Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Episode 4 (section)

===Part 2===

Under the night sky where the moon floated, Krulcifer was standing.

The church site designated as the place of the duel was located in the outskirts of the Fort City third block.

A desolated abandoned building which was destroyed after becoming the battlefield against an Abyss which appeared about two years ago.

That site, where numerous debris were scattered about and the outer wall destroyed in every direction remained, was at least 1km away from a town where there were signs of people.

Moreover, there was a stage where Drag-Knights were deployed for lookout and dispersing unrelated people.

Standing there were Barzeride and Alterize.

“I came at the agreed time, my future wife. I believed that you would safely finish the mission of the ruins investigation and return.”

As Barzeride exaggeratedly said so, Krulcifer, face to him, slightly frowned.

“By the way –– what about that man whom you said about being your lover? I heard that he safely returned from the ruins, but did he fall from fatigue? Or –– did he get scared and run away?”

“I had him go back.”

Krulcifer was not shaken at his entwining-like provocation.

She said so as to brush it away and turned her cold piercing eyes towards the two people.

“I cannot let him get involved in such a worthless farce any more than this––”

Then, she calmly unsheathed her Sword Device that was hung at her waist.

Barzeride seeing that smiled and loudly spoke.

“The start time is from now on. The conclusion will be until either, when the worn Machine Dragon is cancelled or when the two opponents of the duel accept to surrender.”

As to follow, Alterize, a servant of the Einvolk House also drew her Sword Device.

“Intentional escape from this church site which is the stage of the duel will be considered a defeat. Other than that, the rules are conformed to those used in the tournament held in the Capital of this country. You’re fine with that, right? Miss.”

“Yes, I have made up my mind. Since a long time ago––”

“…………”

Krulcifer’s words which somehow had a hidden meaning.

Repressing her faint unrest, Alterize inhaled.

“––Come forth, dragon symbolizing immortality. Turn into the fangs of the linking Earth. <EX Wyrm>!”

Countless particles of light danced at the same time she said the pass code, and the <EX Wyrm> which was a reinforced ground-type Machine Dragon was summoned.

The greatest military power given to a skillful Drag-Knight not possessing a Divine Drag-Ride.

Barzeride turned a look of admiration to Alterize’s Drag-Ride.

“As expected of the Einvolk House. To think that even a butler Drag-Knight has the skill of EX-class. I look forward more and more to my engagement with you. Krulcifer.”

“Could you please stop acting familiar with me? It is a waste of time.”

Krulcifer returned a cold voice to Barzeride’s praise.

“I am an orphan. When you are living in the house of other people for a long time, you can understand certain things. Such as what others really think of you.”

“Hou…?”

Soon after Barzeride muttered so, Krulcifer set up her sword.

“––Reincarnate. The Giant Dragon of calamity imprisoned by worldly treasures. Become the equivalence of an endless desire, <Fafnir>.”

Immediately after, the surrounding space was distorted and countless particles of light gathered.

Having been formed was a huge silver Machine Dragon reminiscent of an ice statue.

When it opened from the inside, it instantly changed into armor which wrapped Krulcifer’s body.

Barzeride, who saw the summon, grinned.

Then, he himself also equipped his body with <Aži Dahāka>, glanced at Alterize and urged her to give the start signal.

“Then duel, start!”

Soon after Alterize shouted, Krulcifer’s <Fafnir> flew.

She threw a Dagger aiming at Barzeride and swiftly set up her special armament –– the <Freezing Canon>.

Long-range high speed precise shooting which was Krulcifer’s battle style.

The moment when Barzeride strengthened his barrier in order to flip the Dagger, Krulcifer immediately pulled the trigger.

She aimed her attacks towards the direction where he dodged and at the opening when he blocked.

A blue flash tinged with cold pierced the dark night and impacted Barzeride.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>pakin*! A sound of freezing instantly resounded and Krulcifer confirmed the hit.

But––

“For a surprise attack, it lacks in appeal, but I praise your judgment and skill. Krulcifer.”

Krulcifer shuddered at Barzeride’s calm voice.

“……!?”

What had been frozen was a lump of debris that <Aži Dahāka> threw out in front of itself.

