Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Episode 3 (section)

===Part 7===
During the afternoon on that day, in front of the fourth Drag-Ride hangar inside the Academy’s grounds where the Drag-Rides were stored.

The elites of Syvalles were gathering in order to exterminate the Abyss that appeared from the Ruin.

Starting from the commanding officer Lisha, there were also Lux and Yoruka, then the members of the Triad, Sharis, Tillfur, and Noct.

Airi would also accompany them as a record keeper.

Philuffy as well as the remaining members of Syvalles would remain behind to protect the Academy.

Yoruka still hadn’t been formally accepted into Syvalles, so this time she wouldn’t accompany the investigation.

「The mission today is only light scouting, so there is no need to worry.」

After Lux told Yoruka that, she unexpectedly backed away obediently.

「Yes, if a danger is approaching Aruji-sama, then I will rush to your side in a flash no matter what.」

Lux nodded at Yoruka who answered him brightly, then he turned back towards Lisha and the others.

「This time’s mission, you understand right, Lux?」

「Yes. I intend to pay meticulous attention to the situation.」

The top secret mission this time that was appointed to them from her majesty queen Raffi.

On the surface this outing had the pretext of exterminating the Abyss that appeared around Garden.

But, in actuality they had the aim of hiding the unidentified Grand Force that they were troubled about how to deal with inside Garden.

The scheme was for the New Kingdom to pretend that they had no such thing from the beginning while hiding it inside Garden, then next time when they went to conquer Garden, they would pick it up again.

So to speak it would be a put-up job, but Prime Minister Nulph also said that was the best way.

(Certainly, there is no other option for the New Kingdom than to avoid the suspicion of being a traitor by the other countries while leaving behind a clue for the Ruin’s conquering, but──)

Lux felt slightly reluctant to keep quiet about this matter even to Airi, the Triad, and also Yoruka.

「Then we are going! The destination is the surface of the sixth Ruin, Garden. We will only strike the Abyss that appear at the surroundings!」

In actuality, after removing the Abyss, they would bury the treasure box in the ground inside the Ruin, but Lisha declared the start of the mission without informing the others of that. Then suddenly a voice came from behind.

「──Well well, so there is also a knight order that really looks unreliable like this.」

「You are──!?」

Almost everyone there was startled by the appearance of the person behind Lisha.

A person with a small stature about the same as Lux.

A distinctive looking eye patch and a black eye with bottomless darkness were peering out from under the hood of the deep blue cloak he was wearing.

The vice captain of the Seven Dragon Paladins──the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit suddenly appeared in front of the hangar.

「Wha-! What are you coming here for! Leave!」

Lisha shuddered in fear and took distance from Singlen in panic.

While she was moving, Lux quickly came in between them as though to block Singlen’s path.

「What is your business Sir Singlen? Will you refrain from hindering our operation?」

「Ha-ha-ha. You are talking big there, Chore Prince. Although, I cannot admire this. Right now is a waiting period that all the countries have agreed upon. An action that might stimulate the Ruin is forbidden by the agreement. I don’t want to believe it but, you aren’t planning to break it, right?」

His voice didn’t sound merciless as though to corner Lux, but a voice that sounded joking.

However, Lux knew that he couldn’t let his guard down against this man exactly when he was like that.

「……We caught a report that the division commanders of Dragon Marauder who we were pursuing entered the territory of the New Kingdom. Of course we still haven’t caught sight of them in Cross Field, but this is them. There must be a large possibility of them getting into contact with the remaining Ruins.」

「────」

When Lux was showing a dubious expression, Prime Minister Nulph who came from behind whispered into his ear.

「At present, the New Kingdom hasn’t heard anything about that kind of activity of Dragon Marauder. Most likely this is just a made-up story of Sir Singlen, but we also have no proof to deny it.」

Hearing his bitter tone, Lux easily guessed the circumstance.

The government was unable to stop the forcefulness of this man who suddenly appeared.

That time with Balzeride in the past was also troublesome but, for this man to be here would be extremely bad in regards to the top secret mission that was commanded to Lux and Lisha.

If they didn’t make some kind of excuse to distance this man, not only would they fail their mission, he might see through the existence of the Grand Force and obtain proof that the New Kingdom was trying to hide it instead.

