Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 7 Episode 1 (section)

===Part 2===

「Krulcifer of the Einvolk house, and you are the aforementioned Lux Arcadia of the Seven Dragon Paladins. How admirable for the two of you to visit this land at this chance. Coming from afar through a long journey must be arduous.」

The audience hall was decorated with angel sculptures and radiant stained glass.

While Drag-Knight guards that were called the Sanctuary Knight Order and three bishops were standing at the side, Lux was handing over the letter from Queen Raffi while greeting Pope Nias.

(This person is, his eminence the pope of the Ymir Theocracy……?)

He had heard the rumor, but Lux couldn’t hide his surprise inside his heart.

「There is no need for consideration. God should be equally generous to all the people. You can be at ease.」

The one who told Lux that in a very formal tone was a young boy of very young age.

Although his appearance was wearing a robe for ceremony use, his whole body looked really weighty even after the dress had been modified for children use.

Of course, Lux had no intention to make light of him just because he was young.

Just, Pope Nias smiled, perhaps because he had guessed Lux’s bewilderment.

「Have you heard of the rumors about me? Well, it’s just as you see, I have only taken over after the previous pope. I’m not good at difficult talk. Because of that, Orphel, I’ll leave the rest to you.」

「Understood.」

The one who bowed reverently and walked forward was one of the bishops who was the pope’s close aide standing by at the back.

She was a young beautiful female with an intellectual look.

He heard she was a person of character who seemed to be of help to Krulcifer in the past and also had a close relationship with Mel too.

「Well then, please allow me to briefly talk about the Pilgrimage Festival that will start from tomorrow and about the matter that had us call you two here.」

With that preface, the bishop Orphel started talking about the circumstances this time.

First the pilgrimage, the visiting route would be different according to the believer’s rank, and the route that the pope, whose rank was the highest among the believers, would take was the most dangerous route.

The reason was because the route would graze right beside the fourth Ruin, the Hall.

Even at the best of times the Abyss would still appear from the Ruin, and yet recently that number of appearances was also increasing.

Thus, until now the elites of the Sanctuary Knight Order that consisted of Drag-Knights would accompany the pope with a lot of guards.

But, taking into account the recent year’s situation where the warmongers called Dragon Marauder were secretly maneuvering, there was also no way they could neglect the country’s defenses just for the sake of the pilgrimage.

In order to make the pope’s pilgrimage end smoothly while still leaving behind a combat force that could oppose any threat, it was thought that reinforcements of excellent Drag-Knights was indispensable.

「So, that means──」

Pope Nias nodded right away at Krulcifer who muttered that.

「Correct. My accompaniment for the pilgrimage this time will be the elites of the Sanctuary Knight Order and Mel Gizalut of the Seven Dragon Paladins. And then Krulcifer, you too are included.」

Even if it was a dangerous route where it would pass near the Ruin, if there was a force that included two users of Divine Drag-Ride serving as guard, then they would be able to oppose any opposition without problem.

「──That’s the plan so far, but we wish to make an additional request. The Seven Dragon Paladins, Lux Arcadia. Can we ask you to also accompany the pilgrimage of his preeminence the pope?」

The words that Orphel said next caused Lux to stiffen slightly.

If asked whether it was unexpected, it was an unexpected talk.

Currently, Lux only came with the intention of accompanying Krulcifer.

But, the Seven Dragon Paladins were originally created in order for cooperation against the threat of the Abyss and Dragon Marauder.

The Ymir Theocracy, too, had no reason to hesitate for requesting cooperation.

「Of course, Ymir will pay the compensation through the New Kingdom. Besides, just by receiving this guard duty for the pilgrimage, you will be given a positive evaluation as a Drag-Knight. How about it?」

Raising his World RankWorld Grade Rank and through that increasing his influence inside the Seven Dragon Paladins was also one of Lux’s objectives.

In that case, he had no reason to refuse.

「Understood. Please allow me to accompany on the pilgrimage too.」

「Oo! As expected from the representative of our allied country. You can ask about the details of the schedule from Orphel. Then, I will be relying on you from tomorrow onward.」

After Pope Nias spoke expressing his delight, the meeting was closed.

By the way, the archbishop with highest rank after Pope Nias seemed to be unable to come out because of sickness.

After that, Lux was told about the specifics of the arrangements from Bishop Orphel in a different room before he left the Sanctuary for the time being.

Perhaps because the sun would soon set, the air felt colder than before and Lux shivered lightly──then.

「You will quickly freeze if you are forcing yourself to endure in this country you know?」

Suddenly a cape was put *pofu-* on Lux’s head from the side.

The fluffy sensation from the fur seemed to be something Krulcifer prepared in advance in anticipation of this situation.

Lux was relieved from the girl’s consideration while he recalled about the peeping incident.

「Ah, Krulcifer-san. That, about the matter from before──」

「You don’t need to apologize anymore. It’s not like I was angry about it, I was just embarrassed that’s why……」

Saying that, Krulcifer’s cheeks reddened slightly while she walked ahead.

In front of the Sanctuary, Alterize was waiting with the horse carriage.

「After that, I also secretly listened to the conversation between Lux-kun and Mel.」

「Ah, uh, right.」

Krulcifer was still looking vaguely dissatisfied, but Lux was relieved that he was forgiven.

On the other hand, Krulcifer was still averting her blushing face from Lux.

「Rather than that, it was embarrassing that my unprepared side got seen by you……」

The girl whispered like that to herself with a small voice that couldn’t be heard even by Lux who was beside her.

They had just gone through a long travel, no, it couldn’t be said to be that long but it still took almost the whole day. The underwear she was wearing all that time that she had finished wearing and left to be washed was taken into Lux’s hand and it got seen by him.

She believed that it wasn’t that dirty, even so she couldn’t help but pretend to be angry.

「I wonder if I’m thinking that I don’t want my embarrassing side to be seen more than earlier……」

Krulcifer suddenly muttered with a small voice while climbing into the horse carriage.

Their schedule for tomorrow was settled, but there was one more trial that would come after this.

The homecoming after about a year and a half to Krulcifer’s home──the Einvolk house.

An exhale that was slightly tinged with nervousness vanished into the empty air that was dyed white.