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

===Part 6===

A few minutes after they equipped their Machine Dragons and departed.

All the members arrived at the ruins of the New Kingdom territory about 20 km away from the Fort City.

A huge white cube which had grown from the ground of a wasteland.

That building called the sixth ruins –– “Garden” was endowed with an inorganic, majestic appearance.

『The target has been confirmed. Everyone, get ready for battle!』

Lisha who acted as the commanding officer this time urged vigilance through the dragon voice.

Lux also overlooked the ruins while setting up his blade.

“This is the “Garden”…”

There were three ruins, which appeared from about ten years ago, existing within the New Kingdom’s territory.

The ship type “Ark” floating on the open sea.

The “Babel” extending from the land of the border, breaking through the clouds and soaring.

And this “Garden” close to the Fort City.

In the interior where six sides were surrounded by a square wall, there were a forest, lake, cave and the like, it seemed like a structure connoting one small world.

It seemed that Machine Dragons and technology from the past were sleeping at the altar at the center, but––

“It’s really curious. Is this also the first time for you, a Former Prince of the Empire, to be seeing this?”

Sharis wearing a <Wyvern> and flying beside Lux accosted him as such.

It seemed that only third-year students in the “Knight Squadron” had experience with investigation.

“I have worked as a guard, guarding the surroundings due to odd jobs–– but this is my first time seeing it this close.”

“I see. In this place, only the third-year students who came along have experience in investigations. You have probably heard about it in the prior strategy meeting, but if there is anything, you can ask me without reserve.”

“Understood.”

When Lux nodded,

『Hey. Be careful, everyone! Abyss confirmed ahead!』

Soon after, Lisha urged everyone to be cautious.

At a closer look, a huge lump appeared from the shades of the “Garden” where there were several castles.

“That’s––!”

Reflected in the eyes of the Drag- Ride clad on Lux was a giant metal soldier whose half body was covered with rock scales.

It was a kind of Abyss commonly known as Golem.

A large-sized Abyss which boasted of its big frame and superhuman strength.

Although it had weaknesses such as its slow pace and its monotonous attacks, it possessed a hard, sturdy metal body; it was proud of its power in which a single blow delivered from its weight was impossible to defend against and to which a fatal wound was unavoidable.

Escape would be easy for a competent Drag-Knight, but the subjugation was a nearly impossible formidable obstacle.

The only consolation was that because it was not an active kind for an Abyss, if one did not approach carelessly, there was a very small risk of being attacked; but since it had appeared, it could not be left alone forever.

“It looks like it will be quite worth defeating it, Lux”

Even so, Lisha calmly muttered while looking at the target.

The distance between the Knight Squadron’s platoon and the Golem was about 500 Mel by eye measurement.

It had been established by past battles that the location of its core was in the chest, but its outer shell would probably not be pierced with half-hearted long-range shooting.

“Errr, in the prior strategy, if I’m not mistaken ––”

Ordinary long-range shooting wouldn’t be able to make even a dent on it.

First attract the enemy’s attention with the high mobility of a <Wyvern>, then attack its chest with <Wyverns>’ Breath Guns loaded at full power from the ground and continue shaving its shell until the core is exposed.

The strategy which had been planned on the previous day should be something like this, but––

“It will take too much time.”

“Eh?”

As Lux reacted to that mutter, Krulcifer turned her face to Lisha.

“Can you leave the diversion and attack to me? It will be faster that way.”

“W-Wait a minute! Do you intend to do it alone!?”

Lisha hurriedly tried to stop Krulcifer’s proposal, but she was not shaken at all.

“It is possible with my <Fafnir>. If there is not any problem, then let me go.”

“It’s certainly true, but––”

“Then –– I will start moving.”

The moment when Lisha was at a loss for a rebuttal, Krulcifer moved.

“––!”

Immediately after, not only Lux who tried to call out to her, but the members of the “Knight Squadron” also gasped.

<Fafnir> accelerated leaving behind all the people present in an instant.

