Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Prologue (section)

===Part 3===

A few dozen minutes later after riding the horse carriage.

The conference room of the government office located in the first block of Cross Field. A tense atmosphere was filling it.

Celis’s father who was a great feudal lord that was one of the four great nobles──Dist Ralgris.

And then, the young aide who assisted the queen, Prime Minister Nulph.

Lux and Celis were sitting in front of the two chief vassals who represented the new kingdom.

「Then, let’s quickly begin the briefing session for this occasion, if it’s alright?」

When Nulph began the talk with a serious voice, Lux and Celis both nodded.

Right after they finished the incident in Ymir Theocracy and returned back to the Academy.

A messenger from the new kingdom hurriedly came to Lux and others, sending a letter that told that a chief vassal from the four great nobles would come to talk to them.

The topic was about the countermeasure meeting for the incident that was related to the world’s trend.

It was an urgent talk for Lux who was a member of Seven Dragon Paladins.

「Just as you two were told too already. The imperial family members of the ancient era called the 『LordCreator』 whose existences has been hinted for a quite while from the Ruins. They made their appearance and asked for dialogue with each country.」

「…………」

Lux’s expression tensed hearing that.

Just the other day, the Ruin Gigas that stopped moving in the royal capital started activating, and the Lord that appeared talked to the surrounding.

Glimpses of their existences could be seen from the documents that they had obtained from Ruin until now, and also from the arms dealer Hayes who was secretly maneuvering in various countries, but this was the first time they appeared openly like this.

Thus, the Drag-Knights who represented each country, the Seven Dragon Paladins──and also the representatives from each government that contributed a member to the Seven Dragon Paladins would convene and held dialogue regarding the Lord.

So to speak, a summitworld conference would be held.

「It looks like the other countries are also hurriedly getting ready with their preparation, but even among them we are the one who is especially troubled.」

「That’s, what does that mean?」

Lux tilted his head questioningly. Prime Minister Nulph lifted his face slightly.

「They designated our new kingdom as the place for the dialogue. Furthermore──it won’t be in the royal capital, but in the aforementioned ground that is related with you two.」

「Don’t tell me──……」

Celis held her breath hearing that, to which her father Dist answered.

「That’s how it is. They──the Lords designated the fort city Cross Field as the place of dialogue. It will be in the Academy where you two are attending.」

Lux and Celis who heard that were spontaneously turned speechless.

They were shocked that such momentous event would be held in a place that was really close to them.

「……What is the objective of the Lords asking for a dialogue?」

Prime Minister Nulph shook his head toward Celis’s question.

「It’s unclear at present──but, if for example the clan called the Lord has been awakened since some time ago, for them to engage us in this time could have some kind of important meaning.」

「…………」

The inside of the room was filled with silence as though in agreement with that thinking.

Lux once tried to change the old empire as a member of the imperial family and he failed, but with Lisha’s cooperation, he obtained a new place where he belonged in the Academy.

And then through his relationship with the girls and many incidents, he resolved himself to once more get involved with the new kingdom as a Seven Dragon Paladins and he reached the current point, but he never imagined that he would become greatly involved like this so quickly.

「Then, Lisha-sama who came together with us here is──?」

「She will participate in that conference in the place of her majesty Queen Raffi. Her majesty is talking to her about it in a different room.」

In other words, Lisha would be the representative leader from the new kingdom in the summit.

And Lux would participate with Celis as Seven Dragon Paladins.

「However, to make Lisha-sama participate instead of her majesty the queen, then the people of other countries too──」

「Yes, I heard that most likely it will become like that.」

From the new kingdom it wouldn’t be Queen Raffi, but the princess Lisha who would come as representative. The other countries would also follow the example.

The point was, that was how much each country was fearing the Lords.

Furthermore, there was also threat of the unstable Ruins and the rise of warmonger called Dragon Marauder.

It was great that one of the Dragon Marauder’s three bosses, Drakkhen was captured and imprisoned at Cross Field, but it seemed that her interrogation wasn’t progressing well.

