Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 4 Capítulo 2

Capítulo 2 – Uma Missão Especial

Parte 1

O reino escuro e profundo da memória.

A continuação daquele dia, nove anos atrás, quando encontrou Philuffy pela primeira vez.

A cena da vida dentro da Capital Imperial do Antigo Império foi repetida dentro do sonho de Lux.

O chefe do conglomerado Aingram que era um velho amigo da mãe de Lux – Dalt. Lux pensou que o encontro deles seria apenas uma vez.

Mas, talvez porque Dalt começou seu negócio com a Capital Imperial como sua base, ele frequentemente aparecia na residência que poderia até ser chamada de residência palaciana perto do castelo.

Cada vez que ele visitava, suas duas filhas – Relie e Philuffy também iam, mas por algum motivo Lux não conseguia se recompor em relação a elas.

Relie era uma garota alegre e travessa, mas talvez porque houvesse uma diferença de idade entre ela e Lux, ou talvez fosse porque ela tinha apreensões em relação a Lux, que era da realeza, ela se comportou como uma “simpática irmã mais velha” em relação a ele.

Mas, a garota chamada Philuffy, que tinha a mesma idade que ele, era uma pessoa silenciosa, quase sem expressão. Lux não conseguia entender o que ela estava pensando. Seu pai, que era apático com ele.

Como ele era considerado uma existência sem valor.

Talvez fosse por causa deles que ele estava hesitando em gritar de sua extremidade.

Mas, ele podia ver que a irmã mais velha, Relie, estava muito satisfeita e afetuosa com sua irmã mais nova.

“Lux-kun também, por favor, dê-se bem com ela. Apesar de Phi ser assim, ela é uma criança muito interessante, sabe?”

“Sim.”

Foi assim que ele respondeu na época, mas mesmo quando os dois foram deixados sozinhos, eles não brincavam particularmente um com o outro.

Até Lux estava apenas fazendo uma conversa fiada e inofensiva como “O tempo está bom hoje, não está?” ou “O que seu pai está fazendo?” enquanto Philuffy também estava apenas comendo os doces que ela estava carregando ou retornava uma resposta curta como “Nn......”.

Uma criança silenciosa, sem altos ou baixos em suas emoções.

A primeira impressão de Lux em relação a Philuffy foi algo assim.

Na época, a experiência de Lux em brincar com meninos da mesma idade que ele era praticamente zero.

Havia também o fato de a idade de seus irmãos da família imperial estar um pouco distanciada dele, mas a maior causa estava em outro lugar.

As esposas do Imperador somavam seis pessoas no total, mas seus filhos disputavam o direito de sucessão ao trono uns contra os outros, e o irmão mais novo, Lux, era o alvo a ser desprezado por eles.

Era apenas o primeiro Príncipe Imperial Fugil que era diferente, mas para Lux, que na época era uma criança, Fugil era uma existência distante.

Como ele estava sendo ensinado por um professor particular e na maior parte do tempo ele ficava ao lado da frágil e doente Airi, Lux quase não teve chance de sair.

Lux era um “homem” que possuía as qualificações para ser o próximo Imperador.

No entanto, ele era o sétimo Príncipe Imperial cuja posição era a mais fraca entre todos os candidatos.

Embora a criada, o mordomo e os soldados da Corte Imperial o servissem, essa era a extensão de seu relacionamento com eles.

Com todas essas circunstâncias se sobrepondo, Lux passou a maior parte do tempo na biblioteca da Corte Imperial.

Ele era um Príncipe figurante. De forma alguma ele poderia entrar em contato com o centro do Império, seu destino era se tornar uma ferramenta do Imperador e alguém que um dia iria suceder ao Imperador.

Ele estava pensando que não se importava com isso.

Enquanto sua amada mãe estivesse ao seu lado, e sua irmãzinha doente se tornasse saudável.

Ele também estava um pouco curioso sobre a garota chamada Philuffy, mas isso era tudo.

Ela era filha de um conglomerado, mas era diferente da família imperial.

Philuffy também estava ao lado de Lux agora por causa das circunstâncias do trabalho de seu pai, mas quanto mais tempo passava, elas notariam que Lux não tinha um valor de utilidade considerável e com certeza perderiam o interesse nele então.

Lux estava pensando assim em seu coração infantil.

Mas um dia, um ponto de inflexão de repente chegou.

Cerca de uma semana desde que ele encontrou Philuffy, uma grande obra de arte foi enviada para a Corte Imperial.

Era uma escultura de um espírito que era adorado no sagrado aniversário do Império.

Uma escultura da figura de uma menina muito jovem vestindo roupas misteriosas e únicas que não poderiam ser vistas em nenhum outro lugar.

Era uma obra épica decorada com ouro, prata e pedras preciosas e criada com a contratação de um artesão de primeira linha.

Vários anos foram necessários para fazê-la. Para o Império Arcadia, era considerado um tesouro importante. A escultura estava programada para ser armazenada no armazém do castelo até o aniversário sagrado, dez dias depois.

A escultura foi mostrada a Lux e Philuffy uma vez, quando foi entregue, mas depois disso eles nunca mais pararam no armazém do castelo.

Mas na tarde daquele dia, depois que Lux pegou um livro emprestado na biblioteca, quando ele estava entrando no castelo, ele ouviu um barulho perto do armazém.

“Ei, o que vamos fazer? Nesse ritmo, vamos receber algum tipo de punição—”

“Aa, seria ruim se deixarmos assim. Mas também é impossível se fazer de bobo sobre isso. Então – a melhor coisa a fazer é culpar outra pessoa.”

Era a voz de meninos que Lux conhecia.

Eles eram meninos três anos mais velhos que Lux.

Lux sentiu uma atmosfera estranha na voz tensa e se aproximou.

“O que você está fazendo, irmão mais velho?”

“U-Uwah......!? O-O que... É você, não nos assuste.”

Era o sexto Príncipe Imperial, irmão de Lux de uma mãe diferente, Abel, e seu melhor amigo Ragreed, que veio da alta nobreza.

De acordo com a explicação deles, o supervisor esqueceu de trancar o armazém. Então, quando Abel e Ragreed tentaram tocar a decoração da estátua sagrada para o aniversário sagrado, uma parte da estátua ficou lascada.

“Temos que avisar rapidamente a alguém e consertá-la. Ainda deve haver tempo até o aniversário sagrado—”

Lux se virou em pânico. Foi nessa hora que a mão de Abel agarrou o ombro de Lux.

“Espere aí, você é um pirralho como sempre hein. Veja, para algo assim, a ordem das coisas é importante. Nesse ritmo, isso se tornará nossa culpa, certo?”

Lux teve uma má premonição quando esse irmão mais velho que ele disse isso.

“Felizmente, não há ninguém além de nós que viu o que aconteceu.”

“Não me diga, você está planejando ficar quieto? Mas, a este ritmo...”

Quando Lux silenciosamente se opôs, Abel bufou como se o estivesse fazendo de bobo.

“Você é realmente um idiota. Estou dizendo que vamos colocar a culpa em outra pessoa. É um bom momento, neste momento, vários filhos dos convidados estão vindo para a nossa casa, certo?”

“—Aquela filha do comerciante chamada Aingram ou algo assim, ela não é a certa para isso?”

“......!?”

Ouvindo o que Ragreed falou, por um momento a mente de Lux ficou em branco.

Sua expressão contraiu-se reflexivamente e sua voz tornou-se estridente de agitação.

“Tal coisa – como isso pode ser permitido?”

“Aquela menina nem é da realeza, e ela é apenas uma garota de qualquer maneira.”

As palavras de Abel eliminaram o argumento de Lux de uma só vez. Lux estava sem palavras.

“A família dela é mais rica do que a minha, ela é uma monstruosidade, então este é o momento perfeito. E mais aquela garota, ela é muda e distraída, mesmo quando é chamada quase não há reação. Ela deve ser uma idiota. Ela é perfeita para ser enganada.”

“Sim, está certo. É perfeito, ela veio na hora certa. Oi Rag, traga ela aqui usando qualquer tipo de desculpa. Ela deve estar no pátio.”

Ragreed acenou com a cabeça ao comando de Abel e ele começou a correr enquanto ria.

Para colocar a culpa em Philuffy, que não sabia de nada.

“Tal coisa, tal coisa é...”

“O que é, Lux. Você, mesmo sendo o mais novo, vai me enfrentar?”

Abel olhou e gritou ameaçadoramente.

“Mas, tal coisa...”

“Hah, você não entende de jeito nenhum. Ouça. Neste Império, algo como uma mulher é apenas uma ferramenta. Seu papel é dedicar-se totalmente a nós, homens, dar à luz filhos e nos fazer sentir bem. Além do mais, aquela menina não é da realeza, mas apenas a filha de alguém que tem um pouco de dinheiro. Apenas algo assim não será um grande problema.”

“............”

Lux entendeu como as coisas ficaram assim.

O costume do Império que propagava a supremacia masculina absoluta.

Abel, que pertencia à família imperial, também seguia esse bom senso sem questioná-lo.

Não, mesmo entre os outros, Abel desdenhava excessivamente as mulheres e tendia a degradá-las.

Ele estava fazendo todo tipo de assédio e insulto às suas irmãzinhas, que eram da mesma realeza como ele e as criadas. Os arredores temiam o que aconteceria quando ele se tornasse um adulto.

Grande parte do motivo de sua atitude foi provavelmente por causa de sua posição que estava longe do direito de sucessão do trono, além disso, ele não foi abençoado com nenhum talento e lamentou sobre sua situação, por isso expressou seu ressentimento para os arredores.

Especialmente em uma situação como esta, a possibilidade de Abel se retratar de seus comentários anteriores era praticamente inexistente.

“Você entendeu? Você fica quieto, Lux...... Oh, lá vêm eles.”

Abel agarrou o ombro de Lux e se escondeu nas sombras dentro do armazém.

E então, Philuffy foi trazida. Parecia que Ragreed estava insinuando que a estátua sagrada parecia estranha, então ela deveria tentar tocá-la, e assim por diante.

“Não se preocupe, eu disse para você apenas tocar. Vamos, faça isso.”

“............”

Philuffy estava sem expressão, então era difícil entender o que ela estava pensando, mas provavelmente ela estava perplexa agora. Como ela estava com pressa, no final estendeu a mão para a estátua.

Naquele momento, Ragreed empurrou Philuffy por trás e fez com que sua cabeça batesse na estátua.

“......!?”

Lux viu aquela visão e por reflexo prendeu a respiração, naquele momento—

“Ei. Você também combina sua história conosco, entendeu?”

Quando Abel disse isso, ao mesmo tempo, ele deixou cair o fragmento do ornamento da estátua que sua mão estava segurando no chão.

*kachin!* Um alto som metálico ecoou dentro do armazém, imediatamente após isso—

“Ei, você! Como você ousa quebrar essa estátua sagrada!”

“Agora você fez isso. Que tal se desculpar honestamente, hein?”

Abel que saltou de trás da capa e discordou declarou isso.

“......?”

Por outro lado, Philuffy estava silenciosamente esfregando sua testa que atingiu a estátua enquanto inclinava a cabeça em perplexidade ao ver os meninos.

E então, ela estava olhando fixamente para a mão de Abel e Ragreed.

“É inútil, mesmo que você se faça de boba e finja ignorância. Afinal, somos testemunhas.”

Abel sorriu fracamente e disse a Ragreed para chamar o mordomo-chefe do palácio.

O melhor amigo Ragreed assentiu em resposta e começou a correr pelo corredor dentro do castelo.

“Kuh......!”

(......O que fazer!?)

Lux olhou para Philuffy e pensou.

Certamente Abel e Ragreed não parariam mais agora que haviam gerado tanta comoção.

Não importava o que eles planejassem jogar a culpa em Philuffy.

O Lux atual não tinha como impedir isso.

(Mas, não há como algo assim estar certo. Fazer isso com ela que não sabe de nada é—)

Lux mordeu os lábios e cerrou o punho pequeno com força, naquele momento—

“Você está falando a verdade? Que a estátua sagrada está quebrada—”

Um homem no auge que era o mordomo-chefe chegou em pânico.

E então, ele caminhou em direção a Philuffy que estava parada na frente da estátua e a questionou.

“Ouvi dizer que parece que foi você quem fez isso, certo? Nesse caso—”

“Está certo. Essa menina pode mentir, mas vimos isso sem dúvida! Essa garota escorregou e sua cabeça bateu na estátua, quebrando aquela parte—”

“.........Eu sou—”

Philuffy estava prestes a dizer algo com seu rosto inexpressivo de sempre, foi naquele momento—

“—Eu... Fiz isso.”

A voz de Lux ecoou dentro do armazém metálico frio.

“O qu......!?”

Primeiro foi o melhor amigo de seu irmão mais velho que levantou a voz chocado, depois disso o mordomo-chefe franziu as sobrancelhas.

“Isso é verdade?”

“Sim...... O armazém não estava trancado, então eu entrei, e então quando toquei na estátua acidentalmente, a estátua estava...”

“E quanto ao testemunho de que foi a filha da casa dos Aingram quem fez isso?”

“Eu estava com medo de contar a alguém que eu quebrei e fiquei em silêncio, mas então aquela garota veio aqui......”

“Hmm......”

O mordomo-chefe murmurou e olhou para todos ali.

O mordomo-chefe, chamado relativamente como um homem de caráter dentro da Corte Imperial, ficou pensando por um tempo. E então ele acenou com a cabeça.

“É mesmo, entendo...”

Ele mostrou um rosto que era um tanto questionador, mas não havia nenhuma prova.

Em pouco tempo, o mordomo-chefe deixou escapar um pequeno suspiro e voltou o rosto para Lux.

“Por todos os direitos, é adequado que você receba uma repreensão de seu pai, sua Majestade, o Imperador, mas sua Majestade é uma pessoa muito ocupada. Vou deixar o tratamento deste caso para sua mãe e seu tutor particular. Isso é agradável para você, Lux-sama?”

“Sim...... Me perdoe.”

O mordomo-chefe disse que chamaria o artesão para fazer o conserto e foi embora.

