Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Episode 5 (section)

===Part 4===

Lux ran at full speed along the coast late at night.

Lux asked Lisha and the others to communicate to everyone at the surface to not go near the Ruin, and for them to wait until Relie and Lux returned.

If he tried to get the cooperation of Lisha and the others, they would get dragged into this dangerous battle where there would be no return.

Lux jumped onto the deck of the Ark, opened the door of the direct passage, then stepped above the relay portal.

「──Come, the symbol of power the winged dragon of crest. Obey my sword and take flight, Wyvern」

First Lux equipped Wyvern and waited. Then the transfer began.

The corridor of the eighth floor that they previously reached now had bluish white lamp shining, different from before.

「Did the system, recover?」

La Cruche was recovering her memory at the control room area and restored her authority as the Gear Leader.

Originally everything should turn out well with that but──

「GURORORO……!」

A weird growl came from behind an object.

「Don’t tell me──!?」

When Lux noticed, the thing already leaped at him.

「SHAAaAAAAH!」

A winged person made from a solid material attacked while letting out a piercing cry.

Lux barely used his sword as shield and blocked the first attack.

「Gargoyle!? Why here……!」

The Automaton(La Cruche) said that the Abyss mostly shouldn’t appear on the eighth floor and below. It was because originally it wasn’t a place that should be protected.

For that reason Relie hurried ahead thinking that she could reach until the deepest level even without a Drag-Ride but──

(No, right now isn’t the time to think about that!)

Lux instantly erased his various thoughts and poured his concentration to the battle in front of him.

He destroyed the second attack toward his Wyvern with the Scale Blade’s Critical Hit.

「GUGAH, AAaAAH!」

The Gargoyle writhed when its sharp claw along with its right arm was pulverized.

But at the same time, even more enemy presences appeared as though they heard the scream.

There was a Chimera that he once witnessed together with Celis, a winged beast Gryphon, and also a squid type Abyss called Kraken.

There were more than ten enemies just from what he could see.

The Abyss were taking a formation that surrounded him in this place where there was little cover.

(This is bad, at this rate──)

Although Lux was used to fighting the Abyss, this situation was still overwhelmingly disadvantageous for him.

He could face them down if he switched his Drag-Ride into Bahamut!

「SHAaAAAAH!」

The Gargoyle roared and it was about to attack Lux once more, it was then──

*DOON!*

Dazzling flash ran through empty air and hit the Gargoyle.

「GA, aAAAAH!」

Its dying scream was drowned by an explosive sound. It scattered black fragments and vanished.

The canon attack that was fired from behind Lux pierced the one armed Gargoyle.

「As always, you are a forceful guy huh.」

「──Eh?」

Lux’s eyes opened wide in surprise and he turned his gaze to the surrounding.

At that time, large type Abyss that were waiting for the chance to attack had their bodies frozen one after another.

「I understand that you’re feeling impatient, but it’s putting the cart before the horse if you’re defeated.」

When Lux turned toward the voice from behind him, he found the figure of Lisha and Krulcifer there wearing Tiamat and Fafnir.

Without even any time to let out any word in surprise, lightning ran in the surroundings and turned the frozen Abyss into ash one after another.

「The headmaster is like that, but you too are also really rash. I conclude that a lecture is needed when we get back.」

Celis, who was wearing the Divine Drag-Ride of lightning, Lindwurm, told Lux that in exasperation.

「It appears that the headmaster is going ahead until the tenth floor. From the reaction, La Cruche is also beside her. The Abyss are approaching them from the surroundings. It’s better to hurry if you want to chase them.」

Noct said from behind while confirming with her Drake’s radar.

「Aah but, a lot of enemies are coming down to this area, so Lux-chi , you can just leave this to us! Ah, you can pay us back for this later on!」

「Well, putting aside Tillfur, those three Divine Drag-Ride users are really something, so leave this place to us, lad.」

「Uwah, meanie! Even though I’m enduring my fear like this!」

Hearing Sharis’s words, Tillfur showed her actual feeling and acted flustered.

It seemed that everyone gathered here because they noticed Lux’s objective.

However,

「Why is everyone, doing this──」

「I told everyone.」

*step*, A small walking sound echoed and a small statured girl walked forward.

The girl wearing a school uniform was Airi.

「I accidentally listened to Nii-san and the headmaster’s talk. After hearing that, it’s simple to predict how Nii-san will act so──」

Saying that, Airi looked up towards Lux with a slightly anxious face.

「Nii-san is going to save Philuffy-san right? No matter what.」

「……Yes.」

「Then, let’s start. Doing it with everyone should have a higher chance of success. Surely──」

「Airi, please be careful. It’s enemy reinforcements.」

Noct raised a tensed voice, at the same time everyone stood ready.