A piece of a collapsed building that fell into this place which was the church site.

He smashed it with his halberd and defended against the <Freezing Canon> by rolling it up as another shield.

The mass was not enough being just dug-up debris, so it was usually difficult to implement this countermeasure.

So having chosen this church site for the duel was within Barzeride’s plan.

“I was careless. To come up with a countermeasure so early. Is this your doing? Alterize.”

A countermeasure which was the only weak point of the <Freezing Canon>.

There was also the possibility that Barzeride himself, who saw it once in the battle of the ruins investigation came up with it, but if someone who knew of it beforehand suggested the plan––

“What might you mean?”

Alterize’s <EX Wyrm> jumped towards Krulcifer flying in mid-air.

When Krulcifer barely dodged the twin swords sharply swung, Alterize showed a smile.

“Your skills grew dull. Miss.”

“––––!”

Rotating the Machine Dragon’s airframe in the air, she further came slashing with the other blade.

But,

“The naïve one is you.”

The blade’s slash was blocked by the automatic special armament which activated regardless of the user’s will –– the <Auto Shield>.

But at that moment, the <Devil’s Glow> which extended from both shoulders of Barzeride’s <Aži Dahāka> had set up its aim on Krulcifer.

“With that special armament, can you also defend against this?”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>doun*, two lines of shelling attacked <Fafnir>.

This attack itself could be blocked with the <Auto Shield>.

But, in that case, it would cause her posture to collapse and Alterize would probably follow after.

At this rate, it would gradually turn into a defensive battle.

(As expected –– I have no other choice but to gamble.)

Krulcifer judged so while grasping the two people’s movements.

With a body in which injury and fatigue from the ruins investigation remained, she would be the one at a disadvantage in a drawn-out battle.

Therefore, she activated <Fafnir>’s Divine Raiment <Wise Blood>.

The foresight ability which perceived the future within a radius of a dozen of Mel several seconds ahead.

When she dodged the attacks with that Divine Raiment, Krulcifer perceived her path to the victory line.

“I see –– you’re strong. You’re indeed strong.”

From a remote location, Barzeride repeated that as he was impressed.

“But you know, Krulcifer? You should quietly become my wife after all. That way, you can be happy. I don’t want to hurt you even by any chance. Could you please surrender now?”

To Barzeride who uttered an ingratiating voice, Krulcifer leaked a sigh.

“Sorry but –– I am not fond of talkative men.”

And at the same time she replied, she began to move.

“……!? Fast!”

Leaving Alterize who was in front of her in a lurch, <Fafnir> accelerated.

With the flight device of the back wings at max power, she charged at Barzeride at a speed which the eyes couldn’t catch.

“Are you actually challenging the ground-typed Machine Dragon <Aži Dahāka> as the opponent to close-range combat? Interesting.”

Barzeride set up his halberd with a fearless smile.

In contrast, Krulcifer brandished a medium-sized blade and slashed at him.

Without any fear of the halberd which was let out as to flip her blade up, Krulcifer charged.

“In the case of a simultaneous and mutual clash, it’ll be my victory, you know?”

Krulcifer was aware of the fact that the armor and barrier possessed by <Aži Dahāka> boasted of a unmatched defensive power.

The moment when each other’s weapon was about to cross––

“I wonder about that.”

Krulcifer suddenly smiled.

“What…!?”

Soon after, Barzeride opened his eyes wide.

The canon of the special armament installed on the right shoulder of the Divine Drag-Ride <Aži Dahāka> shattered.

She was aiming at the special armament on the shoulder and the Force Core from the start.

Then, she dodged the blow of Barzeride who should have the advantage in close-range combat by a hairbreadth.

“The ability to read the future, it’s your Divine Raiment…”

Future foresight by <Wise Blood>.

While dodging Barzeride’s attack using it, she set up a counterattack.

“Nicely done, Krulcifer. Though there are some flaws, I will praise your skill for having broken my right shoulder as splendid.”

“It’s good and all that you praise me, but I have not done anything special yet.”

“Lord Kreutzer! Please, step back! It is dangerous at that range!”

From far behind, Alterize’s shout could be heard.

