Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Episode 1 (section)

===Part 3===
The central corridor in the old castle of the abandoned capital Guernica.

Lux and the others, the Seven Dragon Paladins who reunited with Aeril’s guidance were walking towards the audience hall.

No, it would be more accurate to say that she was taking them there.

All the members of the Seven Dragon Paladins had their necks fitted with the Wedge. It was effectively impossible for them to disobey orders, escape, or act defiant.

Of course everyone was unarmed. They didn’t have anything in hand.

It seemed their Sword Devices were hidden somewhere in this old castle. She didn’t tell them the location.

They were walking in the corridor of the old castle that was turned into an abandoned building while following Aeril’s lead.

「You look more energetic than expected there. As expected you are tough after crossing through so many lines of death huh.」

Lux quietly smiled wryly at Greifer’s casual talk.

His tone was blunt, but he was worrying about Lux in his own way.

「Don’t overdo it, Onii-chan.」

Even Mel who heard about the torture patted his back quietly with her small hand.

Even the members of the Seven Dragon Paladins who at first were hostile or putting distance from him now had amiable relations with him in some respects.

It was unfortunate that they were captured like this, but this point was the only salvation for Lux.

「…………」

On the other hand, he still didn’t understand what was on Singlen’s mind.

He was silently standing there with his expression still filled with his usual bottomless fearlessness.

His attitude was haughty as always.

Lux’s face was slightly reflected on his eyes that were emitting overwhelming pressure that wouldn’t submit to anyone.

「Looks like you refused the enemy’s order and got electrified huh. Your big foolishness hasn’t changed at all.」

「I’m aware of that.」

Just as he thought, this man wasn’t an ally.

However, for some reason he was obsessed with Lux and of all things he was secretly maneuvering to win him over.

He also still didn’t understand the reason.

「However, I don’t think that I did the wrong thing. Even if it will only end with fewer harm to the Seven Dragon Paladins on the whole, if I whipped my comrade at that time just as I was told, it would have left a burden in my own heart.」

Rather than a serious injury, injuring someone innocent by someone’s order would dull his skill more due to the great regret that he would feel.

He was unable to do anything else than that.

「You are a fool as expected. Why are you choosing this kind of path while being aware yourself that you cannot do anything but that?」

「What do you mean?」

But, Singlen cut down Lux’s determination with a derisive smile.

There was no way they could talk too loudly, so they kept their voices small, but he couldn’t help but ask back.

「You ask me what do I mean? It’s a big problem if you don’t realize it. If you are begging for peace, then don’t go to the battlefield, you can just offer prayer at the church. If you love the people, then don’t aim to be consul or anything, you can just manage an orphanage.」

「……?」

「A knight that wishes for peace, a politician that loves the people. You are stepping onto a path seeking something that is essentially impossible to exist. In a glance you and that guy look like complete opposites, but you two are completely similar, that pure foolishness.」

「Who do you mean by that guy? You mean Fugil?」

Lux got his attention to that part from the content of Singlen’s talk and snapped at it.

「Enough with the pointless talk there. The electricity will flow if you talk more than that.」

But, Aeril quietly told them that when they arrived at the audience hall.

The rubble of the broken castle wall were scattered everywhere inside the audience hall, with carpet and tapestries that were ravaged by time.

Inside that sight that gave the impression of a grand history and the ups and downs of life, they were waiting.

The first imperial princess of the Lords, clad in a pure white dress, Listelka Rei Arshalia.

Standing besides her, the Key’s Supervisor maid, Mishis V Xfer.

Standing by at the right, was a man with similar silver hair as Lux. The general of the Lords and the imperial princess’s knight, Fugil Arcadia.

(Fugil…… just what are you thinking?)

Lux understood that it was pointless even if he became conscious of Fugil in this situation, even so he couldn’t help but become conscious.

In the Old Empire, at first he was an elder brother who was watching over Lux’s growth.

Next he acted as a compatriot with the same intentions.

At the end he was an existence that accomplished the bloody revolution and betrayed Lux.

And then, now, he was taking place as the aide of the imperial family of the ancient era, the Holy Arcadia Empire.

Previously he was acting in concert with Hayes. But even while doing that, he gave Lux advice to save Philuffy on Ries Island.

He still couldn’t see Fugil’s objective.

Whether from his words that he heard in the past, or from his whimsical acts.

