one by one by Wanheim Principality as they explored. Next to them, water from the waterfall parted to create a basin around them.

Lux and Coral were resting in shabby tents set up in the vicinity.

“I doubt there is poison in the water, but it’s still likely better to not drink it. If we can understand the situation upstream, then our safety will also increase, but there is no guarantee for that.”

“Got it.”

The teapot and water they had at hand came from a part of the food they brought in advance.

Since they were only exploring for a day, there was not a need to bring too many provisions in advance.

“──However, there is no doubt that Lux will be promoted here.”

As Lux sipped his tea, Coral smiled and congratulated him.

Based on the pocket watch they had, there was less than an hour before they needed to return.

They exterminated Abyss following the instructions of the examinees who were here and there and repeated that several times.

While Lux could only use Wyvern to fight, Greifer and Coral were quite strong so the mission went smoothly.

In the main exam, he acted in the way that lowered his evaluation several times, but with this Lux’s promotion to Middle Class should be without a problem.

He would continue to uphold his reputation as Lisha’s knight.

(Buy why is it I wonder……. Why am I feeling this superficial?)

Lux put down his tea cup and began strolling around the tent in a daze.

There were no more Abyss around and only the sound of quiet water flowing could be heard, but…

“Oi”

“Wah!?”

There was a voice that suddenly came from the side, then a Dagger stabbed the floor in front of him.

When Lux jumped backward in panic, Greifer wearing Cuelebre arrived at his side.

“Don’t loiter around as you please. We are resting right now but don’t wander too far from the tent.”

“Ah, sorry…”

Lux hurriedly apologized. Greifer grunted towards the side.

(Aa, when I thought that our relationship has finally improved slightly…)

Greifer’s blunt attitude towards Lux made him felt down as he walked back towards the tent, it was then──,

“That was dangerous, Greifer! Anyways, you need to explain to him about that!”

“What do you mean?”

The words of Coral who was exiting the tent confused Lux, while Greifer was showing a bothersome face.

“Haah, the Portal(transfer device) is in that direction. Didn’t I explain it before we entered?”

“Oh…”

Lux noticed what Greifer’s intention was.

Inside this Dungeon, other than stair that went underground, there were things called Portal installed at several floors.

The Portal’s shape was simply a group of rocks in a circle that was easy to notice, but because it could only transport things from the upper floor to the lower floors in one-way trip, the team could be in danger of getting separated at the moment they stood at that spot without noticing it.

Lux noticed that while he presented a different attitude on the surface, Greifer was quite concerned about Lux’s safety.

In any case, the man is really quite caring no matter what he said.

“Thank you Greifer. I’ll switch with you to patrol around now.”

Lux said this with a smile, while for some reason Greifer gave an uncomfortable glance to the side.

“I ain’t feeling like drinking tea, so I’ll refrain. We are going to return back soon anyway right? Rather than that──”

Greifer had an indifferent look as always as he stood up wearing his Cuelebre.

“A communication from Dragon Voice came in. There seems to be something strange going on. The men of new kingdom who weren’t too hot at the exam this time──that team seems to raise some abnormal results for this exam.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? With that the possibility the people of new kingdom’s military getting promoted will increase.”

Coral tilted his head while Greifer continued to speak.

“That’s if they are doing it in proper way. According to the proctor, it seems that team took care of about a dozen Abyss or more already.”

“Eh..?”

Upon hearing this, Lux reacted to the conversation for the first time.

Strange.

The New Kingdom’s Drag-Knights, with the exception of the captain Dilwy, should be consisting of only Low or Middle Class Drag-Knight.

Of course, that Class in the end was only one indicator of strength, but it was hard to imagine that they would all suddenly show such results inside this unfamiliar Ruin in foreign country.

“Seems that the Abyss on the second level ain’t a match for them, thus they went towards the entrance to the third floor. I wonder, what is their trick?”

“…………”

As Greifer said these words, a grave expression appeared on Coral’s face for the first time.

However, he sighed immediately and returned to his usual demeanor.

“That is concerning, but no rules were broken, so there is no problems.”

“If that’s so then it’s okay. It is still a bit early, but how about we start heading back?”

At Greifer’s suggestion, Lux stood up.

But, at that very moment. *Dong!* The Dungeon began shaking vertically.

“Earthquake!?!”

Right after Lux judged like that, the pale yellow light that illuminated the cave began to flash bright red.

“That’s!?!”

Lux recalled a past situation in the Ark that was similar with this. He pulled out his Sword Device.

“Someone broke into the third floor!? This is bad, at this rate──the Ruin will enter alert state!”

Coral who saw that also called out his EX Wyvern and equipped it.

“Greifer! I’m going to confirm the situation. You go outside the Dungeon and await instructions from Princess Milmiette.”

“Gotcha. Hey, prince, let’s go back to the Palace.”

“Hold on! I am going to go take a look as well!”

Lux requested to accompany him, but Coral calmly shook his head.

“I can’t take you along towards a part of the dungeon that you are not familiar with. Although you are concerned about the officers of the new kingdom, please bear with it for now.”

Saying that, Coral glided out while driving EX Wyvern.

He traveled through the dungeon and quickly disappeared from the field of vision in the blink of an eye.

===Part 10===

“…w-what is this shaking! What is happening!?”

“I-It’s not our fault!? Although we accidentally chased the Abyss towards the third floor, just because of that, the Ruin become like this…!”

“Captain Dilwy! Did you see!? Should we retreat…”

It was a team that was composed of only male officers.

The squad captain, Dilwy and three Drag-Knights of the new kingdom military. They were panicked at the sudden change in situation and showed the weak-kneed expression that was exactly opposite with until now when they were defeating a lot of Abysses.

Their steady advance untilnow was solely thanks to Dilwy, while the other three were only given the leftover. There was no sense of duty or dignity as knight in that.

“──Haah”

Dilwy raised a smile of mockery towards them.

His old wound had healed. His right arm now had strange black pattern on its surface. That arm was holding a knife that was left behind by the robed man last night.

No, not so much as healed, but it was even stronger than before.

“The seed of war huh. I see, so that is how it was…”

“Cap-Captain Dilwy! Let’s retreat quickly”

“Aah, it is already that time huh…then, let’s have a farewell soon.”

The men in his squad let out a sigh of relief hearing Dilwy’s words.

No one there noticed how Dilwy was like a completely different person from his normal demeanor.

===Part 11===

“This sound, what happened–!?”

Equipped with her Wyvern, Sharis was surprised and wondering what was happening?

The Triad and Airi were searching for Buzzheim on the second floor when the sudden chaos ensued.

Perhaps it was time to head back, there were no signs of other Drag-Knigths around them.

“Isn’t this bad!? How come this feels like the last time in the Ark?”

“Yes, I judge that the possibility is high. But according to the Radar, it will still take a little more until we catch up with Buzzheim and others who seem to be the robbery culptrit, about 70 mel ahead──”

“…..”

Airi bit her lips with a complex expression while being held by Noct’s Drake.

They heard explanation about the Dungeon’s alert state when they received instruction regarding this suppression mission.

About five minutes after the color inside Ruin changed, the stairs connecting the third floor and the second floor would be blocked. And there was danger that many Abyss would appear.

That ancient document absolutely had to be taken back.

──However, she also couldn’t expose the Triad to even more danger than this because of her selfishness.

“…As long as we have my Drake, we will be able to communicate within the Ruin using Dragon Voice. There’s about 50 mel left till we get to the stair connecting to the third level. They should be there.”

Noct said this in response to seeing Airi’s troubled face.

Sharis also spoke to the undecided Airi.

“Let’s go. There is no time to waste. The despicable thieves, as someone serving as the Academy’s vigilance committee, I will not stand them unless we pay them back.”

“That’s true~, they also harassed us a lot at the exam~”

“Yes, I will continue detecting the Abyss, so please leave securing the path of retreat to me.”

“──My apologies, everyone.”

Airi let out a weak voice toward the Triad who were considerate and helpful to her.

“I’d also like to test my skills after all. Let’s go Tillfur, Noct.”

“Roo~ger”

“Yes, my Lord” (English)

Tillfur and Noct responded to Sharis’s statement with a smile.

Right in front of the staircase leading to the third floor, it was discovered that Buzzheim and a small group of people were taking position there.

Buzzheim did not have any Drag-Ride equipped but he was holding on to Airi’s bag. However, the four men of Wanheim Principality’s military officer with him each were equipped with general purpose Drag-Ride.

Sharis quickly aimed her breath Gun and gave a warning.

“A warning towards all of you the officers of allied country Wanheim Principality! You are in possession of something that belongs to the civil official of our New Kingdom. If you return it now, I will nor report your deed to your superior and the incident will not turn into serious matter. But if you refuse, we will take it back by force!”

In response, Buzzheim face shifted from surprise into a sneer.

“…Just when I thought what you are going to say, but could you have gotten the wrong people? The package was something that was given by an acquaintance of mine.”

He said this as he retreated behind his subordinates.

“So you are refusing to return it. If so, I won’t be so polite in taking it back.”

The moment the finger of the Wyvern Sharis controlled touched on her Breath Gun, one of the followers wearing Wyrm rushed ahead suddenly.

He released a barrier to protect himself from the assault, so that he could forcefully charge forward even while deflecting bullet.

“The standard reaction huuh. That’s no good you know──”

Aware of the enemy’s movements, Tillfur who was similarly wearing Wyrm intercepted the enemy.

Tillfur’s Hammer swept aside the enemy’s Blade, making him lost balance. Then she landed a decisive blow to the shoulder of her opponent’s armor.

“Ga, ahh……!?”

When the man flinched backwards after witnessing that smooth blow, Sharis who had switched her weapon followed with an attack by her Blade. The enemy’s armor was dispelled after his Force Core received impact.

Furthermore, Noct kept covering Airi while pulling the trigger of her Breath Gun to hold back the other men who tried to join the fray. The three of them splendidly coordinated their strategy and acted all at once.

“This is checkmate, Buzzheim-dono.”

“Ku…!”

As Sharis’s sword was pointed at him, the defenseless Buzzheim groaned.

The outcome was decided.

If they returned with full speed from now, they could go back before the blockade of the stair between second floor and the third floor was completed.

As soon as Airi had a slight peace of mind, Buzzheim loudly called out.

“I-I will not give it back to you! I know that I am holding the evidence of of you hiding something that will lead to the Ruin’s secret! If you hurt me, I’ll expose everything in court! You wouldn’t want that. After all──”

“Is that so──then I’ll have you entrust that so called Ruin’s secret to me.”

“Na..!?”

The sudden incoming voice made Buzzheim, his men, the Triad, and Airi all freeze in place.

Standing there was a young man with delicate features clad in EX Wyvern, Dilwy Froias.

(Even though I don’t want it to get seen by this person too who is an army officer of new kingdom──)

Seeing how things have been going, Airi was desperately thinking about what to say to Dilwy.

However, the necessity of this disappeared a moment later.

“Wh-what are you saying!? Who will…ahh!”

*Zan-*, the EX Wyvern’s Blade swung and cut off the head of Buzzheim.

“-…!?”

Right after Airi and the Triad felt terrified, Dilwy’s Blade slashed once more.

Accompanied by the sound of air being cut away, the silver flash ran through the air and lopped off the head of the rest of Buzzheim’s followers who were dumbfounded.

“Wha, what are you──”

Giving a glance at Sharis who whispered with pale face, Dilwy carelessly snatched the blood soaked bag of Airi from the arm of the headless Buzzheim.

His presence was completely the same like his usual quiet attitude without any change.

But that was instead felt so hair-rising terrifying.

“Ah, sorry to frighten everyone.”

Dilwy said it with a deadpan face without revealing any emotion, as though what he had done was even less than crushing a bug.

“The squad that came with me are already heading back. Although it is quite difficult to communicate using Dragon Voice from this third level to the ground level, but in the unlikely chance you girls manage to call for help, it would be quite troublesome.”

“What are you saying? You…”

Sharis said with a slight trembling in her voice.

“Enough with the chit-chat. After all, threats require the necessary steps. So, how much should I say I wonder? Right, it’s nearly impossible for you to call for help. If you draw your weapon against me, then you will die. I will cut the hands and legs off of the three girls around you one by one before cutting their neck. Do you understand now? Well then, this thing about the way to the Ruin’s secret, could you please explain? Airi Arcadia?

“…………”

Airi could only shiver as the saliva in her mouth dried up.

Her heart and mind were unable to comprehend the reality in front of her.

However, one thing was obvious.

That, this man──was a horrifying enemy.

“Having said that, I did not expect that I can be this strong. Although my right wrist is now working thanks to that strange man──well, I don’t need to mention that too.”

“──Sharis, Tillfur, are you in position? The reaction is close.”

Adorned with her <Drake>, Noct whispered while holding a tense expression.

“Well, there is no other way──let’s go!”

Right after that call, Sharis’s Wyvern flew to the side.

Taking a deep breath, Noct grabbed Airi and she with Tillfur ran following Sharis.

“Sorry, but we aren’t a match against him! Your safety is the highest priority, Airi!”

Sharis shouted while searching for a different path to get to the second floor.

The understanding of the nearby terrain and the detection of Abyss had been finished using Noct’s Drake.

“It appears that you all are unable to understand your own strength from the Class promotion exam, huh? I was threatening because all of you have no escape.”

Dilwy spoke with a calm tone as he chased them with EX Wyvern.

“Unfortunately, I understand about myself. Your worry is unnecessary!”

When they arrived at spacious, straight channel, Sharis fled towards the cramped passage at the side.

“──!?”

In that moment, a roar from the darkness before them sounds out through the air.

“Indeed you are the commander’s daughter. That’s not half bad.”

Dilwy who noticed the Triad’s intention whispered with a fearless smile.

Sharis’s plan was to escape by making fellow formidable enemies clashed with each other.

A ferocious medium-sized Abyss intercepted Dilwy from the front.

===Part 12===

On the other side, since the mission was about to reach the time limit, and the Ruin entered the alert state, 90% of the Drag-Knights were returning to above ground.

It was not only to escape the changing, deteriorating terrain but also to intercept the Abysses that were summoned around the Ruin. The combat force needed to return back for that.

“What do you mean? Why can’t we go rescue them!?”

In the middle of the Lobby where many Drag-Knights were gathered, Lisha, dressed in pilot suit flared up at the commander of Wanheim.

“That is because, due to the regulation regarding the Ruins, people the New Kingdom shall not enter the Dungeon while it’s in alert state……”

“I already said that we can! Give us the permission already!”

As Lisha slammed her fist on the table, a voice came from behind them.

“──Good grief, could you please be quiet, your highness the princess of new kingdom.”

“-…!?”

A man in a blue coat made a sudden, unexpected appearance.

The Blue Tyrant──Singlen Shelbrit who had been concealing himself since last night.

Although the air was tense, he did not waver at all.

His dull black pupils were deeply dark like an abyss.

With that pair of eyes staring at her, Lisha slightly faltered.

“Can you explain to us? Our comrades are still trapped inside there.”

Singlen shrugged toward the grim gaze of Krulcifer standing beside Lisha.

“Oh? It seems that I was overestimating all you. I thought that although you all are just noble daughters playing around, you all are still people who belonged to the military after a fashion, looks like I’m wrong.”

“Don’t mess with me! There isn’t much time, so I can’t be sitting around pretending to make conversation with you!”

Krulcifer pushed out her hand to the side to hold Lisha back.

“The priority of the army is to protect Wanheim Principality’s princess Milmiette here──is that what you are saying?”

From Krulcifer’s words, Singlen merely responded with a smile.

Of course, although half of that reason was only a pretext. The truth was that they wanted as much combat force as possible to wipe out the Abysses that were appearing near the entrance quickly.

Thinking about it now, from the start this was the reason that princess Milmiette purposefully came to observe the exam personally.

If they recruited the officers of new kingdom to exterminate Abyss and the Ruin entered alert statem, they could gather combat force near the Dungeon’s entrance and made them protect the city. That was their aim.

The princess was a necessary presence to achieve each of these goals under just cause.

“This me who is holding the right of command this time have given the command to those in the Ruin to retreat. Well, do not worry, I will send in my men to search. If you’re lucky──hm? Aah”

There, a man wearing a white coat representing the White Ridge Knights whispered in Singlen’s ear.

“I see, it’s quite regrettable. Just now, it seems that the entrance to third level is blocked, and the bunches on the third level became stuck inside.”

“What──!?”

Hearing that, even the expression of Instructor Raigree who was keeping calm changed drastically.

At the second and third level, there was a mechanism to blockade the level entrance.

Thus, it was strictly forbidden to enter the third floor. However, some did it accidentally.

Such as the forces of Buzzheim and the troops of Dilwy.

Additionally, the members of the Triad and who entered last Airi were also imprisoned on the third level.

“It can’t be helped. The investigation of Ruin is always accompanied by accident. We will send in rescue team after the alert state is dispelled, made up from those who still have spare strength left at that time.”

Those words from Singlen changed the atmosphere.

“── Don’t screw around.”

A cold voice passed through the the noisy Lobby.

From behind Lisha, Lux showed up while walking towards Singlen.

“Are you saying that you are abandoning them knowing that they are left behind? You’re abandoning fellow Drag-Knights while having the strength to save──”

Lisha and Krulcifer were surprised at how Lux spoke with such a menacing force that was unlike him and they stared at his face.

“Don’t lose your temper handyman. This is also the decision o fthe consul managing Ruin’s Gear. The ones trapped on the third floor are mostly Middle Class or lower anyway. They are just obsolete bunch who fell behind without any significant ability or quality. In this current world──there is no leeway to save the weak.”

“The weak……you say?”

Singlen chuckled at the Lux’s quiet voice that contained rage.

“There also seems to be a few officer cadets mixed among those bunches. But, keep in mind, they are still military people. They should be resolved even with this kind of situation. A Ruin that is moving into alert state will summon a lot of Abyss to its surrounding in no time at all. In a situation where the enemy’s battle force surpassed yours, it’s the basic to do defensive battle at the base. You are planning on going to rescue them for the sake of your own so called sense of justice, and expose the people of the city to danger?”

“…………”

Lux had no words in response.

Lisha and others, along with the other military personnel who until now were insisting to rescue their comrades held their breath without being able to say any more objection.

Singlen’s words were fundamentally correct.

Plus they cannot disobey the man who was the current commander of operations.

Whispered sighs spread like at his words.The commotion was drawing back like ripple.

Even Wanheim’s military personnel who were demanding to send rescue team, along with the offices of the New Kingdom, they came to think that there was nothing they could do. However,

“So what?”

“…huh?”

Lux’s sudden words broke the silence.

He weaved through the gap of the bewildered soldiers and confronted Singlen.

“You said they are weak? That those who are left behind inside the Ruin, are bunches without significant ability or quality. That here, there is no leeway to save them.”

“I said that, so?”

“Your decision is mistaken.”

Lux muttered these words as he glanced around. Then he continued.

“Rescuing the suriving allied combat force is also our job. In this suppression mission, when the time limit is passed, even if we exterminate Abyss after that, it won’t add anything to our exam evaluation.”

“And?”

“The possibility is high that our allies who are left behind inside the Dungeon likely entered the third level because they fought the Abyss in an unexpected situation and headed toward the third floor while the time hadn’t run out. Or perhaps they chose that in order to save their comrade who was in the verge of danger. That’s why they ended up left behind inside the Ruin.”

Lux continued speaking matter-of-factly with calm demeanor.

“In the army, order is absolute. However, a knight that is able to make his own judgements considering the changing situations isn’t the same like a coward who is merely fliching in front of enemy and only tries to survive without problems. You ──which of the two are you?”

A burst of commotion spread throughout the Lobby.

Lux faced the commander of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Singlen who was also appointed as the commander of the operation this time, with opposing attitude right to his face.

“……….…”

Singlen mulled over Lux’s words quietly for a few seconds before giving an empty smile.

“Kukukukuku. You’re a more interesting man than I expected. My opinion of you has slightly changed. But see, you are a powerless human. At this place, you are unable to ignore the rules set by Wanheim Principality.”

“Certainly. ──Save ony one exception.”

Right after Lux answered, *Bang!* the door of the Lobby was kicked open and a man entered.

It was another member of Seven Dragon Paladins the same like Singlen, Greifer.

“I spoke to the geezers at the government office. If it is Seven Dragon Paladins who are recognized by the World Agreement, it seems they can exercise a unique authority even toward a Ruin of another country yeah? Especially in emergency cases, they can trespass into Ruin without going through protocol──”

“Greifer…”

“Well, my duty too originally was to protect the princess, but I also gotta go to search for that Coral.”

Lux felt his conviction from that sentence.

Right after that Lux turned again to face Singlen.

“I swear to the vice-captain of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Singlen Shelbrit. At this very minute, I aspire to become the Seven Dragon Paladins of New Kingdom Atismata!”

“-…!?”

The words of Lux took everyone by surprise.

As the ripples of noise spread, an uninhibited smile emerged on Singlen’s face.

“You’re taking a big step just to save your sister huh. The man who before this refused to join by that much.”

“Time is running short. Even if you disagree, I will go to rescue them even if I have to violate the rule.”

“──Fuh, fine then.”

Lux’s words caused Singlen to hold his laughter.

“I already obtained the consent of the people in authority. The last descendant of the old empire, the ruined prince Lux Arcadia. I’ll recognize you as the Seven Dragon Paladins of New Kingdom Atismata.”

Singlen loudly announced at the top of his voice toward everyone present.

While the Lobby was in commotion due to the surprises, Lux walked away as though he was parting through the officers.

Midway as he passed Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, and others, he stopped momentarily and whispered.

“My apologies, Lisha-sama. Please take care of the rest.”

Lisha understood what he meant and nodded back with a confident smile.

“…Got it, get the better of that twisted man and leave him speechless.”

“Yes.”

Lux nodded with a serious expression and then he stood at the edge of the spiral staircase’s entrance that connected to the Dungeon’s Gate.

“You’re ready, prince?”

Lux nodded his head wordlessly and pulled out Bahamut’s Sword Device.

Greifer also readied the Sword Device of Cuelebre. Together they kicked the handrail and jumped down to the center.

The people and the military surrounding them didn’t even have time to be surprised as a roar thundered from the Ruin.

──BIiiiiiiIIIII-!

“──!?”

Countless Abyss emerged from below the widely open spiral staircase through the Gate.

The first to approach them were the Gargoyles, Chimeras, and other winged beasts that flew at them in a straight line from the central hole.

Lux and Greifer both pushed the button of their Sword Device and equipped their respective Divine Drag-Ride.

“──Yoruka, I’ll leave them to you!”

After Lux’s sharp shout, numerous cuts appeared across the air. Just from that, the many Abysses were cut apart and scattered everywhere in the blink of eye.

After a breath, a Drake’s camoflauge function was lifted, and a black haired girl with exotic foreign clothes was revealed piloting a Divine Drag-Ride.

“I have been waiting impatiently for your command, my lord.”

The assassin Drag-Knight who was formerly called as the Empire’s Assassin Blade──Kirihime Yoruka.

In order to obtain assistance in this Ruin of foreign country where they were in a situation that was under many restrictiosn, Lux called for her even with the understanding of the dangers.

“Uoh!? Who the hell is this woman?”

“Don’t worry. She is my──ah, my companion.”

Lux who wasn’t an imperial family of the old empire anymore found it hard to call her as his servant or subordinate, so he spoke that.

Yoruka was falling while cutting down winged Abysses one after another that crossed path with her, as though being vanguard for Lux and Greifer.

Three people landed on the floor where four Abyss were cleared out at the same time. They then took position on the Gate’s entrance that was enveloped with dim darkness.

When Lux and co stood above the Gate wearing their respective Drag-Ride, they were immediately pulled into the inside.

At the same time Yoruka pulled out her Sword Device, and countless windows of light floated from her shoulder armor.

“Search Frame – On(Probe Mechanism – Boot Up)”

At the same time with Yoruka’s whisper, countless lines of light spread radially from her shoulder armor and spread widely, crawling in high-speed along the ground and walls of the Dungeon.

The Divine Drag-Ride of special equipment type, Yato no Kami was provided with functions like enemy search, camouflage, support, supplement, repair and so on. Its abilities were a few ranks above the general purpose Drag-Ride, Drake. (TN: The special equipment type here refer to Drake-type Drag-Ride that is installed with various ability that Wyvern-type and Wyrm-type doesn’t have)

“──My lord, your younger sister is still safe and sound. The three others around her are all right as well. From the coordinates, they are to the northeast part of the third level.Although they are moving little by little.”

Most likely, they were searching for the exit of third level while running away from enemy at the same time.

The three girls of the Triad were doing everything they could to protect Airi even under this situation.

Their escape route was blocked, and they were left behind. In that desperate situation, they didn’t give up and continued to fight.

Just this fact made strength welled up in Lux chest.

“Yoruka, can I ask you to guide us through the Dungeon? I want you to derive the shortest route while avoiding battle with Abyss as much as possible.”

“Affirmative my lord.”

Yoruka responded, at the same time she drove the four legs of Yato no Kami and jumped with a movement as though she was kicking midair.

That special armament that was called <Vacuum Step> made it possible to make that frame of special equipment-type Drag-Ride that possessed no ability to fly to move as though it was sliding in the air.

“I see, for you to have this kind of terrifying ally, looks like you prince got more then meet they eye huh.”

Greifer exclaimed in admiration from Yoruka’s expert performance. From time to time, he sent flying the Abyss that was coming from behind using his Tail Blade.

After a few minutes moving in high speed through the corridor, leaving behind the flowing scenery, Yoruka who was going ahead dropped her speed.

“We have arrived, my lord. It is right below us.”

“-……!?”

Seeing the scene, Lux could not help but be shocked.

Each floor had a large stair set up leading to the bottom. The entrance of the stair to the third level there was sealed by a solid iron lattice.

“Hah, just something like this──!”

Greifer filled his Tail Blade with energy and slashed, but only sparks flew out.

“──This is not an ordinary iron lattice!?”

Lux also followed, slashing his black great sword──Chaos Brandhe, but it bounced off the same.

The thick lattice around the size of an adult’s arm was only scratched a little.

It could possibly take them half an hour in order to break down the lattice.

“Nothing could be done, huh. Destroying this barrier is the key, but another way into the third floor is──”

“…………”

Lux bitterly kept thinking.

(Calm down, there should be other ways. If I remember right, when they explained this Dungeon’s structure description──)

[Lux-san! Are you close!? Please respond!]

“-……!?”

At that moment, communication came through from the Dragon Voice of Noct’s Drake.

[I am here, Noct! We are above your position on the second floor! But──]

“I know what you want to say, Lux-kun. We also tried it. If only we could destroy the partition between us, we will be able to escape somehow. ──But”

“Sharis-san! Airi! Everyone else too──”

Across lattice that divided the area──near the large stair, he could see the figure of the Triad and Airi.

They seemed to have struggle too, but as expected it seemed they also failed to destroy the lattice from the third floor side.

It was evidenced by Sharis’s weapon being in tatters.

“……Lux-kun, we are still safe. Don’t be too rash. The alert state of this Ruin won’t last for long right? Then it’s fine. If it’s just a few minutes, we will hold on somehow.”

“I’m rea-ally frazzled but, compared to Celis-senpai’s training this is still better perhaps.”

“Yes, I am used to waiting.”

Although Sharis and others showed a smile, it was obvious they were bluffing.

Their forehead and neck were covered with sweat, and ragged breathing could be heard.

They were fatigued from the Class promotion exam, in addition to the mission to suppress the Abyss that they participated in without resting.

On top of all that, they seemed to have been battling with some sort of formidable enemy several times as evidenced by the cracks in their armor.

“My lord, there is an influx of Abyss coming from behind us. On your younger sister’s side, there is the presence of Drag-Ride approaching. From their situation, it does not seem like that it’s an allied Drag-Knight.”

“…………”

Lux had an idea about a party who would aim at Airi.

TheDragon Marauder, whose goal was to explore Ruin and obtain treasures through any means to weaken the power of countries that currently were in possession of Ruin.

This threat was approaching the Triad and Airi from their side.

“Don’t worry about my safety, Nii-san. I am still okay—“

And then, Airi called out from behind Noct.

She had the same calm and graceful usual tone, with a smile of a young lady that smoothly navigated the society.

Lux also understood that she was acting tough.

“Airi, I understand.”

Thus, Lux also answered with his usual gentle smile.

Just like what he had done many times since their childhood in the past until now, he used the same voice like when he patted her head and told her this.

“I will come save you soon, so wait just a little bit more for me.”

“-……!?”

Lux’s words made Airi’s expression froze.

The mask of calmness she would always keep on her face gradually collapsed and her shoulder began trembling.

“N-Nii-san, what are you talking about. ……It won’t work, please consider the situation. In any case, the second level and the third level are completely separated now!”

Even so, Lux calmly breathed in without a single twitch on his expression.

“No──there’s a way.”

“──Eh?”

Lux calmly made a statement to that caused Airi and the Triad to stir.

“There is a one-way Portal in this Dungeon that connect to the lower floor. If we use that, we can get to the third floor evne from here.”

“Please hold on!? What are you thinking!? The Portal in this Dungeon will only lead you to the bottom! In order to save us, even you will be locked in. I don’t──want to become Nii-san’s burden anymore!”

“Airi…”

Seeing Airi shouting sadly, someone placed a hand on her head.

“We are also begging you. Don’t be too rash, Lux-kun.”

Sharis cut in with a gentle expression.

“I am very glad you are coming to save us. However, this is our responsibility. After all, we the Triad got lured here by that bunch. We were unable to see through their aim and exposed Airi-chan to danger.”

“Yes, we too do not wish to be a hindrance anymore to Lux-san.”

“We-ell, you don’t have to worry so much. We’ve survived till now, haven’t we──”

And so Sharis and Noct requested, and Tillfur echoed their sentiments with a wry smile.

They have obviously been through quite a bit with all the wounds over their body, but the four acted tough so not to burden Lux even more than this.

“No matter what, we the Triad will do our utmost to protect your sister. So──”

Sharis said it with a somewhat lonely tone, but also with the conviction of a warrior.

But──

“──Yoruka, can you confirm the location of the transporter at the third level?”

“What…!?”

The words that Lux said with serious face caused the face of the three Triad to change color.

“Why do you go so far…”

While Airi whispered with a stunned look, Yoruka gave her report to Lux indifferently.

“It looks like it’s a little far from here. It’s position is to the northeast.”

“Understood. I want you to stay here and lure the Abyss swarm that come. Can I leave it to you?”

“It is regrettable that I cannot join you my lord, but it cannot be helped isn’t it.”

Yoruka responded with a hearty smile and she took a stance with her katana-type Blade.

“Let’s go, Greifer!”

“Got it. I too gotta go find that Coral.”

Lux steered Bahamut towards the Portal.

“Everyone! Hold on a bit longer!”

Right after he yelled, he left the stair in the blink of eye and quickly flew wearing through the corridor.

Before long they found a circle engraved with some unknown text. They landed on it.

The time it took the Portal to move them towards the interior of the Ruin was quite short.

The light began to overflow around Lux and Greifer along with the Drag-Ride.

“Sorry, Greifer for dragging you with me.”

“Hah, I have not gotten weak enough that I require your highness’ concern.”

In reply to Lux’s apology, Greifer laughed confidently.

In that moment, their weight seemed to disappear and their vision is covered by light.

As their field of vision cleared up, some medium sized Abyss were coming.

It was a situation that if it was the average Drag-Knight, this would become an assault that was like an ambush where they wouldn’t even be able to react.

However, the two members of of the Seven Dragon Paladins didn’t waver at all even in this siutaiton and they moved.

“──Photon Dive.”

As sharp teeth and claws approached, Greifer’s Cuelebre was wrapped in light.

The Divine Raiment that performed invincibility for a few seconds repelled the attack of the Abyss before his eyes, it was at that moment Lux’s Bahamut took action.

“Reload on Fire.”

Time was compressed, and then his speed was accelerated by several fold which he used to launch super speed slashes.

Criss-crossing slashes from a blade resulted in the beast’s body to be completely hacked to pieces.

Originally, it required preparation to counter the enemy’s attack. However, Greifer’s Photon Dive created an opening that allowed Lux to attack.

“You took the prey, huh. Oh well, not much time left anyway, I’ll forgive you.”

“Much appreciated.”

Lux expressed his appreciation, then continued flying towards where Airi was.

However, although the Ruin was under alert state, surprisingly few Abyss appeared.

He felt it strange even while they arrived at the location of the Triad and Airi.

Across from them, the girls were facing a man.

“So you all also came here?”

The Silver Flash, Dilwy Froias.

A military officer who at this occasion was serving as a group leader leading the soldiers of new kingdom who were taking exam here.

“Well yeah. Rather than that where is your comrades? Also by the way, have you seen a Drag-Knight with a girly face named Coral or a man named Buzzheim?”

Landing nearby, Greifer raised some questions.

Lux intended to ask a question, when Sharis made a tense voice.

“Both of you be careful! That man is suspicious! Buzzheim and his men were also killed by him!”

Lux and Greifer were puzzled after hearing those words.

But, Dilwy, who didn’t look bothered at the slightest, began laughing softly.

“That is a misunderstanding. They were attacked by some parasitic Abyss. And these kids saw me clean up the situation so they think I killed them. Why would I kill people of my own country and the soldier of Wanheim?”

“So…what is that thing in your hand then?”

“Oh this. This is something Buzzheim-dono dropped. I picked it up to hold on to it for now. But the content is somewhat suspicious for this to be his item. Inside there is a diary of a girl and some ancient archives from Ruin slipped in between.”

“…………”

After he muttered, he opened that ancient document and traced its text in a display.

“Even though I look like this, I am very interested in these treasures related to Ruin. I also once spent my time deciphering ancient text. I don’t understand the exact content of this text because I’m not that knowledgable though.”

“What are you saying──”

“The only thing that I understand from this text, is Holy Arcadia Empire──only that name. I’ve never heard that this kind of ancient document has been submitted. I have connection with the consuls of the royal capital see. If this document is something that you secretly concealed, then you two will need to be questioned for the responsibility……no, about the connection between that old empire and the Ruin.”

“──?!”

Airi had a tragic expression after hearing this.

The secret that she thought should not be known to others was exposed now.

“Lux Arcadia. And Airi Arcadia. Are you two siblings knows about something? The old empire, and its connection to the Ruin that is described in this ancient document. The true identity of the two of you the imperial family of the old empire──”

Dilwy’s words surprised everyone at that place.

Between the intermittent alarm sounds and shaking red light, Lux breathed calmly.

“……I don’t know. Even if I did I wouldn’t tell you.”

He stared at Dilwy with cold eyes.

“You want to ask why…it is because you are a Dragon Marauder’s spy, infiltrating the new kingdom’s military looking for a chance.”

“──?!”

As Lux asserted this, everyone there was tense.

“Why did you take your comrades into the third level of this Ruin? It is well known that the dungeon is deep, and exploring it is not allowed. For such an honest and loyal soldier who is famous like you, why would you commit such baffling act?”

“…You think too highly of me, Lux-kun. I am not perfect. Even I will make a miss when several unfortunate accidents piled up one after another.”

Lux continued staring at Dilwy who was smiling bitterly.

“The purpose of the criminals Dragon Marauder is to plunder treasures in the Ruin in order to hamper the countries’ military power. You caused the ruins to enter an alert state, you also provoked Buzzheim to steal the ancient document my sister had, in order to lay the blame on her, while you yourself will search for the secret of the Ruin──”

“……I have said several times already, kid. Buzzheim-dono was killed because he was possessed by Abyss. Are you so committed to make me out as a traitor so you can escape from my question?”

“The Portal to go to the third level is a one way road that go from above to below. That’s why, in the case you go down the level without using that, you won’t be conscious of the stair location. Can you grasp the route I used from the place where I was transferred to reach until this spot?

“…………”

Lux’s question elicited only silence from Dilwy and his expression vanished.

“The corpse we saw had no trace of possession because of Abyss. In other words──”

“There isn’t anything else to say, meek man. You are the traitor who killed your own comrades.”

Greifer calmly finished Lux’s words, and held up his Tail Sword.

Lux and Greifer deliberately showed an ignorant attitude based on their suspicion of Dilwy.

“—Hu”

As Dilwy heard their words, the atmosphere changed.

“It seems that I underestimated you a little. The true identity of the Black Hero was you, a kid that appeared to be nothing special. Honestly, it was hard to believe.”

“Then, as expected my bag was stolen becauase──?”

As Airi whispered, Dilwy’s shoulders shook in laughter.

“You misunderstand, it was purely by chance. I was just watching you. I happened to overhear your conversation with Singlen and induced Buzzheim by giving him hint to steal the bag with the ancient document. Another option would be using the magic flute to mae the Abyss kidnap you.”

“The plan was well-planned but the execution was stupid. Do you truly believe you can deal with two users of Divine Drag-Ride by yourself?”

Taking Greifer’s words as a signal, Lux also raised his great sword.

When the explosive situation reached the limit, Dilwy’s both eyes snapped open and he flew high.

“-……!”

The celing was flashing with the red warning light.

From there, he swooped down and unleashed a stabbing attack with his Blade.

From above──especeially from right overhead was the position that Drag-Ride found it the most difficult to defend against.

When Lux and Greifer barely avoided that attack, the Blade of the EX Wyvern Dilwy was riding grazed through.

“This guy…!?”

*Ceng!* As the crisp sound of air being sliced resounded, a slash drawing the trajectory of creascent moon came flying.

Greifer twisted his body to avoid the attack. Then Dilwy quickly turned his right wrist resulting in a second cut, third cut, till fifth slash cutting the air.

Criss-cross. Cascading shocks from the slashes crossing many times over were also moving towards Lux next.

Lux avoided the slashes by a mere millimeter, as the rocks behind him became engorged with countless deep cut marks.

“Shot Blade(Dragon Teeth Shot Sword)──, a rare weapon that general purpose Drag-Ride can use huh……”

Although the performance was not equal to that of special armament of Divine Drag-Ride, rare weapon with level of performance that was close to that existed.

The Shot Blade, it could release energy from the forward motion of it blade, releasing arrow-like shots with a slash.

Lux heard from Sharis that Dilwy’s famous ”Silver Flash” nickname came from the fact that he was more skilled than anyone else with using that special armament.

“That’s quite something. So the rumor that you are a man who cannot stand anymore in front line because your right hand is broken and unusable is just a bluff huh. That’s some personality you got there.”

“You are incorrect──. Until last night, I was a weakling exactly like your description.”

“…What do you mean?”

Dilwy quietly smiled while listening to Lux’s question.

“Why!? Why would──! You who are my father’s direct subordinate, why would you collude with the Dragon Marauder?”

As the daughter of the deputy commnader of the New Kingdom’s military, Sharis shouted at that conversation, resulting in Dilwy’s exasperated sigh.

“Stupid question. A rich lady who happen to stand out among the weakling and is contented with her lot won’t get it. You see, I have aaalways been dissatisfied. Five years ago, I was injured by the ‘calamity’ of Blackend Kingdom, and after returning home, I entered under the banner of the new kingdom as Drag-Knight of moderate faction.”

“Then, you…!?”

“You are of the rebel army that inherited the will of the Old Empire…is that correct?”

Tillfur and Noct flared up, but Dilwy snorted.

“That’s a shallow thinking. I am not interested in that sort of label. Whether it is the Old empire or the New Kingdom, it doesn’t matter. I, Dilwy Froias, being born as a man in a family of knights only aim to become the strongest Drag-Knight.”

“-……!? For that sort of goal, you abandon the New Kingdom to join the Dragon Marauder? You go so far as to ignore her majesty’s kindness in promoting you as a non-commisioned officer──”

When Airi shouted incredulously, Dilwy wordlessly pulled out his Shot Blade.

It cut through the air with a strange sound and the shockwave pierced the air flying towards Airi’s neck.

Noct moved to block the attack but her defense was broken, with the shockwaves hitting even her clothes.

“Guh, ah…!”

“Noct!?”

“Shut up please. Did I ask for your opinion? Mindless pawns will be mindless pawns, you can just feel satisfied as you are being used. Someone not even aiming for the top, not even lamenting their own powerlessness, existing just to complete the orders given to them. How can incompetent like that understand my distress?”

“-……!?”

His words caused the Triad to show pained expression.

But the next moment, two Drag-Knights attacked towards Dilwy’s sneering face.

“──Don’t screw around.”

Lux’s Bahamut flew parabolically.

He used the momentum from the free fall to add some power to his attack as he swooped past.

The use of the free fall part of the flight path (Downflow) was a higher level technique with more force than a stabbing attack.

Even if Dilwy’s skill let him rivaled EX Class Drag-Knight, it should be difficult to counter the power in the incoming attack, but──.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitudes.”

“……-!?”

At the moment they crossed each other, Dilwy’s <EX Wyvern> released a barrier which shocked Lux.

It was a parrying technique that made use of tuning, to create sharp force field that averted attacl from left to right.

That is the special move of barrier manipulation that the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit showed Lux.

Dilwy grinned wickedly and swung his Blade to Lux whose attack was evaded and showed a defenseless back.

He is aiming at the brainstem part, where the barrier of the armor was thin.

Greifer’s Tail Sword blocked that attack which assaulted in a timing of certain kill.

The force by their attacks caused both of them to be repelled backwards away from each other.

“Hah, what a terrifying person, to be able to use even that vice captain-sama’s technique. Well, you ain’t gonna win against me with just that though.”

“…Seven years ago I once studied under Sir Singlen. At that time I was unable to learn any of his moves. But now, I finally obtained skill of that level.”

Dilwy muttered to himself intoxicatedly.

“Wanheim Principality’s Seven Dragon Paladins…… If it’s you who start from being a lowly orphan and climbed up until being the princess’s aide, you should be able to understand my pride too aren’t you?”

“Unfortunately, I ain’t interested in your life. Let’s finish this quickly yeah, Dragon Marauder’s spy.”

“You are after all, just a wild dog lured by bait. ──Then, let me finish you off here.”

While taking Greifer’s shower of attacks one after another, Dilwy suddenly fired towards the ground with his Howling Howl.

“-……!?”

Large amounts of dust suddenly arose inside the gloomy underground of the Dungeon, and then numerous silver flashes of light headed towards Greifer.

“──Photon Dive!”

Greifer’s Cuelebre wasted no time to activate its Divine Raiment of invisibility and all the slashes from the Shot Blade were deflected.

This was the battle style of Greifer and Cuelebre that excelled in defensive ability.

Not giving the opponent the opportunity to counter-attack and dragged it into a battle where they could only defend while destroying all path of retreat──it was like a seasoned hunter tracking his enemy before giving the final blow.

However, he was affected by the smoke cloud that made him lose track of Dilwy’s silhouette.

“──What!?”

As Greifer’s eyes search for his lost target, EX Wyvern jumped out from behind Airi and the Triad.

“-……!?”

“──Reload on Fire.”

But, Lux who stood on his way a moment quicker activated Bahamut’s Divine Raiment.

Using his time compression, he released consecutive high-speed slashes.

The slashes aimed towards EX Wyvern’s wrists and shoulders in an attempt to break the barrier. But in that moment, Lux noticed something and he changed his movement.

Five Daggers were thrown in parabolic arc from behind Dilwy.

Lux immediately knocked them down and at the end he aimed at Dilwy’s armor.

But, his attack was barely blocked by Shot Blade and a distance was opened once more between them.

“Even though I was hiding inside smokescreen so my attack pattern wouldn’t be read, even so my movement was still predicted──that’s really something isn’t it? I’m getting a better opinion on you two now.”

“…………”

Having two Divine Drag-Rides as his opponent at the same time, Dilwy still revealed a composed expression.

Seeing this, Lux had a strange sensation in his chest.

Although Greifer too maintained a casual attitude, he gradually began to frown with suspicion.

(Certainly, he might be already a brilliant Drag-Knight from the beginning, but──)

No matter how he was using an EX Wyvern with stacked up tuning and he was an expert of a rare weapon, but would that be enough to make him able to fight the current Lux and Greifer until this much?

“It looks like, your royal highness is also confused huh?”

Greifer suddenly said such thing as he stood there.

“It’s really strange. With that Drag-Ride and armament, it’s not like that sort of move is impossible──but, no matter how I see it that man is strange. I cannot say it well but, he ain’t a normal human for sure.”

Lux agreed with Greifer.

But, he still wasn’t really confident with his hypothesis.

“Is that it? That is your limit? The name of Seven Dragon Paladins is going to cry you know?”

Greifer steps forward to meet the mocking Dilwy.

“You’re on. I’m also tired hearing your lecture, I’ll finish this in the next move.”

Then, Cuelebre flew and threw numerous Daggers towards Dilwy.

“Stupid man. Do you not understand that these tricks don’t work on me?”

In response, Dilwy moved his Shot Blade swiftly in various arcs to release shockwaves.

The mesh-shaped shockwaves entangled the Daggers and deflected them.

In long-range battle, Dilwy’s Shot Blade held the advantage.

When Greifer activated Photon Dive to defend against the silver flashes heading towards him, Dilwy grinned.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitudes. How incompetent can you be to use the same move twice in a battle.”

Dilwy formed a barrier forcefield in the timing of impact to parry the attack from right to left.

Greifer’s slash was dodged and he stood still with his defenseless back exposed to Dilwy.

“I have seen through the amount of time you can operate your Divine Raiment. ──You should apologize to your princess from the other world.”

Without missing the opportunity, Dilwy slashed at his back.

However──,

“…what!?”

Instead of what Dilwy expected, Cuelebre’s Photon Dive did not end, the light wall was deflecting the slash toward the back.

Realizing his mistake, Dilwy attempted to flee from Greifer’s thrust, however it was too late.

“──The one incompetent is you right? I fought a woman who saw through this right from the start y’know?”

The stretching Tail Blade drew a spiral trajectory to avoid Dilwy’s barrier and pierced his barrier.

As the blade cut across his chest, droplets of fresh blood rushed out.

“Gobah…!?”

Dilwy vomited blood as his eyes rolled back.

At that moment──the outcome was decided.

“…As I thought. It is easy to deal with opponents that you do not need to worry about killing.”

The Photon Dive’s duration on Cuelebre.

Normally Greifer would deliberately fixed the duration of his Divine Raiment to a certain period and lifted the effect in short several seconds to mislead people of the timing of his invincibility.

Although Lux heard about this matter from Krulcifer after the All-Dragon battle, it was still a splendid plan.

“Now then, we gotta think about how to get out of here. Although most of the Abyss seems to be gone outside, we still need to find that Coral.”

The relaxed Greifer turned away from Dilwy’s dead corpse.

At that moment, Lux noticed something strange.

“Behind you! Greifer!”

“────”

Greifer heard Lux and turned back around while holding up the Tail Blade as a shield.

However, his defense was a little slow. And Dilwy’s Blade bit deeply into his armor.

“Guh, ah…!?”

Greifer was blown backward, but he somehow held his ground.

Dilwy, who should have been completely dead, continued to move.

His chest was cracking, like dried fish.

“Wha…what the hell is this guy?!”

Greifer who was normally aloof had a distorted expression from shock.

It wasn’t an illusion nor a fantasy. Dilwy, who could not have possibly survived the fatal injury, was giving a gruesome smile.

His hand was not holding the EX Wyvern’s control lever, but a small knife.

There was a strange burst of seven-color aura coming out of the knife.

“…I will not lose. Because that hero has saved me! I who was clinging even to Dragon Marauder looking for hope, is filled with this light……!”

“What did, you mean!?”

“Let me awaken! My voice, my cry, my shout, if they are reaching….. Grant ”Baptism” throughout my whole body, guide me! Oh ”Elixir”!”

*Stab*. Dilwy, with his trembling hand, inserted the knife into his own left chest. With the knife in his chest, he underwent another strange mutation.

“-……!? Wh-What is that? What is happening!?”

Sharis who was watching from the side was stunned as she whispered.

While Everyone present was taken by shock, Dilwy’s body that was still wearing EX Wyvern was suddenly──transforming.

The same black pattern that was running on his right wrist spread out from his left chest to the rest of his body.

His body was like a pale flame wrapped in waves of heat, being colored darker and darker.

His skin became darker than night, while his hair turned white.

His eyelids opened wide, showing eyes radiating a scarlet red light like fresh blood.

“Wh-What is that…? It is not the Drag-Ride──but he himself that is changing──!?”

“Yes, the cause of calamity that occurred in various places, could it be……”

“Nocturnal……, is this the new type Abyss──!?”

Tillfur, Noct, and Airi were shaking as this devil began to make its first sound of its birth in this world.

“SHAaAAAAAAAaAAAAaaAAAAaAaAAAAAAAH!”

It was the roar of devil from a human that wasn’t a human.

That monstrous shriek was far more terrible than the Abyss that was the nemesis of human. The screams shocked the walls o fthe Dungeon as well as the eardrums of everyone present.

The time passing seemed to be a mesh of nightmare with reality as the devil flew together with the Drag-Ride.

“──!?”

Fast.

Compared to the winged Abysses they fought previously, he was considerably faster.

EX Wyvern creeped along the ground in a very low flight.

If a blunder was made──no, with a speed that wouldn’t stop even if it crashed on the opponent, Dilwy who was changed into devil attacked Lux.

“Kuh…!”

He did not have time to use Reload on Fire to accelerate time.

Lux swung his great sword using Quick Draw and slashed horizontally at Dilwy who was approaching like a bullet.

──But,

“Ku ku ku──this is the strength of the so called Black Hero?”

“……-!?”

Lux was shocked as the dark voice reached his ear.

Dilwy’s Shot Blade met Lux’s Chaos Brand, resulting in the projection of some intense sparks.

“…Gu!?”

Lux was blown directly to the side from receiving the charge’s gust of wind.

Dilwy who looked like he was going to crash on the rock wall sharply dove up on the spot.

He quickly somersaulted through the air, then moved towards Greifer next.

“What..!? This thing──”

From a super low-altitude flight to rapidly rising followed by a rapid dive into a backflip.

The more preeminent someone was in handling Drag-Ride, the more they would understand just how impossible that movement was.

Drag-Ride couldn’t be moved with just pure operating skill.

Things like the burden on the rider’s body and stamina, the timing of breathing, and so on existed.

No matter how proficient someone was at swimming, they wouldn’t be able to dive underwater for tens of minutes without breathing.

Thus, witnessing Dilwy making impossible movements for a Drag-Knight created a moment of opening in Greifer which Dilwy took advantage of. Greifer was blown away.

“Chih…! This damn monster”

Lux and Greifer adjusted their movement in preparation for pursuing attack.

But unexpectedly Dilwy and the EX Wyvern flew until near the ceiling of the hall, taking a position to look down on everyone there.

“──!? Everyone, quick! Defend yourselves!”

Lux immediately understood his intentions, and at the same time he flew to where Airi and others were at.

The devil’s eyes glowed deep red and grinned wickedly while overlooking the scenery.

Next, the right hand armor gripped the Shot Blade which began to emit light energy.

“──Silver Flash, Hail Fang”

*Gin-!* With a roaring sound that could be heard splitting through the air, a flash of shockwave that drew an arc like crescent moon was fired.

Originally, the silver flash the Shot Blade fired was limited to several shots per breath because of the burden on the user’s stamina and mind.

But this attack appeared to be an unending torrent of rain of light pouring down on the Dungeon’s zone.

“────”

Several hundred overlapping sound of slicing wind and the destruction sound of the ground getting pulverized could be heard.

The storm of hail that reached them in less than a second erased the stifled scream of the girls, blowing away even their consciousness and thought.

Their breathing stopped in their tenseness and fear, and ashes were swept up that blocked their vision.

As it felt like the endless nightmare was ending──before long, Airi opened her eyes.

“……U, ah.”

Due to the aftermath of the attack, dust covered their bodies.

The previously sturdy walls of rock were cut apart, and the terrain was completely different.

While lying on the debris, Airi gingerly moved her fingertips.

Fortunately, her body was intact.

In addition, the Triad were lying around her with their Drag-Ride cancelled off.

“Everyone──please, get ahold of yourself.”

Perhaps due to being strained to their physical limit, the three of them could only stir a little bit.

Airi intended to call for help but as she looked up, the scene made her at a loss for words.

“──Ha, hah, ku…a”

Buried in the rubble with Bahamut, Lux was breathing hard.

Fatigued from all the fighting, Lux’s face had an anguished expression and his whole body was dripping with sweat.

“End Action huh……. a hidden move of Drag-Ride operation that was introduced during the Old Empire days, a technique that unleashed unlimited slashes. But even it has to end, and it seems your strength has finally reached its limit.”

“Damn……, it”

In an equally ragged state, Greifer in Cuelebre was laying at the opposite side of Lux.

The invincibility of his Photon Dive could only be maintained for about 10 seconds at maximum.

So, on this prolonged, uninterrupted attack that lasted more than ten second, he naturally could not make it out unscathed.

At the same time, Lux too was protecting Airi, and the Triad using End Action and he succeeded, but it took everything he had to do so.

The two of them were exhausted until very nearly the limit while they did their all so only their Divine Drag-Ride wouldn’t get desummoned.

That was their only way to resist in their current state.

“──Magnificent.”

Dilwy smirked in intoxication in the air as he looked down from above at everyone who was standing still unable to move.

“Ah, what a wonderful power.”

He kept muttering to himself heartily.

“The officer cadets of the new kingdom, a Seven Dragon Paladins, the Black Hero……I transcended and surpassed all their strength. Dilwy Froias is able to return in his true form as a Drag-Knight who aimed for the seat of the strongest like in the past. I will be able to realize the dream that I have held through a long time from here on. I’ll immediately build a new legend. I can surpass the Blue Tyrant──the mentor who once abandoned me. If it’s the current me, even that will soon come true.”

Dilwy ended his intoxicated self-praising words, and moved his venomous red eyes towards Lux.

“Although the outcome has already been decided, I do have some questions left for you, Lux Arcadia.”

He opened Airi’s bag and pointed to one of the lines of text in the ancient documents.

“The name of ”Arcadia” recorded in this ancient text. I wanted to ask before I killed you if you are associated with these Ruin, and know something about it.”

“……You have already betrayed everyone, what is the point? Just what do you intend to obtain by becoming the strongest Drag-Knight whatever for the sake of Dragon Marauder?”

Although his breathing was ragged, even then Lux’s eyes weren’t dead.

Seeing this, Dilwy’s jet black face twisted as he laughed with bared teeth.

“The Dragon Marauder you say…? I have no more business with them. My goal was to attain even greater power from this Ruin. In order to prove my strength as Drag-Knight, I need to cause more chaos and great war……!”

His body was wrapped in dark desire and resentment.

It was the answer of the man who was writhing in agony from being toyed by the reign of the old empire and the distortion of the era.

His path as Drag-Knight met setback, his hope stolen, and after clinging on his past for a long time, this was his true real nature.

“Don’t make me ask you a second time, Lux Arcadia! Give me all the knowledge you own, show me the path to reach the deepest layers of these ruins! Otherwise──”

Dilwy turned his ominous crimson gaze towards Airi and the Triad, and he yelled.

The roar of devil shook the air around him. Right then,

“Understood. It looks like, this is as far as it goes.”

Airi who was dirtied by the dust of the smashed rock wall slowly stood up and muttered.

“Nii-san over there──No, that person who I called brother and used by me, the Lord(Creator) of the Ruin is ignorant of my true identity. Asking him is useless.”

“Ai,ri…?”

Lux who stood up trying to rally up Bahamut saw his sister’s cold expression and icy eyes.

“Hou, you are saying that you are a survivor of Ruin, connected to the name of Arcadia written here? That you were hiding it all this time until now?”

“More accurately speakling, I just forgot about it. In order to protect my own safety──but, there is no meaning even if I hide it in this situation. Even I value my own life.”

Airi spoke these words fluently.

Then, she looked at the bewildered Lux with a cold expression.

“When I found that old document, I remembered. That my true identity is one of the Lords, Aeril vi Arcadia, and also my original purpose and mission──”

“Y-you, what are you saying…? What is the meaning of this, Airi missy!”

Airi turned a deaf ear to Sharis, who could only move half her body.

“In any case, the man who I called as “Nii-san” and used as my guard is not usable anymore. But──at the present, even I the Lord is unable to completely control the Ruin. If you promise that you will guarantee my life, I will cooperate with you to a certain degree you know?”

“Hou…”

The expression of the devil who heard that distorted inhumanly in joy.

“I do not think you have any other choice. By yourself, you won’t be able to use the true function of the Ruin fully.”

“Very well…”

‘Ku ku’, the devil Dilwy’s shoulders shook with laughter.

“Now, come over here. I’ll listen to the story of this so called Lord without rushing.”

“──Then, excuse my leave, everyone.”

Airi whispered without any emotion as she moved towards Dilwy.

“…wait, a minute, Airi.”

Noct and Tillfur were conscious but could not move as they lied on the floor.

Airi glanced coldly at that as she walked towards Dilwy, and then──,

*Zan-*

A jet black dragon landed down between them in a position that seemed to shield Airi from the devil.

His heart was beating furiously and he could not control his breathing. His body also clearly displayed his fatigue. But Lux was somehow able to move his body.

“……You are in my way. I have already said I don’t have any use of you anymore.”

Airi coldly criticized as she said with slight frown.

But,

“──I won’t let you go. I have already decided that I won’t let anyone take away those I cherish anymore.”

“Hah”

Dilwy’s eyes shot towards Lux. Looking into his determined eyes, Dilwy laughed and readied his Shot Blade.

Multiple silver flashes pierced Bahamut’s fragile barrier.

Not being able to withstand the impact, Lux’s upper body cracked with multiple red lines.

“Gu…!”

However, he did not back down as he rushed toward Dilwy before him.

Even as his body was swaying due to physical exhaustion, he slashed down an attack using his great sword with a sharp trajectory. Dilwy casually evaded it and struck Lux’s body with his Shot Blade.

Even so, Lux immediately regained his fighting posture and charged forward once more.

However, before Lux’s great sword found its mark, Dilwy deflected it with his own sword.

“You still try even though you know it is futile, how unsightly. So the true identity of the Black Hero is only something like this.”

Lux unabatedly continued his assault while ignoring Dilwy’s scornful words.

In contrast, Airi began to feel pain as she witnessed the scene.

“Stop──please, stop already!”

Airi yelled seeing the heavily wounded Lux showing no sign of stopped fighting even then.

“Why, are you doing something like that!? You, you don’t need to fight for my sake anymore, so why──”

“I changed my mind. Although I’m still interested in you, I’ll bring you down here. Together with everyone else too.”

Dilwy made a quick backhand stroke and flashes of silver flew towards the Triad who were lifting up their upper body.

Lux flew and intercepted the roaring silver flashes.

“-……!”

Due to the pressure of the impact, Lux’s face was covered with thin red lines.

Even through all of that, Lux continued to glare at Dilwy with fearless eyes.

“Lux, kun……”

“Lux-chi……”

“……Lux, san”

The members of Triad were speechless seeing him covering even their tattered self.

Witnessing this scene, Airi had a faintly pained expression on as she held her hands on her chest.

“-……!?”

“I can’t understand. Are you that stupid? Even though there is no reason to save your sister who already betrayed you, even though there will be no advantage saving those useless small fries in this situation. Ku ha ha ha ha. Is it just like Singlen said? You really don’t have any reason to fight, you try to save someone just because you want to be loved? A pitiful──”

“──Shut up”

“What?”

Lux commanded with a cold, yet threatening tone.

“Don’t you notice anything? Why Airi said those words, why she went as far as lying, pretending to be unrelated to us.”

“-……!?”

Airi’s cold mask was on the verge of collapse at Lux’s words.

“Airi wants to save us. Even if it gains the resentment of her friends, even if she has to become the villain, even though she cannot use a Drag-Ride, even so she is constantly thinking about what she can do, and fight.”

“……..”

“I remembered……. Whether as the prince of the Old Kingdom, or a criminal of the New Kingdom, the reason I fight has not changed in the slightest since the past.”

In order to protect the people important to him.

No matter how powerful and unyielding the authority(plot) Lux faced, he swore he would accomplish its destruction in his own way.

“Since I failed at that time──I thought that it would be fine if I entrust my dream to someone else.”

Lux thought that his path was to protect Lizsharte, the princess of the new kingdom, and cooperated for the sake of her ideal.

“But, I’m wrong. It won’t be meaningful if my ideal doesn’t come true together with it.”

When an enemy that he couldn’t match was standing in his way, if he had to consider his important people as weak and abandoned them like Singlen──he would rather fight, became stronger, he swore he would protect them.

“I’m──not going to give up anything. I won’t let someone like you, take away even a single one of these girls who are important to me.”

Although blood was dripping from his head and whole body onto his armor, Lux’s willpower didn’t wither in the slightest.

“──Hah! Then I will teach you your helplessness right here! You powerless hero!”

Dilwy sharply flew forward and brandished up his Shot Blade, rushing toward Lux.

He violently drove his EX Wyvern and struck with a terrific slash.

“You can’t protect anyone! Let me show you!”

Dilwy released silver flashes towards Airi.

Lux intended to block the attack, but the number of attacks were too great and several slipped through him──however,

“Don’t worry about us, Lux-kun!”

Sharis shouted from behind.

The Triad stood up once more in their Drag-Rides and worked together to make a solid barrier to shield Airi.

“What are you all doing! Don’t move so carelessly! Wearing Drag-Ride in that condition will make you──”

“It’s all good, Airi-chan.”

Sharis smiled even as blood was dripping from her forehead while the other two also nodded in agreement.

“Even though we look like this, we are not playing around. We cannot just lie down sleeping. It doesn’t matter even if we are powerless in the present situation, we can’t just stand around doing nothing after seeing how you and Lux are fighting.”

“We-ll yeah, we can still move after a fashion……”

“Yes, we will fight until our last breath.”

“You all……”

Airi whispered while the three of them were adjusting their formation.

“Thank you──everyone.”

Lux thanked them as he resumed his battle with Dilwy.

With the three’s assistance, the task of protecting Airi was left to them. Lux was gradually pushing on Dilwy.

But──,

“Let me tell you……all of your struggling is futile!”

Dilwy once again soared towards the ceiling while waving his Shot Blade.

“You are definitely finished this time──Silver Flash, Hail Fang!”

“You’re gonna be the one to die yeah, blackened uncle.”

Unnoticed by anyone, Cuelebre rushed to meet EX Wyvern that was going to unleashes storm of slashes from the silver flash once more.

“──You!?”

“I’m thinking that I’m not gonna die here for the sake of our princess. I too ain’t able to bear it see, that I keep getting looked down by sleazebag like you.”

Greifer concentrated all his energy and with a dazzling, shining light cut down with the Tail Blade.

Seeing the spiral curve of the attack, Dilwy was snickered.

“──Battle Array – Vicissitude.”

The moment just before the blade’s tip touched, a forcefield of barrier that was formed with diagonal track repelled the attack of Tail Blade──wasn’t what happened here.

“What-…!?”

“Don’t underestimate someone else too much, uncle. Certainly I’m really reckless, but can learn y’know?”

The blade with multi joint drew an arc with a movement that avoided the barrier and entangled the blade of the Shot Blade.

It was a deluding attack that pretended to aim at the body but actually attacked the opponent’s weapons.

“Your struggling is futile! ──How unsightly, you stray dog!”

But, Dilwy who was taken by surprise counterattacked with Howling Howl without delay.

The impact was several times more powerful than the attack output of an average Drag-Ride, and Greifer was blown far backwards.

“……-!?──Well fine, I’ve made an opening I guess. I’ll leave the rest to you yeah, your highness.”

Cuelebre’s armor was broken while Greifer said with a fearless smile.

To his words, Lux responded with only brief comment.

“──Yeah, I won’t hesitate anymore to fight for my own sake.”

The moment Dilwy turned into offense and exposed a large opening, Lux held aloft his great sword.

“It’s futile──no matter how many times you try, I am much faster than you!”

Dilwy was able to defense faster than Lux could swing down his sword.

He moved with an extraordinary speed and Drag-Ride operation technique that only the current him could achieve.

He unleashed an attack using his Shot Blade to bisect Bahamut with all his strength, however, the forcefield of barrier that was generated from Lux’s left to his right completely repelled that attack.

“──Whaaat-!?”

“──Battle Array – Vicissitude”

One of the Drag-Ride operation techniques that the strongest Drag-Knight of Blackend Kingdom, the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit used.

Dilwy who couldn’t learn that technique until he was turned into devil borrowing the power of Baptism witnessed it with his own eyes.

How can this kid use this technique!?

Just from seeing it only a few times during the Class promotion exam he──.

Even more shudder of terror ran through Dilwy without giving him any time to soak in his shock.

“──Battle Array – Aeon Fire.”

“……!?”

The special move that even now Dilwy couldn’t use.

By collecting all energy from the barrier, propulsion, and driving force into the Blade, a blow with explosively increased might could be unleashed.

The attack broke through the EX Wyvern’s barrier of maximum output and cut down feeply into the shoulder.

“Guh, gahhhh…!”

His blackly dyed shoulder was soaked red from the spilt blood.

Blown to the floor, Dilwy tried to take action to defend from Bahamut’s pursuing attack. However, EX Wyvern was slow to react as he tried to take a defensive posture.

“……The machine isn’t moving!? Why?! My body is still──”

Although his body was moving, the Drag-Ride was not responding.

Given the impact of Lux’s attack attack on the Force Core in his shoulder, he was unable to move for a few seconds.

“I won’t lose…! After attaining this power! Against a bastard like you, I won’t──”

Dilwy screamed and struggled as Lux moved nearer.

He operated his Drag-Ride with all his available strength to defend against Lux’s sword and slashed back──, Lux didn’t overlook that obvious counterattack.

“──Reload on Fire”

Instantly, countless slashes from the great sword cut through EX Wyvern’s armor.

The wrist armor, Force Core, back wings, and other joints to move the armor were slashed apart by the instantaneous slashes, bursting and scattering the EX Wyvern.

“Impossible…!? Wh, WHYyyYYY-!? I should have taken it back! The power that I should be able to obtain in my hand, and yet──”

Dilwy frantically screamed as his armor fell apart.

[[File:Saijaku V6 15.jpg|thumb|right]]

He picked up the Shot Blade with his own flesh and blood hand and brandished it, but then that hand along with the sword was cut off.

“──Then, that strength must be just an illusion right? Monster uncle.”

“Gahh……! GUSHAaAAAAaAaAaAaAAA-!”

The Blade of Cuelebre that Greifer drove flickered and the tip of the blade gouged the heart.

Cracks of light emerged from his body as this monster that was once a man gave his last screams of sorrow.

Similar to an Abyss with its core destructed, that body broke and dissipated into the dust.

===Part 13===

[So──that handyman brat, he really used my technique, the Battle Array?]

After the fight subsided, one man was moving in the shadow.

It was a strange looking Divine Drag-Ride flying through the passage of Dungeon at high speed──It was Zweigbergk the old knight.

At the surface, he was following Singlen’s orders to rescue Lux and others who were left behind in Dungeon but,

[Sir-, but I don’t understand. My lord’s Battle Array that is making use of tuning is the best technique for a Drag-Knight. No matter how outsanding Lux Arcadia’s skill is, it should be impossible to learn it in that short of a time period…..]

The expression of the old knight didn’t change. However he sent back a reply with Dragon Voice that was mixed with irritation somewhere. But,

[That’s simple. Isn’t the answer obvious already, Zwei?]

[By that, you mean?]

Singlen maintained his calm attitude while answering.

[That guy had already known about it. He couldn’t use the two Battle Array that I use, but he knew them.]

[…………]

[The use of tuning is impossible if one is not knowledgable about the control interface of Drag-Ride. But that guy, he must have attempted the finesse of the technique many times since in the past. Even though he did not know the mechanism of tuning, he himself wasn’t satisfied with just devising three hidden techniques. Even after that, he constantly thought whether there is something more that he could do, and day after day, on and on, he continued to work hard groping for new techniques. That’s how it is.]

[No way, such thing is……]

‘Hard to believe’, Zwei let out such voice.

[He crossed sword with me at the exam. When he saw that my skill is clearly superior, that guy immediately switched his fighting style. He moved not to defeat me, he fought in the way to steal my techniques──that guy always hardened his defence at the tournament in royal capital most likely isn’t just for training his foresight, he also aimed to learn the technique of his opponent’s attack even just by one more.]

Singlen’s exultant tone caused Zwei to become silent.

[In a situation where that guy cannot help but joining Seven Dragon Paladins, he realized my trap while leaping into it in order to save his comrades. Until that point it’s according to my expectation, but it’s unexpected that he also stole two of my techniques. Even though his face looks like he cannot even kill a bug, but he is scheming like a strategist. He cannot be dealt with normal method, is what this mean.]

[…………]

[I was thinking of him as one of the pawns connected to Fugil, but he is a man more terrifying than I imagined. The time ahead looks amusing……don’t you agree, Zwei?]

Even while in one side Singlen was showing vigilance toward Lux, his tone sounded as though he was amused.

Zwei nodded in agreement to that before he immediately cut off the Dragon Voice’s communication.

===Part 14===

“……That was a tiresome battle. Good grief.”

“Are you all feeling okay? Greifer, everyone?”

Greifer took a breath, then he saw a new EX Wyvern flying in front of him.

The one who was riding it was a youth with androgynous features, Coral.

“You……where did you go until now?! Do you know how long we have been looking for you──”

“Sorry. I desperately shook off the many Abysses that appeared here in the Dungeon. If I carelessly brought them over here, I am afraid it would put you all in danger so──”

“Haa, well, doesn’t matter. Although there are lots I wanna say, for now let’s leave this place first.”

The moment Greifer muttered, not far from them, the sound of a something being opened was heard. Yoruka wearing Yato no kami landed down.

“It is great you are alright, my lord. I followed your instructions and secured the escape route.”

As a result, it seemed that she eliminated a large number of Abysses in the area by herself.

The lights in the surrounding also returned to their original color, and the alert state of the Ruin was finally ended.

“Let’s retreat now. We are going to talk later, after we ensure everyone’s safety.”

Greifer agreed with Coral’s suggestion after examining the surroundings.

The Triad also stood up somehow, while Lux who had dispelled his armor was standing in front of Airi.

“………….”

Airi could not lift her face to meet Lux’s eyes.

The matter of the ancient document that she was hiding.

The matter about whether she and Lux were really related by blood with the Ruin or not, which was still unclear at this point.

The matter of how she showered harsh words to Lux and others, even though it was in order to save them.

And above else, the matter of how she got caught into the evil design of Dilwy of the Dragon Marauder, which exposed everyone to danger. All those matters made her unable to lift up her face.

However──

“I’m sorry Airi. You feel pained for my sake.”

Even so, Lux said in his usual tone while sounding somewhat apologetic.

“Airi, I completely understand how you are feeling. It’s all right already, so──”

The words of her big brother that were the same like usual made Airi’s feelings erupted.

“-……!? Nii-san! Just what are you saying!?”

The tears that she was trying to hold back dripped down, then she knocked her hands on Lux’s chest powerlessly.

“We might be different from what we thought you know!? We might not be a mere criminal of the ruined old empire, we might be people related to Ruin! If that’s really the case, then from here on, it’s unknown what is going to happen to me or Nii-san!”

Airi feared these things all this time.

The possible realities weighed on her so she could not help but shout.

“Even just now too! Why didn’t Nii-san just abandon me?! I don’t want nii-san to suffer because of me anymore! So why──”

“I don’t feel miserable or anything.”

He murmured as he gently held Airi stroking the hair that was the same color as his.

“I have never imagined anything I have done to protect Airi to be painful. There is also nothing that I thought as painful or I regret doing for you. Just being able to protect my only important family makes me happy.”

“…Why”

Airi could not bear it and she buried her face in Lux’s chest with a sob.

“Why is nii-san always like this!? Are you idiot!? Why are you always, for the sake of someone like me──”

“……I’m sorry that I made you worry. But, I won’t change my mind. No matter what kind of secret is hidden inside us, I will always be Airi’s big brother, that’s why”

Lux gave off a slightly shy smile as he stroked his sister’s back gently.

“It will surely be all right. It’s alright, that’s why──don’t cry anymore.”

“tsu……U, AAaAAAAAAH!”

Airi raised her voice in contrast with Lux’s words.

She wanted to hold back in front of the others, but the tears would not stop.

The family who continued to stay at her side since she was a child, when she had been frail and helpless as she lost her mother.

The big brother who since the period of old empire, had continued to protect herself no matter how much he got hurt.

Even though he was always slow and insensitive, even though when the time came he would forcefully shoulder everything alone.

His voice’s warmth and his chest were warm, the reassurance from his hands stroking her hair, they caused the tears to spill out without end.

Inside the Dungeon, a girl’s sobs echoed.

And then, the incident closed its curtain.

Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut

2019-09-13T17:20:51Z

Masterupc: Updating external links and adding missing chapters

{{Status|Active}}

[[Image:SaijakuBahamut v1 Cover.jpg|thumb|'''Volume 01 Cover''']]
'''Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut''' (最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》), also known as '''Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle''', is a light novel series written by ''Akatsuki Senri'' and illustrated by ''Kasuga Ayumu''.

The Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut series is also available in the following languages:
*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut - Français|French (Français)]]
*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut (Indonesia)|Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)]]

==Story Synopsis==

''Synopsis (Taken from Volume 1)''

Lux, who was a prince from the Empire that was destroyed five years ago due to the revolt, met with the princess of the new Kingdom, Lizsharte, by accidentally breaking into the bathroom of the girl’s dormitory.

“……How long are you planning to stare at my body, you fooooool!”

The ancient weapons found from the ruins, the Drag-Ride. Lux who was called the strongest Drag-Knight in the past was now known as the “Weakest Undefeated”, a Drag-Knight who doesn’t attack at all. After the duel that started by the challenge from Lizsharte, Lux ended up entering the girls’ school that raised Drag-Knights……!

Lux’s story where he is surrounded by the noble girls from the academy is about to unfold.

The “ultimate” academy fantasy battle where the right and the might cross paths now begins!
(''Story Synopsis taken from Volume 1 cover.'')

==Series Information==
*Genre: Mecha + Fantasy + Harem + School Life
*Original Title: Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut
*Author: Akatsuki Senri
*Illustrator: Kasuga Ayumu
*Series Status: Ongoing

==Translation==

===[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut Registration Page|Registration Page]]===
'''Translators are asked to [[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Registration Page|Register]] the chapters they want to work on.'''

===Format Standards===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]
*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Terminology and Guidelines]]

===Feedback===
'''If you enjoyed the series, why don't you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7779 Feedback Thread]'''

'''The series is currently hosted and translated [https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut/ HERE].'''
'''Future updates will also be posted here on Baka-Tsuki.'''

==Updates==
*May 2, 2018 '''Volume 14 Completed'''
*April 18, 2018 '''Volumes 11-13 Completed'''
*Febraury 7, 2018 '''Volume 10 Completed'''
*Febraury 7, 2018 '''Volume 10 Completed'''
*January 30, 2018 '''Volume 9 Completed'''
*January 18, 2018 '''Volume 8 Completed'''
*December 21, 2017 '''Volume 4 Completed'''
*December 15, 2017 '''Volume 7 Completed'''
*December 05, 2017 - '''Volume 3 Completed'''
*November 25, 2017 '''Volume 6 Completed'''
*November 07, 2017 '''Volume 5 Completed'''
*October 20, 2014 - '''Volume 2 Completed'''
*September 08, 2014 - '''Volume 1 Completed'''
*March 30, 2014 - Teaser created

Older updates can be found here.

==Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut series by Akatsuki Senri==

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 1 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v1 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Prologue|Prologue - The Black Hero]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 1|Episode 1 - The Intruder at Midnight]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Academy for Noble Children]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 3|Episode 3 - The Scarlet Princess]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Assault, and...]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 5|Episode 5 - Reunion with a Childhood Friend]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 6|Episode 6 - Ateliers of Drag-Rides and Enrollment Exams]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 7|Episode 7 - The Weakest Drag-Knight]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Epilogue|Epilogue - Where The Prince belongs]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 2 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v2 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Prologue|Prologue - Lux Contest]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Engagement Circumstances of the Young Woman of the North]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Episode 2|Episode 2 - A Messenger of Ymir]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Episode 3|Episode 3 - The Sixth Ruin –– One Miniature Garden]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Duel]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Epilogue|Epilogue - The Girl’s wish]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Side Story|Side Story – The Little Sister Airi’s Big Brother Observation Diary]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 3 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v3 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Prologue|Prologue - On The Far-Off Sky]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Episode 1|Episode 1 - The Return of The Strongest]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Episode 2|Episode 2 - School Life and Her Speculations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Campus Selection Battle]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Girl’s Truth]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Episode 5|Episode 5 - The Weakest vs. The Strongest]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Epilogue|Epilogue - A New Daily Life and The Beginning]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 4 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v4 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Prologue|Prologue - The Beginning of Everything]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Training Camp]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Episode 2|Episode 2 - A Special Mission]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Encounter]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Awakening of Abyss]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Episode 5|Episode 5 - The Night of Betrayal]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Epilogue|Epilogue - Promise]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 5 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v5 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue - The Girl’s Long Cherished Desire]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Episode 1|Episode 1 - The Empire’s Assassin]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Night before the Overall Dragon Competition]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Episode 3|Episode 3 - The Girls’ Recompense]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Fifth Artifact Gigas]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Epilogue|Epilogue - The Empire’s Whereabouts]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 6 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6|Full Text]])===
[[File:Saijaku_V6 01.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Prologue|Prologue - Memory with my older brother]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Blue Tyrant]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Ruin's Gear (Ruin City)]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Class Promotion Exam]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Second Ruin 『Maze』(Dungeon)]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Epilogue|Epilogue - His Answer Is]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 7 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7|Full Text]])===
[[File:Saijaku V7 Cov.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Prologue|Prologue - The Prince's Whereabouts]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Arriving the the Nostalgic Land]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Pilgrimage Festival]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Episode 3|Episode 3 - God and Angel]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Subjugator, Mel Gizalut]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Epilogue|Epilogue - Divine Princess Descend]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 8 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v8 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Prologue|Prologue - The Past Wish]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Portent of Storm]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Seven Dragons Gathering]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Campus Festival, Start]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Steel Witch]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Episode 5|Episode 5 - Sacred Eclipse──Ark──]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Epilogue|Epilogue - Honest Feeling]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 9 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v9 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Prologue|Prologue - The Night Before Departure]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Airi Chapter – Love Story At Tea Party In A Certain Day]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Lisha Chapter – The Princess’s Cooking Struggle Chronicle]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Krulcifer Chapter - Weak Point]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Philuffy Chapter – The Work of Aingram Company]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 5|Episode 5 - Celistia Chapter – The Feeling of The Academy’s Strongest]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 6|Episode 6 - Yoruka Chapter – Aruji-sama’s Punishment]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 7|Episode 7 - Triad Chapter – The Chore Prince’s Rest Day]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 8|Episode 8 - Coral Chapter – Reunion And Promise]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Epilogue|Epilogue – The Morning of Departure]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 10 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v10 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Prologue|Prologue - False Mask]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Honeymoon With A Childhood Friend]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Heiburg's Darkness]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Infiltration, And Then]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Steel Witch]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Episode 5|Episode 5 - First Ruin ─Babel─]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Epilogue|Epilogue - New Opening of Hostilities]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 11 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v11 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Prologue|Prologue - Memory of Pledge]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Out of Season Transfer Student]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Episode 2|Episode 2 - The Right to Guard Lux]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Imperial Command of the Queen]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Crossroads]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Episode 5|Episode 5 - Sacred Eclipse ─Gigas─]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Epilogue|Epilogue - Sword And Scabbard]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 12 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v12 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Prologue|Prologue - At Right Under the Heavens]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Those Who Wish For a Pact]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Double Layered Trap]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Two Dragons Under The Moonlight]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Captive Assailant]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 5|Episode 5 - Behind The Scene of The Sacred Party]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 6|Episode 6 - Marauder And Demise]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Epilogue|Epilogue - The Path Leading to Sanctuary]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 13 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v13 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Prologue|Prologue - The Princess’s Awakening]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Episode 1|Episode 1 - The Second Collar]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Armed Might Negotiations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Episode 3|Episode 3 - The Other Lord]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Episode 4|Episode 4 - A Plan That Lead to Demise]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Epilogue|Epilogue - The Young Man’s Collar]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 14 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v14 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Prologue|Prologue - The Past That Arrived at Farewell]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Episode 1|Episode 1 - The Memory’s Continuation]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Avalon, Invasion]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Reminiscence and Tracing Back the Memory]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Inevitable Outsider Element]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Epilogue|Epilogue - Ruins’ Zero]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 15 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v15 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-15-prologue/ Prologue - Unceasingly Resounding Reverberation]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-15-chapter-1/ Episode 1 - The Beginning of Peace]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-15-chapter-2/ Episode 2 - Romance War]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-15-chapter-3/ Episode 3 - The Fated, Confession]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-15-chapter-4/ Episode 4 - Between the Line of the End and the Beginning]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-15-chapter-5/ Episode 5 - Artifact (Transforming Drag-Ride) 《Ouroboros》]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-15-chapter-6/ Episode 6 - The Beginning of Peace]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-15-epilogue/ Epilogue - Reality (Nightmare) You Cannot Wake Up From]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-15-afterword Afterword]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 16 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v16 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-16-prologue/ Prologue - The Bud of Rebellion]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-16-chapter-1/ Episode 1 - Pitch Black And Silence And]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-16-chapter-2/ Episode 2 - The Two’s Feeling]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-16-chapter-3/ Episode 3 - The False, Truth]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-16-chapter-4/ Episode 4 - The Captive Inside The Box]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-16-chapter-5/ Episode 5 - The Hero’s Whereabouts]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-16-epilogue/ Epilogue - Encounter And Reunion]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-16-afterword Afterword]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 17 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 17|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v17 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 17 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-17-prologue/ Prologue - The Day The Hero Was Born]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-17-chapter-1/ Episode 1 - Azure Division]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-17-chapter-3/ Episode 2 - Queen and Princess]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-17-chapter-3/ Episode 3 - The Servant’s Decisive Battle]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-17-chapter-4/ Episode 4 - The Ancient Forest]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-17-chapter-5/ Episode 5 - Awakening Time]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-17-epilogue/ Epilogue - Princess And Knight]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-17-afterword Afterword]
</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 18 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 18|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v18 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 18 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-18-prologue/ Prologue - Gear of Fate]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-18-chapter-1/ Episode 1 - Countdown to Destruction]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-18-chapter-2/ Episode 2 -The Fated, Rematch]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-18-chapter-3/ Episode 3 - World of Dream]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-18-chapter-4/ Episode 4 - Love and Duel]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-18-epilogue/ Epilogue - Snow]
:*[https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut-vol-18-afterword/ Afterword]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

==Project Staff==

:*Project Administrator:
:*Project Manager: Sapper

==== Translators ====

'''Active'''

:* [[User:Bakapervert|Bakapervert]] [https://bakapervert.wordpress.com Blog]
:* MofuMofu Translations [https://mofumofutranslationblog.wordpress.com Blog]

'''Inactive'''
:*[[user:‎Setsuna86|‎Setsuna86]]

==== Editors ====

'''Active'''

:*[[User:Dual Blades|Dual Blades]](At Blog)
:*[[User:Digitalak27|Digitalak27]](At Blog)
:*[[User:OmegaWeaponZ|OmegaWeaponZ]][https://bakapervert.wordpress.com (At Blog)]

==Series Overview==

*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》1 (August 12, 2013) ISBN 978-4797374667
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》2 (November 15, 2013) ISBN 978-4797375510
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》3 (March 17, 2014) ISBN 978-4797376135
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》4 (July 15, 2014) ISBN 978-4797376821
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》4 小冊子付き限定版 (July 15, 2014) ISBN 978-4797376838
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》5 (December 15, 2014) ISBN 978-4797377637
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》6 (June 16, 2015) ISBN 978-4797383201
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》7 (October 14, 2015) ISBN 978-4797385038
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》8 (January 14, 2016) ISBN 978-4797386127
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》9 (March 12, 2016) ISBN 978-4797386219
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》9 小冊子付き限定版 (March 12, 2016) ISBN 978-4797386202
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》10 (July 14, 2016) ISBN 978-4797386240
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》11 (November 12, 2016) ISBN 978-4797388107
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》12 (April 14, 2017) ISBN 978-4797388114
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》13 (September 14, 2017) ISBN 978-4797391565
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》14 (December 14, 2017) ISBN 978-4797391572
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》15 (May 12, 2018) ISBN 978-4797397017
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》16 (September 14, 2018) ISBN 978-4797398427
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》17 (February 14, 2019) ISBN 978-4815600327
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》18 (June 17, 2019) ISBN 978-4815602499

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]
[[Category:Hosted_Projects]]

Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut

2019-09-13T15:58:59Z

Masterupc: Project is hosted in other blog!

{{Status|Active}}

[[Image:SaijakuBahamut v1 Cover.jpg|thumb|'''Volume 01 Cover''']]
'''Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut''' (最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》), also known as '''Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle''', is a light novel series written by ''Akatsuki Senri'' and illustrated by ''Kasuga Ayumu''.

The Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut series is also available in the following languages:
*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut - Français|French (Français)]]
*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut (Indonesia)|Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)]]

==Story Synopsis==

''Synopsis (Taken from Volume 1)''

Lux, who was a prince from the Empire that was destroyed five years ago due to the revolt, met with the princess of the new Kingdom, Lizsharte, by accidentally breaking into the bathroom of the girl’s dormitory.

“……How long are you planning to stare at my body, you fooooool!”

The ancient weapons found from the ruins, the Drag-Ride. Lux who was called the strongest Drag-Knight in the past was now known as the “Weakest Undefeated”, a Drag-Knight who doesn’t attack at all. After the duel that started by the challenge from Lizsharte, Lux ended up entering the girls’ school that raised Drag-Knights……!

Lux’s story where he is surrounded by the noble girls from the academy is about to unfold.

The “ultimate” academy fantasy battle where the right and the might cross paths now begins!
(''Story Synopsis taken from Volume 1 cover.'')

==Series Information==
*Genre: Mecha + Fantasy + Harem + School Life
*Original Title: Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut
*Author: Akatsuki Senri
*Illustrator: Kasuga Ayumu
*Series Status: Ongoing

==Translation==

===[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut Registration Page|Registration Page]]===
'''Translators are asked to [[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Registration Page|Register]] the chapters they want to work on.'''

===Format Standards===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]
*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Terminology and Guidelines]]

===Feedback===
'''If you enjoyed the series, why don't you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7779 Feedback Thread]'''

'''The series is currently hosted and translated [https://bakapervert.wordpress.com/saijaku-muhai-no-bahamut/ HERE].'''
'''Future updates will also be posted here on Baka-Tsuki.'''

==Updates==
*May 2, 2018 '''Volume 14 Completed'''
*April 18, 2018 '''Volumes 11-13 Completed'''
*Febraury 7, 2018 '''Volume 10 Completed'''
*Febraury 7, 2018 '''Volume 10 Completed'''
*January 30, 2018 '''Volume 9 Completed'''
*January 18, 2018 '''Volume 8 Completed'''
*December 21, 2017 '''Volume 4 Completed'''
*December 15, 2017 '''Volume 7 Completed'''
*December 05, 2017 - '''Volume 3 Completed'''
*November 25, 2017 '''Volume 6 Completed'''
*November 07, 2017 '''Volume 5 Completed'''
*October 20, 2014 - '''Volume 2 Completed'''
*September 08, 2014 - '''Volume 1 Completed'''
*March 30, 2014 - Teaser created

Older updates can be found here.

==Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut series by Akatsuki Senri==

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 1 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v1 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Prologue|Prologue - The Black Hero]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 1|Episode 1 - The Intruder at Midnight]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Academy for Noble Children]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 3|Episode 3 - The Scarlet Princess]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Assault, and...]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 5|Episode 5 - Reunion with a Childhood Friend]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 6|Episode 6 - Ateliers of Drag-Rides and Enrollment Exams]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 7|Episode 7 - The Weakest Drag-Knight]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Epilogue|Epilogue - Where The Prince belongs]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 2 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v2 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Prologue|Prologue - Lux Contest]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Engagement Circumstances of the Young Woman of the North]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Episode 2|Episode 2 - A Messenger of Ymir]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Episode 3|Episode 3 - The Sixth Ruin –– One Miniature Garden]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Duel]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Epilogue|Epilogue - The Girl’s wish]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Side Story|Side Story – The Little Sister Airi’s Big Brother Observation Diary]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 3 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v3 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Prologue|Prologue - On The Far-Off Sky]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Episode 1|Episode 1 - The Return of The Strongest]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Episode 2|Episode 2 - School Life and Her Speculations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Campus Selection Battle]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Girl’s Truth]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Episode 5|Episode 5 - The Weakest vs. The Strongest]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Epilogue|Epilogue - A New Daily Life and The Beginning]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 4 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v4 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Prologue|Prologue - The Beginning of Everything]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Training Camp]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Episode 2|Episode 2 - A Special Mission]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Encounter]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Awakening of Abyss]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Episode 5|Episode 5 - The Night of Betrayal]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Epilogue|Epilogue - Promise]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 5 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v5 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue - The Girl’s Long Cherished Desire]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Episode 1|Episode 1 - The Empire’s Assassin]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Night before the Overall Dragon Competition]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Episode 3|Episode 3 - The Girls’ Recompense]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Fifth Artifact Gigas]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Epilogue|Epilogue - The Empire’s Whereabouts]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 6 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6|Full Text]])===
[[File:Saijaku_V6 01.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Prologue|Prologue - Memory with my older brother]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Blue Tyrant]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Ruin's Gear (Ruin City)]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Class Promotion Exam]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Second Ruin 『Maze』(Dungeon)]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Epilogue|Epilogue - His Answer Is]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 7 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7|Full Text]])===
[[File:Saijaku V7 Cov.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Prologue|Prologue - The Prince's Whereabouts]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Arriving the the Nostalgic Land]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Pilgrimage Festival]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Episode 3|Episode 3 - God and Angel]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Subjugator, Mel Gizalut]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Epilogue|Epilogue - Divine Princess Descend]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 8 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v8 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Prologue|Prologue - The Past Wish]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Portent of Storm]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Seven Dragons Gathering]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Campus Festival, Start]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Steel Witch]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Episode 5|Episode 5 - Sacred Eclipse──Ark──]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Epilogue|Epilogue - Honest Feeling]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 9 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v9 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Prologue|Prologue - The Night Before Departure]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Airi Chapter – Love Story At Tea Party In A Certain Day]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Lisha Chapter – The Princess’s Cooking Struggle Chronicle]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Krulcifer Chapter - Weak Point]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Philuffy Chapter – The Work of Aingram Company]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 5|Episode 5 - Celistia Chapter – The Feeling of The Academy’s Strongest]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 6|Episode 6 - Yoruka Chapter – Aruji-sama’s Punishment]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 7|Episode 7 - Triad Chapter – The Chore Prince’s Rest Day]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 8|Episode 8 - Coral Chapter – Reunion And Promise]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Epilogue|Epilogue – The Morning of Departure]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 10 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v10 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]
<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Prologue|Prologue - False Mask]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Honeymoon With A Childhood Friend]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Heiburg's Darkness]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Infiltration, And Then]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Steel Witch]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Episode 5|Episode 5 - First Ruin ─Babel─]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Epilogue|Epilogue - New Opening of Hostilities]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 11 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v11 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Prologue|Prologue - Memory of Pledge]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Out of Season Transfer Student]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Episode 2|Episode 2 - The Right to Guard Lux]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Imperial Command of the Queen]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Crossroads]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Episode 5|Episode 5 - Sacred Eclipse ─Gigas─]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Epilogue|Epilogue - Sword And Scabbard]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 12 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v12 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Prologue|Prologue - At Right Under the Heavens]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Those Who Wish For a Pact]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Double Layered Trap]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Two Dragons Under The Moonlight]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Captive Assailant]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 5|Episode 5 - Behind The Scene of The Sacred Party]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Episode 6|Episode 6 - Marauder And Demise]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Epilogue|Epilogue - The Path Leading to Sanctuary]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 13 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v13 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Prologue|Prologue - The Princess’s Awakening]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Episode 1|Episode 1 - The Second Collar]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Armed Might Negotiations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Episode 3|Episode 3 - The Other Lord]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Episode 4|Episode 4 - A Plan That Lead to Demise]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Epilogue|Epilogue - The Young Man’s Collar]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 14 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v14 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Prologue|Prologue - The Past That Arrived at Farewell]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Episode 1|Episode 1 - The Memory’s Continuation]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Avalon, Invasion]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Episode 3|Episode 3 - Reminiscence and Tracing Back the Memory]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Inevitable Outsider Element]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Epilogue|Epilogue - Ruins’ Zero]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 14 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 15 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v15 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15 Prologue|Prologue - Unceasingly Resounding Reverberation]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15 Episode 1|Episode 1 - The Beginning of Peace]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15 Episode 2|Episode 2 - Romance War]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15 Episode 3|Episode 3 - The Fated, Confession]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15 Episode 4|Episode 4 - Between the Line of the End and the Beginning]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15 Episode 5|Episode 5 - Artifact (Transforming Drag-Ride) 《Ouroboros》]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15 Episode 6|Episode 6 - The Beginning of Peace]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15 Epilogue|Epilogue - Reality (Nightmare) You Cannot Wake Up From]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 15 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 16 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v16 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16 Prologue|Prologue - The Bud of Rebellion]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16 Episode 1|Episode 1 - Pitch Black And Silence And]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16 Episode 2|Episode 2 - The Two’s Feeling]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16 Episode 3|Episode 3 - The False, Truth]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16 Episode 4|Episode 4 - The Captive Inside The Box]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16 Episode 5|Episode 5 - The Hero’s Whereabouts]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16 Epilogue|Epilogue - Encounter And Reunion]]
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 16 Afterword|Afterword]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 17 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 17|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v17 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 17 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

=== {{pad|140px}} Volume 18 ([[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 18|Full Text]])===
[[File:SaijakuBahamut v18 Cover.jpg|left|140px|border]]<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td>
:*[[Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 18 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
</td></tr></table>
<br style="clear:both" />

==Project Staff==

:*Project Administrator:
:*Project Manager: Sapper

==== Translators ====

'''Active'''

:* [[User:Bakapervert|Bakapervert]] [https://bakapervert.wordpress.com Blog]
:* MofuMofu Translations [https://mofumofutranslationblog.wordpress.com Blog]

'''Inactive'''
:*[[user:‎Setsuna86|‎Setsuna86]]

==== Editors ====

'''Active'''

:*[[User:Dual Blades|Dual Blades]](At Blog)
:*[[User:Digitalak27|Digitalak27]](At Blog)
:*[[User:OmegaWeaponZ|OmegaWeaponZ]][https://bakapervert.wordpress.com (At Blog)]

==Series Overview==

*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》1 (August 12, 2013) ISBN 978-4797374667
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》2 (November 15, 2013) ISBN 978-4797375510
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》3 (March 17, 2014) ISBN 978-4797376135
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》4 (July 15, 2014) ISBN 978-4797376821
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》4 小冊子付き限定版 (July 15, 2014) ISBN 978-4797376838
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》5 (December 15, 2014) ISBN 978-4797377637
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》6 (June 16, 2015) ISBN 978-4797383201
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》7 (October 14, 2015) ISBN 978-4797385038
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》8 (January 14, 2016) ISBN 978-4797386127
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》9 (March 12, 2016) ISBN 978-4797386219
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》9 小冊子付き限定版 (March 12, 2016) ISBN 978-4797386202
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》10 (July 14, 2016) ISBN 978-4797386240
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》11 (November 12, 2016) ISBN 978-4797388107
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》12 (April 14, 2017) ISBN 978-4797388114
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》13 (September 14, 2017) ISBN 978-4797391565
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》14 (December 14, 2017) ISBN 978-4797391572
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》15 (May 12, 2018) ISBN 978-4797397017
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》16 (September 14, 2018) ISBN 978-4797398427
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》17 (February 14, 2019) ISBN 978-4815600327
*最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》18 (June 17, 2019) ISBN 978-4815602499

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]
[[Category:Hosted_Projects]]

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume7 Chapter6

2018-03-31T20:05:14Z

Masterupc: notes

==Chapter 6 - The Imperial Princess Kidnapped==

===Part 1===

Bouncy. Bouncy.

"Mmm, hmm...?"

Kamito woke up to find himself surrounded by a soft and comfortable sensation.

His hazy field of view gradually expanded. This was apparently the interior of a tent.

(Right, I lost consciousness after the blade dance against the Four Gods...)

He was presumably carried back by Claire and the girls. In his hazy state of consciousness, Kamito thanked the girls in his heart.

As a result of using unfamiliar sword skills, his entire body's muscles became so stiff that he could not even lift his finger.

Bouncy. Bouncy.

Kamito was lying on something that resembled a luxurious sofa... Very comfortable.

(It feels like my head is being wrapped by something gently...)

Closing his eyes, a question suddenly arose in Kamito's mind.

(Wait a minute, did my tent ever have a sofa?)

Besides, that sort of thing could not possibly have been brought into the Blade Dance grounds.

(This sensation is actually...)

Kamito turned his body in puzzlement.

"...Ahnn!"

Immediately, the sweet scream brought his mind to full wakefulness.

"F-Fianna!? Woah..."

Due to his surprise, Kamito rolled off the bed, striking his elbow hard against the ground.

"Ouch..."

"A-Are you okay, Kamito-kun?"

Fianna opened her dusk-colored eyes wide and examined Kamito with a worried expression.

"...!?"

Before his eyes was a Divine Ritual Institute uniform with a bold low-cut design.

Kamito could not tear his gaze from the cleavage between those quivering breasts.

"Y-You, w-w-what were you doing..."

"What was I doing? Just a simple bosom pillow, To take care of Kamito-kun."

"What the heck is a bosom pillow? Isn't it normally a lap pillow!?"

"Because the bosom is softer than the lap, of course. Besides, Kamito-kun, you found it more comfortable too, right?"

"Uh..."

Kamito instantly became speechless. Indeed, the feeling just now was very comfortable. That soft bouncy sensation surely could not be experienced if it were simply someone's lap.

"Ara, do you have a fever? Your face is very red, you know♪"

"It's all your fault, Fianna, okay..."

Faced with the naughty imperial princess, Kamito replied stiffly.

Fianna smiled and stood up.

"I've already applied healing magic to the wound on your right arm, but the muscle pain probably will last for quite a while."

"I see..."

Kamito tried clenching both fists and relaxing. Immediately, he felt sharp pain. In his current state, he was probably still unsuited to using the sword skills from his Ren Ashbell days.

"Fianna, thank you for everything all this time."

Hearing Kamito's thanks, Fianna blushed.

"W-What are you saying? I'm the one who's been protected by you all this time, Kamito-kun. Just now, wasn't it you who protected everyone in the team?"

"It goes both ways. We are a team after all."

"But, I..."

Fianna bit her lip hard and lowered her gaze.

She seemed to be still upset about the blade dance earlier. For her trump card the ritual dance performance to be defeated, she must have suffered quite a blow as a result.

"Are you still concerned about just now--"

"Kamito-kun..."

Fianna spoke softly, then she suddenly leaned herself tightly against Kamito.

"Fianna?"

"I'm sorry, could you let me lean against you like this for a while?"

"...Yeah."

Looks like she's not teasing me as usual. Although Kamito could feel his heart racing nervously, he nodded silently.

Then Fianna leaned against him as if entrusting her entire body weight to Kamito.

Unique to girls' bodies, she felt very soft and gentle to touch. As her hair lightly brushed against Kamito's skin, it felt a little ticklish.

"There's an injury here too."

"...!?"

Kamito suddenly felt a sense of pleasure that made his body tremble.

Fianna was using the tip of her tongue to lick Kamito's collarbone.

"Th-This kind of wound only needs two licks of saliva, okay!"

"Then allow me to help you... Hmm, smooch..."

Fianna licked the wound as if sucking away while she chanted a spirit language incantation.

Her teeth lightly brushed against his skin, causing ticklishness. It almost felt like she was taking a gentle bite.

"...Mmm, don't, move... Smooch..."

"W-Wait, wait a minute! What if someone sees us doing this--"

Just as Kamito yelled out--

...Clonk. Tumble tumble tumble tumble.

A can rolled before Kamito's eyes.

...A can of peaches.

Kamito frantically looked up.

Standing at the tent entrance was Claire with canned food in her arms.

"Y-You, y-y-y-you, what are you two doing?"

Rumble rumble rumble...!

The twintails stood up vertically like blazing flames as the surrounding temperature rapidly rose.

"C-Claire, it's not what you think, this is--"

"Ara, I am treating Kamito-kun's wounds. I hope you won't disturb us."

Fianna answered rather defiantly.

Moosh. Kamito found his face suddenly pressed between those soft breasts.

"Uwah... Fugu... Fianna, I-I can't breathe..."

"W-What are you doing!? H-How could you be so shameless!?"

"Oh dear, I am quite embarrassed about this too. But there's no other way. Because of Kamito-kun's body, magic cannot take effect unless this kind of method is used."

"U-Umm..."

Although the reason was unclear, it was a known fact that Kamito's body repelled holy magic and required unusual methods -- namely, ritual magic for healing had to be performed while their bodies were pressed tightly together.

Because Claire also knew about this condition, she could not scold them without good reason.

Filled with chagrin, Claire howled.

"I-In that case then let me perform the healing magic! Because Kamito is my slave spirit!"

...Claire was not making any sense.

"Healing magic whatever... I thought you only knew how to use fire type spirit magic?"

Other than simple spells like illumination, in principle, spirit magic could only be used if it belonged to the same category as the contracted spirit's attribute.

...If my memory serves me right, the fire type category should not have any healing spells.

"Cauterization of wounds is still possible!"

"Isn't that emergency treatment for the battlefield -- anyway, you're going to incinerate me into charcoal for sure!"

Kamito retorted without any hesitation.

"Claire, you should know that Kamito-kun is injured. If you're just going to interfere with my taking care of Kamito-kun, then please leave."

"...~!"

Reprimanded by Fianna, Claire's eyes began to fill with tears.

"I-I know, okay, jerk--!"

...Crying, Claire ran away noisily.

At the tent entrance, a large number of canned peaches lay fallen, rolling about on the ground.

Kamito picked up the cans as he softly muttered to himself.

"Did she come here to visit me..."

The imperial princess sighed.

"...Just now, maybe I bullied her too much?"

"Oh well, I'm glad to be saved from being burned into charcoal."

"Kamito-san, dinner is ready!"

Presently, Rinslet's voice was heard coming from outside the tent.

===Part 2===

Night was falling as the sun began to set. The sound of cutlery colliding could be heard.