Talvez ele tenha percebido a verdade ao olhar para a atitude de todos ali, mas em vez disso, ele respeitou a intenção de Lux e colocou a culpa nele.

“Hah......! Como esperado do degrau inferior sétimo Príncipe Imperial hein, Lux!”

“......Keh. Que estraga prazeres, destruir nosso plano dessa maneira.”

Abel zombou de seu irmão mais novo de bom humor, mas discordou que não conseguiu jogar a culpa na casa dos Aingram estava estalando a língua em aborrecimento.

Ele entendeu que a ação de Lux impediu completamente qualquer má reputação em relação a Philuffy, tornando o mordomo-chefe a testemunha, ao mesmo tempo que percebeu que seu próprio plano foi destruído.

“Bem, não importa... Você também, peça desculpas a essa garota pelo que fez.”

Mesmo assim, talvez ele pensasse que Lux seria odiado por Philuffy por causa de Ragreed, então sorriu ousadamente.

Os dois encheram Lux de insultos antes de deixarem aquele lugar.

Mais tarde, restavam apenas Lux e Philuffy.

“......Desculpe.”

Lux se virou e disse isso enquanto olhava para baixo.

Ele estava assustado.

Parecia que o mordomo-chefe colocou a culpa em Lux com a compreensão do que estava realmente acontecendo, mas Lux não achava que a verdade seria conhecida por ninguém ao redor deles.

Lux estava ansioso para que sua má reputação se espalhasse entre o povo da Corte Imperial, mas mais do que isso, havia também o risco de que até mesmo sua mãe e Airi também encontrassem dificuldades por causa disso.

E então, ele também seria odiado por ninguém menos que a garota na frente dele.

(Mas, esta era a única maneira...)

Se ele fofocasse sobre a má ação dos dois, os dois ficariam ressentidos com ele injustamente e certamente revelariam suas presas não apenas em Lux, mas também para todas as pessoas ao seu redor.

O resultado que viria dessa má vontade seria incomparável com o caso desta vez.

“Eu realmente sinto muito. Mas – uwah!?”

De repente, a silenciosa Philuffy agarrou sua mão e Lux levantou sua voz reflexivamente.

A palma da mão de uma garota que ele tocou pela primeira vez era realmente macia—

“Escorregadia.”

“Eh... O que é isso, é pegajoso—!?”

E então, sua mão ficou escorregadia com algo parecido com óleo.

“Você mentiu por mim... Não foi?”

“Eh......!?”

Lux foi pego de surpresa pela pergunta da garota de rosto sério.

Lux também ficou chocado que a silenciosa Philuffy estava começando uma conversa por ela, mas mais do que isso—

(Como ela—?)

“A superfície dessa estátua é escorregadia. Quando fui empurrado e tocada, percebi. As mãos daqueles dois, também estavam escorregadias.”

“............”

Era o óleo do material de pintura. A estátua sagrada concluída provavelmente foi envernizada com isso.

O brilho e a viscosidade do óleo não desapareciam imediatamente, mesmo depois de lavá-lo com água.

Certamente Philuffy viu a verdade ao confirmar a mão dos dois e a mão de Lux.

“Obrigada. Você me ajudou.”

A garota sem expressão mostrou um leve sorriso.

Lux, que viu isso pela primeira vez, sentiu uma sensação misteriosa enchendo seu peito.

Porém—

“Eu não...”

Quando Lux lembrou que seu colega da família imperial estava tentando machucá-la, sua boca disse essas palavras.

“Desculpe, eu estou realmente – uwah!?”

Ao ver Lux desanimado, Philuffy bateu na cabeça com uma das mãos.

Em vez de chamar de golpe, a força que ela estava usando era mais como uma carícia. Suas bochechas estavam inchando um pouco.

“Mau, você sabe.”

“Eh......?”

“Pedir desculpas, mesmo que você não seja o culpado, não é bom.”

A garota disse tal coisa sem paixão, com uma expressão séria ainda fixa em seu rosto.

“Fazer isso é tão ruim quanto não se desculpar quando você é o culpado.”

“......Não, mas—”

“Estou com raiva, sabe?”

Quando Lux tentou se desculpar novamente, Philuffy retrucou com um tom que não permitia nenhuma objeção.

Sua expressão não mudou, ela não parecia estar com raiva, mesmo assim sua vontade firme podia ser sentida.

Quando Lux ficou preocupado em como responder, Philuffy de repente tirou uma pequena bolsa branca do bolso da camisa.

Ela tirou um biscoito do tamanho de seu dedo mindinho e o empurrou na direção da boca de Lux.

“Para você.”

“Eh......!? Espera.”

“Está bem. Minha outra mão não está suja.”

Philuffy levantou a outra mão para mostrar o perturbado Lux e ela murmurou isso.

Lux ficou completamente perplexo diante da ocorrência repentina.

Porque ele nunca havia recebido comida das mãos de outra pessoa, exceto de sua mãe, nem mesmo uma vez.

“Prove logo.”

No entanto, as palavras e os olhos de Philuffy que disse isso a ele foram muito diretos. Lux não podia recusar e colocar o biscoito na boca.

O confeitado que continha fragmentos de noz era levemente adocicada e perfumada.

“Está delicioso, Lu-chan?”

“S-Sim. É delicioso, obrigado...”

Ele se sentiu um pouco envergonhado. Suas bochechas ficaram vermelhas e ele desviou o olhar.

“Estou feliz.”

Philuffy mostrou um pequeno sorriso mais uma vez para Lux.

“Err, a propósito, o que você quer dizer com ‘Lu-chan’?”

“É você. Porque você é Lux-kun.”

“É-É mesmo!? Mas parece um pouco vergonhoso... Ser chamado assim—”

“Phi.”

“Eh......?”

Lux reflexivamente perguntou de volta para o murmúrio repentino da garota.

“Me chame assim. Porque, Okaa-san e Onee-chan, me chamam assim.”

“Eh...... Sim, entendi, Phil...... Err.”

“Phi, sabe?”

Quando Lux ficou sem graça e hesitou, Philuffy aproximou o rosto dela e exigiu.

Esta menina estava em silêncio e sua emoção não veio à tona, mas ela tinha um aspecto em que era muito mais perspicaz e profundamente prudente do que parecia.

E então, Lux também percebeu que ela era mais enérgica e obstinada do que ele pensava.

“Então, cuide de mim. Phi......chan.”

Naquele dia, Lux fez uma amiga da mesma idade pela primeira vez.

Parte 2

O segundo dia do acampamento de treinamento na Ilha Ries começou.

“Lux. Tenho um pedido que desejo sinceramente fazer a você. Está tudo bem?”

O treinamento consistia em treinar a resistência básica e o combate corpo a corpo que incluía luta de espadas.

Depois de terminados, era finalmente a hora do treinamento Drag-Ride. Naquela hora, Celis puxou Lux para ficar na frente de todo mundo.

“Err, o que é?”

Lux estava nervoso por ter que ficar na frente de todo mundo que estavam alinhados usando seus Dress Gear, então—

“Na noite passada, eu estava conversando com a diretora Relie, e estamos pensando em mudar um pouco a forma de praticar Drag-Rides.”

“Mudar a forma?”

“Sim. No início, eu estava planejando que todos fizessem uma autoavaliação, depois vou fazer com que treinem com o objetivo de melhorar seus pontos fortes e superar seus pontos fracos.”

“Eu acho que está tudo bem, mas – o que você vai mudar?”

Quando Lux inclinou a cabeça em perplexidade com as palavras de Celis—

“Sobre esses pontos fortes e fracos, Lux, estamos pensando em fazer com que você avalie.”

“Eeh......!?”

Os olhos de Lux se arregalaram quando ele soube disso.

“Isso é, o que você—?”

“É simples.”

Relie, que estava assistindo de fora, de repente interrompeu e se aproximou de Lux.

“Os membros selecionados aqui sabem sobre sua verdadeira habilidade. Então, ter a pessoa mais forte, você, ensinando-as diretamente, será a maneira mais rápida de subir de nível, não acha?”

Um especialista no uso de Drag-Rides dando orientação a outras pessoas.

Neste acampamento de treinamento onde todos sabiam sobre a verdadeira força de Lux, certamente, esse poderia ser um método racional.

“Mas, se for esse o caso, então Celis-senpai também pode fazer...?”

“Não, isso é algo que só você pode fazer.”

Relie deu um tapinha no ombro de Lux.

“Em vez de Celis-san que está sempre derrotando seus oponentes com uma força avassaladora, você que está lutando para ver atentamente o movimento do oponente e tem um bom comando de defesa, sabe sobre os pontos fracos das outras alunas, certo? Ao mesmo tempo, você também entende com precisão seus pontos fortes, por isso queremos que dê conselhos com base em todos esses fatores e apresente a elas uma tarefa como seu objetivo. Todas também não têm objeções, correto?”

“Sim!”, os membros selecionados responderam imediatamente.

“...E-Eu entendo.”

A proposta de Relie certamente fazia sentido.

Quando Lux assentiu, os lábios de Relie sorriram.

“Além disso, embora finalmente tenhamos o único garoto aqui na academia, não será interessante se não fizermos você se prender a várias coisas.”

Por algum motivo, ela murmurou algo suspeito.

“Além disso, se houver alunas que completarem com segurança a tarefa que receberam, quero que Lux-kun lhes dê uma recompensa. Especificamente falando, depois que este acampamento de treinamento terminar e voltarmos para casa, você pode aceitar um pedido pessoal delas—”

“Eh......!?”

Lux e as alunas levantaram suas vozes simultaneamente em reação às seguintes palavras de Relie.

“A propósito, que tal escolhermos três nomes entre as alunas que terminaram seus objetivos rapidamente? Ao fazer isso, haverá um sentimento de competição entre todas vocês e a atmosfera será aquecida.”

Honestamente falando, Lux não se importava de dar orientação aos outros, mas questionou esse tipo de método.

(Ou melhor, minha vontade foi completamente ignorada desde o início, não foi...?)

Também parecia que sempre era assim quando se tratava de Relie.

“Eh? Isso está realmente bem!? Diretora!?”

“Isso parece divertido, estou motivada!”

“Eu me pergunto se algum tipo de pedido está certo, como este ou aquele ou—”

E assim por diante. As garotas do Syvalles de quem ele normalmente não era muito próximo tinham seus olhos brilhando intensamente e suas bocas diziam essas coisas.

O ar ficou realmente animado. Era impensável que eles estivessem realmente no meio do treinamento.

(Bem, isso é inevitável... não é?)

Lux soltou um suspiro dentro de seu coração com um humor que estava um pouco resignado, foi então—

“Então, por favor, faça uma batalha simulada com elas uma por uma imediatamente.”

“Eeh—? Será que você está me dizendo para dar uma olhada em todas eu mesmo!?”

“Por favor, ok? Porque tenho vários trabalhos para a academia depois disso.”

Relie repeliu a objeção de Lux e ela saiu.

“Certo! Eu sou a primeira antes de todo mundo! Lux, prepare-se rapidamente!”

Lisha puxou o Sword Device de <Tiamat> como se fosse competir com as outras alunas.

“Espera, você está planejando usar um Drag-Ride Divino de repente!?”

“O que há com isso? Você não gostou? Eu acho que não faz sentido treinar se não dermos tudo, no entanto.”

“N-Não, isso é verdade, mas...”

Lux estava respondendo enquanto se movia para o centro do campo de treino junto com Lisha.

“Então, serão três minutos por pessoa...”

Lux não conseguia mais sair disso, então ele se decidiu.

“Eu serei a próxima.”

“Não, eu irei—”

(Eu me pergunto se meu corpo pode aguentar...)

Vendo as garotas fazendo fila e levantando as mãos se esforçando para ser as primeiras, o peito de Lux pulou com inquietação.

Nem foi mencionado, mas as meninas eram fortes.

No entanto, ele simulou em sua mente que mal conseguiria de qualquer forma, foi então—

“P-Pedido pessoal...... Então eu também, com certeza – eu tenho que fazer um esforço sério aqui.”

Uma garota alta com longos cabelos loiros sussurrou em voz baixa.

“Não, por favor, espere um segundo!? Não me diga que Celis-senpai também está participando!?”

“......Eh? Não é legal eu participar!?”

Celis estava cheia de motivação, mas quando Lux disse isso a ela, seu rosto parecia chocado.

“Não foi isso que eu quis dizer, mas... Baseado no que eu vi quando lutei contra a senpai antes, não há realmente nada que precise ser especialmente melhorado...?”

“É-É assim...... Então é isso. Eu, que sou a líder do Syvalles, preciso ter uma força que não precisa ser ensinada por outra pessoa, não é?”

Celis imediatamente deu um sorriso orgulhoso e uma expressão digna.

“Então, farei um treinamento independente. Ou então, quando você terminar de criar tarefas para todas mais tarde, assumirei a função de ajudá-las. Isso é certamente o que devo fazer.”

Celis estufou seu grande peito que possuía presença de peso antes de se separar da fila com passos rápidos.

E então, ela se dirigiu para o espaço de prática onde não havia ninguém—

“Haa...... É um treinamento independente novamente. É doloroso. Quando tento ensinar meus calouros, por algum motivo, eles dizem ‘Isso está além da minha habilidade’ e se recusam. Quando fomos para a expedição à capital também, várias coisas aconteceram e eu venci os homens do exército, então o instrutor de lá me evitou do início ao fim. Todo mundo parece que está se divertindo, é invejável...... Que bom......”

Celis foi envolvida por um ar deprimente enquanto resmungava baixinho sem pausa.

(Q-Que ar realmente insuportável...!)

Os outros membros assistiram com rostos complicados. Lux ficou inquieto antes de correr apressadamente em direção a Celis.

“Diga, Celis-senpai. Se você está bem comigo, posso pedir-lhe para ter uma luta leve comigo?”

Quando Lux a chamava timidamente assim—

“Está tudo bem!?”

“Sim. Se você está bem com o conselho de alguém como eu.”

“............”

Por um momento, aqueles lindos olhos de jade brilharam intensamente, no entanto, uma leve cor de hesitação veio à tona.