Even Lux didn’t really understand the reason why she wasn’t interrogated in the royal capital from the beginning, but there was also the possibility that they were fearing a surprise attack from the Dragon Marauder in the attempt to take her back.

「About the matter of the Dragon Marauder, I think that it might also become a topic in the summit, so perhaps we should at least decide the policy of how to speak about it in the conference arena.」

In the summit, how would Lux and Celis give follow-up to Lisha?

When such suggestion was made, Dist suddenly addressed Lux.

「Lux Arcadia. What do you think? Do you think that the aim of Dragon Marauder is only to rebel against the countries?」

「What could you mean, Lord Dist?」

Prime Minister Nulph tilted his head.

Dragon Marauder that illegally snatched treasure from the Ruins and aimed at the important people of many countries was an insurgent mercenary organization.

They obtained support from nobles and influential people who were left out from the profit that was obtained from Ruins, a group of rebels who was holding grudge against nations with Ruins.

They claimed that at the surface, and the representatives of each country should also be thinking like that but,

「No, I believe they have some kind of clear objective.」

Lux said that without hesitating after thinking for a bit.

「Eh……?」

Lux continued dispassionately without paying any mind to the bewildered reaction of Nulph and Celis.

「I noticed when fighting the group of the division commander Drakkhen. They have clear leadership in their movement, their proficiency as Drag-Knight is also too high. They are at the level that isn’t inferior even if compared to the elites of many countries.」

「I, is that so? No but, as expected, isn’t that impossib──」

Lux wasn’t perturbed even by that reaction and calmly agreed.

「Yes──I also think that’s not possible, no matter how.」

「…..Pardon?」

Prime Minister Nulph was taken by surprise at Lux’s calm sentence.

Even Celis who was sitting beside him was open mouthed.

「One of Dragon Marauder’s three bosses, Drakkhen, her strength is almost equal with Seven Dragon Paladins. Someone that strong shouldn’t be left alone by the military of other country and employed with preferential treatment. After all an excellent Drag-Knight is a scarce combat force anywhere.」

「Bu, but Lux. If I remember correctly, she hated to be working under noble didn’t she?」

「Tha, that’s correct, I also heard that in the interrogation she was repeatedly saying that.」

Human Dragon division commander Drakkhen received unreasonable treatment from the nobles and threw herself to become mercenary.

Even at the previous fight, she certainly mentioned that, but.

「I think that is her acting.」

「Eh……?」

Celis became even more bewildered hearing the reply that Lux said with serious face.

「In this age, Drag-Knight wouldn’t be troubled to find job. Then rather than continuing the mercenary business aimlessly, it’s better to join under country with better treatment. Currently Blackend Kingdom’s Blue tyrant, Lord Singlen is working under country. The reason is──」

「He know about the standpoint as Drag-Knight, is that it?」

Lux nodded to what Dist Ralgris pointed out.

「No matter how unrivaled they are momentarily, Drag-Ride cannot be used continuously for long. That’s why, even if they take over a country using violence, in the end they would soon get assassinated.」

No matter how strong, the seat of kingship couldn’t be obtained just with that.

It was important to have a lot of comrades and subordinates who could be trusted and obtained an organization that could be trusted by the people and nobles.

The talk that Singlen previously proposed to Lux and others in the shadow.

The establishment of a country that unified the world with Drag-Knight at the center also had that kind of calculation.

「That means──?」

「In the surface, belonging to a country’s military is far more safe and profitable than being mercenary. It’s unthinkable that woman Drakkhen is unable to do such negotiation with other country.」

Lux’s words shook the conference room chillingly.

「She refined strategy to such extent, and polished her tactics without sparing any effort, it’s impossible for her to be unable to think ahead when deciding such essential action objective……that is what I think.」

「……In other words what does that mean? Those Dragon Marauders, they aren’t depending on country because they have some kind of reason that would make them choose to become mercenary or bandit instead? For what?」

Lux took a short breath toward the question of the dubious Nulph.