Kamito tried to speak to Claire as he helped lay the table.

"U-Umm, Claire..."

"What's the matter, perverted slave?"

"Well, thank you for worrying about me just now."

As Kamito scratched his head and spoke, Claire's hair jumped slightly.

"Hmph, I wasn't worrying about you, jerk..."

Claire seemed to be blushing out of embarrassment.

"Fufu, today is quite a feast."

Rinslet plopped the pot onto the table with a thud, while her bosom shook from the impact.

This was Rinslet's specialty, Laurenfrost style hot pot cuisine.

Everyone gathered around and sat on the tree stumps around the table. The bubbling and boiling pot was heated by a burning red-hot spirit crystal under it. Beside the pot were large amounts of vegetables gathered from the forest, diced and quartered fish, as well as meat from hunted prey.

"...Hot pot eh. Looks really tasty."

Because the soup was already boiling, Kamito intended to put the meat in, but at this moment--

"Kamito-san, what are you doing!?"

Rinslet smacked Kamito's arm soundly with a spoon.

"Ouch... W-What's wrong, we can't put it in yet?"

"Slower cooking ingredients like root vegetables should be added first. A hot pot requires balance."

Rinslet glared severely at Kamito with her adorable eyes of emerald.

Kamito discreetly spoke to Claire beside him.

"S-Somehow it feels like Rinslet's personality changed?"

"She's always been like this, as soon as it's hot pot time, she likes to show off..."

"Hot pot is indeed a simple method of cooking, but exactly because it is simple, it is profound. Do not look down on the Laurenfrost's traditional hot pot cuisine!"

Lady Rinslet crossed her arms and stared at everyone.

...In that posture, she resembled some kind of hot pot guardian.

"Kamito, I want to eat fish soon."

Est tugged at Kamito's sleeve and said.

"Well, just leave it to Rinslet."

Kamito smiled wryly as he rubbed Est's head.

Rinslet added meat and vegetables to the pot with well-trained motions.

Kamito and the rest swallowed their drool as they watched Rinslet in action.

"Okay everyone, let's start!"

Finally receiving the okay from the guardian, Kamito reached out to the pot with his chopsticks.

The soup base was not made from ordinary water but Rinslet's specially concocted medicinal soup.

The delicious aroma helped stimulate appetites. As Kamito bit into a piece of cooked meat, delicious juices filled his mouth, producing an indescribable sense of happiness that began spreading from his heart.

"Wow, this is really tasty!"

"Hmph, naturally!"

Rinslet puffed her chest out with pride.

All the young ladies were enjoying the delicacies as they blew on their food to avoid burning their mouths.

"Wait, Claire, I was planning on giving Scarlet that piece of meat!"

"Hey, stop deciding on your own to feed my contracted spirit!"

Ellis and Claire squabbled as their chopsticks engaged in a blade dance over the pot. Beneath the table, their contracted spirits were waiting for scraps.

"Hey, hey, what's this?"

Fianna frowned as she poked a mysterious bouncy ingredient sitting at the bottom of the pot.

Kamito was also very intrigued.

"This is called beancurd. It's like pudding that's made from coagulated soybeans. I heard that it comes from Kamito's homeland, so I researched it in books and tried making it."

"This is a specialty from my homeland...?"

Kamito's childhood memories were very hazy. Because ever since he could remember, he was receiving assassin training at the Instructional School.

All he knew was that his homeland was an island country on the eastern border, one that did not even have a name.

But no matter what, simply from her well intentions in making this dish specially for Kamito were extremely gratifying for him.

"Rinslet, thank you."

Kamito scooped out what appeared to be very elastic pudding as he thanked Rinslet.

"I-It's not like I made it specially for you alone, Kamito-san!"

Trying to hide her embarrassment, Rinslet looked especially cute as she curled her hair around her finger repeatedly.

"...Huff."

Kamito tried a bite slightly nervously.

"Woah, this is really good!"

With a smooth texture and rich taste, it really was quite delicious.

"I will try it too... Ah, it really is!"

"...What amazing texture. I've never had anything like it even in the imperial capital."

Est seemed to be enjoying it particularly, expressionlessly mumbling to herself "bean~curd, bean~curd..." as she ate the beancurd with relish.

"Come on people, th-this was made for Kamito-san!"

"Hmm..."

Ellis, who had been eating the beancurd silently, suddenly widened her eyes in surprise.

"What's wrong, Ellis?"

"N-No, umm, I just suddenly noticed..."

Faced with Kamito's question, Ellis blushed and stuttered.

"Hmm?"

"E-Eating hot pot together, umm... D-Does it not constitute as indirect kissing?"
[[image:STnBD V07 141.JPG|thumb]]

"...!?"

Faced with Ellis' sudden statement--

All the girls around the table instantly froze.

"Hey hey, what are you talking about, that kind of thing--"

Kamito made a wry expression as he waved his hand and spoke.

"Y-Yeah, y-yes that's right, th-this level, i-i-indirect kiss whatever...!"

"R-Really, r-really, you're over thinking things!"

...But everyone's face had gone bright red as they frantically avoided eye contact with Kamito.

(I-I see. Since all the girls are pure and innocent high-class ladies, they are very concerned about that...)

...Kamito felt his feelings being slightly hurt.

--After this, the lively meal came to a close.

Claire quietly put down her spoon, cleared her throat and spoke up.

"Everyone should already know, there are only two days left in the Blade Dance. If you don't want any regrets, then let's fight by giving it all we've got."

"Hmm, yes."

"Yeah, we definitely won't give up on winning."

Indeed, the endgame was about to begin. In order to seize the initiative in the competition for the few remaining magic stones, they needed to attack teams who were holing up defensively in their strongholds.

Furthermore, this applied to other teams as well.

Very likely, an even more intense blade dance was imminent.

"..."

Kamito suddenly noticed the gloom in Fianna's expression.

"Fianna, are you okay?"

"Uh yeah, well enough... I just seem slightly tired."

"Well, ritual dancing is very exhausting."

"You should lie down on the bed and rest."

Despite quarreling with Fianna earlier, Claire now offered care and concern.

On further thought, Fianna's exhaustion was only natural. After the ritual dance performance at the blade dance against the Four Gods, she had to use up divine power to heal Kamito.

Magic for recovering fatigue did indeed exist, but it was only a temporary effect obtained from the blessing of spirits. Hence, the fundamental solution was still restful sleep.

"...Yeah. I should go rest as you all suggested. I'm done with my meal."

Fianna stood up quietly and headed to the tent.

===Part 3===

After dinner, Kamito was helping Rinslet wash the utensils and cutlery at the riverside.

Claire and Ellis had gone off for patrols while Est was playing with Scarlet.

"Since you're injured, Kamito-san, you can go take a break, it's fine."

"It's just dish washing so it won't be a problem at all. As for you, Rinslet, wouldn't a classy lady like you get your beautiful hands wrinkled if you keep washing dishes like this?"

"Fufu, don't worry. My skin won't be wrinkling. Do know that I am Rinslet the Ice Demon, the one with great relations with water spirits."

So that was what was going on. The wooden bucket where she immersed her hands was filled with purified light while an elastic gel-like spirit was washing the utensils thoroughly.

"How's Fianna's condition?"

"Just now, Claire went to pick some herbs which are very effective for eliminating fatigue."

"That girl seems to become inexplicably hardworking whenever someone gets sick or injured."

Claire was clearly ordering Kamito around like a slave all the time, but whenever he got hurt in school matches or anything like that, she always visited him and brought canned peaches.

"Hmm, she's actually good at taking care of others in certain ways. Back in the Academy, she often took care of stray cats in the neighborhood. It probably stemmed from her childhood when she had to frequently take care of Rubia-sama who was always chronically sick in bed."

"I see..."

...Oh well, that was not surprising.

Kamito also knew that Claire was a benevolent child at heart despite her lack of forthright honesty.

"...By the way, aren't you childhood friends with Claire, Rinslet?"

"Well, even though we often played together when we were young... H-However, we simply share inseparable fates that intersected a long time ago."

"Did you two quarrel a lot when you were small?"

"No... Back then, she was a shy crybaby."

Kamito pressed his finger against his temple.

"...I can't picture it at all."

"She began to change after Rubia-sama's incident."

Rinslet explained as she directed her gaze towards the bucket.

"Rubia Elstein."

The Calamity Queen who betrayed the Fire Elemental Lord and disappeared without trace.

Claire hoped to realize through the Blade Dance festival her Wish to find out the truth of what happened four years ago.

Also, there was the question of where her elder sister had vanished to--

"That girl is actually suffering from many things..."

Kamito muttered to himself as he looked down at the moon's reflection in the river.

"...Uwah!"

In the middle of doing the dishes, Rinslet suddenly released a cute sounding scream.

"What happened!?"

"Yah... Ah... Th-The water spirit, it went into my clothes...!"

"What!?"

Kamito's eyes widened with surprise.

The rubbery elastic water spirit was crawling over Rinslet's arm, squirming into her uniform.

"Yah, so ticklish, ah..."

Inside the wet uniform, the water spirit was twisting around randomly.

It looked like it meant no harm but was simply trying to act friendly with Rinslet.

"It seems to like you."

"E-Enough of this, Kamito-san, stop staring and help me instead... Uwah!"

Rinslet pleaded to Kamito with tears in her eyes.

"G-Got it!"

(...Oh well, in this kind of situation it must be tough for her to attempt to control the spirit.)

Kamito frantically reached out and tried to grab the squirming spirit.

Boing boing. Boing.

"O-Okay, I caught it!"

"Mmm, uwah!"

Just as Kamito felt something soft against his fingertips, Rinslet made a sweet sounding scream.

The water spirit wriggled in Kamito's hand, going boing boing.

"Seriously, stop moving randomly!"

Boing boing.

"Fuah... K-Kamito-san, not that!"

Instantly, the water spirit jumped out from Rinslet's chest.

...Then bouncing on the ground, it fled towards the river.

"Sigh, what a naughty spirit..."

Kamito shrugged wryly--

Then he immediately noticed a serious problem.

(...Hmm? Then what am I currently grabbing in my hand?)

Boing boing.

"...Mmm, ah!"

"S-Sorry!"

...Kamito finally realized what he was grabbing and frantically withdrew his hand.

"I-I didn't do it on purpose, really -- uwah!"

Something icy cold flew past Kamito's neck.

...An arrow of ice.

Woosh...!

Freezing wind was blowing at Kamito who felt like his skin was about to be frozen.

"Fu, fufu, fu... Kamito-san, have you prepared yourself?"

Smiling, Rinslet aimed her magic bow of ice towards the dead center of Kamito's brow.

===Part 4===

Beneath the moonlit forest, Fianna was standing all alone.

Recalling the blade dance against the Four Gods this morning, Fianna could not help but sigh.

(...I must become stronger. I don't want to be everyone's burden any longer.)

If her current state persisted, she was unworthy of participating in blade dance with her teammates.

Fianna felt spurred by such anxiety.

(Today's unsightliness will never repeat a second time. For no reason other than the fact that I shall not permit myself to make the same mistake...!)

Fianna mentally shook her head to clear her thoughts, then reached towards the ground with both hands.

Her face did not display her usual composure.

"Thou, servant of the king of the child of man, knight and master swordsman! By the contract of the old blood, become the sword that protects me, come forth and do my bidding--"

Fianna quietly exhaled and solemnly chanted the ritual to summon her contracted spirit.

Immediately, the knight spirit's figure appeared in the magic circle drawn on the ground.

Bathed under moonlight, the silver-white armor shone brilliantly. The knight bowed his head as if serving a queen.

The knight spirit, Georgios, was of course a very powerful spirit. However, in order to fully harness the spirit's power, it was necessary to release the spirit in the form of an elemental waffe.

(If only I could use an elemental waffe--"

If only she could release an elemental waffe that surpassed the Seraphim Feathers of the Four Gods's imperial princess Linfa Sin Quina, then Fianna would be able to contribute more to the team's combat potential.

Fianna resolved herself, shutting her eyes to perform the releasing chant of the elemental waffe.

However, she was already in an exhausted state.

Even so--

"Thou shalt be my sword, thou shalt be my shield, with unlimited towering light, purify and exorcise those belonging to darkness--"

The knight spirit's armor shone as it disappeared into particles of light in the air.

Fianna could feel an astounding amount of heat enveloping her outstretched fingertips while sharp pain crept throughout her body.

"...Owww... Ah...!"

Despite the pain that distorted her face, Fianna continued to grit her teeth and endure.

At this moment -- something shaped like a sword instantly appeared in her hand.

(...Success!?)

Just as Fianna felt delight in her heart...

The brittle sound of glass shattering could be heard in the next second as the sword of light in her hand fragmented into pieces.

"--Yah!"

Fianna was sent flying by the shockwave and slammed hard against the ground.

".......Ooh...!"

Fianna frowned heavily from the pain. Looking down to examine her hands, she found them covered with severe burns.

"Why, why...!"

Fianna hammered the ground with her bleeding fists.

"If this continues, I am not worthy of fighting together with everyone--"

--Suddenly, a rustling sound could be heard from the shaking thicket behind her.

"...!"

Fianna looked back in surprise--

"...Goodness gracious, I knew you were acting a bit strange, so that's what's going on."

"Claire..."

Claire was gazing sharply at her from behind.

"...Why are you here?"

"I was planning on bringing you some herbs for reducing fatigue but saw you leaving the tent. I found it strange so I followed."

"..."

"I was puzzling over what you were trying to do -- So it turns out you're forcing a release of an elemental waffe. Are you aware of how dangerous that is?"

Claire rushed over to her and spoke with a severe expression.

"The elemental waffe isn't something that can be trained to use overnight. Forcibly trying to use a spirit according to your will doesn't work because the elemental waffe is supposed to be the optimal equipment manifested after the contracted spirit has completely opened its heart to the elementalist. Plus the fact that you only recovered the power of your spirit contract not too long ago, you should be trying to gradually strengthen your bonds with your spirit instead!"

As members of the nobility who served the imperial family, Ellis and Rinslet were bound by etiquette to hold back on what they could say to Fianna the imperial princess. But since Claire's family had been stripped of their title, she could afford to speak with complete candidness and lack of tact.

"I-I don't need you to teach me that, Claire."

Fianna retorted defiantly.

She understood very well that Claire truly cared and was concerned about her. Nevertheless, she still felt a sense of opposition arise naturally.

"I get the feeling you're overly anxious but there's no need to force yourself to get stronger immediately. Fianna, your ritual dance performances are already very dependable and besides, don't we have Kamito? In any case, he is still extremely strong--"

"Then you intend to keep depending on Kamito-kun?"

Fianna interrupted sharply.

"What, that's not what I said."

"I have no wish of being the dainty princess who can only be protected by the person I love."

Fianna quietly shook her head.

"--I love Kamito-kun."

And issued a direct challenge to Claire.

"Hence I want to become strong -- strong enough to stand by his side on the battlefield."

"I-I see..."

Claire showed a wavering expression. Although Fianna never hid her affections for Kamito, expressing her intentions so directly was probably the first time.

"What about you, Claire?"

"...Eh?"

"Regarding Kamito-kun, what do you think, Claire?"

"W-Why do you have to ask that kind of question? It has nothing to do with anything!"

Claire blushed and began to panic.

"I want to hear what you think, Claire... Do you love Kamito-kun, Claire?"

Rather than speaking with her usual playful tone of voice, Fianna's words were as sharp as knives.

"..."

Claire was completely shocked.

Then as if trying to avoid Fianna's gaze, she suddenly shifted her gaze away.

"N-Nothing of that sort. As if anyone would be that stupid!"

"But when Kamito-kun went missing after falling off the cliff, you cried out his name for who knows how many times during your dreams."

"I-I was just sleeping in a daze, K-Kamito and I are not--"

"...Is that so? I get it."

Fianna quietly shook her head and turned around to leave.

"Hey, wait there, you, I'm not done yet--"

As if cutting off Claire's calls to Fianna, the trees and leaves closed up like a door.

===Part 5===

(...I went completely overboard, huh. What an utter mess.)

Fianna walked rapidly through the forest as she sighed with regret.

Involuntarily, she had reprimanded others with excessive severity.

...When clearly Claire was worrying about her sincerely.

(How childish of me to make matters like this. I must apologize to her later.)

Just as Fianna thought this to herself, she suddenly realized.

(...But isn't this something that cannot be helped?)

Precisely because she said that to Claire, Fianna finally became aware of her innermost feelings.

And discovered what she truly felt.

(...Indeed, I am being anxious.)

But this was not simply because she did not want to burden the team.

As much as she wished to use that reason as cover...

In actual fact, her intentions were nowhere near that noble.

(...How unsightly of me, to think I would be jealous of those girls.)

Claire, Ellis, Rinslet, as well as Est--

Kamito was surrounded by attractive girls.

They were trusted by Kamito and able to guard his back.

(But me...)

Fianna stopped walking.

The clear chilling wind of the night blew across her burning cheeks, helping her mind to cool off and calm down.

"...I should return to the tent."

Many unsavory spirits roamed the forest at night.

Even though Fianna was currently within the barrier, one could not assert that she was absolutely safe.

Suddenly, a beast's terrifying barking noises came from afar, causing Fianna to tremble.

(Come to think of it, the first time I met Kamito-kun, it was also in a forest like this...)

At the time, Kamito had saved Fianna from a berserk dryad's assault, back when he was active as Ren Ashbell, the Strongest Blade Dancer.

(...That was my first love.)

Lubdub. Fianna could feel her heart beat getting faster.

(...Th-That's right. The first one to fall in love with Kamito-kun is me.)

--Just at this moment.

"So you're here, Fianna."

"Eh?"

Fianna looked up with surprise.

"...Kamito-kun?"

Appearing by her side was the youth she had just been thinking about.

"...W-Why did you come here?"

"I came to look for you, Fianna. The forest at night is quite dangerous."

"I-I don't need you to worry about me."

Fianna instantly blushed.

"Hey Fianna, do you have some free time right now?"

"...? Hmm, yes, a little. Why?"

Did the wounds treated earlier this morning rupture again?

"Let's take a walk for a while. Look over there. Isn't there a beautiful spring? When it's nighttime, glowing water spirits will gather."

"...U-Ummm, is this..."

Fianna held her breath for an instant then continued.

"...Are we going on a date?"

"Hmm, a date eh... Well, I suppose."

Kamito wryly shrugged.

It was the very first time for Kamito to extend such an invitation... Fianna could feel her heart racing.

"H-However..."

Fianna instantly calmed down and shook her head.

"No, it would be dangerous to leave the Barrier. Even though it's quite a shame--"

After all, the Blade Dance was currently in progress. No amount of risk was worth taking no matter how small.

"It's okay, I'm here with you."

Kamito smiled gently as he extended a hand towards Fianna.

Despite the dissonance of witnessing such a rare gentle expression from Kamito, Fianna found the gaze of his jet black eyes causing her thoughts to become hazy as if a layer of fog was floating in her mind.

(Indeed, being together with Kamito-kun would surely be quite safe...)

Kamito was surrounded by many attractive girls. This caused Fianna a sense of confusion.

If she missed this opportunity, another one might not arrive again.

(...On occasion, it should be fine to act according to my feelings in a forthright manner, right?)

"Very well. Just for a little while should be okay."

Fianna made her decision, took Kamito's hand and walked forward.

"By the way, shouldn't we tell Claire and the others that we are going out?"

"Hey hey, this is rare chance for a date. There's no need to tell that bunch of people, right?"

"...Eh?"

Instantly, Fianna brought her steps to a sudden stop.

--The dissonance she felt starting from a while ago was transformed into decisive fact by a single statement.

"Let go!"

Fianna cried out shrilly and shook off Kamito's hand.

"W-What's the matter, Fianna!?"

"...Who are you?"

"What?"

"Kamito-kun would never call our comrades 'that bunch of people,' absolutely never!"

Fianna glared coldly at the youth before her eyes--

This was merely someone taking on Kamito's appearance.

"...Fufu, I see."

The youth's tone of voice -- no, the entire voice became completely different.

"I even attempted to use a bit of mental manipulation magic... But the result is still a failure."

Immediately, Kamito's figure distorted to take on a girl's appearance.

Vivid blue hair. An erotic outfit like an exotic dancer's.

She was a beautiful girl. However, her face gave off an impression like a poisonous flower.

Her ominous red eyes swept over Fianna's entire body as if they belonged to a snake eyeing its prey.

"...!?"

"--I have come to welcome you, Darkness Queen."

In that instant, the girl released a flash of lightning from her fingertips--

Thereby Fianna lost consciousness.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume6 Chapter7

2018-03-29T01:06:57Z

Masterupc: A brief comment to Cthaeh, for better understanding.

==Chapter 7 - Return==

===Part 1===

Ever since the youth resolved himself to kill the darkness spirit girl who sent his heart into incredible turmoil--

He began to grow and develop with unbelievable speed.

Even the elders who decided to have them meet had not anticipated this. By this point, even amongst ranked elementalists who also trained at the Instructional School, there were few who could match him in combat.

"You're not going to kill me?"

"I will -- One day, surely I will."

Throughout the deathmatch training sessions which lasted several hours at a time--

Somehow this exchange became their standard catchphrase.

After each deathmatch, the boy would have long involved conversations with her.

The darkness spirit girl told all sorts of things about the world to the boy that he had never known.

Such as the sorrows, joys and various wonderful things that filled the world.

Then every night before the boy went to sleep, the girl would gently tell a bedtime story by his side.

--To an observer, this was quite an incredible relationship.

"And then, the king sealed the spirit of the lamp once more--"

"...Then what happened?"

Placing his head on the girl's lap, the dissatisfied boy sought the story's continuation.

Because she always stopped at the most exciting spot.

"Let's continue the next part tomorrow."

Gently caressing the boy's black hair, the girl smiled.

Clearly those fingertips had been firing off merciless magical attacks at the boy just a while ago.

"Tell me now. Who knows if I'll still be alive tomorrow."

"Ah right, tomorrow is the mission to destroy the great shrine--"

A mere twelve-year-old boy was already starting to take on missions assigned by the Instructional School.

"The one in charge of destruction is Muir. Lily and my job will be covering and assisting her. Within the Great Shrine, there are reportedly eight elite spirit knights as guards."

"Will you survive?"

"Who knows. I am a tool -- I only have to follow orders and complete the mission."

"But if you die... You won't be able to listen to the continuation of the story."

The boy suddenly opened his closed eyes.

"...What a bother."

"Even if it is just to listen to the rest of the story, please return alive."

"...Yes, that's right... I got it."

The boy nodded with upfront honesty.

"Also, don't forget our promise--"

"Promise?"

"I will be the one to kill you."

"Fufu, of course."

This was not fear of death. However, I must survive -- thought the boy to himself.

For the sake of the promise with her--

===Part 2===

"Uh, hmm..."

Feeling the back of his head resting on something soft and comfortable, Kamito woke up.

Opening his eyes, he found a cute girl's face.

"...Milla!?"

"You must continue lying down."

Saying that, Milla pressed Kamito's head down hard on her thighs.

Feeling her smooth soft skin against his cheek, Kamito could not stop his heart from racing.

With no other way, Kamito had no choice but to continue lying down in this manner.

The sky was still dim. Night had only just ended.

...A lap pillow, how nostalgic.

(Back then, I always went to sleep on her lap...)

Keeping his eyes opened, he stared blankly--

"You can't sleep?"

"Yeah. I have the type of body that can do without sleep."

"Really... That's the same as me."

"Milla too?"

"Because that was how I was trained."

Kamito could not help but groan.

...Right. Just like Kamito, she was raised as a tool.

(Isn't that identical to what those Instructional School guys were doing...)

He felt intense wrath towards the Principality of Rossvale's knights who raised Milla.

Furthermore, she did not have anyone in her life like Restia who was with Kamito.

Kamito slowly got up from Milla.

"This is, yours--"

Milla extended over two magic stones.

"Hmm? Ah right..."

These were apparently the magic stones from the two members of the Sacred Spirit Knights.

Kamito took one and left the other in Milla's hand.

"...?"

"This is for the Rupture Division. Didn't we agree to share the magic stones fairly?"

Milla shook her head.

"You defeated them, Kamito."

"We are allies."

Forcing Milla to hold the magic stone properly, Kamito stood up.

For a while, Milla stared at the magic stone in her hand--

Finally, she nodded slightly and placed it in a pocket in her uniform.

"Kamito..."

"Hmm?"

Milla looked up at Kamito.

The azure right eye and the amber left eye, those heterochromic eyes were staring at Kamito.

"My ''eye'', you're not going to ask about it?"

"...Eye?"

--Come to think of it, those Sacred Spirit Knights did say something about Milla's eye.

"You want me to ask?"

"..."

"Milla, if you ever want to tell me, then let me know when the time comes."

Kamito shrugged, just at this moment--

From overhead, the sound of feathered wings flapping could be heard.

"What?"

The two turned their gaze towards the sky to find a demon bird circling in the air above with its great wings spread.

"That's... Ellis' Simorgh!"

It was far in the distance but Kamito was certain. That was the demon wind spirit contracted to Ellis.

"You recognize it?"

"Yeah. Look, my comrades are searching for me."

Soon after, the demon wind spirit slowly landed before Kamito and Milla.

Kamito asked the demon bird directly as it folded its wings.

"Is Claire okay?"

Simorgh nodded as it crooned softly.

...Looks like she is fine.

"Really... I'm glad to know that."

Kamito breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Go and tell everyone that I'm fine. I'll be back soon."

With a cry, Simorgh took to the rosy skies.

"Let's go, Milla... Time to set off."

The two hastily gathered their camping equipment.

(That girl Claire, surely she must be angry...)

===Part 3===

Claire was lying on the futon under a blanket.

Her body curled in a ball. She still had some leftover fever.

"Kamito..."

Softly murmuring his name for who knows how many times.

Claire tightly gripped one side of the blanket.

Absentmindedly, she cast a glance towards the little mirror by the bed side.

"What a tragic looking face..."

Her prided hair in a mess, her eyes were all red from crying all night.

"--Clearly from the day I lost my older sister, I promised myself never to cry again."

On the little table, there was breakfast covered with a sheet of cloth. Probably brought by Rinslet.

...But surely I have no appetite right now.

(Kamito, without you by my side, I...)

What was with this pain in her chest?

...Loneliness? No, even though that was partially the reason, there was more--

(I've done so many bad things to that guy in the past...)

Claire reflected over everything she had done till this date.

Whenever Kamito was intimate with other girls, she always felt enraged for no particular reason, unable to accept, wanting to whip him and burn him into charcoal--

(...I really am a fool. Clearly now, I can be a bit more forthright.)

Just as she sighed--

Something squirmed beneath the blanket.

Puzzled, she pulled away the blanket to find the hell cat spirit enveloped in gentle warm flames.

"Scarlet..."

Claire suddenly felt very touched.

Clearly Scarlet was also in a very weak state, but the cat still stayed by Claire's side to provide warmth.

"Meow..."

"...Y-Yes. As the master, I must have faith in that guy."

Encouraged by Scarlet, Claire rubbed her eyes.

Patting her face, she tied her hair with her favorite ribbons.

"...That's right. I can't give up. Kamito is surely still alive."

Her spirit renewed, she got up and started eating breakfast in large mouthfuls.

This was no proper manners for a lady hailing from a formerly prestigious family, but now was not the time to be concerned... She had to recover her energy as fast as possible to search for Kamito.

Just at this moment, a clatter of footsteps could be heard. The entrance to the tent was flipped open with a smack.

Rinslet arrived, clearly frantic.

"Claire, we seem to have found Kamito!"

===Part 4===

--A few hours passed after that. Kamito returned to the stronghold of Team Scarlet.

At the skillfully concealed entrance in the forest, his comrades were already out to greet him, however--

"...Seriously, how much are you trying to worry us!?"

"N-Not like I was particularly worried or anything like that...!"

"Enough of this, Kamito-kun is always so reckless!"

"I-I'm sorry..."

Faced with the three young ladies' wrath, Kamito could not help but shrink back.

...It was only for a day, but clearly they were really worried.

Claire's ruby-like eyes were filled with teardrops--

"...Sob... Sob..."

...For some reason, she was crying.

"H-Hey, Claire!?"

Kamito frantically placed his hands on her shoulders--

"Idiot... Seriously, I was so worried... Wuaaaaaah!"

Thud thud.
[[image:STnBD V06 194.png|thumb]]

Clenching her fists, she hammered against Kamito's chest.

"Claire... I'm sorry."

Faced with Claire acting like this, Kamito gently caressed her head.

"Wah... Sob... I-Idiot..."

"Because she was worrying about Kamito, she cried the whole night."

Rinslet whispered secretly by his earside.

"Is that so?"

Claire's face instantly turned burning red.

"L-Liar! I didn't cry!"

"Oh my, trying to deceive us is pointless."

"...~!"

"In any case, it's great that Claire is fine."

Smiling wryly, Kamito continued to caress her head.

"Y-Yes... All thanks to Kamito."

Her face red, Claire lowered her gaze.

Then as if resolving herself, she bit her lip hard.

"K-Kamito..."

Fiddling awkwardly with her fingers, her head bowed deeply--

"Umm... I-I have decided, from now on, I will be more hon--"

"...Ah, right. Wait a minute."

Suddenly, Kamito spoke.

"...Eh?"

Claire was completely shocked.

"No, before that, I have something I must report to everyone first."

"...?"

All the girls tilted their head in puzzlement. Kamito turned around and waved his hand at the trees behind him.

"Milla, you can come out now."

"Yes."

From the depths of the trees came a rustling sound--

A girl with dark brown hair, Milla, appeared.

"...Uh?"

Claire and the girls all exclaimed in surprise.

"...A pleasure to meet you all."

Milla stepped forward and politely bowed her head towards Claire and the rest.

"..." "..." "..." "..."

The young ladies fell silent.

Then--

"H-Hey, Kamito...?"

Claire's shoulders were trembling.

"...This really adorable child, who is she?"

The red twintails were standing straight up like burning pillars of fire.

"...H-Hey Claire? Why are you getting angry?"

"I-I am not angry. Completely, entirely not angry...!"

"Kamito, I can't believe you are this kind of man...!"

"...Seriously, what is going on!?"

"Could this be, a kidnapping!?"

Ellis, Rinslet and Fianna all cast icy-cold glares.

...Somehow, it felt like there was some kind of extremely embarrassing misunderstanding.

Fortunately, Milla was the one to clear things up.

"--I am Milla Bassett, the leader of the Rupture Division representing the Principality of Rossvale."

"Milla Bassett -- in that case, you were the one who proposed the alliance...?"

Met with Claire's inquiry, Milla nodded.

"Yes. Together with Kazehaya Kamito, we have exchanged oaths to establish an alliance."

"...Oaths?"

Milla's words made all the young ladies perk up their ears.

"I decided on my own to form the alliance... So, is there anything wrong with that?"

"N-No, that's fine. However..."

Claire began to pout.

"When elementalists exchange Oaths, I remember the ritual..."

"A kiss from both parties -- is necessary, right?"

Ellis and Rinslet instantly glared at Kamito.

"Hmm..."

"...You did it, Kamito-kun?"

"N-No, let me explain..."

The instant Kamito's gaze wavered, none of the girls failed to catch it.

"Kamito, please answer honestly!"

"Well yes, I did it, but just on the hand..."

"I can't believe you, to think even an innocent thirteen-year-old girl was not safe--"

Despite Kamito's stammering explanations, the young ladies' glares remained exceptionally cold.

===Part 5===

--In the end, Kamito had to spend quite a long time to clear up the misunderstanding.

(...Why do they have to be suspicious to this degree?)

Tilting his head in puzzlement, Kamito was lying on a futon in the tent.

His body's fatigue was still present, so he intended to nap until dinner.

As for Milla, he felt reassured to entrust her to Claire and the girls. The young ladies seemed quite happy at the arrival of a young girl, as if gaining a younger sister to be spoiled.

...Naturally, Milla seemed quite troubled on her side.

"...Kamito, are you still awake?"

Claire's voice was heard from the entrance.

"Yeah..."

Hearing Kamito respond, Claire entered lightly with bandages.

"What is it?"

"Time for new bandages. You're still wounded, right?"

"Ah yeah, sorry..."

Kamito extended his arm as Claire gently wrapped bandages over them.

"..."

Somehow the silence felt rather awkward.

Kamito wanted to say something, but could not find any words.

Perhaps because they had spent almost every day together until now. Being apart for a single day seemed to have disrupted their rhythm.

Furthermore, recalling the fact that Claire had cried for him out of worry, it felt rather embarrassing.

"Hey, Kamito..."

"Hmm?"

Claire was the first to speak up.

"About just now, I'm sorry... Umm, for s-suspecting you."

"Did you eat something strange?"

Her uncharacteristic attitude caused Kamito to frown.

"S-Shut up, I'm just apologizing honestly!"

"U-Understood...!"

...Yes, this was the normal Claire.

As she wrapped bandages around Kamito's arm, Claire spoke softly.

"Ah, ever since Rubia-neesama left, I've been alone."

Seeking power impatiently, she clashed constantly with upperclassmen and the Sylphid Knights.

At the time, she did not understand anything.

She regarded everyone around her as her enemies.

Needing no comrades. Trusting no one. Trying to become strong alone.

...That was truly what she believed in back then.

"But after meeting you... I feel I've changed."

"...Perhaps so, maybe."

"Whether Fianna, Ellis, or Rinslet... I consider them p-precious comrades."

Perhaps due to embarrassment, Claire's face was as red as a burning fire.

"Ah yes."

Kamito nodded.

"Umm, so, this... All this time, I've wanted to say this to Kamito..."

Claire's hand that was doing the bandaging paused as she stuttered.

Then she lifted her face as if greatly determined--

"Kamito, thank you..."

She spoke as if very shy.

"Claire..."

Kamito quietly gulped a mouthful of air--

"Same for me."

"Huh?"

"If I had never met Claire, I would never be standing upon this stage of the Blade Dance festival. Umm, completely unrelated to the team size restriction... Do you get what I mean?"

"...Yes. Alone, I don't think any of us could have stood here."

Finishing the bandaging, Claire stood up.

"Well then, rest well for today."

Then she made a beeline for the exit.

Looking at her back... Kamito spoke.

"Restia will probably come to target me. In the near future, perhaps I'll have to leave this place for a while."

Nepenthes Lore -- that monster would surely come together.

When the time came, Kamito had no confidence whether he would be able to protect Claire and the girls given his current state.

But Claire shook her head resolutely.

"When the time comes, we will face them. Together, ''everyone'' from Team Scarlet."

===Part 6===

For dinner that day, a small party was held to celebrate the alliance with the Rupture Division.

On the dinner table made from tree trunks, all sorts of delicious food were laid out.

Honey spread on bread. Cooked beans. Wild herb and mushroom salad. Laurenfrost style stew. River fish pie. The dessert menu was a sumptuous feast made from canned fruit.

"How amazing..."

Milla exclaimed with surprise.

"Please help yourself to the food, no need to be reserved."

"May I?"

"Of course. After all, Milla, you did help my slave."

Claire sliced a piece of fish pie for Milla.

Apparently they had become quite friendly while Kamito was sleeping. Sitting there side by side, they seemed like very close sisters.

As a side note, Claire had resumed her usual attitude towards Kamito.

"Claire, help me cut some of that pie please."

"Oh my, how conceited of you, to dare order around the Elstein family's daughter?"

...That was how things went.

"The main course is ready."

Rinslet brought a huge plate of roasted meat that was still sizzling.

She must have roasted an entire pig whole.

"Seriously, you really hunted a wild boar!?"

"Fu, of course it was yours truly, together with Fenrir."

Rinslet puffed out her chest with pride.

The tender and juicy roasted meat looked very delicious. Together with sliced ginger and garlic, a special sauce seasoned with spices, the rich aroma filled the table.

"Yes, the meat is really soft and tender. It is also perfectly cooked."

"Fufu, if you like, let's go hunt some more?"

"No, it doesn't really feel right to recklessly hunt wild animals in the sanctuary..."

Ridiculing with his half-narrowed eyes, Kamito shoved salad into his mouth.

Beneath the dinner table, Scarlet and Simorgh were also fighting for the roasted meat.

On the other hand, Fenrir sat very politely in the distance, though salivating if one were to look closely.

Looks like the Laurenfrost family were quite strict in educating their spirits.

"Hey Rinslet, it should be okay to give some of the meat to Fenrir, right?"

"That's not allowed normally... But we'll make an exception just for today."

Given the mistress' permission and a tossed portion of meat, Fenrir happily pounced.

"Kamito, I want to eat meat too."

"Ah yes, you love tasty food the most, Est."

"So happy, Kamito."

"Wait a minute, Kamito, you're spoiling Est too much."

"Fufu, I've dripped some sauce on my bosom. Kamito-kun, please help wipe it up."

Accompanied by a sudden voluptuous sensation, Kamito found his arm pressed against Fianna's sauce covered chest.

"Y-You can wipe it yourself, right?"

"If I do it myself, it won't be thorough enough... If you don't want to wipe it, you may lick instead~"

"Hey... G-Got it, then I'll wipe, okay?"

As his heart raced, Kamito reached out with his handkerchief towards the deep valley between her breasts.

"Mmm... The movements of Kamito-kun's fingers feel really perverted~"

"Fianna!?"

"Allow me to wipe, Your Highness the imperial princess!"

"Iyaaaah!"

Having made her way behind Fianna discreetly, Claire suddenly reached out and started rubbing Fianna's bosom.

"What are you doing!?"

"Kamito is my slave, okay, you're not allowed to order him around!"

"Hey, you are committing the crime of insolence against the imperial family!"

Ignoring the two girls fighting at the dinner table, Kamito reached towards the cooked beans.

"...Hmm, these cooked beans are quite tasty."

Despite its modest appearance, the soup had a rather delicate taste.

Hearing this comment, Ellis' ponytail jumped in elation.

"K-Kamito, I made that..."

"Ellis? Right, now that I think about it, the taste does feel like something you'd make."

"...Though compared to Rinslet's cooking, umm, it does feel a bit lacking in style."

Expressing her modesty, Ellis awkwardly fiddled with her fingers.

"No no, even though it looks simple in appearance, I'm sure it took a lot of effort to make this. After all, I do know how to cook more or less. I can feel the effort and feelings behind it."

"R-Really!? I-I hope you like it... I am glad."

Ellis seemed quite shy as she coiled the hair from her ponytail around her little finger again and again.

"Kamito, i-if you wish, let me feed you. Your wounds must still be affecting you."

"No, that's a bit embarrassing..."

"No need to be shy. So, say 'ah'--"

"A-Ahhhh..."

Seeing he had no choice, Kamito opened wide to accept the spoon.

"I-Is it good?'

"...Ah yes, very tasty."

"Ellis, you're stealing a march on us, so sly!"

"Please try my cooking too!"

Fianna and Rinslet reprimanded Ellis.

"D-Do not misunderstand! I simply noticed that Kamito's arm was still hurt so..."

"I-In that case, I'll feed him too!"

Sticking her fork into a piece of meat, Claire thrust it over.

"That's really hot, Claire, and you poked me in the face! Ouch!"

"..."

Milla watched the dinner table commotion blankly.

"Milla, what's wrong?"

"I've never had a meal like this."

Asked by Kamito, Milla replied in monotone.

"Don't you eat together with everyone in your team, Milla?"

"No, because my companion knights all take care of me with great caution."

Milla quietly shook her head.

(Taken care of with great caution -- hmm?)

Rather than cherished, this meant something different.

As if trying not to break or harm something fragile -- and keeping their distance.

This thirteen-year-old girl had always lived a life of untouchable isolation.

Like an offering on a sacrificial altar--

"Milla, you should eat as much as you can. If you don't eat properly you won't grow up."

Claire placed her hand on Milla's head.

"That is so true. Well, it's a little late for Claire's chest though."

"Whose chest are you talking about!?"

Watching Claire and Rinslet quarrel--

Kamito did not fail to catch Milla's extremely faint smile.

===Part 7===

--Parting with her came so suddenly.

"Our training will end today."

"...Huh?"

The boy stood there in shock at the sudden announcement.

"Why... Why!? I -- still haven't killed you!"

"You have become strong. There is nothing more I can teach you."

The black-haired girl smiled calmly. Her dusk-colored eyes were filled with sorrow.

"...I hate this."

"Kamito?"

"I hate this! You have to stay by my side! Forever by my side--"

Halfway through, Kamito suddenly stopped his sentence.

"S-So, umm, I..."

Stuttering, his face went red.

"You're now able to make this kind of expression. Back when we first met, all you had was a stiff poker face."

The darkness spirit girl gently caressed the boy's head.

"You're almost my height now."

"...D-Don't toy with me!"

Kamito shook his head angrily.

Before he met her, the boy's feelings had never undergone such upheaval.

"The story's continuation--"

"...?"

"I still haven't heard the rest of that story."

He was referring to the bedtime stories she told.

The continuation of that bedtime story had somehow become the boy's greatest pleasure.

"...Sorry."

"Why, why are you apologizing--"

As if to seal the boy's mouth, the girl kissed him.

"...!"

The boy's eyes widened in surprise.

Separating her lips from him lightly, she smiled shyly.

"Your first kiss?"

"..."

The boy nodded in a daze... His mind completely blank, he could not think properly.

"--Remember this well, the kiss of our contract."

The girl's fingertips, gently caressing his cheek, dissipated into the air as particles of light--

"''Should there ever come a time in the future when I have changed so much that I am myself no longer''--"

--Kill me.

===Part 8===

"Ah, this is so invigorating..."

Beneath the starry sky, Kamito was enjoying a soak in an open air bath alone.

This was not a hot spring but a pool created by piling rocks in a ring and using a fire spirit to boil water for a bath. Since the water in the sanctuary carried fatigue recovery properties, soaking his wounds in the crystal clear water felt especially comfortable.

Under the moonlight, Kamito looked at the spirit seal on his left hand.

Blood was slightly seeping out from the crescent-shaped crest.

...Recently, I seem to keep dreaming about her.

Those were Kamito's memories from before he became the strongest blade dancer.

On that day, Restia was sealed away once again. Because she had taught the boy what he was not supposed to know -- human emotions.

After that, through the ''re-education'' efforts of the elders at the Instructional School, the boy lost his emotions once more -- however, his feeling of longing for her, that alone was never forgotten.

Then four years ago, on the day that the archdemon of flame attacked and destroyed the Instructional School, he took the ring where she was sealed and the two of them began their journey.

--Those short but wonderful days.

(Restia...)

As if trying to catch a hold of the night sky which reminded him of her beautiful black hair, Kamito reached out with his hand.

The spirit seal on his left hand was hurting.

(Summoning? Calling for me...)

Very soon, he would have to settle things with her--

That was what his intuition predicted.

Splash -- Suddenly, he heard a light noise in the water behind him.

"...!?"

Frantically turning around, he saw a tiny figure in the shadows of the rocks obscured by the steam.

"...Kamito?"

"Is that Milla?"

"Yes."

He could hear Milla's voice.

"This is the men's bath reserved for me. The women's bath is located over there by the cliff."

"I didn't know."

"Sorry. It's quite easy to mix up... Anyway, I'm getting out so just enjoy yourself here."

Kamito hastily prepared to leave--

"...Wait."

But Milla stopped him.

"I have something to say to you."

"...Here?"

"If it's here, the others won't come."

...I see. Indeed, Claire and the girls were probably not going to come to this men's bath.

(Something she doesn't want the others to hear--)

Kamito immersed himself in the bath again.

On the other side of the light mist, Milla appeared, wrapped in a white towel.

Her body was small and slender. As her moistened dark brown hair clung to her face, there was a sense of charm that did not seem to belong to a thirteen-year-old girl.

As she walked over to the side, Kamito shifted his gaze away as his heart began to race.

"...So, what did you want to tell me?"

"About my ''eye''. I only want you to know."

Milla's amber left eye flashed in the night.

"This is the value of my existence. The reason I was raised as a tool."

"--The Demon Sealing Eye, right?"

"...You already... know?"

Milla exclaimed in surprise.

"No I didn't. But I could guess."

The Demon Sealing Eye. This was a special eye that descendants from lineages of elementalists were born with in rare instances.

A type of extremely rare spirit crystal.

Due to numerous cases of Demon Sealing Eyes with powerful spirits sealed inside of them, the possessors were regarded as dangerous in most situations and persecuted, either that or used as weapons by those in authority -- that was how things were.

In any case, this thirteen-year-old girl was saddled with a cruel and harsh fate.

The reason why Kamito knew about the Demon Sealing Eye which was unknown to most people, was because there was another girl at the Instructional School who also possessed the same type of ''eye''.

That girl had been used as a weapon and perished at an early age.

"When I was young, my parents feared this ''eye'' and sold me to the knights of the Principality of Rossvale, to be trained as a weapon needed to win the Blade Dance festival."

Milla gazed at Kamito expressionlessly.

"In order to control the sealed spirit with stability, anger, sorrow, joy -- all unnecessary emotions were deprived."

"...Crazy fellows. They exist everywhere."

Kamito groaned painfully. Recalling how his own emotions were killed off and the orphans at the Instructional School who were used and expended like tools--

(If I had never met Restia, my fate would have been the same as those guys...)

"...Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I -- deceived Kamito."

Milla uttered this sentence with great suffering.

"...?"

"Sealed within my Eye is the conquering army spirit 'The Crusaders' -- a tactical-class militarized spirit."

"A tactical class militarized spirit?"

Tactical class -- amongst militarized spirits, this was a type of spirit that was particularly difficult to control.

Other than for exceptional cases like Muir Alenstarl -- this was not the type of spirit that ordinary elementalists could control alone.

Controlling that type of spirit required specialized training as a team.

Kamito finally realized.

"I see. The Rupture Division also served as the team for controlling that militarized spirit."

"That's right. They were the team prepared for using the tool that is me. Only with the Rupture Division present can the Demon Sealing Eye be operated."

In other words--

Milla by herself was unable to draw out the spirit's power, basically.

"Possessing a spirit with the holy attribute is true... But I have no way of using that power."

"...So by deception, you mean this."

Allying with Milla who employed a holy spirit in order to facilitate battle against Nepenthes Lore--

This was the benefit she brought up during negotiations for the alliance. However, if that spirit could not be used, then Kamito and his team's strategy had to be altered fundamentally.

"I apologize. I must prevail in this Blade Dance no matter what. Because, being raised as a tool, that is my mission."

Despite the Rupture Division's collapse and nearly losing everything, she still struggled for survival.

Because Milla Bassett's value in living only lay in that.

"That's okay. That's your achievement after all."

Kamito gently placed his hand on Milla's head.

"...Kamito?"

"This alliance is the victory you won with your own hands, Milla. Be proud of yourself."

Gently, he caressed her dark brown hair.

"...Milla, have you heard of the Instructional School?"

Suddenly, Kamito brought up such a topic.

"...Existing somewhere in the Ordesia Empire, a secret organization for raising assassins."

"Yeah. That's where I came from."

"...!?"

Milla's eyes widened with surprise.

"I am the same as you, Milla. Raised as a tool for murder from childhood."

"However, you... Don't look like it."

"Because there was a girl who helped me recover a human's heart."

Kamito gently withdrew his hand from Milla's head.

"..."

Milla hung her head... As if pondering something.

Soon after, she slowly looked up--

"Last night's story."

"Hmm?"

"The continuation of last night's story, I want to hear it."

"Ah sure..."

Kamito recalled and nodded.

It was the fairy tale he had heard from Restia when he was young. In this open air bath where one could hear the sound of the river flowing, Kamito continued the story he told the previous night.

"...Fufu."

Was something really funny? Milla once again was desperately suppressing laughter.

...Oh well, as long as she's happy.

"You really are much cuter when you're smiling."

"W-What are you talking about..."

Kamito's half-joking comment made Milla blush slightly.

"Since you are able to laugh like this, you are no longer just a tool."

Assuredly, lost things had to be taken back.

As long as she had someone beside her the way Restia was to Kamito.

Gazing up at the night sky concealed by darkness, Kamito muttered to himself.

(...Restia, even now, I'm still waiting for you to continue that bedtime story.)

At this very moment -- a sharp pain was felt in his left hand's spirit seal.

Intense pain like scorching fire, it made Kamito's face distorted.

"...Kamito?"

"--That person has arrived."

===Part 9===

In the quiet forest, the black-winged angel appeared--

"What a secure stronghold your team has built here. As expected of Her Highness the Imperial Princess, former heiress to the throne."

Restia shrugged and pouted her adorable lips.

Probably as a counter against those with the attribute of darkness, there were apparently multiple holy barriers.

To her it was like the gates of hell.

However--

"I'm very sorry, but I shall have to break through by force."

As Restia giggled, a massive figure appeared from the depths of the forest.

Emanating an aura of ominous disaster from all over, the black knight -- Nepenthes Lore.

Having absorbed divine power from numerous elementalists to become a complete monster, there stood the materialization of the Demon King's will.

"Well then, let's begin the blade dance, Kamito..."

With a great roar, Nepenthes Lore tore apart the barrier using claw-like gauntlets.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume6 Chapter1

2018-03-26T02:26:43Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 1 - The First Dawn==

===Part 1===

Chirp, chirp...

The singing of birds could be heard from the forest. A cold early morning that chilled one to the bones.

Chirp~

A soft sensation could be felt near his cheek...

Kamito woke up with a start.

He was surrounded by darkness. The light streaming into the tent was also rather weak.

Half awake, he was just about to get up from the simple bed...

"...!?"

A pang of intense pain could be felt from his ribs.

"Speaking of which, I'm still wounded..."

Kamito groaned painfully.

It happened last night during the first night of the Blade Dance festival. He received these injuries when battling Leonora Lancaster, the ace of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor who represented Dracunia.

Even though it was a brief battle lasting only a couple of minutes, Kamito was still cornered to the verge of death by Leonora who had become a berserker through the awakening of Dragon Blood. Using her elemental waffe of the strongest class, the Dragon Slayer, she penetrated his chest deeply.

Kamito was able to make a comeback and defeat Leonora only thanks to the revived sword spirit Est. To this date, the Demon Slayer had already saved him from many desperate crises. Even though she had closed off her heart due to past tragedy, in the end, she still responded to Kamito's summons and returned to the battlefield.

"...Hmm?"

Suddenly, Kamito noticed a sense of dissonance.

Trying to get up from the simple bed, Kamito found his arm...

...Being gripped tightly by a small and icy cold hand.

"E... Est!?"

Kamito was shocked.

Before his eyes was a beautiful girl with silver white hair, sleeping soundly with light breathing noises.

Her curled up body was wrapped in a blanket. Her sleeping form almost resembled a tiny angel.

However, the problem was...

"...!"

Her manner of attire, which was basically nude... That was the situation.

Other than the black kneesocks that covered her legs, her entire body was bare.

Lustrous silver white hair. Skin as smooth and white as fresh milk.

From the gaps of the blanket, two mild protrusions were faintly visible.

Her adorable breath brushed against his arm, causing a strange ticklish feeling.

"What should I do now, given this..."

Kamito muttered in a quandary.

Est's hand was currently gripping Kamito's arm tightly. This prevented him from getting up directly.

Seeing her sleeping so soundly, it would be a pity to wake her up on purpose.

Besides... Gazing at Est's peaceful sleeping face, Kamito recalled.

The reason she was like this, was probably because she felt insecure.

Normally she would sleep in the form of a sword in order to reduce the consumption of power, but now she was maintaining the appearance of a young girl. This was the proof.

In order to save Kamito who was being devoured by the Brand of Darkness, Est had sacrificed herself and disappeared from this world. At the time, she recalled the past memories she had forgotten.

She recalled the life of her first contractor, Sacred Queen Areishia Idriss. Her memories had been stolen by the curse.

Even though Est was currently incomplete, holding only one tenth of her original power, she still inherited the attributes of the demon sword which robbed its owner's life. If he continued to maintain his contract with Est, Kamito would soon meet the same fate as her past contractors.

Nevertheless, Kamito had made a promise with Est.

Whether your curse or your fate as a demon sword, I will accept all of it. That was what he had said.

(I will win the Blade Dance together with Est...)

Watching Est's peaceful sleeping face, Kamito renewed his resolve.

The winner of the Blade Dance was to be bestowed a miracle by the Elemental Lords.

Through this miraculous power, capable of making any Wish come true, changing Est's fate as a demon sword was not impossible.

"Wish...?"

Kamito felt a pang of pain in his left hand, the one covered by the black leather glove.

Beneath the glove was the spirit seal from his past contracted spirit.

Three years ago, Kamito was known as the Strongest Blade Dancer. In order to realize ''her'' Wish, he had emerged as the victor of the Blade Dance.

(At the time... what kind of Wish did I make for her...?)

Somehow, almost all of his memories of that day were gone.

What he could recall were merely scraps of images.

The figure of the darkness spirit devoured by a pitch black Wish.

After that, three years had passed.

She appeared before Kamito once more as the subordinate of a different and mysterious Ren Ashbell.

"Kami... to..."

"Hmm?"

Feeling a squirming presence, Kamito looked down at Est.

Only to find her still sleeping with cute breathing noises.

...Apparently she called out Kamito's name from her dreams.

"I am your sword... Your wish is my command..."

Kiss~

"E... Est...!?"

His fingertips felt the soft sensation of her lips.

Just as Kamito frantically tried to withdraw...

"Mmm... Kamito... I... love..."

Kiss~, Kiss~

Est held on to Kamito's arm tightly.

"So..."

What should he do, just as Kamito agonized, at this moment...

Snap... Sounds of twigs breaking could be heard coming from outside the tent.

"...!?"

"...E... Excuse me, Kamito. W... What do you think y... you are d... do... d...doing?"

At the entrance to the tent, a girl was wielding Flametongue, her shoulders trembling.

Her long hair was tied into twintails on opposite sides of her head. Her eyes were like rubies infused with burning flames. Despite the slight paucity of her bosom, the proportions of her figure were as beautiful as a statue of a goddess.

Claire Rouge. Originally the high born daughter hailing from the prestigious family of Duke Elstein.

A cute and beautiful girl who mesmerized people on sight.

However...

"How do you intend to e... ex... e... explain?"

In her current state, she was almost akin to a berserk flame spirit.

"Hey, hey... The tent is catching on fire!"

Kamito called out frantically.

"And I... I was so w... worried about you!"

Her twintails standing upright on end, Claire walked directly over.

"N... No, this is a misunderstanding!"

"...~tsk, what is this, isn't that your explanation every single time!?"

Tears were beginning to well up in those ruby-like eyes.

At this moment...

"Fuaah..."

Est finally woke up.

Yawning adorably, she rubbed her eyes with her hands.

...Apparently not completely awake.

"Mmm..."

Just as Claire stopped advancing, in that very instant.

Kiss~

""What!?""

Kamito and Claire screamed simultaneously.

Because Est kissed Kamito on his cheek.

"Y... You, y... you, what are you d... doing!?"

Claire shouted with her face all red.

"I am Kamito's contracted spirit. Offering a morning kiss to the contractor is a natural duty."

"L... Liar, I've never heard of anything like that!?"

Trembling, Claire's hair made noises as she shook... Indeed, it has never been heard of before.

"Not lying."

Kiss~

"...~tsk, Kamito, you must have taught weird ideas to Est again..."

"I have no idea! Besides, what do you mean by 'again'!?"

The tent's wooden support column began to emit black smoke.

...Not good. If this continued, the entire tent will turn into charcoal.

Kamito hastily racked his brains for a way to escape the crisis.

"B... By the way, I am being ordered around by you as your contracted spirit, right?"

"...? That's right, after all, you are my slave spirit."

Claire nodded matter of factly... truly deplorable, but whatever.

"Well then, I will also offer a morning kiss to my master."

"...Uh?"

Claire was instantly frozen with shock.

In this situation, the term master referred to Claire, naturally.

"W... Wha, w... what is this! Some kind of joke?"

"It can't possibly be a joke."

"Ahhhh..."

As Kamito slid his finger lightly across her chin, Claire made a cute scream.

"I... If you dare do such a thing, don't expect me to forgiiii... Uwah!"

"Hey, just relax..."

As soon as he blew lightly in her ear, Claire suddenly lost all strength and collapsed.

Before she fell over, Kamito frantically caught and supported her back.

"S... Seriously, what are you doing...!"

Claire instantly blushed bright red and began to anger. But unbelievably, she made no effort to resist meaningfully.

Probably having bathed in river water, her smooth skin gave off the scent of soap.

"Your ears are your weak points, you know."

"Uwah, n... no...!"

Usually domineering in personality, Claire was unexpectedly meek when others took the initiative. Kamito knew that very well.

Even though she was the violent hell cat girl, her true nature was a pure and delicate young lady.

Kamito embraced Claire as she lay powerlessly in his arms.

"Well then, please accept this morning kiss... Master."

Whispering softly in her ear, he drew his lips lightly towards Claire's face...

"...~tsk!"

Puff!

Instantly, Claire's head began to emit steam.

"Waaaaah, Kamito you jerk!"

Her face all red, Claire noisily swayed her twintails as she ran away.

"...Seriously, she's still so cute."

Kamito shrugged and smiled wryly.

That said, perhaps he really went too far this time. Even though this method was very effective in dismissing her anger, it did create problems later.

...Perhaps he should prepare his grave while he still had time.

"Kamito is the Demon King of the Night."

Est was expressionless. However, her murmuring voice sounded subtly unhappy.

Caressing Est's head, Kamito said, "Est, it's fine if you want to sleep a while longer. Have you recovered your power?"

"Yes, Kamito. In order to become your sword, I will focus on recovering my power."

Est nodded obediently and went back to sleep.

Covering her still naked body with a blanket, Kamito then changed his uniform.

Walking out of the tent, he took a deep breath of the refreshing early morning air.

At this time, he noticed something had fallen before the tent.

It was a coil of unimpressive bandages. Also, there was a basket of fruit.

"...That girl, she even brought these things... feels like I'm the bad guy now."

Scratching his face, he was just about to pick up the objects on the ground when...

"Fufu, Kamito-kun, you surely brought to life your beast like self just now."

Rustle, rustle... a girl appeared out from the thicket.

Gorgeous waist length black hair. Light gray eyes, adorned by cute lashes.

Wearing a bold uniform that was styled like a low cut dress, she was the Empire's former Imperial Princess.

"...Fianna!? You s... saw!?"

"I will also offer a morning kiss to my master."

"Gaaaaaah!"

While maintaining a serious expression, the Imperial Princess imitated Kamito's voice.

Kamito instantly ducked, clutching his head in his arms.

"Well then, please accept this morning kiss... Master."

"Aaaaaah... I... I beg you, please stop it... please stop this."

"Fufu, Kamito-kun is so cute~"

Watching Kamito rolling around on the ground in embarrassment, Fianna smiled mischievously with a chuckle.

===Part 2===

"How amazing. While I was sleeping, you've built a stronghold already?"

"No, it's only half complete. We need an even sturdier stronghold this time. A fortress class stronghold that not even Dracunia's Knights of the Dragon Emperor could breach."

Kamito and Fianna walked side by side in the quiet forest.

Although ordinary people could only see a forest here, anyone with sufficient elementalist potential would notice an invisible barrier spread out between the trees.

To have constructed this level of a barrier within the span of merely one night, she truly lived up to her name as the Princess Maiden who was the original candidate for Queen. During this time, other teams were probably constructing their own strongholds, but surely none of them could have surpassed Fianna's in strength.

Faced with such a solid stronghold, there probably would not be any teams making an assault like Leonora's group last night.

Land protected by multiple barriers was equivalent to a sturdy castle to elementalists. The protection from the earth spirits bolstered divine power and through the leylines flowing underground, one could even obtain blessings such as the recovery of fatigue.

"Of course, mechanisms for intercepting intruders are also perfect~"

"Yeah. Even this number of spirits have been tamed completely."

Surveying the little spirits flying across the forest, Kamito nodded with great feeling.

"Fufu, I'm looking forward to seeing elementalists from other teams fall into the traps."

"...Isn't that statement a little abnormal for a prestigious Imperial Princess to make?"

As Fianna smiled malevolently, Kamito cast a gaze of surprise.

Suddenly something passed them beneath their feet.

"...!?"

It was too late by the time they noticed. Just as Kamito was thinking there was something rising from the ground, numerous vines of plants appeared from underground and suspended Fianna in midair.

"...Ah! What are you doing... insolent ones!"

Restrained and tied up by the vines, the Imperial Princess was struggling in panic. However, the more she moved the tighter the vines wrapped themselves around her soft bosom and buttocks.

Apparently, there were still some earth spirits who had yet to submit to her command.

"Yah, ahhh, this tickles...!"

The skirt of her uniform was swept up, offering a tantalizing view of her pure white panties.
[[image:STnBD V06 025.png|thumb]]

"Ah, K... Kamito-kun... Please d... don't look!"

Fianna frantically tried to hold down her skirt. However, suspended in midair, she could not move freely and her skirt was lifted higher and higher.

"...S... Sorry... Uwah!"

With great awkwardness, Kamito found a very cute butt suddenly thrust before his nose.

A pair of extremely soft looking white panties dominated Kamito's view entirely.

Pulled upwards by the vines, the panties were being embedded deeply into her bottom.

"Ah, owww... It hurts... oooh... s... save me...!"

Tear drops appearing from her eyes, Fianna moaned painfully.

"H... Hold on! I'm going to cut the vines now!"

Kamito took out a short sword from the chest of his uniform and prepared to sever the vines.

In that instant, one of Fianna's legs was pulled vertically up this time.

The short skirt was entirely curled up, exposing the white panties clearly in view.

"...!?"

"N... No, I don't want to look like this in front of Kamito-kun...!"

Fianna struggled frantically in an unsightly manner.

"Fianna, c... calm down! If you move randomly, my hand will... ah!"

Intending to sever the vines, Kamito's hand slipped.

Shred!

With the sound of something tearing, a piece of white fabric fluttered to the ground.

"..."

"..."

Embroidered with a cute design, it was the fair Imperial Princess' panties.

"I... Iyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

===Part 3===

"Seriously, Kamito-kun is such a pervert! The Demon King of the Daytime!"

"Like I said, I'm sorry..."

Faced with Fianna pouting angrily, Kamito apologized again and again.

"I... I really didn't mean to do that!"

"...Hmph. How would I really know?"

The Imperial Princess cast a gaze of suspicion. Perhaps due to her unclothed nether region, she was unable to remain calm as she tightly held down the sides of her skirt, her legs moving awkwardly as she walked.

"I... If I knew it was going to be seen anyway, I should have worn more appropriate underwear..."

"The pair just now was very cute too... ah, wait..."

"...~tsk, Kamito-kun!"

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

Blushing intensely, Fianna hammered her fists against Kamito's back.

Even though she was always teasing boldly, her true nature was a pure and innocent Princess.

"S... Seriously, that's why Kamito-kun is such a jerk who doesn't know anything!"

Suddenly making a turn, she began to walk away.

"Where are you going?"

"Off to teach those earth spirits a good lesson. So that the incident just now does not happen a second time!"

Fianna left the path in the woods and entered the depths of the thicket.

...Apparently, Kamito had really made the Princess displeased.

"...Well, as long as she stays in the barrier, there shouldn't be any danger."

Kamito sighed and continued along the path.

Leaving the forest, Kamito arrived at the place where he had engaged Leonora in blade dance last night.

This was originally part of the dense forest but the majority of the trees had fallen over from the violent winds while the ground was scarred with craters.

This was the trail of destruction remaining from Leonora's going berserk.

(...An opponent I have no wish of facing again, but undoubtedly she will advance to the finals.)

Kamito muttered with a sigh.

The Blade Dance festival this time was far more deadly than the last. That was what his battle with Leonora impressed upon him.

(However, Ren Ashbell's team definitely surpasses the Knights of the Dragon Emperor by far...)

Not only the other Ren Ashbell who had invited Kamito to dance at the ball, but also the Instructional School's .Monster', Muir Alenstarl and the Demon Caster, Sjora Kahn, as well as...

(That black knight...)

That particular person. Even amongst the gathering of monsters in Team Inferno, that person's ominous aura stood out.

An elementalist's instincts sensed it, some kind of heretical beyond human existence.

"Are we able to win? Against those kinds of people..."

During the two months since he had joined the Academy through Greyworth's machinations, Kamito had already recovered the majority of his combat sense.

Not only did he retrieve the power that earned him the title of the Strongest Blade Dancer three years ago, his new contract was with Est who belonged to the strongest class of sword spirit.

(However, it's still not enough...)

Unrelated to swordsmanship or the resilience of the body, a more fundamental issue of power--

"...Hmm?"

Kamito suddenly stopped walking.

Dissimilar to the smell of branches burning, an intense aroma was reaching his nose.

(...This smells great.)

Rumble. His stomach began to growl as if awakened.

...Speaking of which, I haven't eaten anything since dinner last night.

Making his way towards the direction of the aroma, at a clearing on the riverside, he found the back view of a blonde high class young lady.

Happily humming a song, she cooked soup in a pot.

Kamito tiptoed and approached...

"Rinslet, what are you doing?"

"Uwah, K... Kamito-san!"

Surprised from behind, Rinslet screamed cutely and turned around.

Bathed beneath the morning rays, her long and platinum blonde hair displayed dazzling luster.

Her beautiful emerald green eyes opened wide.

Dressed in an apron around her uniform, she was holding a bowl and a spoon in her hands.

To be frank, this get up did not suit her identity as a high class young lady at all, but the contrast proved to be rather adorable.

"Seriously, don't scare me with a sudden greeting!"

Rinslet pouted, slightly miffed.

"...Sorry. I was attracted by the aroma. Are you making breakfast now?"

"Yes. But it's still at the stage of preparations."

Kamito glanced behind Rinslet as she nodded. It was a simple makeshift kitchen.

A counter top had been built using chopped down logs. Stones had been piled up to make a stove. Fish caught from the river were being kept fresh using massive ice blocks created by her prided ice magic.

"...This looks quite legit. How did a noble lady like you learn to cook?"

Though Kamito himself was capable of simple cooking, Rinslet's skills had already reached the level of top chefs.

He wanted to find the secret to her progress.

"By preparing food for Carol every day, I naturally became skilled."

"Why are you cooking for the maid when you are the mistress?"

"It is a noble's responsibility to provide personally prepared delicious food to the ones who serve us. Noblesse oblige or something like that, that was what Carol taught me."

"...Uh, are you sure you weren't tricked by Carol."

Kamito stated in shock.

...Come to think of it, Rinslet was equipped with various skills one would not expect to find in a sheltered high class lady. In a certain sense, this was all thanks to a certain useless maid.

"By the way, Kamito-san, are your injuries okay?"

"Yeah, how should I say this..."

Faced with Rinslet's worried inquiry, Kamito nodded as he tried turning the joints in his arms.

Last night, Kamito's chest had been pierced by Leonora's Dragon Slayer. Ending up with only a few broken ribs was truly fortunate. As for the broken bones, they had already been set and healed by Fianna during his sleep.

Fianna had mentioned before that Kamito possessed exceptional self recovery abilities. This was most likely due to entering a contract with a sword spirit possessing steel attributes, resulting in a reinforced body.

"...That's wonderful."

"That said, I'm still quite exhausted."

Smiling wryly, he replied.

"Right. That's what I was thinking, so I am preparing a special soup with nourishing effects."

Rinslet smiled tenderly.

This charming smile made Kamito's heart begin to race.

"R... Really? It'd be wonderful to drink some soup in this cold weather."

Trying to hide his loss of composure, Kamito glanced at the soup in the pot.

"In my homeland, this sort of weather counts as warm actually."

"Naturally, how could this compare to Laurenfrost, the land of ice and snow..."

The soup was amber in color and made with chicken, wild vegetables and various spices.

"Looks really tasty..."

"...Sneaking a taste is not allowed."

Rinslet warned with a raised finger.

"...Not allowed?"

"Where is your pride as an elementalist? That sort of behavior is disgraceful... o... or perhaps, Kamito-san, this is the kind of attitude you take to steal a taste of girls?"

"How did the conversation come to this!?"

Seeing Rinslet glancing at him with a frown, Kamito retorted back...

...Rumble. His stomach was growling.

"..."

"Seriously, you're hopeless... just to be clear, this is a special exception, okay?"

"...Thanks."

Rinslet took a large spoon to serve the soup, delivering it before Kamito.

"...Umm, what?"

"Your arm is still injured, right? H... Hurry and open your mouth..."

Rinslet blushed and said.

...Clearly, she intended to feed him with a "Say ah~ and open up" kind of scene.

"No, this level of injury..."

"You don't need me?"

Rinslet made a hurt expression.

Kamito frantically shook his head.

"Ah, no... please feed me!"

His heart rate rising, he drank the soup in one gulp.

The chicken and the vegetables were well stewed and melted in his mouth. The fragrant taste spread all over his tongue.

(Ah, this soup...)

Suddenly, Kamito recalled what happened on the first day when he entered Areishia Spirit Academy.

At the time, Rinslet had brought warm soup to Kamito when he was hungry and staying in that crude little hut that was no different from a stable.

(Definitely, at the time, she said it was because Carol had cooked too much...)
[[image:STnBD V06 037.png|thumb]]

Thinking back now, since that useless maid could not possibly have cooked, Rinslet must have made up the excuse to hide her embarrassment.

Due to Rinslet's usual unapproachable airs, Kamito originally mistook her for an arrogant high class lady. Her true nature was actually a kind hearted and benevolent girl.

"...Rinslet, you're such a wonderful person."

Kamito could not stop himself from blurting out.

"W... What are you saying, so suddenly!"

"Ah, no..."

"I... I am not some kind of wonderful person. Clearly I am a villain."

Sent into a panic, Rinslet began talking incomprehensibly.

Her lack of forthrightness also felt rather adorable.

"By the way, where's Ellis?"

"The Captain? She's performing a dedicatory blade dance beside the river."

"...I see. Well then, let me go greet her briefly."

Wrapping things up here, Kamito decided to stop hindering Rinslet while she cooked.

Waving to Rinslet, Kamito made his way towards the riverbank.

===Part 4===

Walking along the riverbank, Kamito found a towering cliff.

This was where Claire and the others had battled the Knights of the Dragon Emperor. The cliff was still littered with the destruction caused by the fight against the dragon spirit.

"...To think an outdoor bath that could not have been easy to construct, would be virtually destroyed."

Muttering, he walked towards the edge of the cliff at the same time.

"Hah! Fu...!"

Accompanied by vigorous shouts, the sound of slicing wind could be heard.

Peering out from the side of the cliff, he found a girl swinging a sword, her hair in a ponytail.

Her body was clad in light armor. Her dark brown eyes were stern.

This was the Captain of the Sylphid Knights, Ellis Fahrengart.

"Yah, hah...!"

She swung her sword with forceful motions, producing sounds of sharp slicing wind.

Rather than sword training, this was a ritual blade dance performed as an offering to spirits inhabiting the river.

Her graceful and spectacular blade dance caused Kamito to watch in awe.

The profile of her stern face seemed especially beautiful.

Soon after, Ellis re sheathed her sword by her waist and took a deep bow towards the river.

From the water surface appeared faint light as water spirits gathered to dance.

Apparently the spirits were pleased with Ellis' blade dance.

As Ellis wiped her sweat in relief, Kamito greeted her.

"Hi, Ellis."

"K... Kamito... You saw it!?"

Ellis turned around, her dark brown eyes opening wide.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to peep..."

Kamito scratched his head and walked towards Ellis.

"Ellis, your blade dance was really beautiful."

"...!? I... I... Beautiful!?"

"No, I'm talking about your blade dance, Ellis... but anyway, you're quite beautiful too."

Ellis instantly blushed.

"Y... You, what insolence! Prepare to die, I'll make you into onion gratin!"

Swiftly drawing her sword, she stabbed the point of the blade towards Kamito's neck.

"What the heck, getting angry so suddenly!"

"C... Calling me beautiful, surely that cannot be what you seriously think...!"

"No, I simply blurted out what's on my mind..."

"Oooh..."

Blushing more intensely, the Captain stuttered as if she was at a loss.

"Y... You, why did you come here?! ...Could it be, to peep!?"

"Idiot, why would anyone do that!?"

Kamito frantically denied.

"Hmph, that I know... after all, there is nothing worth seeing even if I were taking a bath in the water!"

Ellis suddenly turned her gaze away as if she was sulking.

As a normal healthy male, of course the thought had crossed his mind before... but if he were to say this out loud, she would surely slice him in earnest, so it would be best to keep quiet for now.

"I was just about to start the morning purification rite and training. What perfect timing for you to be here, Ellis. Would you like to perform morning practice with me? We haven't trained together for quite a while."

"Hmm... morning practice? Sure."

Sheathing her sword, Ellis coughed lightly.

Back at the Academy, Kamito would occasionally spar with Ellis for morning practice. Although she also had Sylphid Knights meetings early in the morning, it was a perfect way to release the tension in her body before class.

"But are your injuries okay?"

"Yeah, so I'd like to get some exercise... but please have mercy."

"Acknowledged."

The two distanced themselves and drew their swords.

Ellis used a long sword while Kamito used the short sword he kept for defense. Though they were both using weapons that were different from their actual elemental waffen, this was fine for the purposes of physical training.

Readying her sword stance, Ellis watched Kamito silently.

"Come, Ellis..."

Just as Kamito spoke, in that instant...

"Hah...!"

With a vigorous shout, Ellis charged.

Despite treading over uneven riverside terrain, she still made a series of aggressive slashes. The name of the Sylphid Knights' Captain truly was not just for show.

Kamito blocked the sharp sword with his short sword. The blades clashed violently many times.

Sparks flew. High pitched metallic noises resounded.

This was a spectacular blade dance performed with perfect synchronicity.

However, a displeased expression appeared on Ellis' face.

"Kamito, stop trying to accommodate me. If you are just playing around, I will not be pleased."

"You have a point... But Ellis, different from my swordsmanship that was trained at the Instructional School, yours is the orthodox style of the knightly sword, right? If you try to accommodate me, you might pick up bad habits."

"No matter. My sword style is too rigid. After last night's blade dance, that was what I realized greatly. Hence, I hope you can teach me your sword skills, in order to obtain victory in this Blade Dance festival!"

"...!"

Ellis swung her sword in a heavy downward strike. Kamito blocked as his eyes widened in surprise.

This was an attack which manifested the power of Ellis' resolve to get stronger.

"...If that's the case, I understand."

Her well practiced sword style was indeed rather easy to predict.

It was probably okay to teach her some of those so called unorthodox sword skills.

Kicking the ground to leap backwards for some distance, Kamito switched his short sword to a reverse grip. Ellis held her sword horizontally and made a courageous charge. This was based on her highly accomplished spear skills.

In that instant, Kamito suddenly lowered his stance and made a light sweeping kick.

"Ah!"

Ellis' eyes widened in surprise. Though she did not fall over, Kamito took advantage of her momentary loss of balance to grab her arm and shove her back against the ground.

Then swiftly he immobilized her legs. Though Ellis struggled desperately, it was impossible for her to escape due to the restraining of her joints.

"Guh... H... How underhanded, Kamito!"

"Even if the enemy is wielding a sword, it doesn't mean they will always fight with a sword. I suppose it's fine if you're facing a noble minded knight, but there exist elementalists who fight this way."

"Y... You may have a point..."

Ellis grumbled with a reluctant expression.

Then suddenly her face went red.

"Uh?"

"K... Kamito, this posture..."

"...!?"

Only when pointed out did he notice the fact that he was pushing a girl down against the ground, their legs intertwined together.

Plus the fact of Ellis' slightly lifted skirt, clearly exposing her black panties.

"S... Sorry...!"

Kamito frantically tried to stand up, but...

"W... Wait!"

Ellis gripped his wrist tightly.

"L... Let this continue a little while longer, I do not mind..."

"...Uh?"

Maintaining this posture of pushing Ellis down on the ground, Kamito widened his eyes at the sight.

The uniform drenched with sweat. The heaving bosom that quivered with every breath she took.

Diverting the gaze of her slightly moistened dark brown eyes, Ellis expelled warm breath as she spoke, "Y... You have to take responsibility..."

Ellis pouted her lips as if sulking.

"Responsibility?"

"The one who changed me from a knight, i... into a woman, is you..."

"Wha, what d... do you mean by that!?"

Just as Kamito stared dumbfounded...

"Incinerate until nothing remains, oh scorching conflagration, Fireball!"

An incantation of spirit magic could be heard. Then immediately, the nearby ground exploded.

Sent flying by the shock of the explosion, Kamito fell into the river.

"W... What the heck!? ...Holy, this is really scalding!"

The river water was boiling as bubbles rose up.

"...Hey, Kamito? Just now, what was happening there?"

Turning his gaze, he found Claire wielding Flametongue, approaching slowly from the shallows.

"All I could see was the sight of you pushing Ellis down on the ground, eh?"

...She was smiling. So terrifying.

Feeling his life was endangered, Kamito frantically tried to escape.

The crisp sound of water changing state could be heard.

"What!?"

Suddenly, he found a massive wall of ice erected before him.

This was Rinslet's specialty, the spirit magic of Ice Wall.

"Oh my, Kamito-san, where do you think you're going?"

Appearing in the opposite direction from Claire was Rinslet.

Smiling calmly, she wielded her elemental waffe, the magic bow.

"R... Rinslet...!"

"Enemies of womankind must be frozen in cold storage. This is one of the Laurenfrost family's precepts."

"...!?"

Losing his escape route, Kamito rapidly changed directions and ran towards the forest on the opposite shore.

"Hey, stay right there!"

Hearing the sound of freezing arrows fired from behind, Kamito found them whizzing past his back.

At the last second, Kamito jumped into the thicket in the forest.

In that instant, he found his legs entangled by the vines of numerous plants, making him fall flat on his face.

"...These are dryads!?"

"Fufu, Kamito-kun, the spirits earlier have now been trained properly~"

Appearing from the depths of the forest was the great Imperial Princess smiling impishly.

"Fianna...!"

"Just to deter you from acting naughty towards other girls, Kamito-kun, you need to be taught a lesson too."

While Kamito was immobilized, Claire and Rinslet also gathered around.

"Ha, haha..."

Kamito laughed convulsively.

===Part 5===

The sound of numerous footsteps and the intense clashing of swords could be heard from the forest.

Running through the gaps between the trees were girls wielding all sorts of elemental waffen dressed uniformly in knightly attire colored red against a white background. This was the uniform of the Rupture Division, the team representing the Principality of Rossvale.

Moving with well trained coordination, the five girls were chasing after prey.

"Esil and Yustra, take a detour to the right. Swiftly flank the target, encircle and exterminate."

The one leading the party was a girl with dark brown hair and a child like face.

Milla Bassett, the leader of the Rupture Division and the youngest elementalist taking part in this year's event.

Bearing an azure right eye and an amber colored left eye.

The girl's heterochromic eyes coldly focused on the prey.

The target of their hunt was a beautiful black haired girl dressed in a dark colored dress.

Team Inferno's darkness spirit.

"Let all shadows be incinerated to ashes, Evil Flame!"

The girl fluttered her dress as if she were dancing, chanting high level magic carrying the darkness attribute.

Pitch black flames of conflagration were emitted from her finger tips, assaulting the girls in pursuit.

All it took was one lick of these tongues of magical flames for the trees in the forest to vanish instantly.

However, Milla Bassett swung her sword using spirit magic, defeating the black flames.

"How foolish. Our spirits possess resistance against the attribute of darkness."

"Right. How annoying it is to face you people who employ spirits with the holy attribute."

The darkness spirit girl landed lightly on the ground.

"Hence, you shall be defeated here."

"...!?"

In that instant, the girls in pursuit all halted.

Beneath their feet on the ground, a glowing magic circle appeared.

"This is an Isolation Barrier!?"

The girls of the Rupture Division instantly fell to their knees like puppets whose strings have been severed.

This was a barrier for cutting off access to leylines, thereby severely weakening the divine power of elementalists.

This was no ordinary defensive barrier, rather, it was a trap set by a top Princess Maiden, specifically for killing elementalists.

"How could this happen, did you plan on luring us here from the start?"

Milla Bassett looked up in shock.

The darkness spirit girl chuckled and smiled adorably.

"Rejoice, for you have become live sacrifices for Nepenthes Lore."

An ominous roar could be heard rumbling in the depths of the forest.

This was neither a beast's howl nor a human's yell.

Simply hearing the sound was enough to feel a horrific chill along the spine as if frozen. It was that repulsive and otherworldly of a sound.

Then...

...Suddenly, numerous black chains extended from afar to entangle the limbs of the girls collapsed on the ground.

Before they even had the chance to scream, the girls instantly lost consciousness.

"...What are you doing?"

Milla Bassett gazed at the darkness spirit girl.

Only Milla had been able to detect the ominous presence and evaded the chains with the slimmest of margins.

"Oh my, you do have a most interesting ''eye''."

"...!?"

Milla reflexively covered her left eye with her hair.

By her feet were her teammates who had collapsed to the ground unconscious.

In this despairing situation, she must rack her brains to seek survival.

With only one member remaining, chances of victory were unlikely in a confrontation against a high level darkness spirit. Should she unleash the power of her ''eye''. No, with the Rupture Division currently in disarray, unleashing it was not possible.

...Rumble...!

The earth shook from the depths of the forest. That particular ominous presence was approaching.

The darkness spirit's contractor, Nepenthes Lore.

"I, the Rupture Division, shall not fall here."

Without time to hesitate, Milla decided to retreat.

Manifesting her sword of spirit magic, she swiftly sliced apart the magic circle of the Isolation Barrier.

"You won't be able to escape."

The darkness spirit girl smiled lightly and released black flames.

However, Milla effortlessly dodged the incoming flames and disappeared into the depths of the forest.

===Part 6===

"A mere rabbit, letting her escape isn't really a problem, but..."

The darkness spirit girl, Restia, narrowed her dusk colored eyes slightly, murmuring to herself.

"That ''eye'', truly cannot be left alone."

To Restia personally, the annihilation of the Rupture Division was simply incidental.

Her original purpose was to provide divine power to the elementalist, Nepenthes Lore, for recovering energy.

However, their division leader, the girl's ''eye'' was a separate matter. Left to roam free, it could prove to be a hindrance during an inopportune time.

"For the sake of the plan, there is a need to clear all obstacles. Have you eaten your fill?"

As if responding to the girl's question...

The black chains, formed from magic, slid smoothly and withdrew from the girls' bodies.

At some point in time, a black knight, clad in ominous armor, had started standing behind Restia.

The armor of darkness creaked noisily, as if about to burst from the expanding interior, absorbing divine power from the elementalists, assimilating their energy.

"You won't have to wait long, Kamito."

Smiling, Restia casually retrieving the Rupture Division's magic stones.

The Instructional School's assassin Jio Inzagi, the Academy's strongest elementalist Velsaria Eva Fahrengart, 'Monster' Muir Alenstarl, as well as the Dragon Knight Leonora Lancaster... Within a mere month, Kamito had already fought several formidable foes.

The experiences of these battles should probably awaken the dormant existence hidden in his body.

"Kamito, this is my reward for you. Let me prepare your final enemy..."

Nepenthes Lore, the manifestation of the Demon King's will.

Born through forbidden secret arts, a monster of darkness.

Yet another illegitimate child left behind by the Demon King.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume6 Prologue

2018-03-26T00:31:18Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Prologue==
The world was being eroded by the black Wish.

"...tia... Restia!"

I called out to her, reaching out with my hand, but it would no longer reach her.

I did not want something like the title of being the strongest.

If she stayed by my side and smiled for me, I would have been satisfied.

Even though... even though I had only wanted to fulfill her wish.

"Kamito, I'm sorry, so... sorry..."

From within the mass of squirming darkness, I heard her voice.

She might have been crying...

The moment I thought that, I dove right into the black Wish without a single bit of hesitation.

On that day, three years ago.

(What was it exactly, that I had wished for?)

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</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Afterword

2018-03-26T00:28:37Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Afterword==

Kamito, I am your sword. Your wish is my command.

And with that, it has been a three month silence. This is Shimizu Yuu.

The elemental fantasy "Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance" has reached its fifth volume!

One night after the difficult fight with Muir from the <Instructional School>, Kamito loses Est and falls into despair. The ojou-samas attempt to cheer (through ecchi means) that Kamito up. The <Blade Dance>'s real battle starts while he still hasn't recovered Est. The mysterious Ren Ashbell. The awakened dragon knight, Leonora. And the truth about the legendary <Demon Slayer>...!

In this fifth volume that touches upon Est's past, I've also packed in plenty of the battle x love comedy attributes!

Announcements. I was lent a small section in the anthology of MF Bunko J's extremely popular "Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai," "Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai - Universe" (It goes on sale at the same time as Seirei volume 5). Sagara Sou-sensei, Yuuji Yuuji-sensei, Watari Wataru-sensei (and around fifty others), with such wonderful professional writers and the creator of the original work, Hirasaka Yomi, it feels like the tension is high. For fans of "Haganai" or the author, please give a it a read. Sakura Hanpen-sensei's godly cute illustrations are also included.

Sakura Hanpen-sensei also drew a wonderful front cover and illustrations. Thank you very much. Est's heartrending expression squeezed my heart... hooray for half nakedness!

Yoshihira Zenzai-sensei who is drawing the manga. Truly, thank you for drawing such a high quality masterpiece. Claire with her hair flitting about is cute.

MFJ's hyper media producer, Shouji-san, I caused you a lot of trouble this time as well.

And the greatest thanks goes to you who has this in their hands!

The other day, a signing event was held and it made me very happy to be able to talk with those who read "Seirei".

Seeing the impressions on the online questionnaire spur me on. By the way, the knee socks spirit Est made a comeback to first place in the fourth volume popularity vote. Rinslet ojou-sama moved from sixth to second place. Could this be the era of Est and Rinslet...!?

"Now they won't call me Rin-whatsherface-san!" (From Rinslet)

With that, next time is volume 6. Let's meet again in "The Strongest Blade Dancer (tentative)"!

January 2011, Shimizu Yuu

==Illustrator's Afterword==
[[image:STnBD V05 262-263.jpg|thumb]]
Good to meet you or long time no see, it's Sakura Hanpen!<br />
Est finally gets a cover illustration!<br />
Somehow, I have a satisfied feeling!<br />
I'm so glad... Est-chan returned (´; ω ;`)<br />
When I read the volume 5 manuscript, my heart was racing!<br />
I really liked the heart breaking beautiful Areishia-san.

Look forward to the next volume that's slowly building tension...!

Or rather, Kamito's really popular, huh.<br />
I want him to explode! Damn it!

I'd really like to wake up next to a naked bishoujo in knee socks.<br />
Somebody please quickly invent a way to travel into the 2D world.

Well then, I'll stop around here!<br />
The next volume's cover might feature someone unexpected!

Also, Shimizu-sensei, when will you come to my house in maid clothes?

Shouji-san's eyes are glowing, so I'd better stop here.<br />
Let's meet again in the next volume~ (´ω`)ノッ

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Epilogue

2018-03-26T00:26:01Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Epilogue==

Kamito awakened on a stretcher in the tent.

It seemed Claire and the others had found the unconscious Kamito.

Bandages wrapped his injuries here and there. The clumsily wrapped portions were likely Claire's handiwork.

(...It looks like the ladies were safe.)

Just as he breathed a sigh of relief and got up...

"You still shouldn't be moving, Kamito."

"Owaa, E... Est!"

The fully naked sword spirit quickly lay down beside him.

...No, there were, of course, knee socks covering her feet.

"Est..."

If it were the regular Kamito, this would be where he would scold her,

(Well, I'll forgive her for today...)

Kamito hugged Est to himself.


"Fuwa... Ka... Kamito!?"

Est's shoulders shook.

Because she always maintained a cool and expressionless face, that action was interesting.

"...I was lonely. I won't get mad today so stay with me here."

With a wry smile, he brought the blanket over Est's small body.

"Kamito..."

Est widened her violet eyes and attached herself to him.

Her mouth was lightly smiling in joy.

"Kamito, you're warm..."

"I see."

While Kamito's heart raced, he hugged the quivering Est's shoulders.

Under the blanket, Est told him various things about what happened after she vanished.

About the single moment when her true body had connected with Kamito. But soon after that, the Gate had closed again so she now had a personality separate from that of the legendary Demon Slayer.

Unexpectedly, it meant that the Sacred Maiden Areishia was a lost memory to the current Est.


Her memory was fragmented and her memory only really started from when they'd met about two months ago.

Kamito was confused for a while but...

"...At any rate, it's fine to just say that Est is Est, right?"

"Yes, Kamito. That understanding is fine."

...And since it seemed to work, he stopped thinking deeply about it.

Then...

"Kamito, are you really not regretting it?"

"Of course not. I won't say it twice."

Kamito replied decisively to Est's question.

"A cursed demon sword or whatever, Est is my sword from now on and in the future."

"But I will steal Kamito's life..."

"Hey, Est..."

Kamito interrupted.

"Est right now only has about a tenth of the past Demon Slayer, right?"

"Yes, Kamito."

Est nodded from within his arms.


"So the curse is only a tenth of its original. If it's only that much, at the very least, I won't turn into stone during this Blade Dance."

Kamito stroked Est's hair.

"I didn't join the Blade Dance to have a Wish granted by the Elemental Lords. But I have found a Wish I want to fulfill."

That was to remove Est's curse and make her into a true sacred sword.

"Yes, Kamito. I am your sword for as long as you wish."

She said it with the same expressionless face, but with great vigor behind it.

And at that time.

The entrance to the tent opened.

"Wha!?" "How shameless...!" "Kamito-kun, how bold..."

Ellis, Rinslet and Fianna's jaws dropped open.

Then...

"Y...You, wh... wh... wh... what are you doing!"

Gogogogogogogogogo...!

Claire approached with her Flametounge in hand.


"W... Wait, Claire, this is..."

Kamito quickly tried to make an excuse.

The fully naked except for knee socks Est stood up in front of Claire.

"Wh... What is it..."

Claire faltered in front of her oppressive force.

"Kamito is my master."

"...E... Even so, you sleeping together is a problem!"

"Claire also sleeps with Scarlet."

"S... She's a cat so it's fine!"

"I am a cat."

"Eh?"

"I am Kamito's sword. Kamito's kitten. Kamito's toy... that's why there is no problem."

Having said that, Est clung onto Kamito.

[[File:STnBD V05 259.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

"Fuaaa... a t...toy... wh... what are you saying!"

Claire yelled with a red face and teary eyes.

"Kamito said he would accept all of me."

"Wha... what is that... Ka... Kamito is my slave spirit!"


Fianna patted the frustrated Claire's back.

"Claire, let's let Est have Kamito for a day. Just for today."

"Kamito-san, as I thought, you really like small girls!"

"To lay your hands on young girls, th... that needs to be fixed! Become neapolitan!"

The glaring Rinslet and Ellis who had drawn her sword both looked at Kamito with cold eyes.

"It is okay, Kamito. I will protect you."

"Please spare me the blade dancing..."

The first night of the Blade Dance passed.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter9

2018-03-25T23:24:49Z

Masterupc: punctuation... the changes make more sense than the original translation and there's no change in the interpretation.

==Chapter 9: Demon Slayer==
===Part 1===

"...No way, an attack!?"

At the time that a flashy explosion came from the camp site.

Claire and the others were in the middle of getting changed after finishing bathing.

"The barrier's been broken... they're coming!"

In sync with Claire's scream.

Fianna, Ellis and Rinslet summoned their respective spirits.

Scarlet's flames lit up the surrounding darkness.

And above the steam were the silhouettes of three people with drawn weapons.

"What a surprise. The favored Knights of Dragon Emperor coming to attack in the night like this."

"We are soldiers before we are knights. To bring victory and pride back home, we will not pass up the most effective methods."


The one who answered was a girl with boy like short hair.

She readied her halberd elemental waffe.

"We'll at least name ourselves. Knight of the Dragon Emperor vice-captain, Yuri El Cid."

"Team Scarlet's Claire Rouge."

Claire quickly transformed Scarlet into the Flametounge.

While keeping her attention to the front, she whispered to Ellis behind her.

"Leonora isn't here. The explosion just now was probably her."

If it was her Nidhogg, then pulling off that much destruction in one blow was possible.

They had aimed for a time when Kamito was alone and come to crush him.

"No matter how good Kamito is, he can't win against Leonora without an elemental waffe."

"...I got it. I will go to support Kamito."

Ellis immediately understood Claire's intentions and began chanting her Flight spirit magic.

She kicked off the ground and flew into the night air lit by flames.

But.

"I won't let you go to Leonora-sama!"

"What!?"

Another knight blocked Ellis' path.


An elementalist with a flying dragon spirit.

They had anticipated their actions and hid in the forest beforehand. And the opponent was a flying type dragon spirit. Ellis' spirit magic couldn't outrun that.

"...This is bad. We've been completely separated."

"Kamito..."

Turning to the direction the flames were rising from, Claire bit her lips.

===Part 2===

The blaze skidded across the ground.

Accompanied by a loud sound, flames coated the ground.

(...What destructive power!)

Being blown away by the resulting wind force, Kamito fell to the ground.

Quickly getting up and opening his eyes...

...A scene like the world's end spread out before him.

The ground was dug up like a mortar. The wall of fire ate away at the night's darkness.

On the other side of the wall of flames, the dragon spirit roared with intense ferocity.


The accompanying wind scattered the flames.

The jet black dragon flapped its massive wings.

Basked in the bluish white light from the moon, Leonora Lancaster walked towards him silently.

Holding her hand up, the dragon transformed into darkness.

The darkness then gathered and instantly formed a large demon sword.

"Dragon spirit Nidhogg's elemental waffe, Dragon Slayer."

Leonora muttered that indifferently and raised the demon sword.

Kamito felt it instinctively.

(That's bad...!)

Just when he got up and dodged.

"Destroy!"

Leonora closed the distance in an instant.

(Fast!)

Just before the demon sword descended, Kamito jumped to the side.

The sound of the ground being crushed.

The demon sword had lightly grazed him and his white uniform had blood on it.

Kamito grimaced at the sharp pain from being cut.


(...Don't tell me she's completely materializing her elemental waffe!?)

If Kamito had not dodged just now, he would have been split in half.

She was swinging her blade with the full intent of killing Kamito.

(Is this the influence of that Dragon Blood Claire was talking about...)

Leonora's brilliant red eyes that were shining in the darkness.

A state where she lost the majority of her reason and became a berserker.

It was forbidden to kill your opponent in the Blade Dance. That was why elementalists generally limited the materialization of their elemental waffe and opted to cause damage with their divine power directly.

But just now, Leonora had seriously tried to kill Kamito.

"Tch..."

Kamito quickly chanted his Weapon Works spirit magic and created a short sword in his hands.

With Est's Gate closed, this was the best he could do with his divine power.

It was only a substitute that could take one strike from the aftershock of the opponent's sword before it shattered.

Jumping off the mud and just before landing, Leonora swung her demon sword.

Bone shattering force was created.


"Gahaa...!"

The severe blade storm continued without mercy.

Kamito rolled on the ground and just barely avoided that attack.

"...It's like she has no openings."

Cold sweat gathered on his brow.

They were movements unthinkable for a thin and delicate arm like that with such a large sword.

She was likely using dragon property spirit magic to supplement her muscle strength.

"It's not enough... make my blood boil even more, Kazehaya Kamito!"

The demon sword was swung again. Whilst emitting a dragon like roar, the sword released a wave of energy.

Invisible fangs that would rip through flesh. It resembled Ellis' blades of wind, but the destructive power was on a different scale.

Slicing through the cut resistant school uniform, blood dripped from his shoulder.

"Kuu, she's strong, as I thought...!"

Kamito cursed as he wiped the blood from his lip.

The overwhelming divine power welling up in her entire body.

In a head on battle, Kamito had no chance of winning right now.

(...There's no other way but to draw this into a battle of attrition by retreating into the forest.)

Along with the awakening of her Dragon Blood and that oppressive power, Leonora had lost her ability to think calmly. If Kamito moved around stealthily, he could at least buy time.


(It should wear down the insane divine power of the Dragon Blood.)

There was likely a time limit on how long she could fight in this condition. A normal elementalist's limit would be one minute. Leonora's was likely around five.

(...If I can stay clear for five minutes, I can win.)

Just as Kamito was about to retreat into the forest.

Giant flames rose up under the cliff near the river far away from him.

"Wha...!?"

He didn't have to think about where it was. That was where Claire and the rest were.

"It looks like they're engaged in battle with my subordinates."

Leonora's eyes glinted and she closed the distance in an instant.

"If you want to protect your comrades, you'll have to use your full power and defeat me!"

Leonora's demon blade approached him!

===Part 3===


"...Become cinders!"

Waving her Flametounge, she cast the spirit magic Fireball at the same time.

Yuri El Cid, the halberd elementalist, was engulfed in flames.

"As expected, if it's a direct attack... ehh!?"

"It's a pity but flame attribute spirit magic won't work against this Lindwyrm!"

Breaking through the wall of flames, a giant dragon with red scales charged towards her.

"Rinslet!"

"I know, freezing fangs, pierce, Freezing Arrow!"

Aiming at the fire dragon's body in only a moment, she released the ice arrows.

But just before the arrows hit, the fire dragon breathed fire and melted them.

The arrows that barely struck also rebounded off the scales and disappeared.

"No way, my Freezing Arrows were...!"

"...It's using dragon attribute spirit magic!"

Claire yelled as she erased the fire dragon's flames.

Dragon spirits' specialties were their overwhelming strength and their high resistance against magical attacks. Especially with their anti magic dragon scales, their magical resistance against the five main elements multiplied.

For Claire and the others who used spirits of the five main elements, they were a truly difficult opponent.


"Claire! Georgios alone can't hold them back...!"

And from behind came Fianna's concerned voice.

Her knight spirit was currently handling two of the dragon spirits.

Her opponents were the types without wings or scales, the close range specializing raging dragon spirits.

Swinging their giant claws and tail, they were slowly cornering the knight spirit.

The raging dragon spirits were far above in power. The reason they were being held at bay was that the knight spirit had techniques specialized to face dragons.

But there were two opponents. And they were being controlled by skilled elementalists.

As expected, not even the defense specialist knight spirit could reach a decisive conclusion with just a sword and shield.

"Fianna...! Rinslet, please buy me some time!"

Claire immediately requested back-up but...

"...!?"

Ellis landed right in front of her.

"...Aguu!"

"Ellis!"

Looking to the sky, she saw the girl riding the flying dragon spirit dance in the air.


"I said so, I won't let you interrupt Leonora-sama!"

The flying dragon spirit roared, turned towards the fallen Ellis and released innumerable fireballs...

"You!"

Claire quickly swung her Flametounge and intercepted the fireballs in midair causing many explosions.

"Ellis, can you still move?"

"...Yeah, sorry. I'm fine."

The wound covered Ellis held her Ray Hawk and unsteadily rose to her feet.

Ellis' spirit was top class even within the academy. Even disregarding any advantages from battling in the air, to have been beaten so one sidedly...

"These guys are strong on their own and their teamwork is much more refined than ours."

"That's right..."

Claire painfully admitted the truth of Ellis' observation.

If either Claire or Rinslet had backed her up, Ellis should have been able to fight evenly.

But the opponent never let such an opportunity show.

"My Georgios is..."

"Haa, haa...the compatibility with Lindwyrm was too harsh...!"

At some point, they had been boxed in by the four members of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor.


The knight spirit was being pushed back by the two raging dragon spirits and Rinslet was completely worn out.

"Elimination of the Ordesia representatives. A fair result for our first battle."

Yuri El Cid formed her fire dragon's halberd.

"This is the end. Claire Rouge."

===Part 4===

The demon sword that should have been swung...

...Was stopped in midair.

"...Wh... What the!?"

Leonora's red eyes widened in shock.

While looking at the face of the violent but still beautiful girl, Kamito murmured.

"This was originally a technique for hiding while crawling."

Held against the wrist of Leonora's hand gripping the demon sword was Kamito's arm.

He couldn't stop her demon sword's attack.

But it was different for the arm wielding the attack.

He had pressed his arm to her wrist just as she exhaled before the attack.


If he drew in when Leonora pulled back her sword and instead pushed with all his strength, it would create a lethal opening, a simple yet effective unarmed combat skill.

Logically, it was simple, but the timing required was fatal. It was not something an amateur could copy.

It was only because Kamito had undergone the harsh training of the Instructional School that he could carry it out in real combat.

Leonora's body froze into the position of swinging her sword.

"The technique of a knight without a sword, alias Sword Break. A heretical skill. To begin with though, this was the old hag Greyworth's and not the Instructional School's."

"I see. So this was the technique of the strongest spirit knight in the continent, Lady Greyworth."

The red eyes looked down at Kamito.

Eyes of a dragon that were painted with the joy of battle... completely battle crazy eyes.

"But clever tricks are nothing before absolute power...!"

Leonora's divine power rose explosively.

With an inhuman roar that shook the atmosphere, she pushed as if to crush him to death...

"...That's reckless, Leonora!"

At the moment the power balance broke, Kamito sent a palm strike to her solar plexus but, just before that, she jumped to the side. It wasn't reactionary, just instinct.


Attacking Kamito's flank, a flash of light gouged out the ground.

The one that had sent out the attack was the ornament on the Dragon Slayer's hilt. If he hadn't dodged, it would have pierced his heart without a doubt.

He jumped while spraying blood from his flank. Because he was dodging purely on instinct, he couldn't soften the landings.

Leonora was swinging the sword in every other direction.

The dividing horizontal slices of the blade. The shockwaves that seemed like they could crush all the bones in one's body.

Kamito's body was blown to the side and smashed into a rock.

(...The bone in my arm...!)

Leonora didn't stop. She charged with increasing roars.

Kamito readied his spirit magic blade at his waist. He would match his opponent's timing and deliver a counter... it was a dangerous gamble, but there was no alternative.

(If I don't beat her quickly, Claire and the others will...)

Leonora charged like a dragon, causing tremors as she approached.

He would have no mercy on her who was under the influence of the Dragon Blood.

If he messed up the timing even slightly what awaited him was death.

The moment the clade of the sword entered his vision.


Kamito jumped off the rock behind him.

(...I've got you!)

Dodging by a hair's breadth, the perfect distance.

He didn't think a blade of this caliber would be able to pierce the magic strengthened Leonora, but there were other ways to fight. If he broke her stance and used several strikes, he should be able to affect even this tough dragon knight...

...However.

"I said it, didn't I, that clever tricks won't work on me!"

Leonora Lancaster aimed at Kamito standing before her and threw the Dragon Slayer.

Wrapped in spiraling air currents, the large sword flew in a straight line.

"...!?"

Kamito had not anticipated this.

Kamito clicked his tongue and dodged but Leonora had already closed in.