However, it was too late.

By <Wise Blood>’s future foresight, Krulcifer would be able to predict all of the offense and defense in close-range combat.

And in this land where debris were buried here and there, it would take at least three seconds until Alterize’s <EX Wyrm> could catch up with them.

Even a long-range shelling would be blocked by the <Auto Shield>.

All was according to Krulcifer’s calculation.

“Well then, goodbye.”

She did not let her guard down until the end.

When Krulcifer’s blade was about to break the Force Core which was under the battery of the shattered shoulder––

“Do you really think that you can beat me?”

“––Eh?”

Suddenly, the image of future foresight disappeared from Krulcifer’s field of vision.

Barzeride’s attack which she foresaw swayed like haze, and from the special armament of <Aži Dahāka>’s left shoulder, the canon was shot at almost point-blank range.

The <Auto Shield> instantly activated, and an impact and flames burst in front of the seven shields.

While subtly groaning, Krulcifer stared at the burst of explosive flames before her eyes.

“Kuh…!? Why did <Wise Blood> again––!”

Her physical and spiritual strength should not have run out yet.

Of course, it was a fact that she was already exhausted before the duel, but still she made a plan where she could use only the Divine Raiment and her special armaments.

Nevertheless––

“That is because you mistook my ability.”

“……!?”

Flame and smoke rising like a pillar.

Being hidden within their shadow, Barzeride’s <Aži Dahāka> took a roundabout path to <Fafnir>’s flank.

The halberd was struck at a sharp angle.

The <Auto Shield> automatically activated and tried to prevent that attack, but––

<nowiki>*</nowiki>pakin*!

The seven shields deployed in the air were flipped and the halberd hit the airframe.

“Uh, kuh…!”

Although it hit the barrier, the power that its (halberd) weight carried could not be completely suppressed.

While being blown off along with <Fafnir> and rolling on the ground of the abandoned building, she bumped into a mountain of rubble.

“Kaha…! Uh, ah…”

Her usually composed face twisted in pain, and Krulcifer writhed.

“Oops, sorry. It’s the important belly which will someday conceive my child. I’ve got to be a little gentler.”

Contrary to his words, Barzeride was laughing with an expression free of any sense of guilt.

(It’s strange. Why did something like this––)

The fact that the future foresight by the Divine Raiment <Wise Blood> was erased and that the <Auto Shield> which boasted of an absolute defense was broken through.

It did not happen due to Krulcifer’s mistake or the fatigue.

Her spare energy calculation should have been accurately done.

And yet, what was this reality?

Besides, Barzeride, a “man” who should have already hit his limit due to his Machine Dragon aptitude value being low showed no signs of being tired yet.

Did it mean that not only his skill was enough to be called the “Title Holder of the Kingdom”, but also his Machine Dragon aptitude was not average?

(But–– I’m not yet…)

In a desperate situation enough to make one lose their fighting spirit, Krulcifer repressed her pain and stood up.

“Do you still intend to fight? Though your perseverance deserves praise, you no longer have any chance of winning.”

“We won’t know until I try.”

When she took a deep breath and changed her mood, Krulcifer flew with a trajectory describing an arc and brandished her blade.

“<Wise Blood>.”

Then, she once again activated <Fafnir>’s Divine Raiment and read the future several seconds ahead.

While reading Alterize’s shelling from behind and avoiding it, she feigned a slashing attack and tried to strike the <Howling Roar> on <Aži Dahāka> –– but,

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“––!? The foresight again…”

Once again, the effect of the future foresight by <Wise Blood> disappeared and a shelling was released from <Aži Dahāka>’s left canon.

It erased the <Howling Roar>’s impact and pulverized the debris far behind.

“Why did the attack just now––”

The <Howling Roar> was an attack originally used in order to flip a throwing attack.

The enemy had accurately set up his canon against the attack of Krulcifer who was taken aback.

Just as if he predicted everything.

“Did you think that I wouldn’t be able to read your movements?”

At the same time with his voice, the halberd was swung once again.

“Kuh…!?”

The blow which creaked the tenacious armor of <Fafnir> hit directly; exactly at the same place of just a while ago.