Everything he did seemed to be something he did seriously, but he also felt the hint like he was playing around.

「Welcome, the Drag-Knights that are the pride of each country of the world alliance, everyone of the Seven Dragon Paladins. We have met many times at the summits, so I’ll omit the minute explanation. That is including Aeril over there too.」

「…………」

Everyone held their tongue at Listelka’s preface.

She was acting courteous on the surface, but the moment the path to capture Avalon was opened, she was the ringleader who bared her fangs towards the world alliance and threatened them.

Furthermore the Sword Device of everyone was taken away and an electric shock collar, the Wedge, was fastened on all of them, so there was no way they would let their guard down.

It would be fine if she just threw them all into prison. But for her to call all of them like this, they had nothing but a bad premonition.

Even though Aeril was on the enemy side, but Lux could trust her to a certain degree, and yet this first imperial princess was a different matter.

After observing the attitude of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Listelka smiled gracefully while starting to talk leisurely.

「Please don’t think badly of me. After all, it had been determined from the start that it will become like this. Although all of you are mongrel who sprang out later on, but I’ll show respect to your strength. Thanks to you all, the capture of the Ruins is finished without any damage for us.」

「If she is saying that seriously then she is one unbelievable woman yeah. Someone like my princess-sama is just a cute little thing compared to her.」

Greifer muttered with a small voice. Lux who heard that was feeling a chill in his heart.

「But, unfortunately I have no choice but to do this. It’s important to reach Avalon, but first I have to erase the sovereigns of the world. For us, the Lords, to reign on the summit of the world just like before, at the start we have to correct that mistaken ruling system so──」

「-……!?」

Lux was speechless towards that line that was muttered very naturally.

That was the same scene like Lux had seen in the past at the Old Empire.

A conceit that oneself was undoubtedly the legitimate ruler, where other humans weren’t even considered as their equals from the very start.

This girl’s warped sense of values wasn’t comparable with the Old Empire.

「But, there are still several Drag-Knights with real ability remaining. I thought to have you all serve as hostages until all of them were annihilated but──」

(……As I thought. This girl cannot be allowed to monopolize Avalon.)

Lux bit his lip slightly and hardened his determination once more to not submit to these people. It was at that time that unexpected words were said.

「But, my knight Fugil gave me advice and I noticed a certain thing. Although all of you are of lowborn, but you all are still experts with talent. It will be a bit of a waste to cut down all of you. After all, right now the number of our servants is lacking.」

「I see. I get it now Lord.」

Magialca who heard those words grinned boldly.

Before Lux could read her true intention, Listelka in front of him told the answer.

「Those who are quick in the uptake must have understood already. In other words I want you all to swear your allegiance to us and enter our service. Of course we will grant you various privileges and rewards depending on the results you produce.」

Listelka showed a carefree smile and she pressed her hands on each other.

The members of the Seven Dragon Paladins fell silent hearing those words, but before long someone opened their mouth.

「That joke ain’t funny at all, oi, ruler of the world-sama. Are you telling us to betray the world alliance and face the remaining guys there?」

「My, it might also become something like that. After all, those who continue to oppose us will become obstacles.」

Listelka answered Greifer’s exasperated voice without any timidity.

Lux was in admiration that he would still crack jokes in this situation, but that must be how the man called Greifer was.

「More importantly you there, isn’t your forgetfulness really serious? Don’t you even remember what you have said yourself?」

Furthermore, the youngest Seven Dragon Paladin, Mel Gizalut, also continued next.

「What was it that you said in the world summit I wonder? You promised that if we raised achievements in capturing Ruins, you will prioritize us in the sharing of the technologies and legacies of the ancient era, didn’t you? You broke that promise one-sidedly and then you tried to negotiate once more like this, aren’t you looking down on other people too much?」

Even though she should have heard about the electric shock’s strength from Lux, but that courage was just as expected from her.

Although she was still a little girl, she was still someone who was appointed as a member of the Seven Dragon Paladins.

But, it seemed Listelka had also already taken such reaction into her consideration. Her expression didn’t waver.

She continued her words patronizingly with that elegant gesture and smile.

「It made my ears burn to hear that, but this time is different from before. The reason is because I won’t make any such promise like that which I don’t even intend to keep. What I will grant to you all is only a little bit of privilege to live freely. I won’t grant anymore than that.」

「You don’t even have any motivation to talk decently from the start eeh.」

Rosa Granhide responded with her usual acting tough. The place’s tension was increasing further.