"Damn...!"

Kamito instantly used a spirit magic sword to guard. But the magically strengthened Leonora's fist went right through the sword and into Kamito's jaw.


His vision shook. As soon as he realized he was flying in the air, he smacked into the ground.

(Goddamn... throwing that huge sword one handedly? It's too unreasonable...)

The point he had been wounded at. He cursed while confirming what parts could still move.

His ribs were broken and a few internal organs were damaged.

His fingers had gone numb and couldn't move. It was already a condition unfit to fight.

"...More, make my blood boil more, Kazehaya Kamito. The dragon sleeping within me wants to go crazy with you."

Leonora picked up the demon sword she had thrown and slowly walked towards him.

Like a dragon enjoying the hunt.

"...If not, you'll die."

"...Don't just say whatever you want."

While groaning from the pain, Kamito pushed off the ground and stood up.

More than before, the flames from the riverside had grown more vicious and black smoke rose from it.

(Claire, Ellis, Fianna, Rinslet...)

He gripped his numbed fingers at the regret of not being able to protect them.

(I can't win against Leonora Lancaster at this rate...)


Kamito affirmed that calmly.

That's right, if it stayed like this.

The spirit seal on his left hand ached. No, he had already noticed. Since not too long ago, the seal had been burning with feverish heat.

The Gate had never opened since that day three years ago.

But now he could feel her calling out to him.

He just had to call her name. With just that, he would regain the strongest demon sword.

The power to defeat Leonora and save his female comrades.

The highest ranked darkness elemental waffe, Vorpal Sword.

He could return in an instant to the Ren Ashbell of three years ago.

But that was under the condition that he severed the contract on his other hand.

The sword spirit girl that had closed her heart off in sadness and was alone in the darkness.

(I...)

Kamito's voice shook like a groan.

That was a momentary conflict. A loss of direction.

But he quickly raised his head and shook it.

He had already resolved it from the beginning.


(I am Est's master!)

Leonora's red eyes glared viciously as she approached.

"Kazehaya Kamito, I am disappointed in you."

The Dragon Slayer pierced Kamito's chest.

===Part 5===

Inside his consciousness that had sunk into darkness Kamito found a girl sitting down while hugging her knees.

Her silvery white hair shone brilliantly even in the darkness.

Her unblemished white skin was like a frozen blade.

"...Est."

Kamito placed his hand against the cheek of the sword spirit that had closed her heart.

The mysterious violet eyes widened in surprise.

"Kamito...!"

"Est, I ask you, lend me your power. I need you to protect our friends!"

Turning to the squatting Est, Kamito cried out.


But Est wordlessly shook her head.

"Kamito, I am sorry. I can't be your sword anymore."

"Why...?"

"I will, one day, take away Kamito's life."

At that time, something cold was felt on Kamito's fingertips.

"...Est?"

Those were tears.

She was once a sword spirit that had shown not a single emotion.

When his fingers touched her, a whirlpool of emotions flowed into him.

The Sacred Queen and the Demon Slayer, the last of their memories together.

===Part 6===

In front of Est the Sacred Maiden that had defeated the Demon King's body crystallized into a spirit stone.

"Mas... ter...?"

"Est, don't make that kind of face."


Areishia's right hand that could still move touched Est's cheek as she struggled to talk.

"I knew about this from the beginning."

She wore such an adult expression despite being only sixteen years old.

Seeing even those fingertips crystallize...

...The sword spirit finally understood.

That this was a curse.

The combined resentment and curses of the spirits that had been slain by the holy sword's power thus far.

That had amassed until the limit and was eroding her master's body.

The Demon Slayer was a sword that destroyed all curses.

But those curses didn't disappear from this world. The holy sword that had absorbed those various curses would one day pass them onto its master.

The spirit weapon, Terminus Est, was not a holy sword.

Taking the user's life in exchange for granting enormous power was unmistakably the properties of a demon sword.

"No... way..."

The girl's forgiving hand. Est could not watch as those fingers that had always gently pet her head hardened and became a spirit stone.

"Master! I didn't know! That I..."


"I know, Est."

Areishia smiled and gazed at Est gently.

"Master... you knew that you would..."

"Yes. That's why it's not Est's fault."

While patting Est's silvery white hair, she slowly nodded.

But her voice wavered and tears gathered in those eyes.

It was obvious. In the face of death, there was no way she wasn't afraid.

That was why she wasn't anything like a sacred maiden.

She was just a normal sixteen year old girl.

"Master..."

"Good bye, Est. My only friend."

"No, you can't... master...!"

A small voice leaked from Est's lips.

"No... Arei... shia...!"

"...That's the first time you've called my name. I'm hap... py..."

"...!?"

With a clear sound, the girl's neck crystallized.


Est could do nothing but watch.

[[File:STnBD V05 241.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

At the moment the girl who had revealed her heart for the first time shattered after becoming a clear crystal.

"Est, I..."

The hot tears dropped onto Est's cheek.

"Honestly, I didn't want to become anything like a sacred maiden."

"...Areishia!"

A wail echoed through the Demon King's castle.

For the Sacred Maiden that bore the hopes of all people and had fought to this point alone...

That was her end.

And so Est sealed herself in the Demon King's armory.

So that nobody would contract the demon sword hidden deep within.

So she would never lose anybody important again.

She would never open her heart to anyone, she solemnly swore that.

===Part 7===


".I have no right to become Kamito's sword."

"..."

Kamito became speechless at Est's past that he had caught a glance of.

The girl that had given emotion to this spirit weapon girl that had none.

Est had stolen that girl's life herself with her curse.

That was why she closed her heart.

For how many hundreds of years, she had continued to separate herself from those who wanted to contract her.

So she would never be touched by anyone else again.

Kamito could not imagine how lonely that must have been.

"Est..."

Kamito rubbed the edge of Est's eye.

Those mysterious purple eyes blinked.

"Don't say you don't have the right. I need Est."

"You can't... if you continue to use a demon sword like me, I'll steal your life!"

Kamito placed his hand on Est's head.

"I won't lose to that kind of curse."

He pet that beautiful silvery white hair.


"Fuaa... Kamito... stop, please..."

"I won't. Until you stop crying, that is."

"Kami... to..."

"Est, your curse and your destiny as a demon sword, I'll take it all."

And then...

He hugged Est's delicate body to himself.

"So come back, Est!"

"No... I will, to Kamito..."

To stop those words...

Kamito embraced Est and sealed her lips.

"...!?"

Est's eyes shot open in surprise.

That was the ritual to contract a top level spirit.

The kiss of oath.

Kamito gently separated their lips.

"I'll say it once more, Est. I need you."

He yelled this out while holding her delicate body tightly.


"Become my sword, Est!"

In response to Kamito's powerful words...

"Kamito, I..."

Est's silvery white hair shined.

===Part 8===

"...Wha!?"

Leonora's red eyes widened.

From the right hand of Kamito who should've been knocked out, a strong light was shining.

''"Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil!"''

His quivering lips chanted the words of summoning.

"...!?"

Faced with the vigorous voice that had a mysterious edge to it, Leonora took a step back.

"...It can't be, the dragon inside me is scared?"

The Dragon Blood was in a fully awakened state so she could understand, this was true fear.


And so...

''"Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"''

As if to burn the eyes, a fierce light was emitted!

In front of Kamito, the Gate connecting a master and their contracted spirit opened.

The one that appeared was a girl with beautiful fluttering silvery white hair.

"...Es... t, thank you. For listening to my selfishness."

While pushing down on the hole in his chest, he smiled wryly.

"Kamito, I am your sword for as long as you wish."

The uniformed Est said that with the same expressionless face as always.

He wondered if the slightly red cheeks he could see were because of the flames.

"So you've called back the Demon Slayer..."

The radiance of Leonora's red eyes rose.

"This is the reason there is worth in defeating you!"

Roaring, she swung the Dragon Slayer

"Destroy, tyrannical demonic dragon!"

A crimson light shot out from the tip of the sword.

It blazed the ground and instantly disintegrated the trees in its path.

"Est!"

But Est didn't avoid it and simply stood there.

[[File:STnBD V05 247.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

With an expression like ice, she turned to the inferno and put out her palm.

"I am talking with Kamito right now, so don't disturb us."

The inferno that raged over the earth was dispersed with ease.

"...!?"

Leonora widened her eyes in shock.

Est gave off a fierce aura that didn't match with her magnificent appearance.

"...Est, let's go!"

"Yes!"

Kamito shakily got to his feet and held Est's hand.

His chest wound opened and a large amount of blood splattered across the ground.

His arm's joints were dislocated, his ribs were broken.

It was a condition that could only be described as covered in wounds.

But for some reason, he knew he wouldn't lose.


Just having Est nearby seemed to send strength welling up from deep within him.

Kamito chanted the spirit words for releasing and Est's body scattered into light particles.

In the next instant, Kamito's hands were holding a silvery white shining sword.

Demon Slayer, Terminus Est.

"Let's do this, Leonora Lancaster!"

Kamito shouted as he readied Est in both hands.

There was no need for clever tricks. Just one attack was enough.

"Answer to the call of my blood, demonic dragon, rampage!"

Leonora also positioned her Dragon Slayer again and roared.

And both sacred sword users ran at the same time.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

The wind from the swords dug into the ground and sent dirt and sand flying.

"Taste the boiling of my blood with your body!"

The large sword being swung before his eyes.

Wrapped in enough divine power to blow him away if it even grazed, Leonora charged.

But Kamito did not fear it and instantly accelerated towards it.


There was nothing to fear.

Because Kamito now had the strongest sword.

"Est, your sadness and despair, I will put an end to all of it!"

When the two blades met, the Demon Slayer gave off a radiance...

...And shattered the Dragon Slayer in one strike.

===Part 9===

"...No way, Leonora-sama was!?"

Yuri El Cid exclaimed.

The divine power she had felt coming from not too far away had stopped.

"Looking away in the midst of battle? We're being really underestimated."

The momentary opening provided by the iron wall dragon knight. Claire would not let it slip.

Swinging her Flametounge, she knocked the halberd from her hands.

"...Shit!"

"Scarlet!"

The flame whip instantly reverted to a hell cat and attacked.


"Tch!"

Yuri kicked the ground and retreated.

"We're stopping the hunt. Retreat!"

"Yuri-sama!?"

"Leonora-sama lost."

"Wha...!"

The color of the faces of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor changed instantly.

But as natural born soldiers, they quickly understood the situation and promptly followed the order, retreating into the forest.

"I won't let you! Freezing fangs, pierce, Freezing Arrow!"

Rinslet shot her ice arrows, but they were blocked by the forest's trees.

"Kamito beat Leonora?"

"...It seems like that's the case."

Claire nodded as she looked in the direction of the burning camp site.

===Part 10===


"...Why are you not taking my magic stone?"

Leonora who was lying on the blazing ground asked.

Her mad red eyes had returned to a calm black.

...It seemed that the Dragon Blood had calmed down.

"I won't say it's a reward for helping me get Est back but..."

Kamito also fell down.

It was a much more delicate body than he had imagined.

Her noble face entered his eyes.

"This time I'll pardon you. And I'd like to blade dance with the real dragon knight Leonora rather than one influenced by Dragon Blood."

"...Naive, aren't you."

"...Well, the truth is I can't even move a finger anyway."

Kamito said so with a wry smile and Leonora turned her head with a red face.

"A... As I thought, you're dangerous... in various ways."

"What's that mean? What are these various ways?"

"Y... You're quite noisy, you licentious beast!"

Leonora sent Kamito flying and stood up.


The Dragon Blood rampage seemed to have eaten up her divine power so she was shaky on her feet.

"I won't lose next time, Kazehaya Kamito."

"Yeah, me neither. I have no intention of losing."

Leonora smiled and disappeared into the flames.

"...Kamito is really a master with no fidelity."

Hearing the pouting voice of Est from overhead, Kamito passed out.

And this time he didn't see that dream.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter8

2018-03-25T06:53:59Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 8: The Temptation of Darkness==
===Part 1===

The night before leading the continent's combined military force to attack the Demon King's castle...

"Hey, Est?"

The Sacred Maiden Areishia asked Est.

"Yes."

"If I wasn't here anymore, what would you do, Est?"

Unlike humans who returned to the soil, spirits had no life span. No matter how strong a bond was with a contracted spirit, one would always have to part with them.

At Est's puzzled gaze, the girl continued.

"If I'm not here anymore, you have to make sure to find a new elementalist to contract with, okay, Est?"

"I don't want to."

Est replied without hesitation.

The ever docile sword spirit disagreed with her master for the first time.

"Est?"

"I am your sword. I will not become anyone else's."


"Est..."

"Master, why are you asking such a thing?"

"That is..."

She put on a troubled expression.

Everything about what her destiny would lead to in the nearby future, a face that knew all of this.

===Part 2===

And thus the Sacred Maiden and legendary sword went to meet the end of the story.

After several years of wars, the sacred girl Areishia launched an attack on the Demon King's castle.

Defeating scores of enemies, the pure girl's hand was already soaked in blood, but still she did not lose hope.

That after this battle would be a world of peace.

While knowing the fate of her body, she continued to fight.

The voice of the girl rang through the castle's banquet hall.

"Est, lend me your power!"

"Yes, master!"

The strongest holy sword gripped in both her hands gave off dazzling light.

Pushing back the darkness, the girl ran while aiming for the Demon King's heart.


"Est, this is the last time I use you as a sword. That's why..."

Everything happened in an instant.

The holy sword shone and burst the Demon King's heart with a flash.

Giving off a dying cry of agony, the Demon King was vanquished from this world.

===Part 3===

"Haa, haa, haa..."

Basked in the demon king's black blood, the girl collapsed to the ground.

"Master?"

"It's okay... Est..."

In order to calm the worried Est, she patted her head.

"Fua... master... please stop."

"Fufu, you like this, don't you, Est."

"...Please don't tease me."

Though Est maintained an expressionless face, she turned her head with slightly reddened cheeks.

This was the first time since she had met her that Est had shown such a reaction.

The girl was happy with that.

For the girl that had gradually killed off her human emotions in line with the peoples' expectations of her as the Sacred Queen, this was her sole comfort.


"Sorry, Est... the truth is, I wanted to pat your head like this more..."

Covered in black blood, the girl's voice wavered.

"Master, what are... what are you saying?"

"...Really, I'm sorry."

"Master?"

In the next instant, the girl fingers made a stiff sound and shattered.

===Part 4===

"Kamito. Hey, Kamito."

"Mmm... Claire?"

While having his shoulders shaken, Kamito awoke.

A nice scent drifted near his nose. The twintails upon his cheeks tickled slightly.

"Come on, the meal is ready. Wake up already."

"It will get cold if you don't get up quickly."

Kamito rubbed his eyes and lifted his upper half from the hard ground.


The sun had already begun to set when Kamito and the others finally found a camp site.

It was beside a gently flowing mountain stream. Edible fish were present and the water was suitable for purification. After making a simple tent and leaving the meal preparations to the girls, Kamito had taken a nap in preparation for being the night lookout.

Night had already completely fallen.

Walking to the riverside where there was a table built from the trees, he found a luxurious evening meal on it.

Smoked fish from the river, seasoned risotto and soup made with dried vegetables. These were from opening some of the many canned foods Claire had brought.

"Is it okay to eat this extravagantly from the first day?"

"Because it's the first day, delicious food is necessary to raise morale."

"Well, that does sound reasonable... and this looks seriously good."

Kamito sat down on a rock and began with the steaming risotto.

"...!"

"H... How is it?"

Rinslet asked while seemingly nervous.

"...Insanely good! Did you really make this with canned stuff?"

"Yes... I, I'm glad it suits your taste."


Rinslet smiled broadly in a happy manner.

"As expected of Rinslet."

"Kuu... m... my position is..."

Ellis seemed a little down as she sighed that.

"Ah, no, Ellis' cooking has a homemade feeling to it and I like that in its own way."

"H... Homemade... you say...? Home... wife..."

He didn't know what she was imagining but Ellis had zoned out with a red face.

"T... Tomorrow, I'll be making dinner... so I'll make Kamito's favorite dishes."

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it... by the way, what are we doing about baths?"

"We made one nearby. Scarlet worked hard."

Scarlet who was laying beside Claire let out a nyaa.

"Fufu, it's fine to enter with Kamito-kun ♪"

"Eh?"

"I... Idiot, Kamito goes in after! Stand guard here!"

Claire said angrily with a beet red face.

===Part 5===


"W... What are you thinking, you!"

"Oh my, I was just teasing you a little. And Claire, weren't you a little tempted?"

"Wha... that's not true!"

"You're too loud! Even if we're inside a barrier, don't let your guard down!"

"Though the knight captain is being the loudest."

"...S... Sorry."

A little away from the camp site, the girls were undressing.

Next to them was an open air bath with dense steam.

It was not a hot spring. Having Georgios carry large rocks to isolate a section of the river, they had Scarlet release its flames there.

The light splash of someone entering the water.

Having removed their academy uniforms, the Princess Maidens' skins were exposed to the night moon's faint radiance.

"E... Ellis, you were wearing quite mature underwear, weren't you..."

"I... Is that so?"


Ellis averted her eyes in embarrassment.

"T... To use black...how lewd..."

Claire leered at Ellis' breasts coldly.

"I...It's not lewd! Kamito chose them."

"Eh?"

"Wh...What do you mean?"

"Ah, no, that's, umm..."

Under the questioning glares, Ellis who had dug her own grave retreated.

"Claire, haven't you grown a little as well?"

Fianna groped Claire's chest.

"Fuaaa, wh... what are you doing, you erotic Queen!"

"...Was it my imagination? It feels like they've grown a little since I last groped them."

"...Eh? R... Really!?"

Claire's red twintails jumped a little.

"D... Don't tell me that thing of the lightning spirit from yesterday was effective..."

"What are you talking about?"

"...I... It's nothing!"


Claire sunk under the water surface and blew bubbles.

===Part 6===

He could hear the girls' excited voices from afar.

As expected, not even Kamito with his good hearing could make out their words.

Kamito was keeping surveillance from a rock's shadow. There were also spirits that gained strength with the coming of night. And unlike the matches at the academy, one also had to be vigilant of a night attack.

"..."

Drawing a breath, he looked down at the spirit seal engraved on his right hand.

(Est...)

The past memories of Est he had caught a glimpse of.

The dream about Est's former master, the Sacred Queen who slew the Demon King.

I cannot become Kamito's sword... saying that, Est had rejected Kamito.

Just what had Est remembered...

And then.

In the forest in front of him, a faint presence appeared.


"...!"

Kamito stood up on reflex and entered a battle stance.

(...Don't tell me they broke Fianna's barrier!?)

A barrier that let them know when a person or beast got near was supposed to have been erected.

The problem was who had managed to bypass the barrier without setting it off.

"Who are you?"

Kamito glared into the grove of trees.

And.

"Don't make such a scary face, Kamito."

Before his eyes, the swirling darkness took human form.

The one who appeared there was a beautiful girl clad in a dress the color of darkness.

"...Restia!?"

Kamito widened his eyes and looked upon the girl in front of him.

His previous contracted spirit.

The one he had always wanted to meet, an irreplaceable treasured existence.

The one that had first given light to the Kamito who had lost his heart.

But now, she was...


"...What did you come here for?"

"How cold, even though I was worried about you."

Restia almost unnoticeably pouted.

That gesture was so dearly missed that Kamito's heart ached.

As the dress fluttered, Restia slowly walked towards him.

"It's not like you to have a hard fight against opponents of that caliber."

"Were you the one who told them I lost Est?"

"Yes, that's right."

Having Restia admit it so frankly felt anticlimactic.

Because of that, he didn't know what to say next.

(I've always gotten caught up in her pace...)

Restia came just in front of him and gazed up at his face with her twilight colored eyes.

It was about the same as three years ago except that Kamito was now taller.

Contrasting with the darkness was smooth white skin. Faintly pink lips.

It was magnificence that made his heart beat unconsciously.

And the sweet whisper that came from her lips.


"If you can't use your contracted spirit, you can use me."

"...What, what did you?"

"It's not really that surprising. I am still your contracted spirit."

"...After all this time, what are you planning?"

Kamito bit his lips.

It was true that he still had Restia's spirit seal on his left hand but...

The Gate had never opened even once since that day.

"That's because you didn't have the requirements, Kamito. But with your latest power that awakened you can use me again just like before."

Restia smiled cutely with a little laugh.

"I..."

Kamito stared at his leather gloved left hand.

The elemental waffe he had used three years ago as Ren Ashbell, Vorpal Sword.

The power of that demon sword to cut everything was comparable to Terminus Est.

Without Est, winning the Blade Dance was impossible.

But if his former contracted spirit returned to him once again...

He could even win against that other Ren Ashbell.


"However, I have a condition."

[[File:STnBD V05 217.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Restia put her index finger to her lips.

"A condition?"

"Yes, you have to sever your contract with that other sword spirit."

"...!?"

"Did you think I wouldn't be jealous if you contracted another spirit?"

Restia whispered into his ear with a sullen tone.

Kamito grabbed Restia's shoulders and separated her from him.

"Sorry, but I can't do that."

And decisively shook his head.

"I believe in Est. That she will definitely return."

He had lived the past three years for the sake of getting Restia back.

The reason he had participated in this Blade Dance was for the same reason.

But he could not sever the contract with Est for that.

"Est is an important partner of mine... the same as you."

"I see, that's a pity."


Restia shook her head sadly.

"But I wonder if you can defeat her without a contracted spirit."

"Her?"

At the same time he asked, Restia's figure faded out and started to disappear.

"Wait, Restia!"

"I'm always waiting, Kamito. Until you call me, okay?"

Restia completely dissolved into the darkness.

The next instant, a blaze fell from the sky.

A violent flash. The resulting wind blast blew Kamito away.

The earth and sand that flew collapsed the forest's trees.

(What...the...!?)

While groaning, Kamito lifted his face.

And.

From the epicenter of the explosion, a giant black shadow stood up.

"Wha!?"

It was a jet black dragon with wings that spread as if to eclipse the moon.

The flames that blazed lit up the night.


A girl wearing a black surcoat walked out from within the dancing flames.

Her red eyes penetrated the night.

(What an ominous presence...)

An oppressive feeling that could even be felt on one's skin.

"...What a rude greeting for a knight. Leonora."

"As you say, Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora said with her hand straight up in the air.

"The dragons of Dracunia hunt lions with all their strength."

The dragon spirit Nidhogg opened its mouth and released an inferno.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter7

2018-03-25T06:32:28Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 7:The Real Battle Begins==
===Part 1===

The hall was filled with nervousness and excitement.

A large amount of spectators from every country in the continent had gathered in the hall.

Mixed in with the influential nobles and Princess Maidens from every country in the continent's training facilities, were girls wearing the Areishia Academy school uniform.

The Blade Dance competitors assembled above an altar in the center.

Because the audience was comprised of the nobility, there was no unsightly jeering.

It seemed like there were fans of the elementalists, so each appearance of the representing teams was followed by high-pitched cheering.

"Milady, please do you best~!"

"I will believe in and await milady's victory! Glory to the Laurenfrost!"

At the front of the spectators were Carol and Mireille waving a white banner.

"J... Jeez, those two... that's embarrassing!"

Rinslet blushed and hid behind Kamito.

"Kamito, stay vigilant. You are attracting a lot of attention."


"Yeah, got it."

At Ellis' words, Kamito surveyed the area and felt many gazes upon him.

Other than Leonora, it seemed that Muir whom they'd fought yesterday was also here.

(It doesn't appear that they know I've lost Est yet...)

If they did know of Kamito's situation, they wouldn't be looking at him vigilantly but instead with the look of a falcon eyeing its prey.

"Fufu, Kamito is popular."

Fianna said teasingly.

Besides Team Inferno, twenty three teams had gathered.

Even within them, Dracunia's Knights of the Dragon Emperor had an overwhelming presence.

Around the leader, Leonora, elite elementalists assembled. The Knights of the Dragon Emperor were a military unit with rigid rules. All of the members stood straight up without moving.

Kamito's eyes met with Leonora's.

Those red eyes were incomparable to when they'd met at the library yesterday.

Chills ran down his spine for an instant.

It was like the feeling of being stared at by a giant predator.

"Dracunia's Dragon Knights training is high quality. Even excluding Leonora, they seem to have no openings."


Ellis noted as she analyzed the enemy teams.

"Yes, if we leave aside Team Inferno, they are one of the favorites to win. There are also other teams to be wary of."

Claire said that in a whisper and Fianna and Rinslet also turned their heads in his direction.

"First, there are the two representatives from the same academy as us, Team Wyvern and Team Cernunnos. On top of that, the druid girl has an overwhelming advantage outdoors. There's a chance she'll incite all the magical beasts in the forest to attack us."

Moreover, they had already experienced a severe loss during practice against that druid girl. There were certainly opponents he didn't want to have to fight.

Then Claire turned her gaze upon the team that wore foreign outfits.

"They're Quina Empire's prided Four Gods. They're a team that specializes in battle tactics."

Quina Empire was a large country located on the eastern part of the continent. It had a completely different culture compared to the western countries like Ordesia.

"The white haired one is their ace, Shao Fu. She uses the divine beast spirit White Tiger."

"Four Gods? Even though there are five people?"

"The fifth is probably the one that controls the Four Gods."


Answering Kamito, Claire moved her gaze to the group that was wearing white holy garments.

"Those are the Holy Kingdom of Lugia's Sacred Spirit Knights. The ace is the runner up from last time, Luminaris the Paladin."

"Geh!?"

Kamito slipped out a surprised yelp at that name.

"Kamito-san, did something happen?"

"N... No, it's nothing..."

Kamito quickly shook his head at the puzzled Rinslet's question.

(I'm sure she was the holy spirit user. Because it was a bad match with Restia's darkness attribute, the fight was quite harsh.)

Holding the Blade Dance after only three years was extremely rare. It usually took decades and sometimes only happened once in a hundred years.

Because of the age restrictions on eligible Princess Maidens, crossing blades with the same opponent should never happen, but it seems this time was a case filled with special occurrences.

"She's nineteen so she's the oldest one at this Blade Dance. It seems that she swore to defeat Ren Ashbell to restore her honor."

"I... I see..."

"Kamito-kun, you're making quite a sour face."

Fianna teased the bitter faced Kamito.


"Next is the Principality of Rossvale's Rupture Division. Their ace is Milla Bassett, the youngest this time at thirteen years old. Though they're an emerging nation that gained independence from the Holy Kingdom of Lugia only within the last few decades, their elementalists are said to be top class."

"And them?"

Kamito looked towards the team that had been glaring in their direction since a while ago.

"The representatives from the Kingdom of Balstan. They're under the direct control of the royalty."

"Why are they glaring at us?"

"Umm... that's probably because of me."

Claire said so like it was hard for her. 

"What do you mean?"

"Remember, it's because I slapped their prince before yesterday."

"...Ahh, I see."

Kamito finally remembered.

The crown prince of the Kingdom of Balstan. The prince that had acted out of interest and tried to kiss Claire.

"So it's because you embarrassed them."

"It's good enough if that crown prince understands with his body!"

For some reason, Rinslet was more angry than Claire.


"The Kingdom of Balstan's royalty may have ordered them to take revenge. Sorry, I carelessly created this mess."

"No, if Claire hadn't done anything back then, I would have."

"...Eh? Um, that means..."

As Claire's face went red.

A commotion started near the entrance of the great shrine.

"So they've finally come."

===Part 2===
The instant Ren Ashbell entered, the commotion died down.

She led four elementalists that were wearing hoods which extended to cover their entire body.

"So that's Team Inferno..."

Kamito stopped breathing and watched them.

He immediately discovered the small girl with ash grey hair.

The Instructional School's 'Monster', militarized spirit user, Muir Alenstarl.

She quickly averted her eyes after meeting Kamito's.


Walking next to Muir was a tall girl with jade green hair. Her ears which were characteristic of the Elfim race were visible under the hood. Elfim specialized in covert operations within forests, so she might have been an intelligence gathering elementalist.

Another was a girl with eye popping blue hair. She was the only one who had luxurious gold and silver accessories lining her hood and she carried a folding fan with a gaudy design.

"The crest of the Alphas Theocracy royal family... don't tell me, Demon Caster Sjora Kahn!?"

"You know her?"

He asked and Claire nodded.

"She's the number one witch in their kingdom, the admired successor of the Dusk Witch."

"To think that other than Muir, such characters would be there..."

Kamito groaned while wiping the sweat from his brow.

But more oppressive than those three and drawing most of the spectators' gazes, the last person.

At the appearance of that person, the silence that had overtaken the hall was replaced once again with clamor.

"...Who is that, that person!?"

A black knight covered in jet black armor.

It wasn't just her appearance that was strange. Her entire body was covered in a mysterious aura.

An existence that was never meant to be here — for some reason, that was what he felt.


"What a repulsive divine power..."

Fianna, who was more receptive, said in a shaky voice.

Ren Ashbell noticed Kamito and walked straight over to him.

Silence fell and the ringing of iron shoes echoed.

"Kamito..."

"It's fine."

Shielding the nervous young ladies behind him, Kamito took a step forward.

And stood off against the crimson masked girl.

"To think there was someone who could break the Brand of Darkness."

"It's a pity. Things won't go how you want them to."

Kamito returned the gaze of the crimson pupils within the mask.

"That brand was only for the purpose of jump starting the awakening of the Demon King within you. Once the Gate has been opened, it can never return to how it was before."

"What is this Demon King you speak of?"

Ren Ashbell smiled within her mask and whispered in a voice so others couldn't hear.

"If you want to know, ascend and face me, Ren Ashbell."

"Ren Ashbell, huh. Having you say that is the greatest irony."


Kamito clicked his tongue and groaned.

"But I'll clarify this. If I beat you, you'll tell me everything."

"What confidence for someone who's lost their contracted spirit."

"Est will definitely return. She is my best partner."

Ren Ashbell shrugged, turned on her heel and left without another word.

And thus the short exchange between the two Ren Ashbells ended.

Commotion returned to the great shrine hall again.

Above the bonfire burning at the altar, five Queens appeared.

Amongst them was Reicha Alminas.

When he had met her yesterday, she had been a normal docile girl, but wrapped in her ritual clothes and performing a ritual, she certainly had the presence of one the five highest Princess Maidens.

Eventually, the Tempest details appeared from the five Queens.

The introduction to the Blade Dance was held in the northern forest area of Ragna Ys.

The field was covered by a separating barrier cast by all the Divine Ritual Institute's Princess Maidens, so it was impossible to leave by normal means. Each country's representatives were transported with their respective teams to random locations and, over the course of seven days, would offer up their blade dances.


There was one rule, you could not kill an elementalist.

The Blade Dance was not a martial arts match, but a dance ritual.

There was no way it would be allowed to taint the ritual offered to the Elemental Lords with a death.

The competition was decided by gathering the special spirit stones distributed to the representatives, the magic stones.

If a competitor was separated from their magic stones for more than one minute, they would be forcefully teleported out.

Seven days from the opening of the battle. The four teams that had assembled the greatest amounts of magic stones would be brought before the Elemental Lords to offer the final blade dances. At this point, even if a member had been lost, all five members would continue into the finals.

"Good fortune and divine blessings upon the blade dancing Princess Maidens!"

The five Queens reading the oracle from the Elemental Lords spoke this in tandem.

That signified the beginning of the battle.

Amidst the deafening cheers, the elementalists entered the transportation circle drawn above the altar.

Just before the transportation circle, Kamito turned to face the young ladies that were his comrades.

"Everyone, we will definitely win!"

"Yes♪" "Yeah!" "Of course!" "That, um, that was my line!"


Ordesia's former second Princess, Fianna Ray Ordesia.

Captain of the Sylphid Knights, Ellis Fahrengart.

The eldest daughter of the house of Laurenfrost, Rinslet Laurenfrost.

The younger sister of the Calamity Queen, Claire Rouge of the house of Elstein.

And the winner of the last Blade Dance three years prior, Kazehaya Kamito.

The four girls and one boy, each with their own Wish, moved to challenge the Blade Dance.

===Part 3===
After stepping into the transportation circle, a mysterious forest opened up in front of him.

Slight fog obscured his vision. Cries of birds and beasts could be heard from afar.

"Inside a forest, huh... there are countless places enemies could conceal themselves..."

Claire, who transported in directly after him, gave a cursory look at the surroundings.

"Should I have my wind familiar search the immediate area?"

"That's right...no, it may be better not to. It's not that I don't trust your abilities, Ellis, but spirit magic users will instantly discover us."

"...That's true."


Ellis nodded at Claire's deduction.

"My Fenrir will carry everybody's belongings."

Rinslet summoned the demon ice spirit with her finger.

The blizzard clad Fenrir raised a war cry.

In an instant, five peoples' worth of luggage was sucked into its opened mouth and disappeared.

"That's convenient."

"The Laurenfrost territory's population is isolated, so having Fenrir carry goods is a life saver."

Rinslet petted Fenrir's head and it gave out a sweet whine.

"Mu, Scarlet is cute but Fenrir is also cute..."

Ellis gazed at Fenrir with an expression like her heart was stolen.

"The freezing coldness at the Laurenfrost's is enough to kill. Or rather, I was stranded in the garden that time I came to the main house to play when we were kids."

"When I found you, you hugged onto me and sobbed... sigh, where did the cute Claire from back then go, I wonder?"

Rinslet sighed with a faraway look.


"Y...You... if you say anymore, I'll turn you into cinders!"

"How wide was the garden if you managed to get stranded..."

To the side of the two was a dumbstruck Kamito.

"We should also find a camp site or we'll freeze to death."

"Yeah, that's right."

Kamito nodded.

Even though this was within Ragna Ys, whether it was because the Wind Elemental Lord's divine protection was weak or something, it was definitely cold. The academy's school uniform also had built in cold protection, but it didn't seem like it would be effective against the night's cold.

"It's also important to secure a water supply. It would be good if there was a river or lake nearby."

Claire's suggestion wasn't just for drinking water, it was also for the required purifications an elementalist needed to undertake to remove any taint.

"At any rate, that means the first thing is to search the surrounding area. Our formation will consist of me as vanguard, Rinslet and Fianna in the center and Ellis and Kamito in the rearguard.

Claire proposed a logical formation.

Fianna who was weak at battle was in position to be protected by everyone and Rinslet was able to see in every direction. Kamito who possessed great power was positioned to monitor the surroundings and the two who possessed great one on one strength, Claire and Ellis, were stationed at each end.


Kamito and company got into formation and began to advance through the forest.

===Part 4===
They had walked in the forest for roughly half an hour.

From a while ago, ball like light spirits had frequently flitted around overhead.

They were the spirits for the purpose of relaying the Blade Dance from the field back to the great shrine.

It seemed they were trained not to intrude on their privacy, but there was no doubt that Kamito and the others were currently being displayed on screen.

"We haven't found any signs of water. Just how large is this place?"

"It should be considerably large. Ragna Ys's size is comparable to a small country."

Claire, who was walking in front, answered Kamito's question.

"It looks like we'll need to create a map soon."

Rinslet said as she removed a branch from her hair.

"...My feet have started to hurt a little."

Fianna, who wasn't used to hiking, said with a grimace.

Unlike Claire and the others, she had transferred in and hadn't undergone the same open field training.


"Shall I carry you?"

"Eh? N... No, it's fine..."

At Kamito's words, Fianna's face reddened and she shook her head.

"Don't push yourself. It's too late if you become unable to walk."

"B... But, I...that is, I'm wearing this short skirt..."

"Th... That's true..."

...As expected, even the queen that always teased Kamito would be embarrassed by that.

"Kamito, you're thinking about such indecent things again!"

Ellis drew her sword.

"I... I'm not thinking them! Or rather, what's this again about!"

"Hmph, m... my foot hurts... maybe."

Ellis chewed her lip like she was pouting.

Looking at her condition from before, that didn't seem to be the case but,

"I... Is that so?...But, as expected, carrying two people is a little harsh."

"M... My foot also started to hurt suddenly!"

"Yes, lending me just your sh... shoulder would help greatly!"


"Yeah, I can do that much."

"I... Is that so? T... Then, I shall take you up on that."

Rinslet smiled and moved over to his shoulder.

"...!"

Her uniform that lightly smelled of sweat.

His heart throbbed at the soft sensation touching his arm.

"...Th... That's unfair, Rinslet! Kamito, please lend me your shoulder as well!"

For some reason unbeknownst to him, Ellis also latched onto his shoulder.

"Th... Then... me as well♪"

Fianna also rested her head on his shoulder from behind.

"Th... This is difficult..."

Being hugged by three girls, he let out an anguished voice.

"Hey, you three! The formation is falling apart!"

"Fufu, you're not honest. Even though it'd be fine for Claire to say her feet hurt as well."

"Wha... a... aren't you being stupid!? I'm fine, I can walk on my own!"

Claire cried out angrily with a red face at the teasing Fianna.

"..."


And Kamito stopped walking.

"Kamito-san, what's wrong?"

"Be quiet. We're being ambushed."

"...!?"

The three separated from Kamito and summoned their respective contracted spirits.

A silence like the drawn bowstring of a bow.

(No, this isn't silence, it's inaction.)

Kamito sharpened his senses and searched for presences.

(Two people. They're scouts or there are others with them.)

"It's unexpected. That we would find a trap this early."

"Yeah, even though it shouldn't be a good plan to act this quickly..."

Right after Kamito nodded.

"...They're coming!"

A flash of light exploded.

===Part 5===

(...A distraction, huh!)

What had exploded was a depth charge spirit stone embedded in the ground that was prepared beforehand.

It was a substitute that looked flashy but had no power.

But it had made an opening for an instant.

In tandem with it, Kamito felt determined presences moving in.

(...From below!)

He felt the flash was to disrupt him. Kamito trusted his instinct and jumped.

Right after. The place Kamito had been at just before was replaced with a giant arm of sand.

As he thought, there were others as well.

The sand mass wriggled and stretch towards his arm...

"I won't allow that, freezing fangs, pierce, Freezing Arrow!"

Rinslet's ice arrow pierced the sand arm.

"Kamito, above!"

Claire warned him.

Kamito kicked the ground and jumped.

"Crush them to death, stone beast spirit Gargoyle!"

The shadow that instantly fell to the ground. The gigantic mass that fell from above.


Earth and sand danced in the air as the ground tremored.

The spirit that had taken the form of a stone goblin. The elementalist girl rode on its back.

The beautiful pure white uniform.

"If I recall, that's the Kingdom of Balstan's...

"O master swordsman, become my shield!"

From further up the path appeared Fianna's knight spirit.

The knight's sword drew a shining arc. The sound of stone being crushed rang out as the stone beast's arm was destroyed.

Two seconds after the flash, his eyes had finally recovered.

The young ladies got into formation around Claire.

(I can't really blade dance without Est, but...)

He created a short sword using his basic spirit magic.

He attempted to circle around in the disturbance... just then.

Sending earth and sand flying, a sand giant appeared before him.

"Tch...!"

Kamito widened the gap while clicking his tongue.

(The sand spirit user... just where are they?)


Kamito quickly ran his eyes over the surrounding area.

The first theory was that the elementalist had used their spirit's earth attribute to hide underground with spirit magic. But there were no traces of such.

A second presence appeared behind him.

(The second one...!)

From the shadow of the trees appeared a girl wielding a saber.

An invisible flash split the tree behind Kamito.

Kamito covered himself and dodged.

"To dodge my blades of wind, as expected of the male elementalist."

The girl shouted that as she turned to face him.

"For the act of embarrassing my master, sorry, but I'll have you disappear here!"

"So it's really revenge for that idiotic prince, huh..."

Kamito sighed, astonished.

There were those who foolishly dragged their trivial personal grudges into the Blade Dance.

"...I sympathize with you. Elementalist of Balstan."

"I won't allow ridiculing my master!"

The wind elementalist girl swung the saber.


Kamito dodged to the side by jumping. The blades of wind lightly grazed his neck.

(...Although if I had Est, that kind of attack would be nothing.)

The storm of wind blades that flew in every direction prevented Kamito from closing in.

"Hah, it seems you really can't fight without a contracted spirit!"

(...Why does she know I lost Est?)

As he raised suspicions, at that moment... bluish white lightning came from behind him.

He instantly turned his body and repelled it with his spirit magic sword.

The sword burst into grains.

Facing to the direction it came from, a girl stood there with an elemental waffe bow.

"No way, he reacted to that surprise attack just now!?"

The wind elementalist widened her eyes in shock.

"It's because I knew another person would be hiding."

Kamito shrugged.

"As I thought, you're dangerous. We have to crush you while you can't use your contracted spirit."

"You're overestimating me quite a bit."

He observed the surroundings without letting down his guard as he jested.

Behind was the saber wielding wind elementalist. In front was the bow wielding lightning elementalist.


And the sand giant also appeared behind him.

(...Three skilled elementalists. As expected, it's tough.)

Cold sweat gathered on his temple.

From some point in time, a thick fog had coated the forest.

It wasn't natural fog. It was obviously created with spirit magic.

Claire and others should be fighting against that stone beast spirit from before not too far away, but because of the fog, he couldn't hear sounds of the battle or their voices at all.

(From the start, this plan was for taking me down, huh...)

This time's Blade Dance was a battle of attrition.

There was no need to defeat all of the enemy team at once.

He didn't know where they'd received information about his losing Est, but they had aimed for Team Scarlet who had lost their strongest force.

The two elementalists battling Claire and the others were likely just buying time.

(Then I'll also buy time. Just hold on until Claire and the others come...)

Kamito gripped his hands and took half a step.

"It's useless!"

The wind elementalist waved her saber and created blades of wind.


But Kamito didn't stop. Slightly shifting his center of gravity, he dodged by a hair's breadth.

"He can see my wind blades!?"

"It's a pity but their paths are easy to read in a forest!"

The blades themselves were invisible, but he could see the leaves and branches they cut. After being shown the attack so many times, Kamito had discerned their speed and width.

Of course, to actually carry it out required extraordinary senses and courage.

Messing up just a tiny bit would mean the end. Due to the rules, his head wouldn't fly but his consciousness would.

Accelerating, he closed in on the wind elementalist.

"You, I won't let you!"

Immediately, an arrow of lightning came towards him... however,

That instant, Kamito disappeared.

"Wha!?"

Kamito had kicked the ground and flew straight up.

The battle techniques that had been hammered into him at the Instructional School, Meta three dimensional movement.

The other orphan from the Instructional School, Jio Inzagi, had also used this move, but his speed did not match the overwhelming version of Kamito's Shadow Weaving.


Weaving between the branches of the trees, it was a technique of moving at top speed in all directions to toy with the opponent. Amongst the elementalists that had received ordinary battle training, there were none that could do this.

Kicking the trunk of a tree, Kamito accelerated. The wind elementalist and lightning elementalist fired at the afterimages he left behind and hit nothing.

"Sandman, topple the trees around you!"

The wind elementalist shouted sharply.

The sand spirit roared and knocked down the surrounding trees.

Despite its dull looking body, it was unexpectedly fast. He had fought with members of the earth attribute such as rock, but this was the first type that had such mobility.

"Tch..."

Losing his footholds, Kamito had no other choice but to land.

"O wind, blow wildly!"

The blades of wind from the side severed the sand giant's arm.

The blue ponytail waving in the wind.

Ellis who had her elemental waffe Ray Hawk in hand.


"Ellis, that's a great help."

"Sorry for being late. The mist spirit caused me trouble."

Ellis landed lightly and readied her spear with magnificent movements.

"Kuu, the plan is a failure, huh... retreat!"

The enemy wind elementalist's judgment was quick.

The plan to take Kamito out with a swift attack coupled with a surprise attack had failed. There was no point in fighting any further.

"Like I'll let you run!"

Ellis waved Ray Hawk.

Ellis' demon wind spirit was several tiers above the opponent's wind spirit. While cutting down the trees in its path, the wind blades attacked the retreating elementalist.

In its path, the sand giant stood up.

The blades of wind landed a direct hit. The wind elementalist and lightning elementalist had disappeared into the forest.

Ellis bit her lip in frustration. The sand spirit immediately began to rebuild.

However, at the moment the front had been blown open, Kamito realized.

(I thought its movements were too good...so you hid there.)

The sand gathered again and completely resealed its wound... just before that.


Kamito instantly jumped into the sand's opening. He punched through the giant's solar plexus.

It was the feeling of sand that greeted his fist.

The rebuilding sand giant crumbled in moments.

The one that appeared from within was a girl who had fainted.

"What does this mean?"

"That sand giant was her elemental waffe."

Kamito shrugged and answered Ellis' question.

"...Sorry. I'll be taking this."

Kamito leaned down and took the magic stone from around the girl's neck.

If they waited one minute, this girl would be transported back to the grand shrine.

"Kamito!" "Kamito-kun!" "Were you okay?"

Claire and the others came running from the other side of the forest.

It seems the other fight had also reached a conclusion.

"Are you guys also unhurt?"

"Yeah... rather, don't tell me you defeated them without a contracted spirit?"

Claire widened her ruby eyes.

"No, it would have been dangerous if Ellis hadn't come. They ran away in the end."


"Here," he said as he tossed the magic stone to Claire.

At that time, the fainted sand elementalist was enveloped by a transportation circle and disappeared as shards of light.

"We defeated the stone beast elementalist. The mist elementalist got away."

Claire gripped the two magic stones in her hand.

"It's dangerous to chase them too far. They seem like a meticulous team."

"At any rate, I never thought we would be attacked this quickly."

"Yes, it seems like it would be a good idea to find a camp site quickly."

Claire nodded at Ellis' words.

As expected, they weren't going to be elated at their first victory.

Kamito turned to the path forward that was covered in the remnants of the depth charge spirit stone.

(The mysterious thing is how they managed to ambush us.)

Even though it hadn't been even an hour since the start, they had moved like they knew Kamito and the others' location.

(Also, they knew that I've lost Est.)

Just who was leaking information, he wondered.


"..."

Kamito dropped his eyes to the spirit seal on his right hand.

In the end, even when Kamito's body clearly felt danger, the Gate had shown no signs of opening.

"Est..."

===Part 6===
"As expected, Kazehaya Kamito..."

The ones watching the first day of the Blade Dance from afar.

Seated on a slightly elevated hill were five girls in military uniforms.

One of those favored to win this time's competition, The Principality of Dracunia's representatives, Knights of the Dragon Emperor.

They were using the dragon attribute spirit magic "Dragon Eye" to observe far away.

"That is why he is suitable to be sacrificed to the dragon sleeping within me."

The girl standing at the cliff edge, Leonora Lancaster, licked her lips.

With ferocity emanating from her entire body, her eyes gleamed like blood.

(Leonora-sama's Dragon Blood is awakening...)

Apparent fear painted vice captain Yuri El Cid's face.

Shivers ran down her spine.

The strange power inherited by those who served dragons, Dragon Blood.

This was Yuri's fourth time seeing Leonora with red eyes.

The first time she had witnessed it was two years ago at the entrance examination for the Knights of the Dragon Emperor. Leonora had obliterated all other contestants within minutes.

It was a mad dance that had felt like it would cause casualties.

If the dragon within her woke up, not even her subordinates could stop her.

(But this time seems a little different from usual...)

Yuri looked upon Leonora's side profile.

Looking at her appearance, she seemed calm.

For some reason, her interest was only directed at one person and she wanted to slaughter only that male elementalist.

Leonora stood there looking upon the landscape in silence.

"Tonight, we hunt a pack of lions."

Yuri and the others nodded wordlessly.

That was the signal of an attack for the Knights of the Dragon Emperor.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter6

2018-03-25T03:36:26Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 6: The Sacred Sword's Memories==
===Part 1===
In the bottomless darkness, Kamito fell endlessly.

Engulfed by the blackness, Kamito opened his eyes in the viscous darkness.

He could not feel the passing of time. It might have been a few hours, or maybe a few seconds, he had lost the capability to perceive it.

In this space, Kamito found a sword swallowed by the darkness.

It was a beautiful long sword inscribed with spirit language.

Upon seeing the sword, every fiber of Kamito's body awakened.

(It's Est!)

He was certain this feeling could not be wrong.

He brushed away the heavy nether entangling him and approached the sword.

But, the moment his hand touched the handle of the sword...

The sword suddenly emitted a bright dazzling light that pushed away Kamito's outstretched hand.

"What!?"

A sharp pain pierced his fingertips.

This was an obvious rejection.

"Est... why...?"

"Kamito, I cannot be your sword."

"I don't understand what you're saying!"

"Because, I can recall it now. My sins... my unforgivable sins."

"Sins?"

In his mind, this word could hardly be linked with the beautiful, radiant silver sword before his eyes.

"I do not wish to repeat my mistakes, so..."

(...This is... what...?)

Kamito felt a splitting pain in his head.

A tremendous rush of images flooded into his head.

(...A...Are these Est's memories?)

===Part 2===

This was a story that had happened in the distant past.

At that time, the continent was separated into several tiny countries. It was a time of war and turmoil.

The main characters of the story were the sacred sword of legend and a young maiden.

Areishia Idriss. This girl came from a nameless village by the border.

The shepherd girl had a lovely face and she was especially proud of her head of brilliant gold hair.

She ought to have grown up normally, fallen in love normally, led a normal life and found normal happiness.

However, the year she turned fourteen, an incident happened to this otherwise ordinary girl that led people to call her the Sacred Queen.

One day, when she ascended the mountain to pick firewood, she happened upon a sword in the old ancestral hall.

It was a sacred sword that no one in many centuries had been able to remove.

The maiden reached out to lift the sword, completely unaware that a powerful spirit was sealed inside it.

In that instant, a sword spirit emerged from the dazzling glow.

"Who are you?"

The sword spirit's response to the girl's question was, "I am your sword, milady. I will give myself wholly and completely to my elementalist, you."

The girl did not know why the sacred sword of legend would pick her, a mere ordinary shepherd girl, to make a contract with. However, she innocently accepted this contract.

Truthfully, the girl felt only loneliness.

On the other hand, the sword spirit had no feelings and knew only to loyally serve its contracted master, the girl.

She was not a typical spirit, but a spirit weapon crafted for use in the war during the Archeozoic Era.

"So I have no use for feelings.", said the sword spirit coldly.

However, because the girl had lived her whole life as an ordinary shepherd, she could not understand such deep philosophical matters.

That sort of thing wasn't important.

The girl was simply happy at having found her first female friend.

"What is your name?"

"My true name cannot be pronounced in your language. However, in spirit language, you may call me Terminus Est."

"This name sounds a little long... how about I just call you Est?"

"My name is not Est, it is Terminus Est."

"I'd rather not, it's quite hard to say. It's decided then, your name shall be Est."

The girl broke into a sudden smile and reached out to pet Est on the head.

"Mistress, please do not do that."

Est protested with a blank expression.

This is the story of what happened after the chance encounter of the Sacred Queen and the legendary sacred sword.

The matter of the contract between the unknown shepherd girl and the legendary sacred sword quickly spread throughout the entire country.

That a young lady with no elementalist heritage could contract with a legendary level spirit. Such a thing was enough to turn the girl into a savior, into a supernatural sacred queen.

As there were virtually no elementalists in that era, people had to endure the havoc wreaked by the revolting spirits.

And so, the girl began using the power provided by the sword spirit to bring peace to the world, by either appeasing or defeating those spirits.

The people lauded the girl's efforts and gave her the name of Sacred Queen.

Regardless of how exhausted or unhappy she was, the girl would always have a smile to encourage others.

There were some who were jealous of her, who despised her and even those who only associated with her for the fame and glory.

Despite all this, the girl still fought on, sword in hand.

"Mistress, why do you fight for these people?"

One day, the sword spirit asked the girl this question.

Why fight? This was the first time the sword, by nature a spirit weapon, had felt any sort of curiosity towards such matters.

"Because this is something only I can do. Therefore I must fight."

"I cannot understand your meaning. But as I am your sword, I will do your bidding, mistress."

"Est... Don't say such upsetting things, you are after all my only friend."

"...Friend?"

"That's fine, let's eat. The bread I baked today smells delicious."

"Mistress, please allow me to repeat, I have no need to consume human foods."

"...It's really lonely eating by myself. Come on, eat with me, please?"

"...If this is my mistress's order, I will obey."

The sword spirit nodded expressionlessly.

However, one could observe a little confusion on her face.

In her heart sprouted a very tiny flicker of something like an emotion.

The bravery of the girl with the sacred sword slowly became known across the whole continent.

At the same time, the terror of the most vicious demon king plunged the continent into strife and suffering.

The countries united to send out armies to take down the demon king, but they all failed miserably. In the face of the spirit soldiers commanded by the demon king, the countries’ armies could only beat a quick retreat.

In the end, the people had no choice but to pin their last hopes on a young lady.

A mere girl of only fourteen years of age, a girl who had not even experienced the taste of love.

"Est, I must fight... I must fight, for everyone who is suffering on this earth."

"Yes, mistress. I am your sword, I will do anything for you."

And so it was that the girl plunged herself wholeheartedly into the bloody battle.

The sword spirit of what would later be known as the Demon Slayer Sacred Sword witnessed all this.

She had no choice but to bear witness to the entire series of events, including the tragic conclusion about to unfold.

===Part 3===

"...to... Kamito!"

"Mmmhm..."

Kamito opened his eyes to find Fianna looking at him anxiously.

"Kamito... Are you all right?"

"I... I fainted..?"

"Mmm, but just for a few minutes."

"Is that so..."

He felt as if he had been unconscious for several hours, but it appeared as if that was not the case.

Reicha, who was breathing heavily by the side, continued by saying, "I have successfully removed the Brand of Darkness on Kamito-sama."

"...Really?"

"Yes, but..."

Reicha's face fell and she murmured in a low voice.

"I'm afraid Kamito-sama's sword spirit... has not yet..."

"..."

Kamito shifted his gaze towards the spirit mark on his right hand.

The mark that had just been shining brightly was now completely unresponsive.

"Est..."

"Kamito-sama... during the period you were unconscious, did you see anything in your mind?"

"In my mind..."

Kamito rubbed his aching temples, then...

He suddenly seemed to remember something.

A sword, falling in endless darkness.

And being sharply rejected when he stretched out his hand towards Est.

In that moment, Kamito recalled her memories.

He recalled the memory of Est with a girl, the first one she had made a contract with.

What he did not understand, though, was why that memory would make Est reject him.

"Unforgivable sin... was that it?"

...Was that what was trapping Est in the darkness, her unforgivable sin?

"Ooooo..."

Then, Reicha suddenly went limp and fell towards the ground.

"Are you all right!?"

Kamito quickly rushed to support her.

Her slim body lay weakly in Kamito's arms.

"Should we take you to the infirmary?"

"Y... Yes. I'm so sorry, I seem to be a little tired..."

"Ritual magic is very tiring, furthermore just yesterday Reicha had to perform the ritual of listening to the pronouncements of the Elemental Lord."

"I'm sorry... It's all because of me..."

"Don't say that, it's my body that has always been weak..."

As Reicha shook her head in denial, Kamito lay her down on the bed to rest.

"We should make a move, the Princess Maiden responsible for attending to the Queens is coming soon."

"Mmmhm, I know."

Kamito nodded in agreement, bowed deeply towards Reicha and said:

"Reicha, thank you for saving me. I won't forget this debt I owe you."

"N... No need to be so..."

"We'll meet next time. Then, I'll meet you as the victor of the Blade Dance."

Fianna and Reicha, the latter still resting on the bed, grasped each other's hands tightly.

"All right. Although I cannot cheer for teams representing specific countries at the opening ceremony, you can be sure I will be supporting sempai's team in my heart."

===Part 4===

Inside the bag that the messenger from the school had sent to Claire's room were the latest updates about their enemies.

"In conclusion, the top priority now should be to formulate a plan of attack for Kamito to take action outside the battlefront."

All alone, Claire paced the empty room while reading the material, thinking deeply about battle tactics.

"Ellis will find it too hard to attack at the frontline by herself, should I also remain at the front or not...?"

Up until now, the plan had been for Kamito to use his overwhelming force to attack at the forefront, while the other four would assist him from the side. However, with Kamito unable to summon Est, this plan simply could not be used.

The alternative she thought of now was to move Claire, who would originally have been in the middle orchestrating the entire assault, to the front and have her attack alongside Ellis. While this arrangement was nowhere near as likely to penetrate an enemy's defenses as the one with Kamito attacking alone, fire and wind elements naturally complemented each other very well, which gave them much offensive potential.

"But... If so, I'd worry about something happening to Fianna at the rear."

Fianna had received virtually no combat training and her usual role was to provide assistance from the rear through her rituals, which would increase the power of sword spirits. In the previous plan, Claire would protect her from the center, but if Claire were to be moved to the front, she would have no way of ensuring Fianna's safety. In that case, all depended on whether Rinslet, who played the dual roles of sniper and support fire, could protect her alone.

"...This plan must also be reconsidered."

Claire crumpled up the piece of paper she had been making notes on and threw it away.

Scarlet helped her turn the waste paper on the floor into ashes.

"I've thought for so long and I still haven't come up with any good ideas..."

Any plan she could think of had an obvious flaw and none were suitable solutions.

"...Turns out that we have always relied too much on Kamito and Est."

Claire sighed and turned back to the documents provided to them by the Academy.

Aside from formulating their own strategies, it was important in such a long drawn out war to also analyze their opponents' situations, so as to take advantage of their weaknesses.

(It goes without saying that the opponent we need to be most wary of is...)

Claire flipped open the document and looked down at its first page.

What was written on it was the Team Representing the Religious Country of Alphas.

This document was regarding the strongest of the blade dancer teams, Team Inferno.

However, the forms on the document were virtually all blank, as they had no way of finding out even the names of the team members.

The only information they had about this enemy's military capability was the elementalist girl who had attacked Claire and the others last night, Muir Alenstarl. Frankly speaking, if there were three other elementalists as skilled as she was on their team... their chances of winning were nil.

"Overall, let's keep this in mind for later consideration."

She put the document on her lap and began browsing the other reports.

There were a total of twenty four teams contesting in the Blade Dance. Generally speaking, every country could enter one team, but countries such as the Ordesia Empire, which were large and had many outstanding elementalists, could field several teams.

The Quina Empire in the east and the Island Nation of Robica had two teams each and the only country other than Ordesia to be represented by three teams was the Holy Kingdom of Lugia.

Of the teams from these countries, the ones they most needed to watch out for were the "Four Gods" of Quina, the "Sacred Knights" of the Holy Kingdom of Lugia and Milla Bassett, the most talented young elementalist in this iteration of the Blade Dance was representing the Principality of Rossvale as part of the "Rupture Division".

And then there was...

"...Public Enemy Number One... the Dracunia Duchy's Dragon Knights."

Dracunia had emerged victorious in many previous iterations of the Blade Dance and was indeed a strong country with a stellar track record.

And Claire herself had seen Leonora's power up close before.

Her destructive Death Gaze, her Nidhogg had displayed immense overwhelming force to destroy the flying craft's militarized spirits.

The documents supplied by the Academy listed her power as being of AAA grade.

Claire had earned an AA grade while at the Academy and so had Ellis. Rinslet was A, while Fianna was D. However, Fianna's grade was recorded when she was not officially studying, so it was not an accurate measure. Incidentally, the one who singlehandedly took down Team Scarlet, Velsaria Eva, was graded AAA.

Of course, because this was an overall analysis done up by lecturers at the Academy, one could not rely wholly on it to predict an elementalist's strength. For example, even though Rinslet was graded one level lower than Claire, when the two of them fought, they were often evenly matched.

"...In conclusion, it is just a rough guideline."

Leonora Lancaster is a very outstanding elementalist. That was the undeniable truth.

But here in the Blade Dance, in a gathering of the best elementalists, there was actually nothing exceptional about her.

However... Leonora's file contained something that was particularly noteworthy.

It was information about Dragon Blood, the power she gained from her special bloodline.

Looking at Leonora's new evaluation after the discovery of her special power, Claire could not help but stare, her eyes wide in surprise.

"S-level."

Historically, there had only been a handful of elementalists ever to earn such a grade. In recent years, the young Greyworth Ciel Mais had been ranked SS level, but that truly was an exception among exceptions.

Leonora's power was first revealed publicly when she was fourteen. She awakened in the trial rally for the Knights of the Dragon Emperor and in a matter of mere minutes, demolished all other competitors who had also been hoping to join the ranks of the Knights.

According to the booklet, the Dragon Blood power could not be unleashed at will, but was an ability that was almost uncontrollably explosive...

"If at all possible, I hope we won't have to face her."

Claire sighed and placed the half read booklet on the table.

At that time, the door suddenly opened. It was Kamito, who had changed back into his normal uniform.

"Kamito... hey, why do you look like you can barely even stand!"

Turning pale, Claire bolted up from the chair and rushed to his side.

"...The curse breaking ritual was more exhausting than I had imagined."

Not caring that he was still dressed in his uniform, Kamito collapsed onto his bed.

"And the Brand of Darkness?"

"Mmmm... all thanks to Fianna's Princess Maiden friend, the curse was successfully broken."

Kamito unbuttoned his shirt to reveal the scar on his chest.

"Aieeeeah!"

"What's with that cute shrill scream..."

"W... Who asked you to suddenly take off your clothes!"

Blushing in embarrassment, Claire yelped.

She sneaked a glance at Kamito's firm, muscled chest... and something started thumping wildly in her own chest.

"But, the thing is, Est still hasn't..."

Kamito cast his gaze downwards and shook his head.

"Oh..."

Looking at Kamito's sad hopeless expression, Claire could not help but also feel her heart aching for him.

Kamito was powerful, so powerful that he left his same age counterparts at the Institutional school in the dust.

Precisely because of that, it was easy to forget one thing.

In truth, Kamito, like his friends, was just an easily hurt sixteen year old.

Claire leapt lightly onto the bed, leaned tenderly on Kamito's side and said, "Don't worry, Est will definitely come back."

"Claire..."

Kamito suddenly lifted his head...

"...I can see your panties."

"...Huh? Waaaahhhh! Stupid... You're so stupid! Pervert!"

===Part 5===

The tower resonated with the music of the ball. Meanwhile, in the garden...

Stood that girl in the bright red mask.

"It is finally about to begin... Ren Ashbell."

"Yes."

A black winged angel suddenly fell behind her.

The girl had hair as black as midnight and eyes as amber as the sunset. She was surely the darkness spirit Restia.

"It seems that... Kamito has passed your trial."

"That the sword spirit would move to take the brunt of the curse was a surprise to me, but that was only an emergency solution. Tthe Gate that has been opened will definitely not be able to close now."

Ren Ashbell spoke coldly.

"If he really becomes swallowed by the darkness, won't that ruin your plans?"

"If that man's tolerance level is so low, he would not be able to become my trump card, in any case."

"Have you found a Queen willing to serve him?"

"I have found several candidates to choose from, but that is none of your business."

"The candidate you speak of wouldn't happen to be your sister, would it?"

All of a sudden, the grass and trees all around them burst into flames.

And in a moment, turned into ashes that scattered to the ground.

"Darkness spirit, you would do well to watch your tone of voice."

"Oooh, scary... I was just joking."

The only things to be heard in the darkness were the endless echoes of mocking laughter.

The black winged darkness spirit had already disappeared, unnoticed.

Ren Ashbell smacked her lips lightly and turned her gaze towards a cluster of trees in the garden.

"Eavesdropping is an activity only for lowlifes... Dracunia girl."

"You mustn't be serious, you found out a long time ago, didn't you?"

The figure that emerged from behind the trees was indeed the Dracunia contestant Leonora Lancaster.

She was staring intently at Ren Ashbell with pupils glowing red.

She was emanating a dangerously murderous aura, so much so that anyone would have been aware of her presence.

She was holding a huge blade, the Dragon Slayer Sacred Sword.

"Look at you all fierce like, what highly important matter can I help you with?"

"The dragon within me wishes to do battle with a fellow strong warrior. I hope you will accept."

Although Leonora's choice of words was polite, her tone revealed her unconcealable intense feelings.

Her eyes burned with the aggressive hunger of someone looking for a good fight. Anyone who knew her normal personality would surely think that this was someone else altogether.

"You have the Dracunia inherited blood of the dragon, do you now? You certainly are one interesting girl."

Ren Ashbell mused from behind her mask.

"Come... Strongest Blade Dancer, draw your sword!"

Leonora grasped her sword tightly, preparing herself to meet an attack. Her conscious mind tried to temper her impulsivity with logic and reason, but her body gave off an aura that made one think that she was liable to attack them at any moment.

"Think of your own standard and reconsider. A rookie like you isn't even worth using my Godslaying Flame on."

"You will... regret this... Ren Ashbell!"

Leonora, rendered incoherent by rage, charged forward with all her strength.

She struck a blow far stronger and faster than any mere human would have been able to muster.

In a flash, the stone flooring in the garden shattered into innumerable fragments and flew in all directions!

Except...

"...Nice move, but too bad... swords can't cut through flames."

In the spot where Leonora's sword had struck, the figure of the Strongest Blade Dancer was nowhere to be found.

"...What!?"

Leonora turned. Right then, a mighty force struck her directly on the chest.

"Oooh... Aaaah...!"

Leonora bent over in pain and the masked girl murmured beside her ear, "It might be interesting to take the Dragon to meet the Demon King. Power like yours might just be useful to assist in his awakening."

"...What... are you... saying...?"

With her hand still pressed to Leonora's chest, on the spot where her blow had struck her, Ren Ashbell chanted a brief curse.

A black flame emerged from her fingertips, then spread to Leonora's heart.

"Rejoice, Dracunia girl, I will tell you who your most suitable opponent is."

"Aaaaa... aaaaaaaaaaah!"

The girl's tortured cry reverberated through the garden.

Leonora then lost consciousness.

===Part 6===

In the darkness Est sat, holding her knees, her head bowed, silent and deep in thought.

She was overjoyed that Kamito was willing to take her back.

She was also happy that he thought of her as an irreplaceable part of his existence.

However, Est was herself unable to return those feelings.

Because she was constrained by the memories given to her by her 'main body'.

Becoming his sword was an unforgivable action.

Becoming his sword was an unforgivable action.

Becoming his sword was an unforgivable action.

The mantra repeated itself continuously, endlessly.

Sword spirit Est. Her existence was a sin branded on her body that could never be removed.

"...Kamito... I... I can no longer..."

In the unknown darkness, Est began to cry.

===Part 7===

The Savior Queen stood for a long while on the vast mountainous plains, her sword plunged into the ground.

Her current state was nothing like the Sacred Queen the people knew of. Her pure white armor was stained with blood and filth, while her usual optimism was nowhere to be found.

The girl was battling enemies greater than just the armies of the Demon King.

She also had to face endless victories and losses, schemes and betrayals.

Somewhere along the way, the number of people she could trust dwindled down to one, the sword that had fought alongside her the entire journey.

"Let me ask you, Est..."

"Mistress, what request do you have?"

"Are you willing to stay by my side always?"

The girl broke into a smile reserved only for her best friend, the tender smile of an innocent shepherd girl.

"I am your sword, I will protect you until the end of your life."

"You are right... you are my sword and for now that is all that matters."

At Est's emotionless response, the girl smiled a hollow smile.

"Mistress?"

"But, one day, when the demon king is defeated, when this war is over, I hope you can become..."

Then, the girl had said something...

Something that, no matter how hard she tried, Est simply could not remember.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter5

2018-03-25T02:51:43Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 5: The Princess Maiden of the Grand Shrine==
===Part 1===
"I never imagined that... under the Sanctuary, there are actually such enormous caves!"

"Yes, I don't think even the Princess Maidens at the Divine Ritual Institute know that these caves exist."

Holding the spirit crystal to light their path in one hand, Kamito made his way through the gigantic underground caves.

These caves, made by unknown men, were practically big enough to contain the entire Grand Shrine.

In between the stalactites were massive spiderwebs, bats danced in flight over their heads and swarms of little bugs on the ground made Fianna shriek involuntarily.

"Your Highness, are you all right?"

"I... I am but the esteemed second Princess of the Empire... H-How can these mere bugs scare me... Aaaaah!"

"Why be so stubborn... Hey, watch your step."

As the Princess let out a shrill scream of fear, Kamito grasped her hand tightly.

"K... Kamito? Wh...?"

"It's a man's duty to protect a woman... Or do you mean to say you dislike holding boys' hands?"

"N... No, it's not that... It's just..."

"Your shriek just now was actually quite cute, you know."

"...I... I hate you! You're so mean, Kamito..."

At Fianna's pouting expression, Kamito could not help but laugh.

Although she liked to tease Kamito mercilessly, once this Princess was given a taste of her own medicine, she would immediately reveal her pure and shy original side.

"Oh, that's right... Why would you know of such a place?"

"When I was still studying at the Institute, I came to this floating island as part of a ritual for the Wind Elemental Lord. A senior told me of this place."

"A senior... Who's that?"

"The Calamity Queen, Rubia Elstein-san."

"...What?!"

At that, Kamito let out an uncontrollable yelp.

"You are old friends with Claire's older sister?"

"Yes. I don't have many close friends and she... used to be one of them."

Fianna's expression suddenly darkened and grew lonely and she muttered in the past tense.

"Here, even the highest ranked Princess Maidens are ordered to stop, so I too don't know why she would know of these caves."

Right at that moment...

"Shhh... Don't say a word!"

Kamito stopped in his tracks and whispered to Fianna.

"What is it?"

"...There's someone nearby."

"How is that possible!? Only I know about th..."

Midway through her sentence, Fianna hastily fell silent.

Because she, too, had noticed the sounds of people talking.

And if... body cannot bear it, what... do then...

If so, it will mean... does not have the right to... that's all."

The words reverberated through the caves.

Because of the way the cave walls reflected sound, there was no way of telling how far they were from the speakers.

However, Kamito was certain that he had heard the voice somewhere before.

"That's Muir Alenstarl... So the one speaking to her must be..."

Kamito held onto Fianna’s shoulders protectively and took a deep breath to control his emotions.

"Why would that bastard be here..!"

No mistake about it. The one talking to Muir was indeed Ren Ashbell.

The very person who carved the Brand of Darkness on Kamito and the very person responsible for the disappearance of Est.

"Damn it..."

If he had been in any condition to, Kamito would have rushed up to confront her.

However, Kamito currently lacked even the ability to summon spirits for battle.

Furthermore, he could not put Fianna in danger.

Kamito could hence only suppress his feelings of anger and aggression and remain silently in hiding.

The pair's conversation finally ceased.

"...I think they've left."

"Yeah."

Kamito let down his guard, took a breath and said, "What... on earth were they just doing?"

"I imagine... maybe performing some kind of ritual magic."

"Ritual magic?"

"Indeed. I heard what sounded like chanting in spirit language, but it sounded a little different to ordinary spirit language... It felt a little sinister and it made my hair stand."

Fianna's shoulders quivered in fear.

"Why choose such a place to perform ritual magic...?"

Kamito furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Hmmm... Say, Kamito?"

"Yes?"

"H... How long are you planning to hug me for?"

"S... Sorry!"

As Fianna blushed furiously, Kamito hastily let go of her.

===Part 2===

"Oooh... What's wrong with coming along, Kamito you dummy!"

Back in her room, Claire muttered to herself unhappily while collapsing on her bed.

As Ellis and Rinslet were both with their families, who had come to cheer them on, Claire was alone with Scarlet in the house.

"Stupid..."

Casting her face downwards, Claire clutched her pillow tightly.

They definitely had valid reasons and even, in a manner of speaking, no choice but to leave her by herself.

...However, she couldn't help but feel lonely, as if she had been abandoned by her teammates.

"Who knows... what the two of them are doing..."

As they had left the room, Fianna had even pressed her bosom against Kamito's arm.

Kamito had looked a little surprised, but... how should she say this... seemingly not too repelled either.

"E... Either way, whatever that rascal does with that lascivious Princess, it's none of my business..."

...Nevertheless, the bothersome feeling was still gnawing away at her chest.

"...Boys, do they all like big chested girls?"

Perhaps it was what she had seen in the forbidden books in the Biblion, which detailed a wide variety of rituals involving the bodies of Princess Maidens, but Claire found herself even more self-conscious about her unimpressive chest.

"S... So unbelievable... That one would actually wedge t... that sort of thing in between...!"

Just the mere passing thought of it left Claire so embarrassed she blushed hotly.

"Put in between..."

Rub, rub. Squeeze, squeeze.

As a test, she gently rubbed her own tiny breasts.

...It was no good. With such a small chest, it was impossible for her to hold such a thing as illustrated in the book.

The most she would be able to do was rub it on the surface.

"Aaah... W... What nonsense am I thinking!"

Her face red, Claire clutched at her pillow wildly.

"Meow...?"

"S... Scarlet! G... G... G... Go away!"

Claire threw her pillow aside; startled, Scarlet fled from the room.

"..."

She was now truly completely alone in the room.

"...Why don't I... t... t... try out what was written in that book?"

Claire swallowed.

The forbidden book mentioned earlier also contained a method to enlarge one's chest.

Making use of the intelligence that had allowed her to achieve such stellar grades in the Academy, Claire took advantage of a moment when Ellis and Rinslet were distracted to memorize the contents of the script.

"...I... I have to try it to know whether or not it'll really work."

She cleared her throat and removed a small stone from her bag.

A low level thunder spirit was sealed within that spirit crystal. Although this type of spirit crystal was expensive, it was also not especially rare. Its original purpose was to scare away wild forest creatures.

Claire put it on her white underclothes and through the cloth gently massaged her chest.

"Mmm..."

The sharp tip of the stone rubbed against her chest painfully, but Claire told herself to be brave and bear it.

She focused on her fingers, concentrating her divine power in the spirit crystal.

The normal way of using it would be to summon a burst of divine power into it, releasing the spirit sealed within. The trick to this method seemed to be to input divine power in a slow, more controlled manner, which required much more skill. However, this was child's play for an elementalist as talented as Claire.

"Th... This will really enlarge my chest..? Aieeee!"

The sealed spirit suddenly began responding, releasing weak sparks of energy into Claire's body.

The intoxicating comforting feeling made her tremble right down to her fingertips.

"W... What is going on... Uhhh... Aaaah!"

[[File:STnBD V05 137.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Claire twisted about making noises, pressing the still sparking spirit crystal against her chest.

"Aaaa... aaah, mmm, aah... ha, aah... oooh..."

Unable to bear the intoxicating pain, she grasped her bedsheets in her fist and gasped deep breaths.

"I must b... be strong, so that my c... chest will get bigger... Aaaah!"

Suddenly, an even stronger jolt of energy surged through her, causing Claire to tremble uncontrollably and lean her body backwards.

(W... What now, I c... can't stop..!)

As the sweet pain coursed through her, Claire felt herself begin to lose consciousness.

"What, you rascal, so you'd like me to do these things to you?"

For some unknown reason, at that moment, an image of Kamito floated into Claire's mind. The imaginary Kamito was even looking at her with an expression like in her favorite romance novels... a cool, cruel, haughty expression.

"O... Of course not! Stupid... Stop now, don't go on anymore!"

"Oh... You really wish for me to stop?"

"Huh? ...Aaaa!"

"Look at you, what are those sounds you're making? You really are a dirty young miss."

"Oooh, mmm... W... Who says... Aaaah..."

"Why don't you admit your true feelings, young lady?"

"What t... true feelings... aaaah... ohhh!"

"Uh... That..."

"...Whew... oooh... Kamito, you stu..."

"That... Claire-sama?"

"...Huh!?"

A voice beside her ear jolted Claire back into reality.

Outside the door stood a youthful Princess Maiden holding a box.

"Waaaah... W... What are you doing!?"

"I... I'm sorry for disturbing you! The door wasn't locked, so..."

The girl nodded in profuse apology.

"C... Can I help you with anything?"

Claire sat up primly, cleared her throat and asked.

"Yes, indeed, someone requested I give you this..."

The girl placed the box in her hands on a rack beside the door.

The box was marked with a seal that Claire was very familiar with.

"This is from Headmistress Greyworth... What could it be?"

Claire opened the box. Inside were huge quantities of books and documents.

===Part 3===

"You mean to say, you had a dream about Sacred Queen Areishia?"

"Mmm... I just can't seem to forget about it, that's all."

In the pitch black cave...

...Kamito walked along with Fianna while telling her of his dream earlier that day.

That dream in which Sacred Queen Areishia used the Demon Slaying Sacred Sword to vanquish the Demon King.

Kamito somehow felt that the contents of the dream might have had something to do with Est.

"That would indeed be a memorable dream..."

Fianna put a hand on her chin and thought for a moment, then said, "Perhaps... what happened was Kamito's thoughts and feelings mixing with Est's."

"What does that mean?"

Kamito only knew a little about these academic matters, but Fianna was once an outstanding Princess Maiden, so she was very knowledgeable in these areas.

"It's not unusual for elementalists and their contracted spirits to have a mental connection in their dreams. Especially when the Gate between them cannot be opened, such phenomenon will become even more common."

As Fianna talked, she gestured with her index finger.

"When I lost my connection to my contracted spirit, I would frequently dream of a knight charging forth on the battlefield."

The rider in her dream was probably the spirit Georgios she commanded. By the looks of it, even if the elementalist lost their power, the connection between the two did not break completely.

"That dream you're saying it's part of Est's memory?"

If that were true, Est was really the true Demon Slayer Sacred Sword?

"Mmm... to be sure, the picture should have been formed by the mixing of Est's and Kamito's memories..."

Saying this, Fianna suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"I can understand what you're feeling... because the same tragedy happened to me before."

"Fianna..."

Kamito also stopped and turned to face her.

The second Princess of the Empire, the impending successor to Rubia, the anticipated heir Princess Maiden. Unfortunately, when she lost the ability to command spirits and became a fallen Princess Maiden, those around her reversed their attitudes and regarded her only with disappointment.

For the young, innocent girl, that would certainly have been an unimaginable horror.

"But Fianna, you did not just give up because of that."

"That was only because of Kamito's efforts."

Looking at him directly, she replied.

"My efforts?"

"Three years ago, the blade dance you presented gave me, a lost elementalist, renewed hope and inspiration. If not for you, Kamito, I suppose I would still be hiding away in the castle right now."

"You exaggerate too much."

Embarrassed, Kamito shook his head.

"Of course not, moreover... Since then, I have felt towards Kamito..."

At that moment, a group of bats suddenly flew past their heads.

"Aaaah!"

Fianna shrieked involuntarily.

Kamito waved the lantern about, only then did the bats fly away, frightened.

"...All right, it's fine now. That's right... what were you about to say just now?"

"N... Nothing! It was nothing!"

Fianna mumbled to herself as if to shrug the matter off, then continued onwards.

...For a lengthy while after, all was quiet between the two apart from the sound of footfalls.

"Oh, Kamito, you don't plan on telling Claire your true identity?"

Fianna's sudden question came out of nowhere.

"Mmm, forget it... If I caused someone's dream to be ruined, I would never be able to live with myself."

For a longed for dream to always remain as a dream was the most perfect situation of all.

The strongest blade dancer three years ago was long gone now.

It would be better for 'her' to remain merely in the imaginations of Claire and her friends.

"Furthermore... If they were to find out about my habit of dressing as a girl, they would surely laugh at me to no end."

Looking down at his outfit, Kamito muttered to himself.

"Hee hee... Does that mean I'm the only one to share in Kamito's little secret?"

Fianna suddenly let slip a gleeful smile and clutched Kamito's arm tightly.

"Hey, watch your step."

"It doesn't matter anyway, even if I were to trip, Kamito will catch me before I fall."

"You rascal... Some Princess you are, please be a bit more wary of men!"

"Huh, don't you know? In front of a boy she likes, a Princess is but an ordinary girl!"

The Princess stuck her tongue out at Kamito mischievously.

Her adorable response made Kamito's heart quicken.

"My dear Princess, please stop joking around with me."

"...I hate you, I wasn't joking."

=== Part 4===

After quite a while, the two of them finally arrived at the secret tunnels of the Grand Temple.

The path overhead was blocked by a giant stone slab, on which were cramped carvings of words in spirit language.

The exit was right here. The courtyard of the Grand Temple was just outside.

"Kamito, may I climb on your shoulders?"

"Sure, no problem."

Nodding, Kamito bent to allow Fianna to get up.

The sensation of her tender thighs on the back of his neck made Kamito's heart involuntarily leap into his throat. How he hoped she would not get mad at him because of that.

"S... Speaking of which... I really don't have to hide my face?"

"Something so suspicious would in fact make us more easily discovered. Besides, I'm a girl and even I think Kamito looks very pretty, so you don't need to worry at all."

"Such praise really doesn't make me feel any better..."

Then, Fianna chanted what sounded like a magical curse. The spirit words on the stone shone brightly blue and the entire slab split cleanly down the middle and opened outwards.

Bright moonlight beamed directly into the dark cave.

Night had already fallen upon the outside world and a bonfire was burning to light the enormous courtyard.

"It looks like no one's around, let's go now."

Fianna reached out and placed a hand on the ground, then slowly climbed out.

Kamito leaped up in one bound and followed closely behind her.

Fortunately, the ritual clothing had a long skirt, so even if Kamito were to look up, Fianna's panties would still be hidden.

"What a pity... I'd even specially worn Kamito's favorite knickers today."

"I... I don't even l... like... suspenders!"

"Oooh, it looks like I've hit upon the truth!"

"Uhhh..."

Looking at Kamito's vexed expression, Fianna broke out into peals of laughter.

After climbing to ground level, the two of them hurried to the stone corridor in front of the courtyard.

"I say... If we're found out, will we have to escape from every single Guardian spirit here?"

"Don't look guilty and we won't be found out."

The two of them exchanged nervous whispers while walking along the stone corridor stretched out before them.

At that moment, a Princess Maiden appeared in front of them and began walking towards them.

"Ooh!?"

Kamito's heart jolted and his facial expression hardened.

The girl drew ever closer, step by step.

Just as they were about to pass each other, she suddenly stopped before them and said, "Pardon me, where are you headed?"

"To Reicha-sama's chambers. Reicha-sama says she's feeling unwell, so..."

"Oh, is that so? Sorry for your trouble."

Fianna answered the questioning Princess Maiden with a calm, composed expression on her face and the latter then turned and left.

"Look, didn't we just successfully pass this trial?"

"Wow... The bravery of the Princess Maiden really is something else. I was so scared my heart almost stopped "

For a male to enter the Divine Ritual Institute was absolutely unheard of. A rule of such importance had never been broken before.

If they were to be caught, in the best case they would be executed, while in the worst case... Never mind, it was best not to think about it.

"This way."

Fianna, who was walking in front, gestured surreptitiously with her hand.

Following her lead...

"..."

The pair reached the end of the lengthy corridor, where there were a set of grand doors decorated with intricate carvings.

The decor of this door was noticeably different to the other doors. Several very pure and valuable spirit crystals were inlaid on the frame of the door.

"...Uh... Fianna, may I ask a question?"

Kamito inquired, a twitching expression on his face.

"What is it?"

"This door wouldn't happen to be... never mind, I guess it goes without saying..."

"Indeed, it's just what Kamito thinks."

Fianna shrugged her shoulders at Kamito naughtily.

"I've no choice... which other Princess Maidens are of a higher status than I am, other than these ladies?"

"Are you serious?"

"Don't worry, I'm absolutely certain."

Finishing her sentence, Fianna knocked smartly on the door thrice, according to the proper regulations.

The duo waited for a while...

Finally, the grand doors gradually opened.

The sight that greeted them was...

...A red carpet that stretched out straight before them and brightly glittering spirit crystals.

This was a sacred space, filled with the aura of somber tranquility.

A thin curtain hung at the far end of the room. Behind that was the silhouette of a small slight figure.

"What does the visitor want? I believe I have already instructed not to have my meal..."

The high stately voice rang out into the hall.

However, undeterred, Fianna walked forward and said, "Long time no see, Reicha. How have you been lately?"

"...Huh?"

The maiden hastily pulled aside the curtain, then her jaw dropped in shock.

"...It can't be, Fianna-sempai!?"

===Part 5===

Reicha Alminas.

She was one of the Queens to have gained the honor of serving the five Elemental Lords.

There were only five Queens in the entire continent and they were the most eminent of all Princess Maidens.

Although Fianna had said she wanted to bring Kamito to meet a high ranked Princess Maiden...

He had never for a moment dreamed that she was referring to a current Queen.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Because... If I had, you wouldn't have come, would you Kamito?"

Kamito could not hide his conflicting feelings. Likewise, the girl seated beside him was also nervously averting her gaze and looked rather uneasy.

The girl had glossy black hair neatly done up in braids and cute eyes like that of a small animal.

Dressed in bright red ritual clothing, she looked like a butterfly about to take flight.

At fifteen, she was a year younger than Kamito. Like Rubia Elstein, she was one of Fianna's few close friends and confidantes while she was at the Divine Ritual Institute.

She served the Fire Elemental Lord, in other words, she had succeeded the Calamity Queen elementalist's position.

Kamito had already introduced himself, removed his disguise and revealed that he was in truth male.

Upon discovering that Kamito was in fact male, Reicha very nearly fainted on the spot and only managed to stay conscious thanks to Fianna's eloquent explanations.

"I... I... If I am ungracious, it is because it is my f... first time talking to a male..."

"N... Never mind. I should be the one apologizing, to barge in on you suddenly like this."

Looking at the Queen bobbing her head apologetically in his direction, Kamito also bowed his head in response.

Despite obviously being the highest ranked Princess Maiden in the continent, she was nonetheless humble and polite.

Due to her rank, Kamito should have used genteel, formal language when addressing her. However, regardless of that fact, she nonetheless looked like an ordinary young girl, so Kamito could not help but speak to her as an equal.

"Hee, hee, little Reicha is still as cute as ever."

Fianna smiled mischievously and reached out to feel her small chest.

"Ah...! S... Sempai, what are you doing!"

"Your chest seems to have gotten a little bigger?"

"Oooh... I... I really haven't...!"

Reicha blushed and twisted her body defensively.

...Even if she was indeed an old friend, to do something like that to a Queen was pushing it a little, wasn't it?

Kamito broke out into a cold sweat and averted his eyes awkwardly.

The two girls reminisced fondly for a while, then...

"Reicha, actually... I have a favor to ask of you."

Fianna made her request with a serious expression.

"A favor, yes?"

Reicha blinked, not understanding.

"Mmhmm, I need to borrow your power, to break the curse on him, Kamito."

"You mean to say this male has been cursed?"

The Fire Queen asked, turning to look at Kamito.

"My sword spirit might have been trapped by this curse. Please save her, I beg you."
Kamito placed both his hands on the ground and pleaded with Reicha with all his heart.

"That is a curse so strong that even I cannot break it. However, you have received the blessing of the Fire Elemental Lord. With that power, you can surely destroy even the harshest of curses."

"You are right. If I use the Sacred Flames of Judgment, any curse will turn into smoke, that's true. But..."

Reicha lowered her head and mumbled.

It was only natural that she would hesitate.

Even on the behest of one of her best friends, Fianna, she was nevertheless a Queen who had to follow rules and do things by the book.

Using the Fire Elemental Lord's power for personal gains was an act that would never be condoned.

A long period of silence ensued and then...

"I know."

"Huh?"

At that, Kamito raised his head and regarded Reicha quizzically.

"Because it is sempai's request, so... but only this once. I will not make this exception again."

The Fire Queen let out a sigh and nodded her head as if making a decision.

===Part 6===

After a while more...

"...Now then, let's begin the ritual."

Reicha, who had changed into a set of pure white ritual clothes, knelt demurely in front of Kamito.

Her serene, assured appearance contrasted sharply with that of the nervous, embarrassed young girl just a while ago. They seemed like virtually two different people.

So as not to disrupt the ritual, Fianna had retreated to a corner of the room to guard them from afar.

"I'll leave everything in your hands, R... Reicha-sama."

"Please, just call me Reicha, Kamito-sama."

The Fire Queen smiled quietly, then caressed Kamito's hand gently.

"Will you be scared... I mean, scared to touch a male's body?"

"...To be honest, yes, a little scared. But... you are a friend of my sempai."

"It seems like you trust Fianna a lot."

"...Yes, indeed. Fianna-sempai was one of the only people to stand by my side."

Reicha mumbled to herself, as if recalling a faraway memory of some past event.
The rapport between the two seemed to go deeper than mere friendship.

"Also, I can feel it, you're not a dangerous evil person."

"Is that so?"

"Don't judge me based on my looks and age. I am after all a Queen and I am quite confident in my ability to assess people."

Reicha said with a genuine smile.

Her smile was full of charm and could easily mesmerize someone looking at it.

"Now, then, Kamito-sama, please remove your shirt."

"Oh... Mmm... hmm..."

Kamito nodded and took off the thin tunic he was wearing under the Princess Maiden dress.

The Brand of Darkness on his chest, positioned just above his heart, had turned into a pitch black wound.

"Ahhh... T... That's really something...!"

Reicha clapped both hands to her cheeks, blushing furiously red.

"T... This is my first time seeing a m... male's body..."

"Oh, is that so..."

Kamito looked away, feeling a little uneasy.

To have his naked body scrutinized so closely by a girl made him mysteriously embarrassed.

"Kamito, your face is very red."

Standing at a side of the room, Fianna said, then immediately coughed a few times.

Reicha stretched out a hand nervously to touch Kamito's chest.

"...Very... very firm and solid!"

"It's alright, it's a result of all the training at the Instructional School..."

The Queen's slim fingers wandered along Kamito's naked upper body, making him itch slightly.

However, where her fingers touched, he suddenly felt waves of aching pain.

Then, Reicha shut her eyes and solemnly began chanting a curse in spirit language.

''"O supreme master of all earthly flames, our harsh judge and great warrior..."''

These were the words of the prayer for a ritual dedicated to the Fire Elemental Lord.

Reicha's hair started blowing wildly as if by a hot gust of wind and a bright white light shone at her fingertips.

''"Sacred Flames of Judgment, redeem our sins and cleanse our filth..."''

The words coming from her thin pale lips were the highest level of spirit language, the High Ancient.

The little girl before his eyes seemed to be possessed.

"...Oooo, uhhhhh...!"

Kamito let out uncontrollable moans of pain.

The bright blue flames from Reicha's fingertips were burning his skin, scorching his flesh.

"Oww... aaaaaaaa... aaah...!"

The unimaginable pain seemed to morph into the roar of a monstrous beast, which rushed out of Kamito's throat.

He felt a sharp tinnitus, as if fireworks were exploding in his head. Sweat oozed from his every pore and his muscles tensed so hard as to nearly break his bones.

"Into ash and dust! Your flames can purify all darkness, burn away all curses!"

The Brand of Darkness imprinted on Kamito's chest suddenly started burning intensely.

"...!"

Kamito burst into wordless howls.

In his quickly fading awareness, Kamito felt a dull pain coming from his right hand.

(Could it be... Est's spirit mark...!?)

Just as he saw, from the corner of his eye, his spirit mark began radiating a bright light...

Kamito lost consciousness and plunged into darkness.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter4

2018-03-23T04:51:05Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 4: Laurenfrost Sisters==
===Part 1===
Kamito and the others returned to the tower just before the sun had fully sunk past the horizon.

As with yesterday, there was a ball in the great hall of the tower. This one had nothing to do with the commencement ceremony, however it was simply an activity organized for the aristocrats, so there were virtually no elementalists participating. As they were to do battle in the main tournament event the very next day, they were simply not in the mood to go to something as frivolous as a ball.

Kamito returned to his own room and gathered the things he would take with him tomorrow.

The items he put into the bag included some easy to carry food, a lantern made of spirit crystals and other necessities for survival in the forest.

As the rules of the game limited the weight of things he could bring with him, the items had to be carefully selected

"The individual fight three years ago was much easier than this..."

At that time, Kamito only had to concern himself with beating the opponent immediately in front of him.

However, this time, he would have to make plans to ensure the survival of all his group members.

Because alone, Kamito was no match for Ren Ashbell.

No... as things were right now, without Est, he probably did not have enough power to beat even Leonora Lancaster and the other elementalist teams.

"...I must not become a burden to the others."

Kamito muttered to himself. Then...

From outside the room came sounds made by lovely girls.

"Wow, so beautiful! My sister's hair is really pretty!"

"Ah ah... Mireille, don't pull my hair!"

...That was Rinslet's voice.

"What is it?"

Kamito opened the door and walked to the hallway...

And saw a little girl playfully tugging at Rinslet's hair.

"...Rinslet, what're you doing?"

"Ah... Kamito-san!?"

At the sound, Rinslet turned her head in surprise.

"Kamito?"

The little girl playing with her hair turned to face Kamito too.

Just like Rinslet, the little girl also had a head of gorgeous pale gold hair.

The white dress she was wearing contrasted very nicely with her clear emerald green eyes.

The little girl looked to be about seven or eight. While she was still young, she looked extremely cute and somewhat alike to Rinslet.

"Oh wow, it's Kamito onii-chan! Look, I see Kamito-chan!"

Grinning widely, the girl took big strides towards Kamito...

...And, with a bump, buried her head in Kamito's tummy.

"Ahhh... what!?"

Stunned, Kamito could not respond, but Rinslet hastily ran over, saying, "Mireille, you cannot do that! You are a lady of the Laurenfrost family, how can you display such thoroughly indecent behavior! "

"It doesn't matter, Kamito-chan will soon be Mireille's onii-chan in law anyway."

"...What?"

Upon hearing the girl's words, Kamito could not help but frown in puzzlement.

"M... M... Mireille! W... W... W... What rubbish are you saying!"

"Huh? Doesn't sister always write in her letters to me... ooo, ooo..."

Rinslet quickly put her hand over the girl's mouth.

Kamito scratched his head and said, "...Uh, this kid... is Rinslet's younger sister?"

"That's right. My name is Mireille Laurenfrost and I am the third daughter of the Laurenfrost family."

Breaking free of Rinslet's grasp, the girl curtsied to Kamito like a perfect aristocrat.

Her lively emerald green eyes danced cutely.

When she grew up, she would surely be a noble beauty, just like Rinslet.

"I am Kazehaya Kamito, teammate of Rinslet."

"I know, little pet dog of your teammate and my elder sister, right?"

Mireille smiled sweetly and said.

"L... Little pet dog, what the hell?"

"M... Mireille! Stop talking nonsense!"

Rinslet quickly hushed her, but Mireille simply wore an innocent look and continued, "Huh, that's not right? Then, is it... boyfriend?"

"O... Of course not! H... H... How can he be... b... boyfriend..."

The elder of the two sisters clapped her hands to her cheeks, her face so red that she looked about to go up in smoke.

"Oooh... elder sister is embarrassed now, how cute!"

"...Hmph, I h... hate you, stop speaking nonsense to bully me!"

[[File:STnBD V05 111.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Rinslet gently patted Mireille on the back.

Looking at the two of them, Kamito could not hold back a smile.

(...Silly Rinslet, losing all dominance before her little sister.)

While this scene was indeed hilarious, to be mistaken for Kamito's lover or girlfriend was certainly not very nice for Rinslet.

Kamito gently placed his hand on Mireille's head.

"Ai!"

Mireille squealed as if she was being tickled.

"I am neither Rinslet's pet dog, nor her boyfriend. You shouldn't vex your sister like that."

"...Oh... uh huh. Kamito-kun, I'm sorry."

Blushing slightly, Mireille nodded.

It seemed that, like her sister, she was a naturally honest and good child.

"Oooh... you didn't have to deny it so thoroughly..."

For some unknown reason, Rinslet pursed her lips and bore a slightly unhappy expression.

Then...

"It can't be Kamito-san, the one who captured all three of us young ladies with your sweet talk..."

"Carol!? When did you come...?"

The maid, who had appeared out of nowhere, smiled and chuckled.

At Carol's words, Rinslet stared at Kamito in astonishment and said, "K... Kamito-san... n... no, I will not have a threesome with my sister!"

"Rinslet... are you thinking of rude indecent things?"

Rinslet took a step forward and reached out as if to protect her sister, while Kamito rolled his eyes at her.

"I... I think, if I'm together with my big sister... I don't mind doing anything at all."

This little sister was really something, to say such odd things.

Carol cleared her throat, pinched the back of Mireille's neck and said, "All right, Mireille-san... your elder sister has things to do, so let's be good and go back to our room."

"Oooh... but I still want to play more with Kamito-kun."

Seeing that Mireille was about to defiantly shake her head in refusal, Carol whispered in her ear, "Be good, you mustn't disrupt your sister's private time!"

"Oh... t... true. I see, Carol."

Mireille abruptly stopped her fuss and grasped Rinslet's arm tightly.

"Sister, I'll be cheering you on tomorrow, you must save Judia and bring her back!"

Her innocent, smiling expression suddenly turned very serious.

Opposite her, Rinslet also nodded with a look of firm determination.

"I know, leave it to me."

Mireille gently released her sister's arm, broke out into her original smile and turned towards Kamito.

"Kamito-kun, after the Blade Dance ends, you must come visit our Laurenfrost area."

"Mmm, I know."

"If Kamito-kun could really be my onii-chan in law, that would be so great..."

"Huh?"

With those words, which left Kamito shaken, Mireille...

...Exited from the other end of the hallway, accompanied by Carol.

"I h... hate her... taking care of this little sister really gives me a headache..."

"But you sure are an elder sister who really knows how to take care of people, Rinslet."

"B... But of course, I am after all the eldest sister of the house."

Rinslet rumpled her long hair, a little embarrassed.

Kamito suddenly grew curious about the name Mireille had mentioned in passing.

"Oh yes, who was that Judia person you two were talking about just now?"

"..."

A dark cloud passed over Rinslet's face.

"S... Sorry... did I just ask a question I shouldn't have?"

"N... No, not at all!"

Lowering her gaze and shaking her head, Rinslet said, "Judia is my other sister, the second Laurenfrost daughter."

"So you have another sister."

"Mmm. She's now in the Laurenfrost castle, in a long unwakeable sleep."

Tearfully, Rinslet told the whole story to Kamito.

The second daughter of the Laurenfrost family, Judia Laurenfrost, was originally a highly ranked, excellent princess maiden of the Divine Ritual Institute. However, just a few years ago, while performing a sacrificial ritual towards the Water Elemental Lord, she made a mistake. In a fury, the Elemental Lord imprisoned her in a curse of never melting ice.

Margrave Laurenfrost had recruited elementalists from all over the empire in an attempt to break the curse, but to no avail. Despite possessing the power of a variety of high level spirits, they could not break the curse.

After that, Judia had lain unmoving, dormant in a deep sleep..

"...A curse of the Water Elemental Lord? That must be something no human elementalist can break."

"Yes, there remains only one way to save Judia."

Clenching her fists, Rinslet continued, "That is the reward of the Blade Dance victors, the Elemental Lord's blessing. My Wish will be for the Water Elemental Lord to have mercy and bestow his forgiveness, to let me save Judia."

"Rinslet..."

Her words rekindled a fire in Kamito's mind.

(Yes, it's not just me...)

Claire, Ellis, Fianna... and Rinslet as well. His partners in the Blade Dance all had a strong unshakeable motivation.

The disappearance of Est, right before his very eyes, had dampened Kamito's spirits and made him a little more withdrawn.

However, he could not afford such excuses.

Resting both his hands on Rinslet's shoulders, Kamito told her, "Rinslet, we absolutely must achieve the final victory."

"Y... Yes, you're right!"

Rinslet blushed and smiled happily.

Probably because she usually preferred to wear a stubborn, haughty look, Kamito felt that this candidly smiling Rinslet looked immensely adorable.

"Well, Kamito-san... I'll head back to my room and get ready."

"Sure."

Rinslet shyly turned and dashed towards the other end of the corridor.

"...Well then, I too will continue my preparations."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders and started back towards his room. Then...

"Hee hee... Kamito, you're just as popular as ever."

"Fianna!?"

Fianna was standing at Kamito's door and appeared to have been there for quite a while.

"How was it? Have a good date with Claire and the rest?"

The second royal princess smiled and teased Kamito.

"...Date? Not at all, that was just..."

Midway through his sentence, Kamito stopped, not knowing how best to continue.

From an objective point of view, it did indeed look like a date... maybe.

Furthermore, it looked like an outing of a frivolous womanizer with three pure, untarnished beauties.

At Kamito's reaction, Fianna sighed, dumbfounded and said, "Ah... I see Kamito now is not just the Demon King of the Night, but the Demon King of the Daytime as well."

"...Demon King of the Daytime, what's that?"

"Never mind, it was I who got you guys to go out and have fun... from now on it'll be my turn to show you my moves."

"...Your turn, your moves? What do you mean?"

Kamito tilted his head, not understanding.

Fianna suddenly looked serious.

"I found an acquaintance who can break the curse on you."

"Really!?"

While Kamito and the others were touring the streets, Fianna had been searching for people who could destroy the Brand of Darkness.

"...Fianna, thank you very much."

"You're welcome... however, there still remains one problem."

"A problem?"

"As she is a high ranked princess maiden, I cannot simply ask her to leave the Grand Shrine, so meeting with her will be a bit difficult. Thus, I will need you to come with me personally, Kamito."

"...Oh, so that's it? Of course I can go with you."

"Wonderful. So, without further ado, can I please ask you to hurry and change your clothes?"

"Change my clothes?"

"Yes, I recall that Kamito... you seem to be very good at dressing up as a girl?"

===Part 2===

A few minutes later.

Before the mirror in the room stood a dark haired girl.

"..."

"...This is too surprising, I never expected it to be so accurate."

"You rascal, don't tell me you're actually pleased..."

"N... No such thing, it's just our only solution."

Fianna gazed into the distance, trying to brush over the issue.

(She's definitely enjoying this...)

Kamito muttered testily.

Indeed, the reflected girl in the mirror was Kamito, wearing the ceremonial outfit of the Divine Ritual Institute.

There was a black wig on his head and makeup powder on his face.

With even a layer of pale cherry colored lipstick on his lips, he looked the very picture of a young maiden.

[[File:STnBD V05 119.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

"What a beauty... Although your outline is a little different, such beauty is unmistakable... You truly look like the former Ren Ashbell. If you walked the streets looking like this, you will certainly be the subject of much talk."

"H... Hey... could you keep it down?"

Kamito instinctively looked around.

Although they were indoors, there was no guarantee. The walls had ears.

Upon seeing Kamito's embarrassed countenance, Fianna smiled sweetly and said, "However this outfit really is a masterpiece. It's so pretty I want to call everyone over to feast their eyes on it."

"...Please don't!"

Kamito desperately pleaded with Fianna, as if begging for his life.

"Oh... careful, with such loud cries, you'll be heard by people in the corridor."

Suddenly, just at that moment...

From the other side of the door came the sound of something dropping on the floor.

"...!?"

Kamito turned in the direction of the sound.

"Ka... Ka... Kamito!? W... What in hell are you doing!?"