(Fast…!)

A speed to the extent that even Lux who possessed a superhuman kinetic vision and reading lost sight of her figure.

With its extraordinary mobility, <Fafnir> closed in upon the Golem in an instant.

Ooooooooh…

The Golem which reacted to <Fafnir>’s approach issued a strange noise from its head and let its strong arm howl.

It pulled (wielded) its fist like a thick huge rock and let out a blow describing an arc.

“Watch out!”

The fist approached from behind <Fafnir> as it came too close.

A female student reflexively shouted at the blow released from a blind spot.

––But,

“Eh…?”

The moment when it looked as if the fist hit, <Fafnir> evaded it without even looking behind.

A minimum movement without too much waste considering it immediately moved after sensing the presence.

It set up a sniper rifle and fired light bullets while coolly receiving the sudden gust which arose.

Several shots impacted on the Golem’s opened underarm and bluish white lights burst.

Guh…! Ooooooooh!

The Abyss raised a groan and launched an attack with the other arm, but Krulcifer did not move.

“Krulcifer-san! Dodge it!”

Lux raised his voice this time, but Krulcifer still floating in mid-air did not move an inch.

But, a strange thing happened again.

Whether it used up all its strength or its posture was broken by the shooting earlier, the Golem’s fist stopped exactly just before hitting Krulcifer.

“…Eh?”

Using that opening, Krulcifer once again pulled the trigger.

[[File:SaijakuBahamut v2 0003.jpg|thumb]]

The precise shooting which could also be called a divine feat which she showed in the mock battle against the temporary instructors before this.

But, even if it had been hit by an attack of several shots, the Golem did not move an inch.

“I’ll go, too. As expected, it can’t be defeated with just a rifle. We have to cooperate––”

''I don’t know why, but Krulcifer hurried ahead.''

As Lux who intuitively felt so was going to back her up,

『You do not need to come.』

Through the dragon voice, Krulcifer’s voice could be heard for all of the members of the Squadron.

『It looks like I will soon defeat this enemy.』

“Eh––?”

The other members, at the same time that they blankly opened their mouths, understood her reply.

Guh, …Oooooooooooooooh!

At first glance, the movement of both arms of the Golem almost stopped.

“Looks like it.”

Lisha who had worn the <Chimeric Wyvern> took a breath as she saw it.

It had been frozen.

The mechanical giant soldier covered with thick rock skin.

The joints of both elbows and wrists were frozen and its movements were sealed.

“That is <Fafnir>’s special armament –– the <Freezing Canon>. It basically has the same high efficiency of a sniper rifle, but that armament holds the ability to freeze the parts shot. It’s a troublesome weapon which, if you defend, would freeze you together with the part used to defend. In the case of a mock battle with her, you can’t help but avoid her attacks.”

“... Amazing.”

While listening to Lisha’s explanation, Lux leaked a voice of admiration.

She said to avoid, but it was probably at a level where it might be said it was impossible to evade all the precise shootings of that <Fafnir>.

“By the way, <Fafnir>’s Divine Raiment seems to be the ability of future foresight called <Wise Blood>. It was probably thanks to that, that she was able to one-sidedly attack while dodging the enemy’s attacks earlier.”

“That was <Fafnir>’s Divine Raiment––”

A Divine Raiment of offense and defense which foresaw an opponent’s attack and aimed at their opening.

Moreover, Krulcifer had precisely frozen only the joints of the Golem.

With that –– the enemy could no longer fight back.

As its chest was finally also frozen, the Golem began to behave violently as it struggled, but because of its own weight and muscular strength, the self-destruction of its joints began.

『Krulcifer, leave the rest to us. I’ll finish it off with long-range shooting.』

When Lisha was going to call out to Krulcifer with the dragon voice,

Guoh… Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

The Golem with neither mouth nor eyes raised a muffled roar.

At the same time, its huge head cracked open like a cotyledon which buds.

“……!?”

The moment when Krulcifer raised her guard, a straight flash was released from the huge jewel which was there.

