Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Episode 8 (section)

===Part 4===

「The witness report from Milmiette-sama’s royal guard said that it was around here……」

The extensive outer wall that surrounded Academy’s ground.

Lux was cautioned by Coral while they were making a round around the surrounding.

「It’s fine to not get to close to the Academy. That’s, if we are seen by the students, we won’t know what they will say about us.」

「About Coral? It will be fine, as expected if it’s a party of two like us then it won’t look unnatural. Even if the students saw us, I will cover it up properly.」

「……It’s not about me, it’s about Lux-kun. Won’t it get bad if you are walking alone with me when I’m dressed as girl like this?」

「……Eh? Why?」

「…………」

When Lux responded like that seriously, Coral unusually stared fixedly at him, then he sighed deeply.

「Now I understand a little bit about Airi-chan’s hardships. Lux-kun sometimes is really full of opening.」

Coral’s sarcasm that was quite transparent caused Lux to make a conflicted expression.

He wanted to object slightly, but he also happened to be relatively aware of what Coral meant, so he couldn’t say it.

「We don’t know what is the objective of Dragon Marauder’s division commander Vine. If it’s before the campus festival, then the possibility is high that he came for preliminary inspection in the preparation to rescue Drakkhen, But now──」

「Is he planning something like kidnapping the Academy’s student or staff?」

「No way……is something that I can really say. But, no matter how excellent of a Drag-Knight he is and that he is a division commander, attacking the Academy with you all in it isn’t a good plan.」

Including Lux, the Academy usually had elites gathered within.

Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, Celis, and then Yoruka.

It was unthinkable that someone would attack alone knowing that there were six Divine Drag-Ride users as opposition.

「Besides, these few days I couldn’t confirm Vine’s appearance.」

「Is your presence here exposed?」

「I wonder? But, I want to stay here for just a bit more to investigate.」

「I see……」

Their talk paused for the moment and a bit of quiet descended.

Coral observed Lux’s state while smiling apologetically.

「That’s why, Lux-kun too doesn’t need to try too hard. This mission is like half from my own judgment.」

Certainly, it might be just as he said.

Because he was feeling discretion toward Lux……or rather, because this was related to the secret of Vanheim Principality, Lux accompanying Coral might also not be a good thing.

So far as it went, just teaching Coral about the path where he could observe the Academy’s surrounding without standing out should be enough.

「Got it. Then, if there is something, come talk to me anytime.」

「Yes. Then──, ……-!?」

Coral was about to respond to Lux’s words. It was at that moment, *growl*, a small sound could be heard from nearby.

「-……!?」

It didn’t come from Lux.

The growling sound of stomach could be heard from in front of him. Coral’s cheeks turned red once more.

「Thi, this isn’t what you think Lux-kun!? That’s, it’s not like I skipped eating in order to save the living expenses. I was only completely absorbed in work that I forgot to eat──」

It seemed because this was an unexpected mission, Coral didn’t prepare that much money for the travelling expenses.

It was an unusual miss for Coral who was a reliable person. Lux’s mouth broke into a smile unconsciously.

「Is that so? Then Coral is quite a gluttony isn’t it?」

「Lux-kun you, bully……」

When Coral acted shyly while directing a reproachful gaze at him, his cute girl appearance caused Lux’s heart to skip a beat.

「Ahaha……sorry. Good timing, I’m also feeling hungry right now, let’s go eat something.」

Lux said that and invited Coral.

「Uu……, I wish to be treated in exchange of what you said just now.」

It seemed that Coral was hungry as expected, he came with Lux even while looking embarrassed.

A bar in the alley was also doubling as a restaurant in the afternoon.

There they feasted on chicken and mushroom simmered in cream, freshly baked bread, and smoked salmon.

Lux ordered for the food to be shared half with Coral, but the restaurant owner who was still young kindly gave them extra pickles and bacon eggs.

The extra was given also because Lux had worked odd jobs there in the past.

「Hahaha, when I heard that you are going to enroll in the academy of those young ladies, I wondered just what will happen to you. But to think that you are going to bring a girl this cute here. Lux too has grown up huh.」

「No, he……she is just a friend──」

The stylishly bearded owner served the dishes while making reminiscent talk about the period when Lux was doing chores.

A few years ago, when this restaurant had just been opened, the owner was helped when Lux worked here for two weeks.

They exchanged talk and finished their meal before exiting the restaurant.

When Lux took Coral’s bag that was put on the chair and handed it to him, he noticed something.

「Tha, thanks for the meal. It was very delicious. Then, see you──」

When Coral tried to say that in a hurry, Lux suddenly smiled.

「I’m glad. Then how about we go to the next shop? If you are going to stay here for a while, you will need various other things right?」

「Eh, wai-……!?」

「That bag was lightly, it doesn’t look like there is anything for your everyday life inside it. You will catch cold if you don’t prepare properly.」

Lux brought Coral to go to a tailor and made him choose a cheap underclothes and sleepwear.

After that they shopped for miscellaneous goods like towel, handkerchief, water bottle in the market and Lux handed them to Coral.

Even so, the places they shopped at were places where Lux once did odd jobs, so they got acquaintance discount.

And then for the last, Lux brought Coral to a clean and safe inn that was relatively cheap. By that time it had already turned night.

「Sorry, somehow I ended up taking you around to various places.」

「N, no……. Thanks to you I’m saved from the trouble.」

After making small talk with Coral, Lux was going to exit the room.

「Then, take care. If there is anything, I’ll go meet you if you go to in front of the Academy so──」

Lux said that with reservation while walking out of the room.

「──Say, Lux-kun.」

Lux came to a stop hearind that voice and turned around.

Then, Coral stared at Lux with an expression that was somewhat frustrated.

「That’s, as I thought, can I ask you to accompany me in my mission from a while starting from tomorrow? I still don’t know much about the terrain and situation outside the Academy……that’s if it won’t be a bother to you.」

His voice was vaguely mixed with unease.

Lux nodded pleasantly at this young man who was his close acquaintance.

「Yes, gladly. Then tomorrow, I’ll meet you after I finished my chores after school.」

「Please. Then, take care.」

After exchanging words smilingly, the door was closed.

Lux was satisfied that he could be of help to Coral while heading back.

–