“N-Não. Perdão. Por favor, esqueça...... Como pensei, sua força deve ser distribuída entre os membros que ainda estão no meio de seu crescimento. Julguei que é por causa do Syvalles e do Novo Reino.”

Talvez pensando em sua posição, Celis disse isso e se conteve, mas—

“Está bem. Celis-senpai é muito forte mesmo agora, mas ainda há espaço para você crescer.”

“Isso é verdade?”

“Sim. É por isso que, se não for um incômodo para você, posso pedir-lhe para ter uma pequena luta comigo?”

“......E-Eu entendo. Então, vou fazer o que você diz.”

Celis cedeu as bochechas levemente coradas, mas havia um pequeno sorriso pairando em seus lábios.

“Estou feliz por poder receber seu treinamento. Lux é realmente um garoto em quem se pode confiar.”

Ao ouvir aquelas palavras que foram sussurradas suavemente, Lux ficou feliz por ele ter ousado chamá-la, mas—

“Então, vou usar <Lindworm> e vou com força total depois de tanto tempo! Tudo bem, não é, Lux?”

“Err, estou planejando usar meu <Wyvern> usual, então, por favor, não seja tão dura comigo...”

Ele estava extremamente preocupado se seria capaz de aguentar por três minutos.

E então, uma hora depois.

“Haa, haa......”

Lux travou batalhas simuladas com todas, dava orientações e conselhos simples lhes apresentou um treinamento.

Depois disso, ele se foi para a sombra de uma árvore onde poderia evitar a luz do sol e caiu de bruços para descansar.

“C-Como eu pensei, isso foi difícil...!”

No campo de treino à distância, todas já realizavam cada um dos seus treinos, inclusive cooperando umas com as outras.

Parecia que todas estavam motivadas.

(Não, mas, eu não acho que elas estão motivadas apenas para me fazer um pedido. Não há como.)

O Torneio Internacional desta vez seria realizado na Capital Real do Novo Reino Atismata, Lordgalia. Os senhores feudais do Novo Reino também estavam reunidos em grande número lá.

Se a força de alguém for reconhecida por eles, pode ser possível conseguir um emprego como cavaleiro.

De certa forma, era um palco que também poderia ser chamado de feira de Drag-Knights.

Não era apenas para adquirir os direitos de investigação das Ruínas, mas também incluía tal significado.

(Será ótimo se pudermos vencer com segurança e sem incidentes, mas...)

De acordo com as informações que ouviu de Airi, a República de Heiburg também participará.

Em relação ao incidente em que a Academia foi atacada outro dia, o governo do Novo Reino questionou a República, mas como o grupo que atacou era um grupo que não foi reconhecido publicamente, não houve uma resposta satisfatória da República.

A República de Heiburg já teve seu território ameaçado pelo Antigo Império Arcadia, eles também haviam recebido danos do Ragnarok no passado. Por causa disso, eles expandiram sua força militar em oposição.

Mas, o aumento da organização e do poderio militar também trouxe distorções em seu campo político ao mesmo tempo.

Conflitos com os países vizinhos e a aquisição dos direitos de investigação das Ruínas onde dormiam tesouros e tecnologia.

Sua expansão militar avançou ainda mais como contramedidas contra o Abyss que aparecia das Ruínas, reescrevendo completamente o mapa do poder político.

O sistema republicano estava se transformando em uma mera casca, e corria o boato de que o titular da autoridade máxima era, na verdade, o comandante do exército.

Não havia dúvida de que eles eram um oponente problemático.

Lá, até mesmo aquela estrategista misteriosa chamada Hayes também participava.

“Fuu......”

Lux, que finalmente parou de suar, abriu os olhos com um suspiro.

Quando se levantou para voltar ao campo de treino, viu uma silhueta humana vindo em sua direção com passos cambaleantes.

“Eh? Phi...chan?”

A amiga de infância com quem Lux estava familiarizado segurava sua testa com uma das mãos enquanto seguia em sua direção com passos vacilantes.

“Eu estou um pouco cansada......”

E então sua postura desmoronou antes que ela pudesse alcançar a sombra da árvore em que Lux estava.

“Cuidado!”

Lux rapidamente pegou seu corpo que quase caiu, e então—

(O que é isso...? A temperatura dela está muito quente...)

Não era apenas fadiga.

Pode ser que ela estivesse desidratada por causa do calor, de qualquer forma não era normal.

“Phi-chan, você está bem!? Controle-se!”

“Nn......”

Lux a estava questionando, mas Philuffy estava apenas levantando a voz fracamente e ela nem mesmo estremeceu.

Tillfur também estava vindo para fazer uma pausa. Lux disse a ela que levaria Philuffy de volta ao alojamento antes de começar a andar enquanto segurava o corpo de Philuffy.

Parte 3

“Airi! Onde está o médico da aldeia—?”

“......!? Eu conheço o lugar, então vou chamar ele. Nii-san, deite Philuffy-san na cama e deixe-a confortável.”

Depois de voltar para a pensão, por enquanto Lux conduziu Philuffy até o quarto.

Ele deitou sua amiga de infância que estava respirando com dificuldade com os olhos fechados lá, depois disso—

“Phi-chan, você está bem? Aguente firme.”

“É difícil respirar...... Meu peito—”

Philuffy murmurou delirantemente quando Lux a chamou.

“Entendi! Vou afrouxar um pouco o Dress Gear, então não se preocupe—”

Mas, quando Lux ia realmente fazer isso, ele estava preocupado.

“Eh...... Este traje, como funciona mesmo?”

Era óbvio, mas Lux só sabia sobre o Dress Gear masculino.

Não seria tarde demais, mesmo se ele esperasse que alguém viesse para afrouxar o Dress Gear de Philuffy, mas──

“Nn, uu......”

Vendo Philuffy gemendo dolorosamente, o sentimento de Lux ficou impaciente.

“Certo......”

Lux se decidiu e mexeu no zíper para afrouxar em volta da área do peito. Bem naquele momento—

“Eh......!?”

O zíper foi desamarrado repentinamente e o tecido de material especial se abriu suavemente para a esquerda e para a direita.

E então, seus seios brancos que estavam fortemente reprimidos até agora se soltaram diante dos olhos de Lux.

“......!?”

Grande.

Ele já havia entendido isso apenas olhando por cima do uniforme ou Dress Gear dela, mas agora que ele estava olhando diretamente assim, aquela sensação de sensualidade ficou ainda mais gravada em sua realização.

Mesmo quando Philuffy continuava deitada de bruços, o formato dos seios quase não perdia a forma, eles balançavam silenciosamente junto com sua respiração.

“......?”

Lux se esqueceu de respirar, ele ainda estava enraizado no lugar. E de repente Philuffy abriu os olhos.

“...O que você está fazendo, Lu-chan?”

Sendo questionado assim com o rosto ainda corado, Lux ficou sem palavras.

“I-I-Isso é, entende—!? N-Não é como se eu tivesse feito isso com um sentimento perverso...”

“............”

Quando Lux tentou se justificar em pânico, ele sentiu uma forte intenção de matar atrás de si que o fez se virar.

“O que você está fazendo, Nii-san?”

Airi, cujos olhos estavam escuros apesar do sorriso em seu rosto, estava lá.

“E-Err, isso—, não entendo como tirar o Dress Gear!”

“Não importa, por favor, saia rapidamente deste quarto!”

“S-Sinto muito—!”

Advertido pesadamente por Airi, Lux correu para fora do quarto e fugiu.

Certamente a própria Philuffy não ficaria zangada com a circunstância, mas Lux tinha a sensação de que a Airi não o ouviria.

Parte 4

Dez minutos depois.

Depois que Lux se trocou para o uniforme e esperava do lado de fora, a voz de Relie o chamou do nada.

Felizmente, depois disso, a condição de Philuffy se recuperou imediatamente e parecia que ela estava descansando agora.

De acordo com o médico da ilha, Philuffy pode ser afetada por anemia leve e insolação.

“Obrigada por cuidar dela. Mas eu me pergunto, será melhor te ensinar como tirar o Dress Gear de uma garota para o futuro?”

Depois que o exame de saúde terminou, Relie, que voltou para a pensão, disse isso a ele brincando.

Philuffy, que tinha se trocado para uma roupa de dormir fina, estava deitada na cama em silêncio.

“Eu imploro, por favor, me deixe sair logo......”

Quando Lux disse isso com a cabeça baixa, cabisbaixo, Relie deu um sorriso cheio de implicações.

“Nossa? Você será aproveitado por se desculpar demais, sabe? Então, talvez eu deva ter Lux-kun formalmente assumindo a responsabilidade.”

“Com licença, Relie-san, você me chamou para me intimidar...?”

Quando Lux ergueu o rosto com uma expressão amarga, Relie riu um pouco.

“Isso também parece divertido, mas o que eu quero dizer é sobre um pouco de trabalho. Em relação ao assunto de Philuffy—”

“Eh......?”

Lux ficou intrigado ao ouvir aquelas palavras inesperadas, e então—

“Sobre o que aconteceu com ela agora, recentemente a mudança na condição física de Philuffy é drástica. É por isso que – durante este acampamento de treinamento, posso fazer com que você assuma o papel de assistente da minha irmã mais nova?”

“Assistente... É?”

“Assim como Lux-kun também sabe, Philuffy realmente não deixa suas emoções saírem, certo? Mas, se for você, minha irmã não vai se forçar, ou talvez você a entenda, mesmo que seja apenas por delicadeza – o que você acha? Posso confiar em você?”

Certamente, foi exatamente como Relie disse.

Por um momento, Lux se perguntou se uma garota seria mais adequada em vários significados para cuidar de Philuffy, mas se fosse algo como o que Relie disse, então Lux seria a pessoa adequada para isso.

No entanto, avaliar a emoção de Philuffy não foi algo fácil, mesmo para Lux......

“...Eu entendo. Se você está bem comigo, então eu aceito.”

Ele imediatamente se decidiu e aceitou o pedido.

Se houvesse algo que ele pudesse fazer pelo bem de Philuffy, ele não teria motivo para recusar.

“Obrigado, Lux-kun.”

Vendo Relie aliviada, Lux sentiu-se profundamente feliz por ele ter recebido seu pedido.

“A propósito, a roupa íntima para a muda de roupa dela está dentro deste armário.”

“Espera, por que você está me dizendo tal coisa—!?”

Lux retrucou reflexivamente quando viu o lugar para o qual Relie apontou.

“Acho que você vai precisar enquanto cuida de Philuffy.”

“Olha aqui.....”

Quando Lux estava exasperado com Relie, que estava mostrando um largo sorriso, Philuffy ergueu o rosto e disse.

“Quando durmo, fico bem, mesmo sem usar roupas, sabe?”

“Obrigado. Então não haverá nenhum problema... Isso não!! Isso é muito ruim, sabe!? Como ficou assim!?”

Lux imaginou por um momento Philuffy deitada na cama nua antes de ele balançar a cabeça nervosamente.

No final, ficou decidido que chamaria as outras alunas quando Philuffy precisasse trocar de roupa e ele se despediu de Relie.

“Fuu...... Em qualquer caso, vou cuidar de você, Phi-chan. Diga-me imediatamente se o seu estado piorar.”

“Sim. Obrigado, Lu-chan.”

Os dois trocaram casualmente essas palavras dentro da sala onde foram deixados sozinhos.

“Então, há algo que você quer que eu faça agora?”

Quando ele disse isso por enquanto para preencher o silêncio—

“Não quero.”

Philuffy levantou-se lentamente da cama e começou a tirar a roupa de dormir que era uma blusa preta chique.

“Espe-!? O que você está fazendo de repente!?”

“Trocando de roupa...... Algo errado?”

Lux ficou confuso quando Philuffy respondeu tão sério.

“Não é isso que eu quero dizer, isso – e-eu vou chamar alguém aqui então......!?”

“......? Meu corpo já está bem sabe?”

“Ah, e-entendo......! Então, eu vou indo—!”

Não havia como ele olhar para ela se trocando ali. Lux saiu da sala.

Como esperado, cuidar de Philuffy, que faz tudo em seu próprio ritmo, é difícil. Lux percebeu isso mais uma vez.

Parte 5

Na noite do segundo dia do acampamento de treinamento, quando o treino da tarde acabou, o clima estava calmo em comparação com a turbulência do primeiro dia.

Nas horas vagas após o jantar, também havia quem já se dirigisse aos seus quartos por causa do cansaço, mas Lux cuidava das tarefas da pensão por iniciativa própria.

“Trabalhando mesmo sem ninguém lhe pedir, Nii-san já está gravemente doente...”

Lux estava lavando a louça e tirou a água que seria usada no dia seguinte, enquanto Airi exasperada o retrucava.

Depois disso, ele foi verificar o estado de Philuffy, que estava dormindo em seu quarto para descansar.

Para que ele não fosse pego na armadilha de Relie, ele bateu com cuidado antes de entrar no quarto.

“Seu corpo está bem, Phi-chan?”

“Sim. Estou bem.”

Philuffy acenou com a cabeça e respondeu brevemente antes de voltar seus olhos para o livro em suas mãos.

Quando Lux entregou a ela um chá misturado com mel que ele fez na cozinha, Philuffy disse “Obrigada” e acenou com a cabeça com um pequeno sorriso.

“Pensando bem, o que você está lendo aí?”

Lux, que ficou aliviado com as boas condições de Philuffy, voltou o olhar para a mão dela.

“Livro de economia. Como leis comerciais e várias coisas.”

“Eh......?”

Lux espontaneamente deixou escapar uma voz surpresa ao ouvir aquela resposta ligeiramente inesperada.

Ouvindo o que Philuffy disse, pensando no passado, certamente a família Aingram era um conglomerado que existia desde a era do Antigo Império. Eles estavam controlando várias casas mercantis.

A forma de aproveitar o capital abundante, a aquisição de mercadorias, a compra e a venda.

E então, o entendimento da lei que dizia respeito ao comércio.

Philuffy também era a segunda filha da família Aingram, um dia ela deveria ser colocada em uma posição importante lá.

Nesse caso, havia muitas coisas que ela teve que aprender enquanto era estudante.