It would be meaningless if she didn’t consciously activate the precognition ability which is her Divine Raiment.

“Krulcifer! Deploy a barrier!”

Before Lisha had finished shouting, a line of light flew to <Fafnir> and an explosion occurred.

Boom!

With a roaring sound, the storm and impact reached up to Lux and the others who were away.

“Krulcifer-san!”

Lux could not help but raise his voice, and headed to her rescue with his <Wyvern>.

But,

“I remember having said that you do not need to come. Lux-kun.”

Suddenly, Krulcifer’s cool voice tickly struck Lux’s ears

Soon after, a needle-like shooting released from <Fafnir>’s <Freezing Canon> pierced the Golem’s frozen chest.

“Eh…?”

The moment when the white smoke which was obscuring the field of vision cleared up, it was reflected on Lux’s eyes.

She was unhurt.

On the front of <Fafnir>, seven octagonal shields tinged with a bluish-white light were unfolded.

“That’s another special armament of <Fafnir>, <Auto Shield>.”

Such an explanation flew from Lisha from behind.

“A defense type armament which automatically protects the main body in response to an enemy’s attack. It is said to be several times harder than an ordinary barrier.”

An armament which symbolized solid scales symbolizing the gigantic dragon Fafnir.

Lux couldn’t help but feel admiration before her ability to easily use up the two special armaments.

Precise shooting impossible to defend against, high-speed mobility and moreover an impregnable defensive barrier.

Krulcifer who boasted of a flawless strength overwhelmed the Abyss all alone.

“But, to be able to manage the Divine Raiment and the special armaments to such an extent, is related to Krulcifer’s aptitude value.”

“Aptitude value, huh?”

“Yes. Her Machine Dragon aptitude value is exceptionally high even among the female students of this academy. Normally, it’s an unbelievable numerical value. In such a meaning, you’re quite unnatural, too.”

Saying so, Lisha turned her gaze to Lux.

“That’s––”

When Lux raised his voice,

Gu… Ooooaaaaah!

The Golem whose chest was torn by <Fafnir>’s rapid-fire and core crushed collapsed.

The frozen joints broke to pieces with a roaring sound and dust soared highly.

“She did it!”

“You’re amazing, Krulcifer-san!”

As they were released from the tension, the female students of the “Knight Squadron” raised cheers.

“…………”

But, Krulcifer, in contrast to her comrades in high spirits, was staring at the outer wall of the “Garden” with an expression as if brooding over something.

『Eeih, be quiet! We’re still in the middle of the plan.』

Lisha shouted at the unit by dragon voice as to chide them.

“Well then –– we’ll get down to the ruins like this.”

At that moment, Krulcifer plainly declared so.

『W-Wait, Krulcifer!? It should have been planned that it will be the members of the Triad, Lux and I to investigate the ruins!』

The investigation of ruins was also accompanied with the danger of the appearance of a new Abyss.

Therefore, a few elites would penetrate the ruins and a powerful person would also be left outside and prepared just in case something unexpected happened.

In such a meaning, the members who had not fought yet and still had spare energy left should participate in the investigation, but––

“I can still fight. So, you don’t mind, right?”

“Krulcifer, san…?”

(Is she by any chance… impatient?)

Lux was perplexed at Krulcifer’s behavior which was calm at first glance, but somehow hard-pressed.

As it is, they started moving to get down to the “Garden”.

''Something doesn’t feel right.''

When Lux thought so,

“Kukuku. As expected of my future wife. That’s a splendid skill –– but”

In the rear, Barzeride who came along wearing a general-purpose type <Wyrm> suddenly laughed.

When Lux had his attention attracted by his voice for an instant,

『Everyone! Be careful –– something is coming!』

Tillfarr who was on land raised a voice of warning.

『Signs of an enemy confirmed by radar. It’s a new type of Abyss.』

The moment when Nokuto with her <Drake> added that, it could be seen.

“…!? W-What is that? …!”