She was once again blown right off besides and her back struck the broken wall.

“Ka, hah…!”

She violently hit her whole body and her breathing stopped for a moment.

Even so, when she tried to fight back, <Fafnir>’s armor arm which grasped the <Freezing Canon> was swiftly knocked down.

“How unsightly––. Don’t disappoint me, my future wife. Don’t struggle unnecessarily in a fight that you’ve no chance of winning. That’s what I believe.”

Barzeride suddenly talked as to persuade her.

Alterize probably also felt the same way.

Not starting pursuit with the <EX Wyrm>, she was watching the course of events at that place.

If there were other spectators here, anyone of them should have thought that the outcome was decided.

But––

“I am sorry to disappoint you–– but I am not fond of men who tell obvious lies.”

Suddenly making her usual serious expression, Krulcifer asserted.

“What…?”

“Disappoint you? No, you should have been glad. For tormenting me like this –– for this expected development.”

Barzeride’s expression which was revealing a faint smile instantly changed into a cold one.

“You are cancelling my Divine Raiment. Probably for that reason –– in order to read the scope of my power, you joined that ruins investigation. Even saying that you took a liking to me as a wife is also a lie. It’s because it looks like you can use me as a tool, right?”

“…………”

Barzeride, showing no signs of interrupting, was silently listening to the words of Krulcifer who indifferently told that.

“Besides–– about when we were attacked by Drag-Knights in the upper class residential area. Wasn’t that also your doing? In order for people like them to enter that zone, the guidance of an influential person is necessary. If you saw my <Fafnir>’s ability over there, it would have saved you the trouble of tagging along in the investigation, right?”

“…Haa!”

At the same time when Krulcifer concluded her words, Barzeride revealed a wicked smile.

And, he applied pressure to <Fafnir> with <Aži Dahāka>’s stout arm.

“Ku, uuh…!”

With a power which could by no means destroy the flesh, but to the extent of fully giving pain, he slowly applied pressure so as to not let Alterize who was on standby behind notice.

“As expected of a girl which becomes a “key” of the ruins. You were able to read so far.”

“…!? You––!?”

About the fact that she was a human from the ruins and that she had the ability as a “key”.

Being told about her true identity which should have been secret, Krulcifer’s face turned pale.

“How sad, Krulcifer. What a sorrowful girl you are. To think that the likes of a tool of the Einvolk House –– the thing sold over to me now was that clever.”

In a grieving tone, Barzeride continued.

“Yes. It’s as you said. Krulcifer.”

Barzeride muttered so in a whispering voice.

“Anything and everything has been plotted by me. Hearing about you who is a “key” which opens the ruins, and approaching that butler with the engagement. Though someone got in the way earlier and defeated the bandits. And also having summoned a new Abyss at that time in front of the ruins. Everything––”

“…………”

“But you know? Even if you know the truth, you can’t do anything after all. You, who is no more than a “tool” in this world, can in no way change this reality.”

A look full of contempt and a twisted mouth.

Barzeride Kreutzer’s true character could be seen there.

“––Tool.”

To that word thrust at her, Krulcifer’s body trembled.

Her skill as a Drag-Knight and even her trusted <Fafnir> had been defeated.

Krulcifer’s mask which did not come off despite this was about to collapse.

She was picked up as a survivor of the ruins by the Einvolk House, and in order to acquire the bonds of a family she was not born from, she accumulated efforts oozing of blood (desperate efforts).

But, however much honor she was given, her desire of the family she wanted just drifted further away––

(No, it’s wrong––. From the start, I didn’t have it…)

“You don’t understand, Krulcifer. The likes of a tool like you mustn’t oppose me.”

An ice-like cold sensation took away the temperature from her body.

Comrades who could acknowledge her existence might be in the ruins.

If she was a human of the present era, her family might have accepted her.

Thinking only about chasing these possibilities, she had desperately sought the truth until now.

“I will make all the ruins’ technology and treasures my own and ultimately stand at the top of this country. You’re a tool for that purpose. If you behave yourself, I’ll cherish you from now on.”

He took down the halberd which he was grasping, and stroked Krulcifer’s belly with the fingertips of his Machine Dragon.