「I think, that perhaps they have some kind of conviction.」

After saying that, Lux muttered as though he was also thinking.

「Even if they ignored the investigation right of Ruins that is formally arranged by countries and become rebel, they are convinced that they will win if they are able to obtain just that one thing. Not just that, it might be something that can even rule over this whole world, hidden inside the Ruin──」

「…………」

Everyone in that place fell silent hearing Lux’s conjecture.

Before long, Celis beside him gently broke the silence.

「I believe there is possibility of that. But isn’t that leap of logic too far? If that’s the only basis of that conjecture, speaking of it in the summit will be──」

「No, there is one more basis for it.」

But, Dist immediately muttered and denied Celis’s statement.

「The group called the Lord, they showed themselves at this time, as though they specifically chose this timing.」

「────」

Silent tension ran through inside the conference room once more.

Everyone other than Lux and Dist held their breath in sudden realization.

「You two said that you obtained new information  at the Ruin Hall in Ymir Theocracy correct? About that document, you two and princess Lisha have a look first. Of course it’s strictly prohibited to reveal its content. Don’t speak about it even at the summit.」

「Wha……!? Bu, but, if we don’t first have her majesty the queen have a look at it──」

The prime minister Nulph was flustered hearing that.

The record document that Lux obtained with Krulcifer.

It was fine and all to bring back important information regarding how the Ruins and ancient era came to be, but they still hadn’t confirmed the content. They needed to hand it over to the higher-ups of the new kingdom and had it processed.

「You go take permission, prime minister-dono. There is not much time until the summit. In the conversation with the Lords, our side also has the need know about the information of Ruins beforehand.」

「──U, understood. As soon as it’s confirmed, I’ll immediately report it to her majesty.」

Lux also nodded before Nulph was responding.

If Lux and others could be a step ahead by grasping the information that they obtained thanks to Krulcifer, they would be able to confirm how much the Lords were telling the truth at the summit.

Furthermore it surely would also be useful in grasping their true intention in asking for dialogue and cooperation.

Though most likely it was an exception to make Lux and others review the information without going through the queen first.

「The, then, next about the other topic──」

The briefing session continued under the leadership of Prime Minister Nulph who was still slightly shaken.

An hour later, the meeting was concluded and they broke up.

「Fuu……」

Lux who came out from the conference room sighed lightly.

As expected, he was nervous with this kind of work.

It was especially all the more true when it was himself who stated his opinion concerning politics.

While Lux was thinking of such thing, he suddenly noticed that Celis who came out from the same room was staring fixedly at him.

「What’s the matter, Celis-senpai?」

「I was surprised just now. You were really amazing, Lux.」

「Eh……?」

Celis smiled saying that and she expressed her honest admiration.

「To be able to follow that much with the talk in front of father and Prime Minister Nulph──no, it’s amazing how you was able to surmise even the objective of Dragon Marauder’s action from your fight with them.」

「That’s not true. It’s only that the thing that I was thinking a bit about accidentally came out in the talk.」

「But I think that my father is trusting you at the very least. Father entrusting a work to someone is something that happen really rarely.」

Lux became slightly embarrassed receiving the compliment from the girl who he respected.

However, there was something that Lux was bothered with during the meeting.

「──Celis-senpai, it’s Lord Dist.」

「……!?」

Celistia turned around in respond to Lux’s voice.

The current head of a great noble house that was one of the four great nobles and her father, Dist Ralgriz was standing nearby.

The tall gentleman was slowly walking toward the two. He was silently sending his gaze toward Lux.

「I was able to hear very interesting talk this time. I will leave the assisting of her highness princess Lizsharte to you. One day I wish to talk personally with you about a different matter.」

「Yes.」

After Lux replied, Dist nodded silently.

Next, he also turned to face his daughter Celis.