If that happened, the New Kingdom would bear the risk of getting designated as a traitor by the Lords, and in the worst case──the New Kingdom might become the attack target of every country.

In other words, they must not let Singlen accompany them no matter what.

「There is no need for you to be bothered with this. We will be enough for this mission!」

It seemed that Lisha also had reached the same conclusion as Lux and she raised her voice like that.

But, Singlen made a smile that was filled with implication and cut down that excuse.

「I have talked with the upper brass of the New Kingdom. You all have no authority to refuse me from coming along in this.」

「Don’t make me repeat myself! I’m telling you we don’t need you coming along!」

Lisha tried to refuse bluntly once more.

Lux took a breath to continue after Lisha, but Prime Minister Nulph shook his head.

「You are misunderstanding your highness Lizsharte. Sir Singlen has volunteered to defend the first fortress in front of the Ruin.」

「Fortress’s defense……?」

Airi was surprised while muttering once more to comprehend the words.

「In other words, to prepare for the off chance when the Abyss surge out from the Ruin, Sir Singlen will prepare a defense in that fortress to block the enemy’s advance to Cross Field, is that it?」

Singlen calmly nodded at Sharis’s question.

And then he showed a wide mocking grin that looked like a crescent moon shaped maw.

「The Drag-Knights of my White Ridge knight order are already taking position in the first fortress near the Ruin. Of course I also have no intention of moving from there. That’s why I had no intention of accompanying your group or anything but──kukukuku, I was awfully hated here huh.」

「……-!」

Lisha groaned without hiding her anger.

Perhaps from the start he had guessed what Lux and the others would do in the Ruin and he provoked them misleadingly like that.

In any case, the distance from Garden to the first fortress was only a few short km.

Considering that it was a distance that could be closed in ten minutes when necessary, they couldn’t let their guard down.

「And so, I will head to the fortress first. I’ll pray that you fight to the best of your ability, Chore Prince.」

「…………」

Singlen only said that and got on the shoulder of his subordinate’s Wyvern. Then they flew away and left.

Only a conflicted and bitter atmosphere was left behind in the area.

「That man is like usual, a genius of harassment.」

Lisha grumbled right after Singlen left without even trying to hide her dissatisfaction.

But, Lux was asking the details from Prime Minister Nulph with a nervous look even now.

「Forgive me. Sir Singlen proposed his cooperation with the matter this time was early in the morning today. We opposed him, but we were also unable to bluntly reject him.」

There were only three Ruins remaining.

If the New Kingdom approached a remaining Ruin regardless of the waiting period where conquering the Ruins was forbidden, it wasn’t strange for the New Kingdom to get suspected of trying to get a head start.

But, rather than something like that, there was something else Lux feared more.

(Don’t tell me, he suspected?)

A big backpack was attached on the back of his Wyvern.

The treasure box that was holding the aforementioned Grand Force was put inside it.

「Lux, what should we do? About the extermination this time──」

Lux hesitated seeing the anxious Lisha.

After worrying for a few seconds, he made his decision.

「Sorry Yoruka. Can I ask you to do me a favor this time?」

「Eh……?」

Without reacting to Airi who was tilting her head, Yoruka nodded.

「It’s no problem Aruji-sama. It will be fine if I secretly monitor them to confirm that no one will be coming from behind right?」

「I see, so it’s something like that.」

Sharis lightly hit her palm after a bit of pause.

「If it’s Yato no Kami’s radar, their movement can be detected even from afar eh.」

「Yes. I will be responsible for the detection role in Lux-san’s group, so please rest assured.」

Yoruka immediately saw through Lux’s thinking and responded like that. Then next the Triad understood Lux’s intention and responded after her.

Yoruka would serve as the rear guard while monitoring whether Singlen would make any suspicious movement at the fortress in the back. Like that Lux’s group would be able to concentrate on the swarm of the Abyss in the front.

「Then, let’s go! Everyone, are you prepared!?」

「Yes!」

Following Lisha’s order, Lux and the others took off with their respective Drag-Rides.

They were feeling tense with the departure after so long while heading to Garden.

「Lux, how is your body’s condition? It’s okay if you don’t force yourself like that airhead girl you know?」

Beside him, Lisha called out to him while flying at low altitude.

Her anxiety just now had vanished and it could be seen that she was full of confidence and spirit like usual.