“You understand, right? There is nobody in this world that will come save you. So, accept it. Your fate of devoting yourself to me, your master–– …!?”

While he was speaking, <Aži Dahāka>’s armor arm was taken away from Krulcifer’s belly.

After just a moment, a blade glittered in that space and a dagger pierced the ground.

“Who is it!?”

Barzeride retreated and looked up at the night sky.

There was one dragon there.

The symbol of destruction which overwhelmed those who saw it and inspired awe.

With the pale moon in the background, Lux wearing <Bahamut> calmly looked down at the battlefield.

[[File:SaijakuBahamut v2 0004.jpg|thumb]]

“Why…?”

Krulcifer who looked up as if getting hooked on it muttered in mute amazement.

“––I’m sorry for being late, Krulcifer-san. I heard the circumstances from Airi.”

Lux showed a gentle smile and called out to her.

But,

『Not that! I did not intend to get you involved anymore!』

She sent a sorrowful cry to Lux through the dragon voice.

『Why did you come wearing <Bahamut>!? Like this, even your true identity will be––』

His <Wyvern> was seriously damaged in the ruins investigation and could not be used.

Even Lux himself got injured protecting Krulcifer and ended up consuming his strength.

And he couldn’t afford to let these two people know his true identity which was the “Black Hero” now.

Therefore, even though she made Lux sleep with medicine at that time and engaged in the duel alone––

“I’m Lux Acadia, a duel opponent. Currently at this time, I enter the battle.”

When Lux said so in a voice full of determination, he landed in front of Krulcifer and stood in the way.

“A jet black Divine Drag-Ride…? Who on earth is he––”

Alterize muttered as she was perplexed and tightly grasped her twin swords.

Alterize had also heard about the story of the “Black Hero” –– the legend which destroyed the Old Empire.

But, it was just a wild tale of a foreign country.

Even with the real thing just before her eyes, she was not immediately aware of his true identity.

“Hahahaha! Hahaha!”

At the same time, Barzeride burst into laughter.

He glared at Lux with a happy expression.

“Look whose here, I mistook you. I was sure you ran away. To think that you revealed your true identity just to save one woman––. It looks like you are an unexpectedly stupid man, eh, “Black Hero”.”

“……!”

To Barzeride’s pointing that out, Lux changed his expression to a sharp one for an instant.

“––“Black Hero”!? No way, this boy is…!?”

Though Alterize confused also shouted, Lux did not move an inch.

He was just calmly staring at Barzeride in front of him.

“No, shall I say the rumored “Self-proclaimed Hero”? Stop doing such a meaningless thing. Even if you fight in spite of your injury and fatigue, this woman won’t bring you any benefit.”

“……!”

Krulcifer inwardly chewed her teeth to that being pointed out.

He probably saw through Lux’s fatigue and small injuries from the slight gap of his center of gravity.

Although arrogant, as expected of someone from the Four Great Nobles and the Drag-Knight called the “Title Holder of the Kingdom”.

Even his ability was not just a decoration. But––

“I refuse. Lord Kreutzer.”

Lux, not even shaken, stared at Barzeride and said.

“What…?”

“You don’t understand at all how worthy she is.”

At the same time as his voice, he set up his large jet black sword. 

And when he put strength into his feet to jump in a straight line––

“Wait!”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>gow* Creating a gust of wind, Alterize sprung at Lux.

“Lord Kreutzer is worn out by fighting with her. This is a two vs. two formal duel. First, I shall be your opponent.”

She made use of her physical strength strengthened with the <EX Wyrm> to the maximum and slashed at <Bahamut> with her twin swords.

A surprise, instant attack.

“Lux-kun!?”

When Krulcifer called out to him from behind, the outcome was already decided.

“Wha…!? This is––!?”

The twin swords held by the <EX Wyrm> were cut and moreover the right wrist was destroyed.

One counterattack flash by <Bahamut>’s Divine Raiment, <Reload On Fire>.

He temporarily decelerated his own time and accelerated it up to several times afterwards.

He easily defeated Alterize by using the Divine Raiment of compression strengthening.

“… b-but!”

Having lost her two weapons, Alterize took distance from Lux.