「Lux. Go quickly! We will take care of these guys!」

Right after Lisha raised her voice, Krulcifer also sent a dragon voice that was transmitted to only Lux.

『We’re going to catch up soon. I think that my authentication might be necessary to open the door to the deepest level. For now, go on ahead to the headmaster──』

「Yes!」

Lux replied while flying his Wyvern at the same time.

「Everyone, thank you.」

Lux said his thanks to everyone who gathered here and rushed through the passage at full speed.

Lux thought while going straight through the remaining floors at high speed.

Even though he intended to not involve them, in the end he made them to fuss about him needlessly instead.

Even though there should be no time for them to hear about the details from Airi, even so everyone rushed to help him.

He felt a mysterious feeling.

The thing that he couldn’t obtain all this time since that day when he was a child.

Perhaps this time for sure he would obtain irreplaceable comrades that he could trust.

And then, even now Lux was scared that those comrades would abandon him, or perhaps he would lose them because of his fault.

That was something that didn’t change since that day where he harbored doubt towards the Old EmpireThat Country.

(But──!)

There was already no time for hesitation.

The time in his childhood where he couldn’t do anything.

And then, on the day of the revolution five years ago when he was betrayed and failed.

His current answer would come out after this.

Passing through the scenery that was flowing at high speed past him, Lux resolved himself, at that moment,

 

「──Relie-san!」

 

He saw it.

「……Lux-kun-!?」

He overtook Relie who was together with La Cruche and intercepted the beast type Abyss that was standing in their way.

「Uo, OaaAAAAH!」

The Abyss that was called Werewolf received the Critical Hit from the Scale Blade and its upper body was blown away.

After confirming the Abyss’s death, Lux walked towards Relie who was falling on her knees.

「Are you all right? Is anywhere hurt──?」

「How, did you know I came here──? No, rather than that……even you.」

Relie opened her eyes in blank amazement while whispering.

「Yes. I’ll also save Philuffy. No matter what, for sure.」

「Is that so……」

Relie made a frail smile hearing Lux’s words and she averted her gaze.

「……But, something like that, actually might not exist. Something like a way to save that girl, actually it’s nowhere to be……. Even so──I」

A voice that was filled with emptiness was squeezed out from Relie’s lungs.

She used every way available in order to save her beloved little sister, then she realized that everything she did was for naught.

Even so, she couldn’t give up.

Inside those words, there was the suffering of someone who continued to fight loneliness.

「It will be fine. Surely, we will manage somehow.」

「…………」

Even so, Lux didn’t take back the hand he offered and formed his words strongly.

「Besides I promised her, that this time for sure, I’ll absolutely save her──」

Relie looked down hearing Lux’s voice that was filled with conviction.

But, this time she took Lux’s hand and stood up.

「I’m sorry for dragging you into this. ──But, thank you.」

Relie wiped her eyes that were blotted with tears and silently stood up.

「Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s hurry.」

Relie tensed her expression and turned her gaze toward her side. There La Cruche was smiling.

「I read the mood and stayed quiet. I’m a good child.」

「Ah, isn’t that right……」

Lux responded with a wry smile.

While no more Abyss came, they went down until the deepest level of eleventh floor. It was then Lisha and the others caught up from behind.

「Master. Please touch the crest of the door and think silently. The door of the deepest part will open after that.」

「──I understand.」

Krulcifer took a deep breath, then she walked towards the huge door.

At that time Lux whispered into the ear of Airi who was standing beside him.

「Airi, do you bring the horn flute?」

「Yes. I’m carrying it close to my person though──」

「Then I have a request. If the situation becomes like what I predicted, I want you to use it.」

When Lux began telling Airi about 『that plan』 , Krulcifer’s hand was held out towards the door.

The moment her hand touched, several streaks of blue lightning ran on the surface of the door.

「-……!?」

Krulcifer leaked out a small moan from feeling a stimulus that felt like pain. Countless shining letters were emerging on the smooth surface of the door and it began to open.

『The authentication of Xfer is confirmed……connection complete. There is also no problem with the usage restriction. Unlocking is possible with mind control operation.』

The inorganic artificial voice could be heard. Bewilderment appeared on Relie’s face.

「What happened? Krulcifer-san, you are……!?」

「I’ll explain later. If we are still safe at that time──」

Krulcifer closed her eyes with her hand still on the door and she concentrated.

And then the door rumbled and a strange vibration was transmitted through her hand, after that,

 

*GASHIiiIIIN!*

 

The door opened to four directions like flower petals along with heavy metallic sounds.

An unimaginable sight was spreading there.

「Is this……the deepest level!?」

It was a vast dome shaped space that was surrounded with hard metallic walls.

That place which was illuminated by a light source overhead looked like the colosseum of the ancient era.