The will of the Lord Listelka was clear.

They, the Lords would monopolize the knowledge and technology of the Ruins without yielding even a single thing.

On top of that, she was trying to negotiate with only some freedom and privilege as the compensation.

「It’s amazing that there are still people who will follow you guys like that.」

Even Soffice, whose standing with the Lord originally should be deep, was showing an attitude of rejecting to cooperate.

Amidst that, a single man suddenly came forward.

A lean man clad in deep blue robe──the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit.

「Then, allow me to offer you my service, your highness.」

He showed an obedient attitude with his haughty and arrogant attitude staying unbroken.

Because Singlen had the Wedge fitted on his neck, he should be unable to make any opposition at all, but the maid Mishis moved to stand in his way as though on guard.

「It’s enough with that announcement. The next time you try to come closer without permission, I will grant you punishment.」

「Excuse my rudeness then.」

Singlen backed down with a courteous smile.

Lux was surprised at that, but next he heard Magialca’s voice that made him doubt his ears further.

「Can I also nominate myself? It will be regrettable if I die like this leaving behind my lovers.」

「──!?」

As expected, the remaining members were shaken seeing the captain as well the vice captain nominating themselves at the forefront.

Even Lux spontaneously made a doubting expression.

「Wait, what are you two thinking? You two are seriously going to listen to these bunch?」

「I ain’t surprised at all with captain-san cause she is relatively a utilitarian, but I’m shocked out of my wits that even the vice captain-sama is that obedient yeah.」

Mel and Greifer were immediately complaining, but the two only grinned without replying back.

「Is that so? I understand.」

Listelka was looking alternately at the faces of the two, and then she straightened her back.

「I will give up adding only you two into my service.」

「……!?」

Magialca and Singlen frowned hearing the words of Listelka that were tinged with harshness.

「What does that mean? Was the invitation just now only your highness’s jest?」

Even so Magialca didn’t show any agitation in her expression and questioned Listelka. Listelka smiled with composure.

「No, I’m serious when I said that I wish to appoint all of you to important posts. But, people who can change sides without any hesitation at all cannot be trusted. Besides──」

While saying that, Listelka suddenly turned her gaze towards the gap of the broken wall. The battle between the Abyss and the alliance troops were unfolding outside.

The swarm of fiendish Abyss surrounding the old castle.

The elite force of the alliance was peeling off that swarm bit by bit and continued to crush the Abyss that was lured out one by one.

It must be the Lord’s miscalculation that even when the main force, the Seven Dragon Paladins, were all captured, the army would still maintain their supply line and continued to fight orderly.

At first Listelka predicted that the alliance army would collapse by themselves.

But right now, she was fearing the possibility that the capture of Avalon would be interrupted like this.

「The remaining force of the alliance army. The people who are commanding them are the aides of you two. So you see, because of that I harbor distrust whether the two of you have ulterior motives.」

「…………」

Seeing that exchange, Lux and the remaining Seven Dragon Paladins were holding their breaths.

Certainly, while the pure fighting strength of these two was also extraordinary, the impression that they left from their skills in scheming and bargaining didn’t lose to that.

If these two showed acts of betrayal right away like just now, then anyone would instinctually get a bad premonition.

「And so, it will be execution for the two of you. Your value as hostages is also high, but it feels like it will be more dangerous to leave the two of you alive. Well then──」

「Please wait Ane-ue, I’m objecting to that.」

There a voice was suddenly raised.

Aeril, who was guiding Lux and co. until here, came forward in front of Listelka.

「What is it Aeril? There is no time so keep it short.」

「There won’t be anyone else who will enter under our banner if we treat them as disposable pieces. Aren’t we following the idea of General Fugil here?」

(Fugil’s idea and……piece?)

Lux surmised the situation of the Lords after hearing Aeril’s words.

Because they were lacking manpower to capture Avalon and defending, they wanted to make use of the Seven Dragon Paladins.

Fugil advised so and the situation became like this. Lux predicted that the circumstances might be like that.

Listelka who heard what Aeril pointed out put the back of her hand on her mouth and looked down with a troubled expression.