It was Claire, an expression of shock and horror on her face. Scattered on the floor were things that had fallen from her hands.

"C... Claire!? Y... You're mistaken, it's not what you think... ah!"

Kamito rushed forward, wanting to explain himself.

However, in his haste, he tripped over the hem of the garment and fell and the chest pad fell out of his chest and tumbled to the floor

...Everyone was silent for several seconds.

"Uh... Well, this..."

Breaking the silence, Claire opened her mouth and said, "N...No, it doesn't matter... I don't mind! O... Only... I was just surprised to suddenly find out that you have such a hobby. U... Uh... everyone has their own hobbies, after all!"

"That's what I'm saying, you're mistaken!"

Kamito drew himself upright and explained loudly, but Claire played the fool and pretended not to hear.

"Y... You don't have to hide, it's all right! That... you look very appropriate in that and I think you look pretty dressed as a girl. Although this hobby is something you probably don't want to make public, I support you, Kamito. I'm rooting for you, yeah!"

"I don't need your support!"

"Ha, ha... Kamito, that's fantastic."

Fianna laughed, watching the duo.

"Fianna... I beg you, help me explain this to Claire, please."

"Well, I have no choice... I would have liked to see more of this good show."

"...What do you mean?"

Claire gave her a puzzled look.

"It's a long story... Kamito and I are about to sneak into the Grand Shrine, to ask a high ranked princess maiden to destroy the Brand of Darkness on his body.

"You mean... the Grand Shrine?"

At this, Claire's jaw dropped in shock.

That was a perfectly understandable reaction. The Grand Shrine was after all the most sacred area of the entire floating island, not accessible to even Blade Dance participants.

"W... What do you intend to do there! Don't you know that there are very powerful guardian spirits keeping watch over the place?"

"Obviously I don't plan to storm the front gates! We will enter through a secret passageway, therefore, I need Kamito to take on the appearance of a princess maiden."

"But... t... this is too dangerous...!"

"Then, you tell me, is there any other way to rid Kamito of the curse?"

"T... That..."

Seeing Claire at a loss for words, Kamito gently placed a hand on her head.

"Ah! ...W... What are you doing!"

"Don't worry, I won't be as clumsy as to get caught."

"..."

In response, Claire bit her lip nervously.

"Well, all right... I know..."

She nodded reluctantly.

"However, in that case, I have to come along too."

"That won't do. The fewer people sneaking in, the better. And Claire, your hair color simply stands out too much."

"Claire, are you worrying about me?"

"Stupid! O... Of course not."

"Rest assured, I will return Kamito safely to you in one piece."

"...Oooh... I w... wasn't even thinking anything of the sort!"

"Ha, ha... well then, I'll leave you to mind the house. Kamito, let's go."

Fianna waved goodbye to the furiously blushing Claire, who then...

Rushed over.

She pressed her soft chest to Kamito's arm.

"Hey, hey! Fianna!?"

Butterflies in his stomach, Kamito blushed.

"Oooh... S... So what... Kamito you idiot!"

Claire rushed out of the room in tears.

===Part 3===

In this part of the floating island, Ragna Ys, was a chain of vast underground caves.

No one alive today knew when it had been constructed, or even for what purpose.

There was a figure standing in this place where even the highest ranked princess maidens were ordered to stop.

She was the girl in the bright red mask, Ren Ashbell.

She was in an area carved into a square space.

A stark contrast to the natural caves surrounding it, this room had obviously been built by man.

The small stone room was in fact the sacred True Sanctuary.

The Grand Shrine erected aboveground was merely there to provide a majestic appearance.

There was a rotting smell wafting about the place.

The masked girl was staring at the black sarcophagus placed in the middle of the room.

The mere presence of the sarcophagus gave its surroundings a sinister and ominous air.

"I have searched for you for a long time, Ren Ashbell."

Out of the blue came the childish voice of a young maiden.

A gray haired girl slowly walked out of the darkness.

She was Muir Alenstarl.

She, who had been missing since the battle last night, was the second ranked 'Monster' of the Instructional School.

"It seems that the fourth person is finally here. Lily is fetching her here now."

"Is that so? That princess really brings trouble to other people."

The one they were talking about was the fourth member of Team Inferno, Sjora Kahn. She and Lily were different from Muir in that they had not been picked by Ren Ashbell's own people, but were elementalists appointed on recommendation by the religious Alphas Theocracy.

The Alphas Theocracy had not provided Ren Ashbell with any information on Sjora's abilities, because Sjora's other responsibility was to monitor all of Ren Ashbell's actions.

"Muir Alenstarl... You looked for me only to talk to me about this?"

"Of course not. Let me ask you... you fiend, what have you done to my onii-chan?"

Muir asked severely, as if a knife had been stabbed into her neck.

"You are dissatisfied with how I unleashed his full power?"

"It should be Muir's responsibility to awaken my own onii-chan."

"It was not my intention to deny you that, but because of other reasons, I had no choice but to speed up the initial plan."

Ren Ashbell shrugged her shoulders, seemingly without any second thoughts.

"And if my onii-chan's body cannot bear it, what do you intend to do then?"

"If so, it will mean that he does not have the right to be the one to succeed the Demon King, that's all."

"What are you saying...!"

At this, Muir's expression turned sharp and murderous.

"You can't accept that? Then next time... wake him using your own hands."

After saying that, Ren Ashbell tossed Muir a small, delicate ring.

"...And this is?"

"I got this mythical class ancient artifact from the old fogeys at Alphas. The three militarized spirits sealed within are all weapons that were scrapped by the international guidelines."

"Do you think Muir will be so easily bribed by this toy of yours?"

"This is merely a token of our good friendship. Please accept it."

"...Hmph, I'll just watch and see how long you can endure this."

While putting on the ring, Muir glared angrily at her.

"Although Muir is helping you for now, I am not like Lily. If you dare lay a hand on my onii-chan again, I will kill you without mercy."

"Whatever... Go ahead, if you can."

Ren Ashbell easily shrugged off Muir's ferocious glare, then...

...Turned again towards the black sarcophagus.

"Speaking of which... What are you doing here?"

"A resurrection ritual."

"...Huh? What's that?"

"Bringing spirits of the dead back to the living world. The Institutional School regards this as the most forbidden act of all."

"Bringing spirits of the dead...?"

Ren Ashbell was placing a chain of jewels on the sarcophagus.

That was the Blood Stone, found only in the original spirit world, such a highly prized spirit crystal contained power that ordinary spirit crystals could not possibly rival.

Next, in a clear bright voice, she started singing a chant that sounded like a curse.

"O Nether World Elemental Lord, I humbly beg you to call back the souls of the seeds of darkness..."

From behind the mask came some hard to understand spirit language.

If there had been princess maidens from the Institute there, they would certainly be very surprised.

For only the highest ranked princess maidens were permitted to sing the High Ancient language.

Bump, bump... from the black sarcophagus came sounds like a heartbeat.

Suddenly, the bright red Blood Stone shattered!

Then...

Sizzle... Hiss... Sizzle...

With tiny movements, the lid of the sarcophagus slowly opened and from the resulting small crack emerged something!

"W... What on earth... is this...?"

Muir Alenstarl could not help but flinch at the repellent, horrifying sight before her eyes.

"He is the previous Ren Ashbell, Nepenthes Lore."

Ren Ashbell's voice echoed brightly in the stone room suffused with the smell of rotting flesh.

"He is also the fifth member of Team Inferno."

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter3

2018-03-23T03:32:14Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 3: Dragon Princess's Allurement==
===Part 1===
After leaving the cafe, Kamito and the others took a stroll near the port.

Surrounded by the three lovely ladies, Kamito still received quite a few stares from passers by that made him feel uncomfortable, but since they were some distance away from the center of the shopping street, the situation was much better.

"Can we take a look in that store?"

Rinslet's outstretched hand was pointing at a stall that specialized in selling aristocratic dresses.

"No problem." "Yeah, I don't mind."

Claire and Ellis nodded in agreement.

"Rinslet, are you buying clothes now?"

Kamito asked, puzzled. As the Blade Dance would begin tomorrow, she would not have many opportunities to wear anything else other than her uniform.

"I'm not buying them for myself, I'm getting them for Carol and my little sister."

"Your sister?"

"Yes, my sister specially came to watch me show off my talents."

Rinslet fluffed her long hair happily.

At that moment, the maid Carol had arrived at the port ready to greet the girl Rinslet was talking about.

"Oh, turns out Rinslet has a little sister too... I imagine she must look just like her older sister. She must be a beautiful, pleasant child."

"K... Kamito-san, w... what nonsense are you spouting..."

At Kamito's casual thoughtless chatter, Rinslet blushed, embarrassed.

"M... My sisters are very good looking as well!"

"My sister Velsaria is a beauty too!"

"Uh... why are you guys suddenly saying all these..."

Claire and Ellis felt an inexplicable sense of competitiveness.

"Well, I'll wait patiently outside. Call me when you're done."

As Kamito turned to leave, Claire tugged on his sleeve to stop him.

"You have to come in with me."

"...Why? This shop only sells girls' clothing, doesn't it?"

"I... It doesn't matter... we have to stay together."

"Well... Hey...!"

Kamito was forcibly pulled into the shop by his sleeve.

The shop was unexpectedly spacious. In addition to fashionable clothing, it also sold items like underwear.

"Well then, let me first pick out something for my sister."

Rinslet happily disappeared into the shop.

"Kamito, wait here for me... I'll go try something on."

"Try something on?"

"...U... Uh, I mean, so you can help me make a decision."

Claire's cheeks flushed.

(...Oh, I get it.)

Kamito was struck by a sudden understanding and could not hold back a smile.

Having grown up in a sheltered aristocratic family, Claire was probably not used to choosing her own clothing.

(...Nonetheless, it's hardly a good idea to ask me for advice.)

"I'd be glad to help... but I take no responsibility!"

"It doesn't matter, I just want your thoughts."

Claire lifted her twintails proudly, smiled sweetly and said "I want you to admire me after my gorgeous makeover."

"I look forward to it... but, with so amazing a model, I'm sure any clothes you pick would look good."

"...S... Stupid! You're talking nonsense again!"

Claire flushed at Kamito's teasing and left with her face red.

===Part 2===

At the instant Claire left Kamito's side...

(...Good opportunity!)

At a corner of the shop, Ellis was silently shouting to herself.

Now all the hindering people were out of the way.

Of course, as a Knight, Ellis prided herself on her honesty and nobility.

Normally, she would never take such actions behind the backs of the other two.

However, some things were too important to concede.

(Now is the perfect time!)

Ellis firmly pursed her lovely lips.

Upon further reflection, ever since arriving on this floating island, she had always been half a beat slower than the other two.

The outfit she wore to purify herself in the lake was the plain competition swimwear, the evening gown she so painstakingly prepared was no match for Claire's superior beauty and even just now, she had been slower than Claire and Rinslet to hold Kamito's hand and had to settle for his arm.

(I... I absolutely must find some way to improve my position right now...)

Ellis secretly shot a look towards Kamito's side profile.

It was a face she was very used to seeing. Nevertheless, it set butterflies aflutter in her stomach.

To think that at first she held prejudices against him just because he was a male elementalist.

She had thought he would destroy the strict discipline of the Academy and that he was an enemy of hers.

However, things had changed.

(Kamito... I...)

A new emotion budded in the heart of this young girl, who had previously known only of a strict education.

She still could not figure out what this unknown feeling was.

Nonetheless...

(Kamito, I would love to find out more about you...)

Ellis stroked the ribbon her sister Velsaria had given her.

She felt doing that would help her muster her courage.

Suppressing her rapidly throbbing heart, Ellis took a step forward.

===Part 3===

A tug.

"Huh?"

Feeling a pull on his sleeve, Kamito turned his head and saw...

Ellis, who was red faced, had her hand on the sleeve of Kamito's uniform.

"Ellis... what is it?"

"That... c... come with me!"

"...?"

Tugging at Kamito's cuffs, Ellis pulled him into a small room partitioned off by curtains.

It turned out to be a dressing room with a huge mirror.

"W... What are you doing!?"

"K... Keep it down! Do you want to be blasted into crabmeat butter croquettes?!"

Ellis unsheathed her sword with a hiss, leaving Kamito with no choice but to raise both his hands and nod in submission.

"...But, why are you bringing me into a dressing room?"

"Uh, uh, actually... i... it's because I want you to comment on the clothing I try on."

"Comment on clothing?"

"Right. It's a rare opportunity, so I'd also like to buy some clothes. It's just that... I'm ashamed to say I don't exactly know much about girls' dresses."

...Oh, so she wants me to give her some advice?

(Something isn't right. Claire and Rinslet are both here, so why pick me?)

"If it's girls' outfits you need help with, I think it's better you ask the shopkeepers."

"...Oooh, I... I just want to know what you like!"

"Oh... so that's what it is..."

At Ellis's ferocious glare, Kamito could not help but take a few steps back in fear.

"...Well, all right, what clothing would you like to try on, Ellis?"

"Ah... uh, right now I'm torn between these two pieces..."

Ellis coughed loudly...

Then took out two different articles of clothing and presented them to Kamito.

"Oh, so it's a choice between black and white..."

The cloth before him was dotted with intricate lace flowers.

The fabric was smooth and gave off a sense of quality. It should probably be silk? The upper edge was also lined with lovely lotus leaf decorations...

"...Hey, isn't this underwear!"

Kamito spat, repelled.

No mistake about it, what Ellis was holding was indeed a set of high class underwear.

"Well, answer quickly... w... which one do you like!"

Ellis herself seemed embarrassed; as she asked her question, her face flushed bright red.

"Y... You want me to choose..."

Kamito swallowed.

Ellis's face bore an extremely serious expression. She did not look like she was joking in the slightest, but was genuinely wanting Kamito's advice.

On the one hand was pure and lovely white.

On the other was mature, sophisticated black.

(Ellis is a high spirited, brave and heroic Knight Captain... common wisdom would say to pick white, I guess.)

...No, precisely because of this, the reverse thinking might be better.

For an honest and pure girl like Ellis, if she wore mature and womanly black underwear... the contradiction would certainly be arousing.

"Kamito, h... hurry up and decide, please! This is really embarrassing."

"Oooh, I know..."

Kamito nodded hastily and made his decision:

"...I would choose the black, I think the mature black underwear suits you well."

"Y... Yes, really... On days where the difference between winning and losing is critical, I'll often wear black underwear."

Ellis nodded, apparently satisfied.

Say, that time he had accidentally peeked in on the girls changing clothes at the Sylphid Knights' general meeting , Ellis had also been wearing black underwear... which means to say there had been some important game that day?

"T... Then I'll get this, next I just need to make sure it's the right size."

"Mmm, then... I'll leave first."

Kamito sighed in relief and started to move out of the dressing room. Then...

"Oh no... that rascal Kamito, where on earth has he gone now? I clearly told him to wait here!"

Kamito suddenly heard Claire huff.

Surprised, Kamito quickly shut the dressing room curtain he had just half opened.

(...This is terrible!)

If Claire found him and Ellis nestled in the dressing room together, he would certainly be burned to a crisp.

Kamito quickly turned to tell Ellis about Claire being right outside...

"E...Ellis... what are you doing!?"

Kamito could not help but stare, wide eyed and tongue tied.

In the blink of an eye, Ellis had already taken off her uniform and put on the set of underwear.

"Aaaaaa..."

"...Wow!"

Seeing Ellis on the verge of shrieking, Kamito quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

"Mmmm..."

He used his momentum to push Ellis's whole body against the wall, then whispered in her ear, "Don't make a sound... Claire's nearby."

"...!?"

Ellis's eyes widened in surprise.

"...Kamito? Where on earth has he run off to?"

Claire was searching everywhere. By the sound of her voice, she was very close.

Even the slightest movement would give them away.

The duo huddled against the wall, barely daring to even breathe.

"..."

"..."

A little sigh of relief escaped from between Kamito's fingers over Ellis's mouth.

Through her underwear, he could feel the softness of her huge bosom. Kamito felt as if his furiously beating heart was loud enough to be heard.

(E... Ellis's chest was really something...)

Her tender breasts wobbled and changed shape as his arm pressed against them.

For some unknown reason, moist ripples were swimming in Ellis's pair of brown eyes as well.

...Like this, they passed tens of seconds, that felt like forever.

Claire had probably gone somewhere else, since her voice could finally no longer be heard.

"...Whew."

It appears the crisis had been averted. A weight lifted from Kamito's shoulders and he caught his breath.

"K... Kamito... you...!"

Ellis quickly moved away from Kamito and sharply glared at him.

"W... Why did you suddenly do that!"

"...I'm sorry, it was an urgent situation, I'm so sorry."

While apologizing profusely, Kamito turned away from the underwear clad Ellis.

"Uhm... Never mind, in any case it was I who asked you to help me pick underwear in the first place."

[[File:STnBD V05 079.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Ellis softly cleared her throat, shyly lifted her eyes in Kamito's direction and said, "Oh... oh, yes..."

"What is it now?"

"Do you think t... this underwear really... looks good on me?"

Ellis rubbed her attractive and alluring thighs against each other while shyly asking.

"Ah, I think it looks good. How should I say it... I feel excited when I look at it."

"R...Really...!"

At Kamito's candid answer, Ellis's lips curved upwards in a happy smile.

"Excellent... Then at the critical moment, I will be sure to wear it."

"...Critical moment? Oh, you mean the competition that starts tomorrow."

"I hate you... That's not at all what I meant!"

As if she wanted to be purposely difficult, Ellis pinched Kamito's arm.

(...That Ellis could actually say something like "I hate you" was adorable.)

===Part 4===
After departing the dressing room, Kamito, feigning as if nothing much had happened, tapped Claire's shoulder and said, "Claire, sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Y... You rascal, where did you go! I was looking for you everywhere!"

"Sorry, I went outside the shop for a second... Oh, the dress you're wearing is very cute."

"Huh... R... Really? You really think it's very cute?"

A puff of hot air emerged from the top of Claire's head and her twintails bobbed up and down.

She was wearing a white dress of a more mature style, that was also cut very low in the front.

Truthfully speaking, the chest area of the dress looked a bit collapsed, but Kamito intentionally neglected to mention this point. Additionally, leaving aside the issue of whether or not the dress was suitable, Claire was as lovely as ever.

"Hmph... Well, never mind. From now on, I forbid you to come and go anytime you wish. You're to stay by your master's side, got it?"

"All right, I get it."

It seemed like he had successfully managed to appease the hell cat maiden.

Fortunate to have avoided being burnt to a crisp, Kamito let out a sigh of relief.

"Ho, ho, looks like you bought something revealing by accident."

"W... What's the matter with me? Why would I go so far as to buy such provocative underwear...?"

As the other two waited at the front of the stall, Rinslet finished shopping for her sister and Ellis bought her underwear. The task completed, they headed towards the Biblion, a short walk away from the port.

Situated on a slightly raised plot of land, it looked like a huge citadel from the outside.

Like the tower where Kamito and the others were settled at, this building had also been repaired through ancient relic restoration.

In terms of sheer size, the Biblion could not compare to the library of seals, the pride of the Areishia Spirit Academy, but it was home to many ancient rare collections and even legendary forbidden books.

Such a place was one where they were likely to find a way to destroy the Brand of Darkness eroding Kamito, or even a clue as to how to bring back the disappeared Est.

As Kamito and the others entered the building, the sight that greeted them was that of innumerable bookshelves, each as high as the ceiling.

"This library sure is huge..."

"We'll take charge of researching the Brand of Darkness. Kamito, go look for clues on Est, there should be quite a bit of information here about legends of the Demon Slaying Sacred Sword."

"Oh, okay."

Kamito nodded to show his agreement, then walked to the bookshelf that held records of legends from all across the continent.

On his way there, low murmurs of the Divine Ritual Institute's princess maidens whispering to each other floated into his ear.

"Quick, look, it's the male elementalist." "He's the pervert we've heard rumors about?" "Careful, don't look at his eyes, you'll be defiled!"

(W... Why do even the princess maidens in the Sanctuary know of those rumors about me?)

Kamito sighed heavily and began searching for documents about the Sacred Sword.

===Part 5===

Meanwhile, Claire and the others, led by the librarian, had entered the sealed archives located underground.

After all, the curse Kamito bore was one even Fianna, once the second best princess maiden of the Divine Ritual Institute, could not destroy.

As such, it would be a waste of time to simply browse literature on general spirit magic. Therefore, after some thought, the girls decided to instead focus their research on the forbidden books in the sealed archives.

The forbidden books covered quite a diverse range of content. For example, some held confidential information on the curse bearing seal, a technique many countries had now banned the research of.

"Given the nature of that curse, it might be something similar to the curse bearing seal."

"That is a possibility... furthermore, there are also signs that Ren Ashbell's Alphas Theocracy is secretly conducting research on the curse bearing seal..."

"While we're at it, it might be better if we investigated the Alphas Theocracy as well."

One by one, Claire and the others began flipping through the forbidden books displayed on the shelves.

Although they were all aristocratic daughters from distinguished families, just their princess maiden status alone would not get them access to these forbidden books.

All of them could have access to these books only because of their particular situation. They were participants in the Blade Dance.

"Records of the punitive expedition of S-rank spirits in a deep sleep in the spirit forest... nope."

"Data on the curse bearing seal collected during the time of the Blue Baltic War... Oh, this one might contain a clue."

"...Ancient Taboo Magic... This book should be useful... Ahhh!?"

While looking through the collections, Ellis let out a shriek of shock.

"Ellis, did you find a clue!?"

"What's happened to you? Why is your face so red?"

"N... Nothing! It's nothing at all..."

"...?"

Claire stole a glance at the book was Ellis holding open.

Then...

"Ah, ah, ah! W... What is this!"

Claire blushed hotly as well.

The picture on the book was a portrait of a princess maiden in a very indecent position.

The taboo ritual magic, this book's content was so explicitly realistic that even Claire, who had a soft spot for provocative romance novels, could not help but take three steps backwards.

"N... Nasty... this is simply too obscene!"

"Captain, you pervert!"

"N... No! I was looking for books about rituals and accidentally took this one, that's all!"

From the way Ellis was hurriedly shaking her head in denial, one could tell this
noble Knight girl had been quite shocked.

"...", "...", "...".

They were silent for a while.

Looking at the taboo book before them, the girls swallowed nervously.

"I say... w... why don't we flip through it briefly and take a look?"

Claire proposed a suggestion, a note of slight hesitation in her voice.

"...T... That could be good, there might be something useful in there, you never know."

"Y... Yes... one can't deny there is such a possibility..."

[[File:STnBD V05 086.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Rinslet and Ellis both nodded, but averted their glances, not comfortable with looking at each other.

Claire nodded and psychologically prepared herself, then began flipping through the book with trembling fingers.

Then...

"...Wow!? W... What is this thing! I... I don't understand..."

"What's going on... b... blindfold him and then do something like that... aaaah!"

"Is t... this... a man's... thing?"

"Put it i... in one's mouth... and... a... also lick it?"

"T... To go as far as to put that in between one's breasts... ewwww... h... how could one be willing to do such a thing!"

"...", "...", "...".

These girls were relatively innocent and would be shy to merely hold hands with a boy of their own age.

The impact of peeping into the unknown world left them suddenly speechless.

The only sound to be heard was the flipping of pages, echoing in the silent sealed archives.

In all honesty, all three of them thoroughly enjoyed what they saw.

===Part 6===

While Claire and the others were getting excited in the underground archives...

"...Whew... when I finish reading these, I will have died of exhaustion."

Kamito moved the heap of documents onto the table and began his investigation on the legends of the Sacred Sword.

The Demon Slayer Sacred Sword, also known as the Sacred Sword of Severian, was a highly prized sword of legend.

The source of this name came from the Sacred Queen, Areishia Idriss' legend.

She was the wielder of the Sacred Sword, as well as the one who vanquished the Demon King.

There was no one on this continent who did not know her name.

Surprisingly, however, most people knew only the name of Areishia Idriss and not the truth of her exploits. Furthermore, future generations had embellished many of her legends, such that the truth was virtually impossible to know.

(...All right, never mind, the great Sacred Queen isn't important.)

His immediate priority right now was the Sacred Sword she wielded.

Only paying attention to phrases related to the Sacred Sword, Kamito flipped through the document quickly.

The Sacred Sword able to vanquish the Demon King was definitely no ordinary weapon.

The most likely argument was that the Sacred Sword had in truth been created from high level spirits.

After eliminating the Demon King, the Queen Areishia had apparently sealed the contracted spirit that had fought alongside her all the way in one of the swords inside the castle of the devil king.

The sword used to seal the spirit, the sword that she had relied on to do all this, was the Sacred Sword of Severian.

As for the reason why Areishia would want to seal her own contracted spirit inside the sword, no one knew. Similarly, there was much speculation as to her whereabouts after she eliminated the Demon King, but no conclusive answer.

Kamito closed the book, speechless..

(The conclusion is... we still cannot say anything for certain. What is unknown is still unknown.)

Although they had accessed a wide range of documents, virtually all of them contained only hearsay with no basis in fact.

As for the spirit forest that Est had originally been sealed in, he could not find anything more detailed than what was already in the library of seals.

Having said that, however, Kamito had not had high hopes in the first place.

(However many similar documents I look at, there is no way to bring Est back.)

Moreover, whether or not Est was the real Demon Slaying Sacred Sword did not matter. To Kamito, she was his important partner, a point that would not change regardless of anything.

"Est..."

Kamito gently stroked the spirit seal on his right hand.

Est, with dazzlingly beautiful silver white hair, virgin milky white skin and a face that usually held no expression, until Kamito stroked her head, she would then narrow her eyes in a smile to show her pleasure.

(...Est will surely come back to me.)

To believe in her wholeheartedly and await her return, that was all Kamito could do for her now.

Kamito got back to his feet, picked up the pile of documents with both his hands and prepared to return them to the shelves.

Just as he finished putting all the books back to their original display positions...

"You are Kazehaya Kamito?"

Kamito turned in the direction of the sudden call.

"Oh my god!"

The young lady before him was one he had met before.

The reason for Kamito's inadvertent shocked scream was because he really did not want to bump into such a person.

"What the... is that a greeting you thought up yourself? Kazehaya Kamito?"

The girl frowned unhappily.

With thick bright shoulder length black hair, she had an icy kind of beauty.

The girl was wearing a beret inlaid with the crest of a flying dragon, as well as a black military uniform that gave her a majestic aura and suited her very well.

She was also staring coldly at Kamito through her glasses with a strong and forceful gaze.

She was a contestant from Dracunia, Leader of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor, Leonora Lancaster.

In this Blade Dance, she was among the more promising elementalists and favorites to win the tournament.

However, she was also a dangerous girl who was seeking to physically deal with Kamito's lower half.

"Y... You fool, what are you doing here?"

"What a stupid question. Obviously, I'm gathering intelligence on other countries' teams."

Leonora pushed at her spectacles with her middle finger, gave Kamito an exasperated look and replied.

So that was it... Indeed, there were some documents in her hands. Despite possessing power few other players could rival, she still put in the effort to find out about her competitors. She truly was a formidable opponent.

Kamito then raised a question about another thing he had realized.

"You didn't wear glasses before, did you?"

"...You really are a worse pervert than the rumors say, if even such subtle changes cannot escape your notice."

"Uh... is this a subtle change?"

...If it were a change of hairstyle, he might not notice, but glasses were rather difficult to overlook.

"I only wear them to read. My eyesight is actually quite poor. I use spirit magic during the blade dance to strengthen my vision."

The Dragon Knight maiden stared coldly at Kamito and continued.

"Say it directly if you wish... say I don't look good in glasses."

"Ah...? Not at all, I think the look suits you, I think it's very cute."

"W... What nonsense are you saying! You pervert with a glasses fetish!"

"What now..."

The sudden and inexplicable scolding left Kamito squinting and mumbling in confusion.

Leonora cleared her throat and replied with a question of her own.

"And you, why are you coming to a place like this?"

"... Ah, uh, because I wanted to investigate some things."

It would be a disaster if his competitors learned about him losing Est.

Kamito gave a vague answer hoping to evade the topic, but...

Leonora suddenly turned her gaze towards the shelf Kamito had returned his books to.

"So, the thing you're investigating has to do with your contracted spirit?"

"...Ah!?"

Surprised, Kamito instinctively fell into a combat pose to fend off an enemy.

"...Even you guys know about it?"

"Are you referring to your sword spirit's disappearance?"

"..."

Leonora's frosty gaze seemed to pierce right through Kamito.

"Sorry, I took the liberty to spectate the battle between you and the militarized spirit."

"...So that's how."

Apparently, she had seen the full course of the battle between their group and Muir Alenstarl.

At that time, in order to prevent anyone from becoming aware of the battle outside, Ren Ashbell had laid down a large scale isolation Barrier around the tower, but it had not deceived an elementalist as powerful as Leonora.

"So you just silently watched Claire and the others get hurt?"

"Did I have an obligation to enter combat to rescue them?"

"This..."

Kamito forcibly swallowed nasty words of accusation.

She did indeed have a point. By no means was she obliged to extend a helping hand to a rival team's elementalists.

"You are too naive. The Blade Dance is no friendly contest, it is a symbolic war with matters of national prestige and prosperity at stake."

Her line of reasoning was quite correct.

The victorious country of the Blade Dance would receive all manner of blessings from the Elemental Lords. The influence of this was huge and it could even affect the fortunes of the entire country.

Furthermore, the Dracunia Knights were surely not the only ones who had watched the skirmish on the side.

"In any case, I'm sure you guys loved watching us beat each other bloodyly."

She was not to blame. Although Kamito understood this in his heart, he could not keep the harsh words from escaping his mouth.

"No... in fact, regarding the disappearance of your sword spirit, I'm also very sorry."

Shaking her head, Leonora spoke up unexpectedly.

"I could feel that spirit had strength to equal my Dragon Slayer Sacred Sword. As a knight, I had very much hoped to do battle with you at your peak condition."

Looking at her sincere expression, Kamito's response was...

"Leonora, you're mistaken."

"Mistaken?"

"Est has not really disappeared. Also... her real strength is far more than you know."

"...Oh, if that's so, I'm sorry."

Leonora smiled and nodded in understanding.

It was perhaps an illusion, but in that moment, her pupils seemed to change color.

"I don't intend to go easy on you, though. As the saying goes in our country, 'The dragons of Dracunia will go all out to take down even hunting lions'. I will do everything in my power to defeat you."

"That's fine... show me what you got."

Kamito replied indifferently, but sighed bitterly to himself.

(This girl really is a rival...)

Leonora Lancaster possessed solid power and could stand up to the strongest elementalist in the Academy, Velsaria.

The Nidhogg she summoned was a dragon spirit that had been able to, in a single blow, instantly vaporize the militarized spirit that attacked the flying ship. The extent of its power was hard to comprehend.

However, that was not where the true power of this dragon girl lay.

Although she also had overwhelming strength, it did not make her arrogant. She was not complacent or careless even against weaker opponents. This impeccable temperament was her most threatening weapon.

With things in their current state, with Est lost, they really could not fight her.

"Well, if you insist..."

All of a sudden, Leonora abruptly pushed Kamito against the bookshelf.

"...You!?"

Kamito just barely stopped himself from shouting.

A pair of upwardly curving eyes regarded Kamito from beneath glasses.

The faintly sweet smell of shampoo tickled Kamito's nose.

"...W... What do you want!?"

"Wasn't it you who just said 'show me what you've got', Kazehaya Kamito?"

Leonora held her index finger to Kamito's lips and stepped even closer to him.

Her perfectly bouncy breasts pressed tightly against Kamito's arm.

(...This... this one's chest really is unexpectedly big!)

She probably dressed to cover her figure, like Ellis.

(...I'm so stupid, this isn't the time to have such nonsense thoughts!)

Although the two of them were hidden by bookshelves, there were several princess maidens nearby. If they were caught, they would surely be sent to the Divine Ritual Institute's council for this delinquency.

"Your heart's beating faster, is my body getting you excited?"

"D... Doesn't that go without saying? To be held so tightly by s... such a cute girl as you..."

"...C... Cute? Me?"

The dragon girl stared with wide eyes in surprise.

"That's the first time... any man's said something like that to me..."

"A... Anyway, let me go!"

"How will that do?"

"...What do you mean?"

"As I just said, 'The dragons of Dracunia will go all out to take down even hunting lions'. After seeing your battle against Muir Alenstarl last night, our country's military personnel made an emergency decision to change our strategy against you.

"Strategy against me?"

"Which is to chop off your thing before you sink your evil clutches into any of your princess maiden Knight teammates."

"That's your state policy!?"

Kamito could not help but roar.

Dracunia... that country was more terrible than he had even imagined.

"But our military also came to another conclusion. As you are the only male elementalist in the world, it would be a terrible pity to have such an outstanding bloodline end just like that."

"...Oh, I think I understand what you mean."

Kamito said under his breath, rolling his eyes.

In simple terms, they were currently in a situation commonly known as the Beauty Trap.

"Obediently grovel at my fee, Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora was whispering sweet words that turned one's head numb.

(T... This girl, she really has completely changed from last time...!)

Previously, Kamito only had to accidentally brush against her chest for this Dragon Knight maiden to faint. She had originally been more innocent than even the Academy girls.

Even if it was because she had been ordered to do so, how did she manage to tempt Kamito like this?

The girl before him seemed to be an entirely different person.

"Hey, are you even..."

At that moment, Kamito suddenly realized...

Leonora's originally black pupils now had a smoky red coat, as if burnt by a flame.

(...What's going on?)

Just when Kamito was frowning in thought...

"You really are a stubborn man who refuses to obediently submit, contrary to what the rumors say..."

Leonora picked the skirt of her uniform up by both sides and slowly lifted it upwards.

"...What!?"

At this, Kamito's heart involuntarily started to throb.

Accompanied by the sound of cloth friction, her skirt approached even closer to the edge of modesty.

For some unknown reason, although it had already long passed the warning line, her panties were nowhere to be seen.

"Hey... y... you're going to expose your panties!"

"You needn't worry, as servants of the dragon, we Dracunia princess maidens... don't have the habit of wearing panties."

"How is that nothing to worry about!"

Indeed, he had heard of elementalist princess maidens choosing not to wear underwear to enhance their connection with their spirits.

"Abandon resistance, then proclaim your eternal loyalty to my country."

"P... Please stop...!"

In pace with the rubbing sounds of fabric, in only a second, her skirt would be completely lifted. Then...

"Y... You two! Wh... Wh... Wh...What unspeakable things are you doing!"

"...!?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogo...!*

It was none other than...

Claire, her shoulders quivering and her red twintails bristling in anger.

"D... Disgusting... that you would think to do something so immoral and depraved in the sacred Biblion..."

"We left you alone for just a moment and you take the opportunity to do such a thing!"

Ellis and Rinslet were also glaring at Kamito furiously.

"N... No, it's not what you think! It's..."

"Disturbed by hindering nuisances..."

With a sigh, Leonora swiftly separated herself from Kamito.

"...Leonora?"

Kamito looked at her, puzzled and realized something.

Sometime ago, the burnt smoky red glaze on her pupils had disappeared, to be replaced by the original black.

Additionally, the look on Leonora's face suggested that the something possessing her had just disappeared.

"I'm very sorry, just now the Dragon Blood in my body seemed to have awaken carelessly."

"Dragon Blood?"

This strange word left Kamito puzzled.

However, Claire's alert ears twitched.

"Then... We'll continue some other time. The next time we meet will probably be on the battlefield."

Leonora turned and quickly marched, military style, from the scene.

"..."

Kamito watched her image move increasingly further away.

"...Go on, speak... You rascal, what were you doing with that woman?"

Claire questioned Kamito coldly.

"I bumped into her accidentally and we just shared some idle chat about the main event tomorrow... I swear."

"...Ooh, is that so? Forget it."

"Have you found out anything about Est?"

"No, there was nothing useful... what about you, any findings?"

Kamito returned the question, then...

The three ladies blushed tomato red.

"W... We found nothing!"

"Right! A... And also, we definitely didn't peek at any taboo magic books, oh!"

"T... That is...!"

"...?"

At their distraught reactions, Kamito frowned in confusion.

===Part 7===

It was sunset by the time the group left the Biblion.

On the return carriage, Kamito asked Claire:

"Hey, remember the Dragon Blood Leonora talked about just now? What is that?"

"...About that, I've only ever heard rumors."

Resting her cheeks on her hands, Claire mused...

"That's a specific kind of constitution... It's said that people with Dragon Blood will very rarely be born as princess maidens in service of the dragon. Legend has it that when the Dragon Blood awakens in the princess maiden's body, she will become one with the dragon."

"Become one with the dragon?"

What on earth did those words mean? It was difficult to understand.

However, what he could say for sure was that Leonora had obviously become a completely different person just now.

(To think that such a noble Dragon Knight would actually become like that...)

Recalling the touch of her soft breasts set Kamito's stomach aflutter.

"Hey... Kamito, you aren't thinking nonsense, are you?"

"N... No, I'm not... just thinking that Leonora is quite the formidable opponent, that's all..."

"R... Really, yeah, if it were that girl's chest... she should be able to put it in between!"

"Between? Between what?"

"O... Or, you could say... unless you mean, your measurements are so large that even that girl would not be able to fit it...?"

"...What?"

Confused, Kamito looked towards Ellis and Rinslet, sitting opposite and for some unknown reason, they were both red faced with embarrassment.

(Oh well, never mind...)

Kamito lowered his body slowly onto the carriage seat.

Gazing out the window at the scenery, he noted the sun setting gradually into the hills.

The main competition of the Blade Dance, the war, would commence tomorrow.

It would be a long day, full of arduous Blade Dance presentation.

Today was the last day he would have so much leisure time to enjoy with his teammates.

At this thought, Kamito inadvertently reached out a hand to touch her – his partner sword, usually always hanging at his waist.

"..."

However, his hand met only emptiness.

He could feel not even the slightest pain from the spirit seal on his right hand.

===Part 8===

The sword, luster all lost, fell for what felt like eternity through an endless darkness.

She was not dormant, yet not conscious, only silent and still.

Whether to call this feeling peace or torture varied from person to person, but truth be told, these additional definitions were meaningless. Stillness was stillness.

The sword sank in the pitch-blackness. It was a world with nothing bar darkness.

''Kamito...''

Her power almost all lost, all the sword spirit could do was to call his name.

''Kamito... I am your sword, so...''

The spirit whispered and at that moment...

Out of the darkness suddenly shot a dazzling light.

The figure that appeared in the light was a naked, pale skinned, silvery white haired maiden.

She looked just like Est in human form.

''Who are you?''

The sword asked the girl before her.

''I am the consciousness of the one... previously known as the Demon Slayer Sacred Sword.''

The silvery white haired girl answered, her expression blank.

''You... are me?''

''Yes. You are me, whereas I, am you complete.''

At her answer, Est finally understood the true identity of the girl.

''You are my 'body'... right?''

''Yes, I am your higher physical presence.''

The girl nodded, expressionless.

She was the highest level sword spirit with overwhelming power, the real Demon Slayer Sacred Sword.

When Est had made an incomplete spirit contract with Kamito, she had split into two individuals.

Perhaps it was because Est had lost her power and was on the verge of disappearing that the loop joining the two of them could once again reconnect.

''I cannot stay for much longer.''

The girl who looked exactly like Est gently stretched out her right hand to her...

...And commanded in a cold expressionless voice:

''I command you to immediately destroy the contract with Kazehaya Kamito and come back to me.''

For her, this was a request there was no denying.

After all, Est's contract with Kamito was an informal, happenstance event in the first place.

Because the Demon Slayer Sacred Sword had not originally intended to make any contracts with elementalists.

Even she herself did not know why she had let herself become the contracted spirit of that boy.

These conflicting emotions split to form Terminus Est. This was the origin of the other Est.

However, now that the contract Gate between Est and Kazehaya Kamito was closed, she could take advantage of this time to fuse back the missing piece Terminus Est.

Unexpectedly...

''...I... I refuse.''

The sword, Est, turned down the outstretched hand of the Sacred Sword maiden.

The sword cut through the surrounding darkness and pointed its tip towards the girl's throat.

...''You refuse?''

''I do not... I do not want to break my contract with Kamito...''

''You are merely a part of me, yet you want to defy my wishes?''

''I am the sword of Kamito, not something of yours.''

Est expressed her desire to refuse clearly to the maiden.

''I understand, it seems... that elementalist has germinated in you the seed of self awareness.''

Again expressionless, the girl said quietly.

Her silvery white hair, which exuded a faint light in the dark, whipped up violently.

''But I do have to tell you, Est... you, or I should say I, do not have the right to become the sword of any person.''

''... I don't understand what you mean?''

''Because my existence itself is a kind of sin.''

...''Sin?''

The sword could not understand the meaning in the girl's words because, in the moment that she contracted with Kamito, she lost most of the memories she had in common with her original body.

The present Est was left with a handful of incomplete past memory fragments.

As well as the memory of the short period of time spent with Kamito and the others.

''Recall it, the sins that you and I must bear.''

The silvery white haired girl gently touched the tip of the sword.

In an instant, memories flowed like a fierce torrent into Est's mind...

''Recall it, the events with the very first person to contract with me... Areishia Idriss.''

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter2

2018-03-23T01:10:17Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 2: Triple Date==
===Part 1===

Chirp, chirp, tweet, tweet... With their calls, the birds signaled the dawn of morning.

A warm ray of sunshine shone through the bedside windows into the room, rousing Kamito.

After talking to Claire this morning, he had returned to sleeping soundly once again, but it seemed that not too much time had passed.

Kamito had a fever not too long ago, but now it has almost completely faded away.

"Mmm... ah..."

He rubbed his bleary eyelids, moved around and prepared to get out of bed.

At that moment...

"Aaah!"

"..."

His elbow suddenly touched something soft and gentle.

(Also, wasn't there some sort of lovely sound just now...)

Kamito blinked, puzzled by what it was, he turned his gaze toward the sound.

He saw a round mass of fluffy white fur, keeping him company beside him while he slept.

"...W... What is this?"

The unbelievable sight before his eyes startled Kamito.

However, he immediately thought of something...

Sneaking into my bed... the only one who would do such a thing is...

"Is it Est!?"

He hastily tossed aside the blanket.

"A... Ah! W... What in the world are you doing to me!?"

"...Huh?"

Kamito froze, speechless.

Hidden under the blanket was not the sword spirit who liked to dress in the nude with thigh-high socks.

What he saw was pure white fur and a pair of long ears that hung downwards.

And dazzling pale gold hair...

The lovely... Miss Bunny.

"...Hey, Rinslet! What do you think you're doing?"

"N... No, that's not right! I... I am Miss Bunny right now!"

Rinslet flushed red, embarrassed. The rabbit ears on her head twitched up.

"I said, Rinslet..."

"It's 'Miss Bunny'."

"Well, Miss Bunny."

Following her request, Kamito repeated obediently.

"This outfit of yours, what kind of act are you putting on?"

"This... I..."

In response, Rinslet could only rub both her kneecaps awkwardly while stuttering and unable to speak.

Seeing the usually stubborn and self conscious Rinslet wearing such an expression gave Kamito an indescribable feeling of adoration.

(...Speaking of which, this outfit is too provoking, isn't it? It's practically blinding!)

A closer look would reveal that...

The Miss Bunny outfit Rinslet was wearing was at most being borderline immodest.

It was a set of very revealing erotic clothing, made of an undergarment like material, with soft fluffy fur sewn on everywhere.

There was puffy fur on both her hands and feet and a tail like a ball of fur hanging from behind.

The greatest draw of the entire outfit however, had to be the leather collar tied around her neck.

The elegant, aristocratic, wealthy princess wearing that collar... the combination was enough to give people wrong thoughts.

"I... I was turned into Miss Bunny by witchcraft... chuu!"

The maiden said it stiffly, as if reciting lines from a script.

"What's 'chuu'?"

"It's the cry of a rabbit."

"I can't imagine the cry of a rabbit sounding like that..."

Moving his gaze away from the huge twin peaks and valley right before his eyes, Kamito shook his head and spoke.

Right at this time...

"...K... Kamito, I've made breakfast for you!"

The door to the room suddenly opened.

The one standing there was the Captain of the Knights, Ellis.

"What!?"

Kamito fell speechless once again.

Ellis, who stood before him, was dressed like Rinslet in clothing that skirted the edge of modesty.

The only difference was that she wore dog ears instead of rabbit ones and the fur on her hands was not white, but brown.

The ears atop her head swung constantly as she moved.

"E... Ellis... how is it that you too...?"

"N... No, say no more!"

Red faced and biting her lips, the embarrassed Ellis looked as if she wanted to find a hole to hide in.

"Oooh, i... if my elder sisters were to see me dressed like this, I don't know what they would say..."

Tears glowed from the corners of her brown eyes, probably because of how ashamed she felt.

(...Now... what is the situation?)

...What on earth had happened? Why would the pure hearted and rule abiding Captain be dressed in such a dissolute manner?

"J... Just don't mind my outfit, alright."

"Uh... how do you expect anyone to not mind that?"

Ellis ignored Kamito's confusing reply.

She cleared her throat with a cough and pushed a small silver dining cart in from the corridor.

"Ah?"

The aroma of freshly baked toast immediately filled the room.

"...Well, come have breakfast, I made these for you."

There was a freshly prepared breakfast in the dining cart. The steam above it had not yet dispersed.

The dishes included toast grilled to the perfection, thick French style pumpkin soup, deliciously tender omelets, Caesar salad with added tuna and last but not least for dessert, there was yogurt topped with strawberry jam.

At first glance, although these were not exactly high class, one could tell that every dish had been prepared with meticulous care.

"...You're such an expert! Did you do all these yourself, Ellis?"

"Y... Yes, I prepared these in the tower's kitchen. Only because I did not want to forget my culinary skills, it wasn't specially made for you!"

Ellis looked away, a look of embarrassment suddenly crept across her face as she bent down beside Kamito.

"Captain, how can you do this!"

Disregarding Rinslet's protests, she addressed Kamito.

"I... I'll feed you... o...open your mouth, come."

"T... There's no need! I can do it myself."

"Absolutely not, you're the one who's hurt after all."

"My wound has already fully healed..."

...Into his mouth.

Taking advantage of the moment Kamito's mouth was open, Ellis stuffed the omelette into his mouth.

"..."

"H... How is it?"

"...S... Super delicious!"

The omelette was not only just sweet enough, but it was also so soft and fluffy that it melted in his mouth. This beyond perfect masterpiece by Ellis confirmed the saying that the simpler the dish, the greater a test it was of the chef's skill.

"Is that really so...! That's wonderful."

Ellis smiled shyly, the dog ears on her head moving up and down.

Seeing the usually serious and stern Captain wear such an expression, Kamito could not help but feel butterflies in his stomach.

"Hmph... Captain, you're too cunning to do this."

Rinslet puffed up her cheeks a little angrily and said.

"...Rinslet?"

"T... Then I shall give Kamito-san a massage."

Having said this, Rinslet immediately began kneading Kamito's shoulders with gentle strength.

"... What!?"

"How does it feel?"

"You're so good at this... my fatigue is slowly disappearing, wow."

Kamito was not just saying empty kind words of praise. Rinslet's massage technique was really of professional standard.

The comfortable sensation made all the tense muscles in his body relax one by one.

"You know, I give Carol massages all the time, because that child keeps praising me, I have unknowingly become very good at massaging."

"So that's why..."

...That a maid could get her master to knead her shoulders for her was, in a certain sense, almost too much.

"Uh huh, you'd better thank me well. I am the heir to the Laurenfrost family. By right, I could never serve men in this way."

"W... Well..."

At this moment, Kamito suddenly felt two soft bumps against his back.

"But... only for today... everyone..."

Rinslet leant over and whispered into Kamito's ear.

"Everyone can become... Kamito-san's house pet."

"Uh... w... what did you just say...!"

In a panic, Kamito turned his head, then...

"M... Me too, just for today, I won't be your Captain!"

Then it was Ellis, who cried out, perking up her dog ears...

"I want to be K... Kamito's... little pet dog."

"Ellis!?"

What was the matter with the both of them?

"Kamito..." "Kamito-san..."

Their small animal tails swinging, the two of them stared at Kamito with fire in their eyes.

...Why is it that he felt dizzy with confusion? Could it be another fever?

(Hey, something's not right...)

The temperature in the room started rising steadily.

(Boom boom boom...)

"...Y... You guys... what mischief are you up to?"

"Claire?!"

Kamito turned and looked...

The door, which had not been closed, opened with a slam. Standing there was Claire with a burning hot whip in her hand.

Her shoulders were trembling slightly in anger and her bright red twintails pointed upright like flames.

However, what fixated Kamito's gaze was how she was dressed.

Atop her head was a pair of shaking red cat ears.

On her slim petite body was erotic clothing made of red fur.

Her bare white thighs were displayed so boldly that one could not look directly at them.

"H... How is it that you too are doing this? That outfit is...!"

Kamito muttered, dumbfounded, then...

"Waaaah! S... Stupid fool, what are you looking at!"

Claire blushed and crossed her knees shyly.

She then made a sound like a cat's low growl and glared at Kamito with tears in her eyes.

"Hmph, what... in any case you must feel that my chest is disappointingly small, isn't that right!?"

"..."

Truthfully speaking, that set of clothing did indeed make Claire's chest seem even tinier.

Although that very same attire could bring out the valley between the breasts of Ellis and Rinslet, the undeniable fact of the matter was the sight of Claire wearing it only gave a person the impression of looking at a washboard.

Having said that, however, it did not reduce the charm she exuded. Her despondency over her chest size in fact made her look pitiful and delicate, which only increased her loveliness.

"Not at all. How should I say it... I think you're awfully cute like this."

Kamito expressed his honest feelings.

"A... A... Ah! W... What nonsense are you spouting!"

Claire's cheeks grew redder and redder. She waved the whip in her hand, which made slapping noises.

"Oooh..." "Kamito-san!"

At this, one of Ellis's dog ears and Rinslet's rabbit ears cocked in Kamito's direction and they puffed their cheeks slightly resentfully.

"I... I don't care any more... you really are such a terrible fool!"

Claire muttered haltingly, then walked towards Kamito.

Then she abruptly jumped onto the bed Kamito was lying in.

"...Uhhh... hey... you guys...!"

The three pretty girls dressed as erotic cute animals pushed each other around the small bed, their bare shoulders pressed against Kamito's arm.

"Well then, you tell me... is there anything I can do for you, Kamito?"

Claire bit her lip lightly and looked at Kamito with upward glancing eyes.

"Anything I... want you to do?"

"Such as... oh yes, sleeping on my lap... or help you clean your ears... things of that sort?"

"Sleep on your lap?"

Such an action was a common dream among all men.

Kamito inadvertently glanced at Claire's soft looking thighs and then swiftly moved his gaze away.

"Oh, but only for today! You usually are my slave, but only for today... I... I am willing... to be your slave!"

"S... Slave?"

Kamito questioned her and Claire nodded.

"Y... Yes! For today, I will agree to anything you ask of me! Y... You better prepare yourself!"

"Wait a moment, what do I have to prepare myself for?"

"K... Kamito... it's the same for me!"

"And me!"

Ellis and Rinslet also squeezed up to him, snuggling Kamito tightly with their bodies.

"But... n... no sexual orders though."

"Who would ever do that! What kind of person do you guys think I am!?"

"Huh, you didn't want to make any such orders? Oh, okay..."

For some reason, a disappointed look crept across her face as she muttered those words.

Letting out a sigh, Kamito said frustratedly:

"Now can you tell me why the three of you are dressed like this?"

He bluntly asked the trio.

"This... that is because..."

The three ladies looked at each other in panic.

After a while, Claire finally surrendered and said "B... Because after Est disappeared, you looked so down and depressed..."

"...Huh?"

"So we decided to dress like this to lift your spirits...!"

Blushing furiously, Claire awkwardly finished her explanation.

It was said that when an elementalist was in a poor mental state, they would have no way of summoning spirits. In more serious cases, they could sometimes even lose their princess maiden powers.

For example, Fianna had been dealt a severe emotional blow four years ago and had been unable to use her power for a long period of time afterwards. When Scarlet was defeated by a demon spirit, Claire had becom grief stricken and suddenly found herself unable to summon Scarlet.

If the blow from the loss of Est caused Kamito's heart to be dominated by negative feelings of hatred, the Gate between their hearts would truly close forever, never to open again. In truth, there were actually many princess maidens who had lost their status as elementalists because of such trauma to their souls.

(So simply put, they wanted to cheer me up... roughly this kind of intention?)

Evidently, he had made these ladies worry too much.

However, Kamito thanked them from the bottom of his heart for their thoughtfulness.

"...But why dress up as little animals and put on an act?"

Kamito asked.

"It was Fianna who told us this secret. Y... You rascal, you like this kind of thing, don't you?"

"That goddamn princess, huh..."

Kamito gritted his teeth and muttered.

...So that was it, these sexy animal costumes were all from Fianna's secret collection.

"That... can't be right, you don't like this look?"

"Hmm? Well... I didn't say I disliked it."

Despite the many objections he felt, Kamito reluctantly admitted it.

Truth be told, he really thought it was quite cute.

Moreover, that these snobby aristocratic daughters would be willing to embarrass themselves so thoroughly in order to cheer him up... whether or not their methods were right, their positive intentions were enough to make one want to frankly thank them.

"...All of you, thank you."

"I... I did not do it for you, Kamito, I just want Est back quickly, that's all."

As Claire turned her head away, the cat ears on her head moved as well.

Ellis and Rinslet, too, shyly shook their tails.

"N... Now then, shall we take a walk outside?"

Claire, who cleared her throat, tugged at Kamito's pajamas and asked.

"Outside?"

"Today is our last rest day before the start of the main competition, of course we should go outside and have a good time! Staying locked in a room depressed all day is hardly the solution, right?"

"...That is true."

All Kamito could do now was to believe in Est and await her return.

If Kamito, her contractor, did not get out of his depression, the Gate would become impossible to open.

Going outside to lift his spirits was perhaps a good idea.

"And on this floating island, there is even a Biblion managed by the Divine Ritual Institute."

Rinslet added.

"Biblion?"

"It has been said that a lot of antique level information is archived within the sacred Biblion, information that cannot be found even in our library of seals. If Est is really the sealed spirit sealed within the ancient sacred sword, we might be able to find clues in those documents."

"...If that's so, it sounds like it would be worth a look."

Anecdotes of the Demon King Killing Sacred Sword could be found across the continent and although truth and fiction were mixed in them, considering that Est was such a powerful spirit, it would not be surprising to find a mention of her in one of the ancient records.

"It's decided, now hurry up and get ready to go!"

"Mhmm, we can't be cheerful cooped up indoors all the time."

"And being so close to the port, there are many shops set up here too."

The three girls crowded together, all trying to take Kamito's arm.

"Wait, let me first change into my uniform... Also, you don't want to go out dressed like this either, right?"

"Aaah! O... Of course not!"

The girls blushed and quickly let go of Kamito.

===Part 2===

So...

Kamito and his friends, dressed in their uniforms, took a carriage ride to the port.

The sacred Biblion was apparently located not too far from here. Plain and simple wooden structures were set up side by side in this area of the port, creating a lively atmosphere like that of a shopping street holding a celebration.

In addition, the various countries of the continent had also combined to raise funds for various food and entertainment facilities to welcome the spectators of the Blade Dance.

Because this was the original spirit world, which humans were forbidden to live in, this fantasy street would only appear for a few days.

It was a sight only visible during the Blade Dance.

"Wow... clear skies today."

"Mm, because we are on the clouds, of course."

Claire stretched like a cat as she walked. She and Kamito chatted while walking together.

Then, a cool refreshing breeze blew past and Claire's tresses, tied into twintails, swayed in the wind.

Hanging distantly in the sky, the floating island, Ragna Ys, should have stood no chance against fierce winds, but because this sacred land had the additional protection of the Wind Elemental Lord, it was in no danger of being blown away.

Small flying crafts flew one by one between the gaps in the clouds and arrived at the port.

As the main event of the Blade Dance was about to begin, nobles from countries all over the continent had already begun to gather here.

"This really is spectacular."

"Only on the floating island can you see such a view."

Ellis and Rinslet expressed their amazement in muttered exclamations.

"...It would have been great if Fianna could have come with us."

While muttering, Kamito raised his head to the clear, vast blue sky.

At the moment, Fianna seemed to be searching for a way to destroy the Brand of Darkness imprinted on Kamito. She had been tirelessly visiting old acquaintances from her time at the Divine Ritual Institute.

"Later, let's buy some gifts to take back for Fianna, alright?"

"Mmm, yeah."

The slate street was lined with a wide variety of shops.

As they were only temporary stalls, the materials they were made of were not particularly impressive. However, the craftsmen or chefs working inside were top talents who had been recruited from many countries. The Blade Dance was an excellent opportunity to showcase the nation's prestige so countries tended to generously spend huge sums of money on it.

The group walked to the heart of the shopping street and passed a group of tourists who had just alighted from a flying craft.

"I didn't want to say this, but this place really is terribly crowded."

"Men everywhere... I'm starting to feel dizzy."

Ellis and Rinslet looked around uneasily.

It seems that the ladies, having grown up in such a sheltered environment, were not used to such bustling places.

Furthermore, the city here was different from the academy town. Men accounted for a greater proportion of the people here. Although they were among the best elementalists, here they immediately turned back into pure innocent girls. Whenever a man passing by quickly brushed shoulders with them, they would let out small squeals and press themselves tightly against Kamito.

Claire was no exception. From the very start, she had repeatedly been sticking close to Kamito then immediately pulling away.

Whenever she leaned against Kamito, she would move away blushing. When she next bumped into a strange passer by, she would go back to Kamito.

(This foolish girl, what is she doing?)

When Claire leaned into him again, Kamito quickly took her hand.

"Aaaah! W... What are you doing!"

The fiery cat maiden cried angrily, her face red.

"Who taught you how to walk so unsteadily? That's awfully dangerous."

"Well... o... okay, I'll let you hold my hand, but in here only."

As the two of them held hands, Claire turned her gaze aside shyly.

"You're too cunning..."

Rinslet puffed her cheeks unhappily, then grabbed Kamito's empty other hand.

"Rinslet?"

"I... I'm afraid of you getting lost, so hold on to me tight."

Then Ellis, too, joined in. Seeing that both Kamito's hands were full, she had no choice but to latch onto his arm.

"E... Ellis...!"

"Hey... Captain! You're blocking the way here!"

"I... It's you, not me! Let go of Kamito's hand now!"

"Ah... all of you, I can't walk like this!"

The girls, all clinging to Kamito, began to quarrel.

They made such a scene that nearby passers by started to whisper among themselves.

"Quick, look over there, three noble girls are serving that young man, wow." "That's because he's the rumored male elementalist, you know..."

"That's too wicked of him, to sink his fangs into those poor delicate girls." "But, take a look at those girls' expressions, they don't seem to hate him at all." "They must be under some kind of strange magic spell, of course."

(Well... this situation seems to have gotten a little worse...)

Kamito had long been used to hostility from strangers.

However, he did not wish to tarnish the reputations of the ladies he partnered with.

"I say... there are far too many people here, so why don't we find someplace cooler to rest?"

"Mm, that sounds good..."

Claire and the others nodded to show their agreement. It seems they were also thinking the same thing.

They looked around in search of a shop they could have a cup of tea at. And then...

"Kamito-san, look... there's a ''La Parfait'' shop over there!"

Rinslet pointed towards a chic looking café across the road.

"Say, is that the famous ''La Parfait''!? I've always wanted to try their cakes."

"If I remember correctly, this café is very popular throughout the empire... I... I'm kind of interested as well."

Even Claire and Ellis knew of it. Evidently, the business that had set up that temporary stall was very famous.

"...In that case, shall we go there?"

"Agreed!" "Yes!" "Mmhm...!"

The trio nodded in agreement and dragged Kamito towards it.

===Part 3===

The ''La Parfait'' stall was almost fully packed, so much so that the group had to wait a little before being served.

While sitting at the entrance waiting to be served, Kamito examined the stall's decor. The horizontal beams of the ceiling were naturally bent like tree branches, Kamito was very appreciative of the warm atmosphere this unique wood imparted.

"I'm surprised this is such a relaxing place. When I heard you say it was one of the empire's most popular shops, I expected it to be much more posh and luxurious."

"This is only a temporary stall put up for the Blade Dance, so of course it won't be so well decorated. Their regular shops are so good aristocratic ladies would be willing to hide their identities just to patronize the shop incognito."

"Oh, so that's it... Hey, speaking of which, I'm not that loaded with cash..."

Kamito's face suddenly turned pale.

A shop even noble daughters would patronize incognito, this must certainly be a very high class shop.

"If it were a regular shop, no matter how loaded you were, you'd still not be able to afford it."

"The stalls are free for the participants of the Blade Dance."

"I... I see..."

At Rinslet's words, Kamito let out a reassured sigh.

After a while, the four were led to their seats.

"I want a peach pie, a peach sorbet... and a peach mousse."

Claire flipped open the menu and gestured with her finger at the dessert options.

"Why are you getting so many peach options... haven't you already had some in the morning?

"N... None of your business... so what if I like them?"

"This raspberry flavored cream puff also looks delicious."

"Y... Yes, that seems tasty."

"Oh... this dish puts some ice cream on a fresh hot apple pie to be eaten together..."

"Let's order one and divide it, everyone can have some. Kamito, what would you like?"

"Oooh... Well then, I'll have a scone, I guess..."

Kamito answered perfunctorily, but then...

"What's this attitude, you seem so reluctant."

"I really pity the dessert you order like that to eat."

"If you're a true man, you should pick decisively... Well, I'm talking about choosing cake."

For some unknown reason, Kamito found himself being severely berated by the ladies.

"S... Sorry..."

The three of them had always bickered when in training, but in these situations, they were always in full understanding.

Rinslet summoned a waitress and one by one ordered those cakes and desserts with names that would make one accidentally bite their tongue.

"And lastly, I'd like four cups of black tea from the Laurenfrost area."

"Yes."

"Ah... e... excuse me, wait a minute!"

Ellis called aloud to halt the waitress, who was preparing to leave.

"Yes?"

"Please add a little whipped cream and honey to my tea and if you could, add some floating marshmallows as well."

"Uh... I'm sorry, esteemed guest, but our shop does not serve that kind of drink."

"I... Is that so? Can you not make an excepti... oooh!"

Halfway through her sentence, Ellis stopped.

It was because Rinslet was pinching the back of her neck.

"Hey, what are you doing!"

"Oh my god, have you no shame! I don't like saying such things, but the Fahrengart family must really have no class!"

Rinslet was very particular about tea brewing and so forbade Ellis from randomly adding ingredients as she wished.

"So what if you're from the Laurenfrost family, it's just a countryside noble family with more land, that's all!"

"Y... You wouldn't dare...!"

An intense mini blizzard blew up beside Rinslet.

"N... No matter what, I don't care, if it's not sweet I won't drink it!"

"If that's so, why didn't you simply order cocoa just now?"

"Don't you think cocoa's a little too childish?"

"Only childish people would call cocoa childish!"

"Okay, okay, stop arguing, the cakes are here."

Claire lightly poked Rinslet's shoulder and said.

"Hmph... no matter, next time I'll teach our Captain how to drink tea."

"Sweet things are just nicer..."

Ellis said in a half challenging manner through pursed lips.

Not long after, the dazzling array of desserts were delivered to their table.

Placed in silver containers, each of the cakes and pastries looked like an exquisite art piece.

At the sight of them, the anger of the two aristocratic girls vanished and was replaced by expressions of joy.

"I can't help but feel that... to eat something so beautiful would almost be a waste."

"These snacks are made by the very best chefs representing our empire."

As Claire spoke, she opened her mouth wide and took a bite out of the peach pie.

"Waaah... it really is delicious!"

"This raspberry cream puff also tastes extraordinarily refined and delicious."

"Mmmm, there's probably some sweet wine added to this sponge cake... I must try that next time."

Kamito listened to the girls' comments, then put his own cake into his mouth.

"Oh, it's delicious."

Although he was no food connoisseur, the sweet taste in his mouth did give him a rich and noble feeling.

But, compared to this...

...Looking at the joyous expressions on the girls' faces made Kamito feel inexplicably happier himself.

"Kamito, what is it?"

"Huh? Oh..."

Kamito was jolted out of his daze, only to find Claire suspiciously staring at him. He quickly averted his gaze and feigned ignorance.

"To think that this stall will be dismantled immediately after the Blade Dance, what a pity!"

"That's just how it is. But... there's a shop in the empire, so we will definitely have a chance to visit again."

"Mmm, next time we go, we must be sure to take Fianna... and Est."

Kamito looked down at the spirit seal on his right hand and murmured.

"Kamito..."

"Kamito-san..."

At this, Ellis and Rinslet raised their heads.

"Est will return, I promise."

Claire spoke in a calm but confident tone of voice.

"So... just trust in her and wait for her to return. The only person who can help her out in this way is her elementalist, you."

"...Mmmm, you're right."

Kamito nodded and then mused...

(...Partners will make one stronger. That probably refers to this feeling I'm having now.)

Three years ago, the strongest blade dancers were indeed very swift and strong.

Solely in terms of skill as an elementalist, he was unrivaled.

But these physical powers were fragile and would easily be crushed by a strong blow; they were strengths developed through loneliness.

The Kamito in the past had no one to rely on.

After losing Restia, he was left only with eternal despair.

(Now, however, I have friends willing to support me.)

So my heart will no longer shatter.

I will not sink into despair again.

(...Thus far, Est has saved me many times.)

Kamito clenched his fist on the table.

(...So, it's my turn now. No doubt about it: I will save you.)

===Part 4===

The most important Sanctuary in the entirety of the floating island Ragna Ys, the Grand Hall of the Wind Elemental Lord, was located atop a hilly area. It was some distance away from the building where the blade dance participants were.

This white building was made from a combination of the best quality materials and cutting edge technology. The huge construction covered the whole of the hill. One could appreciate its majesty even from outside of the floating island.

It was not only the place where the wind spirits listened to the Elemental Lord's decrees to the sacred land, but also where princess maidens from the Divine Ritual Institute chosen by the various nations would practice their devotions. Therefore, even the nobility of the country would absolutely not be allowed to enter.

However, at that very moment time, there was a lady outside the gate shouting anxiously.

"Please do me a favor! Grant me an audience with Reicha-sama...!"

She was individually separated from the team of five in order to work separately from Kamito, Fianna.

Wearing a rare serious look, she pleaded with the guard standing at the gate.

"You really don't give up do you."

The middle aged guard regarded Fianna with unfriendly eyes.

Her face clearly expressed her stubbornness.

"Please withdraw. Our Divine Ritual Institute's gate will never open simply for any one, let alone getting an audience with Reicha-sama. Your requests will absolutely never be granted."

The guard uttered a statement she had probably repeated many times before.

(...This is so infuriating! These people are as stubborn as ever!)

Fianna cursed impatiently to herself.

Having said that, she had in fact expected such a reaction from the start, because the person she wanted to see was not someone who would meet with just anybody.

(If I could borrow her strength, it would certainly be enough to break the curse on Kamito. But...)

The guard looked down at Fianna, not bothering to conceal her expression of contempt.

Evidently, she had not the slightest inclination to open the door.

(... Well, I did know the reason ages ago.)

Refusing to give up, Fianna bit down on her lip.

The one she was thinking of was the Calamity Queen that had betrayed the Fire Elemental Lord, Rubia Elstein.

There had been high hopes placed on Fianna to be the successor, but the incident with Rubia had left indelible horrors in her heart, causing her to lose the power of summoning contracted spirits and with that, her status as princess maiden.

And so Fianna Ray Ordesia became a lost princess maiden, thoroughly disappointing the people who had had great expectations of her and discrediting the Divine Ritual Institute.

(...You narrow minded people who only know how to put in superficial effort really disgust me.)

Even her own parents, the Areishia emperor and empress and the various nobility, were all no different.

When Fianna was still the princess maiden successor, these people had flattered her in every possible way. Once she had lost her contracted spirit powers, however, they immediately scorned and disdained her, changing their attitudes faster than one could turn the page of a book.

Of course, not all of them were like that. It was just that the Divine Ritual Institute organization had decayed under the weight of its long history and so indeed had a darker side.

Seeing Fianna's stubborn refusal to leave, the guard shook her head and said...

"I do not wish to continue wasting my time on you."

Having said this, she turned and went back into the temple.

"Wait a minute..."

Fianna quickly moved to catch up with her, but...

"Aaaah!?"

Suddenly, a fierce wind rose and blew Fianna off her feet.

Fianna and Claire were different in that they had not received special combat training for elementalists. Too late to protect herself, she fell heavily to the ground.

"...What!?"

She saw something stand at the doors; a magical wind spirit that looked like a winged lion.

It was a guardian spirit. It made contracts with not elementalists, but buildings. This very building, was in fact, the true sanctuary.

"It appears impossible to break through the front gate..."

Fianna glared at the Guardian while nursing a scrape on her lip.

===Part 5===

A sword fell in mysterious darkness.

This shining, beautiful sword, swallowed by a sludge like nothingness, was gradually losing its light.

(How strange. What on earth is happening to me?)

Nonetheless, this sword apparently still retained its self awareness.

Although the disappearance of her physical body had affected her, damaging her memory.

Her memory of that last event was crystal clear.

She remembered his warmth as she embraced him with both hands on his back.

And, for just the briefest instant, the touch of their lips against each other.

Then, a harsh voice calling out her own name.

(...K... Kamito!)

Her radiance all lost, the sword slowly sank in the bottomless darkness...

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter2

2018-03-22T06:40:52Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 2: Triple Date==
===Part 1===

Chirp, chirp, tweet, tweet... With their calls, the birds signaled the dawn of morning.

A warm ray of sunshine shone through the bedside windows into the room, rousing Kamito.

After talking to Claire this morning, he had returned to sleeping soundly once again, but it seemed that not too much time had passed.

Kamito had a fever not too long ago, but now it has almost completely faded away.

"Mmm... ah..."

He rubbed his bleary eyelids, moved around and prepared to get out of bed.

At that moment...

"Aaah!"

"..."

His elbow suddenly touched something soft and gentle.

(Also, wasn't there some sort of lovely sound just now...)

Kamito blinked, puzzled by what it was, he turned his gaze toward the sound.

He saw a round mass of fluffy white fur, keeping him company beside him while he slept.

"...W... What is this?"

The unbelievable sight before his eyes startled Kamito.

However, he immediately thought of something...

Sneaking into my bed... the only one who would do such a thing is...

"Is it Est!?"

He hastily tossed aside the blanket.

"A... Ah! W... What in the world are you doing to me!?"

"...Huh?"

Kamito froze, speechless.

Hidden under the blanket was not the sword spirit who liked to dress in the nude with thigh-high socks.

What he saw was pure white fur and a pair of long ears that hung downwards.

And dazzling pale gold hair...

The lovely... Miss Bunny.

"...Hey, Rinslet! What do you think you're doing?"

"N... No, that's not right! I... I am Miss Bunny right now!"

Rinslet flushed red, embarrassed. The rabbit ears on her head twitched up.

"I said, Rinslet..."

"It's 'Miss Bunny'."

"Well, Miss Bunny."

Following her request, Kamito repeated obediently.

"This outfit of yours, what kind of act are you putting on?"

"This... I..."

In response, Rinslet could only rub both her kneecaps awkwardly while stuttering and unable to speak.

Seeing the usually stubborn and self conscious Rinslet wearing such an expression gave Kamito an indescribable feeling of adoration.

(...Speaking of which, this outfit is too provoking, isn't it? It's practically blinding!)

A closer look would reveal that...

The Miss Bunny outfit Rinslet was wearing was at most being borderline immodest.

It was a set of very revealing erotic clothing, made of an undergarment like material, with soft fluffy fur sewn on everywhere.

There was puffy fur on both her hands and feet and a tail like a ball of fur hanging from behind.

The greatest draw of the entire outfit however, had to be the leather collar tied around her neck.

The elegant, aristocratic, wealthy princess wearing that collar... the combination was enough to give people wrong thoughts.

"I... I was turned into Miss Bunny by witchcraft... chuu!"

The maiden said it stiffly, as if reciting lines from a script.

"What's 'chuu'?"

"It's the cry of a rabbit."

"I can't imagine the cry of a rabbit sounding like that..."

Moving his gaze away from the huge twin peaks and valley right before his eyes, Kamito shook his head and spoke.

Right at this time...

"...K... Kamito, I've made breakfast for you!"

The door to the room suddenly opened.

The one standing there was the Captain of the Knights, Ellis.

"What!?"

Kamito fell speechless once again.

Ellis, who stood before him, was dressed like Rinslet in clothing that skirted the edge of modesty.

The only difference was that she wore dog ears instead of rabbit ones and the fur on her hands was not white, but brown.

The ears atop her head swung constantly as she moved.

"E... Ellis... how is it that you too...?"

"N... No, say no more!"

Red faced and biting her lips, the embarrassed Ellis looked as if she wanted to find a hole to hide in.

"Oooh, i... if my elder sisters were to see me dressed like this, I don't know what they would say..."

Tears glowed from the corners of her brown eyes, probably because of how ashamed she felt.

(...Now... what is the situation?)

...What on earth had happened? Why would the pure hearted and rule abiding Captain be dressed in such a dissolute manner?

"J... Just don't mind my outfit, alright."

"Uh... how do you expect anyone to not mind that?"

Ellis ignored Kamito's confusing reply.

She cleared her throat with a cough and pushed a small silver dining cart in from the corridor.

"Ah?"

The aroma of freshly baked toast immediately filled the room.

"...Well, come have breakfast, I made these for you."

There was a freshly prepared breakfast in the dining cart. The steam above it had not yet dispersed.

The dishes included toast grilled to the perfection, thick French style pumpkin soup, deliciously tender omelets, Caesar salad with added tuna and last but not least for dessert, there was yogurt topped with strawberry jam.

At first glance, although these were not exactly high class, one could tell that every dish had been prepared with meticulous care.

"...You're such an expert! Did you do all these yourself, Ellis?"

"Y... Yes, I prepared these in the tower's kitchen. Only because I did not want to forget my culinary skills, it wasn't specially made for you!"

Ellis looked away, a look of embarrassment suddenly crept across her face as she bent down beside Kamito.

"Captain, how can you do this!"

Disregarding Rinslet's protests, she addressed Kamito.

"I... I'll feed you... o...open your mouth, come."

"T... There's no need! I can do it myself."

"Absolutely not, you're the one who's hurt after all."

"My wound has already fully healed..."

...Into his mouth.

Taking advantage of the moment Kamito's mouth was open, Ellis stuffed the omelette into his mouth.

"..."

"H... How is it?"

"...S... Super delicious!"

The omelette was not only just sweet enough, but it was also so soft and fluffy that it melted in his mouth. This beyond perfect masterpiece by Ellis confirmed the saying that the simpler the dish, the greater a test it was of the chef's skill.

"Is that really so...! That's wonderful."

Ellis smiled shyly, the dog ears on her head moving up and down.

Seeing the usually serious and stern Captain wear such an expression, Kamito could not help but feel butterflies in his stomach.

"Hmph... Captain, you're too cunning to do this."

Rinslet puffed up her cheeks a little angrily and said.

"...Rinslet?"

"T... Then I shall give Kamito-san a massage."

Having said this, Rinslet immediately began kneading Kamito's shoulders with gentle strength.

"... What!?"

"How does it feel?"

"You're so good at this... my fatigue is slowly disappearing, wow."

Kamito was not just saying empty kind words of praise. Rinslet's massage technique was really of professional standard.

The comfortable sensation made all the tense muscles in his body relax one by one.

"You know, I give Carol massages all the time, because that child keeps praising me, I have unknowingly become very good at massaging."

"So that's why..."

...That a maid could get her master to knead her shoulders for her was, in a certain sense, almost too much.

"Uh huh, you'd better thank me well. I am the heir to the Laurenfrost family. By right, I could never serve men in this way."

"W... Well..."

At this moment, Kamito suddenly felt two soft bumps against his back.

"But... only for today... everyone..."

Rinslet leant over and whispered into Kamito's ear.

"Everyone can become... Kamito-san's house pet."

"Uh... w... what did you just say...!"

In a panic, Kamito turned his head, then...

"M... Me too, just for today, I won't be your Captain!"

Then it was Ellis, who cried out, perking up her dog ears...

"I want to be K... Kamito's... little pet dog."

"Ellis!?"

What was the matter with the both of them?

"Kamito..." "Kamito-san..."

Their small animal tails swinging, the two of them stared at Kamito with fire in their eyes.

...Why is it that he felt dizzy with confusion? Could it be another fever?

(Hey, something's not right...)

The temperature in the room started rising steadily.

(Boom boom boom...)

"...Y... You guys... what mischief are you up to?"

"Claire?!"

Kamito turned and looked...

The door, which had not been closed, opened with a slam. Standing there was Claire with a burning hot whip in her hand.

Her shoulders were trembling slightly in anger and her bright red twintails pointed upright like flames.

However, what fixated Kamito's gaze was how she was dressed.

Atop her head was a pair of shaking red cat ears.

On her slim petite body was erotic clothing made of red fur.

Her bare white thighs were displayed so boldly that one could not look directly at them.

"H... How is it that you too are doing this? That outfit is...!"

Kamito muttered, dumbfounded, then...

"Waaaah! S... Stupid fool, what are you looking at!"

Claire blushed and crossed her knees shyly.

She then made a sound like a cat's low growl and glared at Kamito with tears in her eyes.

"Hmph, what... in any case you must feel that my chest is disappointingly small, isn't that right!?"

"..."

Truthfully speaking, that set of clothing did indeed make Claire's chest seem even tinier.

Although that very same attire could bring out the valley between the breasts of Ellis and Rinslet, the undeniable fact of the matter was the sight of Claire wearing it only gave a person the impression of looking at a washboard.

Having said that, however, it did not reduce the charm she exuded. Her despondency over her chest size in fact made her look pitiful and delicate, which only increased her loveliness.

"Not at all. How should I say it... I think you're awfully cute like this."

Kamito expressed his honest feelings.

"A... A... Ah! W... What nonsense are you spouting!"

Claire's cheeks grew redder and redder. She waved the whip in her hand, which made slapping noises.

"Oooh..." "Kamito-san!"

At this, one of Ellis's dog ears and Rinslet's rabbit ears cocked in Kamito's direction and they puffed their cheeks slightly resentfully.

"I... I don't care any more... you really are such a terrible fool!"

Claire muttered haltingly, then walked towards Kamito.

Then she abruptly jumped onto the bed Kamito was lying in.

"...Uhhh... hey... you guys...!"

The three pretty girls dressed as erotic cute animals pushed each other around the small bed, their bare shoulders pressed against Kamito's arm.

"Well then, you tell me... is there anything I can do for you, Kamito?"

Claire bit her lip lightly and looked at Kamito with upward glancing eyes.

"Anything I... want you to do?"

"Such as... oh yes, sleeping on my lap... or help you clean your ears... things of that sort?"

"Sleep on your lap?"

Such an action was a common dream among all men.

Kamito inadvertently glanced at Claire's soft looking thighs and then swiftly moved his gaze away.

"Oh, but only for today! You usually are my slave, but only for today... I... I am willing... to be your slave!"

"S... Slave?"

Kamito questioned her and Claire nodded.

"Y... Yes! For today, I will agree to anything you ask of me! Y... You better prepare yourself!"

"Wait a moment, what do I have to prepare myself for?"

"K... Kamito... it's the same for me!"

"And me!"

Ellis and Rinslet also squeezed up to him, snuggling Kamito tightly with their bodies.

"But... n... no sexual orders though."

"Who would ever do that! What kind of person do you guys think I am!?"

"Huh, you didn't want to make any such orders? Oh, okay..."

For some reason, a disappointed look crept across her face as she muttered those words.

Letting out a sigh, Kamito said frustratedly:

"Now can you tell me why the three of you are dressed like this?"

He bluntly asked the trio.

"This... that is because..."

The three ladies looked at each other in panic.

After a while, Claire finally surrendered and said "B... Because after Est disappeared, you looked so down and depressed..."

"...Huh?"

"So we decided to dress like this to lift your spirits...!"

Blushing furiously, Claire awkwardly finished her explanation.

It was said that when an elementalist was in a poor mental state, they would have no way of summoning spirits. In more serious cases, they could sometimes even lose their princess maiden powers.

For example, Fianna had been dealt a severe emotional blow four years ago and had been unable to use her power for a long period of time afterwards. When Scarlet was defeated by a demon spirit, Claire had becom grief stricken and suddenly found herself unable to summon Scarlet.

If the blow from the loss of Est caused Kamito's heart to be dominated by negative feelings of hatred, the Gate between their hearts would truly close forever, never to open again. In truth, there were actually many princess maidens who had lost their status as elementalists because of such trauma to their souls.

(So simply put, they wanted to cheer me up... roughly this kind of intention?)

Evidently, he had made these ladies worry too much.

However, Kamito thanked them from the bottom of his heart for their thoughtfulness.

"...But why dress up as little animals and put on an act?"

Kamito asked.

"It was Fianna who told us this secret. Y... You rascal, you like this kind of thing, don't you?"

"That goddamn princess, huh..."

Kamito gritted his teeth and muttered.

...So that was it, these sexy animal costumes were all from Fianna's secret collection.

"That... can't be right, you don't like this look?"

"Hmm? Well... I didn't say I disliked it."

Despite the many objections he felt, Kamito reluctantly admitted it.

Truth be told, he really thought it was quite cute.

Moreover, that these snobby aristocratic daughters would be willing to embarrass themselves so thoroughly in order to cheer him up... whether or not their methods were right, their positive intentions were enough to make one want to frankly thank them.

"...All of you, thank you."

"I... I did not do it for you, Kamito, I just want Est back quickly, that's all."

As Claire turned her head away, the cat ears on her head moved as well.

Ellis and Rinslet, too, shyly shook their tails.

"N... Now then, shall we take a walk outside?"

Claire, who cleared her throat, tugged at Kamito's pajamas and asked.

"Outside?"

"Today is our last rest day before the start of the main competition, of course we should go outside and have a good time! Staying locked in a room depressed all day is hardly the solution, right?"

"...That is true."

All Kamito could do now was to believe in Est and await her return.

If Kamito, her contractor, did not get out of his depression, the Gate would become impossible to open.

Going outside to lift his spirits was perhaps a good idea.

"And on this floating island, there is even a Biblion managed by the Divine Ritual Institute."

Rinslet added.

"Biblion?"

"It has been said that a lot of antique level information is archived within the sacred Biblion, information that cannot be found even in our library of seals. If Est is really the sealed spirit sealed within the ancient sacred sword, we might be able to find clues in those documents."

"...If that's so, it sounds like it would be worth a look."

Anecdotes of the Demon King Killing Sacred Sword could be found across the continent and although truth and fiction were mixed in them, considering that Est was such a powerful spirit, it would not be surprising to find a mention of her in one of the ancient records.

"It's decided, now hurry up and get ready to go!"

"Mhmm, we can't be cheerful cooped up indoors all the time."

"And being so close to the port, there are many shops set up here too."

The three girls crowded together, all trying to take Kamito's arm.

"Wait, let me first change into my uniform... Also, you don't want to go out dressed like this either, right?"

"Aaah! O... Of course not!"

The girls blushed and quickly let go of Kamito.

===Part 2===

So...

Kamito and his friends, dressed in their uniforms, took a carriage ride to the port.

The sacred Biblion was apparently located not too far from here. Plain and simple wooden structures were set up side by side in this area of the port, creating a lively atmosphere like that of a shopping street holding a celebration.

In addition, the various countries of the continent had also combined to raise funds for various food and entertainment facilities to welcome the spectators of the Blade Dance.

Because this was the original spirit world, which humans were forbidden to live in, this fantasy street would only appear for a few days.

It was a sight only visible during the Blade Dance.

"Wow... clear skies today."

"Mm, because we are on the clouds, of course."

Claire stretched like a cat as she walked. She and Kamito chatted while walking together.

Then, a cool refreshing breeze blew past and Claire's tresses, tied into twintails, swayed in the wind.

Hanging distantly in the sky, the floating island, Ragna Ys, should have stood no chance against fierce winds, but because this sacred land had the additional protection of the Wind Elemental Lord, it was in no danger of being blown away.

Small flying crafts flew one by one between the gaps in the clouds and arrived at the port.

As the main event of the Blade Dance was about to begin, nobles from countries all over the continent had already begun to gather here.

"This really is spectacular."

"Only on the floating island can you see such a view."

Ellis and Rinslet expressed their amazement in muttered exclamations.

"...It would have been great if Fianna could have come with us."

While muttering, Kamito raised his head to the clear, vast blue sky.

At the moment, Fianna seemed to be searching for a way to destroy the Brand of Darkness imprinted on Kamito. She had been tirelessly visiting old acquaintances from her time at the Divine Ritual Institute.

"Later, let's buy some gifts to take back for Fianna, alright?"

"Mmm, yeah."

The slate street was lined with a wide variety of shops.

As they were only temporary stalls, the materials they were made of were not particularly impressive. However, the craftsmen or chefs working inside were top talents who had been recruited from many countries. The Blade Dance was an excellent opportunity to showcase the nation's prestige so countries tended to generously spend huge sums of money on it.

The group walked to the heart of the shopping street and passed a group of tourists who had just alighted from a flying craft.

"I didn't want to say this, but this place really is terribly crowded."

"Men everywhere... I'm starting to feel dizzy."

Ellis and Rinslet looked around uneasily.

It seems that the ladies, having grown up in such a sheltered environment, were not used to such bustling places.

Furthermore, the city here was different from the academy town. Men accounted for a greater proportion of the people here. Although they were among the best elementalists, here they immediately turned back into pure innocent girls. Whenever a man passing by quickly brushed shoulders with them, they would let out small squeals and press themselves tightly against Kamito.

Claire was no exception. From the very start, she had repeatedly been sticking close to Kamito then immediately pulling away.

Whenever she leaned against Kamito, she would move away blushing. When she next bumped into a strange passer by, she would go back to Kamito.

(This foolish girl, what is she doing?)

When Claire leaned into him again, Kamito quickly took her hand.

"Aaaah! W... What are you doing!"

The fiery cat maiden cried angrily, her face red.

"Who taught you how to walk so unsteadily? That's awfully dangerous."

"Well... o-okay, I'll let you hold my hand, but in here only."

As the two of them held hands, Claire turned her gaze aside shyly.

"You're too cunning..."

Rinslet puffed her cheeks unhappily, then grabbed Kamito's empty other hand.

"Rinslet?"

"I... I'm afraid of you getting lost, so hold on to me tight."

Then Ellis, too, joined in; seeing that both Kamito's hands were full, she had no choice but to latch onto his arm.

"E-Ellis...!"

"Hey... Captain! You're blocking the way here!"

"I-It's you, not me! Let go of Kamito's hand now!"

"Ah... all of you, I can't walk like this!"

The girls, all clinging to Kamito, began to quarrel.

They made such a scene that nearby passers-by started to whisper among themselves.

"Quick, look over there, three noble girls are serving that young man, wow." "That's because he's the rumored male elementalist, you know..."

"That's too wicked of him, to sink his fangs into those poor delicate girls." "But, take a look at those girls' expressions; they don't seem to hate him at all." "They must be under some kind of strange magic spell, of course."

(Well... this situation seems to have gotten a little worse...)

Kamito had long been used to hostility from strangers.

However, he did not wish to tarnish the reputations of the ladies he partnered with.

"I say... there are far too many people here, so why don't we find someplace cooler to rest?"

"Mm, that sounds good..."

Claire and the others nodded to show their agreement. It seems they were also thinking the same thing.

They looked around in search of a shop they could have a cup of tea at. And then –

"Kamito-san, look... there's a ''La Parfait'' shop over there!"

Rinslet pointed towards a chic-looking café across the road.

"Say, is that the famous ''La Parfait''!? I've always wanted to try their cakes."

"If I remember correctly, this café is very popular throughout the empire... I-I'm kind of interested as well."

Even Claire and Ellis knew of it. Evidently, the business that had set up that temporary stall was very famous.

"... In that case, shall we go there?"

"Agreed!" "Yes!" "Mmhm...!"

The trio nodded in agreement and dragged Kamito towards it.

===Part 3===

The ''La Parfait'' stall was almost fully packed, so much so that the group had to wait a little before being served.

While sitting at the entrance waiting to be served, Kamito examined the stall's decor. The horizontal beams of the ceiling were naturally bent like tree branches, Kamito was very appreciative of the warm atmosphere this unique wood imparted.

"I'm surprised this is such a relaxing place. When I heard you say it was one of the empire's most popular shops, I expected it to be much more posh and luxurious."

"This is only a temporary stall put up for the Blade Dance, so of course it won't be so well-decorated. Their regular shops are so good aristocratic ladies would be willing to hide their identities just to patronize the shop incognito."

"Oh, so that's it... Hey, speaking of which, I'm not that loaded with cash..."

Kamito's face suddenly turned pale.

A shop even noble daughters would patronize incognito – this must certainly be a very high-class shop.

"If it were a regular shop, no matter how loaded you were, you'd still not be able to afford it."

"The stalls are free for the participants of the Blade Dance."

"I-I see..."

At Rinslet's words, Kamito let out a reassured sigh.

After a while, the four were led to their seats.

"I want a peach pie, a peach sorbet... and a peach mousse."

Claire flipped open the menu and gestured with her finger at the dessert options.

"Why are you getting so many peach options... haven't you already had some in the morning?

"N-None of your business... so what if I like them?"

"This raspberry-flavored cream puff also looks delicious."

"Y-Yes, that seems tasty."

"Oh... This dish puts some ice cream on a fresh hot apple pie to be eaten together..."

"Let's order one and divide it, everyone can have some. Kamito, what would you like?"

"Oooh... Well then, I'll have a scone, I guess..."

Kamito answered perfunctorily, but then –

"What's this attitude, you seem so reluctant."

"I really pity the dessert you order like that to eat."

"If you're a true man, you should pick decisively... Well, I'm talking about choosing cake."

For some unknown reason, Kamito found himself being severely berated by the ladies.

"S-Sorry..."

The three of them had always bickered when in training, but in these situations, they were always in full understanding.

Rinslet summoned a waitress and one-by-one ordered those cakes and desserts with names that would make one accidentally bite their tongue.

"– And lastly, I'd like four cups of black tea from the Laurenfrost area."

"Yes."

"Ah... e-excuse me, wait a minute!"

Ellis called aloud to halt the waitress, who was preparing to leave.

"Yes?"

"Please add a little whipped cream and honey to my tea and if you could, add some floating marshmallows as well."

"Uh... I'm sorry, esteemed guest, but our shop does not serve that kind of drink."

"I-Is that so? Can you not make an excepti – oooh!"

Halfway through her sentence, Ellis stopped.

It was because Rinslet was pinching the back of her neck.

"Hey, what are you doing!"

"Oh my god, have you no shame! I don't like saying such things, but the Fahrengart family must really have no class!"

Rinslet was very particular about tea brewing and so forbade Ellis from randomly adding ingredients as she wished.

"So what if you're from the Laurenfrost family, it's just a countryside noble family with more land, that's all!"

"Y-You wouldn't dare...!"

An intense mini-blizzard blew up beside Rinslet.

"N-No matter what, I don't care, if it's not sweet I won't drink it!"

"If that's so, why didn't you simply order cocoa just now?"

"Don't you think cocoa's a little too childish?"

"Only childish people would call cocoa childish!"

"Okay, okay, stop arguing, the cakes are here."

Claire lightly poked Rinslet's shoulder and said.

"Hmph... no matter, next time I'll teach our Captain how to drink tea."

"Sweet things are just nicer..."

Ellis said in a half-challenging manner through pursed lips.

Not long after, the dazzling array of desserts were delivered to their table.

Placed in silver containers, each of the cakes and pastries looked like an exquisite art piece.

At the sight of them, the anger of the two aristocratic girls vanished and was replaced by expressions of joy.

"I can't help but feel that... to eat something so beautiful would almost be a waste."

"These snacks are made by the very best chefs representing our empire."

As Claire spoke, she opened her mouth wide and took a bite out of the peach pie.

"Waaah... it really is delicious!"

"This raspberry cream puff also tastes extraordinarily refined and delicious."

"Mmmm, there's probably some sweet wine added to this sponge cake... I must try that next time."

Kamito listened to the girls' comments, then put his own cake into his mouth.

"Oh, it's delicious."

Although he was no food connoisseur, the sweet taste in his mouth did give him a rich and noble feeling.

But, compared to this –

Looking at the joyous expressions on the girls' faces made Kamito feel inexplicably happier himself.

"Kamito, what is it?"

"Huh? Oh..."

Kamito was jolted out of his daze, only to find Claire suspiciously staring at him. He quickly averted his gaze and feigned ignorance.

"To think that this stall will be dismantled immediately after the Blade Dance, what a pity!"

"That's just how it is. But... there's a shop in the empire, so we will definitely have a chance to visit again."

"Mmm, next time we go, we must be sure to take Fianna... and Est."

Kamito looked down at the spirit seal on his right hand and murmured.

"Kamito ..."

"Kamito-san..."

At this, Ellis and Rinslet raised their heads.

"—Est will return, I promise."

Claire spoke in a calm but confident tone of voice.

"So... just trust in her and wait for her to return. The only person who can help her out in this way is her elementalist – you."

"... Mmmm, you're right."

Kamito nodded – and then mused:

(... Partners will make one stronger – that probably refers to this feeling I'm having now.)

Three years ago, the strongest blade dancers were indeed very swift and strong.

Solely in terms of skill as an elementalist, he was unrivaled.

But these physical powers were fragile and would easily be crushed by a strong blow; they were strengths developed through loneliness.

The Kamito in the past had no one to rely on.

After losing Restia, he was left only with eternal despair.

(Now, however, I have friends willing to support me.)

So my heart will no longer shatter.

I will not sink into despair again.

(... Thus far, Est has saved me many times.)

Kamito clenched his fist on the table.

(– So, it's my turn now. No doubt about it: I will save you.)

===Part 4===

The most important Sanctuary in the entirety of the floating island Ragna Ys—the Grand Hall of the Wind Elemental Lord—was located atop a hilly area. It was some distance away from the building where the blade dance participants were.

This white building was made from a combination of the best-quality materials and cutting-edge technology. The huge construction covered the whole of the hill; one could appreciate its majesty even from outside of the floating island.

It was not only the place where the wind spirits listened to the Elemental Lord's decrees to the sacred land, but also where princess maidens from the Divine Ritual Institute chosen by the various nations would practice their devotions. Therefore, even the nobility of the country would absolutely not be allowed to enter.

However, at that very moment time, there was a lady outside the gate shouting anxiously.

"Please do me a favor! Grant me an audience with Reicha-sama–!"

She was individually separated from the team of five in order to work separately from Kamito – Fianna.

Wearing a rare serious look, she pleaded with the guard standing at the gate.

"You really don't give up do you."

The middle-aged guard regarded Fianna with unfriendly eyes.

Her face clearly expressed her stubbornness.

"Please withdraw. Our Divine Ritual Institute's gate will never open simply for any one, let alone getting an audience with Reicha-sama. Your requests will absolutely never be granted."

The guard uttered a statement she had probably repeated many times before.

(... This is so infuriating! These people are as stubborn as ever!)

Fianna cursed impatiently to herself.

Having said that, she had in fact expected such a reaction from the start, because the person she wanted to see was not someone who would meet with just anybody.

(If I could borrow her strength, it would certainly be enough to break the curse on Kamito. But...)

The guard looked down at Fianna, not bothering to conceal her expression of contempt.

Evidently, she had not the slightest inclination to open the door.

(... Well, I did know the reason ages ago.)

Refusing to give up, Fianna bit down on her lip.

The one she was thinking of was the Calamity Queen that had betrayed the Fire Elemental Lord – Rubia Elstein.

There had been high hopes placed on Fianna to be the successor, but the incident with Rubia had left indelible horrors in her heart, causing her to lose the power of summoning contracted spirits and with that, her status as princess maiden.

And so Fianna Ray Ordesia became a lost princess maiden, thoroughly disappointing the people who had had great expectations of her and discrediting the Divine Ritual Institute.

(... You narrow-minded people who only know how to put in superficial effort really disgust me.)

Even her own parents—The Areishia emperor and empress—and the various nobility were all no different.

When Fianna was still the princess maiden successor, these people had flattered her in every possible way. Once she had lost her contracted spirit powers, however, they immediately scorned and disdained her, changing their attitudes faster than one could turn the page of a book.

Of course, not all of them were like that. It was just that the Divine Ritual Institute organization had decayed under the weight of its long history and so indeed had a darker side.

Seeing Fianna's stubborn refusal to leave, the guard shook her head and said:

"I do not wish to continue wasting my time on you."

Having said this, she turned and went back into the temple.

"Wait a minute—"

Fianna quickly moved to catch up with her, but—

"Aaaah!?"

Suddenly, a fierce wind rose and blew Fianna off her feet.

Fianna and Claire were different in that they had not received special combat training for elementalists. Too late to protect herself, she fell heavily to the ground.

"... What!?"

She saw something stand at the doors – a magical wind spirit that looked like a winged lion.

It was a guardian spirit; it made contracts with not elementalists, but buildings. This very building, was in fact—the true sanctuary.

"It appears impossible to break through the front gate..."

Fianna glared at the Guardian while nursing a scrape on her lip.

===Part 5===

A sword fell in mysterious darkness.

This shining, beautiful sword, swallowed by a sludge-like nothingness, was gradually losing its light.

(– How strange. What on earth is happening to me?)

Nonetheless, this sword apparently still retained its self-awareness.

Although the disappearance of her physical body had affected her, damaging her memory –

Her memory of that last event was crystal-clear.

She remembered his warmth as she embraced him with both hands on his back.

And, for just the briefest instant, the touch of their lips against each other.

Then – a harsh voice calling out her own name.

(...K-Kamito!)

Her radiance all lost, the sword slowly sank in the bottomless darkness –

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter1

2018-03-21T06:07:58Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 1: The Broken Sacred Sword==

=== Part 1 ===

"...!?"

Waking up, he found himself on his soft bed.

...He sat up and looked back down at himself.

He was not wearing his school uniform, but rather a set of loose pajamas. It seemed that someone had helped him change while he was unconscious.

The dream he witnessed had caused him to break out into a cold sweat.

"I..."

What on earth...

Trying to recall the events that happened before he fainted, Kamito rubbed his dully aching head.

At that moment...

"Kamito, you're awake?"

From the corner of the room came a voice.

Kamito turned and saw a beautiful girl in uniform sitting on a chair by the wall.

She had red twintails on the sides of her head.

Her translucent ruby red pupils gazed anxiously in his direction.

"...Claire, you haven't been here all this time, have you?"

"Eh? No, not very long at all..."

Claire frantically shook her head.

However, dark circles at the corners of her eyes belied the fact that she had not had a good night's rest.

"I apologize for making you worry."

"I... It's nothing, I wasn't worrying."

Kamito returned Claire's concern with a wry smile and took a look around the room.

This castle room had been arranged for the participants of the Blade Dance. Looking at its spacious windows and quality household items, one could tell that this was not Kamito's usual residence, which was no different from a storage room, but a room from some unknown other place.

With dawn quickly approaching, the sun shone weakly through a slit in the curtains.

"That's good, get some sleep now. Your fever has not fully gone down."

"Ah? I have a fever?"

"Mmhm, it appears to have gotten better now, but you were burning up quite badly just a moment ago."

Claire bent over and placed her hand on Kamito's forehead.

The touch of her ice cold skin felt incredibly comfortable. Oh. There was indeed still a bit of a lingering fever.

"Anyways, Claire..."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Uh, why did I faint?"

"...You don't remember?"

Claire's eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Don't tell me you have amnesia..."

"No, nothing that serious. It's just that my head's still groggy and I can't seem to remember what happened right before I blacked out."

Kamito shook his head silently.

"The events from the ball?"

"Yes, I remember that. You turned down the invitation from the crown prince of some country with the wave of a hand..."

"Uh, yeah."

"Around that time, Ren Ashbell invited me to dance..."

While massaging his aching temples, Kamito felt his memory gradually return in chronological order.

Something big must have happened.

(No mistake about that. There was something of extreme importance.)

"Ren Ashbell carved the Brand of Darkness on me and then..."

Impatience burned in his chest.

Sparkling in the corner of his mind was an image of the radiant silver sword.

"And then, I..."

"Kamito, you rescued us from the hands of the Instructional School assassins!"

Looking at the upset Kamito, Claire spoke up.

"The Instructional School assassins?"

Kamito lifted his head abruptly.

(That's right. At that time, I battled Muir's militarized spirit...)

Claire's words prompted his memories of last night to return in a flood.

During the Blade Dance's opening ceremony last night, Muir Alenstarl, the Instructional School assassin calling herself Kamito's foster onii-chan, had controlled a militarized spirit to attack Claire and company.

Marked by Ren Ashbell's Brand of Darkness and covered in wounds, Kamito raced towards the battlefield reluctantly, towards Muir Alenstarl's militarized spirit, but at that very moment, the curse of the mark took effect on Kamito's body and he was overcome with blinding pain.

And then...

"...!"

The instant he regained his memory, Kamito's whole body stiffened, as if he'd been struck by lightning.

The image that sprung to mind was that of a girl with mysterious violet eyes.

With beautiful silvery white hair that reflected the moonlight.

With small hands that gently stroked his back.

And with lips that were cold as ice yet hot as fire when they touched his.

Then she turned into innumerable particles of light, which dissipated into a void...

That was the last Kamito saw of her.

"... Es... t?"

The name escaped from his lips in a trembling, spontaneous exhale.

It was the name of one who had always remained by his side, the name of an extremely important someone, the name of his contracted spirit.

His slight memory disturbances earlier must have been because he had not wanted to face this fact.

"Kamito..."

Claire's low, worried words almost went unheard by Kamito.

"You must be joking... Est, why did she...?"

Her meaningless words rang hollow.

His newly recovered memory insisted on replaying the last scene he saw before losing consciousness.

At that time, she had whispered in his ear:

Goodbye, Kamito.

Sword spirit Est, with a head of silvery white hair, just like a snow fairy.

His contract with her was originally a chance occurrence.

While maintaining a contract with a contracted spirit from the past, the end result was an incomplete contract.

Originally, he could not even wield a tenth of the power with the contract. It must have been considerably painful for a powerful spirit like her.

However, Est had said that was all right.

To be able to contract with you, that alone is wonderful, she had said.

(But I...)

Three years ago, there was a day he had lost a previous contracted spirit.

From that day onwards, he had vowed not to lose anyone important.