“It’s not over yet!”

Then, she set up a canon with the remaining left arm and tried to continue the battle,

“Alterize-dono.”

In a calm voice, Barzeride’s <Aži Dahāka> applied its hand on her <EX Wyrm>’s shoulder from behind.

“Eh…?”

Immediately after, light disappeared from the <EX Wyrm>’s armor and Force Core.

Energy consumption or forced system shut down?

In any case, the <EX Wyrm>’s energy rapidly decreased and Alterize knelt down on one knee.

“W-Why did such a thing…!? The Machine Dragon’s system is––”

As it was an unexpected phenomenon, the calm Alterize showed confusion.

Then, Barzeride talked in a chilly voice.

“I want you to leave this to me. You’ve no chance of winning now anyway, and above all –– at this point when he went easy on you, the outcome is already clear.”

“…Kuh!”

It meant that it was because Lux carefully considered her position and pride that he stopped at only one arm’s destruction of the <EX Wyrm>.

He went easy on her in respect to a powerful person who entered the top ten in the religious country Ymir.

And in consideration for Krulcifer who was a friend.

Alterize who noticed that reality nodded while grinding her teeth, and withdrew.

“To think that he’s really the legendary––”

Was it the true identity of the “Black Hero” who destroyed the Old Empire before?

The owner of legendary strength surpassing that of super first class.

However––

“Why did he…? For Miss…”

While muttering her doubt, Alterize got away from the abandoned building, thus withdrawing from the front.

Then, with a strange fatigue different from that of the battle, she removed her armor.

“Also, what is this…? This feeling…”

Alterize sat down as such and lost consciousness.

“Be careful, Lux-kun. The ability of that man’s <Aži Dahāka> is unknown.”

Leaning on the broken wall, Krulcifer called his attention.

“Understood.”

At the same time Lux lightly nodded,

“Is your strategy meeting over? Then, I’m coming! “Black Hero”!”

Barzeride kicked the ground and pounced in a straight line.

The wheels of the legs of the ground-type Machine Dragon <Aži Dahāka> rotated at high speed and instantly shortened the distance.

Then, it mowed down the large-sized halberd it held in hands before his eyes.

“……!?”

Lux moved his body backward and dodged it by a hairbreadth; and using the rotation of when he swung completely, Barzeride chased him.

From horizontally mowing down to vertically swinging down.

The moment when the blow, coupled with the iron lump’s weight attacked Lux’s <Bahamut>,

“<Reload On Fire>”

<Bahamut>’s airframe shone and released an ultra-fast slash.

Divine Raiment of compression strengthening which devours its own time and accelerates several times.

When Lux’s swung large sword was about to smash <Aži Dahāka>’s armor,

“Ha…!”

At the same time with a sneer-like voice, the point of that sword cut the sky.

“––!?”

He pretended to swing his halberd downward, and deployed a barrier with the maximum output before Lux.

Blocked by a threefold wall of light, the large sword could not pass through.

Soon after Barzeride received a total of seven flash slashes,

“––Die!”

The halberd tinged with a red light was flung aiming at <Bahamut>’s head.

“Lux!”

Krulcifer’s scream came up from far behind.

A roaring sound resounded and the impact shook the atmosphere.

When a thick cloud of dust rose up around, Lux fled to the sky.

“…………”

“Hou. So your complexion doesn’t even change one bit, even after your Divine Raiment is defeated, huh. As expected of the man called the “Black Hero”. But––”

While he was speaking, Lux once again activated <Reload On Fire> and slashed at him.

Instead of waiting for an opportunity to launch a counter; aiming the “Quick slash” which brought down the opponent, he set the first move by himself with an ultra-fast slash.

<Aži Dahāka> generated the threefold power barrier.

Lux loaded energy into the tip of his large sword so as to tear them up one-by-one.

But, unable to break through the last fold of the barrier, he once again retreated to a suitable distance.

“As expected… so that was it.”

“Hou. What, you speak as though you understood something. Do you intend to make excuses?”

“<Aži Dahāka>’s Divine Raiment is the ability to steal other Machine Dragons’ power, isn’t it?”