「That is also true. Then Aeril, please be the one to choose.」

「Is that fine?」

「I don’t mind. It is you who had watched them longer than anyone as an aide of the Seven Dragon Paladins, you should understand their strength and character so──」

Seeing Listelka nodding generously, Aeril turned around towards Lux and the others behind her.

She lightly looked around at everyone with her braided silver hair swaying behind her.

(Don’t tell me, could it be──)

It seemed that his hunch was right, her gaze stopped still on Lux.

「I will endorse him. The New Kingdom’s Seven Dragon Paladin, Lux Arcadia.」 (TN: A trivia, Aeril is still using ‘boku’ to refer to herself even now)

「……!?」

*Stir*, soundless commotion leaked out from the surrounding.

Especially the Key’s Supervisor Soffice was blinking in surprise.

She who knew about the history of the Lords was shocked that Aeril chose Lux who was ridiculed as a member of the family of traitors.

「I object to that. Certainly he might be a honest person but, he has an unknown part and ability to grow remarkably.」

The maid Mishis who was standing by at Listelka’s side interrupted. Listelka lightly raised her hand and stopped her.

「Well, let’s first ask her reason. Why do you decide on him, Aeril?」

「My decision is based on his strong and weak points.」

「And that is?」

「His strong point is his radical growth in short time and also his sharp mind. He also boasted the greatest number of Ragnaroks defeated. And even in battle against other Drag-Knights he boasted high winning percentage.」

「But, as useful and strong he is, it also shows how dangerous it will be when he turned traitor. That risk is almost zero with the Wedge on his neck but──」

While nodding to Aeril’s words, Listelka also showed her doubt.

But, the second imperial princess continued right away.

「His weak point is useful for that. When he was ordered by Hayes to torture another Seven Dragon Paladin, he was unable to do it even knowing about the electric shock punishment from the Wedge.」

「Is that so, that means……」

「His loyalty can be guaranteed if we use the remaining Seven Dragon Paladins and his comrades as collateral. For the rest I will take responsibility for his management.」

「I see……」

Listelka nodded after hearing Aeril’s proposal and she closed her eyes for a while.

Before long she seemed to finish sorting her thoughts and her small lips formed the answer.

「Then it’s fine. You have accomplished a mission that made you worthy of trust. In deference to that achievement, I will listen to your wish.」

「My thanks, Ane-ue.」

Aeril bowed respectfully then she led away the remaining Seven Dragon Paladins to the courtyard of the old castle.

Lux was led by Aeril alone into another room.

It was decided unexpectedly easily for Lux to be absorbed into the enemy camp, but he deliberately didn’t object because he had his own thought.

That Coral……Aeril was intentionally appointing him also factored in, but there was also how Magialca and Singlen who tried to switch sides at the beginning didn’t speak any objection at all at that time.

Of course, it was also possible that they didn’t say anything unnecessary because of the Wedge on their necks.

However Lux predicted that they had different aims.

Those two were the core of the Seven Dragon Paladins, and they were also skilled in bargaining. In any case, even the Lords should find it difficult to control them.

And so, could it be they were deliberately nominating themselves to make it easier for Lux to get chosen?

And then, he got the feeling that Aeril also nominated Lux with her own thought even while knowing the ulterior motives of those two.

It wasn’t something he really had a basis to be confident about, but for some reason he got such feeling.

「Then, I’ll have Lux-kun spend time together with me for a while.」

「Err, is it okay to use this room?」

The room Lux was ushered into was especially spacious. The inside was also put in order tidily.

He wondered if this room might have been a room for royalty before.

There was a huge bed with a canopy and red carpet with beautiful embroidery.

If the Lord intended to use this old castle as a base from the beginning, then that maid Mishis might be the one to clean and arrange the preparations.

Aeril sat down on that bed and gestured with her hand to beckon Lux closer.

When he sat down beside her just as he was told, their talk began.

「Fundamentally, Lux-kun will be under my supervision. That is the condition that Listelka-neesan gave, and above all else there is no way we can let you act freely.」

Aeril was only speaking matter-of-factly without showing any hostility or good will.

He couldn’t read her thinking from that, but at the very least she gave a hint that she would persist with her standpoint as a Lord.

「How cautious. Even though you just said before that my loyalty can be guaranteed.」

「That’s obviously just a surface stance. Certainly Lux-kun is careless in various aspects, and you also have a side that is full of openings. But──you are hiding a bottomless possibility which surpasses that.」

Lux was at a loss of how to respond to her tone that was vaguely filled with conviction.