"Yet I... again!"

Est had disappeared.

She had sacrificed her very existence in order to save Kamito from being eroded by the curse of the brand.

"Damn..."

"Kamito!"

He threw up his hands in despair only for Claire to quickly catch hold of them.

She gazed steadily into his eyes, with the intent of calming him down.

"Est was not eliminated."

"Ah?"

"After all, your hands still bear signs of a spirit contract, right?"

Kamito's eyes widened.

"Y... es... indeed."

His right hand, the one in Claire's grasp, still bore a design of intersecting swords.

That was the proof of a spirit contract, the spirit seal.

If the contracted spirit were to be eliminated, the spirit seal would then of course disappear.

The reason why Kamito had believed for all these three years that Restia had not vanished, the reason why he had retained a glimmer of hope, was entirely because the spirit seal inscribed on his left hand still remained.

The spirit seal connected the contractor to the contracted spirit. It was a special Gate.

Now the pain was too weak to be felt, but as long as the spirit seal on his right hand did not disappear, he would have proof that Est had not been completely eliminated.

"Est, she's still alive."

"Yes. And even if we cannot call her out now, there must be a way to do so."

If that's the case, I can't remain like this.

"...Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!"

Biting back the pain coursing through his entire body, Kamito got up from the bed.

"Wait, wait a moment, what are you doing!? You still can't..."

"Est is waiting. I don't have the time to continue sleeping!"

Just as Claire's hands moved to stop him...

Gurgle gurgle...

A lovely sound arose in the room.

"...Claire?"

All the strength had drained from his body.

"...! Th... Th... This is a misunderstanding, t... there wasn't a strange sound just now!"

"You... don't tell me, you haven't had anything to eat since yesterday?"

"A... After all, you've been having a bad fever, well..."

Claire blushed and stammered.

"You can't afford to skip meals since the battle begins tomorrow."

"...I... I know. Speaking of which, you haven't eaten either."

"Well, I'm more or less accustomed to that..."

In his youth, Kamito had spent most of his time undergoing intense training at the Instructional School.

The education he received there included even training to withstand starvation. Although he had no intention of attempting such a thing, he could now easily go without food for several days.

(Then again...)

Something suddenly occurred to Kamito.

(Everyone now knows that I was from the Instructional School...)

Precisely because they were important companions, he had not wanted them to know of his past.

Once they learnt of that, he thought that they would not want anything to do with him anymore.

It was only natural that one would think so.

On the contrary, they had treated Kamito.

"You... what you are or aren't accustomed to, that's entirely beside the point. If you don't eat well, you'll never regain your strength. Look, I even brought fruit here specially f... for you."

At this, Claire indicated the basket on the bedside table.

It was filled to the brim with delicious looking ripe peaches.

"Claire, thank you."

"Don't stand on courtesy, it's nothing. After all, they were brought back from the ball."

"No such thing!"

Kamito looked directly at Claire.

"Even after learning I was an orphan from the Instructional School, you still stayed my friend, saying it didn't matter. About that, I'm still very glad."

"W... What, ah, well, that..."

Claire blushed and looked away.

"B... But of course, isn't that just how it is? Regardless of your past, you're my slave spirit now and that will not change!"

With a wry smile and a nod of his head, Kamito reached into the basket for a peach.

"Here, hand me a small knife, I'll cut it open."

"Leave it to me. You're the hurt one, get some rest."

"The peach is fragile, so it can be difficult to peel. I thought you weren't good at peeling fruits?"

"W... Well, if you think that..."

Claire hid her face. Truth be told, it seemed that all the women at the academy, both young and adult, were all not that good at homemaking. It wasn't just Claire who was particularly bad at preparing fruits.

Kamito shrugged, picked up a knife from the table and started peeling the peach in a repeated, circular motion.

Watching his deft handiwork, Claire asked emotionally:

"Did you learn this from that Instructional School too?"

"No, I picked up cooking and other skills during my travels. My travel companion was very picky when it came to the flavor!"

"...By companion, you mean that darkness spirit girl?"

"Yeah..."

While cutting the peach, Kamito's expression turned sour.

"Well... so it's like that..."

Claire looked doubtful.

"Look, it is peeled."

As if to change the subject, Kamito speared the peeled peach on a fork and presented it to Claire.

As she took a bite, some peach juice sprayed back at him.

"Yum yum~ so sweet, it's really delicious...!"

[[File:STnBD V05 025.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Her red twintails danced in joy.

Claire put her hands to her cheeks, an expression of sheer bliss on her face. She looked so lovely one could accidentally lose oneself in admiration.

"Well, now, have another..."

Kamito raised the fork holding the peach. Like a cat being teased, Claire's gaze followed it in a trance like state.

"Look, here it is!"

He moved his hand away.

"Ah!"

And again.

"R... Really now!"

Claire's mouth opened and shut as she chased the peach doggedly.

Left, right... and again.

Finding it very interesting, Kamito intended to continue for a little longer...

"... Oi, w... why are you so cruel!"

Claire snarled, tears welling in her eyes.

"...Sorry, just felt like you were as adorable as a cat, so."

"...?! W... What do you mean cute... s... stupid idiot, that's what you are!"

Into the mouth of the red faced, frantically gesticulating Claire...

"Aah."

...went the peach.

And she bit down.

"Whew, ah, it's so delicious..."

"Just like a cat."

Claire shot Kamito a look.

"Hey, isn't this situation backwards?"

"Hrm, backwards?"

"The injured person is you, but I'm the one eating."

"Well, it's a small matter, don't worry about it."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders and conveniently put the peach into his own mouth.

The slightly tangy taste of the peach juice spread immediately in his mouth.

"Mmm, it really is delicious. It's thoroughly ripe!"

"I... Isn't that the same fork..."

"...What's the matter?"

"N... No, it's nothing."

Claire hastily took her eyes off him.

"Anyway..."

Kamito put the fork aside and asked.

"Yes, what?"

"What's the performance for the Blade Dance? The divination of the Queens has already been revealed, right?"

While Kamito was unconscious, the five Queens had held a ceremony at the great temple of the Divine Ritual Institute, where the five Elemental Lords bestowed their oracle. The performance was to be decided by this oracle. As for the competition format, it would be announced at a later date.

At this, Claire's expression grew serious.

"Mmhm, the blade dance performance to be presented will be the Tempest."

"Tempest, huh..."

That had been the competition format used for the Blade Dance not only in recent years, but also tens and even hundreds of years ago.

The elementalists presenting the blade dance performance would come together at the gathering place in the vast sacred lands and the teams would do battle with each other over a number of days. Each individual's combat skills would be put to the test, but beyond that, of even greater significance were their tactical and strategic ability, as well as teamwork and cooperation.

"... It will be a tough battle."

"Indeed. On the other hand, they clearly could have chosen a knockout style tournament. If so, I suppose this was the best possible outcome."

Claire nodded with a serious look on her face.

The blade dance performance's format would be the Tempest. This piece of information was one he had previously thought about.

With the only constraint being 'five elementalists to a team', a little investigating on the history of the Blade Dance would have made it clear that the number of possible performance formats was only about ten or so.

As a matter of fact, Areishia Spirit Academy had even conducted an extensive training exercise under the assumption that this performance would be selected.

However, one could still hold out hope, for as long as possible, that this performance would not be chosen. This way of thinking was still true.

More so than individual skill, this competition format emphasized a team's combined strength. One would be hard pressed to say this system had any benefits for Claire, who was still worried and unconfident in regards to teamwork.

Furthermore, Team Scarlet had only formed recently. The five members had begun working together a mere few weeks ago. While each of them was a strong elementalist in his or her own right, their combined team strength still could not compare to that of the other teams.

(Furthermore...)

Kamito's gaze turned to the spirit seal inscribed on his right hand.

All along, Kamito's overwhelming strength had always been unrivaled amongst his companions.

However, Kamito was now in a state lacking his contracted spirits.

Despite previously being known as the Strongest Blade Dancer, without his contracted spirit, Kamito could not reach his full strength as an elementalist.

Following that, he rested his hand lightly on the chest wound that was still aching dully.

(The curse of this brand has yet to fade completely.)

The Brand of Darkness that Ren Ashbell had engraved was even now still eating away at his body.

Although Est had suppressed the worst of the damage by sacrificing herself, she had not entirely destroyed it.

"Est..."

Murmuring her name, even injecting divine power into it, the spirit seal yielded no response.

Instead, an intense scorching pain invaded his entire body.

"... Ah, damn it..."

"You'd better not act rashly. What you can do now is to get a good rest in order to regain your strength and divine power."

"... Ah, ah, I know."

Clenching his lips tightly, Kamito nodded and laid flat on the bed again.

=== Part 2 ===

(...Kamito seemed to be pretty depressed.)

Outside Kamito's room, Claire let out a small sigh.

This was not unreasonable. After all, he was an elementalist who had lost his contracted spirit before his own eyes.

That bitterness, Claire understood all too well, as she too had lost Scarlet in the past. At that time, Claire had given up on herself and had even allowed herself to be tempted by the darkness spirit.

Of course, Est's eradication had left Claire somewhat shaken too.

For Est had not been just another contracted spirit.

She was also an important companion of Claire's in the academy; for more than two months, they had fought side by side.

"...We need to quickly find a way to bring Est back."

The practical problem was that, without Est, Team Scarlet had no chance of winning the battle royale. Kamito had incomparable strength, but an elementalist without a contracted spirit at his side would not be able to do his best at a competition such as the Blade Dance, where there were many tough opponents.

There must be a way to bring Est back . True, she had just said that, but what exactly one would need to do, she did not know. Assuming it was possible was fine and all, but they might not have enough time.

The Blade Dance battle would begin tomorrow. They could only afford to spare one day. If Kamito could not bring Est back in that time, they would have to rely on only the four remaining people to win the battle royale.

Although they did not intend on losing to the other teams, the fact of the matter was that their chances of victory against a strong opponent such as, say, the Dracunia Dragons led by Leonora Lancaster, were slim indeed.

Moreover, in order to win the grand event, they would still have to take down Ren Ashbell, the most powerful of the blade dancers.

Then again, it was also possible for Kamito to look for another spirit to contract with.

(But, all things considered, that was not likely...)

Pacing around the portico, Claire shook her head. Leaving aside for the moment the issue of finding a suitable new contracted spirit, Kamito would most certainly reject the idea of any other spirit but Est.

(Speaking of whom...)

Out of the blue, the image of that darkness spirit girl inadvertently surfaced in Claire's mind.

Jet black hair, billowing in the wind. A lovely girl with eyes the color of dusk.

(In the end, I still did not ask Kamito about her...)

A wave of pain rushed through her chest as she thought of it.

It was yesterday evening, in the courtyard of the castle, Kamito and the darkness spirit girl, their lips locked in a kiss.

It wasn't that she lacked the opportunity to ask; it was just not a suitable time for such a matter. Shocked and upset over having lost Est, Kamito was not in a state for her to pursue the matter to completion.

(But that girl, what on earth was her relationship with Kamito...?)

The previous contracted spirit was a girl of darkness who, even now, still held Kamito's heart.

The strange pain in her chest burned more and more intensely.

"W... Well, whatever, that rascal can get all kissy kissy with whoever he wants to! It's got nothing to with me, right?"

Claire reasoned this out with herself and then stopped outside the room.

She opened the door...

"...Huh !?"

There were three people in the room who rose from the couch in unison.

"Is Kamito awake!?"

Claire nodded her head in response to Ellis's query.

"Well, yeah, but it seems the fever has not receded yet. He should continue to rest."

"...Hmm, I see. All in all, it's good that he's doing alright."

"T... To actually have a girl worry so much over him. This guy still causes headaches like before!"

Rinslet crossed and uncrossed her fingers restlessly.

"...It was really all thanks to Est. My skills were simply ineffective against the curse of that brand."

In contrast with the other two, who seemed to have breathed sighs of relief, Fianna wore a somber expression.

Fianna was originally the second best princess maiden overall in the Divine Ritual Institute. Her power and skill at curse breaking was comparable to that of the current princess maidens.

However, the Brand of Darkness inscribed by Ren Ashbell on Kamito's body contained a curse so strong that it left even Fianna helpless.

If at that time Est had not sacrificed herself, then...

Kamito's physical body would have been utterly corroded by the curse. At worst, he might even have died.

"I have searched through a wide range of material but still couldn't find any information on this curse."

The pile of heavy books around Fianna was as high as a mountain.

She had brought these with her from the academy. They contained incantations and curses as well as documents related to spirits.

"But even now, I still cannot believe that..."

Ellis spoke while clenching her lips.

"That Ren Ashbell would go so far as to actually do such a thing..."

"...Yeah, I know."

Claire nodded.

The strongest blade dancer.

Her goal was to become a princess maiden elementalist, the most lauded person.

At the Blade Dance three years ago, her blade dance performance had mesmerized countless girls.

Whether it was Claire, Ellis, or anyone, they all held a powerful and honorable person like her in high respect. They had endured the Academy's numerous, strict training regimens in order to be an elementalist like her.

Which was why when Muir Alenstarl told them that it was she who had carved the Brand of Darkness onto Kamito's body, they completely could not bring themselves to believe it.

However, on further reflection...

(Not a single one of them knew anything about who she was...)

For example, what wish she made to the Elemental Lords as the victor of the Blade Dance three years prior.

Why, after reaching the highest possible level of renown, did she suddenly disappear without a trace from the eyes of the world.

And why, with things in their current state, would she want to make a return?

Speculation of all sorts were floating about, but it still remained a mystery.

Finally, why would the strongest active elementalist want to place a curse on Kamito.

The reason for that was unclear as well.

(For preemptive reasons, so as to reduce Kamito to a certain amount of strength before the battle royale?)

Even if that were so, there was no need to use such a circuitous strategy as a curse.

One would only need to fight with overwhelming brute strength to eliminate others, like what Muir Alenstarl did.

"Without conclusive evidence, that impostor elementalist may as well be the real Ren Ashbell."

"...But in that case, why not use her real identity?"

"Maybe there's some reason why she couldn't use her true identity.", muttered Fianna.

"You think there is a hidden reason?"

"Ah... I... I didn't say anything!"

Addressing the frowning Claire, Fianna hurriedly shook her head.

"If there was someone masquerading as Ren Ashbell and using her name, I would never forgive her."

Placing her hands on the sword at her waist, Ellis spoke up.

"Come on, let's take the initiative to go ask her..."

"Impossible. We don't even know where she is in the first place."

Claire shook her head at Ellis's impulsive and dangerous proposal.

The team representing Ren Ashbell, Team Inferno of Alphas Theocracy, had apparently stayed in a tower outside the region where they waited for an opportunity to strike. No one knew where they were.

Moreover, Muir Alenstarl, who had vanished after yesterday's skirmish, had not given up on her plans to kill Claire and company. A slow, stealthy approach would be more practical than a direct dangerous one.

"Her intentions are indeed a major concern, but the foremost problem here has to be Est."

Claire turned towards Fianna and asked,

"I'll get straight to the point. Est, can she still return?"

"That..."

Fianna stroked her chin, as though deep in thought.

"If Kamito's hand still shows signs of the spirit seal, it is evidence that Est has not been completely vanquished. Ordinarily, once she fully regains her power, she can return. It's just that..."

"Just that?"

"This is just my hypothesis. Est may have been trapped in a prison of the curse. Regarding this, I cannot be sure."

"What do you mean?"

"Est used her power to suppress the curse, but she did not completely break it. Now she might be held, shackled by the curse, unable to move."

"In order to rescue Est, we'll have to deal with the curse first, won't we?"

Ellis nodded with a serious expression.

"In regards to the Brand of Darkness, I can get some help from the forces at the Divine Ritual Institute. Next, there is the problem of Kamito himself. Although I don't think this will crush his spirits..."

"But, he seemed really upset..."

Even in front of Claire, he had put on a brave front so as not to let anyone see him weak. At the end of the day however, he could not hide how much the loss of Est had affected him.

By the looks of it, it should take him quite some time to get his act together.

"In that case... is there anything we can do for him?"

Rinslet said.

"Truthfully speaking, it's not that we don't have an option..."

"Eh, really?" "What's is it?" "D... Don't leave us guessing! Tell us directly, please!"

Hearing this, Claire and the others who were not giving up, gathered in front of Fianna.

Fianna sighed and said...

"...Help our own opponents. While it is infuriating, we really have no choice."

She uttered this sentence of cryptic meaning...

...And then informed them on what they can do for Kamito.

"...!"

The trio's faces instantly turned bright red.

"W... Wait a minute! That sort of thing... how could we possibly to do that!"

"R... Really now! Such a shameful thing... as a knight, I cannot accept it!"

"Keep in mind that I am the eldest daughter of the noble Laurenfrost family!"

The wave of protest from the girls came at the same time.

"Hmm, so you mean to say that you don't want Kamito to recover?"

Fianna sharply spoke and pointed at them.

"T... That is..."

"Of course that isn't true..."

"...I... I didn't mean it like that, except..."

The three blushed and stammered.

A mischievous smile formed on Fianna's face.

"All right then, it's settled. There are all sorts of ceremonial props in the luggage I brought. Help yourselves."

As she spoke, she reached into the travel bag and took out a myriad of colorful costumes and props.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter1

2018-03-21T06:06:25Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 1: The Broken Sacred Sword==

=== Part 1 ===

"...!?"

Waking up, he found himself on his soft bed.

...He sat up and looked back down at himself.

He was not wearing his school uniform, but rather a set of loose pajamas. It seemed that someone had helped him change while he was unconscious.

The dream he witnessed had caused him to break out into a cold sweat.

"I..."

What on earth...

Trying to recall the events that happened before he fainted, Kamito rubbed his dully aching head.

At that moment...

"Kamito, you're awake?"

From the corner of the room came a voice.

Kamito turned and saw a beautiful girl in uniform sitting on a chair by the wall.

She had red twintails on the sides of her head.

Her translucent ruby red pupils gazed anxiously in his direction.

"...Claire, you haven't been here all this time, have you?"

"Eh? No, not very long at all..."

Claire frantically shook her head.

However, dark circles at the corners of her eyes belied the fact that she had not had a good night's rest.

"I apologize for making you worry."

"I... It's nothing, I wasn't worrying."

Kamito returned Claire's concern with a wry smile and took a look around the room.

This castle room had been arranged for the participants of the Blade Dance. Looking at its spacious windows and quality household items, one could tell that this was not Kamito's usual residence, which was no different from a storage room, but a room from some unknown other place.

With dawn quickly approaching, the sun shone weakly through a slit in the curtains.

"That's good, get some sleep now. Your fever has not fully gone down."

"Ah? I have a fever?"

"Mmhm, it appears to have gotten better now, but you were burning up quite badly just a moment ago."

Claire bent over and placed her hand on Kamito's forehead.

The touch of her ice cold skin felt incredibly comfortable. Oh. There was indeed still a bit of a lingering fever.

"Anyways, Claire..."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Uh, why did I faint?"

"...You don't remember?"

Claire's eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Don't tell me you have amnesia..."

"No, nothing that serious. It's just that my head's still groggy and I can't seem to remember what happened right before I blacked out."

Kamito shook his head silently.

"The events from the ball?"

"Yes, I remember that. You turned down the invitation from the crown prince of some country with the wave of a hand..."

"Uh, yeah."

"Around that time, Ren Ashbell invited me to dance..."

While massaging his aching temples, Kamito felt his memory gradually return in chronological order.

Something big must have happened.

(No mistake about that. There was something of extreme importance.)

"Ren Ashbell carved the Brand of Darkness on me and then..."

Impatience burned in his chest.

Sparkling in the corner of his mind was an image of the radiant silver sword.

"And then, I..."

"Kamito, you rescued us from the hands of the Instructional School assassins!"

Looking at the upset Kamito, Claire spoke up.

"The Instructional School assassins?"

Kamito lifted his head abruptly.

(That's right. At that time, I battled Muir's militarized spirit...)

Claire's words prompted his memories of last night to return in a flood.

During the Blade Dance's opening ceremony last night, Muir Alenstarl, the Instructional School assassin calling herself Kamito's foster onii-chan, had controlled a militarized spirit to attack Claire and company.

Marked by Ren Ashbell's Brand of Darkness and covered in wounds, Kamito raced towards the battlefield reluctantly, towards Muir Alenstarl's militarized spirit, but at that very moment, the curse of the mark took effect on Kamito's body and he was overcome with blinding pain.

And then...

"...!"

The instant he regained his memory, Kamito's whole body stiffened, as if he'd been struck by lightning.

The image that sprung to mind was that of a girl with mysterious violet eyes.

With beautiful silvery white hair that reflected the moonlight.

With small hands that gently stroked his back.

And with lips that were cold as ice yet hot as fire when they touched his.

Then she turned into innumerable particles of light, which dissipated into a void...

That was the last Kamito saw of her.

"... Es... t?"

The name escaped from his lips in a trembling, spontaneous exhale.

It was the name of one who had always remained by his side, the name of an extremely important someone, the name of his contracted spirit.

His slight memory disturbances earlier must have been because he had not wanted to face this fact.

"Kamito..."

Claire's low, worried words almost went unheard by Kamito.

"You must be joking... Est, why did she...?"

Her meaningless words rang hollow.

His newly recovered memory insisted on replaying the last scene he saw before losing consciousness.

At that time, she had whispered in his ear:

Goodbye, Kamito.

Sword spirit Est, with a head of silvery white hair, just like a snow fairy.

His contract with her was originally a chance occurrence.

While maintaining a contract with a contracted spirit from the past, the end result was an incomplete contract.

Originally, he could not even wield a tenth of the power with the contract. It must have been considerably painful for a powerful spirit like her.

However, Est had said that was all right.

To be able to contract with you, that alone is wonderful, she had said.

(But I...)

Three years ago, there was a day he had lost a previous contracted spirit.

From that day onwards, he had vowed not to lose anyone important.

"Yet I... again!"

Est had disappeared.

She had sacrificed her very existence in order to save Kamito from being eroded by the curse of the brand.

"Damn..."

"Kamito!"

He threw up his hands in despair only for Claire to quickly catch hold of them.

She gazed steadily into his eyes, with the intent of calming him down.

"Est was not eliminated."

"Ah?"

"After all, your hands still bear signs of a spirit contract, right?"

Kamito's eyes widened.

"Y... es... indeed."

His right hand, the one in Claire's grasp, still bore a design of intersecting swords.

That was the proof of a spirit contract, the spirit seal.

If the contracted spirit were to be eliminated, the spirit seal would then of course disappear.

The reason why Kamito had believed for all these three years that Restia had not vanished, the reason why he had retained a glimmer of hope, was entirely because the spirit seal inscribed on his left hand still remained.

The spirit seal connected the contractor to the contracted spirit. It was a special Gate.

Now the pain was too weak to be felt, but as long as the spirit seal on his right hand did not disappear, he would have proof that Est had not been completely eliminated.

"Est, she's still alive."

"Yes. And even if we cannot call her out now, there must be a way to do so."

If that's the case, I can't remain like this.

"...Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!"

Biting back the pain coursing through his entire body, Kamito got up from the bed.

"Wait, wait a moment, what are you doing!? You still can't..."

"Est is waiting. I don't have the time to continue sleeping!"

Just as Claire's hands moved to stop him...

Gurgle gurgle...

A lovely sound arose in the room.

"...Claire?"

All the strength had drained from his body.

"...! Th... Th... This is a misunderstanding, t... there wasn't a strange sound just now!"

"You... don't tell me, you haven't had anything to eat since yesterday?"

"A... After all, you've been having a bad fever, well..."

Claire blushed and stammered.

"You can't afford to skip meals since the battle begins tomorrow."

"...I... I know. Speaking of which, you haven't eaten either."

"Well, I'm more or less accustomed to that..."

In his youth, Kamito had spent most of his time undergoing intense training at the Instructional School.

The education he received there included even training to withstand starvation. Although he had no intention of attempting such a thing, he could now easily go without food for several days.

(Then again...)

Something suddenly occurred to Kamito.

(Everyone now knows that I was from the Instructional School...)

Precisely because they were important companions, he had not wanted them to know of his past.

Once they learnt of that, he thought that they would not want anything to do with him anymore.

It was only natural that one would think so.

On the contrary, they had treated Kamito.

"You... what you are or aren't accustomed to, that's entirely beside the point. If you don't eat well, you'll never regain your strength. Look, I even brought fruit here specially f... for you."

At this, Claire indicated the basket on the bedside table.

It was filled to the brim with delicious looking ripe peaches.

"Claire, thank you."

"Don't stand on courtesy, it's nothing. After all, they were brought back from the ball."

"No such thing!"

Kamito looked directly at Claire.

"Even after learning I was an orphan from the Instructional School, you still stayed my friend, saying it didn't matter. About that, I'm still very glad."

"W... What, ah, well, that..."

Claire blushed and looked away.

"B... But of course, isn't that just how it is? Regardless of your past, you're my slave spirit now and that will not change!"

With a wry smile and a nod of his head, Kamito reached into the basket for a peach.

"Here, hand me a small knife, I'll cut it open."

"Leave it to me. You're the hurt one, get some rest."

"The peach is fragile, so it can be difficult to peel. I thought you weren't good at peeling fruits?"

"W... Well, if you think that..."

Claire hid her face. Truth be told, it seemed that all the women at the academy, both young and adult, were all not that good at homemaking. It wasn't just Claire who was particularly bad at preparing fruits.

Kamito shrugged, picked up a knife from the table and started peeling the peach in a repeated, circular motion.

Watching his deft handiwork, Claire asked emotionally:

"Did you learn this from that Instructional School too?"

"No, I picked up cooking and other skills during my travels. My travel companion was very picky when it came to the flavor!"

"...By companion, you mean that darkness spirit girl?"

"Yeah..."

While cutting the peach, Kamito's expression turned sour.

"Well... so it's like that..."

Claire looked doubtful.

"Look, it is peeled."

As if to change the subject, Kamito speared the peeled peach on a fork and presented it to Claire.

As she took a bite, some peach juice sprayed back at him.

"Yum yum~ so sweet, it's really delicious...!"

[[File:STnBD V05 025.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Her red twintails danced in joy.

Claire put her hands to her cheeks, an expression of sheer bliss on her face. She looked so lovely one could accidentally lose oneself in admiration.

"Well, now, have another..."

Kamito raised the fork holding the peach. Like a cat being teased, Claire's gaze followed it in a trance like state.

"Look, here it is!"

He moved his hand away.

"Ah!"

And again.

"R... Really now!"

Claire's mouth opened and shut as she chased the peach doggedly.

Left, right... and again.

Finding it very interesting, Kamito intended to continue for a little longer...

"... Oi, w... why are you so cruel!"

Claire snarled, tears welling in her eyes.

"...Sorry, just felt like you were as adorable as a cat, so."

"...?! W... What do you mean cute... s... stupid idiot, that's what you are!"

Into the mouth of the red faced, frantically gesticulating Claire...

"Aah."

...went the peach.

And she bit down.

"Whew, ah, it's so delicious..."

"Just like a cat."

Claire shot Kamito a look.

"Hey, isn't this situation backwards?"

"Hrm, backwards?"

"The injured person is you, but I'm the one eating."

"Well, it's a small matter, don't worry about it."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders and conveniently put the peach into his own mouth.

The slightly tangy taste of the peach juice spread immediately in his mouth.

"Mmm, it really is delicious. It's thoroughly ripe!"

"I... Isn't that the same fork..."

"...What's the matter?"

"N... No, it's nothing."

Claire hastily took her eyes off him.

"Anyway..."

Kamito put the fork aside and asked.

"Yes, what?"

"What's the performance for the Blade Dance? The divination of the Queens has already been revealed, right?"

While Kamito was unconscious, the five Queens had held a ceremony at the great temple of the Divine Ritual Institute, where the five Elemental Lords bestowed their oracle. The performance was to be decided by this oracle. As for the competition format, it would be announced at a later date.

At this, Claire's expression grew serious.

"Mmhm, the blade dance performance to be presented will be the Tempest."

"Tempest, huh..."

That had been the competition format used for the Blade Dance not only in recent years, but also tens and even hundreds of years ago.

The elementalists presenting the blade dance performance would come together at the gathering place in the vast sacred lands and the teams would do battle with each other over a number of days. Each individual's combat skills would be put to the test, but beyond that, of even greater significance were their tactical and strategic ability, as well as teamwork and cooperation.

"... It will be a tough battle."

"Indeed. On the other hand, they clearly could have chosen a knockout style tournament. If so, I suppose this was the best possible outcome."

Claire nodded with a serious look on her face.

The blade dance performance's format would be the Tempest. This piece of information was one he had previously thought about.

With the only constraint being 'five elementalists to a team', a little investigating on the history of the Blade Dance would have made it clear that the number of possible performance formats was only about ten or so.

As a matter of fact, Areishia Spirit Academy had even conducted an extensive training exercise under the assumption that this performance would be selected.

However, one could still hold out hope, for as long as possible, that this performance would not be chosen. This way of thinking was still true.

More so than individual skill, this competition format emphasized a team's combined strength. One would be hard pressed to say this system had any benefits for Claire, who was still worried and unconfident in regards to teamwork.

Furthermore, Team Scarlet had only formed recently. The five members had begun working together a mere few weeks ago. While each of them was a strong elementalist in his or her own right, their combined team strength still could not compare to that of the other teams.

(Furthermore...)

Kamito's gaze turned to the spirit seal inscribed on his right hand.

All along, Kamito's overwhelming strength had always been unrivaled amongst his companions.

However, Kamito was now in a state lacking his contracted spirits.

Despite previously being known as the Strongest Blade Dancer, without his contracted spirit, Kamito could not reach his full strength as an elementalist.

Following that, he rested his hand lightly on the chest wound that was still aching dully.

(The curse of this brand has yet to fade completely.)

The Brand of Darkness that Ren Ashbell had engraved was even now still eating away at his body.

Although Est had suppressed the worst of the damage by sacrificing herself, she had not entirely destroyed it.

"Est..."

Murmuring her name, even injecting divine power into it, the spirit seal yielded no response.

Instead, an intense scorching pain invaded his entire body.

"... Ah, damn it..."

"You'd better not act rashly. What you can do now is to get a good rest in order to regain your strength and divine power."

"... Ah, ah, I know."

Clenching his lips tightly, Kamito nodded and laid flat on the bed again.

=== Part 2 ===

(...Kamito seemed to be pretty depressed.)

Outside Kamito's room, Claire let out a small sigh.

This was not unreasonable. After all, he was an elementalist who had lost his contracted spirit before his own eyes.

That bitterness, Claire understood all too well, as she too had lost Scarlet in the past. At that time, Claire had given up on herself and had even allowed herself to be tempted by the darkness spirit.

Of course, Est's eradication had left Claire somewhat shaken too.

For Est had not been just another contracted spirit.

She was also an important companion of Claire's in the academy; for more than two months, they had fought side by side.

"...We need to quickly find a way to bring Est back."

The practical problem was that, without Est, Team Scarlet had no chance of winning the battle royale. Kamito had incomparable strength, but an elementalist without a contracted spirit at his side would not be able to do his best at a competition such as the Blade Dance, where there were many tough opponents.

There must be a way to bring Est back . True, she had just said that, but what exactly one would need to do, she did not know. Assuming it was possible was fine and all, but they might not have enough time.

The Blade Dance battle would begin tomorrow. They could only afford to spare one day. If Kamito could not bring Est back in that time, they would have to rely on only the four remaining people to win the battle royale.

Although they did not intend on losing to the other teams, the fact of the matter was that their chances of victory against a strong opponent such as, say, the Dracunia Dragons led by Leonora Lancaster, were slim indeed.

Moreover, in order to win the grand event, they would still have to take down Ren Ashbell, the most powerful of the blade dancers.

Then again, it was also possible for Kamito to look for another spirit to contract with.

(But, all things considered, that was not likely...)

Pacing around the portico, Claire shook her head. Leaving aside for the moment the issue of finding a suitable new contracted spirit, Kamito would most certainly reject the idea of any other spirit but Est.

(Speaking of whom...)

Out of the blue, the image of that darkness spirit girl inadvertently surfaced in Claire's mind.

Jet black hair, billowing in the wind. A lovely girl with eyes the color of dusk.

(In the end, I still did not ask Kamito about her...)

A wave of pain rushed through her chest as she thought of it.

It was yesterday evening, in the courtyard of the castle, Kamito and the darkness spirit girl, their lips locked in a kiss.

It wasn't that she lacked the opportunity to ask; it was just not a suitable time for such a matter. Shocked and upset over having lost Est, Kamito was not in a state for her to pursue the matter to completion.

(But that girl, what on earth was her relationship with Kamito...?)

The previous contracted spirit was a girl of darkness who, even now, still held Kamito's heart.

The strange pain in her chest burned more and more intensely.

"W... Well, whatever, that rascal can get all kissy kissy with whoever he wants to! It's got nothing to with me, right?"

Claire reasoned this out with herself and then stopped outside the room.

She opened the door...

"...Huh !?"

There were three people in the room who rose from the couch in unison.

"Is Kamito awake!?"

Claire nodded her head in response to Ellis's query.

"Well, yeah, but it seems the fever has not receded yet. He should continue to rest."

"...Hmm, I see. All in all, it's good that he's doing alright."

"T... To actually have a girl worry so much over him. This guy still causes headaches like before!"

Rinslet crossed and uncrossed her fingers restlessly.

"...It was really all thanks to Est. My skills were simply ineffective against the curse of that brand."

In contrast with the other two, who seemed to have breathed sighs of relief, Fianna wore a somber expression.

Fianna was originally the second best princess maiden overall in the Divine Ritual Institute. Her power and skill at curse breaking was comparable to that of the current princess maidens.

However, the Brand of Darkness inscribed by Ren Ashbell on Kamito's body contained a curse so strong that it left even Fianna helpless.

If at that time Est had not sacrificed herself, then...

Kamito's physical body would have been utterly corroded by the curse. At worst, he might even have died.

"I have searched through a wide range of material but still couldn't find any information on this curse."

The pile of heavy books around Fianna was as high as a mountain.

She had brought these with her from the academy. They contained incantations and curses as well as documents related to spirits.

"But even now, I still cannot believe that..."

Ellis spoke while clenching her lips.

"That Ren Ashbell would go so far as to actually do such a thing..."

"...Yeah, I know."

Claire nodded.

The strongest blade dancer.

Her goal was to become a princess maiden elementalist, the most lauded person.

At the Blade Dance three years ago, her blade dance performance had mesmerized countless girls.

Whether it was Claire, Ellis, or anyone, they all held a powerful and honorable person like her in high respect. They had endured the Academy's numerous, strict training regimens in order to be an elementalist like her.

Which was why when Muir Alenstarl told them that it was she who had carved the Brand of Darkness onto Kamito's body, they completely could not bring themselves to believe it.

However, on further reflection...

(Not a single one of them knew anything about who she was...)

For example, what wish she made to the Elemental Lords as the victor of the Blade Dance three years prior.

Why, after reaching the highest possible level of renown, did she suddenly disappear without a trace from the eyes of the world.

And why, with things in their current state, would she want to make a return?

Speculation of all sorts were floating about, but it still remained a mystery.

Finally, why would the strongest active elementalist want to place a curse on Kamito.

The reason for that was unclear as well.

(For preemptive reasons, so as to reduce Kamito to a certain amount of strength before the battle royale?)

Even if that were so, there was no need to use such a circuitous strategy as a curse.

One would only need to fight with overwhelming brute strength to eliminate others, like what Muir Alenstarl did.

"Without conclusive evidence, that impostor elementalist may as well be the real Ren Ashbell."

"...But in that case, why not use her real identity?"

"Maybe there's some reason why she couldn't use her true identity.", muttered Fianna.

"You think there is a hidden reason?"

"Ah... I... I didn't say anything!"

Addressing the frowning Claire, Fianna hurriedly shook her head.

"If there was someone masquerading as Ren Ashbell and using her name, I would never forgive her."

Placing her hands on the sword at her waist, Ellis spoke up.

"Come on, let's take the initiative to go ask her..."

"Impossible. We don't even know where she is in the first place."

Claire shook her head at Ellis's impulsive and dangerous proposal.

The team representing Ren Ashbell, Team Inferno of Alphas Theocracy, had apparently stayed in a tower outside the region where they waited for an opportunity to strike. No one knew where they were.

Moreover, Muir Alenstarl, who had vanished after yesterday's skirmish, had not given up on her plans to kill Claire and company. A slow, stealthy approach would be more practical than a direct dangerous one.

"Her intentions are indeed a major concern, but the foremost problem here has to be Est."

Claire turned towards Fianna and asked,

"I'll get straight to the point. Est, can she still return?"

"That..."

Fianna stroked her chin, as though deep in thought.

"If Kamito's hand still shows signs of the spirit seal, it is evidence that Est has not been completely vanquished. Ordinarily, once she fully regains her power, she can return. It's just that..."

"Just that?"

"This is just my hypothesis. Est may have been trapped in a prison of the curse. Regarding this, I cannot be sure."

"What do you mean?"

"Est used her power to suppress the curse, but she did not completely break it. Now she might be held, shackled by the curse, unable to move."

"In order to rescue Est, we'll have to deal with the curse first, won't we?"

Ellis nodded with a serious expression.

"In regards to the Brand of Darkness, I can get some help from the forces at the Divine Ritual Institute. Next, there is the problem of Kamito himself. Although I don't think this will crush his spirits..."

"But, he seemed really upset..."

Even in front of Claire, he had put on a brave front so as not to let anyone see him weak. At the end of the day however, he could not hide how much the loss of Est had affected him.

By the looks of it, it should take him quite some time to get his act together.

"In that case... is there anything we can do for him?"

Rinslet said.

"Truthfully speaking, it's not that we don't have an option..."

"Eh, really?" "What's is it?" "D... Don't leave us guessing! Tell us directly, please!"

Hearing this, Claire and the others who were not giving up, gathered in front of Fianna.

Fianna sighed and said...

"...Help our own opponents. While it is infuriating, we really have no choice."

She uttered this sentence of cryptic meaning...

...And then informed them on what they can do for Kamito.

"...!"

The trio's faces instantly turned bright red.

"W... Wait a minute! That sort of thing... how could we possibly to do that!"

"R... Really now! Such a shameful thing... as a knight, I cannot accept it!"

"Keep in mind that I am the eldest daughter of the noble Laurenfrost family!"

The wave of protest from the girls came at the same time.

"Hmm, so you mean to say that you don't want Kamito to recover?"

Fianna sharply spoke and pointed at them.

"T... That is..."

"Of course that isn't true..."

"...I-I didn't mean it like that, except..."

The three blushed and stammered.

A mischievous smile formed on Fianna's face.

"All right then, it's settled. There are all sorts of ceremonial props in the luggage I brought. Help yourselves."

As she spoke, she reached into the travel bag and took out a myriad of colorful costumes and props.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Prologue

2018-03-21T02:54:50Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Prologue==
He was watching a dream.

An extremely vivid dream, to the extent that he understood that he was within a dream.

The flashing of swords. The clashing of blades.

While walking down a corridor dyed red with the blood of countless soldiers...

The one swinging a sword of shining light, was a girl with beautiful golden hair.

Flowing movements like that of the blade dance, cutting down all sorts of spirits that came at her.

The girl's figure gave off a sense of deja vu.

Up till present times, there were many existing artworks of her, like portraits, sculptures and paintings.

Areishia Idriss.

The Sacred Queen who had once overthrown the Demon King.

(...Why did I dream of her?)

Here he did not have a physical body that he could move, only his consciousness drifted through this clear dream, bearing that question.

From when exactly was this dream from?

Furthermore, ''whose dream was it?''

In the midst of his clear consciousness, eventually, he reached ''that moment'' that was recorded in history.

Defeating the last spirit, the girl slowly walked out the corridor, heading into the deepest depths of the castle.

Raising the sacred sword which was radiating light in the air with both hands, she raised her head, looking at the throne.

There, was seated a lone man, his composure calm.

The area around the throne was wreathed in dark flames and thus his features could not be discerned.

However, who it was that was seated on that throne, was intuitively recognized with just a glance.

(The Demon King Solomon.)

In the past, he had brought calamity and destruction across the lands, the worst tyrant to have gone down in history.

Dominating the powerful spirits of the seventy two pillars, the only existing male elementalist.

Ominous dark flames danced menacingly around him, as though threatening the girl.

However, the girl did not falter.

Because within her hand was held a sacred sword, empowering her heart.

"Evil Demon King, by the names of the Elemental Lords and my sacred sword, begone."

As the blowing wind sent her golden hair billowing, the girl dashed onwards.

Engraved on the blade of the sacred sword, in the language of the spirits, was a name giving off a silver light.

The instant I saw that name, I shouted out.

"''Est!''"

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Afterword

2018-03-20T02:06:24Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Afterword==

Nii-sama is Muir's only.

And so, it has been three months since last time. This is Shimizu Yuu.

We've reached the fourth volume of the school harem x battle comedy "Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance"!

Finally, after two months of school life, it's the Blade Dance. Attacking Kamito and the others who have made their respective resolves is a military use spirit of unknown affiliation. The covert Instructional School's assassins and Kamito's revealed past. And also the other Ren Ashbell's objective is...

The young ladies' love battle also accelerates with bold swimsuits and magnificent dresses, while the plot advances into the climax, so please continue to support it!

Now for the customary thanks.

Firstly, Sakura Hanpen-sensei who once again drew wonderful illustrations, thank you so much. Rinslet on the cover is so cute. Why those cute and erotic tights are so damaged I was pulled in and delayed writing. Pero-pero.

Thanks to MFJ's charismatic incubator, "Seirei Tsukai" has managed to reach four volumes.

Head editor Misaka, proofreading team, formatting team, marketing team and bookstores, thank you for everything. Shinjuku's Anibro Gamers store have made a huge released of volume 3. Once again, I thank you.

Also, Yoshihira Zenzai-sensei who is drawing a high quality manga version in the Comic Alive magazine. Having the characters drawn in a cute style makes me very happy. I'll just mention this here, but the manga is a little more erotic than the light novel... it's very erotic! (Eye opening shock level).

Lastly, to all those who are reading this book, I give you my greatest thanks!

To everyone who submitted their impressions in the questionnaire, a big thanks to you as well. I have read all of them gratefully. Speaking of the questionnaires, in the second volume, Est was leading by a large margin, but in the third volume, she just rocketed to the top. Fianna and Claire occupy the third and fourth spots in a very close battle. The main character, Kamito, is in fifth. It's a shame that the cute Rinslet is in sixth... now is the time for the one million (lie) Rinslet fans across the country to unite!

Now then, the next volume is the fifth. Let's meet again in "The Demon Slaying Sword (tentative)"!

July 2011, Shimizu Yuu

==Illustrator's Afterword==
[[image:STnBD V04 260-261.jpg ‎|thumb]]
Nice to meet you or long time no see! It's Sakura Hanpen!

I received another two page afterword so I drew my beloved Rinslet with all my heart!

Rinslet-san...! Rinslet-san, Rinslet-san who's greater than cute...!

This is my pero-pero desire. The tights on the cover page were at too high a level.

I... It's not like it not satisfactory!? But it could be more cute.

With that shocking ending, it can't be helped if I want to read the next volume.

Oh no, what's gonna happen to Est...!? The readers are really interested... Shimizu-sensei...

No matter what happens, I won't apologize about my pero-pero, so please apologize, Shimizu-sensei. Ehh.

Also, this is an announcement but the one who left me in charge of illustrations, HOOKSOFT-san's "SuGirly Wish" is coming out next (`･ω･´). Please look into that as well...!

Well then, I'll stop around here!

This has been the Sakura Hanpen who can't help being curious about the next volume!

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Epilogue

2018-03-20T02:03:59Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Epilogue==

"No way, why..."

Muir Alenstarl who had lost the annihilation spirit Tiamat was standing stock still in the mud in shock.

That appearance was akin to a girl who had just dropped her favorite toy in the river.

The Monster that had been trying to kill Claire and the others until just now was nowhere in sight.

"Nii-sama was supposed to stay weak forever and ever..."

"Muir, I may have really become weak."

Kamito thrust his sword into the ground and held his hand out to the frightened Muir.

Muir tilted her head to the side.

"But now I have those around me who convert that weakness into strength."

"..."

Muir blinked her eyes...

"Wh... What's with that..."

Sulkily, she averted her eyes.


"I hate nii-sama. I hate you."

"Muir..."

And then.

His heart squirmed.

"...Aguu, ahhhhhh!"

Instantaneously. His entire body felt like it was burning up and intense pain ran throughout him.

With an anguished cry, Kamito fell to the ground.

"Kamito!?"

Claire pulled the collapsed Kamito back up.

"...Wait, what's going on exactly!?"

"...It's nothing..."

"Idiot, there's no way that's true!"

"Kamito-san!"

"Kamito, what's wrong!"

Rinslet and Ellis, along with Fianna, all hurriedly rushed to his side.

"Show me."

Fianna unbuttoned his shirt with a serious expression.


And then...

"...What is this!?"

Upon seeing Kamito's unveiled chest she became speechless.

Roughly around his heart's location, an ominous black pattern was engraved.

"No way, a Cursed Armament Seal...!"

"What did you say!?"

Anxiety flashed across all four of their faces.

And.

"That woman, doing such things without asking me..."

Muir stood while biting her lips.

"...That woman? You, do you know anything?"

Claire sharply inquired and Muir flinched before shaking her shoulders.

Without her militarized spirit, she was now just a normal powerless girl.

"...Gu, ahh, ahhhhhhhh!"

Kamito vomited and tore at his own chest.

"It's dangerous at this rate. We need to report this to the Divine Ritual Institute quickly!"

"Got it!"


Ellis stood up and summoned her flying wind spirit...

...And...

"...Move aside."

A quiet voice resounded.

"...?"

The location the voice came from... everyone looked towards that spot.

There stood Est who had returned to human form.

Coldly shining silvery white hair.

Mysterious violet pupils.

Est's profile lit by the moon gave off a godly feeling.

In the face of that beauty...

"Est..."

Kamito forgot about his burning pain for a moment.

"Kamito."

Est whispered.

With small, cold fingertips, Est touched Kamito's jaw and,

"I am your sword. Therefore..."


On Kamito's lips.

She planted hers.

"Es... t...!?"

Dizziness. His mind was attacked by a sweet drunken feeling.

He could only widen his eyes in shock.

The warmth of the touching lips.

The softness of the touching lips.

The silvery white hair caressing his cheeks.

Small fingertips were wrapped around his back.

Those delicate limbs which seemed like they could break at any moment.

The heat from those fingertips. Or possibly coolness.

He was wrapped in those strange and gentle sensations.

He felt his entire body relax.

Their lips parted lightly.

But the hair upon his cheeks did not part.

"...Est?"

And then...
[[Image:STnBD V04 256-257.jpg|200px|thumb]]

"Good bye, Kamito."

Est's body disintegrated into many light shards and disappeared into thin air.

"...Est!"

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter10

2018-03-20T01:59:04Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 10: Showdown with the Past==
===Part 1===

Inside the forest crackling from the fire...

"...Kamito is an assassin trained at the Instructional School?"

Claire muttered that, dumbfounded.

Ellis, Fianna and Rinslet all exchanged glances while collapsed on the ground.

Instructional School. If one were to ask the empire's people, there would be no one who had not heard that name.

Four years ago. At the same time as the Calamity Queen's rebellion, the empire's dark side was revealed.

In the intercontinental regions, orphans that appeared to possess the right disposition were gathered and trained as assassins by a gathering of fanatics.

"That kind of thing..."

It was not something that could be believed immediately.

But if it were true...

Kamito's uncommon strength...

It also explained why he hid his past so obstinately.

(...So that's what it was. That's why Kamito...)

Claire stood still and shut her mouth tightly.


"Aha, was it shocking? Onee-chan."

Muir said that with a sneer.

"Nii-sama is a monster just like me. He's not human."

Suddenly, Tiamat's earth dragon head began chanting spirit magic.

Ghastly plants with living tendril extensions growing from it emerged from the ground and attacked Claire and the others.

Being completely drained of energy, the four were at the mercy of the plants and were lifted into the air.

"Nooo!" "What is this!" "Da... Damn you, insolent thing!"

The slimy plants tore the girls' dresses and touched their bare skin, like tentacles.

They struggled against the unpleasant feeling, but were unable to put up any resistance.

"Fufu, that's a good look. Onee-chans."

"N, fuaa... this...!"

Claire swung her Flametounge in an attempt to burn the plants but...

The flames disappeared like smoke and were completely extinguished.

(...I'm losing divine power!)

Spirits were unusable by anyone except pure maidens. Even if you had a close bond with the contracted spirit, this didn't change.

The purification ceremony that the spirit contracting princess maidens underwent before sacred rituals or blade dances was to achieve this condition.


The teasing disgraceful treatment wasn't without purpose. Muir was corrupting their bodies so they would be unable to use their contracted spirits.

But there was no time to feel shy from showing an unladylike appearance as the plants dug into their limbs.

Breathing was becoming difficult with the creaking sound of their bones.

"...Ah, guu..."

"You're crying out in a nice voice. I'd like to let Nii-sama hear it as well."

Said the innocently laughing young girl's voice.

(Kami... to...)

Inside her conscience that was growing faint...

Claire called that name.

(Save me, Kamito!)

Just then, the flash of a sword.

(...Eh?)

A sudden floating feeling.


Following that, Claire's body fell down into the mud.

Ellis, Fianna and Rinslet were also successively freed from the plants.

"..."

Claire blinked.

Over there...

"Sorry, I made you wait."

Kamito stood there holding a gleaming silvery white sword.

===Part 2===
Kamito breathed heavily and stood a short distance from the roaring Tiamat.

His face was pale as if lacking blood and he was drenched in cold sweat. Thanks to Est suppressing his condition, he could more or less continue to stand.

"Kamito..."

Claire let out a surprised voice.

"...So you've heard about me?"

"..."

[[Image:STnBD V04 240.jpg|200px|thumb]]


Silence answered him.

With just that, Kamito understood.

They had learned about his past.

"Kamito, is it true? That you were..."

"Yeah, it's true."

Kamito turned away from Claire and nodded.

"I'm the same as Muir, an orphan from the Instructional School."

He heard a gasp.

It wasn't just Claire. Ellis, Fianna and Rinslet as well.

They widened their eyes as the cruel truth was appended to Kamito's profile.

A disgusting child of darkness. Possibly a pitiful monster.

He didn't know which was better.

Whatever the case, their relationship would change from now on.

(...Well, it was bound to get out sooner or later.)

Kamito sighed deeply with resignation...

And continued forward to stand before Muir Alenstarl and Tiamat.

"Claire, I'm sorry for keeping it secret until now. But..."


He gripped Terminus Est in both hands.

"I will definitely protect you all. That will never change."

"Kamito, y... you..."

Then.

Claire's trembling voice...

"Aren't you a fool!"

"Hah?"

Kamito let out a voice that fully ignored the atmosphere of the moment.

Over there a whip sounded.

The leather whip struck his back just like always.

"That hurts! What's that for!"

While shouting, he turned around...

Gogogogogogogogo...!

Claire's shoulders were trembling.

Her twintails stood on edge like a flame.

"...O... Oi, Claire?"

Cold sweat ran down his cheek.


...She was angry. The hell cat girl was extremely angry.

"Y... Y... You...what do you mean by that?"

Claire rapidly advanced towards him.

Her ruby eyes glared at Kamito.

"A... About what?"

"The reason you wouldn't talk about your past!"

Slight tears were present at the corners of her eyes.

"If I knew about your past, you thought that I'd look at you with those kind of eyes?"

"N... No, because I came from that Instructional School..."

Kamito was overwhelmed and backed away.

"So what?"

"Eh?"

"Well, of course, I was a bit surprised, you know? I was surprised but..."

Claire pointed at Kamito's chest.

"Kamito is still Kamito. Aren't your worries stupid?"

"..."


Kamito was dumbfounded and...

"Kamito-san... that really is stupid."

"Yeah, that's right. Stupid beyond belief."

"Oh, Kamito-kun, that's so stupid ♪ ."

The three other young ladies also said as much with astonished expressions.

"Y... You guys..."

"Listen well, Kamito."

Claire glared at Kamito with upturned eyes.

"...!?"

Her face was close. It was a distance where lips would meet if they were any closer.

Or rather, if he actually looked, Claire was completely naked other than her panties.

Even in this kind of situation, his heart throbbed.

"Your past has nothing to do with it."

Claire gazed at Kamito with a serious expression.

"After all, you're our teammate and my important..."

"...Claire?"

While squirming, Claire's face lit up red. Kamito swallowed hard.


And then...

"Because you're my slave spirit!"

She screamed that.

"...Yeah, that's right."

Kamito smiled wryly.

(...I was really being stupid.)

He felt that he should have trusted his companions more.

It had only been two months since he had met Claire and the other young ladies.

But they had passed all that time together.

Even if they learned about his past, that time wasn't something that would change so easily.

Despite the fact that he should have known that...

"...Claire, sorry."

"Hmph, what a troublesome slave spirit."

Claire averted her eyes a little shyly.

"Nii-sama..."

And Muir Alenstarl muttered that.

"What are you saying? Nii-sama is a monster just like Muir!"


"Muir..."

Kamito looked up at the girl riding on Tiamat's back.

"...I'm already not the same as the me from back then."

"That's a lie, nii-sama can't..."

Muir widened her eyes and...

Glared, not in Kamito's direction, but Claire and the others' direction.

"...I get it, nii-sama. You've been tricked by them."

"Muir!"

The Cursed Armament Seal on her right hand began to glow ominously.

Tiamat roared madly and its interior portion grew larger.

The scales covering its body blew off and chunks of meat scattered.

"Muir's nii-sama, cannot be forgiven. I'll crush everyone."

"..."

Muir Alenstarl, a girl, who for some reason called him nii-sama, was a dear existence to him.

Having hardly changed, she still possessed a cute childish face.

A slight pain crossed his heart.

However...


"Sorry, Muir. The young ladies I must protect are here."

Kamito raised the Demon Slayer, Terminus Est with both hands.

"You can't abandon your past, nii-sama!"

"Yeah, I have no intention of abandoning it. This sword is..."

The sword in his hand shone with light...

"To protect those precious to me and carve the way to the future!"

Kamito jumped.

At the same time, Tiamat's fire dragon released a breath of flames!

He didn't avoid it. Pouring divine power into his blade, he blew away the flames.

(...Muir Alenstarl, a militarized spirit contracting expert.)

With a power that drew out a spirit's power to its limit, Jester's Vise's user.

One who was without equal in large scale destruction, the number two of the Instructional School.

And the spirit she was controlling now, the annihiliation spirit Tiamat, was a top class spirit.

The opposing Kamito was heavily injured.

He wasn't the strongest blade dancer, Ren Ashbell, anymore, but could he win with such rusty skills?

(It doesn't matter!)

Kamito kicked the ground and accelerated.


For some reason, he didn't feel like he would lose. There was no prediction that showed him collapsed on the ground.

(Companions that trust in me are here. Just that is making my body unbelievably light.)

"Ohhhhhh!"

Aiming at Kamito, the wind dragon began chanting spirit magic.

Innumerable wind blades were released. His limbs would be lost if they even grazed him.

"O wind, to the brave warrior, grant your divine protection!"

From behind, he could hear the chant of a gallant knight captain.

A whirlwind gathered around him and protected his body. Ellis' specialty flying spirit. Kamito jumped and accelerated again... he dodged all the wind blades by jumping over them.

The gleaming white blade in the dark of night. With that, the wind dragon's head flew into the air.

(One...)

"Wha..."

Muir opened her eyes in shock.

Mad with anger, Tiamat broke free of her control and attacked Kamito fiercely.

The earth dragon opened its rock solid mouth filled with dull fangs. It dropped its head and in that instant, Kamito...

...A blade flash drew an arc and the earth dragon's head fell like an iron hammer.

(Two...)


"Why!? Nii-sama, nii-sama isn't even awakened yet..."

"Muir, during our time at the Instructional School, did you win against me even once?"

"...!?"

Muir's Jester's Vise paired with the annihilation spirit Tiamat was indeed an unmatched weapon.

But that was only in terms of large-scale destruction.

Against Kamito who specialized in assassination, it was a bad match.

If each of the five heads was cut off one by one, it was not an unbeatable opponent.

The water dragon and fire dragon attacked at the same time from both directions. Kamito sunk his body and flew using the power of the wind armor. Circling around behind the heads in an instant, he beheaded them both at once.

(That's four...)

These were the sword techniques for assassination taught at the Instructional School. Kamito's true blade dance. Moves that were sealed in academy battles.

Kamito quickly corrected his stance and just then.

The neck of the water dragon flapping in the air released a water breath.

Cutting the head off was not enough to be a killing blow. With that, Kamito's body was blown into the ground.


(...Kuu!)

He tried to stand quickly but...

In the mouth of the remaining holy dragon, light gathered for its Holy Ray.

It was an attack that would wipe away a human in an instant.

"Kamito!"

The burning Flametounge drew a red line across the sky.

The flaming whip hit the holy dragon's neck and stopped its movements momentarily.

With that...

"Freezing fangs, pierce Freezing Arrow!"

Rinslet's ice arrows struck the still open mouth of the dragon and froze it.

No. It wasn't just a freezing arrow...

"...Blossoming without waiting for winter, Ice Break!"

In concert with Rinslet's words, the demonic ice shattered.

The resulting ice blades sliced all over Tiamat's body.

"Ohhhhhhhh!"

The giant dragon's body stopped moving and in a split second.

Kamito's demon slaying blade destroyed the remaining holy dragon head.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter9

2018-03-19T23:39:01Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 9: Brand of Darkness==
===Part 1===

(That's the other Ren Ashbell...)

The girl clad in pure black gave off an overwhelming pressure.

Approaching carelessly would result in becoming ashes. This impression was felt.

Once the commotion settled, a painful silence descended.

"..."

Everyone gulped as they watched her.

Like with Claire, nobody approached her.

A chill ran down Kamito's spine.

(...I, can I win against her?)

Before he realized it, the flowing music had stopped.

The strongest blade dancer stopped in the middle of the hall...

And turned and walked towards him.

"...!?"

"Kamito-kun." "Kamito."


Fianna had unconsciously grabbed Kamito's sleeve. Even Ellis who should have Ren Ashbell as her goal was cowering.

"..."

Kamito moved before them in a protective manner.

Ren Ashbell stopped just before Kamito.

"So you are Kazehaya Kamito, huh."

A voice akin to solid steel.

"Yeah."

Kamito nodded.

"Nice to meet you, I wonder if that's appropriate? Ren Ashbell."

Licking his lips cynically, he glared at the red mask.

However, he could not read any sort of emotion from the red eyes within.

And she held out her right hand.

"...?"

...To the puzzled Kamito.

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you dance with me for one song?"

She suggested something unexpected.


(...No, this isn't a suggestion. It's an order.)

Her tone was peaceful, but a refusal, it held a power that wouldn't allow that.

Kamito turned towards Ellis and Fianna and...

"Sorry, won't you let me go for a little while?"

"B... But, Kamito..."

"...Okay. Ellis, let's go."

With that, Fianna grabbed Ellis' hand. She knew Kamito's identity as the real Ren Ashbell. The wise princess had understood the situation.

"Do you have experience in dancing?"

"If it's classical, yeah."

Kamito replied sharply and took Ren Ashbell's hand.

The paused musical performance started up again.

===Part 2===
In the dark forest surrounding the castle, Claire ran.

Various tree branches grabbed at the crimson dress, tearing it apart.


Mud stuck to her red high heels. Countless wounds appeared on her smooth skin.

Without minding any of that, she ran.

(Why...)

No matter how long passed, that scene would not leave her head.

When that darkness spirit girl kissed Kamito, that moment.

(...I... It's not like I think anything of him!)

As if to shake off that irritating feeling, Claire shook her head.

It was just that ignoring his master and doing that kind of thing with another girl was unforgivable.

(...That's right, that's all it is.)

But...

Why then, did her heart hurt this much?

Just before, holding that man's hand, she had hated it.

If it was Kamito, he wouldn't do anything that violent.

He teased Claire a lot, always treating her like a kid, occasionally saying mean things, but still.

But still, he would never do something like that.

Before she realized it, she had arrived at the lake from the afternoon's purification.


Inside the silent forest. Numerous spirits floated upon the lake.

Claire hugged her knees and sat at the lake's edge.

The dress she had prepared was filthy and either way she couldn't return to the dance.

Her hair was disheveled and her dress was ruined beyond repair.

"What's with him, that idiot..."

With a terribly miserable mood, Claire sighed.

With a light plop, tears started falling to the ground.

"...That's wrong. The stupid one is me."

She couldn't be honest once again.

If she had, she could be dancing with Kamito right now.

At that time. From with the forest, footsteps could be heard.

"...Kamito?"

She hurriedly wiped away her tears.

But the one that appeared from within the forest wasn't Kamito.

"Jeez, just how far are you going to run!"

"Rinslet..."

Claire opened her eyes.


Catching her breath, Rinslet sunk down beside Claire.

"Whew, that's a fairly unsightly appearance."

"You too."

"Th... That's because you ran so far!"

Rinslet's dress was torn to shreds and leaves and branches clung to her hair.

"Even though I had just put on a new dress..."

She drooped her shoulders.

Claire averted her eyes.

"...What did you come for?"

"I came to laugh at your pitiful chest. Your dress is too showy."

"...Wh... What did you say!"

Her red twintails stood on end like fire.

Rinslet moved her hair up and...

"You've finally returned to normal."

Smiled brilliantly.

"..."

"Did you fight with Kamito-san again?"


"Gu..."

Claire chewed on her lip.

"...It, it's his fault. He won't tell me anything."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, that is... aren't you interested in Kamito's past?"

"Kamito-san's past?"

Rinslet tilted her head slighty to the side.

"Well, it would be a lie to say I wasn't."

"I wonder if he doesn't trust me."

Claire's twintails drooped.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because he won't tell me anything..."

"He can't bring himself to tell you because you're important to him... that is also a possibility."

"That's..."

Claire pouted and pondered.

"...I, I wonder if that's true."

Truly, there was also that way of interpreting it.

[[Image:STnBD V04 211.jpg|200px|thumb]]


But...

"You are such a child, really."

"Sh... Shut up..."

Claire groaned.

"Even I understand that much..."

But she was uneasy, so it couldn't be helped.

If it was about someone she didn't care about, she wouldn't have these feelings.

Because it was Kamito not talking about his past.

Realizing it just now, her heart beat.

(Wh... What kind of stupid things are you thinking, me!)

Her cheeks flushed red.

"Claire, what's wrong?"

"It, it's nothing!"

Claire shook her head from side to side.

And then.

"...Hmm, so you two are here."

From within the forest, a young girl's voice.


"That voice...!"

Claire and Rinslet immediately became guarded.

The sound of trees falling one by one and then...

"Just perfect, I'll play with you to the end."

In front of the two, a giant black monster appeared.

Riding upon its back was a girl with ash grey hair, Muir Alenstarl, was laughing lightly.

"With this annihilation spirit, Tiamat."

===Part 3===

The elegantly played waltz.

The two dancing in the center of the hall were drawing attention from around them.

With Ren Ashbell leading, the dance was intense like a burning flame.

Just like it was when a princess maiden was performing an offering ritual, a true ceremonial dance.

With those fluid movements, Kamito was just barely keeping pace.

"Pretty good movements. As expected of a blade dance master."

"Is that sarcasm? Strongest Blade Dancer, Ren Ashbell."


To the whisper from the scarlet mask, Kamito replied as such.

Ren Ashbell quickly shifted her feet. Kamito followed her lead and pulled her towards himself. They turned like a flickering flame. Both left their bodies to the music.

Their dancing was already one without splendor.

It was already a fierce blade dance.

"I have various questions I'd like to ask you."

"Impatient, aren't you? Despite that I'd like to enjoy this dance with you a little longer."

"Sorry. I'll have you let me lead from here."

Kamito pulled Ren Ashbell's hand and led her to a terrace devoid of others.

The cool night air cooled their burning skin.

Because of its large size, the terrace felt like a floating island with a clear view of the entire forest.

"Let's cut all the bothersome strategy. I'll get straight to the point."

Kamito stopped dancing and separated from her.

He glared at the scarlet mask and asked.

"What did you do to Restia?"

"What did you do, meaning?"

"Don't mess around. I know that you command Restia."


"I am not commanding her. She is my comrade."

"You're saying Restia is helping you of her own will?"

"That's right, I am using her and she is using me."

"..."

Kamito bit his lips closed.

(I can't accept that, but...)

There was certainly credibility in it.

It really did seem that Restia was moving without being ordered to. Warning Kamito about Muir was probably done of her own will too.

"What is your purpose in gathering the militarized spirits and orphans from the Instructional School?"

"For war."

And she replied immediately.

"...War?"

Kamito was speechless.

But thinking about it, it wasn't an unexpected reply.

Militarized spirits and Instructional School orphans, either one were useless for anything other than war.

"That's right. Power is necessary for fighting ''them''."


"Them?"

"This world's kings."

"Wha..."

(Fighting with the world's kings... she says?)

Kamito could not understand that objective. Was it for the purpose of restarting the Ranbal War which had involved every country...

"What is the reason for that? To destroy the world?"

"No. It is a war to save this world."

"What are you say...?"

"But to begin the war, a starting point is needed."

Ren Ashbell grabbed Kamito by the scruff of the neck and pulled him closer.

"...!?"

"I'll have you allow me to test it, Successor of the Demon King, Ren Ashbell. Whether you have the qualifications to kill them."

Instantly, her right hand pierced Kamito's chest.

===Part 4===

That was, covered with countless blade-like scales, a many headed evil spirit dragon.

The black giant far eclipsed Leonora Lancaster's dragon spirit Nidhogg.

Its spread wings hid the moon and its claws gouged the earth.

Five heads spread from the center of its torso and each acted on its own.

"...Tiamat?"

In the face of the rising oppressive force, Claire took a breath.

No mistaking it. What was before them was a first class militarized spirit.

An existence not unlike Velsaria's Dreadnought they had fought two weeks prior.

The girl riding on its back laughed lightly and smiled and...

"...Kill them, Tiamat."

With an innocent voice, that order was given.

"...!?"

One of the heads breathed fire.

Goooooooo!

The flames spread across the ground and in an instant the surrounding forest had burned down.

Claire and Rinslet had reacted instantaneously, jumping straight into the lake.


The night sky was dyed red with the color of the flames.

Muir Alenstarl was clapping her hands.

"Ohh, not bad. You're not blade dancers for nothing."

"You...!"

Claire broke the surface of the water and glared at Muir.

The scarlet dress was soaked and clung to her skin.

"...Claire, help... cough, cough..."

"You, what are you doing!?"

"I... I can't swim!"

"Hah?"

Rinslet flapped and choked. Claire quickly helped her out.

"How are you drowning in a place where you can stand?"

"Sh... Shut up!"

Rinslet averted her face.

"...Why are you attacking us?"

"Because you onee-sans have made nii-sama weak."

Muir replied in a cold voice.


One of Tiamat's heads with a crooked neck rose up and let loose blades of wind.

"...Scarlet!"

Claire called out and summoned a hell cat clad in crimson flames.

But, it was impossible to shoot down every blade.

"...Ow!"

The scarlet dress was shredded and blood flew from her shoulder like mist.

Many wounds opened across her pure white skin.

"Fufu, your prepared dress has become worthless."

Like a cat playing with its prey, Muir licked her lips.

"Hmph, it was just slowing me down."

Claire gave a fearless smile and tore the hem of her dress.

From the tear, one could see a leather whip strapped to her thigh.

"Like I thought, rather than a dance, a blade dance is much more suited to me."

From within the dancing flames, Claire's whip let out a sound.

"What a coincidence. Me, too."

Rinslet emerged from the water, ripped the hem of her dress and summoned her demon ice spirit Fenrir.


The ice wolf changed forms to the Ice Longbow and moved to Rinslet's hand.

Noisily, a wall of fire erupted into the night sky.

With their respective elemental waffen in hand, the two confronted the giant spirit dragon.

"Stupid onee-chans. You think you can defeat Muir?"

Tiamat let out a roar that seemed to slice the atmosphere.

No, it wasn't a roar. This was...

(No way, a spirit magic chant!?)

A small portion of high intelligence spirits could perform spirit magic on their own. The dragon race of spirits in particular was known for its proficiency at spirit magic.

The ground shook greatly.

Trees were uprooted and the ground split, sending many stones flying.

"Earth spirit magic Judgement Sword!?"

"What insane destructive power!"

"You can't run, onee-chan."

"...!?"

The red dragon head spit out a fireball.


The stones released by the fireball's explosion on the ground turned the trees into smithereens.

"Kyaaa!"

They were thrown to the ground by the aftershock.

It was the same magic, but the destructive force was incomparable to Claire's.

"Ku...!"

"Aha, what happened to all that attitude from before, onee-chan?"

"Freezing fang, pierce Freezing Arrow!"

Instantly, Rinslet released the ice arrow.

Innumerable flying fangs of ice. It wouldn't be a killing blow, but with the added effect of Ice Nein, it should at least dull its movements.

But before they struck, Tiamat roared.

A wall of earth rose and blocked the arrows of ice.

"Wh... What! To be able to use fire and earth spirit magic at the same time..."

"...That reminds me that a long time ago, I heard this from ane-sama."

Claire sighed as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

"During the Ranbal War, amongst the knights there was a spirit that could control all of the main elements at once."


"And that is Tiamat?"

"Possibly. But I heard that nobody could use it, so it was abandoned."

"...If that's true, this is bad."

"Yes."

The spirit that could control all of the five main elements...

If it were just Rinslet's demon ice spirit and Claire's flame spirit, there were weak points.

"But to use a spirit like that with just one person..."

Claire readied her Flametounge and glared at Muir.

Compared to the spirits that contracted with a person, militarized spirits did not require a contract to be used.

Its strong point was that it was general use. The ability of the spirit had no connection to the ability of the contractor, so as long as the disposition was correct, they could use the spirit's power. This was the reason Muir Alenstarl could use several spirits.

But on the other hand, one could not pull out any more power than was present.

For example, the spirit's elemental waffe could not be used and much of its true abilities were sealed.


But that girl was pulling out all of the militarized spirit's power.

Muir Alenstarl was an expert that specialized at using spirits.

(But just where did she learn those skills...)

"It's about time to stop playing around. Onee-chan."

And Muir's ash grey hair blew in the wind.

"...You were playing until now?"

"That's right, onee-chan."

Rolling up her black sleeve revealed a shining ominous design carved into her right hand.

"Is that a Cursed Armament Seal!?"

"That which pulls out a spirit's powers to the limit, Jester's Vise. This is Muir's power."

In an instant, Tiamat fiercely roared.

Its five heads raged and its body grew larger in an unsightly manner.

It was as if an invisible vise was closing down on it.

"Just what is that!"

One of the heads, a dull white, opened its jaw.

In its throat, a mass of light was building up.

"...Kami..."


That name that almost escaped her mouth Claire swallowed it back.

(At this kind of time, just asking to be saved is...)

She made her resolve to die at this time.

Then before her eyes appeared a knight with helmet and shield.

White metal shining, the knight readied its shield and blocked the light!

"Claire, are you okay!?"

"Fianna!"

Fianna came out of the forest.

The one that protected Claire was Georgios.

And one other person.

"Growl, Ray Hawk! I order you. O wind, blow wildly!"

Wrapped in a frenzied wind, Ellis threw her elemental waffe spear.

The multitude of wind blades cut into the evil dragon's torso.

Tiamat raged as its blood sprayed into the air.

"Fianna, Ellis, you're a life saver."

"It's still too early for thanks."

Ellis sighed with a sharp gaze.


"Fufu, you've only bought a short time."

Letting the Cursed Armament Seal shine ominously...

Muir Alenstarl licked her lips.

"Onee-chans, I'll kill you all together."

===Part 5===
"Kaha...!"

Kamito pressed down on his chest and crouched down on the terrace.

His heart burned like it was on fire. All of his blood was boiling.

At the same time, a tremendous pain assaulted the interior of his body.

"What did you do to me...?"

"I merely released a little the qualities of the Demon King that sleep within you, that is."

"...Qualities of the Demon King?"

Kamito glared up at the crimson mask while crouching on the ground.

Breathing was painful. His heart was beating like mad.

"Ah... guu... gaa, ahhhhhh!"


A scream built up in his throat.

"As expected, your body is rejecting it."

Ren Ashbell was calmly watching the writhing Kamito.

"Well, fine. If you can't stand that much, then you were only worth so little..."

"Y... You..."

"Stand. Kazehaya Kamito."

She kicked the groaning Kamito in the stomach without a shred of mercy.

"Ga...!"

"You can lie there if you want, but things you hold precious will be hurt."

"What, was that...?"

While breathing through his throat which felt like it was on fire, Kamito somehow managed to raise his upper body.

"Look there..."

Ren Ashbell pointed out towards the forest visible from the terrace.

The direction of the lake from that afternoon. Black flames and fierce flames were rising.

"Your companions and Muir Alenstarl are currently engaged in combat."

"What, did you say...!?"

At the same moment he yelled that, the worst pain thus far assaulted Kamito. He collapsed onto the ground.


"Your companions cannot defeat Muir Alenstarl. You, who knows her, know that fact best."

"...!"

He couldn't deny it.

Muir Alenstarl was the Monster from the Instructional School.

Between the high class young ladies of the academy and Muir who had been trained specifically as a weapon, there was an enormous gap.

"I won't let that... I will never, lose another...!"

Kamito pressed down on his beating chest and staggered back to his feet.

The interior of the crimson mask, burning red eyes pierced through Kamito's.

And then she grabbed his arm.

"That's the spirit. Don't let me down, strongest blade dancer!"

Kamito was flung off the terrace.

===Part 6===

"Blow the flute of the end, dragon vanguard of the king!"

Muir Alenstarl's innocent voice resounded across the night sky.

Fire, earth, water, wind, holy, under the influence of Muir's ability Jester's Vise, each head released its breath.

''"Thou, become the shield of my person, knight of the ancient pledge!"''

The atmosphere shook and trees were felled in circular patterns.

The knight's shield was destroyed and its armor was falling apart...

It could only withstand a few more seconds.

The knight with the should be overwhelming defense was blown into bits and disappeared into nothingness.

"...Georgios!"

"Aha, that wasn't even a toy, onee-chan."

Muir sneered at the devastated and drained Fianna.

"Ellis, Rinslet, we rush at the same time!"

"Got it!" "Understood!"

Yelling, Claire drew Flametounge.


The crimson slash sealed its movements for a moment.

"Freezing fang, pierce Freezing Arrow!"

"O wind, blow wildly!"

Rinslet released the Freezing Arrow towards the fire head and Ellis' wind blades aimed for the earth head.

That is, they aimed for the heads which were weak against their element.

However...

"It won't work."

The earth and wind dragons chanted different spirit spells.

At the same time the ice arrows were blocked by the wall of earth, the blades of wind were struck down by opposing blades of wind.

And while the three were on defense, the dull white head fired its Holy Ray.

The ground exploded and a pillar of earth and sand flew up from it.

Claire and the others were blasted though the air and hit the ground harshly.

The crater radiated outwards. The mixed in fragments of fire painted the air red.

"...To be able to control a militarized spirit like her hands and feet..."

Claire groaned while gripping the ground.

It was a despairing difference in battle strength. The top class' spirits at the academy were like babies in comparison.

(But...)


Suddenly, the scales cracked and Tiamat's frame grew.

Muir's Jester's Vise carried a heavy burden.

"Is that okay? At this rate, that militarized spirit will be destroyed!"

The heavily wounded Rinslet yelled as such.

Muir shrugged her shoulders.

"It's fine. A spirit is just a throwaway toy."

"What did you say...!"

Claire opened her eyes in shock. She raised her bloody head without thinking.

"And you still call yourself an elementalist?"

"Muir is a weapon. The same as this Tiamat and nii-sama, a massacre weapon."

"...!?"

At those words, Claire's expression froze.

"You... what did you just say?"

"What?"

"The same as nii-sama, what do you mean?"

"Aha, did you perhaps not know?"

Muir's lips curled in a cruel manner.


"Nii-sama is the same as Muir, an assassin raised by the Instructional School."

===Part 7===
"...Damn... it..."

Kamito who had been tossed off the terrace groaned in anguish.

One or two bones might have been broken.

This was the Kamito who had received the harshest taijutsu training at the Instructional School. Even if he fell from the third floor of a building, it wouldn't result in an injury. But right now, Kamito's body was burning up and in extreme pain such that he couldn't even lift a finger.

(...What exactly was done to me?)

Within his hazy mind, Ren Ashbell's words came to him.

Released the qualities of the Demon King, that's what she said.

(...What does that mean?)

No, rather than that, right now...

Kamito dug his shaking fingertips into the ground.

The flames burning the forest were increasing in intensity more and more.


While this was happening, Claire and the others...

It was frustrating not being able to move. It couldn't be helped that it felt like the air was burning.

Even now, elegant music could be heard coming from the interior of the castle.

Despite the battle going on at the purification grounds, nobody inside the castle seemed to have noticed.

No, even Kamito who had been on the terrace had failed to hear the battle. There might have been a barrier around the surroundings.

(But to form a barrier of this magnitude...)

The only ones capable of such a feat were Queen rank princess maidens.

"Gu, ah..."

A racing heartbeat.

At the same time a horrible pain spread.

"Kamito!"

"...!?"

The sound of footsteps approached and the one who appeared was the white dress clad Est.

"My apologies. Because of somebody's barrier around this area, I didn't notice it sooner."

"Est, gu..."

"Kamito... don't tell me, that power..."


Est opened her mysterious violet eyes.

Leaning down beside the fallen Kamito, she pulled him back up.

Her white silver hair lightly touched his cheek. The sweet milk like scent tickled his nose.

"...Est?"

"Kamito, please stay still like that."

With that, Est touched the feverish chest of Kamito.

Her beautiful hair gleamed in the night's darkness.

Strangely, the pain seemed to leave with the soft feeling of her hand.

"Is this Terminus Est's power?"

"Yes. I believe this will keep it in check for now but..."

That which destroyed Velsaria's Cursed Armament Seal, a holy blade's power.

It was not as though the pain completely disappeared, but he could somehow move about at this level.

"Kamito, are you okay?"

"Yeah, thanks to Est..."

Kamito raised his upper body and rose to his knees on the ground.

"Kamito, you still shouldn't move."

"I have to go save Claire and the others."


"No, Kamito!"

Est let out a panicked voice. It was the first time for her who was always expressionless to express so much.

"Est..."

"The curse is only temporarily suppressed so if you use divine power right now, you won't be able to control my current power."

"...Yeah, I know."

But, even then...

An instant. From the other side of the forest, a fearsome roar resounded.

As if to burn the night sky, the giant's flames grew higher.

"Est, I'm begging you. The only one who can fight Muir is me."

"Kamito, but..."

"Lend me your power."

"..."

Even if he could not get her approval, he planned to head there anyway.

"...Kamito, you're unfair."

Est sighed and held Kamito's hand.

"...I am Kamito's sword, as long as you wish."

"Thanks Est."

Kamito nodded and chanted the words of summoning.

''"Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil!"''

''"Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"''

Est's form was covered in light and disappeared into nothingness.

And in the next moment, a blade of shining silver emitting light was gripped in Kamito's hand.

"Let's go, Est!"

Fixing his grip on Terminus Est, Kamito ran into the darkness of the night.

To bring closure to his past.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter8|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter10}}
</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter8

2018-03-19T04:07:36Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 8: Ball Dance==
It was evening. The Blade Dance ceremony began at the castle serving as lodging for the representatives.

There were already many guests of honor assembled that were having friendly conversations in the grand hall of the castle.

There was elegant music flowing about and chandeliers that were arranged lavishly with spirit crystals as decoration.

Extravagant seafood, meat and fruit were laid out on a table lined up in the center.

Those invited to the ceremony were elementalists representing various countries and high-ranking royalty and nobles.

“This time, my country’s representative will be getting the victory.”

“What? The most superb elementalist is in my White Knights, you know?”

Even though they behaved politely on the surface, they unfolded a fierce war of words. Dressed in a formal suit, Kamito glanced at those nobles with an expression of being completely fed up.

(...Geez, it’s not like you’re the ones doing the blade dance...)

On the other side, the girls participating in the Blade Dance had nervous expressions.

They were equally competent, top notch elementalists selected by the major nations of the continent.

These girls were about the same age as Kamito and that was because the condition to partake in the Blade Dance was set that princess maidens had to be 20 years old and younger, following the oracle by the Elemental Lords.


This wasn’t restricted to the Blade Dance. Most of the important ceremonies dedicated to the spirits had the same condition. Spirits liked young pure maidens as offerings the best.

“...Anyway, they are still not here, huh?”

Holding a plate of a sauté of duck meat, Kamito looked around his surroundings relentlessly.

He still couldn’t see his young lady teammates.

Perhaps, they might have come across difficulties in putting on their dresses, but what was in his mind was whether Claire, who he had quarreled with, was coming.

After all, he wouldn’t be able to meet up with her in the castle later.

Looking at the entrance of the hall, he caught sight of one princess maiden being caught in a spot.

“Please don’t bring your animal inside!”

“Um, it isn’t a beast! This wolf is a friend of the forest!”

“Even if it’s a friend, no means no!”

...It seemed like the Druid girl was leading a wolf into the hall.

Although she was from a different team, it was a little embarrassing as they were representing the same academy.

Sighing in resignation, Kamito cast his sight downwards.

“Est, do you want to get something?”

He asked the sword spirit girl holding a plate.


“I’d like fish next, Kamito.”

“Hn, you’re a good girl for not being picky. All the young ladies have unbalanced diets.”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Suri suri* *Nade Nade*

While he praised her, he stroked her head and Est squinted.

Wearing a pure white dress, Est was lovely, almost like a snow fairy.

“...Est is cute.”

Stroking her head, he subconsciously let out his voice.

Est’s small ears twitched.

“Kamito?”

“Ah, it’s nothing...”

Kamito scratched his head in an attempt to dodge her question.

...That was a little embarrassing.

“Kamito, please say it once more.”

“Uh?”

“Once more.”

Est was gazing intently at Kamito with her mysterious eyes.

“E... Est is cute.”


“Kamito, once more.”

“You’re cute, Est.”

“More...”

“You’re cute, Est.”

“Kamito-kun, what are you doing?”

“Owa!”

Turning around, Fianna, dressed in a white dress, was staring at Kamito with reproachful eyes.

“Erm, that was, err...”

Upon trying to explain in a fluster...

“Before that, don’t you have anything to say?”

“Eh? A... Ahh...”

Even Kamito wasn’t such a quiet unsociable person to not notice that. No, as he didn’t notice until it was pointed out, he might indeed have been a quiet unsociable person.

Kamito gulped.

It was a white dress, with a big opening at her chest area. Despite the daring design showing off her skin, the reason he could feel a sense of graceful elegance was because she was a real princess.


“...W... White also suits you.”

“Is that all?”

Seeming peevish, the princess pouted her lips.

“...Erm, you’re using pads.”

“I’m going to get angry, you know?”

“Wa... Wait!”

Fianna puffed out her cheeks. Kamito shook his head in a fluster.

And then...

“...You’re really pretty.”

He finally put his honest thoughts into his mouth.

“Hn, you pass. Kamito, your suit also suits you well.”

“...Why you. You made me say embarrassing things in public.”

“Fufu, it’s a punishment for not praising me from the beginning.”

Kamito could only sigh at Fianna, who impishly smiled.

“Hn, that reminds me, where’s Est?”

Before he knew it, he noticed that Est had disappeared.

Looking around his surroundings, he saw Est moving towards the dessert corner while holding onto her plate.


Upon meeting Kamito’s eyes, she quickly turned her face away.

“It looked like you offended Miss Fairy.”

“Why is Est offended?”

“Fufu, you’re not allowed to praise another girl in front of a girl.”

Fianna morosely poked Kamito’s chest with her finger.

“Ka... Kamito-san, so here you are.”

This time, it was Rinslet, who came in a dress.

It was a striking marine blue dress. Her glittering, platinum blonde hair was tied up and that appearance of hers was akin to that of a snow queen reigning over a country of ice.

Her cheeks were faintly flushed and reddened and her lips had a glamorous, rosy color.

Her usual uniform appearance was indeed lovely, but...

This dressed up Rinslet was so beautiful that he almost let out a sigh.

“Rinslet, you’re pretty.”

“Eh?”

Rinslet widely opened her eyes.

Her face turned red in the blink of an eye.


“Fua, wh... what are you saying?!”

The Ice Snow Queen’s face melted in an instant.

“Hmm, Kamito-kun, you say these things to anyone, do you? As expected of the Demon King of the Night.”

“I only did as you advised, Fianna!”

Kamito glared with reproachful eyes at Fianna, who pouted her lips unhappily.

“That reminds me, is Claire with the two of you?”

“She returned to the room just now. Kamito-san, you have not met up with her, have you?”

“...Yeah.”

It seemed like when Kamito went to look for her, they passed each other.

“Geez, that girl, she has always been really troublesome.”

Rinslet puffed out her cheeks.

(...This means she’s still angry.)

Kamito made a heavy sigh in his mind. If she came to the dance, he’d even bear with her cooking later, or something. That was what he was thinking.

“...E... Erm, Kamito-san.”

“Uh?”

Rinslet bashfully called out to Kamito.


“Erm, since we’re here, err...”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Cough* *cough* The young lady coughed several times.

Then, like she gained her determination...

“Would you like to dance with me?”

“...Me?”

Kamito was perplexed.

“...Is that not okay?”

“No, I’m happy that you invited me, but is it alright for it to be me?”

“Y... Yes, I’m a little afraid about dancing with the other men.”

“...I see. However, I only know the basic steps.”

Kamito was taught the dance steps by Greyworth three years ago.

Honestly, he couldn’t say he was confident and they were certainly not in fashion now.

“I... In that case, I’ll teach you!”

However, Rinslet let out her voice happily.

“Hn, is that so? Rinslet, if you’re fine with it, then I’m counting on you.”

Kamito was also a boy of age.

To be able to dance with such a cute girl like Rinslet, his heart was honestly pounding.


He gently held Rinslet's graceful hand covered by a white glove.

“...Th... This is Kamito-san’s hand....”

Rinslet blushed.

“...H... How sly, me too.”

Then, Fianna grasped his other hand.

“H... Hey, Fianna!? We can’t dance like this...”

“That’s right! Quickly release his hand!”

Fianna and Rinslet were pulling Kamito’s hands.

Both of their breasts touched his arms and he was flustered.

...Before they knew it, the three of them were basked in the attention from their surroundings.

“I wonder what they’re doing?” “A fighting scene?” “They look like the representatives of the Areishia Spirit Academy.” “Don’t they even know the manners at a ball dance?” “That’s that male elementalist.” “Ah, that...” “Forcing unwilling girls to...” “To collect the two as his targets.” “He’s surely collecting his night targets as well.” “What infamy!” “But he’s kind of cool...”

Numerous whispers were being exchanged.

(Eh, why is the reproach only concentrated on me....)

Then...


“Y... You three! Don’t disrupt the public morals in the presence of the Elemental Lords!”

A gallant and serious voice came flying over.

“E... Ellis!?”

The one running over was Ellis in a dress.

Ellis pulled Kamito’s arm and skillfully pulled him off the two young ladies.

“Kyaa, what are you doing?”

“Captain, what are you doing?!”

“No, what are you two doing, good grief...”

Placing her hand at her waist, Ellis strictly scolded the two who complained.

“We came here to represent our academy. You should be more self aware.”

Then, she glared at Kamito this time.

“Kamito, you too...”

She became stiff at that point.

“What's wrong, Ellis?”

Thinking that he was going to have a sermon, Kamito was let down.

Ellis slightly blushed and entwined her fingers bashfully in front of her chest.

“E... Erm, even a suit fits you, surprisingly. I guess that's what they mean by 'the clothes make the man'.”

“Is that so? I’m not really comfortable with suits, but...”


While bashfully scratching his head, Kamito looked at Ellis’ appearance in a dress.

What she was wearing was a brilliant pure white dress. In contrast to Ellis’ gallant image, this was a very girlish dress arranged with plenty of frills.

“Ellis, yours suits you well too. It’s like you’re a princess and you look cute.”

“Wh...”

Her ponytail hair sprung up.

“Ah, uh... N... No way, m... me being cute...!”

Ellis turned red and got into a panic.

“Um, Kamito-kun!”

“Kamito-san?’

Fianna and Rinslet were glaring at him.

“Wh... What is it...”

“It looks like the rumors are true, Kazehaya Kamito.”

“...?”

When Kamito turned to the voice of those biting words, a familiar girl was sharply staring at him.

“Y... You’re!?”

She had an azure dress with a dragon insignia at the chest area. She had put on a hat with a feather attached to it.

Leonora Lancaster.


As the captain of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor, she was the ace of Dracunia.

“As I thought, I should have cut it off at that time.”

While Leonora glared at Kamito, she regretfully bit her lips.

A chill ran in Kamito’s spine.

“Dragon Princess Leonora Lancaster, I’ve been hearing rumors about you lately.”

Suddenly, Ellis placed her hand at her chest, faced her and paid her respect as a knight.

“And you are?”

“Areishia Spirit Academy representative, Ellis Fahrengart.”

“The Fahrengarts, he one that turned out that Velsaria Eva?”

Ellis lifted her head and nodded.

“This time, my esteemed sister isn’t participating due to some circumstances, but I’ve heard that you’re a pure and selfless knight. I’m pleased to be able to cross swords with a knight like you.”

She faced Leonora and reached out her dominant hand.

“It seems like splendid knights exist even in the empire.”

Leonora smiled and grasped her hand without hesitation.

With both being fellow knights, they may have some things over which they can empathize with each other.

(...Certainly, those two are like glue.)


Kamito made a wry smile in his heart.

“However, that’s just regrettable. A splendid knight like yourself is being kept as Kazehaya Kamito’s lover...”

“Hey, wait a moment.”

Kamito shouted in a fluster.

(S... She, what did she...)

“Ah, lover!?”

Ellis turned red all the way till her ears and shouted.

“H... How shameless... I... I’m his lover...”

“That’s right, Ellis. Deny it please!”

“I’m... not his lover... but if Kamito wished for it, I’ll even...”

...Eh? Why is she mumbling?

“...What a frightening boy. You even corrupted such a splendid knight.”

“I’m saying that’s not it! Ellis, please quickly clear up this misunderstanding!”

“...S... Shut up! A... Are you not satisfied with me being your lover?!”

“What are you saying!?”

Kamito retorted and at that time.


A small commotion was occurring at the entrance of the hall.

“That girl finally came.”

Rinslet muttered.

Kamito quickly looked towards the entrance.

The one at the center of the commotion was...

“Claire!?”

Claire Rouge, who was dressed in a crimson dress.

Her red twintail hair was tied up with ribbons. She was wearing polished enamel red high heels.

Pinching the side of her skirt with laces attached, she entered the hall.

Her breasts were small but her balanced proportion was plenty charming.

She was a beautiful girl, pretty as a rose and noble as a wildcat.

Claire’s appearance made Kamito fascinated to the point of taking his breath away.

She had such brilliantness that she overshadowed the surrounding girls that were dressed up.

She didn’t just fascinate Kamito. Everyone in the hall leaked out a breath of admiration.

“As expected of Rubia-sama’s sister. She was born a beauty.”

It was vexing but she lost. Fianna shrugged her shoulders.

“It’s really been a while since I’ve seen Claire in a dress.”


Rinslet slightly opened her mouth.

The commotion at the hall increasingly became bigger.

“Hey, is that red haired girl also a representative of the Blade Dance.”

“Um, so this is what they mean by spirits liking pure and beautiful girls, indeed...”

“Hey, aren’t you going to invite someone to a dance?”

It seemed like a group of young nobles were setting their eyes on Claire.

All the whispers being exchanged made Kamito slightly irritated.

(...You guys aren’t fit to be that young hell cat lady's partner.)

He cursed in his heart as if to spit out the irritation of unknown origin.

At that moment, Claire looked over and their eyes met.

“Claire...”

As he was about to call out to her...

She instantly looked away, so he swallowed his words.

...It seemed like she was still angry.

Losing the timing to call out to her, Kamito stood still.

Claire ignored the nobles ogling her and walked towards the center.

He began to hear such voices from within the commotion over there.


“That that conflagration like red hair... don’t tell me, she’s the daughter of that Duke Elstein family?”

“The sister of the Calamity Queen that brought about disaster to the Ordesia Empire?”

“...What an ill omen. She’s a devilish girl.”

It seemed like there were people who knew Claire’s lineage among the participants of the ball.

Whispers of unrest were spreading like wild fire...

It was not that she couldn’t hear them, however, Claire stayed composed.

Then, a young noble stepped forward before her.

“Would you like to dance a tune with me, my fire haired lady?”

His atmosphere seemed frivolous but he was quite a handsome man.

He seemed to be an especially high-ranking person even among the nobles, as he led a group of followers in his surroundings.

“Hey, hey, are you serious?”

“Young master, I’m also worried about you playing with fire.”

His companions made a bitter smile. The boy seemed to be a royalty of some country.

“Why he...”

Kamito groaned from within his throat.

He couldn’t see the sincerity of a person asking for a dance in the boy’s expression. It was just that he knew about Claire being that Calamity Queen’s sister and called out to her out of interest.


Claire...

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline.”

She coldly declined the boy’s invitation.

It was natural. That hell cat girl wouldn’t even be emotionally attached to anyone.

“What was that?”

One of the followers looked daunted.

“Well, well, it’s fine to have such strong willed girls once in a while.”

The boy nodded, full of composure and forcibly grabbed Claire’s arm.

And then...

“Now, beautiful girl, I’ll give your hand a kiss...”

“...Huh?”

Claire stiffened.

(What are you thinking, you stupid noble!?)

As an elementalist princess maiden, a kiss is the most sacred ceremony of a spirit contract.

Even if it was on the hand, it was unforgivable to thoughtlessly request for that.

With such a rude action of his, the sound of commotion occurred even from the surrounding.

“...Don’t touch me!”


Claire sharply shouted.

Normally, she’d act tough, but the truth was that she was a young lady who wasn’t used to men. Her voice slightly trembled.

Being unable to watch on, Kamito was about to leave and at that moment...

“What do you think you’re doing putting on airs. I’m the crown prince of the Balstan Kingdom.”

“No, let go! You...”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pan*. A high pitched sound resound in the hall.

Claire slapped the boy.

She then turned to and ran towards the entrance of the hall.

“Damn her, my face...”

“What uncivilized...”

“It’s because she’s the sister of that Calamity Queen.”

The crown prince of the Balstan and his followers raised words of criticism.

(... You should be just grateful that you didn’t turn into cinders!)

Kamito cursed and then he ran after Claire...

“Wait, Claire!”

“Kamito-san!”

Then, Rinslet grabbed his arm.


“Rinslet, why did you stop me?!”

“I’ll go.”

“But...”

“Kamito-san, if you, who are in the middle of a quarrel, go, it’ll just make things complicated. After all, I’m her childhood friend, so I understand that girl.”

“...”

Kamito thought for a few seconds...

“...I understand. I’ll entrust Claire to you.”

He obediently nodded.

Rinslet went running after Claire.

“Kamito-kun”

At this moment, Fianna perceptively whispered into his ear.

“What?”

“She’s here...”

“She?”

Kamito was shocked.

A commotion, which was way greater than the one just now, was occurring near the entrance of the hall.


The person of the highest profile in this round’s Blade Dance had appeared.

Sounds of hard shoes sounded and she entered.

She was in a jet black dress like a queen ruling over the night.

She was a black haired girl with her face covered by a scarlet red mask.

She was the strongest blade dancer, Ren Ashbell.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter7

2018-03-18T07:43:06Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 7: Darkness Spirit Girl==
===Part 1===

"What was that, stupid, stupid, stupid Kamito!"

With her hair standing on end, Claire ran through the castle's hallway.

She wiped the large tears forming in her eyes with her sleeve.

''"Has nothing to do with Claire."''

Those words replayed in Kamito's cold tone over and over in her head.

(I'm not trusted by Kamito...)

She became very sad when she thought that.

''"Onee-chan, what do you even know about nii-sama?"''

That assassin girl had said that to Claire.

(That's right, I don't know anything about Kamito...)

Her heart hurt. The inside of her throat was painful.

What is this feeling, she wondered.

(...Why won't you tell me anything?)

She stopped running, wiped her tears and then trudged along.


The girls in dresses turned to look at her with puzzled expressions.

(...That's right, the dance is tonight.)

The truth is that she had been anticipating it since yesterday.

Along with the new swimsuit, she had also prepared a new dress.

(It, it's not like I'm wearing it for him or anything...)

Claire quickly removed the image of Kamito's face from her mind.

(But I wonder what kind of face he'd make if he saw me in my dress...)

While zoning out and thinking about that kind of thing, her face grew red.

(Wh... What am I thinking. I already don't care about that Ka... Kamito!)

While she was biting her lip.

Suddenly a heat wave came from below her as a hell cat clad in flames appeared.

"...What's wrong, Scarlet?"

Claire asked while leaning over.

"Do you want a snack? I have canned tuna at the room."

Scarlet shook its head.

And then she noticed the silver chain shaking in Scarlet's mouth.

"That's..."


A silver cat pendant.

The present that Kamito had bought for her birthday two weeks ago.

It looked like it had been taken out of the jewelry box where she had placed it.

"Wh... What is it, jeez..."

Claire took the pendant into her hand.

The first birthday present she had ever received from a boy.

She had been truly happy at that time.

"..."

She held the pendant to her chest like a treasure.

"...That's right. That back there was also partially my fault."

She sighed as she patted Scarlet's head.

(...I can only become honest when I'm not in front of him.)

===Part 2===

"...Where did that Claire go?"

Kamito was traversing the maze like castle in search of Claire.


...Rather, he was completely lost.

Whatever the case, the original structure was a completely strange design from the mythical age. With the repeated alterations over the course of several hundred years, the hallways stretched out in every other way to form a maze. All of the rooms looked the same, so it threw off one's sense of direction.

(...With this kind of thing, not getting lost would be strange.)

With the sun setting, the ceremony drew closer.

(I should return to my room. We might just miss each other, after all.)

And Kamito came to a halt.

In the middle of the hallway was a garden complete with a water fountain.

"Ohh, that's amazing..."

His gaze was drawn in by that beautiful sight.

Countless flowers were growing and small light spirits gathered there.

The water gushing from the fountain was filled with purity.

(This might be where princess maidens purify themselves.)

While thinking that, Kamito drew closer to the garden.

The light spirits floating in the air ran away like newborn spiders.


Near the water fountain were five stone sculptures.

The images of five Elemental Lords that controlled Astral Zero.

A warrior wielding a blazing sword, Fire Elemental Lord, Volcanicus.

A boy with kind eyes, Wind Elemental Lord, Belphal.

An iron mallet wielding giant, Earth Elemental Lord, Lode Gear.

A woman hugging a water jug to her chest, Water Elemental Lord, Iseria Seaward.

An aged man with a scale and bishop's staff, Holy Elemental Lord, Alexandros.

Those that bring prosperity or hardship to all of humanity, the kings of all spirits.

Of course, the spirits did not actually look like their sculptures.

The images here were simply representations of what people imagined their qualities to be when put in human form.

"These are also relics from the mythical age..."

They were magnificent sculptures. At the very least, they were not products of the last several hundred years. Kamito didn't possess much knowledge about historic ruins but he knew that much.

The stones used were not just normal stones either. Valuable spirit crystals had been used.

Getting close and looking...

"Hm?"

Kamito saw something out of place.


The five sculptures which copied the likeness of the Elemental Lords. Beside them was...

With nothing remaining above the knees, another sculpture was there.

That was something that was completely foreign to the garden.

(...Why is this thing here?)

The tragic appearance of the sculpture with only what was below its knees remaining. It hadn't been removed afterward, so it was obviously an important ancient legacy.

"...!?"

Just then. Something floated into Kamito's mind.

(The true shrine from the ancient age's true shrine...)

Along with the five Elemental Lords, there was one spot that was unnaturally missing something.

(Est whispered something back then...)

They had been in a hurry so he had missed it but...

"If I remember..."

"...The one erased in the following age, Darkness Elemental Lord, Ren Ashdoll."

Suddenly from behind came a voice.


Kamito immediately spun around.

A beautiful girl with black hair clad in a dress the color of darkness stood beside the water fountain.

She had a teasing smile. Gentle twilight pupils.

The one he'd been searching for, the girl he always wanted to meet was right there.

"Restia..."

"For someone searching for a cat, you look like you've seen a ghost."

She smiled and walked towards him with light steps.

"..."

Kamito was frozen still. He simply stood with his eyes wide open.

The girl of darkness came before Kamito and stood on her tiptoes.

"You've really grown. Even though you were only about as tall as me back then."

"Restia, you..."

Kamito returned from the shock.

"Don't make such a scary face, Kamito."

"...!"

A gentle and sweet voice that lured one into sleep.

It hadn't changed. Not a single thing, not even that harshness from three years ago had changed.


The seal on his left hand heated up like it was burning.

(...Why are you making that kind of face!)

...Who are you?

...Why are you throwing my heart into chaos using Restia's form!

The truth is he really wanted to shout those things to the girl before him.

But...

Those accusations stuck in his throat.

...I know. She's the real Restia.

No matter what form she took, there was no way he could ever mistake her.

The girl who had been the first light for Kamito who had closed his heart.

She had stayed by his side and granted him warmth and peace.

But now...

"..."

Kamito strongly chewed his lip.

Three years ago, he thought that would never change.

He had no idea why she had changed like this.

Possibly, something had broken when she made her Wish.


(Three years ago, I...)

Just what was the wish requested of the Elemental Lords.

He had many things he wanted to ask.

And many things he needed to ask.

Kamito opened his mouth while still slightly lost.

"Restia..."

"Hm?"

The darkness spirit tilted her head in a lovely manner.

"That militarized spirit that attacked the flying ship, was it your doing?"

"Those were ''her'' orders. It wasn't me."

Restia replied with that and sat down on the broken sculpture.

With her feet together and resting her chin in her hands, she possessed the beauty of a fallen goddess.

"Is that referring to the fake Ren Ashbell?"

"She's not a replacement for you, Kamito."

Restia smiled gently.

Just like one would use when warning a young child.

"She is also a true Ren Ashbell."


"What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry, but I cannot reveal that to the current you."

Restia silently declined her head.

"...Why did you appear before me now?"

"To warn you."

"Warn me?"

"Your past is trying to destroy what you hold dear."

"My past..."

Kamito muttered...

"...The Instructional School's orphans, huh."