Pensando com cuidado, isso era algo que deveria ser óbvio para alguém com sua posição, mas—

(O que é isso? Eu estava pensando ocasionalmente que não havia nenhuma maneira de Philuffy ser assim com base em sua imagem...)

Essa foi a impressão que ele teve arbitrariamente sobre sua amiga de infância Philuffy, mas as pessoas mudam.

Lux estava se sentindo um pouco complicado enquanto tentava mudar seu sentimento, foi então—

“......Eu acho? Que livro é este?”

“Você não sabe!? Por que você está me perguntando!?”

Philuffy inclinou a cabeça perplexa no meio do caminho. Lux agiu como um homem honesto com todo o seu coração em resposta.

“Lu-chan. Não adianta você fazer barulho à noite, sabe?”

“Ah...... D-Desculpa. Eu falei alto– n-não é isso. Esse livro, você leu ontem?”

“Sim. Quando estou lendo este livro, consigo dormir bem.”

“Você o usa de maneira errada, sabia!?”

Ele devia dizer que ficou desapontado, ou talvez chocado, de qualquer maneira, como esperado, Philuffy era Philuffy.

“Mas, muito em breve, terei de decidir sobre esse tipo de coisa também.”

Philuffy estava murmurando baixinho com sua voz suave de sempre.

“Quer dizer, sobre nossa carreira após a formatura?”

“Sim. Pelo menos, eu também tenho que pensar sobre isso.”

“Entendo......”

Ao ver Philuffy dizer isso enquanto bebia o chá em um só gole, Lux pensou um pouco.

Ao longo de cinco anos de vida fazendo trabalhos estranhos e viajando em busca de Fugil, que destruiu o Antigo Império, ele foi admitido nesta academia.

Depois disso, ele se tornou amigo de várias meninas e superou grandes incidentes até agora.

Por ter lutado em batalhas nas quais não seria estranho, mesmo se morresse, até agora, deixando de lado sua própria missão e objetivo, Lux nunca tinha pensado em algo como o futuro.

“Embora Onee-chan me dissesse ‘Quero que você se torne minha guarda-costas e secretária’.”

“É-É assim...”

Não importava o que acontecesse, ele não conseguia imaginar Philuffy ajudando Relie em questões de negócios, então ele sentiu que Philuffy seria perfeitamente adequada apenas para se tornar uma guarda-costas.

Inesperadamente, Philuffy também era forte na luta corpo-a-corpo desarmada, e ela era até capaz de usar um Drag-Ride Divino, por isso ela deve ser qualificada se ela tirou a licença como oficial militar.

“Lu-chan, você tem algo que quer fazer?”

“Err, e-eu...”

Ele não conseguiu responder de imediato.

Algo que ele queria fazer.

No passado, o que eu queria fazer era—

「Com certeza vou criá-lo! Um país onde até meninas como Phi-chan podem se sentir seguras, eu vou criá-lo! Eu juro que vou mudar totalmente este Império! É por isso que—」

Quando ele era criança, quando se separou de sua importante amiga de infância, eles trocaram uma promessa.

No final, ele não conseguiu cumprir com suas próprias mãos e escolheu o caminho de derrubar o país.

Mesmo aquela escolha o encontrou ceifado no meio do caminho e a determinação de Lux ficou suspensa no limbo.

“Eu realmente não tenho nada parecido com isso agora. Se eu puder me tornar a força de todas na academia, então estou satisfeito apenas com isso.”

“Entendo.”

Philuffy fechou o livro com um estalo antes de falar seriamente.

Por um momento Lux ficou surpreso, imaginando se ela abordaria sobre o tema da promessa que ele lhe disse no passado.

“Nesse caso, estou aliviada eu acho?”

“Eh......?”

Philuffy, cuja expressão era distraída como sempre, sorriu suavemente para ele.

O que ela quis dizer com isso?

Lux não entendeu nada. E quando ele estava esperando a continuação de suas palavras—

*GOGOGOGOGOGOooOONn......!*

“......!?”

Junto com um estrondo terrível no solo, a terra junto com a pensão tremeu e ele prendeu a respiração por reflexo.

Houve um som mecânico de algo se movendo como um Drag-Ride, além do som de enormes respingos de água.

(Mesmo que terremotos raramente ocorram no Novo Reino, não me diga—!)

“Phi-chan, fique aí e não se mexa! Eu vou ver a situação!”

Lux reflexivamente colocou a mão no Sword Device em seu quadril e gritou.

Ele saiu correndo do quarto para a sala de estar. Relie já estava lá junto com várias alunas.

“Nossa, foi mais rápido do que o esperado. Achei que demoraria um pouco mais de tempo—”

Enquanto todos estavam surpresos e em guarda, apenas Relie estava sorrindo com uma leve embriaguez.

“Diretora. Que diabos é isso—?”

Celis foi a primeira a perguntar. Relie se levantou e começou a caminhar em direção à porta.

“Pessoal, venham comigo. Vou lhes mostrar o verdadeiro objetivo deste acampamento de treinamento agora.”

Quando eles saíram, a lua estava flutuando no céu.

O mar que era de um azul vibrante à tarde agora parecia completamente diferente. O mar estava escuro como breu.

Nas sombras das ondas furiosas que pareciam a mão do diabo acenando, a figura de um navio que era ainda mais gigantesco do que a ilha podia ser visto.

Todos escalaram o único farol da ilha e testemunharam.

Um navio de formato estranho que era maior do que qualquer navio militar que Lux já tinha visto antes.

“Isso é, poderia ser...”

No momento em que Lisha sussurrou isso, Relie assentiu.

“Sim, uma das Ruínas no território do Novo Reino. O que chamamos de terceira Ruína, a ‘Ark’.”

“............”

Mesmo entre os membros do Syvalles, poucos tiveram a experiência de ver a “Ark”.

Mesmo Lux, que teve a experiência de guardar os arredores de uma Ruína, só tinha visto esta “Ark” uma vez de longe, em um lugar diferente desta ilha.

Era uma Ruína especial que geralmente balançava para cima e para baixo no oceano do Novo Reino. E mudava de local em um período fixo.

Devido à sua característica especial de aparecer principalmente acima do mar, ele ouviu que a investigação desta Ruína não estava progredindo.

“Diretora. Você disse o verdadeiro objetivo, não me diga— você quer dizer isso?”

“Ajuda você adivinhar rapidamente.”

Relie sorriu para a pergunta de Celis.

“A investigação da terceira Ruína do Novo Reino, a ‘Ark’, é nossa missão desta vez. O guardião do portão das profundezas – o Ragnarok, Poseidon, que foi dito ter sido libertado daqui pelo Antigo Império. Agora que ele morreu na batalha no campo de treino antes disso, existe a possibilidade de que a porta para o nível mais profundo esteja aberta. É o lugar onde todos nesta geração ainda não chegaram, entendem.”

“............”

Os alunos subconscientemente prenderam a respiração ao ouvir a explicação indiferente de Relie.

O som das ondas furiosas que resultou do aparecimento da “Ark” foi enterrado por aquele silêncio.

“O objetivo de nossa vinda a esta ilha, além de ser um acampamento de treinamento, é cumprir uma missão secreta do Novo Reino. A ‘Ark’ ficará ancorada nas proximidades da Ilha Ries por aproximadamente uma semana. Começaremos a nos infiltrar para investigar a partir de amanhã à tarde. Vocês entendem, pessoal?”

Depois que os alunos assentiram, todos voltaram para a pensão enquanto ainda estavam perplexos.

Como já era tarde da noite, eles foram dormir imediatamente.

Como havia três quartos para duas pessoas e dois quartos para quatro pessoas, era o ideal para o número de membros desta vez.

Por uma conclusão natural ou decisão de bom senso, os irmãos Lux e Airi dividiram um quarto, então tudo foi resolvido.

Até Lux de alguma forma entendeu que todos estavam sendo reservados.

(O andar mais profundo de uma Ruína que ninguém alcançou antes... É?)

As estruturas dos tempos antigos que ainda eram inexplicáveis – as Ruínas.

O peso de testemunhar um legado ainda desconhecido antes de qualquer outra pessoa no mundo deixou todos tímidos.

Era uma investigação secreta, por isso ninguém foi informado até que chegaram a esta ilha.

Se o país concentrasse as tropas abertamente, isso atrairia a atenção de todos os outros países, por isso este acampamento de treinamento foi usado como pretexto para reunir as elites para investigação.

Não era como se Lux não entendesse esse tipo de situação.

(Mas o que é isso? Essa sensação estranha de fora do lugar...)

“Nii-san também está preocupado?”

Airi perguntou dentro da sala que já estava com a iluminação apagada.

“Preocupado... Não é tanto assim.”

“Então, eu não vou dizer nada ainda sobre isso. Eu também ainda não consigo formar minhas palavras.”

Depois de terminar ali, havia apenas o som de uma respiração calma enchendo o quarto.

“............”

O corpo de Lux estava muito cansado da longa jornada e dois dias de treinamento, mas ele não conseguia dormir.

(Como está esse lugar agora, eu me pergunto...?)

O dia do golpe de estado, cinco anos atrás.

Sua amiga de infância, Philuffy, foi levada embora para fazer experiências com medicamentos. Ouvindo isso, Lux localizou este lugar e veio salvá-la.

E então, ele procurou por ela no porão de um certo mosteiro – por alguma razão ele não conseguia se lembrar da memória depois disso, não importa o quê.

(No entanto – Philuffy deveria estar segura dessa vez.)

Um pouco depois disso, uma carta que o notificou sobre a segurança de Philuffy chegou até ele, além de—

No momento, a garota estava ao lado de Lux em boa forma, afinal.

O som calmo das ondas foi preenchendo gradualmente seus pensamentos.

E então Lux finalmente adormeceu.

Part 6

On the morning of the next day, it was the time for independent training immediately following the basic training.

Together with Lisha, Lux went towards the atelier of Drag-Rides on Ries Island.

A spacious arrangement of rooms made from stone, the smell of oil and metal that stabbed the nose.

At the large pedestal in the center, a great number of assembled Drag-Rides and weapons were scattered.

The fundamental construction was similar to the atelier inside the academy, but the atelier here was larger in scale.

Naturally, the inside of the atelier was filled with important highly classified information, so it seemed that no one could enter if it wasn’t someone with authority at the level of Lisha.

First Lux was instructed to summon the <Wyvern> he was using, so he pulled out his Sword Device and called out his Drag-Ride──

「Then, activate the System mode of the <Wyvern> for me.」

「System, is it? Err──」

Lux did as he was told even while tilting his head in puzzlement.

He lightly closed his eyes and carried out the mind control operation towards the Drag-Ride before his eyes.

When Lux sent the image thought of the Drag-Ride and his nerve connected with each other, bluish white light was formed from the head part of the folded <Wyvern>. The light then emerged as a window frame, graphics, and countless character strings.

「Err, next be aware of the graphic at the upper left and look at it. You can proceed using that.」

Lux couldn’t read ancient letters, so he operated following Lisha’s instruction.

By using the controllerjoystick that was the Sword Device, the Drag-Ride could be made to enter a state that was called the system mode. There, things like the tuning of the Drag-Ride, the authentication registration, and so on could be performed.

Things like the tuning of Drag-Ride parts, adjusting the output of the equipped weapons and so on were also indispensable functions, but in general a lot of Drag-Knights only knew about the system of authentication registration that was done at the very beginning.

Similarly, Lux was also one of those many who only knew of that very basic function, but──

「Yosh, remember the control procedure you have just done so that you can do it yourself. <Bahamut> should also have basically the same procedure like this.」

Countless graphics and bluish white letters were floating above the head of the Drag-Ride.

When all those advanced until a state where everything was released, Lisha told Lux to take a breather.

「So with this the new function can be used?」

「Yeah, with this the Drag-Ride’s function and weapon’s strength will increase exceptionally. For example, the great sword your <Bahamut> has, if it’s that <Chaos BrandStigma Sword>, not to mention its destructive power, just by defending, it can accomplish the same role like the Scale BladeBarrier Fang Sword I created exclusively for the <Wyvern>.」

「Is that, true?」

「However, if you mistaken the way to use it, then you will die though.」

「Eh……!?」

Lux’s face spontaneously grimaced. Lisha let out a small sigh to that.

「Remember that this is just my personal experience. This is a method to connect with the system to release the full ability of the Drag-Ride that is usually restricted. All Drag-Rides, in order to avoid excessive burden to the user’s body, stamina, and mental fatigue──the Drag-Ride’s performance is usually not fully accessible. A Drag-Ride in a state where this limiter is fully released is called the <Awakened State>, the mention of this was written in the ancient text from a Ruin. But, no matter which country, including the New Kingdom, none have reached the stage where they can make a practical use of it.」

The theory was understandable.

Even in horse-riding, there were examples of cases where someone died from fatigue due to the distance and time traveled.

Surely it would be impossible to use the Drag-Ride stably when the system to reduce burden towards the Drag-Knight was removed.

「You can close the system mode now. The input of the code to release all the ability limiter from there can be performed using mind control operation through the Sword Device but, don’t you dare test it yet okay?」

Just as Lisha said, when he cut off the mind control operation that he was doing through the Sword Device, the floating countless letters and graphics vanished, and the Drag-Ride was also turned inactive.

「The limiter release for a Divine Drag-Ride is a bit more particular, it’s something delicate you see. Regarding your <Bahamut> too, I’m investigating its limiter release code but──it’s dangerous until we fully understand the details.」

Lisha continued talking with a serious tone.

「I tried it with <Tiamat> around a year ago, but when I released around half of the limiter, I almost died. That’s why until now the use of it is sealed but──」

「Are you, planning to use it from now on?」

「I’m thinking of searching for a good way to release the limiter, so that it can be used somehow. It will be best if we never have to use it but, nothing will be gained if we are scared to take a step forward.」

「…………」

The code to surpass the limits of a Drag-Ride and evolve it into the awakened state.

Lux was puzzled.

Even though this should be the first time he heard about it, he felt nostalgic somewhere inside himself.

「By any chance, is the selfishness that Lisha-sama mentioned before, is it about this?」

Lux recalled what she said to him the day before yesterday and when he asked her,

「N, no, that’s about another matter. It’s something more personal for me should I say……」

Lisha entangled her fingers with each other while fidgeting. She looked hesitant.