「I’m fine. Also, as I thought, Lisha-sama is really energetic.」

「Fuh, well yeah.」

Lisha kept gripping the control stick of Tiamat and responded with a self-assured smile.

「The Abyss extermination or the top secret mission don’t matter, because it’s a sortie together with you after so long. Besides──in our talk before this, Haha-ue praised me. My decision of making Lux my personal knight isn’t mistaken, she said.」

「Her majesty Raffi was……?」

Those words made Lux felt slightly saved too.

Raffi rose to the throne as queen with the death of Count Atismata, but she must also put a lot of trust in Lux.

The peace that was finally obtained after the Old Empire was destroyed.

This time for sure he had to answer that expectation and responsibility as a Seven Dragon Paladin.

「Saaay, we are also here though?」

Tillfur who was wearing her Wyrm that was skating on the ground raised her voice with a tone and smile that looked jealous.

Then Sharis who was also flying slightly behind also continued after her.

「My goodness, approaching Lux-kun even at this kind of time, it seems that the princess has piled up a lot of resentment from getting overwhelmed by the other girls.」

「Wha-……!? Yo, you are wrong, that’s not it!? I’m just, speaking the facts──」

「Yes. But I judged that Lisha-sama is still weak against pressure. Like this she won’t be able to stand a chance against the others.」

Seeing the flustered Lisha, Noct also retorted with a bland tone while leaping above ground.

「Yo, you guys are noisy! Don’t act worried as you please about me! E, even like this I at least planned to invite Lux at the end of the year!」

「Lisha-sama, please concentrate on the mission. You are the captain here.」

Airi who was sighing while being carried by Noct. Lisha couldn’t say anything back 「Mugugu……」 and she went ahead with a bright red face.

Because Yoruka was using camouflage while following them from far behind, she was unable to participate in the talk.

(This atmosphere is relaxing somehow.)

Because at Heiburg Lux was forced to be tense the whole time, this kind of usual conversation of the girls relaxed him.

But, the mission Lux and Lisha were carrying out wasn’t easy.

He took a deep breath and fired himself up again. Then the expected scenery was approaching.

「So that’s, Garden right now.」

Airi’s voice that was tinged with graveness made everyone hold their breath.

Lux hadn’t approached the Ruin since it was revitalized, but certainly its presence was different from before.

They could see the Abyss that they had exterminated before. Two Golems, and then seven or eight Chimeras and Haiits.

If it was before, the burden would be slightly harsh to face the enemy with only five Syvalles members.

The best plan would be to cooperate with Yoruka too at the back and lure the Abyss one by one to defeat them.

「Looks dangerous──but, it’s not for me to decide whether to spend time with a safe plan or not here.」

But, Lisha wasn’t even perturbed by the powerful lineup of the Abyss side and called out to everyone.

「Can you do this Triad? This is a chance to show off your cool side to Lux!」

「Eeeh!?」

Lux was bewildered at what Lisha said. Right after he made that reaction, the Triad readied their weapons.

Noct handed Airi who was on her shoulder to Lux.

「Roger. We will start the battle now. Lux-kun, take Airi-chan away and continue staying on guard at the back.」

The leader Sharis asserted that. Almost at the same time, the Triad started to move.

The swarm of the Abyss that noticed them approaching the Garden reacted and quickly started attacking.

The Triad held back the enemy movement with a barrage of Breath Gun, broke their balance with Howling Roar, and used their weapons to destroy them.

It was the very picture of a basic tactic, but the three displayed a superb combination and steadily weakened the enemy.

The enemy was also a group of powerful Abyss, but the Triad weren’t outdone at all.

「We are going too. Don’t get left behind! Seven Heads!」

A very thick beam was fired from the special armament of Tiamat, shooting through the core of a Golem, destroying it.

At the same time Legions sprang at the flying around Gargoyles and Chimeras, while Suppressor was stopping the enemies’ movements. The Triad would then attack those enemies with their Cannons.

However, even with that much advantage that they had amassed, the Ruin and the Abyss were formidable enemies as expected.

「Please be careful Noct! Reinforcements!」

「──!?」

Noct’s Drake reacted to Airi’s voice and it was blown backward from receiving an impact.

At the same time Lisha and Lux, then Sharis and Tillfur were also attacked by an unseen attack.

「This is──an invisible Abyss?」

Noct confirmed the radar of her Drake and muttered with a dubious face.