"Yes. Muir Alenstarl is ignoring ''her'' orders and rampaging on her own. Well, it seems like ''she'' is closing her eyes on the matter though."

"Why is Muir targeting us?"

"Isn't that obvious. Because her beloved onii-chan was taken from her."

"..."


Yes, Muir Alenstarl had not shown any signs that Kamito was her target.

If he was, there would be no way she would have overlooked him when he couldn't use his elemental waffe.

Claire was a superior elementalist. Rinslet and Ellis as well and Fianna was contracted to a powerful knight spirit.

But even though they were elementalists, they were still normal girls.

They were high class young ladies that were gentle, not honest and liked black tea and sweet candies.

(But the orphans from the Instructional School are different...)

Like Kamito had been...

They were existences that had only been brought up with knowledge on how to wreak havoc and slaughter.

That was not blade dance for the sake of enjoyment, it was only for war.

The world the noble young ladies from the academy lived in was completely different.

Even if they were Blade Dance representatives, there was not a chance they could win in a battle.

"...I won't allow that to happen."

Kamito gave a small groan.

Claire, Ellis, Fianna, Rinslet and Est...

"I will definitely protect my companions."

"I wonder if you can?"


Restia put her fingertip to her lips...

"The orphans from the Instructional School are like the past you. I don't think you can stop them when you had a hard battle against the likes of Jio Inzagi."

"It doesn't matter. I will protect them at the cost of my life."

"Hmm, I'm a little jealous."

"...That's why, I will protect you as well, Restia."

"...!?"

Restia's eyes widened.

Those twilight pupils finally showed unrest.

"...That part of you hasn't changed a bit."

She shrugged her shoulders and slowly stood.

She stepped in front of him and...

"I'm happy, Kamito."

Tiptoed and kissed Kamito.

"...!?"

Kamito froze for a few seconds.

The inside of his head had numbed and become pure white.


"...Mm."

Restia slowly parted lips with Kamito.

And she once again whispered into the ear of the dumbfounded Kamito.

"I'll be waiting, Kamito. For your awakening as the successor of the Demon King."

"Res... tia...?"

Kamito reached out but grabbed nothing but thin air.

The darkness spirit girl had turned into a black mist and disappeared from in front of Kamito.

===Part 3===

"..."

Claire stood in the shadow of the hall leading to the garden.

She had discovered Kamito talking with the darkness spirit girl while searching for him.

That darkness spirit girl was dangerous, she had immediately summoned Scarlet but desisted from attacking when she saw him talking with her.

They were like two lovers that had been parted for a long time.

Like that, Claire had missed the timing to come out.


She couldn't hear the contents of their conversation well from the hallway.

If she wanted to, she might have been able to listen in, but learning about the past Kamito didn't want to discuss in this way felt like she was doing something underhanded.

Thinking like that, she ended up just watching.

She saw the two kiss.

"Ah..."

Splash.

Tears fell to the ground.

(No way, why are tears...)

She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her uniform.

(Why, why am I...)

Why was this... her chest hurt.

(...Kamito didn't hate it. He didn't resist at all.)

The overflowing tears wouldn't stop.

Claire ran from that spot and dashed down the hallway.

===Part 4===


The floating island Ragna Ys' underground cave within the sacred grounds.

A place that no one but the Divine Ritual Institute's princess maidens was permitted to enter. Currently, there were two sets of footsteps resounding there.

One belonged to an orphan of the Instructional School, Lily Flame.

She read the reports to her master in front of her.

"Muir Alenstarl lost Death Gaze in the battle. The country's military executives are going to be angry."

"Let them. They're just a bunch of geezers that only think about how to protect themselves."

The listening party said so with a merciless tone.

The girl with long black hair that fell to her waist donning a black overcoat with a crimson mask that looked like a fierce god covering her face.

Lily was not surprised in the least by her master's response. Their supposed allies, the Alphas Theocracy, were only another tool for her to accomplish her goal.

"But Cardinal, the supply of militarized spirits from now on---"

"Lily, I've taught you not to use that name here, haven't I?"

"I apologize... Ren Ashbell."


Lily shivered at her master's cold voice.

Footsteps resounded throughout the silent underground cave. The radiance of the spirit stone they were carrying reflected off the strange carvings in the wall. It was a mystery why this passage in the underground cave that even the Divine Ritual Institute's princess maidens were prohibited from was known to these two.

Possibly high ranking princess maidens, also those close to Queens, could enter without it being strange.

"It seems that Restia has contacted him."

The crimson mask wearing girl, Ren Ashbell said.

"Yes. She ignored your order and..."

"That darkness spirit is not a subordinate but an equal in the organization. She has no obligation to listen to me."

"...Yes."

Lily chewed her lip, unsatisfied. It frustrated her that the pieces gathered to help her master were moving on their own.

The ones who had sworn an oath to Cardinal, to Ren Ashbell, consisted of Lily alone. Her fellow orphan from the Instructional School thought of nothing other than Kazehaya Kamito and she had no idea what that darkness spirit girl was thinking.

"I will be meeting with him as well this evening."


"Will you be attending the dance?"

Lily asked in a slightly incredulous voice.

"Ren Ashbell was the winner of the previous Blade Dance. There is no way she could not attend."

"But the preparations for what to wear..."

"I have at least one dress. Though I left the majority to my little sister."

"You have a little sister?"

"..."

There was no response to that question.

Thinking she had upset her master, Lily quickly changed topics.

"Muir reported that he doesn't appear to have awakened yet."

"We already have no time to wait for it. If he can't withstand it, then that was his worth as a successor to the Demon King. We'd just have to alter the plan."

"---That won't do. It's Muir's duty to awaken nii-sama."

Said a voice from within the darkness behind them.

The one who appeared was the girl with ash grey hair --- Muir Alenstarl.

"Muir, what did you do!?"


Lily raised a sharp voice.

"I just played around a little. With those onee-chans that are corrupting nii-sama."

"...Acting on your own! You used another militarized spirit without permission."

"Not anything important. Just the special use militarized spirit Scylla. Though it was too weak and died. I wonder if I could use a better spirit next time."

"...!"

To the Muir who was puffing her cheeks, Lily responded by holding her head in her hands.

Even if it was Scylla, which wasn't a pure war class spirit, it was still a part of the theocracy's military strength. Those military executives wouldn't be happy if they heard about this.

"Listen here. That group at the theocracy won't be supplying us with militarized spirits until the Blade Dance really begins."

"Hmph, we've been acting docile well enough."

"It's because you ignored orders and lost Death Gaze."

"I just wanted to play with nii-sama."

Muir pouted her lips.

"Anyway, behave yourself until the real Blade Dance begins. Don't lay a hand on him until you receive orders..."


"Orders?"

Muir tilted her head in wonder.

And the light in her eyes disappeared.

"Hey, Lily, just who will order Muir?"

"...!?"

Shivers ran down Lily's spine.

Her entire body ran cold with fear. It was like someone was holding her heart in their hands.

"Hey, tell me..."

The spirit seal on Muir's right hand let out an ominous light...

"Muir Alenstarl."

Ren Ashbell called out to her.

"Yes?"

"You are an equal to me in the organization. Nobody will order you."

Muir laughed with a smile.

"It's fine if you understand. The only one that can order Muir is nii-sama."

With Muir's mood restored, Lily breathed a sigh of relief.

"But this is troubling. I can't play with the onee-chans without a militarized spirit."


"Then why not try using this, Monster."

Ren Ashbell removed her ring and tossed it to Muir.

"This is?"

Muir looked at the ring curiously.

It was a plain silver ring. Thin characters from the spirit language were engraved onto its outer edge.

"The annihilation spirit Tiamat, a spirit weapon that was created to fight the army of the ex shadow Elemental Lord. It was customized by those of the Divine Ritual Institute. It can withstand your Jester's Vise well."

"...You're giving this to Muir?"

"Use it as you wish."

"I don't really understand why. Well, that's fine, I'll take it."

"Muir, militarized spirits aren't toys!"

"They are toys. At least to Muir."

She shrugged her shoulders at Lily...

And licked the ring that now adorned her middle finger.


"...Just a little longer, nii-sama. Muir will remove those meddlesome onee-chans."

While walking through the dark underground cave, Muir smiled to herself.

When she had been taken to the Instructional School, she was only four years old.

Born in a cold village on the borderline of the Empire, she was not of noble blood and yet possessed the ability to contract spirits.

The villagers rejoiced at having borne an elementalist and raised her dearly.

And then they brought her before the village's guardian spirit on her fourth birthday.

They wanted Muir to contract with the guardian spirit so the village would prosper.

But when she made the contract, the guardian spirit ran wild.

The flames that had protected the village now burned it down and the spirit also destroyed itself.

Muir's power. She had the uncanny ability to drive a spirit mad.

After being cast away by her village, she was picked up by the instructional school...

There, she became a Monster.

Her heart was lost, a Cursed Armament Seal was engraved on her young body and she was taught nothing but slaughter techniques.

Because of her inborn ability, Muir could never connect with a contracted spirit.


Those days filled with only isolation and massacres slowly carved away her heart.

In the middle of those days, she met with a boy that had been taken to the facility.

"You're always alone, huh."

"That's right. Muir is always alone. The only ones Muir talks with are those she kills."

"Then I'll become your friend."

"Hmph, how stupid. Talking about friends in this place."

"Then a brother. Muir is the younger sister."

"...What are you deciding on your own, idiot."

The first conversation she had with him. It was something he definitely didn't remember.

"Nii-sama is Muir's only."

When she emerged from the underground cave, the sun had mostly set.

It was about the time the Blade Dance's ceremony would begin at the castle.

"That's why I won't forgive them. I will definitely get them, those attaching themselves to nii-sama."

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter6

2018-03-16T19:27:59Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 6: Cracks==
===Part 1===

"Muir Alenstarl."

Kamito muttered that name as he lay on the bed in the dim room.

The number two of the Instructional School who had received the title "Monster."

(...Why is she here?)

He thought that they would never meet again after that day.

And yet they ended up meeting in such a terrible way.

Muir Alenstarl was an expert military elementalist.

What reason could that girl, an orphan from the Instructional School, have for coming here...

It was not like he couldn't guess. Just a few weeks prior, Kamito had fought with another orphan of the Instructional School, Jio Inzagi.

The one behind the incident that time.

(...Does she have a connection to Restia?)

His left hand under the leather glove ached.


At that time. A knock came from his room's door.

"...Yes?"

While pressing down on his hurting ribs, Kamito got off the bed.

"Who is it?"

He opened the door and...

"...Nyaa ♪"

A cute cat was there.

No, more accurately, it was somebody wearing cat ears on their head, the Empire's second princess.

"..."

"..."

"...Um. Fianna, what are you doing?"

Kamito asked, astonished.

"I... I have come to s... service my master-meow ♪"

"..."

The air froze.

"Jeez, wh... what are you making me say..."


"No, I don't really understand..."

Fianna cleared her throat and said,

"It is a healing ritual."

"Healing ritual?"

Kamito repeated like a parrot.

"Kamito-kun, you were hurt, right?"

"Yes, well... it's not anything serious."

"That's a lie."

Fianna poked Kamito's ribcage.

"Owwwwww!"

"Look at that. You can't fool me."

It was the injury he received when he was hit by Muir's water spirit.

He had been hiding it, but it appeared that the holy spirit user had seen through him.

"Come on, lie down on the bed."

"Owaa."

Fianna pulled on Kamito's hand.

Kamito was pushed onto the bed in that manner.

[[Image:STnBD V04 149.jpg|200px|thumb]]


The feeling that had pushed on his chest made his heart throb unconsciously.

"I'm thankful for the healing but... why cat ears?"

"Fufu, this is a tool for the ritual... ah, a tool for the ritual-meow ♪"

Fianna quickly amended the end of her sentence.

"Liar! I think something's a little strange with that!"

That morning when she had packed her luggage, he was sure those cat ears had been there.

The other things included rope, a candle and a whip... she had packed them under the pretense of them being ritual equipment, but there was a lot that was fishy about it.

"Um, Kamito, you don't like this kind of thing?"

Fianna asked with a nervous expression.

"No, I don't d... dislike it..."

Kamito quickly shook his head.

Fianna with cat ears was definitely cute. Seriously cute.

About enough to make him want to pet her.

"...I'm glad. It was pretty embarrassing."

Fianna made an expression of relief and relaxed.

The captivating sound of rustling clothes. The breath coming from near his ear.


"...Fianna!? Y... Your ch... chest is pressing against me."

"Don't move. We have to be touching or there won't be an effect."

"I understand the theory but..."

Kamito gulped.

"...Nn, chuu... ahn."

The cute princess's lips and her fingertips glided over his bruised ribs. Her moist tongue running over his wound tickled.

"Fufu, Kamito-kun, does it feel good?"

"...!"

Even if asked in this kind of situation, there was no way he could honestly reply.

(...But it's definitely working. Fianna's ritual magic, that is.)

As expected of a former elite princess maiden of the Divine Ritual Institute.

Even though it wasn't her specialty, her ability in it was top class.

Not just the wound but even his whole body's fatigue being removed could be felt.

Kamito stopped resisting and left his body in her care.

"...But I'm always surprised by it. Your regenerative ability, I mean."

"Yeah, it's a mystery to me, too."


He hadn't paid particular notice to it, but it appeared to be that way.

It seemed like it was thanks to the development of the divine power of an elementalist flowing within him.

But it was to an abnormal degree in Kamito's case.

"Isn't it because you've contracted with Est?"

"I also thought that at first..."

A contracted spirit's attributes affecting the contractor wasn't anything rare.

For example, Claire's ability to have her hair stand on end was because of this. Because of Est's attribute being metal as a sword spirit, his body may have become robust as a result.

"But it doesn't seem to be just that."

Fianna tilted her head.

The other possibility was a Cursed Armament Seal. Amongst the orphans at the Instructional School that received a Cursed Armament Seal, some possessed regenerative ability that far surpassed human limits.

However, of course, there was no Cursed Armament Seal on Kamito.

"Fianna's technique is good."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders while saying that and received a reply,

"It's the opposite."

"Opposite?"


"My holy attribute spirit magic is barely working on Kamito's body."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know."

Fianna shook her head.

"Of course, it's not like it's totally ineffective, it's being repelled. That's why I have to be touching you like this."

Press.

"...Fianna!?"

"Look at that, your body is so stiff. Relax more."

Fianna smiled teasingly and gave his ear a playful bite.

"W... Wait, as expected this is..."

"Like I said, I wouldn't do this stuff with just anyone, you know?"

To Fianna who pressed her lips together while looking unsatisfied,

"Y... You should only do this kind of stuff to the person you l... like..."

She placed her hand on the shoulder strings of her dress like uniform...

Dogooooon!

Suddenly the room's door exploded into smithereens.


"...!?"

Gogogogogogogogo...!

The one standing there...

...It was Claire with a blazing Flametounge in hand.

"Hey, Kamito, wh... wh... wh... what are you doing?"

Kamito seriously prepared himself for death.

===Part 2===
"Now, choose! The way you'd like to be roasted!"

"That's why I'm saying, that was a healing ritual!"

Five minutes later. Kamito was made to do seiza upon the dusty floor.

In front of him was Claire who was sounding her whip.

Her red twintails were standing on end... it seemed she was quite angry.

Claire looked down at Kamito with a cold gaze...

"Hmph, with cat ears? And pressed against a large chest in that ma... manner?"

"Guu..."


Kamito internally groaned.

...It was no good. Regardless of what he said, those cat ears took away all credibility.

"...Well, that's fine."

Said Claire, who shrugged her shoulders and sighed deeply.

"S... Since whatever you do with that Erotic Queen doesn't concern me."

"Then why are you angry..."

"Sh... Shut up!"

Because of Claire's glare, Kamito shut up.

...In any case, he was relieved.

Her mood was still bad, but it seemed like she would overlook the situation this time.

But the conversation didn't end there.

"Kamito."

She suddenly became really serious.

"I have something to ask you."

"..."

(...Well, I guess it's expected.)

He had made his resolve for this.


Or rather, he'd been thinking about it since a while ago.

"The girl who attacked me, you knew her, right?"

"Yeah."

"What did she mean by nii-sama? Who is she?"

"..."

Claire's suspicion was well founded.

The assassin that had been aiming for her life was his former teammate and friend.

Being interrogated was natural.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Claire's voice had a tinge of irritation mixed in.

But Kamito averted his eyes from her and kept quiet.

(I...)

He felt that he should reveal his relationship with Muir Alenstarl. He knew that in his head.

But if he did that, he would also have to reveal that he was an escapee of the Instructional School.

His childhood when he had battle techniques necessary for an assassin hammered into him.

Something that he could never erase, that unpleasant past.

(If she knew the truth about me, Claire would...)


He might be scorned. Or possibly, he might be pitied.

At any rate, it would be different from now.

He was scared of that.

(My becoming weak might be because of this...)

He derided himself while avoiding Claire's gaze.

He wouldn't have even thought about this two months ago.

He didn't care how other people viewed him.

If he could get Restia back, then that was all he needed. That's what he thought.

"Claire, sorry..."

"...Why?"

Claire's voice was slightly wavering.

"Is it something you can't tell even me?"

"..."

"Could it be a past lover..."

"Like that's it."

Kamito retorted with half closed eyes.

"Then why can't you say it?"


"Can you not trust me if I don't tell you?"

A cold voice with slight irritation that even shocked himself.

He gasped and looked up at Claire who had her eyes wide open in shock.

"Th... That's not it. But..."

"But what?"

"..."

Claire's question was obvious.

He also understood that she was worried for his sake.

But no, that was the reason, that's why he couldn't tell her.

"But..."

Claire chewed her lip.

"Because you won't talk about yourself at all."

"That's..."

"And it's not just this. Even about that darkness spirit girl..."

"The thing about Restia has nothing to do with Claire."

Kamito shook his head coldly. That showed his complete rejection of her question.

"...Is that so, I see."


Claire breathed out waveringly and...

Turning her back on Kamito, she left the room in silence.

===Part 3===
"I'm the worst..."

Kamito muttered, sitting on the creaking bed.

He was regretting getting angry with Claire for no real reason.

That said, there was no way he could discuss his past with her.

(If she knew my past, she would...)

At that moment, Ellis and the others entered his room.

"Kamito, did something happen with Claire?"

Ellis surveyed the room.

"Yeah, just a little something..."

Feeling uncomfortable, Kamito shifted his gaze.

"You fought again?"

Rinslet sighed. Kamito nodded ambiguously.


"She really can't be helped. Well, she'll be back before the dance."

"Dance?"

"The opening ceremony's dance. Of course, Kamito will also be attending, right?"

Fianna asked.

"No, I'm fine."

"What did you say!?" "What!?" "Kamito-kun!"

When Kamito shook his head, the three cried out at the same time.

"Wh... Why?"

"...I don't like dances."

Kamito had a little trauma concerning the dance.

The Blade Dance he participated in three years ago as Ren Ashbell. Remembering all the dance invitations he received during that time gave him goosebumps even now.

Of course, he wasn't going to be dressed in girls' clothing this time around so there was no direct connection, but he still couldn't erase that feeling.

"That and I have no formal wear."

"They'll lend you formal wear if you ask."

"I said I wasn't going."


"Hmm, I wonder if that's a good idea?"

Fianna laughed lightly.

"...What do you mean?"

"The Blade Dance participants will be coming out at the dance, meaning that Ren Ashbell will also be attending."

"...!"

"Fufu, so what will you do?"

To the Fianna wearing a teasing smile, Kamito...

"...Okay then."

Grudgingly agreed to go.

(...The dance, huh.)

Claire would also wear a dress, that thought popped into his head.

"...I have to apologize."

Kamito got off the creaky bed.

"Kamito-san, where are you going?"

"To find a cat. It may have become lost."

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter5

2018-03-15T13:53:33Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 5: Water Play==
===Part 1===

The sun beamed down gently into the forest.

The rich colors flitting about in the air.

Colorful fruits adorned the branches of the densely growing trees.

It was the lake beside the castle.

Because of the spirits floating near the lake shore, this lake granted high purity. It was a place of the highest quality for a princess maiden's purification.

"Claire and the others aren't here yet..."

Kamito, who had just arrived, surveyed the area.

His top half was naked. On his bottom half, he wore trunks. Of course, he had removed the leather glove on his left hand, but he wrapped the seal underneath with a black cloth.

"Being the first one here makes it look like I'm really excited and that's embarrassing."

While scratching his head, he complained and...

"Kamito-kun, sorry to keep you waiting!"

"Owaa!?"

Squish.


Being suddenly hugged from behind, Kamito unconsciously yelped.

"Fianna!?"

Surprised, he turned around...

...And there stood the cute princess wearing a bold black swimsuit.

"Does it suit me?"

"...!?"

Fianna's swimsuit was an adult like bikini. Wrapped around her supple hips was a low leg pantie. A black ribbon adorned her chest. The frills wrapped around her thighs coupled with the garter looked erotic. The triangular cloth covering her breasts was very suggestive and seemed about to spill over.

"A queen shouldn't be that immodest!"

"Fufu, Kamito-kun got angry ♪"

Fianna stuck out her tongue in a cute manner and released his arm.

"Y... You..."

Kamito's heart throbbed at those enchanting words.

"That's right. Kamito-kun, should I show you my spirit seal?"


"Wha..."

Fianna bent over and...

...Allowed him to gaze at her breasts within the gap of her bold swimsuit.

Kamito swallowed hard.

"Look, it's right here. On the inside..."

While teasing him with her bold actions, her face was lightly tinted red.

Despite wearing a mature swimsuit, she was still a pure young lady.

The soft cleavage that, even now, urged him to bury his face in it.

Just as he glanced the spirit seal carved within...

"Fianna-san, wh... what are you doing!"

From the small path within the forest ran the swimsuit clad Rinslet.

It was a proper looking swimsuit suited to a well bred young lady, but it emphasized her breasts' volume. The legs peeking out from under her pareo were so beautiful that Kamito froze in fascination.

"Ka... Kamito-san, how is my swimsuit?"


"...Y... Yeah, it really suits you."

Kamito spoke his true thoughts and Rinslet blushed.

"Y... You really... think so? I... I don't like being flattered."

"It's not flattery. You're really, um... beautiful."

"...Auu..."

Rinslet reddened right up to her ears.

And fell over just like that.

"S... Sorry for making you wait!"

And now came a rigid voice.

The one who emerged from the same path as Rinslet was the knight captain, Ellis.

She was wearing a sporty navy blue swimsuit with a stress on practicality. It was plain compared to Fianna and Rinslet's, but the gap between her armored state and the current one emphasizing her body line was dangerous.

He was rooted to the spot.

"Ka... Kamito, don't look here, look over there!"

"S... Sorry...!"


Kamito quickly averted his gaze and...

Ellis cleared her throat.

"...N... No, I mean it's fine to look?"

"Which one is it..."

"Sh... Shut up! Besides, you probably just thought it's a boring swimsuit!"

"Nobody said that."

Kamito tiredly sighed.

"...I should've worn a more erotic swimsuit."

"Hmm?"

It felt like the knight captain had just said something amazing but...

"You look very beautiful in your swimsuit."

"Eh?"

Exclaimed Ellis, her amber eyes widening.

"I thought it suited the serious Ellis."

"Kamito..."

Ellis tightened her arm to her chest and blushed.


"The only ones left are Claire and Est..."

Kamito muttered and,

"Ka... Kamito..."

"Claire?"

At the voice he'd grown accustomed to, he turned around, Claire stood there.

...No.

From behind a large tree, twintails were poking out.

"You, what are you doing?"

"..."

Claire stayed hidden behind the tree.

"Did your swimsuit's string get cut by any chance?"

"Th... That's not it!"

The twintails stood on end.

"Then why aren't you coming out?"

"B... Because it's... embarrassing."

"Embarrassing, you say... everybody's also in a swimsuit."

"That's true but... o... okay."


Claire resigned herself and timidly came out.

At that moment...

...Kamito's breath stopped.

Claire was wearing a pure red bikini. Though it was a plain and simple design, it actually accentuated her beauty. The panties held with string wrapped the smooth skin and her thighs had a thin line from her leather whip.

It was painful to admit, but she was insanely cute.

Honestly, he didn't understand why she was embarrassed.

"You..."

"D... Don't say anything, since I'm just..."

When he saw her timidly hiding her chest with both hands...

Kamito realized the reason.

Claire was concerned about her small breasts.

"...Jeez."

Kamito made a wry smile and placed his hand on the embarrassed Claire's head.

"Fuaa!"

"Listen, okay? These are my true thoughts. I won't say it again."


"Wh... What is it...!"

"You're cute, Claire."

"Fuaaa, i... idiot, what are you saying!"

Hit, hit, hit.

Claire hit his shoulder with a beet red face.

===Part 2===

"This time the knight captain is the demon!"

"I won't lose in swimming."

"Ellis, you can't use your wind armor."

The lovely voices echoing within the forest. Glistening water droplets.

Breasts that shook in tango with the rest of the body met the eyes.

The swimsuit clad beauties frolicked in the lake.

...No matter how you look at it, there's no feeling of this being a purification ceremony.

(Well, it's important to relax as well...)

Kamito stretched out on the lake shore.


He couldn't play with the girls because he'd be constantly distracted, so he took to sunbathing. The girls seemed dissatisfied, but perhaps because they had heavy handedly forced him to come, they let him go.

Beside him, Est was kneeling while licking a popsicle.

Her snow fairy like body was covered by a navy blue academy issued swimsuit.

Her smooth milky skin and smooth silvery white hair.

On both of her legs were knee high socks.

Est had the sort of appearance that maniacs would like, wearing both a swimsuit and knee high socks.

There wasn't much skin showing, but for some reason, it felt like it crossed even more lines than being fully nude.

"Est, you're not going to play with everyone?"

"It would be embarrassing to be barefooted."

Est replied expressionlessly.

"Besides, I can't swim."

"Ahh, I see..."

Est was a sword spirit so she couldn't float.

No matter how strong of a spirit she was, she couldn't cast off her basic metal attribute.

(...Come to think of it, it was also near a lake that I made the contract with Est.)


While gazing at Est's side profile, Kamito thought that.

Demon Slayer, Terminus Est.

A legendary sealed holy sword spirit. It was a mystery why a sword of her caliber had chosen Kamito.

He still had no idea.

Besides, Est had many other secrets as well.

"Hey, Est..."

"?"

Est turned towards him while licking the popsicle.

"Are you really the holy sword that defeated the Demon King?"

The legend of the Demon Slayer remained everywhere on the continent.

Est was undoubtedly an unrivaled sword, but there was no way she was the real one, that's what he thought.

(But if she really is...)

The power that had destroyed the Cursed Armament Seal on Velsaria's heart two weeks ago.

That was not the ability of a regular sword spirit.

In the legend of the Demon Slayer, the holy sword was also said to have destroyed the spirit seals for all seventy two of the Demon King's contracts.


"I'm sorry, Kamito."

But Est silently shook her head.

"My memories are incomplete right now. If I regained my true body, my memories should return with my full power."

"No, I should be the one to apologize. Sorry."

Because Kamito clung to his contract with Restia, the contract with Est remained incomplete. Est could not display her true power.

"No, Kamito."

[[Image:STnBD V04 121.jpg|200px|thumb]]
Est brought the popsicle away from her lips and gazed at Kamito with her mysterious eyes.

And then...

"I'm glad I contracted with you."

"...Est?"

For a moment, the fleeting expression on Est's face made his heart race.

"Kamito-san."

"Owaa!"

Platinum blonde hair sparkled in the sunlight.

At some point in time, the swimsuit clad Rinslet had stood beside him.


"Don't surprise me like that..."

"No, that is, sorry..."

Kamito apologized to the pouting Rinslet.

"What's wrong, Rinslet, you're not going to swim with everyone else?"

At his words, Rinslet squirmed a bit and her face reddened.

"I c... can't, that is... I can't swim very well."

"Is that so?"

That was unexpected. That the perfect Rinslet would have that kind of weak point.

"Hmm? Even though you were playing tag in the water normally just now?"

"Th... That was... umm, it was a little trick."

"Trick?"

Rinslet nodded timidly and stuck out her finger.

A freezing atmosphere gathered and from thin air appeared a white wolf.

The demon ice spirit Fenrir.

"I was riding on this child's back while in the water."

"...I see."

Upon imagining the white wolf elegantly running around under the water surface with all its might, Kamito wryly smiled.


"Y... You just laughed, didn't you! That's horrible!"

"S... Sorry..."

"And so, umm..."

And Rinslet's cheeks became even redder.

"I'd like to ask a favor of you, Kamito-san."

"A favor?"

"Umm, that is, my..."

And then Rinslet became inarticulate.

(...What?)

It was at times like these that her maid would translate for him.

Kamito looked around and found the hiding figure of Carol.

...He had been thinking for a while now that he hadn't seen her, but she was hiding this entire time.

She was moving her lips and appeared to be saying something.

Kamito used the lip reading ability he had been trained in at the institute.

(Milady, do your best, was it... what did that mean?)

Waiting for a little while like that...


"Ka... Kamito-san!"

Rinslet yelled out and seemed to have found her resolve.

Sweeping her platinum blonde hair up and pointing at Kamito...

"I... I shall allow you to teach me how to swim!"

...I see, thought Kamito with a wry smile.

(...As always, she's a lady that just can't be honest.)

But if you got used to it, those points about her also became cute.

"Est, I'm going to swim with Rinslet for a bit."

"Yes, Kamito..."

Est pouted a little sadly.

===Part 3===

"Ka... Kamito-san, please don't let go..."

"Yeah, it's fine. Spread out your body more."

Splash. The sound of water echoed near the shore.

A little bit away from where everyone was playing, in the shadow of a rock, Kamito was teaching Rinslet how to swim.


It seemed she didn't want the others to know.

"F... For sure, okay... i... if you let go, I'll make you into an ice sculpture!"

With a nervous expression, Rinslet gripped onto Kamito's arms.

With the soft sensation upon his skin, his heart throbbed.

"I... I got it, so please don't force your nails into me."

"S... Sorry about that..."

Taking her hands off his arms, she instead grabbed his hands.

She held tightly with her slender and soft fingers.

"A gentleman's... hand."

With red cheeks, her upturned eyes were wavering.

"Well, I am always holding a sword..."

Kamito said while quickly averting his eyes.

(Th... This angle is bad...!)

From the white nape to the collarbone adorned with water droplets.

The breasts that could be seen under the water surface were much too distracting.

"Kamito-san, where are you looking?"


"Ah, no... come on, loosen up and stretch out."

Kamito immediately changed the topic.

"T... To have a boy give me an order... that's the first time."

Rinslet shut her mouth tightly.

But that expression looked somewhat happy.

"Sorry, milady. I'm just an impertinent fellow."

"No, i... it's fine if you give more orders. B... But perverted orders are a little..."

"Hmm?"

"N... Nothing!"

Rinslet spoke into the water and formed bubbles.

What a strange person, Kamito thought that and then...

"...?"

Kamito felt someone watching him.

He felt a blade like pressure on the back of his neck.

Kamito quickly surveyed the area.

He only felt the presence for an instant and it had already disappeared.

(I don't think it was my imagination but...)


It might just have been the spirits around the lake.

Well, it had disappeared quickly so there was no point worrying about it.

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing... come on, relax more."

"...L... Like this?"

Rinslet nodded honestly and stretched out her entire body.

Her cute butt wrapped in the white swimsuit rose out of the water.

"I... I floated!"

Her smile was like a blooming rose, very bewitching.

"You really become cute when you're honest."

With a wry smile, Kamito whispered that and Rinslet became red to her ears.

"...Kamito-san, you're teasing me, aren't you?"

Bite. Like she was scolding him, she bit onto both of his arms.

Bite. Bite.

"Rinslet, it hurts..."

"Fufu, it's punishment for teasing me."


Rinslet smiled elegantly and finally stopped biting him.

But as expected of a talented lady, her learning rate was really fast.

"Then, next, try moving your feet."

"Y... Yes..."

[[Image:STnBD V04 129.jpg|200px|thumb]]
Rinslet nodded and...

"Kyan!"

Suddenly gave out a cute yelp.

"W... What happened?"

"Fua, ya, ahn... w... where are you touching!"

Rinslet flopped around in the water.

"N... No, at this kind of place... Kamito-san... you're perverted."

"...Wa... Wait, I'm not doing anything!"

Kamito denied with all his heart and...

Gogogogogogo...!

The water surface that had been calm until just now boiled.

"That seems like fun, Kamito."

"Claire!?"


What rose from the water was Claire with her twintails standing on end.

Her tone was calm but... she was angry. No mistake.

"Y... Y... You, what are you doing alone with Rinslet?"

"No, this is just swimming training..."

At his answer, Kamito hurriedly shut himself up.

Rinslet had wanted him to not reveal that she couldn't swim.

He couldn't betray her trust.

Kamito suddenly became quiet and it seemed that that incited Claire.

"Could it be that you were doing s... something that you can't tell me..."

Gogogogogogo...!

"Th... That's wrong, Claire, this is..."

What came to Kamito at that time was...

"That is... it was a secret lesson!"

Those words.

"...Secret lesson!?"

Claire's eyebrows shot up.

...Crap, it seemed that he had messed up his word selection.


"Th... That's right, it was a lesson about things that can't be said!"

While still holding onto Kamito's arm, Rinslet said that.

"A... A lesson about things that can't be said..."

"Wait, Rinslet, that wording will invite misunderstandings..."

But Claire had already turned red from whatever she had imagined.

"...Kamito, th... this pervert, how lewd!"

Hit, hit, hit.

"Calm down, you're wrong! It wasn't a lesson like you're imagining!"

"Claire, could you please not interrupt our secret lesson?"

Rinslet said with a composed smile.

"...Y... You, get away from Kamito!"

"Oh my, why should I?"

Sparks flew between the hell cat girl and the ice princess.

...The usual fight had begun.

"Ka... Kamito is my slave spirit and I won't give him to you!"

"No, Kamito-san is mine!"

Both of them each grabbed one of his cheeks.


...A fight between two top class elementalists started.

While sending water droplets flying, both of them grappled with each other's swimsuits.

Rinslet was always standing normally. This was the sandbar, so there was a foothold.

The breasts and butt that could be seen from the offset swimsuit made Kamito turn red.

"G... Give up already!"

Rinslet placed a hand on Claire's breast and pulled at her swimsuit.

And then.

The string of the red bikini came undone...

"...!?"

Time stopped.

Claire quickly covered her breasts with her hands, but it was too late.

The figure of those small, cute hidden mounds was burned into Kamito's vision.

"...D... Did you see?"

Kamito nodded truthfully.

"A, uu..."

Claire flushed red up to her ears..


"...Fuaaaaan!?"

"Claire!"

And bolted into the forest.

"Jeez..."

"I... I wonder if I did something bad..."

Rinslet was reflecting.

The forest that spread around the lake.

Even if it was the Elemental Lord's sacred land, there could be dangerous spirits in the forest.

He knew Claire was a top class elementalist, but as expected, he was still worried.

Kamito sighed and chased after Claire who had disappeared into the forest.

===Part 4===

While running in the dark forest.

(Ka... Kamito saw my breasts...!)

Claire reddened.

It was embarrassing to the point that her face felt like it would burst into flames.


(Jeez, what is this, what is this, idiot!)

He had seen her naked in their first meeting.

But then and now were totally different.

She didn't know why though...

(Wh... Why is my heart... beating this fast, I wonder.)

Claire stopped running and suppressed her beating heart.

That's right, she didn't hate that he had seen her naked.

Having him see her underdeveloped breasts had been a shock.

(Th... This small of a chest is strange, isn't it...)

Rub. Rub.

While feeling her soft chest, she bit her lip.

Claire had read it in a book.

That boys liked girls with big breasts.

That definitely did not exclude Kamito.

After all, Kamito had been all happy around that big breasted Rinslet.

(Wh... wh... wh... what's this secret lesson about things that can't be said, y... you idiot!)

Remembering it again, she felt her anger resurge.


Just what were those two doing in the shadow of that rock.

"I... I d... don't really care about who he gets along with..."

Just as she said that with a pout.

She felt a cold sensation on the back of her neck.

"...Who is it!?"

Turning around, she inquired with a sharp voice.

And.

"Hmm, you're unexpectedly sharp, onee-chan. But separating from the group isn't good."

Appearing from the trees like a shadow...

...A single hooded girl.

Slightly visible ash grey hair. Transparent blue pupils.

A young girl that was even smaller than the short Claire.

(A child in this place?)

Claire was suspicious.

She didn't appear to be a princess maiden of the Divine Ritual Institute.

The only possibility was that she was a member of another team.

"Do you have some business with me?"


Claire asked while keeping her guard up.

What she had felt just before was close to killing intent.

Even if her opponent was a small girl, she couldn't be careless.

The girl laughed lightly.

"I'll have you disappear, onee-chan. For nii-sama's sake."

"...!?"

Instantly, Claire reacted.

Water came from the ground as many tentacles were formed and attacked her.

(...A water spirit user!?)

The writhing water tentacles splintered the surrounding trees' branches.

Claire landed on the ground and performed her summoning.

''"Guardian of the crimson blaze, keeper of the undying hearth!"''

''"Now's the time to abide by the blood contract, come forth and do my bidding!"''

"Scarlet!"

A crimson flame clad hell cat appeared from thin air.

The hell cat immediately transformed into a whip in her hand.

"You, do you understand who you're picking a fight with?"


"Of course, Claire Rouge. The Calamity Queen's younger sister."

"Looks like you really did your research!"

Claire swung down the flame whip.

Drawing a pure red line in the air, it easily mowed down the forests' trees

But the water tentacles coming from the ground easily stopped the flame whip.

"Wha..."

"There's no way onee-chan's flame spirit can defeat this Scylla."

"...Scylla?"

Claire had read that name at the academy.

It was the name of a special use militarized spirit that could be used by anyone. That flexibility to switch contractors was deemed too dangerous and it was supposed to have been sealed after the Ranbal War.

And then Claire realized.

If she was an assassin that used sealed militarized spirits.

"Don't tell me, you're the one who attacked the flying ship... kyaa!"

In that moment, a tentacle coming from the ground grasped Claire's foot.

The tentacle wrapped itself all the way around and lifted her into the air.

"...This damn thing, let me go...!"


She swung her Flametounge with all her might but it did nothing inside the water spirit.

Her opponent's spirit was the worst match up for her fire spirit.

On top of that, this area weakened flame spirits because of its proximity to water.

Even if it was a high class spirit like Scarlet, overcoming that was hard.

The tentacles entered into the gaps of her swimsuit.

Wrapping around her thigh, it was a terrible feeling.

"...Ah, n, wh what are you doing, noo...!"

"Fufu, what a disgraceful appearance, onee-chan. But I'll let you enjoy it soon."

The girl approached Claire who couldn't move.

"...Why are you targeting me?"

"Because onee-chan has corrupted nii-sama."

"...Nii-sama?"

Claire had a realization. The one that came to her mind was...

"Could this be about Kamito?"

"Don't say nii-sama's name so lightly."

The water tentacle slapped Claire's cheek.

"Ku..."


"If I kill onee-chan, nii-sama will definitely wake up."

"Wh... What do you mean wake up! Kamito is Kamito!"

"Don't speak like you know what you're talking about."

A bone chilling tone. Shivers ran down Claire's spine.

"Onee-chan, what do you even know about nii-sama?"

"Eh?"

At her words Claire widened her eyes.

(...That's right. I don't know anything about Kamito.)

For example, this girl who called Kamito nii-sama.

This girl probably knew Kamito's past that Claire didn't know.

She felt a pain in her heart. She didn't know why.

"Good bye, onee-chan."

The girl gave the command to kill what it had caught.

"...!?"


Then a blade line flashed.

"Claire!"

===Part 5===

The short sword pierced the ground.

The girl jumped and landed after turning in the air.

At the instant Scylla's power weakened, Scarlet returned to its hell cat form and destroyed the water tentacle. Kamito caught the released Claire with both arms.

"Ka... Kamito..."

"Claire, stand back."

Kamito placed Claire on the ground and turned to face the girl.

(I didn't think an elementalist would be here...)

He regretted not bringing Est along.

With the last exchange, he understood. His opponent was a skilled assassin.

The short sword disappeared. It was the product of the only spirit magic Kamito could use as the elementalist of a sword spirit weapon production with Weapon Works.


(So that presence I felt at the lake was this person...)

Kamito looked at the girl. He couldn't see her face because of the hood.

The girl's lips lightly shook and opened.

"...Nii-sama."

At the same time, the water spirit reformed its tentacles and attacked again.

"Kahaa!"

He took a blow to the stomach.

Kamito flew and smacked into the muddy ground.

"Ouch..."

"Kamito!"

Claire ran up beside the collapsed Kamito.

"Why didn't you dodge it! You should've been able to."

Claire closed her mouth tightly... that's right, he couldn't dodge it.

"...You covered for me?"

"I can't allow a wound to touch a young lady's face."

Kamito wiped the blood from his mouth and shakily stood up.


Once again, the tentacles swung down like whips.

Kamito raised both arms and blocked. But no matter how strong he was, a human couldn't match up to a spirit.

A blunt attack. The sound of bones being crushed rang out.

"...Aguu!"

"Nii-sama, why are you interrupting me?"

The girl muttered this to the fallen Kamito in a sad tone.

"...Nii-sama?"

He was sure she had called him that at the start as well.

The encroaching girl. From beneath the hood, he spied ash grey hair blowing.

"You, don't tell me you're..."

Kamito's eyes widened.

The girl waved her hand and gave the order to attack.

"Freezing fangs, pierce, Freezing Arrow!"

In an instant, many ice arrows impaled the water spirit.

The water spirit instantly froze. Then...

"Now!"


"Take this, Blazing Fireball!"

Claire's fireball scored a direct hit.

A fierce blaze.

The frozen water spirit shattered.

"Hmph, that was easy."

Wielding a magic bow, Rinslet swept her hair aside.

Though she was doing such a carefree action, her breathing was ragged from chasing Kamito.

"Rinslet, you're a life saver..."

Kamito stood as he groaned in pain.

Rinslet and Claire equipped their respective elemental waffen and faced the assassin girl.

"Aww, he got killed. It turns out like this if I don't use Jester's Vise."

Sticking out her tongue in a childish manner, she flipped her hood off.

[[Image:STnBD V04 145.jpg|200px|thumb]]
"...!?"

Ash grey twintails. A lovely, youthful face.

Kamito stood shocked at the face that had hardly changed from four years ago.

"Muir..."


"Muir?"

Claire knit her brows.

"Muir, why..."

"Nii-sama, you've become very weak."

The girl sighed sadly and turned around.

"But don't worry, Muir will definitely wake you up."

Saying that, she disappeared into the forest.

"Stop!" "Right there!"

"Wait!"

Kamito stopped Rinslet and Claire who were about to pursue.

"Hey, why are you stopping us!"

"You can't beat her."

The two gulped at Kamito's serious expression.

And so, the assassin girl completely disappeared.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter5

2018-03-15T05:26:38Z

Masterupc: punctuation - partial

==Chapter 5: Water Play==
===Part 1===

The sun beamed down gently into the forest.

The rich colors flitting about in the air.

Colorful fruits adorned the branches of the densely growing trees.

It was the lake beside the castle.

Because of the spirits floating near the lake shore, this lake granted high purity. It was a place of the highest quality for a princess maiden's purification.

"Claire and the others aren't here yet..."

Kamito, who had just arrived, surveyed the area.

His top half was naked. On his bottom half, he wore trunks. Of course, he had removed the leather glove on his left hand, but he wrapped the seal underneath with a black cloth.

"Being the first one here makes it look like I'm really excited and that's embarrassing."

While scratching his head, he complained and...

"Kamito-kun, sorry to keep you waiting!"

"Owaa!?"

Squish.


Being suddenly hugged from behind, Kamito unconsciously yelped.

"Fianna!?"

Surprised, he turned around...

...And there stood the cute princess wearing a bold black swimsuit.

"Does it suit me?"

"...!?"

Fianna's swimsuit was an adult like bikini. Wrapped around her supple hips was a low leg pantie. A black ribbon adorned her chest. The frills wrapped around her thighs coupled with the garter looked erotic. The triangular cloth covering her breasts was very suggestive and seemed about to spill over.

"A queen shouldn't be that immodest!"

"Fufu, Kamito-kun got angry ♪"

Fianna stuck out her tongue in a cute manner and released his arm.

"Y... You..."

Kamito's heart throbbed at those enchanting words.

"That's right. Kamito-kun, should I show you my spirit seal?"


"Wha..."

Fianna bent over and...

...Allowed him to gaze at her breasts within the gap of her bold swimsuit.

Kamito swallowed hard.

"Look, it's right here. On the inside..."

While teasing him with her bold actions, her face was lightly tinted red.

Despite wearing a mature swimsuit, she was still a pure young lady.

The soft cleavage that, even now, urged him to bury his face in it.

Just as he glanced the spirit seal carved within...

"Fianna-san, wh... what are you doing!"

From the small path within the forest ran the swimsuit clad Rinslet.

It was a proper looking swimsuit suited to a well bred young lady, but it emphasized her breasts' volume. The legs peeking out from under her pareo were so beautiful that Kamito froze in fascination.

"Ka... Kamito-san, how is my swimsuit?"


"...Y... Yeah, it really suits you."

Kamito spoke his true thoughts and Rinslet blushed.

"Y... You really... think so? I... I don't like being flattered."

"It's not flattery. You're really, um... beautiful."

"...Auu..."

Rinslet reddened right up to her ears.

And fell over just like that.

"S... Sorry for making you wait!"

And now came a rigid voice.

The one who emerged from the same path as Rinslet was the knight captain, Ellis.

She was wearing a sporty navy blue swimsuit with a stress on practicality. It was plain compared to Fianna and Rinslet's, but the gap between her armored state and the current one emphasizing her body line was dangerous.

He was rooted to the spot.

"Ka... Kamito, don't look here, look over there!"

"S... Sorry...!"


Kamito quickly averted his gaze and...

Ellis cleared her throat.

"...N... No, I mean it's fine to look?"

"Which one is it..."

"Sh... Shut up! Besides, you probably just thought it's a boring swimsuit!"

"Nobody said that."

Kamito tiredly sighed.

"...I should've worn a more erotic swimsuit."

"Hmm?"

It felt like the knight captain had just said something amazing but...

"You look very beautiful in your swimsuit."

"Eh?"

Exclaimed Ellis, her amber eyes widening.

"I thought it suited the serious Ellis."

"Kamito..."

Ellis tightened her arm to her chest and blushed.


"The only ones left are Claire and Est..."

Kamito muttered and,

"Ka... Kamito..."

"Claire?"

At the voice he'd grown accustomed to, he turned around, Claire stood there.

...No.

From behind a large tree, twintails were poking out.

"You, what are you doing?"

"..."

Claire stayed hidden behind the tree.

"Did your swimsuit's string get cut by any chance?"

"Th... That's not it!"

The twintails stood on end.

"Then why aren't you coming out?"

"B... Because it's... embarrassing."

"Embarrassing, you say... everybody's also in a swimsuit."

"That's true but... o... okay."


Claire resigned herself and timidly came out.

At that moment...

...Kamito's breath stopped.

Claire was wearing a pure red bikini. Though it was a plain and simple design, it actually accentuated her beauty. The panties held with string wrapped the smooth skin and her thighs had a thin line from her leather whip.

It was painful to admit, but she was insanely cute.

Honestly, he didn't understand why she was embarrassed.

"You..."

"D... Don't say anything, since I'm just..."

When he saw her timidly hiding her chest with both hands...

Kamito realized the reason.

Claire was concerned about her small breasts.

"...Jeez."

Kamito made a wry smile and placed his hand on the embarrassed Claire's head.

"Fuaa!"

"Listen, okay? These are my true thoughts. I won't say it again."


"Wh... What is it...!"

"You're cute, Claire."

"Fuaaa, i... idiot, what are you saying!"

Hit, hit, hit.

Claire hit his shoulder with a beet red face.

===Part 2===

"This time the knight captain is the demon!"

"I won't lose in swimming."

"Ellis, you can't use your wind armor."

The lovely voices echoing within the forest. Glistening water droplets.

Breasts that shook in tango with the rest of the body met the eyes.

The swimsuit clad beauties frolicked in the lake.

...No matter how you look at it, there's no feeling of this being a purification ceremony.

(Well, it's important to relax as well...)

Kamito stretched out on the lake shore.


He couldn't play with the girls because he'd be constantly distracted, so he took to sunbathing. The girls seemed dissatisfied, but perhaps because they had heavy handedly forced him to come, they let him go.

Beside him, Est was kneeling while licking a popsicle.

Her snow fairy like body was covered by a navy blue academy issued swimsuit.

Her smooth milky skin and smooth silvery white hair.

On both of her legs were knee high socks.

Est had the sort of appearance that maniacs would like, wearing both a swimsuit and knee high socks.

There wasn't much skin showing, but for some reason, it felt like it crossed even more lines than being fully nude.

"Est, you're not going to play with everyone?"

"It would be embarrassing to be barefooted."

Est replied expressionlessly.

"Besides, I can't swim."

"Ahh, I see..."

Est was a sword spirit so she couldn't float.

No matter how strong of a spirit she was, she couldn't cast off her basic metal attribute.

(...Come to think of it, it was also near a lake that I made the contract with Est.)


While gazing at Est's side profile, Kamito thought that.

Demon Slayer, Terminus Est.

A legendary sealed holy sword spirit. It was a mystery why a sword of her caliber had chosen Kamito.

He still had no idea.

Besides, Est had many other secrets as well.

"Hey, Est..."

"?"

Est turned towards him while licking the popsicle.

"Are you really the holy sword that defeated the Demon King?"

The legend of the Demon Slayer remained everywhere on the continent.

Est was undoubtedly an unrivaled sword, but there was no way she was the real one, that's what he thought.

(But if she really is...)

The power that had destroyed the Cursed Armament Seal on Velsaria's heart two weeks ago.

That was not the ability of a regular sword spirit.

In the legend of the Demon Slayer, the holy sword was also said to have destroyed the spirit seals for all seventy two of the Demon King's contracts.


"I'm sorry, Kamito."

But Est silently shook her head.

"My memories are incomplete right now. If I regained my true body, my memories should return with my full power."

"No, I should be the one to apologize. Sorry."

Because Kamito clung to his contract with Restia, the contract with Est remained incomplete. Est could not display her true power.

"No, Kamito."

[[Image:STnBD V04 121.jpg|200px|thumb]]
Est brought the popsicle away from her lips and gazed at Kamito with her mysterious eyes.

And then...

"I'm glad I contracted with you."

"...Est?"

For a moment, the fleeting expression on Est's face made his heart race.

"Kamito-san."

"Owaa!"

Platinum blonde hair sparkled in the sunlight.

At some point in time, the swimsuit clad Rinslet had stood beside him.


"Don't surprise me like that..."

"No, that is, sorry..."

Kamito apologized to the pouting Rinslet.

"What's wrong, Rinslet, you're not going to swim with everyone else?"

At his words, Rinslet squirmed a bit and her face reddened.

"I c... can't, that is... I can't swim very well."

"Is that so?"

That was unexpected. That the perfect Rinslet would have that kind of weak point.

"Hmm? Even though you were playing tag in the water normally just now?"

"Th... That was... umm, it was a little trick."

"Trick?"

Rinslet nodded timidly and stuck out her finger.

A freezing atmosphere gathered and from thin air appeared a white wolf.

The demon ice spirit Fenrir.

"I was riding on this child's back while in the water."

"...I see."

Upon imagining the white wolf elegantly running around under the water surface with all its might, Kamito wryly smiled.


"Y... You just laughed, didn't you! That's horrible!"

"S... Sorry..."

"And so, umm..."

And Rinslet's cheeks became even redder.

"I'd like to ask a favor of you, Kamito-san."

"A favor?"

"Umm, that is, my..."

And then Rinslet became inarticulate.

(...What?)

It was at times like these that her maid would translate for him.

Kamito looked around and found the hiding figure of Carol.

...He had been thinking for a while now that he hadn't seen her, but she was hiding this entire time.

She was moving her lips and appeared to be saying something.

Kamito used the lip reading ability he had been trained in at the institute.

(Milady, do your best, was it... what did that mean?)

Waiting for a little while like that...


"Ka... Kamito-san!"

Rinslet yelled out and seemed to have found her resolve.

Sweeping her platinum blonde hair up and pointing at Kamito...

"I... I shall allow you to teach me how to swim!"

...I see, thought Kamito with a wry smile.

(...As always, she's a lady that just can't be honest.)

But if you got used to it, those points about her also became cute.

"Est, I'm going to swim with Rinslet for a bit."

"Yes, Kamito..."

Est pouted a little sadly.

===Part 3===

"Ka... Kamito-san, please don't let go..."

"Yeah, it's fine. Spread out your body more."

Splash. The sound of water echoed near the shore.

A little bit away from where everyone was playing, in the shadow of a rock, Kamito was teaching Rinslet how to swim.


It seemed she didn't want the others to know.

"F... For sure, okay... i... if you let go, I'll make you into an ice sculpture!"

With a nervous expression, Rinslet gripped onto Kamito's arms.

With the soft sensation upon his skin, his heart throbbed.

"I... I got it, so please don't force your nails into me."

"S... Sorry about that..."

Taking her hands off his arms, she instead grabbed his hands.

She held tightly with her slender and soft fingers.

"A gentleman's... hand."

With red cheeks, her upturned eyes were wavering.

"Well, I am always holding a sword..."

Kamito said while quickly averting his eyes.

(Th... This angle is bad...!)

From the white nape to the collarbone adorned with water droplets.

The breasts that could be seen under the water surface were much too distracting.

"Kamito-san, where are you looking?"


"Ah, no... come on, loosen up and stretch out."

Kamito immediately changed the topic.

"T... To have a boy give me an order... that's the first time."

Rinslet shut her mouth tightly.

But that expression looked somewhat happy.

"Sorry, milady. I'm just an impertinent fellow."

"No, i... it's fine if you give more orders. B... But perverted orders are a little..."

"Hmm?"

"N... Nothing!"

Rinslet spoke into the water and formed bubbles.

What a strange person, Kamito thought that and then...

"...?"

Kamito felt someone watching him.

He felt a blade like pressure on the back of his neck.

Kamito quickly surveyed the area.

He only felt the presence for an instant and it had already disappeared.

(I don't think it was my imagination but...)


It might just have been the spirits around the lake.

Well, it had disappeared quickly so there was no point worrying about it.

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing... come on, relax more."

"...L... Like this?"

Rinslet nodded honestly and stretched out her entire body.

Her cute butt wrapped in the white swimsuit rose out of the water.

"I... I floated!"

Her smile was like a blooming rose, very bewitching.

"You really become cute when you're honest."

With a wry smile, Kamito whispered that and Rinslet became red to her ears.

"...Kamito-san, you're teasing me, aren't you?"

Bite. Like she was scolding him, she bit onto both of his arms.

Bite. Bite.

"Rinslet, it hurts..."

"Fufu, it's punishment for teasing me."


Rinslet smiled elegantly and finally stopped biting him.

But as expected of a talented lady, her learning rate was really fast.

"Then, next, try moving your feet."

"Y... Yes..."

[[Image:STnBD V04 129.jpg|200px|thumb]]
Rinslet nodded and...

"Kyan!"

Suddenly gave out a cute yelp.

"W... What happened?"

"Fua, ya, ahn... w... where are you touching!"

Rinslet flopped around in the water.

"N... No, at this kind of place... Kamito-san... you're perverted."

"...Wa... Wait, I'm not doing anything!"

Kamito denied with all his heart and...

Gogogogogogo...!

The water surface that had been calm until just now boiled.

"That seems like fun, Kamito."

"Claire!?"


What rose from the water was Claire with her twintails standing on end.

Her tone was calm but...she was angry. No mistake.

"Y-Y-You, what are you doing alone with Rinslet?"

"No, this is just swimming training–"

At his answer – Kamito hurriedly shut himself up.

Rinslet had wanted him to not reveal that she couldn't swim.

He couldn't betray her trust.

Kamito suddenly became quiet and it seemed that that incited Claire.

"Could it be that you were doing s-something that you can't tell me..."

Gogogogogogo...!

"Th-That's wrong, Claire, this is–"

What came to Kamito at that time was–

"That is...it was a secret lesson!"

Those words.

"...Secret lesson!?"

Claire's eyebrows shot up.

...Crap, it seemed that he had messed up his word selection.


"Th-That's right, it was a lesson about things that can't be said!"

While still holding onto Kamito's arm, Rinslet said that.

"A-A lesson about things that can't be said..."

"Wait, Rinslet, that wording will invite misunderstandings–"

But Claire had already turned red from whatever she had imagined.

"...Kamito, th-this pervert, how lewd!"

Hit, hit, hit.

"Calm down, you're wrong! It wasn't a lesson like you're imagining!"

"Claire, could you please not interrupt our secret lesson?"

Rinslet said with a composed smile.

"...Y-You, get away from Kamito!"

"Oh my, why should I?"

Sparks flew between the hell cat girl and the ice princess.

...The usual fight had begun.

"Ka-Kamito is my slave spirit and I won't give him to you!"

"No, Kamito-san is mine!"

Both of them each grabbed one of his cheeks.


...A fight between two top-class elementalists started.

While sending water droplets flying, both of them grappled with each other's swimsuits.

Rinslet was always standing normally. This was the sandbar, so there was a foothold.

The breasts and butt that could be seen from the offset swimsuit made Kamito turn red.

"G-Give up already!"

Rinslet placed a hand on Claire's breast and pulled at her swimsuit.

And then.

The string of the red bikini came undone–

"...!?"

Time stopped.

Claire quickly covered her breasts with her hands, but it was too late.

The figure of those small, cute hidden mounds was burned into Kamito's vision.

"...D-Did you see?"

Kamito nodded truthfully.

"A, uu..."

Claire flushed red up to her ears–


"...Fuaaaaan!?"

"Claire!"

And bolted into the forest.

"Jeez..."

"I-I wonder if I did something bad..."

Rinslet was reflecting.

The forest that spread around the lake.

Even if it was the Elemental Lord's sacred land, there could be dangerous spirits in the forest.

He knew Claire was a top-class elementalist – but as expected, he was still worried.

Kamito sighed and chased after Claire who had disappeared into the forest.

===Part 4===

While running in the dark forest–

(Ka-Kamito saw my breasts...!)

Claire reddened.

It was embarrassing to the point that her face felt like it would burst into flames.


(Jeez, what is this, what is this, idiot!)

He had seen her naked in their first meeting.

But then and now were totally different.

She didn't know why though...

(Wh-Why is my heart...beating this fast, I wonder.)

Claire stopped running and suppressed her beating heart.

That's right, she didn't hate that he had seen her naked.

Having him see her underdeveloped breasts had been a shock.

(Th-This small of a chest is strange, isn't it...)

Rub. Rub.

While feeling her soft chest, she bit her lip.

Claire had read it in a book.

That boys liked girls with big breasts.

That definitely did not exclude Kamito–

After all, Kamito had been all happy around that big-breasted Rinslet.

(Wh-wh-wh-what's this secret lesson about things that can't be said, y-you idiot!)

Remembering it again, she felt her anger resurge.


Just what were those two doing in the shadow of that rock–

"I-I d-don't really care about who he gets along with..."

–Just as she said that with a pout.

She felt a cold sensation on the back of her neck.

"...Who is it!?"

Turning around, she inquired with a sharp voice.

And.

"Hmm, you're unexpectedly sharp, onee-chan. But separating from the group isn't good."

Appearing from the trees like a shadow–

A single hooded girl.

Slightly visible ash grey hair. Transparent blue pupils.

A young girl that was even smaller than the short Claire.

(–A child in this place?)

Claire was suspicious.

She didn't appear to be a princess maiden of the Divine Ritual Institute.

The only possibility was that she was a member of another team.

"Do you have some business with me?"


Claire asked while keeping her guard up.

What she had felt just before was close to killing intent.

Even if her opponent was a small girl, she couldn't be careless.

The girl laughed lightly.

"I'll have you disappear, onee-chan. For nii-sama's sake."

"...!?"

Instantly, Claire reacted.

Water came from the ground as many tentacles were formed and attacked her.

(...A water spirit user!?)

The writhing water tentacles splintered the surrounding trees' branches.

Claire landed on the ground and performed her summoning.

–Guardian of the crimson blaze, keeper of the undying hearth!

–Now's the time to abide by the blood contract, come forth and do my bidding!

"–Scarlet!"

A crimson flame-clad hell cat appeared from thin air.

The hell cat immediately transformed into a whip in her hand.

"You, do you understand who you're picking a fight with?"


"Of course, Claire Rouge. The Calamity Queen's younger sister."

"Looks like you really did your research!"

Claire swung down the flame whip.

Drawing a pure red line in the air, it easily mowed down the forests' trees

But the water tentacles coming from the ground easily stopped the flame whip.

"Wha–"

"There's no way onee-chan's flame spirit can defeat this Scylla."

"...Scylla?"

Claire had read that name at the academy.

It was the name of a special-use militarized spirit that could be used by anyone. That flexibility to switch contractors was deemed too dangerous and it was supposed to have been sealed after the Ranbal War–

And then Claire realized.

If she was an assassin that used sealed militarized spirits–

"Don't tell me, you're the one who attacked the flying ship...kyaa!"

In that moment, a tentacle coming from the ground grasped Claire's foot.

The tentacle wrapped itself all the way around and lifted her into the air.

"...This damn thing, let me go...!"


She swung her Flametounge with all her might but it did nothing inside the water spirit.

Her opponent's spirit was the worst match-up for her fire spirit.

On top of that, this area weakened flame spirits because of its proximity to water.

Even if it was a high-class spirit like Scarlet, overcoming that was hard.

The tentacles entered into the gaps of her swimsuit.

Wrapping around her thigh, it was a terrible feeling.

"...Ah, n, wh-what are you doing, noo...!"

"Fufu, what a disgraceful appearance, onee-chan. But I'll let you enjoy it soon."

The girl approached Claire who couldn't move.

"...Why are you targeting me?"

"Because onee-chan has corrupted nii-sama."

"...Nii-sama?"

Claire had a realization. The one that came to her mind was–

"Could this be about Kamito?"

"Don't say nii-sama's name so lightly."

The water tentacle slapped Claire's cheek.

"Ku..."


"If I kill onee-chan, nii-sama will definitely wake up."

"Wh-What do you mean wake up! Kamito is Kamito!"

"Don't speak like you know what you're talking about."

A bone-chilling tone. Shivers ran down Claire's spine.

"Onee-chan, what do you even know about nii-sama?"

"Eh?"

At her words–

Claire widened her eyes.

(...That's right. I don't know anything about Kamito.)

For example, this girl who called Kamito nii-sama.

This girl probably knew.

Kamito's past that Claire didn't know.

She felt a pain in her heart. She didn't know why.

"Good bye, onee-chan."

The girl gave the command to kill what it had caught–

"...!?"


Then a blade line flashed.

"–Claire!"

===Part 5===

The short sword pierced the ground.

The girl jumped and landed after turning in the air.

At the instant Scylla's power weakened, Scarlet returned to its hell cat form and destroyed the water tentacle. Kamito caught the released Claire with both arms.

"Ka-Kamito..."

"Claire, stand back."

Kamito placed Claire on the ground and turned to face the girl.

(I didn't think an elementalist would be here–)

He regretted not bringing Est along.

With the last exchange, he understood. His opponent was a skilled assassin.

The short sword disappeared. It was the product of the only spirit magic Kamito could use as the elementalist of a sword spirit – weapon production with Weapon Works.


(So that presence I felt at the lake was this person...)

Kamito looked at the girl. He couldn't see her face because of the hood.

The girl's lips lightly shook and opened.

"...Nii-sama."

At the same time, the water spirit reformed its tentacles and attacked again.

"Kahaa!"

He took a blow to the stomach.

Kamito flew and smacked into the muddy ground.

"Ouch..."

"Kamito!"

Claire ran up beside the collapsed Kamito.

"Why didn't you dodge it! You should've been able to."

Claire closed her mouth tightly...that's right, he couldn't dodge it.

"...You covered for me?"

"I can't allow a wound to touch a young lady's face."

Kamito wiped the blood from his mouth and shakily stood up.


Once again, the tentacles swung down like whips.

Kamito raised both arms and blocked. But no matter how strong he was, a human couldn't match up to a spirit.

A blunt attack. The sound of bones being crushed rang out.

"...Aguu!"

"Nii-sama, why are you interrupting me?"

The girl muttered this to the fallen Kamito in a sad tone.

"...Nii-sama?"

He was sure she had called him that at the start as well.

The encroaching girl. From beneath the hood, he spied ash grey hair blowing.

"You, don't tell me you're–"

Kamito's eyes widened.

The girl waved her hand and gave the order to attack–

"Freezing fangs, pierce – Freezing Arrow!"

In an instant, many ice arrows impaled the water spirit.

The water spirit instantly froze. Then–

"Now!"


"–Take this, Blazing Fireball!"

Claire's fireball scored a direct hit.

A fierce blaze.

The frozen water spirit shattered.

"Hmph, that was easy."

Wielding a magic bow, Rinslet swept her hair aside.

Though she was doing such a carefree action, her breathing was ragged from chasing Kamito.

"Rinslet, you're a life saver..."

Kamito stood as he groaned in pain.

Rinslet and Claire equipped their respective elemental waffen and faced the assassin girl.

"Aww, he got killed. It turns out like this if I don't use Jester's Vise."

Sticking out her tongue in a childish manner, she flipped her hood off.

[[Image:STnBD V04 145.jpg|200px|thumb]]
"...!?"

Ash grey twintails. A lovely, youthful face.

Kamito stood shocked at the face that had hardly changed from four years ago.

"Muir..."


"Muir?"

Claire knit her brows.

"Muir, why..."

"Nii-sama, you've become very weak."

The girl sighed sadly and turned around.

"But don't worry, Muir will definitely wake you up."

Saying that, she disappeared into the forest–

"Stop–" "Right there!"

"Wait!"

Kamito stopped Rinslet and Claire who were about to pursue.

"Hey, why are you stopping us!"

"–You can't beat her."

The two gulped at Kamito's serious expression.

And so, the assassin girl completely disappeared.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter4

2018-03-15T02:53:31Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 4: Floating Island==
===Part 1===

A few hours after the annihilation spirit's attack.

The Belphal class flying ship, repaired by the engineering team, landed in the sacred land of the Wind Elemental Lord.

"Ah, I can see the island!"

On the deck, Rinslet seemed to be in a good mood and pointed at the island.

The pure and high spirited figure of this young highborn lady was cute.

"Do... Don't say it so loudly. It's embarrassing."

Claire whispered that in a small voice while poking Rinslet's elbow.

"Oh my, to want me to be quiet, are you jealous?"

"You give off a bad impression, is what I'm saying."

Kamito watched over them with sidelong glances while he got to the side of the ship.

"So that's the sacred land..."

Between the thick clouds and surrounded by a steep mountain range was a floating island.

Ragna Ys, even within Astral Zero, it was one of the most important of the sacred lands.

"Restia is there..."


Kamito gripped his leather gloved left hand.

The flying ship quietly advanced towards the floating island's port.

===Part 2===
Past noon. A little after the appointed time, the flying ship docked at Ragna Ys' harbor.

Upon seeing the battered condition of the flying ship, all the ship mechanics held their heads.

They transferred at the port into the Divine Ritual Institute's prepared horse-drawn carriages.

Because horse-drawn carriages were meant for four people, it was a little tight with six. Est went as a sword but that only freed up one space.

During the horse-drawn carriage's bumpy ride, he had felt Rinslet's breasts. Kamito quickly separated himself from her but it was really tight.

"Ka... Kamito-san... you're perverted."

"S... Sorry, it was unavoidable."

"Well, I understand that but..."

Rinslet sulked.

But there was no reproachful look in that face.


By the way, on the opposite side, Claire...

"...Whatever, anyway, my breasts won't shake..."

For some reason, she was muttering to herself with teary eyes.

The horse-drawn carriage continued to the opening ceremony's castle.

While pointing at various things outside the window, Claire acted as a guide.

"The floating island Ragna Ys is one of the five sacred lands, the sacred land of the Wind Elemental Lord. The Blade Dance was held here 74 years ago."

By the way, the Blade Dance three years ago had been held in the Fire Elemental Lord's territory at Fire Mountain city. There was no rule as to where the Blade Dance would be held as it was decided by oracles received by the Queens.

"And the castle in the center is a historic ruin from a mystical age."

"So that's where we're lodging, huh?"

"Yes, it is an unequaled opportunity. Normally the Divine Ritual Institute would never allow anyone except princess maidens to enter. Which reminds me, have you been there before, Fianna?"

"Yes, but just once. I normally remained at the Fire Elemental Lord's shrine."

"...The Elemental Lord's true shrine. I'm a little nervous."

Ellis whispered that with a nervous expression.


There were no signs of people on the paved road.

The ones invited to the opening ceremony were the Five Great Elemental Lords and the Queens that serve them, the elementalist representatives and the uppercrust nobility only. The entrance of others was not permitted and could provoke the beginning of a real war.

"Are the king and queen of the Empire not coming?"

"...It seems. But that doesn't concern me."

Fianna shrugged and Kamito...

"...S... Sorry."

Fianna had been named the 'Lost Queen' after she lost her spirit contracting powers despite being a Queen candidate and consequently was shunned by the king and queen.

Speaking about the King and Queen to her may have been insensitive of him.

"I don't mind. To begin with, our relationship wasn't that good and not returning to the Divine Ritual Institute almost got me disowned. I have no intention of clinging to my title as the second princess and even if I'm removed from the monarchy line..."

And then Fianna stopped talking.

Claire's parents had been imprisoned and she was chasing her rebel sister who had disappeared.

"I don't mind."


Claire flicked her red twintails up and turned to Rinslet.

"Is anybody coming from Rinslet or Ellis' households to watch?"

"Yes. My father and younger sister will be coming."

"One of the Blade Dance's objective is to gather superior talent. The Fahrengart family traditionally adopts those excelling in martial ability."

Rinslet and Ellis nodded at the same time. Come to think of it, Ellis' step-sister, Velsaria Eva, was adopted, thought Kamito.

"Th... That's why, that is, if you display your true power before them, they might be wi... willing to accept you as an adopted child..."

"...?"

For some reason, Ellis was muttering unintelligibly with a red face.

"Will Kamito's family be coming?"

"Eh?"

At Claire's words Kamito asked without thinking.

"...My family?"

With the way the conversation was going, it was obvious that he would be asked that.


But Kamito suddenly couldn't manage to reply.

Family, the one word Kamito was most separate from.

"You, you really don't talk about your family. I think I heard your parents were from the empire?"

"Y... Yeah..."

He nodded with ambiguity. In the academy application that Greyworth had prepared, Kamito was the adopted son of a lower class family of nobles. Claire had believed that.

Of course, that family of nobles didn't really exist. It was just a family created on paper.

Kamito had no known family name. Any vague memories he had of his parents when he was young had been overwritten with the experiences at the Instructional School.

The one who had been by the young Kamito's side was the darkness spirit only, Restia.

Possibly...

(I wonder if I could call them family...)

Kamito recalled the other girls at the facility.

The other two girls in his tactical team at the Instructional School.

They didn't know each others' real names and it wasn't a relationship between comrades.

The expert intelligence elementalist, Lily Flame.


And that girl that was attached to him and called him nii-sama.

(...The militarized spirit elementalist, Muir Alenstarl.)

Four years ago. Ever since the facility had been destroyed in the flame spirit's attack, Kamito had lost track of where she was. He had heard the greater half of the orphans there were taken in for protection by the Empire, but there were sure to be others like Jio Inzagi who had used the chaos of the institution's destruction to escape.

He wondered if his remembering them was because of that dream he had.

"...? What's wrong, to make you have such a grim face?"

"Nothing, just thinking about the past."

Kamito averted his eyes from the inquiring Claire and looked out the window.

They were approaching the castle on the mountain.

===Part 3===
The horse-drawn carriage stopped before a large gate made of stone.

The castle at the top of the slightly inclined mountain was prepared with unparalleled beauty and grandeur.

It was surrounded by a forest and had a lake a short distance away.

Other teams also arrived and stopped their horse-drawn carriages before the gate.


(...It's a good thing we haven't run into that Dragon Princess.)

Relieved, he descended from the horse-drawn carriage and,

"We have been awaiting your arrival, princess maidens who have come to entertain the Elemental Lords."

Inside the gate, a group of girls in priestess garb greeted them.

"They are the apprentices of the Divine Ritual Institute. My juniors."

Fianna whispered into his ear.

"While you are staying here, we will be in your care for instruction in femininity."

When the princess maidens bowed, Kamito stole a glance of their bare breasts underneath the garment and his heart throbbed.

Looking closely, the ceremonial garments they were wearing were equivalent to being half naked.

The opening above the breasts was large and at the hem of skirts, a slight amount of youthful skin was peeking out.

Even though the clothes were to inspire purity, they were strangely erotic.

Maybe if Claire and the others wore those clothes... he suddenly thought of that.

"Hm? Kamito, what are you looking at?"

He was asked that by Claire...

"Ahh, I was just thinking that if you guys wore those clothes, it'd really suit you..."

"Wha!?"


...Kamito said his thoughts out loud without thinking.

(...Uwa, I messed up!)

"Wh... wh... wh... what are you sa... sa... sa... saying, you perverted slave spirit!"

Claire's face flared red and she beat her whip against the ground.

"Ka... Kamito-san likes those kinds of things, it seems..."

"Wh... What do you think the sacred garments are!"

"I wonder if I still have my sacred garments from when I was in the Divine Ritual Institute?"

The three young ladies whispered amongst themselves.

"So, Kamito-sama, whose figure did you imagine?"

"...!?"

The smiling Carol asked and Kamito averted his eyes.

===Part 4===
Entering the castle, they arrived at a large entry hall.

Beautiful arches with a high ceiling. A carpet was spread on the ground through a pillared corridor up to a door that led further in.

The lighting was provided not by lamps or spirit stones, but by small floating light spirits.


Even if it was called a relic of the mythical age, several thousand years of repeated reconstruction and remodeling had left few traces of things from that time long ago. The sole remaining traces were sculptures hidden by stone pillars.

Along the pillared corridor's walls were colorful illustrations. These were at best the remnants of a few hundred years and the motifs were Queens that had left their name in history as well as Blade Dance winners.

"Hm?"

Kamito stopped before a large set of pictures.

Depicted there was the winner of the Blade Dance from three years ago.

The strongest blade dancer, Ren Ashbell.

Wrapped in the strange garments of a foreign country, with an ominous demonic blade of darkness in her left hand.

That blade in her left hand was the darkness spirit, Restia's elemental waffe, Vorpal Sword.

Bewitching black hair. Pearly white cheeks.

That girl's profile, drawn with a delicate touch, viewed as a goal, was very beautiful.

"...This is overdone. The work of a painter without a discerning eye."

Kamito muttered that and Ellis who had walked around turned towards him.

"It's you who lacks appreciation. Her beauty wasn't like that."

"That's right. Even though we're the same gender, she made my heart throb."


Claire also nodded in agreement.

"Ah... I see..."

Kamito made a sour expression and groaned.

"Fufu, aren't you glad, Kamito-kun."

"You..."

Fianna teasingly laughed and looked at Kamito through half opened eyes.

Following the princess maidens through the large castle, they finally arrived at their rooms.

"Empire representatives Team Scarlet, your room is over here. If you would like to eat, use something or anything else, please do not hesitate to do so."

"Wait a second, am I in the same room?"

Kamito quickly asked the princess maiden and,

"Th... th... th... there's no way, what are you thinking!"

Claire refuted it with a panicked expression.

"Y... Yeah, as expected, staying in the same room as a gentleman is difficult."

Said Ellis as she cleared her throat.

"That's right, as expected... right."

"B... But, it can't be helped if there are no open rooms, right?"


Fianna and Rinslet also exchanged nervous glances.

"...? Of course, we have prepared a separate room for the gentleman."

To the guiding princess maiden's words,

"Th... That's right, of course!"

"Y... Yes, it is an obvious requirement!"

The young ladies said in high pitched voices.

"Fufu, that's a pity."

"Like that would happen. Having just a lone male in a room of girls, what kind of torture is that?"

Kamito said that to the laughing and smiling Carol with half opened eyes.

"Then, I'll be going straight to bed. See you later."

"Kamito, wait a moment."

His collar was grabbed as he turned to head for his room.

"What?"

"We are going to purify ourselves now."


"Purify?"

Purification meant the act of washing one's body with water in a purifying ceremony. Maidens that were not pure could not use spirits. For that reason, elementalists had to constantly maintain a pure mind and body.

"That's why, that is... y... you get changed and come to the lake as well!"

"Nah, I'm fine. I'll do it alone later."

Kamito shook his head in a troubled manner.

"Or rather, you don't want me to see you in swimsuits, right?"

"Th... That is..."

Claire's cheeks flushed and she averted her gaze,

"No, not really, i... it's not that I don't want it... it's fine if it's Kamito."

"...?"

"N... Nothing!"

Unfortunately, Claire's voice had been too quiet and he couldn't hear it well.

...He wondered what that was. Recently, Claire had become rather inarticulate.

"A... Anyway, we're a team so we'll be doing the purification together as well!"

This was a command to her slave spirit, Claire said this as her red twintails stood on end.

"Th... That's right, breaking the team's unity isn't good!"


"Kamito-san doesn't have enough self recognition as part of a team!"

"Being able to do the purification ceremony together is a sign of trust!"

The three young ladies all agreed with each other.

"No, you guys are exaggerating..."

...He wondered why they were fussing over the purification so much.

The maid Carol cleared her throat with furrowed brows.

"To be clear, the ladies simply want to show Kamito their new swimsuits..."

""""Carol!""""

The collective voice of the young ladies.

"What is it, exactly..."

Kamito felt troubled...

A tug.

His cuff was being pulled.

"...Est?"

Est, who had returned to human form at some point, looked up at Kamito.

"Kamito, I want to play with Kamito at the lake."

"..."


Being looked at by Est's mysterious pupils, Kamito gulped.

(I did something bad to Est this morning so...)

It seemed like Est wasn't mad anymore but...

He felt that he had to do something to compensate her.

Kamito placed his hand on Est's head and caressed it.

"Got it. Let's play at the lake together."

"Yes, Kamito. I'm happy."

Est nodded expressionlessly.

Kamito turned towards Est and the others.

"With that, I'll also be doing the purification... hey, Owaa!"

""""Why are you so soft on Est!""""

Four people's luggage flew to his face.

...It seems like we have no problems with teamwork.

===Part 5===
"Here is Kamito-sama's room."


Kamito was led down the hallway to a gloomy room the furthest in.

The room was putrid and had a gloomy air to it. In the corner were paintings and sculptures as well as other junk covered in spiderwebs.

"...Is it just me or am I the only one being treated this badly?"

...In Claire and the others' room, there had even been a fireplace and chandelier.

Rather than a room, this was closer to a storage room.

"The Divine Ritual Institute decided this."

The princess maiden cleared her throat.

...It seemed like she was being openly cold towards Kamito.

(...Well, it can't be helped, I guess.)

The Divine Ritual Institute was, like the academy, far removed from the presence of men.

"Does this room not have a light?"

"Yes. Light spirits wouldn't come near this kind of gloomy room."

"I'll open the window."

"As you wish. However, it may be rusted shut."

"..."


Kamito sighed deeply and entered the box like room.

He had left Est at the girls' room so he had to clean the room by himself.

(...Now that I think about it, it's about time to eat.)

Other than the black tea he drank on the flying ship, he had not eaten anything since that morning.

"Sorry, could I request something light to eat?"

"Kamito-sama wishes for nyotaimori? <ref>nyotaimori = "body sushi", is the practice of serving sashimi or sushi from the body of a woman</ref> I apologize but that..."

"I didn't say that! Just something normal like a sandwich!"

"A nyotai-sandwich... wrapping yourself with breasts...?"

"...I'm begging you, please stop with the nyotai stuff."

Kamito sighed deeply at the scornful glare he received from the princess maiden.

===Part 6===
"This kind of bold swimsuit... is it okay?"

"The knight captain's breasts are unexpectedly quite large..."

"Ahn... what are you doing!"

Ellis gave a cute cry at Rinslet fondling her breasts.


In the girls' room, the young ladies were changing into swimsuits from their uniforms.

Smooth, young skin. Bewitching body lines.

They were beautiful girls of equally outstanding proportions.

In the corner was Claire who felt that she had lost.

(...Wh... What, it's not just me!)

...The slightly present chest.

With a pink tip, it was like a budding flower.

(Even though everybody else is growing properly...)

She sighed as she watched the rest of the team getting changed.

The only one it felt like she could win against was Est, but she was a spirit.

(Even Kamito wouldn't like this kind of small chest...)

While lightly rubbing the slight bumps...

...What appeared in Claire's mind was a scene from two months prior.

The time when she had first met Kamito at the lake in the Spirit Forest.

The words he had said when he had seen her bathing naked.

"I have no interest towards a kid's body.", he had said.

"...!"


Remembering it, her cheeks flushed red.

Having a guy her age see her naked, that was of course her first time.

(...But thinking about it, it was only two months ago.)

Standing on one foot and slipping on her new swimsuit, Claire sighed.

Only two months.

But ever since she had met Kamito, many things have happened.

The showdown with Ellis at the academy. Fighting the rampaging militarized spirit.

The cooking battle with the newly transferred Fianna. The mission at the mine.

Two weeks ago, they defeated the strongest elementalist and gathered five teammates to participate in the Blade Dance.

Until she met Kamito, she was always alone.

(But I still don't really know anything about Kamito...)

Dropping her panties onto the floor, she sank deep into thought.

Even when she had asked about his family on the horse-drawn carriage, he had avoided the question.

(It's not like I want to pry but...)

The thing she still didn't know about Kamito was his connection with that darkness spirit girl.

She had given Claire the frenzied spirit and had been at the mine with Jio Inzagi for the purpose of unsealing the strategic class militarized spirit Jormungandr.


She was Kamito's contracted spirit but nothing else was known.

Whenever a discussion about the past arose, Kamito would stay silent.

...She didn't like that.

(At least tell your master, idiot...)

While hiding her small chest with her hands, Claire pressed her lips together, displeased.

<noinclude>

===Translation Notes===
<references />

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter3|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter5}}
</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter3

2018-03-14T04:18:14Z

Masterupc: punctuation, misspelled words, misuse of '-' and '–'.

==Chapter 3: Dracunia's Dragon Princess==
===Part 1===

On ascending to the ship's deck they could see clouds drifting by at terrifying speeds.

Actually, the ship was at a speed whereby a person's body would be blown away in a flash by the blowing winds, but not even the sound of the wind could be heard thanks to a spirit magic barrier enclosing the ship.

Looking down from the side of the airship, an eerie forest stretched out into the distance.

Kamito was looking down at the forest and...

"Areishia Spirit Academy representative, Kazehaya Kamito, I presume?"

A voice came from behind him.

"...?"

Turning around, a beautiful elite looking girl with shoulder length hair was there.

A beret adorned her head. A black surcoat with not a single wrinkle.

She was probably about the same age as Kamito and she was glaring at Kamito with strong willed looking pupils.

"Who are you? Why do you know my name?"

"You're famous. The only male elementalist on the continent."

She told him while maintaining a rigid expression.


Contrary to her magnificent appearance, her aura was thorny.

"Also, someone who plays around with women and then throws them away."

"Wait, what am I famous for!?"

Kamito yelled that out immediately.

"It's useless to attempt to deceive me. Dracunia's prized intelligence gathering agency is the finest in the continent, after all."

"Yeah, your prized espionage agents are definitely incompetent... wait, Dracunia?"

Kamito asked with knitted brows.

The Dracunia Dragon Duchy.

Located to the west of the Empire, it was a country that employed the strongest magic beasts, the dragons, in their military.

"Dracunia's representative, huh?"

"Yes, Leader of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor, Leonora Lancaster."

The beautiful girl in military uniform kept her eyes on him as she named herself.

"...Leonora."

Kamito said with a sigh.

He had heard that name from Claire.

(If I remember, 'Dragon Princess' was the title given to Dracunia's representing ace...)

By popular opinion, she was the one known as an equal to Velsaria.

[[Image:STnBD V04 065.jpg|thumb]]


"What business does the ace of Dracunia have with me?"

Kamito put up his guard and readied himself.

The Blade Dance was not just a festival.

The Divine Ritual Institute would never admit it, but it was also a representative war of knights between nations.

The country whose elementalist or elementalist team won would be granted the Elemental Lord's protection for several years and this blessing would lead to the nation prospering.

The reason many countries trained elementalists was for this reason.

And there were also many countries that had no choice but to use certain methods to grasp victory as a consequence.

"Trying to kill me off before the Blade Dance begins?"

"What a stupid idea."

But Leonora gently shook her head.

"Failing to send the Silent Fortress to compete, the Ordesia Empire will be no match for us, the Knights of the Dragon Emperor. We will demolish you soundly on the Blade Dance stage, fair and square."

"Then, why?"

In front of the suspicious Kamito, she squirmed lightly with a red face.

"I, well, I, um, that is, your...I came to cut off that."

While averting her eyes from Kamito, she smoothly drew out a large sword.


"Wh... Why are you taking out your sword!?"

Kamito backed away.

If her words were true, she hadn't come to assassinate him.

Then, why exactly...?

"Or rather, cut what from me?"

"That's, y... your... kuu, you mean to make me say it!"

"Hah?"

"Thi... This pervert!"

Large tears formed from Leonora's eyes.

The large sword carved into the ship deck with a loud sound.

Just then, the ship's floor exploded into shards.

"...Wha!?"

Kamito had dodged by a paper thin margin.

"Aren't you full of the intent to kill me!"

"I won't kill you if you don't resist. Please hold still."

"I'm asking you what you mean..."

And then Kamito realized.


Leonora's gaze was fixed firmly upon Kamito's lower body.

As he noticed her cheeks colored red, she averted her eyes.

"Wait, don't tell me..."

Kamito broke out into a cold sweat.

"Yes, I will have you let me cut off your ''that'', Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora drew the sword back out from the smashed floor and took a stance.

"It would trouble me greatly if you were to use the commotion of the Blade Dance to lay a hand on my subordinates after all."

"Like I would!"

"You can't lie to me, you perverted brute of a Dmon King!"

She glared at him with cold eyes.

"Perverted brute of a Demon King, you say..."

...It was too horrible.

He didn't think such shameful rumors would reach even outside of the country.

"W... With that devilish power and sweet words, you trick innocent maidens and do this kind of thing and that kind of thing to them, right!"

"What are this kind of thing and that kind of thing..."

"Th... That is...!"


At Kamito's question, her face burned red.

It seemed that the Dragon Princess was just as pure as the highborn ladies from the academy.

"You know, it's the opposite. You have a huge misunderstanding."

Kamito said this with a sigh.

"...The opposite?"

"Yeah, because I'm always being treated as a slave spirit by Claire."

"Wha? To make a teammate into a toy slave spirit!"

"Listen to what other people are saying for a bit!"

...Or rather, how come this young lady was using such terminology!?

"Do... Don't come any closer, you pervert!"

"Uoo!"

Leonora's blade sliced the air as she swung down.

Kamito drew Terminus Est and stopped that blow.

The high pitched wail of metal colliding rang out across the deck.

(...This is just like a repetition of my first meeting with Ellis!)

While stopping the large blade, Kamito groaned internally.

"I see, you are truly strong..."


Leonora let out a voice of admiration.

"So this is the Demon Slayer that defeated a giant militarized spirit."

"It seems that your information is correct."

"It makes me want to test which is stronger, that or my Dragon Slayer!"

"...!?"

Leonora's sword gave off intense light with her words.

(This is...!)

It wasn't a regular elemental waffe. It gave off an impression equal to that of Velsaria's Dreadnought.

(This person's insanely strong!)

As expected, the title of Dracunia's ace wasn't just for show.

"N... Now, please calmly remove your pants, i... it won't hurt a bit."

"Who's gonna do that! Of course it's gonna hurt!"

Kamito pushed back against the large sword.

Such power was being used against him that he couldn't believe it was coming from that girl's frail looking delicate arms.

It was most likely a spirit magic for strengthening the body's traits. In a straight power competition, Kamito was at a disadvantage.

"Kamito!"


The sound of the air being cut.

Leonora's sword was gripped by the thing that had drawn a bright crimson arc in the air.

"You, what are you doing to my slave spirit!"

It was Claire who ascended to the deck with whip in hand.

With one hand on her hip, she pointed towards Leonora.

"Claire, thanks for the help..."

In the opening Leonora left by diverting her attention, Kamito jumped away.

"You are..."

Leonora, having repelled the Flametounge, glared at Claire.

"Kazehaya Kamito's toy slave spirit."

"Wha!?"

Claire's face instantly reddened.

And with slow movements, she turned towards Kamito...

"Y... Y... You, don't tell me that's how you see me...!"

"Wait, you know that's wrong, right? I'm the slave spirit, right?"

...Wait, that's strange. It seems like she became even angrier.

The two ladies glaring at Kamito made him want to run away...


...And at that moment.

Doooooooon!

With an ear splitting noise, the ship rocked violently.

===Part 2===
"Kyaaa!"

The floor tilted and Claire lost her balance, falling over.

"What!?"

Kamito leaned off the side of the ship.

He looked into the flowing clouds below and...

"That is!?"

A giant shadow was present in the clouds.

Like splitting waves, it split the clouds to reveal a gigantic black monster!

"...!?"

Its total length was about 10 meters. Its appearance greatly resembled a stingray swimming in the ocean.

The difference with stingrays was that it had enormous red eyes on its head.


And that it was flying in the sky instead of the ocean.

"A magic beast!?"

"No, that is... don't tell me, it's from the second aerial unit, the annihilation spirit Death Gaze..."

Leonora Lancaster knit her brows and muttered that while looking with suspicion.

"What?"

"Dracunia's main militarized spirit. It should have been sealed with the end of the Ranbal War, so why is it here?"

"Militarized spirit..."

A spirit which was comparable to a cooperative force of several elementalists.

He didn't know why such a thing would attack the airship but...

The fact that the ship was currently under attack was undeniable.

The military annihilation spirit, Death Gaze roared as it glided.

Even if the ship had a wind barrier, it was not a combat vessel.

If it were to receive an attack from a giant like that, it would be helpless.

The ship's alarm rang out across the deck.


The ship made a quick turn and tried to avoid the spirit.

As expected of a cutting edge technology ship, it had impressive mobility.

But it was useless in the face of the spirit.

"It's coming, brace for impact!"

A loud noise.

A fearsome impact rocked the ship and Kamito's body lifted up.

The annihilation spirit had rammed into the side of the ship.

"Fuaa!" "Kyan!"

"You two, grab onto me!"

Kamito quickly covered the two girls that had fallen to the ground. His heart thumped at the softness of their bodies once, but now wasn't the time to think about that.

"Claire, are you okay?"

"Fuaaa, y... you, where are you touching!"

Claire's face was bright red.

"...? Where, you say?"

Kamito looked at the spot he had grabbed both of them.

His hands were caught on to both of their chests.


"...S... Sorry!"

Kamito quickly withdrew his hand but,

"Th... th... th... this perverted slave spirit! Cinders, cinders!"

"Hey, stop, this isn't the time for..."

Hit, hit, hit, hit.

Claire hit Kamito with tears in her eyes.

On the other hand, Leonora...

"A... aa... a... a boy, touched my br... brbr... breasts...!"

Poof. Steam rose from her face and she fainted.

"...H-Hey!"

He shook the fallen girl but it didn't seem like she would wake up.

"It looks like she's in shock from you touching her breasts."

"I... It wasn't on purpose!"

"Hmmm, I wonder about that?"

She glared at Kamito like she was unsatisfied.

...In any case, he couldn't leave her here.

And just then. The ship rocked violently a second time.


The spirit that had rammed into the ship was also attacking with its tail.

"Kamito, the ship will sink at this rate."

"Yeah..."

At the serious face of Claire, Kamito nodded.

Chaos could be heard below the deck.

Even if they were trained elementalists, they were still regular girls. It was a natural result that a sudden attack would cause panic inside the ship.

The long range attacker, Rinslet, would also have a hard time reaching the deck quickly in this chaos.

"Looks like we'll have to do this alone."

"Looks that way."

With the last attack, it seemed like the engine had stopped. The ship stalled like it had a nail jammed into it and began falling.

"We have about two or three minutes before we hit the ground..."

Until the staff got the backup spirit engine working, they had to protect the defenseless ship.

Kamito stood up unsteadily and planted each foot on the gunwale of the deck.

"Est, lend me your power!"


He drew Terminus Est from his waist and poured in divine power.

Responding to Kamito's summons, the sword gave off light.

"Kamito, it's reckless to fight with a sword. I'll do it."

"No, I will. Flametounge won't work on it."

"That is?"

Claire chewed her lip. Claire's battle style of wearing down her opponent was not suited for short term battles. She knew that best herself.

"But what do I do then. I can't use magic to fly like Ellis." 

"As long as I cling to it and don't fall off, isn't that fine?"

"Hah?"

At Kamito's carefree words, Claire was stunned.

"A... Aren't you just stupid!"

"Either way, at this rate the ship will sink. It's worth trying."

"B... But..."

Claire held fast to Kamito's uniform's sleeve.

"What, are you worried about me?"


"Th... That's not it, I'm not worried..."

Claire averted her eyes.

Although arrogant most of the time, she was truly gentle underneath that.

"It's fine. I'll clean it up quickly."

Kamito gave a light knock to Claire's head and...

The flash of a silver white blade disappeared off the side of the ship.

"...Jeez, I don't care anymore, idiot!"

With the wind barrier damaged, the groaning sound of the wind could be heard.

On the back of the annihilation spirit whose head was lodged into the side of the ship...

"Ohhhhhhhhh!"

Kamito impaled it mercilessly.

Piercing through the outer shell, it dug into the underlying flesh.

The annihilation spirit gave off a fearsome cry and began to roll.

On the verge of slipping off, Kamito placed his foot on the outer shell and he gripped his sword with all his might.

In order to smack the bug on its back, the annihilation spirit folded its body and tried to hit it with its tail, rocking the boat in the process.


From the giant flailing about, the ship's armor fell off into the forest.

(The ship won't last at this rate...)

Gritting his teeth, he withstood the force of the bone crushing attack.

(First I have to take care of that tail!)

Kamito drew out Terminus Est with all his strength. Pulled by gravity, he began to fall. However, just before he did, he jumped as hard as possible.

He ran up the spirit's body rhythmically.

This was just a giant body. If he just observed the muscles for contractions and planned his next step, before he began to fall, he could safely reach another foothold. Though it was a technique which required uncommon ability and battle prowess.

"Sorry. I bear no hatred against you."

Jumping using just the giant's body...

The demon slayer held in both his hands cleaved through the spirit's tail.

The tail convulsed as it fell into the forest below.

However, Kamito's body also became airborne at the same time.

Gravity took over and began to pull him... just before that.

Something wrapped around his ankle and pulled him back up.


He was thrown around in the air... the next moment, he slapped onto the ship's deck.

"...Ouch..."

Kamito was assaulted by pain.

"...Rather, it burns, so would you control your temperature output!?"

The ankle that had the Flametounge around it was a little charred.

"It's punishment for being reckless. If I had messed up, you'd be a pancake right about now."

"I trusted that you wouldn't mess up, master."

"...You're really an idiot, you know that..."

Mumbled the red faced Claire unintelligibly.

"...And, here it comes!"

With its tail cut off, the enraged annihilation spirit charged towards the ship.

A charge towards the deck with its mouth open, showing off its countless fangs!?

A dreadful shock rattled the ship. Pieces of the deck flew off and scattered.

Kamito took a stance and protected Claire from the shards.

"As expected of a militarized annihilation spirit, such insane power."

While still onboard the ship deck, the annihilation spirit raged.

It appeared that its head had gotten stuck in the ship.


It was a chance. The ship couldn't take another blow.

Kamito took a stance with his Demon Slayer and charged it with divine power.

"Claire, I'm finishing it here!"

"Got it!"

The annihilation spirit writhed violently.

As it flapped its fin like wings and attempted to ascend...

"I won't let you!"

Moments before it succeeded, Claire wrapped the Flametounge around it.

The Flametounge didn't manage to pierce the outer shell.

But the flame whip had knocked the spirit off balance and made it crash back onto the deck.

There...

"Ohhhhhhhhh!"

Kamito ran towards it with a large sword.

A shining blade line.

Kicking off the ground, the sword strike cut into the soft underbelly of the spirit.

However...


"What!?"

Even with its underbelly pierced, the annihilation spirit had not been defeated.

The spirit opened its jaw to reveal many fangs in front of Kamito...

In that moment, he heard a voice from behind.

''"O black fanged dragon spirit, thou, abiding my command, eliminate my enemies..."''

"...!?"

''"...Destroy, Nidhogg!"''

With that dignified voice...

The rough, mad blaze swallowed the enraged giant annihilation spirit.

This time the spirit was burned to charcoal and fell from the ship.

On the deck, there was a line of intense black flame.

"...Claire?"

A black dragon with spread wings stood there.

It was small for a dragon but still stood twice Kamito's height.

"Your finish is weak, Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora Lancaster stood there beside the black dragon.


He wondered when she had regained consciousness.

"...That is the Knights of the Dragon Emperor's strongest dragon, Nidhogg."

Claire whispered while looking.

(...I see, it really isn't your everyday spirit.)

Kamito was astonished.

(Looks like this time's Blade Dance will have people of this level...)

"...You're a life saver, thanks."

Kamito expressed his thanks and Leonora shook her head.

"That militarized spirit was from Dracunia to begin with so it's only natural that we be the ones to finish it."

"...Even though you were passed out the whole time."

"Th... That's because a man to... touched my chest...!"

The glaring Claire and panicking Leonora.

The ship shook slightly and then started gaining altitude.

It seems that the backup spirit engine had been started.

"At least now we can relax."

"But how did a militarized spirit that was supposed to be sealed attack us...?"


That spirit was not mad.

It had attacked the ship intentionally.

"It was probably someone who wanted to eliminate the Blade Dance competitors. It's impossible to track who used a militarized spirit."

Leonora analyzed the situation calmly.

"It seems these kinds of attacks are commonplace. It seems that even if we're not there yet, we should treat it as if the Blade Dance has already begun."

While leaning over the side of the ship, Claire pointed at the shadow of the ship.

"Look over there."

"Yeah?"

Kamito took a peek and saw a battleship within the clouds retreating.

"I don't know whose ship it is, but there's no way it's not connected to that attack. To use a militarized spirit of that class, there must be several elementalists onboard that ship."

"Are we not going to chase them?"

"Without a flying wind spirit, it's impossible to catch up to a battleship going at full speed. And they probably have more militarized spirits. It's too dangerous."

"...Sealed militarized spirits, huh."


Something was tugging at the edge of Kamito's mind.

He remembered the battle with Jio Inzagi and his mission at the mine.

(Restia was trying to unseal the strategic class militarized spirit Jormungandr.)

As expected, he might just be thinking too much into it.

"This might be connected to that darkness spirit girl from the other militarized spirit case..."

But it seemed that Claire had the same idea.

She peered at Kamito with a meek face.

"..."

Kamito stayed silent.

"Kamito, are you unhurt!?"

"All of a sudden, the ship shook... what happened out here!?"

"Kamito-kun, are you okay?"

Ellis, Rinslet and Fianna all came up to the deck.

"Kazehaya Kamito, I will retire for today but..."

And Leonora reverted her black dragon to its sword form and turned on her heel.

"Deceiving princess maidens and forming a heavenly harem, that Wish is something this blade will never allow."


"Wait, I'm not wishing for that kind of thing!"

"Y... You, are you participating in the Blade Dance for that kind of wish?"

Gogogogogogogogo...!

"Claire, don't believe it!"

"A heavenly harem... was it?"

"Kamito-san, what does that mean!"

"Umm, what rank am I?"

"You guys..."

...After that, Kamito was questioned by the young ladies for about an hour.

===Part 3===
"Nii-sama, why have you become that weak?"

On the deck of the small battleship...

...The girl with ash grey hair tilted her head in a strange manner.

Underfoot were the shattered remains of a ring.


It was the ring of the sealed annihilation spirit.

"Muir, you should have been told not to use the Jester's Vise."

From the ship's hatch appeared another girl.

A girl with brown skin that looked to be around 15 years old.

Beautiful jade hair. Pure red pupils and pointed ears.

She was a demihuman Elfim with all the traits of one.

"It's not Muir's fault. It's the fault of those military guys for having a weak spirit."

"The mission this time is just to test his power. Just because you wanted to, a precious spirit was lost."

"If it couldn't stand Muir's Jester's Vise, it wasn't fit to be used."

"Militarized spirits aren't your toys. They're not something you just throw away."

"Hmph and that's why Lily is weak."

Muir pouted her cheeks in discontent.

The Elfim girl, Lily Flame breathed a heavy sigh.

"Well, fine, so how was his power? We lost a precious militarized spirit. You better at least have that or you'll have no excuse for Cardinal."

"Nii-sama has become weak."


Muir put her index finger to her lips and shook her head in disappointment.

"...Weak? Even though he defeated a mid class militarized spirit?"

"The past nii-sama would have done it alone. But this time, the group with nii-sama pulled him down."

"His teammates from Areishia Academy, huh. I really can't believe it... that he's hanging out with that half baked group."

"Like this, nii-sama will just become weaker."

"...That's true. Eventually a hindrance to Cardinal's plan may appear."

Lily muttered this.

"It's fine. Muir will just kill everyone."

Muir smiled innocently and turned towards her.

"Muir, don't do willful things. We are the Cardinal's tools?" 

"Shut up, Lily."

"...!?"

For an instant a shudder ran through Lily Flame's body.

The number two of the Instructional School, "Monster" Muir Alenstarl.

She must never be upset.


Lily had accompanied her for a long time so she knew that well.

"Muir doesn't care about anything other than nii-sama. I'll kill you too if you get in my way, Lily."

"Muir..."

A few breathless seconds.

And then...

"Aha, I'm joking. Lily, what kind of face are you making?"

Muir made a pure smile and turned towards her.

"Lily is my precious friend so I won't just kill you that easily."

"..."

Muir looked towards the far end of the ship and sighed.

"Wait for me, nii-sama. I'll erase the meddlesome onee-chans for you."

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter2

2018-03-12T04:41:43Z

Masterupc: punctuation, abuse of '-' separator

== Chapter 2: Sky Voyage ==

===Part 1===

Hovering over the ether filled clouds, the flying ship advanced as though it were gliding.

