Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Episode 2 (section)

===Part 2===
A few hours later after that.

Lisha and others were called by the commander representative of the expeditionary force, Lolotte, and they showed up at dinner.

「It’s just a crude meal, but please pardon us because this is a battlefield.」

Said Lolotte humbly, but the meal was actually extravagant enough.

It also showed the significance of Magialca’s skill in stocking up a lot of food beforehand and how calm the present situation of the battle was.

Warm soup, desalinated meat and bread, cheese and wine. While having that menu as a meal, Lisha and the others listened to the details of the battle situation.

The number of the Abyss protecting the area around the old castle was still a lot, even so they had been decreased until less than half.

Avalon was similar to other Ruins too. It was divided by floors, and it seemed that a control room existed in the latter half part that was called as the centre.

In order to prevent anyone else from reaching there, the Lords sealed the Seven Dragon Paladins, and in order to slow down the reinforcement’s arrival, they spread out the news of purging the royalties and nobles.

Lisha and the others had heard until that point to a certain degree, there was no mistake in their prediction.

「In the first place, how did the Seven Dragon Paladins get captured? I believe it was impossible for people with their strength to be defeated obediently though?」

Celis’s blunt question was answered by Lolotte with a slightly troubled look.

「This is something that isn’t confirmed, but those Lords, it seems they are able to use a part of the Ruin’s functions due to the surgery called Baptism.」

The first imperial princess Listelka, as the shrine maiden of oracle, she could obtain information from Avalon and perform simple control.

The third imperial princess Hayes possessed the right of control of the Gear Leaders in each Ruin.

And then──the second imperial princess Aeril who was posing as an existence called Coral who was the aide of the Vanheim Principality’s Seven Dragon Paladin, was predicted to be able to perform manipulation of perception.

「In the first place Magialca was suspecting Sir Coral. And so, she ordered us, her servants, to secretly observe his movements. That was how we realized her true identity along with her betrayal.」

「To think, that guy was someone of the enemy’s side……」

Lisha muttered in disbelief.

She and the others had received help from Aeril many times. A complicated emotion colored her face.

「I believe that {{furigana|she|Aeril}} also noticed our observations on her. I believe that was why she couldn’t take any actions that were too conspicuous, but it seemed that she finally used her trump card.」

「Is Lu-chan and the others, safe?」

Philuffy who had dinner with a portion for five people just as offered suddenly interrupted the flow of the conversation and asked.

In response, Lolotte pondered for a while and before long he silently lifted his face.

「Honestly speaking, right now we don’t know anything. Because although we manage to maintain the frontline, embarrassingly that is the best that we can do.」

By all rights, he wanted to rescue the Seven Dragon Paladins and capture Avalon that lay underground the old castle.

But, because a lot more of the Abyss and traps were lurking in the old castle, they were lacking in combat force to assault until that far at present.

If they rashly attacked repeatedly and got exhausted, then got counterattacked and their base got taken away, then their defeat would be set in stone.

Thus, their situation right now was one where it was full of hardships to even gather information of the enemy camp.

「However, if I’m allowed to speak my personal opinion, I believe that the possibility is high that Lux-san is alive at the very least. After all, for the Lords he will be useful as a hostage against the remaining threat of you all, Syvalles of the New Kingdom.」

「I see.」

Lisha muttered while looking down, then she immediately opened her crimson eyes.

「So in short it’s like this. At this point in time, it will depends on our activity. You too were also waiting for our arrival.」

「Yes, it’s just as your highness says.」

Lolotte nodded with his eyebrows lowered apologetically.

「Unfortunately my aptitude for Drag-Rides is low, and the best I can do is wearing a general purpose type Drake. With Sir Zweigberk alone as a Divine Drag-Ride user, the best we can do is only to defend the fortress.」

「Seven days remaining until the end of the countdown that the Lords decided. Before that we will infiltrate into the old castle, gather information, and take back the Seven Dragon Paladins. Is it fine to consider that as what we should do?」

When Krulcifer concluded like that, Lolotte quietly bowed in consent.

「We will give support as much as possible with this base as the center. If you have any needs, whether it’s personnel or material, then please tell me whatever it is. Please lend us the strength of you all.」

「Leave it to us! We will rescue Lux──the Seven Dragon Paladins for sure!」

Lisha yelled to fire up herself and the others as the Princess of the New Kingdom.

The other three girls also nodded in agreement to that.

「Yes, we will achieve that without fail. It’s for the sake of none other but ourselves.」

「You’re right. If we cannot save him here, we won’t have any face to look at everyone in the Academy.」

「I want to, meet Lu-chan quickly.」

Krulcifer, Celis, and Philuffy each spoke their resolve and then they broke up from dinner.

The seven days in the abandoned capital Guernica that would decide the fate of the world.

The long night that informed the beginning of that was deepening quietly like the calm before the storm.