Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Episode 3 (section)

===Part 3===

“Oh, you finally came! I was waiting for you, Lux.”

Then –– After school of that day.

Lux showed up in the Drag-Knight’s atelier by Lisha’s request.

The unique smell of metal and oil which acridly assailed his nose.

And, countless assembled Machine Dragons standing in a row was a magnificent view no matter how many times one saw it.

One could understand by seeing that Lisha had put on a white gown on her uniform, and was doing her work as an engineer.

“Errr, so, for today’s work––”

“W-Well… leave aside the talk of work for the time being and make yourself comfortable. I’ll get you some tea now, so––”

“Oh, then I’ll do it.”

As Lux offered so due to his usual odd jobs’ habit, and was about to head to the small kitchen located in the back of the atelier.

“No. There’s no need. I, the younger one, should do it.”

“You should just sit down there, Nii-san.”

“Huh…?”

Standing there were two familiar girls, his little sister Airi and her friend Nokuto.

“Why are you here, too––?”

“We had a little business regarding Machine Dragons; since it’s a rare opportunity –– are we in your way? Nii-san.”

Airi said with a somewhat implying smile.

“Ah geez, Lux! Come back here!”

Lisha who saw that called out to him from the sofa.

“Geez, I can at least explain it by myself…”

Judging from Lisha seeming somehow discontented, Airi and Nokuto seemed to have forcibly intruded in here.

After a while, tea poured into cups was carried, and Airi and Nokuto also sat down before the work unit.

And, Airi spread several sheets of paper there.

“This is––”

“Yes. It’s the output analysis result of <Bahamut> that Nii-san uses. I observed the last battle on Nokuto’s <Drake>.”

“…………”

Lux slowly looked over the bunch of papers.

Starting with the estimated output when he used the Divine Raiment, detailed records such as the estimated time of operation limit were written.

Airi probably collected them over many hours for Lux to use <Bahamut> someday.

By increasing the output, one would be able to momentarily generate a strong power, but in return, the consumption would be huge.

A precise adjustment of the output of the Drag-Ride and each armament was carried out in accordance with the ability and aptitude of the user.

However, unlike a general-purpose Machine Dragon, for a Divine Drag-Ride whose existence was confirmed and it was said that there was only one for each species in the world, there was no standard value of adjustment, and it was the present fact that analyses aren’t readily advanced.

Especially regarding <Bahamut>, since Lux could not afford to use it very often, time was required to analyze it.

But––

“While looking at it, I made a fine output adjustment to <Bahamut>. As expected, it was hard to do it until now since there was no data. I cut the output which is likely to be vainly used as much as possible, so I think you can fight quite easily more than before.”

“Thank you, Lisha-sama.”

As Lux turned a smile, Lisha suddenly blushed and averted her eyes.

“Ah, yes… If you say it like that, then it was worth my doing my best. U-Um, as a reward, if you could hold me––”

“Nokuto and I also helped, Nii-san.”

“Ah, thank you, both of you.”

“Yes. I feel obliged.”

“––H-Hey!? I haven’t finished talking yet!”

Ignoring Lisha who shouted from behind, Airi continued the talk.

“By the way, it doesn’t mean that I want you to fight for a long period of time. So, please do not act rashly. That –– you understand, right?”

“Ah, yes. I know.”

To Lux’s smile, Airi also returned a smile.

“With that said, Nokuto. I cannot trust Nii-san, so I can only rely on you.”

“Yes. Roger, Airi.”

“Hey, hey!? What do you mean? You don’t trust me!?”

“It’s obvious, right? Even though you always ignore my advice and rampage as you please.”

“…………”

When being told so, he thought that she was actually right; so his ears hurt.

“Well, in tomorrow’s ‘Abyss subjugation’ and ‘ruins investigation’, as expected I don’t think <Bahamut> should be used.”

Lisha suddenly muttered as she folded her arms.

“Ah, speaking of which––”

The ruins’ investigation by “Knight Squadron” that he was told about by Relie.

The day for that to happen should be tomorrow.

The objective was the subjugation of a Golem, a large Abyss which appeared around the ruins.

As well as the sixth ruins –– Garden’s investigation.

Originally, that mission would be carried out by a unit whose members were half composed of those elected from the “Knight Squadron”, but this time by Relie’s recommendation, Lux was also going to tag along as an exception.

Of course, he could not afford to let <Bahamut>’s existence be known to the other members of the “Knight Squadron”, so he did not want to act too much rashly, but––

“Don’t worry. After all, the commanding officer this time is me.”

Drinking the tea contained in her cup, Lisha stuck out her chest.

“While we are it, I also prepared the most recently drawn map of the “Garden”, so please keep it in mind during this evening.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

Lux nodded and thanked Airi’s consideration.

The ruins were labyrinths whose existences had been confirmed to number seven in the world presently and in which ancient technology slept.

Drag-Rides, Abysses and unknown technology.

This place was an existence which brought various things in the world and prompted rapid evolution and development in these past ten years.

Among the three ruins which were in the territory of and around the New Kingdom, the sixth ruins, the “Garden” was the place where investigation had advanced the most in the present situation, but even so –– its whole aspect had not been clarified yet.

But, since it was a matter which had continued since the Old Empire era, it was a path which could not be avoided.

“This time, as expected Krulcifer won’t tag along. So, you may rely on me without reserve, Lux.”

“Is that so?”

To Lisha who tapped his shoulder smilingly, Lux returned so.

“Yes. In her case, there is that “condition” after all.”

Krulcifer was a foreign student of the country Ymir.

Therefore, on the occasion of fighting in this Atismata New Kingdom, her unique standard was determined.

When it came to the subjugation of a dangerous Abyss, Krulcifer should basically not participate.

(I wonder if she’ll be alright by herself. Krulcifer-san…)

However, Lux was anxious about going and leaving her alone.

It should be the safest if she didn’t go to the ruins investigation, but––

“Okay, this talk is over. Therefore, how about you young girls go back? I want to talk with Lux about a slightly personal matter, you see?”

“A talk?”

“Ah, yes… well.”

When Lisha was about to begin talking,

<nowiki>*</nowiki>knock-knock*

They heard a light knock.

“Good evening!”

Before they could reply, opening the door and entering was Tillfarr of the Triad.

“What are you all doing? It looks very interesting, so let me in.”

“As usual, you’re someone who can’t read the atmosphere…”

Lisha turned reproachful eyes at the cheerful Tillfarr and sighed.

“Why did you come here for? Tillfarr.”

As she couldn’t just watch that without doing anything, Nokuto also of the Triad asked just as amazed.

“Well, there is a message for Lux-cchi. From Principal Relie; she said that tonight after about five o’clock–– you’ll be able to enter the bathroom.”

“Ah, I see.”

At these words, Lux also forgot their talk about the ruins and stood up.

About the bathing in the girl’s dormitory, Lux was basically prohibited from going in, but there was a certain period of time when he could use the bathroom; about once a week.

When the female students finished their bathing and there were no other users, he was called out by the manager such as the dormitory leader and was allowed to enter all alone.

Since he usually got it over with only wiping his body with a towel dipped in cold or hot water, bathing was a rare opportunity for Lux.

“Then, even if I go––”

“Hmm… it can’t be helped. Let’s call it a day. Let’s talk about this another time.”

With Lisha’s permission, Lux left the Machine Dragon’s atelier.

And he went straight to the large public bath of the girl’s dormitory.