But, as expected, even after her outside appearance had completely changed into a girl and one of the Lords, somewhere inside her was a strong trace of his amiable friend Coral.

「But, I never even dreamed that you would peek at girls’ naked bodies even at this kind of place──as expected even I couldn’t anticipate that.」

Suddenly Aeril turned a gaze that contained hidden meaning towards him.

Somehow, he also could feel a nuance of dissatisfaction from her gaze.

「That was an accidental incident and it wasn’t my fault! Or rather, the previous times too also weren’t something that I did intentionally!」

「I wonder. Even in the Vanheim Principality you were staring intently at my back.」

「That was because you were disguising yourself as a boy right!?」

「Ahaha. That’s true.」

Aeril showed an innocent smile at Lux’s retort.

Frankly speaking, even at those times when she was disguised as a boy, she gave off strange sex appeal, but since her appearance completely became a girl, he could feel her loveliness even more than before.

Whether it was her braided silver hair that looked like it had stardust sprinkled on it, or the swelling of her chest that gave a feminine impression.

And also the whiteness of her skin that could be seen from the gaps of the pilot suit, and her soft scent.

Just from being near her caused his emotions to well up along with the throbbing of his heart.

But, right now in their position, they were fellow enemies.

Lux took a deep breath, braced himself, and asked.

「And, what are all of you Lords going to make me do from here on?」

Luckily or unluckily, he obtained a bit of freedom under Aeril, but it didn’t change the situation that he was still in a predicament.

First, he had to grasp the objective of these girls who were controlling Lux──as well as Fugil’s objective.

「Right. Surely you want to ask that first. After this, we the Lords will capture the surface level floor of Avalon that is located underground the old castle. We have to step into there and open the gate, and then open the path to the deep level floor. I want Lux-kun to lend your strength for that.」

(…………?)

Lux was hesitating for a while at Aeril’s proposal.

It wasn’t that he was showing rejection to that demand itself.

He was feeling a strange uncomfortable feeling.

First he would move to the direction of solving those questions one by one.

「Wait a second. You all haven’t put this Avalon under your control already?」

「It’s annoying to have various information extracted like that but, it can’t be helped. I’ll tell you.」

Aeril was showing a slightly troubled expression while replying like that with a smile.

It seemed that Lux’s intention was exposed, but she would tell him properly.

「This is a bit of a miscalculation, or should I say beyond our expectations. Avalon is also the same like the other Ruins, there are several stages of locks, so it won’t be easy to be able to reach the control room. Originally it will take time to breakthrough using the Lords and Key’s Supervisor’s authority in conjunction.」

It was information that was already known to the Lords.

They were planning to steadily carry out that unlocking work that would take time so the world alliance wouldn’t notice.

「But, that plan crumbled, is what you’re saying?」

「Putting it bluntly, yes.」

Aeril leaked out a small sigh ‘fuu’ and hung her head down.

「After all the Ruins were captured, Listelka-neesan intended to advance the capture of Avalon secretly by ourselves.」

In order to enter Avalon, first the seven Ruins had to be in the liberated state.

But, the world alliance didn’t know the location of Avalon, so the Lords intended to capture Avalon leisurely using the remaining days without notifying them.

Of course at the surface they would say that they couldn’t find Avalon and was currently searching.

「But, that Seven Dragon Paladins captain, Magialca Zen Vanfrick surpassed our imaginations. Because she leaned close to the Marcafal Kingdom from the start and with the sharpness of her nose, she determined the location of Avalon. She left the capture of the Ruins to you guys while steadily advancing the preparations for capturing Avalon at the side, and finally an elite force took position before our eyes.」

When that happened, it was the side of the Lords that became anxious.

They planned to make the world alliance capture the Ruins while they would get a jump ahead and conquer Avalon, but instead they got outwitted.

At that rate, Avalon would be taken away from them if they weren’t careful.

The first imperial princess Listelka who realized that they didn’t even have much time left played her trump card.

That was, the poisonous needle that she sent inside the Seven Dragon Paladins and world alliance──a spy called Coral. She bid her spy to act and aimed to hold back the enemy.

Lux’s doubt was cleared after hearing the circumstance of Aeril and the others.