The battle front was going up from them gradually suppressing the swarm of the Abyss, but then countless Abyss were summoned from behind.

In other words, a large Abyss encirclement was imposed at the exterior of Garden around Lux and the others.

「Phantom huh……. this is also a new type of Abyss that was reported only recently.」

Originally the concept of coordination didn’t exist among the Abyss, but it seemed this was an Abyss that was specialized in ambushing.

「More than ten Phantoms are surrounding us from behind. It doesn’t look like there is other reinforcements.」

The battle potential of the Phantom didn’t seem to be much, but the pincer attack was more disadvantageous than expected.

「But it’s simple to overcome. After all it will be fine once we break through this encirclement.」

When Sharis was saying that with a self-assured smile, Lux raised his hand without hesitation.

「I will go, to lure away the enemy.」

Compared to the mission to lure a hundred Abyss that he carried out behind the scenes of the All-Dragon Battle previously, this would be remarkably easier.

Thinking so Lux tried to take the dangerous role, but Sharis and the others smiled.

「Nn, but right now isn’t the encirclement at Garden’s side thin? It might be better for Lux-chi and Lisha-sama to breakthrough over there ahead y’know?」

「Yes. It will be strenuous to defeat the whole swarm of weak Abyss that are hard to see. Besides I believe there is also no time.」

「──I guess, what you guys said are true.」

Lisha also nodded after hesitating about the Triad’s suggestion.

Lux had heard that while he was away, the Triad were working diligently at several Abyss exterminations, but it appeared that all the Triad had also grown considerably.

Different from before, they were calmly grasping the situation without getting agitated even when the Abyss suddenly appeared.

What they showed at Triport wasn’t merely battle strength against the Abyss.

「Then, I’ll break through the opposite side──」

Lux immediately turned around. At that moment, Tillfur charged towards the remaining Abyss swarm.

「Roger! Just leave it to me if it’s charging aheaaaad!」

She lifted up her Hammer and rushed the remaining Haiit swarm on the ground.

「Watch out Tillfur! You are surrounded by the enemy!」

Seeing Tillfur’s movement, three Haiit descended on her simultaneously.

No matter how much she had improved, she wouldn’t be able to take them on simply with the limit of her Drag-Ride’s spec.

When Lux made that judgment, a voice came to him from Airi.

「Please leave it to her Nii-san. These girls understand the battle situation better compared to the currently worn out Nii-san.」

「Eh──?」

The moment Lux paused midair, Sharis and Noct also rushed to the middle of the enemy formation.

Several Chimeras and Haiit stood in their way, at that moment, the three’s Drag-Rides burst with a flash.

「──Break Purge-!」

They purged their own armor, while shooting it out like buckshot at the same time. It was a skill that combined offense and defense.

At the same time the three pulled out one more Sword Device and finished summoning their Drag-Ride.

「This is, don’t tell me──」

Light particles converged and took shape into new dragons.

The girls’ bodies were wrapped with three kinds of Drag-Rides in the blink of an eye. Those armors were a size larger than general purpose Drag-Rides and also thicker.

Sharis, Tillfur, and Noct were each clad with EX Wyvern, EX Wyrm, and EX Drake respectively.

The strengthened type general purpose Drag-Rides that originally could only be used by EX Class Drag-Knights.

It wasn’t equipped with a Divine Raiment, but the spec of the Drag-Ride itself wasn’t inferior. The girls skillfully controlled it and attacked.

They broke through the formation of the Abyss that faltered due to the shockwave of Break Purge and opened a path to the Garden.

「Everyone, amazing……」

Lux spontaneously spoke in astonishment witnessing the girls fighting against a lot of Abyss without backing down.

Then, Lisha who was hovering beside him folded her arms proudly and puffed up her chest.

「Fuh, the time they can handle it is still short though. That’s why they are also still using normal Sword Devices. Also, I applied special tuning to each Drag-Ride to lighten the burden on those three until the limit.」

After telling that full of confidence, Lisha smiled at Lux looking self-assured.

「It’s not just you who is getting stronger. After all, while you were going away from this country several times, we were also training those three by turns.」

「…………」

Right after the battle in the Vanheim Principality, Sharis and the others, the Triad wanted to become stronger.

But, it was also difficult to actually realize that in this short time.