“––––”

At Lux’s statement, Barzeride revealed an uncanny look.

“No way…!”

Krulcifer reflexively raised her voice.

“I’ve also heard rumors about the “Title Holder of the Kingdom”. That beside his bold character full of ambition and though originally being a man not having a high Machine Dragon aptitude, he boasts of a threatening endurance.”

“But, it is impossible. Without a high Machine Dragon aptitude, energy should have immediately dried out. If he uses a Divine Drag-Ride which has intense consumption, then all the more––”

“Yes. That’s why he absorbed power. From the other Machine Dragons and people around. If he can steal energy while fighting, he can compensate for the weakness of exhaustion. And he should probably also be able to steal a Divine Raiment. A little while ago, he was clearly reading my movements.”

“…Then, that was my––”

“Yes, he was probably using <Fafnir>’s Divine Raiment, <Wise Blood> that he stole. He steals a Machine Dragon’s energy just by getting close, and by touching it, he can temporarily steal even a Divine Drag-Ride’s ability and use it. That’s the true nature of <Aži Dahāka>’s Divine Raiment –– <Avestā>. Isn’t it?”

It was probably because of that that Alterize’s <EX Wyrm> which withdrew from the front suffered a system shut down, and she also suffered from severe consumption.

“…………”

Not denying Lux’s answer, even so Barzeride’s composed attitude did not collapse.

“Hou, that’s a pretty keen reading. I shall praise you for having seeing through it. But –– even if you understood it, you can’t defeat me after all.”

As he suddenly glared at Lux, he activated the <Devil’s Glow>, the canon which was the special armament on the left shoulder.

Its muzzle was turned not to Lux, but to Krulcifer who could not move anymore.

“……!?”

“You wouldn’t be able to prevent it in your weak condition. But, that woman's limbs will become somewhat crippled, however I don’t care at all.”

Simultaneously with a mocking voice, the shelling was shot.

“Kuh––!”

Lux appeared before <Fafnir> and prevented it with a barrier at max power.

A roaring sound and explosive flames.

Lux who put himself in this vortex noticed an abnormality.

The wire tail which <Aži Dahāka> had at hand twined around <Bahamut>’s right hand.

“You fell for it. “Black Hero”.”

“Lux-kun…!”

At the same time when Krulcifer raised her voice, Lux cut the wire tail with his large sword.

But, if we consider this as a contact between Machine Dragons, then…

“Oops. Sorry, but –– it’s too late. With this, I’ve obtained the Divine Raiment that your <Bahamut> possesses.”

Barzeride threw away the cut wire tail and revealed a wicked smile.

The reason why he aimed at Krulcifer was to make Lux create an opening.

“…………”

“You false Prince and self-proclaimed Hero. I’ll now end your meaningless struggle.”

<Aži Dahāka>’s armor feet firmly stepped on the devastated ground of the abandoned building.

With steps convinced of his victory, he intentionally gained time, thus applying a strong pressure on Lux.

“You’ll die if we fight like this, but are you still fine with it? If you beg for your life and admit defeat, then I may overlook you here.”

Like a sweet temptation, Barzeride said to Lux.

But,

“You’re lying.”

Lux, far from shaking, showed no opening at all and stared at Barzeride.

“What…!?”

Within a desperate situation, even judging from Krulcifer, where <Reload On Fire>, the Divine Raiment he mastered in order to become the strongest was stolen and his energy got absorbed by <Aži Dahāka>, Lux was smiling.

He said in a cold voice and with cold eyes enough to give a chill to those seeing it.

“After Alterize-san concluded the engagement and returned to her country, you’re going to use your subordinates and attack by surprise, right? A more certain method as to not get your hands dirty. ––I’m getting really tired of seeing it, Barzeride. Of that way of doing things exactly the same as the Old Empire’s royalties, that is.”

“…………”

At that attitude completely different from the usual Lux’s, Barzeride fell silent just for a moment.

“Ku… Hahahahaha!”

Then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

“I see, you’re an interesting man. All right, “Black Hero!” Show me what you can do in this situation by struggling and entertaining me as much as possible!”

<Aži Dahāka>’s airframe wore a pale light.