Why they had to capture the Seven Dragon Paladins even though the capture of Avalon was still remaining?

At the same time he also realized the reason why they were trying to use him as their pawn at this late hour.

「Then, that twelve days countdown that you all announced to the world, the declaration of purging the royalties and nobles are a diversion just as I thought.」

In order to avoid the countries from concentrating their forces on Avalon, and then in order to buy time until they finished their capture of Avalon, the Lords executed a strategy to make the leaders fall into chaos.

「No, there is also that but, Nee-san is most likely serious. She is trying to accomplish her mission as a survivor of the Lords.」

「…………」

Lux could do nothing but sigh seeing Aeril’s anxious face.

If Listelka’s aim was really to rearrange the ruling class, then different from Soffice, there would be no room for negotiation.

And then, right now, Lux had to help out with that.

「As I thought, I’m disinclined to do it.」

「……That’s, you know.」

The electric collar──the Wedge gave him no right to refuse, so Lux was at a loss of what he should do.

There were three options remaining for him.

First was to keep the Seven Dragon Paladins alive and listen to what he was told while looking for a chance to counterattack.

Second was to go against the order and committ suicide, where he could only pray that Lisha and the others would be able to stop Listelka.

Or else, to really obey the Lords for real.

Only the last option was impossible.

Thus Lux was weighing the two remaining options on the scale of his heart, it was then the girl before him brought her face closer to him.

「I’m sorry, Lux-kun.」

Aeril lowered her eyebrows, averted her eyes that were tinged with grief, and muttered.

「I know that it’s just my selfishness to apologize at this kind of situation but, sorry, about everything until now, and also for what will happen from here on──」

「…………」

「Even so, if it’s possible, if you will listen to me then I want you to help me. I want you to cooperate with the capture of Avalon not for me as the second imperial princess of the Lords, but for me as a person that you know. If you will do that for me, I will protect the safety of the Seven Dragon Paladins and your comrades in the Academy with all my strength.」

「What do you mean by that? Aren’t you obeying Listelka’s will as a Lord?」

Lux asked back like that in response to Aeril’s emotional pleading.

「I’m a member of the Lords. The second imperial princess of the Holy Arcadia Empire. I have no intention to run away from that fate and mission. However, even I myself have my own will. I have a path that I should choose as an imperial family member.」

Aeril told her own wish as though to persuade herself.

「Lux-kun, even though you were an imperial family member of the Old Empire, you didn’t follow custom and found your own answer. I believe that is the duty as someone who stands above others. At the very least that is what I believe.」

‘That’s why’, the girl lightly put her hand on her chest and continued.

「I want you to cooperate with me. I want you to enable me to take Avalon. I want you to leave Avalon to this me, not my elder sister Listelka. With you, I have the feeling that I will be able to do that. I think I will be able to give a different answer than my elder sister. For a long time I didn’t know that answer all along. But, right now──I feel like I know it.」

「…………」

That was a proposal that was terrifying in a sense.

After all, depending on how he interpreted it, he could also take it as Aeril was trying to act behind the back of the first imperial princess to stand on the summit herself.

Thinking from his position as a Seven Dragon Paladin, he shouldn’t trust Aeril’s words blindly.

In the first place, from the point when she launched a sneak attack on them, it was dangerous to trust her. And even if, for example, Lux cooperated with her, there was no guarantee that Aeril would be able to monopolize the system of Avalon.

What’s more, it was largely possible that this story itself was a lie.

It might be a trick to make Lux give serious effort in conquering Avalon.

(However──I wonder why. I want to believe her.)

Even though he had been betrayed by Fugil before, Lux’s true feeling was wishing for that.

But, a mistake here wouldn’t be tolerated.

Depending on his choice, not just him, even the destruction of other countries would be determined.

Aeril seemed to sense that conflict which Lux felt. She silently stood up.

「My bad but, right now I don’t even have time to let you think carefully. That’s why──」

And then, she began to strip off the pilot suit she was wearing.

「Wai-……!? What are you doing Aeril!?」

Lux spontaneously leaped up from the bed and covered his eyes with his hands.

Her naked body without a single string covering it was exposed under the bed’s canopy.

The vivid swelling of her chest that gave the impression of the growth period.

The beautiful line of her thighs that, although long and slender, also possessed sensuality.

And then, her gaze that was enduring shame while begging for something.

