Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Episode 4 (section)

===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.