「……-!」

Celis was waiting for his words with a face that was filled with slight tension.

But, his gaze didn’t even look at Celis’s face. It was merely directed to ahead of the corridor.

「In comparison, it looks like you are somewhat lacking in focus.」

It was a voice that sounded strict while there was disappointment mixed in it at the same time.

The moment Celis heard that, her expression stiffened slightly.

「Are you intending to attend the summit in that fickle condition? Then you will be nothing more than our house’s shame. There is a need to prepare someone else as replacement──」

「A word please, Lord Dist.」

Lux immediately interrupted.

「She is tired from the battle the other day. In order to help me.」

The two’s gaze met for a short time and silence was created.

But, before long Dist moved his gaze away.

「I see, then that’s fine, if my daughter doesn’t forget the oath that she swore herself.」

「…………」

Celis casted her gaze down without being able to say anything toward the leaving Dist.

Lux called out in panic at the figure of Celis that was really unlike herself.

「Please don’t worry about it, Celis-senpai.」

Lux made a troubled smile and followed up like that.

And then he suddenly asked a question as though recalling something.

「But, is it really okay?」

「Wha, what do you mean?」

Seeing Celis getting flustered at Lux’s question, he was convinced.

「N, no that’s, somehow Celis-senpai, today your atmosphere is different from usual……」

The girl who was always clad in characteristic air of tension was looking somewhat absentminded right now. Lux couldn’t put it into words well, but she felt like that.

「I, I’m all right! Co, come to think of it, is the story that I heard from rumor really true? That’s, when you were returning from Ymir, Krulcifer she, ki, kissed you──」

「Eh……? Just now what──」

「I, it’s nothing! I can solve this myself!」

When Lux asked back because he couldn’t catch her words well, Celis denied it in great panic and muttered in small voice.

「Haa……, why am I running? Even though I should have become able to rely even at Lux who is a boy but──」

It was fine to speak sharply for once, but Celis’s expression immediately darkened heavily and she muttered.

The matter of the past.

She regretted cornering Lux’s grandfather who was her teacher, Wade to his death. From that she continued to discipline herself to 『do the right thing』.

In the matter of the campus selection battle, she opened her heart regarding that to the 『male』 Lux, and she was able to have everyone knew about her true feeling, and yet.

「I understand. But──if there is something then please talk to me without reservation. I will be happy if there is something where even someone like me can become of help for Celis-senpai.」

When Lux told her that with a smile, Celis’s face became even redder and she averted her eyes.

「……I, I’m all right! I’m not forcing myself. That’s right. I’m recently merely feeling exhausted! I have to retrain myself so that I won’t disappoint my father──」

「E, err, please don’t overwork yourself too much. After all Celis-senpai’s training is already extremely hard even at the normal time.」

Celis left in a state of not listening to Lux’s voice at all.

(Celis-senpai, really, just what’s going on with her……?)

Lux’s gaze was following her back with a touch of worry before he returned to the Academy.

–

「Really, just what am I thinking……」

Night──Celis was taking a deep breath inside her room in the girl dormitory.

It was just as his father Dist said, today she wasn’t putting her heart at what she was doing.

For her to be unconsciously watching Lux in fascination at the briefing session for the important summit.

「Something like this is no good. At the very least I have to focus when attending the meeting──」

Even though she was thinking like that, for some reason when she was at Lux’s side she became conscious of him.

「Recently, I’m being strange……」

Her face would become hot, and the beating of her heart would pulse quickly.

She couldn’t discuss about that mysterious sensation even to Lux who was a 『reliable man』.

After all for some reason that problem occurred only when she was thinking about Lux.

「This is an unknown hardship. Even so, I have to keep move forward──」

She slapped her own face *pan* with both hands and straightened her back.

Then she headed to the practice ground and she began her training.

–

The campus festival that would happen a few days later, and the summit meeting with the Lords.

When they returned to the ordinary days, the curtain of a case that would shake the world was going to open at the same time.