「Right now, what I can give you, is only something like this……that’s why」

「Tha, that, what do you──」

「I want you, to test my resolve. The Wedge’s electric shock won’t activate if I don’t recognize it as an attack from you. That’s why, I want Lux-kun to do as you please. It’s fine even if you want to hurt me just like what Hayes did, and even if you want to do other things, that you like──it’s fine.」

「…………」

「No matter what you do to me, I won’t perceive it as an attack. I want you to test it, because I can prove it like that. Because I’m, wishing for that so……」

Lux understood with that sentence.

The reason why Coral──no, Aeril was asking Lux to wound her.

She was wishing for punishment.

She betrayed, tricked, and schemed against a young man who wanted to be her friend.

She was feeling pain in her heart that she had to do that because of her birth and for the sake of her mission.

But, the impulse that was born inside Lux was something of a different kind from that.

A young man the same age as Lux, his look was androgynous but he had a lovely face and Lux felt that his personality was favorable. That young man was transformed into a beautiful girl.

Such girl was exposing her skin to him like this and she was wanting pain from Lux.

Her averted face didn’t look unconcerned at all, but a face that was enduring shame and terror.

His chest became so hot from that sight to the degree that he was doubting the reality, and the inside of his head was filled with fog.

However──

「Ah……」

「If you don’t dress up quickly, you will catch a cold, you know?」

Lux suppressed that various impulses and put the bed’s blanket on her.

「It’s impossible for me. Even if you are wishing for it from the bottom of your heart, I’ll surely regret it if I hurt or disgrace you. That’s why, I can’t.」

Lux told so with a gentle smile.

「……I see.」

Aeril smiled with an expression that looked relieved and somewhat lonely.

「Lux-kun is a strange boy just as I thought. Even though I’m someone who betrayed you and caused you to meet that kind of experience before this. Far from satisfying your grudge, you even hurt yourself.」

[[File:SaijakuBahamut v13 03.jpg|thumb|right]]

「Airi also often scolded me. She said that I’m too softhearted.」

「But I, like that side of you. Though it’s unfortunate, just a little, that you won’t do anything even after I’m going this far……」

「Eh……?」

Aeril muttered with a small voice toward Lux’s wry smile.

When Lux asked back in response, the girl immediately came back to herself and got flustered.

「I, it’s nothing at all-! I, i-i-i-it’s not like I’m thinking of anything strange! The, then, about this talk──」

The matter of asking for Lux’s help not for Listelka and also Hayes, but for Aeril herself to reach Avalon as quick as possible.

「Right. I’ll cooperate, Aeril.」

「Lux-kun……」

「Honestly speaking, I don’t know what Aeril is going to do or whether it will be an answer that I can accept. But, I can believe that you are seriously trying to do something. And also right now, I can only bet on that.」

In the end it was something like that.

If he was imprisoned with the Wedge attached to his neck like this, or if he committed suicide due to his refusal of becoming a hostage, most likely there would be no change about this currently defeated situation.

Then, Lux chose the path of going along with Aeril’s request while along the way he would discover an opening to use.

「Thank you, Lux-kun.」

Hearing Lux’s answer, Aeril smiled in relief while hugging her own chest.

「My bad but, it’s not like I fully believed in you yet. However──」

「Yes, I understand. Even so, I’m happy.」

Aeril told him with a smile that looked like she would break down crying anytime.

Like that she was overcome with emotion and hugged Lux tightly.

「Wai-, Aeril!? Your blanket is slipping!?」

In other words, seeing that the girl was naked, the swelling of her chest that was unimaginable when she was a man was directly pressing on him.

「Wawah! So, sorry-!? Geez, just what am I……!?」

「Do, don’t be too flustered! The electric shock from the Wedge will──!」

In the end the Wedge didn’t activate, but Lux was scared to death.

「That was dangerous. I was told that the third electric shock will kill me for sure after all.」

「That’s, your collar had been removed once so it’s all right. Once the Wedge is removed and then put on again, the number of electric shocks will be reset too.」

Aeril who wore her pilot suit again said that with a bit of panic.

Perhaps because she was naked just now, or perhaps because of the hug, her cheeks were red in shame. Like that she held her right hand towards him.

「Then, Lux-kun. Best regards from here on.」

Lux grasped back the hand that Aeril timidly held towards him.

Thus, the transient contract was formed.

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