At the same time, Lux’s <Bahamut> kicked the ground and charged at it.

With a blade clad in energy and while twisting his body, Lux slashed at Barzeride.

However,

“After rattling so much, is it only this level?”

As expected, he couldn’t completely cut through <Aži Dahāka>’s threefold barrier which was firmly stretched.

Before reaching the opponent’s armor, the power was suppressed and the blade of the large sword was flipped.

“Then, allow me to attack now. <Reload On Fire>!”

“……!”

Immediately after, <Reload On Fire> stolen by <Aži Dahāka>’s Divine Raiment <Avestā> activated.

The halberd was swung at a speed which the eyes could not catch, and <Bahamut> was blown away.

“Kuh…!”

He violently struck a pillar remaining from the abandoned building and crashed into a mountain of rubble.

Going after him, Barzeride accelerated <Aži Dahāka>’s wheels.

“Kukuku! This power is splendid!”

Raising a cry of delight, Barzeride started pursuit.

A super acceleration that was several times faster after having decelerated his own time up to a fraction.

Through the ability to see everything that was polished from thousands of battles, Lux evaded the attack and aimed at Barzeride's chest, but after having stopped it with his tenacious armor and barrier, Barzeride released continuous attacks.

On the other hand, with an enemy strengthened with <Reload On Fire> as an opponent, Lux also could not use quick slash.

Even when letting out a counterattack by attacking the opening at Barzeride’s <Reload On Fire>, Lux’s attacks were all blocked by <Aži Dahāka>’s threefold barrier.

“But, this ability to accelerate time is really difficult. Even if I have it, it looks like it’s impossible to master it immediately.”

When Barzeride sighed like so, he suddenly reduced his speed.

Perhaps because fatigue spouted out at the same time, <Aži Dahāka>’s threefold barrier became thin.

“……!”

At that moment, Lux glided and let out a high-speed thrust.

The moment when energy was concentrated at the tip of the large sword, and looked like it could pierce the wall in a one point breakthrough,

“––You fool.”

At the same time with Barzeride’s fearless smile, an unusual phenomenon occurred.

The threefold barrier which became thin and weak increased in thickness and shine just before Lux’s sword touched it and, far from preventing the sword’s hit, flicked off <Bahamut> itself that had rushed.

“Guhah…!?”

Being instantly blown away dozens of Mel to the rear, Lux struck his back on the debris.

Though the armor did not break, his charge at full power was repelled and a faint groan leaked out.

“Kukuku, it seems that I’ am able to master this Divine Raiment. “Black Hero”.”

“No way… did he strengthen the Machine Dragon’s barrier?”

Krulcifer who saw that muttered in blank amazement.

<Reload On Fire> was a Divine Raiment of compression strengthening.

Lux used it in time acceleration by predicting with his superhuman reading and attack movement, but it looked like Barzeride used it to compressed strengthen <Aži Dahāka>’s threefold barrier.

If he did future foresight several seconds ahead, using <Fafnir>’s Divine Raiment <Wise Blood> at the same time, he would be able to attack with the strengthened threefold barrier at the moment of the hit.

Normally speaking, having used his power to that extent, if he were to go as far as simultaneously use the Divine Raiment, an unimaginable burden and fatigue would be put on the user and he would immediately run out of power.

But, Barzeride enabled continuous actions by stealing Machine Dragon energy from Lux.

Therefore, escaping from <Avestā>’s striking range was the best plan, but––

“––Why does he not escape…?”

Krulcifer already understood the reason.

If Lux were to take distance and gain time, Barzeride would probably attack Krulcifer again.

Precisely because of that, she did not understand.

About why Lux went as far as to reveal his true identity as the “Black Hero” and was fighting for someone unrelated to him.

『That is Nii-san’s good point, but also his bad point.』

When thinking so, a voice reached Krulcifer through dragon voice.

The voice of Airi, Lux’s little sister.

『You are––』

『Please, act as if you have not yet noticed. Krulcifer-san.』

Airi told in a very calm voice.

『Right now, Nii-san’s plan is being implemented, so please wait only a little. And then––』

Airi exhaled and told.

『Please watch it without losing consciousness. That fighting for your sake––』