After she was acting like that for a while, she opened her mouth with resolve.

「Tha, that──wo, won’t you become my knight!?」

「Knight──?」

「A, actually…… mother had been saying it to me since long ago. When I graduate from the academy I’ll have to do a lot of public business, so I should have an exclusive attendant as my guard. Until now, I was opposed to having a male knight assigned to me, so I’ve been turning it down all this time, but──」

「Could it be Lisha-sama means me?」

「I, if it’s you, you’re strong, you know about my secret, and most of all, if you will stay by my side──」

Lisha was about to say something, but then her face reddened and she shut her mouth.

Becoming the knight of Lisha who was the princess of the New Kingdom.

That invitation that he had never even anticipated caused Lux’s mind to become blank for a moment.

「By any chance, do you, hate it?」

「Tha, that’s not true! It’s an honor, but──」

He was an imperial family member of the Old Empire.

A criminal that was the last surviving member.

Wouldn’t it be a problem if someone like him was given the position as the knight of the princess?

Besides, the queen, the feudal lords under her command, and many of the people might refuse to acknowledge it.

「I know what you want to say. I also know how difficult it will be to make it a reality……. However, I want you to think about it. It’s fine, if you just think about it……」

Lisha finished talking with a tone that vaguely sounded vexed and she averted her face away.

「Yo, you understand now!? You can give me your answer after we return to the academy so, bye!」

Telling him that, Lisha went out of the atelier.

Lux was watching the girl vanish behind the door, and then he stayed unmoving for a while in that place.

「A knight of the New Kingdom, of Lisha-sama, is it……」

He didn’t feel bad towards her proposal.

Rather, he felt happy towards the trust and special feelings she directed towards him. But──

「Do I, have any……qualifications for that?」

Lux whispered to himself and looked up to the sooty ceiling.

Before long he noticed that he wouldn’t find the answer quickly. He locked the atelier’s door and he exited the room too.

Part 7

In the afternoon, after the individual free practice was over and everyone had lunch at the boardinghouse.

When the members were taking a rest after the meal in their own way, it suddenly came.

「……Eh?」

The small silhouette of a ship could be seen from the second floor window of the boardinghouse.

At a glance, the ship wasn’t a fishing ship or a merchant ship. The crest of the New Kingdom was drawn on the sail.

The army shouldn’t be practicing here while Lux and the others were at the training camp, but──

「Anyway, I have to tell everyone about this.」

When Lux was about to head towards the living room, the sound of a bell could be heard from the lighthouse.

The signal of the bell ringing three times seemed to be the notification of a sudden visitor.

After a while, the large army ship docked at the island’s wharf.

Relie and the selection members gathered. When they arrived at the pier, the visitors had already disembarked the ship.

The old man that was the manager of the port welcomed a middle-aged man wearing a noble dress suit and men who seemed to be his subordinates.

「Please pardon my rudeness of coming to visit without any prior notice. My name is Dobar Fest. Please to make your acquaintance from here on.」

He was a man with a round and wide body, his head was bald with a plentiful white beard growing on his face.

From a glance, he looked like a good-natured elderly man, but Lux felt an impression that the man was vaguely unsettled.

It was a presence unique to an influential person who placed himself in the political arena.

「What a surprise, welcome, you’ve traveled for quite the distance. However, what could bring your honor to a far away island like this……?」

The elderly man lowered his head and tilted his head, then this man called Dobar showed a smile.

「Who is this person?」

Krulcifer who was observing the situation from a distance whispered with a low voice.

Lux, too, wasn’t that knowledgable regarding the nobles of the New Kingdom, so he didn’t know about this person, but,

「Marquis Dobar. He can be considered as a distant relative of her majesty the queen of the New Kingdom Atismata. He was a former military officer of the Old Empire. After he passed a certain age, he served as a feudal lord of a remote region, but right after the establishment of the New Kingdom, it seems he recommended himself as a candidate for the new consul and returned to the capital along with his knight order. If I remember correctly, right now his official position is as an adviser for the army or something.」

Airi smoothly explained with a flowing tone.

「How detailed, Airi Arkadia. Though I too only know as much as his name.」

Celis who was at the head of the selection members said so in admiration, then,

「That’s because the fate of Nii-san and I hangs upon the current royal family.」

Airi responded like that very seriously.

While Lux was chasing after the 『external』 threat that was Fugil, Airi was making use of her intellect and position to constantly pay attention to the 『internal』──to the domestic affairs of the New Kingdom.

What was called as authority was more uncertain than what could be currently seen, it was something precarious.

They didn’t know when the enemy, the 『survivors of the Old Empire』 , would appear and act hostilely towards them.

It could be imagined from Airi’s words how much meticulous attention she paid towards that aspect.

「He should be considered my relative, but I don’t even remember his name regarding that……. However, why has that kind of guy come to this island right now?」

When Lisha whispered so in irritation, Relie also exchanged a casual greeting with Dobar, and then both of them went together towards where Lux and the others were at.

「Oo. It has been a long time, your highness. You’ve grown beautiful. By any chance, do you remember me?」

Dobar first bowed towards Lisha who was a distant relative, and next he turned towards Lux and the others.

「Also, all of you are the chosen members with skill that cannot be made light of even in Cross Field──the Syvalles isn’t it? Forgive me for the ruckus I caused this time. Even in the capital I’ve heard about the deeds of arms that all of you have displayed, how all of you made great contributions as Drag-Knights even while still being officer cadets. This might be an unrelated matter for all of you but, I’m──」

「We know about your identity. There is no need for self-introduction, Marquis Dobar. Rather than that, just what is your business coming here? We’re going to be busy from here on.」

「How rude of me my princess. But, we have not the slightest intention of being a nuisance to the mission of Syvalles. Rather it’s the opposite──we came here to be of assistance even as meager as our capabilities are.」

When Lisha spoke looking slightly vexed, Dobar showed her a flattering smile.

「Actually, the other day I happened to overhear a bit of information. I understand that in this period of time, a Ruin, the Ark, would appear adjacent to this island──. I came here to prepare just in case but, good gracious I’m shocked that it’s actually true.」

「……!?」

Tension ran through all the members who heard that.

The Ruin investigation this time should be a top secret mission from the royal family.

Such thinking also flashed inside Lux’s head for a moment but──

「The investigation of a Ruin is accompanied with danger. Especially when it comes to this time’s investigation, where there is a possibility to reach the deepest part that no one has ever reached, then it will be even more true. By all means, I wish to be allowed for my elite force to cooperate in this investigation.」

Dobar showed a courteous attitude, but his eyes were alighted with a wicked light, there wasn’t any indication at all that he was talking about 『genuine cooperation』.

He was a fellow who lined up plausible reasons to snuggle close to authority and treasure.

If one tried to reach the deepest part of a Ruin, then there was a high possibility that the amount and quality of the treasure would be different from everything of before.

Surely this man had the aim to purely try to embezzle that treasure, but there was also the possibility that he was selling favor here in the name of cooperating with the Ruin investigation, aiming to climb up in status in the New Kingdom.

Although, it was hard to reprimand this arriving noble from their standpoint as fellow people of the New Kingdom.

Therefore, everyone, not just Lisha, was unable to say anything, it was then,

「I understand what you are saying.」

Relie made a gentle smile and responded.

「Are you perhaps aware of the pact of Ruin investigation? Regarding a part of the excavated information and treasure, and also things like the appearing Abyss and other phenomenon, it’s necessary to report it to the royal family and other foreign countries.」

「Of course I’m aware. I’m also bringing the investigation rule book and the protocol book. I wish to be allowed for my force to be entrusted with being the advance vanguard and the logistical support by all means.」

There was a shadow behind Marquis Dobar’s statement, but they also couldn’t refuse him out of hand.

Relie who must have understood all of that displayed an unfazed smile.

「My thanks for your cooperation. But, this mission is dangerous and yet it’s necessary to be urgent, so even if by any chance the force your honor employed meets a predicament, it’s possible that we won’t be able to assist them. Therefore, I’m thinking if this time we can ask you to have discretion and──」

「I see, haha.」

Dobar grinned and laughed in response to Relie’s roundabout rejection.

「You don’t need to worry you know, headmaster-dono. The actions of my force and the responsibility for that will be wholly taken by me who is commanding them. You don’t need to feel reserved about our cooperation. However, yes──you can just think that the number of helping hands to carry back information and treasure has increased a little.」

He was talking with a calm tone, but his eyes clearly emitted clear opposition.

「Then, let the both of us give our all for the prosperity of the New Kingdom, Dobar-dono.」

「I’ll pray for your success, headmaster-dono.」

On the surface Relie was accepting Dobar’s cooperation, but there were several tacit understandings that was exchanged implicitly.

There was no obligation to help each other, the investigation and excavation would be carried out by their own respective judgment.

That agreement was established right now in this place, it was at that moment──

• GOuuuUUUN-!*

A strange mechanical sound resounded throughout the island along with a rumble in the ground that was similar to yesterday.

Sea sprays that exceeded the rock cliff was raised and the black Ark ran aground on the shore.

「Oo……! Just as the information said, it looks like it’s approaching even nearer. Then──excuse me.」

Dobar bowed exaggeratedly and left with a quick pace.

Seeing him off, Relie then turned towards the members of Syvalles.

「Sorry you all, we were talking too long.」

「We don’t mind. But headmaster, what are we going to do?」

Celis glanced at the bewildered members and asked Relie.

But, Relie didn’t look worked up. She began to walk with her shoes making steady footstep sounds.

「It’s just as all of you saw just now. We the Syvalles will follow our original plan and begin the top secret mission after this. We will do it ahead of anyone else──get it?」

「As I thought, so it’s something like that.」

Celis sighed in understanding.

「Even though we talked about cooperating in the investigation, both our sides won’t interfere with each other. Till the end both sides will carry out their own investigation by their own judgment carrying their own responsibility. In other words──」

「That’s really easy to understand. In short, it’s first come first served right?」

Lisha concluded like that along with a fearless smile.

「Conquering the Ruin faster than that suspicious group and reach the unknown territory, whether we can do that or not──. Originally there should be no reason for fellow citizens of the New Kingdom to compete with each other but, we’ve got to do it.」

Saying that, Lisha directed her confident crimson eyes toward the Ark. Her gaze looked as though she was pointing a sword.

「I guess. At the very least, they didn’t show any signs of cooperating with us. I don’t know to what extent those people have hidden intentions in this, but that’s the only thing we can be sure on.」

Krulcifer also brushed up her hair with a cool face and agreed with Lisha. Dobar spoke about 『not cooperating』, but it wasn’t because he felt apprehension of the operation getting delayed, but it must be because he wanted to help himself to the treasure.

In that case, they couldn’t lose in this competition.

「Everyone, can you finish preparations for the Ruin investigation in fifteen minutes?」

Celis tensed her expression and she addressed the members.

「We planned for the investigation today to take an hour and a half, but we will alter the time to two hours. We will increase the ration we carry in case of an unexpected situation, conversely please decrease the mining tools you carry. We will prioritize our advancing speed and restrain ourselves from recovering treasure, and calculate our route based on that. Is that fine, headmaster?」

「That’s perfect, Celis-san.」

Relie smiled and said that to Celis who gave out instructions swiftly.

「Everyone, you are not permitted to be flustered because of competing against their force. The Ruin is a dangerous place, that’s why we should act reliably, please conduct yourself correctly. Understand?」

「……Yes-!」

Everyone nodded toward Celis’s instruction. And then they broke up for the moment.

──And then, fifteen minutes later.

The members of Syvalles had changed into their Drag-Knight suits and finished their preparations. They assembled at the shore area under the lighthouse.

Part 8

「So this is──the Ark.」

There was only one way to board the Ruin──the Ark according to the investigation reports of the New Kingdom.

By standing at the middle of the circle of ancient letters drawn at the center of the deck, people would be pulled in along with light after staying there for a fixed time.

In short, it was the same transfer system as the Garden.

If there was one thing that was different, it was only that there was just one spot that was the exit and entrance.

The Ark came to a stop in the form of running aground the rocky area nearby the lighthouse──at the eastern part of Ries Island, so they embarked towards the deck directly by using the leaping power of the Drag-Rides.

However, the structure’s size was tremendous. Because it was bigger by several dozen times compared to a normal large ship, the Ruin could only be looked down at after climbing up the island’s lighthouse.

「Then let’s go. We will send the signal using dragon voice after confirming that it’s safe.」

First three people including Celis observed the Ruin from the sky above, then they sent the signal that it was safe to board.

And then, the following members flew or jumped and they boarded above the deck one after another.

「Nii-san. It’s time, please.」

Airi who was waiting nearby looked up to Lux and said that to him.

Relie and Airi who weren’t Drag-Knights would come along and enter the Ruin because there were a lot of Drag-Knights to be their guards and in order to investigate the inside of the Ruin in detail.

Of course because there would be danger, Lux told them not to come, but Airi said 「I’m not a child」 and volunteered herself.

「Ah, yes. But, I’ve never really fly while carrying someone so……. That’s, be careful.」

「Nii-san’s feelings towards me will be in question depending on how you do.」

Airi showed a mischievous smile and said bluntly.

Lux smiled wryly at Airi’s words and he flew with her in his arms.

That act in itself was extremely skillful but──

「That’s──!?」

When the circle pattern and the spacious deck that was several dozen times that of a normal ship came into view, even more different things entered their sight.

What they caught sight of was Marquis Dobar and the private force he owned.

「With this, both sides have their forces assembled. It looks like by chance both of us happen to be here at the same timing, so I believe we should enter at the same time……. Is that fine with you, your honor?」

「But of course. If we can enter a Ruin along with Cross Field’s Syvalles, then there will be nothing more reassuring than that.」

Marquis Dobar nodded pleasantly towards the invitation of Headmaster Relie who was standing in the middle of the circle pattern.

Even though Dobar and the others should be the ones that departed later, and yet they were already here. It looked like they were going to charge in without any sufficient preparations but,

「Looks like the force of marquis-sama arrived here only just now. Looks like those people are also quite crafty in their doings.」

Krulcifer, who was observing the course of events from a distance, whispered in a low voice.