A Knight Squadron’s girl wearing a <Wyvern> leaked a small scream.

“Don’t tell me…!”

In the sky where the cloud of dust had cleared up, a strange-looking demon was floating.

A big frame which easily surpassed a standing big bear’s, reddish brown skin and huge jet black wings.

It was a monster which let its dagger-like fangs peep out all together in a line and savagely twisted its dark red mouth.

It leaked a smog-like purple breath, occasionally opened wide its bloodshot eyes and licked its lips.

It showed no sign of hiding at all.

But, it slowly and surely shortened the distance to the Knight Squadron.

“If I’m not mistaken, that’s––”

“A Diabolos… huh!”

Lisha, frowning, cried.

Lux had also never seen it until now, but he had already read about it in the ruins’ investigation book.

A brutal medium-sized Abyss strong enough to be able to destroy a small town.

It was a type of Abyss among the flying kinds just like the Gargoyle which he had fought before, but it was an existence several times more dangerous than the Gargoyle.

Probably because it rarely appeared, there were no details written about it even in the books in the library of the Capital.

But, by confronting it like this, they were naturally aware of how dangerous it was.

It was said that this was a creature which must not exist in this world.

“––Gieeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Raising a growl-like scream, the Abyss’s eyes shone.

When most of the members reflexively shrank their bodies, the Diabolos kicked the sky.

“Shaaaaaaaaa!”

It caused a gust which burst the atmosphere and with an explosive speed, swooped down on Nokuto who was wearing a <Drake> down below.

“––!?”

Although Lisha and the others who were in front of the ruins also reacted, they could not catch up.

So as to mow the girl’s face which revealed despair, its stout arm was keenly swung down.

''I won’t make it in time!''

When anyone who was there thought so and was about to cover their eyes, a sharp metallic sound resounded in the sky.

“Kuh…!?”

Using his large blade as a shield, Lux stood in between the Diabolos and Nokuto.

“Lux…san!?”

“It’s fine–– so get away!”

Nokuto, realizing that she would get in Lux’s way, hurriedly jumped back.

A tremendous weight as if being hit by an iron stake.

Lux defended against the blow let out by the demon with perfect timing and position; that blow had a power to the extent that the blade got cracked.

Moreover –– that alone could not completely stop it.

Lux tried to crush it with an inhuman, herculean strength from the position where he stopped the blow.

The small fissures on the blade turned into a crack with cracking sounds.

(At this rate –– it’ll break!)

When Lux perceived danger,

Boom!

A light beam emitted from the canon of the <Chimeric Wyvern> was fired at the Diabolos’s flank.

“Guaaaaaaah!”

The Diabolos which perceived it struck Lux’s <Wyvern> with its other arm, leapt back using the recoil and avoided the canon.

At the same time, it sneaked behind Sharis who came close in order to help Nokuto.

“What…!?”

Sharis, turning around, slashed at it with her blade –– but, far from being avoided, it had been caught by the Diabolos’s right hand.

[[File:SaijakuBahamut v2 0015.jpg|thumb]]

“Kuh––!?”

Her weapon caught, Sharis’s judgment suddenly became dull.

The demon’s left arm which was thrust out using that opening was frozen.

“Guooooooah!”

Krulcifer’s <Freezing Canon>. Using that opportunity when the demon’s attack was stopped, Sharis abandoned her caught sword to get out of the Abyss’s range.

When the Diabolos also took distance at the same time, deep sighs leaked out from the Knight Squadron’s members.

A face-off after taking distance.

In this unpredictable situation, the sound of unsheathing (a sword) could be heard suddenly from behind.

“––Well then, it’s my turn soon, I guess.”

The owner of that leisurely voice was Barzeride who tagged along.

Slightly behind from Lux and the others, he cancelled the armor of his <Wyrm> and equipped a new Machine Dragon which he summoned.

His body changed into a Drag-Knight with thick armor dyed in ultramarine like midnight black.

“That’s––”

All the people present, while also being cautious of the Abyss, turned their looks towards his Machine Dragon.