The destination was one of the sanctuaries located in Astral Zero, the floating island of Ragna Ys.

It was the venue to be used for the current Blade Dance festival.

Normally, it was a sanctuary that only permitted the coming and going of the Divine Ritual Institute's princess maidens who served the Elemental Lords. But during the Blade Dance, it was specially opened to ordinary people.

"I can't help but say this. This flying ship is too awesome, right?"

Looking out the window, Kamito gazed down at the vast sea of clouds and felt a little dizzy.

This was hardly surprising, seeing as it was his first time riding a flying ship.

The young ladies of noble birth seemed to be used to it already. After putting down their luggage, the team went to their assigned lounge and took a break on the sofa.

The walls were made of polished marble tiles while the floor was even covered by a beautifully embroidered red carpet.

The cabin was furnished with abundant supplies of everyday necessities, all of them top class in quality.

"By the way, it doesn't shake at all?"

"This is the latest model of flying ship, you know? If the journey goes smoothly, we'll probably arrive around noon or so."

The one answering was Claire, lying on the sofa... It was no big deal, but her current posture was hiking up her skirt and on the verge of exposing her panties. Hence, Kamito frantically shifted his gaze away.

"Oh right, the competition's opening ceremony will be held tonight at the castle hall. Did you bring formal clothes for a ball?"

"No I didn't. I'd rather be excused from balls."

Recalling the Blade Dance three years earlier, Kamito whispered with an embarrassed look.

To be honest, the ballroom scene had left him with traumatic memories.

"I see..."

For some reason, Claire's murmurs sounded a bit disappointed.

"...? Will I cause trouble for you by not bringing formal clothes?"

"O... Of course not!"

Blushing red, Claire turned her head away and ignored Kamito.

"What are you getting mad about..."

"I...I'm not mad, okay... Idiot."

"Please, the two of you. Must you quarrel even on the ship?"

Rinslet shrugged in exasperation.

"Rinslet, what are you doing?"

On the table, Rinslet was arranging the tea set she had brought.

"I'm going to make tea now. Would everyone like to enjoy some afternoon tea together?"

"Great idea, I've heard long ago that the tea leaves produced in the Laurenfrost region are especially sweet and soothing."

"Indeed, although it is currently the eve before the Blade Dance, a suitable level of relaxation is still required."

Originally outside, enjoying the scenery, Fianna and Ellis gathered back around the table.

Apparently, no matter what time or place, gracefully enjoying afternoon tea was customary for these high class young ladies.

Rinslet elegantly poured tea into the dainty teacups. A citrous fragrance spread through the entire room along with the steam.

"Thanks. Wow... So fragrant."

Claire offered honest praise.

"This is orange tea special to the Laurenfrost region."

"Fufu, the tea brewed by milady is really delicious."

Carol the maid giggled and smiled.

"Isn't brewing tea normally part of the maid's job?"

No sooner had Kamito remarked...

"What are you talking about!? If my cute little Carol were to be scalded by accident, would you be able to compensate?"

"Uh, sorry..."

For some reason, Kamito was scolded soundly by Rinslet.

As a side note, only invited humans were allowed to enter the sanctuary, but because Carol belonged to the Laurenfrost family, in other words, she was Rinslet's personal possession—she was given special permission to accompany Rinslet.

But in actual fact, Rinslet was apparently quite displeased about Carol being treated as an object.

"Kamito-san, how many spoonfuls of sugar would you like?"

"Oh, just one please."

"Claire, two spoonfuls for you, is that right?"

"Hey, why did you memorize my preference?"

"I... I didn't memorize it, okay! I simply recalled by chance!"

Rinslet yelled angrily with her face all red.

"Milady and Claire-sama used to play together often in the past."

"Eh... Really?"

Kamito asked the smiling Carol.

"Yes, Claire-sama used to be very very attached to milady..."

"Hold it right there. W... What nonsense are you talking about!?"

"T... That's right, Claire and I are rivals!"

Rinslet angrily turned her face away.

"No sugar in mine, please."

"As expected of a princess, knowing the best drinking method for appreciating tea."

Rinslet nodded happily to concur.

At this moment, Ellis sudden coughed dryly once...

"I... I would like milk tea with a generous serving of sugar, please."

Her voice sounded a bit shy.

"Yeah yeah, milk tea, isn't that right?"

"I... In addition..."

"Hmm?"

"If possible, please add fresh cream and honey with floating marshmallows on top..."

"W... What is with your demands!?"

Rinslet's face twitched slightly after hearing Ellis.

"Your method of drinking tea is sacrilege to tea itself!"

"I... I have always drank tea this way! In order to survive the harsh sword training, intaking ample sugar is necessary."

"Good grief, the Fahrengart family with its military tradition is truly..."

"The Sylphid Knights' captain turns out to be unexpectedly childish. To think you'd be ignorant of how to appreciate the delicate flavor of tea."

"S... Shut up! Sweet things are tastier to begin with!"

Seeing Claire cast a pitying gaze towards her, Ellis tearfully retorted.

Watching this back and forth exchange between them...

(These two girls seem to have let go of their former grudges too...)

Kamito smiled wryly in his heart.

For quite a long while, due to being in opposition to the Sylphid Knights, Claire had always been on poor terms with Ellis who stood as the captain of the aforementioned Knights. Ellis had only joined Team Scarlet two weeks earlier. Back when they first started group training, the two girls often had arguments.

These arguments were sparked by all sorts of strange reasons, but in the vast majority of cases, it was due to Claire inexplicably objecting whenever Ellis suggested partnering with Kamito since they were both close range combatants...

This was hardly surprising. The two girls had completely different personalities.

Although they were both excellent students, Ellis was the very rigid, hardworking type while Claire was the genius type who did as she pleased. The only thing they had in common was their competitiveness.

Precisely because of that, the atmosphere was very tense between them during the first week. However...

"I can't believe this, you actually put honey into the tea..."

"T... That is the way I like it! If you have so many objections, why not have a taste for yourself first!?"

"Hmph, how could something so sickeningly sweet possibly be good... Eh?"

Claire took a small sip from Ellis' teacup and widened her eyes slightly.

"What is the matter?"

"...It's not bad, there seems to be a kind of gentle taste."

"I know, right?"

"But this does ruin the flavor of high quality black tea. At most, it's just a bad kid's drink."

"Y... You might have a point..."

By now, the two girls' relationship had grown to the point that they were able to argue casually like this.

"...By the way, your hell cat spirit is so cute."

While saying that, Ellis reached out to stroke Scarlet who was curled up in a ball on the sofa.

Using her fingertips to play with Scarlet's soft and fuzzy tail, she also pressed on the pads on the cat's paws.

"Hey, hey, hey, Scarlet is my contracted spirit. Don't touch Scarlet so carelessly."

"J... Just a little should be fine..."

Ellis tightly hugged Scarlet affectionately while pouting.

It turned out that the rigid Captain of the Knights had an unexpectedly soft spot for cute things.

(...Come to think of it, she also kept things like stuffed dolls in her room.)

"Meow, meoow!"

Scarlet cried out uneasily and sought Claire for help.

"I already told you to let Scarlet go. Don't you have your own contracted spirit!?"

"But Simorgh's appearance is too uncute..."

Ellis murmured in a sulking manner.

...If Ellis' contracted spirit were to overhear this, it would surely run away from home in exasperation.

"Ellis!"

"Just a little while longer, please let me play more with Scarlet."

Ellis continued to hug Scarlet stubbornly. At this moment...

"Meow, meow! Meoooww!"

"Ah!"

Fast as an arrow, Scarlet escaped from Ellis' arms and bolted from the room.

Claire sighed in exasperation.

"Didn't I say already? Apart from me, Scarlet won't let other humans get intimate with her."

"How can you say that with a straight face? Could you stop using my Fenrir as your pillow?"

Rinslet glared and threw a sideways glance at Claire.

"...B... But Fenrir feels so nice and cool."

On the sofa, Claire was resting her head against the back of a white wolf with long fur.
[[image:STnBD V04 055.jpg|thumb]]

The high level demon ice spirit Fenrir was whimpering softly, looking rather troubled.

(...I know how you feel.)

Treated as a slave spirit by Claire, Kamito could not help but sympathize with Fenrir.

"Fufu, Kamito-kun, you may use my bosom as a pillow any time you want. I don't mind at all."

"...Please don't joke around with me, Your Highness the Princess."

Kamito poked Fianna lightly in the forehead.

"...Jeez, I'm not joking at all."

Fianna bit her index finger gently and pouted unhappily.

"Sigh, I'll need to go look for Scarlet later. With a ship this big, it'll be a tiring search."

Saying that, Claire sighed deliberately in an exaggerated manner. Seeing that, Ellis turned to stare into the distance.

"Speaking of which, the other countries' representatives are also on this flying ship, right?"

"Yeah, apart from us, a number of teams should have already boarded the ship along the way."

Claire nodded to answer Kamito's question.

Kamito placed his cup of tea onto the table...

"What about Ren Ashbell, the Strongest Blade Dancer?"

"...!?"

As soon Kamito spoke, the room was filled with a tense atmosphere.

Because his words carried an indescribable sense of pressure.

"No, she's not on this ship."

Claire shook her head calmly and said:

"Because for this Blade Dance, she is participating as a representative for the Alphas Theocracy. So even if she's traveling by ship, it'll be a different one."

"I see."

"But this is still so hard to accept."

"I know. It's hard to believe that an elementalist of her strength would run over to represent a country like the Alphas Theocracy."

Rinslet spoke with puzzlement and Claire concurred.

The Alphas Theocracy was a small country sandwiched between two great nations: the Ordesia Empire and the Dragon Duchy of Dracunia on the east and west respectively. Although its main exports were spirit crystals excavated from mines, the Theocracy actually made its massive fortune through the excavation and trade of artifacts from ancient ruins.

Among the ancient artifacts unearthed by the Alphas Theocracy, there were many that held extremely powerful sealed spirits inside them. It was said that during the past Ranbal War, the Theocracy made astronomical profits as the only neutral nation by supplying various countries with militarized spirits.

Furthermore, although it was impossible to substantiate, it was rumored that the black market organization Murders was also headquartered in the Theocracy, hence garnering eyes of suspicion from the other countries.

For a country like that to have survived all this time without being invaded by its large neighbors, apart from the Hierarch's shrewd diplomatic clout, its strategic location between two opposing superpowers also played a major role.

"Besides, it's already been fifty years since the last time the Theocracy sent representatives to take part in the Blade Dance. And they've never won. Why would they suddenly..."

Ren Ashbell was already the idol for all girls aspiring to be elementalists.

Why was everyone's idol representing a small country that only had negative publicity? Claire and the others could not understand at all.

"Speaking of the Alphas Theocracy, there are rumors of them buying militarized spirits on a large scale."

Ellis crossed her arms before her chest while speaking quietly.

"Why would they need to gather militarized spirits at this time...?"

Also, things were not that simple.

There were other reasons why the Alphas Theocracy was regarded as a dangerous element.

(I think I recall that it's also where Demon King worship originated?)

Demon King worshiping was secretly taking root in various places over the continent.

Allegedly, the Alphas Theocracy was the headquarters.

After all, that country's capital was where Demon King Solomon was born.

The Demon King's worshipers believed firmly that the Demon King would descend upon the Alphas Theocracy again.

Demon King... This word caused an inexplicable beating in Kamito's heart.

(Those people who raised me were also a branch of the Demon King worshipers...)

The Instructional School had tried to create their own Demon King through human methods.

Hence, they offered their blessing to Kamito, the male elementalist and bestowed upon him the highest ranked darkness spirit who had been commanded by the former Demon King in the past.

"By the way, there's really so little information about Ren Ashbell."

Claire shrugged and said:

"All that's known is she suddenly appeared three years ago, an elementalist without any background. She is sixteen years old like us and contracted to a darkness spirit. That's all we know about her at the moment."

In order to win the Blade Dance, apart from prowess in using spirits, collecting information about opponents was an important part.

The Academy had provided information on some of the other teams, such as the attributes of contracted spirits, the form of elemental waffen, but there was almost nothing regarding the all important Ren Ashbell.

Nothing was confirmed, not only for Ren Ashbell herself but also the entire team.

(An elementalist whose true identity and goal are both unknown huh...)

It would be fine if she was just an imposter using the legendary elementalist's name and title as a ruse.

But things could not possibly be that simple.

(Greyworth said, as long as I defeat her...)

The reason why she recruited Kamito to the Academy was for defeating her in the Blade Dance.

(Also...)

Kamito looked at his leather gloved left hand.

(No mistake about it. Restia is currently working together with that imposter.)

Several weeks earlier, a battle had taken place at an abandoned mine between Kamito and friends against one of the Instructional School's orphans: Jio Inzagi.

...Because this is ''her'' wish.

Back then, that was what Restia had said.

Furthermore, she also said: "One day, you will surely encounter each other."

The darkness spirit girl's transfiguration.

If her transfiguration was related to the other Ren Ashbell...

(I will absolutely not forgive that girl.)

Kamito's clenched fist was silently shaking under the table.

"But I never thought I would be standing on the same stage as her, in just a few hours' time."

Ellis suddenly murmured with heartfelt emotion.

"Three years ago, I was still in the audience, watching her first battle."

"I also saw her match against Velsaria. She really was so pretty."

"Ren Ashbell's blade dancing is superb, right?"

Ellis' cheeks were blushing slightly while Claire and Rinslet were nodding and concurring.

Kamito turned his face away with an embarrassed look.

"Oh dear, there's no need to make such a big fuss, okay? Even if she's known as the Strongest Blade Dancer, that was three years ago already. Her power is probably getting more and more exaggerated by rumors. That girl actually isn't that amazing, right?"

Just as he shrugged and finished...

"W... What nonsense are you babbling!?"

"Are you a fool?"

"Oh please, there should be limits to ignorance."

"Uh, no, I'm sorry..."

Facing angry glares from the three high class ladies, Kamito had no choice but to apologize frantically.

(...It's not like I can tell them that the real one is standing right here before their eyes.)

Fearing that he would collapse from the girls ganging up on him, Kamito suddenly rose up and left his place at the table.

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere in particular. Just gonna look for Scarlet a bit."

Kamito made an excuse and made his way towards the exit.

"Hmph, he fled..."

"Fufu, Kamito-kun is such a poor dear."

As the only one privy to Kamito's true identity here, Fianna giggled secretly to herself.

===Part 2===

Four thousand meters up in the air...

A small combat vessel had appeared directly underneath the flying ship that the Blade Dance participants were traveling on.

It had been lurking in a forest, waiting for its prey to arrive.

The metal cabin door opened and out walked a young looking girl.

Her ash gray hair, tied up on the opposite sides of her, was swaying in the strong wind blowing head on.

"...Gotcha, Onii-sama."

The girl smiled and began to chant the incantation for a spirit's release.

Instantly, the ring on her middle finger gave off red light.

Next...

"Okay, let's rampage! Annihilation spirit Death Gaze!"

As the air cracked open, out emerged a giant black monster.

<noinclude>
{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter3}}
</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter1

2018-03-10T08:35:31Z

Masterupc: punctuation

== Chapter 1: Travel Preparation ==
===Part 1===

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chirp, chirp...*

The twittering of birds from inside the Spirit Forest that surrounded the academy could be heard within the dorms.

"Mm..."

Opening his eyes and rising up from his bed, he found his own half asleep face reflected in the window glass.

His black hair was ruffled from sleeping. He also had an insecure look in his eyes.

Compared to the innocent looks in his dream, his impression had changed greatly.

(Four years ago... huh?)

It had been a long time since he last had a dream about that period of time.

It was probably the first time he had one since coming to this academy.

To be frank, it was a memory he did not even want to recall...

Kamito unintentionally cast his sight down to his left hand, where a spirit seal was engraved.

The seal of the darkness spirit. The left hand which grasped victory at the Blade Dance three years ago.

(Now I am trying to return to that arena once more.)

With the Blade Dance drawing near, he was probably feeling emotionally overwrought without realizing it.

That must also have been why he had a dream about that period of time.

As he was about to get off his bed...

"..."

Kamito noticed something.

His body felt strangely heavy.

Something soft and pleasant was mounted on top of his waist.

"...?!"

Startled, Kamito flipped his blanket vigorously.

And then.

"Fua... Good morning, Kamito."

"E... Est?!"

A lovely voice rang, just like a bell.

The one straddling Kamito's waist was a silver haired beauty.

She had mysterious violet eyes. Her skin was white like freshly extracted milk.

The figure in question, who was rubbing her drowsy looking eyelids, was just as lovely as a snow fairy.

The sword spirit Est. She was Kamito's contracted spirit and was also entitled "Demon Slayer."

Apparently, she had snuck into Kamito's bed without him knowing.

On top of that, her attire was...

"What's wrong, Kamito?"

Still straddling his waist, Est looked down at him expressionlessly.

"H... Hey, your attire..."

Est was fully naked... no, she was not.

She was dressed up properly.

However...

"Kamito?"

Est tilted her head blankly. Kamito averted his eyes in a fluster.

Est was wearing Kamito's uniform shirt over her naked body.

She was probably not wearing underwear. Her attire was what called a naked-shirt<ref>Similar to Naked-apron, a naked shirt is where the subject wears nothing but a shirt.</ref>.

From the exposed bosom, her slightly exposed white skin was strangely captivating.

The cuffs were big and excessive, but they gave him an unnecessary maniacal feeling nonetheless.

"Wha...? Est, why are you wearing my uniform?"

"Kamito told me that I can't sleep naked together with you."

Est replied expressionlessly.

Kamito was startled as soon as she tightly grabbed the chest area of the shirt.

"Yeah, I did tell you so."

Being at his wits' end, Kamito groaned.

"But please, at least put on some panties."

"...Pan...ties?"

"Why are you making that wondering face?!"

It might be the case that spirits have the habit of wearing knee-socks, but do not have the habit of wearing panties.

(...Nah, Restia did wear underwear properly.)

Just when he was thinking about that...

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Kamito felt something out of place about Est's appearance.

It was not just about her wearing a naked-shirt. There seemed to be something very different about Est this morning.

Kamito intently examined Est's whole body.

"Kamito... Um, if you stare at me that much, I'll get embarrassed."

The expressionless Est blushed in an unusual manner, squirmed on top of his waist and rubbed her knees together.

At that moment, Kamito finally realized it.

From the shirt tail, her white thighs crept into sight.

And then came her slender and smooth ankles like sculptures made of marble.

What Est was wearing wasn't her usual knee high socks.

She was wearing short socks, the length of which was just about up to her ankles.

"Est, what's with those socks?"

"Well, I thought Kamito would be pleased with these kind of socks."

With her face still red, Est firmly pinned down the shirt tail.

This was his first time seeing Est making such an expression.

It appeared that to her, exposing her bare feet was really embarrassing.

"Kamito, are you turned on by my short socks?"

"Nah, because I don't have such a maniacal fetish, you know?"

"...I see. That means this is still not enough to make you satisfied."

Est dropped her shoulders, seemingly disappointed.

"Still, it is quite impossible for me to show you my bare feet."

"I'm telling you, I don't have such a fetish."

Kamito groaned and shook his head. He really could not understand the spirits' sense of shame.

(Even so...)

It was the truth that his heart pounded at Est's expression of blushing and being bashful in an unusual manner.

The sword spirit was always calm and expressionless.

That was exactly why he wanted to try seeing more of her bashful expression.

(What will happen if I touch them, I wonder?)

Suddenly, Kamito's mind was tempted.

Anyhow, it was because Est, not any other girl, was bashful to this extent.

What would happen if he touched her bare feet? ...He wanted to try seeing it.

"..."

Kamito quietly reached out his hand...

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Coochy*.

He tickled Est's small foot.

"...Hyan!"

A sweet voice leaked out from her lips.

Est's body bent with a start.

"...Kamito, what are you doing?!"

"Hm? I'm massaging you."

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Coochy, coochy*.

"Hya... a... n..."

Twisting her body, Est was in agony, seemingly tickled.

Such a reaction was so cute that it drove Kamito to...

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Coochy*. *Coochy, coochy, coochy*.

"...A... n, please... stop it..."

"No. This is your punishment."

"...Punishment?"

"Because Est is a bad girl for sneaking in my bed as she pleases."

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Coochy, coochy*.

"Ann, Kami... to... forgive... me."

Tears were shed from Est's limpid eyes as she pleaded while gasping.

...As expected, she now looked a little pitiful.

"Have you reflected on your behavior?"

"Y... es..."

Kamito ceased tickling and Est fell lying face-down in exhaustion.

Kamito gently held Est back as she flopped onto him.

"...Kamito is so mean."

Est pouted her lips in an unusual manner.

"My bad. Est is just so cute... So I did it without thinking."

He gently stroked Est's silver hair while making a bitter smile.

Just at that moment.

The room temperature rose instantly.

"...?!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogo...!*

From behind him, a horrifying killing aura... no, heat was emitted.

When he turned around at the unpleasant premonition...

"Y... Y... You guys... Wh... Wh... Wh... Wh... What are you doing?"

With her red twintails standing on end, the beautiful girl was trembling all over.

Her ruby eyes were imposing. Her lips had the color of cherry blossoms in early blooming. The bulge on her chest was just about the same as that of a kid, but that well balanced proportion of hers was very charming.

Claire Rouge.

If it was appearance alone, she was exceptionally cute, an ultra beautiful girl without any exaggeration.

However, as she was now, she was more terrifying than any ferocious spirit.

"I... I've misjudged you. I... I didn't know you're such a pervert...!"

"Y... You got it wrong, Claire. This is, well, you see..."

Kamito was attempting to give an excuse while in a fluster, but...

For this particular instance, it was absolutely not a misunderstanding. There was no way to make an excuse.

"Kamito-kun, I think your foot tickling play is indeed too maniacal."

Appearing from behind Claire, Fianna quietly cast her eyes down, seemingly sad.

It seemed like she had seen everything. ...He would rather die now.

"Kamito, how hot would you order me to grill you?"

Claire smiled pleasantly while holding her blazing Flametounge.

A smile of an angel that would make one unexpectedly fascinated.

"Medium rare... or so."

"Too bad. I only know roasting to cinders."

Claire raised her whip of flame overhead...

"Turn into cinders already!"

Kamito was blown off towards the outside of the window.

===Part 2===

And so, Kamito greeted another morning just like usual, but...

After eating breakfast, the situation was a little different.

The bell sounding the start of classes had already rung long ago, yet everyone still remained in their rooms in the dorm.

"This one and this one. This one should be necessary too... geez, Scarlet. Don't play with the luggage."

"Nyaa?"

The flame spirit in the form of a hell cat was playing by rolling Claire's outfits as if they were a yarn ball.

Seeing a glimpse of white underwear among that lump, Kamito averted his eyes in a hurry.

Claire and Fianna were sitting on each of their beds, packing stuff into their own bags.

They were preparing to head to Astral Zero, the stage of the Blade Dance.

It had been two weeks since Team Scarlet defeated the Silent Fortress, Velsaria Eva, who was ranked number one within the academy and obtained the right to participate in the Blade Dance. Together with the two teams that got into the determined representative trio, they were going to fight to the bitter end several days from now on as a representative of the Ordesia Empire.

"Claire, did you get enough sleep yesterday?"

"Of course. Keeping your physical condition in control is the basics for an elementalist after all."

Claire nodded while holding back from yawning, which she had already been doing often.

Perhaps because of her sense of responsibility as the team leader, Claire had recently been reading a large number of tactical books and documents related to spirits, which she had borrowed from the library, until the dead of the night.

"Don't push yourself too hard. We won't know the regulation until an oracle of the Elemental Lords is issued."

"Yes, I know. Still, it's necessary to prepare countermeasures in advance. Those who participate in the Blade Dance are the most elite elementalists representing each country. It won't be so easy that you can win without countermeasures. Besides, that the strongest blade dancer is also taking part in this tournament after all."

"...Yeah, you're right."

Kamito nodded with a bitter face.

The strongest blade dancer, Ren Ashbell.

The winner at the Blade Dance three years ago.

(...Not me, but another Ren Ashbell.)

Who exactly was she? And what was her goal...?

He had to figure that out.

Kamito tightly clenched his left hand, which was covered in a leather glove.

Regardless of what her objectives might be, there was no doubt that the transformed Restia was acting together with her.

"And you, are you done with packing already?"

Holding on to the nape of Scarlet, who was struggling and mewing...

This time it was Claire who asked.

In contrast with Claire's traveling bag, which was filled up till the point where it was about to burst, Kamito's bag was small.

"Yeah, I don't have much stuff to carry after all."

Kamito, who had been wandering aimlessly until just two months ago, carried with him almost no personal belongings.

A few daggers used for throwing and, it wasn't baggage but, he had the elemental waffe, the sword Terminus Est, in the sword belt on his hips. Est was offended by what happened this morning and went to sleep in her sword form. ...It was unlikely she would wake up anytime soon.

But then again, if one was to offend a high ranking spirit of Est's level, normally one had to be ready for the kind of damage like a town being destroyed.

"..."

For those two, it seemed that they still needed more time to pack.

(...Well, they are girls of noble status after all.)

They probably needed various things that a guy like Kamito would have no idea about.

Claire had been randomly stuffing in a bunch of canned peaches for a while, but that made him feel a little uneasy.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Kamito cast his eyes down the floor, where stuff was strewn all over the place.

There were some books that looked like novels mixed among tactical books and documents related to spirits.

Having too much time to spare, Kamito casually picked up one of them.

'The wandering prince and the imprisoned princess'. A romance novel aimed at teens, with many illustrations in it.

(Seriously, it's surprising that Claire likes this kind of stuff.)

When he tried skimming lightly through its first part out of curiosity...

"Wha...?!"

Kamito's face turned red in a flash.

The contents of the book were about a beautiful princess who got abducted by a cruel prince and had all sorts of things done to her that could hardly be expressed in words. It was that kind of hardcore stuff.

"Y... You... H... Have you been reading this kind of stuff?!"

"Eh?"

Claire turned around.

And then, when she recognized what Kamito was holding in his hands,

"Fuaaaa, g... g... g... give it back! What the hell are you reading without permission?!"

Thump. Thud.

She hit him with the peach cans in her hands.

"Whoa... Are you planning to kill me?!"

"It's your punishment for peeping into a m... maiden's secret! You deserve to die ten thousand times!"

"Then don't leave your maiden's secret on the floor."

"S... Shut up~! Idiot! Pervert!"

Bursting into tears, Claire hit him repeatedly and violently.

...At this rate, he might lose his life before participating in the Blade Dance.

"Hey, you are being annoying."

"B... But Kamito..."

Taking the chance when Claire turned towards Fianna...

Kamito opened a page of the book and showed it in front of Claire.

It was a page containing an illustration in which the princess, the heroine of the story, was being tied up with a rope and getting whipped.

"...?!"

"Isn't Claire more of a pervert?"

"...Eh?"

Claire's shoulders turned stiff with a start.

"A noble young lady reading such a vulgar book, don't you feel any shame?"

"W... Well, um..."

The high class young lady blushed and mumbled in hesitation.

Upon seeing Claire in such a state...

Kamito got a feeling of wanting to play around with her a little.

[[File:STnBD V04 031.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

(...Well, there I go wanting to tease her again.)

It was probably because her act of blushing in embarrassment looked strangely cute.

Moving his face close to Claire's ear, he whispered softly.

"I wonder how everyone will think if they learn that the young lady, whose test results are also top class, enjoys reading this kind of obscene books."

"Fuaa, wh... wh... wh... what are you saying?!"

"Could it be that you want to get things like stuff in this book done to you?"

"Th... That's not true! How could I want to be tied up like this?!"

"You know, this page has a fold on it."

"...~Fuaaan!"

A tiny cloud of steam erupting from her head, Claire crawled into her bed.

"...Seriously, she's the same green young lady as ever."

Having escaped from his life crisis, Kamito took a sigh of relief and...

This time he turned towards Fianna.

"Is your preparation going well?"

"...Hmm, it seems that my ritual equipment is going to be bulky no matter what."

...Said Fianna while stuffing a large round mirror and a candlestick into her bag.

Fianna Ray Ordesia.

She was the second princess of the Ordesia Empire and also the princess maiden ranked second at the Divine Ritual Institue, a training institution for Queens who served the Five Great Elemental Lords.

A genuine princess, who was once even chosen as a candidate for the Queen of the Elemental Lord of Flame.

However, she was by no means haughty and was very easy to talk to.

Strictly speaking though, she was at a social status where Kamito and the like were not even allowed to look at her face.

"If you don't mind, I'll lend you a hand. Can I pack the stuff around here however I want?"

"Yes, that will be of help."

Kamito sat down on the bed, where stuff was all over the place and started stuffing a bag with all kinds of equipment that appeared to be used in rituals.

Rosaries, royal goblets, folding fans, whips, candles and even things that looked like beast ears and tails...

(Are these things really equipment for rituals?)

Such a question suddenly flitted through his mind, however...

(Well, I'm also just a beginner when it comes to princess maidens' rituals after all.)

That was when his hand, which reached out casually, grabbed something.

A smooth and nice touch of cloth.

(...What's this?)

Knitting his eyebrows, he tried holding it up before his eyes and then...

"...?!"

Kamito turned stiff in that posture.

It was a glossy black piece of cloth.

A thin lace embroidery with a rose pattern on it.

The material was probably silk. There were thin strings attached at both ends of the cloth piece.

"Err..."

Cold sweat gradually emerged on Kamito's forehead.

A high class looking black pair of underwear.

On top of that...

(Wh... Why is there a hole here?!)

It wasn't torn off. For some reason, there was an unnatural cut at the center.

(This seems to have no meaning as underwear...)

"Ka... Kamito-kun?!"

"Ah..."

Suddenly, his eyes met Fianna's, who raised her face at him.

Kamito was still unfolding the black pair of underwear in front of him.

"..."

"..."

"Um..."

Fianna's face turned bright red...

"D... Do you... hate a princess who would wear this kind of shameful underwear?"

She asked him with upturned eyes.

"N... No, I mean, my bad...!"

With his heart pounding, Kamito hurriedly put the underwear back inside the bag.

"Wh-Why do you have such underwear?"

"I went and bought it on an impulse... b... but it is indeed embarrassing."

She muttered with her face still bright red.

...It seemed that she really was embarrassed.

This princess always said shocking things and teased Kamito, but she was actually a green girl, just like Claire.

"...I wonder... if that was a little too daring."

"Y... You're right. A little... yeah."

Ahem, or so Kamito coughed.

What blew away that awkward atmosphere for them was a voice which could be heard coming from outside the room.

"Geez, you're still preparing, Claire Rouge?"

A somewhat high pitched and elegant voice.

The one who appeared in front of the room was...

Claire's rival and classmate in her Raven classroom.

It was Rinslet Laurenfrost, the demon ice elementalist.

She had dazzlingly beautiful platinum blonde hair. Her emerald green eyes were topped by lovely eyebrows.

At a glance, she appeared to be a proud highborn lady, but Kamito knew that she was a very kind and caring girl.

"Milady, I'm sleepy~"

"Geez, Carol is always such a sleepyhead."

The one being dragged by her was Carol the maid.

"Milady, you know that unlike you, my blood pressure is low... Hwa."

Apparently she had been woken up by Rinslet this morning.

...She was the same useless maid as ever.

"Rinslet, what is that thing?"

Claire, having finally revived, asked thus.

Rinslet was carrying a largish wooden box in her hands.

"Hmph, it's a tea set of highest grade. A lady of the Laurenfrost family must stay elegant at all times."

Rinslet proudly combed her platinum blonde hair upward.

"You know what, we aren't going out to play."

Claire shrugged her shoulders in amazement.

And then, this time they could hear Ellis' voice coming from outside the window.

"What are you lot doing?! It's already ''one hour'' until the gathering time, you know!"

"You're just too early!"

Claire turned at the overly serious knight captain and yelled.

(...Unifying this team seems to be quite a long term difficult task.)

Kamito shrugged his shoulders with a sense of irony while putting the baggage in order.

===Part 3===

One hour later.

Members of Team Scarlet gathered in front of the stone circle, which was their rally point.

It was a Gate to Astral Zero located within the premises of Areishia Spirit Academy.

This historic ruin itself was something that had been in existence long before the academy was built, but it was by no means part of the Empire's technology. The status quo was that the technology which preserved the Gates which opened to this world, had been lost completely, excluding such ruins, which remained at various places around the continent.

From now on, representative fighters would be moving to Astral Zero and then boarding a ship prepared by the Divine Ritual Institute, which administered the Blade Dance.

In front of the Gate, the other two teams that had been selected from the academy had also gathered already.

Team Wyvern, ranked first, was a team composed of only upperclassmen.

They gave each member of Team Scarlet a sharp glance and then suddenly looked away. They had no intention of getting along. That was probably what they were declaring. Their reaction was natural. After all, although both teams were selected from the same academy, they would become each other's rival when the Blade Dance actually began.

(Besides...)

With that in mind, Kamito looked at Claire with a side glance.

There was another reason for the glance of the upperclassmen being prickly.

The younger sister of Calamity Queen, who had brought about the unprecedented disaster to the empire four years ago.

There were still many students in the academy with unpleasant thoughts about her existence.

Claire did not seem to particularly care about that, but she was probably suffering in her heart.

"Mu, you guys again..."<ref>Exclamation for expressing an astonishment or showing unexpectedness�</ref>

Thus a blonde girl holding a wooden staff started talking to Kamito.

"'Sup, savage girl. It's been a while."

"Muu, I'm not a savage girl!"

The lovely petite girl puffed out her cheeks in anger.

This person was a member of the third ranked Team Cernunnos, whom they had fought against before.

She was from the Druid clan, who grew up in the Spirit Forest and used a powerful beast swarm spirit.

As an opponent whom they may fight in the future, she was quite a strong rival.

"I will be sure to crush the likes of you guys underfoot with my beast swarm spirit!"

The druid girl held up her wooden staff as she snickered.

And then, heading over there...

"Hmph, so you three teams have finally gathered?"

The teacher Freya Grandol, the manager of the Gate, came walking briskly.

As she cast a glance up at the clock tower of the academy,

"I'm going to transport all of you to Astral Zero after ten minutes. Now finish saying goodbye to your friends in the meantime."

Saying thus, she started drawing a magical formation inside the stone circle.

Claire, Rinslet and Fianna restlessly looked away from each other.

"Th... There's no need to say goodbye or anything."

"Th... That's right. We're just leaving the academy for a mere few days after all."

"Y... Yes, that sounds exaggerating."

The three of them simultaneously nodded to one another.

(Come to think of it, all of them had no friends.)

...This group of young ladies sure had it tough.

(Well, I'm also in no place to say that about people, though.)

Meanwhile, Ellis was surrounded and overwhelmed by a crowd of junior knights.

Her reddish brown eyes were imposing. Her blue ponytail was swaying in the gentle breeze.

Apparently, Ellis would be going to the Blade Dance wearing her knight armor as well.

That was probably her expression of determination of being a representative of the academy and also the Sylphid Knights at the same time.

"Captain, please fight for us as well!"

"We're rooting for you!"

"Yeah, I will definitely claim victory!"

Ellis nodded at the words of Rakka and Reishia, her two former teammates.

They had entrusted Ellis with their dream for the Blade Dance championship.

And then, one more person...

Kamito knew that there was a girl who had entrusted her with a dream.

Kamito whispered to Ellis, who had returned after saying goodbye to her juniors.

"Ellis, that ribbon looks good on you."

"Y... You think so...?"

Ellis blushed and fidgeted with her fingers.

Binding her ponytail was a white ribbon.

It was something which Ellis' elder foster sister entrusted to her before leaving the academy.

"Now that I'm wearing this, I feel like my esteemed sister is watching over me."

Ellis suddenly smiled.

Seeing her defenseless face from the side, Kamito spontaneously felt his heart pound again.

"The time has come. Everyone, get inside the stone circle."

Freya traced a stone pillar with her fingertips and blue rays of light gushed forth from the earth's surface.

A Gate connecting this world and Astral Zero emerged.

Kamito and his group nodded to each other and stepped inside the shining stone circle.

===Part 4===

A dazzling flash of light. And then a fleeting intoxicating sensation as though heaven and earth were turned upside-down.

"H-m..."

Opening their eyes, what first sprang into their field of vision was...

All kinds of trees in a dense forest and a grand lake occupying a large area within it.

A lake that looked like the polished surface of a mirror, which existed only in Astral Zero. At the lake shore where water plants grew thickly, countless faint, flickering light orbs were floating and creating a wondrous scene.

"I have come to this lake before, during the academy's training camp."

Claire firmly descended on the muddy ground.

Members of other teams were also sent to the site one after another.

"By the way, where's the ship?"

Kamito looked around the surface of the lake.

A ship-like object was nowhere to be found.

"Where are you looking? Look, over there..."

Claire shrugged her shoulders and pointed at the sky peeking through the gaps of trees.

"Hm?"

When he raised his head...

An outline of a ship was floating in the sky casting its huge shadow on the lake.

"That's... the Belphal class flying ship of the Divine Ritual Institute..."

Kamito opened his eyes and groaned.

A state of the art flying ship named after the Elemental Lord of Wind.

He had heard about it in the rumors, but this was his first time seeing the real thing.

It had a form like that of a streamlined whale. Apparently its power source was a spirit engine made in the Kingdom of Balstan and they used an over 6000 year old sacred tree as material for the exterior.

It was the ship which would lead elementalists, who would dedicate their blade dances to the Elemental Lords, to the stage of the Blade Dance.

"Kamito, we are definitely going to win the grand prize."

"Yeah."

Kamito nodded and tightly clenched his left hand.

(...We have crawled all the way up for the sake of gaining the qualification to board that ship.)

Claire, for the sake of learning the truth related to the incident that her elder sister caused.

Kamito, for the sake of regaining the contracted spirit that he had lost.

Then Ellis, Fianna and Rinslet...

Everyone there was joining in the Blade Dance with their respective wish harbored in mind.

The flying ship caused flashy splashes as it landed on the lake.

===Part 5===

"Looks like the lad has already headed over there."

Areishia Spirit Academy, office room.

Greyworth Ciel Mais faced the wall of the room and spoke.

There was no response. However, immediately from inside the wall, a person's shadow emerged as if it was seeping out.

"Yes ma'am. Just a while ago."

It was the teacher Freya Grandol, the shadow elementalist.

She approached Greyworth's office desk and then spoke without hesitation.

"Still, Headmistress, I cannot understand why you would go that far to support that boy."

"What do you mean?"

"His fighting skills are certainly overwhelming, but the Blade Dance isn't something as lenient as to allow someone to win with just that. You should be the one who knows that best."

"Yeah, it's just as you said. The lad still can't win against the strongest blade dancer as he is now. At the very least, I would like to have him awaken before the real war starts, but..."

"What do you mean?"

"Nah, just random silly talk."

Greyworth shook her head as if to evade the question.

"More importantly, has the investigation on that matter been completed?"

"Yes. I would like you to be moderate and stop using me to spy on the army, though."

"I've been feeling sorry about that, you know."

Greyworth shrugged her shoulders and then Freya rudely threw down the report.

"That's the data about the incident four years ago. After the collapse of the institution in question, the Instructional School, there were 14 orphans taken into protection by the order of imperial knights. Rumors say that five of them have been admitted into the special forces of the knights. The remaining nine died several years later under the effect of the Cursed Armament Seals given to them by the institution, or so they say."

"Still, that means the number doesn't match. It conflicts with the data found at the institution."

"Apparently it was not the case that all orphans were taken into protection by the knights. Jio Inzagi, who broke into our academy the other day, was also one of the institution's orphans whom the knights has little information about. It probably wouldn't be strange for there to be other unconfirmed orphans besides him out there."

"I see..."

What came to Greyworth's mind was the eyes of the boy whom she met four years ago.

In the eyes of that boy, who declared indifferently on that day that he had come to kill the Dusk Witch, there was no hatred, nor was there anger, only an unfathomable nothingness.

(The same kid as the boy back then, huh...)

Young children who got their heart plundered and were raised as battle weapons.

Though they were also elementalists, they were basically different from noble girls who grew up at the academy.

"Headmistress?"

"It's nothing. You did a good job. Please continue your investigation as is."

"Seriously, my main job isn't a spy but a teacher, you know."

Freya once again disappeared into the wall while complaining.

Greyworth gazed outside the window and then suddenly took a heavy breath.

"A militarized spirit and an orphan from Instructional School... is ''she'' actually planning to incite war or something?"

The Dusk Witch was succumbing to impatience.

The strongest blade dancer had yet to awaken.

He was certainly strong.

Even in an academy where first rate elementalists gather, his power was overwhelming.

However, that was, at its best, just a story in the miniature garden called academy.

As he was now, he absolutely could not win against her.

Neither could Ren Ashbell of three years ago do that.

"Please, successor of the Demon King, because even I don't have much time left now."

Greyworth suppressed her pounding heart as she curled her lips ironically.
<noinclude>

=== Translator's notes and References ===

<references />

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Prologue|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter2}}
</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Prologue

2018-03-10T07:10:25Z

Masterupc: punctuation, grammar

== Prologue ==

Passages excavated in the solid bedrock were piled up in several layers.

A boy had been walking alone through the inside of the institution where crimson flames swirled.

He had glossy black hair. His attire covered his whole body in black and could be mistaken for darkness.

His girlish looks still retained some innocence, but his jet black pupils were emotionless, only reflecting the flames that flickered inhumanly.

Who was it that destroyed the institution of the Instructional School, that had many combatants, in merely half a day? The boy had no way of knowing.

Was it the capital's Spirit Knights, or an accident due to a rampaging sealed spirit?

The instructional teachers, who drilled combat skills into the boy, were nowhere to be found.

Had they escaped, or it might be that they were already dead.

If that was the case, the boy would be released and would become a free man.

But.

(Such things are trivial...)

The boy, who had his heart stolen away, had become apathetic to everything.


Except for her, the one and only exception.

The darkness spirit, Restia, the highest level sealed spirit that was given to him by the teachers of the institution.

The girl had granted light to his heart that was shut in darkness.

(She's the only one that I'll absolutely protect.)

Within the blazing flames, the boy's goal was the shrine that was beneath the institution.

In the shrine, there were many artifacts of sealed spirits that were illegally excavated by the Instructional School that were strong enough to even be comparable to a small nation's military strength, resting.

The ring that sealed Restia should also be stored over there.

The spirit seal that was the proof of a spirit contract had not yet been engraved on the boy's hand.

The teachers of the institution were cautious of him possessing more power than necessary and had not permitted the exchanging of a spirit contract.

The boy held the power to commune with spirits while having the body of a man, the same nature as the Demon King.

The teachers were afraid that he would rebel after contracting with the highest level darkness spirit.

"Onii-sama!"

The sound of a girl came from behind.

"Muir?"

There was only one person who would call him onii-sama.


The boy turned around and saw a young girl behind him.

She had ash grey hair that was tied up on both sides of her head.

Along with her blue clear pupils, she had lovely rosebud like lips.

Her skin that could be seen from the gaps of her black combat uniform was white like virgin snow.

"Muir, you still haven't escaped?"

"Mou, I was searching for you, onii-sama!"

The girl, Muir Alenstarl, pouted her cheeks like she was angry.

Naturally, the boy, who was an orphan, had no sisters.

'Onii-sama' was just something she called him willfully.

"What happened to those watching over us?"

"I killed them."

She answered without a flicker of her eyebrow.

"It's because they tried to hinder me from searching for onii-sama."

She neither boasted nor felt regret about the murder.

She just killed because it was a necessary task. It could be said to be something like that.

"I see..."

Although there was no sympathy for those who were killed.


As the ones who had raised her as a slaughtering weapon were none other than they themselves.

Muir Alenstarl was the Instructional School's second ranking combatant.

In this institution literally composed of monsters, the girl was nicknamed “Monster.”

While the boy held overwhelming combat skills, he had not yet killed even a single person. He was a being that drew the line.

"Onii-sama, you too, what are you doing here?"

This time, Muir was the one who asked.

"The ring that sealed Restia is in the underground shrine. I'm going to retrieve it."

"Ah, Onii-sama, as you already have Muir, you don't need things like contracted spirits."

Muir frowned with her cute lips, seemingly bored.

"That reminds me, where's Lily?"

Lily Flame was the seventh member attached to same unit as the boy and Muir.

"Lily? ...Uhmm, she might have been killed by the crimson giant."

"Crimson giant?"

"The thing that attacked the institution a few hours ago. That outrageously strong flame spirit."

At that instant.

The ground suddenly shook.


"It's coming onii-sama!"

"...!?"

Suddenly, from the depths of the passage, he felt an intense presence.

Crimson flames, spouting out high, burned up the ceiling like it was nothing and at that moment.

What appeared from within the flames was a roaring giant of flames.

In its hand that was like a lump of lava, it was gripping a sword of blazing scarlet flames.

(A flame spirit? No, that's...)

It was not a simple flame spirit.

A hair-raising chill ran all over the boy's body.

That was the very symbol of destruction.

Just by looking straight at its existence, his mind began being scraped away.

(I'm certain. That's an ''archdemon class spirit''!)

It was the being that had destroyed the Instructional School, that held many elementalists, in merely a few hours.

It was said that the power of a archdemon class spirit pulled through even a division of the spirit knights.

(This isn't an opponent I can fight without a contracted spirit...)

The flame spirit seemed to have noticed them.

Clad completely in flames, it melted the bedrock as it slowly approached them.


"Onii-sama, leave that to Muir."

Muir licked the ring placed on her small hand.

She planned on using an anti spirit militarized spirit

"Muir, that is not a being that a human can manage."

"No problem. Muir isn't a human, Muir is a 'monster'."

An ominous spirit seal glowed on Muir's right hand.

No, that was not a spirit seal, but a Cursed Armament Seal that the Instruction School had given.

Jester's Vise. It was the reason why Muir was called Monster.

"Goodbye, Onii-sama."

"Muir!!!"

The young boy stretched his hands out towards her shoulders and at that moment.

The crimson flames released by the giant thoroughly burned the boy's field of vision.



The "rampaging incident" of the spirit led to the destruction of the Instructional School

That was something from a year before the boy appeared at the front stage as the strongest blade dancer.

It was an event that occurred in a remote region of the empire that was not even marked on the map.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Afterword

2018-03-09T01:53:56Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Afterword==

Y... You mean for me to put on an even sexier attire, right?!

With that, it has been roughly a 3 month period since our last contact. This is Shimizu Yuu. I present you the third installment of the academy harem x battle comedy "Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance" series that started at the end of last year!

To hand over chocolates to the boys they like, the academy's ojou-sama are in preparation and restless of the arrival of the Valentia Holy Festival, an event that sets girls' hearts racing. Amongst them, Ellis, Captain of the Sylphid Knights that protects the public morals of the academy, tried to offer a certain act of gratitude to Kamito...

"I... I'm now your exclusive use maid from now... i... is that alright?"

There's the battle of love between beautiful girls where sparks fly. There's the darkness of the Cursed Armament Seals that undermines Academy Town.

And then, there's the academy's strongest elementalist who returned!

Please by all means enjoy this third installment fully crammed with the charms of the ever serious and clumsy (and surprisingly big breasted) Ellis!

And at this point, big news came flying over from my person in charge Shouji-san!

Receiving everyone's popularity, Seirei Tsukai had promising sales but...

What! The serialization of a comic edition has been decided in "Monthly Comic-Alive"!

The one drawing "Seirei" of the comic edition is Yoshihira Zenzai-sensei. I was shown the character designs the other day, but... they're dangerous, they're transcendently adorable!

The reason we could develop a media mix this early was because of all you readers, who had supported "Seirei". Please be looking forward to the day that Claire and Est get turned into a comic and move about.

It's time for the thanks. First, to Sakura Hanpen-sensei, thank you very much for this time's wonderful illustration too. Especially, the front cover's Ellis is most cute. Black tights are the best. And, as to why her breastplate is opened... that's an eternal puzzle, an eternal mystery, and an eternal romance!

To MFJ's charismatic Incubator Koto Shouji-sama, who had always warmly watched over the growth of my work, thank you very much for this time as well & sorry to troubled you.

And again, with Korie Riko-sensei, who's in charge of the illustration of Gotou Yuujin-sensei's heartwarming, guardian spirit, romance comedy "Tsuki Tsuki!" that was sold at the same time as "Seirei", the drawing of supportive collaborative illustrations could be done. Korie-sensei, thank you very much. As "Tsuki Tsuki!" is a very interesting work filled with plenty of cute girls (Shimizu is of the Gogyou-san faction!), those who have not read it please read it by all means. By the way, Sakura Hanpen-sensei's collaborative illustrations seem to be placed on "Tsuki Tsuki" Volume 3!

Chief editor Misaka, proofreading team, binding team, sales teams and the bookstores, really thank you for everything. Again, the new retailers Anibro Gamers had continued from the first volume, even the second volume of deploying extra large signboards & blade dance roadshow.

And, of course, the greatest thanks go to all you readers who had read this book.

To everyone that sent in their questionnaires, I've read them repeatedly, always treasuring your thoughts. The questionnaires are the driving force for me to write my manuscripts, I'll be happy if you keep on sending them in!

※Digressing but when I opened the cash register at a part time job (a certain bookshop) the other day, there was a customer who bought "Seirei" and it got my heart beating super fast…!

The next one will be the fourth installment. The stage will be from the academy compilation (first section) to the Blade Dance compilation (second section), as for the second section, I plan to make many of the foreshadowing and mysteries clear. Of course, with my "increased love, double the fun, superior battles!" slogan, the battle of love between the beautiful girls will heat up more than anything you've seen before!

At last, I pray that the entertainment that'll be created from now onwards would slightly bring peace to everyone, who're even now in harsh circumstances.

P.S.

Last April, I received news of Matsuno Akinari-sensei's death, and I'm humbly expressing my feelings of condolences.

Thank you very much for many of your wonderful works that brought a smile out from the bottom of my heart.

April 2011, Shimizu Yuu

==Illustrator's Afterword==
[[image:STnBD V03 260-261.jpg|thumb]]
Nice to meet you, or perhaps, long time no see, this is Sakura Hanpen!

This time I'm given two pages for my afterword, so I've fully used the space.

And drew Ellis-san!

Ellis in the 3rd volume was too cute that it was excruciating.

Even I, who's of the Rinslet faction, was almost bought over, how dangerous.

Then, here's some pleasant news! What, the series has been serialized as a manga!

The beginning of first serialization following my first light novel illustrations in succession has me very happy!

The manga drawings are really cute, oh no, it's at a level that I want to Shizumi-sensei's pero-pero right on the manga edition.

No, it'll be a waste, so I'll hold to it, Shizumi-sensei's pero-pero right is really cute, so please really look forward to it! I want to quickly read it.

Well then, I'll stop here!

The next volume seems to be a book of personal benefit to me!

Shizumi-sensei, I'm looking forward to it! Thank you!!

Before Koto Shouji-san deprives me of my pero-pero rights, I'll be stopping here!! See you at the next volume!

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Epilogue

2018-03-09T01:45:46Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Epilogue==
===Part 1===
Velsaria Eva's body was being ruined by the Cursed Armament Seal.

Although they could erase the Cursed Armament Seal engraved on her 'heart' with the power of the {{Furigana|Demon King Killing Sacred Sword|Demon Slayer|margin=13}}, Terminus Est, the curse, which had accumulated over several years and blasted out in one go, had destroyed her channel that ruled over the renewal of her divine power.

It was unknown how many years it would take for her to come back as an elementalist.

Also, even if Cursed Armament Seal disappeared, it did not mean her crimes would disappear.

Ellis and Kamito sent off Velsaria, who was escorted by Spirit Knights to be transported to the capital, to the front of the academy gate.

Getting on the escort carriage, Velsaria had been making a peaceful expression.

Due to the fact that she implanted the Cursed Armament Seal, it might be that her mind had also been slightly ruined.

She was currently not a beautiful knight of ice, but she seemed somewhat like a normal girl.

"...Ellis, I am sorry."

Velsaria turned towards Ellis and lowered her head.

"Please raise your head, esteemed sister. I will always be waiting for you."

Velsaria nodded, and this time, she turned towards Kamito.


"I will leave my younger sister in your care. She is clumsy, but she is, surprisingly, cute sometimes."

"Ah, ah, I know."

"Ka... Kamito!? Esteemed sister, what are you even saying?!"

With her face turning bright red, Ellis shouted.

"Ellis, I am looking forward to your efforts at the Blade Dance."

Patting Ellis lightly on the head, Velsaria got onto the carriage.

Kamito stood in line with Ellis and sent off the leaving carriage.

"Kamito, thank you. You helped me save my esteemed sister."

"The one who saved her was you, Ellis. Not me."

Kamito shook his head calmly.

"..."

Suddenly, a strange silence arrived.

"Erm, Kamito, about the day before yesterday, the Valentia Holy Festival."

"Oh?"

Ellis took out a small box from somewhere.

It was a box prettily wrapped with a ribbon.

"...This is?"

"Th... This is only because I have approved you as a comrade of the Knights. Other than that, th... there's not even a shred of any other intentions!"

Ellis sharply turned her face away and handed her chocolate out.

"Ha, ha, thank you Ellis. You're really a person with a stiff sense of obligation."

"Um, but i... it has... n... nothing to do with obligation."

Ellis pouted her lips and mumbled.

===Part 2===
Several days later, a party for Team Scarlet's selection to participate in the Blade Dance was held.

By defeating the first ranked Silent Fortress, their ranking went up to the third place in one go.

Similarly moving up the rankings, the upperclassman veteran Team Wyvern and together with Team Cernunnos that had the Druid girl were selected to participate in the Blade Dance.

The departure of the ship that would head to the venue in Astral Zero was one week later.

The party was held in Claire's room.

A gigantic chocolate cake was sitting on the table.

It was almost like the size of a wedding cake.

"You girls... are you seriously eating this whole thing?"

Kamito groaned with a deadpan look.


"We don't have a choice. We had a lot of chocolate for the Valentia Holy Festival left over, after all."

"Kamito-san, a... are you saying that you are not going to eat my cake?"

Rinslet frowned with an unhappy look.

"You made this? ...You really are a high spec young lady."

"Milady is top notch even compared to pastry shops."

Carol smiled, placing her hand at her mouth

"Carol also helped with the taste test."

"Yes, I am in bliss eating Milady's cakes everyday."

"Hum, Carol, you also have to work a little."

...The other party was the never changing low spec maid.

"Ah, Kamito-kun, Claire and I also helped!"

Mugyuu. The sensation of soft breasts was pressed onto him.

It was the immodest second princess.

"Fianna, you..."

The instant he heard Fianna helped, Kamito only felt a bad premonition.

"Fufu, not only the cake, you can eat me too!"

She whispered, mixed with her breath, at his ear. Kamito turned bright red.

"W... What are you saying...?"


"Kamito, you can eat me too?"

"Est, are you saying it, knowing what it means?!"

"...Ka... Kamito, you... you pervert..."

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogo*

"Wait, Claire! This is a misunderstanding!"

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

"I... It seems like Ellis is here."

Kamito went towards the door like he was escaping in a fluster.

As he opened the door, his eyes widened.

"...!"

The one standing there was...

Ellis wearing a party dress that had an opening at the region of her large breasts.

[[Image:STnBD V03 255.jpg|thumb]]
Her face was applied with light make-up and her lips were colored red.

"E... Ellis... what's with your attire?"

"Be... Because it is a party, I came with the proper attire."

Two girls were giggling behind Ellis, whose face was dyed red.

They were Rakka and Reishia. It seemed like she was tricked by those two again.


"I... Is... it strange?"

Ellis was asking with her cheeks slightly dyed red and an upward glance.

"No, it suits you. You're really pretty!"

Kamito scratched his head as he replied.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogo*.

He felt dreadful glares from behind.

"...!?"

As he turned around, the young ladies were glaring at Kamito with "Grrr" faces.

"Wh... What?"

"S... Shut up, just eat the cake!"

"Muhh"

Claire stabbed the cake with a fork and stuffed it into his mouth.

Fianna, Rinslet... and even Est...

They went on forcefully stuffing cake into his mouth.

(This is absurd...)

While Kamito was surrounded by morose beautiful girls, he sighed a heavy breath.

A week later, the Blade Dance finally drew open its curtains.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter9

2018-03-09T01:12:55Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 9: The Strongest Elementalist==
===Part 1 ===

It was the day of the team battle.

The members of Team Scarlet gathered before the stone circle.

It was a Gate for accessing Astral Zero that only a few places had, even in the Ordesia Empire.

Countless students had already entered the spectators' stands surrounding the grand arena.

This was a fight between the academy's strongest Blade Dancer Velsaria and Team Scarlet, that had rapidly risen to 6th place, so of course this match was deemed important.

With the newest technology by countless research groups provided to the Areishia Spirit Academy, it was now possible to view the blade dances occurring inside of Astral Zero.

Within the stands before the screen, in addition to the large number of students, there were also members of the Sylphid Knights.

And at the front of Team Scarlet, were Kamito and Ellis.

Through Fianna's healing power, Kamito was finally able to recover to the point where he could move around again.

But the injuries he sustained were deeper than he imagined and it was still very difficult for him to hold a sword.

Glancing at her teammates, Claire began to outline their tactics.

"Ellis, I'll leave the front to you. After all, you're the strongest in melee combat."

"Leave it to me. I'll create an opening through my esteemed sister's elemental waffe."

With a stern, valiant and courageous expression Ellis declared her resolve.

"My task is to defeat the Silent Fortress, right!?"

"And I am to defend and support you through my rituals."

Rinslet and Fianna respectively accepted their own task.

Claire, who was the most balanced of all, was in charge of relaying orders to the 3 people who were respectively in charge of attacking, supporting and defending.

Claire strongly believed that even if the power of an individual could not defeat Velsaria, if they worked as a team, their combined powers should be able to overwhelm her.

Even though the squadmates Velsaria chose were the strongest seniors in the Sylphid Knights, they were just a group of random people.

Without proper team combat training, it seemed Velsaria couldn't even organize their strategy as their commander.

"With our team, it is possible."

Claire strongly grasped her pendant.

At this time, the crowd was split between Team Scarlet and Velsaria and the cheering could be heard from the stands.

Velsaria Eva with her snow white coat walked out.

Following her were the ex Sylphid Knights that defected.

Arriving in front of Claire, Velsaria stood.

Her cold ice blue pupils were glaring at Ellis.

"Ellis, I thought you were smarter than this."

Ellis immediately raised her head and stared firmly at Velsaria.

She could not lose, for the sake of her teammates who gave her a chance to join the Blade Dance festival.

For her trust in her fellow Sylphid Knights.

And finally, for her idol that was once the strongest in her heart, the knight that was standing right in front of her.

"I will prove to you my way of the Knights and I shall start by defeating my dream which was once you."

"Stupid. So be it, I shall crush you."

And finally, the bell rang signaling the start of the festival.

At the same time, The Stone Ring, a relic from an age of myths, started to spin and opened the door to Astral Zero.

===Part 2 ===

The place where Team Scarlet was sent to was an open forest.

Because of the surrounding trees that were blocking their vision, it would be quite difficult to find the opposing team.

After quickly confirming the 3 people that were also transported...

"Go, Scarlet!"

Claire swung her whip down and summoned her flame clad hell cat.

The other 3 also quickly summoned their spirits.

"Ellis and I shall be in charge of scouting. Fianna, the surroundings around our base are yours."

Claire quickly gave orders but...

"There is no need for that, Claire Rouge."

"...!?"

After hearing that voice, everyone in Team Scarlet froze.

Raising their heads, there was...

...A giant fortress floating in the sky.

Equipping her elemental waffe, Silent Fortress, Velsaria appeared.

"Velsaria!? You're alone!?"

Claire screamed in surprise.

"I do not need people that are in the way. Your only opponent is just me alone."

"She's coming!"

Rinslet screeched out.

At that exact moment, the layered composite armor that covered the fortress started moving and countless cannons appeared out of it.

Like an Emperor overlooking the ground, Velsaria waved her hand.

"Disappear before my fortress spirit!"

Countless cannons fired.

Accompanying the giant shockwave on the earth, a rain of bombardment fired upon the ground.

The continuous artillery shelling struck the ground, rolling up a lot of dust.

Overwhelming power. That is the destruction from the strongest elemental waffe.

"Boring. Trash would still be trash..."

In an instant, the lush green forest turned into a barren wasteland with craters.

After the dust had settled, there was...

"What?"

Velsaria's expression froze.

A blonde girl holding an ice bow standing with a smile.

"You managed to strike down the bombardment..."

Rinslet proudly brushed her hair.

"Ha, I will never allow anyone who can equip their elemental waffe faster than me~"

"...! Preposterous!"

Velsaria then immediately unfolded the composite armor and blocked the ice arrows...

"It's not over yet!"

Without a single pause, Rinslet immediately released more arrows.

The ice sliced through the air and flew over— all the 4 arrows hit!

However, with only that degree of power, it was unable to strike through the fortress spirit's armor.

"Foolish. Before my Silent Fortress, arrows of your level are nothing to me."

"You sure?"

"What..."

When the cannons were preparing to fire once again...

Velsaria finally realized. Rinslet's goal was not to deal any damage to the armor.

The elemental waffe Freezing Arrow of the high level spirit Fenrir had an additional effect— Ice Nein.

Because it was ice that could never melt, the ultimate composite armor had now been frozen.

"It is just as you predicted, Claire~"

"Yes, even though Dreadnought's physical resistance was of the highest class, it has a very low resistance against spells. Thus your high level spirit Fenrir's elemental waffe can definitely break through it.

"...!"

Velsaria became slightly worried.

Right then her fortress spirit could not switch back to the cannon mode. Also, because of the ice on the surface, the mobility was reduced... a bad situation.

"Ellis, it's time to fight back!"

"Ahh!"

Claire and Ellis sang their summoning ritual.

And at the time when the fortress could not evade they—

"Devour, oh crimson searing fireball!"

"Wind, turn into a blade that cuts through everything!"

Dodging was impossible. In an instant, a shock wave shook the air.

"Success...!"

Even with layers over layers of composite armor protecting, it was still impossible to come out undamaged from direct attacks.

Although...

"So you are only at that level, Calamity Queen's younger sister."

"Wha...?"

The ground shook again.

With the wind, the sand blew at Claire's body.

In the middle of the crater that was seemly caused by a meteor...

The Silent Fortress stood there ominously.

"...!?"

"Causing me to fall down, unworthy of praise."

Through the shock wave caused by the fall, the ice that was on the armor shattered.

"But, this is the end. My fortress spirit is a ground spirit. I will become indomitable on the ground."

===Part 3===

As soon as she declared that, from the Silent Fortress's side, there came 2 giant robotic arms.

The blades coming from the arms swept and cut down the nearby trees.

Such an overwhelming power. But that movement had a lot of openings.

Ellis swung her elemental waffe, Ray Hawk.

The wind from the head flew towards Velsaria.

But then, Silent Fortress disappeared.

"...!?"

And suddenly, Velsaria immediately appeared in front of Ellis.

As if she was sliding, her mobility was totally different from when she was flying.

"Ellis!"

Claire released her Flame Whip and swiftly caught the fortress spirit's hand.

The strike was slowed down, but that was it.

That strength was overwhelmingly strong.

"Leave it to me!"

The one blocking the strike was a knight with a shield.

Fianna's knight spirit Georgios

The friction between the iron boots and the ground propelled the knight and it caught the fortress spirit with its body.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>BAMM*. But even the knight spirit which has a really strong defense could not handle the full force of the fortress spirit. The armor started to twist and the shield cracked—

"...Tolerate it, Georgios!"

Fianna cried in pain.

"The lost blade dancer. I thought you were smarter."

"True. B... But, I also kind of like my idiot self~"

Velsaria proceeded to swing her robotic arm down without mercy.

"I will not allow that!"

"...!"

Immediately, Claire jumped towards the attacking arm.

The blade arm was struggling with the fire whip. Just then, Velsaria fell into their plan, that fire whip was not supposed to stop the movement, but to get close.

(At this distance it would not be blocked by the armor!)

Claire then revealed one of her specialties, which was high speed casting.

Towards Velsaria who was shocked, Claire released her strongest spell.

"Dance, oh crimson flame that calls upon destruction, Hell Blaze!"

Inside the whirlpool of crimson flame, Velsaria was burned all over her body.

"...Ah!"

It was the first time she released a cry of pain.

"Damn, flies..."

As the arm was returning and was going to attack Claire...

"Esteemed sister, realize the truth!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Hon*. An amazing gale blew from above.

Surrounded by wind and swiftly attacking from above, a skill Ellis specialized in.

With her elemental waffe Ray Hawk, it pierced through Velsaria's chest.

"G...Gah..."

Then...

"O wind, blow wildly!"

And with the release of the spell...

A giant chaotic tornado blew away the Silent Fortress and Velsaria's body,

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bang*. The wind stopped and it hit the ground.

"Hah, Hah..."

Through the attack that burned through all her energy, Ellis immediately sat down.

Claire also breathed a sigh of relief and licked her lips.

"You are too proud, Velsaria. You foolishly came out by yourself..."

"The one who's foolish is you, Claire Rouge"

"Huh..."

Looking at the dust that was starting to settle...

A giant shadow was moving.

"For a truly strong person, a person without any more strength is just a thing in the way."

Once the sand settled, the Silent Fortress appeared once again.

Just like a wall, the composite armor did not have a single trace of damage.

"Disappear"

The armor instantly released countless cannons, all fired at once.

===Part 4 ===

Kamito strongly grasped his fist and looked towards the monitor.

Claire's movement, it looked more like trying to fight a giant beast than a blade dance.

Even if it was unimaginable, this fight was going to be very close.

But looking at Velsaria again, it seemed like she was filled with vigor once again.

To maintain that type of spirit, you are supposed to use up a lot of Divine power...

"..."

Through the giant monitor, Ellis was bravely standing against Velsaria.

(Heh, she can still stand up...)

Seems like leaving it to Claire was a right choice. With Kamito, even if he can relieve her, he can't give her the courage to stand again.

The strength of a party, is not just shown in a fight.

To be able to let a comrade stand again after losing all hope, that also shows the power of a party.

(No matter what, she is a great leader~)

Observing the intense fight and giving calm orders was Claire's job.

Correctly analyzing each person's strength and coordinating them can bring the power of a party to a new level.

To be able to make different people specializing in different things cooperate, he believed normal people would not have been able to do that.

(Maybe, she might have stronger leadership skills than her sister)

Kamito surprisingly thought.

(But, that Velsaria is overwhelmingly strong.)

(Doesn't matter if it is because of the contracted spirit or her determination that made her stronger, compared to her 3 years ago...)

"Kamito, what's the matter?"

Est worriedly looked towards Kamito.

"Haha, there's no problem."

Kamito lightly patted Est's silver hair.

(I believe this fight will become more intense.)

===Part 5 ===

And at the same time the cannons lit up—

"Freezing Arrows!"

Rinslet also released her elemental waffe.

As a diamond flying in thin air, the ice was broken when it was hit.

"...! Is that fortress girl's divine power unlimited!?"

Rinslet started to sweat.

Comparing by power, the Freezing Arrow immediately topped it, but when they were continuously fired, Velsaria's elemental waffe had an overwhelming advantage.

(We can't proceed this way, we will lose.)

"...My knight spirit is also at its limit."

Fianna breathed heavily.

The shield which was always resisting the cannons, also had multiple cracks.

And through the sudden attack, Claire and Ellis also could not get closer.

In front of the undamaged fortress, Team Scarlet's actions had been sealed shut.

That way, they could only patiently wait till Velsaria's divine power was emptied. But the knight spirit that was protecting them could not hold out for even 10 more seconds.

"So, we still can't defeat my esteemed sister..."

Ellis regrettably bit her lips.

"You sure are different, are you already showing weakness at this time?"

"B... But..."

Ellis looked at her side and stared at Claire.

"Didn't you already make a promise with those two people?"

"...Ha, ha, that is true."

Ellis slowly lifted her head up.

(That's true. I cannot be defeated here.)

(I already have made a promise with Rakka and Reishia.)

(And, I also made a vow to show Velsaria my way of the Knights.)

(Escaping is not an option.)

"But, what should we do? With the barrage, we can't even get close."

"...I still have a secret weapon. I'll make the chance."

"Is it possible?"

"I don't know. But, this is the only way left."

Claire who was looking forward spoke,

"Mm. True."

Ellis also nodded.

"Claire! I can't hold any more!"

Fianna's scream was filled with pain.

The knight spirit who was blocking the barrage also finally knelt down.

With the merciless barrage, it turned back into light orbs and disappeared.

At that moment, Claire started to run.

When all the cannons were focused on the knight spirit, there was a single opening. The chance was then.

At the same time, Ellis also started to run in the opposite direction.

Velsaria made an instant choice and decided to hit Claire first.

Aiming at the captain was a reasonable choice. But, Claire had already anticipated that.

"Scarlet!"

With the scream, the elemental waffe turned back into its cat form.

It ran through the rain of barrage and slowly approached Velsaria.

"Futile!"

Velsaria who roared, used the attacking arm and struck the hell cat.

Next, the cannon focused on Scarlet. Though noticing Claire's approach, Velsaria realized without her elemental waffe, she would not cause any threat.

Claire who approached then put her hand on the armor of the fortress spirit.

Then, released a spirit magic.

"Thou's ice heart, aware of my anger and lament, Blood Aria!"

That magic made whatever the palm touched vibrate in high frequency and caused it to be overheated.

Because it could only be released through direct contact, it was a very difficult magic to use in battle.

"Idiot, you really think you can pierce through my fortress spirit's armor with magic?"

Velsaria said in an icy tone.

Because of the attacking arm, Claire's small body hit the ground with a strong impact.

The next moment...

"Freezing Arrow!"

Rinslet released her ice arrows and it pierced through the fortress spirit's armor.

"Didn't I tell you... what!?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Plick*. The armor's surface cracked.

Velsaria opened her eyes in shock.

"Looks like... It is useful~"

Claire who was on the ground wiped her blood from her lips.

"Using the difference in temperature and causing destruction. T... That was your goal!?"

"That’s just a basic group strategy when you have a fire spirit and an ice spirit~"

That was Claire's secret weapon.

Even though the success rate was low, but they managed to finally find a weakness.

"...!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Plick* *Plick*. The cracks on the armor increased.

At this time...

"Ahhhhh!"

The gale that was surrounding Ellis released her Ray Hawk.

With her destruction force, she charged with intense speed.

The lance broke the armor and pierced through Velsaria's chest.

"...! Ellis!"

Ellis' brown eyes glared at Velsaria's icy blue eyes.

The strongest knight in the Academy started to show some weariness.

"O wind, blow wildly!"

With the same stance the Ray Hawk charged in...

Ellis released her strongest wind out.

The chaotic gale crushed the weakened elemental waffe.

Velsaria, whose armor had been crushed flew in the air, painfully dropped down on the ground.

"Hah, Hah, Hah..."

Ellis limply knelt on the floor.

"...Did we... succeed...?"

Velsaria was currently on the floor.

Seemingly unconscious.

"I..."

"Huh?"

Nope, she did not lose her consciousness.

Velsaria started to shake violently.

"...I, ...Absolutely... cannot lose..."

"...What?"

Claire raised her brow.

The scene before their eyes was unbelievable.

The elemental waffe which was supposed to be crushed...

"It's starting to morph into a different thing!"

"Esteemed sister...?"

Ellis remained, not knowing what to do.

"...Ah... AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Inside the forest of Astral Zero, echoed Velsaria's roar.

===Part 6 ===

"What is that...!?"

Kamito yelled out.

The students who were looking through the monitor to watch the battle started to run for their lives.

Velsaria's elemental waffe was starting to take a very ominous form.

The body that was covered with pitch black armor, was just like a knight risen from the dead.

If the divine power was capable of being seen with one's naked eyes, it was surely not a good sight.

"That is a Cursed Armament Seal, Kamito."

"Huh?"

Kamito looked at the expressionless Est.

"Also, she is now going out of control. If it continues like this..."

"Velsaria, implanted a Cursed Armament Seal!?"

Kamito worriedly asked for confirmation.

(Why...?)

Why did the Academy's strongest blade dancer need to rely on those items?

(Velsaria, already has been forced into this situation...)

Kamito tightly grasped his left hand.

(Even if the reason is not clear, I do know that the fight 3 years ago really changed her.)

Through the monitor, the pitch black knight roared out.

Noticing the change, Velsaria's teammates hurriedly came out.

They were those 4 people that were once part of the Sylphid Knights. They were probably forced to not come out till now.

And to her teammates that hurriedly approached her...

...The pitch black knight used its hand and struck them over.

Blood spurred out. The girls from the knights were slammed on the ground.

From the right shoulder to the chest, the girls suffered severe injuries.

"...!!?"

Kamito started to have a disgusted feeling.

From the injuries that were caused directly from a spirit, it proved that the spirit was slowly getting out of control.

The emergency bell rang. The match had been stopped.

But even then, Claire and the others did not want to retreat.

(N... No...!)

The black mist that was being sent out from the pitch black knight, like tentacles, trapped Claire and the others and caught their limbs. Even though Scarlet and Fenrir tried to bite through it, those two also got caught immediately.
[[Image:STnBD V03 233.jpg|thumb|x200px]]
(...Don't tell me, is she trying to drain power from Scarlet?)

Only Ellis stood up, wobbly.

Using her elemental waffe to blow off the nearby black mist, she was trying to protect Claire and the others.

Kamito though...

"Est. I have a request."

Closely grasping Est's cute hands.

Even though Est had an expression that wanted to say something, when she looked at Kamito...

"I am Kamito's sword. Everything is for you."

She seemingly gave up and nodded.

"But, please be careful. With your current body and with my form as elemental waffe, you can probably only last for 10 seconds,"

"Ahh, that's enough, Est."

Kamito kindly patted her silver hair and started to release his elemental waffe.

''"Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil, now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"''

Est's body slowly turned into light orbs and disappeared into thin air and in Kamito's hand, appeared a silver blade with shining lights.

===Part 7 ===

"...D... Damn...!"

Ellis used her elemental waffe's lance and slashed through the pitch black knight's mist.

Even with just a slight touch, your divine power could still be drained. Velsaria's teammates who had accidentally approached were already bound together and unconscious.

Fianna and Rinslet who almost used all their divine power also fainted on the floor. Even though Claire still managed to stay conscious.

"...Ellis, H... Hurry and escape to the door..."

"Don't joke around. I am a Sylphid Knight, my mission is to protect the students."

While talking to the fallen Claire, at the same time, she also released multiple gales towards Velsaria.

But, it could not even slightly damage the armor. Even if the form changed, it still seemed to be as durable as that fortress spirit.

The only thing that could manage to change the spirit into this ominous form...

There could be only one reason why.

"Why...? Why have you implanted a Cursed Armament Seal! Esteemed sister!"

(I do not understand.)

(A person who I once thought to be perfect, why do you have to do such things?)

Towards Velsaria who could not hear anything, Ellis struck again with her swift speed.

Because of the anger that increased the power of the gale, it pierced through the armor.

"O wind, blow wildly!"

But, the elemental waffe lance only maintained its form inside the armor without any movement.

(...I cannot generate any more wind!?)

From the crack of the armor came the black mist. The divine power of Velsaria, followed the lance up into Ellis' arm and started to drain her power.

Velsaria used her arms and slowly picked up her body by her neck.

"Ellis!"

Claire screamed out.

(...Is this the end? I...)

(...My consciousness is slowly fading away. Darkness is slowly enveloping me.)

(...I didn't get to protect anyone. Not even my comrades, not even my esteemed sister.)

"Kamito, sorry... I..."

At that moment. A sword immediately flashed through the air.

"...!?"

Next moment, Ellis' body was in the air.

From behind, a hand appeared and hugged her tightly.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

"Wha...?"

In front of her eyes, the one that appeared was Kazehaya Kamito.

Ellis right now was being princess cradled in the air.

"...Kamito?"

"Ellis, thanks for protecting my comrades~"

Kamito smiled and dropped to the ground and semi regrettably let Ellis down.

...Unable to understand the current situation, Ellis blinked blankly.

Kamito then looked towards Velsaria's direction and grasped his elemental waffe sword.

"I will not allow you to touch my comrades!"

===Part 8 ===

From under his bandages, surged a huge intense burning sensation.

(...Tch, the injury opened again...)

Tightly clenching his teeth to contain his cry of pain, Kamito cursed in his heart.

Even though I said something cool, I still have a giant hole in my stomach.

Not just blade dancing, it's already really difficult just standing.

"I knew it, using the Demon Slayer Sacred Sword in this condition is really tiring~"

He smiled wryly.

"Y... Y...Y...Y...You Idiot!"

Claire's whip made snapping sounds.

"Ouch!"

Kamito yelled in pain.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogo...!*

Turning his head back, there was Clare holding her whip with her arms crossed.

(...Scary. Its like her head has 2 horns...)

"W... What are you doing! Treat people with injuries better!"

Kamito glared at her with his teary eyes.

"Then why are people with injuries running here!?"

Her red twintails angrily stood up.

Kamito sighed and placed his hand on Claire's head.

"Rushing towards here when my comrades are in danger, isn't that normal?"

"...Hah, y... you sure are an idiot."

Claire looked to one side trying to hide her blushing face.

"Kamito, w... with your injuries..."

Ellis spoke with high concern.

Kamito once again turned himself around and kindly placed his hand on her shoulders.

"Ellis, you worked hard and did well. You are already an excellent knight."

"Kamito..."

Ellis' eyes showed happiness.

At that moment...

"...Oh... Ohhh, ahhhhh..."

"...!?"

Those 3 immediately turned towards the source of the noise.

The black knight who had lost one of its arms yelled out in pain.

With that form, it was just like a body being possessed by a lost spirit.

"Velsaria..."

Kamito wobbly walked over and held tightly onto Terminus Est.

With his current condition, he could only maintain Est's elemental waffe form for only about 10 seconds.

"Kamito, are you seriously going to fight this thing!?"

"Ah, after all, she is the one I have to defeat by my own hand."

"Kamito, what are you say..."

Kamito grasped his sword and stared at Velsaria.

"...Ren... Ashbel... l..."

"Velsaria, do you really want to fight against 'her'?"

Although he never expected an answer, Kamito still asked.

"...Ohhh... Oh..."

The only reply that he got, was the roar filled with chaos from its throat.

"Then, before the strongest blade dancer, I shall be your opponent!"

As he declared, Kamito started to charge forward.

At the same time, Velsaria who had lost one of her arms also started to charge.

"Kamito!"

Ellis' voice slowly faded in the noise created by the sword fight.

"Ohhhh!"

Blocking Velsaria's assault, Kamito swung his sword.

The pitch black armor cracked open. With another strike, he smashed through it.

Sparks flew everywhere. At the same time, a pain like electricity shocked Kamito's body.

At the instant Kamito screamed in pain, the armored Velsaria grabbed Kamito's arms. But...

"Don't look down on my comrades!"

As if in reply to Kamito's scream, Terminus Est released a bright light.

A light that seems to purify, it blew away the mist which was Velsaria's divine power.

Following that, Kamito slashed towards the head of the pitch black armor. With that, he released another strike. The black knight was not able to keep up with the flashes and flashes of attacks.

"Strong...!"

Ellis exclaimed.

Looking at the blade dance, you could never tell that Kamito was heavily injured with his overwhelming strength.

"That's just, like..."

Whom Ellis Fahrengart envied, the strongest blade dancer.

As if seeing the same thing from 3 years ago...

"Ahhhhhh!"

Velsaria screeched out a terrifying sound.

The air seemed like it was vibrating, smashing Kamito's body and blowing him away and then smashing him onto the ground heavily.

Crimson red blood started to stain the bandage on his chest while pain spread all over his body.

Terminus Est's light started to fade away, signaling that the fighting was almost near its end.

"..."

With the support of his hands, Kamito stood up.

Velsaria's ominous divine power then started to spread all over the ground like a mist,

(So the source of this mist is her heart...)

Kamito's extraordinary observing skills told him that conclusion.

While desperately tolerating the pain, Kamito re grasped his blade and lit up his sword.

(With Terminus Est's anti curse ability, I might be able to...)

At this time, like an obstacle, Velsaria's elemental waffe started to change once again.

The severed arm slowly morphed like clay and changed into a giant lance.

No, rather than a lance, it looked more like a ram.

"...Looks like its time to determine the winner. Just what I wanted..."

"Kamito!"

Ellis slowly walked over to Kamito with her blade as a support stick.

"Ellis, I'm sorry."

"Kamito, that thing is dangerous."

"What do you mean?"

"My lancing skills were taught to me by my esteemed sister."

"...I see."

Velsaria once again roared out a sound like it came from the ground.

"...Ren... Ash... bell!"

"...? My esteemed sister actually mistook Kamito as Ren Ashbell?"

Ellis raised her eyebrows, in question.

Of course, the current Velsaria already lost all logic.

"It's time to see who wins. Ellis, please help me a little."

"...I understand."

Ellis nodded.

"Kamito, I beg of you, please save my esteemed sister."

Kamito then proceeded to channel all of his remaining divine power to the sword in his hand.

The silver sword once again started to glow with all its might. Ellis also started to create gales of wind.

This strike was the strongest attack he could use with his current body.

(I can only bet everything on this.)

"Lets go, Velsaria Eva Fahrengart!"

"Ahhhhhhh!"

Velsaria charged while creating a trail of dust around her.

With Kamito's body becoming lighter through Ellis' wind,

With a violent gale behind his back pushing him, Kamito accelerated again.

With the instant clash, the area around them was immediately clouded by the flashing lights.

Just barely dodging Velsaria's attack...

The Demon Slayer Sacred Sword which was shinning with a bright white light, totally pierced Velsaria's armor and the 'heart'.

From the tip of the blade, the bright light started to overflow.

(Just like what happened 3 years ago.)

"...Velsaria, you shall be saved by me."

With his blade in her chest, Kamito slowly whispered.

The pitch black armor shattered into powder and Velsaria's beautiful face appeared once again.

"Ren Ashbell..."

Her cherry colored lips, slowly moved.

===Part 9 ===

(So it is like this... Kazehaya Kamito, ''you are...'')

In the moment she was pierced, she realized something.

The person in front of her, was the exact same person that pierced her chest 3 years ago.

"...I have been defeated once again..."

Velsaria smiled gently.

As if a heavy worry disappeared, she had a very stable expression.

But for some reason, she could not feel any remorse from that time.

This is because, Kazehaya Kamito's black eyes, were looking straight at her.

"...!?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Dub, dub*. The Cursed Armament Seal started to beat once again.

With her face hot, Velsaria slightly moved her teary eyes away from Kamito.

"Velsaria, you are strong. But, that strength will one day snap like a sword."

"That is true... But, I only seek this power so you can acknowledge me. But it seems like it wasn't enough~"

"You are wrong then."

"What?"

"You lost, but it is not because of insufficient strength. You only lost because you were alone. But I have my comrades, my friends I met in the Academy."

"..."

"That, is something even the me from 3 years ago, Ren Ashbell, would not have."

Upon Velsaria's blushing face came a cool breeze.

(These are Ellis' winds.)

At that last instant, it was that same wind that accelerated Kamito who was heavily injured.

That same wind that carried Ellis' thought and her belief as a knight.

"Ren Ashbell, I..."

With her smile and her beautiful golden hair swaying with the wind...

Velsaria Eva Fahrengart finally was defeated.

And the beating 'heart' also ceased all movement.

===Part 10 ===

"Arara, that 'heart' broke~ That was, after all, a rarely found piece of merchandise~"

At the forest not near the Academy...

Vivian Melosa unhappily bit her lips.

After all, she only came to watch the fight to gather more data.

"The direct implantation of Cursed Armament Seals on a 'heart' will still take a while until it can be used without any problems~"

Releasing a sigh, she turned off the final switch.

"But, that boy was pretty interesting. And since that Jio from the Instructional School was also taken away, I shall play with him the next time~"

"The students are not your toys, Vivian Melosa."

"...!?"

From that voice coming from nowhere, Vivian Melosa felt a chill on her back.

"Is that you!? The Dusk Witch!?"

"Hmph, how nostalgic. My good for nothing student."

Greyworth Ciel Mais slowly walked out from the deep forest.

"...! Why...?"

"Executing such an action that attracted people's attention, everyone would have noticed. And yesterday after the 2 girls went out of control, we did a little research. We realized that the Cursed Armament Seals were the same as what you studied back when you were still a student. Looks like you still haven't improved from the past~"

Like a teacher lecturing a student, Greyworth kindly said.

"I still can't believe that you actually started to take action because of those negligible students..."

"Hmph, the last time I was sent here was a few years ago. For me to come back here to rule out the nasty pests, it seems like it is destiny."

Vivian Melosa immediately held her breath and her body started to shake from fear.

"Next, for you to attack my important students, it is necessary for you to take some punishment~"

At the same time, Greyworth's right hand started to glow and compress into a pitch black matter.

From this weird condition, the one that was appearing could not be a contracted spirit, it was a ''demon''.

"Its been a long time since you had food, Earl, go ahead and enjoy yourself~"

Greyworth licked her devilish lips.

"Ah... Ahh... Ahhhhhh..."

Vivian Melosa cried out from her throat.

From being scared, it completely turned into a state of panic.

Looking at her trying to crawl away to escape...

"Don't try to escape~ The punishment is necessary!"

"Heh, Ah, Ahhh..."

The pitch black did its final assault.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Ka*. *Crack*. *Chouk*. *Gulp*...

The sound of chewing echoed throughout the forest.

"Ara, Ara. I still needed to handle the final situation, such an idiotic disciple~"

She then playfully touched her glasses and slowly walked away.

<noinclude>

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter8|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Epilogue}}
</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter8

2018-03-08T17:13:59Z

Masterupc: punctuation, minor changes

==Chapter 8: Ellis' Determination==
===Part 1===

"Ah..."

As Kamito opened his eyes, the familiar ceiling of Claire's room came into his vision.

Warm sunlight was shining through the curtain.

(...Eh? I... why was I sleeping?)

His memory was in a mess.

He didn't know when his pajamas were put on him, or when his bandages were wrapped on him.

Next to his bed, there was a cracked spirit crystal that he believed was used for healing.

Kamito was going to just stand up for now.

"Hoo... Ah...!"

Burning like pain ran at the side of his abdomen.

When he took a look, the blood at the bandages wrapped around his abdomen had dried up and hardened.

(That's right, I...)

Due to that pain, Kamito finally remembered.

(I was pierced at my abdomen by that spirit...)

It was the demon mirror spirit that went out of control due to the power of the Cursed Armament Seal.


The spirit that wounded Kamito was annihilated by Velsaria.

With overwhelming destructive force. Without even leaving any traces.

A spirit, which was thoroughly destroyed to that extent, could not even return back to Astral Zero.

It should have been completely eradicated.

"The Academy's strongest blade dancer, huh?"

Precisely because it was a sealed spirit the same as Est, that fortress was an abnormal elemental waffe.

She was becoming far stronger than the time at the Blade Dance three years ago.

(...With how I am now, could I defeat her?)

As he clenched his left hand which had once held a jet black demonic sword, he asked himself.

He had a blank of three years where he went embarking on the journey to find Restia.

There was also the fact that the spirit contract with Est was still incomplete.

If it was about the reasons that he couldn't win, he could come up with as many as he liked.

(That orphan of the Instructional School Jio Inzagi had said that I've become weak...)

That was because Kamito was subconsciously protecting his companions.

If that was a weakness, then...

(... I have indeed become weak, heh.)

Enduring the pain like that of a terrible burn wound, he finally got up from the bed.

Kamito's uniform was hanging on a wall of the room. It was a mere shadow of its former self with all that damage.


It was probably decided that there would be no point in washing it now, so it was left there like that.

While he placed both hands on the wall, he started walking with shaky footsteps.

After he searched his uniform's chest pocket, he took out a present and a chocolate.

The chocolate had melted and been flattened, but it was something that Claire made with great trouble. So, he was going to eat it gratefully.

After making his resolve and tossing a bite size piece into his mouth, sweetness instantly spread out inside his mouth.

"...Hn? This is surprisingly..."

Although there was still a bit of bitterness, it was properly made deliciously.

Compared to the coal she had been mass producing, she had improved considerably.

(...She basically is a very hard working person, isn't she?)

Her eccentrics that went with her mood was her weakness, but as she was an honor student, she was fast at apprehending things.

If she was serious, her cooking should also certainly conspicuously improve.

"Kamito!?"

Suddenly, the room's door opened.

The one who came in, was Claire holding crumpled bandages with both hands.

"Y... You, what are you doing!"

"Nm? The chocolate you gave me was made pretty well. You've worked hard."

"Eh?"


Kamito frankly praised.

Claire's face immediately reddened.

"I-Isn't that obvious? I... I've practiced a lot after all... Eh, that's not the point. W... Why are you awake? Your body still isn't in a condition to walk, right?!"

"Ah, no, just walking isn't a problem, look... Ouch!"

Just by slightly moving his arm, pain ran through the side of his abdomen.

"...Haaa. You really are a fool, your wound opened again, didn't it? Come on, sit there. I'll put new bandages on you."

"Ahhh, sorry..."

Being softly pressed on his shoulders by Claire, Kamito was made to sit on the bed.

Under the gentle treatment from Claire that was different from usual, Kamito's heart ended up beating quickly.

"...Geez, you're a fool."

While Claire wrapped the bandages unskillfully, she told Kamito what happened after he fainted.

The two, who reached out to the Cursed Armament Seals, were found unconscious in the forest.

It seemed like they were arrested immediately after the arrival of the Knights and were moved to the capital. Laying their hands on the Cursed Armament Seals did not mean that it ended with just breaking the academy rules. They would end up being charged for their crimes by the council that judged elementalists.


The actions by Velsaria, who got the general public involved, did not cause any deaths and in addition, as a result of suppressing the casualties in the town to the minimum, she seemed to have ended up not being charged.

The one who issued the ruling was Greyworth, however, this judgment was probably pushed back to just before the Blade Dance and it, without a doubt, involved the speculation of the congress of the Ordesia Empire that there was no way they could punish the academy's strongest candidate.

After Ellis helped Claire move Kamito, she seemed to have stayed confined in her room.

It might be that she felt responsible as the Captain for the fact that she couldn't protect the town from destruction and that she couldn't prevent students from getting involved with the Cursed Armament Seals.

"...How long did I sleep?"

"For almost a day. The Valentia Holy Festival ended a long time ago."

"Is that so..."

Kamito glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

Since last night, more than half a day had already passed.

"Claire, I'm sorry for being late."

Kamito handed over the small box, which he took out of his uniform a while ago, to Claire.

"What?"

"Ah... Err, this is your present... For your birthday. Although it's already over."

"...!?"


Claire widely opened her ruby eyes.

"No way, why...?"

"Rinslet told me. Well, for the daugther of a noble, this may not be something of high value."

"..."

Receiving the box, Claire untied the ribbon with fidgety hands.

Inside the box, a cat-shaped silver pendant was perfectly placed.

"T... This, isn't this what I wanted...?"

"Weren't you continuously looking at it that time?"

"U... Uh, but..."

Claire gently and preciously took out the pendant.

"This should be expensive. You aren't even a noble, how did...?"

"I asked a big favor from Ellis and got an advance on the remuneration from the Knights."

"...S... So... It was like that."

Claire tightly clasped the pendant, while she looked at Kamito with her eyes glancing upwards...

"...Th... Thank you, Kamito"

And said that shyly.

Kamito's heart spontaneously beat faster at her expression that she usually didn't even show.


[[Image:STnBD V03 193.jpg|thumb]]
(...T... This person, making such a face is criminally cute...)

He had been thinking that he would hear something like "You're sensible for a slave at best".

He did not think she would express her gratitude that frankly.

"Sorry, Kamito... Err, I was at fault."

"Mn?"

With another unbelievable line emerging, Kamito doubted his ears.

"I... I'm saying that I was at fault... Err, for getting angry and chasing you out. You joined the Knights for the sake of earning money to gift me this?"

"Ah, no, that's..."

Just when he was about to say it, Kamito closed his mouth.

Although it wasn't entirely like that, it seemed better to remain silent at this point.

"Despite that I didn't even listen to your explanation and willfully got angry... Sorry."

Her red twintails drooped down.

"No, I'm at fault, my words were insufficient at that time. Sorry."

"Kamito..."

"Hey, are you people done?"

There was the sound of a cough.

"...!?"


The two turned away in a fluster.

"Fianna, since when were you here!?"

"From when Kamito-kun pressed on coercively, saying 'It's time for you to become more frank, even though you always say you hate it, the truth is you want to be messed up by me, right?'"

"Don't fabricate an impossible fact!"

"Y... Yeah! T... To be messed up... T... That's not allowed!"

Claire turned steamily bright red and got angry.

"Hoho, I'm joking. Really Claire, what are you getting red for, I wonder?"

"W... Wh... What did you come here for, Ero Queen?!"

"As our opponent for the match tomorrow has already been declared, I came here to tell you that!"

"Our opponent for the match?"

"Yeah, our opponent is the first ranking, Velsaria Eva's, team~"

"...!"

Claire's expression became sharp.

"...The Silent Fortress, huh?"

As long as they kept on winning through, she was an opponent they would have to face one day.

Claire should have been prepared for this.

However, the power that eradicated two mighty high level spirits in an instant was...


"No problem."

Kamito picked up the elemental waffe sword that was leaned on the side of the bed.

"I will defeat Velsaria. I have to make her open her eyes with my hands."

"W... What are you saying!"

Claire sharply glared at Kamito.

"With that kind of injury, there's no way you can participate in the match tomorrow?"

"She isn't an opponent you two can win against."

"T... Things will work out. Putting Velsaria herself aside, the others have not yet matured as a team. As they were just head hunted from the Knights, their training in coordination have also not yet been sufficiently..."

"That Silent Fortress isn't such an easy opponent."

"That's..."

Claire had an impulsive personality, however, as an elementalist, she was endowed with calm eyes for battles.

Just with that, she wouldn't mistake the strength difference between Velsaria and her.

The strength of Claire, who uses Scarlet, towered above the rest of the elementary students but, even with that, she wasn't an opponent she could win against.

Former princess maiden of the Divine Ritual Institute Fianna was an expert at ritual dances but it did not change the fact that she's a novice at battles. Her Georgios was certainly strong but considering the fact that it could not be released as an elemental waffe, its options for battles were limited at any rate.


Besides, in order to attack the floating fortress, a spirit that could make powerful long range attacks was necessary.

The thing that would be dealing with the anti air battle in Team Scarlet would currently be only Claire's spirit magic. However, it would be impossible for ordinary spirit magic to break that armor.

"But, if I were to be an attacker, we could somehow hold for five minutes..."

Onto Kamito who was about to get out of bed...

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Mugyuu*.

"Yeah yeah, no matter how sturdy Kamito-kun's body is, participating in tomorrow's match is absolutely a no go."

Fianna pressed the cleavage of her soft breasts.

Claire angrily glared at Kamito, whose face turned red from the comfortable feeling of elasticity.

"That's right, an injured person like you would just become a burden."

"..."

It was vexing but he couldn't make a rebuttal.

Indeed, even if Kamito, who was seriously injured, participated, he would just end up being a hindrance.

"Then... is Team Scarlet forfeiting?"

"That's..."

Kamito, who asked, understood it. That option was not possible.

Once one forfeited a match, one's ranking would significantly drop as a penalty.


Even without that, if they don't defeat the first ranking team here, the possibility of sixth ranking Team Scarlet to enter the top participating three within the next two weeks would almost disappear.

"..."

A heavy atmosphere filled the room and at that moment...

"Fuu, I hear what you're saying!"

An elegant voice came from outside the room.

The one coming in with her platinum blonde hair swaying was Rinslet.

Carol the maid was courteously standing behind her..

"Rinslet, what are you doing entering my room as you please!?"

"Everyone, it seems like my power is needed."

Ignoring Claire who complained, Rinslet boldly walked.

She stopped in front of Kamito, who was sitting on the bed and brushed up her hair.

"As long as it is me, I'll see that the fortress lady falls to the ground."

"Milady is saying that she wishes to join Claire-sama's team."

Carol simultaneously translated what Rinslet's words meant.

"Is that right, Rinslet?"

"...N... No! I just..."

Rinslet asked for Carol's help in a fluster.

"Fufu, milady, you're really not honest."


Placing her hands near her mouth, Carol giggled.

"Rinslet!"

Suddenly, Kamito stood up and grasped her shoulders.

[[Image:STnBD V03 199.jpg|thumb]]
Her slender shoulders started trembling.

"Hyan! W... what are you doing! Grabbing a lady's shoulders so violently!"

She protested with a shrilling voice. However, Kamito did not let go.

"..."

"Ah, wha..."

With Kamito staring at her, Rinslet quickly quieted down.

Her face turned bright red as she pinched the edge of her skirt..

"S... Stop... Err If you look at me in such a way, I... I'll end up feeling strange."

"K... Kamito, what are you doing!?"

"Kamito-kun, no matter the circumstances, you're overly lacking in distinction."

Ignoring Claire and Fianna, who raised their voices...

"Please, Rinslet. Join our team."

"Eh?"

Rinslet was astonished. Claire also was staring in wonder.


Rinslet's elemental waffe Freezing Arrow was a long range attack elemental waffe. Especially as Kamito would be unable to enter tomorrow's match, they would want to include her into the team by all means.

Although, as Claire would belligerently ask, this young lady would certainly put on her pride. So, that's why Kamito made a begging appearance.

Rinslet...

"A... Alright..."

Like a bride that was proposed to, she docilely nodded.

"I... If Kamito-san says so..."

Blushing, she twirled the tips of her hair with her fingertip.

"Isn't this fine, Claire?"

Kamito gently let his hands go from Rinslet's shoulders and turned around.

Claire sighed, saying "It can't be helped".

"Certainly, if we cared about its appearance, we can't win against that Silent Fortress. At any rate, we would need ranged support and its strength is so so."

"W... Wait, please don't misunderstand. I offered to join your team because Kamito-san requested it."

Carol pacified Rinslet, who flew into a rage.

In any case, this meant that they now ended up being able to make long distance attacks from the ground.


(...If I add myself in as an attacker, our balance would become good.)

Claire seemed to have thought of the same thing as Kamito.

"All we're left with is one more person, we'll need someone with the power of an attacker though..."

She mumbled with a serious look.

Just then, there was the sound of knocking from the door.

"...?"

Everyone looked at each other... Having visitors come to this room was unusual.

Claire walked over and opened the door.

The ones outside the door were two unexpected people.

"Y... You two!?"

While Claire held onto the door knob, she widened her eyes.

"Claire Rouge, we have a request for you..."

"...Although we know that something like this isn't the courtesy of making a request."

They were Ellis' teammates who should be recuperating at the academy's medical institution.

They were Rakka and Reishia from the Sylphid Knights.

===Part 2===

In a dark room with all its curtains closed...

Ellis was cowering in her bed with a face that lacked aspiration.

What she was absent mindedly staring at was a spirit crystal sealed with memories.

There was the figure of Velsaria that Ellis idealized when she was young.

She also didn't go for the Knights meeting this morning. This was, of course, her first time.

What she was wearing wasn't the academy uniform, but pajamas with polka dots.

Without even tying her ponytail, her long hair spread out radially on her bed..

(You are not a knight.)

Velsaria's words were revived in her head.

(It may be just as what my esteemed sister said...)

Amidst the darkness, Ellis had firmly grasped her bed sheet.

(...While I've said that that's not it, in the end, I couldn't protect anything.)

The townsfolk who were enjoying the festival.

The students that ended up involved with the Cursed Armament Seal.

In addition, even her precious comrades from the Knights.

Even Kamito, who came to assist the Knights out of good will, had sustained serious injuries.

(It's all my responsibility. If I had gotten more of my act together, this would...)

It was also natural that the upperclassmen responded to Velsaria's invitation and left the Knights.


There would be no one who would follow a powerless captain only speaking of ideals.

"...I... am not qualified to call myself a knight..."

"That's right, in your current state, you are not qualified to be called a knight, Ellis."

"...!"

Ellis threw up her blanket in shock.

"Claire Rouge?"

"Sorry, but I melted your keyhole."

As Claire said that, she was entering the room without any discretion.

"W... Why are you here and what do you mean that I don't have the qualifications of a knight!?"

"Heh~ You still have the spirit to get angry after an insult. I feel at ease now."

As Claire walked to the side of the bed, she placed her hands on her hips and looked down at Ellis.

Normally, Ellis would have gallantly stared back, but...

Now, she averted her eyes like she was being overwhelmed.

"...H... Has Kamito awakened yet?"

"Yeah, he even said some reckless things like participating in tomorrow's match."

"What...? Don't tell me, with that kind of injury?"

"That's right. Furthermore, our opponent is the Academy's strongest, Silent Fortress."

"That's crazy, what are you all thinking!?"


Ellis stood up to grab Claire.

"Do you still not understand my esteemed sister's strength?"

"Ah, she is certainly a powerful elementalist, but it doesn't mean she's invincible."

"What?"

Ellis frowned.

Velsaria Eva Fahrengart was the strongest in the Academy.

This was a fact everyone knew of.

"Three years ago, Ren Ashbell defeated her."

"That's... she is the strongest blade dancer. That comparison is just too different."

"True. But, we have the goal of defeating that Ren Ashbell."

"Wha...?"

Towards those words that Ellis had never imagined of, she was at a loss for words.

(...Defeat Ren Ashbell!?)

"How is that possible...?"

"It is possible. I mean I'll do it~"

"..."

Claire's eyes were serious.

She was seriously thinking of defeating the strongest blade dancer.


"I will win through the Blade Dance. Then, I will definitely get my Wish granted. Whether if it is the Silent Fortress or the strongest blade dancer, anyone who gets in my way shall just be brought down."

Glaring straight ahead were her pupils harboring calm flames.

Small anxieties were inside Ellis' heart.

"I... I..."

"Ellis, did you plan on entering the Blade Dance with such resolution?"

Claire seized Ellis' collar.

"Is your ideal of a knight that you're aiming to be something of this level?"

"No!"

Ellis got startled and pushed Claire's hands away.

"I am... I am a prided knight of the Fahrengart!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Boom!*

Violent winds blew about in the room.

The bed sheet was blown away and the small items on the desk and furnishings were dancing in mid air.

The curtains were ripped apart and bright light suddenly shone into the dark room.

"..."

After the storm eased down...

"It looks like your winds are still blowing."


Claire suddenly smiled.

Then, she thrust her finger towards Ellis.

With her other hand on her hips...

"Ellis, join our team!"

"...W... What?"

Ellis was dumbfound and asked back.