「You mean those people also came here with their preparations completely in order?」

「It’s not that kind of proper reason.」

Krulcifer shook her head towards Lux’s question.

「Regarding the Ark, there is only one entrance and exit based on what is known. ──That means that in case there is a swarm of Abyss gathering inside at the transfer destination, it will suddenly become an all-out battle. The enemy’s number, type, and also the terrain condition won’t be able to be predicted. If we fall into such a situation, then even if we don’t get annihilated, there will be a great chance that it will become a hindrance to our later deployment.」

「Then, that means they were waiting here for us to arrive?」

「Yes. Let alone being the advance vanguard, their tactic is to make us become the advance vanguard for them instead. That we ran into them here must be because of bad luck. Of course, the headmaster also noticed this.」

Krulcifer’s matter-of-fact consideration caused Lux to leak out a sigh.

Relie said that their side was comprehensively superior than Dobar’s force, but if they let their guard down the other side might reach the deepest part ahead of them.

Lux judged it to be so and he tensed himself.

「But, for them to try to make us be the advance vanguard, means that that bunch isn’t that strong right? Then there is no problem. I’ll let loose for the first time in a while.」

Lisha grinned and she moved her mixed Drag-Ride that was the combination of two types of Drag-Rides, the <Chimeric Wyvern> to show off.

This time it seemed to be a new type that was the fusion of a <Wyvern> and a <Drake>, it was a specification that was suited for the mission this time where they would search and investigate inside a ship where there would be many passages.

「Airi……. Be careful okay?」

「I understand. Noct is planning to accompany me to protect me, but it’s fine even if Nii-san is a bit concerned for me you know?」

She must be uneasy entering a ruin with her flesh body, but she pretended to be tough instead.

Lux had a complicated feeling seeing his sister who pretended to be all right in this kind of time so as to not worry him.

Right after that, the circle where Lux and other were standing on was tinged with faint light.

「……Everyone! Is your preparations all right?」

When Celis raised her voice as the group leader, the members put themselves on guard reflexively.

Right after that, a blinding light pillar rose up high into the sky, and Lux’s field of vision was enveloped in white.

Part 9

• splash*

Such sound of water hit the ears the moment they came to.

After a lapse of awareness that was only for a few seconds, when they noticed, Lux and the others were standing in a dim place.

There wasn’t any cover or anything nearby. Humid air was filling the surroundings.

The surrounding was dim, there were only bluish white strange lights that dotted the surrounding bit by bit.

「……-!?」

The ground was bobbing up and down, and also perhaps when they were taken in the air above the deck was also brought in together with them, because the peculiar smell of the seashore stabbed the nose.

(Besides, what’s this? This presence……)

There was one more thing, a disquieting presence of something that Lux sensed. He quickly moved to the side of Airi who wasn’t wearing any protection.

「Noct, can you do it?」

When Sharis raised a tensed voice inside the dim space,

「Yes, my lord. Confirming the reaction of Abyss organisms using the <Drake>, please wait for a bit.」

Noct and the other members who were wearing the special type Drag-Ride, <Drake>, were carrying out enemy searches and confirmed the safety of the surroundings.

After that, when each Drag-Ride turned on their search lights, the surrounding was illuminated brightly and the sight inside the ship became clear.

Syvalles’s members who had secured their field of vision were about to let out a sigh of relieve, it was then──

「Eh──!?」

「Wa, wait, just what is…… this?」

The eyes of the girls were opened wide in surprise, and their bodies that were clad with armor were trembling.

Lux also felt the same, but he immediately changed his thought.

「What, is this……?」

Lisha who confirmed her vicinity a bit delayed knitted her brows after seeing that sight.

Destruction.

There were depressions here and there, a large amount of inorganic substance smashed and scattered apart.

Due to the countless rubble with incomprehensible shape, there wasn’t even any place for their feet to step on.

「According to the document, this space is called the lounge. For now it looks like we have accomplished our first objective of entering safely.」

Airi looked around timidly while informing the others of that.

The structure of the third Ruin, the Ark, was comparatively easy to understand.

The only facts that had been proven was that this Ruin was divided into eleven levels, that there were stairs that continued to the next level located at the bow and the stern of the ship, and , from the investigations, the floor where they were transported onto from the deck was numbered as the first floor, while the lower floors after it were numbered as the second floor, and so on.

Although there should also be a lot of fork roads midway, there was basically stairs that connected to the upper and lower level on each floor.

「It’s great that all of us are safe, headmaster.」

Dobar and his private force called out to them from a slight distance away.

「It seems that the traces of fighting in the ancient times remain here. Let us both be careful.」

「Yes, may fortune be with you.」

After Relie returned a smile. Dobar bowed with「Well then」 and left with his men.

Similarly, Lux and the others who confirmed the presence and safety of all their members also started their march.

In order to shoulder the role of exploration, enemy search, and lighting the path, two <Drakes> and three other Drag-Rides were kept as they were, while the remaining members desummoned their armor.

This was a method to preserve their stamina while marching in shifts.

「Well, I understand that this is a safe plan but, how should I say it, this is really sluggish ain’t it, going slowly like this.」

Tillfur who was wearing a <Wyrm> was grumbling from the tediousness.

Her job was to remove the rubble using her Drag-Ride’s power and secure the route, but it seemed she was tired of that and felt annoyed.

「It can’t be helped. There is a chance that the Abyss or traps are hidden under the rubble.」

Sharis immediately soothed her. Noct also sent a glance to Tillfur.

「Yes. The <Drake> is recording the shortest route that has been confirmed as safe, so when we come here next time all of us will be able to wear our Drag-Rides and advance several dozen times faster.」

「We are moving to the stern from the first floor’s lounge. There are several areas midway, but a lot of the walls are destroyed, so the path became hard to comprehend.」

Airi who was memorizing the Ruin’s information sometimes gave an explanation while she was moving her legs.

And then, Lux was worried about Philuffy who was walking beside him.

「Philuffy. Is your body all right? You aren’t tired?」

「Yes.」

The answer from Philuffy that was said with her usual expressionless face was hard to read whether she was saying the truth or not.

After they walked forward silently, at the stern of the first floor──they found the stairs that continued to the second floor and they went down.

Even though the level change, the scenery was basically unchanged.

The bluish white lighting, the dimness of the area, and the dreadful trace of destruction were also the same as before.

Marquis Dobar said that it was the traces of a battle from the ancient times but──

「Lux-kun, did you notice? This trace of destruction.」

「Yes……. Somehow, but──it looks new doesn’t it?」

Lux nodded in return towards the whisper of Krulcifer who was walking beside him.

Lisha who was walking in the lead heard that and she turned around.

「What is it?」

「Don’t mind us. Right now it’s still just conjecture.」

「Don’t leave me in suspense like that! You made me excessively curious here you know!?」

Lisha spontaneously flared up at Krulcifer, it was then,

「Everyone, please stop.」

Airi’s voice that was tinged with nervousness made everyone hold their breaths.

「This is……?」

When the light from Noct’s <Drake> shined forward, there was a huge space before their eyes.

The surrounding was covered with something that looked like hard glass, with a half-dome ceiling.

It was a boundary that displayed that from here on ahead was a completely different domain.

「What’s this? Is it a room or something?」

「This is a section that is called a Biome Sphere. It looks like it’s running an independent ecosystem, as though it’s a natural forest. Although……」

Airi was explaining with an ancient text in one hand, however at the end her words turned ambiguous.

The answer was apparent from a glimpse.

「Looks like there was a really fierce battle in the past. Besides, it seems that the functions of the Ruin that maintained this ecosystem are completely suspended.」

When Krulcifer whispered so, Lisha also nodded and she raised her voice.

「Noct, can you see any signs of enemies nearby?」

「No. I had increased my enemy search range to maximum since some time ago, but there is no presence of the Abyss. The force of Marquis Dobar is located around 300 mel ahead on a different route.」

「Looks like they are advancing quickly, but I think we can overtake them soon.」

Relie who heard that let out a sigh of relieve,

「But, from here on is where it really starts.」

She stared at the Biome Sphere spreading before their eyes and continued with that sentence.

The devastated state of the ecosystem increased the complexity of the path. Added with the rock, soil, and the uneven ground, it was like there was a natural labyrinth blocking the way of intruders.

And then, the vegetation that were growing densely and abundantly turned into a shade. They couldn’t even see several dozen mel ahead of them.

「Looks like it will take time to search for the correct path from here on ahead. If there is no signs of the Abyss, I think that we should split to search though──」

「Guess so. Then for now let’s split into a team of three or four people and begin exploring in four directions. If anyone finds something, send contact using Dragon Voice. Okay?」

Relie agreed with Krulcifer’s suggestion and the members formed their own teams.

Their grouping was decided beforehand based on the number of people. Lux, Noct, and Airi were in one group.

「Take care of me, Noct.」

「Yes. I judged that being grouped with Lux-san is a really fortunate event. It’s me that should ask you to take care of me.」

Noct bowed with a bob of her head, her expression calm as usual.

Lux was wearing a <Wyvern> while Noct was wearing a <Drake>. They advanced ahead in order to guard Airi.

Lux was the eldest person present, so he took a deep breath to fire himself up, it was then,

「Nii-san. Please don’t lay your hand on my roommate too just because there is no one else around okay?」

「No, why are you talking as though I’m always wooing girls!?」

「Yes. I understand Airi’s feeling that is worried that your brother might be taken from you by everyone, but I judge that your statement just now was only a needless anxiety.」

「Wai-…… please don’t say something strange so suddenly Noct!」

Not minding Airi who was unusually flustered, Noct continued.

「Surely Lux-san is not seeing me as a girl. I’m someone who is expected to serve the Baltshift family after I graduate. Something like love is inconsequential, but for me to be outside being a target of love already at this age, is a bit depressing. Haa……」

She sounded a bit like she was reading in monotone, but it was also rare for Noct to talk in pessimism like that, so Lux got driven by guilt.

「Tha, that’s not true. I think that Noct is also really cute……」

「……Is that so? Then more specifically, from Lux-san’s point of view, which part of me is charming?」

「E, err, that……. Well, the line from your collarbone until your chest, is really──」

「Nii-san……do you remember what I just talked about?」

When Lux said that while looking at Noct in her suit, Airi retorted with a chilly expression.

「Yes. I think that Lux-san ought to be a bit more careful when dealing with females. That way of praising that feels indecent, Lux-san might get accused as someone obscene and get tricked by someone because of it.」

「Even though I did my best to give praise, you are picking faults in it, and on top of that you also tricked me-!?」

Lux plainly felt shocked from being toyed around by a girl who was his junior and he hung his head down.

Beside him Airi was,

「I’m relieved in a sense. Usually Nii-san was praised to the sky of how cool you are, but as I thought Nii-san is someone like this in truth.」

Like that, she was somewhat in acceptance.

(Fo, for some reason I’m feeling very vexed……-! She is hitting right on the mark……)

Lux was anguished so inside his heart, it was then,

「…………」

He noticed Noct was watching over Airi who was walking beside her with a small smile on her lips.

『Can we talk for a bit?』

『……? What business do you have, to use Dragon Voice at this kind of distance?』

The Dragon Voice was a communication method through the medium of a Drag-Ride.

When Lux sent a Dragon Voice limited to Noct beside him, she sent back a questioning voice to him.

『Don’t tell me, Lux-san is going to secretly send me an obscene verbal abuse that you cannot say in front of Airi──!』

『That’s not it-!? Just how indecent of a person am I!?』

『Yes. I know. Lux-san is quite an indecent person despite your face that looks harmless, but I don’t think that you have that kind of guts.』

『…………』

As always it felt like he was being toyed around by Noct, but he somehow endured it and continued his words.

『That……thank you. You were intentionally making cheerful talk for the sake of Airi who is uneasy because this is her first time exploring a Ruin, right?』

Thereupon, Noct showed an amazed face for a moment as though she was taken by surprise, but,

『No. That’s not it. I was merely wanting to make fun of Lux-san. That’s why, I think there isn’t any need for me to be thanked.』

Her expression immediately returned to her usual composed face and she answered like that.

Even so Lux said his thanks with a smile.

『It’s really a big help, Noct.』

That Noct was denying her consideration towards Airi must be because of her pride as someone who descended from a lineage of family attendants.

Covering up for the master and guest without being noticed was the family precept of Noct’s family. It was something that Lux remembered hearing from Tillfur who was also of the Triad.

『I only need to be appreciated by my master, so it’s unnecessary for Lux-san to be concerned for me.』

Noct replied like that through the Dragon Voice with her usual calm tone.

『I see.』

『──But, a part of me that is outside my position, feels just a bit happy hearing those words.』

But, she gave such response to Lux while showing a faint smile.

『If Lux-san becomes my employer, it looks like it will be difficult to act in a casual manner doesn’t it?』

『Eh……?』

『I’m joking. Rather than that──』

Suddenly the presence of Noct who was walking beside him changed.

「Please stop, both of you.」

Noct used her physical voice this time to let out a voice that was tinged with tension.

Airi backed away while Lux readied his blade and stepped forward, then,

「It’s not an Abyss…… but, under the rubble a few hundred mel ahead from here, there is a human-like shape present there. There is no heat or movement reaction, perhaps it’s some kind of trap…… it can also be something like that.」

「Got it. I’ll go look.」

Lux didn’t wait for any reply and flew his <Wyvern>.

If it was by any chance a corpse, he didn’t want to show it to Airi, but──

「……-!?」

Lux who lifted up the huge rubble doubted his eyes reflexively.

That human shape which was laying down on the ground was beautiful.

It was a green haired girl wearing a dress with strange silver lines. She was lying down as though she was sleeping.

She looked like she was around eleven or twelve years old, her figure was young and petite.

Her well-ordered features, combined with her silently closed pair of eyes made Lux vaguely feel a mystique atmosphere from the girl.

Of course, her clothes and skin were dirtied with mud, showing how long the years had passed for the girl, even so she looked so beautiful it was unthinkable that she had died.