Divine Drag-Ride <Aži Dahāka>。

Barzeride’s Divine Drag-Ride which could only be used against high rank opponents even in mock battles in the Capital.

It was the battle figure of the man called “Title Holder of the Kingdom”.

“Fuhahahahaha!”

At that moment, Barzeride’s loud laughter resounded, and the canons connected to both his shoulders moved.

<Aži Dahāka>’s special armament already seen in the tournament, <Devil’s Glow>.

The two muzzles were charged with purple light and suddenly spouted flames.

The two flash of light attacked aiming at the Diabolos –– but, the enemy evaded the attack by a hairbreadth escaping into the sky.

“Kyaah…!?”

All the members of the “Knight Squadron” held their breath at his attack. They had reflectively dodged it, but <Aži Dahāka>’s shelling had grazed the members of the “Knight Squadron”.

But, Barzeride whose shelling was evaded still turned a composed smile to Lux.

“How’s that, fallen Prince? Do you want to play a game with me? About which of us will defeat that Abyss first––. If you can defeat it before me, I’ll make it you guys victory at this point in time and withdraw that duel’s promise.”

“Quit the joke, Barzeride.”

Before Lux could answer, Lisha cut in with an uncanny look.

“This isn’t hunting for fun! If you intend to do more unnecessary things than this, I’ll first beat you up here.”

However, Barzeride simply ignored Lisha’s anger and continued.

“Aren’t you confident? Lux Acadia.”

“Kuh…!”

In contrast, Lux ground his teeth as he heard that.

Though Barzeride was probably serious, the problem was not there.

––This man fired at a distance which also involved the members of the “Knight Squadron” around him in the shelling.

If by any chance something were to happen, this man for sure –– intended to cover it up as an “accident”.

“You––”

At this time when Lux’s voice trembled in anger,

“Would you please stop fooling around?”

Krulcifer who came back to his side broke in with an unusually serious voice.

“Kuku, that’s quite a cold attitude, my future wife. But, I’ll allow that much. That’s why you’re worth being conquered.”

<Aži Dahāka>’s armor bowl softly tapped on <Fafnir>’s shoulder.

After calmly shaking it off, Krulcifer took a deep breath,

“I will dispose of the enemy earlier than you. In that case, there is no problem, right?”

She declared so with a cool expression.

“Ooh, how promising. So, you still have spare energy left, huh.”

“Krulcifer! Don’t act rashly! Retreat temporarily and fix your posture!”

Lisha ignored Barzeride’s statement and said so.

But,

“It’s all right. I will not cause you trouble with my rash actions this time. Besides –– time is precious.”

With an expression which repressed her feelings, Krulcifer set up the special armament <Freezing Canon>.

And, she flew towards the Diabolos which was far away and was watching the situation.

Lux was surprised by the action of Krulcifer who was good at long-range shooting.

“Krulcifer-san!”

It was probably in order to draw away Barzeride’s attention and not let the others become involved.

Certainly, Krulcifer was the owner of an outstanding ability even among the Knight Squadron’s members, but that Diabolos was not an ordinary Abyss.

“This time for sure –– I will shoot it down.”

At the same time as she approached the Abyss, she set up the <Freezing Canon> and aimed at it.

Since she could use the Divine Raiment future foresight in offense and defense at point-blank range, Krulcifer should have the advantage.

Or at least, it should have been like that.

“…!? Why did <Fafnir>’s foresight––?”

The moment of opening hostilities, agitation ran through Krulcifer’s profile and she stopped moving.

Not overlooking that opening which suddenly appeared, the Diabolos spouted hellish flames.

“Guaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

“––––”

Dispelling the cold of the <Freezing Canon> shot reflexively, scorching raging flames approached Krulcifer.

“Watch out!”

Lux who rushed at once at max power thrust Krulcifer away.

“Ushaaaaaaaa!”

Although Lux did not end up being rolled into the flames, he directly received the fist of the Diabolos which drew near as it followed.

