Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 6 (section)

===Part 5===

Even in the afternoon of the holiday, a part of the school facilities was opened.

Though few, club activities also existed and there were also students who were active on holidays.

But, it was in the waiting room of the practice field that Lux who was brought by Lisha went to.

It was a slightly wide room for changing into Dress Gear –– exclusive clothing in order to equip with a Machine Dragon, and for discussing tactics.

Several dozens of students wearing Dress Gears were waiting for Lux there.

Of course, there was no man other than Lux.

There were students whom he recognized, Krulcifer and Philphie.

And Sharis, Tillfarr and Nokuto of the Triad.

As the students gathered regardless of class and grade, more than half of them were unfamiliar faces.

“Do you really intend to let him join the “Knight Squadron”, Lisha-sama?”

A tall female student whom Lux didn't even know the name of, said so as she looked at him.

“That goes without saying. He will show his ability from here on. It’s for that reason that I repaired Lux’s Drag-Ride after all.”

“Errr –– what are you guys talking about?”

As Lux cocked his head in puzzlement not knowing what they were talking about,

“Princess Lizsharte would like to recommend you to this unit. A guerrilla unit which can also use Drag-Rides, other than during practical skill exercises while being an officer cadet. That’s the special unit “Knight Squadron”.”

The third-year student Sharis said with a refreshing smile.

As he heard the explanation in detail, it was apparently something like this.

In the current New Kingdom, there was always a shortage in talented Drag-Knights who could perform in actual combat.

Moreover, this place was the Fort City which could be called the bastion (defensive position) of the capital.

Therefore, not letting young students with outstanding talent and ability fight in accordance with the rules was pearls thrown before swine.

Thereupon, a guerrilla unit –– the “Knight Squadron” which holds special battle permission while being composed of officer cadets was established, and they delved into long day and night fighting techniques.

If one belonged to the “Knight Squadron”, he could get a reward by assembling a platoon with several people and receiving missions from the army.

Thus, even in the perspective of Lux’s “chores”, it would be a very useful place, but––

“But you know, the “Knight Squadron” isn’t some kind of place where anyone who wants to join can join.”

As Sharis’ explanation ended, a girl whom he was not familiar with muttered so.

“You must get a high evaluation with the results of the campus battles. Your level as Drag-Knight should be more than the intermediate level. And, the majority of members of the current “Knight Squadron” should acknowledge your ability and vote for the approval of you joining.”

These three things seemed to be the conditions for joining.

“Um, but I attended the academy since only several days ago, and my practical skills are also––”

“Unfortunately, it seems to be so. I’ve heard the rumor about you being the “Weakest Undefeated” though.”

As the female student who seemed calm said so with a wry smile,

“I don’t mind.”

Lisha cut off the flow, full of confidence.

“The first two conditions are just a given. Most of the students who are here should already know Lux’s ability. After all, he had a draw in a one-on-one fight against me and went against the Abyss all alone.”

“Well, it’s true, but…”

Overwhelmed by Lisha’s momentum, the tall girl faltered.

“But, now the third-year members of the “Knight Squadron” aren’t there. We can’t decide about it at such a time…”

A small-sized girl said so as to add to the tall girl’s case, but

“The whole majority is properly here. Even if all those who aren’t here vote ‘no’, it won’t matter if all the members here agree, right?”

In the end, Lisha settled the talk.

“Why aren’t the third-year students here?”

As Lux asked Sharis who was beside him in a low voice,

“Well, currently the third-year students went to the capital for practice for about two weeks. Due to some circumstances on my end, I couldn’t go this time.”

“Then, won’t it be better to decide after the third year members come back?”

“Well –– I think that it’s just the opposite.”

Suddenly, Krulcifer who kept silent until now reacted to Lux’s question.

“The Princess believes that precisely now is the best time to let you join. The third-year leader of the Knight Squadron is quite the man-hater after all––”

“Eh…?”

“Third-year student, Celestia Ralgris. An influential person who is the daughter of a Duke House and is said to be the strongest of the academy. She’s also popular and a lot of students admire her too. If that person was presently in the academy, it’s probably more likely that even something like letting a man attend the academy would have been revoked.”

“…………”

In other words, using the chance when that man-hating leader is absent, Lisha wanted to rush the matter into a fait accompli<ref>"accomplished fact"; something that has already happened and is thus unlikely to be reversed, a done deal. In French used only in the expression placer/mettre quelqu’un devant le fait accompli meaning to present somebody with a fait accompli</ref>.

“Krulcifer, don’t talk nonsense. I only do what I should do as the New Kingdom Princess.”

Lisha who heard the talk cheekily rebutted.

“The Abyss's sudden attack without warning the other day. Although it didn’t lead to serious consequences, the cause is still unknown, so it’s under investigation. Ensuring (or securing) an immediate asset is the natural judgment. Especially all the more since the majority of third-year students are absent now.”