And then there was a mechanical decoration that was designed like bunny ears on her small head.

「Is everything all right, Lux-san?」

While Lux was staring at the girl half in a daze, Noct and Airi caught up with him.

「This is……!? This child, what on earth──」

As expected, even Airi seemed to have no clue, she was speechless after catching the sight of the girl.

Under the bluish white lighting that was like the moonlight, that place was filled with silence for a while, but,

「Noct, is Krulcifer-san’s group nearby?」

「There is reaction in the location 200 mel from here. It seems she is not wearing <Fafnir>, but it’s possible to contact her if I send a Dragon Voice to a member in her group.」

「Thank you. Can you call her for me?」

「Roger. ──But, why her?」

Noct was having a bit of doubt even while she was quickly taking action. To that Lux,

「Just a bit of something……」

He returned an ambiguous reply.

<Fafnir> came flying in less than a minute after Noct sent the communication.

Perhaps it should be said as expected from a user of a Divine Drag-Ride, she came flying in at high speed through a dark path where the ceiling was low and trees and rocks were lined up.

「You said that you found something mysterious but, what is it I wonder?」

As soon as Krulcifer who finally arrived saw it, her usual cool voice vanished.

「This is……. No, this child is?」

「We don’t know. But, I thought that if it’s Krulcifer-san who has seen the Ruin in Ymir, then you might know something……」

「…………」

Krulcifer stiffened with her gaze still fixed seriously on the girl.

Her reaction was understandable, Lux thought.

For Krulcifer whose origin was from a Ruin, this girl might be her brethren that she was unable to find throughout all these long years.

This was her first time seeing with her own eyes that body existing for real.

「Even the ancient text I am translating doesn’t record the existence of someone like this. What do you think, Krulcifer-san?」

Airi who had been pondering until now seemed to grow restless and asked that.

「It’s dangerous.」

Suddenly such whisper leaked out from Krulcifer’s mouth.

「The two of you, can you join up with the group I was with before? There is a chance you can get entangled into danger by staying here.」

「Eh……?」

Krulcifer’s face returned to her usual expression. Her long beautiful hair shook and she continued.

「In the past, I heard about a story that there might be a human shaped trap in the Ruin of Ymir. I’ll try to examine this girl right now, but if a battle ensues, it will be difficult to protect you.」

「……I understand.」

Having been told that, Airi left that place together with Noct even though she looked reluctant.

After the figure of the two completely vanished, Lux raised his face.

「Krulcifer-san. What you said just now──」

「Yes, of course it’s a lie.」

Krulcifer said nonchalantly.

She was a girl who originated from a Ruin. She was someone who was standing in a peculiar position. Her true identity couldn’t be exposed that lightly toward anyone.

If that secret was leaked out from somewhere, then fellows who would try to use her existence would appear and she would be aimed at, just like how Lux’s secret as the Black Hero was.

He didn’t think that Airi and Noct would blab, but there was also a precedent like the existence of Saniya in Syvalles, so they couldn’t let their guard down.

「Sorry. Even though I need to pay attention to something like this.」

Lux thought so and he tried to apologize, but then,

「Don’t worry about it. Rather than that, this child……isn’t a human is she?」

「Eh……?」

Krulcifer told the perplexed Lux with her usual calm and collected expression.

「Of course, she is also not an Abyss. I cannot think of any adequate definition but──」

Krulcifer was caressing the girl’s cheek while talking ambiguously. Right after that, the little girl’s golden eyes opened with a snap.

『Supervisor’s living reaction is confirmed. System reboot.』

It was an inorganic voice that resembled a heavy metallic sound.

At the same time the dress with strange silver lines running through it fluttered and the girl got up.

「-……!?」

Lux and Krulcifer who were wearing Drag-Rides reflexively took a distance quickly. They readied their respective weapons.

When they directed the greatest vigilance towards the standing up girl,

「……Eh?」

The girl turned her head left and right restlessly, she was staring at Lux and Krulcifer, then at the completely devastated sight of the surroundings, after that──

• bam*

Suddenly the girl fell prostate on the ground.

「I’m sorry. Looks like no one is calling for me here……. Good night.」

「Wait a second!? Why are you collapsing again!?」

「I, I wish you won’t misunderstand, I don’t have any memory at all regarding this disastrous scene. But still, I have a hunch that this is surely not my fault, so if possible I want to beg to not get disposed of, but just a program correction is─……」

「……She is suddenly starting to shift responsibility. Just who in the world is this girl?」

Krulcifer turned towards the girl with a questioning expression, then,

「Eh……? By any chance, you don’t know about me, XferKey’s Supervisor-sama?」

The girl said an incomprehensible thing like that.

「I don’t know. More importantly, what are you? Your name?」

「This is, my deepest apologies. My name is La Cruche. The Gear LeaderController of this Ark. To explain it in an easier to understand term, I am the personification of the system that is governing this facility──an existence that everyone calls an Automaton. Pleased to make your acquaintance from here on.」

She bowed reverently like a maid that was serving her master.

Judging from her behavior, it seemed that the relatives of Krulcifer were in the positions as the ones who managed the Ruin.

The system’s Automaton that remained inside the Ruin.

Until now they had never heard of such an existence in the history of any country.

If this girl’s words were the truth, then this might be the first contact with someone who knew about the history of the ancient era.

「Lux-kun. Perhaps, we are──」

「Yes……」

Lux also understood the meaning of Krulcifer’s anxious voice.

The moment he realized that, Lux’s heart was also pounding fiercely.

The existence of the Ruins that were mostly wrapped in mystery until now, that mystery might be solved in its entirety right now in this place.

「Then you, you know about everything of the ancient era?」

Krulcifer’s impatient voice shook the forest’s air.

「…………」

A moment later, the Automaton who introduced herself as La Cruche tilted her head and made a thinking posture.

「Regarding my memory of the past, my deepest apology but──」

Amidst the fierce tension where one hesitated to even breath.

「……It looks like I overslept too much that I seriously forget it. Really, sorry.」

The machine girl said so with a slightly apologetic look, she then bowed her head down.

「…………」

「…………」

「Aah, I beg of you, don’t look at me with those kinds of eyes. Also please don’t scrap me. I really don’t remember anything. It appears that because of this unknown incident, my memory data was completely blown away temporarily, it’s true!」

La Cruche desperately made excuses after seeing Krulcifer’s chilly gaze.

They didn’t really understand, but it seemed this girl also had a personality, or the concept to protect herself at the very least.

「We don’t have any such intention, but we want to question you a little.」

After letting out a little sigh, Krulcifer questioned La Cruche, and La Cruche answered her.

First, the girl was the Gear Leader of the Ark and an Automaton. She was connected to the central of this Ruin and it was possible for her to manage the Ruin.

She recognized Krulcifer as a XferKey’s Supervisor that was the constructor of the Ruin, and she was intending to obey Krulcifer’s will and command.

And then the last, because of the impact from the incident that occurred in this Ruin in the past, La Cruche confessed that it seemed she lost her past memory.

「Forgive me. Originally as the Gear Leader, I should be able to connect to the central right away if the main unit is safe, and from there it’s possible to recover my memory but……」

The girl exaggeratedly prostrated herself and apologized.

「I can mostly imagine the cause. Most likely it’s the same cause that made this room dimly lighted like this, the majority of the Ark’s functions right now are being suspended, is that it?」

「Tha, that’s right. As expected from Xfer-sama. You are not only beautiful, but you are also really wise.」

La Cruche’s rabbit-like ears were moving twitchily and she jumped on the spot.

Krulcifer who saw that made a slightly wry smile and she patted the girl’s head.

「I don’t need flattery. I still don’t understand what kind of relationship ought to exist between us, but you can talk to me more casually you know?」

「Those words are too good for me. Then, while presumptuous of me, I wish to express an advice so that you can become more beautiful. Xfer-sama is a bit too thin. I think that if you eat a bit more meat, then a part of that humble body of yours might be improved──」

La Cruche spoke with a cheerful smile, but it felt like the air suddenly froze and cracked.

「………… Come to think of it, in the end you don’t know about anything essential don’t you? In other words even if you are destroyed here, it won’t be any inconvenience for us──is my understanding correct?」

「My, my deepest apologies-!? I only have this one personality, so if it’s possible that I can receive mercy──」

(S, so, Krulcifer-san is actually bothered about that……)

Seeing the chilly smile Krulcifer displayed, Lux swore inside his heart to absolutely not touch on this kind of topic with her.

「And, what should we do to restore that thing you called the central system?」

「Ye, yes. By going to the control room area and have Xfer-sama authenticate there, it’s possible to give out the restoration command after that.」

「Where is that place called the control room area located?」

Lux held his breath while waiting for the answer that Krulcifer asked dispassionately.

「Everything is located right before the deepest level of the Ark in the underground eleventh level, the tenth level──if we can go there, we will understand everything.」

La Cruche reverently bowed her head and declared.

Part 10

「Does that kind of girl really exist? I cannot believe it right away.」

An hour after Lux and Krulcifer parted from the Automaton(La Cruche).

After exiting the Biome Sphere, everyone reached the sixth floor. After that they returned to the surface before sunset.

They encountered and fought Abyss only two times since they infiltrated the Ruin until they reached the sixth floor. The Abyss were in the weak category, so their advance was favorable.

After that, they had dinner early. In the information report meeting they carried out at the boardinghouse, Lux and Krulcifer informed Relie about La Cruche.

「Her appearance is like a girl, but she is undoubtedly a doll that was created with the ancient technology. She──La Cruche herself is the Gear Leader of the Ark, so she cannot leave the Ruin thoughtlessly, that was what she said.」

It seemed that it would be possible for her to come out once the Ruin’s system was restored, but at the present time it was impossible so they parted for the moment.

However, they had arranged for a place and time to meet again, so there should be no problem to reunite with her.

「And──where is that girl right now?」

「I told her to hide in a room at the sixth floor’s residential area, because it feels like it will become complicated if she meets with Marquis Dobar’s group.」

「I see……. It’s fine if we can meet her tomorrow but, if possible I wanted to see her today.」

「The Ruin’s Automaton huh, it’s really interesting that there is even the existence of a machine doll.」

Continuing after Relie, Lisha muttered so.

「But, according to the story of Lux-kun and Krulcifer-missy, what the girl knows is few anyway until we recover her memory, right? It’s better like this rather than having everyone gathering there and barraging the girl with questions instead.」

The leader of the Triad, Sharis concluded like that in the end.

Their objective this time was reaching the deepest floor in the end.

Seeing how La Cruche lost her memory, it was pointless to investigate about her until they reached the control room area and restored the system.

「At any rate, today was reeeally tiring. The training was hard, then strange people also came, and the Ruin investigation is wearing down the nerve──」

When Tillfur fell prostrated on the table and grumbled like that, the headmaster Relie lifted her face.

「Then, the sun has also set while we were talking, how about we have the fun talk now?」

「What is it now headmaster? I’m already at my limit here……. After this I also have my personal work so──」

Perhaps because they were always hearing troublesome talk from Relie, Lisha was being alert towards her.

「My? So you are going to abstain? That’s too bad. Even though we can finally enter the island’s hotspring──」

When Relie said that mischievously, the fatigued everyone got excited a moment later.

「Eeeeeeeh!? Is that true-!?」

「If I remember right, it’s reserved just for us right!?」

「We can enter now!? The preparation──」

The selection members raised their voices. Even Celis and Krulcifer’s eyes were secretly shining.

It was difficult to secure fresh water in Ries Island, so there was no bathtub here like in Cross Field. They were basically making do with just wiping their bodies so far, but as expected, for girls their age taking a bath was something they really had a zest for.

Especially when it was entering a hot spring. In the New Kingdom, few people had such experience.

「I understand your feelings, but calm down a little. Even here all of you are the students of the Royal Officer Academy you know? Please act more gracefully like a noble lady.」

Relie said that to the excited girls and calmed them down.

(I think that Relie-san is the one who is not acting like a headmaster the most though……)

Lux wanted to say that, but he somehow endured it and listened to the talk.

It seemed that the maintenance work of the hot spring that was carried out since the day they arrived on the island had finished just now.

It was fully reserved for them, so after this everyone would go to enter it right away but──

「Lux-kun. Can I talk with you a bit?」

When the girls were heading to their shared room in order to prepare entering the bath right away, Relie was staying behind by herself and called out to Lux.

「Eh? Relie-san isn’t going to enter after this?」

「I’ll do that later. This training camp is a rare chance, so I want them to enjoy themselves without an adult present. Or else── does Lux-kun want to enter together with me?」

「Look here……」

Seeing Lux’s troubled face, Relie let out a small chuckle.

Her teasing him like this hadn’t changed since the past.

「This is a special request to protect everyone. It’s great that the hot spring can be entered, but there is something a bit troubling too.」

「Something troubling?」

「Yes, can you come with me for a bit? I’ll explain your special job.」

Part 11

Ten-odd minutes later.

• splash*

Such water sound shook the night air of the quiet Ries Island.

White vapor enshrouded the surrounding area, the sound of waves that could be heard from afar brought small elegance with it.

The selection members added with Airi numbered twelve people in total. They soaked inside the milky white hot water together.

The maintenance and the management of the hot spring was difficult, so it was left alone for a while, but thanks to the workers Relie brought with her, the hot spring was completely put in order.

The place was cramped but there was also a washing place, while the surrounding was fenced with a high board fence.

The color of the hot spring’s hot water made it difficult to see through, but Lisha entered the hot water with a towel wrapped around her waist so that the mark on her abdomen wouldn’t be seen.

「Haaa. It’s different from the bath in the girls dormitory, there is this feeling of liberation with the sky visible like this.」

Tillfur who wrapped her hair with a towel without even trying to hide her nakedness muttered in satisfaction.

「Yes. This is the first time I entered a bath like this, this is really interesting.」

When Noct muttered back in response, her classmate Airi smiled too,

「You’re right. Though everyone’s style is nice, so it’s a bit embarrassing……」

She said that while pressing her reserved breasts.

「Fuh, the youth of the juniors is really envious isn’t it, Celis?」

When Sharis muttered that with deep feeling, beside her Celis made a doubtful face.