「……Is this place really the deepest level, La Cruche?」

Celis’s question was only natural.

Their image regarding the Ruin’s deepest level was a huge treasure warehouse.

And yet, to not mention ancient texts or tools of the ancient era, not even a part of a Drag-Ride could be found here.

When they had walked until nearly the center of the space, Relie watched the back of La Cruche with an expression that was a mix of bewilderment and anxiety.

「Is there some kind of mistake? Could it be, that your memory restoration faile──?」

「That’s not true.」

La Cruche walked ahead. She then twirled around that caused her dress to flutter before answering.

Her height only reached until Lux’s waist. She was a lovely girl that looked like a little girl.

He didn’t notice until now how the look of her eyes was covered with a dark shadow.

「My memory restoration was a success. I remember everything. The thing that I should do is──」

La Cruche smiled and lifted her hand.

It was the smile of a predator that caught its prey inside a trap.

「──getting rid of all of you, leaving not a single one alive.」

A shudder ran through Lux and everyone else. In that instant, the thick door behind them closed swiftly.

「Wha-……!?」

When everyone turned around, it was already too late.

The thick last door was firmly closed. In front of it there were the silhouettes of two figures wearing black robes.

「What are you doing? Listen to what I’m saying as the supervisor──」

When Krulcifer was questioning her in panic, La Cruche bowed courteously.

「Master. I have the obligation to listen to your orders. But that is not the top priority of the current me. As the Gear Leader of the Ark, I have to eliminate all of you, the family of the rebel who betrayed and overthrew my masters then invaded this place, and his comrades──」

La Cruche glared at Lux with naked animosity filling her gaze.

Several scenes were resurrected in Lux’s mind seeing that gaze.

The inside of the ship that was destroyed and fell into ruin that they saw right after entering the Ruin.

And then, the Ragnarok that appeared from the Ruin, Poseidon.

Fresh traces of destruction that weren’t from the war of the ancient era, which appeared to come from the invasion of the Old Empire ten-odd years ago.

Did La Cruche traced back that memory, and because of that she considered Lux who had the same features as her opponent?

(But──a family of the rebel……she said, what does she mean? Is there someone else other than me and the imperial family?)

He didn’t understand.

Lux had no way of knowing about the truth of the Old Empire that had continued for several hundred years.

But, the footsteps of two people approaching from behind pulled Lux back to reality.

What existed ahead of his gaze when he turned around were two figures clad in robes.

The figure walking at the front pulled off her hood and showed her face.

It was a girl with shining silver hair and asymmetrically colored eyes──Hayes.

「The negotiation broke down huh, prince. No, you were moving like an idiot and carried out my objective just like I planned, so perhaps I ought to say thanks to you instead?」

「You──!?」

Lux who confirmed her identity muttered with a groan.

Why did the girl who told him to open the door in the afternoon was here?

That she specified the time period and told him that he had to follow it was a trap.

Although he was threatened, Lux and the others should have resistance of being made to open the last door just as Hayes ordered.

Hayes saw through that. She saw Lux and the others were moving in the night and grasped their side’s movement.

「You are on the wanted list of the New Kingdom. Prepare your──」

「Celis-senpai!」

Celis who confirmed Hayes’s existence faster than others assaulted with Lindwurm.

She unleashed a stab of her special armament the large spear, <Lightning Lance> at high speed. ──But,

*BASHIIN!*

「Wha-……!?」

Celis unleashed a lunge with her large spear through the shortest motion, but her eyes opened wide in shock.

The other robed figure stood in front of Hayes faster than the tip of the spear could hit.

The spear was blocked.

The attack of the lance that could pierce an Abyss and destroy even fellow Drag-Rides without difficulty was stopped by a slender robed human.

The robe fluttered, the figure didn’t overlook the opening when Celis stiffened because of the hard to believe reality.

*DOGUH!*

「Kuh……!」

Celis retreated for ten-odd mel from receiving the punch attack.

Celis had quickly strengthened the output of her barrier to block the punch, but the flow of her offense was completely severed.

「As expected from the honor student’s leader, even your surprise attack is beautiful. Just discharge your specialty electric attack and burn your cute junior black already.」

「You are, don’t tell me──?」

Celis didn’t respond to Hayes’s provocation and focused instead on the hooded figure before her eyes.

The figure threw away the robe that was turned into scrap rags from the impact which made clear her identity.

「Phi, luffy……?」

Lux muttered reflexively.

「Wh, y……」

Relie was also dumbfounded and stood still in place. The remaining members were also speechless from the revelation.

His childhood friend’s expression looked hollow and shadowed.

「…………」

Philuffy who should be waiting in the boardinghouse for their return was right there.