''She says something that sounds really good.''

Lux admired inwardly.

He had thought that she was unlike a Princess, but unexpectedly, she also seemed to have political ability.

“But as expected, even I won't think of letting him join without him going through any procedure.”

Before a rebuttal came, Lisha who was at the center of the waiting room looked around everyone.

“We will hold a Machine Dragon confrontation battle in teams from here on. And with the battle outcome, we should decide whether or not to allow Lux to join.”

She said so and quickly began to choose the opponents.

“…………”

(She completely ignored my opinion, huh…)

Lux really wanted to say so a little bit, but…

“Lux. If you do missions and security guard jobs in the Knight Squadron, you’ll also get rewards. It will help you pay off your debt! You should just gladly work like a horse!”

As he saw Lisha smiling, he felt that it would be useless even if he refused.

As Lux who was at a loose end looked around the waiting room,

“I mean, so Philphie was also a member of the “Knight Squadron”?”

As Lux who caught sight of his childhood friend in the corner asked,

“…………”

Philphie who gnawed snack biscuits did not react.

“Errr, Philphie…?”

As he thought that she didn't and called out to her again,

“…It’s Phi-chan, right?”

In a slightly emphasized tone, Philphie muttered.

“Eh…!? D-Do you want me to call you that even here …!?”

“Yes.”

Philphie nodding with a serious look, Lux’s face turned red.

If it weren’t for this, she would really be a good girl, but––

But that aside, it was unexpected.

The last time they met was seven years ago; in the Old Empire's society before the coup d’état, women had little opportunity to get in contact with Drag-Rides.

Therefore, Lux had no memory of having seen Philphie ever used a Drag-Ride.

But, to think that this girl with a gentle atmosphere had enough ability to join the “Knight Squadron” ––

“Phi…chan, are you strong?”

“Ordinary, I guess.”

As he awkwardly called her by her nickname, a simple answer came back.

But upon close inspection, not a Sword Device of a general-purpose Machine Dragon, but a short sword decorated with a unique design was in the scabbard hung on her waist.

“She’s very strong, this girl. She is the user of the Divine Drag-Ride <Typhon> after all. Together with my <Fafnir>.”

“Eeeh…!?”

As Krulcifer added, Lux unintentionally opened his mouth.

To think that Philphie possessed enough skill to be able to use a Divine Drag-Ride which even first-class Drag-Knights couldn't handle so often.

And also Krulcifer.

Even if they were called “Knight Squadron”, they were still officer cadets after all.

It looked like his preconception was greatly wrong.

Even excluding the third-year members, if there were even three users of Divine Drag-Rides, it was a military power worthy of threat.

Which meant, even the missions given were more likely to be suitable as such.

From now on whether he wanted to or not, he might be sent out on dangerous missions.

(…What shall I do?)

『For that, I hope that you didn’t forget the other purpose, Nii-san.』

He recalled the words said by Airi early in the morning during breakfast.

Before attracting a curious attention, he started thinking to decline joining the unit.

He was thankful that a hefty reward was given, but if he got involved in too deeply, it would be likely to affect the “other purpose”.

“Hey, Lux. I settled the talk.”

While he was thinking about such a thing, his shoulder was patted by Lisha.

“You and I will team up and fight against the opposition’s team. Hurry up and go to the compartment to change into a Dress Gear.”

“…………”

It looked like it was already too late.

“What? You may also change without hiding if you want, you know?”

“I am not worried about that!”

As Lux’s face turned red as he panicked to Lisha’s teasing,

“You peep, but you don’t want to be seen yourself, huh.”

Even Krulcifer who was in the corner muttered in a subdued voice, and Lux was at his wits’ end.

“I’ll go change!”

Lux hurried up and changed into the Dress Gear he was given and came out of the compartment.

“So–– I understand that Lisha-sama and I will team up, but how many people are there in the opponent team?”

“Yes. It seems to be all the members here that met with Lux-san for the first time.”

“Eeeeeeeeeh!?”

In other words, all the members present except Krulcifer, Philphie and the three girls of the Triad.

“Wait, isn’t it reckless no matter how you look at it…?”

Lisha was strong.

Even compared to Drag-Knights that Lux had confronted so far, she was probably the most powerful.

But it should also be the same for the Knight Squadron’s members present here.

“It’s all right. According to my calculations, even this should work out good enough. If it’s not enough, well let’s see, it’s not too late to change your Machine Dragon to attack specialization even now––”

“…I’ll do my best as it is.”

“Is that so? I’ll fight with the <Chimeric Wyvern>, but–– well it’s fine. We’re outnumbered anyway. Once it starts, even you’ll have no choice but to fight.”

To Lisha’s words which somewhere had a hidden meaning, Lux sighed.

Both parties finished their preparations and went out to the practice field.

And the mock battle began.