「I think that you are usually acting relatively childish though……」

「Oh, now you’ve said it. Then I’ll fool around like a kid! Eat this, how’s that!」

「Please stop! Our juniors are watching!」

Celis struggled and brushed away the hands of Sharis who moved to touch her breasts.

Krulcifer watched that while saying 「How lively」 with a smile.

「──But, he is a bit pitiful. Although it can’t be helped, he has to enter alone later.」

When Krulcifer whispered with slight sympathy entering her voice, Tillfur nodded behind her.

「I guess. ……But see, I feel sorry for Lux-chi, but there is also some talk we can do because there is no boy nearby right?」

「Eh……?」

Several students including Krulcifer reacted towards that suggestive statement, then,

「Yosh! Then, because this kind of chance rarely comes, how about we open up a confession convention, about how does everyone think about Lux-chi!?」

「Eeeee……!?」

Everyone who was soaked in the hot water stiffened from hearing Tillfur’s suggestion.

「Then, I’ll start as the one who suggested it. Nnn, Lux-chi really feels like a great prince I think. His manner is pleasant. Then even though he is an imperial family member of the Old Empire, he ain’t putting on an air at all. Also……well, ain’t matter! Yes, next person please!」

For some reason Tillfur’s words were ambiguous at the end before she moved the talk towards Noct beside her.

Noct stared still doubtfully at Tillfur for a while, but she was helpless against the stare from the surroundings and she nodded.

「Yes. I guess so. I think that Lux-san is a really interesting person. Normally he is someone whose position will make you hesitate to call out to him, but when you are beside him, for some reason you will want to call out to him.」

「Hee, even Noct who looks like she doesn’t have any interest in boys is conscious towards him too?」

Sharis who soaked in hot water with her upper body above the water surface said that to Noct teasingly, but,

「I would be lying if I said that I’m not somewhat interested as a person, but in the first place I don’t understand about the emotion of love itself.」

「That means, that you’re expecting for an impetus from here on, is that it?」

「By the way what about Sharis?」

Against Noct’s counterattack, Sharis pffted and her cheeks loosened,

「Right. The first time I met him, I only saw that he had a cute face but…… right now he is a junior that is worthy of trust. It will be fun if a child like him is my little brother.」

After she asserted so with an earnest tone, she directed her eyes towards everyone around.

「Well then, that’s all from us. How about we now listen from the main cast? First is, Krulcifer-missy.」

Krulcifer who soaked in hot water at a slight distance away slowly raised her face towards that question.

「It feels like you three were also avoiding the crucial part but, ……well, it’s fine. Regarding about how do I feel about him, I don’t need to use that many words to express my feelings.」

「Hou」

Sharis showed her interest.

「Wha, what does that mean Krulcifer!? Don’t tell me, you are still thinking about things like wanting to become Lux’s lover or something──」

Lisha who soaked in another spot cut in with her yell.

「He is someone important to me. I also want him to feel the same about me. That’s all.」

Krulcifer asserted that with a cool face.

「Uwaaa. Krulcifer-san, that’s really adult like……」

Tillfur muttered that. The expressions of everyone around was also in a daze for some reason.

「And you, how do you feel I wonder, about him?」

When Krulcifer moved the talk to Lisha, Lisha quickly dipped herself into the water until her shoulder. She then entangled her fingers fidgetingly while her cheeks were blushing red.

「E, even if you ask me how do I feel……. That, my feelings swell up when he is staying by my side, and when he praises me, I feel like, really happy……. He is a man that makes me want to work hard, like, because I want to experience that feeling more──」

「Somehow, it’s us who were listening that got embarrassed when hearing that kind of speech……」

When Airi whispered so with a complicated look, beside her Noct turned her gaze to Airi.

「As the one closest to him, what does Airi think?」

「For me, Nii-san is Nii-san. He is my only blood relative, so I don’t have any special feelings or anything like that about it.」

Airi answered like that without hesitation towards the question from Noct.

「But, recently Nii-san gets overestimated a little bit too much. Even though setting aside his strength, he is actually a really clumsy and introverted person……. As his little sister, I feel a little complicated in regards to that.」

「Even though it’d be better if you just honestly say that you don’t wanna have him get taken away.」

「Tha, that, the next person──what about Celis-senpai?」

When Tillfur spoke teasingly like that, Airi moved the talk toward Celis in a hurry.

「I, I also need to speak!? Tha, that, cannot be permitted……! This training camp is something important for the sake of the international tournament, so I think we ought to take our bath quietly and restore our energy.」

「Celis. Your opinion is correct, but don’t you think that you are setting a bad example to our juniors if you say that after listening to everyone’s talk until this far? As the leader of Syvalles, I think the correct attitude here is to take up the gauntlet fair and square.」

「Ah, uu……」

When Celis was hesitating to say something from Sharis’s retort,

「That’s right! Please tell us!」

「It’s unfair if it’s only captain Celis who doesn’t talk!」

The members called out like that one after another.

「The, then just for a little……. He is a really reliable boy, so, it’s like I want to know more about him──. Incidentally I also want to take the opportunity to be taught a lot regarding boys. For the sake of my growth too……」

「…………」

The girls went silent for a while after hearing Celis squeezing out those words timidly,

「I really misjudged you Celis. For you, the captain to make that kind of erotic confession is──」

「Ho, how do you perceive it like that-!? I’m just, for the sake of everyone」

「Yes. Captain Celis is only being a bit self-unaware. If the other party isn’t Lux-san, then she might really have had indecent things done to her already a long time ago.」

While the talk was suddenly tinged with such fever, Lisha’s gaze suddenly turned towards Philuffy’s absentminded face.

「Come to think of it, what about you? Other than the little sister, it’s only you who knows about Lux in the past, right?」

「…………」

Towards that question, Philuffy held back from speaking for a while,

「Lu-chan is, Lu-chan you know?」

She declared like that with a serious face.

「No, not that. In other words, that……I’m asking what kind of feelings you’re harboring towards Lux──」

When Lisha continued asking with an exasperated face,

• rustle-……*

Such sound from a bush suddenly came into hearing. Everyone ducked their bodies into the water and raised their vigilance.

The hot spring’s surrounding was half covered with a fence, while the other half was surrounded with boulders, but someone could come closer from outside.

Of course there was rope stretched around the area with notice board that it was forbidden to enter, to clear out the people but──

「I don’t think that anyone will come here but, would it be better if we prepare some kind of countermeasure?」

Celis grabbed a stone the size of a person’s head, her voice tone was tinged with tension. But Krulcifer stopped her.

「It’s fine. If it’s just a simple peeping tom, then he surely will do something about it.」

「He……?」

The moment Lisha tilted her head, the dull scream of a man could be heard.

Part 12

Around the time Lisha and the others who were in the middle of a bath heard a man’s scream, there was a battle ensuing at a road inside the forest that led towards the hot spring’s fence.

「Guaah……! I, it was my bad! Let go of me……」

「I cannot. Please be quiet……. And done.」

Lux kept his hold on the hands of the young man while tying the man’s feet and hands with a rope, binding him on the nearby tree.

A while after that when Lux returned to his given position, he let out a small sigh.

「Fuu……. It’s the eleventh person with this……」

Lux’s special mission that was given by Relie was to catch the men of this island who came to peep.

Because half of the hot spring was surrounded by boulders, this was the only path that led toward the fence.

But even after Relie told him that, Lux was half in doubt whether anyone would really come, on this island with its small population, but in the end his prediction was greatly betrayed.

Perhaps there was an islander who excelled in information gathering, or perhaps it was because on this small island any happening would immediately get told to the nearby people, because a lot of people starting from a young man around Lux’s age, a middle aged merchant, a carpenter in the prime of his life, and even a white haired old man gathered in this place.

Even Lux had accumulated considerable training in hand-to-hand combat, so he somehow managed to apprehend everyone, but,

「Oi you! I don’t know who you are! But, are you fine with this-!?」

The captured young man around Lux’s age yelled towards Lux while still being tied to the tree.

「What do you mean by that?」

Even though Lux didn’t need to respond, but he replied back honestly.

「You, you must be a staff of the academy…… but you’re a man right!? Just what are you thinking not peeping using this chance of your lifetime huh-!?」

「……No, that’s a crime.」

Lux answered properly after thinking about it for a moment.

By the way, perhaps because the surrounding was dark, it seemed the man didn’t notice Lux’s hair and eye color, and also the criminal choker on his neck, and the man didn’t notice that Lux was the Chore Prince.

But,

「That’s right-! When I was young, I climbed down the rock cliff naked, I went to peep even with my life in danger……」

The white haired old man who heard the young man raised his voice in response.

「Exactly! Kids these days are pathetic-! Did you lose even your balls just because you have a girly looking face, huh!?」

The carpenter in the prime of his life also joined in.

「Wai-, please wait a second!? It’s not like I──」

「Oi brat, don’t you want to see the naked body of those young ladies-!? They are the beautiful girls of that Academy you know, where the aristocrat daughters are gathered!」

「That’s right, can’t you understand our feelings that is trying to chase after the endless romance-!?」

It was absurd…….

Lux was exasperated, however because he was a man, it wasn’t like he didn’t understand their feelings.

There was still a bit of time for the girls’ turn in the bath.

If he approached until near the wooden fence that surrounded the bath, there should be a crack where he might be able to catch a sight of the girls.

And then it was dark inside the forest, it should be difficult for the girls inside the bath to notice him.

「……Wait, just what am I thinking!? No way I can do that!」

Lux who was about to imagine that scene for a moment shook his head flusteredly.

In the first place, this was a request that Relie appointed to him because she said he was someone that could be trusted.

However, when he could hear the sound of hot water and the voices of the girls making merry, he got curious no matter what.

Before Lux went to guard this place, he met Krulcifer and she said to him 『If you want you can enter together with me secretly later you know?』 teasingly, so his feelings were heating up even more.

Surely that was a joke, but it was bad for his heart.

Lux passed the third night of the training camp with his mood in anguish like that.

Part 13

Under the same dark sky of the night.

「……I see, so those bitches already overtook us. That’s unfortunate.」

At the dock of Ries Island, the sound of sea breeze and surging waves could be heard.

In that place far away from the base of Lux and the others, there were the figures of Marquis Dobar and his private forces.

「We have no excuse. For us who aren’t used to Ruin investigations, also coupled with our encounter with the Abyss, it will be hard to raise our speed further than this.」

A man in the prime of his life who seemed to be the leader of the group made his report quietly.

「I see, it’s something that I have anticipated beforehand. Don’t worry.」

In contrast Dobar showed a large-hearted smile without any sign of impatience.

Dobar’s post in the New Kingdom was as an adviser to the military, but he almost had no experience in commanding in a real battle.

He was a man who was rising up only by buttering up the strong, disdaining the weak, and made liberal use of trickery.

The person himself was almost powerless in using a Drag-Ride or in battle.

But, the man who was the group’s leader thought that this man’s point of favor was that he understood about that fact

Therefore, even in the mission this time to snatch the treasures of the Ruin, Dobar wasn’t hastily doing anything reckless but──

「Then, let’s triple our marching speed tomorrow. We will choose only the shortest route that is easy to pass through.」

Dobar showed a smile that filled his whole face which distorted his flabby cheeks.

「-……!?」

That very reckless plan caused the leader’s face to cramp.

It was his first time questioning the sanity of his master since he worked for this man named Dobar.

「With all due respect, certainly we will be able to progress faster if we choose the path that is easier to travel. But, doing that will raise our encounter rate with the Abyss, if we move at high speed through a path where our sight is obstructed, it might cause various incidents. With our force’s composition and the troop’s proficiency, our speed today is our limit──」

The leader took a deep breath and objected.

This kind of common sense was applied not only in the Ruin, but also when marching in an undeveloped area that had wild beasts or the Abyss living in it. Surely there was no way Dobar didn’t know about that.

Therefore, the leader didn’t understand about the true intention of his master who was trying to force his way.

When everyone present gulped their saliva nervously while observing Dobar’s reaction──

「Ha-ha-ha-ha!」

After a pause of a few seconds, Dobar raised his voice and laughed out.

It wasn’t a crazed laugh, but a bright voice.

The men of Dobar’s private force showed a dubious face, it was then Dobar snapped his fingers towards the large ship behind him.

「No, sorry for that. Looks like I surprised everyone a little. Of course, I’m aware of the problem you mentioned. Don’t worry.」

「Then…… our march tomorrow will be the same as today?」

「……No, there is no change in what I said. Triple the speed, just like I said.」

Dobar’s cheerful smile went through a round-about change and his eyes glared fiercely.

「It’s not impossible if the unit’s composition is focused on mobility. For the sake of the New Kingdom, no matter what method I have to use, I have to expose the deepest part of the Ruin!」

「Ho, however……. If we are lacking in vigilance and encounter a lot of the Abyss or traps, our forces might get annihilated. More than this is──」

• GAKIiiiiN*

A dull sound of scraping metals resounded. Dobar’s private force all raised their faces.

A square lump of iron was dragged out by a <Wyrm> from the military ship behind, it crossed over the ship and brought it to the land.

When the lump of iron was placed above a stand that was attached to a pulley and arrived before their eyes, the troops shuddered.

「Oo, it finally arrived. My trump card.」

「Trump card……? Is it a new weapon? Or perhaps──」

The leader felt an air of unrest and reflexively asked that.

That box that could also be called as a lump of iron──.

No, that thing that was encircled by firm locks and chains looked like a cage.

「Open it.」

Dobar didn’t reply and instead gave instructions to the soldiers lowering down the cargo.

The thick iron door was opened and the contents became clear.

「This is……!?」

The men of Dobar’s private forces became speechless after taking a glance.

It wasn’t an armament, it also wasn’t a Drag-Ride, it wasn’t even a weapon.

It was a person.

A shackled black haired girl, her eyes blindfolded, and her body clad in a foreign outfit they had never seen before.

Not even caring about the binding that was painful to even look at, the girl’s mouth was smiling.

「Gentlemen, I’ll introduce her. This is the trump card that was hidden by that Old Empire Arkadia──she was called the Empire’s Assassin Dagger, the worst and the strongest Drag-Knight.」