「Why is that natural airhead here!? Besides──」

「Aa, I forgot to say, but if this woman continues to oppose the order of Yggdrasil, the Ragnarok that I’m controlling, she will die. But see, it’s also possible to give powerful order signals that leave no room for opposition and make her listen if Yggdrasil devotes its strength for that.」

Lux sent a sharp gaze at Hayes who was talking with a ridiculing tone.

「……So you mean, that you were toying with us right from the start?」

「You only noticed it this late? Is what I want to say but──this is also within my calculation. Everything, including toying with you guys is nothing more than a part of it. Well no matter, I’m grateful that you opened this door for me you know?」

Hayes walked with brisk footsteps that echoed on the metal floor. She passed through the sides of Lux and the others and headed to inside from the center.

It was the best chance to strike at her, but because Philuffy was following closely behind her, they couldn’t move.

A huge crystal the size of a human head was being held under Hayes’s arm.

「Now then, from here on just me alone will be sufficient. Thanks for your hard work, false prince and his hangers-on.」

The moment Hayes lifted up her hand toward the wall surface, the wall moved like puzzle pieces and she entered inside.

「You guys must be coming here a step ahead planning to outwit me, but your expectations missed. After all, your shallow thinking is like an open book for me.」

Before the door of the strange room closed, Hayes looked back and laughed.

「But, it’s fine right? Your childhood friend is a wonderful girl. Originally it’s hard to find a body that Yggdrasil’s Ratatoskr can adapt to──but she showed the greatest adaptability, she is an excellent monster. Even though she should be really usable as battle strength, but you didn’t notice anything, and her big sister the headmaster also only kept her hidden.」

「…………」

Lux who heard that clenched his fist tightly.

「That’s why you are a complete failure. You don’t use a useful pawn, you don’t understand the way to use people. As someone who is similarly standing at the top I’ll give you a lesson──about how to use a useful pawn!」

Hayes opened both her eyes wide in a flash and took out a horn flute from her pocket.

It was the Origin Variety horn flute that Fugil said was controlling the Ragnarok.

She put it on her mouth and strongly blew into it.

『Philuffy Aingram! Exterminate the all the low born there! When you finished with that, you can be free you know, HAHAHAHA!』

Right after that gyrating noise, a commanding voice echoed inside the dome.

And then Hayes vanished behind the door along with a callous laugh.

「That damned low-life……! Giving such command──」

Lisha gritted her teeth hard while groaning.

Lux and also everyone else understood the meaning of that evil command.

In the case that everyone there couldn’t kill Philuffy and she killed everyone instead, then surely Philuffy too would commit suicide after that.

It was Hayes’s evil design that was anticipating until that far.

「Nothing will begin even if we complain. Can the door to outside be opened?」

With a conflicted face, Celis looked towards Krulcifer beside her.

「I don’t know. But──」

「I won’t let you, master. In any case, if I the Gear Leader don’t cooperate, you all won’t be able to get out from here.」

La Cruche stood in their way and she waved her finger lightly like a conductor baton.

Instantly three Drag Rides came down before Lux’s eyes along with a faint light.

「This is──!?」

「Start On」

The three Wyvern deployed at the same time as La Cruche’s shout.

But, the Drag-Rides didn’t have any human piloting it.

In exchange there was strange puppet made from metal placed in them.

「That’s──!? Puppet!? Something like unmanned Drag-Rides, I’ve never even hea──」

Lisha raised a bewildered voice. At the same time those three Drag-Rides brandished a large blade and flew towards Lux.

「-……!」

Lux who was wearing Wyvern immediately blocked with his blade.

At the same time when the battle began, there was a small sound of blade being unsheathed from behind him.

Philuffy was pulling out her short sword type Sword Device with a shining pair of eyes.

She readied the sword before her eyes and quickly spoke the passcode.

「──Activate. The star breaker, the end piercer, godslaying giant dragon. Release the fangs of a hundred heads and kill the almighty, Typhon.」

It was an empty and dark voice that was completely different from the usual Philuffy.

And then, her face that was tinged with crazed delight gave fear to everyone there.

Should they persuade her? Take shelter? Or restrain her?

A huge violet dragon was summoned and connected to the summoner, snatching even the time to feel hesitation.

Philuffy’s golden pupils shined, red patterns were emerging on her skin. She took her stance while smiling.

The selection members with Celis at the lead faced her from the front. Their expressions tensed.

「Celis-san…… Philuffy is……」

「Yes, I understand.」

Celis gave a small nod towards Relie’s pleading. She then looked towards Krulcifer and the others behind her.

「Everyone! We will restrain her. Then as soon as we succeed doing that, we will reinforce Lux.」

「Yes!」

Lisha and others nodded wearing their Drag-Rides. At the same time Philuffy’s Typhon skated forward.