"Me... Team Scarlet?"

"Correct. If you join, we can win against that Silent Fortress."

Claire nodded with a serious expression.

However, Ellis firmly shook her head.

"Sorry, that's an unreasonable talk. I already have companions to fight with..."

"Captain!"

"?"

Ellis turned around towards the voice she had heard from outside the room.

"Y... You two!?"

The ones over there were a lively looking girl with short hair and a similar looking girl with braided hair.


They were her teammates Rakka and Reishia.

"...You slipped out from the medical center?"

They should be having complete rest.

They shouldn't be allowed to be out at such a place.

"Why...?"

"We are, erm, hoping that Captain would partake in the Blade Dance."

Rakka said while painfully coughing.

Reishia nodded.

"We decided it ourselves. We already knew that we wouldn't be able to return to the academy before the Blade Dance... So..."

"You're... disbanding... the party?"

Having a stunned expression, Ellis looked at her two teammates.

"..."

"N... No, I will not allow that!"

"Captain, we're..."

"We had promised! To participate in the Blade Dance together!"

Ellis shouted like a child throwing a tantrum .

"We aren't able to. So..."

"But we really wanted to fight together... So, we'll like to entrust our wish to you, captain."

"Rakka, Reishia..."


"Please, fight for us too."

"I want to see Captain's blade dance. A blade dance, like a gale, that blows everything."

"..."

Ellis firmly bit her lips and clenched her fist.

Both sides refused to give up. Their glaring gazes ran into each other.

The one who sighed first was Ellis.

"...I understand. You two win."

"Captain!"

The two girls let out a lively scream.

"Claire Rouge."

Ellis calmly turned towards Claire.

It wasn't the lifeless face from just now.

It was the face of a gallant knight.

"I, Ellis Fahrengart, request to join Team Scarlet."

"Welcome, Ellis~"

Claire smiled and stretched out her right hand.

Ellis grabbed that hand in return.


"I'll prove to that person my way of a knight."

===Part 3===

The strongest blade dancer, Ren Ashbell.

Three years ago, since the day she crossed her blade with hers, Velsaria's life changed.

On that day, she received a great shock.

Before that day, Velsaria had taken pride in being the strongest knight.

It wasn't like she was making light of the girl, who appeared before her eyes, for being a title less newcomer two years younger than her.

No matter who it was, as long as they faced her, she would wield her full strength and strike them down.

That was her belief as a Knight.

She fought with all her strength dnd then, she was defeated.

However, what grew in her heart at that time was not hatred.

It was more like a sense of veneration towards her.

It was something trivial. She too was, like Ellis and the other girls, fascinated by Ren Ashbell's blade dance.

So, what she received a shock from was not the defeat.

It was the eyes that the strongest girl faced at her, the loser.


What was reflected in the girl's jet black pupils...

Was not hostility, not pity, not contempt. There wasn't even any emotions.

Velsaria was not even reflected in the girl's eyes.

...It was unforgivable. There was no way she could accept that.

She would defeat that strongest girl and make her ''acknowledge her existence''.

This was probably, in a sense, an emotion that was comparable to love.

(...Soon, I can fight her again in the Blade Dance.)

Any other things were irrelevant.

(Even if my mind and flesh are consumed by this 'heart'...)

Late at night. Deep inside the Spirit Forest...

Loitering alone in the darkness, Velsaria had been suppressing her feelings of haughtiness.

At this moment, the bushes behind her moved slightly.

"Is that you, witch!"

"Ha, as expected of you, you were able to detect my presence~"

There was the voluptuous sound of laughter heard within the forest.

The one who appeared was the Cursed Armament maker, Vivian Melosa.

"You did well yesterday, because of you I got good data~"

"I knew it, it was you who implanted those Cursed Armament Seals on them."


Velsaria emitted a fierce murderous aura. Leaves of the trees swayed like they were astir.

"Yes, but, they broke immediately. Even for the famous Areishia Spirit Academy, I can't seem to come across a fine specimen like yourself!"

[[Image:STnBD V03 212.jpg|thumb]]
"Disappear. I told you to never appear in front of me again."

"Wah, you're pretty cold. I just came here to check out the corrosion rate of the 'heart'."

"I have no intentions to assist your research. The 'heart' is being fully controlled."

Vivian Melosa laughed out loud.

"Please stop acting tough. For ''a Cursed Armament Seal engraved on a heart'', the only one who could control such a thing is possibly the Dusk Witch. If you just leave it like that, you will die in a few years~"

"Not a problem. As long as I live till the Blade Dance in two weeks, it is enough."

"That troubles me. You are actually a specimen I took a liking to..."

In an instant, Velsaria turned towards Vivian Melosa and released her elemental waffe.

A lump of compressed divine power blew apart the trees in the forest and gouged out the space before her.

After the dust had settled, there was no one there. There was only the dense darkness.

"...That damned witch."

Facing the empty space, Velsaria bitterly groaned.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Thump*, the 'heart' ached.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter9}}
</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7

2018-03-08T16:24:31Z

Masterupc: punctuation, minor changes

==Chapter 7 - Valentia Holy Festival==
=== Part 1 ===
It was evening. The plaza of Academy Town was bustling with crowds of people.

Sweet smells tickled his nostrils. At the shrine, delicious looking baked sweets were piled up like a mountain and princess maidens dispatched from the academy were showcasing a blade dance that entertained the spirits.

"However, where did that girl go?"

As his gaze fell towards the chocolate that Claire had thrown aside, Kamito breathed a sigh, exasperated.

Together with Ellis and the other two, they had given chase after Claire. But halfway through, the time for the change of patrols came and they had to give up. With that, they started their rounds around the Wind area.

"..."

Ellis, walking right beside him with a complicated expression, stared at the chocolate that Kamito was carrying.

"What is it, Ellis?"

"N... No, it's nothing... It looks like there's no problem in this area."

Ellis coughed and looked away.

Indeed, there did not seem to be any signs of suspicious activity in this area.

Although there might have been brawls between drunkards and pickpockets, those kinds of troubles were left for the town's vigilante corps to deal with. Rather, what Kamito and the others needed to look out for were the matters that the townspeople, who were not used to interaction with spirits, incurred the anger of the spirits unknowingly.

During the rituals of worshiping the spirits, those kinds of incidents occurred frequently.

"This is almost like... a da... date."

"Hm, did you say something?"

"Nothing at all, concentrate more on patrolling!"

Ellis' face was flushed a deep red as she got angry.

"So... Sorry..."

Kamito apologized.

(...Wait a second, isn't Ellis the one who isn't concentrating?)

Since awhile ago Ellis, who was not able to calm down, was stealing glances at Kamito's face from the side now and then.

Somehow, her manner of walking seemed unsteady and uncertain.

Their shoulders coming so close together that he was not sure whether they were touching and then her screaming "Fuwaa", once again moving away from him. That kind of thing was repeated over and over.

Because of that, they bumped into the people that they passed by, many times.

"Ellis, walking like that is dangerous."

Unable to watch any longer, Kamito grabbed Ellis' hand,

"...W... W... What are you doing, you insolent person!"


"No, since a while ago, you were somewhat unsteady and it got dangerous... Your hand is also a little hot. Would you happen to have a fever or something?"

"...～Wh... Whose fault do you think it is?!"

As Ellis' hand was joined with Kamito's, she hit his shoulder.

"I'll have you bear responsibility for taking my first time!"

"Wh...!?"

At those words of Ellis, whose face was colored in bright red.

The people, going back and forth on the street, turned around with their faces lighted up.

They glared at Kamito with a scornful-like look and murmured in a soft voice together.

"Ellis, don't utter something that would invite misunderstandings!"

"I... It isn't a misunderstanding! Really, I... it's my first time joining hands with a man!"

"...!?"

That was it. Kamito suddenly understood.

Thinking about it, Ellis was also a young lady with a prestigious noble background.

Now that he thought about it, Claire and the others seemed like they were hesitating about joining hands with him when they were departing yesterday. To them who were the daughters of nobles, joining hands with a boy might be an act more embarrassing than he imagined.

"...Sorry. My bad."


Just as Kamito was about to release her hand...

"...Ah, no, I don't mind and I didn't mean to scare you."

As Ellis embarrassedly looked away, she tightly squeezed his hand back.

It was the soft feeling of a girl's hands. The reason hard calluses were formed here and there was surely the proof that she seriously practiced her martial arts.

Just like that, Ellis walked on stiffly like a spring-action toy.

"I... It's... a guy's hand"

"Of course, it is."

Upon hearing Kamito's reply, Ellis giggled, seemingly happy, for some reason.

He was instantly startled by that facial expression of the usually dignified Ellis.

"It's more embarrassing than I thought... to hold hands."

"Ahh, that is true."

Scratching his cheek with one hand, Kamito vaguely nodded.

To be honest, he was a little absent minded.

From a moment ago, Ellis' large breasts were pressing on his arm.

Although, he didn't directly touch them because her Knights breastplate was there, the sensation of their elasticity was being transmitted whether he liked it or not. The reason his eyes unconsciously moved to her willful body beneath her armor was something that couldn't be helped for a boy in puberty.


(W... With such a stiff personality, her body sure is soft...)

With his heart beating hard and full of excitement, the two walked down the main street filled with the hustle and bustle of the festival for a while.

The beautiful stone made street was lit up by the illumination of the spirit crystals.

Pointing at the soft toy bear ornamented at the display window, Ellis' eyes had sparkled and she was gazing at a gorgeous party dress in front of a clothing shop.

When Kamito brought up yesterday's maid's outfit incident to tease her, her face turned bright red as she flared up.

"Hmph! After all, I'm not suited for those sort of beautiful clothing!"

"There's no such thing. Ellis in her usual knight clothing is also attractive but I also want to see Ellis wearing clothes like these."

"...What... What are you talking about?"

Pouting her lips, Ellis bashfully looked downwards.

Those actions were not of the usually dignified knight, they seemed to be those of an ordinary girl.

Looking at her like that, Kamito suddenly had something he wanted to try asking.

"Hey, Ellis, why did you plan on becoming a knight?"

While she was the daughter of the top military families, the Fahrengart family, he had felt that her obsession towards the way of life of a knight wasn't just because of that reason.

"..."


Ellis slowly turned her face toward him.

"At first, it was because of the admiration towards my esteemed sister."

"That Velsaria Eva?"

"That's right. My esteemed sister was a splendid knight. She was a person who was disciplined with herself, hated injustice, was earnestly polishing her sword skills and was always aiming for a way of life like attaining the objectives of the people."

As if gazing at somewhere far away, she looked up at the sky that was dyed by the faint sunset.

"From when I was a child, I had always been thinking of wanting to be a knight like my esteemed sister. As the successor of the Fahrengart family, I want to be a spirit knight that protects many people. So, when I joined the academy, I immediately made an application to the Sylphid Knights that she was serving as Captain of."

Suddenly, Ellis's reddish brown pupils darkened.

However... she continued.

"When I joined the academy, my esteemed sister had already changed. As if she was spurred on by something, she had turned into someone merely pursuing power. Of course, I can't say that way of life is absolutely wrong. Pursuing for superior power is also the proper way of life as an elementalist. However, at the very least, that person now isn't the knight I admired."

"What had changed her like that?"

Kamito asked.

Ellis tightly bit her lips.


"It's probably ''the match with Ren Ashbell three years ago''."

"...!?"

Without thinking, Kamito had raised his voice.

"I'm also not sure what happened. However, with that match, it is a fact that my esteemed sister had changed."

"..."

Kamito dropped his sight onto his left hand tucked into a leather glove.

The spirit seal, which tied him with his former contracted spirit, was engraved over there.

It was the left hand that defeated Velsaria and won through the Blade Dance three years ago.

It was the left hand that had cut down many Wishes for the sake of victory.

(The me three years ago had not been looking at anything.)

He was just merely fighting for her sake.

He had earnestly accumulated victories and brought down many opponents with a pure heart.

There were practically no opponents whose faces he remembered. At that time, he didn't have the leisure of thinking about things like what kind of thoughts the opponents defeated by Ren Ashbell had when participating in the Blade Dance

He recalled Velsaria Eva's icy-like pupils.

(...Was it me who changed Ellis' respected knight?)

Ellis dropped her line of sight from the madder-red sky and turned towards Kamito.


Her reddish brown pupils harbored strong will.

"I want to show my esteemed sister it, the way of the knight I believe in. Although I am still inexperienced now, I am thinking of wanting to seize the thing that lies beyond power someday. For that reason, I'm participating in the Blade Dance."

For the sake of the way of the knight I believe in.

Ellis, who said that in a dignified manner, was dazzling to Kamito.

"Ellis, don't you hate Ren Ashbell?"

Kamito had inquired spontaneously.

If the occasion that changed Velsaria was assumed to be the match from three years ago, it couldn't be helped that she was hated by Ellis... so, he thought.

However, Ellis lightly shook her head.

"Of course, I also had resented her when my esteemed sister was defeated. However, while looking at Ren Ashbell winning and winning, I noticed that I was getting captivated by her."

"I don't get it. She should be similar to the other elementalists, merely dancing a blade dance for the Wish. It's not like she has a splendid goal like Ellis..."

"Wrong!"

Ellis interrupted with a harsh voice.

"...?"

"Her blade dance was a blade dance more noble than anyone's. If that was not the case, it would be impossible for her to satisfy the Elemental Lords and above all, why do you think the girls, who were watching her at that venue, are now still attracted to her?"

"..."

Kamito spontaneously gulped at the threatening look of Ellis who was like scolding him harshly.

"It was precisely because the appearance of her dancing the blade dance was noble that I was charmed and attracted to her. Surely, she wasn't swinging her sword for herself, but for someone."

"For someone..."

Kamito... stared motionlessly at his left hand that exchanged a contract with the darkness spirit girl.

He felt like he was saved a little with Ellis' words.

For someone. That was correct. The reason Kamito participated the Blade Dance was for her.

Losing himself, he swung his sword for the sake of granting her one and only desired Wish.

Even if, for example, that result was something disgusting.

Performing a blade dance for his precious her. At least that was certain.

The girl in front of him had said so.

"Ellis, thank you."

"...? What is this about?"

Ellis frowned suspiciously.


"No, nothing."

Kamito laughed bitterly as he looked away from Ellis.

Then, his gaze stopped at one store.

"Ellis, could you accompany me to buy a little something?"

"W... We're on duty, you know."

"I have decided on what to buy. It shouldn't take more than a minute."

"...It can't be helped. What are you buying?"

"Um, something..."

As Kamito scratched the back of his ear, he walked towards the store.

=== Part 2 ===

Claire was walking through the Spirit Forest on the outskirts with a dejected expression.

The lively noise from the plaza far away could be heard.

The day was almost over, but it was somewhat vexing for her to return just like that and she also felt that she didn't want to meet Fianna and Rinslet.

"...Euph! What's with the work of the Knights? D... Despite that I was planning to forgive him."


Claire rubbed her eyes briskly with her uniform sleeves.

The cold evening wind blew her red twintailed hair like it was making fun of her.

Claire bit her lips tightly and dropped her sight onto her leather loafers.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Potaa*.<ref>sound of waterdrops</ref> A drop of tear spilled over and fell.

"...It's my birthday and yet..."

Upon voicing it out, she suddenly became unbearably lonely.

Every year, both her parents, her sister and the locals would gather in great numbers in their castle and a grand birthday party would be held. She would wear a beautiful dress, the table would be fully lined up with her favorite cakes and feasts and she would be sleeping in a warm bed together with her sister, who would return from the Divine Ritual Institute only on that day. That would be the most enjoyable day of the year.

However, four years ago, on that day when her sister Rubia Elstein betrayed the Elemental Lord of Fire...

...Young Claire lost everything.

(...That's right, I still have my goals.)

Shaking off her sentiments, Claire sharply raised her face from the ground.

It was not the time to be having fun with such things like her birthday or the Valentia Holy Festival.

(My goals are to win through the Blade Dance and know the truth of four years ago. For that objective, I have to become even stronger...)

Her red twintailed hair bristled up like flames.


(Even if someone like Kamito isn't there, I'll...)

"Fufu, you seem to be harboring a lot of stress, Miss Hell Cat."

"...!?"

Towards the voice from behind...

...Claire quickly turned around.

A girl was giggling as she was standing at the opposite of the grove of trees.

She had jade green hair that grew till her waist and ears with sharp tips.

She had recollections of her.

She was the waitress, who came carrying the gigantic parfait, at the restaurant yesterday.

(When did she get close?!)

Claire got cautious and readied herself. To approach Claire, an elementalist, without being noticed, she couldn't be a normal person.

Her intuition was telling her that this lady was dangerous.

"Who... are you? I am sorry but I am now in a terribly bad mood."

"Ah, what a cute face you're making, what a very scary cat."

Vivian Melosa swung both her hands to show her.

"Despite that I took great pains on planning to lend you power."

"...Power?"


Claire's eyebrows twitched.

"Yes, it's the thing that you now desire the most."

"You... could you be...?"

Clare glared at the lady before her.

"The Cursed Armament Seal smuggler!"

"Correct! However, to be more accurate, it would be researcher, you know♪"

As Vivian Melosa was swinging her index finger, she was slowly walking towards her.

Her red glaringly shiny pupils were peering motionlessly into Claire's eyes.

It was like she saw through till the innermost depths of her heart.

"Hmm, kitty, don't you want that splendid power?"

Her words roaringly reverberated.

Claire couldn't move like her feet were bound.

(This is domination magic?!)

It was a type of mind manipulation magic.

Her words echoed many times in her head and penetrated the innermost part of her mind.

"...You..."

"If you implanted my Cursed Armament Seal, your little hell cat will become an even mightier spirit."

It hurt like her head was splitting. Even if she plugged her ears with both hands, the words penetrated through.


Hey, don't you want power?

The power to overwhelm everything. The power to achieve your Wish.

(...It's obvious that I want something like that!)

She had wanted power. She had needed power at any cost for the sake of her goals.

For that reason, she would do anything. She had prepared herself like that since that day four years ago.

Thus, she had even risked the danger to her life to reach her hand out to a powerful sealed spirit.

She had made a contract with that darkness spirit's presented frenzy spirit.

However.

"Don't look down on me!"

In an instant, Claire's blazing Flametounge manifested in her hand and mowed down the space before her.

"...My domination magic was broken?"

"My apologies but I'll reject your forceful sale."

As Claire raised her breathing, she swung her Flametounge with a snap as if to shake off the temptation.

"How disappointing. I thought you had the qualifications but it looks like I miscalculated."

Vivian Melosa shrugged her shoulders looking bored.

If it was Claire from a few weeks ago, she probably wouldn't have been able to oppose the temptation.

She might have sought for easy power and laid her hands on the Cursed Armament Seal.

(But I'm now different.)


If you want power, I will become your contracted spirit.

(...After all, he had promised me)

"So, I don't need such phony powers!"

At the same time Claire shouted, she released a fireball of spirit magic.

She didn't go easy on the merchant opponent of the Cursed Armament Seal. She attacked with the intention of turning her completely into cinders.

A terrifying shock and explosion resounded in the quiet forest.

The trees in the surroundings were blown off at one go and had fallen down in a straight line.

The trees burned up. However, Vivian Melosa wasn't there.

"Fufu, please don't be in such a hurry. There is someone else who wants to meet you without fail."

A bewitching voice sounded from within the forest.

Claire was startled and turned around...

From deep within the forest, a tall girl appeared.

"You are..."

She was the adamantine elementalist upperclassman, who provoked Claire yesterday.

There was completely no expression on that face of hers.

She came over, walking unsteadily like a ghost.

"Don't tell me... the Cursed Armament Seal?"

"Ah, please don't be mistaken. The one who wanted power was her. Although, it looks like her mind couldn't bear my Cursed Armament Seal."

The sound of chuckling scorns reverberated within the forest.

"...Wa... a... laire... Rouge... Aaaahhh!"

The adamantine elementalist girl released an ear splitting wail.

In that instant, a violent wind swept over and a huge beast appeared from nowhere.

Over there... there was large deer of the metal attribute, which easily surpassed Claire's height.

It had two horns that extended out radically and black pupils that harbored signs of atrocity.

It had a terrifying air of intimidation that caused her skin to tremble.

"What? Isn't this... the adamantine spirit!?"

Claire raised her voice in shock.

Her contracted spirit shouldn't be a powerful high ranking spirit of this level.

"No, that is without doubt her spirit. It evolved with my Cursed Armament Seal, you know♪"

Vivian Melosa chuckled.

"So, would you please cooperate with my experiment, Miss Hell Cat."

"...!?"

The frenzied large deer released a repulsive roar and came charging over.



=== Part 3 ===
What Kamito bought was the cat pendant that Claire was looking at.

After getting the box wrapped with a red ribbon, Kamito placed it into his chest pocket as he embarrassedly scratched his face.

"Today is her birthday."

"I see. The reason you asked for the remuneration in advance was for the sake of buying that."

"Hn, you could say that... but, I ended up having a quarrel with her."

The moment Kamito shrugged his shoulders, Ellis coughed.

"I think reconciling is not going to be that hard. Wasn't that chocolate from just now Claire Rouge's handmade item?"

"Ah, it looks like it. It also looks like she practiced yesterday."

"For her to give that on the day of the Valentia Holy Festival means that, err, she doesn't even hate you, I think... I mean, I think that she wants to reconcile, right?"

"If it was like that, it would be great."

"A... Although, in the case where the recipient is of the opposite sex, there is also a slight chance that that's not just it but..."

Ellis coughed again...

She stared at Kamito's face.


"Hn? What's the matter?"

"E... Err, u... um... Actually, I... I also have chocolates..."

Ellis was almost going to take out something from the pocket of her uniform and at that moment.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Dooooon...!*

An earth-shaking like thunderous roar reverberated from the direction of the plaza.

"...Ellis!?"

"Ah, lets go Kamito!"

Ellis instantly changed back to her knight face and started running vigorously.

=== Part 4 ===

Pushing their way through the chaotic crowds and arriving at the plaza...

"What is that!?"

A gigantic beast had been rampaging about in the middle of the plaza.

It was a beast like a wild boar, with two sharp tusks.

Its whole body was covered by a shell that was like thoroughly polished mirror.

That was not a beast. That was a spirit.

Furthermore, it was a frenzied high level spirit.


The crowd in the plaza had already fallen into panic.

In trying to escape simultaneously in the same direction, they ended up falling one after another all over the place.

There also seemed to be a great number of old people and young children amongst the crowd.

"Did someone make the spirit run wild?"

"Ah, there might be an elementalist somewhere but that thing has completely lost control."

As expected of being used to these sort of situations, Ellis was very calm.

She had already armed her elemental waffe Ray Hawk in her hand.

"The investigation of the cause will be done later. I've concluded this situation to be a level five spirit disaster. Let's exterminate it, Kamito."

"Understood!"

Giving a nod, Kamito unsheathed Terminus Est from the sword belt on his hip.

Driving divine power to the sword, he woke up the sleeping {{Furigana|Demon King Killing Sacred Sword|Demon Slayer|margin=13}}.

"Est, lend me your power!"

Responding to the presence of the elemental waffen, the frenzied spirit turned towards the two.

Releasing an atmosphere shaking giant roar, it kicked the ground and charged forward.

There was a terrifying tremor. The buildings around collapsed one by one.

"Ha!"

Ellis swung Ray Hawk horizontally.

Countless wind blades that could even rip steel apart were produced and were released simultaneously towards the spirit.


Even if a high level spirit took on that directly, it would not get away fine.

But...

At that moment, the shell of the mirror like spirit glowed with rainbow colors.

"What!?"

Beams of light burst forth and at the same time, the blades of wind that should have hit it directly were all reflected at once.

The wind blades that were bounced back slashed the surrounding buildings right in half. The upper half of the buildings slowly fell down and raised up a thunderous roar and a large dancing cloud of sand.

"My wind blades were repelled!?"

"No, It amplified and reflected them."

Kamito sharply glared at the spirit in front of him.

(...A spirit that reflects attribute attacks, eh?)

What came to Kamito's mind was the match yesterday.

(...Don't tell me, that's the mirror spirit?)

"It's coming, Kamito!"

Ellis shouted out. After blasting off the scattered rubble, the frenzied spirit started charging.

Kamito took a stance with Terminus Est and stood in the way of the spirit.

It would be easy to dodge... but, that couldn't be done.

There was a great crowd, who was late in getting away, behind him. He had to protect them at that point.


Its huge tusks were approaching. That intense blow was stopped by Kamito using the edge of his sword.

A metallic sound resounded. He could barely stop the large beast but Terminus Est, who could only bring forth less than a tenth of her power, couldn't even chip its skin.

(...This thing's divine power is in a different league.)

Cold sweat surfaced on Kamito's forehead.

As Kamito held back the giant tusks with the sword, he was gradually getting pinned down.

(Damn, if we're in Astral Zero, I'll be able to manage somehow but...)

It was a frenzied high level spirit. It might be a threat to ordinary elementalists, but for Kamito who was titled the Strongest Blade Dancer, it was not an opponent that would give him a hard fight.

However, the problem was the fact that the crowd, whom were late in getting away, was there in his surroundings.

What would happen if he released this beast onto them would be plainly obvious.

Discerning that attribute attacks were ineffective, Ellis landed behind Kamito and went on guiding people to take refuge. It was a Sylphid Knights Captain-like calm and reasonable decision.

The demon mirror spirit started to howl wildly.

It smashed the ground with that shock and sent Kamito, who was holding back the tusks, flying.

And like that, he plunged into a mountain of rubble.

"Gah, what crazy strength..."

Groaning, Kamito tried to stand up as he was wavering and...


"...Kamito!"

Hearing Ellis' shout, Kamito quickly turned his head around.

The demon mirror spirit was stampeding its feet violent on the ground.

In its path, there was a small girl who was petrified.

It was probably the first time she had seen a rampaging spirit, so it seemed that she got scared and her feet wouldn't move.

The spirit released a loud roar and charged.

(Damn, I can't make it!)

Upon standing up, Kamito kicked the ground and leaped.

With that timing, grabbing the girl and dodging was impossible.

Making a quick judgment, he pushed the girl to the side.

A spray of red blood danced out.

The strong attack gouged the side of Kamito's abdomen.

"Gwah!"

It was hot. His vision turned pure white at that burning like pain.

The demon mirror spirit swung its tusks and Kamito's body was slammed onto the ground.

"...! Kamito!!"

Ellis instantly dashed towards him.


The white school uniform was slowly dyed with the color of blood.

(...What about that girl?)

Enduring the pain, he encircled his surroundings with his line of sight.

The girl he thrusted aside was unable to stand up and was sitting on the ground.

The moment he took a breath of relief, he coughed violently.

Red blood surged out onto the ground.

"Kamito! Are you alright?! Kamito...!!"

Ellis cried out loud.

"Ah... Somehow."

Like he sustained a concussion, his consciousness was slipping away.

The face of Ellis worriedly looking at him became blurry.

Cold sweat gushed out from his whole body. He knew that he was turning pale.

Pressing the side of his abdomen with one hand, Kamito slowly stood up.

He glared at the demon mirror spirit that was covered in his own blood.

"E... Ellis, cover me. I'll take care of that guy."

"But, your injury..."

"The affinity between your elemental waffe and this guy is too incompatible. Only I can do this."

Presented with an irrefutable truth, Ellis vexingly bit her lips


Kamito clenched Terminus Est with both hands and put in all the divine power he had.

(...I have to finish it at the next strike...)

The {{Furigana|Demon King Killing Sacred Sword|Demon Slayer|margin=13}} was the strongest class of elemental waffe, but its output was very unstable.

Without driving enough divine power into it and controlling it, most of its power couldn't be manifested.

With the Kamito's current state, he could only bet on that one strike.

The demon mirror spirit raised its tusk and charged again.

"Ellis, I'm counting on you!"

"Ah!"

Kamito jumped, no, flew just above it.

Ellis had used her wind spirit magic.

Flying over the demon mirror spirit, Kamito swung his sword downwards on the huge beast's head.

However.

(...! It didn't go through!?)

The Demon King Killing Sacred Sword only slightly pierced the demonic spirit's forehead.

Because of his serious injury, his control over Est was unstable.

The raging demon mirror spirit shook his head violently and threw Kamito on the ground.

The behemoth slowly approached the fallen Kamito from just above his head...

At that moment, a deep crimson slash ripped the skies apart.


Flametounge was twined around the demon mirror spirit, making it trip and that behemoth toppled sideways.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Dooon!*

There was terrifying tremor. Dust instantly flew up.

"What!?"

From the shroud of dust, her voice could be heard.

"That person is my slave spirit... don't touch him without my permission!"

"Claire!?"

Kamito's eyes widened in surprise.

Holding Flametounge, Claire got down from the second floor of a building.

"Y... You, why...?"

"We'll talk afterwards. Let's defeat them first."

"Them?"

Kamito suspiciously frowned and followed after what was before Claire's glaring line of sight.

Then, buildings were destroyed and, from the opposite side of the plaza, another spirit appeared.

It was a large deer of metal with huge horns hung high on its head.

"...! There's another one?!"

"What on earth is happening, Claire Rouge?"

Ellis rushed over and asked with a sharp expression.


"Their masters are the demon mirror elementalist and the adamantine elementalist students. I've already defeated the elementalists, but these two spirits have completely lost control and gone into a frenzy."

"Don't tell me, it's the two people from yesterday... B... But their contracted spirits don't have that kind of form..."

Stopping his sentence midway, Kamito suddenly realized. Ellis also seemed to get it.

"Don't tell me..."

"Uh, they made use of the Cursed Armament Seals."

"...!"

Ellis bit her lips vexingly.

She was lamenting about the fact that she couldn't stop the students from reaching out to the Cursed Armament Seals.

Cursed Armament Seal allowed mid level spirits to evolve into a high level spirit. There's no way they'll be all right transplanting such things. The result was the rampaging of their spirits.

"By the way, what's with those injures of yours!?"

Noticing the blood stains on his uniform, Claire widened her eyes.

"...Ah, I made a blunder. You too, aren't you also covered in injuries?"

"...S... Such a thing is not a big deal."

Claire quickly turned her face away, holding up a strong front.

But, even her uniform was torn everywhere and her limbs were full of injuries.

"Putting that aside, Ellis, where's the Sylphid Knights reinforcements?"


"They should already be on their way. However, it's just that the ones policing this area were Kamito and I... amongst this crowd, it will take time for them to come from the other areas."

Ellis bit her lips and looked down. As the battle strength of the Sylphid Knights were almost cut by half, they couldn't help but disperse their security forces.

Releasing a loud roar that shook the earth, the fallen demon mirror spirit got up.

The adamantine spirit with the form of a large deer was also slowly walking to the center of the plaza.

"There are two high level spirits running wild, as expected, this is really intense."

Claire nervously groaned.

There were still large groups of people, who failed to escaped outside the plaza. Waiting leisurely for the reinforcement from the Sylphid Knights and the Academy would only end up in irreparable results.

"I could probably at least stall for time?"

"Apologies, Claire Rouge, lend me your strength until reinforcements arrive."

Respectively clenching their own elemental waffen, Claire and Ellis confronted the two spirits.

And at that instant, a bright flash exploded.

There was an ear splitting thunderous sound. The rubble was smashed up.

"...! What was that!?"

As Kamito protected his eyes from the flying stone fragments, he yelled out.

That was rain.


That was a rain of bombardment that mercilessly fired at the two spirits.

The ground violently shook and countless pillars of fire shot up to the sky.

"..."

The moment the bombardment stopped...

There was only the completely destroyed plaza left behind.

The two high level spirits were completely annihilated.

(...What on earth happened!?)

While coughing violently, Kamito looked high up at the direction of the bombardment.

Over there, a giant fortress was floating!

It was an aerial fortress that was equipped with several layers of composite armor and a countless amount of cannons.

A pair of frozen ice blue pupils were glaring onto the ground.

"The Silent Fortress..."

The Academy's strongest elementalist, who destroyed the plaza in an instant, slowly landed on the ground.

"Strength will be trampled by greater strength. Half-baked strengths are the same as nothing."

"Velsaria..."

Kamito pressed down on the side his abdomen that was oozing blood as he glared at Velsaria.

There were buildings of the plaza that were destroyed in every way possible by the bombardment.

The fragments of rubble, which was smashed up, were merciless raining onto the crowd that had not fled.


"Why did you open fire! You should know that using such an elemental waffe would end out like..."

"I only exterminated the rampaging spirits. Those that were involved were unlucky, no, for it to end with this level of damage was instead lucky of them."

"My esteemed sister! Do you seriously think like..."

Velsaria coldly looked down at the enraged Ellis.

"Ellis, it looks like it was a mistake to entrust you as the captain. It seems like you can't even deal with a situation of this level. You're free to spit out your ideals of a knight or something, but ideals without power are just thoughtless words. You don't have the qualifications to call yourself a knight."

"...!?"

Pushing away Ellis, Velsaria was about to leave.

At that moment.

"Take it back."

"What?"

"Take it back, those words you just said! And apologize to Ellis!"

With his faint consciousness, Kamito dragged his feet forward with wobbly footsteps and approached Velsaria.

It was unacceptable that she spouted out such words without even knowing Ellis' feelings.

It was the fact that the one who spouted such words was the knight that Ellis had once admired.

"Whatever belief you hold onto is your freedom. However, you know, I'll just never forgive you who doesn't know anything, for stepping on Ellis' ideals."

"I'm just saying the truth. The Fahrengart knights would never twist their words."

"Don't mess around, you do not have the qualifications to call yourself a knight."

"...!?"

There were ripples of emotions rising in Velsaria's pupils.

It was neither irritation, nor anger, but some different emotion.

"Disappear, male elementalist. Your existence is an eyesore."

"Wait..."

Just when he was going to try chase her further, Kamito's vision violently shook.

Blood gushed out of his throat. The vision in front of his eyes suddenly began to fade like there was a haze.

"Damn...!"

"Kamito!"

Claire quickly held and stopped Kamito's body that was falling to the ground.

<noinclude>

=== Translator's Notes and Reference ===
<references />

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter6|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter8}}
</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter6

2018-03-07T05:33:22Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 6: Security of Academy Town==

===Part 1===

Members of The Knights formed units of two-men-cells or three-men-cells depending on their abilities.

For the time being, Kamito, the newcomer, had formed a unit with Ellis, the Captain.

Although, rather than Kamito being a newcomer, this was because not a single girl wanted to form a unit with Kamito.

The Knights' work covered a lot of areas, more than Kamito had anticipated.

There was the mediation of duels of academy students, the exposing of traders smuggling sealed spirits, the safeguarding of spirits gone astray, the negotiations between student organizations, the rescuing of stranded people. The most frequent quest was the subjugation of beasts and rampaging spirits that passed through naturally occurring Gates in the Spirit Forest and came intruding from Astral Zero. Receiving a report that a large beast seemed to be rampaging outside the town this time as well, the two of them moved quickly to the scene.

Mowing down the trees of the forest, a large beast, wearing a gigantic shell, roared.

It was a beast like a spider crossbred with a gigantic tortoise.

"What a pretty large prey, how big was the Gate that opened?"

"According to the Spirit Investigation Association's announcement, the size of the Gates appearing in the Spirit Forest seem to be getting bigger yearly. The reasons seem to be unknown."

Ellis nodded with a serious expression and armed her elemental waffe Ray Hawk.


It was his first time fighting side by side with Ellis like this but he knew her real ability.

Claire was more skilled in terms of her sense in flexible tactics, but in contrast with her, who would be moody and erratic, Ellis could fight in a steady way. With just the basics and without playing with shortcuts or tricks, she would force one to yield directly from the front. It was indeed an Ellis-like battle style.

"Now, Kamito!"

Matching up with Ellis attacking from the sky, Kamito plunged close towards the beast.

The shell creature's vital point was its soft abdomen. That's the same even for a beast.

Kamito kicked the ground with the elemental waffe sword in his hand.

At that moment, the beast's abdomen split vertically.

Appearing from its stomach was the head of a giant snake. Widely opening its mouth with sharp fangs, it swooped down at Kamito. The snake wriggling on the ground rolled up a large amount of sand and dirt.

"...What an absurd living thing, this beast is."

As Kamito dodged the beast's violent attack, he clicked his tongue.

Clad in the divine protection of her wind spirit and flying up in midair, Ellis released the blades of wind.

However, as if some magic effect was running, the blades were repelled by its hard shell.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Don*. Ellis landed next to Kamito.

"What a nuisance, that shell seems to be strengthened by spirit magic of the resistance attribute."

"Spirit magic? Who on earth...?"


"There is the possibility that this beast didn't come from a naturally occurring Gate and was summoned by somebody. In addition to the chaotic Valentia Holy Festival, they caused a disturbance outside of Academy Town and are probably trying to distract the Knights' attention."

Hearing this, Kamito got it.

"It's the Cursed Armament Seal smugglers who had infiltrated into Academy Town, right?"

"There's the possibility."

Ellis nodded with a stern expression.

The beast mowed down the trees of the forest and roared like it went mad.

With Ray Hawk in her hand, Ellis took a stance for an attack.

"Kamito, we'll do a coordinated attack. Let's bring it down in the next attack."

"Ah, I got it."

The striking-like attack of the beast came.

Ellis recited the flying spirit magic at high speed, grabbed Kamito's arm and flew up.

Upon flying up right above the beast, she quickly released her hand holding Kamito.

"Let's go Est!"

Responding to Kamito's shout, the elemental waffe, Terminus Est, shone dazzlingly.

It was a nose dive attack from the sky. A technique that was Ellis' specialty.

Along with the force of falling, the silver sword pierced into the shell.


<nowiki>*</nowiki>Crack*. A dry sound was heard and a crack had opened, traversing across the beast's hard shell.

Immediately after.

"Haaaaa!"

Ellis, who continued on and nosed dived, aimed at the crack that had appeared on its shell and thrust in her Ray Hawk!

"Go and rampage, evil winds!"

At the moment she shouted the words of releasing.

The large frame of the beast greatly sprung up in a jolt and it let out a roar of agony upon its imminent death and became silent.

The violent winds raging inside its body had sliced and ripped its internal organs into pieces.

"For our first time, it was a coordination of precise timing."

Kamito pulled out Est, that was pierced into the shell, as he said that.

"Ahh, I may have a good compatibility with you... th... this is only as far as battles are concerned!"

Ellis swiftly turned red and turned away abruptly.

===Part 2===

Even after the extermination of the beast in the Spirit Forest, the two of them were led around by incidents unexpectedly happening one by one.

Since there were many students out in town, due to the academy lectures being cancelled, trouble wouldn't seem to cease more than usual.

The part, where the number of Knights members decreased due to the headhunting this morning, also spurred on the business.


Time flew by while they were settling the unexpected incidents and soon it was afternoon.

The Valentia Holy Festival began from the afternoon onwards.

As the mayor's speech seemed to be on the plaza's side, the townspeople's feet had been naturally going towards that direction.

"How dreadful, the Knights' work is."

As Kamito surveyed the state of the street springing with excitement in the preparation of the festival, he muttered.

"Still , it was special this morning. Besides, the part where the upperclassmen knights were headhunted, hurt. I've caused trouble for you right from your first day, I'm sorry."

Ellis dropped her shoulders, feeling dejected and sighed.

She seemed to be depressed because of this morning's incident.

"Ellis, it's not that that was your fault, you know?"

"No, the fact that I couldn't restrain them is my responsibility."

Ellis slowly shook her head.

"Those four upperclassmen were Knights members from the time when my esteemed sister was the captain. Most of the upperclassmen had resigned the moment I was selected to be the captain. Only they had remained so far, but they ran out of patience with me, who lacks the ability as the captain."

"Ellis..."

"That reminds me, it was just a few weeks ago when you came here."

Ellis gave a talk about the Sylphid Knights from a year ago to Kamito.


The Sylphid Knights, when Velsaria was the captain, operated with iron rules and seemed to be an even-stronger organization as compared to now. They had the perfect efficient doctrine. The people, who violated even the group's rules, were punished right on the spot and the academy students, who caused problems, were mercilessly beaten up with the armed power of the Knights.

Naturally, the academy rules seemed to have been kept well.

However, Velsaria's severe methods invited opposition from the academy students, who were highly prideful noble girls and before long, she had to step down from her position as captain.

Although she was the eldest daughter of the prestigious Fahrengart Duke Family, it might, after all, be the fact that she was no more than an adopted child of a lower class noble, or probably the cause of stirring animosity with the nobles, who honored their pedigree.

The one, who was elected to be that girl's successor, was Ellis of the same Fahrengart Family.

"In the past, my esteemed sister was a splendid knight, whom I admired."

Ellis strongly bit her lips.

"She was a strict cold person, but she wasn't a person who would crush everything with power that way. Her current self is no longer the knight I aim to be."

Kamito remembered the spirit crystal he saw in Ellis' room yesterday.

The Velsaria in Ellis' memory had a completely different atmosphere as hers from this morning.

He felt it when he confronted her, that intimidating air that's even ominous.

(What on earth changed her like that...?)

Then, at that moment.


<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gyururu*.

There was the rumbling sound of a stomach..

"Ellis?"

"I... It isn't me!?"

Ellis turned bright red and denied.

Kamito made a wry smile.

"It's because we've been working since morning. The truth is that I'm also starving. Since it's almost time to change shifts, shall we have lunch or something?"

"Gu... E... Even though I'm saying that's not it."

Ignoring Ellis, who puffed out her cheeks, Kamito looked around his surroundings.

As there was the Valentia Holy Festival, there were many confection stores, but there were also plenty of street stalls selling other food. There was fried bread covered with sugar, a certain cuisine, wrapped in pie dough with vegetables and minced meat and baked, and grilled meat on skewers. Even if Ellis' hadn't, his stomach would have probably rumbled.

"Are you going to buy something at the stall? Or, are you going into a restaurant somewhere?"

"Mm, no, err..."

Thereupon, Ellis suddenly began to fidget for some reason.

"T... The truth is... I've made something though."

"Uh?"


Then, out of nowhere, a demon wind spirit in the form of an eagle came flying over.

It was Ellis' {{Furigana|demon wind spirit|Simorgh|margin=12}}. It was holding onto a large basket in its claws.

"As expected."

Kamito was impressed.

To even make a bento herself, she was truly a capable young lady.

"Well then, I'm going to buy something at the stall."

"W... Wa... Wa... Wait!"

Ellis caught hold of Kamito's neck as he was about to walk off.

"Wh... What?"

"Th... There's also your share..."

"Eh?"

"S... So, I'm saying that I also made your share!"

"My share?"

"Y... Yeah, because whether I make one or two, the time taken doesn't change that much. D... Don't misunderstand, I only made it because it would be wasteful to have ingredients left over!"

"I thank you for that. Ellis' bento is something I could look forward to."

"Mu<ref>A sound made when someone is slightly annoyed.</ref>, if you look forward to it that much, I'll feel troubled."

"Ahem", Ellis' cheeks reddened as she coughed.


"Well then, shall we find some place we can settle down somewhere?"

Ellis looked around the vicinity and...

"Ah, Captain, there you are, shall we have lunch together?"

"Wh...!?"

While waving their hands on the opposite side of the road, a group of three girls came running over with the sound of their light footsteps.

All of them were Sylphid Knight members, who put on lightweight armor on top of their uniforms.

"Y... You girls, what about your patrol of the town?!"

"It's currently the time for the Ryuska unit to be responsible for the patrol. After that, I had thought of having lunch with everyone. Captain, how about having it together with us?"

"Err, I have a prior commitment with Kamito..."

"Ah, how sly. Captain, you're planning to take hold of Kamito all by yourself!"

"Abuse of authority..."

"Captain, you perv!"

The three girls criticized Ellis simultaneously.

"I'm not taking hold of Kamito all by myself or something!"

Ellis turned bright red and flared up.

"Isn't that fine? You know, I couldn't do a self introduction properly this morning, after all."

"Th... That was so, but, however..."


Ellis sighed and...

"...I understand. Well then, let's have lunch with everyone."

"Mu", she glared at Kamito with a reproachful-like look and nodded.

===Part 3===

Just like that, they ended up having lunch at a nearby park.

It was a lushly green natural park near the plaza.

Within the busy town it was only quiet here, because of the Valentia Holy Festival preparations.

The Knights girls sat on top of the lawn and opened their lunch boxes.

The three of theirs were sandwiches, but only Ellis' was different.

"Oh? That's amazingly extravagant."

"...I... Is that so? B... But it's nothing special, it's the same as usual."

Kamito raised his voice in admiration and Ellis looked downwards as she was a little embarrassed.

There were potato salad sandwiches, sausages, fried eggs, fruits that were cut into perfectly shaped sizes and more placed inside the slightly large lunch box.

"Lies, you usually only have peanut butter sandwiches and yet..."

"The apples are also cut nicely into the shape of Mr. Rabbits!"


"The sausages are also made into Mr. Octopuses!"

Being glared at motionlessly with scornful eyes by the three girls, Ellis ended up being overwhelmed.

"Y... You girls too..."

Dodging the question, she faced the three and thrust her index finger out sternly.

"Despite being afraid of Kamito this morning, what on earth is with this turn of events?"

"..."

As a matter of fact, that was also bothering Kamito.

The reputation Kamito had from being a male elementalist in an academy of boxed in young ladies was extremely bad. There were things like pervert, licentious beast, Demon King of the Night... cruel misunderstandings were being made.

Furthermore, although there were circumstances, he had even seen the girls changing clothes this morning.

His first impression was supposed to be the worst.

The three of them mutually looked at each other's faces and made a bewildered-like face.

"U... Um... Honestly, I'm still a little afraid."

"When I saw Captain talking normally to him, I thought he isn't such a bad person or something."

"Besides, he opposed that Velsaria head on, how amazing."

The three of them placed both hands on their cheeks and their faces slightly reddened for some reason.

Ellis slightly and sullenly pulled her lips back and pouted at such an appearance from the three of them.

"It's nothing, I just didn't like her."


Kamito agilely picked up a sandwich made by Ellis.

It was a ham and egg sandwich. The pepper was working and it had a simple yet very pleasant seasoning.

"Delicious. To be able to make such a simple thing delicious is proof of your excellent skills."

"R... Really? ...That's great."

Ellis took a breath of relief.

"D... Don't hold back, eat up!"

"Ah, well then, I shan't hold back..."

Kamito was about to toss the sandwich into his mouth and at that moment...

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Nom*.

The sandwich in his hand suddenly disappeared.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Nom nom*.

"...Est, what are you doing?"

Est had returned to her human form from the sword and was beside him.

"Kamito, I'm also hungry. Feed me please."

"...It can't be helped, come on."

Kamito made a wry smile as he reached out to the sandwich.

He tore it into small pieces so that it'd be easy to eat and threw it into Est's mouth.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Nom nom*.


Chewing the bread expressionlessly, Est was almost like a small animal.

"Uh, Kamito, Th... That's the sandwiches I made for you, you know."

Ellis puffed her cheeks out with a "hmph".

"Ah, Est-chan is cute～"

"I also want to feed her!"

"Eat my sandwich, eat my sandwich too!"

The three Knights girls presented Est with food one after another.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Nom*. *Nom, nom*.

"As I thought she's a great one revered by humans."

"...No, she's completely being fed like an animal, you know?"

"Fua..."

Soon, Est made a lovely yawn and threw herself onto Kamito's lap.

When he thought that she would instantly be making sweet sleeping breaths...

Her body turned into particles of light, vanished into an empty space and returned back into her original sword form.

"Ah, she turned back into a sword..."

One of the girls muttered, seemingly disappointed.

"She ate all she could eat and went to sleep."

As Kamito placed Est back into the sword belt on his waist, he shrugged his shoulders in exasperation.


[[Image:STnBD V03 143.jpg|thumb|x200px]]
Est, who was detached from her Astral Zero body, was different from other contracted spirits, normally she would be spending almost the whole day in a sleeping state. Once she fell into this state, she pretty much wouldn't wake up.

After that, he ate the sandwiches as the time passed quietly.

The topics, which were brought up, were about the endless lectures and the books they read recently.

The Knights girls seemed tense about talking to Kamito but, a short while later, they had gradually opened their hearts. However, Ellis was making a face like she was not amused for some reason.

(Nevertheless...)

There was something Kamito suddenly noticed while the girls were talking.

"Even though you're in the Knights, all of you are normal girls?"

"Fue~?"

The three of them had their faces slightly reddened at the same time.

"Erm... N... Normal girls? Wh... What... do... you... mean?"

"Err, I certainly thought that you all would be like Ellis."

"Kamito, what do you mean by that?"

Ellis was sullenly glaring at him.

"Err, more strict, or rather, capable  or something..."

"It was like that before. People like us would be discharged after all."

One of the three girls muttered.



"Yeah, it was the time when Velsaria was captain."

"She suppressed everything with power, honestly, the atmosphere in the academy wasn't good."

The other two also nodded their heads together. As they were members that joined after Ellis was inaugurated as captain, they seemed to be dissatisfied with former captain Velsaria's way of doing things.

"Was there no one, who would oppose Velsaria?"

The ones attending the academy were mostly highly-prideful daughters of nobles.

If they were suppressed by power like that, there should also be many people opposing her.

"Of course, there were. Several people too."

Ellis cut into the conversation.

"However, even the most superior class upperclassman wasn't a threat to her. In the end, the reason that my esteemed sister stepped down from the duty of captain was because of the pressure from influential nobles."

"The ones, who rebelled against Velsaria to the very end were roughly those from the Raven Class. Especially hell cat Claire Rouge, even the Knights at that time seemed to have gotten their hands burnt."

"Well, but Claire Rouge is still a problem child now."

"...I see."

The confrontation between Claire and the Knights seemed to be something from the time before Ellis was inaugurated as captain.

Suddenly, Claire's face from yesterday came into Kamito's mind.

(...Is she still angry?)


Listening to the current conversation, Kamito also reconsidered that his explanation wasn't sufficient.

Since there was such a discord, it was also natural that she got angry after hearing that Kamito joined the Knights.

The truth was that he thought of looking into her room in the morning, but he was so extremely busy with the Knights work that he couldn't meet her.

Just at that moment...

"Hn?"

Something passed by near his field of vision.

Kamito blinked and squinted.

It was the main street of town that could be seen from the park.

A small red tail was in sight among the teeming hustle and bustle.

(...Is that Scarlet?)

Scarlet was skillfully making its way through the congestion, as it seemed to be walking to somewhere.

Claire wasn't seen beside it.

(What is it doing?)

Then, like it noticed Kamito's gaze...

Scarlet instantly stopped and turned around towards him.

After that, it immediately disappeared into the congestion.

(...Is it telling me to follow it?)


"What's the matter, Kamito?"

"Sorry, I remembered that I've got a slight errand to do. I'll come back quickly."

Chasing after Scarlet's tail, which disappeared among the hustle and bustle, Kamito ran off.

===Part 4===

"Come on, Scarlet, where the heck did you go?!"

Claire ruffled up her red twintails and was furiously angry.

The moment they walked into town, she ended up separated from Scarlet and before she knew it, she got lost in some back alley.

Claire, who usually didn't go out to Academy Town, was virtually unfamiliar with the area. Also, Scarlet didn't seem to have returned to Astral Zero, so she couldn't even summon it.

There were no signs of people in the back alley. The Valentia Holy Festival seemed to be beginning over at the plaza, everyone had been gathering over there.

"...What's with this, aaah."

Claire restlessly looked around her surroundings, seemingly in anxiety.

Of course, hoodlums and the like were no match for Claire, an elementalist. Nevertheless, she somehow ended up feeling uneasy.


"...That guy too, he completely didn't return!"

Claire irritably made a *snap* sound with her whip.

To begin with, the reason Claire had gone out to town was for the sake of finding Kamito.

She had waited throughout the whole night yesterday, but Kamito didn't return in the end.

"What...? Despite the fact that I'd have forgiven you if you'd have honestly apologized."

Claire had also reflected a little about the part where she chased Kamito out without hearing his story out fully.

She absolutely couldn't forgive him for being in Ellis' room, but still, without saying cinders, she had planned on letting it end with him being about half burnt at most.

(...Only for once, only once, I'll forgive him for swinging his tail at Ellis, despite his slave spirit social standing. I'm really tolerant, almost like a saint.)

Brushing her twintailed red hair quickly, Claire took out a small pouch from her uniform's pocket. It was a lovely pouch coiled with a yellow ribbon.

Inside were handmade chocolates.

Due to practicing over several times, she finally could make something that wasn't cinders.

"I... If he obediently apologized, I'd give him this as a reward. This is at most a reward. It has nothing to do with stuff like the Valentia Holy Festival."

Claire was muttering alone, when...

"Nyaa?"


"Hiwaa!"

Claire sprung up with shock.

When she turned around in a fluster, Scarlet had tilted its head to the side near her feet.

"A... Ahh, don't scare me! ...Good grief, you got lost as soon as we got here."

The one, who had been lost, was Claire, but she didn't admit that.

At that time, running footsteps were drawing closer from the other side of the alley.

"Claire!"

"...?"

Claire turned around and the one that appeared from the corner of the alley was Kamito.

He was very out of breath, like he has been running for some time.

"Ka... Kamito! Why...?"

"I caught sight of Scarlet's silhouette and chased it here."

"Eh?"

(D... Does that mean he came looking for me?)

Claire made an angry like, troubled like, happy like ambiguous face.

For the time being, as they were still in the middle of a quarrel, she didn't know what kind of expression she should be making.

(Th... That's right, I can't be making a sweet face here!)

The highly prideful Claire had absolutely no intention of forgiving him until an apology came from Kamito. For the master to be apologizing to the slave was something that could absolutely not happen.

"Hmm, w... what did you come for at this point in time?!"

"You too, what are you doing at a place like this?"

Kamito asked, seemingly puzzled.

"...I... It's nothing, it isn't like I was searching for you." 

"Ahh, I definitely understand that, but..."

"Doesn't that mean you don't understand?!"

Claire agitatedly raised her whip up. Then, she suddenly desisted from doing so.

If she swung her whip here, it'd end up the same as yesterday.

"...W... Well, that's fine."

Claire lowered the whip she raised and roughly brushed her hair.

Kamito was carrying a blank look.

"Hey, Kamito? Just by chance, I'm casually free this afternoon."

"...? Is that so?"

"That's right. S... So, err, treat me to cake or something at a coffee lounge or somewhere! Th... Then, I'll have... no... choice but to forgive you, you know?"

Her cheeks slightly reddened and she glanced at Kamito with one eye.

Those words just now were the greatest compromise for this highly prideful Claire.


It wasn't like she wanted to be treated to cake. For Claire, it was her plan to give him an easy pretext to apologize.

Kamito would say "What, it can't be helped" as he treated her to cake and Claire would go "Hmm, I'll forgive you in consideration of this cake" while shrugging her shoulders. Just like that, she thought she could patch up their relationship with a bit by bit like atmosphere.

(It's probably too late, but tentatively, he did come to apologize. I'm also not a kid, so I'll leniently forgive him.)

"Sorry, I have to police Academy Town with Ellis today."

"Oh, I understand. With Ellis...?"

Claire's face froze in a snap.

"H... Hey, Kamito... I didn't hear it well, but... what was that just now?"

"I said, I have Knights work. I am going around and policing the town with Ellis."

Kamito plainly said it once more.

"..."

"Hey, Claire?"

"O... Oh? With Ellis... it's a date, I... Isn't it."

Claire's voice was trembling all over.

"No, it isn't a date, it's Knights..."


"Oh, you've already become the Knights' dog, haven't you? That badge suits you, doesn't it?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogogo...!*

"...!?"

Claire was angry.

Her red twintailed hair bristled up and she was with an impulse like she was going to release a fireball anytime soon.

"You, just hear me out a little. You don't have to look at the Knights with that much hostility, do you?"

"W... What, don't say it like you understand!"

Claire flared up and raised her whip.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gyruruu*.

"..."

A somewhat lovely sound was heard.

While Claire held her whip overhead, she awkwardly averted her eyes.

"You, could it be that you haven't had lunch yet?"

"What, isn't that because you didn't make it for me...?"

"The one who chased me out was you."

"That's... true, but..."

Claire glared at Kamito and groaned.


"Claire, if it's alright with you, would you eat with me?"

"Eh?"

Claire widened her ruby eyes.

"...Th... That's... well..."

Her face reddened and abruptly turned away.

"I... If you insisted no matter what, I'm fine with that."

"Well then, come. I am eating together with Ellis and the others at the park over there."

"...!?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pikuu*. Claire's temple twitched.

"Wh... What are you saying, you... Are you an idiot?!"

"I understand that you're on poor relations with the Knights, but they're all normal girls. If you had a meal together with them, wouldn't you become on good terms with them?"

"I have no intentions of being friends with them. I've hated the people from the Knights since a long time ago. I don't care if they're elite or not, but they utterly insulted Nee-sama!"

"Isn't that about the former Knights, Ellis isn't someone like that..."

"...What, Ellis this, Ellis that!"

Claire finally exploded. She was already at the limit of her tolerance.

Releasing her elemental waffe, she tightly grasped her blazing Flametounge.


...She didn't understand why.

However, it was unbearably vexing that Kamito was friendly with the Knights and Ellis.

"You are my slave spirit, so you're only mine!"

Her Flametounge was swung down as her emotions told.

However.

"Leave it at that, Claire Rouge."

"...!?"

Her blazing Flametounge was held entangled by a lance clad in violent winds.

"It's a violation of school rules for a normal student to be using an elemental waffe in town."

"Ellis!?"

Ellis, who stood like she was protecting Kamito, was glaring at Claire with a relentless look.

"...!"

Claire gnawed down on her molars, seemingly vexed.

Large droplets of tears surfaced on her clear ruby pupils.

"...Enough."

"Eh?"

"That's enough, idiot, do as you please!"

"H... Hey, Claire... Guaa!"


Claire threw the bag of chocolates with all her strength at Kamito's face.

"I despise people like you! Wh... Why don't you just get along with Ellis..."

Claire shouted with a voice mangled with tears and ran away immediately.

===Part 5===

"Hey, wasn't that Claire Rouge just now?"

The upperclassmen witnessed Claire's appearance of dashing out from the alley.

They were the adamantine elementalist and the demon mirror elementalist, who fought Claire's team yesterday.

The two of them glared annoyingly at Claire, who was running away.

"...She's alone now. We're also outside of the academy, where it's beyond the eyes of the teachers."

The adamantine elementalist girl exchanged looks and

"It's useless. Look! That male elementalist and Captain-dono are around."

It was just the moment when Kamito and Ellis emerged, chasing Claire.

"Tch, that male elementalist joined the Knights, didn't he?"

"Isn't it that they're shorthanded because of the assault the other day? Compared to Velsaria's time, the quality of the Sylphid Knights had also fallen greatly."

The two of them were former members of the Knights.


Their confrontational relationship with that audacious Claire Rogue also stemmed from that period.

That said, their conduct lacked integrity to begin with. For example, they persistently misused and abused their authority as Knights to torment weaker students. After Ellis became captain, she had expelled these two from the Knights.

"However, if it's just three underclassmen, we could..."

"You better give it a rest. Even you two would be no match even if you join forces."

"...!?"

The two of them quickly poised themselves at the voice from behind.

The one, who was standing there without even her presence felt by the two elementalists, was...

...A jade green haired, bewitchingly beautiful girl.

"Hey, you two, don't you desire for more splendid power?"

"Wh... at...?"

"Mighty power, to the extent that that hell cat girl wouldn't be a problem."

{{Furigana|Corpse Federation|Murders|margin=12}} merchant, Vivian Melosa's red pupils ominously shone.

<noinclude>

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

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter5|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7}}
</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter5

2018-03-07T01:46:46Z

Masterupc: punctuation

==Chapter 5: Sylphid Knights==

===Part 1===

"...chan, please wake up."

He heard somebody's voice...

"...chan, onii-chan."

"Uh..."

Kamito rubbed his eyes as he slowly got up.

His back hurt. The muscles of his stiff joints were screaming.

"Hn..."

Feeling the hard sensation in his palms...

Kamito finally remembered.

Last night, he was driven out of the room by Claire, so he had reluctantly decided to sleep near the forest.

(...Eh, onii-chan?)

With his still half awakened consciousness, Kamito tilted his head.

Naturally, Kamito, who was an orphan, didn't have things like a sister.

After blinking his eyes several times, he suddenly shifted his focus to his side...

"Have you finally woken up, onii-chan?"


"E... Est!?"

A beautiful girl, fully nude save for knee-socks, was looking into Kamito's face expressionlessly.

She had a slim slender body. Morning dew wetted her milky skin and was shining.

"Wh... What's the matter?! Weren't you sleeping in Claire's room!?"

Kamito, whose face turned bright red, averted his eyes from the girl's gentle-sloping breasts in a fluster.

"In order for onii-chan to not freeze to death, I've been sleeping together with you and warming you up."

"...Th-That's a lie, right?"

"Did my thighs feel good, onii-chan?"

"...Guaa."

Kamito was greatly perplexed and groaned.

"By the way, since just now, what's with the 'onii-chan'?"

"Yes well, I tried using various ways of calling to wake you up, but you did not wake up at all, so Est tried calling you onii-chan. When I did that, Kamito immediately woke up."

"Is that true...?"

"Yes, onii-chan."

"Est, spare me the 'onii-chan'."

"Yes, onii-chan."

Est nodded expressionlessly.


"...Est. By any chance, are you angry?"

"..."

Est stared at Kamito with her mysterious violet pupils.

"I am Kamito's contracted spirit, you know."

"Eh?"

Est softly pressed her index finger onto Kamito's lips.

"Kamito, please promise me that you won't leave me behind as you please."

"..."

It seemed like she was angry about being left behind in Claire's room.

As for Kamito, he had just thought that it was pitiful to make her sleep outside with him, but...

"...Ahh, I got it. Sorry."

"It's a promise, Kamito."

Kamito entwined his pinky around Est's stretched out pinky and promised.

"Well then, I have to go to Ellis' place."

The academy also had a day off today because of Valentia Holy Festival but there was a meeting being held.

Kamito had just decided to join the Knights, but it seemed like he had to work immediately from today.

"Let's go, Est."

"Okay, Kamito."


Est tightly grasped Kamito's hand, who had stood up.

===Part 2===

The Sylphid Knights' morning was early.

Even if it was the day that the academy had a holiday, there was a Knights' general meeting early in the morning.

Kamito turned up at the headquarters of the Sylphid Knights in accordance with the time he heard from Ellis.

The headquarters of the Knights was a staggeringly splendid building remodeled from an old cathedral. Considering that there were about twenty members, it might be a little too spacious.

Kamito took a breath and pushed open the heavy steel door.

"Wh...?"

Kamito left the door open and froze for a few seconds.

It was full of girls in their underwear inside the holy cathedral.

There were girls who had just begun removing their skirts and girls who had their hands at their bra hooks.

"...!"

Ellis, who had pulled her stockings up to her knees, was widely opening her reddish brown eyes.
[[Image:STnBD V03 117.jpg|thumb]]

Her adult-like black lingerie was clearly etched into his retina.

And then...


"Gyaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Kamito received dozens of blasts of spirit magic on his body and was even blown out of the other side of the door.



"...I see that I had taken the Knights' harshness lightly."

Kamito, whose whole body got shredded and tattered, glared at Ellis with scornful eyes.

Incidentally, the one who released the most powerful spirit magic, was this very Ellis.

If he wasn't wearing his highly blade proof and impact proof academy uniform, he certainly would have turned into pieces by the wild flying blades of wind.

Ellis awkwardly averted her eyes...

"Sorry. I should have told you this first. We always change our clothes here."

"Why don't you use the changing room?"

"That's because there was no need to. So far, we haven't had a male student."

"That is so, but..."

"Well, that's that. It suits you rather well, doesn't it, Kamito."

Ellis coughed in order to dodge the question.

Kamito attached a badge, which was engraved with the portrait of the wind Elemental Lord.

Since the Knights' armors were for female use only, it had been decided that he would attach this badge instead.

The Knights' girls were lined up horizontally in front of Kamito and Est.



There were twenty members all together. There also seemed to be several upperclassmen among them.

Before starting the Knights general meeting, Ellis was going to introduce Kamito.

"He'll be attached to the Knights starting from today, he's Kazehaya Kamito from the Raven Class. As you can see, he's a male elementalist, but I want you to welcome him without being afraid."

"..."

The Knights' girls were...

Glaring at Kamito with eyes discerning a suspicious person.

...It was understandable. Due to the incident just now, the impression Kamito made was the worst.

"Is that the rumored Demon King of the Night?" "I can't believe it, he made such a small girl into his lover..."

"However, isn't he a little good looking?" "Don't be deceived, despite his appearance, he's a terrible pervert." "Even just now, he was looking at us like he ran his tongue all over our underwear."

...Those were the whispering voices of the girls that he heard.

"Hey, Ellis... my heart seems to be broken from the first day."

"I... It's alright. I know that you are not such a boy. If you display the part where you work as a splendid Knight, things like dishonorable rumors would instantly vanish."

"...That would be great if that was the case."

Although Kamito appreciated Ellis cheering him, he let out a heavy sigh.



===Part 3===

The Knights' general meeting started.

What Ellis spoke about was the special quest for the Valentia Holy Festival.

"Today, the academy lectures are cancelled. Many academy students would end up flocking to the town because of the Valentia Holy Festival. In order to prevent dueling incidents from occurring in front of ordinary townspeople, all members, be cautious and take on the quest."

"Yes!"

The Knights girls all replied at once.

They were few in number, but they were superior elementalists. As expected, their morale was high.

However, there also seemed to be people harboring dissatisfaction about Ellis taking command among the upperclassmen.

Kamito didn't miss the fact that several people were plainly making seemingly dissatisfied faces.

(...I see, this is why Ellis also has it tough.)

It was the jealousy towards their junior, whose pedigree and ability was superior.

Sylphid Knights, which looked well ordered, seemed to have various things going on internally.

However, Ellis ignored those upperclassmen and continued.

"Those Cursed Armament Seal merchants, {{Furigana|Corpse Federation's|Murders|margin=12}} people, seemed to have infiltrated into the Academy Town. They may be plotting to use this chance for some sort of contact with the academy students that are going out into the town. If you catch them in the act, please deal with it with your own judgment. Well then, dismiss..."


"Hold on!"

Suddenly a sharp voice came from behind Kamito.

The steel door was forcefully and cleanly pushed open and daylight shone in at once.

"...!?"

All of them were taken aback and turned around.

The one standing before the door was a knight of a beautiful face with the appearance of an ice sculpture.

She had brilliant shiny blonde hair and cold piercing ice blue pupils. She was wearing a pure white overcoat on top of her uniform. It was a prestige overcoat that only the academy's top ranker was allowed to wear.

(The academy's strongest elementalist, Velsaria Eva.)

Something chilly ran through Kamito's spine. She, who he had faced at the arena at the Blade Dance three years ago, shouldn't have this much of a sense of intimidation.

Velsaria made a sound with her hard iron shoes and slowly walked over.

"Esteemed sister, why are you here...!"

"It seems that the pawns have decreased considerably in numbers during the time I was absent."

"Esteemed sister... did you say something just now?"

"I said the pawns have decreased. That's all."

"...!"

Ellis sternly lifted her eyebrows at Velsaria's spoken harsh remark.


"Are you calling the comrades of the Knights pawns?!"

"Pawns are pawns. Furthermore, they are useless sacrificial pawns. Without even being able to capture just one assailant, they were completely defeated on the contrary."

"It doesn't matter to me. However, I would like you to stop insulting the girls, who splendidly carried out their duties. Even if you are the former captain."

Velsaria looked down on Ellis, who protested, with her cold piercing eyes.

"I am a Fahrengart knight, I have never taken back words I have said."

"You...!"

"Or, you could try making me yield with brute force, Captain?"

Velsaria's thin fingers got hold of Ellis' chin.

"...!?"

Being overwhelmed by her stern gaze, Ellis spontaneously averted her eyes.

Velsaria shook her head like she was disappointed.

"Ellis, it was a mistake to entrust you with the Knights."

"Wait."

Kamito grasped Velsaria's arm from the side.

He thought that he shouldn't meddle into the Knights' problems, but getting Ellis involved was, as expected, something he couldn't stay silent about.


"When Jio Inzagi attacked the academy, Ellis rushed over there the fastest and fought. You don't have the right to condemn Ellis."

"Ka... Kamito..."

Ellis widened her eyes in shock.

"Oh?"

Velsaria quickly released her hand from Ellis' chin.

"You're the male elementalist, who's said to have been admitted here with Lady Greyworth's recommendation, right?"

"Yes, so what of it?"

Kamito directly glared back at her cold piercing ice blue eyes.

"The one who captured that assailant was you, is that right?"

"It wasn't just me. The reason I won was because I fought together with the comrades of my team."

"Don't be modest. I can't understand why you're hiding your strength, but..."

Velsaria's sharp discernment shot through Kamito.

(...This person, don't tell me she knows my true identity?)

Cold sweat surfaced on Kamito's forehead.

...No, that couldn't be it. The time he met her was three years ago. Kamito's current looks should be very different from that time, when he was an innocent boy.

Velsaria...


"Your true strength is something I want to test out by all means."

"...What?"

Suddenly, one of her hands was raised overhead.
[[Image:STnBD V03 124.jpg|thumb]]

"...!?"

At that moment, a tremendous shock was radially released!

There was a thunderous sound as the whole cathedral shook.

The girls in the surroundings were blown away by the shock and thrown onto the wall.

There was a cloud of dust densely hanging over and marble tiles that were cruelly flipped up.

It was the spirit magic of the earth attribute... considering that its recital time was almost zero, it was of extraordinary power.

The ones that could avoid the shock were only Ellis and several upperclassmen.

Kamito covered for Est and had taken the spirit magic flat on directly.

As he had reacted, he didn't collapse but his uniform was worn out.

"You, what are you doing...?"

"Hmm, surprisingly, some remained."

Velsaria calmly moved her hand to her chin and looked around in order to glare at the girls.

And then...

"You and you and then... you two."

She nominated the four knights, who were standing without falling, one by one.



"Esteemed sister, what on earth are you planning?!"

Enraged, Ellis drew closer to Velsaria.

"I'm making my selection. The people whom I nominated just now will be admitted into my team."

"Such a selfish thing..."

Her selection... was trying to headhunt the members of the Knights, which had few people even during normal circumstances.

Ellis could not stay silent.

"I don't intend to force them. It's all up to their own will to decide."

"Wh...?"

Ellis became taken aback and looked at the four nominated upperclassmen.

The four bewilderedly mutually exchanged glances, but...

"Y... Yes...!"

"It's an honor to be selected into Velsaria-dono's team!"

"Please include me by all means."

"M... Me too!"

They replied all together unanimously.

"...!"

Ellis chewed her lips, seemingly vexed.

She couldn't condemn the girls.


To be admitted into the team of the academy's strongest elementalist ranking number one, Velsaria, was almost the same as obtaining a guaranteed ticket into the Blade Dance.

That temptation was too great, certainly because they were powerful people.

Besides, the girls were upperclassmen, members of the Knights when Velsaria was captain. In that case, they might be smoldering dissatisfaction from the start at the matter that Ellis was the captain like Kamito imagined just now.

"..."

As expected, it was probably awkward, so the girls didn't try to look at Ellis' face.

Velsaria faced toward Kamito.

"You surprised me, you had the time to cover for your contracted spirit with that distance. How about it, won't you join my team too. You seem to be able to at least be my outrider."

"I refuse. I'm with the hell cat girl's team."

Kamito glared back at Velsaria.

"Team Scarlet. Calamity Queen's sister's team that is currently in sixth place? Well, that's fine, if you won't be my pawn, then I'll just have to crush you."

Velsaria averted her line of sight as she lost interest and signaled the girls she headhunted from the Knights with her eyes.

As she made the clacking steel shoe sounds, she left the headquarters building.


Later.

The only things that remained were a cruelly upturned mountain of rubble, plus Ellis and her comrades, in a dumbfounded state.

===Part 4===

(No matter what, it doesn't hurt...)

Velsaria, who left the Sylphid Knights building, distorted her expression in pain.

The throbbing was fast. The 'heart' was pounding like it went crazy.

(I thought that I had already gotten used to this 'heart' but...)

She had not yet reached the point of fully controlling it.

She couldn't hold back the destructive impulses that were spurring her on from the depths of her body.

Or, even her very own consciousness might already have begun to be corroded.

(However, that's fine. If it wasn't like that, it would be meaningless...)

What was important was the infinite divine power that the 'heart' brought about with it.

As long as she had this 'heart', she could win.

Against that girl, {{Furigana|The Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=12}}, who defeated her.

Suddenly, a dark flame lit within Velsaria's cold eyes.

(However, that male elementalist... Kazehaya Kamito or so he was called?)


Those black pupils that directly glared at Velsaria.

Within those eyes existed something familiar.

(They look similar...)

They were the same eyes as the girl three years ago.

However, there were parts that were definitely different.

Kazehaya Kamito turned his hostility filled gaze at Velsaria.

(She's different. ''She wasn't even looking at me''.)

She thought nothing about Velsaria, who was her competitor.

She was looking at something much further away.

"..."

The Blade Dance would start a few weeks later.

Finally, her rematch with her, which was her dearest wish, would come true.

"Just wait, Ren Ashbell"

As Velsaria felt the throbbing of the raging 'heart', she ground her molars.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter4

2018-03-06T02:18:21Z

Masterupc: punctuation, minor changes

==Chapter 4: A Knight's Sincerity==

===Part 1===

By the time all of them finished conquering the gigantic parfait, it was already evening.

Kamito, who had returned from Academy Town, turned up at the central auditorium as he had promised Ellis.

Upon waiting a little while, Ellis came running from afar and was out of breath.

"...S... Sorry, I kept you waiting."

"No, I didn't wait that long."

Kamito made a bitter smile at Ellis, who was gasping out of breath.

"Hey, Ellis, you were at the Academy Town just now, weren't you?"

"Y... You saw me!?"

Ellis' ponytail sprung up.

"Ahh, I just happened to see you from the restaurant's window. Was it the Knights' security?"

"No, err... I... I was shopping for various things."

Ahem, Ellis coughed and her face reddened for some reason.

A question mark came to Kamito's mind but... well, that was fine.

"For the time being, if we're going to study, are we going to the library or something?"

"Ah, no... not the library."


Ellis shook her head in a fluster.

"Hn, not the library? Then, are we going to an empty classroom somewh..."

"...I... It's a room."

"Huh?"

Kamito reflexively did not believe his ears.

"A room..."

"I-I mean, err... I... I want you to teach me in my room!"

Ellis shouted with her face turning bright red.

"..."

"I... Is that a no?"

"No, hey wait, for a boy like me to enter a girl's room..."

"A... A girl..."

In an instant, Ellis made a face like she lost her head over something...

"Ho... However, aren't you staying with Claire Rouge and the others in a room together?"

"No, well... that was the way things turned out."

Kamito scratched the back of his head as he answered.

"O... Or, you don't want to come to the room of a straight-laced girl like me...?"

"N... No, there's no such thing!"


Kamito shook his head in a fluster because Ellis looked a little hurt.

"W... Well then..."

"...Ahh, I got it. I got it. Allow me to enter."

Even as Kamito still did not comprehend anything, he nodded with a bit of desperation.

===Part 2===

Just like that Kamito was brought along to the Weasel Class' dormitory.

Being the exact opposite of the Raven Class that gathered superior problem children, Weasel Class was a class of diligent honor students.

Ellis' room was, up the stairs, on the second floor of the building.

Ellis coughed in front of the door.

"This is my room. O... Of course, this is the first time a boy is entering it."

"...If you say it like that, I'm getting somewhat tense."

Ellis opened the room's door and muttered an incantation in the spirit language.

In that moment, the ceiling's spirit crystal glowed and the inside of the dim room was brightly illuminated.

The interior design was not so different from Claire's room. However, Ellis' room had been neatly arranged.

"You have tidied up nicely. That's just like the capable Ellis."

"Ahh, that's because if I don't tidy up, my overly-serious roommate will get angry."


"A roommate more overly-serious than Ellis...?"

It was discourteous to Ellis, but he couldn't imagine it a bit.

"Where is this roommate now?"

"She is away for a few weeks because of a quest from the Academy. If that person was now at this place you probably wouldn't be able to leave here alive."

While saying something dangerous, Ellis laid out a cushion on the floor for him.

"Make yourself at home. I'll prepare the tea and snacks now."

"Ahh, sorry."

Ellis immediately boiled hot water and took out hot black tea and snacks.

Despite being an high-class young lady of a great noble family, she was very capable in such areas. Since the Fahrengart family was of a military parentage, she might have received strict training from when she was young.

"This is delicious. Ellis, did you make it?"

"Y... You can say that. It's somewhat my hobby."

Ellis was acting bashfully, like she was a bit embarrassed.

It was a sponge cake sprinkled with black tea powder on the surface. It had a simple taste since its sweetness was mild.

He had known that cooking was her strong point, but it was surprising that she could make such a delicate thing.

"Relax for a while. I'll go make preparations now."

"Hn, what preparations?"


When Kamito inquired, Ellis drew out her sword at her waist.

With a weird voice filled with intensity,

"It's preparations."

"I... I got it..."

With the sword kept thrust out at the back of his neck, Kamito nodded.

When Ellis disappeared into the next room and Kamito became alone, he sighed a little.

(...What on earth was that?)

As he sipped the black tea that Ellis made, he looked around the interior of the room.

There were neatly folded uniforms and pajamas on top of the bed.

There were lovely teddy-bear and rabbit plushies lined up beside them.

(Surprisingly, she has girlish preferences...)

While thinking about such things, he moved his line of sight, then...

Incidentally, his eyes stopped on top of the writing desk.

A spirit crystal objet d'art, which emitted a faint glow, had been placed near the desk.

(That's...)

Kamito got close and took it into his hand.

Inside the transparent spirit crystal, various phantoms surfaced and disappeared...

"A spirit crystal that seals memories, huh...?"


It was an article that could confine the scene in one's memory by putting divine power into it.

The appearance of the same girl had been repeatedly surfacing many times within the spirit crystal.

Her glamorous hair was fluttering and she was holding a jet-black demon sword, the appearance of a very young girl.

"...Eh, isn't that me from three years ago?!"

Kamito reflexively shouted.

Yes, the one who was being reflected in there was without a doubt...

The appearance of the strongest Blade Dancer Ren Ashbell.

(That reminds me, she had said that she admired Ren Ashbell...)

As he made a heavy sigh, he put back the memory-sealing spirit crystal onto the desk.

If Kamito did not make sure that at least his true identity was absolutely not exposed to her...

He would end up destroying a pure girl's dream, which he couldn't bring himself to do.

(...Hn?)

Suddenly, Kamito noticed that the appearance of a girl other than Ren Ashbell was being projected inside the spirit crystal.

She had radiant shiny blonde hair. She was a beautiful girl, who had an ice-like cold look.

The one who was standing bashfully beside the girl was probably Ellis when she was young.

(I have a recollection of this girl somewhere...)

Kamito had his doubts... at that moment.


"...I... I kept you waiting."

He heard Ellis' voice that seemed like it'll vanish anytime from behind.

"Ellis?"

Kamito turned around...

"..."

His mouth dropped opened.

There was a maid.

"...?"

After Kamito rubbed his eyes, he opened his eyes once more.

...Yes, there was certainly a maid.

She had a tidy dark blue maid uniform matched with a white apron and a lovely long skirt with frills.

And then, she had a headdress, which was slightly placed on her head.

It was Ellis in complete maid attire.

"Y... You, what on earth..."

Kamito gulped down his saliva and...

"I... I'm now your exclusive-use maid from now. ...I... Is that alright?"
[[image:STnBD V03 006-007.jpg|thumb]]

Ellis, whose face turned bright red, held the hem of her long skirt and bowed.

Beneath her turned-over skirt, he slightly got a quick look at a black garter belt.


"Wh..."

Kamito was startled and covered his eyes with both hands in a fluster.

"D... Don't look so much... It's embarrassing."

Ellis' face increasingly reddened and she rubbed her knees together bashfully.

As she wasn't wearing her armor, her quivering large breasts were being highlighted more than usual.

Kamito was at a lost for words...

Ellis whispered with a seemingly uneasy expression.

"A... As I thought, these kind of clothes... don't suit me?"

"No... err, that's not it."

Kamito said as he averted his eyes.

...Or rather, she was cute. Staggeringly cute.

No, even the usual Ellis was certainly cute but...

He didn't think that Ellis putting on a maid uniform would be so charming.

However, beyond that, Kamito was more bewildered.

"...W... Why a maid uniform?"

"Th... This is an act of sincerity from me..."

"Sincerity?"

Kamito asked in return to Ellis, who had muttered seemingly embarrassed.


The maid uniform was an act of sincerity... He didn't understand the meaning.

Ellis folded her arms and glared directly at Kamito with her reddish brown pupils.

"I... It's about the quest the other day. As the representative of the Sylphid Knights, I had been thinking that I had to thank you for helping that time. ...Th... This is only as the representative of the Sylphid Knights!"

"No, I had said that I don't need things like thanks. It's natural to help my comrades."

Kamito said that.

"In that case, I won't be able to settle down. Wh... What should I do to be able to offer my thanks... I had been troubled this entire week."

"...Why is it that the outcome is a maid uniform?"

"Umm, upon consulting my teammates Rakka and Reishia, they told me that it's best that I put on this attire to show my sincerity to you. After all, you're a maniac, who would be excited by such an appearance. I... In the beginning, I also had a problem with it, but devoting my whole body and soul to offer my thanks to the person I'm indebted to is the household precept of my Fahrengart family."

"Why those two, teaching you worthless things..."

Kamito's face twitched... in short, Ellis had been tricked by those two.

"Ellis, don't misunderstand. I'm not a maniac who's attracted to maid uniforms."

Kamito tried to resolve the strange misunderstanding, but...

"...Wh... What? That means...?"


It seemed like Ellis interpreted that in a different meaning.

"...To do it, do you mean that?"

"Huh?"

"''Y... You mean for me to put on an even sexier attire, right''?!"

"What are you saying!"

"Kuu, you damn licentious king...!"

"The usage-rights for licentious king is already acquired by the townspeople!?"

"I'll absolutely not give in to such an insolent request!"

Ellis drew out her sword from her waist and quickly thrust it before the back of Kamito's neck.

It seemed like she didn't lose her skills as a knight even though she became a maid... that was obvious.

"I... I got it, it really suits you, maid uniforms are the best, maid uniforms hurray!"

"...Hmm, That's enough."

As Ellis thrust the tip of her sword before the back of Kamito's neck...

"Come on, Kamito, you can instruct me to do anything you want!"

"You're a pretty proud maid... Well then, Ellis, what can you do?"

"My specialty is thrusting a spear."

"What kind of maid are you...?"

"I can also use a sword, but my expertise is using a spear."


Ellis proudly puffed her chest out.

"Don't you have anything other than dangerous skills?"

"Cooking is in its own way a specialty."

"Ahh, I see. Well, can I make a request?"

"Of course. What would you like?"

"Let's see... I also have dinner later, so I would like something light and hold-able."

"I got it. Honestly, I was thinking of what to do if you said Nyotaimori<ref>Nyotaimori (Japanese: 女体盛り, "female body presentation"), often referred to as "body sushi", is the practice of serving sashimi or sushi from the body of a woman</ref> but..."

"...Why you...?"

Kamito groaned with a deadpan look.

Suddenly, he tried asking a thought that came to his mind.

"By the way, does this mean you'll do it if I request it?"

"Y... You insolent person!"

At that moment, the hidden sword, which Ellis let loose, pruned off Kamito's forelocks.

 

"...H... How's the taste? ''Master''."

Just like that it ended up with Ellis preparing food for Kamito.

As expected of having been trained for the sake of the gentleman she will be married to in the future, from the cooking to the arrangement of food, her skills were very good. She was the kind of person whose example he wanted a certain hell cat young lady to follow.

Nevertheless...

"...I beg you. Spare me that way of calling me."

Kamito groaned with a deadpan look.

"Um, even so, those two had said that this is the official way of calling you."

"No, because you have been fooled, you know?"

Kamito grumbled as he chewed on a cheese cutlet of one mouth-size.

It had a crunchy batter that used the first-class wheat flour. The highest grade cheese, which was placed between the meat, was delicious as it melted on top of his tongue.

"...Delicious. Normally delicious."

"Mm, it's normal...?"

Ellis pouted her lips, seemingly frustrated.

"I'm praising you. It's difficult to make normal things normally delicious."

"I... Is that so...!?"

Ellis blushed with her chest tightening.

"Ellis would become a good bride."

"...! Wh... What are you saying!?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bishuu!*


She thrust out a fork stuck with a cheese cutlet before Kamito.

"Wh... What are you doing all of a sudden!"

"Hmm, it's because you said something strange!"

Ellis sternly glared at Kamito.

And then...

"...O... Open your mouth."

"Huh?"

Kamito asked back.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bishuu, bishuu!*

The godspeed thrusting was unleashed once again.

"Owa!?"

"Don't avoid it! I'm trying to feed you..."

"Trying to feed me... what's with that!?"

"I heard that that's the duty of a maid. Come on, quickly... say 'Ahh'!"

Ellis thrust out the godspeed fork before him.

She had said that thrusting was her specialty, as expected, even for Kamito, it took all his might to dodge.

...Eh, what kind of training was this?!

"It's dangerous, you almost poked my eyes!"


"Hmm, it's because you're escaping. Don't escape!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Hamuu*.

Finally, the fork was pushed into his mouth.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Mogumogumogu*.

"H... How is it?"

"...Delicious."

Kamito said his honest thoughts.

"Al... Alright, one more mouthful..."

This time she gently moved the fork into his mouth.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Hamuu*.

"Ho... How is it this time?"

"...Ahh, delicious."

Upon nodding once again, Ellis lightly giggled, seemingly delighted.

(...Hmm. This is, as expected, a little embarrassing.)

===Part 3===

By the time that he finished eating Ellis' cooking, it had already turned completely dark outside.


It was about time he had to make dinner for Claire and the others, who were waiting at the dormitory.

When he informed Ellis about that matter, she made a slightly disappointed face.

After helping Ellis tidy up the tableware, he and Ellis, who changed into her uniform, went outside the dormitory.

The moment Ellis took off her maid uniform, she suddenly seemed to be embarrassed by her recent actions, so as she walked on the path shone by the moonlight, she hung her head down the whole time.

...Naturally, just like her, Kamito was also embarrassed.

"I apologize for overstaying. Your cooking was delicious."

"Yes, I'm glad that I could properly express my gratitude to you. Because today is probably the last chance I can invite you to my room."

"What do you mean?"

"It's about the roommate I talked about just now. She'll be finishing her quest and returning very soon."

"Is your roommate that scary?"

Upon saying that, Ellis' expression slightly darkened.

"Velsaria Eva Fahrengart. She's my older stepsister, by two-years. She's also the former captain of the Sylphid Knights."

"Velsaria..."

Kamito was startled. That name was, if he wasn't mistaken, what Claire was talking.

"The academy's strongest elementalist... is actually your sister, Ellis!?"


"Yes, it's not like we're blood related. She was once also expected to become a future {{Furigana|Twelve Knight Commander|Numbers|margin=12}} candidate, but after she was defeated by that Ren Ashbell in the first match at the Blade Dance three years ago, that story had also disappeared."

"...!?"

"What's the matter? Do you know about my sister?"

"...N... No, it's nothing."

Kamito shook his head in a fluster.

(...I see, no wonder I had recalled hearing that name before.)

He remembered. She was the opponent of the first match of the Blade Dance three years ago.

She was a girl with a beautiful face of ice and beautiful blonde hair.

"...My sister is like the person who embodied the image of the knight that I try to idealize."

Ellis exhaled a white breath as she muttered.

"However, now that person..."

Muttering like in a monologue, Ellis stopped her steps there.

They had arrived before the gate of the Raven Class dormitory.

Kamito looked up and the window of Claire's room had light.

"Ellis, thank you for today. Well then, see you tomorrow."

"Ah... Ahh, wait..."


Kamito waved his hand and walked off towards the dormitory.

At that moment, when he walked for a little while on the path leading to the building of the dormitory.

"...Ka... Kamito!"

Ellis called Kamito to a halt from behind.

It wasn't her usual frigid voice. It was the voice like an urgent scream.

"...Ellis?"

Kamito turned around.

"Ah..."

Ellis widened her eyes and was surprised.

Why did she show that expression, even she didn't understand why she called out to him?

"What's the matter?"

"No, err..."

"Um?"

Kamito became concerned and approached...

"...!"

Ellis, as though she had made a resolution of something important, took in a deep breath.

"Th... The truth is I have a favor to ask you, but..."

"A favor?"


Kamito frowned and asked back.

What came to his mind was the incident before he received the quest on the Mine Town two weeks ago.

Ellis was trying to scout Kamito into her team.

Kamito, who had already assembled a team with Claire, plainly rejected her, but now that her two comrades became unable to participate in the opposition battles, she might try to scout him once again.

While Kamito scratched his head as he was troubled, he shook his head.

"Ellis, sorry, but I can't join your..."

"Th... That's not it!"

Ellis' face reddened as she shouted... It seemed that he had jumped to a wrong conclusion.

"Then..."

"Kamito, err... do you feel like joining the Sylphid Knights?"

"The Knights?"

Kamito spontaneously asked back at those unexpected words.

The Sylphid Knights. An elite student organization that guarded the public order and morals of the academy.

(For me to join it... what on earth does this mean?)

Ellis gazed at Kamito awkwardly.

"Err... it's just until my comrades come back, I would want you to assist the Knights."

Kamito recalled the things he talked with Ellis during this morning's supplementary lecture.


As a result of the attack incident the other day, including Ellis' two teammates, seven knights were forced to withdraw from the Sylphid Knights. The Sylphid Knights, which had lost a third of its members, was now in a state that it was not functioning normally.

Indeed, as an acquaintance and besides as someone whose ability as an elementalist she also understood, Kamito could understand the reason she wanted to scout him.

"Of course, I won't say it's for free. As a member of the Knights, you'll be paid a proper salary."

"...Why me? If you set up recruitment, won't there be girls applying?"

"We are having a recruitment, but there are practically no applicants. We had gathered people during the period the freshmen came in, but even so, more than half had resigned immediately."

"Is that so..."

It seemed that the work of the Sylphid Knights was something greater than they had imagined. On top of the dangers and on top of the so-called work of guarding the academy's public morals, there might also be cases where they were being looked at with hostility from the other academy students.

"Furthermore, due to the attack incident the other day, the trust in the Knights has been greatly falling. Although we got all the casualties out, in the end, we couldn't capture the assailant."

Ellis bit her lips seemingly vexed.

"I applied for the quest of arresting Jio Inzagi with the plan of overturning such assessment towards the Knights but the result was that sorry plight. If you all didn't help at that time, we would have certainly been annihilated."

Her reddish brown pupils became wet and were slightly quivering.


Without a doubt, Ellis was enduring the voices of criticism aimed at the Knights all this time.

Surely, she was enduring it just by herself without anyone she could ask for advice.

As that was the duty of the captain and she was condemning herself.

(...I see. She's insecure. She surely can't help but be frightened as she's insecure.)

It was the responsibility and heavy pressure that came with the position as the captain.

There should be voices of doubts being raised at her, an elementary student, serving as the captain.

She conducted herself strictly for the sake of guarding the order of the academy and might have even made enemies.

She had also been holding back those voices by displaying her ability so far.

However, that trust was swaying now.

Besides, her teammates and comrades who had always kept supporting her.

Rakka and Reishia were also not present now.

(...She is also a girl, who's yet to be sixteen.)

Being covered by her knights shoulder plate was the girl's slender shoulders.

How much of a heavy pressure was she carrying on those shoulders of hers...?

"...The truth is I'm afraid."

Ellis looked downwards as she said that.

"Have I been able to do the right thing as a knight? Am I misusing the authority of the Knights and merely repressing the ones whom I should protect, with power?"


Her blue ponytail hair was swaying in the gentle breeze.

It was almost like it was revealing Ellis' heart.

"I want help." She didn't say that.

That was surely her last strand of pride.

Kamito...

"...I got it. It's just be until those two come back, right?"

"I... Is that alright? ...Really?"

Ellis opened her reddish brown eyes.

"Ahh."

Kamito firmly nodded once again.

Honestly, he didn't think that he'd be cut out for things like the Knights that guarded the public morals. Besides, if he considered about the Blade Dance coming in a few weeks, he shouldn't have the room to be using his time for such things.

However, upon seeing Ellis reduced to a state where she was going to be crushed at any time...

He wanted to assist this sincere but clumsy girl knight even a little.

"...Y... You have my thanks. Kazehaya Kamito."

Ellis bowed down with an expression like she's going to cry at any moment.

Kamito made a bitter smile at Ellis, who was conscientious even at such a time.

"Ahh, that's right. I have a favor to ask of you."


"What is it?"

"Err, about the remuneration you mention just now, is it possible for something like an advance?"

===Part 4===

Parting with Ellis, Kamito returned to the room...

Claire was wearing a cute apron and was standing in the kitchen just like in the morning.

There was a sweet yet slightly burned smell. He heard the sound of something simmering.

Quietly concealing his footsteps, Kamito approached Claire's back.

"Hn, are you making chocolate again?"

"Fuaa, Ka... Kamito!?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pyon*, her red twintailed hair sprung up.

"Id... Idiot, don't startle me! I'll turn you into cinders!"

Claire's face turned bright red and *pishi*, *pishi* she swung her whip. Kamito avoided it in a fluster.

"...Good grief, where did you go? Your supplementary lecture should have been long over, right?"

"What? Are you already hungry?"

"Th... That's not the problem, you are my slave spirit, so without your master's permission, you can't totter around as you please!"


"...Am I a dog?"

Kamito breathed a sigh of disappointment.

"I went over to Ellis' place and it resulted in me being treated to a little meal."

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pishi*. Claire was petrified.

"...What... was that?"

"Ahh, it seems to be an expression of gratitude for helping her the other day. What a conscientious person."

As expected, he hid the matter about the maid uniform for the sake of Ellis' honor...

"I... I see, you were treated... really?"

Claire's face twitched.

"I also helped and yet... she only invited Kamito."

"Didn't you receive a box of cakes from the Knights? An assorted box of macaroons. If I'm not mistaken, you ate all of it by yourself."

"Th... That was certainly delicious... Eh, that's not the problem, what do you mean by you went over to Ellis' place? D... Don't tell me, you went up to her room?"

"Yeah, Ellis' room is properly tidied up. You should also follow her example..."

"I... I can't believe you...!"

Claire's slender shoulders trembled.

She tightly bit her cherry-colored lips, tears were slightly appearing on her ruby pupils.


"...Claire?"

"Y... You've been successfully seduced by things like Ellis' breasts and were degraded to being the Knights' dog, right?"

"No, what breasts...? Well, although, I was invited to join the Knights."

"...Huh?"

This time Claire completely became stiff.

"Wh... What's that...? What do you mean?"

"Hn, currently, the Knights seem to be shorthanded of people. I was asked to assist them."

"O... Of course, you rejected her, right? You rejected her... right?"

Claire tightly grabbed Kamito's arm and was gazing at him with a serious expression.

As Kamito scratched his head...

"No, I decided to assist them. I also have various obligations to Ellis."

"...!?"

While Claire kept hold of Kamito's arm, she was taken aback and widened her eyes.

The truth was that he had another reason to accept it but...

It was embarrassing to tell Claire that now.

"I apologize for deciding without your permission, but it's not particularly a problem, right?"

"There's no way it isn't, you know that I'm on bad terms with the Knights, right!"

"That's because you cause problems..."


Then, Kamito noticed.

Claire's fingertips that were grabbing his arm were trembling bit by bit.

"...I see, you're on Ellis' side again."

Claire calmly muttered.

"No, it's not whether I'm on her side or not..."

"...You said so and yet."

"Eh?"

"Despite that you said ''<nowiki>'</nowiki>I'll be your contracted spirit<nowiki>'</nowiki>''."

Claire raised her face and drops of tears overflowed from her pupils.

"Y... You..."

"That's enough, get out..."

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Don*. Claire thrust Kamito away.

"Hey, Claire..."

"Quickly get out! I... I hate people like you, I really hate you!"

A red hot fireball was released from Claire's palm.

"Owa!"

A showy explosion resounded and a gaping wide hole was opened in the wall behind Kamito.

"He... Hey, wait, why are you that angry?"


"Shut up, idiot, get out...!"

This time she began reciting a spirit magic of the strongest class, so Kamito got out in a fluster.

If Claire made a serious effort, she'd be quite capable of blowing this very dormitory away.

After running to the outside of the dormitory and taking refuge, Kamito sighed.

"Wh... What on earth was that...?"

Why was Claire that angry?...It was incomprehensible.

(...Is she that displeased with me joining the Knights?)

He looked up at the window of the room on the second floor, but he didn't see Claire there.

Before long, the window's curtains were closed.

(...Ahh, if she's become like this, she won't listen.)

Claire Rouge. She was a girl almost like a blazing flame.

(Well, however, that's the part that suits her best...)

Kamito took a deep sigh once again.

He left behind the Raven Class dormitory with heavy footsteps.

===Part 5===


After chasing Kamito out...

"I hate that guy, I hate that guy... I hate him so much!"

Claire fell onto the bed.

Pressing her soft pillow onto her cheeks, she tightly grabbed her sheets.

Scarlet turned up seemingly worried, but Claire drove her away without a word. She didn't want even her contracted spirit, who had been with her all this time from when she was young, to see her crying face now.

"What... I look like a fool."

For several days, she had been practicing how to make chocolate all this time.

(I... It's of course out of obligation. The chocolate that I'll give him out of obligation.)

The practicing had effect, as she had been gradually been able to make them well.

Although she had stopped making a large amount of cinders, it should be good enough for her to be praised.

On that actual day, tomorrow morning, she planned to give Kamito the chocolate that she made the most well-done.

"You did well." ...She wanted to be praised.

(And yet, he...)

Claire groaned and struck her pillow. *Posu, posu*.

(...The meal that Ellis made is certainly better than things like my chocolate.)

It was vexing. Her mind was jumbled up and although she didn't understand what was vexing, it was vexing.

"...I'm such a detestable person."


She understood. She definitely had no ill feelings towards Kamito. Really, there was no doubt that he merely thought of being helpful to Ellis and decided to join the Knights.

He was that kind of person.

Even Claire did not particularly hate Ellis. Of course, they weren't on good terms, but she recognized that she was a proud elementalist.

However, it made her very angry for some reason.

(...Why?)

She understood the reason.

She had been thinking that she was the more special being to Kamito.

(After all, he had said that he would be my contracted spirit.)

Pressing softly on her lips with her fingertip, her cheeks quickly became hot.

(Besides, w... we even... kissed.)

It became a painful feeling like her chest was tightly constricted.

(...But, that's wrong.)

It did not mean that only Claire was particularly special.

As long as there were girls being troubled, he would extend his hand to anyone, no matter who.

(It's because I'm that Calamity Queen's sister...)

He might just think that her circumstances were pitiful and was just sympathizing with her.


Upon thinking that, Claire became excessively lonely.

Kamito surely didn't understand why Claire was that angry.

Claire also didn't clearly understand why she got such feelings.

Her current feelings were almost like the smoldering fire of a hearth.

...These weren't Claire Rouge's flames.

At that time, there was the sound of the room's door opening.

"Kamito!?"

Claire energetically lifted her face from her pillow, but...

The one, who was there, was Fianna with a puzzled expression.

It seemed like she had returned from her shopping duty for dinner.

Claire covered her face with her pillow in a fluster. She didn't want her to see her tear-stained face.

Fianna took a look at Claire's current state and seemed to have guessed the situation somehow.

"Ehh, you quarreled with Kamito?"

"...Go away."

Keeping her face covered in the pillow, Claire said.

Fianna sighed, sat on the bed and placed her hand on Claire's head.

"I said leave me alone, didn't I"

"You're really a kid. Vastly different from Rubia-sama."


"Either way, I'm different from nee-sama."

Claire retorted peevishly.

"Hey, Claire, why don't you be a little more honest?"

"I... I apologize that I'm not honest... After all, even my breasts are small."

"Huh? Nobody said anything about breast, you know?"

As Fianna softly brushed Claire's head like a kitten, she sighed.

"What do we do about dinner?"

===Part 6===

At that very moment Ellis was rolling on her bed in agony.

"...I... I was wearing such an embarrassing attire."

She spread the maid uniform she wore just now and bashfully blushed. Even if it was for the sake of rewarding him for her debt of gratitude, this was, as expected, overkill, wasn't it?

"B... But..."

Ellis tightly grasped the maid uniform.

"Kamito said that it suited me..."

Recalling it, her cheeks reflexively relaxed.


Ellis opened her eyes as she was taken aback and slapped her cheeks with both hands.

"I... I'm the Captain! If I'm not firm, I can't be an example to everyone!"

A knight of the Fahrengart family must never show her weaknesses.

Ellis Fahrengart had always done so.

However...

(I've shown it to him...)

She had never even shown that side of hers, which was frightened by insecurity, in front of the comrades she trusted.

Truthfully, she had no intention of inviting Kamito to the Knights until that moment.

However, when she saw his back as he was about to leave, she subconsciously called out to him.

(...I wonder why? I also don't understand it well myself.)

In the beginning, she had been thinking that things like male elementalists were an enemy, who would disrupt the public morals of the academy.

Since when did she, so strangely, start caring about him?

When she thought about Kazehaya Kamito, her chest constricted and hurt for some reason.

Such a feeling was a first for Ellis, who was raised up as a knight.

Incidentally, she glanced at the top of the table.

A nicely wrapped-up chocolate was lying there.

Tomorrow was the Valentia Holy Festival.


The day to give chocolate to the opposite sex that held a place in one's mind...

(...I... It's a gift for enrolling into the Knights. Naturally, there's no other meaning than that.)

Ellis groaned spontaneously.

If that was the case, she shouldn't be that tensed, but the throbbing in her chest wouldn't stop for some reason.

(...Wh... When would it be good to hand it over?)

After all, it was the first time she was doing such a thing, so she didn't know what she should do.

"...H... He wouldn't think that I'm a strange girl, right?"

"What's strange, Ellis?"

Suddenly, a voice like frozen cold air was heard.

"...!?"

Before she knew it, the room's door was opened...

And, over there, she was standing.

She had shiny blonde hair and cool-headed ice-blue pupils.

"Ah, esteemed sister...!"

"What kind of cowardly face are you making? And yet you call yourself a knight of the Fahrengart family?"

She was the academy's strongest elementalist, Velsaria Eva Fahrengart.

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===References and Translation Notes===
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