Most likely Lisha’s strength that supported them in the aspect of Drag-Rides also played a large role.

The girls were also growing stronger so as to not push all the responsibility of fighting to Lux alone.

When Lux felt moved from knowing that and he almost forgot himself, a voice came from Sharis.

「Now Lux-kun! Princess! The encirclement is broken! Leave this place to us and finish your objective!」

「But, it’s still dangerous! The enemies are too many, and the invisible Abyss Phantom is also──」

He wasn’t doubting their strength, but the Abyss couldn’t be underestimated even then.

When Lux looked flustered and hesitating, a voice suddenly came from behind.

「There is no need to worry, Aruji-sama. Those unseen Abyss are already dealt with.」

「Wwha-!?」

Hearing that, Lisha beside him opened her mouth in surprise.

Yoruka who was standing by far behind until now seemed to have cleaned up the more than ten Phantoms that were discovered before anyone realized it.

Certainly if it was the special equipment type Yato no Kami, it would be able to overcome the invisible Abyss easily using its radar, but as expected, she was just too overwhelming even then.

「Holy cow. Our great effort paled in comparison like this.」

After Sharis muttered jokingly, Tillfur also looked at that with a bitter face.

「We, well it doesn’t matter. Our secret weapon isn’t just this anyway! Next time we will shock Lux-chi for sure!」

「No. Tillfur, that’s not the point. More importantly Lux-san, it’s unnecessary to worry about us.」

「Right. Thank you everyone. I will express my gratitude properly when we get back.」

Lux showed a relieved smile due to Yoruka’s support, then he along with Lisha headed for the surface of Garden while carrying Airi.

「Yoruka too be careful.」

「I understand. I won’t let that Blue Tyrant come near Aruji-sama.」

「That’s not it, don’t do anything reckless. Then, later.」

Lux smiled with a troubled look and parted from Yoruka.

「It’s coming Lux. The Garden’s transfer will start soon!」

「Yes! Lisha-sama!」

The moment Lux tensed his expression and replied, the Garden’s opening and shutting took place.

Opening and shutting── the Garden would emit a light that transferred the surrounding living organisms and inorganic matter inside it after a fixed period of time. Lux and the others put themselves inside it.

「Everyone──stay safe.」

Leaving behind that sentence, Lux, together with Lisha and Airi vanished into Garden.

The Triad who splendidly accomplished the duty of opening the path exchanged glances in satisfaction.

「Haa, they’re gone. As I thought, doesn’t seem there is a chance huuh……」

Tillfur who was wearing an EX Wyrm dropped her shoulders slightly and grumbled.

「You look really lonely but, it’s not like I don’t understand your feelings. After all, it has been quite a while since we fought together with him. It’s regrettable to miss the chance of getting along with him here.」

「……Or rather, recently the level is getting too high in various things isn’t it? Not just in strength, but on the whole.」

「Yes. But, even we should have things we can do. Even if we cannot catch up with the girls who use Divine Drag-Rides, but as comrades we can still be of use.」

Noct concluded calmly and Sharis also nodded.

「──You’re right. Then, if this goes well, how about we try giving him presents at the Holy Night Festival too?」

The end of the year event.

It was about the custom of handing a present to a male that had been of help throughout the year.

A romantic nuance was also mixed in part of it, but even the Triad was also thinking of that.

「Wai-!? Sharis you, even though you always said that you aren’t interested-」

「Hahahaha, it’s just as friends, that’s all. Well, if there is a chance then even I──I cannot say that I don’t have such thinking at all though.」

Sharis laughed somewhat bashfully as though to cover it up. Seeing her like that, Noct also retorted.

「Yes. If it’s just giving a present, then it’s everyone’s freedom. I will also do my best.」

『I believe that having a lot of mistresses and heirs is a good thing.』

Seeing the three exchanging comments about Lux, Yoruka sent her voice through the Dragon Voice which caused the three to return to their senses and sighed.

「Aaagain, Yoruka-chi is always like that.」

「Yes. There is this thing called mood for everything.」

「In any case, enough talking here. Let’s finish our job. In order to catch up to the girls who fought for the sake of the New Kingdom and him until now too.」

Sharis concluded the talk with a dignified voice, at the same time the remaining several Abyss were approaching.

The three nodded at each other and resumed the battle.

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