“Guh…!”

He issued a muffled groan and was knocked down on to the ground as such.

“Lux!”

At the same time that Lisha and the remaining Knight Squadron’s members shouted, they poured concentrated fire on the Diabolos.

But, that barrage of more than ten shots was all dodged with smooth flight movements.

“Kuuh…!”

When all the members over there were astonished at the enemy more formidable than expected––

“––Good grief, so my help is necessary after all.”

From Barzeride’s <Aži Dahāka> which was on the ground, a shelling of <Devil’s Glow> was released.

As if it was natural, the Diabolos dodged it with mobility which did not match its big frame –– but,

“Guaah!?”

On its chest, a halberd was sticking out as if it grew.

“…Eh?”

Lux and Krulcifer who saw it, no, all the members present were dumbfounded.

For a moment, no one had noticed that that halberd was a close-range weapon thrown by <Aži Dahāka>.

Among the Drag-Rides’ weapons, the halberd was a heavyweight class weapon. Besides the abnormality of Barzeride with <Aži Dahāka> which threw it at the speed like an arrow, the problem was the applied process.

The Abyss was in the sky with no obstacles around.

Even if Barzeride could predict that the Abyss would dodge, he shouldn’t be able to predict where it would dodge to.

It was a blow as if he foresaw the future like <Fafnir>’s Divine Raiment, <Wise Blood>.

“Guru…. Aaaaah!?”

Maybe because it was a fatal wound which reached its core, the Diabolos suddenly stopped moving; and while its whole body went into convulsions, it began to spout blue blood.

“This game –– it’s my victory, right? Fallen Prince.”

Barzeride who saw that looked at Lux and Krulcifer and contentedly smiled.

But Lux did not care about such a thing now.

“…Why? I––”

Although ostensibly uttering a calm voice as usual,

But, Krulcifer was confused to the extent that Lux had never seen before.

This was probably because the future foresight by <Fafnir>’s Divine Raiment, <Wise Blood> suddenly became impossible to use.

Moreover, the Abyss had been shot down by <Aži Dahāka> operated by that Barzeride.

The girl’s calm and perfect face had been distorted with unrest by these two unlikely events.

“Kuhahahaha! As expected, there is nobody who can match me, Lux Acadia.”

Barzeride’s shrill laughter resounded around.

''He’s certainly strong.''

''He possessed strength outstanding enough to be called “Title Holder of the Kingdom”'', Lux thought.

However,

(Something doesn’t feel right––)

When Lux had his attention attracted by that sense of discomfort for a moment,

“Don’t relax yet!”

Lisha’s voice could be heard from a distant place.

“Gu, aaaaaaaaaaah…!”

The Diabolos which suffered a fatal wound, vomited blood and fainted in agony.

Its chest with a hole opened that was gaping wide suddenly swelled to more than double its size.

“…!? Leave quickly!”

The Knight Squadron’s members who saw that hurriedly shouted.

『Everyone, deploy your barrier at max power!』

Immediately after Lisha’s shout was heard through dragon voice once again,

Red cracks appeared on the Abyss’s whole body and it was tinged with light.

Among the Abysses, several kinds of individuals who self-destructed had been confirmed.

When all the members took a defensive posture, Lux noticed that something was strange about Krulcifer who was beside him.

“Why doesn’t it move? My <Fafnir>––”

Next to Lux, Krulcifer’s airframe began to shake with a rattling sound.

Despite the impending danger approaching, the shield of the special armament <Auto Shield> on the contrary dropped from around <Fafnir>.

The control confusion due to the user’s exhaustion –– the rampage began.

“Krulcifer-san!?”

Immediately after, the Abyss’s body exploded with a flash.

A scorching torrent born with a roar swallowed everything along with screams.

With the blast and impact, it was impossible to breathe.

Enduring a pain as if his lungs and heart would be crushed, Lux desperately embraced the dumbfounded Krulcifer, thus becoming her shield.

Then, he lost consciousness.